What now?

What happens when you graduate? 

~ a friend of mine keeps asking me this question. I wish I knew the exact answer. In general, the last few years have been easy to plan around. Hard, stressful, and annoying: yes, but I at least knew what was most important to me. School.

There was always school there to plan around. I knew that if my work schedule didn’t work with school, I needed to find something different. Firm was my belief that school was my first priority, everything else came second, or third, or fourth, etc. School was going to lead me to my career.

But now what?

Over this last summer I took a class that mostly focused on applying to graduate schools, and what comes next after getting a Bachelors in Behavioral Science. It was a very interesting class. I feel like it taught me a lot. Especially, surprisingly, with things that I thought I already knew about, like resumes. I learned many tips and tricks that I had never even thought about before.

However, that class left me slightly anxious when it comes to graduate school applications. I feel like there is so much to do! Like perhaps I need another 4 years just to gather up and prepare to apply!

I have known for a while that I will take a year off between graduating with my Bachelors, and attending Graduate school. This will give me time to perhaps intern somewhere, rack up some more volunteer hours, and frankly, take a break. {as I’m actually doing the whole applying process}

I feel like there should be some sort of goal list {you know I like lists… you have noticed right?}. A list of things to do on my year off, however, then I thought holy shit why would I want to make a list of things to do on my YEAR OFF? Why don’t I take it just as that, a year off?!

Perhaps the thing behind the goal list, is then maybe my life would look predictable again: I have no idea what will happen after graduation. I have no idea where I will be doing my practicum. And I have no idea if it will all work with my current job like I want it to. That’s part of the problem, {or is it a problem?} I actually enjoy my job. Most days. But it has nothing to do with social work.

Who knows. Maybe I could do both. I only work 32 hours, is that part time? It feels like more than that...  Maybe I will only be able to find a part time social work related job. Maybe I will want to travel, and jobs won’t even matter for a while. {but then where will I find the money... } There are those French internship programs that I keep looking at. There are those African humanitarian treks that I always want to go on.

I fear the unknown.

And I have a whole year to be afraid.

What are you currently afraid of?

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How?

I am sitting here at school.. waiting for my next class to start {after the previous class was cancelled, argh!} I am sitting here with my MacBook Pro. I have NO IDEA How I was able to handle and survive school before I had this fabulous tool! It is SO nice to be able to look at something during class. Perhaps I won't be as attentive.. hmmm but maybe I'll be more attentive because I'll be able to look at things as the teacher speaks, and keep much better organized notes right? Not just blog as I wait for classes to begin?

Now I just need to get better internet at home.

For sure.

My name's Nicole. And I've been a Mac for a long time, but now I'm a Macbook Pro!
 

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Less than 2 Weeks... of FREEDOM

As of yesterday, Summer semester is over.
Now I just wait, impatiently for my grades.
My Cognitive Psych class ended a few weeks ago,
and I know I got an A in that class.
So now I am just crossing my fingers for the others!

 
Since I will now have 11 days of Freedom before Fall semester starts on the 25th, I don't know what to do with myself. I have SO many things I want to do. Perhaps I will run away to Vegas for a few days. Who's in? {Yes, I'm half serious}

What do you like to do at the end of Summer?

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Can I get another weekend?

First off, I have to apologize for my lack of blogging. I could say it was because of my foodblog, but I have also slacked on that. As I mentioned here, school has been nuts. I think I have a better system this week though, hopefully, because I some of my reading - and responses to the reading, yesterday as I watched The Hills marathon (can you believe it's over?! OMG!).

But here's a recap of the last little while..

Thursday, was Ashley's birthday. I failed miserably at a present for her, and feel awful about it. What kind of sister am I? But with missing so much work when my Grandma was in the hospital, my funds were tight.

Happy 22nd Birthday Ash!!

BUT the plan was to go buy something for her on Friday - payday. Until my car broke down on the FREEWAY on the way to get her a book, that they only had at the Barnes & Noble in Sugar House. I'm super thankful this boy was in the car with me. He probably isn't. But my Tim helps calm me down when those things happen ~ perhaps because I'm trying to be the tough, calm, in control big sister. Who knows. I love this boy.

<~ Tim being a complete dork after we went and saw Toy Story 3, in 3D. He decided to take the lenses out of the glasses. Ohhh 12 yr olds ;)



.. so Ash only got her book. I am going to have to go shopping again this week, hopefully today. Maybe I should give her one thing every day this week to make up for it. Hm. What do you think Ash?


 





Saturday, my Uncle Jeff got married. That was exciting. Definitely a high after my low Friday. That's for sure. Melissa is really nice, and they have a lot of fun. I'm happy that he is happy. Weddings make me want to get married. Hmmm. 

and, Sunday... I did homework, and watched The Hills marathon. Its awesome that they're playing so many episodes. I am such a Reality TV addict lately! After The Hills marathon, I watched.. Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami. SO embarassing.


OH well. I'm lame. Guilty as charged.

Today I am feeling sick, so I'm skipping school to catch up on other stuff (blogging isn't supposed to be on the list.. ) and then heading in to work. Hopefully I start to feel better. Its just one of those stupid stress headaches / stomach aches, over stuff I can't post here - yet.

What did you guys do this weekend? Do you watch The Hills? I'm excited for the finale tomorrow - but mostly just because that means LC is coming back for the after party. I could never wrap my head around Kristen being friends with all of Lauren's peoples in Hollywood. It just didn't jive for me.

Do you watch the Kardashians? 


Happy Monday!

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School makes me need Therapy..

School last week was nuts.

NUTS!

 

.. makes me want brownies. Yes, chocolate brownies. (hint, hint)

Somewhat because I procrastinate, somewhat because I had a lot to do, and somewhat because I was also trying to work extra hours after all of the Grandma hubbub that happened the week before.

I have 2 new classes for this second session of Summer, Intro to Counseling & Psychotherapy; and a behavioral science Career & Major exploration required class. In all honesty, I kind of thought the Career class would be simple, it would involve taking personality tests, and talking about the different jobs for behavioral science majors. Ummm Nope! We have to do a Graduate school research project, and basically prepare ourselves to apply to Graduate school. Which.. is GOOD because we all (or at least a lot of us), are going to need to do that - but its hard! haha. So if you have any ideas, comments, suggestions, etc. about applying, let me know!!

My Therapy class seems interesting. I don't know that I really want to do therapy. But this class has already made me think that perhaps I could do it. We will see. We will see. My teacher's mantra is "don't have sex with your clients.." which is funny and refreshing, 'specially in Utah County!

Another side effect of my Therapy class is that its already making ME feel like I NEED to go to Therapy. Uh oh.

So that's that. School, shmuel. I'm still on track to graduate a year from now, in August 2011, everyone cross your fingers that I pass my Math class this Summer so that I can stay on track! A life riding on my fate in a math class makes me sooo nervous. That's fo' sho!

Are you going to school? What are your classes?
(or are you smarter than me and skipping Summer, as I did last year.. OH last year.. I miss thee)

If you're graduated - what was your favorite class?

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One more down, four more to go

That's right ladies, and gentlemen I will be done with school in exactly 4 semesters. Count them, 1-2-3-4.  And, just like in High School knowing that I will be done in a little over a year from now, has already given me that Senioritis bug. But! I am determined this Summer semester to stay strong, and not end it like I just ended this last one.

I don't really know what happened, but I definitely got lost in last semester. Don't get me wrong, I still pulled it out in the end, kicked some butt on my finals and really feel like I will do okay. I guess my only problem is, I could have done a lot better. However, I think that's always been my problem. Somewhere, I became okay with just getting by.

Does anyone else do that? I make excuses, excuses that have been in my psychee for so long that I don't even consciously realize I'm making them. Excuses like, well I have a job, and a lot of classes, and I don't JUST study - I have a life. Or rationalizations like "I'm not stupid, I could do better.. if I wanted to." But that's the one that I started to think about today. Why wouldn't I want to? 

In all honesty, school has never been hard for me. I have always been able to cram just before  a test, and get at least a B, usually an A. So why would I study? I know in my head, that I should study, because school isn't just about that piece of paper at the end, I'm supposed to be learning things so I can use them in 'real life' right?

So, after ending Spring semester this week with a big headache and stressful nights full of cramming, I have decided I am going to put my whole heart and soul into Summer semester. I am really going for all A's, and I'm going to do it this time. It can't be that bad, its only Summer semester, right?

Any ideas on how to get all those A's would be greatly appreciated ;)

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4 Semesters

In one year.. this is what I'll be doing..
 

Last week I registered for my Summer and Fall classes. I kind of freaked out about it, see my tweet:

ahhhh, registering for fall semester. so stressful! I just want to graduate NOW! #school

I was totally stressed about it. Because there's SO much to make sure of, and I really just don't like it. I used to think it was fun.. to register, to pick new classes, blah blah blah.. but I have a major case of Senioritis (as a Junior.. yes, history is repeating itself, I had the same problem in High School). So I realllly just want to be done! 

.. WELL after figuring it all out, I should be able to Graduate August 2011! Which has been the plan for a few years  now, either May or August 2011.. but it feels better when I can see my plan, and see that there are only 4 semesters left, and that it is truly doable. 


Love it.


For those who care.. These are my classes for Summer & Fall. 


SUMMER
MATH (huuuuuuuurl)
BESC 3100: Career Prep for Behavioral Science majors (blahh)
ENGL 2300: Shakespeare
SW 4300: Counseling & Psychotherapy
PSYCH 3420: Learning, Memory + Cognition

FALL

FRENCH 2020
PSYCH 2250: Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships
PSYCH 3010: Psychological Statistics
SW 3150: Dispute Resolution
BIO 1010: Bio-freakinnn-ology



So yay, I will get to walk next May, 2011.. if I decide to don the whole cap n gown thing. Yes. And, I will finally have my diploma in August, 2011. Yahooooooooo! 

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Frenchy Friday Douze: devoirs

Ce soir, j'ai fait un publicité pour devoirs de mon cours de francais... Voila

Maintenant, nous allons à Nice !


Apprécier votre vendredi !

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My Ollie

Ollie. Isn't he cute?

This is our life this week. Study, study, sleep, and study some more. We only have to make it until Wednesday, which just happens to be my Birthday. Yay! So this adorable picture will have to suffice as a blog post until then. THEN I have to explain news, and job announcements, and the fact that I am no longer working at The Rack! Hell yes! More to come :)

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shopping totally burns calories.. right?

the past week-ish has been fun. i went to lagoon with amanda, i love going with amanda! we have so much fun, and yes we rode the catapult again (see last year's post here, to understand, we look much more frightened last year!).

lagoon with amanda '09 pics:

worked a lot (translated to the not so fun part) and i have inventory tonight - ugh...

but the best part is all the shopping and fun things i've been able to buy..

i bought a new camera! the one i've been coveting for forever and ever and ever and ever.. its the sony cybershot d320, with 12.1 MP. yeah, its awesome, i love it. and its my favorite color, which is just an added super bonus.


i spent $90 dollars at ulta, and got myself a whole new makeup set. i love it. i bought this cool black organizer set that holds tons of difeferent colors of ulta eyeshadows, and then the bottom layer has bronzers, lip stuff, and eye liners. then i had to get the free gift, so i bought the $17.50 worth of ulta stuff (the organizer didn't count), and then got the free ulta fall gift! (complete with the awesome purple bag, i'll see if i can find a picture to show ya'll). i was excited.

free gift from Ulta, fall 09

and today i bought the necklace at my work that i have wanted for ages. its gold, so then i could never decide if i really wanted it, cuz i'm not really a gold person.. but i love it, and its fun, so i got it. yay me.

my white purse also broke :( so what did i do? bought a new one! haha. i bought a cute turquoise-ish blue roxy purse from macy's. for 20 bucks!

so what's left on the buying to-do list? well, i still have to buy a few more school books before school starts on wednesday. (speaking of which, could i order just a few more weeks of summer instead? thanks). and i really want to buy a laptop. but i'm not really sure what kind to get. i kind of want the product (red) edition of the dell inspiron laptops.. but then .... i can't decide, and i don't feel like i know enough about laptops, to make a for sure, yes yes, decision, so any feedback or advice would be super appreciated. i'm a mac girl, what can i say? i just don't have the $1,000 dollars to spend on a mac book. damn.

.. OH and a car! nicole seriously needs some new wheels. cheap ones though, so that goes the same with advice, or "car leads" .. let me know.

sigh.. i guess shopping IS a good way to end the summer, and get back to the crazy hectic school life - with an added internship to spice things up this time around, i might just fall off the blogosphere, except that's what that laptop is for, time between classes + a laptop = blogging. right? never homework. ick. bad word.

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Live United

Yes, I am a new Intern for The United Way of Utah County.

Am I excited?

Yes I am.

It's an unpaid internship, with the Help Me Grow program. Basically assisting parents over the phone, and hooking them up with different services for their family. For free. How cool is that? I have always really loved The United Way. I used to donate $50 a paycheck when I worked at the library! Yes, indeed if I did that now I would have to walk. everywhere . I love The United Way, and am super excited to get involved with them. I hope that perhaps it will not only be a great learning experience, but a great networking experience, so that it can help me be the awesome Social Worker that I know I can be. MMMMMM hmmmmmm.


Also YAY ME for checking off one of my School Goals.. (listed on the right side panel), which reads 2009/2010 Land awesome Internship(s)* :: insert giant check mark here, cause I succeeded that one.


* I plan to apply for the Ascend Internship in January, which would be an equally awesome Internship, where I would learn so much. I'm excited to be successful, tee~hee :: wink ::

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I am so Ready

This morning, I had a dream that a few of my friends, my sister, my brother, and later in a big surprise my mother, were all lost in France. I think it was probably brought on because yesterday, after hearing multiple songs en Français at my work, I realized that school is going to start in a little over a month, and I haven't studied French once since school got out in May!

After my crazy dream, where we lost my brother, and we couldn't communicate in French well enough to find him, I decided to look at my school schedule and see what I'm taking this Fall, and if its going to help me get to where I want to go with Graduating as soon as I possible can! These are the classes I'm taking in the Fall:

FRENCH 1020: Beginning French, Part 2.
POLS 2100: International Relations
SW 3500: Social Welfare Policies
PSY 3400: Abnormal Psychology
MATH: Yuck.. I should have taken this SO long ago, but kept putting off, so yahoo for starting off my first semesters, of three semesters of Math. OH boy am I excited!

Yes. I am taking 18 credits, wish me luck.

After looking at my classes, I noticed that the Spring 2010 schedule, or at least the beginnings of it, are already posted. So I looked at the classes and got excited when it was easy to put the classes I need, together, without much effort. Yay! So, after having that much luck, I decided to try and put the rest of my classes together in a few more semesters, and successfully fit it all so that I can officially apply to my program in July of next year, and then Graduate May 2011. Yay me! This means that I will be taking at least 19 credits each semester, which might make me a not so nice, stressed out person, but I am determined to finish and get going with life after a Bachelors Degree!

.. even if that just means I will just move on to Graduate school.

Now I just need to figure out super Volunteer positions or Internships to go along with school. Any ideas? I am going to look at the following and see what I decide..

• Senator Matheson's office (I know its not directly related to Social work, but its related to Nicole, and her interests.. haha)
• The IRC
• DCFS
• Adoption Agencies
• A hospital
• The Ascend Humanitarian Alliance

The only depressing part of any of this, is that I am going to have to remain poor until May 2011. Ugh. But maybe the gift of school will keep going? haha, what I mean is, last year I was super poor, so this year, I am receiving more financial aid than I have ever even dreamed of. Perhaps if I keep being poor, I can keep receiving that financial aid, and somehow figure it all out. Let's cross our fingers.

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Wilde Wisdom

• Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion ~ Oscar Wilde
• I love that quote. I posted it on Facebook and Twitter yesterday, and some people loved it along with me. I love how you can share tiny things like that, with people from all across the world. Crazy. {now I just sound old}
• I have been off of work for 3 days. So nice. I wish I didn't have to go back today, although, at least I get to make money today. Right? And I'm working with Sue, and she's normal.. so we'll be good. Its so weird though. It'll be a lot of people's last days this weekend, and Lindsey's last day was yesterday. Its going to feel so empty with out her. Its nuts.
• I have been working out on the Wii fit since April 20th, so a little over a month. I have lost ten pounds. Yay! But I still have a long way to go. Ash & I started doing the Biggest Loser Bootcamp the other day. It was hard! But it was fun, to do it together. Its a 6 week program, with three levels. You do each level for 2 weeks, 3 to 4 times a week. So, that is what we are going to try and do.
• I am also going to do the Parkinson's Walk on June 27th in SugarHouse Park. My grandma has Parkinson's, and its an awful disease, so this way I can donate to the cause, and go out for a good long needed walk. Anyone want to join me? $15. Here's a link of Parkinson's walks around the country.
  
• I went to see my Advisor at school yesterday. That was exciting. I need to take the Math placement test, I'm going to take it on Monday, so I can study all weekend. We planned out my schedule, and it looks like I'm on track. I asked her about jobs & internships, and she didn't really give me much feedback, oh well. I'm not sure what I want to do anyway. I signed up for more classes after talking to her yesterday, because I need to take Abnormal Psych sooner than I thought. But I didn't drop anything. Which, will give me 20 credits. But with me not working very much.. maybe that is the best decision for now. Kick my butt at school, and just be poor.
  
• They're doing the International Rescue Committee tutoring thing again this Summer. I am for sure doing it this time, I'm going to tell my boss today. Its only 2 hours a week every Tuesday or Thursday. I can handle that. Right?

This picture is from 2001. I look so much smaller.. Motivation.
Plus, I miss those girls.

TGIF!
{even if I do work all weekend.. }

OH and Go Lakers!

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Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum

Apparently, if you want to survive and make your name come up in blogger lights, you're not supposed to blog on the weekends. Why? Because most people have better things to do. Well, as you can see, not me. I have today off from work, which never happens - since I work in the fabulous world of retail, where Saturday is the biggest day of the week. I have next Saturday off too. Not sure how that happened, but we'll just revel in the beauty.

I am so excited that this semester of school is over! I really enjoyed some of my classes.. and really didn't enjoy others. I guess its a good sign that I enjoyed my French class, and my Social Work class. Since those are the subjects, and careers I will be continuing on in. At least I didn't hate my social work class and have to rethink this whole major, life plan, purpose thing! {again?}

At work, I am now the bra specialist -- well, this has been true for a few weeks, I just haven't published it on the blogosphere. Bra. Specialist. Ha. I wasn't even sure what to say when my manager asked me to be that. But I like it. I like the responsibility of keeping up with one whole side of our accessories department, keeping it filled in, straightened, and shopable. It makes the never ending closing nights seem just a little bit better. Always bras and panties to put back in size order. Not really sure why people can never put the bras back where they found them. That IS the purpose of the little size rings, to show were the 36A's are divided from the 36B's. Hard concept. I know.

It feels strange though, at work, because not everyone is a "specialist" and so it feels like there are some people that have been left out in the cold, so to speak. We all knew this would happen, it just feels awkward now that it has. We all started working in the department together, so I think we developed a really good healthy, comradery, that we now have to kind of build back up. We also are going to start getting "ranked" on the schedule after our 45 day reviews, which are on May 15th. So we'll see how that goes. I understand the concept, it just makes me feel bad sometimes. BUT at the same time, not everyone works as hard as everyone else, which is just how it is in life, SO I'm glad that my work is recognizing those that work harder. I just definitely want to be ranked high.

I signed up to do this blog improvement in 30 days thing-a-ma-jig, about 2 weeks ago. I haven't done even ONE of the things that it told me to do! Perhaps I should try it again. The tasks just seemed so lame. - sigh -

Last, I will leave you with a few of my favorite things. I love Anderson Cooper.. and I love BONO and George Clooney, so what was better than last night's Time 100 Interviews on AC 360?! Well, its on again tonight, and tomorrow, so if you missed it.. {Man, I should be getting paid for being a CNN promo!} BONO interviews George Clooney, and they discussed life and choices, but mostly their two awesome organizations (George's and BONO's) how they've evolved and everything. Love it.

And.. for the very end, I think this video is awesome. Its pretty cool the way our technology now serves as a political and social issue debate system. Who'd a thunk?
{psst.. they're trying to push down an awful, prejudice video that was made, called the Gathering Storm, I refuse to link to it.. but if you want to see it, search you tube}



*The post title is from a the song, The Best is yet to Come by Tony Bennett.. they play this song ALL the time at my work, and it always gets in my head.

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A giant pink inflatable mouse?

Jacques Rival, a French architect, made this contraption of a mouse and placed it in the Rhône river in Lyon, France. It is strange, yet awesome. His purpose was to inform people of the risk of floods.
{see other fun photos here}

Speaking of the French, they are a bit strange. Not really, I actually really enjoyed France when I was there a few years ago. Most of the French people were quite nice to us, they sure didn't live up to their rude snobby stereotype. The men did live up to their crazy, super forward image though. Perhaps I will tell that story another day. But man some of the French food...

Today was my last official day in my French 1010 class. Yay! We reviewed for our final a little but mostly we just ate French food. Croissants, French bread, Nutella, Éclairs.. YUM. For extra credit, our teacher wanted us to try pâté, let's just say Nicole will never try pâté again, and will never need to. Je detesté! It was like stinky salty pureed hot dogs or something. and I don't even like hot dogs. Ew. Ew. Ew. Did you know the French eat horse?

They are offering a French class this Summer, as kind of a Conversational community education class, where you don't get any credit. At first I was like, "well why would I want to do that?" but now I am thinking it might be a good idea, so I remember it and don't feel confused in August, especially since I have a different teacher next semester. Hmmm..

I do really like French, and think I am going to do the French minor. If it doesn't set me back too much. I have been playing with planning ideas for school, and am trying to get it done as soon as possible, without having a heart attack from too much school + homework while still working full time at The Rack. My adviser is having a baby in September, so I think I am going to meet with her soon, sometime this summer so that I can talk to her about plans and stuff and get everything all figured out for a year or so. I still regret never finishing school the right way. I truly should have just gone for it right after high school, continuously. But then I'm not even sure I would have gotten my degree in the right major, I truly feel that my major is what I truly want to do. I know so many people that have already gotten their degrees and now they're like like, "Crap, should've done _________" So as the French say, Autre temps, autres moeurs., translated: Other days (or times), other ways. Guess we all get to where we're going, sometime.

Ps ~ Happy 69th Birthday Al Pacino (on Friday), I love him as Michael in The Godfather. Perhaps I will watch it today to commemorate Al's birthday.

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In Her Shoes

Has anyone read In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner? I started reading it yesterday, and haven't really been able to put it down! I read over 200 pages in one sitting. Oops.



I remember wanting to see the movie, with Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz, but I never did. Now , once I am done reading it tomorrow or Saturday, I am going to have to rent the movie. Yay.

I'm still working on Three Cups of Tea but the book kind of drags. Its hard for me to fully get into. I think what he did is amazing and I love it, but I guess I'd rather not read the day-to-day minuscule details about climbing mountains, and all of the crazy details that worked against him in doing it. I don't know. I think it might just be better as a movie, not a book. I heard they might be doing that. Anyway, that's my progress on my 50 Books in 2009 Goal. I also checked out more books at the Library, since I seem to always get to school too early (amazing, right?) and need something to do, so I've been reading. These are the books that are next:

• V for Vendetta
• Aya
• Watermelon
• The Muslim next door, the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing
• The Bell Jar

The first two are Graphic Novels.. Anyone like those? I can't decide what I think. At first I was like, oh, (disappointed sounding), V for Vendetta is a graphic novel? But then I started looking at it, and I kind of like it. And Aya, is by an author from Côte D'Ivoire, which I have to do a report on, in French for my French class, so I thought it might be interesting. We will see, we will see.

Yup. :) Exciting I know.. I just realized how boring that must be to read about. Oh well, its Thursday:

This must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays.

~ Douglas Adams, British comic

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Mixed Fortunes

I have always really liked fortune cookies. I know that they can be cheesy, and I know that they are used over and over and over again at many places ~ especially where I most often go, Panda Express. But, I still like them. I think they are fun, and really, you can find meaning in the same fortune at different times, where it applies to you. Maybe its my way of getting some sort of forecast while I enjoy my Mandarin Chicken. Yum.


I've received these two fortunes in the last few months, and being a crazy that I am, have held on to them in my wallet. I really like them, maybe they're my version of Inspiration.

It has been nice the past week working at the Rack. Obviously, it is not my most favorite thing to do, and being that I have to go back to work tomorrow, and work everyday until Saturday, its not going to stay exciting for very long. However, it is nice to feel productive, and to know that my hard work will bring me some money. Because, unfortunately, I have yet to get the fortune cookie that says Plant this seed and a money tree will grow. I have merchandised some pretty awesome things at The Rack so far. I really want to buy everything . But I won't. Maybe just one or two small things. There's this cute bright green wallet that I want, that is only like $12, probably much more in my price range than the $230 Juicy Couture handbag that I covet. I should really buy more scarves, belts, and vests though, since we have to wear 3-piece outfits. Still not completely sure what that means. Guess I will find out when the store opens.

I have decided not to goto school this upcoming semester. Bummer, I know. I might be able to sign up for the one Statistics class that I need to take, but I am not sure. I really wanted to be able to get my Associates this August, but now I am thinking maybe I don't need to get the Associates, and I can just keep working towards my Bachelors. It makes more sense money wise to work full time this summer, and take more classes in the fall. We'll just have to see what exactly happens I guess. I should still be able to get my Bachelors either by December 2010, or May 2011. Which, sounds sooo far away, but one step at a time, right?*

I am slowly plodding towards my goal of reading 50 books in 2009. I just finished Holly Would Dream, by Karen Quinn, it was a fun book. The author, and the main character, are very obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. The book had something like 127 Audrey-inspired happenings. Which, was fun because I think I recognized quite a few of them, thanks to my own Audrey obsession, but even I got a little annoyed sometimes. Anyway, I felt like I needed to read a book that was going to be a light, fun read, instead of some of the harder books I have been reading. I tried to read the Poisonwood Bible, but sadly, I couldn't really get into it, it was so boring! Now I am reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I have wanted to read this for a long time, and kept almost buying it at Target, but now I finally got it from the Library. I also just heard about a book called, The Muslim next door, the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing, by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, I am going to go get this new book from the Draper Library today, and it is next on my list.

* Unless there is some Millionaire out there, reading my very entertaining blog that wants to loan me some money (although, I accept cash presents as well).

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What's YOUR OPINION?

I would like to start a new discussion-type category on my blog, where I talk about what I think... and then you tell me what you think. Heh. For this to work, obviously my readers YOU would have to really reply and tell me what you think. So let's give it a try..

As I was doing homework for my POLI SCI class last night I had to contemplate the following question:

Is the death penalty a cruel and unusual punishment?

This was my answer:

I hate this question!

I am never sure on my answer, so I'm going to just explain why I go back and forth on the issue. My initial answer is yes, it is cruel and unusual, and to me in my personal ethics I don't think it is our right to choose who lives, and who dies.

BUT at the same time, then I actually hear about certain crimes. Crimes that should be punishable by death.. because they are so heinous. Especially crimes against children. Or against masses and masses of people.. or crimes that are fully planned, and yeah. I don't know! Then I would say no, it's not that cruel and unusual, because they were cruel and unusual initially.

My last thought is that it is so expensive to keep these people that committed these awful crimes in prison. It drains the countries assets, and for what? So they can have good food and go to school for free? While I slave away at crappy retail jobs to pay for my higher education?

Yeah. It is a toss up for me.
Nicole

Sooo.. What do you think? WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

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the blahs and the Oscars

This is how I feel about Mondays...

...and the freezing rain forecast for the morning, doesn't help.

I did enjoy the Oscars though. Hugh Jackman's performance at the beginning was really good. I love his singing and dancing performances. He's so talented! He reminds me of the "good ol' day" actors of the 40's.

I was proud of Sean Penn for saying something about Proposition 8. Because, that issue, isn't really going to go away. I hope it is back on the ballot this November. What he said is true, it is one of those things, that future generations will look at our generation as the bigoted, crazy one. Much like I think of the South in the 1960's. Yuck.

I was a little sad that Brad Pitt and Benjamin Button didn't win, but I've heard that Slumdog Millionaire really deserved the Best Picture win. I'll have to see it now. I can't believe I haven't yet! It has just been one of those things on my To Do List.

All in all it was a good show. Yay Oscars. :)

Happy Monday tomorrow everyone ~ hope the weather is better where you are, seems my wish for Spring yesterday sure didn't last too long.

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The Future Needs a Big Kiss...

• Noah Wyle was on ER last night. That makes me happy. I am not happy however that the episode ended with him being on dialysis! If they kill Dr John Carter.. so help me..

• Speaking of killing doctors. Have you heard that Katherine Heigl and T R Knight have been booted off Grey's Anatomy?? Katherine Heigl's character, Izzie Stephens has been my favorite since the beginning. The rumor is that they're going to kill her off, and with the way the story line's going.. Eek! I've loved Katherine Heigl ever since her movie, My Father the Hero, and I loved her on Roswell. But, she is in a new movie, The Ugly Truth, with Gerard Butler, so maybe it'll be good.
  

• American Idol: all I have to say is: Yay. Danny. Gokey! and hallelujah Tatiana is gone. Yuck. AND I have to say, what's up with Paula's face? Her face is all weird.. all old lady, over tanned looking. Crazy. Or, maybe her makeup is just weird. I don't know.
  

• In other non TV news.. I am counting down until U2's New Album, No Line on the Horizon comes out. March 3rd. I like the new Breathe song and Moment of Surrender might be my new favorite song... You can listen to them on Myspace, click here. The title of this post comes from a line in the Get on your Boots song, that U2 performed at the Grammy's.
  

• Papa Roach also has an album coming out on March 24th. Yay! To listen to their single, Lifeline, click here. Thanks for telling me Ash! I like it. But I think scars, is my all time favorite song of theirs.
  

• They are now having a French minor at UVU. I think I might do it. We will see. We will see. Too bad I can't go on the French study abroad in Nice and Paris this summer. I am so jealous - and it really would help me get a lot more credits. Sigh. I hate money!

• I don't get to work at Macy's anymore. Not that I really wanted to.. but now I am not allowed. Ha. I got the job at Nordstrom Rack, and after they called to verify my employment with Macy's, the retarded human resources lady at Macy's called to tell me it would be a conflict of interest if I worked for both. I was going to quit anyway, but I just think it's lame. But I have issues with Macy's anyway. Yucks.

• Last but not least, Yay for the Oscars this weekend!! I am excited. I still haven't seen all the movies, so that's crappy, but I really loved Benjamin Button, and I LOVE Brad Pitt anyways, so there ya go.

Happy Friday!

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