Phenomenal Woman who still rises

This is ridiculous!

2011-08-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

I just got another duplicate book from the school! Who ever is in charge of keeping track of which students received which books needs to be fired or retrained or something! I don’t know of any other word, besides ridiculous, to describe these book shipping problems I’m having. It makes me wonder if I’m the only one...

Since starting the program in January 2010, I’ve gotten 7 duplicate books. That may not seem like a lot as many of the books are used for more than 1 class, but coupled with the fact that on at least 4 occasions I’ve gotten a book for a class well after it’s started, this isn’t good.

Last week I called my student advisor to ask what to do (I actually left a message and she hasn’t returned my call!) and today I got not only a duplicate book (#7) but a prepaid postage sticker to return duplicate book #6 back. I’ll be returning all duplicate books I have (up to 5 lbs and any that haven’t sold online) in the same box. whatever I can’t fit in the box, I’m going to email my advisor, again, and request another postage paid sticker to return them. I’m running out of space on my bookshelf for the books I need so duplicates have to go!

are you serious!?

2011-08-02T23:48:00.000-07:00

I used to like and follow someone "famous" on twitter, Damien Fahey (he got his start on MTV), but then today (Tuesday) he made this stupid jerk of a comment and joking or not, comments like these aren't cool!

so far I don't know if anyone has commented on it, but I made it be known that it wasn't cool. I wanted to say so much more (like "do douchbags like you deserve to be wished a happy birthday?") but the last thing I want is a "twitter war" with some has been MTV host

edited to add: Since I posted a screen cap of his tweet, a friend of mine told me it's been removed from his page. I'd like to think I was the catalyst that caused him to remove it. I posted it like 3 places so there's no telling if I was the only one to "make a stink" about it.

wow this summer!

2011-08-01T00:07:00.000-07:00

I tell you what! this summer got off to a kind of slow start but its looking to end on a high note!

Baseball season was awesome. I know it's not over yet, but for me its been awesome! I've gone to the most games this year than I EVER have. An exhibition game against the Dodgers in a COMPANY SUITE! Then a game every month this season, which has been 4 games so far. One more game is set for August 16th and then Lora and I have vouchers for another game (in awesome seats - don't remember off hand where) but we have yet to pick a date.

Saturday (7/30) Lora and I went to Escondido and San Diego. In Escondido we went to a timeshare presentation. For the most part it was okay. Longer than the 90 minutes we were initially told. Our presentation started at 12:40 pm and we didn’t finish until 4 pm! That was presentation, tour and then 2 sales pitches! Out of it we got the additional Angels tickets I mentioned above AND 2 TICKETS TO HONOLULU, HAWAII!!!!! to be used in the next 13 months! OH! MY! GOD!! SUMMER OF AWESOMENESS! We just have to pay the taxes on the plane tickets and have whatever spending money we’ll need. The rest is taken care of! LOVE IT! We haven’t picked dates for the trip yet, but I’m sure we’ll do that in the next month or so. While we weren’t able to afford the time share, I understand the concept so much more and about how much this particular one costs that after my birthday cruise next year, I’m going to save up so that by the time I’m 35 I can get one.

right, after the timeshare thing we went to the zoo. It was around 5 pm when we got there and stayed to nearly closing (9 pm I believe). Not many animals were out, but we saw a bunch of monkeys, the elephants, some big cats, omg heard a lion roar! it was so awesome! I thought it was a recording until I actually saw the lion was doing it! I wish I would have recorded it (and I totally need a better camera!) I didn’t take many pictures while at the zoo. Partly because the camera I was using isn’t all that great and partly because I was more interested in looking at the animals than taking pictures of them. But I managed to get 42 okay I guess pictures.

If the slideshow doesn’t work, you can see the pictures here http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0903/lizzieluvsu/Family%20and%20Friends/07-30-11%20San%20Diego%20Zoo/

In our travels to/from Escondido and San Diego, Lora and I came up with more day trips we can do. First we thought of Carlsbad Caverns but then I discovered they’re in New Mexico and NOT Carlsbad, CA (guess I didn’t pay too good attention during my travel & tourism classes lmao). So for now, that’s on the back burner. August 11 we’re going to the La Brea Tar Pits, there’s a day trip to Port Hueneme, a possible visit to/near by Camp Pendleton, there’s an air show for the end of August/beginning of September that I need to look into.

I swear there was more, but I got sidetracked looking up stuff on various Marine Corps websites so I’ll end this now.

iz floored

2011-07-14T20:09:00.001-07:00

So Monday I finished that lame (10 day) Critical Thinking class and was whatever about it. I’d be happy with a C. Well as it stands, I have an 81.70% - that’s a B! This is by no means bragging. This is me geninuely shocked that I pulled such a good grade from not trying and being pissed that no one - student advisor or teacher - would return my calls or emails until 3 days before the class was over!

There were 2 written assignments due - a 2 page paper and then a 4 page paper expanded from the 2 page paper. I did those in 1 ½ days! I got 100% on the 2 page paper and 98% on the 4 page paper. Then there were 4 discussion question/homework questions. I did 3 of the 4 but (so far) only graded on 2 and one of those 2 I didn’t do!

This online school experience started out so great, but gradually, it’s been pissing me off, royally. Good luck trying to get a prompt reply from my student advisor when it’s important. he only time she’s prompt about getting in touch with me is if I haven’t logged into Blackboard in a few days.

Anyways, right now I’m at day 3 of Psychology class and I don’t have a book. I was supposed to hear back from the SA 2 days ago about it. Fortunately there’s photocopied pages as pdfs for the reading. It feels like I’m missing stuff tho, but I have been able to answer the discussion questions based on the reading we’ve been provided, so that’s good i guess. I really don’t want to play phone tag about this book. My SA is just pissing me off to no end. I wonder if they even pay attention to the course evaluation they have us do at the end of class...

the wheels on the bus go round and round

2011-07-14T00:08:00.001-07:00

So I took the bus to the library and when I was on the 2nd bus going there, this guy taps me on my shoulder and hands me a post it note

click to see full size

OMG! I start "typing" away on my cell and he taps me on my shoulder again (I think) and was like "Is that a yes?" I shook my head no and was like "I have a boyfriend" and he was all "sorry." and then I turned up my music and texted my friends what happened.

why did he put his name in quotes? as my friend Ana asked on FB Um....is "james" his bus only name?

I said no for 2 reasons: He looked AT LEAST 20 years OLDER than me (between 45-50 yrs old!) and he wasn't attractive. From that point on, I was creeped out. he was sitting behind me to my right so for a good 10 minutes (until he got off the bus) I felt like I was being watched, or my texts were being read.

and reading it, it's like we had a conversation and as he was getting off the bus, he gave it to me...but no. I had been on the bus maybe 5 minutes before he gave me that note.

Anyways...went to the library to return a book and check out another one. It's a bit of a "teen" book, but omg I LOVE The Heist Society series books! The first one is called "Heist Society" and this one is called "Uncommon Criminals". I have the audiobook of the first if anyone is interested in giving it a listen. There are many things about this series that has me reading for hours on end - The "lead" male character, Hale, totally sounds cute (I mentioned to a friend I wish he was my bf lol) (and it doesn't hurt that he's rich, but I'm so not a literary gold digger!) and buzz around the internet is that Heist Society might become a movie. OMG YAY! when I read that, my mind got to think about who I'd cast. I haven't come up with my cast yet, but let me tell you, Hale HAS GOT TO BE A DREAM!

About an hour ago, I guess, I finished “The Rockey Horror Picture Show”. For those who like it, more power to you. It just wasn’t my movie. I’ve been told by several people that it is lame when you watch by yourself and that it’s much more fun if you watch with a group and it’s interactive. Okay, if you say so. It just wasn’t for me. The songs were catchy enough but I spent far too much time going “wtf is this?!” and “omg this is so lame”. I didn’t think there was going to be as much singing as there was either. Just my thoughts on it all.

freak of the day

2011-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

For a minute, my netbook became a paperweight. Nothing I plugged into any of the 3 USB ports would read. It acknowledged my external hard drive but no drives were popping up. FREAK OUT! Unplugged everything, shutdown, wait a minute, reboot, plug back it and we're back in business!

I don't know why the USB ports randomly decided not to work. I need to invest in an everyday use netbook and leave this one for the school work (like I'm sure the school who sent me to me intended, but I paid for it, so I can use it however I want, right?!).

I’ll just add this to the growing list of problems I’m encountering now (at the 18 month mark of having it). Maybe a month ago, or so, it started randomly shutting down. Not the good shutdown way either. like mid-type in and email and it would turn off! Thought I’d press the power button on accident, but when it did it while I was streaming something online, I knew that wasn’t the case. I think it was overheating (note to self: see about getting a fan to place under this when I use it for a long time). Another thing I noticed was a blinking red/orange light. I’d recognized this before, when I was working off the battery. It meant my battery was low and to plug it in. But wait, it IS plugged in! What the heck is going on?! I checked the battery and it was at 88%. Umm why? I’m plugged in. it should be at 100%. I mention it to my dad and he suggested I work on the battery until it drains completely, then plug it in to let it fully charge. I did that and no further problems with the battery...however, the red/orange light flashes and I notice that the netbook was pretty hot. So I saved everything and shut it down for a few hours to cool off. Again, need that fan.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday!

this heat sucks hairy donkey balls!

2011-07-01T20:05:00.001-07:00

was out driving earlier today with my mom. we had some errands to run (last bit of food for BBQ tomorrow) and she was called in to work to fill in for someone (this lady ALWAYS seems to get sick when there's going to be a 3 day holiday so she ends up getting 4 days), anyways, my mom and I did what we had to do and she dropped me off at home before leaving for work. about an hour after being home, I was so congested and we didn't have anything for it. I was miserable. It had to be the heat as it was 84 degrees according to the weather channel app on my phone. I opened the window/curtains in my room and watch some shows on hulu. I got through a decent number before I fell asleep. I woke up twice when I noticed I wasn't hearing anymore shows playing (my connection froze I think).

about an hour ago I finally woke up. saw some email reminders for graphic challenges and now I'm working on them. I'm going to need to stop to start the marinade on the ribs. I don't feel like doing it, but my mom called and asked me to.

We also need a new vacuum. My dad is checking the Salvation Army, but I don't know if I trust them. They're cool for movies, clothes and furniture, but other things I rather buy at the store (walmart, target, sears) where there's the paperwork and a warranty. Unfortunately, we don't have $100+ laying around for a brand spanking new vacuum.

Hope my American friends have a happy and safe Independence Day weekend!

an update on my Critical Thinking class

2011-06-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

In regards to this entry, I spoke with my student advisor. While I didn’t mention wanting to be removed from the class, I did tell her that I was VERY uncomfortable with the discussion topics. She said that was understandable, and that I wasn’t the only one (in the class?) who felt that way. She said in cases like this, another topic was given and that’s what I would work with. She also said that the 2 writing written papers didn’t have to be on ghosts/ufo’s or 9/11 conspiracy theories - that I could pick any topic. Umm great. I wouldn’t know a topic to pick (I didn’t tell her that).

Still have a high level of IDGAF.

As the conversation came to an end, she said she’d e-mail the instructor and see what further could be done and that the instructor would be in contact with me via email (best to have everything in writing so there’s no confusion) and my SA would be CC’d on the matter as well.

I hope some kind of solution is decided upon. The 2 page written paper is due tomorrow and I have 2 days of discussion questions to work on (the ones I need replacement topics for).

I like weird things but this is pushing it

2011-06-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

Monday I started a new class - Critical Thinking. Yet another class I’ve taken in person that I’ve had to take online. I’m getting tired of this BS. Anyways. The book for the class is titled How to Think About Weird Things Critical Thinking for a New Age. I didn’t bother to look through the book when it came because I was wrapped up in working on my research paper for the class I just finished (English/Writing Composition).

Monday I looked at the lecture, homework and discussion assignment for the day. Nothing weird there. Just lightly touching on ghosts and hauntings...and how to critically think about them (aka debunking the bumps in the night and shadow play). We were also given an assignment that would be due on Friday. A 2 page paper on either ghosts, UFO’s or 9/11 conspiracy theories. Which ever topic we pick for the 2 page paper, we’d be expanding for the 4 page paper due at the end of the course. Pick something that can hold our attention.

Tuesday I looked at the lecture, homework and discussion assignment for the day. Death. We were learning about death. More specifically near death experiences and the existence of a soul. Not...not too bad. The assignment was to basically debunk, “logically think about”, a near death experience we, or someone we know, has had. We have to try to logically explain what happened in that experience. I’m sorry, I’m not going to poo poo something someone has said they felt deep inside them. I think that’s wrong.

This is looking like a class I’m not going to do too well in.

Today we are to start working on that 2 page paper assigned on Monday. Only problem is, after all this reading, I don’t want to write about any of the topics. I 100% do not believe in 9/11 conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories on other topics, I haven’t dealt with and for the purposes of this class, probably won’t be dealing with. That leaves UFO’s and Ghosts. If I write about UFO’s, the lecture in Unit 6 talks all about them. There are 3 chapters in the book talking about it and 6 websites to visit. For ghosts, that’s discussed in Unit 2 (2 chapters and 3 websites) AND Unit 4 (3 chapters and 1 website).

Not going to lie, I’m totally going to BS the 2 papers. That is how high my level of IDGAF is.

After today, there are still 7 more days of this class and I’ll be done with it. I can last, right? I really just don’t GAF.

debatable research paper

2011-06-14T12:55:00.001-07:00

For this English/Writing Composition class I’m in we have a final paper (due 6/24) and the guidelines state that we are to take a position on an issue that can be debated. Last Friday we were to begin to think about topics we could research, but I’m a procrastinator and we have a rough draft of the paper due on 6/17 so today I decided on my topic. Physician Assisted Suicide. It is definitely an issue that can be debated.

A down side, I guess, is that it is limited to 2 pages - not including the references page. Normally I dread having page/word limits but I think this is one time I wish I didn’t. I have to stick to the 2 pages because I don’t want points taken off. The last paper I did I went half way on to a 3rd page and got 2 points taken off.

Then there’s the number of sources. At least 5. I don’t know how the paper is going to be kept at 2 pages with 5 sources, but I’m going to try. So far I have 10 websites and 10 books. Obviously I’m not going to use them all, but it’s a good starting point. In a bit I’m going to the library to look at the books I selected and see if they’re something I can use or if I need to pick other books. My plan for this assignment is to use 3 books and 2 websites. That will give me my “at least 5 sources”.

woe is me

2011-05-31T14:06:00.001-07:00

the last few yrs I had the opportunity to go to FL for my b-day in September. Usually involves seeing my brother and his family, going to a concert with a friend then coming home.

I went for my 25th birthday...and then every yr after that I tried going again, something came up and I couldn't. I have the invite again and pretty much everything is in place except for the funds. I don't get paid a lot so saving for trips is kind of a mute point since any "left over" money goes for some household bill that magically finds its way to my bills to pay box.

It kind of irks me the number of trips my parents get to go on. Every 3 or 4 months my mom goes off to see her siblings, then she and my dad will take a trip someplace - usually for some organization my dad is associated with. They’re retired. Frequent trips is one of the perks of being retired.

This trip to FL is probably going to be about $600. That's airfare and my spending money. My brother said I can stay with him and the concert is pretty much taken care of. That's 3 months of pay for me - once I pay my personal bills. Now I'm trying to figure out how to tell my parents that for the next 3 months I won't be ale to contribute any money because I REALLY WANT TO GO ON THIS TRIP.

I've made a list of everything that is optional that I pay for and enjoy that I can reduce, cancel all together or put on hold until later and I'll gladly do that to take this trip.

I really hate this financial position I'm in.

Looking for 2nd part time job to help me go to FL for my birthday. It seems...wrong to say "sure I can work for you! btw, in September I'll be taking a 5 day trip for my birthday".

Now is when I wish I still worked at the library. That $200 every 2 weeks was AWESOME!

one of me...why so many books?

2011-05-28T14:15:00.001-07:00

I don’t know what’s going on with my school, but they need to get their act together!

They used to send me books on time. I used to get a book for a class and wouldn’t need it for a couple of classes as many classes used the same book or there was no books (only online handouts).

Now, the last 3 times they’ve sent me books, its been after the class has started and I called my advisor to let them know I didn’t have the book. They got right on it and sent me a book. No, wait, they sent me 2 books!

Umm there’s just one of me, why do I need 2 of the same books?!

The first time I called my advisor back and told her and she said they would send me some postage paid forms to send the books back. After a month of waiting and not getting the forms, I sold the books.

The second time I got multiple copies of the same book, I got them about 2 days after the class had started. One book came on a Saturday (and the class started the day before) and the second book came the following Monday. Again, there’s only one of me. I don’t need 2 of the same books. I put it up to sell it, but apparently without the CD that’s supposed to come with it, no one wants the book. *shrugs* It wasn’t sent to me with a CD and from what I could tell in using the book, no CD was ever mentioned with supplemental information.

The third time I got multiple books is for the class I’m in now. The class started last Friday and by the day before when I hadn’t gotten an e-mail notifying me that a book was on the way, I e-mailed and called my advisor. she said she would look into what happened and get back to me. an hour later I got an e-mail notifying me that the book would be delivered. It was delivered Saturday, but no one was home to sign for it so back to the post office it went. I didn’t think to arrange for re-delivery on Monday because I just assumed it would be redelivered. I gave the “sorry we missed you” slip to my dad to pick it up for me but when he got to the post office, they said they didn’t have it. An hour before he called to tell me that, the mail was delivered but not my book...so I went online and requested a re-delivery for the following day. Finally got the book on Tuesday.

Yesterday I get 2 notifications of books being sent to me. I figured they were getting a head start for my next 2 classes. Partly right. One contained a book for a future class (eww college writing! why couldn’t they accept the college courses I already took?! I got As and Bs in those classes!) and the other...a second copy of the book I got Tuesday for my current class!

I’ll be putting this book up for sale as well, but I doubt it will get bought. I may donate them to the library or good will...or send them all (duplicates that is) back once I graduate in November.

continuing laundry room issues

2011-05-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my upstairs neighbor gave me crap for taking her clothes out of the washer. She said that was the first time all week she washed and would appreciate it if I didn’t take her clothes out - that she doesn’t take my clothes out (which is utter bullshit because I’ve walked in on her doing so!). To respect her clothes and leave them alone.

I calmly told her that if she came out after 45 minutes - which is how long the wash cycle is - I wouldn’t have to take her clothes out of the washer. I also told her the dryer cycle is 30 minutes and the same goes for that. Take it out after 30 minutes and you won’t have to worry about me, or anyone else removing your clothes. There are 6 units for one washer/dryer. No one should have to not wash because you can’t get your shit out in a timely manner.

Well at the time, I was rushing to get to zumba, she had a load of clothes in the wash, and from what I could tell, sat outside with her niece and chatted, I assume so that she could put her clothes in the dryer. This meant that I had a wet load of clothes...and was going to be late for zumba. Took the clothes inside and rushed to get to class. An hour later when class was over I called my mom, told her what happened and asked her if she could put my still wet clothes in the dryer because I had errands to run and wouldn’t be back for a while.

2 hours later I get home and the clothes are still there! WTF! She’d been washing for 4 hours, much like today, and I was livid. I’m not going to have my clothes ruined because you can’t get down to deal with your clothes. So I took her clothes of the dryer (it was still going), put more quarters in and put my clothes in to dry. 30 minutes later I went back out and the dryer was still going, but my clothes were dry so I took them out, and put hers back in (they were also completely dry) so that she wouldn’t know I took them out.

Well now we’re at today and for the last 4 hours I’ve been trying to wash a load of clothes for my dad. every time I go to the laundry room this neighbor is there! The last time I went out, she had a fucking fold up chair and was sitting there talking on her phone! WTF! As I said on twitter, if you have THAT much clothes, go to the laundromat! You can wash your stuff for the same amount of quarters, get it done faster, and people, like me, who only have 1 load to do, can get their stuff done.

the art of driving part 2

2011-05-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

we went to the storage place so I could get a suitcase out of my unit for my mom and when we left, my dad paid his bill and I parked the car. then I was going to get back in the passenger seat and he said for me to drive home (never mind that my permit expired on April 30).

So I drove home then he had me to parallel park. yikes. never did that before. I've driven into a spot parallel to the curb to park but not back into the spot. So I did it. I didn't bump into the curb with the back tire, I was close to the curb, and I left enough space for another car to park behind me and leave us enough space to get out when we leave. My dad said it was perfect.

Since my permit expired, I have to redo the written test (which I hope doesn't take me 3 times like last time) to get my permit again.

In non-driving news, Jamie and I will be going to the movies to lunch/dinner tomorrow. We’re going to see Fast Five and I think the plan is still to have Mexican food (mmm Margaritas). Then next week we’re going to see Thor. Sweet baby Jesus! Chris Hemsworth, Paul Walker, Chris Bridges and Dwayne Johnson in 2 HOT movies! CANNOT WAIT!

the art of driving

2011-04-20T08:10:00.001-07:00

okay, I admit it, I haven't been looking very hard, but a couple days ago, could have been Sunday, I was able to jot down the name of a driving school that's advertised on the side of the student driving cars.

today it dawns on me, "oh yeah! i should probably look up their rates" so I do and they seem reasonable enough. I just need the behind the wheel practice and use of the car to actually do the behind the wheel test at the DMV.

its $75 for 2 hours and $220 for 6 hours. I fairly comfortable with the actual driving and making left or right turns. What I haven’t tried is to parallel park or make a successful U-turn. I tried the u-turn in a residential area but I didn’t quite make it.

My permit expires on the 30th and to keep from having to pay that darn fee and take the written again, I kind of need to do that now. But sadly, it’s looking like come May 2nd or there after I’m going to have to do the written test over, but I’ll be able to do behind the wheel training at this driving school before my DMV behind the wheel test (and have use of the car too - at least until my mom gets a better car that I can use).

Today is also my mom's 65th birthday. she won't be mad me for telling strangers her age lol

Baseball and school

2011-04-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

yesterday my mom and I went to the baseball game i thought I'd have to go to alone. I had fun, got 3 blankets (one is mine, one is my moms and the other my mom found for Lora - someone left it behind) and found the car without having to walk up and down the rows.

In case you didn’t see my tweet or FB update, Angels won 2-0!

Some guy, I don’t know if he was drunk, I’m going to say he was drunk, fell over some of the seats, broke a cup holder and hit a lady in the back of her head (it was when Torii Hunter was making this awesome catch that would have been a home run for the Indians). He got up and walked away but the lady’s head was pretty sore. She stayed for the rest of the game, but the guy left. I don’t know if security or whatever was able to talk to him.

My catcher dude, #5 Jeff Mathis is totally choking when at bat. During the exhibition games he was great. but on Saturday’s epic 14 Inning game, he choked twice. Last night, choked as well. Okay, choked is so negative. He wasn’t playing as well as I hoped he would. I still think he’s hot as heck, but ick, so not liking him right now. #25 Peter Bourjos on the other hand...he hit one of the home runs to score for the Angels, and he’s good looking. Yeah, I’m that shallow. I’ll root for all the guys - the team as a whole, but there are a few players who catch my eyes (looks. always the looks) and I’ll root especially hard for them...or something.

Going to try this slide show of pictures. if it doesn’t work properly, then I’ll post the individual pictures.

Today is day 4 of my new class and I don't have the book! e-mailed professor and student advisor and no response. called advisor twice and no return call. I'd buy the book myself (books are included in cost of tuition) but I don't think it would get to me in time. Next call will be to the dean. If I don't get some sort of resolution, I might have to take the course over and that would change my graduation date. eta book problem solved! the book for this advanced class was the pamphlet like book given with the main Paralegal Today book. That should have been listed in the syllabus! But good to know I have it and don’t have to buy anything.

I has the sad

2011-04-11T20:34:00.001-07:00

My friend's daughter is in the hospital with a kidney infection...that has gotten into her blood stream and she might also have gallstones. This means I don’t have my baseball buddy. This also means I have an extra baseball ticket to tomorrow night’s game and no way to get there.

Thus, I has the sad.

My friend said that if my mom goes, to ask her if she, my friend, can have the fleece blanket (it’s the promotional give away).

I think I saw something about amtrak/metrolink and otca having service after home games so I’m going to look into that. and if it’s something I can swing, I’ll see about doing that tomorrow...and then getting picked up at the train station closer to home.

eta I can take metrolink to and from the game for $7. I’ll catch the train at 6:11 pm and get to Angels Stadium at 6:33 pm. The game starts at 7:05 pm so I’d have plenty of time to get to my seats. BIG plus is no matter what time the game is over, there’s a train waiting to go back so I wouldn’t have to leave the game early if it went into extra innings! Hmm thinking about it...I guess I really want that fleece blanket they’re giving away tomorrow.

And to top off my sadness, Angels are down against the Indians 4-0 (as of 8:25 pm)

I don’t even feel like watching Dancing with the Stars.

The Princess Bride

2011-04-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

It came out in 1987, why is everyone so shocked that I’m just now watching it?

There were some funny moments, some predictable moments, but its a decent movie.

I teared up at the end. The last lines.
Grandson: Grandpa, maybe you could come over and read it again to me tomorrow.
Grandpa: As you wish.

Now I just want “As you wish means I love you” in an icon.

Inigo Montoya: I was eleven years old. And when I was strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of fencing. So the next time we meet, I will not fail. I will go up to the six-fingered man and say, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

The scene towards the end where Inigo Montoya repeated the line he practiced for 20 years was a bit funny/annoying. but his killing line was very good.

Inigo Montoya: I want my father back, you son of a bitch!

Overall I give the movie

Just a bunch of muggles playing Quidditch

2011-04-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Friday or Saturday, my friend Jamie told me about the International Quidditch Cup. If you follow Harry Potter or know anything about it, yeah. THAT Quidditch! However, this game is played with muggles (non-magical folks) so there’s no flying, but there are broom sticks that the players carry around between their legs, and the Golden Snitch is a human with a gold shirt on and a ball in a sock tucked into the back of their shorts.

Today (Sunday) were the Western Cup matches http://www.internationalquidditch.org/westerncup.html and in November are the Wold Cup matches http://www.internationalquidditch.org/worldcup.html

It was an interesting afternoon to say the least. I won’t go into the drama that happened that caused me to even go (well I will in another entry). Jamie, and her cousins picked me up at the train station and we went to the park. When we got there, a match was already going. It was kids playing! I want to say they were 4 or 5 years old. It was too cute! Then the older big kids - 11-13 they looked and after were the college teams. I saw ASU, USC, Cal Berkeley, UCLA and I think other teams, possibly earlier in the day.

I took pictures. I couldn’t resist. After the cut are 71 pictures, including some bumper stickers I bought and a Quidditch iron on patch that I’ll be attaching to a tote bag (eventually)

Pictures of the fun

Angels v Dodgers baseball

2011-03-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

The baseball game was so much fun! Lora and I got our pictures taken - we had on team shirts and I was carrying my team hat and didn't think to put it on. The Angels won - beat the Dodgers Monday night AND tonight. w00t! the suite we had was...sweet. lol we shared it with 6 other people from Lora's job + guests, so there was 12 of us total.

picked up our tickets for 5 more games. This is going to be the best baseball season...and the season we've gone to the most games to as well.

Lora and I picked the games we were going to based on the promotion they were giving away. That said, 4 of the 5 games are during the week and 1 is on Saturday.

April 12 Angels v Indians (50th Anniversary Fleece Blanket)
May 25 Angels v Athletics (Angels Cooler)
June 11 Angels v Royals (Angels Post-Game Concert [Saturday])
July 19 Angels v Rangers (Angels Hall of Fame Shirt)
August 16 Angels v Rangers (Angels 50th Anniversary Mug)

There might be a game on my birthday (September 9) and that is Angels v Yankees. Fireworks is the “promotion” and the players will be wearing a flashback jersey

Some pictures...

baseball!

2011-03-27T18:45:00.001-07:00

Today was baseball day! So excited! Choir was canceled after church because Colleen forgot the music at her house so this left time for me to change clothes, Lora to get coffee, then we went to Walgreens for some snacks and headed to Angels Stadium.

We got there at 145 pm (in time for the National Anthem - a first!) and the game wasn’t to start until 205 pm. We parked on the correct side of the stadium for Gate 1 where our seats were, but walked the wrong direction and entered at Gate 6. We had to walk up a level then all the way around so that we could walk down to level 1.

Walking to our seats. Nice view of a part of the Stadium we’ve only seen from the OTHER side lol

Our seats? Field Box 105. OMG I didn’t realize how close to the field that is! I’m used to the “nose bleed” cheap seats. Even as we got to where the seats were there was a sign that was something to the effect of “watch for flying bats and balls”. I should have taken a picture! LOL

Our seats. see how close we are!

We got to watch the players on the field with some practice. I was still in awe at the seats. I told Lora I wanted to get season tickets for the section we were in. Pie in the Sky dream tho. Deposit for season tickets is $500 and I’m sure the Field Box section is super expensive. Still gonna research it though.

This was either right before or right after the National Anthem. BTW, the girl singing it....TOTALLY BETTER than Christina Aguilera. I’m just saying...

The game kind of started when I was people watching. I missed the first Padres player strike out. oops. and then later in the game, maybe Inning 2 or 3, a group of HOT guys sat in the row in front of us, so most of the time I was looking at this guy with a tattoo on his arm...and he had really nice teeth. I was jealous lol

Didn’t take many pictures. I was either chatting with the 2 ladies next to me or people watching.

The last one looks like we’re really far away. but we really weren’t.

In the end, the Angels won. 9-2.

Tuesday is another Angels game. this time from some club box seats. They’re behind home plate. Lora won them in a raffle at her job.

its been a while!

2011-03-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry for that!

Let’s see, the last time I gave a real update was 23 days ago! wow! I can’t remember what all has happened in those 23 days, so this is an update for the last few days.

Sunday Lora said that her job had a box/suite thingy at Angels Stadium and every so often they raffle off tickets to a game and use of the box. Well we had bought a mini pack of tickets (good for 5 games for the 2 of us) and Sunday we’ll be going to an Angels exhibition games against the Padres. Well she put her name in for 2 tickets for all the games they were raffling tickets for. So very cool!

Yesterday Time Warner Cable called. They wanted to send someone to the church to start work on getting us cable telephone and internet service. We’ve been without internet since September and without a phone since December (yet AT&T has continued to bill us for the phone! I’m still working with them to get a full refund for the months we paid and didn’t have service!) I was asked if someone would be at the church Wednesday from 1-5 pm. Oh sure! someone can be in the office between those times if it means I’ll have internet and phone service back in the office!

Then I started to feel the ticklings of being sick. It started with congestion and then my whole face hurt. I stayed up until 4 am washing clothes (only got 1.5 loads done ha) and watching movies (watched Lethal Weapon and half of Lethal Weapon 2) before going to bed.

Around 6 am or so, my cat did what she usually does to get me to wake up and get her food. Usually she can sense when I’m not feeling well and will leave me alone, but not this time. Every freaking 30 minutes she would mess with something that would cause me to wake up, yell at her and go back to sleep. finally around 8 am I gave her the food she wanted and went back to sleep...for another hour and then woke up. Was sleepy but just couldn’t get to sleep. Around 10 am I was going to lay back down when my dad said he was ready to take me to church. Oh no. sorry. not going to be there 3 hrs before they said the cable guy would be there. In the end we didn’t leave until 1215 pm

Fast forward to being at the church. the cable guy arrived around 220 pm. he checked the phone pole outside the church, then did his thing and suddenly there was loud banging on the roof and side of the building. the there was a black cord that looked to fall from the sky lol. cable guy came inside, drilled a hole in the wall and in came cable cord. The guy finished and said TW would be calling to set up a date/time for the installation to be complete.

Oh! in between all of the cable guy stuff, Lora called to tell me she won the raffle! We’re going to the game on Tuesday (as well as Sunday that I thought tickets for). She couldn’t remember who the Angels were playing against and when I looked them up I was like “OMG it’s the Dodgers!!!” So we squeed over that before she had to go back to work.

The rain came. no one was able to pick me up because I forgot my umbrella, so I had to power walk to get to the covered bus stop. Got home and wanted to sleep, but had a paper to do. I printed out stuff for my dad, took a break to get the mail and in the mail was the Angels 50th Anniversary Freedom Plan tickets Lora bought! yes! Sunday we’re going to pick the 5 games we want to go to, then go to the Sunday game, squee more about going to the Angels/Dodgers game and come Tuesday we’ll be ready for that game!

I hope it’s not raining on Sunday or Tuesday for those game...and I hope I’m better.

Oh, also filed my taxes. Should have my refund in 10 days. SHOPPING! Like I don’t do enough of that already lo

adventures in driving

2011-03-01T08:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I drove for the 3rd time. I had to go to the bank and my mom had to pick up some things for one of the residents at the retirement home where she works and she wanted to stop at Michaels for some yarn...so I drove.

02-28-11 my view while waiting for my mom

it's funny, I get so nervous about driving but when I get home after an hr or so of driving, I want to go out again...or at least drive a little further than places in my city. But...the big main streets scare the crap out of me.

My permit expires at the end of April and I don’t think I’ll be ready for the behind the wheel test. And as evident in the picture of the car’s windshield, it’s not ready either. there are 3 total cracks (if I remember correctly) in the windshield and I wouldn’t be able to use the car. Also, there are no working hazard lights...and this is the car that runs well! The other car stalls/shuts off after 5-10 minutes of driving and has NO turn signals.

In other news...today is National Pancake Day and from 7 am to 10 pm IHOP is giving away a free short stack of pancakes...and taking donations for the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals

2011-02-24T01:14:00.001-08:00

Sunday it wasn't rainy but it was a bit cold...but it was really pretty out.

Dealing with tax stuff (waiting for a nice refund!)

My grandpa Raul's memorial service & funeral is this weekend. He died last friday morning.

being an adult sucks

2011-02-20T00:00:00.001-08:00

really hate being an adult right now.

Since I no longer work for the city, I got my PARS (Public Agency Retirement Services) funds distribution form in the mail today. Either I'm stupid or its too complicated to understand.

The funds won't be taxed on a Federal level (it’s under $200) but it could be taxed on a State level...as well as being subjected to an excise tax since I’m not 59.5 yrs old.

All for a measly $49.26! Plus I’ll have to deal with this mess again for 2 checks ($17.33) I got at the beginning of 2011.

I'm about to bite the bullet and ask my dad to explain this to me because I don't want to screw anything up for the taxes I'm about to file this year.

Maybe my sister is right in going to H&R Block...

2011-02-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

it's been rainy off and on today so I had to ask my dad to take me to do my errands. what would have been 2 hrs turned into 4 hours - first because I left my bank cards at home and only realized once I got to the bank and in the line, so I had to go back home then back to the bank. The bank was taken care of, then the car died. UGH right during high school let out too! so I helped my dad push the car back to the bank parking lot and walked to city hall to do my business there. By the time I finished and walked back to the bank, the car started up. Then we went to the post office (I saw 2 cats fighting/playing/having sex?), from there to the mall so I could pay a bill.

horrible hair day and saw the guy who used to pick on me in high school. 12 yrs ago he was cute...now even cuter! and he remembered my name, before I saw him too.

I need to get to Vegas more! I'm about an hour away by plane and I've only gone once and that was as a side trip to Arizona. Random, I know. But I got a postcard from a community friend and she goes a heck of a lot and lives farther away than I do. Plus, I just booked my mom’s trip back to MI for her brother’s wedding in May. 9 days for $250! Going to Vegas for 4 days would have been something like $200 (and that includes round trip airport shuttle).

I have a pretty decent tax refund due to me and besides putting half of it in savings, that still leaves me with a nice chunk of change and I’m trying to figure out how to spend it.

I have an assignment due today and I need to get back to thinking about doing it. LOL I swear I probably won’t start on it until 7 pm, then stop from 9-11 to watch TV (Criminal Minds and the new Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior) giving me 55 minutes to scramble and finish as the assignment is due by 11:55 pm. maybe I’ll start at 6 pm...

maybe one day

2011-02-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

Maybe one day I'll write an entry about race as thought provoking as this or this. Until then, read those.

so you want to own a house...

2011-01-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

I go to church in Lynwood and down the street from my church there’s this fixer-upper of a house for sale. $180K for 3 bed/1.5 bath in 1,021 sq ft. and it’s a short sale.

Ever since I saw it last night, I can’t get the idea of owning it (or a house period) out of my head. It’s nothing as elaborate with the possibility of renting my own apartment (I had all my furniture picked out with that) but more along the lines of it would be mine, I could actually invite people over for dinner or having game nights with friends...stuff like that.

Then I checked my credit score. Ick. If I could raise it 6 more points (and get a better paying job) it’d be cool. But a plus - 2 items are to come off this year and another 2 or 3 are to come off at beginning of 2012. and I believe 2012 is also the start of when I pay my student loans back, so all that’s sure to work in my favor for increasing my score - at least I hope it does.

I also toyed with the idea of asking my aunt for a loan, but that was gone like 5 seconds later. I should probably concentrate on school and finding another job.

systems down

2011-01-25T09:50:00.001-08:00

I'm currently on a 3-way call with my student counselor and the publisher ppl for a book I'm trying to download for my next class. part of me thinks I could have handled it without the student advisor, but now I'm glad she's on the phone as well. it's just taking so bloody long to figure out what's going on and how to fix the problem.

eta: 30 minutes later and the call is done. I don't have the book I need because the publisher's system is down. Luckily the class doesn't start until Thursday so someone will be in contact with me by then (I hope).

Now for probably much of the same with AT&T. Been given the okay to bitch them out for screwing up my church’s phone bill - we’re getting 2 bills but have NO SERVICE! haven’t had service since OCTOBER 2010!

days later

2011-01-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

since I no longer work at the Library, my mom asked me if I wanted to be the weekday receptionist at the place where she works (she's the weekend receptionist). I said no right off the bat. I hear, pretty much daily, about how horrible some of the residents can be, how bad some of the other workers are, and I just don't want to deal with that (again). Plus the hours would be M-F 2-10:30 pm! yeah. PM! I'd miss out on ALL my TV shows and I'd have no social life (wait, I already don't have one of those).

No, the next job I get I'd like for it to be a regular 9-5...or I'll work for myself.

I’ve been going through my Notary things to make sure I have everything I need and of course found something else I need - as in I can’t do my job without it. I need the actual forms that would attached to the notarized documents. Monday or Tuesday I’ll be ordering them (and paying extra for 2 day delivery) so I can finally notarize things. I did an online search and apparently there’s a store by my church that sell notary supplies? I’m going to call in the morning (or hop the bus and go there) to see what exactly they have. I might buy from them if they have what I need. There’s also a place in Long Beach that’s a member of the NNA (National Notary Association) and they sell supplies as well. I’ll check them out too.

Now to finish watching Mission: Impossible

random: how good was the ending to Hawaii Five-0 tonight?! wow!

inserts something profound

2011-01-20T23:24:00.001-08:00

Wednesday I filed my Notary oath and bond with the county clerk. Just waiting for my stamp to arrive and I can notarize documents.

Today was my last day at the library. with how things have been going (I'd say almost from the very beginning) I'm glad to be gone from there.

When I return these last items I have out, I'll be going to a different library for a while. With the exception of the 3 friends I made, I don't want to see anyone from there - especially my former supervisor.

But it's not all bad. I can re-focus on my school work and look for notary work. I already have a few people who have shown interest in having me as one of their Notaries.

When one door closes, there's a crack in the window that only needs to be pulled up.

Astrology

2011-01-14T09:23:00.001-08:00

Since all big to do about everybody astrological sign changing, and the introduction of this “new” 13th sign has come out, I've been wondering how much people really are like their astrological signs and how much of it is "oh this is what my sign is, this is how it says we are...so I'm going to make myself act that way."

I'm a Virgo, always have been, always will be, but the qualities/characteristics of a Virgo aren't necessarily me. The main one I've seen is that Virgos are "cold and detached". That's very off putting for me. However, the relationship stuff is pretty much spot on me - minus of course "cold and detached". Also, the part about not being spontaneous, isn't true. Hell, that's how I got 5 tattoos.

(my thoughts)

Virgo Strength Keywords:
- Analytical
- Observant
- Helpful
- Reliable
- Precise

Virgo Weakness Keywords:
- Skeptical
- Fussy
- Inflexible
- Cold
- Interfering

Virgo and Independence:
Virgo is a very independent zodiac sign. They are fully able to put their intelligence to use and get things done for themselves. It is possible however that their narrow mindedness (I don’t believe I’m narrow minded) causes their creativity to suffer and they may lead regular routine lives (I admit, I do lead a fairly routine life). They may dwell too much on the past and over complicate things and this may limit their ability to move forward and confuse themselves (I dwell A LOT on past “relationships”). In conclusion, Virgos are able to be independent but the less evolved types will have difficult if someone is not there helping them to achieve more and not be so critical of themselves.

Virgo and Friendship:
People look up to Virgo for friends because they are straight thinkers and solve problems logically. They are truthful, loyal and determined. Some people might find them cold or emotionally detached (I absolutely hate seeing the words cold and emotionally detached, it’s just not me) because they live in their minds, not in their emotions and feelings. It might be hard to pin down how a Virgo friend is feeling because they easily live in denial (this has happened a time or two, and I can tell when I’m in denial). A person who is able to read deep into another person will notice when Virgo is not well but if they confront them about it, they would rather retreat then talk about it. It is best to keep your emotional distance from a Virgo friend unless they open up to you first. Virgo might try to analyze and control a friend's life but only with the idea that they will improve their life, not purely for the sake of controlling (I can’t even control my own life, so wanting to control someone else’s, to improve it, isn’t even on my radar). Be patient with your Virgo friend and understand that their recommendations are only to make your life better (ask any of my friends - I only give advice when they ask, and even then I hesitate to offer it).

Virgo and Business:
Virgos are very intelligent, they have an excellent memory and a highly analytical mind. This makes them good investigators and researchers. They also have the ability to probe into a person's emotions and they can often see into people and detect what their motives are. This makes them great policemen or interrogators. Virgos are very good at problem solving, this is what they do best. They are confronted with a problem, they will pick apart the pieces and put it together in the proper order. They are rational thinkers and are good at settling other people's disputes and putting them on the right track for reconciliation. Any position that requires the above features, which is a very long list, is perfect for the Virgo. They keep the world in order.

Virgo Temperament:
Before a Virgo plunges into anything, from a problem to a vacation idea, they need to analyze all the facts and know all the details before they plunge in and make a decision. This makes them seem indecisive and slow. Virgo's perception is their reality, more so then other astrology signs. What they believe is what will be, if they have a negative outlook on life, things will present themselves to be negative and they will be very moody and isolated/detached. If they are positive, the same events that occur will be held in a positive light and they will be a pleasant, well adjusted person. A Virgo mind is a very powerful mind and they must have the proper attitude for their life to be happy and successful. Virgo needs to get in touch with their feelings, this is why they usually seem cold or detached (there’s those words again. cold and detached. Trust me, I’m in touch with my feelings). They are very prone of living in denial. They will say the feel okay or everything is alright even when it's not. This is an easy way out, the one thing that Virgo does not like to analyze is their feelings so pretending everything is okay is a good defense mechanism for not having to take a closer look at their feelings (I say I’m fine when I may not be because I don’t trust very many people. I’ve opened up about something only have to have it thrown back at me or used against me. Not happening ever again). Virgo has an unpredictable and sometimes unstable temperament (I have been known to fly off the handle, but only when I’m super pissed).

Virgo Deep Inside:
They need to be organized in their mind, sometimes all their energy is taken from organizing their mind that they have a difficult time organizing their surroundings. They easily look too deep into an issue and over analyze what they percept. Virgo is ambitious and strives to always know more and have more. This is in their eternal quest to bring order to chaos. Even if order is obtained from an outsiders' point of view, Virgo will not be settled for they have a very active mind that is always thinking and can never be silenced. Virgos want to be of use, they need to be important and essential to everyone in their lives and in everything they do. Virgo's major life lesson is to learn to trust in and have faith in the unknown (yup). They have to understand that things in life happen for a reason that is not always known to them, they do not have to always know everything. They need to learn to calm down and not over-analyze a situation or event (yup). Deep inside, Virgo is very sensitive and they need to be appreciated for all the things they do. When is Virgo is offended or hurt, they may never show it (depending on how hurt I get, I can show it).

Virgo in a Nutshell:
Virgo exists in the mind, everything is inside. To the world, Virgo presents a calm and collected exterior but on the inside, nervous uncontrolled intensity in the mind, trying to figure things out, how to improve everything, analyzing and thinking. Virgo can tire itself out without even moving! Virgo has a constant drive to improve and perfect, this can lead to extreme pickiness and finickiest. They are pure, their motives are honest never malicious and they want to accomplish something.

Virgo Love, Sex and Relationships
What it's like to date a Virgo Woman:
A Virgo woman is earthly and she may seem cold and detached (again, not me), but underneath the timid, reserved surface lies the real woman, a strong, passionate woman with a great capacity for strong devoted love. She will play hard to get, she is hard to get for she is worried about exposing her emotional vulnerabilities and getting hurt. She requires patience and you will have to court her and work hard to impress her. Once she is in love, it is for the long term. She will be devoted, loyal and make you very happy and even put a little order in your life. Virgo woman is conservative and old fashioned, a typical woman who is perfect for the man who loves a challenge and likes to take a relationship slow. (I know that when the right man comes along, I’ll know it to my bones and nothing will shake that)

What it's like to date a Virgo Man:
The Virgo man has a cool exterior with a sensitive interior. He has tremendous respect for a woman and will treat her like and equal. He likes woman who stir his emotions because he is reluctant to express his own emotions, which he tries and this often causes conflict not just inside himself, but it spills out into the relationship. This man takes patience and understanding. He will not get extremely close so do not try to enter his psyche and become closely entangled, this will make him feel threatened. He needs a classy woman who is not impulsive or unconventional. He leads a predictable life and a predictable woman will make him feel safe. He is perfect for the down to earth, conventional woman. He won't be romantic and sweep you off your feet, but he will be by your side and be very loyal. This man's sensuality comes out with time. For the woman who wants a stable, solid relationship with a visible, smooth sailing future is perfect for the Virgo man.

How To Attract Virgo:
Virgos need intellectual stimulation. Impress them with facts and details (I’m trying to remember a time when I was impressed with facts lol). Always try to come to conclusions when having a conversation, they do not like topics that go nowhere, they like conversations to come to a close or consensus, even if you agree to disagree. They are very conventional people so do not do anything spontaneous or force them to make a hasty decision (I don’t like making hasty decisions, but being spontaneous is how I ended up with 5 tattoos), they take their time and think intensely in their mind. They are not slow, their brain is working evaluating everything. Do not attempt to probe inside their mind because their emotions are pretty much closed off until the relationship is solid, and they will decide when that time will be. Virgos are natural worriers, do not let this get to you. Do not give them cause to worry because this makes them get wound up like a spring. Let Virgo take the lead, they like to be in control of what is happening. Keep the date tasteful and do not be vulgar, they like calm and classy surroundings and people.

Virgo Erogenous Zone:
The stomach area is very sensitive to Virgo. Stroke it, circle their belly button with your finger, give them a light belly massage (I wonder if this sensitive area is why I’m ticklish and also why I prefer keeping my stomach area covered). This makes them feel warn and will help open them up a little bit. Be gentle, no sudden moves or vicious acts like biting or slapping, this will startle them and cause them to retreat (forget retreating, I will slap and bit back because I’m mad).

Sex With Virgo:
As time progresses, sex with Virgo becomes more and more sensual. These are not the type of people who will engage in a one night stand, they are too reserved and prudish for that (I have had them in the past but I don’t like them. I guess it’s the one place I’m emotionally detached). Expect sex to be direct and straightforward, no fancy moves, places or games (well there was that one time in the movie theater...and the other time in the back seat of a car). Virgo is not a highly sexed zodiac sign and does not place much importance on it, if anything they consider sex to be gross and dirty (I don’t think it’s gross any dirty, and I don’t place much importance on it). Once a relationship is solid, Virgo is willing to experiment a little bit with techniques and foreplay but like everything else involving a Virgo, it takes time to develop once all the advantages and disadvantages have been thoroughly weighed out.

http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/virgo.htm

2011-01-11T18:58:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I forget I can update via text! Now I shouldn't have an excuse to post AT LEAST once a day!

fed up

2011-01-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

just deleted one of my profiles from a dating site. I’m fed up with them and the “matches” I get.

I also told A, the guy I had the coffee date with, not to contact me anymore. his texts to me have been irritating and perverse and I don’t want to deal with it anymore. and can you believe he had the nerve to ask if we were still on for this weekend!?

I don’t understand how I continue to attract guys like that. its makes me feel defective or something.

ships that pass in the night

2011-01-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and it just dawned on me, I would totally ship Mr. Tumnus and Lucy. I don’t know if it’s because I like James McAvoy or I (want to) see something in the way Mr. Tumnus looked at Lucy. But to me, there appears to be a bit of a crush, but as far as if it’s the fawn or Lucy, I don’t know.

This movie, by far, is tops on my list of favorites. Now I need to buy Prince Caspian. That one seemed to be a bit darker, but I liked it as well.

odds and ends

2010-12-30T10:09:00.001-08:00

Going to the office today to put away the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations. I just know my office is going to be freezing and take a long time to warm up when I turn the heater on.

2 weeks ago, I worked 1 hour before hurting my knee (which was totally okay to walk on, but my supervisor couldn't accommodate the limitations the Dr gave) and today I was paid. $7.81. when I saw that in my account, I srsly LOL'd. Can't say they didn't pay me for working. my friend was all "don't spend it in 1 place"

Speaking of injured knees...I go back to the dr for a follow up. I'm trying to decide if I want to talk to her about the numbness in my left big toe. I looked up online it could be caused by improperly fitting shoes, and that would make sense since I've recently fell in love with peep toe shoes.

tonight I'll be meeting guy #3 from this one dating website I belong to. Initially I wanted to wait until the new year to meet him but he asked if I was free tonight. I should have said no, but I'm trying to be more social so I said yes. Hoping it's not an epic disaster like the last time.

Hope everyone has a good day! 2 more days until a new year!

starting 2011 with a BANG

2010-12-26T23:54:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I won’t exactly be starting 2011 with a bang, but my goal this week to really tackle my junk shelves and get rid of stuff haven’t used, or no longer have a use for. I have papers from elementary school! I have a folder with my elementary school’s original mascot (we changed from Gladiators to Dolphins when I was in the 4th or 5th grade) that I’m going to keep, as well as a few projects (I did a plaster or clay model of the state of California and painted it and stuff like that).

Even typing this up, I’m having a little panic attack about throwing some of my HIGH SCHOOL stuff away. it’s mostly programs or whatever from football games. I’ve probably mentioned this tons of times before, but I honestly can’t remember stuff from growing up and the stuff I do remember, I don’t know if it’s an actual memory of mine, or I’m remember someone else retelling it so it’s become a memory...so I don’t want to throw this high school stuff away because I don’t want to completely be without memories from when I was growing up.

Yesterday while at a family friend’s for dinner and whatnot, I got to talking with a lady who grew up around the corner from my sister and brother when they were growing up. She told me a lot of what other have told me (as far as not settling for anything in life - relationships, jobs...life in general) and she said was going to check with my sister to see if I had my driver’s license...and to just see how far I’d gotten in accomplishing my goals. She also said she wanted to see my next Christmas and just shock her with how much my life has changed in a year. I told her I’d like to shock a lot of people that way. LOL My life is like the saying ‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ I know my life is “broke” but I’m in a realistic denial about it. I know it needs to change, I’ll be the first to say it needs to change, but I don’t want to put the effort to actually change it. Cleaning today is sort of the first step in making that change.

Other things I’d like to “change” in 2011 (aka New Year’s Resolutions):
Get my driver’s license (have to do so by April 30th, 2011 or I have to start the permit process over again)
Put $200/month in savings (this actually hinges on if I continue to work for the city)
Pay off my credit card (after January’s payment, I’ll owe $139.89 and if I continue paying what I’m paying, I’ll have it paid off in 3 months!)
Loose 100 lbs (I’m giving myself a year for this 01-01-11 to 01-01-12)
Become more active - socially, mentally and physically (exercise)

Friday Five!

2010-12-25T00:07:00.001-08:00

Friday Five

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Do you celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas or the commercial aspect of Christmas? Both and neither at the same time.
What's your favorite activity to celebrate the holidays? (i.e. baking goodies, making ornaments, etc.) My favorites come in bursts - I seem to get bored easily
Would you rather give or receive? both
What is the gift you are most anxious to give this holiday season and who is it for? What makes is so special? There isn’t really one I’m most anxious to give, but the most expensive one is going to my sister...so I’m maybe anxious to see her reaction.
What is the most memorable gift you have ever gotten for Christmas? Why did it stand out more compared to other ones? Sadly, there hasn’t been one that has stuck out in my mind. I get a lot of stuff I have no place for (despite people asking me what I want and paying no attention to that?) so my room now looks like a storage closet...and I have to get a bigger storage unit I can go through everything and see what gets donated and what gets trashed altogether.

30 days to self-employment!

2010-12-20T18:39:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday I got finger printed as a next step in becoming a Notary Public and today I got my commission number (good for 4 yrs!) and I have 30 days to file my oath & bond with the county clerk then I can notarize documents! yay!

Oh and I have to order my official seal. Thankfully I was given a list of authorized Notary Public seal manufactures. Now I have to look for the list of bond companies that was given at the training in August. I’m sure I have it in my notary folder and that’s under my school books.

never again

2010-12-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning at 330 having a panic attack over my bills that are going to be due in the coming weeks. “Rent” plus 4 bills. When it’s all said and done, I will have no money for a bus pass and $12.52 to my name until January 9 when 2 more bills are due that week.

sighs

yes, I know. other people worse off than I am, but having to go on stupid “temporary disability” really screwed me up. If they would have let me work, I would have at least had 15 hours of pay instead of whatever I get for the 50 something minutes I worked last Monday before I hurt my knee.

In other news, I was able to find something for my niece and nephew (after 3 trips to Walmart for different reasons). First time I was able to get them anything since they were toddlers (and they’re 14 & 15 yrs old now)! Also found something for my brother & sister in law. I have to mail it when the post office opens (*amendment I will now have $4.43 to my name until Jan 9).

I got some gifts from people at church and instead of waiting until Saturday to open them, I cheated and opened them at the Church dinner (will elaborate on this in a bit). Colleen & John got me the cutest musical jewelry box. It has Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and when you open it, it plays “Some Day My Prince Will Come”. Lora got me a couple of pink (!!!) makeup bags and brown sugar vanilla body wash/lotion/body spray set.

Christmas Church dinner. It was nice having my mom at a dinner for a change. Since she’s been working at this Retirement Home place on Saturdays & Sundays, she hasn’t been to a church dinner in like 2 years. Down side, however, was that I couldn’t get her out of the kitchen. Yes, I asked for her help since Lora and I were doing other things, but once everything was set up and the dinner was on the table, she wouldn’t leave the kitchen. She was setting up drinks for people (they are perfectly capable of getting their own drinks and if they need help, they know how to ask). She finally got her food once everyone else had theirs. In the 2 years, or there abouts, that I (with the help of Lora) have been in charge of the Social committee, I’ve been able to get the food out the kitchen to where people can serve themselves and ya know...serve myself. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time getting on my mom about that...then Staci made a comment about how I wasn’t “a good hostess” because I forgot 3 serving spoons and a fork for the ham & turkey. Oh haha that’s funny. she could have helped me instead of sleeping. She did help me prepare the centerpieces and candied yams, but still. That really annoyed me. Anyways, the dinner was a success and there was about 23 people.

Gonna try to get more sleep. Maybe Mary Poppins can help with that.

How early is too early?

2010-12-17T00:46:00.001-08:00

I’m supposed to go to Florida May 16-20 (return date is still being worked out) and I’ve been looking at airline prices (one-way is so much cheaper than round trip!) for the last few weeks and I kind of want to get my tickets before 1) they go up super high and 2) before I no longer have the income from the working for the city (I’m freaking out thinking I won’t have this job come the beginning of 2011).

For one way, tickets are hovering around $200 including taxes and fees (but not including luggage fees UGH)

I also need spending money. I can’t believe I’m going to utter this, but probably $400 in spending for 3 days. Yeah, crazy, I know, but it’s Florida. and I’m going to be in Orlando for like a day. and Marissa said we’d be passing by Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park and pictures!!

Thursday was the Library’s holiday party. I was awake with enough time to call and ask if I could still go (since I’m on “disability”) but honestly, I didn’t feel like it. Now I’m kind of regretting it. I heard at past parties there were games/raffles with some pretty awesome prizes. Oh well. can’t go back in time (yet).

2010-12-17T00:44:00.001-08:00

Testing this out from my blackberry. Hope it works!

real post to come

lame if I do say so myself

2010-12-14T13:06:00.001-08:00

My supervisor has my work limitations for the rest of the week. I can’t walk/stand for no more than 2 hours a shift.

If I were my supervisor, I’d say, “okay, come in at your regular time, then leave when you’d have your break” because that’s 2 hours.

But, I understand that it has to go through HR, so I’m waiting.

Also found out that since the high school (and other schools in the city) go on winter break on Friday, my last day would be Thursday and I wouldn’t be back until school starts again on the 4th of January.

That’s going to be a pretty lame check...if I even get one on 12/30.

Either way, I’m waiting, this sucks and I have to re-work my bills for the rest of the month/year. Also has me seriously doubting how long I’ll continue working there. I’m just always in doubt now about this job.

how’d you hurt your knee

2010-12-13T18:37:00.001-08:00

how’d you hurt your knee? hit it against the corner of a book.

no seriously I did that. Not even an hour into my 4.5 hour shift today I hit my knee hard enough on the corner of a book that it caused me enough pain that I couldn't bend or apply pressure. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?!

HR said I had to go to the dr (since all I do it walk) to have them look at my knee. Doctor said it's bruised and has me on limited work. no more than 2 hours of walking per shift and no more than 2 hours of standing per shift. Lovely.

waiting to hear back from my supervisor about what my work schedule is going to be like the rest of the week.

2010-12-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

Today's event has me re-evaluating things. Like seriously.

I was enjoying myself, but not so much anymore.

RE-EVALUATION TIME

UGH

2010-12-03T23:33:00.001-08:00

I'm ~~slightly~~ very angry with my online school.

I had an assignment due Wednesday and one due Thursday and I can't access them. The Wednesday one I found out about in time to e-mail my advisor and teacher but when they fixed the problem, they made it to where I couldn't fill out the paper (it's a pdf file that should allow for the forms to be filled out and saved) and then the assignment that was due Thursday, well that was partly my fault for not checking the syllabus to see that I had one due, but when I found out I promptly went to download it...and I can't access it period.

This is going to be a class that I'm probably going to get the lowest grade in, but I have e-mails showing how I contacted people but nothing was seemingly done about it. I might have to redo the class at a later date.

but in other news...I watched The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and it was HILARIOUS! I had problems with this from the get go (different actress playing Evie and it was a bit of a shock to see Alex grown up) but it was more funny than anything...and it took a while to get to the action stuff.

Went to Target and bought 3 movies (they were $5 a piece! couldn’t pass that up). The Lost Boys, Interview with the Vampire and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. I wanted to watch Interview with the Vampire by my mom claimed it first. Geez what ever happened to the OWNER getting first dibs?! So that’s when I watched the Mummy movie. Now I’m probably going to watch Percy Jackson.

Speaking of Percy Jackson...or at least the author of the book - Rick Riordan, on Monday I checked out a new book of his - The Red Pyramid. It’s a new series, much like Percy Jackson, but this one deals with Egyptian mythology. I’m 7.5 chapters in and there’s 41 chapters. I have until December 20th to finish it. Hoping if necessary I can renew it but that’ll only happen if no one else has put a hold on the book eta it looks like there’s a hold on the book so I might not get to renew it. and apparently I wasn’t the only one to check out the book on Monday. 3 copies of the book are due on the 20th. so there could be hope for me renewing...if I have to.

ugly

2010-11-29T23:24:00.000-08:00

I think I'm coming down with something.

Monday I paid attention to my reflection in the ladies restroom at work and omg started nitpicking how I looked (even wished I had smaller boobs and I LOVE MY BOOBS!) I felt so ugly.

and it went down hill from there. one of my socks wouldn't stay up, my mom was at work and wouldn't be able to pick me up and my dad was over an hr away so I had to walk home...the "comfort" inserts I got for my shoes ended up making my feet hurt 2 hours before they did without them.

it even hurt (not physically but it didn't feel right) to smile at people at work.

All that boiled down to me not wanting to watch Hawaii Five-0 or any tv for that matter.

Hope Tuesday is better.

guilty as charged

2010-11-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving yesterday was better than most, I guess. My dad was a pain as usual and my mom packed the entire kitchen (only not really) before we finally left for my sister’s.

More car drama. the front passenger side window shattered when my mom closed the driver’s side door. It was taking her longer than usual to bring the car to the front door so we could load it up and when I asked my dad what happened, he said we had a wreck. Umm what? he wasn’t even concerned either. Just went about folding his socks. So I’m asking questions trying to figure out what happened and finally gave up and walked to where the car was parked. I saw the shattered glass and looked in to see if someone did that to break into the car. Nope, radio still there, change in the ashtray still there...nothing was taken. I asked my mom what happened and that’s when she told me. she said she didn’t notice if anything was lodged in the window before it broke and now it was too late as the car was parked next to a gutter so anything that could have been there was no in the storm drain.

My dad is now off dealing with that. I’m wondering if he’s also going to get the windshield fixed. there’s 2 pretty long cracks and that was the only thing keeping me from using the car for my behind the wheel testing with the DMV.

all week my dad had been saying he was going to get up at 4am and do some "Black Friday" shopping. I got up at 3am and he was still sleep. then woke up again at 6:15am or so and he was still sleep. I contemplated going to Staples (1TB external hard drive for $50!) but it was cold and I was still very sleepy. Went back to sleep and didn't wake up until 10:30am. Now that he had to get the window fixed, I don’t know if he was going to go to Fry’s Electronics or Big Lots ($6 TV Show DVD sets!)

I spilled soda on my dad's keyboard and for like 30 minutes or so it was working fine. Then it stopped working. so I turned off the computer and began to look for a replacement one. couldn't find one so I had to call and tell my dad what happened. much to my relief he said not to worry about it because he took a couple of keyboards to the garage.

I still feel like such an idiot tho. I had my cup quite a ways away from the keyboard, but when it fell, it kind of bounced causing the soda to go air born and get in the keyboard.

omg I'm dying (not literally but freaking out)

2010-11-18T23:44:00.001-08:00

So September of last year I met this guy on a dating site. Kind of hit it off and he suggested we meet up. Sure. I even missed Dancing with the Stars to meet him! He was a good kisser, but then ya know. Just no. and he ~~kind of~~ did a jerky thing. That was the end of that.

Earlier this year (maybe 5 or 6 months ago?) he sent me a message. Basically “hi, remember me? here’s my number again if you want to hook up.” I responded back. “hey how’s it going. I’m good”...and that was the end of that.

Here’s where the whole “omg I’m dying…” comes in. I got a new job (a month ago tomorrow!) and there was a guy there who caught my eye. I remembered his name from introductions so I looked him up on facebook. Interesting, we had a friend in common. A girl I went to high school with (who was also friends with my “cousins”). A few weeks go by and I decide to add him (and another girl we work with). Both add me back and more and more I’m finding these things we (me and the guy) kind of have in common.

Today I do some browsing (stalking?) on his page…mostly looking at pictures (I like drummers) and winding my way through other pages and get to this one page. Not much is shown, but I see the friends section. Someone catches my eye. OMG No way! It can’t be?! IT IS! IT’S THE GUY I MET UP WITH LAST SEPTEMBER (2010)! The guy I work with is friends with the brother of the guy I met on the dating site!

OMG I’M FREAKING OUT MAN!

SMALL WORLD! Downey you are too small for me!

you make me stupid

2010-11-17T23:52:00.000-08:00

I have no problem casually talking to guys. Even ones I find mildly attractive, but once every blue moon, there’s a guy who makes me stupid. I can’t utter a word, let alone a sentence for fear of sounding...stupid. All I can manage is a smile or wave in passing. Then in my head I have this whole conversation. What I would have said, what he would have said, my response...you know a conversation. But it’s all in my head.

I’m in that stupid stage again. right now. 4 days a week. It wasn’t like that before, but one day stupid reared it’s head, and seems like it’s here to stay.

When I smile and wave, I really would like to do more, it’s just that stupid is over me.

Left to my own devices

2010-11-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

in a matter of hours my parents will be off on their 5 day Mexican cruise. they aren't too worried that what happened to the cruise ship from last week will happen to them, but if something does, my mom is "prepared". she bought a bunch of snacks and is taking some of my bottled water. Has me wondering how many people are going to be doing that now in light of what happened to the ship from last week.

Next Sunday is a Thanksgiving potluck dinner at my church and I have to do the shopping by myself. Everyone I'd ask for help is working (or in the case of my mom, on vacation). I know if I drove, this wouldn't be a problem. If I buy a little every morning before work, this shouldn't be a problem come Friday and Saturday when I do the final shopping.

Speaking of driving, my friend said the weekends she doesn't have to work, she'll give me behind the wheel driving lessons. This is good considering my dad hogs the car that's good for practicing driving.

Have errands to do before work. Hope everyone has a good Monday!

chickened out

2010-11-10T23:56:00.001-08:00

so I was going to ask my co-worker out but I chickened out. we're friends on facebook. maybe I'll do it there. *snerk* I went to high school with one of his cousins and she’s friends with my cousins. How weird it that? such a small world!

Downey/Warren football game on Thursday. I’m going. I haven’t been to a football game in years! Before the game will be In N Out. Just dawned on me that I’m going to miss some of Thursday CBS night (The Big Bang Theory, $#*! My Dad Says, CSI and The Mentalist). The game starts at 7 pm and since this is a rivalry game (and sure to be good) it probably won’t be over until 930 or 10 pm.

time for bed. before that I have to take the trash out *grumbles*. then eat the last of the ice cream (my dad wanted it, whatever) and go to bed. 4 day weekend!

issues issues issues

2010-11-08T12:01:00.001-08:00

Friday I got my first paycheck from the Library job. Then Saturday night I was looking over my pay receipt and noticed the hours were off. I was paid for 31.5 hours when I clearly remember and noting in my supervisor's prescience) that I worked 32 hours. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why I was suddenly short 30 minutes of pay.

Sunday my boss (church boss) asked if I figured out why I was short and said no but I'd be asking my supervisor about it. About 10 minutes after that I realized why I was short. and it made me kind of mad too.

In our employee handbook it says we can take a paid 15 minute break or unpaid 30 minute break. Well on October 28th as I was going to break my supervisor tells me that the Library Secretary needs to talk to me and another new girl. The Library Secretary is in charge of the employee lockers and dealing with the time sheets (where my supervisor is in charge of setting work schedules). So we talk to her and she takes our pictures to put on the employee board. That took my 15 minute break and I was hungry so I signed out for my 15 minutes (I hadn't done so before going to see the Secretary) and do my business then go back to work.

My supervisor had to have made a mark on my time sheet noting that I took 30 minutes and there for that's an unpaid break. 3 days after payday I'm trying to figure out how to talk to my supervisor about this. Talking to the Secretary took away from a break I should have had. If they knew I needed to have this conversation, it should have been before my shift or after.

It can’t be November already...

2010-10-31T21:09:00.001-07:00

1. Happy Halloween! (or what's left of it lol) I didn’t do anything. Church, choir was canceled, had lunch, then vegged the rest of the day. I should have been productive, school work needs to be done. The class ends on November 5th, but I’m going to be pretty busy the next few days.

2. NaNoWriMo starts on Monday. Last month I had a plot lined up and everything, but I don’t know what happened to it. A few weeks ago I went to look for it, but I couldn’t find it. I searched my flash drives, e-mail accounts, other online storage, other computers…nothing. I couldn’t find it. Now I have virtually no desire to participate in NaNo. However, if I find it within the next week or so I won’t take me too long to get my writing count up.

3. Monday morning I’ll be setting up for Tuesday’s General Election. Usually the set up is done in the evening, but Saturday I got a message that no one would be at the location Monday evening so set up had to be between 9 am and 4 pm. Well that totally changes my plans, but luckily I was able to get a hold of the rest of my team members and we’ll be setting up 9-10 am. After I’m set up, I’ll go help my parents set up (they’re at a different location), then go about our business – work for me and my mom and who knows what my dad will do.

4. Speaking of work, this week I work Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is pay day. w00t! pay more bills and get some more pants and shoes. I like shopping and all, but I’m thinking I don’t need any more pants. I have 3 pair of black pants and a pair of dark blue (navy?) pants, that’s fine because I work 4 days. However, if I have another 4 pair (at least), I don’t have to worry about washing clothes every week. Shoe wise, I’d just like to have a 2nd pair because with only 1 pair, they will wear out faster.

5. Tuesday is Election Day. I hope everyone who is registered to vote does so. California is up for a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Senator and Congressman…as well as various propositions that need passing or defeating. If you don’t vote, you’re in no position to complain!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

prime example

2010-10-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

A former friend, in the guise of one of her friends, asked why I was friends with so many "old" people. I said it was none of their business and promptly blocked them.

Now I have an answer to that. I try to be friendly and helpful with people in my age range and I'm either talked down to, ignored or they think I'm a know it all.

I tried to help someone I work with, she was carrying a lot of books to a cart and the cart was full so I offered to take the books from her so she could get an empty cart. She snapped that she was doing fine and I should "stick to" my job. Oookay...so I went to another part of the library to work.

Really, they all aren't bad. A, K and D are cool with me. A and I actually have mutual friends so its like wow! Small world!

Oh...turns out I get paid on the 5th and not tomorrow. that’s ok. I have a check coming from my secretary job.

you’re no superior of mine

2010-10-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

man I can't wait to get netflix back! I've watched all my dvds and my parents dvds and I'm craving something new to watch. okay, I lie. I haven't watched ALL the DVDs but I watched enough of the ones I wanted to and now I'm ready for something new. Can it be November 3 already?! that's when I get netflix back!

6 days of working at the Library and there's already someone on my shit list. This girl is supposed to be a monitor with me, but she does everything else as well. We're both supposed to. Well I was helping a Librarian and this girl comes and was like "you need to go to the adult section and work there" Umm excuse me? And she's like giving me the "I'm your superior". I wanted to tell her off, but I didn't. Professional and all. I went to the other side and just tried to avoid her as much as possible. My last 2 hours wasn't all that great.

Thursday is the Halloween potluck at the Library from 11 am-1 pm. I work at 2 but was thinking about going early for the food. I was told there was going to be a lot left over, but I don’t know...chimichangas and empanadas are popular and yummy.

First paycheck on Friday!!

I survived that

2010-10-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Monday: Not scheduled to work.
Tuesday: worked 4 hours. well didn’t actually work. spent most of my time being introduced to other library people and told what happens in each section of the library. ended up leaving at 530pm instead of 5pm
Wednesday: worked 4 hours. more of the same, but the last 30 minutes of my shift I actually got to work. As I was gathering my things to leave, was asked if I could stay an extra hour and a half on Thursday to help monitor the kids section as there was going to be a first grade family reading event. Sure. my mom wouldn’t be at work and could pick me up. (I didn’t say all of that though)
Thursday: worked 5.5 hours. I put myself to work. Shows that I don’t have to always be told what to do. Was just finishing my rounds of the adult/young adult section when my supervisor found to tell me what to do. check all the bathrooms the patrons use - make sure there’s no graffiti or lots of paper on the floor. was shown how to check men’s bathroom (either ask one of the guys to do it or go with my monitor partner, have her stand outside while I check inside or visa versa). Then given walkie talkie and asked to stand at the inside entrance to library with other female monitor to watch as high schoolers strolled in. stayed there for about 10 or 15 minutes then continued on rounds until 15 minute break. Took my break and more rounds. Around 630pm we had an incident and I was called to join other monitor at the children’s section. There were 30-40 first graders and their family for a reading night. when I got towards the window I saw flashing lights of a fire truck. No fire alarm went off but when I got closer I saw a man lay on the floor! my supervisor told me he had a seizure, they were looking for his young daughter and needed me to help keep the area clear for the paramedics. His daughter was found reading with some of her friends and after about 10 or 15 minutes, they had the man on the stretcher (he was VERY disoriented and didn't know he was at the library. took them a couple of times for him to tell what his name was too) and was wheeling him out of the library, and we were basically able to go back to what we were doing. Towards the end of my shift, my supervisor explained further what happened and the procedure that would be done in an emergency like that (as far as what forms have to be filled out and passed on to the proper library staff who need to know about it).

I also got my schedule for next week. I'll be working 18.5 hours. They told me I'm not supposed to work more than 18 hrs/week but they need the extra help as sections of the library are being shifted to make space for towers of some kind in the computer lab to allow for wireless internet. I really need to make sure I have the right shoes. comfortable for walking and not too tight.

Today I’ll be going to City Hall to pick up a bus pass for next week, then going to the church to work. On my way home I have to pick up some things for Sunday night’s church event as well as some lunchables or burritos...or something that doesn’t take long to prep and eat in 15 mins for my breaks. I probably won’t have enough money after that, but I need to get some shoes. preferably black or dark blue and obviously very comfortable.

Breakfast time now. I need to leave in an hour and I still have some thing to do here before I can leave.

this that and the other

2010-10-15T22:04:00.001-07:00

I’m so bored. I’ve deleted and restarted this entry several times.

When I left for work (at the church) today I stopped at the Library to return a book I checked out a couple weeks ago. I then gave myself 20 minutes to find another book (or 2) before leaving to head to work. When I wanted in the Adult section the first book that caught my eyes was The Stepford Wives. It looked rather thin so I checked how many pages it was - 145 pages. I could be finish with that in 1 or 2 days so I picked up another book. My 2nd selection was another Murder, She Wrote novel. I’d read it before, but didn’t feel like reading the other book they had in that series so I went with Destination Murder. That one is 278 pages. Both books are due November 5th so if I have to, I can renew Destination Murder.

On my way home from the church my dad called to tell me that the Library called. I start work on Tuesday at 1 pm! Yes! All this week I was nervous that they were going to change their mind and not want me after all. Then I was doubly nervous when I had to call E to tell him that I have prior obligations on November 2nd to work the election. With under 20 days to the election, I can’t back out now. Plus it’s an “easy” $225 for 15.5 hrs of work. That sounds like a LONG time, but surprisingly, the day goes by pretty fast. With this being a General Election and so many propositions on the ballot, plus electing a Governor and Senators and so on, the voter turn out is sure to be much more than the Primary Election back in June.

Anyways, I start working at the library on Tuesday. I’m supposed to work 5 days a week, but with them asking me to come in on Tuesday, I’m wondering which days I’ll be working. Whatever my schedule is, I can’t work on Sunday because of church and being in charge of social functions, but getting out of the apartment 4 or 5 days a week will definitely be good for me.

Tetris on Facebook kind of owns me. I can play for 3 or 4 hours before getting bored. Again, sounds like a lot of time, but time flys when you’re trying to beat a clock and another person you’re playing against. LOL

I almost let time pass me by - completely forgetting that I have an assignment due tonight at 11:55 pm. Luckily it’s just filling in the blanks on a PDF file and all the information I need is in the lecture notes. I finished it in like 20 minutes or so and e-mailed it off. Well a head of the 11:55 pm deadline. I have no more assignments, but my final next Thursday. I want to cheat and see what’s on it, but I’ll wait until Wednesday night lol

I want to play some more tetris. Toodles!

why don't you try reading the instructions!

2010-10-12T00:16:00.000-07:00

I have an instructor I had before. He was cool for the first few courses he taught, but then he was getting real nitpicky with things until I pointed out that I followed the directions of the assignment and he fixed the grade on my assignment.

Well he’s done it again! We were given an assignment to use a particular form to create a particular document. I did that and turned the assignment in.

His comments: Thanks for submitting this Lizet. It looks like you’ve found a form will somewhere online. This is a good starting point. However, the assignment asks that you craft the will specifically for Mary. To that end, you need to draft a will which names Mary’s best friend as executor, gives her stamp collection to her grandson, etc.

If you’d like to resubmit this assignment, I’m certainly happy to regrade it for you.

3/10

Umm I did that! Because you know, the assignment directions say Use Unit 1 Handout 1 and the below facts to draft a will for your client Mary.

Did he NOT read the assignment directions in the lecture notes!

Luckily he caught this mistake without me having to say anything and gave me the correct comment/grade: You’ve done a very good job here, Lizet. You’ve taken the form will and completed it appropriately based upon the facts of the hypothetical. Nicely done!

9.5/10

I’m sure I won’t do as well on the assignment I just turned in. I’ve never waited until the exact deadline to turn in an assignment. I’ve also never waited until 20 minutes before it was due to look over the unit and the assignment instructions to do it. Needless to say I was VERY confused, but did it and I’m sure if I have to redo the assignment, I’ll be given the chance.

I need a doctor!

2010-10-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Went to Kaiser for my pre-employment physical. I was told to be there at 155 for a 240 appointment. It was beyond me why I needed to be there so early, but I was there as instructed. HR at City Hall said I’d have a lot of papers to fill out, but it turns out it was something like 5 or 6 pages and most of it was reading and then answering questions about what I read? Whateva.

My name was called at like 215, my blood pressure was taken (142/89), height (5’2.5”), weight (275 lbs), then vision and I had to lift a crate that was 50 lbs (I guess working at the library I’ll be lifting things up to 50 lbs in weight). Then I was led to the bathroom for the urine test. This was a little weird. The water was turned off and blue dye was put in the toilet. It took me a bit to figure out WHY that was done but at the time it was like wtf?!

I was taken to another room where an actual doctor asked me more questions (they were actually questions that I answered in the forms I filled out) and informed me that my blood pressure was high for a 28 yr old. She also had me squat/bend at the knees to the floor and then stand up...and I had to walk heel to toe in a straight line. I didn’t know I was going to be given a “field sobriety test” LOL

Then the first lady I was working with (I think she was a nurse, but she wasn’t dressed like the other nurses I’d seen) came back and gave me the TB test and led me back to her cubicle to take my blood pressure again. This time it was 146/81. I asked her what it should be and she told me 120/80. So I’m like Prehypertension to Stage 1 hypertension? She suggested I limit or cut out salt and really watch what I eat. Also, I’d lost like 9-10 lbs and grew half an inch. I know when I change my eating habits and exercise more I’ll continue to lose weight...and my blood pressure will improve too. I was given an appointment for Thursday morning to have the results for the TB test read.

About 40 minutes ago I took my blood pressure again. This time it’s 130-74 and that’s in the Prehypertension range. I’m going to continue monitoring myself and if I ever have a need to go back to the doctor I’ll have a list of all my blood pressure readings I’ve taken.

[edit] Did you know there's something called White coat hypertension? It's a phenomenon in which patients exhibit elevated blood pressure in a clinical setting but not in other settings. It is believed that this is due to the anxiety some people experience during a clinic visit.

Seeing as how this is the first time I've been to an actual doctor (not including going to Planned Parenthood) in a very long time, I do get anxious when I go to the doctor. I go for one thing and always think they’re going to tell me something is drastically wrong with me in another area.

more information

2010-10-06T13:42:00.001-07:00

I got an email from the Library giving me more information before I start working.

I have to go to City Hall and pick up a new hire packet, then go next door to the Police Department for finger printing and then to Kaiser Permanente - Garden Medical Offices for pre-employment physical. couldn't get a definitive answer on if I'd have to pay for the finger printing or physical. The appointment for the physical is set up already. I just have to call and see what times are available next Monday or Tuesday and finger printing is only done on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 pm.

I have do all of this by October 14th. So I better get busy!

here's the scoop

2010-10-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Took the cat to the vet. She has fleas (knew that) and she has feline dermatitis. She was given a shot to help with the scratching and I was told to comb her every day and do the once a month flea drops. So I’ll be doing that and hopefully she’ll feel better soon.

Heard back from the Library about the Aide position I applied for. They extended me a conditional offer. I have to have a physical, finger printing at the police department and do an orientation. I’m pretty sure by the end of the month I’ll be working at the library.

OMG

2010-09-29T17:02:00.001-07:00

That’s all I can say right now. OMG!

August 20 I got an e-mail about a position opening at my local library. It’s a temporary/part time library aide position. I didn’t know which position they were hiring for, library aide in the computer lab, library aide shelving books, library aide dealing with circulation or library aide general monitor, but I felt I was qualified for any of those positions so I applied.

I put it out of my mind until September 13 or 14 when I got a call to clarify something on my application. They told me the position they were hiring for was Monday-Thursday 2-730 pm and I put that I was available to work 1-5 pm. They asked if I was available for the times they needed, I said yes and was told that they would be contacting me again if they wanted to interview me.

That same week, I think it was the 16 or 17, I got a call asking if I could come in for an interview. Well, yes! I was told the next available interview time was Friday of the following week at 225 pm. That was fine with me.

Friday September 24 rolls around. My mom is gone to a memorial service and I’m wasting time on the computer instead of getting ready for my interview. Plus, it was balls hot outside! Luckily my mom called and said that she could give me a ride. Cool. I finish getting dressed, chill and collect my nerves and we leave at like 205 pm. She drops me off at 210 pm and I feel it’s too early, so I sit a bit, then tell the front desk I was there for the interview. I was given some other papers to fill out and I wasn’t even a third of the way through when I was called for the interview.

I was interviewed by 2 people. The lady I remember from my trips to the library, but the man, I don’t too much remember. I got a positive vibe from the lady, but the man was harder to read. He kind of made me uncomfortable with his lack of facial expressions. The entire interview maybe lasted 10 to 15 minutes and during that time they took turns asking me questions. For the most part they were scenario questions (what would you do if...) and that was easy enough to answer. I was also told the position they initially were hiring for was the monitor position, its like the security, but not really. Between the time they called me for the interview and the interview day, another position opened. That position, Circulation Aide, is Sunday-Saturday because during the school year they are open more for the students and it would be 1-5 pm (if I remember correctly). They said if I was interested, I could take the test for it and they would let me know. Sure. I took the test, which consisted of putting 2 lists in alphabetical and numerical order. I think it took me 20 minutes - I had to stop and buy a pencil with an eraser because I made some mistakes that I wanted to correct. I checked over it and turned it in.

I left the library thinking that I had time to catch the bus home but before I got to the corner, I saw it passing. Back to the library I went, searched for a book, got frustrated that my library card wasn’t working, found a book I wanted, read, checked it out (read 2 chapters and haven’t picked it up since lol) and left the library.

Then I put the entire thing out of my head...until today when I got a call from the library. My heart was pounding. I thought they were going to say sorry we went with someone else, but instead they asked for my references! I gave them 2 references I always used and then sent an e-mail to them to give them a heads up. Not even 10 minutes later I get an email back from one of the references. She said the guy she spoke with seemed pleased when he heard whatever she said about me. Then a couple minutes later, got an email from the second reference. She also spoke highly of me and said that I was one of the top they were looking at. Oh yay!

Now its sit and wait to hear back from the library. I really hope I get it - even if that means having to totally better juggle Sunday when it comes to our monthly Fellowship Night events and holiday church dinners (dinners start at 5 pm and oops, one of the positions gets out at 5 pm...) and on top of that, Tuesday, November 2nd I’m already committed to working the election.

odds & ends

2010-09-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

I'm having such a good laugh right now. I find it so funny being insulted by someone who doesn't use spell check...and then they justify their horrible spelling because of my looks!

I took it as a compliment (even though I know it was meant as an insult) and said "thank you so much for thinking that I'm so beautiful that I caused you to forget how to not only spell but how to use spell check!"

Then I blocked them from ever contacting me again.

What a day!

2010-09-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

spent an hour at the DMV. will have ID in 2 weeks. no driver's license as I haven't had nearly enough behind the wheel practice. My school needed a copy of my valid ID so I had to shell out more money for that. No way around it if I wanted my fees covered (and not out of my pocket). But my financial aid went through. I'm covered for my 2nd yr. yay! Since I got loans, I've been saving up now to pay on them come January 2012.

Went to Walmart to pick up my bike. Waited 20 minutes and was told it wasn't there. Umm the e-mail I got Sunday said it was there! Was told to call tomorrow morning because it might be on the delivery truck that's due tonight. I'll be calling tomorrow morning...and every morning until I get it.

There’s a memorial service tomorrow for a former church member (and former mayor of the city where my church is) and my mom and I seem to be the only ones who can go. I don’t mind. I’m ready to be out of the house (I think the idea of having a bike soon has me itching to be outside more lol).

I’m on this dating site and got a message that was simply “hhhhhhiiiiii” or something to that effect. I’m sorry, I don’t know how to reply to that so I just said hi. the next message was “want to cuddle?” dude I don’t know you from Jack Daniels, I don’t “cuddle” with people I don’t know! so I said no. Then he said “want to hang out?” again, I said no. Sorry, just not getting the good vibe from him. Then he he replied with a message that was riddled with spelling mistakes. It was something to the effect of I wasn’t beautiful and he’s looking for someone who was beautiful inside and out. really? by sending messages like that?! I’m sorry. you came off as a creeper and I don’t do creepers (anymore). So I replied back, “I'm sorry you can't handle rejection. I don't meet people right off the bat that send me messages asking if I want to cuddle. I'm sorry, that's a bit creepy to me. There's also something called spell check. you should try using it. ” I doubt I’ll get a reply and honestly I don’t care.

Watched Dancing with the Stars. It was okay. None of the couples really stood out to me. I was just excited for the show to be back. I won’t go couple by couple of who I like and don’t like, I’ll just touch on a few of them. Kyle Massey reminds me so much of my nephew of Marlin! I love both Margaret Cho and Louis van Amstel, but their Viennese Waltz wasn’t good at all. I love Karina and feel bad that she got partnered with The Situation. I just don’t like the dude and fear that their lack of rehearsal time is going to do a lot of harm to them. This next bit is going to sound insensitive, but I was annoyed by Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough’s package before they danced. They danced beautifully though. Oh and speaking of packages, I NEVER WANT TO SEE FLORENCE HENDERSON’S CHEST AGAIN! By the time Kym and David got around to dancing I was ready for the show to be over so I could watch Hawaii Five-0.

Now for Hawaii Five-0. VERY VERY GOOD! I only saw the original in repeats and I find that comparing to the original is never a good thing. Yes they are the same, but they are completely different and should be treated as 2 different shows. Originally I only wanted to watch for Scott Caan, but Daniel Dae Kim is very attractive, and I’m not afraid to say that so is Grace Park! I hope it did well enough for CBS to keep it around!

Milestones

2010-09-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

2:12 am
Despite getting frustrated (as of late) with my classes and the many glitches the online classroom setting has, I'm glad I'm doing this.

On September 30th I will have completed the Fundamental Level courses for my Paralegal Degree! October 1st I will more than likely start on Advanced Level courses.

oOoOoOoOoO

2:12 pm

This morning I got a call from financial aid to finish up the process so I’d have funding for my 2nd yr. Well he said there was some mistakes but they were minor things like changing that I live with my parents to living off campus, changing my dad’s unknown education status to high school graduate and something else I can’t remember. Then I had to do the loan process thing again...followed by a 10 question exam. I missed 2 so it’s all good. The next big hurdle is getting them a valid copy of my ID. Enter what would have been a nearly 2 hour wait at the DMV. Pass! Why such a long wait? Another office was closed so people had to go to the one I went to. And get this...they’re going to be closed again tomorrow due to the furlough crap the Governor instated. Now I have to wait until Monday, which is better as I will have been paid and won’t have to borrow the money from my mom.

We were coming back from the DMV (nearly 2 hr wait because another office was closed so I have to go back on Monday) and stopped at the cleaners when my mom asked if I wanted to drive in the parking lot because there weren't many cars. I said whatever and hoped it was too packed, but when we got there it wasn't.

I drove for about 10 or 15 minutes, parked a couple of times in open spots and practiced backing into parking spots. fun and not as nerve racking as I thought. Yes! I did it! I drove!

On the way home (we were literally across the street from the apartment) when the car stopped. my mom said the car probably overheated (its an old crappy car with a couple of bullet holes!!! in it that my dad INSISTS works like a gem) so we waited and I motioned for cars to go around. Then my dad calls and I tell him what happened and he got mad. way to make it feel like MY fault! Eventually a lady in some big truck gave my mom a push so she could park by the apartment...and now I'm home.

All at once

2010-09-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to take the trash out and the big bag had this liquid on the outside of it, I smelled my hand and OMG it was pee! I think it was my cat (she’s been off lately - I blame it on her being uncomfortable because of the fleas). However it got there, it was there and I was grossed out and it needed to be cleaned up. I ended up mopping the whole kitchen floor because I was just grossed out.

Right. I got a call from the city library because back in August I applied for a temporary/part-time library aide and they were doing a pre-interview. I finished that and the man (I think his name is Fernando) said he’d call back to set up an in person interview. Cool beans! The position is 2-730 pm Monday-Thursday. I hope I get it because at $8.34/hour, that’s a good bit of money I can use in addition to what I’m getting from the Church.

The college called saying that I haven’t gone my financial aid application and if I don’t do it soon, I won’t have funds for my 2nd year. Umm I KNOW I filled out and submitted my FAFSA application! I did it a day or 2 after I filled my taxes. The rep I spoke with said I didn’t and what I probably did was give the okay for my tax information to be collected for when I do fill out the financial aid form. I didn’t want to argue with him so I was like “oh...ok”. he said either way, he would still call me at 9 am Thursday to get the ball rolling. Come tomorrow morning he will see that I have filled out and submitted my financial aid information. In fact, I did so nearly 6 months ago!

I think I’m going to go driving this evening. Lord help me I’m scared and nervous!

it's my party and I'll cry if I want to

2010-09-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

9-9-10
Okay, so no crying was had this year (unlike last year, but we won’t go there!) today was a pretty awesome birthday!

Birthday festivities started Wednesday with a card from my church and my parents (well I ordered it) purchasing the bicycle I wanted. Won't arrive for 2 weeks, but whateva. Then today I went to the DMV. I was going to renew my State ID and figured I'd retest for my license. I tried when I was 20, failed and didn't bother to do the other 2 "free" retests. Then April of this year I went in and tested again. Missed 7 but you can only miss 6 for first time drivers. Well today I did the 2nd retest. Missed 8. UGH! was going to leave but thought what the hell!, waited 20 minutes or so and took it for the 3rd time and woo hoo!!!! I passed! I think I missed 4! Now I have until April 30, 2011 to get my license or I have to go through the whole process over again. I don't want to do that again!

On with the birthday fun. Got a cake, some spending money from my sister and Friday & Saturday is fun with my friends - the bar, karaoke and bowling. Sunday my boss has something for me. She said she was going to mail it but didn't want it to get ruined. Has me wondering...

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I’m hoping to extend the birthday fun beyond this weekend, but we’ll see how well that works out.

9-11-10
So today Lora took me bowling and to the movies for my birthday. She also got me gifts. a Necklace/earrings set and some body wash & lotion from a line called Freshly Cut by Upper Canada. The scent is Passion Flower and it’s infused with Lychee (never heard of that). It smells really good though. I also got a bracelet with a love charm on it from Grandpa (church pastor).

Bowling was lots of fun! I went first and got my only strike of the game. I think Lora also got a strike. We played our 10 frames and it maybe took us 30 minutes. I won by 25 points - 85-60.

After bowling was the movies. we went to the $2 theaters that took like forever to get there (but omg before that Lora got a ticket for cutting off a CHP cop! he followed us for like ever to give her a ticket as she got off the freeway! But lesson learned. if you’re in a lane that’s clearly exiting the freeway, just get off. Don’t swerve back on the freeway). There’s a Panera Bread in the same complex as the theater! I wanted it so badly! but opted for snacks in the theater. The movie. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice was pretty good. I give it a B- simply because it started off a bit too slow for me. At one point in the movie (trying not to spoil it for anyone) I clearly remember thinking “fast cars make this movie sexy” LOL Yeah, weird thought to have while watching a family type movie, but it was a brief thought. I’m definitely going to buy it on DVD.

Now I’m home (obviously lol) and thinking about watching another movie. It’s a toss up between more Miss Marple or Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief (I saw it at the same $2 as today’s movie) or I might hijack the TV from my dad for some Cops.

16 days down...12 weeks to go!

2010-09-03T17:44:00.001-07:00

after 16 agonizing days I finally heard back about the Notary Public exam I took on August 18.

With a 73% I passed!!

now I have to be fingerprinted for a background check. According to the California Secretary of State, this could take anywhere from 10-12 weeks after my finger prints have been submitted. If I don't hear back after 12 weeks I need to call.

16 days was killer in waiting for my exam score. 2 1/2 to 3 months just might drive me crazy!

Say what?!

2010-08-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Thursday (8/12) I started a new class and the first assignment (besides the usual reading) was a 10 question quiz. No big deal. I felt I did really well on it until I submitted it (it's an online class) and saw that 4 of them were marked wrong, well right below it was the correct answer and with the exception of adding the word 'the' (things have to sound grammatically correct in my brain) or leaving out the word 'in', the answers were correct.

I wasn't the only one who had this problem. Turns out there's something wrong with the computer program the school used and rather than manually change the grades for everyone, they decided to make the quiz not have any points, therefore it doesn't count against our grade in the class, and the points the quiz would have been worth have now been added to the 2 assignments we have.

I know the quiz doesn't count anymore, but it's still going to bug me that the answers were marked wrong when they are right.

I took the final for the class, anticipating that when I got home from today’s activities, I wouldn’t have it in me so do it (and I don’t but I still have some discussion questions to complete in the next 3 hrs). The grade for the was 85% and I got 100% on both assignments. No telling how my final grade is going to end up with the reshuffling of points.

right now I’m so sleepy!

I've been at the Marriott since 830 am and it's now 842 pm (I've actually been home for about 40 minutes).

I had my seminar and testing to become a notary public, and let me say it seems easy, but there's quite a bit of stuff to remember. Also, I'm SO GLAD I don't have "disposable" income. let and right they were trying to get people to buy the "tools of the trade" - stamp, notary journal, notary commission seal, thumb print pad and various other things a Notary Public would need. My whole mindset was, let me find out if I pass (70% or 9 missed questions passes you) before I buy all that addition stuff. Plus, I still have to do live scan fingerprint (background check with FBI & DOJ). There was people who readily paid almost $230 for the day not knowing if they passed (the test or the background check!) and you don't get your money back if you don't pass and you have to pay again to retake the test.

In 15-20 days I should know if I passed the exam, then it'll be another 8-10 WEEKS before I know/am licensed as a Notary Public. At the very least, I should be able to start out 2011 saying that I'm a Notary Public.

the wrap up

2010-08-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

I believe August 3rd was the last time I made an entry of substance. Since then nothing really has gone on. lol I went to work on Friday, Harvest crusade on Saturday, and church on Sunday.

Monday I did nothing. Tuesday...week since my last update. Earlier I went to the library to return an overdue book (I now have almost $1 in fines. oops), went to the grocery store to turn in some pennies (and a dime lol...got $8.47) and pick up some food for myself as well as the cat. I also picked up a DVD titled PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal. I don’t know if I’ll watch it tonight, but I plan on watching it this week - during the daytime of course lol

Friday I go to work, Saturday I’m spending the night a friend. She needs my help with some stuff and Sunday I’ll need a ride to church so we kill 2 birds with one stone, so to speak. Hopefully I watch or borrow The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because I’ve been wanting to see it again for ages and haven’t been able to find it any places that sell movies.

I found out from a friend that this dude I’ve been writing has a girlfriend in Houston. He’s written me since I’ve found this news out, but I haven’t written him back. I rather not, but I need to. Anything that I was beginning to feel for him is now gone. I just don’t want to deal with him...or the situation.

I was looking at my finances and I’m 2 months from having my last credit card paid off! I still have 1 or 2 bills from stupid book/music of the month or whatever clubs that I need to pay and come 2012 I’ll have a student loan to repay, but between October 2010 and 2012 when my loan repayment begins, the only bill I will have is for my cell phone! YAY! Now I can start saving for that trip to *insert location from my list of places to visit*!

Can’t think of anything else. Think I’ll start on dinner, finish this Miss Marple dvd I’m watching and wait for America’s Got Talent to come on tonight.

DHS c/o 2000 10 year Reunion

2010-08-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

My 10 year reunion was July 31. It was more fun than I thought it would be. There was drunken flirting, lots of laughing at old school pictures, good Italian food and lots of exchanged phone numbers for more summer fun.

So many times throughout the night I heard, "Are you on facebook?", "make sure to put the pictures up on facebook" and I think my favorite was "omg you're that girl with the TV show on facebook!" Her show isn't about facebook, but episodes are put on facebook.

I thought it was going to be weird seeing my old high school crushes (yes, I had many through the 4 years at that school) again, but it really wasn’t. I still see why I had the crush on them, but we’re 10 years older now so it’s nothing.

There were many I would have bet money on that would have been there, but they weren’t. That was rather surprising to me. Many people who said they’d be there but in the end weren’t. And many who I wouldn’t have thought would be there, were there.

I know without facebook this reunion probably wouldn't have happened.

One (of the few) thing I was bummed about is that I didn’t bring extra batteries for my camera. I maybe got 7 pictures before the camera died. Waiting for others to post their pictures...and there’s shot that I really want - the group shot. I want to see if I can be seen in it.

Hopefully it won’t be another 5-10 years before we see each other again!

I’m just going to keep my mouth shut

2010-07-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I found out that my brother didn't make his promotion in the U.S. Air Force. He's been in for 24 yrs and September 1 is his last day.

he knew it was coming, but I think he was hoping to continue on in the Air Force. But for now he's finishing up his bachelor's degree while looking for work in Europe (he and his wife want to live & raise their daughters there). So he's state side until he finishes up his degree.

Since time is “running out” on how long my brother and his family are going to be in the States, I came up with a pretty good family vacation idea and then my dad was like "Lizet is good with spending other people's money." I try to do get us to something as a family and my idea gets crapped on before it's even heard. well forget I even said anything.

So what was my idea? I thought that next summer the 6 of us out here (my sister, her kids, me and my parents) could go to Florida for a couple of weeks. His house has a pretty decent backyard & pool...we could "camp" back there, go to the beach...do SOMETHING as a family because the last time we did that, Marta & Daniela were like 18 months old and now they're 5 years old.

Part of me wants to suggest it to my brother and sister (my mom was already for the idea) and see what they say and my dad could stay here for all I care.

My other idea was a 12 day family Hawaiian cruise (my sister said she was saving her money to go to Hawaii with Marlin & Jasmine), but that would have been way more expensive. Plus the only Hawaiian cruises were September of this year, April & December of next year and then April 2012, and the kids would be in school during those times.

bad habits

2010-07-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

I have a bad habit of circling dates in/on a calendar but making no note WHY.

Like August 28. What's going on that day? There’s a baseball game I’d like to go to, but if I already have plans that day, then obviously, I can’t go.

Oh wait! That would have been the date of an end of summer party at my church but plans have changed, so barring anything else needed to be held that day, baseball is on!

I can’t possibly be the only one with a bad habit like that.

So you want to be a Notary Public

2010-07-17T17:24:00.001-07:00

On August 18, 2010 I will be attending a seminar on becoming a Notary Public. That same day, I will take a 2 hour test (and hopefully pass) so that I can be one step closer to being a Notary Public. If you live in California and would like more information, click here:

Yup, I registered and paid for the seminar that’s to take place on the date mentioned above. After the seminar, I take the test. After the test, I get the results...15 days to a month later! Passing is a 70.

Either I’ll obsess about those 15 days to 30 days or I’ll be so busy with school stuff that I’ll forget until someone asks me or I get the pass (or fail, though I hope not) letter in the mail. The end of September I should know one way or the other. Should I not pass, I can test again. I hope I doesn’t come to that though.

Several Things

2010-07-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

I want to get back into photography. I’d prefer to be able to develop my own film...and that it’s black & white photography, but really, any kind of photography will do. This means I need to get a decent (aka cheap) camera. I am a beginner after all.
I want to get into bike riding. I have my eye on a few beach cruiser bikes, so now it’s a matter of actually going and buying the right one. My parents keep saying to look at the Salvation Army or thrift store, but honestly, I want something I know no one has used because there’s no telling what kind of condition it’s in.
I want to travel. There’s so many places I want to go and not only is there no one who can really go with me, but I can’t decide where I want to go to first.
And *gasp* I’m actually thinking about going back to working towards being a flight attendant (thanks in part to a tweet done by Meredith). Oh I’m still going to get my Paralegal certificate/degree and I’m still going to do the Notary Public thing too. Gosh, I’m turning into my dad with all this stuff I’m doing/want to do!

There’s more things, but these are just the things going on in my head at the moment.

How’s this for timing?!

2010-07-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

I need to make an appointment to go to the dentist so I log into one of my e-mail accounts to get my dentist’s number and there’s an e-mail from the dentist office. They were reminding me it’s time for a cleaning and left the number to make an appointment. However what isn’t in the e-mail is the address so I look them up to get the address and I’m looking around the site, clicking on different links and click on employment. I usually do that with different websites I go to so I can see what jobs they’re hiring for. Well my dental office is hiring for receptionist. I had applied to this position once before but for some reason I didn’t hear back from them. I pulled up my resume to make sure everything is in place and sent it off.

On the Notary Public front...I found a date that’s the earliest can test. August 18th is a seminar and testing from 830 am to 530 pm with the usual breaks for a snack and lunch. I checked the area of where it’s going to be held, and there’s quite a few places I can choose from and they aren’t overly expensive either.

My high school reunion is quickly approaching on July 31st and found the “dress code” for the event. cocktail attire. I don’t know if what I recently purchased is cocktail attire, but I can’t buy anymore clothes.

My 28th birthday is in 1 month 3 weeks and 5 days. Of course there’s a ton that I want to do. I mean, I change my mind like every freaking week! First I want to have a bowling party, then I want to go to Disneyland, then I want to go to a concert on Florida to see my friend Marissa, my brother, sister in law and the girls, I want to go to San Francisco...those are what I can remember. Oh and I want to go to to a baseball game (2 if I can swing it financially)! Now my mom has said she’d pay for half of my ticket to Florida (if I or my brother pay the other half), but since I can’t find any concerts I want to go to around my birthday, I’m thinking I rather go to San Francisco or to some (more) baseball games.

Hollywood Video by me is having a closing/going out of business sale. 30-80% of a lot of the DVDs and games...and they’re also selling the fixtures. I went in hoping they’d have The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as well as Prince Caspian, but no such luck. I bet they went months/weeks ago! But I managed to get Watchmen for $4.99 (originally $14.99) and The International for $4.99 (also originally $14.99). There were TONS of horror movies. I didn’t take the time to look through them, but I know my mom would spend a lot of time looking through them. Since they have no final closing date, I might go back and take a look at the tv shows they still have. I saw some 24 DVDs and I need to get seasons 1-6 and season 8. On a whole, there wasn’t much to choose from and probably won’t be the next time I decide to go...if they’re still open.

Today I attempted to give Miss Marple a bath. She has fleas and hasn’t had them since she was a kitten and she’s about 4 years old now. I went to the store to see if they have Frontline Plus, but I think I can only get that from my vet. So I did the next best thing - a bath. I was only concerned with her neck and stomach as that’s where she has them. I started with her neck and that was ok. then I put her on her back and did her stomach. again, that was ok. Now the hard part...rinsing her off! I wasn’t able to get a really good lather and I didn’t want to get all scratched up so I put her in the tub and turned on the water. Mean thing to do, but she lathered up and rinsed herself off and then I towel dried her and let her go to groom herself. After about 10 mins or so, I combed/brushed her out. I hope what I was able to shampoo helps with the fleas some. Oh and I got only 1 tiny cut/scratch as she was trying to get out of the tub. Not bad at all.

who to call friend

2010-07-11T03:43:00.000-07:00

Its been sorted out, but I don’t know who to call friend anymore. I’m beginning to get what people on the verge feel like, because I feel like that right now.

The people I want to talk to are probably sleep or off doing their own thing and even if they weren’t, what guarantee is there that they’d be there for me?

This is what happens when I let someone get close? I don’t want that then.

There’s now a dialogue going on, but honestly, I just want it to be done with. I don’t think there’s being friends with this person again. They scared me. I never thought it was this person doing all that was done. I didn’t know they had that much of a problem because they never flat out told me. I’m sorry, I can’t read cryptic stuff. I can’t read between the lines to figure out that you’re talking about me

Its almost 4 am and I’m still awake. I should have been asleep 4 hours ago, but this is going on and I’m on the verge because I don’t know who my friends are anymore.

Clarity

2010-07-09T22:10:00.001-07:00

I think that’s a song by John Mayer. But it’s also something that’s happening to me? I don’t know how to phrase that correctly, but it’s happening - or at least I think it is.

Things have been going on. Then they die out. Then it pops back up in different forms and makes me wonder and doubt what I came to realize before.

I'm (still) trying to weed out the trolls and drama llamas from my (internet) life without having to start over fresh.

Just when I think I've gotten rid of the people who I thought were causing problems, more pop up...or the same ones who were cleverly hidden reappear.

With all the stuff they're saying about me that's so bad, I don't get why they just don't remove me and be done with it instead of playing whatever game they're playing, but disguising it as "helping" me.

I just keep thinking about that saying, “you know what happens when you assume? You make an ass out of you and me.” But really, the person doing the assuming is the one with pie on their face, so to speak.

I’m going to keep on assuming and let you do what you have to do and I’ll go from there.

Maybe the title of this should have been assumptions.

THEY should have done their homework

2010-07-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I finished Word Processing for the Law Office. It was 5 days long and there was something like 38 total assignments! There’s 25 students in the class so that’s umm...950 assignments that the instructor has to grade!

I logged into Blackboard and see there’s this announcement about grading:
Due to the large volume of Assignments for this course, your Instructor has been advised to make the following modification to the grading process:

Your overall grade for the Assignments portion of the course will be based solely on your submitting ALL of the Assignments made in the course. Your Instructor will select FOUR of your assignments at random to review and provide you feedback. You will not receive individual grades on these--or any--Assignment. Your Instructor will, of course, be checking the quality of your submissions and this will be reflected in your overall Assignment grade for the course.

Shouldn’t the people in charge have known there was going to be a large volume of work and either made the class longer or told the instructor “maybe you don’t need 9 assignment each unit!”

But I guess this new way of grading will be to our benefit. If everyone turned in decent work, we’ll get an overall decent grade on the assignment portion of the grade for the class. I made sure to comment (in the course evaluation) that I thought the class should be longer for the amount of assignments given...or there shouldn’t be so many assignments for a 5 day course.

Anyways, hoping for an A or B in the class. I don’t think I should get anything lower than that as I did everything that was required for this class - all 38 assignments, 6 discussion questions and the final (which I got 48/50 on)!

In other news...I don’t believe I’ve talked about my weekend...or least the Sunday part of my weekend! After church was over, I went with Lora and the Pastor back to their house for lunch and to wait for Staci to get ready so we could pick up her friend and go to the Angels Game. The game was set to start at 5:15 pm and we left the house at 3:30, picked up her friend by 4 pm and by 4:45 were exiting the freeway going to the Stadium. The line to get in was pretty long but went by fast. I was 3 people from being checked when a guy yelled “National Anthem” or something and everything stopped. I could hear bits and pieces of the singing, but what I LOVE THE MOST was the fly over by the C-17 (I think) from March Air Reserve Base (later in the game the pilots were introduced). We got in and the first inning had already started. Sad. We missed the first pitch, but better than missing the entire first inning like what happened when Lora and I went to a game a few years ago.

OMG the game! SO AWESOME! 11-0 shut out over the Royals! It was great! Staci and her friend missing most of the game, but I know they didn’t go to watch it. That made me mad because Lora paid for their tickets, and they maybe saw 1 inning the entire game! Most of the time they were walking around doing whatever...and on top of that, Staci wore a Dodger’s jacket to the game! *shurgs* whatever. Also sucks that since I bought the 4th ticket after the first 3, I couldn’t find a single seat in the same section as the first 3 tickets so Lora volunteered to sit in the single seat in the other section.

After the awesome game was the equally awesome Independence Day Fireworks show! I guess Lora had been trying to call us (I had reception but didn’t have reception?) to say that we should watch the show at the car (and be one of the first to leave lol) but I didn’t get her call. I think I got some okay pictures of the fireworks. I hate the delay with the cameras I have. I don’t know what gives either!

But overall, AWESOME 4th of July! We’re (pretty sure just Lora and I) going to go to a few more games this season. I have some dates picked and ticket prices are so cheap that I hope we’re able to go to all the games! They’re mostly weekend games as Lora works long hrs during the week and has to drive quite a ways to/from work.

Tuesday I went to the post office to pick up the clothes I ordered. They were delivered on Saturday but we were at the church until 8 pm and missed the mailman. When I got home, I promptly tried them on...or attempted to try them on. The tops fit but the leggings...HA! plus one size fits all is laughable! I was afraid of ripping them if I tried to pull them over my thighs! They were lycra spandex type leggings. Not the kind I’m comfortable wearing at all. Too much of a hassle to send them back, so I’m going to ask around for anyone who wants to buy them.

Now today...I start a new class - Legal Office Procedures. It’s 10 days long and there’s only 1 assignment. I shouldn’t complain because there could have been more. After the last 5 days I’m glad there isn’t more!

I need to go to the store and pick up a few things. I want to make apple butter (yummy!) and maybe pick up a cheesecake as my mom didn’t get any on Saturday. I’d make it, but I don’t have the money to get all that’s needed.

Next week I get paid. Sunday to be exact. And after my bills, I hope I have enough to get quarters for laundry. it’s piling up again. I should also be getting a check from working the Election back in June! That’ll be a nice bit of spending money!

come on now!

2010-07-04T00:29:00.001-07:00

That was a mediocre success. The BBQ at the Church that is. There were 7 of us, not including my mom, sister and her 2 kids. I was just really let down by it all, but I stand by my decision to have it Saturday as opposed to Sunday. 2 main reasons being I WASN’T going to “cook” the food and set up by myself while everyone was in Church service and I wasn’t going to ask someone to help me do that so they’d end up missing service. Also, we’d be eating and carrying on while the Spanish church service was going on and I feel that’s rude to do that. The other reason being that I wanted to go to a baseball game Sunday evening since it’d been 2 years since I gone to one and if the BBQ was held Sunday, there’s NO WAY I’d be able to do all that stuff, clean up the property after and get to Anaheim by 430 (with the game starting at 515).

I had purchased hot dogs and hamburgers but they didn’t get used so they’ll be used at the Game Night on July 18th. Awesome! Now I don’t have to worry about what snacks to provide. Maybe get some cookies and some more drinks.

I learned a new card game called Phase 10. My mom tried teaching it to me, but I just wasn’t getting it. Staci explained it and after a few rounds I caught on. We played for nearly 2 hours before my sister decided it was time for her and the kids to leave and Lora and I finished cleaning up (my dad did some stuff that I had to undo because it just wasn’t right and I did some stuff in between rounds). We will definitely play that again! I’m also going to buy Bible Gestures and a couple other Bible trivia type games for future games nights at the church.

Hmm Sunday is the Angels baseball game! So freaking excited! Like I said above, it’s been about 2 years since I’ve gone to a game. Every year I say I want to buy season passes, or at least pre-purchase tickets to a few select games, but I never do it! I hope I’m able to next year! Get in on the good seats to avoid the nose bleed last minute purchased seats. Hoping for a good game. They’re playing against the Kansas City Royals, then after the game there’s going to be the Independence Day Fireworks show. Yay!

I talked to my dad about the 24 Hour Fitness thing he told me about a few days ago. At Costco he can buy a 3 year membership for $499 and in the long run that’s cheaper because with the plan I was looking at online, I’d pay $34.99/month, and in 1 year that’s almost $420! Part of me wants to go on and ask him to do that, but honestly, I can’t afford to pay him back for that. Even once I finish paying my credit card in October, I still wouldn’t be able to. Sucks. Looks like I may do the YMCA route after all.

watch me scream

2010-07-01T23:23:00.001-07:00

With just weeks until my 10 year high school reunion, plans have been changed FOR A THIRD TIME! If it changes again, I know I’m going scream! But luckily this change lowers the price of the event (from $80 to $60 now to $30!) and changes the location & time (from Beverly Hills and 6-10 (original time was 8-2 am) to an Italian place in Downey and the time is 6-10 pm).

Cool that it’s close and the price is lowered, but it honestly doesn’t seem like much research and planning has gone into this. There have been 2 “planning” meetings that I’ve been invited to but didn’t get to go to, and I’m sure if I would have gone, I could have voiced my opinions, but it seems like all the popular people are having a say and no one else it. We’ll see how this event is and that will determine if I voice my desire to plan the 20 year.

In other news, yesterday I got a letter from Invisible Man. He’s been m.i.a for nearly a month and he’s still invisible to me, but at least I know he’s still interested. Going to write him back this weekend. Got a month of stuff to tell me about...and lots of questions about some stuff that’s gone on.

I started a new class yesterday. Word Processing for the Law Office. Each day there’s upwards of 8 assignments! Luckily they’re due on July 7th, but my gosh! it’s a lot of typing and creating documents.

My parents went to the movies today. They were going to see The Karate Kid, but of course, by the time they got there, the movie had already started...so they saw The A-Team. Man! I wanted to see that! Oh well.

Friday is going to be a BUSY day! I have work, then I have to do the shopping for Saturday’s BBQ at the church and I might have to do some cooking. I don’t to much mind, but it might end up being a pizza for dinner kind of night.

Think I’m going to have a bowl of cereal or some salad. I wanted to do some shrimp, but I waited too long.

What would have been

2010-06-30T01:21:00.001-07:00

June 30 1990 my sister got married. Today would have been her 20th wedding anniversary. now it's just another day. about 5 yrs ago she stopped celebrating it. I honestly don't blame her with the asshole of a husband she had/has. That's about 9 or 10 yrs longer than I would have. Tis not my life so *zipping it*

A few weeks ago I mentioned wanting to join the YMCA and I was totally psyched about it! There was actually 5 days worth of stuff I wanted to participate in...and a friend of mine said she'd join too so we'd have support and someone to hold each other accountable for slacking. Well I had to wait until I got the money to afford the $46/month. That's what I thought it was going to be, plus there was financial assistance for those who couldn't afford that monthly fee. Well flash forward to late Tuesday night. I get a Facebook comment saying that my friend had joined and Monday was her first day. Awesome! What wasn't awesome was the no way around it $100 sign up fee! WTF! they said NOTHING about that when I called to ask about fees! I remember asking the guy I spoke with "What are the fees to join the YMCA?" He asked if it was going to be just myself and I said yes. he told me the monthly fee and said there was also financial assistance. Made no mention of a sign up fee, let alone that it was $100! I'm sorry, I can't afford that...no matter how close the place is and all the benefits that $46/month gives me.

So needless to say, finding out about that really crushed my desire to workout. My dad mentioned that for $299 I could join the 24 Hour Fitness but I was adament there aren't any locations near me - and by near me I mean a bus ride away. The only 2 places I knew of are in Compton and Santa Fe Springs...both more than 1 bus ride away. Well a quick trip to the 24 Hour Fitness proved me wrong! There's a location in Lakewood by the mall I frequent. That's 1 bus ride away! And on top of that, their current membership offer (it expires June 30th :[) is about $30/month! And due at signing up was like $60! Dude! I can totally afford that! Sadly, not right now. Looks like the soonest I'll be joining the gym is the beginning of August...and that gives me only 4-5 months to lose about 70 lbs! That's about 14 lbs a month, but still. *sighs* There's always Jillian Michaels '30 Day Shred' DVD but I really wanted to get out of the apartment!

On Saturday I ordered what I thought was going to be the outfit I would wear to my 10 year high school reunion at the end of July (even though I have yet to buy my ticket. oops) but then Thursday I got a call from the owner/manager of the online store where I ordered from and he told me that the top I ordered is out of stock and he'd like to make me a replacement offer. What was the replacement offer? my money back (for the top) or 2 tops and an additional pair of leggings...at no additional charge! Yeah, I'll go with that! 2 tops and 2 pair of leggings for the price of what I paid for 1 top and 1 pair of leggings! awesome! As long as i get it by the last week in July it's cool!

Going grocery shopping on Friday for Saturday's BBQ at the church. I have a list of all the things that I need to get. I hope I'm able to get it all with what little money I have left. Yeah, I screwed up with my bills and spending, but I'm covered and lucky that no more than 10 people will be at the BBQ because everyone else has other plans (which knowing the ppl at my church is oddly like not wanting to come out....but I could be wrong)

After missing the last 2 seasons of Angels Baseball, I'll finally be going to a game! yay! I think next year I'm going to have to treat myself to season tickets. That way I'll be more inclined to go. So the game I'll be going to is the 4th of July game on Sunday. it'll be me, Lora and Staci. I had the hardest time finding tickets that I wanted, so I had to go with the cheapest. I know that waiting until the last minute snaps up all the good tickets but I was still hoping for home side seats and couldn't find any in my price range.

I want to go to sleep before 2 am so good night!

Shaky ground

2010-06-28T07:54:00.001-07:00

(subject has nothing to do with what I'm posting about. it's the first thing that came to mind)

A few months ago the lower apartments in the complex got new windows. a "one week" job ended up being 2 + weeks. It was killer on my sinuses that's for sure!

Now the roof is being worked on. The old one completely taken out today and I'm assuming the rest of the week a new one will be out on. The flyer we got said June 28 to July 3rd, so we'll actually see if that's the case.

I hope fumigating the place is next! it's been about 5-7 yrs since that was last done. And the front door need to be replaced. it's been "fixed" so many times the wood isn't together enough to be "fixed" again.

But honestly I worry about how all this remodeling is going to effect the rent. My parents are paying the least as we've been here the longest (since 1986!!) and rent is slowly creeping up. Granted it's nowhere near what the neighbors are paying, but it's getting to be more than my parents can afford with the retirement money they get and I'm supposed to be giving my mom money every month towards rent but my bills are so royally screwed up that I can't get them under control to go back to doing that.

In heated moments I say that I'd have someplace to go if I were kicked out, but I honestly don't know where I would be able to go. Everyone I know could take me (with or without my cat) for a little while, but to live with until I oh...found a job to move out? Who the heck knows how long that could be?! And my parents? yeah, they can't go with my sister as she needs to find her own place since her stupid m-i-l has been threatening to kick her out? I don't know. But then there's my brother & his family in FL. I guess they have the space in their house, but I honestly don't know if my dad would move there. I'm pretty sure my mom would.

It's all really shaky in my head and I do think about it from time to time. A drastic 'omg what if...' moment, but I never voice it to my parents. It kind of still feels like I'm the "little" kid and none of this is my business to worry about. but I'm NOT the little kid and I should at least have a plan if things ever get to that point.

Nearly a month later!

2010-06-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

I've finished another book. This one should have been finished weeks ago, this the book literally sat by my bed for a week without being opened/read!
4.
Title: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan’s Curse
Genre: Fantasy, Greek Mythology
Summary (taken from Amazon): Percy Jackson is now 14, a bit older and wiser, yet still entangled with the Fates. Friends, monsters, dysfunctional gods, and the romantic stirrings of all things natural and mythological are encountered. His good friend, if oft-time rival, Annabeth (daughter of Athena) is missing, as is Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Joined by best buddy Grover-the-goat-boy and an argumentative array of accomplices, Percy sets off to fulfill, and hopefully foil, the foreboding prophecy of the Oracle. Plagued by ominous dreams, thwarted by hideous monsters, and challenged by conflicting partnerships, the search party's success hinges on unlikely unity.
Thoughts: There were SO MANY things I didn’t see coming! I was right there with Percy every time he felt stupid for asking a question about something he “should” know. Why wasn’t Clarisse’s info given more? Like where had she been? Maybe I missed that. *shrugs*

This book took longer for me to read for some reason – actually I think it had to do with the fact that when I first checked it out of the library (btw it is now a week LATE in being returned oops!) I didn’t get far enough into the book before stopping. But the last 2 days of reading it, I read 5 chapter chunks and that’s what allowed me to finish it. I really hope I’m able to get the “hooking” chapters read of The Battle of the Labyrinth so I won’t take forever to finish it.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Another class...another lesson learned? Lets see...where do I start?

2010-06-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Lets see...where do I start? Since starting ICDC back in January, I've taken 14 classes (Wednesday I start my 15th class). My grades are 11 As, 1 B and 1 C...and later today I'll know for the class I just finished.

These classes haven't exactly been drama free either. Latest bit of drama revolves around a grade for an assignment that wasn't updated. Long story short, I called the instructor on his mistake and he fixed it. That's how I have the 1 B. Good. I didn't want to have 2 Cs! Also, I achieved my first 100% for the course! That was for Immigration & Constitutional Law (with the trouble instructor).

Now I'm on to a new instructor. Administrative Law started last Wednesday and ends today (when I take the final). This instructor seems much more involved. At first it was annoying, but now I like it. It takes a bit to warm up to the new teacher. LOL I'm not sure how many classes I'll have her for, though. Second class with her starts tomorrow.

Tomorrow's class is called Employment Preparation. Its 5 days long with pretty much an assignment every day. Oh great. I've lost count with how many employment preparation classes I've taken. They all say the same things and while I do learn something new from each class, none of them seem to tell me why, with as much experience as I have, do I seem to not find a job...or at least get a second interview?! People around me with much less experience seem to find jobs every time they turn around (or in the case of some people I know change jobs to frequently they have resumes that are multiple pages long and they're a good 5 yrs younger than me and have no college degree)! Anyways, I am still going to keep an open mind to this Employment Preparation class and maybe learn something that will finally get me a second interview...and *gasp* a full time job!

Aftermath

2010-06-09T21:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I worked the California State Primary Election as an Inspector. It was ok. 4 precincts in 1 location sucks. in my precinct there was supposed to be 5 workers but we made it work with 3 - oddly enough, the 4th person who was supposed to work came into vote! I didn't want to say anything for fear that it would be creepy that I "knew" who she was. 5th worker's husband called me at 625 that morning (I left hoe at 530 to be at the polling place for 6 am set up) to say she was sick and wouldn't be in. I called her Saturday, Sunday and Monday with no word from her! would have been nice to know Monday so I could have possibly had that 4th person! We really needed it.

The day went smoothly enough. There were 962 registered active voters in my precinct. Only 106 voted + 1 provisionally because she wasn't in the roster of voters yet her address was. Where the heck were the other 855 people?! I'm guessing since this was a Primary election, not many people turned out. I'm sure come the general election in November, I'm sure there'll be more voters...I hope as we'll be voting for a new Governor, Senators and various other officials. I did my part and voted too. Took all of 5 minutes too!

Come July, I should have a nice paycheck from working this election. I think close to $300. I never knew what the base pay for election workers was, but Inspectors get $50 for going to training, $50 for picking up & dropping off supplies and this time around they added another $50 for picking up additional ballots. Right there's is $150 in "bonuses"! Good deal! I'm hoping I'll be able to work the election in November!

Got a rather annoying "reminder" e-mail from my student advisor. Apparently if you log into the discussion board everyday but don't participate in the discussion, you get and e-mail sent to you. Maybe if I had something worth participating IN I'd participate! Because seriously, these people who give responses annoy the crap out of me when I can't understand a thing they've typed! Words are misspelled, sentence structure is all messed up...how the instructor understands to reply is beyond me. Oh and I was only TWO days behind! WTF! So I slapped together some responses, posted them and did today's response and left the board. I didn't want a headache trying to understand what those people were trying to say. This class is over on Wednesday...the entire course is done in like 17 months? I have to recheck that tho. Soon I'll be done and won't have to worry about anyone in the course anymore.

Success!

2010-06-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

now that Sunday is pretty much over, I can say that the 35th anniversary concert at my church was very nice. the choir sang to an audience of about 30 people, there were 2 duets and 2 solos (I did a solo!!) and after a dessert reception.

It was also the Pastor's wife's 83rd birthday! so we surprised her with a pineapple upside down cake. She loved it! She also thought that we forgot her birthday because we didn't sing happy birthday during the morning service, but did at the concert.

Tomorrow evening is the set up for the Primary Election that's on Tuesday. I like working the election. For like 16 hours of work I get nearly $275! That's either going to go towards getting my passport (possible cruise at the end of the year!) or towards bills (boo!) or shopping (yay) or savings (yay?)

I need to go soak my feet and either put on a movie or do some reading for class. I have a midterm on Tuesday and oops that's the day of the election so I'll have to do it Monday night! No biggie...though I probably should have e-mailed the instructor to let him know *shrugs* oh well.