Cosas del Ano Nuevo (New Year Things)

Happy New Year! I feel odd living in a 2006 where I was promised flying cars yet I am stuck in an SUV. Maybe next year.

I got some awesome Christmas presents. Shewara's family snazzed up my wardrobe with some classy grad student-type clothes, my brothers gave me some Illini-themed presents, like tickets and a DVD and a jersey, and Shewara gave us (as in she and I) an awesome Japanese tea pot. Very good all around.

New Year's was fun too. Shewara and I went to a small gathering in downtown Chicago with some of her friends. They're all nice liberal college nerds - exactly our crowd. We had cheesecake and pie and discussed topics from future jobs (lame) to Andreas Gursky (cooler) to Eddie Izzard (awesomest). I also got a present of some Indian coins from the party's host, which was very thoughtful.

In the coming week, Shewara and I have bunches planned. Thursday, we are driving down to Chambana to see the perenially-anticipated Illini-Spartans matchup. The 6th-ranked Illini (14-0) will face 7th-ranked Michigan State (12-2) on national TV at 8PM central time. Watch for us! While down there, we are also gonna stop by my favorite Mexican restaurant (I've been there at least ten times, yet can never remember the name), and then hit up the tiny town of Melvin, Illinois to attend world-famous Bubba's Bar and Grill. The best thing about Bubba's is that they only take cash, and the nearest ATM is fifteen miles away. Shewara and I learned that the hard way.

As for now, I am finishing up my last grad school application (Wisconsin) and waiting to hear if the Field Museum can re-hire me. It depends on the status of a grant I need to get funded, so I'm heading there tomorrow to check in and see what the deal is. Hopefully things are looking up.

Lastly, some New Year's Resolutions:

1. Do some situps. I used to be on the verge of a sixpack, and now I have a 1 1/2 pack at best. Must fix that.

2. Get organized. I need to file things better and keep track of my bank statements and whatnot. I have everything, but the problem is finding where I put it.

3. Lastly, I need more friend contact. I don't keep in touch with my friends enough, which sucks because I have some great ones. I need to buy an address book and write birthdays in it, and then distribute cards and emails and presents accordingly.

And you all can keep in touch with me too.