I found a place for my new and gigantic map of Asia, which I bought considering the advent of September 11 and also because i have an ED geography course coming up. Also, I have a sweet 20% educators discount at Borders that I tend to forget I have, since the majority of my purchases are things like Nick Hornby novels and cheap Edgar Allen Poe anthologies. Educational in their own right, but my discount is supposed to be applied strictly to items usable in elementary classrooms. Anyway, the map covers two windows, obliterating 50% of the natural light that normally streams through and normally makes my bedroom the nicest bedroom to be in, because i normally get the most natural light. Not so anymore, but now instead of sunshine goodness you can get an impressive look at Bangalore or maybe Ho Chih Minh, and if you kneel on my bed you can examine China, and if you stand on it you can explore all of Russia.

So I wasn't able to stick to my "barest necessity" shopping list (though the cat has been fed and I've eaten as well) but at least it was a more responsible purchase than new bettas.

I skimmed Dwell the other day, a fantastic magazine about living spaces. (Design, innovations, gadgets, etc.) Found this really inspirational picture that makes me excited about the day I'm queen of my own castle. It was a simple picture, just an inset of a loft used solely for books. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall. Nicer than a library, in a way, especially in a house with kids, because the books aren't tucked away but are just part of the wall. The idea: literature is part of the home's foundation. Me likey. I still wouldn't mind having one of those "Beauty and the Beast" (the Disney one) libraries, though. But then I'd have to live in an actual castle.

I made the purchase at the end of our "study date" (which was sort of a joke, as all my homework was basically done and I spent most of the time reading a Madrid travel guide). Earlier, Misa got her hands on Eugene's Brother's hair again, and later, we went to Pet's Discount and PLAM where I bought only tubifex worms (because I forgot, the fish and turtle have to eat too.) I always feel a little itch of temptation to get a Jackson chameleon, but I'm sure it would end up like the time I got the frog. I thought I could handle it and I was so wrong.

Total expenses: about $40 ($30 geographical aids, $5 coffee/tea, $5 worms.) That's rounding up on everything, I think. Ate sandwiches at home for lunch, left guidebook on the shelf.

Tomorrow's Monday, one of my easier days. I'm thinking of registering for another class, and am kicking myself for taking anything at UH except for the fact that it's definitely a better location and the instructor is very accessible, but the PRICE. But there I go on money again. Yeah, could have done without the mocha, but where's the fun in that?