Can't talk now, ya'll, I'm deep in homework territory and the enemy has me surrounded.

What was that? Did you hear whispering?

Oh no, they've found me!

My ne particles have their machetes pointed at me, while der Deutschkurs is sticking a camera in my face, asking "Wie spät ist es?"

I'll tell you what time it is...it's time to get our butts out of Dodge. Wait, did I just use a metaphor? An idiom? Was that metonymy or irony?

We're all doomed.

While I try not to discuss religion or politics, I've decided to run a small advert....

VOTE MUTHAEFFERS! :)

I'm voting for Barack because...he effing rocks. He's smart, he's well-spoken, he's got the image and the substance. 

But that's me. Regardless of who you support, I want to encourage you to get out there and vote. This is a democracy, and it only works if we do. So do your patriotic duty, exercise your rights, and vote! 

I'm an American, and I approve this message. 

While I am pretty sure that no one reads this blog, nonetheless I must take a moment to apologize for not keeping up with it as I should. I intended to update it at least once a day, then it was at least once a week, and now I'm lucky if I remember it before I have to flip months on the calendar.

 Quick update on me:
School is going quite well. I'm not as busy as I had expected, but I'm sure crunch time will be hitting soon. I love working with languages, and am glad to say that I am now enrolled in German 101, and my work involves reading Latin, so I get to keep my skills sharp (except for Spanish, which sadly has fallen by the wayside....SIDEBAR: There are few minorities in Eugene, with the exception of Asians, and sadly I don't know any Asian languages yet...but my point is, I don't get to use my Spanish or my AAVE as much as I would like....). My classes are going well and I am learning a lot.

I'm really enjoying Oregon. The people are all very nice, although they don't know how to drive properly of course, and the area is just gorgeous. I love my new apartment, and the kitties are adjusting quite well. Hubby is working hard at his new job, and everything seems to be coming up Aces for the time being. 

So that's the low down. While I won't make a promise to update this sucker daily, I will try to check back in more often, as it's always amusing talking to myself. Peace and chicken grease homies...(I miss you, AAVE).

A fellow G10er has started a really cool fiction website, and has been nice enough to post my story on it. Please check it out here, as well as all the other cool stories she's got. BTW, Susan Eager is yet another of my ever-changing identities... :)

 http://leilasfictioncafe.wordpress.com/fantasy/enkendos-bride/

I'll make this short, as I have - gasp! - homework. I've got a morning German 101 class that is choked-full of Freshman and is absolutely darling. The instructor is a first-time teaching grad student who looks like she'll be lots of fun, although she was full of nerves this morning. I don't blame her - I'd be shaking in my boots...And the kiddies...ah, to be 19 again and full of knowing innocence.

One thing I did love about the school day...the corner office. I must take pics and post them...I am in grad student heaven. Everyone else is crammed into tiny windowless closets, three a piece, and I have this lovely, spacious suite. My professor is leaving the country soon and I get to use her awesome office. I really got lucky this year. Next year, I'll be packed in with the rest of the sardines I'm sure, so I must enjoy the space while it lasts.

Go Ducks!

This week has been full of orientations, and today is yet another. Just to let you in on my academic life, if you are unawares...

I recently moved to Eugene, Oregon to attend the graduate school at the University of Oregon. My aim is a PhD in Linguistics, with an emphasis in Historical Linguistics. I chose Eugene primarily for their package offer, and the chance to work on a project that I am interested in:

"An Electronic Database and Typology of Medieval Slavic Eastern Orthodox Calendars of Saints" which you can check out at http://logos.uoregon.edu/research/grant_supported.shtml.

The campus is lovely, with lots of towering trees and green spaces, and it is very pedestrian and bike friendly. Everyone I have met so far have been friendly and helpful, and I think my time here will be both stimulating and advancing. I am off to more orientation again today, and hope to meet some fellow grad students and make new friends. 

Although I don't believe that anyone reads this page anyway, I wanted to post a short explanation of my absence. After downloading a new anti-virus software, I was unable to log into Webjam for several weeks. I have finally corrected the problem (after multiple tries) and will begin posting daily once again! My apologies, and thanks for coming...

Those of you who were familiar with Fanlib probably know about the Kirk vs. Picard contest that the now-defunct website hosted last year. Lasting friendships were made, and collaborations were born. The most intense and probably most successful collaboration was between a group of nine Fanlibbers, who came together to each write one chapter of a book entitled: The Artifact: An Anthology. This book has finally hit the shelves today, and I've already ordered my copy. This is probably the most anticipated book for me personally since Book 7 of Harry Potter. I can't wait to hold the culmination of my friends' work in my hot little hands.

I highly recommend this book, not because I've read it, but because I've read other works by these authors and I am positive that the read will be both entertaining and engrossing. But you don't have to take my word for it. Pick the book up yourself! It's reasonably priced and available now!

Buy it now at http://www.createspace.com/3350744.

And check out the website of the people who put it all together for more of their story: http://kvpalumproject.wordpress.com/.

I'm going to keep this short. I realize that I have little to say at this moment. I am overwhelmed with anticipation about my move. As the stacks of boxes climb higher and higher in my apartment, and the days remaining in Milwaukee, WI grow fewer and fewer, I just wanted to take a moment and remember what I love about this city, Brew City, USA.

 1. This is exceedingly relevant, as it was just revealed, but what other city in the world has a statue of the Fonz in bronze? http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/fonzpix.html

2. Not only is Milwaukee home to Miller Brewing Co, but countless other beers got their start in Milwaukee...Blatz, Pabst, Schlitz...and tons of microbreweries.

3. Brats. Need I say more?

4. The people of Milwaukee are unlike those I've met anywhere in the world. Milwaukee is the most diverse city in the state, and although you can find people from every race, creed and background, they all have in common their welcoming spirit and openness. In no other city have I met so many people willing to tell you their life stories in the first few minutes after you meet them.

5. Friday Fish Fry. God Bless the Catholics! And Lutherans, although you won't get me near that Ludafisk.

6. The summer festival season is the greatest in the entire US. Every weekend there is a festival, ranging from huge celebrations like Summerfest and State Fair, to cultural events like Mexican Fiesta, Irish Fest, Festa Italiana, Bastille Days, Polish Fest, Indian Summer, Arab World, Germanfest, Greek Fest, and the list goes on. Another great way to spend the weekend is at the multitude of church festivals which overrun parking lots during the summer.

7. The city park systems are awesome. The parkways provide scenic drives, and the parks themselves are full of interesting hiking trails and lovely examples of nature and indigenous species. The state parks are great as well, and camping in them is both fun and affordable.

8. The bowling alleys, the bar halls, the corner pubs, the backyard barbeques. A bar on every corner. The hotdog man who sits outside the liquor store. Cheese. Fireworks.

9. The abundance of rummage sales are amazing. Even during the winter! And the multitude of spelling errors on the rummage sale signs are endlessly amusing.

10. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This school actually cares about its students and their performance. It really feels like a community that cares. The professors are great, the facilities are improving, and the possibilities are endless!

 While my list is in no way comprehensive, it does give a glimpse of the wonder that is Milwaukee, WI. Brew City will be missed by this immigrant. As will the wonderful state of Wisconsin. But most of all I will miss that fantastic Wisconsin accent. I will carry it with me, with pride, to remind myself of the land of beers and steers, cheese and cheeseheads, and friends.