Who is this Ophiucus guy anyways?

So I'm a big-time Zodiac fanatic but this big rush towards accepting this 'new' 13th Sun Sign is a bit shocking to me.  I had heard about signs beyond the typical 12 that we know so well, but I've never really fallen into the rave over them; mostly because I assume its a load of crock by a bunch of self-centered astrologers trying to be new age or whatever.  I can't say I'm too happy about having to re-remember all the dates corresponding to each of the signs, and don't get me started on the complete shift in personal Sun Signs.  They say that I fall under the Aquarian constellation. Oh my gawd, no.  Everyone knows Aquarius people are flaky humanistic philosophers, and I enjoy everything opposite of those activities.  I think if I knew nothing about Sun Signs and someone told me I was an Aquarius, explaining all the characteristic traits, I would laugh so hard in their face they would need a towel to wipe away my flying spittle and tears of disbelief.  Other scholars are saying that the new changes only apply to people born after 2003, they will be the ones learning the new system as they grow up. Yeah... So what does that make all of us old fogies? Obsolete and dysfunctional I suppose.  I think this whole new aspect of reading horoscopes is going to do a bit to help convert those of us who didn't feel quite right with their 'old' sign; they now have a new one to disagree with.  I'm not sure how to cope with this change. It's like the disasters in Haiti, I don't think I have the infrastructure to handle the quake.
What I found so far about Ophiucus is that he is based on a mythilogical (or historical; some people feel that he is based on Imhotep, the original engineer of the first great pyramid of Kufu).  Geek mythology places him as a demi-god of sorts responsible for all things related to medicine.  These are looking like bigger and bigger shoes to fill, I hope you're not under the sign of Ophiucus.  These Ophiuciuns are of course expected to have characteristics of being loyal workers with bright ideas and social dispositions.  Other than that, I'm having a hard time finding detailed personality traits; all I seem to find is the bullshit smeared all over today's silly horoscope websites.
Anyways, I've found something that I've become very interested in lately. Now, dieting isn't something you'll see me doing because I just don't like all those restrictions and stigmas that go along with them.  But here is something that I think would be great to get into: Hunter-Gatherer Diet.  Its a nutritional system based on what people have been eating for hundreds of thousands of years.  For the majority of time that anatomically modern humans have existed, they have lived as nomadic Hunter-Gatherer tribes and bands.  They survived that long eating a vast variety of foods and really only experienced dilapidating diseases when they decided to become stationary and domesticate animals.  I think it would be wonderfully refreshing to have my fridge full of lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.  I like variety, and this might be what I'm looking for. I think I'm going to need this cookbook as a birthday gift (Pisces, March 1st).

Call me Atlas

So life's been almost too much to handle for the past few months. Luckily I know when to take a day to myself.  It's hard to remember all the things I need to catch up on.  Okay so, I moved, started school, met a guy, and made a new friend. Its hard for myself to even imagine that so much could happen in so little time.
School's great. Well, sort of... I think we can all agree that I've set myself up for a titan curricular goal (going for a Ph.D. in Anthropology).  You may or may not be aware that I've been accepted into the Honors Program at CWU.  This program requires me to take an additional 5 courses and add an innumerable amount of hours to prepare a high quality research project and thesis.  This may add on an additional quarter (or two) to my initial plan of finishing my Bachelors in two years. To tell you the truth, I have no idea where to start with this project.  A grant proposal is due in Feb. 2011 for my Summer research... argh!  This honors business has now set me up with a total of 4 different advisors and I need to figure out how to let a few of them go so that I can consolidate. I'm hoping to ditch my Anthropology advisor at the very least... he gives me the creeps.
Also, I'd like to update everyone that I have officially signed up for the B.S. (Bachelors of Science) in Anthropology, mainly because it was a heck of a lot more structured and I can definitely deal with that.  The B.S. requires several more credits and a statistics course, but all in all I think it was the right choice.  As for choosing a specific field in anthropology, that decision will have to wait a bit longer. I'm taking a few courses currently that kind of cover a range of topics.  This is good because its giving me the knowledge base required to choose a specification.  But I love it all can't I just do EVERYTHING?! Well, maybe not the primate studies, psychological anthropology, zooarchaeology, or ethics of anthropology. I just need to find my niche I suppose...
This new friend is great.  I was hoping to set up a new social group here, at least so that I don't go crazy or get completely depressed.  While standing in line at a Shopping Spree Sale before classes started I met a gal who is also studying anthropology and is new to the area. Its great to meet someone new and be able to reconnect with them regularly on campus.  I have also been a regular participant at the Anthropology Student Association club meetings which I'm hoping will start developing a solid network.
As for this guy I mentioned before, we've gone on a few dates and I'm loving it.  Only thing, I think I'm losing his interest. I admit I've been a bit slow on the git-go with my womanly wiles.  I get so many butterflies in my tummy that they start migrating into my head and I basically turn in to a zombie when I'm with him.  He's such a sweetheart, attractive, and stable.  Anyone got a cure for butterflies?  I need this.

Digging up a domicile

A lot of people have been very pessimistic towards my intention on buying a house this summer.  Well, I'm here to tell you that it's going to happen.  You can't tell me its improbable to be successful and expect me to lay flat on my back. No. You tell me it's not normal for a young woman of my age to be buying into real estate, I'm going to prove to you that I don't do normal.  If I see a house like this one and I have the money to do so, I am going to buy it.  "well sometimes things don't always work out the way you want them to..." he says. I say "If I put my mind to do something, it will happen and I will make it work." You know me well enough by now to realize that I'm not going to let other people put me down.  I don't take the easy roads, and I don't settle for less than what I deserve.  Buying a house has pros and cons sure, but they are the same pros and cons that other home buyers experience and are no more inclined to overcome them than myself.  A house like this might be perfect for me to step into.  It's not a mansion and it probably won't be my last house.  Ellensburg is a renter's market and I don't see too many problems with finding someone to rent it when I'm ready to move on.  I may not have a lifetime of experience with money but I can tell you that my conservative spending habits have kept my bank in the green, and will always continue to do so.  I have family and friends who are more than willing to help me with this venture so its not like I'm soloing it.  So people, stop being 'fraidy cats and grow a pair.  I have no fear of this so stop trying to act like you care by telling me to give up now.  When I hear you say something to the effect of: "maybe this isn't a good idea..." the only thing I hear is "I'm too afraid to do that and I don't think you should do it either." I am not you. I am a smart girl and I may learn a few lessons in doing this, but as I learn it now I will be more prepared in my future. So I dare you to try to tell me no.

Wish the weather looked better

For all general purposes I am a really good student.  I pay attention in class (snore...), I read my text books (wait, I bought text books?), I do my homework (wasn't that due next Thursday?), and I show up to class (forgetting to wake up is a perfectly decent absence excuse).  I'm just joking really, I am a good student... well, I was. The past three weeks have been a terrible blemish on my 3.75GPA record of achievement.  I haven't done my Spanish homework in a whole week, I've skipped two classes to take the time to take tests, and right now I have no idea what's on my Geology test tomorrow because I think I've been taking a mental hiatus during those hours. I feel... normal.  Of course, this is completely abnormal for myself, and it's very gray and uninteresting.  I'm coming down with a horrible case of senioritis, except I'm not a senior.  I mean, I'm graduating in a couple weeks so I suppose that would be about the same thing.  I just want for everything to be over with.  It feels like I've been drowning for the past 6 weeks and now my lungs have finally given up even trying.  I've been waking up later and later, eating more, and generally caring less. I need a week where I can just go free and let my mind wander. I'm tired of doing homework and schoolwork and just any work in general.
My job sucks. I mean, I think its a great job; its not a great job for me. I don't like working with grumpy customers, cooking disgusting food, and cleaning filth. The pay, I've noticed, is lame. It's all going straight into my savings account and thats fine, whatever. I wish I felt a bit more important or useful. As of right now, I am a peon. How sad...
Looking at prospective classes to take in the fall... How does cultural anthropology, linguistics, and intro to archaeology sound? I think it sounds like a dream.  Its going to feel strange to be able to take whatever classes I want. So far I've had to follow these cookie cutter shape general requirements.  I feel like I'm getting closer everyday to my PhD. I'm so excited.
Maybe one day when I have a stable household of my own I would like for my sister to come stay with me.  I feel like I owe her some stability.  Making a solid home base for myself is a top priority right now, and assuming I achieve this, I would like if my sister would join me.  I can't say that I'm ready for this right now, or when I'll be ready for it, but it would be nice to look forward to.

Feeling a bit stuck

Life has officially caught up with me to say the least.  During my spring break I applied for a job at the local supermarket and low and behold I got the job with very little effort. I was certainly expecting to come up against walls and barricades of all sorts, but it was as easy as pie.  I'm not saying that I think the economy has fully recovered but I do think that everything is looking a bit brighter for everyone else.  I can't say as much for myself.  I'm in school all day and working all evening and I'm on my feet constantly through all of it and my ANs (Accessory Naviculars) aren't too happy with that right now.
I am really not very happy with my family right now. I feel like I've let them down and now they are just making everything worse by letting me down.  I want everyone in my family to make the right choices, and most of the time I think they do.  But it seems that once one person starts going down everyone else tries to catch them and everyone ends up bombed at the bottom.  Its a sticky situation, but we all need to stick to our guns or give up altogether.
What this family needs to realize is that we don't have the capabilities to take on more than we can chew.  As its going right now we are heading into an all-you-can-eat buffet with full mouths.  It is so ridiculously selfish to think that we can handle a shitstorm like this.  There are people out there who want to be parents! They have been waiting all their lives for a chance to have a little baby girl and thus far have not been able to have one. What do we have? No house, we're sqatters on a pig sty in the middle of Davey Crocket's backyard, no jobs, failing school, no responsibility, no goals, and no personal boundaries. Why do we think we can handle a baby? Because we have love and family sticks together? Love does not feed mouths, and family is already torn to tatters trying to keep us afloat and kind of failing thus far.  For someone who can't properly raise a dog or keep decent grades, a baby just doesn't fit in the puzzle.
Now let's get one thing clear: I don't think raising a child is going to fail (at least not right away). But any kid raised by teenage parents is not going to be a shining gold star in society.  I want you to imagine if your parents were teenagers when you were little. Imagine all the angst, stress, tantrums, and general immaturity.  They aren't going to have time to spend with you because they have social lives to keep up.  You're going to be neglected.  Daddy ain't gonna stick around for long because he doesn't have the motivation, time, or maturity to take on the responsibility.  That is going to make you think that it's okay to act the same way as you grow up. It's not the environment you would want to grow up in, so why do you want to raise your kid that way?
There is a family out there who wants to be parents, or maybe they already are and they want another. They have a house, jobs, parenting skills, and a big empty yard ready to be filled with toys.  Letting a baby grow up in a stable house with a prepared family doesn't mean that you won't ever see her again.  You can stay in touch with the family always and you know that one day when she is all grown up she will surely want to meet you and find out everything about you.  I can't imagine that she would rather have stayed with you assuming that she's smart (and you know she will be) she'll realize that you had to make a decision to better suit her health.  This kid needs to grow up in an environment that is STABLE and RELIABLE and PREPARED.
Please.... please make the decision that has the BEST possible outcome for the baby.