It is almost 5 pm. The ceremony is at 7 and I have to be there at 6. I am so excited and nervous and just all together EEK!

I am graduating!

I went to a graduation mass this morning at 10, then there were some food after. I got back about 12 and about 1:30, my parents and brother arrived. At 2 was a reception for all Communication Arts Science Master's people. It was pretty good.

Then Paul wanted to see his friend Adam who goes to school here so we dropped him off.

Time to get ready. My next post will be as a Master's graduate!

Reply to this post, and I will list three things I love about you. Maybe more than three. Then you can repost to your own journal and spread the love - we all need love.

One word to describe me ... just one single word. Leave it in my comments. Then post this message on your journal and see how many strange and interesting things people say about you...

Today is Friday. A day most are going out. I REALLY wanted to go see Golden Compass today, especially after seeing Mary's 3 minute pack on it. Yet, sadly no.

Anyway, today was live news show #2. Last week I was in tears. This week went a bit better on my end, even though Bob did say some things to me that smarted.

I also anchored. Things got wacky after awhile. I go there about close to nine and then we had our morning meeting. I went out with Sheree to help her with interviews and b-roll, like she helped me with mine last week. I also was fighting with trying to figure out how one of my tapes got taken over to be recorded over and how there were so many changes with things, aka how things were done. I also had trouble dumping my stuff, so that took time.

I had a little time to hang out and joke around at least. Elise and I had some time to do that. And at one point, Danielle started to sing Cotton Eye Joe, so I played it and Evan came out and did the dance right there in the edit bay area!

And when I went into the studio, everyone was clearing out. It was so funny. For some odd reason, someone started to sing Disney and the next thing I knew, me, Mary and Alex were singing Aladdin's part and Evan and Berj (and Cameron a bit) were singing Jasmine's for "A Whole New World". It was so fun!

Then, Mary, whose voice was raspy, had it go out halfway through her reading and her voice got odd and Cameron started to laugh and went "It's the Exorcist!" We all started to laugh and there were all these jokes about Mary's head spinning and being sick on pea soup.

We got done and had only 5 mins to get our stuff and get out! It was crazy but we did it. Bob said he was proud of us, and this was directed to me, Evan, Alex, Marin and Cody. We helped him with some extra stuff too.

I am going to miss this group so much! It's hard work, but they are so fun. Speed Sudoku with Elise, Mary's little cringing moments and overall just how everyone worked with one another and the fun we had, even if sometimes class and Focal Point did go long.

Okay, I didn't realize it had been THIS long since I updated.

School has been mega busy. I swear, between shooting (camera) for Focal Point, the hundreds of pages to read for history, the law tests and quizzes as well as papers and presentations, my life has been pretty busy.

There have been some good times though. I went to meet Joanie Dobbs from America's Next Top Model. I never saw the show, but she was so cool and real. Also it was fun to listen to what the cameras DIDN'T show.

I've managed to have some good times though some have been unexpected. Alex C (I mentored her a bit this semester) agreed to come with me to shoot for the winter bowl. Which was nice because the weather was a bit nasty. We ended up staying after and just talking while we did some crafts at one of the places. It doesn't sound big, but it was a lot of fun. I also have had fun working with my Law group.

Thanksgiving went well. It was also my brother's birthday. He was taken to Canada twice (we were close to the border for the holidays). Yet, I just don't see the thrill with casinos. I also saw two movies over the holidays. "Enchanted" and "August Rush". Both were good and I recommend them. It was funny when I saw "Enchanted" though because it was with Julie and her fiance, Mike (who I met for the first time). We were talking, the lights start to dim and he asks "So what is this about?" He had no idea.

What else...I miss dance and haven't been lately, though I will be there in Feb for the show/performance, though Underground might be there too and I have heard some things about them...

There are some small things. I finally read "Twilight" and now I really want to read the others. I will get books 2 and 3 once I am done with all my schoolwork.

Then there is school of course. I managed to get to page 6 of my paper, which isn't very good, but it is ok. I was told less than 20, yet longer than the others, so I think it would be good to be around 12-15. Then I have a presentation for that. Then I have Broadcast III/Focal Point. Resume tape, one more pack, one more VO-SOT (though I still don't have the script back!). We have another live taping tomorrow. We had one last week and if that was any indication, it is going to be hectic.

Well, that is a bit about life. I will try to update more. It's just with so much to do, I keep putting it off and then look what happens!

For all of those who are students, good luck on finals!

Time to update things. I has been forever, but really, for the most part, my life is not as thrilling as I'd like. Schoolwork has kind of taken over. In fact, I did night time shooting Thur night and Friday night and my hands are still protesting it it a bit. Hopefully lotion will be enough. Shooting by yourself can be tiring.

I do try to make some time for fun things. Like a sneak peek of "Dan in Real Life" (though it was insane because twisters were seen, so at one point everyone had to be evacuated). And yesterday I went to a ghost thing. It was really freaky. He showed us things from his explorations and then we took a ghost tour around campus. Really cool.

Aside from that, school is mostly my life. There have been a few breaks here and there though. I have gotten a bit involved with a group on campus too. Short meetings, but some nice people, so I like it. I also have been going back to dance now and then. Last week we were practicing "Ice Queen" (I think that is the right title). It is one that Amy choreographed and I've seen, but never done. Amazingly enough, I knew a lot things just from seeing it done a few times.

But yes, then there are classes. My law class is cool. Three people I know from Focal Point invited me to be in their group to work on things, so that was nice. I know they'll do their part for the group work and they are nice too. We also have studied for the huge tests/exams together. Then I also have my broadcast news III class. My prof was cool at first, now I feel a bit differently. We are doing the best we can. But the outside work for that class has been a killer. All the shooting that has to be done and all that. And of course, Focal Point. Quite a few of my people in this class are in my law class too. Ironic huh? Then there is my history of journalism class. My professor is so cool. She encourages costumes and wears them too. She also brings in all these artifacts, like newspapers from the civil war era and things like that.

I know that is rambling, but that is what is going on. A lot of things are the same, but I will try to do short little updates. I keep meaning to, but I guess I thought some of it boring to others. Though, I can always put a disclaimer then. :)

Well, I have a lot to say since I have been MIA. However, since I have limited time before I have to go shoot by myself (I was bailed on), I started to look through news about the state and found this joke.

A Japanese doctor says, "Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him out looking for work in six weeks."
A German doctor says, "That is nothing. We can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him out looking for work in four weeks."
A British doctor says, "In my country medicine is so advanced that we can take half a heart out of one person, put it in another, and have both of them out looking for work in two weeks."
The Canadian doctor, not to be outdone, interjected, "You guys are way behind. We took a woman with no brains, sent her to Michigan where she became Governor, and now half the state is out looking for work."

Okay, maybe a bit rude, but scarily true. The economy keeps getting worse. One of nine are on food stamps. So many are looking for work, only to not find any. And now, a possible government shut down. Who knows if it will happen. This weekend will decide that. All I know is that I don't recall his ever happening before. Really, it is bad time for it too.

There was already one protest that I came across, with public universities wanting the funding they were promised.

So will we be shut down? The governor seems hopeful we won't. However, when on party wants to cut more funding (where it is all going anyway?) and the other wants to up taxes. However, the first party refuses to let the number go as high as the second party wants. They had since November to get their act together.

Alright, I am going to get off my soapbox now. I guess all we can do is wait and see if they make a decision by Sunday 11:50 pm.

I know I need to update a real entry, but I did this on Amy's journal and it was fun.

( Meme under cut )

To quote my brother and one of my cousins "UPDATE!"

However, I won't follow with some of their random "updates". Since I spent yesterday with my brother and cousins Chris and Julie, they have worn off on me a bit.

However, I am going to go back to this weekend, which was dancing. It was wonderful and so much fun. I hung out quite a bit with the awesome scarlett71177. I should have pictures soon. Some the dances are on youtube too.

It was very hot on Thursday, Friday and Saturday when we danced. It wasn't as hot on Sunday, but we were all so wiped out by then. We were a bit giggly during parts of it. I know everyone was tired, even me, but I'd LOVE to do it again. I wouldn't have traded it for anything! Pictures hopefully will follow soon (a real camera was used so it has to be developd and hopefully I will soon do a post of just pictures I keep meaning to put up).

I also met with Julie (the one who got married just last month) and we hung out for an hour or so on Sunday. I was exhausted, but it was nice to see her.

The other day, I saw "Hairspray". I have yet to see the original, but I knew the opening song (it is on one of my Broadway collection CDs). It was good. I was a bit surprised about some of it, but mostly because of the topics and some of the things said. Even though it was a movie, it isn't something you get used to hearing.

Our dance group was small on Tuesday, just six of us. We did warm up, went through the songs and then watched the videos and looked at the pictures, as well as laughing and joking.

Yesterday, I drove down with Paul and Mom to go to Detriot. Actually, Allen Park, but almost no one knows where that is. That is where my Aunt Marie, Uncle Wally and cousins Chris and Angela live. We were goofy on the way down. Paul was with me and my mom drove her car too (since she is staying til Sunday and we came back last night). Paul slept a bit and then we listened to Price is Right on the radio. Yes, it is from a station in Lansing, and was quite funny to do.

We got in and decided to go to IMAX. Yet, when we got there, Chris and Paul decided to go see the movie at 6:10 instead of 2:05 and that then we could go through the Henry Ford Museum (Chris works there for special events as a bartender so he got us in for free). We played guitar hero there and saw the special exhibit "Rock Stars, Cars and their Guitars." Then we looked at other things. We even sat in the same bus Rosa Parks made her stand in and we had our picture taken in that exact seat. Then we saw the chair Lincoln was in that fateful night at the theater. There is just so much there.

The boys went back to Chris' while Julie and I stayed a bit longer. Then we all met again and had an early dinner at "On the Border" (Mexican restaurant). After that, the boys went somewhere while Julie I stopped in at Best Buy. I bought the "Order of the Phoenix" CD. Then we all met and went to the movie. It was a lot of fun and the 3D was awesome. There were three parts that just made me gasp, I felt like I was there. It starts right after Luna's "We fly of course". All the way until Harry is packing, after the final Daily Prophet headlines/stories. The three parts were the thestrals, right after Ginny uses "Reducto!" and also the glass during the final part of the battle.

Julie went home after that, then the three of us went to Aunt Marie's. It was not a good moment with my mom. I won't go into details, but it really dashed at the excitement I was feeling.

Paul and I drove back (and can I say construction on 23 was crazy?) and got in a bit before midnight. Ii was tired since I drove the whole time. That leads to today. Nothing big is happening. It is kind of blah outside too. Ah well.

Oh in other news, since my mom forgot to get Saber her medicine, she has been doing better! How odd is that? She comes into the living room now and we even played a bit the other day. She was a lot like before. Very interesting, I think.

Has been great. Busy with tons of dancing, but it's really been great. I will probably say more when I am not so tired. Let's just say that even though we've danced and danced, I still love it. I don't think I'll get sick of it.

The girls I dance with are great and the audience (especially Sat night) has been a blast, even when songs skipped.

I will write more tomorrow.

It is very late, so I won't be up late, nor will I say too much (not without a proper spoiler warning and cut). However, I JUST got back and while I had a bit of the same feeling as I did with Goblet (feeling like things were missing) some of the scenes were just amazing! I will elaborate tomorrow, er later today.

It was an experience though.

I got this cool quiz from Amy.

Link: The Harry Potter Wand Test written by sputnik845 on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test

If there are one or more people on your friends list who make your world a better place just because they exist, and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the Internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.

Ok, I was wrong. I haven't written about my trip yet.

I am here to say, Happy Graduation to my little brother!!

Paul graduated last night. No longer a Chemic and soon to be a Bulldog. I am proud of him. Even though I was made on Tuesday because he used my car while I was gone and left it on E. Literally it was in the red and I was worried I wouldn't make it to the gas station. However, he knew I was worried I would be mad so he fixed something that my mom accidentely broke. And of course we chatted a bit last night.

Pictures will soon follow.

The ceremony was a BIT long and I have to admit, only one of the four speeches really seemed to stick with me. I remember the others for just being bad.

After that, we went to dinner at Applebee's and I ended up driving around with my dad after. His choice not mine. I would have brought my own car, but it seemed silly since my mom drove herself as did Paul.

Anyway, that is off topic. The important thing is, my brother graduated from high school last night and I am very proud of him. I will worry about him a little when he's at school, but I think he needs that new start.

I have so much to catch up on. And I will soon I hope. It feels so odd that two weeks ago I was getting ready to go and a week ago I was in Disney.

Let me start with what is coming up. Then I will backtrack when I get the chance, since there was a lot.

Tonight I have dance, which I am happy about. I love dance. I really do. Then tomorrow my little brother graduates high school. Now, some people might just nod and move on but even though he and I sometimes go at it like cats and dogs, we also can get along very well. I am very proud of him.

Sunday is his grad party and there is a wedding I am going to on Sat. Sadly, I forgot about the wedding til today. So this weekend might be busy. Then I am going to be focusing on my Independent Study. I was going to do it this week, but I have a cold and decided to wait.

So I am going to go back to working on my room (my room was repainted so lots is out of my room and my mom has been getting into consolidating). She is right though and it will be for the best. Kind of like how I like how my posters were taken off. I will put up one or two I think, but not like before. It makes my room look bigger.

Anyway, that is what is coming up. I will post about my trip later today I hope.

Today has been full of Ds...

( The four Ds of Tuesday )

( Travel meme taken from Kelley )

I think they left off some places that should have been on here though. Nothing in Chicago is listed! Nor some places in other major cities in the world. Very interesting...

I got the letter L in this alphabet meme from scarlett71177

Leave a comment and I'll give you a letter; then you have to list 10 things you like starting with that letter. Post them in your journal and give out new letters to your commenters in turn. NO TAGBACKS ALLOWED, unless a commenter specifically requests to be given a letter!

L

1. Laughter-who doesn't like a good laugh now and then?

2. London-a wonderful city that is always so busy. It also has so much history and yet is so modern. Love it

3. Lemons-I like how they smell and I am a fan of lemonade too.

4. Lupin-figured I should add everyone's fav Professor

5. Luna-as long as we're going for characters, I should include who I am dressing as for OotP.

6. Lakes-I prefer the ocean, but sometimes there is fun to be had at lakes, like this summer when my brother and I played around on the beach of Lake Michigan.

7. Late nights- Almost everyone knows (or they should know) I am a night owl by nature. Eventually that will change, but there is something calming about the night time. Soon I'll have to find out if the early mornings are as well.

8. Lost-I got hooked on the show after watching Season 1 and 2 over the summer and now I am watching Season 3 as it comes on.

9. Libraries-I love libraries. I love being surrounded by books and I love the atmosphere. I love the smell of the books and I love just walking around the shelves, finding a great book even though I hadn't been looking for it.

10. LJ-Or else I couldn't do this and I find myself enjoying it a lot since I am finally keeping up with it again!

The list could go on to include Lochs, lyrics, large cats, lilacs...and it goes on but these are 10 of them.

I took this from Amy. I hope you don't mind Amy!

Comment and I will pick 3 things from your Interests list for you to explain a little about.