Most Normal Girl

Sunday, January 29, 2006

"I'm Back, Baby!"

I'm back in Bean Town. TA DA (with jazz-hands and everything)!!! My vacation home went well but was over much too quickly. It's still sort of hard to believe that I'm back here -- already.

So I didn't sleep the entire vacation (as much as I may have wanted to). And there were some days that I was actually productive - who woulda thunk?

I got a chance to catch up with good friends and family. Blair and I even got a chance to drive up to San Jose to see Carrie (nine months pregnant with daughter #2)

and to celebrate Miss Katelyn's 2nd birthday. It was great. Blair took some great photos and film footage while we were there.

I also had a chance to visit the Ashes and Snow exhibit that is on display in Santa Monica. It was awesome. I was totally into the photography and the emotional experience of the exhibit. If anyone has a chance to check it out, this is one show that I strongly recommend. Or, visit the website.

I also had the chance to visit my friends from my old job. Walking around campus felt as though I never left - it felt like home all over again. I missed my friends and I missed all the silly moments we had (mixed in the stress and frustration that were part of the territory). By the end of the day, we had drank too much and laughed too hard... if there is such a thing.

I also went to my college alma mater - LMU. While it was sort of a wasted day (as I was hoping it would be a good networking and job-hunting day), it was good to be back on the campus that helped shape me into the woman I am today. Walking around and visiting the buildings brought back many memories and made me again realize the truth behind "the more things stay the same, the more they never stay the same." I've changed. And I'm happy with who I was, who I am, and who I will develop into.

Blair and I went to a Clippers basketball game. Ironically, they have a better record this season than the L.A. Lakers. We had a good time, but especially enjoyed taking pictures of the people behind us... check out this one where the guy seems to be falling asleep - it's my most favorite! And this was us...just happy and having fun.
Long overdue, I spent a lot of down-time in complete "veg" mode. It was great. I like vacations to be a little of this and a little of that -- and this was exactly what I got. ...Plus, the weather was a nice reminder of why California is truly the Golden State - all the sunshine and warmth went straight to my heart.

Overall, I could sum up my trip home as a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was that good. More than ever before, I realized that I miss home more than I thought I did. I also did a lot of reflection and re-discovered that the people who are close to my heart are really that much closer. I guess it took going away to remember how much I love and need them.

By the way, if any of you are an avid Friends enthusiast, like me, than you know exactly which episode Joey said "I'm Back, Baby!" - which is the title of this post. ...That was a totally random comment, I know.

Anyway, I'm back and am about to start the second half of my year. Feel free to drop me a line before the frenzy of school begins again!
Posted by Jessie_b :: 10:29 AM :: ---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

"I'm On Vacation"

I'm back on the west coast for the semester break and am LOVING IT. I forgot how 'warm' it could be in L.A. (meaning, above 50 degrees during the day).

So far, I've been very productive. You know, lots of sleeping in, lots of trash t.v. watching (Springer, Judge Judy, Days of our Lives, ahhh yes - the crappity crap crap crap)... I'll get a few more things done this week - head to the post office to buy at least 40 of the 2 cent stamps, get my hair cut (since it's been about 6 months), go see the dentist, say 'hello' to a few friends and relatives, eat tons of crap, and as much sitting around on my ass as possible. Yes, vacation is a wonderful thing.

I think I'm going to go try to get my boyfriend naked. Cause I can do that, now that I'm home...
Posted by Jessie_b :: 6:37 PM :: 0 comments

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Half Way THERE

I'M DONE WITH MY FIRST SEMESTER!

WHOOO HOOO!

One down, one to go. It took me exactly eight hours to finish this final - one hour per page, in essence. 3,628 words. I'm soooo glad to be done.

Now I'm officially on vacation. And I think I'm going to kick it off by having a glass of wine and a toast to myself. Here's to the first semester at Harvard; with any luck you'll get through the second to earn a degree! You done good, kid, you done real good.
Posted by Jessie_b :: 2:02 PM :: ---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Yowzaa

Do you ever wake up, ready to start the day and just feeling good? I do. For no particular reason... although...

In a few short days, I'll be home

In a few short days, my finals will be over

In a few short days, I'll be able to sleep better at night

In a few short days, I won't have to eat leftovers in the fridge

In a few short days, I won't be cold

In a few short days, I will be on VACATION

In a few short days, I won't have to rely upon public transportation

In a few short days, my first semester at Harvard will be over

In a few short days... anything is possible.

Yowzaa!
Posted by Jessie_b :: 7:38 AM :: 0 comments

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Girl Friends

Girlfriends are the greatest. Who else can you turn to for relationship advice, sappy movies, quiet conversation, giggles for the hell of it, CHOCOLATE, bitching about life, and beauty secrets? They pull you out of the trenches when the going gets tough and tell you to get off your ass when you've gained those unseemly ten extra pounds.

I never appreciated girl friends until my twenties. As a kid, I enjoyed playing with the boys - if not by myself - much more than the girls. Boys had better toys (with the exception of Barbie and My Little Pony). In elementary school, boys were fun for beating up on the playground or kicking their ass in sports - I was quite fiesty back then. Girls just giggled a lot and ran to the bathroom in packs.

But as time went on and the boys got weirder, the girls seemed to become allies. They give better hugs, at least. And they understand what a wink across a table means... that's very important. The wink can tell you "just kidding," can mean "just go with it," or can signify a reference to a person joke just between the two of you. Girls get that.

Girl friends will also tell you when your boyfriend is being a butt-head and that's it's okay to cry for no reason. They're always there when you need to pick up the phone and will understand when you don't.

They tell you that they miss you: often. They will send you notes and messages to wish you a good day or to tell you that they're thinking of you. They laugh over joys and cry over sorrows - and will look forward to the next time. They welcome you home and ask about the smallest details of your life. "How are you pooping, these days?" Yes, girl friends will share it all if you ask them to.

My girl friends have come to mean the world to me and I'm so lucky to have them. We grow together and stand beside one another; regardless of age or distance. Red Rover, Red Rover, send anyone over.. as long as the girls hold our hands tight, there's nothing that can break the Power of our Might.
Posted by Jessie_b :: 7:44 PM :: 0 comments

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

I Should Be

I should be working on my first final.
It's due Friday morning.
I have four questions to answer.
I should be working on my first final.
I should, I should, I should.
Posted by Jessie_b :: 5:15 PM :: ---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Can't Sleep

I can't sleep. It's nearly 1:30am and I've been trying to get to sleep for the last hour and a half. I think there is just too much on my mind. Like:

*I hope my finals go well this week.
*I can't wait to be home, in one week. One week from RIGHT NOW, I'll be home. Home, Sweet Home.
*It snowed today. I wonder if it will be gone by the end of the week.
*What should I wear tomorrow?
*I should really finish cleaning up the apartment.
*I wonder how my brother is doing. I haven't heard from him in a while.
*What should I make for dinner tomorrow night?
*I wonder what Carrie and Bill are going to name their second child. ...Katelyn was a good choice for the first one... What will I name my kids?
*My phone didn't ring once today. Hmm.
*Wow, the moon looks eerie. I wonder if anyone else is looking up at it.
*Maybe I should read something. Reading makes me sleepy.
*I should probably do some more reading before finals. Damn finals. I hate exams.
*Okay, okay - not ALL exams. I like those cheesy ones that people send around the Internet. Sunrise or sunset? Chocolate or vanilla? Do you believe in monsters?
*My butt is cold. Maybe I should put the hot water bottle on my butt. No, don't want to burn the biscuits.
*Just go to sleep. Focus on nothing. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Yeah... that about sums it up.
Posted by Jessie_b :: 10:26 PM :: ---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Join Me In My Psychosis, Won't You?

Happy Belated New Year's! Welcome, 2006.

To me, New Year's Eve means spending an evening playing a mean game of Spider Solitaire or Minesweeper. Trying to beat the previous years' scores is of utmost importance. Oh, and planning my wedding. The wedding that will happen - one day - but not any time soon to take fooling around on the Internet seriously. It makes me happy; makes me feel like the five-year-old little girl who dreamed about being a cheerleader one day. I got there my friends and I will get there again. (Go Spartans! Insert a high leg kick here.) I just like to pick out the skirt... er, um, so to speak.

But this year's New Year Celebration was different. I actually had company. Mom and Dad. Granted, we all fell asleep on my couch before Midnight - only to wake up for a quick hug and then off to bed. For all of you out there who did close to the same thing - ROCK ON! For the rest of you who think that I'm pathetic for falling asleep early, you can GO TO HELL BECAUSE YOU'LL GET THERE ONE DAY. Just wait.

But now, I'm more than making up for the crazy wild side. Seriously. I've been super busy with lying around - only to be interrupted by that annoying paper that is due on Monday, work every now and then, cleaning the apartment, laundry, and the occasional shower. Good form, good form.

I've been absent from writing for a while; my apologies. I'll try to be back into the swing of things shortly.
Posted by Jessie_b :: 8:19 PM :: ---------------oOo---------------