Short and Sweet

FYI-I finished reading The Lovely Bones today.  Actually-I had started yesterday and finished today! A WONDERFUL 2 day read.  I definitely know what the hype was all about and I'm totally on board.

I recommend it to ANYONE-you don't have to have lost someone or need to have children.

Maybe I love it so much because it seems to have come at the perfect moment-right when I seem to need it?  Hmm...we'll see it.

Anyway, READ IT.  Like...yesterday, lol.

I think I'm going to study a good bunch (like I did yesterday) and take a small break from reading for fun.  But when I get back in to it, I'm thinking of starting Portrait of Dorian Gray.

What are some of your recommendations?

A very long Recap-so would it still be called a recap?

Well well!  It's been a hot minute since I wrote last but I've been either under the weather or busy!

But I'm still here-pinky promise  =]

So much has been going on-work, play, health, family, friends, school.  Let me recap with a bit of all of it-it will be a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong blog so either: 1) get on your reading glasses and stay a while or 2) skim the good parts and move to the next, lol.

*Work:  Work has been a bit dead lately but it has been good because we're catching up on some things that get us in tip-top shape as an office.  In 2 1/2 weeks I will be celebrating my 1 year at my work place! YAY!  It seems like I haven't even been there that long because I still learn new things every day and still enjoy the people I work with and the things I do, lol!  I am proud to call myself a member of the team, that's for sure.  We are off for Labor Day (Monday 9/6) so that will be AWESOME! I'll get some sleeping in a relaxation coming my way that weekend =]

*Play: I am almost done reading Paulo Coelho's book The Alchemist.  I'm liking it the more and more I read  it, but what I had to explain to both Derrick and my mom is that since it was originally written in Spanish the translation is a bit off-and you can tell in the writing...BUT still a good book and I think I'll be glad I read it once it's over.  I think the next book I plan on reading is The Lovely Bones.  I want to see what the hype is about and since I borrowed it from my mom, I need to read it to give it back, haha!

 Does anyone remember the book The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster?

Oh my god I fell in LOVE with that book as a kid!  For anyone who even remotely adores school and the things we learn(ed) within it, please please please read it-if you haven't! It's pretty amazing.  I just read that:
"Critics have acknowledged that the book is advanced for most children, who would not understand all the wordplay or the framing metaphor of how to achieve wisdom.^[3][4] Writers like the reviewer in The New York Times have focused on the children and adults able to appreciate it; for them, it has "something wonderful for anybody old enough to relish the allegorical wisdom of Alice in Wonderland and the pointed whimsy of The Wizard of Oz".^[5] It is now often acknowledged as a classic of children’s literature." 
I took that off of mom's book shelves and I doubt I'll be giving that one back, hahaha!

I finally got my new Bose Headphones! THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!!  You seriously have no idea how amazing they are unless you have your own pair.  I sat back, listening to the Doors, with the biggest smile on my face since our wedding!  A bit of a splurge and a little materialistic, but since I try not to do either, I made my guilt go away (after having a mild anxiety attack, lol) and enjoyed-and continue to enjoy-my music.  Derrick also got a new XBox 360 Slim-another large purchase but well worth the spend and anxiety attack.  He is ubber happy and it is also much more energy efficient and can hold like 10x's more on it than the old one-it also came with a new wireless controller and headset!  he sold his old console, headset, and controller and was able to get some games that he used to have (he ended up having to sell them when we were tight on finances) and can add them back into his collection.  As much as his gaming drives me insane, seeing him giddy makes it all worth it.

Also in regards to playing, Der and I went to Chattanooga this past weekend to hang out and do some playing of our own.  See that info. in the FAMILY section next.

*Family: Last weekend was my sisters Graduation party-she has completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix! SO proud of her!

She went to Oklahoma to actually walk across the stage and she brought back my grandmother and aunt!  Her party this past weekend was awesome! Lots of friends and family showed up, brought some YUMMY food and she opened a few meaningful and fun gifts that we adorned her cake table with.  It sounds silly, but I feel like I'm the big sister-who's so proud of what she's done. I think Dad and Dot Dot are glad they were able to watch her walk in OK and to come back to celebrate with her.  My Dot Dot (that's my grandmother's name) and Aunt Phyllis are staying in Chattanooga for about 2 months because my "Uncle" Clyde (not really my uncle but he's like my grandmothers brother so we call him that) is in very poor health and they're afraid he may not last too much longer...it really makes me sad.  

I've only had 3 people I know die and I was around 12 when my Great Grandmother Ruby died, about 15 or 16 when my Great Uncle David died and 21 when my mentor Dale McGillard died.  I wasn't really close to my Memaw because she was in a nursing home for all of what I can remember.  We've got a few pictures of all of us with her though, so that's good, but I still remember being very said when my mom left to go to the funeral. I was very close to my Uncle David (he used to call me Jordan Gordon) as a child so his death (from Cancer) really tore me up, but I did not go to his funeral.  Dale died while Derrick and I were in New Mexico-he passed a few days after the new year actually.  I was very close to him-as close as a Professor and Student are professionally.  He was my mentor and helped me get through college with great grades, more knowledge on acting and its process, and in 4 years-even after transferring to and from UTC. I cried all day on Derrick's lap when we found out he passed. Actually, I've never been to a funeral-and I don't really want to, as horrible as that sounds. But I think when my Uncle Clyde passes I will.  I think it's time.

We have always had Christmas (and sometimes Thanksgiving) every year on my dad's side at Uncle Clyde's house.  He used to chain smoke in his kitchen and watch birds in his backyard.  He made the BEST food from scratch and could never tell you the recipes because they varied a little bit each time he made them!  He always had at minimum 10 stray cats he would feed on his back porch.  He's got every Disney movie (either on DVD, VHS, or both) EVER MADE on his shelves.  he used to play the organ and do the score board for the local church down the hill. He collects a bunch of knick knacks and has the most comfortable guest bed on the planet.  His sense of humor has and always will stay intact.  When we would visit my dad on his weekends we would always go visit Uncle Clyde and swing on his rickety porch swing and climb his knobby tree in the front yard.  I learned to throw a Frisbee in his back yard and have some fond memories that my dad and I shared at that house-like our early morning Dunkin' Donuts and t.v. time when I was a child...Now he is 5' 10" and weighs barely 100 lbs.  He is on oxygen 24/7 and can no longer smoke.  He doesn't have much energy to cook or do much now. He still watches his birds though.  And now he's getting in to RetroTV, lol.  I think he's starting to look back on his life.  He's told Dot Dot that he's ready whenever.  I think that's very admirable seeing that he's got prostate cancer, CHF, I think COPD, along with a few other ailments.  He just turned 76 about 2 weeks ago.

After all of that I listed above, I still don't know much about him.  I asked my Dot Dot some questions and this is what I got: His middle name is Marvin.  He was engaged twice but never married.  He used to have dark hair and eyes and has always been a bean pole.  Now he's got no hair and looks like a mix of Jiminy Cricket and Ghandi-both smiley and happy-and still is a bean pole.  He's always loved the heat (he never had air conditioning in his house until Dot Dot JUST put in a wall unit 2 weeks ago). His mother lived just down the street from him before she died a few years ago. He used to play the organ at the church down the hill from him. He was born in Chattanooga and lived in Harrison starting in 1949.  I think when he passes he'll pass just fine. Quietly, in no pain, and probably in his sleep.  I sit her crying a bit thinking about it, but I know that he's okay and ready to meet his maker so I can't be sad for him.  I'll just miss him and Christmas will never be the same without him...

On Sunday Der, Mom, Me, Dot Dot, and Phyllis went to the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga and looked at the beautiful exhibits the museum's got.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE art-I could spend MILLIONS of dollars on it and not blink about the purchase.  I could spend MILLIONS of hours in art museums and immersed in art books and never even check my watch. It was nice.  I was the only one who had ever been before and even then there were some pieces I forgot they had and the new blown glass exhibit was traveling and new this time around.  I think we all had a wonderful time.  Everyone knows how in to art I am and my past 2 boyfriends always said they'd take me to view some art and never did.  Now Der is all smug because he made good on his promise to take me, lol. It was nice and I'd love to see the art museum in Nashville sometime...maybe soon!  Der and I enjoyed the time with my family and a bit of alone time we got just watching t.v. and falling asleep together on mom's extremely comfy bed.

*School: Well I have officially applied to MTSU's Graduate program for an MA in Sociology! I don't think I want to stay at MTSU to complete my MA but I don't mind starting it-at least they've got the topics of interest I'd like to study when even Cambridge in England doesn't! Hopefully I'll end up graduating from Berkeley =]  I've got 3 people writing my letters of recommendation and later today I have to write my letter of interest and update my resume so I can send them both in at the beginning of next week.  Later this week I'll officially be signing up to take my GRE! I've been studying my book (back on the wagon, lol) and am getting slightly more confident in my skills.  I think if I can work on my math and learn the tools I need to do well on it hopefully I will.  I will be filling out the FAFSA for the first time in a few weeks (if I get accepted) which is crazy because I'll be filing under my new name, as married and with paychecks now, haha! Keep those fingers and toes crossed that all goes well.

*Friends: I suck.  My great friend Tonya is in The Grapes of Wrath play and is Rose of Sharon!!! And since you should now know that Steinbeck is my FAVORITE author, you see another reason why I'd like to go.  Look at her in this pic-isn't she perfect for it?!

 SUCH a great and fitting role for her and since my STUPID car is acting up, we can't go! We had budgeted for dinner, tickets, and flowers to go this weekend (the last) and since my car is messing up we can't =( I've also had a hard time getting in touch with Kelly (she's back to teaching so her schedule is all crazy) and I didn't get to see Destiny last time I was in the Nooga because of family/Navy conflicts. SO I am trying to remedy all of that by: taking Tonya to dinner next week (once my car gets fixed), calling and catching up with Kelly and maybe seeing her next weekend, and Destiny is coming to MBoro over Labor Day weekend (along with mom!) to see our new place and to FINALLY hang out!  I may not have a ton of friends but the one's I've got I wouldn't trade for $1.1 mil.  And we're still having dinner with John and Elisa.  When I spoke of them in this blog, it was the first dinner we had all had.  Now, ever since, we trade apartments and once a week make dinner for us 4; it's a nice way to relax and chill with some good people-over good food. We're eating at their place on Sunday =]

*Health: I've been doing relativity well with my health (as we should all along, right?) I'm still trying to watch my sugar intake (with the exception of donuts on Thursday-hey, my boss bought them as celebration for a good office and glad to be back), I've been eating more salads instead of junk, and I'm still chugging that water and coffee. I'm a bit proud, really.  I always thought it was so hard but it really isn't that bad.  Granted, I am in desperate need for more potassium (my calves lock up allllll of the time now-I need more supplements) but I have a general feeling of good health-with my stupid allergies being the exception.  I haven't been working out like I should but now that there aren't heat waves and no pet walking/outside warnings, me and Tuck are getting back in our routine.  I think with my next paycheck I may splurge and get those shoes I was talking about (see this other blog) or maybe some good new running shoes in general. Though I'd LOVE to shed some pounds, I'm not really doing all of this for that reason.  I just feel like I have no reason to take care of myself.  It's like I have no reason to be late to work, to take a shower, to breathe the air. Taking care of myself needs to be much more of a priority than it has been. And hell, if I shed a few pounds and get a bit of muscle, who's to complain?

Alright lovelies, I know this was probably longer than we BOTH expected...but thanks for the dedication  =]

You rock and I roll.

J

Confessions

Alright-I'm coming clean:

I have slacked the past 2 days on my GRE studying...and on my reading and working out...BUT I am getting a bit more on track tonight.  After the burgers are off the grill and we eat, I'm studying for my hour and then I think we're taking Tucker on a walk.

I have the belief that once you fall off the wagon-wipe the dust off of your jeans and climb back on.  It may not be easy and falling may be long and hard...but you've got to do it if you want to succeed and to keep chuggin' on.

I find small tips in life that help me (personally) to keep on track.  I also let myself have a LIFE and won't completely forbid myself something or I'll just go crazy!!

Random tips I try to succeed:

*Weight Loss
     1) After I eat dinner I immediately brush my teeth.  This helps me to not want to eat anything before bed so sugar and crap doesn't sit on my teeth overnight.
     2) Do cardio in any way you enjoy. DO NOT run if you hate running (I HATE running)-find something else enjoyable such as walking a dog, dancing, swimming or biking through the woods.  Anything you can make both enjoyable and healthy is a win/win.
     3) Do not resent food-eat something you may really like (my weaknesses are donuts and ice cream) BUT do so in moderation.  This goes for your health foods too-you don't want to burn out too quickly on salads and veggies thus binging on fast food and too many carbs.
     4) Cut soda intake-even the diet ones.  I love a good cold Dr. Pepper as much as the next person but 1 12 oz. can has approximately 150 calories and 40 g of sugar in 1 can! I think the average sugar you're supposed to have per day is 20 g for women and 36 g for men. Check details on it here and you'll see your soda and ice cream in a completely different light! That's so much to fathom.  I cut all soda intake from 8th grade on and in between 8th and 9th grade I dropped from a size 12 pants to a size 4...JUST from soda cuts!  Diet sodas are without the sugar and calories but there's still a bunch of unhealthy crap (I mean it's a tar colored liquid!) that you can drink in a few minutes.  If you can't cut them out completely (and this goes with my don't resent food policy) then cut your consumption in 1/2.  If you normally drink 2-4 sodas (diet or regular) a day, drink 1-2.  Substitute a few sodas with water and I swear you'll feel a difference in your overall energy and well being.


*Studying/School
     1) ENJOY what you're learning-even if it is completely boring...does that make sense, lol?!  There are some subject that are just BORING but you signed up for the class so make the most of it and try to comprehend what you're learning.
     2) READ READ READ READ READ!  I can't and won't ever be able to stress this enough.  We (as Americans) are lucky enough to have the ability at hand to learn to read and there's SO MUCH to read!!  Anything you enjoy you can find something to read-music lyrics, plays, articles, history, etc.  I have told a lot of people, and will continue to do so, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE not to read a book.
     3)Be thankful for your knowledge-that simple.  Be proud yet humble.
     4) Set time aside to study or read.  I am writing this blog because I needed to confess that I have slacked. I am not proud of it nor will I try to make excuses of what I've done for the past 2 days.  But I will do my studying tonight before I go to bed (and I'll feel better knowing I've done it).


*Randoms
     1) Find a reason no matter how small to laugh and smile.
     2) SLEEP! I never feel bad for going to bed when I'm tired-ever. I get called an old lady a lot because I go to bed "early" but I sleep when I'm tired.  I usually get between 7-10 hrs a night and I feel great.  I don't get sick often but when I do-it doesn't take nearly as long as it would since I sleep.
     3) Treat others how you want to be treated-HOWEVER- do not give anyone a reason to walk on you.  You are a person, co-worker, friend, family member, NOT a door mat.  As much as I love people I have grown very weary of people being toxic around me...so I've dropped them.
     4) Find something you're passionate about AND DO IT!  Whether it's small scale or bigger than life find something you really enjoy and soak it up like a sponge. Take your life by the balls and own it for everything it is.


This blog was mostly for me when I need a bit of inspiration and confessional for my "sins" to look on, but I hope it helps someone-the few of you reading, lol.  Sometimes you just need someone to open the curtains or to be honest about things....


Love and laughter,
J

It's begun

I've purchased my first study guide for the GRE.  I've checked the price for the test and the registration dates: I'll be testing on November 20th! At the beginning of September I'll be registering for it officially (i.e. paying for it) and then it's real.

I'm ready!  Well, not ready ready...I am ready to get it over with but not ready to actually take the damn thing, if that makes sense, lol.

I've set a new goal though with my new book.  I plan on studying it every day starting Monday, 8/16 for 1 hour every night before I hit the sack-from cover to cover.  I will take and re-take the practice tests until I feel comfortable.  I will study new words I don't know and re-learn the ones I do for accuracy and intelligibility.  I will learn math (not much re-learning, haha!) to the best of my ability.


I'm kind of excited!  I was helping Derrick register for classes today and I realized just how much I miss school.  Call me a nerd or a dork but I could stay in school forever learning new things and getting all OCD on school supplies and schedules.  I think that's one of the main draws of teaching-I get to do all of that while educating those around me.  That sounds fantastic =]

I'll keep you updated on how the studying goes.  If you see some new and large words creeping into my blogs don't fret-I'm just prepping, lol.

Hugs and Kisses, darlin'.

New Goals

I've decided to add a few more goals that I'd like to accomplish by January 1, 2011.

1) Healthily drop at least 1 size in pants
2) Take GRE and pass with a great score
3) Keep eating better (watching sugars and carbs mostly-my weaknesses) with splurges in between (because what's the point of living if ya can't eat a donut?!)
4) Read even more
5) Take a trip somewhere-anywhere! (probably to either Florida or California for Christmas)
6) Pick up a hobby or 2

Pretty simple-with the "great score" for the GRE as the exception.

I hope to constantly continue the goals above and take them at a good steady pace.  Nothing too cumbersome so failure doesn't seem so hard and not too slow because I get bored easily, lol.

Cross those fingers and toes for me kids!

=]

My early Saturday ritual

I like that I look forward to writing in my blog every Saturday morning.  It's nice-I get my coffee, think about breakfast, write, and usually giggle all before 9:00. Granted, I'd write more often if someone (*cough cough DERRICK cough cough*) wasn't on the PC so much-but I'm not mad or upset about it.  It just gives me something else to get a bit excited about come Saturday!

First-a recap of my loverly night last night with husband.  I got a text on Thursday saying Friday-after I got off of work-was to be "us" day with lots of time spent together and a big romantic surprise. So when I turn the key yesterday to come inside to say hello to Tucker and check the mail I came in to this:

Not too good of a picture (stupid cell phone) but it's our table set for 2 to candle light! I go in the kitchen and Derrick is boiling our wheat spaghetti noodles and grilling some chicken breasts!

(You can't tell here but it's wheat spaghetti with chicken alfredo and butter rolls! SO delicious!)

He had such a sheepish smile on his face-it was precious.  He said "Hi darling" and we wrapped our arms around each other and kissed and hugged-briefly recapping our day before talks of the romance to the right of us.  I asked what was for dinner, while looking around with a smile on my face.  It was so nice!  I also started noticing that the dishes had been done, everything had been tidied and cleaned, bed made, floor swept...wow! Now Derrick and I both do our share of cleaning but we: a) usually wait until the weekend and b) usually split it all up.  Our house wasn't a disaster or anything but it was wonderful coming home and noticing how clean everything was and how I didn't need to even think about any of it at least until today.  I am very grateful. After dinner we went to the bedroom and just hung out-really.  We talked, listened to music, laughed, and laid down in hopes of letting our food settle before taking Tucker on a walk and watching "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

BUT: I ended up either eating too much or dinner did not mesh well with lunch and became extremely ill...so we have postponed the dog walk and the movie to today-after Derrick helps some friends move.  I absolutely HATE that I got so sick but even still-Derrick was understanding, lovable, and very accommodating.  He came and checked on me off and on all night.  I fell asleep at like 8:00 and outside of for a few minutes when he went to bed, didn't wake up again until 7:30 this morning!  Stomach is still a bit woozy but definitely not anywhere close to what it was last night. It's great to know I didn't disappoint him and I hope he knows he didn't disappoint me. Being married has it's perks-but being in love and having a wonderful friend to partake in that love with you doesn't hurt, lol.  So today we shall swim, walk, play, laugh, watch, and enjoy.  I can't wait <3

Second:  I have yet to begin another book.  I've got "The Scarlett Pimpernel" by my bed but just haven't picked it up and started reading it yet...I honestly don't think it's the book I really want to read right now.  I want to read it-for sure-just not for the moment.  So I'll scourge our book shelves in hopes of finding something I haven't read (which shall be doubtful) and then wait until I've got a bit of extra cash and I'll go get a few.  I get paid on Wednesday and I plan on getting a GRE study book-in hopes that it can help!  So when I'm picking it up, I may just pick up another book or two.  I'd really like to start on the "Hitchhikers" series but there are 5 and I'd much rather buy all 5 than 1 at a time...when I get into books I usually GET IN TO them, if ya know what I mean.  I'll check my GoodReads account (go here to know what I'm talking about) and see what I've got on my To Read list. There are so many good books out there so hopefully my decision(s) will be well made.

Third: I have been listening to my iPod a lot more recently.  It's been very enlightening, to say the least.  I've rediscovered my love for Cake, Coldplay, Radiohead, and a bunch of random artists and songs set on shuffle.  *For those who have not at least listened to ColdPlay's album "Viva la Vida"-YOU ARE MISSING OUT. GO DO IT.  I've been falling asleep the past few nights with my ear buds in and a calm in my head.  Last night I remembered that I used to go to sleep with some sort of music playing-usually classical-every night.  I don't know when I stopped doing that...I guess when I went to college and had to share the room with more than just me?  I also used to listen to music when I got ready for school, dances, parties, going out, etc.  I still do that-just not as much as I did.  In retrospect, I have loved music in every genre, form, style since I was a small child and have grown up absolutely enjoying everything about it to the fullest. I guess what I'm trying to say is: I need more music on my iPod and I need to listen to it more.  Hell, I've got 120 GB worth of space on the damn thing and I've only got like 19 or 20 GB actually on it.  I seriously need to invest in some iTunes and more cds so I can up this usage.  I need to put some "books on tape" and some operas on there-both totally worth the extra GB usage. (If you're interested in opera, I'd suggest: Tosca and Carmen. If you're not sure about opera or these 2-check for sound bites on them so you can listen.)

Last: Work is going well.  I've got a training class to go to on Tuesday and then the following Wednesday I must trek to Clarksville for the day and actual train some people...kind of cool, kind of not.  It's all going fairly well. A friend and out main PT is leaving soon-which sucks-but his replacement is a cool guy with a great work ethic.  Things are a changin' and mostly good (at least for our office) but things are getting a bit heated and intense elsewhere...it will all work out-it always does, doesn't it??

Alright crickets and kittens-time for this train to head out.

I miss you already.

<3

'ello August!

August 1st.  I've always been kind of fond of August.  Probably because it meant back-to-school clothes shopping, new supplies, new schedules, pool parties, cookouts, quick trips and getting in your last minute fun before school starts...

I'm not going to school currently but I still get the giddy excited feeling like I am when I go to the store and see new supplies and tons of parents fighting over the Hannah Montana and Dragon Ball-Z binders.  I love school supplies-it's kind of an obsession...I guess it's better than heroin, right?! lol

*Takes my breath away with giddiness!*

I've decided that I'm going to live vicariously through Derrick this semester while I wait on my letter for Grad school to come in.  I've still got the GRE to study for and take so once that's out of the way I'll start really feeling excited because I may just be going back to school in the Spring!  I really do hope so-I miss the classes and the learning and I am ready.

In other news: I will have finished "Treasure Island" about an hour after I finish this blog. It took me a while to read-not because it's a hard or complicated read at all-but because I didn't make as much time to read it as I have with other books in the past...and that's just biased. SO yesterday morning I read on it for like 2 hours and the previous week made sure I read at least 1 chapter before I went to bed; now I have 2 small chapters left before my adventure with Jim and Cap'n Silver is over. I have very much enjoyed it.  Everyone knows the story but actually reading it has been fun-I suggest it to those readers out there. I technically wanted to finish it "before August started" but I fell asleep with my ear buds in listening to Incubus last night instead, haha!

But my dilemma is: now what should I read?  Since I lost my Steinbeck anthology (I grumble and sulk every time I think about it!) which had 5 of his short stories in it so now I don't know what I want to read.  I was going through a "Steinbeck binge" there for a while but since I lost it I haven't been feeling Steinbecky.  Maybe when Der gets his loan money he'll get it again for me? Gee, I sure would love it.  =]  I may start Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" but I'm not sure...maybe with my next paycheck I'll go get a few new books-I've read like 96% of the books and scripts on our shelves and I'd like to read some new ones instead of re-reading right now...

Any suggestions?

XoXo