Why I Love Brian, Part Twenty-Eight

Brian: Nothing wins a girl over easier than being a creep.

Me: Look at Edward Cullen!

Brian: Hahaha--true.

BUT

His charms work on a girl like Bella.

The last thing i want is a girl like Bella.

@@@

Smart man.

The End of the MICA Chapter

Classes and finals are (essentially) over for me!

My plans for the next few days are:

-Hang the commencement show.
-Start packing.
-Attend a super-fun Victorian tea party.
-Go to a wedding! As a bridesmaid!
-GRADUATE!

I had my interview with Sarah Vinas, the art director of Glamour magazine, yesterday. Overall I think it went well! I was a little intimidated at first, but she proved to be really personable (but professional), and she offered some good advice--some which I'd heard from others, but that's normal. My biggest concern (and don't I know it)is settling on a style/media/vision. I need to focus myself. This summer will be an excellent time to explore that, so I'm looking forward to it. :) Sarah offered to e-mail me with a few references for people/places that could potentially be interested it my work, and offered to be a contact for me (which was very generous). Successful, I think!

Oh my gosh, here comes real life!

The rest of yesterday was really great as well (apart from getting up at 5:45 for a shift). I got to class at 10 after a rushed shower after my shift (which ends at 9). I'd dressed carefully (doy, art director of GLAMOUR), and got to the studio as a bunch of people were laying out awesome food for everyone to have during the day. I waited around for a bit, talked to Joey V. on the phone, had my interview, and had to immediately jet off to Target (to return that dress) and to Ikea (to get frames for the commencement show).

The drives to both places were so quick, John and I didn't get lost, and both ventures were fast and easy. I was so happy! So, we decided to go to PF Chang's for a late lunch/early dinner, which made me even happier. :D Because I'd woken up early and had such a rush-around sort of day, I fell asleep right in the car! So unlike me.

Oh, and then John and I watched The Power Rangers Movie. I know you're jealous.

In other news, Betsy is coming up next week for graduation! I haven't seen her since Winter Break! Unfortunately the wedding will make me miss her for the first few days, but it'll be a fun time! I'm still in this weird in-between where I'm aware of the end, but I'm still doing so many things I can't absorb it yet. I wonder how I'll be when I get to that point. Eep!

Hope you're all well!

-A.

Oscar Night!

Well, admittedly the Oscars weren't at their most thrilling in 2010. But I did pretty well a far as my picks for the winners--fourteen correct out of 24 categories, including Best Picture, and both Supporting actors, and second in my fourteen-person Oscar pool!

Katie and Colin were very gracious to host the Oscar party (since only Robin and I--and eventually John--attended), and Katie (adorable thing that she is) made delicious Oscar-themed food with adorably punny names:

-A Serious Man-wiches (pulled pork finger sandwiches on rolls)

-A Single Man-go Salsa

-Pretzels: based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire (LOL) (and chocolate covered! :D)

-Inglourious Bon-Bons (these AMAZING chocolate cookie/vanilla ice cream bonbons dipped in chocolate.)

-The Hurt Guacker

Am I missing an Avatar-themed one? (Oh well--I'm so glad they got everything they DESERVED--visual effects and the like, not to mention a nice ex-wife burn from Kathryn to James.)

A cool fun-fact--the winning short subject documentary, Music by Prudence, was co-produced by Patrick Wright, the chair of the MICA film/video department, and, Errol, the guy who shot Good Thing (the play I stage-managed sophomore year) and showed up randomly at my birthday party in 2009 (or was it 2008?) shot some of the footage, which makes him the youngest cinematographer to shoot an Oscar-winning film in history! Pretty cool (although he's a little creepy)! Check it out here.

Did you watch? Did you enter an Oscar pool? How did you guys do?

Love,

-A.

"But she won't discover that it's him 'til Chapter Three..."

My sister and I had a way-too-long conversation about our Top 5 animated Disney films.

Mine:

1. Beauty and the Beast (Just a classic--not to mention it's particular connection to John's and my relationship. Plus, I'm Belle.)

2. Sleeping Beauty (A close second--the way the characters are drawn is stunning. They move like HUMANS. REAL HUMANS. It's subtle and stylized at the same time, and you should watch it again if you thought it was boring.)

3. The Lion King (Great soundtrack and awesome Shakespeare adaptation, not to mention)

4. The Little Mermaid (The first movie I remember crying at--I was so sad that Ariel had to leave her dad. Fabulous characters and songs!)

5. Pocahontas/Mulan (I have to tie these--I had a 2-year long Pocahontas phase in elementary school, not to mention that 'Savages' is an amazing song. However, so is 'Be A Man'. Decisions, decisions.)

Lauren's:

1. The Lion King (She is obsessed with jungle cats. I'm not sure if this obsession is because of the film or if the big cats are why she loves it.)

2.-5. (in no particular order) The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Mulan, Aladdin. (She couldn't decide. :P)

Honorable Mentions:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (So freaking DARK for a Disney movie, but that made it rich and awesome. Not to mention the contrast of the song 'Heaven's Light/Hellfire'. I've written about it here before.)

Cinderella (Who doesn't love watching that amazing transformation from rags to riches, courtesy of a simple 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo'?)

I actually mentioned awhile ago that I would write a little analysis of a selection of Disney Princes. Obviously I never did, but I had some time to waste in class and if I can procrastinate, I will. So, here we go.

Narrowing down a list:

The Beast (Doy.)

Prince Phillip (of Sleeping Beauty)

Prince Eric (of The Little Mermaid)

Prince/Charming (Snow White/Cinderella--Snow White's 'Prince', and Cinderella's 'Prince Charming')

@@@

Prince/Charming is the earliest incarnation of any Princely character in Disney's milieu. Snow White's Prince had a little more personality than Cinderella's Charming (who spoke, what, four lines?) and it's no surprise that these princes occurred at the earliest point in the princess/fairy tale timeline.

At this point, the Prince doesn't represent a person, but an archetype or reward. He is passive. (Cinderella's prince doesn't even look for her himself!) He signifies when we can all sit back and breathe a sigh of relief, because everything is Happily Ever After from here on in. All of the Princes are treated like this (save one, but we'll get there), but they soon develop personalities alongside their symbolism. This is just to indicate that the symbol of happiness and leaving trouble behind is was what the role of Prince was created for.*

(*There are plenty of feminist arguments one might make, but they're inane and irrelevant to the point of the movies, which is magic and entertainment, so pooh-pooh on them for being nitpicky killjoys. Go be upset about Twilight, an actual offender.)

After Cinderella (1950), the next Princess movie was Sleeping Beauty (1959--it took the whole nine years to complete!), which marked a significant change on the personality and livelihood of the Prince (but his role as the signifier of the Happily Ever After remains intact). Prince Phillip is flirtatious, charming, good-natured, headstrong (but agreeably so), and a bit of a rebel. We have a multi-faceted male lead here! Phillip has his own plot alongside Aurora's--he's lined up to be king, and betrothed to a girl he met once when he was four (a girl who has, for all intents and purposes, disappeared**)

(**I wonder how much Phillip/King Hubert knew about the plan to conceal Aurora--obviously not too much, but you'd expect them to know/suspect SOMETHING if they didn't think twice about not visiting even once in sixteen years.)

He's young and athletic and when he meets a gorgeous stranger in Briar Rose, he's obviously smitten--so much so that he completely overlooks the royal law that he must marry a princess. In fact, he's utterly blasé about it, citing that it's about time to progress past those stuffy hierarchical strictures. He's brave--he faces down Maleficent and her minions, not to mention the massive dragon she transforms into. He is persistent (in wooing Briar Rose and in hacking thorns apart to get to Aurora); he perseveres. He is the first model of an aggressive prince, which I mean in the most positive way. He fights for Rose/Aurora, which is the most obvious and basic example of true love and desire.

Prince Eric is similar to Phillip in that they're both 'modern' princes--Eric is chivalrous and has a good sense of humor, and he's the most casual of the Princes--although not as forward as Phillip. He plays the pretty typical 'clueless boy' role--he's completely enchanted by the mysterious maiden (AKA The Unattainable) that saved him from his shipwreck (who wouldn't be?), and is reluctant to get close to Ariel (AKA The Girl Next Door) because of it, although he feels quite affectionately for her.

Never mind that the maiden and Ariel are one and the same. This is meant to illustrate that Eric is initially immature and flighty: he longs for a girl he doesn't know (one he's not even sure exists, for that matter), and it hampers his ability to grow in another healthier, relationship. Ursula is very aware of this: in her line of work, she's become well-attuned to understanding the desires of humans/humanlike creatures. So, on the verge of Eric's mature moment (his decision to slough off his fantasies and reservations in favor of Ariel), Ursula attacks. She becomes Ariel's biggest threat--the mysterious maiden of Eric's dreams. She uses enchantment on Eric and not just herself, which is sort of cheating, but the metaphor is still present.

Eric has his moment as the 'dragon-slaying prince' when he impales Ursula with a shattered mast, but the most important part of coming together with Ariel is when Ursula's enchantment is lifted and he realizes that Ariel (still there, still willing to save him) is the person he can have an amazing relationship with--if he'd just let go of his baggage in the first place, he'd have gotten there sooner!

Now, on to my favorite: The Beast is a mighty contrast to the other princes. He is mature, complex, dark, and angry. Violent, even.*** He knows and understands pain and loss, even as a lofty prince. In fact, his snobbery is what caused his downfall. At the outset, he is lonely, vicious, and threatening; he's borderline feral after spending ten years in virtual solitude. He is hell-bent on making every stranger he meets just as miserable as he is, thus his imprisonment of the already-fragile Maurice.

(***The Beast is NOT an abusive boyfriend, and Belle is not a battered woman. Seriously, people.)

He is offered a glimpse of something completely foreign to him when Belle WILLINGLY shoulders the misery meant for Maurice. The Beast can't imagine taking on this sort of pain by choice, and he is immensely confused by Belle (and attracted to her 'unparalleled' beauty, of course). His confusion must not be helped by the fact that he was apparently ten when he was changed (according to the Beauty and the Beast timeline)--he's never SEEN or SPOKEN to a woman since before puberty (not counting Mrs. Potts, The Wardrobe, or Babette/Fifi****)!

(****John had a very interesting (tangential) question: Even if they are masculine/feminine, do the objects HAVE gender/sex drives? Or do they just remember being human/having sexual urges? "They have no glands!")

Belle is nothing like the women (like the PEOPLE) he encountered before his transformation--his own mother spoiled him, and his servants catered to him unconditionally. Belle is stubborn and angry all on her own towards the Beast, and since he is very accustomed to getting his way all the time, he's caught completely off guard by Belle's defiance.

Despite the Beast's spoiled and hot tempered instincts, he isn't heartless. Quite the opposite--he is sensitive and intensely depressed and frustrated. He simply doesn't know better, at least not at first. It is telling that the Beast goes out after Belle after his rage over her imposition in the West Wing (sorry, but I have to go with the Beast here, temper or no). It's hard to tell--is this a survival instinct? Belle is the only chance he's ever had--he's not about to let her go. So, he shows an amazing amount of bravery and fights the wolves off of Belle. Later, in a more symbolic--rather than deliberate--physical sacrifice, the Beast is stabbed by Gaston right as Belle has returned to the Beast.

"But wait," you say. "All of the Princes (post-Cinderella) fought for the Princesses--what are some wolves or the human Gaston against Maleficent-Dragon or Giant-Ursula? What makes the Beast so special?" Great question--I'll answer this in a few moments.

Belle realizes this sacrifice and graciously and gratefully returns to tend to Beast's wounds. The ice is broken, and the Beast knows companionship for the first time in a decade. This accelerates his return to the unBeastly side, and he becomes compassionate, thoughtful, and generous (even if his table manners still suffer a bit). The Beast comes the farthest and makes the most dramatic change in personality and thought process because of the power of love.

Time to answer my initial question: "What makes the Beast so special?" This comes in two parts that are closely related.

Firstly, the Beast is special because he gets wounded. No other prince is ever physically incapacitated by an enemy in favor of the princess (and it doesn't come close to happening again until Pocahontas! Although Smith isn't a prince). I don't think this was an accident; I think this was a particular character choice.

And secondly--now, this is the most important part, so pay attention--

Sacrifice. This is essential to the character of the Beast, and it is what sets him apart from all of the other princes EVER conceived by Disney (although Quasimodo comes close!). The Beast experiences the most joyful, wonderful, lovely thing that he ever has with Belle, and at the peak of his joy--the ballroom scene--when he is on the verge of proposing, his newly acquired thoughtfulness reveals Belle's feelings about being away from her father, her only family.

The Beast understands Belle's feelings for her father all-too-well--Belle is Beast's only family, and the thought of how Belle must be feeling is so real to his newly empathetic self--he now knows how much it would pain him to lose Belle. So, he does something unbelievable--he knowingly and willingly sacrifices his proximity to the only person he has ever loved, who brought him back from a near-feral state, in favor of HER feelings and needs. It's astounding and beautiful and it is another level of love that Disney had never plumbed. Phillip and Eric both fought for Aurora and Ariel, and that is admirable, but it takes an awesome, all-encompassing love to let someone go--to selflessly endure the pain of loss for someone else's gain. The Beast is a fabulous example of this, which makes him the most powerful example of love and, frankly, a powerful example of a good man. And, after a suicidal interlude and a battle with the villain, he is rewarded with Belle's love in the end for his patience, which is what a Disney movie is made of!

So, now that I've pretty much revealed my total nerdness, talk amongst yourselves.

@@@

A hilarious aside, courtesy of my sister and her 'green' roommate:

Lauren

and she was like 'well can't you just put it in the little blue bin'

and i said. 'no i dont believe recycling makes a huge difference'

and she told me she was sad for me and that i was making the earth cough

haahhahahhahaha

Christmas Cheer!

Today was the first snow of the season. I woke up at 11:45am (I had a grave shift last night--as if I get up earlier on any other day) to the sounds of my roommates gushing over the snowfall. I got out of bed and peered through my window to find, not the flurries I'd expected, but fat snowflakes falling heavily past me. And there were a LOT of them. The whole street looked all the colors were seen through a white screen. Very pretty and very exciting! John was not nearly as interested, as I was disturbing his sleep so he would get up and check it out. :P

Today has been an unsettling day all around, although I've gotten most of my books covered for ArtMarket--I need to get more paper tomorrow to finish the rest. I'm making belly bands now, and Monday I'll borrow red gocco ink from the Illustration office (or maybe buy some tomorrow--we'll see). Ha, the thrilling life I lead. Also, my toilet flooded. PAIN IN THE BUTT. Especially when we didn't have a plunger and had to borrow one from our neighbors. Awesome.

I also had a nice break at my friend Josh's--he and his roommate Sam invented a little thing they call "Cage Match": they invite a group over to watch three terrible Nic Cage movies (are there any GOOD ones? I don't equate 'enjoyable' with 'good'.) and make fun of them. If you see something that has appeared in one or more Nic Cage movies other than the one you're watching, you yell "Cage Match!" and say what the thing is. For example: "Cage Match! Far younger and more attractive women falling in love with Nic Cage!" or "Cage Match! Nic Cage voiceover!" It's a lot of fun.

I only stayed for one movie tonight, though (Next, which is godawful, but really fun in a group)--I might've stayed for more, except that I have quite a workload, and I got one of THOSE text messages from my roommate Emily. One of those "can we talk?" messages--so basically I couldn't enjoy any more movie after that. Why not just wait until I got home? I hate the "We need to talk", because it automatically means "DANGER WILL ROBINSON".

Now, Emily is by-and-large very easy to live with, save that she has trouble picking her battles, so these confrontations happen pretty much every other day over minor things--dishes, milk, etc. Today was actually valid, though, so I was obviously receptive--I must say, I make it VERY easy on people when they have an issue with me--and it was solved with not too much weirdness, thank God. (Although my own accountability to my beliefs was sort of called into question. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but also not really her business--which she acknowledged, to her credit.)

And now, for the belly bands. Two weeks left of school, and I have SO MUCH to do. NO MORE SOCIAL LIFE, ALYSSA. I need to adopt the Cinderella attitude--although cleaning would be more pleasant and less time-consuming.

Good night!

-A.

Fall break. RULES.

This weekend is my fall break (no classes tomorrow or Tuesday, woo!), and neither John nor I have classes on Friday either, so we've basically spent three days solid together, and it's been great. We've been hanging out, drinking tea, and watching movies and shows (Snow White! Glee!), which has been wonderful. We also hung out with Betsy, who came to visit from Rutgers (good visit, and she'll be back for Halloween!), saw Where the Wild Things Are (cool movie--SO INDIE) for one of John's friend's birthday's (Cara L., who is hastily and aggressively attaching herself to me at "best friend" status. She's nice but...I really only tolerate her for John's sake).

John and I had a double-date with a newlywed couple from our new church, Becky and Mark. It was SO WONDERFUL, and it basically confirmed everything I'm feeling about my relationship with John, which was a relief and a wonder.

Then we had a Target run today, and grabbed dinner--the drive home was a little scary: John was feeling sick and lost feeling in his hands, so we pulled over and stood out in the chill air, waiting for him to feel well enough to drive again. But he's fine now (thank God). He's sitting up with me at my grave shift now, the dear.

Bought some new shoes this week--practical black slip-ons (Keds mixed with vans--for $5!), real Keds in navy blue, and a pair of adorable black quilted/cap-toed flats with ankle strap (Alice would approve). I also bought two pairs of thigh-high socks (one grey with a cream top, one black with a grey top). We'll see if I can pull them off.

I think my Egypt midterm this past Wednesday went okay--better than I thought it would.

My thesis midterm critique went exceptionally well--I got some good feedback, and a lot of much-needed encouragement from my professors. It was really uplifting, and I felt like a proper artist. Speaking of which, I've also been hired by a recent grad to design some Baltimore-sports-themed tee shirts for him to sell. We'll see how that goes over, as he has no real clue what he's doing--but he did say he doesn't want to "stifle my creativity"--I had to laugh.

I intend to put my Alice costume together this week--tomorrow feels like a good thrifting day. Wish me luck!

In other news, John is perfect. Oh, wait. NOT NEWS AT ALL.

Love you all,

-A.

P.S. Pumpkin Patch Photos!

Just when I thought I was consistent.

OKAY! Updates.

Well, Letta decided to be a big POOP this past week and lie to both Ben and Dan about her relationship with Dan. (To Ben and Me: 'We're over.' To Dan: 'We're not.') In finding this out, Ben and I decided to do the right thing and let Dan in on the situation of Letta's visit/stuff with Ben. I'm fuzzy on everything that's happened since then, but I'll keep you updated as I get more info.

ANYWAY, this past week was a good one for me as far as co-worker bonding. On Tuesday night I worked late and ended up getting offered a ride home by a busser who lives near me with a few servers and his girlfriend who's a hostess. His girlfriend was supposed to pick us up, but was running late, so this busser, Kenny, and his roommate Sarah, a server, invited me to Houlihan's for a drink to wait. They don't card, and as you all know, I'm not a big drinker to being with, so I asked the bartender to surprise me. He decided to make me a MASSIVE raspberry long island iced tea. It was good, but GIGANTIC. I drank 3/4 and a bit more of that, and had an Oatmeal Cookie shot (Goldschlager, Bailey's, Butterscotch Schnapps). Needless to say, I was drunk by then.

I chatted with Sarah and Jen, the bartender's girlfriend, and they were both INTENSELY supportive of me maintaining my virginity, which I thought was sweetly hysterical. I asked about Raul because, lame-o that I am, he's a total cutie patootie and we flirt like anything. He is a manwhore, by all accounts. Hm.

SO, the next night, Raul invited me out to Houlihan's and a bar in Fell's Point after his shift. Ben came over that night, and we both met Raul at Houlihan's with a bunch of other Hard Rock people. There was flirting and more drinking (but significantly less than Tuesday, although I had a tasty Mudslide), and we went to Fell's Point, to this seedy-as-balls bar called Friends, where Ben traded the use of his lighter for weed. Wow.

ANYWAY. More flirting, blah blah. The other servers that came along, Angie and Brandi (I know) didn't know my name, and were calling me 'Pretty Girl'. Sweet. Thus, this interaction ensued.

Me: That's so sweet of [Brandi and Angie]! :D

Raul: And very accurate.

Me: Oh. Thank you! :) *long pause* Um. I totally think you're super-cute.

Raul: (actually surprised) REALLY?

Me: Um. Duh.

(Later.)

Raul: You know. I didn't think you thought that about me. What you said earlier.

Me: About thinking you're totally cute?

Raul: Yeah. I mean, most girls get turned off by the, you know--

Me: Mustache? Well. I don't LOVE it. But it looks surprisingly good on you!

Things were going well. (Heh.) Finally, Ben did what we were all thinking, and was like "BTW, MAKE A MOVE, PLZ" to Raul. I DID NOT ASK HIM TO. Let this be VERY clear. I only suspected that he did it until he confirmed it after the fact.

So, Ben went inside (we'd been hanging out on the sidewalk outside of the bar), and Raul came out, like clockwork, and sat next to me on a nearby stoop. After some small talk about how glad we were that I came out, he kissed me. And the mustache wasn't that bad! :P So, we talked a bit about how things started between us--apparently, he was completely into me when we first met at Paper Moon while he was on a date with Liz, a fellow MICAn and co-worker of ours (WHOOPS), and I was with Betsy and her dad. Let me set it up and integrate our points-of-view:

Me and Liz: (Chit-chatting while Raul is in the bathroom--I haven't seen him yet.)

Raul: (Returns and sits with his back to me.)

Liz: (Introduces us.)

Raul: (Turns.)

Me: ("CUTE BOY!")

Raul: ("BEAUTIFUL GIRL! Crap. I'm on a date with this other girl! Be on the date, Raul!" [His words! He explained it like this!])

Me and Raul: (Shake hands and grin like doofs.)

Me: (Thumbs up at Liz.)

So, Raul was very clear that he was attracted from the start, and that my un-craziness was refreshing. :P We haven't talked much more since then, and have only made tentative plans, but I'll (obviously) keep you updated.

ALSO, I've reconnected with Hector, the cutie-patootie who wrote and cast me in Ink. He's returning to MICA for grad school in the fall, and he's just the sweetest and most serious guy ever, and I'm really looking forward to talking to him again and more. :)

Not much else to report otherwise, except that I'm going to New Jersey on Monday or Tuesday to see HARRY POTTER. I am so, so excited. I am going to meet John's family and friends (finally) and I'm SUPER-EXCITED, because, obviously, HP is involved. :D And costumes. (Yes, I'm a nerd. SO WHAT.)

And Robin is coming to visit next week for a Six Flags excursion next Sunday (days-off permitting)! I am very excited, because we will also be watching The Room (which he is selfishly seeing without me in Pittsburgh tonight. Jerk. :P). The Room is the Tommy Wiseau classic that brings us these shining beacons of screenwriting brilliance:

HAHAHAHA. It should be an epic first viewing for me.

Love you guys, and I hope you're all doing well.

-A.

The Exception to the Rule.

Before I dive in to the point of my title, Ben came to visit yesterday and stayed the night. I owe a lot to Ben for his (baldly honest) insight into my personality. It's always a pleasure to hang out with him and especially to confide in him, because when we move past the snark and the disagreements and psychoanalysis and I just need a hug, he's always there for me 100%, on my terms. (Mostly. :P) It means a lot. Thank you, Ben. :)

(Also, did I not say Gossip Girl is amazing? Told you! :P)

I got a message from Marla today, requesting that I remove from Facebook the photos Betsy took of me in the corset Marla made. Apparently, asking me to remove them has everything to do with her wanting to preserve the artistic integrity of her "creative content" (the corset--as opposed to the images, which are rightfully Betsy's), and nothing to do with the fact that she probably sent me those nasty Honesty Box messages. (After all, I had those photos up for two weeks and she didn't say a word until my second response to the HB messages.) I'm not certain, but then again, I don't know anyone else who uses the word "rather" on a daily basis. I removed the photos, obviously. No need to start a fight. But, I did add in my return message that I hate how things have ended up between us.

Betsy and I had a girl's day, starting with shopping and culminating in eating candy and watching "He's Just Not That Into You", which I enjoyed far, far more than I expected. Now, I don't want to spoil a thing, BUT, there's a particular emphasis on the Rules of dating and the Exceptions. Like, the guy will call if he wants to be with you is a Rule. Or, he finally calls after a month and you end up happily ever after? Exception.

As I've said before, I've absolutely had my moments with boys where I over-analyze and mistake his intentions or feelings. Some not so serious, some heart-breaking. We all do it. We've all been on the other side as well. I've been more present to it in the last two weeks than I have in a while.

To be fair, it is a romantic comedy, and there were happy endings. BUT, people end up single. I was impressed at the honesty, despite the character exaggerations. The happy endings were wonderful and totally made me cry. They weren't altogether shocking, but just enough of a romantic twist to make me literally cry out with something like joy at the TV. :) It's one of my favorite things about romantic comedies, and also one of my least favorite.

We all want to be the Exception to the Rule, on some level. But, I think, what I want more than the thrill and drama of being The One to Change Him, is to be...happy. I would love that grand romantic gesture after all the struggle, but I'd prefer to work through the struggle from the start. It's like a song you might know: "I'd rather be working for a paycheck then waiting to win the lottery." I want romance and wonder and that thrill in my gut when He Finally Gets It. But why would I wait for a man that doesn't want me from the start? It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

All of that aside, after watching a movie like that, I'm just ready to be in love. :P Because I am a girl who loves seeing joy.

Love you all!

-A.

P.S. Let's Go Pens! We've got a big game ahead of us!

Up-Date.

I'm sure the suspense has been building. :P (Does anyone even read this still?)

My date was very, very good.

He picked me up 5:15 sharp, as he said he would, and complimented my outfit as any girl would expect (and I did look pretty cute :P) and we drove out to Fells Point (bonus points to him, as Weezer was playing in the car when I got in). The conversation never lagged, and he was just as active in asking me about my family and likes and dislikes and complimenting me about my ability to tell a story well. We got to the restaurant and were talking so easily and so much that we had to send the waitress back twice before we had our orders ready!

The dinner conversation was...unorthodox. He brought up his ex (holy shit, 5 year relationship--apparently she dumped him in August) asked me about mine, and we traded stories. This is usually a sort of taboo, but, being me (AKA ravenous for information) and finding his honesty charming, I was okay with it. He also pointed out, to my delight, that his first kiss was when he was a senior in high school (he went to an all-boys school, so, not much opportunity) and he described himself as a 'slow-mover'. And, what else would a date be without an in-depth discussion of our religious viewpoints! :P

Mark is Catholic, born and bred, and it shows. But, unlike a lot of Catholics, he understands that it's not just attending every Sabbath and Holy Day or doing CCD or washing your hands this many times before you eat, it's about your faith. He started to make some complaint, and I got a little nervous, but he only meant to observe that his experience in the Catholic Church was lacking as far as NOT GOING DEEPLY ENOUGH. He wants to investigate MORE. It was so cool. He really seemed to get what I was saying, and could joke with me as well as answer honestly. We had a few good discussions (NOT debates at all), and he was quick to validate my viewpoints that maybe he hadn't considered before.

So, after dinner. we walked around Fells Point as it started to drizzle, and we talked a bit about how out-of-the-blue his invitation was. I kind of busted him on noticing my booby-corset-profile photo that is currently on Facebook, and I guessed that was one of the reasons he chose me. He conceded to that fact cutely and was a great sport ("It caught my eye...you are very attractive."). And he earned major points by saying that even though the photo was what drew him in, he noticed that I was a Christian (GOD ANSWER--typo and it stays :P), and that made the decision for him. He then offered a ride on the water taxi, but the rain looked like it was going to really come down, so he asked if I wanted to see a movie instead! I agreed, and we drove back to my place to check the times.

I showed him Betsy's website, and he was impressed (as well as complimentary, which made Betsy fall in love without even meeting him), and we headed out to catch the 9:20 showing of Angels and Demons. We showed up WAYYYY early and caught the end of Night at the Museum 2 (eh, looked okay) and then killed some more time at Barnes and Noble until our movie started. The movie was actually a lot of fun, in that hit-you-over-the-head-with-mystery kind of way. Ewan MacGregor is a foxy priest (bad, Alyssa, bad!), and there were some gasp-worthy moments. :)

However, down side, the theater was FREEZING. I had worn a dress to dinner, and thankfully had the presence of mind to change into jeans at my apartment, but my thin cardigan wasn't doing the job. I was shivering, and he noticed, so he ASKED if he could put his arm around me. :D Of course, I let him. (He also asked all night if it was okay that he was paying for me--apparently his ex hated when he did. WHAT.)

As we left the movie theater, he rested his arm around my shoulder to guide me though the door, and I sort of grazed his waist to show that I noticed. :P I went to put my arm through his, and he straightened his arm, obviously expecting me to hold his hand, and there was about .8 seconds or "Wait, what?", but I did it his way and slipped my hand into his. It had started to rain, making my chill all the worse! But I was having too nice of a time to let it get to me. We got back to my place around midnight (7 hour date!) and he walked me to my door...

And hugged me.

He cited our 'slow-mover' dispositions (more his than mine, I'll admit, but its good for me) and we made plans to watch tonight Penguins' game together. :) I admit, a kiss wouldn't have gone amiss, BUT, waiting for the right moment is even better--besides, I think I've been a little bit of a kissing-slut (as my mom would call it) lately, and slowing things down may be just what I need.

So, he'll be over tonight to watch the game, and probably make fun of me for my, um, enthusiasm, let's say. :P It should be good. :) I spent part of this morning tidying up the bathroom and kitchen for when he arrives, although I still have a ton to do. :/ But it's worth it!

I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, and it's working, for the most part (first time ever. :P). Wish me luck!

(And GOOOOO PENS!)

Love!

-A.

So many GOOD THINGS.

Yesterday was a fantastic day.

I had an eight-hour shift yesterday (8 AM-4 PM) that was made far more bearable by the presence of John, who came in at about 10:20 AM and stayed with me until my shift ended (although he was originally supposed to go visit a friend in Columbia who unfortunately [for her] took ill), and ended up hanging out with me until about midnight, even suffering through my screaming-jumping-freaking out antics during the Pens game. :P We WOOOOOOON!!!! :D

It's so funny--we've only hung out for about four days together, but we click SO WELL it's insane! It was a huge get-to-know-you-fest yesterday, ranging from our families to our favorite Disney princes (the Beast, doy, and you'll be getting a dissertation on that at some point).

(BTW, there are some adorable British accents happening in front of the Gateway desk right now. :D)

ANYWAY, it was a wonderful time, and we got dinner, and he looked through my book and apparently liked it a lot (yay!). I have to say, he's been so unbelievably complimentary of me. I mean, the things he's saying are simple, and they sound like I might've heard them before, but his sincerity blows me away. Example: I've said before that we have this inside joke about how he describes me as 'Belle' to his friends. Yesterday he also commented that in the movie 'Life is Beautiful', the main character greets his love interest every day by saying "Bon giorno, principessa'--he said that reminded him of me, since we met properly in Italy, and I'm a Disney Princess. :P And THEN, when I tell him how flattered I am that he has all of these sweet associations for me, he doesn't even take credit! "It's all you!" :D

So, enough gushing out of me.

...

:D


I have a date tonight, with Mark. I'm not building up any kind of expectations. I hope I have a good time, but I'm not going to force anything.

I guess a potentially awkward date with a stranger is a bit lackluster in comparison with the kind of day I had yesterday. :/ I mean, I'm totally excited about the cool things happening in my life! I guess I just don't want to let myself decide anything one way or another yet. It's ironic--when nothing is happening, I overanalyze everything, but when there's a lot going on, I'm doing my best (at least now) to SLOW the EFF down.

Whew.

In funnier news for me, Lacie is even more balls-out insane than I originally thought, and has shed every ideal she ever held in favor of some wacky, 'liberated' existance. There's so much more, but it isn't worth typing out. I'm investigating it personally, anyway. :P

Sigh. Okay, I'm done. I was shocked at first, but now I'm just laughing! How much can a person eff their own life? She's made it an art.

But let's not concentrate on that. I won that pretty eBay dress! :D It should be here within ten days! And I got a bustier to wear with it, as it is strapless, and I don't think a regular old strapless bra is going to cut it. But, yay for pretty dresses!

I'm having a good time. Scary, but good. :)

Love you all!

-A.

I am popular lately!

Since I returned to Baltimore, I have been chatted up by three different guys! Maybe four, but that remains to be seen.

The most recent was a guy named Mark--he graduated in '08 and built the sets for Good Thing, the play I stage managed last spring. We never really talked much during the show--although we got along well--and all of a sudden he contacts me on Facebook and invites me to dinner! I suspect it has something to do with the fact that my profile picture is me looking model-hot in a corset. (Sources also say he's only recently single out of a long-term relationship, so we'll see.)

Since he invited me in a message, I told him I can't accept online invites and gave him my number. I intend to accept if and when he calls. Why wouldn't I? :) He is really handsome--not my usual, much broader and muscular--and from our limited and past interaction, totally nice.

We'll see how it goes over!

In other news, Ben (Bennett) came over last night and we went out to dinner. It's refreshing to have a person like him around--he's unlike any friend I've ever had, which is both awesome and sort of annoying. :P But we get along well and he's fun to be around. It's also nice to have a friend I can kiss goodbye on the cheek without feeling weird about it. I've wanted that forever! Odd desire, I know.

Also, I had coffee with John on Tuesday (he's the 'maybe four' mentioned above) and WOW, do we hit it off every time we see each other! Even better, we got to talk about faith (conservative Christian, w00t!) and he was on my page, even finishing my sentences! Very, very, very nice. And it's pretty clear that we want to spend more time together--he invited me to Boston this weekend (!), but I had to work--sorry Drea! :((( And he also offered to drive from New Jersey to Baltimore to pick me up and take me BACK to New Jersey so I can see Harry Potter 6 with him and his friends (we are nerds. love it.)! Generous and cool. There's obviously a lot of affection on both sides in a short time, but I like it! He's a sweetheart.

WHAT IS MY LIFE?! Lauren must have inadvertently passed along her hotness!

So! Anyway, I saw Marla again today, and it's looking like she's decided that our tactic for the rest of forever will be Ignoring. Classic. So, that's where we are now.

ANYWAY, enough about my social calendar--no response from the Walters yet, affirmatively or negatively. But, they did send me an e-mail that the internship was intended for grad students, but they'd pass my resume on anyway. So, it's looking unlikely, but who knows? I have a lot of cool stuff behind me.

Hope you're all doing well! Love you--

-A.

Okay.

Robin broke up with me yesterday. I won't expand much here for reasons that some of you know, but I just wanted you guys to know that. A few things:

1. Robin's reasons were valid and I'm not angry with him at all.

2. I'm really sad, though.

3. I'm not unwilling to talk about it with the people that are invited to read this. You guys are my best friends and I trust you, so, if you want to ask me anything you can.

Thanks so much for the support I already know I have from you.

Love you guys,

-A.

P.S. Watchmen was great--a pretty faithful adaptation, I must say. I recommend it if you've read the graphic novel.

A Useless Little Filler Post.

I don't have much to report on, really, but I feel like I should be better at updating. Ab Fab is kicking my ass!

This weekend has been pretty uneventful--my roommates were away again: Melissa and Christine in Paris and Emily in Naples/Capri. So, I was alone. The first night was a little lonesome--I've been alone at home a lot lately--but it wasn't too bad. I spent most of my weekend at SACI screwing around on the computer (kind of like now, hm), which is lame of me, because I have a lot of work to do!

Last night was more successful, socially. I went to Sarah C's place for dinner, and we just talked for a few hours. It's been nice to catch up with her--we hung out all the time freshman year (I practically lived in her apartment), and we'd barely seen each other since then! She gave me a little perspective on the looming and inevitable conversation with Marla coming in the next weeks. It's nice to have someone who knows her sympathize, I guess. Most people I consult don't know her at all. Sarah, who has a little fear for Marla's temper to begin with, can at least share in my discomfort.

Today will (hopefully) be spent finishing a couple comic sketches, then this week I get down to the finals! I also downloaded Pocahontas and Beauty and the Beast as a little surprise gift for my roommates when they return, so hopefully we can watch one of those. :)

I live a boring life. :P

BUT, something sort of funny did happen yesterday. I was snooping through this one studio, and looking at a girl's notes and sketches, and this one HUGE painting--it was near the door, and so big, half the room was obscured. I decided to move around it to look at the neighboring studio space. As I stepped around it, I was startled by a guy sitting on a stool directly behind the big painting, one earbud hanging out. I gasped and one hand flew to my heart, like a cartoon. I stammered and apologized a few times, then, like a GOOF, I apologized for startling HIM. He unsmilingly apologized for startling me, then changed tack and started chatting me up!

As it turns out, this guy, Jordan, is roommates with Nice!Joey (have I mentioned him here? Great guy from Ohio, really cool), and goes to Alfred (he knows Maddy Crawford). He then invited me over to his place for dinner, "because, you know, me and Joey cook all the time". I'm not about to turn down a free meal with some nice guys, and Joey knows I'm taken and can fill Jordan in, so I accepted for a future, undetermined time.

I told Sarah about the embarrassment and comedy of the whole deal, and she proceeded to inform me that this was the Jordan who had made out with Michelle-The-TA-I-Hate in Venice! I mentioned this incident at the end of my March 11th entry. Minus major points, man. MAJOR points.

But, on the upswing, I'm going to see Watchmen with Nice!Joey on Thursday! This local place called the Odeon Cinema shows American movies with Italian subtitles. I am SO EXCITED. If you've already seen it, shut up, because I've already heard too much!

Ab--did you ever finish reading Watchmen?

Em's mom recently sent me our itinerary of sorts for Corsica, which is really exciting! I'm totally looking forward to it. :D

Just, a final note. Seeing the way God works in the lives of people I know--not just me--is humbling. I see people doing 180s. I see amazing things happening, and I can't help but be completely joyful. I can't really be detailed, but, God, you are so awesome! I can't help smiling! :D

Love you guys, and I'll talk to you soon,

-A.

I know, I know... :P

We made it official.

(I can hear you smirking smugly from here, Brandon. :P)

I guess I just figure, if everyone was concerned about the chance of breaking up, no one would ever get together and truly and fully enjoy another person!

Also, I told my mom about us, and she was surprisingly okay with the whole thing, even encouraging!

My roommates are going to Rome this weekend, so I get the whole house to myself! :D However, this DOES mean I'm spending Valentine's Day mostly alone, but Emma will still be here, and both of our boys are in the States, so maybe we can just have a Chick Flick night. Or watch Lord of the Rings. :P

I'm also auditioning for Godspell on Saturday! Yay! I met two boys, Calvin and Tom, who are my age and doing the show! It's exciting to meet new people who I can talk with about faith and theater!--not that I don't LOVE talking to Mel, as she's really helped me to look deeper into the basics of faith: patience, prayer, LETTING GO OF CONTROL. As most of you know, this is very hard for me--I want all the info and all the access all the time. With God, it's like I hand Him a broken toy to fix, and I watch and micro-manage, and when I think I've figured out EXACTLY what He's doing and how, I take the toy back to finish fixing it myself, and more quickly. But obviously, I am not God, and I usually eff it up. :P But I'm working to be more peaceful and willing to give up control to the being that ACTUALLY has the knowledge and power.

What a novel idea. :P

But for today, I'm going to go home and have lunch, then etching at one--I'm working on a soft ground, copper plate etching of a halved and eaten grapefruit I sketched at the beginning of the semester. Then at 4:30, a painting conservation lecture with my teacher, Roberta Lapucci, AKA the Goddess of Conservation. I just found out that she helped conserve Botticelli's Primavera! And she took us to this amazing exhibition about the 10-year-long conservation of Raphael's Madonna del Cardellino. It was SO gorgeous--the painting was practically glowing and the reassemblage (it was shattered in an earthquake/rockslide in the 1400s) was practically invisible!

Then dinner and some reading/sketching. I just started this book called The Origin of Satan, which basically calls into question that Satan ever existed as the New Testament portrays him, and suggests (AKA, leans heavily) that "Satan" is actually a metaphor demonizing the Jews during the wars in 60-70 CE, when the gospels were written. So far it's interesting, but I'm not convinced. This woman spins her language so heavily, it's like being smacked with the Bias-Stick. But it's important to examine all sides of the "faith debate" (haha, what a paradox!). I want to be educated. :)

Okay, I love you guys and I'll update soon!

-A.

Ripped from LJ, because it was too coincidental. (Ha.)

For those of you who don't/haven't used Livejournal, there's a widget called "Writer's Block" that pops up with a new question everyday to write about. This was today's:

Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, you've probably experienced something that you couldn't explain. What was it?

I guess I never like using the word 'paranormal'. Isn't that weird? I like 'supernatural' much better, because it suggests that all of those unexplainable, miraculous, scary things run parallel to and add to what we already know to be (ha) natural.

Oddly enough, the things I find unexplainable are not unsettling. Well, okay, that's a lie, but they don't make me feel insecure. They're little things--coincidences, I guess a lot of people would mark them as. Like, whenever someone pauses in a sentence, I know what word they'll use next, 99% of the time. Maybe that's just me reading people well, and I can let that go.

Being a Christian, I believe in all kinds of unexplainable things. And, the hints I see that reassure me are unexplainable themselves. Drea and I were just talking about the supernatural side of faith last night, then--ta da!--a question about supernatural phenomena pops up on LJ. The perfection of snowflakes (Cheesy, but they are too...too PERFECT to be an accident). Cross-shaped proteins holding our cells together--you know, little things. The little ways that turn into big ways that God is in control of my life, because I let him. This whole Italy trip wasn't possible because of anything I did, aside from filling out some forms. The finances, my fellow travelers, the obstacles and how they were cleared--that was entirely God. And it's impossible to explain. I can only list the ways and let you decide.

On the sillier end, my mom was in an Oscar pool in 2005, and the bonus question was "What color dress will Hilary Swank be wearing?" I guess Mom just asked whoever was in the house, and I remember saying, specifically, "Navy." Naturally, Mom laughed and was like "Navy? Why?" And I just said, calmly, "Because she looks good in navy."

I didn't watch the red carpet part, but I remember Mom SCREAMING: "SHE'S WEARING NAVY! HOW DID YOU KNOW?!" I just knew. :P It's silly, but a little strange all the same.

Maybe I'm psychic when it comes to Oscar gowns! ;P

Love,

A.

Relief!

Finally, after THREE trips to the local Consulate, my visa application has been accepted and is on it's way to be processed.

1) One week ago: I get everything in order, only to arrive and have them surprise me with a new, random document that I have to SEND HOME TO PITTSBURGH to get signed AND notarized by my mom.

2) Today: I go in with everything signed, etc. Only a tiny scramble for my misplaced passport photo. Accepted. Yay!

3) An hour and a half later: They call me and say that they need the acceptance letters from SACI IN ITALIAN. So, I ran over the Italian copies that came with my acceptance. God damn them.

So, I'm finally taken care of. The lady said that they should be there by Tuesday, and that the Consulate in Philly is trying to get them in the mail before Christmas. I could have it before the New Year! God willing.

Dear God,

While this didn't go QUITE as smoothly as I would have liked, thanks for keeping it relatively easy to handle, despite the frustration.

Amen.

In more exciting news, I get to go home on Sunday! I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and you all and Brian and Abby M. :) And Letta especially, because she's home from boot camp now! Yay!

And then, two weeks from Sunday, I'll be getting ready to leave! OMG!

Of course I'll keep you all updated! Since I have a webcam now, maybe I'll post some video journals. If I'm not too busy working and sight-seeing! :P

Watching the rest of Hunchback, continuing from this morning. Hot damn, this movie is REALLY mature for Disney fare. I mean, it's amazing, but 'Heaven's Light/Hellfire' is the most mature and heartwrenching duet about love and sex and it is not quite appropriate for kiddies.

I'll see you guys Sunday! Hooray!

-A

P.S. I got new shoeses! They're leather oxford pumps, and they were at Target, and I got them for $13.49 because they didn't have any tags!



Cute, non?

Uuuuugh.

Wish me luck. I go in for Round Two with the Consulate today.

I'm all done with MICA classes until next fall! What-what! I come back on Sunday! Yay! I leave again in two weeks! OMG.

Weird. I'm nervous to go, but I'm starting to get excited! Visa permitting, of course. :/

Dear Lord,
Keep an eye out for me today! I'd rather not spend the rest of the day in a weepy depression like last Friday when my application was denied. Kthx.

That said, thank you for the opportunity.

Amen.

I'm at the desk right now--a brilliant 6-9am shift that has me pretty sleepy, although it's nice to be awake and alert for the Consulate between 10 and 11. No chance of oversleeping!

I'm going to watch some vintage Disney (Hunchback of Notre Dame, bia) and relax for the next 40 minutes.

Again, keep me and my visa in your prayers!

Muah.

Love!

-A

The Date, Take Two.

I had my date with Noah, the Barnes & Noble guy. We just went and got hot cider at this crepe place nearby (DIDANYONEELSEGETSNOWTODAYAWESOME!), and chatted for a little over an hour. He was perfectly nice, and obviously a kind guy, but he was a little bland. So, not really for me. I disengaged myself as a romantic interest by shaking his hand and saying I would get in touch with him later on. I'm thinking of going to B&N when he works and bringing Robin. Is that lame?

ANYWAY, the rest of the day was wonderful. Had lunch with Robin's friend Amy, who was visiting on her way through Maryland. She was really sweet--it was nice to meet her. The rest of the day was pretty much spent with Robin, although I did watch a little bit of Hook in my apartment before Noah picked me up. Robin and I made dinner around 10:30 pm (I know, late dinner) and switched between Love Actually and Doom on TV. :P

Betsy's sister Katie is visiting, so they ended up going to a late dinner, too. Hopefully I'll get the chance to spend more time with Betsy and Katie later today. We may go see Twilight, if they get back from DC in time. :)

I also got a chance to spend some time with Annie, my roommate from freshman year tonight. It was nice to just catch up and let her in on what's new in my life and vice-versa. :D

Okay, time to do something with myself. Love you!

Muah!

-Alyssa

Updates from/for everyone!

I know I just updated earlier, but everyone (minus Bri) updated today, and I wanted to, too. :)

Today I woke up at 12:30--I stayed up 'til almost 7 AM--and I applied for my passport. Very successfully, as it was super easy! The lady who helped me out was wonderful, and she called me "sweetie" a lot. :D

THEN, I picked up Twilight when I got home--I started reading it on Thursday. I enjoy it, but there are pockets of text where I'm like "Bella, SRSLY. Tone down the despair and drama. You don't even know him. And you talk as though you're a novel narrator and not a real girl."

I lounged and read for a couple hours, until about 5, when Ryan showed up, and he, Betsy, Jen and I went to see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. (Robin is home in Pittsburgh, and I miss him. :( ) It was really cute in places, surprisingly rough in others, and disarmingly honest overall. There's this part where Nick and Norah are lying together, and she's embarrassed, and he just tells her not to be because she's beautiful, and it's AMAZING how spot-on he was. It sounded too intimate, too real. I got shivers. YOU all know how guys sound when you're both being intimate and affectionate--it was like that.

SO, then the four of us went back to our apartments and got bundled up to walk to this Turkish restaurant for dinner. I met Ryan downstairs when I was done getting my coat on. I was wearing my pink patterned coat, pink silk scarf (thank you, Drea), and my beige wool cloche, and as soon as I stepped outside he was like,

"You look really beautiful."

Me: "THANK YOU!"

Him: "You look like something out of a movie."

It was very sweet.

So, we all walked to the restaurant, which was really cool, and we sat in this raised, enclosed booth, like a puppet show stage almost, complete with curtains, and there was a belly dancer and my food tasted like glue but it was okay because Ryan paid like a gentleman. :)

We got back to the apartment, and I read a little while the others situated their movie, and right before 12, I got up to leave, and Ryan held his arms out to hug. Naturally, I restrained myself from jumping him and his hotness and hugged him like a normal human being, then Jen asked for a hug, and then I hugged Betsy after for obvious reasons.

So, let's recap: Before the movie, he said I was lovely (he's called me that multiple times the last few days), and that I have cute moments all the time (I didn't mention that before), then I was 'really beautiful', the he hugs me. Interesting.

And HAWT.

:P

Anyway, I'm trying not to fall asleep now. Time to look at mindless stuff that will make me laugh. :)

Love you all, dearly.

Alyssa

Mmkay...

The Dark Knight was made of amazingness.

It was awesome, and all of the whispers about a possible posthumous Oscar nomination for Heath Ledger are completely justified. Also, Gary Oldman FTW. And Aaron Eckhart. :)

It was all great. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I suppose it was rather fitting.

You just have to see it yourself! Em, you and I are hitting that shit UP when you get home! :P

Dan really liked my dad and Lisa, and vice-versa. Mom and Lacie keep talking about how they wouldn't be surprised if Dan proposed after college, if things go how they are (which is...a fuzzy image of a quasi-relationship? That's solid. :P).

BAH.

I'm working up the courage to call Mark, to apologize and hopefully catch up. Maybe I don't have to, and maybe I shouldn't, but something makes me feel like unless I do, I won't be able to fully engage in a relationship (an OFFICIAL one) with Dan. But maybe I'm just making excuses.

I tried calling about fifteen minutes ago, but no answer. Hm.

I'm headed up to the B-More on Sunday, and I'm so glad to be able to move into my new place! Not so glad about the huge piles of money it takes to get ANYTHING worthwhile, but there's American consumerism. Not that I mind my quality of life. :)

Especially with cool kids like you guys around.

(Awwwwwwww...)

Also looking forward to seeing my Godfamily, who I adore. Whom?

Also, a quick scoping-for-potential-jobs session. Wish me luck!

Muah,

Alyssa