There's no place like home (or Oregon)

I really don't want to go back to Arizona...ever...except maybe to see the Grand Canyon again. Maybe they can award me a 3/4ths Masters degree?

Things I love most about being on break:

1. I can get a full night's rest.

2. In connection to #1, I don't have to drink coffee everyday.

3. I can cook the things I don't normally have time for.

4. I can watch t.v./movies without feeling guilty.

5. I can have long workouts where I'm not constantly thinking about the next homework, reading, paper assignment or grading I have to do.

6. I have so little to do, I don't know what day of the week it is.

7. Looking forward to starting a fresh semester.

8. Lazing about with Greg.

9. Having time for myself.

I'm sure there's more, but I don't want to overthink this one.

I totally forgot

how awesome the Once soundtrack is!!!

I love...

making post-graduation plans. I still don't want a "real" job though.

Some of my current post-grad fantasies:

-Moving back to Oregon and living in Portland with a sweet road bike

-Getting a dog/cat.

-Going overseas to teach English somewhere

-Enlisting with Peace Corps

-Not getting married... no way josé, not for like five years anyway

Any other ideas welcome.

Too bad memory erasing isn't real (well, intentional memory erasing).

Because I would erase all my memories of grad school. Instead I'll just live through the memory-erasing adventures of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in the spectacular film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Demons out!

I woke up today with severe arm pain and looked it up on the internets and read it was related to stress. Didn't believe it. I finally did yoga an hour ago and said arm pain is gone. Yoga is no joke yo. Bettah recognize!

Unbe-frickin'-lievable.

People never cease to amaze (by which I really mean disappoint) me.

Meet Mr. Whitten.

Dear Oregon,

I miss you and I'm sorry i ever left you! Take me back!

With love,

Gracie

Fuckingshitass

There just aren't enough hours in the day.

Groundhog Day

Sometimes I feel like grad school is a never-ending endeavor. Only two and half weeks left till I'm done with my first year! 

Coin flipper/Psycho

In the lab with Greg

Guy sitting alone in the corner is loudly flipping a coin on the desk

Very annoying

Want to tell him to cut the shit

Starts talking and singing loudly to himself

Now half-scared

Do I risk telling psycho to shut up?

Hope he is not like the Xerox-guy

If you know what I mean 

Store Hours

What is the point of having them when the employees choose to open at whatever time is convenient for them? I wonder...

Grad School

is overrated. Save your time and your money.

Inappropriate Pick-up Spot

The library is not an appropriate place to try and pick up girls while other students, like myself, are trying to work on their midterms. Guy asked girl three times why she doesn't have a boyfriend. Guy said girl is cute two times. I'm pretty sure girl isn't into it. Guy needs to get a clue and stfu.

End rant.

Gracie ♥s step!

I've been taking step classes at the rec center for the past four months and I have a new love for it! If you have not taken a step class, go and take one immediately!

CHYA!

About two weeks ago I submitted a research paper on Asian American male identity for the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) annual conference... and it just got accepted yesterday! This means that on the second weekend of August, I'll be presenting my paper in San Francisco! Only thing is I hate public speaking. I got a lot of work and practice for the next six (or so) months.  Either way I'm still excited! YAH!

Fuckenshitass!

i ate shit today for the second time this winter season, so i bought these. the guy who sold them to me said i had a "slim to none" chance of eating it again. i like those odds. back to fast walking!...maybe.

I don't want to do my write up for qualitative research methods.

All work and no play makes Gracie a dull girl.

All work and no play makes Gracie a dull girl.

All work and no play makes Gracie a dull girl.

All work and no play makes Gracie a dull girl.

All owrk and no play makes gracie a dull gril.

lall work and no play makes gracie a dull girl

all work and no playd makes greacie a dull girl.

ksdjf;alksdjf;alksdjfa;klsdjf;aklsdfja;dskfj;

2008

Stolen off of random blog.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Went sledding for the first time, had my first Christmas without my Hilo family, tried blueberries, moved to Arizona, started grad school, Skyped, T.A.'d, golfed.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No, i still had a few ciggs and still bite my nails and still get stressed. These will be forwarded on to the next year. Oh, I will be adding to get better at snowboarding as a semi-resolution (idk if that really counts). 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Kami, but I was probably the last person to find out. 

4. Did anyone close to you die? No.

5. What countries did you visit? None. Sadly. 

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Less stress and more free time.

7. What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4, 2008. Viva Obama!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting my B.A. finally. 

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? Almost cut off the top of my thumb with Robin's sharp knives.

10. What was the best thing you bought? A vacuum. 

11. Whose behavior merited celebration? Barack Obama.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? W. & Sarah Palin. Duh.

13. Where did most of your money go? Rent & utilities. Eating out. Also Campus Coffee Bean.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going back to Oregon for Christmas break to see old friends and family.

15. What song will always remind you of 2008? Sleepyhead Passion Pit. Wow Kylie Minogue. Heartbeats The Knife.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? Hopefully. Healthier: Yes, I cut out chickens, cows and pigs. Richer? Sukoshi.

17. What do you wish you'd done more of? Relaxing. Sleeping. 

18. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing. Eating.

19. How did you spend Christmas? In Bend, Oregon with the Miller Clan. Very mellow and relaxing. Slept and ate a bunch. Long live Super Burrito!

20. Did you fall in love in 2008? Greg always.

21. What was your favorite TV program? The Office.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Not especially. Bill O'Reilly maybe...definitely!

23. What was the best book you read? Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? MGMT

25. What did you want and get? Grad school.

26. What did you want and not get? A pet. I think I ask Greg for a cat/dog at least three times a week for the past three months. I'm sure it's getting old for him.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? 

Horror: The Strangers

Action: Dark Knight

Comedy: Forgetting Sarah Marshall ("And if I see Van Helsing, I swear to the lord I'll slay him!", "6 to midnight," etc.) & Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist

Drama: Milk

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 23, went to the Pepper concert at the Orpheum.

29. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Jam (The Office's Pam + Jim's celebrity couple name). Dominates Bradgelina or whatev anyday.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Lazy.

31. What kept you sane? Greg. Sudoku. Movies.

32. Who do you miss? A whole mess of people right now.

33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. In grad school, there's a good chance that whenever you feel overwhelmed and stressed, at least one other person (at the very least) feels the same way. I take comfort in this.

34. What did you gain this year? Books galore.

35. What did you lose this year? My NAU ID card.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Angelica Rockquemore

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"You know it's funny when it rains it pours, they got money for wars, but can't feed the poor."  2Pac