this just goes to show you that random chat can be a bad thing. my friend andrea was the target for "i have herpes, part 3." this guy actually im's girls and talks about having herpes and would they still sleep with him. watch what you say online girls, it may just end up on some sicko's webpage....

this weekend we went on our first of two plant systematics field trips. it was a very interesting day. we went to dolly sods, a natural wildlife refuge-type place in eastern west virginia. there we tramped around in a bog, climbed around through meadows, ate lots of wild berries, and froliced on some cliffs. while we were there, we also got to visit a bird banding station. they gave us a talk about what they do and how important it was, and even let some of us release captured birds. I got to release a black-throated blue warbler. it was so cool. i took pictures. after dolly sods, we went to seneca rocks, where we hiked to the top. that's like a straight-up hike. i thought i was going to die! but we finally made it up there. then our teacher, dr. gregg, took us up a rocky path that had a sign that read "here ends the realm of the hiker. please do not go beyond this point without climbing equipment and/or prior rock climbing experience." needless to say, i am not a rock climber, but i made it! it was fun, but i have bruised knees and elbows. it was a really great feeling to be way up there and look down where the cars were parked and know that i got up all that way on my own power alone. exhilarating! but i was extremely sore monday, let me tell you. my next dr. gregg adventure is october 27, when we visit the new river gorge. she assures us that there is no rock climbing involved....

this is the most hectic week ever. i have so much to do it is just overwhelming, and yet, i'm here blogging about it right now. tonight i work from 5-10, i have to lead a discussion tomorrow for my animal behavior class, which i still need to come up with questions for, meet my group from that class to work on our research proposal (which is due monday), get up early saturday to paint playground equipment at french creek elementary, visit my boyfriend's grandparents, get up early sunday (we're talking before 7 am) to go on a plant systematics field trip, attempt to get back in time to see our new kappa phi pledges take the degree of the pine, and finish the proposal. then i have 2 tests next week too. and stick in there that i have to workout for 45 minutes at least 3 times a week. *groan* i need sleep.

this past weekend was really rough on me. it seemed to be a testing of friendships - which were strong enough to snap back after a strain, and which would simply snap. it seems they've all snapped back, but it was a real eye opener. is this what things have come to? why are we so petty? life is precious and short, we shouldn't go through it badmouthing the few people who say that they are our friends. can't we all just get along??

fly a flag to show a united front

all i have to say is that i am deeply saddened by the day's events but that the spirit of the american people lives on.

and i'm really glad i gave blood yesterday

good night all

i'm in a plant systematics class, so i have a big flower press to preserve plants i find in the field. anyway, i collected some plants this weekend when i was home and brought them back to school to press. this morning, i took my press over to the christopher hall of science to put it in the dryer to speed the process. anyway, i'm walking across campus lugging this press that's about a foot wide by almost 2 feet long with wooden slats on the outside and lots of cardboard inside by its big canvas straps. people stared at me like i was nuts. what boobs we have on this campus, i tell ya. of course, had i not known what the thing was, i'm sure i'd have done my fair share of staring too, but... it's more fun to make fun of them and defend myself. so there. good night all, my bed is calling

i went home this weekend. i've only been at school for two weeks, so i wasn't homesick or in need of laundry services (well, that's a lie, my mom just did several loads of laundry for nick and i) but it was my brother addison's 13th birthday on saturday. and nick wanted to pick up a recliner that my parents didn't want anymore to put in his dorm room. it wasn't a bad trip. i saw my baby ricky (my ferret - you people should read the info page). he's just so cute and cuddly. he's gotten so much calmer in the last few months that it is just hard to believe. i wanted so much to bring him back with me, but pets aren't allowed in our dorms. so sad....

well, tonight is our first kappa phi meeting of the year. thursday september 13th is our fall contact party at 8pm in the social hall. *hint hint* tell all the girls you know. it's good times, they'll love it.

guess i'll get back to pretending to do something at work. at least i'll get some studying done.

i'm trying so hard to keep up with blogging, really i am. cut me some slack!

anyway, my exercise and weight control teacher dr. braine (yes, that's his real name) claims that on wednesday, we'll all have to run 2 miles in less than 20 minutes. i have a few things to say about that. first of all, it's still summer for goodness sake. it's going to be as hot as all get out on that walking trail. #2, it's a walking trail, why are we running? #3, if you know me, you know that i'm not exactly built for running. i don't even own a sports bra that fits me. i haven't tried to run a mile since 10th grade (mr. parks... shudder) #4, two miles? isn't that a bit harsh to start out with? couldn't we start with half a mile and work our way up? can't we all get along??

*sigh* what makes this worse is that i actually really do want to lose weight, not just get the PE credits i need to graduate as a "well-rounded individual," so i'll be out there at 10 am running my flabby butt right off. i can't guarantee how long i'll last, but i'll wager it will be far under the two mile mark. i really need to get in shape.

on another note, why do college meals have such restrictively set time periods? i totally missed dinner yesterday because they are open until 6:30 weekdays and stupid me assumed they be open until 6:30 on weekends too. no such luck... well, off to lunch i go. i apologize in advance for any trampling that may occur as i push my way through the masses to the sandwich bar.

i have no free time when i'm at school. i don't know what it is about dating someone, going to class, and doing work study that takes it out of you. i just can't seem to find time to ever sit and watch tv, or just veg out and surf the net. it's saddening. i haven't even really put myself into this computer yet. it's still pretty stock, this computer pretty much came this way and i changed the background. yuck. and my job is not making me happy. this is my third year working here and each year, i get less and less hours. i only work 4 hours a week this year. do you know how badly that sucks? that equals no money in our get-paid-once-a-month school that pays $5.15 an hour. this is me fuming: *steam*

i haven't even gotten finished with my room yet either. i'm trying to put up some shelves so i can actually unpack those last 2 boxes laying in my floor, but i have to keep buying more stuff. anchors, wood scraps, screws, drill bits, AAAGGGHHH!!!

aggie 211, construction zone, enter at your own risk...

i must read about animal behaviour now. adieu