3/30 Picture of the Day

This is my accounting book.

It weighs 10 pounds. The class is 10 weeks. 1 pound a week?

Definitely learning something new this quarter. I'm ready

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

Another day of firsts

Today I had a lot of "firsts." I had my first 8 am class; my first class in 11 years that had been taught by a nun; first time I had class in the DePaul Center building; first time I had a professor not show; and first time I went to Zumba. Quite a day.

The 8 am class wasn't bad. I think I'll like it, there's just a lot of reading, but luckily it's due on Tuesdays so I have more time to work on it. My "nun class" is about the Daughters of Charity (founded my St. Louise!) and one of my best friends is taking it with me. I'm actually going to start my reading after I finish this post. This afternoon I went to the loop for Microeconomics which was held in the DePaul Center. I've never had a class in there so it was a little surreal. "So this is where non-cdm students have class." Haha. I felt a little fish out of water. But 15 minutes after class was supposed to start, my professor never showed up so a lot of us left.

This evening I went to the Ray to the free Zumba class that's being offered. I had heard many praises about Zumba so I was really looking forward to going with my friends (they hadn't done it before either). However, I was a little disappointed. The music was good, but I wasn't feeling it. My muscles were a little tight and I felt sooo disoriented. I wasn't loose and the instructor expected > 40 people to just watch her and pick it up the firs time. I think I'll go back next week now that I sort of know what I'm doing.

The Chicago Just for Laughs Festival line up has been announced & I'm really excited I'll be in the city for it!  Too bad they don't give out passes

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

2 good links from home that make me smile :)

I am so glad Wenneman's is rebuilding & staying in St. Libory! Can't wait for it to be up & running.

http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/28/1645725/st-libory-to-bring-back-business.html?s...

 

Also, I'm really glad something positive and cool is happening in Belleville. Jacque Davis is whose site I did this summer.

http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/27/1642744/art-finds-a-home-in-downtown-belleville...

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

Spring Quarter Begins

Well, even though Chicago weather doesn't agree, it is officially spring quarter. I only had one class today (Accounting) and it went pretty well. My professor reminds me of my first grade teacher, which I think is a good thing. She physically looks like her, but also seems like a sweet lady. I'm delving into the world of business, which should be an adventure. The only concern I had about the class was that the girl's phone next to me kept buzzing every 5 minutes or so. Seriously, just put it on silent. It's bad enough you had to disrupt class when you arrived 20 minutes late.

Philly was decent. City-wise, I like Chicago better, but I was with cool people and we had fun. I had a cheesesteak from Reading Terminal Market (such a wonderful place! Reminds me of Soulard) that was very good. Much approved =) I also had lobster tails for the first time at the restaurant we went to Saturday night (I don't remember what it was called). Sadly, our ladies lost to Duke on Sunday. It was a bummer, but on a side note, Pep Band got mentioned on twitter by numerous people! I love playing which such a great group of people. I love playing the clarinet. I'll miss it next year.

Since I've been paying more attention to women's NCAA, I didn't realize until this morning when I read the Red Eye that my men's bracket was officially busted. I had UNC & Kansas playing for the title. Maybe my women's bracket will turn out better.

Also found out today that Anheuser-Busch is buying Goose Island. Since I'm from St. Louis, A-B has a big... presence. It was a big deal when they were bought out by the Belgians. Now I find out, they're buying a "little" Chicago brewery. It's interesting to read the article from the Chicago & St. Louis points of view. I don't think many St. Louisans have heard of Goose Island. I hadn't until I came here. When I was home last, I'm pretty sure I saw some 312's at Tom's though. No one probably buys them though.

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011/03/anheuser-busch-inbev-to-take-over-...

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_0c2d5e3a-594d-11e0-a313-001279...

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

New obsessions

This quarter I discovered that I make a pretty mean puppy chow. AND NOW I'M HOOKED. This stuff is like crack. During finals week, I made it to cope with the stress. It was gone the next day. And I felt less stressed out (thanks finals diet!). My last trip to Dominick's, I purposely bought Chex. I don't even like regular chex in cereal form. Might have to limit myself. But that's ok, because I discovered something new…

MILANOS.







Holy Cow these things are good. My mom would buy them every once & a while, but I never tried them. On the charter flight to Philly (Woot!), they handed them out so I tried them. LOVE. They're so light & not overly chocolatey. I think I know what I'll be getting on my next Dominick's run.



I've been in Philly for about 2 hours and am trying to find a place to go for dinner. I wanna get some Cheese Steak. Maybe that'll be my next blog post?

Spring Break?

So, I'm on a much-deserved Spring Break (yay!), but Chicago weather is NOT cooperating. Low 40's & misty rain? No thank you. Penn State had wonderful, sunny weather that I wish I could have brought back with me. Part of me wishes I went home because the weather was nice there. I'm ready for Spring now that I bought a new Spring outfit. After my internship interview I decided to hit up Water Tower, a "friend" I hadn't visted in a long time.

Since I am the queen of Vera Bradley, I had to visit the Vera Bradley store, but I took a detour to Banana Republic first. It was my lucky day! One day only, discounted items were taken off an additional 25%! Aaannd... I discovered they have a 15% off student discount! Even on sale items!!!!!!! Then I hit up the Vera Store where I got an umbrella because I stupidly left mine on the Big East trip bus. It was like going to Mecca. Vera has paper plates, cocktail napkins, and coasters now! I wish I had been there for the opening!! One of the employees told me The Galleria in St. Louis is getting one, so my mom will be happy.

So, even though I'm not spending my week off on sandy beaches, and it doesn't feel like spring, I'm having a relaxing week. Livin' the Good Life =)

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

I'm going to Philly!!!

Go Blue Demons!!

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/03/women-depaul-rallies-for-75-73-w...

Guess it's time for me to try some cheesesteak this weekend =)

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

What's the best head bobbing song for the library? When I was in the library working hard during finals week, "I Wanna Bulletproof Dancer (La Roux vs. Robyn vs. Whitney Houston vs. Taylor Swift)" was the BEST. It's a giant mash up by Titus Jones which can be found on Best of Bootie 2010. OMG I am obsessed with this song. It combines some great songs and has some great beats. Love it (& listening to it as I type this up).

I've always like Girl Talk and Super Mash Bros, but lately, I've really gotten into DJ's. When I was younger, I thought DJ's were just dudes who played @ Weddings & proms. I didn't realize they mash up songs, strip 'em down, & remix them. It's definitely an art, and there are many talented ones out there. Especially at DePaul. I found out there's like a DJ club/society for DJ's. Who knew this whole new (new to me, anyway) world?

Thanks to a certain member in pep band playing this song non-stop, Careless Whisper has been stuck in my head as well (this video is hilarious)



Speaking of pep band, WE'RE GOING TO PHILLY!!!! SWEET 16! This is my first spring break not at home, but Pennsylvania isn't a bad trade off. Playing my clarinet and having good times with friends is making me pretty happy. Now if only the Chicago weather cooperated with the term "spring break." Penn State understood it. Guess I'll go do some Spring Cleaning!

Feelin Good

This is how I feel right now: GOOD :D

It's a beautiful day at Penn State, I've been spending time with wonderful people, it's spring break, AND I GOT AN INTERVIEW FOR AN INTERNSHIP!!!!!!!!! It's for Style Chicago and I am so excited! Keep your fingers crossed!

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

So tonight in Pennsylvania we went to Five Guys for dinner. I had never been, but had heard mostly good things from it. I don't really have any complaints. I haven't been so full in a long time! Almost 4 hours later, and I can't even fathom eating anything. I actually took a nap afterwards. I haven't gone into an actual "food coma" since... Thanksgiving.

Burgers

I just got a "regular" cheeseburger which turned out to be 2 patties. Who knew. They were decent sized and tasted fine. I still think my dad's and Hackney's have the best burgers.

Fries

Definitely split with a friend. Waay to many for one person, and I didn't think they were that good. I'm on a quest for good, satisfying fries.

Well, that's all about Five Guys. I'm going to go check out the Super Moon! http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16mar_supermoon/

Posted via email from Carrie Emge-Becoming an Adult in the City

New design!

Because the best moments in technology happen late at night, I decided to give my blogger a new theme. I decided to go with a pre-made theme. I really like this one. It's simple, and simplicity is good when it comes to web design. Even though web design is my thing, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." If a theme looks good, I'm going to use it. Ok, so I changed the fonts a little, but green's my favorite color (& I'm not just saying that because today's St. Pat's).

Tumblr: DONE.

Tumblr account is created!!! Finals are over & the world is good again!

It's been a month so I've decided to assess the goals I set for myself a mont ago

1. Have Big Comic Locked Down

This is chugging away slowly. Everything is falling into place. Production quotes are in, offer letter is out. I feel good about this.

2. Have idea of what I'm doing as After Hours FEST assistant

I have sent out e-mails to peotential acts asking for price quotes & availability. Right on track

3. Have an A in all my classes going into finals

For the most part, yes. Some assignments haven't been graded yet so I don't know where I stand in one of my classes. Finals went ok though.

4. Know what I'm doing next school year. I am really caught in between studying abroad & running for E-board of DAB. I just wish a voice from above  would tell me what to do because I have no clue where I want to go in my life.

I'M STUDYING ABROAD!!!!

5. Have applied for at least 2 summer internships. Hopefully Gorilla Chicago will have an internship posted by then as well because I'd really like to intern there.

I have applied for 3 internships, actually. Spoke with Gorilla @ the job/internship fair 2 weeks ago. Haven't heard anything yet though.

6. Try a new recipe (cooking wise, but baking will suffice)

This didn't happen, sadly. But I did make puppy chow earlier this week

7. Have laughed every day

I think so. I laugh a lot, so it's probably achieved

8. Talk to someone I haven't talked to in a while

YES! I saw my friend Joy in Connecticut who I hadn't seen in almost 5 years!!!

9. Finish the site (Champagne Jelly) I started on for Aaron and Chase

This hasn't happened because they haven't gotten back to me about some things, but it's coming along

10. Because I wanted to have 10...[it's a nice number for things like these) Lose 5 pounds (why not I say?)

Well, the "finals diet" pretty much screwed that up. Pizza, pop tarts, taco bell, at least a can of soda a day, and pounds of cookies are not the healthiest choices. But starting tomorrow, I'll do better now that I'm not stressed to the max.

Posted via email from Carrie Emge

One of my favorite pictures. Five months later, she will always be in my heart.

♥ AMG

This Breaks my Heart

So, I should be reading for class, but I took a break and went to check out the Belleville News Democrat website. About twice a week I look to see what's going on in the hometown area. This was the headline:

Harmony-Emge cuts music and band programs, will save $640,000

Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/01/1612485/harmony-emge-cuts-music-and-band.html#ixzz1FPJ5EGgx

When schools have to cut budgets, music programs are always the first to go. I spent all of Spring Quarter my freshman year writing about this topic, so I don't want to go too deep in this post because I really should be doing other school work. But it's not fair. These programs are just as important as other subjects. If my high school didn't have a music program I'm sure of 4 things:

1. There would be an outrage of parents and the student population would be a bit smaller because their parents moved them to a school with a band program
2. My high school experience would have been extremely different
3. I would not have the friends I do now
4. I would not have excelled as much as I did in high schoo

Granted, high school is different than grade school, but there are so many studies that prove the positive effects of music on children. I could go on forever about the benefits.

What really ticks me off though, is the fact that the State of Illinois does not have the money to give this school. Illinois owes my hometown grade school at least $100,000. This is rediculous. How did we get into this situation? Corrupt government employees/governors. All they care about is driving fancy cars, custom tailored suits, & getting expensive hair cuts (yea, Blago, I'm talking to you). A cut of my hard earned money is going to state taxes. I want my tax money going to good use. Meanwhile our kids are suffering. They're not going to experience the joy of having music in their curriculum while in grade school. I'm almost embarrassed to be from such a cruddy state. We have to slash so much funding because greedy people in Springfield don't know how to do their job.

Well, that's out of my system.

 

Posted via email from Carrie Emge