Year of the Phoenix

Apathy

2011-01-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

I have been shaken out of my apathy. I'd like to think I'm a very caring person, but it's very rare that I'm completely moved to where the thought of not doing anything, is not an option.
My sister called me a few days ago. She is currently in Washington DC, staying with my brother as his NMA (non-medical assistant) as he goes through his surgeries and recoveries for his hand. They became friends with a man and his wife who are pretty affluent figures in New York, and see them every so often, usually with things related to the Wounded Warriors.
They came to visit Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital last week, and started telling them about a soldier in the hospital that they also visit. This soldier is a quad-amputee, meaning that he's lost parts of both his arms and both of his legs. When he got flown back from Afghanistan, his wife left him in the hospital. He has no family there to take care of him (like the NMA). The first 4 times they visited the soldier, he didn't remember them and they had to reintroduce themselves, until finally the husband intervened and told the staff that they needed to cut back on the pain meds. Usually you'll have a family member there to monitor how the drugs are affecting that person, but he didn't have anyone there.
This story has been weighing heavily on my heart for the past few days. Maybe because I've been there and I've seen what these men who have given everything for us, are actually going through. The anger, sadness, and sometimes even rage. I can't even begin to understand and know what they are going through. It's one thing to die in a war zone, and it's another heart breaking thing to lose parts of your body, and not have anyone to come back home to, to help you get through it.
I think that my sister will try to visit him before she comes back. My brother's recovery is going extremely well and he doesn't really need anyone to take care of him now.
If you have some time though, please thank a veteran for what they have given. Also, when I went to visit my brother the Wounded Warriors organization was absolutely fantastic in all the support they give to veterans and their families. Please help honor these fallen heroes and ensure that they know, they are not forgotten.

Fixed

2010-10-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

I got my kitty "fixed" yesterday. I'm not sure why it's called that, it implies something is broken to begin with. She wasn't broken, just awkward when she was in heat since she's an indoor kitty. She started molesting shoes and the feet of any males who were over visiting us, so we decided getting her spayed would be a good idea. I had to wait an hour and a half at the animal shelter because it was a busy day, but worth it because it was only $55. Petsmart wanted me to pay something close to $200.

I went back later in the afternoon to get her, and as I was waiting for my turn to retrieve my pet, I read the paper they gave out on how to care for your pet after their surgery. Have you seen those collars they give you so the pet doesn't bite the incision? They basically look like a cone that starts at the collar and get bigger as it goes out over the pets face. We always jokingly referred to them as lamp shades when we were growing up, but I never knew what they were called. Well the paper kept referring to them as E-collars, which I didn't understand until further down the page it called them Elizabeth collars. A little light bulb went on in my head and I felt really clever upon figuring out that called them that after Queen Elizabeth who liked to rock a high popped (and crocheted/tatted/lace) collar.

As I was sitting there a family came in and the first thing the mother did was scream at her dirty child to get out of her way and go sit on a chair (classy). There weren't many seats so they sat themselves on either side of me and the woman overheard the vet assistant talking about the E-collar and she said (in a very hick accent) "Why'd they call em E-collars when they luk like cones t' me." I was about to share my new found knowledge with her (I'm nice like that) when she continued "An E-collar sounds like somethin on the inernet ta me." And I decided to just keep my mouth shut because in reality... I'm not even sure this woman would know who Queen Elizabeth was.

Reading

2010-10-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

I finally started reading again. I read To Kill A Mockingbird. I know most people read it as a requirement in high school, but since I was homeschooled I missed that memo. It is one of the best books I have read in a very, very long time.

It's message is so simple and so pure. Atticus is the human being I hope to become someday. Someone who tried to see everyone from a different perspective. Who is always willing to step outside of what things look like, and see where people are really coming from. To see the beauty of others for what they really are. I finished the book in 2 days, and had an extremely difficult time at work concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing because my head was caught up in this story. Ridiculous I know but I'm like that when it comes to books. My mom used to have to physically shake my arm to get me to respond when I was younger, because I was so caught up in a book that I wouldn't hear what anyone was saying to me. I'm sure everyone thought I was destined to be a huge nerd ha ha.

I've always tried to see people from their own perspective. More so at other times. I guess for me this was just a gentle reminder that life isn't all about me and how I perceive it. That sometimes seeing things from other peoples perspectives can be heartbreaking, but at the same time completely rewarding. I don't want to become someone who is so narrow minded that they can only see things how they want to. I want to live, and experience life. I want to learn how to love the unlovable, and see the real hidden beauty in people.

Home Sweet Home

2010-10-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I miss being back in Idaho where I grew up. There are a lot of great things to do outside like biking,hiking, boating, snowboarding, ect. I've missed the changing of the seasons (but not the incredibly crappy weather that accompanies it). But then I think about the things I do not miss, such as the incredibly crazy narrow minded people who are still stuck in that tiny town. Here are a couple beautiful examples provided by the local "Letters to the Editor" column.

Stolen cabbages? Do we really need to know about the theft of your produce? You make it sound like someone kidnapped a member of your family. There is also fresh cabbage available all year round at the grocery store...

Increasing town revew? And decreasing your popularity in a town where everyone knows everyone.Good choice.

Ridiculous

2010-10-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

When I was working on Saturday, we got a call for a reservation at 10:45. We close at 11 so that is really pushing it. But they called ahead, made a reservation so at least we knew they were coming. Usually when people come in that late (30 minutes or less before we close) we tell them that they can only have cheese and chocolate fondue because a full meal usually takes 2 hours. The closing server who was going to serve the table asked if it was ok if we told the table this and our manager said no, that we need to treat the guest as company and be pleasant about whatever they ordered.

So the reservation showed up a little late, and by a little late I mean 11:01 and our manager sat them at a table. Since we're supposed to treat them like guests, I suggested to the waitress to treat them like guests who show up at her house right when she was about to go to bed (joke). I always try to see the other persons point of view so I thought maybe it was a really special occasion for these people and they wanted to celebrate. The woman had said on the phone that she didn't get off of work until 10:30 so they'd be over as soon as possible... but when the waitress asked if they were celebrating anything they responded with "Getting off work!" Are you serious?! You're going to make that waitress stay until 1:00 am because you couldn't pick a day you weren't working to get fondue? A woman with 2 kids who goes to nursing school AND works? People are ridiculous sometimes. Go to McDonalds.

Relief

2010-10-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

The weather has FINALLY cooled down. I officially survived my first Phoenix summer. People warned me about it, unfortunately they warned me about the wrong thing. They warned me it was going to be hot (which it was, and I handled just fine), what they didn't want me about was the electric bills. I didn't not pass out from heat exhaustion once, but I did almost pass out when I saw the bill. It was TRIPLE what it normally was. Usually it's a little above $100. IT WAS $300!!!! That's almost 42 hours of my life that I have to work at Barnes & Noble for my really small amount of hourly pay. And $250 the months after that. Why didn't anyone tell me? I did manage to survive it though, and I'll be sure to save up for next year when it will again be ridiculously expensive to stay keep a house at 78 degrees.

It's also monsoon season which means crazy rains which also (thankfully) means cooler weather. It's been storming the past couple days and I'm loving it. Finally I get to bring out some cute boots and scarves and pretend like it's fall. I needed to go grocery shopping yesterday so I got out my umbrella and went to the grocery store, got quite a bit of food since we were almost out of everything, and drove back home. My covered parking is about 100 yrds away from my apartment so I had to carry the 6 bags/milk/10 pack of toilet paper back through the rain with my purse and holding the umbrella. Which I was doing quite successfully... until I got to the speed bump. They're painted this speed bump every few months since I've been here and consequently it's very slick. I've slipped on it several times before, in dry weather, so you'd think I would have avoided it. Wrong. I completely forgot, slipped and fell onto my knees in a puddle while rain was pouring down. And the icing on the cake here? A little boy and girl playing out in the rain stopped and giggled at my misfortune.

I look high, in one eye.

2010-10-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been changing my contacts as regularly as I should, and with my new longer hours of work, it means I'm also wearing them quite a big more. My eyes decided to revolt and yesterday they were extremely dry and irritable. Since I refused to get glasses when I was younger, I don't have any, so I had to wear them for work (and driving if I don't want to hit any small children by accident). One eye accepted the contact and moved on with it's life, but the other decided to be a biznatch and turn all shades of red that no amount of saline could fix. So yesterday and today I've had one blazing red eye and one normal colored one. Which isn't too bad because then people know I'm not high, and I don't have pink eye. Just one abnormally red eye. And of course it's on days I have to work.

At the coffee show, we're supposed to ask people's names when we take their coffee order so we can call it out when we're finished making it. That way it seems more personal and maybe they'll think we're actually friends or something (at least that's how the corporate world thinks it is). My favorite customer's name was Yoshi, who is a very nice, tall Asian man who usually brings his young son in with him. I always want to squeal out "YYYYOSHI!" like they say it in the Mario games when his drink is ready... but I refrain. Well today after serving Yoshi, I asked a man for his name and it was Waldo. Awkward pause for one second while I debated how to respond to that name. I decided that a lot of people probably commented on it so I decided to not say anything about it. Although a minute later, I was extremely tempted to yell out "WHERE'S WALDO?" when his drink was ready... but again my better judgment got the better of me and I didn't.

Waitressing

2010-10-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

I was waitressing a few nights ago. We have 9 tables that are our more private tables to sit at, in the Melting Pot, and these are the tables that have closeable curtains at the entrance. So basically no one can see into them. We always knock on the outside, before we open the curtains, because we've all heard the stories of servers who didn't, and opened the curtains to find an old woman under the table doing you know what, and similar stories like that. Use your imagination and I'm pretty sure it's been done. Which is fine, just stop doing it when I show up. The section of tables I was serving a few nights ago was in the "curtains" as we call them. I've worked in them before and never really had any problems at all really. No awkward moments, nothing odd. Until a few nights ago.
One of the first couples I waited on was really nice. They introduced me to themselves by name and shook my hand, and basically treated me like a human being which is pretty nice when you're a waitress. We traded stories and were having a great time. Then the chocolate fondue came out and when I came back to check on how it was I knocked, but not loud enough because her neck was covered in chocolate and he was licking it off. I also walked in on them making out which honestly, I don't mind, it was just the first time I had done that with any of the people I was waiting on.
So then I get the next group of people coming in. Again really nice and chatty, easy to please. There were 2 couples at this table so they entertained themselves which again, made my job a little easier. They were sitting at a booth with each couple on either side. So part way through their meal bring out salad's and as I'm setting them on the table the guys switch theirs. I thought they might have agreed to switch earlier and didn't really think anything of it until one of the guys asked for another drink. I asked if he wanted another Manhattan and he responded with no, that he was the one drinking beer. It was then that a little light bulb went on in my head (I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box sometimes, especially when I'm rushed or busy) and I realized that the husbands had switched spots at the table. They were wearing the same color shirts and looked sort of similar so that's why it took me a minute to figure out. And these guys had their hands on the new woman's thighs, just like they had with the woman they were sitting with before. These people were swingers!

For some reason when ever someone says "swingers" I always envision people square dancing. Not really sure why, but they should look into changing what they call them selves for sure. I'd never really met any (at least that I knew of). That lifestyle isn't really for me, but I'm not one to judge anyone. They were really nice to me too and in my little waitressing world, that's really all I care about ha ha.

Big Girl

2010-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

I finally broke down a few days ago and bought my first big girl purse. And by big girl purse I mean something an adult would wear... not a little purple one you get with an Easter outfit. I have been purse-less almost my whole life, with the exception of a few traveling trips when one was needed. I think the reason I don't like purses is because whenever I was a little girl, and I'd get A LOT of money ($40) for my birthday, holiday, or saved up, I would go shopping and I would put the money in whatever little purse I had at the time. I was not used to carrying a purse and so inevitably I would set it down somewhere and forget it. And someone would come along after me, find it, and take it. That's right, people steal from a 7 year-old's Hello Kitty purse. We all know where you're going when you die, mhmm.

So after a couple years (have I mentioned I am a slow, stubborn learner?) of losing my money this way, I decided to forget having purses in my life and went without one ever since. I told my co-workers I hadn't had a purse since I was about 8 or 9. She thought I meant 8th or 9th grade and was horrified. And basically couldn't believe me when I said no, age 8-9. I've just never really felt the need for one. I've had a wallet at some point, but never for very long. I basically take my money, ID, and debit card and put them in my back right pocket and call it good. I had this philosophy that if something didn't fit in my pockets, then I didn't need it. Cell phone goes in my front right pocket, or back left if I'm wearing work pants, and keys in the front left pocket.

But, I finally decided that it wasn't enough (thanks to a couple surprise monthly visits) and decided that maybe having something I could carry half of my bathroom around in would be a good idea. So I went to Target and found this.

My new purse! And it's spent the past week hanging on the back of my door knob ha ha. I think I'll kind of ease myself into a using purse slowly... use it for special occasions or date nights out... give it a little test run and see how it goes :)

Moving Up

2010-09-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

So despite the weather forecast for the part weekend, it was freakin HOT outside. It was right around 112 all weekend so needless to say I did not get to start running. I did, however, go swimming a bit and started working on getting a tan. My sister came to visit me earlier this summer and laughed when she saw me saying "Ha ha, you live in Arizona and you're not even tan!" Yes, it's true. I also don't have heat stroke, which to me is better than not having a tan. And I can be tan in the winter when her butt is freezing in the negative degree weather.

I got promoted at the Melting Pot! I've only been there a couple months now, but management heard I was interested in being a supervisor, so they offered it to me, and I train all this weekend. Hopefully this leads to being considered as a manager in the future. I've worked in the food industry for about 8 years now and I'm finally getting my ass into gear about management. Sad, I know. I guess I always thought I'd be doing something else. But now that I know it's going to take awhile to get me through college... might as well work my way up and get good experience/pay along the way.

Training is going to be a bit rough. I have to close the restaurant friday, saturday, and sunday so I'll be working LATE. But it will be worth it. I'm considering quitting my other job at Barnes & Noble... unless I can talk them into letting me just work weekdays because it's just taking too much out of me on the weekends when the restaurant is super busy, and my man is off of work. I want to stay there though if I can because the girls there are good friends of mine. So I'll talk to the manager and see what we can work out.

I just need more time with the fiance honestly. He's doubled up on courses so he's always doing homework after work. Then my weekends are completely taken up with work, so something needs to be done. We had a huge fight this past weekend and it was partly due to stress on both of our sides, and just not getting much time together. So I'm feeling really great about this new step. Yes, I'll be working later some nights. But I'll be able to free up half of my weekends so it will be for the better.

Running

2010-09-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

I am a running snob. There, I admitted it. Or at least that's what I'm going to call it instead of "I will make up almost any excuse to not run if there is one." I don't like treadmills, and I don't like running at tracks (both kind of make me feel like I'm not getting anywhere), and it's ALMOST cool enough so go running outside in the morning (basically below 100 degrees). And by morning I mean 9 am because I can't get up earlier than that to run. I used to try to get up earlier to go running in the morning... but when I'm laying in bed debating whether or not to go force my body to do what it really doesn't want to... or stay in the extremely comfortable bed and continue dreaming about kitties... dreaming about kitties always wins.

I also have this thing about not exercising when it's not fun. I used to run/walk up the canyon grade by my house in Idaho, but that's because it was with a group of girls and we'd gossip almost the whole time. I'll play volleyball, go swimming, whatever really as long as it's enjoyable. But try to get me into a gym if I'm by myself, and not in a yoga/pilates class, and it's probably not going to happen. Which makes it kind of hard to get any sympathy from my man because he's an amateur body builder and goes to the gym 5 days a week. Yah, no sympathy there.

So back to running. I can only really talk myself into it if it's perfect weather outside, which Phoenix has about 10 months out of the year, and it's not too early in the morning. Because then I love being outside and I actually enjoy it. And the back of my thighs will enjoy it too because the whole cottage cheese look just isn't doing it for me. The forecast for this weekend is below 100 degrees so wish me luck, I'm going to start running again. Hopefully.

Tipping your server.

2010-09-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Being a waitress I guess this topic was bound to come up at some point. I just hate being one of those negative servers who's always complaining about it. I'm a firm believer that if you don't dwell on the negative and talk about it excessively, it will effect you a lot less. But sometimes I just have to vent, ha ha.

I've been reading articles on the standards of tipping lately. Almost all of the articles were written be people who were never servers, which I found to be interesting. Including an article by this asshat, who admits to have never waited on tables, then tries to compare it to working at UPS. You don't like working with the public? Come try my job sometime, it will make you cry. Is it the hardest job in the world? Not by any means. Is it mentally, physically, and emotionally draining for money that's slightly better than minimum wage? Yes, it is.

I am a very attentive server. I really view people coming in as guests of mine, and I do my absolute best to make sure they never need anything, that their glasses are always full, and they are always satisfied with the food. I'm a people pleaser to the core, and I take it personal if people don't enjoy their meal. Which is what made my former job at Chili's so hard because a parent would have a hard day at home with their kids, wouldn't want to make dinner, drag their miserable butts in Chili's, and be as rude as possible to anyone they came into contact with because they had a bad day. Umm, I'm getting paid $3.35 an hour to be nice to you, and your $2 tip isn't really going to help that much. My dignity is worth more than that, and I won't be treated like a dog.

I'd hate it when I would be working at Chili's, have 6 tables seated in my section (instead of the standard 4 because we were short staffed), and have a mom who was glaring at me because her kids chocolate milks (which take awhile to make because they are handmade) were empty AGAIN because the little turds would slurp them down within 15 seconds of me putting them down. And after making them 5 times, I have more important things to attend to (like the OTHER 20 customers relying on me for service) than to make chocolate milks all day. I'm sorry.

I read that a lot of times, the service doesn't even reflect the amount people tip. They just always tip the same. I think this is true for maybe half of people. I had some people come in one night, keep me there an hour past when we closed to wait on them, raved to the manager how good all the food was and how great I was as a server, then left me a 10% tip. Which after I tip out 4% to the server assistant, meant I walked home with a 6% tip. Sad.

Another thing I read, that I thought was hilarious, was that if waitresses (women) put a smiley face on the check at the end, it increased their tip. But it waiters (men) put one on the check, it decreased the tip! I always thought the smiley faces were tacky ha ha.

The Melting Pot is really much better than Chili's though. The people coming in are much more pleasant, and in much better moods. I really do enjoy waiting on people and talking to them. I love meeting new people and talking about different things with them. And quite honestly, I would rather be treated nicely and tipped decently, then be treated badly and tipped really well.

Difficult things

2010-09-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Things have been a little stressful lately. For one, my brother is having a hard time dealing with losing his fingers. Which I completely understand, it's a very difficult thing to deal with. I think he's hit a very low point though now, and when he talks to me about it I feel so helpless. He's my little brother that I would give anything for to protect and keep safe, and I can't really DO anything to help him. I can listen and offer advice, but in the end it is he who will have to decide how to deal with it. It's just so frustrating seeing him struggle with it. It's his birthday today and he's off to see his friends who were deployed with him. He hasn't seen them since the accident so I'm really praying that things go well, and none of them says anything stupid.

My man has also been having a hard time with his PTSD. He is one of the sweetest men I know, and I can't stand when he has a flashback or nightmare and see him struggling with that. It's not fair that he has it from being a police officer, and it's not fair that the men in the military get it. War and violence are such horrendous things and continue to rob the lives of those it touches, long after it is finished.

I'm just starting to feel a little drained. I'm a peacemaker, it's how I've always been. I always try to make people happy and I'll give up anything to see the ones I love content. I just need to realize that I can't control everything and not everyone can be happy all the time. Sometimes, doing my best just means being there for someone, even if I can't fix the problem.

The Year of the Phoenix

2010-09-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Labor day marks the man and I's 2 year anniversary, and my one year anniversary of moving to Phoenix. Time went quick, especially the last half of the year. We made it through a year of long distance dating (NEVER AGAIN), and then a year of going from long distance to living together. Which surprisingly went smoother than I thought it would. We had out typical up and downs and all that but we made it and we're happy so that's what counts.

We were talking about how it did go pretty smooth and we were both surprised, looking back. We've both been pretty flexible and are willing to look at each others points of views and that really helps a lot (unless we're in a good argument, then that all goes out the window until we cool down ha ha). We signed a 9 month lease for the apartment we're in, with the plan to save money so we can get into a house when it is up. We're also saving to put money down to reserve the reception venue we finally found for our wedding. It was so funny because I took him to see the place, I wasn't so sure about it but the pics looked fairly decent and the price was ridiculously cheap. So we get there and start looking around and it's prettier than the pictures, really elegant. So we sit down with the woman showing us around, and start talking about the price for the venue, catering, alcohol, decorations, flowers, ect. And each time she tells us the price my fiance kept saying "WOW, that's a really good price." (Not quite as adamant as the Staples commercial, thank god) Well yeah... you remember the TWO weeks I spent on the internet? It was making sure we found the best place ha ha. I think he's a little more impressed with my skills now.

So this is my first year here. I made it through the summer, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Although the backs of my thighs are turning to jello from not running so fall really can't get here fast enough. I got engaged to the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I've made some unique friends that I really treasure. I can't wait to see what the next year brings :)

Why not to stalk your boyfriend

2010-09-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

I was on my break today, reading the news from my phone, and this little gem of a story came up. I haven't had something this intriguing since I read about Steven Slater going crazy on the Jet Blue flight.

Basically, I guess this woman and her bf were having problems and she tried to break into his house with a shovel one night (the article doesn't say they were having problems but put two and two together), which didn't work. SO she comes back the next night and gets a ladder, climbs onto the roof, removes the chimney cap and sends herself down like Santa. Problem though... chimneys aren't big enough for people to get through and she gets wedged in there so tight that she can't breath and asphyxiates. Before this all happens the bf leaves the house to avoid a "confrontation." If a woman tried to slide through my chimney to get at me, you bet I'd be running too. So THREE DAYS LATER, the housekeeper notices a "smell and liquid" coming from the fireplace and discovers the decomposing corpse of the woman wedged about 2 feet above the opening for the fireplace.

...

So, how do you even process that if you're the housekeeper? Maybe you think a dead bird or small animal fell down and died, then you look up and see... two human feet. That would have made me crap my pants. No joke.

Here is the really sad part to. It's not like the woman was some young passionate girl. No. She was a 49 year old doctor. How does something like this happen? As the guy in the breakroom said "When will people learn you can't slide down chimneys?" If you're going to go through all the trouble of breaking in, why not just break a window and get in? I couldn't stop reading the article because in a way it's kind of comical, but even more so it's extremely tragic.

Recommendations!

2010-09-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

I LOVE reading other people's blogs. I'm not sure if it's my nosy side, but I love taking a peak into people's lives and see how they think and feel about things. I like being able to follow along in people's lives and see what happens next. That being said, I'd like to find more blogs to follow (this kind of made me sound like a creeper, but I swear I'm not), so I would like some recommendations from YOU!

If you have any blogs you follow and really like, please tell me about them so I can check them out :D

Salsa

2010-08-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

The man and I had a disagreement (it wasn't a fight, we just both thought the other was an idiot ha ha) about salsa. We'd just finished watching a commercial about Tango dancing and I said:

Me: "Did you know salsa originated in Argentina?"

Man: "What? No it didn't. It's from Mexico"

Me: "Uhh no, I was in Argentina. They had signs and history about it everywhere."

Man: "Well they lied honey. That's the stupidest thing I ever heard"

Me: "I don't think a whole country would lie about it. It clearly said it everywhere."

Man: "Well it's not true, it's from Mexico."

10 minutes later of silence while watching tv, and thinking about how ignorant the other person was....

Me: "You are talking about Salsa dancing right?"

Man: "No. Is that what you were talking about? I was talking about the salsa dip..."

Dates

2010-08-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

One of the things I really like about working at the Melting Pot, is that people are usually in there to celebrate something and that means they are in a great mood, which definitely makes my job more pleasant that way. Think about it, either I can wait on a table happily celebrating a birthday vs waiting on a table of 7 because mom was too tired/grumpy from the kids, being unruly all day, to make dinner. First scenario wins every time!

So this weekend one of the other servers was talking to me about his table. He said "I feel really bad for the woman at my table. She is supposed to be on a double date with another couple celebrating their anniversaries... but, her husband stood her up. And it's their 24th anniversary."

My jaw dropped. I understand having arguments in relationships, but standing your spouse up for your 24 anniversary?! In front of your friends too! Ohh man, I would be furious!

The server said that the woman's husband would now have to come pick her up, because she was too drunk to drive (which I would be too). He later told me that her husband did show up eventually, an hour and a half late... wearing his pajamas!!! I don't think I could sign the divorce papers fast enough...

Long Days

2010-08-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Meet Sammy. My kitten that's about a year old now. Last night, the BF left a screenless window open to let some of the cool air come into our second story apartment, and left the room (not thinking things through clearly). Sammy quickly found this window and, unbeknown to us decided to explore the 2" ledge outside of it. Meanwhile we are watching tv out in the living room and get a knock on our door. At 12:30 am, we thought this was pretty odd. We answered the door to 2 young teenage girls who said they were worried about out cat, who was dangling from out second story window meowing. I quickly rushed into the room and looked out the window. It's a picture window that slides open on both sides. So I tried calling her, and leaning out to get her. Sammy decided that the best thing for her to do, is to walk away from me and to climb up the screen on the other side. Which meant:
A. I couldn't reach her from inside.
B. We couldn't get the screen off the other side of the window to get her in, since she was now hanging from it for dear life.
C. She's a wimp, she wouldn't be able to hang on for long so my time was limited.

So I stood up on the window sill and slowly got myself through the window, carefully inched my way out onto the tiny ledge, eventually was spread eagle across the second story window (envisioning what it would be like to wear a full body cast after I fell to me doom) praying my feet and fingers didn't slip, and managed to grab the kitty and bring her into safety.

Has the little turd been grateful now that I saved her tiny life? NO! She's been doing all the things she knows she's not allowed to do today, attempting to climb our fake tree, walking on the counters, trying to knock my birthday roses off the counter, tearing up the carpet, and worst of all... RUNNING ACROSS THE WINDOWSILL MAKING ALL THE BLINDS HIT TOGETHER WHEN I'M SLEEPING. I am really fond of my sleep.

So thank you, you little asshole. You will be getting whats coming to you soon because you, young lady, are getting spayed next week!

Adoption

2010-08-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning my section at the waitressing job I have, a few nights ago. It takes a little while to get everything wiped down on the tables and make sure it's clean a restocked. As I was wiping down the tables, a large group of people near my section were talking. A woman was talking about a couple she knew, who was adopting from oversea some where. A man at the table interrupted her and said "Why can't people adopt from the United States? Why do they always go out of the country when we have kids here that need homes?" And it made me really sad.

I do think American children need loving homes, just as much as any other child. The difference though, is that 17 million children die of starvation each year in Africa alone. That doesn't even touch a lot of the other children around the other world needing adoption. How many of the kids we can adopt here in the US, die from starvation? None of them. So if I had to pick, I would pick to save the life of a child that could potentially die from the conditions they live in. I don't think it was really fair for that man to feel the way he did.

I also think adoption is one of the best things you can do in this world, so whether someone adopts from America, or from anywhere else, I think they are doing an amazing and beautiful thing. They should never be criticized for their decision to do so.

Not again

2010-08-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

I was working at the coffee shop a few days ago. A woman came up to order:

Woman: "I'd like a slice of cheesecake and a tall earl grey tea."

We carry two kinds of cheesecake so I asked her: "Would you like the original or the white chocolate..."

Woman [Interrupting and rolling her eyes]: "I said a TALL earl grey tea"

Well no shit I heard that. I didn't ask about that, but thanks for treating me like I'm stupid and don't know how to do my job (which I've been doing for 2 years) because you were too lazy to actually look at the bakery case you were ordering from and don't know what I'm talking about.

Class A Creeper

2010-08-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

The new job has been going really well. I love how much slower paced this restaurant is and how I have much more time to talk to tables because people always fascinate me. I also get along with most of the staff very well so things really have been going great.

The only problem? They have a really creepy cook. I know most restaurants have creepy cooks, trust me I've seen my share. But this one really takes the cake. He seemed pretty nice at first, slightly flirty but still respectful. I made it a very big point that I was engaged. Well things just started getting creepier and creepier. He asked when I was getting married and I said in about a year. His response was "So I have a year to change your mind?" Which almost made me throw up the oreo covered marshmallow I had just eaten (not nice because those are delicious!) because even if I wasn't single, this guy wouldn't have any chance with me. Not my type. There have been many other awkward comments/questions and he always pays special attention to me and it's really starting to make me uncomfortable.

I've only talked to him for the past week if it's something I need from the kitchen but I don't think he's getting the hint. I'm pretty non-confrontational, but I will have to say something sooner or later if things don't change. UGGGHHHHH creepy men.

Airports

2010-08-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

I got to pick my brother up from the airport yesterday. He's on leave from the hospital for about a month so he came to visit me for a couple days for my bday. It's really good to see him. Last time I saw him right after his accident and it's crazy how much his hand has healed. He can grab things now with a good amount of strength, in fact the doctors can't believe how well it healed, they are amazed every time they check on him. His back is healing up from where they took the skin flap, and over all he looks really well and healthy again. It's so good to see family.

I'm really excited to start school again. I finally decided a few months ago to go for Occupational Therapy. Mainly because I got to see them work with my brother and it seems like a very creative and rewarding career. It will take a long time to get there, but I can't wait to get started. I really never want to stop learning, so going back to school is something I'm really looking forward to.

Wake up call

2010-08-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

I have been kind of sick lately. Since I don't have to work until tonight, I just kind of lounged around in bed for awhile (all morning) and then reached for my phone and found this wonderful little gem of a story about a flight attendant going crazy and quitting.

It's worth reading and left me in bed laughing out loud. I don't think I've had one job where I haven't wanted to do the same to a customer. I had to stop waitressing at Chili's awhile ago because I knew I couldn't take anymore shit from people, and would snap if someone else treated me badly again. I don't know if it's American's specifically, but people seem to just have this feeling of entitlement that anyone in employment is below them and they are entitled to do whatever they want. And I realize people have bad days, especially traveling, but I would never treat people unless it was the way I would like to be treated. I would expect people to do that same but no, they don't.

I guess for me, the best part was that he used the same language the passenger did with him. Which honestly, if someone starts swearing at you and calling you names, I think you should be able to treat them exactly the same way.

Party

2010-08-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

The bf and I went to his godfather's 50th birthday this past weekend, in California. Let me just say that Mexican's really know how to party ha ha. There was a bottle of tequila on every table and a trough of Corona's and Bud Lights. There was a huge buffet table of delicious bbq food and a band playing all night. I even got to go horseback riding, which I haven't done in YEARS and was so much fun. The downside to that is, of course, I can't walk like I normal person because the insides of my thighs got pulled. I never really realized why people always said cowboys were bowlegged (if you don't know what I'm talking about it's ok, I was raised in Idaho after all) and now I completely understand ha ha.

So we had to stop a couple times on the trip back (hello surprise monthly gift), and the bathrooms were HORRENDOUS!!! The first one was so disgusting I didn't even want to wash my hands because I just risked picking up more germs from the filthy sink. That's where hovering really comes in handy ;)

At the second stop I wasn't really sure I had to go to the bathroom, but I thought it would be good to stop just in case. As soon as I stood up I knew I had to go, and go NOW. So I ran to the bathroom... and there is a line of 5 women (GAHHHH). One of the stalls wasn't out of order and the other two were taken. The handicapped stall was taken by a mom and her 3 kids, who were all taking their sweet time and I know why because of the grunting coming from the stall (love kids). So I had to wait for the other 5 women to use the ONE stall while really trying not to poop my pants (it was close). I seriously considered going into the Men's bathroom but I toughed it out and made it. When I went to wash my hands the soap dispenser was broken off the wall, laying on the counter, and empty. As well as the paper towel dispenser. Thank you God for instant hand sanitizer!!!

But minus the bathrooms, the trip was fun. I feel like I'm getting to know his family a lot more, and all of them are so open and welcoming, which is a really good thing when you're marrying into a family that is so close!

Talking

2010-07-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

So to give you some background on the story I'm about to tell... I have a manager at work and he's a pretty nice guy. He's pretty good to the employees so it's nice working for him. But he has this habit of treating people like they're stupid when they do something he considers... well stupid. I saw a woman come up to him one time and ask what our shaken ice tea was. He replied with "It's ice tea, that we shake" along with a semi disgusted expression on his face. Which is slightly funny, but it's also kind of cruel sometimes. So needless to say his customer service skills aren't amazing by any means.

Today I had a customer come up to me and order a smoothie. I rang her up and just as I was finishing she asked if I gave her the 10 cent discount for bringing her own cup in. I hadn't, so I called my manager up (since I can't do them myself) to give her the 10 cent refund. When he came up, he asked what I needed and I told him and he started laughing and saying "Oh damn, you ladies are ridiculous" and they started joking back and forth. The thing is, is that I know my manager doesn't joke about stuff like that really. He just insults people with a smile and they think he is kidding when he really is not. It's kind of amusing to a certain extent, as long as the other people don't catch on. Then it just becomes embarrassing, so I try to stay out of those situations.

So the ladies got their refund and went to sit down. I went to the back and started washing dishes and my manager came back and started talking about how it was so funny people never know he was joking and that he thought they were idiots, and he could tell them that and they thought he wasn't serious... and he was saying it so LOUD ha ha ha. I just kind of nodded and went on washing dishes and eventually he went back up front. He was quickly back though with a concerned look on his face asking "Do you think all the people out in the cafe heard me? I went out there and they all looked at my funny all at once."

I kind of mumbled an "I don't know..." and kept my head low trying not to laugh at the fact that he had been so blatantly caught. Just goes to show that you shouldn't be saying anything about someone, that you don't want them to hear.

Children

2010-07-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

My fiance was saying how he would really liked to be married in a catholic church because that is the faith that he grew up in, which is completely fine with me even though I'm not a catholic. He was saying how we need to decide how many kids we want to have because we're going to have separate interviews with a priest. We need to have the same answer or he might not marry us. And I FREAKED out thinking about it because I'm just not ready to have kids yet.

Here is the thing. I like kids, I really do. But I think that they are a great responsibility that I refuse to take lightly. Growing up, I never was around babies a lot, or even small children (after I stopped being one ha ha). I wasn't huge into babysitting, and when I did it was always a bunch of kids that were really disrespectful. So I didn't really have a positive image of kids/babies growing up. That was until our new neighbors moved in with their 6 month old baby that I'll call John. John's dad worked and his mom went to school to be a nurse. While she was going to school, me or my sister would babysit John at his house in the mornings. He was great. A really happy baby, very easily entertained and very loving.

One of the funniest memories I have of him was when my family went over to their house one night for dinner. As soon as he saw us his little face lighted up and a huge smile took over his face... until he started crying, while still smiling ha ha. He was usually asleep when we got to their house in the morning to babysit, but when he was awake he would cry when his mommy left for school. So while he was happy to see us, he got sad because he thought his mom was leaving. It was kind of funny because he was crying and smiling at the same time.

A few months before he turned 3, he died in an accident, a few days before my birthday. It was really hard to deal with. I can't even imagine what his parents went through. The last memory I have was of him running down their drive way in the summer to come hug me. He had just learned to say my name, and he was giggling and saying my name as he ran towards me. After that I didn't really want to have anything to do with kids. Why even risk that kind of pain when something like that can happen?

My saving grace was a job I (somewhat reluctantly) took a couple years later, helping to homeschool 4 kids. Their ages ranged from 2-8, and while at first I didn't bond with the youngest boy, eventually I came to love all of them as if they were my own siblings. They were wonderful kids and really opened up my heart in the way only children can. I worked with them for 4 years, and towards the end I felt so blessed to be getting paid to do a "job" that felt like I was hanging out with family. I really owe a lot to that family for what they helped me through. And they showed me that large families aren't that bad (they had 8 kids total), and when they have an amazing mother like they did, that it actually worked really well.

So while someday I do want children, I want to take my time getting there. I want to make sure I've lived and have no regrets. I want to make sure that I will be able to do everything I can, to be the best parent I can. And I'm just not at that point yet.

I told my fiance a few days after he mentioned it, that I'd been feeling really pressured to come up with an answer, and that we should just both agree on a random number for the interview, and we could decide later what we really wanted. Which he said he had said the first time, just that I didn't understand it ha ha. Ahhh the joys of miscommunication when you're in a relationship. He didn't mean to put pressure on me, just that we needed to agree on a number for now, but really we'll decide later when we're ready to have kids. Maybe we'll have 1 and decide that's it, or maybe we'll like the first one so much we'll have 5. We both know we would like to have kids someday, just not right now.

Threading

2010-07-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've always had problems with plucking my eye brows, which isn't a good thing because I have eye brows that would make Chewbacca proud. The first couple times I plucked, my eye brows bled. Probably because I was inexperienced and didn't pluck fast enough, but that's because it HURT like hell every hair I did. I tried using a warm compress before hand, I tried icing them afterward, nothing really helped. I kind of learned to deal with it, and the pain slightly lessened over time. Needless to say I only pluck from time to time (or pretty much never) ha ha.

Recently in malls, I've been noticing stands that offer eyebrow threading. Which I was extremely intrigued by, mainly because it looked like it didn't really hurt. Just soft little strings, nothing like the cold surgical steel of tweezers (ok I'm slightly dramatic). So when I was out shopping with my sister when she was visiting me, we saw a salon that offered it. I mentioned that I thought it was an intriguing idea and my sister said she always wanted to see someone get it done. Since I was the ~~one with ragingly out of control eyebrows~~ obvious candidate and she offered to pay for it (for my sake of course), we went into the salon.

It was only $10 to get the eyebrows done so I agreed to it, and next thing I know I'm pretty much laying down in a salon chair awkwardly pulling the skin around my eyes taut. So my initial conception that this wouldn't hurt... WAS COMPLETELY WRONG. I cried the first brow she did. Sure I can blame it on my eye watering from the stinging, but the hell with being tough, it hurt like a bitch! Fortunately it only lasted about 60 seconds then she went onto the other eye, which to be fair wasn't as bad now that I was prepared for it. That eye didn't "water."

She finishes and I sit up and look in the mirror... and I have perfect eyebrows staring back it me. I didn't think my eyebrows were capable of looking that good. And it only took about 2 minutes. So yes, despite the pain, I will be going back because 2 minutes beats the 10-20 I normally have to take plucking so might was well get it all over with at once. And it lasts 6 weeks!!! I'm thinking about getting my upper lip done next time but I'm not sure if I can handle it...

And if you think I am exaggerating about my eyebrows, I have had several people I work with randomly tell me I look really good and ask if I've changed my makeup/hair. I then inform them that no, I have not, but I did get the caterpillars that used to be on my face taken off, and replaced with the perfect movie star brows that now adorn my face.

Lucky

2010-07-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty lucky in the fact that I really like my future in law family, especially my future mother in law. She's a really sweet caring person and I'm fortunate to have her in my life.

She likes to forward me random emails that she gets the the most recent was this gem. A realistic American barbie:

Finally. A roll model that we can realistically try to emulate ;)

Cheap

2010-07-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

So I was going to talk about what I cheap ass I am when it comes to clothes (I have never spent more than $30 on pants, must less a shirt) BUT... I heard about Rifftrax from a girl from work. Needless to say I pretty much consider her my new bff because of this treasure she shared with me. This basically sums up my feelings for the Twilight movies:

Don't get me wrong, I like the story. It's kind of unique and cute, but the movies slaughtered it. And the more I think about Edward, the creepier he gets. So enjoy. And if you liked it be sure to check out some of their other stuff one youtube, like the Star Wars ones!

Engaged!

2010-07-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

So the bf finally proposed last weekend. He had a bunch of family in town and we were all going to watch a baseball game. I was pretty sure he was going to propose that day, at the game because he had said things like "I asked how much it would be to put something on the jumbotron" and then didn't give an explanation why, so being extremely intelligent and intuitive... I figured that was going to be the way he asked me.

We went over to his parents house for lunch and to hang out with the family before the game. We ended up watching an Animal Planet show about ranchers. It was umm, authentic ha ha. It was taking place during the spring so cows were giving birth left and right. Coming from the dairy capitol of the world in Idaho, I've seen my fair share, so thankfully I was used to it. I was somehow so caught up in the show (how can you look away from blood, guts, and birthing material? *barf*) that I didn't notice people were holding video camera's until the bf turned to me and started saying how much he loved me and pulled out a box (!) and asked if I would marry him. To which of course I said yes (would I really be posting this if I didn't?).

So he put the ring on my finger and I got hugged by everyone in the family, then they pulled out a cake that said "Congratulations" on it and we ate it. They joked about how they had a cake that said "Sorry" in the refrigerator in case I said no ha ha.

This is a picture of it. It's a little fancier than I wanted, but it's very unique and beautiful, and he did pick it out all by himself so I love it. There is another band that goes over the top for the wedding ceremony.

After that we went to the baseball game. He told me he was going to propose at the game, but the guy who was supposed to rent the time space for him to do it, dropped the ball and it didn't end up happening. Which was FINE with me because I'm not really great on camera, especially when 45,000 people are watching me. I tend to turn red, stammer, and would probably end up drooling or spitting because I'm prone to do embarrassing things when being watched closely.

As we were waiting for the game to start, the bf's (ahem I mean fiance's) 2 year old nephew got hit on the head with a water bottle. We were on the bottom tier of the stadium, right under the second tier, and the bottle fell from the second tier and hit him. I think it just grazed his head and startled him but he was pretty upset. Some guy looked over the rail and started laughing. Laughing! Which was extremely stupid because next thing you know, all 6 men from the family are running up the steps to get him. Have I mentioned my bf is an amateur body builder and he's one of the smaller men in his family? So we were basically ready to see this guys body flying over the side next, but fortunately for the laugher, security got involved first and kicked him out of the game. The nephew was all right once he calmed down and got some cotton candy, which would make anyone feel better right? ;)

After that we watched the fireworks the stadium put on since it was the 3rd of July. And (side rant)... the only fireworks we could find were snap pops. SNAP POPS. Needless to say we'll be spending any future 4th of July's in Idaho where they let you light off real fireworks.

Sisters

2010-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Having the sister here is GREAT. Although sadly the bf is starting to feel a little neglected so we'll have to have some date time soon.

We were talking a couple days ago about how differently our parents treated us (oldest and youngest child). While we are only 3 years a part, it's crazy how differently they treated us. My sister went to a baseball game with my dad a few weeks ago and he bought her a beer (she's 20). When I turned 21 and my mom begged me not to go out and get a drink. Right.

My favorite one though was when I picked my sister up early from prom awhile ago. We were talking to my mom the next morning and she asked what time sister got home, and I told her 11.
Mom: "Wow, that's the earliest any of you have gotten home from prom."
Me: "Umm actually, you made me come home at 10 when I went."
Mom: "That's not true." (typical mom response when ever I enlighten her as to how I was treated)
Me: "It's completely true. And you had a neighbor couple chaperon us the whole time."
Mom: "Oh. Yah, that's right ha ha ha. You don't hate me for that right?"

Love you lots, like vodka shots and tater tots.

2010-07-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

My sister is coming to visit tomorrow for 10 days! Super excited because she's my best friend. She's pretty weird like me too so it's going to be fun. True story about the sis, she was on a date with a guy to a nice steak house and all she ordered was tater tots and cheese cake. And yes, he did ask her out again ha ha. I'm going to do back to ID with her for a friend's wedding reception when she's done (driving through Nevada GAG).

We're going to see a Diamonbacks vs. Dodgers baseball game this weekend, maybe float down the river (yes, Phoenix has 1 river). There is also a wine tasting night in the plans. I'm really trying to increase my wine knowledge so I thought this would help me towards my goal of becoming a wine snob. I'm currently a beer snob but nobody really cares about that as much as wine.

I'm kind of depressed about this upcoming 4th of July. Normally in Idaho we'd visit an Indian reservation and get "real" fireworks. aka mortars, large, rockets, roman candles, ect. But Phoenix doesn't look so kindly on fireworks so I'm going to have to content myself with sparklers. This is pretty stupid because, yes, Phoenix is hot, but it's the desert... there isn't really anything to catch fire to. At least not like the hay fields or rampant weeds we had all over Idaho. It makes the pyro inside of me cry.

There is also some serious shopping involved. I know where all of the malls and some cute shops are... I just never want to go shopping by myself. I don't *need* a second opinion, but I definitely like to dress uniquely and sometimes that, is a good thing and sometimes I just need someone to tell me "That looks like your half tellatubby and half space invader. Take it off now." I really value honesty when it comes to clothing.

Homeschooled

2010-06-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Every time I mention to someone that I was homeschooled, I get the same reaction.

A. "Really? I would have never known..." uhh thank you? Ha ha I'll take that as a compliment.
B. "Do you think you missed out on anything?" Well judging by your previous statement, I assume you think I'm socially competent and don't snort at jokes and accidentally drool on myself (which happens occasionally, but I hide it well).

And the answer to that is no, I don't think I missed out on anything. I know high school (in particular) is supposed to be this great place where you make great memories and BFF's (until you go to college and grow up and see that hardly anything lasts forever), but it rarely is. Public school's really aren't that great.

One thing that I am really thankful for, about being homeschooled, is that I learned to get along with some very strange/nerdy people. The 'socially awkward' that people tend to push away from, are actually some of the most incredible people I've ever met. It really taught me to find the unique things in a person, and really value them for that. We can be teased and put down because of our differences, but once we learn to embrace and accept them, we really begin to see things from a new perspective and continue to grow and evolve as a person. I have learned so much about compassion and forgiveness (among other things) from people that many others wouldn't look twice at.

It also really taught me that to be myself, and to be different than others, is really okay. I think we all have to learn it at some point (although some people can be in denial of it their whole life ha ha), but it was a lot easier for me to do that in an environment that loved and supported me.

I've always thought about it I had children, whether I would homeschool them or not. When I was younger I always said I wouldn't because I did feel like I missed out on a lot. But the older I get and the more I see of the world, I see how absolutely blessed I was to have that opportunity. Not to mention having my mom give up so much to do it for us (YIKES). Sending us to school could have been her free time to do what she wanted, but she gave it up to ensure we had a good education.

I do think being homeschooled can make some people very socially awkward, but I wonder if it is better for them to be that way and be comfortable with it, than be in a environment where they feel pressured to conform to someone they are not.

Weekends

2010-06-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

Weekends at work have been kicking my butt lately. I usually work a 12 hour day between the two jobs and my feet have the blisters to prove it. I don't mind it because I'm finally making some good money, but when I get tired I tend to slur and stumble over my words. The most memorable incident was when I was (trying) to tell my table about how the fondue forks would get hot it left in the pot. I tried to say "That will be the hot part" but as I was saying it I was thinking about fondue forks in my head and took the "f" from it and said "That will be the hot fart." I promptly turned extremely red and said "I meant hot part" and tried to laugh it off. Umm awkward? Yes, yes definitely.

I just realized how quickly this month is coming to an end. The year is almost half over! My sister is coming to visit on Friday, and we're going to a baseball game on Saturday where I think... my boyfriend is going to propose :-D Very exciting!

Greece

2010-06-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

I talked about wanting to take my future honeymoon somewhere in Europe a few days ago, and Amie suggested Santorini in Greece. Uhh best idea ever. I promptly spent the next 4 hours (obsessive much?) looking at pictures are researching different travel packages, which as she said, were pretty affordable.

This is Fira, the most populous city on the island. Look at how beautiful it is! It looks like the city Lena, from the Sisterhood of the ~~dropping~~ Traveling Pants, visited.

I can't even imagine how great that would be to go there. I'd have to fly from Athens to get there so I'd probably plan a couple days for us in Athens. Mainly because I LOVE world history (don't judge me, I was homeschooled) and would get to drool over things like the Acropolis.

Here is the dilemma though. While going there is definitely much more affordable than other places in Europe, it still it pretty expensive. And while browsing the hundreds of sites researching it, I came to find out it is a hot spot for weddings (no kidding right?). Would that be really selfish to get married there? My family wouldn't be able to afford to go... and would I even want to get married without them being present? Probably not. But we are going to be paying for our own wedding... so if we combined the expense of a wedding into a destination like that it would be so much cheaper. Why are weddings so ridiculously expensive anyways? A small wedding is starting to look more, and more attractive.

On another note I'm still watching Dollhouse where ever I can find it on the internet. Have you ever tried to watching an entire series online from one source? It's impossible! It's ridiculous and I feel like a crack addict searching all these websites trying to get my next fix/episode. Anyways that's what I'm off to trying to do now... wish me luck?

Banks

2010-06-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

I've never really liked banks. Maybe it's due to the fact that I rarely have a lot of money ha ha. They've always just made me feel uncomfortable and I used to hate them as a teenager because any time I went over on my account they would rape me with a $35 fee, repeatedly.

But today, I decided to open a savings account. It was spur the moment, sort of an impulse buy for savings (like how I just spent $30 at the dollar store, how does that happen?) but better because I get to keep the money. It's the adult thing to do right? So my teller introduces me to a short man named Mario who apparently is a banker and going to solve all of my saving (not plumbing) needs. Now if I'd really thought this through, I probably wouldn't have picked today because I haven't showered for awhile, and I was just planning on running quick errands where no one would have time to see much of me. So I'm sitting in his office thinking about my decision and remembering another reason why I don't like banks... it takes FOREVER to do anything.

I also realize that this morning, when it was hot, I thought it would be a fantastic idea to wear shorts, without really thinking about the last time I shaved my legs (6 DAYS AGO). So I'm staring at my amazingly hairy calves thinking about how it will be ok, because he is on the other side of the desk. Then another teller walks in and is standing next to me talking to him, while I'm awkwardly trying to get as much of my lower leg under his desk so the teller won't see them, and silently pray that they won't notice my greasy roots. She leaves after awhile but keeps coming back which keeps me repeating the trying to shove my legs under the desk. Fortunately she didn't notice anything, as least I don't think she did because I didn't see any disgusted looks on her face when she looked at me which is always a good thing. One of these days I'll have everything together and look good all the time... hopefully.

So now I am the owner of a savings account, which I haven't had since I was 12. I'm hoping to start saving for a honeymoon! I really want to go somewhere along the Mediterranean and it is EXPENSIVE, so the earlier I start the better right?

The post where I become extremely nerdy

2010-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

At work a few nights ago, a coworker and I were talking about video games. And yes, I am a video game nerd. I understand not everyone likes them, but I drool over trailers of upcoming games. I tend to drool a lot though on accident, which I blame on having previously having braces because I never drooled before (awkward). I blame my dad for the love of video games. We used to all go down to the basement when I was a kid and stand around watching each other play Microsoft dos games on the computer. Our favorite was Billy the Kid where you were the famed wild west bandit and had to make your way through the maze of the game. Later we moved onto better pc games, then nintendo and sega. In fact, I was going to originally move to Phoenix to be a video game designer. I found a school I was really considering that was affordable, and seemed really nice. Then I read a line about h

ow the closest thing they have to intramural sports... are LAN parties. LAN parties are where you hook up a bunch of consoles and have 16 player games. That was a bit too nerdy for me. I like video games, but I also like volleyball and boxing, and many other things that involve getting off of my ass. So I decided not to go.

Anyways, long tangent over. We were talking about Assassin's Creed and he was telling me about a show he had seen that was really similar to it called Dollhouse (at least similar in the way they manipulate your mind) and recommended it. I was skeptical at first but decided to check it out. So I start running it and it says "Created by: Joss Whedon" and I almost die from excitement. Joss Whedon? The creator of Firefly and Serenity? One of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. That Joss Whedon?

(My favorite show)

Yes, yes it was. So long story short I really enjoy the show and recommend it. It's not Firefly, but then again nothing is. If you haven't seen Firefly definitely give that a shot first because it is AMAZING!

After that I decided to look up Joss Whedon to see what else I was missing out on. Turns out he first started out working as a screen writer for Rosanne (very weird) and he is a 3rd generation screen writer. His dad was the screen writer for Golden Girls.

So genius must run in the family because I LOVE this show too. I know it's a weird combo to like but I just do. I really appreciate sarcasm and that comes out in the both of these shows.

So I will probably be watching Dollhouse for the rest of today ha ha. And maybe cleaning because my sister is coming in 2 weeks!

Old

2010-06-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I can not wait to be old. I think a lot of people dread it, but hopefully after 60-70 years on this earth I'll be ready for it.

First of all you can do almost anything you want in public and get away with it because people will excuse it due to your old age. Your pants can fall down, you can swear for no reason at strangers, you can sing little songs to yourself all the time, and no one really expects you to be completely sane anymore. As my grandma likes to say "You can fart and no one cares!" I'm not excited about that part of it especially, but obviously she it. My aunt was telling me how one day, her and my grandma went to Office Max to get some office supplies. They asked a sales associate to help them find something they needed. He took them to the spot where it was and it was on the bottom shelf. When my grandma bent over to get it she uhh.... let one rip. My aunt said she ran away one way down the aisle, and the associate ran the other.

One thing that would be hard though, would be much slower you get .Awhile ago when I was a waitress in Idaho, a really small town was having their 40th class reunion at our restaurant and I was serving their table. There were probably 8 or 9 older couples there. That day the fans in the kitchen went out, so eventually the smoke from the grill set the fire alarms off. Everyone bolted out of the restaurant except for my table of quite elderly people. They moved so slow that by the time we got it figured out and had the alarm turned off, they were only halfway to the door ha ha.

But overall, I think it's going to be a great age and I plan to enjoy it to the fullest.

Jinxed

2010-06-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Last night I was walking out to a table and in the hallway, a busser tried to avoid me (unsuccessfully of course of this story wouldn't be interesting) while carrying a large tray full of dirty dishes. He ended up knocking the tray against the wall, and the whole thing fell to the ground. I felt responsible because he was trying to avoid me (which made me feel like a huge fatass because he couldn't get around me) so I helped him clean up by sweeping up the glass. 10 minutes later, I hear another crash and go back to the same spot where a server has fallen carrying a tray of dessert. The reason he fell was because of the puddle left from the glasses of the last tray, that wouldn't have spilled if I hadn't been in the way. Oops!

So I was feeling pretty jinxed this morning at work to say the least and I was telling my coworker about the incidents from the night before. After awhile he went to get some water and, as he was pouring, the entire lid came out of the pitcher, as well as the contents of the full water pitcher, and spread all over the condiment counter and floor. He simply turns to me and says "You just refilled the water didn't you? And you didn't put the lid on tight enough..."

I'm pretty sure I should just be sent home early tonight because I've managed to cause a series of extreme messes, and all without directly doing them myself!

Not again

2010-06-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Know what is driving me nuts? Is when girls/women who weigh considerably less than me, complain about being fat. If they're fat, then I must be obese (and I'm not). It especially bugs me when they complain about their butt or thighs, that probably easily fit into a size 3 jean. I was nicknamed "thunder thighs" for a reason, muscle builds easily and quickly for me in the area and I'm pretty sure I've got twice as much as they do. And, they probably all shop in the petite section because they are tiny. GAH!

I've also decided that public restrooms are one of the most social awkward places to be in. You basically have to sit down and do your business 2 feet away someone, with a small piece of metal partition to separate you. And you always have to do it as quietly as possible, and you have to hurry because you're afraid someone might judge you if you're in there for awhile. It's just extremely awkward. Now I know why a lot of women I know don't use public restrooms.

There was a woman in the stall next to me the other day talking on her cell phone. How rude is that? What if someone in there had really bad gas? How would you explain that over the phone? "Oh sorry about that, the woman next to me is taking a gigantic dump, excuse the noise it should be over soon." Ridiculous.

Training

2010-06-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

I finished training over the weekend. It was pretty interesting to say the least. One server got overwhelmed when he got 2 tables at one time and FREAKED out, punching the walk-in refrigerator (and denting it considerably), breaking a couple of bottles of wine in the process.

We were given 3 shifts where we were supposed to follow a server to learn how to do everything, before we served tables solo. One server that I trained with had to do a 4th follow because he wasn't ready to start serving. His training server said he was just really slow and didn't seem to be picking things up (which was probably due to the two 32 oz. beers he had two hours before his shift).

On another note, my kitten is driving me nuts! She's very defiant with me, it's actually kind of comical. She's not that way with the bf, if she's scratching something and he tells her to stop, she does. If I do, she throws a fit and runs around furiously. She's a little suck up with him too ha ha. In the morning, if I get up first to go to work, she gets under the covers then pokes her head out where I was laying and looks like she's trying to be a human and sleeps next to him. It's really cute. Except that when he gets up first she doesn't keep sleeping. Oh no. She goes under the bed and starts ripping at the mattress with her claws. This has been happening consistently over the past couple months so that by the time he leaves the moment I hear her claws start ripping I'm ready with a glass of water. She still does it though. I think she's trying to usurp me as the woman of the house ha ha.

I like...

2010-06-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

It when people in SUVs or trucks go over speed bumps slower than the extremely old person in front of them did. As if their suspension on their 4 wheel drive vehicles can't take the bump.

Bing

2010-06-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

I really like the new search engine by Microsoft bing.com. It seems like the links are more relevant and quite a few less of them that don't relate to my search at all.

I was on their website a few days ago and was typing in "How to make bbq chicken in the oven" and when I got to How to make... the most searched option right underneath it was "How to make your man feel like a man." Ha ha ha why would you search for that? Which of course then got me really curious and I ended up following some of the links. Funny stuff.

I tried to find it again but I guess it changes all the time based on the most popular searches. Here is what I got this time:

I'm not sure what a diaper cake is... and I don't think I want to.

New job!

2010-06-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have orientation today at my new job at the Melting Pot! I'm really excited. I've always LOVED starting new jobs, I think new things in general make me happy, which is really weird because I'm a very long term employee. Or maybe that's the reason why, because I wait forever until I can't stand a job another second, then I work at if for a few months then get a new one. Maybe.

So I'll obviously be writing about my waitressing experiences quite a bit more. I'm hoping the majority of the redneck stuff I was subjected to in Idaho is now behind me... but irregardless of the class of people, they are always some crazies to bring a spot of sunshine to my life. My sister had a great conversation with a woman at one of her tables awhile ago.

We'll call my sister Toodles because that's my nickname for her. Her other childhood nickname was Pooter (or Poot n' Tooter if you want the full version, don't ask me why) and she'd probably murder me in my sleep if I used that.

So Toodles asked the people at her table if they wanted desert and the woman sitting there said:

Woman "Tell me about the red velvet cake."
Toodles "It's a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting."
W "Oh, so what's the red velvet cake like?"
T "It's red, and it's a cake. Red velvet cake."
W "Ohhh, so it's like chocolate cake?"
T "No, it's like red velvet cake. It's red, and it's cake."
W "Yes, but what is it like?"
T "Like cake, that's red."

I guess the woman, who was in her mid-forties, had never had red velvet cake. Which brings up the good question of how do you even describe it? It has a very unique taste.

So, I'm going to a birthday party tonight for a girl from work. It's nice actually having people invite us out ha ha. At least my friends anyways. I'm really starting to feel like this is home now.

Potty Talk

2010-06-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

The bf and I have been trying to eat healthier. And by that I mean we eat lots of fruits and veggies, ate sushi 4 times last week, had hotdogs for midnight snacks, a dinner of only wings, cheesecake, and beer, and pretty much ate everything in site over the weekend. Ahem. So we agreed last weekend was our last "binge" weekend because he wants to get back into body building. So lean meats, veggie, and fruits from here on out. Which I'm down for because I'd prefer not to have my love handles hang over the side of my bikini. One thing about Phoenix, with the weather so nice, you ALWAYS have to be swimsuit ready. Sucks.

So I made him a good breakfast this morning, and a healthy lunch and I get this text later.

I just pooped a horse :(

Umm sorry? Ha ha. I'll try to feed you non healthy foods from here on out.

Speaking of potty humour, I always have the weirdest things happen to me in public restrooms. First of all they're extremely awkward because where else are there bathrooms with gigantic slits of the walls missing? No where. And little kids are crazy, like the one that pulled herself into my stall for a little chat.

Another time my sister and I were sitting at our favorite cafe, using the wifi to feed our facebook addiction. There was a couch facing the back of the cafe and we were sitting on it, facing the restrooms. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a guy walking towards the men's restroom. He opens the door, looks in then promptly shuts it and runs out of the cafe. Weird right?

So maybe a minute later another guy walks up, opens the bathroom door, says "OH SHIT" and runs away again. So by now I'm a little curious, and I watch the 3rd guy walk up another minute later. Same reaction. Opens the door, looks in, runs away. So I'm really starting to wonder whats going on and by now my sister has noticed too. So we wait for whoever/whatever is in there to come out. The door opens and....
a little girl walks out ha ha. She is mad as a hornet too, little arms are rigid as she stomps over to her mother (my sister and I couldn't stop laughing because this poor little girl was so enraged at being walked in on 3 times while using the restroom). Her mom is behind us and we hear her saying "Why didn't you use the women's bathroom?" and "Well why didn't you lock the door sweetie?"

I realize it wasn't that funny to the little girl but the best part of it was the reactions from the guys. They must have felt like total perverts and consequently just ran away instead of having to face this little girl when she was done.

America

2010-06-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about Americans and the generation I'm growing up in. The more I look into it the more I feel like everyone is really messed up.

I hear so much everyday (possibly because I'm into health and trying to eat right) about how fat American's are and how bad all the fast food diet is. 300,000 people die from obesity related causes every year. That means that 300,000 ate themselves to death, in a year.

Then on the other side of the spectrum there are TONS of people with eating disorders trying to make themselves skinnier. They also are destroying their bodies, but in a method that involves more control. Over 11 million Americans are diagnosed with having an eating disorder.

27% of girls 12-18 have significant symptoms
31% of female college students
46% of 10 year old girls are dieting, have a fear of “fatness” or are binge eating
Doctors are seeing a growing group of women in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s with eating disorders
Although less common, boys and men can also have eating disorders, especially self-induced vomiting and inappropriate laxative use

(http://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/EDFFAQ.htm)

10 year old girls! You know where they are getting this from right? Their moms. I used to have a friend, and her mom had recently lost a lot of (unhealthy) weight. The problem was is that it started focusing my friend on her body and her weight. The girl was taller than me and thin as a rail, and yet all she could talk about were her diets and how fat she was. She was sitting next to me one day and commented on how fat her thighs were, so since we were sitting next to each other I told her to compare our legs. Mine were quite a bit bigger and I said that if her thighs were fat then I was an elephant.

It used to drive me up a wall when I was working in a restaurant and some little 6 year old girl would come in to eat with her mom and order diet coke. I wanted to slap her mom because:
A. Diet coke has aspartame, which is linked to head tumors.
B. If your going to diet, don't teach your kid that coke, which destroys the lining of you stomach and intestines, is ok because it says "Diet"
C. Why the hell is a 6 year old kid worried about her weight? That's morbidly disturbing and her parents are robbing her of her childhood.

I know you can argue that maybe she "likes" the taste of diet coke, but she wouldn't like it if it wasn't in her house in the first place, courtesy of her parents. Try getting her to "like" some juice or something that will actually give her body what it needs to function. Let her decide to destroy her body when she's older and smart enough to know the difference.

It would always kill me to, on the other hand, when an extremely fat little kid would come in, and their parents would let them order off the adult menu. Really? There that big and you think you should feed them an 1800 calorie Country Fried Steak, with 300 calories of extra gravy, and take the corn on the cob off for more mashed potatoes and gravy (500 more calories), start off with a 1800 calorie wing appetizer, and end with a 1200 calorie dessert. Wow, model parents right there. If you love your children you should take the time to ensure they are healthy and eat right. Not indulge them in whatever they want because kids are too young to decide what's best for them.

Roommates

2010-05-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago the bf and I had some relationship problems so I decided to move out until we got engaged... except it backfired because while I am technically moved out, I'm at his place 80% of the time ha ha. Mainly because it still feels like home... and that's where all the free food is!

But I did move in with some girls from work, which is going really well. Probably because none of us are home enough to annoy the crap out of each other, but I'm glad that our friendship is staying intact so far. Most roommate situations don't go that well, as I'm sure you know.

My first roommate was when I was 20 and couldn't take staying in my parents house any longer. I tried to because they wanted me to stay while I was going to college, since I had to pay for my classes. But when you're sister who is 3 years younger had a later curfew... it's time to leave.

So I moved in with a girl from work. The whole time I was there, I felt like I was in her house, not ours. I'd get a text message asking if I'd left a dvd on the coffee table, or my hair spray out on the bathroom counter. So I had to make sure I always left things how she wanted. One day I had some cereal so I text her to see if I could use some of her milk. No response so I assumed she wouldn't mind sharing, because I'd always told her to help herself to anything of mine. I got a text later telling me that I couldn't because it was her boyfriends. Too late. Got another text that night, asking me if I'd used the milk anyways. I explained what happened and offered to buy another gallon of milk for him to make up for it, and she made me do it! A whole gallon because I used some to put in my cereal bowl. Hmmm.

I know her boyfriend and he wouldn't have cared but she was really weird about the smallest things. It got to the point that I was spending much more time at my parents than the apt so I could avoid doing anything to piss her off. So after her boyfriend pretty much started living with us (and there was no door between our rooms) I decided to move out. She seemed genuinely hurt that I was leaving but I couldn't bring myself to tell her why. I'm super non-confrontational, especially back then.

Next roommate I wasn't too sure about at first, but then ended up being my best friend. We were both really sharing and social people. We weren't super clean people, but we picked up after ourselves, put the trash out when it was full, vacuumed every week or so, but weren't anal about having everything in it's place. So later on when one of her friends was having a hard time financially, she decided to let her move into her room with her. BIG mistake.

The girl would complain that she couldn't find a good job, but then would play Nintendo for 8 hours a day. I know because I'd start it up at the end of the day and it would say how long the play time had been. Then she started leaving stuff everywhere... candy wrappers, bowls half full of speghetti, smelly used socks, peanut m&m's on the couch. The worst thing though, was when my friend opened the microwave... and there was half of a raw chicken in a bowl sitting in there. We told her about it and she said she'd put it in there a few days ago and forgot about it. WTF?! The best part is that she said she'd clean it up, and... ONE WEEK LATER we threw it out ourselves because it was smelling up the apartment.

It pretty much went down hill from there.

So I'm pretty glad my new roommates are really relaxed about stuff and when we are together we get along well. They are some of my few friends that I've made here and I like hanging out with them. I've come to realize that there is some roommate etiquette when you live with other people.
1. Clean up after yourself.
2. Pay your bills and rent on time (in other words be responsible)
3. Don't expect people to share with you, if you don't share with them.
4. Be respectful of others. It's always better to ask if they mind if you do something, than assume they won't and have them hate you for it.

You'd think this would be common sense but I guess for some people it isn't.

Anyone else have any roommate horror stories? :)

Boxing

2010-05-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

One thing I've been really missing lately is boxing. I used to be involved with it a lot, and I fought as an amateur a few times. The weird thing about it, is that I am not a very aggressive person. Outside of sparring, it takes a lot for me to get to the point where I'd ever want to hit someone, so far in fact that I never have ha ha.

(I wish this was me but sadly I'm not an shape like they are)

I've only been part of a fight once (here comes one of my great Idaho redneck stories), and I couldn't bring myself to hit the girl because she was too drunk. We were at a party at a friends house, my little sister and I, and her best friend. The BF I guess hung out with a guy awhile back (girls hold onto grudges like fat kids to cake) and his new girl at the time got extremely mad about it and decided she wanted to fight the BF while she was completely drunk. We were all stone cold sober at this point and this girl kept pursuing the BF all over the place, trying to get in her face and make her hit her. The BF, who normally is confrontational, kept backing off because this girl was ridiculously drunk.

So eventually punches started to be thrown by the girl, who probably never threw a punch in her life based on the way she was trying to hit the BF, and we just stood back and let out friend handle it. Well all the girls bitch friends started punching the BF in the back of the head so my little sister flew to her friends defense. Literally. She hurled herself around the BF and with one punch, sent the girl to the ground, where I held her down in a choke hold just until she calmed down then we let her back up. But even then when the girl was hitting the BF who I consider to be a little sister, I couldn't bring myself to really hurt her, just restrain her.

Which brings me to another point. If girls started doing boxing or martial arts more, there would be a lot less bitches in the world. I'm serious. If we could take out our anger and jealousies, whatever, on a punching bag instead of each other, life would be so much better. Which is why I really loved it. I would go to practice a couple times a week, and at the end of it I'd be so exhausted I couldn't help but like everybody. Being mad takes too much energy :)

Light at the end of the tunnel

2010-05-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

I got a job at the Melting Pot! It's a high end fondue restaurant...

(How could you say no to this? Especially filled with chocolate!)

So I'm very excited because I'll actually start making a livable income now ha ha. And hopefully I can go back to DC to visit my brother. He is progressing REALLY well! He's gotten a lot of the mobility back in his 2 fingers and thumb, the swelling is going down, and he should be out of the hospital finally after a few days, once he gets a skin graph.

I'm also hoping to go to Idaho for a friends wedding reception. He's one of those friends that was a good friend to me and my brother and sister (we're all 3 years apart so we had a lot of mutual friends). Even after he moved to go to college we stayed good friends. I think the best friends are the ones that realize that when you move away, it's ok that we don't talk a lot and you don't have to work to keep the friendship. We'll just hang up when we're back in the same place and pick up where we left off. He was one of those people, and I'm so excited he's getting married!

I have the next few days off so I'm hoping to get some swimming or hiking in maybe. The weather has been really nice, under 90 degrees which everyone here says isn't normal, it's usually above 100. I'm scared of the summer! Ha ha. I lived in a desert before, but not here where it easily gets to 115 degrees for the entire summer. I'm hoping my blood has thinned out since I've been here for 9 months now, but I doubt it has fully. AHHH I'm going to die!

Tacky

2010-05-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

I can usually deal with customers complaining, but this one was especially good today. This conversation takes place after the customer and her husband order and are going to pay.

Me: I'm sorry ma'am, we don't accept Starbucks gift cards. Only Barnes & Noble gift cards.

I have this conversation SEVERAL times a day, every day I work. I'm patient because I understand it is confusing, but I don't like it when people treat me like it's my fault.

Woman: This is a Starbucks.

I'm pretty sure I know where I work and get my paychecks from, ma'am.

Me: Actually we are a Barnes & Noble Cafe, and Starbucks is the brand of coffee we serve... but we're not owned by them.

Woman: That's ridiculous. I can't believe you'd do that. Let's go to Starbucks.

As if the threat of her leaving might magically make us accept the gift cards. I can't. I would take your card if I could, but I can't.

So she turns to go, and her husband thinks she's being slightly ridiculous, so he hands me his debit card to pay. And the woman continues to complain.

Woman: This is ridiculous, it makes this place so... tacky. It's tacky that you don't accept Starbucks gift cards.

No it doesn't, but the leopard print leggings you are wearing as pants, those definitely are tacky. I'm not really sure you realize this but, I'm not getting paid enough to put up with your crap and make your coffee. So I'm just going to make your coffee and let you go on with your obviously happy life.

Money

2010-05-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

On the job hunt again. Kind of frustrating how hard it is to get a job here. I started a new job a few weeks back, and it lasted about 3 days (they tricked me). They said they were a marketing company that focused on face-to-face interactions with customers, a new alternative to traditional advertising, blah blah blah. It all sounded so nice and professional, until I actually went to train, and then it turns out that I would be a door-to-door salesman at businesses. NO THANK YOU. Not gonna do it, nope. I'm not walking around Phoenix, during the summer with 120 degree weather, having people yell at me and treat me like a dog because I'm "trying to sell something." And honestly the product I was selling was really good and would have saved them money, but they wouldn't even speak with me. That kind of a job is too depressing and degrading for me. And it didn't help that the only way the last guy I trained with sold anything, was if there were women working and he was shamelessly flirting with them. So I ran away from that job REALLY fast.

I'm breaking down and going to apply at some restaurants today. I know I said I'd never be a waitress again, BUT I need some money to pay off debt and save for a wedding, and this is pretty much my only option at this point. I'm applying at the Melting Pot, which has an average per person order of $45!!!! I know, you probably think I'm selling out for money, but if I can make as much as working my part time job for a week, in one night of waiting on tables, you bet your butt I'm selling out! At least for the time being. Fine dining restaurants are so much nicer because you don't get the rednecks and hillbillies (I'm slightly bitter) coming in. The worst were cowboys, when I used to work at a restaurant in Idaho, because they would scrape the cow crap off their boots under the table. Thanks. I really wanted to pick up cow shit today.

SO, wish me luck in finding a non-redneck friendly restaurant to work at ;)

2010-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

Ha ha ha I loved this! These people have to be in JR High right? Please? Ha ha.

So yesterday was a pet peeve day at work. I'm really just starting to wonder why people think it's ok to interrupt other people when they're talking to someone else. I will be standing at the counter, actively talking to a customer, and as I'm speaking to them some crazed person will bolt up to the counter will an urgent "I need to know or the world is going to end" look in their eye and say "DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THE STIR STICK STRAWS!?!?" To which I would like to reply "No sir, do you have any manners?" But I don't because I'm getting paid to be nice to them, unfortunately. And sadly, they have to make do with the wooden stir sticks so I don't want to make their day any more difficult...

Ohhh yes, and I almost forgot. The cherry on top of the cake ha ha. One of my friends works in the kids section (you already know this is going to be nasty now, don't you) at Barnes & Noble, and when she was back there she found a Tinkerbell gift bag that she could tell had stuff in it. So she opened it to see what was in it and possibly return it to the lost and found. Bad idea. Someone had decided to change their kids dirty diaper in the kids section... instead of the bathroom which has a changing table and is 50 ft away. They fortunately decided to take the diaper, but left the dirty wet wipes there... in the Tinkerbell bag. Things like this really make people LOVE working with the public ha ha ha.

Look a likes

2010-05-14T00:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had someone tell you that you look just like someone else? And when they show you that person they think you look like, they're very ugly? And socially retarded? It's kind of happened a lot to me and I am started to wonder if I'm uglier that I think I am, ha ha.

My dad used to tell me he always thought I'd grow up to be like this girl at our church who wore glasses (not the cute trendy kind, I'm talking about the straight up geeky kind with the tiny rims), had the body of a little boy, and the personality of a sock. Umm thank you? Ha ha I think he must have seen some qualities in her that I didn't (at least I hope so and that it wasn't a subtle hint on his part that nobody liked me).

Different people have done this at different points in my life with other people too. And I realize I'm not the most attractive person in the world... but I'm at least decent looking. All the people I'm compared to are just straight up weird looking. And weird in general. I've mentioned before that I was homeschooled. BUT, I pride myself on having turned out normal. And by normal I mean you can't tell that I was homeschooled. The people I'm compared to... have the social skills of a 3rd grader.

It's really starting to hurt my tiny ego ha ha.

D-bags

2010-05-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed those people who take up 2 parking spots? Usually they have pretty nice cars and I understand them not wanting to get dinged or scratched. Hell if I had a $100,000+ car I wouldn't want it getting messed up either by a careless child flying out of a minivan, or someone who is so morbidly obese they can't help hitting other people's cars because they have to open their door completely to get out of their car. It just happens. So I can understand when people do it, if it's a really nice car, and they do it in a space far from the store so they don't inconvenience other people. But nothing says "douche bag" more than someone with a completely normal car doing it. I was walking into my job the other day and some asshole parked in 2 spots... with a completely stock '08 Mustang.... SERIOUSLY?! No special paint job, no body work or other modifications. Nothing. And they thought their car was worth parking in 2 spots for... it wasn't. I saw the owner walking up to it as I was walking in and oddly enough it was a SINGLE guy. Hmmm, maybe if you didn't think you were such hot shit because of a car you completely over-rate, you'd get a girl to actually hang out with you. Maybe.

So lately people have been mistaking my boyfriend for some kind of celebrity. He's had a couple people ask for his autograph and random people saying hi or waving at him. Which I thought was kind of funny... until someone started taking our picture in Ikea. Umm awkward?! We have no idea who people think he is either which is really weird. Someone asked him if he "that guy on the billboard" and that's pretty much our only clue ha ha. So he's going to ask the next person who they think he is so we can figure this out.

Beauty

2010-05-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the above video, if you haven't already watched it. It's crazy how I'll look at the finished product and then wish I looked like that when in reality, no one looks like that. I think honest things like this are really important. I keep seeing things about girls with eating disorders, or body dysmorphic disorders, and I start to wonder how much the media really does play into this. I always here how "unrealistic" all of the Hollywood stuff was, but I think it's finally sinking in how much our view of beauty has been distorted. We're striving to be something that isn't physically possible.

I've never been a big fan of Britney Spears. Not even when I was younger. BUT, she recently release some untouched photos of herself.

I really have to commend her for doing this. Here's the sad thing too, she really has a rocking body, especially for having a couple kids. I HOPE I look that good after I have kids. But society doesn't consider that beautiful anymore because it's not perfect. I think a lot more people in the media spotlight should take it upon themselves as a responsibility to release stuff like this too. Show us that they are human too and imperfections are okay. Unfortunately we all can't look photoshop perfect.

Here's the thing about beauty too. I think the most beautiful people I have met, aren't the most attractive people I've even seen. What makes them truly beautiful are the things on the inside. Their beauty isn't something you see right away, but something that unfolds as you get to know their character. I want to be more like those girls, not the plastic barbies.

DC

2010-05-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

I'm in Washington DC now with my brother at the hospital. It's harder than I thought it would be but it's so, so good to see him. Even if he is a grumpy bastard ha ha. I guess the day we got here was the hardest day for him so far. He's getting tired of being in pain, and incapacitated, and attached to tubes, and in the bed all day, ect. He showed me all the work they did. They took a graph from his back (skin, muscles, nerves) and wrapped it around his hand because he's basically missing most of his palm. Anyways, by the time he was done showing me all the staples in his back, and the massive piece of tissue attached to his hand, I almost passed out. I had already seen pictures so you think I would have been ok, but just seeing it all and seeing how he was in pain really effected me.

I think it's also a good way for him to come back from war. It's always a hard adjustment, but I think that since he's pretty much still cut off from society, and he's with his family, it will help him adjust more slowly which is good. Give him his time.

So today will be better. I've got some music for him, I'll probably read him some books I read. It's nice to be a whole family again. When a soldier is deployed you just never know it that will happen again, and it feels wonderful to be reunited again.

Bills

2010-04-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

So I've been kind of caught up with the SB 1070 bill (the immigration bill) that was just passed in Arizona by Governor Brewer. I know this is aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants, but in the process is violating American citizen's rights.

This is what the 4th amendment says (and please don't take my word for it, research this stuff on your own if it interests you):

Arrest

Of course, when a person is arrested and taken into police custody, they have been seized (e.g., a reasonable person who is handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car would not think they were free to leave). A person subjected to a routine traffic stop on the other hand, has been seized, but is not "arrested" because traffic stops are a relatively brief encounter and are more analogous to a Terry stop than to a formal arrest.^[31] A police officer does not have the authority to arrest someone for refusing to identify himself when he is not suspected of committing a crime.^[32] A search incidental to an arrest that is not permissible under state law does not violate the Fourth Amendment, if the arresting officer has probable cause.

So what would be probable cause for an officer to think someone is an illegal immigrant? Skin color? Accent? That is absolutely racial profiling. Not only that, but if I haven't committed a crime, then a police officer has no right to ask for me for identification, as listed above.

Warrant

Under the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement must receive written permission from a court of law, or otherwise qualified magistrate, to lawfully search and seize evidence while investigating criminal activity. A court grants permission by issuing a writ known as a warrant. A search or seizure is generally unreasonable and unconstitutional, if conducted without a valid warrant,^[36] and the police must obtain a warrant whenever practicable.^[37] Searches and seizures without a warrant are not considered unreasonable if one of the specifically established and well-delineated exceptions to the warrant requirement applies.^[38]

Here are some of the things that bother me about the bill (AGAIN, whether you're for or against this bill, please read it yourself):

ARTICLE 8 SECTION E.
E. A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, WITHOUT A WARRANT, MAY ARREST A PERSON IF THE OFFICER HAS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE PERSON HAS COMMITTED ANY PUBLIC OFFENSE THAT MAKES THE PERSON REMOVABLE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

Is this serious?! They are overstepping their bounds. And if you don't think that they will do this, they already have. Check out this article here about an American born-citizen who was ARRESTED even while he was carrying a state issued ID and gave them his valid SSN.

I can't believe this is happening and people support this. I'm assuming it's because they don't know what the bill entails and will really allow law authorities to get away with.

Women. Are. Bitches.

2010-04-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

So where to begin? Hmm... I really wish I had my life back from a few weeks ago ha ha. Back when I had everything together. Yah, that would be nice.

I got another call from the girl my boyfriend had been talking to. She confessed she had lied a lot to me, that they had talked and flirted a little, but that was it. And when he told her it needed to stop, that he needed to fix things with me, she got really jealous and vengeful. So she called me up for the first time 2 weeks ago and told me some lies, mixed with just enough truth that I believed her. I'm kind of stupid in that sense. I always assume that since I don't lie to people, they won't lie to me. But the truth is that people lie all the time, a lot of times for no reason at all.

So I'd been putting him through hell, accusing him of sleeping with her and anything she told me had happened. Then after I'd finally broken things off with him completely, she had felt so guilty she called me and confessed she had lied about it all. Wow.

I don't really understand how you could even do that to someone to even begin with. Want to know why I can't? Because I would never, ever fucking do that to ANYONE. Women can be so crazy and malicious. I suppose men can too, but when it comes to revenge, women take cake.

So I'm going to move out, but we're still dating and we're going to work through this. Starting with him going to talk to my parents face-to-face to explain what happened and ask if they are still ok with him marrying me (which was his idea). Chivalry isn't dead ladies and gentlemen :)

P.S. The Army is getting me a ticket to go see my brother for free. WHOOHOOO!

Relief

2010-04-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

I got to talk to my brother today, he is doing pretty well. He lost his pinkie, ring finger, and part of that side of his hand, but the rest is good.

I think the most heart wrenching thing about this was we didn't know if he'd lost all of his fingers, or not. If you know my brother, he is one of the most talented guitarists you'll ever hear. I'm not just saying that because he's my brother, I'm saying that as a musician of 20 years and knowing what I'm talking about. I've seen John Petrucci from Dream Theater live and he's gone nothing on my little bro. So to think that his passion in life could have been taken from him, made me cry more than anything. But it was for nothing because he's ok and got all the important fingers left. He can still flip people off if he wants to as well, which is always good ha ha.

Last night was the night I finally severed anything that was left of my relationship with the Ex. Why does this stuff always get to dragged out? Love is such a powerful emotion. So, while it wasn't pretty, I'm still here for him and I'll take care of him the best I can, from a friends perspective. Uggghhh so much to deal with at one time.

Rain

2010-04-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

You never realize how good life is at the time you're living it, until it changes. You're always so focused on the little things that are bothering you to stop, and just truly enjoy the good things in your life. And when it changes, you suddenly realize how truly blessed you were, and know that it can never be that way again.

Life changes. Sometimes, it changes for good, and sometimes for bad. The only thing you can be sure of, is that it will change. What you do with the change is entirely up to you, but it's a sad parting because even if life does get better in some ways, in other ways you can never have it back the way it was.

It can never be the way it was.

I think childhood is like that. At least I hope it is for everyone, although I know a lot of kids don't have happy childhoods. For me though, I was blessed with parents who gave us that. So many times, I just wish I could go back to that happiness, having our family all together and just... living and being together. I was always so focused on the more negative things though when I was a kid, how mom wouldn't let me have candy, or my friend couldn't come over. Really stupid petty things, and I wish I could go back and tell myself to just enjoy life. Just stop, look around at the people who love you, and just appreciate it.

We got a call this morning from the Army. My brother is in Afghanistan and they called to tell us he had been in an accident, and that his right hand had been shot with a .50 cal gun. If you don't know what those are, they and HUGE guns. He will lose a couple fingers, we're not sure what exactly though. I just want him home alive, and that fact that he is coming back alive makes me so grateful. I was just hoping against hope that he would come back uninjured. But the more I learn about war, the more I realize that no one comes back whole. Whether it's physical or mental, it harms some part of them.

The question is, am I going to stop now and appreciate what I do have? Will I be grateful for the time I do now have with him? Or will I dwell on his loss? Please God help me appreciate that my brother is coming back and that I get to have him in my life for awhile longer.

Prom

2010-04-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again.

That time when girls wear hideously huge dresses, and wonder why they look fat. When they spend so much on fake tans, nails, make, hair, and accessories, and end up looking more like a plastic creation or barbie than a beautiful girl. When guys spend a ridiculously large amount of money to get laid, if they're lucky. If not they just blew a bunch of money hoping to. Next time save it for a prosty, your chances are much better. It's prom season!

I went to prom my junior year. Which is kind of surprising for two reasons... I was homschooled... and I didn't put out. I don't think I'd even kissed a guy at that point. But I got asked by a very nice foreign exchange student, who I couldn't understand half the time. Since my options were limited and I didn't think he'd be asking me to show him my boobs by the end of the night (at least if he did I wouldn't be able to understand it) I decided to go.

Prom is supposed to be this magical evening that's one of the highlights of your high school years. Instead it's a bunch of kids dressed up in really uncomfortable clothes, attempting to dance in a high school gym that's 'supposed' to be reminiscent of Paris. It's still a gym, and no matter how many pictures and christmas lights you put up everywhere, I can still see the bleachers pushed up against the wall.

Everything is so expensive too. The flowers and dinner. My favorite part of the evening was when we stopped by someone's house and played Halo with a bunch of other people. In fact I would have preferred to stay there all evening because my dancing skills are... horrible. Every time I try I just end up looking around and asking "Do I look as retarded as everyone else around me?"

Big waste of time.

Life

2010-04-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

I've really been thinking about what I want to do with my life now. Not just what I think is expected of me, but what will make me happy and fulfilled. The number one thing I want to do is to continue traveling the world.

One of my favorite trips so far has been to Argentina. I went with my church a few years back to help build a convention center and start some churches. Before you go off thinking I'm some crazy fanatical "REPENT NOW OR GO TO HELL" type of person, let me assure you I'm not. I'm a christian, but I'll never push anything on anyone. The best thing about these church trips, honestly, are that they are incredibly cheap and you get to interact with the locals in a way you never could with a tour guide.

I had to share a room with 23 other women (bunk beds to be exact), a bathroom with 2 toilets, 3 showers, and 2 mirrors and sinks. If I was any kind of a high maintenance girl, it would have been hell. But fortunately my hygiene standards aren't that high, especially in foreign countries where no one knows me or cares.
I just remember getting up to the room we shared, after spending 8 hours in the hot sun mixing and pouring concrete, and listening to women bitching about how the outlets didn't work with their flat irons. They basically sat in the room all day unless they went shopping at a store across the street (basically the Argentine version of Walmart) or to the zoo or something. I almost felt sad for them because they were miserable not doing anything. They missed SO much by not being willing to help out.

I got soooo much out of just being around the locals. I remember one day on the weekend, we went to a store and we asked an associate to help us find something. He started taking us around the store to find it, when we ran into one of his friends. He stopped while we were following him and greeted his friend and started talking to him. He seemed to have forgotten about us, and I remember after a few minutes of them chatting, I started to get angry thinking "We're the customers, we should come first." Actually, we shouldn't. That was my first reaction as an American, but when I really thought about it, the relationships with our family and friends should be MUCH more important that a strangers. Our way of thinking is kind of twisted, we want what we want and we want it now. Companies are so focused on making money that our personal relationships have been tossed to the side. That way of thinking is wrong.

I want to continue to keep growing as a person and looking at the world from a different perspective so I hope I can travel for the rest of my life.

Jobs

2010-04-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

So I'm trying to find a more stable, regular-hours job. Me. Never thought I'd be saying that because I like really flexible schedules. BUT I do want to have my nights and weekends free, and the day jobs tend to pay more. So I'm sending out my resume left and right hoping to get a call back for something.

I don't mind sending out my resume. But what I have problems with are cover letters. I understand they are important (if they weren't I'd never send one out) but they're just difficult for me to write. Basically you have to tell a company how fantastic and perfect you are for them... without coming across as an arrogant asshole. I'm one of those people that would like you to get to know me and notice the good things (and bad) about me without being told. So having to tell someone how 'perfect" I am for their position... uggghhhh it's just hard because I feel like I'm coming across arrogant. And you can't put little smiley faces or anything because that's immature (I am 23 for crying out loud).

So my little kitten has been throwing tantrums. I've never had a cat like this, but that is literally what she does. She doesn't like to be left home alone and she has been a lot this past week because I was gone. So whenever I come home she makes it her number one goal to show me how pissed off she is that she got left behind. This generally includes galloping across my lap or laptop, bouncing off my head, climbing the screen door on the patio, knocking over her water dish, ripping up the couch, and just about anything else she can think of. I always know when she's mad because she runs as fast as she can all over the living room floor. It's kind of funny but I think I need to get another kitty to keep her company because it takes the little bitch a couple hours to calm down now.

Reality

2010-04-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

On Easter I found out my boyfriend has another girlfriend. He tried to make it seem like it wasn't serious. I decided that this was something we could work through if he was willing, which he seemed like he was.

I checked the phone records before I left on Wednesday. It wasn't over between them, they'd been talking every more. I was left staring at the computer screen, unable to stop shaking as rage/hurt rushed over me in debilitating waves. It's over between us. I cried a little, got my self under control, then got on the plane to Idaho to be with me family for a week.

What do you do when all the plans for your future are wrapped around someone who doesn't even want you? How do you even begin to think of what to do? Fortunately he was a complete asshole about it, saying it was my fault and things like that, which has definitely gave me closure. Thank God I wasn't a complete wreck and managed to celebrate my dads 60th bday with him.

So now I'm back in Phoenix. I'm going to start picking up the completely shattered pieces of my life, taking the good things and moving forward. And I'm leaving that lying bastard behind and never looking back.

Leaving, on a jet plane...

2010-04-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving this afternoon for Idaho, woohoo! I'm so excited to see the family, and all my old friends. Some of them whom I haven't seen for well over a year. I have 2 babies too take a look at since my friends popped them out when I wasn't there (how rude, they should have waited), and another friend with one on the way. CRAZY. I wonder if the feeling of being an adult is always going to feel this weird with each step in life, or if someday I'll just accept it... probably not.

I need to stop blogging and make the bf some food (he says he can take care of himself but that always consists of making peanut butter sandwiches so I don't believe him). I'm not going to see him for 11 days because he leaves for a business trip right before I get home, and that's very depressing. We've been having our up and downs lately but I think no matter what, I always want to be around him. I know the year of long distance dating made us appreciate being around each other more so than a lot of couples. I'll really miss him.

I also need to pack ha ha. I intentionally procrastinate because I love packing light and if I start any sooner than 24 hours in advance I end up bringing half of my closet and bathroom with me, plus some. So at least this way I don't go "Ohh yah, I should bring this..." and pack a bunch of stuff I never see until I'm unpacking again. The best part about seeing my sister is, we're the same size, so I literally could bring no clothes (with the exception of undies, OBVIOUSLY) and just wear her shit. Which I'm counting on doing because I'm only bringing a carry-on ha ha. I don't want to dig out my old winter clothes anyways.

I can't wait to fly. I love it like a fat kid loves cake. All the excitement of the airport, everyone going somewhere. I love it! Airports mean I'm going somewhere, going to have some exciting new experience, or simply coming back home. Looking up at the flight information monitors and dreaming about sneaking on a flight to some distant country. Wondering the destination of each person I pass. I love the anonymity of it, no one looks at you or bothers you. It's one of my favorite places to just be alone.

I better go pack!

Daddy

2010-04-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

My dad's 60th birthday is coming up. Wow. I really wish everyone could meet him, because everyone deserves a dad like him. I want to dedicate this post to him and why I love him so much.

I want to thank my dad for always being available whenever I needed him. He always made sure he was around for everything. It's said that a girl's choice in the men she chooses to love, is reflective of her dad. I want to thank my dad for setting the bar so high.
For showing me that a man does whatever it takes for his family.
That a man stays true and faithful and loves his wife. 25 YEARS OF MARRIAGE! Everyday longer I'm with my fiance I realize how much that required and what that really means. What a selfless love.
That a dad is more than the income provider, that he is a source of comfort and love and great wisdom.
That a dad puts aside his dreams until his children are grown up because they are not a responsibility to be taken lightly.

I want to thank my dad for still loving me, even through the years of me being a little shit head (teenage years and up). Even if we were fighting he still would do anything for me. That taught me that true love has no boundaries, it has no pride, and has no limitations.

My dad taught me to have no prejudices. That everyone is a human being and needs to be accepted.

My dad taught me that being a christian isn't going to church to get your "get out of hell free" card. Christianity means loving people, in any way possible. Loving the unlovely and embracing the outcasts of the earth. It's about bringing hope to people with no hope, and finding an even greater hope along the way. It's about never judging and always accepting. It's about getting past ourselves, and finding new ways to reach out to people.

He has taught me so much and I am so grateful for the time I have been allowed to be with him and for the time I will have in the future. I love you daddy.

Tattoo

2010-04-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to get a tattoo for awhile now. I've put a lot of time and thought into it because I've seen too many tattoos that look fucking retarded.

I had a friend that called me out of the blue one time, to see if I'd take her to get a tattoo. We'd kind of grown apart lately, she always seemed to have a new boyfriend she was caught up in. She'd taken a pretty strong pain killer and wasn't sure how it would effect her driving so she asked if I'd do the driving. Why would you get a tattoo if you were so scared of getting it you had to take medication? But I agreed and we went. On my way over to her place I was thinking about how she'd never really said anything about wanting a tattoo before... I hadn't hung out with her a lot lately, but she didn't really seem like the type to get tatted up. So I pick her up and drive out to the tattoo shop... that she has never been to before... to get tattooed by an artist she's never met. WOW. You're going to permanently put something on your body based on a quote you got over the phone, and not the artist's actual work. I was appalled. And, to top it off, either this shop, or one with the same name (same owner) had recently given someone Hepatitis from getting either a tattoo or piercing from them. SKETCHY.

So we're at the shop and we're waiting for the tattooist to draw up her tattoo and I'm still trying to figure out why she is getting one, when in walks her (what I call) 'boyfriend of the week.' Absolutely covered in tattoos and I just cringe. She is getting a tattoo to impressed her new boyfriend who she literally, has been dating for a week. GAAAAHHHH HOW CAN YOU DO THIS? IT'S PERMANENT. THE BF WILL NOT BE! Thank God she was getting it on her side where it is easy to hide other wise I'm not sure I would have been able to let here get it. So before she even starts to get tattooed, bf of the week has to take off to go to a party. The whole situation is almost comical at this point. I almost want to cry for this girl too because knowing her track record, this relationship will not last. So she finishes getting her tattoo and I drive her home, vowing to myself over and over that:

1. I will never get a tattoo for a guy. Unless I'm married to him. I don't want something permanently on me reminding me of a failed relationship.
2. I will take the time to find an artist that can do an amazing job on my tattoo, and I will pay the higher price for it because it will be on me permanently.
3. I will take my time thinking about a tattoo, and how it will effect me later in life. No spur the moment tattoos. Just something that represents a part of me that I will always like.

Relationships

2010-04-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the relationships people have with one another. The relationships between siblings. The relationships between you and your parents. The relationships with your different friends. All complex and unique. I've started to realize how selfish I am when it comes to them. Most of the time I can only think of myself and how the relationships are effecting myself. But that is absolutely ridiculous, because I don't care who you are, at some point in your life a relationship is going to be strained, and all you can think about is how it's effecting you. How they are so annoying and selfish. How they never see your side.

But how many times do we STOP, and look at their side? How many times do we ask the question, am I the one causing the tension? In my case pretty much never ha ha. But I've really been trying to lately. I think the best piece of advice I've ever heard (I think it was from my mom), was that if things aren't going well in a relationship, you can't expect the other person to change. What you can do (if the relationship is worth it), is change for them.

Basically if someone is doing something annoying, you can't make them stop, not if they really don't want to. What you can do is to stop letting it annoy you. Which drove me nuts at the time. If someone loved me, they'd change for me right? Well hopefully. But really the only thing that we can control in relationships is how we deal with problems and situations come up. We can never control the other person, only ourselves. So ultimately our happiness is up to ourselves. Should we have relationships with people that always take and never give? No, that's unhealthy. But should we look in the mirror and consider giving this time instead of taking? Absolutely.

Customers... again

2010-03-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

I had a gem of a customer last night. Yes, a real embodiment of a classy woman. Yes, I am completely lying.
I was getting the clean dishes from the back when I hear a woman yell "HEY." And by yell, I mean the entire store easily heard her. I was in the back maybe 15 seconds at this point since last checking to see if I had any customers waiting.
So I grab the dishes and make my way to the front and there is an ENORMOUS woman standing there with her very little boy. She tells me she'd like me to ring up a book for her because the line at the bookside registers is too long. I look over and there's a few people standing in line. So I ring it in then ask what she wants to drink. Her little boy starts to say something and she just rips into him "NO, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING. DO YOU THINK SHE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU A FREE DRINK? BECAUSE I'M NOT PAYING FOR ANYTHING." Yes ma'am, public humiliation is a great way to teach your child. So it turns out she doesn't want a drink, she just wants me to ring in her book because her damn lazy ass can't wait 2 minutes in line to get rung up. So I have to be inconvenienced and not get the work done that I need to because she's too impatient to be treated like every other customer. Are you fucking serious right now? I'm surprised she wasn't too lazy to walk the 50 yards over to the cafe for me to ring her book up.

Oh my

2010-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

In case you can't read the top, this is a sign for a church.... ha ha ha hahaha. How out of touch with reality do you have to be to think that this is appropriate? Dear old Idaho... there are just somethings about you I will never miss ha ha.

So my new favorite quote from is from Patti Stanger, who is the Millionaire Matchmaker. Is the show mindless trash? Pretty much, but she does throw out some solid advice sometimes (OK, I admit it. I watch it to laugh at all the gold diggers). Anyways, now that that's all cleared up, the quote is "Beauty fades. Dumb is forever." Basically you can like someone, just because they're attractive, but that eventually goes away. But do you really want to be with someone who has the mental capacity of Barney when you're older. NO.

Now I love this quote because I was never the pretty sister.Let me explain. Growing up, I had the dark hair and eyes and really messed up teeth. My little sister on the hand, pretty much was the epitome of an angel. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, and just a beauty people were drawn to. I grew up hearing compliment after compliment about how pretty she was, how lovely her hair was, how beautiful she was going to be when she grew up, blah blah blah.I, on the other hand, only got compliments for 2 things: Playing piano, and being good at math. Way to set a kid up to be a nerd! So basically growing up, I knew I'd have to bring something else to the table to set me apart from the other so-so looking girls. I'd have to have a sparkling wit, be semi-intelligent (yay math), and a great sense of humor. At least that's what the girls in the Jane Austin novels had so I figured that would be a great place to start.

Eventually I grew up to be smoking hot (ok maybe that is a slight/huge exaggeration) but I am grateful that at one point in life, I decided to be more than just a pretty face with a bimbo mind. There are after all, PLENTY of those to go around.

And yes, my sister still is the pretty one, all these years later. But she didn't let it go to her head and is also one of the smartest girls I know.

Kitty

2010-03-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Today is an absolutely beautiful (what Arizonans would call "late winter" and Idahoans would call "Midsummer") day. Warm outside, but still with a breath of lingering coolness from the night. I'm going to go running! I took a week off for umm, feminine reasons, and then another week because I had a head cold from hell (all while it was 70-80 degrees outside). How do you get colds in a state that is always above 60 degrees? I'm guessing that because I now live in a different place, with different cold and flu bugs, my body is more likely to get them. I have been sick at least once a month. I used to get sick once a year, MAYBE.

So anyways we have the craziest kitten. I call her Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because one minute she's attacking your face, then the next she just wants to snuggle up with you and fall asleep. She's adorable and terrifying all at the same time. For some reason my family has always gotten cats with extreme personalities and this one is no exception. I'm pretty sure once we get her spayed she'll be better, less crazy hormones (please God). So I decided to use up my left over yarn and make some wash cloths. Yes, I am a geek, I was homeschooled and have many domestic passtimes to counter balance my boxing and football playing days, don't judge me. I put what I was working on down for a little bit to watch some tv and the cat jumped on the ball of yard and was playing with it (cliche, yes. Still absolutely adorable? YES!). I looked away and next thing I know she has my crocheted piece in her mouth and it proudly trotting off with it clenched firmly in her little jaws. By the time I catch her she has ran out of the living room (she knew I was after her) through the hall, into our room, and under the bed, unraveling as she went. I would have been mad but she just looked so cute doing it I couldn't ha ha. I'm pretty sure I'd go nuts with boredom if she wasn't home with me during the day.

Ignorance

2010-03-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at work, I'd just finished some dishes in the back and with my arms full, headed back out front to put them away. A woman was standing by the cash register so I said "Hello" so she would know I saw her. I figured she'd put 2 and 2 together and realize I'd be with her as soon as I put down the dishes that were in my hands. WRONG.
Even with my backed turned to her, 8 feet away kneeling down to put them on their shelves, she starts ordering. Seriously? You can't wait 5 seconds until I put these down and am actually facing you asking your order? So I quickly put them away and asked her "You said you wanted a Tall Vanilla Latte... with what?" I was very polite. By this time she on her cell phone and couldn't be bothered, having a loud conversation about someone dating someone else. I HATE when people do this, not just because it's rude, but what am I supposed to do? I feel like I'm invading their privacy because I'm overhearing their conversation. I feel like those nosy old people in the commercial for Loud N Clear that are creepily in the background spying on their neighbors. So I just kind of avoid eye contact and try to pretend like I'm not listening, but who am I really fooling? NO ONE. People like this deserve to be slapped and I'm more than ready to volunteer for the job :D

Reason #1 I quit waitressing

2010-03-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

I almost lost it one day with a customer. I was working as the to-go waitress so when I wasn't busy I'd help get food out to tables. I brought out an appetizer to a table to help out a server who was training a new guy. As I set it down on the table the woman at the end said to me, "Umm, maybe next time you should put the silverware on the napkins." I guess the new guy set the silverware directly on the table instead of on a napkin.

Well excuse me you fat stupid piece of shit. If you actually took the time to look at me you'd see that I'm not a man, and therefor, I didn't set your fucking table. But thanks for not looking at me and making me feel like I'm a not human being worth doing that for, you obese asshole.

I couldn't even speak to her. I just wanted to punch her double chins to the other side of her large head. So I just walked away. Why the hell would you ever do that to some who is handling your food? Enjoy your 2000 calorie appetizer. I'd say I hope it goes straight to your ass... but I don't think it would fit.

Draining

2010-03-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Working two jobs is really starting to drain me. I had nightmares last night about having horrible customers at the coffee shop. One man wanted mashed potatoes in his mocha and kept asking for things we didn't have... for 5 minutes while the line behind him got bigger and bigger. I finally woke up and felt like I'd just gotten off work. Stoooopid. I have to work both my jobs today and I'm trying to get up the will power to clean the apt... yeah that's not happening. Bioshock 2 on the other hand... I will be finishing you today ha ha.

There is a guy who comes in a gets a large coffee, and then 3 refills. Do you know how much caffeine that is?!?! Probably not so I'll let you know. A venti coffee has 400 mg of caffeine. To put that into perspective: A shot of espresso has 75 mg. A 12 oz. Red Bull has 114 mg. This man was having 4 venti cups... THAT'S 1600 mg OF CAFFEINE!!!! HOW IS HIS HEART STILL WORKING?!?! I see him in there a couple times a week! I thought I was a coffee addict but not compared to that. I would switch to coffee (instead of espresso) to get more caffeine, but Starbucks coffee tastes like burnt rubber.

Hangman

2010-03-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is depressing. You can play hangman by yourself by scratching to reveal the letters. How sad is it that you have to buy this because you don't have and friends to play hangman with you? Is this supposed to be for adults that are closet-hangman lover's because no one over 13 plays it anymore? Of course if you were an adult and you're favorite thing was hangman I can understand why friends would be hard to come by....

If you oppose the Health Care Bill

2010-03-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Please read this if you oppose the Health Care Bill (like the 60% of American's that do) that is about to go into effect. There is something you can do. Attorney General's from 13 different states (Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Alabama, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Louisiana) so far have sued the federal government, saying it is against the Constitution and citizens civil liberties.
If you agree, there is something you can do. Please contact you local Attorney General if you live in a state that hasn't joined this lawsuit yet. The information is provided below for the state of Arizona. Don't live in Arizona? Google your states Attorney General, find the contact information, change it then pass this on. Please also pass it on to friends or relatives in other states who might be interested.
It's very important that you do contact them in anyway you possibly can. You can call, fax, write, or email. We elected these officials and it's important for our voices to be heard. They will listen to us because we have the power to keep them in office or not.

Some important information to include is your name, your age, current place of residency, how long a resident, and if you're registered to vote. This information is important because it lets them know we are the people that voted for them, we are the people they represent, and this is what we stand for. Please be respectful.

Attorney General Terry Goddard
Office of the Attorney General
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.5025
800.352.8431(toll free in State of Arizona, outside Maricopa and Pima Counties)
Fax 602.542.4085
consumerinfo@azag.gov

Another thing you can do is to sign a petition asking the government to repeal the bill by following this link: www.teapartypatriots.org/repealthebill/

Love somebody

2010-03-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking lately about friends. Some of my best friends are people I never thought I'd be friends with. The geeks, the socialites, the pretty girls... not exactly words that describe friends I normally look for. But my life has been enriched by these weirdly eccentric and unique people. I really don't know what kind of person I would be if it wasn't for these people opening my eyes to new things and ideas.

The one thing I've learned is, that everyone needs to be loved. Even the weird people and the snobs who act like they don't. Sometimes I think the weirder someone is, the more they are just really trying to find a friend. Sure lots of people go about it the wrong way and try to lie to make themselves seem cooler, or latch on and suffocate you right away. But deep down, these are people that just need to be accepted, especially for who they are. Who am I to judge and say someone isn't good enough to be my friend? Who am I to say my life can't be impacted in a new way by someone? I can't. How selfish to think I can see to the center of people and am too good for them.

I've really started to value people who are unique. The people who make you laugh with weird comments or refreshing perspectives on life. Even the bitches who will just tell you how it is. Everyone has something to offer, and if you listen closely, you can learn something from them that you never would have from someone else.

Work

2010-03-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

We get assigned tasks every week at Barnes & Noble. General cleaning to keep the store looking pretty and shit. So yesterday one of my friends that works there came to the cafe to get some soapy water and rags because she had to clean the base boards around the store. She gets them and is busy doing her task, on her hands an knees scrubbing the base boards and someone walks up to her and asks her if she works there... ha ha seriously? Like she is in there scrubbing the base boards as a hobby! Or maybe she just does it for fun on her days off. Ha ha ha people ask the stupidest questions sometimes. Actually most of the time... but this one was especially stupid.

On a happier note, a woman asked me today if I ever worked as a model which was very flattering. I haven't because I'm too short, but it was nice to hear. She said I had a "wholesome, natural beauty" which made me wonder if I shouldn't shower/brush my hair for 2 days and wear no make-up more often ha ha. I seriously get the nicest compliments when I look crappy. And sunburnt. Which encourages my already sad hygiene habits. Not a good thing.

Customers

2010-03-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

I was working at the coffee shop tonight and had a customer come up and order a "regular coffee". So, to me, I figured that meant she wanted our regular house blend. So I asked her if she wanted a large and she looked at me in disgust and said "No, I said regular" which I guess in her mind means medium. Well excuse me asshole, if you'd actually taken the time to look at our menu you would have seen that we don't have a "regular" size. We have Tall, Grande, and Venti... so next time don't treat me like a retarded stepchild and order your damn drink the right way.

Dates

2010-03-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

I was going to the grocery store with the bf last night. I'd finally had the time to take a shower then blow dry and straighten my hair which he really likes. So I was feeling pretty sexy. I'd forgotten something in our apt so I ran and grabbed it then ran back to the car. I was doing the "sexy" run, you know what I'm talking about, hair blowing in the wind, boobs bouncing. I get to the car and go to open the door and pull it open, and hit myself in the side with it. HARD. So much for trying to look hot ha ha.

My sister was saying how her and her friend got in a fight. Basically my sister ended up telling her friend she was a slut and couldn't get a boyfriend because she always slept with the guys right away. Ha ha how do you tell someone that? I'm sure you think it, but actually say it? Damn. Must have been a nasty fight. But my sister started quoting Patty Stanger from Millionaire Matchmaker about how you don't have sex with someone you're dating, until it's exclusive. Which, although random, is actually REALLY good advice. I think for guys, they think that if a girl was that easy with them, why wouldn't she be with anybody else? For girls, it's a security thing. We start hoping so much that a guy will stay with us after something that intimate, that we smothering them. It just makes relationships jump ahead too quickly that it becomes awkward.

I think people would save themselves a lot of heartache if they just waited it out, until it was an exclusive relationship and the time was just right. I think a lot of times we just give ourselves away too easily and quickly, and if we just respect ourselves and say we're worth waiting for, for a while, then things just end up better, whether the relationship works out or not.

Week End

2010-03-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

It feels like I've been working all week. Balancing the 2 jobs is harder than I thought. My second job I basically work as an independent contractor selling cookware. There's a lot of training involved and it's started to feel kind of tedious. But, I know once I get through it all, I'll finally start making some good money. So basically any available time this week that I've had, I've been doing what I can to get this new career started. I've probably worked 50 hours this week and at least 10 hours of commuting if not more. I'm not used to this anymore! Ha ha.

I do really enjoy being able to go into people's homes and cook for them. It's a way to get to know people really personally and I like it a lot. They asked if I wanted to work tonight but I need a break. And by break I mean go home and give it the big cleaning it's been needing all week. No fun, but now I feel nice and relaxed with me feet up, reading some blogs, and drinking some Earl Grey tea. Doesn't get much better than a well deserved (and enjoyed) break.

Friends

2010-03-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

So it's been raining here and (dare I say) cold. And by that I mean slightly breezy and in the 50's. Driving makes me crazy because everyone slows down when it rains. And I don't mean it rains a lot because, while it might rain often during this 'winter' here, it rarely rains for more than 5 minutes. So every one adjust to the 'adverse' road conditions and drives like their 72. In Idaho we adjust after there's been an inch or two of snow, not a couple of raindrop. Rain is for sissies!

I miss my old friends. I like my new ones, but there's just something around people who've known you for years. Friends who have laughed with you until coffee came out of your noses. Friends who have been with you through embarrassing situations, and like you all the more for it. Friends who have been there and shared in the good and the bad. You just can't get that right away with new friends (well no shit). But, I am looking forward to the time to come with the new friends. I really like everyone that works at the coffee shop and have hung out with them on several occasions.

What I love about them is their all kinda nerdy. Not in the stupid sense of the word, but in the sense that they love things (like star wars and pokemon and knitting) and don't give a shit what you think about them. How refreshing is that? You just take them as they are or you don't, you're choice if you want to benefit from their friendship or not. And who am I kidding, I'm a HUGE nerd. I was homeschooled for crying out loud. I know how to knit, crochet, sew, and cross stitch, all while playing a video game. So I am excited to be around my new friends :)

Entertainment

2010-03-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

So I was browsing through the channels today, and as I paused on the BET channel (Black Entertainment Television) I wondered if there would ever be White Entertainment Television, or if that would be considered racist? So the acronyms would be WET which sounds more like a porno channel... of course all the white supremacist rednecks who watched it would probably actually enjoy that part of it. Because really, who else would it appeal to? Then I came to the conclusion that there actually is a channel like that, but it's called CMT, ha ha ha.

So, pet peeve of the day. People who wear sunglasses in buildings. Is there really any better way of saying "I'm a douche bag" or "I'm an arrogant bitch who thinks too much of herself." I mean seriously. I had a couple customers today wearing them. I'm pretty sure it's not sending the message they intended. Of course one was an older lady, and I can overlook that because she probably just forgot she had them on. Which brings me to the fact that I'm really looking forward to old, even though it's still long time away. I know lots of people dread it, but think about it, you really can get away with just about anything. Or as my grandma says "I can fart anywhere, and no one cares!"

I think some of the most embarrassing times in my childhood were when we were out shopping with her and she'd just let one rip. We'd run away as fast as we could. Then she'd "page" us to find us. But my grandma doesn't need a speaker system, oh no. She would simply yell our names across Target (or wherever we were) and I don't care if you were in the back in the bathroom, you HEARD her and came running!

Drivers

2010-03-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

I think there should be a system where, if someone is driving like a 12 year old who's never been behind the wheel before, you can report them. I've put a lot of thought behind this because I've been driving a ton this week, and have been driving with a bunch of jackasses, and incredibly old people who's mission in life is to impede other drivers and make driving on the freeway a living hell. I'm not saying I'm a saint of a driver or anything, but I tend to use common sense when I'm driving. Something I'm finding more and more drivers are lacking.

PEOPLE NEED TO USE THEIR BLINKERS!!! I realize in heavy traffic, sometimes you just have to cut people off, we all do it. But, if you use your blinker I can at least let off the gas a prepare so I don't have to slam on my brakes when you get in my lane going 20mph less than me. I know some people are assholes and when you turn your blinker on to change lanes, they close any gap you might have had, but at least signal as your changing. Same as if you're turning. You know if you'd turned your blinker on 100 yrds before your turn (as required by law) I'd have actually been able to pull out. But since you put it on as you were turning, you just made me wait their for another 5 mins.

On ramps are the ones that are really killing me. My drivers ed instructor taught me to get up to speed on the on ramp (hence why it is so long, and so you have time to gauge where you can fit in) so you can merge with traffic more fluidly and not disrupt traffic. This does not mean try to creep out at 25mph on the 65mph highway. You clog up traffic and it's completely avoidable! Most bad traffic situations are caused by one idiot. ONE!

I also can't stand when people 'hover' in my blind spot. It's like their hell bent on staying there. I'll be going down the freeway, slowly passing someone until they see me, then they slowly speed up to keep up with me. Now to be fair, I don't think people generally mean to do this, I think they're just zoned out. The worst part of this is when after awhile of them hovering, I need to get over to take my exit. So I'll try speeding up a little to get past them... not gonna work. They speed up to and are still in my blind spot. So I try slowing down, A LOT. Nope, still there. Instead of driving consistently their just going with the flow of traffic and fucking me up because they can't make up their own minds enough to go their own speed. Idiots.

And advisory signs. You know, the yellow ones we all learned about in drivers ed class? The ones that tell you can safely take the off-ramp curve going 40mph? Right, well look at them and apply it to your driving because I'm sick of people slamming on their damn brakes to take the curve going 15mph when all they had to do was read the sign to figure out how to successfully drive. I guess some drivers can't read?

Coffee

2010-03-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

I've been looking at websites that tell you your personality based on what Starbucks drink you consume. There's an interesting one here but I think it's more to make fun of people who drink coffee than anything else. No matter what drink I put on, I seem to get told something offensive. There were some other interesting ones but I think my almost 2 years of Starbucks coffee making experience, entitles me to some kind of opinion... yes?

Coffee drinkers: Are usually men of all ages, or old women. Generally for people who don't want to learn the name of all those 'fancy' drinks and just want some god damn caffeine, NOW. Same for Americano's except Americano's taste much better.

Cappuccino's: A lot of times people order these, confusing them with gas station "cappuccinos" (which aren't real cappuccino's because real cappuccino's are half foam). People who drink these enjoy the texture of the foam, and the concentrated espresso and milk at the bottom. They're generally classy people and know what they want out of life, or really confused and will just pay $1 for their coffee at gas stations for the rest of their lives.

Latte's: These drinks are for generally for newbs. When people come in for the first time and stare at the menu for 15 mins, they generally decide they want a Vanilla Latte. Why? Because it's safe and that's how people who generally order Vanilla Lattes tend to decide things, safely. Which is great because they are steadfast and make great long-term friends, and moms. Any other latte, on the other hand, such as a Hazelnut Latte, is for the more experienced coffee drinker. Their for people who know what they want, but enjoy making life interesting along the way.

Mocha's: Talking about the dark chocolate mocha drinkers here. People who drink mocha's tend to be a little more unique than others, have a more complex personality, and are enjoyable to be around once you get used to their little quirks. People that put flavorings in their mocha (such as caramel or raspberry) are different entirely because they are basically trying to erase any taste of the espresso and aren't real coffee drinkers. And they are asking for clogged arteries from all the fat in a caramel mocha. Seriously, look it up.

White Mocha's: This is a girl drink. I don't care what you say, it still is a girl drink. If you order a nonfat-Venti White Mocha-with whip, I'm going to assume you are a woman no matter what your appearance is like. This is the go-to drink I always recommend to girls because it's a great way to introduce them to coffee. People that order this drink tend to be really friendly and out going. They would rather enjoy the now, than worry about the future.

Frappuccino's: These are for the truly creative people in life... or little children. People who order frappuccino's tend to be artistic and articulate, depending on the flavoring in the frap. This is also a great drink for children because it's almost like a milk shake. But if you order one with coffee for your child at 9pm, I won't give you a dirty look, but I will get some satisfaction knowing your little demon of a child will be bouncing off the walls until 3am.

Chai's: I almost forget about these. Chai's are for hippies or eco-friendly/green people and almost exclusively for women. Especially if it's a soy chai. They're for the people who just take life as it is and enjoy it.

So this is just my opinion on the drinks people chose. Of course it's not true in all cases but this is generally the impression I get from people who order these drinks. What do you like to drink?

Visit

2010-03-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Idaho to be there for my dad's 60th birthday next month! That sounds so old... not at all like the vibrant, full-of-life man I know as my father.

I get to see 2 of my good friend's babies that I haven't seen before. Babies. Weird. I am getting older. I guess at 23, maybe I should start accepting that I'm a full-fledged adult now huh? It will be good to see them though. I've made some friends here, but there is nothing like being around the people who know you so well. It's that feeling of being absolutely comfortable in your own skin that I've started to miss.

The really sad thing about small towns is, that you're going to run into everybody eventually, good or bad. Have you ever had one of those "friends" who always acts excited to see you, and know what's going on, then says "I'll call you, we have to hang out sometime soon!" but then never calls you? Thanks for being nice to my face... but I guess I'm not worth the effort of actually trying to hang out with?
Or just one of those people you'd really prefer never to see again in your life... then you see 5 days in a row at completely random places. Yah, that's about what small towns are like. "Oh look, there's that girl you're boyfriend dumped you for, again. Weird!"
So I really don't miss the place, but I do miss my friends and family so I'm pretty excited to see everyone. Not looking forward to the cold though aggghhh

Goal

2010-03-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

I did it! Ha ha I made it to the top of the hill (but not the last couple 100 yrds home) but I made my goal. Getting all the way home will be another goal. I did it in 26 minutes (though I was walking the last couple mins) so I figure it must be pretty close to 2 miles.

I'm that many steps closer (literally) to the underside of my arm not waving with my hand. To being able to actually hold in my gut when I want to. To losing the cellulite that has been plaguing the back of my thighs for months now. To actually having an ass again instead of a blob that melts into the back of my legs. Whoohoo for being fit again!

One of the nice things about running in the city is that I don't get whistled/yelled very often. I used to hate running in a small town because ever god damn redneck thought it was his duty to yell something clever (usually "hey") whenever they saw a female on the sidewalks. I usually resemble bob the tomato when I'm running (and probably smell like chewbacca) so I'm pretty sure if they'd gotten a closer look/smell they'd have resented they ever opened their mouth in the first place. Usually it would end up with me hitting or running into something because I'd be concentrating so hard on ignoring them (eventually I could ignore them without even thinking about it, I consider it a talent I nurtured) that I wouldn't see a rock or dip in the road, and since I tend to drag my feet, BAM. Bloody knees to run home with now.

(I wish I could look like this girl when I'm done running)

Then I tried to find a photo of someone who looks like me when I'm done running... and no one even comes close to looking as bad (or as red and sweaty) as I do. Awesome.

I think it's embarrassing as hell to stop running and walk instead... I always feel like I'm being judged by the people zooming by in their cars going 45 mph. I'm sure they're saying "Look at the fat ass that can't even make it home ha ha ha." Ok they're probably not, and I'm not a fat ass, but I still feel like there's a possibility someone going by could be judging me.

My dad ran a half marathon about 10 years ago and he did it by running a mile, walking a minute for every mile. People were giving him dirty looks at first because 'real' runners don't walk... until he was passing then 8 miles later feeling a hell of a lot fresher than them. So... maybe walking isn't so bad if, in the the end, it still gets you to where you want to be.

Running

2010-03-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

So I've started running again for the first time since... well probably since I was a teenager. At least consistently anyways. It's a good way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and clear my head. I usually run around the park near my house which is MAYBE a mile (probably not, but it makes me feel good about myself if I think it is) but on Monday I decided to see where my feet could take me and explore the neighborhoods behind my apartment.

*Note to self. When you more to the 4th largest city in the US and you *think* you know your way around... you don't.

I ended up pretty far from home once I figured out where I was. But I just kept running and almost made it home, until a Godzilla-sized hill appeared right before I got there. So today's goal is to conquer that beast! Ha ha I'm a nerd. But I think I can do it today, I'll find out anyways.

I've come to realize I really do miss running. I used to never go because I'd tell myself I'd get up early and go... and that alarm would go off and sleeping just sounded sooooo much better (when does it not?!). But I've started running in the afternoons when it's warm and sunny out and now I actually look forward to it. I was thinking about getting those reebok shoes with the "balance ball inspired soles" but there pretty expensive if I don't know how well they work... anyone have any experience with them?

Bathrooms

2010-03-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Little kids in public bathrooms always crack me up. Whether they're unashamedly grunting in the stall next to you, or asking awkward questions... you always know when they are in there.

One of the most awkward situations I've ever been in (and trust me, I've been in MANY) involved a child in a public restroom. The job at the restaurant I used to work at had two stalls, a small one, and a handicapped sized stall. I always used the small one because the handicapped stall walls had a gap for the door, so pretty much anyone who tried hard enough, could see you on the toilet. Small children, oddly enough, liked to peer through that crack when ever possible. But those are different stories.

So I'm using the restroom (the small stall) and I hear the door to the bathrooms open, I see two small feet walk up to my stall door. Next thing I know this small girl has sat down in front of my stall, put her feet under the door, and using her hands to grip the bottom of the door, had pushed herself into my stall and is laying on the floor looking at me.... .... ... So I don't really know what to do, I'm basically trying to shield my crotch, stop peeing, pull my pants up, and wipe at the same time. Utterly confused as to why in the world this is happening to me. "Dear God what did I do to deserve this?" is basically what's going through my head.

So I finally stop freaking out and just sit there. What can I do really? Here is our conversation:

Little girl: "Could you please hurry up? I need to pee."
Me: "Umm you could use the toilet in the stall right next to me... there's NO ONE in there."
LG: "That ones too big, it scares me."

I had to idea what she was talking about. But a few days later, I noticed that handicapped stall toilet are actually taller than general toilets. Not a big difference to me but I guess when you're 2 feet tall it does make a a difference.

So I just kind of gave her a confused look and she said:
LG: "So could you please hurry up?"
Me: "Yah of course, I was almost done."

Upon hearing that she grabs the door bottom again and pulls herself out. So at this point I'm actually finding this somewhat funny. Awkward as hell, but funny. So I finish up and I go out and start washing my hands and the little girls decides to start up a conversation with me (WHERE IS HER MOTHER?!?!) about little girl stuff, I can't even remember what it was about. So while she's having this conversation with me her back is to the stall and another little girl comes in and goes into the stall, right as she is closing the door, the little girl have a convo with me turns and notices and lets out a ferocious battle cry (I'm not kidding) and runs to the stall door. At this point I can't keep a straight face or stop laughing so I run out of there. The last thing I see is the first little girl angrily glaring under the stall door at the other little girl. Priceless.

Sleep

2010-02-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

I love sleeping, who doesn't right? I just have a problem with moving a lot when I'm sleeping. I'm jealous of those people who can fall asleep and stay in that same position all night, I really am. I had a roommate that fell asleep on our living room floor during a late night movie one time. I groggily thought of waking her up to send her to bed, as a stumbled into my own room, but no. I figured she'd roll over soon and go to bed. Nope. Found her in the same exact spot the next morning and felt like an asshole for not waking her up ha ha. She slept fine though so I guess that works.

But I have the constant need to move every 15-30 minutes generally. Which was perfectly fine until I moved in with my boyfriend, who is a big cuddler (every girls dream right?). He can scoop me up in his arms, give me a kiss, and be asleep 30 seconds later and just stay that way all night. I unfortunately start squirming around, making sure one leg is bent and the other is straight, and other crazy ways I insist on sleeping because it's the only way I feel comfortable. So learning to sleep with any other person has been... interesting ha ha. He's pretty patient unless I use my legs to shove him over (I did this in my sleep) or try punching him to get him to move over (again, I was asleep).

So last night, for the very first time... we actually stayed in each others arms all night! I'm not sure if it was because on one side I had my tiny kitty (who I didn't want to crush) and on the other my boyfriend (who is a body builder and I couldn't crush if my life depended on it) but we slept the whole night through and woke up holding each other. It was great :D

Idaho

2010-02-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

So I decided to create a post just in case you ever want to visit Idaho. I guess some people do because it is really scenic in Northern Idaho. But a lot of people have to drive through Southern Idaho to get there. Southern Idaho looks like a slightly greener version of Nevada, which I fondly refer to as "the toilet bowl of America." So I'm sorry if you have to travel through this:

To get to this:

But generally it's worth it. So here are a few basic rules that will help you make it through.

People do not drive over the speed limit. Ok, sometimes you're lucky and get behind someone going 5mph over, but I wouldn't hope for more than that. The majority of the people on the freeway are going 5mph under the speed limit. Don't get frustrated because they don't really give a shit and you'll be the only one getting angry.

Occasionally, you will be slowed down by a tractor. Again, nothing you can do about it, including tailgating, honking, and making desperate moves to get around it. They pull over every so often so just chill until then and wait until it's safe to pass.

Idaho is known for it's Potatoes, but Southern Idaho is known for it's dairies. It's true. Be prepared with some febreze, or lysol, or whatever it takes to spray in your car, because if you're not used to that smell in any way, you'll probably think you're going to die. And try to avoid traveling in April-May because they spread that manure all over the agricultural fields lining the freeway. Living there, I would have to say this is worse than the dairy smell all year long.

If you are Democrat in anyway, shape, or form, don't say ANYTHING. Idaho is a very red state, and proud of it. So if you say anything even slightly favorable about anything pertaining to the democratic party, be prepared to be smashed down with a pitchfork, or one of the many guns that rides in the back windows of trucks. Unless you're in Sun Valley or Cour'd Alene. These places are like the safe bases in a sea of extremely conservative people.

Recycling, solar energy, eating vegetarian, and going green are all very nice and all, but it's for sissies. This is the basic mentality behind anything to do with any of those categories. So if you're a big fan of anyone of those, I'm sorry, you just won't find anything else like you.

Idahoan's are very friendly people. Despite what you see in the movies, people from small towns are very friendly. And even if you are democratic, driving a hybrid car with a vegan bumper sticker, if you are in trouble, you will be helped. No questions about it.

Jobs

2010-02-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

   I'm still hunting for a second job... or a regular full-time job. It's been a lot harder to find anything here than I originally thought. Idaho wasn't hit too hard in the recession so jobs were pretty easy to find there. But I have a couple interviews today that I'm excited about, we'll see how they go.

   I've been sick for the past couple days and I'm just starting to get over it. Hopefully my nose doesn't start running in the middle of the interview, ha ha gross. When I first started one of my jobs about 4 years ago, I was horribly sick. It was a really bad cold and I had to take antibiotics (or horse pills as I like to call them) for the first time in my life. The worse symptom was that my ears were constantly plugged up and I could barely hear anything. It was kind of hard to train because I could barely hear what they were telling me, so I desperately hoping it was just something they were covering from the book and I could read it later. It worked out well though and I worked there for over 3 years.

   I had a wonderful valentines day. He bought me white roses and chocolates, then took me out to P.F. Changs. But aside from all that, it was really nice just to be able to take some time and tell each other how much we really love and appreciate each other.

   I just realized all of my sentences started with some form of "I" and now I feel like one of those stupid girls that can only talk about themselves.

Video Game :)

2010-02-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

**Disclaimer: If you don't play video games you probably won't understand most of this, sorry :(**

I am a huge video gaming nerd. I will admit it. I love playing them, and was actually
considering becoming a video game designer... until I found out it's mainly staring at a computer screen and programming all the time. And most of those people are really nerdy ha ha.

I love, love, love the Legend of Zelda games. I even dressed up as Saria for halloween (don't judge me). It's just a great way to pass some time for me. BUT, I don't let it consume my life... which is why I've never played World of Warcraft. I've lost friends to that game, seriously. "Hey have you seen Alex recently?" ... "No, he bought World of Warcraft and hasn't left his house in 2 months"... oh.

Anyways Bioshock 2 came out and I'm waiting for a paycheck so I can go buy it. My bf and I played the first one together and I've been looking forward to it coming out for a couple months now. The first one was amazing! It was this great mix of being slightly horrified, but still wanting to figure things out (or just survive ha ha). And you get to play as a Big Daddy in the 2nd one so hopefully you get to kick some ass!

Love

2010-02-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Things have been so good lately between my boyfriend and I. Sure we have our fights, what couple doesn't. But they're just part of the process of learning to be with one another and the time in between them is so amazing.
     I'm one of those suckers for love, the one who believes that you can be in love with someone you're whole life and if you wait for it, it will be the most amazing thing you've ever experienced. You wouldn't have thought I was if you knew me before I met him. I always swore I would never fall in love or get married.
     I think it was because I didn't really believe that real love existed. It was great to read about in Jane Austen novels and dream about in my spare time, but that kind of stuff never actually happened to anyone. I wanted a Prince Charming and if I wasn't going to get him, then I'd rather spend the rest of my life waiting for him.
     I'd seen my friends relationships as I grew up, and trust me, I didn't want any of that. That's why I was so late to join the dating game. I was 19 when I had my first boyfriend, who was also my first kiss. It lasted 3 weeks before he dumped me in front of a ferris wheel on my birthday. He was younger than me and apparently more scared than I was of commitment ha ha. There were a couple of boys after that, but never really anyone I wanted to become emotionally or physically invested in. They would always amazing guys, but one would be lacking intellect and another was great but I just wasn't that attracted too.I wanted to wait for the right person to come along instead of wasting my time and heart on others in the process.
   And then I did find him. The man who crossed off all the things on my list of "things I want in a man"... and even more! He was incredibly sexy and extremely smart (and not stuck on himself! Yay for men without giant egos!!!). He was stronger than me which was more that I can say for some guys. I was an amateur boxer and I wanted to have someone that made me feel like a woman, not a man. He was a natural leader and someone I respected and felt that would always take care of me. He was a former SWAT cop, Pilot, and now Airborne Infantry in the army so he was pretty tough, but when he touched me he was always so gentle. Like I was a fragile glass figurine :)
   Here, for the first time in my life, I finally found someone that was unlike any man I found before him. I found someone I could honestly see myself being in love with for the rest of my life. A man who would always love me, hold me, and protect me (and spoil me ridiculously ha ha). And so far he has. So with Valentines Day coming up I dedicate this post to the love of my life, the man I will spend the rest of my days with. My love.

Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

All I can say about Super Bowl Sunday is... thank God it's finally here and I don't have to watch football games 4 days a week now! I like football, once a week or so if it's my favorite team... 4 times a week though... it's a good thing I love my boyfriend :)

We're rooting for the Saints, because they have never won a Super Bowl. And I think Peyton Manning is an arrogant jerk that thinks he's hot as shit, but is really just am over rated redneck. Just saying.

I think the best thing about watching the game is the FOOOOOD! The bf's parents are making bbq beef ribs mmmmmmmm so good, with guacamole and chips. I made a white chocolate and lime cheesecake bars so, needless to say, I'm very excited about tonight ha ha. GO SAINTS!

Lost

2010-02-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

I was going to go the the gym today, to a yogo class. I figured I'd squeeze in a few episode between after the class, and work at 12:30... then after work at 5:30 ha ha. My boyfriend likes the show somewhat, but since I have more free time I'm way ahead of him so I watch them while he's at work. Well then I got a call from work asking me to work a longer shift so the gym idea went out the window and Lost magically appeared on my tv screen ha ha.

I'm watching the old seasons, to catch up with the new ones. Although I'm not sure I could handle being able to only watch one episode a week. So I'm trying to spread out the episodes until the 6th season is over then get it on DVD later... yah trying. Not really going that way because I've gone through 2.5 seasons in a little over a week!

But the extra hours at work will be nice. Still trying to find a second job... anywhere lol. I've even resorted to applying as a waitress! We'll see how that goes.

Friends

2010-02-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

So I finally made a friend here... 5 months after moving here ha ha. I must have a charming personality that everyone is drawn to... not. But crushed ego aside, I'm really excited about this friendship. I think I could have been friends with other girls I'd met here, if I'd put the effort into it. But I didn't because they were just typical people, and my new friend is a little bundle of uniqueness and I like being around her.

I've never had that many friends. I am really picky about who I let into my life. Kind of stupid when I grew up homeschooled and didn't meet that many people to begin with ha ha, you'd think I'd be less picky. I like the proverb that says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" which is kind of a weird way of saying that you are shaped by who you have around you. I don't think people you chose to be around completely define your life or anything, but they definitely help shape it.

So I've been thinking about my friends, and discovered that in a subconscious way I've created a list of dos and don'ts for friends.

I'm not friends with loose girls
I'm just not going to be friends with girls that go out to shitty bars to meet guys and sleep with one she's met that night. That's just disgusting and completely degrading to yourself. Not to mention an unfabulous way to contract an STD. They put so little worth into who they are and what they are worth, so why would I bother spending time with someone like that?

I AM friends with interesting people
Have you ever met someone with the personality of a sock? I have. I used to play piano with her so we hung out for awhile. I started noticing she'd invite me to be a third wheel on a lot of her dates and I'm pretty sure it's because she was so boring that there wasn't any kind of conversation between anyone unless I instigated it. Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration. But she did invite me to be the third wheel a lot, lame. At least bring some kind of personality to the table, and maybe some interesting conversation. ESPECIALLY if you are weird/unique. I love people that are comfortable in their own skin, they are so refreshing when I finally find them. Even if they are the biggest geeks I've ever met.

I am not friends with stupid people
Sure it's hilarious at first, some of the things I've heard come out of people's mouths. But seriously? That's what you want to be known for? And I'm not talking about mentally stupid people, I'm talking about people that never chose to apply themselves to learn anything more than to drive and operate their cell phones. And maybe to open a bottle of beer with their teeth because they live in Idaho and that's cool with the rednecks.

So basically I look for non-slut, interesting, semi-intelligent people. And so far I've come up with one here... ha ha but at least I found her!

Boys

2010-02-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

I've only been hit on by guys when I'm sunburnt. And by hit on I mean came up to me/stopped their vehicle and said I was "hot" (ironically, and they were serious) and asked if they could have my number. Which in turn would confuse the crap out of me because I'd just recently looked at my reflection, and noticed how much I resembled Bob the tomato. I guess I've gotten hit on by guys too after I've been working out but it's the same thing, give me 15 mins or more of cardio and my face turns a deep red. Don't know why but it's always happened.

Which is really depressing because I don't get hit on when I look normal, or even good. I must have to be red in the face and sweating profusely for any men to take interest in me. Awkward. Which confuses me even more because if we ever did hang out again... should I go run a mile before hand? Or show up looking normal and risk him looking disappointed? I don't understand it at all.

I've had others friends say the same thing. The one time you have to run some where and don't have time for hair and make up, guys are eying you up and down like you're the hottest thing they're even seen. So why even bother with all the make up and showers and blow drying? If you ever do meet and a man like without being all dolled up, and end up getting married, he's going to love it because you'll look like that most of the time anyways.

Air travel

2010-02-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping to go visit my family in a couple weeks back in good old Idaho. I'll probably be flying because it's a 15 hourish drive and I'll probably be going alone. I've flown quite a bit so I feel like their are certain rules everyone should follow.

Gather all your metal objects into one place before you get to the scanners.
Like into a purse, backpack, or pocket. Whatever works as long as you put a little thought into it. Nothing drives me nuts more than waiting in a huge line just to get to the scanners, and then having to wait for the woman in front of you to take off her millions of pieces of jewelry, keys, and electronics. And of course she sets the metal detector off, again and again because she didn't remember to take the sunglasses off the top of her head.

You know you're going to have to take your shoes and metal belt off...
So dress accordingly. Wear shoes that come off and on easily. And please wear pants that fit... no one wants to see your asscrack when you can't hold them up because the new scanners make hold your arms out.

If you're heavier and you're sitting next to me, don't put the arm rest up.
Maybe it's a little more comfortable for you... but then I have to sit the rest of the flight with you half in my seat and your fat rubbing all over me, sick. Please try to stay in your seat. This applies to people who fall over when they fall asleep too. Just imagine there are glass walls from the arm rests, up. Just don't cross that line. ESPECIALLY if you drool or snore.

If you have luggage in the overhead compartment...
DO NOT wait until the last minute to get it out. And once you get it, please exit the plane. Old people are notorious for taking their damn time and holding the entire plane up while they fumble around trying to get their shit together. MOVE IT.

Once you exit the gate...
Please keep moving. I realize it's a new airport, but it is for everyone and I shouldn't be held back because it takes you 5 minutes to get some kind of bearing. Walk and read the signs at the same time, it's called multi-tasking.

At the luggage carousel...
If your bag isn't up, don't stand right at the edge. I realize you want to get you luggage as soon as possible, but your restricting everyone else from getting theirs. I don't usually check in luggage, but if I do I pack EVERYTHING in it. I'm kind of an expert in it packing, so my suitcase will be heavy. And I will not be afraid to hit you with it or drop it on your toes because you're too discourteous to wait for yours.