Why do birthdays make people in bad moods? I have been OK with my big day the past few years but this year again I was all down about everything. I hate that. But as soon as I was able to forget about the fact that it was my birthday, I was fine again. Mysterious indeed.
But it was a good weekend. Party with friends on Friday. Nice walk around the sunny city all day Saturday. Dancing with friends on Saturday. Brunch (consumed WAY too much pancakes, tater tots, eggs, bacon and jello), movie, then Oscars (with 2 cakes made for me!) on Sunday.
One person that made me mad was Stef. See, I share my birthday with an old classmate of mine, Jermaine. This year he turned 30. So on Saturday night a bunch of us went for dancing to a local bar which was supposed to have decent music. Mariza & I got there early and were surprised to find posters mentioning "Stef's birthday party" and we saw that My Little Pony graphics were in use in and around the club. Our entrance cover went towards some sort of horse rescue fund rather than to the greedy club owners. And there was a band playing that were FAR from what the website said was supposed to be playing. There was an accordion! (Don't get me wrong - I love the accordion, but i knew that Jermaine would not be pleased with the accordion-weilding band). Plus this "Stef" person kept appearing on stage to give an over-the-top screech and faking embarrassment whenever the band wished her a happy birthday. The band kept mentioning references to Stef before each of their songs. How Stef used to like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. How Stef likes horses. How great Stef is.
Ok, I'll admit. I was a bit jealous that someone else was getting all the attention when it was my, I mean, Jermaine's birthday. Did Stef really have to hog the spotlight so much? Especially once her band friends left and the advertised DJ came and did the 'normal' music? Did she still have to keep jumping on stage and doing weird little dance performances? I'm only thinking of how Jermaine felt about all this, you understand. But we didn't fight with her. We are far too old and brittle for that kind of thing. Plus that accordion player looked tough.
Pisces babies are taking over the world. I have about 5 friends' birthdays coming up in the next couple of weeks. Happy fun times to carry me over into spring and the thaw. Soooooo looking forward to the thaw.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
This hurts my head
Gambian president's cure for AIDS: green paste and bananas
An article from "The Daily Mail". Included in the article:
"Whatever you do there are bound to be sceptics, but I can tell you my method is foolproof," said Mr Jammeh, 41. "I can cure Aids and I will."
The former army colonel, who seized power in a 1994 coup, has said the treatment uses seven plants – "three of which are not from Gambia".
A green paste is applied to a patient’s chest. A grey liquid is then splashed on, and finally the patient is given a bitter yellow brew to drink, followed by two bananas.
Health workers are reluctant to make a direct criticism for fear of damaging relations with the government.
An article from "The Daily Mail". Included in the article:
"Whatever you do there are bound to be sceptics, but I can tell you my method is foolproof," said Mr Jammeh, 41. "I can cure Aids and I will."
The former army colonel, who seized power in a 1994 coup, has said the treatment uses seven plants – "three of which are not from Gambia".
A green paste is applied to a patient’s chest. A grey liquid is then splashed on, and finally the patient is given a bitter yellow brew to drink, followed by two bananas.
Health workers are reluctant to make a direct criticism for fear of damaging relations with the government.
The worst part is reading the reader comments:
Cool. Now that there's a cure, I don't want to hear anybody whining anymore about how drug companies should be providing cheap AIDS drugs to African countries. Also, since a cheap cure is now readily available, I don't want to hear anybody whining about the "alarming" AIDS rates in Africa (or anywhere else for that matter).
-David
I have to go to bed. It is really too much sometimes.
Hearing things
Since my iPod died I have noticed that random songs have started popping in my head again. Songs that I don't have on my iPod. Like the Macarena. And like NSYNC songs. It is strange. But now instead of my iPod being on random, my brain is on random. And random it is.
OK, I realized I never updated about what the final result was from my interview etc etc. So, on Monday I get this email from them and it is just a response to my last email so the title is the same, and with Gmail, you can read the first few lines of the letter and all I can see is "Dear Kathryn Thank you for attending the interview with" and that's it. So I am panicking and not wanting to open it. Thinking that they would have opened with "Congratulations" if I would have got in. But at the same time, I knew there was a possibility that it might be an acceptance. But I didn't want to know either way. So I waited 5 minutes. With knots in my stomach. But still not wanting to face it, regardless of what it said.
Finally, I clicked on it and it said "I am now writing to let you know the decision of the Admissions Committee, and I am delighted to say that we will be offering you a place on the MBA programme."
I got in. And i was nervous and tense and scared but happy. Very shocked. Very, very shocked. I think during the whole, huge process... starting way back in April when I started studying for my GMAT, I never really truly thought I would get in. But it was my goal all along. From day one. And so all my hard work payed off. So next year, I will go to Cambridge. Scary but good. It is going to be so hard. But the harder it is, the more I'll get out of it. Right?!
OK, I realized I never updated about what the final result was from my interview etc etc. So, on Monday I get this email from them and it is just a response to my last email so the title is the same, and with Gmail, you can read the first few lines of the letter and all I can see is "Dear Kathryn Thank you for attending the interview with" and that's it. So I am panicking and not wanting to open it. Thinking that they would have opened with "Congratulations" if I would have got in. But at the same time, I knew there was a possibility that it might be an acceptance. But I didn't want to know either way. So I waited 5 minutes. With knots in my stomach. But still not wanting to face it, regardless of what it said.
Finally, I clicked on it and it said "I am now writing to let you know the decision of the Admissions Committee, and I am delighted to say that we will be offering you a place on the MBA programme."
I got in. And i was nervous and tense and scared but happy. Very shocked. Very, very shocked. I think during the whole, huge process... starting way back in April when I started studying for my GMAT, I never really truly thought I would get in. But it was my goal all along. From day one. And so all my hard work payed off. So next year, I will go to Cambridge. Scary but good. It is going to be so hard. But the harder it is, the more I'll get out of it. Right?!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Poor planning
Last night I made Mulligatawny soup with Mariza. It was delicious. While preparing it, as I was about the chop up the green chilies Mariza asked me if I wanted to wear gloves. "No, I won't be touching my eyes any time soon! I'll be careful!"
Everything was going so well until before bed when I remembered that I was wearing contacts. Ohhh, the burning...
This morning I completely forgot and did it again. By the time the first contact was in, I couldn't exactly not put in the second one.
Stupid stupid stupid.
Everything was going so well until before bed when I remembered that I was wearing contacts. Ohhh, the burning...
This morning I completely forgot and did it again. By the time the first contact was in, I couldn't exactly not put in the second one.
Stupid stupid stupid.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
February
There are several problems that I have with the month of February. I really hate how short February is. First of all, it means that rent is due a lot sooner than it normally is. And it just seems to go by really quickly. And since my birthday is at the end of February (25th) then it seems to get here really fast. Which stresses me out. Plus the cold of February sucks. The other day I was waiting for the streetcar for 45 minutes in the cold and it completely sucked all the life out of me. I was devastated and nearly in tears (out of both frustration at the stupid car that was blocking the streetcar from approaching and of sheer misery at the cold).
I keep telling people that I am turning 30. That is a lie. I will be but a youthful 29. But it keeps slipping out. It seems like the same thing anyway. It grosses me out really. The thought of it, combined with the cold, just makes me want to bury my head under my covers until it is all over and it is sunny and I can forget my age and just concentrate on the important things - ice cream and summer skirts.
I keep telling people that I am turning 30. That is a lie. I will be but a youthful 29. But it keeps slipping out. It seems like the same thing anyway. It grosses me out really. The thought of it, combined with the cold, just makes me want to bury my head under my covers until it is all over and it is sunny and I can forget my age and just concentrate on the important things - ice cream and summer skirts.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
VD and other updates
I have been rotten at updating. Several excuses, but I'll spare you. Here is what has been happening:
1) Interview went well. I won't know until next week though. And if I dont' get in, I think I will know why. It won't be because I forgot how to speak, or blanked out, or soiled my pants during the interview. Because I didn't do any of those things. The professor who interviewed me seemed to genuinely like me and we had a good rapport. His only concern was that I am an "atypical candidate", which he said is my strength as much as my weakness because other students may see no value in having me as a classmate, but the Cambridge MBA class prides itself on a diverse group, not just your typical bankers and business consultant people. So we'll see. But I'm not holding my breath. they only accept 105 people. We'll see.
2) I love New York. I had a great time seeing the Rangers (best stadium and damn, the Rangers fans sure have spirit). Weather was amazing (NYC has only offered me amazing sunny gorgeous weather every time I have been there so I only associate it with sunny skies). Food was good, shopping was good (I didn't buy anything except one summer shirt at Anthropologie), and people were highly entertaining.
3) I hate Delta Airlines. They suck my ass. 2 hours late on the way there, 1.5 hours late on the way back (and they ALMOST forgot our luggage at JFK). We were sitting in the plane and the pilot made an announcement that the plane wasn't balanced properly and that they had to load some sandbags into the back of the plane because it was too light. Well, I was sitting near the back by the window and saw them when they opened up the back of the plane and realized the reason it was so light was because there was no luggage! IDIOTS. People who complain about Air Canada should really count their lucky stars - it is like HEAVEN compared to Delta. Or so I think. By the time I got home on Sunday night it was 1am. I had to catch another plane the next morning at 8 (so had to wake up at 5:30am). Needless to say, I was not a happy camper on Monday.
4) Christina came to visit me on Monday night (after my quick trip to holy shite it's cold - Sudbury -27C) Tuesday we had the best night ever with free drinks, aura readings, happy hour specials on seafood and then the Leafs vs Islanders! We lost in overtime but we got to see a shootout which was fun and we were still super tipsy so it was very very fun. Did I mention that we made signs? But we didn't get on tv. Maybe next time.
5) I had a super fun Valentine's Day. How do you say Valentine's Day fun? How about an Austrian experimental film and french food!?! FANTASTIC! ;) Good times anyway!
Sometimes my iTunes comes up with the most horrible songs. I have about 4000 songs on my computer and some weird ones that I really SHOULD delete. Particularly when I am sitting here, in a good mood, and it is all thrown to hell when suddenly all I can hear is Michael Jackson ruining the Beatles' song "Come Together". My ears are bleeding.
1) Interview went well. I won't know until next week though. And if I dont' get in, I think I will know why. It won't be because I forgot how to speak, or blanked out, or soiled my pants during the interview. Because I didn't do any of those things. The professor who interviewed me seemed to genuinely like me and we had a good rapport. His only concern was that I am an "atypical candidate", which he said is my strength as much as my weakness because other students may see no value in having me as a classmate, but the Cambridge MBA class prides itself on a diverse group, not just your typical bankers and business consultant people. So we'll see. But I'm not holding my breath. they only accept 105 people. We'll see.
2) I love New York. I had a great time seeing the Rangers (best stadium and damn, the Rangers fans sure have spirit). Weather was amazing (NYC has only offered me amazing sunny gorgeous weather every time I have been there so I only associate it with sunny skies). Food was good, shopping was good (I didn't buy anything except one summer shirt at Anthropologie), and people were highly entertaining.
3) I hate Delta Airlines. They suck my ass. 2 hours late on the way there, 1.5 hours late on the way back (and they ALMOST forgot our luggage at JFK). We were sitting in the plane and the pilot made an announcement that the plane wasn't balanced properly and that they had to load some sandbags into the back of the plane because it was too light. Well, I was sitting near the back by the window and saw them when they opened up the back of the plane and realized the reason it was so light was because there was no luggage! IDIOTS. People who complain about Air Canada should really count their lucky stars - it is like HEAVEN compared to Delta. Or so I think. By the time I got home on Sunday night it was 1am. I had to catch another plane the next morning at 8 (so had to wake up at 5:30am). Needless to say, I was not a happy camper on Monday.
4) Christina came to visit me on Monday night (after my quick trip to holy shite it's cold - Sudbury -27C) Tuesday we had the best night ever with free drinks, aura readings, happy hour specials on seafood and then the Leafs vs Islanders! We lost in overtime but we got to see a shootout which was fun and we were still super tipsy so it was very very fun. Did I mention that we made signs? But we didn't get on tv. Maybe next time.
5) I had a super fun Valentine's Day. How do you say Valentine's Day fun? How about an Austrian experimental film and french food!?! FANTASTIC! ;) Good times anyway!
Sometimes my iTunes comes up with the most horrible songs. I have about 4000 songs on my computer and some weird ones that I really SHOULD delete. Particularly when I am sitting here, in a good mood, and it is all thrown to hell when suddenly all I can hear is Michael Jackson ruining the Beatles' song "Come Together". My ears are bleeding.
Friday, February 09, 2007
And I'm off...
Good stuff:
2 hockey games over the next couple days (Rangers vs Tampa Bay tomorrow night in NYC then Leafs vs Islanders in Toronto on Tuesday) YEEAH!!
Getting my hair cut tomorrow - always such a cathartic process
Snowing - so pretty
Dodgeball is so much fun and I am getting better. It doesn't hold the same satisfaction that ultimate frisbee does in that you don't really feel like you are getting as much of a tough workout as frisbee, but it is just more FUN. I like jumping around.
When there is a seminar going on at work and they bring the leftover trays of fruit and snack items up to our lunch room and we get treats! My favourites are the scones (buttery goodness) and the almond croissants. Imperative to my mental well being at work!
Hey, it's been 6 months since I started my job! So today I got called into my boss's office and told that I am no longer on probation and that I get the obligatory $500 raise. Nice!
2 hockey games over the next couple days (Rangers vs Tampa Bay tomorrow night in NYC then Leafs vs Islanders in Toronto on Tuesday) YEEAH!!
Getting my hair cut tomorrow - always such a cathartic process
Snowing - so pretty
Dodgeball is so much fun and I am getting better. It doesn't hold the same satisfaction that ultimate frisbee does in that you don't really feel like you are getting as much of a tough workout as frisbee, but it is just more FUN. I like jumping around.
When there is a seminar going on at work and they bring the leftover trays of fruit and snack items up to our lunch room and we get treats! My favourites are the scones (buttery goodness) and the almond croissants. Imperative to my mental well being at work!
Hey, it's been 6 months since I started my job! So today I got called into my boss's office and told that I am no longer on probation and that I get the obligatory $500 raise. Nice!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Fritz
Technology is failing me lately. First my iPod. There is still no sign of life to the thing. Then our wireless signal keeps spazzing out. So my access to the internet at home is unpredictable at best. My camera has been an on-going battle for the past 3 or 4 months, with strange lines showing up in the photos and memory card errors being a common occurrence. Now the latest is my cell phone. Over the weekend during an "Apple to Apples" drinking game, one lively participant spilled her drink on my cell phone. I didn't notice until the next day that when the alarm goes off you have to turn off the phone in order to shut off the alarm, and it won't charge properly.
So the question is... which of these should I spend money on replacing/fixing? The internet, I guess I can call my provider and see what they can do for me... but the others? Not likely a very easy fix. Sorry, I am obsessing over these things and letting them make me totally grumpy. The sudden issues with all things internet/phone/music related has totally changed my every day activities and routine.
One interesting thing that I have noticed is that this week I have had really vivid dreams. I rarely remember much about my dreams, but this week, each morning, there has been a strange and seemingly real dream to wake up from and remember clearly. All since my iPod stopped working. Hmmm - connection?
I had a dream about a golden retriever who was following me around and listened to what I said. To clarify the significance of this... I have never had my own dog, so no dog has ever totally obeyed all my commands. So it was so neat in this dream to have a strange dog show up and just listen to what I said! The dream then turned to focus on an email from my old employers in Kenya (I was still living there in my dream). The email stated that I had to learn and perform a traditional African dance (in costume) by the next day or else I would be stoned to death. So I was in a second hand store trying to find a suitable costume with my mom helping me and the dog following us around. I was pretty sure that I would be able to learn the dance but I was still pretty worried about being stoned to death.
So the question is... which of these should I spend money on replacing/fixing? The internet, I guess I can call my provider and see what they can do for me... but the others? Not likely a very easy fix. Sorry, I am obsessing over these things and letting them make me totally grumpy. The sudden issues with all things internet/phone/music related has totally changed my every day activities and routine.
One interesting thing that I have noticed is that this week I have had really vivid dreams. I rarely remember much about my dreams, but this week, each morning, there has been a strange and seemingly real dream to wake up from and remember clearly. All since my iPod stopped working. Hmmm - connection?
I had a dream about a golden retriever who was following me around and listened to what I said. To clarify the significance of this... I have never had my own dog, so no dog has ever totally obeyed all my commands. So it was so neat in this dream to have a strange dog show up and just listen to what I said! The dream then turned to focus on an email from my old employers in Kenya (I was still living there in my dream). The email stated that I had to learn and perform a traditional African dance (in costume) by the next day or else I would be stoned to death. So I was in a second hand store trying to find a suitable costume with my mom helping me and the dog following us around. I was pretty sure that I would be able to learn the dance but I was still pretty worried about being stoned to death.
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