I apologize for not posting for quite a while now. For the past two weeks I have been caught in the storm of my first grad school finals week. It was not a pleasant experience, but it's over now thank goodness. I know I made an A in two of my classes and I am hoping to find out about my third class very soon.
Now that finals are over, I can finally get in the Christmas spirit! Abby bought us our first Christmas tree (think Charlie Brown tree if more of the needles stayed on the tree) and many of the ornaments were generously supplied by Abby's aunt Peggy. We put up some some Christmas decorations including by singing jalapeno and poinsettias. Overall it's looks very festive in our little apartment.
We've also had the chance to partake in a few holiday events already this December. We went to the "Grand Ole Christmas" held by the university. There was free hot chocolate and pizza as well as indoor "ice" skating on some sort of synthetic ice. If you believe it, Ole Miss actually has a ice hockey team.
Additionally, we attended my department holiday party. We got a cool tea mug and salsa during the gift exchange! Also, the party was lots of fun with plenty of ....um...."good cheer" to go around!
Both of us are excited to get back home to spend the rest of the season with our families. We will be leaving this Friday to start the trip back via Lexington. Happy Holidays to all!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thanksgiving and Beyond
Chris has been studying hard for finals ever since we returned from the wild and wonderful West Virginia. It makes me realize how much I don't miss school. :)
Thanksgiving break was fabulous! My family spent the holiday with Chris's family in Charleston. Nancy is a brave woman for hosting all of us at her house. Props to her for throwing a very successful holiday. Chris's Aunt Lynn and grandparents were also in attendance. It was great seeing all of them as well. The highlight was watching the two sisters go at it on the Wii tennis. Supposedly I was quite a sight when playing Chris in Wii boxing.
The Friday after Turkey Day both families, Evan, and the Ziggy Dog (he was asleep most of the time, go figure) all gathered around to watch WVU kick some Pittsburgh Panther butt! Yay Mountaineers! Now the Mountaineers will play Florida State (Bobby Bowden's last FSU game) in the Gator Bowl. There may be some physical contact in the McDonald house considering both my parents are FSU Alumni.
This past weekend was fairly uneventful. As mentioned before Chris is hard at work studying therefore I mostly entertained myself. On Friday night I photographed a fraternity holiday party. One of my 3 part time jobs. I was an eventful and entertaining evening. There is nothing quite like getting paid 10 dollars an hour to take pictures of drunk co-eds all dressed in their holiday finest. Of course the evening did not end well for one young man who was arrested for throwing punches at the security guards. Yikes!
On Sunday I went and saw "Precious". Do not see this movie unless you know full well what you are getting yourself into. The movie is superb, but made me want to crawl under my seat. The based-on-a-true-story movie takes place in Harlem, NY and follows the life of 16 year old Precious Jones. Precious lives with her abusive mother and is pregnant by her father with her second child. The movie is heart wrenching but the director poignantly places comedic relief where it is necessary. The somewhat positive ending makes the movie worth seeing. It is impossible to leave this movie not appreciating all you have.
Thanksgiving break was fabulous! My family spent the holiday with Chris's family in Charleston. Nancy is a brave woman for hosting all of us at her house. Props to her for throwing a very successful holiday. Chris's Aunt Lynn and grandparents were also in attendance. It was great seeing all of them as well. The highlight was watching the two sisters go at it on the Wii tennis. Supposedly I was quite a sight when playing Chris in Wii boxing.
The Friday after Turkey Day both families, Evan, and the Ziggy Dog (he was asleep most of the time, go figure) all gathered around to watch WVU kick some Pittsburgh Panther butt! Yay Mountaineers! Now the Mountaineers will play Florida State (Bobby Bowden's last FSU game) in the Gator Bowl. There may be some physical contact in the McDonald house considering both my parents are FSU Alumni.
This past weekend was fairly uneventful. As mentioned before Chris is hard at work studying therefore I mostly entertained myself. On Friday night I photographed a fraternity holiday party. One of my 3 part time jobs. I was an eventful and entertaining evening. There is nothing quite like getting paid 10 dollars an hour to take pictures of drunk co-eds all dressed in their holiday finest. Of course the evening did not end well for one young man who was arrested for throwing punches at the security guards. Yikes!
On Sunday I went and saw "Precious". Do not see this movie unless you know full well what you are getting yourself into. The movie is superb, but made me want to crawl under my seat. The based-on-a-true-story movie takes place in Harlem, NY and follows the life of 16 year old Precious Jones. Precious lives with her abusive mother and is pregnant by her father with her second child. The movie is heart wrenching but the director poignantly places comedic relief where it is necessary. The somewhat positive ending makes the movie worth seeing. It is impossible to leave this movie not appreciating all you have.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Dam Camping Trip!
With school on Thanksgiving break for the week I finally got a chance to go camping with Abby and Ziggy. I've discovered that hiking trails in Mississippi are few and far between. Despite the fact that there is a national forest just down the road from us, it seems that there is literally no hiking in the entire thing. The whole area and most of the recreation areas in the state seem to be managed for hunting, fishing, and RV
Luckily, Abby and I discovered a couple of hiking areas in the nearby Sardis Lake area that is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Between a couple of short hiking trails and an outdoor "fitness" trail we were able to put together about 4 1/2 miles of hiking. Ziggy loved this and proceeded to run away from us to chase an animal and go for a "swim"' in a muddy swamp.
After the day of hiking, we pitched a tent in the Sleepy Bend camp ground in the Lower Lake Area. I finally used some of the cooking gear I got for graduation last Spring and we made stir fry with rice. After dinner we build a fire and roasted marshmallows. All in all it was a great first camping trip in MS!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Going to Memphis
I've been to Memphis several times in the past year, but I haven't had too many great experiences. The first time included the stress of driving to grad school interviews in a rented car. The other time was just missing getting my parents to the airport in time for a flight home. And the last time I was there, Abby and I got lost trying get back on the interstate after we had dinner.
But last Thursday when I made the trip I finally got the chance to really experience Memphis. Abby was training for her new job as a Memphis Teaching Fellows interviewer (it's an awesome gig and I recommend contacting Abby to hear more about it) and I decided to tag along with a couple of my friends Jared and Eu Gene. With 4 1/2 hours of free time until Abby was done with the training we had plenty of time to see some sites.
We started with Sun Studio. Sun Studio is probably most famous for being the first studio to record Elvis, but they actually have recorded many great artists. Just to mention a few: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and U2. Most of the artists were blues or rock fused with the country sound that permeates the South. It was a really fun tour and the tour guide happened to be from Charleston, WV!
Next we headed to Beale St. in downtown Memphis. Beale St. is to the blues what Bourbon St. is to New Orleans Jazz. There's lost of clubs and shops and the street is blocked off so that you can walk through, carrying your beer of course. We ended up at one end of Beale St. in a pool hall. It was a lot of fun to just hang out and shoot a few games with Jared and Eu Gene. It's amazing how you can go to school with someone for a few months and not get to spend much time just hanging out.
After a couple of beers at another bar, we met back up with Abby. We headed to a local resturaunt, Memphis Pizza Cafe for dinner. I had a pizza called the alternative (imagine that!) with no sauce, just the way I like it. Abby had a delicious cal-zone. Overall a great trip and a wonderful way to start the Thanksgiving break.
But last Thursday when I made the trip I finally got the chance to really experience Memphis. Abby was training for her new job as a Memphis Teaching Fellows interviewer (it's an awesome gig and I recommend contacting Abby to hear more about it) and I decided to tag along with a couple of my friends Jared and Eu Gene. With 4 1/2 hours of free time until Abby was done with the training we had plenty of time to see some sites.
We started with Sun Studio. Sun Studio is probably most famous for being the first studio to record Elvis, but they actually have recorded many great artists. Just to mention a few: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and U2. Most of the artists were blues or rock fused with the country sound that permeates the South. It was a really fun tour and the tour guide happened to be from Charleston, WV!
Next we headed to Beale St. in downtown Memphis. Beale St. is to the blues what Bourbon St. is to New Orleans Jazz. There's lost of clubs and shops and the street is blocked off so that you can walk through, carrying your beer of course. We ended up at one end of Beale St. in a pool hall. It was a lot of fun to just hang out and shoot a few games with Jared and Eu Gene. It's amazing how you can go to school with someone for a few months and not get to spend much time just hanging out.
After a couple of beers at another bar, we met back up with Abby. We headed to a local resturaunt, Memphis Pizza Cafe for dinner. I had a pizza called the alternative (imagine that!) with no sauce, just the way I like it. Abby had a delicious cal-zone. Overall a great trip and a wonderful way to start the Thanksgiving break.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Hill Country Blues
It might be hard for some of my West Virginian friends to believe this, but where I live in Mississippi is actually consider "hill country." Hills yes, mountains no. Can't wait to come home for Thanksgiving!
One great thing about living in hill country in Northern Mississippi is taking in the Hill Country Blues. Most people are more familiar with the Detla blues (if you're not you can check out Eric Clapton's Me and Mr. Johnson for a contemporary take on classic Delta blues). The hill country blues are more up beat and more fun to dance to if I do say so myself!
Abby and I got a chance to experience the local blues seen first hand last Sunday at the Foxfire Ranch in Holly Springs MS (about 1/2 hour from Oxford). Thanks to a tip from one of my professors we made it to the event that featured country cuisine, a bonfire, and some serious blues. It was great to spend the evening just relaxing with a diverse crowd and enjoying some music. Can hardly wait for next summer when the Foxfire Ranch let the blues roll again.
I didn't recognize hardly any of the music that was played that night (besides a cover of Bad Bad Leroy Brown). But with the blues it's not about specific songs or words. It's a style, a feeling, and a way of life down here. One that I hope to become more familiar with will I live in the beautiful Northern Mississippi hill country!
One great thing about living in hill country in Northern Mississippi is taking in the Hill Country Blues. Most people are more familiar with the Detla blues (if you're not you can check out Eric Clapton's Me and Mr. Johnson for a contemporary take on classic Delta blues). The hill country blues are more up beat and more fun to dance to if I do say so myself!
Abby and I got a chance to experience the local blues seen first hand last Sunday at the Foxfire Ranch in Holly Springs MS (about 1/2 hour from Oxford). Thanks to a tip from one of my professors we made it to the event that featured country cuisine, a bonfire, and some serious blues. It was great to spend the evening just relaxing with a diverse crowd and enjoying some music. Can hardly wait for next summer when the Foxfire Ranch let the blues roll again.
I didn't recognize hardly any of the music that was played that night (besides a cover of Bad Bad Leroy Brown). But with the blues it's not about specific songs or words. It's a style, a feeling, and a way of life down here. One that I hope to become more familiar with will I live in the beautiful Northern Mississippi hill country!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Ziggy Speaks!
Hey all. This is my first blog post. Abby and Chris don't usually let me use the computer, but they are eating dinner right now and they haven't noticed that I came over to the couch and started typing.
Anyway, perhaps a little background is appropriate. My name is Ziggy and I am Abby and Chris's new dog. I'm five years old I think (the time at the pound just seems to all blend together). I moved in with Abby and Chris a couple of months ago and man, this is the life!
Usually I hang out in the morning with Abby before she goes to work. If she has time we go to the park together. She tries to keep me on the leash, but she is a softy and lets me run free.
Recently Abby brought home a squeaky toy, which is pretty much the coolest thing I have ever seen. Every time it squeaks I get so excited! I could run and get it over and over and over again!
On the weekends or evenings Chris will come to the park too, which is always pretty fun. Sometimes even he will let me off the leash so we can just play around.
But in the end I'm a Momma's boy!
So, like I've been trying to say, it's a dog's life. The best any dog could have.
- Ziggy
Anyway, perhaps a little background is appropriate. My name is Ziggy and I am Abby and Chris's new dog. I'm five years old I think (the time at the pound just seems to all blend together). I moved in with Abby and Chris a couple of months ago and man, this is the life!
Usually I hang out in the morning with Abby before she goes to work. If she has time we go to the park together. She tries to keep me on the leash, but she is a softy and lets me run free.
Recently Abby brought home a squeaky toy, which is pretty much the coolest thing I have ever seen. Every time it squeaks I get so excited! I could run and get it over and over and over again!
On the weekends or evenings Chris will come to the park too, which is always pretty fun. Sometimes even he will let me off the leash so we can just play around.
But in the end I'm a Momma's boy!
So, like I've been trying to say, it's a dog's life. The best any dog could have.
- Ziggy
Monday, November 2, 2009
Trick or Treat?
This weekend Abby and I celebrated our first Halloween in Oxford. Overall, it ended up being a great weekend with plenty of celebrating, friends, and candy!
On Friday Abby and I hosted a pumpkin carving party. Unfortunately, there was a pumpkin shortage in Oxford, so although we had around 10 people come over, only three pumpkins were carved. Luckily, Abby and I had bought a pumpkin a couple of weeks early from a church in downtown Oxford. I let Abby take the lead with the carving (she has all of the artistic talent between the two of us!) Here is the result (Abby did the Witch on the left!):
On Saturday night we went our friend Lauren's house before heading over to another graduate student's house for a Halloween party. The party was awesome! It featured some great decorations, over the top costumes, and local beers on tap! I was a psychiatrist who was handing out pills (m&m's) to whoever needed them and Abby was my mental patient.
Hope everyone had a great holiday!
On Friday Abby and I hosted a pumpkin carving party. Unfortunately, there was a pumpkin shortage in Oxford, so although we had around 10 people come over, only three pumpkins were carved. Luckily, Abby and I had bought a pumpkin a couple of weeks early from a church in downtown Oxford. I let Abby take the lead with the carving (she has all of the artistic talent between the two of us!) Here is the result (Abby did the Witch on the left!):
On Saturday night we went our friend Lauren's house before heading over to another graduate student's house for a Halloween party. The party was awesome! It featured some great decorations, over the top costumes, and local beers on tap! I was a psychiatrist who was handing out pills (m&m's) to whoever needed them and Abby was my mental patient.
Hope everyone had a great holiday!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
home: [hohm] the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
I went home to Maryland this pas
t weekend. While at home I hung out with my wonderful parents and brother. I watched my brother make some solid football tackles and lacrosse plays. I must say (and he would agree) the most entertaining part about the lacrosse game was the opposing team's obnoxious parents. When I am a parent I hope to never set such a bad example. What happened to teaching your child good sportsmanship? My brother is all grown up and will be going to college in the fall. Scary! I wish we were closer but I think that will naturally happen as time goes on. This past weekend was homecoming and I had the honor of taking pictures of him and his girlfriend prior to the dance. My brother sure lucked out with Katie; she is adorable!
I also got to see one of my dearest friends from high school. Courtney!!! I miss her! I cannot believe I have known her for ten years now. Silly.
One of the best parts about being home was my Mother's fabulous cooking! On Sunday morning she cooked brunch for cousin Sandy and my Aunt and Uncle and their children. My mom cooked German pancakes and a delicious vegetarian strata. Hmmmm... It was so nice seeing everyone especially cousin Sandy. She is one of those people that simply makes you feel great by walking in the door. I have always loved her and hope to get to know her better as I get older.
Unfortunately, my dad and I did not see a movie while I was home. I think that is the first time that is happened. Whenever I come home we always go and see a movie. It is tradition. I suppose that just means we will have to see two movies the next time I am home. However, my dad and I did play scrabble. He beat me by about 200 hundred points. I guess that is what happens when you play against a librarian. Overall the trip was great and just being with my family was exactly what I needed. I am so happy my parent's house is a place I always feel welcome and want to come back to.
Maryland will always be my home but wherever Chris and Ziggy are is also my home. It is interesting how my definition of home has continually changed over the past five years. Maryland to Morgantown to Athens. While all of these places are different they are/were all considered home because of the people. The people in each place are always in my heart and have shaped me in various ways. For the next four years Oxford, MS will be my home and I am very excited to eat at all the restaurants, meet new people, and grow as a person. I hope the adventure is a good one. So far things lead me to believe it will.
(Pictures to be posted soon.)
t weekend. While at home I hung out with my wonderful parents and brother. I watched my brother make some solid football tackles and lacrosse plays. I must say (and he would agree) the most entertaining part about the lacrosse game was the opposing team's obnoxious parents. When I am a parent I hope to never set such a bad example. What happened to teaching your child good sportsmanship? My brother is all grown up and will be going to college in the fall. Scary! I wish we were closer but I think that will naturally happen as time goes on. This past weekend was homecoming and I had the honor of taking pictures of him and his girlfriend prior to the dance. My brother sure lucked out with Katie; she is adorable!I also got to see one of my dearest friends from high school. Courtney!!! I miss her! I cannot believe I have known her for ten years now. Silly.
One of the best parts about being home was my Mother's fabulous cooking! On Sunday morning she cooked brunch for cousin Sandy and my Aunt and Uncle and their children. My mom cooked German pancakes and a delicious vegetarian strata. Hmmmm... It was so nice seeing everyone especially cousin Sandy. She is one of those people that simply makes you feel great by walking in the door. I have always loved her and hope to get to know her better as I get older.
Unfortunately, my dad and I did not see a movie while I was home. I think that is the first time that is happened. Whenever I come home we always go and see a movie. It is tradition. I suppose that just means we will have to see two movies the next time I am home. However, my dad and I did play scrabble. He beat me by about 200 hundred points. I guess that is what happens when you play against a librarian. Overall the trip was great and just being with my family was exactly what I needed. I am so happy my parent's house is a place I always feel welcome and want to come back to.
Maryland will always be my home but wherever Chris and Ziggy are is also my home. It is interesting how my definition of home has continually changed over the past five years. Maryland to Morgantown to Athens. While all of these places are different they are/were all considered home because of the people. The people in each place are always in my heart and have shaped me in various ways. For the next four years Oxford, MS will be my home and I am very excited to eat at all the restaurants, meet new people, and grow as a person. I hope the adventure is a good one. So far things lead me to believe it will.
(Pictures to be posted soon.)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Music on My Mind
I have been holding back from doing a post just about music until I had some life updates to get the blog started, but now I think the time is right to babble on about some seriously good music I have been stumbling upon.
To start I have to mention the best few days of music I have ever enjoyed, All Good Music Festival. This past July I spent three days doing nothing but listening to music and hanging out with good friends. I know a lot of people who went to the festival with me would disagree about this, but my three favorite shows were Bob Weir and Ratdog, Robert Randolph and the Family Band (I caught the drum stick from the drummer after the show!), and Soldiers of Jah Army (SOJA). It was awesome getting to see one of the original Grateful Dead members and SOJA provided the festival with some much need reggae tunes.
All Good Music Festival
Recently I have been listening to some really good stuff. My favorite CD as of late has to be Phish's "Joy." It's there first CD in several years and it was great! I got to see Phish last May and they rocked! This new CD is just more in the same jam rock tradition. Really good stuff.
Phish Concert at the Post Gazette Pavilion
Another cool CD and show I caught recently was the Black Crowes. Abby and I go to see the Crowes in Oxford, at a really cool venue called The Lyric. The Lyric reminds a lot of the 9:30 club in D.C. for anyone who has been there. The Black Crowes mostly played tracks from their new CD "Before the Frost....Until the Freeze." Really good southern rock and bluegrass tinged stuff.
Well, that's enough music news for now. Get out there and listen to something you love!
To start I have to mention the best few days of music I have ever enjoyed, All Good Music Festival. This past July I spent three days doing nothing but listening to music and hanging out with good friends. I know a lot of people who went to the festival with me would disagree about this, but my three favorite shows were Bob Weir and Ratdog, Robert Randolph and the Family Band (I caught the drum stick from the drummer after the show!), and Soldiers of Jah Army (SOJA). It was awesome getting to see one of the original Grateful Dead members and SOJA provided the festival with some much need reggae tunes.
All Good Music Festival
Phish Concert at the Post Gazette Pavilion
Well, that's enough music news for now. Get out there and listen to something you love!
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Leaves That Are Green
In one of my favorite Simon & Garfunkel songs Paul Simon sings," I was 21 years when I wrote this song. I'm 22 now, but I won't be for long. Time hurries on. And the leaves that are green turn to brown." I first started listening to this song when I was about 10 and I remember thinking that one day I would actually be old enough to sing it. And now....I'm too old!
That's right. This Thursday, Oct. 15th, I turned 23. It's been my first birthday ever out of WV and I must admit it was a bit weird. Still I had a great birthday thanks to my many new friends in MS. One of my classmates even bought me a cake. And of course Abby did lots of little things to help make it a special day.
In the evening, I went out to a local Mexican restaurant with a group of new friends. There are tons around here, but we went to one called Casa Mexicana. Overall, I can't complain about margaritas, chimichangas, and cookie cake!
One thing th
at has remained constant about my birthday over the years is that it arrives about the time the weather changes every year. Even in MS, the weather has cooled off dramatically and is down to the low 50s during the day. My friends up north will say that I have nothing to complain about. That much is true. But still, even here in MS, the leaves that are green turn to brown.
That's right. This Thursday, Oct. 15th, I turned 23. It's been my first birthday ever out of WV and I must admit it was a bit weird. Still I had a great birthday thanks to my many new friends in MS. One of my classmates even bought me a cake. And of course Abby did lots of little things to help make it a special day.
In the evening, I went out to a local Mexican restaurant with a group of new friends. There are tons around here, but we went to one called Casa Mexicana. Overall, I can't complain about margaritas, chimichangas, and cookie cake!
One thing th
at has remained constant about my birthday over the years is that it arrives about the time the weather changes every year. Even in MS, the weather has cooled off dramatically and is down to the low 50s during the day. My friends up north will say that I have nothing to complain about. That much is true. But still, even here in MS, the leaves that are green turn to brown.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
3 Years and Counting...
Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary and its always nice to take a moment and reflect on occasions like this. We both laughed and agreed that we could never have imagined ending up together in MS when we first met. It's funny the winding paths you follow in life. I'm just glad that I have someone to walk beside me.
To celebrate we went out for dinner at at Greek place in town. The food was good and cheap; I had a fallafel wrap and Abby had a grilled shrimp wrap. We came home to the dozen roses and I had cleverly placed one the dining table (they were in a pilsner glass, but I couldn't find a vase big enough!). Anyway, we exchanged gifts over a glass of cheap champagne: a subscription to a music magazine, Relix, for me and a pair of purple slippers for Abby.
The night ended with us watching "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" on the couch with Ziggy. Not the most romantic movie ever, but we both enjoyed it. And I couldn't have imagined a better night.
To celebrate we went out for dinner at at Greek place in town. The food was good and cheap; I had a fallafel wrap and Abby had a grilled shrimp wrap. We came home to the dozen roses and I had cleverly placed one the dining table (they were in a pilsner glass, but I couldn't find a vase big enough!). Anyway, we exchanged gifts over a glass of cheap champagne: a subscription to a music magazine, Relix, for me and a pair of purple slippers for Abby.
The night ended with us watching "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" on the couch with Ziggy. Not the most romantic movie ever, but we both enjoyed it. And I couldn't have imagined a better night.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Grove Experience
As many of you may have heard me mention before I moved to MS, the Ole Miss football culture is a little bit different than good old Mountaineer football. I was warned when I accepted the offer at Ole Miss that jeans and t-shirts were not appropriate attire for tailgating, which occurs in a green space in the heart of campus called The Grove. With the much anticipated match up of Ole Miss vs. #4 Alabama this Saturday, I couldn't resist the chance to embrace The Grove experience.
When I arrived at The Grove yesterday morning all The Grove and surrounding areas where covered with tents and Ole Miss fans. Although, not as rabid as WVU fans, these people were certainly dedicated! Tents had to be set up the night before at around 6pm and when I showed up at 11am it looked as if most people had been tailgating for several hours.
To my surprise The Grove was not as fancy as I had expected. Although, there was a certain subset of people who were decked out in collard shirts and formal dresses, many people were dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Overall, it seemed like a good tradition, all in the name of football, of course!
Abby and I spent the morning and afternoon socializing with some of my fellow psychology students. We set our tent of right in front of the psychology building; I haven't decided if that was cool or sad. Anyway we had a great time.
We didn't have tickets to the game so we walked back home to watch the game on TV. Ole Miss lost 22-3, so we weren't too disappointed that we were watching from the comfort of our living room!
Back to the studying for me. Assessment midterm tomorrow and learning test on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
Well, I'm currently stuck waiting around for an undergraduate Ole Miss student that I am supposed to be tutoring (starting 15 minutes ago!) in statistics. While I am killing time, I thought I might as well churn out another blog update.
Currently I am pushing through what is probably the hardest week of grad school so far. Statistics test on this Wed. (got an A!), huge Assessement midterm on Monday, and then another 3 hour Learning test on Tuesday. To add to the craziness of the next week, my three year anniversary with Abby is next Tuesday and my birthday is Thursday! Plus, I am hoping to make it out to the Alabama game (or at least the tailgate) on Saturday. I guess this is par for the course for a PhD. program.
I've been reading the news while I have been sitting around and I have a few thoughts on what's going on in the world:
-Obama doesn't deserve the Nobel Peace Prize based on what he has done, but he might deserve it some day if he does what he has said he will do.
-Joe Manchin can't work up the courage to say that Marsh Fork Elementary should be moved while it sits only a few hundred yards from a coal processing plant, but he calls the EPA's review of surface mining permits "cruel and inhumane." What a joke. This guy is a disgrace to WV.
-Congress is finally trying to pass legislation that would classify crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation as hate crimes. It's only taken them 11 years since Matthew Shepherd's murder, but I guess better late than never.
Probably nobody was too interested in my thoughts about these things but I am bored and I have a computer in my hand...a dangerous combination.
Well it's been thirty minutes now and I have given up on my student. That's all for now.
-Chris
Currently I am pushing through what is probably the hardest week of grad school so far. Statistics test on this Wed. (got an A!), huge Assessement midterm on Monday, and then another 3 hour Learning test on Tuesday. To add to the craziness of the next week, my three year anniversary with Abby is next Tuesday and my birthday is Thursday! Plus, I am hoping to make it out to the Alabama game (or at least the tailgate) on Saturday. I guess this is par for the course for a PhD. program.
I've been reading the news while I have been sitting around and I have a few thoughts on what's going on in the world:
-Obama doesn't deserve the Nobel Peace Prize based on what he has done, but he might deserve it some day if he does what he has said he will do.
-Joe Manchin can't work up the courage to say that Marsh Fork Elementary should be moved while it sits only a few hundred yards from a coal processing plant, but he calls the EPA's review of surface mining permits "cruel and inhumane." What a joke. This guy is a disgrace to WV.
-Congress is finally trying to pass legislation that would classify crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation as hate crimes. It's only taken them 11 years since Matthew Shepherd's murder, but I guess better late than never.
Probably nobody was too interested in my thoughts about these things but I am bored and I have a computer in my hand...a dangerous combination.
Well it's been thirty minutes now and I have given up on my student. That's all for now.
-Chris
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Starting up, Catching up
Well, to inaugurate this blog I best start by giving everyone an update on my life here in MS. I started the clinical psychology PhD. program at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, MS this Fall. We've only been here for a short time, but it's already starting to feel like home. It's been easy for me to make friends here so far, considering I spend at least 8 hours a day with my fellow graduate students. School is crazy, but it's rewarding and I think I am learning a lot. Look out for posts concerning random psyc topics in the future.
Abby has had a more interesting path since we landed here. Although without a job when we first arrived, she kept busy volunteering on an organic farm where she was able to get a real taste of rural Mississippi living. She soon found a job with the Humane Society, although the oranization was very poorly run. This job only lasted for a few weeks, but the one good thing that came out of it was our wonderful new dog, Ziggy! But more on him later. Abby is now working for Ole Miss at the Student Athlete Academic Support Center. It's part time for now, but she is hoping to go full time in the Spring.
And now for Ziggy! He is a little guy, about 17 lbs. We think he is a Corgi/Beagle mix, but we can't be sure. He's your typical pound dog: he has a bb pellet lodged in one of his legs and he randomly walks on three legs (but he uses the one with the bb!). He was a little terrorist the first day we brought him home when he ripped up part of the carpet, but now he is our best buddy.
OK more updates to come soon, but be prepared for my random ramblings about assorted topics! Peace and love!
Chris
Abby has had a more interesting path since we landed here. Although without a job when we first arrived, she kept busy volunteering on an organic farm where she was able to get a real taste of rural Mississippi living. She soon found a job with the Humane Society, although the oranization was very poorly run. This job only lasted for a few weeks, but the one good thing that came out of it was our wonderful new dog, Ziggy! But more on him later. Abby is now working for Ole Miss at the Student Athlete Academic Support Center. It's part time for now, but she is hoping to go full time in the Spring.
And now for Ziggy! He is a little guy, about 17 lbs. We think he is a Corgi/Beagle mix, but we can't be sure. He's your typical pound dog: he has a bb pellet lodged in one of his legs and he randomly walks on three legs (but he uses the one with the bb!). He was a little terrorist the first day we brought him home when he ripped up part of the carpet, but now he is our best buddy.
OK more updates to come soon, but be prepared for my random ramblings about assorted topics! Peace and love!
Chris
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