Just real quickly...

I want to alert you all to the fact that I am, in fact, still alive. I know this saddens some of you who were hoping to inherit my awesome movie collection and my newly acquired lava lamp, but alas, I still want and need those.

However, this hiatus will still last a little bit longer. I have a midterm to take today, another one on Wednesday, a paper to write before Tuesday, a document to code Thursday, papers to grade on Friday and a wedding to attend on Saturday.

Sunday, however, is going to be a good day :)

And actually Saturday will be really good too. I'm quite excited. Stanley's cousin Rachel is getting married and they are one of the coolest couples I know, so I'm sure marriage will just escalate said awesomeness.

Alrighty, off to pay attention to class. We are not discussing Mormons in political history. Woohoo!

Toodles!

-Jillian

In case you couldn't tell...

It's midterm. There's no way I'm going to be able to keep up with this blogging thing and still be a productive human. So. I'm putting a hold on it.

Just thought I'd let you all know...

-Jillian

Days 9 & 10

I'm totally failing at this blogging thing. Sorry folks. I'll try harder :)

Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the last few days:

I'm just proud of the last few days in general. I've worked my last Sunday shift at Macaroni Grill (and getting free sushi from it too, might I add), written a quiz, got my WomanStats stuff figured out, scheduled this next week, taken a midterm (that I don't think I failed), went to all my classes where I mostly paid attention, gone running, broken down my schedule for midterms and graded 40 some odd papers while helping students on their next assignment.

I guess overall, I'm just proud that I'm getting my stuff together and being a productive human. And as a reward, tonight I get to go to Brick Oven with my roommates (and Stanley) for a birthday dinner and just get to relax and not worry about school. That is, if I get all the papers graded and sent out, of course :)

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

Ha! This one's fun. When I'm happy I listen to a playlist called "you make me smile" It has some awesome songs on it. It has songs like "Soul Sister," "Teenage Dream," and "You Make Me Smile." It also has a lot of Ingrid Michaelson and Sarah Barielles.

When I'm sad I tend to listen to Brandi Carlile. Love her music.

Bored: I'm not sure. I honestly don't know if I ever am bored or if it's just the feeling of being obligated to do something when I'd much rather be doing something else. If that's the case, then I listen to symphony music. It helps me focus on what I need to be doing at the time.

Hyped: I love this one!!! Mostly because I have a certain song I listen to when I want to feel like a BA, which is usually when I go take a test. I walk into the testing center with Mamba's, carrots, and my water bottle and have "Uprising" by Muse blasting my ears. If that doesn't do it for me I'll usually listen to "Breaking Dishes" by Rhianna or "Supermassive Black Hole" also by Muse. But very rarely does "Uprising" not get me going.

Mad: I'm not sure what I listen to when I'm mad. When that happens I usually want to talk to someone about it so I'm no longer mad or so the person can understand why they made me mad can then cower, tell me how right I am, and beg for my forgiveness (this last thing? Yeah, almost never happens. I think it's because of who I'm dating...). The point is, music does not usually play a part in my life when I'm mad.

So yes, there's a small snippet of my music habits. I hope you all enjoyed :)

Toodles!

-Jillian

Days 6, 7, and 8

This weekend sort of got away from me. I spent Friday night up in Salt Lake and spent all Saturday having fun with the boyfriend going to the symphony, watching movies, and playing at the DI and Toys 'R Us. I can't imagine anyone else I'd be able to do such a diverse amount of things with where we both truly enjoy them, and not just because we're doing them with each other. Though that always seems to make it better.

But, because of that, I'm a little behind on this blogging thing, so here we go:

Day 6: Favorite superhero and why

I think my favorite superhero has to be Batman. Because while Superman and Spiderman and all the other superheroes are cool (okay, Spiderman not so much) Batman is awesome because he's a real person. Like, actually human. He wasn't genetically modified or imported from some other planet. He was a man who felt the need to change things and had the resources to do so. Which makes him awesome.

Day 7: A picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you:

These are some of my favorite people in the whole wide world. I put this picture because of what the life changing experience this picture represents as well. These are my Jackson girls. We spent one amazing, tumultuous, life-altering summer together and have managed to keep in touch and stay friends in the years following. They are the ones I know I can call whenever I need anything who, no matter how busy we are, will always be there no matter how long it's been since we've talked or seen each other. They are all amazing, beautiful, talented, driven, intelligent, loving women who have blessed my life in so so so many ways.

This one is more obvious. No matter how things turn out with this kid, he has done a lot to shape my life during a very influential period. He makes me think about and experience things that I never would have otherwise. Plus he's wonderful and makes me laugh like no one else. He makes me want to be a better person while taking me the way I am.

Day 8: Short term goals for this month and why

Okay, this is hard because I really want to turn this into a to-do list, but I will refrain, because no one wants to see that. So this is what I hope to accomplish by the beginning of March - so in 28 days:

Survive Midterms - meaning don't get anything below an 83%

Keep up with my TA work:

Keep up with other readings

Start running again

Not fall behind in assignments

So yes, those seem very general, but that's about as far ahead I can think right now.

Alrighty, I have succeeded in making this up to date! Gold Star!!

Toodles!

-Jillian

A picture of a place you've been

In case you can't tell, I'm having a hard time picking just one. I've been to lots of places, whether it be Museums, campus, or my boyfriends house, and they all have their special place in my heart and memory. However, I figured I'd include some of the place I've actually traveled to that other people might recognize:

This picture was taken in Guilin, China, on a boat on the Yellow River. For those of you who may not know (or were not there) I traveled to 4 different cities in China in 2007 - Guilin, along the southern coast, Lijang, up near the Himalayan Mountain range, Shanghai, and Beijing. We went with the Eastern Oregon University choir and it was an amazing week and a half. I climbed the Great Wall, vomited in an elevator, saw amazing acrobats, ate skewed yak meet, and met some amazing people.

This is a picture of where I spent 3 of the last 4 summers. While this picture is actually in Grand Teton National Park, it's beauty is indicative of what you see in Yellowstone as well. This was actually taken up along the Jenny Lake Trail which was and still is one of my favorite places in the park. I've shared it with some of the most special people in my life.

This was taken this last summer in Moab. Logan, Lou, Hillary, Stanley and I were playing in Goblin Valley when Stanley and I decided to stop and grab a peanut and butter sandwich. Logan took the opportunity to grab a snapshot of the two of us perched on one of the huge sandstone structures. It makes me happy.

A habit you wish you didn't have

This is a hard one for me. At first I couldn't think of a habit I wish I didn't have because to me a habit is chewing your nails or picking wedgies in public or an awkward face twitch. And while I do have some odd habits I wouldn't say I wish I didn't have them.

However, there are some very serious traits I wish I didn't have. For instance, I have this really bad...I'll use the word habit here...of getting lost inside my own head, especially when I have a lot to do. I get really caught up in my never ending to-do list or thinking about some of the problems in my life or how tired and/or unfulfilled I am. And what's funny is none of these are really legitimate problems. I almost create the problem in my own mind and then get tangled up in it to the point I'm paralyzed and unproductive.

I feel like it's obvious as to why I wish I didn't have this habit and therefore this post needs no more expounding. However, I will state that I'm currently attempting to overcome this flaw, though with varied success.

I'll be back tomorrow!

-Jillian

A picture of you as a child

Okay, I'm was super excited for this day mostly because I adore this picture. This was taken in upstate New York where my family and I used to spend our summers.

For those of you who may not know (or may not guess) this smiling, adorable blonde is my older sister Jessica. We're only 18 months a part, which sometimes caused friction between the two of us. Plus, as you can probably see from the picture as well, we are pretty different, and not only in appearance. We spent most of our childhood and teenage years bickering and fighting, but then in High School we became friends. Our family had moved to a new town and with that came a new school. I spent a majority of the first year refusing to acclimate and the only reason I survived was because of Jessy. She helped me socialize and created a network of friends I could be a part of so I wouldn't feel completely alienated, making sure I was included in everything she was. When she graduated the next year I had come into my own in high school, mostly because she gave me the support and ability to do so.

Now she is married, has two beautiful children and is still one of the most inspiring women I know. Her husband is overseas with the National Guard and she's raising her babes with so much patience and love, all the while handing that incredible hardships with diligence. And amazingly, she manages to do so with the same sweet smile she has in this picture taken 15 years ago.

The meaning behind my blog name...

This one isn't too hard. Despite the fact I started this blog back in my Junior year of high school its purpose has always been exactly what it says: it's where my brain relieves whatever it's been holding inside of it, in no particular order. It's where my thoughts can flow freely from my fingers. Some people have art and crafts blogs or travel blogs or school blogs, but mine has never really had a theme, hence the word "random" in there.

As I've moved away from home it's become a tool to let my family and friends back home know exactly what I'm up to and why I'm so ridiculously hard to get a hold of sometimes. It's also nice because I don't have to call all my family and friends individually to tell them the same stories - they can just read them on here.

That being said, now that I've done the challenge for the day, I would like to say that I am very tired and have to write a midterm right now. However, I really do love being a TA.

I also fell down the stairs yesterday and it hurt more than normal. How do I have that comparison to normal, you may ask? Probably because I fall down the stairs to my bedroom once or twice a month. You'd think I'd be more careful by now, but I think the carpet's just out to get me. But last night I sliced open my toe, hyper-extended my elbow a little bit and fell on my butt, which is making it a little difficult to walk today.

In other news, it is February 1. If I can make it through this month I will be very, very pleased as things are looking up in March and April. Then I have a month and a half of spring classes before

COSTA RICA!!!

I am so excited for this. Like, SO excited!

Toodles!

-Jillian

Day 1 - A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts

This is literally the most recent picture of myself. It was taken Saturday night at Macaroni Grill. I had brought a bag of Pixie Sticks into work for all the servers and pretty much anyone who walked past the table in the back and Jorge was by far the most excited member of the team. He probably ate at least 15 himself. This picture was taken around stick #13. I thought the awesomeness that was our blue tongues deserved to be chronicled for posterity, so I whipped out my cell phone (making sure my manager didn't see and confiscate it) and snapped a picture.

15 interesting facts:

1. During the last 4 years I haven't spent more than 8 months in one place. The average time in one living location is 4 months.

2. I've switched my major about 6 times

3. I love puppies. Like, LOVE them.

4. I've spent an entire year in my life doing summer stock theater

5. I have a tendency to forget when my birthday is coming. I've spent the last month reminding myself it's getting closer.

6. I love painting my fingernails sapphire blue

7. Reading the New York Times makes me feel smart and sophisticated

8. Watching the State of the Union address was almost as exciting as Christmas.

9. If all goes well, this time next year I will be in Washington D.C.

10. If all goes well, in 4 months I will be in Costa Rica

11. I love brown sugar cinnamon pop-tarts and pop-corn. They are what keep me alive.

12. I sing opera at work, at least to the guests. Usually I sing pop music otherwise in an attempt to get the songs stuck in other servers heads.

13. I really, really enjoy being a TA.

14. Sleep. Is. Happiness. Especially when falling asleep next to or thinking about a person you love.

15. I have the most awesome stuffed animal EVER. Which I do still sleep with on a nightly basis. It's okay, I'm almost 23...

An attempt at actually sticking to something

I have this problem where I start something and then end up not finishing it. I know most people have this problem, but with me it's less of a problem and more like a pandemic. I resolve to do things in myself - whether it be homework or running - and then fail to follow through. So in an effort to change that, I'm starting small: with a blog. It's fairly simple, more likely than not you've seen these things on others blogs, and I'm going to attempt to do it. Here is the list:

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you as a child
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7- a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you
day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die
day 12- 3 things that people are always shocked to learn about you
day 13- your 5 favorite books and why
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- what do you consider your biggest success so far in life
day 16- a picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- write about a sweet memory from your past
day 20- write a letter to someone
day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- name something you love about each season of the year and which is your favorite
day 24- post your favorite quote or verse of scripture and why
day 25- what I would find in your purse
day 26- list 10 things that you are thankful for
day 27- my day job verses my passion
day 28- what kind of books you read
day 29 - favorite tv shows and why you like them
day 30 - movies you can watch again and again.

I like this one because it's personal without being awkwardly revealing. Plus, it'll be fun :)

So watch out blog-o-sphere. It officially starts tomorrow!

State of the Union 2011

You can rag on Obama however much you'd like, but that was an amazing speech. Yes, there were obvious holes and it will be interesting to see what he's going to have to stretch to deliver on his promises, but I'm proud to be American after that speech and what's more, I have hope for America's future.

But you wanna know the best part of that entire things was?

State of the Union 2012 - I'm going to be there!!

I just have to keep working for it. After all, "the future isn't a gift, it's an achievement."

Toodles!

-Jillian

Probably should've stayed in bed...

You know those days when you get out of bed, only to realize you probably should have stayed there?

Yeah....toooooootally my day today.

Snapshot of my life

Alrighty folks, I've gotta make this fast as I've got to be out of here and coding in fifteen minutes.

This is a week in my life:

I am taking 16 credits.

I'm working roughly 40 hours a week: 9 at a TA job, 11 at a job coding research, and somewhere around 20 at the Macaroni Grill.

I am in class on MWF from 8-11 and then 12-3. On TTh I have class from 9-10 and a class I'm TA-ing for from 1:30-3

I spend 5 and a half hours a week in an office waiting for students to come to see me while doing homework and writing quizzes to pass the time.

I wake up between 6:30 and 7 every morning and shoot for going to bed around midnight. I usually fail at this and turn in closer to 1, giving me somewhere between 6 and 7 hours of sleep a night.

I try to go running for a half hour two to three times a week.

I'm dating a kid who lives 45 minutes away and has been a complete gem during all this, driving down to see me more often than I drive up to see him. We've been making it about every other day, which I feel is amazing, considering the circumstances. A considerable amount of time is also spent talking to him throughout the day. It keeps me sane.

I spend roughly 11 hours a week pouring over government documents referring to practices about women and picking out facts and trying to fit them into one or more of the 300 some odd variables that we're supposed to be chronicling.

I find myself zoning out in class thinking about all the other things I need to accomplish.

I have my first test on Monday. It's in Geology.

I'm currently saving to go teach English in Costa Rica this summer.

I've begun looking at graduate schools and am feeling really, really intimidated at the prospect of applying.

Scholarship applications are due in a few weeks and I haven't started them yet.

I get to apply for Washington Seminar in less than 3 months! This is another thing I zone out over - thinking about the possible internship opportunites.

I'm already behind in my homework and we're only halfway through the 3 week. I think I have some catch-up to do.

I won't be able to do much of it this weekend as I'll be hanging out with my family or working, because Jess and the babes are down for the weekend!

And I managed to spew all of that out in less than 10 minutes. Which is why I win.

Toodles!

-Jillian

Does not play well with others

I've realized I'm a front row person. I prefer to sit in the front row of classes. I'm not sure if this is my need for attention from authority figures or if it's because I feel like I'll be less likely to text, surf the net, and sleep.

But you know what's annoying? Religion classes. Because it puts me with the elementary education majors and the marriage and family science majors who just giggle, so lovingly at fully at every little titter the professor says, like their laughter is freaking wind chimes, floating through the classroom.

I hate those people. There's one about two chairs down and she's just glowing with enthusiasm for this class and this professor and her life and everyone in this class. I want to punch her in the face. She's almost as annoying as the awkward kid sitting next to me earlier who laughed by inhaling, which resulted in him sounding like a complete ass (in the biblical way, of course. I am in New Testament after all).

I don't think it would be half as annoying if I didn't get the distinct impression that her wide-eyed sweet disposition is completely false. And I know what you're thinking, "Jillian, why are you labeling her this way?" and the answer is very simple. She was completely passive aggressive with the seating. I had my bag on a seat next to me, so she sat on the other side of my bag and a few minutes later one of her friends came in. Instead of being like "Hey, is it okay if you move your bag so my friend can sit here?" She made some offhanded comment to her friend (who had already found a chair a row behind her, so they were still able to talk and flirt or whatever the heck they were doing) about how she wished he could sit next to her, and then when another person comes by and asks me to move my bag - which I do - she makes another passive aggressive comment to the extent of "wow...I wish that had happened for you so you didn't have to sit so far away."

And now she's volunteering to pray and read all the scriptures out loud. And giggling obnoxiously. I mean, really?

I do not play well with others.

Quick update!

So. The facts are these:

I have finished 1 of my 6 finals, meaning I have turned in 1 of my 3 12-page papers. Huzzah!

Tomorrow I have one written final and another paper to turn in. The paper is struggling, the final for that same class is still undecided as to what it's about or what format it's in, and I left the book I need to read for the final at Stanley's grandmothers house. Whoops.

Tuesday I work, edit/finish writing the final 12 page paper and study for the last final.

Wednesday, I turn that in, take the test and am DONE. Completely. I will have conquered this semester!

And, this time next week I will be back home in La Grande!

Oh, we also went to the symphony last night, which was hysterical and entertaining for several different reasons.

Alright now, back to work...

Junior Year, take 7

There are many reasons I like my boyfriend. Today, I am grateful for one (well...two) of them in particular.

First and foremost, he edits my papers and makes them better. I have this problem with my academic papers, see, in that I know all the information required to form a good argument and when I describe my arguments to people it's obvious I know what I'm talking about. However, when it comes to expressing them in written form I fail a little bit. So Stanley, being the wonderful, patient, supportive human being he is, will sit down with me and tediously edit my papers, asking "Okay, what do you mean by this?" and "Why are you changing persons here?" or "You see how this weakens your argument?" and making notes for me to go back and fix.

So it's wonderful because he's not just telling me what I'm doing wrong, he's helping me fix it and be more aware of it for later. And due largely to his wonderful (and last minute) editing abilities, I managed to get an A on my first big international relations paper. It made me rather happy, especially as the Junior and Senior dudes behind me who got their papers back at the same time started complaining about how hard this teacher grades papers.

So yes, that is reason one. The second reason is related in that when I sent him an essay to edit while he was still in Spain (Viva Espana!) he realized I didn't have Microsoft 7 and was, in fact, working on the very outdated Microsoft Works which made references such as footnotes and other formatting really difficult.

So what does he do? He find Microsoft Office for me to download to my computer. So now I am able to write papers without having to do things manually and can actually add endnotes and footnotes to my papers without having to haul myself (and all my reference books for that matter) up to campus so I can finish my papers. Which proved particularly helpful this last week with my Women's History paper where I ended up adding a page and a half of endnotes to a 7 page paper (it was supposed to be a 4-5 page paper...oops...).

Which reminds me. I should probably start in on my next paper so I can get it over and done with so I can enjoy myself and not think about all the homework I need to get done when I get to see him next.

Have a great day!

Toodles!

-Jillian

p.s. ONLY 2.5 WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING BREAK!!!

Junior year, take 6

Qualitative Research Design - done

Women's History Midterm Essay - check

Weekly History Reading Paper - done-zo

Critique for Women's History Midterm Essay - dominated

Midterm for Tuesday - moved to Thursday

Midterm for next Tuesday - moved to 2 weeks from now

Historiographical Essay due Tuesday - cancelled entirely

Practice Assignment due Friday - moved to Monday

Sometimes...life is good. :)

Junior year, take 5

This is my 250th post, people. That's right. We're going on over 6 years with this blog

So...what's new in my life? Midterms. The return of the boy. That's pretty much it.

I know, my life is ridiculously exciting and you're all insanely jealous. But don't worry, I'm going to tell you about why you SHOULDN'T be jealous of my life right now. Namely what I have to accomplish in the next 9 days:

3 written midterms and 5 term papers. Now, granted, 3 of those terms papers are just rough

draft term papers, but they're supposed to be GOOD rough drafts. As for the midterms, 1 is multiple choice, 1 is essay, and 1 is a mix of both. So this could be an interesting week.

However, here are things you SHOULD be jealous about. For instance, I get to see HER:

That's right folks! Tuesday night Stanley and I get to head up to the Venue in Salt Lake and listen to Ms. Ingrid Michaelson bust it out. I'm seriously so excited I might pee myself.

Also, Thursday night we get to go see my friend Brock in the Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hale, which should be exciting. And then, to round things off, this Sunday is my sisters birthday so we're heading up to West Valley to make dinner for her and her husband and to have an evening filled with good food and lively conversation.

That and for Halloween I'm probably going to dress up as one of the managers from work WHILE I'm at work. I know, I'm stinking hilarious.

But, that being said, it's going to be a long, hard, tiresome week and a half for me. The light at the end of the tunnel is that after it's over I have a nice, fairly relaxed 3 weeks until things pick back up again for finals.

Now to just get to that point. :)

Toodles!

-Jillian

Junior year, take 4

This is me currently going insane...

...

...I'm a quiet crazy, because all the screaming goes on inside my head.

I had a dream last night that I forgot to do one of my papers that was assigned this week. It wasn't a real paper, as I'm not in a science class, but it definitely brought to light one of the major fears I've been harboring - that I'm going to miss an assignment and fail a class (and by fail I mean getting anything lower than a B-) and flunk out of school and become a worthless human being who can't achieve anything. Seriously. I woke up panicked and with a headache.

That being said, I have to finish up a book today so I can write a paper to turn in on Wednesday, I have to write (and research) a 3 page prospectus for IR which is due tomorrow, and then I have to do a 50 point article analysis for my PLSC 200 class due Wednesday as well. After that I have another prospectus due next week - this time for Hist 200 - a IR midterm, and a 300 page book to read during that period of time, as well as doing a practice assignment for Friday.

Oh yeah baby, this'll be fun.

All that pales, however, to the fact that Stanley is returning to the state of Utah on Thursday. That makes me go like this...



I'm not sure why, but I felt the need to refrain from writing screaming sounds as I'm in a quiet computer lab. Because that would disturb the other people?

Yeah...as I said, I'm tired. And my brain's a little fried.

Anyway, off to do reading!

Toodles!

-Jillian

Junior year, take 3

Sometimes I wonder how I lucked out in life. Honestly, I have a good job, a good family, good friends, a car that works ($700 later...) and the opportunity to go to school and further my education in a way that will enrich my life and the lives of those around me. I have (more than) enough food to keep me full, shoes for any occasion, and at least one amazing pair of ridiculously comfortable pants that I come home to every evening. I wake up to an e-mail from my best friend each morning and fall asleep each night with the best stuffed animal ever.

I am also currently eating an incredibly scrumptious turkey sandwich.

Could life get any better? Of course it could. But that doesn't mean that the here and now is all that bad, either.

Toodles!

-Jillian