U2 Tour Dates - Now Official!- Page 56

[mabel]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 10:20pm

Yeah, that's what my mom did and part of me really wants to as well (get a rail pass and just go for it). I guess she just met up w/ a girl from Switzerland, which was a huge help language-wise...I don't know if I've got it in me to go solo though.

I've never been to Europe, and as much as it's not the same going on school trips, I'm really wishing now that I'd gone on those trips in high school. Our school would go somewhere every year. In retrospect, it was dirt cheap (having flights, hotels, and meals all paid for). *sigh* It'd be better than nothing!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 10:24pm

Gah! Sorry Ellie, don't know why I said Tiff.
I hope to trek around New Zealand as much as possible when I'm there, but it doesn't have the history that Europe does. And I've only been to Europe with my fam, so I understand your desire for a spontaneous, adventurous romp around the continent. Going solo wouldn't be so bad if thats what it comes down to, right? I mean, you'd be free to do whatever you wanted, and I'm sure you'd meet lots of cool people.

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 10:24pm

You could always stow away in Tiff's suitcase, Mabel. Or better yet, do away with her and take her place. She did say her aunt hadn't seen her in years, right?

I was thinking about studying abroad, in Europe obv., but the deadline for submissions was the start of this month.

And I'd love to go with you, Mabel! Alas...

*looks at bank balance*
*sobs*
Updated On: 4/7/05 at 10:24 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:23pm

Start saving now Ellie...You've got a whole year to save up!

I've been saying that I've wanted to do this for years, and I really think I'm going to do it next summer. I'll earn a few thousand dollars this summer, and if I can pick up an internship next year w/ a small stipend (between that and actually doing work study...god, I got lazy this year!) that should cover food, etc for the school year, so I should be able to save a sizable chunk of what I earn this summer. Plus, I'm hoping to get some cash for graduation. Nothing like planning ahead, but I really, really want to do this!

I was just watching Amelie w/ a friend, and that's just got the itch going even more! *sigh*

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:32pm

*starts saving*
*rubs two cent coin wistfully*
I really do want to go, though.

What did you think of Amelie? I liked it, but didn't think it was all it was cracked up to me. I want to see 'A Very Long Engagement', though! I love Audrey Tautou...she's so...gamine.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:43pm

Oh, Amelie was a good movie! A Very Long Engagement looks good, too.
I've been trying to save up for New Zealand, so all these concerts are not helping! But I have a fair amount saved up from the past two summers and from working during this semester, and I'll make more money before I leave, so I should be okay. I wonder what it would be like not to have to worry about money...

[mabel]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:46pm

I love Amelie. The friend I was watching it w/ had never seen it, and we had to take a raincheck on finishing it (she's got a project to do early tomorrow, and I hadn't realized it was getting "late-ish" so we only watched the first 40 minutes or so) I love all of the "So and so enjoys..." stuff. Oh, and when she sends the garden gnome on his little tour of the world (how sad is it that the garden gnome's travelled more than me?!?) Some of the lines are so priceless! "Amelie enjoys passing the time asking herself silly questions like 'How many people are having an orgasm right now?'"..."Quinze" And the flight attendant's cat who "enjoys listening to children's stories"!!!

I missed A Very Long Engagement the first time around. There's a free sceening on Monday, but I have to sign up for housing for next year on Monday night (a sore subject w/ me...they're officially IN-SANE here! Now over $9000 for a double w/ a kitchen, always a plus when you don't have a meal plan!) I absolutely refuse to live with more than one person. Did I ever tell you guys about my stripper roommate?? God, I need to get an apartment, and stop dealing w/ this SH*T!

The only thing holding me back from my European venture is the fact that I should probably spend next summer trying to find a job...yet another sore subject w/ me. Hate to turn this into an angst-fest, but my god...I have NO idea what the hell I want to/am going to do! "What do you do w/ a BA in English," indeed?!?!?!

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:50pm

I did like Amelie, but I dunno, I was let down.

And feel free to turn this into an angst-session, Mabel! We'll be here for ya!

*logs off*

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:53pm

I jest! I'm still here!

BTW...

'"What do you do w/ a BA in English?"'

I hear ya.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:55pm

Are we all English majors???

ETA: I'm gonna be a high school English teacher. Not the most glamourous job, but its what I want to do (most of the time).
Updated On: 4/7/05 at 11:55 PM

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:01am

Yeah...teaching. Woohoo.

I wanted to it, but more for my own sake, rather than thinking about what I'd get out of it career-wise. Education for education's sake, right? Right?

Meh, I have another few years before I have to think about...*shudder*...the...*shivers*...real world.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:01am

I dunno...I just feel like I'm going to be totally lost after I graduate. Let me preface this by saying that I in no way mean for this to sound arrogant in any way, but...

I've always done really well in school. I graduated in the top 10 of my HS class, and will be graduating from my University's Honors College w/ Honors (have been on the dean's list every semester) BUT, I feel like I've totally slipped under the radar somehow. I mean, in middle school, it was always "well, it'll catch up to me in high school," and in high school it was "well, it'll catch up w/ you in college." Ummm, I'm almost done w/ my Junior year, and I've gotten through this far w/o having to do a whole hell of a lot of anything. I do what's asked of me, little more, and I do just fine. Yes, I realize a lot of this has to do w/ the school I'm at (definitely not a pillar of excellence by any stretch of the imagination)

(to be continued in following post, since this is getting long)

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:05am

So, I feel like 20 years of laziness if finally about to kick me in the ass!

I do well in school, but I don't feel like I'm really an original thinker or anything. I always seem to take the cop out blase' road for papers, etc. I'm totally terrified that I'm going to be found out as an utter fraud when I go out looking for work in the real world.

And what am I going to do w/ my English/Cultural Studies major? I really have no desire to be a teacher. I'm not particularly good at anything. I'm not a great writer. I'm not particularly clever. Definitely not a group leader type. What the hell?!?!

I really want to stay in the city after I graduate, but I have NO IDEA what to do. Not a clue. I've got one year and counting before I have to get some sort of reality check and find something to do w/ my life...AAAAHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:15am

Have you not got a guidance counsellor at school? I do know EXACTLY what you are saying, re: not knowing what you want to do. I have a little more time to figure it out, but well...I won't. I'll probably just do some sort of postgraduate course to buy more time. I'll probably still be in college when I'm sixty.

But I'm sure you're underestimating yourself just a teensy bit, Mabs,...you clearly ARE clever, and you ARE a good writer, and you ARE fabulous. FABULOUS! And that's all we really need, right?

And yeah, college...y'know doing what's asked of you isn't such a bad thing. I rarely do what I'm asked, I prefer to, um, well, just ignore the professors and lecturers and do my own thing. I'll go far.

*hugs Mabel*

*realizes she's the same*

*waits for hug*

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:16am

I think most people go through the same feelings as you. It's hard to decide what you want to do with your life when you're finally faced with that decision after being in school for so long. It's scary because you feel like it's this monumental thing. But you still have time to think about it, and you can experiment once you're out of school. Try to find something you really care about. If you figure out its not for you, try something else. Lots of people switch careers. You have to have some particular talents. And it sounds like you've got a great record behind you if you do well in school. Even if you feel like you haven't gotten much out of it, you have great credentials that will look good to potential employers. If you find a job you love, you can really dig into it and then develop your skills. I don't know, I'm rambling. I've known what I've wanted to do since I was 5, so I'm probably not making any sense about this.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:25am

Awww, thanks gals! I think it's just a mini-freak out since I have to sign up for fall courses next week, and it's that official forray into senior year. Beyond scary! I've totally been horrible about utilizing all of the counselors etc. here. I really need to check back in w/ Co-Op and Career Services before the end of this year. I think I'm just dragging my feet because it's like I'm in denial over the fact that the end of school is nearing, and along w/ it comes the whole "real world" thing.

I'm also kind of freaking out because I have no idea what to do when I graduate. I know it's still another year away, and maybe by then I'll have gotten a firmer grasp on what the hell I'm doing, but I'm just nervous about being booted out the second week of May and having zero prospects. No place to live, no job. I'm hoping it won't be as bad as that, but I'm just...Blah!

I suppose if push comes to shove I could always go to West Point for a bit. I'll have worked there for two summers, and I could make some decent money to start out. I'd have a place to live w/ a friend for a bit before I get settled in, and it's only an hour from the city, so I could still try to find something here in the mean time. I suppose it could be worse. I just don't want to end up at West Point permanently. Something about working for the gov't just rubs me the wrong way. I'm working for the office that runs and produces America's Army: The Video Game *eye roll* I just don't know!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:31am

It's good to have that option as a fall-back, though. I mean, at least you'll have something. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
I personally can't wait to graduate and be in the "real world," but a lot of that is because I want to live in NYC and I feel stranded down here. And because, like you, I get bored with my classes.
I guess just try to enjoy and make the best of your last year of college and use it to explore your interests more!

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:32am

Failing that, you could come and live with me in Central Park! It's not so bad, especially if you can find a nice bridge for shelter. And if you get lonely, sometimes the tramps will give you a little action for body-heat, especially in the winter. Or else we could just huddle together for all eternity, gibbering about the good ol' days of BWW...

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:33am

I'm also kind of freaking out on the whole apartment thing. All of my close friends are like "I can't live w/ friends. It never works out." Which is totally true, and even though it's pissing me off, I really know it's for the best. And then the casual friends are either not close enough to really ask, don't seem to show much interest, or are living at home already. This puts me into panic mode, because the thought of living w/ totally random people scares me SH*Tless. I've had some crazy ass roommates. An utter slob (literally, she'd wear pajamas all week; wouldn't change or shower, or anything), a complete nympho, a pathological liar (who got kicked out of school for being on academic probation), a fruitarian who for a brief time joined some flakey cult, a total druggie, a germaphobe, and a stripper. I've had quite the eclectic collection of roommates. I can't wait to see what next year brings (either in the dorms or if I manage to swing an apartment).

Updated On: 4/8/05 at 12:33 AM

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:34am

So Central Park's out?

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:35am

Wow. That's kinda scary. How do you find these people???

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:35am

Hmmm, maybe if I could wrangle up the stripper to help us score some pocket money.

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:37am

And with all of these room-mates, was it you who walked out, or them who got kicked out?

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:40am

How do they find me is the question!!! It's like I'm a freak magnet! Really, it all stems from my school's sucky room selection process. It's really convoluded, and essentially makes you go out for yourself when signing up for a room. It's all done on a point system, and if you want to live w/ friends you have to wait until the person w/ the lowest score (rather than the average of everyone, which would be so much better). So, if you wait until the lowest person, you risk finding a room that has enough open spots for everyone and/or a room that's in your price range (and w/ rooms that are $10-12,000) I know I can't take that chance, so I go ASAP and hope for the best (either getting someone I know, or at least lucking out w/ someone quasi-normal) No such luck yet. Actually, my current roommate's probably the best I've had yet (but she's graduating). I moved out of the druggie, germaphobe, stripper room after the fall semester. They were all F*CKing nuts!!!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/8/05 at 12:44am

Sounds like a really screwed up system. Good luck next year...
I'm off ladies, good night!