Freshman Year Commences

Wednesday was my first day in the Super League of Cool College Kids, and I'm feeling pretty mixed about it. Wait, let me back-track real quick..

Follow-up on my last post 'Maybe I Should Have Adventures':

Mission Conquering Campus was a success, for the most part. I proved to myself that I could get over my fear of the unknown. I also proved that I need to get into shape if I'm going to survive these next couple of years. With 90+ degree weather before 11:00am, I was pretty sure I was going to pass out. Plus I was excessively glistening (because girls don't sweat) and had a piercing side stitch. Anyway, I found my classes (and a good place to park) even though the map from the university's site was obviously the result of one too many games of beer pong.

Moving on..

The actual first day of classes was pretty nerve-wracking at first because the campus is so much more chaotic when you throw a plethora of wandering freshmen like myself into a rush of upperclassmen that could care less who you are or what you are doing and would prefer you stay out of their way. I don't feel like going back and editing that incredibly long and whiny sentence.

I do sort of enjoy the thought of being in college now, but I guess I'm waiting for those awesome college experiences I hear so much about (that don't involve jello shots or breaking the law).

My Facebook status from that day pretty much sums it up:

"Today was a lot like those dreams I have when I'm stressed out where I can't find my classes, I forget where I am, the teacher is speaking only in Spanish the entire class, etc. Only today wasn't a dream and all of those things really happened. I'm only half positive I didn't go to school naked and/or eat lunch with Mario Lopez."

Well, that's all I got for now. I'm beat. Peace out, homes.

DB

Maybe I Should Have Adventures

One of the many lovely side effects of generalized anxiety disorder is the immense fear of the unknown. I always have to know what's going to happen and what to expect or my mind goes into panic mode. This makes major life changes like, for instance, starting college and a new job within a week of each other absolute hell. Last night I had to make a complete congnitive 360 and decide not to let the fear of not knowing what's going to happen keep me in a constant state of worry until classes start (on Wednesday).
     If you know a little about psychology (or have watched those cool shows like Hoarders: Buried Alive or Obsessed, you know that sometimes a little exposure therapy helps to ease the patient's response to anxiety-producing behaviors (and I'm the nerd that gets a thrill out of researching this stuff. I'm seriously considering clinical psychology as my potential major). So, I've been trying to do a little exposure therapy on my own. Today's mission: Conquering Campus.

Oh, how I love Vampire Weekend. And the song in the video above, "Campus", is a great one for today in particular.                                                                                                                                                                                I am determined to venture out on campus and find my classes/a good place to park. Also, I'm going to look for good places to eat/chill between classes. You guys, I've lived less than 15 minutes away from campus for at least 12 years now, and I'm just now learning where everything is. It's pretty sad that I got lost at Freshman Orientation. The upperclassman guide dropped me and some other students off at a lecture hall to take the math plaement test, and told us to go back to the student center when we were finished. I was one of the last to finish, so I went outside and tried to figure out where the heck I was. There I am, a helpless little freshman, looking at the cryptic campus map they gave us, trying to figure out what street I was on. It was pretty bad.

Anyway, I'm going to give this a shot. We'll see how it goes.

Peace, Love, & Hugs,

Dani

PS. I got a tumblr (as if I'm not already enough of a social networking nerd!)

Death to Facebook

I HATE FACEBOOK.


I hate facebook. I hate facebook. I hate facebook. I hate facebook.


But I can't leave it! I'm not strong enoughhhh. It's cast me under it's spell.


Le sigh.

Off-Season Purchases for Big-Savings

     With the start of fall classes aiming point blank at our summer vacations, the last thing we want to shop for is bathing suits and cute sundresses. Although it's almost time to pack up the warm clothes and dig out chic scarves and warm knits, this is the time to make some frugal investments for next summer. Clothing companies trade out their warm weather wear to make room for cool-climate clothing. If you're like me, you hesitate to buy spring/summer clothing in the fall/winter even if it's a bargain because you are going to have to wait until the weather changes accordingly to show off your frugal finds. However, you don't want to spend an arm, a leg, and your firstborn child to re-vamp your wardrobe each season. It's time to be thrifty in the off seasons so you can splurge on more instantly-gratifying indulgences (like Starbucks everyday after class!). Here are some trendy brands that are cutting back on price (but not style):

1. Pacsun.com

Bathing suit shopping is a hassle no matter what size you are, and finding a perfect fit online is typically even harder, but I was thoroughly pleased with Pacsun's choices. First off, they have an accurate size chart that tells you which to order based on your measurements and how to determine those measurements. Right now, they are running a sale on swimsuit separates that is "buy one get one free," and each piece ranges from about $12.99 to $19.99. So, say you find a top and bottom that you like, each priced at $19.99 and are buy one get one's, you just scored a bathing suit for $20! I got 3 tops, 2 bottoms, and 2 pairs of board shorts for about 70 bucks -- which averages out to 10 bucks each of course (plus, I got $25 worth of in-store or online credit. Word!)

2. Forever21.com

Not only do they have cute summer clothes on sale, but they also have sweaters and jackets for half the original price. Also, some of their summer tops can be layered for fall ensembles. Quick tip: Forever 21 is almost always running a deal on free shipping if you spend a certain amount, so try some collaborative shopping with your friends to meet the minimum amount and be eligible for free shipping.


3. Asos.com

If you haven't checked out Asos, you're missing out on eclectic and glamorous clothing that you can't find in many stores. They have a wide variety of items on sale (not just summer items!) and a customizable search engine that let's you choose your price range, color, size, brand, material, etc. Plus, there's a flat rate of $6 on shipping to the U.S. I am falling in love with this site more and more every time I visit it and can't wait to make my first purchase.

Next summer, when prices go back up, you be glad you took the time to do a little out-of-season bargain hunting. Know of any good end-of-summer sales? Post 'em here.

The Analytical View on Kiddy Shows

Yesterday, the boyfriend and I watched Blue's Clues on Netflix. It's kind of one of our things to find random/bizarre/funny/kiddy shows or movies, curl up on the couch, and watch/make fun of them. We decided on Blue's Clues because we both watched it as kids (and because no good "grown-up" shows were on..). As we watched the show, I noticed a stark difference in my viewing experience now compared to when I was a kid (and I'm not talking about the fact that I'm no longer drinking out of a sippy cup, among other things).
What I mean to say is when I was a wee little tot, I'd just watch the show and enjoy the overall visual experience. Now, when I watch these shows, I pay too much attention to detail. Questions fill my mind like, "Is Steve's house a hallway since he can only go left and right?" "Who are the kids that respond to his questions? Are they just voices in his head?" "Why doesn't he teach Blue to write so she can write out what she's trying to tell him and save us all a bunch of time?" "How does the camera crew keep from laughing histerically while watching him prance around and talk to imaginary characters?"
Of course, these shows aren't made for big kids who scrutinize over details. Still, I have the utmost respect for the writers of kiddy shows. I, for one, would not be able to write a script for a show that didn't answer questions of logic. It takes a special kind of person to be able to over look the fact that a 30 something year old man is living on his own, save for a few animated house mates.

Dropped quote from watching Blue's Clues:
"Steve" - You know what we need now! Our handy, dandy...
Boyfriend - iPad!

Another analytical view on catoons:
Smoosh's "If Cartoons Were Real"


Remember that Write or Die thing I mentioned in my last post? I tried it out and failed miserably. 190 words in 12 minutes?? Pshh. I'm sure you can do better than I did. Plus, you get a nifty badge to tell you how well you did. Lemme know how you do!