Warning: This Is Not A Fairy Tale

Days Go By, I Can Feel 'Em Flying

2011-03-02T22:11:00.004-05:00

Time is passing so quickly. Looking back, the days all seem to run together. It's hard to distinguish one from another - even recalling yesterday takes some work. I guess I should blog more often and that might help, but there's usually nothing of any great interest to write about. Weekdays are much the same; the only thing that really changes is what time I work. My typical schedule each week looks something like this:

Monday: 12:30-6:15
Tuesday: 8:15-1:45
Wednesday: 8:15-6:15
Thursday: 8:15-6:15
Friday: 8:15-6:15

I work every third Saturday, but that's just until 12. Those weeks that I do work on Saturday, my schedule during the week is a little different so that I don't end up with any overtime. Overtime = illegal at Union First Market Bank. ;-) I love my job - everyone is so nice and I'm learning so much!

Lately I've been hanging out with a new friend a lot. I met Ashby through a mutual friend and we've really hit it off. It's nice to have a friend again, someone to hang out with and do stuff with. Last night we went to the Byrd Theatre in Richmond to see TRON: Legacy. That theater is very old and very cool! I definitely recommend it if you get the chance to go. At least look at the pictures and stuff on the Web site. (Also the movie is really good; see it on the big screen if you have a chance!)

Tomorrow, RVA On Ice is letting Union First Market Bank employees and their families in for free in the evening! I get off work at 6:15 so at least one of my sisters and I are going to go. It's an outdoor rink and pretty new, so I'm excited to see it. I love skating in general, though I've only been ice skating a couple times and that was several years ago!

My sisters Tonya and Kristin and I went to another ball this past Friday night. It was so much fun! I don't think it was as good as the first one, but still amazing. This time there were just a lot of kids running around and goofing off, and they were having fun but it took away some of the fun for those of us trying to dance when the kids in our set weren't doing it right. But oh well, I don't hold it against them. I do look forward to the next ball that is more for adults, though. I also bought three formal gowns, so I definitely want another ball.

The weather is beginning to get warmer. I don't mind the cold like I used to - in fact, I sometimes like it. But there's something about the coming of spring and the warm weather that I still absolutely love. I can't wait to be able to drive to work with my windows open and the music blasting. I would like to get my A/C fixed before summer comes, though...

Almost time for bed! This morning was the first time I've woken up feeling rested in a couple weeks. I had some form of the flu (maybe swine flu?) a couple weeks ago and it really wiped me out for a while. I'm so glad to be feeling better now! I don't really appreciate being healthy until I get sick for a little while. Maybe that's one of the reasons we get sick. I guess I need to learn to be grateful for how the Lord takes care of me and not take things like my health for granted!

Here's hoping for good dreams tonight - dreaming is one of my favorite things to do.

New Life

2011-02-06T14:29:00.006-05:00

How do you start blogging again when it's been so long since the last time you did anything?

I've been staring at my blog off and on for the past week or so, trying to figure out how to get it going again. I failed miserably at keeping it updated last year, and so many things have changed. It's like I'm living a completely new life and I feel like I don't know how to come back to this blog and write and get it up and running again.

But then I decided I just have to do it!

Here's a little rundown of what happened the remainder of 2010:

Beginning of May - AWESOME managers at NY Grill got fired. I was very upset about this.
May 22 - Came home from vacation as a graduate of VCU, holding a BS in mass communications with a minor in English
May 28 - Found three stray kittens at work, a couple of whom had been injured by (probably) another animal. Took them home to try to take care of them. One I kept and named him Westley after the hero in The Princess Bride.
May 29 - Went to something called The Appleseed Shoot and learned about riflemanship. It was interesting even though I was a horrible shot.
June 12 - My sister Kristin graduated from high school exactly 6 years after my HS graduation day! We had a blast that weekend hanging out with friends and partying.
July 23-August 2 - Took a roadtrip down to Florida with my sister Tonya. WE HAD THE TIME OF OUR LIVES. Went to Hollywood Studies (formerly MGM) and Universal, the beach, hung out with friends and family, and general just enjoyed the Florida atmosphere. Also visited briefly with friends in Georgia on the way down and back.
August 3 - Bought my dad's car - a little red VW Golf stick shift.
August 14 - Saw Inception. (Just had to put that in there because it was an amazing movie.)
August 28 - Finally was able to see my musician friend Ben Berumez (look him up on MySpace and Facebook!) play since my busy schedule had calmed down after I graduated.
August 31 - Had a phone interview with Union First Market Bank after sending in my application and resume 2-3 weeks prior.
September 1 - Had an in-person interview with Union First Market at their downtown Richmond office. First time driving in the city with my new stick shift car!
September 3 - Had another in-person interview with the Ashland Union First Market Bank branch manager.
September 11 - Civil War lantern tour at Meadow Farm - always awesome.
September 21 - Don't remember exactly what date, but somewhere around this time I got a call from Union First Market Bank saying I GOT THE JOB as bank teller in Ashland.
September 27 - A friend from PA and her husband came down for the weekend and I met them for lunch. Always nice to see friends, and most of mine live far away.
Setpember 28 - Last day of work at NY Grill! (My last day at Martin's was Sept. 23)
September 30 - State Fair! I always enjoy it, but this year was a little disappointing compared to other years.
October 2 - Protesting Eric Cantor's Republican Round-Up held at a place not allowing guns (Innsbrook Snag-A-Job Pavilion)
October 3 - Honor Society concert at the State Fair - amazing!
October 4 - First day at the bank! I had a lot of training - several weeks - so I didn't actually start doing teller work right away.
October 23-24 - Celtic Festival. LOVE LOVE LOVE
November 6 - Mom and Dad were away this weekend for their anniversary so my sisters and I had a movie night at our house with friends (Toy Story 3 and Prince of Persia - both great!)
November 20 - BALL! My sister Kristin and I went to a Fall Ball that some friends held in a church gym. This was an old-fashioned ball, like from Jane Austen times, and we learned dances and had, well, a BALL.
November 25 - Thanksgiving. First year in as long as I can remember that I didn't watch Macy's Parade because the channel wasn't coming in!
December 3-5 - Sewing weekend at our friends' aunt's sewing shop, getting our outfits started for the Renaissance Faire.
December 25 - CHRISTMAS!
December 29 - Saw TRON. Amazing music.
December 31 - New Year's Eve! Karaoke party with the family, and a couple of friends came for a little while, too.

So, as you can tell, a lot happened in the remainder of 2010. One of the most exciting of those things was that I got a "real job" (as my grandma called it) as a bank teller for Union First Market Bank! I work 40 hours a week, have benefits and paid time off, and I LOVE IT. The people I work with are great, the customers are so nice, and the company is a good one. It's hard to believe I've been there 4 months already.

Big news in 2011...

My best friend Christina got married! I was a bridesmaid, so my sister Tonya and I drove down January 6-7, were there for the wedding January 8, and drove back January 9. It was the best weekend in a LONG time. I met some great people and got to hang out with friends.

I went with my sisters and some friends to see the latest Narnia movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, on January 22. It was better than I was expecting from what I'd heard from other people, but they changed [i]so much[/i] from the book. I still enjoyed it, but I wish they'd stayed truer to the original story, like they did in the first two.

So that pretty much brings you up to date, I guess! I can't believe it's February already; it seems like the year just started yesterday. So far 2011 has been pretty great, and I'm excited to see what else is in store. I might go to Georgia again President's Day weekend to visit, there's another ball February 25, my family is going to the beach again in May - so much exciting stuff is going to be happening!

Bring it on!

Vacation Day 2

2010-05-16T21:15:00.007-05:00

Second day of vacation and what did we do?

NOTHING. And it was great.

Actually, we did spend quite a bit of time on the beach, but other than that we mostly just sat around. We really love vacation! Here are some pictures from today...

This is the boardwalk that takes us over the sand dunes onto the beach. Just on the other side of this hill is the ocean!

There was an adorable 3-month-old puppy that a couple was walking on the beach. He was having fun barking at everything. When the water got close to him he ran away - I think because it was so cold!

It was a really nice day! This morning was warm but it got much cloudier and cooler this afternoon and evening. We just hung out and were lazy all day. Love it!

Vacation!

2010-05-15T21:30:00.005-05:00

My family and I are vacationing in the Outer Banks for a week! We drove down to Avon, NC, today and have been spending the afternoon and evening relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

To get out to Avon we had to drive on this long road and it felt like we were driving to the ends of the earth! There was nothing around for miles except sand and vegetation and blue sky.

It worked out really well when we got here because the house we rented wasn't guaranteed to be ready until 6. We arrived shortly before 4 and were able to get the house right away and get settled and head to the beach!

The house we're staying in is really nice. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms (one more bathroom than we have at home!), a great room, a dining room, a kitchen, a sunroom, a deck/balcony, outside showers, grill, wifi, TVs in every bedroom, a PS2...the list goes on. The picture is taken from the driveway. We have to go up the steps to get to the front door. Underneath is where the showers, etc., are. Behind the house is the beach!

Between the house and the beach itself are sand dunes where grass and other vegetation has grown. There's a boardwalk going up and over the dune so we can get to the beach fairly easily. But we're not allowed to be on the dunes at all, as you can see.

We spent quite a bit of time on the beach today, just walking and collecting shells. There was a dead shark on the beach that was kind of cool but also gross. There is a lighthouse further down the coast that I'd like to go see if we have the chance. We could see the light tonight, but it was too far away to really see the lighthouse itself. We mostly just hung out and took it easy. We played some ping pong tonight on the dining room table (haha!), some of us worked on a puzzle, and some of us (me) got online to blog, etc.

Tomorrow maybe we will fly a kite and/or throw a Frisbee, but we're not making any definite plans. It is vacation, after all.

To see more pictures, go to my TwitPic account, which is updated throughout the day. Or you can also see my Facebook pics, which are different but usually updated at the end of the day. Follow me, my sister Tonya, and my sister Kristin on Twitter to receive more updates.

A conversation in class...

2010-04-07T08:10:00.003-05:00

Laura (to Rich): I saw you walking to class this morning and I thought about stopping to give you a ride...but I just kept driving...

Other girl: That's horrible! Why did you say that out loud?

Rich: Thanks...

A.J.: I did that one time when I saw Rich walking in the rain. But I decided not to give him a ride. I didn't want to get my car wet.

Laura: Well, I have picked up Rich on the side of the road before.

Nicole: Now it sounds like he's homeless!

Rich: It just gets worse and worse!

..............

It amused me. ^_^

Life changes quickly...

2010-03-31T15:28:00.007-05:00

Each day goes by and it doesn't matter whether the individual day feels long or short, when I look back over the time that has passed, it seems that it has gone by so fast. This has been the case since the beginning of the year. Time has flown by. Some weeks feel long and some feel short - and when I am looking ahead, it seems that time will never pass. But then it does and I feel like maybe I have whiplash because it went so fast!

Things have been happening, on a small scale and on a larger scale as well.

Spring break has come and gone, and of course it didn't feel long enough. I've been keeping up well in my classes and not procrastinating (too much!), which is a bad habit of mine when it comes to school and homework. In fact, one of my classes finished before spring break started, and the other will stop meeting next week. Those are my journalism classes. I have three literature classes that will last until the end of the semester...

And then I graduate!

I got my cap and gown, even though I'm not walking, because I didn't have to pay extra for them. I also got my portrait taken, but I'm not buying the prints from this company because they are WAY to expensive.

The reason I'm not walking is that my family and our neighbors (who are like our adopted grandparents) are going to the Outer Banks and will get back on the day of the commencement ceremony. I'm really excited! We rented a beach house and everything. I've never been there, so it should be a lot of fun. It'll definitely be nice to get away for a while. My sisters and I and some friends are also planning a trip to Florida later in the summer, and I'm super excited about that, as well. I hope it works out!

Spring is here, and I'm definitely ready for it. We've had so major snowfalls since mid-December. I don't mind snow, but that's A LOT of it, and everything gets shut down and I can't get out to go anywhere (work or school) when there's that much snow.

I'm still working at Ukrop's, which has now changed hands and will eventually be called Martin's. Seems like Martin's will be a nice place to work, too. We'll see. I still only work there 1 day a week and work at New York Grill most of the rest of the time that I'm not in class. New managers came in to work in December and they are AWESOME.

On a bigger scale...things are changing very rapidly politically. The health care bill has been signed into law, BUT Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and some others are suing the federal government, essentially for breaking the law. Then there's all this hooplah with the militia group in Michigan which just happened to call itself "Christian," so of course the media is having a grand old time with that. All of it just makes me angry to think about.

Next week is Empty Holster Protest Week. I wish the VCU branch of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus was more active. April 12th is the 2nd Amendment March in Richmond and the 15th is the second annual Tea Party. I'm pretty excited about all these events and will probably write articles about them.

Speaking of my articles, check out my other blog, A Little Bit of Everything, to see what I've written. I've done quite a bit lately.

Writing this blog post is a better use of my time than this class. We're supposed to be talking about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight but...we spent 30 minutes talking about the possibility of football at VCU. My teacher for this class always rambles about totally unrelated stuff.

Movie class tonight! We're going to watch Romeo and Juliet, the old version. Hopefully it's interesting or I might just fall asleep!

Evolution

2010-01-08T10:04:00.002-05:00

All my grammar teacher wanted to teach this morning, before reviewing for our exam, was evolution. So I decided to rant about it.

It always amazes me how hard people are willing to work, how much they are willing to twist their logic, and how far they are willing to stretch in order to shove God out of the picture. When they do, they end up with a confusing argument that makes no sense when you pick it apart logically.

I'm a lazy person. I don't want to have to do any more thinking than necessary. If I have to sit for hours and give myself a headache and throughly befuddle my brain to try to understand what you're saying - most likely I'm going to give up on it. That's how I feel about evolution. It just doesn't make sense to me. I'm not trying to be close-minded, that's just the way it is. Creation is SO much easier to believe - it all makes sense and fits together neatly with time lines, etc. Not to mention it's more interesting! Evolution is demeaning, weird, gross...whatever.

My teacher was trying to explain why all languages seem to have a common ancestor, and the fact that people all seem to be descended from one small group of humans. To me, that's easy! God created us and gave us the ability to speak - He's also the one Who gave the variety of languages at the Tower of Babel. Of course languages are all going to be similar. God created Adam and Eve, and everyone on earth is descended from those two people. It all falls into place, it's easy to believe, there are no holes, no stretching for excuses and trying to figure things out for hours until your brain is twisted in knots - it's all RIGHT THERE. When trying to explain it WITHOUT God, however, it's unbelievably confusing, there are holes, you have to work really hard to come up with excuses and then it just sounds...dumb?

If someone else wants to believe evolution, whatever. That's their prerogative. If they want to discuss it with me, that's fine. I'm willing to talk about it and discuss it. I'm willing to listen to their beliefs. I don't necessarily hold it against someone if they hold to evolution. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

BUT.

When you try to shove that belief down my throat, especially when you have no REAL evidence to support it, THEN I have a problem. I respect that you have a right to believe whatever you want. The LEAST you can do is respect that same right for me. If you want to discuss evolution with me, fine - be willing to accept that I'm going to disagree and want to discuss creation right back.

I believe in creation for the simple reason that God said that's what happened. And since God can't lie it's obviously true!

And, like I said, it's a LOT easier to believe for a simpleminded person like myself.

Boredom

2010-01-07T11:54:00.003-05:00

Ever have a class when your teacher talks about stuff that's relevant to the class, but is obviously not going to be on the exam and isn't particularly interesting? That's what's happening to me right now.

I was having a hard time paying attention anyway, but now it's even worse. It doesn't help that I'm tired.

Sorry, I wasn't planning on whining and complaining when I started writing. That's just what's on my mind right now and I'm not sure what else to talk about at the moment.

I have to work later. I just want to go home and sleep. -.-

The Future

2010-01-06T11:44:00.004-05:00

When trying to make decisions for my future, I generally look to my past experiences, when applicable. Even if it's not exactly the same kind of situation, there are things that I can learn from and principles I can apply.

As I prepare to graduate from college this spring, however, I feel as if I am starting completely from scratch. It's not that the slate has been wiped clean - more like I've been handed a completely new slate. This seems strange to me since the last few years of my life were to prepare me for the moment when I enter "the real world" (which is always pronounced with emphasis in a deep voice) and proceed to live my life. College is supposed to get you ready for your career and the rest of your life. I don't feel ready. Not in that sense anyway. Obviously the Lord is in control and I'm ready for anything in that way. But when I think past graduation I see nothing but a void. For so long (all my life really) things have been planned out. Even if the plans didn't always work exactly as I thought they would, there was still a structure and a plan. After graduation...what is there? A job? What job? What else is there?

It's times like these when I realize how amazingly thankful I am that the Lord is in control of my life and that He's given me incredible parents who will always be there for me, and my wonderful sisters and the rest of my family and friends. I know things will be okay and will work out. I may not know how, but I know that they will, and for now that's good enough.

23rd birthday and such

2010-01-05T11:12:00.004-05:00

Sunday was my 23rd birthday! Some friends came over, along with my adopted grandparents, to celebrate with me.

Overall it was a quiet birthday, but very nice. My Grandma Sue in Florida sent me a little bean-filled Chucky doll as a gag gift. I HATE CHUCKY. At least she put some thought into it, though - she usually just goes to Dollar Tree. My parents got me a karaoke machine, Tonya and Naomi got me karaoke CDs, Kristin got me Speed Racer (the movie), Gramma got me a $25 Regal gift card (w00t w00t!), adopted grandparents got me a bracelet, and my friends that came gave me some money.

This is the second, and last, week of my intersession grammar class. I'm neither excited nor disappointed.

Lately I've found that I'm pretty much just taking things as they come, a day at a time. There are things I get excited about (like my birthday) but overall it's just whatever happens, happens. I don't feel apathetic about it, that's not it. I'm not sure what causes me to feel this way. Maybe because I know that the Lord's in control and this world will pass away. We've been studying eschatology (end times) lately and it's really making me think about things differently. But more on that later, maybe.

Tonya is getting her wisdom teeth out today. Poor thing. I feel bad for her.

2010

2010-01-01T00:33:00.003-05:00

Happy new year, ladies and gentlemen.

I would love to have something inspirational and great to write, something that could be quoted throughout the year and even in years to come.

But I'm too tired.

So for now I'll just say that 2009 was a great year. It had it's down sides, but something good came out of them. I've grown a lot spiritually, and I realize more than ever before that I have a lot more growing left to do. I think the more I grow, the more I realize that. I was able to go to New Hampshire for the first time in years with my mom and sisters, and I went to the 9/12 March in DC in September. Both of those are events worth remembering, along with all the other smaller events I was involved with. I finished up the first half of my senior year at VCU, I got over my fear of driving a stick shift, and went camping in the snow. I lost a friend that I thought was one of my closest friends because of a difference of opinion; I was reminded how much that hurts, how difficult it can be to stand up for what I believe. I've had to reassess how important certain things are to me and what I'm willing to compromise on.

The list goes on and on and on. I guess the point is that each year (each day, each minute) is a gift from God and shouldn't be taken lightly. Even when something happens that seems to be bad, God is working it all for my good.

The future, as a rule, terrifies me. But that's when I look at it just through my own eyes and my own perception. When I rest in the Lord and remember that He is sovereign, suddenly it seems a whole lot brighter and I'm excited to see what He will do with my life. I'm not naive, I know it won't be easy. However, I will make it through because the Lord is on my side. If He is for me, who can be against me?

In conclusion, I'm eagerly awaiting whatever 2010 brings my way. Life's not always easy - usually it's not - but it's almost never boring. I have my family and my friends and, above all, my Heavenly Father.

2010 will be a good year.

New Blog?

2009-12-30T10:41:00.002-05:00

I kind of want to make a new blog. In some ways I don't really want to because what would really be the point? Maybe if I just make this one look and function the way I want it to, then it would be more interesting for me to write and for others to read.

I guess I'm not really sure what I want.

Probably I'll end up trying to find a way to make this one look new, fail, and go back to complaining about it. ^_^

Most likely I will unlink this blog from my Facebook. Just FYI. Ye be warned.

I'll blog about more than just my blog soon.

"Unite or Die"

2009-11-09T10:06:00.001-05:00

. . . I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery . . .

. . . If we wish to be free . . . we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

. . . They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? . . . Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.... Read More

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

. . . Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

-Patrick Henry

In addition...

2009-10-08T13:06:00.002-05:00

I want to think of ways to make my blog nicer...any tips?

Wasting my time...

2009-10-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

I've been at VCU for 2 years now. Hopefully I'll be graduating in the spring. Right now I feel like I'm wasting my time. My mass comm classes are so repetitive and BORING and they're not teaching me anything new! I enjoy my English classes, and I'm wishing I had been an English major.

I'm just really frustrated with school right now. My copyediting class is like a basic, 2nd grade grammar class. My specialized project reporting teacher doesn't know what the heck she's doing, which means we have no idea what's going on either. I've been doing okay in my reporting class so far, but I'm not sure how. I feel so lost.

On top of that, I need a new job. I think my boss at NY Grill is trying to get me to quit. She seems very uncomfortable around me ever since she fired my sister. She hardly talks to me, and when she does open her mouth I usually wind up irritated. And next week they cut my hours. If they do that again the week after, I'm going to ask them about it. I haven't done anything wrong and I'm tired of being treated like I have.

That's about all that's going on in my life...sorry to complain. I just have a lot of pent up frustration and I want to just GET AWAY FROM IT ALL.

I am still alive!

2009-08-20T13:16:00.004-05:00

I know that I have sadly neglected my online presence over the summer, except for Facebook Mobile and Twitter, and for that I apologize most profusely! I haven't written in my journal for most of the summer, either, if that makes you feel better. ^_^

The summer was mostly uneventful anyway. I went to New Hampshire with my mom and sisters for a week, saw a bunch of family and even met some cousins I didn't know I had. That was pretty cool and I took TONS of photos. I worked at Kings Dominion again for a few weekends, but then I got a job as a waitress at a place called New York Grill, so I quit Kings Dominion. I couldn't have taken KD for another summer anyway. I'm still waitressing at NY Grill and I'm also still cashiering at Ukrop's in Mechanicsville.

I was planning to take a class over the summer, but it was cancelled. I'm so sick of VCU screwing up my schedule. >.<

Other than that I've just been working. I still can't believe that summer is over, it went by so fast. I know it would but I still can't get used to how fast time goes. I went to a few free movies at the theater with my sisters and friends - that was nice. ^_^

School started today. I've been to two classes so far, my mass comm classes, and neither of those seems like fun. Especially my special project reporting class. I think I will probably want to shoot myself before this semester is over. But last semester was the hardest yet and I made it through that one, so I'm sure I can make it through this one. I hope I can meet my goal of straight A's! I have my two English classes this evening. The first is a creative writing fiction class and the other is an 18th century British lit class. I'm looking forward to those more than the mass comm ones - I'm hoping they'll be fun. It's about time I had some fun classes!

Until those classes start, I'm hanging out online! In a few minutes I'm going to the office to try to get some answers about the internship deadlines - which reminds me I didn't tell you about my internship I'm doing at a radio station, WRVA, with Doc Thompson. I'm excited and nervous. I just hope I like it and they like me and it's not hard.

I'm hoping to keep up with online stuff much better during the semester since I have access to the internet AND it's hi-speed. ^_^

2009-05-03T00:10:00.001-05:00

Tonya was going to have her birthday party today. Only one person who was invited and one person who wasn't showed (out of 5 invited). FAIL.

Another tea party video

2009-04-27T15:22:00.002-05:00

For our final broadcast journalism project, my group covered the Richmond Tea Party! Here's our video that we did. Please comment, rate, let me know what you think.

Where are my readers?

2009-04-22T10:30:00.002-05:00

I used to have so many people reading my blog and commenting, once upon a time. They have all disappeared now. I think it's because it was so long of a time period that I didn't blog, so they probably lost interest. That makes me sad. *sigh*

My blog is very boring, anyway. I just ramble about nothing important. I have all my important news stories and everything in another blog. I'm going to start another blog that's a little different, it'll be news related info, but more of a commentary than hard news stories. And so this one is for rambling.

And of course it imports automatically into Facebook for all my friends to read, there, but I think I'm going to stop that.

I'm so ready for this semester to be over now.

Bored...

2009-04-20T15:12:00.000-05:00

In class.

BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED

Teacher rambling 45 minutes about convergence. We learned about this in like 3 other classes.

And I'm bored with my blog. Any suggestions for spicing it up?

Empty Holster Protest Week - got mine, you got yours?

Richmond Tea Party

2009-04-15T12:15:00.005-05:00

This evening I will be attending the Richmond Tea Party. I'm both excited and nervous because I am the Citizen Journalist. I won this position by submitting my video "Why I Joined the Tea Party!" to the contest. Video is below and basically explains it all!

The Richmond Tax Day Tea Party is 6:00-7:30 downtown at Kanawha Plaza, near the Federal Reserve. Directions are parking info are on the Web site. Please come, and come say hi to me if you read my blog. ^_^

2009-04-15T12:15:00.001-05:00

So now I can update my blog from my phone! But usually I won't. It's the same thing as Twitter, and I already have that widget up.

Want to go back to the weekend

2009-04-06T10:39:00.002-05:00

I'm wearing my Snoopy "I should have stayed in bed T-shirt" and that pretty much describes how I feel.

This week is going to be very hectic. I start working at KD on Friday, but I'll still be working at Ukrop's, too. AND of course I have school. So I'm trying to juggle all that and not lose my sanity.

It can be difficult.

Mostly I'm doing okay though. I like my classes, for the most part, and I'm doing well keeping up with homework. I'm not procrastinating as much this semester, which is a REALLY good thing. At least I don't have that to stress me out, too, on top of everything else.

Trying to figure out what classes to take in the fall and spring and hopefully get everything DONE is also kind of a pain. I should (key word: should) be able to get all my required mass communications classes done with no problem, but I need some more upper-level classes that are NOT mass comm. So I have to figure out what to take.

*sigh*

Must go do homework now, so I can go eat lunch.

VCU students struggle for jobs, internships - News

2009-04-06T09:19:00.000-05:00

This article was published in the Commonwealth Times: VCU students struggle for jobs, internships - News

I hate resumes

2009-04-02T18:52:00.001-05:00

Just for the record, I hate resumes. Actually I just hate my resume. I hate doing stuff with it. I hate looking at it. I hate trying to make it look more interesting/creative/professional.

IT'S BORING.

Rawr

2009-03-30T14:42:00.002-05:00

I did absolutely nothing this weekend.

Well, not quite. I went to a gun show on Saturday and that was fun. I've decided that I like gun shows, and if I were rich, I would go all the time. Sunday I did homework for about half an hour at the most and then...yeah that was it. Plus it was a NICE weekend and it was my Dad's birthday weekend!

Today. *sigh* Back to school. I went to Curves, which has changed. They added new contests, etc. Pretty cool, but I didn't have time to really check everything out. I was in a rush to get to school. For my first class which lasted 30 minutes and could very well have been skipped because we literally did nothing. >.< So then I sat around, doing various other homework-y things and some wasting time things until my afternoon class at 3.

And here I am!

Things I'm looking forward to: Richmond Tax Day Tea Party protest on April 15 and Empty Holster Protest Week April 20-24. Check 'em out, get involved!

I like nice people

2009-03-22T08:41:00.003-05:00

I don't really have anything of importance to say.

Mostly I was just thinking how much I like nice people, the ones who don't get offended/stop talking to you just because you don't think the same way they do. I like it when I can feel free to talk to someone who totally disagrees with me and not have them hate me for it. I know too few people like that, so it's always nice when I meet a new person like that.

So, if you are a nice person, thank you for being nice.

And if you are NOT a nice person, that is very sad.

That's all.

^_^

More on diversity...

2009-03-19T17:09:00.003-05:00

Because of a comment from Etenesh, I decided to write more and try to clarify my diversity rant a bit. I hope that neither Etenesh nor anyone else takes offense from what I write. I am merely expressing my opinion, which is the purpose of my blog, and I totally understand and respect that many do not agree with me. That's totally fine. We don't have to agree with each other on everything, as long as we can disagree and discuss with maturity and civility.

Now that I'm done with THAT rant...

I'm going to use a really simply example of race. I don't think about what race someone is unless it's pointed out to me. I don't think about it in my personal life, my professional life, or my school life - including when I am writing news stories/interviewing people. I have grown up believing that the race of a person is not an issue. People are people to me. Period.

My teachers like to belabor the point that when we interview and write, we need to be sure we include people of different races (etc.) to have diversity in our stories. So basically, they are telling us TO take notice of someone's race and that race IS an issue.

I'm sorry?

So, if I understand this correctly, when I'm writing, I am supposed to take into account a person's race. To me, interviewing or not interviewing someone based on their race is MORE racist than just not even thinking about it. If I specifically look for someone black to interview because of the fact that they are black, that, to me, is blatant racism. All my life I've been told not to treat people differently because of their race, but now all of a sudden that's different. I have to seek out black people to interview because they are a different color than I am.

This goes against everything I believe and everything I've been taught.

In my opinion, giving ANYONE special treatment because of their race equals racism - whether that person is black, white, brown, yellow...doesn't matter. And that is why I don't like my teachers harping on diversity all the time. I am not opposed to diversity - in fact, I think diversity is a great thing. But I get really sick my teachers assuming that everyone in the class is racist/sexist/anti-whatever.

I refuse to give anyone special treatment because of their color/gender/whatever. Just like I don't want special treatment because of MY color/gender/whatever.

(This also goes along with affirmative action. But that's a later rant for a later time.)

If I haven't explained myself clearly, please let me know. I don't want to offend anyone and I definitely want to make sure I'm not misunderstood.

Diversity...stop pressing the issue

2009-03-16T14:12:00.002-05:00

I really think my school needs to let up on the diversity thing a bit. I HEAR IT EVERYWHERE and it makes me want to pull my hair out.

In my broadcast journalism class, my teacher just handed out this questionnaire thing for us to answer - just for ourselves - with regard to diversity in the media. It's true/false. Here are some of the questions....

Whites are generally portrayed in a more positive light than are minorities, i.e., as officials or experts.

(There is no opposite question like "Non-whites are generally portrayed positively...")

I think religious issues are generally treated in a balanced way on the news.

If I were Muslim, I would feel that my beliefs and viewpoints are treated in a balanced way on the news.

(There is no opposite question like "If I were Christian/Jewish/Buddhist/Mormon/etc....")

I think I can generally tell the race and often the sexual orientation of a person when talking to him or her on the phone.

I believe that judging a person's race or sexual orientation based on the sound of his or her voice always leads to bias.

......and so on......If you want the rest of the questions posted, I can.

Anyone who knows me, knows that this would DRIVE ME NUTS. It really annoys me. Makes me angry. I really think my ears are turning red because I'm so irritated.

GIVE IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you stop making it a big deal, it won't be a big deal anymore.

GAH.

I don't even know what to say to express my annoyance.

Oh yes. I remember now.

2009-03-12T13:46:00.002-05:00

Told you I would remember as soon as I hit publish.

CLICK ON MY ADS! I NEED MONEY.

Just a hint. ^_^

By the way...

2009-03-12T13:42:00.002-05:00

I also wanted to say that I cannot for the life of me find a Blogger template that I like that looks good with my setup and works the way I want it to! I mean, a template that was NOT designed by Blogger. It makes me very sad. Maybe I am just too picky? Anyway, if you find any, let me know. It has to be one of the new Blogger format kind, though, not the old one!

AND...there was something else. What was it?

*thinking*

Alas, I can't remember. I probably will as soon as I hit "publish post".

I'm such a slacker

2009-03-12T13:30:00.003-05:00

I haven't done anything with Blogger in so long.

FAIL.

I was reading (definitely just typed readying) my friends' blogs and I realized that even Chris has updated since I last wrote. That was an indicator that I really needed to hurry up and add to my blog.

Not that there's much to say.

Still school. Still work. Still no money.

I'm on spring break this week, which is lovely, except that it means the second half of the semester is coming up on Monday. Workload doubles, big projects are due, studying for finals, and dealing with big, scary cameras in my TV production class.

Which reminds me, I need to buy a VHS tape. DON'T FORGET.

This week I worked in the garden a bit, worked at work a bit, applied for a few different jobs, got my van inspected...

Oh there's a story. If you remember, I wrecked my parents' van in January - ran into a tree because of slipper roads. It wasn't TOO bad, as in, it could still be driven. My dad got pieces and mostly fixed it, but he couldn't get the headlight adjusted back the right way. So I got it inspected on Monday and it was a definitely fail because of the headlight. I had to go to a bodyshop to get it fixed, and I was afraid it was going to cost like $1000 or more. BUT!!!!!! Mom and I managed to find a bodyshop that fixed it for us; they said it was a really simple fix and they weren't going to even charge us anything! We gave them some money anyway. And then got the van reinspected and it passed.

w00t w00t!

So the plan is for me to buy the van from mom and dad, and I'll be selling my old one. It's sad because I really did like my old van, but I can't afford a new transmission for it and it's been having all sorts of problems that in a way I'll be glad to be rid of it.

So yes.

Also, I have Twitter which I like very much so look me up - notashamed87.

Not that anyone actually reads this blog.

*sigh*

So, yay!

2009-02-23T17:06:00.003-05:00

I got a new layout for my blog.

Yay!

I just have to figure out how to make the title of my blog smaller to fit right. Maybe I'll figure it out at some point. Or maybe not. Or maybe I'll get a new layout. Because I like this one, but there were some other pretty ones, too. Since I needed an XML layout, BlogSkins wasn't working for me. I'd used that site before and love some of the layouts (thanks for the suggestion Etenesh!). But it took me like half an hour to figure out why it wasn't working. >.<

Anywho, I went to Blogger-Templates and found this layout and some other really nice ones.

Right now I'm in class - Broadcast Journalism. We are listening to everyone present their radio projects. I think we all did really well. A lot of people had nicer ones than mine, but I still feel happy with the one I did. Maybe I can figure out a way to upload it on here so you can hear it. ^_^

I applied for a maintenance office position at Kings Dominion and even went in for an interview on Wednesday, but I haven't heard from them. I was going to call them today, but I didn't have the number, so I'll probably call tomorrow.

At some point I need to make an appointment at the eye doctor. I constantly have a headache lately, and I really think it's my eyes. The last doctor I went to gave me a lower prescription than the one I went to before and it hasn't seemed right since. Grr.

So yeah. Umm....

That's all for now?

I'm thinking about doing a video blog - a vlog - on YouTube. My sisters and I already do one (sort of) called BLU!, but I'm thinking about starting one of my own.

We'll see.

My blog looks yucky...

2009-02-19T21:08:00.002-05:00

My friend Tasya's blog looks awesome, so I was kind of trying to copy her. It isn't working out so well so far. But maybe if I had more time to work on it. And maybe if I had hi-speed internet at home.

Alas, you'll have to deal with the way my blog looks as-is for now.

This week has been...actually I'm not sure. I can't decide if it's been long or short or good or what. It's just been. School, homework, all the usual stuff. I went to Kings Dominion on Tuesday for an interview for maintenance office, but the maintenance lady wasn't there so someone else interviewed me and I'm supposedly going to hear back from them. Happy happy joy joy.

Um yeah.

School is over for the week!

I have work tomorrow and Saturday and homework to do, as usual.

Bye for now!

One follower!

2009-02-12T19:39:00.003-05:00

I have one follower on my blog now! I am super excited. ^_^

I'm having fun with InDesign tonight. It's sweet. It's a program for designing publications. You can take stuff you've done in Photoshop and put it in InDesign and then format the whole page so it looks awesome. Here's what I did tonight...

Yay!

I went and visited WRVA today. That's the local conservative news talk radio show. I got to meet Doc Thompson. It was awesome. Maybe I will intern there someday and maybe I will work there someday, who knows. It was cool talking to him, though, he is super nice.

Now I am in class. Doing nothing at the moment because I've already finished what I was supposed to be doing. I'm hungry. I have two oatmeal cookies in the truck calling my name. I hear them shouting to me, even from this far away.

I'm coming, soon!

In case you hadn't heard - we are all socialist now

2009-02-09T17:52:00.004-05:00

Read the article here if you can stomach it.

So has the media finally realized the truth? We are turning socialist and becoming more and more like Europe and "more French"?

It appears so.

But they try to gloss it over. The word socialist is still referred to as the "S-word" in the article and made to sound like a conservative scare tactic. Conservatives are almost mocked, or are mocked, throughout the whole article. They (Newsweek) try to blame Bush and Republicans for it all.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Republicans haven't had a hand, because they sure have. Republicans now are so liberal that they're not much different than Democrats. So yes, they have had a lot to do with it.

What I can't stand is the way the article continuously links "conservative" with "Republican." The media cannot understand - they cannot seem to grasp - that Republicans are not automatically conservative. True conservatives would never vote for more government.

So if we ARE all socialist now and becoming more and more like Europe and France, is that REALLY a good thing? Newsweek seems to think so. They "objectively" point out some of the negative sides of having bigger government, but they don't even seem to realize how serious those negative sides really are.

We should take a good, long look at the countries in Europe and see if that's really what we want to be. Remember, America started because of opposition to the way things were run. Do we really want to be like everyone else now?

Just joined HubPages and Google AdSense

2009-02-02T15:14:00.004-05:00

I thought "why not?" and joined Hubpages. Along with that I joined AdSense and Amazon Associates. I doubt I'll make anything by doing it, but it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I guess I'm going to be focusing on politics in my Hubs, at least for now. As always, I feel like a fish out of water trying something new like that. I feel so dumb because I don't know what I'm doing. But at the very least it'll prompt me to write more. And I'm thinking about applying to join Suite 101, too.

We shall see.

Suddenly this past week I felt overwhelmed with homework. Seems like I have a TON all of a sudden. I guess it's just because I have four classes, four days of classes, and they are all relating to reporting so that makes it a lot of work anyway. In one class, everyone was put in teams for our assignments and stuff and I so intelligently volunteered myself to be team leader. I am so afraid I will wind up doing all the work. But there is one girl in my team who is in some other of my classes, and she's really nice. I guess it'll work out.

Tuesday we had snow and ice. I tried to go to school anyway because it didn't seem like it would be that bad, and I figured the main roads would be okay. They may have been, but I didn't make it to the main roads. I slid right off the road and ran into a tree. In my parents' van. So now I have that to think about on top of everything else.

I REALLY NEED ANOTHER JOB!

I know the Lord will provide and everything will work out. At least, I know it in my head and I'm really good at saying the words. Applying that to my life is the hard part. But He has promised never to let me down - He never has and He never will.

(And if you feel like helping me out, click the Google ad on the right-hand bar under my info. Thanks!)

First post on a Mac

2009-01-22T19:12:00.002-05:00

This is my first post from a Mac, in case you couldn't tell from the title.

Macs are pretty cool, I guess.

My class is Graphics for Journalism. It's lovely that she can take over all our computers at any given time, totally interrupting whatever I was doing. Don't like that very much, but whatever. Hey, it's a class, not free time, silly.

Not at all happy with AT&T right now. They randomly started charging us for internet used when we receive/send picture, video, or other multimedia messages, or do Instant Messaging (through the phone, not the internet). They aren't supposed to do this - all messaging is supposed to be included in our unlimited messaging plan. I've been spending about two months now trying to get it sorted out.

No one knows anything.

I've talked to countless people in customer service and hear something different from everyone.

(I think she's going to ta

ke my screen again, but I'll keep typing until then)

But yesterday I FINALLY talked to someone in the text messaging department, I guess, and she said that everything is definitely supposed to be included and she doesn't know why we got charged. Tomorrow I am going BACK to the AT&T store AGAIN and hopefully get this straightened out.

I browsed on the AT&T forums, too, and there are lots of other people having the same problem.

They'd better get it straightened out or they're going to have a lot of angry customers. Well, they do already. And some people, including me, are talking about switching to Verizon.

I'm hungry.

Don't feel like writing...

2009-01-15T11:43:00.002-05:00

I don't feel like writing...

But I need to do something constructive.

I am sitting here in the student commons for...about 4 more hours before my next class.

I already emailed a person about interviewing them for my story that's due Wednesday (AHH!!!).

I could work on the team directory for my one class. But even that would only take about 2 seconds.

Why did I volunteer myself to be team leader???? ....Because no one else was.

I think I will go back out in the cold and go get my lunch out of the van. Then eat it.

Then I think I will work on BLU! which is not very useful, but at least it's doing something.

My head hurts.

You may have noticed my lack of profile picture...

2009-01-13T15:06:00.002-05:00

I tried to upload THIS picture from the internet to be my new profile picture. For whatever reason, when I click "Save Changes" it erases the URL I post and gives me no new picture. That is mildly annoying, but whatever.

[the above only applies to my Blogger blog]

This semester is going to be long, I think, but it'll be okay. I have to go to VCU four days a week, and my classes are really spread out. I have a lot of free time between classes, but that just means I have lots of time to do homework. As soon as I get some.

I also get to drive home at rush hour two days a week, something I am (not) excited about. Last night I was stuck behind a woman who was testing the sensitivity of her brake and gas pedals and another woman whose car didn't HAVE a gas pedal. The joys of rush hour.

There's a girl sitting a little ways from me who has MARIO on her PHONE! I WANT IT.

Time flies...

2009-01-12T16:42:00.002-05:00

My last post was from the last day of school...

This post is from the first day of school...

Ha!

So this semester's schedule is CRAZY and I don't like it. But it's only one semester and hopefully it'll all turn out okay. I'm in the middle of a ten minute class break right now - or actually, toward the end of the break.

I'll post more later....

Last day of regular school classes

2008-12-04T11:30:00.003-05:00

Next week is finals. And then Christmas break.

Be sure to check out BLU! Episode 2.

This week is going by way too fast. Yesterday was nice. I finally got the website I've been working on for Robo's Detail Supplies up on the internet and working. It took a few days for me to get it to work, but I did it!

I also took a nap, which was kind of crazy. I almost never take naps. And I haven't taken one in a LONG time. Then my sisters and I worked on two more episodes of BLU!

Oh yeah, and I had to go pay for my van. Even though I decided not to get my transmission fixed, I had to pay for the work he had already done to it. He replaced the calipers and two tires, so I had to pay for that. *dies* No fun. I'm hoping I can sell my van now. I should put it on Craig's List - I have pictures of it somewhere. I get to drive it home this afternoon. Oh boy.

I created a new blog to post my resume and writing samples. I have so many blogs I've created or am part of now, some are for school.

A homeless guy just wandered through the student commons

2008-12-02T17:40:00.002-05:00

That was kinda weird.

I realize I have been seriously neglecting my blog. My apologies.

What's been up in my life lately...? Let me think...

For starters, I am working at Ukrops in Mechanicsville now. Not sure whether I told you that already or not. I am a cashier and I really enjoy the work. But they are not giving me enough hours - usually 15 or less. I was told when I was hired that I would have 20-25. I talked to the supervisor/manager guy about it and he wasn't very promising. I think I have to find a second job, or just another completely different job. Actually, I KNOW I do, unless they miraculously start giving me enough hours.

The semester is almost over. Only one more day of classes, and then two days of finals and I will be done! Finished up and turned in my last assignments today. I still have to bring in my resume on Thursday, but since that's already all made, there's practically no work involved in getting that done. I'm not sure what's going to happen next semester. As it stands right now, I only have 10 credits and a screwy schedule. I've talked to an advisor about getting a few things straightened out, but I won't go into detail about that right now.

(A cute guy just sat down in the chair about six feet away from me. Why do the cute guys always appear when I'm feeling sick, and looking it, too? Blah.)

Anyway.

And my van is broken, so yay. Rick replaced the calipers (whatever those are, has something to do with the brakes) and two tires. THEN he found out I need a new transmission, which would cost me between $1,500 and $2,000. I don't have the money. So I'm almost positive I'm just going to forget about my stupid van. Good riddance. The thing has been a pain since I got it. I'm hoping I can sell it at least to recup the money I spent on the stinking calipers and tires. Then I'm just going to look for a new one. Hopefully a Honda, kinda like my first car. But I'll likely be without a car for a while and will have to work something out with my parents to borrow their van. That means that I will probably have to get up (REALLY) early to take my dad to work on days that I will need it. But it's all good, at least I have access to a car!

My Dad's car and the family Sidekick are also AWOL.

MONEY is stressing me out. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I were getting a good amount of hours at Ukrops and could depend on getting a fairly okay paycheck every week. But I really can't, so I'm kinda in ready-to-pull-my-hair-out mode. And I DO NOT want to get a loan. Period.

Oops, Sierra is out of class - time to go!

Until next time...

Good point...

2008-11-05T23:39:00.002-05:00

I was listening to Doc Thompson earlier and he had a really good point.

He said that a lot of conservatives would have to be pulled back from the ledge today, after Obama won the election. They would have to be convinced that it's not as bad as it seems. The reason conservatives are so upset is because we can see the big picture, or at least some of it. We can get a glimpse of what this country is going to be like four years or eight years down the road with Obama as president.

But our lives didn't change at all TODAY, did they? No, we went on with our lives just like we normally do, doing the usual things.

And the things that are going to happen are not going to happen all at once. They will come along one at a time, and we conservatives will be able to take them one at a time. It's like walking - you just take one step at a time. It won't be fun, no, but at least we will be able to handle it.

It also reminded me of what the Bible says about God not giving us more than we can handle. It goes along those lines, at least for me. I know not all conservatives are Christians, but I am, and the point that Doc Thompson made today just seemed to go right along with that idea.

And, of course, I can always rest assured that God is in control, regardless of who is president. Or dictator.

.....

That was a joke.

For now.

Black Wednesday

2008-11-05T13:55:00.002-05:00

So that's it then. It's all over. Two years of drama and scandal and all that dirt dug up on Obama, and in the end none of it mattered. People STILL voted for him.

*sigh*

I'm very close to being ashamed to be an American today. How did we become what we have become? How could we go, in a short two hundred years, from the land of the brave and the free to, basically, the United Socialist States of America?

Okay so we're not quite there yet, I guess, but we will be soon.

Those were also rhetorical questions. I KNOW how we got here. Sin. People are consumed by it, and it blinds them. People are selfish, greedy, and lazy. People don't want to do for themselves anymore (where has our pride gone??), they would rather lot the government, and ultimately other people, do the work for them.

Well congratulations, guys, you got what you asked for. Now let's see how it plays out. It will be interesting to see if everyone is still in love with Obama when they see just how socialist he is.

They will be, I already know it. Socialism, in the end, will matter to people just as much as truth, values, and integrity.

Which means it won't matter at all.

There were two spiders on my windshield that wanted to eat me tonight.

2008-10-24T23:08:00.001-05:00

Like I said about life sometimes being overwhelming?

This is one of those times.

Work. Homework. Curves. Family. Church.

And tiredness.

I am exhausted tonight.

I worked 12-5 today and then they asked me to stay two more hours because they were short, so I did that instead of going to Curves thinking I could go tomorrow morning instead. Well my family is going out to breakfast tomorrow morning so I may not be able to go to Curves.

But I think I will cheat and go to Curves before my family leaves for breakfast (because I doubt they will leave before 8) and just not do a whole workout.

But that means I have to get up at 7 on a Saturday and THAT makes me want to cry.

I'm slightly grouchy tonight.

But Indiana Jones was good.

Goodnight.

Motivation is wonderful

2008-10-22T21:43:00.002-05:00

So this morning my mom woke me up at 8:30. Normally I try to get up by 8 at the latest, but since I was up way late last night reading my blog, I decided to sleep until 9. BUT, Ukrop's called at 7:53 and wanted to know if I wanted to come in and work this morning. Mom kindly let them leave a message and let me sleep for an extra half hour before waking me up to let me know.

Thanks, Mom!

So I did go to work after all. I got there around 9:45 and stayed until 2:30. It was nice, I like working in the morning better. There's more old people working then, and I can relate to them better than I can relate to the teens. Plus they're nicer. And there are more old customers in the morning, too, and they are usually nicer than some of the younger customers.

So then I rushed home to get Mom and sisters and we all went to Curves.

Then I came home and wrote three sentences of my story about the Libertarian candidate for Senate that's due tomorrow.

Then we had dinner and went to Bible study.

Then I came home and FINISHED my story that's due tomorrow (I don't think it's that good, but it's done and that's what matters) and almost finished my short paper that's due on Tuesday in my POLI class.

And then now.

So, tomorrow I have school. Then I might possibly go grocery shopping with Mom and sisters. I haven't quite decided, because I still have to write my NewsCorp paper that's due on Tuesday. I'll probably go ahead and go shopping and then do my paper tomorrow night and finish it over the weekend. Yeah...

So, you should know better than to think I'll get through a post without a reference to politics.

I heard on the radio today Joe Biden's quotes about how there will be an "international crisis" not six months into the Obama administration. "Mark my words," he said. And he said this twice. And said that he could name four or five scenarios that might happen (what does he know that we don't??? He needs to spill.). Gotta love Biden. Why would he say something like this? Probably not the smartest thing to say. But then again, Americans haven't been the smartest people lately, so they'll probably just be in awe and not bother to think about what Biden said.

Yeah we're gonna have an international crisis if Obama gets elected because he's got no backbone and you bet the terrorists are going to take advantage of that! Why do you think they want him in so badly? I mean, duh.

Obama was in Richmond today. He had "Only In America" playing at his rally. I wanted to throw a water balloon at him for that. Also, a letter was sent out to all the public schools saying that it wouldn't be suitable for the classes to go to the rally as a field trip, but that it would be an excused absence if the parents wanted to take their kids.

'Scuse me?

They didn't do this for the Sarah Palin rally.

See what I mean about being sick of liberal-biased EVERYTHING?

I'm considering joining the Libertarian party. I'm also considering voting for McCain rather than writing in Sarah Palin, because as much as I disagree with McCain, at least he's a man of high integrity while Obama is a man of...well, no integrity.

So yeah.

Bedtime soon!

SO STOKED

2008-10-22T21:39:00.000-05:00

Too good to be true?? I hope not!!!!!!

Dear NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner,

Last November, you and those typing fingers of yours did something amazing. And while you were busy bashing out your novel, we were frantically trying to line up a prize worthy of your feat.

Our goal was to find a self publishing company who would give every NaNo winner a free copy of his or her winning manuscript in paperback book form. It's taken us until now, but we've finally found them.

CreateSpace, an Amazon.com Inc. owned company, is generously offering every NaNoWriMo 2007 winner a "free proof copy" of their 2007 manuscript. What this means: A free proof copy of your manuscript in paperback book form–just by following the instructions below. They'll even cover the costs of basic shipping to you.

So much has changed, and yet so little

2008-10-21T22:47:00.002-05:00

This is a favor I asked of my friends in THIS BLOG on July 23, 2005.

"I hope a tornado destroys KD. Preferably when there's no people there, of course.

I will never, ever work there again. And if I go insane and do work there again, please just shoot me."

I would like to inform you that NONE of my friends came through for me and I am very disappointed in you.

Just kidding!!!

This summer was not always the most fun, but I did meet some awesome people (like Tasya) and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

.....anyway.....

Today is finally over. I was going to write for a while before I go to bed, but I got distracted. I've been reading my blog for over an hour. I still need to take a shower before I go to bed so I doubt I'll get around to writing. But whatever.

Ukrops didn't call today so I guess I'm not working tomorrow morning. I could use the money, but it really is a good thing I'm not working because I have lots of homework to do. Lots of research/writing type of homework. Maybe I'll go to the library tomorrow to work on the research part of it.

And that's not counting the stuff I still have to do for Nancy Osgood's book - editing and researching, etc. Which also reminds me that I'm taking care of her pets next week. Ick...I'm not a fan of birds and she has seven.

Alas.

Life Can Be Overwhelming

2008-10-21T12:19:00.004-05:00

Life is good lately, but it can be overwhelming as any college student knows! Right now I am sitting outside at school in between classes. Normally I would still be in global communications class, but we had a midterm so I got out early. I really SHOULD be doing homework/research but that really does not interest me at the moment. It's too nice out and I'm sick of school. It's nice to just sit here on this bench and watch Sierra recording a yellow jacket (video soon to be posted on YouTube and Facebook).

The leaves are falling all around us. It's kinda cool.

So let's see...I have a story about the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate (William Redpath) due on Thursday. Haven't started it - the writing part, I mean. On Tuesday I have two papers due. One of them I have a third done, the other I haven't started writing. After that I can relax for a while. A little while.

All this on top of work, which I now have to be concerned about - but I'm not complaining. I need the money. I work Friday afternoon and all day Saturday (which makes me irritated because the Celtic Festival is this weekend and I don't get to go for the 5th year in a row).

Momentarily I will be going to my next class, but for now I have pictures and videos to put up online.

Pictures of what I can see as I sit here...

A lady just sat down with one of those huge rolls of toilet paper that goes in public restrooms. I think she is a bathroom cleaning lady.

Time to head to class.

What I am thinking going into this election...

2008-10-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one sick of both of the main Presidential candidates? Or of the media? Or of stupid people?

Sometimes I feel like I am. But I guess I'm not.

Glenn Beck is, too. ^_^

Seriously, though, the media drives me up the wall. They only really talk about the Republican and the Democratic candidates - for anything. The only time we hear about the other parties or candidates is just a tiny mention of them at the end of the story. "Also on the ballot is...." The end.

THAT STINKS.

I'm learning in my journalism classes that the media is supposed to be all "watch dog" and "guide dog" and whatever. They are supposed to inform the public on things that they need to know but might not be able to find out very easily. Well, they're not doing their job! I personally would like to know about ALL my options when I go to vote next month (if I go). Did anyone besides me not realize that there are seven Presidential candidates that will be on the ballot?

SEVEN.

And I know the names of three - Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian because I just looked it up because I'm doing a story on the Libertarian party for my class.

What is wrong with our media? That was a rhetorical question, I already know the answer. The media are liberal. This is generally speaking, of course.

But more than that, what is wrong with Americans? Are we seriously going to let someone like Obama or McCain become the President of our country? That was also a rhetorical question, I already know the answer is yes. But I have yet to understand WHY. Both of them are leading us straight into socialism, and people just embrace them like they are the greatest thing to ever happen to planet Earth.

Um, hello? You want socialism? Go live in Russia for a while. I know people from Russia. It's not pleasant over there. People don't make a lot of money, health care is the pits, and freedom is practically non-existent.

(Russian friends, if you're reading this, please don't be offended; you already knew my opinion of Russia anyway, and I still think you guys are great ^_^)

Do we seriously want our country, the land of the free, to be like THAT? Do we want to give up every single little right we have and let the government control every aspect of our lives? The things I hear coming from both Obama AND McCain are disturbing, and I can only imagine where our country will be when it's time for the NEXT election.

When will Americans grow up and stop voting along party lines simply for the sake of voting along party lines? Look at the candidates and what they really stand for - ALL OF THEM, not just the two of them that the media talks about. Make a decision based on your own research and your own THINKING (do people know how to do that anymore?), not on what the media or your friends or your party or anyone else tells you.

WE ARE AMERICANS. WE CAN THINK FOR OURSELVES. WE CAN LOOK PAST OURSELVES TO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY.

Or we used to be able to, anyway. And it is NOT best for our country to have a socialistic form of government. Anyone who thinks it is, really does need to go to Russia and see what it's like. No joke. Do you want to go to the doctor and know that (if the government decides you can get in, that is) the rubber gloves they are using have simply been rinsed and re-used, and the syringes and other materials are in the same state? I don't. Why do you think people come HERE for health care? And that's just one example.

I have to admit I'm feeling kind of hopeless and depressed going into this election. And it's not because I'm afraid that my candidate won't win. It's because I don't have a candidate. And that's because the politicians don't care about the people anymore, and I guess they haven't in a long time. There is no candidate (that I know of) that really stands for the people and what the people want. I also feel like it's too late for this election. Duh. Obviously nothing is going to change. Our country is just going to keep going downhill, faster than it's ever gone before. No matter WHO is elected.

I am FED UP with my government, can you tell?

We need a Civil War. Dead serious. I will move to Montana if they ever got serious and seceded. I so would.

Words cannot express how amazingly grateful I am that the Lord is in control. I can honestly say that I don't know what state I would be in if He weren't, or if I were not a Christian. I would be in a lot worse shape than I am now.

And by the way, if any Obama supporter happens to read this and would be interested in having a logical discussion with me, PLEASE let me know. I'm dying to understand why someone would seriously want to vote for him. I can talk to McCain supporters more easily without having my head bit off, but Obama supporters just start attacking me without giving me any information.

Walk Like a Pigeon

2008-04-24T23:31:00.000-05:00

I feel like I've been getting in touch with my inner teenager again. No, seriously, today I looked up livejournal and xanga again and even found an old AIM screenname that I used to have (can't remember the password, of course, and so it is useless to me) not to mention that I visited an old favorite Harry Potter RPG site (completely changed, by the way) and just all kinds of crazy stuff. You know, I hadn't posted in my livejournal since 2004. THAT'S FOUR YEARS. Craziness.

I know, I know - "No one cares except you, Samantha." Typical.

Also, I finally managed to get deviantArt to let me verify my email address, after about eight months of it not working.

Other than that I have been studying and doing homework like mad, and of course working at lovely Kings Dominion. I started filling out an application to Ukrop's today. They have benefits even for part-time employees! Very exciting, I tell you, very exciting. Tomorrow I have to work 11-7 and Saturday I also have to work - I'm going to tell them I can work 2-11. Since they don't tell me what my schedule is, I tell them. At least one of us knows what's going on.

Stupid KD.

Well since it's 12:30 now, I should probably go to bed. I feel incredibly hyper this evening, although I am beginning to get tired now. It's amazing, I've been tired pretty much constantly lately, and then today I suddenly have bucketloads of energy out of nowhere. Maybe it was the nice weather.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Strong and Courageous

2008-04-03T09:30:00.001-05:00

Last night in Bible study we went over the first nine verses in Joshua, particularly 6-9. If you’re not familiar with them, those are the verses where God is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous. I’ve heard these verses countless times before, but (as I’m a big fan of saying) it never hurts to be reminded! And I definitely needed to hear them last night.

I was thinking afterward about the whole strong and courageous part. God is telling Joshua to do something very difficult - to trust him in the face of what would seem humanly impossible. We saw forty years earlier that Joshua was one of only two people who wanted to obey what the Lord commanded, and he was voted down. Now the time has come to obey the Lord’s commands again, and it may still not have been the most popular idea at the time.

Why would God have told Joshua to be strong if it was going to be an easy task? The only reason he would have needed to be strong was if it was going to be something hard to do, otherwise it wouldn’t matter. The same goes for the courageous part. If there was nothing fearful ahead, then there wouldn’t have been any reason for the Lord to tell Joshua to be courageous.

These words are not only meant to be an encouragement to Joshua, but they are a command as well. God didn’t say, "You should be strong and courageous" or "you might want to be...". He told Joshua straight out, "Be strong and courageous" three times! The reason for this? God is on Joshua’s side, he has nothing to fear, he has every reason not to be afraid.

You can probably see where I’m going with this. Just as Joshua was commanded in the face of difficulties to be strong and courageous, we should do the same thing. God leads us along as a Shepherd guiding his sheep, but that doesn’t mean everything is going to be grand and easy. In fact, very often, the Lord sends us through trials. Whatever they may be, if we are following the Lord, we should be strong and courageous! Even if the odds seem to be against us and even if the people around us don’t understand, laugh at us, or even directly oppose us, the Lord is on our side - who else do we need?

A Lot of Things on my Mind

2008-03-19T00:23:00.000-05:00

Like the title says, I have a lot of things on my mind right now.

Most of which I'm really not going to go into right here because it's 1:15 am and I am exhausted. I think that's a good reason, what about you?

For my Mass Communications 101 class, we had a project called "Anger+Art=Change" assigned. Basically, find something that ticks you off, do a creative project about it to effect change. Not sure -exactly- what she wanted, but she said it could be anything we considered art.

So, me being the brilliant person I am, spend the midnight hour (when I'm already tired) writing a four and a half page short story. It's about an unborn baby looking forward to life. It's anti-abortion. So it ends with the baby being killed. Stupid me, I'm sitting here, barely able to write this thing, crying my eyes out, thinking of all the innocent babies killed.

Gah.

You'd think I'd work on something like this at a decent time of day. Oh no, not me!

It'll be interesting to see if I can read this in front of the class without crying.

Doubtful.

You just never know...

2008-02-28T23:15:00.001-05:00

It's crazy - you never know what the other person is thinking, how they're going to react to the things you say, or what they're going to remember and take away from a conversation. It doesn't even necessarily have to be a conversation you have with that person - it can just be one that they overhear.

Today I was at school, sitting in a hallway between classes, and I just happened to overhear a guy and a girl talking to another guy, who was sitting on a couch studying. At first I didn't know what they were talking about, but the guy sitting down was getting really upset talking to these people, arguing with them and calling them names. Finally I tuned in to the conversation enough to realize that the two people were witnessing to the guy sitting down, and let's just say he didn't appreciate it.

But, boy, I surely did!

It was such an encouragement to me to see how much these two Christians cared about the guy that was yelling at them. They cared enough to stay and talk to him when other people would have walked off or starting yelling back. You could see in the way they spoke to him and treated him that they really cared about him as a person. They didn't talk down to him, and they didn't go down to his level of name-calling and ridicule. They spoke kindly and lovingly, and it was amazing to me just to watch the conversation.

The Lord knows what we need, when we need it - even if we don't! I wasn't expecting to see that, I wasn't even looking for it. But it's all I've been thinking about all afternoon. It really touched me. They meant to witness and be a testimony to that guy sitting on the couch, and I don't know if it had any permanent affect on him or not, but they were a big testimony to me.

God knows where to put people - He really knows what He's doing! He had those two people there and me there at the right time so that I could hear the conversation and be blessed. Who knows who else was touched by the conversation?

I don't know why this incident had such a big impact on me, but it did. I admire those people and I thank God for putting me there to witness the conversation.

(Just for the record, the guy they were talking to must have felt convicted at some level, because he proceeded to call 2 different people and tell them all about it and then tell another friend all about it when he showed up! If he's that upset about it, it must have affected him more than he'd like to let on!)

2007 in Review

2008-02-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

I stole this from Chris which he got from hs December 2003 archives. Wow, he's old. ^_^ Anyway, I know we're well into 2008 (almost the middle of February already!!) but I decided to do this anyway, since I never wrote anything for the end/beginning of a year, like I usually do.

The Year 2007 in Review-
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Um...Well I dated a guy and then broke up with a guy. Yeah.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolution?
Don't think I made one. If I did make one, I probably did not keep it.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Trying to think...Can't think of anyone!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just here!

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money. Lots.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There's a couple. Dawn's wedding probably being the biggest!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my 2-year degree I think!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Um, there's a couple things I consider failures on my part. Mostly personal things - not so much things I actually did, but things I thought or felt.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Um...Laptop!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I don't think anyone in particular merited celebration over anyone else

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Bleh. I won't go there.

14. Where did most of your money go?
School, car

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Buying my laptop, going to Wisconsin, graduating, getting into VCU

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Meh, I dunno!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?
I don't know if I'm necessarily happier, but I am not sadder, and I am happy in a different way

ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter. Even my grandma noticed. And no, she didn't say "you look fat." I was talking about how I had gained some inches and she said, "Yeah, but last year you were too skinny!" which is an exaggeration, but whatever.

iii. richer or poorer?
Poorer. And getting even poorer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing. Standing up for what I believe.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating. I need to stop that.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it at home - it was a nice quiet day.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Nope.

23. How many one-night stands?
Zero!

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Smallville for part of the year. Chuck when it started.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate people.

26. What was the best book you read?
This Present Darkness and Garth Nix books, and HP7

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I'm not as dumb as I thought I was? Hehe...

28. What did you want and get?
Laptop, trip to WI, trip to PA

29. What did you want and not get?
More money. Trip to FL, but that's this year.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Um, what came out last year?? I really don't remember.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 20 (wow, so young!). I went out with Will and then had dinner and presents at home.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Comfy.

34. What kept you sane?
Who says I'm sane?

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Who else? Orlando Bloom. But that faded quickly toward the end of the year. I think I'm old now. <.< >.>

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Probably illegal immigration. I think that's the one that gets my goat the worst.

37. Who did you miss?
Everyone, as usual.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I didn't really meet that many new people. I got to know some people better and that's always nice.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Live life to the fullest day by day, doing God's will. Don't let worldly stuff get you down - in the end, it doesn't matter anyway. God's in control of everything and He has a purpose; I can rest in that and leave it in His hands. I just fudge stuff up when I try to take control anyway.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Wow....No clue.

Why wear high heels to school?

2008-02-07T18:21:00.000-05:00

Today was so-so. I have had a lingering headache all day, I guess because of the weather change. It's twenty degrees colder today than it was yesterday! But I've had a pretty good day, I guess. I'm sitting in the student commons at VCU waiting to leave for my Economics class, which goes until 9 or later. *yawn* I try to pay attention, but it never works out. We'll see how it goes tonight. I'm loaded up with caffeine - just drank a bottle of Coke and a cup of Dr. Pepper and I have a can of Vanilla Coke in my backpack for backup.

Nothing eventful happened today.

I don't know what to write about.

Romney bowed out of the race. Now we're looking at Huckabee or McCain. Neither one sounds promising, but I guess Huckabee is the lesser of two evils. I think I preferred Romney to him, though. I don't know what I'll do if McCain makes it. Probably cry. This country is going down the drain fast.

A toilet in this one bathroom at school today would not stop flushing, literally, for like...2 minutes straight. It was odd.

I'm full. I just ate a 6 inch tuna sub, a small bag of Doritoes, and my Dr. Pepper. More than I needed. Much more.

Guess we're going to head on over to economics in a minute.

Less Than a Year

2008-02-06T23:20:00.000-05:00

So, I think that by coming back to this in less than a year - I'm doing great!

Let's see...my last post was April 30, 2007, eh? Shortly after that, the bottom fell out from under me again. I wrecked my second car in May, and boy was I depressed after that. It was awful. Just ask Mario - not that he talks to me anymore or anything. Hm, maybe that's why...

Anyway.

I recovered, I lived, and I went to Dawn and Ron's wedding in July. I had a blast that week. In August my family went to PA to see our penpals, and I had a blast that weekend, too. I also got a Dodge Caravan, and that's kind of a long story. Let's just say, I thought it was a great van in great shape, but not so much. I've put so much money into that thing, I just want to kick it. Um, what else happened... I went back to J Sarge in the fall and only took two classes. I was kind of burnt out from going five days a week in the spring and summer, so the two classes was nice. I quit the Cafe in June for a couple reasons.

I'm going to VCU now! This is the fourth week that I have been going. My friend Sierra and I go together, and I actually really like it. I wasn't sure if I would, and I was always really against going to VCU because it's such a HUGE school and in downtown Richmond. But now that I'm going there, I love it. I almost wish I could afford to live on campus. I feel like I'm missing out on something by not. The classes are great - there's more homework, but most of it's reading, and I don't do all of it since the teachers just lecture on it anyway. Economics is the only class that I might have concerns about, because it's a night class and only one night a week. Well, I am concerned about my Mass communications 101 also, because the teacher grades with a perfect bell curve - meaning a certain percentage of the 300 people in the class will get an A, a certan percent will get B, etc. Not good - I want the grade I EARN.

Newsflash - I applied at Kings Dominion. Okay, don't have a heart attack. I never thought I'd do that again, but I figured why not give it another whirl. I NEED THE MONEY. And they're owned by Cedar Fair now, so they're supposed to be majorly improved. Supposedly. But I really do need the money, and I know I can make it there. I applied for merchandise supervisor, which is quite different from rides, but I thought different might be good. I'm willing to work in rides again, but also a change would be nice. I might go in on Friday morning for an interview.

Those are the highlights.

OH! Also, my family is going to Florida the weekend after Valentine's Day, and Sierra's coming with us and we're going to DISNEY!!!!!!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My "I" key isn't working right.

Overwhelmed

2007-04-30T23:02:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been feeling quite overwhelmed by life. I've been crazy busy, for one thing. I had school five mornings a week this semester, which is okay until it gets to the point where I can't keep up. I can definitely tell when it all started to snowball. Amazingly enough I am still doing okay - my grades haven't dropped, at least not noticeably. And, believe it or not, last I knew I was getting a mid-B in chemistry. So I guess I still have an okay hold on that, even though it feels like it's all slipping through my fingers.

Until recently, I'd also been working six afternoons a week, which probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. That coupled with school five days a week left VERY little free time. I have spent many a night up past midnight doing homework and struggling to catch up.

There's so many of my friends that I haven't talked to literally in months and I feel awful about it. I mean, yeah I've been busy, but that sounds like such a lame excuse and I don't want to call someone up and be like "hey I miss you, sorry I've been busy, wanna go to lunch?" Honestly. I feel like such a horrible friend, but at the same time it's like, there's not much I can do about it! I barely have time for eating and sleeping, let alone doing stuff with friends!

The past couple of weeks have been better, I haven't felt quite as stressed and I felt like I had more time to just kinda chill, or maybe get some other random stuff done (like today I finished a scrapbook I've been working on forever). So yeah, I get a few minutes of free time and summer's coming and what do I do?!?!

I register for summer classes and get a second job. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! Ugh. I was all psyched about this last week, but now that tomorrow is almost here - start of finals AND start of my new job - I'm doing some serious second-guessing. Everyone looks forward to summer, no one more than I, but now my summer is going to be just as jam-packed full as the rest of the year. I'm such an idiot.

But at the same time, I refuse to give up my summer classes OR my second job. Though I might cut back my days at the Cafe so I can have two days off each week, but we'll see. We shall see. It'll be okay. I just can't stand to have free time I suppose.

But yeah, tomorrow is my math final, and I've done probably a grand total of 5 minutes of studying for it. Then Wednesday is the chem final, which I've also done hardly any studying for. And I haven't studied at ALL for my Spanish or Psych finals. So yeah, this week is gonna suck. But after that, FREEDOM.

At least until the 21st.

By the way, if anyone knows of a place where I can get cheap plane tickets, specifically to Wisconsin in July, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know.

Thanks!

RANT

2007-04-13T09:07:00.001-05:00

I'm so sick of life. Forget everything I said in the last post. I'm sick of life. I want something different. I'm trying hard to be content, and I guess I am content to a degree - as in, if this is where God wants me, I'll trust Him to know what's right. But at the same time, I am SO SICK of being lonely, of the way people around here act when you disagree with them, of not having any free time, of STINKING CHEMISTRY, of my stupid Spanish teacher, of being in this rut. I'm just SICK. OF. IT. Wanna know something? All my best friends except ONE live hundreds of miles away from me. I have ONE FRIEND around here, and that is not an exaggeration. Yeah, there's other people I talk to and hang out with occassionally, but I don't think I would call them friends. It's like, every time I try to make friends around here, everything is fine and dandy until I disagree with something they say and then WHOA WAIT I'M BEING JUDGEMENTAL AND DISRESPECTFUL.

LIGHTEN UP.
If YOU are allowed to have a different opinion on something than other people, then other people are allowed to disagree with you. And yeah, maybe there will be debates and even arguments, but if you really care about the person you won't let those come between you. People can disagree and still be friends - look at basically ALL my friends. There's not one of my friends that we agree 100% completely on everything. But SO WHAT. We can still be friends because we care about each other and we RESPECT each other's beliefs and opnions, and don't expect each other to change to suit the other.

Yes, I believe what I believe. And no, I'm not going to change that belief easily. If you can show me beyond a doubt that I am 100% wrong, I STILL won't change that belief easily, but it will change eventually. Respect what I believe the same way I respect what you believe. Know that I am going to be defensive about what I believe if you attack it, and I expect the same from you. Don't just stop being my friend because I don't agree with you on everything. How boring would that be anyway?

I LOVE MY FRIENDS and I don't want them to mold themselves to MY beliefs. So don't expect me to mold myself to YOUR beliefs. But, even then, I still care for you and I don't think you're being judgemental or disrespectful because you disagree with me.

And if you don't agree with anything I've just said, go away, we don't want you here anyway.

Heh, that last sentence was a joke in case you couldn't tell. Sorry about the ranting and raving, but I have been thinking about this for a VERY long time and it's been bothering me excessively. And then I saw something today that just topped it all off and that was the end of my rope and I HAD to vent somewhere or else I was going to punch something or someone.

Love you guys!

Life Lately

2007-04-09T22:03:00.000-05:00

Life has been good lately. I just realized today that the past few days I have actually been happy, which is an improvement. Up until a few days ago, I wasn't sad or angry or anything, just not particularly happy. But since Friday or Saturday I feel like I have my life back under control (obviously it's in God's control and I'm not trying to take that control from Him, but you know what I mean) and I'm caught up on stuff and finally getting it together. I officially decided that I am NOT going to Mary Washington in the fall, I'm going to wait until spring. I'm taking two classes this summer to finish up and get my degree by the end of the summer. Then I'll either take the fall off or only take a couple classes at J. Sarge while working FULL TIME and saving lots of money.

Yay!

Anyway, got a couple of other things taken care of that were kinda weighing on me lately. The only major thing I have to take care of now money-wise is CAR INSURANCE. Blah. Oh well, it could be worse.

So now I have an appointment to take the English CLEP, which is awesome. I've been procrastinating that for a good two years now. Heh. I just have to find out where the place is. Anyone know how to get to Arboretum Parkway? I don't even know if I'm spelling that right.

There's a couple other things I've been meaning to do that I'm just tying up now. One of them is getting a new credit card, one of the rewards kind - w00t!! After that, I'll buy my plane tickets to Wisconsin and my new notebook and pay for school with it so that I'll get to rack up the rewards. Since that's stuff I would pay for with credit card anyway, might as well get rewarded for it, right? hehe!

Anyhow, I'm still crazy-busy. School five mornings a week and work six afternoon/evenings a week makes me feel overloaded sometimes, but that's okay. I'll get through it one way or another. Hopefully I won't fail my chemistry class.

Gnite!

Too far away

2007-03-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

The worst thing about being so far away from my friends is that I can't be there for them when they need me. I mean, yeah, they can call or email or text or IM or whatever but in that case all I have to offer them is words. And words can seem empty sometimes when you're looking for comfort, trust me, I know. It's not that the person doesn't mean well, but words only do so much. All I want right now is to be there for my friends, not figuratively but literally, physically. I want to be able to cry with them, hug them, go get ice cream with them. I feel that I am not truly capable of being there for my friends 800 miles away, and it tears me apart inside. I can't even offer a simple smile. Just words. And right now, only written words at that.

No one knows just how much this hurts me.

Just gotta keep moving

2007-03-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

I don't know what to say. Heh.

Chemistry is awful. My teacher doesn't even know what she is doing. A girl in my class this morning asked her to explain how to do a certain problem. So my teacher read the problem, wrote it on the board, and then proceeded to "TRY" (her word!) to figure out how to get the answer. Um, hello? If you can't even do the problems, how do you expect US to do them? She kept going, "oh, I did that wrong." and "oh I had it right the first time." STUPID. Why are you teaching chemistry?!?! Why are you teaching at all?!?! And the worst part is, she worked through the problem almost the whole way (didn't give us the answer) and I am more confused NOW than before she worked it out. I will be so relieved when this class is over and I had BETTER PASS.

Definitely will have to look for a new job or something. Ever since our pay was cut to $2.75 on Thursday I have made less than $10/day. NOT GOOD in case you were wondering. On average, after adding in tips and hourly rate and everything, I've made $4.08/hr. That's before taxes, too. That's not good. That's not even minimum wage. And yeah, what did my boss say when I told her I only made $5 last night? "Oh that stinks." Yeah, you bet. I'm gonna have to talk to her, but I feel bad because I like my bosses and I really want their restaurant to work out for them...but I need to live too, ya know? I've got bills to pay and a trip to Wisconsin to save up for.

The realization that it's close to the end of the semester is kicking in. I've actually started doing my homework, can you believe it? And I started paying attention in chemistry class! Even though it leaves me more confused at the end...but i thought it would be a good idea because you never know when she might say something that actually makes sense! So yeah, I'm working on bringing up my Spanish (C) and psychology (B) grades and maintaining my other two (A in math and C in chemistry). I've given up on getting anything better in chemistry than a C.

Well, almost time for psychology class and even though I have more stuff on my mind, I'll let you go.

I Have No Imagination

2007-03-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

I sat for like 2 minutes trying to think of a title. I think my imagination is taking spring break NOW.

So my chemistry lab this morning only took about 30 minutes. Then it's another two and a half hours to my next class. Yeah. I wish we could have just come in later and that way gotten a little more sleep! Anyway, so I've been sitting here on the computer for about an hour and fifty minutes or so, doing a bunch of nothing when I really should be catching up on my homework/studying junk. It's hard to be motivated to do so when you have the WHOLE WEEKEND ahead of you to procrastinate and the weather is gorgeous.

If the mall opened earlier I would have gone there, but it doesn't upen until 10, which is a mere hour before my next class. NOT enough time.

Tomorrow my family is going to PARKER's. For those of you who do not know what Parker's is *gasp* - it's a restaurant in North Carolina that serves the best BBQ you will ever find in the whole world! I cannot wait. I'm also looking forward to NO SCHOOL and NO WORK and just being able to get away - I need that I think. Even if it means having to get up way early on a Saturday. It's worth it.

Midterm grades: Math A. Psych B. Spanish C+. Chemistry C. Blah. I guess I'm okay with having a C in chemistry because it's HARD. I hate that class and I don't like the teacher, she doesn't know what she's doing. I know I can bring up the Spanish grade if I work hard enough and if my teacher hasn't decided he completely hates my guts. Which is entirely possible.

I need to find a new job because the Café has lowered our pay from $6/hr to $2.75/hr and we are NOT making enough in tips to compensate for that yet. So if anyone has any recommendations, please please please let me know. I will be searching the classifieds. Yippee.

Finally was able to talk to Dawn yesterday!!!! I just need to go buy my plane ticket now. I'm trying to decide exactly what day to come and what day to leave, etc. That's the hardest part.

Oh yeah, and I got like NOTHING from my spring break list done. I bolded what I did.

1) Get caught up on all my class notes.
2) Finish filling out the UMW application.
~~3) Fill out my J Sarge scholarship application.~~Found out this was unnecessary as the application is for the 2007-2008 and I will no longer be here!
4) Go around barefoot. At least one day is going to be warm enough. Yeah, THREE days were nice enough!
5) Watch all three LOTR and two POTC movies. And The Little Mermaid.
6) Go to Curves every day if it kills me. Lose the couple/few extra pounds/inches I've put on. Get back to eating right. I shouldn't have had the "if it kills me" part in there. There were a couple days that I couldn't go, unless I wanted to walk lol
7) Go shopping - buy my sister's birthday present, some cute St. Patty's Day earrings, and look for potato shoes (didn't find 'em though).
8) Call friends I haven't talked to in a while.
9) Work. That's a given.
10) One more...um, write in my journal every day.

Yeah so I'm pretty much a failure. OH well!!

Oh yeah and on Q94 all week they've been doing "spring break" stuff, where every morning they'll actually break something over the radio and then have people call in and guess what it was. So this morning, Sid got Melissa's "old ugly dresser" without her knowing and they broke it! And he had told the listeners ahead of time to call in and say what it was, so like 4 or 5 people called in and then they told Melissa what they had done. So after all THAT, I called in and said that it was mean and stuff. Yeah cuz I would be SO MAD if someone took something of mine and demolished it like that - even if I had said I would throw it away and didn't. But so anyway, I got to talk to Melissa and Sid and they put me on the radio. It was nice because I was feeling really cruddy this morning. lol

Anyway so that's all for now I suppose, now that I've talked about a whole bunch of nothing and thoroughly covered every subject.

Listening to sad songs...

2007-03-15T22:29:00.000-05:00

I feel so sad today. I don't know why, I suppose there's a variety of reasons. Spring break is almost over, for one, and I still haven't done everything - hardly anything, in fact - on my list. I'm too late to apply to transfer to Mary Washington in the fall, and I'm afraid to tell my parents. I heard a song on the radio earlier that almost made me cry AT WORK, and that's saying something.

Not only all that, but to top it all off, my best friend needs me and I am 800 miles away and can't be with her. That's the worst. I hate living this far away from all my friends, I feel like I can't be there for them like I want to, like I should. Some of my best friends I hardly even talk to anymore because we live so far away from each other and are so busy. I hate that. Time has a way of taking over your life and leaving none left over for your friends.

And then of course there's the issue from last night, too - everyone else has a social life but me. I'm rather used to that by now I suppose.

One of these days I'm just going to go absolutely crazy and go to a club or something and scare everyone - including myself.

So now I'm sitting here tonight listening to sad songs. Over and over again, the same ones. I just want someone to talk to. Not about this, but about anything else. I just want to have a conversation and laugh and be positive, but I'm in a rut right now. Today. It'll be better tomorrow, I hope.

I miss you.

You know you're in the South when all churches serve fried chicken at all church functions!

2007-03-12T00:04:00.001-05:00

We went to our neighbor's church this morning. They were having a lunch thing after church for a lady who's been the treasurer for 25 years or something like that. So at the end of the service they were talking about her and giving her presents and stuff and that's when a couple ladies started unwrapping the food. Some of it was fried chicken and you could smell it through the whole sanctuary! We didn't stay, and no one except our neighbors even cared. As we were walking out, everyone we walked by just watched us, didn't say a single word. NOTHING. That really annoyed me, though I should be used to it by now. That's the way most of the churches we've gone to here have been.

But boy did that fried chicken smell good.

I worked out in my rose garden some this afternoon. It was such a gorgeous day! I pruned my roses and raked the leaves out. I decided that this year I am going to get a blue rosebush and a climbing rose - preferably some sort of orange-red. Ish. I had the one I wanted picked out last year, but I can't remember what it was called. I think the nursery starts carrying roses around Mother's Day. Walmart has some now, but the last one I bought from Walmart didn't even last a whole summer. :-P

I just watched Poseidon, the new one. It was good. It was intense. lol I don't think I blinked through the whole movie.

Overall today was a great day, the best I've had in awhile. Tomorrow it's back to work, but no school for a whole week!!!! W00t!!!

Progress Report and Spring Break Resolutions

2007-03-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

From March 10

So today was okay, better than yesterday.

This morning I went to Walmart with my parents and one of my sisters. I kinda just wandered through the store - I did buy some batteries and ink for my printer, but that's it. It was nice to get out somewhere other than work and school, though! I had to work this afternoon. It was good. Boring for a while, I actually got to do a Sudoku, which I haven't done in a long time and it was fun. ^_^ It also occupies my mind, which is another plus. Then I got a little busy and was busy the rest of the night. Made $25 in tips - yay! Plus we have a new guy washing dishes; I think he's only going to work on weekends. It's nice to have him there when we get busy, so that I don't have to worry about doing them. He's one of the waitress's son.

My dad took me out in his little car to teach me how to drive stick shift. O.O Another thing that totally occupied my mind for awhile! It wasokay, but I'm not so good at starting...

Okay here is what I AM GOING TO DO over spring break. This is not "planning to do" or "going to try to do." I AM GOING TO DO THESE THINGS.

1) Get caught up on all my class notes.
2) Finish filling out the UMW application.
3) Fill out my J Sarge scholarship application.
4) Go around barefoot. At least one day is going to be warm enough.
5) Watch all three LOTR and two POTC movies. And The Little Mermaid.
6) Go to Curves every day if it kills me. Lose the couple/few extra pounds/inches I've put on. Get back to eating right.
7) Go shopping - buy my sister's birthday present, some cute St. Patty's Day earrings, and look for potato shoes.
8) Call friends I haven't talked to in a while.
9) Work. That'sa given.
10) One more...um, write in my journal every day.

I think that about covers it. I hope so because that's all I can think of. If I need more, let me know.

So yeah, like I said, today was better than yesterday. I won't go into details because I feel like I'm complaining and being self-centered and whiney.

Today was a GORGEOUS day and I'm looking forward to more gorgeous days before spring break is over! I'm thinking maybe I'll go to the park and go jogging on nice days? We'll see.

The last couple of days

2007-03-12T00:02:00.000-05:00

From March 9

FIRST OFF...Thanks to everyone who has been encouraging me the last couple of days, whether through comments or messages, or with a phone call, or in person. It means so much to me to know that you care enough to read this blog or call me just to listen to me whine and complain. THANK YOU, you guys are awesome and amazing and wonderful. It's largely because of you that I am not a wreck. Of course, God is a big factor in it as well. ^_^

I have to say I'm rather proud of myself. Yesterday I got through the whole day without crying. Well, I cried a little bit last night, but that's NIGHT not DAY, so it doesn't count.

Not so much today, but oh well. Life goes on.

Even so, I've done much better in the last two days than I have in the last two weeks. I guess now that I finally KNOW it helps. It's still not easy, but at least now I know and I can deal and move on.

Okay, on a lighter note...

I got paid today. YES. I decided that all my March paychecks are going toward my vacation. For those of you who don't know, my vacation this year is going to be Wisconsin for Dawn's wedding in July. So yeah, and I also have some money from an account my great-aunt set up for me in New Hampshire, so i should be all set. I just can't spend ANY other money on anything else extra until I graduate from college. No biggie.

O.O

Good news - spring break has started! I'm not doing anything special, just working, but at least I don't have to worry about school on top of it. And tomorrow's Saturday AND I don't have to be at work until 3, which means I get to sleep in!!!!!!!! No one can understand how excited I am about this. I plan to enjoy it to the fullest.

Plus I'm supposed to get my car back the beginning of next week.

Yessireebob, life's grand. Or it will be eventually when things go back to the way they were.

(I'm trying not to be all emo and depressed, even though that's pretty much how I feel at the moment. Hopefully this blog entry wasn't TOO bad.)

El Fin

2007-03-11T23:53:00.000-05:00

U>From March 7

Well that's the end, I suppose. Now I know why they call it a broken heart. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And yet, because of the last two weeks of confusion and not knowing what was going on, it's almost a relief to have it behind me - the end I mean, not the whole relationship. I just wish I didn't have to go through it. I do NOT regret the time I spent with him in any way shape or form, I just regret that it had to end like this.

The past two months were possibly two of the best months I've ever had and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Thank you for that.

I don't know what else to say. Yes, I'm sad, I'm disappointed, whatever. But life goes on, and tomorrow is a new day, and I will be fine. I promise.

~*~

The saddest thing is you could be anything that you could want
We could have been everything
But now we're not
Now it's not anything at all

The hardest part was getting this close to you
And giving up this dream I built with you
A fairytale that isn't coming true
You've got some growing up to do

CHORUS:
I wish we could have worked it out
I wish I didn't have these doubts
I wish I didn't have to wonder just what you are doing now

I wish I didn't know inside
That it won't work out for you and I
I wish that I could stop this wishing
And just say my last goodbye

After all the things you put me through
Tell me why I'm still in love with you
And why am I, why am I still waiting for your call

You broke my heart
I'm taking it back from you
I'm taking back the life that I gave to you
Life goes on before and after you
I've got some growing up to do…
CHORUS

It's time I said my last goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
It's time I said my last goodbye…
CHORUS

It's time I said my last goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
It's time I said my last goodbye

Life can be full of headaches...

2007-02-25T00:20:00.000-05:00

Life's been kinda crazy for me lately. Not too bad, I suppose, i'm just getting used to going to school AND working again. It's nice, because it keeps me busy and leaves NO time for being bored! I love my job, and school's okay. I'm still eager for this semester to be over though. >.>

There's been so much on my mind lately. I mean, a LOT. As far as school (as in now and deciding where to go after J. Sarge) and Dawn's wedding and money and the list goes on and on. It gives me a headache sometimes. ^_^ Then I get so I try not to think about stuff, which isn't good because a lot of it is stuff that needs to be thought about. I guess, in short, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. And I haven't had anything FUN to do all week basically, to take my mind off stuff.

Until today! Today I went out to breakfast and then Sierra and I hung out all afternoon and evening. We went to see "Ghost Rider," which I loved and then went shopping and went to Chili's for dinner. Then tonight I finally got to talk to Susen for the first time in absolutely forever and Martin called, too. It was great to talk to both of them. Not to mention I got to talk to Will tonight - only for like, two minutes, but that's longer than I've talked to him in days, so it was nice.

But everything is still in my mind, looming over everything else. Blah, it's annoying. Why can't I be 7 again with nothing to be concerned about except my most recent ant bites or what to play tomorrow.

The good news is that every other time, things have worked out fine and my headache eventually went away. My question now is, when will this headache go away? And also, will it get worse before it gets better?

Go me! New Layout!

2007-02-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

Still getting it organized, but this is it! Let me know what you think. I personally LOVE it.

Back Among the Living!

2007-02-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

Not that anyone ever reads this thing anymore. But I am BACK AMONG THE LIVING! W00T!

Wow, so much has happened in the last month and a half. And yet so little.

And I really don't feel like writing about it all! haha! if you wanna know, go to my MySpace and read my blog and everything I have there.

For now, let it be known that I am sick of my life, I want to quit, I want to run away to Hawaii and never come back. Of course, you are all invited, so long as you stay on YOUR SIDE of the island.

Don't ask, I'm coming down from a caffeine high. O.O

Seriously, though, I am going to bed. I can't think straight anymore.

I need a new blog layout...

Life Is Scary

2007-01-19T09:58:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that life is scary. Terrifying, even.

I am scared of life. I love it, I love life, it's awesome and amazing and thrilling and exciting. But it scares me, too. One second everything is going great and wonderful, and the next second it can be turned upside down.

I've had that experience so many times in my life. Like when our church sanctuary burned down in Florida. And then just days later, my mom left for a doctor's appointment and wound up in the hospital, where my baby sister was born 5 weeks early. We came to church one Wednesday night just like always and found out that my aunt had a brain tumor. Then there was the summer right before we moved when I found out that Mom and Dad were thinking about moving. They didn't tell me, I found out when they were talking about it with someone else. I got really upset and Dad kept telling me we probably wouldn't move anyway. I never believed a word of it.

I guess when things start going well, I start to wonder when they're going to go wrong again.

The Lord is wonderful and amazing and merciful and gracious. Sometimes I wish I could just sit down and have a talk with him, face to face. There's so many questions that I wish I could have answered, and lots of things I want explained. But that will have to wait, and that's fine. I'm fine with that. But what am I supposed to be doing NOW? I don't know. I've come to the conclusion that I just don't know, and that scares me. It makes me wonder...

Why don't I know? Did I do something wrong, mess up along the line, and now I'm just wandering around blindly? I wish someone would just point me to a path and say - HERE GO THIS WAY.

All these muddled thoughts have been in my mind for a while. I just want to know once and for all, am I doing the right thing? Is this the Lord's will for my life? In EVERYTHING I do, not just one thing, like school or whatever. Am I really following HIS plan, or MY plan? If I'm not doing what He wants, I pray that He shows me soon, before I go any further.

God has always been with me, and I know He won't desert me now. I guess I'm just not as astute as some people and I need more direction than others do. I'm so glad God is longsuffering, because if He wasn't, I doubt I would even be here. Me with all my complaints and grumbling and whining.

I will willingly follow the Lord wherever He leads. Just show me the way.

Fired Today

2006-12-24T01:41:00.000-05:00

((From December 21))

Okay, so I'm fired. The good things about this: I don't have to deal with Tulio anymore, I don't have to deal with annoying customers anymore, I don't have to do a lot of things anymore. The bad things about this: .....I....don't have a steady income?

What happened was this...

(you may want to grab a cup of cocoa or something, 'cause this is kinda a long detailed story. So pay attention.)

I had a party of 12 that I waited on (note that this particular party is not a party I enjoy waiting on, but they were exceptionally nice tonight) early on in the evening. This particular party of twelve had a LARGE bill, over $110, and they split it up when they paid, each paying for his/her own. Apparently when they split it up, some of the food didn't get paid for. Meaning that someone who ate mozzarella sticks, a pepsi, and chicken tenders did not tell the cashier that they had this food, meaning that they left without paying. Farren and Ashley split it up.

Soo...later on, Mandi had a party of 8ish at the same table as those people. These people paid for their check all together - one woman paid for it all. Ashley did that one.

So then tonight when Tulio was going through the computer checking on what had been paid for and what hadn't, he obviously found the food from MY party that hadn't been paid for. He came and asked me about it and I said they must have split the bill, because that's the only thing that could have happened. Well, Ashley, having cashed out the last party to leave, insisted that they paid for it all together. Of course Tulio believed her over me (nothing against Ashley, just against Tulio) so he insisted that I would have to pay for this food.

I told him point blank that I was not paying for the food. I didn't eat it, it was the customer's fault that it hadn't been paid for, and I was not taking responsibility. All this was said calmly, you can ask any of the girls that were there. Tulio got really upset and kept saying that I would have to, and I just kept saying no. Then he was like, "You need to take responsibility for your mistake." I told him that I didn't make a mistake, but what if I had? "You have to pay for the food." When I kept telling him no, he was finally like, "You and I are going to talk before you leave tonight."

A few minutes later, he had sorted out how many credit card tips I got, and he gave me my paycheck and said, "Don't worry about coming in tomorrow." So I was like, "okay, thanks!"

(please note, that during this time I have been on the phone with my dad several times trying to figure out how I should handle this...situation.)

Then I told him I was ready to talk but he told me to wait. So I went away, then came back and was like, "Am I fired?" And he said yeah, so I asked him why and he said because of my attitude.

(ATTITUDE?!?!?!?!?! I didn't even have an attitude with him until AFTER he said I was fired!!!!!!)

So to make a long story short, I tried to tell him the story (even told him to ask Farren, who could tell him) and he wouldn't listen. He said he was firing me because I was disrespectful in front of everyone else and disobeyed the rules (then he made up this bogus excuse that it's in the manual, which it's not) and told him no to his face. Then he told me he didn't want to deal with me anymore, so I said fine and walked out.

That's kinda a shortish version. Obviously I didn't recount the whole conversation. Wanna know more details, feel free to ask, I have no secrets, I did nothing wrong.

Radomness

2006-12-24T01:40:00.001-05:00

((From December 20))

A man that I've known for almost my whole life died this morning. He was blind and confined to a wheelchair, constantly in pain, and had heart problems. But he was such a nice person, such a godly person. He will be sorely missed, but I am glad that he no longer has to worry about the pain and suffering of this world!

We've been doing a lot of "remember when"-ing this afternoon. In some ways I enjoy the "remember when"s, but it always makes me depressed, too. I wound up hiding in my room, wrapping Christmas presents, listening to Christmas music, and crying my eyes out. I'm pathetic, I know. But sometimes I wish I was 9 instead of 19. Life was so much easier. Kids just don't understand; they always can't wait to grow up, but once you're grown up there is no going back. I don't mind being 19 - in fact, I love it - but at the same time, I don't want to be an adult, I just want to be a kid and not have to worry about anything.

I may also be feeling depressed because I'm tired. And I think I'm getting a cold.

Oh my, 6 am is feeling earlier and earlier....

My Observations of Life I: A Continuing Study

2006-12-24T01:40:00.000-05:00

((From December 19))

In twenty years I've learned a lot about life. I guess that's good, because twenty years should be enough time to learn something. Of course, I still have a lot more to learn. But I have learned.

Life can be exhilarating one second and a complete letdown the next. Things that are completely out of our control can change our whole outlook, and thus our whole attitude, in a matter of a nanosecond. Sometimes life can seem so busy, but when you look back, you weren't really doing anything. Or at least nothing special.

Some of the most important people in your life are the people who don't like you. Call them what you will - enemies or whatever. But these are some of the most important people because they are usually the ones who can teach you the most. Especially about patience. I've learned a lot about patience this year.

And yeah, life can be stressful. I think anyone over the age of 10 knows that well enough. But I can't let it control me. I can't let it stress me out to the point that I don't enjoy it anymore. Life is what you make of it, and I prefer it to be fun. So relax, take a deep breath, close your eyes, watch the sunset, smell a flower, pet a cat, walk barefoot in the grass, snuggle up in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, smile randomly, and chill out. Enjoy yourself. Force yourself to be easy going. Don't let it bother you so much when the idiot behind you at the red light gets an inch away from your bumper, or someone cuts in front of you in line, or someone says something you don't like. In five minutes, it won't even matter anyway.

I've been through a lot of things in my life. I'm not complaining or looking for sympathy, I'm just stating a fact. I got through them, I lived, and I still love life. Not to say I felt that way at the time I was going through whatever it was, but you live and learn. Bad things happen, people aren't always nice and things don't always go your way. If I got over it, you can too. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, because I am very sympathetic towards people (any of my friends can tell you that). But that doesn't change the fact that you need to get over it.

Life is a gift. Get off your butt, stop muddling around in self-pity, and get out there to enjoy it. I sure am.

End of the Semester

2006-12-24T01:38:00.000-05:00

((This is from December 17th))

So it's the end of the semester and everyone is eagerly (or not so eagerly) awaiting their final grades. So far I know I have two A's out of four classes. I'm positive I have an A in my math class. Now I just have to wait for my chemistry grade. O.O I hope I can stay on the Dean's list!!

So far my schedule for next semester looks like this:

Math 9:30-10:45 AM Tues. and Thurs.
Spanish 11-12:15 PM Tues. and Thurs.
Chemistry 2 7-9:40 PM Tues. and Thurs.
Psychology 2 ONLINE
Web Design 2 ONLINE

I'm still trying to decide whether to take the Web Design or not. I don't need it, it was just going to be for fun, and because I took the first part. But somehow I don't think it'll be as much fun online as in a class. I probably won't take it. Chemistry I really don't wanna take, but I already took the first part and I hate to switch in the middle. Because in order to get my degree I have to have two semesters of the same science. Not only that, but NO OTHER science would fit into my schedule for this semester unless I want to go on more than two days a week, which I don't. Math is fun and easy. Spanish is okay, but I don't like the teacher. At least Sierra will be in my class this semester so I'll have a study buddy. I'm only taking Psych because I have to - I don't care one way or the other about it.

We'll see.

Oh Bother

2006-11-09T22:26:00.000-05:00

Okay so I took a day or so off from NaNo simply because I had no ideas whatsoever. Now I have over 3,000 words to write just to be where I need to be today. That would not be a problem, really, except that I just remembered I have a stupid essay I have to write by midnight, and all my writing ideas and energy have been going into NaNo! So now I have to come up with a somewhat intelligent-sounding essay to turn in. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, I'm going to pass the class regardless, but I would like to pass with a good grade. I get to write on interest groups. Woohoo.

And the election is part of the reason why I had no ideas for my NaNo. Basically, Tuesday and Wednesday the election consumed my every free thought. Now that I know the results, I can't say as I feel any better. I mean, I figured this was how it would turn out, but honestly. People just don't think.

I can't really think of anything good to come out of the Democrats taking the House and the Senate. President Bush has already started to capitulate to what they want, think how he's going to be for the next two years! I'm so bummed about politics right now, it's not even funny. I just feel like giving up.

Okay so let's think about this for a second or two. Now that Democrats have control, what will happen? Well, obviously, taxes are going to go up, and pretty quickly at that. How much? Well, over the past several years, an average family of four has had $2,000 less in taxes. I can pretty much guarantee that they're going to be paying that back and thensome.

Our troops will probably be pulled out of Iraq. And NO that's not a good thing! The terrorists were encouraged before when the US proved that they wouldn't stay and finish what they'd started, think how much MORE they'll be encouraged now! So if we pull out of Iraq, what will happen? All the progress we have made will collapse, terrorists will take over the oil industry, and oil prices will skyrocket. The US will be paying a premium for gas from an enemy because the Democrats refuse to let us drill for oil on our own land. So basically, we'll be paying the terrorists to come and attack us. "Here's yer sign."

(Then there's the fact that the Democrats might try to impeach President Bush, but that's not something I necessarily think is very likely, just a possibility.)

I have no doubt that a Democratic President will be elected in 2008 unless something drastic happens between now and then.

This all brings to my mind the end times. I'm don't know if this is a position I would hold to because I personally haven't studied it out. But it's a theory, and one that sounds logical! The US will be a weakened country, consumed with its own problems - whether it be terrorists, or problems with the economy, or whatever. The only reason Israel is still around today (besides God's protection, that's a given) is because of the US! If the US can't help Israel, what do you think is going to happen? Iran and North Korea both have the technology to develop nuclear weapons - who's gonna stop them? No one!

Anyway, I just think that the next few years will definitely be interesting. I also wish now more than ever that I lived in colonial times when people stood up for what was right, rather than just going the easy route and expecting everything to be handed to them on a silver platter (like now, we have welfare, etc.).

Yeah, I'm sick of everything. I want to move to Australia.

Off to write my essay.

Tip of the day...

2006-11-04T22:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's a tip I found on the NaNoWriMo site, where I went for inspiration because I currently have writer's block. Which is not good because I have about 1300 more words to write for today, since I didn't write yesterday, which is another story yet to be told.

Anyway the quote...
"And get as much noveling in as you can on Saturday and Sunday! A 5,000-word weekend works wonders for the soul."

YEAH OKAY! 5,000-word weekend??? Goodness gracious, I've already run out of ideas for what to happen in my story in the immediate future (I have the long-term plot planned out), what makes them think I'll have a 5,000-word weekend? Not to mention I'm going to have to postpone the "computer competency" test at school since I haven't had time to figure out how to use Power Point or Access because of my noveling.

But I'm still loving it. ^_^ I just need to think of something to write is all.

Okay, i'm going back to Word to reread what I've written and to stare at the screen until I get an epiphany. I will tell the story of yesterday later.

I'm Angry

2006-11-03T23:48:00.000-05:00

I'm angry. I'm very irritated. I'm incredibly annoyed.

And even more so because I'm so angry, irritated, and annoyed that I can't write anything decent for NaNo.

Goodnight.

NaNoWriMo Begins!

2006-11-01T01:04:00.000-05:00

And I've already written 1,676 words! WOOT! Go me! *jumps up and down for sheer joy and excitement*

Okay, I'm beat. Admittedly, it wasn't as hard to just plop down and start writing something as I thought it was going to be. I actually kind of have an idea now. I'm just afraid to go to sleep, because what if all my inspiration and creativity leaks out during the night?!?!

I WILL NOT LOSE MY MOTIVATION!!!!!

Hmm...I hope anyway.

I created a new blog for posting my story in, the link is on my links page. Please leave me comments, good or bad, just be gentle if it is bad. I'm hard enough on myself, and you don't know how brave I'm being write now making the blog for it and posting it on the internet where ANYONE can read it...

Okay, going now before I change my mind.

Crunch Time

2006-10-19T09:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, people, the title of the post says it all. November still seems like a long ways away, but it'll be here before we know it! I am still frantically searching for ideas for a story. I've come up with a couple, but then when I think about them for any length of time, they don't seem like they'll last. Aglah. Maybe I should just sit down and start writing and see what happens. No one ever said that the novel for NaNoWriMo had to make sense or be well-put-together.

Anyway I'm in between classes and I still have another half an hour before my next one starts. Yay. I'm sitting here in the library texting Susen back and forth. I suppose I could leave the library and then I could talk to her on the phone and someone else could have my computer. Maybe I will. We'll see...

Go me!

2006-10-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

Hey I changed my Blog! I took out the Tagboard page altogether, which is a lot more complicated than it sounds, but I did it! Do you realize how exciting this is for me? maybe I'll actually create my own layout now.

Yeah, right. Me saying that I'll create my own layout is almost as bad as Chris saying that he'll create his own layout!

Haha...that was a joke, Chris.

Anyway, we'll see. The only thing I can seriously think about doing right now is going to bed!

Doing Well, Keeping Busy

2006-10-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

That's what I always say these days when anyone asks me how I am. That's the understatement of a lifetime. I tell you, there are not nearly enough hours in the day. Isn't there some way we can do away with sleep altogether? I mean that's basically 8 hours of my day (night) where I could be doing something more useful like homework, or writing in my blog, or crocheting, or writing a story, or SOMETHING.

Bah.

They have these really cool keys at Home Depot (you know the area where you go to get a key copied?). They're Disney characters and they have princesses, Tinkerbell, Pooh, Tigger, and Nemo. If they had had Piglet, I SOO would have gotten one. I almost got one anyway, 'cause they're just so unique. Too bad they're just house keys, not car keys.

Speaking of cars, my uncle in Florida found me a car. It's a Ford Escort staton wagon. Definitely not my favorite kind of car (actually one of my least favorites) but station wagons aren't as bad, and still - it's something to drive and I won't have to depend on people to take me places anymore. I'll be getting it the beginning of November. I can't wait!!!

I was supposed to finish my Netflix movie tonight so I could send it back tomorrow, but I forgot until just now and now I need to go to bed. So. I guess I'll finish the movie tomorrow night instead.

Speaking of movies, I got two new piano books - Pride and Prejudice and The Phantom of the Opera. Awesome music, and I've actually been able to play the piano a little bit this weekend. Surprise surprise. But now the weekend's over and I likely won't have the opportunity to play anymore until [i]next[/i] weekend.

And by the way, on top of all this, I'm planning on doing NaNoWriMo next month. So, like Chris said, if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate them.

Anywho, I'm going to bed now that I'm finished with my completely and totally random post. I have to work all day tomorrow, so if any of you try calling me and I don't answer - that's why.

Blog Piracy on the Intarrrrweb

2006-10-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

To begin: I'm not Sam! I just wanted to get that out of the way.

I can't even post daily on my OWN blog. How crazy would it be if I started posting daily on Sam's instead?

Haaa. I'm not going to do that. I just wanted to ~~spam~~ post on her blog because, you know...somebody has to.

Anyway, Sam needs ideas for NaNoWriMo, which if you're new to the internet or illiterate is National Novel Writing Month, where folks around the world write novels in a month [if you hadn't gathered that by the subtle title of the event]. So give her some ideas for a fantasy novel because I've been assigned to motivate her to get in gear and type away until her fingers bleed or until she hits 50,000 words, whatever comes first.

And bug her constantly. Even more than usual.

Now, the fun part: seeing how long it takes her to see that I have SEIZED CONTROL. Muhahaha.

I'm Still Alive!

2006-10-04T21:54:00.000-05:00

Yes, folks, it's true. I AM still alive. And I am back and posting some more. I'm sorry, I know you're all disappointed. BUT TOO BAD!

Lately my life has been filled with work and school. I don't feel busy, but I guess I really am, because I don't have any spare time really, to speak of. I enjoy it, though, for the most part. Chemistry is hard - especially last night, since he was getting into a lot more physic-y stuff. There's a reason that I didn't take physics here, people! A good one - I don't understand any of it. And let me tell you, trying to learn it in a public school doesn't make it any better or easier. But hey, whatever.

Work's going good, too, except now there's this guy there - kinda new, been there a little over a month or so - who's obsessed with me. I don't say that to be prideful in the least. Trust me, it's more of a nuisance than anything else. He got my phone number off of one of the other girls' phones, and has been text messaging and calling me NONSTOP until about a week ago. He really will not leave me alone. I don't want to be mean to him, but I've about had it. He just doesn't get the point!

A sixteen year old girl who (used to) live in my county killed herself on Saturday night. I don't know all the details, but the general story was that she was a white girl going out with a black guy. Just because it's 2006 doesn't mean that racism is dead, especially in the South. So people and school and stuff were picking on her - and when I say picking on her, I mean that they were being REALLY cruel and nasty to her. Stuff that shocked me when I heard it. (I also heard that her dad beat her when he found out, not sure of the truth value of that statement, though.) So she took a shotgun to her head. The sad thing is, she text messaged all her friends a few minutes before she did it, basically saying goodbye - and NO ONE texted her back. NOT A SOUL. Then her mom heard the gunshot and came running, found the girl's body, and went into shock. So SHE had to be rushed to the hospital. The funeral was today. The parents are talking about suing the school because they didn't do anything to stop the "teasing." Yeah, okay, since when is it the SCHOOL's responsibility to discipline someone else's kids?

Anywho...Oh yeah, I was in a car accident the beginning of September. Nothing major, except that my car was totalled. Now I gotta get a new one, and I think I'm going to buy a Ford Escort station wagon from my uncle. I hate Ford Escorts. But apparently it's a decent car in good shape, well taken care of, with not too many miles on it. And the station wagons ARE better. So it should be okay. I'll probably just keep it while I keep saving so I can get a nice car.

Other random facts about me lately:
- My ankle hurts.
- I just ate a horribly nasty Cappucino flavored Jelly Belly jelly bean.
- I went to the State Fair (didn't win any ribbons this year).
- I'm planning to go to FL in the winter.
- I can't think of anything else to say.

Straight from my journal...

2006-09-01T23:08:00.000-05:00

...into my blog. For lack of anything better to write, I'm copying word-for-word what I wrote in my journal tonight.

Friday, September 1, 2006
11:44 PM

I can't believe it's September already. The year is going by way too fast. Each day is over before I've had the chance to realize that it's begun, and then the next day arrives. Sometimes I feel like I'm hurling through life full-speed ahead, on an out-of-control rollercoaster. The funny thing is, I'm not really all that busy. Just school and work, and yet I still feel as though I'm gasping for breath.

Today, what was left of Hurricane Ernesto hit us. I worked lunch and didn't even make $40. The power went out at 2 and was still out when I went back at 5. So Tulio decided to be closed tonight, but didn't bother to call and tell anyone, wonderful boss that he is. I didn't even get my paycheck. Guess that'll have to wait until tomorrow. I work all day tomorrow.

It's odd that the power didn't go out at home - but I'm not complaining! I've heard people say we're too dependent on electricity and that people didn't used to have electricity - blah blah blah. But at least that's what they were used to! Maybe I AM spoiled, but I hate being without power. It was horrible after Isabel - no electricity for 8 DAYS!!!

Tomorrow will probably be busy at work. I'm sure that a lot of people will be without electricity and will be going out (to Vinny's!) to eat. I just hope it's not insanely busy and that I can make some money.

Vanilla?

2006-08-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

So...Wendy's has this new thing - Vanilla Frosties.

Um, what?

I saw the sign the other day on my way home from school. And a girl I work with said she went to order a Frosty and they asked her "Chocolate or vanilla?" and it totally threw her off. I tell you what - if it had been me, I would have left because I thought I was at the wrong fast-food joint!

Frosties are always chocolate!

If it's vanilla, whatever it is, it's not a Frosty. I don't care if Wendy's gets milkshakes - then they can have whatever flavor they want. But once you start changing the flavor of a Frosty, it's not a Frosty anymore. Frosties were unique because they were...well...different. If you start making them in more flavors, then they'll be just like everyone else. And you might as well just stop having Frosties.

I'm going to try to write in here every day about one thing, no matter how small and unimportant it may be (i.e. Vanilla Frosties), just so I will be writing constantly.

Wagon Wheels and Banana Peels

2006-08-24T22:59:00.000-05:00

Warning: Emo post. Don't wanna read it, get out now. But this is my blog and I can post what I want.

I've learned something since the last time I posted. Actually I've learned a few things. Which is good since school started this week. It's going well by the way, and I'm enjoying it, since I decided to drop Spanish.

Anyway that's not what I was going to say.

I was GOING to say, that I think I'm very good at making people not like me. Not necessarily DISlike me or hate me or whatever, just not LIKE me. Which wouldn't be a big deal except when they're jerks about it. Like some people have been since we moved up here from Florida. I won't name names...those of you who need to know, know. Those of you who want to know, will ask.

Maybe it's because I'm too outspoken. I mean, you all know that I don't care what people think, I'm going to stand up for what I believe. I'm not going to change my beliefs based only on what someone says. We can disagree, and that's fine with me. Just don't be a jerk about it. You know?

Or maybe I'm too quick to argue? Like I said, I'll stand up for what I believe wholeheartedly. And if someone says something that I don't agree with, I'll speak up.

I guess there's always the possibility that I'm ugly or I stink.

Whatever. I just decided that I don't care anymore. It's a decision that I just have to make. It didn't just suddenly come to me. Yes, it'll still hurt when people are jerks just because we don't agree. But whatever, that's their problem NOT mine.

Sooo...my point is - if there's anyone reading this right now who DOESN'T like me, for ANY reason...

I DON'T FLIPPING CARE.

Lesson of the Day...

2006-07-09T22:10:00.000-05:00

...do not, under any circumstances, put anything on top of your car. Ever. Period. The end.

I wasted basically twenty dollars today when I bought stuff at the mall and then put it on top of my car. And drove away. Without removing it from the top of my car. It is now - or was - sitting in the parking lot of the mall. I'm blaming it on my sisters and their friend. They didn't remind me it was there. Their fault! *points*

All I have to say is that whoever finds that bag of stuff had better like Pirates of the Caribbean, because that's basically all that was in there! So if you happen to be at the mall, and find a POTC notebook with about 2 pages of...nonsense...about Mr. Darcy, Legolas, Mr. Collins, and Naruto (and of course, Pirates of the Caribbean!) written in it - IT'S MINE!!!

Other than that, a fairly uneventful day.

I'm still mad about it though.

Kinda Backwards

2006-07-04T00:29:00.000-05:00

I think I got more comments when Chris posted on my blog than I get most of the time when I post on my blog. Hmm...I'll have to think about that. Chris, in the meantime, if you want comments, this is the place to be apparently.

So tomorrow (actually today...) is the 4th of July. Independence Day. One of my absolute favorite holidays ever! We're having a cookout and having some friends over and we're gonna have SO MUCH FUN and we're gonna do fireworks. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE fireworks. And I got to pick them all out this year! ^_^ Well, that's not counting the fireworks that the other people might bring. Too bad loud ones (like firecrackers) and shooting-up-ones (like Roman candles, and the regular big fireworks) are illegal here in good ol' VA.

I think we need to move to South Carolina.

Anywho, I guess I will go to bed now.

EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!

Talking to a Tired Best Friend

2006-07-02T00:34:00.000-05:00

A VERY tired best friend. Su is on her way back to Jacksonville from home and it's 1:34 am. And she's exhausted. Her gas tank is almost empty and she has no money.

We also have nothing to talk about, so it's hard to keep talking to keep her awake. She's mostly talking to the person behind her on 95.

I'm tired.

We Interrupt This Blog...

2006-06-26T23:02:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

You can comment on Sam's blog now.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog--already in progress.

New Post

2006-06-23T00:10:00.000-05:00

This is a new post to attempt to save my blog.

The end.

New Layout!

2006-06-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

What do you think? I think it's purdy. I like the fairy. ^^

I still don't like the fact that I can't have comments, but at least I have a tagboard. I expect you all to use it. I will be very disappointed, and also forced to go back to a BORING layout, if you do not use it. *glares menacingly*

Okay...I have nothing to talk about and nothing to do. I'm probably just going to go to bed, seeing as how I have to work ALL DAY LONG tomorrow.

I can't wait until the 4th of July!

I Want Roast Beef

2006-06-19T23:09:00.000-05:00

I suddenly got this random craving for roast beef. I don't know why - I wasn't even thinking about food. But suddenly I'm like, "I want some roast beef!" I like it when my mom or my grandma makes it in the crock pot, with carrots and onions and potatoes. Yeah, that's the best. Maybe I'll ask Mom to make it sometime.

Anyway, that was not the purpose of this post - to talk about roast beef. Technically, this post has not purpose, which is why roast beef wasn't the purpose.

I'm just bored and I ate jellybeans so I can't go to sleep at the moment. You know, too much sugar and all. Though I really DO need to go to bed, because the last two nights I've been short-changed on sleep (my fault) so I need to get decent rest tonight.

We're going on a picnic tomorrow! I'm so excited, I've been wanting to go on a picnic for AGES. We're going to a park in Fredericksburg where some friends of ours' grandpa is playing with the band he's in. They're really good. So we'll have good music to listen to, besides having good food to eat. Ha, two of my favorite things, both at one time! Maybe we'll play some Frisbee, too - that would make it even better!

Wow, I'm definitely over-tired and over-sugared-up.

And hungry.

I want some roast beef.

I Think I Am Going Crazy

2006-06-14T22:39:00.000-05:00

WARNING: Yet another stupid, venting, "I-am-so-lonely," feeling sorry for myself update. You have been forewarned.

What is WRONG with me? I mean, we all know that I have already decided not to like anybody (guys, I mean, of course) right now because I simply don't need the added stress, what with work and school. I mean, this was a conscious and purposeful decision that I made. For the most part I have stuck to that decision.

So why am I sitting here feeling like I'm going to die of loneliness? Why am I IMing Chris, but feel like I'm the only one on the planet? Why do I want to drive all the way to Williamsburg just because of the cute waiter named Daniel at Outback (who, by the way, is one of the best-looking guys I have ever seen, and extremely nice, with an adorable smile and, according to the people I was there with, he liked me too - ok, done gushing).

I know God is in control, I know that He's working in His own time. I know I shouldn't go out with someone just because everyone else is doing it. I know that there is some guy out there for me. I know that I need to just wait on God's timing and it'll be worth it. I know all this.

But it doesn't make me feel better! I'm still so stinking lonely it's not even funny. I'm not angry or upset or anything really, just lonely. I guess it's hard not to be when it seems like everyone around you has someone. I just want someone special to talk to and hang out with. I just with a special guy would come along and sweep me off my feet. (I know I don't need that right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want it to happen.)

Sometimes I just get so impatient.

Grr...now I'm crying. This was a bad idea. I don't know if I'll even post this. Do I really want to put it out there for the whole world to see? Then again, why not? I've never had any secrets from the world before, why start now? But I still think it was a bad idea to even type all this stuff up. I should've just ignored it, maybe it would go away.

I think it's time for bed.

Going Somewhere?

2006-06-12T22:28:00.000-05:00

Let me just start off by saying that the only reason I am even writing this right now is because Chris told me to. It's his fault. Blame him.

Okay, let's see what has happened since I last posted...

I had an absolute blast in PA. The wedding was great, Kristen's family is awesome. And I definitely think they should all come down here sometime. And no, I did not meet any cute boys (just thought I should note that since everyone at work, and even my parents asked me that).

Recently I have decided that I like manga. For one reason, it is one form of art that I can actually do - meaning I can actually draw it somewhat decently. For another reason, Rouroni Kenshin is awesome. Thirdly, Howl's Moving Castle. End of story. Manga is awesome.

Ditto for sudoku.

I've been working, but not hard. High school graduation where I live is this Friday night, though. So just about half of the girls I work with are taking Friday off, some are taking Saturday too. Which means more hours those days for me. I'm not complaining - school registration starts in a little over a month.

I have a story idea floating around in my head. It's just a matter of catching it and putting it down on paper.

You know I haven't been watching the news lately when a) I don't know there's a tropical storm, b) let alone that it's about to hit Florida TOMORROW, c) Let alone that it's named Alberto. Yeah, it was interesting when I found out tonight. Wish I were there.

Well...Tomorrow I'm going to Busch Gardens. Guess that's all for now...

Happy now, Chris? Now make Martin update his blog ;)

VACATION!

2006-05-29T22:05:00.000-05:00

Okay everyone, I am leaving tomorrow (EARLY) for my almost week-long vacation in Pennsylvania. I am going to visit my penpal Kristen, whom I have not met yet, and I'll be there for her wedding on Saturday. So I don't know if or when I'll post again, or comment on anyone else's blog, or be online to IM, or check my email. According to Kristen, we're going to be busy. ;)

I'M EXCITED!

And kinda nervous because I've never been there or met anyone there before.

BUT MOSTLY EXCITED!

Ciao!

Scariest Moment of my Life

2006-05-26T23:11:00.000-05:00

Yeah so my stalker definitely asked me out the other night. For those of you who don't know (probably all of you) there's this freaky guy who comes into Vinny's about once a week. He's always hitting on the girls and asking questions about the ones who aren't there - mainly me - and just generally being creepy. So the other night he came in to pick up his usual: fried calamari with extra sauce, to go. I had to cash him out because I was the only one up front. For real, I was nervous, because the guy is just a creep (Mom says maybe he just doesn't realize that it's not generally considered polite to ask someone you don't know if they have a boyfriend, etc. - I think she's being too nice.)

Anyway...our conversation went like this.

ME: Good evening, how are you? *thinking, oh great, not him*
STALKER: Good, and you?
ME: I'm fine. Can I help you?
STALKER: Yeah, I needed to pick up my to go order: fried calamari -
ME: It's not quite ready, do you want to go ahead and pay?
STALKER: Sure. *handing me money while I'm trying desperately not to touch him* So how have you been doing lately? *talking as if we're best of friends*
ME: Fine.
STALKER: That's good. You in school?
ME: I'm out for the summer.
STALKER: What are you studying?
ME: *handing him his change* Liberal arts.
STALKER: Oh okay. Do you know what you want to do?
ME: No, not yet. Let me go check on your food for you. *trying to escape into the kitchen*
STALKER: *calling as I'm starting to walk away* Is your boyfriend in school?
ME: Not right now. (reason being: I don't have a boyfriend. But stalker-dude does NOT need to know that!) *I go to the kitchen and get his food and bring it back* Here you go, sir, have a good night!
STALKER: Thank you. What's your name? *as if he didn't already know. Please note that he has asked about me BY NAME when I was not there*
ME: Samantha.
STALKER: Nice to meet you, I'm "such-and-such" (shows how important it was to me, I can't even remember!). Would you be interesting in going out to dinner with me sometime?
ME: *not sure I heard right* I'm sorry?
STALKER: Would you be interested in going out to dinner with me sometime?
ME: *stunned, not sure how to respond* No, no thanks. Have a good night. *walking away*

Yeah, that was definitely extremely scary for me. I went into the kitchen and had to sit down, I honestly was feeling somewhat dizzy and lightheaded. That was my interesting experience this week...