Getting Ready to Say 'Goodbye' to The Jefferson at Fair Oaks

After almost two years, we are about to say goodbye to our apartment here at The Jefferson at Fair Oaks in Fairfax. It is small and pricey, but it also has been good to us. This is me waxing nostalgic over everything that has happened since moving to Virginia:

We drove from Seattle in August of 2008, without knowing where we would end up living, and found this apartment.



Shortly after, Patrick started his new job, I got my first car, and I started grad school.



We explored the cute walking trails and tested out the food in the area. Wegman's, our newly discovered grocery store down the street, turned out to be one of the best grocery stores we've been to. The greek mom 'n pop restaurant we originally thought we would be going to all the time, HavABite, gave over to the much closer and DELICIOUS Moby Dick's House of Kabob. (Ok, they're not exactly the same type of food, but to me, they feed the same craving.) I don't even want to count the number of delicious delicious burgers we have sampled.



We had many adventures being tourists in DC. Friends came to stay with us, including Seth, Steve and Jessica, and Brian.



In the summer of '09, we flew back home to Seattle to get married. Our little apartment became crowded with boxes of wedding presents, and I crammed as much packing material into hiding places as I could so that we would have it ready for us when we inevitably moved again.



Christmas came, the whole family came out to Virginia, and we all got to experience the craziest winter I have ever seen.



School ended, and I got my first full time job. Now, with 5 months of employment under my belt, we finally leave this small space that we have, for a short time, occupied and I look back fondly at all that we have been able to accomplish while we have been here.

It has been a busy two years. And I imagine we won't be slowing down for some time yet. This is such an exciting time for us.

Ants in my pants

One month till my mommy visits! Woo Hoo! I am super excited for her to be in town and am bummed that we have to waste some of her time over here with the stupid graduation ceremony hahaha. I am not exactly sure why I'm walking, but meh. I have my cap and gown (and hood! OK, maybe I'm a little excited about that part), but other than that I haven't even thought about school lately.

Work has been great. I am always busy, but I feel like I am doing better about not stressing myself out. Working full time has been a big change for me. I've lost a little weight, and I can't really figure out why. Not a ton of weight, and I don't look any skinnier, but I wasn't under 155 all through grad school, even when I was running all the time, and how I haven't seen myself above 150, which confuses me, as I haven't been running nearly as much as I should.

The house is coming along still. I am getting antsy for a closing date, and think it might be as soon as one month from now! I just want to be in my shiny new house.

Last weekend we went to Bull Run with Patrick's parents. It was a gorgeous day for it, and we got some great pictures. I just decided to look up how to code mouseover text. I will try it on this picture from Bull Run. (Try my mouseover!)



Neat.

News!

Image by bonacheladas via Flickr

I have been super slack on updates this month. I had good reason I suppose, and in fact I have several things I should be doing right now instead of this, so just be happy you're gettin' this much, fools!

I am done with the job hunt! I didn't want to post anything prematurely in case I would jinx it, but I got the offers, and made my acceptances, so I guess I can say that it's official now!

I'll be the Development and Marketing Officer for Youth Orchestra of the Americas, starting January. They are a small organization; I'll be their fourth staff member, and they have an intern. It was really interesting that I even got a job with this organization, because there wasn't even a job posting listed. I just happened to submit my resume and cover letter and inquire just at the same time that they were looking into expanding their development efforts. I am so lucky to have this opportunity to start my career, especially when unemployment is still high and the economy is slow.

I said "offers" above for a reason too: I also accepted a part time position that will take up my Monday, and some Tuesday evenings, as well as concerts on some Sundays. I'll be the operations manager for Youth Orchestras of Prince William. I got this job in the same way as the other in that I just sent them my resume and cover letter to see if they were interested without having a position open. This job will be good to build some experience with management and operations, but mostly will be a good way for me to keep connections to musicians and expand my networks in the orchestra world.

I also just finished classes- HOORAY! I had my last day of class Thursday, and had a final and a paper to submit over email, which I am now done with! The final isn't actually due until Thursday, but since I am heading home to Seattle tomorrow morning, I decided to crank everything out and submit it today so that I don't have to worry about getting internet and stuff at home. Plus, Professor Kamenitzer said that he would appreciate it if it was done earlier since he doesn't have long to grade two classes worth of papers.

So that means I am officially done with my Masters! The degree is officially mine (assuming I didn't fail my classes... hah) January 9th, and the ceremony isn't until the Spring. So technically, I got a job before I finished school, and will have started before I have even received my degree! Hahaha. I am proud of me, can you tell? hahaha.

Now I have to finish up packing and cleaning up the house as best as I can before I leave tomorrow for Seattle to see family! I'll be back before Christmas, where the family-fest will continue, as my parents and sister will come over as well as my sister and brother in law with their kids, and even my aunt's family in Baltimore! Finally my Christmas decorations will be justified! Although I would still totally deck the halls even if I was home by myself. I love Christmas!

Me Tired. Go Dawgs.

Image via Wikipedia

So close to being done with school! Had my final presentation in Facilities today, which means I just have to show up next week, and I'm done!

I didn't do the best job on my project. I mean, I did it: I interviewed the Facility Director at Cal Performances like I was supposed to, made a little PowerPoint presentation, and stood up at the front of the class and talked about it for 20 mins or so like I was supposed to... Just wasn't really feeling it I guess.

I'd better get cracking on the stupid reports for my other class, Board of Directors (more like BORED of Directors, hah hah thank you Norm MacDonald ca. 1997 on Conan), so that I don't completely crap out this semester.

Have a huge 2,000 piece-or-so mailing to send out at work tomorrow, which I was doing all day today before class. I are tired. And tomorrow is a party for several people at work, so I worked on baking muffins tonight. The blueberries were frozen, so the broken ones ended up turning my batter blue, which doesn't look that awesome. Gonna try to drizzle some icing on them to make them look better before I give up and just pick up some Wegmans muffins on my way to work tomorrow. Not that I even have to bring anything necessarily, but I feel like I should since I like working there so much.

Also, I bought a piano book of Christmas songs yesterday, which I am now in the process of learning a few songs out of for when people are here.

I are excited for Christmas!

And I are tired now.

Almost Christmas!

Image via Wikipedia

I can't wait. I've been holding myself back on the pre-Thanksgiving decorating, but I can say that I've already put up my icicle lights, and have made sure that I have all of the hooks and stuff to put up everything else IN ONE WEEK, the day after Thanksgiving. I got a few small decorations from Target to complete our apartment. It is going to be festive.

I had an interview today. My third one in the last 2 weeks, and I get to do another one on Monday! I still need to apply for more jobs though, cause I really only have 2 options right now, assuming they want me in the first place. Hmpfh.

Class is almost over, which means I am almost done with my masters degree!! Wow. Craziness. I am slacking pretty bad. Mostly because I don't really have much left to do, but have a good 3 or 4 weeks to do it....

I've been running a lot lately. This week I haven't run as hard as usual, but generally I've been running 4 days a week, around 2 or 2.8 miles each time. This week I've taken it fairly easily, sometimes walking parts, but I figure- MEH, it's still better than nothing. Seriously though, my post a few weeks back was not a lie- Virginia drivers are terrible at seeing pedestrians. You can't trust them to stop, so I have to stop at every single intersection, whether or not I have a walk signal. Which sucks.

Time Flies Like an Arrow

Fruit Flies Like Bananas.

This semester is already going by way too quickly. Here's an update on the happenings. Or, as my blog calls them, the Goings On.

First, a frog attended my Facilities Management course a few weeks ago. We took a break to free it from the building, but still haven't quite decided where it came from:

We also went to the awesome Sounders at DC United game, where we (Sounders) won 2 to 1:

A very sad Redskins helmet:

My friend Katie came too, and brought her friend Nicole:

DC United fans were pretty intimidating, but no comparison to what it would have been like at a Sounders home game:

We got some awesome Sounders scarfs:

Non-Sounders:
We had an awesome Beatles Rock Band session with Steve in Seattle. Skype + Rock Band is the future of gaming:

I've been a bread-baking fool lately. With Patrick's awesome cooking skills and my baking skills, we created.... BREAD BOWLS! Or as we have lovingly named them, Bread Bowels. don't ask, it doesn't make sense.

I played in my quintet for the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap this weekend, which was pretty neat. There were all sorts of tents up for the thousands of kids to go to, and I was providing musical entertainment with my brass quintet at the Instrument Petting Zoo, where the kids got to actually play on the instruments and such. Even though I've never been inclined to be a Music-Ed person, it was cute to see all of the little kids that were intrigued by the instruments, and I took every opportunity to engender an early interest in the Trombone. If a kid looked over my way with interest, I'd go up to them and show them my Trombone up close and show them how it worked and what it sounded like. They liked it a lot. It was very fun for me too.

Today Patrick and I went up to Baltimore to see my relatives. I forgot to take pictures, but it was fun, and they made us deeeeeelicious food. My cousin Sadie who lives in Oklahoma with her husband Steve and new little baby Edward came to visit her parents, so it was neat getting to see her again. I haven't seen her in forever, and had never met her husband, even though they've been married for five years. We also got to see my other cousins, Dave (with his baby boy Tanner), and Mary (with her husband Bob and new doggie Ziek). 'Twas good times.

That's it for the Goings On for now! This week is going to be extremely busy at work as we're ramping up for ARTS by George!, which is this Saturday. I hope it all goes smoothly.

Classes, and Name Changes

Week one of the semester is over. That's 1/15th checked off of the last semester of my graduate program... that does not sound as positive as I thought it would. Moral is: I'M ALMOST DONE!!! Which means, I've got to get a job... hmmmmm.

This week I spent a lot of time getting the official documentation to get my name changed, and everything that it entails.

Thursday I went to the social security administration office to get my name legally changed to Emma Willa Moores. The social security office is a lot like the DMV, but less structured. I forgot to bring my school book in, which was a big mistake, so I just half slept the whole time. Except for the part where this weirdo guy who was there with his mom was pseudo hitting on me.... It was all very confusing. His mom was sitting next to me, but he kept leaning forward (even though I was feining sleep) and would ask me about why I was there, what I did for a living, where I was from... Yeah. It was weird. Especially when he didn't take my cue of: "I'm here to have my name changed." Guess I should have been more blunt.

Today I got my license changed, and opened a Virginia bank account. (Apparently BoA uses different systems in Washington, which has made most banking over here a pain for the last year.) I also got my Virginia state inspection for my car, which was actually overdue, but I didn't realize it. Good thing I didn't get a ticket. That would have sucked.

While I was out and about I also got a new purse from Target, which I'm pretty excited about. I wanted something smaller but classier than my beach-type handbag that I got last time. Unfortunately when I took it home I realized that my wallet doesn't fit in it, so while I was at the DMV I stopped at Icing and got a little metal credit card case so that my stuff doesn't just have to rattle around in the purse. It's cute and slim. I've been wanting one of those metal card cases for a while, so I'm glad I finally had an excuse (sort of) to go out and get one. It's a brownish metal color and the front is black with a metallic brown and white cherry blossom tree on it. It does get fingerprints on it like no one's business though, which sucks... In all I felt pretty cute today, what with my new haircut and a super cute outfit- I have decided to call the entire outfit my "Jessica" outfit, in honor of the awesome girl who gave me two of the pieces that make it such a cute outfit.

Jessica was getting rid of some clothing and had me try on a few of the things before she got rid of it in case I wanted it... and boy howdy am I glad she did, cause check out my adorable "first day of school" outfit I got to wear!

First Day of School by Emmuh featuring Steven Alan

So that's not actually the jacket Jessica gave me. I couldn't find an image of it, but it's a super cute wool (I think) jacket by club monoco that has three-quarter length sleeves that you fold up, and an interesting cut across the back that gives it a super chic and cute shape.

The jeans are also from Jessica- they're Joe's, which apparently is awesome, but I am fashion-ignorant and had no idea. I don't know what style they actually are, but the image I think is close. Actually my undershirt is also from Jessica, so that's 3/6 parts that are thanks to Jessica. hahaha.

The rest of the parts I put together, which I think is apparent in the bright color-age. I think it works though.

The shirt is from Kohl's and it was on sale, and it is AWESOME. I am thinking about going back to get another color or two in it. Especially since it was on sale. It was still $25, but it's that good of a blouse.

The shoes I got in a moment of need from Payless because I needed comfortable shoes that I could wear with a dressyish outfit while I was in Seattle. They were $10, and they still feel cute even though they're supposed to look worn, and they're just junky flats.

And of course, that's the purse I got from target. And of course it is green. Actually I was looking for a shiny black and metal purse so I could feel all classy, but I didn't like any of the ones that fit that description at Target. The black purses were either a dull black, or a ridiculously fake shiny black. Wasn't into it.

Yup. It is great feeling cute. I need to go shopping more.... which means I need to get a job...

Hell Week

So for some mad reason I decided to take a 1 credit grant writing class in the last two weeks that I'm in Virginia before the wedding.

(Actually it's not a mystery- I need 4 more credits of electives, and the elective I'm signed up for in the Fall is 3 credits... plus I'm thinking about doing grant writing professionally anyway, so ...)

Well, needless to say, I have a lot to keep track of, especially in these last THREE DAYS that I'm here in Virginia, and this intensive course is not really thrilling me right now. It's a good class, and my friends are in it, which is nice, but my brain is just elsewhere.

I did end up writing a pretty kickass grant proposal draft yesterday though, if I do say so myself. We'll see what my professor says about it though.

So the countdown is really on now. Everything major has been taken care of with the wedding- as far as I know anyway hahaha. I had some struggling with the venue in selecting the menu for the buffet, but I have worked it out, and I feel like it ended in my favor (even though I felt they were being a little unprofessional with the haggling process).

A lot of people have put a lot of effort into this wedding besides me too. My soon-to-be brother-in-law has created AMAZING graphics for a poster at the entrance and the programs. He is SO talented- I swear he can do so many different styles of designs, and even better, I'll just give him a vague idea of what I had in mind, and he'll turn around and give me EXACTLY the style I was thinking about, except it is WAAAAAAY better than I could even imagine. He seriously rocks, and I bet you are all jealous that you aren't going to be related to him too.

This is his website:
http://klockwerksdesign.com/
He is crazy good at what he does.

My mom has put a TON of work into this too. She made the flowergirl's dress herself, and it is wonderful. Little Rylan is going to be sooooo adorable. She will be the highlight of the wedding.

My dad has been constructing the do-it-yourself photobooth, which I am very excited to take a look at. The weakest part of the photobooth will definitely be my camera, which is just a Canon point-n-shoot, but I think it'll still work just fine.

He and mom also have been working like crazy on getting the house looking good. They even rebuilt the steps to our deck!!! I guess they were rotting a bit, but seriously, that's a major project!


My soon-to-be Mother-in-law has been in constant contact pretty much with the Anthony's next to the wedding venue, which is where we'll be doing our rehearsal dinner. It sounds like they have kind of been a pain, so I am very thankful that she has taken that responsibility off of my plate. (She was being very considerate and wanted to set a menu of three entrees plus other limited selections so that they could prepare for the 28 person group, but they told her that the menu changes and it wouldn't be set until we got there, etc., which I think is weird. It's not like we were trying to get the exact item figured out- she just said a chicken dish, a salmon dish, and a pasta dish, which I'm pretty sure most restaurants have anyway!) Anyway, not to go on a rant, she took care of all of that and the other issues they had, and I didn't have to mess with it at all, which I appreciate.

My sister is going to be a huge help with the wedding, as she is going to host the hub of all activity pretty much. Her apartment is very close to the venue, so I'll be having the flowers delivered there, the bridesmaids and I will be getting ready there, people have been invited to stay at her place after the wedding, and I've already had her and the bridesmaids meet up at her place to do the dress fittings and things since she is in a pretty central location for them.

I am so thankful to have a family and a soon-to-be official in-law family that is so willing to help and supportive.

Now, in a non-wedding related, but family related and serious note, it has been a pretty rough week for my side of the family.

My last great grandma Kehl has passed away at age 95. Her funeral was Saturday. It sounded like a beautiful ceremony, and she is now laying to rest next to her husband, who has been waiting for her there for 32 years.

My Aunt Susy has just been diagnosed with a particularly vicious cancer that has forced some immediate action with cancer treatments. I am very bad with remembering the names of these things, so I don't have the exact details, but I just know that it is serious, and we are all thinking about her and praying for her.

I hate to end the post on such a depressing note, but that's where my head is at right now, so we'll leave it there. Good luck Aunt Susy! I know you can beat this!

I think my brain just might explode.

My brain is in so many places right now, combustication is eminent. Combustication? Course it's a word! I didn't make it up, just ask Incubus:



Anyway, my brain has pretty much been driving me crazy thinking of all of the wedding planning things that I have to do, but never when I actually have time to do it. Always when I'm trying to work on a paper for this summer class I'm taking. Which, by the way is almost over. This Saturday's class is canceled, so that means only 2 more class days left. Unfortunately that also means T minus 4 days left to pump out my advertising project, which I'm pretty much sucking at so far.

I've got tons of ideas of wedding plans though! Gah, it kind of drives me nutz. Also, I won't have the satisfaction of seeing things actually prepared and ready until I'm in Seattle, cause I'm just sending stuff to my sister's apartment and will assemble when I get there (don't want to haul it across the country if I don't have to).

There has been a major update since my last big post about wedding plans (remember?). The bridesmaids' dresses have changed! I know, they probably hate me. At least they didn't have to buy them first, I was smart like that. Now the plan is to have them get their own black dress, knee length, in a style of their own individual choosing. Mismatched bridesmaids dresses are kind of posh right now, not that I'm super into being in style or anything, but it kind of justifies my odd choice. Anywho, to bring cohesion, they'll all be wearing the same green sash. Plus they'll be the ones standing up with Patrick, me, and the groomsmen during the ceremony, so I think it'll be pretty obvious that they're bridesmaids.

All of my other wedding updates are really just ideas for things and stuff in progress, so I'll spare you... for now!

Aight, back at it.

Oh Noes!!!

It appears that my favorite water bottle has destroyed my notes for class... It's kind of pretty though... I really need to get a water bottle that doesn't leak.

Weekend!

Yey for three day weekend!!! ...even though I don't really have a normal work week or anything hahaha. At least Patrick is home for an extra day.

Me and my friends from school are trying to find a time to hang out since we're not all in the same classes this summer. Everyone is super busy though and it has been almost impossible to find a time when we can all meet up together. So instead, we're pretty much just going to hang out with whoever whenever we can, so Friday I had Katie (or KT, as her license plate says) over and we ate some Moby Dick's House of Kabob, and watched Twilight, which we got from Netflix. It was good times, even though we pretty much just made fun of the movie the whole time. Seriously, that kid who plays the main dude is such a terrible terrible actor, we couldn't help but laugh at him the whole time. Honestly though, I could tell that I would probably like the books, even though I'm not really into the whole vampire thing. I've got so many other books and seriezi to read though, so it'll have to wait.

Yesterday we met up with Patrick's aunt and uncle from New Mexico who are in town for a couple of days. We drove up to where Patrick's parents' new house is (they're moving from California over here to Virginia) and checked it out. We hadn't been up there yet, and the house looks really nice! Then we visited the Air and Space Museum - Hazy Center, which is near the Dulles Airport, which is really close to us. We like that museum a lot, and even though I've already been there, it was fun to walk through it again. They've got a crap ton of planes. My favorite is this Boeing 707:

From Air and Space Museum- Hazy Center

Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory and I got some crazy good pasta with five cheeses or something. I lurve ricotta.

Today we're going to head into DC, possibly hit up some museums, then see a concert on the steps of the Capitol. Patrick's friend back from his old job at Chempoint, Brian, is also in the area visiting people and he's gonna come over and stay at our place tonight.

All in all, a pretty sweet weekend.

Happy Mother's Day!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

No, this post isn't really about Mother's Day. I sent my momma Godiva chocolates (which most likely hasn't gotten there yet) and will give her a call, but that's it since she's on the other side o' the country. I am however going to visit my aunt Kathy and uncle Kurt up in Towson, Maryland, so that'll be cool.

Spring semester is over! I'm kind of in shock right now I think because I feel like I still have work to do. In fact, I even went ahead and finished my portfolio for my external internship at Wolf Trap, which doesn't have to be turned in until the end of Summer semester... Only have 1 grade turned in so far, and it's an A, so hopefully the rest will fall into place too.

Update- GAH! Mom just called! I suck suck suck. I should have called her first, but I didn't want to call too early in case they weren't up yet. (it's 11:00 am here, making it 8:00 there) Apparently the chocolates got there Friday! Yey! Point Emma.

Annnnnywho, I guess I'll be in Wedding Planning mode for the next couple weeks until Summer semester starts up and I'll have work to do again. Oh ya, and I got a summer job working in the MAM office for Professor Kamenitzer. Not super sure what I'll actually be doing, but meh, we'll see.

Most Efficient use of Time

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

This week has been pretty jam packed for me. So what do I do with the few hours free to myself? Study? Get ahead on homework? Of course not. I blog.

Well, I've done other stuff too. I've been working on making my resume look kickass, and was trying to print double sided business cards, but apparently the ones I bought were not made for printing on the backs, because without fail, it would come apart inside my printer when I tried to do the back side... Oh well. Two turned out actually. They're the badassest two business cards ever, so I'll have to be careful who I give them to. hahahaa.

Yesterday was my presentation on Board for Budget. It was way less difficult/stressful, and went great. After mine was done, Dani and her group went to go be on the board, and I commenced our drawing shenanigans for the sake of my sanity. So, enjoy this week's cartoon in lieu of an actual CQM episode by Dani.

"Top 10 Things That Get Me Through Budget"

...I was in a weird-ass mood last night.

Budget.... Almost Over!

Image by Dystopos via Flickr

Had my presentation in budget yesterday, where my fictional management team presented the budget project we made to our fictional board. I was the CFO and made all of the budgets, so basically I talked for a long time and had to make up answers for most of the questions. My throat hurts this morning from talking. Too bad I have another presentation in Marketing today... not as big of a deal, so not really worried, but not really looking forward to speaking more.

It was nerve racking... wracking? whatever... It was rough. But I think I did a pretty good job. After the hot-seat questions were over Kamenitzer said it was "Phenomenal..." so I guess that's good, but his questions were hard ones. We'll see what that translates to in a grade. Elizabeth called me a rockstar, which made me super happy, and Dani made us a sign for being done with the hard part, which made me even happier!


Also, Happy Easter! Patrick brought home bright green Peeps, which I am very excited about.

CQM Episode 3

Well, budget has still been doing its budgety thing, which means I have learned nothing that I haven't taught myself, and have continued to be entertained during class by Dani. Enjoy Episode 3 of CQM (click to enlarge):


*Fun Fact for CQM fans:
You might notice a slightly different artistic style within this episode, which was actually contracted out to the same individual that rendered the "Terrible Tie" in the introductory episode. Captain Question Mark himself in this episode and the tie in the intro was the product of artistic consultant... me, a.k.a. Eloquent Emma... All other art and dialogue within this epic graphic novella is by the original artist Dani, a.k.a. Dumbass Dani.

CQM Episode 2

The fans have been clamoring. And here it is.
Captain Question Mark: Episode 2!!!!!



(Click to enlarge)

What can I say. Dani has done it again: Emma stays entertained and Budget gets over with just a little quicker.

CQM Episode 1

What you've all been waiting for... The first installment of the amazing Captain Question Mark comic strip series! (click to enlarge)



Yes, Thursday happened again, even though we desperately didn't want it to. But, even on such a horrible day, something wonderful happened, and that was the first installment of the great new comic by Dumbass Dani. jk, she's not a dumbass, but that's her name in the comic I guess.

This made evil Thursday much more bearable, as horrible as it was.

(stop reading now if you don't want to hear about how much I hate Thursdays)

I really wanted my internship to go well. Had a laid back and easy going outlook, strolled in without stress- I was going to be ok. Or not. My supervisor's first question for me was how the NEA grant is coming along... YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE EVEN ASKING FOR!!!! So, she knows very well that this is my first experience with grants and that I have no idea what I am doing... So what does she do? Expect me to apply for a grant from the NEA, one of the most ellaborate grants processes ever.

When I say I have no idea what I'm doing, that was really a lie. At my other (wonderful) internship, that's what I do. I help the grant director apply for grants, and all of the projects that are required with that process. Last week she walked me through an NEA grant that they are applying for- step by step- and showed me all of the crap involved. The difference with them is that they have all of the information already, and the people involved already know what is required of them. At my Thursday internship, not only do they not know what project they want a grant for (which is essentially the foundation of the entire proposal) but they don't have any of the registrations, special code numbers, and other crap that is required for NEA grants. So I have absolutely nothing to work with. GAH.

Also, they're having me make their first eNewsletter. By myself. Now, I might be able to use a computer and have general common sense about these things, but I am no pro with techie stuff. So, I'm making a newsletter with Publisher- it's actually looking pretty cool, I'm pretty proud of it and everything. So now I'm thinking ahead a little bit: how exactly do I send this over email without just adding it as an attachment?

So I google it, and apparenly you have to use Outlook. Fine. Well, the comp at my internship doesn't have Outlook apparently.... Crap. Ok, fine. Found a different comp with outlook on it. Neat.

So my superviser says- send it from something like info@potomac.com. Ok? Well, um I don't think it just works like that. We don't have our own email server or whatever it's called, so there is no "potomac.com" to send anything from. The best I could do is see if we can't get a George Mason email set up for Potomac? Well, too bad- cause GMU's IT website totally sucks and I have no idea how to actually do that, nor do I know if GMU emails are even compatible with Outlook.

OMG I HATE THIS. I'm smart enough to know that they are asking me to do impossible things, but not smart enough to figure out different ways to do it. Very frustrating. I wish I was more technologically savvy. Anywho, I think I'll call IT people later and ask them about setting up a new account and seeing if they can walk me through setting it up with Outlook. I'm sure it'll be fine... I hate working for people who don't know what they're talking about.

Ok, enough griping about that. Moving on to the next horrible thing about Thursdays: Budget. We had a midterm in budget, which was groundbreaking. I have never taken a test this poorly written. Ever. I really hope he gives it back to us so I can give actual examples. Seriously though, it was amazing how complicated Captain Question Mark made a stupid multiple choice test.

Hint: If you have to have four lines of text explaining how your question is structured and the appropriate way to make your selection ON EVERY QUESTION, then something is wrong with the way you set up the structure of the test. Seriously. It was really fascinating. I hope I can elaborate with examples later.

Lecture was on par with all of our other lectures. I am still unsure as to why this guy is teaching- I can tell that he thinks that the more words he uses, the clearer he must be, when in fact the opposite is true. He'll go on and on reaaaaaaaallllllly slooooowwwwwwly on things that we already learned in the prerequisite for this class, like the difference between cash and accrual basis (GOT IT, MOVE ON PLEASE) but when he talks about budgets, he'll just flounder all over the place- not clarifying anything. (Apparently ALL-O-CA-TION is important, but he's never showed us how to do it... thanks for pronouncing everything like we're retards.)

Okok, geez, I have a lot of pent up thursday rage. Sorry. So class after Budget is Fundraising. It is so amazing, especially in comparison with the rest of my Thursday. It was a little ruined this week cause I had a headache, but overall it was enjoyable and I am liking what we're doing and learning about. Hahah, Katie just reminded me about my new favorite adjective, thanks to a case example from class: OBSCENELY. I am obscenely excitied that Thursday is over.