Caprice's blog

Helicopter, helicopter over my head...

So the quarter has been progressing nicely. Only a couple more weeks and I will have successfully completed my first quarter of grad school. I have a final paper/project due in each class. There's really only one that scares me though. I have no idea where to even begin on it.

Next week is Thanksgiving. Yay! I've been eating (relatively) healthy food in anticipation of all the yummy, not healthy foods I'll be eating over the holidays. I do love food, but I still need to fit into my pants. Can't wait for that sweet potato casserole though!

I've been listening to helicopters since 6am.  The UC Regents passed a 32-36% (depending on the source) fee hike for undergrads this morning and there have been protests since yesterday. Some students even took over one of the buildings, staging a sit in since last night. I read they chained the doors. I walked right past the building this morning and didn't even know.

The grad students only have a 2.6% increase right now, so don't fear for me. I just don't want to come out of this owing an incredible amount of money. I'm just becoming a librarian. Not exactly a lucrative career. When I was looking at the fee chart from the registrar's office, I could never understand why tuition wasn't included. Apparently, if you're a CA resident and your family makes under $70,000/year, you don't pay tuition. Just fees.

Also, my birthday is 3 weeks from today (December 10). Write it down. 24 years old. Woooow.

Pants

On Monday I was going to the computer lab on campus. As I was walking through, I was looking down, flipping through songs on my Zune. I notice legs near me and look up to make sure not to run into the person. As I'm looking up I realize that the girl was wearing what was essentially black nylons and a cardigan sweater. That's it.

So this is my PSA:

PANTS: Don't leave home without them.

Pantsless

Kind of like this. But her sweater was shorter. I don't want to know what happens when she's not standing.

Actually doing stuff.

I write down ideas for blogging all the time, but I forget to actually write them.

So last week I decided to get out and actually do stuff in the city. So I looked online at some popular things to do in LA. I found one article that talked about a large farmers market, so last Saturday I went. There was fruit and vegtable stands, butchers, bakers, candy makers and a gourmet shop. But additionally there were a ton of food stands. Falafels, fried catfish, pasta. All right there. I'm definitely taking people there for lunch when they're here. Everything looked so delicious. All I bought while I was there was fruit. I got some grapes that were so big. I didn't notice they were the seed in kind, however, so I only ate about three. 

I also ventured that day to Ikea in Burbank, which I had never been to before. The place is HUGE. And colorful. So much stuff, so cheap. It was the first time I had been in the LA suburbs. Can I just say, so much calmer than where I am.

Bookcase

Bookcases

On Monday, I went down to Venice beach and quickly remembered why I don't go places by myself. The boardwalk itself was okay and the beach was nice. But within 90 seconds of leaving my car, I was hit on. I was probably hit on about half a dozen times in the less than hour that I was there. There's just not that many places I feel comfortable going by myself.

My real roommate also got here last Saturday. She's nice, but I honestly haven't talked to her much. Her boyfriend from Taiwan is also here for awhile.

As for the actual school... Well, it's school. There is a TON of reading. I'm not sure for how long I can read everything that's assigned. The classes themselves are actually quite interesting. Right now my classes deal mainly with the information side of things- what it is, how it's organized- and not the library services. It's a side I had never really had to think about before, but some of it can actually be quite interesting.

I'm coming to Vegas next weekend! I'm so exited. I miss everybody so much. And doing social things with other people. I can't wait!

Class tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first day of class! I'm excited, just if it's because I need something to do.

Also, there's a faculty walkout tomorrow for all UC campuses. Damn hippies. But really, faculty are canceling classes and walking out tomorrow because of the higher education budget cuts. After orientation today, I can tell faculty and staff are really exhausted with the budget crunch.

On top of that, they want to raise tuition 15% in the winter quarter and then another 15% in the spring. That's a lot of money for anybody, let alone those of us paying out of state tuition.

So here's hoping the walkout helps out.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

So I made it to LA. UCLA more specifically. I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for my first post. I, however, left Lappy (my laptop) in Nevada and just got him a few hours ago. So I've been without convenient internet access since Monday.

Anywho, the move in. I'm on the second floor, which is nice because I can sleep with my window open. And at least I'm not on the fourth floor. I moved all my stuff in on Tuesday morning. I had small Uhaul filled with stuff. I was afraid I was bringing way to much until I got here and saw the other Uhauls. Once in the apartment, it's really not all that much. My only space issue lies with my clothes. My closet is FILLED. I have a few things I'm not sure what I'm going to do with.

As for the already infamous roommate. When I moved my stuff in, nobody was here. There was however stuff all the right side of the apt and in the kitchen. The kitchen floor was filthy. The other room was filled with stuff and there was more bedroom furniture in the living space. Curious. At about noon I left for a workshop and came back later that afternoon. Nobody still. Went to the store and came back. Nobody. So at this point I decided to just move some stuff around in the cabinets and fridge and wash the floor. At about 7 or 8 I was in the bathroom unpacking stuff when I hear the door open.

I came out to the door and there are two girls. They're both Asian, so I asked which one is Yuju. Apparently, neither of them. They explained to me (in limited English) that Yuju subletted to them for the summer, which I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to do in the building. Both of them were sharing the other room, which explains the excessive amounts of bedroom furniture.

Well, the second they told me they were subletting, my first instinct was to rat them out. I know, I know. But then one of the girls told me they were leaving on Saturday because  Yuju was going to be here later next week. So I decided I could deal with it for a few days.

So I go back to unpacking stuff in the bathroom. A little while later the two of them come up to me holding a box of plastic bags that was in the kitchen. They then explained to me that that was where they kept the plastic bags. I just smiled and nodded. A little while later they came to my bedroom door and brought me a Taiwanese pastry and a bowl of fruit. Again, just smiled and nodded. I have to admit, I'm a bit out of my element here.

Last time I was at this campus, I guess I didn't notice all the hills. My housing is right next to campus, but isn't really on campus. It's about a 10 minute walk before I actually set foot on campus. it's about a 25 minute walk to the bldg where most of my classes are. And there are hills involved. Giant hills. I've woken up the last 2 days with really sore calf muscles. Today we had a really long break during the workshop, so I decided I would figure out a way to get to my apt bldg that didn't involve so many hills. And I did, but it took about 10 extra minutes. However, on the way back, I saw a stop for the Campus Express. I decided to investigate, and found it was a shuttle that went around campus. I took it on my way back to the workshop. Now, instead of a 25 minutes walk, it's about 15 minutes (depending on how long I wait at the stop) and no hills. I'm so happy. My calves are saved.

I did however find a medical marijuana store, a Jesus for Jews store (I think it's a store), and I saw an albino person on my walk back from the workshop. Welcome to LA.

...

I filled out my notice of resignation for work yesterday. I told myself if was just a form, but I seriously started crying. I know I'm leaving for a good reason, but it's still so sad.

I don't really want to do a countdown to leaving. In fact, I'm avoiding the calendar so I can't figure out exactly how much longer I have. I feel like countdowns are for things you're looking forward to. While I'm looking forward to actually starting library school, I am not looking forward to leaving.

But since I've had a few requests, I will try to keep up with my blog while I'm in school. The best I can. I don't personally think my life is so exciting that I need to do frequent updates, but I'll see what I can do.

My day. So far.

Yesterday, at BWW

Me: "I'm moving next Friday, the 31st. You said you'd help me"

Devin: "Oh, yeah"

Me: "So next Friday then".

Me: "Next Friday, okay?"

Me: "Devin, next Friday, the 31st."

Devin: "ooookkkkay, got it."

today, a text from Devin "When are you moving? This Friday?"
Me: Sigh. "No, next Friday."
Devin: "Ah, shit. That's when I leave for my brother's wedding."

This afternoon, at work
Patron: "You'd be one of the prettiest librarians if you had glasses. Well, you already are, but glasses would just complete it."
Me: "...thanks..."
Later, in the stacks, same patron
Patron: "It must be nice to work in a quiet place. Although soon you'll have screams and crying [suggesting loud kids] to go home to."
Me: "No I won't. Believe me."

This one is for real.

Okay, okay, we're about half way through the year. I think I can Vox now. The tricky things about blogging when other people read it is knowing what and how much information to divulge. You don't want to include every singe detail because, frankly, nobody cares. Also, nobody needs to know that much. I hate when people type out every single little emotion. It just feels to me that they're trying to illicit sympathy. On the other hand, if you don't include much, what the point of blogging in the first place?

Tangent, sorry. So, my official first post of 2009. Time keeps going by faster and faster. Remember when you were a kid and a year seemed soooo long? I feel like at this rate by the time I'm 40 I'll blink and life will be over.

I'm now back at Gibson, working in the reference department. And it's honestly awesome. I do miss some YS things, like storytimes, singing on the job and doing art. But I'm enjoying what I do now (most of the time). There are times when I can't stand the patrons, but it's not too often, fortunately.

I'm going to UCLA in the fall to get my MLIS so I can become a real librarian. I visited and loved the campus and the area. It's going to be scary, but I'm not too far away from here. And if I want, I'll be back in less than 2 years.

My mother's graduation was last weekend. She technically has about 4 weeks of class left, though. She's getting her MBA. Being at her graduation made me think about what degree I'll get next. I mean after the MLIS. I guess I'm just a student for life. And I'll probably be paying for it (literally) for my entire life too.

It's been kind of a dichotomous year. I'm finally back working where I want to be and I'm happy here. But personally, there have been a lot of lows this year. I don't really know what to say about these, so I guess I won't say much. It's been difficult. And unfair. Yes, I know life is unfair, but I don't care.

In other good news, I have a new niece, Aubriana! She's so cute. My sister, Nicole, has an older daughter, Chloe, who loves her new sister too. But because Chloe's 3, and crazy, she's so rough with Aubriana that Aubriana flinches whenever she is near. I got to be there for her birth. I was skeptical on the idea, but being there was cool. But let me tell you, that looked really painful.

I think I've sufficiently summed things up for now. Until the next time. Which may be in 2010, I don't know.

I haven't Voxed in 2009 yet.

So here it is. And there's only 9 minutes till bookclub. Not really enough time to say anything.

2008: The Year in Review.

So I started another blog, but got stuck. Then Seth asked my about my year and I wrote this. I think it fits.

So here's what I got. First, I obviously started the year as the Caprice from 2007. I'm on the Caprice I am now because of what I went through in 2008. I think I've handled most things this year pretty well. I've definitely grown up. I want different things and can stand up for what I want, which is something I used to be good at but lost in 2007. It's nice to have that back. I am more myself now with everybody in my life. I've learned people generally like and accept me for who I am, good and bad, so I don't need to pretend to be something I'm not or pretend not to feel something I do.

A lot of good things happened this year. I graduated, went to Atlanta, got to see my sister and niece three separate times, went to the Roberson family reunion and got a full time job. All of these were happy moments.

A lot of not good things have happened also. I got my heart broken again, my grandfather passed, Kenna got sick, I had a hard time adjusting to not being in school, I started working a job I do not like and my mom had to have surgery.

I'd say the year was pretty much a wash. Severe highs and severe lows.

With that said, there are of course things I could have handled better. I feel like I should have done more for Kenna. I cried way to much this year. But mostly, no regrets.

As for what I'm sure you're thinking about, Brandon.  I don't want to be with him. There are qualities I know to look for in a mate- maturity, mostly- that he doesn't have. I think he will grow out of some habits one day, but not today. And I'm not waiting. Is he still a part of my life, yes. But not a big part.

I've grown a lot closer to Jasmine, and I think that's helped. Having somebody I can do anything with and talk to about anything. I stopped being friends with Priscilla, which was just as well. She wasn't bringing anything positive to my life. The friends I have now, including you, are people who bring good things to my life and support me. For that I'm thankful.

I don't like my job, but I know I won't always be there so I can handle it.

So I guess that's it. In short, 2008 Caprice is a product of 2007 Caprice. I wouldn't be here without her.