APPLES!

From this article UM was ranked number 15 in the world:

The University of Michigan, one of the world's leading public universities, has 26,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate/professional students from all 50 states and 117 countries. Students may choose from over 200 undergraduate majors, over 90 master's programs, and over 100 doctoral programs. Numerous research and study abroad opportunities are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. A wide variety of social, cultural, and athletic activities are available. There is something for everyone here. Michigan's programs are responsive to the changing needs of society; relevant to the goals of our students and community partners; rich in opportunities for independent and collaborative study, research and practical applications; and reflective of the traditions of excellence, innovation, and leadership. The University is located in the culturally rich and exciting community of Ann Arbor. Distinct yet closely integrated with the University, Ann Arbor offers its own array of social and cultural offerings, to which University students are enthusiastically welcomed. The city is home to numerous parks and athletic facilities, and boasts an excellent public transportation system. Michigan's primary international airport is conveniently located less than 30 miles (48 km) away.

I am so proud of my alma mater. Did you know that 'alma mater' means nourishing mother? I guess it makes sense.

In the past three years, Nidhal and I have gone to four different cider mills in the attempt to find the first one that I ever went to. We have, thus far, been unsuccessful, but at least we have gotten to enjoy apples and cider and doughnuts. The Dexter Cider Mill has almost no parking and no attraction besides a little shop. But the cider and doughnuts were good and it was nice to sit next to the river and eat our stuff. However, one year, they sold us old cider that tasted like it was already fermenting. There is another cider mill over in that area, and it was pretty nice. There were animals and pumpkin doughnuts and cider... generally a nice time. And then there's the one in Plymouth. It had fewer (and less accessible) animals than the previous one, but it wasn't crowded and it had a nice, spacious indoor eating area. However, the cider tasted like apple juice, so we won't be buying their cider anymore. But the did have apple pie bread, and that was really good. Today, we went to one in South Lyon. This one really disappointed me. It was basically a money-grubbing tourist trap. There were a ton of people, there was no peaceful atmosphere, everything was expensive, and they had those carnival bouncy things and charged an arm and a leg to use them. Nidhal and I didn't use the bouncy things, but the practice gave me a bad impression of the place. It wasn't a nice country apple orchard, it was a carnival. Ick. Plus, the cider and doughnuts, while good, were not excellent and not worth the $5 for a half gallon and $5 for a half dozen.

Crud

I seem to have an obsession with Christmas. I'm already thinking about what to get people, and I've already bought a few gifts. I think part of the obsession is because when Christmas comes, this semester will be over. So I just keep thinking, "I can't wait until Christmas".

It always happens that I look forward to something and then I'm incredibly disappointed. This time, it was the weekend. I was looking forward to this weekend. On Thursday, Nidhal and I were going to Toledo to check out the university there, and then we were going to stop in Dundee on the way home to shop at a few stores. On Friday and Saturday, there was the MITESOL conference at EMU. Even though I wasn't very enthused about, I was looking forward to it because it's something that doesn't happen often... it's a special event. And then on Sunday, we were going to do something 'fallish'. Well, the disappointments began right away.

We went to Toledo, and that was fine, but not very special. The weather was kind of overcast. And then we stopped in Dundee. Cabella's was somehow boring this time around, and I didn't enjoy it. And then Nidhal was too tired to do anything else, so we headed for home. Of course, the sun then decided to come out and it became a beautiful day. But we were in for the day, so I didn't get to enjoy it. Weekend Day 1 = flop. The next day, I was still kind of bummed out from the amazing underachieving of the previous day, and so I didn't even want to go to the conference. But I did and it was ok, but it wasn't as cool or fun as last year. Also, I found out/realized today that my relaxing little-work weekend was just the opposite. Weekend Day 2 = meh. On the next day, I had to get up early, and while I semi-enjoyed the conference, it still wasn't as fun as last year. And then, when I got home, I was so tired from getting up early, that I couldn't concentrate on anything. Weekend Day 3 = crap. Finally, we come to today. It started out ok, but it started late. Despite my love for sleeping, I don't like starting my day late. Well, by the time we were done with breakfast, it was about 1pm. And then someone was grumpy and left to go meet a friend. So here I am now, the end of the weekend, with a ton of homework, in a bad mood, having not enjoyed a bit of the weekend that was supposed to be the best in a long time. Talk about disappointment.

Delusions - There is no greater joy than soaring high on the wings of your dreams, except maybe the joy of watching a dreamer who has nowhere to land but in the ocean of reality.

Pessimism - Every dark cloud has a silver lining, but lightning kills hundreds of people each year who are trying to find it. .