Is back!

Well, due to a necessity to keep on with something writing-related despite my insane busyness (my fledgling attempts at fiction have suffered dearly to a horrid attack of "real life.") and due to the fact that my English Counselor made placed no small emphasis on the advantages of blogging (as odd as it sounds, I figure that even if/though I won't attract a massive following, I think it will be beneficial either way) as a means of getting Resume Candy (tm), I've picked up the poor old dusty had and tried it on again.

It is still quite big. And very, very dusty. But at least it is floppy and still fits fairly comfortably.

So, I've joined a new writing forum. I'm not fitting in very well in the community very well as it is very much as community-based forum rather than a forum designed for public viewing and membership. It is more of a club...and when you aren't available to post a lot on the clubhouse wall; well, things inevitably suffer. But that is fine as I have really learned a lot from these folks. Many of whom aren't published For those who may declare such writers unworthy of anyone's time, I plead Ebert's Law in their defense. I really agree with most every of the articles on the site and think that the hope of literature lies in their (however grubby) paws.

Resolution: I really need to read more. Classics and new books as recommended on the forum. Not so much for "you are what you read" but more for examples and exploration.

I went to my university orientation this weekend. *joy*
And, in keeping with that glorious freshie tradition, I changed my major. Not so much the major, but the emphasis. Now I'm going for a Linguistics emphasis (more Resume candy, and just generally more practical in today's economy.). Globalization is a biggie. And the Linguistics will get me in deep with the ESL tutor program. "English-Writing" is great, but frankly, you can write a novel no matter your emphasis or major. Why limit myself to a slightly grandiose declaration of my generally sekrit love? I also found out that I can take the higher-level Editing courses and pursue my interest of being an editor even if I go for the Linguistics (actually, the possibility of inter-global editing opens up.).

Pretty darn exciting.

Also at orientation:
-I'm not quite as weak as I thought, but I have a long way to go. Yes, I went rock-climbing. A sport I don't practice very often, but I love deeply because of its adventurous nature and my deepseated desire to conquer my fear of heights. Biffed it once, but was able to grab on to said rock and hoist myself to the top any way. (Thank you gigantic belayer. I have great belayer sense and will automatically zoom to the biggest, strongest-looking one. "You won't let me die.")
- It is confirmed that I attract weird people. At least one per event. Further confirmed that I am now destined to debate theology/ethics/politics wherever I go.
- I now seriously may consider doing a study abroad program. (More resume candy in addition to looking funs.)

I now have two occupations: shopgirl and babysitter/nanny for my boss. :D
Today was my first day of taking care of the kiddos for most of the day. I feel way more energetic than I normally do when I have to work from 11-6 (and this was 9:30 to 6!), which is excellent. I really hope I get the opportunity to do this more next summer.

Although they are both darling, I'd have to say that my boss's little 7-year-old girl (I'll call her Ashlyn as that's what she wished her parents would have named her.) totally made my day. *gives stars*
Story:
Well, I was working at the shop with my boss late today (Her husband picks up the kids at 4 and I then catch a ride to the shop and work there to close) and just then remembered to let her know that I was getting my hair cut pretty short this Wednesday. Not that she would particularly need to know, but I forgot to warn the kids and wanted them to get some sort of a heads up as (believe it or not) consistent looks matter. I remember freaking out as a young kid whenever my mom would try a different hairstyle than the one I was used to. So I figured, it would kind of weird them out to show up one day with shoulder-lengthish hair and then the next day with short (boy-ish...I'll post pics hopefully) hair of a slightly different hue.

She agreed and we both giggled over the funnyness of kids. Subject dropped.

Fast forward to this evening after I had been home for about one hour.

I get a call.
*checks*
It is from my BOSS according to caller ID.
Internal panic ensues. What did I do wrong? Oh noes! :O

I pick up the phone.
"Hello, a-muser!"
I hear, to my surprise, a rather worried Ashlyn on the other end of the phone.
"Hi," she says.
"Oh! Hi- *stutters* Ashlyn!"
*pause*
I continue, "What's up?"
"How short are you cutting your hair?!" she asks, sounding worried.
I try to stifle a laugh and then explain, roughly, how short it will be.
I ask her what else is going on and if her evening is going well. We talk a bit and then she breaks the news:

She, too, will be getting her hair cut this week! It will be just below her ears, she warns.

I then assure her that her haircut sounds adorable and that I'll promise not to gasp in shock if she won't gasp in shock when she sees my haircut.
She promises.
"Do you have anything crossed?" I ask, referencing a running joke we had that day (they kept crossing their fingers, arms, legs, eyes, toes, and even "teeth" *i.e. forcing an overbite*)
"*giggle* Nope!"
"Not even your teeth?"
"Nope."
"Ok, Ashlyn. See you!"
"Okay...BYE!"

It's been a good day.