Originally Posted by lynnar:
Good for you Azure! Are you from New England? I have a Masters of English from Eastern Kentucky University (of all places!). We just happened to be living there when I started grad school. But I can't say the degree has helped me much with my career, but you probaby have much better career plan than I did. (Plan: Write a best selling novel and live off the proceeds forever!!)

Thanks! Yes, I'm from New England--I've lived in Massachusetts since the age of 12 (I was Floridian before that). All of my Grad. Schools are generally New England, too (though I did apply to Penn. State--which is North East...kinda).

I feel like I've got a lot of options open to me. I'm a Literature girl, and know that if I don't end up getting my PhD to teach at the University level, or teach at the High School level, I could work in publishing or generic corporate America just fine. I like writing, but I've never thought I'll be the next Stephen King ;) I'm looking forward to being able to research and learn about what interests me as a Grad. student, as opposed to just doing all the stuff you're "supposed" to learn as an undergrad. It's very exciting :carrot:

Thanks for the congrats, everyone ;) I'm so pumped!

Grad school was alot of fun, even for Stephen King wanna-be's like me. You're right. You can read and research the stuff you like. I got to do a lot of writing including some fiction. I was American Lit too (EKU didn't offer a creative writing degree- neither did my undergraduate school). The one regret I have now as I'm getting closer to the end of my career is that I didn't take any education credits. I never would have believed (back in those days) that a time would come when I would even consider teaching, but now, I can see how that could be a good career. I have all this English, but to be a public school teacher I'd need to go back and take lots of education credits. I would be better prepared for teaching at the University level - but college kids scare me. They're way too smart.
Joyce, I have some of the same challenges with vacation. I usually do fit in a work out of some kind and I can probably control my eating to an extent, but I like to drink some adult beverages while vacationing. I'll probably limit it to diet mixers with some kind of hard liquor, but that's not really very good either.
This is DD's vacation. It's spring break and I feel like we should take her somewhere. It's DD23's last spring break (she graduates in May), but she's working so she'll only be there for part of the vacation. DS20 isn't interested in any of it! Not a real exciting trip, but it's nice to get away! I have two bicycles in the process of being repaired, so we'll have four bikes if we can figure out how to transport them all!

Originally Posted by lynnar:
Grad school was alot of fun, even for Stephen King wanna-be's like me. You're right. You can read and research the stuff you like. I got to do a lot of writing including some fiction. I was American Lit too (EKU didn't offer a creative writing degree- neither did my undergraduate school). The one regret I have now as I'm getting closer to the end of my career is that I didn't take any education credits. I never would have believed (back in those days) that a time would come when I would even consider teaching, but now, I can see how that could be a good career. I have all this English, but to be a public school teacher I'd need to go back and take lots of education credits. I would be better prepared for teaching at the University level - but college kids scare me. They're way too smart.

Aww, Lynn! You graduated with a Masters degree! From personal experience with Freshman through Seniors as an Undergrad...I can tell you that most of us aren't "way too smart" ;) I'm sure you'd be great! I'm going to be more of an Early British Literature concentration, as opposed to the American Lit side of things--but that's just my area of interest. It's too bad your Universities didn't have a creative writing program, since that was your interest. Most of the places I applied did, and had a whole separate entry criteria for them.

Azure-congratulations! That's fantastic news. Hope you get into the school you want. I have to say, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes at this point in my life though.

Lynn-I know what you mean about the coughing fits. I've been having them too. And you should hear me blow my nose.....or maybe not. I keep waiting for the brains to come out.

Bambi-I won both of my court cases today too.:lol:

Sylvia-thanks for the advice. You must have missed the part where I mentioned I'm a doctor. I eat a lot of yogurt and kefir anyway.

Originally Posted by Azure:
. . . I'm keeping my fingers crossed for UConn, though.

WTG AZ!!!:carrot: Will keep the )))))UCONN((((( vibes headed your way!:hug:

Originally Posted by Puncezilla:
Way to go cj! Congrats!

Aud, http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/gen026.gif this guy kinda looks like he's trying to do pushups, in a pool of his own sweat. Or maybe you should take up skipping so you can use this one http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sport016.gif. As for " the joy of a perfect push up & sit up " I Can't say I've ever felt this joy. Sad to think I'm not in as good of shape as some 90 yr olds.
Your library may take requests, I wanted the great cholesterol con, so I asked the library to buy it and they did.

Lilybell, I hope you're better soon, missing your posts.

Get well everyone and have a great day!

I LOVE that lil guy puncie! Trying to steal him now for the Exercise Thread . . . he even LOOKS like me . . .

YAY - it worked! Now off to enjoy the rest of the evening here at home - such a nice change!

GET BETTER LILY!!!!!

ttyal!

Originally Posted by :
Also checked out a 3 books in 1 P.D. James Mystery Series . . . always have a prob remembering what detective series I've listened to vs read the printed word. This detective isn't ringing any bells so think I'm safe: "Adam Dalgliesh" of Scotland Yard.

Nice! PD James is great, imho.

Azure, fantastic news! Go Team You! (I'm very much an Arts Person myself - I'm interested in science, and do dip into Layman-friendly Science books, but I'm a Word Girl at heart. Do love visual arts, but narrative* is my crack cocaine. I love to read and I love to write. Corporate life, on the other hand, I really do NOT love. Been there, done that, bought the suit and binned it with delight when I left. Yay teaching!) Anyway - I'm delighted for you!

Petra - congrats on your success in court!

Soulbliss - if you swing by again, I'll chime in with my interest in how you make your own chocolate.

Meanwhile, in The World Of Me, there are two things on my mind:

(1) Gosh, the boy who's directing the short play that we're performing next week is lovely, and I enjoy his company, but he couldn't direct his way out of a paper bag. Ack. Really. He doesn't understand the characters or the structure or the rhythms of the play. He isn't sufficiently familiar with the lines and he's not bothering to follow them while he's watching us (which has an impact upon his suggestions). And the play is TINY, just a few pages long. Ack! Very frustrating. I mean, it's fun - but It's doing my head in a bit. It's going to be quite good, but it's not going to be as good or as focused as it should be, because he doesn't even realise where he's falling short.

(2) So I'm apparently a fourteen year old girl at the moment, because I'm developing a bit of a crush on a bloke, and last week there was flirting, and today there was a kind of flirty phone conversation. Which apparently is all it takes for me to be reduced to a blushing teenager.

It is, I realise, PATHETIC. But it's been a while since I've fancied anyone, and it's sort of fun. Even though I half expect that soon I will realise that (a) he isn't as bright as I think, (b) he doesn't fancy me, (c) he's secretly a Cylon or (d) he's secretly gay. Or, most likely, (e), I will freak out and engage in frantic unflirting to make sure that any chance of either of us fancying one another is killed stone dead, in order to pre-emptively avoid being rejected. Because I do that. Because I am MADE OF CRAZY.

However, just now I'm enjoying the whole flirting thing.

*which isn't to say I DISLIKE novels where the focus is more on how the story is told - I'm well disposed to Virginia Woolf and James Joyce (and one of these days I WILL finish 'Ulysses'), but at the end of the day I do love storytelling. Love love love. (...I suppose this isn't taking poetry into account is it? And God knows I love TS Eliot and Donne and wonderful word-spinners too...)

Way to go Azure. That is just great.

Yes, Petra, I missed that. Hope your stomach feels better.

Broad, you should definitely not try to blow this guy off. Men don't flirt just to be nice. Women do, but when a man flirts he means business and he does like you. You need to show him confidence. You are georgeous and funny. This is what he must see also. There is an awesome article in Time magazine, Jan 28, The Science of Romance, that you should read.

Originally Posted by :
There is an awesome article in Time magazine, Jan 28, The Science of Romance, that you should read.

Sounds intriguing!

I think the thing is that once I start making it into A Thing in my head, I sort of turn into a gauche, tongue-tied, awkward teenager - in short, I suddenly revert twenty years. Whereas if I'm not making things into A Thing in my head, then I can just be Confident!Chick, with the flirty banter and nonchalent charm and wisecracks and all that crap. So I'm trying quite hard to not overthink things. If that makes ANY sense to anyone outside of my head . (I think I'm saying that I'm much better at flirting when I'm not actually bothered about trying to make someone like me. Which I guess is true of everyone!)

BAB - Your feelings for the "bloke" is in no way "pathetic". I still get that "14 yr old feeling" when I like someone new! Actually miss that feeling...ya know...butterflies...ooooh...tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach! Trust me...we all love that sh*t! I think you're right though...do whatever keeps you in control...just don't sabotage the relationship (i.e. friendship, companionship, love???, who knows!)...and let the chips fall where they may! BTW, YOUR HOT...seriously hot! Beautiful face, enormous fluffy boobies, curvacious bod..with just a little more cushion for the pushing.:lol: I would not be surprised if he were attracted to you (****..I was in that damn black dress...Ms. boobalishous!:lol:). Sorry...not trying to score a date...but you know what I mean! And, with your personality, intelligence and whit to match...I'd say, he'd be the lucky one! Congrats again on losing 4 lbs...keep going like that...and you'll put Drew out of business in no time! I noticed 2 of your favorite novels were "Virginia" Wolfe and James "Joyce"...hmmmm...is this an omen...Virginia...Joyce.....see the connection??:lol:

Good Morn All! Okay...here's the latest...I've been hearing alot about this #1 selling E-book called "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle by Tom Venuto". I also subscribe to a bodybuilding forum. All the leanest bodied woman highly recommended it. While I'm not big on reading books about losing weight...I thought, hey...if these chicks (who are 15% bodyfat) lost the weight following this guys program (all reviews seemed very real and unscripted)...I should bite the bullet and check it out. I just downloaded it yesterday. It's over 300 pages so I'm gonna take it to Kinkos and let them print and bind it for me. I've skimmed through the book so far...and it does seem amazing, real-life applications...no "science" to talk about too heavy, but "real life experiences" which is what I like. It also has nutrition advice for all different bodytypes...no "one size fits all" approach. It's written in very simple language and I'm so stoked about reading it and trying it out! I'm really interested to see if I can still do Atkins on this program. I do love Atkins...but this time, I really want to take it all the way (18% bodyfat), and for life!!! The book seems to explain alot about supplements and how they are (waist of your hard earned $$$). And how, you should eat every 3 hours...okay..okay...I've going ahead of myself...just can't wait to read this book! Anyways...I'm gonna start a thread on this book and note the progress I make during the each step (equipped with photos). If it works...perhaps this will motivate someone else, if it doesn't, then you'll know what NOT to spend your money on! Kind of my own "personal review" of the book. Well...tata..all...have a great day (or eve) wherever you may be! Joyce

Faye-the court things was a joke. Bambi commented that she had two deadbeat tenets evicted yesterday and I had mentioned that I was going to court too. I had two patients committed (for involuntary psychiatric treatment). Not exactly something I celebrate. It's an unpleasant neccesity of my job.

WOW Petra!!! I didn't realize that either! That must be the "taxing" part of your job! I've always been fascinated with human psychology and therefore jobs in the psych world. I applaud you for the help you provide to so many. In the long run...you are helping to save people who cannot save themselves, so in essence, it is a victory! Hope you are feeling better.:hug: Joyce

Originally Posted by petra65:
Faye-the court things was a joke. Bambi commented that she had two deadbeat tenets evicted yesterday and I had mentioned that I was going to court too. I had two patients committed (for involuntary psychiatric treatment). Not exactly something I celebrate. It's an unpleasant neccesity of my job.

Originally Posted by cjones77:
Down two pounds since yesterday, which I'm sure was primarily water but I'll take it!

Hi & WELCOME cj77!:carrot: How long have you been LC'ing? I'd take the 2lbs right there with ya - water or no!;):D Congrats!:hug:

Oooooohhhhhh soulBbbbbbbbb???? Come tell us how to make choooocccccooooollllllaaaate!:p

Ohhhhh bbboooouuunnnnccccciiiieeee??? Missing ya!:( Got a few chapters in to the 1st PD James~Cover Her Face book . . . haven't "met"the detective yet. Forgot to mention that one of the reasons I chose this author for some lay-off-from-work-mystery-reading is that on the jacket she said that Dorothy Sayer influenced her greatly. Me 'n Bouncie love us some Sayer!:p

Got some audio Jackie Collins for my work-outs - she do take the mind somewhere else!:cool: Will be living vicariously thru Jackie . . . until Fay begins her juicy affair, that is!;) GO FOR IT FAYE!:carrot: ITA with bambi & I AM trying to score a date!:dizzy:

Hi petra! Bet that part of your job can be so draining! Hang in There Girl!:hug: Do you ever watch Intervention on a&e? There was a haunting case on there about an alcoholic/meth addict that there has been a lot of debate on whether her underlying psychiatric condition should be treated b4/in conjunction with her addiction. The addiction treatment didn't work as far as I know.:( Family was just at a total loss - viewers still waiting for an update. The addict chose jail over further treatment.

Has anyone heard from robin?:?: Hope biz is boooming!:)

Was thinking of us jerseygyrl/scalm/lilyb & lynnar - reading the review of Valerie Bertinelli's book - aren't we all the same age as Val~47? My Big Sis did Jenny Craig . . . with the same results as Kirstie Alley.:p Val sure looks good (with or w/o the weight!) - waaay better than Eddie!

Day One of the Lay Off and it looks like a beauty - 'posed to be 70 so getting on out of here . . . ttyal!

Originally Posted by aud:

Was thinking of us jerseygyrl/scalm/lilyb & lynnar - reading the review of Valerie Bertinelli's book - aren't we all the same age as Val~47?

Bite your tongue Aud...I don't turn 47 for another 5 months!!!:smug: