Let's get ready to ruuuumbllllle!

I'm ridiculously tired...just ridiculously. It almost makes me want to giggle, which is a weird reaction for some but totally normal for me. I taught my two sections of Spanish 102 today in addition to substituting for a friend of mine. Things went well in that area, no complaints. I really enjoy teaching. There is nothing more rewarding than having a lesson go over really well. Today, for example, I had my kids bring in socks, give them Hispanic names and they used these sock-puppet-friends to learn basic introduction dialogues in Spanish. Maybe that sounds simple and/or strange, but they loved it; they were laughing the whole time and really got into it. I have a reputation for being a bit of a wacky teacher but it definitely works. If they get anything out of it, I want them to relax and enjoy themselves a little bit because that is when things stick.

Tonight, Felipe and I are going to a feijoada at a Brazilian friend's house. For those who don't know, that just means a typical Brazilian-style dinner involving rice, beans, some kind of meat, salad, etc. It will be a lot of fun, I'm sure but I'm a bit nervous. When I first got back from Brazil, my Portuguese was kickin' and my Spanish was awkward. Now, my Spanish is back to it's original shine and my Portuguese is rusty. I've come to the conclusion that I should no longer learn Romance languages. Two is enough. I'm working on Arabic now, which is TOTALLY different and doesn't confuse me. Have Spanish and Portuguese in my brain is like a bad juggling act; neither ball can be up at the same time and I have a tendency to drop one or the other at any given moment. Anyone else who has extensive knowledge of both can understand my plight, I'm sure.

I noticed something today but I'm not sure if it's just me being grumpy or what. People don't give way on the sidewalk around here and it's quite disturbing to me. I'm not a big person by any stretch of the imagination so, you'd think a 6'00'', 210 dude would give me a few inches to maneauver but...no! I am absolutely sick of constantly having to twist and contort my body (and gigantic bag with books and teaching materials) at the last possible second to avoid a head-on collision. Am I the only person on campus that sucks at playing pedestrian-style chicken?? I've been experimenting lately with different approaches to this dilemma. Sometimes I just flat-out throw a shoulder into someone (which usually hits somewhere around their elbow). However, this method hurts and people look at me like I'm some kind of bitch on a rampage. Then, I tried coming to a complete stop right in front of them so as not to collide but to immediately draw attention to the situation. This method has had moderate success. In particular, when I roll my eyes at said sidewalk-invader and then exhale with dramatic exasperation as I walk away. Perhaps this societal issue is an indicator of a general decline in common courtesy, I'm not sure. More likely, however, is the fact that most people are plugged into an iPod and/or chatting absentmindedly while walking. This causes them to feel that I should respect their obliviousness to reality and get out of the way. Sorry, my friend...you picked the wrong chica...

P.S. I can't stomach pro wrestling; it's the stupidest, most redneck thing since Pat Buchanan. Just picked the title for the allusion's sake...

Like giving crack to a baby...

Well, I'm back, as you can see. I hadn't anticipated reviving my blog but, current circumstances have sort of led me in that direction. For one thing, I am doing research on blogging/social networks/psychology for an article/conference paper I'm writing and thought having my own blog would be kinda like "field research". Also, I find myself chest-high in demanding situations lately and writing has always been a good release for me. So has talking, but the people around me are getting a bit sick of hearing about it. I still think blogging is essentially an egotistical, voyeuristic activity but, hey, everyone else is doing it and we're all a little depraved sometimes, right? My creative writing teacher this semester has said that writing in all forms and varieties is productive for writers so, I just look at this blog as "extra credit". Not to mention it is a lovely place to voice all my observations and opinions of the world (of which there are plenty).

I'm feeling rather proud of myself at this particular moment. I am completely on-track as far as Ph.D. applications go. I decided to apply to a total of 12 programs all across the country so, needless to say, I'm in for a LOT of work. Everyone told me I didn't need that many but, I like having lots of choices. My "personal statement" is written and approved of by several trust-worthy faculty members, my transcripts (all $90 worth--how shitty) are ordered, and I've been studying SEDULOUSLY (a lot) for the GRE's. Every school is profiled, check-listed and filed in my nifty little filing cabinet; the proverbial poster picture for anal-retentive, over-achievers. The online applications are almost totally filled-out and faculty recommendation letters are in the works. phew, just thinking about it makes me tired...

Currently reading: Lies at the Altar by: Dr. Robin Smith-- SOOOO many of my friends are obsessed about marriage/engagement nowadays so, taking an informed, realistic approach to potential matrimony seemed like a good idea. If I have to check out one more "rock" (which usually looks more like a pebble) and hear "how he did it" and "what the bridesmaids are going to wear" one more time, I think I might hurl. ARE WE NOT IN THE 21st CENTURY?? Why are women still obsessing about marriage? It's not like getting hit by lightening or winning the lottery-- statistics say that 95% of the population gets married at least once. Welcome to the mediocre club (please leave your brain at the door).