Hey Family!

Good evening everyone!
It's been forever since I've posted on the family blog, and I've noticed that people seem to have kind of fallen out of practice with it. So I guess I'll throw something up and see if there are still people out there!

This semester is going pretty well so far. I'm not a fan of my online class, because it's deceptively time consuming. I didn't expect it to take as much time and effort as it really does. I guess not having an actual class to go to really kind of makes the "Out of sight, out of mind" rule apply pretty hardcore.

Either way, classes are going well. Extracurriculars, though, that's another matter.

I'm BUSY. Just to give everyone a general idea of what I do on campus, here's my email signature:
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ZEKIEL F. T. JOHNSON
Psychology & International Security Studies Undergraduate
Minor in Russian Language and Culture

Teaching Assistant | Department of Psychology
Councilor | UOSA Integrity Council
Coordinator of Graduation & Retention | UOSA Dept. of Academics
Chairman Pro-tem | Student Graduation and Retention Task Force
Campus Disciplinary Advocate | UOSA Dept. of Interior Campus Affairs
Student Publications Advocate | UOSA Dept. of Interior Campus Affairs
UOSA Appointee | OU Publications Board, Student Media
Board Member | Transit Appeals Board
Editor-in-Chief | Journal of Global Affairs
Crisis Counselor | OU Counseling Psychology Clinic, Number NYNE
Treasurer, President Emeritus | Russian Club
Sooner Ally | Women's Outreach Centre

University of Oklahoma | Norman, OK, United States
[Contact information omitted]
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And there are a couple other things that I do here and there that aren't on that list! Needless to say, I'm always pretty busy with something.

And then there's work. For anyone who hasn't heard, I'm working at Blockbuster. Also, I'm not a fan of the company. Blockbuster, in my opinion, is like the Titanic, except if the captain was playing some kind of version of "Pong" off of icebergs. They are constantly implementing plans and strategies that are so obviously going to make them lose money, it's ridiculous. I'll call it early on, too. And sure enough, a month or two later, store managers are told frantically to pull the program, effective immediately, because the idea lost the company thousands upon thousands of dollars. Who knew?

But it's money, and so for now, I put on a smiling face and go to work whenever I can. It's my second job, really. I still work for the university's Residence Life department as a weekend RA.

And, on top of that, I just interviewed today at Express, a clothing store at the mall here in Norman (which, for the record, is about 68% [seriously, I just did the math] closer than Blockbuster). I'm really hoping I get the job, because it's a MUCH more convenient location, and I like the company QUITE a bit more. Still, It will probably end up being a third job, because I need the money to pay bills and such.

As far as classes for next term go, I've decided to start taking somewhat easier terms, because I'm quickly getting burnt out on school, and I suspect it has something to do with the outrageously heavy terms I'm taking. Next term, I'm only enrolled in 16 hours right now, which is a nice change from my 24 hours that I was originally enrolled in THIS term (I'm now at 21, after dropping Russian, which I'll pick back up again later).

One of the classes I really want to take next term is Illicit Trafficking. It's an irregularly scheduled course — it only meets five or six times throughout the entire semester. But the actual bulk of the course comes in the middle of the term, during Spring Break, when the class takes a trip to Italy to actually conduct research and interviews with government officials and such. Unfortunately, the cost of the course is about $2900 for all of the travel, lodging, meals, etc. And although I get a stipend from National Merit for international travel of $1500, I don't think I can actually use it for a week-long getaway, even if it is with a class. I'm pretty sure that stipend is supposed to be used for study abroad and stuff like that. So I have a meeting with the coordinator of my SIAS major (who also happens to be teaching the class) to see if there are funding opportunities within the university. Keep a good thought; I'm really hoping to get into this course!

And lastly, I have a quick favor to ask of everyone out there in Internetland. I do a *lot* around campus, and have a pretty busy schedule, between work, classes, and my extracurriculars. I've been lucky so far in that Mom and Dad have let me take the Grandmamobile for use so far, but I'll have to give it back probably around Thanksgiving, leaving me without reliable transportation. Unfortunately, I'm pretty reliant on the car. So, if you know of anyone — friends, family, etc. — who may be selling their car or just getting rid of it soon, *please* keep me in mind, as I desperately search for an alternative for when I must part with the white car. Much thanks!

Time for bed.
Love you all,
Zekiel