Megan's less-popular lavender marker.

Today was a pretty good day, especially in comparison to the rest of the week.

Last night I went to Mom and Dad's for dinner (as I do most Wednesdays) and we had tacos. I love tacos. I also got a really nice bag as a gift from a family friend, which I'm planning on using for my trip as my carry on. I got new make-up.

Today just didn't suck. It wasn't super awesome, but it also didn't suck. I nailed down my thesis statement for my actual thesis. I"m pretty psyched about that. I also got an A on a paper and a 100% on another exercise. On both, we can re-submit for better grades. I'm glad I did them right the first time, mainly because I don't have the time to re-do things. The 100% paper was really just a review graded for certain grammar and style things. I now can:

- use "effect" as a noun AND a verb.
- properly use "whom"
- eliminate "to be" and its various lame forms from my writing, for a more exciting style of prose.

I'm thrilled. I'm also a huge nerd. sigh.

I'm peachy.

Megan's Purple Marker

The last two weeks were some of the most stressful of my life. I had to make sure that I got work done during the week so that I didn't fall behind during my jam-packed weekends. Don't misunderstand me. I had a wonderful time visiting my sister (during the most stressful weekend of her life) in North Carolina, where it was warm and sunny. A preview of spring, if you will. I was really happy to have the chance to speak at La Salle, even if I feel like I fell short a bit, especially in comparison to Father Frank and Dr. Kling. Those are difficult acts to follow (or proceed, in this case). I got to spend time with almost everyone at La Salle, which was nice, including alumni. I was beyond thrilled to finally see Jess, Sara, Mary, Gwen, Lou, Amy, Jo Anna, Chris, Greg, Davey, and Bill (I'm sure I'm forgetting someone). I don't get to see any of them enough.

However, on Sunday, I literally collapsed. I thought I would just be really tired (as per my last blog), but I laid around most of the day, and I'm pretty sure I had a low-grade fever. I was achy and such as well. I'm glad I don't feel like that anymore either.

This week I am determined to relax a bit, but still getting things done. I have no where to be this weekend (for once), so I can work fewer hours a day during the week, concentrating on my school-work, and relaxing a little each day. Maybe I'll exercise a little too.

This weekend will be dedicated to wedding planning, school-work, and relaxing. Maybe a round of engagement pictures. Nancy asked Jason and I to pose for her so she can try out some locations in the area.

Next weekend will be fun, but hopefully relaxing again. I may help with Improv 101 auditions...I'm really excited to improvize again. I think it will be just the stress-reliever I need.

I'm also planning a trip to New Orleans for the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association National Conference, and it's been stressful planning. I've only once before booked my own hotel and never before booked a plane ticket. I also LOVE to fly (there is sarcasm in that statement), so there's that too. I'm pysched to go, but not in the getting there. At least Jason is going with me. I've never flown without my family either. Sigh.

I just thought I'd update my readership (as small as it may be now).

I'm peachy.

*edit*: michele muller is so very insightful. she pointed out that jason is family now, so i still will not be flying without family. :)

woah.

So in the last few hours, I just realized how busy the next week is going to be:

Tomorrow: Work, class, work, class, Jason comes home because...

Friday: Jason and I are driving to North Carolina to visit my little sister for her birthday. We'll be there (hopefully basking in the warm weather) until Sunday. I'm sure LOTS of homework will get done. (ha).

Monday: Back to work, class, work, class.

Tuesday: Work, class, work, class.

Wednesday: Work, class (turn in everything that is due on Thursday...because...

Thursday: I'm speaking at a symposium for the Masque about the American experience and 9/11 (or something like that). I have to miss a day of classes (woo) and I get something to put on my CV. However, I'm really nervous about it.

Friday: Who knows.

Saturday: Valentine's day dinner...with Jason, Nik, and Allison, then seeing "Recent Tragic Events".

Sunday: collapse.

On another note, my mom and I went to the mall tonight to get cards and such, and this car was following us very closely. Then it followed us into the parking lot...then parked next to us. and looked at us. He was a real creeper.

So tired, and I haven't done anything yet!

I'm peachy.

Being a big girl.

So, following my last rant (entry), things have gotten a lot better.

About 12 hours after that angry passage, I met the person who has been my life-raft this semester. She's the newest grad student and assistant in the American Studies Department and she's very cool. We've actually gone on adventures together and such. Nancy was part of what was missing at Penn State: a grad student / friend. The others are cool, but Nancy and I just clicked. We also have three classes together, which helps.

15 credits has been pretty crazy...at times, overwhelming. However, I'll make it through.

I'm attending two conferences this semester. The first is in Elizabethtown (the Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association) over the last weekend in March. Fortunately, time still allows me to attend all the festivities going on at La Salle that weekend (the most crucial to me being the Improv 101 alumni show). The second is in New Orleans, Lousiana (the Pop Culture / American Culture Associations' Conference). I'm pretty excited / nervous / freaking out about them both.

I'm dramaturging PSU Harrisburg's production of Grease...mainly so my theatrical resume will have something on it for 2009.

I'm currently addicted to my giant tub of Jelly-Bellys. Thanks Nancy.

Life is calming down. It is good. I'm getting used to not seeing Jason everyday, mainly by keeping myself so busy on the off days that my mind is otherwise occupied.

This weekend I'm going to North Carolina with Jason to visit my little sister. Jason's never been to High Point and seen Sarah's school, so we figured her 20th b-day / winter parent's weekend was a good time. :D

The following weekend I'll be in Philly for Recent Tragic Events and Valentine's Day.

So...that's it!

I'm peachy!