From College Life to the Perplexities of Adulthood

Valentine's Explanation

2012-02-15T03:57:00.000-08:00

So I owe it to everyone to come clean on my feelings on Valentine's Day.

Yes, it is a commercialized holiday in which this is the one day to tell people how much you love them, never mind the other 364 days of the year. I mean seriously, do you just keep it to yourself and never say "I love you and I appreciate you" at any point during the year and then expect a drugstore card and some flowers are going to cover you for the year? Um, not so much. Why aren't you telling your loved ones this stuff everyday, especially considering how fragile life is and how quickly it can all change.

Plus, everything becomes so cliche. Roses, a card, and a heart shaped box of chocolates have become the standard gift. Red and pink everything. Dinner is a requirement. The increase in marriage proposals. (*Note to any potential future husband for me: DON'T propose on Valentine's Day, or any other holiday for that matter. I'll be unimpressed with your lack of originality in picking a day to propose.)

But then......

I'm a hopeless romantic.

Making that statement is like one of the many "anonymous" meetings (like Shoppers Anonymous, Gambler's Anonymous, etc): you've denied this fact about yourself and tried to hide it from others and finally you know you can't lie to yourself or anyone else anymore and have to come clean about who you are.

But really, the movies I watched as a child (looking your way there Disney), fairy tales I read, things on tv during my formative years (which were probably things most 5 year olds were not watching, but whatever) pointed me in the path that there is such a thing as true love and soul mates. Heck, I'm even astrologically destined to have this sort of mindset, being a Pisces, which is the most dreamy minded sign when it comes to the idea of love.

Yes, I put on the front of dislike of Valentine's Day because that's what single people do. But really, I can't help but secretly wish to be on the other side of it all. I would love to get a cliche card, heart shaped box of chocolate, roses, and/or jewelry. I want to have a guy in my life and to know love and have it be real.

In all honesty, I was fine today. I wasn't thinking about it being anything other than a regular day at work, just with an increase of people buying sparkling wines and champagnes and increase particularly in men buying last minute cards. And then I went home, and suddenly, it hurt just a little and I started to tear up a bit watching "Glee" as they celebrated love.

If you are a friend and reading this, don't think you suddenly have to hide any good thing about your own relationship from me for fear of hurting my feelings. I'm not broken and sad. Quite opposite in fact. I don't think about being single as defining my life or anything. It takes time to get it right and find a good one and I'd rather be single and searching for the right one than wasting time with someone that treats me bad or just wants to use me or is just completely wrong for me just because I want to be in a relationship. If I had wanted that, I could have kept dating the Mr. Wrong I went out with months ago. I'm focusing on me and doing what I want and seeing what happens along the way and am extremely happy for those that have found a good one and are happy together. If anything, share the joy because it gives hopeless romantics out there glimmers of hope that we too will find that happiness.

And just so you all know, I love and appreciate you all and want you to know this, even though it's no longer Valentine's Day. Sorry I didn't get a card to let you know. ; )

Back from another blogcation

2011-10-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

I, once again, took a very long blogcation after claiming I was going to blog more. What else is new? But the year isn't over so I have time to make up for that.

Is it just me, or did 2011 go by really fast? I'm almost hitting my year mark of working at my job. How did that happen? I was hired as seasonal and they kept me, so that was nice. I mean it's not the dream job, but it's a job that I can pay my lovely student loans with, so I can't complain. I like my coworkers and supervisors, customers can be iffy though. They can get mean and defensive and pissed off at the dumbest things, such as the man that said we were cheating him of money by not giving him the member price on wine, even though when I verified the receipt after they put their phone number in, it showed that he was, in fact, getting the sale price. I repeatedly pointed this out and he said I was wrong and forget it he didn't want any of it and stormed out. He was fun. Or the woman that used a coupon, then when she came to return it was mad she wasn't getting the full amount back, which I said 'You used a coupon, so it takes money off all items you buy.' She continued her rant of us screwing her out of money she was getting back on the items. I pointed out she was getting back what she paid for it, but apparently we were screwing her out of money still. I very well could have badged it and modified the price, but if I go up there and you are defensive and yelling at me the moment I come up to assess the situation, then I'm not going to go out of my way for you. If you are being nice, calm, rational, then I'll see what I can do for you. Basic manners go a long way with this retail worker.

But anyway, a lot has happened this year thus far, good and bad. I'll update more later (and if I forget again, bug me about it) but for now I have to go get ready for work.

Goodbye 2010!

2011-01-03T23:47:00.000-08:00

Wow. How is 2010 already over? It seems like it was just January. An even bigger question is how has it been 10 years into 2000? I heard radio stations say they were doing countdown hits of the last DECADE, which is crazy to think as well. Just 10 years ago at this time people were freaking out about the notorious Y2K, which as we all know, didn't happen. Lots of history in the past 10 years, but for now, let's just focus on 2010 for my annual year end review. Normally I spend my New Year's Eve doing this post, but I have work all day then who knows what, so this is late, but whatever. Here it goes!

January 2010:
Big month for me. I got a car. I started a new job. I started doing P90x workouts. And, of course, began my final semester at SDSU, which is honestly what I have deemed my laziest semester ever in terms classes, but not work...well ok, some slacking on classwork for one class due to the significant amount of work for another.

February:
Significant month for me personally and I could still tell you in very specific detail everything that went on (get your head out of the gutter, it's nothing bad), but it's stuff I'd rather not share with the world and have already told those in my life I wish to share it with. Also this month, I worked quite a bit and met some interesting people, both in and out of work. Also went to my first NACE meeting and met some really nice people there. I'm bummed that I wasn't able to go to the meetings the rest of the semester, but school and work consumed my world in the following months.

March:
I turned 22! Had an amazing, crazy birthday with my equally amazing and crazy friends. It was nice because my 1 class on Monday nights (which my actual birthday was on a Monday, though I celebrated with Taco Tuesday the next day) ended up being canceled that day, so I was able to hang out with my roomies and just have a really relaxing night. Went to Las Vegas for the annual HTMSA Vegas Trip. Got to tour more hotels, go to 2 nightclubs (XS in Encore because it's awesome and probably my favorite club in Vegas, and Prive in Planet Hollywood, where we stayed) and just have a fun bonding time on the road trip out there. My car and I stayed an extra night and went to Mandalay Bay, however weather and our tired selves prevented us from really doing anything that extra night other than hang out in the massive suite the boys talked their way into getting an upgrade for and listen to music and drink just at the hotel.

April:
Walked the MS walk for the 3rd year with Paul, Cyndi and their friend Angela. It was cool weather so it made for a nice walk, and gave us time to talk, which is always nice. Projects began to consume my life, as it was the last month before finals the first weeks of May, so it was a lot of group meetings that I squeezed in with work and classes. Plus I was the chair of a committee for MESA's VMA awards, so was working on getting sponsors for our raffle and prizes for the VMA winners.

May:
Yet another big month in my life. Completed my final project ever for HTM, which was a business plan for Sea World, where we created a Downtown Disney-like area for Sea World, and created businesses and used existing companies that would be eco-friendly and supporting of wildlife. Took my finals. Went to HTM's Grad Nite, which was super crazy. It was a really fun night and interesting how things turned out. Took a stand for myself personally, which is rare and has made my friends proud of me for doing that, even if the results weren't what I was hoping for. On May 22, I GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was bittersweet. It's nice not to have tests and all that anymore, but at the same time, I miss my friends, and seeing them everyday.

June:
Started it living in a 4 bedroom house all alone with no furniture. I sound like a squatter, which essentially I suppose I was. I had to be down there to clean the house, plus I had some interviews and had a concert to go to, so I stayed alone even though all roomies were gone and my parents came and took my furniture away. It was weird and eerie. I don't recommend it, because creaks in the house seem 10x louder. June 3rd I went to the Tim McGraw/Lady Antebellum concert with some friends, then on the 4th, spent a last day in SD with my friend Laura as I was leaving to go back home to the parents and she was moving to Boston. Stayed in SD til late that night then made the drive home that seemed so much longer than usual. June 17th I headed back to SD for Ebony & Malcolm's wedding. Hannah flew in for a girls weekend with Jamie and I, so attended the wedding and we got to have a good girls weekend after.

July:
Parents went on vacation and left me home alone pet/house sitting, and of course when they were gone we had our first heat wave of the year, and by the time they came back it wasn't as hot. Got to spend an evening with elementary school friends. Crazy to think that it's been almost 10 years since we've been out of Marguerita and yet we still get together at least once a year and catch up. Went to see Cayla in Calabasas for a few days. Ended the month taking a spontaneous trip (they always are) to Fresno with Jamie to see Hannah.

August:
Kind of a slow month. Had an interview I thought had gone really well, but ended up not getting it. Had a few crazy nights down in SD with friends.

September:
Went to Santa Cruz for Labor Day with Mom for a girls weekend. Had a few weekends in SD, helping Paul & Cyndi with a garage sale. Got to experience worst heat wave ever. 99 degrees at 10am in SD was not fun, and in LA apparently it was record breaking, the previous record being 20 years before when our house was being worked on.

October:
Parents left me once again, this time heading to Massena, New York to visit some of Dad's side of the family. They also got to meet their 2 new great-nephews, as two of my cousins had babies in August and September. I also took this month to start looking for seasonal jobs since I wasn't having any luck getting something in the industry.

November:
Started out sadly for the family, but prayers and time are helping to heal. On the 17th I had an interview for a job I had applied for weeks before at Cost Plus World Market in Pasadena, was hired on the spot and started on the 21st. It was rough at first, given that I started on the busiest day and right before Thanksgiving, but it got easier, as jobs do. I have really great co-workers and managers, so all is good. This year was also the first Thanksgiving fully done by Mom making the turkey. It turned out well, but if she wanted to make another turkey before next year to keep in practice, I wouldn't object.

December:
Made trips to SD the first 2 Tuesdays of the month to see Laura, visiting from Boston. It was wonderful to see her and meet her boyfriend when he came out the second week. Had some girl time with Laura and Leslie the second week. The rest of the month was just me working. I barely had time to Christmas shop even, so everyone got something from work as a Christmas gift. Even though it's after Christmas, I'm still working 5 days a week, which is nice. I like who I work with, so as long as they keep scheduling me I'll go. I recently saw a post for a job that would be 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, and am thinking that if I get it, to still try and work at World Market a few nights a week. At this point, having some extra money doesn't hurt me any, as I have student loans to start paying back and saving money is always a good idea. For New Year's Eve, after I got off work, I went and spent time at Nasrin's house and hung out with people she had over and rung in the new year.

So that's it for 2010. I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store for us all. Here's to hoping there's a lot of good things to come this year.

*Sorry for lack of pics...I was on my netbook, so my pics aren't on here...I'll add some later haha

Wall of Sleep

2010-12-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

I like staying up late, there's just one problem with that. I hit my Wall of Sleep. It's started coming earlier now that I'm working. I'm totally fine one minute, then I get hit with exhaustion and fall fast asleep, usually with my computer on and on my lap.

This used to happen in high school a lot. I'd be at the computer working on something and get tired so I'd walk away, go take a little cat nap, then go back and work more. Sometimes I was refreshed and could go on, but other times I was completely useless on getting anything done after the nap. The same goes now. Sometimes when I wake up, I'm awake and have to read for a bit before going back to sleep, and others I am so tired I don't even want to move from the couch to go to bed, or get out of my bed to go turn off the light or take my makeup off.

The wall of sleep has also almost made me miss the blog deadline in November during the post a day challenge.

Actually, after writing about this, I am starting to feel kind of sleepy...I might be hitting my wall soon..

Goodnight...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

December Again

2010-12-01T23:29:00.000-08:00

How is that possible? Where the heck did 2010 go???

I haven't figured it out yet, so if you have a clue, please let me know. I feel like it was just December 2009. Interesting month that was. Memorable, in a good way...well minus a handful of days/nights that I would rather forget about. But the majority of it was awesome and I'd love to go back to it. Only because it would also mean I'd get to then re-live 2010.

Guess I'll just have to go back to December 2009 and all of 2010 through memories and pictures. Can't wait to see what December 2010 has in store for me.

Helping Hand

2010-11-30T22:05:00.000-08:00

I wish I was settled. I know, you are probably thinking 'How much more settled do you need to be? You have a job and place to live.'

Well, yes, but the job is seasonal, and currently a lot of my stuff is still in a storage unit in San Diego. So for all I know, come January I will be right back where I was 2 weeks ago.

The reason I really want to get a permanent job somewhere is because I want to volunteer places. There's a lot of non-profits I would love to get involved with, like Make-a-Wish, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and potentially hospital volunteering. I suppose you are wondering why I didn't do any of this stuff while I was jobless all those months since graduation. It's because all of these places want commitment, which at this point and for the past few months, I can't do. I don't want to sign up and get involved and then end up getting a job somewhere else and have to move and then break off the commitment I made with the organization.

Hopefully the with the new year coming I will get a better idea of what's going to happen with me so I can go back to volunteering since it's something I miss doing. In high school I spent the early afternoons of Thanksgiving working with Union Station in Pasadena for their annual Thanksgiving in the Park, serving Thanksgiving lunch to homeless and needy families of the community. There was always a lot of volunteers, each getting a shift serving food, all of which was donated. There was always tons of food and the people we were serving were extremely appreciative that we were there providing them a good meal. As this year's holiday season rolls around and I see toy drives for needy children and groups getting things to send to the troops and all I want to do is give to all of them. I don't really have money to be buying a lot of stuff to give, but I would like to try at least and give something. Open your hearts this season and lend a helping hand if you can with food/clothing/toy donations.

2010-11-29T22:59:00.001-08:00

Thank goodness for the Blackberry

Seriously..my internet decided to quit working. But w/my smartphone I could sign up for mobile posting. Yay! Real post tmr!

Mood Radio

2010-11-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

My friend shared a website with me last night that has playlists based on your emotional mood. StereoMood has a lot of different types of playlists to choose from. Some of the playlists like "Groovy" or "Classic" you can probably guess the kinds of songs you'll hear on them. But others, like "Road Trip", "Dreamy", or "It's Raining" it's anyone's guess as to what's on them. Check it out, and maybe you'll find some new good songs. I have a feeling that after I listen to some of the playlists I'll have a whole list of songs that I'll want to get on my iPod.

"Tale as old as time..."

2010-11-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

"Beauty and the Beast" is, in my opinion, the best Disney movie. I put it on on Thanksgiving after everyone had left. There are no flaws in it, other than seeming to be over too soon. There's a lot one can learn from this movie.

1. Don't be mean and cruel to others, because they might turn you into a hideous beast.
2. Reading is good.
3. Don't judge someone at first look, get to know the person inside.
4. It's okay to be unique.

I love when Belle is mending the wounds of Beast and she's thanking him for saving her from the wolves, but they have a little argument.

Good for Belle to sassing the Beast. That was their little breakthrough that led them from being cross with one another to falling in love.

There's so much to love about this movie. If you haven't seen it or it's been awhile since you've seen it, I suggest watching it soon. It's a true classic, and the only Disney animated film to be nominated for Best Picture for an Oscar.

Survived!

2010-11-26T23:48:00.000-08:00

I have survived working my first Black Friday! It wasn't as crazy as I had been expecting it to be. Although I had a pretty steady stream of ringing up customers all day, it was never overwhelmingly so. That could also be because I started at 12pm, rather than 7am when they opened. I'm glad that it wasn't super crazy and now I'm super sleepy, thus almost missing the deadline because I was falling asleep. At least I have tomorrow off. =)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving readers! There's lots to be thankful for this year. Even though sad things have happened, we can be thankful for what we have: health, family, friends, whatever it is. Hope you are having a nice holiday with loved ones. And for Black Friday shoppers, good luck out there.

Guest 4300..

2010-11-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

Just saw that it's 2 more people to go to hit 4300. Who's it going to be? If it's you, leave a comment!

Lazy

2010-11-24T22:33:00.000-08:00

I'm lazy because I worked all day today, so my mind is blank as to what to write about. As a result, you get more random thoughts.

-I work in a dangerous place. Not dangerous in actual life threatening situations, though Black Friday might be, but dangerous in the sense of me buying too much! They sell things that are cute, things that I would imagine in my future home, plus food and drinks that are faves of mine (hello marzipan things and Moscato wine). So will my paychecks be spent all on stuff in the store? Hopefully not, but I got some of those things today, along with small packets of S'Mores hot chocolate to try. Luckily I have my employee discount to help out haha.

-Why do I always have sneezing fits when I'm driving? I did on my drive home tonight, but luckily I was coming up on a red light and no one was around me so I finished my little fit once I had stopped. But normally it always happens when I'm driving on the freeway, which is not good. Any suggestions on how to stop it if I feel sneezes coming on?

-I'm kind of glad my work isn't playing Christmas music just yet. I mean I love Christmas music, so I worry that overkill might occur if I had been listening to it for the 22 hours I've worked this week. Guess we'll see what Friday brings me. Instead they have been playing music that makes me think I'm in an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" or something. Now if only a real life McDreamy would walk into my life at work....

And to make up for my lame thoughts, here's a song for you. Rosi Golan, "Come Around"

It was on an episode of "One Tree Hill" in season 6, the season finale. There were a couple of good songs in the episode, including "Murderous Air" by Tim Williams and "Hallelujah" by Gin Wigmore. Hope you like this one.

Nation Divided Over Dancing?

2010-11-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

On the news this morning, one of the top stories was the conclusion tonight of "Dancing with the Stars" and how the results are dividing the nation.

Seriously?

I mean I understand people taking sides on who they want to win, but dividing the nation into anger for whoever wins? That's a little much. As is shooting your tv over Bristol Palin being saved, despite not being as good of a dancer as Brandy. Yes, I was upset that she's made it this far while other people I thought were better dancers were voted off, but not enough to take such drastic actions.

See it's stuff like this that makes Americans looked down upon in other countries. We put so much attention on celebrities and reality tv competitions, that other things of more substance are forgotten about, especially this time of year. There are so many people out there struggling this holiday season. Why aren't there more stories about ways to help those in need with food, clothing, and toy drives, for instance. Or places you can go volunteer to help people. Let's not have a divided nation over a tv show and instead be one united to help others.

Random Mind

2010-11-22T23:07:00.001-08:00

Why is it that I can remember useless information very accurately at the drop of a hat, yet information that I really need to retain I tend to lose it really easily?

For example, I can tell you things like what I ordered the first time I went to a certain restaurant, who I was with, why I was with them, and it all happened 10 years ago, at least. Or that I can recall conversations I had with people, just about to a T. Or quotes from movies/tv, and song lyrics. All these things, even songs I haven't sung or even necessarily heard in years I can still sing word for word. I can do almost the entire dialogues of several movies. Even if I drink, I am able to remember things with accuracy, which has been proven when one person tries to tell me how some situation or another came about, and I counter and say what I know happened and usually someone else is like 'Yeah that's true,' thus the person trying to make crap up about me should feel nice and embarrassed by the fact I just called them out on trying to screw with me.

So my memory doesn't falter there, yet when it would come to math, or right now as I am doing training, I kept having the same issues. Like ok, yesterday was a training day for me and it seemed easy enough before the store was open. Then when actually dealing with people and customers, it was all lost on me and I kept having issues. In an 8 hour shift I was still having the same problems. Hopefully that gets better because otherwise my co-workers are going to think I'm an idiot.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to gather useless information on things like celebrity gossip, movies, music, and tv. Maybe some day that stuff will end up benefiting me somehow.

Kilts & Camels

2010-11-21T22:56:00.000-08:00

First day of my seasonal job was today. I waited on a guy in a kilt. No joke. He and his wife, dressed normally in jeans and their children were buying some last minute Thanksgiving things. I didn't laugh out loud or anything though, don't worry.

Then on my way home, I went further down Colorado Blvd. than I normally would and went down a random side street. It ended up dead-ending at the Huntington Library, and I recalled a few years ago when I found myself in the same area and after some random turns came across the most picturesque storybook cottage looking house I had ever seen. So I decided to see if history would repeat itself and made more random turns. I passed a street and thought I saw a camel. I didn't think it was possible. I thought of turning around but decided against it, yet after a mistake, I found myself on a narrow street and there was a police car and a huge trailer with an open door. I wasn't sure if I would be able to fit between the space between the 2 to go around, but was able to with no problem, yet as I went around and was by the trailer, I found the camel right next to my car. I went up to the stop sign, then turned around and snapped a pic on my Blackberry. It's not the best picture because I was 2 houses down and I can only zoom so much, but you can see that it is a camel.

So the question I pose tonight is this: Have camels replaced ponies for things like kid's birthdays? Maybe I should have stopped to ask.

Oh and I didn't find that house, however once I was back on track to getting to Huntington Dr., I saw a small street that I think was the one it was on. (This is my crazy memory kicking in to remember such random, insignificant details of life..I'll expand on that tomorrow) So I think I'll wander around another day, but this time do it on foot. Then I get exercise and I can stare at the houses and not be a distracted drive as I would be if I were driving.

Tough Stuff

2010-11-20T22:19:00.000-08:00

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

I can no longer say that I have never been to a funeral/memorial service. No, I haven't gone through life without death. I just have never been to a service before, be it because I was too young or the distance was too far to go for the service. Although this was my brother's mother in law and I didn't know her that well, she was always kind to me. It is a sad time for the family as it was all so sudden.

I never know quite what to say to people when someone close to them have passed. "I'm sorry" doesn't seem to be enough, but what else can you say? I don't know the loss that they are feeling, especially in this instance. It's one of those times that you hope "I'm sorry" and a warm embrace offer at least some comfort. That and being there with a shoulder to cry on if need be is all one can really do I suppose. Be part of their support system.

While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

Almost Missing the Deadline Again

2010-11-19T23:16:00.000-08:00

Reason: I got sleepy and my cat decided that she wanted to sleep on my tummy while I finished reading this week's 'Entertainment Weekly.' My normally not super cuddly kitty decided that she wanted to be lovey this evening and first stretched herself across my entire body and on the arm of the loveseat next to me. Then she switched positions and curled her little self up so her head was tucked up just below my armpit and her body on my hip and the arm of the loveseat. Finally she sat on the arm of the loveseat but but her paws and head up on my shoulder and purred in my ear and we both dozed off a bit. It was nice and cozy. I love those rare moments when she decides that she wants to be a nice lap cat, as when I got her when I was 6 years old, I was under the assumption that all cats were cuddly lap cats like my grandmother's cat at the time, Lucy. My kitty, however, wasn't super cuddly and didn't really like people. Now, in her later years at the age of 16, she has decided that people aren't so bad after all. My friends that came over in junior high and high school maybe saw a glimpse of Honey, if they were lucky or I brought her out to show them myself. Now, a few of them have come over and Honey has come in and not only gotten close to them, but let people pet her a bit. I wish it hadn't taken her so long to open up to people, but I'm glad she's now more the cuddly kitty I thought I was getting 16 1/2 years ago. Either way I know she loves me, even if she isn't being cuddly, because she always wants to sleep on my bed, in my room, under the covers in my bed, etc. Plus I have her love if only because I am the keeper of the cat food and provide her her meals.

As if you weren't already aware

2010-11-18T23:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming!

I know, you could already figure that out for yourself by looking at a calender. However, here are some extra pieces of evidence in case you are in denial about it still.

1. Christmas decorations are up in the stores.
2. Holiday items in the grocery store, such as seasonal coffee creamers, candies, coffee, etc.
3. KOST 103.5 has started their 24/7 holiday music.
4. Peppermint Mochas are back at Starbucks.
5. Holiday specials on tv.

Now I haven't checked my Christmas playlist on iTunes just yet. I feel that I can hold off on that until the day after Thanksgiving. If I want holiday music now, I can always tune in to the radio. Plus they play songs that I, amazingly, don't have. I'm really excited it's almost Christmas. I love seeing houses decorated, decorating the tree, decorating Christmas cookies, getting the house ready. All good things. This will be an interesting holiday season I think. Can't wait to see what lies ahead.

Oops

2010-11-17T23:37:00.000-08:00

Just paid attention to what time it was and realized I hadn't posted anything. I really have no clue what to talk about today, especially being as pressed for time as I am. I watched a nice Christmas movie as soon as I got up this morning, once again thank you Hallmark Channel. And as I write this I am watching "Valentine's Day." Too bad there wasn't a New Year's movie on somewhere in between. I'll try to have something more interesting for tomorrow and I'll remember sooner than 20 minutes before midnight.

Dreams

2010-11-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

So I read somewhere once that a lot of people: 1. Don't remember dreams. 2. Dream in black & white. Or 3. Don't dream at all.

I don't fit any of those categories. I dream almost every night, in color, and usually remember them. Or if I don't remember them really, I usually at least know I was dreaming about something. Dreams are really interesting to me. I think that we often can interpret major things or events in the dreams to a deeper meaning. Or sometimes, get an answer to a question on our minds through them.

Since high school, I have kept a dream diary. There aren't that many entries, only because I write them down other places, like on a piece of paper during a lecture in college or am emailing it to a friend because whatever happened is like big. But I always look up meanings, and after I write down the dream, I pick out things that particularly stood out to me, like colors or the weather or where I was and look them up both in my dream dictionary book, as well as an online dream dictionary, Dream Moods.

I remember that in September, I had been thinking a lot about a lingering question in my mind about someone that had made an appearance in my life and if my decision about the person was the right one and I had a dream and the person was with me then disappeared and everyone of my friends that were in the dream were like 'See? No good just like we said. You are better off because nothing is going to change.' It was the answer I needed to hear and deep down I knew that was the answer, I just needed the wake up call to come in a dream it seems. (oh irony...)

Lately I've been having dreams of being married and having kids. But I always have boys and they are always babies. First it was twin boys, then just the other night it was just one boy. Both times, these kids don't have names, but they are cute...though I'm not 100% the one from the other night was mine necessarily. It was blond, curly haired, with big blue eyes, all of which are not qualities I have. I think I might have been baby sitting it, I'm not 100% sure on that. I looked up what a baby boy meant and my book said "birth or emergence of a new phase of self-expression in terms of activity or achievement," so maybe these babies that keep showing up are a sign that a new phase in my life is going to begin soon, aka I'm going to get a job soon. That would be nice.

Sweet dreams, readers. And remember, "Be careful what you wear to bed at night, you never know who you'll meet in your dreams."

Thank You Hallmark Channel

2010-11-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

As of this weekend, Hallmark Channel is now 24 hour holiday programming. The weekend was full of Christmas, and a few Thanksgiving movies, and this morning woke up to find a Christmas movie on. Even their Martha Stewart episodes being shown are all about Thanksgiving and, soon enough, Christmas.

This makes me super happy. I really like holiday movies, even if they are predictable or dumb, as I have heard them called. Last year we didn't have Hallmark Channel, so I didn't get my full Christmas movie experience. This year I plan on making up for that by watching them before Thanksgiving even, much like I am doing right now.

Lifetime movies are pretty solid too, but Hallmark has more to offer. So if you find yourself feeling in the holiday mood, cozy up under a blanket with a nice cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate and watch some Hallmark Channel holiday movies.

Holiday Drinks

2010-11-14T23:11:00.000-08:00

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf have rolled out their holiday drinks, not only having the typical fall Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread lattes, but their Christmas drinks as well. Tonight I met up with a friend and we headed over there to try some of these drinks. She got a Vanilla Peppermint drink, that was coffee-free so it was a nice creamy treat that reminded me of after dinner mints. I tried the Red Velvet Hot Chocolate. That was really good. It was rich and creamy and a pretty color. I was torn between ordering that or their Dark Chocolate Peppermint Latte or their Winter Dream Tea. But I was most curious about the hot chocolate because that's completely new and I have gotten to try the other two before. I'm thinking that more trips to Coffee Bean are going to be in my future.

For the Future

2010-11-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

So given how tough it has been even just to get hired on as Christmas help, I decided that if/when I have kids, they are going to work when they are in high school. Even having experience working at Jamba Juice or basic retail knowledge would have all the difference for me now because at least a place would see they might not have to put that much into training me. I wish I had been forced to work, because that would have given me more customer service experience, and if I had been forced to work for summer and while I was in school, I'd have at least a year of the experience places want you to have. If competition is this fierce now, I'd hate to think what it will be years from now when my potential children are out there.

So Yeah.....

2010-11-12T23:32:00.000-08:00

I continue to lack inspiration on what to write about. It's hard to think of things when there's nothing really going on in your life. Let's see, haven't heard from anywhere I applied to be Christmas help, which is sad. The fact that I can't even get a temporary, mass hiring type job makes me all the more depressed. Yes, I know, the economy still sucks so everyone is applying for these jobs. But given that these places are still claiming to be hiring and Thanksgiving fast approaching, you'd think that would have made a difference. Apparently not. Such is my life, lots of fail going on. Well it's late and I'm feeling at bit down and out for now, so I'll catch you all tomorrow, being less Debbie Downer than I am at the moment.

NYC & Other Places

2010-11-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

This weekend, like Veteran's Day weekends the last few years, HTM Students (and alumni) head to NYC for the American Hotel & Lodging Association's annual Hotel Show. I never got to go on one of those trips, and while I could have bought a plane ticket with what little money I have to get to New York, I wouldn't be able to eat, pay to get into the show, pay for transportation...room probably would have been okay because I would have split one with friends, but all those other things are kind of important. I've never been to New York City. I have always wanted to go there though. That's just one of the many places I want to go. Here's a few other places I'd like to see and spend time in (in no particular order):

-Chicago
-Seattle
-San Francisco (I went the for a choir trip and we spent an hour at Pier 39, and it was pouring rain so it was like the longest hour ever and then we got back on the bus and headed for our hotel next to Great America theme park in Santa Clara...so seeing more other sites in better weather would be nice)
-Boston
-Disney World (I realize that's not a city, but it may as well be. And that's really the only thing I would ever want to see in Florida)
-Colorado
-Washington D.C.
-Mall of America
-Back to Hawaii because it was beautiful and relaxing and I can finally have the non-virgin versions of the drinks I had haha

These are all just U.S. locations. There are so many international places I want to go and see, but need to save up a lot before that can happen. But at least some of the U.S. ones are possibilities. So if any of you want to go to any of those places, let's plan a trip! Traveling with people is much nicer than alone. I know, I've flown, taken the train, and driven places by myself and while it gives me time to think and let my mind wander, it's nice to have someone to talk to.

Simple & Quick

2010-11-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

I realized I was running out of time to blog, so I'm going to have to make it a semi-slacker easy way out post today with a song....ok 2 songs actually. I can't choose which of his songs I like more so, going to post my 2 faves. I was going to have more to talk about today, but I got caught up finishing my book and watching the Country Music Awards, so my time ran out.

So I've discovered Andrew Belle recently. His songs were in episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" last season, including one in the season 6 finale. This first one, "Make it Without You" was in one of the later episodes of the season:

The second one, "Replace Me" I just found when I was on YouTube, listening to other songs of his.

Hope you like these songs. Check out some of his other songs. I like him a lot. Jamie said he sounds like a cross between The Fray and John Legend. Hopefully you like him too.

Just One of Those Days

2010-11-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

That I, yet again, lack inspiration for posting. Kind of sad that only 9 days into this and I can't come up with things to say. Well, ok, I can, I just have to sort out my thoughts more first. I like to kind of have an idea of what I want to say before I post, although I'm sure sometimes it seems I am rambling on and going off on all sorts of tangents...which is exactly what I'll be doing tonight.

-Watching "Conan" right now. So glad to see him back on tv. He's awesome and was wronged by NBC. Trying to get tickets to see a taping of his show again. I went last year and will return with 2 of the people I went with last time. I can't get any til January's are posted, but that's fine with me. He's hilarious and it's well worth the wait.

-I'm almost done with my book. I'm debating staying up tonight to finish it, though I will more likely fall asleep and finish it tomorrow. All through reading it, I've been trying to picture who I'd put in it as a movie. Still debating on that, but I can kind of see them. I sometimes wish that I was in a position to pick people for movie roles. One of my favorite books, "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin, has been made into a movie and will be out next year. This is one, where the casting I'm iffy on. Ginnifer Goodwin is playing the main character, Rachel, which I can see and I'm good with that casting. However, her best friend is being played by Kate Hudson, which I definitely don't see. The character in the book is described as being tall, dark hair, green eyes...I know that things change for movies, but it's just not who I would have put in the role. Same with Cameron Diaz being cast as the mother in "My Sister's Keeper" last year. She just is not the motherly figure I was picturing when I read the book. I guess I'll just have to see the movie next year and find out. I hope it's close to how I imagined it in my head. I always do that, picture it as a movie, casting, where it could be filmed...even certain scenes I can even pick a song that would fit that moment. Sometimes I wish I had money and connections to get into finding authors of books I've loved and approach them about a movie and let it be made the way I picture it.

Sorry for yet another short post tonight. I'll try and have a deeper meaning one tomorrow, when I've had more time to think it through.

Favorite Kind of Day...

2010-11-08T22:42:00.000-08:00

Was a day like today. Not in what I did, because that was a lot of nothing, but the weather. It was sunny but the air was cool and it was windy. The only thing missing in the sky was big, white, puffy clouds. I went outside for a while and just let the wind blow through my hair and I embraced the cold and let the leaves blow around me. This kind of weather, just narrowly beats out gray, either cloudy or rainy, cold weather. That just is really nice, cozy weather.

But as for why I like the weather like today, I just have some really nice memories that I look back on and that was the kind of weather it was that day. Sunny, cool, windy.

Anyway, I hope you had a nice day. I'm off to go watch the season premire of "Conan" on TBS. So stoked he's back on!

The Eternal Post-Grad Question

2010-11-07T22:08:00.001-08:00

Here it is, 5 months after graduation. I have had the opportunity to see friends a lot during this span of time, both from college and high school/elementary school. It seems to me, that we all have the exact same question that has come up in EVERY SINGLE MEETING I have had with friends from all areas of my life. And that is this:

If you are no longer in school, where do you meet people?

Now this question is posed both romantically and even just for friends, though primarily it is posed in the romantic context. We wonder, if we aren't in a school environment anymore, and we don't want to date someone at work (or, depending on where they work, might not even be an option) or pick up people in bars (because we all know that most people in bars are not usually looking for a long term soul mate, but instead searching for a one night stand), then where are you supposed to meet people to date?

The answer that everyone always says?

"Coffee shops/cafes"

That really is the first, and usually the only, thing that people can come up with. Okay, this isn't like Central Perk on "Friends" where people randomly come up and start talking to you. I have never seen anyone go up to a random person in a coffee house and start chatting them up and engage them in long conversations. The closest I've come to that is a guy that had been sitting at the table by my friend and I and as he was leaving, told us that our conversation was interesting, and he picked up his coffee and belongs and walked out. You might be thinking, "Amy, you've just contradicted yourself by saying it never happens that people go up to strangers and talk to them and it's happened to you!" But I'm talking about like someone going up to you and start hitting on you and asking for your number at such. Most people I see in coffee shops are with other people, or are studying, or are on their laptops/iPods/mp3 players/phones, etc. and don't look like they want to be interrupted because they are plugged into their electronics.

So I'm asking you world, other than coffee shops, where do you meet people? I know a lot of people that are curious, so share your knowledge people! Drop a comment with suggestions, who knows, maybe your suggestion will lead someone to their soul mate.

Fall Back

2010-11-06T22:36:00.001-07:00

Yay for it being time for fall back on the clocks! Tonight is the night that we get to turn our clocks back an hour, thus gaining an extra hour of sleep. I love this time of year when it gets darker earlier in the day. Most people I know hate it. They don't like driving at night, they feel the day ends too soon so they can't do anything, whatever their complaint is, they just don't like it. I love it. I like it being dark earlier. I think it's cozy. I just have memories of it being dark, Dad coming home from work to dinner then he and brothers watching Monday Night Football...just very home-y things. And this happens during fall and winter, and those are my favorite seasons. Rich colors, cooler weather (well, in theory, being So-Cal, it's iffy but generally it's cooler), cute clothes, BOOTS, fall food, holidays. Yes, this is the best time of the year.

Enjoy your extra hour of sleep tonight! =)

200th Post!

2010-11-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

200 posts. Amazing I've had that much to talk about really. I'm going to take this post to say thanks to those that keep this blog going.

~Thanks to family and friends for reading this blog, first of all. Without people in my life caring what's going around in my head, this blog would be rather pointless.

~Thanks to the media for providing me topics to rant or comment on, depending on my mood and the topic at hand.

~Thanks to Google, which allowed my public blog to come up in people's searches for key words or terms.

~Thanks to all the strangers out there who have come across my blog. No one knows this unless they've scrolled all the way to the bottom of the page, but there's a site meter I added on here to see who's reading the blog. No, I can't tell specifically who, so if anyone is stalking me out there, I don't know who you are, I just see areas where people are reading this and how they came across it, whether it was a Google search result, link from Facebook, link from siblings' blogs, or if you just straight out typed my address into the search engine. Some, I can guess, like if it came from San Diego and is from Facebook, well I know lots of people that could fit, but it's like 'Okay, college friends.' Or Norwalk is my brother & sis-in-law. But I'd like to take this moment to mention some of the more obscure places that I've come across.

-London, UK
-New Delhi, India
-Islamabad, Pakistan
-Pune, Maharashtra, India
-San Fernando, Pampanga, the Philippines
-Philippine, Benguet, the Philippines
-Chur, Graubunden, Switzerland
-Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Whoever you all are, very cool that you are reading this. Hope whatever it was you searched for and my blog came up was helpful or interesting.

Thanks again to all you readers. Please keep coming back and reading and giving me a reason to keep this going!

Blanking Out

2010-11-04T22:49:00.000-07:00

So it's barely day 4 of this challenge and I already lack inspiration for a post. As a result, you are just going to get random thoughts running through my head right now.

~Commercial for the new movie "Burlesque" with Cher and Christina Aguilera...it just doesn't look good, but McSteamy (aka Eric Dane) is in it...I don't get why he has attached himself to the movie...I could help him make better movie choices. Eric Dane, if you are reading this, I'll be your agent....and let Patrick Dempsey know that I would represent him as well.

~The book I'm reading now has some interesting parallels to my own life....well, the character is like me at least, not the plot. Unless I unknowingly was an 'on the side' girl to a guy that ended up getting his girlfriend pregnant and am now dating a marquis that I met on a tour of an old mansion house in England, much like when Elizabeth Bennett encounters Mr. Darcy in her tour of Pemberley in "Pride & Prejudice." No, that's not me. What is me, is how the character is personality wise. She's a head in the clouds kind of girl, wanting the great romance of her life, wondering if the next guy she encounters is "The One" for her, desiring love letters, songs written for her, flowers, songs, etc. She even says that she has a "Mr. Darcy/Prince Charming complex," basing her expectations of guys on them. Even more striking was the point of the book where she is on vacation with her parents and grandmother after losing everything else in her life. The book said:

"....because as much as she loved her parents and grandmother, constant exposure to them at a time when her reserves were low was not ideal. It put her in a kind of limbo-she didn't know whether she was a grown-up with a responsible place in society or a child, a total screwup with no job, no boyfriend, and no morals, who should just stop trying and give up."

Well, ok, so I still have morals, but I've said it before, I feel like I'm in limbo. I'm 22, yet I feel 12. I have a degree, but since I have no job, I feel like a screwup. It's bound to get better, I know. It has to. It's just all the time that's passed since graduation...I can't believe the year is already ending. I feel like it was just...I don't know...February and I was working and going to school and having wonderful (since you can't tell via print, I'm being sarcastic on the wonderful) 490 projects to consume my time. And now, here we are, it's November, nearing the end of the year, I don't have a busy work & social life, and instead of never seeing family, I never see friends. What a difference 5 months makes, huh?

~Take 5 candy bars are the best thing ever. If only they weren't so hard to find when it isn't Halloween time.

~Pulling out old family movies makes me miss the family dinners we used to have where we'd go to someone's house and open gifts, cake & ice cream, etc. Note to siblings, maybe something we can aim to bring back in the future.

~Songs from choir practice tonight are rolling around my head. One has a very Christmas-y grand ending. Another, just these two lines are replaying: "Take my will and make it Thine/it is no longer mine/Take my life and let it be for Thee." I really like the one we are singing this week. It's the grand ending one. Most of the song is fast, but in the middle and end, it's a legato, rich sound, the harmony sounding like old classic hymns.

~Oprah commercial for the episode as a re-run tonight is of teen heartthrobs. And she's reuniting all 5 members of Backstreet Boys. For those of you unaware, Kevin Richardson, the oldest member left the group a while ago. The tween inside me is excited to watch this because I forgot to earlier.

Thanks for reading my random thoughts. I'll do better tomorrow.

How About a Song?

2010-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Before I give you the first of what will probably be many song suggestions, I have to share something. So yesterday's post was kind of a Debbie Downer one for me, full of doubt and putting down my own abilities and the decisions I've made about school, major, etc. Today I made a mental list of places to go to tomorrow to see if they are hiring for the holidays and plans with a friend to go to these places. Then another friend texted me and suggested I try and see about getting a job at the spa she just got hired at because she knows they want to hire for the holiday season.

But the biggest sign from I got, came in the form of a horoscope from TV Guide Magazine. I know, I know, a horoscope? Something I should take with a grain of salt, however I have found that sometimes my horoscope hits right on with whatever is going on with my life, and this was definitely one of those times. This is what it said:

"Don't worry if you've fallen short of your dreams. At least you're still working toward them, which is more than most can say. Keep striving, every day, and you'll eventually get there. Yes, it will happen."

Wow. How incredibly needed was that for me to hear after yesterday's post? So I'm going to keep trying, even if I get a job elsewhere. And maybe the spa is where I should be, because at least it's still hospitality related. Or heck, maybe I am supposed to go and work in retail for a bit. I don't know. But I have to have faith that I'll get where I want to be eventually.

Ok, on to the song. With over 1200 songs (I know, that's not a lot to many people with larger iPods, which allow for more songs to be held on them, but for a nano like mine, it's a lot...a little over 5gb, if you were wondering) plus ones that I don't yet have but hear on the radio, I have a lot to choose from.

For my first suggestion, I am going to recommend the newest from Sara Evans, called "A Little Bit Stronger." Don't dismiss country music people! There is some good music you are missing out on if you do. Anyway, yes it's about getting over someone after a breakup, which while I have not experienced, but it can work with guys I've liked (gosh that sounds so middle school...more so if I said 'had a crush on' but there's no other way to put it I guess), or just getting over a tough situation you've faced. It's just saying that with everyday, you become a stronger person than you were before and that you'll be ok when you come out of it.

Hope you like it, and if it's not your style of music, keep checking back, because there's plenty more songs for me to share with you.

Decision Time

2010-11-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

You'd probably think with that title I'm going to talk about the election or something. Wrong! It's about job stuff.

So I need money, as the holidays are fast approaching, and jobs in my industry are few and not giving me a shot. While I continue to keep trying, it's definitely becoming trying. So I'm feeling that I have no other choice than to seek employment elsewhere. Be Christmas help somewhere, or a temp, but it's a hard decision to make.

How is that a hard decision? It's just that it's really hard as is trying to get into this industry, so going away from it might make it even harder. It just makes me wonder how much fighting am I going to have to do to even get a start in it and only perpetuates the nagging feeling that comes over me as to whether or not I made the right choice of major and such. And if I made the wrong choice, then what am I cut out to do?

I have this fear of never being good at anything. It's irrational, because there's bound to be something I'm good at. I just haven't had a chance to figure it out yet. And then comes the same question, will I ever? So what if I'm no good at my field? Other than having thousands in loans to pay off for a degree I don't get to use, it's like what am I supposed to do with my life? It's apparently a rule that if you already have a Bachelor's degree you can't go get another one. But if that's the case, then what if I'm trying to do something completely unrelated to my degree? I can't go get a Master's in a whole other field.

So again, it's time to decide what to do. I don't know what the future holds for me, who does? I know things that I would want to do and am interested in doing, but will I get the chance to do it? Only time will tell I suppose. Unless a billionaire comes and sweeps me off my feet and then I won't be under such pressure to get a job and can continue new hobbies I have picked up, and do volunteer work, and support non-profits and charities, because really, I want to feel good about what I do, and non-profits/charities would be just that. It's why I have been looking at hospitals to see if they have special events departments for fundraising and such.

Keep your fingers crossed, readers. If you have any advice, please comment and let me know. Leave me a suggestion for something I could do different maybe for job applications and such.

New Month, New Post

2010-11-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

It's November, which begins a blog competition as to posting something every day for the whole month. My siblings and I usually take it one step further and go on with who can post every day for the longest. This little competition is why if you go back in my archives there's a massive amount of posts for November and into December.

I used to be able to discuss classes and finals and projects I was working on, but I don't really have that going on anymore. I can post every day where I have applied to work, but that would get as boring as it is to fill out the same things over and over again. I will say that some of those applications have some weird questions, or at least the order is a bit off. For example I was recently doing one that required me to do an online survey as part of it where it asked you to click 'Agree' or 'Disagree' to each question, and there were like 80-90 questions, and like question 71 was: 'I am able to read well enough to complete this survey.'

Um, shouldn't that have been one of the first questions? It's a bit late to be asking that question. It made me laugh, along with the question: 'I can count to 10.' Dear God I hope you can count to ten..I mean you can do that using your fingers.

With this month of blogging upon me, I figure that there will be a lot of random posts (what else is new there, though?) and song suggestions. I love music, all different kinds, and am open to suggestions if there are any songs you love and want to share your love of. I plan to post some songs and hopefully open you up to a new artist or song that you then love. But if there are any topics to suggest, please comment and let me know. Don't hold back, I'm open to suggestions. For anyone else trying this month long challenge, good luck to you and hope you don't run out of things to discuss.

Hot Topic: Bullying

2010-10-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

So obviously one of the hot topics right now that all talk shows, morning news shows, celebrities, magazines, etc are doing stories about right now is bullying, and rightly so. There are 11/12 year olds out there, killing themselves because they are being bullied in school. Most of the stories emerging are ones of boys being outed as gay, and subsequently taking their lives, need I mention Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman, the most recent of the stories to come out on bullying? It's awful that these pre-teens and young adults feel that's all there is. These young boys were tormented into feeling like outsiders and never got the chance to be out in the world where there are more accepting people than the small minded communities they found themselves in.

And don't think it's just boys facing this problem, and causing the problem. Girls are just as guilty. For some odd reason, girls are awful backstabbers that seem to get overlooked because they do things more underhanded. There was a scene in the movie, "Remember Me" that comes to mind. The character Caroline, is the 11 year old sister of Robert Pattinson's character, Tyler. She goes to a good school and is in love with art and drawing. In fact, she even has an art show at a gallery featuring her work. But because she is different, the other girls in her class make her life hell, culminating in inviting her to a slumber party, only to torment her and cut off her hair. Yes, I realize that's a movie, but there are girls that are really like that. Think "Mean Girls."

How do I know about girl bullying? Because I had my moments of being bullied. I won't go into specifics, mostly because it was so long ago and I am over it, and have been for a long time. I'll just say that I was a victim of the infamous 3-way call, a great way for damage to be done in girl world and it was by my supposed best friends. When it happened, it sucked. I was crushed. Luckily, I had people to turn to and years later I realize I'm a better person for that happening. I never wanted anyone to feel the way I did, and still don't.

There's something that you have to realize if you are being bullied, and that's this: YOU ARE BETTER THAN THEY ARE!!!!!!

Repeat that to yourself over and over. The only reason they are doing this is because they have some strange need to feel superior to others, which is probably due to low self-esteem. They are probably really insecure about themselves and are threatened by the fact that you are okay with yourself and who you are. You just can't let them get to you. If it's really bad, talk to someone, like a teacher or parent. Don't let it go on. And no matter how much the bullies try to pull you down, realize there's a whole world out there with people that aren't as ignorant as those around you that are giving you a hard time because of your differences. You can get out there and wave your freak flag, embrace your eccentricities, and you will find others out there that are like you and share your interests.

*Note, this is my first attempt at blogging a hot topic with great seriousness. I'm going to try and do these every once in a while, I just want people to think and consider this stuff. Feel free to comment on your thoughts on this, or other topics you might want to read about...I'm always open to suggestions.

Happy 10/10/10!

2010-10-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

Random fact, but I like when things end in 5s and 10s. Also, in case you weren't aware, purple is my favorite color and I plan on having dark purple be my main color when I get married. Therefore, had I been at a different point in my life and had the opportunity, I would have chosen 10/10/10 as my wedding day with my bridesmaids in dark purple dresses.

Oddly enough, I worked a wedding today and the bride selected dark purple for her bridesmaids' dresses. So basically, she had the day I wanted and the color I would have used. What are the odds?

My brother suggested that I aim for 11/11/11 because that would be cooler. And my siblings have also suggested 12/12/12, but both of those would require me to basically get engaged like yesterday so that I'd have time to plan and book because no doubt those dates are going to be busy, much like I assume today has been. And since there's no chance of that happening, unless someone comes and sweeps me off my feet like soonish, which let's be realistic isn't going to happen, those dates will pass by me as well. However, since I like things ending in 5s, there's always 2015. Or in ten years I can have 2020, which could be cool too....but I'm not setting any limits or rules for myself. If I end up getting married in 2017, so be it, as long as I'm happy and with the person I can't live without, it obviously makes no difference what the year is.

Book Review: "One Day" by David Nicholls

2010-10-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

First off, I loved this book. It's smart, which is something I have never said about a book before in my life. It's been described by others as a British version of "When Harry Met Sally...", which, I suppose is a pretty accurate surface description of the book. It is about a relationship between Dex and Emma, but the deeper meaning in it is the significance one day has on a life.

Dex and Emma meet the day after they graduate in 1988. As the book goes on, each chapter checks back in with them on that same day every year for 20 years. We see, as time goes on, what the importance of that day really is.

At first I was a bit nervous that the book would be choppy and awkward, but the idea of the story that spanned that long of a relationship made me curious to read it. Author David Nicholls did a good job of stringing together snapshots of the relationship over 20 years. The transitions were seamless. His writing style clues the reader in on what has gone on in the last year of their lives that puts them where they are now by weaving it into the narrative rather than pages of 'Here's what changed. Here's what went on in the year. Now look at what they are doing.'

I could relate to Emma in the beginning of the book, in her fresh out of college years. When the book starts, graduation was the day before, and she and Dex are having a conversation about their lives that lie ahead of them. It said,

"...feeling a ripple of anxiety pass across her shoulders at the thought of it: independent adult life. She didn't feel like an adult. She was in no way prepared. It was as if a fire alarm had gone off in the middle of the night and she was standing on the street with her clothes bundled up in her arms. If she wasn't learning, what was she doing? How would she fill the days? She had no idea."

Don't all graduates with no job lined up feel that way? And maybe even if they do have jobs lined up they feel like that. Since I am in the former category, I can't really speak for the later, but I assume they feel the same. In talking to some of my friends that have jobs, they still feel like 'Ok so I'm an adult and I can't just not go to work if I don't feel like it like I could with class,' and still feel it's kind of weird to be working rather than going to school. I like what Emma believes is the answer to her own question of how to fill up her days. She says,

"The trick of it,...is to be courageous and bold and make a difference. Not change the world exactly, just the bit around you. Go out there with your double first, (side note by me, that's the British way of saying a double major), your passion and your new Smith Corona electric typewriter (side note again, remember this is 1988 people, home computers, internet, all that stuff wasn't around like it is today) and work hard at...something. Change lives through art maybe. Write beautifully. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved if at all possible...."

I wish I could tell you more about this book, but I want you to go pick up a copy and read it yourself. Anything else I could say might give something away. But I will say that at the end of it, I was touched and crying and it was just very real. There are some parts that are a little slow, and all you can think is, 'Are Dex and Emma going to get together or not?' but that's how real life is too. We have our dull moments, but then a lot happens all at once, good and bad, and you kind of wish for those moments of peace back.

I want to talk more on the idea behind it all, the significance one day has on a person's life, but I'll leave that for another time. Until then, go out, get a copy of this book and read it! I really enjoyed it, didn't want it to end, and can't wait for the movie. I hope you feel the same. I'll leave you with a blurb that 'USA Today' wrote on the coming movie, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

Reflective Thoughts

2010-10-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

When I woke up yesterday morning it was gray outside and drizzly. I was cozy in my bed, so I laid in bed for a while and listened to the new songs I added to my ever growing iTunes last night. Most of them were kind of sad songs, or at least that's what most people listening to them would think. I, however, find some meaning in them, I hear the emotion, connect myself to the song and what it's trying to say. They were putting me in a reflective mood. I thought of the last year of my life. How I've changed, grown as a person. I thought of people that came into my life, the experiences, both good and bad, that really taught me a lot that I wouldn't trade for anything, the handful of regrets that linger in the back of my mind and probably will for quite some time. The end result is that I am ultimately a different person. I might look the same, and generally act the same, but inside I am different. Moments that I said and acted in ways that were "so not me" became more frequent. I was bolder than I have probably ever been before. Friends commented that the change was a good thing. That saying and doing things that were "so not me" maybe really were the person I was inside and I was finally finding myself.

I admit, I'm still scared about a lot of things. Especially with this ongoing job hunt. I'm scared that I won't know what I'm doing when I get one. I'm scared that I'm not going to get the chance to be good at a job because no one is wanting to take a chance on me. In these moments of doubt and fear, I need to remember the chances I took in the last year, whether they lead me to what I wanted or just made me learn a lesson, however harsh it was, and the brave girl behind the chances.

Again with my quotes, I of course have some to throw in here:

"We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person." ~W. Somerset Maugham

"When in doubt, make a food of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell. Leap." ~Cynthia Heimel, "Lower Manhattan Survival Tactics"

"If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances." ~Julia Sorel (Rosalyn Dexter), "See How She Runs," 1978

I have lots more I could throw in here, but I'll save it for a quote of the day series I may as well start on here, given that I have so many quotes.

Back to my original point before I kind of got off track. I feel like since coming back home, being away from friends, not having a job or school, that this changed self is slowly going away...I find it harder to recognize my life now. I wonder if I was in a coma for the last 4 years. I feel like I am back in high school and it was all just a dream. That nothing has changed, and I am still the super shy girl I was in high school. I feel like my parents still expect me to ask before I go do anything, that I can't just go off and do as I please, despite the fact that I'm 22 and have been living on my own for 4 years. It's like I'm 16 again and the independence I had for 4 years means nothing.

If I could even just hear back from somewhere for an interview. I haven't interviewed anywhere since August, though I have applied places in the last few weeks. It would just be a help to at least get to interview and be rejected from that instead of complete silence, not even the usual courtesy email hotels send out going 'Thanks for applying but we are going with someone more qualified than you' that I usually get.

So readers, here's to hoping I hear from someplace soon so that I can wake up from this coma. Let me find the job that I am meant to have and not be afraid to take a chance and apply for it, and move, if need be, to wherever it is.

Missing School

2010-10-04T17:15:00.001-07:00

So I've been out of school for a while now and I have to say, it's still weird. Around July, I was thinking about how I would normally be registering for classes around then. I was sad when I didn't get to buy a new planner after the one I had through July was complete. I didn't have a life to plan anymore. In August, I felt like I should have been starting school. In September, I felt like a huge part of me was missing. I felt like I should have been wandering around SDSU, going to classes, hanging out in the HTM office, meeting friends for lunch in East Commons, reading a book and drinking coffee at the turtle pond between classes. Don't get me wrong, there are things about school I don't miss, like tests, and endless projects that required you to coordinate work and class schedules of like 5 other people. I don't miss those things, but most other stuff I miss. Being introduced to new ideas, new books, randomly running into people on campus, especially ones you haven't seen in a long time and getting a chance to catch up with them, those are things I miss.

I've talked to people who graduated before me, whether it's been one year out or ten years out, they all say that sometimes it's still weird for them to not be at school. It gets easier, but it never fully goes away. It's nice to know I'm not alone in these feelings though.

If you know me, you know that I am a quote-a-holic. I have a book filled with quotes from books, movies, tv, famous people, even some song lyrics. They range in topics, majority being on love and friendship, but also on loss, change, school, books, music, a great many topics. In going through it this evening, I was on the quest for a quote that would fit this topic of missing school post graduation, and of course I found one that fits:

"It is indeed ironic that we spend our school days yearning to graduate and our remaining days waxing nostalgic about our school days." ~Isabel Waxman

So true. I know that all during high school I couldn't wait to get to college. Then in college, I couldn't wait to graduate and have the fabulous job, which also meant I had the cute apartment with a pet or two, and go out with friends for drinks after work. In my defense, the economy was a hell of a lot better when I started college, so the idea of having lots of job offers right out of college that would give me the dream job wasn't that far fetched as it is now. But here I am, out of school and I just want to be back there. I wish I could go back. I wish things could be the way they were before. I want a re-do. Maybe not of all 4 years, but at the very least senior year. I had an amazing senior year. I want the rewind button to go back and do senior year over again. Anyone know where to get that? The adult world isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's like Meredith said on "Grey's Anatomy" in season 1, "We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop?"

Future Sign of Hell Freezing Over...

2010-09-14T00:30:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was watching the Emmy Pre-Show on E! with Ryan Seacrest, and he said something that really bothered me. Via satellite, they had the cast of "Jersey Shore" to interview, which is beyond me as to why they would do that. "Jersey Shore" is an embarrassment to the US. Seriously, these trashy people are what is perceived by other countries as how all Americans are, and we wonder why other countries think of us as "dirty Americans." But anyway, so Ryan is talking to them and right before they cut transmission with the cast, he says, "Maybe we'll see you guys winning an Emmy next year" or something along the lines. He actually suggested them winning an Emmy! Dear God, if that happens, I want to personally hunt down Emmy voters and slap/punch them all. I mean really, they are not at all deserving of anything. All the show accomplishes is the dumbing down of our society. My roommates had it on one day and after about 5 minutes, I felt less intelligent.

So for all of you out there searching for potential signs of an apocalypse, that will definitely be a sign. Haha. Just my thoughts/opinions, so any haters that for whatever reason love the show, don't get all pissy with me.

Graduation!

2010-09-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

Yes! It finally happened, I graduated college!!! The ceremony was actually in May....so why have I taken until September to post about it? Well my usual procrastination played a major factor in that decision. But another part of it was that I had a hold on my graduation stuff, so it I wasn't done officially until August, though honestly, I was done credit wise in May. But I even got the letter today letting my know my actual diploma would be arriving soon, so that nice diploma holder they gave me will have something other than a 'Dear Graduate, Congratulations on graduating. This letter commends you on all your outstanding work all these years, but is not your actual diploma. That will come in due time. Sit by your mailbox and wait. Love, SDSU' letter that is what currently sits in it.So now that I am no longer a college student, I realized that this blog could no longer be the life of a college student, hence the name change. It's probably not my best potential name change, but it will do for now, until I come up with something more clever/witty. I'm open to suggestions.

Here's pics proving that I did, in fact, go through with the ceremony, including a shot of my decorated cap...yes we got to decorate our caps and due to the fact that my major is all about creative flair, pretty much all of us had some sort of decoration on our hats.

Friends and I walking over to get in line for diplomas About to start calling names for HTM

Having my moment

Proud parents
My brothers & I like to ruin pictures....but we can take normal ones too

Siblings =)

My preserved decorated cap in a shadow box =)

Interesting Website

2010-03-19T23:21:00.001-07:00

So my friend posted this site Makes Me Think as her Facebook status the other day. Essentially it is the opposite of FML. Some of the stories on here make me smile, some make me sad, and some do make me think about our society and people in general. I have spent my evening sitting here reading these stories and it just makes me realize even more so that we should all be grateful for things we have. Yeah, so things aren't going exactly as we want them to in our lives. Look at what you have. Supportive family. Friends that love you. A roof over your head. Whatever it is. There is something that you have to appreciate and not take for granted. I realize that this particular entry is one that anyone could write and you probably all hear all the time. But as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't hurt to hear it again. And check out that site. Some of the things will really make you think.

Birthday Eve

2010-03-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

So I'm sitting here with an hour and a half left of being 21. I've been doing a lot of thinking these last few days about this last year of my life. It's strange, it's been a good year and all, yet at the same time confusing. It's been eventful, though I'm going to spare this blog of specifics, partly because I don't feel like sharing and partly because if I want you to know about things I'll tell you myself.

I'm still not where I thought I'd be at 22. I'm close, but not fully there. I still don't know exactly what I want to do with my life. I wish I did, especially considering graduation is like 2 months away. But I don't, nor are there a lot of options at this point. I just have to hope something comes along, someplace I'm meant to be I will find the job posting of. I have options of living though. For once I wouldn't be scrambling to find roommates or anything. I actually have a few options of people to live with. It's all just about if and where we all get jobs. That makes the difference.

In my last moments of 21, I remember the good times and look ahead to the ones yet to come. So bring it on 22. Show me what you've got.

Trying something out...

2010-01-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

So first off, yay to me for actually updating my blog. I think I posted twice last year, so maybe I'll post more and make that number go up.

Anyway, so the girls and I have decided to try and keep a constant workout going and eat better. We are cutting down on any eating out and doing this P90X workout. It's super intense! We started last night doing chest & back and the ab ripper. How do you work out chest and back? PUSH-UPS! All different types. Definitely felt the burn. Then the ab ripper was tough. As if we weren't already sore enough we had to do intense crunches that required good balance. I gotta say, today when I woke up, I couldn't sit up in bed very well, so I ended up laying there for an hour before deciding I had to get up. I spent my day feeling sore, then tonight we did the plyometrics workout, which works out your legs and butt. Lots of jumping and lunges and running in place. I had to rest a bit more today because I gave blood earlier in the day, so I was at a loss for blood. In fact, it even says not to exercise after giving blood. So much for that suggestion. But what I did do, made me sweat and I tried and did as much as I can, which is better than not doing it. That's why we girls decided to do it together, because we could motivate each other by doing it together, but we understand if we need to modify it and encourage each other. When I was having problems with the push ups because of lack of arm strength, Jamie kept telling me, "If you can only do one, then do the one and next time this rep comes around, do two." So I felt better being reassured I don't have to keep up with the DVD because they aren't matching how many the workout people are doing either.

Wish me luck in this endeavor. Hopefully I'll be able to get some results towards the goals in my head and share them with you!

A Year in Review: 2009

2009-12-31T19:20:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, it's time for my, what, bi-annual post? Haha. I should say that my New Year's Resolution to be to blog more, but life is busy and it's only going to be busier for the next few months. Maybe after I graduate in May I'll have some time. But anyway time to focus on the here and now. So to kill time this New Year's Eve, I'll recap my year for all those out of the loop on my life.

January 2009
Took a first attempt at a driver's license, and failed. Went back to school and started a semester of taking 7 classes. Why I did that is still beyond me. But it kept me busy.

February 2009
Nothing really happened that I can recall...guess if something did it wasn't significant enough.

March 2009
I TURNED 21!!!!!! Whooo!!! That was fun. The day before I went with Cyndi and Mom to see 'Rent' which was amazing! It was on their last tour with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. On my actual birthday, I had champagne brunch with the family then was picked up by my roommates and whisked me back to San Diego, where I had a nice dinner out at BJ's and a night downtown with my friends Leslie, Laura, and 2 guys from our major Steve & Mario who met us down there. I also went on the 2nd annual trip to Las Vegas with HTM. Vegas is a lot more fun when you are legal. Fun fact for you there haha. The weekend I was there happened to be the weekend Bradley was there for his bachelor party, so I met up with my brothers for our first (and actually our only) sibling drink. I also forgot to pack flats other than flip flops, so I spent 27 hours in heels. Not something I recommend. Trust me. It's just a bad idea.

Sibling Drink

April 2009
Had some interviews at various hotels for a summer job, got none of them.

May 2009
Bradley got married! After finishing my semester, I went home to help Mom as we prepared for East Coast relatives to stay with us. May 30th, Bradley married Christie in a beautiful ceremony and reception. The day after the wedding, a group of us went to Disneyland & California Adventure. Fun times were had by all (I assume..I had fun at least). Also during this month I attempted a driver's license again. I got the same woman I had the first time and she still didn't think I should have a license. Oh and I moved again. During finals this time. I don't recommend moving during finals. We are now in a house with 2 guys as roommates.

June 2009
I was back in San Diego for the summer. Jamie, one of my oldest friends, moved into the house with us. I tried again for a license and had a panic attack before taking the test, so needless to say, that didn't lead to a successful test. Also during this month, I auditioned for 'Family Feud' with Paul, Bradley, Cyndi, and Mom. We ruled! The question we got we got all the answers without getting buzzed for a wrong one once. We didn't get a callback, however, because we only assume we were too good for them to want us.

July 2009
Spent 4th of July (Dad's birthday) up in Santa Cruz, thanks to Bradley, Christie and Cheryl for driving me up there and Paul & Cyndi for getting me back down to San Diego. Grandma Hutchins (Dad's mom) was with us to celebrate as well. We went to the Shadowbrook restaurant to celebrate the big birthdays of the summer months, Dad at 60, Bradley at 30, Jeanie at 80, and Glenn at 90. After getting back from Santa Cruz, Jamie and I took an impulse drive up to Fresno to visit Hannah. It was a great time catching up together because it had been probably 4 or 5 years since we had all been together. Also during this month I had a week of having an interview for everyday for 3 days in a row, none of which I got. I also got to go to The Fray concert in San Diego with Jamie, thanks to my friend Eric. He worked at Cricket Amphitheater and got us $6 lawn seats, which really got us 300 level seats (they weren't doing lawn) and then as Jack's Mannequin started as the opening act, a guy that worked there upgraded our seats to 100 level for free. Also in this month, my computer died. It got a virus and died and my backup hard drive didn't save anything I wanted (pictures and music) despite the fact that I had checked to have those be saved. One of my guy roommates was able to fix it and re-do my hard drive and such, but I am down pictures other than what's on Facebook, the ones I still had on my camera's sd card (prom pics luckily) and a few I could save on a hard drive.

August 2009
Went to a Toby Keith concert and tailgated (first tailgate ever!) with my friends. Also started school. Not fun. Took 6 classes this time around.

September 2009
Went to Vegas for Cayla's 21st birthday. Had one interview and got nothing out of it (as usual).

October 2009
Went to a Brad Paisley concert, for $6 tickets from Eric again. Kept busy in school with site visits, group projects, and tests.

November 2009
Took a stand and signed up for driving lessons because not having a license sucks. Kept busy with more site visits and group projects. Took a impromptu visit to Fresno once again with Jamie to see Hannah and her new house. We went the weekend 'New Moon' opened and we went and saw that, as the two of them are big 'Twilight' fans. This month was good because due to holidays and furlough days, I hardly had school.

December 2009
Crunch time for school. I had lots of presentation and finals of course. But the bigger news was that I PASSED MY DRIVER'S TEST!!!!!! In the pouring rain I might add. I missed 3 points, the guy giving me the test was joking with me beforehand, said I asked good questions and I got props just for trying in the rain to begin with. Also this month, I GOT A JOB!!!! On the 13th, I had a hands on interview for the Fantail Cafe on the USS Midway, serving dinner for 600 people for the Parade of Lights. That Wednesday, the 16th, I went down and had an interview. Then on the 18th, as I was on my way to Ikea with Evelyn, Sterling, and Joey, my friend that currently works there called to let me know that I was being hired on as a part time on call position. Sure it took me all year, and it's not the hotel job I still need, but it will count for my events internship this semester. On the 22nd, I went with Sterling, Evelyn, and Joey to see a taping of 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' which was so much fun! We got dropped off at Union Station and took the subway to Universal City, got our wristbands and tickets, then went to lunch at a bar nearby. We went back, were seated in the second row behind Andy Richter's podium. And Conan's desk faced us, and we were by the door everyone went out of at the end, so Conan looked me in the eye and waved. The 23rd, was a Marguerita Reunion because Jonathan was visiting from Georgia, with 13 of us meeting at Dave & Buster's for drinks and games. Then some of us went and got late night dinner after we left. The 24th was Christmas Eve at our place, then Christmas Day was spent lounging around the house in pjs. The rest of break has been spent seeing lots of friends from high school, and spending another night out with Marguerita people.

That's all for 2009! Hope the new year brings everyone nothing but good things! Thanks for reading!

Injured!

2009-05-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged in a while...Ok since 2008 if you want to get technical, though it was only like 2 hours before it became 2009 in my time zone, so for all you East coast readers, it was 2009. But anyway, a lot has happened. I turned 21! Whoo! That was fun. May I just say that Las Vegas is a lot more fun when you are legal to do things. (By the way, I was there for a school trip, touring hotels and nightclubs, and I wasn't smart enough to pack flats because I woke up like 15 minutes before I was supposed to get picked up, so I spent about 27 hours total in heels over 3 days...yeah my feet were dead for the rest of the week).

But anyway back to the reason for this post. I have injured myself. It hurts real bad. I slipped and fell off the curb by the basketball court in my complex when I was walking home from the trolley. I fell on my knees and ripped the left knee of my favorite/best fitting pair of jeans. Of coure it has to be the favorite pair that rip...Anywho. So I come back and Ebony is on the couch and says that at least ripped jeans look is in so I can keep wearing them. But I rolled up my pant leg to see the damage. It was pretty bloody so I got in the shower and cleaned it off. When I got out I borrowed Bactine and hydrogen peroxide from Ebony and cleaned the wound a few times more. It just looked really dirty and nasty no matter what. So I put on a band-aid and went to run errands. That night I took the band aid off and, whilst interviewing potential roommates(yes moving again, to a house!), one of them commented that it looked pretty bad, but that it looked cool because it was shaped like a heart. We all looked at it and Ebony said that was probably why she wasn't so grossed out by it.

The last few days have been somewhat difficult to walk, as it is on the knee where it bends. But it has retained it's heart shape. So for the wedding I'm either going to have a massive heart shaped scab or a heart shaped scar. Either way it's appropriate for a wedding. haha. It still stings, more than I think it should at this point, but I haven't hurt myself in a while so maybe it should hurt still. I'm not really sure, it's probably just because of where it's located. Below are two pictures of it. Pictures don't do it's ugliness justice and these were taking earlier today, so this is 4 days later too.

Spring Semester 2009

2009-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

So I got to register today. And may I just comment that SDSU fails at classes. With majors being in high demand, like business and htm, why is it that they choose to only offer a few sections of necessary classes, making it nearly impossible to get any classes? It just causes so much stress for students, and a lot of times they end up opening a few more sections. If they offered them in the first place, they'd probably save themselves a lot of time and complaints from students. Just a suggestion. Nonetheless, I got classes I wanted, though having one class on Friday is kind of lame, what can you do right? So here's my plan for the semester (as of now...I might drop something later, you never know):

MWF: 9-9:50am IDS 302 Intro to Operations Mgt
M: 4-4:50pm HTM 336 Site Selection and Negotiation
5:30-8:10pm HTM 301 Service Leadership Development
W: 4-5:50pm HTM 431 Convention Services-Hotels

TTh: 8-9:15am HTM 250 Hospitality Law
2-3:15pm MGT 350 Management & Organization Behavior
3:30-4:45pm RELS390B Religion & American Institutions

7 classes....17 units. It's going to be busy and intense. Wish me luck!

Looking Back on 2008

2008-12-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

What a year it has been. Big things happened in my life and the world. So here are the highlights of the year for me.

February: Every day had something planned. It was a crazy month. I was going to info sessions and interviewing for some hotel company or another almost every week. Sure, I didn't get the jobs, but I got interviewing experience, which is just as valuable. This month also brought new life into this world. Emilie Taniguchi was born on the
24th. She's my "brother" Ryan and his wife Janet's bundle of joy. I have been lucky enough to see her when I come home for breaks. She's a dear little baby and so cute!

Me and Emi in August

March: I turned 20. Two decades of life. Not much happened on the actual day, but my friend (and now roommates) threw me a birthday party to make up for the lack of events on the actual day. I went to Las Vegas for the first annual Vegas trip with HTMSA. It was fun and I'm looking forward to this year's trip when I'm actually of age to do things.

May: Finished off my best semester at SDSU thus far, finishing with 4 As and 1 C. I think the As counteract the C. Haha. This month Mom and I went off to Tennessee to visit Robbie and Paul. I found the Knoxville Airport to be entertaining as it has rocking chairs of various sizes all over in front of the windows. I also got to see Dollywood. In said park I saw some interesting characters and their even more interesting dental work. It was a fun trip though, and we got to play with her new puppy, Goldie. And I got to see the cat that in all the years she had her and we went to their house we never saw, yet this trip I got this cat to sit on my lap and pet her and made her purr.

The Knoxville Airport

Goldie

June: Took care of Mom after she opted to break her foot. Took it as a sign that I wasn't supposed to get a job and earn money because I was going to be needed to care for Mom. Went and did archery for the first time. For future reference, it's fun, but I had some issues. Let's just say the chest got in the way a time or two and whipped me. I also lack aim and depth perception, so never entrust me with a bow and arrow and ask me to like aim for something. I won't make it. Unless you want me to hit the ground. Then I'm your girl.

July: Stepped into a bridal shop for the first time in my life to go with Hannah for a dress fitting. Fun moment I was happy to share with her. Found out the cream cheese wontons I thought were amazing had crab in them. That was a rude awakening. I moved again! From the huge, empty, somewhat ghetto apartment on Montezuma to a nicer, furniture filled, apartment in Mission Valley that gave me three roommates and a dog.

Hanging out in the new apt. before Cayla and I moved our stuff in

August: The month of Michael Phelps and ABBA. Quite the combination, I know. But as we all know, the Summer Olympics in Beijing happened this month nad reintroduced me to Michael Phelps. I remembered him from his previous Olympic appearances, but he made more of an impact on me (and like millions of other people as well) this time around as he set world records and had the most intense races I have ever seen in my life thus far, and maybe the most intense I will ever see. I spent my afternoons watching soap operas and random sporting events on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, etc. and my evenings cheering on Michael and others in the big events. I stayed up watching replays of the big races and obscure events like Speed Walking until 3 or 4am. How does ABBA fit into all of this? The movie release of "Mamma Mia!" put the songs of ABBA into my head daily. I'd listen to the cd my parents have, watched illegal clips of the movie on Youtube, all things to hear the songs the way they were in the movie. It also just made me want to go to Greece more, and dance to 'Dancing Queen' all through a bar or club or something. The end of August brought me back to school. I usually go back the day before school starts, but this time around I went back a week before and had time to unpack and bond with the roomies.

September: I started school the Tuesday after Labor Day, which was a change as we usually start before Labor Day. One of my classes this past semester was only 2 days a week on Monday and Wednesday. So I went to the first class on that Wednesday, but I missed the next Monday. Why? Well I made the awesome decision to skip class, hop a one way train to Los Angeles, where Evelyn met me at Union Station, and we went to see a taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" because Michael Phelps was the guest. It was a lot of fun. Bradley's friend had gotten me two tickets and had me on the list to get in. So we went and got there pretty early, so had a yummy lunch at Porto's a few blocks away. Then we went and got right in and saw the taping. It was so much fun and so worth it.

October: Here is a big month in my life. I was a big girl and took a flight by myself from San Diego to Fresno for Hannah's bachelorette party. This is definitely a big step for me. I get nervous enough taking the bus from LA to Fresno and also the train from San Diego to LA, so to fly was a huge deal. I flew from San Diego to Vegas to Fresno. Then Hannah, her bridesmaids and I headed to Santa Cruz where we got her wedding dress and shoes and jewelry for the wedding, hung out downtown, and visited the reception site. It was a fun time and I was really glad I went. My flight home was strictly on those little 25 person airplanes, flying from Fresno to LA and LA to San Diego. It was a whole day of traveling for not that great of a distance. I also pierced my left ear again up top on the cartilege. It was all in the name of roommate bonding night. Haha. My regular piercings are doing well, lasting longer than the other times I pierced them when I was younger.

November: Not too much this month. It was nice and short when you think about it with Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. Of course the biggest news this month was that Barack Obama was elected President. I got to vote in this election, which was really exciting. I'm part of history that was made.

December: Another big month. Took my finals and had my first overnight guests ever in all three years of school. Evelyn and Sterling took a train down and saw my apartment and school and met my roommates. It was fun and I hope they come down again. We came back on the 20th. Then came Christmas, which was a lot of fun and relaxing. The day after Christmas, Mom and I hit the road and drove to Santa Cruz for Hannah and Ryan's wedding. I was the wedding coordinator so I ran the rehersal on Friday night and then did the ceremony and reception on Saturday. It was a really beautiful wedding. I cried a little and was so happy that I was able to be there. We came back on Sunday. Then Monday I went to dinner with some of the Las Moras girls for a reunion dinner. We moved from restaurant to Starbucks to Cha for Tea, talking about everything and still leaving feeling like we weren't done. I really miss those girls and had a lovely evening with them.

Roomies and I celebrating Christmas

Newlyweds and I at the reception

2008 Quiz

2008-12-31T20:29:00.000-08:00

You Remember 80% of 2008

You were paying attention during 2008.

And you remember what happened really well.

You'll be able to talk about 2008 for years to come...

Even when most people have forgotten what went down.

How Much Do You Remember 2008?

Nope, still alive

2008-11-10T18:37:00.000-08:00

Shocking I know. The lack of posting would indicate my death. But no, I am still alive. Just busy with life. My summer was basically uneventful other than my trip to TN, so nothing to blog about there. Except the Olympics, which I didn't blog about. (Note to any readers out there, if you know Michael Phelps, or any of the other Olympic swimmers, it'd be great if you could get me in contact with them. Haha) Then there was moving back to San Diego. New apartment and roomies again. I'm great at moving. I mean really, I think it's like a calling or something for me. It keeps happening. Then school started. And school makes things crazy. Then there was the day I went and saw Michael Phelps at Jay Leno. That was pretty awesome. But the last few months have been crazy between school and roommate bonding activities.

I realize that November has started and while the last two years I have participated in the blog every day thing. Not so much this time around. I failed on the first day because I went over to a friend's apartment with the roomies to hang out. And I'm forgetful, so it just wasn't going to work out this time around because it's more unpredictable for me this year as to whether or not my computer is even on on a given day. So that's my life. Sort of. The most general overview of it. Haha. But that's all you get for now.

Post TN trip

2008-08-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Following my trip to Tennessee, I looked for work. Despite applying places, I never got a call back from anyone. In the grand scheme of things, my not having a job was a good thing, because the day after Father's Day, Mom fell at work and broke her right foot, also known as her driving foot. Therefore I took over as Mom, and we upgraded the animals so that Abby got upgraded to daughter, Honey got upgraded to dog, toaster got upgraded to cat and Mom got demoted to toaster. So I would get up when she did in the morning, take the dog out, get them both breakfast, then I usually went back to sleep for a little bit and got up like an hour or so later. We watched, and I became addicted to, "Jon and Kate Plus 8" on TLC. The kids are way cute and Jon and Kate are funny in their commentary of things going on. Then I'd make lunch and we'd watch "As the World Turns" and "Guiding Light." Later on I'd make dinner and set up and clean up after it. I learned how to cook for more than one, which I guess will be a good thing later on. I also got plenty of driving practice in, as I took her to the store, doctor's appointments, anywhere she needed to go. I guess I wasn't meant to have a job for that reason this summer, but that's a hard sell of a reason to people. Haha. And it has allowed me to read a lot. Currently I have just started my 9th book of the summer. That's nice since I expect a lot of reading this semester and know I'm not going to have time for leisure books.

Tennessee

2008-08-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

Days after finishing school, Mom and I headed back to Tennessee to visit Robbie and Paul. We had a very early flight on Wednesday, May 21st and thus had to leave for the airport in the 5am hour. Sadly, hours before around 1:30am, I had done something to my ipod which then erased the music from the ipod, though they all still appeared on itunes and played on there just fine. That was annoying. What would I listen to during the flight? So I dug out my old CD player and some CDs. Old school. Haha. So we flew to Atlanta, GA and had a bit of a layover, which left us enough time to grab some lunch. We arrived in Knoxville, TN at like 6ish I think it was. It was a very small airport, especially in comparison with LAX. We met Robbie in the little hallway leading from the terminal out into the real world. We drove to the house and sat and talked a while before ordering pizza for dinner. Robbie and Paul had just Monday gotten a new yellow lab puppy named Goldie, as in Goldie Hawn, so we played with her as well.
New puppy

The next morning, Paul had off from work, so we decided to go to...wait for it...wait for it...Dollywood! That's right. Dollywood.

We walked around, Paul rode some rollar coasters, ate funnel cake and rode a rapids ride. At night we went to Hooters for dinner, which naturally makes sense, kind of like a boob themed day with Dollywood and Hooters. Friday-Sunday we went to malls and shopping centers and spent lots of money on clothes and shoes.

On Monday, we had planned to go out onto the boat for the afternoon, but it was very windy and thus would not make for a good boat trip. Instead, we headed over to the Knoxville Zoo, where Robbie and Paul had never been to either. We wanderd around and saw animals (obviously haha) but I felt kind of bad for some of the animals since they were in their enclosures all alone. I feel like they should at least have a friend in there with them. After the zoo, we drove around and saw some historical homes and such. Then when we went to dinner, we were noticing the dark clouds in the sky. By the time we left for dinner, it was raining and in the short car ride to the restaurant, it was pouring. Luckily by the time we left it sort of lightened up.

Tuesday, Robbie and Paul both had work so Mom and I were puppy-sitting and packing up our stuff to go. We only had to send one box home of stuff that wouldn't fit, and it was just a pair of hot pink with white polka dots on the heels and bow, peep toe heels that I deemed to be quite "Sex and the City." We left around 4:30pm and flew back to Atlanta. We had a delay there, so got on our plane about 40 minutes after our set departure time. Then had to wait quite some time on the runway waiting our turn.

Knoxville airport...There are rocking chairs all over but the whole window of them made me laugh.

All in all it was a very fun trip. It's really pretty and green back there. And I love all the big historic homes. Even the non historic ones. But the split level homes are kind of weird...The windows are like right on the ground and you walk in and go downstairs and up and eh. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure the people living in them like them just fine.

Finally getting around to posting....

2008-08-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I promised that I was going to try and post more about my trips and stuff. But you know how it is. You get busy doing nothing. Haha. So here we go, I'm going to post, and unless I get tired of it, I am going to massively post about things. So happy reading!

Breathing some life into the blog..

2008-06-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

So here I am. A month into summer and I don't even remember the last time I posted on this blog...which is sad. I remember when I posted on my blog for class, which is pretty much the last time I have blogged and no one that would read this blog would read. So I'm going to try and do some blog CPR and post.

Obviously school is out. I took my last final on May 16th and then went to Benihana's where I was the number one interest to the 9 month old baby girl that was sitting next to me. She appreciated my shiny belt and jewelry. Following lunch it was a girls day (plus Cayla's boyfriend) with Cayla and Alisha. The next day I came home for a few days and then went to Tennesssee to visit my aunt and uncle who moved there a few years ago. I spent a week there and am now home (obviously). More on the trip later.

Grade wise, things worked out well, 4 As (a few A minuses but same difference) and one C...I figure that the 4 As kind of counteract that one C.

That's all for now. I'll update on my trip later.

Almost there....

2008-04-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

So almost done with my second year. Where did the time go? No, really. Where did it go? I have part one of my HTM final on Thursday, and part 2 is online so I guess Thursday is my last class. Then we canceled the final in English 220, replacing it with doing 5 blogs instead. So next Thursday is my last day of that class. The rest of the classes end next Friday and then my finals are on the 13th and 16th.

I honestly can't believe it's almost over. It feels like the semester just started. But hey, I'm down for no papers and projects. Freedom will be nice. Anyone on quarters want to peace out on the last couple of weeks on school and come keep me company? You know you want to....

Sabbatical Over!

2008-04-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

So I took another extended break from blogging. It happens, deal with it. But I am back, not in pog form. Things happpened after Easter, so I was too busy to post.

For one thing I went to Las Vegas that next weekend. Lot of free time to go around and do whatever, and then we had tours at MGM Grand and The Mirage. The tour at The Mirage was way cooler because we go to see the rooms and go check out The Beatles Lounge, Revolution. It was prety cool in there and the owner told us some of the celebs that hang out there sometimes. Let's just say I know somewhere I want to go next year when I am 21. We stayed at the Luxor and with your room key you get in free to LAX nightclub and some club promoter handed me and my friends passes to go in VIP status. It's funny how they thought we were over 21...That's the club often seen on "The Hills" where Lauren and Brody and all of them go. Some of the 21 year old girls on the trip said it was pretty lame, but then others said it was cool, so I guess I'll just have to go find out for myself next year.

Just some shots of inside Revolution

That was the first weekend of spring break. The rest of break was pretty chill. I didn't really do a whole lot other than lay around the house and read magazines. Good times. The day I went back to SD, I made a detour on my way down to go visit my "niece" Emilie. She's so cute and tiny!! I have like three pics of her on my phone. Such a cutie. She was a little fussy, but she had had a big day prior to me getting there as she had been to the doctor for a visit. She got the prize for the first newborn I have ever held. All othere babies I've held are old enough to hold up their own heads and play and do stuff, but she's only a month old, so not doing that stuff just yet.

Since getting back from break, not much is going on other than projects and tests and such for classes. As of this week, I have 3 weeks left of instruction and then finals week. So I am nearing the end. It's so weird to think that in 4 weeks I'll be done with my second year of college. Where did the time go? Peter Pan singing "Don't Wanna Grow Up" comes to mind when I think about it. So strange to think that 2 years from now I'll (hopefully) be graduating, yet another weird thought. At that point, that will be it for me. No masters program for my major so I'll be done with school forever then. Which is good and bad. Good because I am over school, but bad because it means I have to be a big girl and grow up and get a job and give up my life to work.

That's all for now. Keep tuning in as I will try to not go weeks without posting again.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

What Your Easter Egg Says About You

You are cheerful, friendly, and open minded.

You do your best to make sure everyone is happy, including yourself.

Empathy comes easily to you. You are very forgiving.

You don't hold grudges. You easily forget about any negativity in your life.

The Easter Egg Personality Test

It's my hand twin!!!!

2008-03-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

It's Azfest at school. So along with some food booths, competitions, and a dunk tank, there was a booth to make a hand mold out of wax.

Pretty awesome, huh? Cayla and I want to go back with 2 other people (we wanted our roomies for next year but their schedules don't match ours) and spell out 'love' and then put them on top of our entertainment center or a bookcase in our place next year. But we'll have to see if we can find 2 people by tomorrow.

Life Updates

2008-03-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

So, I'm 20 now. WEIRD. I don't feel 20...whatever that would feel like. I probably won't feel 21 next year, but then I'll go to Vegas and buy a drink and gamble and it will sink in.

Other than that, not a whole lot going on with me right now other than midterms! Ah. I hate midterms. And this is like the week everything is going on. This is my next like 2 weeks:

Monday 3/10: Reading for class, studying for HTM 223 midterm
Tuesday 3/11: Study for Anthro 101 quiz on Osteology and Bipedalism, study for Psych
test on Thurs., write letter for IDS 290, study for part 2 of my HTM midterm
(luckily I have til Sunday night to finish that)
Wednesday 3/12: Finish The Sound and the Fury for English 220, study more for Psych
test, revise IDS 290 letter, study for IDS 290 quiz tomorrow, work on English
presentation for Tuesday
Thursday 3/13: Get tests out of the way, work on presentation
Friday 3/14: Class, house/apt hunting
Saturday 3/15: Zoo trip for Anthro, movie night with the girls
Sunday 3/16: Sleep, read for IDS 290
Monday 3/17: Committee meeting for the Speed Meet, finalize English presentation,
prep for IDS 290 in class writing on delivering bad news
Tuesday 3/18: Class all day, Speed Meet 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/19: Class, Sports Event Planning Info Session 4-5pm
Thursday 3/20: Nothing yet
Friday 3/21: Lizeth's birthday party.

I'm just so ready for spring break! Sure the first weekend of break will be crazy because I'll be in Vegas(!!!) for HTMSA doing site tours and such, but it will be a lot of fun. Once I am back from that, I can rest, relax, see my "niece" Emilie! I have 3 pics of her on my phone and each one she looks different. It's amazing. She's so cute. I can't wait to meet her. Alright, well I should stop blogging and do some of the things I have to do.

Almost time

2008-03-06T23:35:00.000-08:00

For my birthday! Yes, that's right. Saturday's the big day. The big 2-0.

I'm not going to lie though. 20 is kind of lame. I'm more looking forward to a year from now when I'll be turning 21. Hello Appletinis, X-Rated Fusion Liqueor, Daiquaris, wine coolers...Only pretty drinks though. Pretty=fruity, fruity=good. I think you see where I'm going on this. Haha.

In other news, I got an 8 on my WPA, meaning I have the choice to take 1 class or take the test over. I'm going to take the test over just because it would be cheaper than paying for a class, materials for said class, possible books, etc.

Still no news on internships...

Alarm went off in the library today. I was packing my stuff up and was going to go used the restroom before heading off to my class and this loud blaring siren went off and lights started flashing. Everyone in the study room area looked around at each other like "Is this for real?" and then came the voice over the PA system "This is an emergency. Everyone needs to evacuate. Library materials stay inside the library. Do not use the elevators. Use the stairs and exit the emergency doors." So I grabbed the rest of my stuff and headed out. You could even hear the alarm outside the library with the doors shut. Everyone just stood around outside the perimeter of the library, I stood there organizing my stuff and making sure I had everything, not that I could go back and get it anyway. Then 2 cop cars came from up the hill and drove right over in between the library dome and the old Love Library. I'm not sure what happened. It will probably be in the paper on Monday so I'll be held in suspense until then.

Hope life is treating you well. I have to come up with 20 wishes according to Cayla...so far I have 5. Haha.

Big Week

2008-02-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

Well, not so much this week, although a big thing did happen this weekend. Janet and Ryan had their baby girl! She's so cute! If I knew how to get the picture off my phone and onto the computer you guys would all get to see the cuteness of this girl, but I don't, so you are just going to have to take my word on it.

No I meant that next week is a big week. Why you ask? Let's see, I am in theory supposed to hear back from Hyatt and Marriott (well they said 2-3 weeks for Hyatt and next week would be the 3rd week and Marriott said 2 weeks, and Tuesday is the 2 week mark), I am getting my WPA score back, and it's my birthday! YAY! So I'm either going to be really happy all week or my birthday will be ruined by bad news all around. We are going to hope for the former of the two options.

I'm thinking my birthday is sorta going to be like any other weekend home. I'm going shopping like all day then out to eat. It beats sitting around my apartment like every other weekend. 20 is kind of lame though. No drinks this year. Next year will be good...Seeing as how birthday is on a weekend, I'm thinking maybe like a Vegas trip or something. Not that I can really go with a lot of people, as most of my friends have birthdays after me. Well I still have a year til that one so I'm sure I'll figure stuff out by then. Anyway, the only thing turning 20 is really going to do is: 1. Make me an actual adult and 2. Freak out brothers, other family memebers, family friends as to how old I am and "How can you be that old? You were just like this big *makes a mark with their hand at a height I probably haven't been in 10 years*" I get that one a lot..like every birthday. Or everytime we run into people we haven't seen in a really long time. Yes I did this thing called growing up. It happens. I tried to not do it, but Peter Pan never got me to head off to Never Never Land where apparently you can't grow up. It really shocks me that people seem so surprised at like how old I am or how tall I am or whatever it is. I clearly wasn't going to be a midget or stop getting older, so why is it so surprising? Whatever. Anyways, I'll try and do lots of stupid things this week because I can still be like "Oh just being a wreckless teen" since next Saturday I'm supposed to be a responsible adult or something. Though I can't see what stupid things I'll be doing since I have school all week...So I'll just have to take what I have in the "Things That Happened" list of what happened this year.

The countdown begins tomorrow! Here's to hoping for a great week!

P.S. As a side note, Thanks to Rick from Unkle Bob for leaving a comment on my previous post. That was awesome!

100 Plays!

2008-02-18T00:39:00.000-08:00

My number one most played song hit 100 plays last night! Whooo! Actually it has been played more than 100 times because I hit 'Back' before it ends since there is a little break at the end when he stops singing. So really it's just 100 counted times. I've had the song for about a year now. I first heard it on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" in the third and final episode in their February sweeps arc entitled "Some Kind of Miracle." It was at the very end of the episode and the day after it aired, my friend and I just fell in love with the song and she went and found it, so I have had it on my iTunes since February 23, 2007. Anywho, the song is called "Swans" by Unkle Bob.

Here is the moment in the episode:

Here is the song in full, acoustic, by the singer:

Some might say 100 plays is excessive. But I say if you love a song, you can never hear it enough. Will Dashboard Confessional's "Stolen," Ingrid Michaelson's "Keep Breathing," or Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" (currently 2, 3 and 4, respectively) ever catch up? Probably not, but who knows. Sometimes you are just in a mood to listen to a certain song.

Time for an update

2008-02-16T17:34:00.000-08:00

I figured I haven't blogged in a while, so why not blog today? I've been busy this past week. Earlier this month I applied to Hyatt for a possible summer internship. Last weekend when I was home I got a note that I was going to have an interview and had to go to an info session on Monday night to set it up. So Monday night I went and listened to the presentation and set up my interview for 8am, since I did not have my English class that day. So Tuesday morning I got up and went and interviewed. I think it went okay. The woman that interviewed me was really nice and it really wasn't a very long interview. Wednesday I went to an info session for Starwood hotels and put in my application for a Marriott summer internship. I have the info session for that on Monday night and Tuesday interview, though I am really stupid because I got an email to call the HTM office to set up my interview for Tuesday and when I called after getting that email on Friday afternoon, the office was closed. So I left a message, then an hour later realized that I left my phone number but not my name. Good job, Amy. Only I could manage that one. So I guess I'll be calling back Monday morning to deal with that. Anyway, back to Wednesday. I had major studying to do. Two of my teachers were giving the Valentine's gift of testing. So I had a Psych test and an IDS quiz to study for, as well as finish reading for my English class. I was up til about 2:30, then got up at 6 to try and finish those last few pages for English that I fell asleep reading only hours before. Needless to say, I was tired on Thursday and I got the surprise of rain when I got downstairs to leave for class. I had to run up and grab my umbrella before class. I wish I had known it was raining but it didn't say anything about rain online the night before so I didn't think to look outside and I couldn't watch the morning news to find out about this my roommate and her boyfriend were out in the living room. I wish I had known because I was wearing flip flops, so I almost slipped a few times and my feet were frozen. My evening was spent online chatting with some friends, watching tv and passing out. Friday was a relax day and I didn't do anything other than forget to leave my name on a phone message. And to end the week, today I got up and took the WPA (Writing Proficiency Assessment) to see if I know how to write at college level. Let's hope I did ok on that because I don't want to take that thing again. The rest of my evening will probably be spent watching movies or tv, depending on whether or not anything is on. Hope everyone else is having a nice weekend. And boo to those that have a three day weekend. I want one of those.

It's been awhile

2008-02-03T21:59:00.000-08:00

Yeah I haven't blogged in a while. You know how it is. You don't? Oh well. Things happen and blogging doesn't become the top thing on your list of things to do.

So what's new in my life? Not much other than not really enjoying school. I like MWF...That could be because I only have one class those days, but I like the class and the teacher is cool as well. Tues/Thurs. are a different story. The day is just so long. I have class at 8-9:15, 9:30-10:45, 12:30-1:45 and 3:30-4:45. It's a long day, 5 hours in class and about 9 hours on campus total. I have gone to bed a lot earlier than I did last semester. However, I'm having issues staying asleep until my alarm on MWF when I don't have to get up until 8:40. I keep waking up anytime between 7:30 and 8 and can't get back to sleep. Tues/Thurs. are no problems though. Those days I don't want to wake up and kind of drag myself out of bed.

Other than that, I don't have a lot going on. I can't believe it's already February. Where did January go? This month will probably also go by pretty fast. Then it will be March and my birthday, then spring break, then before I know it, I'll be taking finals and be done with my second year of college. Weird. It seems so far away, but I can tell already that it's going to fly by.

Sad =````(

2008-01-22T23:29:00.000-08:00

While I was waiting for the HTM class to start, Evelyn called me. I was surprised at this and wondered what it could be. She asked if I was home or near a computer. But I wasn't and asked why. Then she told me that her sister called and said that Heath Ledger had died.

My first thought was maybe it was an internet hoax, like last spring when they said that Ben Savage, aka Cory Matthews on "Boy Meets World," had died, and he is just fine. Unfortunately it was not, as Bradley and other people in the class soon confirmed to me. (Note, you can read all the details at TMZ.com )

I must say I am in denial over this. I mean yeah I saw the video of them rolling his body out and statements from his family, but it's hard to believe he died at such a young age. I especially feel bad for his 2 year old daughter, Matilda will not get to know her father. It's so sad that she won't get to spend time with him and will have to go by family memories to know the kind of person he was.

In memorium, everyone should go watch a movie of his this weekend. I'm going with my favorite, "10 Things I Hate About You," which was his first major role in a film.

Yay!

2008-01-22T23:10:00.001-08:00

I got my HTM class. That means, bye to Political Science...I never even had to go to the class. But it's probably better this way that I don't take it with my other classes. Looking at the syllabus last night, it would of been heavy on reading (I believe I would of had to buy 3 books for it) and with a lit class that would be a lot, plus I have to do readings for Psych and probably Anthropology as well. So while reading is good and expands your mind, I think that I would just get overwhelmed from reading. Plus I tend to get tired reading too much in a row. And somehow it doesn't matter what time of day it is, I get tired and actually doze off reading, even if I haven't even been up that long. It's pretty sad. Anyway so that was all good.

Other clases went okay. No familiar faces really, but whatever. I might study and work harder if I'm not sitting there talking to someone. We'll just see.

The time has come

2008-01-21T22:22:00.001-08:00

I must return to school. I know some of you out there think that it's about time and my break has been way too long, but you know what, I wouldn't mind if it was a little longer. It's nice to not have to think and do work and study. And getting up. That's a tough one. Plus I'm going to miss 'The View' everyday. That's sad. I like 'The View' because I love their hot topics. It's entertaining. Sigh. I have early class tomorrow too. 8am. Booo. I'll be having a new experience with crashing a class. Something I have never done before because usually my classes work out ok and there are other sections of it. But not this time. I'm not even sure how to go about crashing...Should I wait outside class and get the teacher before she goes into the class or go in the class and like sit in the very front and ask her when she comes in..I'm confused. Whatever. Let's hope things work out and my teachers aren't total nightmares.

International Visitors

2008-01-18T23:34:00.000-08:00

It's always pretty fascinating to me as to who reads this blog. Some of these places I have never heard of, like random cities in the United States. Other places are bigger cities in the U.S. that I obviously have heard of. And then come the international visitors. I have had several hits on the blog from some interesting places. I'm not sure what all brought them here, other than possibly the lyrics to a certain Christmas carol. That got so many hits. I didn't realize that a warped version of a Christmas song was so popular to search for. Anyway, I hope all visitors from all these places come back, keep reading and leave a comment to say hi!

International visitors:
-Taiwan
-Iran
-Letchworth, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
-Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom
-Genoa, Liguria, Italy
-Craiova, Dolj, Romania
-Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom
-Cork, Ireland
-Opico, La Libertad, El Salvador
-Salapugan, Pampanga, Philippines
-Pilot Butle, Saskatchewan, Canada
-Roscommon, Ireland
-Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
-Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
-Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada
-Dunmurry, Lisburn, United Kingdom
-North Shore, New Zealand

I hope these people, as well as all those in the States that keep coming back for more keep reading and motivate me to keep this blog going!

A visit with Dr. Phil

2008-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Cyndi and I recently went and saw a taping of "Dr. Phil."

We had to get up early to get there and in line for the taping to start at 9am. We got there earlier than we thought, so got food and ate in line. We didn't have to wait too long in line before they took us in to sit down. To get us going before the show, they played music and had some guy come out and talk to some of the audience members and have us cheer and warm up prior to the show starting. During this, he handed out tickets to get a free copy of one of Dr. Phil's books. I was the lucky recipient of one of these tickets. After the taping, I claimed my book:

I guess I looked like I needed a step-by-step guide to creating a phenomenal family. I suppose it will come in handy someday, but not today. I think he just gave it to me because of the taping's topic. Haha.

After we left, we went and saw the writer's out to picket for the day. We drove by and gave them a honk and got waves, smiles and thumbs up signs. I wanted to go talk to them and ask what they write, or rather, wrote for and then I could say I loved that show, even if I hadn't ever seen it before because that would be the nice thing to do.

Outside Paramount Studios...too bad you can't see the sign better

Some of the wrtiers...there were more at a different gate

I wanted one of those many extra signs they had...I would of walked for a while. I had nothing else to do.

The sign that school is going to start again...

2008-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

I registered for classes. It's kind of weird, but I'll deal with it. I only didn't get one class. I didn't get my hospitality class, so I am going to try and crash it on Tuesday and hopefully get in. If not, then I will either have to see if they are going to offer it during summer school or take it in fall and be a tad behind. One girl told me that the teacher for the hospitality class was really nice and would probably let you in if that's the only class you need, so let's hope she's right. As of now my schedule is:

MWF: Anthropology (10am)
Poly Sci 102 (11am MW, 8am F)

TTh: English (8am)
Psychology (9:30)
IDS 290 (12:30)

If I get the HTM class, I'll drop Poly Sci, and the HTM class would be TTh 3:30-4:45pm. That would me that I would only have one class on MWF at 10am. That would be nice. I mean this past semester I had one class on TTh at 4pm and it was nice to have the whole day to do other things. So let's hope it all works out ok

Freeways are Scary

2008-01-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

Don't think so? Well then you must have been driving a long time. Today I took a turn on the freeway for the first time ever.

I drove Dad around for a while and we went through CSULA and thought about getting on, but then I decided not just yet, so we drove up to South Pasadena area then on Huntington Drive down to Rosemead and into San Gabriel, past the mission and then we went back through CSULA campus and this time I got on the 710 freeway at Valley. No one was on that freeway. It was empty other than the truck that got on before me and the one car that passed me on the ramp for the 10 freeway.

The 10 freeway, however, was not empty. Oh no. There were plenty of cars and trucks. Of course ahead of me I see a stalled truck pulled over. I thought they were going to stay pulled over, but instead pulled back out in front of me to drive on their blown tire. I couldn't get around them because there were too many other cars on my left and Dad didn't think I could cut in, speed up and cut back over fast enough as I was in the lane I needed to get off the freeway. It was not particularly pleasant. I just need more practice I guess. Changing lanes isn't something I'm good at because I feel like I should slow down to do it and Mom and Dad are both like "YOU CAN'T SLOW DOWN. MUST KEEP GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC." It was weird going so fast. The highest I'd gone until today was 45 mph as I have only driven surface streets. But today on the freeway it was 65, which was feeling fast and for freeway that's probably kind of slow. Oh well. Anyone know a good time when there aren't many people on the freeway? At least you don't need freeway for the test anymore.

Another thing I learned today is that I can put Mom's seat up higher. That will be nice. I mean I can see over the dashboard and hood, but Dad said I should move it higher so I can see the end of the car. But the question is, will this help me tell if I am straight when backing out and pulling in the driveway? Because I honestly can't tell. I feel like I'm straight but everyone is like "No no. You have to turn your wheel this way. Okay now straighten out." How should I know, I felt like it was straight before and now it's not. Because of this, I have issues pulling out of the driveway.

Sigh. Anyone else want to help me out and see if they can get it so it makes sense to me or attempt to get me to not panic on the freeway? Be my guest.

BRITNEYGATE 2008

2008-01-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

In case you have been living in a hole for the last 24 hours, you should know that Britney Spears has lost it.

News broke last night on TMZ.com that cops had been called to her home and later on, the fire department and an ambulence. Why? Because she was refusing to hand over her children to Kevin Federline's bodyguards who had come to collect the children. We later learned that the ambulence was called to take Britney away as she was "under the influence of an unknown substance." She is now under an involuntary 72 hour psychiatric hold.

Is anyone super shocked here? After hearing this, I said, "Yeah. She's probably not going to be seeing her children anytime socn." Sure enough, K-Fed was given "sole legal and physical custody" of Sean Preston and Jayden James today. She doesn't even have visitation right now.

It is really just so sad. She used to be normal, but last year started her downward spiral, building up to this. I just feel so bad for her. She's just a mess right now. Hopefully she can get some help and maybe she can see her kids one day when she gets better.

I'm officially old

2007-12-28T23:23:00.000-08:00

No it's not my birthday. I don't mean I'm old in a numerical sense, I'm old mentally.

Mom and I went to the movies today and saw "P.S. I Love You" (so good. I like wanted to cry the whole time becaues it's also sad). After that we went and bought food at the concession stand, then decided to go catch "Enchanted" (my 3rd time seeing it. But that is not my record number of times seeing a movie. That honor goes to "Beauty and the Beast" which I saw four times when it came out originally and then when it was re-released a few years ago with an added scene, I saw it again, so that makes a total of 5) since it was a shorter wait than it would of been for "Juno" which we were originally going to see. Anyway, some high schoolers came in and got in line at the concession stand behind us. I was annoyed so fast by them. They were standing way too close to us in my opinion for one thing. I mean seriously, you don't have to be right behind us. People could see you are next in line. To go with being close behind is in line, they were talking really loud since I guess everyone needs to know that this one is buying the candy and that one was going to get that combo and that they can just make the boys go get the refills on the soda. Then one of these girls saw someone they knew in teh line next to us and was like "OMG KACEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and they babbled on for a while then the one behind me was like "Ok. I miss hanging out with you! Love you!" and then went back to babbling with her friends that had kept talking while this girl was talking to Kacey or whatever her name was. I was really hoping they were going to any movie but "Enchanted" but nope, they showed up in there and I heard them talking during it. And I was in the middle of the theater and they were in the first 3 rows in front because the theater was pretty packed. Yes, we all know McDreamy and James Marsden are good looking but I don't need to hear you go "OMG HE'S SOO HOT!" everytime James comes on the screen.

Ugh. Honest to blog, I can't stand high schoolers that think they are the greatest thing walking on Earth. Perhaps I was like that, and if I was, please let me apologize for that now. I didn't realize quite how annoying that is until now. I don't recall if I was like the other teenage girls in the the mall talking about all the drama of he likes me, but he's dating her or whatever. I don't know. Whatever they are talking about sounds like a lot of drama. Pointless drama. If anyone asks if I have changed since I started college, the answer is yes. Drama is stupid outside of tv, people are more open, no one cares what you look like because people come to class in sweats and pjs a lot, and there aren't cliques. It's not like "I'm the most popular person at school" because the campus is too damn big for that. I almost want to scream Drew Barrymore's speech at prom in "Never Been Kissed". Let them know there is a whole big world out there and it doesn't matter who you knew in high school or what social club you were in or whatever. There's bigger things out there and in college, it doesn't matter anymore. Here's the clip I was talking about in case you haven't seen the movie or had no clue what I was talking about.

Another instance of being old for high school kids would be my evening with Cyndi at her school's homecoming. The girls in front of us were listening to Ipods, messing with their cell phones and making a huge deal about this one girl's ring that had something dangling from it.....Wow. How fancy. Something you get out of a quarter machine and Rite Aid. But it has something dangling from it! That must make it extra special.

Anyway, I apologize again if I was anything like that which now annoys. I guess it was only a matter of time before I stopped understanding why certain things were cool and found high schoolers annoying.

Tired, but happy

2007-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

Good news: I'm done with finals.
Sad news: I didn't really sleep last night and am clueless as to where I stand in my classes.

Awesome. Well I take it back, I slept some last night...I fell asleep sitting up on the couch with my computer on my lap while I did a tidal reading. It was only an hour and then my alarm went off so that I could get up and shower. Though in my total confusion of life that comes when I wake up suddenly after very little sleep, I was very disoriented and thought the beeping was coming from my computer. I turned that off right away and then was sitting here going "Where the hell is that beeping coming from? Why won't it stop??" Then I realized it was my phone next to me and turned it off and got in the shower. Then I remembered why I don't take early morning classes or that if I do, I don't shower before going. I was FREEZING when I got out, shivering and all. And walking to school with wet hair even when it was windy was also not a great idea. I wore my hood up, even if I looked ridiculous doing it.

So took my final. The individual part I finished early, as did my friend and we had 25 minutes before the collaborative part was to start so instead of sitting there staring into space, we turned in our tests and went outside to talk for that time. After we finished the collaborative, we went to Starbucks and got drinks and muffins as we had both left our apartments without really eatting anything. From there I went and met Cayla and we got manicures. After that I went to return my friend's DVD, but she wasn't there, so Cayla and I went and got some food and made our plans for tomorrow. We came back to my apartment and watched "Lucky You" with our lunch. We sat on the couch under my comforter, which lead to me dozing off a few times. But that's expected with my lack of rest. I figure later tonight I'll pack my suitcase and then clean tomorrow morning/afternoon. After I get a proper night's rest of 12 hours or so. Haha

Plan for tomorrow

2007-12-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

~Get up at 6:30am and shower
~Last minute studying/eat something
~Go to school around 7:20am
~Take test from 8-10am
~Go get nails done with Cayla
~Go to friend's apartment and return a DVD
~Maybe go to a mall, but if not, come home and NAP!!
~Watch some tv and bake
~Clean up apartment some
~Start packing stuff

But should I bake the Trader Joe's truffle brownies or my attempt at a Boston cream pie? I'll probably end up making both just because I have to get rid of eggs since I don't want to throw them out and waste them. But what should I make first? The other will be made Saturday afternoon while I wait around to go home. Cayla and I aren't leaving until Saturday night, so I have all day to kill cleaning and baking and packing. Hope there are some good movies on TBS or TNT or ABC Family on for me.

Two more....

2007-12-12T23:42:00.000-08:00

Two more finals. Then I am home free. Not too worried about tomorrow's...more so for Friday's. I just can't wait to be over and done with it all. I only took one today. My grade in Econ was such that if I didn't get a B on the final, I would drop the B I already had. So I walked to school for nothing, well not nothing. She had to fix my second midterm grade, but other than that it was a wasted trip to school. Then Accounting.....it sucked. End of story. I think I'm going to be getting a C in there, but I just don't care. Just let me pass so I don't have to take it again. So hope for the best for me tomorrow at 3:30pm and Friday morning at 8am when I take my last two finals. Can't wait for it to be done!

I'm not going to lie, but

2007-12-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

I am jealous of my friends that went to the Spice Girls concert. I saw videos on Youtube of the concert and it looked like a lot of fun. And I used to love their songs....I know you are probably thinking "EWWW. You are a Spice Girls lover" but so what? They were cool back in my day and my friends that went said it was fun. So I have been playing songs from Youtube while I study for finals, which I should be doing now, so sorry for the abbreviated post, but I really must go study for Econ and Accounting!

Studying is for suckers

2007-12-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

It just came to me that I needed to blog for the day so that I don't become second towel...It's a sibling thing. Anywho, I barely knew what day it was. I got up at 11:30ish, took a shower, caught the end of the "Gilmore Girls" rerun on at 11am, ate some lunch, checked some stuff online. Then Cayla called me and asked to go with her to Target to get something she had someone buy for her there. Then we wandered around and looked at things. We ended up in Torrid where I tried on lots of stuff, and then ended up buying 2 shirts. I realize the technical rule is to not buy for yourself before Christmas (well in my fam it is), but I couldn't help it. And now I am sort of studying Accounting but I kind of don't want to because I know I still have tomorrow to study as well. Too bad the whole test isn't on depreciation, because then I'd get an A. Depreciation is easy to understand and figure out. But sadly it's on other stuff as well. Oh well. I just can't wait to be done with it and move on to other things. I'm not terribly worried about Thursday's Finance 240 final, though I am a bit nervous about the Ocean 100 final on Friday. I have no clue where I stand in that class because he never posts grades. So while I have like gotten 90%+ on my labs, the tests have been not so great, so I don't know how it's all going to balance out. At least shopping today made the day go faster. Tomorrow I'm picking up old exams from my Econ professor, then studying for that final with Jillian and Cayla. Wednesday-Friday will go faster because I have tests those days so I'll actually have to get up and go to school and all that jazz. Then home on Saturday evening it looks like. So that's kinda good because I'll have some time to pack up any clothes I haven't worn and will want over break, get my laundry together and then bake stuff to use up my eggs, unless I end up using them for a meal this week.

Rather Lazy Sunday

2007-12-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

As per my usual lazy Sunday routine, I slept til about noon. I woke up because my friend called and asked if I wanted to go to Vons and get stuff. I didn't really need anything but went and then ended up buying a few things. When we left some homeless looking man was following us to the car asking to wash our windows for a buck, but we said we couldn't help him out. One neither of us had cash anyway, and two, he reeked of alcohol, so that buck probably wouldn't be going toward food. Then I came back here, and watched "The Hills" 2 hour recap of Lauren's life from Laguna to LA. Sadly I missed the first part because I was at the store, but I saw most of it. It also totally got me stoked for tomorrow's season finale and the aftershow where a big announcement is going to be made. Tomorrow at 10pm can't come fast enough. Then I just was lazy and didn't really do anything else for the rest of the day and went to my friend's apartment for dinner and we watched most of a movie, but I dozed off some and then I got a phone call so we just ended up stopping it and talking. Then we went for a drive to the beach just because all the hotels along the way are all decked out with lights. It was cool though because no one was in the parking lot of the beach and we opened the sunroof in her car and saw Orion's belt. Nice clear night so we saw it perfectly. Now I am back here for some more laziness. I don't have finals until Wednesday, when I have 2 of them, so I will be studying Accounting. It's just confusing since it's Monday, but I don't have to go to school and then yesterday was Saturday and I went to school and yeah. Weird. I am a bit confused as to what day it is.

NO MORE MATH FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

SWEET! I took my MATH 120 final this afternoon and after handing that sucker in, I am done with math classes for the rest of my life. Sure maybe other classes will require me to do some calculating, like that HTM 223 class I have, since I hear it's like income statement stuff, so accounting, but I mean all math all the time. No more of those kinds of classes. So this is a momentous occasion. As long as I don't switch majors, I'm good.

NO MORE!!!!!!!!

2007-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

I have just had a week of studying. Mon/Tues was for math midterm. Wed, I took a break because my brain hurt. Thurs. morning, afternoon and til about 3:30 at night plus this mornig I was studying for my econ midterm today. Now I have to go study more for my math FINAL tomorrow. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE!!!!!! TOO MUCH MATH AND ECON!!!!! And Econ is my first final next week, and accounting is right after it. MATH OVERLOAD!!!!!!! (*NOTE Math Overloads are not the good kinds of overloads. The good kinds of overloads are those you get from places like Cute Overload) I better do good on these finals and midterms because I have busted my butt for them. And walked to school in the rain for them. And given up my life for them. (I still haven't watched last night's "Grey's Anatomy" and it was the second part of the episode from Thanksgiving). I want tomorrow and next week over. Next Friday I can final relax...if I can survive til then.

"Pregnancy tends to lead to infants..."

2007-12-06T22:53:00.000-08:00

Last night I got my chance to go to a free screening of "Juno" at Mission Valley's AMC. It was soo funny! The girl next to me wasn't laughing that much and I don't understand how she could not laugh. Just like Cyndi, I missed parts of dialogue because of people laughing. It is definitely worth paying money to go see. I also got a free tshirt. I assumed I was going to get the same tshirt Cyndi got at her screening, but instead I got one that is maroon with the school mascot on the front, like Michael Cera's character wears when he is running, and then it says Juno on the back. The characters in the movie are funny, Ellen Page (aka Juno) is incredibly sarcastic, Allison Janney's character is funny and delivers beautifully. It is just great. I can't wait to see it again. It will definitely be on my Christmas list next year of movies to own.

Clip from the movie:

It is possible..

2007-12-05T23:49:00.000-08:00

For me to get a B- (at least) in Accounting. That's incredibly exciting. As it is now, to get a C- as my final grade, I need to get 24/100 on the final. For a B-, I need 71/100. So basically if I get it together and read Sunday and Monday, go over homework, maybe try some other practice, I can actually understand this stuff and end up with a decent grade at the end.

Also I see that I am already nearing my 2100 visitor to the blog, which is very exciting. Thanks for stopping by to read the blog everyone!

BUSY!!!!!!!

2007-12-04T22:49:00.000-08:00

SOOOO BUSY! Ugh. Week before finals sucks. It hits you how close u are to being done by the amount of crap teachers pile on for you to do. Or they give you midterms on your last days of class. Where the logic is in that one, I'm not sure. Let's see, my last 2 days have been:

Mon: Class 10am-3pm
-Study for math with Cayla and Jillian 4-7pm
-Break for dinner/Charlie Brown Christmas
-Go over stuff for Lab Practical
-Go over Finance 240 notes to fill in holes from last class' notes

Tues: Got up earlier than my alarm because my mind and body are at odds right now
-Watch the View/finish Finance 240 notes that I fell asleep on last night
-Read Microsoft case for Finance..it comes out to be about 6 detailed pages on what they were being sued for an all points along the way that were checked out to support/disprove the case
-Shower
-Grab a sandwich with Cayla (biggest sandwich I have ever had..and it was only $5 and it became my dinner as well)
-Come back to apt, eat our sandwiches, do Econ
-Watch "Catch and Release" because we both want to see it, I just got it (Thanks Christie!) and needed a break as she had studied all morning and I had done stuff all morning too
-Class 4-5:15 (slept for like 10 minutes in there..it makes me tired)
-45 min. dinner/study for lab practical
-LAB 6-8:40
-Accounting hw
-Make cheat sheet for calculus midterm tomorrow (yes a midterm right before our final on Saturday afternoon. hardly fair)

Once I finish with math stuff tomorrow, Wed. and Thurs. are going to be dedicated to Econ, as the last day of class we have a midterm. (yes another mean teacher) And then Friday, you think I get a break, but it must review all chapters of math as our final is Saturday afternoon. Just kill me now. Thank God I don't have any more finals until next Wednesday. Give myself a break on Sunday and some of Monday, but not much because I have 2 finals on Wednesday-Econ from 10:30am-12:30pm and Accounting from 1pm-3pm. And I know I'll be studying with Cayla and Jillian on Tuesday for Econ, and I need to do really well on Accounting final. So Sunday is my day off. I hope my mind and body cooperate by then and let me sleep in and not have a mental alarm go off earlier than noon.

"It was supposed to be a beautiful day...

2007-12-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

...But at 2:26 that afternoon, a tornado came to Wisteria Lane."

OMG!!! That episode was intense. Waaaaaaay more so than last season when the crazy lady held the supermarket hostage and then shot Lynette's husband's former girlfriend and mother of his first child that had recently been discovered. This episode was 1000x more dramatic.

First of all, it's a tornado. Tornados are big natural disasters, so they beat shooting someone suddenly in the chest right away. Second of all, going into it, there were a lot of tensions between people. Edie hated Carlos and Gaby. Victor wanted to kill Carlos. Bree and Katherine have not been on the best of terms. Adam's reason for leaving Chicago came back, thus causing problems between him and Katherine. Mike was addicted to pain killers. So for these people, this episode was climatic as far as things being resolved or complicated further. Then of course it has to end with a cliffhanger. I want to say what we are having to wait to find out, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone that has yet to watch it online. (*Note if you haven't watched it yet, please get moving and watch it already!) We know one confirmed death, because part of a fence through the chest isn't something you can really recover from, but there are others who we are unsure if they have survived or not.

In conclusion, "Desperate Housewives" from last night had to be one of the best ever. To get you psyched and intrigued to go watch this episode online (as if my words hadn't done enough for you), here is the promo for the episode:

And because I can't help it, a video of the ending narration showing the destruction they did to the set. If you want to watch the whole episode (and again you must!), then I'd just mute the sound and skip ahead to 2:00 mins. and see the amount of destruction they did. It is insane.

Company

2007-12-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I had a nice visit from Ryan and Janet. I know Ryan from church and have basically become the little sister he never had. They came over around one, checked out my apartment, printed out directions to the hotel they were checking into later and then we went to lunch. We went to Marie Calendar's and had really yummy food. Our waiter seemed kind of nervous and semi-confused. Perhaps it's his first week or something. Or he's just a nervous person. He was young, so who knows. We spent more time talking than eating it seemed, but the food was good, as it always is at Marie Calendar's. They took me back to my apartment and left to go to their hotel.

I was back in time to watch one of my favorite made-for-tv Christmas movies, "Comfort and Joy," which I made Bradley watch some of last year on Christmas morning and he complained that it was going to try and teach him a lesson. It's really cute, even if you can see it coming how it's going to end. After that I started watching another Lifetime movie, but fell asleep (I blame the turkey in my sandwich!) in a weird position on the couch. I woke up around 7 and ate a little dinner, though I wasn't that hungry I just figured I should have something so I wasn't getting hungry at midnight. The rest of my evening has been spent watching tv, working on my paper for my intertidal field trip and doing my Accounting homework.

Still going

2007-12-01T23:23:00.000-08:00

Blog month is over, but look I am continuing on. So what sorts of shenanigans did I get into today? Very few. I woke up at 11:20ish to a text message from Paul saying something about asking Bradley for money for getting into the ice cold river in 9 degree weather. I sent him one back saying that it sounded like a dumb idea unless he had a death wish for the day. Never heard back how that one went. I'm going to assume that he had good sense and didn't do something dumb like leave the house. I had no reason to get up so I just laid there listening to my ipod and staring out my sliding glass door. I dozed off a bit, then woke up again around 12:40 and took a shower. After my shower I paid a bill, took it downstairs to mail, along with rent and took out the trash. I had a little lunch and watched really random made for tv Christmas movies ("Little House on the Prairie: Bless All the Dear Children" anyone?) for the rest of the day (and even as I right this). At 7:45 I went to Jillian's and we studied Math 120, as we have a test on Wednesday and our final a week from today. Yes a final on a Saturday. It's all wrong. Then on my way home, it was artic cold it seemed and I was almost hit by a car turning left right in front of me despite me having the 'WALK' sign. So that's not cool. Just a few steps more and I would of been out of their way, but they were in too much of a hurry I guess. I came back and swept my floors and am off to clean my counters as I am having visitors tomorrow.

End of the month-I DID IT!!

2007-11-30T17:32:00.000-08:00

I once again managed to blog every day of the month! I'm proud of myself. It's more a miracle that I actually had something to post about everyday. I'm not going to lie, some days were boring, I agree. Not my best material, but I tried to make it interesting. Thanks to all the readers, especially those new ones coming to me after searching for things via Google, more specifically for the lyrics for "The 12 Days After Christmas" (go here if that's what you were looking for). Apparently everyone wants to know those lyrics and just about every hit to my blog from Google are for the lyrics to that song. I didn't realize how popular that was. But thanks again and leave me comments on my posts, I do enjoy having comments so much.

SOAKED

2007-11-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

Once again proving that weatherpeople lie, it rained today. They had mentioned rain before, but said that if we get any, it wouldn't be coming until Saturday. Yet I wake up this morning and ta-da, it's raining. So I reluctantly get out of bed, get dressed get my umbrella and walk to school. Some middle aged guy decided walk in front of me as he started walking towards school as I was crossing the street from my apartment (almost slipping on the painted red curb might I add...Those things get slippery). Anyway he was walking too slow for my liking, yet he was walking in the middle of the sidewalk, but would haphazardly move back and forth from the sides..I don't think all was quite right with him. So I felt I should just stay behind him even though it was serious snail pace for me considering my usual walkiing speed. Finally I crossed the middle of the street by the dorms so that I was no longer behind him. He was going to campus, though he didn't have anything with him, so maybe he decided that he needed to take a walk in the rain to take a bus or trolley somewhere. I personally wouldn't of done that. Rain=dark skies=dark room=stay in bed in my book. So I went to my classes. My Ocean teacher said that his toddler was scared of the rain because she had no idea what it was. Cayla and I spent our break in the library hiding out from the wet and cold. After Econ, I ended up with Cayla and Jillian under my umbrella and at the moment when the rain got harder, a huge gust of wind also came up and pulled my umbrella up and inside out. We screamed. Our pants and feet were soaked. It wasn't fun. Afer Math, Jillian and I made the trek to our apartments, getting more wet as we went because the rain was blowing the rain in our directions. Things could of just been topped off if a car had driven by and splashed us, but that didn't happen. As soon as I got in my apartment the wet jeans, shoes and socks came off and the pjs came on. If it wasn't going to cost me money, I would of considered walking down the hall to throw my pjs in the dryer to warm them up before putting them on. As I write this, I am in my pjs, laying on the couch with a pillow and my purple fuzzy blanket. If only I had a kitty with me...

Dull Day

2007-11-29T22:11:00.000-08:00

That is what my day has been. Rather dull. Didn't do anything other than watch tv before class, go to class, doze off in class...yeah. I should of known no good would come when I went to take a shower and despite it being at the spot it always is, it was ice cold. I turned the knob all the way over on the hot side and it barely had a hint of heat. I don't do cold showers unless it is hot out and I am sweaty and gross. And I was trying to take a shower to warm up, yet I came out just as cold as I was going in. I guess by noon the hot water is all used on the floor or something. Usually I shower at 11am and it's nice and hot and steamy and I get nice and warm, but just an hour later today and I get cold. LAME. Ok, well not much else to say. Tomorrow is the last day of blog month, should I keep going and blog every day or just go back to blogging sporadically?

Sociology of Surfing

2007-11-28T23:12:00.000-08:00

What is the sociology of surfing? I can't really say, but if you are really curious, come on down to SDSU and take it as a class! Yes, that's right, Sociology of Surfing is a new class being offered for the first time ever next semester.

Some guy came to tell us this in our Econ lecture. He said there would be readings and you'd be studying the cult following surfing has, watch surf movies and listen to surf music.

My friend Ashley said, "This sounds like the stupidest class ever, yet I want to take it." Haha. So what do you think? Back up class in case I don't get anything else?

Endings

2007-11-27T23:27:00.000-08:00

So tonight appears to be about endings for me. Our TA told us that next week is both the last lab and the last time we will see him, as he will be leaving for a conference and won't be back until after finals. Also in my Finance class, she told us Thursday we are going over our midterms and Chapter 23, and then next week we will finish the book. Three weeks (that includes finals) of school left. It's weird. Seems so far away, but it's really not. Already this week is almost half way through. In the final innning, the final quarter, final...um round? I don't know. I'm not very informed on sports so I don't know anything other than innings in baseball and quarters in football...What is it in hockey and basketball? Is basketball quarters too? Wow that was a really random tangent..Anyway back to where I was going next.

Then when "Real Housewives of Orange County" was over, I was flipping channels, confused that "Sex and the City" wasn't on at 11pm (stupid TBS was showing that "Frank TV" show...so had to wait til 11:30pm until both TBS and CW show an episode), and found "The Story of Us" on so I watched, but it was at the end. So I know how the movie ends, but have no clue what happens in the rest of it. The same goes for "Meet Me in St. Louis" which I went to after "Story of Us" ended. It was a little before the part seen in "The Family Stone" where Judy Garland is at the dance and tells her grandfather that "it's our last dance in St. Louis and I think I'm going to cry," so I have watched from that point on (it's still on now), but am confused as to what's going on and the proposal and everything. All I know about "Meet Me in St. Louis" is that it's Christmastime and I love Christmas and it is my favorite time of year. Maybe I should watch these movies in their entirety, rather than just the end. They'd make more sense if I watched them the conventional way.

2000th Visitor!

2007-11-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

I see that I am nearing my 2000th visitor to this page. If it turns out to be you, leave a comment and get the recognition you deserve for being such a milestone visitor. Without you and the other 1999 hits to the site, I would probably lack any motivation to keep the blog going.

McDreamy & Me posters

2007-11-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

My friend sent me this site where you can upload a picture of yourself and they put it on the "Made of Honor" (aka new McDreamy movie coming out May 2008) poster. So it's you, McDreamy and flowers. AWESOME! I made two. I think that we make a nice looking couple. Here are the posters I made:

To put yourself with McDreamy too, go here

And in case you are wondering, no I am not a crazy, psycho celeb. stalker. Far from it. He's just so hot how can you resist?

Not much to say today

2007-11-25T22:42:00.000-08:00

Nothing much for today. Went to church, helped them clean and decorate for the faux wedding we are having tomorrow to take pictures for a wedding brochure, came back down to San Diego, did homework. Mom called me later when they got home to let me know my grandpa (Dad's dad) had passed away this evening. He hasn't been well these last few weeks, so we kind of knew it was coming, but that doesn't really change much. Dad is going back for funeral, not sure if brothers are or anything, but yeah. That's all for now.

Movie Reviews!

2007-11-24T21:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I saw two great movies, "August Rush" and "Enchanted", with my friends.

First, we saw "August Rush."

We saw a few good previews of thing we can see during winter break and then the movie started. I thought it was very good. I cried, or at least got teary, for just about all of the movie. Keri Russell is beautiful, Freddie Highmore is cute as always, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks good singing a song he wrote for Keri Russell's character. The story, I suppose one would say is incredibly unlikely, but it's nice to believe something like that could happen. Myself and my two friends thought it was a great movie.

After that was over, we saw "Enchanted."

First of all, it has McDreamy (aka Patrick Dempsey), so that pretty much guaranteed I would enjoy it, even if I only liked it because I got to stare at him on a huge screen for about 2 hours. It was very cute. The part cartoon, part live action worked. The story is cute, and being Disney, you get references to other Disney movies. The music is cute, the story is good, Disney did a great job.

Both movies were great and I would go see them again. I just want people to experience the greatness of these movies that brought me an evening of fun.

Sooo Lazy

2007-11-23T23:26:00.000-08:00

Today was awesome, I didn't get out of my pjs til around 3:00 pm. I watched tv and took a nap on the couch. Does it get any better than that? I think the highlight was going to the grocery store. Yep, vacation rocks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you are having a great holiday with friends and family. I also hope that your Thanksgiving doesn't end the way all of ours do-with Bradley and I fighting. Last year on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, we ended up slapping each other. Why? Just because.

Last Thanksgiving's End

Will this year be another "slapsgiving" for us? Guess we'll find out in a few hours.

And just because this is funny, a clip from the Thanksgiving episode of "How I Met Your Mother" that was on Monday.