ALERT: Anyone who has downloaded any sort of music sharing program ought to get AdAware (under downloads section) and scan their computer! I found this awful webhancer trojan horse which rerouted my internet connection so that it crashed often and was a lot slower; who knows what you might find?

I'm so excited for Model UN!! Just the thought of getting away from this horrendous schedule delights me to no end. I have B lunch, which is pretty much full of people I'm not that comfortable around (you know the type: 'friendly' people who couldn't give a crap as to whether you are there or not when they are around others like them).

Is this what success feels like? If so, I don't know if it's worth it. I found out today that indeed, I do have all A's in a semester for the first time since 7th grade. But somehow, it doesn't feel as great as I thought it would feel. Or maybe it just hasn't sunk in yet. Or maybe it's because I don't have full closure yet; I don't know what I got in Art. Though I'm pretty sure it's an A...

Damn! I have to finish my paper.

I'm so happy for you.

I watched Valentine last night with Ayesha, Molly, Supi, and Liz. I know it was a completely predictable movie, but still, dammit, I couldn't get to sleep last night. I woke up at around 2 am and read Bridget Jones's Diary to make me feel better. I kept seeing the cherub mask standing right over me with a knife. This is exactly why I don't watch horror films! From now on, I am going to refuse to watch any horror movie. Afterwards, we watched Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, but it certainly didn't help. Besides, I didn't get to see the ending, so i don't know if it ended happily or not. Mira Sorvino is either a very very bad actress or Romy is a very very strange person. It didn't really live up to what I'd heard about it.

Had to call colleges today with dad, to ask about campus visiting, etc. I said it was pointless, but did he listen? Yeah, right. So basically I had to talk to the admissions offices at Yale and Vassar even though you don't have to make reservations for tours. Gah, parents really should listen to children every so often.

Have a new re design, but still not sure about bits and pieces of it yet.

Please do rate my blog; my bloghop is underneath 'belong'.

Frightening. I am 37% evil. Are you evil? Gaah! Same as Melanie! Freaky.

By the way, since I am now going to Model UN, I won't be able to upload the new layout for February (not that I have one yet!!) until Feb. 3. Just telling y'all.

Amazing how much one misses while one is offline for roughly three days. I love Amy's new layout! And a lot of the stuff she says makes complete sense to me! :)

Ooh-- I finally figured out how to make it so once you click on a form area, it clears automatically! Check it out.

So, am super relieved finals are over. Stress really does take a lot out of a person-- I noticed I was more tired (with the same amount of sleep), ate more unhealthy food, and generally looked terrible. I just need closure now; I want to know my final grades in all the classes. I know about Modern Euro and Latin... but that's it.

Somehow I never can remember all the things I was going to write about while sitting in front of my computer. Oh well.

I took my first real bath in a long time Friday. It was excessively nice, with my newly bought white gardenia bubble bath and bath oil beads. Classical music played softly in the background, and I had three books next to the tub, but ended up not reading them. I was surprised when I got out of my bath and realized that it had been an hour! Smelled all nice afterwards.

Thursday: had my first tennis lesson in five months. I noticed I tend to use up my energy during lessons, and therefore when it's time to play games I suck. I also noticed I tend to get nervous when teachers are watching me play. So, yesterday (I take tennis lessons twice a week), I conserved my energy (as best as I could) and when it came to game time, I was playing well! I played doubles with my sister, who has a hidden talent for being able to hit back really hard shots, and we were this close to winning the 'tournament' but these two girls won because by some strange twist they always managed to play the easiest people over and over again. I figured out that it's best to not be emotional during tennis.

As Christine you seek change, travel, new opportunities, and new challenges. Your active, restless nature demands action and you dislike system and monotony. As you are versatile and capable, you could do any job well, although you would not like to do menial tasks. Having considerable vision, you could be adept at formulating new, more effective ways of doing things. You could organize the work of others, though in your impatience to see the job done efficiently, you would likely step right in and do it yourself. You could work well in sales and promotion, and would not be afraid to risk a gamble as the name gives you much self-confidence. You do not find contentment in the routine tasks and responsibilities that are associated with home and family or with administrative detail in the business world, so you have to guard against frustration and even moods of depression over your personal responsibilities. The restlessness this name creates could find an outlet in caustic, irritable expression. Also, the intensity of your nature could result in tension in the solar plexus causing stomach trouble and, because you take your responsibilities seriously you could experience much worry.

Courtesy of here.

No!! Our school now has a filtering system that pretty much blocks out everything except educational sites. And blogger, because the N2H2 people haven't gotten around to categorizing it yet. I can only hope they never will. Daaaamn it.

I like how Harry Potter is opening people's minds to older fantasy books; what I don't like is how people keep comparing the two! I've been looking through books on amazon.com and a lot of them are like, "Not as good as Harry Potter" or "Not like Harry Potter". Well, duh.

I feel completely useless! I have done nothing this weekend. Ooh, but I did watch Princess Mononoke, finally. I've been hearing it's such a great movie forever. And it is. A little strange, but good.

Looking at Fashion Rejects on people.com.. dreaming in my mind that I'm on the best-dressed list.

Strawberry juice is good. Doesn't that sound strange? Strawberry juice. It's not one of your normal juices, definitely. Why not? What is so different about strawberries as compared to oranges, grapes, and apples? Will dwell upon that later.

Yes, am for sure going to Model UN now. I don't know if I am happy about it. I mean, I really want to go to Chicago and be with friends and have fun, but there is also the fact that a paper needs to be written and -- the whole pride thing. I really am made up from the most unfortunate traits: pride, selfishness, stubborness, quick-tempered, indecisiveness... the list goes on and on.

Dame Barbara Cartland-- dear lord! I don't know how in hell she got the title 'Dame'. All the girls in there talk... like... this. Let me provide an example (not taken from the book, made up):

"You.. must.. help me. I... don't.. know... how to do this..." she said frantically.

"I can not help you," he replied brusquely.

"But... you... must.." she pleaded.

Just get one of her books and you'll see. The men speak super correctly while the girls have .. these.. long.. drawn.. .out sentences that are fricking annoying!

You will marry CHRISTIAN (played by Ewan McGregor) from Moulin Rouge, live in a sparkling elephant at the Moulin Rouge, and spend your days righting wrongs and singing songs because all you need is love (and it helps that it's Ewan McGregregor you're living with ^_^).

What's YOUR M * A * S * H future?

BTW, Carina, you're in if we forgot to send you an e-mail. :) Welcome to Luverly!

Oh, and Brian, I tried to e-mail you but it didn't work? So will you e-mail me? Thanks.

This pissed me off: our school's policy on jackets, and the definition of jacket. I sat in Mel's seat at the beginning of Modern Euro and I began to notice the curse of the chair almost immediately! Mr. S tells me to take off my coat (and it was FREEZING in that room) and I'm just like, okay, no, because I have worn my coat a gazillion times before and you have not said a thing. So I keep talking to Mel and then class starts, so we switch back seats. Mr. S says my name again warningly so finally, grudgingly, I take it off and begin slowly to freeze. Meanwhile, I looked around the room and there were so many people wearing those fleece jacket things and that pissed me off! Why would I want to hide anything in my coat; doesn't Mr. S trust me? Or is he so caught up in following the school rules/torturing me that he must make me take off the jacket? Grr.

So, I'm actually pretty happy for the first time in a while. Except for the fact that we have finals next week, and I have to do all my math work, and I have English work to do. But really, besides all that, I'm happy. I don't jump for the phone every time it rings, which is a strangely satisfying feeling. For the first time since middle school, I don't care if anyone calls me. I've settled with myself that it's really me who somehow gives off subconscious vibes of not wanting to do stuff on weekends. Which is true sometimes, most of the time actually, I don't like going to large parties where I don't know 88.7% of the people and have to make uncomfortable small talk while my more extroverted friends spread out and socialize. But if we're talking dinner out, or a movie or something, then yeah, that's great. Call me for that, please. :)

I like that I'm a margarita! Not so much about the llama...

A new MASH here! This one is very fun!

So I went home after lunch. I was feeling a bit off. But now I'm feeling muchas better. No tests to look forward to (till finals at least), good outfit day, and big sale at jcrew.com!! I don't know if I'm going to buy anything though. For a long time now I've been thinking about just cleaning out my closet and buying everything new. But then I think of all the old stuff I can't bear to part with, for fear of never finding anything like it again, and I mentally cross that thought out.

Literally Andy Roddick has the greatest body. But his face is not all that great. But his legs! Yum.

Yay! This happened Friday: I received an e-mail from my elementary school crush, who is in the area! After 5th grade, he moved out of town to a nearby city and I've corresponded sporadically with him ever since. This is the guy I saw late May '01 at the mall, when I had just gotten off of work and was looking all gross? Yeah. But apparently he's moved in with his dad and has been going to a rival high school since beginning of school year!! So I'm excited about that. He says he's talked to people who know me, which makes me worried since none of my friend have told me that they've talked to him. So what if he's talked to people who hate me, or who give an unfavorable impression of me?!!

Arney came over Sat and I got to see Final Fantasy X. Whoo, intense INTENSE graphics. It makes me wonder how much more real graphics can get?? They are just mindblowing. And the story is really complex, and I didn't like how there was an unrequited love sort of thing going on between the main guy and the girl who Arney says talks like me (Rikku).

Friday night went out for dinner with friends. Began to talk about love and romance, initiated by Molly, who commented on couples in booths. Wondered exactly what sort of love I am looking for; and if I'm really looking for love at all? Love at first sight: is that really believable? Through the past two years, I've noticed that those who form a friendship before they choose to take the next level have a longer relationship than those who don't (just look at S. and C.). Then again, the thought of meeting someone's eyes and knowing immediately they are the one seems excessively nice.

Mike's party was a complete sham. Stayed for about twenty minutes, then when those from Eden Prairie came with a keg, decided to go. Disliked the many unknown people. I don't know, I'm not very comfortable in large group situations. That's why I'm kind of frightened at the thought of going on my college campus tours during spring break. Parents were even suggesting overnight stays. Gaah! Most of the time, the thought terrifies me, and I can already feel the awkwardness of the situation. Other times, I feel like it would be a good idea, to see if the college had people like me, who don't always want to party all the time. So what am I to do? I'm hoping that having lunch and observing classes will be enough to get a real idea. But it probably isn't.

Immanuel has every appearance of being sensitive, funny with a dry sense of humor, intelligent (though not scarily so), and attractive (in my eyes at least). I've talked to him before (indeed, there was a short period of time last year, or two years ago, where I talked to him nearly every day, then I was stupid and stopped), but recently nil, nada, zilch. He's in a couple of my classes and it's hard, knowing that if only he sat near me, I would certainly overcome my shyness/stupidity/awkwardness and talk to him, make some sort of inconsequential remark that would return us to the former camraderie. But I don't sit anywhere near him in the classes I have with him.

Sometimes I wonder if anyone would care if I was gone, flitted out of their lives. Would there be a difference? I almost wish I could be in It's a Wonderful Life and see how the world would be without me. I really don't think there'd be much changed.

Gaah! I am gluttony (on emode's seven deadly sins test). Sad. So, time for an update on what's been happening in my life (not much): had two tests yesterday, and two tests tomorrow. I slacked off all last night and finished the new main page. You should see it! I worked so hard on it! But really, I've heard nothing but good things about it so far.

Hmm what do I look for in a man? I'm finding out on emode's test... Okay. Here are the results:

Romance
You're a sucker for romance! A guy who will pamper you with gifts and affection and express his deepest feelings for you through his actions is right up your alley. You can't stand guys who lack passion, and you think love and romance go hand-in-hand. Your high romantic expectations definitely eliminate a large number of men from the singles pool, but if it's really that important to you, by all means keep on searching!

Maturity
There's no denying that men are like fine wine — they definitely get better with age. It's not hard to understand why, when you consider all the benefits of getting older, which is why you like your guys a bit older and more mature. On the other hand, your answers show that you don't go for stiffs who can't crack a joke. What's the point if there's no spontaneity, right? It sounds like you go for guys with experience and a sense of humor that's dry as a fine Chablis, but with a hint of spice.

Lifestyle
Love doesn't come cheap, but it doesn't have to be all that expensive, either. It sounds like you're not very concerned about your ideal man's financial situation. Of course, we all dream of living well, but it's a mistake to mix your expectations of love with your hopes for a first-class lifestyle. Based on your answers, it seems like money isn't a real romantic concern for you. On the airplane of love, you're just as happy traveling coach as first class. (Two TV guys who live up to your financial expectations — or lack thereof — are Chandler and Ross from "Friends.") Being detached from materialist concerns is a healthy, realistic attitude and should help make you happy. It means that when Mr. Right crosses your path, you'll be sure to recognize him and not worry about the size of his wallet.

Looks
You seem to know instinctively that love is blind, so why rule out any potential suitors? Sure, you probably prefer a looker (who doesn't?!), but you don't have strict standards by which you measure a potential date's physical appearance. Nicolas Cage? Ben Stiller? Just your style. Not only does this tendency reflect your innate good nature, but it also indicates that you'll be more apt to find your ideal man, since you're not someone who shuts the door on anyone who couldn't make a magazine cover. Of course, just because you're willing to look past the surface doesn't mean that your guy will be anything less than stunning. Whoever he is and whatever he looks like, you'll find him because your mind and heart are open.

Apple. That's me. Great. Boring. The apple is like my 6th fave fruit.

Yay-- once again, strange search terms used to find us here:

• o'town merchandise
  
• free retro xxx
  
• crazy house wife sweet suck picture
  

You'll be able to read more of these once me and Sarah have re-vamped our main page... :)

Oh yes, I v. v. recommend the amaretto italian soda with whipped cream on top. Yum! I'm thinking about getting a job at the B&N cafe, since I have previous experience with food places, then I can move my way into the actual store. My dream job!!

Omo, yes, I must must help! What colors are you thinking?

Spent a lovely weekend reading books, etc. Went to library and B&N to read and get lots of books! I recommend Two Princess of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, same woman who wrote Ella Enchanted. What else did I read? Only in London and something else that I absolutely cannot remember. But I bought some classics AND I borrowed the first volume of the Arabian Nights. So yay me.

I do NOT want to be in school right now. Then again, I never do. So I should stop saying that.

Art -- Do I like Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" only because it's famous? Would I have even noticed it if it was, say, by a local artist whom nobody knew anything about? The same applies to Monet, Degas, Matisse-- I can't help feeling that I am really influenced by how famous they are..

Yes. This is me. I am finally done with the paper! Damn high expectations. I bet it is totally crappy. I don't even want to look at it. But just wanted to say that I'm finally done!! And crap, it is 12:35 am. I need sleep. Strangely, I'm not excessively tired yet. Maybe it's that ten minute nap I took...

You know what is very P.O.-y? People who have no artistic skills whatsoever getting the artistic jobs just because they know the technical stuff. And they don't even know the technical stuff all that well. !!!! Bah.

Also, as I was daydreaming in Latin class, I was half-listening to our teacher joking with the students. And so she joked about going to some game to one of the 'popular' people and the girl replied with something like 'well now i'll have a partner to go with!'. I looked at her closely afterward to see if there were any sly looks, any secret laughs about the teacher, but there were absolutely none. So now I'm left with wondering whether she was serious, being nice, a really good actor, or just stupid? Hmm..

I really really hate a ton of cologne on guys. It is so gross!! And overpowering. So hint hint, freshen up, take more showers or something.

Now it should work. Remember to use a real e-mail address! And if you don't have one, just put mine in there: christine@luverly.org. Thanks!

Okay, I now realize that the forms are not fricking working!! Will fix. Sorry for the inconvenience.

You're just a girl; you tend to get frustrated easily, you daydream quite a bit, and you try to avoid making trouble, though curiosity always gets the better of you. Even under tight circumstances, however, you put aside (some of) your fear and figure out what's the best thing to do. You want a better understanding of your world.

Wow. Just, I mean, just look at thse photos. They are unbelievably amazing. This is the kind of photography I hope to do someday; the kind of photography I've been trying to do with my black and white film with no success. I really need to learn how to develop film and everything still. One day, I will. But for now, look at these photos that I hope someday to do.

My book The Making of Pride and Prejudice came today! This is completely meaningless to those who have not seen this most excellent 1995 adaptation, shown on A&E here in the states. It's full of nice tidbits; although it tends to concentrate more on the technical aspects of the behind the scenes, there are some enjoyable interviews and pictures. :) I love it.

I do have a writing/poetry site up now. Not telling the address quite yet; I'm keeping it as something private until I have more works up and somebody tells me they actually want to see it!

I'm thinking about adding poetry to my personal site.. what do you think? Use the handy dandy contact form..

I discovered my portable magnetic poetry book and became inspired. Now all the magnets are on my file cabinet for easy access.

Blah, you know what I dislike? My mom's habit of wearing tons of lotion on her hands. My sister just handed me vitamins, which she said my mom wanted me to eat. And -- yeah, I put one in my mouth and what do I taste? Perfume. Ick.

I'm getting off. HAPPY NEW YEAR (early)!