A few things I love.

1. Community and solidarity with strangers.
2. This sound. And jingling keys.
3. Adventures of all kinds. Specifically ones that make good stories.
4. Pillows of every shape and size.
5. Wearing hoods and sun glasses. (You know, to avoid the paparazzi.)
6. Inspiring quotes, poems, portraits, friends, etc.
7. Laughter that comes from deep in your gut.
8. Endless possibilities that the future offers.
9. The elderly. I love my OPBs (a.k.a. Old Person Buddies)!
10. Learning--especially things that change my worldview.

I think I'm drowning. Asphyxiated.

Dear MereCo,

Please accept this break up song from me as my two week notice.

Many thanks,
Sam

Extra quarters to meet the boss

I'm working as diligently as possible these days because things are coming down to the wire. I've got a big presentation Saturday, paper drafts, more presentations, tests, quizzes....Blah, blah, blah. The hardest part of all of this mess is that I still care. (That's something I really didn't expect.) I still want things to be fantastic and show all of the work that I've done, not the stuff I feel like I'm producing now. I know I'm gonna get through this, but it's weird how this month has become the most impossible of my four year career. And that's saying something in respect to sophomore year.

I was talking with a fellow nerd yesterday who told me that my life's just like a video game. This is the final level. The part where you meet the big boss/monster/nemesis and it takes a bit more getting through. He told me to have some coins at hand for the next few weeks, just in case I'd need some extra time/lives. Here's to putting my initials up on the high score list and moving on to something more meaningful.

Keep it loose, keep it tight.

I have decided that April is the Devil's month...especially if you are graduating. It's brought wonderful sun that just gets too hot, pollen that I have to wipe off my legs it's so thick, and allllllllll kinds of deadlines. Sometimes I sit down and have to talk myself away from a panic attack and just put stuff into perspective. I know it's just a few weeks. I know it's just a few papers. In my head, I know all of these things. But for some reason they get to be too much. So, I've been treating myself to some good people and good fun for the past two days. Shock and awe!

Last night I went to the Amos Lee concert at the Lincoln Theater with the wonderful Lormarev. It was perfect for enough reasons that I will enumerate them for you:

1. The space was pretty nice and are bringing in some pretty nifty artists. I would recommend it. Although the crowd was...interesting. Let's just say that we were standing close enough that there were some real attention seekers, which is just awkward in a public place with low lights.
2. Amos is adorable in so many ways. His voice is sultry and just makes me melt. He played some new stuff that was so touching (so exciting!!!) and some of my favorites, including a cover of Queen. It can only help that he's a pretty good lookin' man. ;) Also, the group was wonderfully nerdy, which I always appreciate. We got there to catch the end of Amos's opening act, Mutlu. This guy had a surprisingly sweet voice come from his burly body and played this hilarious, recently released original.
3. Lormarev is a jem. I'm so blessed to have her friendship and her insight. I aspire to have the conviction and thoughtfulness that she displays so consistently. Not to mention, she's a pretty talented chick who invites me to all kinds of awesome shows. Jealous, yet?

Tonight was Senior Inductions which was pretty entertaining for more reasons than I am willing to admit to, but there were plenty that I don't mind mentioning. First off, I didn't realize how much I was missing out on so many people in my life. I had a fantastic time socializing with people I don't get to see as often as I would like. There were a couple speakers who were wonderfully sassy and gave fitting words to a class like ours and gratefully reassured me that there is a life after Meredith and that it will figure itself out. (Love to hear that these days!) But I LOVE our doll, Iris Elizabeth Green. I think she's perfect! And although it's not realllllly me...the Suess suitcase will always be in my heart and now in Johnson Hall! Yay!

A few of us gals went to the Red Room (a little pricey for a college student budget, although they run a lot of specials) and had a relaxing dinner of paella and sangria. These moments are what I remind myself of when I'm working really hard all alone at random hours in the day and into the craziest hours of the night/morning. But it was chill and exactly the extra cushion I needed. I also talked to the DJ to ask about a really awesome song and he burned me a CD with great stuff on it. I'm a fan.

So here's to hoping that these recreation hours can output some solid work! But for now, sleep because the circles under my eyes are the worst I've ever seen. I'm thinking I should try to figure out how to make the sleep deprived look classy....

32 days.

Whew. There's a lot to do. No more breaks. So many activities it's making my head spin (1:35--and excuse the bad language for the sweet humor)! I'm looking forward to, but the hours still add up. I just realized that I have to complete 3 projects I've been working on for 1 semester, 1 year, and 2 years. Not to mention the other classes. Yikes. I keep telling myself that if I cut it all down into tiny pieces it won't be a problem. But no matter what I do I just see BIG LISTS. I don't really see how I'm going to win here...unless I look at my miserable bracket that still kinda won. And that kinda winning is the only winning I'll be doing now in life. Ugh.

But I've decided that owning one of these is clearly the only viable solution to solving all of my problems.