lent.

Nope, i don't go to church every week (sorry mom), but some traditions are so ingrained that i feel obligated to acknowledge them. I planned to get ashes on wednesday before class, but then realized that i was heading in early  to have my picture taken for the graduate webpage. I didn't think the photographer would be thrilled with a smudge on my forehead. Instead, i tried to think of something realistic to give up for the 40 days of lent. In years past, i've intended to copy my sister and give up junk food, but my self control will never be at the same level as hers. So, after some thought, i decided to give up pasta. This was my reasoning:

1. It's neither too difficult nor too easy- i'll be able to stick with it for the full 40 days, but will definitely miss it.
2. I eat far too much of it, particularly recently (about 4 nights/week), mainly because it's easy and quick and i'm tired.
3. It will force me to come up with new dinner ideas that are more meat based (except on fridays, of course).

It's been three days so far, and so good! Hopefully i won't eat it by accident. That already happened when i finished my leftover chicken/veggies for lunch today, only to realize i wasn't suppose to eat meat. Oops. 

I also promised that during lent i would do my best to update this neglected blog every other day. They may be short posts, but they'll be here.

donor.room.board.

I finally remembered to bring my camera and take a picture of my blood donor board for e.

oscar.

I'm about to head over to my friends' house for our annual oscar night. This will be year 11! While i've spent some time with them recently, many years we don't see each other at all, so it's nice to have a built in excuse to hang out. Usually i make a serious effort to see many of the nominated movies- at least all the best picture ones. This year was probably my worst year yet, having seen just two movies- slumdog millionaire and the reader. I caught slumdog a month or so ago with angela and eva, and squeaked the reader in yesterday with shirl. I'd intended to watch milk and/or doubt last night or today, but went out with eva last night (in an attempt to improve my non-existent social life) and worked on school stuff today. So i'll add them to my netflix list and catch up later. I did fill out a ballot, so we'll see how good i am at making predictions on movies i haven't seen!

i'm.famous!

Click here, and scroll down about halfway!