Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, I am thankful to be making it in graduate school, and for the support of family and wonderful friends.

To all who still read this now seldom-updated blog, enjoy your turkey dinner!

It's Been a While...

A colleague of mine sent an email last night about a new blog project, and I was reminded I have been away from here for quite a while. I do enjoy having this space to write about my personal and professional interests, and life in general, but I have found in the past few months that I have not had a great deal of "compelling" things to chronicle.

When I last wrote, I had returned from my "grad school tour." I did make a choice, although a different one than I had anticipated. That said, I am looking forward to it with the same excitement and think I made a good decision.

I had a birthday last week. Does 25 feel different than 24? Nope.

I need to go through my sidebar and take out/add a few things. Watch for changes.

2009 Begins

Well, a new year is upon us. 2008 started pretty well for me, but by the end I was not much further ahead than I had been in 2007. I am hopeful that the mixed back of the past year will give way to personal and professional success in the coming one.

Here's hoping for good things in 2009!

Holiday Recap

Had a nice Christmas. Pretty low key, but that is how we like it around here. Got a few nice gifts...a couple sportcoats, pants, a book, a calendar...mostly "functional" items.

We went to a couple after Christmas sales Friday. The mall was insane, but I did grab a $4 pair of slippers at Herbergers, and later picked up holiday cards for next season at World Market for about $4 a box...not bad.

It was an interesting week with a puppy running around...my sister's combined birthday and Christmas gift was a dog. She's had him since Mid-Nov, and he is cute as hell...sure keeps us on our toes though, especially with the cats. They are happy he has gone back to his home so they can have the run of the house again.

Two more days in 2008...where did the year go?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone out there in the blogosphere!

No Internet=Annoying

I've determined this week just how annoying it is not to have internet and email access when you expect to. Ours has been on and off since Sunday night and we are unsure of the problem despite a visit from the Comcast guy.

It is amazing how dependent upon it I am in my daily life.

I Can Relate...

I agree with Loralee...I'm a terrible texter. Yet, I do more of it lately because it is the way of things. I've even thought a couple of times about getting a smart phone so I can IM, email, and access my calendar when I don't have my computer along on trips and such. But...I don't know if I can justify the cost to myself.

Classy...

A "Dear Applicant" letter with my name spelled wrong on the address sticker.

Sad.

And Now to Colorado...

Back from one trip and leaving on another. Heading to Colorado today to visit relatives for a few days. Happy Fourth of July!

Gone Fishing...

Headed with Dad to one of our favorite lakes for some fishing and relaxation.

See you in a week, blogosphere!

What I'm Up To...

• Have not enjoyed the slushy snow...the 60s can't come soon enough!
  
• Had a nice get together with some MSUSA alums last week.
• Met with a financial advisor a friend referred me to to look at the best ways to manage my money.
• Have been learning how to take on my closest coworker's duties, as she will be out a week for surgery starting Tuesday and I will fill in.
• Went through my first performance review today and it was good overall. Supervisor and I generally agreed on strengths and areas for improvement; glad we are on the same page.
• Semi-suspended the apartment search for the moment--was not finding what I wanted and realize the wisdom in holding off at least a couple more months.
• Discovered my profile on the BSU Admissions website...I am literally a poster boy.
  

That Thing Called "Texting"

I've blogged before about my dislike for text messaging.

Well, I may be changing my tune a bit. For the last couple of months I've been paying several dollars a month in casual text charges. I think it's time to accept that people are going to text me...and I will read them and reply, but there is no way I am going to keep paying Sprint's 20 cent fee per message to send/receive.

Now, I know I could simply add text messaging to my current plan and be done with it. But, if you know me you know why I hated texting in the first place...I type slow to begin with so pounding out messages on a regular phone keypad where you need to push a button 3-5 times to get your desired character...not so fun.

Solution: Get a smart phone or a phone with an included QWERTY keypad.

Problem with that? Even though I am eligible for a phone upgrade in April, that would require me signing a new contract AGAIN, which I already had to do in October, leaving me locked in to my current carrier until April 2010. While I have no overwhelming complaints about them, they are not faring well with customers lately and others are beginning to look more attractive.

My Options:

1) Renew in April for another two years and get a break on the phone I want then.
2) Spend $300-plus on the type of phone I want in order to avoid contract renewal.
3) Pay the $200 to exit my contract and port the number to another carrier (T-Mobile gets good reviews from some friends, and ATT is the home of iPhone, although I would not pop for one of those initially.)
4) Keep my current phone for the duration of the contract

Anyone out there want to comment on the cell phone racket, or endorse their carrier, phone or plan?

Welcome to 2008!

So Long, 2007

This has been an interesting year. I would have to say it has not been my best. I've had a lot of ups and downs, and many stressors, some I've blogged about here and others I have not. Overall, I am glad to see this year go, and look forward to seeing what 2008 has to offer.

Christmas Weekend 2007

I had a nice, relaxing, somewhat low key Christmas weekend.

Saturday: Did my shopping while Mom went to the grocery store. Was quite aggravated by it. Note to self: Stick to the SuperTarget near home. Going to other Targets that are arranged differently is confusing.

Sunday: Helped clean and bake cookies, watched movies.

Monday: Lazy morning for me. Mom finished baking. Dad was working and so was Jena, so Mom and I went to an open house some friends were having. Dad cooked the traditional steak dinner, although the meat was poor this time...we will not be getting steaks from that grocery store for a while! Waited up for Jena to get home from Duluth and went to bed.

Tuesday: Was up around 10:3o and we sat and watched TV for awhile. Jena was not feeling well but we woke her up long enough to open gifts about 2 pm...probably the latest Christmas "morning" I can remember. Made the usual calls to relatives. Mom, Dad and I went to see family friends for Christmas dinner, which was a very nice time. Upon arriving back home, met Jena's new boyfriend who had come over.

What I Got:

• "Bad President" page a day calendar that counts down Bush's days in office.
• A new all-in-one printer/copier/scanner to replace my aging printer that sounds as if it could die any time.
• A black cashmere overcoat...I had commented recently that my other winter jackets are not really appropriate to wear when I am dressed up for interviews, weddings, or whatever.
  
• A scarf to go with the coat.
  
• A new pair of slippers.
• A deodorant/cologne gift set
• Some stationery items since I enjoy sending people notes from time to time.
• Some Reese's candy
  

All nice things that will prove useful to me.

A Merry Christmas indeed.

Merry Christmas

Wishing the best to everyone out there in blog land. We will have our traditional steak dinner tonight and tomorrow will join another family, some of our oldest friends, for supper.

Merry Christmas!!

Looking For The Perfect Holiday Gift?

If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, or perhaps just a laugh, our friend Matt has some ideas, folks:

MRLT Culture Guru--Holiday Gift Guide

(Yes, I know the Frat Brother gifts are "rated R"...just laugh at the description and avoid clicking the link, boys and girls)

In Suspense

Alicia Says:
After the holidays?! I don't think I can wait that long to find out! :D

Neither can I. The suspense is going to drive me crazy.

The Blog and Facebook Conundrum

I want to take a minute to address something that's been bothering me lately: the demise of some of my favorite blogs. In the years I have been a part of the blogosphere I have seen many come and go, it is a natural cycle.

Recently, though I am starting to notice people dropping their blogs (and Facebook) for reasons beyond being tired of them. I'm seeing great blogs die because the writers are becoming overwhelmed with a feeling of overexposure or are tired of dingbats leaving nasty comments under the guise of "Anonymous."

It's really sad. While I am fully aware that we all have to watch ourselves online, blogs are supposed to be a medium of free expression. They are supposed to be the writer's domain. Obviously there is a line...we shouldn't be writing slanderous lies about our friends and enemies, but being authentic should be applauded.

Am I authentic? Yes. Could I be more so? Yes, but some personal details need not be revealed just for revelation's sake.

When did openness and honesty in blogging become a bad thing?

Now, even my MOTHER has begun to question me about my blog and Facebook profile. I had to remind her of two things:

1) I have studied blogging and writing online
2) I participated in several discussions about Facebook profiles and the ability of employers to see your online identity.

Thus, I do not believe there is anything on this blog, or on my Facebook page, that I would fear getting out there. I'm pretty sure I've scarecely used a swear word on here in 3+ years with the exception of "hell" which is debatable as a cuss word to begin with.

And in fact, the ability to function in an online world may actually prove a benefit in my professional life over time, since email/blogs/Facebook etc. are the ways students communicate, and even staff communicate, to a degree that will grow over time.

What do you think?

Meeting Went Well

The meeting I had yesterday went very well. Thank you to all that had crossed fingers. I'll have a better idea of things after the holidays.