It's been waaaay too long since I updated my Xanga!  I apologize.  Anyway, I got out to the Medieval Fair for a little while this afternoon.  It was a blast!  I was dressed in a peasant skirt and peasant blouse, with my hair down, and was barefoot with jingly ankle bracelets.  I loved it!  (And no, I didn't get a single gross thing, or any of the pervasive mud, on my feet.  So there.)  People-Watching is an actual sport at this type of event.  You have NO idea the kinds of costumes, etc. you can see, unless you go.  Even if it's "not really your thing," I think everyone should go at least once.  It's free, after all.  There was even a group of blacksmiths, demonstrating their craft.  I recognized one guy there I talked to last year for over an hour, (I was fascinated by the art of the smithy), but I didn't get to talk to him this time.  
    I was really happy to run into several friends while I was there.  One of those friends was one of my fighter buddies from Tulsa, decked out in full-on pirate garb, right down to the eyeliner, hat-with-plumes, and guns.  It was awesome.  I got to meet some friends of his, now my friends, and hang out for quite a while.  I also got to see another fighter buddy I hadn't seen in ages, (he being really good friends with My Pirate Friend), because he now lives in Dallas and works many weekends.  Huzzah for Matty!  I've made a meager attempt to sum up my day in a couple of quotes:

"I saw a seven-months-pregnant belly dancer perform . . . who was actually really good!"- Me
"Ooh, was the baby dancing around, too?"- The Awesome Matty

"My friend has five REAL swords"- Kid bragging obnoxiously to My Pirate Friend, whose knives were real
"Where are your friends' swords?"- My Pirate Friend
"In Michigan."- Obnoxious Boy
"They're not going to help you much, there, are they . . . ?"- My Pirate Friend, menacingly
(It's not nice, or particularly smart, to try to pick fights with people who could pick you apart.  It was very amusing.  The kid was fine, by the way.  He was old enough to know better, thrice over.)

"It's not for everyone . . ."- My new Friend, a Professional Psychic/Medium, on his job

"Did you see two pirates come through here?"- Me, to My Friend the Bouncer
(Who wouldn't love to get to say that, in Real Life?!?!)
"Ahh, no.  I didn't notice.  Maybe they're in the bathroom?"- My Oblivious Bouncer Friend, sweetly trying to be helpful, while playing WoW
"Thanks, (*Bouncer-sized hug*), but they'd be kinda hard to miss."- Me, dryly

"I just walked to the door of a strip joint while holding a lug wrench wrapped in the headscarf of a pirate, after being dropped off by a professional psychic/medium, and then had a drink (lemonade) in a different bar with TWO pirates, while discussing the merits of Monty Python's Flying Circus, and after sharing a hug with a bouncer so busy playing WoW that he didn't see whether the pirates came in his bar or not (they didn't).  I LOVE MY LIFE!"- Me

These were just some  of the highlights.  I had an interesting day, to say the least . . .

A New Year Brings New Beginnings. . .

       I hope you all had a wonderful New Year, and that I will see each and every one of you soon!  I won't bore you all with a recap of my year.  I'd outdo my awesome friend Chris Krycho, (who is legendary for typing novel-length posts), by a longshot, if I tried.  When I have a little more time, maybe I'll journal it all.  Anyway:

       I read a friend's Xanga post this afternoon, and for the first time it hit me: I only have three more semesters at OU.  I hadn't realized just how little time I have left.  I've gotten so used to being in college, (I'll graduate with two more years of college than I should have needed), that I never really thought about what I'll do when I'm no longer in school.  I know I'll be a grad student for several years, but what will my life be?  There are so many questions.

       My biggest priorities for the New Year, (yes, I have a few resolutions), involve teaching myself to work at my potential.  I've been skating by, and not putting in the work I know I can accomplish.  This applies to all parts of my life.  I'm commiting to improving myself, in every area of my life, especially in my walk with God.

       My wish for Everyone during this New Year, is that you all will fight for your goals with no regrets.  I wish for you all of the peace and joy that only God can give.  Most of all, I wish for you the perfect, everlasting love He has for you.  Please know that I love you, too!

       I hope Everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!  If I don't see you all for a while, it's because I'm a Champion Procrastinator whose workload is catching up with her.  I'll be keeping all of you in my prayers during this semester crunch-time, and PLEASE continue to pray for little Abby!  (If you don't know what I'm talking about, see my last post or, better yet, just Facebook me.)  When these assignments are done, we should create some serious, study-free craziness.  Let me know  . . .

Good Luck, Everyone!

>>>Later Still>>>  I just had an awkward conversation with an acquaintance's Mom, because he gave me his home number instead of his cell number.  I'm happy to have my seemingly-exorcised fridge back in my dorm room.  I have yogurt!  My Internet connection has been laughing at me.  It's crashed six times in the last hour.  My back hurts.  I'm proud of me: I've been very productive today!