Zoe’s Journal

Today I went, for the first time ever, to a Phoenix public library. In North Carolina, I used to frequent the libraries, but when I moved out here, I started to just buy my books. However, I’m taking a course on children’s literature, and we have to read at least one book a week, and I really don’t think the LotR wants ‘King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub‘ or ‘Click Clack Moo‘ lying around on the coffee table. I don’t.

So, off I hied myself to a library, which turned out to be amazingly close (and in close proximity to Subway’s, Target, and Bombshell’s Cabaret), rather small, and yet containing all the books I needed. I signed up for a card, dug out my list of books, stepped over a smattering of small kids, found my books, and got myself quickly out of that miniature room to find a ‘real’ table with chairs that sat higher than my shinbone.

Once at that table, I discovered that the library is an amazing place to work. I didn’t bring my laptop, so nothing distracted or disturbed me (except for the homeless guys that came in regularly to use the restroom) while I finished up this week’s lessons and got started on the next ones.

Have you ever found that liquor renders you loquacious?

It does me.

At any rate, I believe that I have a mild whiplash. And by mild, I mean, Ouchie. It was gotten yesterday, when, during my regular workout with the trainer, he decided to have me do some martial arts kicking. So he held up the kicking pad and said, ‘Come on, break my ribs!’. So, I squared up, geared up, and let fly with a rib-breaking kick… which unfortunately didn’t quite connect and threw me completely off my feet and into the air, from which I came down with a hand-bruising, and apparently whiplashing, bang, flat on my back. Talk about funny. I wish I had that on video.

I believe I’m going to go watch Annie.

Godless: How an evangelical preacher became one of America’s leading Atheists.

This book by Dan Barker just arrived from Amazon. I had forgotten that I ordered it. I was planning to do some homework last night, but decided that I would take a break from the hustle of the day and read the first chapter… and boy, did I get hooked! He could be telling stories right from my life, and his struggle and eventual acceptance of the fact that there is no god was vividly painful and familiar. This book gives me hope.

But we were speaking of my autumn break. That long-awaited break when I would declare two months of my very own, with no homework. … yeah, right. If you know me well (most people don’t), then you know that I have to always be learning something or doing something new.

So, as I posted previously, I signed up for two new classes. Of course, Amazon picks that time to send those three new books my way, haha. And, of course, my laptop dies on me. This is not a tragedy in and of itself… I do most of my work from the desktop, but the laptop is very handy for working from the couch, or for taking places, and keeping track of my foodstuffs and exercise.

I was reading an excellent book last week, “Name of the Wind”, by Patrick Rothfuss… I just kept shaking my head thinking, ‘this is such an awesome story!‘…. then I reached the end only to find that it’s a freaking trilogy. I haven’t been so involved in a fantasy in a very long time.

I’ve been burning a lot of candles recently, both figuratively and literally. I find them very relaxing. Last night, while going through homework at the kitchen table, I had four burning in the same room… so peaceful.

The Autumn break is officially over - it’s time for me to go do some homework reading now.

The book I am reading, The Lies of Locke Lamora, is one of the more difficult books I’ve tried to read lately! I don’t know what it is… something about the writing style… lack of action… the layout… something. I’m only 132 pages in, and have been working on it for about a week (not every day though).

So, I also don’t know why, but things have been really stressful lately! Maybe once I get caught up at work… I haven’t been able to stay late because I have gym appointments at 5:00, four days a week! Today, however, I got to stay late and left myself with just a tad less stress than I had. Which is good. And then I came home and sent out a bunch of email interviews for my homework. A rough draft is due next monday - eeps! I need to get my stuff organized!

I’ve been trying to eat really healthy lately - and it works… all the way until dinner-time. Yesterday was one of my first ‘real’ dinners since Napa Valley. I’ve been surviving on chips, salsa, and cheese dip. O.o At least, for dinner. Breakfasts and lunches are much better since I actually prepare those a day in advance. Taking my advice from that, I just took out some food from the freezer for tomorrow night - hurray! I’m getting a real meal tomorrow night!

Speaking of food, I discovered a REALLY good salad recipe! Perfect for summer, since it’s so light. Here it is:

1 can of white beans, rinsed

drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over beans. Salt and pepper also. Slice some cooked, cold shrimp in half and mix with beans. Add some pickled peppers (optional, but they add a lot). Serve over lettuce.

It’s delicious! I made some tzatziki to go with it. MMmmmm…

Now it’s time to go get out of my work clothes and practice some hapkido kicks!

… finished ALL of my homework for this week! How is that for a freaking Tuesday evening?

maybe i can smash one more paper and a final exam in before thursday so that i can go to flagstaff worry-free!

That’s what I said to the LotR when I returned home at 12:30 this afternoon after COMPLETION of my Biology Final Exam.

NO MORE BIOLOGY!

Hurray!

I stopped by the advisor’s desk on the way out today and picked up an application for graduation - that’s right… I’m getting my Associate of Arts! Once they pull up my transcript from RCCCCCCC in NC, I should have enough credit hours to transfer to ASU as a junior. And then… THEN! I can start taking more writing classes.

I am stoked and hungry and relieved and glad all at the same time.

The LotR is making some spaghetti for lunch - I want to spend the rest of my afternoon either outside by the pool reading a book, or inside on the couch playing a video game…

Tonight I want either SUSHI or a great big Hawaiian steak from Houston’s, with a loaded baked potato and the promise of seeing Hellboy II afterward.

***edit*** apparently I need 15 more hours to get my AA, so I signed up for another class today. It begins on July 21. Introduction to Magazine Article Writing!****