This is the start of something new...

At the start of the new year, I have a wicked case of senioritis--the college strain.

I thought having senioritis in high school was bad, but this is 5,000 times worse (approximately.) I feel so far behind on everything, and didn't I just start? Yes, it's only been a week and half, and I'm ready to abandon ship and swim back to my parent's house. They will wonder what happened to their perfect* child and conclude that it's nature rather than nurture. I will enjoy living at home for a brief time until my dad forces me to watch the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day ("It's Tradition!). I will return to school and complete my education. Ta-da.

And then what? The crystal ball is super swirly.

But, seriously, my classes are pretty good this semester. Not as heart wrenching as last semester (OMG!), so that's a good thing.

And I moved into an on-campus apartment (I was previously in a dorm), so it's been fun to have a kitchen, a dishwasher, washer and dryer, etc. I have the same roomies as last year, too, so it's all good in the neighborhood.

I went to a group exercise class at the HPER tonight called Zomba. It was the funnest group exercise class EVER! End of Story.

*Take that with a very large horse pill.

Julie's Lost Week

Wow. So, I had planned on making a post last week. But then I literally lost my week. It evaporated. Now, it's somewhere in the clouds above our heads. Oh well, it wasn't that great anyway.

But as a treat and because I like to show everyone that I do--in fact--have a life. Here's what happened last week:

Monday - April 6
First of all, I had my Ambassador interview at 1:30 p.m. I promptly marched over to Bernard--the building where we had interviews last year and home of Admissions--five minutes early. I waited around for ten minutes. No sign of Jenny Kyle and the Gang. I looked at my watch. Ten past 1:30 p.m. I texted my bff Chris Carter only to discover that the interviews were in the Student Center.

I took off running immediately. Like I was sprinting and pushing peeps down running. I took the stairs four steps at a time, rushed into the interview room and promptly died at the feet of Jenny Kyle and the Gang. But they were so nice, and even though I was a colossal idiot, they forgave me and I was accepted as a UCA Ambassador yet again. Yay! Happiness and Joys!

Oh, story assignment day. How I love thee. Well, I was assigned with three stories: English Graduate Conference, Counselor Mary Malpica Edwards Retirement and Jesus Week.

Should have done homework but slept instead.

Tuesday
No Honors today! Even though I had to admit that I missed the class because it is my fave--The Politics of Rock and Roll.

I swore that I was going into work today, but totally didn't. I slept in for real.

I went to the Spring Fling, which is this big carnival that the Student Activities Board puts on every year. My friend Laina and I climbed a rock wall--sort of. We rode rides, etc. etc. I missed out on the funnel cakes. *wah*

At 3:30 p.m. I interviewed my friend, Jane Casey, about the English Graduate Conference since she was presenting a paper she wrote at the Conference. Went well. We talked for an hour after the three minute interview.

At 5:30, I got off from work and drove to Wal-Mart to buy new batteries for my tape recorder. I replaced my batteries without realizing that by doing so, I erased everything off my tape recorder. I didn't realize this until Thursday.

At 6:30, I interviewed a Graduate Assistant in the English Department about the conference. He was cool and looked like all of the Strokes--which is my second favorite band ever. So, naturally, even though I barely knew him, I had to be in love with him. Thus, the rest of my week was provided with hilarity as I kept running into him.

Wednesday
I had two interviews planned, but they were both canceled and moved to Thursday.

Thursday
at 9:50ish, I interviewed Dr. Marotte, a really cool English professor who helped put together the English Grad Conference. I had her for World Lit II, and she is amazing and inspiring at the same time.

During my interview with her, the Strokes walked into her office--because obviously he's her Grad Assistant and that is where he works. I proceeded to get flustered and completely forget why I was there. All I could think about is how he looked like the Strokes, and that'd be totally awesome if he could write a song about me. Not that he ever would, but for five seconds I saw it happening.

Anyway, I asked Dr. Marotte how many undergraduates were presenting papers.

"Oh, I don't know. Let me ask *grad student that will remain nameless because I will die if he finds out that I for five seconds thought he might compose a rock opera in my honor*"

Grad student runs in. She asks question that I had previously asked him on Tuesday. He answers the same answer that he gave me, and I know the jig is up. I am no longer awesome journalist numeral uno.

I proceeded to see Grad student twice after the unprofessional incident, but I acted like I was too busy being busy to really notice him. I'm sure he didn't notice my not noticing him.

I interviewed Dr. Bane (English Grad), Mary Edwards (retiring Counselor) and Ernie Ness (not-retiring Counselor).

I even made it to the last five seconds of my Alpha Chi reception. Grabbed a jelly donut which I proceeded to drop on the sidewalk in front of Harrin Hall.

Friday
I decided to wear a dress today because I knew I would see Grad student, and I figured he would be wowed by my spring colors and bare legs. He barely paid attention as I froze my thighs off. Terrible decision really.

Went to an 8:00 a.m. Matt Chiorini speech at the English Grad conference. Funny. If I had been thinking about anything else besides what I should wear for the cover of my rock opera album--which is still techinically his but the world does revolve around me after all--it would have been funnier.

I rushed to my Media Theory test afterward, blistering my toes on my new heels. Yes, I bought heels to match my impractical spring dress.

Interviewed Kendall Baldwin, President of FOCUS, about Jesus Week. Later interviewed Neco Valley, Advisor of FOCUS, about same topic.

Went to the Oxford American magazine panel at the English Grad Conference. I love to hear my boss talk about literature and the South, but really, I went because I was my last ditch to show off my dress to English grad student. He sat behind me and never once mentioned how the rock opera was progressing.

So, yes, I'm going to assume that's he's not as in love with me as I am him. Maybe if I looked more like a rock band, he would dig me. However, I kind of look like Zooey Deschanel, who has an indie band of her own. So, really? What is the deal with these rock star boys?

I ended my day by re-interviewing Jane Casey. Then, I went home and wrote three articles. Yay...?

And that is the end of the week. See why I didn't post an update! I will update as soon as I have something funny to say. Or if I come up with the title for that rock opera.

April, Go Away. But Tell May to Come Out and Play.

I've always hated April. It's like the last step into the pool, except like a really big step that lasts forever.

But we only have a month. I guess it could be worse. I don't even know how I made it through high school? Doesn't it last till June? Sheesh.

So, spring break was fun. I deliberately scheduled only a hair appointment and sat around my house for the rest of the time. I'm always doing something, so I thought it would be fun to just sit around and relax for Spring Break. And it was...

Until I received an email that two of my articles due for the April Fool's edition of the Echo were late...

I had completely forgotten! And for some reason, I thought it was due the week after we got back. I don't know. Spring Break warped my brain. So, I had to call the editor, Aprielle, and beg for forgiveness. She still let me turn them in, but of course, they were counted late.

So, yes, I had a late assignment during Spring Break. I think that's the first time that has ever happened to anyone.

So, first week back was okay, I guess. Nothing exciting.

I have to go to three softball games this week, and I'm not too jazzed about it. I'm just lazy right now, and all I want to do is sleep.

So, right now, I am going to do just that. I am going to sleep.

Goodnight, Jules.

You Might Think I'm Crazy

I'm at work again--yes, this concept of a job is truly puzzling--and I decided to update before i disappeared for...you know...SPRING BREAK!!!

It couldn't have come any sooner to tell the truth. It's a godsend, really. A savior if you will.

I remember in high school, I always thought the week before spring break was torture. In college, it's cold-blooded murder.

So, let's recap my week to explain why I look like Gary Busey:

Monday

• Found out that I had to design a brochure by Friday for Publication Design. It wasn't in the syllabus...
• Got assignments for the Echo. Two stories. Sent out emails to set up interviews.

Tuesday

• Can't quite remember...? I went to work. Felt like I wanted to die later.

Wednesday

• Class at 9, Class at 10, Class at 11.
• Work!
• Interview with Mara Cawein in the Education Dept. about Kappa Delta Pi--honors society for Ed. majors.
• Meeting for Echo.
• WORK!
• And I watched Lost, which was amazing.

Thursday--D-Day

• Meeting with Dr. Bane at 9:30
• Class at 10:50
• Work at 12:15
• College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) interns meeting at 2:40
• Interview with Mark McMurtrey at 3:15
• WORK till 5:30
• Go to Chelsea's apartment to help her fill out Ambassador application
• Go to Baptist Collegiate Ministry at 7:00 to hear friends speak
• Sonic Dinner 9:00
• Went up to Mass Comm Lab to work on brochure at 9:30. Picked up Natalie (who is in the same class and luckily saw me before I drove away) and Laina (who isn't in the class but needed extreme motivation to write paper)
• Worked until 11:00, went on McDonald's break. McDonald's closed. Went to Wendy's.
• Finished brochure at 12:30 a.m.
• Filled out Ambassador application. Finished Media Theory and Research homework. 1:30 a.m.
• Looked up addresses for Work PR.
• Didn't leave Mass Comm Lab until 2:30. Couldn't find parking spot.
• Went to bed at 3:00 a.m.

Friday--the Apocolypse

• Woke up at 7:30. Chelsea picked me up. Turned in Ambassador applications. Yay!
• 9:00 class, 10:00 class, five minutes of 11:00 class.
• Visited Phil--Honors professor. They are big on the first name basis.
  
• Lunch at Zaxby's
• Turned in application for Alpha Chi to Dr. Butcher
• Called chair of Art Department Jeff Young to try and get faculty accomplishments for CFAC newsletter--talked to secretary, still no accomplishments.
• WORK til 4--hopefully.
• Still have to write two stories. When I mean write, I mean transcribe from tape recorder as well. Should take 3 hours maybe.
• GO HOME! My parents think I'm dead.

So, there you go. This is what it's like to be a college student. More specifically, this is what it's like to major in Print Journalism. Yikes.

Happy Spring Break!

Be-Bop-A-Lula

I'm currently at work, dying.

Not that works is killing me--which sometimes it does--but I am SO tired. And it's all because of this stupid illness. I mean, seriously. I have never in my entire life fallen asleep in a class before, but today I zonked out halfway through World Religions. And I didn't just lay my head down on my desk. I fell asleep for maybe 10 minutes--my usual designated nap time. I had to run to the bathroom after to class to check for ink smudges on my face from my notebook.

I've also had to take required naps after class/work. Usually, I never nap. Now, I pass out the moment I hit the bed. I don't even remember falling asleep. One of my suitemates woke me up yesterday when she literally jumped on top of me while I was just waking up. I was lying with my back to her when she ran in, so I turned to say something to her, and she jumped on me. And then I got a mouthful of red hair.

So, I got off work in 20 minutes--the countdown is on--and I am ready for my late afternoon nap! Then, I have to go work on my mid-term project at the Mass Comm lab.

And for some reason today--I think since I am working at the computer all aloney on its owney--I have felt the need to shimmy without music. The virus has clearly reached my brain...

And because my post felt so devoid of color and life--well, I guess loosing control of my shoulders should have been weird enough--I am posting a picture of me and my friends with Malcolm Jamal Warner--aka. Theo from The Cosby Show. Yes, he came to UCA, and I totally got to introduce myself to him!

MJW: "Hi! I'm Malcolm! What's your major?"
Me: "I'm Julie! I'm a Mass Communications major with an emphasis in Print Journalism!"
MJW: "...ok...?"

Yes, longest major title ever...

I Thought I Was Going To Die

First things first, I interviewed Coach Martin--boys and girls track coach--and he asked me the question that I've said I was going to answer last week but didn't. So, here we go:

Why Julie Choose UCA:

Well, I am going to be perfectly honest. I was going to go to U of A. Why? Because they are big and well-known. I was even going to room with a really good friend. However, sometime during Fall 2005, I went with two of my friends to UCA on a tour. They were wanting to go, and I didn't have much better to do, so I went.

And loved it!

I loved the campus, the people, the Honors College, the academics, etc. etc. So I cancelled all of my UofA plans and immediately applied to UCA. Ironically, both of the friends that I went with ended up going to a university that was closer to home. Last year, one of them transferred to UCA and said that it was the best decision she ever made.

So, yes, that is my story of how I got here. Woo!

In other news, I have been dying from a really bad virus that had me up an entire night vomiting. It was horrible! I've had to miss two full days of school. I remember in high school how I thought it was a big deal when I had to miss school. But, seriously, this was far worse. I even had to miss a test! Luckily, my professor is letting me make it up later in the semester. Otherwise, I would die.

And in other news, I asked Coach Martin if there was going to be a 40 yd dash at the Hendrix Invitation. Yeah, apparently they drop the 40 yd after fourth grade. He laughed at me for at least ten minutes straight. And I have it all on tape to relive over and over again.

Nice...

Julie's Transformation into a UCA Baseball Groupie

It's true. I've officially become a groupie for the UCA Baseball team.

I'm only saying this because once again, my blog topic is about the Bears and their awesome slugfest on Sunday. I went because I had to write an article for the Echo about Sunday's game. It was the last game in a three-game series against the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. The Bears won the first game, lost the second by one point, and slaughtered the Skyhawks 15-6 on Sunday!!!

The Bears had a 10 run inning. It was incredible. Our offense did an amazing job. Our pitching was also really well. Brandon Solberg pitched five innings, giving up only one run. The Bears also pitched three freshman pitchers, who only gave up a run each. So, the team got in a lot of practice for the two-game series against Ole Miss on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I went to the game with my friend and suitemate Ashley, who kept her own scorecard so we were able to compare at the end of the game. With all of the substitutions and such, it was a hard game to keep up with.

The players each had their own at-bat intro music. My favorite had to be "MMM Bop." I can't remember right now who had that, but it was hilarious. Another player had Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel." I love that the players have an appreciation for ironic theme songs.

At the end of the game, I interviewed Coach Clark, who gave me some excellent quotes. I also interviewed center fielder Tye Throneberry, who was super nice and--I'm sorry this has to be said--extremely dreamy. I couldn't even process what he was saying because I was drowning in my own drool.

Anyway, the game was so much fun, and I signed up to write the story for next Sunday's game. Ashley and I decided that we were going to go to every game and make our own t-shirts with the Bears' mantra: "Hit 'em and go get 'em. Slide on both sides. Cover the outfield like the morning dew."

So, yeah, I heart Bears baseball. And Tye Throneberry. And I hope he never reads this...

Next Entry: I know I promised this last time, but I will seriously explain my reasoning for choosing UCA. I promise!