I just got back from a screening of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" and it was really good! I don't know when it comes out, but it was good so keep your eyes open for it. It was almost 3 hours long, but worth it I think. Obviously we know how it ends...but it was sad, which is weird because you know it's not like Jesse James was a great guy or anything, but it you were still rooting for him (which was played by Brad Pitt by the way, and Casey Affleck played Robert Ford).
GOOD!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Some Inspirational words
So I've been an inspirational kinda mood, ya know because of this whole marathon training and being around motivated people. So here's some quotes I like, my favorites are italicized :)
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." -T. S. Eliot
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
You don't get to choose how you're going to die; or when. You can only decide how you're going to live; NOW. - Joan Baez -
"A year from now you may wish you had started today."
"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry van Dyke -
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another." - Charles Dickens
"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. " - Henry Ford -
"Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting." - Napolean Hill -
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." - Dale Carnegie -
"If you are not using your smile, you're a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook." - Les Giblin -
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead -
"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself." - Aldous Huxley -
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of that candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha -
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward -
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa -
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt -
Dalai Lama's 19 instructions for life
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: respect for self, respect for others and responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
- Dalai Lama -
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt -
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus -
"We sometimes feel that what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Teresa -
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough" - Joe Lewis -
"Tell me and I`ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I`ll understand." - Chinese Proverb -
Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die! - Anon -
What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain -
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." -T. S. Eliot
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
You don't get to choose how you're going to die; or when. You can only decide how you're going to live; NOW. - Joan Baez -
"A year from now you may wish you had started today."
"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry van Dyke -
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another." - Charles Dickens
"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. " - Henry Ford -
"Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting." - Napolean Hill -
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." - Dale Carnegie -
"If you are not using your smile, you're a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook." - Les Giblin -
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead -
"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself." - Aldous Huxley -
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of that candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha -
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward -
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa -
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt -
Dalai Lama's 19 instructions for life
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: respect for self, respect for others and responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
- Dalai Lama -
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt -
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus -
"We sometimes feel that what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Teresa -
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough" - Joe Lewis -
"Tell me and I`ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I`ll understand." - Chinese Proverb -
Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die! - Anon -
What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain -
TNT Update!
(This is an email I sent out, but if you didn't get it, here it is)
Hello All!
I just wanted to take a second and let you know what's been going on with my training for the marathon. So, 2 weeks ago we had a pace assessment, where you run/walk 3 miles, they take your time, and then set us up in pace groups with people who run at a similar time. That night I finished at 38:12, which is great for me. I'm not trying to break records, I'm trying to finish a race! Then, Saturday the 4th was our first official practice with our pace group. We did 3 miles that day, and it was a little difficult but not near as bad you might think. We do a run/walk ratio of running for 1 minute and then walking for 1 minute, which makes any distance easier to get through. Not to mention, you are surrounded by a group of really great people. So the whole time you're running, you are just getting to know people and you always have other teammates coming and going giving you a good "Go Team!" In fact it's a rule on the team that you can't pass any person by without "good morning" or "GO TEAM!" Each practice begins with what they call a "mission moment," where someone will get up and talk about something that happened that reminded them of why they're doing this. We also get plenty of words of encouragement from our honored teammates, one of whom is in remission and trains with us, and the other who sends messages via email and is not doing so well right now. After hearing from them you know that what you're doing is worth it, no amount of tiredness or pain running could cause will ever compare, and the daunting task of fundraising is definitely worth the struggle. Each Saturday morning has become something I really look forward to because I look forward to seeing these people who I've just met and every weekend you are sure to get inspired over and over again!
Next weekend we have a training race where we will run as a ream in the Calabasas Classic, it's a 5k, put on by another organization supporting cancer research. Each week our mileage increases, and each week we think, my God, how are we going to do it?? And then we do!
I wish each of you could come one morning to see what happens when all these people meet and hear their stories. It's amazing. So anyway, that's a little update on where I am right now. I'll let you know when I get into running those double digits and see if I'm still as happy :)
As always, donations are very much appreciated!! GO TEAM!
Thanks!
Chelsey
Hello All!
I just wanted to take a second and let you know what's been going on with my training for the marathon. So, 2 weeks ago we had a pace assessment, where you run/walk 3 miles, they take your time, and then set us up in pace groups with people who run at a similar time. That night I finished at 38:12, which is great for me. I'm not trying to break records, I'm trying to finish a race! Then, Saturday the 4th was our first official practice with our pace group. We did 3 miles that day, and it was a little difficult but not near as bad you might think. We do a run/walk ratio of running for 1 minute and then walking for 1 minute, which makes any distance easier to get through. Not to mention, you are surrounded by a group of really great people. So the whole time you're running, you are just getting to know people and you always have other teammates coming and going giving you a good "Go Team!" In fact it's a rule on the team that you can't pass any person by without "good morning" or "GO TEAM!" Each practice begins with what they call a "mission moment," where someone will get up and talk about something that happened that reminded them of why they're doing this. We also get plenty of words of encouragement from our honored teammates, one of whom is in remission and trains with us, and the other who sends messages via email and is not doing so well right now. After hearing from them you know that what you're doing is worth it, no amount of tiredness or pain running could cause will ever compare, and the daunting task of fundraising is definitely worth the struggle. Each Saturday morning has become something I really look forward to because I look forward to seeing these people who I've just met and every weekend you are sure to get inspired over and over again!
Next weekend we have a training race where we will run as a ream in the Calabasas Classic, it's a 5k, put on by another organization supporting cancer research. Each week our mileage increases, and each week we think, my God, how are we going to do it?? And then we do!
I wish each of you could come one morning to see what happens when all these people meet and hear their stories. It's amazing. So anyway, that's a little update on where I am right now. I'll let you know when I get into running those double digits and see if I'm still as happy :)
As always, donations are very much appreciated!! GO TEAM!
Thanks!
Chelsey
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Second Job...or Volunteer
So, I applied to get a second job just to get experience outside of the schools and you know, extra money has never hurt anyone. But I'm getting a bit busier with TNT training, and I just don't know if my heart's in it. I would rather volunteer somewhere I think than "have to" go do something. You know what I mean? I dunno what to do, because as far as my future in OT goes, it would be best to try to get a second job. I'm also a little bit afraid that it's not worth it to interview even b/c I have absolutely no experience in the hospitals and so I have basically nothing to offer...do I really want to go through an interview where I just sit there saying "No but I'm a quick learner." I dunno!
For whatever reason I've had an interest in doing something to help with the AIDS epidemic. I've felt this way for a few years and the other day I was searching for places around here to volunteer and stuff and I saw something called the AIDS service center. It's only a couple of blocks away and sounds like a good fit...we'll see.
As for everything else in life...it's fine :) TNT training is going well, and fun, and I like meeting people...and running?! Only at 3 miles right now, this weekend we increase to 4 or 5.
Work is...fine. Don't love or hate it, it just is what it is.
Ivan's good. He's still at the same job he had last year. Although I'm getting sick of the hours finally (he works Sunday-Wednesday 1:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.) Lonely! There might be a day shift opening up so he'll jump on that when he can hopefully.
We have no idea what will happen at the end of this school year. Love it or hate it, I'm comfortable in California, which is reason enough to move! I don't really want to get comfortable somewhere, especially here! Too many things to tick me off in So-Cal. (Yeah yeah, it has good points too). We've talked about Hawaii...or Chicago. Parts of me would love to just come home because I do like being with you guys, and I miss seeing the kids grow up, BUT I'm afraid to come home because it makes me feel like then that's it, time to get an SUV and get to the kids' soccer practice. And yes I want that someday....but not today! Ahh...only time will tell.
For whatever reason I've had an interest in doing something to help with the AIDS epidemic. I've felt this way for a few years and the other day I was searching for places around here to volunteer and stuff and I saw something called the AIDS service center. It's only a couple of blocks away and sounds like a good fit...we'll see.
As for everything else in life...it's fine :) TNT training is going well, and fun, and I like meeting people...and running?! Only at 3 miles right now, this weekend we increase to 4 or 5.
Work is...fine. Don't love or hate it, it just is what it is.
Ivan's good. He's still at the same job he had last year. Although I'm getting sick of the hours finally (he works Sunday-Wednesday 1:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.) Lonely! There might be a day shift opening up so he'll jump on that when he can hopefully.
We have no idea what will happen at the end of this school year. Love it or hate it, I'm comfortable in California, which is reason enough to move! I don't really want to get comfortable somewhere, especially here! Too many things to tick me off in So-Cal. (Yeah yeah, it has good points too). We've talked about Hawaii...or Chicago. Parts of me would love to just come home because I do like being with you guys, and I miss seeing the kids grow up, BUT I'm afraid to come home because it makes me feel like then that's it, time to get an SUV and get to the kids' soccer practice. And yes I want that someday....but not today! Ahh...only time will tell.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
TNT
Saturday was the kick-off party for Team In Training (TNT), where we met our coaches and teammates and mentors and things like that. Basically, each team has a headcoach or 2, some assistant coaches and then mentors who are just people who have done it before and are doing it again & they train with you. They kinda keep you motivated, answer questions & things like that. Each team also has a social chair, who organizes things for the team to do to get to know each other & stuff. Anyway, the kick off party had all the teams in the Los Angeles area, I am on the San Gabriel Valley team. And people get up & speak-- people who have/had a form of blood cancer, and you basically cry or try not to cry for a couple of hours. It's exhausting! But you come away really proud of yourself and ready to work. Tonight was our first team practice, and we did our pace assessments. So we each had to complete 3 miles, they took our times, and then at our first "real" practice on the 28th, they will have us in pace groups of people who run at similar times. My time was 38:18, which I'm happy with. I tend to average a 12 minute mile, and that's just 1 mile at a time, so I figured if I was doing 3 it would be a lot longer, so only going over a couple minutes sounds great to me. It was nice to get to meet some people in the area too, which is a huge reason I'm doing this, I need friends! I happened to meet a girl who just moved here with her husband a few months ago & needs friends too :) And a bunch of other super nice people I hope to get to know. One thing they really talk about before you sign up for this is how close you get to your teammates. And really, why wouldn't you? You spend hours running next to people just talking & getting to know them. I'm pumped! Not to mention it's nice to get moving again.
One girl had a great idea, and I'm telling you to do this too-- whoever reading this usually gets me a Christmas present-- don't, please spend that on a donation for me!! It'll be put to way better use, and it's actually what I need right now.
What else...not much else is new. This past weekend Breigh & Joe, and Ivan's friend Brian came out & we all went out to eat for Ivan's birthday to this cool place called La Luna Negra, they have flamenco dancers & stuff, it was fun. Friday night Ivan & I went to see The Grudge 2...it was ok. It could've been better maybe if there weren't 10,000 15 year olds in the theatre who are overdramatic and scream about 10 seconds BEFORE anything scary happens, continue to scream for about 10 seconds AFTER, and then talk to each other for about 15 seconds after that. We almost got up & left. It was horrible!
Lucy is going through a terrible-two's stage. She's randomly having accidents, which she hasn't had in months really, and chewing on things she's never chewed on before! Let's hope this passes quickly. We've still been fairly regular at the dog park, so that's fun.
Well I'm gonna get going. Oh, I'm trying to teach myself how to do those Sodoku puzzles and I'm doing alright...but if anyone has any tips I'd love them!
One girl had a great idea, and I'm telling you to do this too-- whoever reading this usually gets me a Christmas present-- don't, please spend that on a donation for me!! It'll be put to way better use, and it's actually what I need right now.
What else...not much else is new. This past weekend Breigh & Joe, and Ivan's friend Brian came out & we all went out to eat for Ivan's birthday to this cool place called La Luna Negra, they have flamenco dancers & stuff, it was fun. Friday night Ivan & I went to see The Grudge 2...it was ok. It could've been better maybe if there weren't 10,000 15 year olds in the theatre who are overdramatic and scream about 10 seconds BEFORE anything scary happens, continue to scream for about 10 seconds AFTER, and then talk to each other for about 15 seconds after that. We almost got up & left. It was horrible!
Lucy is going through a terrible-two's stage. She's randomly having accidents, which she hasn't had in months really, and chewing on things she's never chewed on before! Let's hope this passes quickly. We've still been fairly regular at the dog park, so that's fun.
Well I'm gonna get going. Oh, I'm trying to teach myself how to do those Sodoku puzzles and I'm doing alright...but if anyone has any tips I'd love them!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Got My Flight!
Got my tickets bought today for my Christmas trip home. I will be flying into St. Louis on Friday, December 22 and staying until January 2nd. Ivan and I will both be home the same dates and are actually flying together! One of the first times ever, ha
See you then
See you then
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Doing Better!
My last post was a little mean and I'm a little better...although I still think if you haven't donated yet you really need to think about it...skip a couple trips to Starbucks or something like that and you will magically have $10-20 to help cure cancer, but whatever, I'm not going to preach today!
Not much been going on out here. We took Lucy to the dog park on Saturday and then I took her again on Sunday and then again on Monday! I love the dog park as much as she does! She gets to just run off of her leash forever and play with other dogs. Much better than walking because I will never go as fast as she'd like and we always end up mad at each other anyway because I'm trying to teach her to stop pulling on the leash, so I've found that for both of our mental health, the dog park is good! I get to socialize a bit, so does she, all is well!
This Saturday I meet my team for the marathon. I'm excited to have people to get to know and work out with. I need someone to keep me motivated. I've been back to the tread mill doing some interval stuff to get ready for our first team practice, but other than that, I hadn't worked out for well 2.5 months aside from the 1-2 times I worked out at home and once we were back here. I really have to stop looking at working out just for weight loss. Because if I get un-motivated to lose weight then I just stop moving and kinda binge for months and that's how I always get right back where I started from. I need to start seeing it just as a necessity for the rest of my life instead of as a weight loss goal. And keep on doing things like marathons and stuff to keep me working towards something that's not a weight!! Obviously using weight as a goal isn't working for me! So wish me luck with that.
What else...tomorrow is Ivan's 24th birthday! Exciting stuff. I think we'll be going out this weekend with friends from Rancho, his friends from work, and maybe my new co-worker.
I applied for a part-time job in the hospitals. We'll see if I get it. I just really want to get experience outside of the schools so I don't end up trapped there. And extra money is never bad! I'll let you know how that goes.
Later!
Not much been going on out here. We took Lucy to the dog park on Saturday and then I took her again on Sunday and then again on Monday! I love the dog park as much as she does! She gets to just run off of her leash forever and play with other dogs. Much better than walking because I will never go as fast as she'd like and we always end up mad at each other anyway because I'm trying to teach her to stop pulling on the leash, so I've found that for both of our mental health, the dog park is good! I get to socialize a bit, so does she, all is well!
This Saturday I meet my team for the marathon. I'm excited to have people to get to know and work out with. I need someone to keep me motivated. I've been back to the tread mill doing some interval stuff to get ready for our first team practice, but other than that, I hadn't worked out for well 2.5 months aside from the 1-2 times I worked out at home and once we were back here. I really have to stop looking at working out just for weight loss. Because if I get un-motivated to lose weight then I just stop moving and kinda binge for months and that's how I always get right back where I started from. I need to start seeing it just as a necessity for the rest of my life instead of as a weight loss goal. And keep on doing things like marathons and stuff to keep me working towards something that's not a weight!! Obviously using weight as a goal isn't working for me! So wish me luck with that.
What else...tomorrow is Ivan's 24th birthday! Exciting stuff. I think we'll be going out this weekend with friends from Rancho, his friends from work, and maybe my new co-worker.
I applied for a part-time job in the hospitals. We'll see if I get it. I just really want to get experience outside of the schools so I don't end up trapped there. And extra money is never bad! I'll let you know how that goes.
Later!
Monday, October 02, 2006
You should be ashamed of yourselves!
I'm so frustrated right now and kinda angry and a little sad. As you know I'm doing this marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And I know I just sent out the email last week to start raising money & everything...but only 3 people have donated so far. I sent that email to 106 people, posted it on Myspace and Facebook, and my blog. I get it, sometimes people read it, forget about it, and that's it. And I know not everyone has money laying around... but do you know if every person I emailed it to donated $20, I would have raised $2120! I'm sorry but $20 is not too much. And even if it was, $10 donations from each person would have given me $1060. As it is I'm going to donate hundreds of dollars of my own by setting aside $10-20 per week, and I'm ok with that! But I just can't get over how un-giving people have been so far. I know some people are waiting until they've saved up a bigger amount and things like that but damn, I'm just kinda pissed off right now.
I realize I'm probably talking to myself, and that's fine. And I might be pissing off potential doners right now, but whatever. It's not about me, I'm trying to do a good thing and it's really difficult when nobody will work with you on it. Yes it's early. But I'm so discouraged right now. And this is putting it very mildly. I just got off the phone with my mom and f%#@ was just about every other word out of my mouth because I just don't get it. Selfishness. Whatever.
If I pissed you off then fine don't donate anything, selfish bastard, and if I made you feel guilty, good, you should feel that way. And thank you for your future donation!
Let's let the cancer win, shall we.
A little dramatic but I'm super frustrated right now.
I realize I'm probably talking to myself, and that's fine. And I might be pissing off potential doners right now, but whatever. It's not about me, I'm trying to do a good thing and it's really difficult when nobody will work with you on it. Yes it's early. But I'm so discouraged right now. And this is putting it very mildly. I just got off the phone with my mom and f%#@ was just about every other word out of my mouth because I just don't get it. Selfishness. Whatever.
If I pissed you off then fine don't donate anything, selfish bastard, and if I made you feel guilty, good, you should feel that way. And thank you for your future donation!
Let's let the cancer win, shall we.
A little dramatic but I'm super frustrated right now.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Blah
Things have been kinda blah lately (lack of money will do that to you). Hopefully next week things will be back to normal money wise; since I was off for 6 weeks you know, that'll drain the first paycheck pretty quickly! Anyway, yesterday we went to Hollywood because we were like, well we have to do something. We ended up spending some time wandering through Ripley's Believe it Or Not. That was interesting. I did some more window-shopping (I do that a lot!) And have a ton of things I want to get on Friday when the money drops into my account.
Ivan saw a couple of gray hairs on my head...I thought I saw them the other day too but I dunno. Scary. I am only 24!
Our building is having a doggie Halloween costume contest and I'm debating entering Lucy. I'm just worried that everyone else will go way over the top you know? We'll see.
So start donating your money people! It'll be much appreciated!
Thanks
Ivan saw a couple of gray hairs on my head...I thought I saw them the other day too but I dunno. Scary. I am only 24!
Our building is having a doggie Halloween costume contest and I'm debating entering Lucy. I'm just worried that everyone else will go way over the top you know? We'll see.
So start donating your money people! It'll be much appreciated!
Thanks
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
I'm a runner!
Or I will be very soon...I've signed up to train for the Los Angeles Marathon in March and need all the help I can get raising the funds ($2500!) So click on the link I'm providing (or copy & paste it up top) and donate all the money you have :)
Help me help others! THANK YOU!
http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/chelsbels
Help me help others! THANK YOU!
http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/chelsbels
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I'm Fancy Pancy
I'm a cool, hip, L.A. chic now. I went to my first movie screening. Ooh la la. Yeah, have you ever read an article and they were like "oh we changed the ending because audience screenings didn't go well" or they changed something else. Well yeah that's what I did last night.
What this actually means is that when I went to a movie the other night, afterwards people were standing outside handing out fliers for a movie screening. So I thought, what the heck, I will go. The movie was called "Michael Clayton" and it stars George Clooney. It was good. Anyway, afterwards you just fill out this form about what you liked or didn't, what you would change, if it was too fast or too slow, etc. And it's free.
Upon leaving I was handed a ticket to another screening for a different movie. It's not titled yet but it has Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, & Stuart Townsend, and is supposed to be funny. So I guess we'll be heading to Burbank tomorrow night for that. It's a nice hobby, seeing movies for free months before they come out. There's one nice thing about L.A.
What this actually means is that when I went to a movie the other night, afterwards people were standing outside handing out fliers for a movie screening. So I thought, what the heck, I will go. The movie was called "Michael Clayton" and it stars George Clooney. It was good. Anyway, afterwards you just fill out this form about what you liked or didn't, what you would change, if it was too fast or too slow, etc. And it's free.
Upon leaving I was handed a ticket to another screening for a different movie. It's not titled yet but it has Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, & Stuart Townsend, and is supposed to be funny. So I guess we'll be heading to Burbank tomorrow night for that. It's a nice hobby, seeing movies for free months before they come out. There's one nice thing about L.A.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
New Apartment Pics
Here's a link to the pictures of our new place:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9IZMWbVw5YvY
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9IZMWbVw5YvY
Coming to America...
Yeah that's how I feel everyday as I drive home from work, that I am coming back to America! I have 32 kids on my caseload, by looking at last names alone, at least 16 of them are Asian, 13 are Hispanic and that leaves 3 kids whose last names I can't tell what they are... Today I was in a classroom and there was 1 white kid, no black kids-- everyone else was Hispanic or Asian. It's just an odd thing to get used to. I mean don't get me wrong, last year I had a lot of Hispanic kids, I'm in Southern California, it's normal, but this is crazy. I hear & see more foreign languages on signs than in English, and the English I do hear has a really heavy accent and sometimes I can't even tell they are actually speaking English because the accent is so heavy. But that's just where I work...head back towards where I live--which is actually less than 10 miles-- and the signs are in English! (Maybe some Spanish ones but that's normal) And there's actually a variety of people, not just 2 major groups. It's so strange. The other day I was walking around this school and guess what flashed into my head... you know those infomercials about feeding some hungry kids for like 25 cents a day...I felt like I was in one of those countries!! Sounds kinda horrible but it's just so weird.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Going, Going, Back, Back to Cali Cali
Ok, we're actually already back, but now I have internet service! Watch out world! (And those are words to a song up top, it's not an accident that it's all twice!)
Kidding. So the trip home was good and long...maybe too long because I got used to being home and now I'm bitter about all the things I don't like about California. I'll get over it soon I'm sure. I don't really have any choice. Those things being that everything takes longer-- driving, lunch, waiting in lines...that sort of thing. And the sky in fact is not blue. It's brownish. And the grass is not in fact green. It's brownish. Everything is brownish. I knew this when I left but you know, after being around an actual blue sky and green grass it kinda pisses you off.
The good things...we got the apartment we wanted & we're all settled. It's bigger than I had imagined (just so I wouldn't be disappointed). We live on top of a mall. Our balcony overlooks a fountain and Mimi Maternity and Coach, and Footlocker is just across the way. The overpriced grocery store is just down the elevator, the post office is across the street and the library is 2 blocks away. Target is only 4 blocks--- so that is all very cool. We get to walk places :)
Work...today was the first day and I was completely overwhelmed. But I think that's standard for any first day. I won't get into the details other than it's much different than where I was for good & bad. Give me a couple weeks and I'll get to my kids and all will be well with the world again. As for right now I have a pounding headache. And want to fast forward. It's a much smaller area=good, I'm the only therapist=challenging, they don't have any materials=bad, I get to pick what we order=good. Just stress, good & bad.
I'm going to try & get some pictures up of that place later today, keep in mind it's not complete :)
Miss you all
Kidding. So the trip home was good and long...maybe too long because I got used to being home and now I'm bitter about all the things I don't like about California. I'll get over it soon I'm sure. I don't really have any choice. Those things being that everything takes longer-- driving, lunch, waiting in lines...that sort of thing. And the sky in fact is not blue. It's brownish. And the grass is not in fact green. It's brownish. Everything is brownish. I knew this when I left but you know, after being around an actual blue sky and green grass it kinda pisses you off.
The good things...we got the apartment we wanted & we're all settled. It's bigger than I had imagined (just so I wouldn't be disappointed). We live on top of a mall. Our balcony overlooks a fountain and Mimi Maternity and Coach, and Footlocker is just across the way. The overpriced grocery store is just down the elevator, the post office is across the street and the library is 2 blocks away. Target is only 4 blocks--- so that is all very cool. We get to walk places :)
Work...today was the first day and I was completely overwhelmed. But I think that's standard for any first day. I won't get into the details other than it's much different than where I was for good & bad. Give me a couple weeks and I'll get to my kids and all will be well with the world again. As for right now I have a pounding headache. And want to fast forward. It's a much smaller area=good, I'm the only therapist=challenging, they don't have any materials=bad, I get to pick what we order=good. Just stress, good & bad.
I'm going to try & get some pictures up of that place later today, keep in mind it's not complete :)
Miss you all
Friday, August 11, 2006
I'm home!
As you know, I'm home! I will be home until sometime the week of Labor Day. It looks like everything is working out for the job in Pasadena but I haven't signed yet so technically it could all still go south. Although I think it's all fine.
Being home is good. One of the first things I noticed when I got home were the stars in the sky & how clear it was...that's when I realized I don't get to see stars in Cali b/c we're so close to L.A. that we have a lot of smog to deal with and the city lights are so bright, it's just never dark enough to see them. I'm also loving that there is no traffic...sometimes I'll admit it's a bit frustrating that nobody's in a hurry to get anywhere here though b/c really it makes it harder to pass people & stuff, but it's also nice to just go somewhere without having to be such a defensive driver you know?
I've got to visit with quite a few people so far and tonight I'm heading to Jacksonville (where Ivan went to college) to see a friend who lives there and pick Ivan up, then he's coming back up here for a couple of weeks.
Lucy is doing really well, I've been baby-sitting for a friend of mine during the day and they have a golden retriever and they just play all day long and Lucy loves it. She's so tired at the end of the day we hardly get to spend any time together :( I was thinking about getting another puppy b/c she has so much fun playing with other dogs and she hardly gets into any trouble but on the other hand I'd miss our little one on one time that we have :) hahaha
I guess not much else to say. If you're here reading this if I haven't seen you yet I probably will see you pretty soon!
Being home is good. One of the first things I noticed when I got home were the stars in the sky & how clear it was...that's when I realized I don't get to see stars in Cali b/c we're so close to L.A. that we have a lot of smog to deal with and the city lights are so bright, it's just never dark enough to see them. I'm also loving that there is no traffic...sometimes I'll admit it's a bit frustrating that nobody's in a hurry to get anywhere here though b/c really it makes it harder to pass people & stuff, but it's also nice to just go somewhere without having to be such a defensive driver you know?
I've got to visit with quite a few people so far and tonight I'm heading to Jacksonville (where Ivan went to college) to see a friend who lives there and pick Ivan up, then he's coming back up here for a couple of weeks.
Lucy is doing really well, I've been baby-sitting for a friend of mine during the day and they have a golden retriever and they just play all day long and Lucy loves it. She's so tired at the end of the day we hardly get to spend any time together :( I was thinking about getting another puppy b/c she has so much fun playing with other dogs and she hardly gets into any trouble but on the other hand I'd miss our little one on one time that we have :) hahaha
I guess not much else to say. If you're here reading this if I haven't seen you yet I probably will see you pretty soon!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
I'm Coming Home!
Hey hey hey, so I'm coming home on Tuesday and will be home for awhile. I'm waiting to hear on a job in Pasadena and hopefully that works out. No matter what we'll be coming back to Cali at some point. I guess not much else to say, other than see you soon!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Notta
Hey there! Not much to say, I'll be home in like 9 days, so that's cool. Ivan will be coming home the following week. Yesterday we went to a Dodger-Cardinal game in L.A. Cards won 6-1. It was freakin' hot. It's been well over 105 here lately and today it was humid too...I dunno what that was about but it didn't make me happy.
I gave Lucy a bath today...my camera's batteries were out and that sucks because you should have seen her...looked like a drowned rat. Funny. She didn't like the hair dryer afterwards but she survived and it was for her own good :)
I gave Lucy a bath today...my camera's batteries were out and that sucks because you should have seen her...looked like a drowned rat. Funny. She didn't like the hair dryer afterwards but she survived and it was for her own good :)
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Not much goin' on
Hey everyone! So let's see, this week was pretty uneventful except that Ivan's sister, Leah, came to visit. We went to Santa Monica to the beach on Friday and that was cool. Me & Ivan played in the waves for like 2 hours. Love that stuff. And the traffic was great, we were smooth all the way home, which doesn't happen at 6 o'clock on a Friday. Crazy. Today we went & looked at apartments in Pasadena where I have a possible job interview. I like the city but the apartment hunt was a bust. Oh well. Then me, Ivan, Leah & Breigh went bowling, to kareoke, and then to Twins-- the only nightclub within like 30 miles. It was a good time, we closed the place down. I requested some Daddy Yankee and they finally played that, followed by Shakira so I was a pretty happy camper. I could dance to "Gasolina" (by Daddy Yankee, download it, I know they're not playing it in Central Illinois yet) all night, that could be the only song played and I'd be fine.
Anyway, that's about it. We actually just got home from the club and Ivan's talking to a friend outside and Leah & Breigh went to IHOP so I thought I'd write.
I'll be home on August 1st! YAY! I don't know how long, if I work in Pasadena they don't go back to school until September 11th so I will be home for like 6 weeks!!! Crazy! But looking forward to it.
Later!
Anyway, that's about it. We actually just got home from the club and Ivan's talking to a friend outside and Leah & Breigh went to IHOP so I thought I'd write.
I'll be home on August 1st! YAY! I don't know how long, if I work in Pasadena they don't go back to school until September 11th so I will be home for like 6 weeks!!! Crazy! But looking forward to it.
Later!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Lisa Lampanelli Rocks
We went to the Improv the other night to see the comedian, Lisa Lampanelli. I'd seen her special on comedy central before and was dying to see her so luckily she came to Ontario. It was awesome, Breigh & Joe went with us & agreed that she was the best they've seen at the Improv. So basically all she does is tell racist joke after racist joke after racist joke-- nobody is off limits and it's the kinda of stuff you never would say. My God, it's just hilarious. So you need to rent her DVD or buy it or something, you will laugh your ass off. Promise. It's just relieving to hear someone say it & you know you have every race in the same room laughing at the same stuff, you can't get mad about it, and stuff. She's great!
Other than that not much been going on. I have only 2 sessions left with my trainer! I've been with her for 5 months...so that's kinda scary. But boot camp starts again tomorrow to keep me in line. Throughout the summer I have basically been maintaining because I've been lazy and not working out much on my own and haven't been as strict with my food. But I can handle maintaining, and last week I started working out more on my own to get myself prepared to not have my trainer. Luckily, if I stay here I will still have boot camp & there is one in Irvine, so either way I will have that if I want/need it.
Ivan just called to let me know he might be a little late coming home from work-- because the bears have come down from the mountains and are near his car, so they're waiting for the police to come and shoot them with something! Isn't that crazy?
Today I laid out a bit and then cleaned-- I really needed to, but also because Ivan's sister is coming to visit. I'm sure she wouldn't care but I know that I don't like tiptoeing around other people's dirty houses! That sounds horrible... but it has to be pretty dirty for me to care you know, but I do appreciate it when there's not like hairs all over the bathroom or I get to use a clean pillow or something. So you know, I try to do that for people who come to see me. I gotta say though, now that my hair is black I can see it all over the place & it's driving me nutty.
P.S.-- Lucy's good...still working on that housetraining :)
Other than that not much been going on. I have only 2 sessions left with my trainer! I've been with her for 5 months...so that's kinda scary. But boot camp starts again tomorrow to keep me in line. Throughout the summer I have basically been maintaining because I've been lazy and not working out much on my own and haven't been as strict with my food. But I can handle maintaining, and last week I started working out more on my own to get myself prepared to not have my trainer. Luckily, if I stay here I will still have boot camp & there is one in Irvine, so either way I will have that if I want/need it.
Ivan just called to let me know he might be a little late coming home from work-- because the bears have come down from the mountains and are near his car, so they're waiting for the police to come and shoot them with something! Isn't that crazy?
Today I laid out a bit and then cleaned-- I really needed to, but also because Ivan's sister is coming to visit. I'm sure she wouldn't care but I know that I don't like tiptoeing around other people's dirty houses! That sounds horrible... but it has to be pretty dirty for me to care you know, but I do appreciate it when there's not like hairs all over the bathroom or I get to use a clean pillow or something. So you know, I try to do that for people who come to see me. I gotta say though, now that my hair is black I can see it all over the place & it's driving me nutty.
P.S.-- Lucy's good...still working on that housetraining :)
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Hey Hey Hey
Hey! Not much to say. I dyed my hair black out of boredeom while Ivan was in Atlanta at a family reunion. I walked up to him at the airport and he just looked at me funny until I smiled, later he said he just thought it was somebody who looked a lot like me! I like the black but not for long term, it's good for now.
Lucy's good. Still working on the housetraining-- she has her moments of genius and then there's the moments where I'm like what have we been working on for the past 2 weeks?! This weekend we left her out of her crate but gated in the bathroom with her litterbox for about 5 hours while we apartment hunting and she went in her box every time! Woo hoo!
So I still don't know where I'll be working in the fall. I have 3 weeks left at my current job after this week and so hopefully I will be in a new contract within the next couple of weeks. At this time it looks like I will either be staying where I am or working in Irvine which is in Orange County and about 10 minutes to the beach!! Wish me luck either way, at this point I'm not super worreied where I end up, I just want to know where it will be. And once we know that, Ivan can look for a new job. So anyway, I will be home again on August 1st or 2nd for 2-4 weeks...depends where I'm working! See you then!
Lucy's good. Still working on the housetraining-- she has her moments of genius and then there's the moments where I'm like what have we been working on for the past 2 weeks?! This weekend we left her out of her crate but gated in the bathroom with her litterbox for about 5 hours while we apartment hunting and she went in her box every time! Woo hoo!
So I still don't know where I'll be working in the fall. I have 3 weeks left at my current job after this week and so hopefully I will be in a new contract within the next couple of weeks. At this time it looks like I will either be staying where I am or working in Irvine which is in Orange County and about 10 minutes to the beach!! Wish me luck either way, at this point I'm not super worreied where I end up, I just want to know where it will be. And once we know that, Ivan can look for a new job. So anyway, I will be home again on August 1st or 2nd for 2-4 weeks...depends where I'm working! See you then!
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