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I was on the phone with KB, debating the various merits of celebrity justice when my cell phone call waiting beeped. I looked at the number and the area code was familiar, but I didn't know why. I told KB to hang out and clicked over. So glad I did. It was the grad coordinator of another school I applied to (the area code looked familiar because Anna goes to grad school there!) and they were offering me admission with 5 years of funding. I have also been invited out there to visit next month, which will be super fun. I'll be wined and dined and I'll get to see my BFF too :) Work was a bit chaotic, but after lunch, I just sorta floated through the day. Jenn posted at 11:41 PM | |
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Jon Carroll's Adventures to Get a Passport - and check out the name of the girl who saved the day! Always nice when the namesakes do something good ;) Jenn posted at 2:32 AM | |
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It was a lovely, lazy weekend. On one hand, I wish I would have gotten some productive things done (like cleaning the bathroom and laundry), but on the other hand, I really enjoyed just vegging on the couch, shopping and knitting. And eating, always eating. I got my W-2 from work, so I just need one more piece of paperwork and I can file my taxes and my financial aid stuff. Baby steps with this grad school thing. I got another interesting email about grad school today - this is already such a crazy trip for me. I can't imagine what it's going to be like once I move to wherever I end up and start my work. 
And before I head off to do my last-minute chores before bed, I have to say that R just rocks my socks! She knows why - mwah! Jenn posted at 1:36 AM | |
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Even the presence of the compliance board on campus wasn't enough to make me come down from my 9th cloud ;) Luckily, I got to spend the afternoon working in the library, which is always fun for me. This week is destined to be even crazier than last week, leading up to next week, where the dept head's assistant is on vacay, leaving just me and my boss to do everything for him. Good times. Talked with the Top Prof during lunch today. She talked to me about the benefits of attending their fine institution (as if she needed to sell me on that!) and about the different options for financial aid. It'll be a little while till I get my official offer letter, but I'm in, baby ;) I've started looking for housing online and obsessing about all the little things I have to do between now and then. You know, the usual. Jenn posted at 12:09 AM | |
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I woke up this morning to the best kind of email. I have been accepted to my first-choice graduate program! It was an unofficial heads up from the top professor in the program (with whom I had previously corresponded), so I haven't gotten my packet yet, but it's very real. She and I still have to talk about financial aid, which will definitely help me make decisions when those decisions need to be made. But I'm going to grad school, so yay! I spent the rest of the day shopping and picked up a few things that I've needed. I found an outlet mall much closer to my house than Napa, so I'm pretty stoked about that! I've been doing laundry tonight and getting ready to go back to work. I think every weekend should be a three-day weekend because I am *so* not ready to go back for another week. Oh well! Jenn posted at 10:26 PM | |
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They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And since I am feeling lazy, instead of posting about my week home over Christmas, I'll just post the photos.    Dinner with Aunt Denise & Chase - and K came too!   Byron & Beth's Wedding    Hanging out with my dad's side of the family   I definitely packed a lot into just a few days. And there were a lot of things that I did where I didn't take any photos. I love being able to spend time with all my groups of friends and family - I only wish I had more time! I'd been spoiled by my six-week breaks from State. Having just a few days off work just wasn't the same. Jenn posted at 2:46 AM | |
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It's been a fairly quiet day, which is a welcome change from the whirlwind of work this week. I got to leave early as a reward. I had my six-month review yesterday and it went very well. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend. We'll see.
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For what experts say is probably the first time, more American women are living without a husband than with one, according to a New York Times analysis of census results. Since most of my friends have gotten married and/or had babies in the last 12-18 months, it feels good to know that I am not a freak and am actually more normal than they are. Go me! Work was good today. Tomorrow, I will have been there for six months. I can't decide if the time has flown by or dragged on. Sometimes it feels like both. If you get my blog on an RSS feed, you've probably gotten a ton of old posts. If you go to my blog, you'll see that I've updated the layout a bit, but because my blog is so big now, it doesn't republish everything the way it should, so I've been force-publishing the months that didn't do it right the first time. Sorry about that! I got an interesting piece of mail today. ETS is supposed to send each registrant for the GRE a CD-ROM with practice test software when they register to take the test. Exactly two months AFTER I took their damn test, they mailed me my CD and I received it today. Way to be on top of things, ETS! Jenn posted at 1:56 AM | |
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I have to say - the best part of this weekend is that I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Of course, I plan to spend the whole day cleaning and other mundane tasks, but I'm actually looking forward to having the time to do them! Yesterday, I did some knitting and some shopping. I stopped at Borders for books, Kohl's for new shoes (didn't find any), and Michael's for more yarn (got stuff for two different projects). I also watched my Netflix movie, Madagascar. Up next on my queue is Saved! Today I did some straightening up, went grocery shopping and of course, did some knitting. I felt productive and yet, not stressed, since I can stay up as late as I want. Feels good to have that extra day, you know? Jenn posted at 1:19 AM | |
And major props to my mom for finding this little gadget on HG-TV! I've ordered one and it should make the transfer between laptops SO much easier! Thanks Mom! Jenn posted at 6:40 PM | |
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My current laptop is trying to die. While I don't want that to happen - we've been through a lot together - it is three years old and on its second motherboard/hard drive (I never did understand exactly what they replaced), so perhaps it is time to let go. Over Christmas break, my parents surprised me with their intent to buy me a new one. Whoohoo! Dad and I got on the HP website and put one together. All I had to do then was wait. Well, it was delivered to my work today and it was all I could do to get through the day. There are a few hiccups this evening as I tried to get it set up, which tried my patience because I wanted to play rightnow. Eventually, I decided to go back to my current laptop and leave the setting up for the weekend when I have more time to get things just right. But it's here and I'm so happy! Now it just needs a name ;) Jenn posted at 2:06 AM | |
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Ugh. I had a good day at work yesterday, so of course, this morning, I wake up feeling like I've been punched in the face. With a runny nose and sinus headache, I tried to get ready this morning anyway, but it just wasn't happening. I emailed in sick to work and collapsed on my bed. Man, I *so* hate being sick - especially on the weekend. This had better run its course and quickly because I have stuff to do, dammit! I found the new home of the , so here's today's:
But before, I go off in searching of cold-fighting food, I leave you with some audience participation. I snagged this from Laura: Pick which one you think I am:
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This has been a tough week. Work hasn't been crazy, but I've been struggling to get through it all the same. I just can't go to bed at a reasonable hour (still stuck on vacation sleep schedule it seems) and I wake up feeling like poo on toast (to borrow a phrase). I did get to have a long convo with my boss today, which was nice because ever since she moved to her new office two buildings away, I never see her. And I got free breakfast and free lunch, so I can't really complain. I'm just really, really happy that tomorrow is Friday. I really need the weekend to catch up. Jenn posted at 1:04 AM | |
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This has obviously been a long time coming, but I'm so happy for you! I couldn't fall asleep last night, so I only got about 3 hours of sleep. Not a happy camper when I finally rolled out of bed this morning. I spent most of the day in a haze. I drank some Mountain Dew to try to take the edge off, but it didn't really help much. After work, I was actually productive - went to the post office and the grocery store. I probably should have done some laundry, but I feel happy to just be awake at this point. A little Top Chef and then I'm headed to bed... Jenn posted at 12:47 AM | |
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First things first -            I watched the Ralphie May special on Comedy Central tonight and I couldn't stop laughing. I was laughing at things that I really shouldn't be laughing at (and I'm so going to hell for unless I go to confession - and I'm not even Catholic!), but it was so hysterical! It reminded me of that summer in LA which made me a little sad, but still makes me smile. The boys came out to visit and Chris really wanted to go to a comedy club, so I got tickets to the midnight show at the Laugh Factory. That night I was introduced to the comedic genius of Dane Cook, Judah Friedlander and Ralphie May among others. Even without the two drink minimum, these guys would have had me in stiches. I couldn't stop crying and could barely breathe during the whole thing. Of course thinking about that made me remember more things about when they came to visit, which of course made me a little sad. I'm not friends with either of those guys any more and they both have kids now, which is pretty scary to me. But those four days were so awesome, how everything just clicked and we all got along, that it gives me hope that there can be more visits and moments like that in the future with other friends. Jenn posted at 2:02 AM | |
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Today was actually pretty productive. I did spend a lot of time screwing around on the computer, but I also got almost all of my thank you notes written for Christmas and sorted through my mail. I didn't get my suitcase unpacked (really) or get the Christmas tree taken down, but I guess that gives me something to do this week after work. With no grad school apps to occupy my time, I was worried. Not! Jenn posted at 2:33 AM | |
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1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? I earned my Bachelor's degree. I TA'd for Prof C. I cheered on Team PSSA. I helped to organize a department graduation. I applied to grad school. And lots of other little things that I'm not thinking of right now. 2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept most of my resolutions (run, be more open, read more, be happy), so I'm pretty happy about that. I don't know if I'll make more in the new year. 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Erin had a beautiful baby boy (who I love to pieces!). Chris and his new wife had twins. Olen and his new wife had a baby. And I've got lots of pregnant friends now too ;) 4. Did anyone close to you die? Not close to me, but close to people I'm close to. I was lucky this year. 5. What countries did you visit? None for me this year and for the foreseeable future. Sigh. 6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? a boyfriend would be nice - or at least a date! 7. What date(s) from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 26-27 - graduation weekend 8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating from college 9. What was your biggest failure? I didn't have my 4.0 Spring Semester, but other than that, I don't really recall any huge failures. 10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing beyond my usual migraines and hip problems 11. What was the best thing you bought? My Netflix subscription - it's been awesome! 12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lots of good people who made the world a better place - they know who they are! 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? people with whom I am no longer friends and certain public figures 14. Where did most of your money go? Rent, bills and grad school apps 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Graduating, TAing, getting a job interview - I was pretty excitable for a while there ;) 16. What song will always remind you of 2006? "In The Sun" by Joseph Arthur 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? probably about the same or a little sadder ii. thinner or fatter? hopefully thinner, but I haven't actually checked iii. richer or poorer? a little bit richer 18. What do you wish you'd done more of? taken more pictures 19. What do you wish you'd done less of? obsess 20. How did you spend Christmas? at my grandparents, as per usual 21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Nope. 22. How many one-night stands? none, thanks 23. What was your favorite TV program? Project Runway 24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Not that I'm aware of 25. What was the best book you read? John Adams by David McCullough 26. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Fray, Snow Patrol 27. What did you want and get? a diploma with Schwarzenegger's signature, a new apartment, a new job 28. What did you want and not get? a boyfriend, a TiVo, straight A's (same as last year) 29. What was your favorite film of this year? "The Pursuit of Happyness" 30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went out the night before and had dinner with a few of my friends. I turned 26. 31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A different path for the second half of the year 32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Same as usual, but this time with more business casual for work 33. What kept you sane? Who says I was sane?! The usual suspects kept me grounded and I'm so thankful! 34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Matthew Perry looks pretty good on Studio 60... 35. What political issue stirred you the most? Midterm elections - hands down! "And I helped!" 36. Who did you miss? my classmates once I graduated 37. Who was the best new person you met? The L! 38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. Trust your gut and never let go of those who believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself. 39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. This could be the very minute I'm aware I'm alive All these places feel like home With a name I'd never chosen I can make my first steps As a child of 25 "Chocolate" by Snow Patrol May God's love be with you Always May God's love be with you "In The Sun" by Joseph Arthur Jenn posted at 1:16 AM | |
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Take the first sentence from the first post of each month of 2006. That's your year in review. January: Despite the horrible way this year started off for me (with a migraine), the day has just gotten infinitely better. February: I've had that song stuck in my head all afternoon. Of course, there was no sun shining on the bay today as it was raining all freakin' day! March: I am just getting home after cheering on Team PSSA to victory over A Phi O tonight. April: We had sun yesterday! May: If you watched The Daily Show tonight, the author, Matthew Continetti, was a classmate of mine in high school. June: Happy Birthday, KB! He's off having a fabulous time in Vegas - I'm so jealous! July: I picked up the keys to the apartment today. August: Man, oh man. I went to my last Giants game of the season tonight (or at least the last one that I had plans to attend) and they sucked it up royally. September: Well, I think that I'm ready for my trip. October: The Chair got on the plane this morning, so life is good at work again. November: I've been getting slammed at work, which wouldn't usually bother me as much as it has been, but I'm crazy stressed about the test next week and I can't sleep. December: I hate that getting up at 5:30am every morning for work means that "sleeping in" for me is now 8am on a Saturday. Jenn posted at 12:08 AM | |