The election is over.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   I woke up this morning and experienced a unique sensation.  Nothing had changed.  I have food on my shelves, clothes on my body, and freedom. 

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   I will continue to be blessed with incredible opportunity (that is consistently taken for granted) simply because I am an American.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   Regardless of who is leading our nation.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   I just wanna scream and remind everyone that we’re all human, despite our political beliefs.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   So, wrapping up my brief ideological shpeal, I suppose that, ultimately, without dissension our lives would be rather boring.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   I just hope that our divided country can mend and move forward…I’m tired of walking carefully along this great schism.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;  

And breathe….that’s right…just let it out…phew – such serious talk after such a fun weekend!

Halloween weekend commenced Thursday evening with our traditional trip to the quad for the Thriller dance and the haunted house in Holland Hall.  We met up with nearly everyone we went with last year.

I almost wanted to cry as I looked around at the original crew – Andrew, Shelly, Shannon, the roomies…I thought of everything we had experienced together the past year, just two months into our freshman year when we experienced our first Pitt Halloween.  Although we all still see each other, we’ll never have that fresh approach to things like we did last year – it was amazing getting to grow up in such a short time with all of you…and just so you assholes know, I am crying right now.

I looked at everyone now added to the group and smiled to myself – everyone is so different and brings such a unique twist to our joint friendship…a puzzle piece that we didn’t realize was so essential to the big picture until they came along.  I don’t know what I’d do without all of you!

So, of course, we got all excited when the dancers came out and performed to Thriller…then I started to get scared about going into the haunted house and everyone picked on me.  Remember, guys, I was in a cult till I was 12 and didn’t get to celebrate Halloween…let’s cut me a break.

Ayeisha pulled the label off of her canned good, and after we told her they might think it was a can of Alpo she was trying to donate to charity, she ran back to her dorm and got another one.

And, for being the chicken, I definitely didn’t cling to anyone as hard as Natasha held onto my arm the whole way through.  In fact, at one point, she refused to move and I had to pull her.  Yep, nice bruise on my upper arm from her death grip.  Thanks, Tashi.

Then if was off to Dithridge for old-time’s sake.  To Dirty Phi and the chicken coop in the corner of the basement…something I never would have associated with partying at Pitt prior to coming here, but that’s how we do it. 

We forced Shelly to come along with us, even though she protested, claiming her sweatshirt and sweatpants just weren’t suitable attire.  She spent the shuttle ride there cursing us all, primarily Tash and I, telling us we owed her a day of going out without make-up, dressed in our p.j.’s.  Oh but we got her there.

There were Spice Girls and a ton of slutty Bo Peep’s, throw in an 80’s hair band rocker and an occasional dominatrix and you have my evening.  Decked out in jeans and a zip-up sweatshirt, I basically just sat back and took it all in.

Funny…I didn’t realize just what a good night it was.

Friday we went to our traditional party place, Kappa Sig – I dressed as an FBI agent, Natasha was a construction worker, Lauren a fireman, and Pam an army girl.

Matt came down, and with a little help from the girls, became one himself.  He borrowed Lauren’s blue miniskirt, another girl’s tank top, Pam’s purse, and several girls collaborated on his make-up. I must admit, you are one hot mama.

Chad was a track star, complete with short shorts, high socks, tight t-shirt, and sweatband (you looked hot, hun!).  Tom was…Tom…in aviators and a white button-up shirt – collar popped.  Matt was a leprechaun – he looked so great!- in green tights, gold elf shoes, kilt, and big green top hat.  He definitely won the gold star.  Jim left us for the weekend = ( .

Tiffany and Hilary were a devil and cat – SOO cute – and they switched costumes the following night (great minds, those two).  Nicole and Katelyn were gangsters, complete with bling and big smiles.

KS was great – I love the brothers there…they know how to take care of a good girl.  Friday was mostly a blur, but a good one – I had a great time with everyone.

Saturday was, well… …okay.  The excitement was the arrival of Natasha’s best friend, Jessica.  I love this girl!  She’s absolutely gorgeous, tiny, and so talented.  We went to Ohio to see her as the lead in the play “Stop Kiss” just a month or so ago.  I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I saw her again!  I can’t imagine how Tash must feel…she reminded me how much I miss Jody, Erica, and Bri, too.

So, Jess dressed as a naughty schoolteacher, we grabbed Alex from next door and helped him transform into a dork (not as hard a job as you might think ; ) J/K you!), and we all ventured to CMU.  After all the frustration of getting everyone in somewhere, which happened to be Pika, we did end up having a pretty good night.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   We finished off the weekend with a trip to the Marketplace for Sunday brunch with the guys from 521, Tiff, and Hil.  We ate a lot and played with the grits when they congealed…yeah we’re gross like that and it takes little to entertain us.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   So this weekend was pretty exciting.  And now it’s Wednesday, and my hell week is over.  Ah, and so the vicious cycle of the weekend begins again…

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   Hey, I’ll have tons of pictures you can look at soon on Webshots – a lot from this past weekend!  I know you’re all on the edge of your seats.