Couple more things about Phoenix

The other thing I was gonna say about Phoenix-- we went downtown and had lunch before Ivan's interview. There were a bunch of kids on a field trip. You know what I noticed about the group? All black & white kids. Now, normally you wouldn't think anything of that. But the district I work in is like 65% Asian, 30% Hispanic, and the other 5% is white/black/whatever else. Which...actually I don't know if I've seen one black child ever if any of my schools. I only have 2 white kids on my caseload, and I've only seen a couple more in any of the schools I go to. And I knew my caseload was mostly Asian & Hispanic, but it's like you don't really notice the absence of white & black people until you're around them again. It was just strange, the way I was like oh wow, I haven't seen white or black kids in a long time.

Oh, and the heat. Everyone told us we were there on the hottest day this week, it was about 113. We didn't really think it was that hot, we thought maybe more like 90. Anyway, I can say, my description of the "dry" heat is this: even in total shade I felt like I was getting a sunburn!

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

We went to Phoenix/Surprise yesterday because Ivan had a job interview and to check out the area. Well, his interview went really well. They said they'd email last night to let him know if he went on to the second round or not. He DID! So, the second round was this: they sent all this info about UofP policy, and then there were 6 example questions of what students might sometimes ask. Ivan then had to type a response as if he was talking directly to that person. So we didn't get back home from Phoenix until like 10:30, Ivan sent in his repsonses around 12:30. Poor guy then had to get up for work at like 4:30! Anyway, they called him today and said he did well and now they're going to complete the background check...so once that's done we're pretty sure it's all systems G-O! YAY! So send Ivan some love and congratulate him (nicholsi@ic.edu) It's a big step for him career-wise. It's a big raise, not to mention now his going back for his Masters will be FREE!! And, its' what he actually wants to do in life. No downsides here :) It's also the first job he applied and interview for in Phoenix. No sweat really! I'm so happy for him, and us of course. Maybe I should back up a little. You know we're both going back to school at University of Phoenix (UofP)? Ivan's job will be an Academic Counselor with UofP! So that's that.

Ok, so before & after the interview we checked out some apartment complexes. And one of them we really liked, it had a great layout, a couple pools, a basketball court, and the guy showing us around said it's a good mix of people-- families & non-families. The pool is open 24/7 (yay) and he said people are always out drinking there (he was a young guy & knew what we were wanting to know!) haha It had a very Rancho (where we lived last year) feel to it and that's exactly what we were looking for. We really enjoyed Rancho and the apt. complex we lived in, so that was all good. Plus, they were offering a killer special with 2 months free...what's not to love right?

We also drove by some houses I had looked at on the internet and kinda checked out the neighborhoods. It seems like Surprise was built yesterday (just like Rancho!) and there's not really a bad area so to speak. All the houses pretty much look the same. Unfortunately we didn't get to see inside any of them because the leasing people have been a pain to get in touch with, but I think we were happy with the general feel of Surprise-- secluded from the business of Phoenix, nice, new, safe, yet Phoenix is just a freeway away. We're happy.

Hmm...what else? I guess that's about it. Just really happy everything is falling into place so nicely. The only hangup will be Ivan's start date, might be sooner than my company would like to give us a place to live. We'll cross that bridge when we get there :)

Send Ivan a congrats!! I'm so proud!!

Hello!

Hey!! We'll be home in 5 weeks! YAY! I'm so excited to come home. It's been 7 months since I was home, and I miss everyone. I'm ready to just hang out with everyone, not to mention be done with work, this contract, and this city. Yes, Pasadena is a great city, but I am not a city person. Suburb, yeah, city, no. More of the problem I think is the building we live in. Yes, the building I begged to live in. It's become a little prison cell :) But, like I said from the get-go, good or bad I just want the experience. It's one more thing I know is not for me.

Anyway, today we went to the Dodger-Angel game. They have these bleacher seats that are all you can eat for $35. It's a pretty neat concept, but hot, and crowded. Nobody sits in the right seats, which is fine, I'll sit wherever, but then you'll get some stupid ass who walks up & wants to sit in their exact seat. So then it's all this drama & comotion. So we were like literally sitting on top of each other in this one row. I got burnt (yay). I really did mean to wear sunblock but I forgot it. It's ok because I haven't seen sunlight in like a year, so it's all good. Oh the food, we get there, load up our trays with 2 Dodger dogs each, nacho's, a bottle of water, and some pop. We hardly ate it. We drank a ton of water & soda though.

After the game, we came home & the mall here was hosting this art festival where local artists compete for the best sidewalk chalk drawings. They were amazing!! So we took pictures of a lot them which I'm gonna post the link so you can see them. It was pretty cool.

So I guess that's about it. I'm off this week until summer school starts next week. Thursday we're going to Phoenix to just check out the area and Ivan has an interview!! Keep your fingers crossed. Oh yeah, I start classes on Tuesday, they're online. So we'll be home in 5 weeks (around July 21st or 22nd) and then I'll go get the new puppy (who's name is undetermined!) and we'll just chill for about 3 weeks. Probably going back on August 9th or 10th.

See you soon!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9IZMWbVw5Y8Q (pics of sidewalk chalk)

July Vanity Fair

Ivan got me the July issue of Vanity Fair-- Bono was the guest editor and it was all completely & totally about Africa. You know I have a thing for Africa. Well anyway, maybe I'm stupid, but apparently I missed this in history class, or at least just never really thought about it, history isn't my strong interest, but anyway, did you know that all of us came from Africa? Ok, well I know I've thought to myself, we all really came from the same people if you go back far enough, I just never even thought about where that actually is. It's Africa. Yeah I'm sure if you're reading this you're going, duh. Well it was news to me.

So, anyway, you can participate in a DNA study which will tell you what part of Africa you come from! How cool is that?? As I was reading the article I thought to myself, I want to do this, but I bet it's super expensive. It's not. You can buy the kit for $99.95. You get some info, do a cheek swab, and in about 8 weeks you get the results. I'm gonna do it, not right at the moment since it isn't exactly pocket change, but I do want to know. I mean, how interesting. For girls it goes back through your maternal line and for guys they go through your paternal line. Anyway, here's the website, check it out: https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/

Interactive Johari Window

Go to this website & do what it says. You pick 5-6 words that you feel best describe me and it compares with the words I chose for myself. Do it. It's fun to see how you see yourself and how other people really see you...

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Chelsbels_2000

New Addition to the family....

So it's official...our little family is growing! Lucy will have a little sister...

She was born April 30th, and I will get her when I go home in late July. She is a Shitzu Poodle mix. We're 90% sure her name will be Molly :)

Funeral Songs...

Ok, maybe a strange thing to think or write about. But you know at some point you've thought about it, if you were to pick your own song for your funeral, what would it be?? Ivan refuses to partake in this conversation because he doesn't want to think about it, but it's just for conversation...This came about because we were just letting iTunes play and The Beatles "Let it Be" came on and I said, I might like that at my funeral. For some reason I did some searching on the internet and a lot of other people think about this too...
Anyway, so the couple songs I had were:

-Let It Be (The Beatles)

-Only Time (Enya)

In the searching there were a lot of people who play James Blunt--which I love his songs, but it seems a little too pop & new for a funeral you know? To each their own I guess. And then there were the standard Amazing Graces, and Go Rest High on That Mountain, which was my Grandpa's, and I do really love. I dunno...
What would you want?

Crazy Dream...

I have some crazy dreams but last night just might take the cake. First I was at either a graduation or sports event, I don't really remember. Well, I went to use the restroom and everyone left while I was in there, so I ended up staying at this house with these people who apparently I knew, but I actually have no idea who they were or who they were supposed to be. Well I'm laying in bed and I see this opening above the bed open up...kinda like a skylight, and something leans its head in! (something being NOT human!) This goes on for a little awhile and I keep saying No No no! And I can hear myself saying it outloud too, woke me up a little, but I kept dreaming. So I run down the hall to this other person's bed, whom I guess that I know, and I ask if I can sleep with them because I'm scared outta my damn mind. Then this is crazy...the person I'm in bed with and the other person sharing the room both start looking at ME with scared looks on their faces...and I'm all what? what? I look down at myself and I'm turning into something! But guess what I was turning into......crunchy peanut butter?!!!!!!!! What the heck?

Knocked Up

1. Go see it :)

2. When you do, pay attention to the mall when they are looking at baby clothes & stuff-- the store they're in is Jacadi Paris. Then they're walking down the mall and you can see Macy's in the background, then they are in this book store looking at baby books, and P.F Chang's is in the background...That's my mall!! The one I live in!! I can see that baby store from my balcony!! Just very fun for me to see that stuff in a movie since it's where I live :) That doesn't happen much in the midwest!

AND, while in line for the movie, a designer from HGTV was in line next to me and sat a few rows behind me. I just looked on their website to find out her name & what show she's on but I can't find it. But I do know I've watched it, I recognized her voice behind me and turned & thought...where do I know her from?? Then I realized I don't...she's on TV. haha

Hey all

Hey :) I haven't written in awhile, not much to say I guess, at least not much eventful. Let's see...since I last wrote, I turned 25! Luckily I had been thinking about it long before the actual day, so I didn't really care much about it. But, a few months earlier, I really thought I was old. Anyway, for my birthday we went out to eat at Olive Garden (duh!) and we went to see Wicked. For those who don't know, Wicked is a musical about the witches of OZ, prior to Dorothy. It was so great. The acting, the singing, the story, the set, it was wonderful. I totally recommend it, in fact it is playing in Chicago as well so GO SEE IT!

Hmm...what else? Lucy's hair has grown out some so she looks a little bit normal now. Although I still much prefer her fluffy. Maybe by the time we're home this summer she'll be fluffy again...

This summer- I can't remember if I posted this or not, but I will be staying in California longer than I thought. I got talked into working summer school, so that will be done on July 20th and we'll head home that weekend. We'll only be home for 3 weeks. But that's ok.

My Aunt Deb & Uncle Stan came to visit last week. We had so much fun. They did sightseeing during the day, at night we went to dinner, I showed them where I worked, and the last night they were here we went to the Dodger-Cub game. I'm not even a baseball fan, but it was a good game, and a pretty crazy crowd. The Dodger fans were ruthless with the Cubbie fans...it definitely crossed that line of friendly competition. Security was all over the place that night. When we got home from the game we played the Wii for awhile.

The Wii--can't remember if I talked about that either...if I didn't, it's basically a virtual reality game, the new Nintendo. However you hold/move the remote is what it does on the screen--so if you are playing baseball you hold it like a bat & swing, bowling--you bowl, etc. It's really really fun. Especially for all ages. Adults can definitely enjoy it. Try it!

Hmm....not much else I guess. I just went through my closet & dresser and got rid of some clothes...5 garbage bags! Who knew. Ivan & I really don't want to move much with us to AZ. That's my contribution to lessening the load. Ivan has a TON of stuff he needs to get rid of. He has clothes that were never even unpacked, not even unpacked when we moved to Rancho!! A tub of junk that has just been traveling with him from college that needs to just be dumped. We're finally going to do it this time when we move.

Anyway, guess I'll get going.

Lucy's Hair...

So, Lucy is nearly bald right now! Her hair got matted in some places pretty bad so they had to shave her down nearly to the skin. She looks ridiculous. It's punishment for Ivan & I guess for not taking care of her hair better...I've been saying she looks like Nicole Richie or the Olson twins or something, with this giant head and tiny body, like a bobblehead!

It's working...

The Secret is working! So, in the secret book & movie they talk about just believing that things will work out, act as though you already have something and it will come to you, etc. Things like that. Well, when I found my South Africa trip and knew it was the one I wanted to take, I couldn't decide if I should put the deposit down or not since we were coming into summer and I didn't plan on working. I planned on probably baby-sitting for my friend and just kicking back. I figured that I shouldn't spend money on a deposit, what if because of that I wouldn't have enough money saved for my bills over the summer? And then I thought, I am going to trust in the secret, put the deposit down because that is what I want, and just trust that I will have the money somehow for the summer. The day after I did that, I was offered to extend my contract through summer school...could be a coincidence, could be the law of attraction...who cares? It doesn't hurt to believe that the secret is in motion. So, once I was offered summer school there were still some hang ups to get through--- the fact that my housing might not be taken care of by my company, the apartment might not even be available to extend the lease, I couldn't abandon my friend who I was going to baby-sit for... and all of those things have worked themselves out! The company decided to cover my housing even though I won't be working full time, the lease is able to be extended for those 5 weeks, and the day care I used to work at is able to take my friend's son so I don't need to worry about leaving her high & dry! Everything just fell into place. Pretty awesome. If you know anything about The Secret, choose to believe it or not, it's a classic example I think.

Ivan & I are going back to school in the fall! We met with a counselor at University of Phoenix-- the online & night school that has become pretty popular. In the fall I'll start the Bachelor's in Human Services (like sociology) and Ivan will start his Masters in Counseling. We're both so excited. It'll be my way out of O.T if I choose that someday, or I'll be ready to get my masters in O.T. if that's the route I end up going. And Ivan will be ready to get to what he wants to do-- guidance counseling. Plus, Ivan will be looking for a new job when we get to Phoenix, and there are a ton of positions for Admissions Counselors at UofP. Which would be really great experience for him for the future, he'll need a job, AND employees tuition is free! So hopefully that works out. It'd be the perfect job for him, but free tuition?? Pretty awesome icing on a really good cake! ha Hopefully that works out, we'll see. Even if it doesn't, getting back to school will be great. I always feel like I have more of a purpose when I'm going to school. I'll be that person who is going to school and changing careers forever. I'm still not even entirely sure what I want to do anyway-- but I know I want to be helping people in some way, and I think being on the social work end of it, getting people the services they need is more appealing to me than actually providing the services like I am now. I think it'd be cool at some point to help with disaster relief or something like that, with the Red Cross or the Peace Corps or something. Who knows!

South Africa here I come!

Ok, well not right away. I will be going to South Africa for a 6 week volunteer trip in June 2008! YAHOO!

Ok, so for a few years now I have been looking into international volunteering, with my focus on South Africa. Mostly because I have a strong interest in the AIDS epidemic and all that has been affected by that. I don't know what made me interested, but especially since I gave a speech about it in December 2003, I have wanted to get over there and just have been waiting until I found the right opportunity and the money! And I finally think I have. I made the deposit!

The organization is called AVIVA. They are located in Cape Town, South Africa, and only do volunteer work in South Africa. So that was kind of nice to me, the headquarter's local, the people in charge are close by and therefore know exactly what goes on in their volunteer locations and visit them frequently. Comforting.

Plus, they're the cheapest place I found. Yes, you have to pay to volunteer. There's a lot of reasons for that-- what you pay helps with their operation costs, some goes as a donation to where you're volunteering, they provide your housing and some meals, and they include some fun tourist stuff as well.

Another thing I liked about them is that you're housing is like a dorm for all the volunteers. Some other places you stay with a host family or in a hostel-- for my first visit to a whole nother continent I'm a little bit more comfortable with having a nice little place to stay!

So, with all of that said-- where I have chosen to volunteer is called "Home of Hope." It's an orphanage, which has children from infants to 3 years old. Some kids have parents who can't take care of them, some have been abused, some have HIV/AIDS, some have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS or other reasons. Basically, my job there will be like working in a day care. Taking care of the kids, feeding, playing with them, giving their medications, all the basic stuff kids need. From what I read on the website, I think you work 3.5 days and then are off 3.5 days to do tourist stuff. And there is so much to do! I'm so excited :)

So I just wanted to share that with everyone. It's not until next June, but I will already be planning and saving up for that trip. If anyone wants to donate any money for me to take with me to give to Home of Hope, I will glady do that as well. But that's all for now. You'll hear much more about it the year ahead! Check out the website www.aviva-sa.com And if you want to come too I'm sure you won't regret it!

Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm Yours!

Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours...school district in Phoenix. Yes, I signed the contract, signed my life away from August 13th to May 22nd, to a school district in El Mirage, AZ...which is just the outskirts of Phoenix. I think it's like 45 minutes to downtown Phoenix. I'm very excited because now I don't have to think about it anymore. I know exactly where I'll be in the fall and I can concentrate on finding a place to live, AND having an awesome summer. Yahoo!

Visitors

**I wrote this a week ago but it wouldn't post**

Hey :) My parents came out to visit last week. Let me back up, last Friday night was Lucy's 1st birthday party. Breigh & a date, and Mari & Jeff came over to celebrate. See, we never do anything, so it was a great excuse for me to be social! Anyway, it was fun, we ate, we drank, I drank, I drank, we played a couple games. They left, and I was hungover the next morning. Thing is, I didn't think I drank that much, and I purposely didn't because I had to get my parents from LAX Saturday morning...I was throwing up, driving to LAX with a bag just in case. Felt like crap, thought I was going to pass out. But it was ok. So, my parents came, Saturday I just showed them around Pasadena, Sunday we went to Santa Monica, Monday we went to the San Diego Zoo, and Wednesday we did Hollywood. It was all a good time. It was fun stuff, good to see them, and it's always nice to have visitors you know? Oh, and while in Hollywood we saw "White Boy" from "I Love New York," we pulled up next to him and he said that he was in town filming the reunion show (which should be on Monday I think) and we also saw Will Ferrall's son playing in the driveway while on our tour of the stars' homes.

This week was my spring break, so after my parents left I still had 3 days off work (plus this weekend). I don't think anyone could have been less productive than me in these 3 days. I did some laundry, picked up a few things from the grocery store, got a couple little errands done, and took Lucy to the park (keep in mind, that is over the course of 3 days), and other than that, I've done nothing but lay on the couch :) Which is nice...I guess...I slept until noon today. YAY! I also watched a lot of movies, which is actually out of character for me, I prefer TV to movies because there's not as much attention involved. Anyway, this week was the first time in my life I'd ever bought a movie off the cable (I know...I'm a bit behind). Thursday night Ivan & I rented "Babel". It was good...but in a different way. So Friday, I found that I was addicted to renting movies from the TV-- I watched "Stranger then Fiction" (liked it), "Little Miss Sunshine" (liked it), "Employee of the Month" (could have done without it), and "Running With Scissors" (it was ok...not sure how I feel about it really). See...very productive!

I did have my interview for Phoenix on Thursday. I think it went ok. You never really know with those things you know? You could answer great, but it's all relative, what are they looking for? Now it's just a wait & see. And if this one doesn't work out, I'm not worried. There are always jobs to be had. And it's still very early in the game. Last year I didn't sign my fall contract until mid-August. I wanted to get it done early this year so I wouldn't change my mind!

What else...nothing I guess. I'm looking for a summer job. I can't decide if I want to try & get an O.T job because the money will be good, or try & go back to the day care, because I love it there :) I think it will be kinda hard to get an OT job though because if I go the OT route, I don't want to work the whole time I'm home, only 4-5 weeks, and take 3-4 off. If I work at the daycare, I'll probably work the whole summer. Who knows. Financially, makes more sense to do OT, but I'd also like to enjoy myself, and I'm not that comfortable in nursing homes & hospitals, so I'd be a little bit unhappy everyday...I dunno!

Sadness

So, I work for a contract company. In that company I have my recruiter, Allison. She is the person who I call or email when I need to bitch, am happy about something, need help with something, have any questions, etc. I first got in contact with Allison in the fall of 2004. We started talking and and actually created a friendship, even though I didn't work for her company my first year in California. We still stayed in touch, and this year I worked for her company. I have a loyalty to Allison, not so much to the company, but me & Allison had an instant connection; although I think she's just a people person so I'm sure she has that connection with everyone she meets. Anyway, she called me yesterday and told me that she is quitting to stay home with her kids...good for her right? I tried to pretend to be happy for her but it makes me sad. I kinda feel abandoned and like, how am I supposed to feel about a new recruiter? It's an odd lonely feeling. In the world of travel therapy, you need someone you can count on and someone you are confident has your best interests at heart, and someone you feel has your back, and really, someone who knows what it's like. Not everyone knows about this business. I've had my share of complaints and everything between me & Allison, sometimes I thought we were too much of friends instead of a professional relationship, and so that made it hard. But now I'm seeing that it was a good thing to have.

My new recruiter called me tonight. She seems nice. But she's not Allison :( And we won't have that same connection. And it's hard to just immediately trust that someone is going to do everything they can for you. I had grown to know that Allison could understand where I was coming from, whether I was being irrational or not, I think she listened, and tried to understand where I was coming from. And whether she could change the situation for me or not, that is ultimately what mattered. She at least listened and would chime in with me while I was bitching. Ya know? I think it's kinda rare to find someone who will just chat with you. Maybe not. It was just natural for us. And now I'm scared! Allison knew how I was obsessive about things and might possibly email and call several times a day when I was excited about a job or a move or some minor detail...can I do that with a new person? I dunno. Anyway, I'm just a little depressed, I'm not going to lie.

It's so hot in Arizona...

As we prepare for the move to the Phoenix area...oh yeah, we're moving to Phoenix in the fall. I love California but I am ready for something different. Have to keep me interested in life you know. Anyway, any time I say that's where we're moving, people say "It's really hot there" or something along those lines. Yeah, thanks guys. I realize that it's really hot there. Maybe I haven't experienced the actual heat, but yes, I understand it's incredibly hot. With that said, here's some one-liners about the heat in AZ:

• the birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
• the potatoes cook underground, and all you have to do to have lunch is to pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
• farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.
• the cows are giving evaporated milk.
• the trees are whistling for the dogs.
• you no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
• you can say 113 degrees without fainting.
• you eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off.
• you can make instant sun tea.
• you learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
• the temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.
• you've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
• you would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face.
• you can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
• The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!
• you discover that in July, it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car.
• you discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
• you notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
• hot water now comes out of both taps.
• it's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.
• you actually burn your hand opening the car door.
• you break a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m. work.
• no one would dream of putting vinyl upholstery in a car or not having air conditioning.
• your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
• you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
• a sad Arizonan once prayed, "I wish it would rain - not so much for me, cuz I've seen it -- but for my 7-year-old."

**Some of these I have experienced in the So-Cal heat...or because of the humidity in Key Largo! Although, I'm sure AZ is still worse**

And this...which could quite possibly end up on my blog in my own words... "Diary of Moving to Arizona"

May 15th: Now this is a state that knows how to live! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings. Mountains and deserts blended together. What a place! Watched the sunset from a park lying on a blanket. It was beautiful. I've finally found my home. I love it here.

June 14th: Really heating up. Got to 108 today. Not a problem. Live in an air-conditioned home, drive an air-conditioned car, work in an air-conditioned office. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I'm turning into a real sun worshipper.

June 30th: Had the backyard landscaped with western plants today. Lots of cactus and rocks. What a breeze to maintain. No more mowing for me. Another scorcher today, but I love it here.

July 10th: The temperature hasn't been below 100 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least it's a dry heat. Getting used to it is taking longer than I expected.

July 15th: Fell asleep by the pool. Got 3rd degree burns over 60% of my body. Missed two days of work; what a dumb thing to do. I learned my lesson though: got to respect the ol' sun in a climate like this.

July 25th: Dry heat, my butt. Hot is hot! The home air-conditioner is on the fritz and the A/C repairman charged $250 just to drive by and tell me he needed to order parts.

July 30th: Been sleeping outside by the pool for three nights now. $1,600 in damn house payments and we can't even go inside. Why did I ever come here?

August 4th: 115 degrees! Finally got the air-conditioner fixed today. It cost $1,200 and gets the temperature down to about 90. I hate this [expletive deleted] state.

August 8th: If another wise a** cracks, "Hot enough for you today?" I'm going to tear his [expletive deleted] throat out. Damn heat. By the time I get to work the radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking wet, and no deodorant works well enough!

August 10th: The weather report might as well be a damn recording: Hot and Sunny. It's been too hot to sleep for two damn months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Doesn't it ever rain in this barren damn desert? $1,700 worth of cactus just dried up and blew into the [expletive deleted] pool. Even a cactus can't live in this heat.

August 14th: Welcome to Hell! Temperature got to 120 today. Forgot to crack the window and blew the [expletive deleted] windshield out of the BMW. The installer came to fix it and said, "Hot enough for you today?" My wife had to spend the $1,600 house payment to bail me out of jail.

August 30th: Worst day of the damn summer. I'm not leaving the house. The [expletive deleted] monsoon rains finally came and all they did is to make it muggier than hell. The BMW is now floating somewhere in Mexico with its new $500 windshield. nobody told me about staying out of the washes during a "flash flood" warning. That does it. We're moving back to California and buying a house next to the freeway for some peace and quiet.

Puppy stuff...

Well, I am always thinking about getting another puppy. We will be celebrating Lucy's 1st Birthday on April 6th...yes we're having a party. Complete with homemade dog treats, party guests, and some doggy themed human treats...it's mostly an excuse for Ivan & I to have people over for drinks, and then go out, but we'll call it Lucy's Birthday party!!

So like I said, I've been thinking about another dog since about a month after I got Lucy...but I've been patient, haven't got one. I keep checking the website where I got Lucy just to eye their pups and see what's available. I used to think I wanted a black one, so we'd have one white & one black. But when we go to the park and I see Lucy playing with the other white maltese & poodles, and maltipoos, I think, that is so cute! They look like little twins. Anyway, there are some white maltipoos on the site right now...they are 4 weeks old, by the time I got them they'd be too old. So I emailed the breeder to see what she's got coming up this year, and if it'd be possible to get the same parents. Bad news...Lucy's mom died a couple months ago. Her name was Whodeanie. I guess she died a few days after giving birth to a new litter. I'm wondering if her litters were just a little too close together and that's what happened. They say to keep an eye out for breeders who breed their dogs too much, without a break in between. She had almost a year, I did some research and they say at least a year is good...so almost. Whether it's too much or not, I'm not really that concerned by it, maybe I should be. Pound-puppy lovers would say I should not buy from this place, but I can't argue with the fact that I got a very healthy, very socialized, well taken care of, and I believe, well loved puppy :) That's good enough for me, and I think the breeder means well. Maybe I'm naive...oh well.

So, she does have a couple of litters coming up this year...who knows. Ivan's a little bit opposed to another dog...but he was opposed to Lucy and I know he wouldn't change that. My thing is, I can't decide if it's good for her or not. I think she'd truly enjoy the company, she loves playing with other dogs, nonstop if we're around them all day even. BUT, when we're all just laying around I think...will she miss having us all to herself? Will I miss it being just her? I'm guessing this is a little bit of what parents-to-be go through when deciding to expand their family? I dunno...

Hey

Hey all :) Not much going on, just thought I'd post. So let's see...the marathon is over and so I thought I'd be able to sleep more now but that hasn't been the case. I had a conference for work the first weekend after and I've been working quite a bit at my second job so I've been busier than ever. The second job is good. I'm getting the experience at least with the old folks, but at the same time I'm not learning a ton of necessary things I think, not enough to just walk in somewhere and know exactly what to do. I know enough to get by. For now, that's ok I guess.

For me regular job the next 2 weeks are going to be really busy with meetings and things and so I want to get through that as fast as possible, but also because after that it's spring break!! So I won't have to work, YAY! Plus, my parents are coming to visit, so that will be fun too. And Ivan's mom might come out for a weekend right after they leave so it'll be busy. Which will make time go by faster, which is cool because 1. then it will be summer!!! and 2. because we're coming home for the summer! Yes, my contract here is done on June 15th, so within a few days of that, we will be home until after Labor Day! I'm working on getting a job for at least part of the summer if not the whole thing. Hope that works out. Ivan's not sure what he's doing yet, he might go home to St. Louis for the summer or he might stay in Heyworth too, we dunno! Depends on if/where he can find a job too.

We've pretty much decided that we're moving to Phoenix in the fall. It was always between staying in California or moving to Phoenix. About 2 weeks ago I would have said I'm 90% sure we're staying in CA, but now I'm 90% sure we're moving... I just need a change. I still like CA, I just want to see something new and Phoenix supposedly has more money, bigger living space (yay) and it's still warm...ok it's hotttt! I've looked into the city a little and there's tons to do, lots of dog parks, our gym is there. I've loved living in Pasadena, having that downtown city-life experience. It's been fun, but it's not me. I'm so looking forward to a suburban feel again! Kinda funny.

Gotta go, Ivan just brought home Popeye's & I'm starving...by the way, if you've never had Popeye's it's the best fried chicken you will EVER eat. Guranteed.

Lucy Lou-Hoo

Just thought I'd post a couple of pics of Lucy. The first one is of Ivan & Lucy having a very serious conversation... and then the next one is from today, Lucy just got her bath & haircut.

And yeah, her full name is actually Lucy Lou the Maltipoo...but I like to call her Lucy Lou-Hoo.