I blog short shorts!

2009-10-01T13:52:00.001-04:00

2009-06-10T19:47:00.001-04:00

I am discontinuing use of this blog! A new blog may be on the way. Tata!

A family of trees

2009-05-13T20:38:00.000-04:00

Drayton Street, Savannah, Georgia. That will be my home starting September 1st. All of the decisions were set into motion walking by myself on a small bridge over the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon. It was a very beautiful place.

But it was then I felt the unmistakable tug towards the Southeast. And that was that. In a haze I sent in my confirmation and deposit into grad school, read and signed pages of loan paperwork, agonized over apartments, and yesterday, settled on one. It has a kitchen, living room, bathroom, washer/dryer, and two other rooms. It should suit the cats and I well.

In the fall I will start an art school in an urban coastal city. Did I mention southern?

This decision created other decisions. But I'm finding that by having choices and making decisions, I'm starting to feel more true to myself, and therefore, happier. I forgot what that feels like. Isn't that strange? This whole time I thought I was doing what made me happy, but then I did a few things that have made me feel really happy and alive, and it's a bit of a shock. It's nice to remember what it feels like to be me again.

Cheesy? Yeah. But that's ok.

Oregon

2009-05-03T23:01:00.001-04:00

Wherever you go, there you are

2009-04-25T23:00:00.002-04:00

It just goes to show you that it takes a positive mental state to feel positive, you can't just rely on good things happening in your life. For example, I had been nervous for weeks about getting into school. I find out that I get into not one, but two schools. Great right? It is great - but now I find myself over-analyzing the decision of which one to go to, and I'm still nervous! I'm flying to Oregon tomorrow and I hope that visit helps me make my choice. Why am I obsessing? I should just be happy and clear my mind and pick one. As Debbie would say: "wherever you go, there you are"

I just hope I figure out where I am by Tuesday, when I have to make my choice official.

Savannah pics

2009-04-19T14:28:00.003-04:00

before & after

2009-04-19T14:24:00.005-04:00

In the spirit of design*sponge, here is my most recent before & after. "Before" was a small opening footstool bought from goodwill for 3 dollars and originally from WalMart. "After" is a cute bedside stool holding my herbal sleep mask and latest read: currently Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I used purple paint and some nifty green flowerprint fabric to make the transformation complete.

Eugene, Oregon

2009-04-16T19:25:00.002-04:00

Never before have I booked a flight, car rental, and hotel in the course of 30 minutes. That was crazy. In a week and a half during a 72 hour whirlwind I will go to Eugene, Oregon and back, alone, to look at grad school. I wish someone was coming with!

My first Wednesday off

2009-04-15T10:28:00.002-04:00

I just returned from a trip to Charleston/Savannah yesterday and also have today off from work. This is possibly my first Wednesday off since I started working at this job last June. It feels strange. It's also very gray outside and kind of dark, which is also strange.

My trip was great. It was awesome to see friends (sometimes I forget that I actually have them in other places and they think I'm great just like I think they are great). Kristin and I lived it up and ate delicious food, drank delicious drinks, shopped, ran a 5k, day tripped, got pedis, and went to the beach. It was very relaxing. Visiting Savannah gave me a lot to think about. It is a very charming city and I can see myself living there.

I got back from my trip last night and told Mark all about Savannah over the breakfast burrito spread he made us for dinner. (Delish!) After that we watched the biggest looser and ate goodies from the chocolate moose (I had a root beer float per usual). Then we made a list of pros and cons for grad school. Why you ask? Because I found out last Thursday that I also got into the University of Oregon, in Eugene. This is so exciting but complicates my decision. I've basically decided for now that I need to visit the school to know how to best determine where to go. I'll be moving across the country either way, but the cities and programs are quite different. I have two weeks until I need to have a decision, and in about 9 days I will fly out to Eugene to visit, cutting it quite close to the wire.

After paying some bills this morning, I am going to stop by the bank, and then go running. I've really started to like running recently. I think it has a little bit to do with me being able to start and finish a work out in about 30 minutes as opposed to driving to the Y to swim, which takes an average of 2 hours. I think I'm going to primarly run, and then go to the Y twice a week for weights and swimming. Once it gets warmer, I will just bike to the outdoor pool everyday and probably nix running. I look forward to that weather!

Mocha dreams

2009-04-07T11:25:00.002-04:00

Going to try and run off some the desk job that has accumulated over the past 8 months. I knew it was getting serious when I bought a (mind you a stylish and very flattering) 50's style one piece swim suit. I'm calling it my classy beach look. Maybe I'm just becoming a respectable adult?

In one week I will hear from my last grad school. So far I've been waitlisted at one, and accepted at one with a scholarship. These are good odds. I just want to know where I'm moving in August. It's looking like Savannah, Georgia for now, but I don't want to call it too early. Although I am getting very excited about the possibility of moving back down south- where is it warm and there are beaches.

After the run, I am going to negate it by getting lunch with my friend, Ben, and probably getting a coffee before I start on laundry and packing for my trip this weekend to Charleston. Perhaps I will finish the night off with a swim at the Y. Or maybe I just shouldn't get that mocha...

Snow day

2009-04-06T08:43:00.002-04:00

It is snowing right now in Bloomington, Indiana. Instead of shock and awe, I only feel happy. Because soon I will get to move away from a place that snows in April.

Woot!

2009-04-01T12:24:00.003-04:00

Just when I was having a rough morning ( I tried scanning a cat for a chip in the lobby area and it freaked out, ran up the walls, got it's foot slammed in the door, and then ran through the building and had to be captured), something awesome happened! (I feel very sorry for this cat I traumatized, I should have just waited to take it into a different room.) I checked my voicemail and I got a message from the grad school gods. I'm in and they want to give me money!

*If you happen to be my friend on facebook, don't mention it there! I'm friends with many of my co-workers and want to keep it under wraps. Thanks!

Bed head

2009-03-31T11:15:00.004-04:00

One of the downfalls of having fairly short hair is that is never, never looks good when you wake up. Thank god for headbands. I am listening to an old Eagles of Death Metal CD, I band I have not listened to for about 2 years. A band that reminds me specifically of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2004-2007. In a fun way. I'm about to go running, shower, get ready for some lunch with a friend around 2. I have to run into work for a few hours later, but other than that I'd like to get some cleaning done. And some research - I'm thinking about buying an imac (desktop). This is not a decision I have to make until I find out whether or not I get into grad school, but I'd still like to know. And maybe I'd still like to get one even if I don't get in?

What I really want? MONEY! I can't decide if I should try and get some lunch shifts at my serving job for the summer. It's not that much money, but it is money. Or should I try and get another part time job? Like life guarding, or something else? I am always broke. It's annoying. I hope it ends in August when I move. Hopefully running makes me feel better, it usually does.

2009-03-20T21:40:00.000-04:00

Felicity, Nachos, and Champagne. Perfect night in.

Ride captian, ride up on your mystery ship!

2009-03-19T11:55:00.003-04:00

I decided to stay home from work today because I slept all day yesterday after work and when I woke up this morning I couldn't swallow. I called in at 7 am, then slept until 11. It's noon now and I have made myself a delightful breakfast of eggs over easy, a bagel with cream cheese, applesauce, and green tea with lemon. Despite being sick I have a huge appetite.

I checked the mail this morning anxiously. I go to the box everyday excited and nervous because I am waiting to hear from two more graduate schools. One probably won't come until April 15th, but the other notice could come anytime. The more I think about it, the more I really want to end up in Savannah, Georgia. Maybe it's because the weather is getting warmer here and I'm really starting to miss the beach, or maybe it's because signs of Savannah are starting to pop up everywhere. For instance, today, on the Design*Sponge Blog (my new favorite blog) I found they had a city guide page featuring Savannah! I keep telling myself that it's possible I won't get in anywhere. If that happens it will be ok because I will get to make a fun new life plan. (But I still want to get in really badly!)

I'm listening to the "Summer in the City" station on Pandora this afternoon - awesome classics! Today will be spent cleaning the house, hanging out with the cats, and catching up on writing letters. Perhaps a stop at the library.

Click here for the Savannah Guide or All Guides on the Design*Sponge Blog.

Rain

2009-03-18T20:31:00.002-04:00

It's raining and it smells great. I left work an hour early today because I think I'm sick and went straight to bed. I just woke up. It's a nice feeling.

2009-03-17T14:45:00.003-04:00

After a visit to the local stationary and other cutsy things shop, I've started to think about designing my own stationary "line" if you will. How will this be different that what I already do when I make my own stationary? I will be forced to make consistent finished sets. I think it will be fun. Design Sponge has a neat paper section that has also been inspiring me lately. I wish I still had access to a decent printmaking studio, where I could get obsessive about measurements, letterpress, and ink.

Today I registered for a plot in one of the community gardens here. Mark and I already purchased several packages of heirloom seeds from the historic house museum next to our house. They have an awesome heirloom garden and seed sale each year. We also picked some more up from the co-op. He got mostly vegetables, I got mostly flowers, which I think sums us up pretty well.

TAR, RAT

2009-03-17T10:10:00.003-04:00

Day 2.5 of my "spring break". I'm remembering what it's like to live by myself, it's kind of nice. It better motivates me to do more things. Today, on my brilliant day off, I plan on doing a few things. The first things will be to go on a quick run and then walk to the library to get a book about taking care of rats. "Why would she need a book about RATS?!" you say? Well, I am considering adopting on from work. Weird, huh? I would have thought so, too, before I started working there. But I've slowly started to take a shine to rats. They are very clean, easy to care for, offer companionship compared to that of a dog, are smart, and are friendly. We always keep the adoptable rats near my desk, so I've gotten to know a few rats over the past 8 months. This rat, Allen Ginsberg (which I plan to change to Violet), is 6 months old and very nice. They are easier to care for than a dog or a cat, and I can get practically everything from work for free that I need, sans food and bedding and toys.

Anyways, after the library I may go to the animal shelter and get the cage for the rat and head over to petsmart to get some fixins. I still have to hear from my landlord so I will keep the receipt. Then I will clean clean clean and drink some coffee from the coffee shop I like.

Spring break

2009-03-15T15:18:00.005-04:00

It is spring break in Bloomington, home of a university 40,000 deep. That means, everyone is gone! The streets are empty! Except of course for the people who actually live here and have jobs. (Me!) Even my boyfriend has skipped town to go camping and climbing for a week in Georgia. I think all this is fantastic. The weather is getting warmer, the annoying students are gone, and I can get to work distraction free on my spring break to do list.

Spring Break to-do list:

Create non toxic cleaning supplies for the house (learn how here)
Start/finish a painting of my friend, which will start my "people I like" series
Clean, clean, clean
Simplify and donate 50 things to goodwill and throw out/recycle 25 more things
Catch up on writing thank you and pen pal letters
Print & frame a neat poster I found online
GO to a few classes at the Y, using my flexible class punch card. (I liked boot camp, spinning, and aerobics)

Other items of note for blogworld:

Wikipedia entry about the tree that owns itself
Also, I strongly recommend streaming the local student radio station here: WIUX Bloomington. It's a nice mix of quirky, fun, annoying hipster, and good. Check it out -> Here.

Long weekend snow

2009-03-02T00:13:00.003-05:00

I came home for a long weekend and it is much needed. I have been more stressed than usual the past few weeks. Although, the more I've thought about it, the more I realized that I must work on taking a more positive approach to my life right now. So to list some positives:

I found out that I got wait-listed at one of the graduate schools I applied to. This is good I think, because it was my reach school. Waitlisted isn't rejected, and it postpones loan applications that would total over $80,000 (by far my most expensive choice.) I'm participating in an art show soon, and today I assembled all my work. I'm submitting 5 photographs and one digitally printed piece. It's been fun and I feel really good about my work. I have watched all of my favorite shows since I've been home. I love tv short, saturated doses! Sex and the City, The Biggest Loser, Clean House, Cooking Shows. Sometimes I really wish I had tv at my house in Bloomington. Also, my dad helped me do my taxes and I'm getting about 250 dollars back!

Today my mom gave me an early birthday celebration. It snowed all day and it was beautiful. We went shopping and got underwear, a new wallet, and she helped me pick out three tops that are super cute. We also chose some ice cream to eat with the birthday cake that she made me. I can't believe I'm going to be 24 this week. I cut my hair in honor of the event. It's short. Tomorrow I have a a dentist appointment which I'm looking quite forward to. I took the day off. After more relaxing I'm heading back Tuesday morning.

Tea-ooze-day

2009-02-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

Tis Tuesday, the best day of my week. No work, all day to do what I want. I started by checking my email where I made an exciting discovery! A coffee shop in Valpo wants to host some of my artwork, along with my mom's and sisters. Very exciting, should be up in a few weeks. Next I will make some eggs and toast.

I decided to initiate a spending freeze this week in the food department. Meaning: no eating out! I carefully crafted a grocery list on Sunday and got many essentials for the week. I made chili, lasagna, cornbread, and banana bread on Sunday in hopes of making it easy for me to come home for lunch and not go to Subway/wherever. I also got pasta and the fixin's to jazz it up each day (feta, olives, spinach, brocolli, cheese, etc.)

Also on the list today is painting my nails, writing some letters, doing a little sewing/mending, cleaning my house, and going on a walk now that it is getting warmer. I am meeting Ben for lunch (yes that is eating out, but it's always $2 so I don't count it) in about 3 hours so I need to get moving!

2009-02-20T22:54:00.002-05:00

Friday night and I'm drinking some Magic Hat Lucky Kat IPA. I feel it's quite fitting. My friend Meghan is coming into town later and I'm really looking forward to it. Despite having Monday and Tuesday off from my 9-5 J-O-B, this was a long week. Thursdays and Fridays are always tiring.

I feel slightly victorious over my work week however. I started a mini DIY project, giving my foot stool a makeover (pictures next time), hiking in Brown County (pictures next time), and snagging a overhead projector from 1970 from my work to use for large scale painting projects. I'm also going to start - for real - my trip planning. I want to go to California this summer.

Dollydog Artist Collective

2009-02-10T14:08:00.005-05:00

The website for the Dollydog Artist Collective has been re-energized! Please visit and check out our new look!

Click on Dolly!

Short and to the point

2009-02-08T17:20:00.004-05:00

Made two excellent snags at goodwill: a brand new striped comforter with pillowcases and a wooden box with landscape inserts. And this is my song of the day.

More Diana+

2009-02-08T17:16:00.002-05:00

song of the day

2009-02-06T10:44:00.002-05:00

Here.

It's the drums. The video is dumb, don't watch it.

Phone interviews

2009-02-04T13:29:00.002-05:00

I came home to eat a sandwich and right in the middle I got calls back to back about scheduling phone interviews. One is with the IU Auditorium for an Events Coordinator Position (tomorrow!), and one is with the Art Institute of Chicago for grad school (next friday!). I'm nervous! But really, I talk on the phone all day long at my job, I know I can sound calm, cool, and collected.

Should I even be applying for this part time job if I'm leaving in 7 months? I can be a great asset. but will that end up making them mad? Hrm.

The public library

2009-02-03T11:54:00.003-05:00

Being a settled member of the community in which I live, I do things like go to roller skating birthday parties, walmart to get new tires, coffee shops everyday and the public library. Yesterday's visit to the library yielded:

"A Book of Country Skills: The Self Reliant Homestead"
"Coastal California"
"California's Best-Loved Driving Tours"
"Experience the California Coast"
"Northern California Wine Country"

As well as a book about Oregon, a cookbook, and Oprah Magazine from June '08. Can you guess where I am planning my next trip to?

3 9 13 16 24

2009-02-01T21:37:00.001-05:00

a list of things about me:

3. I'd like to get into long open water swims, such as swimming between the Hawaiian Islands
9. Both moves I have made in my adult life have been to places I've visited once or twice
13. I would like to go to cooking school for 6 months, just to learn more
16. I am not allergic to poison ivy
24. I have a running list of movies that I think everyone should see, included: So I Married and Axe murderer, Groundhog day, The Money Pit, Pillow Talk, Boogie Nights, Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters and The Life Aquatic

Lazy weekend!

2009-02-01T21:21:00.003-05:00

I had such a lazy weekend! I did manage to get to the climbing gym and the Y pool. I also grocery shopped and bought new workout pants. However I slept in hardcore both days. I haven't felt as busy lately now that I submitted my grad school applications. I found the time to job search online and apply to a job with IU last week, write some letters, and take on a new foster cat, Tang. Tang was on death row for space. SPACE! AHH! He is the most affectionate cat I have ever met. He's orange. He will get neutered next week and then live with me for awhile until there is more space in the shelter. I suppose I should try and make the most of my lazy weekend by doing some laundry.

My lomo

2009-01-27T16:55:00.004-05:00

I sent the film away for my diana+ about 2 weeks ago and just got it back. Success! I haven't had film developed at a store for so long and it was very exciting to see what turned out. I sent the next roll out, too, though I'm going to transition into doing the processing and eventually the developing on my own in the darkroom here. Here are some favorites:

Dreaded Credit Card Use!

2009-01-27T10:39:00.001-05:00

After my insurance kicked in, I paid 238 dollars and 81 cents to not have babies for 5 years. (Translation I got an IUD a few months ago). That comes out to a cost of about 47 dollars a year. I don't get my period anymore and I safely used to spend at least $60 dollars a year on tampons. I also don't have to buy birth control, which averaged a cost of $360 a year. That is a reproductive system savings of $373 dollars a year, with bonus no periods or babies.

It is with this good news that I pay my remaining bill to my doctor on my dreaded credit card. I will use it AGAIN because it is so cold here that my door froze in the lock position when I tried to shut it, and after opening it and trying to shut it again, I broke it. I will get an oil change at the same time as having this fixed and charge it. These are things that person with a higher income would not have to put on their credit card. I hope for that one day.

Green Tea and Airborne

2009-01-25T19:22:00.001-05:00

Currently I am sitting in my living room drinking green tea mixed with airborne, eating guacamole, and watching one of my cats chase her own tail. I went to brunch today with a group of my boyfriend's pals from high school. After that I walked over to the co-op and got local eggs and some yogurt. Then I spent about 2 hours cleaning my entire house. It's looking really good but as usual I realize that I either need a bigger closet or fewer clothes and that I'm really more suited to have an entire room to be my "office" so I can keep my projects all in once place.

I have a lot of projects in mind right now. Other than the usual desire to organize my short term goals, budget, and weekly schedule, I'm working on a website for my sister's side project, trying to be a better pen pal, and doing more photography and ceramics work. Not to mention trying to work out 4 times a week either at the Y or the climbing gym.

Speaking of that, it's time for me to go swim so I can get in my workout before they close at 10.

Pamela the great

2009-01-24T14:04:00.001-05:00

It's already two pm and I was hoping to have an extremely productive day today. I slept in/layed around until about 11. Today was the day that we decided to take back our most recent foster cat, Pam. I was feeling confident about taking her back, but Mark kept on procrastinating on the way out the door. We finally got to the shelter and had a very difficult time leaving her there. Can I take care of three cats? Ugh! You don't realize when you take them home for a bit how HARD it is to bring them back. You feel so guilty and worried that some horrible person will adopt them. Where is the line though, is three cats too many?

Jobs

2009-01-15T21:32:00.000-05:00

I admitted to a co-worker today that I had, gasp! applied to grad school and where. I felt strangely separate uttering these words out loud to my fellow devoted city animal shelter worker. Many folks there have worked there for years, and let me tell you, the pay isn't great. It's not bad by any means and there is great insurance, paid holidays for all, and ample time off to take. Actually I'd classify it as great - if I could get 40 hours. But I am capped at 30 like all the other secretaries. My co worker took the news with a grain of salt (why I think it was a big deal to admit that I would be quitting one day was quite silly I suppose) and mentioned other jobs she'd been looking for, as well.

One job I'm on the fence about it the one I have tonight: late night serving at a very collegy pizza place. Not really getting paid that well as it is late night college land. It's not hard though and I get to sit around and chat/read magazines. I have been dreading it tonight though because I used to work this shift with my friend who passed away on Sunday. I tried to get someone to sub, but hey, only fools work Thursday late night. It should be alright I guess. I have a new real simple mag and some free salad and breadsticks to chomp on...but it would be so easy to quit!

Loose dogs

2009-01-14T18:07:00.000-05:00

I drop the last thing in the mail today for grad school and right as I get home I notice three college kids looking for their lost dogs. I split up from them to help them look and sooner than you can say dog treat I have confined a giant yellow lab and a giant brindle pitbull and am holding on for dear life to their collars. Is this a sign I should not go to grad school and keep working with animals???

Tuesday coffee

2009-01-13T10:13:00.000-05:00

For some reason, even though I hate how coffee tastes, I find myself constantly trying to incorporate it into my day. I work 4 days a week. Which is very awesome and it means that I have weekends and Tuesdays off.

What to do with my day off? My first thought was to go get coffee! (I only like mochas). I am supposed to volunteer at the local arts council from 12-2. However I have been going there Tuesdays for the past few months and I feel like I don't do enough to there to keep going every week. But I will shower, go, and sit in the gallery, maybe this could be the day that I decide to quit and research more fulfilling volunteer opportunities.

I am also considering quitting my once a week serving job. I got a raise at my regular job, which is not much, but makes up for about 60% of what I made working there. If I just take the 40% loss and enjoy the 6 hours of sleep I usually lose Thursdays 10-4 am, then maybe it's even. I do remember telling myself that this serving job is a good way to interact with people my age and that the extra money is really nice, but still...

At said serving job, last semester's schedule I spent working Thursdays late night with my friend John. I have known for a a few years through my friend's boyfriend and I had really gotten to know him because it is painfully slow at times and there is a lot of sitting and talking/joking/goofing off. He made it easy for me to have this new job where I would have been a little shy otherwise. We ended up spending new years together with a group of friends in Chicago. My friend called me late Saturday night to tell me that his roomates found him dead in his room. Even though a few days have passed since I found out it still like getting a glass of cold water thrown on me everytime I think about it.

I guess it's silly to blog about it, but I'm really having a hard time wrapping my mind around all the questions this raises. His death is incredibly sad and unexpected and unfair. He was outgoing, hilarious, kind. He loved music and he made people feel at ease around him. I didn't realize he had such a problem with drugs.

The more time I spend in Bloomington the more introverted I feel. I am thrilled to finish submitting all my grad school applications - today. I'm also going to drop off some film at the camera store to be sent for processing. I hope this will start me on a creative project when it gets back. As for now, I am going to shower, get that coffee, and walk to volunteering in the snow.

A member of Dummy Nation

2009-01-11T22:34:00.000-05:00

Before you judge, you should first know that my eye doctor is at Walmart. I went there a year and a half ago, when I first moved here because I needed contacts in a jiffy. The prices were reasonable, service was fast, and I got my contacts the same day. Fast forward a year later and I'm out of contacts again. My insurance covers me there, and so I go back for an eye appointment on Saturday. All was well with my eyes and I figured since I was there, I'd get some popcorn and fruit.

I start browsing in the produce section and see the lowest prices I've seen on produce in a long time. Mind you I spent a year working, and shopping, at an organic/local/natural food co-op so things were obviously a little pricey at times. But the last 6 months I've been shopping at the regular chain grocery store most of the time. At Walmart, I found the prices UNBEATABLE. I think "unbeatable" is part of Walmart's new campaign along with their new logo, for this word was posted all over the store where those little yellow smileys used to be.

I picked out 2 large apples, 3 oranges, 2 avocados, 1 green pepper, 3 tomatoes, a bunch of bananas, 1 large sweet potato, and 1 large russet potato. Do you know how much this cost me? 7 dollars. 7 DOLLARS! I couldn't belive it. I also found that the organic milk is cheaper than usual. There were many things I couldn't get there: my favorite crakers, free range organic eggs, natural cleaning products, and high quality cat food, to start.

It was quite unsettling to feel that Walmart, one of the mainstay evil forces that represents the sicker side of our society, was providing me with a service that I actually appreciated and used. Am I embarassed that I shopped at Walmart? Yes. Will I shop there again? I don't know. I hate to give support to such a disgusting business. If I do I will have to do double time at locally owned businesses and certainly bring my own bags, as Walmart literally only uses plastic.

The graduate front

2009-01-05T22:03:00.000-05:00

I am oh so close to being done applying to grad school. This is what I have left to do, hopefully all tomorrow:

1. Call my college and ask them why the F they haven't removed a hold on my record related to me doing an exit interview WHICH IS REALLY an online quiz about my student loans that I in fact took over a month ago. Then they need to promptly send my transcripts out.

2. Call one of my schools and get help uploading a powerpoint presentation that is part of my application to their wacky eportfolio site. Then submit everything else online.

3. Call another one of my schools and obtain a log in number so I can upload everything for them online.

UGH, the hoops to jump for this shiz.

New Year's Excuses

2009-01-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

I think the new year can give you the motivation to change things you don't like using the guise of new year's resolutions. I like how this makes things easier. Examples:

a) "Go to work early". I am now forcing myself to arrive 5-10 minutes early to work each day because all last year I arrived 5 minutes early to 5 minutes late and I'd like to make a better impression. What usually stops me is a last minute search for the keys or toasting some toast. Now I don't let myself hesitate. I'm also starting to take 45 minute lunch breaks instead of an hour. Hopefully I won't accumulate too much overtime with these adjustments and instead make people think I am more reliable.

b) "Don't do things you don't want to". I have a co-worker who asks me once or twice a week to pick her up some food on my lunch break. She works part time, 4-5 hours a day and does not get a lunch break to do so on her own. I always say yes, but it is time consuming and out of the way most days. She asked me this week, and I said no.

c) "Stop using credit". I have stored away my credit cards in a folder on my desk. I am not going to use them anymore starting now.

d) "Be more fit". I am going to work out 5x a week to lose weight and improve my bouldering skills for a competition next month.

It feels nice to have an "excuse" to do things that make me feel good but that are also a little hard. Happy New Year!

Saturday night

2008-12-22T23:00:00.000-05:00

Two nights ago I rode around the back of a pick up truck (covered thank god it was freezing!), went to a house party, ruled at beer pong, danced, played cards, went to another house and played video games until 5 am, and then went to steak and shake to finish off the night with some cottage cheese. I have to say it may have been the most fun I've had since I moved here. Of course having three good friends around made it stand out. It made such a difference to be around people who just get it. I fell asleep in my gay friends bed watching will and grace as the sun came up. What more could you ask for after a long night out?

Saturday night

2008-12-20T17:21:00.000-05:00

It is Saturday night and I'm home alone. Mark left this afternoon to go home for Christmas early. We met up with a friend and ate breakfast at the Runcible Spoon. I had french toast, a mocha, eggs, and home fries. After he packed up and left, I started cleaning our house. It's strange, we are not messy people separately...but together things get kind of cluttered. It's easy to blame him because he has so much more stuff than I do, but I get really busy with work and don't really have a chance to clean until the weekend.

Heading off to a Christmas Party soon, which is at the house of my boss. I feel a tad nervous for some reason. I think it's because I am the second youngest person that works there, won't be bringing my spouse or child, and am not really sure what to expect. I hope it's fun, I hear there is good food. After that I'm hoping to come home and finish the first draft of my personal statement. Packets need to be assembled for the people writing my letters of recommendation so I can mail those out on Monday. It's strange, just as I am getting into gear with grad school applications and thinking about leaving in 5 or 6 months, I'm finally settling in here. I had my year-end evaluation at work and realized that I do a pretty good job there. I like it a lot most days, and it's given me the opportunity to foster cats - which is SO rewarding. I have made some friends, I know where I like to hang out, I have some roots here, and Mark and I have figured out living together more or less. I suppose it will be good though to move on in awhile, I won't make enough money here to pay off my loans any time this decade, and I would like to be back in school.

Anyways I need to get changed an so forth.

What City Paper has to say about my New Years

2008-12-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Holy Daze, Pisces! My gift to you is advice about the coming year. First, read this quote from W.H. Auden's book The Dyer's Hand. "A daydream is a meal at which images are eaten. Some of us are gourmets, some gourmands, and a good many take their images precooked out of a can and swallow them down whole, absent-mindedly and with little relish." With this as your touchstone, I urge you to be a gourmet in your approach to daydreaming during 2009. It will be time for you to make your fantasy life into an art form instead of a chaotic, unconscious diversion. If you put more intention into your generation of mental images, you will find yourself better able to create what you really want.

Read your horoscope from the Charleston City Paper, here.

2009

2008-12-14T20:46:00.000-05:00

I've started to think about New Year's Resolutions:

1. Stop carrying my credit card around with me.
2. Stop eating most fast foods.
(Going to have to decide if subway counts...)
3. Save money up for a trip this summer.
4. Get rid of 5 articles of unused clothing a month until I can't anymore.

That's it so far...

Bouldering and cooking

2008-12-14T19:52:00.000-05:00

I'm eating my favorite snack right now: laughing cow cheese and almond thin crackers. Yum. I am incredibly sore from yesterday. Yesterday combined my 5th time climbing at the gym with my first bouldering competition. "Bouldering" is when you climb short routes with no ropes. The idea is that you are solving difficult, but short, climbing problems. Each problem is has a different point value. For this competition, you have three hours to get at least 5 problems solved. When the scores were tallied - I got third place! I won a chalk bag! (Chalk bag holds chalk for your hands which get really sweaty.)

On a different note, while doing some Christmas cleaning and decorating at work (City Animal Shelter) on Friday, I found an awesome cookbook from 1991 (!) that the Monroe County Humane Association put together. It includes favorite vegetarian recipes submitted from members and friends of the MCHA. It has inspired me to make more basic, practical things at home instead of buying them. This week I'm going to make bread, granola, and cookies. The recipes are very simple, if they turn out well, I'll post them here. I'm on the hunt for a great salsa recipe, if you know of anything really good - send me an email: katherinelelek@gmail.com. I'd say about 5 dollars a week is spent on salsa in my house - it'd be great to make a lot of it and freeze it. Enough procrastinating, I really need to work on my applications for school.

2008-12-09T21:33:00.000-05:00

I had a night in. A girl's night in, if you will. I listened to cat power, drank hot cocoa, and made soy candles in some of my ceramic pieces that are really too small for anything else. Good times.

Lemon-ginger

2008-12-02T22:44:00.000-05:00

I am sipping a ginger/honey/and lemon steamed beverage @ my favorite local coffee shop. I am finally applying to graduate schools. This time next year I will be living in one of the following cities: Eugene, Savannah, Chicago, or Charleston.

co-op advantage

2008-10-26T23:41:00.000-04:00

Today I subbed at my old job at the food co-op for the first time in 3 months. It was pleasant. Using my employee discount and some coupons I got the following items:

organic butter
tofu
pasta sauce
micro curry
gingerberry kombucha
soy chai
local apple cider
organic granola bars

Griffin and Sabine

2008-10-25T15:31:00.000-04:00

While browsing the isles of the local used book store, Caveat Emptor (which my college latin classes taught me means "let the buyer beware"), I found a set of my LONG LOST FAVORITE BOOKS. "Griffin and Sabine" is a trilogy that I once loved. I found the books while digging though my older sisters closet when I was around 10 years old. The ideas were a little to old for me at the time, but that is exactly what made me fall in love with the books.

Griffin Moss is an artist living in London who makes postcards for a living. He is unhappy and lonely, though he is unaware of these feelings. His life is changed forever when he receives a cryptic postcard from Sabine Strohem, a woman he has never met. Like Griffin, she is an artist (she illustrates postage stamps). The two begin to correspond regularly. Good books.

2008-10-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

Since the start of my darkroom photography class, I've started to research more cameras. This weekend, in Charleston, I purchased a Diana+ Camera. It's a toy camera that should take some pretty sweet pics.

show off your pet

2008-10-14T22:23:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned before, I used to volunteer and now work at the animal shelter. Since my start there as an employee, I have fallen in love with many dogs and cats (and one rat) and took the plunge adopting a new kitty last week. You can imagine my happiness when I discovered personalized glass pet pendants on etsy.com!

polish posters

2008-10-14T21:49:00.000-04:00

As a proud person of polish decent (PPoPD), I am fascinated by it's 20th century art. http://www.polishposter.com/ for more.

things to do

2008-10-05T16:48:00.000-04:00

Today I participated in the MCHA's Walk for the Animals. I walked Ella the dog, who is currently up for adoption.

Later today I'm going to go see "Burn After Reading", the most recent movie by the Coen Brothers. My Malaysian friend and I see movies sometimes on Sundays. He always picks action movies. This is likely because they are easy to translate and fun to watch. I'm picking it this week and it probably won't make any sense to him.

Spare time

2008-09-30T20:55:00.000-04:00

We all have spare time sometime. As a proponent for keeping one's self busy, I am taking a black and white dark room photography class. It's quite the thrill to pour out the developing chemicals and dip paper in to see what turns up. In addition to using the standard 35 mm camera (I'm using the cannon rebel), I've gotten my hands on a sweet yaskika. Not the one pictured below, but pretty darn close. It takes medium format pictures that come out to be perfect squares of any size.

My last more time consuming hobby was volunteering at the animal shelter, where I am now employed. I encourage everyone to spend some time at your local animal shelter. Walking dogs and pampering cats is sure to make both you and them feel a whole lot better. It is truly SHOCKING the number of animals that come in and out of the animal sheltering system in the county I live in alone. They come in all conditions and with all sorts of personalities. I think I've gotten the best of the bunch with the royalty that lives with me. The gray, Denna, on is my newest foster and will probably end up being a keeper. Jeff is the black panther. He's the best.

Another way I like to spend my spare time is cooking. I've taken a fancy to the veganomicon cook book since its release about a year ago. My most recent feat was roasted red pepper and eggplant with bbq couscous on the side. It was delish.

2008-09-10T21:23:00.000-04:00