Tuesday, November 02, 2004

I haven't touched this blogger in a long time. It's the beginning of November. A lot has happened in the past few months of my senior year.

Recap of my personal life:

• I turned 21. I had the best birthday party a girl could ask for; everyone that I invited... could come! Thanks to Yael, Vidya, Jessica, Vallery, Amy, Jill, Samantha, Nicole, Kari, and Ebonee for making my birthday fabulous. Champagne, anyone?
  
• My parents are amazing. They've lost 30 pounds, they love and support me despite all of the stupid things that I do, and I feel so honored to have them in my life. And can we mention the best birthday gift(s) ever? That 27" LCD TV, the DVD-Recorder, the cushion covers, the skirt... and soon, a new (to me) vehicle with an amazing sound system! I'm such a spoiled only child - now, as soon as we start talking Infiniti G35 coupe, all will be complete.
  
• I decided to take a gap year inbetween undergraduate and law school. I'm trying to find things to do during this time. Job... teaching... study abroad... I'm open to suggestions.
  
• APO is fun, despite the fact that no one wants to give the historian any help (ie, me.) I love volunteering; the service projects make everything worthwhile.
  
• I made several new friends this year: Arun, Vidya, Kari, Ebonee, and Vallery.
  
• I adore the Canterbury group. Hands down, they personify cool Episcopalians.
  
• I reconnected with a couple of old friends this year: Nicole, Yasmin, Jill, Michelle, Alex.
  
• I broke my tailbone, forcing me to quit the Marching Band. It's been the best decision I've ever made. I got a lot out of the TMB; I made friends, I went on trips, I learned a new skill. But this year was different. With a change in leadership and attitude, I couldn't justify my time. And one fact remains: my back hurts... a lot.
  

Recap of my academic life:

• My senior honors seminar for English makes me happy. I have a thesis topic! That I love! It involves food! and women! But I don't have an advisor yet.
• French Modern Culture doesn't involve "modern" times. The craziness of this class makes me cringe every Tuesday and Thursday. I spend most of my time on reading, yet I never quite catch up. I think the fact that I can barely speak French hinders my progress.
  
• I really like Rollo's medieval literature class, despite the fact that much of it repeats from his "Women in English Literature before 1600" class. I can't wait to hear his amusing comments about Margery Kempe - I laugh. A lot.
  
• CTCS 466 is the greatest class known to mankind! (I exaggerate slightly, but it's definitely in my top five classes at USC.) I know half the people in the class, I sit with two of my favorite boys every class period... and I get to see movies before they open in the theaters. How cool is that?
  

Recap of residential life:

• I love the Cinema Floor and my residents. They're just as crazy as me... or more so! I spend so much of my time watching movies, going out on the town, or hanging with my floor. Freshmen have this uncanny ability to be idiots, but I still learn so much from them.
  
• My staff is amazing; while I miss Parkside and my old residents, I love my New staff team a lot. The honeymoon period isn't over yet, despite a few difficulties.
  
• John, the other Cinema Floor RA, works extremely hard; we make a good team for these residents. I'm the frantic, "we must get things done!" RA while John's mellow approach to life makes him a fabulous counselor and friend. I think the residents respect us both.
• Both Alex and Michelle are amazing mentors in this field. Despite the fact that I don't work with Michelle on a daily basis, I still ask her for help, advice, and counsel.
  
• I still talk to many of my old residents - however, I miss the ones that I don't see on a regular basis. Nothing can replace the fabulousness of 4th Floor PIRC South, 03-04.
  
• Did I mention that the Cinema Floor is crazy?
  

It's been a hard and strange year. A bittersweet flavor tinges every happy moment. I'm leaving Los Angeles and USC in May. Consequently, I'm trying to hold onto every small detail.

I think coming to USC has been the best "whim" of my life.

Don't count on frequent updates; I'm too busy living.