This Video Makes Me Happy

Mary J. Blige's new album drops next month and I think a good dose of Mary is exactly what I need as mid-terms kick in. This is the video of her first single, "Just Fine." It's her usual, believe-in-yourself, my-life-is-great message, but the song is really fun to listen to. Also, you can tell she's been working out and LOVES her new body. Check it out! 10 points if you spot the ode to Michael Jackson.

Addendum: Sorry to those who clicked on the video and got some other random band after MTV said the video was only available on their website. They are acting like I stole the video when I got the embed code from their site!!! Don't freakin' bait-and-switch me! Anywhoo, this link should bring you directly to the well-dressed, fabulous-wig-wearing Mary herself.

Minor Earthquake

I'm in the library right now working on my first "real" paper of the semester. Not my first paper of the semester, mind you...more like my tenth...but the first one that is actually inducing anxiety in my classmates and me.

Anyway, I just heard word that the first of the first year doctoral students (or D1s) has withdrawn from the program. I say "first" because I'm trying to keep it real...there will probably be more. One of them might be me, for all I know. This program is officially no joke. If you are not disciplined, you will not make it. There is just too much to do. And in order to maintain a semblance of a life, you must be diligent and super efficient.

Still, with all of that said, the fact that one of us is no longer going to be in our core class tomorrow is creating a sort of...effect. People don't not go to class, so when someone isn't there, you feel it. Apparently, she left because of personal reasons, but still...there is a hush every time someone speaks to it. Ultimately, I know she will be fine. The majority of the world don't get a degree from Harvard and live to tell the tale, but you wouldn't know from the reaction of my classmates today. It's as if she died. Me, I'm more worried about the underlying reasons for her decision and if they were worth it, but I guess I'll never know.

Unfortunately, I can't think about it too much right now...gotta get back to my Econ paper.

Yeah!

This makes me happy!

I'm so excited about this!

Next Friday, Dr. Drew Faust will be inaugurated as Harvard's first female president. This school has been around for 300 years and I happen to be here when it's getting its first female leader. I can't explain it, but I am SO excited about this.

Listen to this fact:

"Drew Faust is only Harvard’s 28th president since its founding. The United States, which is considerably younger than the university, has had 43 presidents."

- Harvard University Office of the President website

It's going to be a two-day event, with readings, a symposium, musical events. There is this website all about the ceremony and all the Harvard artifacts that are coming out of the archives for this grand event. Toni Morrison, one of America's best writers ever, is going to do a reading before the ceremony!

I'm excited like I'm going to have lunch with Barack or something! I can't wait!

Milestone

Today, I completed my third week of classes. It feels like I've been through an entire semester!

In other milestone news, TM and I are going to celebrate our one-year anniversary next weekend. Crazy! We are at a pivotal juncture in our relationship, but we're there together. My insecure, crazy ass just needs reminding of that fact sometimes.

Okay, back to work!