Because I Should Be Doing Homework

Its been a little while since I've blogged about life in general, so here goes.

School - I started this semester last Thursday. I've had all of my classes, save for History of the Vietnam War Years, because night classes don't start till Feb. 4th. Sociology is going to be exactly what I expect it to be, and I'm looking forward to it. Creative writing is something else I'm looking forward to, especially since I have John Smith, and I've had him last semester, so I know what to expect. (Also, I've decided to publish all of my assignments here so more people can get some use out of my hard work.) Death and Dying isn't at all what I expected it to be. We spent the first class discussing what our fears regarding death are. I took the course because of the cultural aspects in death, dying, and funerals. But, because it is a survey course, that's only a small part of what is covered in the class. Even though it wasn't what I expected it to be, I'm sure I'll learn a great deal about life, death, and myself.

Oh! Another update regarding school: I got an email from the transfer coordinator I'm working with down in Iowa, and she said everything looks good, they're just waiting on this spring's grades to accept me. I'm very excited.

Work - still good. I'm thinking of going for a shift supervisor position. The only trouble I have with that is, by the time I get the promotion, I may very well be on my way to Pella. The other option I have would be to transfer to the closest Starbucks there, but I think that's in Des Moines. That would be a bit of a commute, and I wouldn't have the kind of availability to be a shift. Just a barista. Which I wouldn't mind. Once I know 100% my acceptance status at Central, I'll sit down with my manager and discuss my options. I'm trying not to freak out about it. But, knowing me...I'm freaking out about it.

Romance - I've been worrying lately about what that psychic I talked to had said. Being an absolute believer in things like that, its hard for me to just shrug it off and assume she wasn't right. Eric and I have been working a lot of things out though. I no longer feel the same way about the relationship that I did in December. For example: I wanted to be engaged as quickly as possible then, and I was frustrated at Eric's lack of interest in the commitment. But I've done a lot of thinking about myself. I really only wanted that sort of commitment because others had it. I'm not ready for that step, and neither is Eric. We both agreed that its definitely in our future and as soon as BOTH of us are ready to take that step, we will. I also realized that I'm very pushy about things. Eric talks about wanting to move out together in June, live together over summer and during breaks, and have a room mate as well. I'm all for this idea, it works out perfectly. So naturally, I get all excited and start telling him all about what color scheme our bathroom will have, or how I'll decorate the livingroom. To be honest, I think it just freaks him out.

The other day in Walmart we were looking at stuff, and I happen to start talking about colors for a bathroom and he started going on about "Why can't it just be white" and "I think I want to just live with a room mate first" and that I need to stop talking about it. That really hurt and frustrated me, because you have to talk about things to get them planned right. I talked to him later about it and he said he didn't mean the room mate thing...I don't know. Unfortunately for him, the only way we can resolve conflict is by talking about it. I'm also trying to be more rational about my emotional responses to things he says. I'm trying to take a couple breaths and look at things from his perspective before I get angry. It doesn't always work, but I think I'm making progress.

On another note, I've also lost a few pounds, around 5. That's not bad, considering I've only been trying for a couple weeks. My goal is to be around at least 115 lbs by August. I know slow and steady wins the race, so I'm trying to avoid crash diets. I did the calorie counting thing for a while and I did lose weight, but I was starting to become obsessed with it. I budgeted myself 1200 calories per day (healthy), and started getting proud when I had only eaten, say, 800 a day (unhealthy). I was happy that this sped up the weight loss...but all I could think about was food. I saw that this would be a problem, so I stopped counting. I'm just more mindful now. Stick to serving sizes, eat lo-cal snacks (100 calorie packs are good, filling, and healthy), lay off the pastries at work, and stop drinking as many lattes. Now I stick to flavored water (crystal light in particular), raspberry passion tea lemonades (100 calories for a tall. nice.) and if i want something a little more filling, a java chip frappuchino light. I avoid drinking soda as much as I can. Though, sometimes I indulge, like today, I had a full throttle because I was super tired before class. To defend myself, I took the stairs, and I walk to and from school. Its going to be a long process, but hopefully things will pan out the way I want them to.

Now I should really get back to reading the chapter I'm supposed to in my Sociology book. I'm also not looking forward to getting up at 5:30 am so I can take the bus to get to work by 6:30, seeing as how its going to be a high of 14 tomorrow, with a -25 degree wind chill. Brrrrrrr. Oh well, at least I'll get free coffee in the morning.

The Wandering Gypsy

Its these few rare moments of bliss I never write. I don't think I've ever written an entry about myself or my life that wasn't full of stress and anxiety. Sure, its there. But this time, I'm going to tell you about my dream.

Ever since I was in elementary school, its been my dream to own and operate my very own slice of the world. My very own coffeehouse. I'm not too good with description, so bear with me here.

I'm envisioning a great place to just...chill out. Do homework, relax after work, meet people and have a good time. Somewhere that doesn't adhere to the cookie-cutter coffeehouse look. Small tables, a big comfy couch, a couple of super comfy chairs. People will want to kick back and relax.

Of course, the real business is coffee. I'll be selling all organic, fair trade coffees, perfectly roasted espressos (which will be eventually roasted in-house). I won't have all of this frou-frou latte business. Sure, lattes are delicious. No, they're not good with eight different syrups in them. There's always the classics though. Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Almond, Mocha. I really think that's all a person needs. All espresso will be pulled by hand on a well loved machine. Those kicking back in the cafe will also be able to enjoy some latte art as well. For those warm summers, how about that latte on ice? Or perhaps, a fresh smoothie of my own creation? None of these "frappuchinos". Oh, and if you want that smoothie in a soy base, no problem. Maybe you'd like an Italian soda?

Want to enjoy some food with your drink? I'll have fresh baked pastries for you to choose from. Certain coffees really do taste excellent with certain foods, and I'll definitely be providing that experience. I don't believe anybody can really call their pastries "fresh" when they come from a freezer, after travelling who knows how many miles from some bakery who knows where. All pastries will be either baked in-house, or from a local provider. By local, I mean in the same zip code, not the same state. Vegan options will be included.

Everyone enjoys music while they relax/socialize/work. I'd love to have culturally diverse music to share with everyone. Music from all over the world, as well as diverse styles of music from right here. There will be a small performance area for local musicians to gain exposure, as well as poetry readings.

I'm envisioning a bookshelf full of books for sale. Not novels or mainstream readings, but local authors looking for a place to spread their words. Maybe not so local authors that still have wonderful words to spread. Poetry books, political books, books with a message.

Do you like that painting on the wall? Someone from this town painted it. Like that little statue? A girl across the way from me sculpted it. I'll display as much local art as I can, offering a place for artists to not only gain exposure, but to sell their works as well.

I see a place in the community where everyone knows everyone's name. Whether you're grabbing your morning up of coffee on the way to work, or sitting in the late afternoon sunshine working on a midterm paper, I'll know who you are. People will gather here, and come to love the space I've created for them to be themselves.

That is my dream. I'll make this happen someday. Just you watch. Look for a little indie place in West Allis called simply "The Wandering Gypsy".

Taken for Granted

I'm realizing I take a lot for granted these days.

I'm stoked about being able to vote in the upcoming presidential election. I feel that by casting my vote, and becoming aware of the politics of this nation, I can change my little slice of the world. Hell, why just my little slice? Why not go for the whole damn pie? I have this option because I'm 18, and legally able to vote.

Yet, just one generation ago, I would not be able to do this. The voting age was 21 until 1971. I have to thank my foremothers for giving me the right to vote at all, as a woman. Just in 1920, the 19th amendment was passed. That's 88 years ago, my great-grandmother's generation. (See here for a timeline of voting rights. My opinions? That's for another blog)

I don't really think about things like this as much as I should. I go on tirades about how we need to stand up, a la the 1960s anti-war movement. Yet...in that decade...I wouldn't have been able to vote for what I think is right.

What I think now, is for every person that is able to vote in the upcoming election should stand up and be counted. Let's exercise the rights our forefathers and foremothers gave us.

Peace.