October status of things

Hi friends,

Another day in Philadelphia. I'm feeling good, although my good mood might be a byproduct of my first cup of coffee. Yesterday I was completely useless - I stayed home cuz my one class was cancelled. I cleaned my room and watched tv. And then took a nap. And then woke up and went bowling at 9:30 p.m. I didn't get dressed til about 9. I didn't leave the house til then. It was lazy but kind of wonderful. I feel like I needed it.

I don't know what I'm feeling. Maybe a hundred wonderful things at once. I saw the Darjeeling Limited two nights ago. Can I just say that Wes Anderson has revolutionized the direction of film? I love the depth of his characters and how his plots aren't formulaic. You don't know what to expect or what to feel. It's so open to interpretation and you're able to relate to the characters as you see fit. I love his attention to detail with all of the sets and props. The cinematography is beautiful, the art direction inspiring. He really creates the world that his characters are portraying. And then I love how the film sits with you. It's just sunken in the bottom of my mind, and then my thoughts drift back to another aspect of it which really affected me. Man. It's a good one. You should see it.

Homecoming is tomorrow. The campus is all set up with tents and booths. The planners are planning a tailgating party. It should be fun. I don't know what I'm going to bring yet.

Today I'm working at the grad center. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with everything that I need to. I just bought my gym membership so I'll probably head over there sometime today. It's a pretty fancy gym. I'm likin' it.

I don't know if I have any unique or inspirational insights for you today. A few things are on my mind. First, I found a church that I really like - the one that I took my parents to last week. It's Presbyterian, which is a new denomination for me. Little did I know that my dad grew up in a Presbyterian church. The music is awesome. They have a men's choir and a women's choir. Last week a soprano sang this beautiful aria -type hymn. The pastors are great. They bring a pretty deep intellectual approach but at the same time they keep the heart in the message. They also have a group for college and post-college aged people, so hopefully I'll be able to get involved with that. This is the first time I've ever really looked forward to Sunday and getting to know people at church. It's sweet.

At the moment it's muggy here and threatening rain. What kind of crazy October is this?

Free time?

Friends,

This week is not so busy, which is such a blessing. I've got all this time and I don't know what to do with it.

My parents' visit was quite nice. We ate good food and walked all over the city. I showed them my campus then took them to Reading Terminal for lunch. (It's an underground market thing that is crazy and crowded and quintessentially Philly. Words can't do it justice so you'll just have to come see me if you want to see it.) Then we went on the Duck tour - which is a tour around the city on one of those army conversion vehicles that is a bus but then it turns into a boat. It was super fun and silly. Then we went to a movie- Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It was ok, shot really beautifully and acted well, although as always, I kinda hated some of the typical gender role stuff. Then we went to dinner and to bed. On Sunday I took them to my church (which I've only been to a few times, but is quite cool) and they really liked it too. Then we walked up to the Art Museum (and ran up the Rocky steps) and ate brunch at the Art Museum's restaurant. It was a lovely weekend all-in-all and I think they were sad to go.

After they left, Sunday wasn't as hurried and bad as I thought it'd be. I finished everything I needed to. On Monday I found out that I don't have a lab assignment due next week. Hurrah! Then in GIS class the professor actually walked us through how to do the operations we need to know for the assignment instead of lecturing us through them abstractly. Now I feel like a I have a handle on that assignment so I won't have to stumble through it this week. In my design class I had an epiphany. I really enjoy design but often I don't take the time to put in the extra work, and I'm just trying to get the assignment done. Last night I added extra details and really allowed myself to take some artistic license. I think it was/is going to be worth it. But again, no assignment due for next week in that class, which is awesome. My only class tomorrow is cancelled.

So, I have from now through the weekend to get some readings done, catch-up on a few things, and...get a head start on others? Put in extra time somewhere? Have fun? Go out for coffee? The possibilities are endless...