Jan 6th: Lazy Tuesday

Lazy day today. Did pretty much about nothing. That's pretty remarkable. There's nothing like watching tv, snuggling under a blanket on a cold winter's day. Awaiting the premiere of the 8th season of Scrubs on ABC. But that makes for a very boring post. So, I'm going to jump on the blog bandwagon and comment on my skype contacts list (minus a few people I took out because I don't really know them). Hooray for uncreative ideas! So in no particular order:

1) Our friendship is quite… complicated. I’m not sure I trust you.
2) You’re quite funny. Even if you claim to be serious.
3) I wish I could see what you’ve seen. You are so well traveled!
4) You are hilarious. Not to mention cute. NZ is lucky to have you. But don’t let that go to your head, mister!
5) You are so sweet. I owe so much to you… I hope to meet you someday.
6) I think I’ve only talked to you a few times, but you seem to be a really interesting person. I’d really like to get to know you better…
7) We get along so well! I feel like I’ve known you much longer than I have… and what a short time it has been…
8) I’m not sure if you dislike me or if that’s just how you are... but I still think you’re great. And very bright.
9) You. Are. Awesome. Haven’t talked to you in a while though…
10) You are one of the coolest girls I know. We have sooo much in common. Long distance besties?
11) Your videos just blow me away. You’ve got real talent.
12) I love you. Seriously. You’re the best friend a girl could have. And you should seriously meet #8. You’d be perfect together.
13) You’re so nice! Thanks for making me feel welcome.
14) I’m glad I didn’t listen to first impressions. Believe it or not, I feel lucky just to be friends with you!
15) Where are you?
16) I bow to your greatness. You’ve broadened my horizons into new genres of music and film. And you never fail to make me laugh!
17) You seem to be so down to earth! I’d really like to get to know you better.
18) I’m not sure that I like you…
19) I’ve gotten to know you better over the last few weeks and I just think you are so awesome. Thank you Twitter!
20) It's a small world after all... I haven’t talked to you in FOREVER! I miss you…
21) I’ve only talked to you like, once. But you seemed cool.
22) I love your jokes.
23) You annoy the crap out of me. I’m sorry, but please. Chill out
24) I love you so much. Even though I sometimes take you for granted.
25) You are one of the first people I talked to on Skype. Let’s talk sometime, ok?
26) We became friends by chance, but I’m so glad it happened. You have some of the best videos I’ve seen on YouTube. Keep it up!
27) You are one of my favorite people. Seriously. How can anyone NOT love you? You are so random and funny and just amazing.
28) You are so sweet and compassionate. I’m glad to have met you through TWOA!

Jan 5th: About That Last Post...

Yep. I didn't do it. Someone else wants in on the One Remarkable Year action. Or wants to prove that she's remarkable. That's right, that last post was written by none other than my cat, Penny.



She's kind of "special". Basically, she opened my door (yeah... she does that), jumped up on my bed, walked around me, and tried to cuddle. When it was clear I was giving the laptop more attention, she decided to walk all over it and take a nap. Yes, I believe a cat can be spiteful. Anyway, it ended up posting, so I decided to leave it up. And that is my remarkable event of the day.

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So what DID I do today? Well, I got up early and went to the mall in Providence. It's got five floors of stores and I went shop-happy. I did pretty well for myself. I bought an awesome new jacket, among other things. Then I had lunch at Dave & Busters, which is a cool restaurant that has pool tables and a giant arcade, only its meant for the late teen/collegiate crowd, rather than little kids. Oh, and on the way out, I saw that The Academy Is and The Cab are going to be at that Hot Topic on the 13th to sign autographs and greet fans. I might just have to go back beforehand to ensure I get a wristband so I can go... mhmm! :)

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Jan 4th: Think Before You Speak

This entry is a bit of a long, gloomy rant so you might want to skip over this one...

A bit of back story:
Now, my town isn't small (pop ~30,000), but it's in the book of World Records for the most people marrying and moving back to their hometown. Hence, we have a LOT of "townies" and many of the families in town go way back. It's not unusual for everyone to know everyone even though the town isn't exactly small. And unfortunately, I can't go ANYWHERE in town without being recognized. I come home and five different people have already called my parents, telling them where they saw me and when. UGH! This happens especially because I come from a prominent townie family (I happen to be a 5th generation myself). My grandfathers were the chief of police and the sergeant, my dad is currently the head lieutenant, and a large number of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are also cops. It's not like being a celebrity or anything (although it sometimes feels like what it must be like to be the first family). Life is completely normal - to a point. If tragedy strikes, everyone's eyes are on you. And they already know all about you, as if they flipped open an issue of People. They know your complete life history back to the day you were born. They know you were a citizen of the month in junior high, or was a football star in high school. They know your family owned the bakery on the corner for generations, or that your grandfather, who had run out of ammo, chased and stopped an armed thief in a shootout after a car chase from the bank (phew! That last one is true!). There is no privacy for townies in my town. Especially when it comes to bad news.

I've had personal experience with this issue. There wasn't any privacy when my uncle was brought home from Vietnam. There's a horrible photo of my dad, his parents, and his eight other siblings grieving that was put on the front page of the newspaper. It was kind of unavoidable, as that grandfather of mine was the chief, and it somehow became the whole town's business. History repeated itself when I was 14. Another of my uncles had died. Because of the manner in which he passed, and the fact that he was a police officer, it was made public and was slapped on the front page of the Boston Globe the next day. I was pulled out of school immediately and had to be escorted away from reporters that actually showed up to try to interview a bewildered little kid.

Now, today was a bit of a rough day. A friend of the family (and one of a very well known townie family, at that) died of a heart attack this morning while on vacation with his family in the mountains. Our families are very close and I grew up with his niece, who is one of the nicest people I've ever met. My parents and their siblings have been friends with him and his siblings since they were all in their early teens. It was horrible to see them so upset and shocked. He was only in his early fifties. But, here's the sad truth, and the point of my story: My family got the call through the grapevine, before his own mother and family at home were told that he had passed. That's what bothers me. I understand that people gossip. I do it myself. But what I mean is, everyone is already talking about what has happened without showing this family the proper respect they deserve. I hope they can find peace in what must be a devastating time for them (they just buried his father not too long ago). Please, keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I know I will.

Jan 3rd: The Curious Case of Doctor WHO?

Today was pretty exciting. My best friend, Jennie, and I went out on an all day excursion. First, we went to the movies to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Since she lives closer, she beat me to the cinema. I circled to park as she bought the tickets... and every spot in the lot was taken. There has to be HUNDREDS of spaces. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen! Luckily, a movie just ended so a space opened up right in front. We went in, took the last pair or seats, and enjoyed the show. It was a fairly good movie. I wouldn't say it was amazing, but it definitely gives you a lot to think about. Brad Pitt, of course, was gorgeous, but there was a lack of chemistry between the actors and the movie dragged on longer than it should have. I wish it went out with more of a bang...

Then, we went to dinner at T.G.I. Friday's. It was pretty awesome (and delicious!), and we had so much to catch up on (even though we're roommates and live together ALL YEAR). Topics of discussion: boys (of course), shopping, school, spring break, and "Doctor Who". Why "Doctor Who" you might ask? Well, today's the day that that the identity of the actor set to play the 11th incarnation of the Doctor was revealed... and David Tennant shall be succeeded by Matt Smith. So the question of the hour is... who IS Matt Smith? He seems to be a relatively unknown actor. Will he do a good job? If the cast and crew are as confident about him as they maintain, I'm sure he will. Was this all just a clever ploy to stick a picture of David Tennant in my blog? You bet! We'll see what comes next!

Jan 2nd: Grade A Drama

So after a several hour delay due to foul weather, my university FINALLY disclosed my term grades. I've chosen to live the past few weeks in blissful ignorance over sick dread, as I've done worse this past semester than ever before. I haven't been slacking though... just a new major (Wildlife Ecology), a heavier workload with an extra class, and a lot of lab time outdoors. Try explaining that to my parents though. Anyhoo, here's how I made out:

• A-..Field Dendrology
• B+..Wildlife Ecology
• B....Intro to Natural Resources
• C+..Environmental Resource and Economics Perspectives
• D....General Ecology

Ok, so it's not the best I've ever done. I'm used to straight As and Bs. But I'm not ashamed. And it's not the end of the world. I can't say I completely identify with Anthony Michael Hall's character in The Breakfast Club, but I completely understand where he's coming from. I've always received a lot of pressure to be the best. I can't do that. But, I can be the best I can be, and that's good enough for me. The only problem is that I need a 3.0 to maintain my scholarship, and now I've just slightly dipped below. But if I do better next semester, I don't see how there should be a problem, especially since this was my first semester after changing majors... Now, I truly feel like the New Year can begin now that this is all over with. PHEW!

Jan 1st: Hellooo 2009!

New post for a new year!

So 2009 didn't exactly start off with a bang for me. I've been sick with a REALLY bad cough since Christmas, so no partying for me. :( But hey, if anyone can have fun cooped up in the house, it's me. I chilled out, ate pizza and watched movies. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. The partying can wait until I'm back at college. Hopefully I'll feel better enough tomorrow to actually leave the house and DO something. I seriously need some fresh air and don't want my ENTIRE vacation to go to waste...

So why am I starting a blog? A friend of mine decided to start a journal, chronicling each day of 2009 as part of the One Remarkable Year project. He was looking for friends to do it with him and so I thought, sure, why not? I've had diaries in the past, but they've all turned out... well, you know how teenage girls are. Also, I strive to finish what I start, but I rarely finish my "mini-projects." This time around, I'm committed to doing a good job.

Here's to 2009!