Korhhisti

Well ... I guess I'm just going to stick to publishing once a week for a while. It seems to work the best.

Only 2 weeks of classes left to go. Between now and then I have 30 pages of writing due and 4 finals. I doubt I'll miss this aspect of school after graduation in December.

But as for life this last week -- things were actually great. My longtime best friend Clare came up for a visit last week, and I got to spend more time with her in those 2 days than I have in the last several years. I also got the chance to introduce her to my closest friends here, which was really great. Saturday things began to sour slightly as a sinus infection began to fester, and by the time Clare left Sunday I was a sniffling mess. Sunday night I had the joy of staying up until 7A thanks to my rapidly closing nasal passages (Aaron, bless his heart, managed to wake up occasionally, mumble, "How are you feeling" and then went back to sleep. At least he tried.) Yesterday I gave in and went to UHS, who confirmed that I did indeed have a sinus infection (genius) and prescribed ridiculously expensive medication. Not only that, but it has the charming side effects of constant nausea and a metallic taste that won't go away. So my sinuses are clearing up but I've been ill all day. Sigh. Things can only get better from here, right?
2:25 PM

Happy Birthday Mike!!:)
10:55 AM

Happy Birthday Ryan Boda!!!!!!!!!

That had to be said first. Ryan is one of my favorite people and the only the man I have had the pleasure to meet and become close friends whilst he was wearing drag (for a show.) Ryan still has the best legs I've ever seen, hands down.:)

As for the rest of my week, it's been incredibly busy. Katie and my roommate Alyssa threw me a surprise bridal shower this weekend, which was amazing. A bunch of girls came over and we played games and drank wine and opened gifts ... it was really fantastic, for several reasons. One, I've never really thought of myself as having many girlfriends. The fact that 20 of them showed up Saturday disproved that notion. And it kind of made everything real. We spent a great deal of the night (as often occurs at bridal showers) talking about my relationship with Aaron J, how he proposed, wedding plans, etc. It made everything so much more concrete! And that feels really good. We're only just over 4 months away from the big day, but everything feels right now. I can't wait -- it's going to be one hell of a party. And that spending the rest of my life thing with Aaron is pretty cool too:)

Otherwise things are well. I found out last Friday that I could graduate in December and save my family around $15,000, so I'm taking them up on that option and graduating a term early. Scary stuff, huh. There are only 3 weeks of classes left, and I think I'm ready for summer to come. Of course, it's snowing outside, but we'll ignore that and think happy thoughts. Right?

7:29 PM

Well, a week has gone by (Sorry ... again) and things have gotten better. I was suitably raked over the coals during last Wednesday's class, and I think things are slightly less tense now that Leigh has seen me squirm. After that, I had a long meeting with a GEO organiser Friday, during which he offered to file a complaint. "GEO will fight for you, Aaron." NOOOOOOOO! At this point I want to just forget about the whole thing. What drama!

On a much more cheerful note, my Dad came up and spent last weekend with me. It was so good to see him. We all went to dinner Saturday night and watched a movie, and the next day while Katie worked Dad and I just wandered around Ann Arbor and talked. It was so interesting to hear about his life -- my Dad has this amazing way of imbuing the simplest statements with innate wisdom. The most important thing we talked about was me dropping my second major -- my Theatre major -- and graduating a term early. I would only be 2 classes shy of graduating with that major, but is it really worth over $10,000 to get a cerificate for a major that I will never professionally use? I've had some amazing experiences, and I don't know if I need to pay the extra money to have them officially noted on my record. So I've got a meeting this afternoon with a Psych advisor and one Friday with my academic advisor to determine the liklihood that I could finish next December. I'd still stay in Ann Arbor after that, although I've recently been invited on a 2 month back-packing trip to Europe then which would be amazing. W e shall see ...

Only 3 and a half weeks of classes left -- unbelievable, huh? And only 4 and a half months until the wedding. AND today is the first day of Spring. Not bad.

p.s. Check out Aaron (The Boy)'s sight. He had quite an adventure yesterday ....

11:59 AM

Yesterday was such a mess. I decided to picket with the GSIs as they continuing bargaining for a harrassment clause in their contract, mandatory training, child care, etc. Being the good student I am, I emailed all of my profs to let them know I wouldn't be attending class yesterday and to ask if I could attend office hours this week. 3 of them had no problem with it. Unfortunately my Theatre History Prof. was actually on the University's Bargaining Team during the last strike in 1998. So my reason didn't go over well at all. We've been dialoguing since yesterday, and finally he asked if I'd say a few words about why I picketed yesterday in class tomorrow. Outstanding. Why do I think as soon as I begin discuussing my position I'm going to be a sitting duck for Prof. Wood's commentary on the situation. I feel like I will be swallowing my tongue as well as my pride tomorrow. God, what a week.
3:10 PM

KATIE GOT THE JOB!!!!!!! My sister (if she chooses to accept this mission) will be working with an ABC affiliate in New York City this summer, doing exactly what she's always said would be her dream job (namely Communications and Research for History Channel, Biography, etc). CONGRATULATIONS KATIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:01 PM

I just spoke to my mother -- the quartet is confirmed for the ceremony, and my first dress alteration is scheduled. Why am I so excited about this?

Also, my friend Joel reminded me today that there is just 5 weeks until the end of the semester. 5 weeks until my junior yr is over and I'm a Senior. Just barely over a month. Where did this yr go? If someone told me that it was October, I would believe them (esp since the month September has been in the headlines since then). Oh well -- only a few more weeks then I'm free -- free!!! Free ... to continue research and find a summer job ...

On a more cheerful note, the beer is doing some crazy things. It looks like something rotting, which Aaron J has informed me is the "fermentation" process and is perfectly normal. I don't know ... between the constant burping sounds emanating from that part of the kitchen to the almost solid top layer, I'm a little nervous. On the other hand, Aaron's promised me that we can make wine next. A small, but important, victory.

12:59 PM

I read Sarah Adam' blog about why she chose not to have a wedding, and at times (esp the last couple of weeks) I can definitely see her point. But I do want to say that planning this wedding has brought me infinitely closer to my mother and to Aaron's mom, and even through the hard parts I know that I'm helping to plan something beautiful, something that I can look back on when times get rough. On this one day all of the people closest to me will be in one room to celebrate my union with someone I love with all of my heart. I know that weddings are not always necessary (Sarah and Mike are by far one of the happiest couples I've ever had the pleasure to know), but it's important to note that despite our bitching, this is going to be a very special event. The end result will outweigh the unpleasantness experienced thus far. Things will work out for the best.
6:53 PM