I cannot BELIEVE I am blogging again. It has been far too long. So much has changed since my last blog. I am in a new dorm (Couglin Hall,) and do I mean NEW! No one has lived in room 403 except for yours truly and my roomie Baby Ray. Not to mention, I am working at the bagel shop, taking 18 goddamn credits, and living the college student's dream here in Spokane, WA. Oh, I forgot to mention one other thing: I GOT MY LICENSE!!! Yahooooo! It was definitely a long time coming, and worth every penny of the $40 it cost me. So you see, Martha's summer of self-improvement, albeit late, has taken place at last. Now, don't get me wrong-there is still work to be done, but for the most part, I would say that summer 09 has been successful. Let's recap, shall we?
May 8, 2009: Martha is home again, doing nothing with her life, and accepting the fact that she is in for another jobless summer. I am switching back to first person. So what did I do to combat the boredom? I took baths. Lots of them. I averaged two each day. Relaxing? yes. Environmentally harmful? Definitely.

June 5, 2009: I decide that just because I am unemployed, it does not mean I can't make money. I briefly considered a foray into the world of suburban drug-dealing, a la Nancy Botwin, but then thought better of it.

June 15, 2009: Am hired as fill in cleaning lady for our house as well as G-ma's. G-ma pays better and has two floors compared to our three. Hmm. Resign myself to the fact that I will just have to endure this life of servitude.

June 18, 2009: Receive call from Mona telling me a license isn't necessary to work at the PUD and that I have a job if I want it. Why this exception you ask? Because I am the CEO's niece. Yes, be jealous. Tell her I'll let my thoughts marinate then call her back. After debating, I decide a summer of orange vests and hardhats is a far greater one than a life of perpetually pruny skin, and constantly smelling of lysol. I tell her yes.

June 23, 2009: First day of work. Thank God Margaret is with me. She shows me the ropes. First day includes; setting up tents, pulling weeds at Felida, and taking down tents. All in all, a pretty good day, considering we were given multiple bags of kettle corn.

June 24-August 27: A great summer. It was as though my life was in fast forward. After a lifetime of fears domintating my my every move, I was finally able to overcome many of them-getting my license, driving high side trucks on the freeway, pulling a trailer, driving a John Deere riding lawn mower, the list goes on and on. Also, I got to hang out with hot boys all summer, which was a plus. After my initial amazement at how many hot boys were living in Vancouver without me knowing it, I was able to calm down and really enjoy their company. The majority were very nice, cool, funny guys. Smart, though not in the conventional sense. They knew a lot about everyday things, handyman type stuff., but if you asked them what the capital of Vietnam was, I doubt they could answer correctly.

ANYWAY, it was a fabulous summer, I had the time of my life, and I am less than pleased to be back at school, but I'm going to try to make the most of it. I will attempt to secure an internship in Nashville in the Summer of 2011. If you have any tips, let me know! Good to be back!
-Mar

I dare you...

to find a golf intructor who does not have a pot belly, wears a class ring, has some sort of facial hair, and wears cheap cologne. I DARE YOU!

How Do You Sleep?

There is this song by Jesse McCartney called 'How Do You Sleep?" and it is so good! I have it on repeat. Anyway, there is not too much to report from my end-just studying for finals and preparing for the end of the school year.

Something I have been thinking about lately is the fact that I probably wont use much of the knowledge I am gaining from classes in the real world, except...JAZZ HISTORY! I know people probably think "oh, jazz history-it's just one of those easy classes people take to bring their grade up" and although this IS what I was originally hoping for, I have found that it is anything but easy, but most importantly, it teaches me things I can use in the real world. While I don't necessarily see myself talking about the use of assonance in "Waiting for Godot" to someone at a cocktail party, I can envision myself having a chuckle over Dizzy Gillespie's famous cheeks, lamenting Charlie Parker's untimely death and what could have been, or even discussing the illicit affair Stan Getz had with with Astrud Gilberto all while he was recording an album with her husband. Now THAT is scintillating conversation. I enjoy studying the material for the final, and find myself downloading Dave Brubeck and Jelly Roll (legally, of course.) Like I said though, this class is a challenge-I have to be able to identify 57 different songs. Thankfully, my boy Jamil is ace at making up tricks to help me memorize them all. Anyway, I really wish I could take the class again-the teacher is funny and enthusiastic and I have really enjoyed learning all about Jazz.

Yours,
Martha

Cliff Bars and Figgy Newtons

First off: Why am I calling them figgy newtons? Someone I know calls them that, the question is, who? Anyway, the two items listed in my title are my new favorite snacks. Not all that unhealthy and totally satisfying!

Let me describe to you my surroundings. I have the hockey game on the tv in the background, simply because I couldn't bear the Blazer game. My left foot, as always, is propped up on Megan's blue stool. My arm is resting on an OK! Magazine and Chick Corea's album "Return to Forever." But most importantly, on my hand is the faint remnants of a stamp that reads "TACO BAR." It is somewhat degrading to have people know that you attended Azteca's five dollar all you can eat Taco Bar. This is MY LIFE!!! How pathetic! I am truly looking forward to going home and living in humane conditions. I will miss everyone, blah, blah. blah, but I am ready to get out of here!

Lately, I have been feeling mediocre. This, obviously, is not a feeling I am used to having, so I became inspired. I want to get really good at something-say, an instrument perhaps-and I want to master it, I want to make people jealous with my prodigious skill. Any recommendations for what it should be?

Best,
Martha

I Am Back! With a Vengeance!

First off, I KNOW. Shame on me for taking such a long hiatus, but everyone needs some "me time." In case you were wondering, this personal vay-cay was just what I needed to get those creative juices flowing again. Since I've been gone, here is a quick rundown of what has happened in my life-I have swine flu.

I am half kidding, but I AM seriously sick. It is odd-every time I have claimed illness, it was only to get a day off of school. I can honestly say this is the sickest I have been in a long while. Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, chills, deep cough, and sinus pressure. Though it make look like I copied and pasted that list from the Center for Disease Control's website's page on swine flu, I did not. Now before you jump to conclusions and tell me to get my rear to a hospital, I'll tell you why I am fairly certain swine flu has not infected me. My co-writer, Elaura, knew of my fears and payed close attention to the Today Show's story on the bug. When she called me during sociology, I knew my health was dependent upon me taking the call. So I fidgeted in my seat and pretended I had to go relieve myself. I ran out the door and answered the phone. I gave her a run down of my symptoms. Things were looking pretty grim for a while, but then she asked me a question that gave me hope. "Is your fever over 102?" Well, I had never actually taken my temperature, it was simply one of those things where I knew I had fever. Now I know I have been known to be a tad dramatic at times, but even I couldn't fake a 102 temp. Yes, I am sick, but I am not that sick. So I cried out in joy (as much as my hoarse voice would allow) and returned to sociology with a new lease on life.

In other news, TWO WEEKS LEFT! Actually, less than. It is hard to believe at times, seeing as how the months went by so fast. I can't even imagine what Clare and Margaret are going through right now. The real word is upon them, and they are entering it at the worst time possible. I know that sounds bleak, and I am sorry to be such a downer, it's just that their leaving is affecting me in a negative way as well. Who will pick me up and take me to cold stone? Who will get me free tickets to Chief's games? Who will accompany me to Cheif's games? Who will walk downtown with me for a rite-aid visit? Who will drive home for the fanconi run with me? Who will drive me anywhere? In all seriousness, having them here has been a real godsend. They made my transition into a college student smooth and comforting. Both were always ready with half a bed or a lambskin rug to sleep on when I was feeling homesick or sick of the dorms. And the bagels! THE BAGELS! I guess I'll be able to make my own next year, but no one does a cinnamon toasted like Madge, and Clare knows just the amount of middle to cut out. Also, a quick thanks to my big-Barbie, we may not be Setons, but we're awesome. Damn, I should have saved this for their graduation cards.

I feel like a p.b. sandwich. It is good to be back.

Yours,
Martha

Stuchis, Stushis, or Tsuchies

However they're spelled, they're GREAT! I rediscovered this lost art of stushi drawing while in my philosophy class today. My notebook is now covered. I love starting out with six boring, straight, lines, then with the swish of a few pencil strokes, then coming out with a really cool looking stushi! I credit the Shearers with teaching me how to draw them. I also credit the Shearers with teaching me to draw at all (which I really can't, but they tried their best.) That reminds me of one of my earliest memories from childhood. Spencer and I were sitting on the floor in their living room, and Jake and Conor were drawing cartoons. They wanted Spencer and me to join in, and I said something along the line of "I can't do it" (great self-esteem, right?) and Jake said, "they're just cartoons, anyone can draw cartoons." Unfortunately, I proved him wrong, but I still appreciated the vote of confidence.

Clare stopped by the old CM today to drop off a delicious piece of red velvet cake for V-day. How sweet! I had a few bites and it was delicious. I washed it down with some flat San Pellegrino.

Things I have been up to lately: Watching Gilmore Girls-SO GOOD! I always thought it was annoying, but once I started watching religiously, I find that I love the quick, witty, dialogue. Also, Meredith, Jamil and I have been in a facebook video war with Rachael Baney and Ray Ray Frank, and their friend Carissa. We are filming our comeback vid today. Wish us luck!

Ta,
Martha

Bumper Stickers

My new activity? Bumper Stickers on facebook, while procrastinating homework!!! I know I am about two years behind the 8 ball, but c'est la. They are so funny-I could look at them for hours! This weekend, I drove home with Margaret ( our flawless chauffeur) and Meredith (my bomb asst.. DJ) Rachel Frank (my fellow Jonas Lover) and Rachael Baney (my country lover soul-mate) It was good company, and on a six hour car ride, good company makes all the difference. I went home for the 5th annual Fanconi anemia run and it was a smashing success! Best turn out yet! Anywho, I have decided to take up the steel guitar, or as they're called in Nashville, "Country Strings." I want to be the best. I want to be the first. I want to be made. But seriously! I am going to be GOOD! I know I have been slacking on my blog, but it can get exhausting always having to think of a new blog idea all the time. This morning, Margaret and i regressed three years, and were back to our natural roles-head cook and ass cook, respectively. It felt good to be back in the old kitch. Of course, it was not industrial sized, and we couldn't be as abrasive as we normally are due to the fact we were dealing with family, and not bone-headed EMT guys who feel the need to constantly state the obvious. WE KNOW WE ARE SCREWED ON THE PANCAKE FRONT. NOW GET THE F*** OUT OF THE KITCHEN! Regardless, we still managed to get a few jibes in. As Margaret so eloquently said this morning "please get out of the kitchen, and no we don't need any help." Music to my ears. Well, thats all for now, if I think of something that may interest any of you, I'll post. Comments are always appreciated. Later.
-Martha