It's that time of year.
So, we've offically entered the Christmas season, regardless of it being before Thanksgiving yet. Yasmin and I put up a few strands of lights around the ceiling of the apartment, and it looks really nice. We also went to Target today to buy a few more, because one can never have enough lights, and I ended up buying the beginnings of the candy-making supplies. Dear Lord, help me- it's that time of year again. I just hope my kitchen is big enough this year considering I'm going to have to do everything here in Chicago... I also have far less fridge space, which could make this process incredibly taxing, if not practically impossible. Not to worry, I'll manage somehow because I know a few people that would kill me if I failed them in their yearly Christmas candy.
On other subjects: I found out that my History of Western Art teacher is a fan of the X-men and is even reading the same series I am at the moment. Somehow, this really makes me feel like I belong at this school- even if it is only the one teacher (although all of the ones I've had this symester were pretty interesting to talk to on various subjects).
I'm also really appreciating Botzki's having us right papers and presentations on the various theater moments, because they are so closely connected to the artistic movements of the time that I can really participate in discussions on Existentialism and Dadaism with my teachers and feel slightly intelligent rather than simply grasping at the ideas. There was a huge discussion on Camus and his thoughts in Existentialism today in Design Fundamentals and I loved understanding what was being said and also being able to bring up valid points. I know this is kind of egotistical, but I like knowing that I am informed on what I'm talking about more than the most of the other students. Yeah, that makes me sound like a bad person, but oh well. (Doesn't everyone like to know more than others, or at least think they do?) Even in History, I was able to introduce the teacher to the idea of Pure Form, and that was great. Learning in general is awesome, I wish I could be a career student.
I have been on such a Coheed and Cambria kick as of late. For the last two weeks, I've barely listened to anything else in my CD player, but I can't stop. I'm even using one of the tracks off of "Good Apollo: I'll Be Burning Star IV" for a collage illustrating music (hope that turns out well, if it does, I'll be posting it). I just love Claudio's voice. It can be so soothing at times, especially during "Wake Up." That has to be one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard, despite the violent implications.
Going home next week is going to be strange. I keep calling both Grand Blanc and Chicago home in my conversations (very confusing for people here until I realize what I'm doing). I have a feeling that after I get back from Thanksgiving break, Grand Blanc will only be "Mom and Dad's" while Chicago will be "Home" for good. I just hope that I don't have the same feelings in going back home as a lot of people here have in that they can't think of doing much of anything besides getting back to Chicago as quickly as possible- mostly because they're hometowns are no longer anywhere near as interesting as Chicago (understandably). I mean, I can't wait to see my friends, but there's also this feeling of their having still been hanging out together and growing closer (or simply staying close), and I haven't been there at all. I miss my boys so much and I can't help but feel it won't be the same around them, yet I know it'll be exactly the same- I can't decide which situation I'd prefer. Even my darling wife has been moving on without me, although I can't say I was much of a constant last year, and I feel horrible about that now because I never get to see her now and she's one of the people I miss the most.
Either way, I'm really starting to settle in here and accept this city as my home for at least the next four years. I'm actually thinking of cathing buses and running to grab a train as normal, as well as constantly being threatened by taxi cabs. Even the biting wind on the first snowy day of the year (there was a fog over the tops of the buildings when it rained the day before which made the buildings look like they were disappearing into the sky- really pretty). It's really odd to think I was living at home only two months ago.
I should just pick up my room tonight and go to bed, but I think I'll end up at Levi's to watch movies and hang out. Being social is good while I'm off of work.
On other subjects: I found out that my History of Western Art teacher is a fan of the X-men and is even reading the same series I am at the moment. Somehow, this really makes me feel like I belong at this school- even if it is only the one teacher (although all of the ones I've had this symester were pretty interesting to talk to on various subjects).
I'm also really appreciating Botzki's having us right papers and presentations on the various theater moments, because they are so closely connected to the artistic movements of the time that I can really participate in discussions on Existentialism and Dadaism with my teachers and feel slightly intelligent rather than simply grasping at the ideas. There was a huge discussion on Camus and his thoughts in Existentialism today in Design Fundamentals and I loved understanding what was being said and also being able to bring up valid points. I know this is kind of egotistical, but I like knowing that I am informed on what I'm talking about more than the most of the other students. Yeah, that makes me sound like a bad person, but oh well. (Doesn't everyone like to know more than others, or at least think they do?) Even in History, I was able to introduce the teacher to the idea of Pure Form, and that was great. Learning in general is awesome, I wish I could be a career student.
I have been on such a Coheed and Cambria kick as of late. For the last two weeks, I've barely listened to anything else in my CD player, but I can't stop. I'm even using one of the tracks off of "Good Apollo: I'll Be Burning Star IV" for a collage illustrating music (hope that turns out well, if it does, I'll be posting it). I just love Claudio's voice. It can be so soothing at times, especially during "Wake Up." That has to be one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard, despite the violent implications.
Going home next week is going to be strange. I keep calling both Grand Blanc and Chicago home in my conversations (very confusing for people here until I realize what I'm doing). I have a feeling that after I get back from Thanksgiving break, Grand Blanc will only be "Mom and Dad's" while Chicago will be "Home" for good. I just hope that I don't have the same feelings in going back home as a lot of people here have in that they can't think of doing much of anything besides getting back to Chicago as quickly as possible- mostly because they're hometowns are no longer anywhere near as interesting as Chicago (understandably). I mean, I can't wait to see my friends, but there's also this feeling of their having still been hanging out together and growing closer (or simply staying close), and I haven't been there at all. I miss my boys so much and I can't help but feel it won't be the same around them, yet I know it'll be exactly the same- I can't decide which situation I'd prefer. Even my darling wife has been moving on without me, although I can't say I was much of a constant last year, and I feel horrible about that now because I never get to see her now and she's one of the people I miss the most.
Either way, I'm really starting to settle in here and accept this city as my home for at least the next four years. I'm actually thinking of cathing buses and running to grab a train as normal, as well as constantly being threatened by taxi cabs. Even the biting wind on the first snowy day of the year (there was a fog over the tops of the buildings when it rained the day before which made the buildings look like they were disappearing into the sky- really pretty). It's really odd to think I was living at home only two months ago.
I should just pick up my room tonight and go to bed, but I think I'll end up at Levi's to watch movies and hang out. Being social is good while I'm off of work.