So I know I've been way overdue for a new post, but its been a crazy week and a half since I last blogged. Just a few updates on things around campus:

- I didn't go see Wall-E as I originally had planned to do. Em and I went and sat down in the Donahue Cafe to watch the movie, when we looked at each other and decided that we had too much homework to do to actually stay to watch the movie... so we went home. I know, we're weird.


- Jason Mraz was AMAZING. Not sure how else to describe it. He put on a phenomenal show, and he has such a fun stage presence that you can't help but to be having a good time, even if you don't know the song he's singing. I'll admit it - I'm not a REAL Jason fan. Sure, I like his music when I hear it, but I'm one of those annoying girls who went to the show to hear the three songs I really know. Nonetheless, it was a great performance, and I'm so proud of Program Council for putting together such a fantastic show. Awesome job, everyone.

As for what else is going on in my life.... Everything is crazy, as usual. For the last week or two I've been having a slight identity crisis in terms of my "professional self"(Sorry I have a psych paper due on Erikson's psychosocial theory as it compares to Barack Obama so I'm thinking in those terms at the moment). I was thinking about grad school and getting my applications together when I asked myself, is this really what I want to do right now? The economy is terrible and its hard as a student to get loans to afford school, so would I be able to go next fall even if I wanted to?? I-being the person that I am-began to freak out and think about my other options. I am currently looking into doing City Year or another Americorps program next year. Basically, I would dedicate myself to 10-12 months of community service in an area I want to focus in and in a city I want to live in, and basically get paid just enough money to live off of. You may be wondering why in the world I'd ever want to do this, but hear me out...
- It would buy me some time to figure out exactly what kind of degree I want to get in graduate school, and give me the opportunity to learn more about jobs/programs that I don't know much about right now.
- It would look fantastic on a resume, as it shows a real dedication and passion for whatever area I'd go into (i.e. environment, education, homelessness, hunger, disaster relief, et al)
- Upon successful completion of the program you're accepted into, you get a $5000 scholarship to put towards your education, making graduate school more affordable. Some schools will even match that award for you, or offer free classes to you while you're in the program, so that helps out tremendously with the costs of a post-graduate education.
- Last but not least, I want to. I like helping people, and I think that the experience of it all is worth more than making money at the moment (Dad - Sorry for making you wince as you read this; remember, I'm young and its OK for me to be a bleeding-heart liberal! haha)
If you have any thoughts on these programs, please let me know.... Its a tough decision and I would definitely love to hear everyone's point-of-views.

Aside from being stressed about figuring out my future - YIKES - I've definitely been taking some time for myself to do things that I want to do, and it feels so nice to do so. I've been out to birthday celebrations, to friends' shows, to dinner, to my house to see my sister, to coffee/hot chocolate dates with friends... everything. For someone who doesn't usually take a lot of time to herself, I have come to realize just how badly I need these things in my life, and they've made this semester so much more bearable. My brilliant mother also contributed to making my life just that much easier, as she came up with a great Halloween costume for me: a Hippie. I know, I know, its not much of a stretch from how I usually am, but Wendy gave me some fantastic jewelry and an awesome shirt for my costume... and contributed to my everyday wardrobe as I have already started wearing everything anyways. Thanks Mom!! : )

Well, that's enough for now. Stay tuned... I'll be updating again this week! (I promise!!)