Happy Halloween!!

Wicked Queens

I've always been kind of fascinated by the Wicked Queen character of fairy stories. What makes them so angry, I used to wondered? And what is it about the stepmother-figure that makes her so easy to vilify? But at the same time, these women that seem so terrifying are so interesting. Outside the newer, retold fairy tales, the villains are cooler and more descriptive than the heroines!



And a more modern interpretation:

Cold snap!

The weather has turned colder, and colors are bursting out all over campus. From the burnt orange of the leafy maples lining the streets, to the colorful knit hats, scarves, and mittens. October is nearing the end, which can mean only one thing: Halloween! I'm not doing any sort of party or costume this year, but I am going with my parents to their alma mater as our colleges face off for a football battle. They're friends from college always get together and tailgate--I'm sure riotous behavior will ensue.

This weekend, well, these next four days really, are incredibly pivotal. If I get all the work done that I mean to, I will be ahead of schedule and won't collapse under pressure by the end of the semester. If I don't get the work done . . . . academic doom may be a bit of melodramatic, but you get the general idea.

Anyways, here is a little video that I discovered on youtube from an old disney special that I loved when I was a kid. My mom video-taped it (the days before DVR, if we can hark back that far) and I watched it all the time, even when it wasn't Halloween. Then my dad taped over it with Melrose Place. Something he denies to this day.

Happy October!

This week marks the beginning of my favorite month--October. The leaves begin to crisp and turn bright colors. I love the deep oranges and burnt yellows; the smell of burning leaves immediately reminds me of being a kid. There's something about going home during the fall, as well. My family is particularly wonderful during the fall months. Everyone is a bit more cozy and calm. My mom and I play games and watch movies while dinner is cooking or the fire is going.

October is also the month of one of my favorite holidays! Columbus Day.

Obviously I mean Halloween. I don't think I'm doing a costume this year instead I'm going with my parents to their alma mater for a football game. They're playing against my school, so that will be a fun little rivalry going. Even though their team might as well not even show up! Our team is doing quite well. We're very proud.

Grad school applications have been plodding along slowly. I think I've narrowed down my list to seven schools, so now I just have to prepare my writing sample and general statement and resume. And take the GRE. Oh God.