I'm soooo over crayon_goddess. ;) No, really. I've had this one for forever. 7 years or something like that. Maybe I'd be more tempted to update it if I had a new username.

So, what does a girl do when her old email name is "megmoore", and she's getting married and changing her last name? Should I get a new email address?

Maybe it's time to "reinvent" myself on the intarweb. Ooo. I could do a whole covert thing and just disappear. Nah. But I could update things a little. I have, after all, changed in the last 7 years.

But if I do change my internettie stuff to incorporate my "new" (oh, the pun) last name, then what happens when I need to go back to my old name. Like, when Brad decides I'm no longer cool enough for him.

Hmmmmmmmmm.

I know, I'm whiny. But how do I motivate myself to finish the next two weeks striding (rather than crawling) over the semester's finish line? This has been my hardest, most greuling, most terrible semester today. And I just don't wanna. I'm exhausted.

Okay, enough.

I had a marvelous weekend. Friday was the art reception, where my fabulously talented fiance' won mucho awards and dinero. Then to Red Lobster, where I had fabulous food and Lobsterita. And just good times.

Saturday was Stars of Tomorrow rehearsal. Yes, I hate dancing. Yes, there's lots of dancing in the show. Yes, I'm completely unprepared. After rehearsal was lunch with WHoyle (cafe_lou), followed by chilling in his dorm room (can we say "Foof chair"?). Brad got off work early, so we rented a movie, ate dinner with my parents, and chilled.

Today's worship service was really great. We have a new drummer. No one can replace Chelsea King, but I guess he'll do. ;) After church, there was chilling, then back to church for family fun nite, which was... fun!

And now I'm pretending to work on my chem lab notebook. I think I'm actually going to finish it now. KBye.

This whole not talking thing is an excercise in weirdness. http://www.dayofsilence.org, for those who have no clue what I'm talking about.

I'm off in a minute to go tour a paper mill. Can we say, "stinky"? Yes we can.

I won the Madrigal Feaste Award in choir! And it came with a scholarship! Not a huge one, but that's freaking amazing.

Okay, I'm gone. But three posts in three days... That's amazing, right?

So I mailed off my $1300 in taxes that I owed the federal government yesterday. I'd complain, but then I think of the families who lost children in Virginia yesterday, and I shut up. And hey... I only owed the state $29.

Tomorrow. Day of Silence. http://www.dayofsilence.org

That's pretty much all I have for the moment.

I just turned in the last chemistry lab report of my undergraduate career. I can't even begin to tell you how good that feels. It was 15 pages long, including the data. All about inductively coupled plasma.

You feel smarter already. I can tell.

Woo! I wrote three (count 'em, 3!!!) lab reports today! It's only by the grace of God that I still have hair. I also answered some homework questions. And "moved out" of Jo and Grady's house. They came back, so I can sleep in my own bed tonight! That's exactly where I'm headed... To my bed.

I'm house-sitting in West Monroe this week. West Monroe, in case you don't know, is an odd place. It's a mixture of the nouveau riche escaping the "dirty" city of Monroe (another discussion for another day) and absolute rednecks. It's interesting to drive through subdivisions and observe how the two groups live side by side, even though they won't acknowledge it. I have seen several things...

First, there are more pregnant women per capita in the West Monroe Wal*Mart than anywhere else in the world. Said Wal*Mart is insanely busy on Friday and Saturday nights. I think they must be giving away free beer. I just haven't found the beer yet.

Second, I saw a truck a couple of days ago with several bumper stickers. One was a rebel flag. This is not unusual for West Monroe - the high school's mascot is the "Rebel" (I know what you're thinking... "What century is this?"). Anyway, on the same truck, there was a "One nation under God" bumper sticker. Could someone please explain to me how one can reconcile these two statements? I would be forever grateful.

I'm ready to go home and sleep in my own bed. At least Sterlington has no problems calling itself a hick town. I appreciate the honesty.

So I had some flu bug thing, but I think it's gone now.

I ate/drank a smoothie at lunch, and I'm not sure that I should have. Icky tummy. Do you eat a smoothie or drink a smoothie? It would probably just be easier to say that I HAD a smoothie. There's no commitment there.

Hanging out in the library computer lab, listening to David Crowder Band, surfing the web. I should be working on school stuff, but I can't bring myself to do it. Blech.

David Crowder Band's "Sunsets and Sushi" is an amazing album. Everyone should listen to it.

Waiting for Brad to get out of class. Then we're looking at photographers and invitations online.

I wish the library's computer lab would upgrade to Internet Explorer 7. It's far superior to 6. I really wish they would just install Firefox, but that's not likely to happen any time soon.

I found some money that I lost, and I've been praising God for it all day. It was $230, which is a pretty good chunk of money, at least for me.

I don't really have anything else to say. This is why I don't update all the time anymore. What do you say?

I like this picture because you can see that one raindrop right over Nikki's boob. This was taken on my birthday in late January. That's Nikki, me, and Jessica. That scarf was made for me by the very excellent Kelly Vaden.

EDIT: In other news, I found a most entertaining blog while searching for the answers to my chemistry pre-lab questions. Check out Dykes to Watch Out For. I know that the title is grammatically incorrect, but the annoyance pales in comparison to the delightfulness of the blog. So, yay.

EDIT AGAIN: Oh, yeah. I've decided to just keep editing this post rather than making new ones and spamming your friends lists. And my facebook. I *squee* bought a wedding dress! How exciting is that? It's beautiful! I can't tell you much more, because Brad apparently reads this thing. ;) But it's amazing, and I'm so incredibly happy with it! And it was on sale!!! I might post a "Brad-can't-see-it" picture of the dress for anyone who is curious. I love, love, love it!

EDIT AGAIN: This entry would not be complete without some chemistry in it, now would it? I present to you... The EDTA Song! To the tune of "YMCA". It's basically amazing.

I'm supposed to be writing yet another lab report, but I'm having trouble getting started. Suck it up, Meg. Just do it.

Crap. I think I left my lab notebook at home. Maybe I should just go home and turn the report in late.

It's only 10 points off if I do that.

But I have another lab report due on Tuesday.

Grrrrrrr.

Just do it. Just do it. One more semester. Just one more lousy semester. I can do anything, right?

"Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."
-Philippians 4:13 (The Message)

I'm in the library, writing yet another 10-page lab report. I miss the blog, but I just don't seem to have time for it.

And I don't really know what to write. I really should be writing my lab report, but I need a mental break from. And Starbucks is closed.

Today I performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the ULM Concert Choir, Monroe Symphony Chorus, and Monroe Symphony Orchestra. That pretty much took up my entire weekend. There was a rehearsal Saturday morning, then the obligatory lunch afterwards. Saturday afternoon I addressed Save-the-Date cards. Yes, Brad is still going to marry me. Isn't that amazing? Also on Saturday afternoon was another meeting with my florist, who is an amazing woman. Mom and I got the final cost for the flowers.

Today was church in the morning, worship design team meeting afterwards, then concert, then back to the church for youth. See? This is why I don't update this thing anymore. It's just a laundry list of the 8 zillion things I did all day.

I did have a mini-breakdown before the concert today. Church was rough, I can't find the gift I really want to get for Brad for Valentine's Day, I have too much school work to do, there's stuff I really need to do for the wedding, for the church, for myself, etc, etc, etc. It's okay, though. Patrick and the girls consoled me, and let me kick around stuff and scream for a bit. Heh. Maybe I DO need to blog more often. It's great for venting.

Anyway, I'm alive. I hope everyone is well, and I'm sorry for dropping off the face of the earth.

Well, there was this opera. Marriage of Figaro. That was good and fun and I made new friends!

Then there was the sick. I've been sick for going on 2 weeks now. Blech.

Then there was Madrigal Feaste and Christmas Concert.

Oh yeah, and we're in the middle of finals.

My cantata is Sunday.

I had 2 exams today, I have one tomorrow, I have 2 on Thursday.

And I still have to work.

Blech.

But good news!

God is good.

Second... I bought my own very first Christmas tree today! It's so cute! I love it! I only have like 6 ornaments, but I'll get some more. I bought the tree with money I got from selling books back. Woo.

Okay, off to study for tomorrow's biology final.

It's not just me. It's everyone around me.

Opera opens Thursday. Everyone 'round these parts come see it. It's funny. And free for ULM students.

Argh. Everything all at once. I need a vacation. But no can do. Opera this week. Two papers due and a huge exam next week. I'm going to need hair implants come Thanksgiving.

Yay, stress!

In other news, Brad and I have had some good times together of late.

Also, I'm getting to know some of the cast members, and definitely enjoying that.

Church is slowly, but steadily, getting easier.

My musical awesomeness is daily affirmed by this opera thing. I know that sounds prideful and bragging all that, but it's true. I just got half of my music on Friday, and was off-book 2 days later. That's pretty good, and I don't care who you are.

Tomorrow is to Shreveport for recruiting for Toxicology. Looking forward to it. Dunno why.

New pics...
Military Day: http://ulm.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016928&l=cecee&id=80500022
A Night Out: http://ulm.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016932&l=7c210&id=80500022
New TOX Pics: http://ulm.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015014&l=27c08&id=80500022

I'm going to find some dinner and head to rehearsal! Have a good day!

So... Yesterday was drama-ful at work. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask eastfarthing. But, yeah. Interesting.

I'm researching portable PA systems for the church. I think we're *finally* going to get one included on next year's budget. This is completely exciting for me! That means that when we do stuff like outdoor services and have speakers in the fellowship hall, we'll actually have a sound system that works. Yay!

I have to give a presentation today. It's entitled "Transient Exposure to Coffee as a Trigger of a First Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction", and is a review of a study done in Costa Rica. I made pretty handouts (in color!), and everything!

Okay, off to return a phone call and go to class!

Monday (remaining):
3pm - Clinical Tox (Sugar)
5pm - Figaro Rehearsal (Brown)
6pm - ULM Advocates for Equality Meeting (Beid)
7pm - MSC Concert (FUMC)

Tuesday:
7:30am - Work (Conway)
11am - Human Phys (CNSB)
12:30pm - Concert Choir (Beid)
2pm - Work (Conway)
5pm - Women's Retreat Planning Meeting (St. Mark's)
6pm - TOX Meeting (Sugar)
7pm - Up 'Till Dawn - St. Jude Fundraiser (?)

Wednesday:
7am - Youth Group Breakfast Bible Study (McD's - Lakeshore)
9am - Quant (CNSB)
10am - History (Nursing)
11am - Chamber (Beid)
12pm - Concert (Beid)
1pm - Epidemiology - Presentation (Sugar)
3pm - Clin Tox - Exam (Sugar)
4pm - Figaro Rehearsal (Brown)
6pm - Church Choir Rehearsal (St. Mark's)
7pm - Administrative Council Meeting (St. Mark's)

Thursday:
7:30am - Work (Conway)
11am - Chamber Singers Performs on Recital Hour (Beid)
11am - Human Phys (CNSB)
12:30pm - Concert Choir (Beid)
2pm - Work (Conway)
4pm - Figaro Rehearsal (Brown)
Evening - Bake 6 pans of cornbread for church (Home)

Friday:
**Payday!**
9am - Quant - Exam (CNSB)
10am - History - Exam (Nursing)
11am - Chamber (Beid)
12pm - Work (Conway)
4pm - Figaro Rehearsal (Brown)

Saturday:
9am - Browse on the Bayou (?)
1pm - Figaro Rehearsal (Brown)

How am I ever going to be all of these places this week?

Yes, I'm in another opera. One that I didn't audition for. Someone dropped out, and someone moved out of the chorus to take her place, and I got roped into being the only alto in the chorus. The opera is next week. So now, there's music and blocking and dancing to learn, and I'm soooo far behind everyone else.

And I have 3 exams and a presentation this week. I'm almost finished writing my presentation, though. That hasn't been so bad. I worked on it this weekend. I have two papers due 2 weeks from today.

I've succesfully registered for 18 hours next semester. Yay. Can I express my joy? 4 labs. I'm going to die.

Okay, I'm going to class now.

So... Yesterday was the choral concert. It went pretty well, though I think we peaked last week sometime. Last night wasn't the best time we've sung by far.

My truck battery finally gave out yesterday. It was 5 years old. The original battery in my truck. I guess it was about time. R.I.P., battery.

It's raining today. Like a lot.

Driving to Minden today for Brother T's funeral. I hope it's a celebration of his life, rather than a weepy fest. He was such a great man, and he needs to be remembered for all the good things that God did through him. I don't think he'd want us to sit around and cry about his death, though. I mean, I'm sure there will be crying, but... I dunno. We'll see how it goes.

Two days 'till payday, and I really need the money.

My choir Christmas cantata should be in sometime before 3pm tomorrow. FINALLY! Yay!

Okay, off to chemistry and history. Have a great day, kids!

Okay... After multiple LJ "nudges", here's an update. A real one. Not from a cell phone. Happy?

What's been going on? Lots.

"Meet the Parents" dinner with Brad's parents. That was interesting, as our fathers had never met before. Good times, mostly.

Ani show in Lafaytte with Nikki was amazing! We stayed with her sister and brother-in-law and ate good food and the show was great, and... just wow.

One of my favorite people in the whole world died this weekend. Brother T. me_and_jimmy's grandfather. The man behind Camp Caney and most of what I know of Jesus Christ. He will be greatly missed.

We've started a new thing at St. Mark's. FISSSSSSSSH youth and college praise and study. We've only had two so far. We meet every other Thursday night at 8pm, and it is good, good, good times. This is really feeding my soul.

School is running and running and running. Spring schedules came out, and I won't be graduating in May as I'd hoped. December '07 it is for me. I'll be married by then. Crazy.

The fall choral concert is tomorrow night. That should be good times. 7:30pm @ 1st UMC - Monroe. Y'all come out.

TOX is keeping my busy. I'm club historian, and now I'm in charge of a bunch of stuff, like bulletin boards, etc.

There's a new group on campus called the ULM Advocates for Equality. It's basically a gay-straight alliance. We've needed something like this on ULM's campus for a while now. I'm very excited about it, and I've made a few new friends.

There's been lots of other stuff, but that's kinda the major overview, in no particular order. If there have been major things that I need to know in anyone's life, let me know! I'm going to try to skim the FL later, but now I have to go to an Advocates meeting.

That would be Ani Difranco! Nikki and I are in Lafayette, and we just saw the most amazing show. Real update soon!