If this is for real

I'm so going.

Yeah I am.

Kudos to the Washington State Dept. of Licensing and Registration

Okay, seriously, every year pretty much since my dad moved out and stopped doing it for me I get pulled over repeatedly for forgetting to renew my tabs. Last summer I got a parking ticket while volunteering with Dining Out For Life because the meter maid noticed my tabs were expired while ticketing people for parking too long. Did I take care of it right away? No. I got another ticket a couple of months later for forgetting to renew said tabs, and this one was a lot higher!

The year before that I forgot completely until I got a ticket two months after they expired. I got the ticket on my way home from visiting Marcus, so when I went to court for it I had to go all the way back to Yakima to do so. That was a scheduling night mare.

I'm pretty sure that the year before the only reason I didn't get a ticket was because I bought a new car a couple of months after the tabs had expired on the truck. But I never actually renewed them.

So basically, when I got a thing in the mail on Friday telling me that I should renew my tabs (they expire in March), I decided to be responsible and renew them online right away. So I renewed them on Friday.

Last night when I came home from work said tabs and registration were sitting on my stairs. How's that for efficiency? I'm pretty much amazed.

I would give my right arm to be done with school, so that I can have a job that gives me weekends off. Just thought I'd share.

a good start

I woke up this morning at 11, and went downstairs to have myself a honey oat bagel from Panera. These bagels... I was wary about them at first, thought they were kind of scrawny looking, but wow. One of these bagels is so filling, and they tasste almost sweet. I love them. It would've been the perfect breakfast if we weren't out of milk. Cranraspberry juice just didn't really cut it.

I came upstairs for a shower, which was almost enjoyable, now that my pretty bathroom no longer looks like a war zone. I didn't even mind when I ran out of hot water, and let me tell you, it is cold today!

I got out of the shower and came into my bedroom, and the first thing that I notice? It's snowing! I really wish that I didn't have to work today. In a perfect world I could just stay at home in bed in my long underwear and watch Half Nelson. It's a very depressing movie, but I still think I like it.

I hope that those of you who don't have to work today have a wonderful day off, and know that I'm completely jealous of you.

cleaning house

I was inspired by Carrie's post, and decided to meet my grandma for lunch and some grocery shopping. While at Fred Meyer's I picked up some Seventh Generation tub and tile cleanser because I had heard such wonderful things about the brand. Then I came home and cleaned the bathroom (something that literally hadn't been done in months. I seriously can't remember when it was last cleaned.) Doesn't it look pretty?

Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

I've been sort of in shock lately in regards to the news of Heath Ledger's death, largely in part because it was so unexpected. You often hear about the River Phoenix's, struck down in their prime, and how sad and shocking it is, but anyone who was at all familiar with Phoenix's lifestyle should not be too surprised at the turn his life took. Heath Ledger, on the other hand, is not the kind of actor who made a lot of press for his poor lifestyle choices. When I think of the press he's made in the last several years it's either for his controversial role in Brokeback Mountain, his off-beat movie choices, or his romance with Michelle Williams, and their daughter together. Not exactly hard drugs, partying till all hours, etc....

What's really been affecting me about this whole tragedy, besides my heartache for his family (especially his little girl), has been the reaction it has inspired from Fred Phelp's Westboro Baptist Church. I'm sure you're all familiar with this "religious group", even if you don't know them by name. They are the group credited with picketing at the funerals of AIDS victims, holding signs that claim "God hates fags", as well as at funerals for American soldiers who were killed in combat. Now, I don't know about you all, but I consider myself a definite Christian, and my God doesn't preach hate.

In the last two days I have heard radio interviews with two different members of this group, Shirley Phelps-Roper and her daughter, Megan Phelps-Roper. They are talking about their plans to picket Heath Ledger's funeral, because by playing a homosexual in Brokeback Mountain and promoting an unholy lifestyle, he incurred the wrath of God and as a result he was struck down at the young age of 28. I'll tell you what, I am having the hardest time letting go of my anger about this and giving it to God to take care of. This was a father, a son. This is someone's family member, and this is a terrible tragedy, and the fact that this group can capitalize on this tragedy "in the name of God" makes me so sick. I have a hard time letting go and letting God.

sorry in advance.

Today as I was leaving class a woman heard me talk about how I can't wear men's tshirts because of my overwhelmingly large chest, and she called them "bazoombas". I don't know whether I'm offended or if I think it's funny. Probably a little of both.

I'm afraid to weigh myself, because I don't think there will be a difference. I feel just as fat. And I hate my hair. So I've been staying away from the blog world, because I don't want to bore you all with my pathetic whining. It's hard to stay motivated to go to the gym, but I mostly am. I'm averaging 6 days a week, usually about an hour a day. It's these damn boobs. They are huge and I loathe them.

I'm typing this from my History of Tacoma class. The teacher is so sweet, and really passionate. It's too bad I just don't care about the history of Tacoma. I mean, I don't even live in Tacoma! Yet.

You know what I think is the cause of my bad mood? School. There are only a couple of people at school who I feel remotely friendly with. I can think of a couple of people who don't like me very much, for whatever reason. Because I was in a great mood until I got here!

I think I'm gonna hide out for awhile, until I find something worth talking about.

What did I do today?

Yeah, in case you can't see or tell? I repierced my nose. I have such a crush on my piercer. And also I didn't feel like waiting until I graduated school and no longer work at the hospital to repierce my nose. When I do graduate, I may change the stud to a ring, just for kicks.

Now I'm going to go write a paper.

Small (Mostly Material) Joys Friday

New Checks! I rarely ever write checks, but there have definitely been times when I have regretted not having any. I love these checks that I found online today! I know a couple of my blog friends are diehard WSU fans, but I am a Husky, I will always be a Husky, and absolutely love these checks more than a person should love a checkbook.



Since I started going to the Y I've noticed that my old iPod cover wasn't really cutting it. It's a white leather Coach one that I bought new with tags on ebay for $20, but it's really for the 60 or 80 gig, and I have a 30, so my iPod is always falling out, and it's not really practical for the gym. I was looking at these ifrogz cases when I first got my iPod, so I decided to design one. Aren't the colors super cheerful? They match my workout clothes!



I ordered some Amy Butler fabric from Purl Soho, and it arrived a couple of days ago, along with some cotton batting I ordered. I am going to use it to make baby quilts for some friends of mine, Oakley and Amanda, both of whom are having children in the relatively near future. Well, Oakley isn't, but his wife is! The fabric is lovely, and I'm excited to go buy some solid colors for the edges and backs of the quilts.

Monday is MLK Day, and I have a whole day off! The only thing on my calendar is my toning class at the Y. So plans for Monday are to start piecing together the quilt tops, which means I will also have to go to the fabric store to get some solids. I am so excited to finally unpack the new sewing machine I got for Christmas.

Someone seems to have bought me a subscription to Self magazine. I got my first issue in December and have gotten two more since than. I had never read Self before, but I'm really enjoying it! Especially now that I'm eating healthier and working out every day.

A letter came in the mail from my brother today. He says he's doing well. He mentioned that he was thinking how much it sucks that he can't just pick up the phone and call me, which is funny, because I was having the same thought about calling him a couple of days ago! He wants me to send him pictures, so I am going to go to Target and get some of the pics we've taken since he left printed out to mail to him. He graduates in a little over 5 weeks.

Fiscal Responsibility.That was a shoes reference for Angela. But seriously, I'm trying to pay things off and set money aside so that when I'm done with school I can actually afford to move out! I paid a chunk of my credit card already, and some of my bridge tickets. It's hard to decide what to pay first, but I'm doing my best.

Two Things

Yesterday at the muscle toning class the instructor constantly stressed the importance of always sucking your belly button into your spine, and always breathing deeply. Um, yeah. My belly button doesn't want to touch my spine. Apparently there's too much resistance in the way. It was easy to suck in my stomach when I was 135lbs, but now? F that. And deep breathing, while sucking in your stomach? I've decided it's pretty much impossible. However, I'm trying anyway, as hard as it is, and hopefully it will get easier.

And secondly, I have a knot in my back that is just throbbing! I kind of want to rip it out of my back. For the first time in AGES I wish that Marcus and I were still Marcus and I, because he was pretty good at getting the kinks out. It just hurts so bad.

I'm done complaining. I didn't meet yesterday's goal of cleaning the bathroom, because I took on the much bigger chore of cleaning my bedroom. I took all the clothes that don't fit anymore, but I hope to fit soon, and set them aside. I am going to buy a rubbermaid container for them. I also got rid of two garbage bags worth of clothing. I'm pretty pleased with myself. I had Karianne day!

a hat pic, for Karianne

It would look so much better if I still had long hair! But it's crazy warm.

a marathon with mamu

This morning my mom and I went to our first toning class at the Gig Harbor YMCA, and I like it better than the one at the Tacoma Center. I like it because this instructor uses the yoga balls, and that is good for core strengthening. The last time I took a core strengthening class I lost so many inches in my waist, because you work all those little ab muscles that are impossible to work otherwise! We also did some cardio before heading home to shower, and then we had sandwiches for lunch. I'm working on getting in better shape, and it's slow going for sure, but I do feel better about myself in general.

My mom and I decided that we are going to sign up for the Tacoma Marathon 10K walk/run this May. I like it because it gives me something to work towards, and I know I will feel so good about myself when I am done! Also, it's on a Saturday, so I will get to take a day off of work to do it. Yay! :)

When we got home I had a package from GudonyaToo. I had used some of my paid blogging money to buy some fun stuffs, and today my Baby Legs Neopolitan Shaving Soap, my Mexican Beer Soap with Lime, and my Mayan Gold solid perfume came in. All of the above are vegan, which my friend Angela would love. Yesterday I got a hat that I also ordered, from My Little Aura. It's very cute, and so warm!

I feel very productive today, as I paid three citations for toll infractions. I got a lot in December because my Good to Go account was supposed to replenish itself but didn't for some reason. But I finally paid off three of them, which is certainly a start! I read in the paper that they won't let you get your tabs if you have toll infractions, so I figured I should hurry up and start paying them off, bit by bit, so that when April rolls around I won't owe them my nonexistent firstborn child!

I'm feeling pretty good about myself today. That's good. Goal for tomorrow or tonight? Clean the bathroom!

why can't i just let it go?

I'm typing this from the computer at my internship, and it looks totally wonky. So I'm a little thrown. Bear with me.

Today has been kind of a rough day so far. Not that anything bad has happened, just that I've been super slow and tired. My OCD was acting up last night, and I had to remake my bed at 2:30. I tried to fight the urge, and almost had an asthma attack because I was convinced I couldn't breath. It was a very strange situation. So anyway, I took a medication to help relax me, but it makes me wiped out for a full day. Which is making today very tough.

I leave the internship at 5 tonight, and my nighttime class doesn't start until 7. My plan was to go to the YMCA here in downtown Tacoma to kill time in between classes, but I'm not sure if I'm going to. I definitely want to go to the Y today, because I didn't go on Saturday, but what I really want to do is go home and go to the Y in Gig Harbor. I'm kind of feeling shaken up and anxious about my rough night last night, so I may send an email to my teacher telling him I will be in on Wednesday, but am not going to be able to make it tonight.

I alternate feeling thinner, or at least, not as fat, and then feeling fatter than ever. I know it's all in my head. I'm trying. I'm just feeling overwhelmed, and last night really beat me down.

I should go. But it's just my elective, and it's not a Social Work class. And I'm feeling beaten. I'm so tired. And I feel like for my own mental health, I need to keep up the excercising, but class isn't going anywhere. I wish I were less of a worrier and over-analyzer.

Naked People.

The thing about going to the Y that absolutely blows my mind is the dressing room. I am a nursing assistant, and I work at a hospital, and generally speaking I am not embarassed to see another human body naked. But Good Christmas, I have seen more naked parts since joining the Y.... People just walk around in there, totally naked, conversing with each other. I don't care how hot a person is, I mean I could have a supermodel's body, and I still would not have naked conversations with people. So strange to me.

I didn't go work out yesterday because I overdid the arm weights the day before. I felt kind of bad, like I'd already failed, and I'd only been working out a week, but I went back this morning, and I'm trying to tell myself it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I'm kind of annoyed with people right now. I'll get over it.

still going strong...

I may not be able to see the results of my daily workouts yet, but I can certainly feel it! I am sore in my legs, abs and arms, but it feels really good. I did a half an hour on a crosstrainer today, and then did some weights for my legs, arms and upper back, and it felt really good to do some of that toning and strengthening. It helps me feel like I'm accomplishing something when I can feel afteraffects. I wore my new, cheerfully bright red workout clothes today, and I just felt really good. I'm beginning to stress less (I think) and just enjoy being there.

I talked to Brendon today after my workout, and he was very supportive and sweet.

Tonight my mom and I went to dinner at Panera and then we went to the Grand to see a movie. Angela and I were supposed to go see Atonement, but she wasn't feeling well, and I was kind of feeling wonky as well. We're going to see it next week, so tonight my mom and I saw Juno. She hadn't seen it yet, and I thought it was amazing, so we saw that tonight, and she loved it. I knew she would.

I'm feeling really tired and lazy lately, so I am curled up in bed, and am about to watch City of God. My brother reccomended it to me awhile ago, and I finally got it from Netflix. It's a foreign film, so I can't multitask while I watch it, because I need to read the subtitles.

back to school

Bah humbug. I just wish school were over already!

Today I went to the Y by myself for the first time. I'm proud that I was able to stay motivated without someone else there pushing me. I did roughly 40 minutes of cardio, while watching the View. I didn't know Whoopie Goldberg was on the View! I love her. It was so funny, and made my workout fly by.

I know that I've only been doing this a week, so results aren't going to be obvious yet. I'm so afraid that I'm doing all of this work and it's not going to be enough, and I'm not going to lose the weight I want to. So even though I did 40 minutes of cardio today, then called it quits because my muscles are sore from yesterday, all I can think is I should've done more. I should've stayed longer. I'm driving myself crazy.

When I was in highschool I had an eating disorder. Can you tell? I wish I could just continue at my pace, without worrying so much about it.

So my elective for school is History of Tacoma. It was the only class that fit my schedule. It's such a silly class, though. I'm having a hard time taking it seriously, I'll be honest. It is interestingish, and the teacher is super great. It just has absolutely nothing to do with my major in any way, shape or form!

I signed up recently to work on the local Barack Obama campaign. Since I'm too busy to drive up to Seattle and work out of the campaign office, they are emailing me a call list, and I'm going to do it from home. I'm so very excited to be a part of this. It's inspiring. I think Barack Obama is inspiring.

This morning I woke up early (for me) and drove into Tacoma to meet my good friend Dana. She also has a membership to the Y, so we decided to go to a muscle toning class together. I took a toning class a couple of years ago at my community college, and loved it. I forgot, however, that you need to work yourself up to heavier things. I started with 5 lb hand weights, and a 12 lb bar, because that was what I used last time I took toning. I probably should have started smaller. It was a really good workout, though. After the toning class we did a half hour on the elliptical.

We had a yummy lunch of hummus and crackers, and a banana. I'm trying really hard to stay on top of everything, and stay motivated. I know that once I start seeing results all the hard work will be worth it. I'm sorry to spend so much time talking about working out, but it definitely helps me to stay motivated.

Tomorrow evening is my first day back in class. I'm kind of excited, kind of ambivalent. I really just want to be done with school.

I hope by now everyone has seen the results of the New Hampshire primary. I am really disappointed that Hilary won. I really am a die-hard Barack Obama fan, so I'm bummed that he didn't win this one. The whole election process makes me so anxious!

It's fun to stay at the YMCA

So today was my second visit to the new YMCA in Gig Harbor, and I was able to accomplish half of my goals. I did an hour of cardio on the bike, which was good. According to the machine I burned a littl over 350 calories, so yay. I didn't do the stairmaster, though, because I went after my internship, at around 6, and every family in Gig Harbor was at the Y. It felt like it, anyway. But an hour of cardio is good. I didn't do any weights because Dana and I are doing a muscle toning class tomorrow before work, and then I'm doing another class with my mom on Wednesday. I don't want to overdo it.

I'm eager to see results right away, and have to remind myself that, uh, people don't lose 40 lbs. overnight. I'm really motivated, though. And if I take it one day at a time, eventually those days add up, and you see results! I did good with my food today, also, and had nothing fatty or fried, with pretty good portion control. I want to get a more regular eating schedule down, but that's hard because my schedule changes so much from day to day!

A Healthier Outlook

I went yet another day without eating any fast food type junk food. And at the hospital? Salad for dinner. Baby steps, but I'm working on it.

My mom and I went to the Y together this morning with Joe. She's decided she's going to add him onto her membership, because it will be really good for him to get out and do something more active than Guitar Hero III or watching ABC Family on our couch. This morning he went swimming, which he really enjoyed because our local Y, which is really nice, has a water slide in the pool. It looked like fun.

I started out my workout with 30 minutes on a recumbent bike, followed by 10 minutes on the stairmaster. I would like to be able to do the stairmaster for longer, so my goal right now is to up my stairmaster time to 20 minutes, and do an hour on the bike, which I know I can do. After my cardio my mom went over some of the weight machines with me, so that I would be able to tone up some of my flab. Plus, people with more muscle burn fat quicker, so it's a win/win, really. I'm focusing on my abs and thighs.

I really want to take a toning class, and a spinning class. It's nice that my family has a membership, because it's just that much more motivation to go work out. I want to lose 40 lbs. That's my goal.

Tonight was a relatively easy, but long, night at work, and I am excited to relax. I just remembered that while I will have a Monday night class this quarter, classes don't start until Wednesday, so tomorrow after my internship I can go work out, which means I get to sleep in tomorrow. What that really means for me is that it's okay if I stay up late watching episodes of Criminal Minds on DVD. I love that show. I want to marry Matthew Gray Gubler.

I'm lying in bed with the laptop, and everytime I go to type something Klondike tries to dive onto the keyboard for some lovin'. Crazy puppy.

I mentioned in a blog post on A Continual Happiness that I don't really do New Year's Resolutions. This goes double for the usual "lose weight", "manage my money" type resolutions. However, since the beginning of the year I have begun some lifestyle changes that will hopefully allow me to drop some weight and feel a little bit better about myself. I haven't had a fast food meal in almost a week, which is huge for this college student/intern/hospital employee on the go. I was averaging at least one fast food meal a day. It's no wonder I'm a pudge! I also joined the new YMCA in Gig Harbor, which I am really excited about. My mom is joining tomorrow, and we are going to take a toning class together. I took a toning class a year and a half ago, and loved it. I got much stronger, and dropped 8 inches in my waist. Hopefully I'll have similar results.

I saw a news thing on Britney Spears being committed to a psych ward on a hold, and I have to say, I am so relieved. I hurt for her. The people on tv mentioned something about bipolar, which was interesting because I'd been saying I thought she was bipolar for ages. Being bipolar myself, I can identify to a degree with what she's going through, and I really hope that this will cause her to get the help she needs. For some reason the news footage really touched me. Maybe because but for the grace of God it could be me. I don't know.

Klondike is being much more forceful in his attempts to get my attention, so I guess I'll go watch some Criminal Minds and cuddle with my puppy.

Movie Night and a Meme

Tonight was weekly movie night with Angela at the Grand. First we had dinner at India Mahal in downtown Tacoma. We had an amazing dinner of channa masala, basmati rice and garlic naan (my favorite food ever).



It was fun, because the guy at the restaurant remembered us from last week. The movie was The Kite Runner, and it was absolutely fantastic. I was pretty darn near tears by the time it was over. Yet another movie from the grand that I'm going to need to own.

I grabbed this pic of Angela real quick, wearing the scarf that I knit her for Christmas. How well did that turn out, huh? I was pretty pleased.



Also, I am branching out and doing this kind of cute meme that I saw on
Kelly's blog.

Go to Google Images. Search for your answer to each question.
Choose an image, and post it.
Can you figure out what my answers were?

What are your favorite foods?


What is your favorite color?


Where did you grow up?


Where do you live now?


What is your screenname?

How amazing is it that Danielle's picture is the picture that showed up first?

What is your first name?


What is your middle name?


What was your first job?


What is your grandmother's name?


What was your major in college?


How old will you be on your next birthday?


What is a place to which you'd like to travel?

Seattle Day Trip!

Oh, was today a busy day! Last Wednesday Dana and I made plans to head up to Seattle for a day trip this week, and today was the day. The original plan had us taking the bus, but we decided it was more economical to drive up. I don't know how true that was, but Dana did the driving, so I didn't complain!

We didn't really have a plan for the day, so we parked in the International District and figured we'd walk around. And boy, were we walking!



While we were walking we found this little parklike area that was inside of an iron fence. We walked inside, and found this fountain. It was so pretty in there, with lots of tables to sit down and eat at.



We found a little teriyaki restaurant by the park and grabbed some lunch. I hadn't eaten any breakfast, so I was pretty darn hungry. I even used my chopsticks, something I am not very good at, in case you all were wondering.

After eating we just sort of began wandering aimlessly. I saw this really cool advertisement/mural painted on one of the buildings we passed:



We ended up in Pioneer Square, and I saw a utilikilt shop, which made me think of my friend, Christopher, who lives on Capitol Hill, and owns his own utilikilt. I gave him a call, because everytime I come to Seattle I don't call him, and then he calls me inappropriate names. He told me he was working in an hour, and said Dana and I should stop by. Of course, he was working up on 11th St, which was blocks and blocks away from where we were! We decided to go for it anyway.

On the way we made a quick stop at the library, which is in pretty much the coolest building ever. We took the escalators up to the top level (there are ten), and looked over the railing, and down to the street. I took a picture, even though it made me die a little inside. So. High. I'm a baby.



As we were walking up Pine, through the shopping area downtown, we noticed all of these little Nutcrackers all over the place. They were all over the city, actually. I took a picture with this sad looking guy.



We made it up to Christopher's workplace (a sexshop called The Crypt) and visited for a little while before walking back. We stopped in at a bar for a beer, and then finished our walk back downtown and then to the International District.

I pretty much walked all day, and it felt really good. I spent almost all day yesterday in bed, so this was much better. I needed to do something more active. I can feel myself getting fatter. But I had absolutely no junkfood today, and I walked a million miles, so that is rad.

Klondike got into some chocolate (my family drives me crazy) and has been throwing up all evening, poor baby. He got my bed, so now I'm washing everything, which is incovenient because I'm tired, but okay because I'll have a comfy bed with warm, clean sheets when I do get to go to sleep! Yay.

Tomorrow I'm back at my internship for the first time in a week, and then (hopefully) Angela and I are going to see The Kite Runner at the Grand. My goal in life right now is just to make a lot of plans so that I don't do stupid things like spend all day getting fat in bed. And also to make the Dean's List.

25 things I never get tired of

I stole this idea from Karen Beth, who got it from someone else, but I think I really needed the reminder to focus on the things that make me happy right now. So, here goes:

1. The way Klondike cuddles up next to me on the bed when I'm watching TV or movies.

2. New library books.

3. Getting packages and real letters in the mail.

4. Shopping organic.

5. Swimming in natural water sources, like Whatcom Falls or at Kopachuck State Park.

6. Law and Order, especially SVU.

7. Spending time with Adina, either in Bellingham or Gig Harbor.

8. Going to Seattle.

9. Taking pictures of everything I do, and everyone I do it with.

10. Going to the Grand to see interesting, less than mainstream movies.

11. Target. Everything about it.

12. Creating gifts for people.

13. Curling up in my warm bed with the flannel sheets and down comforter to watch a movie.

14. In the summer sleeping with just a sheet, with the window open and a fan going.

15. Wearing skirts. All kinds of skirts. I like them better than shorts.

16. My brothers. And Joe. And my family in general.

17. Listening the the voicemail Bryan left me on my birthday, since I can't talk to him everyday.

18. Laughing.

19. Gypsy Tea.

20. Ugg boots.

21. Pt. Townsend and the food coop. Or the coop in Bellingham.

22. Listening to music loudly in my car.

23. Long conversations with Adina late at night when we should both be studying.

24. Netflix.

25. Reading a book in the bathtub.