To-Do Today.

Dentist Appt. (My top wisdom teeth have erupted, but they look small enough to keep. Hooray!)
Post Office (I sent my apology letter to Marla AND ran into my paternal sort-of-grandfather and his big ol' dog.)
Bank (Still not enough money for me! :D)
Packing (And I'm still SO nervous about being over the weight limit!)
Haircut (You'll all see it soon enough. :P)
Gossip Girl (If you haven't watched this, we're not friends. >:( :P)

So, now I tackle packing, then at noon, haircut, then more packing, then Gossip Girl. I will never finish Breaking Dawn at this rate! :P

I can't even believe I head out tomorrow. OMG.

I said goodbye to Robin yesterday night. It was about as hard as I anticipated--I cried a little. I'm going to miss all of you SO much, but Robin was the guy I've gotten the closest to over the past months of planning and stressing. I love you guys. :)

Okay, seriously have to start now. :*

Love,
A.

ETA: 1/6/09, 12:25AM

The To-Do List is done, I get a last China Palace lunch with my family tomorrow, and then my plane leaves at 3pm! OMG!

Love you.

A.

Five weeks. :)

This is both a scary and awesome prospect--I am so not ready! :/ But I know that even if I'm not ready, I'll be where I'm supposed to be once I step off the plane.

Thanksgiving break was wonderful. I saw Drea and Abby (yay!) and Brian, and the Ruzichs (minus Mr.) and QUAIDY, which made my life. :P I also gave Lauren an AWESOME birthday gift that she wanted--a (n illegally downloaded) copy of Rosetta Stone so she can learn German! Or Italian, if she so wishes. :)

I also ran into Rachel B. (groan) who tells me that Lacie has been up and down. I then spoke to Brandon who tells me she's even crazier than I had anticipated. Ah well, it's her life.

The highlights of my break though, were the evenings I spent with Robin and his friends Sam and Jessie et. al. Tuesday, the night I got home, was spent at Ritters with S and J, just getting reacquainted and having a nice time. THEN, on Saturday, Robin came to Sewickley and met Drea and Brandon and than we met up with S and J and got a group together to play first Cranium, then Spoons, and then Asshole and Quems. (card games). It was SO MUCH FUN. It was sort of nice to just let loose with some relative strangers. :D And, of course, it's always a pleasure to spend time with Robin. :)

Okay, a lot to do before the week is out.

TO DO:

-VISA, GOD DAMMIT.
-Hand in administrative MICA forms for study abroad.
-Do a five-page paper on Olympia by Manet. By tomorrow at 9 am. (More than doable, but annoying.)
-Shellac/Fire final ceramics project.
-Do nine two-hour drawings for José. By Thursday. (AAAAAH.)

Love you guys. :) Christmas season is here! (BTW, EMILY made me lose the game, like a jerk. So, you can all lose, too. :P)

-Alyssa

P.S. I intend to go to Drea C.'s 21st birthday. It's in the works--you won't be alone, Em! :P

I just make a new one every few weeks, don't I?

In reference to yesterday's cheery post--I sat outside in the sunshine with Marla, Robin, and Michael, just shooting the breeze for a couple hours--it was nice. :)

I have a whole new To-Do List to conquer, on a much tighter schedule:

To-Do:

-Receive Mom's shipment of artwork. (MOM. SEND IT.)
-Fill out MICA application.
-Fill out SACI application.
-Write Statement of Intent.
-Get Passport photos taken.
-Scan/label artwork.
-Put labeled pieces on CD.
-Get all the necessary signatures.
-Recieve Mom's Financial Aid e-mail. (MOM. WRITE IT.)
-Update my Financial Aid dealio.
-Pay Rent.
-Buy 19th Century French Art textbook. (OR find it in the library and scan it.)

Okay, wish me luck!

You guys need to update, darnit.

Love you,
Alyssa

Because I was too distracted and forgot to post this last night.

To-Do:

-Pack, pack, pack.
*clothes/shoes (begun)
*art supplies
*books (begun)
*furniture
-Dinner with my grandparents.
-Go to the bank.
-Target avec Drea and Em.
-Watch Pride and Prejudice/Wizard People, Dear Reader. (Looks like neither will happen--ah well, there's always Christmas.)
-Say my buh-byes.

:(

Okay, new List for the next two days.

To-Do:

-Pack, pack, pack.
*clothes/shoes
*art supplies
*books
*furniture
-Dinner with my grandparents.
-Go to the bank.
-Target avec Drea and Em.
-Watch Pride and Prejudice/Wizard People, Dear Reader.
-Say my buh-byes.

:(

Check/Check.

-Dance Party.
-Meteor Show
-Sleepover.
-Wizard People, Dear Reader viewing.
-Gossip Girl viewing (Has begun!)

End-of-Summer To-Do List

-Dance Party.
-Meteor Show (This coming Monday, the 11th, to (apparently) Wednesday the 13th).
-Sleepover.
-Wizard People, Dear Reader viewing.
-Gossip Girl viewing (I will get Em hooked!).

Anything to add? Suggestions are, naturally, embraced.

E'n'P was fun tonight. Ab-Fab, get out here! How's the new place, by the way? And the roomie?

As most of you are aware, I let Lacie know that I needed a significant break from her. This has been a long time coming, and I'm glad I did it. I feel relieved, and more relaxed than I have been all summer. But I might also attribute this to Em and Drea's homecoming. :))))))

Anyhoo, keep those suggestions coming!

Muah,

Lyss

Drea's Homecoming!

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Actually learn how to drive.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.
-Talk to MICA about Financial Aid stuff/enrollment.
-Get another Sallie Mae loan.
-Update stupid FAFSA.
-Fill out stupid financial forms for MICA.

As most of you know (there aren't to many people who read this), Drea is coming home tonight! Yay!

Hopefully we'll all be able to get together soon for the viewing of Ink.

Ab-Fab, any days off soon?

Again, not much to update, but I'll be seeing all of you soon anyway. :)

Oh, and Happy Birthday Sidney!


(Marry Me! :D)

Love,
Alyssa

A l'il ol'-big ol' update on today. :P

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Actually learn how to drive.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.
-Talk to MICA about Financial Aid stuff/enrollment. They called me and I just have to put my forms in and I'm set.
-Get another Sallie Mae loan.
-Update stupid FAFSA.
-Fill out stupid financial forms for MICA.
-Call Chico's. I did, they called me back, and I have an interview on
Monday at 3:30--wish me luck!

I worked from 11-4 at Crazy Mocha today, and I saw Drea Chamberlain. I immediately noticed something different different about her. I soon realized she was wearing blue contacts. Yes. Blue contacts. I'm sure you remember she is half-Hawaiian (and half American war hero [General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain! Wooo!]), and has no business wearing blue contacts. She informed me that she was transferring to Pitt, because she has recently recorded a CD and would like to have more funds to dedicate to that. She plans to play live in the 'Burgh at some point. (Abby, it is your duty as the only Pittsburgh-bound girl in the group to attend one of these concerts and take extensive and humorous notes.)

After she told me all of this, she did not ask me how I was doing. That's one of my biggest pet peeves. When I say 'How are you?' I damn well expect for you to say 'I'm good/bad/on my deathbed, how are you?'. Common-effing-courtesy.

ANYWAY, it was a funny interaction. :)

Feeling a little better.

I've been feeling a little more relaxed lately--I've actually started my To-Do list now, so that's good.

I'm moving into my new apartment on the 20th and 21st. :)

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Actually learn how to drive.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.
-Talk to MICA about Financial Aid stuff/enrollment.
-Get another Sallie Mae loan.
-Update stupid FAFSA.
-Fill out stupid financial forms for MICA.
-Call Chico's. (I applied there and haven't heard from them. I NEED A JOB!)

Still a lot to do, but now that I've started, it's a little better.

Thanks for the support. :)

Love,
Alyssa

Friday the Thirteenth, 2008

-Get my driver's permit renewed. Well, I'm halfway there. I sent in the request.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

The MICA people have this policy where students can only transfer abroad credits if they go through MICA. At least, that's what I've been lead to believe. So it looks like I'll be taking the MICA avenue to get to SACI (Studio Art Center International, because I don't think I specified), and at this point, I am going to Florence in January of 2009. Whoa.

I talked to my mom about SACI this morning, and she had this way about her that sort of said 'Why are you asking me? As long as you can afford it, you can do whatever you want.' In fact, she may have said those words.

I guess I'm not used to not asking for things, or at least running them by authority for the OK. I was brought up in a house where I feared, not necessarily punishment, but my mom's disappointment, and I knew I had to ask to do anything, out of respect and a need for approval. This is where Lauren and I differ GREATLY. She doesn't ask. She just does.

Or doesn't, in the case of her college plans. Meh.

So, I'm going to SACI, and taking Illustration, Painting, Art Conservation (yippee!), and I may even put my new-old camera to good use and take a photo class. And Italian I, of course. :)

Eep! This is actually happening! :D

So, to update the lurvely Emily about the Sewickley life while she and Bri gallivant around in Europe: Drea, Nick, Dan, and I had a sort-of double date thing last night. It was SO fun, in the most mundane and small-town teenager way--we hung out at the SA playground, then went to Giant Eagle and bought ice cream and Oreos, and just played with Drea's dog, Tucker, and talked. And then, we all went up to Bell Acres baseball field, climbed onto the dugout, and watched the stars for a couple hours. (And, of course, I missed the big, gorgeous shooting star that apparently streaked past.) It was one of the nicest nights. :) I've had a lot of nice nights lately.

As far as Dan and I go (and I know this has been a ridiculous saga, so I apologize! :P) we are just going to stay how we are. I'm comfortable and he seems comfortable (and who wouldn't be? Nothing too official, just having a good time together and smooching from time to time.), and if he wants to bring up something more serious he can. My apprehension (well, there are a couple, but, well...) is that, okay, let's say we make it official, get serious about each other in the coming summer months. At the end of the summer, we're in two different states. And even if we decided to do the long-distance thing (which I'm not really interested in) I would be headed to Florence in January. And, I mean, come on. I think you all know what I'm saying.

;)

Work was slow today, so less tips, but more time to talk to Brandon, my co-worker Sara Beth's boyfriend. I think they're both really funny and smart, and they're really fun to talk to. I'm pretty dissimilar from them (and the majority of the world :P) in the sense of morals, religion, and politics, but we're all respectful and open, and it's a pleasure to air out my ideas with them.

Have I rambled enough?! I'm off to text Drea and help her set up HER blog, darnit!

Love you,

Alyssa

One down.

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

I've sort of mentioned it to Mom, but I need to do more than just put it out there. Heh, and just a few months ago, when Melissa introduced this idea for us to go together, I was totally hesitant. Now I'm really working to make it a reality. Well, look at that. :P

I should call the DMV. Hm.

I got my Voter ID Card today. :) Officially a registered Republican now. Weird. I'm, like, a grown-up!

Now I just need to work on getting my absentee ballot. So much to do!

-Alyssa

Le Premier.

I should probably be posting that title in Italian due to my pending trip to Florence for next spring, but this is in honor of the lovely Emily, who is being glamorous en Paris maintenent avec sa mere pour le semaine, et pour une classe.

I have to:

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

For those of you who are reading this (aka, Em, and maybe Drea :P), I transferred-sort-of from Livejournal to start this blog, so, here's the one I've used for 4 years. Get acquainted. :P http://blahblahcakes64.livejournal.com/

I'll make a more informational post later, but for the time being: I have to sleep, Drea has to get a blog, and Emily has to respond to my comment. So there. :P

Love you,

Alyssa