Those stats are fascinating. Guess it pays to be male.

It's one of the only fields -- I think computer science is one of the others -- where, on average, people with just a bachelor's degree earn more than people with an advanced degree.)

I would guess because most of the people with advanced degrees are in higher ed, which does not pay as well as the private sector.

I would guess because most of the people with advanced degrees are in higher ed, which does not pay as well as the private sector.

Exactly.

My ears were pierced for me when I was two months old. I got a third hole when I was 13, because I wanted another one. I don't remember an age limit coming into play. I played with makeup as far back as I can remember, it was never an off-limits thing. The only thing I remember my mom forbidding was me putting dark mascara on myself when I was really little, like 5 or so. I had clear mascara that I could use. I was only allowed to use the dark mascara for pictures or Halloween or some other type of special occasion, and she had to be the one to apply it. I don't remember when that ban got lifted. But I always had every type of Barbie or Disney Princess Chapstick I wanted. Actually, I remember one time when I let her do my makeup for a school play, I was the one who requested less makeup than she was applying. Like, I was secretly of the opinion that she was a little over-fond of blush. She insisted it was because of the stage, and I insisted that that was no reason for it to not look pretty. I was 7. And it was 1989, so I think the world was a little over-fond of blush. Of course, when I was younger my opinions were much more definite, and much more likely to be expressed, about what did and did not look good. Now I'm way, way, way more lazy. That said, I did have pink hair, hot pink lipstick, and an intense amount of blush on on Saturday night. I really should upload those pictures.

Why am I awake?

I'm 22, and I don't like to wear make-up. I pierced my ears because of peer pressure when I was 8, had bad infection that kept me away from earrings ever since or the idea of causing myself any unnecessary pain behalf of appearance. I only started wearing make up recently, when the idea of "playing it girly" started to grew on me (however, I still find the idea of painting my fingernails odd. I mean, it's bones! Why would I want to paint my bones?). I only use a little bit of eye-pencil and some anti-dry-lips lipstick which gives my lips a dash of red.

I got two make up kits as birthday presents "hints" from my family, one when I was 16, and the other one about a year ago. But I don't use any eye shadows, and my first thought about some kind of glitter that was in was "cool! now I needed glitter for some art projects!".

I don't know. I guess it's useful having those kits around, but I'm not getting the whole "how to be a girl" thing. I guess I was focusing on "how to be a person" school, until I realized it's not necessarily a contradiction.

Alibelle, get back to bed!

Why am I awake?

Because you got so involved in packing that you didn't realize you had covered your bed in crap and once you were tired you had to pack two boxes before you could get IN your bed?

No, no, that's me.

So we could frolic and Princess Dance for the first time in AGES?

::grabs Alibelle's hands and dances around and around::

I LOVE princess dancing! It's like all my favorite things all happening at once! I've missed it.

I just went and took a long shower, hoping it would make me sleepy, and it did exactly the opposite. Oops.

ETA: It did wash the makeup off my face though, so that was a bonus.

I can fit on my bed! I can go to sleep!

::princess dances a little more::

Good to see you, Princess Ali!

Ooh! Princess dance with Shir!

I am going to make like another great Princess now, one of my favorites. It involves 27 quilts and a pea.

Gladly joins the princess dancing

Edit: Oh, Kristin. A lots of health~ma from here. Rest well, and feel better!