Friday, May 27, 2011

Birthdays & Redneck Holidays

My birthday is tomorrow. I get excited about my birthday the same way Michael Scott does...although I like to think I'm less childish about it than he. Last year, I drove to Kingfisher and went to my great-uncle Fred's funeral. It sounds sad, but there was heath bar cake at the funeral dinner. This is my favorite cake. I was soooooo happy about that. But this year, I'm going to see Flanagan's Wake, a comedic play about...a funeral. That irony just became apparent to me.

The sad thing about my birthday is that it quite often falls on Memorial Day weekend, the second most redneck holiday of the year. Here is my scale for redneck holidays from least to most:

Martin Luther King Day
Columbus Day
Easter
Christmas
New Year's
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving
4th of July
Memorial Day
Labor Day

Martin Luther King Day is least redneck because most rednecks don't know this is, in fact, a federal holiday. Veteran's Day, although not an alcoholic holiday, is redneck because everyone must show that they are more 'Murcan than everyone else. Thanksgiving involves football; the fourth of July is historically significant, which is the only thing keeping it below Memorial Day on the scale. Memorial Day is for getting drunk on the lake to celebrate the beginning of summer, but also involves (for some) a trip to the cementary; Labor Day is its end of summer counterpart, but it wins this discussion because it's the last hurrah of the summer.

I love classiness, and redneck things are the opposite of that. So it irks me a bit that my birthday falls on one of the great redneck holidays of our time. I guess that's the price a girl's gotta pay to have a good movie come out on her birthday every year.

Monday, May 23, 2011

It won't be long, yeah.

I don't have internet at my apartment yet. But it should be working soon...
In the meantime, I'm one of approximately 2 people in Mullins this evening who don't work here. It's very creepy...but they're open until midnight! The weather was dreadful today after my class, so I was sick of sitting in my room when the weather finally let up.

I love my apartment! It's super cute and I have my own bathroom, which has never happened before. And my class this morning was pretty good...if the first day of a class sucks, you should probably run away quickly. 

I need a hobby though...that's my next summer project!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Goodbye, Sophomore Year!

Today, I (finally) took my last final...German. It was rather interesting...and by interesting I mean not exactly what I expected.

In honor of the completion of my 63rd college credit hour, I'm going to write 63 things I've learned in college.

1) No matter the weather, it is 85 degrees or warmer without a cloud in the sky at Lot 56 from August to October.
2) Every building on campus "used to be a dorm." This may or may not be true...
3) Fayetteville is the best town in the world.
4) The Dalai Lama is a proponent of peace, but some people use their religious differences with him to spread hate...
5) Brough just isn't very good...
6) Never say "I am good" in German. It doesn't mean the same thing at all.
7) Conversely, never say "I am bad" in German. It took me a month to figure that one out...
8) Earplugs are wonderful, wonderful things.
9) Free concerts in the cold of early May are the best, especially when the band is awesome and annoyed to be in Arkansas.
10) You can get all your clothes fo' free if you're in band and are in the right place at the right time.
11) "Friday" is appropriate every day of the week.
12) Never leave your umbrella in your room. Always keep it with you.
13) The band hall is the best place on campus to: watch a movie, practice your instrument, paint canvases, have chapter, talk with friends, and study. It's okay for band practice too.
14) Mr. Pratchard "goes both ways."
15) Skittles is the best janitor ever.
16) Some semesters, getting all As shows not that you're a dedicated student, but that you took really easy classes.
17) Having a water bottle with you at all times is a must.
18) If your teacher makes derogatory remarks about sororities and fraternities, realize that he/she WILL NOT realize that you're in an honorary sorority for members of the college band.
19) Band gives so many things away. I've been to Georgia & Dallas twice this year, and unfortunately have been to New Orleans as well.
20) New Orleans is the sketchiest city I have ever been to. It glorifies everything I disapprove of.
21) Going to a BCS bowl does not mean that you will a) have good seats or b) be able to see the field.
22) Script Ohio is the coolest thing I've ever seen a marching band do.
23) Beverly is the worst soda/pop of all time.
24) The Dalai Lama has the best laugh.
25) Borrowing your sister's dress means you'll get lots of compliments.
26) Nail polish is ALWAYS a good investment.
27) College math sucks.
28) Nothing in college is for free...you pay for it in your student fees. But it sure feels free!!
29) It's sad every time everyone leaves...and happy every time you're reunited.
30) Every time your day sucks, chances are one of your friends is having a worse one.
31) Don't take 7:30 classes...they don't stick in your memory at all.
32) 12:30 Brough is an Olympic sport.
33) International Relations is both an easy major and the best major of all.
34) Club Mullins is the most happenin' spot on campus.
35) Leggings are still not pants.
36) Sorority girl shorts, however, are super comfy.
37) You will see people in class on exam days you have never seen before and will never see again.
38) After freshman year, packing isn't fun any more.
39) Facebook is an addiction. Everyone has their own ritual...mine's facebook, e-mail, then twitter.
40) With hulu, the need for a television is eliminated.
41) After a while, you begin to recognize most of the people you see around campus. It's creepy.
42) Procrastination is not my friend. I generally just don't do it...
43) Always always always wear sunscreen whenever going outside for any amount of time.
44) Aloe vera is pretty cheap at Walmart...
45) Even the worst basketball game experience can be made fun with a fight!
46) Per diem is a band kid's best friend.
47) Hitler got the idea of killing mentally challenged people from the US. Really, America? Really?
48) Bill & Hillary Clinton never actually went to school here.
49) 1924 & 1950 are near each other on senior walk. Coincidence? I think not...
50) All organizations on campus change drastically all the time...having a guaranteed turnover every 4 years does that to a club.
51) The Brandon is always an appropriate dance move.
52) Backstage at the Walton Arts Center is rather swanky.
53) When it rains, the best route from Gregson to Mullins is cutting through the art building.
54) If the Quads has a pop machine, it's very well hidden.
55) If a store is out of your brand of detergent, wait to buy more. Switching brands is bad news.
56) Nothing is more magical than watching the sun rise from the steps of Old Main.
57) Concert band is the most fun band of all!
58) My concert black is my most comfortable outfit.
59) Getting a job when you've never had one before is hard.
60) The German department is made up of amazing people I'd like to be friends with in real life.
61) Despite that, sometimes "das ist alles fuer heute" is the best phrase you'll ever hear.
62) Double check your schedule the night before classes start; sometime they like to switch rooms on you.
63) I love the University of Arkansas. Woo Pig Sooie!!!!

Here's to another 60 amazing hours. I can totally believe I'm halfway done with my undergrad work, though.

April on Parks & Rec likes Neutral Milk Hotel. I like this show even more now. And that was the best episode I've seen yet. NBC comedy's soppy romantic parts make me into a soppy romantic person, despite my current view that having a boy in my life would suck. Having an ignorant, inconsiderate roommate will do that to a girl. But despite all that, I'm hoping that someday, one of those rom-com moments will happen to me.

Tomorrow, I move out. Changes like this make me want to mis-quote Noah and the Whale: "It's the first day of summer. And my life is starting over again."

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

New Specs

I got new spectacles today. I absolutely love them. They're just glasses, but they're a bit too big for my face and really thick (like half an inch think) and make my eyes look tiny, so I'm going to call them specs. Also, Anne Hathaway has poor eyesight and she refers to her specs as specs. Anyhow, my depth perception is all messed up in these bad boys...I really want to watch Speed Racer right now...I'm pretty sure it would be even more trippy than usual!

Also, I went to the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on Saturday. It was...wonderful and possibly the best thing I've ever done in Fayetteville. There were pretty flowers, hippie farmers, a lady dressed like she belonged in a Victorian brothel, Tibetan monks, and a lady drinking champagne at 10:15 am. I'm pretty sure the monks were temporary due to the Dalai Lama's visit this week, but the overall experience would still be great without them...the place had a carnival atmosphere, but admission was free for all. Then my friends and I explored a few of the little store on Fayetteville's square. We all found a billion cutesy things we want and can't afford. But some good craft ideas were found as well...it was a very successful trip.

A few of us purchased bumper stickers...it was the kind of atmosphere that made me totally love Fayetteville and be so thankful that I get to live in the greatest city in the world until 2013 at the least.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Partying in Club Mullins

Right now I'm studying for finals in the reading room at the library. It's cool...I know a bit more than most people about Polish political parties right now. The Dalai Lama is coming to speak here on Wednesday...it's a huge deal. I'm very excited for this. Right now, there's a bunch of Tibetan cultural stuff in the reading room. And a bunch of interested people from the community looking at it. I'm glad they're here...it's really cool stuff, and it's almost a shame it's all here during finals week, when the students don't really have the time to appreciate it. At least someone's getting a good cultural experience out of it!

(Also, I've made a mental note to come here to study here between 8-5...someone's supposed to be working on a butter sculpture. It's high art for Tibetans. And that's not sarcasm.)

http://libinfo.uark.edu/info/events/eventgallery.asp?EventID=65

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Nuclear So and So's

I went and saw Margot and the Nuclear So and So's last night. It was cold and afterwards I couldn't really feel my toes, but it was fun and indie-tastic. They sang my favorite song I'd heard by them. (http://grooveshark.com/s/Talking+In+Code/2oMZ0e?src=5) And they all seemed a little bit angry that they were 1) in Arkansas 2) in the cold 3) and not many people were there. They all kept drinking out of green solo cups between songs...I'm sure that was water. :)


So, a night of music to cap off a day spent studying for econ in Club Mullins. Unfortunately, the concert drove most of the econ out of my mind...but my test is at 2:30...plenty of time to pick that knowledge up off the sidewalk and stuff it back in my brain where it belongs.

You know the end of school is near when it shows up on the 10-day forecast. Today is my last day of MWF classes...finals are near!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Beating the Tuesdays

I did the impossible today...I beat the Tuesdays!! I've been...if not pleasant, at least not horrible, all day! And to celebrate, I'm wearing my Weasley sweater, a long sleeved t-shirt, a scarf, and a hoodie to go to an outdoor concert. In all fairness, nothing says nice weather like an outdoor concert in May. Unfortunately, the weather was/is less than cooperative, and I shall have to suffer possibly frostbite in my quest for a free indie concert experience. Maybe I'll write about both that and my shiny new red rainboots if I don't lose my fingers in the process. :)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Prettiness

I went to see Reasons to be Pretty this afternoon. I don't know what I expected, but it was not among my favorite plays. It's about 4 people...two couples at the beginning. They all end up breaking up. And the angry looking girl in the middle is angry for most of the play. The guy on the right looked like Jason Sudekis somehow when he was acting. That was kinda cool...his character, Greg, was my favorite.

 

This fit together really well with the TBS stuff I was reading over a few minutes ago; we're supposed to have "physical and mental qualities of an attractive nature." But this isn't about being pretty...it's about taking care of yourself and being healthy. The concept of prettiness has been thrust in front of me a lot today. It's becoming more multi-dimensional all the time...

But I didn't do so well today at having "a cheerfulness at all times." (another ideal of Tau Beta Sigma) Sometimes we all have those days...I just need to work on having them a lot less. Goals are good though!

Anyhow, it's raining here...again. A fitting way to start off the stress-filled last week of classes, I think.

Rainy day count: 2. My new rain boots are in Fayetteville and will soon be in my possession!