1. so tonight dad grilled fish, but he didn't grill it thoroughly so it was rubbery and raw and disgusting which reminded me of sushi which reminded me of that time you had me try sushi and then I thought god I really miss my incredible sister and the fact that she can cook better than anyone that lives in this house and it gave me a glimmer of hope that I will one day be able to make myself wonderful. glorious, alton brown quality meals. and then that dream was crushed when i burned my out-of-the-can crescent rolls. I miss you!


2. I once threw the yellow pages at my sister's head and she forgave me, so she's pretty sweet. She's also beautiful, smart, and probably the only sane person in my family; but not quite. I like her for that.








My sister is amazing

Well, everyone is back to Augsburg. I've already had three students drop their classes and out of the residence halls, so that is making me feel really validated in my retention ability. I realize that they are probably not ready for the big bad college world and want to be at home for a little while longer. I hope this does not happen to my siblings - when I went to college I couldn't wait to leave! I was so ready not to live at home and college was way too much fun not to stay. Rissa and Dylan - if you are reading this, do not drop out and live at home for the rest of your lives! You are so much better and more confident than that!
Other fun adventures in the life of a hall director, you ask? Well, I have one pregnancy, one eating disorder, my first conduct case of the year (guy passed out drunk in front of our new residence hall), one girl who's mom died in the 35W bridge collapse, one suicidal ideation, one girl who's brother died in Iraq not too long ago, and one guy who is determined to write his name on every paper surface in the building. He is not my favorite and definitely on my list for now.
Dave is back in school, which is exciting. I want to live vicariously through him, but he doesn't seem too excited to take me along to his classes and share his books with me. I'm trying to let him have his experience there, but I want to take classes too! I miss school. Weird, I know, but his classes sound really interesting.
More to come... every day is exciting around here!

Not only is tomorrow my sister's birthday, but it's also Rosh Hashanah.
Happy new year everyone!

Yesterday (aside from that whole work thing...) was an amazing day. Let me give you the break down:
1. Dave and I went to IKEA the other day and found the perfect island for our kitchen, but it was over $500 and we couldn't take it with us when we leave here. I brought it up to my boss and she offered to have the department pay for it! It has storage cabinets and drawers as well as a big countertop and space to sit. We are pretty excited.
2. Barenaked Ladies are coming to St. Paul and I got preorder access to tickets that went on sale yesterday. Ascher's coming with me and we got 5th row tickets!!
3. As I was looking on the BNL website, I discovered that they are coming to downtown Minneapolis to the Borders for a small show/signing! I took the day off already and plan to sit there well before they come to make sure I get to see them. Hooray!
4. I went to WW and officially have lost 25 pounds! I now weigh less than I did when I met Dave, less than him, and less than it says on my drivers license. I feel really good about it - I'm so glad I kept pants from college because otherwise I would be completely broke buying new clothes because none of mine fit me anymore.

What a great day.

Tomorrow is Devi's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! love you!

So, I just received in the mail today a "you suck" letter from UW-Madison that they filled their position. Uh, thanks guys. I applied/interviewed with you in MARCH! I certainly hope that by September you have filled your position. I have been at my job for 3 months. What if it would have said "we want to ask you for an on-campus interview"? Do they really think I would have gone?
Ridiculous.

I got my 10% tonight! That means that I have lost 10% of my total original starting weight. It also means that I am very close to the weight I was a) when I started graduate school and b) when I thought I was fat! I'm trying to think what I actually weighed in high school. I know what my driver's license said, but I know that's not accurate. I think I am about 25 pounds off what I was in high school. Isn't it funny how we wish we weighed now what was the weight was then when we thought we were fat? I hope that made sense. What I mean is, in high school I thought I was fat. Now I wish I weighed what I did in high school!
Anyway, the point is that I made my 10% and that was exciting. Then I went home and celebrated by eating pizza! Still within my points for the day though, so I didn't even cheat!
yay for me.

Apparently, shins have sweat glands. I know this because my shins are now sweating. I've never experienced this before... that's what happens when it is so hot that I sweat just sitting in my office typing on the computer. I also learned that I hate sweating shins.

Can we just talk about last year for a minute. I don't mean last year literally, I mean "last year." I just got out of a presentation to a group of students where I talked about some changes that are going on in Res Life and what information they should convey to incoming students. Every single question I got was, "are they doing ______ this year because they did that last year." When I say no, we are doing it differently this year they say "but they did that last year." Well guess what folks? There is a reason why it changed - because it didn't work last year. It was too expensive last year. It didn't make sense last year. Some people were lazy last year. No one held you to high enough expectations last year. We have three of four new HDs and a new Director... things are going to change from LAST YEAR. Didn't I start by saying that? Do you want my job? Apparently you think you can do it better than me because you were here last year.
Forget it with the last year crap already.

First, I must be really boring today because this is about the 15th time I've updated this thing...

I tried on my power suit this morning and... it fits! It's been two years since the damn thing fit. Too bad it's 100 degrees here and I have no reason to wear a suit anywhere. I need help figuring out what I can wear this thing to, and quick, because soon it will be too big (yay!). But, the suit cost me a crap-ton of money and I want to be able to wear at least one more time. Any suggestions?
Love, A

Anyone know of fun websites I can check out while at work to waste some time. Not that I really have time to waste, but sometimes I just need 10 minutes of non-work, but still sitting at my desk, and would like to check out funny/interesting/informative/social commentary-centered while at work. Thanks for the suggestions.
Ryan - I know you have a plethora. Share please!