Busy Busy

Wow....I haven't written in over 2 weeks! Life's gotten especially crazy since my class started on the 17th. I'm taking a course called "Women in Turkish Society" and it's really really interesting. All that stuff about women being oppressed and controlled and all is for the most part bull. Harem doesn't mean promiscuity, but the integral part of a family home, the most personal part, where the family gathers. And the veil isn't religious, it's regional. Long ago even non-Muslim women wore a veil. I'm doing pretty well in the class despite continually falling asleep - soooooo much work at work to do that I haven't been sleeping or getting much free time lately. Just having this morning open to write this, do my laundry, and do homework is such a treat!

Work's crazy and now of course people want LESS hours where previously they wanted MORE. I wouldn't mind less - I figure I'll be ok as long as I average about 30/week. I still can't seem to get ahead and put some away in my savings. Too many bills and unexpected expenses. Who knew running fans 24/7 would end up costing me $30 a MONTH??!! I hate the weather. I'm starting to hate work now too. Every free moment I seem to have to work. Never a dull moment though. Last Saturday we had to tend bar for a wedding reception - my first.

Of course it had to be outdoors during a storm. We had everything set up for tables and cloths earlier in the day and of course it had to downpour. We had to completely redo everything about 2 hours to start time before we could even start the bar and food. We were supposed to get a lot of that big storm but someone upstairs must’ve heard the prayers or something because all we got was a little sprinkling at about 8PM and then starry skies until 11. Go figure! It was great fun – I kinda wish we did more weddings.

I've gotten Tuesday nights off (thank goodness) to do something for myself. This would be my guitar lessons and mixology courses. Last week I got a bit light-headed (too little to eat I think) but last night was fine. We learned how to mix daquairis and ice cream drinks...mmmmm.... Mom calls me a "lush-in-training" which of course isn't true but boy oh boy some of that stuff was very yummy!

Even though I'm 21 I won't be able to have alcohol in my dorm room this fall b/c my roommate's not. Housing's very good to me, they found me a place to live from the period between the Barbie Dreamhouse and when I get to move into my fall room assignment on the top floor of Chad (too bad the view's kinda sucky - I get to see Grainger Hall's construction progress). WOW!!! And they'll let me move in my bed into Chad early too!! Hooray! Few worries now...except for packing of course.

Well, I've got homework to do and finally free time to do it! Hugs and lots of love, Christi and GB (he's been a very neglected fishy!)

P.S. I updated all my pictures so now they are totally current - ENJOY!