A big fat "W"

I am irritated beyond belief. The academic calendar for Loyola states that the last day to drop a class with 100% refund from the bursar is on January 25th. So today I dropped PSYC 101 for various reasons, and now my transcript has a big fat "W" on it. I thought dropping a class was different from withdrawling? Is this going to hurt my chances of getting into a grad program?
I am annoyed. But I made the right decision. I have priorities that mattered more to me than a class that is not required and is taught by a tyrannt.

On a happier note:

Simon's birthday is on Wednesday. If you know Simon (or any other almost-6-year-olds) you know that he is bouncing off the walls with excitement and consumed with disappointment that each morning he wakes up is not yet the actual day he is waiting for. We are having a Chuck E Cheese party. We haven't been to Chuck E Cheese since November of 2006. I'm not kidding. I know, it is a Michigan family value to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese, especially on special ocassions. But in Chicago - not so much. My best friend, Slavica is from Serbia. She has never been to Chuck E Cheese. So we decided to innitiate her into the All-American traditional birthday party. But get this: Simon is requiring her to wear a fancy dress. (Like a prom dress!) He told Jamie he was supposed to wear his suit and tie. He told me I needed to wear a dress and heels. And he is asking us to buy him a black suit, white shirt, red tie, and put a rose in the jacket pocket! I don't know what to say about this kid. He has seen too many movies, I guess. I told him we could dress up for dinner on Wednesday, but at Chuck E Cheese we would wear comfortable clothes for playing. He pouted for a while but eventually understood.

As I write this, I am seated in front of a full scope, panoramic, all-glass wall overlooking Lake Michigan. Most of the ice has melted, but it still looks cold and dreadful. As far as I can see out, and as wide as I can see left-to-right is water. It reminds me of the endless possibilities there are for living a life of meaning. I am happy to report that the big "W" on my transcript will not hold me back. I am happy with my new decisions about life and cannot wait to keep you posted about the epiphanies, reflections, and thoughts I have about living simply, living for others, and loving moments - mot materials.