wow, its been a while. No excuses, its just that real life takes up more of my time these days.
So whats new? Hmm, here is a short breakdown:
Pete got a new job! He starts in mid January and yes, its a real job!
We are also looking for a new apartment. Nothing fancy or anything, just somewhere not anywhere near where we currently are. Oh yeah and if they allow dogs, great!
I had a disaster with my thesis and advisers which lead to me having to start over and being pretty depressed, but whatever. Life goes on.
I did an open water swim in October, which totally rocked. I'm gonna start training again in January.
I'm still interning and going to school part time, its good enough for me right now.
Thanksgiving was great. Good friends over and good times.
All in all I'm doing good. Pete and I haven't killed each and we learn more about ourselves everyday.
ExxonMobil, the company that announced jaw-dropping profits of $18.7 billion for the first half of 2006, said in June that it would fight the U.S. Justice Department over $92 million that the government said the company owes in the still-uncompleted 1989 Exxon Valdez oil-spill cleanup. [Fox News-AP, 6-19-06] [New York Times, 6-2-06]
Its really frustrating when one minute i'm feeling confident about my self, proud of all of the things I've been learning at my internship and then next minute feel totally let down and demoralized when some yahoo at a construction site asks me if i really know how to read the architectural plans, and wonder why the planning department would send out a "little girl" to do the inspections.
I guess I shouldnt be so concerned because these guys are for the most part day laborers and are not used to seeing many women in their work environment and I was wearing jeans and converse sneakers but still, if they see me drive up in the city car and hand them my buisness card and then proceed to point out details from the plans that are of interest to me or are missing on the actual project you'd think they'd take me more seriously. And it bothers me when people dont take me seriously.
I dont know what to do. Should I change my personality, get a new wardrobe, haircut, or something else?
I know I do a good job, but I still want to be taken seriously. I want to be a contender! Maybe I need to be more self confident. Sometimes I question myself and my abilities, but can people sense this?
I want to move on but I feel like i need to conquer this before i do. Darn it. What can I do?
summertime is the perfect time to contemplate life and what to do with the rest of mine. i'm not so sure about this urban planning thing anymore. its interesting and i can see the potential to do lots of good things with it, and i'm actually pretty good at it but i dont know if im really that passionate about it. can i really see myself doing this for a career? dunno.
i really like the academic thing, and have really gotten into reasearch. I'd love to get into a real research institution and publish a few articles of my own, but where?
I love uc santa barbara. Its great, but there is nothing up there for Pete to do. I seriously considered the mills master's program but while i love mills, its too soon to go back there. I dont know about UCLA, i'm not into the horrendus comutte. USC is not in the cards for me so its like what do I have left? the cal states are nice but not for people interested in research.
So many decisions to make. Good thing is summer time and i have lots of oppourtunities to think
I gave pete the responsibility of planning our party and guess what? Nothing happened. Granted he just graduated like 2 weeks ago and had been super stresed but there were so many people waiting for it! (well maybe not so many, more like 20)
So when Pete finds a place and time I'll let everyone know. If i get tired of waiting It'll just be at a bowling alley in montrose, with pizza and beer! Everyone likes pizza and beer right?
I"m sorry I've been MIA. Being a grown up sucks. I'm working almost full time this summer trying to learn some more before I ditch this internship thing for a real job, which i dont really want but need to pay those darned grown up bills. I wish flip flops were considered "office attire"
I wish I could stay in school forever. I like the academic thing, just not at USC or at Cal Poly. I sooo appreciate crazy Millls now. I need somewhere more liberal, with more gay people and hippies.
I've been meaning to update this thing and catch up with everyone but new stuff always gets in the way. Such is life.
This past weekend (fri-sun)Pete and I were in Santa Barbara to go to our friends Jason and Camille's wedding. It was at a vinyard in Sana Ynez and was really nice. Jason is really into the party planning and it was cute to see him directing everything while Camille sat back and enjoyed herself.
Santa Barbara is so nice! Its an extra point for the PhD program at the UC I am considering.
Pete also graduated this past weekend. He opted to skip the ceremony but he's officially done! Yay!! He's interviewing for jobs and its looking good for him. I cant tell you how proud I am of all of his accomplishments. He has worked so hard for this and I'm glad hes finally finished.
I've been busy writing a paper that is totally kicking my butt. After i turn it in on friday at 11:59 PM I'll be human again and I'll get in touch with everyone.
I have lots to say to lots of people about lots of stuff...hehe.
And with that random and seemingly meaningless statement I'm off