As of Sunday, I have less than one month till the big movin' day. I am nervous and excited! Every now and then I wake up in a panic; there's nothing specific that I'm concerned about. More than likely, it's just the overwhelming fear of starting a new chapter in my life. Also, this will be the first time in almost 23 years that I will be more than a couple hours away from my mother for an extended period of time (excluding my summer in Europe, which I do not count because I always knew I was returning home). This time, I will not be returning to Mandeville in a couple months. This move, likely, is permanent. It's more than a little frightening!
Also, everyday my move and life in Boston gets more and more real. I received my schedule this week, as well as my "bill". Seeing the classes that I will be taking as well as how much I owe them makes everything more realistic and palpable. It's like all of a sudden I realized this is really happening (as if it was pretend before, I know).
In unrelated news, I am going to learn to knit. I really need a hobby, and since I have been told by my lovely boyfriend, John, that shopping is NOT a hobby, I've picked knitting. I have a few reasons: 1) It's cheap(er), in comparison to other hobbies I dabble in, such as scrap booking, 2) I can make my own scarves and hats for the cold winters, which makes it economical, 3) My noni can teach me, making it a Grandmother-Granddaughter bonding experience. So, basically: I get to make things, and John has to wear them. Everybody wins!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Macintosh Experience
Anyone who knows me knows how badly I've wanted a Mac. Ever since I got to LSU and saw all the shiny apple computers scattered across campus, I've desired one over my silly Dell laptop. I felt inferior. I felt less tech savvy. I felt nerdy. I know this is ridiculous, but again, anyone who knows me knows my desire to have what everyone else has. It may be one of my greatest personality flaws, but I don't really care.
I knew I was going to make bank in graduation money. I also had a good excuse as my inferior Dell has been slowly and surely dying since last year. I decided that now was the time to leap onto the Mac bandwagon. I wrestled with the pros and cons of the varied Macs available, and eventually decided (after the new line with the price cuts was released; I am also cheap) that the 13 inch MacBook Pro was the right Mac for me.
I ordered it on June 11 along with an iPod touch (I took advantage of the student discount which not only knocked off $100 from the Mac price, but also offered a free iPod touch* *restrictions applied). I also paid $15 for two day shipping, because I knew that I would be going out of town, and I wanted to make sure I would be around when it arrived.
On June 13th, I recieved an email from Apple saying that my Mac had been shipped. "Oh joyous day!" I exclaimed. Apple ships through FedEx, so I was provided with a tracking number. My Mac's estimated delivery was June 18, 2009. "OK, that's fine. A little longer than two days, but whatever, it will be here before I leave." I thought. Oh, little did I know that God had different ideas.
For ease of reading, I have provided a timeline:
Jun 13, 2009 12:09 PM: Picked up in Shanghai, China. It was picked up after FedEx cut off, which apparently means it has to sit around while FedEx employees are unproductive.
Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM: Left FedEx origin facility. Allegedly.
Jun 16, 2009 9:51 PM: In transit. Three days AFTER FedEx reported it as hightailing it out of China, it was moving. Somewhere. Now, granted, one of the days was Sunday, but I digress.
Jun 16, 2009 2:34 PM: Arrived in Anchorage, AK. Where it proceeded to sit around while FedEx employees twiddled their thumbs or watched sindicated tv sitcom re-runs, I'm sure.
Jun 16, 2009 2:51 PM: In transit. At this point I thought it had left Alaska. I was wrong.
Jun 17, 2009 8:12 PM: Int'l shipping release. IT WAS IN CUSTOMS FOR 5 HOURS. OH MY GOD.
Jun 17, 2009 4:00 PM: In effing transit. Probably being used as a soccer ball, or something.
Jun 17, 2009 5:01 PM: Departed Anchorage. Well, it's about time.
Jun 18, 2009 2:09 AM: Arrived in Indianapolis, one of my least favorite cities, even though I've never been there.
Jun 18, 2009 4:53 AM: In transit. At this point, we (and by we I mean my dad) called the FedEx customer support people, who basically gave us the finger and said it wouldn't arrive until tomorrow even though I PAID EXTRA for two day shipping because, get this, a volcanic eruption in China had caused their freight to be delayed. A volcanic eruption. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? God, why do you hate me? We end up moving it's delivery date to Monday, when we will be home. Screw them, too.
Jun 18, 2009 4:53 AM: Leaves Indianapolis.
Jun 18, 2009 11:10 PM: Arrives in Memphis. Good for it.
Jun 19, 2009 3:18 AM: Leaves Memphis.
Jun 19, 2009 4:08 AM: The Mac is officially instate.
Jun 19, 2009 7:35 AM: In Covington.
Jun 22, 2009 8:45 AM: DELIVERED. Victory is mine!
Granted, they probably would have had it to me on Friday, which only put it about a day behind schedule (their schedule, not mine; it was never on time according to my schedule). But it's the principle of the matter. Oh well. At least I have it now. It arrived well traveled, at least.
And in case you care, it is everything I ever imagined it would be and more.
I knew I was going to make bank in graduation money. I also had a good excuse as my inferior Dell has been slowly and surely dying since last year. I decided that now was the time to leap onto the Mac bandwagon. I wrestled with the pros and cons of the varied Macs available, and eventually decided (after the new line with the price cuts was released; I am also cheap) that the 13 inch MacBook Pro was the right Mac for me.
I ordered it on June 11 along with an iPod touch (I took advantage of the student discount which not only knocked off $100 from the Mac price, but also offered a free iPod touch* *restrictions applied). I also paid $15 for two day shipping, because I knew that I would be going out of town, and I wanted to make sure I would be around when it arrived.
On June 13th, I recieved an email from Apple saying that my Mac had been shipped. "Oh joyous day!" I exclaimed. Apple ships through FedEx, so I was provided with a tracking number. My Mac's estimated delivery was June 18, 2009. "OK, that's fine. A little longer than two days, but whatever, it will be here before I leave." I thought. Oh, little did I know that God had different ideas.
For ease of reading, I have provided a timeline:
Jun 13, 2009 12:09 PM: Picked up in Shanghai, China. It was picked up after FedEx cut off, which apparently means it has to sit around while FedEx employees are unproductive.
Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM: Left FedEx origin facility. Allegedly.
Jun 16, 2009 9:51 PM: In transit. Three days AFTER FedEx reported it as hightailing it out of China, it was moving. Somewhere. Now, granted, one of the days was Sunday, but I digress.
Jun 16, 2009 2:34 PM: Arrived in Anchorage, AK. Where it proceeded to sit around while FedEx employees twiddled their thumbs or watched sindicated tv sitcom re-runs, I'm sure.
Jun 16, 2009 2:51 PM: In transit. At this point I thought it had left Alaska. I was wrong.
Jun 17, 2009 8:12 PM: Int'l shipping release. IT WAS IN CUSTOMS FOR 5 HOURS. OH MY GOD.
Jun 17, 2009 4:00 PM: In effing transit. Probably being used as a soccer ball, or something.
Jun 17, 2009 5:01 PM: Departed Anchorage. Well, it's about time.
Jun 18, 2009 2:09 AM: Arrived in Indianapolis, one of my least favorite cities, even though I've never been there.
Jun 18, 2009 4:53 AM: In transit. At this point, we (and by we I mean my dad) called the FedEx customer support people, who basically gave us the finger and said it wouldn't arrive until tomorrow even though I PAID EXTRA for two day shipping because, get this, a volcanic eruption in China had caused their freight to be delayed. A volcanic eruption. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? God, why do you hate me? We end up moving it's delivery date to Monday, when we will be home. Screw them, too.
Jun 18, 2009 4:53 AM: Leaves Indianapolis.
Jun 18, 2009 11:10 PM: Arrives in Memphis. Good for it.
Jun 19, 2009 3:18 AM: Leaves Memphis.
Jun 19, 2009 4:08 AM: The Mac is officially instate.
Jun 19, 2009 7:35 AM: In Covington.
Jun 22, 2009 8:45 AM: DELIVERED. Victory is mine!
Granted, they probably would have had it to me on Friday, which only put it about a day behind schedule (their schedule, not mine; it was never on time according to my schedule). But it's the principle of the matter. Oh well. At least I have it now. It arrived well traveled, at least.
And in case you care, it is everything I ever imagined it would be and more.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
My first impression of BU
So, I finally have a little more Boston action to report:
I spent the past week in Boston/Plymouth. On both Saturday and Monday my parents and I took the "T" (for those of you not accustomed to MA mass transit, the "T" is the subway, but also encompasses the commuter rail) into Boston.
On Saturday, our day mostly consisted of getting a little of the lay of the land. I accepted BU's admission offer sight unseen, so I was pretty keen to see the campus I will be calling home for the next year and a half. I have to say, it was pretty damn impressive. It's a totally different type of campus than LSU is. Obviously, it is located in a real city (let's face it, Baton Rouge was built around LSU; BU was built within Boston), and it looks like it. Boston is a really old city, so naturally, BU has acquired some really old buildings. Lots of elegant brownstones that they have converted into offices and classrooms; in fact, I have been told that Alden Hall, one of those brownstones, houses many PR classes. The only downside? No AC! In fact, I found that many buildings on campus do not have AC. I guess that's part of what they call culture shock.
On Monday, we actually met with a couple professors. When I say that they are as different as day and night, I mean it. However, both were really helpful, and I really look forward to working with them. After my visit, I actually feel smart enough to go to BU. For a while, I was under the impression that I didn't really deserve my acceptance, and that I was not quite up to par. I don't have that feeling anymore. And let me tell you, it is a nice feeling! In fact, all of my worries about school, internships and jobs have evaporated. I feel really good about my future. I know that I made the right decision and the best decision. I can't wait to start!
In the meantime, though, I have a lot of packing to do...
I spent the past week in Boston/Plymouth. On both Saturday and Monday my parents and I took the "T" (for those of you not accustomed to MA mass transit, the "T" is the subway, but also encompasses the commuter rail) into Boston.
On Saturday, our day mostly consisted of getting a little of the lay of the land. I accepted BU's admission offer sight unseen, so I was pretty keen to see the campus I will be calling home for the next year and a half. I have to say, it was pretty damn impressive. It's a totally different type of campus than LSU is. Obviously, it is located in a real city (let's face it, Baton Rouge was built around LSU; BU was built within Boston), and it looks like it. Boston is a really old city, so naturally, BU has acquired some really old buildings. Lots of elegant brownstones that they have converted into offices and classrooms; in fact, I have been told that Alden Hall, one of those brownstones, houses many PR classes. The only downside? No AC! In fact, I found that many buildings on campus do not have AC. I guess that's part of what they call culture shock.
On Monday, we actually met with a couple professors. When I say that they are as different as day and night, I mean it. However, both were really helpful, and I really look forward to working with them. After my visit, I actually feel smart enough to go to BU. For a while, I was under the impression that I didn't really deserve my acceptance, and that I was not quite up to par. I don't have that feeling anymore. And let me tell you, it is a nice feeling! In fact, all of my worries about school, internships and jobs have evaporated. I feel really good about my future. I know that I made the right decision and the best decision. I can't wait to start!
In the meantime, though, I have a lot of packing to do...
Friday, May 15, 2009
The DAY I never thought I would live to see...
...came and went.
:) I graduated from LSU today!
Next stop, BU! Watch out, Boston...y'all will never know what hit ya.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
My last days as an LSU Tiger
Where: Work
Mood: Tired!
Temp: 82 degrees, 71% humidity
Technically, I wasn't going to start writing in this blog until I arrived in Boston. But, what the hell.
BIG things are happening in the world of Katy. Things I def. feel like I should be documenting, somewhere.
I'm graduating from LSU in a week. It's crazy. I remember writing about my first day at LSU. Now, I'm experiencing my last. On Saturday, I will take my last final, ever, at this school. Exciting? Hell yeah. Scary? A little of that, too. Four years really went fast. Everyone told me it would, but it's still crazy how quick everything went. In August, I'll be moving to Boston for grad school. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling about that. On one hand, I'm truly excited. On the other, it's bittersweet to be leaving the state that I've called my home for so long.
Then again, I guess it really depends on the day and my mood. Sometimes I'm so ready to leave I could pack up and go now. Other days, I realize how much I'm going to miss this place:
-Blanket forts and illegal alcohol in Blake.
-Emily sleeping on our floor for a week after Katrina.
-Bagels and coffee at PJs with two of my best friends.
-Tiki-tubing, ghetto fab, Jose and Limon.
-Bread in the bed.
-Getting soaked in Tiger Stadium, being asked to leave because of lightening, but refusing because our seats were that good.
-Tailgating and Tiger baiting.
-80s Night at Spanish Moon, the Blue Moon, Open Mic Night and Karaoke at Mellow.
-Tensas road trips.
-Staying up till 6 am girl talking.
-Team 4106
-Walking through the Quad in the middle of the day, when everyone is going to class or getting out of it, and campus really feels alive.
-Walking through the Quad in the late afternoon/early evening, when no one is around, and you feel like you've got the campus all to yourself.
-The lighting of the campus Christmas tree.
-Sneaux Day, December 11, 2008 (My 22nd Birthday)
-Running (literally) into Skylar Green at a Hornet's game.
-Skipping class because it was too rainy to walk there.
-Skipping class because the weather was too nice to be sitting in class.
-Studying really hard and making an A.
-Not studying at all and making an A.
-Falling asleep at least once in every Sociology class I took.
-Getting lost in Lockett Hall.
-Getting a tattoo...with my mom.
-Mexican Beer night at The Chimes.
-Really, any night at The Chimes.
-Benji Davis and Better Than Ezra concerts at The Varsity.
-And as corny as it sounds, all the nights I'll never remember with the people I'll never forget.
And then I catch myself thinking of Boston, and what I'm looking forward to:
-Watching Terrier hockey (I come from football nation, so this will be interesting).
-Being with "my people" (aka, Sox fans and Pats fans).
-Living so close to my family that I rarely see.
-Getting to know my cousins better.
-Making friends with the Yanks.
-Hearing everyone say, "I love your Southern accent!" and "Say ya'll again."
-Visiting the Samuel Adams Brewery.
-The Plymouth waterfront. And Plymouth beach.
-No sales tax on clothes or food!
-Seeing the colors change.
-Learning how to drive in the snow.
-Kicking ass and taking names at BU.
This summer I'm going to be preparing for this huge change. I'll document all the facets of my impending move, and other parts of my life here. Hopefully, my time in Boston will be well-spent (I'm sure it will). But, I do know what thing. It's sure as hell going to be interesting being a Southern girl (even if I was born up there) living in the North. Again.
Mood: Tired!
Temp: 82 degrees, 71% humidity
Technically, I wasn't going to start writing in this blog until I arrived in Boston. But, what the hell.
BIG things are happening in the world of Katy. Things I def. feel like I should be documenting, somewhere.
I'm graduating from LSU in a week. It's crazy. I remember writing about my first day at LSU. Now, I'm experiencing my last. On Saturday, I will take my last final, ever, at this school. Exciting? Hell yeah. Scary? A little of that, too. Four years really went fast. Everyone told me it would, but it's still crazy how quick everything went. In August, I'll be moving to Boston for grad school. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling about that. On one hand, I'm truly excited. On the other, it's bittersweet to be leaving the state that I've called my home for so long.
Then again, I guess it really depends on the day and my mood. Sometimes I'm so ready to leave I could pack up and go now. Other days, I realize how much I'm going to miss this place:
-Blanket forts and illegal alcohol in Blake.
-Emily sleeping on our floor for a week after Katrina.
-Bagels and coffee at PJs with two of my best friends.
-Tiki-tubing, ghetto fab, Jose and Limon.
-Bread in the bed.
-Getting soaked in Tiger Stadium, being asked to leave because of lightening, but refusing because our seats were that good.
-Tailgating and Tiger baiting.
-80s Night at Spanish Moon, the Blue Moon, Open Mic Night and Karaoke at Mellow.
-Tensas road trips.
-Staying up till 6 am girl talking.
-Team 4106
-Walking through the Quad in the middle of the day, when everyone is going to class or getting out of it, and campus really feels alive.
-Walking through the Quad in the late afternoon/early evening, when no one is around, and you feel like you've got the campus all to yourself.
-The lighting of the campus Christmas tree.
-Sneaux Day, December 11, 2008 (My 22nd Birthday)
-Running (literally) into Skylar Green at a Hornet's game.
-Skipping class because it was too rainy to walk there.
-Skipping class because the weather was too nice to be sitting in class.
-Studying really hard and making an A.
-Not studying at all and making an A.
-Falling asleep at least once in every Sociology class I took.
-Getting lost in Lockett Hall.
-Getting a tattoo...with my mom.
-Mexican Beer night at The Chimes.
-Really, any night at The Chimes.
-Benji Davis and Better Than Ezra concerts at The Varsity.
-And as corny as it sounds, all the nights I'll never remember with the people I'll never forget.
And then I catch myself thinking of Boston, and what I'm looking forward to:
-Watching Terrier hockey (I come from football nation, so this will be interesting).
-Being with "my people" (aka, Sox fans and Pats fans).
-Living so close to my family that I rarely see.
-Getting to know my cousins better.
-Making friends with the Yanks.
-Hearing everyone say, "I love your Southern accent!" and "Say ya'll again."
-Visiting the Samuel Adams Brewery.
-The Plymouth waterfront. And Plymouth beach.
-No sales tax on clothes or food!
-Seeing the colors change.
-Learning how to drive in the snow.
-Kicking ass and taking names at BU.
This summer I'm going to be preparing for this huge change. I'll document all the facets of my impending move, and other parts of my life here. Hopefully, my time in Boston will be well-spent (I'm sure it will). But, I do know what thing. It's sure as hell going to be interesting being a Southern girl (even if I was born up there) living in the North. Again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
