Anna

I believe we must secure our democratic and economic beliefs, I just wish I had a better alternative to the current method. 

1. Who was your best friend? Are you still friends?
    Lori and Rachel

2. What sports did you play?
Frisbee Golf!

3. What kind of car did you drive?
1) '99 Crown Vic, 2) '01 Ford Taurus

4. It's Friday night, where were you?
9th) Barnes and Noble coffee, 10th) Java Jazz open mic night/Chris' house, 11th) 19th hole open mic night/Chris' house, 12th) Rachel or Lori's house/The Black Walnut 

5. Were you a party animal?
Hmm... fab five and fracker parties...yes!

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Only to Asians, certain AP boys, and one soccer-playing Mexican!

7. Ever skip school?
Yes.... because I was a senior and I could pull crap like that.... *ahem...Rachel Feeler*

8. Were you a nerd?
hmmm... yes and no

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
No.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
No.

11. Who was your Favorite teacher?
Mrs. Hollier (AP Human Geography) and Flo (AP Macroeconomics)

12. Favorite class?
Human Geography

13. What was your school's full name?
The Woodlands High School

14. School mascot?
The Highlanders

15. Did you go to Prom?
Yes! :)

16. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
In a heartbeat... because I had an awesome time! Although, I wouldn't change a thing.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
Tie between the bagpipes on the hill and the beachball being tossed between the grads.

18. Who was your high school sweetheart?
Chris

19. Where were you on senior skip day?
Can't really remember... Rach- was that a business law day?

20. Did you have a job your Senior year?
Pottery Barn Kids/ Classic Sound String Quartet :)

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Lunch posse....concrete slab, stat!

22. Have you gained weight since then?
The freshmen 15 held true.

23. What did you do after graduation?
Worked @ PBK, The usual family trip to London, First trip to Hungary!

24. When did you graduate high school?
2004

24. Who was your Junior prom date?
Chris.

26. Who was your Senior prom date?
Trevor.

27. Are you going to your 10 yr. class reunion?
I would hate to miss it!

28. Who was your home room teacher?
Mrs. Gardner...my digital graphics teacher.


29. What one word would you use to describe your experience?
Fracktacular!

30. Who will repost this after you?
Sean.. via email, I think.

Japanese Econ.45-70s You scored 24% Govt Spending, 43% Taxation, 57% GDP growth, and 30% Social Cost!

You are categolised as Economist in fomer Japanese government in 1945-70s! This is the period Japan succeeded in their rapid economic growth since the decadence in WW2. This rapid growth underlies its responsible Keynesian economics. At this time, Japan operated an organised fiscal policy and expanded public tranportation systems to fill the gap between the well-industrialised sunbelt area and other remote provinces. Japanese economic policy at this time installed neither free-education nor free-medication, it had been called as only one successful socialist nation! This reason is based on the priority on balancing market competition and governmental support! We thus particularly need to realise how "balance" and "prioirty" are important roles to take place to guarantee a dynamic economic growth! Another reason why Japan did not suffer from a serious budget deficit is that Japan did not need to spend for a "defence"! As USA guaranteed to defend Japan as a part of its satellite Japan could avoid spending on military goods which create a notorious deficit... Keynesians believe in a "possitive government intervention into market" to prevent "market failure (failure caused by an imbalanced distribution system and lack of morality)". This does not mean to deny capitalist system. Keynesian support to sustain the possitive aspect of capitalist system, such as rewards based on individual merits and market multiplier effects rising individuals' living standard, so then balance stable economic growth and minimum social costs.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on Govt Spending You scored higher than 99% on Taxation You scored higher than 99% on GDP growth You scored higher than 99% on Social Cost

Link: The Macroeconomist Test written by adamkeynes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

On my way home from work, I decided to be starbucks fairy and treat the family to some delicious seasonal beverages. All was going well, I had ordered the drinks and was simply minding my own business while they were prepared. And then, IT HAPPENED. Yes friends, to the surprise of my ears,  I hear "Dirrrrrrrrrrrrrty Baaaaaaaaaaaabe, You see these shackles baby I'm your slave." Without thought I found my feet doing a little 1-2 step number. Sad. I simply could not refrain from getting my sexy on. The scene was especially cool as the other customers waiting for drinks were in the 50+ crew.  When I returned home, I told my sister, Rosie, about this (who, for the record, is 14) and she replied "I HATE that song." Haha. I know, I'm one classy gal. :)


Work today. Hmmm. I feel these 6am mornings are getting old. I really like being there in the morning...just not at 6am.

I suppose I will now go ahead and be gone with it. Dinner thing tonight should be fun. But more fun? Nightly conversation!


Ms. Mathis- should you read this, I wish to know if we are doing sectionals this January?! I know many people will be off-campus, will I be imprisoned early?


Happy Christmas Eve Eve! 

REALLY enjoying my day off from retail holiday-hell. Even my elbows are tired these days.

I received the FTE programs list this week. I am so looking forward to working a few programs! Just have to wait and see where I will end up?! I hope I'll work at least one program with Bill and Phi this summer. They were both such inspiring coordinators and I know they will renew my perceptions once again if I spend another week with them.

Off to prepare for tonight's frack reunion (complete with margaritas) and tomorrow night's dinner soiree with the Luthers. 



P.S. The temperature finally dropped a bit here... so I no-longer need pump the AC into my car to feel the "christmas spirit." :)

 Stole this from Ms. Mathis: For all of us who have played effing Canon in D for 5643054857382927475 weddings or who suffered through it in middle school orchestra.... or even those who just happen to appreciate music involving MORE TALENT!

This is hilarious:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

I am not sure of the subject of my last post, for I have failed to check. I am sure, however, that the way I felt at the time of the last post, as compared to the way I feel now, is of great difference.
I struggle to find peace in understanding the great sequence of events life brings.  Please do not misunderstand, I am blessed to be abundantly content with where my life path has led me. I suppose the confusion lies in the beauty that has evolved (and could only have evolved) from such a darkened place.

I suspect great sadness need occur; as without such low-points, we are simply incapable of appreciating great gladness. 


Last evening, I received my first Christmas card and gift of the season. I fear that all future gifts for all purposes are now spoiled. :)


On a lighter note, the month of January now promises to be full of delight. I anticipate an incredible visit from a lovely person *and* I will be spending the entireity of the month taking but one course of the fantastic subject of gardening. Have I recently mentioned how much I adore my single-sex college? 

I hope that a month studying the art, botany, and chemistry of gardens will allow me to maintain a beautiful little spot on earth for all to enjoy. 

Once accomplished, my 'charming life checklist' shall be one step closer to being complete:



Completed:

*Learn to read treble, alto, and bass clefs

*Master an instrument

*Become familiar with English verse

*Learn to appreciate the colonial art of my homeland 

*Select a favorite film 

*Find a means in which to regularly appreciate the great outdoors 

*Share a mutual respect with my family

*Love Deeply

*Adopt a passion that will benefit society 

*Greatly respect and learn from my elders









In Progress:

*Travel, in order to better learn the varying ways of the world 

*Respark the art of correspondence

*Invest in the youth of my nation

*Develop a green thumb

*Live a healthy and balanced lifestyle

 

To do:

*Function as a channel of peace

*Lessen comparison of souls

*Become truly humble in my ways

*Strengthen my spirit

*Eliminate unjust fears

*Share the beauty I have discovered in the world with those who seek it

*Share a successful marriage with one person until death do us part

*Establish the ability to cook tasty and healthy meals

*Raise a few children to be thoughtful, independent and content individuals

*Care for my parents and sister when they are in need of me

*Learn to be at peace with death

*Embrace the true meaning of forgiveness

*Leave the world a little better than I found it

In light of my recent bout with what the doctors refer to as "restless legs syndrome," I have been prescribed Requip.

Yes, you may have heard of it. It's most often used to treat individuals diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease as it helps to replace dopamine in the brain. In my case,however, my neurologist thought we should give it a whirl.

What a whirl it has been. I have been experiencing nausea, dizziness, weakness, stomach pain, headaches, hallucinations, difficulty walking, difficulty breathing, and confusion.

This drug positives in no way outweigh the negatives. 


From now on, just call me Ms. fidgit.

So this journal is going to turn over a new leaf. Instead of being a public vent board... I will treat it as a life update blog. In retrospect, I should have done this long ago. Better late than never, I suppose.

Tomorrow I leave to assume my position as PCIT at FTE's Economics for Leaders. I am soooooo excited. (Yes, a little nervous, but mostly ready to give it my all.)
I am in the middle of packing and with the exception of getting over this horrible cold I have- ready to hit the road... errr air.

So trust you all are enjoying your summer!

I love this picture. Something so lovely about a day in the mountains with the boyfriend.

In other news, Ethan is trying to teach me that things can't always be perfect in a relationship.... but I strongly dislike that thought. Have you ever wondered if someone actually misses you when they aren't with you.... or if they just say that to make you feel warm and fuzzy? Do not directly apply this to my relationship... I mean in general. Women tend to have this idea that if we "go away" for a bit... our men will realize they miss us and travel through hell and high water to be with us. That is rubbish. I think we all just need time on our own now and then.... otherwise things become too familiar. Our habits originally perceived as cute by our significant others become increasingly annoying and start to jump on their last nerve. However, having someone who knows and respects your quirks... say, being friendly and smoochy in the mornings or showering in water hotter than hell to feel clean.... is quite comforting. I admit that the last year has been an adventure into emotional dependency for me.... but I am sure this is merely a taste of the other side, that I worked so hard to avoid previously. I have full confidence that my semester abroad will restore my independence and refresh my "no-limits" mentality. (Must give credit to Dr. Wayne Dyer for writing How to be a No Limits Person.)

Right..... going to get my tires rotated, supplies for tomorrow night's british dinner from the specialty store, and to Kinko's to fax my copies of my FTE contract..... which somehow didn't make it to California a month ago.)

Tres sad. I was just informed that our Transylvania homestay is the same time as one of Ethan's visits. I'm really happy he is coming to visit... but can't deny that I am quite disappointed to miss the trip to Transylvania to live with locals.

Independent study in language is decidedly difficult. My compact disc mentor assures me that an American can easily grasp an authentic Hungarian accent. I beg to differ. I seem to be fighting with an inability to recite the Hungarian vowels:

a
á
e
é
i
í
o
ó
ö
ő
u
ú
ü
ű

Idiomas aside, I had a lovely weekend. Yesterday, Ethan and I took the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville, stopping at Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain on the way. Such an excellent excursion. I will post a photo sometime in the next day or so.

Finally, I found a way to get through to the American Embassy in Hungary. It took one Hungarian and about 5,467 emails. I've been asked to have my neurologist's letter (describing what I am being treated for and why I must carry 4 months of injectables with me) translated into Hungarian. Now is the time to make Hungarian friends. While it would be simply ridiculous for my health and terrible for my parents' bank account.... having my medication seized by customs could be okay...no shots for a semester! Cest la vie. I live ever-hopeful.

Em sent me a postcard from Yellowstone, where she is a park ranger for the summer. I can't think of a more perfect person for that job. I need to get some mail off to her.

Time to be productive x2. I plan on ironing while listening to my Hungarian audio instruction. Maybe the mindless task will enable my brain to let the language sink in.

Uber sore-throat today. I really hope I'm not getting sick! I took a coldeez just to be sure.

I must admit I'm not being very productive today. The World Cup is by far my favorite sport event to watch. Today I can't decide if I should root for Costa Rica or Germany.

Have a good day!

I am endlessly fascinated by a single soul who played the role of the bad influence in my past but has since evolved into the model young wife.

Does it just happen overnight?

Amazing trip to NY with Ethan. I was nervous on the way there... but my nerves were calmed almost instantly when we arrived. He has such a caring family and a wonderful best friend. So nice to see into his world :)

I have way too many clothes. It's sick. Nobody needs that much. I don't even wear them all, not to mention there isn't enough room for them all here. Mission: sally ann some stuff.

Still no job confirmation. Que triste. Even Evan found a job in the woodlands. I feel this small: 0+{

Scored a free week's worth of Betaseron... simply have to drive to Winston Salem to pick it up. At least that is a perk!

Cheers dears, trust you are well!

Things are decidedly better. Discussion and time make a world of difference.
Anyway, I love this. It's just so comfortable and 9.5 times out of 10... we get each other.
Maybe I'm even getting over my pee phobia?! Hah. Rachel will never believe that!
We're off to NY tonight to do "meet the family" part two. This time I'm in the hot seat. Cest la vie. I'm actually really excited to meet his parents.

While all of my stuff is in the house... I haven't exactly "unpacked" yet. Yesterday I reached a point where I wanted to do such. Now I have an awesome task ahead of me. Really, you should see the amount of stuff I'm going to find a place for. It's ridiculous. How did any of it fit in my dorm room?

In other news, we were watching Mind of Mencia last night and he was talking about not letting two "c" average people reproduce. He proposed the imposition of a law stating "c" averages were only allowed to mate with "a" averages. This was really funny and I couldn't agree more. This morning... what appears on my CNN news ticker but "Anna Nicole Smith: 'Yes, I am pregnant.'



Didn't we have her fixed long ago after the first airing of the Anna Nicole Show? Who goofed?

The second to last thing we need is another baby made by ANS. (the last thing being Ken Lay as chair of the UT McCombs School of Business.)

Lastly, Michael Moore is suing and being sued. He must really enjoy time in court.



Cheers dears

Last night and today have been interesting. Kristie was right about the ignorant bliss we get at the beginning of a relationship. I happily assumed I would conquer all which proposed conflict previously as I was capable of anything. How quickly we find what lies beneath.

I'm not trying to give my life meaning by demeaning him. Ani knows that I'm not saying I'm a saint, I just don't want to live that way.
He knows I'm too young for this, but I, however, do not know that for certain.
I remember dating men who cherished a physical connection and I remember a short time when I was disenchanted by it. Never have I felt like it was as common and spiritless as brushing ones teeth, like now. I compare this to the one other man I could be with now and find worlds of difference. All of the reasons I used to deter the formation of the other relationship are what I now feel are lacking in this relationship. It bewilders me. I try to address these concerns, but I am never able to verbalize what I mean to. I think he is trying to understand where I am coming from... but he is so caught up in me not leaving him... that I think he forgets what he is fighting for. Or maybe not. He tells me he knows exactly what he wants and these changes I suggest are totally acceptable. I disagree.

Perhaps I lost my spirit long ago and I'm just now coming to terms with it. Perhaps my role in this relationship so far has dampened my spirit. I can't remember who sings that song that does an excellent job of explaining relatonships: "it's not always rainbows and butterflies, its compromise that moves us along." I should remember that.

Maybe this entire confusion is a disguised progression of the relationship, contrary to the regression I perceived it to be. Maybe this is growing up.

It's nearing 7pm and the sun is finally giving way to temperature under "hotter than hell."

I'm back at home for a week to visit my family and introduce them to Ethan. Speaking of Ethan, I miss him a great deal at this moment in time. He is in Dallas on business until Friday and contrary to thinking I wanted a few days on my own here, I find that it is time together, not apart, that will mend our uncertainties.

Last night I finally came to understand and verbalize my concerns to Ethan. While I sort of anticipated him being extremely frustrated with me, I was most delightfully surprised to discover that I am in love with the right man. He sat and listened to what I had to say (even though my speech was not at all well versed and my voice was shaking) and then addressed each issue to the best of his ability.

I hate that we are predisposed to look for a man bearing the same qualities of our fathers. Well, no. That is incorrect. I do not hate that I look for *some* of the same qualities found in my father but I really need to take a step back and put it in perspective. How often do you hold your significant other to a series of comparisons? Your mother or father, perhaps an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend? It can't be a good thing in the long run to constantly compare your loved ones to other influential people in your life.

Ethan is his own person and a truly wonderful human being at that. I am lucky to have him in my life and I trust he feels the same about me.

The Woodlands is lovely... as always, but I am anxiously awaiting returning to Charlotte with Ethan to be back in *our* world and the house that is slowly but surely becoming home to me.

Trust you all are well.

Have you ever had a moment in which you acted intensely out of character? I suppose one could chalk it up to the influence of an entirely new experience...but with or without an excuse, it's the most unusual action I've taken in quite some time.
No need for details, for even I can't bring myself to recall in grave detail. Essentially is has left a bad taste in my mouth and I want to leave this place after single-handedly changing our dynamic in one night. Perhaps playing the role of academic slave continues to be appropriate until I grow up. (Perhaps this "grown-up" stage will occur for me at age 57?)
On top of my mental state needing serious therapy... the betaseron has once again become an untamed beast. I am injecting pure evil into my blood. I called pathways to ask for advice and received an odd form of reassurance: "Yessssssss, we are not really sure *why* that happens... but some patients can even go years before reexperiencing side affects."
It wouldn't bother me as much if there had been improvement in the most recent MRI. In these situations, one is forced to terminate analyzation of their doctor's decision and move to a less-than-blissful cloud nine.
One last negative note before reverting to my usual light-hearted self.
Today I made the depressing discovery that I just might not be able to do it all. Why oh why must I desire to achieve two thumbs up in the role of housewife while changing the world for the better in the workforce? I don't even have a career right now and I have yet to start ironing. Sickening. I should have planned to study abroad in Japan so as to get used to the 3-hour sleeping habits Chris Tow told me about. I'm going to need to learn to function on such.


Still happy to be going home on Friday. I need: advice, my old slippers, worldly wisdom from my father, and the daily USA today; all of which can be obtained in the woodlands.

Cheers dears

It is simply wonderful here. So far, everything has gone really well. My biggest concern is that of being a burden to Ethan at any point. While this is constantly in the back of my mind, I can't say I mind the fact that he cleared a place for my vehicle in the garage.
I wish I could express how lovely it was to see our cars parked next to each other... however, it's probably best that I cannot- as even I admit that is a mushy couples thing. I shall spare you, dear readers.

In other news, I'm headed to Houston on Friday. You all know how fond I am of home and I'm truly looking forward to spending time with mum, dad, rosie, and even the ever-humping beagle, jack.
I'm quite confident mum and dad will love Ethan. Especially after yesterday when we decided to embrace the true spirit of Texas and plan a trip to the gun range with my father for memorial day weekend.
That will certainly be a day to emphasize the "y'alls" and "git her dones."

So, now I am off to find employment. I have sent my resume and applied to about **14** positions in the past two weeks, yet NONE have replied. It's really rather depressing. I can't wait until I have graduated and can begin my career. That, my friends, will be the day!

Hope you all are well and enjoying the beginning of your Summer break. I imagine most of you are home from college by now?

Cheers my dears