Home Again

And so begins my saga of packing and unpacking. I arrived home from DC today at about 4 after spending a couple of days there and in South Carolina to see my cousin graduate from the Marine Corps boot camp. It was a ton of fun with a few minor bumps, so it's gonna be a pretty long post.

We left bright and early Monday morning to head to my Uncle's house outside of DC. We hung around there for a couple of days, which was relaxing. Their dog, Champ, was a puppy the last time I saw him, and man, has he gotten HUGE. We packed up Wednesday morning for the long drive down to South Carolina. We didn't end up going to the beach, but the hotel was great. So we hung there Wednesday and did our own thing.




Seriously, if you ever get the chance, GO TO THIS RESTAURANT. Chick-Fil-A is freaking awesome and delicious, and not up north. I loved it. So yeah, that was a good time.
Best quotes from that night and probably the entire trip:





Ted: Do you think if I stood up and yelled "The South will rise again!" that I would get a yee-haw?

and

(While discussing native americans and land)
Ted: Well, we did pillage their land from them...
Grandpa: They had their chance.

Other than that, not much happened the first few days.


On Thursday we rose at the lovely time of 5 am so that we could eat breakfast and get to the bast by 7am to see my cousin Nick on what they call a "motivational run." We actually saw him!!!! He's in the middle behind the guy with the flag



Then we had to wait around for a while until the Liberty Ceremony started, where we saw him in his uniform with his platoon. Seriously, watching all of them march in together was so freaking cool. Marines have sort of a special march/walk which looks awesome when they're all in sync.



So the entire group of us (18 of us, to be precise) were wearing shirts that said Zablonski (my cousin's last name) and had his picture and platoon info on them (my aunt made them herself with iron on stuff) and yeah, people were jealous. I think Nick was partially mortified and proud at the same time, since the average number of guests a marine has at his graduation is 4. Our group had 18. While we were saying hi, one of his drill instructors said "God damn Zablonski, you've got a whole fucking platoon!" But the best was yet to come.

After the Liberty Ceremony, Nick was free to hang around with us for a few hours and so we ate and he showed us around the base. But seriously, it was about 95 degrees with the sun shining, so on the way home, after Nick had to report back, I almost got sick and we were all exhausted and just hung around for a while. The next day was graduation!



I'm starving right now though, and I have to do a couple things so I'll finish updating in a little while. Here's a picture of me, my brother and my sister with my cousin, just to tide you over!

Back at BK

So, as you guys know, between my homecoming and return to IC for the summer, I've been putting in some hours at the BK lounge and will be again when I come back from both vacation and orientation. So I thought I would just remark a bit about that.

It is a wonderfully pleasant feeling to be back. I don't know about half of the new crew, but a lot of the people I used to work with are still there, and sometimes we can sink into nostalgia and it is wonderful. Customers are still crappy as ever, it's still busy and gross, but knowing that the managers love me and that I will do anything for them feels great. Even when I have to work until 2 in the morning. The money is good and it is putting me closer to London so I am quite pleased. It's like I never left, which is weird and comforting at the same time, and not the feeling I get everywhere. Sadly, at the dance studio, I feel my time is over there and I probably won't be visiting that often. It's like that part of my life is over and I don't want to let it go, but I feel it slipping away slowly...

On another note, I cannot wait to get married. I've been marathoning Say Yes to the Dress, meaning I've watched about 27 episodes that I recorded while at school or work and have been getting ideas and just admiring the beauty. I cried like 7 times at the stories and just how beautiful they look and I just can't wait to be in their shoes someday.

Also, I'll be on vacation this week and won't have a computer for the most part, so don't expect any updates from me via my blog or my facebook. I'll be on a beach in South Carolina =)

I'll hopefully remember to take lots of pics to show you guys!

Hope everyone's break is wonderful, can't wait be at IC again, but loving home!

Update

So, Cesca and I continued the hunt for my khaki shorts/pants for my OL job this summer. I didn't think it would be that hard, but finding shorts that are both the appropriate length and color proved rather difficult. I have about 3 pairs for the summer, 2 of which are more bermuda style which is alright. And I can't find pants. I would really like some, you know, because Ithaca has a tendency to get cold when you least expect it, and I'd at least like to be prepared. So today's shopping trip wasn't a total fail, I did get a few shorts plus a couple of cute new t shirts.

On another note, which is a bit happier, I went to visit my Grandma on Sunday and she is doing much better. She still doesn't actually recognized anyone, but she sort of responded to 'Grandma' and was actually speaking in full sentences to both the nurse and us, so I can't complain. She even fed herself properly, which is a step up. I don't know what it means, because I can tell she isn't all there anymore, but at least she has a little bit of the spunk I once saw in her every day. It's faint, but it is there, and that's all I need.

In Glee news, OH. MY. GOD. So many awesome things. In no particular order
1.) Jesse admitting he is starting to like Rachel
2.)NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AND MATTHEW MORRISON DUET
3.) Idina Menzel being Rachel's mother, even though we all saw that coming
4.) Their rendition of I Dreamed a Dream. God I love that song, and their version was so heartfelt and emotional that I almost started to cry
5.) The Piano Man cover. Love the song, love MM and NPH.
6.) We finally found out the other asian kid's name: Mike Chang
7.) NEXT WEEK IS A FREAKING LADY GAGA EPISODE.

There were probably others, but I'm too excited to think about them. What a great episode.

Other news, I'm going on vacation!!!! Well, sort of. It involves a lot of driving and travel, but basically I'm going to chill with my cousins on a beach. I don't want to give away too many details because you have to be careful about these things, you know. However, that makes my BK work a bit less horrible, since I start tomorrow, work for 4 days, have a week off, work for another 4ish days and then head back to Ithaca for a summer of fun! Well, and work, but I don't think it will be too bad.

I also started to unpack, which is turning out to be a thorn in my side, seeing as I have to unpack now, pack for vacation, unpack that, repack for Ithaca, unpack that and then repack my whole dorm room for next semester. Ugh.

So Cesca and I have made it through quite a few movies since we've been home: Swan Princess, V for Vendetta, Thumbelina, Leap Year, and The Princess Bride (my brother was annoyed we put it on but was totally watching the whole time, haha)

Anyway, I think that this is one of my favorite parts of The Princess Bride, and I thought you all would enjoy seeing it too!!! Have a good start to summer!

I was supposed to be getting shorts...

<-- Bootsie wants to help me unpack my stuff. It's been a hectic day at home.
I went to get a haircut and then Cesca and I were on a quest for shorts for the summer, both for fun and for my job...
I couldn't find any that I wanted at Target and they are supposed to be an appropriate length, and I am a terrible judge of that. What is appropriate for me is probably a lot different than what I should be wearing for Orientation... So anyway, Cesca and I didn't have much time to shop, as we had to get home so we could pick people up to see Letters to Juliet, which was adorable and wonderful, btw...

But I ended up with 2 really cute things!!!!
First of all, at Target I found this ADORABLE dress, which I love. And it was on sale!!!!

Second of all, I decided to go the cheap route and get a bathing suit from Old Navy that is not $50, and I'm quite pleased with the result.



Although I put it on to show my parents and the first thing my mom said was "Wow Tina, that's really skimpy..." Thanks mom. I'm freaking 19 and I have a hot bod (sort of... Maybe...). I can't do this forever. I'm young and I'm going to show it. You know what they say, When You Got It, Flaunt It!


Lemme know what you guys think of my new purchases!!!

FINITO

I'm done. I think that's all that needs to be said.

HOME TOMORROW AND I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

I'll update this with more later... I'm just really happy.

Oh wait... I still have to pack. Well, that's going to be a bitch... Meh.

Decisions, Decisions- HELP

So, I've been studying stats since about noon, barring an hour interruption by Legend of the Seeker. I'm not 100% confident, but I feel like the stuff I don't know isn't going to be a huge part of the test, so I feel alright about it.
Anyway, I'm taking a break and looking at dELiAs site at this adorable bathing suit that I really want. Problem is, dELiAs is expensive, and I already have a lot of stuff I'm spending money on this summer: Ren Fest is gonna be like $100, Phantom is at least another $100, Darien Lake, movies, hanging out with friends... And since I'm still jobless for next semester, I really need to be saving my money for London...

Can you guys help me decide? To buy or not to buy, that is the question.


This is it:


But I think I would want this pattern over here with the hearts... would that look cute on me?

And now looking again I'm considering a solid color, I think that might look good too. hmmm. Here's the site so check it out and let me know what you think:

http://store.delias.com/browse.do?categoryID=1500&sidenavTrack=swim.bandeau

I will be here

I will be here...
Why?
I'll be waiting here...
For what?
I'll be waiting... for you,... so... if you come here... you'll find me...
I promise.


And with those beautiful words, the game Final Fantasy VIII began, and a total of 40+ hours played, it has ended.

It was just as wonderful as I remembered it.

I know I won't ever forget how wonderful that game is, but playing it every so often reminds me why I love it so much. Those diehard FFVII fans can have Cloud any day. Give me Squall and Rinoa and I'm set for life. For my friends, Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as the best in the series, and I tend to disagree, because I think VIII is all around a better game. Just so you know. Not that it matters much. Anywho...

It is a bittersweet feat to accomplish. It is sweet because the ending makes all the hard work and frustration worthwhile. The ending never fails to take my breath away, and it is soooo much better when you have to work your way through the game to see it, rather than looking it up on Youtube. It is bitter, however, because after over 40 hours of time spent listening to and learning about these characters, they become so dear to your heart that to part with them is almost unbearable. I know they have a happy ending, but, as with all FF games, I wish they could go on forever. It's like the Harry Potter series. I know I wasn't the only one who was sad that the series was over and that there would be no more book releases or eager anticipation of what happens next.

So, as the semester draws to a close, I look on to the future, towards Final Fantasy X. This game is almost tied with Final Fantasy VIII for my favorite game, because they are just so magnificent. FFX has the advantage of better graphics and voiceovers, plus a beautiful story, but FFVIII also has a beautiful story, spectacular graphics for its time and a special place in my heart. And I'm so glad I got to share it with Sarah. It's a wonderful, geeky experience to be squealing together after a boss fight is over, and it is a special bond that I don't expect everyone to understand, nor desire. And I don't mind. It's good to have some different interests.

So, looking ahead, I must complete my paper within the next 2 or 3 days, get my presentation checked for Monday, and study a lot. Then it is goodbye homework, hello freedom!
I can't wait!

^representing freedom ftw

Non ne posso piu (but really I can)

Which translates to "I can't take it anymore." I just want to be home. I love my friends here, and I love Ithaca, but I just wanna be home. I want to see my friends, my family, my cats. I want my own bed, my own house, my A/C, non-dining hall food. I want non-peppery corn and my mom's cooking.

I'm doing well though, despite my numerous freakouts. I'm almost done with my spirtual journeys paper, I am pretty well versed in the Italian vocab, we're reviewing what I need to know for stats and Macro in the next two days, we have our final assignment for spiritual journeys. I think I'm set...

On a happy note, for myself, we are really close to finishing Final Fantasy VIII. It is really inspiration to keep me going. I know this because we just got to my favorite part in the game, where Rinoa is dying in space and Squall thinks about nothing but saving her. <--They're so cute, see!


That's when they first meet at a ball, and Squall doesn't want to dance and Rinoa makes him. They don't know each other, and they meet again and slowly fall in love, with Rinoa finally drawing Squall out of his shell. So. Freaking. Adorable. I cannot wait til Sarah sees the ending. It is epic.


So basically, we don't have that much to do, and right now I am ensuring our victory by side questing and training. It is going well and I am pleased. So, since I'm a video game dork and I'm giddy, I'm going to put a bunch of FF8 pics in here cause I love it so much! Enjoy!






Currently listening to Vivo Per Lei by Andrea Bocelli ft. Giorgia. It's a beautiful song!

I admit it. I'm completely and utterly 100% obsessed.

Final Fantasy = Love =)

Getting down to business...

...To defeat the Huns of course! (I know, Alysia used this in her blog, but I couldn't resist).

So, instead of the weather making me procrastinate, it has motivated and inspired me to get my work done so I can enjoy it. It is also making me less stressed.

My spiritual journey essay is going well. I am well onto 6 pages without an intro or conclusion, and I still need to add quotes. I've done all I can for now, so Sarah and I are probably gonna play some Final Fantasy soon. We are so close to this really awesome part. I'm pumped.

I did my macro homework, mostly, I'll have to go over it again tomorrow or Monday.

Our stats project is going well, and the paper should not be too hard to write, since most of the info is on the powerpoint.

I'm almost done with my tour guide application, and I really want to secure a job for next semester. Hopefully COMP TA comes through, but if not, well, I'll just have to keep trying.

And that's about it, I think. With less than 2 weeks til home, meaning less than 2 weeks till summer, I can't wait to get out of here. That thought is getting me through this last week of classes.

Currently listening to my youtube playlist that consists of a bunch of Disney songs in Italian and English. Just for fun.