Betty Ford died

So, obviously a strange topic choice for a 25 year old to be blogging about. But, I was actually very upset when I heard about the death of the 93 year old former first lady. I was a history major in university, and I reluctantly took a "women in american history" course. I was worried the class would be eaten up with feminism and neglect the true object of the course (history). It turned out to be a wonderful semester, Thanks to Betty.
My professor, as most of my history professors. Was a tad bit on the eccentric side, I loved it of course, but, never the less, she was what she was. She assigned a paper/presentation on significant women in American history in the last 50 years. My concentration was Northern European history before 1800, so you can imagine my excitement... I wanted to go with Monica Lewinsky... Just to be rebellious in a private christian university. She just lacked the excitement I needed for my project though (and my professor said absolutely not). We had to write roughly 20 pages about our historical figure, then present to the class and other professors (while being recorded) in first person (as our historical figure). I always need humor, and have to add humor to everything I'm doing, especially if it's in front of people. It's how I avoid being nervous, you can't be nervous if you're making people laugh.
When I chose Betty I knew nothing about her, just what everyone else knows, she started the Betty Ford clinic, and was a bit of an alchy herself. I started the project four weeks out, and in those four weeks I learned more about her than almost any other human being (save for some French and British Monarchs). She was fascinating  and spunky. But I think what I liked most about her was her ability to maintain her class! She was such a classy woman, but she didn't let the fear of losing that lady like-ness come in the way of helping others. I like the spunk/classiness combo, I like to think it's what I have... Well, possibly quirky/classy combo would describe me better.
She was awesome, that's all I'm saying, and there are not many people left around like her.
P.s. The presentation was awesome... I think I did her justice!


On a different (and more in tune with my blog) note, I still don't have a backpack, but I do have a prospect. A somewhat awkward prospect, but, if it means I don't have to buy a $300 pack, then I'm willing to cope. The pack belongs to a guy I have like recently and in the past, we have been on dates, but he never calls back (crippled by shyness is the word on the street). He an extremely nice guy, but truly is very shy.
AnyWAY, his cousin is how I know him, she is one of my very close friends (we rushed Chi Omega together) and I am also now friends with his younger sister, and see her frequently. His mother wants to adopt me for her own (which I would love) and his father and I have awesome history chats!
Ah, getting side tracked AGAIN! So, I was over at their house this past Saturday, playing apple to apples with the fam (no, he was not there, and yes, it was awesomely weird), when I was leaving I was talking about my trip and what I needed. His mother volunteered his pack (he lived in Europe for a semester). Now, I NEED a good backpack, but I also like to avoid awkward situations... I can either pretend I never heard her say it, OR take her up on the offer and use the pack. BUT, what if he doesn't want me to? And this is where things get ridiculous.... I don't want his pack if he doesn't want me to use it, but he is too polite ever to say he doesn't want me to use it. Even if he tells his mother so, I think she will give it to me to use anyway. Ugh... I'll figure out something!
More exciting news for me however is: I HAVE FOUND PLACES TO STAY! In Switzerland AND Paris! I sent some messages out to friends a while back, just putting out feelers of who was the most excited about me coming... My lovely Swiss friend Tabea, who I actually met in Nashville offered me to stay with her. I'm so excited about it because we need catch up time severely! I'm not so hot with electronic communication (i'm getting better, hopefully).
For Paris I went to http://www.vrbo.com/ which is an amazing website! Grace and I are staying in the first district of Paris for a few days, walking distance from EVERYTHING, well, except Versailles, but that's okay because Versailles isn't Paris. You can find SUPER affordable prices as well, which is nice since I'm practically broke. It's so much nicer than a hostel, but I have never stayed in a hostel, so I really don't know, do I. But, I can tell you this, you save money if you have a kitchen to cook in, and I love going to the grocery in other countries, you can learn so much about the people, and you save so much money by doing this as well, and the food is better than buying it from street vendors, and cheaper than going out to eat all the time! Picnics are the way to go, always!

OTHER NEWS: I did like this old guy, now I don't. Don't know how I feel about Mr. Shy. And there is a young Sgt. that intrigues me and makes me a little crazy.

Ciao