I lie awake at 2am, feeling the familiar wash of cold sweat; the sour, stale fear taste in my mouth ( Read more... )

I have always preferred autumn to spring. That being said, there is something pleasant about being able to walk with my coat open, the breeze swirling my scarf around my knees. I am sort of looking forward to being able to sip tea on my porch, sitting on my inherited deck chairs and watching the world pass me by ( Read more... )

A direct translation from our germanic language ancestors ( Read more... )

I was sitting at work, and one of my co-workers, a nice German young man, asked me why The Vatican City is called the Holy See. I made up some bullsh*t answer, but then got swept up in getting an ACTUAL answer. I found this, which goes into an explanation of the Latin terms used in relation to the five holy cities - ecclesiae dictae majores ( Read more... )

I never thought it would happen, if I may be brutally honest. I am actually going to get a Masters degree in less than 2 weeks (if I don't f-ck up these papers and exams too badly). Yes, this is what I am thinking as I contemplate whether I am for or against soft partition of Iraq ( Read more... )

I've been here four semesters. (Five, if you count the one I spent in Holland)

Three of the four semesters that I've been in school have ended like this one. Either I am leaving (for an extended period of time) or the people I spend the most time with are leaving (for good). I don't really have abandonment issues, but I have this constant ( Read more... )

So, I'm studiously doing my paper-writing, and I see that my loving parents have sent me an email. Being a good daughter, I dutifully check my email, and see this link, which is clear proof that there is hope in the universe for a good laugh.

Back to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, aka "Bombs from Above: No Love for Namangani."

I'm drifting and waiting, and this is when I most need that centering thing I'm supposed to be so good at. So I called up some old (relatively) friends and had a couple of laughs, missed them some more, and felt better. So I sat down, finished my take home final and did a bit of reading for one of my papers ( Read more... )

I woke up with no recollection of the dream that shook me awake, except for the after-image of a terrifying man's face, floating in front of my eyes ( Read more... )

I spent the holiday with a friend and guests, and I got to play pseudo-hostess with the cooking and helped in the cleaning up. I think it went okay. But let's just say it's a Thanksgiving that I would be hard pressed to forget.

I don't feel any overwhelming sense of gratitude, but all the same, I am grateful for what I have, and I am content. ( Read more... )