The Legend of Mary Mayo--Part One

Leaves were bright orange, burnt red, and a gorgeous yellow on the campus of Michigan State University. Abby clutched her arms tighter around her body and tucked her hands into the sleeves of her hoodie. It was fall, finally, in Michigan. Gorgeous colors, hayrides, caramel apples, carving pumpkins were all a part of why this was her favorite season. The main reason, though, was that Halloween was in autumn. Costumes, Candy, Corn-mazes and Haunted Houses fill her mind this time of year. She walked into the Barista Café, the wind finally stopped blowing around her as she entered the building. Ordering a tall Vanilla Cappucino, she sat down in one of the big comphy leather chairs waiting for her friend. Courtney came running in five minutes later, obviously excited by something. Her short blonde hair had been mussed by the wind.
“What are you doing Thursday night?” She demanded, sitting down.
Abby set her drink down, “Absolutely nothing. Why, what’s up?”
“ Haunted House, Mayo hall, I’d love for you to go. I’m helping put iton with another mentor.” Courtney was smiling ear to ear. Abby agreed, as Courtney dove on, “Do you know the legend of Mary Mayo?” Abby had never heard of it, and urged Courtney to tell her, “Well,” Courtney started, “ it goes back long ago to when women were first admitted into MSU and only allowed to live in the Mayo dorm. She had just broken up with her boyfriend and she went down to the basement and hung herself in what now is known as the Red Room. Students have some odd experiences when they go to the "Red Room", it has been remodeled as a study lounge. The closet has formed into a storage closet over the years, but the clothes rod is still in there. One student was studying late at night (of course) before midterms, and she heard the rod vibrate against the walls (as if something had been tied to a rope then flung over it so the rod had to support the weight of the thrown object). She opened the door, and nothing was there, the closet had been cleaned out. The lights flickered and she heard a piano playing.
“ Two of my other RA friends went there and did it themselves. Adam was on duty that night, so he had the duty phone, too. They took a Ouiji board into the Red Room and lit a candle. The duty phone rang, and when the on-duty RA answered, no one was there. Thinking it was just a prank-call, the RA's decided to call the number back. Turns out, it was a number that didn't even exist. After that, the Ouji board went crazy, apparently, and they heard insane laughter when they started to conduct the Sayance. After the insane laughter, supposedly the face of Satan appeared to them dancing around.” She waited for a response.
“That’s just creepy.” Abby said, clutching her drink, “But I love it!”
“So you’ll go?”
“I already told you that!” Abby was excited, “ Better yet, you’re putting it on, aren’t you?” Courtney nodded, “Well then, we’re keeping the Red Room open later…and we’re having our own personal sayance.”

How is this possible?

It's never going to happen to me. That's what most people say when they talk about getting cancer. Well, actually that's the truth. It most likely won't happen to you. That's what I thought, too. I couldn't imagine having cancer, nor would my best friend of sixteen years have it. But, it's happening, and it's scary.

It started out just like any other worknight. Sitting down watching a performance and getting paid. The only unusual thing? My phone kept ringing like I was an operator. It was Colin three times, then Katie only once. When I got around to calling her back, my night would never go back. She told me when she went to her doctors appointment, he found a couple spots on her ovaries that were of concern. Concern as in what, I wanted to know. Concern as in cancerous. It was dead silent for what seemed like an eternity, however in reality it was only a couple of seconds. All I could think, "No." Then the tears started coming down. She couldn't. She was eighteen. Only a month away from being nineteen. What the hell? How is this happening? They're not for sure yet, and they need to talk it over again at another appointment, but no. Katie's vivacious, she's full of life. She has gotten over so much in her life, she's truly my hero. She's accomplished only half of what I wish I had, and gotten through some majorly hard times that no one should have to go through. So, why her?

I was complaining earlier that life wasn't fair, about how some people can slack off but succeed in life beyond anyone elses dreams. Then, this. Life truly isn't fair. An Eighteen year old girl should not have ovarian cancer, should not have to worry about chemo-therapy, and should not have to worry about whether she might live or die. She should be worrying about her new apartment next year with me, her best friend, getting into MSU, and definitely worrying about classes and getting football tickets. Not about that.

I can't cry, though. She wasn't crying, so I can't. I have to be strong. She needs my strength as much as her own now more than ever. She needs me to not cry and be there for her while she is. She needs me to be the rock that she's always been for me. And I will be. Without a doubt I will be. God wouldn't give us anything we can not handle, and if it is cancer we're going to give it hell and fight with all we've got because it doesn't realize it not only took on the rough and ready Katie, but also Me. Together we'll get through this. Without a doubt, we will get through this.

Rant & Raves

So, this time, I don't really have that interesting of a topic. I'm going to rant & rave, and if you don't like it, stop reading. Right here, right now. That's your warning-- abide to it.

my complaint list for September 26th, 2007:
-Cramps. You can go terrorize some boy from now on, because I don't think they understand how truly heinous they can be. apparently it is the equivilent to being kicked in the balls. Too bad whether boys believe it or not, it is. When I get these god-forsaken pulses that help remind me that I'm not pregnant and about to endure a pretty bad week, I am not able to walk. Not able to walk, and the feeling that I'm about to throw up every twenty-four seconds. Luckily, they usually only last a day...however, it is the worst day of the month I have. Boys, you don't get kicked in your netherregions once a month, let alone for a week straight. Stop saying that cramps are nothing compared to what you experience-- you have no idea and neither do we. I just have one question for you. Would you like to be introduced to child birth instead?

-Professor Jing. What's worse than an asian man speaking very bad broken english with a horrid combover? Having to sit throug his lecture for an hour & 50 minutes. What's even worse than that? Having cramps while doing it. He makes up his own dates for the sculputures, and doesn't even know their correct name. The book says one thing, Anning Jing says another. Just because you have an extensive interest in Buddhist art does NOT mean that I do, nor anyone else in this class. This is not what we signed up for, this is not what we want to learn about. This is not what you should be teaching.

-The Internet in Wonders Hall. What is up with the internet working five feet away from me at Heather's desk (her computer), but not on mine?! My wireless is hooked up, and so is my ethernet cord. I don't get it. My wireless works in my classes. I've turned my computer on & off multiple times in hopes that it will work. Does it recognize the networks? yes. Will it connect to the internet? Absolutely not. Eff you, MSU internet!! You're retarded.

-General Motors. This one, I'm actually going to commend GM. Way to reach an agreement only two days after the strike was called. Thank you for putting my father and 72,999 other people back to work. Now, let's go Legislature. Let's figure that budget out.

That's about it right now, I do believe. Didn't like it? Too bad. Stop reading. These aren't your complaints, they're mine. Deal with it! I'm a girl who's about to embark on the worst month in the world, on a horrible day where all my emotions are like the Millenium Force rollercoaster, and I can start crying at the drop of a hat. I can become defensive within 2.2 second and bite your head off within 1.5. Don't upset me, and be careful, you're on thin ice. Have a great rest of the day :)

I need to start reading the newspaper.

So here's the dealio. GM workers are working twelve hour days while the UAW and GM are having negotiations regarding their contract. The old contract expired September first, and there isn't a new one yet. GM employees are working without a contract trying to avoid a strike. Is a strike inevitable? Most likely. That's problem number one.

Problem number two? Michigan may not have a budget soon. If the legislators keep leaving the capitol with nothing settled by the deadline (which is dangerously close and it doesn't sound like they will), all state workers will be out of work until they reach a new budget agreement. The reason they will be out of a job, is because the state won't have money to pay them...and who want's to work for free? The state will have no money what-so-ever. The legislature needs to raise taxes in order for the government to get out of debt, but the legislature doesn't want to do that, either.

Problem number three: My mom is a research assistant for hte legislature. My dad is an electrician for GM. Now, if GM goes on strike, my dad doesn't get paid. He gets to stand out on a picket line( with me right beside him if I don't have class), get free donuts, and then come home. Not a big deal-- my family can live off one paycheck, we've done it before. However, if the legislature doesn't reach an agreement before the deadline, and both my parent's are out of work? That could be a problem. My family will be scrimping off the edges, and I'll be the only one working. Thank God my schooling is paid for already, so I can stay and continue studying...but, when I do get a paycheck, it would go to help my family out. I remember scrimping in 8th grade, and although we can do it, it wasn't pleasant. No extra things like movies, going out to dinner, and we only got the bare minimum when we went shopping. Jay was so young he doesn't remember that-- Jack kind of does, but I really do. I don't want my brother's to have to know what scrimping really is. I don't even really know what it is, but if it comes down to Michigan not having a budget and GM being on strike, they'll know scrimping like I never knew.

All I know right now, is, that GM and the Union need to come to agreements on a new contract, and the Legislature needs to come to agreement on a new budget...SOON.

Plus, if my dad gets hurt on the job and he doesn't have a contract saying he gets health insurance from it--not only will he be pissed, but so will I. That contract really helped us out when he fell off the 40 foot ladder and broke his foot.

Asoka Towers, Stupas, next comes Buddha.

Let's start this entry off with a question. Don't worry, it's easy. all multiple choice.

Sweats, baggy t-shirt, and a huge coffee shop mug filled with hot chocolate. What does that sound like to you?
A.) me procrastinating work
B.) Me in the mood to write
C.) Me taking a break from studying
D.) me being pissed off
E.) all of the above.

See, I told you it was easy. Go with your intuition, if you're still having a little bit of a hard time. If you've choosen E, all of the above, you are entirely correct. Let's start at the beginning. I mean, it only seems logical. Or, we can skip around in order like my Art History professor. You know what? Indeed let's do just that. I am taking a break from studying (C). I've had enough of Psychology, Spanish, History, and stupid Buddhist art. Therefore, I wanted/needed a break. Am I procrastinating the rest of my work(A), as well? Yes. Anne Orthwoods Bastard just does not seem appealing to read right now...however, the reading is due on Tuesday, followed by a quiz...and I still have 150 pages to read. I am, also, in the mood to write(B). I haven't done it in a while, and even though I don't really have a topic, random thoughts will come out. Plus, I'm dressed the part. I can't just have a huge mug of hot chocolate, be wearing grungy clothes and not write. It's not in my networking. Yes, I did just refer to my genetic makeup as networking. I've been hanging around geeks and dating a geek for way too long. How about answer D, being pissed off? This is where the real fun begins, readers. Oh, read on and enjoy.

My Art History class. In the course schedule, this class is described as learning about world art, the history of world art. So, in my naive mind, I'm thinking the Mona Lisa, maybe some statues from the Roman Empire...no. We're learnign about Buddhist art. No problem-- except the prof. is an Asian man, who has a bad combover and speaks in very bad bbroken english.

You know what? I've lost all desire to even write about this. It's bed-time.

Spartans--what is your profession??

For as much as Jenn and I don't speak, and don't keep in contact, I will always owe her for a statement she made to me my Freshman year of college. It was fall of 2006, and I was having a very rough time at MSU. A bad roomate, horrible classes, not many good friends, not many friends at all, actually, and bad cases of home-sickness played into me wanting to transfer schools. This was the topic of our phone convorsation one day. Transferring to Central and hanging out with all of hte amazing people I had met up there. Then, she said something that gave me the courage to stay at Michigan State University.

"State is your dream, babe. You can transfer up here to Central with me if you want, which I would love, but Michigan State is your dream school."

Was I really going to give up on what I had wanted since I was a little girl? After I had worked so hard to get into this school, pulled everything together last semester so I could stay here, was I really going to give up my reward for all my hard work? No, I wasn't. She was right. MSU was my dream, and I'm so stoked to be here today.

Now walking down Wilson Rd. on my way to the most boring class in the world, I stopped in the BioMed building for a Spartys mocha capp. I smile because I'm making this year so much better than last year. Good friends, good classes, parties and football games, this year has already trumped last year by far.

So, even though we don't talk anymore, and our lives are going seperate ways (like most people's do after high school), I just want her to know she gave me the strength to carry on at MSU. I'm having the time of my life, and I will forever remember her quote. I'm not saying she's soley responsible for me staying here, my parent's, boyfriend, and new friends I made were a deciding factor, too, but the quote helped a lot. So, I will forever be thankful to her for that. Thank you, Jennifer, I will be forever grateful. If it were not for that quote, reminding me of my dream, I wouldn't be having the time of my life today. Besides, after 300, who wants to be anything BUT a Spartan??

I'm freaking Dr. Phil

him: she doesnt talk about anything important.

him: and thats what a relationship is for me.

him: someone to talk to, about anything and everything, but more so if its something thats important to either of us.

him: and nothing is ever important to her, and therefore nothing important to me is ever really that important.

him: so we just sort of talk about the weather.

me: which sucks.

me: because really, what you're looking for in a relationship is a best friend.

me: and best friends know basically everything about each other.

me: they're the one you run to when you need help,

me: when you need someone to be there for you,

me: when serious things occur, when you need advice.

me: but they're also there just to go shopping, or to watch a movie, goof around with.

me: ultimately, you're looking for them to be the person who knows you the best. the one who when you say you don't want to talk to anyone, knows when you need to talk, and when to back off.


Wow, between my Ben & Jerry's quote earlier (Ben and Jerry are my two favorite boys. They're perfect to hang out with on a laid-back Saturday night, always willing to hang out with your girls, and they're always there to pick you up when you've fallen from a heartbreak.)