Que Sera Sera:

(whatever will be, will be)

Sadly, It has come to my attention that I did not win the scholarship I mentioned months ago in a lovely entry entitled: My (imagined) Sitcom Life. The news arrived in the form of a standard email--which did include a phone number to call for more specific information.

(the future's not ours, to see)

I might call later in the week to get more details--I will wait until after I've completed my FINALS. Yes, the semester is over (as far as actual classes are concerned) and now I just need to finish the final exam(s).

You are probably wondering WHY I am writing instead of studying, right? Well, I just completed one section of homework (only 1232 to go). I can't do Math all day, my eyes could permanently cross and my brain could explode.

(Que Sera, Sera)

Aside from the obvious--this upcoming week will be filled with many other things including:

1. an annual visit to the vet (lucky, Buttercup)
2. a visit with my Adviser at the university (should be fun)

AND *drumroll* the day after my last Final...

3. a required legal visit downtown for a JURY POOL (seriously)

(What will be, will be)

~~J

57 Channels (And Nothin' On):

(Sorry Bruce, but I disagree)

Last summer in my Oral Communication (Speech) class, we had a very interesting conversation about the "latest" and "greatest" forms of communication. Specifically how technology has changed the way we communicate with one another.

Are we communicating LESS now that there are so many different forms out there? Emails versus Letters...etc.

How many times have you seen someone texting on a device instead of talking to the person RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM?

My instructor required us to write a paper on the subject. (I specifically talked about BLOGS in my paper AND people following treads seen on TV) He personally thought that television had revolutionized communication more than anything else has.

(More people worldwide have televisions versus computers & the fact that the new "thing" with mobile devices is watching television)

I definitely thought about that last night while I watched episode after episode of THE OFFICE (current season). Here I was ONLINE--watching television. (And just for the record, I can NOT get enough of THE OFFICE!)

Also via Netflix I have watched more TELEVISION episodes than films this year. My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks...plus I'm on season 3 of Felicity.

OH! And I've begun The Tudors! At first I though it would do me some good with all of this British History and Literature I'll be studying this year. But if you know anybody other than JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS who looks so good in tights, please let me know.

Moral of the story? Television is awesome and has changed the way we communicate with one another, very much so.

(I was going to talk about The News, Programming and how it dictates our lives, Advertising...maybe some other time)

~~J

Dear Starbucks:

I love you. No, really I do.

(and I don't think it's the caffeine talking)

Every time I go into one of your stores (and I've visited quite a few in the Memphis area) I am greeted by friendly and knowledgeable baristi (plural, I've looked it up).

I have a couple friends (actually I can only name ONE) who doesn't feel the same way I do. She was given a raisin scone instead of a chocolate chip scone several years ago and has sworn you a mortal enemy ever since.

(no, she didn't go back and explain the switch-a-roo)

Everyone else? LOVES you too! I was quite shocked last summer to find out that my Mother even visits one location so frequently everyone knows her by name. We delightfully exchange your gift cards and revel in your coffee products like it's no body's business!

I was told this past December to make sure and REGISTER all gift cards. So I went online and registered one. Then I promptly LOST said registered card. Whoops. I didn't think too much about it because I had other gift cards to use.

Then I received an email from you last month which said that you had loaded an additional $5 onto the aforementioned LOST card. You didn't know I had lost the card. You were just treating me & it was much appreciated.

I've since torn my room apart & basically gave up hope on finding the card. BUT WAIT! All hope is NOT lost because I REGISTERED the card--which means my balance is secure!

I called this morning and had the balance on the LOST card switched to another card. And keeping with every OTHER dealing I've ever had with you--the person I spoke to was extremely nice and helpful.

So the moral of the story? I love you. I really do. AND everyone else--BE SURE TO REGISTER YOUR CARDS!

~~J

Fear My Tiger Style:

nataliedee.com

Wow. How appropriate is this? I'm said it before and I'll say it again: an elephant's faithful 100%! Whoops, sorry. I channeled Dr. Seuss for a second there. I've mentioned both Natalie Dee and Toothpaste for Dinner before. They are responsible for some of my absolute favorite webcomics EVER!

~~J

So you're an English Major?

People are generally pretty excited when I tell them I am back in college.

Immediately I am asked, "What's your major?" And with sparkling eyes I get to reply, "English!"

Now imagine the blank stare right about here.

So I throw in mention of the Journalism minor to make them feel better.

I think some people are surprised because I've been working in the field of Pharmacy for 13 years now. They assume I am going to school to be a Pharmacist. I completely understand. But the correct answer is "No, I am not in Pharmacy School."

READ: A bachelor's degree in English provides you with skills for a variety of positions in business, government, research, education, publishing, as well as in the cultural, entertainment, and communications industries.

English as a major is versatile and helps you develop skills useful in many career fields. Your major is only one of many variables to be considered when developing career plans. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Effective career decision making is based on a thorough assessment of your skills, interests, values, and experiences

This is all very good to know and remember.

So what am I interested in? That's a very difficult question because I really LOVE a lot of different things. I could see myself as a Cultural Critic. Specifically in the area of Film, Food, Music, Literature, Politics and Art.

A Features Writer for a Newspaper or Magazine, perhaps?
Editorial Assistant? Lobbyist? Copy Writer? Fact Checker?
Poet? Writer (short stories, essays, etc.)? Freelance?

I have ideas. There are opportunities. Of course none of them include making $$$ after graduation (like a pharmacist) and that's perfectly fine with me.

~~J

Top of the World (almost):

So back from the "glorious run" some call a DREAM, but we call a reality (because WE are MEMPHIS)...

A lot of exciting things have occurred this week (despite the result Monday night). I've come to realize the reason WHY I love, love, LOVE sports. And it's simple really.

Where else in the world can you experience EVERY human emotion over the short course of a season?

And despite experiencing all of these emotions, you actually SURVIVE at the end! It's like a good book or film. Or maybe it's even like a hot fling with a foreign exchange student. You know it has to end eventually--but then when it does you have a lot of moments to remember fondly.

(and don't get me wrong, I've been in a "mourning period" just like everyone else--and it will be a long time before I can talk about the actual game)

There are just a couple weeks before FINALS...in my case, it's just two (and four) more classes respectively. I am relatively sure of the actual GRADE(s) I'll be receiving as well.

I actually have been in touch with an English Adviser at the University of Memphis this week and we have a meeting scheduled next week. I even got to register for the Summer and Fall semester yesterday!

Forthcoming classes
(over the remainder of the 2008):

Math Foundations II
England since 1714
British Literature to 1750
Forms of Poetry
Mass Communication Law
Feature Writing for Newspaper/Magazine

Hold on to your seat, my friends. There appears to be a light at the end of this tunnel (or over at the Frankenstein Place)...

~~J

T I G E R S !

I am a BIG MESS OF WEEPY!

seriously.

If you know me at all, you KNOW I am like--a basketball fanatic. Some are loons over football (for example) and I really adore ALL SPORTS (oddly enough) but my CRAZY really comes out for BASKETBALL.

Ask my Honors English teacher from high school. She really wasn't expecting an 8-page research paper about the genius of Dean Smith and North Carolina basketball. She got one anyway.

So here we go friends.

It's National Championship GAME DAY and my (soon-to-be Alma Mater) is playing for the TITLE! How nuts is this? It's been a "dream" ride with our "dream" team, so to speak. I've been quietly holding my breath & keeping my fingers crossed along the way.

The other day I got a phone call from someone who spent about 10 minutes telling me all the reasons why the Tigers couldn't beat UCLA--how they deserved no attention whatsoever. He used all the "reasons" we've heard a million times in the national media.

I couldn't believe it. I didn't say much and chalked it up to the green monster (he's a Vols fan anyway). After the Tigers BEAT UCLA though, I made sure to bring it up.

I've been counting down since Yesterday at 5pm (27 hours) and here we sit roughly at 8 hours. Thank goodness, I was already scheduled off from work. Thank goodness, I have no homework to finish.

I want to watch the game with a million other fans. I know there isn't a "room" big enough to hold us all and the fear of turning into Roberto Benigni accepting Oscars for LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL in 1999 is very great!

But I have a feeling that everyone will be dancing around like a hyperactive puppy having to kiss and hug everybody--there is no shame in sharing the LOVE!

T-minus how many minutes?


~~J