backpacking.

ayyyyeee, how ya doin', how ya do? you good? that's good. i'm good, too. we good.

uhmm... yeah, i've been thinking about doing study abroad for a half a year to a year. i mean, i always wanted to do study abroad, i just didn't want to learn a new language. thankfully, the psych program has study abroad. i can go to England, Israel, or Australia. i'm leaning towards Australia because i've always wanted to go there anyway. i'd be at University of Queensland in Brisbane for either one or two semesters, depending on how i feel. it'll be good because i definitely wanna travel and there's nothing like traveling for free (or reduced price) during college. that way, all i have to do is worry about getting my studies done... no worry about making money or whatever. besides, i was doing some research and whatnot and it turns out Brisbane is like the 3rd largest city in Australia, which means there should be plenty to do. my daddy said to take whatever opportunities come my way, which i think is a good idea, so i'm going to the information session on November 4th.

speaking of Nov. 4th, i sent in my absentee ballot. [crosses my fingers] let's do the dang thAng, Obama.

you seen the new Chris Rock stand-up special, Kill the Messenger? good stuff. he said some real stuff... like that women can't go backwards in lifestyle, which is hella true. i tried to deny it and everything but uhhh.... nah, i can't do it. i'm too used to having money at my disposal. like... i'm supposed to go shopping this weekend, but idk if i can do it now because my account went under $200, which is a BIG thing for me... my father said he's gonna hit me up with some cash next week because he's got money coming his way, but i gotta budget, because some harsh shit stays happening... like i lost my ID card and my metropass today. UGGGHHH. now, this freshman picked up my ID, so i'm cool... i just need that metropass. maybe i can bum someone's for a while... Wanda never uses hers, so i'll see if i can borrow it for the weekend so i can take myself shopping. have i shown you the fire-ass dresses i want?

hotness, right? yup yup... i wish they weren't so amazingly expensive, but it's cool. i'll figure something out. i'm plotting on copping at least one of those dresses this weekend along with some new shoes (hopefully, some benevolent store somewhere will have the Reebok RBK OGs in my size for once), maybe a blouse or two, new hair doodads or whatever... yeah. i'm planning to overhaul on my wardrobe this upcoming summer, too. i still love my jeans and t-shirts vibe, but i gotta start doing something else. start moving on to some more dressy-ish stuff. nothing crazy like all suits or something, but definitely something off what i'm doing now... few more dress shoes, black jeans, blouses.... THOSE DRESSES. gawsh, i need that cash to come my way.

which brings me to my next point. i was talking with my best friend Khalid (seen to the left cheesin' with me) and he was talking about how he's making moves now, y'know? like, he's planning big stuff for '09. and i wanna start planning, too, shoot! lol... like... i'm looking at this fellowship thing i could apply for that'll make me look good for grad school and let me do some undergrad independent research. i'm a little wary because i've already almost overextended myself, so i need to make sure that i don't do that with this... doing too much will mean that i suffer somehow, be it in amount of sleep, quality of social life, or quality of grades, and none of those things are things that i want to suffer. i wanna start getting a financial plan for when i graduate, though. since this scholarship package is doing well, i don't wanna throw away the opportunity to graduate without debt by not doing anything to put away cash for when i get outta here.

bah. we'll discuss this in the morning, you need your sleep, right? yeah, me, too. i had like two gulps of some random-ass energy drink, though, and my sleep's been screwed up since Monday when i stayed up until 7 am, but i'll get back on track eventually.

btw, are you ready for the overhaul? yeah, i'mma try it again... another self-renovation. the first one went well, all things considered. the next step is gonna be... slightly more drastic? idk yet, we'll see. take it one step at a time.

peace & much love to ya.