| You got more static than radio. |
[29 January 2009|10:32pm] |
I had my first clients yesterday. There were two: one stuttering case, one articulation. The stuttering case was/is rather involved. It isn't simple disfluency, but also language issues, borderline-autistic issues and more, all bundled up and packaged in a neat little bow called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I was really daunted by the task of giving therapy to this kid. The other one? A typical /r/ problem. The other girl who worked with him had no problems, said he was the sweetest kid, and cooperative, to boot. I expected that to be a piece of cake. Of course, I'm never right about these things.
The stuttering kid (SK) session went surprisingly well. I know this, because the supervisor didn't walk in until the very end, when something went wrong. That's how she does. She'll leave you alone until you start screwing up, and I like that. But I timed this one well, maintained control, got most of the information I probed for that day, and established a rapport with the child. It was overall very good.
Articulation kid (AK) was not so great. He came in excited, and I really did just want to make the session fun. But articulation just isn't fun. It's not! I promise! I'm not lying to you--it really does suck! /r/ is the hardest phoneme to teach, by the way. Of course my first client is going to have /r/ issues. It's not his fault. I was at a loss for trying to explain to him what he was doing wrong. I mean, I *know* what he's doing wrong, but how to explain it? No idea. My supervisor walked in on that session so... many... times. At the end of the day, I really did feel defeated. And I was walking around in heels all day, so even my feet were pissed off at me.
Anyway. Monday's another day. I've got Friday to figure out what I'll do differently. I work all weekend, and Stephen is coming in for Sunday and Monday. Something about how he wants to see me growing old like him.
Question: Do girls get a discount for being 25 and older? Or is it just boys?
In other news, I have reconnected with my Mexican culinary roots. Made a kick-ass batch of pico de gallo. Also *finally* got a handle on chilaquiles, and figured out how Mama used to do the tacos. I tried to buy pintos from the store, but they were out.
Out!
Seriously. Out of pintos? It's a strange world.
I'm going to make frijoles. Oh, yes. At some point, I'm also going to hazard an attempt at pozole. There was a time when I could do it, you know. Albeit, with a grown-up's help. We're talking almost 20 years ago, though.
Oh, my. I'm already talking about things I could do 20 years ago. I am getting up there.
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| Made an important discovery tonight. YouTube is not exclusive to America. You heard it here. |
[17 January 2009|01:43am] |
I feel dumb for not even thinking to search for my favorite Russian songs on YouTube all these years. DUMB. Now that I have, the last few days have been like a national convention, and I got/get to dress up like all my favorite characters and steal all their best lines for great fangirl justice.
It really is the most awesomest thingy ever. And I'm so late for it!
Anyway, this realization comes in good time for my earnest study of Spanish. I love her, and her, and him. I like this, that and even this (not so much for the boobage). Still deciding how I feel about this one, though. Let me untangle the lyrics first, then I'll decide.
The unfortunate thing is that school just started--not the best time to indulge in new hobbies. Or old ones, I should say. I'm not new to YouTube, but this is a whole new way to procrastinate with it. :)
I apologize for the linkspam! Have a good night!
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| I realize it's pretty difficult to mess up those Jiffy muffin mixes, but I sure do love a challenge. |
[15 January 2009|11:43pm] |
Did you know that if you're in a graduate program, you can't just go and decide to get another bachelor's for your collection? You can spend a couple more years in school after graduating to get a second bachelor's, but don't expect to do it and a master's at the same time. Apparently there's some kind of point of no return. Like in that Bridget Fonda movie. Except she got to be a spy, and I just get to be overqualified.
My idea was pretty simple. If I'm going to HAVE to stay an extra Fall (and I do), and if I'm going to be taking undergraduate Spanish courses ANYWAY (and I am), I might as well get a little recognition for it. Someone stamp me, please. COMPETENT.
Of course, I'm not, yet. But that's why I'm taking the classes. Also, since my first B.A. is in a foreign language, how hard could it be for my credits to transfer? I'm thinking not very. Anyway.
I did something nice for myself! I paid my library fines, and now Dupre Library loves me again. And I love it. And it loves me. And being allowed to keep books for the entire semester somehow, in some small way, makes up for not being able to coax another degree out of that school. Sigh.
I have clients! Can't say too much about them, but one's a kid I was randomly assigned to study last semester, and the other one is said to be an easy-peasy sweetie pie. I'm excited! The fun won't begin for another couple weeks, which gives me time to figure out what in the world I'm gonna do. It's awesome that we have supervisors to nudge us in the right direction.
Speaking of directions, I'd like to go South. In order to be certified good and proper, I have to complete a supervised fellowship year after graduating. Sky's the limit as to where that can be (read: I don't have to stay in LOUSY-ana if I don't want to... and I don't want to). It's not unheard of for clinicians to go abroad, but it's rare. Many don't even bother to learn the basics of another language. I'd like to do it. I don't think I'd have to spend the entire year in Mexico (I'm pretty sure I can complete it someplace else, as long I make prior arrangements). It would suck everlasting hard to be away from Stephen for that long, too. Of course, he does enjoy warmer climes...
At this point, it's a thought.
Another thought I'm having is how much I want a kitten. I saw one today! It was charcoal gray with a random orange spot. I wanted to bring him home and call him Snowy Gordon, but he hissed himself into a coughing fit, little bastard. I like the spastic ones. :)
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[14 January 2009|07:35pm] |
Okay, the last update wasn't a *real* one. I mean, you know.
I remember posting ten thousand times a day, once upon a time. I remember having only half that many icons to play with. Hey! I even remember knowing how to change the layout of my journal! How 'bout that.
Even when I was in Russia, I posted more often than I do now. Have I just been running out of things to say? Do I have a life quota of number of entries I'm capable of making? Is that how that works? I'm nearing a thousand, you know.
Activity spiked when I was having relationship troubles. I think my guts basically exploded in cyberspace, and just like when that happens in real life, I was rather shamed by the mess. Sorry about that. I'll try not to do it again.
Anyway, today was the first day of school. Got it off to a great start by being 10 to 60 minutes late to class. What's that? How can I not be more specific of the time? Isn't that something I'd have thought to check right then? (And how long is the class supposed to be??)
Why, yes. You are correct. Maybe I do know the exact minute, but as long as I give a ridiculous range, no one can have any idea what that minute would be, and my secret is still safe with me! Isn't that clever?
I got a monitor for Christmas. Rather, I was visiting my family, saw a brand new flat screen sitting by the TV, and asked my parents what they were going to do with it. Apparently my conclusion was mistaken, but they let me have it anyway.
And pulling it out of the plastic sheath was just like unwrapping it Christmas Day!
New monitor = getting to make up for lost time with my tower. I missed her so! I've been growing through all the crap I'd accumulated over the course of six years. Not as much music as I remembered, but a boatload of chat logs. Apparently I was very chatty. Anyone remember that? Really? Anyway, I've lost touch over the years with people, a couple of which I only knew through Livejournal. And now they're gone.
Hey, if anyone sees Eric, lemme know? Might've spelled it with a 'k', but I don't remember. People and their aliases. ;)
Wish I could catch up with these people. I probably shouldn't have disappeared the way I did.
I've got more I could say, but there are a couple things I should do right now, and then I should hit the sack. Guess I should decide how many minutes I want to be late to my 8 o'clock tomorrow, so I can get the appropriate amount of sleep and sleeping in.
G'night!
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| Really should learn to remember to keep up with myself |
[18 October 2008|10:46pm] |
Been really busy this week. Exams, papers. Meetings, clinic. The glamorous life of a grad student, and everything that does and does not entail.
I've been adding undue pressure to the mix. Yes, planning a wedding when you should be reading six chapters for the next morning does crowd your plate a bit. Who'da' thought? This is just me being silly, though. I know I'm getting married; just don't know when. I even know with whom. But not when. I even know under what circumstance we could rush said wedding! But, neh. If just planning the rest of your life with someone crowds your plate, imagine living it. No, should not. I have a history of hastening my future only to be greeted with grisly results. Let's just play it by ear for now.
Still, it doesn't hurt anyone to pick out a few songs. Build a tentative guest list. Choose a city and venue. Design a menu...
Deciding on a date would be the most fun, though. *Sigh*
The best part is that, now that my best friend's wedding is done, I can freely ponder what I would/will do differently in my own wedding without feeling like a selfish jerk. That's good!
Anyway.
I've rediscovered my passion for language learning, this time with a bent on Spanish. It all happened about a month ago when I was at an elementary school screening the chil'uns for hearing problems. A small monolingual Spanish kid came in, and no one knew how to communicate with him. It was really sad, but I did see it as an opportunity to flex my Spanish muscles (I took a whole semester, mind you). I---was---awesome.
I told him exactly what he needed to do, and said calming, friendly things to soothe the fear and alarm of a child who doesn't understand what's going on around him.
I did it so well.
But I did it in Russian.
This... was... unexpected. I mean, it doesn't surprise me. Did I ever really know how to say "Raise your hand when you hear the beep" in Spanish? I'm guessing No, since, you know, that stuff probably doesn't get covered till Spanish 102, right? I learned two important things that day, though. 1) I haven't forgotten my Russian, despite a year and a half of outright abandoning it for other things. 2) I don't know Spanish to save my life, and if I were you, I wouldn't count on me using it to save yours. It made me feel like a failure to my heritage. A wannabe. A fake Mexican!
You know, for the first time this year. I was so close!
The third important thing, which apparently doesn't *really* need enumerating, is that I need to get serious about it if I really want to maintain my Russian and beat my Spanish into competency. I've had so many opportunities in my life to learn it on my own (not so much formally, because, hell, do you even KNOW why I took Russian in the first place??). I'm gonna do it this time. And I'm going to do it in my spare time, not school time or reading time or reception planning time other times which might suggest I would actually be abusing it as a way to procrastinate. Although, I have to admit. Since starting graduate school, I really have gotten more creative with the ways I waste my time. Must come with the territory.
*Yawn* I'm beat. Later, kids.
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[23 March 2008|12:00am] |
I got accepted to graduate school. Let the higher degree good times roll.
:D
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| Suddenly this icon seems so useful. |
[15 December 2007|12:46am] |
| [ |
On being
Annoying the neighbors |
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Feist--Mushaboom |
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Me: I wish I knew what I was getting for Christmas.
Nick: i'm getting a check
Nick: and maybe a girlfriend
Me: Neato.
Me: I think I'd like my boyfriend to give me his last name. He could wrap it up for me and everything.
Nick: dork
Me: I'd still act surprised!
Me: It's just that I know he's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I *know* it. And now that I know it, all I really want to do is get the rest of my life started. That so bad?
Nick: nah
Nick: does he know this?
Me: ...I think so.
Nick: do you keep reminding him?
Me: ...What would constitute a reminder?
Me: Anyway, he said give him two years to get settled in a career.
Nick: what a punk
Nick: i'll marry you tomorrow
Me: Hey, hey. Then I could start signing Christmas cards, LOVE, THE SLAUGHTERS
Nick: totally
Nick: but my family would reject you
Nick: dirty mexican
Me: Have a Very Slaughter Christmas.
Me: Yeah, prolly, Whitey McWhiterson
Nick: Don't forget a Slaughter this holiday season!
Me: Peace on Earth, and Slaughter towards men.
Nick: definitely
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[14 December 2007|04:59pm] |
Finals are done. Except for a paper I still have to write. Which of course I saved to the last minute, because other projects/people seemed more urgent/interesting at the time.
So good to myself, really.
Sunday I leave for Houston. I'll see my family, check out their church, spend time with the kid. The next day Stephen will drive in, and we'll go out to lunch with my parents so they can finally meet him. Then he'll kidnap me and take me to Louisiana, where I have an informal interview scheduled with the admissions counselor at a school to which I'm applying. Then it's off to Florida to play Scrabble with his Family. Oh, yeah, and I get to meet another of his Friends.
From Highschool.
*nervous*
He's reassuring, saying he's more nervous about meeting my best friend from high school, because I've actually kept up with her, whereas this'll be the first time he's seen his friend since... um... when?
I'm really tired. I'll recover from the all-nighter first, then get cracking on that paper, cool? See? I'm good to myself.
PS: I'm glad my parents didn't make my middle name Ursula, or something. Because then my initials would be NUT.
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[10 December 2007|08:28pm] |
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[09 December 2007|06:16am] |
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[29 November 2007|11:13pm] |
Dr. Smith,
So I checked the source that said Russia was still selling its most advanced technology to China. The book is dated 2005, *but* the context of that particular bit of information was dated more than a decade ago, and I just remembered it wrong. That's why you get invited to Turkey and I don't!
Thank you again for giving me a second chance to present. Have a happy Friday!
Nohemi
Nohemi: You did a good job and have a very nice presentation style. Your slightly wicked (twisted) sense of humor comes through every now and then. Charming. You'll get invited to Turkey someday and when you do, you'll remember me! Fridays are always happy days.
Dr. S
Glowing now. :)
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[15 November 2007|12:54pm] |
A triangle trying to squeeze through a circle
He tried to cut me so I'd fit
And doesn't that sound familiar? Doesn't that hit too close to home?
Doesn't that make you shiver; the way things could've gone?
And doesn't it feel peculiar when everyone wants a little more?
And so that I do remember to never go that far,
Could you leave me with a scar?
--"Scar" (Missy Higgins)
It's a bright, sunny day, but there's a raincloud just above my part of downtown Columbia. I'm sitting at home with pink eye(s), spending probably too much time thinking about the past. I read old chat logs of the few times my ex-boyfriend and I talked after he left. It's unnerving how much I tried to change myself to make him happy, to get him to stay in my life somehow. I feel sorry for that little girl, her pain trembling through her words to him. I feel bad for her, but it's not so easy to identify with her anymore. What she wants and what I want are different things. Her outlook on life and my outlook on life are as night and day. She's clearly not over him; I am.
That's not to say I don't have a couple issues left to work out, mostly dealing with anger. It hasn't been that long, after all. But the progress I've made, how far I've come in just the last six months... Sure, I've got a scar I can talk about. That doesn't mean it has to disfigure my heart. More importantly, it doesn't have to change the way I love. I think back to entries I've since deleted, where I swore I'd never let someone get that close to me again. Funny how that's changed, too.
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| All the lonely people |
[09 November 2007|10:19pm] |
Me: Huh. Okay.
Me: What are you doin' now?
Nick: sitting around doing nothing
Nick: thinking about doing some writing
Nick: haha primarily wishing for romantic female companionshit
Me: Well, I can't do romantic, but if you want some platonic female companionshit
Nick: its unwise
Me: How so?
Nick: my faculties sometimes fail to differentiate
Me: Um, well. I guess I could roll around in dirt, eat garlic and seaweed, so I'd make myself as unattractive as possible?
Nick: do you know nothing!
Me: I could use foul language all day long.
Nick: that is the precise formula with which to pierce my heart!
Me: I could pick my belly button.
Me: I could pretend like my netherregions itch.
Me: There's all SORTS of things I could do.
Me: I could pretend to be a lesbian!
Me: And we could talk about the woman who are tormenting us!
Nick: i appreciate the offer, but i think i'm actually going to go to bed early
Nick: i didnt sleep well last night
Me: Okay.
Me: Sleep well, then.
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[09 November 2007|08:55pm] |
Wow. Been awhile, huh?
This either means my life has been so boring, there's been nothing worth posting about in the last month, or that I've been 2cool4school. You decide.
I guess the most interesting change is the shift in the whole Nomi/ex-BFF-but-now-we're-friends-again-and-it's-cool dynamic. Who saw that coming? Six months ago, I sure didn't. Now I'm just waiting for the ex-BF-tried-to-be-friends-again-but-he-turned-out-to-still-be-a-lyin'-loser-dribble-head-retard to move away and never come back. Maybe when Stephen Colbert becomes president of South Carolina, he'll deny visas to all Tennesseans. Or at least all people with CR-Vs. I'll write him a letter about it.
That's about all the thought I've had time to spend on the subject. Mom's supposed to call me soon to tell me how my sister's cardiology appointment went. Tomorrow, Jeri-Lynn is coming to town. Sunday, I tutor some girl from my anatomy class. Monday, Monday... I know I've got something on Monday. Tuesday, big anatomy test. Friday, Stephen might be driving up for the weekend. Can't get my hopes up, but I'm really excited, nonetheless. A couple deadlines before Thanksgiving. Said Thanksgiving with Valerie's family. A couple deadlines right after Thanksgiving. Exams, Christmas, family, more Stephen, then start all over again in January.
And throw a couple graduate school applications in there, too.
Anyway, I guess I'll get back to my life, now. heh.
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[06 October 2007|08:11pm] |
Today I experienced L3 magic. I was at the zoo with some friends, and this woman walked up to the glass in the aquarium and told her kids, "Look at this big green one!" And it was about a full minute later that I realized she had said it entirely in Spanish, and I actually understood. I know it's not much, but, gimme a break. It might've been after a couple years of studying Russian that I finally heard spontaneous speech and was all, "Hey, I know what that meant!"
Might have something to do with the fact that Spanish is pretty easy. Also, I *did* grow up around it. And, I've learned how to learn languages. It kinda gives me hope that I'll be able to speak it with near-native proficiency someday. It would take a lot of work (more than I'm putting in now, at least), but it would be worth it. It would certainly be nice.
I also had some friend magic. Later, I went to a rally at the State House. I could hear the speakers from my apartment anyway, so I decided to just go. I actually ran into a bunch of people I knew! Which is funny, because in previous years, wherever I'd go that wasn't Wal-Mart, I'd never see a familiar face, much less a friendly one. I guess this means I've been successful at this whole learning to socialize thing! I joined some friends from the rally for a later scavenger hunt and ice cream party. It wasn't completely random: I'm friends with the girl who was hosting the hunt, but didn't really plan to take part until some girls from another university said they heard about it and wanted to go, too. We might've had an unfair advantage, because a couple of the ideas on the list were actually mine... :-D But we weren't the first group back, so we lost anyway, ha.
It's been a busy day, for sure. And all that walking around the zoo and then downtown and then campus has me whipped. Especially because we spent most of the hunt *jogging* from place to place. And then I got a sick feeling from the ice cream, probably because that was a lot of sweet to be enjoying after forgetting to eat real food the entire day. *shrug* I'll live.
Still nothing new about the kid's heart condition. Am currently displeased with the hospital's sluggish administration. Hopefully, they'll get back on the ball and start giving answers soon. This is not something you inform a family about and then just leave up in the air. I'm sure it'll all work out. Always does, right? I like the way that sounds, anyway, and I think I'll stick with it for now.
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[01 October 2007|04:24pm] |
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On being
Annoying the neighbors |
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 worried |
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My sister went up to Mom the other day and told her how she wants her remains handled when she dies. This is an 11-year-old who is fully aware there's a problem with her heart.
It's heartbreaking, is what it is.
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[25 September 2007|11:16pm] |
So on that test I took? Last Tuesday in Russian Foreign Policy?
I got a good grade. Totally.
I was just ONE itsy bitsy right answer away from an A, but compared to a lot of other people? I did just fine. Especially considering that I ran out of time, an' all.
Tonight at Bible study, one of the girls baked a pie. And when I say 'baked,' I don't just mean pulled a frozen mess out of a box and heated the thing up. She made it from scratch. And it was delicious. So delicious, I miss it.
A lot.
I want a kitten.
And I want a screwdriver with a very specific kind of head, so that I can open my windows finally. And I *also* want a really good excuse to skip school tomorrow so I can go to the beach, but I don't think I'm gonna get one of those, either.
Heh. I'm way too hyper to be this sleepy. G'night.
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| You should see my bee sting. |
[24 September 2007|09:03am] |
Three times a day, Monday through Friday, the week of a home game, someone downtown sees fit to air the fight song. And believe it or not, it's rather annoying. Just thought I'd share.
Also, I'm back from Fall retreat. I had a blast, and it was probably the most intense weekend I've had in a long time. Intense, I tell you, because I can't think of a better word. But I needed it, and I'm soooo glad I went. At some point, I really will write in the journal I got for note-taking, you know, instead of just drawing pretty pictures.
And for the costume party, I went as Violet from "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I think I did alright putting the outfit together, but nobody had seen the movie, so it was like, "Are you that girl from The Addams Family?" And then they were all, "OHHHHH, I never saw that, but the previews looked interesting!" uh-huh.
This is Violet.
I guess I should've carried a baby around. Might do that if I recycle the costume for Halloween (which I'm still inclined to do). Should be easier to find little Victorian dresses for babies anyway, right? (Oh, no! She's gonna start looking at baby clothes, *gasp*!)
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[19 September 2007|06:37pm] |
I vowed to never talk about him again here, but I think this bears mentioning.
He called me and wanted to talk. They broke up, and he realized the gravity of what he had done. When it was happening, he apologized profusely, promising me he'd never do it to anyone else again, though any one of you can probably retell how little that comforted me at the time. But after seeing him today, and hearing him out, I think I finally believe it. It's a shame their relationship didn't last long enough to merit the damage they did to our friendship, but I do think he's being sincere. Maybe that sounds funny, coming from me. He said he was rebounding when he dated her, and that now he's ready to actually deal with his problems. I told him what to expect, and what he couldn't expect from me. He seemed to understand.
Stephen was right, in that this was that final bit of closure for me. Maybe I could've taken this chance to tell him to fuck off and go to hell, but I chose to not handle it that way. I surprised myself by saying how I believe it was God rearranging my life for the better. Like heavy dental work, you know? It hurts for a while afterward, but the pain dulls and your teeth are happier little campers than before. I inwardly wished him nice things, like a good, solid recovery, and the wisdom to take from this experience more than just a specific list of "do-not's". I outwardly wished that he'd find faith in some way; there's no reason why he should have to make the journey alone. I also wished him love. The requited kind. The good stuff. Perhaps this was generous of me, and maybe I could've easily slung hate at him, as much as he deserves it. But hateful words are not the instruments of a healed heart, and denying him forgiveness to his face just to spite him would've undermined everything I've accomplished thus far. Wishing him well was the best thing I could have done, for both his sake and mine.
And now it's over. That's all.
FUCK--HIS--LIFE!!!@$#
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[18 September 2007|06:36pm] |
I know it's only a scaled grade, but I totally got the highest score on that crummy cranial nerves test last week. A 91!
I feel pretty good about that. Won't feel so good when I get my test in Russian Foreign Policy back, though. So much information to write, and not enough time to write it!
Today at the pool, I almost mastered the ART of ducking my head in the water without pinching my nose. Be almost happy for me! And note to self: Stop it with the whole forgetting to bring flip-flops thing! It's irritating and unsanitary, so quit it!
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| Games we play. |
[15 September 2007|03:47am] |
Me: Man, if I just had one more 'O' I could have 'MORON!'
Stephen: Aw, Angel, you've had me all along.
:)
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| They whacked Schanke. |
[13 September 2007|10:11pm] |
| [ |
On being
Annoying the neighbors |
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worried |
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And Janette left suddenly and quietly. The only two people on the show worth watching. Gone forever.
But the new guy, Vachon, he's not so bad. He's hot but for the long hair. He's also a Spaniard.
I joined the school's Russian club, finally. First time ever in all the years I've gone to USC, and I'm not even taking the language anymore. Isn't that funny? Tell me that's not funny.
I also got shnookered into revamping this guy. I'm more than a bit rusty in mark-up, but hey, the site can reeeally use the help. Not even joking.
Fun weekend this week, and next week, according to my plans. But I've got tes's meanwhile, and a song I started writing. Not to mention a movie collection to index, photos to print, turtles to feed, books to read, and dinners to microwave. Busy, busy, all'sudden. Though, I know better. It's the usual resort when faced with unpleasantness, isn't it? Look away from the train, keep your hands on your ears, even hum if you want. Isn't that how we roll?
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[10 September 2007|12:58am] |
Me: Yeah, and after I get my upper certification, I'll be Nomi, Master Diver.
Bonnie: Should we all just starting calling you 'Master Diver' now? Or 'Nomi M.D.' for short? 'Doctor of Diving?' 'Surgeon of SCUBA?'
Me: ha! Where do you get this stuff?
Bonnie: I don't know, it just comes to me.
Me: You are awesome. :-D
PS: I changed my voicemail greeting again. Yes, there is something wrong with me. No, my crazy's not contagious. Mostly.
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[05 September 2007|03:38pm] |
Spent the weekend quietly but productively, if you count doing homework and laundry in between mini marathons of watching Forever Knight episodes while playing Mahjong productive.
It's a terrible show, really. But I can't seem to get enough. And the hot vampire detective, the star of the show, is not even my favorite character. No, I watch it for these guys.
 
Photos from this random character list
Throw a little nostalgia in there, too. My older sister and I used to watch this show together every night it was on. It was especially creepy then, because we'd be home alone while mom was working the night shift, and the TV was in the cold, dark cellar den below the house. That's one of the few memories I have of my sister and I actually getting along. I should send her the DVD when I'm done, but that would probably piss her off... pause for consideration...
These next three weekends are going to be super fun. After that, I guess I should focus on alllllll those midterms I've got through the end of October. But I think I can handle it. I'm unemployed, after all.
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[29 August 2007|11:20pm] |
So I asked my professors if I could play a little hokey pokey with the attendance sheets, so that I could take both classes that are oh-so-inconveniently scheduled at the same time. My solution? Creative. Their responses? Brief.
Dear Nohemi,
I do not have a problem with that.
--Robert
I basically have the coolest bunch of instructors EVER.
Someone told me something to the effect that, while I've always had hare-brained schemes and lofty dreams, in the last year I've actually been able to ACCOMPLISH those things I set out to do. I guess that's true. It's nice to have a little will-power to go along with that morning cup of ambition. :)
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[27 August 2007|07:35pm] |
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Well, it's definitely *a* Spanish class. I guess it'll do for now...
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| Never meant to be |
[24 August 2007|08:19am] |
Attempts to register for Spanish
foiled.
again.
I have half a mind to sit in the class, anyway. You know, until they cave and give me a spot! Or absently dismiss me. Then I'd go quietly, I guess.
Emiliano is sorely disappointed by this. And so am I.
Edit: I just have this sudden urge to start calling everyone 'Benito'. Would this be wrong?
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[18 August 2007|11:52pm] |
In other news, today I built myself a couple pieces of small furniture, and! Either someone upstairs has a universal remote that's inadvertently controling my stereo, or I've got a country music-loving poltergeist on my hands. I also picked up my necklace from the jeweler's, so my neck doesn't feel nekked anymore. :)
Today was a nice, sunny day. I may even have time to get the tans on my arms matching up before summer's end. That'd be fun. You know what else equals fun? NEXT WEEKEND IN NEW YORK CITY!
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[16 August 2007|09:55am] |
GUESS who's working on her graduate degree! GUESS!
ME! >>I<< am working on my graduate degree!
I mean, at this point, it's purely invoking the right of senior privilege to take all those courses I shouldn't be allowed to take, which will go on my graduate transcript, which will *then* decrease the number of semesters I'll have to take once I'm officially in the program. It's only provided that I do well in these courses that they'd even consider me, but it's late in the year, it's a start, and frankly I'll take what I can get.
And! My dean still thinks I'm awesome, yay!
And! She called me a "provisional grad student!" Yes, she did!
And! She recommended I take Spanish pass/fail...
Anyway! This year isn't completely wasted, after all. :)
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[15 August 2007|11:58am] |
Maaaaybe didn't do so well in the interview today. Well, the *interview* interview part went okay. But the presentation? Not so great.
Hey, at least they liked my personality! Anyway.
Screwed up Ashley's departure yesterday, too. Minnie couldn't go fast enough to get the girl to the airport on time (I say that like she's a pony). And even if she could, it probably would've killed us. Or worse, resulted in my first ticket ever... Kidding!
At any rate, at least Ashley has a story to tell! "How I Got Home the Day Nomi Ruined My Life."
Tomorrow I'm meeting with my dean to discuss the future. I don't want to be an undergrad anymore. I'm putting in my papers now, and am currently looking for ways to sneak into the graduate school. Let's see how well that works out, shall we?
PS: Free Wi-Fi in my apartment = new love for said apartment :)
PPS: Georgian got canceled. I half expected this, seeing as how I constituted half of the class. Pity.
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| Iowa Jima |
[08 August 2007|11:50am] |
The great state of Iowa!
...does nothing for me. Well, there are pretty skies, and the air feels cleaner. Unlike in LA, where with every breath you take, you feel like it's taking off a year of your life. Unless that's just me.
I'm staying in Amanda's house, along with her fiance, Adam. It feels kinda strange, because every day, Amanda goes to work at unGodly o'clock and he and I are total lazy bums all day. And the turtle doesn't do much, either. Just kind of sits there, plotting ways to escape, I'm sure.
Friday, we're going to Des Moines to try on pretty dresses! I think the experience will really drive the whole "best friend is getting married" thing home for me. Not that the rock he gave her didn't already. They're so cute together. And SHE'S SO HEPPY! :)
On the way home, I'm stopping by another friend's house to say hello to some kids I knew in Russia. Then I have to head home straight away for my JOB INTERVIEW AT SCHOOL, YAY! In the meantime, I have to prepare a five minute presentation on studying abroad, aimed at convincing kids to, you know, study abroad. Then I've got just a couple weeks before school starts, a trip to NYC in the meantime, and yes, another job application to fill. I'll stop at two, and I'll keep the hours reasonable. As y'all are my witness, I will never keep three jobs again! But two's fine, especially if one of them is only ten hours a week between classes, know what I mean?
Anyway. Currently pleased with myself and the way things are going. Also impressed with myself for coming up with the single most thoughtful gift ever. I dunno, guys, but I think I may have used the last of my Thoughtful Juice for this one. Unless you count that idea I had yesterday for an invention that could make millions! Or just hundred thousands. We'll see.
And yeah, I really can't wait to see Stephen again. It'll probably be December before that happens. Sad panda. But hey, anything's better than 3098, as long as it's not 3099, and that's the truth!
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[06 July 2007|11:06pm] |
Every year, I observe July 6th as my anniversary. It's the day my natural mother kicked me out, now eleven years ago. For many years, this day would pass solemnly for me, I its only observer. I'd drown in the same music, recycle the same bad and good memories, reflect on the same sad, self-pitying thoughts, and so on. However, over time my sadness silently, sneakily gave way to a kind of indifference, and I came to remember the day out of respect for my own tradition. Isn't that weird? To remember something simply because you spent so many years remembering it?
But I realize now that I remember it a little differently. It seems to me less about the end of my relationship with her, and more about the beginning of my family as I know it. I think this means I've overcome the blow. And I'm glad. It's very taxing to go through life with a chip on your shoulder and a worm up your ass because your parents screwed up your life just like the 97% of all parents everywhere in the history of the world have done for their kids, know what I mean? I'm over it, and it feels... *great*.
So! Today is still July 6th. Eleven years ago today, I came to live with my family. And that's all there really is to say about that.
As for the rest of you, Happy Friday! Or what's left of it, anyway. :)
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[22 June 2007|01:50am] |
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In a few minutes, we're leaving for West Virginia. My grandpa's dying, and he doesn't want to be alone. So we're going to him.
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[18 April 2007|08:59am] |
Decided against Georgian. I basically didn't want to have my own "Autumn Marathon," and that's as good a reason as any. Also, administrative red tape is keeping me from taking speech pathology classes after all. It's kinda like fate is telling me something. "Kid, you don't really want none of that."
I hear ya, homes. And now I feel better. :)
Except! I need information from Mom, but she's not answering her phone or emails. I hate it when people do that. hatehatehate!
BUT! I get to ride horses next semester, so I'm already over it.
And! Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut. Saturday, I'm throwing a blini party. Sunday, I become the new voice for a tourist agency, and my sloppy American pronunciations of important city landmarks are going with me! Take that!
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[16 April 2007|06:39pm] |
I'm starting to think maybe I'm not cut out for Speech Pathology. In "not cut out", I really mean, "not that interested." I could probably hack it, if I tried really hard, and didn't sleep ever. And it's not that I don't want to work really hard at something, or not sleep, but I'd just like it to be for something that I love. I love languages. Why can't I just spend the rest of my life doing that?
Instead of signing up for a shitload of Speech/Path classes, I'm going to take Spanish, Arabic, and possibly Georgian. And a course on Russia's recent foreign policy, naturally. Next January, I will apply for a fellowship to study either Russian, Arabic, or (possibly) Georgian, in the respective countries where these languages are spoken. In the meanwhile, I don't miss what I won't be learning about auditory processes this fall. I really just wanted to take the theory of phonetics course, anyway.
I hate the fact that I'm forever changing my mind and my plans. But hey, at least I change it back and forth between related subjects. At least I'm not switching from Music to Chemistry to History to Sports Medicine or something. I mean, that's something, right?
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[15 February 2007|01:34pm] |
STILL all pinkiful. I'm almost embarrassed to visit LJ in the lab, lest people should think I'm hitting up a dating site.
"Cry Me A River" just came on. Did I mention that the lab technician guy has about ten bazillionjillion gigs of music, by the way? As much variety as there is in his collection, it's funny that I've heard the "Mercedes Benz" song something like four times in the last week. There must be some kind of rotation.
I'm teaching now. Kind of a lot. This means that I'm breaking my own vow of Russian, like, everyday. Even now But I DO write in my journal (the book one) in Russian. It just takes... a lot... longer.
I'm moving out of my homestay. I really love my hostmom, but her дети (kids) are little bitches. Plus, it's alllllllllll the way out there, and I'd like to live closer to my friends. Like, at least on the same island, knaamean? Plus, it's cheaper. HEAPS cheaper. I can live on bread and cheese, you know. S'cool with me. And cookies.
I'm becoming more serious about the Serendipity program. At the end of March, probably, I'm going to Vladimir to check it out, look around. I'm still going to do a 6th year at USC, but after that, I want to come back. I can hear my dad now, "How many years do you need in that country?!" I don't know. How many years do I have?
Next weekend I'm going to Riga. I'll take pictures, then maybe actually post them someday. Lookit, I have GOALS!
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[14 February 2007|12:58pm] |
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LiveJournal looks all pink and sissyful today.
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[02 February 2007|12:58pm] |
23
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[20 January 2007|07:08pm] |
| [ |
On being
Annoying the neighbors |
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frunnoyed |
] |
Because there are so many places I want to see, a limited time frame in which to see them, and finite funds all around, I'm having the hardest time planning my trip. I'd be fine with winging it and picking up trains and busses to wherever suits me as I go, but that means mo' money, and that means fewer destinations. My name is Nomi, and I can't make plans.
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| Dear Russian Language, |
[14 January 2007|02:49am] |
I'm glad I'm not going back to Russia with an American program. I'm glad I'll be surrounded by Russian-speaking people only. The second I return, I will not utter a single word in English, unless it's in my English class, and unless it's in Good Taste Sarcasm. I'm going to let that mean whatever I want it to mean at any given time.
I'm making this pledge. I'm committing myself to it.
Your friend,
Nomi
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[25 December 2006|02:56am] |
Jeeeeeeeeeetlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag
6:39 AM edit: So in addition to being jetlagged, I'm also bored. Maybe I'll go wake Joe'e up so she can get the Christmas thing started.
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[05 December 2006|03:50pm] |
I want this for Christmas. "American Tongues," the full-length version. I've seen it three times and I love it. And I want to show it to my class. And Olga's classes. And my someday children. What.
Things are flowing. The semester's winding down, but don't let that deceive you. I'm looking at changing my plans again. Again. AgainAgainAgain. It includes staying and studying here independently, no programs outside of Smolniy. It's cheaper and affords me more freedom. And at the end, which would be earlier, I'd take the rest of my time and deneg to Eastern Europe, where I'd spend it on studying language practice in the former Soviet republics since the collapse of the Union itself. It's a broad, very general question that I haven't a clue how I'll go about answering. But it interests me, and I wouldn't mind pushing myself beyond my comfort zones for once. The excitement of travel and teaching and learning--it keeps me up all night. In high school, thinking of boys used to keep me up all night. Lesson: Boys are stupid. And I truly feel I'm a linguist at heart, even if I'm not as smart as one, yet.
Annie, I'm flying into NYC from Dublin at the end of May. Would you like to see the Big Apple with me?
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[18 November 2006|02:26pm] |
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I've come to the conclusion that my dad doesn't think I'm his daughter. I've thought this out rationally. It all makes sense. It sucks, but at least now I really can see where he's coming from. Above every storm there is a beautiful blue sky. Unless it's nighttime.
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[18 October 2006|01:20pm] |
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So today I had L2 Magic. I was about to ask a question in English, when I stopped myself and thought, "Hey, I can do this in Russian." And then I did.
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| Attn: ALL Re: RETARDEDNESS |
[09 October 2006|01:29pm] |
THIS is how to send me something. Not the other thing. Thank you.
[Enter Nomi's Name Here]
CIEE - Center for Russian Language and Culture
ulitsa Smolnogo dom 1/3
Sedmoj podezd
St. Petersburg, Russia
193311
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[04 October 2006|02:19pm] |
Another address.
[Insert Nomi's name here]
CIEE Center for Russian Language and Culture
Russian Language Program
St. Petersburg State University
Universitetskaia Naberezhnaia 7-9
St. Petersburg 199034, RUSSIA
И ещё (for those who are copy/paste/print-happy)
[Insert Nomi's name here]
СМОО Центр Русского Языка и Культуры
Санкт Петербургский Государственный Университет
Университетская наб. д.7-9
Санкт-Петербург 199034 РОССИЯ
RUSSIA
There. That's my part. Except for the part where I engage in the mass mailing of postcards to people I may and may not really know. That's still high up there on my "Do This Already, You Lazy Ass!@" list.
And Chris, I don't know why the address you had is different from the one I got today... I may still send you a postcard there, just to see where it goes... :)
Leave a comment if I haven't given you my phone number yet. I tend to forget that new numbers do not magically log themselves into my friends' phone books, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD. Sorry 'bout that.
Later, guys!
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[28 September 2006|04:12pm] |
I've been lazy, so I haven't posted the address to which you can send me stuff or love or whatever. So I'm copying Chris's..
[Enter Nomi's Name Here]
CIEE - Center for Russian Language and Culture
ulitsa Smolnogo dom 1/3
Sedmoj podezd
St. Petersburg, Russia
193311
I had this idea that if it were written in Russian, it would get here faster. We can test that later. I'm here till May-June-ish, you know.
Speaking of, new plans. Not sure about Christmas break, but next summer I already have a good idea of what I want to do. Its name is Travel. I want to linger in Russia for a spit, then go to Mexico and find my roots or get a tan or something, and find my way to places in South America, like Brazil, Peru, Chile, for example. I'm looking for a place I can study Spanish here. I already found a church that holds mass in Spanish on Saturdays (mind you, I'm not really Catholic, but that's language exposure, dudes, and Jesus). I found a conversation partner for Russian (although, technically, like, EVERYBODY in this country is a conversation partner for Russian), and I'm thinking I could meet other Russian students of Spanish, and thereby seriously knock out multiple numbers of raptors with the same sedimented matter.
Guitar isn't going, anymore. The teacher is a professional fakebook, see. Not really helpful.
Monday I start going to Olga's phonetics classes. She says it's an interesting, jolly bunch of students from all over Russia. I'm just glad to meet new people. I haven't been progressing as much as I should've, because I've been caught up in the American ghetto. But English is just so... easy.
I've also fallen ill. Mostly it's an annoying hacking, wheezing, whooping cough. Doesn't let me sleep too good. Makes me miss school. And I think it's causing me to go deaf. But I've consigned myself to the host mother's medicine, which at first consisted of berries. Berries, berries, berries, everywhere berries! But then that didn't work, and she gave me Sudafed-type stuff. But that didn't work, so she gave me tabletki. And then that didn't work, so she gave me vapo-rub type stuff. And... guess what. We've now resorted to shooting some weird droplets of something up my nose. I don't know, but I think it's working. Fucking weirdo application, though. But it could be worse. We could still be working with berries...
Time's low, and it's about time to go anyway. Miss you all, and your free, conveniently placed water fountains. Make sure you smile at Emiliano as you go.
Пока
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