here's to ireland.

Weak economy this. Weak economy that. I am so glad that I will be graduating into an America with a weak economy. It means my bachelor's degree will really take me places, you know?

I've been thinking about my passions lately. And I think what I want most out of life is to live what Robert Bolano makes fun of in The Savage Detectives. I want a small apartment and tea in the morning and afternoon and long discussions on love and literature. It's all cliche and makes me believe that my life is a narrative defined by a few select novels and television shows and films. So I come full circle. I don't want it anymore because I know it's what I'm supposed to want.

Also, my professor cited an interesting study today. I hate that class, but it's still interesting. Couples rate their satisfaction with life higher after having children. But they rate their happiness higher before. What is the difference between satisfaction and happiness? Is there any? How can they be so separated from each other? I can definitely see why. It's hard to be satisfied with your life when you constantly have family members, friends, and the media telling you you're living it wrong. But once you've satisfied others' expectations, where do you go? Where do you fit into your own life plans? Or are you just living to tell people that you're satisfied? You're married. You have two kids. You have a new kitten and you only eat organic and ride your bike to work. Your life must mean something.