Last Class

I can't believe my first semester of teaching is almost over. It went by so fast!! I am on my way to teach my last class and it just feels so surreal. It was not what I expected and that was in a good and bad way. I did find that I do really love to teach though so I hope to be able to continue in the future.

I have been asked to teach again next semester and I really want to but I do need to think of my job first. Spring semester is my busiest time of the year and I just do not know if I will be able to fit in teaching and visiting all the students. I fear if I do both then I will not be able to be 100% for both or I will stress myself out and go crazy from trying to make both happen at the 100% level.

I think I need another night to sleep on it... haha

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is usually a time for family to get together and share a meal. Well when my husband and I got married our first thanksgiving was spent on our honeymoon. Since then we have decided that should be our tradition (not be on a honeymoon as awesome as that would be! but to spend it just with one another). This solved the drama of which family to choose to spend it with or having to drive 100+ miles to see both families.

So this year we again had Thanksgiving at home just the two of us. It was a perfect day! We made delicious food, watched movies, and just enjoyed each others company. Now while we are very happy with this arrangement, my in laws are less happy about it. They feel we should be there and are not keen on us having our own traditions. So in a very sneaky way my Mother in Law managed to have Thanksgiving 2.0 on Friday at our house. She called and asked if just her and her husband could come over on Friday to hang out. We said, fine. Then one sister was added, then the other. The suddenly 4 hours before dinnertime we found out the whole family (10 adults, 2 kids) were now coming at dinnertime expecting a meal. 

So we had Thanksgiving 2.0. We just bought some bread for sandwiches and put our leftovers out. I did not want to go overboard since feeding 10 people seemed a bit much with 4 hours notice and we did have leftovers. Overall, it was an interesting night filled with family and family arguing but it did remind me of thanksgivings of the past. 

I love our new traditions of a just us thanksgiving but I feel I will have to also learn to accept a thanksgiving 2.0, and I think I can. I mean we do get 2 days off of work. Next year, I will make sure my family is invited as well (too short notice this year to give my family a heads up) and we will just have the whole family day and all the drama that comes with it. That is what the Holidays are about right? :) 

3 Years

3 years ago I married my my best friend. The day started out terrible as there were wildfires everywhere and it was literally raining ash but I knew that no matter what was happening outside by the end of the day I would be with my best friend and love of my life and nothing could be better. We got really lucky and the wind died down and the ash stopped falling and we got a unseasonably warm November day and a beautiful sunset.

Everyone talks about how the wedding day is the best day of your life. And it really was an amazing day, I couldn't have asked for better but I feel like each day since gets better and better. I mean we have had our disagreements but I know at the end of the day I will look over and he will be there and all will be right with the world.

I can't believe it has already been 3 years. It feels like I was on that beach in Malibu just yesterday and yet here we are three years later, happier and more in love than ever! :)

11.11.11

I have always liked the number 11. Most likely because I was born on an 11 and have grown an attachment to it. But I feel like the number 11 brings me luck so today being all 11 makes me feel that today will be a lucky day! It is already off to a good start because it is Friday! I am also going to visit my best friend who has finally moved home from being on the other side of the country. While I have to take the train because my husbands car is still in the shop it will give me time to read and relax!

So here is to hoping that 11.11.11 is a lucky day : ) We have only one more of these type of day's left 12.12.12 that we will see for a very long time!

Halloween

So last night was our first Halloween in our new house. It is the suburbs so I was really hopeful we would have a lot of trick or treaters! I decorated the house, set out all the pumpkins, and bought a TON of candy! I even put on my costume to get in the festive Halloween mood. Once all the happened I waited... and waited... and started getting a little sad since no kids had shown up yet.

My husband asked how many kids needed to show up for me to not be sad. I randomly said 20. It seemed like an ok number and realistic. Well we got exactly 20! While I wish we had more I can't really complain because we got the exact number I asked for! Those were a lucky 20 kids because they got big handfuls of candy!

Hopefully next year will bring more kids! We guess our house before had a reputation for not giving good candy so I am going to change that and make our house the one to go to!

On a side note: Still not able to drive my car as we still do not know what to do with my husband's car. It is still sitting in the shop and we know will cost at least $7,000 if not more. We looked at cars on the weekend but not sure what to get and if it is worth trading in and if we could really even trade it in. So still at a loss at what to do.

Plans

Don’t you love when you make plans and then God looks and them and goes HAHA nice try…

I said this to my husband this past weekend as we were stranded on the freeway in his dead car. His car had just been paid off and I just bought a new one (so we only had one payment at a time). I was really excited for my new car which should be coming in any day now and we expected my husband’s car to last at least another 4-5 years.

So we were driving on the freeway going up a hill and started hearing this weird thunking noise. It started to get worse so we started to pull over so we could get off the freeway. Suddenly when we were in the far right lane the car started making this jack hammering noise! Suddenly on the freeway exit lane the car shudders and dies. Luckily my husband yanked the wheel and got us over to the shoulder. So I call AAA and we wait in the heat for 45 minutes to get picked up.

We finally get picked up from the tow truck and started our drive back home. Halfway through the ride I see a bee (a really creepy mutant bee that is translucent!) on the windshield inside the car! I try not to freak as I am sitting right by the driver and don’t want to panic him as he is driving us. The bee finally flies away and I cannot see him anymore. Suddenly, the driver screams out and starts to panic! The bee just landed on his hand! He quickly rolls down the window and the bee disappears… so we thought! About 5 minutes pass and the driver freaks out again! It landed on his hand for the second time and after more freaking out we are sure we got it out this time. Well another 5 minutes pass and the driver reaches out and grabs his back and swears the bee is there. He is now driving with one hand grabbing his back and one hand on the wheel… he finally pulls over to get the bee out. Luckily, after that there were no more bee incidents!

We get to the tow place which looks like the sketchiest tow place ever and leave the car. I have been calling Honda to see if my car is ready and was told no (which I knew it wouldn’t be ready till Monday but thought I would try!). For my car I also did a trade in for my current car which died a month ago and since we had a tow truck already I asked if he wouldn’t mind towing our other car. This got me a strange look but he agreed. I called Honda and they said we could bring the car over.

We get to Honda and they were not pleased to realize they gave me $1,000 for my car. I fully disclosed to our salesperson the state of the car so not my fault they gave us that much! I then explained how we had no cars now and was calling a rental. They asked what I bought and when I said it they pointed and said that car? Yes! My car was in! The reason they said it was not ready was because not everything had been installed yet but since they said it looked like we were in dire need I could take the car now and bring it back later to get the rest of the stuff installed. So at least there was one positive.

But getting my new car was not quite the exciting moment I thought it would be. I still have to walk to work because my husband has my car because his work is farther. His car apparently needs a new engine which is $6,000 and of course the warranty JUST ended. So now we have to figure out what to do about that… God is laughing indeed. 

Dead Car

My New Honda CR-V

Grading

I feel like I am really getting into the swing of things now for my class. Their first assignment was due and majority of them turned in their paper early! It was really interesting to be on the other side regarding papers. I am used to writing them in a panic and hoping that the professor will like what I wrote. It was very odd opening up the first paper knowing I needed to judge and grade it. Most of the students did really well and I was impressed with what they had done. I did have one student who did not follow the prompt at all. Of course this was the first paper I graded so I was discouraged at first to see that everything I asked for was not there! Luckily it was only one students and I sent it back with a non passing grade and told them to fix it if they want to pass. I also made sure to speak to them in class about what was wrong with the paper and what I was expecting. I think they get it now but we will see on their revision.

I also had to write up my observations of them in their site. Part of this is to mention weaknesses and areas for improvement. I normally do not like to critique people and want to be nice. It was really hard for me to write and speak to each student on areas to improve but I had to remind myself that by doing that I am helping them in their future career. And just because I am critiquing doesn't mean I can't be kind while doing it! And afterwards I even had someone thank me for the review!

TV

Sometimes I think I watch too much TV... but there is just so much good TV on I can't help myself! I figure since I am no longer in school and don't have kids yet it is OK to watch! Plus we still get outside a lot and I read enough that it counters all the TV :) and we only have one TV in our house so I feel its not that bad! Ok now that I have justified it to myself I will move on! haha

I feel like there were a bunch of new shows this year that got added. Which of course meant that a lot of shows got added to our DVR to test out!

I think my favorite of the new shows that I watched was New Girl. I thought it was cute, funny, and one of those good fluffy shows that don't make me think too hard. Now I do enjoy shows that make me think such as Fringe but I don't need every new show to do that!

I also really enjoyed Up All Night, Person of Interest, and Ringer. Also, started watching Terra Nova for my husband who had really high hopes for it as he loves dinosaurs. So far I have enjoyed the show. As long as you do not take it too seriously it is quite fun! Another one that I actually haven't been recording but have been watching on demand is Whitney. I heard a lot of people complaining about it which is actually what made me want to watch it and I thought it was pretty funny. It was funny because it was so real, I have either done or known people who done what she was doing. So to the haters... sorry I thought it was funny!

Now, I just hope that they all don't get cancelled! That is what happened to us last year, we found 3 great new shows totally loved them and then found out they got cancelled. So I am trying to not get too attached this year just in case!

So far I have kept up with Up All Night, New Girl, and Terra Nova. I have the rest on my DVR to catch up on a rainy day. Just in case I find out they get cancelled mid way I also will not have the heartbreak of being too attached!

Library

I love my Kindle! I know I have said it before but I am saying it again! Now that they have the lending feature up and running and I can check books out from my library it is even more amazing then before! They have made it so easy to access as well. I was leaving for a trip and though I would check the library just to see if it was ready yet and to my surprise it was. They haven't advertised this well but so far that is working in my favor because all the books I wanted were available! I immediately downloaded 3 books. Actually, I tried for more but they have a max of three. And suddenly there they were on my Kindle. I just finished all three and found a way to return them and get 3 more. I had plenty to read before but now it will be non-stop and I love it! Yay for the Kindle!

I am also very interested in checking out their new Kindle's that they have just announced. I looked at the Nook touchscreen version when it came out and wasn't sold on it. It actually was too small and I had a hard time holding it without accidently turning the page. Though if I used it often that might be a habit that you just get used to holding it differently. I also think the Nook Color was a great idea just not for me as when I read I did not want the back lite screen and the distraction of the internet on the same device. But we will see how Kindle compares to what is already on the market! And they have gotten the price to a point now ($79!!) that a lot more people will be able to afford. I used to say if they got it down to $100 I was in and while I caved when it got to $114 (close enough!) I knew of many who were waiting for the less than $100 and they delivered!

Happy Reading! :)

Not a morning person

I am so not a morning person. This week everyday but 1 I have to get up before 6am. Now I follow a rule that I should not be up before the sun and this week I have had to break this rule! This makes for a very cranky girl! I especially do not get the very Perky morning people. How can you be so happy before the sun is even up! I just don't get it! I used to be a night owl but lately 10pm has been late! I feel I am an afternoon person. I love a good warm afternoon and a great sunset. To me that is the best tome of day! I will leave the mornings to the morning people!

Modern Family

So last week's second episode of Modern Family was a little close to home. One of the major plot points was that Claire has to always be right. While watching my husband looked over and told me how that was so me!

Now just like Claire said, "I would love to be wrong, but I don't live with the right people for that."

Actually, it is more like at the end where she said it is a sickness. I can't help myself I just need to prove that I am right! I know I got this from my mother who also has the need to prove herself right. Yet, when I was with her this weekend and they were all making fun of me about having to always be right (and calling me "bossy" the name given to Claire as a nickname) I tried to point out to my mother it came from her. She disagreed and we argued over who was right.

My husband then pointed out that we were fighting over who was right about being right... point taken!

Whether it be a sickness or the company I keep I just can't help it. But hopefully like Claire was at the end of the episode (and not the middle when she told everyone to suck it) I can be gracious when I am right and not rub it in their face like she did with Luke... though I will probably have more "suck it" moments but its a work in progress :)

Claire proving she was right by showing the video footage  from the store where  Phil made her fall.

Borrowing

I am normally very particular about who I let borrow books. I have one friend at work who we swap books all the time and she is aware of sacred books are. One day when I was getting a book back from my friend her office mate asked if she could also borrow it. Now she had just seen me get the book back from my friend and the person asking is also someone I work with a lot and I did not want to be rude so I said yes... that was a major mistake!

My first mistake was the fact that it was my first edition hard back of The Hunger Games. I normally never lend those type of books out but my friend who again understands the sacredness of books was worthy of borrowing it because I knew she would return it in a timely manner and keep it safe.

So I lend the books to the other coworker and some time goes by...

I am in a meeting in their office again and the coworker says - oh someday I will finally read your books but my mother and daughter took them first... WHAT?!?!!?!?! It took all of my self control to not jump up and go bat s**t crazy! You lent MY book to OTHER people!! WHAT!!!!??!

So after some time when I had calmed down I decided I needed the books back ASAP as I could not handle it anymore. You do not take my books for a month and then never read them but lend them out to other!! So I email and say I need them back because my husband wants to read them (which is true).

She tells me oh... I lost The Hunger Games... WHAT!!?!?!!?

First off she didn't tell me she had lost it. Second, she said she had a paperback she could lend me if my husband wanted that... UM I do not want a paperback I WANT my FIRST EDITION book back! So I keep it together and say he doesn't need the paperback... she says she will order a new one...

Time passes and I got super crazy at work and did not have time to think about it.

Yesterday, she walks into my office with a hard cover Hunger Games book. Oh the book I ordered for you came in and then my daughter found yours so here ya go.

I wait till she leaves and then check... yup first edition! whoo! I will never loan a book again! (Rant over :))

Ok I did already because someone at my husband's work asked and he told her the story so she wants to prove her worth. So I lent a book I do not care if I get back and she actually returned it in a timely manner... so we will see about giving another!

Lesson: Do not give First Editions and only lend to those you trust! :)

Teaching

Wow last week was such a crazy week I had no time to blog! Hopefully after all the craziness of last week this week will be much calmer.

It has now been a week since I have taught my first class. I was so nervous beforehand and it felt just like the first day of school, which it actually was, but now on the other side! Would the students like me, respect me, listen to me, learn from me? I questioned myself the whole walk over to the class. Once I got there I realized I was the only one there. I had a panic attack and double checked the classroom location... no I was in the right place and right time and day... waiting... waiting... finally at 7pm on the dot two students showed up. Phew sign of relief I was getting very worried that my nightmare of no students showing up was going to be true!

After about 5 minutes the rest of the class showed up and I began. This class is also interesting because I have a student who is blind in my class and so I was nervous that I would have forgotten to provide something to her or my information would not be compatible with their software but luckily everything worked out!

The class went by in a blur and suddenly it was over! I couldn't believe it I had just taught my first class and the students were all great and we got into discussions and they didn't even balk about the extra assignment I gave!

It was actually on quite a high when I left the classroom that night and felt so good and accomplished. This was a goal I had for myself for ages and now I am actually teaching. Granted it is just one class at the moment but it is a start :)

Looking forward to my next class now!

Tourist

So this past weekend has been a whirlwind tour of Southern California! I had a friend from Australia come visit who I haven't seen in 5 years and who has never been to the US! So I took my job as tour guide very seriously and packed in as much as I could for her to see! It was an awesome but very tiring weekend!

It was also so great to actually be a tourist in my own city. I did things I had never done before such as seeing the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and Santa Monica Pier.It was nice to actually see these tourist areas and some like the Griffith Observatory were amazing and I have no idea why I had never been before!

It was also great to do stuff I had done before but was made more exciting by being with someone who had never been! Disneyland is a place I have been to at least a thousand times. I love Disneyland and growing up 5 minutes away I was there constantly but being there with someone for their first time was such a cool experience! I made her get a First Visit button and she was just so excited by every little thing we did. They have some theme parks in Australia but nothing that compares to how all out Disney does it with the themes, musics, rides, and food! Luckily it was not crowded at all when we went and were there for a full day until midnight and I think we got on almost every ride! It was such a great day and gave me even more appreciate for Disneyland!

I also found it entertaining what amused her. She was so entertained by our restaurants and all the choices we have on a menu! Also the fact that almost all our drinks are free refills and they are huge to begin with always got a wow from her when we were out. I think what cracked me up the most though was how excited she was when she saw squirrels! We have them all over the place here and they do not have them at all and every time she saw one it was a squeal and an Oh LOOK! I had never really paid attention to squirrels but her excitement made me realize they are pretty cute and appreciate what I have in my own backyard!

Overall a wonderful visit that went way too quickly! Hopefully it will not take 5 years until I see her again!

Vaccine Part 2

So I finally told my sister in law last night that I was not going to get the vaccine. She was not very happy but I am not going to back down from my decision. I have looked at the research and nothing says that I need to have it. I respect their decision to not let me into the hospital to see the baby as they are the parents and if they want to make that rule they can. I respect that and they need to respect my decision. Thanks for those that commented. Everyone I spoke to said not to vaccine including friends who just had babies as well so not that I needed justification but I feel justified in my decision!

Next week will be interesting though as we will see what happens when the baby is actual born!

Vaccine

To Vaccine or not to Vaccine... that is my question. My sister in law has texted the family twice now demanding that we get the Whooping Cough Vaccine. The last text she sent said she needed confirmation of our vaccine, whatever that means. Now I personally am not a fan of vaccines. I never get the flu shot one and only get them when my doctor says I have to do it and I only do it then because basically I am already in the office and have little choice (yes I know I do have a choice but it is hard to say no to the doctor).

I also do not cope well with being demanded to do things. It wasn't like she asked us nicely to get it or told us anything about the vaccine. She just said you have x amount of time to go get it. Oh and if you do not get it you are not allowed into the hospital to see the baby.

Since she did not provide any reason for me to get this vaccine (other than the threat of not being able to see my nephew) I did my own research. Everything I have read stated that the parents and the caregivers should get it. I am neither in this case. I will be an Aunt and will see the baby maybe once a month. In fact the baby will see the people at church more than they will see me... and I do not think she is telling the whole church to get the vaccine. I also have spent time around a 13 day old baby and a month old baby and neither parent was worried about me not having been vaccinated. This is will be their second child and we did not need to get the vaccine for the first child...

So, maybe I am being ridiculous in not wanting to get the vaccine but I don't. Unless my doctor tells me too I do not feel inclined to get it. Now, again I might have a different opinion if we were approached in a nice way by saying why we should get it and how they would appreciate us getting it as they were concerned for their child... but instead I just got a demand which doesn't make me want to follow through at all. Also, by not getting it I know I will cause serious drama within the family because everyone else will just do it. I do not want to cause drama and have my in-laws dislike me but I also do not want to just cave and go against something I disagree with.

So to vaccine or not to vaccine... that is my question.

Just Ducky

I love these ducks. I first saw them on March when they were little ducklings following their momma around. Everyday I walked to work I looked forward to checking up on them. They are now almost fully grown and I worry they might move on. I know circle of life. But I hope at least on stays to continue the cycle as they bring a smile to my face everyday! :)

Seriously!

So this past weekend I had my sister in law's baby shower. I helped plan and coordinate the whole event and it went really well. Except one mine thing... my sister in law brought a box of maternity clothes for me. This caused a major uproar of Oh my goodness, I didn't realize you were pregnant! My mom was there upset that I hadn't told her first. My other in-laws were sad I didn't clue them in and basically it was a disaster. Even more of a disaster is the fact that I am not pregnant and nowhere near being pregnant and needing maternity clothes. She just felt that she was done and wouldn't need them again and assumed I would be the next one to have a kid so she would pass them along now. Why she thought at her shower in front of everyone was a good idea is beyond me. So I spent all day saying, no sorry I am not actually pregnant... UGH!

Lost Days

So Time is moving way too quickly! I just had my friend/coworker email me about some items that we needed to discuss and she mentioned she didn't want to bother me about our meeting today. I stared at these words very confused, what was she talking about our meeting is tomorrow... we don't have a meeting today... and then it dawned on me. Today was Wednesday not Tuesday like I thought it was! I freaked! First off I felt horrible that I completely missed a meeting! Though I do put a little blame on my outlook for not reminding me like it should have... and then blame on myself again for blaming technology because I rely on it way too much! Then I freaked out because it meant today was Wednesday and I am so not ready for it to be Wednesday. I have too many things that need to be done by next week and only have about half of them completed and I felt OK with when I thought it was Tuesday but now that it is Wednesday that's a different story! And then I freaked out so much I couldn't concentrate on the work at all and decided to blog about it... so here we are. I think I may have calmed down enough... now to make a new priority list and get back to work! Hopefully I will not have to stay too late but I was already here until 7 last night so we will see...

Two for the Dough

There is something addictive about these books. They are pure fluff and at some points utterly ridiculous but I find that I have to keep reading. I intended to just read the first one as a break from the heave reading I had been doing but when I finished one I immediately started on two... then I finished two tonight and had to start 3 Nd am already 45% done. It helps that the are already on my kindle so it takes no effort to get the next one but still something addictive. It's like the authors find a way with words that act as a drug on us and we have to just keep reading. Very interesting.... Oh well back to reading :)

Home Photos

My new centerpieces :) Also you can see my new teal chairs in the background. Which for some reason came out very blue but they are actually a nice teal color

View of new table, side table, and new way of organizing the living room!

Our new end table!

New fixtures for the door! I also got new knobs for all the cabinets! :)

Home

So we have been on a home improvement kick as of late because we felt that we hadn't really moved in yet. We had been renting our whole lives and realized we were still in "renters" mentality that we couldn't make changes and why bother because we are moving soon anyways (we tended to move every year). We felt it was finally time to actually move in and make our house a home :)

It has been pretty entertaining and while a lot of hard work it is very satisfying work! We almost finished our fence this weekend and we would have finished but we bought all the paint from Home Depot and have to wait until Thursday until they get the next shipment! We put in our new ceiling fan (one that doesn't try and decapitate my husband!), and new knobs which make the space look to much better now that we have gotten all the gold out! I also went a bit crazy at Home Goods and got these great centerpieces for our new table!  And to top it off  we bought these fantastic teal chairs for the counter bar area! It finally feels like us and I feel at home now!

We just have one final piece in the main room and that is removing the hideous wallpaper! Once that happens we will have completed one whole room! Next project will be to finish outside and then move on to our bedroom! :)

One for the Money

I finished reading One for the Money last night by Janet Evanovich. I have heard about these books a lot over the past few years but never really had a desire to read them. My coworker has been urging me too for awhile and so after reading A Dance with Dragons which was quite a hefty book I figured it was time for some fluff, plus it is already on my kindle so it took no extra effort on my part! 

It was absolutely fluff, but it was entertaining fluff which is exactly what fluff is meant for! So overall I enjoyed it. The main character, Stephanie Plum, is a bit kooky and crazy and I found that I actually identified with her a bit. She was laid off and had no money and rather than ask her parents for help of move back home to save money which she mentions would be smarter, she decides she can make it and keep her independence by selling almost everything she owns and getting into the dangerous business of Bounty Hunting! I could see myself doing the same thing. I know I have too much pride and am stubborn and therefore would do what she did and live with practically nothing then lose my house and independence! Now whether I would go as far as being a bounty hunter I am not sure, but knowing me I would take whatever job I could and if that was available I just might consider it! 

The Colorado Kid vs Haven

So I finished reading “The Colorado Kid” by Stephen King last night. I was a bit disappointed but to no fault of the book. My problem was that I read the book because I started watching Haven last year on SyFy and really enjoy the show. I saw it was based on the Stephen King book and thought great! The way the show is set up they talk about the past and “the Colorado Kid” and it is a big event that happened. So I assumed (which yes I know what that makes me…) that Haven was like a sequel of the book and continuing where the story left off. I was curious about the back story so I decided to read it.

So that is what happens when you make assumptions… you can be very wrong! And usually I do a bit more research to find out about these things but in this case the book was already on my Kindle so I started to read it. It has nothing to do with Haven at all! Even the name of the town is not called Haven. It does not discuss troubles in the town and the only similarity is that there are two elder gentlemen who run the local island newspaper. But other than that “The Colorado Kid” is about an unsolved mystery that is still unsolved. No one knows what happened and you follow along with the characters as they try and figure out  the mystery. Now had I just picked this book up with no knowledge of Haven I probably would have been intrigued by it but going into thinking I was getting a back story on Haven and then not getting it did leave me a bit disappointed. Oh well! 

Impulse

So this past weekend was a very productive weekend! We painted out fence outside, took down a tree, bought a bed (yay!), and bought a table! We were on a roll and getting all these items that we have desperately needed and have researched way too much. We tend to over research items before we buy. Except for this... we were in Lowe's getting new knobs for our kitchen (which made a huge difference!) and wandered by the fans. We thought how we really need a new fan especially because we are getting a new table and knew knobs and the one one will not match. So we found one we loved and just bought. It was very impulsive and so not us to just buy something without thinking about it for a really long time. For example, we searched for a new bed for a year before finally buying one this past weekend! So I am not kidding when I say we overly research. So we take our new fan home all excited to get it up and once we put it up realize our great mistake. We have a low ceiling. You can't tell in this picture but the blades of the fan are very low. They come to about my Husband's neck so if it was on and he walked by it would attempt to decapitate him... this is a problem. We were so upset because we loved the fan but I do appreciate my husband's head on him so we called Lowe's to see about returning. Luckily they have an excellent return policy and we took it down and packaged it back up and returned it for a full refund. We now have an empty whole in our ceiling and the power off to that section. So hopefully this decision does not take a year like the bed but lesson learned: Do NOT buy on impulse! At least when it comes to major fixtures!

A Dance with Dragons

So I finished A Dance with Dragons yesterday by George R.R. Martin and while it wasn't my favorite of the series I did think it was better than the last. Though I felt with this book that he was building and building the story line up and then it lead to nowhere. In the last books there was always something major such as Eddard Stark, or the Red Wedding... but this one it was like a build up with no release. I don't want to say too much and give spoilers away but if a particular person is dead I will be pissed! It ended without us finding out definitively or not and he does kill of major characters but then also does trick you to think someone is dead when they are not so I am hoping that this once character is not dead! I also truly hope that the next book does not take 6 years to complete!!  

Gadget

I love this gadget - which side note every time I hear the word gadget I want to start singing Part of your world from the little mermaid! My husband thinks I'm crazy but this gadget is wonderful! It makes the percent scoop for cookies and for ice cream! Two of my favorites! What could be better than that!

Pottermore

Woo! I got in to Pottermore! Now when I say I got in that means I got an email saying I got in and would get another email in a few weeks to actually view the sight because we can't have everyone on at once ya know. Either way I am excited to see what it is and any way to continue the fun that is Harry Potter :)

Also, my friend just sent this to me and I had to share...

Another reason why...

I love my Kindle! I never thought I would convert as much as I have to loving the kindle but I am constantly finding new reasons why it is amazing! I will always buy some books so when the 5^th book came out in The Song of Fire and Ice Series (Game of Thrones) we bought the book. The book is massive and so heavy! I only have 400 pages left in it (out of 1100!) so I decided I would bring it with me to work to read at lunch. Well that would be great except I walk to work… by the time I got to work my back was killing me from all the extra weight! Plus it is harder to read and eat because I can’t hold it in one hand like my kindle! So while I am happy I have the book to showcase in my bookshelf… it made me appreciate my kindle all the more! 

Good Morning!

I think something is in the air today and it is something good! On my walk this morning I passed a man who bellowed out to me, “GOOD MORNING! HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY!” It made me smile and I wished him the same. Then while walking to a meeting I passed three more people who all smiled and greeted me merrily with good mornings as well. All of these just made my day that much brighter and bring a smile to my face J I am not sure if it is the good weather or what but whatever it is I hope it sticks around! 

Powerpoint

So I am a huge nerd and I actually created a PowerPoint presentation for my husband to show him why we should go to Costa Rico for vacation! :) I showed beautiful pictures and 5 different options all for a great price! I was very proud of myself! Then of course he worked super late and was too tired to look at it... so tonight I will show it off. Looking everything up got me really excited for this trip so hopefully our budget will allow it and I can convince him that going on vacation is a good idea versus staying at home and fixing the house! We have plenty of time to fix the house but we might not always be able to pick up and go on vacation :)

Walking

I love summer. It makes walking to work so enjoyable :)

The sun is shining, the streets are less crowded, and things just feel good! I saw the cutest little bunny today eating an orange that had fallen. And then later in a creek there was a group of ducks swimming and playing! So adorable! I would have taken a picture but my phone was all I had on me and it didn't come out well. Oh well! It was even a beautiful clear day and I could see the mountains! It was a great sight! These are the days when I truly appreciate where I live and remind myself why I walk (besides the obvious of being healthy!).

Goal #14

Goal #14 for 30 for 30 - Read 150 books

I read fast. I am often doubted on how fast I read and when I was talking to a friend about goals they said I should have a goal on reading. I wasn't planning on doing this but then they said they doubted I could actually read this amount and that it would be impossible. Well I am never one to back away from a challenge so I agreed to make it a goal! I will also start tracking the books I read to show that I have been reading. I will also blog about each one to prove I read it as friends are terrible and think I lie to them about actually reading - which is just silly because what would be the point! But it sounds like a fun challenge and I look forward to it :)

And of course to start off I am reading a Dance with Dragons, which is a 1,000 page book (which I feel should really count for more than one)!.

New view

Our neighbors cut down some of there trees and this is now our lovely view!

Goal #13

Goal #13 for 30 for 30 - Walk to work everyday possible


 When I lived in Australia I loved walking to work and taking public transport to anything I needed. I had many friends in oz that didn't even have their licenses because it was so easy to get around without a car. I truly miss living in a place that has great public transport and shops close enough to walk to. I would be so happy if I never had to drive again! Last November we bought a house 2 miles away from my work. I told myself that was close enough I can walk it. Now getting up earlier to walk is quite a challenge but I want to keep it up and walk to work everyday I possibly can!

Teaching

I am really excited that I have been given an opportunity to teach a class this fall! This is something I have always wanted to do and now I get the opportunity! It is a great class to have as my first one as well because majority of the assignments are already assigned. It is their last class needed in the masters program and they have certain criteria they have to met. I still want to do my own spin on it and add to the required criteria. There are also a small number of student's in the class so I hope that will help create a nice environment for everyone to open up and discuss what is happening at their internships. It will be interesting though as some of the students if not all will be older than I am. I am used to this though in my job of being the "young" one but hopefully I earn thier respect just as I did at work by showing them that being "young" doesn't mean I don't know what I am doing! Whatever happens I know it will be a great experience and I can't wait to begin :)

Goal #12

Goal #12 - Go to a Professional Football Game 


I have been to a lot of college games but never to a professional game for football. I have been to hockey, basketball, and baseball so I feel I should add Football to the list :) Plus I just love being a part of the crowd and cheering for a team to win. There is such a good vice at these games (as long as they are winning that is!) and I love to be a part of that energy!

Comic Con 2011

It was amazing! I was sad that I only got to go for one day. I briefly thought I would be able to go for a second day as the guy working the ticket booth had pity on me and my sob story and told me I could get a ticket... I was thrilled, ecstatic! He then told me that I to get my ticket I had to talk to people at one other station. So i walked over there confident I was now going to get a ticket for the second day and not have to sit at home while my husband and friends enjoyed! I walk up to the girl working and say the guy at the other booth said I could have a ticket for Friday because... and explain my wonderful sob story. She looks up at me and just says NO. WHAT?! But, but... he said yes... he said I cou... please!? NO. The hope I had gained in the past 5 minutes came crashing down and I was now more depressed about it because I had been given hope that had now been taken away... sad, so sad. But the one day, the one glorious day I did have there was amazing!

We started the day out at the Breaking Dawn, Part 1 panel. I was actually pretty impressed with this. I have not been a fan of Kristen Stewart but she impressed me and was actually funny. I felt for her when a very pregnant woman asked her where she drew her inspiration to be pregnant in the film... she just had nothing to answer... she has never been pregnant and made it up! Robert Pattinson was actually very awkward and it was kinda funny! The previews they showed us looked good though my friend and I were discussing during the panel that we have no idea why it is 2 parts or where they are splitting it because this panel was only supposed to be on part 1 and they mentioned numerous times only on part 1 but we felt that what they described was almost the whole story... so that should be interesting!

We then tried to get into the Game of Thrones panel. We didn't realize that they did not clear out the ballrooms after each session so people were getting in early and staying put so after 2 hours of waiting we did not get in :( I was bummed but we decided to hit the showroom floor instead...

This room is MASSIVE! So much was going on and the people watching was amazing! :) We were wandering around and all of a sudden I look over and go wait... is it... maybe... yes it is Elijah Wood! He was just chillin at a booth! He is teeny tiny! It was not a stretch to make him a hobbit because he basically already is that size. It was crazy!

Then while wandering more and checking out the G4 booth that was filming X Play and getting an awesome Hunger Games pin and poster we here some commotion... over at the HBO booth the whole cast of Game of Thrones was signing autographs! WHAT! So we walk over and realize that only special people who were in a lottery got to get autographs but I can try to get close, right? The boys say there is no way I will make it to the front. There were at least 100 maybe even 200 people very tightly packed in front of me. I say I am trying and my friend follows. Somewhere halfway through I lose her but keep moving forward. The security is screaming to back up, threatening the fire marshal will make them leave and cancel this portion and there is mass chaos. I continue to weasel my way up the front. I am oblivious to what is going around me and am focused on the goal. My husband tells me that it was hilarious because he would see me pop up and then disappear closer and at one point security made a chain with their hands up saying get back  and I popped up behind their arms! I finally was there and was right in front of them! I made it! I look for Peter Dinklage because he plays one of my favorite characters and couldn't see him. There was a huge Lego Batman in front of me so I weasel a bit more and get to the side almost into the signature line not sure how I have gone unnoticed yet and suddenly in front of me is Peter. I yell to him and he looks up and smiles at me! This is what I was able to capture!

So great! Not only did I get a great shot of him but then he got with his cast mates and posed again for me! It was amazing and totally made my day! :) It was so fantastic and I cannot wait to go again :)

Goal #11

Goal #11 for 30 for 30 - Participate in Yoga at least once a week

I started yoga this summer and am loving it! I tend to stop doing things though after a couple months because I get bored or move on but I want to make sure to stick with this! It is calming which is something I really need and is a great workout! So I need to do some yoga at least once a week, but hopefully more!

Goal #10

Goal #10 for 30 for 30 - Read at least 5 classic books

I love to read but most of what I read is popular fiction and I tend to stay away from the classics. So, I decided I should make it a goal to read at least 5 of them especially since they are usually free to get on the Kindle there is no reason to not (other than I always seem to find other books I want to read first...)!

Goal #9

Goal #9 for 30 for 30 - Scrapbook every major event 


I love to take pictures and I love to scrapbook! Scrapbooking takes a lot of time because I spend so long figuring out my layouts to be just right so I have fallen a bit behind in my scrapbooking. Though I use shutterfly now and that is amazing! I love doing it digitally and with their new features it is even better! But to make sure to keep on top of it I decided to make it a goal! The books I make are so great to look back and remember all the good times and to me make the best souvenirs of any event!

Simple Ways TSA Could Make Customers Happier

I just ran across this article and couldn't agree more! I have had nothing but bad experiences going through the security line at the airport and a thank you or welcome would go a long way...

Simple Ways TSA Could Make Customers Happier: "
Why do multimillion and multibillion dollar companies and organizations maintain counterproductive business practices that are at fundamental odds with their missions? Why do they do things that seem designed to piss off their customers? Are they just so trapped in their routines that they don't realize what they're doing?


As if TSA's relationship with the public weren't bad enough, it got strained even further a couple of weeks ago when news reports of its search of an adult cancer patient's diaper boomeranged all over the internet. If TSA really wants to improve its image, it wouldn't be hard to do. Here are just a few things that would transmogrify public attitudes about the agency.

1. Stop the Shouting. No human being responds well to someone shouting 'Remove all laptops! Take out all liquids, aerosols, and gels! Remove all items from your pockets, that means ALL items!' at them at 6 AM--or any other time of day. Imagine walking into a Toyota dealership to find a uniformed officer there yelling, 'If you want a Camry get in the left line; if you have credit question go to the right!' The best way for TSA to improve customer service would be to start treating people like customers instead of animals. They should establish a 'no yelling or you're fired' rule. This alone would transform the atmosphere around the screening areas. And people might actually pay attention.
2. Lollipops. Give lollipops to kids after they go through a screening. It would immediately signal customer appreciation, sensitivity, and basic humanity.
3. Advanced Courtesy Training. TSA agents rarely say thank you, they bark orders at you, and they generally treat you like an idiot because you aren't 100% proficient at a procedure that they perform countless times a day. TSA should conduct extensive staff training on the language and habits of basic courtesy.
4. Usable Comment Cards. Agents should be required to greet customers with their first name. 'Hi, I'm Ann, and I'll be searching your bag.' When finished, the agent should hand the passenger a zen-simple comment card that says 'Ann' with numbers 1-10 underneath so that you can circle a score and drop it immediately into a comment box. If you want customers to believe you care about their feedback, prove it: Make it super-simple for them to tell you what they think.
5. A Context of Friendliness. Shifting the context of customer-interfacing operations from one of intimidation to one of friendliness does not mean ceding the power necessary to keep airports secure. Using the comment card feedback, for example, each day TSA could place a large poster at the entrance to the security area with a photo of the agent voted friendliest the previous day, with a headline, 'Yesterday's Most Courteous Agent, According to You.' Staff could be trained to utter a simple, 'Welcome,' when you enter the line. Bins could be ordered in bright saturated colors, instead of Big Brother gray. Hell, maybe they could even have 'Hi!' written on them.
6. Simple Equipment Innovations. A TSA agent in Boston designed an apparatus that sends empty plastic bins from the end of the line along a sloping, roller-lined rack and feeds them back onto the conveyor belt, thereby placing the bins at your fingertips as you move along the conveyor. You can grab bins as you need them instead of lugging two or three by your fingernails from the start of the line. The innovation eliminates human labor involved in endlessly transferring bins from the end of the line to the front. The machine is ingenious. The agent had it fabricated with his own money. Yet the manager told me the Feds want it taken down because they didn't design it. They should do the opposite. They should order one for every TSA line in America. The labor savings and time savings would pay for equipment in a month. The innovation would demonstrate care and concern to the general public, and would make everything easier and faster.
7. Magic Bin and 1,000th Passenger Programs. Put a star on the bottom of every 100th bin. The customer who gets that bin wins a voucher for a refreshing beverage at one of the airport concessions. The 1,000th passenger each day gets a voucher for a relaxing 15-minute massage at one of those airport mini-spas. Signs in the queue could alert customers to the programs, which would alter the spirit of the operations area. These two programs would create substantial positive word-of-mouth advertising. People would start saying, 'You wouldn't believe what happened to me in the TSA line the other day...' and it wouldn't be that they got strip-searched.
8. Relaxing Music. Security is the most stressful part of the travel experience. Acknowledge that and reduce the stress by playing spa music in the TSA areas.
9. Family Assistance. Families traveling with strollers and car seats and formula bags have a tough time. Station a family assistant in the queue area to help families get all their stuff through the lines.
10. Value Proposition Messages. Long lines are an advertiser's dream. TSA should put up advertising boards touting their value: '278 flights delivered safely yesterday from this station' or '6,887 passengers delivered to their destinations without incident yesterday from this station.'
11. Late Program. Eliminate stressed-out passengers from the line by offering to put people at the front of the line for a $35 fee if they are at risk of missing their flights.

It took less than an hour to brainstorm a few imaginative ideas like this (no sarcastic 'it shows' comments, please). Imagine if TSA leaders were to do a little bit of design thinking themselves. The agency has the opportunity to reverse the antagonistic dynamic that has developed between it and its customers. In the process, it could make customers dramatically more cooperative and happy, and improve safety at the same time.


What are your imaginative ideas?

"

Woo!

So yesterday was my weigh in and while I didn't lose much and seem to be maintaining weight this morning I thought I would try on an old paid of pants and just see... and they fit! YES! I am now fitting into pants that I haven't been able to wear for 3 years! This has gotten me more motivated to keep working! I actually just downloaded an app to help track food and exercise so we will see if that will help me towards my goal. So far I have noticed that it does help me not want to eat as bad because I don't want to log in the cookies, soda, etc... so we will see!

Goal #8

Goal #8 for 30 for 30 - Travel to somewhere I have never been before


I had this one more defined but decided I didn't want to limit myself. I had specific destinations but realized that sometimes life happens. Originally I thought I would be going to Italy or Costa Rica this year and instead reality has happened and that most likely will not happen as our wonderful needs the love more. So I just want to make sure that I get some travel in even if it is more local I want to make sure to keep travelling and going places I have never been to broaden my horizons :) 

Indecision

I usually have an issue where I have no books to read and have to go hunting for another one but occasionally I get myself in a situation where I now have a choice and no clue which book to pick up first! I have a ton on my kindle asking to be read and also a stash at work from my friend with some great choices as well... but which one to start with! Do I start a new series? Or a stand alone book? I usually prefer series as I like seeing the ongoing saga of characters and their worlds... but I that know soon I will have the 5th Song of Fire and Ice book to read once my husband finishes reading and want to be ready for that when he is done. I do not do well reading two books at once - I get too invested into each book and can only handle one at a time. Plus I read so fast I might as well finish what I am on before moving to the next one. Maybe I will pick at random... and one of my friends because I should't hold onto it for too long. I don't like when people do that to me so I do not want to be a hypocrite! Alright, I will just grab one from the shelf where I have the borrowed books and I am now ready for lunch :)

Awesome Room

I would totally stay at this hotel. What a view! I just hope though when you wake up you don't see a shark...

Goal #7

Goal #7 for 30 for 30 - make cookies from scratch

I am not a baker or cook. I am actually quite terrible in the kitchen and my husband is the one that does all our cooking. This is because he enjoys to cook and because when we first moved in together I attempted to cook and he started critiquing it and I said if you are going to do that then you can cook and so he did! I have always wanted to be able to bake marvelous things and I have friends and family you can and I am a bit jealous of thier ability. So I have decided I will learn how to at least make cookies from scratch even if they are terrible at first I will continue until I get it down!

Goal #6

Goal #6 for 30 for 30 - Eat a vegetable at least once a week 


Anyone who knows me knows that I hate vegetables. I have tried a variety of them and I just do not like them. My husband made it is goal one night to find a vegetable that I like and all day made all sorts of veggies. And I found one that I actually will tolerate -zucchini. I am trying to be healthier and while working out and walking to work are all great, I do need to start eating better and that includes vegetables. And since no one will count potatoes for a veggie I need to find some more veggies that I will eat! So my goal is to not only eat at least once a week (which I know doesn't sound like a lot but for me it is!) but to also find more veggies I like!

Phone

I finally got a smart phone! I am testing out how it works on the blog... So far so good. I am also shocked at how well I am typing as there is no physical keyboard! That's all for now! Time to watch some lovely TrueBlood!

Goal #5

Goal #5 for 30 for 30 - Start a garden


I actually started a little garden in my planter box this year and really enjoyed it! I used to think I had a black thumb but I started from some bulbs and it was so neat to watch my plants grow and blossom! Because of this I would like to actually make a garden area in my backyard with landscaping, maybe a pond, but most importantly all sorts of bright vibrant flowers :)

Goal #4

Goal #4 for 30 for 30 - Paint the Library 


We have a room in our house we have declared as our library room and once day I would love to build built in shelves along one whole wall to hold onto all my books (as the bookshelves I have now are not cutting it!). I realize that might not happen right away as it will involve a lot more work and money but I do want to paint it and make it a nice cozy place to sit and read and of course I need my signature teal wall :) 

Goal #3

Goal #3 for 30 for 30 - Put money into savings every month 


I was going to set a certain amount but then realized some months are tougher than others and some are better so I decided to leave it at just making sure some money is going into savings. You never know what life will bring you and it is always good to have a plan B and something to fall back on! :)

Harry Potter 7 Part 2

I read Harry Potter in 97 when the first book came out and no one knew the boy with the lightning scar... now 14 years later it has come to an end. It was an amazing ride! 


We showed up at the theater last night and received our special HP 3D glasses to look like Harry's glasses. Which was a nice touch so thanks to whoever thought of that! You could feel the excitement in the air and everyone one was buzzing and as always I was highly entertained by some of the costumes :) 


I feel the movie did an excellent job! I made sure not to reread 7 beforehand though as I have done this in the past and then just spend the whole movie focused on what is different. Instead I read up to 7 and saved it for this weekend after the movie. There were tears at points and I am also so impressed with the actors who have really made the characters come to life. 


My brain is still a bit foggy from staying up so late and getting up so early for work so I will just leave it at the movie was epic and and era has ended. 

Today is the Day!

It all ends today... the final Harry Potter is released! I can't believe it is finally here. I am so excited and at the same time a bit sad. I have been in this world for 14 years now. I read the first book in 97 when it came out and then waited never patiently for the next book! And then they started making movies and I got to relive the magic on the screen (which of course never compares to the books!) and now the last one is here. After this I will have no Harry Potter to look forward too. Luckily, I can continue the magic over and over when I reread or rewatch, ah the beauty of books and movies :)

Now it just needs to be midnight so it can start!  I have my clothes all ready to go and will add my scar right before :) 12 more hours to go...

Goal 2

Goal #2 for 30 for 30 - Take a Photography Class

I have always loved taking pictures. I love landscapes, and portraits, and just catching that little moment of a day. My family usually doesn't even bother to bring a camera to events anymore because they know I will have both of mine with me and spend the day shooting and capturing what I can. This does usually result in me looking as if I didn't attend any event as I am in no picture but oh well. I would like to further this passion of mine and actually take a class and learn what more I could be doing. :) 

Spider

OMG I had to kill a spider last night! For those that ready a previous post you are well aware of my spider phobia and I had to fight through that last night. I have a friend staying the weekend so I went to the guest room to clean up and wash the sheets. I start pulling off the sheets and flip over a pillow in the process. On the back of the pillow was a black ugly looking spider! I scream and freak and freeze (as if it is a snake and freezing matters)! I then begin to call for my husband aka spider killer and then remember he is out on business! NOO! So I stare at the spider some more resisting the urge to run and cry. I contemplate just walking out of the room and pretending nothing happened but I know if I do this that I will worry the rest of the night that the spider will crawl on my in the middle of the night trying to eat me or who knows what else it would get up to! So I spot a magazine in the room and decide this will be my weapon! I stare some more and finally work up the courage and smash it! Woo killed it... OH NO its not dead and now it is MOVING! OMG! I smash the magazine down again and press all my weight onto that magazine for a good 5 minutes! I finally feel safe to lift the magazine and see he looks pretty smushed. To be safe though I carefully without getting to close to the spider get him on the edge of the magazine and quickly walk as fast as I feel I can without dropping the magazine or potentially awakening the spider in a zombie state which can only be worse than its real state to the bathroom. I quickly flush him down the toilet and then flush again just to be safe. I then call my husband to tell him he has failed at his job which he tells me he is more than happy to give to me which I quickly tell him he is rehired as spider killer and to get home quickly!

30 for 30

I have decided to create a list of 30 things to do before I am 30. I have seen a few of these lists my friends have created and thought it would be a good idea! I like lists and some things I have always been meaning to do and never have and again because of my competitive nature I will want to be able to cross everything off. Also, I am giving myself some time to complete this as I know it will be needed! I will come up with a goal each day and then begin. :)

So the first goal to go on my list is: Set a target weight and stick to it

I actually already have my target weight but put it on the list anyways so I feel more compelled to stick to it!

Yoga

I am a very competitive person so after many failed attempts to diet/exercise on my own I decided to make a competition! It is just between my husband and I but we set monthly goals and prizes :) for whoever could lose the most. We are basing this off of % of weight loss since he could lose more than me and I feel guys lose it easier as well! We decided to have it go for 6 months for now so it will end November 1st and if he wins he gets a new sound system (boring!) but if I win we get to have a weekend getaway!

So, my coworker convinced me that I should join her for yoga twice a week. I started out not too sure about it. I am not very flexible and as majority of the people there were coworkers I was a bit self conscious. But in the spirit of competition I decided it could only help with my goal so I agreed. Well it has only been 3 weeks now (and I actually have only been making it once a week) and I actually am loving it! I am still pretty terrible at it but yesterday I actually was able to touch the floor! I don't think even in High School I could do that!

Plus, Tuesday is my weigh in day and so yesterday I had even lost another pound! This is the smallest I have been in over 2 years :) Granted I still have 20 pounds to go for my overall goal and to win the big prize!  I still haven't gotten my prize from winning last month but that's ok. I just like winning and being able to gloat to my husband! But I feel the addition of yoga to my weekly routine might be what helps me win the big prize in November.

American

This video made me laugh out loud - some of the HP guys trying to speak "American" 

http://www.mtv.com/videos/movies/671803/american-talk-2-with-the-potter-cast.jhtml#id=1644133 

Morning

I am not a morning person so having to get up at 4:30am today to take my husband to work is not my idea of a good time. I really do not understand the people that wake up so early all chipper like. The ones that tell me oh just exercise in the morning its so much better... I think not. It is bad enough just sitting awake at this moment but to contemplate running... that is just crazy talk! I used to be a night person. In college my roommates would get annoyed because I would be awake till at least 2 or 3 every day. But lately I have not been able to do that and now if it is past 11 I am ready for bed! So I guess that means I am an afternoon person? Not really sure, but I know I will never be a morning person!

Geek Mecca

So next week I will be going to Comic Con for my first time. I am pretty excited about this as I think it will be very entertaining people watching! All the costumes alone will be fantastic entertainment! And the program just came out as well which is even more exciting as I now know all the cool things I can see including Game of Thrones panel, Breaking Dawn, showing of Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long Blog, and much more. 

When I first heard I was going I was not to sure about attending. It was supposed to be a boys trip that ended up including girls. I am not one to miss out on things and I especially love people watching which this is sure to have! But as we have drawn closer I have found I am pretty excited to see what this is all about and if I some how run into Neil Patrick Harris or Nathan Fillion I will be in heaven those guys are amazing! 

I also am attempting to fit in and bought a "geek" shirt. The boys already have plenty but us girls decided we needed to fit in as well so we went on a mission to find shirts as well. I should be getting mine soon will be proud to show off being in the Evil League of Evil :) 

Ninja

I have a coworker who calls me ninja and this is why... haha

Life in an Indian call center

I found this article really interesting...

Life in an Indian call center: "Mmechanic sez, 'Andrew Marantz wondered how BPOs [ed: Business Process Outsourcing, AKA call centers] train Indians who have never even known a Westerner to sound and act like one. Since the call centers wouldn't let a journalist in to their culture-training sessions, Marantz decided to become a trainee himself. The resulting article from Mother Jones magazine is alternatively funny, sad, and thought-provoking.'

During our second day of culture training, Lekha dissected the Australian psyche. It took about 20 minutes.

'Just stating facts, guys,' Lekha began, as we scribbled notes, 'Australia is known as the dumbest continent. Literally, college was unknown there until recently. So speak slowly.' Next to me, a young man in a turban wrote No college in his notebook.


'Technologically speaking, they're somewhat backward, as well. The average person's mobile would be no better than, say, a Nokia 3110 classic.' This drew scoffs from around the room.


'Australians drink constantly,' Lekha continued. 'If you call on a Friday night, they'll be smashed--every time. Oh, and don't attempt to make small talk with them about their pets, okay? They can be quite touchy about animals.'


'What kind of people are there in Australia?' a trainee asked. 'What are their traits?'


'Well, for one thing,' Lekha said, 'let's admit: They are quite racist. They do not like Indians. Their preferred term for us is--please don't mind, ladies--'brown bastards.' So if you hear that kind of language, you can just hang up the call.'

My Summer at an Indian Call Center


(Thanks, Mmechanic!)




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Dark Side

I love my Kindle in fact I might love it too much because my husband thinks he has lost me to it! I say now he knows how I feel when he plays video games and is lost to me J

Now a year ago if you had told me that I would love a Kindle I would tell you that you were crazy! I was adamantly against them. I thought that it would ruin the reading experience, my eyes would hurt from the flashing and that nothing could replace the feel of a book in my hand.

I was wrong! I decided that maybe it would be a good idea to have one when traveling because I usually take anywhere from 3-6 books with me depending on how long the trip is. I hate to check luggage if not necessary and the books were taking up precious luggage space! So I rented on one from my work (which is awesome that I can do that!) and tried it out… amazing! It took no space at all and was really light!

After 5 months of borrowing my works Kindle I finally got my own. I do not think a day has gone by where I haven’t read on it. And I actually was just given a book and secretly wished they bought me a kindle copy instead… blasphemy I know! Now don’t get me wrong some books like Harry Potter I will always want in print. At my house we have a study/library room but the problem is my bookshelf is already full! What’s great about the kindle is I can now choose what to buy print or not to keep my shelf full. So Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Anne Rice all get bookshelf space but now the more fluff books I read can just take digital space!

I have come to terms with going to the “dark side” as many said and am really enjoying it J Now off to ready another book… 

Twitter

This is hilarious and sadly so true!

Vampire

I had a professor ask one of my classes if you could live to 100 would you? I immediately raised me hand that I would. I realized that I was one of a few. Most were worried about being old, senile, etc but all I could think about was all the amazing things you would be able to see in 100 years. I think this is part of what draws me to vampires.

I have always been fascinated with the supernatural – in fact when I was a baby my mom took me to a store to pick out a stuffed animal. She thought I would choose a quite animal and instead I grabbed a green witch. She tried to convince me that this was not the toy I wanted and that I really wanted a cute animal but I wouldn’t let go of that witch and so she caved and bought it for me. I actually still have this witch at my house!

I think vampires fascinate me the most though because the fact that they are basically immortal. As long as they avoid the sun and stakes they are good to go for thousands of years. The things that you could see and learn in a thousand years would be amazing. To have been able to see history as it is happening and the new technologies that come along would be quite astounding!

As I stated earlier I have always been fascinated with vampires so please do not think I jumped on the “twilight vampire bandwagon” as I was a fan long before twilight! Though I do appreciate the recent vampire craze as it gives me a lot more material to read! But before twilight was Buffy who was just kick ass! But I was brought in for Angel (and no not just for his looks!) because he was a demon with a soul and the struggle he dealt with was so interesting to watch. Then someone introduced me to Anne Rice and her character Lestat I got lost in the 10 something books she wrote about him. Again, the history he saw, the struggle of being evil, or having to drink blood but not kill, all fascinating. He even can’t handle it anymore and attempts to kill himself to find out he is too old and sun won’t even hurt so how to deal with that. Yes, there was twilight as well but I was more fascinated by the family trying to go against their nature and not drink human blood. I find that this is a common theme with vampires and the story (at least the ones I like) are about them trying to save their humanity (see Being Human, even TrueBlood) and the struggle to not be evil and give in to what was thrust upon them.

My friends often ask me knowing of my vampire fascination if I would be one. This is a hard question to answer because first of all there are so many different rules out there of what it means to be a vampire. Would I still have my soul? Would I be able to go out in the sun? Would I remember who I was? My answer would depend on the answers to those questions, to which fantasy world rules we happen to be using.