The GRE

I finally bit the bullet and signed up for the GRE. I mean, I am applying to Master's programs for next Fall and applications are due in January, so the GRE is a bit of a must, if you know what I mean.

I've purchased all of my study materials, including a set of 500 flashcards that guarantee to make my vocabulary so awesome not even the editors of Webster will understand everything I will certainly be talking about.

I also have to brush up on my Math, seeing as how I haven't taken "traditional" Math since ... oh ... Freshman year of college way back in the day. The only good news I can gather from this is that I actually found Algebra to be fun. Yes, fun.

The admission I must make is that I am feeling slightly intimidated by this exam. I know I shouldn't let the pressure get to me, but, let's face it ... this is a BIG test! The fact that I'm somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to myself (mainly nerd-wise) doesn't help matters much.

Still, I plan on making the GRE my bitch. It's a personal vow I've made to myself, and I plan wholeheartedly on following through. The main thing I have going for me is the somewhat annoying trait of sheer, unadulterated stubbornness. I will not fail!

Surprisingly, I'm more nervous about the Verbal than the Math. This has more to do with my chosen field of study (Literature) than anything else, I think. However, it could also be due in part to that massive box of words sitting beside my computer, which is extremely, extremely insane. I have some work to do.

The test is on December 19th at 8am here in Austin. That is the Friday before Christmas break, and I plan on taking it off to conquer the 4-hour test, then drive home for The Holidays. Work, then lots and lots of play!

In the meantime, studying, studying, and more and more studying is my plan of action. If anyone reading this has taken said exam, please feel free to offer any advice or condolences. I'm, as they say, all ears. :)

Little Corinne

Well, well, well ...

My cousin, Melanie, brought the first baby from our generation of the family into the world yesterday, ten days early ... Thursday, November 6th.

Her name is Corinne Marie, and she weighed in at 8lbs 6oz, measuring right about 20 inches long. She's precious!

Decisions, decisions ...

Crazy days, my friends. Crazy, crazy days.

I've definitely had too much coffee this morning, and I made some rockin' herb-crusted chicken last night. (Not the reason things are crazy 'round these parts, but who 'da thunk I'd be cooking (WELL) almost daily?! Not I.)

And, apparently, my posts haven't been showing for a few weeks now. This was just brought to my attention, as I thought everything was hunky dory. I believe I fixed the issue, and am hoping they are all showing now. :)

I'm also very into vests. I'm happy they are back in style. I rock 'em. I rock 'em proudly.

Oh, and toasted wheat bagels with a little light cream cheese and sliced strawberries is my new favorite breakfast food. Try it. You'll love it!

Happy Tuesday. It's going to be one for the books.

How 'bout them Raiders?!

I have no voice left. None. I literally screamed my head off last night.

We were going to try to make it home for the game. We didn't have tickets, but tailgating definitely would have been enough! Unfortunately, we were unable to make the trip ... but we did get the distinct pleasure of sitting in a room full of "Ugly Orangies", who were being so tacky to us, I wanted to spit in their faces (I didn't ... for the record), then WINNING the game against the NUMBER ONE team, and sticking it in their faces!

Take it all, bitch! ;)

Are you kidding me?

What a freakin' game! I'm so proud of our boys.

GO RAIDERS!!!



My Alma Mater is making me one happy, happy lady these days!

Election '08

Well, early voting ends today. Next week, we find out who our next president will be. I'm not going to climb atop my soap box, nor am I going to yell from my high horse. All I am going to say is ... this is an important one. A very important one. I hope we, collectively as Americans, make the correct decision.

Either way, it's probably going to be an interesting (at least) couple of years ahead. I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little anxious, and also rather ready for this one to just be done with. We've been hearing about this election for a very, very long time. It's time to decide.

I'll discuss more once the election is actually through next week.

Oh, and Happy Halloween to all of you costumed crazies! Dressing up is super-FUN!! I dig. :)

Sentimental

You close your eyes and kiss your hand, then you blow it.
But it isn't meant for me, and I notice ...

Time never had a chance to heal your heart.
Just a number always counting down to a new start.
If you always knew the truth,
Then the world would spin around you.
Are you dizzy yet?

When I know I'm all alone,
I say your name slowly.
And I know that I'm alone,
But I carry you.

Does it feel good like a memory?
When you try some history?
It's a dream to come around.
The rule doesn't bend,
Because the taste doesn't taste the same again.

It's easy feeling righteous when removed;
All you'll get as what you wanna hear.
It hurts because it should.
How else am I to make it clear?

I could never be the one that you want, don't ask.
Well, here's to living in the moment ...
'Cause it passed.

Maybe a lie is what I need sometimes.
You told the most and best of anyone.
You said to "keep me in your pocket."
So I carried you ...

You better choose your words carefully,
Because I'm not your anything.
Gonna stay here in my place,
And you'll stay in yours.
Because you're only good as what you're good for.

I pace around the room to spend the time,
Waiting while the burning pictures fade.
One thing to make your mind,
And another to say its name.

I could never be the one that you want, don't ask.
Well, here's to living in the moment ...
'Cause it passed, it passed.

I'm still carrying a little hope that, maybe,
Things could get different now.
Is that so wrong, is that so wrong, is that so wrong?

Would I see you tonight, at a place we go?
Could going through the motions, lead to real emotion?
I wanna make things right, before time runs out.
It was like you said, the taste don't taste like it should.
Roll down the windows, let the cold air come in;
Slap my face just feel you somehow again, again ...

I could never be the one that you want, don't ask.
Well, here's to living in the moment,
'Cause it passed.

I could never be the one that you want, don't ask.
Yeah, here's to living in the moment
'Cause it passed.
'Cause it passed, it passed, it passed ...

You said you'd never have regrets.
Jesus, is there someone yet who got that wish;
Did you get yours, babe?

"We all get a little sentimental, but it's nothing glorious ..."

Books.

Sometimes I get these strange, yet overpowering urges to run out and buy tons and tons of books. I'm not even sure what kind of books. Just books, books, books, books, books!

My dream house would include one room dedicated to books and reading. It wouldn't have to be a big room, just one chalk-full of books. I want bookcases lining all of the walls and a couple of really big, overstuffed, comfortable chairs.

I'm still trying to make it all the way through Atlas Shrugged. I've discovered recently that when I don't have a deadline for reading (such as I have always had in school), I read at a rather leisurely pace.

This makes reading encyclopedia-sized novels much more time-consuming than the speed-read I have been most accustomed to. It is nice, though, to be able to read for pleasure, not for pressure.

Still, I'm ready to be back in school. I actually miss it. What can I say? I guess I'm just a freak that way.