In my Mind, I'm goin' to Carolina:

can't you just see the sunshine/can't you just feel the moonshine

(insert more James Taylor here, if you'd like)

Since I was a child (circa 1982) I have been a Tar Heel fan.

If you're NOT from the great state of North Carolina (my father is) then you don't understand exactly.

You're born a Carolina or Duke or Wolfpack Fan. No questions asked. You are one or the other (Tim Duncan would remind us to throw in Wake Forest into the equation too).

Back to 1982. Michael Jordan (have you heard of him?) & Georgetown. NCAA Championship and little Janet drawing pictures of little "feet". Yes. I couldn't get enough of "the feet" and I would do anything for an original artwork from then!

To make a long story short(er) fast forward to 1993. I did all the "smack" talking a freshman in HS could do before Final Four weekend. Guess who came out the victor? ME (and UNC)!

I'm pretty sure I can find some of the games I recorded on VHS. Yes. I'm like an old man talking about "glory days" when it comes to this stuff. I wrote a term paper about Dean Smith and his legendary coaching career. Plant a big "L" on my forehead! HA HA!

I visited the campus a few summers ago & because there was a basketball camp in progress, I actually got to step onto the court & see all the jerseys in the rafters! BLUE HEAVEN, indeed! We strolled around Franklin Street as well, but being ON COURT was priceless!

Where am I going with all of this? You've probably figured it out. Sorry, Memphis. Don't hate me for being a True Blue Carolina fan. It's been a part of my life for a serious amount of time. I even had Carolina Blue painted walls for a long time, friends.

I've even did my share of "trash" talking with none other than Shane Battier (he forgave me. LOVE HIM!).

So what does a girl do with her favorite team is Number ONE in the country and sitting right there at Number TWO is MEMPHIS? The school in which I will be graduating from (eventually)....

It's enough to make my little Basketball Heart beat right out of my chest.

~~J

Year of the Pig, Dog, Horse, Monkey, Etc.

No, I'm not a Water Horse (which I've heard is a pretty awesome flick) but I'm an EARTH Horse instead!

(you are as well, if you were born in 1918 or 1978--and no, I was NOT born in 1918....that is NOT even funny)

I decided to look all of this information up after having a conversation about a certain little J-Mo who was born this past August. His mother and I were wondering WHAT "Year" he was because he is often called Monkey.

We knew it wasn't Year of the Monkey--but discovered it was Year of the (Fire) Pig instead. So now I have to call him PIGLET! Fabulous.

So back to me (or you). I mean, the Horse:

Above all, the Horse is cut out to be in politics, a career which could bring great personal satisfaction with the opportunity to grind his own axe. He could be a winner here, for he has the facility to sway the crowd.

That's amusing. I mean--I am very political (too much so), but I don't see myself as a Politician.

Positive Qualities: Vivacious, Energetic, Adventurous, Independent and Non-conformist, Engaging and Charming, Honest and Straightforward, Hard-working, Considerate and Kind-hearted

Negative Qualities: Fiery Temper, Proud, Impulsive, Stubborn, Self-Centered, Blunt

Interesting.


~~J

P.S. Calling all Dogs (1958, 70, 82) & Tigers (1962, 74, 86) ! We're supposed to be BFF and Soulmates! And then my Goats (1955, 67, 79) & Roosters (1957, 69, 81) we're close as well!

Filled with Spirit:

It started with a combo green holiday sweatshirt & santa purse. Oh! And a cell phone camera. It became an obsession!

I'm talking about candid Spirit photos from work.

Of course we've been so busy it's been difficult to get ready for all the Spirit wandering about. I didn't run and chase people down to catch their Fabulousness, except maybe once (with Frosty there).

Next season I shall be better prepared. (and who knows what I will see in the upcoming days).

ENJOY!

~~J

Your Mission, if you Choose to Accept It:

So here I am, class-free and NOT posting in my blog. Although technically I am NOW posting in my blog, but lately I have found myself without “words.”

('without words' almost like the episode of Golden Girls I watched last night in which Blanche decides she is going to be the next great Southern writer...with her bodice-ripping romance novels...I could've died laughing!)

Since classes ended last week, I have found Time (I didn’t know Time was lost) to catch up on Holiday cards & giftage. It is rather easy to shop for someone when they are with you and tell you EXACTLY what they want.

I made treats for my co-workers (or “associates” as they are officially known). How does this sound: Chocolate & Sprinkled Covered Pretzel Rods!!! My partner-in-crime is probably rolling her eyes right now. After we found a Method to Our Madness, it was grand fun!

I received word from a classmate yesterday, she is also frantically checking for our Grades. Nope. I had to admit to her (and you) I have been doing the same, several times a day. I "think" the deadline is the 20th...

Quick story: So Buttercup loves to "chase" squirrels. She whines & runs & jumps & absolutely loses her MIND when she sees one. So I thought it would be fun to get her a "Squirrel" toy.

(like she doesn't have about 3.2 million toys already)

JUST NOW, before I could even wrap it up, she jumped up and stole it off the table. I am hoping to steal it back and hide it from her. BUT now she won't let it out of her sight...

Covert Operation S.S.B. is on! (Steal Squirrel Back)

~~J

p.s. And for your reading pleasure--an article about her NGPS by author Laura Zigman!

Let them eat French Toast:

*All apologies to Ms. Antoinette, it will follow you forever*

So I am completely done. Well, as far as this semester is concerned. I took my final Final this morning.

Yes, there was celebration, in the form of dancing in the street. No. I was just checking to see if you were still with me. Two classmates and myself decided to party on over to IHOP for some fabulous breakfast food.

We were all READY for grub after rushing to campus for our 7:30am Final. On the menu? Not Pancakes BUT Stuffed French Toast…strawberries…whipped cream! It’s was sinfully delicious and completely worthy of our excellence as "students who SURVIVED the craziness" which was our Bio II class.

(I had Gingerbread Pancakes the other night while "group studying" for Film)

I have so many things I’d like to do:

Holiday cards are in desperate need of finishing.
I think there’s a load of laundry somewhere.
Sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of Memphis*
& I am scheduled to be at work in a few hours.

I think a NAP will do for now.


~~J

*Thanks Walt Whitman via Robin Williams for that sudden burst of modified Poetic Beauty!

2 Scheduled Study Sessions and...

a partridge in a pear tree!

So I have finished one class (Art) and now I can really focus on the remaining two. Really? I keep telling myself "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger" (Nietzsche, not Kanye West) but sometimes I have to wonder.

Last night I took a "soul break" and attended the 85th Performance of Handel's Messiah at Calvary Episcopal Church downtown. This was my 3rd or 4th time attending and it was just as beautiful and spectacular as ever!

Afterward I got to drive "up" Poplar Ave and see my old "stomping ground"...I definitely miss Midtown. It just feels right! I wanted to eat at Fino's (closed, of course) and then go to Bookstar (almost closed) for coffee..who could forget grocery shopping at Schnucks on Union?

If I talk about Studio on the Square, I might cry *sniff*...BUT I did have to stop at Poplar & Highland for gas (or I wouldn't have made it back home)...

& the point of all of this is? I don't know.

Tomorrow I have a study session for Film (again) BEFORE work and then I have a study session Wednesday night for Bio II AFTER work (and my Film final)...WOO!

I am gonna miss my Bio Girls...and my Film Crew!

Lord, help me!

~~J

A Tangled Web*

One of the challenges of being a college student is the ability to balance everything accordingly. It's something I had difficulty with the first time around and thus I am trying to keep it all together now.

This weekend has been spent immersed in Art. Two chapters of Art (one chapter is "make-up") and one major paper about a work of art. See that lovely piece? It's La Mariée by Marc Chagall.

I love, love, love, love, LOVE it!

I thought about doing a different piece and artist, but when I found myself drawn to holiday cards last week featuring work by Chagall, I knew it was a sign to go a different way. This different way includes more research. But that's how I roll.

Due Date? MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY. Yes, Tomorrow.

I went back to Barnes & Noble last night to meet with my Film study group. Our final is Wednesday night. I will miss my fellow "old" students very much! We bonded immediately and apparently make a fabulous team.

Next to us in the cafe, was a professor at the University of Memphis. I know this, because she inquired about our discussion and said we worked so well together. We were "the perfect example of a study group."

insert AWWWWWWWWs here

The model study group shall meet again--tonight. If I ever finish my paper (half way through!) and last Art chapter. THEN I can start worrying about my Bio II final (Thursday). I still have to meet with a classmate and get some information.

*Oh I weave it well.

~~J

Biological Species Concept:

Why are you reading this? I know it wasn't the title that made you click on through--or maybe it was & you felt sorry for me. Moths to a flame, I'll never really know.

So I am thinking about 35312532 things I could be doing instead of doing what I need to do.

(That's a LOT of do do doing--can anyone else hear The Police right now?)

Perhaps I should be studying for my Last Bio II Exam (not including the final), which is scheduled to begin about 10 hours from now...tickticktick

HEY! My Biology Clock is literally ticking (not to be confused with my Biological Clock)

Tonight we watched THE PLAYER (1992) in Film class and I really liked it. I would say RENT IT asap! Besides, who knew Tim Robbins not only starred in the film, but he also makes a cameo! (Ladies, Susan Sarandon knows how to pick 'em!) I digress...

I also got my paper back (the one I stressed about for a couple weeks and changed films 1-week before the due date)...Good Times! Watch me tap dance around NOT studying for aforementioned Biology Exam.

Species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding organisms that are reproductively isolated from such groups.

Before you know it, I'll be promising to wake up early and study BEFORE class...Oy!

~~J

like Kim Zmeskal on floor:

WaaaaaHooooooo!!!

*insert a couple whip backs here*


(be prepared for the 2nd tumbling pass!)


I just got home from my Bio II Lab Practical which means NO MORE LAB! The "my college career" portion of any type of Biological Laboratory is over! AND as if that wasn't enough...how can it get better??...

Something happened to our dissected specimens...maybe they weren't sealed or frozen properly, but the smell got worse. If our professor can't handle it (Super Dr. o' Mammalian Biology and such) ya know it had to be BAD.

Praise all that is Holy, no Felix or Smiley to look at...all of that anatomy was NOT ON THE EXAM! (I could've done it--but still, ROCK ON!) So I guess I won't share the link I found to the Virtual Cat Dissection. Aren't YOU lucky?

THREE exams down and....FOUR left to go!

~~J

Dear Santa:

just in case he is reading, ya never know

A letter to our festive friend--and it's not even from me, but my BFF instead. I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that WOMEN are sports fans too. I don't think she'll mind me sharing.

~~J

p.s. don't worry Santa, if you can get in touch with me--I can get in touch with her.

dear santa,

all i want for christmas is 2 tickets to the bcs national championship game.

i've been a very good girl this year.

thanks,

jana

Day One:

(or day three on the Advent Calendar--yummo!)

So aside from "not working" yesterday and spending quality family time (putting out the appropriate seasonal decorations) I did a little bit of studying for one of my two exams tonight.

7 Little PHOTOG snippets to memorize:
(or facts to impress your friends with)

1) Photography literally means "Light Writing"
2) Edwin Land developed the first Polaroid instant camera
3) forerunner of the modern camera? the camera obscura
4) Alfred Stieglitz is the Father of Modern Photography (he was also married to artist Georgia O'Keeffe and took hundreds of portraits of her)
5) Margaret Bourke-White created the "Photo Essay"
6) Sociologist Lewis Hine photographed children working in coal mines in the early 1900s. His pictures helped to bring about Child Labor Laws.
7) In 1932, the Eastman Kodak Company started making color film

So the next chapter is calling my name (of course). Now I will also spend time looking over material for my Bio Lab Practical tomorrow morning (especially tonight after Art).

I've already made plans to spend a couple hours "group" studying for my last Bio II Exam (on Thursday, this is before our Final next week) after we take the Practical tomorrow.

Is it all making sense to you? Remember, I had to make a chart and or write everything down so I wouldn't forget something. But I still have that feeling of forgetting something.

~~J

p.s. I almost forgot to say: LSU LSU LSU!!!!