What Mondays Are For...

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." ~ Gail Sheeny

"A little stress and adventure is good for you, if nothing else, just to prove you are alive." ~ Lady Bird Johnson

"Men are so cheap these days. Whatever happened to guys bringing women chocolate or flowers? I've reached the point where the grim reaper could show up at my door and I'd be like, 'Oh my God, you brought me a scythe. That's so sweet!'" ~ Jenee 

"The great and almost only comfort about a being a woman is that one can always pretend to be more stupid than one is and no one is surprised." ~ Freya Stark


I want to travel back in time to someplace exotic like Spain or Greece. Okay, that's not exotic but it's more exotic than Modesto, Livermore or even Castro Valley, the three places I find myself constantly these days. I just want to walk down a cobblestone street in a nice dress, listening to a guitar while the stars shine overhead.


Cliche and romantic, I know, but I love that thought. 


Maybe, it's because I'm writing my book and I'm letting my imagination run as much as it wants. Of course, it could also be because I'm listening to my Spanish Cafe CD. That could definitely be the reason, too.


Work isn't boring. I know this because I'm constantly busy and rarely have time to think about anything else. The funny thing is that I'm wandering. My mind loves to wander about story land and imagination. I want to stay home all day and just write my stories. I have a lot of them and for some reason they are all screaming to be let out. 


Maybe, though, I just need a vacation :) ... to that cobblestone street in Spain or Greece. To take a moment and swallow up all the things of lie: guitar music, stars, wind... senses that make everyone feel alive and not just living the day-to-day routine of things. I guess I really need to jump out of my head, even though things are much more interesting there. 


Oh well, that's why Mondays were invented; to show us reality. Yes, indeed, the weekend was fun but now you must make the money that not only makes the weekend but also enables one's mind to wander. 


It's all a random though, I guess, and really sucks. Puts a damper on my Sunday evening, no?


Of course, maybe I just need new CD's. 


:)

Falling... falling... falling...

"I want a wild, roving, vagabond life. I always want to do something daring and spirited; you will certainly repent it, if you keep me tied up."

~ Isabel Burton

I miss the changes. It's funny, but true.

After moving into the comforts of an office setting, I've found that I don't sense the seasons change. Now, I don't miss the biting wind or rain, but  I miss NOTICING.

Just the other morning I got up and got ready for work and when I walked out the door? BRRRRRR. I'd forgotten to grab a coat! Actually, even funnier, I'd forgotten that I actually even needed a coat!

That same day, I walked over to the printer and, for the first time, focused my attention on noticing how the golden-red leaves stood out against the autumn-grey clouds.

I wasn't high... seriously.

It's just beautiful, really. I've always held this envy for the east coast and how they get to have all the beautiful colors of fall. I used to believe, and a part of me still does, that they, the east coasters, must have the best Halloweens and Thanksgivings. Part of this stems from the fact that Thanksgiving DID start on the east coast and also the whole Salem witch trial thing. I mean, Halloween must be awesome in Salem, right? And didn't Hocus Pocus take place on the east coast???  California kid moves to an east coast town full of Halloween tradition?

Seriously, west coasters may have some fun things, but when it comes to fall? I feel like we can find much better elsewhere.

I think the most we have to offer for the holidays is Disneyland being decorated... and that's probably the coolest, am I right?

But it all comes back to one thing... despite my random drifts of thought of course... that I miss being outside.

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons, and I feel like I'm missing it. Particularly being in an office. I like my job, but I need to bring in a pile of leaves and put it under my desk... maybe :)

Of course, now that I recognize this, I should probably do my best to be a part of it so that I won't miss this colorful season.

Bring on the chilly wind!!!

Butterflies... More than Just a Bug

Nadeshiko ni

Chocho shiroshi --

Tare no kon?

"On the pink flower there is a white butterfly: who's spirit, I wonder?"

I remember when I was little and living in Modesto there was a patch of purple flowers down the street that was always teaming with butterflies. I spent a lot of time there for awhile, perfecting my art of hunting the little boogers. There was something about catching them and holding them in my hand that verged on simple pleasure and developing a god-like complex; holding some poor little life in the palm of my hand, literally, and being able to choose its fate.

Lucky for the little butterflies, there was never a thought in my mind about squishing them.  All I really wanted to do was look at them up close and then watch them fly away into the sky again.

And now, after reading excerpts from my book for the month, Kwaidan, a book of Japanese ghost stories, I'm really glad I never did squish any of those poor helpless butterflies. Besides the super creepy tales of zombie creatures that feast on a villages' dead in the night and the even creepier stories of creatures that disguise themselves as people, but can detach their heads and float around, there was a little description by the translator about what butterflies mean to the Japanese.

And here I'm going into research paper mode, but at least whoever reads this can have a random conversation starter at a cocktail party in the future. Kudos to me, thank you very much!

According to the translator of Kwaidan (otherwise known as "stories and studies of strange things"), many of the Japanese beliefs about butterflies had origins in China. For example, the practice of artists naming themselves after butterflies like "Solitary Butterfly" or "Butterfly-Luck". There was also the practice of naming women after butterfles because butterflies were considered creatures of great beauty and grace.

While all this sounds nice and wonderful, there was another belief about butterflies that connects my posting with the upcoming holiday.

And I quote....

The belief was that "the soul of a living person may wander about in the form of a butterfly".

Now I'm REALLY glad I never killed any of those butterflies!

In fact, it was commonly believed that if a butterfly came floating softly into your guestroom, the person you loved the absolute most (perhaps that person you were crushing on... :) ) was coming to visit you soon.

While one butterfly was all fine and dandy, LOTS of butterflies were considered bad... an omen, if you will, or a forbarer of bad news. When butterflies showed up in swarms, people in the villages would wonder if they were the souls/spirits of the people who were doomed to perish.

Hmmmmmm....

That's why I love old cultures and their stories. Everything is magical, spiritual, and supernaturally connected.

Perhaps the best concept that was mentioned was a Japanese belief... that a butterfly is a dead person's soul and that you could always tell the moment a soul left a body, because it would take the form of a butterfly.

The moral of this story? If you are out celebrating Halloween tomorrow night... just don't squish any butterflies. As a matter of fact, don't squish butterflies period... because you never know....

Of course, now that I think about it, I'm not certain those little creatures that I loved to catch as a little kid were actually butterflies.... they might have been moths.

Oh, well.  

1/4 of a Life

"There's no map to human behavior"

- Bjork

I might as well just say it... it's my birthday today. I'm 25. I can officially start my quarter-life crisis. Maybe I will get another dog or two... start changing my wardrobe and hair... maybe I'll even leave town and start someplace new... who knows?

BUT

I doubt it. :) (Whew says the mother who might one day read this)

I doubt all of this and many more simply because, at this point in time, I'm actually rather content wih the life I'm currently living. Sure, I wish SOME things were different, but honestly, don't we all? The thing is, though, that those things don't ultimately matter or mean that much to me. They are on my mind and occassionally will cause me some concern but this birthday is one of the first that I've had in a long time where I was ultimately content.

Sure, I wish more of my friends had been available to come celebrate in downtown San Jose with me (Woohoo! Singlebarrel!) ... but the companions I was with made it wonderful just the same. And the others??? Well, I received their well wishes through texts and Facebook posts, so that was perfect by me.

At the end of day, I seriously believe my 25th birthday was one of the best, particularly because it was so simple and perfectly attuned to the way my life is now. I truly hope and believe that the greatness of this day will determine my 25th year in this world. Perhaps this will be my year...

the year of me.... hehe, how conceited does THAT sound?

Maybe this will be the year where I will be able to learn more about myself and delve deeper into my insights and thoughts... something that I really never have time for, it seems, which is total LIES :)

Maybe I will be able to find out a little bit more about my purpose (Yea, I know Avenue Q) at this quarter point of my life stage. I don't want to be in true crisis mode because, at this point, I've never been more strong or more confident in my body, myself, and my mind. I'm more connected I've ever been to what makes me... well, me. My creative juices flow more freely and I feel that no one can tell me who or what I am like they used to because I can say "You're WRONG" and believe it.

It's taken 25% of my life but, hey, better late than never!

This year will be just like this day... full of all the corny positivity, comfort, and... wait for it... yes... love.

Yay! Pour some wine because I just got cheesey.

:) Peace

September School Days

Happy September!

Does anyone remember what September used to mean? I mean, besides the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn; the time when the tree's leaves begin to change color and wind becomes slighter cooler.

I remember.

I remember that September meant the beginning of school and the end of freedom. Not that it was an entirely BAD thing in my mind. Anyone who knows me would know that I really did love school. I loved going to the store and filling up on all sorts of new and lovely school supplies like highlighter, Sharpies, and sticky notes. I mean, who WOULDN'T love all that organization??

Seriously.

I loved being able to open my new textbooks, even if they were used, and reading over the teacher's syllabus, looking over what I was supposed to be learning for the semester. Most of all, I loved being able to see my friends again, guaranteed, and hanging out all day, taking notes and complaining about various teachers and assignments.

I mean, HELLO, Heart of Darkness anyone?

School was fun in its first September days because everything was fresh and everyone still missed the daily little details. It would still be a month or so, or even a few weeks, before people started realizing that their lives were slowly being consumed by letter grades and essays about the meaning of success.

Oh yea, I remember THAT one.

And, you know, I still get that feeling every September. It's something that was part of my life for about 20 years and it seems embedded in my memory. The moment September starts to roll around on calender, I start to feel that excitement that something new is going to happen, new lessons are going to be learned and that the circle of the year was turning and starting its change.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it, why January was determined the first month of the year. Some cultures believe that Halloween and November the beginning of the new year while still other think it's the spring time.

Well, then, I guess I will have to decide that September is the beginning of my new year and it I still consider it that way too, even though I no longer participate in scholarly activities.

And I still find myself missing about how easy school was and how everything was pretty much planned for people like me. I had my day scheduled and set, my lessons all lined up and I was constantly surrounded by people ... no need to plan events just to hang out. Not to mention that this happened five days a week.

I mean, work IS very similar, but there was more freedom to school. There weren't any bills that needed to be paid, dinner to be cooked and if you wanted to get a little exercise, classes were provided for you. That means, no searching on the internet for the yoga studio in your area and trying to figure out which one had the best deals and wouldn't empty your wallet too quickly. Oh, the days of school ... so great, really, when you think about it.

Boy, am I happy they're OVER! :)

So, to all you students, HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOOD LUCK on your semester!!

Peace.

Gosh it's been awhile, but...

Hello all!

I've got to say that even though it's been awhile since I paid attention this sucker of a blog, I've still pretty much kept to my word... I say PRETTY much :D

For July, I did go on an adventure and I did read a book. Let's see, my adventure was to the wonderful shores of a California north coast beach were I not only got knocked down by waves but also sunburned. Ahhhh, the joys of summer. When the sun can crisp the skin JUST right! Seriously, though, Aloe was my dearest friend for a few days!

And as for a book? I read Water for Elephants.

See, I do stand true to some aspects! Maybe....

Yes, it's true a lot of time has passed and I'm pretty surprised myself. I mean, just yesterday it was June and now July is gone and it's coming to the end of August pretty quickly. Since when did time move so quickly? Really, I can't believe it. As a kid, I didn't realize time passing like I do now. I don't think I'm old or anything... just more aware that time is passing by and I'm just hanging around, enjoying it

Well, for the most part anyway! :)

At least I can say THAT much.

I've had a lot of fun the last few weeks or so, getting adjusted to my new job. Tomorrow, I have a meeting. Isn't that the weirdest thing to say? I have a meeting?

My mom told me that's what working people do. Haha... mother.

But in all reality, work goes by pretty quickly. I'm keeping busy and planning my life so that I can some fulfillment in the little things like my doggie and good movies and TV shows and times with friends.

I don't really know why I'm so sentimental all of a sudden. Perhaps it's finally because I'm relaxing and I'm thinking... I'm having time to realize how much fun life can be.

Crazy, huh?

Ridiculous.

I don't know what to expect anymore, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it. As I once posted, not TOO long ago, on Facebook, I am no longer dark and twisty... but bright and shiny. Thank you, Meridith Grey.

Anyway, August is pretty much half over and I'm already almost done with the book that I started for this month! Yay success!

Catch up soon with something fun and interesting.

Moving Again....

When I was young, moving was an adventure.

It started with shopping for houses... what a concept!! Walking around in strange places and imagining what your life would be like if you lived there. I imagined glorious backyards, new neighborhoods, and all the ways that I could decorate my new room. When I moved from my first house, we packed all of our things into boxes, put them in a huge truck, and found ourselves in rooms full of clean slates... white walls, beige carpets, and a backyard full of dirt. My parents were artists to me... they took these clean walls and made them into something and they made it look so easy. Boy that backyard is boring... let's put a pool in there with some palm trees and rocks! Blank room? Look at these lights and draperies! Make it all look so royal and grand!

The old house, well, it was homey but this new place is fresh and just waiting for the memories!

Then there was moving to college. It was work but, hey, you had a place all your own. You paid for room and board but nothing else and WOW... let's be creative and see what we can do with such little space! Not to mention.... and need I mention? ... no parents!! Woohoo! Score!

Then it came to a first apartment... well, there was a studio crap shack, but let's forget that for a moment and move beyond :) .... a first apartment!

That was a lot of work too... actually it was a LOT of work... when I did I acquire so much junk? Where does this go? Do I even WANT this anymore? I kept THAT??

And... I need a couch? A table??

What???

And... bills? Utilities? What the heck are those? And cable? You mean, you can't plug in the television and BAM ... basic cable???

And ... a moving truck? Do I really have THAT much? How much does THAT cost?

Wait... when did moving suddenly kinda suck?

Just when I think I'm slightly settled somewhere I have now found myself moving again and facing a whole side of trouble... moving addresses as well... I mean, all those bills got to find you somehow right? And Netflix movies too!

So, I've basically realized, particularly with this last move, that moving is no longer an adventure swirling in possibilities and fun... it's a whole lot of sweat, boxes, dust, and large couches that don't make it through doors... and cursing dads.

Yea..... moving sucks.

But... you should TOTALLY see my new apartment... it's SWEET!!! :)

(Picture captions.... Top: the remaining boxes to be unpacked... Bottom: the empty souls of the rest of the boxes... anybody moving soon and need one?)

Music makes the world... happy!

Anybody loving this song yet?

I heard it on the radio the other day and, for some reason, I stopped. It actually spoke to me, like MANY songs do these days (hence the references to Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine, One Eskimo... just to name the MOST recent). I listened and I felt all happy and oogly-googly inside. Now, I every time it's on the radio, I turn it up... I will do this until it is overplayed or, in the case of Florence, given to an edited version of horrible proportions. Seriously, the real Dog Days Are Over is longer and more dramatic. LOVE it.

I love music. I must think that this love of music came from my other love, the movie "Almost Famous". But I would also like to think that I loved music before that. I mean, I never got into the whole boy band age... my heart and brain new better than to trust the Backstreet Boys and their version of pop soul over-indulgency.

Is that a real phrase? No?

Excuse me and continue reading. I'm in a funky mood tonight. I have no idea where my brain will be jumping to next.

I'm listening to Maroon 5 radio on Pandora right now (HAHA the one boy band I DO accept!) and did anyone realize that Linkin Park is in the same station? Go figure. News to me but whatever... it's their old stuff and I accept. Thumbs up Pandora.

:)

And now for my next trick...

Ladies and gents, cats and kittens, children of all ages and pups of all stages I bring to you today the FIRST of it's kind... LIFE as we know it will change based on this wonder... people of the world, if you recall, about a month ago, I made this blog disappear... TODAY, I give you something FAR more AMAZING... far more STUNNING... and far more... well, cool?

TODAY I WILL MAKE THAT BLOG.... REAPPEAR.

1... 2... 3...

Well, actually, it's already here isn't it?

I would like people to know that while this blog was lost in the world of the unknown, I still was going on different adventures and I was still reading and trying to repair my mind after the March that was literally coming in like a lion... and leaving like a lion and tearing apart animals like a lion, etc. etc.

But, April was good... April was even VERY good and I'm hoping that it had something to do with that blog post that I started it with. At least, I'm going to believe that's how it happened.

SCRIPTFRENZY totally kicked my butt. I tried it, but instead of writing 100 pages in 30 days, I only wrote about 25. Part of it was because I was working a lot more than I normally did, but the other part was I hadn't planned it quite right. I realize this and I've learned. I will definitely be more prepared next SCRIPTFRENZY. On the bright side, I loved my idea and I'm going to keep working on it. My problem was that I liked my idea so much that I believed that's all it would take... funny how you needed it plotted and, well, everything else.

Oh, well.

The book I read for the month, and I'm still reading ... eeek!.. is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo... hope to finish it soon and start on the second book in the installment... that way I could at least get a book in before May is over. :)

And for my adventure? I finally took a short vacation! While I didn't have a camera and lack the pictures that would have made this blog beautiful, I can at least write and tell you that Carmel was beautiful! My mom and I stayed at a place that looked like it was taken out of a Steven King novel, but it accepted Kyli as a guest. She did well too! Especially at only 16 weeks old! The picture above is from my camera phone after she got back from the trip. Let's just say, it was a lot of work for a little pup!

And, now for the final wonder of April... I got a job!

But... more details after my first day... ;)

Peace!

Starting April With Positivity

I'm remembering today the most important aspect of this blog.... the title.

What, you ask, is so important about the title?

Well, let me explain.

When I first came up with the title, I thought I was being clever and cute but as time has passed I have realized something that many people haven't: what makes me happy.

And it's true, nothing makes me more happy than eating a fresh mango, particularly when it's paired with a puppy, young or old. It makes me smile and realize the most important parts in life are the simple things.

March was a very difficult month for me... if you couldn't tell by the lack of interest in posting or writing or pretty much anything. I lost a dog, gained a dog, new dog got REALLY sick, their were negative issues at work, negative issues with money and loads of stress to go with it all. I lived in a bubble of myself and didn't really read or write and was pretty much angry at the fact that my LUCKY month had turned so unlucky. The problem was, I didn't really do anything about it. I didn't try to change it or anything... I just wallowed in it.

Yesterday I took a step back. I hung out with a good friend, watched a good movie and drank good wine and now I realized AGAIN what was important to me: the little things.

I also realized something else... I wasn't the only one who had a horrible month. All I had to do was look at the WORLD around me and realize that March was pretty bad for everyone worldwide... and not just worldwide, but in my community as well. I wasn't the only one dealing with a horrible March.

Now the more serious question... did I aid in this negativity?

I know I didn't cause earthquakes and such... I'm not a god. But what about work? People were feeling bad and I didn't help. My negativity on myself probably did not add to the already negative air. In fact, it probably made the air worse.

Toxic even.

It brought it all back to me in full force.

So, I'm waking up today on my day off and starting new for April. I'm remembering my goals. I did not read a book in March. I went on an adventure but I hardly appreciated it. I hung out with friends but I wasn't there. I wallowed in my sadness in losing Jack (he went back to the breeder) but forgot to realize that this is what was best for him and his success. I didn't write. I didn't communicate. I can't take it back, but I could let it flow down the river and remember what I want to do.

For April, I'm started it positive by WAKING UP and remembering the small things that make me happy. I'm going to finish a book I barely started, I'm going to do Scriptfrenzy, I'm going to write and post pictures, I'm going to a concert whether I have money or not and I'm going to enjoy my friends. April will be positive because I am remembering that, yea, life sometimes sucks but that's why the little matter most.

And I'm going to play with my new HEALTHY puppy :) She made it through parvo and came back to me, just like her name, Kyli, implies. Why shouldn't I be happy about the little miracles like that??

Peace out, y'all and hope to write again soon.

Lucky March?

Now that March is here, I'm hoping it will bring a little bit of the luck of the Irish with it! February was fun at some points but, ultimately, was quite the downer. Boo.

That's okay, though, because days pass by and things get... well... different.

My month of February was not QUITE as successful as January but I did finish a book (Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow... LOVED it!) but I never really went on an adventure per se. I guess I'll just count all the fun times I had with friends because, well, those were adventures too right? I left my apartment! I got out!

So, for March I've already started reading The Girl With Dragon Tattoo... at the request of my mother who insists that it's glorious. Not to mention, rearranged the apartment a bit and fixed up a few things.

But for March... well, let's say I have plans. My adventures have already been planned and I will keep everybody updated on Jack. It looks like the puppy boy is going to be going back to the breeder. It's incredibly sad, but I don't think I can offer him everything that he needs! I can't say more... I'll probably cry just typing it!!!

And I will also keep people posted on my first letter to someone I admire as well... I've got to get a roll on that too!

Fun times are ahead I hope! To be honest, that's all I can do... hope!

Here's to hoping and, of course, for the luck to find me soon!

Hoping for Blue Skies

My life feels like it has taken yet another dip into the pool of reality. I guess, no matter how hard I try, I can't stay in my bubble forever... not that I'm a fairy tale princess locked up in a tower somewhere... Not that I even remotely thought THAT, but -- side note -- wouldn't that be awesome for a while... or maybe interesting.

Instead, the cards are dealt and I thus must deal with the hand I have, whether or not I have the possibility of a royal flush or... well, nothing.

Okay, I should be done with the metaphors now.

Perhaps one of the main reasons why I feel this way is Jack. This past weekend I brought a strange dog into our apartment. It was a bad idea and I knew it, but something in me said I had to give it a shot; that I had to see how things would unfold. What resulted was a very unhappy Jack. In fact, when I went to pick up the other dog for a potty break, Jack went so far as to attack both of us. He ending up scratching my arm and putting quite a puncture in my leg.

Now... I'm worried.

Do I have to get rid of him? He appeared "sorry" but it still happened. And if he bit ME, what would he do to someone else? The absolute truth is that I've worked so hard to train this dog and it seems like he's not getting any better, but worse! I don't want to send him back to the breeder or a rescue, but I plan on having other dogs and people in my life and I can't have a dog that reacts like this... that much I do know.

I haven't lost hope yet, though. I love Jack Jack and will do anything to help him succeed.

So, first thing I did was call his awesome breeder who suggested, before anything, to take a thyroid panel. Perhaps his aggression could be explained by low levels?

I did that. I took Jack to the vet yesterday morning to have his blood drawn and I should know within the next few days and I'm crossing my fingers that this could be explained MEDICALLY.

Then, while all this was developing, something else happened... my grandpa was taken into the hospital. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out. First of all, my grandpa is getting up in age, there is no denying it, but I also had a very vivid dream about him and my brother. In my dream, the two of them had been in a plane crash and died. My dream was my family dealing with this tragedy. Crazy huh? Not to mention incredibly life-like. So, when I heard my grandpa was in the hospital, the first thing I thought was that I had had a premonition about who would die this year. I was definitely worried.

Luckily, though, my grandpa is fine. They found out he has pneumonia and they have been pumping him full of drugs WHICH have brought his fever down and I just heard tonight that he is out of be and sitting up in a chair. YAY!

Jack, though, is still on my mind.

By the way, no adventure this month. The weather sucks and I'm broke. Jack's blood panel was $260.00.

:(

Whoa! What Happened?

Seriously... that is what I was thinking when I looked at the date of my last post. Whatever happened to my plans of posting once a week????

SO... I am writing today to once more continue on my goal. I'm sure it had something to do with all that studying for the G.R.E... in fact, I'm sure of that. For the last week or two, I shut everything off and studied. I didn't write, I didn't read, I didn't do anything really except go about the daily life of work and then coming home and studying. It paid off too I think, because when I took the test last Saturday, it wasn't that bad. Indeed, not bad at all.

Now that the test is over, I can get back to my goals of the year, starting with finding an adventure for the month. I know what I'm doing in March. I'm taking a trek to the Calaveras Celtic Festival, something that I've always wanted to check out but I've just never done it before. Then in April, I'm thinking of heading out to WonderCon. Two things for two months. However, this month is just... well, short. Haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm thinking of heading to the Nightlife on a Thursday. It sounds like it will be brilliant.

Something tells me, though, that this month will continue to surprise me and offer me more things of fun.

I'm just glad that I finished my test.

I find that I'm still getting over, though. My mind has been tired all week. I'm hoping to find my rest on this coming weekend. I will do daily chores and rest. That's all I really want.

Maybe even write a little more!

Until then...

It's February! Ahhhh!

SCORE!!

January is over and I have succeeded, for the most part, in the things that I wanted to accomplish!

First and foremost, I was able to read, and finish, my first book of the year: "Nose Down, Eyes Up" by Merrill Markoe. Basically, it was about a guy who awoke one day to hear his dog giving speeches to the neighborhood dogs about how to manipulate their owners. The book was adorable and I loved all the dogs, particularly Jimmy. Not to mention, the adventures with LOLcat women! I have to admit, though, that in the end I was a little disappointed with the main character, Gil, and with a few unanswered questions I had. For example, why could the guy understand dogs anyway and why could nobody else?

Otherwise, it was an interesting/fun read and I've already started on my next book. Details will follow next month on that! :)

Second accomplishment: I actually went on my first adventure of the year and it was to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The last time I went there was AGES ago and I couldn't really remember anything about it. Basically, when I walked through the doors, I just treated it like I had never been there before and it was a lot of fun. I felt kind of like a kid again, exploring all the exhibits, turning knobs and messing around with water. It was fun! Armed with just the camera on my phone, I took a couple different photos of the exhibits that I loved including the human kaleidoscope and the tornado making thing (thanks children for making that tornado possible!). I also took a picture of a creature that, if you know Doctor Who, I felt I had to keep my eye on. Luckily, there were other people there... looking at the same thing ;)

After my first adventure, I was able to compile a list of things that I need to remember for my next adventure... if it applies:

1.) Wake up and go earlier... haha, my fault this time.

2.) Remember traffic and don't forget it. I do NOT want to be on the lower part of the Bay Bridge stuck in traffic again... that's a corner of hell for me.

3.) Remember PARKING SUCKS in the city. Just a thing to take into consideration. I'm pretty sure my parking stop was free SIMPLY BECAUSE no one else wanted to park next to the portapotty. I live with a sense of danger.

4.) Make sure to have my daily dose of coffee. It's just that important. When I got to the last couple of exhibits with gears and motors I was in lalaland.

5.) and last but not least READ EXHIBIT INSTRUCTIONS. I pressed a pretty button without thinking and ended up getting blinded by a bright light. If I read the giant lettering that said "Read this first" I would have realized that this would happen.

Oh well, silly me.

The trip, though, was totally worth it.

Yay, adventures!!!

Now, it's time to see what February will bring... including the great G.R.E. test of dooooom!!!!!

:)

Give a dog a bone...

My life is being consumed by... the G.R.E.

I admit, it was my idea. I told myself I had to prepare for everything life threw at me and, for some reason, it translated into taking the G.R.E. JUST in case I wanted to apply to grad school this fall... or something along those lines. So, I'm taking it now on February 12th and I'm oh-so-excited!!!

The only problem is that for the rest of January my life will seem consumed by preparation for this test. I just spent an hour or two studying math, something that I haven't really encountered since high school. I'm starting to remember why I detested it so. It wasn't because it was incredibly difficult just that it was incredibly annoying. Not knowing the answer to something bugs me and when I can't figure out a math problem... I get stressed.

So now, I'm feeling all bunchy... like I need to be released in some way... or maybe it just means I studied too long, which is highly possible too. What can I say? That's why I hate math... I become a kind of math addict and stress myself out with answers.

Yuck.

Well, the second problem with the G.R.E. and the way it consumes whatever I do is that I forget my pup pup. Not intentionally just... we haven't played tug-of-war or ball lately... not a lot of it anyway. It's been breakfast, training, dinner... breakfast, training, dinner. Poor guy. So the other day I did something SUPER special for him.

I got him a giant bone. It actually looks like the shoulder joint of a cow... I think IT IS the shoulder joint of a cow.

Anyway, doesn't he look happy now? Now, he can chew away my study hours... occasionally bringing me a ball to throw or something.

Yuck. It's NOT allowed near the bed.

I have to remember, though, that life is not the G.R.E. and the G.R.E. is not life. I have many things that I still want and have to do within the coming week that I have to offer parts of myself to prepare for other things as well. Kind of crazy the way life works like that.

I promise, though, that I will uphold my list and still go on that adventure and still read that book and still write this blog.

THAT is how I will keep sane! :)

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (2010 Version)

One eskimO - "Kandi"

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

Some new music I like...

I'm back to my old ways of posting things that I like. It's a fun concept, really, which is why I continually do it! For my blog of the week, I decided to post a bunch of music videos from bands that I am currently becoming addicted to. Sadly, I've started to notice that some are in the beginning stages of being overplayed on the radio. I do not despair, though, because they are too cool for that. The songs, that is. Hehehehee

Anyway, the videos are a series of posts instead of embeds simply because I'm on my parents computer and their computer is lame. They have all sorts of things set up that I don't quite understand and I actually think that they don't understand, either. Oh well.

The video from Florence + The Machine is a new favorite. The video isn't bad either. It kind of reminds me of an old Greek play concept.

The video from One Eskimo is an older song, but I was reminded of how much I loved it when I heard their latest single, "Amazing", when I was listening to the radio yesterday.

And finally, the video from Mumford and Sons is another favorite. So much so, I actually bought the album. That way I can keep it on repeat.

All of these songs ARE danceable. This theory has been tested and it works!

Enjoy!

Toast to the New Year

Last night was fun and 2010 left like a roaring lion and left in its wake a carcass of a person hungering for Chinese food, Ibuprofen, and Gatorade. What can I say? I hadn't partied in awhile and I was with some of my best buddies in downtown Palo Alto AND we had a hotel room. Hence, the fun that ensued. I, though, was NOT the one who got sick! :)

I was, however, the one who ended up sleeping on the floor. ;) It was still pretty comfortable and huge comforter definitely helped things.

So, now that the new year has officially begun (I tore off the page of my new day-to-day calendar... it has begun!) I've decided to do something a wee bit different and make a list of things that I want to do with this year before me. I stole the idea, but let me tell you, it was a good steal.

Let's get this list started!!!

LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN 2011:

1. Write to 4 people that I admire. This can consist of anything.... authors, musicians, senators, SPCA presidents, etc. You get the picture. I don't necessarily expect a response BUT the fact is that I'm doing it.

2. Go on an adventure at least once a month. ANYWHERE. Hikes, museums, mountains, beaches.... anything that gets me off my butt and out of my apartment. Preferably with my dog, but he's not that friendly. This will start with the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

3. Speaking of the dog... work on Jack's leash reactivity and finally achieve the dream of a calm walk. :)

4. Complete a rough draft of my book... cross fingers.

5. Enter 2 writing contests!

6. SCRIPTFRENZY

7. Write on this blog at least once a week. I would like to aim for more, but that may be aiming high.

8. Decorate my apartment... make it more ME

9. Read a book a month... my busy life is preventing me and they are piling up!

10. Continue to work towards a happy mental state!

That's it! It's a short list BUT it is full of some major work that I need to accomplish. Let's see what happens.

I hope that 2011 will be worth the wait because, well, I have to say it: I'm not really fond of uneven numbers. I'm going to look beyond that, though, and decide ahead of time that it's going to be a fabulous year full of interesting adventures! And I started it with fortune cookies!

Here are the fortunes, in case you want to know:

"Flowers would brighten the day of your close friend"
"You will be reunited with old friends before the month is out"
"You will inherit a large sum of money"

Nice. Happy new year!!!