Tuesday, December 29, 2009
In October I wrote a response to a question posted by one of my uncles about what the perfect day would be. Since he hadn't heard from me for a few years, I condensed much detail into two paragraphs:
I had lots of near-perfect days during undergrad (i.e. up until a year ago), when I was living in Lubbock. Like yours, this involved intense physical activity. Every day, I woke up at four to ride my bike around campus (Texas Tech) until the gym opened at five; I'd do the elliptical, lift weights, and read German, Latin, or Greek on a recumbent bike. Then I'd rip off my sweaty clothes and do twenty laps in the open-air pool, as the sun rose. Then I'd shower (no water bill- essential for the poor college kid) and go to class or work (work nixes the "perfect" of any day); sometimes, I would stop by the deli on campus, where I used to be a manager, for a complimentary burrito breakfast (free food- essential for the poor college kid). At any time I didn't have work or class, I would bike to the locally-owned coffee shop, where everyone knew me and I could always talk to the owner if I didn't feel like getting any work done. In the evening, if I felt bloated from having eaten out with friends, I would swim again, and I almost always rode the bike around campus for another hour again.At the moment, I am considering seriously selling everything I own and moving to a warmer, drier clime, if I am not accepted into another school this fall. Living someplace where it rains four or five days per week, where I have no car, is sehr unbueno.
A delightful consequence of such an active lifestyle, for a female, is that it can shut down the menstrual cycle for months; ergo, living life was utter bliss. Since moving to Lexington for grad school, I cannot be nearly as active: the dread menstrual cycle has returned, and with it, all woe and gloom.
Too much information?
Noted lack of involvement with children in this scenario, but that's mostly due to the fact that, unlike, oh, my own parents, I do not think it is best to raise children when one is an extremely distant person emotionally, and not financially stable besides.
Too long a message? Anyhow, I am glad you had a wonderful day, and wish you and the munchkins many more.
xoxo, The Lauree Child.
Labels: bicycle, burrito, children, coffee shop, day, friends, Lubbock, parents, rain, recumbent bike, swimming, Texas Tech, uncle
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 9:04 AM]
Will I Be Handsome...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The University of Kentucky offered an admissions package to their Classical Languages MA program that I decided to accept. The University of Maryland, from whom I have not heard a definite response with respect to financial aid, was my top choice, but the department probably cannot provide funding, if by this point they have not notified me of a TA appointment decision. So Lexington it is, in most likelihood. No place on Earth could make me more miserable than I have been in Lubbock, so while not particularly enthused about moving to the Midwest, I could also not be happier. I will be satisfied to live anyplace where the dirt stays on the ground, where it in fact belongs.
The program is strong in reception studies for Neo-Latin, which I would want to study in general, but specifically in Deutschland between 1450-1850ish. The Graduate Director encouraged that I travel for study nach Deutschland, but even in lieu of that, the department annually funds summer travel in Italy or Greece for at least one grad student. Wunderbar.
Labels: Deutschland, dirt, financial aid, grad school, Lexington, Lubbock, misery, Neo-Latin, summer study abroad, The University of Kentucky, The University of Maryland
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 4:37 PM]
With All Due Respect, Sir
Monday, April 07, 2008
Moving to the other side of the middle of nowhere will not make me feel better.
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 10:31 PM]
We All Want To Change The World
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Whilst out and about the Lubbock megaflopilis this afternoon, I encountered the perfect dress to wear for Adrian and Brian's wedding in May. The clerk at the store will reserve the dress until such time that I return with profits from having stood long enough at the corner of Quaker and 82nd Street. I entered sans makeup and con neko hat, which I suppose accounts for why the sales associate looked at me like I was black as I pawed through $70.00+ skirts and blouses. Nevertheless, she did try to sell me on some off-white shoes, but my over-wide feet rejected them.
The photograph developing machine at CVS this evening proved itself recalcitrant, which translated to me spending an inordinate amount of time wandering the aisles as I awaited the successful processment of pictures dating back to last May. Jetzt muß ich Latein studieren.
Labels: crocheted hat, CVS, dress, feet, Harold's department store, Latin, Lubbock, photographs, shoes, shopping, wedding
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 7:50 PM]
We May Not Awaken You
Sunday, March 02, 2008
In lieu of preparing for exams and catching up on sundry coursework assignments, I spent the past three days sleeping, working out, and reading Benjamin. I also applied for a few jobs.
Now my tummy hurts. I may return to the Lair (from the coffee shop) earlier than I had intended, for the purpose of conducting a drug-induced sleeping expedition. Last night's sleeping expedition did not fare well- the wind howled against the building without relent; Kermie and I cuddled the tighter, but never settled into the comfort of full slumber.
Nevertheless, despite feeling extremely alert this morning, I managed to avoid reading Plato's Apology. I ate breakfast and somehow felt accomplished enough.
Lubbock winds tarnish everything, to include the shoes, encrusted with wind-blown dirt, that I threw out this afternoon on account of their over-worn condition. Ow. Sleep.
Labels: breakfast, coffee shop, dirt, job searching, Kermit the Frog, Lubbock, Plato, reading, shoes, sleep, tests, The Apology, The Lauree Lair, Walter Benjamin, wind, working out
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 7:55 PM]