You've Said It All

I've been receiving postcards from my friends who are abroad lately. Thanks a lot kids, and keep sending them, because they make my ugly MaxP room more pretty.

Also, the title of this blog is in honor of my Wisconsin Badgers. They've made it to the Big Ten Finals for the second year in a row, and hopefully they will win this time. I'm looking forward to watching the game tomorrow afternoon on my shitty yet amazing TV.

I don't really have anything to blog about. I just felt like I needed to because I just finished my International Studies project. That means I have only one class left to worry about for finals: War and the Nation State. It will probably kick my ass, but I think studying ALL DAY AND NIGHT tomorrow will help me out. Kinda excited for that. Not.

I'm heading to the MOTHERLAND on Tuesday morning. I'm looking forward to a queen sized bed, real food, and no homework for two weeks. I'm not looking forward to the Van Galder bus, seeing 3 feet of snow still on the ground, and having to deal with my brother/family. Should be a fun time, no?

I'm going to celebrate being done with IS by watching an episode of 30 Rock, and then reading for War!

$500 Poorer, $500 Closer to Paris

Paid my $500 non-refundable deposit for Paris today. I thought I needed to do something fun to lift my spirits after my internet piracy meeting extravaganza. Luckily the meeting wasn't too bad.

But yeah, turned in my $500 and got my congratulations from the Study Abroad Secretary. Which means... I'm OFFICIALLY OFFICIALLY going to Paris next fall!

Oh, and after my French final I ran into my Professor in the hallway. I told him I was going to Paris and he swooped in and gave me this big hug. It was super cute. I love that old man.

I can make more generals, but horses cost money.

OMG! We went to the new Grocery Store... TREASURE ISLAND. This Island of Treasure was pretty much the best thing ever because they had free cheese everywhere. Holla.

But seriously, not gonna starve anymores.

This blog is dedicated to the honorable MKS.

Time To Level Up *cutemariomusic*

Ok the initial shock of finding out that I just got into my dream program has subsided. Ok, no it hasn't, but still. I'm not half-crying in the lobby of max, half-running down the hallway screaming.

I know I shouldn't have been surprised that I got into the program, because seriously, how many kids here are really qualified for it? I mean the French program is grueling so to even make it to 203 let alone pass it is a feat. But having more or less finished 208, I'm sailing...

But seriously, when I went to check my e-mail (on the lobby e-mail station, because of my current situation... haha) I was shaking and nervous and hoping to god or whoever that I would have a positive answer. Seriously, this is like a big big deal. This girl who rides in my van for NSP was SCREAMING when her boyfriend told her she had gotten in. SCREAMING. I shed a few tears of elation, bolted up the stairs and then jumped ridiculously in the vestibule.

And then I let the celebrations begin... Spicey Chicken, French Fries and Coke for dinner... ANTM live on the television... I rode the elevator instead of taking the stairs... hell, I'm taking off work tomorrow!

Basically I'm ridiculously excited. This program is one of the reasons why I chose the UofC in the first place. Not joking. I really wanted this, and I've been planning everything around it from the start. And now its really happening. Holy damn holy damn.

Spring Quarter is going to be amazing. I've got an awesome summer job (more or less) to look forward to, and then PARIS!!! Plus, I'm going to NYC in May, and all of my classes are in the afternoons save one on Thursdays. And it will be warm. And it will be amazing. I can't wait for my little informational meetings about Paris. Oh god, this is going to be so great!

Wow, I sort of sound really possessed there... But seriously... WORTH IT.

This blog hasn't gone to shit after all. I mean the whole point was to have a forum where I could talk about abroad, which is funny because I didn't actually know until today. But seriously, IT HASN'T GONE TO SHIT!

Hallelujah Mr. Fortner. Hallelujah.

PARIS PARIS PARIS

HOLY DAMN.

TOTALLY JUST GOT INTO MY PARIS CIV PROGRAM FOR FALL QUARTER.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG.

WOWZA.

On The Verge Of Something Wonderful?

Professor Morrissey had my French Lit Class over for dinner tonight. It was awesome. I'm pretty sure he is one of my favorite teachers of all time. Not because I've learned a lot from him (which I have) but because of how he interacts with his students (not in a dirty way). He views us as equals. Its actually really cool. He's like 50-60 years old (not sure) but he invites 20 college kids over for dinner and drinks, and then sits around and tells drunk stories with them. I think that's really cool. It's not like those teachers who view their students as inferior or something. He values our opinions, and he works hard to help all of us individually improve our French.

The dinner tonight was amazing. Not only was the food great--Prof. Morrissey made chicken and salad, and provided real cheese, baguette and wine--but the conversation was great too. I thought it was going to be incredibly awkward... going over to my professors for dinner. But it was great. About half my class studied in France either last quarter or last year, so a lot of the conversation was them sharing their stories of abroad. It made me want to be there SO BADLY. They all had great stories of Paris and all of the cool things the programs allow for, and I seriously CAN NOT WAIT.

Oh, and Professor Morrissey told me tonight that if I don't get into Civ I should tell him, and he'll help me out. He is head of the Paris Center after all...

So maybe I just got the guaranteed in I was looking for?

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Also: to get the title of this post I did a random shuffle on my iPod and picked the first song title that came up... fitting isn't it?

Feeling The Pain From A Bad Idea

Ok, so they caught me.

The University that is. They caught me illegally downloading. I know they sent out all those e-mails trying to scare us from doing it, and they threatened us and everything during O-Week. But of course I didn't take them seriously. I know it was probably not a good idea to repeatedly use the University's kick ass wireless network to get my TV shows and movies and ok, music too. But seriously? I thought they were kidding when they were threatening us.

Apparently they weren't.

I've been removed from the wireless network (SUCK) until I met with Dean of Students (DOUBLESUCK) and sign a document saying I won't do it again or whatever. I really should be more afraid/upset about this, but for some reason I kind of think it's funny. I know I know, not a good attitude.

Will I continue to download when I get my internet back? Honestly, probably. But I'll be more careful about it so they don't catch me next time. I think I know the exact instant I was caught, and it was definitely a night when I wasn't being careful about covering my tracks up.

The only real downer from all of this is that finals start TOMORROW, and I am stuck using the macs in the dorm lab. I hate macs for one, and also, I'm stuck using my shitty flashdrive to print all of this. No fun. Worse time ever to get caught. I know it's my fault, but seriously can't I meet with the Dean like now?

Wow, I need an attitude adjustment. An A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E, attitude adjustment.

(Name that song and I will give you big monies)


ON ANOTHER NOTE: My tea incident isn't as bad as I thought it was... The only casualty was my K key, and that was my fault because I fucked it up when I was trying to get the tea out of my laptop. Other than that, everything is A-OK!