Robitussin? Non-narcotic, sissy pansies!

[rachg82]

I am so itchy, it ain't even right. Seriously, it's slowly driving me mad. You know what's interesting, though? I've looked this up before, and the itching I'm experiencing right now is actually called urticaria (a.k.a. hives), right? Well, I wondered if I could find any sites that said anything about menstruation exacerbating such a problem, and I found quite a few. So, I guess I'm not crazy. Well, okay, I am, but this isn't related to that. Heh. It also said exercise, heat, stress, dust, mold, and even pollen and other airborn allergens could cause it. I've definitely had it start after exercising. Like, frequently. It was a pain in the ass, sometimes, actually. And I almost always get it while dusting, so that didn't surprise me. But I didn't realize pollen could do it, even though that makes sense, when you think about it. And it's funny, because they were just saying on the news that the fact that this last month has been near record-breaking with the rain (I believe if it rains sometime during the next two days, we'll beat a record from 1955) means that the allergy season is going to suck ass. Mold, mold, everywhere. Gee, great.

I swear, all I have to do is touch my skin right now, if it's even remotely itchy feeling, and a weal appears. Driving me CRAZY. The itchiness jumps from one part of my body to another, never stopping. Hot, itchy, hot, itchy, itchy-hot, hot-itchy. Aaaggghhh. Thank God for antihistamines. Although Benadryl makes me way sleepy, so I might pick up some Claritin, since it's non-drowsy, and I assume it would help just the same. And speaking of that, how much do I enjoy that you don't need a prescription for it anymore? Very much.



Remember how I mentioned the earthquake that happenned here, the other day? I guess there's been three, in the last week. But I think they said the other two were just in Oregon, in general, and not specifically my area. My sister always thinks everything is a sign of something bigger, so she's all "Mt. Hood is going to blow!" Heh, freak. She pointed to the fact that there was a four pointer or so around Seattle this week too. What that has to do with Mt. Hood? Nothing. But she's all "See! Weirdness! The Big One's coming!" I was telling her that there's quakes here all the time, just that they aren't always big enough to feel, and aren't always in populated areas, but she was all skeptical. Eh, what do I know? Maybe it is strange, and maybe tomorrow the west coast will rip off the continent in an Earth-shaking quake, and teleute12, auroura76, and jasminelily and I--some of the last survivors--will take over our new Pacific island, forming a new matriarchal society where we lounge around in hammocks, and men (who wear loin cloths, obviously) fan us and feed us grapes. Except minus the grapes with me, because I'd rather have chips or something. Hee.

Or, you know, not. Whatever.

The weather was freaky today, too. It was all sunny and nice, earlier, then rained later on and there was thunder and lightning while I was in class. Made me think of Lewis Black, all "The forecast next week? Locusts." Haha.

Class itself was all right. I feel confident that I aced the quiz. It did bug me that the teacher put things on the quiz that he didn't really ask us to know, and left out things he specifically did tell us to memorize. Damn't, I took the time to memorize Ethiopia's capital, and now I don't even get credit for it? Hmph. And, like, he didn't tell us to know squat about Libya, and yet? There it was on the quiz, mocking me. We pointed it out to him, and he was all "No, no, that was on the map. I'm sure of it." Well, whatever, because it wasn't. It doesn't matter, because I'm sure I got the extra credit stuff right, and even if I did miss that one, I'm sure I still got an A. But STILL! It's the priciple, man.

And, also, to add insult to injury? Even though my gut told me that was Libya, chilling there next to Egypt? I left it blank, all second-guessing myself. Dumb ass. Then he was like "Yeah, that was Libya" and I was all "son of a!" Plus, when people were nagging him for putting that on there, he was like "I would hope everyone would know the north Africa stuff anyway." Hey! Damn't, I do know north Africa, but you caught me off-guard! Jerk.

Heh, I like how he probably just meant that like he wants us to know that stuff too, but I took it all like this personal insult. Like he was all "Class, I'd like to announce that Rachael is an idiot, because she left the Libya answer blank. Everyone, proceed to point and laugh."

I knew a lot of the stuff for the quiz, anyway, but I'd like to thank Homer Simpson and Sanna from Meta, for helping me remember the capitals to Yemen and Qatar. Hee. Because I always say Qatar like "Ka-tar" at first, you know? Then I remember people say you're supposed to pronounce it "Qutter" or "Gutter" or something like that. So I remember the capital is Doha, because the damn name of the country makes me go "D'oh!" As for Sanna, well, as far as I know, she's straight. So, Sanna likes men. Or ye men, if you prefer. (hardy har-har, get it? Ye men? Yemen? *slaps knee* Heh) And guess what Yemen's capital is? Sana'a. Tada! I'm a genius.

Yeah, you don't even want to know how I made myself remember some of the others. Hee. I'll just leave it at this: I remember Jordan's capital is Amman, because it's all "Ah, man, I got dropped here between Israel and Iraq? Lucky me!"

Some good news was that this project we were going to have to do got trashed, because the teacher said he was already piling so much information on us. Um, yeah. Heh. So, it's just a couple quizzes and tests. Rock. I am the master of the multiple choice test, yo. Scantrons are so my bitch. Heh.

I'm sure I'll do well at the midterm, which is going to be two weeks from now, but I'm not sure if I'll kick its ass like I did with some classes in the past (like Sociology and Social Psychology, for instance. Heh, the teacher and the students in those classes used to mess with me so much for it. Which of course I didn't mind, because I could use all the self-esteem bolstering comments I can get), just because there's SO MUCH stuff we've covered and I really don't know how much he wants us to know. I mean, he gave us a review sheet today, and it was seven pages long. And it didn't even include everything from the last class's lecture, about Judaism and Zionism and all that, which he said we need to know also (he just didn't have time to include it in the review handout). So, at least that stuff should help, but I'm still not all that clear. I probably just need to really sit down with it, and then I'll know what to expect more.

Oh, wait, I just remembered he said we might be able to bring a notecard in with some notes on them for it, though. Heh. Sorry, but it kind of amuses me when teachers do that, because doesn't it really just defeat the purpose? I mean, I know it's not the same as open-book, since it's a limited space and you have to choose what you put on it. But isn't the point of the class, and the test, to make sure you really know these things? I guess, though, that if you generally understand all of it, and just sometimes could use a little reminder, that's not too bad. After all, in life, you do have encyclopedias and the internet and all sorts of other resources at your disposal. What really matters is that you mostly know the stuff, and understand it. Come out of the class more informed, with your grade reflecting that, hopefully.

My hand was cramping from the hurried, endless note-taking tonight, but I enjoyed the lecture. Well, let me amend that. I enjoyed what I was learning. I don't hate the teacher or anything, but he does still rub me the wrong way, some of the time. And the class environment isn't as engaging as some of the others I've been in before. I did talk with some people in my class a little more tonight, though. The guy from Sudan was helping me remember African capitals. Heh. I give him credit for not laughing as I butchered the pronounciation. I want to make him go up and teach the class, just so I can hear him talk all the time. Hee. Sorry, but I love accents.

Speaking of that student, he made me kind of laugh to myself at one point, because he said "Excuse me, I can't say what I want as well sometimes, because of my English." Not that his language frustrations amused me, but rather the fact that he thought his English was something to apologize for to begin with. Dude, he just moved here three years ago, and speaks English fluently. And I'm sure he probably spoke at least some of it, before even moving here. And he probably speaks at least two other languages. Meanwhile, I speak just English, and expect applause when I understand a Spanish word every now and then. Heh. Such an American.

I felt bad for Question Quigley tonight, even though he still annoys me just as much, mostly. When the teacher told us about the project and tests, he of course had to ask if there would be any essays (even though he'd just said what there would be, and we all have the syllabus), and then started saying how he's better at essays than multiple choice tests. Something he could talk about with the teacher privately. And this kid was like "Just so you know? We didn't elect him to speak for the class." Ha!

That was nothing, though, compared to the burn this old guy laid on him later. First off, the teacher told us during the first class, and has since then told us repeatedly, that he doesn't want the class to be about debates and people's opinions. Like, later on in the class maybe, sure. When people have an actual foundation of real knowledge on which to build said opinions. And that if someone does want to share a viewpoint, then they need to do it concisely, respect others, and allow the lecture to continue. Even so, people still just have to hear themselves talk, and think we all want to hear it too.

So, anyway, this old guy was talking about the middle east, because he took one class on Islam once (which makes him an expert, I guess. *rolling eyes* I mean, some of what he said had good points, but he also generalized an awful lot, and that's one of my pet peeves) and was in the middle of his rambling diatribe when Question Quigley started hopping around in his seat (heh, okay, not really, but shh. Close enough), waving his arm around. All "Me! Me! Call on me!" And, I swear to God, the old guy turned to him and said "I'm not done talking yet. You can ask your million questions in just a moment." HA! Oh my God, that was mean, dude. I laughed and gasped, all in one moment. Like, laughing because I couldn't help it, but I also couldn't believe he said that. Harsh, yo. Poor Question Quigley, I hope he's not anything like me, because I'd be like traumatized from that, and would never want to ask questions in class again.

He may be annoying, and meticulously brush his mullet ponytail during class (so disturbing), but he has feelings. And yes, I am a pussy. If I found the Devil crying, I'd probably be all "You wanna talk about it?", handing him a handkerchief.

By the way, I can't ever talk about the Devil anymore, without envisioning him like South Park's Satan. Hee.

The atmosphere really was thick with annoyance, though. I can't believe he doesn't sense it, and if he does, I don't know why he doesn't take the hint and shut it already.

Getting back to my original point though, the lecture was enjoyable. Really just because we're getting into more information that I find relavant, and like learning about. I love history and other social sciences, because it's like piecing together a puzzle, and whenever you learn something new, everything comes together and makes sense that much more.

Tonight, we didn't cover as much time as previous lectures, but we still had a lot coming at us. Mainly just stuff about WWI, Turkey, and the role of Britain and France with the Jews and the Arabs, and the beginning of the modern Arab nations as we know them today. Britain almost makes me laugh sometimes, in history classes, because they were so fucking sneaky and cocky, throughout the years. Serious, them and the French, man. Unbelievable. They're all "Sure, man, we totally support you having your own Arab state after the war. Of course you'll control it! We're with you, 100%! [under breath]Except we sort of told the Jews we're in favor of a Jewish state, have a secret agreement with the French over how the middle east will be split up between us and the rest of Europe, and are working on the down low with your enemy, the Sauds. And we're only using you, and you'll find this out after the war, and won't be able to do jack shit about it! Haha, but we don't care, because we're Great Britain! Suck on that, arabs!"[/under breath]

After class, Mom and I went to Corinne's for a little while. She let us go home with the rest of the brownies she made (which I just ate the last of, heh. Go Team Me!), and we hung out and talked for a while, as Lance played some stuff he's made up on his guitar and bass.

Corinne was not happy at all with Mom earlier, because Mom told her to fuck off for practically no reason, but it blew over. Corinne told Mom she was a Drama Queen, and then Dr. Phil came on, and guess what the topic was? Drama Queens! Ha! I loved it. My Mom is the biggest Drama Queen ever, too, by the way. She's so histrionic. For real. Like, here's the symptoms Yahoo lists for it, and I'll put the ones I see in her in bold:

-Constant seeking of reassurance or approval
-Excessive dramatics with exaggerated displays of emotions
-Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval
-Inappropriately seductive appearance or behavior (I don't bold this one, even though it has popped up, when she was manic)
-Excessive concern with physical appearance
-A need to be the center of attention (self-centeredness)
-Low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification (definitely)
-Rapidly shifting emotional states that may appear shallow to others
-Opinions are easily influenced by other people, but difficult to back up with details
-Tendency to believe that relationships are more intimate than they actually are (? Not sure)

I see some borderline and narcissistic in her, too. Interesting. Of course, it's not like I can't see some of the personality disorders in me too, but in my case it'd be avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive. Score! Heh.

Speaking of Mom, and drama, when her doctor told her how stress was causing so much of the problem, she later told me that the only reason she didn't ask to be put in a hospital then was because she knew she had me to talk to. That's obviously a compliment, if I'm such a source of support, but at the same time it is a lot of weight to carry around on your shoulders. Because it's not like I was given psychological training in the womb or some shit. I'm not a doctor. I do know that I am a good listener though, and a good person to talk to when someone is having a problem, just because I've been told that. And it's like, well, I've had a lot of practice. Heh.

Totally changing subjects, I have an announcement to make: I made my own cheeseburger the other night, for the first time. A-thank you, thank you. All I need now is an apron that says "Kiss the chef."

I read most of one chapter for women's studies today, and have two more to go, then a bit of studying and I'll be ready for the test on Thursday. Should be okay.

Hmm, yeah, that's it for now. I'm so behind on my friend's page, I can't even believe it. I'm on the "skip 160", y'all. And am halfway down that page. Dude. How did that happen?

Because I missed the Picture of the Day yesterday, I'll post that along with the one for today.

April 29th.

April 30th. That picture reminds me of the backyard at my Dad's old house.

Comments

[goodfish.livejournal.com]

As for Sanna, well, as far as I know, she's straight. So, Sanna likes men. Or ye men, if you prefer. (hardy har-har, get it? Ye men? Yemen?

I am pretty sure you need to guess again, hotstuff. Now, its been A YEAR! since I last remember reading something from Sanna, but I think she at least liked the ladies as much as she liked da boys.

Re:

[rachg82.livejournal.com]

Heh, man, the population of bi and gay meta-ers just keeps growing and growing. Oh well, at least it helped me remember the capital, right?