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Present Moment, Unusual Crisis, 77

2008-03-10T20:34:55Z

"Present moment, Unusual crisis, 77"

Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, I see these words on the wall of the stairwell as I trek up to the third floor for History of the Protestant Reformation in Germany. These words always seem to fit my mood (slightly panicked) as I walk up the stairs. I know I haven't been talking to many of you lately, but this quarter ahd been very difficult for me. I came to an all-time low around a week ago, but I have since decided to try being more positive.

Getting back to the Reformation, those of you that I have been in contact with know that I have become obsessed (in a completely non-creepy way) with my professor. He is brilliant. In every class, I want to record what he is saying, and while I have a hard time with the subject matter of the course, I have learned so much about the study of history itself. His lectures (which often give way to fantastic tangents) constantly raffirm my desire to study history. In short, Constantin Fasolt is amazing. I wish that I were braver in class, and I wish that I could think up something profound to say. I wish I could express how much I love the course and how highly I think of him. However, I generally just sit in silence, listening. The class is fairly large (around 40 students) with mainly upper-calssmen and a few grad students (I am the only first-year student) so maybe it's understandable. However, it is incredibly frustrating.

This past quarter involved a lot of frustration. Ashamedly, I had several break downs. Generally, by myself or on the phone with my mom or Emma. I can't think of any other way to put this: this school is incredibly hard. I get very frustrated here. It is very hard to be constantly surrounded by people who are either a) brilliant or b) excellent at bullshitting being brilliant. It's going to take a lot for me to label someone as pretentious after being at this school. To give you all an idea, people talk about philosophy and discrete math at dinner. I have gotten used to not having anything to say at meals. Often times, I have absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. I am beginning to be ok with this, but being around people who never shut off is very trying.

Not all of this quarter had been bad. I lucked out in my dorm and have found several friends that I love being with (who are not pretentious...though a few are what I like to call 'accessibly arrogant'). I am also increasingly proud of my ability to get around Chicago. The past two weekends I have gone out by myself and explored the city. Two weeks ago, I went all the way up to the Northside to photograph the Ba'hai Temple. It was stunning, but it took forever to get to. Also, coming back at night makes the already sketchy Red Line even more sketch. I had a near miss at my stop that caused me to run across four lanes of traffic to catch a bus (if I hadn't, I would have been waiting alone at the bus stop at night...and there were several questionable looking people nearby). Last weekend, I took my history reading downtown and read in Moonstruck cafe. I almost felt at home. Afterwards, I found my way to Trader Joe's (which also made me feel at home) and then managed to get back to the dorm before dark.

Anyways, I wanted to give you guys an update and tell you all that I miss you. I hope all of you in college are adjusting well, and that those of you who are seniors aren't slipping too badly into senioritis.

Love,

Jen

Chicago

2008-01-19T16:51:36Z

Glancing down at the temperature gadget on my computer, I happended to notice that it is ZERO degree outside. And, to give you a hint that 1) is not in Celsius and 2) doesn't account for the wind chill. Apparently, the high for this weekend is 6 degrees.

What am I doing here?

tyris33 @ 2007-05-29T19:05:00

2007-05-30T02:09:19Z

You know what would be awesome? Getting a Ph.D in Celtic/Scottish History and then being a curator.

At an amazing museum. Preferably in the UK.

Damn that would be awesome.

tyris33 @ 2007-05-25T00:00:00

2007-05-25T07:01:35Z

One more day. I still haven't comprehended the fact that the senior assembly is tomorrow.

I'm going to miss you guys.

Spring-y

2007-04-30T02:22:06Z

So...today, I shockingly bought a prom dress. I really wasn't expecting to find anything, and I thought I'd probably just have to improvise with a skirt of some sort. Also, for me, shopping is generally a depressing experience, where everything I try on doesn't fit, and I leave feeling dumpy and rather fat.

However, today was quite different. I loved the first dress I tried on. The second and third weren't bad either. I ended up with the first dress, which, unlike 3/4ths of my wardrobe is not black. It's actually white with tealish stuff on it. It's definitely the most springish clothing I've ever bought. I found matching shoes as well, which was another shock considering the selction of size 11 shoes (yes, I have giant feet) is pretty sparce.

So all in all, it was a good experience.

Oh and incidentally, I started a Don Johanson fan group on facebook....so you should all go and check it out.

The Beautiful People

2007-03-29T01:55:30Z

My fingers quiver slightly as I write this.

The sense of release and relief I get after beating up the punching bag is incredible. With the glorious sounds of Marilyn Manson blasting in my ears, I lose myself to the feel of hitting, beating the bag...putting all my anger into my movements. People often ask if I picture faces when I hit the bag; the faces of people I am angry with. Honestly, I don't. Because usually, the people I am most angry with are people I like and care for. Instead, I try to channel all of the negative emotion I've been feeling, perhaps as a result of my interactions with people, and I release that emotion through my frenzied punching, palm-striking, and kicking. Some people cry their emotions out. I choose pummeling the punching bag.

I've been incredibly frustrated for the past few weeks...actually, probably months. I am so sick of everything...I think this is what everyone was talking about when they mentioned senioritis and 'the transition to college'

Thanks for listening.

-Jen

Geeking out

2007-03-24T02:46:25Z

You scored as AMD Athlon XP Processor.

You are most like the Windows XP-friendly AMD Athlon XP processor. You are very compatible with situations and are easy to get along with. You perform when the time comes and are always solid. Enjoy the ride.

AMD Athlon XP Processor

100%

AMD Athlon64 Processor

83%

Intel Pentium 4 HT Processor

67%

Intel Xeon Processor

50%

AMD Athlon64 FX Processor

50%

Intel Celeron (D) Processor

33%

Geeking out

2007-03-24T02:46:24Z

You scored as AMD Athlon XP Processor.

AMD Athlon XP Processor

100%

AMD Athlon64 Processor

83%

Intel Pentium 4 HT Processor

67%

Intel Xeon Processor

50%

AMD Athlon64 FX Processor

50%

Intel Celeron (D) Processor

33%

I'll be on the Stairmaster

2007-03-24T00:20:24Z

I have a membership to L.A. fitness...I feel slightly tainted. I did work out there though, and I think that as long as I can block out the craptastic music, I'll be ok.

Anne, if you're reading, I love you.

You scored as Elinor Dashwood.

As Marianne's older sister, Elinor lives at the other end of the emotional spectrum. She rarely reveals her intense feelings and is more concerned with being honest and loyal than having what she deserves. Even though her intentions are pure, she sets herself up for loss by constantly placing other people before her own needs. Overall, Elinor is gentle and rational but is just as capable of radical emotions (despite her withholding them) as her sister.

Elinor Dashwood

81%

Elizabeth Bennet

72%

Jane Bennet

63%

Emma Woodhouse

63%

Charlotte Lucas

50%

Marianne Dashwood

44%

Lady Catherine

19%

tyris33 @ 2007-03-11T11:38:00

2007-03-11T18:42:04Z

Wow. Just wow.

It's days like these that I realize how un-insane everyone I come in contact with is.

If Jerry Falwell says they're nuts, then......

If you feel like being disturbed, click the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church

I love you all, and I want to thank you for your tolerance and the humor you bring to school with you every day. Life could be so much worse. If this post seems rather disjointed, it's probably because I've been out of it for the past month or so. I'm sorry for my bitchiness the past few weeks. I've been feeling really down.

Je t'aime!

Jen

tyris33 @ 2007-01-23T21:59:00

2007-01-24T06:01:23Z

I don't want to study.

Like at all.

No more.

I want to be DONE.

tyris33 @ 2007-01-17T21:07:00

2007-01-18T05:07:40Z

Actually, yes. We do in fact have a late start tomorrow,

tyris33 @ 2007-01-17T20:46:00

2007-01-18T04:46:34Z

So...Portland has a two hour late start tomorrow. Does that mean we do too?

tyris33 @ 2007-01-16T19:49:00

2007-01-17T03:51:25Z

Guess what guys?

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

As in Wednesday. As in we can all sleep in and procrastinate even more tomorrow!

Mrs. Daschel just called, and it's on the SMA website.

TAKE THAT HOMEWORK!

tyris33 @ 2007-01-16T13:58:00

2007-01-16T22:11:01Z

SNOW!!!

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46800314/?qo=2&q=by%3Atyris33+in%3Ascraps&qh=sort%3Atime

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46800418/

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46800387/?qo=1&q=by%3Atyris33+in%3Ascraps&qh=sort%3Atime

tyris33 @ 2007-01-15T16:36:00

2007-01-16T00:36:39Z

Has anyone else been exceedingly unmotivated this weekend?

tyris33 @ 2007-01-12T02:16:00

2007-01-12T10:17:34Z

Good night world.

I'm checking out and going to bed.

Research paper draft: done
AP Calc: half done
French: half done
English: Not done

Hopefully I'll remedy the latter two tomorrow.

Oh yes, and I have 36$ in library fines according to the online version. I suspect it's higher than that.

tyris33 @ 2007-01-11T23:15:00

2007-01-12T07:18:32Z

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/film.hobbit.reut/index.html

The Scores:

Peter Jackson: Infinity
Newline: Digging a hole to China

I think I'll start booing whenever their logo comes up on a film...or I could send hate mail...or I could start worrying about something more important.

In other news, I'm still working on PSU, but I'm nearly done. Then it's on to Calc and English...and it's 11:30......yay....

T.G.I. almost F.

tyris33 @ 2006-12-26T12:32:00

2006-12-26T20:48:59Z

I don't know about everyone else, but I had an awesome Christmas.
AND I beat everyone at Monopoly (no, it is not luck. It's totally skill).

Now that I had a whole day of freedom, I've started to realize how much I've missed reading. Not the crappy romance novels because those don't count. What I miss is the 'bring transported to different world' feeling I get when I read a really great book. I love sinking into a new book and becoming it for a few days, and I can't believe how long it's been since I've actually read something satisfying that isn't a school-related book (sorry, Beowulf and Lady Chatterly just don't cut it). I'm currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha, which I actually got for Christmas last year. Chris got me the movie this year, but I'm going to wait to watch it until I finish the book. I think I can actually focus better now that I'm reading...fancy that.

Things making me happy right now:

1. The amazing power of the Shuffle feature on my 'play all' feature of the computer to guess my mood.
2. The fact that my printer finished printing out that common app before running out of paper.
3. I have a sharp pencil with an eraser and pen that works (right next to me).
4. My wisdom teeth don't hurt that much anymore
5. My cold is nearly gone.
6. My family is amazing.
7. I'm just figuring out how geeky my dad was growing up--D&D, star wars, Edgar Rice Burroughs (a fairly famous sci-fi/fantasy author ho also wrote the Tarzan books...dad started showing me the different cover art yesterday), the Far Side, dilbert, etc.
8. Christmas was awesome.
9. The cats are adorable.
10. I have scrapbooks to put together (this is good and bad...it will take a lot of time, but it will be amazingly fun).

Wow, that was long.

I'm in a Lord of the Rings-y mood...I think we should definitely have a party after finals and watch all three LOTR at chez-moi. It would be tres awesome (and the couch vibrates during all the battle scenes due to the base behind it).

Sorry to people I haven't called (namely ma femme and Emma who are both out of town). I love you all!

Jen

tyris33 @ 2006-12-18T20:10:00

2006-12-19T04:12:23Z

BREAKING NEWS:

I have been accepted

to the University of Chicago!!!

AND I AM SO BLOODY EXCITED.

I would go dance, but I'm still a bit woozy from the wisdom teeth operation (and subsequent Vikadin).

tyris33 @ 2006-12-17T21:38:00

2006-12-18T05:39:34Z

I find out about U Chicago tomorrow afternoon. What kind of a vague word is 'afternoon' ??? Honestly, I'll have to haunt my inbox for hours.

I hope I get the answer by snail mail first.

The anticipation in KILLING me...this is bloody torture.

tyris33 @ 2006-12-12T20:42:00

2006-12-13T04:42:33Z

To those who have taken Health II:

Do you recommend studying for the BYU health final?
Because I am REALLY not in the mood.

tyris33 @ 2006-12-11T20:36:00

2006-12-12T04:36:50Z

What's the PSU homework? I know it starts on 191 and that we need to read Voltaire...but who are the other authors?

tyris33 @ 2006-12-07T23:43:00

2006-12-08T07:43:19Z

Questions:

1. For the topic outline...do they need to be sentences? Because as of right now, I'm listing topics/phrases., as in "Give historical background on Malleus Maleficarum" and "Adress theories" (underneath, I list the theories). Is this what he's looking for? Do we know what he's looking for?

2. What are we supposed to read in the text? I have the old version, and I'm not sure if the page numbers are correct.

mmmmm...Clark Gable

2006-11-25T08:28:30Z

Just finished watching Mutiny on the Bounty...actually, twas' surprisingly good. We watched Crash last night...wow, that movie is intense. Chris is having four friends over tomorrow night.

Please pray for me.

Jen

J'aime Clark Gable...il est tres beau.