winter wonderland.

Happy Holidays to everyone! Chrismukkah has come and gone, and it's time to end this year as best as possible. Since I've been home I've watched a ridiculous amount of movies, slept on a regular schedule (and on my own mattress!!), spent time with my family, fallen more in love with Los Angeles, caught up with old friends, read for fun and more. It's been a truly amazing and memorable break, though I'm afraid it'll be over before I know it, as I'll be leaving on the 30th for my travels! I'm so excited, though at the same time I do wish I could have had a bit more time at home. You know what they say, though...you can't always get what you want! I'm honestly so ridiculously content with everything in my life, though. 2009 has been the year of ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, and the grand majority have been for the better.

I'll post more later; updating from my iPod takes forever!

final-ly free!

Sorry for the title, but as if I could resist making such an awful pun?! Too good to be true.

In any case, last night I officially finished my first semester at Berkeley! It's so surreal to think that I only have three semesters left here. It didn't end quite as well as I wanted (an unexpectedly detailed question regarding globalization/cultural imperialism totally killed my grade in Media Studies) but that's okay. Honestly, I think I did very well considering this was my first semester here. There was a lot of change and a lot of adjusting to do, and I think that if I look at my life as a whole over the last six months, I have definitely accomplished a lot.

Official semester recap to come later; I need to pack because I'm going home tomorrow! Perfect timing...it's the last night penultimate of Hanukkah, so I'll have dinner with my family, and then I'm going to see Avatar at midnight. Perfect way to start my winter break off right.

honestly...

In writing a personal lifestyle blog such as this, there's a thin line between honesty and talking too much; I want to convey my experiences as a college student as honestly as possible, but I'm afraid of putting too much of myself out into the world, especially considering that this is a TOTALLY open blog that anyone in the world has access to. Anyone! A scary thought, that anyone anywhere could be reading about my life...then again, I started this blog knowing that risk. Anyways... honesty. It's sometimes hard to be completely honest, because eventually someone would read something and get hurt, or I'd say something that someone could use against me. I have had far too many friends that have lost jobs or employment opportunities due to things they've said on blogs/twitter/facebook (though really, WHY they said some of the things they did is beyond me). In any case, it would suck. Then again, why do I bother writing a blog if I can't be completely honest about my college experience? It's not all rainbows and sunshine, not every person I've met has been amazing, not all of my classes/professors are perfect (despite that I'm at one of the best schools in the country), life isn't always perfect, etc. It's a conundrum, and I'm honestly still debating what to do about it.

In any case, tonight's the night--tomorrow I finish my first semester at Cal. I have to finish writing my advertising paper and continue studying for Media Studies...so. close. !!!! I was feeling pretty down earlier, but talking to my family and my best friend on the phone definitely gave me the motivation I needed to just get it done. Tomorrow's going to be a long day, but after it's over...that's it, my first semester at Berkeley will be totally over. I'm excited, but nervous! Expect a recap post once I get home. Wednesday I'll be packing all day (since I need to pack for LA, Israel, and NYC!) and then Thursday I will be flying home! I could not BE more excited.

One more crazy scholarly night, and I'm free until the 19th of January. I can do it!

P.S. - Could I have possibly used the word "honestly" anymore?! Honestly!

just a shot away.

Pulling what I hope is my last all-nighter this semester, trying to finish my Gender midterm that's due at 11am. Yes, I know, procrastination is bad. Whatever. I don't care about this test at all, and considering that class is pass/no pass for me I don't have to worry (or care) about excelling at this exam. I've been listening to Let It Bleed all night, and it wasn't until I removed my headphones for a second that I realized that it was raining again. I love listening to rain fall; unfortunately, it just makes me want to go to bed as opposed to being productive. There are worse things, I suppose. I just need to finish this exam, go drop it off at Barrows, and then I can sleep. Nothing better than sleeping on a rainy day...I'm excited about it!

OH YEAH, GUESS WHO GOT AN A ON THE FIRST PART OF THEIR ADVERTISING FINAL!?? So very exciting!! Okay, time to motivate myself and just plow through the week!

To-Do List:

• 4 page Advertising Paper (due Tuesday @ 5)
  
• study for Media Studies (exam Tuesday from 5-8)
  

I'll be home in five days, I can't believe it. Honestly, the thought that at this time next week I will be home is the only thing that is keeping me going.

I HATE FINALS I HATE FINALS I HATE FINALS


Please explain to me why I'm writing an essay on U.S.-Mexico Border Relations for my GENDER STUDIES CLASS?! WHY AREN'T ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT GENDER?!?!?!

I can't wait until this semester is over.

toss me a cigarette, i think there's one in my raincoat.

It has become unbearably cold in Berkeley! Well, as unbearable as California seems to get...it was about a high of 40 degrees today...which is really cold for me, I'm used to lows of 50 degrees! Oh Los Angeles, how you spoiled me. In any case, it is an excellent excuse to get all bundled up in my cutest winter gear, which includes this hat from Peru! I love being able to get away with wearing it, it's adorable and adds something interesting to my outfits. Anyways...

It's "dead week," in which students theoretically get a week to study for all of their finals. Ha. I mean, obviously I'm studying...but it's really easy to get distracted. I've been on a Scorcese kick lately; I just watched The Departed for the first time (amazing) and I brought Gangs of New York to watch for the millionth time. I also have a million tv-on-dvds to watch...hm. I promise I'm studying, though! I had half of my Advertising final, which went fairly well, and so now I have:

• the other half of my Advertising final, which is a 4 page paper
  
• a take-home final for Gender Studies, which is two short essay questions and one long essay--thank GOD I am done with this class, it was the worst
• one in-class final for Media Studies...December 15 from 5-8pm

And after that...I'm free! I fly home the 17th and I am SO EXCITED. Still need to figure out what I'm packing, since I'm packing for not only home but Israel and NYC as well. I'm so excited for life! I'm nervous because I don't really know anyone on the Birthright trip, but I guess I'll get to know them, haha. I've been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Simon & Garfunkel lately. It's a good mix and it makes me happy.

Life is going to be absolutely wonderful once finals are over.

tangled up in blue.

Right before I left, I was given a copy of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, and though I knew I'd like it, I had no idea I wouldn't be able to stop listening to it...it's been on repeat since Monday. Best gift in a long time.




In other news, my first final is tomorrow and I really don't care anymore. I'm ready for winter break, now.

back to reality.

Thanksgiving was wonderful, but now it's back to reality...a reality known as FINALS! Dun dun dunnnnnn~

In any case, stay tuned for (serveral) caffeinated updates.


ALSO! I am thinking of changing the name of my blog...thoughts? comments? ideas? let me know!