Six Word Memoir: Three Words Instead

It's official, 2012 has been THE WORST year for blogging.  Is there a possible inverse correlation with how much I've been working?  Possibly.

Part of the problem is that every time I consider coming on here to write something, I feel I have to do the usual update.  I don't really want to do the usual update.  Job is going about as well as the first year teaching job should go.  Not horrible.  Not perfect.  :)  Don't get me wrong, I can talk about it for days, I just don't want to on here.

So, what to talk about then?

This past weekend, I had a TIP (Teacher Induction Program) Cohort meeting at O. Henry Middle School.  Kaity, who is also a new teacher at Murchison, is in my cohort and so are a couple of other girls that I've become acquaintances with.  Actually, one of them, Caleigh, is my redhead girlfriend, though I'm not sure she is fully aware of that status yet.

I went out to eat with Kaity and Caleigh after our session at Magnolia's.  I had their Texas Benedict which was awesome.  Then I ran a couple of errands after that... for awhile.  I can't even tell you where I went or what I was running errands for.  All I know is that I was completely alone and completely content.  I called a few friends to see what they were up to, but that feeling of crushing loneliness no longer resided in my chest... or pit of my stomach (where it seemed to live this Summer).

I felt good.

I could SAY I felt good, and that in and of itself felt good.

I drove around town, I rolled my windows down, I let the sun beam onto my face as I squinted at the road.  (Sidenote: Why don't I just LEAVE a pair of sunglasses in my car?)  I took deep breaths.  I smiled.  It was great!

Spooktacular Spooktacular 4 was a blast--as were the last 3.  It's kind of funny to think that NOM dominated our college lives, and now Spooktak's come and taken over.  Good costumes of note: Dave's Elliot & ET, Danielle's Binder full of Women, Luis's LMFAO dude, Hannah's Kangaroo (and she made it herself!), and Buddy... oh Buddy.  Buddy was Stefon from SNL--and he was also SUPER BITCHY all night, which is always fun to witness.

As per usual, I'm allowing music to dominate my life.  I'll go ahead and say that I've probably listened to Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" a shit ton more than I should admit (thanks to Girls).

I'm really not sure what else to say here except that I finally feel... good.  No more crying for no reason, no more sighing constantly... I'm good.

Oh wait, back to music.  I have this obsession with knowing why the writer wrote what they wrote.  I ignore the fact that part of the beauty of music (and art in general) is that the recipient of the art form (whether it be the viewer or the listener, etc.) can interpret it any way they want.  I don't know if it's the G/T part of me that always HAS to be "right" and have the "right" answer or what, but I MUST know what I'm supposed to think.  Is that weird?  After I hear a song, even if I love it for whatever reason I choose to love it for, I still have to research what the lyricist meant when they said whatever it was that drew me to love that song.

I'm talking in circles now.

I'm tired.

Just know I'm doing well.  And pat me on the back.  And tell me I look like I've lost weight. :)

The Second Exodus of CPI

CPI employees... here goes nothing: (the two guys on the left are +1s of employees so I will not list them, haha) Jessie B, Cynthia, Sumun, Jen, Andrew, Bobby, Sarah, Ryan, me, Orsi, Jessie C, Madison, Marta, Natasha & Abby

August 5th - Going away happy hour for Natasha, Sumun, Sarah & Ryan. I couldn't stay all that long because I was heading to Dallas right after. It was the first time I had seen Thomas's family since Emily's wedding. Anyway, we went to Parkside for the gathering and it was nice hanging out with folks. Trevin came too! Good times, yo.

From Work Friends to Just Friends

Madison, Rachel, Jess, Will, Tyler & Me!

It's gonna be a rough summer for CPI. Pretty much everyone from the billing department (and pretty much everyone who's an MA) is leaving to go back to school or pursue whatever other dream they had before coming to CPI. It's pretty good.

On this night we were honoring our soon-to-be-departed friends, Rachel, Will & Tyler. I'll miss them all!

My Fourth Job Ain't So Bad... IT'S AMAAAAAZING!

As an update for those of you I haven't seen or spoken to lately, here's a quick low-down:

1. Still just subbing, no full-time teaching job yet. Why? Because the state of Texas hates me. Or Teachers. Or the future of its children? Something like that, I don't know. I've yet to be able to pinpoint it down to what exactly they don't like.

2. Still at Anthro. Although apparently it seems like EVERYONE (at least my managers) are all slowly leaving. We also have some new store managers, but seeing as how they normally don't close and all I ever DO is close (and only a couple times a week, at that), I've still yet to meet either of them.

3. Still at CPI here and there. I probably put in half-time, 20 hours a week or so--most of it from home still. I still make it into the office every now and then. It's kind of nice when it's one of those days when I spent most of the day at home and hadn't really conversed with a human being yet.

4. Yes, we're back to four. Except not really. This one is uber temporary. Shana, the teacher I had been subbing for most of the year has been needing some temporary help with her nanny. For various reasons, her nanny has had to be out and Shana couldn't exactly keep taking off from work (especially with all the maternity leave she's already had to take), so... I've been filling in a few days here and there and it's not so bad. They have a giant ass tv that keeps me company when the little one is asleep (which is a lot, she's still a baby baby which means she still MOSTLY eats and sleeps).

Which brings me to the reason of this post. Lately their tv hasn't been working. Or rather, the playstation network hasn't been working (damn hackers) and so Netflix and Hulu have been unavailable. I've been using my computer, so it hasn't been too bad, but it just seemed like such a waste (they have a HUUUGE TV) so I finally decided to see what DVDs they had.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1!

I was supposed to watch it with Kristi last week but due to schedules, it hasn't happened yet... so... I was PRETTY EXCITED to be watching it again. I believe I saw it three times in theaters, but I don't think I've seen it since then, so this is AWESOME!

That's all. This post is LITERALLY just to say that HARRY POTTER IS THE MAN!

Last Day Subbing

It was a good day. I only cried a teensy bit during 4th period when I was reading some of our Varsity choir's letters/cards. Our sub coordinator (who has 2 sons in choir) came in and gave me some flowers and told me how appreciated I was.

I've gotten potted flowers (freesias--which reminds me, if you can't hold yourselves up, how about not be so top heavy?), a bamboo plant in the shape of a heart, and tons and tons and tons of cards and letters.

It was really sweet. I love them. I'll miss them, but it wasn't as devastating as the time before. I was definitely prepared for this and they were too, so the fact that we got to say goodbye was really sweet.

Anyway, good kids.

Oh yeah, the principal said she wanted me to be their 3rd chaperone on the choir trip! :) Done!

I Get Why Arlie Hated LC

No offense LC, I think this is really a post on why I get that Arlie hated us as a class in general. I just like to remember how much Arlie specifically hated you... haha

Choir students never want to stand when they're asked to and they never sit quietly when they're asked to. They rarely hold up their music the way they're supposed to and in turn do not sing out like they should with great posture. Choir students are chatty and think that it's social hour. Choir students try to USE THEIR CELL PHONE in the middle of class when they obviously shouldn't have it out. Choir students think they know better than their teacher and argue about little changes that the director may make.

The only difference between my choirs and the choirs I've been in (and the one that creates a HUGE LINE between loving and hating something) is that MY choir students are 10-14 years old... and... we were 18-22. We should've known better. Like, seriously.

I think back to all those times when Arlie just stared at us in disbelief that we were still talking and I literally can't get my mind around it. Here we were, adults, young adults, but adults nevertheless, blatantly disrespecting someone that (whether we liked him/her or not) deserved our respect if we wanted to be a successful choir. I have to spout this rhetoric to my students all the time but I understand that they're young and they don't quite understand the consequences of their actions. We definitely were NOT too young to know that if we waste a whole class period talking, we end up having terrible songs like... Spinning Wheel, Neutron Dance, or Walking on Sunshine. I'm about 101% positive there are more, but those are just songs that I remember really REALLY hating.

I remember one class when Arlie just walked out and said she was leaving after trying to warm us up (and we didn't shut up). We all cried foul, shook our fists, and didn't understand why she was being a drama queen. We decided that we would get work done without her (after all, we DID have Jack). But now I totally get it. We were total jerks. Seriously. Who did we think we were?

Had a rough day with the 6th grade boys today. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I guess I'm just thinking out loud on paper on screen. (?)

Yeah, That's What's Up

So, What IS Up?

- Schutte is gone. We had a lovely wine night and some folks came over and we had many drinks and taught them LCR and 3-Card and had a grand ol' time. And lots of wine.

- Schutte is gone. There are visible holes in my bedroom and closet where her stuff used to be. Last night was the first time in a long time that it was just me and Johnny. I stayed up a little too late doing some work and I ended up putting on Goblet of Fire before bed (when all else fails, GoF never lets you down). I left all my unfolded laundry on Schutte's side of the bed for filler.

- I'm going to be starting a new project soon, so... look forward to that. It consists of a ton of spray paint and a LOT of picture frames.

- I went for a couple of bike rides with Thomas (one of which we had the pleasure of Dana joining us) and it solidified my need for a bicycle. Apparently Thomas was going to get me one, but then I requested West Side Story tickets. This leaves me to buy my own bike, which I think is going to happen. Only thing is, the ones I really like are the vintage-inspired cruisers... but most of them are all single speed. I think I need some gear options here. You know, for all that off-roading I intend on doing.

- My brother is in Vietnam. He's been blogging and he's a great writer. Check it Out: All The Pho Puns Are Gone I doubt you will leave disappointed.

- Still at the school doing the choir gig. Still loving it. Hey Texas, stop cutting education budgets so I can get a REAL job.

- Overall life is pretty good. The weight loss thing is slowly but surely happening. Well, slowly. And I'm pretty sure that it's surely happening. Hoping, anyway.

- The other day when Thomas and I were at the Half Price in Dallas (the one we always go to) we found an old Longhorn Singers record from the 1960s. I'd seen the photos before from slideshows that were made during our 5oth Anniversary, but it was still cool finding that.

- Got to hang out with Mary Kate, Thomas's cousin, when we were in Dallas. Went to Oishii for some sushi and then had a few drinks by Mary Kate's house at a gay bar. Thomas felt quite at home ;)

- On Valentine's Day, Lisa and Mike had Val and me over for steak, lobster, chicken, strawberry salad, strawberry champagne, rosemary potatoes... LUKE. Really as long as Luke's there it'd be a splendid dinner, everything else was just gravy :)

- A couple of weeks ago Thomas and I went to Houston to see Amanda play in her season opener tournament in Houston. That was AWESOME. We made some pretty sweet t-shirts. I think they embarrassed her, but I wouldn't be a proper aunt if I wasn't embarrassing my niece, right? My friend Steven came out to watch the game too and then he went over to Chi Thu's and ate some awesome shrimp from the Boiling Crab with us. He went again the other day because it was so delicious. I'm jealous.

Okay, that's all I have the energy for! Hope that was sufficient!

When the Going Gets Tough... Well it Sucks.

Yes, I realize I never recapped my holidays. I have a saved draft, I just haven't posted it yet because... I usually do really bad at big updates. I think I become overwhelmed with trying to get all the info in, that I just... don't. Anyway...

This past weekend was a roller coaster of emotions for me. First of all, let me start by saying that my first week back to school was awesome! It was slightly hard to get up on Tuesday (I had Monday off since it was a professional development day for teachers only) and get back into the 7:45 routine, but it worked out okay! The kids were just as hyper as ever, but I love-love-love them! Anyway, it was great seeing Diana again and we caught up with our walks to Starbucks and yada yada good times.

Friday rolls around. In the morning, Diana mentioned to me that Shana (the teacher I'm subbing for) had called her the day before and mentioned something about having to come back sooner than later. Long story short--her baby (beautiful beautiful baby girl) had to go back into the NICU. Since the baby was now fairly stable, and since Shana kind of had no other choice--she needed to get back to work or her time at home w/o baby would mean less maternity leave when the time came for the baby to actually come home.

So, it didn't seem that big a deal because I figured I'd just be able to come back when the baby did come home for about 6 weeks and it'd be all good. Either way, we'd talk about it, and it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Unfortunately, we found out later on that day that she was for sure coming back on Monday, after all, the sooner she got back, the less it would eat up her maternity leave time. Completely understandable.

Unfortunately that meant it was Friday and I wouldn't be able to see the kids (4/5 classes) and tell them I was leaving. And thinking back now, maybe it was a little ridiculous how much I cried when I said bye to the last class of the day (I at least got to say goodbye to one of the classes!), because odds are I will be back. But I guess I just hadn't had time to process it at the time and I was just overwhelmed with emotions. I just really really love those kids. The thought of not waking up too-early on Monday morning to see them almost made me feel sick to my stomach. I mean, I know eventually it had to stop, because I was only temporarily there, but I guess I just hadn't prepared myself for the goodbye yet. Anyway, for lack of a better way to explain my feelings that day, I was really really sad.

When I got home, with the permission of Thomas and Schutte, I ate my one emergency ramen. It was delicious. SO SO SO SO SO DELICIOUS. Then we went to Red House to meet up Buddy, JJ, and that crew. Aberdeen came out which was nice because I don't think I've seen her since she and I went on our little walk-date. :) When I got home, I had a surprise from Thomas (see the post that is likely to follow this one).

The next day I had to open at anthro which automatically put me in a bad mood. I don't really know why I dread going to work, because when I get there, I enjoy it--thoroughly! :) Anyway, then I went home for a bit, then Mandola's with Kristi and Eshe. I've never been wow-ed by that place, in fact, it's usually fairly mediocre. But, I figured I should give it another try and it was convenient for the girl's day we were having. We were going back to Cafe Monet and making more things! So, I tried the Spaghetti Carbonara (because Buddy said Nick made it the day before or something and it sounded SO GOOD). It was... okay. I'm going to say something, and y'all probably won't believe this. It was kind of too salty. TOO SALTY! Oh well, I ate the leftovers with Sriracha all up ons it, and it was good! Anyway, Eshe brought Nia. OMG TOO CUTE! We need to have another get together and Eshe can bring Nia and I'll bring Johnny for a playdate.

When I got home, my spirits had been lifted. But I was pooped. Then I got a phone call from Shana and we talked and it was a good talk. I was definitely mostly over it by then. It was nice getting to talk to her about it, and I was definitely more optimistic after that. Nevertheless, I think it put me in a funk. I slept a lot that night. The next morning I woke up refreshed. Although I couldn't tell you what I did at all. Eventually Thomas and I went to go play Tennis. I was kicking his butt at 4-0, and then... he won 4 in a row to tie, and then we each kept going back and forth until it was 6-6, and since I couldn't remember how to play a tie-breaker, we just ended it there.

Then Thomas and I went over to Diana and Stephen's. They have such a nice apartment! We hung out for quite some time. The boys played video games and Diana and I talked Weddings a whole lot. We had a really good time :) I think they inspired Thomas and I to get a record player. It's rare that you're hanging out with friends and you're like "Hey, put on some music." But if there are records around, it's like "Hey, let's put this record on." And it's very natural and non-pretentious and I think I'm way into it. So... that's gonna happen. Also, they had the Sufjan Stevens "Come On Feel the Illinoise" album. SOOO GOOD.

So today went by. No school. No kids. No sweat, that's for sure :) but I did miss them. Unfortunately my discipline for working when I don't necessarily have to (i.e. forcing myself to spend a full day at the doc's office so I actually make money) has waned. I'll have to kick it up a notch though This money tree is becoming less and less fruitful. :)

Alright, enough for now.

2011: Light Fuse and Get Away

This New Years, my family and I went crazy with the fireworks (details to come later).

On the instructions for almost any firework (the non-sparkler ones, anyway) ended with the words, "light fuse and get away."

I've decided to adopt that instruction for this coming up year. I haven't exactly pinpointed just how I plan to metaphorically "light the fuse" and I definitely don't know exactly what I'm going to "get away" from, but it just sounds like a good plan. For now, I've decided that my long-term subbing stint has been my form of lighting the fuse. Once I'm done, I'm going to blast out some resumes and get away, that is, step back and see what happens.

Dear God I hope something happens!

Posts to look forward to:

1. Brief Holiday Recap

2. Last.fm 2010 Stats

3. More BSC book blogs!

4. 2010 Recap

5. 2011 Goals

Schutte Moves In = Getting My Life In Order

Schutte moved in last night! :) I (with some help of Thomas) made her a banner that said "Welcome Home Schutte" and stuck her key under it. I bought a shelf for my bathroom so we'd have more counter space (and I cleared out the medicine cabinet, too) for her things.

I bought a bookshelf off craigslist. It was a little tricky (and it was a little bigger than I expected) but we got it back the apartment alright :) I made Thomas get in his trunk and lay down to make sure we had enough room in the car. :) We ran a bunch of errands together (oil change, drop by anthro to get my schedule, buy some fabric to cover the back of my bookcase, etc.) and it was a really fun and productive weekend. All thanks to Thomas's cleaning of the apartment about a week ago. Without that, I'd never have gotten inspired to do the rest! :) I even cleared out some boxes that have been sitting on my bedroom floor for-EVER. I'm super excited and happy with the developments.

Speaking of developments--today is a staff development/student holiday for AISD. Since I'm not technically a teacher just yet, I have the day off. I could run up to CPI and work there all day, but I haven't decided on that yet. I've worked super hard the last couple of weeks (averaging just over 60 hours a week) and think that I made enough to offset not working too much today. That's not to say I won't go in AT ALL, just... not for awhile. Maybe I should go to the gym? I can't say I don't have time? But... umm... yeah... whatevs.

I think I'm going to go to the asian supermarket to pick up some things (sorry Johnny, I see MAMA ramen noodles in my future), and we'll see where the rest of the day takes me. I gotta work at Anthro tonight. I at least have Wednesday off because I got a girl to cover my shift. We're gonna go see Paranormal Activity 2 on Wednesday. Schutte says she's terrified of scary movies, but maybe she'll change her mind? Maybe I can talk Maggie into coming too? *Wink*Wink*Nudge*Nudge* Maggie??? I know, I know, you hate them, but I figure I might as well keep asking until we finally go just in case you change your mind! :) I remember one time, when we were living together, it was near Halloween-ish time and I think I wanted to watch Scream on tv and you flat out refused to watch it with me downstairs and you ran upstairs to get away. Le sigh... :) Just think about it. We'll put you next to Johnny so he can protect you... or ridicule you. You never know.

Alright, good break, Mel. Back to laundry and other things around the house.

Moving on Up!

Dear God,

Thanks! :)

It's been quite a challenge and I'm still not there, but I think you're giving me baby steps, and I think I actually prefer it this way. Thanks for knowing what's best--or, at least, I hope you do! ;)

Love,

Mel

Did I just wink at God? Anyway, for some of you who do not already know, for the past two and a half weeks or so, I've been subbing for the choir at Murchison. Coincidentally, I've been subbing with Diana Brown, an old LHS classmate! It was kind of a trip when I realized that I was subbing FOR her one day, and then I've been subbing along with her (for the other choir director who just had a baby) ever since! I'm now officially the long-term sub here and I will be until at least January 31st! I'm at a great school and I'll be working with the age group that I hope to be working with full-time soon (hopefully)! Things are looking up and I am moving forward! :)

Now... how to make my blog private so those rascals don't go finding me on the interwebs...

I Hope I See More Green

Life has become a juggling act. I've gotten more and more subbing opportunities (which has been great) but it still doesn't pay all that well, so I've been making sure to get extra hours in at CPI. This means some days I'm working from about 7:30 am - 7:30 pm. But the prospect of teaching is just so invigorating that I don't seem to mind. I'm so excited throughout my days that I'm not even really hungry for lunch (whaaaat?!) If you ever take a gander at my iCal, your eyelids will probably start drooping before you can even figure out what each color stands for. I'm still not even sure what my distinctions between green (Life), yellow (Special Occasions), and gray (Errands) are. Why do I even need three separate colors for these things? When are special occasions and errands not a part of my life? Whatever. It somehow makes sense in my head.

When I make a really good tight schedule, I'm usually pretty good at keeping track of it. Especially if it's something I want to keep track of. :) Hopefully life with slow down a bit and maybe there will be less gray, more yellow, and definitely more orange (school!) But what's really important is green. Here's to lots of green! (Life, that is!)

Modification of Teaching Plan

Get HQ for high school social studies.

I love government and I love history. Like, LOVE. I love the civil rights movement from the 50s and how it's so relevant today. I HATE that there are people in the world (US, more specifically--FLORIDA, I'm looking at YOU) that the burning of a sacred book of text, the Quran, is ok. I won't go on a tangent, because believe me, I can GO. But let's just say that the burning of the Quran will not HELP international relations and definitely will open wounds that have taken Muslims (especially American Muslims) years to heal after 9/11. I hope anyone who reads this agrees with me. Mostly because anyone who reads this is supposed to either be my friend or family member. Disagreements about an issue such as this though makes it pretty cut and dry to me whether or not I need to be associated with you. :)

Okay, back to my original reason for this post.

I'm subbing for a social studies teacher at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy here in Austin. These kids seem AWESOME. They're pretty well-behaved, but most importantly, they seem to WANT to learn. I LOVE THIS! I WANT THEM! FOR ME! I need to figure out a way to infiltrate this school.

:)

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need!

For awhile, I was feeling a little down in the dumps. I try to have a bright outlook on life. I've told myself countless times that no matter what happens, things could always be worse and eventually, things will work out and be just fine. At the risk of sounding at all preachy, God won't ever give me something I can't handle.

But I threw myself a private pity party anyway. Room for just one. It didn't last too long, but it definitely happened for a short bit of time. I mean, to be honest, I just felt like I've tried (and I feel like I still am trying) very hard to help out my friends in need. I don't know how many of my friends I've been able to help find jobs when they were a little strapped for cash. Granted, it wasn't exactly their dream job, but it was a job that paid money that they weren't otherwise being paid. I've tried to be a good person who tries to be positive and think positively. But for a little while, it was kind of feeling like a one way street. I felt like Demi Moore's character at the beginning of G.I. Jane when she didn't want to use the step to get over the wall. Like I was there at the bottom helping everyone get over that hump of so-called shitty early 20s life. But then.. it felt like everyone else was getting there, and I was still stuck at the bottom. And y'all know me, my upper body strength is terrible. I just can't seem to get over the wall. And I feel like I've already helped everyone else over. So now I'm alone on this super shitty side of the wall.

So that was what the pity party was all about. But I think I've found my silver lining and have thus felt a lot better about it. I have 4 jobs. You read right. As of yesterday, I officially have 4 jobs. Part time at CPI, Leaps N Bounds, Anthropologie and I am now officially a substitute teacher for AISD. All I want is that teaching job, but it seems I got to jump through some hoops to get there. I'm okay with that. Anyway so working 4 jobs doesn't sound like much of a silver lining, does it? Well, it's not really. BUT, I've worked it out so that I'm able to still make enough money to survive, all while being able to work out a system in which my employers allow me to call in and not come in when I know I'm going to be subbing.

I've convinced that this would not be the case had I not been a great employee. I mean, who just lets someone make up their own hours and pretty much come and go as they please? Not a lot of places do (or if it is a lot, then don't tell me, because I'm feeling slightly special--so don't ruin it). So anyway, I attribute my good fortune of jobbage (despite the fact that I'm working a ton a week) to me being a good person that other people (i.e., my former/current employers) want to help out with some flexibility.

Also, at both CPI and Leaps, I'm getting paid more than I expected them to pay me, so that's always a plus.

So, aside from my earlier post of having Johnny as a great friend who's offered to help me in my hour of need--which hopefully won't be necessary with 4frickenjobs--(Thomas goes without saying, though his help is much more emotional seeing as how he's still in school), there's my silver lining. I will try to not doubt it's existence ever again.

Diary of a Mad [Asian] Woman

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions today. But right now, before I go into detail about anything else. I AM PISSED. Here is a snippet of my transcript with Maggie explaining to her my wonderful experience with a patient today:

one of our patients
is a fit in
a FIT IN
on a BUSY DAY
and he'scomplaining that he's been waiting for 3 hours
NOT telling our patients that he's a fit in
making them get all antsy
and then i say loudly when he complains to me about how he IS a fit in
and he's like 'well nobody called me'
and i'm all 'well we certainly try and it's not our intention to purposefully not call you'
and he's all 'well i have a card that says 9 am on 06/01/10'
and i'm like 'well that was your appointment LAST month
and he's all 'well, no, this is what she gave me when i was here.'
and i'm all 'you sure you didn't just mix up cards?'
and he's all 'no, i get them, stick them in my wallet, and never take them out'
(which leaves me to believe THAT IT'S A FUCKIN' OLD CARD YOU DIPSHIT"
and he's all 'no, it's not. this is what you gave me, AND youd idn't call me, and now i'm here, being fit in, and you're gonna make me WAIT?!'
and i'm all 'well again, we didn't NOT call you on purpose'
and he's all "SO IT'S MY FAULT, is what you're saying."

Oh how I wanted to be a smartass and just say, "YES, THAT IS WHAT I'M FUCKIN' SAYING!"

Because I Really Suck At Updating

Here are the links to two of my sister's blogs:

Lisa's Blog: http://lisalonghorn.blogspot.com/

Thu's Blog: http://thulovealways.blogspot.com/

They have already posted photos from the family reunion/Amanda's going away shindig. I will try to see about getting all of that blogged about tonight. I still haven't blogged about the rest of Boston... or about Amanda's grad... so... we'll see how that goes :)

Anthro's been going AWESOMELY well because they've had to cut back hours on people due to inventory going over, yada yada yada... yesterday and the Monday before, I got off right around 8:30, right when our last customer left! It was aweso!!!! Then closing Wednesday night seemed like it'd be hell because it was mostly new hires (can you believe it, I'm considered "seasoned!") who hadn't ever closed before. There were some hiccups (I'm convinced this one girl doesn't have a clue what to actually do during closing and instead she just got really good at looking busy) but all in all it looked really good! I love pretty much all of my managers and even have some girl crushes on them. I've gotten to know a number of my fellow employees really well and I really like some of them!

Alright, back to real work.

BTW--I'm restarting a workout regimen. Or... something. We'll also have to see how THAT goes! (It's been quite awhile...)

Obvious Reason Why Thomas is Wonderful - #4

He would make the best housewife.

I got off work at anthro last night at 11:50. The latest I've worked so far there. It wasn't too bad though. I was putting things back in the stockroom and I had my ipod on so at least I didn't have to hear the same songs over and over again. Anyway, I get in my car and I call Thomas and we talk about my night... meanwhile he heats up the casserole that he had made for me (well, for us), gets me some emergen-c ready... and pops in an episode of Bones for us to watch... while rubbing my feet.

A meal, a foot rub, Special Agent Seeley Booth... could a girl ask for more?

Oh. Well... I guess a boyfriend who willingly and happily indulges me.

Thanks Thomas :)

Typing My Update With Pretty Nails

Just a quick update:

Anthro. I love this place. However, after sizing, finger spacing, giving extra love to all the folded clothing and straightening up EVERYTHING... you start get go a little crazy. My first closing shift, I was going nuts the last hour. My second closing shift, it was just the last 30 minutes. Hopefully I'll be better from now on. My first opening shift? IT WAS AWESOME. Despite the fact I have to get up at the asscrack of dawn (5:45 alarm, 2 snoozes, shower, blah blah and to the store by 7 am), I really liked opening. I get there and start on restocking, which is just switching out hangers for the stuff from the back and then placing them out on the floor. I think some mornings will be more crazy than others, (we only had one rack and one basket) but it flew by. I've worked a lot with Michelle (she was the first person I shadowed and I did restock with her yesterday morning) and I really like her. She looks a lot like Angela from Bones. Maybe that's partly why? Haha...

Anyway, Lisa and I had manicures and pedicures done yesterday at Embellish. The place is so freakin' pink and girly! It's almost too much at first, but you get used to it. I really liked my nail tech, Jenny (Jen?). She was definitely talkative, but at least I didn't have to decipher Vietnamese. :) Lisa and I enjoyed it a lot and we're considering making this a regular event :) Not bad... :) Umm, what's good for dry heels? You know... to prevent cracked heels? :) I just used a LOT of smiley faces.

Okay, so... Thomas is moving to Austin soon! As in... today. I should clean my room. I made space for him in my closet. Ugh... my closet is pretty huge... so can someone explain to me why it's so fricken hard for me to make room for ONE person with... like... not a lot?

Okay... time to go back to Bones. Yes... I'm re-watching all the episodes, apparently.

Nails - "Old Blighty" | Feet - "Henley Regata"

Try To Pass The Smile On!

Yesterday one of the nurses came by my desk and handed me a note. Apparently the patient she had just seen had given it to her to pass on to me. The patient came in late and I still fit in her in, so I'm sure that was part of the reason why she felt compelled to write me this little note. I still appreciate it though--she didn't have to write it :) It sure did put a smile on face! I just have to make sure to do what it says and pass it on.

They're Speaking To You, To You...

Hey guys!

It's been awhile since I last blogged... and a lot has happened since then :)

You are looking at (the blog of) one of Anthropologie's newest employees! :) I spent the bulk of yesterday (8-4) at Anthro orientation. It was a pretty big group of us (12ish). Most of them seem to be moving to the Domain location. It would make sense for me to move there to since I live about a stone's throw (is that the white people phrase?) away from it. So is it weird I want to stay at the downtown location? If I was part of the Domain one, I'd be able to help literally build the store, etc.... which sounds cool, but at the same time sounds like NOT something I want to do. Also, is it dorky of me that I think it'd be fun to work with Lisa every now and then? Hey, at least this way, I can shop at the Domain one and not be tempted to work! :)

Recently I've had a resurgence of listening to two different bands. 1. Fall Out Boy. 2. 10,000 Maniacs. It's so funny to see the people who were famous 15 years ago vs. now. Natalie Merchant vs... Lady Gaga. Haha. Not that Natalie Merchant was ever hyped up and as popular as Gags, but... just sayin'. I only make this comparison because I was watching a youtube video recently of Natalie performing one of my favorite songs "These Are Days" on stage in what I can only describe as a frock. Haha a long sleeve yellow button up with a long floor length skirt. On stage! Who does that?! Anyway... she does a big twirl on stage, it's adorable.

Anyway, other than that there hasn't been a whole lot else developing. Not that I mind. Bones has kind of sort of completely taken over my life. But... I think you all know that. Lisa and Mike bought a new house in the Crestwood area and it's adorable! They're remodeling right now so no pics as of yet. :) We should be having a Memorial Day party for baby Luke's first bday.

Oh, and I also have awesome footage of Thomas and Johnny Creeding in the car.

Summer is upon us, guys. I know it's technically not supposed to start until June... but it's Texas and... yesterday I felt like I was going to melt in my car! So for all intents and purposes, it's fricken Summer! Oh well... here's an excerpt from the above mentioned song to ring in Summer! :)

These are the days you might fill with laughter until you break

These days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face,

And when you do, you'll know how it was meant to be,

See the signs and know their meaning, it's true,

Then you'll know how it was meant to be,

Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you,

To you...