🏷️ life

I am graduating today. I technically graduate from the master's program in August, but I walk the stage tomorrow. I wasn't really going to do the ceremony (since I already did that when I got my bachelor's in 05); but I think it was important to my parents that I do it.
Congratulations to @libertad! He's graduating from Buff State also, but I think he's at a different ceremony.

I'm moving out today... which makes things kind of hectic for most of the day. I don't really want to leave Buffalo this summer, but I need to save the money I would be spending on rent here for Albany in the fall (I don't have to pay my parent's rent for the summer). Housing in Albany appears to be quite a bit more expensive than it is in Buffalo. I'm sure something will work out, though. Hopefully, I can find a job this summer in Jamestown.

I'm feeling bummed about leaving Buffalo. I know I will be back here during summer to take care of school stuff; and I'll probably be staying with Kristi (my best friend) fairly often. It's just hard to go.

I hope all of you e:peeps are having a good weekend.

I have this wierd feeling that either Estrip or Paul's blog is going to win the artvoice award. Somehow, I just know one of them will win. So don't worry, @paul.

Oh, and I went to Grandma Mora's on Hertel yesterday with my best friend Kristi. The food was decent and the margarita was inexpensive and tasty. I think I liked Cozumel a little better, though. The atmosphere at Cozumel is pretty fun.

I'm trying to finish up my thesis like a mad fiend... that's the rest of my life.

I would have written this in haikus, but I think @carolinian is the master:).

Don't believe me when I say that I cook dishes like "Palak Paneer" and "navratan kurma" and "couscous". I can't cook worth anything. I honestly would like to, but I tend to make things implode (or is it explode?). I really just get those already prepared meals in a box at Wegmans, and I microwave them. It's cool to be able to tell people I make meals like that, though:).

I was able to register for classes for the fall. I wasn't able to get into one of the classes I was required to take, but I think I can get that worked out. I found out with the TA stuff that I don't have to teach any classes next year. I just grade papers and help students in large classes. I'm so glad that I don't actually have to teach my first year.

I'm taking:
American Cultural History of the 1950's
American Environmental History
The Politics of Memory (studying communist and fascist regimes)

I'm glad to be back in Buffalo. It's so warm out! Well, I probably better get back to work. I hope all of you will have a wonderful weekend.

It's been a long time since I last posted. Things got really hectic and I guess I just lost track of things. I wanted to go to the estrip parties that were in December, but I ended up spending both times with friends. I've been trying to catch up on reading journals here lately, though.

I moved from Elmwood to Williamsville two weeks ago. I am renting a room in a house with some people that I know. I like the place that I am living in a lot, though, I miss living in the actual city. It's easy for me to get around Williamsville and to Buffalo by day, but harder for me to get to and from the city at night (I don't own a car. There is busses at night, but only at certain times). But it's been good. It's less expensive than where I lived before, and its comfy.There is even a mini-spot coffee cafe in a grocery store a few streets away! I love cinco shakes.

I'm finished with all my master's classes, just trying to work on my thesis. Which has been a long process. I'm writing about the looting of the Iraq Museum in 2003 and the recovery of the stolen art by international organizations. It's a really interesting topic that I have enjoyed reading about, but I find it hard to actually write and organize what I have researched. Its been taking me a lot longer than I anticipated.

I am applying to PHD programs in history at UB, and a couple of other places. I think it is probably a long shot because they are selective, but I thought I might as well try. It would be cool to get "paid" to go to school, definitely. Hopefully I will be able to find a job that will work out for me here in Buffalo, if that doesn't work out. I really like the area, and would prefer not to move.

I hope everything is going well for all of you!
-Jess