Reward Shopper

This afternoon I saw my doctor for the first time since my junior year of college. My *real* doctor, not the, er, um, "o' so nice people", at Pitt's health services. Originally, I went in for the allergic reaction (yuck gross) on my eyes (that's been there since December) but as the Doc aptly put it, it was one of those "Oh By the Way" visits, where we ended up talking (briefly) about all my problems (specifically, suicide attempts '04-05).

It was kinda weird b/c there was a "traveling med student" with her, who obviously now thinks I'm a nutcase. But, oh well. Needless to say, I walked out with 6 different prescriptions for all different things, bloodwork (a thyroid problem checkup), and a promise to say hi to my mom (did I tell you that I went to nursery school w/ my doctor's daughter)? The visit stressed me out.

I realized...after almost breaking down and crying, getting claustrophobic and having my voice shake and my palms sweat, talking (seriously) about last year still makes me nervous. I also realized that I have one of those "I laugh when I need to talk about serious things" complexes (e.g. people dying, my real feelings, etc.). Maybe that means that I can't deal with my emotions. I think I've pushed a lot of things under the proverbial bed thinking that "hey, at least I'm a helluva lot better than last year." But, no, I'm not better.

[For example: I hate how I get blamed for *everything*. I wish I could just apologize and have a one-on-one conversation with everyone in the world to tell them that I'm on their side and that whatever I did to them is a misunderstanding. I wish I could stand up for myself and realize my strengths instead of dwelling on my weaknesses. I wish I was not afraid to be my bad-ass-extroverted-self who I've turned into an introvert....because I just want to connect with people. More than anything, I want to show people that I'm human even if I take gambles or make "bad" choices or say things that most people just think. Everyone always tells me that people are not used to that. I guess I just wish I didn't scare people away. its both my strength and my weakness.]

In lighter news, I think it's cute/funny how my doctor will NOT let me NOT be on birth control. Gosh. Freakin'. Damn.

So, what did I do after all this stress (and almost passing out after having to give a mere three tubes of blood?)...I did what any other Main Line kid would do...I went shopping (um...NOTE: due to comments from awhile back, this post is now making me super self-conscious).

After my nerves got all frazzled, I took myself to Cheap Man's Paradise (everything is under $5).

My purchases:

1. Pack of Orgami paper for Kirk
2. Peeps Marshmallow machine and refill pack for Kim and Me (fun Friday night activities)
3. Pair of bright red galoshes
4. Pair of outrageous sunglasses
5. tons of sugar-y goodness (Pop Rocks, chocolate, etc.)
6. Funky colored permanent markers

But then again, I only went to Five Below because I had to buy food for Fredster and Petco (I much prefer Pet Supplies Plus) is right next door. I splurged on her too.

And then...as I was driving home...the local chain record store was going out of business. Everything in the store was 40% off. So of course I had to pick up that Empire Records DVD that I watched a million times as a kid and Willow (hey, I own Masters of the Universe too, so bring it if you have a problem with nerds). I also bought a "best of" Mamas and Papas cd and that Wolf Parade cd that I kinda wanted to buy but didn't really want to buy. 40% off does it for me. I was about to buy a portable XM radio player too it was $119 instead of $199...but I thought I should stop my impulse buys for the day.

I ended my day at WaWa (for all you non-Philly-and-surrounding-area fans out there. WaWa is heaven. And, for the record, its better than Sheetz. In fact, you know what else? I think that WaWa brings us all together. There's something for everyone in there. My parents are getting their house painted and when I came home to enjoy my chicken noodle soup, soft pretzel, slim jim, and iced coffee (which is pure sugar)...of course, the painters were already enjoying a lil' treat they picked up from WaWa too.

Spring Break on a Lil' Island

So, I was supposed to go to Haiti for spring break. Or, er, I had the chance to go to Haiti to do a fact-finding delegation researching the independence of the judiciary. The four law students who actually did go got to meet with the people at the Haiti office of the place where I intern (in America, its the Institute of Justice and Democracy in Haiti...in Haiti its the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux), two judges (Fleury and Brédy Fabien). That was just on Tuesday. Today (Wednesday) they are going to meet with the former director of the Ecole de la Magistrature, Mr. Jean-Claude and Mr. Doyen of the First Instance Tribunal Roc Cadet. Thursday they wanted to try (to pretend to be missionaries, complete with Bibles and crosses) to get into the prison to see some political prisoners. On Friday they are planning to meet with Mrs. Thériault of OAS and Judge Perez Paul (ANAMA). Jealous? No, not at all. I love NOT job searching like I was supposed to...and doing...um, absolutely nothing except hanging out with my lil' sis.

Wait, I should revise my "doing nothing."

I *have* visited a lil' island. After much ridicule of the people who are addicted to the show, I decided to start watching LOST. I'll tell you, for as much as I hate the show, I can't stop freakin' watching it. I love the characters' background stories more than the actual footage on the island (which would be freakin' beautiful if it wasn't super scary).

I will post more about the show later (sans spoilers for those who have held out this long...trust me, you'll come around sooner or later). But, my first criticism about the show is that all female characters on the show are manipulative in some way or another.

Anyway, I've also tried to write my second story for my creative writing class. I don't like it as much as I did when I first started and right now its 11 pages long (and probably going to be 2 or 3 more) and I like writing *short* stories (5-7 pages)! Damn me for deciding to write about the army.

I've also received an e-mail recently from a TA student. Ugh, I should read the brief before we start school again because I know that I am going to get a new copyright assignment and I'm gonna have to revise this story.

Lastly, I started writing an Op-Ed about Haiti (that I hope to get published in the Post-Gazette). *My* contribution to the school's trip to Haiti since I couldn't be there. (Oh wait, I'm also researching websites for the other four law students to publish their fact-finding papers when they return).

Gosh, I should get back to work (or go out to dinner with my family, who I've been neglecting since I've been home).

Murdochs: The Countdown

Out of all the Murdochs, I think I've decided my favorite.

Here is the countdown:

4. Colin. I've included the inventor of disposable hypodermic syringes only because he showed up on Wikipedia when I searched for Murdochs.


3. Rupert. Of Course there is good ol' Rupert. CEO of Fox News and critic of the BBC. In addition to the fabulous spin of Fox News, thankfully Rupert brings us the more legitimate news in Britain or on Page Six for all of us American fans.
Still, he is 3 out of 3. (well, now 3 out of 4 since I included Colin).


2. Iris. Writer, philosopher, poet, playwright. She was influenced by philosophers. Oh yea, and I saw a film about her with my mom in Ann Arbor my junior year of college (about her Alzeheimer's).

1. Stuart.

The real reason for my post. Belle and Sebastian was just awesome. And isn't Stuart just so cute. (It's not just the accent but he reminds me of Ewan McGregor...you probably will disagree b/c I always think people look alike when they completely don't).

I haven't been to the Electric Factory since my sophomore year of college when I saw the Disco Biscuits on New Years Eve (and my friend Brian from Bighampton, NY). (Told you I was a hippie-wanna-be). I've also seen G. Love and the Special Sauce there, George Clinton and the P Funk, Ben Harper. So, it was freakin' weird seeing a concert there populated with all these hipsters instead of hippies. In addition, it was the first time that I could go there and go upstairs to the bar (what an honor! I'm old!!)

The show was awesome. The New Pornographers are just straight up pop fun. (Just look at the drummer). And they sounded damn good...even if Neko Case or Dan Bejar weren't there...which we are still not sure about. And, even if they have quite a few redheads in the band (hey, i may have a soft spot for redheads thanks to my daddy dearest, who was a straight carrot top before he someone must have scared the hair color out of him).

Belle and Sebastian, on the other hand, are much softer yet no less energetic (especially my love Stuart). And, I don't even care if people say their new stuff isn't as good. I hardly knew the new songs at all and I still had an awesome time. They sounded great live. And, it made me want to listen to all the cds I downloaded months/or bought three years ago that I haven't gotten around to *really* listening to.

And, I'm not the only one who is talking about this tour.

Sorry, right now, I'm music reviewed out so you don't get a special treat with all my "feelings" about this show. It was just a great night and I loved having the electric factory as an outside source able to ground me in my own life (or watch me grow up and go through different stages).

AND!!! to top off the weekend (no, I'm not talking about the Oscars...maybe I'll post about that another time...), Dave Chappelle's Block Party? Yea, I danced in my seat. It was awesome. And I loved when Erkyah Badu took off her wig. It was exactly like the movie said, I totally wouldn't have expected that from her (maybe b/c she looks so serious?) but nope, she took it off and kept on rockin'. Um, and, just for the record - You Got Me by the Roots, Erykah Badu (and now Jill Scott) was and is one of my all-time top ten favorite songs.