So apparently a Hispanic family has my phone number on speed dial and keeps dialing it accidentally. I got a message on my answering machine and there was Latin music in the background and people chatting in Spanish. Then someone called me this afternoon and I heard the same thing. This is all pretty bizarre to me!

I tasted my first cheese curd yesterday! That makes me an official Minnesotan. It's exactly what I thought it would be: deep-fried cheese. Who ever thought of that? What else can be fried, I wonder? Fried pizza would be good.
The people who made this website obviously had way too much fun frying!

I also officially changed my position on Jesus-hair. It was an in-joke with my high school friends because Mara wanted to add it to our list of 100 best male characteristics (which we all made at a sleepover in 10th grade), but I was vehemently against adding it. It felt kind of sacriligious and I also thought it couldn't be possible without looking mullet-ish (not that I think Jesus had a mullet ...or if he did I'm sure he pulled it off:) ). Anyway, I went back to the fair tonight and now I've officially changed my mind. I think the New Hampshire girl in me is attracted to the nuts-and-berries/rugged look.

Kind of on that topic- but from a COMPLETELY different point of view- my little brother is growing out his hair and growing a beard. My little brother! It's so disconcerting.

This past week has been so exhausting! I babysat for my three Hartnett cousins everyday and they all slept over at my apartment last night, and in the process, I unfortunately got to meet the devilish side of each of the sweet children. I think that everyone hides the most irrational side of themselves from their friends and extended family; my aunt and uncle couldn't believe them when I said that my dad was a yeller when I was little- he hides that impatience from them at Christmas and John and I aren't as pesky as we used to be. Anyway, my cousins apparently don't understand that social norm and freely express their irrational anger and frustration in my presence. Every day this week we did something fun: Monday was the science museum, Tuesday- the zoo, Wednesday-the Mall of America, Thursday-sleep over at my house, and today we went to the State Fair. And so everyday I witnessed each of them breakdown at least once (thankfully, never all three at once!). Usually I could pull that child aside and either pleasantly request that he or she stop punching me, or try to distract him or her. Today at the State Fair, Maria became a complete rascal! She's normally the sweetest little 5 year old with cute Shirley Temple curls. I guess she was tired of walking, so she started hanging on my arm whenever I held her hand. Then she started hitting me with her Snoopy fan and then punching me with her fists. Argh. It wasn't even that annoying, except I guess I need to try to establish some control, even though they are my cousins. So I finally reverted to do a fireman carry (I think that's what it's called) so she was over my shoulder and therefore couldn't kick me. On top of her meltdown, the State Fair is outrageously overpriced- $37 for one adult and three children just to enter! Then there were no food items less than $2.50 (a plain hot dog) and each carny ride cost about $4.00. So, in conclusion, my trip to the State Fair was the most frustrating "fun" experience ever, and I felt like such a miser, but honestly! I really don't have any income to speak of.

I took the three of them to a big playground this week and I ended up having a long conversation about my highlights with a 10 year old on the see-saw. Some children have a much more sophisticated understanding of fashion at a really young age then I will ever have. Anyway, she noticed that my highlights were grown out and recommended a stylist who could fix that. I explained that I couldn't afford highlights and she explained that 6 weeks is the maximum life-span of even the most professional job. Oh well. I thought I had my haircare down to a science. I was just thinking though- and this is so random- why can't shampoo companies make a line of hair care products that address all of the problems that one individual might have? I mean, I could buy "frizz-ease" shampoo because my hair is naturally frizzy, or I could buy "springing curls" shampoo which would excentuate my waves. Or, I could use something that would make my hair smell like fruit or flowers; I could buy intensive conditioning shampoo for color-treated hair, or I could buy shampoo specifically engineered for brunettes. Okay, that was long, but this is my actual question: Is it just scientifically impossible to put all of those ingredients in the same bottle (they would combust?) or are the companies just playing upon my desire to meet all of my hair needs and so they know I will eventually buy each of their products?

There are only 10 weeks until the Presidential elections! I think I'm going to volunteer for the Minnesota branch of the DNC, or at least for Kerry's campaign. I'm on a guilt trip: today I added my signature for Nader. It was absolutely not out of support- I think his campaign is a waste of time and young adult passion. It was because the poor woman at the teensy Nader booth at the fair spent five minutes explaining NAFTA to me (as I nodded without understanding anything) and I felt so bad, since he's obviously not going to accomplish very much at all, so I signed it. So there it is: if Bush wins Minnesota, a swing-state, due to Nader's votes, it's all my fault. But, if those Naderites spam by email inbox, they will be sorry!

Tomorrow I'm going to a birthday party for a state senator with my aunt. What do you buy a senator you've never met?

ps- Mike, I think that Starbucks is going to be my only legacy at Wash U. I hope SALT will meet there once to remember me:)

Update: my fish is a survivor! She still looks kind of ragged, but she had a near-death-by-drain experience after all.

This week I've been working on improving my apartment, but it's all been by happenstance. I went for a run around Lake Calhoun two days ago, and on the way back up my street, I saw a cute sewing desk sitting in someone's yard (with a "free" sign). I had such a hard time carrying it the two blocks home! Then today, I stopped at a yard sale and found a beautiful 2 by 3 foot mirror with antique gold trim that matches my chandelier perfectly and it was only $20, so now I have that too! This is the first place I've lived that I really want to decorate- Wash U housing was pretty much hopeless, so I didn't even try. Before school starts, Jake is going to come with his tools and help me paint my bedroom Marigold Orange. He's a pro, doncha know? Hopefully the brightness will prevent seasonal affective disorder, which I guess everyone gets here! I'm really scared for my first Minnesota winter! Eve, if you read my blog, where are you living here? We should meet up for coffee! Well, tonight I'm going to make Newman's Own Bombolina Chicken (an award-winning recipe:) while watching more West Wing. That show is like crack! I love it. It helps so much to start from the beginning too.

I got something really exciting in the mail this week too: a John Kerry '04 sweatshirt hoodie!

Oh panic attack! I was just washing my fish's bowl, when she jumped out when I was transferring her and flipped down the sink drain! She was down on the garbage disposal level for 5 minutes as I screamed and tried to feel where she was and pick her up! She kept flipping out of my hands and I was crying...OMG, it was so horrible! I finally got her out and she wasn't moving and I put her back in her bowl and how she's finally eating again, but I feel like the worst person! The human propensity for emotional connections is so amazing...I mean, she doesn't know that I did that to her, she probably doesn't feel fear- she only knows when she can't breath. But I was thinking the whole time that I would hate myself if I killed my fish and every time I washed dishes, I would have to think about it. She's just floating in the corner of her bowl now and breathing slowly, and I still feel so guilty. What makes me need to care for a tiny fish? Do psychoneurologists understand anything about that yet?

In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the characters erase each other from their memories after a bad breakup. There are definitely some emotional memories I wish I could forget...I think the only thing you learn from those experiences is empathy. But with close calls, like fish going down the drain, I learned to never transfer her in the sink again. So it was a learning experience. And it got my heartrate to it's target level!

I have a question: are we too idealistic in college to choose a career based on future income?
I do want to be a teacher because I love children and doing creative activities and coloring with fruit-scented markers; but, will I eventually wish I had just majored in business, retired super-early, and then spent 40-ish years doing what I actually liked? Last week, my Aunt said that she really wishes she had chosen a financially lucrative career because money ultimately creates so many problems at home. Ugh. I got mad at my friend Eunice because she worked in a business job that she hated, but wouldn't leave because she was paid so much. And I always considered B-school majors to be somewhat greedy:) Just kidding, Caleb! I started thinking about money because I've been running at Lake of the Isles, a really posh neighborhood. There's a house that looks right out of tuscany and I started wondering if I could ever have my own bocce ball green with fountain. Where is the line between dreaming and greed? When you cut down your dreams about the future, is it "settling" or being realistic? I don't know if I would fit in in my dream life anyway...I already feel out of place in my parents "mews," so maybe I would feel out of place if I got my dream house. Well, can you tell that this is all procrastination? I have to finish my homework! Honestly, I have one class a week and I still can't get my homework done.

Wolfgang Puck Salad

8 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 cup dried cherries
6 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup candied pecans (dip nuts in butter, coat in brown sugar, then broil until bubbling)
balsamic or olive oil dressing

This is such a good recipe!
I found a nice starbucks today, in St. Louis Park, MN. Coincidence? I don't think so.

I've never bought running shoes based on how cute they look, but I found these and I couldn't resist...

I also went to see the Bourne Supremacy last night with Jenny and Jake. It was really good!

This is one of my favorite songs...

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind

I love this song because whenever I feel powerless, it reminds me of how much power each person has to affect and improve the lives of others. God has really given us each so much humanity and potential for service. And my hands are incredibly small! (Which is why I'll never be a concert pianist:)...I can barely reach an octave).

Cha cha...I bought a fish today! She's a fighting fish and her name is Tutu (because she's blue, white, pink, and teal, and it looks like she's wearing a tutu).

brain mush...
I'm starting to use my metacognitive skills (I learned one thing in edpsych) and I've realized that if I use my brain to write a paper and do a project, then the next day-when I need to start studying for the linguistics final exam- it will be completely exhausted. So, my brain is on vacation, even though I really need it so much right now! There should really be a word for this- if anyone knows it, please tell me. It obviously happens to all students. My dad makes up new words all the time, but they never seem to catch on. One was "soo," which is used like "too," to imply excess. It distinguishes "Soo much pizza" from "So, what's for dinner?" It makes sense to me:) Last week he came up with "hot turkey," which is used to explain what happens when you attempt to stop an addictive habit (smoking, caffeine, etc.) for a while, but can't and then get back on the wagon all at once (ok, that's alcohol, but you get the picture). Then you go overboard and it's like an overdose...hot turkey! It makes sense because it's the opposite of cold turkey. I stopped drinking caffeine cold turkey during lent but then went back hot turkey after a week...it was so bad! OMG, two hours until my final and I've only reviewed a third of the vocabulary. Work, nicole!