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2018 and Another Go!
8 years ago
Jan 14, 2009
Post By: Marnie
Mission Valley
I've been meaning to blog all day but have just never gotten around to actually writing it out so here goes...
This week has been quite a doozy for me. I'm too tired and have repeated the story way too many times to be all creative here with my writing but here are the basic points...
- I found out two days before I was planning to turn in my study abroad application for Scotland that apparently the university, which I was assured by multiple people would let me in no problem, actually does not accept graduate exchange students to their program. It was quite a bummer for me when I got that email as I had spent a lot of time getting everything prepared and was really counting on and looking forward to going to Scotland...
- After several emails back and forth and several quick decisions, I found a program in Oslo, Norway at a school called the BI Norwegian School of Management that offers a really good exchange program, lots of the types of classes that I need to take and a pretty much guaranteed entry. So I have started the official application process for that program and have been assured by the people in Norway that I am in.
I don't know much about Norway so the research begins but from my initial impressions the university looks very organized and like a good fit for me. And I realize they are Swedish, but maybe my interest stems from my recent mild obsession with Mamma Mia and Abba? It definitely doesn't hurt. I will likely take a basic Norwegian class while I am there so I can at least learn how to pronounce the names of my professors! So many new vowel sounds! But really I think it'll be an interesting and unique experience so I am really hoping that everything turns out well and goes as smoothly as possible.
Other than that mess, I have one more week of full-time work before I start my Spring semester next Thursday and then go back down to working one day a week. I am taking four classes - Operations Management, Information Systems in Organizations, Financial Management and, finally, Marketing (yay!). I'm not sure whether I think this semester will be harder or easier than last. A group of my friends at school are all taking the same classes together so I think that will make it easier especially since we all know each other pretty well by now. I am very excited to get back into school and even more so to move back to being able to sleep past 6:30am on some days of the week.
Let's see, what else?...I've seen a few movies lately so in case anyone is interested here are my short reviews:
- Gran Torino - Great movie! Surprisingly funny and thought-provoking at the same time. Lots of language and some violence but a great performance by Clint Eastwood. Extra Tidbit: He starred, directed, produced and wrote all the music for this film.
- Revolutionary Road - Another great movie. Most notable for excellent performances by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Not a happy movie - based on the story of a struggling suburban couple in the 50s - lots of fighting. I would recommend it if you are in the mood for an "Oscar" movie. Kate Winslet has already won the Golden Globe for her performance and is just about a straight shot for the Best Actress Oscar, in my opinion.
- Valkyrie - Not an award-winning movie but it does a good job of telling a story that most people already know the end of and still maintaining suspense. I expected Tom Cruise to be horrible so I was pleasantly surprised when he did ok. All the other actors are great.
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - I loved this movie. So beautiful, amazing effects and a great story. I do warn people though - it is very long (about 3 hours) and moves at a pretty slow pace (which coincidentally is a lot of why I like it so much).
- The Wrestler - I wouldn't recommend this movie for everyone. It is excellent - really, really good character study of a washed up professional wrestler who is down on his luck. It is directed by Darren Aronofsky who did The Fountain (one of my all-time favorites) and Requiem for a Dream. I'd say that if you have seen Requiem for a Dream and made it all the way through the movie without turning it off - you can handle The Wrestler.
I think that is all I have seen so far. I have a lot left to go before the Oscars. Probably will see a couple this weekend including Slumdog Millionaire, which I have heard is excellent and I am sure I will recommend it to everyone.
Speaking of the Oscars, it's that time of year again and so I am starting planning. My friend Kristy and I are doing it together this year since we are both really busy so hopefully that will make things easier. This is my 8th annual party - can you believe it!? I sure can't! It should be a great one - I'll definitely share details and pictures.
Oh - last thing - so for those of you who watch American Idol, watch out for my friend who is on it this year. His name is Adam Lambert and he was my best friend senior year of high school. We were in choir and various shows together and he has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. I think he tried out at the San Francisco auditions. He had a brief screenshot on the show tonight so I know he makes it to Hollywood but I'm not sure past that. So watch out for him and, if he makes it to the point where we vote - vote for him! He really is amazing as you will hopefully see.
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head so I'll end here. The post has gotten pretty long anyway. I'll keep you all updated on what happens with Norway. Till next time...
Very interesting. I think your forte is movie critic with the New York Times or LA times, or you own show on TV. I was sure that was Adam when we say the previews for next week.
If we come to the Oscars, do I have to wear a Tuxedo?
Dad