Some Random Thoughts...

Well this new year has gotten off to a hectic start! We just started the new quarter last week and this one seems to be jam packed with work in a short amount of time. Since our quarter started so late this time, we have major deadlines that have to be met in like 3 weeks instead of the 4 or more weeks we'd usually get between in class time. The strange part is that I feel a lot more calm than I did last quarter despite the pressure we're under. Maybe I'm just used to it all now.

So my latest frustration in all the chaos of school...has to do with my laptop. While I love the laptop itself, I'm still struggling to get used to Windows Vista. On top of that...my laptop came with Microsoft Works. Okay so I don't even remember the last time I had to use a computer with Works on it. Yes..it's been that long. The only problem is...all of my homework has to be posted online in Word. So I've been having to do all my assignments and then converting them so I can post them. While it may not sound like it's a lot of work, it tends to get annoying. I have 3 classes which require weekly postings of assignments for each class. I decided I couldn't take much more of this so my brother is going to install Microsoft Office on my laptop. So yay for computer/tech savvy siblings!

Other than working crazy hours and school...I haven't been up to much else. Laurie and I did go check out XXX Rootbeer Drive-in down the hill from us in Issaquah. Okay if you like Rootbeer or Rootbeer floats...you totally have to check this place out! I got a "regular" size Rootbeer float and the big old frosty mug was ginormous! I can't imagine what the bigger size was like. Anyway...they have like the really good old fashioned Rootbeer with soft serve vanilla in it that is like really thick and creamy. Seriously...it was REALLY good!

I think that's it for now. I'll leave you with a few facts that I learned about Brazil in the last week or so because I just feel like sharing.

Random Facts:

- Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan.

- The most common language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese which makes it different from most South American countries that speak Spanish.

- Shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

-The only country to have played in every World Cup soccer tournament.

-Has more species of monkeys than any other country.

Another year done...

Well a new year is upon us once again! The last few weeks went by way too quickly! There were so many things to do and so many different people to see. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do everything I wanted to or see everyone I wanted to. That's the problem with the holidays...you try to fit in so much into such little time. Fortunately, I did get to see a lot of people I hadn't seen in awhile and got to visit with folks that came out here for a visit during the holidays.

Christmas was pretty low key this year. Well part of the reason for that was that I ran myself ragged from all my activities and wound up getting sick on Christmas Eve. I always have such great timing! Had a lovely dinner at Steve & Airi's and felt so bad at how sickly I felt and ended up eventually just heading to mom's for a nice night's sleep. Was going to visit Anna & Sarah's parents on Christmas day, but was pretty feverish and I didn't want to expose the little ones to my germs. So Christmas mainly involved a lot of laying around and relaxing with the fam.

With the passing of Christmas it usually means that New Year's and my birthday are right around the corner. As I was still sick...I really hadn't been looking forward to either. I decided to pass on the parties this year. I ended up having a nice relaxing evening with Anna and Sarah for a wine, cheese, and movie night. Perfect for my sickly self! After midnight, they brought out some champagne, presents, and the cutest little cake for my birthday.

The next day I had another lazy day with the fam. We did eventually get our butts in gear though and my mom, my bro, and I ended up heading to Seattle for dinner. My mom had just bought a new car a few days earlier so we were taking it for a spin. We ended up actually hopping the bridge and going to dinner in Bellevue. Yep we went to good old Crabpot which I love when I crave seafood. It was a pretty good day. Oh! One of the best things about the day was that my mom and brother bought me a laptop for my birthday! I couldn't believe it! They thought it would be easier for me for school. That was pretty awesome since I'd been saving up and looking for a laptop for myself for a couple of months!

Not much else has been going on. Still trying to fight this cold and just get back into school mode as we start in another week. I have an insane amount of pre-reading to do so hopefully I can get it done! To quote one of my classmates..."Nothing says Happy Holidays more than 700 pages or so of pre-reading for class!"