two down

and one to go.....On Wednesday, I finished my 2nd MA exam. Word from my prof should come down later today as to how I did on it. I was able to crank out almost 9 pages (typed) in three hours. I have a few concerns about it - but feel pretty good. It was the scene that followed the exam that left much to be desired.

I could not get on the university's wi-fi to send the exam and had to run around and buy a CD-R and burn it, find a computer to send it from. The one in Starbucks didn't read the disc properly, so I ended up in IT and they were able to get it off the disc, get me online and get it sent. Whew. So, after 45 min of panic and rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off - I grab a Frappucino and head home. I stop by Borders, pick up a James Dean flick *sigh* and then stop over at my favorite pizza place for salad and pizza. I arrive home, and go to get out my laptop to find it is not in my book bag. I start panicking, trying to remember if I left it in IT or entertain the possibility of it been stolen from my car. It is late in the day and all of the IT people are gone by that point. So, to make a long story short - I spent the evening in an emotional state, very stressed and concerned.....and I get ahold of IT in the AM. They had it, I picked it up and hit the road.

I drove back to Chicago with my friend Jason yesterday, which was uneventful, but nice. We went to Gino's East for dinner and then went to a Chicago Fire game. I have never been to one and enjoyed it thoroughly. I have never been to a football (soccer) match outside of England, so it was cool to see an MLS game after all these years. It is by far the easiest sporting event for me to travel to in the Chicago area, and I definitely plan on going again. They have fairly inexpensive tickets and parking isn't too terribly expensive. We had great seats, the weather was absolutely divine, and despite a Fire loss, it was a great time.

Now, I am on "vacation" until Monday, when I start back into reading boatloads of monographs for my third and final MA exam on Cuban History. I plan on a weekend of relaxing, reading, finally watching that James Dean movie, etc.....I hope to get in a few walk/jogs and get back to some healthy eating.

In other news - my mother is seriously considering giving us her house in St Louis. This is mind boggling news. It is such a great townhouse, in a fabulous neighborhood and with great neighbors. I am pretty biased, seeing as I grew up there. But, it's a hop from the park (largest urban park outside of Central Park in NYC - great for walking, biking - and the art museum, zoo, history museum, etc are all in there!) and is very accessible to most of the city neighborhoods and downtown. I wish we could just move there now - but of course Graham has to finish Loyola, I am about to start a program at Loyola and I don't want to move Emily right now with her her school plan. But, we are looking at a 2 year plan and then moving down there. This isn't set in stone - but it is on the table. Oh wow. wow. wow.

Alright - a day of library, coffee, books, movies, etc awaits......hallelujah!