| Grades |
[Dec. 30th, 2009|06:35 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  disappointed | ] |
Ugh! Why did I get an A- in Literacy? I got perfect scores on everything! I HATE how a grade depends on the mood of a teacher. I know it's still a good grade that won't mean anything in the long run, but I don't know what more I could have done in that class. Stupid teachers.
So this term: A, A- and B+. I deserved the B+ so no complaints. My final project was missing some requirements... Dumb move on my part. Oh well. First term GPA: 3.67. Up until I realized my project was missing stuff, I was expecting a 4.0. Don't you love how little mistakes can mess everything up?
They're good grades, but I busted my ass this semester. Somehow, I'm disappointed. |
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[Dec. 26th, 2009|12:55 pm] |
Christmas was wonderful. Only worked until 3pm on Thursday, went to the mall with Graham for last minute stocking stuffers. Wrapped presents, went to Sharon's 7pm church service then drove down to Steven's house with Agatha.
Graham's family was very, very generous this year and I feel thankful and lucky. Lots of wedding money and other useful things.
I couldn't believe how fast actual christmas day went. So many good foods, interesting conversations. Graham seemed so happy and relaxed. He adores his family, and it's kind of cute.
Where were you this time in 2000? In Mansfield. 13 years old. Nana was in the hospital. No christmas that year. Very sad.
Where are you now in 2009? At Graham's dad's house in Falmouth. Graham's asleep next to our christmas loot. It was a happy christmas with his family.
What was the number one song of 2000? Wow. I just looked up the top songs of 2000, and it blew my mind I can't believe all of those songs came out a decade ago! Ew! I feel old! Here's what the internet says:
1. Hanging By A Moment - Lifehouse
2. Fallin' - Alicia Keys
3. All For You - Janet
4. Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) - Train
5. I'm Real - Jennifer Lopez Featuring Ja Rule
6. If You're Gone - matchbox twenty
7. Let Me Blow Ya Mind - Eve Featuring Gwen Stefani
8. Thank You - Dido
9. Again - Lenny Kravitz
10. Independent Women Part I - Destiny's Child
What is the number one song in 2009? According to the internet:
1. Boom Boom Pow- BEP
2. Poker Face- Lady Gaga
3. I gotta Feeling -BEP
4. Single Ladies -Beyonce
5. I'm Yours -Jason Mraz
6. Heartless - Kanye West
7. Gives You Hell - All American Rejects
8. you Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
9. You Found Me -The Fray
10. Down -Jay Sean
Who was your crush in 2000? Oh, Fox Mulder from the X Files.
Who was your crush in 2009? Graham!
Where did you go to school in 2000? Qualters Middle School and I started my freshman year of MHS.
Do you go to school now in 2009? Lesley University. Masters in Elementary Education.
Best friend in 2000? lol, Erica might have been my only friend.
Best friend in 2009? Anne and Jess.
Car in 2000? Too young to drive.
Car in 2009? 2009 Honda Fit.
Happy memory from 2000? Um, my social studies class my freshman year of High School was interesting.
Happy memory from 2009? So many wonderful things this past year. I guess the engagement is the big thing.
Historical moment of 2000? The presidential race
Historical moment of 2009? Health care debate (These are both off the top of my head).
Favorite TV show of 2000? X Files
Favorite TV show of 2009? Glee!
Computer of 2000? Old clunky desktop
Computer of 2009? 13'' macbook |
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| Holidays - what are they without a massive amount of family drama thrown in? |
[Dec. 23rd, 2009|11:57 pm] |
Okay, I left off telling about my visit to Vermont as of yesterday morning. Now, this is where things start to get interesting (for those of you who enjoy reading about family drama stuff). Yesterday around noon I got together with Laura, one of my best friends here in Vermont, for her birthday lunch with two of her other friends. We went to am amazing little bakery/restaurant here in Vermont called Chef's Corner. Imagine delicious pastries, decadent deserts, and everything edible to die for!!
Anyway, the four of us were at the table right at the entrance to the dining area when who should arrive but my mother. She looked at me, I said, "Hi Mom" and she looked away and walked over to the table. Yes, that's right. So Christmas spirit, right? Anyway, my father then walks in and, since he's oblivious to everything, didn't realize that my mother had ignored me and didn't want to see me and exclaims, "Oh hi Ryan! Michelle, Ryan's here". She then has to acknowledge me and comes over to the table and is sickeningly sweet to all present (not saying a word to me) by talking to Laura and Laura's two friends, finding out where they were from, what they were studying, where they were living, commenting on hair, jewelery, etc. Yes, she's making such an effort to be familial, isn't she? Anyway, before they left, I went over to their table said that I would see them at counseling and that I hoped that mother's recovery was going well and that it was good to see her out and about. My father was silent (as he ALWAYS is around her because he has no backbone and my mother's replies were emotionless). At least the food was amazing and Laura, Lauren, and Amalia were great to be with. We spent three hours there and shared six desserts. WOW!!!
After seeing Laura and such, I went back to the Cook's and got packed to spend the night at Garret and Nicola's. We had a great night. They are AMAZING hosts!! We had what they called "a peasant's feast". But, let me tell you, if this was how peasants ate at night, I'd want to be one for sure!! Imagine this: a french baguette warmed and sliced, three types of cheese including a thousand day aged gouda (WOW), patte, delicious warmed, spiced wine called Glogg, salads, and great company, and all this lit by candlelight!! We chatted for hours, played card games, and watched a great movie called "Trick" and talked the night away. It was so good hanging out with friends and made my holiday. I was sorry to see the night end when I was dropped of after a late brunch. It was a perfect 18 hours.
Around 2:30pm I was picked up by my father and talked to about the family counseling that was to happen at 5:00pm. I was told about my mother's fragile state, her continued recovery from her shoulder surgery, her stress about the holidays, how a fight or argument or controversy wouldn't help anything, and just to be nice and not say anything that could be taken the wrong way. We then arrived at my grandmother's where we visited her and I played the piano for her. She always seems to love my visits so much and gets so happy during them. Then, it was off to counseling.
How did it go you ask? Try horrendous on for size and then realize that it was too nice of a descriptive word and find something else. I really did try. I wasn't sarcastic, nasty, spiteful, threw no barbs, and listened respectfully (without making faces or comments) when my mother was speaking (my father said less than 20 words during the entire hour and forty-five minutes so it was like he wasn't there).
Some of the highlights include my mother saying that she recalled when I was growing up to have been a house of happiness and yes, there were occasional problems like any normal family but once a quick discipline was done, all was restored to being the happy household and that was exactly how my siblings told her that they remembered it being. Uh huh. And that's why others have reported that neighbors were worried for us kids and grew alarmed if they hadn't seen us around for a few days and heard screaming emanating from the household on an almost daily basis. Oh, and keep in mind that our house sat on a lot that was about an acre so it wasn't like the houses were that close to each other. Another highlight of the meeting was my mother, when the counselor started to ask me for my feelings to begin to cry and say how difficult this was making her recovery and how much more stress she's been under knowing I was visiting and how it's impeding her health due to the stress and reaching for tissues. Can someone say over-dramatic a bit? Oh, and one of the best was her saying that she really saw it pointless for me to even attempt to have a relationship with my siblings since they would never, as she wouldn't, have a relationship or give me the time of day when I didn't have any of the morals or Christian values that they all held so essential in their own lives. OH, and another thing that was said was that there was no way that my siblings should be pushed to behave or go to counseling about the family issues with me or such things and that, according to my mother, would probably never want anything to do with me and that it should just be accepted.
Finally, it was stated that, with my mother's recovery, that it made no sense for me to see my siblings or talk to them tomorrow (Christmas Eve) for they were needed to cook my mother dinner and help with preparations for Christmas so it would really be too bothersome for me to do anything with anyone. I'd see them for a few hours on Christmas and that would really be more than enough. OH, and the counselor was useless. He sat there most of the time without interjecting or leading the conversation or doing much of anything to resolve or control things. I swear we could have said or done anything and he would have just sat there. And when he did talk, it was to say some suggestion that made about as much sense as having us all "dance the time warp".
Thankfully, we had two movies when I got back, pizza, and sorbet with which to help me to unwind. If it wasn't for the Cooks and my couple close friends and grandmother, I doubt that I'd ever make an effort to visit Vermont. Well, off to bed. Thankfully that lovely counseling is over. Now, if only Christmas was too!! |
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| Flights and Friends |
[Dec. 22nd, 2009|05:04 pm] |
I arrived in Vermont on the 20th after a VERY early morning. I had a flight that took off at 6:20am and, since it's an international flight, I had to be at the airport two hours early (4:20am), which meant waking up to catch the 3:30am bus which meant waking up at 2:55am. In other words, zombie Ryan arrived at the airport. There were GIGANTIC lines snaking everywhere. Thankfully, I was able to use the machines and flirt with an attendant to get into the special line and zip through really quickly. Then, unlike all the other planes that were canceled and delayed indefinitely, mine took off on time and arrived early for BOTH flights!! Perhaps it was the lack of air traffic. And the baby who was directly behind me was SILENT the whole way so I was able sleep!! YAY!! It was the most perfect luck. It all worked out.
I was met at the airport by Mr. Cook and after dropping my stuff off at their place and visiting for a bit, we headed over to the Cook family Christmas which was fun. There were two huge friendly dogs, really nice people that I've seen for a few years now, and delicious food. It was a really nice event to start off the time in Vermont. Afterward, we returned back home and I collapsed into bed after making a few calls to organize Vermont.
Yesterday, I started off the day by visiting my grandmother, having lunch with her, visiting for a while, and then giving her a piano concert. Her health has gotten a little worse as she is slower, her breathing isn't as good, and her walking isn't as smooth, but I was so glad to see her doing as well as she is. She lit up and was so happy the whole visit. She especially loved the piano concert as she was the Queen Bee for that time at the nursing home.
Michael picked me up from there and we had a great time having a snack, chatting, having pumpkin pie, catching up, and exchanging presents. I also got to meet his friend with whom he does drag. He seems to really enjoy it and just lights up when he talks about it.
That evening, I spent it with Kaylee and Noah which was fantastic!! They have two of the cutest cats that were great to play with. When Kaylee got home we went out to have Thai food which was WOW!!! I swear, Thai food (when not too spicy) has to be one of the three best types of food ever!! Then, we just had a nice relaxing night of chatting, catching up, and having an interesting but delicious drink that Kaylee dictated and Noah created.
So it was great catching up with people for the last little bit. I have to run now but will write tomorrow about today as something very unexpected and interesting happened......... |
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