The Grande Illumination

Sorry, I have been remiss in posting. I don't have much to say because I have been relaxing (reading fluffy books and watching TV-basically enjoying the much needed break from school) which is nice but isn't very exciting. I realized that I never posted on the Grand (Grande?) Illumination. Earlier this month a bunch of my friends and I went to the Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg. The crowd was immense and it was freezing but it was fun all the same. Most of the pictures I took didn't turn out so well- but here's a fairly good one.



I went back during the day and I took some more pictures of the Christmas decorations.

Merry Christmas!

Aggravation

Urg!

I took my car in for an oil change today and figured while I was there I should have them fix my fan- the heating/AC (and defrost) does not work unless it's on full blast. I went to the same place I went last time I had my oil change and my state inspection, even though they had forgotten about me and kept me waiting far longer than they should have. (They needed a part and sent for it- it never showed and no one checked on it until I came out about half hour after they said it'd be done- about an hour later they finally finished and I was on my way).

This time they told me it'd be about an hour, again, I gave them about a half hour longer and then went to check- they said it'd be another hour. I waited FOUR hours (total)- and then I went out and saw my car sitting outside- who knows how long it was out there. And guess what... they couldn't fix the problem- they told me I had to go to a dealership. The guy was nice enough to only charge me half of the diagnostic fee- but still- paying over $40 to have them tell me to go to a dealership seems a bit ridiculous. Perhaps I should try a different shop next time.

Bush

Apparently as a blogger and liberal I am obligated to post this... (I figure a link to a post that actually fulfilled this obligation was enough).

Yippee

I finished my last paper today! I'm feeling very burnt out- thank goodness the semester is over.

It's been one of those months. School has been frustrating and this semester has been overwhelming. But when I sit back and think about it I'm still very grateful and feel lucky to be here instead of working in the real world. The news about the auto industry has also given me pause. I think about my other life- the one I was living before I decided to go back to school. If I hadn't made that decision I'd probably still be working at the car dealership. I liked my job there but was bored and frankly unfulfilled. Leaving a good job to go back to school (and go into debt) was a very scary prospect but the recent news has made me realize that there is little security anywhere and taking a risk is worth it if you think it could bring you happiness and challenge you.

Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas!

Last night I was invited to a viewing of Mystery Science Theater, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. It was so awesomely bad I had to share...

Fun clip

I am writing a paper about WWII movies and I may start by talking about this scene- it's from a movie about the Depression- The Golddiggers of 1933- I think it'll set the stage nicely for my paper.




This scene, from the same movie, is fun too- watch for the pig latin- it's amazing!

Only at Christmastime ....

I was walking through the parking lot, back to my car after going to the Hallmark store, and almost got ran over by Mrs. Claus. I guess she was running late to pick up her husband.

Happy Thanksgiving

Rusty and I went for a walk around campus and took a couple pictures, I don't think I've ever seen an actual holly bush (is that even the right name?)

Thought I'd also include some of my Christmas/ Thanksgiving decorations...

Couldn't think of a good title

I got Rusty a couple new toys today, he played with each of them for about 30 seconds and then hid them under the bed. I was trying to find a squirrel- since he loves them so much- the closest thing I could find was a hedgehog. But he seems to like it anyway.

We went for a walk around Colonial Williamsburg- Rusty loves it. He has discovered horses, cows, and sheep. He likes sheep the most (maybe because he looks like one). I should say he likes them until three of them turn around, gather at the fence, and stare at him- then he runs away. Here are some pictures from around town.

Sadly, our walk did not end well, I was listening to my ipod and one of my earbuds fell out and somehow got tangled in Rusty's leash and... well look at the picture below. And I've only had them a couple weeks :(

100th post

It's hard to believe that this is the 100th post- who knew I could say so much about so little? I pondered what to include in such a monumental post- and decided to share some of the cards my nieces have sent me- here are some of my favorites...

And of course I had to include a picture of Rusty (with some of my homework) I think he was cold and was trying to burrow under the blanket- snuggling with my DVD player.

I bet you can't wait for the 200th post.

A dog named Rusty

Which is what I'm beginning to think I should have named this blog. But seriously, how cute is Rusty?

Poop

A while ago my sister sent me this text message...

(It will help to know- Bella is my 4 year old niece and Mila is my 7 year old niece)

"Bella just said, 'poop is a funny word,' Mila and I laughed- Bella said- 'see I told you.'"

Fall Leaves

I've been promising to post some pictures of the beautiful fall leaves and now I'm finally getting around o it. I haven't yet taken a picture that does it justice but here are some of my attempts...

Rusty has discovered squirrels...

Yippee!!!

I'm sure you can guess how I feel about the campaign results.

I was worried that Virginia might go red and I felt like I had let you down somehow- but it didn't- we're blue!!! This is the first time I've voted with the majority in my state and all I had to do to accomplish it was move across the country.

Laura- I wish I was there to celebrate with you! 

I voted!!!

It was surprisingly emotional. 

Early this morning I drove past my polling place- the line was insane! It was exciting but since I had Rusty in the car I decided to come back later. So I headed over at 9- there was still a line, much shorter than earlier, but it was longer than any line I've ever had to wait in at a polling place. 

I was surprised that they didn't have electronic voting- instead we had to fill in a circle next to the candidate's name, I flashed back to all the scantron tests I took in high school. 

All in all it took only 15 minutes- and that includes being stopped in the parking lot to fill out an exit questionnaire. 

I'm still worried about the outcome but I feel much better now that I've voted. And for the first time I feel like my vote actually counted, it's kind of exciting living in a state that could go either way- although maybe that's why I'm stressed! 

still one day left...

Laura said www.isobamapresidentyet.com made her feel better.

But this worked better for me.

1 day left

I'm completely freaking out over the election. I just want it to be Wednesday so I can stop having nightmares about McCain and Palin in the white house.

So I thought I'd give you another reason to vote for Obama- read this article- we need change. 

I've been meaning to post about this for a while but wasn't sure what to say. The article is written by Colby Buzzell about getting recalled to the Army to go back to Iraq. I've posted about Buzzell before, he wrote the book My War: Killing Time in Iraq which I wrote about here and here. The article is heartbreaking.

Traveling with a dog

Last weekend I went to the WHA Conference which just happened to be in my home state so I got to visit with family and friends while I was there. It was a lovely visit- but way too short especially considering how long it takes to get there and come back. After much debate and weighting of options I decided to take my dog with me. It was freaking expensive and stressful. Airlines like to gouge pet owners. 

Leading up to the trip I tried to prepare Rusty by shoving (I know it's not nice to shove but he gave me little choice) him into his carrier. He hated (hates) his carrier. When we first tried it he completely freaked out and panicked. Over the course of several weeks I finally got him into the carrier (still by force- gentle force) without causing him to panic. He would lay in there quietly, if not happily, and only occasionally tried to escape. (I rewarded him with treats- so it wasn't all bad).

Next we went to the vet to get sedatives for the trip. (Vets also like to gouge pet owners- although less so than airlines and to be fair his new vet is very nice- if expensive). My advisor suggested that I test out the sedatives before the trip because he might have a strange reaction to them. So a week before the trip I gave him a pill- it worked and didn't seem to freak him out.

After all our preparation I wasn't too worried about the trip but my anxiety grew as we drove to the airport. Rusty was used to the carrier but he still hated it and hated it even more when being carried because he gets jostled around. We arrived at the airport 2 hours early and got in the LONG line to the check-in desk. Once in line I began overhearing other people talking about my flight being delayed- by an hour- which meant making my connection would be less likely- but not impossible. By the time I got to the front of the line (an HOUR later) the flight was being delayed by 2 hours- meaning that I would completely miss the connection. Mind you, this whole time Rusty is freaking out in his carrier, he was shaking and jumping around trying to escape. I tried to calm him down and he bit me through the mesh, he had his nails stuck through the sides, and was trying to open the zippers by working his nose into the corners. It was a very stressful hour. We ended up taking a different flight through a different city and got home 4 hours later than planned. Which meant a very late night right before a very early morning- I had to be downtown (about 45 minutes away) at 8 the next morning. Rusty didn't care- he was just happy to be out of his bag. That first hour in line was by far the most stressful (for me at least- Rusty also hated going through security).

The trip back was much better- I think both of us had gotten used to it and I was careful to only move the carrier when necessary so that Rusty didn't get jostled too much and he tried to get comfortable and sleep the whole way which was nice. By the way, the sedatives worked when I tested them out but did not work on the trip- I'm not sure why- maybe it was his stress level. 

The two days spent at home were very nice- it was great seeing everyone but I am looking forward to a longer visit. And I've decided to get Rusty a new carrier (since he hates this one so much and has already made a hole in it) so I went online and ordered one with wheels-hopefully he will like that more.

     

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm pretty sure Rusty doesn't really like his costume- I don't think he's happy with his new haircut either- they went a little (ok a LOT) heavy on the puppy perfume. 

Here's a before picture.

He really doesn't like having his picture taken, even without the costume.

Shocking news...

I failed my French exam.  :( 

French

I took my language exam today... it was painful. It's been about 3 years since I took French so I'm a little (ok a lot) rusty. 

For the exam I had to translate about a page and a half of French. I wonder how they pick the text they have us translate- mine was very odd. Here's one sentence, "It was held by an Egyptian man who did not appear to be very radioactive." I changed it a little when I typed it up so that it sounded better in English but that was my basic translation. Which made me a little nervous about how accurate my translation was- seriously an Egyptian man does not appear very radioactive? What is that about? (I'm pretty sure I'm right about the radioactive part- I mean what else could radioactif mean?) grr argh!       

It's very likely that I will be taking the exam again next semester- but hopefully I will only have to take it twice. (I've heard everyone fails the first time- and my French is obviously weak). On the bright side I heard they may offer some kind of refresher course next semester and preparing for the exam has made me realize I kinda miss taking French (I was shocked too). And I'm thinking maybe I should possibly think about perhaps doing a transnational chapter (or more) as part of my dissertation- so French might actually be useful (shocking I know) I've just started thinking about this so who knows where it will lead. So there might be more French on my future (who'd a thunk it?)

    

When I grow up...

I want to be a historical reenactor. You thought I came to Williamsburg to go to school but really it was to be closer to "living history" where I might someday be able to secure a job as a milkmaid... or a tavern wench. The ultimate role of course would be a revolutionary war hero but I'm guessing the don't hire many female war heros- but they should! There were women who disguised themselves as men and went to war- one even received a pension after the war.   

Ah... my kingdom for a pair of fancy pants and a tri-corner hat...

Recipe

Back in August, I posted a picture of the super fantastic dinner I made, see it here. And I said I would post the recipe, but alas I never did, so here it is now... I made it with chicken but you could substitute turkey if you'd prefer it- both kinds are tasty (and they are even better with gravy). 

Savory Chicken Crescents 

3 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken (or turkey) or 2 5 oz. cans boned chicken

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoon milk

1 tablespoon chopped chives or onion

1 tablespoon chopped pimento- if desired (I don't add pimento)

8 oz can Pillsbury Refrigerated Quick Crescent or Italian Flavor Crescent dinner rolls 

3/4 cup seasoned croutons, crushed.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, blend cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter (reserve 1 tbls butter) until smooth. Add the next 6 ingredients, mix well. Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal, spoon 1/2 cup meat mixture onto center of each rectangle, pull four corners of dough to top center of chicken mixture, twist slightly and seal edges. Brush tops with reserved butter; dip in crouton crumbs. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Refrigerate leftovers. (Makes 4). I got this recipe from one of my mom's cookbooks- I believe it's one put out by Pillsbury.   

Enjoy!

More pictures from around town

One nice thing about having an out of town guest is that I actually get out. I'm so busy with school that all I really do is sit at home and read (and write) and then go to class and start over again. And that's it, over and over and over, etc. I have managed to eat out occasionally with a couple new friends here but mostly I eat at home and really haven't been to too many restaurants  here, I know my friends back home would be shocked at this- but who has the time (and money) plus I don't really like going out to eat alone. 

Anyhow, on Bernie's last night here we decided to go to a Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg (CW). It was actually my first time walking around that part of town, I drive through all the time and have spent quite a bit of time in the downtown area but otherwise I haven't done much around CW. It was a lovely night and the tavern was fun... here are some pictures.    

President's Park

My sister was in town visiting this week and we spent a rainy Wednesday afternoon at President's Park where we looked at very large busts of all of the Presidents and learned interesting facts about them. I had no idea there have been so many assassination  attempts on so many Presidents! How did I not know that? Anyway, here are some pictures...

 

I took this picture of Lincoln, not only because he is clearly the best President ever but I also wanted to add another picture of the changing leaves... sadly they are kind of hard to see.

Has anyone ever noticed how close together Bush's eyes are? Is that why he seems so shifty? Although I thought the tie was a nice touch...  

So there you have pictures of my favorite and least favorite presidents, I feel kind of bad having them in the same post. If you'd like to learn juicy tidbits about the presidents through poetry you should visit my friend Liz's presidential poetry blog.... it's priceless!

Rusty's new friend...

Rusty discovered the neighbor's cat... he was surprisingly unexcited. But she (he?) seemed very interested in us.