i vote for the lizard people.
It's been a day of sleeping for me. I seem to have an illness wherein I can't stay upright for long periods of time. I took the day off work, hoping I could at least get some stuff done around the apartment, but no, just lots of sleeping.
I promised you all a rant about the holidays, the Obama cabinet/ inauguration picks, and my imminent move. I think I'll follow through only on the latter.
As a segue from the last post, I should mention that I got my LSAT results back (a week early). I didn't do too badly, though of course I wish I had done better-- at least by another two points so I could've said I beat Emeric. Curse you, Dwyer! But in any case, I should still be able to apply to the schools I wanted to apply to. It's actually good my results came early, because I now have to face reality, and my law school applications. My first deadline is January 15th, and I want to get all the rest done before I move, which will be January 31st.
So, in the next month, I need to apply for law schools (not sure how many, perhaps 6 or so), clean out my apartment, get rid of the things I don't want, move the things I do want up to Duluth, and wrap up two years' worth of work at my job. I have included for myself a great number of projects in the packing up of my apartment, things I kept meaning to do but put off. So basically, Barbara = big ball of stress.
I am however, greatly looking forward to leaving my job. It has been challenging, and rewarding, and worthwhile in many respects, but the bureaucracy is really getting to me. It will be good to escape for a few months. The plan, if I haven't mentioned it before: go to Arizona to join Eileen working at the Renaissance Festival for February and March. Slowly road trip up the west coast in April and May, stopping in national parks and looking at law schools to which I will hopefully have been accepted. Back to Minnesota for the summer, where I will hopefully have a job (more on this later, if i get the job). Law school in the fall. I'm excited about all of it.
Type your cut contents here.
[Ganked from Cate]
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back.
Did you keep our New Year's Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I sort of vowed not to buy anything new for a year. I mostly succeeded, except for buying presents for others and a few items that really can't be purchased used. I never planned to be really strict about it, but it's been instructive. I definitely think more about what I'm buying these days. For 2009, I think I'm going to try a year without high fructose corn syrup, inspired in part by Michael Pollan.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
I can't seem to think of anyone, so I'm guessing not.
Did anyone close to you die?
My cousin Boots, although we weren't terribly close.
What countries did you visit?
None. :(
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More money, which probably won't happen. More freedom, which definitely will.
What date from 2008 wil remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4th-- the election.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See above, re: Grand Canyon. Also, getting certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Logging more than 8,000 miles' worth of road trips on my Honda Civic.
What was your biggest failure?
I saved no money. I let my body go to seed.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
See most of my previous entries for 2008 for the saga of my shoulder. I didn't get the care I needed for it and spent the better part of the year in pain. I'm happy to report that my new physical therapy regimen is working better than anything previously.
What was the best thing you bought?
You don't want to know :).
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone who voted for Barack Obama.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
John McCain, Sarah Palin, everyone who voted yes on Prop 8, every politician who neglected to regulate the financial and mortgage industries properly, everyone who worked in the financial and mortgage industries who knew they were investing in things that were not actually real..
Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, booze, gas, healthcare.
What did you get really, really excited about?
Road Tripping, WFRing, paddling, the election.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Basia Bulat- In the Night; She and Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here; Mates of State- My Only Offer.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
Bout the same, more stressed but happier about the future.
ii. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter (see above about shoulder issues and letting myself go to seed).
iii. Richer or poorer?
A little richer, as I am out of debt; about to become way poor though.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending money.
How will you be spending Christmas?
Already spent it eating.
What was your favourite TV programme?
Watched a lot of House with Eileen. Watched the Olympics whenever I could. Watched a lot of (American) football.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
What was the best book you read?'
.A lot of good ones, although nothing's really standing out a lot. Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan has been really eye opening. Best general literary discovery, though, was audiobooks. Lifesavers on long road trips.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
See above re: songs of the year. Also, Pandora radio. Lifesaver during MPR pledge drives.
What was your favourite film of this year?
Saw very little in the cinema-- no time. Just watched Mamma Mia with my mother, which was entertaining.
What did you want and get?
Eileen to come live with me instead of going to Hawaii.
What did you want and not get?
Savings.
What did you do for your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25, and had an Eddie Izzard party in my apartment.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Nothing new.
What kept you sane?
Going to camp in the summer (which also kept me a little bit insane). Not working at the institution as much. Eileen's smoothies. Other things Eileen-related.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Aaron Rogers-- he'll come around. I know he will.
What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.
Who did you miss?
My all the people I don't see often enough.
Who was the best new person you met?
A couple people come to mind. Can't pick the best one, though.
Tell us a vaulable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Don't try to work two jobs at once. Also, one or two things relating to relationships which I won't share with you.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'll get back to you on this one.
I promised you all a rant about the holidays, the Obama cabinet/ inauguration picks, and my imminent move. I think I'll follow through only on the latter.
As a segue from the last post, I should mention that I got my LSAT results back (a week early). I didn't do too badly, though of course I wish I had done better-- at least by another two points so I could've said I beat Emeric. Curse you, Dwyer! But in any case, I should still be able to apply to the schools I wanted to apply to. It's actually good my results came early, because I now have to face reality, and my law school applications. My first deadline is January 15th, and I want to get all the rest done before I move, which will be January 31st.
So, in the next month, I need to apply for law schools (not sure how many, perhaps 6 or so), clean out my apartment, get rid of the things I don't want, move the things I do want up to Duluth, and wrap up two years' worth of work at my job. I have included for myself a great number of projects in the packing up of my apartment, things I kept meaning to do but put off. So basically, Barbara = big ball of stress.
I am however, greatly looking forward to leaving my job. It has been challenging, and rewarding, and worthwhile in many respects, but the bureaucracy is really getting to me. It will be good to escape for a few months. The plan, if I haven't mentioned it before: go to Arizona to join Eileen working at the Renaissance Festival for February and March. Slowly road trip up the west coast in April and May, stopping in national parks and looking at law schools to which I will hopefully have been accepted. Back to Minnesota for the summer, where I will hopefully have a job (more on this later, if i get the job). Law school in the fall. I'm excited about all of it.
Type your cut contents here.
[Ganked from Cate]
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back.
Did you keep our New Year's Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I sort of vowed not to buy anything new for a year. I mostly succeeded, except for buying presents for others and a few items that really can't be purchased used. I never planned to be really strict about it, but it's been instructive. I definitely think more about what I'm buying these days. For 2009, I think I'm going to try a year without high fructose corn syrup, inspired in part by Michael Pollan.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
I can't seem to think of anyone, so I'm guessing not.
Did anyone close to you die?
My cousin Boots, although we weren't terribly close.
What countries did you visit?
None. :(
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More money, which probably won't happen. More freedom, which definitely will.
What date from 2008 wil remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4th-- the election.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See above, re: Grand Canyon. Also, getting certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Logging more than 8,000 miles' worth of road trips on my Honda Civic.
What was your biggest failure?
I saved no money. I let my body go to seed.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
See most of my previous entries for 2008 for the saga of my shoulder. I didn't get the care I needed for it and spent the better part of the year in pain. I'm happy to report that my new physical therapy regimen is working better than anything previously.
What was the best thing you bought?
You don't want to know :).
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone who voted for Barack Obama.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
John McCain, Sarah Palin, everyone who voted yes on Prop 8, every politician who neglected to regulate the financial and mortgage industries properly, everyone who worked in the financial and mortgage industries who knew they were investing in things that were not actually real..
Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, booze, gas, healthcare.
What did you get really, really excited about?
Road Tripping, WFRing, paddling, the election.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Basia Bulat- In the Night; She and Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here; Mates of State- My Only Offer.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
Bout the same, more stressed but happier about the future.
ii. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter (see above about shoulder issues and letting myself go to seed).
iii. Richer or poorer?
A little richer, as I am out of debt; about to become way poor though.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending money.
How will you be spending Christmas?
Already spent it eating.
What was your favourite TV programme?
Watched a lot of House with Eileen. Watched the Olympics whenever I could. Watched a lot of (American) football.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
What was the best book you read?'
.A lot of good ones, although nothing's really standing out a lot. Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan has been really eye opening. Best general literary discovery, though, was audiobooks. Lifesavers on long road trips.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
See above re: songs of the year. Also, Pandora radio. Lifesaver during MPR pledge drives.
What was your favourite film of this year?
Saw very little in the cinema-- no time. Just watched Mamma Mia with my mother, which was entertaining.
What did you want and get?
Eileen to come live with me instead of going to Hawaii.
What did you want and not get?
Savings.
What did you do for your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25, and had an Eddie Izzard party in my apartment.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Nothing new.
What kept you sane?
Going to camp in the summer (which also kept me a little bit insane). Not working at the institution as much. Eileen's smoothies. Other things Eileen-related.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Aaron Rogers-- he'll come around. I know he will.
What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.
Who did you miss?
My all the people I don't see often enough.
Who was the best new person you met?
A couple people come to mind. Can't pick the best one, though.
Tell us a vaulable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Don't try to work two jobs at once. Also, one or two things relating to relationships which I won't share with you.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'll get back to you on this one.