Last Semester of my Undergrad Career ...

And the grades are (drum roll, please!) ...

SFLM	W342	FILM GENRE	A
SJOU	W450	WOMEN IN THE MEDIA	A
SMUS	W140H	HONORS HIST ROCK MUSIC	A	HONORS
SSPH	W301	THEOR PRINC HUMAN COMM	A

Graduation 2012

The University of South Caroline Upstate (photo credit to Parker Anderson)

Me, in line to shake hands with Drs. Harris Pastides (President of the University of South Carolina), Thomas Moore (Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate) and Dirk Schlingmann (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, USC Upstate) (photo credit to Parker Anderson)

Me and Lindsay, pre-graduation (photo credit to Lindsay's iPhone)

Me, shaking hands with the Chancellor (photo credit to Suzanne Heneisen)

Me and Parker (photo credit to some chick & Parker's iPhone)

Me and Suzanne; One of my dearest friends, her brother graduated with me, earning a degree in Education

 (photo credit to Lee Heneisen)

Post-graduation celebration with Lindsay, Karen and Maurice (and others!)

So ... when I graduate Tuesday evening, I will get to wear my brand new collegiate class ring. I am so, so excited!

My ring is very traditional - yellow gold, antiqued with a black onyx stone and the school seal. Additionally, it has the year (12) and degree (B.A.) and in the event that you are tempted to steal it and pass it off as your own (and I don't knock you down and break your fingers), you'll be in B-I-G trouble because it also has my full name engraved inside.
So there.

I love the school motto, which in latin says:

Emollit Mores Nec Sinit Esse Feros

which translated reads

Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel.

Pre-Graduation Thank You's

Back in the Fall of 1998, I began my Undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg.
I didn't know what I wanted to be or do for the rest of my life but I, like hundreds of other 18 year-olds, began the journey toward adulthood.
Along the way, I met a lot of great people - classmates, professors, co-workers who would become friends ... And I learned a lot - mostly how much I didn't know that I thought I knew.
And in the Spring of 2003, I left school 9 credit hours shy of my B.A., expecting my first child, intending to go back in the Fall. But I didn't.
Life got in the way and eight years passed before finally, things came together for me to re-enroll in school. As of Tuesday night, I will be a graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate and I need to take a moment to thank some people who share in my success as a student this year:
My husband, Mike.

Mike on the green at the RBC Heritage Media Day (Hilton Head)

He is the ultimate encourager. He has never - not once - implied by thought, deed or word that I might not be able to accomplish anything I ever want to do. He has proofread papers, he has done 100% of the parenting while I camped out in the library, he has put up with my reliving funny & not-so-funny stories and a million other things that I can't think of right now;
My parents

My parents with the kids on Easter Sunday

who have pushed and cajoled and quilted me to go back and finish what I started. They have picked up the tab for the first five years of school - you know, the five years when I had no idea what I wanted to be or do and spent a lot of time taking classes that had nothing to do with any of my multiple majors. They have kept my children every Tuesday night of this semester so that I could go to my 2.5 hour film class. They have listened to me complain and vent and cooked dinner and washed clothes and gone on field trips and  ... They've just been there, telling me, "Yes you can" when I have cried, "I don't know if I can do this!";
My Children:

Dylan & Ella at D's Art Show

I cannot even think of all the things my children have done this year to encourage me but I can tell you that too many nights when they've wanted me to snuggle or watch a movie or even read a book, I've said, "In a few minutes - I have to finish reading/studying/this paper/this assignment/etc." But they are both so, so excited and proud of me and I am so, so glad that they can now say that both of their parents are college graduates (Mike is a 1997 Graduate of Clemson University);
My friends:

Karen, Parker, Lindsay, me & Nick at the Investiture Luncheon

Monica from all the way in Toronto cheering me on and saying, "I'm so glad you're going back to school!", Emily keeping me in the loop with all things cool and all things One Tree Hill, Summer who has covered my gray so I don't feel 10 years older than my classmates and kept Ella and had dinner and listened to my griping, Suzanne who has prayed me through this semester and last, Amanda who has been willing to sit in my disaster area of a house and have a drink and let me vent whenever I needed it; to new friends who may be 10 years younger than me but are kindred spirits who have challenged me academically, who have made me laugh til I can't talk, who have shared you scariest secrets and not run screaming when my children join us for college fun stuff like lunch & luaus, for late-night texts about tests and papers and grades - Lindsay, Karen, Maurice, Parker - you guys have made this year so much fun & in my book you are all the No. 1 Communications Students at Upstate; the Dance Class Mamas

Dori, Andrea, Jordan, me & Melanie

 Seriously, I am not sure that I could have made it through this year without knowing that on Thursday nights I was going to have 45 minutes to sit and laugh and cry with y'all while our girls danced their sweet hearts out - Melanie, Dori, Jordan, Andrea - you guys make me so happy I could spit out my strawberry-mango daiquiri (oh wait - did that already!);
My Professors & Instructors at USC Upstate, specifically: Jimm Cox (Chair of Fine Arts and Communication Studies, Director of Theatre and Director of the Foreign Study London). When I was at USC Spartanburg the first time, I had Jimm for my Voice and Diction class and later, when I became a Communications major (previously I had been an English major), Jimm became my Academic Adviser. After I left school, I would regularly see Jimm out and he never failed to say something along the lines of, "So, when are you coming back to finish that Degree?" And so last summer when I just knew that this was the time for me to go back to school, Jimm was the first person I called. And over the course of the last year, Jimm has advised me academically and encouraged me personally. Jimm is the epitome of what an educator should be - someone who has knowledge to share & the desire & ability to share it well, someone who knows when to be firm and someone who knows when to give a student a stern-talking-to or a hug; Dr. Ray Merlock (Professor of Journalism; Fine Arts and Communication Studies) - Dr. Merlock was my Senior Seminar teacher back in 2003 and this semester, I have had the pleasure of being in his Film Genre class (which has absolutely kicked my butt). Dr. Merlock is that rare mix of professor who can stand up in front of the class and keep your attention with jokes and puns while explaining to you why oranges are important symbolically in Frances Ford Coppola's The Godfather and stand around after the hardest mid-term ever and be absolutely overjoyed at the confusion and frustration he has caused. Drs. Warren Bareiss, Andrea Davis and Allison Cantrell-Ludwig are three of the most available professors one could ever hope to have in academics - they know your name, they are available when you have questions or you've second guessed yourself on paper topics for the millionth time or just to have a laugh with as you head to class. USC Upstate is a great place to go to school because of faculty members like these who care about their students and go the extra mile to create a classroom & campus environment where students can feel comfortable asking questions or speaking up in a discussion during class, or just stopping by their office to whine about all the stress we're under. (Also: Drs. Marilyn Knight, Warren Carson, Thomas McConnell & Andrew Meyers, as well as Ms. LuAnn Mawby ... all of whom put up with me in classes).

I know that there are people I am failing to thank and for that, I apologize.

I am so, so thankful to have had the opportunity to go back to school and complete my degree. I am so proud of my classmates who will walk across the stage with me on Tuesday night. And I am so excited to say that I am an Alumnus of the University of South Carolina Upstate.

Finished

I have no list of "Assignments Due" to share with you all because as of Tuesday evening when I completed my film Genre Final, I am finished with my Bachelor of Arts in Communications-Journalism.
I'll post something longer later, because right now I am at a loss to find the words to describe how I feel.

Prom 2012

Carly and Laurel

Carly and Dylan

Carly and Dylan trying to stay dry

Carly's cute shoes

Close-up of Carly

The whole family

Mom and Dad with Carly and Dylan

Her pretty hair

Finally stopped raining long enough to get a few outside pictures

Soaking wet outside and Daddy helping her dry her sweet feet

Never, ever too old to be a Cinderella

Carly with my handsome guy

Three of my favorite super silly girls

On the way out the door ...

Getting the door for the pretty girl is the wise move

Roughly 81 Hours To Go

Last of the To-Do List:

• a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)
• a film paper (due the 17th)
• Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 18th)
• a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)
•  20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)
• a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) 
  
• Final Exam for my Theories & Principles of Human Communications class (10% of grade) Tuesday the 24th 9:30 a.m.
• Final Exam for my Film Genre Course (unsure how it affects my grade but we're being test on The Godfather, Fargo, Crash, The Departed, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) Tuesday the 24th 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 25th)

On-going projects until we make our official move: 

• Pack and pack some more
• Find a job
• Laundry
• Wash dishes
• Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children

So ... If you're hiring, message me - I am definitely looking for a j-o-b!

Hours To Go ...

So ...
Today was my last day of undergraduate classes.
Ever.
I have one day of finals on Tuesday and ... That's it.
As of May 1, 2012, I will have my B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism.
Last of the To-Do List:

• a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)
• a film paper (due the 17th)
• Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 18th)
• my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 20th)
• 20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)
• a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)
• a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) 

On-going projects until we make our official move: 

• Pack and pack some more
• Find a job
• Laundry
• Wash dishes
• Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children

So ... If you're hiring, message me - I am definitely looking for a j-o-b!

Best, all!
BJM

Easter Weekend Already

I can't believe that it has literally been 40 days since I last blogged.
I either owe my readers an apology or ... I hate to think of the alternative!
For now, I just wanted to do a quick update:
I have 4 (yes, FOUR) days remaining as an undergraduate student (I only attend classes on Tues/Thurs). Uh, yes. My finals all fall on one day (April 24) ... of course, between now and then I have:

• a Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 13th)
• a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)
• a film paper (due the 17th)
• my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 20th)
• 20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)
• a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)
• a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) 

On-going projects until we make our official move: 

• Pack and pack some more
• Find a job
• Laundry
• Wash dishes
• Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children

Things I have checked off my list of Things To Do: 

• Order my class ring (and it should be here by May 11th)
• Purchase my cap & gown. 
• Give $20.12 for Senior Gift
• We have found a place to live, put down the deposit and signed the lease. 
• Find a place to live

It's been a super busy 40 days 10 weeks with another 7 to go ... But graduation is just around the corner (May 1) ... and once school is out, we will be making our move official. And boy oh boy, it will be nice to have the four of us under one roof!

Thanks, y'all, for your prayers, your kind words & thoughts, your support ... I will continue to update the blog as time allows ... thanks for your patience!

BJM

Ash Wednesday

I have never given up anything during the Lenten season. But this year, I am.
Well, I'm trying.
This year I am giving up meats and sweets.
For forty days.
I hope.
You see, it's 6:30 p.m. on Day One of my Forty Day Lenten Fast, and already I find myself bargaining to get to the next meal.
"Here you go ... some almonds until lunch time."
"Here you go ... some fruit to tide you over til supper time."
When of course all I really want is the Double Stuff Oreos that are on sale at Ingles.
I am hopeful that some local seasonal fruits or veggies will be available before Easter, but probably not.
So if you have vegetarian recipes you want to share, please do ... I am not giving up dairy, so feel free to share those recipes, too.

In other news ...

• School is going well for all at our house.
• Our 8-year old is on track for the 3rd 9-weeks Principal's Honor Roll (all A's) and our 4-year old loves preschool more than chocolate (which is a tremendous accomplishment for preschools everywhere).
• I am doing well and can hardly believe May 1st is just 9 1/2 weeks away - Wow! I really need to buckle down on my application for Grad School, as it's due 3/15 (yikes!). 
• We need to re-home two pets. We are re-locating and have 4 pets (two dogs, two cats). Since we are going to be renting for a while we have run into an issue with that number of pets. So, we are looking for a new home for: 
•  Jedi (20-month old male orange tabby cat who has been fixed and is in excellent health). Jedi is a rescue kitty who is the opposite of every stereotype about cats - he is incredibly affectionate and loves to play and snuggle. 
• And for Lucky, a rescue dog who has been with us since Thanksgiving of 2005. We think that he is about 7 years old. He weighs about 45 pounds and prefers women to men. He is also in great health. If you or someone you know might be interested, please comment with your e-mail and I will happily tell you more. We will be asking for veterinary references for any home that either of our pets go to - they are very loved, but we have to be reasonable about where we can live. 

Ummm ... that's all, for now.

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Valentine's What?

Just sitting here, the day before Valentine's Day, watching my recently-turned-four-year-old address and sign her own Disney Princess Valentine cards, that's all.
Wow.
A week ago, she could only write her name ... this week, she wrote her brother's name, her cousin's name, her grandparent's names and "Daddy" ... Um, I dunno about you, but where I come from, that's almost as awesome as say ... a Grammy.
And speaking of Grammy's ...

Did you watch? 

I did. 

I watched because I wanted to see the performances but also because I actually know two artists who were nominated. Um, yeah - I'm awesome like that.
Peter Cooper was nominated for Best Children's Album for his album I Love: Tom T. Hall's Songs of Fox Hollow. Peter didn't win, but that's o.k.  - he's got lots more music to make and I'm excited for him. I am also looking forward to taking my children to hear and see him perform live in our hometown this March.
Laura Story was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Song for her song, Blessings. I met Laura for the first time when I was in high school and she was a student at the University of South Carolina and part of the band Siler's Bald. Although we grew up in the same town, we don't really know each other, but we've met at several functions and I was excited to see a hometown girl win.

“It was wonderful to see a fellow Spartan, Laura Story, win a Grammy,” Peter Cooper told the Spartanburg Herald-Journal's Dan Armonaitis after the afternoon ceremony. “My award came when (Grammy-winning Country Music Hall of Fame member) Emmylou Harris told me she voted for me.”

Highlights of televised portion of the Grammy's (at least for me) were:

• Hearing Alicia Keys & Bonnie Raitt pay tribute to Etta James, singing her Sunday Kind of Love; 
• the Glen Campbell Tribute (so, so amazing to see how gracefully he is handling an Alzheimer's diagnosis) - The Band Perry, Blake Shelton and the Rhinestone Cowboy himself took part and it was beautiful; 
• Taylor Swift's performance of her awesome song, Mean (click on the link and scroll down to watch) ... Just have to say that I love this song and if you're wondering, the entire album is just as strong musically and lyrically; 
• Foo Fighters winning Best Rock Album. 'Cause seriously, they were the only rock band nominated and they recorded the album in their garage!; 
• A new band ... the Civil Wars. Oh. My.
• And of course, Adele. I'm not really sure that there are words to describe her amazing voice and if it's that amazing from the television, I can't imagine seeing and hearing her live!

Alrighty then. That's all for now, y'all. Go listen to some amazing music and Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Just Sayin'

My last day of undergraduate classes: April 24 (a day full of exams).
That's 11 weeks.
Or 22 days, since I only have classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
264 HOURS of class time.
Um. Wow.
Last week my Grad School folder came. No, not the one that says "accepted" (although that one will be so much more awesome!)  - the one that gives all the details for what I must do for admittance:

• GRE Score
• 2 Professional Letters of Reference
• 3.0 GPA

I am a little anxious about applying (Deadline is March 15), but it's still what I want to do.
Master's of Library & Information Sciences.
I'm already dreaming of literacy programs & books clubs; of ordering new books & putting them out for my students to read; for helping with research & pointing kids toward books they'll love & bringing in authors & holding writing seminars.
I'm actually getting giddy just typing this.
So ... 22 days of this preparation for the next thing.
And there will be a next thing.

GOP Primary Time In S.C.

So it looks like the win, though votes are still be tallied, goes to Newt Gingrich in today's S.C. primary.

While I can say that I did not vote for Gingrich, I won't say who I did cast a vote for, as a nod to my parents.

"What? Why?" You might be asking.

Well ... here's why.

When I was a girl growing up in my parents home, I would ask things like, "Who did you vote for, Daddy?" and my Daddy would say, "That's private."

As a (very, very nosy) little girl, I did not understand this response. But today, in the world of facebook, twitter and other methods of instant gratification - I do.

I enjoy talking politics - mostly. I enjoy offering my opinion. I enjoy fact-checking. (I prefer factcheck.org, if you're interested).  

But I don't enjoy the pure anger and hatred that politics bring out in (some) people when you disagree with them, or offer a differing point of view from theirs (mine).

So I won't be saying who I voted for, but I will say that I voted for him (No, I did not vote Michelle Bachman, despite her name - along with John Huntsman, Rick Perry and Hermain Cain - remaining on the ballot) knowing that he most likely would not win. But I voted knowing that on major issues, I agree with the person that I voted for and on some issues, I could live with his stand.

So, there. It's no BBQ post, but that's politics in South Carolina.

Let's hope it's not a reflection of the National party's stand.

(Ooops - sorry - that was a bit opinionated after all).

Ok ... I was going to stop there, but let me say this - just in case someone out there reads this and cares.

What we (I) need in a politician is this: 

Someone who is honest.

Someone who doesn't pretend to be perfect. You've screwed up? Big deal. So have I. As my 9th grade Geography teacher would have said: Fido. Forget it and drive on. Just tell me - honestly - that you're going to try to do better.

Don't tell me you're going to do something you're not. For example, if you're Mitt Romney, don't tell me that you're going to repeal ObamaCare - you're not. It's modeled on YOUR healthcare program in Massachusetts. Say you support public health care options and remind us that you've helped set up a program that (seems to, at least) work. Tell me you know how to tweak the healthcare bill to make it better for Americans who want healthcare and can't afford it at its current cost.

Is there someone out there who wants to run for office who DID NOT get his (or her) first job because of connections? Family, Fraternity/Sorority? I'm all for  networking, but c'mon - I know that there are qualified people out there who did not get their first jobs because Mom or Dad made a call, or because they were in a Frat with so-and-so's brother. Some people have become successful through hard work, through trial and error, by making mistakes and learning from them - where are you?? Three words: Run For Office. (Note: I also admit that some people have done well - in the public and/or private sector with the benefit of their "connections" - I'm just ready for a something different!)

I have several friends who have run for local office, several who have been elected. These (for the most part - haha) are great people who love their families and their community and want to make decisions that will help set the stage for their children to have opportunities and to see their communities thrive - there must be people like them out there who want to make a run for a national office - c'mon, don't be afraid!

 Ok. That's my soapbox. I'm getting down now.

Oh! Last thing: To those of you who have voted - either today or previous weeks - thank you.

Seriously, even if you voted for the wrong guy (or girl), you did your job.

Here's What You Get ...

I love barbeque.
Seriously.
At Thanksgiving with my Dad's family, we always had Prosser's BBQ which my aunt picked up in Hemingway.
When we go to the beach, my first stop after unloading the car, is Prosser's BBQ in Murrell's Inlet.
I also enjoy politics. Somewhat.
So it was with great enjoyment that I read this article today which merged the two.
Personally, I'm a girl who loves the vinegar and salt bbq of the low-country, but I also like the mustard-based bbq of the midlands. And in the Upstate, I love Bull Hawg's.
So, now you have my recommendations and maybe I've piqued your curiosity about my politics. I will be voting in the S.C. GOP Primary, but I've not decided yet for whom ... is the bbq map any kind of indicator? Hmmmm ...

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday!

Today has been sweet.

• I had a quiz that I was totally prepared to take, despite its being of the 'pop' quiz variety.
• I got my newly-turned-four-year-old enrolled in preschool for the remainder of the year. 
• I got to have lunch with my husband. 
• My eight-year old brought home another stunning report card - beautiful A's in academics and S's (for satisfactory) art, music, P.E., computer & library. The best part? He's as excited as we are and loves challenging himself. 
• I went to film class and got to watch a great movie that I would've never chosen to watch on my own - the 1941 Best Picture Award went to How Green Was My Valley, set in a South Wales coal-mining town and narrated by the youngest of six siblings, Huw Morgan. Yes, you should look it up. Yes, you should watch. Yes, it's in black & white - get over it.
• I came home to my sweet girl who wanted nothing more than to snuggle - with me.
• I got to watch The New Girl and Parenthood. 

You know, it's pretty easy to get caught up in the - to put it bluntly - crap of when our lives aren't going exactly right, or exactly the way we've planned. I am so guilty of that.
I am ashamed to say that sometimes I put my children off until bed time.
Sometimes (okay, most of the time) I don't take the time to 1) watch and 2) appreciate a film that has stood the test of time.
Many times (more so in the past), I have taken school for granted and not put in nearly the effort that was necessary for me to do well.
Today was one of those days where things just seemed illuminated for me.
I'm thankful to be in school.
I'm thankful for well-done movies.
I'm tremendously thankful for my beautiful, sweet, smart, funny, certainly-not-perfect-but-who-cares-'cause-they're-mine children.
I'm awfully thankful to be married to my best friend and even more thankful that we still enjoy having lunch together and talking about the details of our life.
Tuesday - you have been a good day.

The Home Stretch

Are any of you runners?
I used to be.
In high school, (I may have mentioned this before) I ran the 800 meter and the 1600 meter for our high school track team for one season.
I was not an especially fast runner (which is fine for both of these events) and while I am not now nor was I then "built" for running, I was in great shape and better-than-average endurance.
I actually only ran track so that conditioning for volleyball and basketball would not be so, well, hellish. But it turned out that track was fun.
I had a couple of friends who ran track and were really good, and I made more friends that season of running.
Our coach was not a lot of fun and his shorts were inappropriately short, but he was fair and a good trainer for us.
Over the course of the season, I got some help from new coaches - working on my stride and changing things I naturally did to improve my times in both events.
And so, while I hated the actual act of running, I loved being on the track team.
And I loved gaining an understanding of the language of running.

Home stretch. 

It's a phrase that is used fairly often, so it's probably one you are somewhat familiar with, even if you don't know exactly what it means. But the home stretch is this:

For example, let's pretend you are running the 1600 meters (also known as the one mile event).
On a standard running track, one mile is four laps. The finish line is usually on one of the long, straight sides rather than in the curve. So when a runner speaks of the home stretch, he or she is talking about the very end of that last lap - as you come around the last curve, you reach down deep and get that last little bit of *umf* and for those last few meters, you kick it up a notch as you stretch toward the finish line. You're in the home stretch.

So that's where I find myself today - in the home stretch.
My final semester of my under graduate career began this week.

Back in August of 1998, starting my under graduate career and expecting to finish in that four year window was something that seemed like a no-brainer. Something that I had expected to do ever since that 2nd grade field trip to Clemson University.
But life happens and things change. And while I was very, very close to completing my undergraduate degree when I left school in May of 2003, I did not.
And it took eight years for me to find a way back to school.
It was not easy.

• Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I was (by far) one of the oldest students in my Statistics class (BTW - made a C!! Yay!). 
• Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I had not had Algebra I & II since 10th grade. My "college math" class does not even count.
• Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I did so knowing that when I got home my children and husband would want to hear how it was. 
• Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I did so knowing that I have people counting on me - not to make Dean's List (which is awesome) but to finish what I started. 

And now here I am.
In the Home Stretch.
Kicking it in to high gear to finish well and strong what I started 14 years ago.
*phew*
One week down, 15 weeks to go.

One Tree Hill

Um, yes - I'm that girl. I'm that 30-something girl who is married with children and still can't get enough of the CW.

I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 
I loved Angel. (Okay - to be fair, I mostly loved David Boreanaz)
I loved Charmed.
I loved The Gilmore Girls.
I loved 7th Heaven.

I have been so, so disappointed that One Tree Hill ended. Everyone (network people) said that it did have a conclusion, but I did not think so.
So during the Christmas holidays, I was so thrilled when I saw commercials announcing the return of One Tree Hill for a REAL, final season.
So ... Tonigh at 8 p.m. EST, I watched the first episode of the new, final season.

Spoiler below!

Brooke (Sophia Bush) & Julian (Austin Nichols) have twin boys - Davis & Jude;
Clay (Robert Buckley) & Quinn (Shantel Van Santen) are dealing with Clay's sleep-walking and ending up in random places;
Chris Keller (Tyler Hilton) is back;
Someone is (I think) stalking Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti);

So the opening one minute or so is a series of scenes from the season to come: 

Looks like Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) is back (getting the crap kicked out of him);
Haley identifying a body (is it Nathan?);
Dan (Paul Johansson) & Chris teamed up with guns?;
Chase (Stephen Colletti) with blood on his face being put into the back of a police cruiser ...

Um, I think it's safe to say that I'm a very, very excited about the upcoming episodes.

Yay!

We Bought a Zoo

No, not us. But I did just finish We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee as my first book of 2012.
We Bought a Zoo is (former?) journalist Ben Mee's memoir about his family's 2006 purchase of what was formerly the Dartmoor Wildlife Park in Devon County, England.
The book was a quick read, detailing the family's decision to pursue the purchase of the park that has since been reopened and is now called the Dartmoor Zoological Park. The book also briefly touches on the illness and death of Ben's wife, Katherine, from glioblastoma (an aggressive form of brain cancer).
There were some very humorous parts and some very sad parts, but the emotion of the book is not so overwhelming that a reader is left feeling drained by its conclusion.
While the movie of the same name is only loosely based on the actual story, I am still interested in the film, which I believe is well done (hello - directed by Cameron Crow and starring Matt Damon) and interesting. And, being that I am a life-long animal lover, I'm now more interested in this family-run zoological park who has as one of its primary goals conservation and breeding of high-risk animals, I'm even more glad that I picked this book up.
Next up is a book I started several weeks ago and had to put down while in the midst of the semester - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  I promise to let you know what I think.