This post brought to you by day 3 of quarter 6

No, I didn't disappear (don't you wish!) I just went on spring break. To.... the University of Arizona library! (this is a true story) Then I came back and started SPRING TERM also known as LAST TERM OF GRAD SCHOOL also known as OHGODI'LLHAVEAMASTERSINLESSTHANTENWEEKS!!!!

Now that that's out of the way.

It's already crazy and it's what, day 3? Ooooh, this is going to be a race to the finish if there ever was one. Like the Amazing Race! except not around the world! and I can still wear heels! (but not if I'm going to have to run around campus and up and down the 4 stories of the library here).

Steve walked right by me in the hall on Monday because he didn't recognize me with different hair. Seriously, this is one of my best friends. Oh Steve.

Seriously mes amis, if you know about some job and you're hiding that information from me then A)- you're mean, since you're supposed to be my friend and B) you should tell me like, yesterday.

That is all.

ps- I got straight As last quarter (and by straight I mean 2) which was AWESOME (snaps for me!) and which brought the cumulative gpa up by a lot, which is also happy. Also, one of my students told me that he wrote on my evaluation last quarter (in french) "Gina is very mean- I hope she gets attacked by ninjas." ohhhhhh.

What's a pseudonym? A fake nym!

From today's 19th century final (that's a final in a class about 19th century lit, not a final in the style of the 19th century, if you were wondering) (and yes, I said final. I took a final. I haven't taken a final since 20th century musical styles, way back when in Ripon). But anyway, from today's final:

Professor Emery (handing out the exams)- Oh, someone's going to get a pink exam.
Emily and Eliana (at the same time)- Gina!
Entire class laughs, including me. Not so hard that I cried this time (see references to ninjas, bears and monkeys (oh my!) in earlier posts for laughing so hard I cried)

So I took a final printed on a pink piece of paper. Not that it was any different, but I'd like to think that it was special. Final- check! And that paper? The big one? That I complained about? And turned in Monday? Got an A. Yup. A. So happy. I invested so much in that paper and it ended up really mattering to me (who thought I'd ever say that about something involved with the 19th century?), so finding out that it was a good piece of work meant a lot to me. And the fact that our wonderful professor, who is sick, graded the entire classes' work and got it back today. We're talking maybe 16 or 17 of us, with the grads writing 10-15 (I had 14) and the undergrads maybe 6-9. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a lot of work. So snaps for her (name that bad movie reference- go!), and damnit, snaps for me! Snaps for me!

Let's see, I'm tired, I just graded a huge stack of papers and exams, and tomorrow I need to post final grades (not a hard task since I have them all in a file) and pack. Tomorrow evening I leave for Tucson and the sun. But, you know, it's been sunny here too. Except today and yesterday. It wasn't sunny today and yesterday. And it rained. That is all.

But that's not all! I'm still talking, probably because I had caffeine and sugar too late at night! Goooooood idea Gina! Speaking of good ideas, having a new template for the blog is a good idea. Anyone? Help?

Today I talked to Letha, my cousin's fiancee, for a long time on the phone. For those of you who haven't been paying attention, I'm in their wedding (which is very nice) in September. Letha is so sweet and wonderful, and I'm really happy she's joining our family. I'm so used to having a small family (except for the really extended part), and it's getting so much bigger this year! Chris is getting married, and my Uncle Phil finaaaaally is as well. When I was little I was determined that he get married so that I could be the flower girl. I asked him if, at 23, I still could. He seemed cool with the idea. Chris told me this summer that I'm next, but I think that at the rate I'm going, I'll be last. This is not a problem for me. Not at all.

Yesterday, Emily and I both made the same really bad joke at the same time.

I just remembered that even though I finished up this quarter really well and am on track for my exams (eep!) and thesis (eep!), I have no job. Hmm. This could become a problem. But I still have time, and as of now the time-table is much easier to deal with, since people are now looking for candidates who are available when I am, and not too much earlier. Heeeeeeere jobby jobby jobby !!!! (name that reference- go!)

Oh, it's late (but not Claire-late). I'm going to bed!

Wait, wait, wait, everyone. For some reason, the post posted itself after the pictures, (except the first one, which is ridiculous) so ignore the directions in the long post to scroll down for pictures. Because that is now wrong. But there is a looooong post after all those pictures. What happened?

Finished product (candles went in the middle). This has to be my best baking accomplishment to date. 

The "biche oh ma biche" section of the cupcakes- don't ask. And a biche? A small woodland deer. 

This is a BIG picture of my BIG bowl of yummy cream-cheese frosting! (I made everything, including the frosting, from scratch) 

Cupcakes pre-decoration.  

Curry mission almost done- note the chicken on the side, waiting to be mixed in, like good chicken does. 

It may look psychadelic, but it's just soy sauce and coconut milk. 

The curry experience begins. I really need a splatter-screen. 

Wait, who's going to do all these dishes? 

Look! I'm done! Doesn't it look good? (It was good, and I'm glad, since I ate it for many days) Risotto fear is officially overcome! 

This took a while. I watched some tv. (Note- even though it may seem as though I didn't actually stir, I did! These pictures do not represent the whole of the cookine time) 

I finally get to add the random skillet of mushrooms that was hiding in the background of the other pictures 

Ummm, cooking? Notice that I am not stirring at this point, but instead taking pictures so I can bore all of you. 

The hand of doom stirs in the rice! (or, I stir while trying to take a picture with the other hand) 

I got to use the big pot for this one! but still, only vegetables 

Risotto, garlic and cheese (with Jamie Oliver cookbook in background)- it was at this point that I decided to use a garlic press- lazy Gina! 

Risotto challenge, chopping phase completed!  

Risotto challenge step 2- food processor away! (note, in the future, I will not use the food processor for something as simple as chopping celery. I think I was just dazzled by it's shininess and felt the need to chop something) 

Cupcakes for Emily

As you can tell, I didn't get a chance to update again right away. And as you can tell (scroll down everyone) there are lots of new pictures. They document my recent cooking adventures, including the risotto, the chicken curry, and the Emily-birthday-cupcakes. They were all delicious! if I do say so myself. I'm not nearly as afraid of cooking as I was before. And those cupcakes? Were really really good. I love cupcakes. Sadly, they couldn't float or fly.

It's been a long haul since Thursday, but a good one. I finished my paper and turned it in today, a day early (14 pages! I am so proud! Now, I just hope it makes sense...), and also finally got my exam committee together. I still need to study for, and take, my 19th century final (why do we have a final? I haven't taken a final since college!), but Emily and I will be studying for that tomorrow morning, and I've read everything and talked a lot in class, so this is not a problem. There are also grades to be done, but again, not too worried. I am so proud of my 202 class! Not only were they wonderful all quarter long, but their oral presentations were fantastic. You've heard about the bear incident and probably thought,"Well, it can't possibly get much better than that. I mean, how can you go up from a bear suit?" Ooooooh mes amis, how you were wrong! There were pollution doubters! And former meth-addicts whose mothers burnt down their trailers trying to fry oreos! And ninjas! Yes, ninjas! Well, one ninja. I, once again, laughed so hard that I cried, making the grading part sort of hard. I felt like I was in some sort of Bjork video. I was so lucky with my students this term and hope that next term's class measures up to them. Speaking of next term, the waiting list now has, 9, I think?, people on it. Wow. This whole week-of-wow with the students (Holy alliteration Batman!) has reminded me how much I like teaching, and that I'll really miss it after June. Soooooo, I've decided to look for teaching jobs. I think if I look for French teaching jobs (hopefully for kids, and it'd have to be private school, since I don't have an education degree) and arts jobs I'll have better luck. And teaching makes me happy, and working with kids makes me happy. This bodes well for a teaching job! (side note- iTunes just went into "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! a man after midnight" by ABBA- it's so tempting to start dancing around the room) So I'll ask again- anyone have a job for me?

I was going to tell you about the bridesmaid dress I was ordering for my cousin's wedding this fall and show you a picture so you could ooh and aah and paste my head over the model's and then throw darts at it, but sadly, this will not happen. Chris just called and told me not to get it and that we're all probably wearing the same (mystery) dress now. Darn. But tis not my wedding, so tis not my decision. But if you have other pictures you'd like to paste my head on and then throw darts at, be my guest (beeeeee our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test- tie your napkin round your neck cherie and we will do the rest!- Beauty and the Beast always was my favorite Disney movie, besides Alice in Wonderland, even before I took French).

So, about this blog. I love purple, don't get me wrong. But I'd really like a new look, and I'm not smart enough to work with the html codes, nor do I want a pre-made template. Anyone out there know anything about this? I want a preeeeetty blog! Really, anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? (oh, that was so cliche. But I'm still listening to ABBA, so bear with me)

I'm going to Tucson on Friday (for a week, spring break!). U of A library, here I come! No, I'm serious. I'm going to try and get some reading done for the exams (of doooooom!) and work on le masters essay. And sit in the sun, and see family and friends, and relax. Should be fun. If anyone needs anything from the Southwest, now is the time to tell me (including Jackalopes, even though they don't exist).

Am I boring? No really, would you be more likely to read this if I talked about more interesting things? Huh?

And with that, she was off! To the batcave, Robin!

Gina gets over her fear of risotto step one- mushrooms! (Gina thinks, wait, I've done this before!) 

What are you doing here at 2pm?

A post in the middle of the day! Oh Gina, you ask, whatever is the occasion? Well, lovely people, as you may know (or care?) I don't have class until 4 on Thursdays. And since today is the last class (yes! last! week 10!) there wasn't any new reading, so I'm not in "I-must-finish-this-book-in-the-next-hour" mode. I do, however, have half of my paper done, which is incredible for me. If you reference the posts from the end of last November through December, you may recall that at this point last quarter I had nothing written, and was lost in front of Friendly Hall singing ABBA and Barry Manilow (you may also note that Ryan witnessed this insanity and still thought it was ok to date me- now that, ladies and gentlemen, is brave. Sometimes I don't even think that I'd date me!) . So I'd say that this end-of-quarter is going much better. Yesterday Steve and I had a marathon writing session that involved 2 pots of tea, candy, Belle and Sebastian and more books than my table could hold. And oh yeah, Steve having a much better work ethic than me, as he caught me playing solitaire and singing along with Belle and Sebastian more than once. Steve, Emily and I have planned a Saturday peer-editing session for our papers, so I'd really like to have the paper done by then. We're all writing about Decadence (remember when I learned what that really was?), so we'll actually be able to offer real ideas and help. Imagine that! It's also Emily's birthday! Well, it will be on Sunday! More exclamation points!!!

Oh no, I have to get ready for class! This is the problem with during-the-day posts. More to come tonight or tomorrow including the teacher revelation, ninjas in French class, the trip home, the bridesmaid dress and possible changes to le blog! Ciaaaaaaaaao!

Just when you think that everything is wrong and you're going to quit school one quarter away from a Master's degree, your students do oral presentations and wear bear suits and parody both the Jerry Springer show and portions of your own class. Seriously, bear suits. This is not a lie- I have photographic evidence. French 202, you rock. You made me much happier, and made me laugh so hard I almost cried (it was just as funny as the monkey defense day). Oh, and I almost fell out of my chair, but not because I was laughing, just because I'm dumb.

Secret crushes? You can't have a girlfriend! Says Emily "I tried not to make the dissapointed face!"

I am sad and stressed and tired and completely worn-out and down-trodden and really need a hug. I am also tired of working and working and working and no one caring. I love you all dearly, but it's really hard to understand if you're not me right now. One of the parts about living alone and being single at the same time that's hard is that, even if you really need someone, there's no one around. And it may not seem like a big deal, because phones and computers exist and all that, but sometimes you just really need someone else around, even for a little while. So yes, long day, long week, another long quarter. Wait, does this get better?

Damn, this is sad. Go and listen to some Belle and Sebastian and then come back and tell me how you feel. And if you don't have any Belle and Sebastian, well, then I suppose that's your problem. Borrow some?

Cooking accomplished!

I have overcome my fear of risotto! Non non non- not the dish itself, silly people! My fear of making it! Having being taught by my father (and I use taught loosely here, as the lesson was basically me trying to figure out "just add more broth until it looks right" actually meant), I was a little afraid to try. But tonight I did, and one recipe (Jamie Oliver you try to use too much rice!) and an hour and half later, I am very full and have lots of leftovers. Pictures to come tomorrow (yes, I documented it, thankyouverymuch), but for now? So tired, so much reading done, so ready for collapse.

Music and passion were always in fashion...

Have no fear, mes amis, I finished the book. And not just now, I finished it for class on Thursday. Then I got to class and realized that hardly anyone had finished it. Well then. Wait, does anyone remember what I'm talking about?

It's week 10, everyone. You know how much fun that is! You may remember last quarter at this time, when I ended up singing ABBA in front of Friendly Hall. Yeah. Umm, nothing like that has happened this quarter? Ok, that's only a partial lie, as I haven't actually completely busted out like that yet. I did sing large portions of "Copa Cabana" on Friday, but only because Steve and Emily swore that they had never heard it. Hmmm. Her name is Lola, she was a shoooooooowgirl... Oh great, now look what you made me do. At the Coooooooopa, Copa Cabaaaaaaaaana. I swear that I am not dancing around right now. Actually, I'm listening to the Magnetic Fields, which makes for an interesting mix. But back to week 10- wooo fun! Wait, no. I did lots of work today (I know! On a Saturday!), so I'm hoping that tomorrow I can write a page or two of this paper. Fetishism, feminism and decadence- what could be better? Maybe a cupcake? Or ten cupcakes? Copious amounts of cupcakes!

Everyone, I have a confession to make. I know that my musical tastes are varied to say the least, and usually sort of off the wall. I like that- me and mainstream music don't mix very well. But sometimes I listen to really bad music. And I don't even know why! And I like it! I love the Spice Girls! Robbie Williams and I are going to get married some day (one of these days I'll get around to telling him)! I still listen to old Euro-pop! I like Kylie Minogue! Do I need help? Should I plunge myself into some Belle and Sebastian to remedy this? I'll try and be better, promise! Hey, at least I'm not singing ABBA again. Yet. Really.

I remembered to read L'heptameron! At least part of it. But it's in Middle French and can take a while. Now I just need to finish a larger portion of it. And do that reading list and exam committee thing. And job? Once again, if any of you have arts management/education jobs that you're hiding behind your backs, now's the time to bring them out. Help your crazy friend who will soon have TWO FRENCH DEGREES! aaaaah! Will she finish? But as Emily said, we just have to believe that we can do it and that everything will work out, because if not- total mental collapse. And that's never any good, is it?

Friday night Steve and I went out for dinner, and I thought the waiter was cute and wanted to flirt with him. But I was thwarted by the fact that said waiter probably thought Steve and I were on a date. Noooooo! Alas, my flirting efforts failed. Really, do I need to wear a sign that says "Yes, I'm still single"? Please say no. Because that would just make me sad.

Oooooh, I'm tired. And tomorrow I'm doing even more work (hoooooow fun!) and maybe baking a cake. Because that didn't really happen before. But then there's the whole thing where there'll be a big cake in my apartment. And that can only mean trouble. ooooh, you should all come from all over the country and eat it with me, this not-yet-in-existence-cake. yum!

myth 4- American appliances don't work in European outlets

Guys, I'm supposed to be reading Le lys rouge (or as Steve calls it, the red lice (another parentheses to indicated that that's not the real translation, just a joke)) right now. Instead I've been cruising food blogs, Television without pity, and checking my email. This is not good, people! We're halfway through week 9 and here I am reading about food and the Amazing Race. Ooooooh, where has my motivation gone? Does it matter that I'm seriously thinking about making a sign that says "I DON'T CARE" and taking it everywhere with me to hold up when I see fit (note to Claire- this would be similar to the Whore Tube, but you know, different).

Speaking of food and the Amazing Race, last night the amazing Emily came over to do work and eat nachos (yum! nachos!) and then I made her watch the premiere of the new Amazing Race with me. I am such an addict. The show was good, but one of the best parts was the Travelocity Trave Gnome commercial (s, there were actually 2). Hee. I don't even know how to describe this, but it was so funny that I cound't speak for a while (similar to when one of my students told me that I could defend the class against a monkey attack). This has now taken the cupcake as "favorite commercial" or at least up there with the Gladys Knight rugby bank commercial. You may think that with all this talk of the Race that is Amazing and commercials that I am a tv addict. This just isn't true! Keep in mind that i do lots and lots of homework (oh shit! I need to read l'Heptameron! Note to self, read Heptameron) and teach and grade and grade and live by myself. Just as all roads lead to Rome, all of these signs lead to me watching tv. I don't have cable, so that's good. But really, sometimes after a long day of work, all you want to do is curl up under the quilt on the couch and watch Alias (oh, that's tonight. And this has obviously, as previously mentioned, not been a long day of work).

My dad bought me two round cake pans while he was here, and now I want to make a cake. Well, that and I've been reading the aforementioned food blogs. Not that I've ever made a cake before. And two pans would imply two layers which would imply frosting. Is that the proper use of the word "imply?" But I really want to try, so I could say that I made a cake. (famous Mom quote- "I made a cake. It's in the garage.") Anyone want to come and make a cake with me? Because making a cake and then eating it all yourself is just depressing.

Mes amis, j'ai un probleme. Quel est ton probleme, Gina, you ask? Voila mon probleme. I know that I want to work in arts outreach. I can feel it. It's what I want to do (not get a PhD in French, in case you didn't catch that before). But I also really want to go overseas for a long period of time. I feel like something's missing from me and that might bring it back, or find it period. I have no clue how this would work, where I'd go, if I'd go alone, where the money would come from, or anything (or as Mom asked, what I would do with my furniture- what kind of a question is that?) But I feel like I need this. I need to figure out what I'm good at, and take some chances. My family seems to be against the chances thing. Now they're even going back on my idea to move to Chicago no matter what, saying that I should only go where I can find a job. Note to family- this does not help! I feel so run-of-the-mill, and non-special. I'm also tired of working and working and having no one care, so I think it's time to do something for me. Anyone want to go to Europe?

I don't want to end on that bummer note, though. Happy things include- the ginormous Portland International Film Festival poster currently being flattened out on my table, the fact that I still have the yum peanut butter and chocolate yummies, the fact that I don't have class until 4 tomorrow, and Belle and Sebastian.

Ok, now i really have to go read that book. Really. And by really, I mean not fall asleep on my couch while reading, but actually read and finish said book. Eep!

Family, with a side of film festival

Holy family, Batman! That, ladies and gentlemen, is what I've been doing. Eugene was graced with the presence first of my little brother Mike, then my Dad (who's leaving very early tomorrow morning). It's great to have family around, if not a little hard to get work done. But my often-unused planning-ahead-skills came in handy, as I did lots of work the past few weekends to have this time. Mike had never been to Oregon, so we got to do the "best of Eugene" tour, including exciting time with Gina in her French 202 class! He actually did an entire activity in Spanish, which was amusing. I told him to cheat off my students, but he obviously didn't listen. We also had a chance to go to the campus art museum, which has just re-opened after many years of being closed and renovated. It's beautiful and definitely worth the wait (not that I've been here for the entire wait, so yeah). There's a great Warhol exhibit there now (including some of his shoe prints!), so if you're in the area I highly reccomend it. Mike left Saturday morning and ran into Dad in the Salt Lake airport (on a moving sidewalk, going opposite ways- true story). Dad showed up Saturday afternoon and we took off for Portland, with intentions of catching one of the last films in the Portland International Film Festival (it ended Saturday). We didn't end up seeing one (they were sold out) but we did see Sideways (2nd time for him, FINALLY for me- and seriously people, it's worth the hype- all I can say is that there's no way someone can explain it to you, you just need to go), go to Powell's city of Books (love it, and as always, as soon as I entered the French aisle, I promptly forgot everything I was looking for), ate at Southpark, my favorite Portland restaurant, have croissants at Ken's Artisan Bakery and walk around a lot. Phew. We missed an encore showing of Te doy mis ojos, by Iciar Bollain, an incredible Spanish director and friend of my dad's (one of only 3 movies encored), because we had to get back here so Dad could show Hola, estas sola? another Iciar movie. Today I made Dad go to class with me (my class was amused at the high level of family attendance in the past week) and we had some campus down-time, then he gave an awesome lecture on urban and cultural change in Madrid (which my friends who don't take Spanish managed to skip out on- why do I go to their things if they all ditch out on mine?) followed by dinner with a few Spanish grad students and Gina Hermann, the Spanish prof who organized it all and who is wonderful. I of course got the "Why don't you speak Spanish?" song, complete with the "why aren't you getting a PhD chorus." Leave. Me. Alone. People. So yeah, it's been busy.

I am now in full-out stress mode about the end of the quarter, complete with reading list, committee and essay stress. Oh yeah, and that whole not having a job after I'm done problem. Well damn, what should I do? Not sleep and get everything done? On the other hand, my French 203 class was the very first one to fill up, which is a nice feeling. I know it's partly because I'm the only noon section, but still. Wow, last quarter teaching. At least here. Sometimes it feels like I just started.

And April, I guess we do it because we love it. Because for all my complaining and whining, I really do love French literature (especially when it doesn't come from the 19th century) and teaching. And I like the random occasions when I actually feel smart, even if it is about obscure points. Ha.