I painted my fingernails for the first time since January. I made time to just do it.

I was only up until 11:30 last night working on homework, so I guess that’s not too bad. To be honest, I’m not all that tired this morning, which is a very good thing. Today, I’ll type up my project and present it tonight in class. I’m confident about my research, so I imagine I’ll do well.

I had this dream last night where both of my professors this semester advised me to drop out of graduate school. It’s not that I’m dumb, they said; it’s more that my work isn’t at the level they like to see for their graduate students. Could this be a sign? Or, is it just my concerns and doubts manifested subconsciously? I’m not sure.

The weather this week is forecasted to be beautiful. I’m so excited! Spring is finally on its way! Crack out the dresses and skirts and sandals and short sleeves :-)

It’s nearing 10 p.m. and I’m in the middle of finishing up a project for my Intro to Literary Research class. I’m hoping not to work too late into the night, but we shall see. Essentially, I’ve been assigned to locate as many resources as possible if I were writing a research paper on women’s literature post-1945. Kind of interesting, I must say. This whole class has been a learning experience. I feel much more knowledgeable about tackling research at the library. The stacks and stacks of dusty books don’t appear as intimidating anymore.

I had a dream last night that I adopted two girls; one was 8 years old, the other 4. They both had their bedrooms in my basement, as I didn’t want to redecorate my TV room upstairs. (My basement is completely finished, by the way. No concrete floors or exposed pipes, thank you very much.)

I have no idea what the fuck any of this means. Bah.

Even though it was nearing 9 last night, I managed to whip up a delicious box of Market Pantry macaroni and cheese, paired with a glass of cherry cranberry juice, after I got home. Delicious! I wanted to read more of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” last night, but I was too darn tired.

I spent three hours at the library last night and got a large chunk of research done for a homework assignment due Wednesday. My friend Melissa was there, too, which made the time fly by rather quickly :-)

Today, it’s production day at the Leader. I managed to write my Living story (on the 100th birthday of Dr. Seuss) and a secondary feature on Friday, so this Monday won’t be as stressful as previous Mondays.

For my Culture of the 1960s final paper, I have to write a 7-10 page paper on a musical artist from the ’60s. I’m leaning toward Bob Dylan. Any suggestions?

Here’s what I’ve eaten so far today:

A bowl of Corn Pops with milk
A Kellogg’s chocolate and peanut power bar
A small bag of ketel corn
One Reese’s peanut butter cup (small)
A slice of carrot cake
A few glasses of water

I really dislike my eating habits, especially on days when I’m gone from home several hours. The only foods available to me are typically not healthy. After work today at 5, I’m headed directly to the library. I probably won’t get home until well past 8 tonight. So, what’s for dinner? I have no idea. I’ll probably do drive-thru, and I hate that. Grr.

I keep changing my mind about graduate school. One minute, I’m stressed beyond belief and considering dropping out. The next minute, I experience an epiphany and want to stay. I imagine it has something to do with my classes this semester. Neither one of them are English-based. One’s research, one’s an attempt at explaining the 1960s through newspaper articles and music. Classes for the summer semester will be posted soon, and I’ll have a better idea at what will be offered. I’ll be more careful this time around selecting my classes. I’ll have the Intro to Literary Research out of the way, as well as a seminar class.

In other news: It looks like my mom and I will visit my sister in L.A. the third or fourth week in May. Now that’s something to look forward to.

Happy Sunday.

This is the last major overhaul I’m doing to my journal. Promise! I may play around with the colors and such, but the layout is stayin’ put.

Teen Responsible For All Six Items In Clarksburg Police Blotter

CLARKSBURG, WV—According to sources at the Clarksburg Telegram, troubled youth Danny Nathum, 17, is responsible for all six items on Monday’s police blotter. “We had two disorderly-conduct reports, three counts of vandalism, and one DUI arrest,” Telegram assistant editor Jesse Sutton said. “Looks like Mr. Nathum had himself one heck of a busy weekend.” Clarksburg, population 16,743, last experienced an all-Nathum crime spree in December, when the teen stole a bicycle, burned down a barn, and punched Old Man Herman.

Last night’s collaborative show between M. Ward, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Conor Oberst was absolutely beautiful. I went into the show thinking I didn’t like MMJ, but I was quickly proven wrong when James belted out his flawlessly soulful hymns of heartbreak and love. At times, the artists performed individually. At other times, the trio sang together. It was gorgeous. That’s the word that keeps coming back to me: gorgeous. Achingly beautiful. Then, toward the night’s end, the three played “Always On My Mind.” That song about did me in. James really lets everything on the inside come out when he performs, and that was evident on this song. Just before they started, Oberst said, “This song is beautiful.” Oh, how accurate he was.

Next up on my concert list: Death Cab for Cutie with Ben Kweller.