Leave of Absence

Ok...I know I've been pretty lazy at writing on this blog but it's becaue I've been working on another. I orignially created Shiawase to help me through the severe depression I was experiencing from the divorce. I had suicidal thoughts almost everyday and days when I thought I would never leave my room again. Shiawase was theraputic for me to help me see that not everything in my life was completely bad. It helped and my counsleor was very proud of me for doing this.

As of now, I feel as if I've come completely out of the darkness and have returned to my normal self. Oh I still have my bad days but nothing like it was before. It's time to move on which is why I have started a new blog. However, I will keep Shiawase because I feel it represents an important part of my healing process.

Until then enjoy what I have written so far and remember that depression is a kind of illness that needs to run its course like the flu. I'm ok now and will be from now on. Until then...keep in touch with me!

Friend, Yoga, Girls Night Out

Today is the first of a new month. Geez, how time flies. I've gotten so lazy at keeping up my blog these days. I guess it's those lazy summer days getting to me. That or the humidity frying my brain :p

1. Red called me today which was something I really needed. I no longer feel alone as far as the unemployment world goes. I really miss him *sigh*

2. My yoga workout was so long today. I'm getting much faster at walking to the point that I need to increase my mileage. And all the stretching as well is also doing me some good. At least I'm no longer sore anymore.

3. It was Girl's night out at this fancy restaurant called Rathbuns. The place was dimly lit, small, and noisy. I had roasted duck breast with risotto which was excellent! The duck was so rich and moist. It just melted in my mouth with each bite!

Tainted Water, Dinner, Close Friends

1. There must be something in the water here. I had another guy ask for my number. I think I need to give out the "I'm not available" vibe stonger. Either way, it has been very flattering.

2. I made salmon for dinner tonight which came out great! It was perfectly cooked while keeping all its juices inside. Yummy!

3. The Tyger and I had a nice time tonight. We got our beer on, laughed a lot, and then moped about how heartbroken we both are. Good times with your closest friend.

Book,, Healing, Sun

1. I finished a book called, He's Just Not That Into You by the same people who write for Sex in the City. Great book and an easy read. I'm still trying to find closure and acceptance from the divorce. The book had some good insight and made me look at things in another perspective. I'm hoping this will be a step to healing my heart.

2. My finger is feeling better from when I chopped it off the other day. Gotta be careful in the kitchen! While chopping onions, I chopped off the fingertip along a with about 1/4 of my nail. I was told that it will grow back and heal just fine with a little scar. As of now, it's as raw as a piece of meat!

3. The sun was out for the 2nd day in a row. My tan is getting darker and deeper. I still miss my California sun though.

Hair, Saying, Walking

1. I FINALLY got my haircut today! Whoohoo! The guy did a great job on it and cut it exactly how I wanted it. The only other person who has been able to do this is my lady back home. Now the next step is coloring/hiding my gray!

2. Saying for the summer..."Life is a highway in Atlanta. You can get lost all night long."

3. I started my walking program this week and so far I'm on day three. My ass, back, and legs are sore so I know it's working. That's what I get for being a couch potato for 2yrs!

Girl's Night Out

1. Tonight was girl's night out at this really cool sports bar. I wore a pair of dark washed jeans, a satin top, and my gold wedge shoes. My partner in crime and myself both looked hot!

2. The appetizer of baked goat cheese with pesto, tomato, served on toasted baguettes was so delicious! The saltiness added to the flavor of my beer.

3. After, we headed over to a friend's place where more alcohol was awaiting for us. Arriving home in a drunken state and then passing out for the night put a touch to the evening. The hangover was well worth it.

4th of July

1. I love 4th of July food! I made Brats, Caribbean potato salad, avocado salad, and a dutch apple pie. Yummy!!!

2. Even though there was a brief storm, I got a chance to lay out and catch a few rays after being cooped up sick for a week.

3. From the balcony of the apartment, we were able to see all the fireworks in downtown. it was about as up close and personal as you could get. They were so beautiful!

How to Be a Good Friend

1. Don't judge. Accept your friend for who they are, not what they have done

2. Check up. A phone call, short email, or text msg can go a long way

3. Show empathy. Ask how they are feeling and repeat their words to show you are paying attention/listening.

Anniversary

Today marks the one year anniversary of my blog. According to my post counter, I currently have 185 posts that have been written since I started it. I write 3 positive things for each entry coming to a total of 555 postive things that have happened in one year. Looking back, here are three highlights from this past year...

1. Surviving an emotionally painful divorce in the middle of graduate school. I say "survive" because I feel that's what I've had to do...survive.

2. Completing my master's degree

3. Making some really good friends who will always be in my life...The Gov, Red, RC, Islandgirl, and Jersey.

Ginger

Creative ways to use ginger...

1. Make gingerbread...

1/4 lb butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c boiling water
3/4 c molasses
2 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger or 3Tb of fresh grated ginger

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and lightly flour a 9-inch cake pan. Cream butter, add the sugar, and beat till light. Add eggs and blend well. Add the boiling water and molasses and blend. Mix together all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix thoroughly. Pour into cake pan and bake for 45min. (Fannie Farmer Cookbook 1979)

This is sooooooo incredibly good! Use fresh grated ginger for a real flavor. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream to make the flavors pop. You'll have a food orgasm the rest of the day! :)


2. Make gingersnaps...

3/4 c veg shortening
1 c sugar
1 egg
3/4 c molasses
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tb ground ginger or 4 Tb of fresh grated ginger
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F and grease some cookie sheets. Beat together shortening and sugar. Add egg and beat until light, then add molasses. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add to wet. Gather bits of dough and roll into 1 inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 min. Remove and cool on rack. (Fannie Farmer Cookbook 1979)

These are soooo good too! Use fresh ginger for the extra bite! Bake for 9 min to make a little more chewy ;)

3. Ease a sore throat...

Cut up fresh raw ginger. Place in a cup with honey and lemon. Pour hot water over it and drink to soothe a sore throat.

Twinkies

Three things I learned about Twinkies today...

1. Twinkies were invented during WWII to provide a cheap sweet for people to enjoy. You could get two for a nickle!

2. The orignial cream filling was banana flavored. During the war, the surplus on bananas was low so they changed the filling to vanilla flavored.

3. The Twinkie company is based in Chicago, Ill. It is one of the few companies that does not offer tours to the public.

I watch waaaaay too much tv these days!

My Favorite Things

1. Favorite Amusement Park Food---Strawberry Funnel Cakes, Caramel Apples, Pink Popcorn

2. Favorite Tv Shows---Law and Order, Family Guy, Food Network

3. Favorite Places---Santa Cruz, Japan, Washington DC

Good times, Food, Sleep

1. A beer and a good friend is all you need in life sometimes.

2. I had Japanese curry tonight for dinner. It was so comforting to eat that it brought back all my cherished memories of Japan again.

3. Sleep is good for not only your health but an escape from reality sometimes.

Yoga, Friends, Traveling

1. I finally woke up this morning and wasn't sore from doing my yoga routine. People think that yoga is nothing. Who ever thinks that has never tried yoga themselves. It really works you out! I guess I'm finally getting into some decent shape.

2. I had a friend the other day tell me that they miss me and that they contacted me to check up and see how I was doing. It made me feel so good!

3. I'm looking forward to this weekend. Finally getting out of the apartment and doing some traveling!

Dinner, Pics, Off Duty

1. After a week of eating grits, I finally made a great dinner. Orange chicken drummettes, asian noodle salad, and egg rolls. Yum!

2. The pictures of me walking across the stage finally arrived. I plan to frame the big one!

3. House sitting for the week has been nice but it's even better now that my friend is back.

Alone, Colors, Cool

1. Having the place all to yourself

2. Watching a beautiful lightening storm

3. Staying cool in the heat

Hot, Same, Fancy

1. The weather just keeps getting hotter and hotter here. I'm so glad we have a pool!

2. Routine can be a good thing to make yourself feel stable. However, there are times when you need to spice it up.

3. I tried this really trendy, fancy restaurant next to downtown that served some really great food! The presentations of all the food were so gorgeous that I didn't want to eat them! But once I tasted it, all the flavors just came in layers and it made me just savor every bite of it. The decorations were amazing as well in the high vaulted ceilings along with paintings covering these high walls as well. I would love to go back to try out some of the other fancy food that I didn't have a chance to fit into my stomach.

Sun, Lunch, Bar

1. Despite the heat, I still love the sun. I've come to realize that I'll never take the Californian out of me. We Californians love our sun!

2. I made the best lunch today! A sandwich made with ciabatta bread, goat cheese spread and then layered with tomatos, basil leaves, and roasted red papers. Then I served a side of couscous mixed with white beans, garlic, green onions, and basil. Yummy!!

3. I went out to this really cool bar and got really buzzed. Of course it doesn't take much for me to get buzzed! I had a great time and felt good about getting out of the house for a while.

Reading, Food, TV

1. I got caught up on some reading by the pool today. It's nice to actually read a book for leisure rather then for a class or something related to research.

2. The farmer's market here is just awesome! You can't beat fresh fruit and veggies!

3. I'm so addicted to Law and Order these days. Wine and Detective Stabler is all I need to get me by!

Pictures, Jam, Book Signing

1. My parents finally sent me all the pictures from graduation! Whoohoo! They came out so good!! I can't wait to send them all out to my friends!

2. My mom sent me three jars of her home made jam! Yummy! I plan to have that for breakfast tomorrow morning!

2. I went to Chuck Palahniuk's (author of the Fight Club) book signing for his new book tonight which was awesome! His new book involves porn so he handed out blow up dolls with his signature to the audience. He had games, a brief interview, a small Q & A session, plus they showed the trailer for CHOKE...a book he wrote a few years back that will be released as a movie. The auditoruim was packed witht he crowd mostly young college students 18-25yrs old. Chuck is really laid back, funny, and very nice! The 2 hours was worth it and I really enjoyed myself! Can't wait to read his new book Snuff which I now have his personal signature!

Pool, Dinner, Hair

1. My tan is starting to look more golden brown now. Sitting out by the pool is always a good thing!

2. I made spaghetti with some really good meat sauce. It's the best spaghetti I've eaten in a long time.

3. The weather was so hot today that I decided to let my hair air dry rather than using a hairdryer. It's so curly now.

Night life, Apples, Naked

1. Baseball, wine, and a good friend...how else can you spend a better evening?

2. I went to the farmer's market today and ended up eating the best apple I've ever tasted. I have a feeling it will be my new addiction.

3. Having the place to yourself to run around naked is always a good thing!

TV, Shopping, Soup

1. I mostly sat in front of the TV today. For some reason, my lazy ass didn't feel like getting up :P

2. I found a new shopping center that pretty much can be considered a small town. It's that big with just about every store and restaurant imaginable. It's not that bad of a drive either. If I need anything, I now know where to go.

3. I made some of my Mexican stew for lunch today. I haven't had it in a long time so it felt good to eat it again.

Relaxing, TV, Cake

1. I spent most of the day laying out by the pool toasting my skin. Laying out by the pool is so relaxing!

2. Saturday Night Fever was on TV land yesterday. I haven't seen that movie in years! I didn't realize how much of a classic it was until I really starting analyzing some of the topics discussed in the movie, the clothes, and the scenery.

3. For the first time, I tried Red Velvet cake. It's really big in the south apparently and you can find it pretty much everywhere. It was pretty good although I'm not too sure about the frosting. I do love the dark red color of the cake as red is my favorite color!

Job, What's up, Oddness

1. I applied for a job today. I'm hoping I get this one! Next week will be sending out my resume to more places and see who bites.

2. I took a walk around the downtown area just to check things out and see what was up. There's quite a few bars and really cool looking restaurants that I wouldn't mind trying out.

3. I realized today that it's been two weeks since I graduated with my Master's degree. It feels weird to be on vacation still. It like I still have something pending but really I have nothing. I better enjoy this while I can.

Resume, Bar, Pub

1. I worked on my resume today which I'm hoping will land me a good and stable job soon. I think I'm pretty much done with it before I start sending it off to different employers. I've come to realize that looking for a full time job is a full time job in itself.

2. There's a bar just within walking distance of me where I can see why it's the Tyger's favorite hang out. It's small, intimate, and serves a list of food with good beers. I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time there.

3 I went to this really cool pub/restaurant tonight for drinks and appetizers. The menu is made from wood and has a leather flap as a cover. The napkins are those bar wipe/dish towels and the place looks like a log cabin of some sorts. Very cool place!

Job hunting, Cleaning, Wine

1. Job hunting is really time consuming but hopefully something will come my way. I'm learning that having a Master's degree has opened many more doors for me.

2. I cleaned the apartment today which always leaves me with a sense of accomplishment.

3. Wine is becoming my new best friend. It listens and doesn't talk back, always there when I need to cry, and leaves me feeling relaxed.

Friends, Cooking

1. Spending the day with a good friend is always good for the heart

2. Being told that not only is my cooking delicious but that it also looks pretty. I love cooking!

3. Making my friend happy by just being here

Pool, Strawberries, Wine

1. Laying out by the pool was great! With everyone away for the weekend, I had the place to all myself!

2. Strawberry shortcake from the farmer's market tasted so incredibly good. You can't get any fresher than farmer's market strawberries!

3. A glass of wine with a good friend is the only way to end the day.

Catching Up

Wow! So it's been a while since I last wrote anything. I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to write anything!

1. My thesis is done and over. My department is looking into publishing it since I'm the first person to do this kind of research in my field. Also, they feel that people in the field and the university will benefit from it. I don't know what the process is for publishing but the thought is quite exciting!

2. I graduated May 16th with my Master's degree in Deaf Studies with an emphasis in Cultural Studies. Walking across that stage was amazing! I can't believe I did it!

3. The parties and gatherings leading up to graduation were so much fun! I'm just glad I didn't get as drunk as I did the night of the defense! I'm really going to miss my classmates!

Pancakes, Thesis, Muffins

1. Jersey and I went to IHOP this afternoon for lunch. I had my strawberry pancakes! They were so good that I cleaned my plate!

2. I finally have a clear head to finish the correction on my thesis. I'm hoping to make the deadline.

3. One of the professors who lives on campus brought me HOT banana muffins that her husband made. She said she felt bad for me for having to work on a Friday night. It was so sweet of her to think of me! I love this lady and I think of her as my role model. She's 40, very pretty, has her PhD, and married to a very nice guy. I hope to be in her shoes someday.

May, Countdown, Food

1. April is officially OVER! I've been waiting for May to come for so long and now it's finally here!

2. Five days till my thesis is completely over with, 11 days till I finish work, 16 days till graduation

3. Tomorrow is IHOP day with Jersey. Mmmm....strawberry pancakes!

Email, Closer, Sleep

1. I got finally got an email from Breeze! I could really use a friend right now

2. May 5 is the day that it'll all be over with. No more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!

3. Only two more assignments left to go and then I can finally sleep

Defense, Hot, Almost Done

1. The defense if over! Whoohoo! It was a huge success for all of us. My professors were impressed with my paper and presentation. I passed and I WILL graduate in 3 weeks!

2. Last night was the first time I dressed up to go out for a night at a club. The end of the year party was a lot more fun than I expected. I have to admit that I looked hot!

3. Only 3 more assignments left till I completely finish everything! In one week, I will no longer have any homework. The countdown is on!

Looking Forward

I'm looking forward to...

1. Getting my defense for my master's thesis over with!

2. Getting drunk after the defense with my classmates and celebrating. Go Deaf Studies!!!

3. Going to the Graduate School Association end of the year party! I could use the break!

How are you feeling?

In my counseling sessions, I've come to realize that if you don't tell people how you're feeling, they'll never know what is going with you. I realize this is a "DUH!" for most people but for me, it's been a learning experience. Saying things like, "Oh I'm ok" or "It's not important" only devalues yourself causing low self esteem. You can't assume people will just "know" how you're feeling and expect them to respond to your emotions. People are not mind readers and even your closest friends need some kind of guide. What I've learned...

1. Telling others how you feel makes them aware so they can respond appropriately

2. Telling others what you need from them is vital so you're feelings can validated and taken care of in the way that you want them to be

3. Hiding your feelings and not being honest about them only isolates you causing one to be socially withdrawn and feeling like no one cares

My Best Friend

My Best Friend...

1. Loves me unconditionally despite all my imperfections and the mistakes I've made in my life

2. Is there for me anytime I need a shoulder to cry on

3. Is not afraid to themselves around me

The Positive Side of Being Sick

1. Staying in bed all day and watching TV without giving an excuse.

2. Laying around in your PJ's and sweatshirt all day

3. Eating all the comfort food you want!

Cake, Visit, Friends

1. I received a homemade piece of chocolate cake from a friend today. It really made my day.

2. One of my friends came by work to visit and catch up. It's nice to be remembered.

3. Red is a good friend. And that's all I'm gonna say on that.

Sale, Food, Friends

1. I bought a beautiful blouse on sale for $8 marked down from $50! Excellent brand new condition with nothing wrong. Can you believe it???

2. Yummy! Taco Bell! Need I say more?

3. It's nice when you can spend the day with a good friend who cares about what is going on in your life. Thanks J!

What I Want After I Graduate

1. Someone who will love me for who I am

2. A good job or accepted into a PhD program

3. I stable place to live with a kitty

Finished and Relieved!

1. THE ROUGH DRAFT OF MY THESIS IS FINISHED!!!!!!!!!! An official copy lays in the box of my adviser. From here, it's a month of changes to perfection!

2. All my homework for the week is done and out of the way. I can finally sleep!

3. What can I say? I feel so relieved! It's gonna be a good weekend!

Massage, Tryst, Me Time

1. The Graduate Student Association was offering massages for the graduate students. They offer it once a semester. Last semester I missed it because no one was in the office during their said times for sign up. This time, I MADE sure I got a spot! My massage felt sooooo good but a little painful. I had so much tension from all the work I've been doing. Afterwards, I felt a lot better and so much lighter!

2. Red and I went out to one of our favorite coffee houses to study. I ended up finally getting some homework accomplished.

3. I skipped that stupid meeting that we have to attend every Wednesday. I'm glad I made the time for myself.

Presentation, Finish, Weather

1. Our presentation workshop went well today. The question and answer session was the best one out of our series. I'm glad my section went so well.

2. My thesis is done with the exception of a few changes and my translation that I'm still waiting for. I plan to celebrate this weekend!

3. It was nice and warm today! It was very windy but at least it wasn't cold.

Breakfast, Dinner, Thesis

1. At a nice breakfast at the cafeteria this morning since I stayed up all night working on my thesis. I had a vegetable omelet with a piece of toast before passing out.

2. I had dinner with Jersey in the cafeteria tonight. For some reason I couldn't help but think how cute she looked sitting there with her milk, soda, and bowl of dried fruit. I think I was having an out of body experience from lack of sleep!

3. I'm sooooo close to finishing my paper! I'm gonna have a huge party after it's done!

Grant, Email, Friends

1. My grant for my thesis was approved today! Yippee! Free money for my research!

2. I got email from some friends back home. It's nice to get email from home. Let's me know that people there still think of me.

3. I had a nice chat with J today. He's been sick with the flu so he wasn't feeling so good. Either way, he's one of my favorite faces to see on campus.

Counseling, Library, Lounge

1. I had a good counseling session today which left me feeling more in a positive light. I think I'm finally starting to get to the bottom of things.

2. I met a girl in the library who seems to be really cool. She's really friendly and we ended up chatting for a while and procrastinating on our work. She doesn't live on campus but I hope to see her around more often.

3. I went to the GSA opening of the new graduate student lounge in the library. I never use the lounge because it was always more convenient for me to use the Deaf Studies lab or hang out else where in the library. The new graduate student lounge is huge with tons of elbow room! We ended up sitting around chatting. I got to meet some new people and learn more about their majors since I'm so engrossed with mine. I was only expecting to stay maybe 30 min but instead ended up staying the full 2 hours.

Lunch, Class, Meeting

1. For lunch, the Marketplace had burritos which were actually pretty good. Of course I got the vegetarian one since I don't trust the school meat.

2. Class was really easy today since our professor had to give a lecture during our class time. So we all went to his lecture then continued the discussion in class. It made class time go by much faster. He let us go early which was nice!

3. Our RA meeting tonight was only an hour. I was so glad!!! I was planning to leave if it was going to be over an hour anyway. I'm just glad it was a short and informative lecture.

Library, Workshop, Friend

1. I got a lot done in the library today. For some reason I felt really focused on my thesis. I think the break I took did me well.

2. We had a presentation workshop to present RAW (our thesis seminar project). A very small group showed up but the question and answer period went great! There was a lot of good questions and intellectual thinking.

3. I went over to Jersey's dorm to visit her since I haven't seen her since Spring Break. She was having a serious issue so I'm glad I was there to listen to her. It was good seeing her and being away from my own dorm.

Easter, Back to It, Degree

1. Red gave me an Easter basket full of plastic eggs filled with chocolate and jelly beans. There was a big chocolate bunny in the center. It was so cute! It really made my day.

2. I finally got back into my thesis after taking a break from it. I still have a lot of work to do on it but I'm back on it again!

3. I was looking at my list of things to do before the end of the semester and saw I have 4 assignments left to complete my Masters. I'm almost there!

Off, Hair, Toes

1. I didn't have work today! Yippee! I was originally scheduled to work to day but when I got there I found there was a mix up in the schedule. Apparently it wasn't updated from Spring break. So glad I got the night off!

2. My new haircut looks really nice. I finally figured out how to style it so it looks like a professional did it. In fact, I got a few compliments on it today!

3. I gave myself a pedicure. I so badly needed one. I haven't figured out what color I want to paint my toes yet so will hold off on that. It will give me an excuse to procrastinate some more. ;)

Friends

1. I had a friend come and visit me because she was having a bad day. We ended up spending most of the day together chatting and hanging out. I'm glad I was able to brighten her day.

2. RC came back today from his Spring Break trip. I picked him up at the airport and we had a nice chat on the way back. Seeing his face really brightened my day as it did his. All of us have become close in our department and have developed a strong bond with each other. Seeing him felt like I was "home".

3. One of my friends who's home for Spring Break sent me an email telling me that he misses me. I thought it was really sweet! It made me realize that I've made some good friends here who do care about me.

Outfit, Good Times, Movie

1. I found my graduation outfit!!!! Yippee!!! It's not a dress like I was hoping but I still love it. I got a black pencil skirt with a black and white striped blouse. With it I bought a thick wide black belt that accentuates my waist. I look sooooo sexy in this outfit but sophisticated ;)

2. I went out with a friend of mine to restaurant/bar. I'm still taking time away from my thesis so this was a good get away. Of course I had my beer and strawberry shortcake! We had a nice time chatting and hanging out. I really enjoyed myself. :)

3. I saw this really scary movie tonight called Shutter. It's directed by the same person who did the Grudge and Grudge 2 so it takes place in Japan. I highly recommend this movie! I was hiding behind my coat in suspense the entire time! I think I screamed a few times in the theater but it didn't matter. Half the audience was screaming too! In fact, the whole reason I'm writing so late in my blog is to distract my mind! I don't think I'm sleeping tonight! :P

Announcements, Dress, Relaxing

1. My graduation announcements came in the mail today! Whoohoo!!! They look so nice and professional with my name and degree written on them! Can't wait to send them out!

2. I went off campus to continue my search for a new dress for graduation. No luck but I'm not worried. The right dress will come my way!

3. Red and I went off campus to our favorite coffee shop. I brought my cross-stitching with me since I'm still taking a break from my thesis. It was so relaxing drinking my tea, sitting in a comfy chair, and working with my needle and thread.

Escape, Dress, Crafts

1. I finally escaped the campus today and took the metro faaaaar away from this place! I ended up in a very rich area of Maryland do to some window shopping. All these stores were fancy designers so I couldn't afford to buy anything. That's a good thing or else I would've spent money that I really don't have.

2. I got a lot of ideas for the kind of dress I want to wear for my graduation. I have a back up dress ready but I would prefer to wear something new if possible. I tried on a few things but nothing that really struck me.

3. I got caught up on some cross-stitching as well. I've been working on this one project for a while but keep putting it aside. I'm hoping to finish it by the end of the school year.

Outline, Quiet, Laundry

1. I was taking a look at my outline and saw that I'm 75% done with my rough draft for my thesis! Progress is being made!

2. I spent most of my day in the Archives. I finished the historical part but stayed because it's so nice and quiet in there with no distractions.

3. I got my laundry all done today. What's nice about everyone gone for the break is having all the washers to myself. I now have clean blankets!

Spanish, Out, Archives

1. I bought corn tortillas for dinner tonight to go with my taco dip. I haven't had corn tortillas in a while so it was a nice change from just plain bread. It's the only time I feel my Spanish heritage coming through!

2. I was out and about most of the day trying to get Red situated. He had his wisdom teeth pulled so I had to go get him. Poor guy! I really feel for him!

3. I managed to make it to the Archives this afternoon and got a lot of work done. I'm looking forward to going there tomorrow morning.

Off-Campus, TV, Dinner

1. I went off campus by myself so I could work on my thesis. I tend to get a lot more done when I'm away from campus and my room.

2. One of the re-runs from America's Next Top Model was on today. I got to see the last half of it as a break from my paper. I love Tyra banks!

3. I had Subway for dinner tonight. I haven't had Subway for a while so it was a nice change from the plain sandwiches I normally eat in the dorms.

Coffee Shop, Driving, Food

1. Red and I went off campus to that really cool coffee shop and worked on our thesis. I love that coffee shop for its atmosphere and cool furniture. The tea is also very smooth tasting. :)

2. It was a really pretty day today. The sun was out and it reached the 60's. I ended up going for a short drive after the coffee shop which felt great! It felt so good to drive!

3. Since the cafeteria is closed for Spring Break, I went to the food store and bought stuff to make myself a Taco Salad. I'm so glad I have a microwave to cook food. The salad came out so good! But then again, anything is better than the cafeteria! The best part is that I have leftovers!

Thesis, Dinner, Conversation

1. It looks like I'll have one chapter done and out of the way by the end of the weekend. One step closer to finishing my paper!

2. Red and I went to IHOP because he wanted breakfast for dinner. I haven't been there since my birthday. Even though I wasn't hungry, I still ordered the strawberry pancakes. They were so good!

3. I really enjoyed the conversation with Red tonight. It's nice to be able to talk about deaf related issues with someone who understands. We had a good laugh over some really ridiculous things that happen in our field.

Grant, BF, Graduation

1. I finally got all the paperwork submitted for my grant. I'm hoping the process to get it approved isn't going to be as tough as my research proposal. I'm just glad the paperwork is out of the way.

2. I got to talk with my best friend. It felt good to chat with him and talk to him about different things going on with me. I miss him.

3. One of my friends is trying to make it out for my graduation. I'm really glad as this is a big deal for me. I hope more of my friends can come out.

Presentation, Break, Program

1. My presentation went well for my Bilingualism class. Many of the students said I did a good job. One more assignment done and closer to graduation!

2. Spring Break for me starts NOW! Whoohoo! While I'll be stuck here at school working on my thesis, at least it will be quiet and I'll have the dorm to myself. :)

3. I helped out one of the RA's with her floor program tonight. It was a success and many students showed up! Whew! Now I gotta focus on mine.

Homework, Money, Dinner

1. I finished my power point presentation and my paper that's due tomorrow. I'm so glad I have those out of the way so I can get back to my thesis.

2. I got $15 for participating in another research. It's good to make easy money.

3. I had dinner in the cafeteria with RC. We had a good laugh over the research project I participated in. I have a feeling it will be a new inside joke.

RAW, PhD, Wraps

1. Our presentation for "RAW" went very well today. We had good feedback from the freshman class and were thrilled to see so many enthusiastic about all the hard work we put into our clips. My presentation will be after Spring Break which I'm looking forward to.

2. I had a meeting with one of my professors today to go over my presentation for Wednesday. He told me that I'm PhD material and highly encouraged me to apply to this PhD program in Baltimore. Apparently with his recommendation, I would be a shoe in. The funny part is that recently I've been considering going for a PhD in Cultural Studies or something related to that. His words of encouragement and faith in me is making me think harder about this.

3. This morning I tried these new Boca breakfast wraps that I bought the other day. They were really good and kept me going until lunch. They're kind of expensive so will have to buy them as a special treat for myself.

Moon, Homework, New Smell

1. The moon was a very thin gold crescent hanging right above West dorm tonight. It was so thin that it looked like a sliver. This moon crescent was unusual though in its position. Instead of its side facing right or left, it was upside down so it looked like it a smile in the sky. I tried to take a picture but the damn light posts were too bright. It completely washed it out in the photo. Oh well. I'd like to think that some one was smiling as they were thinking of me at that moment.

2. I'm getting so much homework done this weekend. I'm so glad it's been quiet because I'm getting a lot more done than I had originally thought I would. Jersey sent me one of the transcripts which helped tremendously as I'm in the process of writing up that section. Things are slowly but steadily getting done.

3. I bought a new kind of deodorant and tried it out for the first time today. I got tired of having those white marks on my clothes. I like the new smell since it's kind of feminine. It smells like a combination of vanilla and coconut without being too strong. I loooove the smell of vanilla because it reminds me of my favorite food, cake!

Adviser, Meeting, Yoga

1. I saw my adviser today finally after two weeks. He said I'm making really good progress and told me to keep going with my paper. I'm so glad I'm heading in the right direction.

2. Our meeting was canceled tonight. Whoohoo! It gives me more time for myself and to relax.

3. Yoga was very interesting today. We worked in partners which was actually very beneficial. I was able to get a better stretch. It wasn't easy though as it sounds. I still have a weak back and poor posture. In time I will improve so I'm not worried. I'm just learning more how to look like a pretzel :)

Study, Friend, Graduation

1. I spent time alone in the library so I could get some work done. It was quiet in there today with not too many students.

2. I chatted with Red after dinner since I hadn't seen him all day. It's nice to have a friend I can go and talk to when I need to get things off my mind.

3. I ordered my graduation announcements. It was really cool customizing my own and adding my name. I can't believe I'll be graduating in two months!

Escape, Thesis, Work

1. I finally got a chance to escape from campus and get some work done. Red and I went to a coffee shop not too far from school which has free WiFi and good sandwiches. It was a nice break from campus.

2. Jersey is almost done with translating one of my interviews. Whoohoo! I can't wait to get it all done so I can analyze it all.

3. Work went by super fast. I'm not sure why but I think it was because I had things to keep me busy. Plus I had a good laugh with the RA on duty. Laughing is always a good thing.

100 Cal, Pics, Work

1. I bought these 100 calories mini coffee cakes the other day and had one for breakfast this morning. They were actually pretty good tasting! I just wish the portion size was a little bigger but I guess that's what you get for 10o calories!

2. I went to see RC so I get some pictures that he took for me to use in my thesis. The pictures came out pretty good so I'm hoping my adviser will allow me to use them in my paper. As always, it was good to chat with RC. He makes me laugh so hard!

3. Work was quiet so I was able to get some stuff done. I like having time for myself.

Room, Progress, TV

1. I cleaned up my room a little bit. It's still pretty trashed but at least the floor is picked up and there's no garbage lying around.

2. I'm making some progress on my thesis. I think I may have a rough draft of the first chapter almost done. I mean, it's still VERY rough but at least it's out on paper now.

3. America's Next Top Model was on this afternoon. I'm so addicted to that show! Even though I've seen all the reruns a 100 times, I never get tired of it. I love watching the make up, hair, clothes, and how the girls do at the modeling challenges. Plus, Tyra Banks is so awesome in so many ways. I really admire her.

Friends, Dessert, Thesis

1. I was feeling down so I hung out with Red for a little bit. He's always a great motivator as I think he probably needs motivation himself at times! I felt better and as always, he made me laugh :)

2. I had one of those microwavable desserts called "Warm Delights" by Betty Crocker. It's pretty easy. Just add a little water to the mix they provide and put into the microwave for a minute. It was really good and satisfied that sweet tooth!

3. I'm finally getting my notes organized for my thesis. I gotta have a few chapters ready by next week or else my adviser will have my head!

Money, Thesis, Email

1. I participated in a research study this morning and got $30! Whoohoo! Free money is always good.

2. I'm getting closer to finishing up my translations. I'm finally getting around to writing the opening part to my thesis.

3. I got an email from The Tyger this afternoon. Getting email from her is always good. She gave me good cheer and spirits. She also gave me some good news to think about ;)

Gradfest, Off, 80's

1. I went to Gradfest to get all my graduation information taken care of. I picked up my cap and gown as well. It's starting to hit me that I'm going to be graduating with my masters soon!

2. There was no meeting tonight for work. I'm so glad as I really feel the meetings are a waste. Not having any kind of meeting today took a lot of stress and pressure off me. I was able to have the night to myself.

3. The Karate Kid is on tonight. I love the 80's!

Translations, Upbeat, Homework

1. Jersey helped with translations this morning so now I'm half way done with my interviews. She's been such a HUGE help to me and I know I probably couldn't have done all this without her. I'm gonna have to think of something nice to do for her :)

2. For as tired as I was when I got up this morning, I actually felt pretty good all day. I thought I would be dragging but I was pretty upbeat all day.

3. I got a lot of homework accomplished today. I think getting up early helps. I seem to get more things done.

BB, Thesis, Sleep

1. I got a chance to work on my bulletin board while at work. In my head it's looking good but I'm wondering how it will look once I get it up onto the board. I'm sure it'll be fine.

2. I got a lot of thesis work done today which I was quite proud of myself. I'm still very behind so I'm hoping what progress I'm making helps!

3. I slept in this morning which felt great! With all the work I've been doing, I've been noticing that I'm really mentally drained. I'm so glad I don't have morning classes! :)

Shopping, Weather, Homework

1. J and I went shopping at Target and the food store today. I usually go alone but he needed some things so I asked him to join me. It was nice having a friend with me and not going by myself.

2. It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining for the first time in a while and the weather nice and cool. I felt like I needed my sunglasses.

3. I got a quite a bit of translation done for my thesis while I was at work. I'm hoping to get all this out of the way soon!!!

BB, Car, Party

1. I finished working on my bulletin board materials for next month. I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish it on time but luckily I was able to get it out of the way.

2. For the first time in two weeks I was able to take my car our for a drive. I love my car and I miss driving it. Glad I was able to make it happy today.

3. Tonight, I went to my friend's housewarming party for a new condo he just bought in Virginia. The place is really cute and the kitchen awesome! It was a potluck dinner so we each brought something. I stuffed myself to the point that I felt a little sick! I don't care...it's better than starving from cafeteria food! I had a great time hanging out with all his friends and talking about Japan and such. I'm in such a food coma now! *sigh* Shiawase, ne!

Laziness, Translation, Day Off

1. Today was a lazy day but I got my laundry done. I now have clean clothes and blankets!

2. I finished translating one of my interviews! It took a lot of hours but at least one is now out of the way.

3. I had the day completely off meaning no work, class, or meetings. Just the entire day to myself to do what I wanted to do.

Translation, Classmate, Bed

1. I got lot done on my translations. I hired Jersey as my assistant which is going to make the work go by faster. I really need to get this done!

2. I had a nice chat with a classmate of mine We usually never chat that much but today I opened up more which made us bond better as classmates.

3. I'm going to bed early for a change tonight. I got an early day tomorrow. Going to bed before midnight is a huge accomplishment!

The Bell, Secrets, Escape

1. I had Taco Bell for lunch today! Yummy! I don't eat it very often but once in a while is a nice treat!

2. Jersey came with me to the mall and took me to her secret grocery store across the street. The store was very clean, upscale, and not in the ghetto! They had a lot of attractive food that was dorm friendly. I now have a new place to shop :)

3. Getting off campus for the day was a nice break from everything. Sometimes, living on campus can be stressful. I'm glad I was able to get away for a little bit. It was a good day :)

Translation, Japanese, Dinner

1. I got a lot done on one of my translations that I have to do for my thesis. My eyes are ready to fall out and I'm completely brain dead but at least I got a good amount done!

2. I ran into that Japanese girl again today and got to speak more Japanese with her. Her boyfriend happens to be one of my international residents who lives on my floor. She's here for the weekend visiting him. How sweet!

3. I had dinner with Jersey tonight. She ordered pizza and I brought over my left over Chinese food to her dorm and we ate together. Her roommates showed up not too long after I got there and joined us for dinner. It was comforting having dinner with her and hanging out with her roomies. We watched a movie and played a short game before I left. It was a nice break from it all :)

Japanese, Chinese, Red

1. As I was heading to the elevator, I ran into a girl who was visiting from Japan. She was a little lost and asked me for some help. Her English was was pretty good but I could tell she was nervous. Without thinking, I switched to Japanese and found out she was visiting from Narita, Japan and learning ASL. We chatted for a little bit in Japanese before she had to catch her bus. It felt so good to speak Japanese again as I miss it from time to time. I think I was more surprised how I just automatically made the switch and spoke it as if I hadn't missed a day!

2. I ordered Chinese take out so I didn't have to eat at the cafeteria. I ordered my favorite Vegetable Lo Mein and Moo Shi chicken. It was so yummy! I'm so full now!

3. I gave myself a pedicure and painted my toes a dark red color. My feet look so much neater now! I had some wine and chocolate as I waited for my toes dry. :)

Breakfast, Yoga, Class

1. I had a good breakfast this morning at the cafeteria. It kept me full for most of the day.

2. I had my official class of Yoga which was fun. It helped me to relax a bit and focus on the things I needed to get done. Every time I do Yoga, it makes me realize how weak my back is!

3. My class on Bilingualism was very interesting today. We discussed the politics of bilingualism and how it effects the Deaf Community with its use of SimCom (simultaneous communication). I know it may seem boring to most but for me it wasn't. I find languages and how they work fascinating!

Productive, Nap, Dorm Program

1. I had a very productive day. I got my homework done and worked on my movie for our class project.

2. I took a long nap today for the first time in a while. My new bed is so comfortable that it's making it easier to sleep better. My nap felt so good!

3. We had our Valentine's Day party for the residents in our dorm building. It turned out great! we were expecting maybe 1o people to show up, maybe 15 at the most. We had over 30 residents attend! We ran out of food and the room was too small to hold everyone which told us that the party was a success.

Yoga, Project, Cozy

1. I rented a DVD on Yoga and did a session in my room. I invited Red to join me since he's really into it. Geez! People think Yoga is nothing but let me tell you, you get a good workout from it. My head feels clear and I'm more relaxed. I feel calm and ready for a good sleep.

2. My film for our class project is coming along fine. I'm almost down with it and then it's all about my thesis!

3. I slept in this morning as I had a long day moving yesterday. My new bed is very cozy and my room warmer than my other room. :)

Coffee Shop, Motivation, Moving

1. Red and I met very early this morning to work on our class project. We went to this really cool coffee shop that just recently opened down the street. The atmosphere was relaxing and the decorations beautiful. It's one of the nicest coffee shops I've seen!

2. I had a very productive day getting up early and getting homework out of the way. Red is a good motivator when it comes to getting things done

3. I moved today to another room. While the situation has been stressful on me, I'm focusing on the positives of moving: I get my own room/suite without roommates, I get to stay in my wing with my international residents, the room is bigger than my old room, I didn't have to move to a completely different dorm building, I got the day off from work to move, the heater works much better, and I had lots of help from some of the international residents and other RAs which made the move go by much quicker.

Project, Dinner Out, Underwear

1. Red and I finally got the beginnings of our project done. While there was a lot of running around going on, the point is that we finished it.

2. I went out to dinner with Jersey. We went to her favorite place called 5 Guys which is serves the best hamburgers around! We both really needed to vent about all kinds of stuff going on in our lives at school before we lost it. I had a great time and it was good to hang out with her as always.

3. Even though it's very late, I'm finally getting around to doing my laundry. I need underwear!!!

Food Shopping, Chat, Homework

1. I finally got the chance to do some grocery shopping so I don't have to eat cafeteria food all the time. Suprisingly, the grocery store up the street had everything I needed.

2. I spent some time chatting with someone who I worked with as an RA. It was nice chatting with someone who could relate to some of the things I was going through.

3. Some of my classmates and I met up to go over things for our thesis project. While there's still a lot of work to do, I'm starting to feel like things are falling into place.

Yoga, Back on Track, T-shirt

1. I had my first Yoga class today. Wow! It was great and I'm looking forward to next week's class. I never knew the body could do so many different kinds of stretches! By the end of class, I felt like a pretzel! I realized that my body is so weak. I'm hoping to get some strength out of this, both mentally and physically. I felt so good all day today!

2. I saw my adviser and he helped me get on track for my thesis. I now feel like I have a plan going as to what I should work on for the week.

3. The weather was warm today due to all the storms going on down south. I finally got to wear my favorite Budweiser t-shirt :)

Interviews, Early Rise, Breakfast

1. I have 7 interviews done and out of the way!! Whoohoo! My adviser was so proud of me!

2. I woke up early this morning and felt great for the first time in a long time! I've been trying to get up early these days so I can get more done. However, getting up early has been a huge challenge for me. I'm hoping I can keep this up.

3. I ate this morning at the cafeteria for a change. My breakfast was very yummy! Breakfast is one thing the cafeteria doesn't screw up!

Appointments, Friends, Breathe

1. I spent most of the day trying to arrange appointments for my interviews. Doing the interviews has been the fun part of my thesis.

2. I saw Jersey in the cafeteria today. We chatted just a short time as she had class and I had work. Either way, it was good to chat with her for a few minutes.

3. I'm so glad today is my last day of work for a week. I can finally breathe and focus on my thesis!

Work, Chatting, Progress

1. I got a lot accomplished at work as far as helping plan our dorm program. I just hope everyone agrees on it.

2. At work, I had so many international students hang out with me until I got off work. It was like a mini party in the office! It made the time go by so much faster as I normally just sit at a desk staring at a computer all day. I'm starting to bond with them and establishing a good repoire.

3. My thesis is rolling along although I still have so much work to do for it. I hope my adviser will be proud of me when I tell him all the interviews I've done!

Interview, Classmates, Sleep Over

1. I completed my first interview for my thesis today! Whoohoo! I'm so excited! I also managed to set up 4 more interviews for the weekend!

2. Red and RC came by my dorm tonight and had a beer. We got caught up on our seminar project and gave each other shit. I love my classmates!

3. Jersey and her new roomy stayed the night last night because their room was being fixed. The took the ceiling tiles out which caused a lot of dust so Jersey couldn't breathe well. It was so comforting having her back for a night.

Reading, Thesis, Phone Call

1. I got my reading done for my class today. Getting all the reading done made me feel like I accomplished something!

2. I finally met with my adviser and got his feedback for my thesis. I think I can now get back into things and hopefully complete my thesis on time.

3. I got a phone call from an old friend of mine who I met in Japan. He's back home in Canada and doing very well. Hearing his voice and catching up took me back to our days living in Japan. It was like hearing from an old friend from home :)

100 Posts, Thesis, Meeting

1. I was looking at my home page and saw that I have written 100 posts since I started this blog in July 2006. I write 3 positives on each post which translates to 300 positive things that have happened in my life since then. I'm so proud of myself! The next time I feel down, I'll remember to look back on the good things that have happened in my life.

2. I met with one of my professors today and got some good feedback on how to improve one the sections in my thesis. Also, I'm getting more people contacting me for interviews. I finally am starting to feel like I'm on track with my research!

3. I had a floor meeting tonight so I got a chance to meet all the new international students. I had 25 people show up! I provided snacks and hot chocolate so everyone could eat and socialize afterwards. I couldn't believe how many people came! Most floors have maybe 6 people who will attend. It was a great turn out and meeting everyone was fun!

Thesis, Work, Friends

1. I finally worked on my thesis. I haven't even looked at it since last semester which my adviser isn't going to be too happy about. But today I reviewed my materials and even got 3 people to participate in my interview related to my research.

2. Work went by pretty quickly as there was a lot to do to keep me busy. I like being busy :)

3. My best friend has always been there for me. Whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, he's always been there for me without even thinking about it. I'm glad I was able to be there for him for a change.

Lunch, Errands, Relax

1. I had a lunch with a good friend of mine who I met in Japan. We went to this little French place that serves food cafeteria style but much better. The place was small and decorated very cute, not at all like a cafeteria. My sandwich was so good! Better than the school cafeteria any day!

2. My car got some exercise again and I was able to run a few errands since I was in the area. My fridge is nice and stocked :)

3. I didn't have to work tonight which was nice. I love relaxing!

Bad Day Turned Good

A bad day turned good is:

1. Thinking no one cares but then realizing you still have a friend who will be there for you

2. Being down on yourself then finding there are people who think you're great

3. Thinking you lost someone you cared about then finding out they still want to be your friend

DST, Laughter, Hair

1. I'm so lucky to be have the classmates and faculty I do in Deaf Studies. They can really bring me up when I'm feeling down. They have become my family here and I don't know what I would do without them.

2. Red & RC...I love you two! I don't think anyone can make me laugh as hard as these two do.

3. I got a lot of compliments on my hair. I wore one of those plastic headbands that pushes the hair out the face. Everyone said I looked like I was glowing!

Productive, Car Wash, Suitemate

1. I got a lot of stuff done today. Cleaned the bathroom, laundry, cleaned my room, and put away all the stuff I have laying around. My room is starting to look more organized for school which I hope will get me into the school frame of mind.

2. I washed my car again but this time I did it myself. The car wash place I took it to wasn't able to get off all stuck on bugs. I took a bucket of hot water with soap and scrubbed off the baked on bugs and some rust that dripped onto my car from the water pipes in the school garage. Luckily it didn't damage the car. It looks so clean now!

3. My suitemate in the next room from Denmark moved out. Yippee! I'm very happy about this as she was very loud and dirty to live with. She decided to move back in with her best friend which is fine with me. I'm just glad she's out!

Sleep, Shopping, Car

1. I got a chance to sleep in for the first time in a week. It was so nice! I loooove sleeping in!

2. I drove to Virginia so I could go to Target and grocery shopping. I found a grocery store that had so much more variety than the store near the school. I was able to stock up on all my favorite low fat and weight watcher foods that I've been craving!

3. My car ran great today! I was so relieved to go out to my car and have it start for a change. I took it to a small car wash and got it cleaned. My car is once again happy :)

Car, Driving, Chinese

1. I fixed my car! Yay!! The battery died again because I haven't driven my car in a month. Fortunately, campus security gave me a jump and the car runs just fine now. I heart my car! :)

2. I took my car out for a drive as it needed some exercise. Poor thing has ben stuck in the school parking garage! The drive did me some good and I felt refreshed when I got back to campus.

3. I ordered Chinese food tonight for dinner since I'm working and don't have much time to go to the Market Place on campus to eat. I ordered these crabmeat cheese wontons for the first time. They were soooo good! My tummy was pretty happy afterwards. I have to remember to order those again! :)

Counseling, Busy, Bowling

1. I saw my counselor today. I've really missed her and it felt good to see her again. She's very proud of the progress I've made which made me feel good.

2. Today was a busy day overall even though training ended at 11:30am. Had appointments, errands on campus to run, and work to do with other RA's. Busy is a good thing.

3. Tonight, I volunteered to go out bowling with some of the new students at school. There was about 25 of us who headed to the bowling alley. I had a good time meeting other students and bowling. I suck at bowling but I still love it! Bowling is fun no matter how terrible you are. Funny thing was I ended up getting the highest score! I became popular tonight :)

Activity, Professors, Time

1. Training went by pretty quickly today. There were many activities that kept time moving along. We played dodge ball as our team building exercise which was a lot of fun. It got the heart pumping and blood flowing. It was definitely good exercise!

2. I saw two of my professors today. Unlike most other universities, students here tend to become close with their instructors/professors. We know each other on a personal basis so they become more like friends. It was good seeing them.

3. Training ended an hour early today. That was really nice. I love getting out of meetings and such early. It always makes me feel like I have more time to do things.

Ice-Skating, Games, Cold!

1. Today as part of our team building exercise for training, we went to an ice skating rink. It was the first time I've ever ice skated! I'm very good on rollerskates and rollerblades so this was a little bit different for me. It took me about 15 minutes and then from then on, it was no big deal. I felt like I was on rollerskates which blew everyone away. They couldn't believe it was my first time on ice! ;)

2. We played various different games competing against each dorm. One was to create a 20 second figure skating routine with a partner from your dorm. My partner and I won! We couldn't believe it!

3. The weather was so cold with an icy breeze. It gave me the chance to try out my new coat I got for Xmas along with my new gloves. It was perfect in the weather and kept me so warm!

Japan, Mail, Training

1. I got a New Year's post card from a friend of mine in Japan. The letter also contained pictures of when he attended school here. It was so nice to get something from Japan again. I miss that country.

2. I received a bunch of other Xmas and New Year's pictures from my friends in my school mailbox. I love receiving something in the mail that isn't a bill!

3. Training actually went really well today. It was much more organized and not so overwhelming as the one in the Fall. I especially liked the gym activity where we had to carry each of our team members across the gym in a blanket. Too funny!

Friend, Movie, Music

1. I got to see a good friend of mine who I used to work with in St. Louis. It's been a couple of months but we still picked up where we left off.

2. I saw the movie Juno. One of my friends told me that parts of it would make me sad but I wasn't sad at all. I found the movie to funny and very cute.

3. My friend and I drove all around St. Louis listening to hip-hop music as loud as it would go. He has some really cool songs that I haven't heard in a while so it was great listening to them again. Overall, we had a great day together!

Mitsuwa, Laundry, Japanese Food

1. I went to my favorite Japanese grocery store, Mitsuwa, to pick up stuff for dinner. I love this store because I feel like I'm back in Japan whenever I go there. Most asian stores carry a mix of various asian foods. But this one only carries strictly Japanese food. I found myself reminiscing about my days when I lived in Japan. Good memories!

2. I got my laundry done and ready to go. It's nice to use my parents' washer and dryer and not have to pay for it!

3. I cooked a very nice Japanese dinner for my parents tonight. I pulled out my Nabe pot and some of my other Japanese things. I don't get a chance to cook Japanese food or use my things from Japan often. My parents loved dinner and it was a nice way to end the day on my last day here.

Dad, T, The Gang

1. I had lunch with my dad today which is always nice! We went out for sushi. I haven't had sushi in a very long time and had been craving it. My dad was very excited and was so funny as he watched the sushi boats go around passing him by. My dad accidentally ate one that was made with a jalapeno sauce and nearly choked! It didn't stop him from eating more though! It was a nice relaxing lunch with just the two of us. I love my dad :)

2. My dad dropped me off at T's place afterward. We hung out and chatted as this will be the last time we'll see each other for a while. We ran errands and then she dropped me off at home. It was good seeing her one last time.

3. I hung out with the College Gang after dinner. Went to Carrow's since there was nothing else opened. They're all really young and full of energy. I had a lot to unload and I'm glad they were there to listen. They really made me laugh and I felt so much better afterwards.

Juice, Mall, Dinner

1. I got my Jamba Juice again. I'm trying to get in my Jamba Juice as much as I can before I head back east since they don't have them in DC.

2. I hung out at the mall with a friend of mine just for something to do. It was a nice break away from the house and also kept my mind off of other things that have been bugging me. I felt better afterwards.

3. I met up with E and her husband tonight for dinner. It was so good seeing her! She looked great! I got to chat with her husband more as I've only met him briefly a couple of times. He's a really nice guy and they seem to be doing well together. After dinner, we hung out at a coffee shop and chatted until they closed. It was so good to chat and catch up on what's been going on in the last year. I'm gonna miss her when I go back to school.

Santa Rosa

1. I drove up to Santa Rosa to visit my close friend J-9 and her husband. I don't get to see them very often as they live about 2hrs from where I am right now. They're both doing great! I love going up there and staying at their place because it's so relaxing. No stress or pressure to be someone I'm not. I can be myself knowing full well that we are like family. I always sleep so well there too which is why I always come back home feeling replenished.

2. We drove through the wine country and stopped at a few places to go wine tasting. The first place was this little tiny vineyard...I wasn't impressed. The second place was great and the people working were so much fun! We tried about 5 different wines. I decided to get my parents a bottle of wine as a thank you for helping me out so much since I've been here. The third place we went to to served excellent wine! The place was packed full of people from SJ! It was like a small party going on! We chatted with them as we drank and tried different wines. The people were so friendly and one woman even gave me support and her spiritual advice to help me through this next year. Her kind words will stay with me. I left that winery slightly tipsy as we headed off back home for dinner.

3. Dinner couldn't have been better...Fondue! How can you go wrong with hot melted cheese and bread with a glass of white wine? It was the best dinner ever! Fondue with friends is always comforting :)

Waxing, Mall, Friends

1. I got my bikini wax today! And yes it did hurt. Actually, the left side was fine but when my girl went to do the right side, that's when I felt pain! I just keep telling myself...pain is a good thing!

2. Hung out with Breeze at the mall and bought myself two rings. It's time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Also got to have my Jamba Juice...Yum! :D

3. Got to hang out with friends tonight. It's nice to listen to other people's problems for a change instead of my own. Plus we played a really fun game which made the evening!

M-Girl!, Mall, Pub

1. Got to hang out with M-girl today! She's now married and loving it which makes me happy for her. I haven't seen her in a very long time and it was so good to hang out and do girly stuff together.

2. M-girl and I tend to always go shopping so we hung out at the mall. I didn't really buy anything but just walking around, talking, and catching up felt great!

3. We hung out at this Irish pub and got something to eat. I learned some things about her that I never knew before which made me feel closer to her. As always, her positiveness rubbed off onto me and I felt happy after we left. I don't know when I'll see her again but at least I know I can still call her when I need a friend to talk to.

Happy New Year 2008

I'm so glad 2008 is here!

1. The Tyger an I headed to Santa Cruz where we went to our favorite coffee house. We both had our hot Chai Latte with vegan cookies. Yummy! It was the perfect treat this afternoon. We sat outside where it was quiet and peaceful. We had the most relaxing day here that we didn't want to leave.

2. The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS! It was sunny, warm, and very clear. We could see across the bay all the way to Monterey. The ocean was very pretty with the sun reflecting off the water.

3. We hung out in the shops in the downtown area. I bought a beautiful purse made from red taffeta fabric. It was on clearance for $10 at this asian store. I couldn't resist for a price like that! It's the first thing I bought for 2008 and I intend to use it!

A beautiful day in Santa Cruz with one of your closest friends...what can anyone ask for?