Grace;

It occurred to me, not too long ago, that I'm not really one of those girls that is graceful. I talk at ridiculously high volumes on the cell phone, even though there is nothing in the room but the buzz of the refridgerator. I laugh without abandon and it comes straight from the gut. I fall in hallways when it rains because I wear inadequate, albeit fashionable, choices of shoes. I crack jokes even when people are tired of me doing so. I chew on gummy foods obnoxiously.
It's just the way I am. It's also why I love Polaroids. Because there is so much beauty in this world, Polaroids can either capture a subject, event, or occasion gracefully or chaotically. The result is returned instantly -- a slap in the face or a success? It's like life in the 10 seconds to take it, and life in the 3 minutes it takes to develop it. You never know what you're gonna get. (Forrest Gump?)

I suppose I should introduce myself or something, but I think you'll come to know me better through my writing than through a formal introduction. So, here is my virtual, blogosphere handshake, if you will. Gracias!

This is finals week at my university. I should be feeling flummoxed and panting for winter break. But the thing is, I've had my "crunch time" for the past month. In November, when I was assigned with several lengthy papers, projects, and Powerpoints, I got to work. I worked endlessly, staying up until 3 or 4 a.m. to get them done, because I get restless when I haven't finished something. I wrote like a fiend, and these papers swelled to over 25 pages in length.

Now, when I'm supposed to be running myself to the ground, I am left to reflect on when I did actually run myself into the ground. It's nice being in college now, working at my feverish pace with a few naps in between (usually in the middle or the day, in the presence of Maury). No matter how crushingly hard I work, I still feel like I should be doing more. It's a disease, I'm convinced.

Anyway, I have one final left to take on Friday. I know the material inside and out, so it'll be a breeze.

And while I'm on the subject of school, I think you should know that I've founds some of the most beautiful, hilarious, warm friends on the planet. It's been a semester and they've changed my life. I thought I would never find a "soulmate" friend again after high school, but Becca and I are like sisters. Liz and I are newspaper mavericks. Lydia and I are hilarious roommates. Lauren is a beautiful person. I could go on....they've all become part of my heart already.

On an ENTIRELY different note, I made some pad thai noodles tonight (whilst editing these 25 page papers) and my mind LITERALLY BLEW.

Okay, I walk into the kitchen. I'm hungry, real hungry, real famished fucking hungry. I sniff around, find a box of instant noodles, do a fist pump like (yesss!), and crack open this little box of magic. You want to know what's inside? GET READY.

A RETRACTABLE FORK.

It opens and closes. Like think of a plastic fork. Now think of a fork with a bend in it. Envision opening and closing. Repeat.
I put said fork in my pocket several times and whipped it out in jacknife fashion. It's so freaking nifty, you don't even understand.

I bought the New York Times the other day, and actually read it from section A-E. I feel better about life.
However, I have a gigantic cold sore which always appears yearly, like "SUPRISE, I'M GOING TO SCREW YOU OVER FOR THE NEXT WEEK." Lovely!

Alas, thank you for listening to the mental vomit that escapes my brain. It never fails to entertain.