This weekend? It's application time. Yikes. I'm managing to hold off my urge to procrastibake an apple crisp right now by blogging (hey - I'm at the computer at least), but I know that I'm getting close to my 'git down git'r done' point. Speaking of - I saw a big-ass sticker on the rear window of the truck the other day that read "Git'r Done." Yee-haw.

At this point though, I'm afraid that anything I do will be in vain - I was informed of another BRILLIANT York administrative policy stating that no student shall have their transcript updated to say they've finished their degree untill after the graduation ceremony. This is the most ridiculous piece of garbage I've ever heard - it basically means that my transcripts that I'll be sending off with my applications (which are going to cost me $500+) are going to list my master's degree as as-yet incomplete. Which basically means that I'm no more competetive than I was last year, which means, yay me, I'm screwed. But, I'll be trying my best and hoping for the best anyways.

Pass the tissue...

Argh - It seems that I'm getting sick. I debated for a while whether to come into work this morning, but decided at 8 that I felt significantly better than at 7, I made a mad rush to get in by 9. I probably would have stayed home had this been a less busy day, since I really don't want to pass anything to people here or on the subway, but at the moment I'm not feeling anything worse than a runny nose. It's funny though - being sick is really encouraging me to take good care of myself - I'm eating really well, tons of fruit, juices, soups - and wondering why I can't just do that all the time.

My childhood best friend got married over that weekend, which was strange and wonderful at the same time. My mind kept flitting to memories of us going to see movies, drooling over rock stars and having sleepovers. We haven't kept in touch as much as I'd have liked over the past few years, but hopefully that can be changed in the coming years. The wedding was nice, and most importantly, they both seemed really happy. Also, everyone got some good entertainment out of me attempting to watlz (can't really count to three sometimes...) and polka.

Also: apple picking! Yay! I had the best apple of my life on Saturday morning, fresh from the tree. The orchard we go to has an attached winery, wonderful for relaxing after picking bags after bag of apples - I tried about 5 different types of fruit wines, and picked up a few for Girls Christmas!

Savoury Dreams

In my dream last night, I cooked a Turducken. For some reason, I missed consuming the actual bird, but did get to try some of the skin, which apparently was mighty delicious.

I DREAMT ABOUT A TURDUCKEN.

WITH BACON.

SFU (not STFU, that would just be rude)

I suppose it's fitting that with the onset of Fall (Ok, I know it's not techically for another couple of days, but c'mon), Mark and I have started a new TV addiction. Following the lead of Megan, we've started going through the seasons of Six Feet Under. For those who are unfamiliar with the premise, it's a drama (also, comedic) that revolves around a family that runs a funeral home. These characters are all incredibly flawed, but interesting. Magnetic. Each episode begins with a death, and the focus of that episode is shaped in some way by the death. I think part of how wonderful the show is is that it forces the viewer to confront death, accept it as a natural part of life that not only brings sorrow, but also can be the starting point for some very positive shange, or at least some honest introspection. My point: excellent show, not guilty about watching due to instructiveness of content.

I'm being truthful when I call it an addiction: we think about it when its not on, we're driven to consuming far too much of it, and when we run out, we almost instantly need a new fix. Over the last week, we watched all of season one (it was fantastic, of course), which was a wonderful intro to a series that hooked us last year with only a few episodes late in the series. Anyway, on Monday night we finished the season by watching four episodes. FOUR. Yesterday, I felt withdrawal coming on - no episodes waiting for me to come home and watch them. That, coupled with a lack of yumminess in the fridge and no desire to go grocery shopping, led me down to Bloor, where I placed my takeout sushi order (mmmmmmmm AND cheap!), and headed on over to Queen video (yes, Queen video is on Bloor, but named after Queen st...?!) and grabbed season two. Saw a look of confusion enter sales clerk's eyes. "Umm, so did you know that Mark, the other person on the account, already took this same thing out a couple of hours ago?" I left feeling absolutely elated, Mark beat me to the punch on my sweet surprise, and I have the comfort in knowing that my addiction is fully and completely shared.

So... what's next?

Try to take over the world? So far I've got North America:



Aside from world domination, I have a vague idea of what this next year is going to bring. I've already mentioned that I've signed up for French classes. These will hopefully get me to a state where I feel comfortable enough using French that I will be able to nevigate myself around frenchland without upsetting the locals. And hopefully, I will have some lovely friends with me. I checked out the Go Abroad fair downtown yesterday, and unfortunately it was pretty much a complete dissapointment. Basically, I learned that I can definitely go anywhere I want, but I should really go learn hotel management at a foreign school that will charge me a BMW for admissions, or, I also have the option of teaching English. Not exactly the life-changing experiences I want. Looks like I'll have to do some more research!

Also: we've had these chairs for almost a year now. They're scary, unless you're a fierce cat:



(due to Risk lasting till 4am before being abandoned, this post is scattered and short on content. It's a good day.)

JERBSCMA

Two years, and two letters appended to my name. I defended my thesis on Tuesday, and apparently it went pretty well (I'm a very poor judge of my public speaking, so I have to rely on other people's reports). I was taken out for lunch, for dinner, flowered, and peachy penguined. And oddly enough, when it was over I didn't even feel good. For the first day or so, I actually felt like crying, and not even in a relieved way! Saner heads have told me that it's a release-from-stress reaction, and I believe them, but I really can't wait for the belief and the relief to hit. I imagine that probably won't come until the graduation ceremony, but I guess as long as it comes at some point I'll be happy!

Ok, before anyone sits here thinking that I'm some crazy, depressed little girl, let me point out that I'm actually pretty happy. Just not the expected state of ecstatic. I'm fine - I actually have time to DO stuff now, and I've been starting to get excited about that. I'm also still working on some applications, hopefully to be finished in the next couple of weeks.

I may get to see Sharon tonight on her way back to Ingersoll via Toronto, and possibly even a lil' bit o Paula this weekend! If not, I will make sure all of my ladies get plenty of Jen time very soon. For now, they will have to settle for internet love. Thanks for your patience!

Something I do feel bad about: Not giving a huge public shout out out out out to Mark, who was super to me this week, and who also birthdayed this week. Thank you for letting me practise my defense on you rather than go out partying on your birthday. I'll make it up to you by playing RISK like a champ this weekend. I loooove you!

Ch-ch-changes

For the first time in my life, I'm not starting a new school year. For now, I'm done school, although I'm not quite able to relish in the doneness yet. This has led to a really strange feeling - I realize that a new year is starting up for pretty much everyone around me, but I don't FEEL it yet. For now, I just have this really odd, strange feeling of being stuck in a lengthy transition. I'm a little bit jealous of people starting their new years, and a little bit sad that I have no high-level courses to challenge me.

BUT

This time next week, everything will have changed. I'm getting quite anxious about my defense, but I'm plugging away at making a sweet presentation, and gearing myself up for the grilling. Oi. So that's why I'm not blogging much - interesting things have been happening but I'm not at liberty to fritter my time away right now.

(PS - I'm frittering a little bit - I did my tried and true procrastibake tonight ;)

Thinking

-That Paula should only get a tattoo if its of ballet slippers. Or possibly the pontiac symbol.

-That this weekend will be both sad and fun - lots of exotic wedding celebrations, but Seema will be leaving too soon.

-Even though I wouldn't be seeing her now anyways, I miss Sharon.

-Am slightly jealous of the exciting time Megan is starting into. Am happy that she may get some new experiences and away from things that make her upset.

-That I really need to try Duff's wings soon - Mark and I came sooo close last night, but after walking all the way there, found out that plans had changed and people were elsewhere.

-Instead of staying for wings, we walked home, had some hero burger, and watched the incredibly cute Dear Frankie.