Found outside our office on the outside of the screened in porch. Anyone? We've decided it's a grasshopper spider or a spidehopper or a grassder.
9/16/2008
What
IS this?!?
Found outside our office on the outside of the screened in porch. Anyone? We've decided it's a grasshopper spider or a spidehopper or a grassder.
Found outside our office on the outside of the screened in porch. Anyone? We've decided it's a grasshopper spider or a spidehopper or a grassder.
This and That
The other day I was listening to the radio and someone requested "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mixalot. First of all, this is a terrible, demeaning song to women, but for some reason I stayed on the station and listened to the words. He mentions magazines being all about stick thin girls and how they tell us "normal" sized women are fat but he doesn't agree (he says this in a more rap and less lame way, but you get it). While most of this song is very dirty, I'm kind of happy that someone wrote a song about it being ok if we have some curves and meat on our bones. I just wish that I could feel that way when I look in the mirror because when I see a stick thin girl with a smallish bum and size B bust (like my roommate), I wish I could be her. When will I learn?
On to less depressing things. T and I went to an orchard/nursery on Saturday and bought a bunch of home grown veggies and fruit. I don't know why people waste their money at the grocery store on stuff that came all the way from California when you can get it less expensive and it came from someone's back yard. I couldn't find anyone that was selling broccoli which was sad. It's supposed to be in season here, but I could only find cauliflower. So I bought two heads of that, a ton of nectarines, purple grapes, acorn squash, butternut squash, and six ears of corn (I wasn't going to get it but I only hear good things about this particular farm's corn so I couldn't pass it up). I also bought yellow and red peppers on a whim and was pretty close to getting some yams and cooking onions when T told me to stop. I get on these kicks and I can't control myself. If someone isn't there to hold me back, I just buy everything and don't use it up in time. I have to get on with freezing this stuff though. I bought extra so I could do that and now I'm having the busiest week ever.
What about that two hours in the wetlands on a rainy day, you ask? Well, two hours turned into about one hour by the time we got there, and that was still much longer than needed. We were taken to one area which was very thick with mud and my teacher brought his dog. A big dog who likes swimming in ponds and romping through mud puddles. I was pretty convinced I was going to go sliding on my bum down a hill or fall on my face when we had to jump over a stream from one slippery hill to the other, but I did ok. The second watershed we went to was much grassier but we then had to walk through giant, wet wild flowers. I stared at the ground the whole time. It wasn't the little crickets that bothered me (of which there must have been billions! The grass appeared to move on its own and it wasn't windy!), it was the big spiders I knew must be lurking behind every weed I pushed out of the way. I tried my best not to spin around in circles looking for spiders to be crawling up my back or on my legs. I tried very hard to stay calm and look like I always stomp my way through tall grass in the middle of a fall hurricane remnant. I am not looking forward to any more of these science labs.
On to less depressing things. T and I went to an orchard/nursery on Saturday and bought a bunch of home grown veggies and fruit. I don't know why people waste their money at the grocery store on stuff that came all the way from California when you can get it less expensive and it came from someone's back yard. I couldn't find anyone that was selling broccoli which was sad. It's supposed to be in season here, but I could only find cauliflower. So I bought two heads of that, a ton of nectarines, purple grapes, acorn squash, butternut squash, and six ears of corn (I wasn't going to get it but I only hear good things about this particular farm's corn so I couldn't pass it up). I also bought yellow and red peppers on a whim and was pretty close to getting some yams and cooking onions when T told me to stop. I get on these kicks and I can't control myself. If someone isn't there to hold me back, I just buy everything and don't use it up in time. I have to get on with freezing this stuff though. I bought extra so I could do that and now I'm having the busiest week ever.
What about that two hours in the wetlands on a rainy day, you ask? Well, two hours turned into about one hour by the time we got there, and that was still much longer than needed. We were taken to one area which was very thick with mud and my teacher brought his dog. A big dog who likes swimming in ponds and romping through mud puddles. I was pretty convinced I was going to go sliding on my bum down a hill or fall on my face when we had to jump over a stream from one slippery hill to the other, but I did ok. The second watershed we went to was much grassier but we then had to walk through giant, wet wild flowers. I stared at the ground the whole time. It wasn't the little crickets that bothered me (of which there must have been billions! The grass appeared to move on its own and it wasn't windy!), it was the big spiders I knew must be lurking behind every weed I pushed out of the way. I tried my best not to spin around in circles looking for spiders to be crawling up my back or on my legs. I tried very hard to stay calm and look like I always stomp my way through tall grass in the middle of a fall hurricane remnant. I am not looking forward to any more of these science labs.
9/12/2008
Rainy Days and Monday Always Get Me Down
Ok, well, it's Friday and I'm not really that sad about the rain because it's the weekend! And we got paid today! I really didn't get as much as I wanted in my paycheck and I had to pay a hefty library fine. Woops. I'm going to be short when it comes time to pay my school tuition. I need another source of income. T and I never started selling t-shirts on Etsy. I thought about making and selling jewelry but everyone does that, so would I get any attention? My friend, S, said that my jewelry is cuter than anyone else's on Etsy and I could probably do really well. It could get me a little extra money. I could pay on credit debt and put some away for savings if I made enough. What do I have to lose by joining Etsy as a seller? I wonder if there is a fee...
I have a lab for my class tomorrow. We're going to see the wetlands in our area for 2 hours. 2 hours! What is there to see for that long!? This is not my kind of science. It's supposed to rain all weekend so the wetlands will be wetter and I don't have any rainboots. Oh well. After that, T and I are going to a produce market nearby. I meant to go there all summer but they only accept cash and I never carry cash. Plus they're only open until 6:00 and I get out of work at 5:30 every day. It just wasn't meant to be...or I was really lazy on Saturdays when I could've gotten some cash out and gone. So, we're going there for the first time this summer/fall and I'm going to get some nectarines and raspberries (still in season!), broccoli, squash, and cauliflower. I'm going to freeze some so that I can have fresh, local produce all winter. I'm excited for that. I'm going to find some recipes for cauliflower so it's not so plain and weird. My mom always just steamed them and we ate them with salt. I need more variety in my food.
AND in an effort to eat more "organically," I'm going to start making my own wheat bread. I found a seemingly perfect recipe online with many, many tips and tricks from the author for the perfect sandwich, wheat bread. T hates when I stand in the bread aisle at the grocery store screaming "Everything has too much sodium!" so this seems to be a good alternative to that. I'll post the link to the recipe if it works out. I'm not sure if I'll buy everything to make it this weekend or in a couple weeks when I, hopefully, get a better paycheck. I will be Miss Suzy Homemaker if it kills me!
Have a fabulous weekend!
I have a lab for my class tomorrow. We're going to see the wetlands in our area for 2 hours. 2 hours! What is there to see for that long!? This is not my kind of science. It's supposed to rain all weekend so the wetlands will be wetter and I don't have any rainboots. Oh well. After that, T and I are going to a produce market nearby. I meant to go there all summer but they only accept cash and I never carry cash. Plus they're only open until 6:00 and I get out of work at 5:30 every day. It just wasn't meant to be...or I was really lazy on Saturdays when I could've gotten some cash out and gone. So, we're going there for the first time this summer/fall and I'm going to get some nectarines and raspberries (still in season!), broccoli, squash, and cauliflower. I'm going to freeze some so that I can have fresh, local produce all winter. I'm excited for that. I'm going to find some recipes for cauliflower so it's not so plain and weird. My mom always just steamed them and we ate them with salt. I need more variety in my food.
AND in an effort to eat more "organically," I'm going to start making my own wheat bread. I found a seemingly perfect recipe online with many, many tips and tricks from the author for the perfect sandwich, wheat bread. T hates when I stand in the bread aisle at the grocery store screaming "Everything has too much sodium!" so this seems to be a good alternative to that. I'll post the link to the recipe if it works out. I'm not sure if I'll buy everything to make it this weekend or in a couple weeks when I, hopefully, get a better paycheck. I will be Miss Suzy Homemaker if it kills me!
Have a fabulous weekend!
9/11/2008
A Day to Remember
Seven years ago was my first semester at community college. Seven years ago today I had just come out of my English class and met my best friend, J in the cafeteria. We got our bagel/danish and J went to sit in the actual cafeteria; however, I had caught a glimpse of the TV on the way through and noticed many students sitting around a breaking news report. "Wait," I said to J, "Where are you going?" "To sit by the windows," J replied with much confusion. "No, there's something going on. I want to see the TV," I said. Hesitantly, J walked with me back to the TV and we sat down, just in time to see the second plane run into the second trade tower in New York. I had barely sat down and wasn't even sure of what I was seeing...until the first tower collapsed. This was my morning on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001. Hundreds of students gathered around us very quickly and watched the devastating news with us. Our college was basically evacuated as there is a power plant nearby and there were concerns that it could be a target. I went to work that night and finally cried for the thousands of lost lives, the heartless attack on our country, the families who had no idea where their loved ones were, the fear that people must have felt on the planes and in the towers - just the shock of it all.
Seven years later, I still grieve and make sure to take a moment and remember that day. But now, I've also become more aware. There are wars all over the world. Thousands of people die in other countries all the time because of hatred, disease, poverty. 9/11 brought us together as a country but then it made us turn in the wrong direction. We became a country full of hatred and war. People with bumper stickers on their cars saying things like, "It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden. It's our job to arrange the meeting." Why didn't this tragedy bring us together as in "United We Stand" and then turn us toward helping and aiding others? How are we, as a nation, helping the poor, the hungry, the diseased, the war-ravaged? Instead of realizing that we're not above everything just because we're a powerful and rich country, we turned around and started shooting at the next country that pissed us off. Sometimes, tragedies have no good outcome except to smack us in the face and show us that we are not invincible, nor are we above others who have had "some bad luck" along the way. 9/11 should have humbled us but it didn't. I'm sorry to anyone that I offend, but I am ashamed of the people in our country who use 9/11 as a way to elevate themselves above other countries and other people, and to be unaccepting of any other culture other than their own. Wake up everyone! You have become the people you most hate.
I'm sorry these last two days weren't so frilly. The next days surely will be back to the norm.
Have a great day and never forget.
Seven years later, I still grieve and make sure to take a moment and remember that day. But now, I've also become more aware. There are wars all over the world. Thousands of people die in other countries all the time because of hatred, disease, poverty. 9/11 brought us together as a country but then it made us turn in the wrong direction. We became a country full of hatred and war. People with bumper stickers on their cars saying things like, "It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden. It's our job to arrange the meeting." Why didn't this tragedy bring us together as in "United We Stand" and then turn us toward helping and aiding others? How are we, as a nation, helping the poor, the hungry, the diseased, the war-ravaged? Instead of realizing that we're not above everything just because we're a powerful and rich country, we turned around and started shooting at the next country that pissed us off. Sometimes, tragedies have no good outcome except to smack us in the face and show us that we are not invincible, nor are we above others who have had "some bad luck" along the way. 9/11 should have humbled us but it didn't. I'm sorry to anyone that I offend, but I am ashamed of the people in our country who use 9/11 as a way to elevate themselves above other countries and other people, and to be unaccepting of any other culture other than their own. Wake up everyone! You have become the people you most hate.
I'm sorry these last two days weren't so frilly. The next days surely will be back to the norm.
Have a great day and never forget.
9/09/2008
I'm Cheating Today
I posted this on my other blog, but I wanted it on here, too. Even though it's not too "frilly." Enjoy some deep, important-to-life thinking today :-)
I read Dear Abby every day and here is what is said on Saturday:
DEAR ABBY: Please let the world know that kind people still exist. I was on my way to two job interviews. Not surprisingly, I was nervous, so before I got off my train, I took my phone out to check the directions to the first one. A short walk later, I reached the subway, but when I went into my purse for my wallet to buy a MetroCard, lo and behold, my wallet and new glasses were missing.
I retraced my steps and ran to the courtesy counter to ask if anyone had turned in my wallet and glass case. The woman in the booth told me the train was still in the station and to hurry there immediately to check for my things. Long story short, no luck.
Heartbroken, I returned to the courtesy desk. Not only would I miss both my appointments, but I was stranded with no money. I burst into tears as I explained the situation to the woman in the booth. Abby, she reached into her purse and handed me $7! "It's all I have right now," she said, "use it to get to your interviews." I went to my interviews and aced them both. When I came back to thank her, she was gone, but she had described me to the woman on the next shift who handed me a courtesy ticket home.
Abby, that woman's kindness was overwhelming. And just when the day couldn't get any better, I received a call. A conductor had found my wallet and glasses and would meet me on the train the next day.
I just want to share that kindness can happen when we least expect it. When it happens, we should pay it forward. -- S. SMITH, ASBURY PARK, N.J.
Abby's response was really corny so I'll spare you, but I just thought this was such an awesome story. I hope you see it as more than a heart warming story. See it as what the writer says: When someone does something nice for you, pay it forward. If no one has done anything nice, be the first to start the chain.
I feel like we have become so unfeeling and disconnected anymore. Wouldn't it be great if people just started being nice and compassionate toward everyone, even perfect strangers? There is a guy in my class that annoys me everytime I look at him. He just reminds me of someone that I don't like and he talks too much. He acts like he knows everything, and that is a huge pet peeve of mine. Last night, I just happened to glance at him while he was deep in thought about something and he just seemed so... human. I saw a person that I could love - not romantically, just someone I could be friends with and care deeply about. He made me realize how God must feel about us. He made us, but then somehow we ended up with all these annoying characteristics that would make even a mother stop loving her child. God sees that but he looks through it and sees how human and fragile we are and he loves us. He goes past the tough exterior and sees who we really are deep inside. I'm so happy when I get a glimpse into someone's soul and see them for the sweet, soft-hearted person they probably would be if I got to know them. It reminds me of how I come off at first glance to other people and how much I love it when others take the time to get to know me before judging my personality. Anyway, I'm rambling. I probably won't make another one of these "speeches" for at least another year. ha.
Have a great day!
I read Dear Abby every day and here is what is said on Saturday:
DEAR ABBY: Please let the world know that kind people still exist. I was on my way to two job interviews. Not surprisingly, I was nervous, so before I got off my train, I took my phone out to check the directions to the first one. A short walk later, I reached the subway, but when I went into my purse for my wallet to buy a MetroCard, lo and behold, my wallet and new glasses were missing.
I retraced my steps and ran to the courtesy counter to ask if anyone had turned in my wallet and glass case. The woman in the booth told me the train was still in the station and to hurry there immediately to check for my things. Long story short, no luck.
Heartbroken, I returned to the courtesy desk. Not only would I miss both my appointments, but I was stranded with no money. I burst into tears as I explained the situation to the woman in the booth. Abby, she reached into her purse and handed me $7! "It's all I have right now," she said, "use it to get to your interviews." I went to my interviews and aced them both. When I came back to thank her, she was gone, but she had described me to the woman on the next shift who handed me a courtesy ticket home.
Abby, that woman's kindness was overwhelming. And just when the day couldn't get any better, I received a call. A conductor had found my wallet and glasses and would meet me on the train the next day.
I just want to share that kindness can happen when we least expect it. When it happens, we should pay it forward. -- S. SMITH, ASBURY PARK, N.J.
Abby's response was really corny so I'll spare you, but I just thought this was such an awesome story. I hope you see it as more than a heart warming story. See it as what the writer says: When someone does something nice for you, pay it forward. If no one has done anything nice, be the first to start the chain.
I feel like we have become so unfeeling and disconnected anymore. Wouldn't it be great if people just started being nice and compassionate toward everyone, even perfect strangers? There is a guy in my class that annoys me everytime I look at him. He just reminds me of someone that I don't like and he talks too much. He acts like he knows everything, and that is a huge pet peeve of mine. Last night, I just happened to glance at him while he was deep in thought about something and he just seemed so... human. I saw a person that I could love - not romantically, just someone I could be friends with and care deeply about. He made me realize how God must feel about us. He made us, but then somehow we ended up with all these annoying characteristics that would make even a mother stop loving her child. God sees that but he looks through it and sees how human and fragile we are and he loves us. He goes past the tough exterior and sees who we really are deep inside. I'm so happy when I get a glimpse into someone's soul and see them for the sweet, soft-hearted person they probably would be if I got to know them. It reminds me of how I come off at first glance to other people and how much I love it when others take the time to get to know me before judging my personality. Anyway, I'm rambling. I probably won't make another one of these "speeches" for at least another year. ha.
Have a great day!
9/08/2008
The Last Weekend of Summer?
I actually came back to work this morning feelings VERY rested. I almost felt like I had had a vacation! T and I camped out in the backyard all weekend. I know, it's kind of weird but it made me happy! We set up the tent, a TV, and two coolers as end tables and stayed outside as much as possible. I'm sure it looked a little strange, but it was so relaxing. Unfortunately, it rained all weekend long so no campfire, but I do love the sound of rain when I go to sleep and wake up. It was a good exchange.
Since we were "camping" I went by my camping motto (which I stole from T's mom): "I'm camping, I'll eat whatever I want" and ate everything I could find. I started my morning with Fruity Pebbles, followed by two small Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, then Oreo's, then popcorn, then we went to our friends' house and had chips and dip and homemade ice cream (with caramel!). My stomach was sooooo angry. I'm actually getting sick just thinking about everything I ate on Saturday. I won't be doing that for awhile. I'm trying to lose weight.
A couple of friends (the friends whose house we went to on Saturday) have a Nintendo Wii and recently bought Wii Fit. I tried out a couple of exercises and took a fit test. It told me my fit age was 45!!! Wow. I need to exercise more. I keep vowing to ride my bike more since it's almost time to put it in my parents' garage for the winter and to run on the treadmill more, but it makes me tired just thinking about it. I always think I'm going to just start running and I'll feel great and the pounds will just magically melt off by the time I get home but I usually run for like 30 seconds and then I almost throw up. Then I go home and all the same pudgey bits are still there. It's so hard to stick with something when it makes you so sad. I want to have shapely legs and arms and a flat tummy by next spring but who am I kidding? The winter days and holidays are looming just around the corner and all I want to do is get under a blanket and eat mashed potatoes and gravy while watching movies and TV on DVD. Do you know how many cookies I put away between Christmas and Valentine's Day? Someone show me the light!
Since we were "camping" I went by my camping motto (which I stole from T's mom): "I'm camping, I'll eat whatever I want" and ate everything I could find. I started my morning with Fruity Pebbles, followed by two small Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, then Oreo's, then popcorn, then we went to our friends' house and had chips and dip and homemade ice cream (with caramel!). My stomach was sooooo angry. I'm actually getting sick just thinking about everything I ate on Saturday. I won't be doing that for awhile. I'm trying to lose weight.
A couple of friends (the friends whose house we went to on Saturday) have a Nintendo Wii and recently bought Wii Fit. I tried out a couple of exercises and took a fit test. It told me my fit age was 45!!! Wow. I need to exercise more. I keep vowing to ride my bike more since it's almost time to put it in my parents' garage for the winter and to run on the treadmill more, but it makes me tired just thinking about it. I always think I'm going to just start running and I'll feel great and the pounds will just magically melt off by the time I get home but I usually run for like 30 seconds and then I almost throw up. Then I go home and all the same pudgey bits are still there. It's so hard to stick with something when it makes you so sad. I want to have shapely legs and arms and a flat tummy by next spring but who am I kidding? The winter days and holidays are looming just around the corner and all I want to do is get under a blanket and eat mashed potatoes and gravy while watching movies and TV on DVD. Do you know how many cookies I put away between Christmas and Valentine's Day? Someone show me the light!
9/04/2008
Nighttime Ponderings
I've been so tired the last couple of days. I have a cold which came out of nowhere. A few people at work have the same thing. So, by the time I get home from work or class (depending on which day it is), I'm ready to collapse onto the couch in front of the TV. I usually don't even have enough energy to eat something, which I'm sure doesn't help a cold. Well, maybe it does. Isn't the saying, "Starve a cold; feed a fever?"
Anyway, I went to a couple of geology classes and while the teacher is painfully boring and quiet, I find it a little interesting. Granted we're at the very beginning of the class where we learn about how the Universe, our solar system, and Earth were all formed and I don't necessarily agree with everything the scientists have come up with but it's fascinating nonetheless. I am also absolutely thrilled by maps, globes, tectonic plates...is that weird? We did start talking about rocks last night which was a little paralyzing with dullness. I hope this isn't how the entire semester will be now that we've actually gotten into the geological part.
What science is more about maps? That's what I want. Maybe geology will get into it later on.
I left the school last night in some kind of serene state of mind. It was mostly dark, with a little orange and pink to the south and I could see the sillouhette of an airplane passing through. With the dark trees framing the skyline, it was just really amazing. I wished I had a camera so I could share it with someone. I couldn't stop staring up but then I would realize that I was walking and I should pay attention lest I trip over a piece of broken sidewalk or run into another person. It was so quiet outside that any small sound was magnified several times. Even the sound of someone else's keys jangling 50 feet ahead sounded like they were standing right beside me. For some reason, fall and winter are so incredibly quiet at night; maybe there aren't as many animals and birds around to make noise? Whatever the reason, these are my favorite seasons to be outside at night. It's the most peace a person will ever find. The best time for thinking and realizing who you are and what you're about. I plan to spend many a night outside in the dark, clearing my mind and materializing where I've been and where I'm going; who I really am; what I really want; how I will get to where I want to be. Whenever I do this, I'm really looking forward to sharing it with you. Maybe anyone who reads this can try it too and we'll all share our experiences. It could be a fun/rewarding exercise, yes?
Anyway, I went to a couple of geology classes and while the teacher is painfully boring and quiet, I find it a little interesting. Granted we're at the very beginning of the class where we learn about how the Universe, our solar system, and Earth were all formed and I don't necessarily agree with everything the scientists have come up with but it's fascinating nonetheless. I am also absolutely thrilled by maps, globes, tectonic plates...is that weird? We did start talking about rocks last night which was a little paralyzing with dullness. I hope this isn't how the entire semester will be now that we've actually gotten into the geological part.
What science is more about maps? That's what I want. Maybe geology will get into it later on.
I left the school last night in some kind of serene state of mind. It was mostly dark, with a little orange and pink to the south and I could see the sillouhette of an airplane passing through. With the dark trees framing the skyline, it was just really amazing. I wished I had a camera so I could share it with someone. I couldn't stop staring up but then I would realize that I was walking and I should pay attention lest I trip over a piece of broken sidewalk or run into another person. It was so quiet outside that any small sound was magnified several times. Even the sound of someone else's keys jangling 50 feet ahead sounded like they were standing right beside me. For some reason, fall and winter are so incredibly quiet at night; maybe there aren't as many animals and birds around to make noise? Whatever the reason, these are my favorite seasons to be outside at night. It's the most peace a person will ever find. The best time for thinking and realizing who you are and what you're about. I plan to spend many a night outside in the dark, clearing my mind and materializing where I've been and where I'm going; who I really am; what I really want; how I will get to where I want to be. Whenever I do this, I'm really looking forward to sharing it with you. Maybe anyone who reads this can try it too and we'll all share our experiences. It could be a fun/rewarding exercise, yes?
8/30/2008
Gasp? Me? Really?
Thank you so much Dizzy for this award. I'm really flattered that you thought of me. Especially because this blog had such a rough start but I'm really happy to have you as my blog friend :-) It took me forever to write this because I had to find where I keep all my favorite blogs. I've saved the links to my favorite blogs in random places (like in my email drafts or on a post-it at work) thinking that I would update my blogroll, but I'm not very up on things.
So here it is:
The Rules for those recieving an award are:-
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link the person you received the award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours
5. Leave a message on the blogs nominated
I nominate:
Robin - I love reading your poems and seeing your photos. Your outlook on life is uplifting and very entertaining
Sidewalks are runways - I love your photos, your poses, and of course your outfits. Everything you do is so creative.
I know there are more than blogs I have come across and really liked but I am not very good at keeping a list somewhere (like, oh I don't know, on the side of my blog page?).
I wish I could give this award back to you Dizzy. There is something similar about us, and maybe for that reason, I find your blog so intelligent and funny. hehe.
8/29/2008
A Night Off
I didn't feel well so I skipped my second day of class the other night. I feel really bad but oh well. I got a movie (The Great Gatsby) and a TV show on DVD, I made an album of my summer on Facebook and watched half a season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. A nice night away, hiding in my room is just what I needed.
T and I watched most of The Great Gatsby last night but old movies like that (not old old just 1970's old. Robert Redford looking young and dashing old) move a little slow. I'm not sure why that is, but we needed a break so we hung out with T's brother and his friend for a bit and then I went home.
Ahhhhhhh...today is Friday. Pay Friday. Pay Friday before a holiday weekend Friday. I'm going camping which is great. I always feel so relaxed after a weekend of camping. And the best part is that the campground is very close to T's house so we get to shower and dress and do our hair there and then go back to the wilderness. It's the best of both worlds because camp showers are not my cup of tea. I can deal with them but if given the opportunity to shower in a home, I'll take it. I'd rather not shower while staring at a spider on the ceiling to make sure he doesn't come down on my head just for kicks. I'm also a little uncomfortable with someone opening my changing room curtain and showing my pudge and secret parts to the world. So a good weekend will be had and I'll probably snap off another 100 pictures of tents, campires, sparklers, and bagg-o/cornhole/beanbag game (whatever you call it). I'd like to post some real pictures on here and not just the ones I find on the internet.
Have a great weekend! And Have a great holiday weekend to my American friends!
T and I watched most of The Great Gatsby last night but old movies like that (not old old just 1970's old. Robert Redford looking young and dashing old) move a little slow. I'm not sure why that is, but we needed a break so we hung out with T's brother and his friend for a bit and then I went home.
Ahhhhhhh...today is Friday. Pay Friday. Pay Friday before a holiday weekend Friday. I'm going camping which is great. I always feel so relaxed after a weekend of camping. And the best part is that the campground is very close to T's house so we get to shower and dress and do our hair there and then go back to the wilderness. It's the best of both worlds because camp showers are not my cup of tea. I can deal with them but if given the opportunity to shower in a home, I'll take it. I'd rather not shower while staring at a spider on the ceiling to make sure he doesn't come down on my head just for kicks. I'm also a little uncomfortable with someone opening my changing room curtain and showing my pudge and secret parts to the world. So a good weekend will be had and I'll probably snap off another 100 pictures of tents, campires, sparklers, and bagg-o/cornhole/beanbag game (whatever you call it). I'd like to post some real pictures on here and not just the ones I find on the internet.
Have a great weekend! And Have a great holiday weekend to my American friends!
8/26/2008
Weird Thoughts
Did you ever wonder what it looks like to other drivers when you sneeze in the car? Do they tense up and get ready for the blow when your body convulses sending your car careening towards theirs? Just wondering...
8/25/2008
First Day of Fall/Summer
First day of the fall semester today. I don't know how I feel about it. Actually, I do. I'm very sad. I can't just go home and ride my bike if I want or go straight to T's and do nothing there. Lazy summer days are coming to an end and I'm going to be rushing to classes, rushing to get homework done and staying indoors much more. It's even kind of chilly and breezy out today as if to remind me that my summer "vacation" is over. I rejected that by wearing a skirt, bright yellow t-shirt, and flip flops today. And a pony tail. I'm all summer and sunshine.
Well, like I said, it's the first day of the fall semester today. I'm only 3 classes away from my Associate of Arts (with a major in nothing)! I have no idea what I will do with my Associates degree once I have it. I think I'm just going to go right back and get my Associate of Arts in Hospitality. I should just go for it now instead of wasting my time on the degree I'm working toward, but I've been working on it for 7 years. I just want to say I have a degree. So, I have a geology class tonight. Snore. Study of rocks. I might find something interesting about it, and if I do, I'll let you know.
I know there are usually summer plans, but what about fall? Do you have any fall plans?
8/21/2008
True Love Found
I was reading a blog on iamfashion.blogspot.com about jean skirts. The author said something about American Eagle jean skirts so I went there to check them out and this is what I found instead. Instant love. I want this.
Just Another Day at The Office
There's a job opening at our sister company. It would be higher pay, more challenging work, something different. But I can't make myself go for it. It requires someone who is aggressive and good on the phone. I'm just not that kind of person. I used to be on the phone all day every day at my old position here, but I was happy to move on from that. Still, I can't help but feel like I'm missing out on a good opportunity. It's just that, I want to finish school and get a job in a completely different industry. Making this kind of move would mean that I'm at this company as a career and in the words of Jim Halpert from The Office, "...if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train."
8/20/2008
Fall is Upon Us!
I opened my email today and there was something from ideeli.com (a members only website that sends you great deals every day). Check out these amazing Dolce & Gabana boots 
I couldn't even imagine being able to afford them (they are $345 on ideeli but they were $1395) but I love the buttons and the color and the fact that the leather looks so soft. I just love to gaze at them and imagine what I could wear with them.
It just makes me think of fall though. It's close to the end of August. My summer class has ended and I'm starting a new semester next week. It's back to school time. Warmer clothes, pumpkins, changing leaves. The sky even looks a little different in fall. It's my favorite time of year to take pictures. Everything seems more interesting, more colorful, more comforting. I detest cold weather but I find that I usually end up welcoming fall after a few weeks of resisting. Once I've had my last camping trip of the season, gone to the beach at least once, and walked around late at night when the air was still a warm blanket around me, I'm satisfied. This summer, T and I bought bikes from a police auction and used them as much as possible. That made this summer just a little more complete. There will still be several more weeks of warm weather ahead but when that little twinge of change happens, I won't go kicking and screaming toward it. I'll be ready to don my sweaters and boots that I kind of miss now.
I've been getting Urban Outfitters and Free People catalogues in the mail and I can't wait for everything to go on sale. It gives me chills just thinking about it. All those sweaters, long cardigans, vests, dresses with colored tights, coats, ah! I'm so excited. I wish I could wear hats. I'm ready to embrace something new this year. Maybe I'll try one out. Oh fall fashion season, how I love you.
Do you like fall? What do you like or hate about it?
I couldn't even imagine being able to afford them (they are $345 on ideeli but they were $1395) but I love the buttons and the color and the fact that the leather looks so soft. I just love to gaze at them and imagine what I could wear with them.It just makes me think of fall though. It's close to the end of August. My summer class has ended and I'm starting a new semester next week. It's back to school time. Warmer clothes, pumpkins, changing leaves. The sky even looks a little different in fall. It's my favorite time of year to take pictures. Everything seems more interesting, more colorful, more comforting. I detest cold weather but I find that I usually end up welcoming fall after a few weeks of resisting. Once I've had my last camping trip of the season, gone to the beach at least once, and walked around late at night when the air was still a warm blanket around me, I'm satisfied. This summer, T and I bought bikes from a police auction and used them as much as possible. That made this summer just a little more complete. There will still be several more weeks of warm weather ahead but when that little twinge of change happens, I won't go kicking and screaming toward it. I'll be ready to don my sweaters and boots that I kind of miss now.
I've been getting Urban Outfitters and Free People catalogues in the mail and I can't wait for everything to go on sale. It gives me chills just thinking about it. All those sweaters, long cardigans, vests, dresses with colored tights, coats, ah! I'm so excited. I wish I could wear hats. I'm ready to embrace something new this year. Maybe I'll try one out. Oh fall fashion season, how I love you.
Do you like fall? What do you like or hate about it?
8/19/2008
A Photographer - I Will Never Be
The batteries in my camera died. Yup. I have a charger but I did not use it.
Saturday I went out with one of my best friends from high school. We went to Brio and had a lot of bread and amazing Italian food. I don't even know what mine was called but the pasta was handmade and it was fantastic. I saw a cooking show where the host went to Italy and showed the tradition of hand-making pasta. It looked so good and so fun. I wish I could do it. I tried to make gnocchi once and it just fell apart in the water. Maybe I'll try again sometime.
After dinner, we headed over to H&M so my friend could get some teacher clothes that weren't too teachery. You remember how your teachers dressed? Long flowery skirts and tennis shoes? Or cutesy little jumpers with school related items stitched on?
Thank God for my friend who is trying to change that trend one pair of wide leg pants and cute, frilly tops at a time.
We met up with another friend who was out shopping for shoes with his next door neighbor. I helped his neighbor decide not to buy some brown pumps that she just wasn't in love with. She needed some pointy toes and only my beloved Steve Madden seems to be into that trend.
I read somewhere that round toe is back and pointy is going out, but sometimes we just need a pointy toe. Unfortunately, the store did not have those shoes in her size. Sigh. Why are all girls' feet the same size? Who decided that was a good idea? After shoes, we went to "The Feast" which was incredibly crowded. Apparently, it only gets worse at night because of the bars and beer tent. Plus there was gambling in the basement of the church. Interesting. We just wandered around as best as we could, cutting groups of people off so that we could get cannoli and tiramisu from a few stands. I ate my own cannoli and then finished off someone else's. Mmmmm...Italian desserts are my weakness.
Saturday I went out with one of my best friends from high school. We went to Brio and had a lot of bread and amazing Italian food. I don't even know what mine was called but the pasta was handmade and it was fantastic. I saw a cooking show where the host went to Italy and showed the tradition of hand-making pasta. It looked so good and so fun. I wish I could do it. I tried to make gnocchi once and it just fell apart in the water. Maybe I'll try again sometime.
After dinner, we headed over to H&M so my friend could get some teacher clothes that weren't too teachery. You remember how your teachers dressed? Long flowery skirts and tennis shoes? Or cutesy little jumpers with school related items stitched on?
Thank God for my friend who is trying to change that trend one pair of wide leg pants and cute, frilly tops at a time.
We met up with another friend who was out shopping for shoes with his next door neighbor. I helped his neighbor decide not to buy some brown pumps that she just wasn't in love with. She needed some pointy toes and only my beloved Steve Madden seems to be into that trend.
I read somewhere that round toe is back and pointy is going out, but sometimes we just need a pointy toe. Unfortunately, the store did not have those shoes in her size. Sigh. Why are all girls' feet the same size? Who decided that was a good idea? After shoes, we went to "The Feast" which was incredibly crowded. Apparently, it only gets worse at night because of the bars and beer tent. Plus there was gambling in the basement of the church. Interesting. We just wandered around as best as we could, cutting groups of people off so that we could get cannoli and tiramisu from a few stands. I ate my own cannoli and then finished off someone else's. Mmmmm...Italian desserts are my weakness.
8/15/2008
Eating My Weekend Away - Starting Early
One of the teams at work had a "Pig out Day" and I was going to bring deviled eggs. I've been on an egg kick lately since I discovered I can hard boil an egg and have the shell come off without so much as scraping the egg with a fingernail. Well, day of all days! Nothing went right. I'm pretty sure I over-cooked the eggs, yolk looked gross, the egg was coming off in the shell. I decided I can't cook and I got a dozen donuts to bring instead. Plus I'm having an ugly/fat/bad hair day. I'm going back to bed when I get out of work. Then I'm taking a shower and starting my day all over again around, say 7:00 this evening.
There's a food and art festival in Little Italy this weekend called "The Feast". I've never been to it but I hear it's the party of the year. Apparently it's a tradition for the Catholic church there to celebrate the assention of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. They have a solemn mass where they march her statue around the streets and then they get out the food, the rides, and the music and start celebrating. There are independent vendors setting up booths too which is what I like the most. I love buying other people's handmade crafts since I'm not too crafty myself. I just make jewelry but so does everyone else.
I'll post some picture of "The Feast" here soon.
There's a food and art festival in Little Italy this weekend called "The Feast". I've never been to it but I hear it's the party of the year. Apparently it's a tradition for the Catholic church there to celebrate the assention of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. They have a solemn mass where they march her statue around the streets and then they get out the food, the rides, and the music and start celebrating. There are independent vendors setting up booths too which is what I like the most. I love buying other people's handmade crafts since I'm not too crafty myself. I just make jewelry but so does everyone else.
I'll post some picture of "The Feast" here soon.
8/14/2008
Americans and Their Food
I was hungry today but completely bored with all the food I could have eaten. So a trip to Wal-Mart's subway seemed like a good idea. Until I got there and realized I had no taste for a sub at all. I wandered through the tiny food section (it's not a superstore. Just a regular ol' Wal-Mart) and finally came across some Ramen Noodles. I've been trying to be really healthy and eat mostly veggies and fruit - nothing with preservatives, but for some reason this hit me as something I would like to eat. Do you know how much it was? 17 cents! I spent 17 cents on food at Wal-Mart today. I think that means it's not good for me...
I was reading a magazine a few years ago about French women and why they never get fat. The writer read a book or something and decided to try a French diet herself. She wrote a journal of sorts and eventually found herself losing weight and enjoying her food. I can't remember what triggered this story, but a few years later, I happen across a review for a book: French Women Don't Get Fat. If this "diet" has held on for several years and more people are writing about it, maybe I'll check it out, I think to myself. I do some searches on the French diet and keep reading. Turns out it's not a diet at all. The main idea is this: The French ENJOY their food!
The author noticed that people in America down gigantic burritos and burgers as fast as they can while on cell phones, laptops, or while driving. The people of France take time preparing their food, using mostly fresh foods and spices. Then, they sit down without the TV or a computer in front of them and eat. They eat slowly, thinking about what their eating, tasting all the ingredients that were put into their meal. Their food is more fattening at times (full fat cheeses, wine) but because they eat slowly, they enjoy their food, which makes them eat less. Americans, on the other hand, go to the nearest fast food restaurant or buy a box of Macaroni and Cheese where the only spice is salt and inhale without tasting anything (really, is there much to taste anyway?).
So here's my solution: Do you have a garden? If you live in an apartment or in a city, google urban community gardens. If there aren't any around, look into starting one. Do you have a farmer's market or any orchards/farms near you? Go get as many veggies and fruit as you can eat in a week and start a new regimen. I tried this the other day. I took time preparing my food and then I thought about all the spices and ingredients that had made that food. It made me chew slower, enjoy more, and eat less! It feels so good to eat this way. And it's not really that expensive. I got out of the grocery store at $30 for 2 weeks of food. Plus, because veggies and fruits are so full of fiber, I feel hungry less often. So not too much binge eating here. Try it! You'll like it!
I was reading a magazine a few years ago about French women and why they never get fat. The writer read a book or something and decided to try a French diet herself. She wrote a journal of sorts and eventually found herself losing weight and enjoying her food. I can't remember what triggered this story, but a few years later, I happen across a review for a book: French Women Don't Get Fat. If this "diet" has held on for several years and more people are writing about it, maybe I'll check it out, I think to myself. I do some searches on the French diet and keep reading. Turns out it's not a diet at all. The main idea is this: The French ENJOY their food!
The author noticed that people in America down gigantic burritos and burgers as fast as they can while on cell phones, laptops, or while driving. The people of France take time preparing their food, using mostly fresh foods and spices. Then, they sit down without the TV or a computer in front of them and eat. They eat slowly, thinking about what their eating, tasting all the ingredients that were put into their meal. Their food is more fattening at times (full fat cheeses, wine) but because they eat slowly, they enjoy their food, which makes them eat less. Americans, on the other hand, go to the nearest fast food restaurant or buy a box of Macaroni and Cheese where the only spice is salt and inhale without tasting anything (really, is there much to taste anyway?).
So here's my solution: Do you have a garden? If you live in an apartment or in a city, google urban community gardens. If there aren't any around, look into starting one. Do you have a farmer's market or any orchards/farms near you? Go get as many veggies and fruit as you can eat in a week and start a new regimen. I tried this the other day. I took time preparing my food and then I thought about all the spices and ingredients that had made that food. It made me chew slower, enjoy more, and eat less! It feels so good to eat this way. And it's not really that expensive. I got out of the grocery store at $30 for 2 weeks of food. Plus, because veggies and fruits are so full of fiber, I feel hungry less often. So not too much binge eating here. Try it! You'll like it!
8/12/2008
Ooh Crafty!
I think I ate some bad eggs. Not feeling so good all of a sudden. It could also be because I didn't eat anything until 3:00 this afternoon and then I only ate hard boiled eggs and toast. So healthy...I'm supposed to be at work for another half an hour but I might just cut out a little early.
Boyfriend and I are thinking of going into business together and selling stuff on Etsy. It's a really cool website where everything is handmade and sold online. It makes for some really unique gifts. We're hoping we can turn our crafty hobbies into a little extra money. That would be fun.
Sigh. I guess I should get back to work. Only 20 minutes left!
Boyfriend and I are thinking of going into business together and selling stuff on Etsy. It's a really cool website where everything is handmade and sold online. It makes for some really unique gifts. We're hoping we can turn our crafty hobbies into a little extra money. That would be fun.
Sigh. I guess I should get back to work. Only 20 minutes left!
8/08/2008
Ooh Shiny!
I was going to write about something completely different today and possibly depressing but then I came across this on PR Web's Lifestyle Fashion. A whole story on how a jewelry designer named Veraggio has just changed his Classico collection to be "classic with a twist." I couldn't help but forget my work responsbilities and click on every single one of the pretty rings and think about how wonderful they would all look on my finger. Here are my favorites: 1, 2, 3. As you can see, I love round cut diamonds. I used to love solitaires but Verragio is so great at keeping the attention on the center diamond. I hate it when all the little diamonds fight for attention with the big diamond. How much are these? I just want to try them on and take pictures.
On a side note, today is Happiness Happens day. It's also a lucky day because it's 08/08/08. Woo! Maybe I'll get enough money to buy one of these rings or maybe someone will get a weird feeling that he needs to buy one today.
On a side note, today is Happiness Happens day. It's also a lucky day because it's 08/08/08. Woo! Maybe I'll get enough money to buy one of these rings or maybe someone will get a weird feeling that he needs to buy one today.
8/07/2008
What I did on my summer vacation
Obviously, I'm not so good at keeping up with this. I've decided to just write even when I don't think I have anything to say. So here I go.
I took a much needed 3 week-day, 2 weekend day vacation a couple weeks ago. Awesome. The boyfriend (T) and I went to the beach where he got a horrendous burn. He's still red. I already had a tan so I've been to the beach once since then (without him) and we're both going to go again this Saturday. I love being a beach bum.
The next day, we went to an arts and technology festival which was pretty cool. Our first stop was a robot named Zeno who told us his entire story himself. A bunch of geeks from Hanson Robotics made him and you can tell they're so excited and proud of their creation. I was so excited with them. Zeno will be available in a couple of years to live at your house and tell you the weather, if you have email, what the news headlines are, etc. I'm stoked. Can't wait to get one.
We also watched Angelin Chang play some amazing classical pieces on the piano while her video artist partner Quian Li put some entrancing multi-media stuff up on the screen. Quian Li is a really good artist. He had everything programmed so that it would go perfectly with the music - change tone when she did, change speed when she did - awesome.
And of course, video game enthusiast that he is, T got to play Halo 3 in a room full of teenage boys. Woo! I'll have to post a picture of that half an hour of excitement.
Monday we got our hairs cut! A girl I went to high school with is a senior hair dresser with awards racking up so we drove about 45 minutes just to get a haircut from her. We then browsed Crate and Barrel and pretended like we had money and a place to put all the furniture we were buying. Ahhh, that would be the life. Wedding registry, I've got my eye on you.
The last day of my mini-vacation was movie marathon day. We didn't even shower until 4:00. I didn't care at the time but that's gross to read. We confined ourselves to T's room so no one would see us and I did brush my teeth though so it was ok. We topped everything off by going to see Step Brothers at the theater. The last few of those movies (Walk Hard, Semi-Pro) were boring and not very funny but they finally hit the mark again. Not sure if anything can top Anchor Man though.
Sigh. I miss just hanging out on hot summer days and not having to go to work. Why did I decide to become an adult?
I took a much needed 3 week-day, 2 weekend day vacation a couple weeks ago. Awesome. The boyfriend (T) and I went to the beach where he got a horrendous burn. He's still red. I already had a tan so I've been to the beach once since then (without him) and we're both going to go again this Saturday. I love being a beach bum.
The next day, we went to an arts and technology festival which was pretty cool. Our first stop was a robot named Zeno who told us his entire story himself. A bunch of geeks from Hanson Robotics made him and you can tell they're so excited and proud of their creation. I was so excited with them. Zeno will be available in a couple of years to live at your house and tell you the weather, if you have email, what the news headlines are, etc. I'm stoked. Can't wait to get one.
We also watched Angelin Chang play some amazing classical pieces on the piano while her video artist partner Quian Li put some entrancing multi-media stuff up on the screen. Quian Li is a really good artist. He had everything programmed so that it would go perfectly with the music - change tone when she did, change speed when she did - awesome.
And of course, video game enthusiast that he is, T got to play Halo 3 in a room full of teenage boys. Woo! I'll have to post a picture of that half an hour of excitement.
Monday we got our hairs cut! A girl I went to high school with is a senior hair dresser with awards racking up so we drove about 45 minutes just to get a haircut from her. We then browsed Crate and Barrel and pretended like we had money and a place to put all the furniture we were buying. Ahhh, that would be the life. Wedding registry, I've got my eye on you.
The last day of my mini-vacation was movie marathon day. We didn't even shower until 4:00. I didn't care at the time but that's gross to read. We confined ourselves to T's room so no one would see us and I did brush my teeth though so it was ok. We topped everything off by going to see Step Brothers at the theater. The last few of those movies (Walk Hard, Semi-Pro) were boring and not very funny but they finally hit the mark again. Not sure if anything can top Anchor Man though.
Sigh. I miss just hanging out on hot summer days and not having to go to work. Why did I decide to become an adult?
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