These r the thoughts

And I"m wicked excited. I leave 3 weeks from yesterday. Wow. Super Nervous though, and I need to start learning things. It was a tough week this week, I decided it was a culmination of the winter blues, getting over a cold, anxiety, missing drew, and laziness, pretty much in that order. Yeah, Drew was here, and it was amazing, he's amazing, and I miss him. But i'm sure for those of you that actually read this that is quite enough detail and i'll stop.

Last night i decided to pull myself up and get some determination ("grow some", if you will).  So the things I am going to do today are go to the gym (on of the few things i actually did this week), spend at least an hour a day from now on studying Chinese, make a list of all the prep/backed up work I have to do/start working on it, and stay healthy. The last one sounds kinda silly, of course I should stay healthy!! Brian came home with this cold and the remnants are still in my nasal passage.

Oh yeah, i need to clean out my inbox and switch things over to gmail for good. Lots to do... Let's get going

And of course, spend the evening with kickass people (Jessica, I know you read this that means you) :-)

Til next time,
Kate

p.s. I'm going to keep a journal of some sort while in Beijing, probably a written but hopefully also a blog, I will do my best to use this one. :)

So. Next Semester  I will officially be studying in Beijing. Yup, China. I am soooooo excited!!

   Canada with the OLs was SO MUCH FUN! A little expensive, but so so so worth it! I have lots of stories, but suffice to say, a wonderful time!

Love,
Kate

so, today at work was kind of blah. Balch and I were going to go to some random burrito place in collegetown, picked up matt along the way, but it was closed, so we went to taste of thai, my favorite, and ended up having a nice dinner. After dinner, there was a parade going on for the ithaca festival. granted it wasn't the corn festival, but it was a fabulous (and long!) parade full of hippies, dogs, circus people, and the dancing Volvos (yes, as in the car).

Then the clouds started to roll in. We stuck around. It started to pour. We stuck around, and quite a few other people did as well. We finally headed back and even though we were totally soaking wet it was still a great time!

We got back, i changed, and matt and I were watching a movie when Chris comes in with a birthday cake!! He's going home for the weekend so he came in with kendra and everyone sang to me. It was so nice and unexpected! such a sweetie. :)

so, today was a pretty wonderful day. it's days like today that are going to make this summer the best one ever. I love you all. :)

kate

ps tomorrow (today!) is not only alanis morissette's birthday but also national chipotle day!! I am unable to celebrate, if you can, please do so in my stead!!!!

On monday I realized I won't be working outside all summer. This further enhances my want of a career that allows me to work outside. I know that it'll still be a good summer, but for the last six summers I have spent the better part outside, working or hanging out. Even when I worked at quiznos during the summer, there were only a few times that i worked during the day. Those days even I longed to be outside. I guess i have to make the most of the time that I am not working.

I was home this week. It was a good week. I did everything that I did last summer this week, which is mostly the reason why I am not spending another summer in NR. I love the town and the people, my family and friends, but there's something missing. I think i've found the fill to that void in Ithaca. It's really my new home. I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

I wish I could take my favorite parts of north ridgeville and Ithaca and put them together. Ah If only.... that would be sublime...

I knew this was going to happen. I knew it last semester when I had a busy year that turned into a shitty year that turned into a busy year that seemed like it was going to take forever. I knew that when the end of the year came I was going to be blown away at how fast it passed by.

This year was hell in almost every was possible. I could have been a lot worse too, and I am aware of that, which is part of what for me through the year. But 'getting through' is what caused all of this. Last semester somewhere after midterms I clicked in to "just make it through" mode. Not the greatest idea. Bu now I have almost made it through and I'm like shit! I'm almost a junior. 2 years until I have to be in the real world! That scares me. That scares me more than the year itself.

This summer is going to be awesome. I wish I had a bit more than a week at home, but it was either a week or 2 months. I took the week. A couple people have said they'll visit me, I think that'd be sooo amazing.

I walked outside today and the buds on the trees have finally opened. It is starting to be truly beautiful.

here's hoping for a good summer...

first. thank you chris, again, and always.

second, I got one of those feelings you get after you read a really good book, except it was after I watched The Prestige. I can't remember having that feeling about a movie in a long time, if at all. It was fantastic. I won't ruin it for anyone, but I was happy that I didn't figure things out. Magic does that to me.  I think that because I know in my mind (maybe not know, but am pretty convinced) that the things i read in books can't really happen, it feels so good when I believe that they can, or imagine that they do. that's what magic does to me, even the simplest of tricks. perhaps that's why I am easily amused much of the time. Sometimes life is so complex, that it's the simplest things that are the most amazing.

So I go back to school on thursday. One of the reasons that I signed up for Polar Plunge was so that I could go back early, forseeing that I wouldn't want to stay here any longer. Now that I've been hom for 3 weeks though, it's been nice, i have gotten to see lots of friends and family, kept relatively busy but also had a nice break. It has been very refreshing, and very..... recuperative. I'm not sure if that's the right word, but it sure has been a nice escape from how insane the semester was - on ALL fronts, and combined with the nice break the fact that I have to go back to school and face some of the things I left there worries me. Much the same feeling I had about being home for 4 weeks, so hopefully things will turn out fine just as they did here. In fact, I know I'll be happy to be back as soon as I get there, I love being in Ithaca, even if it's a little rough sometimes. bah, ok, now i'm starting to ramble, i do miss school, and will be happy to be back to everyone I miss. :)
love,
kate

It's put me in this strangely ethereal mood. I suppose strange is the incorrect term, because I always feel this way after I have sated the hunger which gnaws at me during the time I read a good book. And good it was. I truly need something to feed my imagination and wonder for some time, and a good fantasy book did just the job. If you know the feeling which I describe, I am happy for you, others, please keep reading, it will come and when it does you will be the most fulfilled you have ever been. I think that in all my life, nothing has ever fulfilled me as good books do. nothing. ever. I've tried to find other things yes, and have been deeply hurt for it. However my hurt has not come without understanding, and so I will keep trying, because a book cannot completely fulfill me. I am ok with that. Books do so much for so many people, I cannot ask them to do something they cannot.

Happy 2007. My party was super fun, thanks y'all for coming. Pictures are up on facebook, i will hopefully eventually put them up on shutterfly and a corresponding link here or in my AIM profile. There was a chocolate fountain, confetti, apples to apples, fake bubbly, and lots of my most favoritist people in the world. Of course now that it's over and nearly everyone is going back to school what shall I do? I can only bug alex and Jessica so much before they start getting tired of me. :P

I think i'm going to get a Wii. I almost have the money to get one comfortably, i think it'd be worth it.

Windsor trip tomorrow with mike and tommyboy, Anyone else want to come? Nickel Slots get ready for Kate Ulicky!!!!!

I has this dream that i remember and don't want to forget. I was on campus, with a few people I know and we were all falling from a very high place somewhere. Everyone else hit the ground and rolled, i hit the ground running, thinking if i ran then rolled my fall would be easier. It was somewhere near the garden apartments. I had to stop running sooner than I thought though because there was a pretty steep drop off just ahead. One of my friends had somehow seen this, caught up to me, and helped me slow down my great momentum. right before i hit the ground i saw a mark on my hand and my hip. When I fell that's where it hurt the most. My hip not as muh as my hand, where there was a bone sticking out.We all just we back to someone's room though (that wasn't anything like a dorm room, it was a hall of 12 guys dressing up as different identities), and my room was past theirs.I sat for awhile and the pain started to get worse. I started moaning and whatnot aloud, because of the pain, and then I woke up and i was groaning. weird dream...

Break Was Good. It was actually a break too. I didn't work, or stress, which was a nice change of pace, since it's been about forever since that has happened it seems like. I can't remember the last time that I didn't do much of anything and didn't feel a bit anxious to do something. I finished my afghan finally this week, and i'm proud of it. I'm glad i didn't bring any other needlework home too, because I would have started doing something, and i just didn't need to.
I started reading a book called 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' that bro gave me, it's good. the first quarter was about corn. :D It's about so much more than corn though, grass too, and forests. :) it's a good politically liberal inclined book i recommend!
Thanksgiving itself was pretty good. Time spent at the Ulicky grandparents went quick but pleasantly, and then I beat my dad 2/3 at scrabble at the Lawell's. I am still getting used to that things like just me and my dad are going to my mum's parents' house, but if they're okay with it i can be too.
I had big plans to go to both targets and most area quiznos to try for a job over winter break. As of yet i've applied at 1 target. who wants to hire me for 4 weeks after the holiday season? yeah. right. maybe i'll hit up the other target and quiznos in avon tomorrow. maybe.
I'm a math major. :) A TI-89 is at the top of my christmas list, and though even my nerdy dad laughed at me, i'm happy about it.
My stomach thing? I have an appointment. I'm thinking it could be gluten allergy, i hope not though. I love cake. does chocolate have gluten in it?

that's it.

Love,
Kate

fall 05- 300ish
Spring 06 - 230ish
I can live with that

Fall 06 books, $515, art supplies $200, another $100 later this semester, total $815

gross.

and lots of people I have talked to are in a similar state of poorness.

:(

i'm super glad i have a job this semester

kate

whew, so. I'm at school, here's what's happened/is happening...

Sunday, My sister drops me off and speeds back home, we stopped at collegetown bagels by the commons, it was alright. I came up, called Chris, and walked out onto the balcony (3rd floor) to be outside and talk. I go to open the door, and it's locked. I'm still on the phone with him, my key won't work in the lock, so he looks up a number for me to call. No one is on the line. I call Mags, haven't talked to her all summer, so we caught up, and then she said she'd call kara to get mallory's number. Mallory works for reslife, i had gotten my key from her, but didn't have her number. in the meantime, blagoy walks by, doesn't remember who i am, but i call out to him and drop me keys down to him. he comes and lets me in as maggie is calling back to say she couldn't get mal's number. mags and blagoy chat for a bit on my phone, and i'm back in my room.
what a day :).
oh yeah, SLC trainging started.
Yesterday was lots of teambuilders, and today was mostly tours. Perhaps next post will be to explain exactly what i do, but at the moment it's time for dinner. until next time.
yours.
kate.

perhaps not cruel.
disappointing
heartbreaking
horrible
the worst ever

perhaps i'm being a bit dramatic, we'll just stick with this summer has left me with many downs, treasuring the ups. I've made a lot of choices I would like to not make again. I will not name the downs, you may ask me if you really wish to and i may name a few. the ups however, make me smile, and they are

Alex, my best friend and the nicest guy I know, and our list of things we didn't quite finish, i could go on, and i think I will. From red lobster to mally's to the motorcycle ride, passing out to cheech and chong, the cheesecake factory, and bowling and mini golfing, we didn't get those last two.
Jessica, my best friend and the strongest person I know
Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell, thank you Chris
Matt Wilson, the biggest hug I've ever had when I most needed it
Tommyboy, you make me smile.
the corn festival, the best one ever.


that's the list. of things this summer that made me smile, a lot. There are other things that I enjoyed doing this summer, but in 4 months... it's too short a list.

Sunday cannot come too soon.
Yours
Kate

...was the best I've ever been to. the weather was B A utiful. I worked from grounds open to grounds close every day, today i'm still tired from it, but it was fantastic. I saw lots of people I haven't see this summer and probably won't see again. it was nice, to get that chance. as we were leaving on friday night I caught a glimpse even of a few fireworks. fireworks amaze me. they always have and they always will.

and i think i'm lactose intolerant. However, i'd rather be sick for the rest of my life than give up cheese.

Saw an "ithaca is gorges" shirt on the today show.

school on sunday.

There are lots of spoons in my dishwasher right now
from ice cream, the pints that I bought many nights after a tough evening of work.
coffee, stirring in a bit of milk to take the heat off.
peanut butter, a jar of peanut butter is my best friend
soup, even on a warm day, makes you feel good inside.
lemonade, stirring up some coolness on a hot day.
cereal, a delicate balance of milk and grain

there are lots of spoons in my dishwasher

soooo this summer sure has been interesting, and one hell of a roller coaster.
I couldn't find a job in baltimore, so I came back to quiznos and to pick corn in NR. I love sweet's, they're so good to me, and it's an amazing job.
Last night at quiznos however, I left a note that said 'Janice, I'm sorry that my best was never good enough for you. I won't be coming in Friday, Sunday, or next week. I'll be in a week from monday to turn in my uniform and pick up my last check."
she called today and said if i didn't turn in my key by 10 tonight they'd press charges. which is dumb, i was planning on turning it in without trouble, i want as little to do with that place as possible. so i dropped it off just now.
so there's a down.
up. me getting the job in the CSLI for the school year.
down. me being sick for 3 months now. i'm going to a specialist on the 16th.
up and down. long distance relationship. ask for details.
up. being able to see my friends around here since I didn't go to Baltimore.

so yeah... i can't wait until school starts.

love.
kate

well, i'll try to keep it to the point. Last week was the beach in North Carolina, it was fun to see th efam again, and of course to spend a week soaking up the sand (and salt). Jenni and I went bike riding on the first day.... beware bike rides on the beach, they're hard. really hard. in general a great week, but not as absolutely fantastic as last summer. Last summer, not just the beach (though it too was the best ever, for many reasons) was the most memorable fun summer i've ever had.
I could've made a ton of better choices this summer concerning employment and location and mentality and health (my tummy still is bothering me, but i've decided to take it on mentally). I keep waiting for school to start, less than a month. And it just got longer to bear. :( you know why.
Corn is alright. it's so sad. there's plenty of corn to go around but not enough people that want it.
back to quiznos tomorrow.
alex's party on saturday
is it august 20th yet?

So I'm addicted to food. predominantly chocolate. and I have no interest in stopping myself. I love chocolate. It's soooooo good
that's all i have to say about that

work is going alright. knock on wood. selling corn is boring, but I'm trying to keep my hours on the small side of things this summer. and once vacay is over i'm only going to work a few days a week, and none when matt visits. :) that'll be fun

I wish I could sing. I've written a few songs and figured out a melody line at least for two of them and in my head i know what i want everything to sound like. But my piano and guitar skills are severely lacking (especially considering my lack of guitar). it's frustrating.

alex made me a patio bonfire pit thing. it's pretty sweet. so tomorrow i look for wood in the trees behind my house. the first fire might have to wait for when i come back. as it is, you're invited. :)

done rambling, good night