Him: Can we make plans not in a text message?
Me: I like texting.
Him: Well maybe that's because I'm an adult and you're a child.
Me: Sometimes I can say something in a text that would take an hour of bullshitting to get out of a conversation on the phone.
That was the beginning of the annoyance I could hear in his voice.
Text messaging. Is there really an age where people began holding their conversations through their fingers rather than their ears and mouths? Is the birth year cut off 1982? What 27-year-old doesn't text? My DAD texts me to tell me he's in town. He turns 50 next week. Oy vey. Someone make me a drink. Or send me a text and we'll go get one.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Normally.
Normally, I am the Scrooge of weddings. I don't like going and watching a happy couple exchange vows that link them to each other 'til death do them part, but today, I turned over a new leaf when I attended the stellar wedding of my friend, Andrea. I guess it helps if you go with a cute boy who can dance (and when your knee feels well enough to do so).
*sigh*
*sigh*
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Exhausted....
...only a 20-page paper, 15-minute presentation and 15-page final left. The end is (almost) near.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
"This doesn't look like Grey's Anatomy..."
5:32 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20
Mom and I woke up and finished packing up the things I would need for my five-day vacation to Deming, N.M., or as they call it "vacation for the stars..." I am anxious, thirsty and kind of ready to have this whole ordeal over with.
6:30 a.m.
We arrive at MountainView Surgery Center and I check in with Pam's friend, Selena, answering the basic questions, working out the insurance mess and signing the "I promise not to sue if I die" forms. Then, I go wait in the waiting room with a small girl and her family, as well as my mom before they call me into the surgery prep area.
As they call me and I go in, I notice there's another child in there. It doesn't take long before I ask why so many children and the super-nice, handpicked nurse (my aunt handpicked my surgery team, lol) told me that Nov. 20 was known as "Dental Day," the day that all the children whose parents have allowed them to eat candy and crap without making them brush and floss their teeth come in to be sedated and have crowns put in and teeth pulled in an effort to save teeth that have rotted out of their heads. They were playing Shrek 3 loud enough for me to enjoy it, so I didn't mind much.
The nurse asked me a boat load of questions before telling me to get undressed and put on the hospital-ordered gown, booties and super hot hair net, then climb onto the gurney that would wheel me into surgery. At this time, my mom and aunt had joined me while we were waiting for Dr. Lindsey to get there to answer any questions we had. We joked with the anesthesiologist as she asked me many of the same questions and told me that she would give me a sedative before they wheeled me into the operating room.
8 a.m.
Dr. Lindsey arrived and I made sure I didn't have any last minute questions. Thankfully, I was born to a nurse that knows what she's doing in any given situation, so I wasn't worried about when I woke up or how the knee should look, etc.
After he answered all of the questions I had, Dr. Skinner (the anesthesiologist) gave me the "happy" medicine and I kissed my family goodbye. The rest, it seems, I blacked out, but this is what I was told happened:
On my short jaunt to the operating room, I announced to Dr. Skinner that this hospital had very sexy men in it (see my previous post about the knee incident). She asked where she could find them and I proceeded to tell her that she could find them in the E.R. and to take me to the E.R. As we reached the operating room, I also told her, "This doesn't look like Grey's Anatomy." Embarrassing? Yes.
11 a.m.
I start to wake up in the recovery room, heavily sedated, but awake enough to realize there are three screaming F****** children in the not-so-private recovery stations. I'm not talking whimpering, soft spoken children...I'm talking give-me-a-gun-and-I'll-take-care-of-it screaming children. I actually stopped my recovery nurse to ask her if we could sedate them again and to "put it on my tab." That's not a lie.
These children were TERRIBLE. They actually needed three adults to hold down a 10-year-old screaming, writhing child so they could give him pain meds. I was furious and it didn't help that I was dealing with my own issues. Where's Shrek when you need him, dammit?
11:30 a.m.
The screaming kids were finally gone and my mom was in the recovery room with me. I was so so cold and the recovery nurse was awesome and gave me heated blankets...and not electric heated ones, but the kind you take out of an oven. I took my first dose of Vicodin with some crackers so my stomach wouldn't be upset, then she begins the discharge process.
Unbelievably, I am able to get myself from my bed to the wheelchair without much trouble. My leg was wrapped in the bandages with an ace bandage over them, all the way to my toes, which were bright orange from the disinfectant they used.
They wheeled me out to my mom's car, where I didn't have much trouble getting in and laying down, starting to feel a little queasy from the medicine.
Then my mom gave me my phone and I started to call people (I am sorry if you received one of these incoherent phone calls). I quickly fell asleep on the road back to Deming, where I would be spending the next few days in recovery mode.
1:30 p.m.
I wake up to my poor mother groaning with displeasure as we drive down Country Club Road on our way home. I turn over and ask her what's wrong and she says she is not feeling well, is sick to her stomach and is going down the road at an alarming rate.
We turn onto Needles Eye Road, our road, and she says "I'm sorry, baby. I have to stop." She opened the door and got violently ill. All I could do was rub her back and hand her napkins from the glove compartment. I felt so helpless to help her.
We finally pulled in the driveway, and miraculously, she is able to help me from the car and unload everything, making sure I am settled on the couch in the den, with my knee propped and water and snacks on hand.
Then, she asked me if I needed anything and went to bed. I didn't see her until the next day at 10 a.m.
My dad was stuck as my nurse and I had to call him because I was so hungry and craving a Schwann's pepperoni pizza that I know my parents keep stocked in the freezer for us kids. He came home, heated one up for me and handed me the remote to the television. I turned it on and accidentally turned it to the channel that makes the whole satellite stick and burn out. So, I was stuck without a TV. So, I went to sleep.
More to come...
Mom and I woke up and finished packing up the things I would need for my five-day vacation to Deming, N.M., or as they call it "vacation for the stars..." I am anxious, thirsty and kind of ready to have this whole ordeal over with.
6:30 a.m.
We arrive at MountainView Surgery Center and I check in with Pam's friend, Selena, answering the basic questions, working out the insurance mess and signing the "I promise not to sue if I die" forms. Then, I go wait in the waiting room with a small girl and her family, as well as my mom before they call me into the surgery prep area.
As they call me and I go in, I notice there's another child in there. It doesn't take long before I ask why so many children and the super-nice, handpicked nurse (my aunt handpicked my surgery team, lol) told me that Nov. 20 was known as "Dental Day," the day that all the children whose parents have allowed them to eat candy and crap without making them brush and floss their teeth come in to be sedated and have crowns put in and teeth pulled in an effort to save teeth that have rotted out of their heads. They were playing Shrek 3 loud enough for me to enjoy it, so I didn't mind much.
The nurse asked me a boat load of questions before telling me to get undressed and put on the hospital-ordered gown, booties and super hot hair net, then climb onto the gurney that would wheel me into surgery. At this time, my mom and aunt had joined me while we were waiting for Dr. Lindsey to get there to answer any questions we had. We joked with the anesthesiologist as she asked me many of the same questions and told me that she would give me a sedative before they wheeled me into the operating room.
8 a.m.
Dr. Lindsey arrived and I made sure I didn't have any last minute questions. Thankfully, I was born to a nurse that knows what she's doing in any given situation, so I wasn't worried about when I woke up or how the knee should look, etc.
After he answered all of the questions I had, Dr. Skinner (the anesthesiologist) gave me the "happy" medicine and I kissed my family goodbye. The rest, it seems, I blacked out, but this is what I was told happened:
On my short jaunt to the operating room, I announced to Dr. Skinner that this hospital had very sexy men in it (see my previous post about the knee incident). She asked where she could find them and I proceeded to tell her that she could find them in the E.R. and to take me to the E.R. As we reached the operating room, I also told her, "This doesn't look like Grey's Anatomy." Embarrassing? Yes.
11 a.m.
I start to wake up in the recovery room, heavily sedated, but awake enough to realize there are three screaming F****** children in the not-so-private recovery stations. I'm not talking whimpering, soft spoken children...I'm talking give-me-a-gun-and-I'll-take-care-of-it screaming children. I actually stopped my recovery nurse to ask her if we could sedate them again and to "put it on my tab." That's not a lie.
These children were TERRIBLE. They actually needed three adults to hold down a 10-year-old screaming, writhing child so they could give him pain meds. I was furious and it didn't help that I was dealing with my own issues. Where's Shrek when you need him, dammit?
11:30 a.m.
The screaming kids were finally gone and my mom was in the recovery room with me. I was so so cold and the recovery nurse was awesome and gave me heated blankets...and not electric heated ones, but the kind you take out of an oven. I took my first dose of Vicodin with some crackers so my stomach wouldn't be upset, then she begins the discharge process.
Unbelievably, I am able to get myself from my bed to the wheelchair without much trouble. My leg was wrapped in the bandages with an ace bandage over them, all the way to my toes, which were bright orange from the disinfectant they used.
They wheeled me out to my mom's car, where I didn't have much trouble getting in and laying down, starting to feel a little queasy from the medicine.
Then my mom gave me my phone and I started to call people (I am sorry if you received one of these incoherent phone calls). I quickly fell asleep on the road back to Deming, where I would be spending the next few days in recovery mode.
1:30 p.m.
I wake up to my poor mother groaning with displeasure as we drive down Country Club Road on our way home. I turn over and ask her what's wrong and she says she is not feeling well, is sick to her stomach and is going down the road at an alarming rate.
We turn onto Needles Eye Road, our road, and she says "I'm sorry, baby. I have to stop." She opened the door and got violently ill. All I could do was rub her back and hand her napkins from the glove compartment. I felt so helpless to help her.
We finally pulled in the driveway, and miraculously, she is able to help me from the car and unload everything, making sure I am settled on the couch in the den, with my knee propped and water and snacks on hand.
Then, she asked me if I needed anything and went to bed. I didn't see her until the next day at 10 a.m.
My dad was stuck as my nurse and I had to call him because I was so hungry and craving a Schwann's pepperoni pizza that I know my parents keep stocked in the freezer for us kids. He came home, heated one up for me and handed me the remote to the television. I turned it on and accidentally turned it to the channel that makes the whole satellite stick and burn out. So, I was stuck without a TV. So, I went to sleep.
More to come...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I just can't get enough of...
...Jason Mraz's song "I'm Yours." Seriously. Can a song BE any better, even with all that radio play? I don't think so.
Monday, November 17, 2008
It's 11:11...
...and I am sitting at International Delights for the third time this week, working on things I need to finish before the big day in just TWO days. Surgery.
I have so much to do before then, including make time for people I want to see before everything happens and I am not as mobile as I like, including a 30-minute presentation on Realism and the Global War on Terror, a test in GOVT 502: Quantitative Research Methods, blood work, three more articles for the newspaper and four interviews to complete. Where will I find the time?
I am getting pretty nervous about the whole surgery thing. It consumes most of my thoughts and I feel like something is coming to an end just thinking about it. I'm not sure what that means except that for the past few weeks, my knee has felt better (not stellar) but better, and now I will go back to being virtually immobile, relying on pain meds to get me through the day.
Gah--I am just worried about it, I guess. So I guess that's it for the night. Time to go home and salvage a bit of sleep, if I can get it after four cups of coffee.
I have so much to do before then, including make time for people I want to see before everything happens and I am not as mobile as I like, including a 30-minute presentation on Realism and the Global War on Terror, a test in GOVT 502: Quantitative Research Methods, blood work, three more articles for the newspaper and four interviews to complete. Where will I find the time?
I am getting pretty nervous about the whole surgery thing. It consumes most of my thoughts and I feel like something is coming to an end just thinking about it. I'm not sure what that means except that for the past few weeks, my knee has felt better (not stellar) but better, and now I will go back to being virtually immobile, relying on pain meds to get me through the day.
Gah--I am just worried about it, I guess. So I guess that's it for the night. Time to go home and salvage a bit of sleep, if I can get it after four cups of coffee.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Five Weeks of Progress and Setbacks
It's been a while.
Five weeks, to be exact.
I know this because I check Jessica's blog roll on a regular basis and I have been watching my previous post sink lower and lower until it is sitting on the bottom of a few of my favorite blogs.
This is unacceptable...especially since I have had an INSANE five weeks to speak of.
On Oct. 22, I had the worst day of my life (and very karma-oriented). The only Wednesday soccer game of the season was that night and I normally have class, but instead I decided to take the night off and play soccer. The game started rather normally--we were losing, but I was having fun and getting some exercise. On no particular play, I planted my left foot to change directions, while pushing off of it to go the other way. The foot stayed planted and my knee went with my body. After hearing (and feeling) a resounding "POP," I doubled over.
I couldn't do anything but not breathe and lay there, sobbing. I was in the middle of the field, crying like a baby. I knew something big was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.
It took a long time to get myself to the point that I could even move. I was paralyzed. I couldn't move a single muscle. I had to be carried off the field...I couldn't even hop. I have never felt that level of pain in my life.
The only thing I could think was, "Please, no one call an ambulance. I can't afford an ambulance."
The woman watching from the sidelines said she heard the pop and knew it wasn't just sprained. She wrapped me up in a blanket, put some ice on my knee and sat with me, telling me to calm down and breathe while the rest of the team finished the game.
I didn't want to go to the hospital. I wanted to go home and cry... be a baby on my own terms, in the privacy of my own home. But I let her talk me into going to the emergency room, then called my brother to come meet me and drive my car.
Michelle helped me into my car and drove me to MountainView while my brother picked up my Aunt Pam and met me at the hospital emergency room. Meanwhile, my friend Bre was calling me and I answered, clearly shaken up. Being the great friend that I know and love, she met me at the hospital, blanket and magazines in hand. We waited there for an unreasonably long time, three hours, just to be treated like crap by the tech who talked to Bre like she was a child and who treated me like an idiot when I couldn't walk on the crutches properly.
*On a side note: People may argue that Grey's Anatomy creates a false sense of how hot doctors can be, but I assert that they speak the truth. In the ER that night, while I was looking like hell with mascara smeared on my cheeks, smelly jersey smell and looking like a hot mess, were three of the cutest guys I have come across in my years here in Las Cruces. All three tall, handsome, doctors...McDreamy, McSteamy and McSexy.
*End Side Note
McSexy looked at my knee, gave me some bull about it being a little loose, but couldn't get me in for an MRI because I wasn't "emergent." I was stuck with a knee immobilizing brace, crutches, an order for an MRI and a prescription for Vicodin. At 1 a.m., I limped out of the ER and into a waiting car, completely angry that I sat in the ER for nothing. By this time, I was doubting even myself on whether there was something actually wrong with me. I felt like I was just being a weenie, that it was simply a sprain and that all the struggle was just in my head.
Pam and Jono dropped me off at home, with my Vicodin, and tucked me into bed. I took a whole pill and fell into an uncomfortable sleep, setting my alarm for early since I was still having to get up and go to school to proctor an exam and the professor I assist was out of town.
I woke up with the alarm, incredulous that most of the night before had actually happened. I hobbled around my apartment quite awkwardly, and turned on the shower. I got undressed and gingerly got in, using the built-in handles that were conveniently placed inside the shower for moments such as this. As I stepped in under the warm water and lathered up my hair with shampoo, I felt faint. I fell out of the shower, onto the bathroom floor, hitting the right side of my chest on God knows what, tasting the soap that had dripped from my head onto my lips and thinking to myself, "You have to rinse off. Get up."
I picked myself up off the floor, giving myself a pep talk all the way up, with awkward movements, trying to avoid the debilitating pain in my knee. I stood upright, attempting to rinse my hair out so I could get out of the shower and get back in bed. Instead, I went down again, this time scraping my back on the corner of the vanity, holding the shower curtain in my hands and sobbing, again telling myself, "You can do it. Just get up."
I did, and felt a little better. I rinsed my hair out, turned the now cold shower off, then toweled off and hobbled to my bed and curled up. I called Pam, sobbing, as she tried to reassure me the best she could. I thought about the medicine I had taken and realized I took the pain pills on an empty stomach, which led to the episode in the shower. I grabbed a bag of gold fish, munching on them until I regained a sense of normalcy.
I got ready for class, waiting for Jono to pick me up. I went to class, proctored the exam and crutched my way upstairs, where I crumbled in a fit of exhaustion and complete depression over the entire situation. I was in pain, I was whiny, I was no fun to be around, so I called Jono and had him come pick me up to take me home. He bought be a burrito and dropped me off at my house, where I fell into a pain killer-induced sleep.
The next day, I underwent an MRI and on Monday, found out from a phenomenal Dr. Wayne Lindsey that I had torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and damaged my miniscus. I would have to undergo surgery in the coming weeks, when the swelling went down, to have it repaired.
The surgery happens next Thursday, Nov. 20, and I have never been more nervous about anything in my life. It's not the surgery itself, because that's more procedural and they do these sort of things all the time. It's that I will be out of commission for days afterwards. Worse than hobbling around my apartment...this time there will be screws and cadaver ligaments involved, along with physical therapy and a recovery time of three to six months. So, the fear is not in being cut open, it's in being a normal, functioning adult after the big day.
Setbacks are sometimes the universe's way of saying, "Slow down. I'm in charge." Well, universe--you got me where you want me.
Five weeks, to be exact.
I know this because I check Jessica's blog roll on a regular basis and I have been watching my previous post sink lower and lower until it is sitting on the bottom of a few of my favorite blogs.
This is unacceptable...especially since I have had an INSANE five weeks to speak of.
On Oct. 22, I had the worst day of my life (and very karma-oriented). The only Wednesday soccer game of the season was that night and I normally have class, but instead I decided to take the night off and play soccer. The game started rather normally--we were losing, but I was having fun and getting some exercise. On no particular play, I planted my left foot to change directions, while pushing off of it to go the other way. The foot stayed planted and my knee went with my body. After hearing (and feeling) a resounding "POP," I doubled over.
I couldn't do anything but not breathe and lay there, sobbing. I was in the middle of the field, crying like a baby. I knew something big was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.
It took a long time to get myself to the point that I could even move. I was paralyzed. I couldn't move a single muscle. I had to be carried off the field...I couldn't even hop. I have never felt that level of pain in my life.
The only thing I could think was, "Please, no one call an ambulance. I can't afford an ambulance."
The woman watching from the sidelines said she heard the pop and knew it wasn't just sprained. She wrapped me up in a blanket, put some ice on my knee and sat with me, telling me to calm down and breathe while the rest of the team finished the game.
I didn't want to go to the hospital. I wanted to go home and cry... be a baby on my own terms, in the privacy of my own home. But I let her talk me into going to the emergency room, then called my brother to come meet me and drive my car.
Michelle helped me into my car and drove me to MountainView while my brother picked up my Aunt Pam and met me at the hospital emergency room. Meanwhile, my friend Bre was calling me and I answered, clearly shaken up. Being the great friend that I know and love, she met me at the hospital, blanket and magazines in hand. We waited there for an unreasonably long time, three hours, just to be treated like crap by the tech who talked to Bre like she was a child and who treated me like an idiot when I couldn't walk on the crutches properly.
*On a side note: People may argue that Grey's Anatomy creates a false sense of how hot doctors can be, but I assert that they speak the truth. In the ER that night, while I was looking like hell with mascara smeared on my cheeks, smelly jersey smell and looking like a hot mess, were three of the cutest guys I have come across in my years here in Las Cruces. All three tall, handsome, doctors...McDreamy, McSteamy and McSexy.
*End Side Note
McSexy looked at my knee, gave me some bull about it being a little loose, but couldn't get me in for an MRI because I wasn't "emergent." I was stuck with a knee immobilizing brace, crutches, an order for an MRI and a prescription for Vicodin. At 1 a.m., I limped out of the ER and into a waiting car, completely angry that I sat in the ER for nothing. By this time, I was doubting even myself on whether there was something actually wrong with me. I felt like I was just being a weenie, that it was simply a sprain and that all the struggle was just in my head.
Pam and Jono dropped me off at home, with my Vicodin, and tucked me into bed. I took a whole pill and fell into an uncomfortable sleep, setting my alarm for early since I was still having to get up and go to school to proctor an exam and the professor I assist was out of town.
I woke up with the alarm, incredulous that most of the night before had actually happened. I hobbled around my apartment quite awkwardly, and turned on the shower. I got undressed and gingerly got in, using the built-in handles that were conveniently placed inside the shower for moments such as this. As I stepped in under the warm water and lathered up my hair with shampoo, I felt faint. I fell out of the shower, onto the bathroom floor, hitting the right side of my chest on God knows what, tasting the soap that had dripped from my head onto my lips and thinking to myself, "You have to rinse off. Get up."
I picked myself up off the floor, giving myself a pep talk all the way up, with awkward movements, trying to avoid the debilitating pain in my knee. I stood upright, attempting to rinse my hair out so I could get out of the shower and get back in bed. Instead, I went down again, this time scraping my back on the corner of the vanity, holding the shower curtain in my hands and sobbing, again telling myself, "You can do it. Just get up."
I did, and felt a little better. I rinsed my hair out, turned the now cold shower off, then toweled off and hobbled to my bed and curled up. I called Pam, sobbing, as she tried to reassure me the best she could. I thought about the medicine I had taken and realized I took the pain pills on an empty stomach, which led to the episode in the shower. I grabbed a bag of gold fish, munching on them until I regained a sense of normalcy.
I got ready for class, waiting for Jono to pick me up. I went to class, proctored the exam and crutched my way upstairs, where I crumbled in a fit of exhaustion and complete depression over the entire situation. I was in pain, I was whiny, I was no fun to be around, so I called Jono and had him come pick me up to take me home. He bought be a burrito and dropped me off at my house, where I fell into a pain killer-induced sleep.
The next day, I underwent an MRI and on Monday, found out from a phenomenal Dr. Wayne Lindsey that I had torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and damaged my miniscus. I would have to undergo surgery in the coming weeks, when the swelling went down, to have it repaired.
The surgery happens next Thursday, Nov. 20, and I have never been more nervous about anything in my life. It's not the surgery itself, because that's more procedural and they do these sort of things all the time. It's that I will be out of commission for days afterwards. Worse than hobbling around my apartment...this time there will be screws and cadaver ligaments involved, along with physical therapy and a recovery time of three to six months. So, the fear is not in being cut open, it's in being a normal, functioning adult after the big day.
Setbacks are sometimes the universe's way of saying, "Slow down. I'm in charge." Well, universe--you got me where you want me.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
More than I can handle.
Sometimes I feel like I can't focus. It's not just the being too busy thing, it's the being too busy and not knowing when to say "no" thing. I can't help but think I could be doing so much more in any one area of my life. For example, when I am putting out a stellar section, talking to people and really getting things done at work, my school work seems to suffer. And when I am really getting my reading done and excelling in school, my section suffers. It's so hard to find a happy medium between the two.
I think this problem stems from the fact that I wasn't able to find a happy medium with the job before I started school and now that I am all the way into it, it's getting harder and harder to keep my head above water. Now, mid-terms are upon me and I am wondering how to balance class reading, writing for the paper and studying.
The obvious answer would be to give something up, but I am not willing to seek that answer at this point. I just need a bit more time in the day and everything will be fine. And maybe a little more drive.
I think this problem stems from the fact that I wasn't able to find a happy medium with the job before I started school and now that I am all the way into it, it's getting harder and harder to keep my head above water. Now, mid-terms are upon me and I am wondering how to balance class reading, writing for the paper and studying.
The obvious answer would be to give something up, but I am not willing to seek that answer at this point. I just need a bit more time in the day and everything will be fine. And maybe a little more drive.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Crunch
Today I felt it. Fall is in the air.
As I began to clean my house, putting rugs outside to air out, I was shocked to discover that there it was. That one point in the year where you can feel the air begin to change.
This is my absolute favorite time of year--festivals, sweaters and the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I am so happy, I could die!
As I began to clean my house, putting rugs outside to air out, I was shocked to discover that there it was. That one point in the year where you can feel the air begin to change.
This is my absolute favorite time of year--festivals, sweaters and the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I am so happy, I could die!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
My life as a metaphor
When life gets a little stressful, I have a recurring dream.
Today, I decided to analyze it in my head. It's a dream about working at Cracker Barrel again. As all of two of my readers know, I worked there for five years until they hired a bat shit crazy manager and I had to bounce.
Well, my dream is about me going back to work there amid many, many changes. In my dream, the kitchen has actually been remodeled - there are walls where there weren't walls before and I can't find anything because nothing is in its original spot, etc. Well, in last night's dream, I am given my original four-table, kick ass section, but for some reason, I can't seem to keep on top of them. I like to think I am a really good server, especially when I am busy, but in the dream, I am so busy serving the round table, then bouncing back and forth to two more, but constantly ignoring the fourth table. And in the dream, it happens over and over, with the tables complaining about my service and how I can't get to them fast enough.
I have decided this is a metaphor for my life. The four tables represent the four areas of my life (I am sure there are more than four, but bear with me). We have the work life, the school life, the love life and the social life. As a metaphor, that means that I am constantly ignoring one aspect at all times...and it may not always be the same one (although ignoring the love life is by choice - have you seen what I have to work with in this town?). I feel like I can't catch up no matter how hard I try.
I equate this dream with the common one - you know the one - where you are running from something and so fast and so hard, but no matter how fast or hard you are running, you can escape. This goes for swimming, too... All of them are metaphors for how your life is going and this dream is a metaphor for mine.
Honestly, I am getting the hang of the new life I have begun living - with the balance of school and work and freelance and studying, all finally coming together - but there are still portions of my life that should have some focus, but have a back seat. So, to my friends I have neglected, I am sorry. Things will get better. They have to. In the meantime, bear with me and I love you.
Today, I decided to analyze it in my head. It's a dream about working at Cracker Barrel again. As all of two of my readers know, I worked there for five years until they hired a bat shit crazy manager and I had to bounce.
Well, my dream is about me going back to work there amid many, many changes. In my dream, the kitchen has actually been remodeled - there are walls where there weren't walls before and I can't find anything because nothing is in its original spot, etc. Well, in last night's dream, I am given my original four-table, kick ass section, but for some reason, I can't seem to keep on top of them. I like to think I am a really good server, especially when I am busy, but in the dream, I am so busy serving the round table, then bouncing back and forth to two more, but constantly ignoring the fourth table. And in the dream, it happens over and over, with the tables complaining about my service and how I can't get to them fast enough.
I have decided this is a metaphor for my life. The four tables represent the four areas of my life (I am sure there are more than four, but bear with me). We have the work life, the school life, the love life and the social life. As a metaphor, that means that I am constantly ignoring one aspect at all times...and it may not always be the same one (although ignoring the love life is by choice - have you seen what I have to work with in this town?). I feel like I can't catch up no matter how hard I try.
I equate this dream with the common one - you know the one - where you are running from something and so fast and so hard, but no matter how fast or hard you are running, you can escape. This goes for swimming, too... All of them are metaphors for how your life is going and this dream is a metaphor for mine.
Honestly, I am getting the hang of the new life I have begun living - with the balance of school and work and freelance and studying, all finally coming together - but there are still portions of my life that should have some focus, but have a back seat. So, to my friends I have neglected, I am sorry. Things will get better. They have to. In the meantime, bear with me and I love you.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Assignment Complete
Today was a killer day. Busy, but killer.
I met the rest of the graduate assistants today at an orientation for the government department. I also found out I was paired with an awesome professor, helping teach European Politics and National Security Policy.
Recently, I was awarded the Mike Watts Fellowship worth $2,000, added to my salary as a G.A., which is significant when you only make $5,000 a semester. I am STOKED! And I guess it's really prestigious, too.
We practiced tonight and I am back in boot camp, hoping to lose some more weight.
This weekend, I will be attending the Community Foundation Ball, getting all dressed up and drinking champagne, dancing and enjoying the company of my coworkers. I am pretty excited about it.
Well, hopefully I will have more time to blog this weekend. It's funny because I have something happen and I think to myself, "I need to blog about that," then I forget. Like tonight, I would love to bitch about how people don't know how to use a four-way stop. It could be because I am from Deming, and we only used to have three stoplights, but it's not difficult! Not at all.....
That's all for now. Peace!
I met the rest of the graduate assistants today at an orientation for the government department. I also found out I was paired with an awesome professor, helping teach European Politics and National Security Policy.
Recently, I was awarded the Mike Watts Fellowship worth $2,000, added to my salary as a G.A., which is significant when you only make $5,000 a semester. I am STOKED! And I guess it's really prestigious, too.
We practiced tonight and I am back in boot camp, hoping to lose some more weight.
This weekend, I will be attending the Community Foundation Ball, getting all dressed up and drinking champagne, dancing and enjoying the company of my coworkers. I am pretty excited about it.
Well, hopefully I will have more time to blog this weekend. It's funny because I have something happen and I think to myself, "I need to blog about that," then I forget. Like tonight, I would love to bitch about how people don't know how to use a four-way stop. It could be because I am from Deming, and we only used to have three stoplights, but it's not difficult! Not at all.....
That's all for now. Peace!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Have I always been this lame?
Answer: No. Not until I had this job/life.
So, I started a new job two weeks ago (shortly after I lost my other one. 2.5 days to be exact). So far, it has been non-stop and I feel like I have worked there for ages. But, already I have begun networking and really stepping outside of my comfort zone to make sure I can get the job done.
It's also amazing how motivating a firm deadline can be. I have written more stories int he two weeks I have worked at the newspaper than I did in six months at the magazine. It's amazing.
All-in-all, I am stoked to be starting a new chapter, away from the "bad" and into the good. School will begin next week, along with a bunch of new adventures and new stress, but I am ready. As ready as I will ever be.
So, I started a new job two weeks ago (shortly after I lost my other one. 2.5 days to be exact). So far, it has been non-stop and I feel like I have worked there for ages. But, already I have begun networking and really stepping outside of my comfort zone to make sure I can get the job done.
It's also amazing how motivating a firm deadline can be. I have written more stories int he two weeks I have worked at the newspaper than I did in six months at the magazine. It's amazing.
All-in-all, I am stoked to be starting a new chapter, away from the "bad" and into the good. School will begin next week, along with a bunch of new adventures and new stress, but I am ready. As ready as I will ever be.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Exhausted.
Example: This morning, when I got out of the shower, I went to use my makeup remover and was puzzled when it stung a little and smelled funny. Don't worry...I grabbed the nailpolish remover.
I hope things die down before I actually damage myself.
I hope things die down before I actually damage myself.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Whirlwind Update for my Three Readers
Hello, all! I have been really bad at posting on my blog lately, but for very good reason:
1. I leave for Denver tomorrow for the Mile High Music Festival with Jessica. I get to see so many of my friends, and I am stoked! Some of my favorite bands will be there: Dave Matthews, O.A.R., Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, The Roots, Tom Petty, Spoon, Lupe Fiasco, and so many more. My REALLY good friends, Jeff and Claudia, just made the move up there and I get to see where they are and tour around Boulder with them on Friday, then out with some of my sorority sisters and Marky Mark on Friday night. A true vacation.
2. This week, I began a body boot camp, taught by my good friend Anela (who, when I am doing push ups and about to vomit--is not such a good friend, lol). But, it feels great being so active and completely beat after getting out of a session. I have to say, it is a little intimidating at first (and completely mortifying) to see how much I weigh and my BMI, but I know (and have been told by Miss Anela) that taking steps to get healthier is the right thing to do and shows I care. She is so good at this.
3. On July 7, I began a summer course for my master's degree, GOVT 582: Contemporary Political Thought. If you think a summer course, going every day for two hours a day is intense, you haven't seen anything until you take a graduate level one. I go home to two hours of reading and study guide questions every single night. That's FOUR HOURS a day! PLUS travel time. I feel like I live and breathe liberalism, communism, feminism and all the -isms you can imagine!
4. Met a cute boy.
5. I am still plugging away at my freelance project with the bank. I have two stories completely finished and I have hired someone to design it for me. I just have to schedule two more interviews and I am done with the easy part. But seriously, I will be excited when I hand over the files and get a big, fat check with my name on it.
6. I am in the process of filling out Financial Aid forms and trying to get a fellowship to help pay for school. Graduate school is expensive! I just came across a mistake NMSU made in my account (I know, shocking, right?). So, I am currently working on getting that fixed so I don't have to pay $600 for a class I never took.
7. Just finished with the last proof of my magazine and it should be on the shelves the first part of August (which is exciting, being that I have been a magazine editor for 10 months and have yet to see an edition of my own).
8. (AND MOST IMPORTANT) The scooter is amazing. I zip around on that thing all day long and I love it! It takes a tad more planning (like changing shoes or being careful what kind of lunch I pack), but all-in-all is so efficient. It makes me stop and think what I can do without on a daily basis and plan my routes a little better. While I have been driving on busy streets (turns out they aren't as bad as I thought), there has only been one time that I was a little scared--on the small stretch on Main Street between El Paseo and Lohman, where it is really narrow and people zip around those corners like race car drivers. That was touch and go, but I drove all the way to Spitz Park on the other side of town for soccer practice.
*One complaint: When you come to a stop light and would like to make a left turn on a "Left Turn on Green Only," don't hold your breath. I sat through THREE light cycles before I finally broke the law and went through on red. Seriously!
*I look damn hot on my scooter.
1. I leave for Denver tomorrow for the Mile High Music Festival with Jessica. I get to see so many of my friends, and I am stoked! Some of my favorite bands will be there: Dave Matthews, O.A.R., Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, The Roots, Tom Petty, Spoon, Lupe Fiasco, and so many more. My REALLY good friends, Jeff and Claudia, just made the move up there and I get to see where they are and tour around Boulder with them on Friday, then out with some of my sorority sisters and Marky Mark on Friday night. A true vacation.
2. This week, I began a body boot camp, taught by my good friend Anela (who, when I am doing push ups and about to vomit--is not such a good friend, lol). But, it feels great being so active and completely beat after getting out of a session. I have to say, it is a little intimidating at first (and completely mortifying) to see how much I weigh and my BMI, but I know (and have been told by Miss Anela) that taking steps to get healthier is the right thing to do and shows I care. She is so good at this.
3. On July 7, I began a summer course for my master's degree, GOVT 582: Contemporary Political Thought. If you think a summer course, going every day for two hours a day is intense, you haven't seen anything until you take a graduate level one. I go home to two hours of reading and study guide questions every single night. That's FOUR HOURS a day! PLUS travel time. I feel like I live and breathe liberalism, communism, feminism and all the -isms you can imagine!
4. Met a cute boy.
5. I am still plugging away at my freelance project with the bank. I have two stories completely finished and I have hired someone to design it for me. I just have to schedule two more interviews and I am done with the easy part. But seriously, I will be excited when I hand over the files and get a big, fat check with my name on it.
6. I am in the process of filling out Financial Aid forms and trying to get a fellowship to help pay for school. Graduate school is expensive! I just came across a mistake NMSU made in my account (I know, shocking, right?). So, I am currently working on getting that fixed so I don't have to pay $600 for a class I never took.
7. Just finished with the last proof of my magazine and it should be on the shelves the first part of August (which is exciting, being that I have been a magazine editor for 10 months and have yet to see an edition of my own).
8. (AND MOST IMPORTANT) The scooter is amazing. I zip around on that thing all day long and I love it! It takes a tad more planning (like changing shoes or being careful what kind of lunch I pack), but all-in-all is so efficient. It makes me stop and think what I can do without on a daily basis and plan my routes a little better. While I have been driving on busy streets (turns out they aren't as bad as I thought), there has only been one time that I was a little scared--on the small stretch on Main Street between El Paseo and Lohman, where it is really narrow and people zip around those corners like race car drivers. That was touch and go, but I drove all the way to Spitz Park on the other side of town for soccer practice.
*One complaint: When you come to a stop light and would like to make a left turn on a "Left Turn on Green Only," don't hold your breath. I sat through THREE light cycles before I finally broke the law and went through on red. Seriously!
*I look damn hot on my scooter.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I can hear the frogs
So, it's beautiful outside. It's pouring, and there is a flash flood watch in effect for Dona Ana County...and I couldn't be happier.
I love the rain! Even when I am driving home on the scooter and the sprinkles are pelting me like little rocks...it's great!
Just thought I would share how much I love gloomy days like this...and it's supposed to last all weekend!
EXCEPT, my soccer game was canceled today. BOO!
I love the rain! Even when I am driving home on the scooter and the sprinkles are pelting me like little rocks...it's great!
Just thought I would share how much I love gloomy days like this...and it's supposed to last all weekend!
EXCEPT, my soccer game was canceled today. BOO!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Dearest
Dearest,
It hasn't always been this way. I haven't always been able to see so clearly, so vividly and without blinders.
The last few times we have talked, it isn't because of the reasons I give, it's because I have been trying to tell you how I feel about you and what I have always been too afraid to say. Back then, I was so afraid that being with you would be like not living...not giving myself the opportunity to truly live, meet other people, live the fairy tale. I never thought I could find the man I love in high school. I didn't think I was ready to settle down or be with someone in that capacity, but if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have been able to let you go like I did.
I treated you the way no one should be treated. You were my safety blanket, the guy that would always be there...then you weren't and it hurt.
So, what I have been wanting to tell you all these times is that I'm sorry for taking you and us for granted. I wish I could go back and take all of those things back and be with you the way it should have been all along. But now you are with someone who you want to marry and I have to accept that and know we can never be what we once were. And that's harder than anything, but I wish you the best. Just know how I feel.
All my love,
Jenna
It hasn't always been this way. I haven't always been able to see so clearly, so vividly and without blinders.
The last few times we have talked, it isn't because of the reasons I give, it's because I have been trying to tell you how I feel about you and what I have always been too afraid to say. Back then, I was so afraid that being with you would be like not living...not giving myself the opportunity to truly live, meet other people, live the fairy tale. I never thought I could find the man I love in high school. I didn't think I was ready to settle down or be with someone in that capacity, but if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have been able to let you go like I did.
I treated you the way no one should be treated. You were my safety blanket, the guy that would always be there...then you weren't and it hurt.
So, what I have been wanting to tell you all these times is that I'm sorry for taking you and us for granted. I wish I could go back and take all of those things back and be with you the way it should have been all along. But now you are with someone who you want to marry and I have to accept that and know we can never be what we once were. And that's harder than anything, but I wish you the best. Just know how I feel.
All my love,
Jenna
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Procrastination Revisted
Hello, my name is Jenna Frosch and I am a procrastinator. I don't know why I do it...and it only gets worse and worse. It's not until the final hour that I truly can get down to business and make sure I am doing what I am supposed to do. So, in light of that, I would like to share a website I have discovered called "Great Moments in Procrastination" where you can upload videos of the things you and your coworkers do to procrastinate...and make it fun. This could be incriminating, but a whole lot of fun.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Change can be bad
I have been craving a change. Not a major one, but change nonetheless.
First, I changed my bedroom. Let me rewind: I have been debating this for a while for several reasons. The first is that I was wanting to Feng Shui the room. In Feng Shui, it says that if you want the universe to bring you into a relationship, you must "prepare" your home. Kind of like you can't have your bed face a mirror because your spirit may wake up and be frightened by itself. For a relationship, you must make your home literally ready for one: creating symmetry in your bedroom by having two nightstands, two lamps, etc. The second reason I wanted a change was for change itself.
So last night I changed it around, did the Feng Shui thing, switched my bed to the only other wall it would fit on, then slept on it to see if it worked. The thing is, I hated it. I couldn't watch TV from bed or reach the light and the opposite wall looked funny. So, when I got home from work, I changed it back. What a waste.
Second, I changed my hair, which I am posting a picture of. I don't like it. I look like a fake. Like someone who is a natural brunette is trying to be a blonde and I do mean I look like a poser. My eyes don't pop anymore. And all I wanted was to go back to blonde RIGHT NOW. Apparently I might actually be a brunette.
So maybe change is a bad thing. Who knows? As long as I don't do anything drastic, I am sure I can handle it. Or, I could just go back to my rut.
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Memory
I see him in street signs.
I see him in the house I pass on the way to a friend's house.
I see him in the red truck that makes me look twice.
I see him in the movie we saw together so many years ago.
I see him everywhere: in my dreams, especially there.
I haven't been able to get him off my mind lately. Unfinished business--that's what a friend calls it. Business that ended badly, but now I can't seem to remember why. I only remember the good and now it's too late.
I see him in the house I pass on the way to a friend's house.
I see him in the red truck that makes me look twice.
I see him in the movie we saw together so many years ago.
I see him everywhere: in my dreams, especially there.
I haven't been able to get him off my mind lately. Unfinished business--that's what a friend calls it. Business that ended badly, but now I can't seem to remember why. I only remember the good and now it's too late.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I need help.
To stimulate or not to stimulate...that is the question.
As I sit down to type this, I look over to my direct left and see quite a sight. It's my $600 stimulus check that came in the mail today. Now, at first I thought I would save it. You know, be responsible. But now, I am not sure what to do.
Do I go ahead and listen to the government and SPEND IT to STIMULATE the economy? OR should I be smart and save it? OR should I pay for my summer class with it? OR should I buy the KILLER cute purse that I want?
Help me, readers. I need help.
As I sit down to type this, I look over to my direct left and see quite a sight. It's my $600 stimulus check that came in the mail today. Now, at first I thought I would save it. You know, be responsible. But now, I am not sure what to do.
Do I go ahead and listen to the government and SPEND IT to STIMULATE the economy? OR should I be smart and save it? OR should I pay for my summer class with it? OR should I buy the KILLER cute purse that I want?
Help me, readers. I need help.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
28 Days
I have been told it takes 28 days to form a habit and today was Day One for me.
I woke up at 6 a.m. and enjoyed a nice two-and-a-half-mile run/walk with my good friend, Anela. We are both trying to form a habit by getting up early in the morning and going to bed early at night, which will be a challenge for me. Generally, I stay up late in order to prolong the thought of having to get up to go to work, but starting today, that has to be a thing of the past.
I will be training for the July 12 Bastille Day 5K Run at Zin Valle Vineyards. It's time I get back into training and the feeling of accomplishment that goes with that.
I woke up at 6 a.m. and enjoyed a nice two-and-a-half-mile run/walk with my good friend, Anela. We are both trying to form a habit by getting up early in the morning and going to bed early at night, which will be a challenge for me. Generally, I stay up late in order to prolong the thought of having to get up to go to work, but starting today, that has to be a thing of the past.
I will be training for the July 12 Bastille Day 5K Run at Zin Valle Vineyards. It's time I get back into training and the feeling of accomplishment that goes with that.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Charming, But Single.
I don't think I have spoken at much length about my new favorite blog: Charming, But Single. Now, before any of you read it, know that this girl (who is from the South) and I may be the same person. Some of my favorite posts include anything in the section "Wheat Thins and Wine" or the one entitled "Someday...right?"
Her most recent post is priceless and I just relate to her. Check it out, let me know what you think:
"I’m much too smart to be in this place. I’ve heard the Girl Power self esteem lectures. Be yourself. Respect your body. Don’t let men walk all over you. Be strong. Don’t compromise who you are. Look to the beauty in your soul. Ask for what you want. Embrace your independence. Stand on your own two feet. Celebrate your best qualities. The right person will love you because of your flaws, not in spite of them. You don’t need a man to be happy. Speak up. Walk confidently in the direction of your dreams. Head up, shoulders back. Anything you can do, I can do better. Draw on your inner confidence. Well behaved women rarely make history.
Yes, I know all of these things and more.
And yet … here I am."
Her most recent post is priceless and I just relate to her. Check it out, let me know what you think:
"I’m much too smart to be in this place. I’ve heard the Girl Power self esteem lectures. Be yourself. Respect your body. Don’t let men walk all over you. Be strong. Don’t compromise who you are. Look to the beauty in your soul. Ask for what you want. Embrace your independence. Stand on your own two feet. Celebrate your best qualities. The right person will love you because of your flaws, not in spite of them. You don’t need a man to be happy. Speak up. Walk confidently in the direction of your dreams. Head up, shoulders back. Anything you can do, I can do better. Draw on your inner confidence. Well behaved women rarely make history.
Yes, I know all of these things and more.
And yet … here I am."
Friday, May 16, 2008
In your 20s...
Here is an excerpt from "Grey Matter," a blog about Grey's Anatomy. This sums up my life. Only I don't have the career OR the man. LOL. Enjoy!
"I went to see my first therapist in my twenties. She was this nice woman on the Upper East Side of Manhattan who told me, when I started whining about my lack of career, that most people she sees in their twenties are either good at career or good at love. Not both. And it makes sense, both things compete for your attention. You want to spend time with your boyfriend but your boss asks if you can do some overtime. How to negotiate both successfully is hard. And I think when my therapist said it, she was trying to make me feel better, sort of like, "Yeah, you have no career but at least your boyfriend sounds very nice." But it didn't make me feel better. It made me feel competitive. Because when I said, "Really? You never see people with a good career AND a good relationship?", she said, "only a few." Only a few. That's all I could think about after the session. Who were these FEW and how could I become one of THEM? It was a subtle shift in my thinking, but I began to think less about my problems and more about how to fix them. I started to imagine the new me in my head - she was a woman of action! She didn't sit around all day waiting for things to happen! She made them happen!"
"I went to see my first therapist in my twenties. She was this nice woman on the Upper East Side of Manhattan who told me, when I started whining about my lack of career, that most people she sees in their twenties are either good at career or good at love. Not both. And it makes sense, both things compete for your attention. You want to spend time with your boyfriend but your boss asks if you can do some overtime. How to negotiate both successfully is hard. And I think when my therapist said it, she was trying to make me feel better, sort of like, "Yeah, you have no career but at least your boyfriend sounds very nice." But it didn't make me feel better. It made me feel competitive. Because when I said, "Really? You never see people with a good career AND a good relationship?", she said, "only a few." Only a few. That's all I could think about after the session. Who were these FEW and how could I become one of THEM? It was a subtle shift in my thinking, but I began to think less about my problems and more about how to fix them. I started to imagine the new me in my head - she was a woman of action! She didn't sit around all day waiting for things to happen! She made them happen!"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Movie Reviews
I could never be someone who reviews movies. For one, I am a sucker for a happy ending. Case in point: Every movie I own is a happy ending, with the exception that "Love Actually" doesn't actually end happily for the guy with the giant posters...you know the one: "To me, you are perfect."
For two, I hate scary movies. I mean, how could I possibly be unbiased without having seen "Silence of the Lambs" or "The Shining"? Impossible.
Tonight I saw "Made of Honor" and it was so cute! I just love McDreamy, so McDreamy plus a good romantic comedy is pure gold to me. I recommend it.
Anywho...I thought I would make a Top 10 list for my favorite movies of all time. Don't pass judgment (I am a hopeless romantic):
10. Someone Like You--People don't like this movie, but the ultimate fight between Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman goes a little something like this: "Good night, you psycho" "Good night, you neophiliac!"
9. Thank You for Smoking--Smart ass movie about politics and lobbying...what more could you possibly want?
8. Juno--I think the soundtrack is enough to get anyone to smile...but this is a laugh-a-minute comedy that turns into a tear-jerker in a matter of minutes.
7. Under the Tuscan Sun--It gives me hope for my future in Italy.
6. Something New--The ultimately wonderful movie...although I always question the mariachi uniform at the end. Watch it...you will wonder too.
5. The American President--How can you honestly dislike a movie that gives you a lesson in government AND has a happy ending?
4. Pride & Prejudice--*sigh. One of the most romantic movies of all time.
3. The Thomas Crown Affair--While my ex-roommate stole this one THAT I BOUGHT, this movie is CLASSIC.
2. Love and Basketball--While this movie reminds me of my ex-boyfriend, the movie is great. It spans a lifetime of love.
1. 10 Things I Hate About You--I know every word to this movie...and how can you NOT love a movie where there is such witty writing as "Where do you come from, Planet Loser?" "As opposed to Planet 'Look at me, Look at me'"?
For two, I hate scary movies. I mean, how could I possibly be unbiased without having seen "Silence of the Lambs" or "The Shining"? Impossible.
Tonight I saw "Made of Honor" and it was so cute! I just love McDreamy, so McDreamy plus a good romantic comedy is pure gold to me. I recommend it.
Anywho...I thought I would make a Top 10 list for my favorite movies of all time. Don't pass judgment (I am a hopeless romantic):
10. Someone Like You--People don't like this movie, but the ultimate fight between Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman goes a little something like this: "Good night, you psycho" "Good night, you neophiliac!"
9. Thank You for Smoking--Smart ass movie about politics and lobbying...what more could you possibly want?
8. Juno--I think the soundtrack is enough to get anyone to smile...but this is a laugh-a-minute comedy that turns into a tear-jerker in a matter of minutes.
7. Under the Tuscan Sun--It gives me hope for my future in Italy.
6. Something New--The ultimately wonderful movie...although I always question the mariachi uniform at the end. Watch it...you will wonder too.
5. The American President--How can you honestly dislike a movie that gives you a lesson in government AND has a happy ending?
4. Pride & Prejudice--*sigh. One of the most romantic movies of all time.
3. The Thomas Crown Affair--While my ex-roommate stole this one THAT I BOUGHT, this movie is CLASSIC.
2. Love and Basketball--While this movie reminds me of my ex-boyfriend, the movie is great. It spans a lifetime of love.
1. 10 Things I Hate About You--I know every word to this movie...and how can you NOT love a movie where there is such witty writing as "Where do you come from, Planet Loser?" "As opposed to Planet 'Look at me, Look at me'"?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A Rant.
Brace Yourself.
I hate health insurance. There. I said it. There is no point to it.
Background: Two Fridays ago, my neck started hurting. I don't know what caused it, but I suspect it was just from sitting at my desk all week, staring at the computer screen. It was sort of a dull, annoying ache that didn't automatically send warning signs to my brain, so I ignored it. Saturday it still ached, but I went on with my usual day. Sunday it got a little worse, and I kept telling my parents how bad it hurt. I would just start rubbing it to see what was wrong, and it would feel better for a while and start aching again. At this point, I couldn't turn my head all the way to the side, so I would have to turn my whole body to see something.
Sunday night, I put Icy Hot on it, which made it feel immensely better (sometimes I want to bathe in that stuff). Monday it felt like it was finally feeling normal.
Then Tuesday 4 a.m. happened. I tossed and turned, but no matter how I laid my head, my neck pain woke me up. I was in tears Tuesday morning when I got to work. I called a chiropractor, made an appointment for an hour later, paid my $40 co-pay, and saw the doctor. He put me through electro-shock muscle therapy, a therapeutic ultrasound, traction, X-rays and finally, an attempted adjustment. However, my neck was too tight to do one and he asked me to come back the next day.
All day after my appointment, my neck was even more sore. I still couldn't turn it or move it very well, but I was anxious to go back to have my neck adjusted and read the X-rays.
Wednesday morning, I get to the doctor's office and the woman at the front desk tells me I need to make a payment toward a $750 deductible. I almost shit myself. I was like "What?!?!" and she didn't do a great job of explaining what the hell was going on with the payments I was making. I was under the impression that if I saw a specialist, my insurance would cover it. It's necessary. So I basically had tears running down my cheek as I called my mom to have her explain how my insurance works. The $750 deductible has to be paid before the insurance company even touches your claim. When you pay that, you have $3500 per year to make doctors visits, but as soon as that is done, you have to pay it on your own. And even after that $750 is paid, there is still your responsibility to pay 20 percent of the cost of the visit. Or so I understood.
I was called in to the doctor and they started to do all the things we did the day before, but I finally told them I just wanted to be adjusted. So he came in the exam room and popped my back and finally was able to give me a little relief in my neck. Then, he proceeded to show me my X-rays and explained to me that instead of a "C" shape to my neck, it was straight up and down, which is what was causing my pain. He pointed out a joint that was slightly smaller than the rest and said for some reason, that joint is getting more wear and tear than the others and he wanted to fix it. Going back to the exam room, he told me he wanted to start treatment right away, and I told him I couldn't until I knew for sure that my insurance would cover it.
He then called in a woman that couldn't have been much older than me to tell me he wanted to see me 12 more times in the next month. She told me that I could make any payment possible toward the cost of the exams and suggested I pay $60 a visit. The normal visit, she said, was $150. So, they wanted me to come three times a week at $60 per visit, which is a bit more than I can even PAY PER MONTH! So, essentially, I had to tell the insurance woman and the doctor that I couldn't come back for any more treatments.
Now (as of today), the other side of my neck is aching in about the same way, but because I can't afford to seek treatment, Icy Hot is my new friend. Damn. It doesn't make sense to have insurance when none of it is covered anyway. Should have voted for Hillary.
I hate health insurance. There. I said it. There is no point to it.
Background: Two Fridays ago, my neck started hurting. I don't know what caused it, but I suspect it was just from sitting at my desk all week, staring at the computer screen. It was sort of a dull, annoying ache that didn't automatically send warning signs to my brain, so I ignored it. Saturday it still ached, but I went on with my usual day. Sunday it got a little worse, and I kept telling my parents how bad it hurt. I would just start rubbing it to see what was wrong, and it would feel better for a while and start aching again. At this point, I couldn't turn my head all the way to the side, so I would have to turn my whole body to see something.
Sunday night, I put Icy Hot on it, which made it feel immensely better (sometimes I want to bathe in that stuff). Monday it felt like it was finally feeling normal.
Then Tuesday 4 a.m. happened. I tossed and turned, but no matter how I laid my head, my neck pain woke me up. I was in tears Tuesday morning when I got to work. I called a chiropractor, made an appointment for an hour later, paid my $40 co-pay, and saw the doctor. He put me through electro-shock muscle therapy, a therapeutic ultrasound, traction, X-rays and finally, an attempted adjustment. However, my neck was too tight to do one and he asked me to come back the next day.
All day after my appointment, my neck was even more sore. I still couldn't turn it or move it very well, but I was anxious to go back to have my neck adjusted and read the X-rays.
Wednesday morning, I get to the doctor's office and the woman at the front desk tells me I need to make a payment toward a $750 deductible. I almost shit myself. I was like "What?!?!" and she didn't do a great job of explaining what the hell was going on with the payments I was making. I was under the impression that if I saw a specialist, my insurance would cover it. It's necessary. So I basically had tears running down my cheek as I called my mom to have her explain how my insurance works. The $750 deductible has to be paid before the insurance company even touches your claim. When you pay that, you have $3500 per year to make doctors visits, but as soon as that is done, you have to pay it on your own. And even after that $750 is paid, there is still your responsibility to pay 20 percent of the cost of the visit. Or so I understood.
I was called in to the doctor and they started to do all the things we did the day before, but I finally told them I just wanted to be adjusted. So he came in the exam room and popped my back and finally was able to give me a little relief in my neck. Then, he proceeded to show me my X-rays and explained to me that instead of a "C" shape to my neck, it was straight up and down, which is what was causing my pain. He pointed out a joint that was slightly smaller than the rest and said for some reason, that joint is getting more wear and tear than the others and he wanted to fix it. Going back to the exam room, he told me he wanted to start treatment right away, and I told him I couldn't until I knew for sure that my insurance would cover it.
He then called in a woman that couldn't have been much older than me to tell me he wanted to see me 12 more times in the next month. She told me that I could make any payment possible toward the cost of the exams and suggested I pay $60 a visit. The normal visit, she said, was $150. So, they wanted me to come three times a week at $60 per visit, which is a bit more than I can even PAY PER MONTH! So, essentially, I had to tell the insurance woman and the doctor that I couldn't come back for any more treatments.
Now (as of today), the other side of my neck is aching in about the same way, but because I can't afford to seek treatment, Icy Hot is my new friend. Damn. It doesn't make sense to have insurance when none of it is covered anyway. Should have voted for Hillary.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Member of "The Club"
I am buying a Vespa. Yes. Don't be jealous. I am stoked about it. And while it will cost me a lot to buy it, I will be making it up in no time because of the cost of gas and the absolutely no relief we will see.
So, please, read this post and remember this is a great, great thing for me.
http://unclutterer.com/2008/05/02/scooter-your-way-to-clutter-free-transportation/
So, please, read this post and remember this is a great, great thing for me.
http://unclutterer.com/2008/05/02/scooter-your-way-to-clutter-free-transportation/
Thursday, May 1, 2008
You give me fever.
We drove and drove and drove. Into the middle of nowhere, we drove. But he kept us going. The thought of getting to see Michael Buble in concert for the second time kept us going to the Santa Ana Star Center in BFE.
He was phenomenal. There is simply nothing to say that will capture the utter amazing-ness of this man. The entertainment factor was through the roof. Never a dull moment at one of his performances. From him challenging his bouncer to "catch me" as he leaped off the stage and ran as fast as he could to the back of the room, to calling one of his bandmates his "bitch," there was never a dull moment.
My favorite performance was him and the piano, singing "You Were Always on my Mind" and jokingly teasing someone who screamed "I love you, Michael" in the middle of the ballad.
I truly knew he was special when, before the last song in his encore, he turned to the audience and sincerely thanked all of us for coming to the performance, paying the money in "hard times." He said we were the reason he does this. He showed a very emotional side to him in this that I respected greatly.
Truly a wonderful performance. I highly recommend it.
P.S. We had third row seats, but the woman sitting next to us has been to more than 50 performances and told us when Michael was going to call people up to come up to the front. I pulled a Heisman through the crowd to get the position you see in the pictures.....front and center to the man that would be my husband.
Friday, April 11, 2008
They do exist.
Background: I am sitting here at my desk, working on a project, when I get an e-mail forward from my good friend. It is an e-mail from her boyfriend in a strange format, outlining his love for her, the events of his day and a bunch of sweet little sayings about how much he loves her blah, blah, blah. This was her introduction: "I don't know if you'll find this any where near as entertaining as I did, but this email was AWESOME and completely made my day and I feel the need to share it." This is our conversation after I finished reading it:
Me: I just vomited a little in my mouth.
Thank for sending me deeper into the depression I call "singledom."
Jessica: It wasn't even sappy!
Me: Ugh.
Jessica: It was funny, not sappy!
Me: It was cute.
But still sappy.
Apparently you have officially reached the threshold of completely missing the sappy-ness of anything.
Jessica: Lol. damn. that kinda sucks. or is maybe a good thing
I just thought it was funny the way he structured it.
If i send you anything again I'll be sure to delete any and all sappiness.
Me: You don't have to cut out the sappiness...it gives me hope that men like that exist.
Jessica: They do! They do!
Me: I just vomited a little in my mouth.
Thank for sending me deeper into the depression I call "singledom."
Jessica: It wasn't even sappy!
Me: Ugh.
Jessica: It was funny, not sappy!
Me: It was cute.
But still sappy.
Apparently you have officially reached the threshold of completely missing the sappy-ness of anything.
Jessica: Lol. damn. that kinda sucks. or is maybe a good thing
I just thought it was funny the way he structured it.
If i send you anything again I'll be sure to delete any and all sappiness.
Me: You don't have to cut out the sappiness...it gives me hope that men like that exist.
Jessica: They do! They do!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Quote of the Day
"I have a tendency to live only in extremes. I am at once terribly motivated or downright apathetic, bursting with joy or flattened by despair, hysterically hopeful or ridiculously cynical."
--Taken from "Charming But Single"
Me. In a nutshell. LOOK! It's me in a nutshell!
--Taken from "Charming But Single"
Me. In a nutshell. LOOK! It's me in a nutshell!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Single-ness
As I sit here, enjoying a CRAZY episode of Law & Order: Sexual Victims Unit, I wonder to myself--where is Detective Elliott Stabler? THE eye candy of the show?
But really, it is days like today that I am grateful to be single. No one waiting for me at home to cook them dinner or comfort them after a long, hard day. Just me, playing soccer for as long as I please...getting home and chatting on the phone for 30 minutes before actually getting up off my porch to grab one of those tuna lunches to-go (you know, the ones that have the do-it-yourself tuna salad and crackers). Who can do that with a significant other waiting to be fed or coddled?
The networks are beginning to roll out their "ALL NEW" episodes in the next couple weeks, which is exciting...I watched my first of those last night. Samantha Who? is one of the shows that I follow (along with only a few others). The show is hilarious! I recommend it.
I am too distracted to finish. I love being single (for once).
But really, it is days like today that I am grateful to be single. No one waiting for me at home to cook them dinner or comfort them after a long, hard day. Just me, playing soccer for as long as I please...getting home and chatting on the phone for 30 minutes before actually getting up off my porch to grab one of those tuna lunches to-go (you know, the ones that have the do-it-yourself tuna salad and crackers). Who can do that with a significant other waiting to be fed or coddled?
The networks are beginning to roll out their "ALL NEW" episodes in the next couple weeks, which is exciting...I watched my first of those last night. Samantha Who? is one of the shows that I follow (along with only a few others). The show is hilarious! I recommend it.
I am too distracted to finish. I love being single (for once).
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Birthday Week
Best. Birthday. Week. Ever. It's like Hanukah. Eight days of fun.
Day One: Dinner at Adobe Deli with my closest and best friends and my wonderful family. Then, a short trip back to Las Cruces, tequila at Jeff's house and a night of debauchery with the crazy ones. It ended a little roughly, but overall, the night was extremely successful.
Day Two: Sunday matinee--The Other Boelyn Girl--Totally depressing, but well acted.
Day Three: Work (not-so-birthday-ish)
Day Four: Soccer practice (umm....again....not-so-birthday-ish)
Day Five: My ACTUAL birthday...lunch at St. Clair Bistro with Joe, Jeff, Anela, Bre, Char and Jesse. Char even brought candles for the not-so-yummy bread pudding. Then, dinner with Pam, Ian and Jono at Andele's. Mmmmm.... And a night with Grey's Anatomy completed the day.
Day Six: My parents are sneaky and sent these flowers the day AFTER my birthday. They totally jumped on the birthday week wagon.
Day Seven: Happy Hour at Eddie's.
I love the celebration of my birthday...and this one hands down felt like the best so far. I have a feeling 24 will be a great year.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Attracted to the WRONG people
Maybe it’s a fear of actually being in a relationship. Maybe it’s just a precaution to keep me from getting hurt or having to be “too close” to another person. Maybe deep down I can’t see myself spending every waking minute with someone…or finding someone who I actually want to do that with. Maybe it’s all of these things, but I have come to the conclusion that I am attracted to emotionally unavailable men.
Not just attracted…I actually ONLY like this kind of fools.
I don’t like the ones who are constantly trying to “prove” their infatuation with me. That is not attractive. I don’t like the guy who shows up to the bar alone on my birthday, and informs all of my friends that he can’t live without me, is crazy about me, etc. That’s not attractive! Neither is the obscene sense of humor he portrays.*
BUT, show me a guy who has been recently hurt, slinking away, licking his wounds, but still open to a fling void of emotional attachment, and just tell me where to show up and be figuratively punched in the stomach.
*True Story: This guy shows up for my birthday celebration and professes that he has a birthday present for me. I am intrigued (and at this point, a little buzzed) and he pulls me aside. What he does next is straight out of a “what not to do while trying to impress a girl” guide to idiotic behavior. He pulls out a gold-wrapped condom and looks at me like this is the proudest moment of his life. It was all I could do not to haul back and hit him across the face. I don’t even LIKE the guy. And who seriously thinks that will impress me? Clearly he is one of those guys who genuinely think he is being cute while being completely inappropriate in a public place. Not okay. And seriously….I will never call or talk to him again.
Not just attracted…I actually ONLY like this kind of fools.
I don’t like the ones who are constantly trying to “prove” their infatuation with me. That is not attractive. I don’t like the guy who shows up to the bar alone on my birthday, and informs all of my friends that he can’t live without me, is crazy about me, etc. That’s not attractive! Neither is the obscene sense of humor he portrays.*
BUT, show me a guy who has been recently hurt, slinking away, licking his wounds, but still open to a fling void of emotional attachment, and just tell me where to show up and be figuratively punched in the stomach.
*True Story: This guy shows up for my birthday celebration and professes that he has a birthday present for me. I am intrigued (and at this point, a little buzzed) and he pulls me aside. What he does next is straight out of a “what not to do while trying to impress a girl” guide to idiotic behavior. He pulls out a gold-wrapped condom and looks at me like this is the proudest moment of his life. It was all I could do not to haul back and hit him across the face. I don’t even LIKE the guy. And who seriously thinks that will impress me? Clearly he is one of those guys who genuinely think he is being cute while being completely inappropriate in a public place. Not okay. And seriously….I will never call or talk to him again.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
I Dream in Precious Stones
There are two things that help keep my single life that much less pathetic. One is having the option of watching Grey's Anatomy from start to finish and the other is playing Bejeweled online. Why I didn't discover this sooner is beyond me...but I did notice that after playing for about 10 minutes before I went to bed last night, all I could dream about was playing bejeweled and beating my high score.
More to come on this blog later...
More to come on this blog later...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Bettering yourself is too expensive
I write this blog as I try to search for ways to pay for my graduate education without actually 1) working; 2) having to take out a loan; or 3) become a "working girl" (if you know what I mean). I have searched high and low for scholarships and grants to pay for my extended education, but I just don't understand how I have come up blank.
First of all, I am not becoming a teacher, so that leaves out about 25 percent of the money available. Second, I am not going to school for any sort of medical field specialty, which makes up about 50 percent of all the money available. And finally, the other option involves being a minority and "need-based" (of which, if you can't tell, I am neither...except maybe "need-based" but I "need" those shoes, right?).
So anyway, if anyone has any ideas as to how I can find some free money without killing myself to get it, I would appreciate it. Until then, I will just have to continue selling myself on the corner of Main and Picacho. Call me.
First of all, I am not becoming a teacher, so that leaves out about 25 percent of the money available. Second, I am not going to school for any sort of medical field specialty, which makes up about 50 percent of all the money available. And finally, the other option involves being a minority and "need-based" (of which, if you can't tell, I am neither...except maybe "need-based" but I "need" those shoes, right?).
So anyway, if anyone has any ideas as to how I can find some free money without killing myself to get it, I would appreciate it. Until then, I will just have to continue selling myself on the corner of Main and Picacho. Call me.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
I will not shop at Wal-Mart anymore.
Friends & Family--
Please read this article from CNN Online and take it to heart. This is one of those stories than can change your lifestyle....and I will no longer be shopping at Wal-Mart. Consider it for yourself, as well.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/25/walmart.insurance.battle/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Please read this article from CNN Online and take it to heart. This is one of those stories than can change your lifestyle....and I will no longer be shopping at Wal-Mart. Consider it for yourself, as well.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/25/walmart.insurance.battle/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Reason I Don't Blog
Hello to all two of my faithful readers: I suck at blogging. I know you've noticed. I am awful. When it comes to the choice between blogging and re-watching Grey's Anatomy (all three seasons), I will pick McDreamy, McSteamy and McVet any day of the week. And I sincerely apologize for this blatant disregard for your desire to read my wonderful and fulfilling writing about pudding cups.
But, today, I will give you a little taste of my favorite blogs. For reference, I love home organization. Love it. I don't do it, but I love it. Truly. I just bought a subscription to Real Simple magazine so I can have that little something "extra" in my life telling me to get my ass in gear and unclutter my life.
In addition, some of my other addictions include the following sites that give you great ideas on how to simplify your life and discontinue your need to acquire STUFF:
Unclutterer
http://unclutterer.com/
Check out the posts in "Decluttering" and "Home Organization." They make me so excited, I could scream. It's like a justification for my anal retentive nature...just what I need!
Simply Stated
http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/index.html
There are not as many things that apply to me, but I love, love, LOVE the magazine and this just adds to the love, allowing me the ability to read it all month long even if my magazine won't be arriving for another couple weeks.
But, today, I will give you a little taste of my favorite blogs. For reference, I love home organization. Love it. I don't do it, but I love it. Truly. I just bought a subscription to Real Simple magazine so I can have that little something "extra" in my life telling me to get my ass in gear and unclutter my life.
In addition, some of my other addictions include the following sites that give you great ideas on how to simplify your life and discontinue your need to acquire STUFF:
Unclutterer
http://unclutterer.com/
Check out the posts in "Decluttering" and "Home Organization." They make me so excited, I could scream. It's like a justification for my anal retentive nature...just what I need!
Simply Stated
http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/index.html
There are not as many things that apply to me, but I love, love, LOVE the magazine and this just adds to the love, allowing me the ability to read it all month long even if my magazine won't be arriving for another couple weeks.
Monday, March 17, 2008
J-E-L-L-Oooo....
I just wanted to give a little shout out to my new favorite snack: A fat-free Jell-o pudding cup in chocolate-vanilla. When I am eating it, I feel like a kid again...and it's only 60 calories! Chocolate-y goodness...in a single serving.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
On my mind...
I promised Jess I would use my plans-less weekend to blog AT LEAST once...so here goes, Jess...just a few things that have been on my mind this week that I haven't had time to blog about.
1. Food Costs
This sounds pathetic, but I don't usually cook for myself...and if I do, it's to the extent that I make a grilled cheese or try my hand at mixing up some Hamburger Helper. I know, I know....how will I ever find a husband if I can't mix flour and eggs together? I don't care. BUT, I do live off of Lean Cuisine. Don't judge me, please. They are delicious and only FIVE Weight Watchers points. Well, I went to the grocery store on Thursday night because I am literally out of EVERYTHING. I needed something to eat for lunch Friday and get me through the weekend. I approached my favorite aisle...the frozen entrees section....and lo and behold, the Lean Cuisines have gone up in price by 75 CENTS! Yes! What am I going to do?
2. Cost of Gas
I resent the fact that my Lean Cuisines now cost MORE than a gallon of gas...but not for long. Please, please....SAVE OUR ECONOMY. I can't afford my life anymore.
3. Student Loan Check
I got mine for this semester. And I plan on PAYING OFF my credit card, which is probably the smartest thing I can do at this point, because it is eating me alive. I am excited to move toward paying off my debts, which was a New Year's Resolution of mine. :o)
4. My Magazine
Is supposed to be on its way to the printer in Denver. My first publication on my own...and I am so proud of the way it turned out. I can't wait for my friends and family to see it in print. It will be a proud moment of mine.
5. Hot as Hell
I am NOT ready for the summer, and the weather today told me I best start working on my tan....because before too long, I will be SOL and see-through compared to most of the girls running around campus. If only I had another trip to Hawaii planned this summer to give me a chance to lay on the beach and soak up some sun. Maybe I will have to work on that. :o)
Well, that's all. I am sure I will have something more profound in the coming days.
1. Food Costs
This sounds pathetic, but I don't usually cook for myself...and if I do, it's to the extent that I make a grilled cheese or try my hand at mixing up some Hamburger Helper. I know, I know....how will I ever find a husband if I can't mix flour and eggs together? I don't care. BUT, I do live off of Lean Cuisine. Don't judge me, please. They are delicious and only FIVE Weight Watchers points. Well, I went to the grocery store on Thursday night because I am literally out of EVERYTHING. I needed something to eat for lunch Friday and get me through the weekend. I approached my favorite aisle...the frozen entrees section....and lo and behold, the Lean Cuisines have gone up in price by 75 CENTS! Yes! What am I going to do?
2. Cost of Gas
I resent the fact that my Lean Cuisines now cost MORE than a gallon of gas...but not for long. Please, please....SAVE OUR ECONOMY. I can't afford my life anymore.
3. Student Loan Check
I got mine for this semester. And I plan on PAYING OFF my credit card, which is probably the smartest thing I can do at this point, because it is eating me alive. I am excited to move toward paying off my debts, which was a New Year's Resolution of mine. :o)
4. My Magazine
Is supposed to be on its way to the printer in Denver. My first publication on my own...and I am so proud of the way it turned out. I can't wait for my friends and family to see it in print. It will be a proud moment of mine.
5. Hot as Hell
I am NOT ready for the summer, and the weather today told me I best start working on my tan....because before too long, I will be SOL and see-through compared to most of the girls running around campus. If only I had another trip to Hawaii planned this summer to give me a chance to lay on the beach and soak up some sun. Maybe I will have to work on that. :o)
Well, that's all. I am sure I will have something more profound in the coming days.
Friday, February 22, 2008
because we love what we do
Google chat conversation:
me: Jess!
How's life?
Jessica: whew. busy. SO busy.
me: No problem. I will talk to you later, then!
Jessica: not only do i have work, but i told my cousin i'd proof a project he's working on, so I have 70 pages of educational stuff to read by tomorrow!
nah. it's good
i'm searching the web for "Wellies" or rain boots
me: Oh....I am at 49.5 hours this week.AND I have to come in this weekend
Jessica: same here
me: Magazines are insane
Jessica: well...i'll be working, just not going into the office.
me: Yeah, me, too,
Jessica: agreed. goodness. what did we get ourselves into?!
me: Who knows? But it doesn't pay well.
Jessica: lol i know! wow. that means we actually do it because we love it. go figure
me: I know.
I am totally blogging this conversation.
Jessica: hahaha right on
I guess she is right. We really DO love what we do...otherwise we wouldn't spend our Thursday night in back-to-back photo shoots after working a full eight-hour day. And we wouldn't be still working on into a 50-hour work week. The magazine industry is fabulous.
me: Jess!
How's life?
Jessica: whew. busy. SO busy.
me: No problem. I will talk to you later, then!
Jessica: not only do i have work, but i told my cousin i'd proof a project he's working on, so I have 70 pages of educational stuff to read by tomorrow!
nah. it's good
i'm searching the web for "Wellies" or rain boots
me: Oh....I am at 49.5 hours this week.AND I have to come in this weekend
Jessica: same here
me: Magazines are insane
Jessica: well...i'll be working, just not going into the office.
me: Yeah, me, too,
Jessica: agreed. goodness. what did we get ourselves into?!
me: Who knows? But it doesn't pay well.
Jessica: lol i know! wow. that means we actually do it because we love it. go figure
me: I know.
I am totally blogging this conversation.
Jessica: hahaha right on
I guess she is right. We really DO love what we do...otherwise we wouldn't spend our Thursday night in back-to-back photo shoots after working a full eight-hour day. And we wouldn't be still working on into a 50-hour work week. The magazine industry is fabulous.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The End of an Era
This brings it home. The Brew is no longer.
And to steal the words from a movie, "You've Got Mail," it's probably going to become something really depressing, like a Baby Gap. Or a Pic Quik.
*Moment of Silence
Goodbye, good friend. Goodbye.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
On Living Alone
On the phone tonight:
"Enjoy your night alone," I said.
"Thanks a lot."
"No, really. I meant enjoy having time to yourself."
"You like being alone, don't you?"
"Sure, but I don't know any different. I've never lived with a guy before. Only my brother, but he doesn't count."
It's true. I love living alone. Making my own messes, leaving things out, kicking off my shoes at the door and not caring whether there is a pile of clothes on the floor. The messes are my own, the space is my own and the remote is all mine.
How do people compromise when they move in together? Do they say you choose one thing for the living room and I will choose one thing for the bedroom? Who knows? I don't want anything to do with it. :o) Give me my messes...I won't compromise on that.
This post turned out to me much more boring than I meant it. :) Oh, well.
"Enjoy your night alone," I said.
"Thanks a lot."
"No, really. I meant enjoy having time to yourself."
"You like being alone, don't you?"
"Sure, but I don't know any different. I've never lived with a guy before. Only my brother, but he doesn't count."
It's true. I love living alone. Making my own messes, leaving things out, kicking off my shoes at the door and not caring whether there is a pile of clothes on the floor. The messes are my own, the space is my own and the remote is all mine.
How do people compromise when they move in together? Do they say you choose one thing for the living room and I will choose one thing for the bedroom? Who knows? I don't want anything to do with it. :o) Give me my messes...I won't compromise on that.
This post turned out to me much more boring than I meant it. :) Oh, well.
Monday, February 11, 2008
I resolve to love Valentine's Day
I have fielded questions from a few of my friends, "What should I get [insert significant other's name here] for Valentine's Day?" "Take a look at this." "Should I get him four cookies or seven?" "Let me read you this card I got him."
Enough.
You know, I don't dislike Valentine's Day in any way, shape or form. I have been blessed with Valentine's for about four of my 24 years and I am thankful for that. In fact, I think Valentine's Day is kind of stupid....and not in the "made up by the chocolate companies" or "I hate men" kind of ways, but in the "why do I need a day that forces me to tell the people I love just how much I love them?...and do it with a box of chocolates bigger than my head" kind of way.
Not that I don't love helping my "luckily paired up" friends figure out what to get their significant others, but I don't like being reminded of the fact that I won't be receiving one of those over-the-top and completely embarrassing tokens of affection this year.
In the end, I resolve to love Valentine's Day this year...for the sheer joy I will receive when I get to hear my friends complain about the lame gifts they received or the fact that their boyfriends/girlfriends completely forgot. Plus, Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday, my soccer league's game night so I will love being able to kick the crap out of unsuspecting women who get in my way. Happy friggin' Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
For God's Sake: NEVER BUY A JETTA
For those of you that know me, my car serves as an endless string of headaches for me, my brother and my parents and tonight, it was a migraine.
I was hurrying up with a TON of errands I needed to do after work: change into soccer-playing clothes for practice, pick up/drop off dry cleaning, fix my broken tail light and buy new black pumps (my heel broke off...long story, another post). Then, I was off to drop off some paperwork at the Pi Beta Phi house. When I jumped back on my car ready to speed off to soccer practice, it came as a huge and rather annoying surprise to find that my car would not come out of park. Mind you, this has happened to me before, so despite my calm curses, I started and restarted the engine to see if I could get it to work. Then, I panicked and called my dad.
Thank God for dad and the crank flashlight he gave me in my stocking last year. He talked me through how he had fixed my brother's Jetta last time when it did the same thing, but no such luck. And because I am a stupid girl, my brother's roommate, Isaac, came to my rescue and tried to fix it as well. Turns out we aren't mechanics and it is now still in the Pi Phi parking lot, where it will remain until my knight in shining armor brother brings me his truck in the morning to take care of the issue and get my car towed to the dealership, where I will tell the man that sold me the car to shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
I was hurrying up with a TON of errands I needed to do after work: change into soccer-playing clothes for practice, pick up/drop off dry cleaning, fix my broken tail light and buy new black pumps (my heel broke off...long story, another post). Then, I was off to drop off some paperwork at the Pi Beta Phi house. When I jumped back on my car ready to speed off to soccer practice, it came as a huge and rather annoying surprise to find that my car would not come out of park. Mind you, this has happened to me before, so despite my calm curses, I started and restarted the engine to see if I could get it to work. Then, I panicked and called my dad.
Thank God for dad and the crank flashlight he gave me in my stocking last year. He talked me through how he had fixed my brother's Jetta last time when it did the same thing, but no such luck. And because I am a stupid girl, my brother's roommate, Isaac, came to my rescue and tried to fix it as well. Turns out we aren't mechanics and it is now still in the Pi Phi parking lot, where it will remain until my knight in shining armor brother brings me his truck in the morning to take care of the issue and get my car towed to the dealership, where I will tell the man that sold me the car to shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Let's Play "One of These Things Doesn't Belong"
Drinking at the neighbor's house, where I am affectionately known as "The Neighbor."
Things I am loving at the moment:
The new Alicia Keys album
Snowboarding THIS WEEKEND!
Sunday matinees
Having a clean bathroom
My raise at work!
Not loving:
Having to write an essay for a class I HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN TO YET
Working without my Anela
Being broke because I can't seem to get a handle on the finances
Not having much time to run anymore
Realizing I will have to get up early to run every day (see above)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I am...
I love celebrity gossip almost as much as I love politics.
I have an irrational fear of bad things happening to the people I love.
I fear the dentist.
I can’t stand it when people leave things messy, but it’s acceptable if I leave things a mess.
I want a puppy so bad I can cry.
I judge guys on their grammar, spelling and punctuation.
I am afraid of ending up alone.
I want to lose 20 pounds, but I refuse to give up ice cream, beer or French fries.
I believe in God, but I dislike organized religion.
I feel like a dork because I love puzzles, board games and bowling (but they all make me happy).
I love to travel, but I rarely have the money to do so.
I'm scared that I'm not good enough for the guys I think are great, and that the guys that want me aren't good enough for me.
I can’t cook. Not even a little.
I only sleep on one side of the bed, even though I sleep alone.
There is a stack of books on my nightstand that I have started, but can’t seem to finish.
Sometimes I feel that I am too lazy to try for the things I want, but a lot of times, it’s just that I am too afraid of failing.
I buy books for the thrill of it.
I love being involved and busy; it makes me more productive.
There is one guy from my past that I regret breaking up with…and to this day, I think about what might have been.
I have an unreasonable addiction to America’s Next Top Model.
I can’t manage money, but I have cute shoes.
Christmas surpasses any other holiday except the Fourth of July (because of the family).
I am genuinely happy with my life and the opportunities I have been given.
I am anal retentive with everything but the paperwork that is stacked in my desk at home.
I organize my closet by color and/or style (jeans, slacks, khakis, skirts, dress shirt, “going out” shirts, etc.).
I can’t get enough water or eat enough cereal.
I listen to music and think about what it would be like to dance to at my wedding.
I wish I were more creative or played the guitar.
I will live in D.C. someday.
I have an irrational fear of bad things happening to the people I love.
I fear the dentist.
I can’t stand it when people leave things messy, but it’s acceptable if I leave things a mess.
I want a puppy so bad I can cry.
I judge guys on their grammar, spelling and punctuation.
I am afraid of ending up alone.
I want to lose 20 pounds, but I refuse to give up ice cream, beer or French fries.
I believe in God, but I dislike organized religion.
I feel like a dork because I love puzzles, board games and bowling (but they all make me happy).
I love to travel, but I rarely have the money to do so.
I'm scared that I'm not good enough for the guys I think are great, and that the guys that want me aren't good enough for me.
I can’t cook. Not even a little.
I only sleep on one side of the bed, even though I sleep alone.
There is a stack of books on my nightstand that I have started, but can’t seem to finish.
Sometimes I feel that I am too lazy to try for the things I want, but a lot of times, it’s just that I am too afraid of failing.
I buy books for the thrill of it.
I love being involved and busy; it makes me more productive.
There is one guy from my past that I regret breaking up with…and to this day, I think about what might have been.
I have an unreasonable addiction to America’s Next Top Model.
I can’t manage money, but I have cute shoes.
Christmas surpasses any other holiday except the Fourth of July (because of the family).
I am genuinely happy with my life and the opportunities I have been given.
I am anal retentive with everything but the paperwork that is stacked in my desk at home.
I organize my closet by color and/or style (jeans, slacks, khakis, skirts, dress shirt, “going out” shirts, etc.).
I can’t get enough water or eat enough cereal.
I listen to music and think about what it would be like to dance to at my wedding.
I wish I were more creative or played the guitar.
I will live in D.C. someday.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Better Late Than Never
"The only normal people on that show are the guys," he said.
"No way...that's stupid," I said. "They are all messed up."
"No, the girls are messed up."
"What about Sloan? He is crazy."
"No--he's normal...all guys are like that."
That was the extent of my conversation the other night about the latest (and last) installment of what I like to call the "World's Greatest Show." I am personally invested, so I take all statements and/or discussions very seriously, so when my good friend made a statement like that, I wanted to know why. He tried to explain it, but I wasn't having it. Turns out--I was wrong.
I watched last week's show tonight and I have discovered that this is an accurate statement...the guys on Grey's Anatomy are the normal ones.
Take McDreamy, for example. He just wants to be loved. He is like any guy "at a certain time" in his life, who wants the wife, the kids, the white picket fence...but has chosen a "damaged" woman who has never had the normal, everyday kind of life. That's why he is finally starting to realize that Meredith is not what he is looking for...and to be honest--thank God--I am sick and tired of the "we're together" "we're not together" bullshit that has been occurring more and more frequently. I mean, come on...they were together a day! (Which, by the way, felt more like an eternity because there was such a huge time lapse since the last episode.)
Then there is Mark Sloan...the hottest man alive. And he knows it. And he is completely normal. Play hard to get, the guys just want you more...so well played, Dr. Hahn. Make him beg.
Alex is probably one of the more complicated-normal ones...the one with a dark childhood (which I think they will develop further later--when the writers are done striking)...but who still has a heart for his patients and for Izzy.
George is a pansy. He is the typical guy...lost, sullen, like a whiny baby. So he might be the closest to normal on the entire show. Suck it up...your marriage is over, you are a failure and you keep getting less and less attractive as the season goes on. Pull yourself up and give us more of that "George" we know and love. Maybe some tequila and women would do you good.
"No way...that's stupid," I said. "They are all messed up."
"No, the girls are messed up."
"What about Sloan? He is crazy."
"No--he's normal...all guys are like that."
That was the extent of my conversation the other night about the latest (and last) installment of what I like to call the "World's Greatest Show." I am personally invested, so I take all statements and/or discussions very seriously, so when my good friend made a statement like that, I wanted to know why. He tried to explain it, but I wasn't having it. Turns out--I was wrong.
I watched last week's show tonight and I have discovered that this is an accurate statement...the guys on Grey's Anatomy are the normal ones.
Take McDreamy, for example. He just wants to be loved. He is like any guy "at a certain time" in his life, who wants the wife, the kids, the white picket fence...but has chosen a "damaged" woman who has never had the normal, everyday kind of life. That's why he is finally starting to realize that Meredith is not what he is looking for...and to be honest--thank God--I am sick and tired of the "we're together" "we're not together" bullshit that has been occurring more and more frequently. I mean, come on...they were together a day! (Which, by the way, felt more like an eternity because there was such a huge time lapse since the last episode.)
Then there is Mark Sloan...the hottest man alive. And he knows it. And he is completely normal. Play hard to get, the guys just want you more...so well played, Dr. Hahn. Make him beg.
Alex is probably one of the more complicated-normal ones...the one with a dark childhood (which I think they will develop further later--when the writers are done striking)...but who still has a heart for his patients and for Izzy.
George is a pansy. He is the typical guy...lost, sullen, like a whiny baby. So he might be the closest to normal on the entire show. Suck it up...your marriage is over, you are a failure and you keep getting less and less attractive as the season goes on. Pull yourself up and give us more of that "George" we know and love. Maybe some tequila and women would do you good.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Ethical Dilemma
So where does the "stranger" code end and the "just being a good person" code begin?
I faced this dilemma last night as I was taking my short 30-minute break at the bookstore last night. Like so many nights before, I grabbed my purse from the back, yanked off my name tag and ventured out into the mall to grab a bite at Chik-fil-A...because really...where else do you eat in the mall?
I walked up to find a short line and thought to myself, "What luck!" I was waiting a short time and observed the high school-age girl behind the counter being overly loud and obnoxious, claiming that her friend who was working with her was "not paying attention" to her. She proceeded to complain in this overly whiny, "I am acting like a damn child" kind of way, which promptly caused what I like to call my "eye-rolling" reflex. I thought to myself, "Where do people learn their customer service skills?" Clearly, she hadn't been taught to only pay attention to the customer, smile, be courteous or anything...you know, all of those things that people in customer service positions learn through default, by having to deal everyday with people who treat them like second class citizens or as their own personal shoppers and "go-getters."
I ordered a small box of nuggets, she typed this into the computer and did not even make eye contact with me. I said the standard "Thank You" and she didn't look up at me even then. As I waited for her to hand me my bag of chicken, I looked down and noticed her fly was down. I kind of laughed to myself and proceeded to listen to her go on and on with her friend about what they had done the night before. I thanked the Karma gods as she handed me my bag of food, I said thank you and she went back to her story with her coworker.
I thought to myself about telling her and saving her the embarrassment of walking around for the rest of the night with her fly down, but after asking myself the question of where the "stranger" code ends...I decided that she didn't treat me with enough of the "just being a good person" code for me to do the same.
I walked away, still chuckling, and thinking about how Karma might come to bite me in the ass for this...but what the hell? Chalk it up to a lesson in customer service that she won't forget.
I faced this dilemma last night as I was taking my short 30-minute break at the bookstore last night. Like so many nights before, I grabbed my purse from the back, yanked off my name tag and ventured out into the mall to grab a bite at Chik-fil-A...because really...where else do you eat in the mall?
I walked up to find a short line and thought to myself, "What luck!" I was waiting a short time and observed the high school-age girl behind the counter being overly loud and obnoxious, claiming that her friend who was working with her was "not paying attention" to her. She proceeded to complain in this overly whiny, "I am acting like a damn child" kind of way, which promptly caused what I like to call my "eye-rolling" reflex. I thought to myself, "Where do people learn their customer service skills?" Clearly, she hadn't been taught to only pay attention to the customer, smile, be courteous or anything...you know, all of those things that people in customer service positions learn through default, by having to deal everyday with people who treat them like second class citizens or as their own personal shoppers and "go-getters."
I ordered a small box of nuggets, she typed this into the computer and did not even make eye contact with me. I said the standard "Thank You" and she didn't look up at me even then. As I waited for her to hand me my bag of chicken, I looked down and noticed her fly was down. I kind of laughed to myself and proceeded to listen to her go on and on with her friend about what they had done the night before. I thanked the Karma gods as she handed me my bag of food, I said thank you and she went back to her story with her coworker.
I thought to myself about telling her and saving her the embarrassment of walking around for the rest of the night with her fly down, but after asking myself the question of where the "stranger" code ends...I decided that she didn't treat me with enough of the "just being a good person" code for me to do the same.
I walked away, still chuckling, and thinking about how Karma might come to bite me in the ass for this...but what the hell? Chalk it up to a lesson in customer service that she won't forget.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Juno
Yes, it's true...this flick is one of the best of the year. Granted, it is only January 6, but who's counting?
While I did not know quite how to explain this movie to friends who asked me what it was about; and I didn't know what to expect as I walked into the theater, I soon found myself laughing out loud to the witty humor riddled throughout the production. Ellen Page is quick, comical and really, really convincing as a girl who "was bored" and decided to have sex with her non-boyfriend, Michael Cera, a Tic Tac eating dork, who runs and is not seen without a gold headband and short running shorts.
All I will say from here is that it is a must-see...if not for the hilarity, than for the warm feeling it gives you when you watch the really good ending. That's all. Peace out, friends!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
This is the year. I feel it.
1. Keep in touch with real, good friends
2. Be more spontaneous
3. Enjoy the day-to-day of life
4. Be happier (as a general rule)
5. Be more frugal
6. Pay down my debt
Help me keep them, friends (and family)!
Happy New Year!
1. Keep in touch with real, good friends
2. Be more spontaneous
3. Enjoy the day-to-day of life
4. Be happier (as a general rule)
5. Be more frugal
6. Pay down my debt
Help me keep them, friends (and family)!
Happy New Year!
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