Chapter 28 is up on my deviantart, by the way. Check it out. www.curseofpogo.deviantart.com

My old word count meter stopped working, so I'm just posting this so I know my progress on Opus 1. Thanks!

Its been a long time since I've updated this thing seriously. So...for all you people out there who still listen, here's an update.

I've been doing very well. Despite having worked at Taco Bell all summer and all winter break, I'm doing very well. To the point that I'd say I'm genuinely happy.

Talking to friends over summer and winter helped me stay sane while working at Taco Bell and helped me get my feelings out there too. I'm now dating Stephen - its a good match. Similar personalities and an understanding of needing space to get our own things done.

Also, I've started writing again. And I mean hardcore writing. I've cranked out three chapters in the last week and it doesn't seem to be stopping. I love random inspiration. If you want to check out the story, check out my deviantart: www.curseofpogo.deviantart.com Its called Opus 1. The chapters are labeled. If you do read it, awesome, you rock. If not, that's cool too.

So yeah...I'm doing really well. Happy, writing, getting so close to being done with college. To think...I've had this journal since before I was a junior in high school. Now I'm a junior in college.

By the way...my scheudle for next year? It kicks ass. Nothing before noon (except for Wednesday, something at 11). Three English classes...and one computer science course on making webpages using Expression Web.

Well...nothing else to say except: expect some awesome writing from me. There should be some more up by Wednesday.

Love and cookies!

~Laura

[Four TV Shows you Liked When You Were a Little Kid]
1. Power Rangers. The original.
2. Ren and Stimpy
3. The Simpsons
4. Reboot

[Four Places to Go in Your Area]
1. My dorm room. Hooray.
2. Erin's room. Hooray.
3. Stephen's room. Hooray.
4. class?

[Four Things to Do When You're Bored]
1. write. when I'm not suffering from writer's block
2. talk with people online
3. play video games
4. do my homework -_-

[Four Things That Never Fail to Cheer You Up]
1. friends
2. funny movies
3. penguins
4. I don't know...kitties?

[Four Things You Can't Live Without]
1. My friends
2. my family
3. food
4. water

[About Ten Years Ago *list three things*]
1. I was innocent
2. I had few friends.
3. I was...young?

[Three Things about Today...]
1. I went to class.
2. I am currently at work
3. I have my night class tonight ;-;

[Seven things you Love]
1. My Friends
2. My family
3. writing
4. reading good books
5. my puppy
6. all puppies
7. kitties

[Seven Things You Dislike]
1. arrogance
2. being sick
3. people who don't comment properly on workshop pieces.
4. work
5. hypocrites
6. Spanish class, at the moment.
7. Writers Block

[Seven Facts About You]
1. I have relatively low self esteem, its gotten better over the years, but sometimes, it still just sucks.
2. I am invisible. Great for being a ninja, horrible for being noticed.
3. I wish I could be more confident.
4. ADD, 'nuff said.
5. I love my friends.
6. I'm a weirdo.
7. I talk big, but I'm all talk. Yay pacifism!

Last time you...
[ Had a nightmare ]: last week?
[ Said "I love you" and meant it ]: this morning, called my mom.
[ Dyed your hair ]: homecoming.
[ Brushed your hair ]: This morning before I left for food.
[ Washed your hair ]: yesterday
[ Cried ]: I don't remember.
[ Called someone ]: this morning, called my mom
[ Smiled ]: couple minutes ago.
[ Laughed ]: at something in Spanish class.

Do You...

[Do drugs? ]: prescription.
[ Sleep with stuffed animals? ]: yes, my penguins.
[ Have a dream that keeps coming back? ]: sometimes. Not for awhile though. there are repeated themes throughout my dreams.
[ Play an instrument? ]: yup. Euphonium and Piano.
[ Believe there is life on other planets? ]: yes
[ Remember your first love? ]: yup.
[ Read the newspaper? ]: nope.
[ Have any straight friends? ]: Yeah
[ Consider love a mistake? ]: no
[ Like the taste of alcohol? ]: eh. Some.
[ Believe in God? ]: I believe in a higher power - but not necessarily the Christian God.
[ Pray? ]: not really.
[ Go to church? ]: nope
[ Have any secrets? ]: heh, yea.
[ Have any pets ]: puppy and fishy.
[ Talk to strangers who instant message you ]: not usually.
[ Wear hats? ]: yes
[ Have any piercing? ]: yes
[ Hate yourself? ]: yes and no. Its a love/hate relationship most of the time.
[ Have an obsession? ]: no, probably not.
[ Have a secret crush? ]: yes, I do actually. But as its a secret, guess away =P
[ Collect anything? ]: dragons and penguins
[ Have a best friend? ]: yup
[ Like your handwriting? ]: not really.
[ Have any bad habits? ]: not sleeping
[ Care about looks? ]: a little. I like to look "presentable"
[ Boy/girlfriend's looks? ]: doesn't really matter, personality is more important, but it helps.
[ Believe in witches? ]: *shrugs*
[ Believe in Satan? ]: eh
[ Believe in ghosts? ]: yes

Current:
[ Dress ]: jeans, boondock saints shirt, carroll hoodie with warm fuzzy hood.
[ Make-up ]: not today. not very often at all.
[ Music ]: I can hear a fan blowing.
[ Taste ]: none
[ Hair ]: dead straight and about shoulder length.
[ Annoyance ]: I'm at work, 'nuff said?
[ Smell ]: none
[ Thought ]: many thoughts.
[ Book ]: House of God (its a medical book, its neat)
[ Fingernail Color ]: normal?
[ Refreshment ]: I have some black cherry propel down here.
[ Worry ]: we'll leave the worrying to me.
[ Favorite Celebrity ]: I don't have one.

Who Do You Want To:
[ Kill ]: no one.
[ Slap ]: Some of the people in poetry.
[ Tickle ]: haha. Stephen is funny when he's tickled.
[ Talk To ]: Jackie.
[ Kiss ]: Again, if its a secret crush, why would I tell you? You can start guessing =P

you are steelblue #4682B4

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Here you go. It's an update, right?

Well, I have been playing a lot of Pokemon, but moreso, I'm trying to do consistent updates again XD

Apparently, Taco Bell can't afford overtime right now, but I'm scheduled into overtime AUTOMATICALLY. I have 41 hours...and I'm a closer, so its closer to 45. It will be a pretty, pretty paycheck. Also, the new RGM has made it so on our busiest nights, we only have two people after 10 pm. Isn't that NICE? *grumble mumble*

On a different note, I'm craving Fongs. Badly. And tea. So yeah. I want Fongs and when I go there, I shall have tea.

Which Sailor Moon character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Sailor Uranus. You ave trouble confessing and are always on a quest for one thing or another. You are very athletic and can cut through anything with your sword. You enjoy car racing...alot! Sailor Uranus. 100% Sailor Jupiter 92% Sailor Saturn 92% Sailor Mercury 83% Sailor Neptune 75% Sailor Venus 58% Sailor Pluto 50% Sailor Mars 42% Sailor Chibi Moon 33% Sailor Moon 0%

I was bored...so I took a Sailor Moon quiz. Apparently I'm Sailor Uranus.

So...I haven't updated since Winter Break. I suppose its time for another update =P

Lets see, since Winter Break I've had mono, found out that I have asthma, started belly dancing, and have gone back to TaeKwonDo. And the most recent thing? I had my wisdom teeth out. It's really not that painful, just sore. I'm irritated that I can't eat more (I've probably had about half a day's calories for two days).

The surgery for the teeth wasn't too bad, I think I woke up midway through, but was promptly put back under. They let me curl up with my penguin for the whole thing, so really, they were nice. Either way, not that bad. That, and the surgeon himself gave me a call that night to make sure I was alright.

The semester is going well, there's a lot of reading and writing going on, but even that doesn't bother me too much. I'm really liking the Shakespeare class...and I'm thinking I'm finally in the right major. Yay writing.

Unfortunately, my own writing has taken a halt for the moment, partially because of the workload from classes and partially because I'm having the strong urge to edit it all and fix everything that I notice wrong with it now.

I'm really happy with Andrew...I say that a lot about boyfriends though. I mean it, though. He really listens to me and I feel like I've known him for so much longer than I have.

Anyways, there are some not so good things going on on campus, but I'm just going to sum that up in one sentence: If you have problems with me, or think there's issues going on...TALK TO ME. Don't let it sit there and fester and get worse and worse. But whatever.

I suppose that's a really thorough update.

<3 laters

Okay...I took it...again...because I forgot to post it the first time =( I somehow changed class and alignment, though. I think I missed some questions first time through. But I'm still human =/ UGH.

( text )

I'm going back to Taekwondo! Jan. 2nd, a little earlier than planned. But still...it'll be awesome! And I'm only going back into the white belt classes...so it should be fine.

Its good to be home. But so weird. I miss my boyfriend. I'm almost excited to be back on campus for next semester. and it feels so weird to say that.

But things are going well this break...I guess. I'm a little upset that my Dad is going to be in California for 8 weeks...but what can I do about that? Zilch. I'm enjoying hanging out with mah Josh buddy. I'm enjoying seeing my mom, sister and niece. It just feels like something is missing.

I'm still not a huge fan of the holidays...since it stands for family unity...and it doesn't feel like I have a unified family, it hasn't since my parents divorced. But...I'll get over that someday. I know that my mom, sister, niece, and I are all unified.

I'm hoping to do very well in my classes this semester. I'm happy with my grades. The only one that I'm worried about is Spanish. It'll probably be a BC...which isn't so bad...but it won't bring my GPA up too much.

Oh yeah...on that note...I'm trying to bring my GPA up to at least a solid 3.0 I want to study abroad. It's a once in a lifetime chance. And I'm super excited for it. It'll give me a chance to study Taekwondo in the place it originated in, learn a new language, and just get out of the country.

So on that note...I'm out!

~Laura

this has just been a crappy week and all I really want to do is go home and be left alone for awhile. *throws rocks at everyone around*

so, been a long time. pardon my spelling...i'm typing with one hand. i had my surgery almost three weeks ago. about two weeks till i'm out of my sling. as of now? the shoulder is healing well.

however...things just feel weird now. places i was welcome before i don't feel welcome at now. i constantly feel like doing stuff...but want to avoid certain situations.

i've also been really, really frustrated with a few things that i'm just not going into.

hurray?

So...last week was day camp, which was alright. It was strange being a leader, but not so different than being a PA. All in all, a good week.

This morning I had my appointment with the orthopedic specialist. The good side? These guys were really nice! The bad side? I have an MRI tomorrow morning to determine if I need surgery to repair a possible tear of my labrum (the little o-ring of cartilage in the shoulder joint) or something dealing with rotator cuff. On top of that, physical therapy.

Oh, for the MRI? I'm claustrophobic....but they're giving me a Valium so I stay relaxed.

Ugggh.

So that's all that's really going on in my little world.

I have day camp for the next four days. Goody! So I won't be around as much the next few days, please don't call my cell phone until after 4, they really aren't allowed on camp grounds, but I'm using it as a watch.

On a different note, I had a really strange dream last night (didn't sleep well, when I got home last night it was too late to take my nighttime meds) that involved Andrew. As one can imagine, it wasn't the best of dreams and I'll definitely be remembering my medication tonight x_X

I'm still a little shell-shocked from last night (Skip knows why), if you want to know, maybe I'll tell you when I'm around later.

<3 to all

Had fun today hanging out with Josh (much <3!). I watched him play some Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater...which was really amusing and cool. Then we played some awesome Neverwinter Nights...which I had much fun creating my character and even stepped a little bit out of my normal "total caster" situation...and played a druid...lol. Our characters look like half-sisters or even sisters...must be the cloaks. After our 6 hour session of NWN, we played some Dynasty Warriors 5 (spread the addiction! whahaha!) for quite awhile. We took turns playing as Sun Shang Xiang on hard mode. We made it to her third level (Battle of He Fei) where Zhang Liao owned us horribly...or Sun Quan keeled over dead. darn that Sun Quan! All in all, a very fun evening ^^

and now I'm waiting for my pills to kick in so I can go to sleep! yay sleep!

Oh yeah, I've been sleeping much better thanks to the medication, who knows, maybe the insomnia is all in my imagination anyways.

On a different note, I've been writing a lot the past few days, and am well on my way to my goal.

20 pages by end of June.

60 by the end of summer.

anyways, I'm out for the night! <3!

So...I went to the doctor today...and as I expected, my orthopedic doc appointment isn't for another two weeks. This upsets me a bit...since in all that time I can't work at Shorehaven. At that, its not even guaranteed anymore that I'll get the job, since my physician noticed that it was still inflamed and quite tender. This worries me. And saddens me as well. Also...mom made me tell the doctor about how I don't sleep very well...which he and I decided was stress related (due to anxiety) and was prescribed the generic of Zoloft. This DOES NOT mean I'm depressed...just means I don't sleep well ^^;;;;

Other than, nothing has really been going on. I've been really bored, and haven't really done anything with anyone in a long time. So...if you want to hang out...LET ME KNOW! I am enjoying the time that I spend playing video games, specifically Dynasty Warriors. I'm just strengthening my army, Wu. I almost have everyone unlocked, which makes me happy...just two more to go really. Then I'll start on Kingdom Hearts (or Munch's Odyssey, depending on my mood).

I also plan on getting back into DDRing everyday or going to Taekwondo more often (depending on what the doctor says on the 18th). Lately I haven't been drinking enough water, and I've not been as active as I was when I first got home.

So nothing really going on other than I'm just tired and lonely and missing certain people.

*clears throat*

I'M OFF OF ACADEMIC PROBATION! I'M OFF OF ACADEMIC PROBATION! I'M OFF OF ACADEMIC PROBATION!!!!!

anyways, other than that, things are going alright, I suppose. I invited Skip out here for a few days for Memorial Day, but...there's a good chance that he won't be allowed to come out. I haven't gotten my hopes too high, but I can still hope, right? =P

I've been DDRing or doing some form of exercise everyday...and been having blast doing so! Only thing wrong with the DDRing is that random seems to have a grudge against me..must be because we rarely played Ultramix on campus. Last night I did the elliptical trainer...for 10 minutes straight, staying above 45 rmp the entire time with my pulse never exceeding 80.

I want to get out to taekwondo more often...but it doesn't seem very possible unless I call my dad. And he's probably out in California again. Maybe I'll get there tomorrow for sparring. Though, that might be unwise since I have a large bruise on my upper quad...and if that gets kicked I'm probably down for the count. Too bad.

Strangely enough, I'm excited for Day Camp this year. This doesn't happen very often, as I usually dislike Day Camp and call it hell week. My sister and I are going to prove that we work well together, and have the coolest unit ever. Next year, we want to have a junior unit...since we get to make up the menu! Yay!

Job hunt is still going pretty crappy, but I guess thats to be expected...I'm calling Shorehaven *one* more time. Then I'm going around to restaurants...bah humbug.

Anyways, I guess thats it.

Well, it hasn't quite been my week standard for updating, but...eh, whatever.

I decided that I'm not going to be going to Italy with the band next year. I haven't been able to find a job yet, and if I can't find one by the end of may, I'm going to give up and work at the deli *depression*. I also couldn't afford the down payment that was due yesterday, since it was a full $500. So I'm a little sad that I won't be going out of country...but I'll get over it.

Nothing really going on here, just hanging out with Josh tonight. Hoping to have some fun..because I've been really bored.

I was going to turn in my application for Kowabunga Comics yesterday, but they were closed, so I'm going back today.

Nothing else really going on...but its time for me to get moving.

Later all!

I hate the loneliness that summer brings...a lot. But these past few days have been alright ^^

On Wednesday I skated up to the high school, making it the first long skate I've done all year, totaling at 2 miles to just get there, including one really large hill. My legs were sore after it, but it was really worth it, felt great to be outside and getting some exercise. I visited Josh at his lunch, and ran into some other random people that were very surprised to find me at the high school, one of which hadn't even realized that I had graduated >.< Guess I'm not too memorable. But Josh and I did some nice talking and catching up. We're going to do some hanging out next week if at all possible..seeing as I have no job yet to hinder/tie me down. After walking him to his next class (ewwwww...AP physics!) I went and visited on of my favorite teachers, Mr. Connors, telling him that I had a present for him...my old bio lab manual. He teaches Human Biology and likes to trick his students, and the lab manual we used had some very pretty diagrams that he would probably love. I visited one other teacher, and made my way out of the high school and continued on my way to my job hunt. Most of the places I stopped weren't hiring...though one asked for a name and number saying if they needed help they'd give a call, and the comic book shop gave me an application. So far...my hunt sucks, lol. I also started downloading Naruto episodes 25-50

The comic book shop...I started reading Death Note this week, its an awesome storyline and has me entirely absorbed. They're really nice, and are willing to special order any manga you want. I'm hoping, even though they currently aren't hiring, that they might hire me later on in the summer.

Thursday I skated to the bank and the comic book shop (AGAIN) to pick up Death Note 2...like I said, it sucked me. I went to taekwondo that night, first time in about 2-3 months. It felt good being back, but I'm still sore from it. I also picked up a TV from Best Buy for the 'media' room that I'm setting up in the upstairs. Mom's also thinking of getting wireless...so if that happens, that media room is my safe haven from every thing else going on in this house. For those who don't know, having a 2 year old and a 3 year old running around can be quite noisy...and having a quiet place to relax and game or talk to friends would be awesome. After taekwondo, my Naruto download finished, which I watched until maybe 1, then got too tired to keep my eyes open.

Friday was very much a nothing day...I finished up Naruto and started up the download for 51-75. I also watched a few episodes on youtube.com since I was too impatient for my download. I also slept really late on this day. Only day I didn't do some form of exercise. I called Kit later on in the night, catching up on some stuff...and am trying to decide if it would be wise for him to visit. Details on that? sorry, you gotta IM me for them...I don't really want to explain my ranting thought process.

Today I really haven't done anything yet...though I plan on setting up my media room. yay media. I might even do some DDR if I get it fully set up. But before that...I have to figure out how to carry a TV up our narrow staircase...that could be interesting.

meh...things are just like they usually are here.

So...tomorrow ends my first year of college, I'll be officially moving out and going home for a summer of working and hanging out with friends and being a sad panda over not seeing my boyfriend.

I know I've changed a lot since I've been at college, I can tell because I'm much more outgoing now. I've made friends here easily, I guess I was really lucky this year.

And to think that I almost passed up the Anime Club booth...and never would have met any of the amazing people I met while I was here. I'm glad that the booth caught my attention...if it hadn't, I wouldn't have met Skip, and things would probably still be going down for me.

I'll admit that it was a rough year...last semester having my break-up with Mike, among other things, my laptop dying this semester, and going to the hospital. But it was an amazing year, and I would change a second of it.

I found out that I have few friends back in Oconomowoc (yay Josh and Kelly! much, much <3!), but those I do have, are true friends and I hold them dearly to me.

I also found out that as much as I love biology, I'm way too much of a freethinker to be a science major...and switched to a writing major. (much better fit)

I'm just disappointed that the end of the year crept up on me so quickly and silently...guaranteed, I'm happy that I'm going home to see friends and family, I'm just disappointed to leave behind my college friends...since we make a family here. I'll miss everyone a lot.

I am excited for next year...I'll be taking classes I want to take and rooming with people I want to room with. And I'll be back with my friends.

Bright points of this year!
-meeting Skip
-Skip asking me out
-DDR tournament
-just hanging out with the guys
-anime marathon days
-Lost World
-No Brand Con
-RAW
-Kamelot concert (only the actual concert)

Dark points of this year
-the break up with Mike (dear god that was horrible)
-the aftermath of aforementioned break up
-the few arguments I had with Skip
-my laptop keeling over and dying
-going to the hospital
-being kicked out of my old room (for RIDICULOUS reasons)

I am sad to be leaving this place behind, but I'm happy to be coming home for a bit. It was a good year...^^

But I am about ready to keel over and pass out. Time for sleep!

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

~Laura out

So today and yesterday have been nonstop homework for me. I got a lot done...but I didn't finish anything yet...other than my Gaara of the Sand cosplay (still needs some touch ups though...)

I'm just so tired. I'm probably going to bed very shortly, I can barely keep my eyes open (yay blurry vision)

Yesterday I spent almost all evening working on an essay rough draft thats due around the 23rd...but I thought it was due this week. Then today I've been working on my art series...which is really difficult and time consuming. *sighs* After dinner I worked on my cosplay; painting the gourd and doing everything with that...and making sure I have everything. Just need one thing: temporary red hair dye. I hope to find it tomorrow on the way back to campus. I also need to bring my red eyeliner for the kanji that goes on my forehead.

I'm really excited for No Brand, it'll be my first convention and all that fun stuff.

But I'm more excited about traveling to Italy in the summer of 2008. w00t! yay band!

Anyways...I can't stay awake any longer.

G'night all!

<3 to everyone!