Wait, wait. Are you ready for this? Sophomore year is over! Woop wooooooop!

And geezus, what a year. It didn't start off as I planned (I slept a majority of the time I was in Chicago the first few weeks, the result of having mono and dry sockets from my oh-so-wonderful wisdom teeth surgery), and it definitely did not end like I expected (I'm no longer an animation major, I have a wonderful full time job that may or may not kick my butt this summer, and I'm a single lady... put ma hands UP!). So yes. Big changes. But good changes:)

I'm making it a tradition to write about the things that I've personally learned or thought over the course of the school year. Here's the list this year:

1. So most of you, if not all of you, know that I’ve went through a few certain... ahem.. trials and tribulations this year. And a few people have asked me how I’ve handled it so well. I would never say it out loud because it makes me sound like a cheese monster, but basically, I feel like a life is a story, and you have two choices of who your character will be: the victim or the hero(ine). So, I chose to be the heroine.

2. When I tell people that I’m switching my major (again) they usually roll their eyes and say something along the lines of ‘what now?’ or ‘what is this.. the fourth time?’ To which I reply.. no asshole, it’s only the second. (Which sounds a lot better than ‘It’s ONLY my third major!’). I just realized I’m semi-passionate about a lot of stuff, and only really passionate about one thing.

3. I think I’m at the appropriate maturity level for someone who is almost 20. However, I look at other people who are almost 20 and think, “Geezus Haley, you’re an old woman compared to them”. But I’ll never look at someone who's the same age and acts like a ninety year old and think, “Geezus Haley, you’re a toddler compared to them’. I’ll probably just think they’re wasting their youth, and will have a terrible mid-life crisis in the future.

4. 75% of people have a ‘guilty before proven innocent mentality’ when it comes to meeting new people. They need people to “prove” to them that they’re cool or worth their time before they accept them. I’m the exact opposite. “Innocent until proven guilty”. I’ll like you before I don’t.

5. This is the first time in my life that I don't have a plan, or any concrete goals. I've always been working for something specific that I wanted to happen in the future, and right now, I'm just kind of going with the flow, just trying to do my best at everything. And honestly I'm so much happier not having expectations or a five step plan for my life.

6. I seriously would like to just live in a van and travel around. Maybe one day?

7. Lately, "Are you going home for the summer?" has been a popular question. Honestly though, I'm already home. This is definitely where I belong right now.

So... that's it. For the list, the year, and for this blog. After all, I'm not a city virgin anymore:)

Officially mortified. 

While working today, a regular asked for a cup of coffee. "I'll have the large, no, nevermind... the medium". Since we only have 12 oz. and 16 oz. i picked the two up and said.. 'which one'? 

To which he replied, 'the small one'. 

To which I replied, 'k. the baby'. (as in the smaller coffee.. the baby coffee compared to the 16 oz. i was confirming the order! geezus!). 

To which he looked appalled and I realized that he didn't hear me say the word "the". 

Shitshitshitshitshitshit! and blush... 

And on that note my socks don't match. 

-I Am Haley, A Mortified City Virgin. 

I'm sure if you read a lot of personal blogs (I'm pretty sure there aren't many of you), most of the entries you've read recently had something to do with the New Year/Decade. Well, I'll have none of it, thank you. My life is not split up by calendar years, but instead, by school years, and my celebration doesn't start until May 15th. 

I'm really looking forward to summer! I plan on getting my own little apt, and I also plan on teaching myself how to alter clothes. Exciting! For me at least. Now hopefully I'll make some friends, because you know, not going to lie, this girl is a little lonely. The only conversation I seem to be involved in is when homeless people (or not so homeless people) ask me for money when I walk by. 

Speaking of not so homeless people, if you're a student who poses as a homeless person to make a little extra cash, I've got some tips from you: 

First, don't wear those new kicks you just bought. Especially if they're white. Dead giveaway. 

Second, if you're going to make this a long-term habit, don't get a haircut. I hate when I see you one day and then the next you have some sweet styled cut going on. If you've got money to spend on your hair, you don't need my money, because I don't even have money to spend on my hair.

Third, if you bring your pet, don't bring him/her with his collar and tag. Especially, if it's well groomed. I saw a kid who was looking real sad and holding his cat that could've been a... spokescat?... for Meow Mix. I couldn't help but laugh. Is that mean? 

And fourth, if you're using one of those signs that say, 'Help me get back to my home in _____! Donate money!" and cry and pout a lot to make people feel bad for you (you know who you are), please don't continue to do so months down the road. I've seen one guy whose been here for about six months, and he's still crying that he can't get home. You would've been there by now if you walked playuh.  

Basically, get off your lazy butt and get a job already, I know you can, and so does everyone else, except those little old lady tourists who seem to give money to everyone. (Who are adorable, kind people who should NOT be taken advantage of!)

I recently got off my lazy butt and got a job. (Woo-hoo!) Thank you craigslist. You may be creepy 95% of the time, but that other 5% you're pretty legit. 

Well I got to go do nothing. Until next time, babycakes' (plural)! 

- I Am Haley, A Working City Virgin

7 Things I Would Like to Say to the People In Caribou Coffee Currently:

1. Everyone: Do not under any circumstances give a "taxi cab" driver a dirty look when in chicago. Even if they do almost hit you. Cab cars look a lot like cop cars in this city. 

2. Couple A Few Tables Away: Unless you're planning to propose in two seconds, please do not make googly eyes with your significant other. There's some of us who would rather not be witness to your vom-worthy PDA. 

3. Guy Sitting Two Tables From Me: shoes that have individual toe holes will never be in fashion. but I'm impressed you found such distinctive footwear.

4. Large Man Making Your Way Into The Coffee House's Facilities: don't stare at the girl sitting at the table near the bathroom door as you go in the bathroom. It's creepy. 

5. Caribou Coffee: Please keep playing George Michael. It's making my day. 

6. Guy who just left: Passing gas and then walking away is like a hit and run. Completely unacceptable. 

7. Me: Go take a shower. You look like a homeless. 

- I Am Haley, A Wise City Virgin

I finished my first drawn animation last night! ...well the pencil test at least. haha! 

The next step is to color it. So this morning, I spent all four hours of my class coloring and watching animations that the teacher was showing. It was during that time that I realized that I had been prepping for this my whole life. All those hours watching One Saturday Morning, and all those times I busted my butt to win first place in Ms. Olde's second grade coloring contests (which was every time except once, thank you very much!)... it's all really paying off:) 

Haha! Check it out: Morphing Pencil Test. 

- I am Haley, An Exuberant City Virgin

Happy October! I know I haven't wrote in a while but I've been busy... you know.. with school, grocery shopping, homework, eating, and facebook stalking.  ...don't judge. you've probably been doing/have done the same.

Anyways.. today I came back from my first weekend trip to central, andddd I almost missed my train. It was supposed to leave at 447.. i got there at 443... (I got lost two times on my drive to the station. I blamed it on mapquest.. but I'm pretty sure I'm just an idiot). So there I was, running for my life, while carrying my backpack, Mary Poppin's sized purse, and winter jacket that my mom fedex'd to me, hoping that the train wouldn't start chugging away even though all the doors were already closed and locked. That's when one of the conductors poked his head out of the window and said, "Don't worry hun! We won't leave without ya!" I just laughed and ran along, probably looking like a crazy. I appreciated his kindness.. at the same time.. I was glad that the passengers weren't able to hear him. Although I'm sure that I brought enough attention to myself by awkwardly running along.

I got back alright though (obviously). I just want to say, that I love Chicago, and the buildings and the lights, but I miss my trees. And all the pretty colors that they change in fall. You don't get that so much in Chicago. Fall is cloudy and cold here, not so much crisp. Def. not about picking apples and pumpkins and going to haunted hay rides and bonfires. Here, fall is just a warning for the coming winter. I suppose you have to give up some things to get others. Which could also describe the relationship between how difficult it is to be able to see my boyfriend, and me living in my (currently) favorite city... See ya next month Chris:-/ 

I'm not complaining though! Don't you dare for a second think that that is what is going on. I love Chicago, I love the choice I made, and I wouldn't take it back for anything. There are things that I wish I could kind of glitch, but I can't. Life. 

-I Am Haley, A Tired-and-Kind-of-Sad-(Although-She-Has-No-Legitimate-Reason-to-Be) City Virgin

There was this really awkward kid standing in the elevator with me today. He had a bunch of camera equipment (monopod, tripod, camera case, backpack, blah blah blah...) and it was obvious that he was having a rough time lugging everything. When his floor came up he tried to exit the elevator but somehow all his gear kept getting stuck in the doors. When he was completely free he scurried out of sight. 

... I really just wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I knew exactly the embarrassment he was feeling, since I had just flashed a professional looking business man, and twenty art students my undies (and the holes in them) while walking over a subway grate. 

"wait, wait. holes in them????" you may ask. 

"Why yes!" I reply. "I'm a starving artist now. Instead of underwear, I have to buy seventy dollars worth of colored pencils!" 

This is the moment where I realize that I am a fool. 

... I Am Haley, A Pea-Brained City Virgin.