It's a bit late for that...

but I do kind of have some resolutions I am trying to keep.

For one thing, I have gone on a diet. I have lost 7 lbs as of Saturday and will be weighing myself again when I get home. I want to lose enough weight that I can go Ziplining while on my cruise in May.

I have been eating fast food way less often, partially as part of the diet, but also because it just isn't good for you. I have been trying to eat at home more, and out less. One recipe I have discovered is a cake made from a box of cake mix and a can of diet soda. I tried Chocolate with Diet coke, and it is good. I want to try Strawberry cake with diet sprite next and make them as cupcakes... the cupcakes have less than a hundred calories each and are pretty tasty...

I am slowly trying to reduce the amount of things I have, I don't have a lot of room for storage, and I just have too much stuff, sorting out the important and the nostalgic from the rest is tedious, but I am making some progress.

My career goals are on hold as I can't even APPLY for library school until next August. So right now, I am working at the library, trying to make money.

I want to start a food blog, or two actually. One is for fun and tasty restaurants in Southern California (embracing my LA roots and my mew discoveries in SD) the other is a healthier eating blog...

I have other things I am trying to do, but I need to figure out dinner and go to the store...

I'm Lovin It...

Someone whose blog I read did this so I am going to too...

Some things I currently love...


Jurassic Park, The Ride! I love flume rides, and this is better than any other one ever... Why? BECAUSE THERE ARE DINOSAURS! I don't however love it when you have to share a row with people who try to squeeze your lungs out by pushing down on the lap bar....



It hasn't come out yet, so I am not positive I will love it, but the previews are amazing, and it has the incredibly good looking Johnny Depp in it... I want this poster!



A couple of Sundays ago, my friend bridget bought me a snack of regular Hot Cheetos upon her discovery that I had never tried them. I have become a HUGE fan in only a week, and I actually like the baked ones better, because there is less grease!



I love the color blue! It is a happy color and it makes me smile! I also love the Universal Tram Ride!

take 5

5 Things I currently Love

The Big Bang Theory ( The TV Show, not the theory itself)
Susanna's Enchiladas
Easter Candy
Amazing Friends
Reading the Percy Jackson Series

5 Things I could live without

Back Pain
Insomnia
Having to make Big Decisions
Seafood
Stupid People

5 Things I would like to eat right now

El Pollo Inka's Amazing Number 8 no Egg with a ton of Green Sauce!
Some Vince's Spaghetti
Pizza
Boba
Chicken Strips

5 things I've read recently

The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan
Are My Blinkers Showing by Michael York
the book of Acts
HP Fanfiction
Shag Parties (I think that's what it is called)

5 things I need to buy

Picture Hanging stuff
A frame for one of my Star Trek Pictures
Phi Alpha Theta grad stuff
Stuff to organize and lock my work locker
Jeans that Fit

5 Things I did Yesterday

Was up all night
Went to School
Went to Work
Texted a Lot
Watched Big Bang Theory

5 Things I am doing today

Going to Work
Going to Church
Working for Dr T!
Hopefully a load of laundry
Re Writing my Statement of Purpose

5 Things I will Probably Do tomorrow

Go to School
Work for Dr T
Clean a little
Watch a Documentary on the Weathermen Terrorists
Watch Terminator 3 (Or Big Bang Theory!)

5 Things I can Say in More than 2 Languages

Please (Eng, Fre, Rus, Spa)
Thank You (Eng, Fre, Ger, Rus, Spa)
Good Day (Eng, Fre, Ger, Rus, Spa)
Excuse Me (Eng, Fre, Rus, Spa)
Yes and No (Eng, Fre, Ger, Rus, Spa)

10 Things I hate About You...

(well, not really)

How about 10 foods I hate instead?


1. Seafood: Fish Are Friends NOT Food! I honestly don't mind the flavor of most seafood, it is totally a textural thing for me. I can and do eat popcorn shrimp, fried clams, and the occassional tuna sandwich. Because those foods don't have the textural problem that gets me every time. However, Crab and Lobster are Nos at all times. I don't like the taste or texture.

2. Brussels Sprouts: I'll eat them if I have to, but if I have a choice in the matter they are avoided.

3. Lima Beans: Weird texture and a funky flavor. I just say no.

4. Black Coffee: I barely like coffee when it is filled with milk and sugar, so drinking it black is a no no.

5. Papaya: It smells weird and every time I drink papaya juice, I get sick.

6. Veal: I was debating its inclusion on this list, becaue I know I've eaten it before in a dish called city-chicken, and I like that a lot. But I feel bad enough eating meat without the poor animal being tortured prior to its death. So I don't eat veal on principle. (my apologies to those reading this while trying to eat)

7. Squash: I don't mind the flavor, it's the texture again with the squash. I don't mind fried zucchini or zucchini casserole, but the slimy, squishy thing just doesn't work for me.

8. Eggs: But again not really. I like them sometimes, made certain ways. This list is rubbish. I like deviled eggs, and even the occasional egg salad sandwich or fried egg. But for the most part, I avoid them unless I am craving them.

9. Liver: I've eaten it, but I don't like it. In fact I don't like any organ meats, they are too gamey tasting... Blech...

10.Spam: I just don't like the texture, the flavor, or the thought of what is in it.


Tonight or tomorrow look for the announcement of April's challenge of the month, and the winner of March's will be revelaed!

In Case You are wondering...

So. It has been an interesting week. I am however, looking very much forward to Spring Break which I guess is officially started.

Friday night I came home from work and fell asleep. I didn't eat dinner, I didn't go online for hours. I went to sleep. At 7pm! I did wake up in the middle of the night but was apparently still ready to sleep because when it was time for me to wake up on Saturday for work. I really didn't want to.

Saturday I had a staff meeting at work. We had this most amazing banana choc. chip nut bread. I want to know how to make it. Or go buy like fifty loaves to keep in the freezer. Yes, it is that good.
I created a gator headband craft to match one of the stories from storytime.
I went to El Pollo Inka with Denise and Jessica, where I ate my amazing #8 no egg and put about a third of a bottle of the amazing green sauce on my food. I would put it on almost everything I eat! I love it! One day I will get the Chaufa and eat a whole bottle of it. It is a dietary goal. I will need many Inka Colas that day.
Went back to work and then from 3-5 cleaned out the craft supplies and toy giveaways section of the workroom. I laughed when I discovered that we have a whole basket worth of Harry Potter party supplies. I have corrupted the library. I am looking forward to the party we may or may not be having in July. I <3 Harry Potter.

I came home intending to stay in bed and read. Then one of my coworkers texted me to let me know that her check was already in and so mine probably was too. It was. I am so excited. So, I went out to dinner and the movies with Denise. I tried the new Buffalo Chicken pizza at CPK. It is not bad, but I would like it better if they put the celery on after it came out of the oven. It is probably my number 3 pizza on the menu after the BBQ Chicken Pizza and the Chicken Club Pizza. They are yummys. As always I enjoyed more than one glass of the glorious sugar free peach Iced Tea. It is amazing stuff!

Today I have Sunday School and Church, then I need to get some stuff done at home so that I can go to Disneyland tomorrow! I am going with some coworkers and it should be a lot of fun. I really want my back to co-operate with me though, because one of my co workers hasn't been in a really long time and I want her to have fun.

Then tonight is twenty-somethings bowling! I am bringing at least one and possibly two friends. It should be a blast.

Tuesday I am planning on spending the day around here getting some stuff (taxes!) done and then working in the evening.

Wednesday I am on a normal Wednesday schedule.

Thursday I am supposed to go see the German Cold War art Exhibition at LACMA with a friend from school.

Friday and Saturday I work all day.

I would like to squeeze a trip to the Aquarium in at some point this week, but it depends on how things go.

More details as events warrant! LOL!


Also, tomorrow is the LAST day to get in entries for the plastic egg challenge of the month. Try to wow me folks!

zzzzz

So, I have been up for several hours now, since about 2:45am and I am pretty tired of being awake all night.

So far this evening, I have researched all of the following on wikipedia:

The Munich Olympics Terrorist Attack
Terrorist Attacks in the US
Hostage Events Worldwide
Russian Theater Attack
Poisons
The Amish School Shooting
Famous Prisoners in the US
Capital Punishment and Prisons in California
Burning at the Stake
Tunica Molesta
Joan of Arc
Elizabeth Bathory
Paul Muni (who is Ukrainian! Ha Dr. Stricker!)
The Film Black Fury
Robert Downey Jr.
Tropic Thunder
Executions in the state of California

I have also looked online to see if I could find any info about my grandfather or any other long lost family member.

I am now going to attempt to sleep even though I have to wake up in about an hour anyways...

Grrr...

I really want to be deep and insightful today, but I really don't have anything deep or insightful in my head.

Lets see...

Lately I have written a couple blogs that I haven't posted. Mostly because I think they are stupid, but some because I can't handle being that vulnerable, and at least one where I was writing out of anger and it would be wrong of me to post it.

I am excited for the Women's Retreat. I feel more than ever before that I NEED this weekend.

I have two entries so far in my decorate Stacey's door contest, when it is all over I will post pictures.

Yesterday in my Terror and Totalitarianism class we started watching a film called One Day in September. It is about the terrorist attacks at the Munich Olympics. It is very interesting and exceedingly sad. At one point it hit me really hard and I actually contemplated stepping out of the room.

I have an entertaining/befuddling situation with a friend that could escalate into a nightmare. I hope it doesn't. In fact that is something y'all could pray for if you felt so inclined.

there is just a few snippets of my life lately...

My List of Books...

I am doing my Bible reading this year in a random order.

So far, I have read, Obadiah, Nahum, Proverbs, Jonah, and Judges. But I keep losing my lists, so I had one made at random.org, and these are the rest of the books of the Bible in the order I am going to read them.

Ezekiel
Hebrews
Acts
2 Thessalonians
Ecclesiastes
Ruth
Deuteronomy
Habakkuk
2 John
Lamentations
Psalms
Galatians
Amos
1 Timothy
Job
Ezra
Malachi
Esther
Joel
Jeremiah
Philippians
Romans
Ephesians
Exodus
Numbers
2 Samuel
2 Timothy
Zechariah
Isaiah
Zephaniah
Philemon
Mark
1 Kings
1 Thessalonians
Nehemiah
2 Kings
Genesis
Jude
James
Hosea
1 Samuel
Daniel
Luke
Leviticus
Song of Solomon
1 John
Colossians
2 Corinthians
Haggai
2 Chronicles
Micah
Titus
1 Peter
Matthew
Joshua
Revelation
1 Corinthians
John
3 John
2 Peter
1 Chronicles


I mostly put it up so I can have it in a handy spot, so I don't do a panicked search like I tried to last night.

On other Bible notes, my verse memorization has been a total fail, but I still have one day, so let us see what I can do.

To Do:

Find Library books
Return Library Books
Pay Fees
Get Hold Removed
Pick Classes
Register for Classes
Meet with Prof #1 to receive letters of recommendation
Meet with Prof #2 to discuss work schedule
Go to Dollar Tree
Purchase Yellow and Green Streamers for Library Craft if possible (must go elsewhere if they don't)
See if they have gold glitter for same craft
Look at 1 dollar storage ideas
Work on Paper
Dinner with a friend
Clean for a bit
Sleep


This is what my day is probably going to look like. I should also do laundry at some point. Hopefully tonight.

My boss doesn't think that me having Saturday off for women's retreat will be that big of a deal, but I will have to work on Fri. Especially since I do believe I have an international art activity that day... But it is a quick one and I'll have someone take over for me if it is still going at 4 which is when I plan on leaving.
We will be making Australian Platypusses.

This Friday we are making Chinese dragon puppets, because Monday is Chinese New Year.... I LOVE Chinese food!

tHE bLoG jACKEr tAgS yoU!

So, I was tagged by Nicky and so here I go... You are supposed to tag seven others but I think everyone I know has been tagged.

Seven Secrets... *I think that is what this is... LOL

1. I was practically raised by a gay man. Well, not exactly, but he was a good friend of my mom and I and was there for us when we needed it. From the ages of 10-14, he was the male role model in my life. This may disturb some of you, but Robert had met Jesus and walked away from his homosexual lifestyle, but unfortunately not before he contracted HIV. He spoke encouraging things into my life, and made me see my self worth in spite of my weight or appearance at the age when most girls really start to struggle with deriving their identity from their looks. He died shortly after I turned 15, and I miss him to this day.

2. My father used to quote the Gettysburg Address instead of cussing when I was in earshot. This resulted in me being able to quote it by the age of eight. On the note of cussing, I dropped my first F-bomb in the fourth grade when someone paid me a dollar to say it.

3. My absolute favorite smell in the whole world is Christmas tree, I would carry a sprig with me at all times to smell it if it were practical. If the pine candles sold by Yankee candle actually smelled like real trees I would own massive quantities of them.

4. I have eaten more taco bell in the last 2 weeks, than in the previous four months combined. For some reason I have been craving Nachos supreme and bean burritos. I don't usually love the taco bell, but some serious cravings have occured lately.

5. I have written three things in this space, but have deleted them because they were too deep, too painful, and too revealing. I want to be seen as funny and insightful, not emotastic.

6. I wish I could be a pretty cupcake maker, a marine biologist, a wedding planner, a librarian, a historian, a teacher, a mother, and an award winning writer. But I'd settle for only doing a few of those...

7. I am truly glad this is the end, I am running out of things to write although it has provide a delightful break in my hardcore studying. But I want to go to Disneyland on Tuesday but can only go if I have finished 10 pages of my paper, so I have to write 8 pages tomorrow so I can go.... And I think I might have to get a wheelchair at DL because the standing and walking isn't working so well, but maybe if I am nice to my back tomorrow I can do it.

I tag... All of those who have been tagged but haven't done it yet, and any of the random people who check out my blog on occassion.

Far away, long ago,things I yern to remember,and a song someone sings,Once upon a December

Well, with November having officially started, I feel I can now Officially look forward to December!

Oh the things I can look forward to:

Colder weather means more food to be eaten with a spoon! Soups, oatmeal, ect. It also means Hot tea and cocoa! And it means sweater weather!

Finishing the semester. I have not been so glad for a semester to end since I have started at DH. It also means that I will be done with my Senior Seminar paper.

Thanksgiving, which means yummy food and seeing Sarah.
Which then means CONVENTION!! I am really excited!
With Nov. 30th comes the end of me thinking that "this time last year grandma was still alive" and I think will be helpful in the ongoing grieving process. (in Nov, but still anticipation worthy)

The Festival of the trees! I do adore it, but didn't get to go last year in all the craziness.

All of the Christmas festivities I am looking forward to also. I didn't really get to do much with trying to find a place to live, and such last year, and then Christmas was such a downer anyhow... I know this year is going to be better, and because I LOVE Christmas, and since last year didn't really feel like Christmas, Its been like 2 years since I really felt like it was Christmas...

I am also looking forward to other things but these are the biggies...

Learning and the nother Awards

I learned this week:

That an 18 page paper seems less daunting of you look at it like it is 4 four page papers and 2 one page papers...Sounds crazy but I am so less stressed now.

After talking to several people, it is apparently weird how I have friends at school. No one I've talked to that didn't move away to go to school made friends like I did. I don't think it's weird, but I have always been less shy around strangers than people I know and so I seem to make friends easily.

And speaking of friends... Some honorable mentions are deserved...

Ashley is AMAZING for getting to school almost 3 hours early so she could sit a table for the History Club. She was going to be there alone but I went to keep her company and she greeted me with a chai latte (yum) and cookies! (The breakfast of champions)

Chris wins the award for keeping a set of handouts from me for class. And for basically giving me the heads up that we have a midterm Tuesday (I had talked to the professor and she forgot to mention that to me).

Varian wins the knight in shining armor award for rescuing my Diet Dr. Pepper from underneath the table (if I had had to retrieve it I couldn't have) and it was a new bottle! I NEEDS my Diet Dr. Pepper!

Jessica M. Wins the award for being super helpful at work. I needed to get my cupboard organized and I needed to find the dot markers. She helped my put everything within my reach on the floor and when I was done she out the boxes back in my shelf and took out my trash for me. She didn't have to do this, but she did because she knew I shouldn't do it (but would if I had to)

Marcia wins the Sharing of the lunch award for sharing her lunch with me on Wednesday. I was running late and didn't have a chance to eat so she shared her Veggie sandwich from Subway and some chips with me. It was very yummy.

These people don't (to my knowledge) read my blog and those of you who do will probably never get to interact with them. :( But I thought that I should brag about them so that you could get another look at who my nother friends are.

I learned (or actually figured out) like half of my Christmas list and other exciting things. Just by walking around Michael's.

I was going to write some more but i got distracted by youtube and its after midnight... My schedule says I should be asleep now... LOL (Denise the schedule is NOT a contract it is a guide...)

The ticker has changed...

My little doohickey thing that countsdown the days to my trip has entered into Days mode... My preparation for the trip is all done except for buying a few things and packing... (Yes, I finally sent my visa application off last Friday...)

So, a list... (because I love them so...)

Things to procure...

A wristwatch
A travel alarm clock
Bug Spray
Luggage (maybe)
A day bag
Euros (lots)
Another memory card and possibly a spare battery for my camera
travel medicines
sun block
a hat
a scarf (light weight)


I think I have enough of the right kind of clothes. I need to sew a few things and organize the clothes, but I am kind of waiting until I pick out the right luggage. I have a travel journal but I ned a few pens and such. I have hygeine products like shampo and conditioner, and I should pull another swimsuit and some more shorts out of storage. I am one of those people who always chronically overpack, and I just can't do that this time...


Well, I have stuff to do before work, so off I go...

I Wanna Marry Frankenstein...

Well... Kind of...

Yesterday, Morning Service was talking about how the men need to be MEN. It was really interesting although, I will admit that I don't remember much of the actual sermon, just the generalness of it.

But, I was thinking about how I never really had a positive male role model as a father figure in my life, and I was reflecting on how everyone says that women look for their father in their future spouse, and I REFUSE to do that. But then I was realizing that there are men who I know embody the qualities I want in a mate. So I decided to put them together into a list... Some of the characteristics apply to more than one man...

Then I was thinking about my LIST...yes THE list... the ones we wrote at the Purity Retreat a million years ago. I realized that I have changed sooo much since then, and I know that what I am looking for in a future husband has too. So I decided that I would reflect here on some of the things I see in my positive male role model relationships (without names of course)

1) A man of integrity who isn't ashamed about serving the Lord and honestly tries to live his life with integrity. A man who lives up to what he says is right. A man who refuses to compromise his beliefs, even when to do so would make life easier.

2) A man who honestly cares about others, often putting them first. Who will sow into the lives of others on a regulkar basis. A selfless man. I learn this from a man who on many occasions has made me feel like a princess, and helps me to realize that I am a princess, a child of the Most High King.

3) A man who welcomes people into his family and treats them as such while they are in his home.

4) A man who is fun loving and romantic. I cannot in anyway see myself married to a dour old stiff necked crankypants. A man who is not afraid to show his romantic side and who will put me, as his wife, second on his priority list... Right after Jesus...

5) A man who loves to study and learn. Who relishes the Word and all that we can hope to glean from it. A man who takes his ministry, whatever it may be, and makes it all about Jesus.

6) A man of strength and Courage, but who acknowledges that all of his strength is God given. Who when facing adversity will stand ready for battle. But at the same time knows it is okay to retreat to safety in order to gather strength.

7) A Man who is masculine, yet gentle spirited.

8) A man who loves his children, and likes to be with them and play with them. And is open to adoption...


These are all things that are really important to me, the other stuff is just window dressing... I have some really specific stuff (like I would like him to wear glasses...cuz that is hot... LOL!) but really these are the key essential things that need to be in the man that I marry

Something I stole...

I wanted to blog but couldn't come up with much...sooo...

10 Random things about me...

1. If I was running from a burning building and could only grab three things, I would grab: Bruce, my stuffed shark; my backpack (it usually has all of my essentials in it); and my dvds.
2. Life is better with Diet Dr. Pepper
3. Rainy Days are my favorite
4. My favorite Cookies are Oatmeal Scotchies or Collette's Choc Chip with Coconut
5. I <3 the Purple Downey Dryer Sheets
6. My favorite artist is Shag.
7. I once won an award for being the best Velveeta Cheese.
8. I have been on a blind internet date.
9. If I could only read 5 books over and over again for the rest of my life, I would choose: The Bible, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia, The Collected Sherlock Holmes, The Complete James Herriot, and Russia: A History.
10. I would love to have a pet skunk but they are not legal in California.

9 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

1. Jesus
2. Sharks, owls, or kittens
3. golden spoon
4. Going New Places
5. being with good friends
6. Star Trek, Harry Potter ect.
7. Road Trips
8. Reading a good book
9. Discovering something new and historical

8 THINGS THAT TICK ME OFF:

1. Whiny or needlessly repetetive authors
2. my own stupidity and insecurity
3. when people are rude or inconsiderate on purpose
4. People who use big words just because they can
5. blanking during a test
6. the extortion that is the GRE (it is 140$)
7. people who ask stupid questions (yes, they do exist)
8. having to wake up early on a chilly morning...


7 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:

1. get my Ph.D.
2. do something incredible for God
3. Parasail
4. Travel More
5. Read War and Peace
6. Learn 3 languages
7. Write a Book

6 MEMORIES:

1. Swimming with the Sharks in Hawaii...
2. The day I realized that God Loves Me...
3. Fourth of July at Wilson Park...
4. Waiting in line for things to get released at midnight (books, movies ect)
5. Randomly driving 5 hours just for Cracker Barrel.
6. The day that the guy got hit by a car right in front of me

5 THINGS THAT I BELIEVE IN:

1. God
2. Love
3. The healing power of sleep, or a good cry...
4. Movies and Popcorn go together
5. Everyone should have one meal that they make that is wonderful

4 THINGS THAT I'M AFRAID OF:

1. being stupid
2. failing at life
3. embarrassing myself
4. shaming God.

3 THINGS I NEED RIGHT NOW:

1. a little more time
2. a fixed and or new computer
3. sleep

2 THINGS I WANT TO DO TODAY:

1. order photos online
2. eat dinner

1 PERSON I WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW:

1. Someone who loves me...

ListyLists

So today feels like a list day... So here are 5 lists to peruse as you wish...

Four Books I Recommend
1. I Dared to Call Him Father: The Miraculous Story of a Muslim Womans Encounter
with God by Bilquis Sheikh
2. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (and the other Narnia books)
3. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
4. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster


8 Grad Schools I am looking At
1. Simmons College in Boston
2. San Diego State University
3. Cal State Northridge
4. San Jose State
5. Boston College
6. Southwestern A/G
7. USC (yes, it is randomly on there)
8. Cal State LA
9. Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
10.Universit of Chicago

3 Things I Randomly Want to Research
1. The Process to Refine Gold
2. Fellowships Available to ME
3. Theodore Roosevelt and Eugenics


7 Things I Need to Do
1. Go to Bed
2. Wake Up and get Ready for School
3. Poster the Campus with Film Festival Info
4. Go to my Russia Class
5. Do some HW while eating lunch
6. Go to my next two classes
7. Go to the Bank

and last but certainly not least

2 Life lessons I have learned lately
1. I don't have any clue what God has in store for me.
2. Whatever it is it is bigger and better than whatever I could dream up.