nolechica

I'm in Mobile for the weekend, trying to finish the thesis from Hell. I can't get internet on my laptop, so having to go back and forth between it and my mom's computer. Have the bibliography done save one citation and checking a few others, but need to do abstract and acknowledgements. I've called manuscript clearance three times for different things to make sure this is right before my defense on Wednesday. Reading sample abstracts is next, as acknowledgements are optional and therefore have less format.

As for the rest of my week, my birthday was fun after a little towing scare. Went to dinner at Samrat with Rachel, 'tis becoming a birthday tradition. Thought about Masa, but I was broke, and so was she. I might need to ask to go to Stix tomorrow night, as Manci's was yummy last night, but not my choice. I did get more gifts though. A crap load of money, NOLA's gonna be great! And the music on my iPod for the trip? Even better if Em delivers my bday gift soon. Unless I decide I need a hard copy at midnight after the AMAs. However, first, I plan to see 2012 this weekend, hopefully tonight, as tomorrow will be football. The FSU season has sucked so hard that the game is on at 11am on ESPNU. That will require going somewhere to watch it, which Daddy and I discussed at 3am. He slept through my music snippet fest, but woke up ready to talk NFL relocation and NBA. WTF, he never wants to talk basketball now. The news of the day isn't the Lakers being in first place, but rather LeBron wants to change his number to honor Michael Jordan. Apparently having MJ show up at your games sparks something, who knows. I'd love to see him succeed in getting the number retired, but I don't see it happening. Too many players wearing the number now.

I woke up from my pre-baking nap to somewhat horrid news from Dr. Gray. He doesn't think I'm ready to defend. However, if I can rewrite my intro and link my advertising chapters to my mascot chapters better it my be possible. Why didn't he tell me this about the chapters this summer? Did he not read anything until he had everything? I'm hoping my dad can help me figure things out because I already ordered my cap and gown and am ready to finish this. I had no idea changes this big were looming. Also, this may mean that the job I found may not work out, as I have no idea how many hours of reading, writing, meeting with /e-mailing Gray it'll take to be ready. I'm dreading telling my parents. Called them when I found out, but they were in bed already.

As for why I was baking after 11pm? Rachel's birthday is Sunday, so I took her cupcakes, a card, and a copy of Details. She was amazed I got her anything, but after the card, balloon and flowers she gave me last year, I owed her. She hasn't read the Details article, didn't even know it existed, but her reaction to the pics wasn't surprising. Not amused is the best way to describe it, as well as shocked because she's apparently been under a rock. However, after she was weirded out by the Wicked clips, I wasn't surprised. Eh, I'll check back after she's read the article and see if she gets the spread then, as she knows nothing of tour shenanigans. Need to link her a different Time For Miracles vid as well, as the one I sent was yanked, oops. I offered to gift her either TFM or the first single off the album, when it appears, her choice. We'll see which she chooses. And we tentatively made plans for Indian food on my birthday because I can make teriyaki, but haven't ever attempted Indian. I miss the homemade samosas my friends gave me in high school. Need Samrat, or takeout Indian, soon. However, I need to defend to not make my birthday miserable. I wasn't at Kellum long though, walked back in the rain as she was called to deal with trouble in another dorm. Hope the next visit's longer.

It just occurred to me that my trip to Atlanta got skipped in all the election excitement. Anyway... It was good, could've been better. I wish we hadn't had a heartbreaking loss. Fumbling the winning touchdown in the end zone is definitely not cool. However, despite that loss, the weekend was good. I managed to get a tavern lady outfit together while Bryan and Tina were dressed as vampires. It's totally weird to see Bryan with facial hair. I told him he should neaten it up, but I have a feeling that he'll either be Grizzly Adams or shave it all off. Tina asked me if I liked it during dinner on Sunday and I told her it was too weird for me to like or dislike. The party on Friday was all Tina's friends from work, none of Bryan's showed. I found out when I went to bed that night that Joe Biden was coming to Tally that Sunday. *tear*

Saturday was spent chilling waiting to find out who my escort to the game was gonna be, but Bryan got off early. That made me feel better, as if he'd missed the game I'd have felt compelled to come up with another gift, for which I didn't have much money. We tried to go to the Varsity for lunch, but it was slammed and we skipped it for dinner because of losing the game. We did go to Chili's instead of grabbing fast food. On the way there Bryan was telling me about his favorite coffee spot, which turned out to be Einstein's, which we have one campus. Dinner was good, but Bryan still hasn't figured out how to let a girl pay for dinner. I paid, but told him he could pay for breakfast to even things out. We just watch football after dinner.

Sunday was relaxing. Breakfast and then hanging out, which included watching cricket and a movie. However, the lack of real plans made me feel bad about skipping Bailey's play. Dinner that night was tacos unlike I've ever had, chicken club and Greek. The only downside was sharing dinner with Tina, as three people in a noisy restaurant means only two can really talk, so guess who just ate? :-/ Other than the awkwardness, it was a cool place. I left super early on Monday, got dropped at MARTA on Bryan's way to work. And then proceeded to exit the wrong side of the MARTA station and got semi-lost, but not too bad. Spent a long time in the bus station and then the usual ride home. The trip was exhausting, but fun.

I know it's late but....Happy Birthday to Me! Today was great. No research, just shopping for magazines, there isn't a Time on campus, nor was it in the library. Mom is saving hers for me though. Rachel and Preston surprised me by going to dinner with me. They also brought me a balloon, flowers, and a card. Making me feel guilty over only belatedly giving Rachel vodka for her bday, but it was in a pinch, and I'm broke. I've gotten lots of Facebook love (Thanks Nicole!) and a package from Granny plus lots of phone calls. Making me feel much better. Been down from trying to figure my thesis out. So much to write and only a month left. However, I gave myself a day off, back to work tomorrow. Oh, and two of my favorite singers (Christina Aguilera and David Archuleta) released new CDs today, iTunes here I come!

I feel like a bad blogger as my birthday and Thanksgiving have come and gone without documentation. However, life's been busy and school is making me crazy. Anyway, I went to Atlanta for my birthday as Bryan has quit coming to Tallahassee for games. Plus, for once I was working while he wasn't. We spent the weekend chillin' in his tiny apartment and eating and drinking to our hearts content. Had fun with our IDs in the liquor store when the cashier saw that our birthday is the same. ;-) Talked to him today and he said that he now has a job and offers for a real job in either St. Pete or Atlanta. I just hope he gets a real job period, as he'll get sick of retail quickly.

As for Thanksgiving, it was busy. Took Wednesday off and went to Mobile, where I got a belated birthday celebration. Bryan and I went out, but no sweets were had until I got to Mobile. I got Vera Bradley stuff as well as money and a doormat and FSU banner from the 'rents. And then I was asked two days later for a Christmas list, sigh. However, I went back to Tallahassee on Friday to work and then go to Gainesville. Tailgating with Gators isn't bad, but hearing "UF reject" chants and jingling keys as well as "Goodbye" was a bit much after the disaster of a game. And the news the next day that Tebow played the second half with a broken hand was just salt in the wound. I told Sara after FSU won both basketball games that our good sports karma was probably used up, but I didn't want to be right. Now we have another less than satisfactory season almost over, lousy bowl game yet to be played.

As for why I've been busy, aside from work, it's almost finals and I have three papers due next week plus a take-home final the following week. My research paper isn't coming together well and one of my historiographies I think she wanted more sources despite my submitting ten for a 12-15 page paper. The other historiography I'll be selecting books for tomorrow and it's due a week from then. Argh, I'm not a robot and I don't type at light speed. Here's hoping I can get them finished.

Tonight is boring, last weekend, however, was fabulous. It was Homecoming and Rachel's 18th birthday on Thursday, much fun. Started with dinner at Samrat. I miss good Indian food and while the Samosas were good, nothing beats homemade. The party then continued at Aladdin's, my first time in a houkah bar. Twas interesting, a good time was had, including public humiliation of the birthday girl. However, having the Aladdin soundtrack stuck on repeat in my head whilst trying to go to sleep was not cool. Singing aloud with several people the night before was though. The night continued with typical FSU birthday subterfuge as the birthday girl was thrown in the fountain. It's been a while since I've seen a less willing victim, usually it's just shreiking, not kicking.

Friday was PowWow, which I did get to attend despite the lack of willingness on the part of my coworkers to cover my shift. Homecoming Chief and Princess were crowned after many acrobatic acts (cheerleaders and circus). The dance troupe performance was right before the comedic acts, Doug Benson and Sarah Silverman. The acts were good, but only an hour total together. Some frat boys pissed off Sarah and threw her routine out of whack. Got my ticket signed by both of them and took pics of Sara with both performers as she'd come in town early for PowWow. Skipped the party at Rachel's to go to Bullwinkle's, not my fave as it's super crowded, but it is within walking distance and Sara wanted to meet friends there. Reminded why military guys aren't my cup of tea, neither are short guys.

Saturday was shopping and chilling before the game. More hanging with Sara's friends and explaining my objection to beer pong (the lack of my drinking beer). Only one friend joined us at the game, but we stayed until it was basically over. Made Rachel happy by buying a sweatshirt that I let her wear because inside the stadium wasn't as cold as oustide, the second half was chilly though. Postgamed at AJ's to watch the end of the World Series game sans food and drink, waste of time, but eh, whateva. Got home after a pitstop for food and while Sara crashed I went to Meagan's to partake in the goodies of her roomie's 21st. Party was crowded and hot and I knew very few people, only Rachel, Preston, and Meagan, so I left before long as Rachel wasn't feeling well...too much hunch punch. However, despite the issues it was worth it, despite almost missing my cab home. :-o Best weekend I've had in a while and much needed as school is getting busy.