Trinity University

I was compiling a list of Thanksgiving menu items when it hit me…it’s almost Thanksgiving! I haven’t written a blog in ages! When did I last post? Oh yes, forever ago. Sorry. I’m sure Nancy’s tales of falling around campus and supply of pictures has kept everyone happy. And Le Reve…Oh. Another meal like that will kill me. I couldn’t move the next morning and couldn’t eat until dinner. They feed you a lot! And it’s nothing you can refuse, so you keep eating and drinking and eating…It really is a shame they’re closing.

An update regarding the last posting: I am no longer chasing after distraction – I am aimlessly pursuing it. The aimlessness is not my fault. My interest no longer resides with the smoking underclassman, but the soccer player I had a brief conversation with on Monday. I know, we talked. Big step. When you have an imagination like mine, the littlest things are PLENTY. So yes, talking and smiling and wonderfulness, but he is not in any of my classes and I do not pass by him walking to classes, so it is all such a lost cause. Unless I attend Sunday’s soccer game…

I guess college is just a difficult place pin people down. (I have evidence: my sister at UIW is having the same problem. I have considered relationship books for us, but really, I work at the library, how could I ever check such material out?) It's such work being cool.

This chance meeting would never have occurred had I not been in the History Department for office hours. Maybe I should visit my professors more often, but then, that would be a good idea in general. They are all so kind and smart. Who doesn’t want to hang out with them?

Since I have decided to go to Graduate School (yes, I think of it in capital letters), my life has been devoid of free time. I don’t really read anymore except for classes or unless I’m editing my Personal Statement (another giant task) or The Manuscript. For me, The Manuscript is the most important component of my application since I’m applying for a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. I wrote some years ago about having to write a short story for Spanish and wanting to keep writing it. Well, it's that same story only in English and MUCH longer. And better too. Actually, it's become a very different story and I'm working on the wording the ending and strengthening the beginning. I want someone to read it and be as captivated by Marcel as I was. Such a strange guy, troubled. Victor is a bit more normal and he has become a major character. But your own opinions can never be very objective which makes the whole application process very scary. I’ve never thought this seriously about my writing before. Nancy, of course, is very supportive as are my parents, so I'll do my best since I have plans A-Z if that doesn’t work out. Seriously, every letter of the alphabet. (Joining the Navy is letter 'N.')

'Teacher' was letter 'T,' until recently. I volunteer at an elementary school nearby as a literacy instructor and it may be only one hour a week, but by the end of that hour, I'm done. Really, they are the cutest little people in the world, but that fact doesn't automatically generate a supply of patience. In my mind, there's a set of instructions and it is followed. I don't understand people who don't play by the rules and we all know little boys disregard rules (mostly). My brother is a known offender as are the two I tutor. At least I have patience enough to last me that hour. I guess 'T' will be replaced as 'Trailblazer,' like Pocahontas.

I hope that next semester will be a little easier, but it will be a time of waiting. Hoping to get acceptance letters in the mail. We'll see how it all turns out. At least there is a plan and there is an upcoming holiday. Without those, I believe we would all be quite anxiety-ridden.