Monday, November 22, 2010

Autumn Aspiration

When I was a kid, I was really active.  My brother has ADHD beyond comprehension, and when we were kids, he was either going 110 mph, or he was comatose preparing for more--dragging me along for the ride.  We went on family walks, we played tennis like freaks, we rode our bikes until we fell asleep on them (long story...).  And it's true that I still value being outdoors and being active...to a degree.  I've graduated to the yoga-doing, gentle hiking, lap swimming phase of preferential excercise, though lately I feel like I could try for an Olympic medal in 'Sitting Around With A Cocktail Watching Bad TV Feeling Guilty That I Haven't Read A Book In Weeks Although I Should Probably Be Productive And Write That Currency Research Paper On Turkey.'  But then again I think I could use some more practice before going for the gold.  (Gotta make my momma proud!)  So what have I done to fix this rut?  I, Rachael, have officially registered for the T-R Aerobics/Slimnastics class at 8 am for this Spring semester.  
Yeah.
That's right.
You read correctly.
Me--in an aerobics class.  Because you know what?  If I value my health (which I do), if I enjoy being active (check), and if I work at the YMCA (still yes)--an organization dedicated to building spirit, mind, and body--then why shouldn't I DO something about it?  I am determined to lose this last bit of EuropeWeight that keeps me from feeling comfortable in the clothes I already own.  It's only a few pounds.  And I really, really, reeeeeally want to wear that black tube top I recently rediscovered hiding in my "skinny/normal" clothes drawer.  


(Am I the only one that associates certain clothes with the good memories that accompanied them?)


Now I realize that this won't start til January--which is preferable.  I mean honestly, there's no way I'm not going to enjoy the food of the Holidays.  Not gonna happen.  But come 2011?  I'm on a mission.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Harried Thursday

Running on 3 hours of sleep.
Multinational Finance and Trade Exam down.
More Finance homework due at 11 pm.
Muttermutter grumblegrumble...
Oh wait--I HAVE MIDNIGHT HARRY POTTER TICKETS!

:]

Taking advantage of the college life while I can,
Rachael

Friday, November 12, 2010

Erdogan? Who's Erdogan??

In case you didn't know, Erdogan is actually Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister of Turkey.
I'm supposed to be writing a 15 page paper on Turkey: "Analyze the prospects for the country's currency.  Consider the country's economic condition and prospects."  Dude, I got this in 20 words or less: It's an emerging market that didn't really appreciate the recent economic slump, but it's getting there.  Done.

My roommates Sydney and Lillian brought home a cat several weeks ago.  It was us or the animal shelter, so I embraced an indoor animal, despite having several bad experiences with them.  It's not working out so well.  His name is Zoloft--"because he's so chill he's almost depressed," they cried!--and yet every morning while I make myself a cup of Typhoo, he repeatedly attacks my legs.  He doesn't understand that I am not a play toy, especially not at 6 am.  He also doesn't understand that computers are for people to use, not for him to stretch out upon.  I can't count how many times I've had to retype things today alone because of his iron will telling him that my keyboard is his favorite napping site.  I will confess, however, that I do revel in vacuuming as it scares the hell out of him.
Now, now, let's be fair: I am not cruel to animals.  I do not antagonize them, I do not hate them.  In fact, I really like animals.  [Especially baby pandas.  Oh!, if only I could have a baby panda...]  However, Zoloft likes to wait and attack me as I walk around hallway corners.  He nests in my clean laundry.  He jumps on the counters and goes for my food.  He lies in wait outside my bedroom door, so that when I open it, I have to recall my days as a Cirque de Soliel performer to not trip myself as I maneuver around his flailing body.  That said, he hates the vacuum.  So much as that we could not find him after vacuuming the house two days ago.  His cute little collar with his bell was abandoned on the floor by the bathroom, yet all doors were closed.  He wasn't behind the cabinets or the TV, not in the washing machine (another favorite hiding spot) or under the furniture...  We stood around bewildered only to hear the tiniest of "meows."  Syd pointed to the wall behind me.  He had wedged himself behind our collection of alcoholic beverages, his head just barely peeking out.  I grabbed my camera and snapped a blurry picture or two before prying him--his claws were literally sunken into the drywall--down to ground level.  It's bad, but it made me mentally give myself a point on the "Zoloft vs Rachael" scoreboard.


In other news, Tech's Health Services has determined after much testing that I may or may not have Strep.  Thanks.  That's good to know.  So I got sent home from work early on Wednesday, spent all yesterday in bed, and was asked to not come in to work today.  Which was fine...as long as I was sleeping.  Other than that, I'm bored out of my mind and aching for some company.  I can't stare at these beige walls anymore.  I've eaten almost a whole box of cereal and had 4 cups of Typhoo and 2 cups of vanilla chai.  I'm wired, and I'm going crazy.  And I wanna curl up with Ryan.  
SIGH.
But his not being here is probably a good thing, too.  It means I have no excuse not to elaborate on my assessment of Turkey.  

Not that it needs it, of course.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

My own tiny politico

I'm far too political for my own good.  It's taken me years to master the fine art of smiling while others spew idiocy.  I can appreciate anyone's political views as long as they are logical.  I need facts.  I need to see why you believe the way that you do.  If it's merely "because it's right," or because it's how you were raised, or because that's what you see on TV...then please, even if you mirror my own stances, STFU.  I don't care if you're a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea-Partier, Green, Socialist, Marxist, or GreenPeopleFromFreakinMars Party, ...if you don't have some real reasoning skills under that cute little epidermis of yours, STFU.

Also, if you didn't get your butt out to the polls, if you didn't poke that chad or hit that touchscreen button, if you didn't vote?  You have NO RIGHT to complain.  You also have no right to smirk if your politician wins.  You gave up your right to have a say, remember?

I hate the gloating that comes with elections.
I hate the campaigning.
I hate all of it.
But I live for politics.
:)))