Semi-boring update

I do not have strep, thank God. The doctor gave me a prescription that is a combination of sudafed and mucinex and I feel a lot better. For those of you keeping track, this is my 4th prescription in 3 weeks. So lame.

I can't remember if I told you they cut the mold out of my room, but they did, finally. Now, there is this drywall being plastered in, not painted, air duct grill removed is still sitting on a shelf with all my pictures, uncleaned. I understand not putting the grill back on until the painting is done, but, get this: they closed my ticket, saying the work is complete. Um, no. It isn't. Meanwhile, I have to forward my doctor's note, my correspondence with Facilities (the people supposedly doing the work in my room) and any pictures I have to some lady in the administration of housing so I can get out of my contract and move off campus. So, that is my project, on top of the 6 papers and 3 presentations all due within the next 2.5 weeks.

No rest for the weary. I will be graceful under pressure, like the pic I posted with this blog. That is the goal. And eating right.

Leather Pants and Strep?

Not even 5 hours after posting about Mr. Canada and there is a lady at work wearing leather pants. She is not a lady I work with, she is just hanging out at the Grad Student Center. Today is rainy, not too cold, but definitely damp. Now, I would think that if I were to own leather pants, I would not want to wear them in the rain. Firstly, they are friggin' expensive and why subject my leather pants to water damage? Did she spray them with weather-proofing spray? That stuff is toxic. Toxicity aside, grad students are not known to be wealthy so subjecting leather pants to the elements seems a bit extravegent. Maybe she had a date or a hot tutoring session. Maybe I don't understand why one would wear leather pants.

So my throat is sore. I am sure you are tired of reading about my maladies. Indeed, my throat was bothering me in Buffalo. I haven't had strep in so long, I wouldn't know what to do but I guess I get to make another trip to Student Health tomorrow. Ugh. I am sick of being sick. Seriously, I am no hypochondriac. Ask my mother. If I have to go on antibiotics again, I will consider crying.

Good news. By the end of this week, 3 of my 8 papers/projects will be done. I have 2 next week and 3 the following week. Wish me and my immune system luck.

O Canada

As promised in a prior blog entry, I will now write about another of fashion's recent victims. I use the term "fashion" liberally here. Driving back from Buffalo yesterday, I saw a man in a rest stop wearing a sweatsuit outfit. The shirt was gray with CANADA written in red across the center. I think there was a Canadian flag involved. Pants: red stripe down the side, gray with a small Canadian flag and the word CANADA written in, you guessed it, red letters below the flag on the right hip, in the front. Enter the white Nikes with a red swoosh and we have a complete Canada outfit. There was a short discussion over whether this man was a proud Canadian or simply returning from his most likely first visit to our neighbors to the north. We decided he was not Canadian. I like Canada and Canadians - shoot, my maternal grandmother IS Canadian, but I must actively veto this ensemble. It is not acceptable for any country on this planet unless you are a professional soccer player, showing up for practice at the World Cup. Only then, with all of your other teammates is this an appropriate place for an entire sweat suit outfit with your country of choices colors, flag and matching shoes.

Back in Philly!

I am sitting in my room, which appears to have a section of the moldy wall removed. I still want to move but at least my stamping feet, tears and constant advocacy got some forward movement. I don't trust that the mold is completely gone nor do I trust that my carpet's been steamed to remove any mold that might still be lingering. However, the progress is heartening.

I have 8 papers or projects due in the next three weeks. It looks like I will be more busy than I ever thought I could ever be! Thankfully, I had the most wonderfully rejuvenating and relaxing weekend in Buffalo. I cannot express how gracious and endearing Nona's parents are to me. Their generosity and warmth are what I hope to pass on to others in my life.

Nona, Seth and I had a fabulous time and the highlight was dinner at the Bonefish Grill with our friend, Charles, from Penn and my friend from undergrad and his sister. Dinner was delicious - yay fish! and the company was fab. I felt like a real person as opposed to a strung out grad student. Oh, and my red coat - to die for.

Duty calls. I will do my best to keep this thing updated in the next three weeks. Until next time, take care.

I am Fabulous, Fed and Rested

Wow, what a great weekend we are having. I cannot express my gratitude to Nona's parents for having us, cooking for us, letting us stay in their home...Nona and I are improving our Spades skills - watch out!! We are soooo good. At least in our humble opinion. Even though we didn't win any of the overall games, we have improved immensely.
Today, we go to Niagara Falls, out to dinner with friends and work on my paper. Yesterday, we braved the Black Friday crowds and made some beautiful purchases, knit, enjoyed whiskey eggnog - delicious - and Nona's Mom's amazing cooking.
My health is improving a bit, although my throat is still sore and I cough off and on. Just being in a real home surrounded by parental love and affection is a remedy all in itself.
5 Things I am Thankful for...
1. My Family, Friends, and their various pets
2. My rosy disposition and sense of humor
3. Coffee and comfort food
4. My laptop
5. The fact that this list could go on and on and on and on...
Your turn!

More thoughts about shallowness, the great ear update and Self-Advocacy

Wow, I am loving this discussion about shallowness, blogs and how we all interpret things. One thing I take from this is that we (the royal we) are too self-critical. So what if I am not constantly writing academic or awe-inspiring pieces...the real issue is: what is the point of my blog? I agree with Brooke - it depends on the day.

So, this is what is up for today. I now have to put antibiotic ear drops in my ear where the ear drum burst. The good news is that there is not longer a hole in my eardrum. The frustrating news is that there is still liquid in my ear. So, the doctor prescribed me these ear drops and flonase nasal spray because my sinuses are bothering me. He asked if I had allergies and I told that I didn't and I believe this is due to the MOLD that is STILL in my room!!!! He seemed alarmed but didn't make a direct comment to my self-diagnosis which makes me think that if this were caused by mold, Student Health would never say that it could be causing the problem because I live in student housing, and therefore, might have a case against the school for an environmentally hazardous living situation. I have now emailed the head of Facilities, the head of my building and cc'd my Dad. I have to self-advocate and it is so difficult! Practicing what you preach is hard work. I find that I have fight the impulse to explain why I am frustrated - um, it is friggin obvious, yet a habit. I also feel - get this - guilty for being a thorn in their side. Why on EARTH do I feel this way? Is it because I have been on the receiving end of angry client calls while working at the law firm? I don't know, but I can tell you, my frustration with being on 3 prescriptions, having been to the doctor twice in 2 weeks not feeling well and just being down right angry overrides any guilt. If there is no forward movement, i.e., the friggin' mold is not out of my room by the time I return from Buffalo, I will look into legal action.

Ok, One additional guilty pleasure and shallow?

Ok, folks, I forgot one guilty pleasure that is key to my existence. I LOVE getting my hair cut, colored and styled about every 8 weeks. You read correctly. 8 weeks. I justify this expense (believe me, it is an expense) by saying that I must present myself well if I will ever get ahead, and gosh darn it, having good hair makes me feel fabulous.

Upon reading one of my friends' blog, I realized how shallow my blog is. All it is about is me and I am not even reflecting on "me" or my experiences! I ask myself why this is and I don't really know. Does this tie into Guilty pleasure #6 (see below)? I am somehow light hearted and super intense (go figure that one out)...maybe it is because I am not much of an intellectual. Sure, I can go on and on about the different schools of thought around what causes poverty in America, but ask me something "deep", and well, I just don't go there. You ask me what is the meaning of life and my simple answer is "this" or "living the dream". Maybe it is because I can't articulate my thoughts...I dunno. I can't really ponder much of anything because, upon simple reflection, I am a "fixer". If you lament over something, my first impulse is to try to help you figure out how to "fix" it. You say you just don't feel like there are enough hours in the day and my first response, after, "tell me about it" is "is there anything you can do to make your transition between tasks more efficient?" Ask Nona, my Mother, my Sister, Manuel...this is what I do. I have been told I am a good listener. I think I am an active listener. Hmmm. Maybe my blog isn't so shallow any more. At least this time...

My 6 Guilty Pleasures...

My friend, Brooke, asked me to participate on blogging my 6 guilty pleasures. I think this is a particularly difficult assignment for me because I really try to avoid feeling guilty about much of anything or doing things I feel guilty about. Anyways, here goes...

1. Listening to music or NPR, constantly. No matter what I am doing, I am listening to SOMETHING. Whether it be researching, blogging, writing or playing a game, there is always something in the background. NPR is a particular guilty pleasure while getting ready for my day in the morning and I am not a member. I am a "free-rider" in the true economic sense of the word.

2. Eating all of my meals out. I blame the fact that I eat all of my meals out because I do not have a kitchen and my mini fridge and microwave don't really cut it. I should get a crock pot. I should use my mini toaster/oven...

3. Drinking expensive martinis. While I rarely drink martinis (or in general), when I do get a martini, it is usually Kettle One, Grey Goose or Bombay Sapphire. I will not have a cheap vodka or gin in this drink and I like it a touch on the dirty side - always with olives.

4. Going to my knitting circle. I go to my knitting circle every Monday night, regardless of deadlines and how close I am to meeting those deadlines. I justify this by saying that since I started the knitting circle, I HAVE to go, but that is simply not true. There are plenty of folks who go and I certainly don't have to be there.

5. Watching the same three movies. All the time. Upon going to graduate school, I have had a particularly difficult time falling asleep at night. I cannot shut my mind down so how better to silence the thoughts than watching "The Big Lebowski", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (the new one), or "Finding Nemo" for the 100th time? Since my comfort food is coffee with cream and Splenda, this is a good substitute when sleep is warranted. Maybe I'll shake things up and watch "Pirates II Dead Man's Chest" tonight.

6. Loving everything and everyone (for the most part). This sounds cheesy, but I seriously do love almost everyone in my life and everything I do, too much. Just ask my friends. I always "love this movie" or that is my "favorite song, book, food, person", etc. If you don't know me, this doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but if you do know me, you almost everything makes me laugh and I enjoy wholeheartedly everything I do. I love story telling and involving people in my life. This is why all of you will come visit me, so you can truly experience my moldy room, fabulous classes and the joy that is my life at Penn. And the freezing cold wind. Oh, and Philadelphia. Did I mention I haven't left Philly city limits in almost 3 months?

Your turn.

Resume updated. Check.

So, instead of going on an incredibly hot date, I stayed home tonight and updated my resume. I really want to get that internship with UNIFEM. I sent my resume to my advisor, my Dad and my friend to look it over before I send it off and friggin pray. I am not worried about my future, for the first time in my life. I cannot explain the calm I feel right now, despite my hellish end to the semester that will be upon me soon. If any of you want to look my resume over and offer me suggestions, just let me know. I would appreciate constructive criticism. But it has to be quick. Like by the 18th at the latest. Good night for now, dear friends.

Too Cute

Is that not the cutest pic? I found it on lol cats. If you are ever bored, this is a great website. That or www.engrish.com

Application to volunteer in Mississippi. Check.

Howdy Howdy Howdy. I turned in my application to volunteer for a week and a half in Hancock County, MS to go help Hurricane Katrina victims. I want to start a knitting group for the women down there - exciting! Hopefully, I will be accepted. If I get to go, it will be in early January. I have never been to Mississippi.

Other news...let's see, well, I am working on another paper and my statistics homework. If I can get my paper done this weekend, I will only have 2 to do the week following Turkey day. Yup. I have 3 papers, one statistics homework and a reading log due that week. Yikes. So I hopefully can get 2 papers, the statistics homework, the reading log and the research for one paper done prior to going on my trip. Then, Monday, I will do the third paper. And, if all goes according to plan, I can do my statistics paper and economics project beginning that week. I have a feeling the Stress Monkey will rear it's head in the weeks coming up to winter break.

I can breathe and hear (mostly!)

Whew! I turned in my paper. My presentation is prepared and will be delivered next week. Now, I work ahead so I can actually enjoy Thanksgiving. What a friggin concept. I need to get my resume in order, fill out some application to go to Mississippi for a week to do mental health work in a Katrina ravaged town, and begin the whole research thing, again, this time for my intro to social work research. bah. I do love it, seriously, but I am thoroughly enjoying my evening off. If I can get this paper done by Friday, it will be AWESOME!!!! Then, I will do my statistics homework and finish my paper for Poverty, Welfare and Work. Over Turkey Day weekend, I will do my Social Policy Analysis paper...then, I will turn them all in. Can you believe it? 3 of the 6 final papers in the next 2 weeks. I am so glad my program is only a year :D

Research, writing and hearing

So I am spending this dreary November afternoon in an office right in the heart of campus researching my second 8-10 page paper on the feminization of poverty in America. This time, I am doing a literature review that provides a theoretical framework, empirical data for understanding the problem/issue and causal factors coupled with the effectiveness of policies or interventions. Did I mention I also have to examine the advocacy literature (Heritage Foundation and National Organization of Women, here I come!) to identify the key stakeholders and then, from all of this analysis, identify possible policy choices. Simple. No problem. 8-10 pages. My last paper, which was awesome, only earned a B+. I feel under-appreciated. But I still have the opportunity to prove myself and, I have straight A's in my four other classes.

I am a bit distressed about my ear with the burst eardrum. My hearing is definitely not as good as the other ear. Should I be going to an ear, nose and throat specialist? I know that it is probably normal that things are unequal, but I don't want my left ear to be permanently poor in the hearing department. I will call the doctors on Monday and see what they think. There is still so much fluid in my ears, both of them, that I feel like I have earplugs in. The left is still worse.

Ok, back to research. Lonely research. See the lonely penguin above?

Burst!

Greetings! My, so much has happened this week...let's start with my eardrum bursting. You read correctly and all I can say is "Ouch"! I have a severe ear infection and I cannot describe the pain until the eardrum burst. It still hurts, but nothing like before. I have fluid in my ears, still, and am scared that my hearing will be affected. It should heal in 3-6 weeks...

That is my excitement for right now. I am not going to see my aunt and uncle in Upstate NY this weekend - maybe next weekend. I have a huge paper to write and am nervous because I really don't feel too hot...I am sure it will be just fine.

Ta Ta For Now

Nervous Excitement

I just sent an email to the program director of UNIFEM, the women's fund at the United Nations, to discuss international social work and internship possibilities. Some of you may remember my excitement at the beginning of the summer when I decided to apply to Penn and my feelings about this are similar. My stomach is tight with anticipation and I can tell my nervousness level is heightened. This is huge people. HUGE. The kind of projects they work on are EXACTLY what interests me - market power to women-in a region of the world which I would love to go - Eastern and Central Europe, including Turkey. My dreams of seeing Hagia Sofia may be realized this summer. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. Just keep your fingers crossed or thumbs pressed or whatever it is you do to wish people luck. I am bubbling over at thought of simply talking to this woman about what she does and how I can do something similar. I would be working for women's empowerment and gender equality. Can't you just see it???? Here is UNIFEM's website: www.unifem.org