And the decision was made.

No Symphony today. :( I would really love to go, but knowing it would probably be 2 hours, plus a 20+ minute drive each way - I don't have three extra hours today, with as busy as this upcoming week is going to be.

I've made huge progress around the house instead. I did laundry, dishes, cleaned the bathroom mirror, the hall mirror, made some headway on cleaning out the car... I'm pretty pleased. I have a coupon for a free full-service car wash, and my poor car desperately needs to be washed this week, so I'm trying to clean it out completely so they can give it a good once-over with the vacuum.

As of 2:30, I have 14 of my 25 items crossed off this weekend's to-do list. Not too shabby.

I desperately need another massage. My shoulders are killing me again. The whole "I store stress in my shoulders" thing really is a downer sometimes.

Shari and I had an AWESOME chat about money and the "rich bitch" stereotypes this afternoon. I went into the office to print out some bank paperwork to dispute some more charges, and got started chatting about someone we both know that squanders her money and then is jealous of people that have more. I really am so sick of the people who make comments about how I must be rolling in cash because my dad is loaded, or how life must be so easy because I'm going to school on my parents' dime, or how if they had the money my family does, they would never have a bad day, or any of the other ridiculous things I've heard. Lemme just tell you right now: none of those things are true. I am paying for my education on my own. I have $75,000 in student loans - hardly rolling in dough. Money brings problems of its own. It might solve your financial worries, but creates others - particularly for the people that make comments like the one I mentioned. People don't wish they were rolling in dough when they're hurting to pay rent one month. They make comments like that when they wish they could have a big house and a fancy car and a trophy wife. If you are not satisfied with what you have, no amount of money is going to change that.

Shari also told me I look like I've lost weight, which is super awesome! After being told I look pregnant last week, that was a huge confidence booster.

I just realized that after the spring semester, I will have to petition ASU in order to continue receiving federal financial aid, since I will be over their credit limit. I hope to greatly improve my GPA in the meantime, so I can prove to them that I have been working, and working hard, toward accomplishing this degree.

I'm off to do some more homework/studying. Ciao!!

Work! Around the house and otherwise.

Today was my first day of work on my own! Much more exciting than shadowing someone else, for sure. I also talked to Nick a little bit about upcoming classes. There's another one in two weeks, but it's M-F, all day, which obviously wouldn't work for me. Nick mentioned something about coming to what I can, and him training me when I'm available outside of the scheduled class times. That would be super awesome! Not sure that it would result in an immediate pay raise, but it would be spectacular just to be doing a little more than what is in the scope of my responsibility right now.

And work at home! I have had so little time lately to clean the house, and I'm just really unhappy with the state of my living quarters right now. So I have been doing some important things around the house this evening that have been pretty neglected lately. Most notably, I cleaned the tub! It's finally bath season again, and the state of my tub made it... not very inviting.

Since a picture of the tub would not be very exciting, I took a picture of my amazing shower curtain. Partly because I really love it, and partly because there's a clean(er) tub behind it. (Day 22)

I have also made huge progress with my FreeRice lately! I have donated over 85,000 grains so far. Admittedly, that's not a whole lot, and I'm still super behind where I should be right now (1,000 grains per day since March. Yikes!), but over 70,000 of those grains have been donated since September 1st. Not bad for less than 40 days.

I made up a weekend to-do list last night, and have crossed off 8 of 25 items so far. I know that doesn't seem like a whole lot, but considering that's on top of an 8-hour work day today, I'm pretty happy with that number!

The Greek Festival is this weekend. Tomorrow is the last day, and I really wish I could make it down there, but I just don't think I will. On top of the cleaning I have to do around the house, I will be absolutely swamped with school this upcoming week. German oral exam on Monday. Math test on Tuesday. Programming test on Wednesday. German essay due on Thursday. And that's on top of the homework I have due. I would like to get a head start on that rather than spending money on tasty food when I need to lose weight as it is. So, since there will be another Greek Festival next year at the same time, I suppose I will do the responsible thing and stay home.

I think I'm going to head out. I have a lot more to do before bed tonight! Ciao!!

My boss rocks!

And today's photo is just part of the reason why.

Photo #21. Bailey's Mint Chocolate.

Apparently there is somewhat of a tradition surrounding "parking lot shots." And I was treated to my first one today.

I updated my "I'm fat" blog today. I realized yesterday when I walked into my old place of employment and had someone tell me I look pregnant, that something desperately needs to change.

I heard today that Mrs. Walatka, my second grade teacher, has passed away. In celebrating her life today, and talking to others that I went to school with, I was reminded even more of what an amazing woman, a wonderful role model, and an awesome teacher she was. There will be a service held tomorrow in Anchorage for her. I wish I was able to go. All of my teachers at Northern Lights helped shape me into the person I am today, and I wish I could thank them all.

I found this image today, and absolutely love it.

How true that is. Drugs. Alcohol. Facebook. Texting. Other forms of social media. Beauty products. Being thin. The things America's young people focus on are not the things that will make them into the best person they can possibly be. They are not things that matter. They are just that - superficial.

I have started another post that will be more substantial; I just don't have the time to finish it right now. Hopefully that will be up in the next few days! Ciao!

First day of work!

Finally home, at 10:30. I absolutely adore the people I work with. And apparently this weekend should be really low-key, so it should be a blast.

I spent almost half an hour on the phone earlier today talking to a reporter who is doing a piece on PTSD and addiction, and how it affects the family. I'm really looking forward to seeing the final product! I feel like Family of a Vet has given me so many opportunities to share my knowledge (today, a large portion of it was on PTSD itself, the brain changes associated with that, and how that translates into personality changes, etc.) to help others. I truly feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Today's photo (#20):
Laura posted a few days ago about the crazy lady who both complimented and insulted her Danskos at the same time. Well today was the first day beautiful enough to wear mine, so I had to take a picture!

I have an Organic Chemistry test in the morning so I should probably do some studying. Just wanted to update quickly with the exciting happenings of today! Ciao!

It's finally fall!!

75 degrees outside right now, at noon. We had an awesome monsoon last night with the best thunder I've heard in a long while. I love fall in Arizona! We might not have changing leaves, but we have monsoons which are so amazing.

Had my German test earlier. Blech. I didn't study nearly as much as I should have. I tried studying last night but wasn't feeling well, so I went to bed early. I set my alarm to get up half an hour early this morning to study, but didn't do that either. So there was very little studying done for this test. Thankfully we had a few extra credit questions. Hopefully those will give me a little boost.

Tonight is my last "free" night this week. I'm had planned on going to the Chris Young concert with Lori, but she wasn't able to switch her work schedule, so she isn't able to go. I suppose I'll suck it up and not go, then, since I don't want to find someone else to go with me at such late notice. (Plus, I have an O-Chem test on Friday and my time could be better spent studying.) A little bummed, but oh well. It's the better decision for sure. I think I'm going to go to the Trace Adkins concert with her husband next week, and the three of us are probably going to see Darius Rucker later this month.

I paid off another chunk of tuition today. I only have $3500 left! I definitely had not planned on taking this long to pay everything off, so I'm a little irritated - mostly about the ticket insurance situation, since that's an extra $1600 that could be in my pocket right now, but I'll make it happen.

My tire pressure is low again. It always happens in the fall, with the change in weather. That's one of the downsides of being single, and of no longer living/working at Wilshire. I don't have a man to air up my tires anymore, and I hate having to pay for air at the gas station. I'm thinking about stopping by Wilshire tomorrow anyway and seeing if Mohammed has a minute to fill 'em up.

Yesterday's photo! (Day 18):
My adorable little birdy likes to hang out and take a bath in her water dish. She also has a toy, made from a wooden cooking spoon, that hangs right above said dish. I've noticed lately that she likes to scratch her head on it when she's bathing, and was finally able to snap a photo yesterday.

Today! (Day 19):
My favorite place to unwind.

In other news, Sarah Palin announced today that she will not be running in this presidential election! Amusingly, the caption of the video at the top of the CNN announcement page, is "Palin 'thankful' not to be running." Don't worry, Palin! You're not the only one!

I have some studying to do for Friday's O-Chem test since I won't be around much tomorrow evening. I should probably get on that. Ciao!

Dear Math professor,

<insert any number of rude comments here.>

Over half of your students (two classes, combined) failed your test. AFTER THE CURVE. With an A having a 20-point range, and an E being anything under 30%, that's pretty ridiculous.

Please readjust your grading scale. Please also re-evaluate your teaching style. I can assure you it is not our fault that more than half the class received a 48% or lower on the recent test.


Ugh. That class makes me so frustrated.

I have a rockin' headache at the base of my skull. Those are my favorite kind.

It was suggested to me today to have a little more substance here. I've been checking out the At War NYTimes blog, and it's giving me a lot to mull over and maybe chat about in the next few days. I'm already 10+ days into my 30 day blogging goal, so perhaps instead of spending the next 20 on nonsense and daily musings, I will chat a little bit about how much I adore Michele Bachmann (kidding!), how I feel the military should take better care of our veterans, why Sarah Palin is a hypocritical lunatic, and perhaps some school politics (because I can't stand Michael Crow either).

I have class in 10 minutes that I have apparently decided to skip, so I'm going to spend the next hour and a half doing something productive and school-related. Ciao!

Beer chili!

I have had some ground beef in the fridge for a few days now and decided I needed to finally get around to making chili with it. So I headed to the grocery store just before 10 tonight, and grabbed some essentials.

Beer chili!

1 yellow pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
chili powder
hamburger
1 bottle beer

Cook the onion, garlic, and peppers in a little bit of EVOO. Add in the hamburger after the veggies are soft. Cook until meat is done. Dump in the beans, chili powder, and a bottle of beer. Let simmer as long as you feel like! (I cooked it for 15 - 20 minutes.)

I also usually put an orange pepper in there, but I didn't feel like cutting that one up tonight.

Here's tonight's dinner, topped with some shredded cheese!

I used an amber ale that Mark recommended. I have used something a little lighter in the past, but this was still tasty. I might have liked it a little more, actually.

I have 12 of my 50 weekly items crossed off the list. I'm glad I'm a tiny bit ahead - especially since I work both Thursday and Friday!

Went to Mellow Mushroom for a late lunch today, thanks to my Groupon that expired tonight. I wasn't totally impressed. It's definitely no Moose's Tooth. And really wasn't worth the $28 that my bill came to. I suppose I'll review it as one of my new restaurants visited... you'll probably see more about it later.

I have some homework to do before bed, so I'm outta here for the night. Ciao!!

Photos 15 and 16!

Saturday (day 15):

The sunset with the dust looked so pretty. Plus, I managed to capture two of my favorite people.

Sunday (day 16):

My haul from the commissary case lot sale! I spent a whopping $32 (only because I wasn't selfish enough to snag all the coupons in sight so I could get overage). I got 3 cases of the new Trident gum (10 boxes in each case), two things of Ziplock baggies, 4 Odwalla bars, some chai concentrate, some other stuff... and MANNER WAFERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I originally fell in love with them in Austria. Theresa had some waiting on my pillow when I got there, and I devoured them. Then I got to Vienna, where they originated, and had to visit the Manner store. I might have spent a pretty penny (or Euro cent!) there. I haven't been able to find them since I've been back, except on Amazon, until today! Pretty sure I'm going to be making a lot more trips to the commissary with Kris before her divorce is final.

I had orientation today at work! Four hours and 45 minutes later, I had a new appreciation for Mark and Gina, and am so looking forward to starting this week! I already love the people there, so things are bound to be awesome!

With that said, I also haven't had much time at the house today. I slept in after my amazing massage last night, went to the commi this morning, made the 45 minute drive back home in... less than that, made up my face, and headed off to orientation. I have been catching up for the last two hours. Need to run to the grocery store and get stuff to finish off my chili (Mark recommended a craft beer for me tonight, so I'm super excited to see how it tastes!), and get gas since I'm almost totally out.

I'm out for the night. Ciao!

Ahhhhh. Massage!

My first attempt at posting from the mobile app, so hopefully this works!

I'm over at Kris and Dave's still. Decided to stay the night since apparently the case lot sale is this weekend, so Kris and I are going in the morning. We had a tasty steak for dinner. Yum! I love steak. I love it even more when I don't have to cook/grill it. And Kris made devils food cake for dessert. Delish!

I talked to Andy tonight, and he is now offering to pay my entire way out there for Oktoberfest. I feel bad doing that, but I'm just not able to go see him this month otherwise. We'll see. I think I'm going to go. I would really love to. I would feel bad but he's offering, it's worth it, and I can always pay him back later. The flight isn't super long, I don't think, so I could probably leave here Friday after class and go for the weekend. I think we are going to chat some more about it on Monday.

Dave gave me an amazing massage tonight. One of the perks of your best friend's fiancé being a massage therapist is that you occasionally get a rockin' massage for free. (Occasionally because I feel bad asking often. He brought his table over before I left for Europe and then I asked for one tonight.)

I start work in the afternoon! Orientation is at 1. I'm pretty excited! I guess we will see what my hours will look like then, too. I think they are pretty flexible. Gina makes up the schedule every Sunday, I'm pretty sure.

The sleepy time, she comes. I'm about to crash. Ciao!

365 questions: 121 - 130

121. If you left this life tomorrow, how would you be remembered?  Hopefully as someone kind and honest. Jeri's daughter made me a drawing last summer that had me surrounded by several descriptors - trustworthy, fair, kind, fun, caring, nice, and awesome. I hope that I have left a similar impression on others. 

122. Beyond the titles that others have given you, who are you?  I am a daughter. A student. A friend. A life-long learner who hungers for knowledge. 


123. If you could live the next 24 hours and then erase it and start over just once, what would you do?  That's a bizarre question. If there's something I want to do, I do it. I don't have any desire to do something that I would regret and wish I could erase later. So I wouldn't do anything out of the ordinary. 

124. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?  Yes. However, it takes faith and belief. 


125. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?  Busy! 

126. What makes everyone smile?  Everyone? Hmmm. A good meal. A funny joke. Being loved. 


127. What do you owe yourself?  I owe myself happiness and dedication. I haven't been very dedicated when it comes to some things and I'm letting myself down. 

128. What would your ‘priceless’ Mastercard-style commercial be?  I don't watch commercials, nor am I creative. But it would probably have something to do with triumphing in the face of adversity. 


129. Can you think of a time when impossible became possible?  I don't think anything is ever impossible when it comes to goals or actions (as long as they are reasonable - obviously it's not possible for me to fly). I tell myself there is nothing I can't do, so for me, there is nothing impossible. 

130. Why do you matter?  I matter because I am kind. I am a good listener, and I try to add value to others.