Latest

So I know it's been a long time since I rapped at ya, but there has been a lot going on. First of all I've been working a lot which is pimp because it helps pay the bills (cell phone bills, health care bills, credit card bills...) Then I've been trying to land a couple part time jobs which is a little slow because the job hirer is never in as big a rush as you are! Then I've been working on marketing my calligraphy skillz (with a z because they are mad good) to paper stores and wedding planners. Then, I been applying to graduate schools (no z because they are frightening with their ability to reject) for a masters in fine arts and law.
I realized that Law might be a good idea because I want to make enough money to buy a whole bunch of park benches and name them after my father and to get a big monument at the cemetery which won't sink into the ground in 100 years like so many other ones. I was at a cemetery in Springfield, Illinois two days ago, checking out the graves of some ancestors which I had never seen before. Many of the stones were illegible and one had broken and fallen, and another was being eaten by grass. Kind of sad. I really hope that in 100 years my descendants will tend to the family gravestones. As long as someone remembers your name you never really die. In many cultures the ancestors are worshiped, not that I am advocating that because ancestors were people full of flaws and charms like everyone else, but it would be nice to be remembered.
Other things I've been doing: proctoring practice tests for the Princeton Review. I got a polo shirt with the Princeton Review logo on it, mad cool. I've been following the Cubs and Bears games. Today I noticed that I went right for the sports section of the Tribune. I have come a long way as a sports fan! jeez I am impressed with myself.
I've also been hitting up the therapy a lot, which is good for learning how to take care of oneself and to navigate the world. Today I relearned that it is best for me not to hook up with someone repeatedly unless they can offer me a relationship. What I really want in a man is someone who is proud to call me their girlfriend and who will be part of the family (i.e. come to the myriad parties throughout the year) My sister was engaged at 24 and while I am in no hurry to get married it's probably not a good idea to spend time in the vast wasteland of going-nowhere relationships. Unless I am learning something which I am not.
Haven't been exercising enough, but I will get on that on the 25th (oh tomorrow!) because that will give me a month to get in shape before my friend's wedding.
Been listening to a lot of Atmosphere. Great duo. New favorite song is "Yesterday" and I like "Shoes" too.
Alright, time for me to do something career useful.
xoxo

Vacation

Dear Readers,
I am finally going on a summer vacation! So I will be gone for a week or so. Packing for a trip is so stressful don't you think? Ugh, I've been wanting to be in bed for 45 minutes now. I'm waiting for my ipod to finish syncing, but it's taking forever!
Hope everyone is well. Except you. You know who you are.

Things I want to do this Summer or before I turn 24 (at the end of the summer)

Alright folks. I like to set goals and since I'm not meeting the ones I had set earlier (job, apartment, graduate school applications, gallery show - and I mean I haven't accomplished one) I have set some new goals. Also thought it might be fun to articulate all those activities and places I want to do this summer.

To do:

• Run 5 miles. I've run three several times, but I haven't run at all in a week and a half. I suspect I'm punishing myself on some level because I also haven't painted. Exercise and painting both make me feel good about myself and it's not happening. Is odd.
• Go to Cyrano's on Wells. I've actually wanted to do this since my sister's graduation party in 2001. I remember it being fabulous and delicious. Plus I think they have a cabaret.
• Find someone with a summer house in Michigan and take advantage of their hospitality.
• Have thin arms. Lifelong goal, no idea how to accomplish it.
• Find my Coach wallet.
• Go to Chicago Summerdance at least once.

Things I like and do not like about Summer

Some things about the summer are wonderful! and some are not. I will try to avoid listing things that vex everyone such as mosquitoes and traffic jams headed to the beach. But!

Je n'aime pas:

1. The red marks on the side of the nose after wearing sunglasses
2. Sun burns (counteracted by always wearing sunscreen. Keeps you cooler too)
3. Tan lines on feet because then your feet just look dirty
4. Restaurants whose sidewalk cafes take up 70% of the sidewalk
5. People standing outside sidewalk cafes waiting for a table taking up another 20% of the sidewalk.
6. Sitting on the beach one can see every errant hair that wasn't shaved/plucked because the sunlight reveals everything. This one should be filed under "things that really bother me but probably shouldn't"
7. Feeling insecure at the beach because you aren't as fit and thin as the people playing perfect volleyball in the sand. This was especially a problem in California. I will never be a size 4! why!!?!
8. Warm bottled water. Have solved this problem by taking coffee-to-go-cups and filling them with ice and water. Mmmm...
9. Ever notice that it is impossible to keep sand off the beach towel? I heard that using two towels draped on each other can prevent that, but I don't believe it. The sand on the towel leads to that other dread problem: sand in the crotch.
10. Can't bake scones or make lasagna because turning on the oven heats up the house intolerably.

Je l'aime beaucoup

1. Sand is a great exfoliator
2. Sidewalk cafes are lovely to sit at
3. Long days of sunshine boost the mood
4. Living in cities one can avoid evil mosquito traps
5. Reading on the beach.
6. Watching happy little kids play in the water. (As long as one doesn't actually go in because of said little kids peeing in the water. Not to mention fish, bugs and slimy things that live in lakes and oceans)
7. Iced treats
8. Vacation time!
9. Everyone generally in good mood.
10. Excuse for lazing about and doing nothing.
11. Excuse to not cook but order in as is "too hot to cook" (Let other people sweat in steamy kitchens)
12. Compelling reason to exercise so as to not have excess body fat which keeps you warmer and desire to not look like vanilla pudding at the beach.
13. Longer days mean longer time to sit on roof drinking iced margaritas. Mmmm....