My last ode was to Casa Ole. It's been too long, so I have several to share.

An ode to...

...DSW (free and cheap):
DSW stands for Discount Shoe Warehouse or Designer Shoe Warehouse. Not sure which, but either way it's fantastic. They have all sorts of fancy discounted designer shoes. And they always have a huge clearance rack in the back--which is where I shop. If you have the drive and the patience--we're talking Nine West, Steve Madden, and Kenneth Cole for $10! I made a pilgrimmage there today and bought 5 pairs for under $100. Then I remembered that I've been woefully negligent in updating the Infamous Shoe List. So I went though all my shoes today and updated, adding pictures of the ones I bought today. The grand total now stands at 99. Before my dad blows a gasket--I didn't actually pay for any shoes, I had gift certificates from my birthday.

...Half-price Book Store (cheap):
This one is self-explanatory--it's all in the name. The best feeling in the world? Finding a 40 year old copy of an Agatha Christie book that's 50 cents...and only having to pay 25 cents.

...summer weather in January (free):
How great has the weather been? I don't think I've touched my winter clothes.

...my iTrip (neither free nor really cheap, but it gets an ode anyway):
I LOVE this thing. Barbara gave it to me for Christmas. It's a tiny little thing you plug into your iPod, and it transmits to your radio (stereo, car, anywhere!) It is SO cool. It's like having your own personal radio station in the car. I wanted to drive around randomly in my car just to play with it.

...grades coming out on time (free):
The professors have until January 17(!) to turn in grades, but 4 of the 5 came out today, the first day any grades could be available! I'm very happy overall (though I reserve judgment and don't want to jinx the one grade I don't have yet). While I was driving randomly playing with the iTrip, I actually did a little dance in my car when it hit me that my grades really are pretty good. One semester down...5 semesters, one summer abroad, 2 internships and 1 job search to go!