January 12, 2010
Joyeux Anniversaire
My parents have successfully stayed married for 25 years to the day. Isn't that crazy? Twenty-five years is a really long time. Anyway, to celebrate the occasion/avoid any scoldings from my mom for buying her a present (she really hates gifts, don't ask), Katy and I decided to make them a scrapbook. The thing is, scrapbooking is a whole lot more expensive and time-consuming than either Katy or I had imagined; in total, we spent $75 and 16 hours making it. However, it's really precious. There's the beautiful opening page with the iconic wedding picture, followed by childhood/teen photos of my parents, then baby pics of us kids, and a whole lotta family pictures following it. I predict my dad will get teary-eyed (as he tends to do) and my mom will say "thanks" in a weird, ducky murmur and roll her eyes, but secretly appreciate it (as she tends to do). I'm excited for the reception of the gift and also for people to see it as I'm quite proud of it.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the English department counselor and I'm a bit nervous. I think I'm all set to graduate, but who knows? There could be some weird requirement or class that I didn't know I had to take. I'm keeping my expectations really low, and am preparing myself to be told I have to stay another semester. It's best to expect the worst, no matter what anyone says. I'm actually freaking out a little because my degree evaluation online says that I still have to take an "American Institutions" course, which I JUST TOOK last semester. It was the worst class in the entire world full of the stupidest students at State led by the worst professor I have ever met. I was the only person in my class who even semi-cared and I got an A in it and If I don't get credit for that class I am GOING TO GO CRAZY! Hopefully I can clear that discrepancy up in my meeting tomorrow.
I have just a week until I go back to school, actually. I just registered for classes, and I'm really excited to start them because (as usual) I haven't yet been hit by the amount of trouble they're going to cause me a few months down the line. Here they are:
Modern Fiction
Modern British Fiction
Techniques of Poetry
On the Road in America
Shel Silverstein: American Icon
So, what do you think? I say it's my best lineup ever. I even have my two favorite professors again, so I know I'll adore two of my course, at the very least. My book list is just as sweet. I get to read Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Road, Blood Meridian, Things Fall Apart, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and an anthology of Ginsberg's poems. SWEET, am I right?!
Wednesday is my co-worker/friend Stephanie's birthday. She's having dinner at Dick's Last Resort which quite a few of the girls from work will be attending (along with her family and younger fiance), but as she's turning 21 and she only has me and another coworker of ours to take her out on the town, I'm determined to help her have the best birthday possible. Mindy and I have decided that we should go to Shout House (where I've never been before, but have heard good things) and then possibly Whiskey Girl for dancing. I'm not sure whether or not I should get her a present as well, or just spend lots o' monies getting her wasted. I'm leaning toward the latter.
Speaking of Stephanie, she's quitting Pier 1. She got offered a full time, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 5 days a week job. I'm happy as we can FINALLY hang out outside of work without me being paranoid Teresa will find out; also, I'm happy for her as she will finally be making some decent money. Who knows? Maybe she'll get health insurance too. That's one of those weird things I worry about for people--I want them to be happy, have a fulfilling life, and be properly insured.
I think I might get lunch with Olin sometime this week too. Wish me patience.
Here are things I can't wait for:
The Coachella line-up
SC/SF/Berkeley Road Trip
Okay, goodnight.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the English department counselor and I'm a bit nervous. I think I'm all set to graduate, but who knows? There could be some weird requirement or class that I didn't know I had to take. I'm keeping my expectations really low, and am preparing myself to be told I have to stay another semester. It's best to expect the worst, no matter what anyone says. I'm actually freaking out a little because my degree evaluation online says that I still have to take an "American Institutions" course, which I JUST TOOK last semester. It was the worst class in the entire world full of the stupidest students at State led by the worst professor I have ever met. I was the only person in my class who even semi-cared and I got an A in it and If I don't get credit for that class I am GOING TO GO CRAZY! Hopefully I can clear that discrepancy up in my meeting tomorrow.
I have just a week until I go back to school, actually. I just registered for classes, and I'm really excited to start them because (as usual) I haven't yet been hit by the amount of trouble they're going to cause me a few months down the line. Here they are:
Modern Fiction
Modern British Fiction
Techniques of Poetry
On the Road in America
Shel Silverstein: American Icon
So, what do you think? I say it's my best lineup ever. I even have my two favorite professors again, so I know I'll adore two of my course, at the very least. My book list is just as sweet. I get to read Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Road, Blood Meridian, Things Fall Apart, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and an anthology of Ginsberg's poems. SWEET, am I right?!
Wednesday is my co-worker/friend Stephanie's birthday. She's having dinner at Dick's Last Resort which quite a few of the girls from work will be attending (along with her family and younger fiance), but as she's turning 21 and she only has me and another coworker of ours to take her out on the town, I'm determined to help her have the best birthday possible. Mindy and I have decided that we should go to Shout House (where I've never been before, but have heard good things) and then possibly Whiskey Girl for dancing. I'm not sure whether or not I should get her a present as well, or just spend lots o' monies getting her wasted. I'm leaning toward the latter.
Speaking of Stephanie, she's quitting Pier 1. She got offered a full time, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 5 days a week job. I'm happy as we can FINALLY hang out outside of work without me being paranoid Teresa will find out; also, I'm happy for her as she will finally be making some decent money. Who knows? Maybe she'll get health insurance too. That's one of those weird things I worry about for people--I want them to be happy, have a fulfilling life, and be properly insured.
I think I might get lunch with Olin sometime this week too. Wish me patience.
Here are things I can't wait for:
The Coachella line-up
SC/SF/Berkeley Road Trip
Okay, goodnight.
gina
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Active Discussion
Joey • January 12th 2010 • Reply
gina!! it's so funny that you mentioned that you are reading ginsberg this semester because i just enrolled in a class devoted to reading/listening to ginsberg!! i bought his entire collected works the other day and we are working our way through the entire thing this quarter. lovee it so far...
also, your book lineup for this semester looks soooo gooood. especially fear and loathing and WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS!! it makes me really happy that your professors are actually coming up with interesting curriculum that makes you excited about what you're learning. you don't get that that often...
ALSO, i went to the shout house on my 21st birthday and loved it. if you do end up going, be SURE to tell them that it's your friend's birthday because they will proceed to invite her on stage and sing a humiliating song for/about her. it's probably one of the most embarrassing things that a person can experience, but you have have haveee to do it. i know you'll have a great time there too, since you love to sing.
ALSO ALSO, the scrapbook that you and katy made for your parents sounds realllyyy really good. no doubt it will be one of their favorite presents given to them. i hope they liked it!
p.s. i still have your book...
gina • January 12th 2010 • Reply
You're taking a Ginsberg class?! SO SO SO jealous. He's my favorite poet ever, so I'm really glad you love him.
And yes, my professors are trying very hard despite the budget cuts to keep classes interesting. There was a Mark Twain class that I wanted to take this semester too, but I decided to go with Techniques of Poetry as it would be more beneficial to my writing.
Thanks for the input on Shout House! I will definitely tell them it's Steph's birthday because I have no problem embarrassing my friends. In fact, I quite enjoy it.
And you DO still have my book! Don't fret though; I'm the type of person who borrows things for a year too. In fact, I still have a copy of Angels and Demons which was borrowed from a friend in high school. Still haven't gotten around to reading it actually...
You can just give it back to me whenever you next see me (though I'm not sure when that will be as our hangouts are usually spontaneous).
Annie Szafranski • January 12th 2010 • Reply
I agree, all of your classes do sound amazing! I think choosing techniques of poetry over the other class is a wise choice, and I hope it I'm sure it will be beneficial.
Your such nice children for giving your parents an anniversary gift, it makes me kind of feel lame for not doing anything for mine. Anyway, I hope you're scrapbook is as great as the ones we made for our san diego vacation..
AND Good luck on your possible lunch with Olin, that should be interesting.
gina • January 12th 2010 • Reply
I don't think anything could be as good as san diego vacay scrapbook. Those are pretty sweet.
Jeff Micklos • January 13th 2010 • Reply
Cosmos (a coffee shop in La Mesa) is playing Lady Gaga, as I type.
But less importantly, I wish you luck on your new semester.
And props for writing the most detailed blog posts.
And I think we all know who your real favorite author is....
Dan Brown.
gina • January 13th 2010 • Reply
I just walked by Cosmos an hour ago. Did you see me in my yellow jacket?
Also, I believe there should be some Dan Brown course at State; however, I imagine it would be nothing more than a series of examples on how NOT to write.