so i've just recovered from a case of strep throat. doesn't that sound like fun? like what you used to get when you were 7 years old and got to stay home from school? although now it's not that fun to stay home from work, knowing it's piling up on your desk. and assignments (i.e. FINALS) aren't writing themselves. but i'm proud to say that i've recovered...the nasties in my throat are gone, the phlegm is almost out, and i'm not sleeping for 18 hours a day. it's a lovely world, ain't it??
so i've come up with a really good metaphor to describe how i'm feeling about this whole i'm-finishing-grad-school-what-the-hell-am-i-gonna-do connundrum. it's like when you first see the light at the end of the tunnel, you get all excited because, hey, you're gettin' out! that's how i'm feeling now. but you know once you get closer, and the light gets brighter and brighter...so bright that it blinds you and you get all anxious and worried because you're not quite sure what's outside of the tunnel? like what makes you think the tunnel is so bad, anyway? well that's my prediction of how i will feel in approximately 3-4 weeks. scared as hell because i'm blinded by the light. (hey, isn't that an 80's song or something?) i digress. anyway, the good news is that the blindness lasts only for a split second, because pretty soon your eyes adjust to the outside world, and you have a better idea of where you are, where you're going, etc. my prediction of those feelings = approximately 5-6 months. i guess that's not a "split-second" blindess, but oh well.
only 1 more week of classes. it's pretty stinkin' unbelievable!!
April 21, 2006
April 13, 2006
maaaa-tha's vineyard
yes friends, it's time to see some pics from the vineyard. i've been so busy with school that i didn't get a chance to post 'em when we got back. but needless to say, monkey and i had a really great time! we took the ferry out, and checked into our (GHETTO) motel in vineyard haven. yeah, it was ghetto for sure! then we walked down through the little streets and went into the shops. alot were closed becaues it was sunday, but we probably couldn't afford anything anyway so that was okay. with all the shops closed, we decided to have a photo shoot on the beach. yes, a photo shoot! we took pics on the beach, in the water, on the dock. many looked like they were straight outta dawson's creek! after that, we were very much the "early bird" old married couple becase we went to go eat dinner at like 5pm. i went to order a beer, but it turns out vineyard haven is a DRY TOWN! you know what that means? no alchohol! so i was sad to say the least that i couldn't have a beer with dinner! oh well, it was ok.
so the next day we got coffee and rode the little bus around the island. we were surrounded by 3 old couples from tennessee who were concerned with "what time the bus would pick them up", and kept saying so EVERY 2 minutes in their southern twangy accent. i was getting super annoyed and i swore to monkey that we would NEVER be like that when we're old and travelling. we stopped at the oldest town on the island (edgartown) and took pictures next to the lighthouse. it was so east coast and so pretty! if anyone ever comes to the east coast, you've gotta go to the island for a day, just to check it out! all in all it was a great trip. i didn't buy a floppy hat as promised, but i did get lots of pics in my searsucker pants :) enjoy!
isn't this a great pic? hahahah the view form our hotel. i told you it was ghetto!
so the next day we got coffee and rode the little bus around the island. we were surrounded by 3 old couples from tennessee who were concerned with "what time the bus would pick them up", and kept saying so EVERY 2 minutes in their southern twangy accent. i was getting super annoyed and i swore to monkey that we would NEVER be like that when we're old and travelling. we stopped at the oldest town on the island (edgartown) and took pictures next to the lighthouse. it was so east coast and so pretty! if anyone ever comes to the east coast, you've gotta go to the island for a day, just to check it out! all in all it was a great trip. i didn't buy a floppy hat as promised, but i did get lots of pics in my searsucker pants :) enjoy!
isn't this a great pic? hahahah the view form our hotel. i told you it was ghetto!
March 30, 2006
floppy hats and searsucker pants
floppy hats and searsucker pants, you ask?
well....this weekend monkey (my partner in crime) and i are taking the ferry to martha's vineyard. or as they would say here in massachusetts "the vineyard" or "maaah-tha's vineyaaahd" (crazy accents). anyway we're leaving on sunday night and just staying one night. but i definately have envisioned what our trip will be like there: it's gonna be sunny and warm, we're gonna rent some cruiser bikes and ride along the coastline and have picnics on the beach. i'm going to be wearing a big floppy white hat, very large jackie o. sunglasses, and blue searsucker (striped) pants. and we'll stop at bakeries and marvel at the victorian "gingerbread" houses.
in reality it will most likely be raining and/or foggy. i'll have my down coat on and no floppy hat. and the bakeries will be closed. and the bike store will be burnt down.
the good news is, it's supposed to be at least 50 degrees and partially cloudy. and we've got a hotel right on the beach. who needs bikes anyway? :) i'll definately keep ya'll informed. in the meantime, i gotta go get some big jackie o. sunglasses....
well....this weekend monkey (my partner in crime) and i are taking the ferry to martha's vineyard. or as they would say here in massachusetts "the vineyard" or "maaah-tha's vineyaaahd" (crazy accents). anyway we're leaving on sunday night and just staying one night. but i definately have envisioned what our trip will be like there: it's gonna be sunny and warm, we're gonna rent some cruiser bikes and ride along the coastline and have picnics on the beach. i'm going to be wearing a big floppy white hat, very large jackie o. sunglasses, and blue searsucker (striped) pants. and we'll stop at bakeries and marvel at the victorian "gingerbread" houses.
in reality it will most likely be raining and/or foggy. i'll have my down coat on and no floppy hat. and the bakeries will be closed. and the bike store will be burnt down.
the good news is, it's supposed to be at least 50 degrees and partially cloudy. and we've got a hotel right on the beach. who needs bikes anyway? :) i'll definately keep ya'll informed. in the meantime, i gotta go get some big jackie o. sunglasses....
March 21, 2006
almost like an orgasm....
yeah, so that's how my friend shannon (and fellow intern and social work student) described her feeling of accomplishment after our lobby day today. and i have to admit, it was quite a relaxing and very joyous moment in my eyes as well! yes my friends, the event that we put on was a success! we had over 500 teen parents there from all over massachusetts, and a whole bunch of legislators, reps, and press. they even covered it on the 5pm news. (now...don't say it was a slow news day!) it was great to see all of the girls we visited and presented advocacy training to. they were representing themselves and it made me feel all warm and gushy inside. go social work! :)
speaking of being warm...or NOT being warm, it's frikkin' FREEZING here in boston! it's almost april for christ's sakes! but monkey and i battled the cold for the annual south boston st. patricks day parade on sunday (aka drunken irish-fest). there were bagpipes and all...and no i didn't witness any puking in the streets, but then again we left a little earlier than most. i have to say that as much crap southie gets for putting on the parade, it made me feel all patriotic or something. must've been the cute policemen in their uniforms...
oh yeah, and my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin alison were in town 2 weekends ago. was that fun! we went to the sam adams brewery, fenway park, a celtics game, and to the aquarium. i swear i must've gained 5 pounds when they were here, since we drank a lot of beer, lounged around and ate, and kept going to get pastries (on aaron's request). don't ever ask him about mike's pastry shop in boston. he'll go nuts.
only 2 months til i go home! (well, to utah....) despite the cold, i am gonna miss this place...
speaking of being warm...or NOT being warm, it's frikkin' FREEZING here in boston! it's almost april for christ's sakes! but monkey and i battled the cold for the annual south boston st. patricks day parade on sunday (aka drunken irish-fest). there were bagpipes and all...and no i didn't witness any puking in the streets, but then again we left a little earlier than most. i have to say that as much crap southie gets for putting on the parade, it made me feel all patriotic or something. must've been the cute policemen in their uniforms...
oh yeah, and my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin alison were in town 2 weekends ago. was that fun! we went to the sam adams brewery, fenway park, a celtics game, and to the aquarium. i swear i must've gained 5 pounds when they were here, since we drank a lot of beer, lounged around and ate, and kept going to get pastries (on aaron's request). don't ever ask him about mike's pastry shop in boston. he'll go nuts.
only 2 months til i go home! (well, to utah....) despite the cold, i am gonna miss this place...
March 18, 2006
vegas party 2.0
well, you know you're getting old when you spend st. patricks day eating cupcakes, getting drunk off of 3 beers, and find joy in swiffering the floor at 12 am. yes friends, that was the extent of my st. patricks day celebration! well, i told myself that i couldn't go out because i have a mess of things to do this weekend, and i couldn't afford to be hungover (i'm saving that for sunday, when i head off to southie to watch the world famous boston st. patricks day parade!) so yeah, monkey and i were pretty pathetic....we ended up trying to watch law and order but it wasn't on. damn!
anyway i wanted to let everyone know that i will be in vegas the weekend of may 5-7th for my birthday, version 2.0! for those of you who don't know, i spent my 21st birthday in vegas. and yes, it was as crazy as you would expect, with me and 7 other girls! you know it was a success when someone had to puke before getting on the plane on the way home (sorry, judy!) it was great. and i'm inviting everyone that can make it to join me in the fun this year! i don't really promise a puking-ly good time (although you never know!) but i am getting old. we'll be on the strip, but i plan on spending most of my time lounging around the pool at my aunts house, drinking cocktails all day, and maybe even dancing at night?? please let me know if you can attend :)
anyway i wanted to let everyone know that i will be in vegas the weekend of may 5-7th for my birthday, version 2.0! for those of you who don't know, i spent my 21st birthday in vegas. and yes, it was as crazy as you would expect, with me and 7 other girls! you know it was a success when someone had to puke before getting on the plane on the way home (sorry, judy!) it was great. and i'm inviting everyone that can make it to join me in the fun this year! i don't really promise a puking-ly good time (although you never know!) but i am getting old. we'll be on the strip, but i plan on spending most of my time lounging around the pool at my aunts house, drinking cocktails all day, and maybe even dancing at night?? please let me know if you can attend :)
March 10, 2006
March 6, 2006
march madness
march madness is RIGHT! it's friggin' grand central chaotic station here in my life as a grad student, policy intern, babysitter, beer drinker, reader, etc....
in between midterms (1 due last week, 3 due in the upcoming weeks) my co-intern at the Alliance on Teen Pregancy and i are putting together a Lobby Day. march 21st at the MA state house. mark your calendars folks! right now we're busy running around trying to get speakers, getting rsvp's from legislators, calling catering companies, ordering displays, etc. and doing advocacy trainings for teen parents all over the state of massachusetts. tomorrow we have 2 in worcester (pronounced WOOO-sta!) and 2 next week in the wee corners of the state. crazy, i know.
AND.....my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin are coming to visit in 3 days! yeah, i'm so excited! i'm trying to put together a little itinerary for us, since i figure this may be the last time i'll really get to toot around boston. i'm thinking the sam adams brewery for sure, fenway, some clam chowda, you know the usual boston thing. if any of you bostonians have any suggestions, let me know!
....it's back to working on midterms for me. hope everyone else is enjoying this crazy month of march. oh yeah, where did february go, anyway???
in between midterms (1 due last week, 3 due in the upcoming weeks) my co-intern at the Alliance on Teen Pregancy and i are putting together a Lobby Day. march 21st at the MA state house. mark your calendars folks! right now we're busy running around trying to get speakers, getting rsvp's from legislators, calling catering companies, ordering displays, etc. and doing advocacy trainings for teen parents all over the state of massachusetts. tomorrow we have 2 in worcester (pronounced WOOO-sta!) and 2 next week in the wee corners of the state. crazy, i know.
AND.....my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin are coming to visit in 3 days! yeah, i'm so excited! i'm trying to put together a little itinerary for us, since i figure this may be the last time i'll really get to toot around boston. i'm thinking the sam adams brewery for sure, fenway, some clam chowda, you know the usual boston thing. if any of you bostonians have any suggestions, let me know!
....it's back to working on midterms for me. hope everyone else is enjoying this crazy month of march. oh yeah, where did february go, anyway???
February 21, 2006
honestly!!
...can i get some motivation over here? just a little bit? i'm struggling, my friends. it's like i am a senior in high school all over again, and have senioritis BAD! i'm so proud of myself that i'm not procrastinating on the "busy work" of the semester. but the big projects? well, i'm the QUEEN of procrastination in that department. kind of like this blog...i keep putting it off, and putting it off. do i think it will just write itself?
things are in full swing here at my internship at the Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. My fellow intern (Shannon...coincidentally) and i are in charge of putting together the annual Teen Parent lobby day at the state house. it's been a bunch of busy work and designing information, etc which i really love. but since we haven't had much contact with the programs/teens/legislators that will be at the event, i'm getting nervous that no one will show up! and we've put so much time into it! but as my supervisor says, it's surprising how quickly and wonderfully it comes together. so i guess i just gotta put some faith in the fact that my hard efforts will pay off.
he's probably reading this as we speak, but things are going well in the boy department. you know, hanging out, going to the irish pub to drink, watch the olympics, and chat with the irish bartender. watch silly movies and argue about politics. eat good food and way too many cookies. but it's nice.....
and for those of you who also adore my dog (my mom's dog) reggie, he had an unfortunate accident. well, he was kicked in the mouth by a horse, and lost one of his canine pointy teeth! he had to get it removed because it shattered in his mouth, and now he looks like a ghetto 1-tooth dog when he smiles. i think that my mom should put a gold tooth where the old one was. that would be cool :)
things are in full swing here at my internship at the Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. My fellow intern (Shannon...coincidentally) and i are in charge of putting together the annual Teen Parent lobby day at the state house. it's been a bunch of busy work and designing information, etc which i really love. but since we haven't had much contact with the programs/teens/legislators that will be at the event, i'm getting nervous that no one will show up! and we've put so much time into it! but as my supervisor says, it's surprising how quickly and wonderfully it comes together. so i guess i just gotta put some faith in the fact that my hard efforts will pay off.
he's probably reading this as we speak, but things are going well in the boy department. you know, hanging out, going to the irish pub to drink, watch the olympics, and chat with the irish bartender. watch silly movies and argue about politics. eat good food and way too many cookies. but it's nice.....
and for those of you who also adore my dog (my mom's dog) reggie, he had an unfortunate accident. well, he was kicked in the mouth by a horse, and lost one of his canine pointy teeth! he had to get it removed because it shattered in his mouth, and now he looks like a ghetto 1-tooth dog when he smiles. i think that my mom should put a gold tooth where the old one was. that would be cool :)
January 30, 2006
random thoughts....
i hate getting sucked into the whole celebrity news thing. why do we need to know about brad-gelina's baby? who cares about britney wanting a makeover? why did nick and jessica really get divorced? yes, i'm sure these are all things you are also comtemplating these days. and as i sit here, reading this week's Us Weekly, i'm disgusted with myself. but also very, very interested...(and in case you were wondering, the baby is supposedly due may 2...i day before mine!) hahahah. please save me from this trash! well, at least i don't watch tv. this is enough of a guilty pleasure for me.
it's quite a cold and dreary day here in boston. i thought we were supposed to get a big nor'easter....but it was just foggy this morning with no snow. i'm kind of looking forward to the snow (gasp!). we haven't had much this winter so far, and i know i'll be cursing myself when it snows in may. but whatever, i'm ready for it!
so things i am/we all should be thinking about this week:
what will our fearless leader say during his state of the union address this week?
will there ever be peace in the middle east with the new palestinian hamas goverment?
will the democrats attempt a filbuster to stop alito from becoming the new supreme court justice?
and finally...
what does jen think about all this brad/angelina nonsense? is she really "okay" with it??
comments, concerns, suggestions?? please let me know :)
it's quite a cold and dreary day here in boston. i thought we were supposed to get a big nor'easter....but it was just foggy this morning with no snow. i'm kind of looking forward to the snow (gasp!). we haven't had much this winter so far, and i know i'll be cursing myself when it snows in may. but whatever, i'm ready for it!
so things i am/we all should be thinking about this week:
what will our fearless leader say during his state of the union address this week?
will there ever be peace in the middle east with the new palestinian hamas goverment?
will the democrats attempt a filbuster to stop alito from becoming the new supreme court justice?
and finally...
what does jen think about all this brad/angelina nonsense? is she really "okay" with it??
comments, concerns, suggestions?? please let me know :)
January 17, 2006
i can see the finish line....
yes, i'm back in cold boston.
it's taken me a week to transition into "school mode"...well, i'm *almost* there! i did spend the last week sleeping in, printing off class materials, getting my computer fixed, and catching up with friends over beers. it was a great weekend too - monkey and i saw brokeback mountain. you've GOT to see it if you haven't already. and i don't want to hear any of this "it's just a gay cowboy bullshit" movie. get over yourself....it's amazing. and even if you don't appreciate the story line, the scenery alone will leave you wanting to book a plane ticket to wyoming. i'm not joking.
so i don't know if everyone has heard my summer plans...i will be managing the Utah operation of ARTA river trips (the company i've been working for for 5+ years). scary to think i'll be in charge, eh? i won't get to be on the river as much, but it'll give me the opportunity to relax (kind of) after a hectic spring semester, and give me time to look for jobs online. start thinking about making a trip out to Utah...you've got a place to stay, and a kick ass tour guide! and who knows, maybe i could hook you up with a river trip or somethin' - hey, i'm the new manager after all!
it's finally starting to feel like winter out here. last week was unseasonably warm - almost 60 degrees in january, what?? but today it's back to 20 something, and the wind chill a couple nights ago was 0 degrees. today it was sunny outside, so i wore a skirt (with tights, of course), and i was freezing cold. when will i learn that, unlike the west coast, when the sun is shining it's not necessarily warm outside? in fact it's probably colder? silly californians....
it's taken me a week to transition into "school mode"...well, i'm *almost* there! i did spend the last week sleeping in, printing off class materials, getting my computer fixed, and catching up with friends over beers. it was a great weekend too - monkey and i saw brokeback mountain. you've GOT to see it if you haven't already. and i don't want to hear any of this "it's just a gay cowboy bullshit" movie. get over yourself....it's amazing. and even if you don't appreciate the story line, the scenery alone will leave you wanting to book a plane ticket to wyoming. i'm not joking.
so i don't know if everyone has heard my summer plans...i will be managing the Utah operation of ARTA river trips (the company i've been working for for 5+ years). scary to think i'll be in charge, eh? i won't get to be on the river as much, but it'll give me the opportunity to relax (kind of) after a hectic spring semester, and give me time to look for jobs online. start thinking about making a trip out to Utah...you've got a place to stay, and a kick ass tour guide! and who knows, maybe i could hook you up with a river trip or somethin' - hey, i'm the new manager after all!
it's finally starting to feel like winter out here. last week was unseasonably warm - almost 60 degrees in january, what?? but today it's back to 20 something, and the wind chill a couple nights ago was 0 degrees. today it was sunny outside, so i wore a skirt (with tights, of course), and i was freezing cold. when will i learn that, unlike the west coast, when the sun is shining it's not necessarily warm outside? in fact it's probably colder? silly californians....
January 7, 2006
almost home...
you know you're at a ghetto redneck bar when you have to use a piece of sheetrock to chalk up your cue stick. yes, my friends, as a farewell to my mom and her anxiety of flying to hawaii, we went at had a drink at the iron door saloon (said redneck, ghetto bar). one drink turned into 3, and before i knew it, my mom was not making her shots anymore....well, i wasn't really either! we eventually made it back to the house, only to find my step-dad waiting for us, all packed up and ready to leave. my mom was in no state to drive all the way to the bay area (she's a lightweight!) so kevin had to drive the whole way. and i heard all about it this morning at 8:15am, after kevin decided to wake me up. it was a very fun farewell party!
so now i'm left hear alone in the house with reggie. last night we bonded by watching a law and order marathon together, and i let him sleep on the bed. i've never had a dog that actually sleeps like a human on the bed - his head on the pillow and all! and then sometimes he turns upsidedown so he's laying on his back with his head on the pillow. awww....i'll miss him!
so my flight back home to boston leaves at 10am on monday. i'm NOT excited to return to the cold, but i am ready to finish off my LAST semester in grad school. whoohoo! i can't believe the time has gone by so fast....
so now i'm left hear alone in the house with reggie. last night we bonded by watching a law and order marathon together, and i let him sleep on the bed. i've never had a dog that actually sleeps like a human on the bed - his head on the pillow and all! and then sometimes he turns upsidedown so he's laying on his back with his head on the pillow. awww....i'll miss him!
so my flight back home to boston leaves at 10am on monday. i'm NOT excited to return to the cold, but i am ready to finish off my LAST semester in grad school. whoohoo! i can't believe the time has gone by so fast....
January 2, 2006
happy new years!
happy 2006!
usually my new years celebrations suck. i always make plans, they never work out, and i end up hanging out with my parents or watching tv or something and it blows (no offense to the parents, they are great!). so this year i made a different plan of attack. i promised myself i would make minimal plans. i would go to san francisco, stay with my friend, and see what happens. we called a whole bunch of others, told them to meet up with us (with no expectation that they would...didn't want to be disapointed). in the end, i was ringing in the new year with 3 of my closest friends, and a whole bunch of other new friends. i was having an awesome time until the power went out, then the cops had to escort everyone out of the bar (thankfully they let me take my beer with me!) the next morning we had this incredible breakfast and i was on my way back to groveland. i've driven so much over the past few days (up to sacramento, then to san francisco) that i'm ready to just chill at home until i go back to boston.
...you know you live in a small town when the only convenience store burns down, and the whole town knows within an hour. yes, breaking headlines here folks! tiano's, grovelands only real 7-11 type store nearly burned down after reportedly plugging too many things into the sockets after a power surge. yep, the "town mayor" (as he calls himself) was there and everyone and their brother. what a sight! though i wasn't there to witness the event, my mom provided me with all of the juicy gossip afterwards. everything happens in groveland when i move away...i'm missing all of the excitement!
usually my new years celebrations suck. i always make plans, they never work out, and i end up hanging out with my parents or watching tv or something and it blows (no offense to the parents, they are great!). so this year i made a different plan of attack. i promised myself i would make minimal plans. i would go to san francisco, stay with my friend, and see what happens. we called a whole bunch of others, told them to meet up with us (with no expectation that they would...didn't want to be disapointed). in the end, i was ringing in the new year with 3 of my closest friends, and a whole bunch of other new friends. i was having an awesome time until the power went out, then the cops had to escort everyone out of the bar (thankfully they let me take my beer with me!) the next morning we had this incredible breakfast and i was on my way back to groveland. i've driven so much over the past few days (up to sacramento, then to san francisco) that i'm ready to just chill at home until i go back to boston.
...you know you live in a small town when the only convenience store burns down, and the whole town knows within an hour. yes, breaking headlines here folks! tiano's, grovelands only real 7-11 type store nearly burned down after reportedly plugging too many things into the sockets after a power surge. yep, the "town mayor" (as he calls himself) was there and everyone and their brother. what a sight! though i wasn't there to witness the event, my mom provided me with all of the juicy gossip afterwards. everything happens in groveland when i move away...i'm missing all of the excitement!
December 26, 2005
my mom has turned into a cowboy
yes friends, it's true.
i leave the state for a mere year and a half only to return to my cowboy mom. and she doesn't just have the wranglers and the belt buckle. she has expensive chaps, and 2 stetson hats. she listens to kenny chesney, and does the "be-donk-a-donk" dance. she rides her horse almost every day, and is having a barn build on her property. she started drinking scotch (well, i'm not sure how cowboy that is). it's funny, because since i've been goen, i'm definately more of a city girl (a "girly girl", as some would say). so as i get further towards the "city" side of the spectrum, my mom is getting further towards the "country" side of the spectrum. this is to the delight of my step dad. the rest of us are just in shock. it's just interesting....
my trip home has been fun so far...i've seen so many people from the past. that's when you know you're from a small town - when you see 10 people you know in the local walmart. we went into the iron door saloon for a drink, and we were seriously the only people in there. it was sad...now i remember what winters were like in groveland. boring!
i've also been learning how to knit which is pretty challenging. although because i know how to crochet, i'm learning at a faster pace. but i practice and practice...i show my mom a finished piece and she looks at me and says (in her motherly tone) "honey, that doesn't look right". awww, she's so nice. don't plan on me making any hats or scarves for anyone yet. i need to keep practicing...
i leave the state for a mere year and a half only to return to my cowboy mom. and she doesn't just have the wranglers and the belt buckle. she has expensive chaps, and 2 stetson hats. she listens to kenny chesney, and does the "be-donk-a-donk" dance. she rides her horse almost every day, and is having a barn build on her property. she started drinking scotch (well, i'm not sure how cowboy that is). it's funny, because since i've been goen, i'm definately more of a city girl (a "girly girl", as some would say). so as i get further towards the "city" side of the spectrum, my mom is getting further towards the "country" side of the spectrum. this is to the delight of my step dad. the rest of us are just in shock. it's just interesting....
my trip home has been fun so far...i've seen so many people from the past. that's when you know you're from a small town - when you see 10 people you know in the local walmart. we went into the iron door saloon for a drink, and we were seriously the only people in there. it was sad...now i remember what winters were like in groveland. boring!
i've also been learning how to knit which is pretty challenging. although because i know how to crochet, i'm learning at a faster pace. but i practice and practice...i show my mom a finished piece and she looks at me and says (in her motherly tone) "honey, that doesn't look right". awww, she's so nice. don't plan on me making any hats or scarves for anyone yet. i need to keep practicing...
December 25, 2005
pink bunny suits for christmas...
so have you ever seen the movie "the christmas story"? the one with the little boy who wants the red rider b.b. gun for christmas, and his mom always says "you'll shoot your eye out? well anyway, in that movie, ralphie (the little boy) gets a hideous pink bunny suit for christmas, thoughtfully made by his aunt. and his mom makes him run upstairs to put it on. he comes back downstairs, humiliated. i kind of felt like that last night while opening presents. though i didn't get a pink bunny suit, i did get a pair of hideously pink slippers from my aunt. they're pretty ugly. and though my stepmom did not make me try them on, i did feel pretty humiliated....
we had a really nice christmas eve dinner last night here at my dad and step-mom's new house. yummy. it's still hard to believe that my dad built this house all by himself. he's such a handy guy! after dinner and present opening, my brothers and i went in the hot tub to relax. i think it's required to have a hot tub in the mountains...they are just so nice, you almost want to fall asleep in them! (but that wouldn't be a good idea now, would it?) i pretty much made it out with good gifts....money, a beautiful bracelet, some new workout pants, and lots of smelly pretty lotion. and the best gift had to be the new umbrella from my uncle james. it's one of those heavy duty ones with a wooden handle. i was so excited, and when i opened it i started laughing SO hard. the print is of a bulldog sitting next to a gazebo in a pretty english garden. the people in boston are gonna get a kick out of it :)
merry christmas, everyone!!
we had a really nice christmas eve dinner last night here at my dad and step-mom's new house. yummy. it's still hard to believe that my dad built this house all by himself. he's such a handy guy! after dinner and present opening, my brothers and i went in the hot tub to relax. i think it's required to have a hot tub in the mountains...they are just so nice, you almost want to fall asleep in them! (but that wouldn't be a good idea now, would it?) i pretty much made it out with good gifts....money, a beautiful bracelet, some new workout pants, and lots of smelly pretty lotion. and the best gift had to be the new umbrella from my uncle james. it's one of those heavy duty ones with a wooden handle. i was so excited, and when i opened it i started laughing SO hard. the print is of a bulldog sitting next to a gazebo in a pretty english garden. the people in boston are gonna get a kick out of it :)
merry christmas, everyone!!
December 11, 2005
sad sad news.....
it's been one hell of a week.....
first, my computer gets a nasty virus and i have to have it cleaned or repaired or whatever they call it. basically erase everything. luckily i backed everything up. everything that is except my itunes. i'm hoping they can recover the songs. if they don't, i'll be REALLY depressed.
then, my trip to cuba gets canceled. at this point, it's canceled due to the fact that the US treasury won't issue us a visa. the trip has been going for 30 years, and they won't issue the visa. i didn't really know how to respond. of course i'm super depressed and i feel defeated - there's honestly nothing we can do. the school has appealed the decision, and we'll know by friday whether we're going or not. please cross your fingers for me....i've been preparing for this trip since last june...
i'm in amazingly high spirits considering the shitty week i had. must be because i'm going home in less than a week. YEAH! i can't wait to see my family and friends. and reggie, of course. gonna give him a big puppy hug.
first, my computer gets a nasty virus and i have to have it cleaned or repaired or whatever they call it. basically erase everything. luckily i backed everything up. everything that is except my itunes. i'm hoping they can recover the songs. if they don't, i'll be REALLY depressed.
then, my trip to cuba gets canceled. at this point, it's canceled due to the fact that the US treasury won't issue us a visa. the trip has been going for 30 years, and they won't issue the visa. i didn't really know how to respond. of course i'm super depressed and i feel defeated - there's honestly nothing we can do. the school has appealed the decision, and we'll know by friday whether we're going or not. please cross your fingers for me....i've been preparing for this trip since last june...
i'm in amazingly high spirits considering the shitty week i had. must be because i'm going home in less than a week. YEAH! i can't wait to see my family and friends. and reggie, of course. gonna give him a big puppy hug.
December 6, 2005
a jaded love story...and a broken computer
so i'm actually not blogging on my computer anymore...it's got a nasty virus and i don't know what to do about it. everytime i open something up, it says it is sending "hot horny asian" emails to people (note: i'm sorry if you get one!) i've been downloading lots of stuff for my final projects that i've been working on. must've gotten it then (or maybe it was when i was looking at midget porn the other day? oh well!) anyway it's been such a pain in the ass because, well, it's finals week. and i have 2 major papers/presentations due on Friday. Luckily for me, work has been slow and I've been able to work on it here (don't tell my bosses....)
in other news of the weird, i've met a guy. weird, i know. and i'm jaded, so i'm not going to say how cool, or cute, nice, or funny he is. yeah, it just jinx's it...and i'm not ready for that. gotta enjoy it a little bit longer. once we get passed the "are we going to keep hanging out?" stage, i'll let you all know the details :)
and guess what??? i'm going to CUBA in less than a month! i'm soooo friggin' excited. thanks to all who have donated money/supplies to bring with me. i've gotten 3 huge boxes of stuff, and over $200 to buy things. so far i bought a lot of ast/school supplies for the little kids. i couldn't imagine not havin crayons growing up! i leave the bay area on january 2...to return in Boston on the 17th. and please, don't ask for cigars...they aren't allowed, and i'm not going to stash them in unmentionable places just for you :)
...and i'll be home in CA on dec. 16th for those that wanna hang out...just get in touch....
happy december!!!
in other news of the weird, i've met a guy. weird, i know. and i'm jaded, so i'm not going to say how cool, or cute, nice, or funny he is. yeah, it just jinx's it...and i'm not ready for that. gotta enjoy it a little bit longer. once we get passed the "are we going to keep hanging out?" stage, i'll let you all know the details :)
and guess what??? i'm going to CUBA in less than a month! i'm soooo friggin' excited. thanks to all who have donated money/supplies to bring with me. i've gotten 3 huge boxes of stuff, and over $200 to buy things. so far i bought a lot of ast/school supplies for the little kids. i couldn't imagine not havin crayons growing up! i leave the bay area on january 2...to return in Boston on the 17th. and please, don't ask for cigars...they aren't allowed, and i'm not going to stash them in unmentionable places just for you :)
...and i'll be home in CA on dec. 16th for those that wanna hang out...just get in touch....
happy december!!!
November 27, 2005
wow, i'm such a bad blogger!
i deeply apologize to those of you who are thirsty for my blog. the truth is, i haven't had much to report besides the usual bits of drama and gossip - but honestly, nothing to blog about!
the semester is winding down here in chilly boston. i'm finishing up 3 big projects for school - one on marketing social work to young people (get 'em with free drinks??), one about the big dig (the bigest highway construction project in the world), and social security in cuba (for my upcoming trip). i used to be a pretty good planner/writer and would prepare and write papers weeks in advance. but i've learned that i still write damn good papers in record time. so i procrastinate as long as i possibly can. you would think i would have learned my lesson in undergrad. but i didn't! so, as the cycle continues, i'm writing 2 papers as we speak. and trying to distract myself as much as my brain will allow (read: writing this blog!)
my 3rd solo thanksgiving was grand - no turkey, but grand nonetheless. i spent the day with monkey making food, drinking wine, and we even took a nice brisk walk in the sun. ate too much (of course) and passed out on the couch. we took a little out of town adventure and travelled to new hamsphire and maine. now, to northeasterners that's not such a big deal since the states are so close together. bbut for us, passing through 3 states in 2 hours was just crazy! we ended up spending the night in portland, maine (the biggest city in maine!)....hit up some pubs, and retreated to the hotel hot tub.
and so, the winter begins. i'm excited to come home to california for christmas break....to see friends and family of course, but mostly because it means the semester is over and i only have 1 semester left! it's incredible how fast time flies....to think that i've been in boston for a year and a half now.....
the semester is winding down here in chilly boston. i'm finishing up 3 big projects for school - one on marketing social work to young people (get 'em with free drinks??), one about the big dig (the bigest highway construction project in the world), and social security in cuba (for my upcoming trip). i used to be a pretty good planner/writer and would prepare and write papers weeks in advance. but i've learned that i still write damn good papers in record time. so i procrastinate as long as i possibly can. you would think i would have learned my lesson in undergrad. but i didn't! so, as the cycle continues, i'm writing 2 papers as we speak. and trying to distract myself as much as my brain will allow (read: writing this blog!)
my 3rd solo thanksgiving was grand - no turkey, but grand nonetheless. i spent the day with monkey making food, drinking wine, and we even took a nice brisk walk in the sun. ate too much (of course) and passed out on the couch. we took a little out of town adventure and travelled to new hamsphire and maine. now, to northeasterners that's not such a big deal since the states are so close together. bbut for us, passing through 3 states in 2 hours was just crazy! we ended up spending the night in portland, maine (the biggest city in maine!)....hit up some pubs, and retreated to the hotel hot tub.
and so, the winter begins. i'm excited to come home to california for christmas break....to see friends and family of course, but mostly because it means the semester is over and i only have 1 semester left! it's incredible how fast time flies....to think that i've been in boston for a year and a half now.....
October 30, 2005
it's snowing in OCTOBER
yes my friends....it's SNOWING in october.
and granted, it is oct. 30 (almost november) but still. snowing. the winter has officially made it to boston. although looking out my window right now, it's sunny. the northeast weather is such a tease.
shit is hitting the fan out here in beantown. and not in a bad way, it's just all hitting at once. kind of like the saying "when it rains, it pours". yeah. i have presentations up the wazzoo and a few midterm papers. and professors who aren't that great of teachers. doesn't that sound like fun? at least my internship is going well. we have our annual conference next tuesday, and have to be in worcester (pronouned "woo-sta") at 7am. and it's an hour away from boston. we will most definately have to stop at dunkin' donuts on the way there!
i'm happy to announce though, that my cuba class has officially begun, and i'm getting so excited about it. we're already doing research for our projects, watching videos, etc etc and i just really can't contain myself when i think that i'm actually going to get to visit cuba while fidel is in power. i feel so friggin' lucky.
...and i bought my ticket home for christmas, so if anyone wants to meet up, i'll be home dec 16th through jan 3rd. new years, anyone??
and granted, it is oct. 30 (almost november) but still. snowing. the winter has officially made it to boston. although looking out my window right now, it's sunny. the northeast weather is such a tease.
shit is hitting the fan out here in beantown. and not in a bad way, it's just all hitting at once. kind of like the saying "when it rains, it pours". yeah. i have presentations up the wazzoo and a few midterm papers. and professors who aren't that great of teachers. doesn't that sound like fun? at least my internship is going well. we have our annual conference next tuesday, and have to be in worcester (pronouned "woo-sta") at 7am. and it's an hour away from boston. we will most definately have to stop at dunkin' donuts on the way there!
i'm happy to announce though, that my cuba class has officially begun, and i'm getting so excited about it. we're already doing research for our projects, watching videos, etc etc and i just really can't contain myself when i think that i'm actually going to get to visit cuba while fidel is in power. i feel so friggin' lucky.
...and i bought my ticket home for christmas, so if anyone wants to meet up, i'll be home dec 16th through jan 3rd. new years, anyone??
October 16, 2005
apple picking...and a moment of silence
so, my weekend started off on a bad note....my mom had called to tell me that my dad had put my childhood dog to sleep. sadie was such a great dog, and lived a wonderful and energetic 13+ years. i don't think it's hit me yet that i won't see her again...
it was a beautiful and crisp day here in massachusetts. it finally stopped raining for a few hours, the sun came out, so monkey and i decided to go apple picking. it was absolutely chaotic of course (it being sunday, there were tons of families out, and i was starting to get a little clausterphobic on the "hayride" up to the orchards). but it was gorgeous, and we ventured far into the hills, looking for the perfect apple. there were about 4 varieties in season, and we tried every one of them. i know that apples taste different, but i guess i've never compared them at the same time. and i kind of felt guilty because i ate so many of them, but i figured it was better than the little kids who just picked them and threw them on the ground! and needless to say, i had a little bit of a stomach ache on the way home. just like eating one too many cannoli's from mike's pastry :) the fall foliage is jsut beginning to emerge in western mass, and it's looking very very pretty. and it's starting to be scarf season, whoohoo!
it was a beautiful and crisp day here in massachusetts. it finally stopped raining for a few hours, the sun came out, so monkey and i decided to go apple picking. it was absolutely chaotic of course (it being sunday, there were tons of families out, and i was starting to get a little clausterphobic on the "hayride" up to the orchards). but it was gorgeous, and we ventured far into the hills, looking for the perfect apple. there were about 4 varieties in season, and we tried every one of them. i know that apples taste different, but i guess i've never compared them at the same time. and i kind of felt guilty because i ate so many of them, but i figured it was better than the little kids who just picked them and threw them on the ground! and needless to say, i had a little bit of a stomach ache on the way home. just like eating one too many cannoli's from mike's pastry :) the fall foliage is jsut beginning to emerge in western mass, and it's looking very very pretty. and it's starting to be scarf season, whoohoo!
October 8, 2005
oh, so sad :(
i'm sure you've all saw the terrible news. perhaps you even watched in agony, just like everyone else in red sox nation. but those with the white socks won this time. monkey and i just couldn't take it anymore, and turned it off after they lost the lead. i know that's not true fan behavior, but i just couldn't bare it. oh well, there's always next year, right??
in other (better) news, i did go to a FABULOUS show last night at the somerville theater. his name is amos lee, kind of a combo of ben harper/bob dylan and lots of others mixed. hard to explain, but he's folky/bluesy/jazzy. i adore his cd and was excited to see him live, but i was BLOWN away by his performance. honestly, he rocked the place, and i'm just dying to see him again. check out his website www.amoslee.com and see if he's coming to your town. i promise you won't regret it!
is it going to be fall in boston, EVER? i mean, it's been pouring all day which is fine, but it's still 75 degrees and gross. you can't even go outside without getting frizzy hair and soaking wet shoes. the leaves are changing color which is nice, but it's still so yucky out!!! i guess whatever keeps the winter away is just fine with me!
in other (better) news, i did go to a FABULOUS show last night at the somerville theater. his name is amos lee, kind of a combo of ben harper/bob dylan and lots of others mixed. hard to explain, but he's folky/bluesy/jazzy. i adore his cd and was excited to see him live, but i was BLOWN away by his performance. honestly, he rocked the place, and i'm just dying to see him again. check out his website www.amoslee.com and see if he's coming to your town. i promise you won't regret it!
is it going to be fall in boston, EVER? i mean, it's been pouring all day which is fine, but it's still 75 degrees and gross. you can't even go outside without getting frizzy hair and soaking wet shoes. the leaves are changing color which is nice, but it's still so yucky out!!! i guess whatever keeps the winter away is just fine with me!
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