Ec/SS 130 got interesting today! Hoffman discussed more ec. math, then delved into risks of trade... we certainly take a lot of things for granted today. Instantaneous communication, fast and reliable transportation, monetary systems... it's amazing what you don't think about. I imagine it'll only get better when he launches into discussing the fall of the roman empire and the manorial economy on tuesday. :)

Also, German got a lot harder. Mainly because I don't remember the accusative cases and we added the dative cases last period. ARGH. I felt somewhat stupid for that, especially since she opened with a quiz... at least it wasn't graded, but falling on my face in front of the class isn't a joyful experience. But at least everyone else seemed just about as confused, so all's well. :) Also, it's cool, 'cause Rob Bailey's also taking the class. Yaay for having another mole in there - I thought I'd be the only one this year.

I also met with Deverell to discuss the junior tutorial with him. Amusingly enough, he didn't know what the requirements were either - and of course, the catalog is worthless on this point. So I'll be doing a week of reading, then writing 2 pages of reaction/opinion to what I've read. I'm thinking of writing on first contact between the old and new worlds, and focusing on the misunderstandings between the two cultures that caused conflicts. I also have an impressive stack of books to plow through by next thursday... that's NOT considering reading assignments for ec/ss 130 or h 161, which I'll have from 7-10 tonight. Well, I did expect this... better reading than problem sets, in any case! :)

But with all this reading, it's unlikely that I'll be going on the mens' trip this year. I'd been kinda waffling on going for a while, as I'm still getting well from the last round with illness from the holidays, and sleeping outside in freezing weather prolly wouldn't help. But I'll miss hiking around the rocky hills with friends, watching the guys do really, really, really stupid things (and hoping they don't blow off their hand... and wondering how far the nearest hospital is), sitting around the fire telling stories or just watching the flames rise with the wind, and seeing thousands more stars scattered across the sky than you do here. -sigh- I do like camping, but I've got a lot on my plate this weekend. Guess I'll just have to go camping another time. But Tina's suggested that we go to the Santa Monica playground for grownups instead (!?!) so I'll prolly do that. And maybe check out a German movie for Saturday night. Y'know, so I don't feel so fun-deprived.

Oh yeah... and I'll definitely call my parents this weekend. Maybe even Friday morning, actually, since Kat's going to All-Area tryouts on Friday, and auditioning Saturday. Good luck, kiddo - you can do it! :)

I think that's about it... wait, wait, one more. I've earned a new nickname. Katie was nice enough to pin up the hem of my full-circle cloak yesterday afternoon in the lounge (it's really cool! and you should come see it. it turned out amazingly well :). While she was pinning, Grace came by, and we talked about various topics, including womens' heights (apparently, at 5'8'', I'm a good 3'' above average. funny, that - I've never thought of myself as particularly tall). Anyway, during dinner, Jesse Liptrap passed me on the way to the kitchen and called me "Kirsten the Elf". Curious, I asked him why I was an elf. His reasoning? "You were in a green cloak, standing under a tree... we've established that you're tall... and you're blonde. Thus, you're an elf. And Kirstendriel has a nice ring to it." -grins- I can't say I'm displeased by this... it sure would be fun to be a LOTR elf. No worries about grad school, or not having enough time to pursue music, or riding, or history... and learning the art of warfare. I may subscribe to peaceful conflict resolution in modern times, but I can't help but want to learn medieval combat techniques... it seems like jousting, swordfighting and archery would be fun pursuits, no? ;) -sigh- Ah well. Only in dreams.

Ok, I think that's all for this update. Later, all, and see you around.