Mardis Gras HodgePodge

I've been neglecting my hodgepodgeing!
Finally, I'm readmitting myself to my favorite Wednesday tradition,
and just in time for a really great set of questions!
Are you playing along? If not, you totally should!

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

As a non-Catholic Christian, I'm not sure I'm even "supposed" to practice Lent. I don't remember it coming up in Church sermons (other than what Lent meant, in the Bible), nor do I remember ever being urged into it. I know mom always gives up chocolate (which she invariably always ends up with some funny event where she eats something she didn't realize had chocolate in it.)

Lent for me, aside from the religious aspect, is about figuring out which of your addictions you still have control over. So, yeah, I participate.

This year? I settled, yet again, on soda.
I was going to try coffee - but, hello: Grad Student with a thesis to finish!

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year).What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

Almost any kind imaginable.
With REAL syrup.
My New-England-ness will not accept a substitute.

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies?

I love daises and daffodils in the spring time.

And I never had allergies until I moved to NC.
For those who dont know, there is a season
between winter and spring in NC
which lasts roughly a week.
We call it "Yellow,"
and for a week or so everything that is not inside something else is yellow.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?

I think our opinion of others is based on them and their actions.
I also believe that we see the faults in others the strongest,
that we recognize in ourselves. And are therefore quicker to point them out to others because we are embarrassed/ashamed/whatever of them in our own lives.

Did I ever mention I was a psychology major?

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras....have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've seen?

Been in plenty growing up.
Best one I've seen?
Probably the one in Venice last weekend - though that was more due to the place rather than the parade itself (which was very small!)

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you___________?

Google auto-completed your thesis for you.
It's perfect, an A+, and DONE.

7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

My car is in the driveway back in NH.
So, in short, I'm not sure what state it's in.
Though, I'm assuming: snow-covered.

8. Random Thought(s)
I go to Madrid Saturday - Wednesday (YAY!)
Any recommendations are welcome!

I am also dealing with what I like to call the "Thesis-Blues." I'm moody, short-tempered, and emotional. I get frustrated easy, give up quicker, and find simple tasks extremely daunting. While working to remedy this constant state of a bad mood, I am drinking a lot of coffee and watching a lot of dumb youtube videos. Suggestions are welcomed.