A Meme, New Year, Old Year

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Joined a dance company, put a cat to sleep, went to the southwest

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think I made a "resolution" to dance more. and dance I did.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Kind of, my cousin and his wife had a baby

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Just my kitty..

5. What countries did you visit?
No new countries...

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
energy

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 10, Molly and Aric's wedding.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being asked to join a dance company!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Traveling for fun.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got my wisdom teeth out, had food poisoning/stomach issues for about 2 months

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A mattress for the guest bedroom. now people don't have to sleep on the floor!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mark, being a crazy grown up adult oficially making my little brother more mature than I.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled?
Politicians? well, that never changes, so I'm not sure if that counts.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. I love pricy food apparently.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Arizona... Molly's wedding

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Single ladies...wedding thing.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- i. happier or sadder? um, happier I think. I'm just pretty content with my life in general
- ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner? I think?
- iii. richer or poorer? richer. got muh raise.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Vacation. I had a whole 5 days to use up at the end of the year. Oh and going to the gym. That membership finally expires this year tho.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
whining.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well, spent it with my family. The boy's mother didn't want to see us. So, yeah.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Even more with life, with my guy.

23. How many one-night stands?
I'm sorry, what?

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Hm, this was another good thing about this year. Hardly any tv.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. If I dislike someone I leave them out of my life.

26. What was the best book you read?
I spent most of the year reading the Wheel of Time series.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Neko Case

28. What did you want and get?
I don't really have severe wants. The Boy did get me a sweet cast iron teapot. (which I still have to use!)

29. What did you want and not get?
::shrug:: A even holiday?

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I have no idea, but we did watch more movies.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I worked. I turned 25. Getting old suuucks. But The Boy took me out for cajun BBQ :o)

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Vacations to look back on, not being to tired all the time.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Things I will still wear when I'm 40.

34. What kept you sane?
Dance.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
?

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8 being defeated and in NY and in Maine...so disappointing.

37. Who did you miss?
Family. And Leo. Stupid old kitty...*

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Um, a co-worker. we don't hang out really, but she's cool and not so anal.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
You. Are. Getting. Older.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
honestly....don't want to attempt this task!

41. How will you be spending New Years?
Spent it in the company of only 4 people. calm and relaxing.

I am writing here because I forgot my notebook. It's a pretty big annoyance because I use it to write down what pops into my head. If I don't it becomes a sticking point for my brain and then I can't focus on work until I get it down. Ya know, so I won't forget. HA.
The salliemae thing is still an interesting turn of events. Signing me up for some forbearance even though I didn't request it. Strange. So they are sending me a request form that "I" sent in. I'm interested to see what this supposed signature looks like. Seeing as I haven't done crap with them other than pay my bills on time and more than the minimum amount. Tsk. Nothing has changed for me financially, why would I be suddenly lazy and say, "oh, I don't want to pay for a year, but, yeah, sure, stack up all that interest in the meantime." dumb. So instead of putting more money in my savings, I will be again paying bills. It feels I will NEVER get ahead. bastards.

Anyway...really really looking forward to my massage on Friday - even though it's at 10 am. on a work day. I'm really suffering right now - my back feels like it has two twisted towels bunched up right beside my spine on either side. lovely. It's snowing out, my hands are cold, and gee, you would have no idea it's the first day back in about 2 weeks, huh? haha...I'm such a baby.

I am looking forward to being home tonight. I am making beef stew, and perhaps I will go to the gym. Not sure. But if not, there will be plenty of tea and blankets and Magic playing. That game makes me SO frustrated. The Boy thinks so quickly, and apparently there is this insane new way of doing combat...you can pick more than one blocker to defend an attacker. So technically, more creatures can die if you don't pay attention. OI.

I just finished reading Brian Sanderson's Elantris. Its a really really good story. This guy took over writing the Wheel of Time series when Robert Jordan, the original author died. I would highly reccomend the Elantris book to fantasy/sci fi readers. I think I want to mail it to my brother. I think he would like it too (he was also reading the Wheel of Time series).

I forgot a bunch of stuff at my parents house whil I was down there for the holidays. My organic sugar (it was for a recipe), the detachable fur lining to my coat, and the space heater. Augh, how I want that space heater for work. See? It all comes back to work.

• Sleep is much much too addicting.
• M&Ms are also addicting.
• So is the smell, warmth, and taste of coffee.
• Trying to get interested in doing dishes before dinner is more than a bit of a challenge.
• Thinking of a million things.
• new friend(?) from work asked how I was doing, because yesterday I was so sad.
• Contemplating how poor I really am right now.
  
• Wanting a dog (an older, wiser dog, no puppies. yes, I am aware puppies come before wise dogs.)
• Dreadfully missing the background noise of my parents house. It has the comforting "lived in" spirit that my little apartment does not have yet (tho I suspect it is because there are not 5 human beings in it.)
• For a start, I will turn on my Ipod, start a chili to simmer and play some rock band. There. Progress.
  

Work

The wife of a man I work with died on Saturday. It's a pretty sobering time, she was only 44 with two young kids. I'm really debating on whether to go to the calling hours. I never knew her, but I want to show my support.

Augh. Dying happens, but it surely sucks sometimes.

Uno

It was a successful Halloween party (with me leaving to go downtown, PARTY FOUL! Although, I came back in a cab shortly after I got there).

We have so much alcohol left over, I have no idea how. We had so many shots and bottles of beer. We played a game where we wrote out semi-common sayings and handed them out. Then when someone was caught saying it they had to take a shot.It worked out because it was spaced out pretty well.

However, now I am hurting. I managed to get up and go dance at the choreographers critique session (I'm still shocked I managed ok). There was one point where I messed up and hesitated, and I know I'm going to be "scolded" for it. Bah, I just need more confidence. There were a lot of cool pieces and very physical pieces, something I would like to do more of. Perhaps when I get bold and ask if I can choreograph something.....I have a feeling that won't happen for a few years.

Well, after quite the eventful October, I'm looking forward to this month which seems relatively quiet with the exception of Thanksgiving and my birthday. Which, for some reason, I have no interest in planning anything for it. I would like dinner, perhaps some nice silver hoops, and a massage. Yes, I definitely want a massage.

I have quite an interesting week ahead of me. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go read in bed with my hedgehog. He's in need of some attention :oD

NaBloPoMo

Okay. I'm going to try again this year. It's not going to work of course, but I think I'm on some sort of "Manic" bender right now. This month has been a whirlwind of travels and visiting and excursions. (Yuengling brewery tour? So fun!)

So, I think, seeing as it is my 25th anniversary of life in November, my "theme" is going to be 25. I'm thinking lists...wish lists, life lists, memory lists...probably not every day though. HA. I am going to try photos and perhaps some recipes.

Grand ideas, it will be great if I cam keep committed!

Poisoned!

Well, in a way. I received a call from a county health department nurse.

Her: We just wanted to give you a call, normal procedure for communicable disease.
Me: Um, I'm sorry, what?
Her: Oh, we got a call regarding your lab information testing positive for salmonella?
Me: Oh, hm, alright, they didn't call me. But thanks for letting me know!

Ya see, I was pretty out of commission for about a week. Specifically, the lower end of my digestive system was not cooperating. I went to a walk in and was prescribed antibiotics for a "potential food poisoning." I slowly recovered. However, I didn't hear anything, so I just assumed it was my body rejecting caffeine, dairy, whatever.

I can have coffee again!!!

So, this nurse has a questionnaire to go thru with me, I'm sure regarding what I ate and where. We'll see what happens with that and if anyone else got sick.

So much Grace

1. It's Friday!

2. The quiet stillness of the office before 8am.

3. Showers. Sweet, sweet showers.

4. Perrin's little leg sticking out from under his blankets this morning before I woke him up and he hid once more.

5. My jaunty red and white striped t-shirt I haven't worn in ages.

And because I'm in a good mood, here's more:

6. Being asked to do a reading for my cousin's wedding next year. Aw!

7. Washing our new cars tonite!

8. All the cold, cold beer in the fridge and the red wine in the wine rack.

9. Payday!

10. A business trip to Phoenix in December.

Grace

1. A quiet weekend of sleeping in.

2. The sound of the wind in the trees before a rain storm.

3. Being able to go into the office tomorrow to catch up.

4. Going to a party and managing not to over indulge (even though there was fresh salsa ans guacamole that was AMAZING).

5. The feeling of a creative dance in the back of my mind. It's there...not ready yet, but someday.

Grace on Saturday

1. Walking around with the Boy downtown on a lovely night. Fair atmosphere and I'm not having a panic attack with all the people gathered.

2. Not worrying about what other people think.

3. Cupcakes waiting to be frosted!

4. Seeing happy people with their pets

5. A morning spent on the bay while my Aunt fished. Swans, ducks and their young alllllmost grown, a crane and several jumping carp.

Many things:

Watching: The weather rapidly go from Thunderstorm to Sun to Thunderstorm in less than 5 hours. oh look, here's the rain.

Listening: Silence, beautiful silence at the office.

Waiting: To go out on a site visit. Yes, in the rain. Oh look, lightning!

Fretting: Work life just got crazy.

Confused: A mother from the dance studio the Boy's Mother runs just accused me of having to pull her YOUNGER daughter out of the studio because I showed the Boy's Mother that the OLDER daughter called the Boy's Mother some nasty things....on Facebook. Of which I was friends with her. Of which she knows I am dating the dance teachers son. People, the internet is never safe. I'm not worried, I'm pretty darn sure the Boy's Mother doesn't want to deal with that mother anymore.

Excited: for the weekend! Woohoo!

Missing my Leo-kitty...this was taken ages ago when I lived at home.

This was in March. I miss his little head. He was pretty sick at this point, but last Sunday he couldn't get up to greet us at the door. ::sigh:: 15 years as an underfoot, loving, forgiving, comforting presence. I will remember the guy always.

Tuesday Thanks

1. My window seat at work.
2. The fact that my poor old man kitty doesn't have to suffer anymore.
3. That I was asked to be a part of the dance company I have been taking lessons from and will get to perform.
4. Site visits out of the office on nice days.
5. Water. Man, I love water.

In a dream last night, I had heard that I was going to be laid off. The Friday afternoon type-of-layoff. I remember being SO PISSED OFF. I love waking up from dreams like that, the relief is just so amazing.

Grease 2

Really? ...really?!?

Man. this is pretty bad. "Reproduction" is a SONG. So weird.

Work with a Window

Rainy, yellow-gray, chilly looking kind of day here.

I got new digs where I work. Check it out:

Note: This photo was not taken today.

Not too much to look at, but I get a lot of light. The only thing unnerving about this side of the building is that I see a great many planes coming in for a landing in a nearby airport. And um, they look close. And we have tall buildings in the city. Am I the only one that gets a vague "oh, my -- that plane shouldn't be that low" type of feeling? It might be because of that day in high school then we watched planes running into buildings on TV on REPEAT THE WHOLE DAY. I guess that image stuck with me more than I thought.

NYC and the mountains

For 4 nights, 5 days.

SO excited.

Nightlife there is so rich, it's intimidating.

THEN!

Next weekend - Adirondack camping! super excited about this too. I will be driving through the park for work and remembered I've never camped there. It's time to change that. Man, I love being an adult. Vacations whenever possible. (I don't even have to take Friday off work because I'm driving up there for work! Score!)

My cousin will also be joining me. He just graduated from ESF so he sounded stoked to go too. This way I don't be allllll by myself in the woods. heh heh. Mr. ESF said he would bring a canoe and hammock and a big skillet. I've got a tent and fire starters. we're all set! hehe

Float

I just washed my hedgehog. That little dude gets into more trouble in his little plastic cage than you would think. Apparently he cut himself or skinned himself a tad somewhere because there's a bit of hardened skin under his neck. I thought it might be just some crud stuck to him, so I gave him a soak. He haaaaates it. I had to fill up the little tub quite a bit because it was so high up on his body. He got all tuckered out and curled up in a ball when I flipped him over to check out the "thing." I know it means they are uncomfortable or scared, but hooboy is it cute!

I feel emotional this week (the PMS as the Boy calls it). So here's some stream of consciousness:

So take that deep breath
take that first step
into that shimmering pond of insecurity.
Wading out to where it starts to get cool
creeping up your legs to send chills down your spine.

Gaze into the depth
just to try and grasp
the endless fathoms of the unknown.
As your legs give way to push off your solid ground
your head, your mind becomes enclosed in a sudden chill.

and for the briefest moment -
you feel panic
the tightening in your chest
of the potential for something to go very very wrong here.

But your eyes are closed

and your arms are outstretched

and you release that first breath

and you are fine.

Floating to the top of the doubt, the chill, the unknown.

Someone put me in a time warp please. I need about 10 hours of sleep to make it to 5 pm today.

A meme ...I stole

What are your current obsessions?
Working out, talking about working out....and vacations. I can not take enough vacations.

Which item from your wardrobe do you wear the most often?
Besides jeans, A black old navy tank top with the built in shelf bra. When I do wear it, i wear it for about 72 hours straight...and only take it off when I can smell it.

What's for dinner?
Uhm. Probably cheese and crackers. I'm not really one for making dinner.

What is your greatest fear at the moment?
That I will never have children

What are you listening to?
Hum of computers....again. I'm in our office at home.

If you were a god/goddess what would you be?
Athena. She's awesome.

What are your favourite holiday spots?
Well, I would say home, but it's more like...visiting. to REALLY go on holiday I would have to go camping or to the bach.

What are you reading right now?
The Robert Jordan books (ongoing), the life of Pi (still on first chapter) and an ocean book by Rachel Carson(when I'm feeling bookish)

What is your guilty pleasure?
potato chips. SO bad for you, but I love them.

Who or what makes you laugh?
Colin, clients when they think they are getting their way.

What is your favourite spring thing to do?
Sleep. Okay, fine. Dance! or read.

Where are you planning to travel next?
NYC Baby! co- Best friend - here I come!

What is the best thing you ate or drank lately?
uhm..this fake kool-aid is pretty damn tasty after not having water ALL DAY.

When was the last time you were tipsy?
Yesterday. atttt...5:38. We stopped at applebees after the ballet.

What is your favorite ever film?
Prolly Secret of NIMH

What is the biggest life lesson you've learned from your kids?
Um, I THINK it will be how to sacrifice and to be a little less selfless.

What book do you know you should read but refuse to?
I can't REFUSE to read anything really....just depends on if it's awful and I can't get into it.

What is your physical abnormality/abnormal physical ability?
I have a little do-hicky-thing nearmy ear. It's just a tiny bump and I totally forget it's there.

What is your favourite color?
green.

Best decade for fashion/music/movies?
1950s/1980s/meh.

Day 5 of non-stop physical activity: 3 days crossfit, 2 days dance. A machine I am!!