It's that time of year again:

I'll be sending out cards again this year, so if you'd like one please leave a comment below with either your address or your email so we can exchange addresses (all comments will be screened so only I can see them). If I already have your address and you haven't moved, leave a comment if you would like a card.

*is very excited about Christmastime coming*

I want to thank everyone for the kind words in my last post. I know I must sound like a broken record talking about how down and out I am all the time, but I'm going to try to stay upbeat and not sweat the small stuff. Granted, it might be a little hard for me at times, but I know I have an optimist somewhere in me, lol.

I'm currently taking a mini break from doing the math homework I have due in about 2 hours. I only have a bit left, but knew if I didn't take a break I was going to burn out. Math isn't exactly what you would call my strong suit, so the break is much needed.

Class I'm kinda looking forward to. While I don't like math, my teacher isn't half bad despite the horrible jokes he tells, and there is this one cute guy...

I'll be back later with a real post.
Hope you all are doing good!

Is this week over with yet?

I thought that once my car was fixed that I would feel better, but nothing has seemed to change. And, after a trip to the bank this morning, I left embarrassed and upset with myself. I'm trying not to let things bother me, but this has just been one of those weeks that has gone wrong from the start, and every time things seem to settle down, they go sour again.

I have this feeling that I'm going to get stuck in one of my circles, where one small thing leads to another and another and the next thing you know the shit has hit the fan. Of course it's never really as bad as it seems, but when you're living it, it's hard to see the light.

*le sigh*
You know, one of these days things are going to smoothly and stay that way.
Here's trying to stay optimistic.

So today was a crap day. Go figure it would be Friday the 13th.

On my way to work this morning I was in a fender bender that could have been much worse than it was. I was cut off by a gas/propane type truck and then sandwiched between him and a good sized box truck. There was hardly any room and at the time I wasn't concerned with the lack of space, but once at work realized that I probably could have been squished. Luckily there was hardly any damage, which was only done to my car. The gas truck continued to drive on its way, not realizing anything had happened, while I ended up going to my left and hit the box truck since I had no other way to go (the gas truck kept merging, pushing me into the next lane where the box truck was). My driver's side mirror was broken and hung hitting my door when I drove.

After making a few phone calls and exchanging the proper information, I made my way to work where it started to hit me what had happened. As I called my manager to see about leaving work early to take my car to get the mirror fixed I felt the tears coming and completely bawled when she answered. I then pretty much played phone tag with my parents to let them know how I was doing and what was going on.

But I was so scared. Not while the accident was happening, but after. I'm trying not to think about what could have happened, but I keep picturing my car getting smashed from both sides and it's like I feel it in my core. It's awful, and I'm hoping that when I manage to get to sleep I don't have any nightmares and can just sleep and wake tomorrow feeling a little or a lot better.

And I'm torn. I don't want to just sit around and wallow, but I feel awkward in moving on as though nothing happened. It's like I don't know how to feel about today. I want to be able to get over it, and yet I know that for a while I'm going to be scared to death when I'm out driving my car and have to merge lanes. I know the feelings will pass, it's just that now that I'm dealing with them, I don't know what to do.

*sigh*
It was not how I planned my day.

Last night was my friend Carrie's 2nd Disneyland Scavenger Hunt.  I helped create the first Hunt last year in July, along with another Cast Member friend of hers (Richard, who helped with the Hunt this year).

The theme for 2009?
Let There Be Light!
Challenge: Find the locations of the many different lights throughout Disneyland Park.

There were around five teams and each team was given an envelope not to be opened until inside the Park.  Most of the people there were Cast Member friends of either Carrie and Richard, some of whom I know from my brief stay in Disney's California Adventure.  Marissa, a friend of mine and Carrie's, didn't really know anyone.  We stayed together and joined a group of five who wanted to at least make sure we knew the Park.

Once inside Disneyland, we had two hours to find our clues and then meet Carrie and Richard back at Coke Corner on Main Street.  My team was Suns and Stars.  Once we were through the main gates, we headed to City Hall where we took advantage of the side patio to open our envelopes.  Inside them were thirty squares, which when three pieces were put together formed a picture and that picture was our clue.  We put the pictures together pretty fast, and after making an educated guess as to where the picture might be, we took off.

I believe Frontierland was first, where we found our first clue: one of the red lights outside the door of the Golden Horseshoe Review.  From there we headed to New Orleans Square where we found out second clue: an ornate lantern inside Pieces of Eight, a pirate themed store right outside the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean (and while in NOS, we stumbled across the Princess and the Frog meet and greet area, an almost secret little place where friends of mine and I had loved to have our picture taken on a hidden set of stairs).  We headed to Critter Country where we actually missed one of our clues: a lantern outside the FastPass area for Splash Mountain, as a few members in our group quickly chatted with friends as they asked for help.  From there is was through Frontierland to Fantasyland, down to Toontown, back up to Tomorrowland (where we missed a clue in a store I actually pointed out as being a clue from last year's Hunt, Tomorrow Landing), across to Adventureland and then up and down Main Street.

In the end we found 5 of the 10 possible clues, but were satisfied with a job well done.  And we had a blast.  Marissa and I really got along with our new teams mates, and we all worked really well together.  Once we dropped the answers off with Carrie and Richard, we headed out of the Park to the picinic area, stopping only to take a group photo in front of the Christmas Tree.  We waited with the other teams for Carrie and Richard to give us the results, which were...

A FIVE WAY TIE!
In the end, they decided, the 1st Place Prize would go to the team who had gotten their answers in first.  Apparently, it had been a team who had already left, so it was the second place team that ended up winning...and that was Suns and Stars, my team!

 

( A few photos from the night here... )

 

It's been extremely slow at work.  Hardly any customers are coming in to shop, and when the store is empty there is never anything to do except stand around.  I mean, there is only so many times one can refold the denim wall or make sure the store is completely sized only when you've already gone around and sized everything twice.  Lately, one girl and I have taken to playing MASH in our ever-present downtime, which I'm sure our manager would not approve of, but it helps pass the time and what she doesn't know won't hurt her.

Today was one of those days, and we all felt that we were standing around doing nothing.  By the time my manager came in I was ready to leave and be lazy at home.  But, before I left it was brought to my attention that I recieved a compliment from a customer.  It was sent via email to our company website, which was then email to my district manager who then sent it to my store's district.  Here's the email:

I would like to recognize one of your employees for excellent customer service.  Last week I was on a mission to find an item which had sold out online.  I tried locating the item first going through the online chat and the rep directed to me a handful of store which might hav it.  I called a few of them and did not have any luck.  My final call was to the store in California located at The Block of Orange.  It is there where a very helpful Dana took the initiative to track the dress down for me at another store and have it sent to my local store in New Jersey.  She went above and beyond.  She didn't have to do that for me, the item wasn't even at her store, but she still wanted to help out.  That really made my day, and I wish I could encounter more people like Dana on a daily basis.  Please see that Ms. Dana gets recognized for her awesome customer service.

The woman's email totally made my day and I left the store with a smile, hee.  When at work, I'm just myself and have fun and do what I have to do to help out as best as I can.  That goes for phone calls, and if I have the time I will call all over so that I can get whatever it is the customer is looking for.  I never expect a pat on the back, a gold sticker or a compliement like this, but it is nice when they do happen.

“What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?”-Louisa May Alcott

I had a very nice conversation with my Mom a little bit ago.  She was the perfect ear, listening to what I had to say and giving me the advice and words of encouragement I needed.  I still feel a little stressed, but it's only natural, and I can only hope that in time my stress will finally leave me, or that I'll be able to deal with it better.

Now, I'm going to pick up my book and do my best to finish it before Tabatha's Salon Takeover season 2 premiere tonight.

*le sigh*

I'm in one of my funks again, and I don't like it.  It's one where I know exactly what it is that's bothering me, and yet at the same time I feel as though there is so much more under the surface I haven't even scratched at yet.  I'm trying my best to stay happy and upbeat and optimistic, but for some reason the feelings just aren't sticking, and instead of enjoying myself (be it at work, with friends and family, or at home), I find myself just lazing about doing absolutely nothing, and being okay with that.  And I don't like it.

I'm stressing out about everything, but mostly about money.  Right now I feel as though I'm working like crazy, and yet I'm making little to nothing.  I keep breaking even with my money and keep having to ask for help because I don't make enough to put away to help save.  I feel so guilty about having to call and ask for money or help, even though I know it's willingly given...it's just this blow that hurts, because I feel as though I'm never going to get out of this money slump no matter how hard I try.

I've thought about looking for a second job, but I don't know how much of a possibility that is.  With my hours at work, no one is looking to hire someone who can only work minimal hours at night.  But I'm hoping that with our blackout season for the holidays that I'll not only have a set schedule, but may also make a little bit of money.


*shakes head*
I don't know.  I'm just not happy right now and I want to be.

I LIVE!

I not only survived camp, but I survived going without speaking for about two days.  Crazy, I know, but the only thing crazier is the fact that I almost didn't want to start talking again once I came home, lol.

But home!  Oh, how I missed you, with your warm bed in a room I didn't have to share, and a bathroom right around the corner, not outside and up a hill.  Not that I didn't enjoy myself out in the woods.  I really did have an amazing time, and will get some pictures and everything up and give more details about exactly what it was like.

If anyone would like me to explain anything about ASL or would like to see some signs or anything, just let me know.  One of the things we talked a lot about at camp was Deaf awareness, so I feel like sharing what I know, lol.

Hi.

Been a while since I've shown my face around these parts lately.  I know I must sound like a broken record, but I swear it's the truth when I say work has taken over my soul.  That and school.  It's nice, though, to just sit here in the kitchen listening to some music on iTunes as I watch tv via the reflection in the glass of this wall unit in the living room.

Tomorrow I'm actually going to be leaving for the weekend with two friends of mine from school.  I'm taking ASL 2 (American Sign Language) and one of our assignments in class is to go to two Deaf events.  Our teacher brought to our attention something called Silent Weekend, which she said if we went to would count as both events.  What it is is a camp out in the mountains where ASL students can go to practice our Sign Language skills.  There is absolutely no talking (unless the cabin you're staying is decides to be a "talking cabin") and if you are caught speaking you are fined a nickle.  While I'm really nervous about my signing skills, being somewhere new with only a few people I know...I'm really excited.  I'm going to be able to get some really good practice in and hopefully meet some knew people and make some friends.  Should be an interesting weekend.

Today I was treated to Christmas a little early.  I discovered I didn't really have any "winter" clothes, and coming from a California girl winter...well, it does get cold out here, but not as cold as many places out there.  Especially with this weekend, I knew I was going to need plenty of warm clothes, and just clothes in general, so after talking to my Mom the other day, she said she would get me some things.  I worked 8-4:30 today and as soon as I clocked out I worked with V and Jazy (two friends there at work) and they helped pick out at least three outfits I could wear not only to the Silent Weekend, but work and everywhere else.  I gave them the okay to dress me in whatever they wanted, because they told me they wanted me to branch out and try some new things.  Well let me say, I tried plenty on, some good and some bad, but found a lot I liked.  My original total was something along the lines of $450, but after my discount it went down to $270.  Not bad, huh?

Now, I'm going to go get caught up on how you all are doing.
Nighty!

norfolkdumpling, I found this picture and thought of you. Why? Because my sister and I are trying our hardest to exercise. Or, at least I think that's what we are doing, lol.  Maybe I gave up, and my sister thought she'd give that handstand one more go.  I guess you could say this is a little encouragement from me, *grabs pom poms* Encouragement for the both of us!

A few more pictures of little me back here:
( awww, wasn't I cute? )

Despite the fact that my life has consisted of nothing but work and school these last few days, er, rather weeks really, I somehow managed to have a few little "adventures". One I took on my own, braving one of southern California's evil, almost always stopped with traffic freeway to just have some time to myself and have fun. The second I took with friends, where we (and I once again) braved the same evil freeway, got lost, ate good food and have a marvelous time at an outdoor movie (which I will go into more detail in Piyo's Adventure Part Two).

Piyo's Adventure Part One: A Day in Los Angeles

I had debated on whether or not I wanted to make the trip out to LA, and if I wanted company. Only one friend of mine had the day off, and I was genuine when I extended an invitation out to her, but in the end I was a little...relieved when she passed. It was a good opportunity for me to just get out of the house and have some alone time, something I had been in desperate need of. So, after a later than I wanted start, I filled up my gas tank, made sure I had a few good cds and then hit the road. Now, I'm not sure what freeways are like where many of you are, but to get to LA/Hollywood from my house I have to take four, and there are numerous overpasses, splits, connectors, you name it it's there. The evil one I mention above is the Interstate 5 Freeway, which is pretty bad no matter if you are taking it north (ie going to LA, San Francisco, and anything else up north) or taking it south (ie to San Diego and further to Mexico).

Okay, enough of the geography lesson, lol. Traffic wasn't as bad as I thought it would be be, so I got to Hollywood in decent time (being about 45-60 min.). And thus, my pictures begin...

( A Trip to the LA Farmer's Market )

And that is the end of my little Hollywood/LA adventure. At The Grove the only store I went into was the American Girl place, which made me thing of you, filthy_bonnet.  I keep forgetting we have one of those stores here, and I saw it when we made out little trip up the night of the John Williams concert we went to a few weeks before. I think I just about died when I walked in and went upstairs where all the historical dolls were, and was very sad that they no longer had Samantha, who was my favorite (although I know about her being placed int he vault). I walked into every shop at the market, bought my sister some Italian wine at a French store, and saw they had truffles for $380/lb, and left after buying my bowl of fruit and a cherry dessert for later. Traffic was about the same on my way home as it was up there, but I had my music (the new MUSE cd) to help pass the time.

So, Part One is now complete.  Part Two is on its way, full of more Hollywood Adventures, because apparently I live out there now, haha.

*yawns*

That pretty much sums up what my life has been like these last few days.  Work, work and more work.  Oh, and a little bit of school thrown in there too.  So it's safe to say I'm exhausted.  Tomorrow is my day off, so after a good sleep in I plan on making some posts and getting caught up on everyone.

*huggles all*
Hope everyone has had a good last few days!

I have the next four days off.  Let me repeat that: FOUR DAYS OFF.  Now, I'm not sure if that was intentional, we were short on hours or what, but while I'm a little sad of the thought of a smaller paycheck, I'm super excited about having a break.  It would be perfect, though, if I didn't have school later today or Wed.  Either way, I'm going to just kick it and do...well, I'm not exactly sure yet.  I feel like getting out and doing something, but I'm not sure what.  There's a Farmer's Market in Los Angeles, not far from Hollywood, that I've been meaning to get to.  I don't know if any friends are free and would like to join me on my would-be little adventures, but I don't mind being alone.  In fact, it might do me some good to just go out and be, lol.

Did a bit of shopping yesterday...

At work we were getting 50% off, so I bought the turquoise plaid shirt and the two necklaces (the multicolored heart and the crown key).  I was actually very excited about the shirt, only because every collared shirt like that has not looked good on me at all, and I think they are so cute.  Luckily, this one not only fit well, but is my color, so I had to snatch it up.  I tried it on in the store and was walking around in it as I tried to decide if I wanted to buy it.  The necklaces were impulse buys.  I'd been eyeing the crown key for a while, and all our jewelry is buy one buy a second at 50% so it would have been stupid not to have.  At Hot Topic, our sister store, I caved and bought my MUSE shirt.  I should have just got it when I bought the cd over there, but I wanted to wait.  Go figure that every Hot Topic that I went to did not have it, *pouts*, but I still had mine there by work, and they still carried it, so all was good.  I was just going to leave with the tee, but I spied the Little Mermaid necklace and had to get it.  Seriously, I HAD TO.  How could I leave without that Disney/mermaid goodness in my life?  *shakes head*  I don't now either.

Now it's time to work on my pictures from the wedding, and believe me, I'll be putting them up for you to see.  Especially this video I took of my Mom dancing.  XD  Wow, was she priceless!

*huggles F*List*
Hope you all are having a good day too!

If you like the song Single Ladies by Beyonce, I totally recommend you check this video out.  You know what, even if you've never heard the song you should check it out.  Super clever, well put together and just plain awesome.

It's hot.  It's, very very VERY hot, and I don't like feeling all icky.

Today's been going by pretty well, though.  The youngest of my three stepsisters is getting married tomorrow, so my Mom and Richard (stepdad) are here from Arizona.  I met them for dinner last night at El Torito (mexican food=spicy!) and again today for lunch.  Of course, I could have gotten up early to see them for breakfast at their hotel, but seeing as how I'm uber over-worked, I decided that I was going to take the chance to sleep in.  After breakfast I went to get a manicure and get my eyebrows waxed (ouch, I've recently come to prefer threading, but seeing as how this one place does waxing and nails, I figured I just kill two birds with one stone).  My nails are all simple and look like this:

Currently I'm at home doing a load of laundry and trying to keep cool.  Even though today is my day off, I'm not too excited.  Yes, I get to see my Mom and Richard (which is always nice), it's just that I've worked this last week Sunday through Thursday and I am beat.  All I wanted to do is just chill out at home without having to worry about having to do anything.  Maybe it's because I have so much to do and so little time.  My excitment has been curbed by being too rushed.

Today:
-lunch with Mom and Richard
-manicure/eyebrows
-errands
-picking up my sister
-doing ______??? with sister

Tomorrow:
WEDDING

*wishes there was more time in the day

*would love to be able to plot a mini vacation if she had the money*
I just need a break.

How are all of you today?

This was actually so neat there at the Expo and I finally managed to find the video!

Buzz made of Lego.  Well behind him was an 8x15 ft. Lego Disney mural in the making.  It was still in its early stages when my two friends and I stopped to take a look at what was going on, and the next thing we knew, we were being handed our own 6x6 inch color coded squares.  Now, I was told my the builders that I couldn't take a picture, but they did have a camera facing the mural taking a photo every 30 seconds and that a video was going to be posted of everything after the Expo when the mural was finished.

And here it is:


And I did try to look for myself and my friends...yeah, I couldn't find us.  But we WERE there, I swear, lol!!!

I am exhausted.  All I want to do is sleep, but I have about an hour until I have leave for class tonight.  Bah.  Here's hoping I can make it through the rest of the day.

On a happy note I had a short shift at work and came home to watch The Little Mermaid with my landlady's granddaughters as I finished up my homework.  Fun times.

How are all of you tonight?

Today I found out that I am going to marry Eric Szmanda (of CSI: Las Vegas fame-Greg Sanders), and that we will live in a mansion in New York, will have three children and drive a Lexus.

So, you curious what will happen to you?  Just leave a comment with...

1) four guys or girls
2) four places
3) four vehicles
4) four numbers
5) and then pick a number between 1 and 10

*dies*

Today, was freaking AWESOME people! My friend Carrie got us tickets to the first Disney D23 Expo at the convention center in Anaheim, and we had a total blast. For those who haven't heard of D23, it is considered to be the "Official Community for Disney Fans", aka the Offician Disney Fan Club. 

So, I've got LOTS to gush about and both pictures and video.

( Disney Movie Magic: Inside the Disney Studios-Movies and Movie Stars )


*coughs*
All right, now that I've got that out of my system, ahem...

( Pictures and Video: warning-this is not dial up friendly )