N.E.R.D.G.Y.M. And Cool Stuff From Places

Hi Rhea it's Saturday, and I must say that I am extremely disappointed in your lack of Pet Rock pictures...but I will allow, as apparently The Universe is focusing all of its energy on making your life extra-horrible *rolls eyes*. So today I'm going to show off some of the awesome stuff I received from international sources (thank you, The Universe!) and discuss my idea for Physical Education for the intellectually inclined. But first, a few thoughts.

• So I've recently started (and almost finished) Fahrenheit 451. You actually probably read it in school, like, a long time ago, but for some reason I got skipped at some point in my middle-school career...but no matter. If you haven't read the book, its all about censorship and hedonism and ignorance, and its really thought provoking and all that good stuff, and I think that you would enjoy it. I just wanted to say that it got me thinking about how people really kind of need pain and fear and all of these things to fight for in order to be happy. Because the people in this book never have anything to worry about, they never even have to think about anything that could possibly be emotionally troubling...and most of them are miserable. Sure, they seem happy on the surface, but then the teenagers are killing each other left and right, and adults are committing suicide for apparently no reason at all, just because they have all these feelings and no way to express them, or they have no feelings at all and they feel empty and unfulfilled. So I think that although we have a tendency to wonder exactly why all of these bad things need to happen, the truth is that we're so perfectly equipped to handle it that we almost can't live without it. Our whole lives are about fighting; not winning.

• Um, also....you have my snowpants. So earlier today when I wanted to go outside and build a snow sculpture (which ended up being some kind of fish elephant dinosaur with whiskers), I had to wear my old, really tight, obnoxiously purple ones.

• I'm ashamed to say that I spent all day watching Adventure Time on Cartoon Network.

So now for my latest and greatest idea!

I call it...

Non-conventional

Exercise

Regiment

Designed for

Geeky

Young

Minds

....More commonly known as Nerd Gym (a happy coincidence). Nerd Gym, to be brief, is just like regular gym in that it helps to keep young people fit and healthy. It is different however, in the ways that it is done. Tell me, Rhea, nerds everywhere, have you ever wished that you could learn how to sword fight? How about do Martial arts like a ninja, or be schooled in the ways of the Jedi? Of course you have! You're a nerd! Well, this and more can be made possible with Nerd Gym. You see, Nerd Gym isn't any less strenuous or challenging than regular gym, just more interesting. If I could have chariot races and various swish-and-flicking Harry Potter wizard exercises in gym class, then I would be properly motivated, and therefore perform better. that's right nerds, no more stain on your otherwise flawless report card! Not to say that all nerds are bad at sports, of course. But I certainly am. So I'd just like to give you one more challenge this week, as you are much more artistic than I am. Do you think that you could whip up a N.E.R.D.G.Y.M. logo for me? Pleeeeese? i know you wouldn't be able to put it up right way, but eventually? Thanks (assuming you said yes, of course. If you said no, then CURSE YOU!).

Now, cool stuff from places!!!!

Now, the first cool stuff from places is this antique necklace my dad brought back from the United Arab Emirates. I thought you might appreciate it, being all fashion-y and whatnot.

Now, for the more important things! These are my incredibly awesome birthday presents from my wonderful adopted Finnish family!

Okay, so I think that this one warrants some explaining. You see, where Americans have Micky Mouse...the Finns have Moomin. Just to clarify, Moomin is this cute little Hippo thing with a cast of interesting creature and human friends. This thing of awesome is a night gown with one of the human Moomin characters on it. It reads, "Hip Hip Hip Hip Hip Hip Hip". Now as to what that means, I have no idea, but it's adorable nonetheless. Also, it's sideways. But that's just because I'm too lazy to fix it. And although I'm not wearing it in this picture, I AM wearing it right now as I type this, along with my "So many books, so little bedtime" pajama pants. I am invincible.

This one is more straightforward, but equally incredible. Hello Kitty merchandise. Who couldn't use more of that? Not really Finnish, strictly speaking, but not everything from Finland must be Finnish. I have reasonable evidence that the Japanese population are quite taken with Moomin mania these days.

Also sideways.

Thank you Universe.