Easter and Mondays

Oh, what a delightful weekend. I love a weekend where I can do social things with friends and do holiday things with family. Best of both worlds.

How was every one's Easter? Mine was quite nice. It wasn't due to a huge event or anything, it was just relaxing. The weather got to the low 70s and everyone kind of napped. Sometimes lazy day are the best.

...Until you realize your homework is going to take a lot longer than you thought, and you're not getting back to your apartment until the evening.
Eh, still worth it.

For this term I've realized that Mondays are going to be my busiest days. I have class from 10-4, with a couple little breaks in between.
I know. All of you working folk out there are laughing at me or scowling at me. I'm just not used to it though. Like I said, I have to get back into the flow of getting work down before anything else. And I'm actually getting better at it! Better, but not 100% perfect. Eh.

The point is I like starting out the week busier. The slowing down as the week progresses is nice, and makes the weekend that much more exciting. Last term, I had Fridays as my busy days, and I know I didn't like it. I wouldn't be anticipating the weekend, I'd be thinking, "Crap I have two quizzes coming!" Now? Big things done at the beginning. I like it.

It's time to either go to the gym or get started on my 125 English pages for tomorrow. Hmm... No matter what, they're both happening tonight.

How was your Easter?
Do you like having the week start out busy and then slow down, or do you like starting off slow then build up?

Last Minute Prep

The presents have been wrapped.

The Indian food has been consumed.

The pajamas have been opened and put on.

It's Christmas Eve. This has been quite the successful Christmas season, with what I think are pretty good gifts to be had by the people I got them for. Well, we'll see by the reactions tomorrow. My only regret? Not watching my favorite Christmas special, The Year Without A Santa Claus. It's not because of the story, it's because I love the Heat miser song. Which is also the Snow miser song, pretty much but the heat miser is so much cooler. Or less cool? Whatever.

Tomorrow, more baking is to be had, as I'm apparently baking rolls this year. This should be interesting...

What were your last minute holiday preparations this year?

Time for Some Holiday Cooking

Christmas eve Eve? I can dig it.

For the holidays, it always seems like there are a million things to do the day before. Then you wonder to yourself: why didn't we do this all before?

And it's a valid point. The only problem with that tends to be the fact that usually it's food prep that needs to be done. Food prep sometimes can't be done much sooner than the day before though.

Despite being stressful, making food for the holidays is some of the most fun food to make. Why is that? Here are my reasons:

All of the food is food you wouldn't usually make, so it's fun to cook with a lot of butter/ fun desserts.

Sure, it's stressful, but you also don't have to worry about work in the moment.

Busy kitchens full of family and friends =fun.

Then again, I'm typically only in the dessert area when it comes to holiday cooking. Stick to what you know I suppose.

Anywho, busy day tomorrow! Getting excited but nervous about getting everything done.

What's your favorite time to cook and why?

Upcoming Holidays and Scattered Productivity

So, when did it become the 18th? Seriously? I have one more present to buy, but this week certainly is going to be a holiday preparation week. The thing is, it doesn't seem like there's really that much left to do. Perhaps my mother is simply making me worried.

Anywho. Today began as a lazy day, but became a bit productive as the day went on. Cleaned my room, cleaned out a random closet in the parents' house. Little projects, all that jazz.

I just was ready for a rest day. Which, I pretty much got, but still got some stuff done. Also found some websites to waste time. Not a great thing for productivity.

On a random note (besides this post being super random), I'm in a mood to bake. It seems that there's much more motivation to bake when it isn't necessary. Thankfully, there are some bananas that are ready for mushing, and I'm somewhere where there are people to take food with them to work.

Hm. Thoughts are scattered for the evening. It happens. Hopefully with the new week, my thoughts will be coherent.

How did you spend your weekend?

A Start on Winter Break

Winter Break is here! Huzzah!

Okay, I'll stop talking about finals now. I'm just glad that I don't have to study anymore. Funny thing is, when I was actually able to waste my time on the computer, I really didn't want to.

Last winter break? I wasted lots of time. This winter break, I have only two goals: Accomplish as many things as possible. Always keep busy.

Currently, still trying to figure out what all of that is that I'm going to apparently accomplish. However, I've totally gotten a good start on it.

After dozing off, I started to get to work. (Chlo, when you called me I was barely awake. Driving did not sound like a fun idea at that time.)

Selling text books has always been something that I've never really wanted to deal with. Figuring out selling things online? Obnoxious. Selling them to the bookstore though? Talk about getting nothing for your books. The thing is, they're not getting me any money by just sitting on the shelf of my closet. That's why tonight I put up quite a few books for sale on Amazon. Exciting! It also includes a few of my old manga. Now, let's just hope that people buy them.

Other than selling books, I'm hoping to do a lot more this winter break. Think earning money with odd jobs and finding ways to see friends. Trying to job search. Perhaps some reading? Running is in there too, but that's a given.
What are your plans for the holiday season?

Make a Wish!

I think I was meant to live somewhere where it's sunny all of the time. I huddle next to a heater at even the slightest hint of cold weather, and it's not even that cold here. At least I don't live where it gets really cold. On the other hand, I really like Oregon so I shouldn't complain.

It's funny though, since I'm on the topic of cold weather to realize that we're already smack dab in the middle of November. Hm, maybe not quite smack dab, but you get the idea.
Part of the reason it seems weird is because the fall colors are seriously coming out right now. For example, today I was looking at the trees and thinking, "Wow, it sure is nice out there. Weird that it's getting so cold in the fall." Then I remembered... We're not in October. We're in November. Seem to keep forgetting that little fact. Seriously though, the fall colors are gorgeous right now. I even took a blurry picture while running because it looked cool.
...Well, at least I thought I did but it's nowhere to be found on my phone. That's what you get for taking pictures while you're still running. What, you don't do that?

I never really thought about it before, but November is actually a pretty swell month. There's the big event Thanksgiving (for the U.S. at least), but there's also a few little interesting holidays, both of my parents' birthdays, and the nearing of the end of the term. The last one is always a good deal.

One the fun little holidays that just so happens to be happening this year only? 11/11/11. Yes. I've been excited about this little holiday for awhile, just because it's a fun idea. The rest of the year, you're supposed to make wishes when you see the clock strike 11:11. Today, it makes the wishes an even bigger deal because of the date. There's a debate on which 11:11 you're supposed to make your wish on, the AM or PM one. Unfortunately, I was filling out an application at the time of the AM one, so I didn't see a clock! Sad life. I'll just have to wish extra hard when it comes to the PM one tonight.

Ridiculous holiday? Perhaps, but you gotta enjoy the little things in life.

Also, happy Veteran's Day! Thanks to all of the veterans out there.

Have you ever heard of 11/11? Did you make a wish?

Life As A Duck: Halloween Weekend Celebrations

As night draws closer, it's obvious that it's time to get back to reality. I always have a nice time escaping reality for a bit though.

Funny that "Halloween" weekend is ending. Truth be told, there will probably be festivities tonight but I'm not participating. 8:00 AM class and a paper due tomorrow? Yeah, that's what I'm all about tonight.

This all brings me to another installment of Life As a Duck: Halloween Edition!

From what I've been told by the locals, there are two weekends that are the craziest here on campus. Those nights include the first week of school with all of the freshmen, and the other is Halloween.

For Halloween weekend, you don't have to venture far to find some shin-dig going on. As for the person who lives there, you're bound to have a connection somehow. For instance, my group stopped at this guy's house I needed to make an appearance at, and my sister ended up seeing someone she knew. Oh, the connections of college.
Don't worry, I didn't randomly show up to people's houses that I didn't have any connection to. That would just be weird.

Halloween here? A complete 180 from anything at WOU. Even if I did know people living in houses over there (Well, more than 1), I honestly don't think it could have been anything close to down here. Especially since, y'know people are actually walking around at night over here. Last year, I went down to OSU for festivities. Which is exactly what everyone else does, or to U of O.

Things I've learned and or seen from my last two nights include...

• A lot of people don't like to costume repeat. I was totally a costume repeated, but I'm fine with that. I like my Jolly Rancher dress. Twas a good conversation piece.
• How to Cat Daddy. Yeah.
• You will find many very lazy people at these parties. Meaning not even trying to put a costume together. Mostly guys are guilty of this, just because at least most girls try and wear nice dresses when they have nothing together. A guy from my WR class was wearing what I'm pretty sure he wore to class earlier that day. C'mon boys! Make it fun! Out of this group is the pretentious guy who comments, "Oh, I didn't think it was Halloween tonight. Am I wrong?" Of course it's not, but the only reason you're not dressed up is because you're lazy. No one likes that person.
• Two Asian exchange students took a picture with me because they liked my costume. Well okay.
• A drunk out of his gourd twelve-year-old who was about 3 miles away from his house with no money. At least he looked twelve. It was a little troubling. He talked like this: "Yeah, my bros left me, and I was just trying to find some sn*tch, you know what I'm sayin'?" I wish I was kidding.
• A guy who looks a lot like Justin Long, who I will call Marty from now on even though that's not his name. What can I say, if you introduce yourself with that name the first time, and I've been meeting a lot of people with your real name anyway, I'm going to call you Marty.
• I love seeing people from random things I know at places I wouldn't expect. Pretty much the way I started every conversation was what a person's costume was, so that led me to a guy dressed as Ron Swanson. Little did I realize it was a guy I'd talked to at APO! Like I said, random connections.
• I'm such a sucker for play on word costumes. I know they usually don't take that much effort, but I still love 'em. French toast was clever, and Quarter Pounder with Cheese? Nice. (He had quarters taped to his pocket and used a hammer to "pound" them.) Probably why I liked my sister's Friday costume so much. She was dressed all nicely and had a sign around her neck saying "I'm Sorry". She was a formal apology. I love it! Yes, you can judge.
• In the ways of the introvert, this weekend filled my quota of festivities for awhile. I love people, and I love going out to things, but it takes a chunk outta ya, especially me. Time to rest, recharge, and get pumped for a bit of chilling out. ...Except for worrying about that Economics midterm on Tuesday. Oh geez.

I know there's probably more, but I've already talked enough. Besides, I need to get some sleep. As for the actual night's festivities? I'm going to hand out candy at my aunt's house, and I'm actually really excited. I kind of love handing out candy, and you get to see all of the adorable costumes kids wear. Kids don't dress slutty, college kids do. That means more creativity, and I'm all about the creative costumes.

As a last thought, I know that I didn't post last night. I didn't forget either. However, when I got home I sat down, looked at the blank post screen and thought, "Yeah, this isn't going to happen." It was probably for the best, as I took to the call of the pillow as soon as the computer was shut.

Is it really time for the school week to start? Well... okay.

What exciting things did you do for this "Halloween" weekend?

Entering the Season

Seasons can be pretty meaningful for many people. There are seasons like fall that people enjoy for the cooler weather and falling leaves Then there are other seasons like the season of giving, which can start right around Thanksgiving and end after Christmas. Basically, there are seasons for everything, and right now there is no exception.

We've officially entered what I'd like to call Fat Season.

Fat season is known to many, but most people don't call it that. They call it the Holiday Season, yet a lot of women know it's a time of food, food, and more food.

I'm not saying it's a bad season. Once this season kicks into high gear, it includes time spent with family, fun free time, and happy memories. On the other hand, why do you think so many people make New Year's resolutions to lose weight? Two words: Fat Season.

There's delicious food everywhere, and food is given as gifts for many people. Don't think that people are going to be making healthy food, unless you proclaim to everyone that that's all you want. The truth in that statement is you're probably going to want the junk food, and most people will end up giving it to you anyway.
Yes, I've read the articles. Thanksgiving is only one day, don't make it into a week. You don't have to have food as gifts. We try, and as anyone knows, it's hard. Still, we try. That's all we really can do, right?

I'm not going to deny that there are always roadblocks in the way of healthy eating. Fat season might be a time where it's harder, but you're almost always going to have temptations to behave badly (with your food choices). Fat season is just a little harder.

You might be wondering why my fat season starts so early. That's because that's when the celebrations begin.
Yesterday was my sister's birthday, and there have been many an opportunity to celebrate. Her birthday marks the start of my Fat Season. The week after her birthday comes my birthday, meaning more treats. A week passes, then it's Halloween! My favorite candy in fun sized packaging? Yes please.

The season goes into a bit of a lull, then picks back up just in time for a few birthdays and Thanksgiving. Next of course is Christmas, and you know the time in between that is crazy. Top it off with New Year's, and you've got yourself another Fat Season come and gone. You're welcome.

I love when this celebration season starts, but I'm not looking to celebrate with some pals known as flubber attached to my body. I think I'll challenge Fat Season. I'm not sure what the challenges will be other than not gaining weight, but I'll make them. Hopefully Fat Season won't get to y'all either.

Bring it on, Fat Season.

When does your Fat Season start?

Getting Back to the Grind, Things I Have Learned From Fictional Characters, and Upcoming Decisions

No holidays for quite some time now! That's probably a good thing, but I can't help getting excited for the next one. Well... maybe I can. Right now I'm in the mood to get to the grind. Makes me feel more centered, ya know? Let's see, the next holiday is... Mother's Day? Then Memorial Day, then the end of school!

Since it is indeed Monday, I have a little bit of knowledge that I have gained from fictional characters once again. This lesson I have learned from many shows and stories in the past, but the lesson came up again when I saw the show Wicked.
Spoiling a little bit of the story, there is a part in which Elphaba who is on the run goes to the home of her sister. Now, throughout the whole story we've seen Elphaba be a worried and doting sister. She cares for her sister a lot, but especially since her sister is in a wheelchair. In return, Nessarose, the sister, goes through angry teen rebellion and disregards any kindness her sister has bestowed upon her. Back to the present situation, Elphaba has been learning some pretty sweet sorcery, so she figures out a way make her sister walk. Does Nessarose shower her sister with love and affection? No! She's still a bitch, and blames her sister for actions that she causes 5 minutes in the future.

It may not seem like it, but there is a lesson in this whole scenario. That lesson is that truthfully, you can't change people. They are how they are, and most likely that's how they'll always be.

"But Hannah," you may ask, "Aren't there a bunch of fictional stories out there where a character has a change of heart? Like the Grinch?"

Yes, I suppose that's true. Also, I'd wonder why you couldn't think of another example. (That's all I could think of at the moment.) I realize that there are so many stories where a character gets a makeover, completely remakes themselves... Yet, I've also seen endings to many of these stories where the character goes back to the way they were before, or incorporates their new habits into their old lifestyle. Humans are stubborn on change.

Psychology has proven that point to me even more, as we've been learning about happiness. There are studies on people winning the lottery or getting in horrendous accidents. The studies show that despite the winnings, they aren't usually happier. Or, the people in the accidents are still quite positive.

It's good to make little habits of change, and it can be completely possible. These things tend to be over time. However, doing a total 180 on yourself or someone else isn't very likely. That's why they say people shouldn't go into a relationship thinking, "Despite the long history of violence, my loving heart can change them!" ...That doesn't always turn out for the best.

I'm very excited for summer being so close! Still... there are things that I'm having trouble deciding. I'm trying to get better with the over thinking, but it's so hard. Just go with it Hannah. Seriously.

Have you ever tried to change someone? How did it turn out?