Trips to Ames always leave me wondering "what if?". I didn't apply there, or even visit the campus before deciding on Iowa. Though I hate to admit, at decision-making time, having Mary in IC, and my best friend coming to this school, I wasn't really looking for an alternative. I just really like that the campus is more spread out than ours. It's very green. They do have a smaller downtown, which doesn't really matter to me, and their equivilant to the Coralville strip is within walking distance and has the school cambus make stops there. It's more like the "I just had a good feeling when I walked on campus" notion that lots of freshmen choose a school for. Oh well, I like IC, too. I mean, it's close to home, right?

Incidentally, that best friend from high school is supposedly transferring to Iowa State next year, for his fourth and fifth years. He came to Iowa over Iowa State, even though it doesn't have the major he's interested in, because, well, he's a Hawkeye fan. However, after two years of taking gen-eds and considering possible alternatives, our school still does not carry the major. So he has to go one that does. That he's lost most of the relationships he had when he came here and has failed to create moreprobably contributes to this.

For some reason, I feel annoyed by this. It doesn't really make sense because most students don't know for sure what they want to do and a fifth year is not uncommon. And, obviously, factors (friends) besides academia contribute to one's happiness. I suppose I'm a little jealous of the opportunity to change environments.

He and I are a lot alike - generally, cynical and unhappy. So, I wonder if he'll acually be much happier there, or if when the new wears off he'll be himself. But, thats a year away, lets see if he follows through.

I mean, I don't necessarily think I would be happier somewhere else. Certainly not as a transfer. Friends are important, and while mine are far and few between, I don't know that I'd have many more anywhere else. One of my friends from the dorms was also unable to find that group of friends. She liked the classes, but transfered to Macalester for this year to be closer to her family and friends from high school.

Anyway, I ended up going to Ames Friday evening and seeing, not kidding, about 50 of my non-closest high school friends. But it was fun. For one night.

I predicted our loss, just because everyone else thought we would win. We don't win when we are supposed to.

I had hoped to be more productive today. I had a risk management retreat and then work. Probably could have gotten some more studying done. I watched Love Actually instead. Mary inspired me.

Anyway, I can't really think of anything exciting to say, which is dumb, because I thought I would be able to come up with something funny for the first entry in 1208458584 years. I mean, I've been trying to do some writing on my own, like, real writing. The problem is, I don't know yet if it's important to anyone else. And in JMC school, they tell you it has to be important to the reader.

It's no Frank and Melanie, I'll tell you that much!

TTYL :)