Hi everyone, 

I haven't written my journal entry for group dynamics yet, I'm thinking of doing it today.  But there is something that I have come to realize over time in my graduate program, and that is that contrary to my ever-famous "Leave Me Alone" shirt, in reality I really don't like to be alone. Perhaps I don't need to be constantly spending direct time with people, but I always prefer it when they're present. 

I was doing some thinking about this yesterday, and then this morning saw an email from Dad, he's missing us kids, and Lisa's still in Florida, and I realized something with an amount of clarity -- No one likes to be alone.  It's as if it goes against the human condition to just be by oneself.  This is different from alone time, or getting out by yourself and thinking, things like that.  Everyone likes to have little breaks where they're by themselves so that they can think and gather their thoughts, or just have some time, maybe pray.  But that's different.  Most people prefer to come back from their alone time to a partner, or a family, or a group of friends, or all of the above. 

Everyone has a support system, and knowing that system is there is what helps people tolerate being alone.  It makes them even like it in small quantities, because when they come back, they are not alone.  Someone else is there. 

When I am alone for a long period of time, I get antsy, even anxious.  It starts as boredom in most cases, and if I can't entertain myself then I can't really sit still.  Entertaining myself can be reading a story or watching tv or listening to music or cleaning or stretching, or doing any activity that's not sitting around thinking about the fact that I'm alone. 

Does anyone else have this reaction to extended alone-time?  I find it's particularly troublesome at night.  I don't like being alone at night.  Possibly because I never was.  I always had my family around me at night, that was when everyone came together again and we had dinner and we hung out and we went to sleep, and there were always the sounds of other people around when it came time to sleep. 

I like that, I've gotten comfortable with that.  Anyone else notice anything like that?

WOOOOOOOOOO

Switching from JFK to BOS has made all the difference!

Departing on Dec. 17th and returning on Jan. 3 I have secured tickets for a lovely holiday price of..................

$295.84!!!!!

::Please hold as I do a little dance over here.::

My flights are ROUND TRIP and NON-STOP. Making me a happy little camper.  The downside is they are a bit early, both departing at 7am, but when you're saving almost $200, waking up early seems like an alright idea don'tcha think?

Best of love to everyone, and I will see you on the 17th!! :)

Take that, Priceline.

-Me

Hello all!

Today the battle with priceline.com's name your own price has begun.  As usual, I generally fight with them for about a week or so before they cave and drop their prices.  This time I will update everyone on my adventures so that you can see the amazing battle tactics!!

Priceline Battle: Day One - 

After messing around and changing my information as best I could, priceline held (as expected so early in the fight) at $429.  Knowing that I can wear them down for less than that, I have retreated from battle today to wait for tomorrow.  I will prevail!

---------------

In other news, as many of you know by now, I've been accepted into Phillips Graduate Institute to begin in January toward my Master's Degree - yay!! I am super duper excited and will be mailing in my class day selections tomorrow.  Should all go well, I will have my classes all day on Wednesday, and then a kind of seminar thing on Thursdays.  Every other day I will be free to work and study and do homework. 

Yay!  I will keep you all posted on this as well as I find out my financial aid stuff and all. 

I am due to graduate May of 2012 :)

That's all for tonight, love you!

Me