I realized I hadn't updated this blog for three weeks! As I'm sure you can all imagine, I've been extremely busy, what with a new job, a thesis, a whirlwind of holiday parties, Christmas, a nasty bout of flu, and getting the occasional hour or so of sleep!
I really will post a proper update later, just wanted to change the name of the blog (you are so intelligent you'll have noticed the changes already), and add a Google+ button, since apparently you can do that now.
My parents' Christmas party was oodles of fun, Christmas day was lovely (as were my presents), and now I'm just trying to shake off the flu, get past New Years' and my birthday, and then I can settle down to my thesis and kick its butt so I can go off to TAMU this fall with a light heart!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
It's December???
How on earth did December get here so fast?!
Here's the short version of the past month:
Got permission to leave California and do my thesis long-distance.
Ran myself ragged selling furniture, calling utilities companies, cleaning apartment, and eating everything edible.
Rushed around SoCal seeing everything I hadn't seen already.
Lidia (my little sister) arrives by plane, packs up my car with my possessions.
We drive cross-country.
Arrive in Florida, exhausted and sick of each other.
Sleep for three days, although on the second day there is Thanksgiving, so I stay awake for that. (Mostly...)
Apply for seven jobs in one evening.
Get a job three days later. (Just like that, after six months of utter frustration in Long Beach!)
Get a gym membership. (Finally!)
Resume working on thesis.
I haven't even edited the roadtrip pictures yet, but they will be posted, along with a synopsis. I meant to blog from the road, but all the driving, the internet fiascoes, and a particularly difficult Sims Social quest drove it out of reach.
More later!
Here's the short version of the past month:
Got permission to leave California and do my thesis long-distance.
Ran myself ragged selling furniture, calling utilities companies, cleaning apartment, and eating everything edible.
Rushed around SoCal seeing everything I hadn't seen already.
Lidia (my little sister) arrives by plane, packs up my car with my possessions.
We drive cross-country.
Arrive in Florida, exhausted and sick of each other.
Sleep for three days, although on the second day there is Thanksgiving, so I stay awake for that. (Mostly...)
Apply for seven jobs in one evening.
Get a job three days later. (Just like that, after six months of utter frustration in Long Beach!)
Get a gym membership. (Finally!)
Resume working on thesis.
I haven't even edited the roadtrip pictures yet, but they will be posted, along with a synopsis. I meant to blog from the road, but all the driving, the internet fiascoes, and a particularly difficult Sims Social quest drove it out of reach.
More later!
Friday, November 2, 2012
TGIF!
How is it Friday already?? Heck, how is it November already??
It's been a busy week - went to War of the Worlds produced by the Long Beach Shakespeare Company on Tuesday night. I've gone to their production every single Halloween I've been here (all three), and I'm so glad I got a ticket for this one. It was a lovely production this year, with even more special effects done live on-stage rather than from recordings, and it was, as always, deliciously creepy. They're having a hard time financially, so if you have the ability to donate please do - your donation is tax-deductible and they really do incredible work with a shoestring budget!
Wednesday being Halloween I bought candy and red wine and spent the night in my armchair, watching Midsomer Murders and consuming both. It might not have been wild or crazy like partying in Hollywood undoubtedly was, but it was infinitely more comfortable and probably exponentially cheaper.
Yesterday I decided to do some sightseeing and went to the Grove for lunch (apparently celebs are seen there all the time). It's a shopping complex with attached farmers' market, and I honestly liked the farmers' market better of the two. I didn't spot any celebrities, but I did notice more than one of the Ladies who Lunch staring at me beadily until they realized no one as fat as I am could possibly be even a supporting actress in Hollywood. I can understand why celebs are supposed to turn up there all the time though as CBS Studios is literally next door and there were a lot of lovely restaurants.
There was a meat stall in the farmers' market that I could see Dad spending literally a thousand dollars at. If I had some extra $$ I would've bought something and sent evil, tantalizing pics home, but I don't so I didn't.
I ended up choosing a Chinese stall for lunch since it was crowded - I remember Pin (my grandfather) always saying to choose the busiest place to eat at - but sadly it wasn't really that good. I suppose it was busy because it was "normal", which is a real pity, I thought people in LA might be more adventurous!
When I drove home I took a detour and drove up Rodeo Dr (and then for the heck of it I did a U-turn and drove back down it), and once again saw no celebs although there was such a mass of paparazzi I was shocked at the idea any celeb would ever go there, despite the lovely stores. I did spot a glorious black and yellow Bugatti outside one boutique. It was pretty funny because traffic was so slow (they literally don't bother posting speed limit signs because everyone goes so slowly hoping for a glimpse of someone famous), I just caught a glimpse of the "EB" on the back and thought, "I know what car that is...what car is it??" It was only a minute later when I pulled far enough forward to see the shape of the car that I realized it was a Bugatti! I guess I remember the chassis better than the rear! Anyway it was gorgeous and I was better pleased at seeing it than some B-lister desperate for attention. I am sad I didn't see Audrina Partridge because I wanted a picture with her for my friend Brian, but we can't expect perfect things in an imperfect world after all.
I'm going to the LA Zoo sometime next week, and I think I'll stop by Rodeo Dr again after that, but this time I'll park and stroll around and maybe drool an ocean in the Bvlgari boutique...I LOVE Bvlgari! They really have a ton of lovely stores there. If only I could win the lotto and take Jade or Lidia on a shopping spree there! Of course, first I'd have to remember to buy a ticket, something I have not managed to do since my sophomore year of college...
Today I'm going to stay in and do some more reading - might run over to campus and use the library for a bit, although I have a rotten headache so I don't know that I will, maybe on Monday. I can't go tomorrow because a friend from UF is in town and wants to see me, and I can't on Sunday because I'm going to Bowers to say goodbye to everyone and see the Faberge exhibit one last time.
My friends have convinced me to give myself a going-away party, but I'm going to make it easy on myself (and everyone, come to that) and just making a facebook event for us all to meet up at some bar and have a good time. I'm not sure what day or which bar yet, but every time I think about it I want to laugh - I have never thrown myself a party in my life before, unless you count my 21st, and two of my friends had birthdays the same week so we threw a gigantic joint party at their apartment. It honestly never occurred to me to throw a going-away party for myself, even though I've gone to lots of them while at uni and out here too. I wonder what that says about me?
I really have been a bit of a mess today. For instance, I went into the kitchen four times to make a toaster strudel for breakfast, and it was only the fourth time I remembered why I went in there, and when I opened the freezer I saw a Banquet Breakfast Sausage and White Gravy Pie, and made that instead. You can see why I'm staying in and doing my reading instead of going out sightseeing. If I tried for the Getty I'd probably end up in Manhattan Beach!
Two weeks from now I'll be on my way home! Yippee!
It's been a busy week - went to War of the Worlds produced by the Long Beach Shakespeare Company on Tuesday night. I've gone to their production every single Halloween I've been here (all three), and I'm so glad I got a ticket for this one. It was a lovely production this year, with even more special effects done live on-stage rather than from recordings, and it was, as always, deliciously creepy. They're having a hard time financially, so if you have the ability to donate please do - your donation is tax-deductible and they really do incredible work with a shoestring budget!
Wednesday being Halloween I bought candy and red wine and spent the night in my armchair, watching Midsomer Murders and consuming both. It might not have been wild or crazy like partying in Hollywood undoubtedly was, but it was infinitely more comfortable and probably exponentially cheaper.
Yesterday I decided to do some sightseeing and went to the Grove for lunch (apparently celebs are seen there all the time). It's a shopping complex with attached farmers' market, and I honestly liked the farmers' market better of the two. I didn't spot any celebrities, but I did notice more than one of the Ladies who Lunch staring at me beadily until they realized no one as fat as I am could possibly be even a supporting actress in Hollywood. I can understand why celebs are supposed to turn up there all the time though as CBS Studios is literally next door and there were a lot of lovely restaurants.
There was a meat stall in the farmers' market that I could see Dad spending literally a thousand dollars at. If I had some extra $$ I would've bought something and sent evil, tantalizing pics home, but I don't so I didn't.
I ended up choosing a Chinese stall for lunch since it was crowded - I remember Pin (my grandfather) always saying to choose the busiest place to eat at - but sadly it wasn't really that good. I suppose it was busy because it was "normal", which is a real pity, I thought people in LA might be more adventurous!
When I drove home I took a detour and drove up Rodeo Dr (and then for the heck of it I did a U-turn and drove back down it), and once again saw no celebs although there was such a mass of paparazzi I was shocked at the idea any celeb would ever go there, despite the lovely stores. I did spot a glorious black and yellow Bugatti outside one boutique. It was pretty funny because traffic was so slow (they literally don't bother posting speed limit signs because everyone goes so slowly hoping for a glimpse of someone famous), I just caught a glimpse of the "EB" on the back and thought, "I know what car that is...what car is it??" It was only a minute later when I pulled far enough forward to see the shape of the car that I realized it was a Bugatti! I guess I remember the chassis better than the rear! Anyway it was gorgeous and I was better pleased at seeing it than some B-lister desperate for attention. I am sad I didn't see Audrina Partridge because I wanted a picture with her for my friend Brian, but we can't expect perfect things in an imperfect world after all.
I'm going to the LA Zoo sometime next week, and I think I'll stop by Rodeo Dr again after that, but this time I'll park and stroll around and maybe drool an ocean in the Bvlgari boutique...I LOVE Bvlgari! They really have a ton of lovely stores there. If only I could win the lotto and take Jade or Lidia on a shopping spree there! Of course, first I'd have to remember to buy a ticket, something I have not managed to do since my sophomore year of college...
Today I'm going to stay in and do some more reading - might run over to campus and use the library for a bit, although I have a rotten headache so I don't know that I will, maybe on Monday. I can't go tomorrow because a friend from UF is in town and wants to see me, and I can't on Sunday because I'm going to Bowers to say goodbye to everyone and see the Faberge exhibit one last time.
My friends have convinced me to give myself a going-away party, but I'm going to make it easy on myself (and everyone, come to that) and just making a facebook event for us all to meet up at some bar and have a good time. I'm not sure what day or which bar yet, but every time I think about it I want to laugh - I have never thrown myself a party in my life before, unless you count my 21st, and two of my friends had birthdays the same week so we threw a gigantic joint party at their apartment. It honestly never occurred to me to throw a going-away party for myself, even though I've gone to lots of them while at uni and out here too. I wonder what that says about me?
I really have been a bit of a mess today. For instance, I went into the kitchen four times to make a toaster strudel for breakfast, and it was only the fourth time I remembered why I went in there, and when I opened the freezer I saw a Banquet Breakfast Sausage and White Gravy Pie, and made that instead. You can see why I'm staying in and doing my reading instead of going out sightseeing. If I tried for the Getty I'd probably end up in Manhattan Beach!
Two weeks from now I'll be on my way home! Yippee!
Monday, October 29, 2012
My day at the Long Beach Aquarium
I haven't edited the pictures yet, but I DID upload the videos to Youtube, so I'm going to embed them here and do a proper update later. Got a lot to do this morning, which I've been putting off because I'm sitting here mesmerized by the tv/Twitter coverage of Hurricane Sandy. Hope everyone stays safe and doesn't get too wet and well...sandy...
More later, hope you like them!
More later, hope you like them!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Clearance! Everything Must Go!
Hey all - here's a list of all the stuff I'm selling before I leave California.
Desk - $30
Lamp (X2) - $10 (each)
Side Table (X4) - $5 (each)
Table and 2 Chairs with cushions - $50
Fan - $15
Bookshelf - $15
Crock pot - $15
Microwave - $20
Scale - $10
Mini heater - $10
I also have a lot of small things that need to go - some old (well-loved) kitchen supplies I can part with for a couple of bucks each (couple of frying pans, a pot with its lid, tupperware, etc); unused school supplies, decorative items, a couple puzzles, water bottles, hammer, screwdrivers, some murder mysteries, bunch of random stuff I'll let for for a dollar or two.
I just really need some $$ to actually make it cross country since my savings are obliterated and the gasoline alone will probably hit the limit of my credit card. Affording the hotels and food...well it's going to be tight!
Please facebook me and let me know if you're willing to buy any of it!
Also, I only have a car, so I can't deliver any of the big stuff, fyi.
Desk - $30
Lamp (X2) - $10 (each)
Side Table (X4) - $5 (each)
Table and 2 Chairs with cushions - $50
Fan - $15
Bookshelf - $15
Crock pot - $15
Microwave - $20
Scale - $10
Mini heater - $10
I also have a lot of small things that need to go - some old (well-loved) kitchen supplies I can part with for a couple of bucks each (couple of frying pans, a pot with its lid, tupperware, etc); unused school supplies, decorative items, a couple puzzles, water bottles, hammer, screwdrivers, some murder mysteries, bunch of random stuff I'll let for for a dollar or two.
I just really need some $$ to actually make it cross country since my savings are obliterated and the gasoline alone will probably hit the limit of my credit card. Affording the hotels and food...well it's going to be tight!
Please facebook me and let me know if you're willing to buy any of it!
Also, I only have a car, so I can't deliver any of the big stuff, fyi.
Every Morning
It's getting COLDER! I've had to put an extra blanket in my bed, change out my tank and shorts for the pajamas I got last Christmas, and wear socks just to be able to sleep. Why do I hate the cold so much? Why can't I be one of those weirdos who ENJOY being cold?
Taking a shower this morning was NOT fun. I can't decide if it's me being a chicken, or if something has happened to the water heater, but normally I flinch when the water is on it's hottest and can't stand it, and today I was turning it all the way and it wasn't warm enough.
Made a ton of arrangements yesterday about the move, and Lidia has her plane ticket. She offered to take a bus to Long Beach in case LAX was "too far" (kinda funny since we're driving cross-country which is a lot farther) and I replied, "Are you crazy?! We might see a celebrity!" She needs to get her priorities in order.
There are still a lot of things I want to do before I leave, but I feel so tired today I'm going to stay in and get some reading/thesis work done. Maybe tomorrow I can go to Rodeo Drive or the Getty or whatever.
Judy's annual Halloween bash is this weekend. I think I have a good costume figured out, but I want it to be a surprise so I'll just post pictures after the fact.
I need to figure out how to sell all of my stuff so I can have some $$ for the trip. The bed and armchair are earmarked already, just need to get rid of the bookcase, the desk, the side tables, two lamps, table and chairs, the crock pot, the microwave and a ton of little stuff. I guess I should do another post on facebook, maybe about 3 pm my time because everyone seems to be online around about then.
Oh well, that reading won't do itself!
Taking a shower this morning was NOT fun. I can't decide if it's me being a chicken, or if something has happened to the water heater, but normally I flinch when the water is on it's hottest and can't stand it, and today I was turning it all the way and it wasn't warm enough.
Made a ton of arrangements yesterday about the move, and Lidia has her plane ticket. She offered to take a bus to Long Beach in case LAX was "too far" (kinda funny since we're driving cross-country which is a lot farther) and I replied, "Are you crazy?! We might see a celebrity!" She needs to get her priorities in order.
There are still a lot of things I want to do before I leave, but I feel so tired today I'm going to stay in and get some reading/thesis work done. Maybe tomorrow I can go to Rodeo Drive or the Getty or whatever.
Judy's annual Halloween bash is this weekend. I think I have a good costume figured out, but I want it to be a surprise so I'll just post pictures after the fact.
I need to figure out how to sell all of my stuff so I can have some $$ for the trip. The bed and armchair are earmarked already, just need to get rid of the bookcase, the desk, the side tables, two lamps, table and chairs, the crock pot, the microwave and a ton of little stuff. I guess I should do another post on facebook, maybe about 3 pm my time because everyone seems to be online around about then.
Oh well, that reading won't do itself!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Two Months to Go
My lovely cousin Jade Sheldon asked me tonight what I'd do if the Mayans were right and the world was actually going to end two months from now. She posted her own thoughts here
http://printhebiggestlittlecity.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-if-mayans-are-right.html?spref=fb
and I thought I'd make my own post about what I'd do.
I'm already moving home in a few weeks (hallelujah!), so I'd dedicate what time I have out here to doing things I can't do back home. For instance, I'd strut down Rodeo Drive like I owned it in my absolute favorite high heels. I'd go back to LACMA and sit and stare at the Picassos for an hour. And then I'd go sit in the Rodin room for an hour.
I'd go to the LA Zoo, and to the Getty (I plan on doing these things anyway...need to get on that!), and hike up to the Hollywood sign so I could see all of LA spread before me. I'd go to the Long Beach Aquarium, and have dinner at the fancy South African restaurant across the street from it.
I'd go to the African Hut, buy proper British bangers (and meat pies!) and make myself a dinner of bangers and mash, with peas and a dessert of Mars bars.
The next day I'd eat nothing but biltong and South African candy - until dinnertime when I'd eat the rest of the bangers and mash, of course.
Then I'd drive across America and take so many pictures I'd have to buy another 4 gig card since my original one will be full.
Once I got home, I'd NOT go to the dentist (sorry doc, but with two months to go, I'd rather avoid the drills!), or my doctor, or my ophthalmologist.
I would cook all my favorite things for Mom so she wouldn't have to cook, and then make her cook them so I could taste them the way she does them.
I'd spend an entire day at the beach, in my teeniest bikini, and I'd punch anyone who gave me a dirty look for being fat.
I'd paint my nails every time I felt like it, and get a full body wax so I wouldn't have to shave ever again (oh what a blessed thought!). I'd watch all of my favorite movies and have a cocktail every evening.
I would cuddle my kitties and pamper them hand and foot, so they'd know how much I love them and that I'm so sorry for staying away for so long. (Actually, that's probably going to happen anyway.)
I'd call certain of my exes and tell them where they got off and that they were going to rot in hell for how they treated me and how they left me.
I'd call certain of my exes and thank them for treating me with respect, and trying to make it work, even when things got rough.
I'd cook something lovely whenever I wanted, and eat my favorite cheese buns, and talk to my best friends, and make caramel brownies and eat them with Edy's Double Fudge Brownie ice cream. I'd wear my fanciest clothes to go clubbing, and my Make Up Forever #206 lipstick every day.
I'd paint my garden, and photograph a band one last time. I'd wear as much jewelry as I could so all of it could see the light of day again at least once.
But most of all, I'd make every moment memorable - and with my family, my friends. Family and friends are what's important, when everything comes down.
http://printhebiggestlittlecity.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-if-mayans-are-right.html?spref=fb
and I thought I'd make my own post about what I'd do.
I'm already moving home in a few weeks (hallelujah!), so I'd dedicate what time I have out here to doing things I can't do back home. For instance, I'd strut down Rodeo Drive like I owned it in my absolute favorite high heels. I'd go back to LACMA and sit and stare at the Picassos for an hour. And then I'd go sit in the Rodin room for an hour.
I'd go to the LA Zoo, and to the Getty (I plan on doing these things anyway...need to get on that!), and hike up to the Hollywood sign so I could see all of LA spread before me. I'd go to the Long Beach Aquarium, and have dinner at the fancy South African restaurant across the street from it.
I'd go to the African Hut, buy proper British bangers (and meat pies!) and make myself a dinner of bangers and mash, with peas and a dessert of Mars bars.
The next day I'd eat nothing but biltong and South African candy - until dinnertime when I'd eat the rest of the bangers and mash, of course.
Then I'd drive across America and take so many pictures I'd have to buy another 4 gig card since my original one will be full.
Once I got home, I'd NOT go to the dentist (sorry doc, but with two months to go, I'd rather avoid the drills!), or my doctor, or my ophthalmologist.
I would cook all my favorite things for Mom so she wouldn't have to cook, and then make her cook them so I could taste them the way she does them.
I'd spend an entire day at the beach, in my teeniest bikini, and I'd punch anyone who gave me a dirty look for being fat.
I'd paint my nails every time I felt like it, and get a full body wax so I wouldn't have to shave ever again (oh what a blessed thought!). I'd watch all of my favorite movies and have a cocktail every evening.
I would cuddle my kitties and pamper them hand and foot, so they'd know how much I love them and that I'm so sorry for staying away for so long. (Actually, that's probably going to happen anyway.)
I'd call certain of my exes and tell them where they got off and that they were going to rot in hell for how they treated me and how they left me.
I'd call certain of my exes and thank them for treating me with respect, and trying to make it work, even when things got rough.
I'd cook something lovely whenever I wanted, and eat my favorite cheese buns, and talk to my best friends, and make caramel brownies and eat them with Edy's Double Fudge Brownie ice cream. I'd wear my fanciest clothes to go clubbing, and my Make Up Forever #206 lipstick every day.
I'd paint my garden, and photograph a band one last time. I'd wear as much jewelry as I could so all of it could see the light of day again at least once.
But most of all, I'd make every moment memorable - and with my family, my friends. Family and friends are what's important, when everything comes down.
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