So I haven't posted in a million years, and Jolie is keeping my sorry ass out of ghost blog territory. I admit this. Let's move on.
I am starting classes tomorrow, and I fear I will never see anyone ever, ever again. Of course, the rational side of me understands that this will not be true, but then the irrational side takes over again and says "Haha! So you're going to be a slacker and be the first person ever to fail all your classes in the graduate school of education. See!?! You didn't even remember to capitalize Graduate School of Education.
On a related topic, my house had a housewarming/going away party, depending on whose friend you were. All in all it was good times, my friends staying conveniently in one corner of the patio, so that I could find them at a moment's notice in all my social butterflying. The Nation of Me also made a very impressive 'goodbye from the doorway' maneuver, expertly deflecting any repeat hug attacks from The Republic of Mizz D. There was one unsettling moment, however. I was pulled into a conversation with two of my newer friends in which it was revealed that one does not vote because it's not worth it, and the other voted for Nader. I happen to feel slightly nauseated at both these stances. Now please, do not consume my comments page with debate over these viewpoints. The point here is that while I tried to express my own dissenting viewpoint several times, I found that my total lack of enthusiasm for debate was so overwhelming, I fairly chugged the last half of my beer, just so I could escape into the kitchen to get another one.
I'm hoping this is not my new MO, since it will be kind of hard to participate in class with no will for discussion. I can just see someone begin to argue that there is no discrimination towards girls in the classroom anymore, and suddenly I'm pouring the contents of my Nalgene bottle down the front of my shirt and excusing myself for the ladies room.
Then again, I probably won't be several cups of sangria and 1 1/2 bottles of Corona in when I'm in class. Probably. In any case, if it takes me another long while to post, it probably means I'm actually applying myself. God forbid.
Much love, Ms.D
Posted by ms*d at August 24, 2003 03:05 PMGood luck with school Erica. I know you'll do great. You're going to be a great teacher
Posted by: nuala on August 24, 2003 10:29 PMI think you'll still have time for it all. In fact I think hanging out with us will be good experience for your teaching career--we're whiny and immature and oftentimes have to go to the bathroom at innapropriate times.
Posted by: jason on August 24, 2003 10:34 PMgreat party. I actually had intended to go and mingle but was having so much fun in my little shadowy corner that I wound up spending the party there. fucking GREAT food. the food alone was worth the admission price of a hug (even though I managed to run out without paying).
Posted by: didofoot on August 25, 2003 09:09 AMit's true what jason said. i often wet myself when he walks into the room.
Posted by: michele on August 25, 2003 11:30 AMGOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
And don't worry about that whole lack of enthusiasm for debate thing. Even _I_ am experiencing it these days. I think it's just about energy conservation. We're going through changes and our lives are volatile enough on their own without debating at social functions. I think you'll be fine once you settle in.
PS - I'm super sorry for not calling you back last night. My housemates kidnapped me and forced me to consume way to much indian food. It was exhuasting.
Posted by: Jolie on August 25, 2003 01:20 PMErica & Jolie - Weird story, but one day I was surfing the internet and came across you guys...it's a small internet I guess(?!?). So, I just wanted to say 'hi' as I will prolly be checking in on the haps because it makes me feel closer to home, and if I didn't tell you about it I think I would feel too much the voyeur! Good luck with school to both of you! Think of me whenever you use chopsticks, eh?
Posted by: Melanie on August 26, 2003 02:26 AMHey Mel! Hope things are going well in Japan. Is Clinton Jarvis there yet??? Erin has been keeping me up to speed on the basics, but I forgot to ask her last time we talked.
PS - Never be worried about feeling like a voyeur with Erica and me. Exhibitionism is mostly why we got into this whole blogging thing. ;) Screw keeping up with friends. Bring on the kink!
Posted by: Jolie on August 26, 2003 07:24 AMHi Melanie! Are you guys doing the Jet program or what? Congratulations.
Posted by: jason on August 26, 2003 07:44 AM=)
Hey everyone! I will definitely say hi to the CJ for all of you - he is in the process of getting all of his shit together so he can come live with me and find a job...I've been counting down the days because it has been kind of lonely (never have I lived alone before) though there are plenty of other JETs and private teachers to hang out with. So, he is prolly going to be leaving from SFO sometime between the 5th and the 11th (I'm gunning for the 5th, while he thinks it would be great fun to fly on 9/11).
Oh yeah, and yay for kinkiness! Did you know that in Japan they can't show pubic hair in porn? Not that I've seen it, I've just heard...
Posted by: Melanie on August 26, 2003 04:49 PMit's true! in some comics and stuff they substitute animals like turtles for where a woman's vagina would be. snapping turtle. ar.
Posted by: michele on August 26, 2003 05:21 PMWhile we're sharing fun facts about Japan's sex industry: they also can't depict genetalia in sex toys. That's why vibrators from Japan are always shaped like rabbits and jellyfish and dolphins and other cutesy creatures. Neat, huh?
PS- This fact was brought to you by my roommate Jenn, Graduate Coordinator for Asian Pacific American Student Involvement and Advocacy at the University of Maryland.
Posted by: Jolie on August 26, 2003 05:23 PMOr Hello Kitty....can anyone REALLY find that erotic or arousing??
Posted by: Melanie on August 26, 2003 09:07 PMfor the people responsible for so VERY many animated tarty 10-year-olds in extremely skimpy skirts.... i'm sure there's room for arousal at hello kitty.
Posted by: dianna on August 26, 2003 10:39 PMthanks, guys, you're the greatest. and happy birthday nuala! maybe i should write that on michele's page. or kristen's. ... oh well. =)
Posted by: erica on August 27, 2003 10:17 PMMelanie? Clinton Jarvis? I'm having flashbacks here. I hadn't remember that Japan was in your future. And this is strange communicating with you through a blog belonging to others... but they've always been generous in the past.
My best wishes to all of you out starting a new phase in you academic careers. Back here on the ranch we've got people doing the hoe-down at Passages and registering for core classes... The beat goes on.
Later,
Donn
Favorite things about this post and comments stream:
1. A post about children's education inevitably turns into a discussion of the Japanese porn industry
2. Erica lies the foundation for going to class drunk--so she can teach our youth
3. Michele admits that Jason makes her pee uncontrollably
Ah, the passages hoe-down... fond memories. Acutally, I didn't really hoe-down as an incoming freshman. But I went back to passages surreptitiously as an upperclassman to make up for my youthful folly.
damn fun.
PS - Donn, you really do have to comment more often. We love it!
Posted by: Jolie on August 29, 2003 09:19 AMhi. sorry to intrude on your forum dealy here, but I was wondering if anybody knows how to get in touch with Clinton Jarvis or Melanie.
We're trying to get together a Japan chapter of the UPS alumni association. I know they are here, just don't know how to contact them.
Any help would be appreciated.