It's One of Those Days...

So it's dreary and rainy and blah outside and cold....kinda like the last time I updated. I feel like doing anything but my work, surprise surprise. My major thought is mostly "where is my life going?" seeing as how it's the middle of November. Thanksgiving is ONE WEEK away. When did this happen? Well no sense in looking back. Time to focus on getting things done and wrapping up the semester. Which reminds me, I need to register for classes this weekend. It's probably going to take some doing. I have to figure out where I'm taking my UMBC classes, and which advisor to talk to, then I'm sure I'll have to deal with some hassle from MC. Oh the joy of going to two different schools.

I'm listening to Christmas music again :) I was on a Wicked kick for a bit, due to last week's episode of Glee, then last night I was listening to Glee music (they already have a volume two of songs coming out!) Thanksgiving will be interesting. We're having it at our house this year, woot! But we're doing it with Dad's side of the family. Which means odds of seeing my mom's parents, who we really only see twice a year, are slim to none, and we're not seeing our cousins. Sad face! But we get to see the little cousins who we almost never see, and Grandpa is leaving the dreary confines of Buffalo for a day or two. Also...JENNIFER IS COMING!!!! This makes me very happy :D

In other news, I quit facebook for two weeks. Well, at least one week. If after the first week, I've sufficiently kicked the habit and relieved myself of my need for facebook, I'll try checking it once a day. If I still feel like "zomg fb need!!!" then I completely leave it for another week. I'm on day two so far, and I'm doing alright. No severe withdrawl, which probably means it's not as much of a habit as I think it is, I'm just letting it take over my life too much.

Christmas shopping is on hold for right now due to lack of funds. Thankfully, I already picked some up last month when the padres were out of town. Lack of funds being due to draining my bank account and borrowing money after my car got towed last week in Baltimore, and the towing company charged me $250 dollars to get it back. $250?!?!?! What kind of bullshit is that?! -_-; Freaking Baltimore. Nevermind that they relocated the car to the middle of nowhere in Overlea, MD. I suppose it's not techinically in the middle of nowhere, as it was on route one, just off of 695. Not quite bfn, but close for how deserted the place looked. Maybe it was just the weather.

Speaking of lack of funds, I need to start looking for another job. Blue Mash is currently employing me about 6 hours a week. This is what I get for working at a seasonal establishment. I did a little math (amazing, right?) and that's $45 a week, $90 a pay period, $180 a month. Before taxes. Even without taxes, let's see what that gets me. $100/month goes to my parents to repay my $1200 debt incurred over the summer. So that leaves me with $80. Gas is about $25/week. So that gets me 3 fillups per month, with $5 left over. This is going to get less, as it gets darker sooner every day. So yeah, right now I'm not even making expenses. Thus why I need another job. I should print a resume and go ask around at the mall.

That's pretty much life right now. I feel like baking...I really should work on my paper though...we'll see.

Peace y'all.

P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: When parking in Baltimore, just b/c you can't see a sign saying you can't park there, doesn't mean they won't tow you because there's a sign 30 yards away facing the other way.

47?!

Today's title refers to the forecasted high temperature for this area. 47 degrees Fahrenheit. 47! The record low for our area is 51! So said the man on the news last night. It's freaking October and it's snowing in the northeast/midatlantic states, and it's in the 40s here. So odd. Maybe we'll actually get snow this year? Cold weather and a family guy episode have inspired me to listen to Christmas music, so that's what I've been doing :D I stocked the 5 cd changer full of Christmas cds and just let it play...yum. I'm also listening to TSO and Josh Groban on my computer. Happiness. The leaves are changing and being colourful! It's exciting, although it doesn't reall feel like autumn with how cold it is. The leaves aren't nearly as pretty as they are up north this time of year, but still nice.

In other news, I met a girl at school who I'm now tutoring in Spanish. Turns out she's a Christian and I know her brother from IV at UMBC. She also recently started attending Cov. Small world? I think so. She's cool though, I like her. We had lunch at Chipotle yesterday after tutoring, since she had lack of cash to pay me she offered to buy lunch with her credit card, which I agreed to, since I'd probably just spend the money on food anyway.

Weekend happenings will be limited by the dreary weather unfortunately. I'm sure Tori and I will find some way to entertain ourselves despite the drizzle. Maybe we'll see a movie or go shopping. Sister bonding time =]

You win some, you lose some. It was fun while it lasted, and it's a learning experience.

Now time for a nice hot shower, and maybe some hot tea or cocoa to take off the chill.

Peace y'all.

P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: Drinking hot chocolate while folding laundry is a bad idea, particularly when you attempt to drink it over a pair of freshly washed white pants. Go me.

Just checking in...

So yeah I still haven't gotten into the habit of updating regulary. One of these days I'll get around to it, hopefully. Anywho, I'm in Rhode Island for the weekend, having myself a fantabulous time despite an overall lack of sunshine. It's really neat up here, reminds me a lot of upstate New York where I used to spend my summers. Pretty trees in the fall, small houses, friendly people, small towns, mom and pop stores, nearest wal-mart or home depot is about half an hour away. Apparently it's real touristy in the summer.

It's been a pretty chill day so far. For some reason I woke up around 8am this morning, probably due to the whole not sleeping well my first night in a new place thing. Rode around on the bike for the morning/early afternoon seeing the sights and theorizing with the bike store parts guy about possible issues with the bike Jeremy is in the process of fixing up. Once the rain started coming, we ditched back to Jeremy and Andre's place, and just watched tv for a couple hours. Their house is heated by woodstove, so it gets really toasty. I like it. Went out again around 6 to get food and go to the grocery store so I can cook dinner for Jeremy and Andre tomorrow. Jeremy's a little nervous, saying "You're telling me you can cook but you also said you could drive so...". I think it'll all work out. I may have bought a bit too much chicken but if so, they can freeze the leftovers and use it again. You can never have too much chicken on hand.

In other news, everyone up here are dirty Red Sox fans and Patriots fans. #fail. So they were none too happy about Boston's 3-0 loss to the Angels last night (really, the angels? that's like the Redskins losing to the Lions...oh wait...) Tonight's game is currently tied at 0-0 middle of the third. Not so impressive Boston. Yankees--Twins are tied 3-3 in what appears to be the 11th inning if I'm reading that right? Ouch. Get it together NY!

That's about all for now, updates on school when I return from my lovely excursion.

Peace y'all.

P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the Week: Don't blame community college not teaching you good study habits when you didn't do your paper you've known was due for 4 weeks. Sometimes I wonder about people...

Withdrawl

Two straight weeks of being together constantly. 5 days of relying on facebook, texting, and phone calls. Withdrawl. I was doing ok til I came down to play pool. Last time I was down here playing pool was before he left. Gahhh I miss him! I need to practice so when he comes back I can own him. Well not really, more like so I don't fail miserably. As for foosball, I'm fairly sure I'll still get beat there. 2 1/2 weeks to go. Has it really only been 5 days? So little time so much we'll want to do when he's back in town. I might be going to the wedding he's dj-ing that sunday, we'll see how things turn out and if he's allowed to bring a guest. That then of course requires me finding something to wear. Easier said than done.

I'm currently on the phone with him...sorta. His mom called like 2minutes after he called me so he's talking to her and I'm chillin on the other line. Annie is on my lap trying to sit between me and my computer. Not working so well. I may just hang up and have him call me back since it's using minutes. I hung up and texted him saying call me when you're done with your mom, she has priority.

Other random stuff: went school supply shopping, got a planner in purple (woot!) and other stuffs, meds are clearing up the staph infection on my legs really well. Only bummer is they make me itchy and the skin around my mouth feels kinda weird, like dry or something. Idk it's whatever, not annoying enough to pay more money to change meds. If it becomes and issue I'll call them for something new. School starts in a couple weeks.

Time for some pool then seeing if Luke wants to go to dinner/drive me to Frederick for moon pies.

Peace y'all.

P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: USE YOUR FREAKING BLINKERS! Seriously people, it's not that hard.

Countdown: 17 days

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

God promises that when we obey, we will be rewarded. On occasion, these rewards are more tangible and visible. When I decided that the right thing to do was to honour my parents by agreeing to live at home this semester, I didn't want to do it. I felt that it was the right thing to do and felt God's peace about my decision when I did agree though. My reward was God bringing me a wonderful Christian guy to hang out with for the last two weeks. "Officially unofficial" is the only formal title we put to it, since he's moved to Rhode Island for 5 months to take a job. I'm not terribly distraught though. He'll be back a couple times in September for some dj jobs he committed to before leaving, plus hopefully sometime around Thanksgiving or Christmas, and we'll be in constant communication.

It's times like these that I really reflect on how good God is, when He chooses to send us very tangible reminders. At the beginning of the summer, I was very uninterested in anything like a relationship for various reasons, and was despairing my overall luck with guys. I had no clue that 2 months later I'd be a little more than friends with a guy who is not only fun to be around and easy to talk to, but also a Godly example. Not to mention that before he moved, he lived abaout 10 minutes from me...not important but definitely convenient when we were staying up til all sorts of stupid hours watching tv and having adventures.

School starts late this year. Most of my classes start Sept. 1, my Korean class actually starts the 8th. Doing the two campus thing will be interesting. Weds morning 9am class will be tough but so far it's my only early class. None of the other days have class before 1pm which is good and bad. It's kinda what screwed me over last semester. I was up til 4am every night cause I didn't have to wake up til 11am. I imagine my parents won't let me sleep that late living at home, and I won't really have all the freedom to be out and about horribly late, though I will have the car. Luke is going to Maryland but I keep the car since I'm living home going to school. There are perks!

God is good. Job 34:10 I keep written on my wrist as a reminder that "Far be it from the Almighty to do wrong." It is a constant reminder to me when I'm frustrated that God knows what He is doing and has a plan. cf. Jeremiah 29:11.

Peace Y'all.

[21 days and counting down]

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms remind me of being a little girl. I remember sitting in my brother's room as a preteen with my brother and sister, counting how far away the thunder was by how close it followed the lightning. (I still do this!) I remember as a very young child being told that thunder was the angels bowling. I remember how my brother and sister used to be scared of thunderstorms, and would go running to my parents for comfort. I remember laying in my bed watching the lightning flash across the midnight sky. Thunderstorms remind me of summer, of power outages, and of early fall tornado season.

There was one particular night where the storms were really loud and unsettling for everyone. I don't recall if they were conncected to tornado season or not. I was probably 11 or 12 years old. The storms were loud enough to wake my siblings (who could sleep through doomsday). At some point the two of them had gone to my parents' room, disquieted by the storms and unable to sleep. I'm not sure when this was during the night. All I know is that at somepoint, I guess it was after my parents had gone to bed, my mom came to my room and asked me if I wanted to come into her room and sleep there, instead of being alone in my room. Although part of me thought I was too old to be scared of thunderstorms, I happily accepted the invitation. I went with my teddy and my blankie to curl up on the end of my parents bed. Being the last one to arrive, I didn't get to be up close by everyone else, but it was still ok. There we were, the 5 of us, sharing one king sized bed, waiting out the thunderstorms.

I don't remember much else about that night. At some point I probably went back to my room, either for lack of suitable sleeping space in the bed, or becuase the storms were over, or both. I imagine my dad was up early for work, a bit more tired than usual. I doubt anyone got much sleep that night, but looking back, I don't think I would trade it, nor would the rest of them I hope. It's a memory I'll carry with me for a long time, if not forever.

May Angels Lead You In

Today, April 2, 2009, marks six months since the passing of the person who had the most effect on the first 19 years of my life apart from my immediate family. That person is my Grandmother, my dad's mom. She died from complications of a stroke on October 2, 2008. She was the best person I've ever known. She was and always will be my role model and my hero.

When Grammy died back in October, I was completely heartbroken. I was devastated beyond anything I'd ever felt or have felt since. I did not understand how someone who had always been an integral part of my life could be taken from me and everyone who loved her. I honestly had no comprehension of how I and my family were supposed to continue with our lives. I was sad, confused, and angry.

Life does go on, and here I am 6 months later, going about my life. Ultimately, I know that Grammy is in Heaven, singing with the angels, because she had placed her faith in Christ, and knew Him as Lord and Saviour. I know she's happy, and that it was the best thing. I would so much rather her be in Heaven and free from her earthly pain than trapped here as a vegetable, which was essentially the case for the few days she was alive following the stroke.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I'm not always going to understand why things happen. Sometimes, the answers are revealed later. Sometimes, we never know. God has a plan, and I might not always, or even usually, understand it, but I have to trust that he knows what He's doing.

I miss my Grandmother every day, more than words could ever express. I know that she is watching over me every day, and that I will see her again. I love you and miss you so much! Sing for Jesus now. <3

Currently listening:
Hear You Me--Jimmy Eat World
Go Rest High--Vince Gill
I Still Miss You--Keith Anderson
Probably Wouldn't Be This Way--Leann Rimes
When You're Gone--Avril Lavigne
Holes in the Floor of Heaven--Steve Wariner