ii

"You're always here" ... gee, thanks! That didn't make me sound like a pathetic little Miss No-Life at all! *cracks up*

I've been incredibly busy. Like today, I need to go buy plastic shot cups, make three packs of Jell-O shots, go to pilates, wash my hair, meet up with a friend and have lunch, try to come up with an outfit for the evening (I have new pretty shoes!), see some people for a few hours to cut the fabrics for a play outfits (I promised to help because I'm not insanely busy, just incredibly, and I was feeling suicidal), attend a party for new students to tell them to pick economics as their major. Somewhere in there I need to pick up a book from a library for school work and do some grocery shopping.

And that's just another day in my life... I've barely had time to read my mail, no hope of updating the blog or being in here...

What's up with you? I've missed you! (see, I said I missed you, not that I'm bored and need you to entertain me, I'm nice.) *laughs*

*cracks up* It depends on the countries, I suppose. I remember it was fairly expensive to call from/to Russia with a Finnish connection, then again, States is pretty cheap. It depends on where your connection's from and the transfer prices and whatnot. I have no clue, really. *laughs*

A few well-placed, completely inappropriate messages are ALWAYS worth the expense, no matter what that expense is.

And with that, I must run. I must run like the wind to get the shot "glasses" for the Jell-O's, so I can get them into the fridge to set for tonight. I'm the "Jell-O person", people are counting on me... *cracks up*

*laughs and makes a face* My pleasure! Always happy to cause trouble.

Seriously though, House of Mirth is incredibly beautiful and ... I don't want to say sad, 'cause that'll turn you off, but let's say it left me feeling a bit fragile, as odd as it sounds. It's tragic, and sad and beautiful and despite it all you will be glad you read it in the end. Of course now that I hype it up you'll be disappointed, as it always goes. Wharton really knows the world she writes about (it was her world, her social circles, after all) and that knowledge, of both the good and the bad, shows in the sort of fullness of the characters. They're multidimensional. I do hope you'll enjoy the book! (Who knows, maybe our tastes in books are more similar than our tastes in shoes! *laughs*)

*laughs* Glad I'm not the only one doing that! And I was doing pretty well in my own thread...

Awww, don't stress about it. *laughs* Like I'm the one to say. But it'll all fall into place, trust me.

Oh, well, did you see the video I linked? That's a good way to procrastinate! *cracks up* I also posted it, and the lyrics, on my blog...

Can't wait to read your post on the 'home travel'!

*kisses*

*laughs* happens. Especially at 2AM.

Oh, she's the real Grand Old Lady. She makes you go change your outfit if you try to wear trousers for lunch. I love her to bits. ... As for Finland, it was my decision in the end. And it's not like I live with her, or ever that near her. I was interested in EU issues at the time, and basically came here because of this one professor who's really really good in EU economics. (Of course after doing my Bachelor's Thesis in EU issues, I got totally bored with the whole thing, and decided to focus on game theory and Economics of sport instead.) But yeah, it was my call to come over. I also didn't want to do the social circuit so much, but to have a few years of "normalcy", so it was good to move away from dad.

You're probably very right about that!

It's the last minute fright. Seriously. Just like nothing would ever get done if there wasn't deadlines. It's human nature to do things at the very last minute. So at 2AM, you know you need to get to bed soon, so you force some productivity in order to acieve something still "today", i.e. before going to bed. I know I do that. I wrote half of my Bachelor's Thesis at the early morning hours. Good thing I like coffee!

*laughs* I know. Thank you, I'm pretty happy about that myself. I'm just worried that this will put people off the CC as this is a difficult book.

For me it's this particular book that's the problem. I'm reading Les Liaisons dangereuses at the same time and loving it, so it's not the "old style". It's just Hardy. I don't like the guy.

I've ad a good weekend so far, thank you! I'm feeling loads better, so I can actually do something other than watch TV and drink hot chocolate and listen to the calories have a conference at my hips. And I found a perfect cure for my red nose, so I'm a very happy little elf right now!

How was your weekend? Just lazying around, I hope?

*laughs* I'm not hiding, I was just really busy organising the party.

Happy New Year!

*laughs* I'm writing my thesis on game theory. I adore it!

I did! and I'm familiar with the policy, indeed. I guess what helped me was the fact that I didn't do all my school years in France, but in three different countries (and that's before high school!), my dad's American and I've spent a lot of time outside of France. After high school I just didn't know what I wanted to do next, so taking a year off just to get my head in gear was a good idea. I'd been through some big changes in the years before that and I needed some time to think. DD was pressuring me to go to his old school, I knew maman would have prefered France, Old Dragon (read: grandma) had a strong opinion and she voiced it rather loudly... I needed that gap year! *laughs* Also, gap years are fairly common in Finland, as you have to apply to universities, and only a very small percentage gets accepted into most programs.

Mexico sounds fashinating! It's one of those countries I've planned to visit but never got to it so far.

I know what I'd love to do, but it's very unlikely that it'll work out. So I'm just going to see what happens. I still have a lot of work to do to make that graduation happen.

I've been trying to study for a cost accounting exam I've been postponing for years. Gosh, it's boring! *goes back to her book*

*laughs* I've been working on school stuff the whole day at my dest, so I've kept my computer open, taken care of email and kept an eye on the forum at the same time. It's been a surprisingly productive day!

It's wasn't me! It was bev! If you're talking the naughty bits. The funny bits was me. *grin*

*laughs* So between BCF, Facebook and Twitter you're keeping pretty busy... *cracks up*

I should study, but I have absolutely no interest in the topic. I'm "being productive" by checking email and stuff like that all the time instead. *hangs head in shame*

*laughs* Unfortunately, it's the book. But reading about grimy Marines is almost as good as watching them. And there are photos in the book. Oh, and on a serious note, it's a really really good book!

I did, however, thoroughly enjoy your interpretation of the issue. *laughs*

I suggested DD pulls some storing to get me some Marines for my security people (which I don't need, but DD insists, because he's being a pain in the a**) but that was no good. Apparently the camo gear isn't "inconspicuous" enough to city environment. Go figure!

How are you? Having fun with your mom over, I'm sure. Give my best to Raja.

*kisses*

*laughs* Wow... BCF's gotten serious, profile stalking now... No no no, don't be nervous! I'm really rather sweet, I am. Honest!

I'm sorry if I came off all cross earlier, like I said in my reply, that wasn't my intention. It's just a pet peeve of mine, when people use Scandinavia incorrectly. I also correct people when they use America for the States ("America refers to the whole continent, not the country USA") and so on. So it was in no way personal. I do apologise if that's the vibe you got.

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

ii

*uncontrollable laughter*

this is going to be a really good day... This and the Shiptare Boys on the background, perfect start... *laughs*

"Yeah, you come across as the type to read books that require a degree of intellect"

Why, thank you! I'm flattered. And you're right about the mindless fluff. We all need that every now and then. Be it chick-lit, or YA, or self-help (I love those extreme-fluff 'how to have a glamorous life' books, they make me laugh!), it's all about escaping.

I actually have The Time-Traveller's Wife on my TBR pile. I bought it some time ago after hearing so much good things about it. I'm actually looking forward to it, but I haven't really felt like it yet. It's in Finnish, so it takes a special mood to read.

I studied Philosophy for a year back in Paris before I moved to Finland and my current school. And I still love it. So The Time-Traveller's Wife is sounding all the more better...

Actually, I'm still not back. *laughs* Stopped by in Beaver Creek (it was close enough) for some skiing, now back at BF's again. I'll have to go home soon, he'll get sick of me...

The thesis is doing great, thank you. And yes, final stages, you could say. There's just a small thing called "entire economic theory -bit" missing! *cracks up* It's doing good. I just enjoy working on it too much, I don't want to stop.

How was your weekend?

And I appreciate this completely random information that you have decided to send me, totally out of the blue. *laughs too hard to type* Thank you. I needed this to distract me from my current "let's figure out the events of Tuesday night" email conversation I'm having with my friend The Law Boy. It's not exactly a pleasant conversation, so I need all the distractions I can get. Although I think I managed to turn the focus into George Clooney, which is always good, no?

Ooh, sounds really good! I recently got (finally!) a copy of Nineteen-EightyFour, which, for some reason, I didn't have. Which Orwell did you get?

And trouble-free? *grins*

Thank you. In fact BF did know what he was getting into, I've decorated his homes before. But unfortunately I couldn't do that, 'cause I came down with the most awful cold, and as I didn't want to make him ill (how good girlfriend of me), flew back up again. So now I'm hanging out at DD's feeling sorry for myself and looking like Rudolph the Reindeer! It's getting better, though, so maybe I'll get to fly home later next week. The flight here was pure torture.

Congratulations to your brother and his GF! That's wonderful news!

How was school? *laughs* I think I'll go and watch a George Clooney movie... (yup, totally rubbing it in... *evil laughter*)

Are you okay? I'm so sorry about the Waiting! Of course what you did see isn't the whole truth by far. It's like saying I have a lot of ballet flats. And I honestly believe that this is a book that can be read and reread, so knowing the story (or parts of it) doesn't spoil it.

I'm throwing away half my stuff. After all the moving and decorating I've done for others, I'm so full of 'physical possessions', I'm going on a diet. Thing diet. I'm cutting back on what I have. Seriously, I have way too much stuff! Just thought I'd tell you. *laughs*

*kisses*

Aw, Sweetie. I wish I could do more. Just give yourself time, and if it sometimes feels like you're moving backwards, that's okay too. It will get easier. Some things may be difficult for a very long time (like DD still won't spend more than three days in a row in Paris, I have some things hidden in the closets), but you will be fine.

Enjoy the beauty and magic of Christmas! From what I've heard of your mum, she'd be the type to draw funny faces on gingerbread men. So do that. *laughs*

*BIG hug* and lots of love,

iiris

Aww, I know. If you ever want to talk, feel free to email me or anything. *big hug* It'll get better eventually, I promise.

I'm good. Well, I've slept through most of the day as I got a bad case of migrane but other than that, I'm fine. Christmas? Phew, not ready by far. I've finished writing my cards, but that's about it. Plus I'm making the final decisions for the New Years party I'm throwing (it was my turn), and everything, so I've been busy... I only just got decorations out of the storage! But, it's okay, I won't be spending Christmas here anyways, so...

What about you? Got all the presents and wishlists completed?

Aww, that's wonderful! It's good to get back to routines, isn't it?

You're looking for work? What kind?

I'm still doing that, wrapping up the last bits of school work, believe it or not. I don't know if you heard, but my thesis supervisor passed away a while back all of a sudden. He was also a good friend, so that was pretty devastating. But, I'm getting things done... BF's fine, never better. Same old wonderful BF. He was asking about you the other day, actually. Perfect Morning-After Voice suggested I should contact his team about a job. He just wants me to cook for him. *laughs* What else... I think DD has a new girlfriend. Like, serious girlfriend. But nothing too amazing happening here, really.

*kisses*

Awww, I'm sorry to hear that! And it's always so annoying when you touch it out for one day, then the next day when you feel the same, but admit that going out the day before probably wasn't the smartest thing, you have all the fun stuff, so you feel like you have to go there as "I did the boring stuff yesterday too, and I'm not feeling any worse today". It's evil. It's all a conspiracy to get us go to school, I'm telling you...

Okay, so basically they're worried that some pretty young thing is going to wear a short skirt and get a good grade for that from some sleazy old geezer? Man, I couldn't survive a year in your school! *cracks up*

Awww, poor you! *hugs* Glad it's just life, though. And active WE sounds brilliant! I hope you had time to relax, too.

The unread posts, I know! I usually just go to the quiz part and mark those read, that should get the pot count down considerably. Then I mark the forums I don't really care about, like horror and such. I've long ago given up on trying to read everything. *laughs*

I'm good, thank you. I was supposed to go to Stockholm for a quick shopping trip but that didn't work out to a friend of mine. Apart from that, I have no plans. Maybe try to catch some skiing once I get my thesis to my prof. It's about time I turn in the first whole draft!

*kisses*

ii

Awww, thank you.

I have an American passport. Thus, not French on paper, see? I was about 6 months old when we moved to Paris.

Oh, it's still on. We once had a game going for four weeks!

Awww, that's difficult. Especially since you haven't actually tried out HK yet, so...

I'll PM you.