| (no subject) |
[Apr. 18th, 2009|12:24 pm] |
The semester is almost over, which means I have way to much work to do! I have three different projects going right now... fortunately two of them are related.
Ay. I cannot wait for summer. I can just focus on work (if I find a job, haha), improve my shitty GRE score, and explore what I want to write about in my thesis.
Picking a topic should be so easy, but it really isn't... it's something that you have to sit with and work on for months upon months.... I want to create something truly interesting.... I want to tell interesting stories. Ugh. I think that I am just torn between topics.
I'm thinking about going on to a PhD program after I finish my masters. I know that I should continue with school, because I really want to teach and write. But I keep thinking about being in school for another 4 years.... which is kind of... well, I love school, but I feel like almost every other aspect of my life is on hold because of it. I'll probably do it though. I'm looking into MIT and UMass Boston... I don't want to regret not trying for it.
I think I will do it this way... if I can get into the programs that I like in either of these schools (and get funded), then I will continue. If I do not get in, then it is not meant to be!
This is a very boring post.
I went dancing a few weeks ago. I have always hated dancing, because I felt way to self conscious, but I actually had an amazing time... the only good thing about getting old, I think, is getting over silly self-consciousness. Yes. It was fun. I felt very alive and less in my head. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 13th, 2008|12:18 pm] |
The semester is almost done... I am glad to have a break, but it has truly been a great semester.
I feel very lucky to be in the program that I am in. The professors and students in the RESD program are so wonderful. I especially love that so many of the students come from other parts of the world. It makes studying any subject so much more interesting to hear the stories and input of the international students.
My favorite class this semester has been the labour class (of course). We read some wonderful books and watched some amazing films. For our last class we watched a film on Argentina, about workers who have taken over factories, when the owner has left, and run them as worker co-ops.... every worker paid the same and no bosses!
I really recommend that people read the book "Korean Workers: The Culture and Politics of Class Formation." It is really worth reading.
Maybe
“Maybe I am a machine
Absorbed in soldering subassemblies
Swarming down the conveyor,
Like a robot repeating,
The same motions forever,
Maybe I’ve become am a machine.
Maybe we’re chickens in a coup.
Neatly lined up in our roosts,
Hand speed synchronized in dim light,
The faster the music,
The more eggs we lay,
Maybe we’ve become chickens in a coop.
They…
They who extract and devour
Our pith and our marrow,
Maybe they are barefaced robbers,
Turning humans into machines,
Into consumables,
Into things buyable and sellable.
Maybe they are dignified
And law-abiding barefaced robbers.
Those gentle smiles,
That refined beauty and culture,
That rich and dazzling opulance,
Maybe all of that is ours”
Park No-hae |
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| baby! |
[Sep. 6th, 2008|03:23 pm] |
We got a baby boy kitten yesterday!
He is the sweetest little thing... very playful, brave, and loving!
I looooove him already.
He does things that are so cute that I almost puke.
We aren't sure what his name will be yet... so far we like Cosmo and Romeo the best.
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 29th, 2008|03:14 pm] |
I'm now living in Salem, MA.
Our apartment is truly amazing.... the nicest apartment I have ever lived in.
Every other apartment I have ever lived in was grungy and old.
This building may be old... not sure... but our apartment was redone a year ago, so it is really, really, nice.
Our cats have been getting along so much better. The past few months were hellish at times, because they would fight so much and Leela became a very anxious cat. Now all they do is cuddle and make out. They have over double the space to play.... even though they are mostly being lazy and staying in the same room.
In other news, I want a kitten... a little black, boy, kitten.
and
I start work and school next week.
I just found out that I will be doing some sort of researching for GEAR UP Lowell. It seems like a really cool project. They have been following the same group of middle school students (now in high school) and their parents. They offer tutoring and support to them, with the ultimate goal being that as many of these kids as possible go into a 2 or 4 year college program. Good stuff.
and
I really recommend watching the documentary "King Corn." It is about the corn industry in the US, but it is made in a very clever fashion. It isn't super heavy, but I have been thinking a lot about it since I watched it. If you have netflix you can watch it instantly online. Check it! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 19th, 2008|10:53 am] |
I saw Radiohead play in MA last Wednesday.... it was the best show I have ever seen.
I have wanted to see them play for years and years... now I can't wait to see them again.
We left before they came back onstage and played three more songs. I missed Idioteque, which is too bad, but I'm glad we left.
It was at Comcast hell concert center, so some of my friends who went (and stayed until the very end) were stuck there until 1:30am- trying to get out of the parking lot. Kristin and I got back to Salem by 11:30pm.
We still have not moved into our Salem apartment yet. I have one more shift left on Thursday.. it feels so weird because I have worked there for almost four years, but I feel very free to be leaving. As much as I care for my coworkers and some of the mental clients, this has never been my dream job. It's been such a repetitive mess- give people their meds, clean up after them, take them out to buy cigarettes, watch them make some positive changes, and then watch them go back to the way that they were... It's been the best job that I have ever had, but I have gotten to the point where I hate it.
I have been feeling pretty damn good lately... I think it was the Radiohead show, the move, and leaving my current job.
Kristin still has about a week and a half left, but I think that we might move our stuff next week... hopefully! I just want to get the moving part over with. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 18th, 2008|05:23 pm] |
So everything is looking up.
I should just try to trust things to work out the way that they should.
I usually do, but this whole moving thing has been a different story... probably because it is so significant.
yada yada.
Anyway
We are indeed moving....
Salem is really cute, but the witch thing is a little crazy.
It's everywhere!
I think I will avoid much of the downtown... especially during Halloween.
We found this amazing apartment in Salem.
It's totally my dream apartment.
I feel really good about it, but I will feel even better when we sign the lease.
Then it will really feel like it is ours. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 14th, 2008|08:46 pm] |
What the fuck universe?
WHAT THE FUCK
Kristin just got a call from her manager... work wants to promote her.
What the fuck!
I'm happy for her if it is a good opportunity...
But what the fuck
Why now? when we are supposed to see apartments tomorrow... and when we are both ready to give notice...
WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK
It isn't a set thing.... she isn't sure if she will say yes...
but I hate this uncertainty...
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
bitch bastard mutherfucking cocksucking fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
douchbagery bitch fuking cuntlicker fuck you motherfucker
fuuuuuuuccccccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 14th, 2008|04:47 pm] |
We are checking out apartments in Salem and Beverly tomorrow! Weeeee!
I have this feeling that the last apartment that we are viewing is going to be the one.
I hope at least one of them is right for us. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 1st, 2008|11:12 am] |
So I am moving to Massachusetts!
I'm so, so, so excited.
I have wanted to move so bad, but didn't want to push Kristin too much... I have really learned that sometimes you just have to let people go at their own pace.
Now Kristin is ready to move and her friend Kevin is also going to move with us! He lives in NY and is also ready for a change of pace. Since I am going to be in graduate school... in a research assistantship and I imagine having lots of schoolwork, I will be glad that Kristin will have Kevin around.
We are going to move end of August or September... I wanna move nooooowwww! I am anxious to be in my new home, but I am going to try and enjoy the Maine summer.
Not sure exactly where we are moving yet, but we have settled on the Beverly/Salem area.
We just have to visit (maybe tomorrow) and see if we like it.
I checked out NH, because we had also thought of moving there, but it seemed to dull... beautiful, but too suburban and sleepy.
so yeah. wooo hooo. |
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| Hope... and Obama? |
[Jun. 16th, 2008|12:27 pm] |
Studying economics at USM really taught me so much about the past and present.
What really scares me is how much the income inequality of today resembles that of the 1920's and 30's, where a majority of wealth was held in the hands of the few.
When you look at the data today, the incomes of 1% of the US population has skyrocketed, while that of the majority has flatlined or decreased. Just the other day there was an article on the salaries of CEOs, which continues to climb significantly, despite the slow economy and decreasing wages of ordinary Americans.
Pundits tell us that it's immigrants, liberals, or the price of oil taking money out of the pockets of Americans. However the real cause for the increasing income disparity is the lack of labor power in the US. During the New Deal and up until the 60's, union membership was at it's highest. Even workers who were not in unions benefited from union membership. Companies would offer workers higher wages and benefits to prevent them from unionizing (called Welfare Capitalism).
Corporations were eventually able to strip labor protections from the American workforce and union membership has shrunk in this country. As union membership has shrunk, labors voice and influence has all but been erased from politics.
I wrote Obama a letter recently. I knew that he wouldn't read it, but it was something that I needed to write. I told him my fears and my hopes for him. My main fear - that he's another political centrist, putting himself in the middle so as not to upset the right or industries that might line his pockets. My main hope - that he really could and would change this country for the better.
Despite me fears regarding Obama, I know that we need him in office.
McCain is so similar to Bush. He has voted the same way as Bush 89% of the time. An example of McCain's bad policy is his solution for health care, which is to tax health care benefits. Right now we have the "luxury" of our health care benefits (if you are lucky enough to have them) being tax free. McCain would like to change this, costing Americans much, much more for health care. Given McCain's propensity towards tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations, I assume that he will do nothing to address income inequality, other than to maintain the status quo.
I know that some have been disappointed with Obama winning the nomination, but I hope that everyone will eventually stand behind him. We need change in this country and maybe, if we all push Obama to stand up for the majority of us, we will get the change that we want and so deserve. Obama speaks of health care reform and addressing income redistribution. I think that if we make our voices louder than those of corporations and the wealthy elite, we may get these things... but the possibility is only there given that our next President is Obama and not McCain.
Lastly, one of our fundamental rights as workers in this country is our right to join unions. However there is no teeth to this right. The Employee Free Choice Act would change this, and restore workers' freedom to form unions and bargain with employers. McCain is opposed to this.
So please, if you can spare a small amount of your time, write to your political representatives and urge them to support "The Employee Free Choice Act." Whether you can, or want, to join unions, remember that unions improve the working and income conditions for ALL workers.
Also, If you can spare more than a little time, volunteer for Obama's campaign and try to help him win in November (I am). |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|01:01 pm] |
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Billy Blanks owns the best workout outfits. |
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| oy |
[Mar. 12th, 2008|03:03 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  blah | ] |
I need glasses.... not just any glasses... glasses for near sightedness and far sightedness....
I'M GETTING OLD
falling apart at 25!
Thankfully I have been good with my tax mullah, because the glasses with progressive lenses came to 450-something... and that was with 250 off because of my insurance....
bitch bastards
motherfuckers
cock sucking fuck fucks
that's all
almost
I recommend that everyone watch "The Devil Came on Horseback". It's a first hand account of the genocide in Darfur... really sad, but worth watching. VERY well made. I just hosted a viewing of it at USM to try to spread the word.
peace |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 11th, 2008|08:06 pm] |
"The Lives of Others"
Rent it.
One of the best films that I have seen in a long while. |
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| oh Jesus |
[Oct. 8th, 2007|05:52 pm] |
I have not posted in ages!
I'm really busy between work and school and Kristin.
I went to San Diego at the end of August. I had a blast.... yada yada. When I get my computer fixed some day, I'll post some pictures from my trip.
Well, the reason why I am really posting is...
I brought my cat Minnie to the vet today, because she kept going to her litter box, but was unable to pee. She has had a UTI before, so I knew the signs.
Well, I bring her to a new vet and the vet is checking her over. The vet started to really examine her lady parts. She then asked a vet tech to come into the room and look at minnie's lady parts. They then tell Kristin and I that Minnie is a BOY. I have had Minnie for four years and he she has seen three different vets and they have never noticed that my she cat is a he cat!!!!Kristin and I are in shock. I can't look at Minnie the same way!
I guess that I have always wondered why Minnie is so friendly and social. I have always had female kitties and they have always been shy around strangers. Sooo... I'm working on a new name for Minnie... Yeah... weird. |
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| ay |
[Jan. 18th, 2007|10:36 am] |
So I went to the hospital on Saturday for the stomach flu.... or maybe the nor-something virus that is going around. It really sucked, but I'm finally starting to feel better.
They prescribed me a medication for my stomach and ativan "to let me rest".... more like knock me out. I swear I was in a drug induced coma for 2 days. I got up to pee... and I otherwise slept.
I started school yesterday. I'm taking some heavy classes. save me.
So I said that I would post pictures of my new hair cut a while ago. I don't have great pictures, but here it tis...
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| wee |
[Dec. 22nd, 2006|10:27 pm] |
I'm done with school for a month.
I got my hair cut and dyed...
I really think it is the best cut and dye I have ever gotten!
Santa is bringing me a new camera.
I'll take peektures on christmas!!!!! |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 28th, 2006|10:05 pm] |
I have had the flu for 4 days. COUNT em 4 days.
AHHH HHAAAAA
It's the end of the semester and I can't write papers when I am on drugs.
NO
I tried.
I wrote two sentances in an hour.
I have a paper due on friday.....
I only have 267 words... crappy shitty words.
Not even good ones.
AY
pop eye
poop eye.
two more weeks
two more weeks |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 17th, 2006|10:59 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  busy | ] |
I am enjoying my classes... I'm learning lots...
But I can't wait for break!!
I need to write my paper now.
hasta luego |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 27th, 2006|07:26 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  sick | ] |
I have been recently told that if I don't update, I'll be strangled!
School started less than a month ago, but I feel like I am at the end of the semester... soooo much work!
I went from 4 classes to three, because I felt too overwhelmed.
I dropped my statistics class.. it was an easy choice, because I would have wanted to kill the professor, had I stayed... he reminded me of a cross between Kip from Napoleon Dynamite and Eugene Levy's character in Waiting for Guffman.... really akward.. he seemed really nice, but I still would have killed 'em. So I am taking:
Urban economics (lots of urban economic theory :x )
Political economy (cool class! The professor is carazy though...femenist, jewish, and man hating maybe? sweet)
Case Study in International management (we're reading books on the end of fossil fuels, climate change, and disease and slums.... a very uplifting class, haha)
I feel like ass today. I think I have the flu... I feel freezing, but my face is really hot.
I ate spinach a week and a half ago...
let's take a vote.. does Jenn have ecoli? a. yes b. no
See and this was at the beginning of the outbreak... I went to my favorite indian restaurant, ordered my favorite meal chana saag (chick peas and spinach)....
when I got to work and was getting ready to eat my dinner, I remembered.... spinach = death...
so I debated...
throw away my absolute favorite meal and the world and live.... or die, happily....
so I ate it... The spinach was really cooked though.... to the point when all the nutrients also disappear.
So maybe I just have the flu.
I haden't seen nugget in weeks, but on monday I saw him twice!!!
His fur is changing from brownish to gray.... he's pretty little, compared to the other squirrels.
He won't let people near him... even though it makes me sad as his momma... I'm glad that he's adapting to his wild man life...
AND the second time I saw him that day he had a friend!!! A lady friend maybe? Or a boyfriend? I was squirrel grandkids.
I think that's it for now. I feel like death.
let's throw in another one,... does jenn have the plague?
a.ecoli
b. flu
c. plague |
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