I think I'm going to put the address to my blog in my profile, so long as it doesn't interfere with the other things in my profile (quotes, lyrics, etc). Basically, the priority will go: annoucements, quotes, lyrics, blog. However, that isn't necessarily the list of what will be seen; that list is probably more like: lyrics, annoucements, blog, quotes. Anyway, this decision comes as a result of many months of contemplation. It's not that I have anything interesting enough for people to read about, but I realize that is the decision of each potential reader to make.
John Mayer's Something's Missing just came on and, as promised, I think I will update my list of qualifications for happiness as determined by the song:
I can't be sure that this state of mine is not of my own design...
Friends: Yep, and I'm enjoying my summer friends very much.
Money: I've gotten two Merrill paychecks so far and still don't feel very rich. I have to pay my dad back for housing and I have to pay off my credit card (thanks, Peru). Oh! and taxes are a bitch! I keep trying to tell myself it was never my money in the first place, but it doesn't make me feel any better to see $500+ removed from my paycheck.
Well slept: Yes, I feel I am. I need to get back on track with my midnight bedtime for worknights though.
Opposite sex: Obviously.
Guitar: Still no, but I was JUST thinking about how I should learn to play...because that would make me cool.
Microphone: No, but I'll call this (my blog) my microphone for now.
Messages waiting when I come home: No, but I'm not all that concerned.
Honey, you should know that I had to think twice before I was ok with leaving the apostrophe in "Something's." It's not that I've ever had a problem with apostrophes (I have pretty good writing grammar, I think) but I guess I'm really conscious of their appropriate use now.
Now, about Merrill, SEO, and life in general. I should probably write drafts of the thank you letters for the CSFB seminar...one step at a time. Right now that doesn't interest me as much as writing this blog entry.
After work on Friday I feel a lot better about Merrill, my internship, and even the (temporary) direction of my career. I say temporary because I really don't think I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I don't think I'm the kind of person who would remain at the bottom for all that long, but I keep asking myself how high I would have to get before I could decide that I was satisfied. Too high and I won't have time for my future family, too low and I'll feel unfulfilled and unsuccessful. Careful balance...
Or maybe it's just that I shouldn't work in the finance industry. Screw this long hours crap! Why can't America be reasonable? Why do we have to kill ourselves like this? That's why I'm moving to Scandinavia. And it's not because of Nik...I've wanted to move to Sweden for as long as I can remember...or at least since the 2004 Presidential election. Seriously, Scandinavia has got it going on (except for the cold weather).
Anyway, I was talking about my summer at Merrill. I'm going into my fifth week (nearly at the halfway point!) and things are going well. I really should try to get in earlier in the morning since SEO says I should be the first one in and the last one out...:::sigh:::. It's not about me....it's not about me....right, my SEO family? ha. I really feel like I'd get an offer if they based their decisions on performance up to this point. However, they don't and I don't know that for sure so I have to work harder and also not screw up.
SEO is great. I will be eternally grateful for everything they've taught me and inspired me to be. While I do complain about it and don't always feel like following the SEO "rules" I also realize that without them I wouldn't be as confident or as well off (offer-wise) as I am. I need to contact my mentor more. Really, I ought to take advantage of every resource I have...which is way too many sometimes.
Life in general...good. I spent last weekend with my family and we did uncharacteristically cutsie family things so I'll take that as a good sign. I really do need to be more appreciative of my parents. I try, I really do...but they can be incredibly frustrating at times. Anyone who's ever heard me talk on the phone with my mother or father can attest to that. I hate to be disrespectful, but I also hate to be disrespected, that's all. It's no excuse. I'll be more respectful, starting now.
Next week I have a phone interview with Pam Carney and John Hannon for convocation student speaker. While I feel fairly confident in my ability to give a good speech, I also don't know who my competition is :} It really would make me happy to get it, but I don't want to be selfish. I'm not doing it for completely selfish reasons though...I really really want to say something to the freshmen class. I really want to tell them to be more than just students and do more than just study...I want CMU to be a better place (cheesy, I know) and these freshmen can do that. I want them to love CMU. I get so angry when I hear about people who spend 4 years hating CMU, Pittsburgh, and everything. If that's you, it's your own fault! I don't feel sorry for you! Maybe you should've tried harder, bitch! (Hmmm...speaking words that ought to be spoken to me...only replacing a few selected words....) Well, anyway, CMU has a lot to offer for everyone. From the biggest CS nerds to the ultimate frat boys, I know people who have found their place and are happy with CMU so I think anyone can do it, it's just that some might need guidance or inspiration. That is why I want to give the convocation speech. However, I feel slightly vulnerable for throwing it out there that I'm even a candidate; I might not get it.
Restaurant week continues this week. While I feel semi-guilty about eating out and spending at least $40 at each meal, I also feel like I'd be cheating myself if I weren't taking advantage of restaurant week. Chris Watkins and I went to the lovely Sea Grill at Rockerfeller Center and it was absolutely delicious. I'm all about new experiences and stuff. I hope Nik gets in early enough on Friday that we can go to dinner. Perhaps we'll go to the Scandinavian place and it'll be yummy.
By the way, Picasa is amazing. It seriously reads my mind sometimes. The only problem I've noticed so far (actually there are two) is that when I add keywords, pressing Enter, Ctrl+Enter, Alt+Enter, Tab then Enter will not add the keyword, instead I have to press the "Add" button with my mouse. Boo. I'm a keyboard person. The other problem I've noticed is that the timeline doesn't...nevermind. I'm going to interrupt myself because I was about say a lie about Picasa. After further investigation, I was wrong in thinking the timeline uses the date the item was added to Picasa instead of the Date Created date. OK, seriously. Picasa = amazing. I <3 Google. Thank you for creating brilliant software!
It happened so naturally, I did not know it was love. The next thing i felt was you holding me close what was i gonna do, I let myself go. Ain't nobody loves me better, makes me happy, makes me feel this way...at first you put your arms around me, then you put your charms on me, I cannot resist this sweet surrender.
My favorite things about this weekend:
Seeing Nik's smile when we first saw each other
Waking up
"and it was good..."
I'm not a slut
the large supply of sweet tea
Saltwater
Hand holding (heh heh)
The inability to not hold hands
Ikea fun
Messing up a clean room
Showering every 3 hours
My bruise
Goat-like behavior
