Recently

Last weekend Ryan came to stay with us. It was awesome.

(Ryan - Sorry I forgot to text you back to tell you how awesome it was but sometimes I forget about text messages and how people like responses, just ask Kari, but hopefully saying that it was awesome in my blog will tell you, if you still read my blog, how awesome it was and though I am oversimplifying and possibly stripping the word of its meaning, it is all just to say that your presence in Santa Barbara was felt as much as your absence, which is a lot.)

We had many wonderful, peaceful, comfortable, humorous moments but I have to say that my favorite was Saturday morning. I woke up early, woke Ryan up and we both headed down to Backyard Bowls for breakfast. We both had the steel cut oatmeal with fresh fruit. We talked for a while and when Evan joined us we walked out to State, deliberated left or right, and headed right to the beach. Then, walking out onto the Wharf we came upon a small crowd cheering on a line of kayaks racing into the harbor. Only, it turned out to be kayaks, canoes and paddle boards all competing in one odd, completely underwhelming race.

Still it was fun and I took it as proof of my latest theory, "cool stuff doesn't happen unless you leave the apartment." The basis of this theory is the presupposition that if a kind old person is ever to donate a million dollars to me after our encounter in a coffee shop, I have to be in a coffee shop first. Which, I realize that even in Montecito, is kind of worse odds than the lottery. Still, it gets me out of the apartment.

Anyways, the weekend was really fun and quite a blessing.

Grad Apps are IN!

I'm not just a university drop out anymore. I am a university dropout with PLANS!

Now I recognize that the new year is rife with plans. It's endemic. However, this small feat, the submission, is a huge relief. I am now excluded from the stress of application. Well, graduate applications. Undergraduate applications are the new stress of my life but I get paid for that stress and I guess that is what work is.

Somethings I forgot on my list

14. Eating Meat
I think my Dad put it best. "You should get a steak tonight because tomorrow you will be a vegetarian."

15. Enjoying time with my roommates.
I may never get an opportunity to live with such good guys again. Among many things to look forward to are those unexpected nights full of activity. For instance, earlier tonight Joe came over and we played a board game called "Cosmic Encounters." Joe just left but now Evan and I are watching Biggest Loser in our bath robes.

Things I Am Looking Forward to in 2011

I stole this idea from Vogue or Glamour or Marie Claire. I'm not sure, which is not a flippant way of saying those magazines are indistinguishable, but that it really could be any of those three. In any case, the editor had, instead of making a list of resolutions, made a list of things to look forward to.

Here is my list.

1. A Haircut
I only had two haircuts in 2010 and the last one was at least seven months ago. I am looking forward to the clean look but most of all, to the hair washing. As everyone knows, having someone else wash your hair is the most enjoyable part of a hair cut.

2. Herbal Essences Conditioner
My hair is getting long enough to warrant conditioner and today I bought some Volumizing Herbal Essences Conditioner. It generally takes me half a year to use a bottle of either shampoo or conditioner and I am genuinely excited about my hair smelling like white nectarine and pink coral flower for the next six months.

3. Valentines Day
I am on top of my game this year and already know what I am getting Kari.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
Probably going to get emotional.

5. The Great Gatzby
This one I directly plagiarized from the editor's list but I have always loved Fitzgerald and, through Drew's raving, have also come to appreciate Carey Mulligan who will be playing Daisy.

6. My first Ian Fleming novel
I'll probably start with Casino Royal but we'll see what the library has. I am excited first for the experience but also because I want to become a Bondologist. That way, if there is ever a convention I can meet Umberto Eco and we will have something to talk about.

7. Running a Half Marathon
This one I am really stoked for. April 10, 2011 is the "Run Through Redlands." Kari and I have decided to run it together.

8. Visit to The Broad Museum in LA
I don't know when I am going but I am going. I am kind of excited about the art and really excited about the building. Renzo Piano, I love you.

9. Journaling
Kellie gave me a beautiful leather journal for Christmas. I am going to use it to journal about my love for Renzo Piano.

10. Breakfast
Just in general.

11. Volumes Three and Four of War and Peace
I think its fair that it will take me two years to finish this book.

12. No more hate mail from Mint.com
Seriously, mint.com I know that I am not worth anything right now but there is no need to rub it in. Oh and if I want to go over my budget for coffee shops that is my freaking business.

13. My Birthday
Normally, birthdays make me uncomfortable. I don't like all of the attention and expectations. This year however, I am turning twenty-five (don't freak out Mom) and am expecting that by my birthday, my life will be a little less disordered.

Cafe Sans Lait

This year has seen many milestones. But today,
I've hit one that I am actually proud of.

Working is hard!

Sorry I left you all with that little cliffhanger, not to mention the nearly impossible reference in the title. I did find work and, as it turns out, working full time has really cut into my free time. Now I have to prioritize my activities. The days of endless websurfing and reading are regrettably, but also thankfully, over.

First, of all, if the title of my previous post was incomprehensible to you, don't worry. No one could have got that reference. That title refers to a movie that came out in 2001 called Out Cold. It is, sadly, my favorite movie. I had come home from my first day of working and decided to celebrate by drinking a beer and watching it.

Second and more importantly, is the news that I am now fully employed. I am working in the Westmont Admissions Department as an application processor. It is truthfully, not the most thrilling work but the timeline is perfect, it is full time, and I get to work in an youthful and energy-filled department, partially staffed by two of my roommates, Evan and Matt.

Working at Westmont is, in itself, a humbling experience. Many of my freshmen residents from my RA days are now seniors and, having not kept in touch, am having to explain myself at each awkward encounter. However, on top of this I am also working in the Admissions department, the department responsible for my tuition free ride through Westmont. My first day there, the veep of admissions was introducing me to the girl at the front desk and, as a visual aid, pointed to a plaque on the wall bearing my name.

John's name is right up here, and now he is, um, here.

In my first few days I realized that many of these fears are irrational. Reconnecting with old friends and former residents has already been more a blessing than a curse. My insecurities about the scholarship are diminishing, but ok, still present.

Regardless, I am working and it feels really, really good.

I'm going to need a bucket, a paintbrush, and ten pounds of salt

I've got a job!

Story to follow...

Peet's

This morning my roommate Matt asked if owned I computer. While the question probably came from the fact that Evan and I have identical laptops and I have made a habit of reading news my iPod, this question still made me happy because it means that I spend more time reading than surfing in the apartment. Instead I do most of my computer tasks at coffee shops like the one I am sitting at right now (Peet's).

Christmas Tree

I don't think you appreciated this enough the first time.

:)

By the Numbers

A few weeks ago I began the graduate application process by logging on the various university websites and creating accounts. You need this much if you are going to ask for recommendations. Anyways, a few days ago I got further into the process and one application, in addition to a Statement of Purpose, asked a series of short answer questions. The third of these questions was this:

If more than six months have elapsed since the date of your last university enrollment, please describe what you have been doing.

I still use my hands count - starting with the thumb of course - and I quickly - as fast as you can count to six - figured out that I have indeed been out of Cornell for more than six month. This would later be debunked by Drew, Evan, and Danny Clapp - thank you summer enrollment - but still, six months. That is half of year!

This type of revelation, though completely devoid of any real significance, is exactly the type of revelation that is likely to get my hands shaking. The latter half of this last half a year I have been unusually susceptible to this sort of thing. Most of the time I am in control. Most of the time I am pleased with what I have accomplished in this time (books read, miles run, friendships rekindled). Most of the time I am confident.

Sometimes, though. I am not.

Anyways, I have another interview on Monday and I am praying this is the one to break the spell.