Fall Delights

So, I was awoken this morning first by my alarm, then my alarm again five minutes later, and then my alarm again five minutes after that, and then by the grounds keepers. What were the grounds keepers doing? They were piling up leaves. How? By using gosh-darn noisy leaf blowers. Before eight in the morning! I mean, they work on a college campus, you'd think they have some sort of idea what college kids are like. But, I let it go since I was up anyways. I left in a bit of hurry for my English class - I didn't even have time for coffee, so I was a little tired in class today. Then I came back and got to see the grounds keepers working on the other side of my building, blowing those leaves into piles. I finally had my daily cup of coffee (the first one, anyway), cracked a book (fiction, not text) and read for a bit. Before I knew it, my eyes were closing of their own accord, so I closed the book and curled up for a nice nap. I woke up almost two hours later, and felt very refreshed and awake. That was probably because my calf muscle decided to cramp, causing me to shout an expletive as I hurried to stretch the protesting gastrocnemious muscle. The sudden motion of me springing towards my protesting leg in pain was enough to cure me of my sleep-haze. Once my leg quieted down a bit, I decided I needed lunch, so I walked down to the C-store. On the way back, I noticed how nice the 'yard' looked after the leaves were up. I must confess that few things content me more than seeing a newly raked (blown just sounds bad) yard. Only two things can make that contentment better. One, if I had a part in the raking, since few efforts can produce more beautiful and rewarding products. And two, if there is a big, big leaf pile left over to play in. Yes, what fun it is to pile leaf upon leaf, back up about twenty meters, sprint towards the leaf pile (hopefully it's huge by now), and then at the last possible instant before collision, jump, allowing your fall to be happily cushioned by your friend, the leaf pile. Then, find any dogs or cats or domestic animals you may have (they may be hiding after your display), pick them up, and throw them into the leaf pile too, so they may share the enjoyment (hey, leaves are soft - you won't hurt the animals, I promise). Sigh. Guess what I'll be doing over my Christmas break!

Go Here

You read my blog, you might as well read this one --> Shoebox

You know, I think they might have a point...

Happy Thanksgiving (Again)

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I certainly did. It was so wonderful to go home! To see my family, to see Zeus and Zoey, to see the yard and the house and the newly-painted living room, to sleep in my own, full-size (much biggger than twin-size) bed...and so much more. No class - that was wonderful - no class at all. And I didn't do any school work until last night (this morning). But now, I''m dreadfully behind. I have an exam tomorrow that I need to study for, and I have an Exam on Friday that I need to get prepared for as well. Tomorrow is French - no biggie, I'm just going to review some verb tenses and be done with it.

(Reader, beware, what follows is a lengthy discussion of exams, procrastination, grades, finals, and other boring subjects which you are advised only to read if you are in need of its soporific effects. You've been warned)

But Friday is Biochemistry, and I don't have to take the exam as I've already accumulated enough points, but I would like to feel ready to take the exam - and I am woefully unprepared for it. You see, about a week and a half ago, I dreamed up this great plot and I had to write it out, and plan it out, and so every spare moment I had (and even some that shouldn't have been spare I took anyway) I spent writing this new story. I'll probably never do anything with it, but now I have a good start on a good tale I could develop into a book (when I'm old and gray and tired of living off of cat food...). But the muse moved me so strongly that I couldn't resist the pull of my keyboard - I had to write - and I neglected my biochemistry, again (A very, very, very common thing with me, I should seek help about it, I know...). That added to the fact that I don't have to take this next exam has led to me being about, oh, three or four chapters behind. I have a vague grasp of the material, but little of it would be reproducible or point-worthy on an exam. I hope you realize by now that my purpose behind this verbose discussion of my biochemical procrastination is to help me realize and accomplish several things: how far behind I am, how much I need to catch up, how much I need to study, to stop procrastinating and do some real studying, and to stop obsessing about procrastinating when I could be doing work. Anyway, I'm going to read the current chapter tonight and hopefully I won't feel so lost in tomorrow's lecture and in tomorrow's problem session. I did manage to revise my Shakespeare paper and send my final draft to my professor, so that's taken care of. I do, however, need to really, very soon, write my external learning experience paper, as it is due in two weeks. It's about that work I did for the aquaculture department back at the end of the summer - way, way back. Yeah, that one. I know, I should have written it ages ago. But I didn't, so now I have to do it now. And I need to get several people to sign off on my official minor application, and turn in my major application, all by next Friday. It's going to be two very, very busy weeks. And then Finals start in two weeks - I have three. Which reminds me: my genetics lab final is next week: I need to start studying for that. Damn. But, my first final during exam week is French (no biggie). Then on the 17th, I have Biochemistry, which I have told myself I will not, under any circumstances, kill myself studying for. I need only 21 points out of 72 to make a B in the class. I need 51 points out of 72 to get an A. Getting a B won't be so bad, and I'm still going to try for the A, but I will not stress myself out. Then, on Tuesday, the 18th, I have my Shakespeare final, no biggie, and then I'm free to go home for the holidays! I can't wait! But, I have another problem: my muse has struck again. Over the holiday break, I had another inspiration. I'd hit an impasse with one of my other stories, and couldn't think of how to continue the plot in a believable manner (not that it matters because I'm the only one who is ever going to read it, unless I publish under a pseudonym, in which case, I won't care if anyone reads it because they won't know it's my work). I had great fears of discontinuing the story until one night, just as I was falling asleep (the time when muses are most active, didn't you know), an idea came to me, and I've been stewing it over and over in my head, and now I am most anxious to get it out, but it's going to take a lot of time - and then I'm going to want to spend a lot of time on it - and I can't afford it. So, nope, can't do it. Must wait. Bugger. 23 days 'til the break...not that I'm counting or anything.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hairpsray

I went and saw this movie Friday night. Then I went with Becca to see it again on Saturday night. It's awesome! If you like musicals with great, show-stopping numbers, then this is the movie for you. And speaking for all hefty girls, I must say I was very happy that the full-figured woman got the man in the end. Every time they sang, I couldn't help tap out the rhythm with my foot (I'm sure I annoyed the people sitting in front of us, but...oh well). Not only are the songs great, but the humor is excellent! John Travolta, in a fat suit, playing a woman, now that's hilarious! Christopher Walken playing her husband is just as funny. It should be coming to DVD soon, so go see it when it does. It's wonderful!

A Johnny Depp Musical!!!

Happy Friday!

I must first say how happy I am that the weather has finally decided to act its season - Baby, it's cold outside - Yay! I don't know why I love cold weather when everyone I know prefers the summer, but I love it unabashedly, and I live for the fall and the winter. To tell the truth, I'm not that big a fan of the summer, and I'm not too keen on spring either - mainly because I know it will end with summer. Sure, you get to go swimming, and you get to go to the beach without freezing your behind off, and there are some truly spectacular Thunderstorms, but it's so hot! Mosquitoes, muggy weather, heat - where's the fun in that? I'm being stubborn - I know there are some great things to love about summer and spring, but I still prefer autumn and winter, hands down.

Today in Biochemistry, my professor called my former professor, Dr. Sylvia, and had his TA write a message on the board that read, "On the count of three, say 'Happy Birthday, Dr. Sylvia!'" So, when he gave the signal, we bellowed out our greeting. Dr. Sylvia told our professor to tell us that she loved each and everyone of us, and then he hung up the phone and carried on with the lecture. I miss Dr. Sylvia.

In French, there is this girl who has taken several Spanish classes and continually uses Spanish words and a Spanish accent in French class. It annoys the heck out of me, and it does the same to my professor. I cringe every time this girl speaks. Today, my professor reached her breaking point when she very politely and quietly told the girl, "No more Spanish. Do you speak French in your Spanish classes?" Then my professor continued on with the lesson while the girl questioned those around her, "What did I say?" I'd sympathize with her - if it weren't for the fact that I've taken more Spanish than her and I can keep my Spanish to myself. Anyway, she just bugs the hell out of me. And she doesn't even speak Spanish that well! Well, now I'm just being mean, so I'll stop.

Last night, Becca and I went and saw Rescue Dawn - it was playing at the Campus Cinema. It's about a US Navy Fighter Pilot who was shot down in Laos on a classified mission in 1965, just before the Vietnam war began. The movie focuses on his struggle for survival as he's taken prisoner by natives, as he organizes a daring escape, and how he survives until he's rescued. It's based on a true story, and it is an awesome movie. I wonder what Dad would say about it - he was in Vietnam in '66 or '67 - just after Lt. Dengler (the main character) was rescued. It's a good movie - you should watch it if you have a chance. Click here for a review by Roger Ebert.


Thanksgiving in less than one week! I can't wait!!!

A Thanksgiving Poem

He laid her on the table,

So white, so clean, and bare.

His forehead wet with beads of sweat,

He rubbed her here and there.

He touched her neck and then her breast,

And then, drooling, felt her thigh.

The slit was wet and all was set,

He gave a joyous cry!

The hole was wide...he looked inside…

All was dark and murky.

He rubbed his hands and stretched his arms..........

And then he stuffed the turkey.

Yours Truly, Tutor of the Semester

Imagine my surprise when I found this in my Inbox from my Supervisor:

"Hi, Jessica-

Congratulations! We'd are very pleased to inform you that you are the
UTC's Fall 2007 Tutor of the Semester! Out of the 30 nominations we
received, we were impressed by your self reflection and by the ways in
which you have gone above and beyond your role as a tutor, such as by
reviewing CH material on your own and creating practice tests for your
students. Your nominee wrote about how much you have helped her to
really understand the material; we encourage you to continue to help
your students become increasingly independent. You have been very
thoughtful in your workshop reflection as well, and have shown great
dedication to your job and your students. On behalf of the entire
office, I'd like to commend you for all of your continued work! "

Cool! Me - being recognized as a good tutor? Wow! I'm excited.

Chemistry Jokes*

*Yes, I am a chemistry nerd, and now you know it.

Little Willie from the mirror
Licked the mercury off.
Thinking in his childish error
It would cure his whooping cough.
At the funeral, Willie's mother
Smartly said to Mrs. Brown
“’Twas a chilly day for Willie
When the mercury went down.”

Johnny saw some dynamite
Couldn't understand it quite.
But curiosity never pays:
It rained Johnny for seven days.

Johnny, finding life a bore,
Drank some H2SO4.
Johnny's father, an MD,
Gave him CaCO3.
Now he's neutralized, it's true,
But he's full of CO2.

I had a brand new beaker once.
It's gone beyond recall.
For all the glass and pieces
Are embedded in the wall.

A mosquito was heard to complain
That a chemist had poisoned his brain
The cause of his sorrow
Was para-dichloro-
diphenyltrichloroethane.* [Better known as DDT]
*This is my personal favorite!

Organic Chemistry Student Before Exam


Organic Chemistry Student After Exam

What's New?

I've realized that there are a lot of things I haven't made mention of yet, so before I forget, let me do so now.

I went and visited the Lost Colony Exhibit at the NC Museum of History. It was amazing! They had John White's original water colors on loan from The British Museum! I think I spent over an hour in that exhibit, and it was very, very worth it. They did allow photography of some sections, but wouldn't you know - my camera batteries were dead. What could I do? C'est la vie.

I got my biochemistry exam back - the one I was dead certain I wouldn't make above a B on. I got an A+. Before the curve. I was a little surprised. Well, that's a bit of an understatement. When the TA handed me my exam and I saw my score, I dropped an F-bomb, and then quickly covered my mouth. I don't think anyone else noticed. But it soon became apparent that my score was a rarity - a lot of people were disgruntled and were muttering mutinous sentiments, and then my professor decided to give us a two point curve (the exam is out of 32 points, so that's about 7 points out of 100). That quelled things a bit. But now I don't even have to take the fourth exam, but I should because I do have to take the final and all this new material will be on it.

I watched The Dinner Game (Le Dîner de Cons) - a French film that is analogous to a classy Dumb and Dumber here in the States - everyone knows it and has seen it at least ten times. Ok, maybe that's a bad analogy, but that's what my French Professor said. The movie is hilarious! It's about this group of friends who throw a dinner party every week and each one invited the stupidest person they can find, and then they sit back an watch their idiots make fools of themselves. When the idiots go home, the friends vote on whose idiot was the dumbest. So, this guy, Pierre, finds an idiot, Pignon, and invites him to the dinner. But, Pierre throws out his back before the dinner and has to cancel. Too late: Pignon arrives at Pierre's, and then when Pierre realizes how genuinely stupid Pignon is, he decides they have to go to that dinner party. Pignon, full of bumbling good will and kindness, keeps trying to help Pierre and everything he does goes horribly yet hilariously wrong. It's a wonderful film, and it's short - about 80 minutes. Rent it, if you can. It is in French, so be sure to get the one with English subtitles.

Speaking of French, today we had to use the past tense verb conjugation to create an alibi for some hypothetical crime that happened last night. Overachiever that I am, I said, "The man in the yellow hat lost his monkey and asked me to help him find George (curious George). I found the monkey in the arms of a young girl named Madeline. Madeline was lost and needed the directions to her school, so I escorted her to her school, and then took George. Then George
stole a banana, ate the banana, and then I slipped on the banana peel and broke my leg. I then spent the rest of the night in the hospital." Of course, I said all that in French, and it earned me a bravo.

And back to French, we listened to a song by Patrick Bruel called, "C'est la vie." We each had a copy of the lyrics and were told to find all uses of the past tense. So I did, but I also noticed that Patrick Bruel looked very familiar. I thought he might have been Louis in 1995's Sabrina (starring Julia Ormond as the title character). I get back to my room, do a quick search on the IMDb and lo and behold, it was him! And boy is he hot! My goodness! In what has to be the shortest consideration time ever, Patrick Bruel was inducted into my hall of fame on the same day that I was introduced to him (I did see him in Sabrina years ago, but this was the first time I'd ever recognized him as a very desirable man). Just look at him! Why is he so irresistible? Well, he's French - so he's got the accent and the passion and romance all in his favor. He's also a good actor and a wonderful singer - a very popular singer in Francophone countries. And he's breathtakingly handsome! That's enough for me...he's in. You can watch some of his music videos on you tube if you just type in his name.

I also finally watched The Departed, and I have to say, Wow! What a movie! I did not see the end coming - but it was memorable. And the film has done the unthinkable - I shudder even to think about what it's done - it's really really shocking. I actually - God! I can't believe I'm saying this - I actually...kinda...like Leonardo diCaprio now - as an actor. He's not getting an invitation to my Hall of fame - things haven't progressed that far, but let's just say that his days as pussy boy numero uno are over.

Happy Veteran's Day

I am proud to honor America's heroes and the sacrifices they've made for us and for our country. Happy Veteran's Day.

NCSU Wins!

31 to 27, NCSU to UNC, NCSU Wins! I watched the entire game on the telly and boy was it good. I was on tenterhooks, shouting at the tube during the end, when UNC tried three times to score a touchdown and failed spectacularly with one second left to the end. Go Wolfpack! Then, I went out and took pictures of the campus, and then went to the bell tower and took these pictures.

Semper Fidelis!

10 November 1775 - 10 November 2007
232 Years of Excellence!
Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!

Marine's Hymn (<-- click the link for music)
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.


Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.


Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Q: What's the difference between a condom and a coffin?
A: They both hold stiffs, but one's coming and one's going!

Do the ends justify the means?

What a day! It was freezing this morning, and I mean that quite literally, as it was below 32 degrees. As I was walking back from the library, I realized that I'd be quite content if it stayed this way until March. I'm sure you're looking at me with an expression of disbelief, but it's true. Maybe even until April. Then a brief summer reaching the high seventies, and an occasional foray into the low eighties, followed by a fall (get it? Fall!) into the sixties and below. That's my ideal climate. Anyway, I'm getting ready to go see Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix in a moment, and I can't wait. I love Harry Potter, all the more now because Jason Isaacs plays Lucius Malfoy. Rebecca thinks my choice to watch shows and movies solely based on the presence of one specific actor is neither wise nor good. But, I maintain that watching a movie, like Goldeneye for example, just to see Sean Bean, is as good a reason as any. Getting to see Sean Bean is just a catalyst, spurring me on to go beyond my typical cinematic choices. I don't usually watch action films, but if it's got one of my men in it, well, I'm there. And thank goodness for that because I probably wouldn't have discovered how much I like Patriot Games and Goldeneye if my favor toward Sean Bean hadn't inspired me to watch the films in the first place. Just like last night, when I watched most of Black Hawk Down. Sure, I did it just to see Jason Isaacs, in uniform (yes, please!), kicking ass, looking gorgeous. But, I also expanded my horizons a bit - learned a few things, and appreciated a lot of others, all because I wanted to see Jason Isaacs. Now, that's not so bad, is it? I don't think so. Troy, Patriot Games, Goldeneye, The Island, Black Hawk Down, Windtalkers, Sharpe (all ten and more of them), Brotherhood, ... these are just a few things that I never would have watched if not to see a certain actor, or actors.

Something Frosty This Way Comes...

And I stand tall to embrace it! I love cold weather! I love cold weather! I love...you get the picture. Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons. Fall, because of the gradually cooler temperatures and the beautiful autumn splendor, and Winter because of the cold and the Holiday season - being home from school, seeing my family and friends, cooking up a storm, Christmas music...what's not to love? I've been listening to Christmas music for the past week, and I love it! Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, Perry Como .... these are the stars of Holiday music. My former favorite Christmas song was, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" by Perry Como, but that has since been replaced with...another Perry Como hit, but I won't tell you which one. I could listen to Christmas music all year long (and I do!), but I especially love it now that it's turned cold. Strange, I know, but that's me. The season for hot chocolate (with big marshmallows), hot cider, hot tea, hot coffee, hot anything has come! Bring out the scarves and big fuzzy socks! Curl up with a special someone before a warm fire! Sing along to classic holiday music, like I'm doing now..
"Maybe I'm crazy to suppose,
I'd ever be the one you chose,
Out of a thousand invitations you received.
Ah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Oh, what are you doing, New Year's Eve?"

Bonfire Night!

Guy Fawkes Night!

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Popcorn + Pillows = ???

A popcorn and pillow fight, of course! Last night, Rebecca and I put in this crazy Jackie Chan movie with the most unintelligible dubbing I've ever tried to understand. I popped a bag of popcorn and waited a bit, before I started hurling fluffy white kernels at Becca. I think I threw almost ten at her, before she realized it (what? They're light and don't travel very far, most fell just inches short of hitting their target). Becca then started throwing them back. This brought to mind other popcorn fights I've had, and I decided to give Rebecca some advice. I was going to tell her of the fun a guy and a girl could have in a dark theatre with popcorn, but then I stopped myself before I told Rebecca how to have that fun. It may sound cruel, leaving something tantalizingly half-said, but the other half would have been insulting had I said it all. I didn't want to insult my little sister - that would be mean. But, she eventually winkled it out of me. Once I told her what a couple could do with popcorn, she then looked to her own chest and realized she didn't quite have the requisite parts. Oh well. That's when I told her that I realized that and that was the reason for my reluctance to tell her the rest of the story. That's when she threw her pillow at me. I was kind. I waited until she had her head down, picking up popcorn from the carpet, before I threw it back. Then she almost fell out of bed. That was kind of funny. Then she found a wad of ticky-tack and threw it at me. It wouldn't have been quite so hilarious if she hadn't ended up proving my point by landing the wad in my existent cleavage. Anyway, probably too much information, but it was funny at the time.

El Día De Los Muertos

¡Feliz día de los muertos!

End of days

You will never guess what I bought today. I would never have guessed. How could you? You couldn't. You can't. What did I buy today? I bought a book. Two books. Well, four books if you want to get technical. One book with three of Alexander Dumas' novels totaling almost 4,000 pages. Yeah, won't be finishing that one anytime soon. The other was something I bought for charity - Barnes & Nobles will deliver any book you buy to a child who doesn't have any books to read. As I loved reading as a child (and still do), I felt it was my duty to make sure someone else had the means of discovering a love of reading too. I bought The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Why am I telling you this? I bought two books, whoop-dee-friggin-doo. Like that's out of character. No. What's out of character is that I bought a purse.