Okay, this will make me sound like an annoying 13-year-old girl, but I have moved on from being obsessed about Downton Abbey to being obsessed about The Hunger Games.
How obsessed? WELL LET ME TELL YOU.
The night of Thursday, March 25th, I went with my sister and a couple of friends to the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games. I had not yet read the books (especially after I heard there'd be a movie--I've had too many bad experiences with reading the book first. It usually ruins the movie for me, and I hate not appreciating it...) so I wasn't super pumped about seeing it, but it sounded like it'd be fun and I hadn't been to the movie theatre in a while.
The movie was 2.37 hours long, but didn't feel like it. It was so exciting! Disturbing when appropriate (i/e when kids were bashing in the heads of other kids...) There's an evil government! And a love triangle! Perfect! Even though it was nearly 3am by the time I got home, if I didn't have to go to work later that morning, I was tempted to go to Walmart, buy the book, and start reading right away. Instead, I went and bought the book after I got off work.
I didn't get to read any of it 'til Sunday afternoon. And I sat there and read that book 'til I had finished the whole thing. IN ONE DAY. A personal first, especially for a 300+ page book. Then I got Catching Fire, finished that in an evening (Monday night) and an afternoon (Tuesday). Read Mockingjay in one day (Wednesday). Coerced a couple of friends in to see the movie the following Friday (time #2 for me).
But now I'm done, for the most part. I will still gleefully talk about it with anyone within earshot/wireless signal. *hint*
In other news, it was my birthday Monday (the 2nd). It was nice. I'm still getting used to having grown-up birthdays in which nothing actually happens. But the birthday wishes from folks at work was nice, too. Although it was mostly because I brought cookies and coffee, I think... X)
Here's a recap of mostly what I've done so far this year of 2012.
Work.
Downton Abbey.
Work.
Downton Abbey.
Sleep.
Repeat.
WORK
A position at the library where I work opened up, so I applied for it. It's exactly the same thing I already do, but 20 hours a week (instead of around 13), Monday through Friday. I was hoping I'd be able to keep my current evening hours in addition to the new position, but they won't let me. Something about benefits and crap. I understand we're cutting back in the budget. I can get benefits somewhere else. (But I won't worry about it until after I move out of my parents' basement...)
The funny thing is, though, I am doing both the new and old hours together until they find someone to take my old hours. So I'm up to about 35 hours a week, now. And it's been three weeks. I don't mind because it's super sweet money, which I remind myself every time I feel tired.
Meanwhile, when I'm not sleeping (and sometimes when I should be sleeping) I am watching or thinking about Downton Abbey.
Ever since PBS started playing season 2 on Masterpiece Theater on Sunday nights, I have been obsessed.
I got back on Neopets again because I got a cheery newsletter email from the site advertising the advent calendar. The advent calendar at neopets.com is an event you can participate in every day in which you get neopoints and prizes. This time of year is usually the only time I bother playing. I typically forget about it after the advent calendar is over.
Did you ever play games, or have a neopet on the site? What pet(s) did you have? It's okay, go ahead and admit it. There's no shame in this blogosphere.
I have one last final left: my french oral exam. And boy am I dragging my feet. I really should have my presentation written already but I haven't even begun to outline it yet. And it's tomorrow. Instead, I've been playing games and looking for treasure map pieces on Neopets, and it's nearly 4am. I'm just looking forward to getting this exam over with so I won't feel so bad about it anymore... X|
How's finals for all you schooled persons? How's normal every-day life to all the rest of you job peoples? Got all your Christmas shopping done yet?
Seriously considering changing my layout. I really like this one, though. I feel it displays my signature more openly than any of my other layouts (Though the Beatles Love layouts came close.) Mostly because of all the work I put into the NuTang-green storm troopers.
And yet I want to change it up. Simplify it a little.
Hm.
Speaking of H&M, there's a new H&M (the first in the Kansas City area) that opened up around here about a month or two ago. I have only had the opportunity to go in once. I must say, I was not very impressed, and maybe even a little disappointed. This store has two levels: women's clothing and accessories on the first level, children's and men's on the second. Before going to the store, I had heard from hear say and from friends, that it's a lot like Forever XXI, so that's what I was expecting.
And it is much like Forever XXI in that some of the clothes look like they were acquired from the same factory. But it severely lacks in the accessories department, much unlike the Forever XXI's in my area. Which was what I really wanted to browse through when I walked into the store. And it may have just been the season, but a lot of their clothes were boring, neutral colors. Bah.
I am glad to announce that I HAVE FINISHED BUYING AND WRAPPING ALL OF MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THIS YEAR. And it's only the 8th day of December! I always feel so glad and excited when I've finished Christmas shopping, because then I do not have to worry or think about it for another year--it's DONE.
This feat was a lot easier to accomplish this year than, I felt, ever before. I think it's because this year, instead of doing the "Secret Santa" bit where everyone in my immediate family (including my older brothers and their wives/children) drew names and just focused on that person (~$20-50) and then you could buy other people gifts if you wanted to, too (like other people with whom you live in the same house.) This was begun in my family a few years ago so one could still participate with gift giving, and yet not feel pressured to buy everyone they know a present=$$$$. Well, this year apparently we're doing a simple gift exchange. We've been charged to bring a cheap (in the $10 range), unisex gift that we will exchange in a white-elephant-esque fashion. And that's it. Easy.
Easy, but boring. So I just bought an iTunes gift card. It's $15--I hope it's not too much. I'm sure whoever gets it won't complain. X)
So, in addition to the gift-exchange gift, I bought gifts for my mom, dad, and younger brother and sister. I already had bought my dad's gift a few months ago. It's hard to find/think-up something to give my dad because who knows if he already has it. And he doesn't really want/need much stuff that he doesn't just up and buy himself. I'm afraid to buy him music--though it would be perfect--because I have no idea what he already has that he likes. So I bought him a DVD of Walk The Line when I saw it for $7. Done.
My mom and siblings were not quite so easy. But walking around the mall for a couple hours got it done well enough. Jewelry for mom, sweaters for bro & sis. And I bought a Perry Platypus knit hat I found at Walmart for my sister's birthday (a.k.a. Christmas eve-eve.) I hope she likes it. =)
