The ten coolest women ever

I really need to do laundry. Actually I need to buy more clothes. I know that sounds incredibly lazy, but I do need some. I lost probably 20 pieces of clothing after Lufthansa/American Airlines/AIR INDIA stole my luggage. That was almost three months ago. I just don't want to buy anything. Well, maybe I just don't want to buy anything in America. I don't think I would have a problem going on a shopping spree at TopShop. I hope I don't have to go to school naked tomorrow. Speaking of - you know when you're walking down the sidewalk and you feel like someone is giving you a weird look? My immediate reaction is - OMG, I hope I remembered pants this morning! And then I kind of subtlely glide my hand down to my leg and feel the reassuring jean material. Does anyone else do this? I mean, I've forgotten to put my contacts in, I've forgotten my book bag, I've forgotten my lunch - I just feel like a vital piece of clothing is next on the list.

I have been very interested lately in amassing a list of female role models. I think it's important for every girl to have people to emulate. And I can't just pick one person as my model citizen because then I would be merely morphing into them and not taking myself in account. But this way, I can take all of the good parts from each person, whirl them around and end up fabulously me at the same time.

My list, so far, in no particular order --
1. Princess Diana - I love the way she always looked so shy and sweet. I think she was very intuitive, and I think she loved her children. Plus, she was a princess.
2. Grace Kelly - My pick for the most beautiful woman of all time. She was the classic girl next door, Catholic and exquisitely gorgeous. Plus, she was a princess.
3. Jackie Kennedy - the poise. the elegance. the husband. the FASHION STATEMENT. And she was as close to American royalty as you're going to get.
4. Mother Teresa - Saintly? Yes, please. I love kids, and I admire the work she did at the orphanages as well as the work she did with the sick and dying in the slums.
5. Condoleezza Rice - She is brilliant and an accomplished pianist. She is conservative and is one of the highest-ranking women in government. And she's a powerful single woman.
6. & 7. Two of my journalism professors, Stephanie Craft and Sandy Davidson. Stephanie has her Ph.D. from Stanford, and she's a powerful, brilliant single woman. Sandy has her J.D., as well as degrees in philosophy and music. She's hilarious and insane - and she's a brilliant single woman with a big dog.
8. Ann Coulter - *cowers* I like her gutsiness. And she's conservative!
9. Valerie Plame - OMG, she's a spy! And she's beautiful.
10. You can't just have a top 9 list. But I can't think of anyone else ...

Plus my mom and grandmothers, etc (obviously). But these are my non-familial picks.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I thought I had decided to stay here for grad school. I think I've changed my mind. I was telling a Chinese grad student about my plan, and she told me it was stupid. I love blunt honesty. She said that I need to go somewhere else, major in something else and get a different perspective. I thought about it and realized she was right. But OOOOH NOOOO. This means I really have to make decisions for my life, and I can't just stay where I'm comfortable. What to do? Where to go? I was talking to my mom about this, and she agreed with my assessment and said, - brace yourself - "I think you should study abroad." And I was like, "Oh yeah? Another semester away?" And she said, "No. I mean, I think you should go to grad school overseas." This is how exposure to Europe can CHANGE YOUR LIFE!! I cannot imagine my mother saying this to me before. I need to research international schools. If I go that route, I want to focus on international relations. If I stay in the U.S., I want to move to the east coast and study some field of political science, or go to Notre Dame, or Michigan State, or the equivalent, and get my law degree. SCARY. But I'm excited! I just need to get my act together and take the GRE and/or LSAT.

I get to sleep in tomorrow before my 11 a.m. exam - and then I'm done for spring break! I work Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and then I come home. I wish I could surprise my family by driving home straight after my shift, but I won't get off until midnight, and I'm pretty sure I would be so tired that I would drive directly off the narrowest two lane bridge in the world and plunge into the Mississippi River. And I know my sister could use my car.