I don't know what just happened but I just had a surge of enlightenment 18th century style. Out of nowhere, I suddenly feel significantly better about life. Everything is bound to eventually work itself out at some point and it would be foolish to think of it any other way. It's not a question of whether things will turn around. It's just a matter or when. In the meantime, I'll be embarking on recreation with the short term plans comprised of tennis, driving ranges, and IMAX Deep Sea 3-D!

As for the long term, I finally submitted my application for Italy and it's just a matter of weeks until it's officially imbedded into my autumn. If scheduling works out, my course listing will include International Marketing, Retail Buying Concepts, Fashion Marketing, Italian Language, and an Art History course. Classes will end Thursday mornings which will leave me room for European adventures Thursday through Sunday. I still consider the idea of me traveling hysterical. Just the other day, I tried on one of those large and in charge North Face backpacks and I don't know if I'm up for the challenge of putting my high maintenance tendencies on hold. I couldn't help but notice that there wasn't a pouch for my hair straightener.

And oh no because I just realized that the Art History course I signed up for is in Italian. HA. That's a problem. The only word I know is "beard."

So, I was reading about Pandas today at work and oh my oh my. I forget who I was talking to about them the other night but they asked me if I was planning on becoming a Panda. At first, I thought this to be an odd question but after this extensive fact fest, I realize this person was onto something. On average, they eat 84 pounds of bamboo a day (!!) and apparently, "pandas like to be by themselves most of the year, and they have a very short breeding season." Who else do I know who's name also starts with P, eats all day long, typically favors seclusion to social outtings, and goes on like two dates over the course of a calendar year? This is either exciting or discouraging.




Best Ever: "Giant pandas are only about the size of a stick of butter at birth, and they're hairless and helpless." I should have applied to school in Hong Kong. I could have played with the babies in between classes.

Macy's finally found time in their demanding schedule to email me back about the buying internship. Another "thanks but no thanks" response. Honestly, if buying doesn't work out, I wouldn't even be opposed to a management position in a SoHo boutique or something. A small studio apartment with a big closet is all I require. It's all so Carrie Bradshaw.

And the highest five to my law professor for including nine chapters and roughly ten cases on Thursday's exam. In the classes' defnse, I spoke up and told him that we were not aspiring lawyers but in fact business students who lacked the mental capacity to process such a demanding quantity of information and that our practices were limited to crafting income statements and financial ratios. It was the kind of declaration that ended with an awkward, "no? Okay. Good talk." Rather than achieving hero status, I ended up setting myself up for a delayed scolding when I didn't know the answer to his impossibly worded question. "Perhaps if you did the readings, Ms. Kivlighan, nine chapters wouldn't seem like a lot." Your mom, Professor Vaughn. Your mom.

People who like Vera Bradley also seek enjoyment from Thomas Kinkade. It's of no surprise that these people's interests also include long walks on the beach and bestiality.