The third product (sort of)

This is what happens when you make a French Silk pie and don't remember to take a picture of it before...well, you know.

The second product

Key. Lime. Pie.

The first product

DOUBLE WONDERFUL!

I have the most amazing friends anyone could ever ask for—tonight they threw me a surprise birthday party!

Because my birthday is during the summer and we're all scattered around the country, they were super sneaky and L. got me to E.'s where they all jumped out and surprised me with a scavenger hunt, which took me around the entire grad housing complex and then back to the apartment where...

...

...

...a PINK KITCHEN-AID MIXER was waiting for me, wrapped beautifully in pink paper! And accompanied by a pink card!

AMAZING!

This was followed by an absolutely lovely dinner of pasta primavera and a fantastic dessert of molten chocolate cake, all lovingly prepared by E. I just do not have words. TWO surprises in one weekend! TWO!

THE CAPS ARE GOING WILD! AND THE EXCLAMATION POINTS TOO!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, GIRLS!

Won, Wonder, Wonderful

On Thursday, T. surprised me by showing up on my doorstep unannounced. It was unbelievable, amazing, and one of the best things anyone has ever done for me. My spirits lifted from "finals-down-in-the-dumps" to "OH MY GOD HE IS HERE." I can't even describe it, it was so incredible.

Then we got food poisoning (or stomach flu, but I'm betting on the food poisoning b/c the symptoms seem to line up).

While the whole dehydrated, can't-keep-anything-down feeling was not the highlight of the last few days, at least we had each other. Basically, we were sick together and I'm not even exaggerating—being sick with T. was better than being OK on my own. He's gone now, and I really miss that guy.

But nothing will take away the sheer and utter ecstasy I felt when I opened that door and saw him smiling at me...just thinking about it makes me feel wonderful.

Getting through it

This might certify me as a little bit nutty (or at the very least, kind of eccentric), but having Maurice around really makes things a lot better. It's kind of nice to look over and see him swimming around in his tank. Also, whenever I use the coffee table to type (i.e., now), he comes over to the side of his tank nearest me and chills out. I like to think he wants to be near me, but I'm pretty sure it's just that he likes seeing motion, instead of the inanimate objects he's stuck looking at all day. I haven't gone so far yet as to leave the TV on just for him. Let's hope I never get there....

Also, S. made a request that I put a quote on her blog. Because it is embarrassing, I'm not gonna. But I've mentioned it! So I'm sure that counts for something.

(Not) studying

I'm back from a wonderful weekend, and now the fun really starts. If I can manage to motivate myself, I might actually make it through this finals week with my dignity and peace of mind intact.

We'll see about that...

Flu

I don't think I need to say anything more, nor do I have the energy.

A delayed, but no less dedicated, weekend post

I might be narcoleptic, but I never let sleep get in the way of a good time.

Last weekend, we (aka les girls) all went out with two of L.'s friends, St. and M., both of whom are rollicking good times. We also went out with J. and R. (hey guys!) and I promised I would write a blog post about our evening. So here it is!

After hanging out at at the c-house for a little (see, I'm even using the lingo) I fell asleep, probably for a solid 30 minutes, while everyone else probably made fun of me. No matter! I (wo)manned up, got into that cab, and made it to Finny's, where I proceeded to dance, play photohunt, and stand around with the best of the non-sleepers. That's right. I rock.

The disadvantages of sleep deprivation

-Frequent and deep-seated urges to nap, wherever I am, throughout the day.
-An inability to fall asleep at night, because of those naps
-The perpetuating cycle

I'm spiraling out of slumber control...

I'm it

I've been tagged by Sales Rack Raider to do this survey. No time like the present to put off another Con Law reading!

Also, this is the first meme I've ever been tagged for. Chalk one up for me!

8 Things I'm Passionate About
1) Reading/books
2) Shoes (is it sad that this is so high on the list?)
3) Friends/family/pets
4) Satisfaction and a job well done
5) Good food (and learning what isn't good food during my many experiments)
6) Changing the world! Someday.
7) Trying to be a good person
8) De-stressing and organizing my life

8 Things I want to do before I die
1) Visit all 50 states
2) Have a dog (or dogs) of my own
3) Learn to play the guitar (for real)
4) Be published
5) Catch and cook a fish
6) Start an organization/charity/foundation/scholarship/etc
7) Master that tennis backhand
8) Ski the Alps

8 Things I say often
1) LIES!
2) No
3) Yes (I realize that these are cop-outs)
4) Duck
5) Tell me what it is (in response to surprises)
6) Really?
7) Hooray!
8) I'm hungry.

8 Books I've read lately
1) Constitutional Law: Cases in Context
2) Property
3) Problems in Contract Law
4) Little Women
5) Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife (P&P sequel)
6) 100 Years of Solitude
7) Pride & Prejudice
8) Perspectives on Property Law

8 Songs I can listen to over and over again
1) "I take my chances" by MCC
2) "Why walk when you can fly" by MCC
3) "World on Fire" by Sarah McLachlan
4) "The Long Way Around" by the Dixie Chicks
5) "Sire of Sorrow [Job's Sad Song]" by Joni Mitchell (as rearranged on Travelogue)
6) "Let me touch you for awhile" by Alison Krauss
7) "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco
8) "Galang" by M.I.A.

8 Things that attract me to my best friends
1) Their senses of humor
2) That they understand my sense of humor
3) Intelligence
4) Generally, they're nice people
5) Loyalty
6) Personality and character
7) Willingness to lend a hand (to anyone)
8) Ability to laugh at themselves

A musical longing

I've watched about half a dozen movies this weekend alone, and I've come to the realization that what my life is missing, that intangible something that adds depth to both emotion and whimsy, is an orchestral score. Just imagine — it would boost me in my triumphant moments, render my blue days heart-felt and full-bodied, and give me quick way to zip through the more boring parts of life.

My life needs a score. Preferably something with delicate violins, low-throated cellos, melodic piano interludes, and a robust choral rendition of Handel's "Hallelujah," to be sung at the conclusion of this semester's finals.

Life, bulleted

-Barrister's Ball. Fun, fancy dress, food only ok, left-the-curling-iron-on panic attack. So, altogether normal for any near-formal event requiring me to get dressed up.

-Trivia Night. Team Hamstar comes in NOT LAST. WOOOOOHOOOO.

-My hair. Thanks to L.'s timely intervention I've been using conditioner for the last few weeks and really seeing a difference. Who knew that changing up a daily cheap shampoo-rub-blow dry regimen could have such a difference!?

-Lexie is due for her 20,000 mile service. Already. WHERE DO I DRIVE THAT I KEEP GETTING SO MANY MILES?

-Sitting in the lounge and someone is playing music on a computer. Annoying. No interest in hearing Michelle Branch's latest oeuvre at this time, thanks.

-This drives home how boring my life really is — studying is the pinnacle of excitement around here and when a good episode of Friends is on...boy howdy, you better watch your back! All sort of craziness going on!