Monthly Archive for September, 2004

The Adventures of Monica – September 2004

As most of you know, I have gone back to school full-time, and I am very excited about it. However, it is definitely an adventure. I have made it through the first month but I have a long way to go. Adjusting to having NO life has been really strange. Watching TV, going to the movies, weekends traveling, or simply relaxing and reading a book for the fun of it, are a thing of the past. Not to mention, we bought a house, and I think I will be done decorating it when I have some free time… before we sell it and buy another one years from now.

I spend my days memorizing body parts, bones, tissues, DNA strands, all about parasites and how they can kill you, and of course, the chemistry of it all among other things. Somehow, no matter how far I try get away from chemistry, it is always there.

Since I have no free time, I was beginning to worry about not spending enough time with my husband but not to worry, his other love is back. Yes, if you immediately thought football, you are correct. Keeping up with his fantasy football teams is way more important, intense, stressful and time-consuming than any of my school subjects, or at least that’s what he would have you believe. I don’t know how he does it!

Another fun part of going back to school is spending time with 18 year olds. I know I should not feel old because I am only 29, but it feels like I’ve lived a lifetime next to some of these kids. It’s the world of nothing in common. They have it all figured out year by year to include when they are getting married, having kids, traveling around the world, and of course the most important thing, moving out of their parents house. Somehow when I bring up subjects like mortgage, biological clock, in-laws, coffee being better than soda, I just don’t seem to make a connection. I guess I have to keep working on it. Did I also mention that they all try to look like Britney Spears? I am not sure if it makes me feel inadequate, frumpy, uncomfortable, old-fashioned, outdated, or just simply older. I just don’t think it’s practical to run around campus in tube tops and stilettos at 8 o’clock in the morning. I could be wrong and in need of some serious shopping!

And the �drama� continues�

What hurricane?

I had plans to go see the VT-Duke this past weekend, but I totally bailed when Ivan came up from the Gulf of Mexico and took dead aim at southwestern Virginia. So what happened then? A beautifully sunny day in Blacksburg, of course.

Well, to be fair, the drive over on Friday evening might have doomed me as there were a plethora of tornadoes all over the state and the weather was just downright nasty. It seems Ivan sped up and hurried across the state a little early, which made for a very nice game day.

Oh well. At least I got to watch the game with Bucky, and Monica and I were able to run some errands, as well as look at some futons (of which were planning on putting in the office). And we all had a kick-butt sushi dinner; I think we found our sushi place here.

On Sunday, I watched NFL while getting some much needed painting done. I hooked up a spare television in the garage, which enabled me to paint and watch at the same time. Awesome.

Of course, this was after I had to fix a leaky toilet. After a trip to Home Depot, I determined the mechanism inside the tank was put together improperly.

So to sum up, I missed a good Hokie win in person, but I was able to watch it on TV, then we had great sushi, then I got a lot of house-work done. Not a bad weekend after all.

Three Years Ago

I still get that sickening feeling in my stomach when I think about the events of that day. We must never stop pursuing the kinds of people that could cause a repeat of those events, and we must remember always to honor the fallen heroes of that day.

Never forget.

A September Birthday

I have two times a year to celebrate�
I jump and shout on my own birthday,
then I leap and laugh on yours.
- Maya Angelou

To all of us September babies, Happy Birthday!

Armed with what? Spitballs?!?

If you didn’t see Senator Zell Miller’s speech last night at the Republican National Convention, get thee to this site immediately and watch it.

You can read the text of the speech, but you really have to view the video to get a sense of the raw emotion he displayed and the passion with which he delivered one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard.