Welcome to my Dream World...

So Apparently I'm NOT Dying

kristibisci@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:14:06 GMT

Firstly, thanks for all your support and well wishes for my interview and presentation. Both went really well, I think. I got an 85 on the presentation but that still doesn't get me out of the rough for that course. As for the interview, I did my best and we got along so if they don't want me, I can take solace in knowing that I did my best.

But that was Monday.

This is what happened yesterday. I started getting pains in my left shoulder/arm/upper chest. I thought "OMG I"M HAVING PREMATURE HEART ATTACK!" Then I let it go and tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away. That night it got worse and I started Wikipediaing and online diagnosis-ing my problem. What a bad idea because according that, I either had: Angina, Pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, blood clots, leukemia, or bone cancer. Each time I breathed, there was a sharp pain that went up through my chest and into my shoulder. When I tried to sleep, I couldn't move because my shoulder hurt so much. I was tempted to sleep with the door open or not sleep at all in case I died or something in the night.

When I woke up this morning, the pain was agonizing in my shoulder. It was as if someone took a sledge hammer and shattered my shoulder and it got worse everytime I moved or took a breath. Since I was worried it could have to do with my heart, I decided to go to the emergency room where they make you feel like an idiot if you don't come in on a stretcher. It's also the first time I've been to the hospital since I cracked my head open when I was two so I didn't really know what to do. I had a young, cute doctor (would be nice if he weren't asking such personal, embarassing questions and feeling up my legs which I hadn't shaved in weeks...) and he had no idea what was wrong with me so he called in a Senior Resident - who also didn't know what was wrong with me.

Three hours later, after a heart scan, an x-ray, two Tylenol and two Advil, and a voluntary ultra-sound for a med-student (hey, I was bored!) they finally tell me what's wrong with me: Nothing. All the tests came back normal, so it's probably just muscle strain. But I didn't do anything and it hurts to breath! It could also be stress from all the shit that's been going on lately but I wasn't exhibiting any warning signs for any sort of panic or anxiety attack. I'm still in pain but it's much better now. I'm just glad that it's nothing serious. *sigh*

Now I have to get ready for another presentation tomorrow (at least this one is very low-key) and convince my mother that there's no reason for her to drive up to Kingston. Apparently she thinks she should and I won't deny that I could use my mommy right now but it's really not necessary. I just don't feel like doing anything right now and want to sleep. Sadly, I have to work. Maybe a Top Model break will make me feel better tonight. :D

OMG OMG !!!ONE!!!11 PANIC!!!!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:45:52 GMT

I have my first ever real job interview tomorrow at 12:15 for a job as a barista at the campus coffee house starting in September. I'm so nervous! Tips please! There are like 300 applicants and I may or may not know one of the interviewers (friend of a friend). Hopefully he'll remember me. It could either be a good thing or a bad thing.

Also, I have my big presentation tomorrow night for my Nazi Class of Death. I feel like I know everything but I'm worried I"ll lose it in front of everyone since I can't look at my notes unless I want to fail. Then the whole class critiques my draft research paper in front of me. Swell. Wish me luck.

Grudges are Good

kristibisci@gmail.com — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:01:03 GMT

I am way too forgiving. I was all set to hold a grudge this week against my housemates and I was so furious with them two days ago but I can't act angry with them for long no matter how hard I try. What's wrong with me? I'm a Scorpio and we're supposed to be the ultimate grudge holders. *sigh* Maybe when they come back tomorrow and talk all about their weekend road trip exploits my rage will explode again and I'll be able to seethe a little longer.

Anyway... Am seeing Atonement for the FOURTH time (in theatres anyway) this weekend. Another friend who hasn't seen it wants to go and I'm all to happy to oblige. BEST. MOVIE. EVER. Or at least of the last five years.

Should I be wishing you all a happy St. Patrick's Day today? I know that the Catholic church changed it to the 15th since the 17th is too close to Easter so technically it is but most people are still celebrating on the 17th, I think. Well, Happy St. Patrick's Day all the same. And I'll wish you another one on the 17th for good measure!

Summer Job Update

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:10:29 GMT

So I sent my resume to that books sales company. I really hope I get it. It sounds like a fab job. Why is it that sending resumes is absolutely terrifying?!

Summer Jobs

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:11:37 GMT

I've decided not to go back to the job I've had for the last two summers and am now applying for jobs for this summer. It's SO stressful. I only have one connection this year and that's with an experiential marketing company my mom's cousin used to work for. It seems fun but I'd have to work every weekend which I don't want since I like going up to my cottage. I've applied to a job as a receptionist with city hall that gets $24/hr!!! I have yet to hear back, though. I'm sure the competition is fierce. Today I found a job and wrote a cover letter as a sales tracker/researcher with some book company that seems really fun and is right downtown. It seems like an interesting job and I know how to do that stuff from my old job. It's also highly paid and you get to go on a trip to NEW YORK CITY! I'm sure it'll be competitive too but I have the exact skills they want, I just hope they see that. I'm also waiting for the Canadian Heritage website to post their job listings. I'd be able to use my (almost) history degree for something there.

So anyone have any advice/wish to commisserate? I hate this. Of course I have to apply for all these jobs right smack in the middle of mid-terms/essays etc. *sigh*

On another note, all classes were cancelled today for a storm that never happened. It was a beautiful day! I only wish they were cancelled tomorrow because that's when I actually have lots of classes rather than my one today. Oh well, can't have everything!

ETA:

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Kristibisci.

Generated by the Advertising Slogan Generator, for all your slogan needs. Get more Kristibisci slogans.

Oscars Movie Meme stolen from everyone

kristibisci@gmail.com — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:20:21 GMT

Here's a list of all 80 films that have won the Oscar for Best Picture. Bold the ones you've seen.

Wings
The Broadway Melody
All Quiet on the Western Front
Cimarron
Grand Hotel
Cavalcade
It Happened One Night
Mutiny on the Bounty
The Great Ziegfeld
The Life of Emile Zola
You Can't Take It with You
Gone With the Wind
Rebecca
How Green Was My Valley
Mrs. Miniver
Casablanca
Going My Way
The Lost Weekend
The Best Years of Our Lives
Gentleman's Agreement
Hamlet
All the King's Men
All About Eve
An American in Paris
The Greatest Show on Earth
From Here to Eternity
On the Waterfront
Marty
Around the World in 80 Days
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Gigi
Ben Hur
The Apartment
West Side Story
Lawrence of Arabia
Tom Jones
My Fair Lady
The Sound of Music
A Man for All Seasons
In the Heat of the Night
Oliver!
Midnight Cowboy
Patton
The French Connection
The Godfather
The Sting
The Godfather Part II
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Rocky
Annie Hall
The Deer Hunter
Kramer v. Kramer
Ordinary People
Chariots of Fire
Gandhi
Terms of Endearment
Amadeus
Out of Africa
Platoon
The Last Emperor
Rain Man
Driving Miss Daisy
Dances with Wolves
The Silence of the Lambs
Unforgiven
Schindler's List
Forrest Gump
Braveheart
The English Patient
Titanic
Shakespeare in Love
American Beauty
Gladiator
A Beautiful Mind
Chicago
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Million Dollar Baby
Crash
The Departed
No Country for Old Men

That's 39 out of 80 I think. 50ish%. Not bad but I really need to get on some of those! I can't believe I haven't seen them or have only seen brief clips. I've been really good about the last few years, though.

My Day Late Oscar Recap

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:21:26 GMT

Best Moments
- Marion Cotillard's win and genuine, emotional acceptance speech. She really deserved that award.
- "Falling Slowly" from Once winning best song and its performance. That movie's whole soundtrack is great!
- Marketa Irglova being able to come back out on stage and give her speech. Such a classy move on Oscar's part and good on Colin Farrell for raising hell backstage to make it happen.
- Atonement winning Best Score which it fully deserved
- Jon Stewart was pretty good, much better than in 2006
- Daniel Day-Lewis being knighted by The Queen ;)
- James McAvoy's little wink-nudge to Saorise Ronan when they said her name during Best Supporting Actress noms
- James McAvoy's little dance number with Josh Brolin while presenting Best Adapted Screenplay (funny that they put the two snubs together)

Worst Moments
- Tilda Swinton's dress
- When Marketa got orchestra'd off stage
- Ben Mulroney and Jeanne Becker's red carpet incredibly awkward commentary (why don't I get E! here?! I do in Toronto - not that Ryan Seacrest was much better...)
- Atonement not winning every award right down to Best Animated Short
- Kristin Chenowith butchering That's How You Know and the general tackiness of the production
- Lack of A-List star power and Old Hollywood (but I guess we can always count on Mickey Rooney to show up and Jack Nicholson was in his usual seat); It almost felt like the Emmy's with all the TV stars there; Hannah Montana? Seriously? It was Oscar's 80th for goodness sake!

Strangest Moment
-Gary Busey accosting Jennifer Garner and Laura Linney. Why was he even there?

Happy Birthday!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:05:19 GMT

Happy birthday to _____faith! Hope your day is wonderful!

And a special happy birthday to my little sister who's 18 today. I feel so old!

The Wikipedia Birthday Meme

kristibisci@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:59:15 GMT

I was bored one day so I went to wikipedia and looked up all the significant dates that took place on my birthday, November 17th. Here they are:

Events
284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers
1558 - Beginning of the Elizabethan Era
1777 - Articles of Confederation submitted to states for ratification
1800 - United States Capitol Building holds its first session of Congress
1855 -David Livingstone becomes first European to see Victoria Falls
1869 - Suez Canal inaugerated
1871 - National Rifle Association granted charter by New York state :(
1903 - Russian Social Democratic Labor Party splits into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
1919 - King George V proclaims Armistice Day/Rememberance Day
1950 - Tenzin Gyatso becomes the 14th Dalai Lama
2003- Arnold Schwartzenegger inaugerated as Governor of California

Births
9 - Vespasian, Roman Emperor (d. 79)
1755 - Louis XVIII of France (d.1824)
1887 - Bernard Montgomery, commander of British forces in WWII (d. 1976)
1901 - Lee Strasberg, Austrian director/Father of American Method Acting (d. 1982)
1925 - Rock Hudson, actor (d. 1985)
1938 - Gordon Lightfoot, singer/songwriter
1942 - Martin Scorcese, acclaimed director
1944 - Danny DeVito, actor
1944 - Lorne Michaels, SNL producer
1966 - Sophie Marceau, French actress
1980 - Isaac Hanson, the ugly Hanson
1987 - Kristibisci, Queen of the Universe

Deaths
1558 - Mary I of England/"Bloody Mary" (b. 1516)
1796 - Catherine II of Russia/"Catherine the Great" (b. 1729)
1818 - Charlotte of Mecklinburg-Strelitz, queen consort of George III (b. 1744)
1858 - Robert Owen, British father of cooperative movement/philosopher (b.1771)
1917 - August Rodin, French sculptor (b. 1840)

So basically, I think this means that I'm destined for greatness. Also, many new beginnings, dawnings of new eras etc. And lots of famous queens died on my birthday.

TOTALLY AND UTTERLY SHOCKED!!!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:02:43 GMT

OMG HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD!!!

Apparently he was found in his apartment surrounded by drugs. This is absolutely shocking and devestating. I don't know what to think. I feel terrible for his family, especially his baby Matilda. He was one of my first celebrity crushes back in his Patriot days and definitely the first to die. I think this is my first "big shocking death" and for most people my age. His star was definitely rising again after Brokeback Mountain and now with I'm Not There and The Dark Knight coming up. What a tragedy for someone so talented and young. I'm so upset.

RIP, Heath. :,(

Happy (belated) Birthday!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:12:12 GMT

This is a happy belated birthday to the ever lovely, Persephone33, one of my very first LJ friends and podcasting goddess . I'm so sorry but I've been a bit out of the loop lately but better late than never, I hope! I hope you had a great day even if your husband's gift giving skills need improvement. ;) XOXO

I Wish I Could Major in Awards Shows

kristibisci@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:00:16 GMT

This is a way overdue post but I thought I should comment on the Golden Globes "ceremony" that took place on Sunday night. The pre-show and the announcers were atrocious. Serioulsy, Billy Bush is the most airheaded presenter I've ever seen, next to Ryan Seacrest. No one cares about you're comments! Especially the ones you make about Cate Blanchett. I thought he was going to cry when Nikki Blonsky lost. If they're presenting the awards, they should at least know something about the movies they're talking about, especially if they comment on them!

As for the actual winners, I was very happy! My beloved Atonement finally won something. Even if it has no bearing on the Academy Awards (whose ballots were due before the winners announcement), I hope there's still a chance for a Best Picture nom even if it doesn't win, despite it being snubbed by almost all the guild awards. It's strong showing the BAFTA noms announced today also makes me happy. Is there any BAFTA/AMPAS voting cross-over? *prays that the British voting block boosts Atonement's chances*

Other winners I was happy for:
Cate Blanchett - best supporting actress
Atonement - best score
Ratatouille - best animated feature (as if anyone had any doubt!)
Mad Men - best drama tv (I love this show and am so glad it's getting recognition!)
John Hamm (Mad Men) - best actor tv drama

I would have loved to see some of these acceptance speeches! So hopefully the WGA strike will be resolved before the Oscars. I don't know what I'll do if they get cancelled too!

LJ Interests Collage

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:20:03 GMT

Create your own! By ga_woo using Web Services by Yahoo!

Some of these images are really random.

Grades Update

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:07:53 GMT

I FINALLY got a good mark. I was shocked to read that I'd got an 80 on an essay for Canadian Social History. I was expecting a 60-something on that too. Also, for the other courses where I got low 60s on essays, I got low 70s in the overall course. I also feel confident about my new courses so I'll do much better this term. Now I feel much better. I just have to work on my damn WWII course where my mark pretty much consists of 2 essays.

On the downside, I won't be able to go to England this summer after all. :( That's ok, though. I'll also be able to get a proper summer job. I still plan to go after I graduate so I won't have to worry about doing any work then! It'll be much more fun. *nods*

Another whiney bitchy post from me

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:45:37 GMT

Why are the Golden Globes cancelled? Why?!?! Now I can't have my party, or see beautiful people or judge their dresses. The awards mean almost nothing without the ceremony. This strike better be sorted out by the time the Oscars come around.

I hate the greedy film industry. I hate the producers, I hate the writers, I hate the HFPA, I hate SAG, I hate NBC. I hate everyone involved!

Very Bad End to the Term

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:02:17 GMT

So I'm back from holidays. It was alright, I suppose. I won't bore you with the details.

What I want to talk about is my terrible grades. I know I slacked last term, I know my time management skills were non-existant and I know I could have tried much harder. The mark I was most worried to get back was my WII Battle of Britain paper. 62%. (Same as German history essay and three marks lower than my American history. I'm way too scared to check my final marks when they're up)I deserved it, I expected it but it still bothers me. He gave me 1 and a bit typed pages of comments which were hard to read but necessary, I guess. My usual problem is grammar and citation. Also, apparently, research and analysis. I can't stop thinking about it and I don't know what I should do. I should probably see the prof about my next essay so I can make a fresh start. I'm not sure what I'd say, though. Find sources on war brides, ask him how to synthesize my research into an thesis and stretch it into a 20 page essay. I don't talk to profs, I don't know these things work. At least this guy is approachable. I know I can do better if I just tried but I don't even know if I can try. I'm seriously worried that I'm inherently lazy or something because I don't want to be. How can I do better and be more disciplined? *sigh* I hate school. So, I'm welcome to any advice or just hugs because I feel anxious and awful. Or even if you come across any sources on war brides, let me know because I can't find many and may have to scrap my essay idea. Hopefully I'll find an oasis of war bride sources somewhere.

Now off to watch more "The Secret Diary of a Call Girl" to take my mind off things and if that doesn't work, the new version of Sense and Sensibilty...

Also, I haven't been checking my Flist lately so if there's anything I've missed please fill me in here!

Merry Christmas!!!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:32:56 GMT

To all those who celebrate it, here's hoping you had a wonderful day.

I was about to say that I had a great one until my dad, who has the uncanny ability to be incredibly harsh with a few choice words, ruined my day and made everything meaningless. I'll talk about it more later if it's still bugging me which it probably will. Other than that, it was fantastic and my whole mother's side of the family and my dad's dad came over for dinner. It was all delicious but my dad stresses by trying to do things like making dinner for 23 all on his own because he's such a control freak/perfectionist and then he blames everyone for not helping and taking him for granted. *sigh* So anyway... I received the only present I was sure I'd never get, a (pink!) digital camera! Now I just have to buy a memory disk... So now I'll be able to lots of fun photo memes that you all do! Santa was very kind and I'm pretty sure I heard him putting presents under the tree last night. I love having my family all together. They're a great group to have over for a party. Last night we had our neighbours over for a Christmas Eve feast and me and their son broke out into Christmas songs on the guitar. Nothing like good food and your loved ones all together! I love Christmas so much!

More HP Extras

kristibisci@gmail.com — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:01:00 GMT

Astoria Greengrass? Is that really truly considered canon? I do not approve. I find it hard to accept characters that aren't in the books into actual canon. Sometimes I think JKR makes things up as she goes along.

What would happen if I failed out of school?

kristibisci@gmail.com — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:16:29 GMT

Because honestly, that doesn't feel like a far out possibility.

I made the mistake today of picking up two of my essays today. I really should have waited until after the holidays. Firstly, my German history essay - I knew it was crap when I wrote it. I wasted too much time, didn't fully grasp the concept or really care much about the book I was reviewing (Nazi business history? Oh, please!) but I really didn't think it was bad enough to deserve 62%!!! Well, maybe it did but it still really sucks. At least I did well on the mid term so hopefully it balances out. I think I did alright on the exam also but who knows. Then, I got my American history essay back which is the one where I compared the Marxist historian to the traditional one. There were no comments throughout the paper until the end where it said "Good compare and contrast!" and that I should have been clearer in my thesis about who's book I preferred. It didn't say I had to in the guidelines. Mark? 65%!!! So I get next to no criticism and this is the fucking mark I get?! I know they consider it a B but to me, 65 has always been almost a C-. I never get marks this low! Even when I was nearly cited for plagarism last year, I got higher marks than this. It's really upsetting. Third year sucks - but these courses are 2nd year (well, 2nd year and above) lecture courses! WTF?! I know I kind of deserve it. I've been slacking this term. I need to get on the ball. That is my New Year's Resolution. But is it still alright to hate the TAs that mark the papers even if it is ~~slightly~~ mostly my fault? I mean, they're probably just hardass markers after all...

Anyway, now I'm really worried about how my exams went and the rest of my essays that I don't have back - especially my WWII one. Oh, God, I'm so worried about that one. I'm really going to have to make up for a lot of shit next term.

Fuck, I can't wait to go home and forget about school. *Two more hours!* Travelling the world has never looked more appealing than right now...

EDIT: You know I'm far gone with stress and anxiety when I swear this much!

PANIC!!!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:54:46 GMT

Well, my commerce exam went okay...I think. The only really huge problem came up when the came to check my calculator, which must be examined by the proctor to see that it has the right sticker. Our prof told us to get the commerce 'blue' sticker to validate our calculators but didn't say what sort of calculator we needed. I didn't have a calculator so last night I bought a cheap drug store one. It looked fine. I got it validated this morning, no problem. Then, when the proctor comes to check it, she says "oh no, not another one". Turns out, my calculator was not valid (even though they already said it was) and they'd have to get someone to come check it. So I immediately skip to the questions that require a calculator so that I can do them before they confiscate my calculator. Luckily, they ended up letting me use it anyway, even though it wasn't the right one. Thank God!

If I do terribly on the exam, I can always blame it on undue stress caused by the commerce department!

Now, it's one down, one to go. I have German history tomorrow then a take home exam for Canadian Social History due by Monday. Wish me luck! I'll definitely need it.

Twilight

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:53:56 GMT

I haven't read a real book in ages but yesterday my neighbour forced me to read Twighlight by Stephanie Meyers. It was pretty good (I did read in one day after all - I know, anything to keep from much needed studying) but not as fantastic as everyone said it was. It did have potential to be great, though. Despite his almost Gary Stu-ness, Edward was deeeelightful. It didn't hurt that I was in an "I need a man right now mood". One thing I'm not used to is characters resisting their...urges. Is that wrong of me since they're only 17 (well, sort of 17). I understand it. I understand it has to do with the author's religious beliefs and it's nice to see some values still exist...but still. I jsut want them to get it on!

Isn't it funny, too, that the day after I read the book, Edward (an HP alum of all people!) is cast and all of the internetz (at least where I frequent) freak the fuck out. I'm not quite sure I quite pictured Edward as a slightly mentally challenged stoner...

SO MUCH SNOW

kristibisci@gmail.com — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:35:51 GMT

I was expecting a mild winter like last year but it's surprisingly cold and it's been snowing all day. It crazy! I hope it stays so that we have a White Christmas. Also, my mom told me today that she's rented the chalet next to my cousin's for New Years so there better be some snow on the slopes, unlike last year!

I've been cooped up inside writing essays. My Battle of Britain essay was finished just in the nick of time but it's terrible. I hate doing terriblely on things I'm actually interested in, especially when it's my own damn fault. I never learn.

Right now I'm working on my American History take-home exam. I'm talking about "contrasting visions of America" based on the debate between those who favour a strong federal government vs. those who are for states rights. Yawn... At least it's only 6 pages. I can so do that.

Hopefully I'll be finished everything by tomorrow so I can go home either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning. I want more than a week at home before I have to come back. Wish me luck!

OMG

kristibisci@gmail.com — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:03:45 GMT

Our squirrel, Alastair, who we think has been living in our walls for months scampering about finally came instead! Marisa woke me up about 20 minutes ago saying there was an animal in the house and I didn't believe her until I saw Alastair perched on the kitchen counter behind the sink! Then he got scared and ran to hide in the living room and was perched on the arm chair. Then we opened to the door so he'd go away and he did, thankfully. I don't think he was inside long, I hope, and he seemed terrified so hopefully he won't come back. We looked around the house for where he might have got in and we think it's from a hole in the top of the front hall closet. Now I guess we'll have to call the land lord to fix it before the holidays so we don't come back to Alistair and his whole family living in our house! It's just such a pain. Luckily I was here and not just Marisa and good thing Celine was gone because I'm not scared of Alastair like they are, even though he's the size of a small cat. He's actually kind of cute. I hope the land lord doesn't kill him. :(

I am not surprised in the least...

kristibisci@gmail.com — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:13:25 GMT

Cash Advance Loans

I wouldn't even be surprised if it was geared more towards a grade one reading level rather than a grade 6's.

YAAAAAY!

kristibisci@gmail.com — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:08:34 GMT

TiVo is coming to Canada! Now I may know what to get my dad for Christmas (or suggest to my mom what he would like for Christmas...) I've always wanted a DVR.