I know it's been so long since I've written in this, but I promise, I'm still here!  Just been very busy is all.  A lot's been happening lately (very exciting things!) and it's also getting to that point in the quarter where final projects are drawing nearer and I'm having to scramble, making sure I'm where I need to be and that I'll get them done in time.  And... whew, everything's just been coming at me all at once!  This extra long weekend came at just the right time, though. 


These past two days have been spent getting myself caught up, putting in time for the two stories I'm writing for my two different writing classes which I just haven't been able to touch lately because I've been preoccupied with other homework assignments, and it being that time of a Creative Writing major's quarter where final workshops are under way and I'm having to read and edit my classmates' stories before I can even touch my own.  I feel so good that I've FINALLY made more progress on both of my stories and I can actually see something of an ending in the distance for them.  Besides making progress on my two stories, I've also
✔ Completed and turned in my assignment for Fiction Writing, which was focused around the Amazon reviews listed for the short story collections we've read in class, and it even got me into the practice of writing book reviews on my own.
✔ Submitted my video quiz for my online Psychology of Gender class (and have already received a grade back!)
✔ And I'm working towards bulldozing through Chapter 8 so as to free up more time this week focusing on my stories.

HA.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I feel so accomplished.  I was out in the main lounge for a few hours diligently writing away and taking notes in my psychology textbook, like the studious person I am.  I even documented it, but unfortunately, no one's gotten around to taking down the green lights from when our floor was Halloween-ified, so there's still a green tint to it:

But yes, I was just sat there at my little station.  And, as I was close to the laundry room, I had a load going as well, which I've been trying to do all week but the machine was never available, so I was so happy to get this out of the way as well.  Now all most of my clothes are clean and I'm sitting on nice, fresh sheets :3 

I think that just about sums up my signature "lazy-but-productive" weekend thus far.  Even though this has been a lazy weekend, I actually like my what I've been wearing and I think I look surprisingly cute for practically hibernating in my room and sleeping with my hair wet on Friday night!  I am unapologetically wearing the same sweater I've been wearing for three days now (it's just so comfy, and it has elbow patches!) and my beloved brown tribal pattern leggings, not only because I like them and they match well with this sweater, but because it's gotten so cold these last few days.  I've woken up in the mornings and my hands have been so freezing and it takes me so long to warm up.  Gah... It's supposed to start getting colder out, but it would be nice if our room stayed a little bit warmer!  Anyway, I managed to take a picture of my cute lazy weekend attire, and I think it's pretty Tumblr-esque if I do say so myself:

Yes, complete with fuzzy purple socks if you can see.

 I'm still wearing this as I'm sat here in bed and I just might keep wearing it all weekend because it's so comfy and I just can't be bothered changing into something else.  I'm content :3

Aside from this weekend, like I said, there's been a lot of other things going on.  Here's a little update:
✔ I'm a content evaluator for my university's literary journal!!!!  I sent in an application a couple weeks ago, and this last week I just got an email saying I've been accepted, and on Thursday I went to the orientation meeting! EEEE!  I'm SO happy!  It's just one more thing I can say I did in college and good volunteer work to add to my resume that will hopefully reflect some editing experience and make me that much more serious as a Creative Writing major/prospective editor.  But regardless of whether or not this gives me an advantage, I'm still so happy to actually be doing something with time at college, to be taking the initiative to try new things and gain some experience relating to my major.  I feel like this is turning out to be "my year" in college.  The best part is that it's not structured as a workshop, which is what I was afraid of because I'm so terrible at speaking up in large groups and I didn't want that to make me come across as not caring or not being a good editor.  Instead, it's strictly independent where each content evaluator receives new submissions via a website called Submittable, and through there the evaluators read the submissions and vote on whether or not they think the submission should be a part of the magazine, along with typed out feedback on their reasons.  And since the deadline for submissions is December 8th, most likely I'll get the bulk of my submissions over Winter break... so I'll be reviewing submissions while getting into the Christmas spirit at home!  How lovely is that?!  Not that I'll let the Christmas festivities deter me from putting proper time into peoples' submissions... I intend to take this seriously.  But EEEE!  Still so happy!

✔ I've been doing major and minor evaluations and I submitted my degree application.  Basically, two quarters before you intend on graduating, you have to make appointments with the advisors for both your major and your minor (if you have one) and evaluate how far along you are in your major/minor and they each fill out a major/minor evaluation sheet listing the classes you've taken to satisfy you major/minor and the classes you still need to take in order to complete them.  Then you have to put those sheets together plus the degree application form and submit it to the Registrar's office... It's all very official.  Anyway, I got all of that prepared and sent it off a couple weeks ago.  Hopefully all goes well and I will be all set to graduate by Spring!  Gah, I don't know why, but I'm still nervous even though I've already turned it in.  I always imagine the worst case scenarios happening, like something going wrong with the paperwork and my degree being withheld or something... Oh my god, Danielle, stop!  Erg, final year anxiety...

✔ Last weekend I went home for the first time in six weeks and it was just what I needed.  Maybe I'll make this into its own post!

Those are the top three things that have happened since my last post, but there have been plenty other things here and there that have been keeping me busy and I don't feel like listing them... and I'm getting tired =_= so I think this is where I'll end the post.  Today has been a very accomplishing day, which means I'll have that much more time in the extra two days of my four day weekend to get more stuff done.  And relax.  Some time to relax will be nice, too.  Did I mention I really needed this four day weekend?

Well, this is was taken before my eyes started getting sleepy, but this is the final place I ended up at the end of the day and most likely will be where I'll be spending my next two days.  The most comfortable office in the world. 

My favorite place at the end of the day.

Goodnight,
x Danielle