Dear Diary,
I went with Nick up to Tahoe for the beginning of the week. His grandparents own time shares on two condos up there for the Hardin family to get together every year. Most of them stay up for the week, but I had to get back for an interview, so we left Wednesday morning. Still, that left some good time for me to get to know his family a little better and to be there for his grandfather's birthday dinner.
I'd only been to Tahoe once in the summer for a Burdine family reunion. Ignoring a mirgraine from all the stress of the last couple weeks and really nasty sunburn that we are both now sporting, I had a lot of fun:
I went to Cabela's for the first time and found a knife I wouldn't mind owning.
We went to Virginia city, where I had my first candy apple in YEARS.
Nick and I hiked 10.6 miles to the top of Mt. Rose and back (gorgeous view, but we didn't bring sunscreen).
I lost 67cents at a casino.
I got to see Coraline for the first time as his sister Katie had bought it (written by my favorite author, Neil Gaiman)
And got to spend time hanging out with the family.
And I had reinforced that Nick should just always have the camera. He takes awesome photos. I should have some of those up on myspace... sometime soon.
It was a blast. Thank you Nick for taking me!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Irish Luck and Sweet Sorrows
Dear Diary,
It’s been an interesting few months. Mom’s better. She’s definitely finding some things to keep herself busy. Erik moved out. OMFG, right (love you, bro). My sister has her going away party tomorrow before she takes off to get ready to go to Iraq. See her page for details on that (look right for the link). I plan on caring for her cat for the 6+ months that she’ll be away.
My cousin, Anita, got married to a really cool guy. I’m excited to get to know Ben better. While in Alaska, Honduras, where my cousin Katherine lives, had a coup. She was mostly annoyed that she wasn’t there for it. She’s back there now.
As for me, I am still walking dogs, but am on to my third interview with Seneca Center. They provide services for children with emotional disorders, be it innate or acquired. I’m excited to learn how to care for these kids. When I go into speech path, I’m sure to still encounter kids with these comorbid pathologies. I want to be sure I can do that job and be there for the kids as they’ll need me to be. It’s going to be hard, but I think I’m prepared.
Gabriel and I broke up. We’re still on good terms, though. He’s still an amazing person who deserves the best in life. I’ve since started seriously dating Nick, whom some who read this have met (I point out that I still don’t know who all of you are. A quick comment wouldn’t go amiss). For now, I’ll just say I like him a lot.
This last week, my second mom (the mother of Craig, whom I dated for four and a half years), Kathy, had surgery to remove quite a bit of cancer. She will be in the hospital for a couple weeks. Not really good, but at least it’s not as bad as it could be. That is the definition of Irish Luck. I went down and back with Katie to be there for the surgery. The family had fun explaining to people who I was.
This morning, my best friend since my first day of high school left for Israel. She will be there for 7 months in different kinds of programs including one that will better her Hebrew and have her living and training with the Israeli army. She has some travel ideas for after that as well. It is not certain when next she will be in the States or the next time I will see her. Good times. I already miss her.
That’s kind of my life right now.
It’s been an interesting few months. Mom’s better. She’s definitely finding some things to keep herself busy. Erik moved out. OMFG, right (love you, bro). My sister has her going away party tomorrow before she takes off to get ready to go to Iraq. See her page for details on that (look right for the link). I plan on caring for her cat for the 6+ months that she’ll be away.
My cousin, Anita, got married to a really cool guy. I’m excited to get to know Ben better. While in Alaska, Honduras, where my cousin Katherine lives, had a coup. She was mostly annoyed that she wasn’t there for it. She’s back there now.
As for me, I am still walking dogs, but am on to my third interview with Seneca Center. They provide services for children with emotional disorders, be it innate or acquired. I’m excited to learn how to care for these kids. When I go into speech path, I’m sure to still encounter kids with these comorbid pathologies. I want to be sure I can do that job and be there for the kids as they’ll need me to be. It’s going to be hard, but I think I’m prepared.
Gabriel and I broke up. We’re still on good terms, though. He’s still an amazing person who deserves the best in life. I’ve since started seriously dating Nick, whom some who read this have met (I point out that I still don’t know who all of you are. A quick comment wouldn’t go amiss). For now, I’ll just say I like him a lot.
This last week, my second mom (the mother of Craig, whom I dated for four and a half years), Kathy, had surgery to remove quite a bit of cancer. She will be in the hospital for a couple weeks. Not really good, but at least it’s not as bad as it could be. That is the definition of Irish Luck. I went down and back with Katie to be there for the surgery. The family had fun explaining to people who I was.
This morning, my best friend since my first day of high school left for Israel. She will be there for 7 months in different kinds of programs including one that will better her Hebrew and have her living and training with the Israeli army. She has some travel ideas for after that as well. It is not certain when next she will be in the States or the next time I will see her. Good times. I already miss her.
That’s kind of my life right now.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Update on Now and Then
Dear Diary,
Since coming home, I’ve finally gotten a job. I’m dog-walking for a company called Loving Paws. It doesn’t give me a lot of hours, it pays crap, and I work weeks AND weekends. But it should put my cash flow back in the black (or at least a little closer to even) and gives me a reason to get up in the mornings.
Otherwise, I’ve been doing my best to play as much as I can. Walking with Blake, bike riding either with Erik or my new friend Nick (awesome guy). I’ve discovered a place I can go take a canoe out near by. Hopefully soon I’ll actually have a pool key and be swimming at least weekly.
England: I was accepted to Essex already. Kent has apparently lost one of my reference letters, but I decided just after I sent out applications that if I don’t get into Reading, I’m not going to bother studying overseas. It is kind of a dream of mine from my undergraduate research to work with Dr. Houston-Price. We’ve been emailing, and I will be starting in her lab 6 weeks prior to the fall term – on the condition that I’m accepted. I still haven’t heard anything other than that they’d received my application and it’s driving me a bit bonkers.
Patience.
Since coming home, I’ve finally gotten a job. I’m dog-walking for a company called Loving Paws. It doesn’t give me a lot of hours, it pays crap, and I work weeks AND weekends. But it should put my cash flow back in the black (or at least a little closer to even) and gives me a reason to get up in the mornings.
Otherwise, I’ve been doing my best to play as much as I can. Walking with Blake, bike riding either with Erik or my new friend Nick (awesome guy). I’ve discovered a place I can go take a canoe out near by. Hopefully soon I’ll actually have a pool key and be swimming at least weekly.
England: I was accepted to Essex already. Kent has apparently lost one of my reference letters, but I decided just after I sent out applications that if I don’t get into Reading, I’m not going to bother studying overseas. It is kind of a dream of mine from my undergraduate research to work with Dr. Houston-Price. We’ve been emailing, and I will be starting in her lab 6 weeks prior to the fall term – on the condition that I’m accepted. I still haven’t heard anything other than that they’d received my application and it’s driving me a bit bonkers.
Patience.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
About My Future Boyfriend
Dear Diary,
Last weekend I went camping in Ramona (north-east San Diego County). Johanne and I drove down to LA on Thursday to spend the night at CJ’s, whom we went to high school with. Friday, the three of us got into Ramona where we met up with Gabriel.
I’m not sure what to call Gabriel: Friend? Boy friend? Future boy friend? That guy I’m crazy about? The reason I wake up in the mornings with the outline of a phone on the side of my face? We met shortly after I graduated from SDSU. We liked each other instantly, but I had a boyfriend. Then I went to the South to be with said boyfriend. Then I was back, but leaving the country. Then I was gone. Now I’m back, but currently planning on leaving again. But we still really like each other. We’ve mentioned un-formulated plans to date in the fall of 2010. Yes, I know I’m weird.
Anyway, reason for the trip was Gabriel’s birthday on the 16th. His mother was also in town and I was able to meet her. She seems really cool. The trip included hanging out at a pool, hiking, huge camp fires, drive-in movies, a little drinking, and a lot of teasing Gabe for his incompatibility with nature.
I miss him and can't wait for him to get up here to visit.
Last weekend I went camping in Ramona (north-east San Diego County). Johanne and I drove down to LA on Thursday to spend the night at CJ’s, whom we went to high school with. Friday, the three of us got into Ramona where we met up with Gabriel.
I’m not sure what to call Gabriel: Friend? Boy friend? Future boy friend? That guy I’m crazy about? The reason I wake up in the mornings with the outline of a phone on the side of my face? We met shortly after I graduated from SDSU. We liked each other instantly, but I had a boyfriend. Then I went to the South to be with said boyfriend. Then I was back, but leaving the country. Then I was gone. Now I’m back, but currently planning on leaving again. But we still really like each other. We’ve mentioned un-formulated plans to date in the fall of 2010. Yes, I know I’m weird.
Anyway, reason for the trip was Gabriel’s birthday on the 16th. His mother was also in town and I was able to meet her. She seems really cool. The trip included hanging out at a pool, hiking, huge camp fires, drive-in movies, a little drinking, and a lot of teasing Gabe for his incompatibility with nature.
I miss him and can't wait for him to get up here to visit.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Double booking the life of the lifeless
Dear Diary,
So, I don't have a job (outside of subbing, which I'll get to). I've sent out a ton of resumes, but I'm being honest about leaving for grad school, so they're not hiring. It's funny because I've had two places get REALLY excited about me over the phone until they realize I can't commit. Blah.
So the first month and a half of being home, I had little to do. I complained of boredom and my only salvation from it was reconnecting with friends. Now I'm getting double booked for everything. Life is great.
My dad gave me a list of chores to do around the house and neighborhood for something to do during the day. While butchering the shrubs in the side yard, I came up with replacing the miserable old fence that fell apart maybe 10 years ago and has just been getting worse since. I was going to do that last week when I got a call from Intrax (English school in the city where I worked for four months in 2007) to be a sub. Hold on the fence. This week is raining. Maybe Thursday and Friday?
This weekend I'd both promised Katie I'd help her at her first booth at a fair in Lodi and told Johanne I'd go partying in Davis and camping on the lake. I did the fair as I'd already promised. It rained, so we didn't quite break even, but we sold some stuff and got her name out there.
Next weekend, Joanna invited be to what sounds like an awesome concert in the City and Kara has her graduation in the city as well. I don't know details yet. They're both on Saturday, but I'm hoping I can swing both.
After that I had gotten all excited about going up with Joanna to Angel's Camp for their frog jumping competition actually created by Mark Twain (come on, who wouldn't want to do that). Then I realized that it's Gabriel's birthday and absolutely HAVE to be in San Diego for that.
So far the last weekend of May only includes a camping trip. Let's see if anything else pops up.
As for Intrax: I LOVED being in a classroom again! I'm not at all at the level of being a good teacher yet. I truly believe that you simply need years of experience supported by a great program and coworkers to become such. But I still love teaching. Intrax isn't hiring now, and honestly, I wouldn't be at all excited about commuting for over an hour to work there everyday, but it's so much fun. I love their materials and philosophy; I love the conversations and the people I meet in the break room; as much as I love kids, I love both the ease and the extra challenges of teaching adults. So much fun and such cool people!
So, I'm still jobless, but I think after the fence, I may actually get employed by my dad to build a deck. (Notice the assumption of payment? Huh, Dad?) If you know of any one else looking for childcare, a dog walker/trainer, general laborer, ESL conversation partner, tutor, secretary, file clerk, research assistant, or anything else for the summer in the East Bay, let me know.
So, I don't have a job (outside of subbing, which I'll get to). I've sent out a ton of resumes, but I'm being honest about leaving for grad school, so they're not hiring. It's funny because I've had two places get REALLY excited about me over the phone until they realize I can't commit. Blah.
So the first month and a half of being home, I had little to do. I complained of boredom and my only salvation from it was reconnecting with friends. Now I'm getting double booked for everything. Life is great.
My dad gave me a list of chores to do around the house and neighborhood for something to do during the day. While butchering the shrubs in the side yard, I came up with replacing the miserable old fence that fell apart maybe 10 years ago and has just been getting worse since. I was going to do that last week when I got a call from Intrax (English school in the city where I worked for four months in 2007) to be a sub. Hold on the fence. This week is raining. Maybe Thursday and Friday?
This weekend I'd both promised Katie I'd help her at her first booth at a fair in Lodi and told Johanne I'd go partying in Davis and camping on the lake. I did the fair as I'd already promised. It rained, so we didn't quite break even, but we sold some stuff and got her name out there.
Next weekend, Joanna invited be to what sounds like an awesome concert in the City and Kara has her graduation in the city as well. I don't know details yet. They're both on Saturday, but I'm hoping I can swing both.
After that I had gotten all excited about going up with Joanna to Angel's Camp for their frog jumping competition actually created by Mark Twain (come on, who wouldn't want to do that). Then I realized that it's Gabriel's birthday and absolutely HAVE to be in San Diego for that.
So far the last weekend of May only includes a camping trip. Let's see if anything else pops up.
As for Intrax: I LOVED being in a classroom again! I'm not at all at the level of being a good teacher yet. I truly believe that you simply need years of experience supported by a great program and coworkers to become such. But I still love teaching. Intrax isn't hiring now, and honestly, I wouldn't be at all excited about commuting for over an hour to work there everyday, but it's so much fun. I love their materials and philosophy; I love the conversations and the people I meet in the break room; as much as I love kids, I love both the ease and the extra challenges of teaching adults. So much fun and such cool people!
So, I'm still jobless, but I think after the fence, I may actually get employed by my dad to build a deck. (Notice the assumption of payment? Huh, Dad?) If you know of any one else looking for childcare, a dog walker/trainer, general laborer, ESL conversation partner, tutor, secretary, file clerk, research assistant, or anything else for the summer in the East Bay, let me know.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Reboot
Dear Diary,
I'm not one for monologues. I like talking with people. I like to hear other's opinions and views. I've never been able to keep up with a diary.
Apparently, some people do check my blog periodically. Some of them have commented on my lack of entries - to my face.
If you don't comment on my blog, I don't know that anyone has SEEN it. If I don't think anyone is looking at it, I'm not going to post anything.
So here's the deal: I'll start posting if you start commenting.
I'm not one for monologues. I like talking with people. I like to hear other's opinions and views. I've never been able to keep up with a diary.
Apparently, some people do check my blog periodically. Some of them have commented on my lack of entries - to my face.
If you don't comment on my blog, I don't know that anyone has SEEN it. If I don't think anyone is looking at it, I'm not going to post anything.
So here's the deal: I'll start posting if you start commenting.
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