I'm sorry my sweet friends that I said I was back 6 months ago and then you all lost me again. I had just found out at that time right after I posted that last post, that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. There were a whirlwind of events that took place immediately following. Many of you who read this already know, some of you who may stop by perhaps don't.
My mom passed away a week ago Monday. Her funeral was last Saturday. I'm very sad and miss my mom more than words may describe. I will always remember her and treasure the beautiful memories shared. The funeral was beautiful and wonderful. Many dear friends and family attended. I'm at a loss of words for the moment though will return after work tonight.
Thank you for stopping by and I will do my best to keep this updated as promised earlier. So much to write about just not right now.
Hey hey, it's been a good while, ummm, 6 or 7 months now, hmmm definitely time to get back into blogging.
I've updated a lot of stuff... and I will return tomorrow to enter a more informative post.
Much has happened since the last entry.
Good, bad and ugly... though making something pretty out of it all, lol. Or trying anyway lol.
I hope to see all of you again... I'm working on multiple goals and I will keep anyone who reads this updated as best I am able.
I'm working on my book, a biography since I will be using a pen name, not my own. Eleven chapters into it so far! I will return to writing activities on my writing corner blog as well, and for those of you who read this and are not familiar, the link is posted on the right column. (2nd writing corner blog as I changed the link)
I went to the dr yesterday morning and learned that nothing showed up in the WBC scan (white blood cell). So, now the dr is ordering an MRI to see if they find anything in the bone marrow or joints, etc. Narrowed out the small and on to the big... see what's going on. So I still don't know what's wrong. I'm waiting for the call to come to schedule the MRI. Back in the waiting game again. In the meantime dr prescribed an ankle brace for me, so I picked it up yesterday after my appointment with him. Wore it to work, and it was nice to be able to put equal weight on both legs for a change.
At this point, I don't know what could be wrong. If nothing is found in the MRI, I plan to call my physician and see if I can get a referral to some specialist and see what sort of diagnosis can be made.
Tonight I plan to stay the night at my cousin Diana's and work on the fashionably classic watches with her and be able to make mine and bring home to wear...I can hardly wait. Then go to church in the morning with Diana and her family.
Otherwise, taking it easy over here. Have a great day y'all :)
So I should know more on Fri as I have an appointment made to go see the foot doctor that morning and get my results from the scan.
Fingers crossed, that I'll know what the problem is and know how to treat it.
I want to go running so bad, it kills me. I'm finally getting motivated again. I have my ups and downs lately with emotions. I miss Tony. But managing fine. Been a hermit for awhile, mostly because I'm poor. Lol. Getting things done again and FAFSA/SAR should reach ASU within 3-5 business days as of Monday, or was it yesterday, ugh, I can't keep days straight anymore. I'll be calling them on Fri too. (Payday) So I can pay to have GED transcript sent to them that day, and pay to apply at ASU. Yep, I've been that poor. Hopefully I can get accepted and able to register for classes real soon. Keeping fingers crossed on this too.
I found out last Tue (a week ago) that after meeting with a foot/ankle specialist that I do NOT have cellulitis on my foot/ankle. So today I received my call from the hospital and I've just scheduled a bone scan for next Thursday the 13th. It will be all day at the hospital if you're not familiar with bone scans, my check-in time is at 7:15am, 8am I have my blood drawn, at 12noon I will have an injection and will need the next four hours to pee it out of my system, then at 3pm is the bone scan. Whew. Sigh. I'm not sure how much longer after the bone scan I will actually get the results, but I will keep you posted as soon as I am informed. I'm a bit nervous and the foot doctor doesn't know what it is... he thinks it may be some sort of disease. Will see if the bone scan will have something light up or have any "hot spots"...
The pain has increased and has travelled through different locations. I have pain also in my shin and knee area of my right leg and also my right arm, as well as my left foot. Nothing like feeling a burning sensation and sharp pain in both feet at the same time! Ergh. I'm a bit worried, and feeling a lot like I need to get all things in order in my life right now. The pain has been a bit intense, and I really don't know what to expect at this point but hopefully find out soon. The foot dr, that my family dr has referred me to, also plans to retrieve the results from my lab/blood work that was done at my dr's office. If the info he needs is not on those results, then he will have my blood drawn at his office and send it for testing for the info/details he needs to find out.
It has been brought to my attention that should nothing come of this testing... then perhaps I should be referred to an internist for internal medicine. One thing at a time... and we'll see where this step takes me.
I went to church last Sunday with cousin Diana and her family and Uncle Gary and Aunt Carol came along too. We met up at their stake center for stake conference. It was nice.
My thoughts are pretty focused on a few things lately. I've been doing a lot of pondering too.
Funny where life takes us sometimes - eh?
Things are ok over here and I'm doing good despite the physical pain and the journey that goes with it. I manage to smile and laugh still. It's nice to want to come home and to a home that feels like home. My roommates are wonderful. I feel at peace here.
I hope any of you who read this are doing good and healthy.
I've been noticing lately how interesting it is and how vital it is for us to learn to "let go" of this or that in our lives. For some it is 'letting go' of a child as they grow into adult years and letting them go out into the world. For others it may be 'letting go' of a loved one as it is their time to transfer from one world into another as their life here ends. Or it may be 'letting go' of another loved one as one relationship ends to be available for another to form. There are many types of 'letting go' in our lives.
Maybe it is 'letting go' in other forms. 'Letting go' of a memory or 'letting go' of a job, etc etc. No matter the form or person we may need to 'let go' per-se of this or that... the essence of letting go is difficult and challenging if we let it.
I'm learning to 'let go' of many things lately. I've recently told my ex-beau T, that I need time away from him for at least 1-3 months so I may heal my wounds and allow myself to be open for someone new to enter my life. We were spending too much time together before I could heal and it was as if adding salt to a wound that had never healed. So as hard as it has been, it is also very soothing for me and I'm now in the 'healing' process if-you-will. (In order for our friendship to remain on healthy terms, this is so needed for me)
I'm meeting new people and starting to feel alive again, in a weird sense. Things at work are changing drastically and I'm making new friends too.
As one door closes -another opens... I'm truly seeing and experiencing this lately. Many doors are opening and it's been quite interesting. Of course, it's like that one door that we know what is behind it, is the most comforting one to choose, but I'm starting to venture out and seek what is behind the other doors for me. Life is an adventure and I'm definitely one up for journeys!
May your day be filled with fun adventures! More to come soon :)
I barely received the email news about it since I just arrived home from work.
Tonight I am sad.
I'm thinking of all the good memories of Aunt Jeanne and the time I spent a summer in Modesto CA back in 1988 (I think it was). My sweet love to Wendy and all her brothers and esp Ron Litke too.
May Aunt Jeanne finally rest in peace and comfort and enjoy the reunion of many loved ones. And may her loved ones that are still here remember her as the great woman we all love and adore and may they find peace and happiness too even with this great loss at this time.
I feel esp blessed for having known my Aunt Jeanne and for the fun times shared. My heart is full of much love and tenderness towards a loving family, I can call my own too.
1) I have about 22+ best friends: (in no particular order) ----------1 Tony M---------2 Tina ---3 SWAT GALS: Laura; Chalysse; Kimber; Pam; Shana; Georgia ----------4 Laura F--------5 CarolLynn ----------6 Brad -----------7 Jennie ----------8 Amber----------8 Keith ----------9 Meg-----------10 Erin ---------11 Kristen-------12 Wendy ---------13 Kim ----------14 Zara ---------15 Naomi---------16 Tammy ---------17 Jenn----------18 Heather ---------19 Liz-----------20 Ivette ---------21 Jeni----------22 Lori ---------23 Richard-------24 Alain/Marlita ---------25 Shelley-------26 Lynzie
2) I have about 20+ other good associate friends and co-workers (former and present) I could add to the list in number 1 above. Lol. {I really do my best to keep up with everyone and each of their lives individually and in touch somehow. Those in the list above I try to keep in touch with the most!} Friends are vital in my life and I truly treasure the ones who are most dear to me. I try to be a good friend to each one, and because I have so many wonderful people in my life, sometimes I'm not as good a friend as I'd prefer to be. Nonetheless, I do my best and I have enough love to share for all. ;) (I've been accused of putting my friends before family, and I never saw it that way, it's just that I have so many great and beautiful people that are near to me -when I was younger I was still establishing how to manage showing my love to each and every person when needed, that sometimes my family thought I was never available to them. The fact is, there were times when I just really needed my friends too because they knew me -at times-better than my family and could help me when I needed it. So I turned to them a lot when I was esp younger and received exactly whatever it was I needed, esp the advice or love and understanding I wasn't getting at home and felt loved. These fabulous people are still in my life today. I feel very blessed and loved by my wonderful friends.) ~note: not to be misread or misinterpreted, on the contrary, I'm not saying that I don't feel loved by my family either.~ (Just paying some tribute to the wonderful and dear friends in my life)
3) Painting is something I hope to venture more into and explore. I love creativity and I crave artistic ventures. I enjoy many different artists. One in which I really admire and could stare into the artwork longingly and forever of Thomas Barbey and I was just introduced to an artist by a friend of mine last night, H. R. Giger I am intrigued by the unusual and unique.
4) I can read multiple books at a time and will. Although I've taken a break from it for a short while and do need to get back into reading regularly again. Found some interesting titles at Sam's Club today and had to control the urge to pick up a few of them. I have a library card, and need to hit the library soon instead. Lol.
5) I'm a huge fan of ARMY WIVES tv show on Lifetime channel. (Don't anyone dare try to have a conversation with me while it's on the tv screen, even if I've already seen the ep before that is playing) And I could watch every ep of Will & Grace a hundred times or more and not tire of it. In fact, that is my own stocking stuffer gift to myself -from Santa this year! Yee hee! (Can't wait to spend some Christmas cheer with Jacki; Karen; Will; Grace and Rosario!) I can laugh for hours with this show! (And my long time fave I LOVE LUCY too) I have a super large collection of I LOVE LUCY videos/dvds and my next goal is start collecting W & G dvds! Woohoo!
6) I used to do 1,000 sit-ups each night. Clearly I need to get back into it lol.
7) I am a wuss when I see a cockroach, beetle of any kind, and esp spiders. But put a mouse in the room and I'll be all "Awww how cute" with it! Go figure? If there's any sort of spider anywhere near me, no matter where I am, it could be the darn library and I'll grab someone to kill it for me! I don't want any chances of any spiders burying their pesky legs and teeth into my skin ever again! I have a scar on my face from one ever since 5th grade and I cringe whenever near one! Those suckers don't stand a chance if anywhere near me! I have no sympathy or love for these gross pests.
And to change up the rules to be a rebel, Here's another one 8) I can't stand rules. Lol. I will find a way to bend any sort of rule for the hell of it just to be a bother and for my own pure joy. A true smart ass and rebel at heart! What can I say? But, hi, that's me! (wink wink)
Here you go Spencer bro! Sorry it took me forever and a few weeks! Lol. I so suck at these things, but it was fun anyway, - who knew it could be so enjoyable? Lol.
My foot has started aching with horrendously awful throbbing and stinging again. I immediately scheduled a visit with my dr's office not wanting to chance any sort of worry with this issue... and after meeting with my dr, she wants to narrow it down and find out what's going on. So she's wondering if it may be DIABETES. So I'm scheduled to go back to the office this Saturday and do more blood work. Yeppers, more blood work. And this next Tue I have an appointment to go through the 2 hour Glucose Tolerance testing for Diabetes. I don't know what to think right now, so I'm just hanging tight and taking one day at a time of course, and we'll see. Apparently because of a previous dr visit a few weeks/months back, after discovering how horribly high my cholesterol levels have been, my dr is a bit worried that it could also play a factor in the cellulitis not healing. Clearly it could be a number of different things and we're back on the saddle figuring it all out again. Fun fun. In the meantime, I was not able to drive going home from work tonight (Thursday, yep I'm still up)... and had to call my roommies to come and get me. Ah the joys of medical issues. I have to be extremely cautious though as cellulitis is not a medical problem to take lightly at all. It is life threatening when not treated and as soon as I experienced sharp pain and misery, I called my dr's office ASAP.
I'll keep you all posted as I am. In the meantime I took some photos of my foot... it doesn't look like it did back on Sept 13th when I went kayaking and first discovered the discoloring as it worsened into black/blue/purple and red colors before making it to the dr's office at that time. It has since faded into a light red discoloration, and the pain has returned. I was unable to drive home from work last night (as it's my right foot) and the pain was too much to bear. So my roommates came and picked me up at my co-worker's house and helped get me and my car home. Fun fun.
I wrote a long post earlier today and for some reason, it didn't save and I didn't have time to re-type it all.
So here is my 2nd attempt. Ergh. :) Anyway, in response to Wendy's question about how it went...
Well, I don't know yet. The results will be posted online on Oct 23rd. Mailed out on Oct 31.
I may need to retake the test and that is ok. I overheard two gals talking, while there were about 100 or so other students and myself waiting to be let into the building of where we would take the test... and these two gals were discussing someone they knew who had already taken the S.A.T. test multiple times until she got a perfect score of 2400 as this person would be attending an Ivy League school or at least a school where she'll be going from 6-8 years of schooling. So, I started thinking that if I don't pass, I'd definitely retake...as I need to get over 1040 or 1050 (something like that for ASU) and if I don't... I'll definitely aim for a much higher score the next time around.
I'm also considering scheduling to take the A.C.T. test additionally if I need to retake the S.A.T. -that way I have a higher possibility of reaching a score of what is required for ASU to be able to attend. So I plan to get into ASU one way or another and if I have to wait a few more months, then so be it.
I will keep you all posted as I am.
Have a beautiful day tomorrow and catch you all later :)
This SATURDAY at 7:45am I will be at the testing center for the S.A.T. test in which I have registered (and it ain't cheap). I'm getting super duper nervous people.
All I ask is a few little sweet prayers sent my way so that I can pass with what is required to be admitted into ASU (Arizona State University) so I can start registering for classes for January. If I do not get over 1040 or 1050 (I forget exact number) total on the math/reading sections together, then I won't be qualified to register at ASU. I need to just get over that score and I can register. Ergh.
I haven't had much time to study because I've put in so many hours of overtime at work that have been quite necessary. I've read a lot in my S.A.T. book though I wish I've had more time to study even more. So I'm about to start biting my fingernails, then toenails, and maybe even start pulling hair out soon. I'm a nervous wreck over here.
Wish me luck that I not only pass but that I pass with my fingernails, toenails and hair still in check! Lol.
Hi hi, it's been awhile, I know. I've had so much going on, I haven't had time, nor the energy to focus on blogging my own posts, and frankly my mind has been fogged with so much going on. Also, I'm not currently using my own computer, so time is limited on this one.
So much to update. Basically, without all details, the trip to Disneyland was still fun and the race was awesome, though the trip was not ideal, as my boyfriend and I broke up Tue and we drove home Thursday, last week.
Friday night I talked with Alain, my dear friend, and arranged moving me out Sat late night. And we did as planned after she got off work around 10pm. We managed to get everything out in 2 hours without waking up Tobyn (homeowner/landlord).
Talk about a long, stressful, upsetting, spontaneous, overwhelming, fun and not fun, week!! Sunday late night, got the last of my things after Tobyn changed the locks on me. Nice huh?
I'm currently discussing legal matters with an attorney or two. Cautiously not listing too much info on here. For now anyway.
Talk about not even having really much time to grieve over the break up. There simply hasn't been time for it. Lol.
The trip was like a vacation from hell... I won't elaborate tonight. Too exhausted to even go into it. Though the race, the half marathon was AWESOME! I finished 13.1 miles in 3 hrs and 22min. My ex, Tony, finished in 3 hrs and 36 min. And you bet I was thrilled!
I'll post pictures when he sends them to me as they're on his camera and camera phone.
Next race is PF Chang's in January -FULL MARATHON!! My first Full Marathon. So I seriously need to get training for that one. And register for it too.
Also for anyone else that may be interested... I'm thinking of doing the half marathon at Walt Disney World called Disney's Princess Half Marathon in May 2009! I may even arrange a large group of women who are interested in going. This is the first time ever this race is put on! This is the inaugural event! Seems super fun! Any DIET DIVAS interested???
It's late, and I'm falling asleep as I type this, so I will return later with more news. Oh yah real quick... I've registered for the S.A.T. and test is on Oct 4th! So I'll be studying my little heart out on a regular basis. Wish me luck! :)
Next Sunday Aug 31st is our RACE DAY! I'm soooooooo excited and can't wait! Tony and I drive out Fri evening to California. Saturday we will go to the Expo and pick up our race info, chips, etc. We will spend Saturday at California Adventure and that night is our huge pasta dinner in the park with the other runners! Yay!
Sunday race begins at 6am! We have to arrive before 4:30am as that is when the last shuttle will take us to the start line. Our hotel is really close, so no worries in that dept. Yay!
After the race, we plan to take a nap at the hotel and play with Astro (Tony's dog-we're bringing him with us), and then go back to play at Disneyland.
I forget what all we are doing on which days, but Tue we are also going to tour MUD (Make-Up Designory) school and then off to the LA Zoo. Lotsa play time!
(Well, I had to stop where I was above, because I received a phone call from my prego woman friend Kimber, and take her to the hospital as she was in pain. Her hubby was at church and they only have one car. So I've just returned from the hospital and all is ok. Despite the fact that her ribs are separating from cartilage, and apparently this is normal. Weird. So she needs to really limit her motions and what she does while at work etc. Poor gal.)
So I wanted to let you all know that if you click here you could see in detail what all we will be doing in Disneyland!
I've also sent a couple emails out to a few people letting them know how to track Tony or myself while we're running the race! So if any of you are also interested in tracking us, please feel free to let me know and I'll be happy to send you the same info as well.
I'm just waiting for the sun to go down and go run a good 10mile run tonight. Maybe I'll go for a swim too. Ahhh.
Gradual progress, but progress!! Yay! I've been receiving compliments at work quite a bit lately. So even though the numbers are small numbers, it's a noticeable difference and I feel great! Anxious to get even more inches off and more weight lost! Yay for me! I'll take a photo later. Gonna get ready to go run and see if there are any differences in measurements before/after running, what can I say, I'm totally curious! Hee hee
OK, so I re-measured after my run. I ran from 9:50am - 10:44am 3.6m (actually 3.5m in 50 min, I walked the rest home and had to wait to cross street etc. hee hee). Oh and this was running along the canal with hills in mid morning to almost noon heat in Arizona!! So, all in all, if I can run this good in this horribly hot weather, then I'm sure I'll do great in cool Cali weather! I can't wait!
So, after measuring myself again, and weighing myself (keep in mind I drank 40 oz of water too), my weight went to exactly 156, and the other measurements were up by an inch or so. WOW! So esp running in this AZ heat, the body does swell up a bit. I will definitely continue measurements in the future before running! Lol. I didn't even want to post the measurements, you can estimate why. Lol.
Stress at home. Stress at work. Stress with finances. Stress with relationships in general (not with my man). Stress with family. Stress in life. Stress with decisions to make. Ugh. Stress, stress, stress.
I'm trying to watch out for my health. I am not supposed to get stressed out. I have cholesterol so high, it's out of my range.
How to de-stress?
I exercise. I run. I'm now doing push-ups (Thanx Merrianne/Amy-Diet Divas)
Planning vacation and all the responsibilities that need to be taken care of before-hand and during.
Trying to get involved in fundraising for 3-day Komen's Breast Cancer Walk. Then I find out while doing budgeting today, I can't participate. I can't afford it. I'm too involved in a few other big events anyway. {Bummer, sad}
Planning to register by Sept 9th (costly too) for SAT test on Oct 4th. Studying. Lotsa stuff to study.
Roommate situation has been tense. {enter sad face} Another friend offering me spare room at her house and for less rent cost. {enter confused face, weighing pros/cons, gotta make decision}
My roommie is more anal than my super anal friend. How weird is that? And my friend is indeed super anal. I can handle anal, but now I'm wondering, insanely anal? Hmmmm.
Errrrrgh, I moved into a place to rent a room, to lessen financial stress, now it seems worse. I'm just hanging in there until Sept/Oct when I should be able to move back into my old dept and make the money I was making before I was demoted. I was actually supposed to start NEW training tomorrow! But because I'm going on vacation I'll be out for three days and it cuts into training schedule. Sadly, I've already had this training before, but it doesn't make any difference. Rules are rules. Ergh again.
So, I'm kinda counting down the days.
Not only for our super fun Disneyland trip, but also for when I can make the extra money I was making before I moved. I've been in the same financial scene I was in before I moved, just with even less money and tighter. Grrrr. I know we all have this sorta stress, or at least most of us do, Remember, I also blog my frustrations when I need some sort of therapy and this is my therapy too. Hee hee.
Why is it that men are so dumb? Ok, not all men, but generally speaking, yah. I'm learning that I live with two very unhappy men. Talk about a downer. They can't stand to see me in a happy relationship with Tony and daily I hear one reason or another of why I should leave my boyfriend. What the hell? It's really starting to bug me.
Well there are other issues now going on in the house, and I'm thinking we're all going to be keeping to ourselves quite a bit. I'm trying to turn a bummer situation into a better one... but how is that done when you feel like you are communicating with a brick wall when you thought you were discussing an issue with a person? Argh. I feel like no matter what I say, I've been turned OFF like a light switch. And I'm not being heard.
I know I'm being very vague on here. And for a reason. I don't want to go into it all right now. It's lengthy and exhausting. And not even worth going into right now. Maybe later.
Anyway....on to better things.
Sat night was fun. Tony picked me up and we met my old dear friend Ben Catlin and his wife Rachel for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. What a fun night! I hadn't seen them both since the night of their wedding. So it was really fun to see them. I think it's been since about 2004/2005 I forget. It's been awhile. So we caught up on everything and plan to hook up for more fun times. I'm sooooo happy to have my buddy Ben in my life again, and excited to get to know Rachel even more. She is very sweet and a good fit for Ben and his family for sure. :)
I'm still going to tour MUD (Make-Up Designory)school while we are in CA. And it looks like Tony has found a job to apply for out in Anaheim at Disneyland. Yay!
No decisions have been made or set in stone, so we'll see where life takes us in the next 6 months or so. Lol. With me, one surely never knows, not even me. LOL.
I'll write more later, I'm kinda under-the-weather, so I'll spare y'all the blue-ness. Off to go study.
Saturday late morning (slept in after working til midnight and staying up a couple hours) I went for a super quick run (maybe 2 miles) ...bolted home, cleaned up and met up with two super girlfriends Kimber and Pam. There was a bridal shower going on early afternoon that some friends were putting on...as we know the groom but we do not know the bride. Anyway, the bride, Barbara is here from a different state, so the girls wanted to put on a bridal shower for her (and esp for Mike, the groom). So Kimber, Pam and I went shopping! We went to Fascinations. YEPPPPP one of those stores! Haha! Bought some super fun things... glow-in-the-dark hand cuffs, signs with messages, hugs & kisses coupons, lots of fun little things for in the bedroom, tee hee. We had a ball, and did our best to keep it G/or PG rated. Lol. I went with them to Costco to pick up a berry cheesecake for the fun shower.
Then the girls were off to the shower and I hooked up with another friend Alain. Alain met me at Taco Bell, I walked there from Costco, yah I totally spaced following them in my own car... since they had planned to go straight to the shower in Gilbert. Silly me. I get sidetracked or distracted of any kind, and I space it. Lol. My wonderful friend Alain, picked me up at Taco Bell. We stayed there and chatted for awhile first. Got a few munchies too. Heh heh. I was starvin' marvin'.
After that we were off to the movies! We went to see a scary movie, because I especially wanted to see at least one scary movie for my birthday and Alain had been in the mood for one too and had no one to go with... perfect plan! We both wanted to see one... and we discovered THE STRANGERS with Liv Tyler (I'll post a trailer on here below the text). We loved it! After feeling totally tense and scared outta our skin... we decided to see a happy movie. Tee hee. So we bought tickets to see WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS with Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. Talk about FUUUUNNNNY! We sooooo loved it. (I'll post a trailer of this too) After laughing sooooooo hard and loving the good feel of a happy movie... heh heh, we went to RED LOBSTER for dinner. Had the most yummy dinner... and when I came out of the ladies' room, three server gals were waiting to sing to me with a super yummy dessert on the table. I was kinda embarrassed, and grateful they sang soft and so pretty... lol. Oh and this was no simple scoop of ice cream with a little hershey sauce... nope nope... this was a yummy scrumptious thick baked goooey choc chip cookie with vanilla ice cream on top and a little hersheys drizzled. OMG, heavenly.
To end our fun night... we went for a walk around my neighborhood, checked out the community pool, since I hadn't seen it yet and was curious, and OMG talk about a perfect lap pool and a jacuzzi to boot! I'm soooo gonna start using it. We dipped our feet and chatted for a little while. A sweet beautiful day.
S U N D A Y ~ my birthday ~ Tony came to pick me up around 10am and we went to AZ Science Center. On the way we stopped for a bite to eat at Arby's. Chatted for a little while then were off for a science day! We walked through the Narnia exhibit, which held many of the props from the film, film clips, behind the scenes of how they did this or that, built the castle etc, it was really cool. Then we watched a film on IMAX screen about Sea Monsters. It was cool. And off to the Planetarium to watch a documentary about Black Holes. That was really fascinating. The film screen was the entire ceiling and it was completely opal/circular and awesome. (this took us about 4-5 hours to do)
Then we went to dinner at Carraba's in Chandler. Yummy yum dinner... oooh la la. Watched a little olympics on the tv screen by our table... and had a fun time. I love my sweet man T. Then we went back to his place, and another friend of mine, Laura, was on her way to pick me up. Tony totally crashed on the sofa. He was super tired. Poor guy. Gave him a sweet kiss for a fun day and I was off.
Laura and I went for a walk. We were going to go for ice cream, but my server at Carraba's totally surprised me and brought me a dessert. Vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, and cinnamon/brown sugar (something) covered pecans... oh my yummylicious. I was ice creamed out. lol.
So we went for a walk on the canal, and I was super happy to get in some exercise at least with all the heaviness of big dishes. And we had a fun time talking and walking. Laura, thank you for the sweet ULTA gift card. I'll put that to some fun use and let you know what I get. Yay! {hugz}
My day ended nicely and I loved my weekend.
Monday morning before work (yesterday)... I met up with my two cousins Diana and Katie for lunch at Chipotle (Tempe Marketplace). Had an AWWWWESUM time! We soooo need to do this more often. I love my beautiful cousins. We met up to discuss my plans of going to ASU for nutrition etc. The girls gave me so much to ponder and consider. So I'm in pondering mode. Lol. And truly grateful for the information that was given to me. I wish I had my camera and took photos of our time at lunch. It was soooo good to see them and spend good time with them. We did a lot of catch up in our personal lives and it was super fun. I love you girls so much. {{Hugz}}
Diana, thank you so much for the cute purse notepad and the card with the bookmarks (jewelry) ...awwww so sweet. I love it. I'm so glad we were able to hook up and have lunch. {hugs again}
And off to work I went... Fun weekend. (little happy sighs, it's over) I really enjoyed myself. Thank you everyone. :)
I received text messages gallore, poor Tony had to keep waiting for me to read all of my text messages and respond, received a couple calls that I couldn't take. THANK YOU Spencer, Merrianne, Libby and Jacob for the gorgeously sweet Happy Bday song singing on the message you left me. I love it.
Not to leave out... Wendy cuz girl, thank you so much for the A NEW EARTH book and the WHAT THE BLEEP? dvds... I'm still trying to get to the other two discs. Loved the first one! Haven't read all of the book yet, but I will and I'll keep you updated too. :) {{Hugz to you too}}
And I missed hooking up with a few other people because my schedule was so full. I feel so loved and blessed with beautiful friends and family that love me. Hugz and blowin' kisses to all of you. Thank you for making my day so special and fun. LuvLuvLuv, Christy :)
Ohhh oh, and would you believe I ran into an old friend from high school I hadn't seen since 1992 and of all places at work!? We've been working in the same building and our paths hadn't crossed until I ran into a file with her name on it, sent her an email and we found each other. She works on the east side of the building and I work on the west side. I've been there a year come November and she's been with the company for six years, worked five of those years in this very building and we never bumped into each other. Wow! Share the same lunchroom/breakroom, restrooms etc... sooooo weird. My dear friend Lori Fajardo! We are totally going to hook up and catch up on the years we've missed. And I was just thinking of her weeks ago. So weird. And I almost didn't recognize her. Such a great reunion! I'm soooooooooo happy to have her in my life again. She wrote me while I was on my mission and that was the last of our contact. She has two pretty little girls now. I'm soooo happy to get to spend time with her again. Awwww this day couldn't have been better. Grrrrrreat birthday gift from God. Thank you God. Mwah mwah.
And now the trailers as I mentioned above:
THE STRANGERS with Liv Tyler (based on true story, and can actually happen today)
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS with Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher
Ok so I just learned that I won't have to re-take the GED! (big sigh) whewie. I was told the other day that I need a score of 500 or higher on GED. My score on my GED is 255 with a battery score of 51. So I naturally freaked. Thought I would need to re-take etc. Then, last night I was online and discovered that the GED I took in 1990 was GED 1988 test/scores. There has since been a whole new test, with all new scoring system as of 2002. By 2012/2013 there will be another new GED/test etc. Soooo, I called ASU admissions to find out if there is a different score expectation for the GED 1988. THERE IS! Would you believe 50 or higher on the battery score and I have a 51 !!! I made it! Whoooewie.
So, thankfully I don't have to re-take the GED test!! Yay! I read last night that the whole test has changed and it would contain all sorts of information that I didn't learn! Ikes. Concentrations in different topics have changed etc.
I'm flying on Cloud 9 right now!
Next, my focus is on SAT testing now. I will stop by on my way to work to pick up an SAT book to have an idea of what to be ready for come test day (Oct 4th). I have to register by Sept 9th. So much to do still. (little sighs, but happy sighs...)
So I'm thinking about posting a before/during photo and then I'll keep updating with before/during/after photos while I'm going through the process of shedding pounds and fat.
Can you believe I thought I was fat in the photo below? This is me on my mission (Early 1994) in Minnesota (Alexandria) My 2nd area. Do you see my waist? I actually have a shirt tucked into a skirt! Gosh, to be able to do that again! :)
Here I am in the photo below, at one of my most fittest times in my life. I believe this was taken around 1998-1999. I'm not sure when exactly. I was working out at the gym with a trainer, and then around 2000 I worked out with a military trainer, actually carrying a barbell while running on a mountain etc... I was into hardcore training methods. You can't see it in this photo, but I had a 6-pak developing at this stage in my life. I'd like to get near this again. Can you believe it was only a short time, within 3-5 years after this was taken that I started gaining all the weight.
The photo below was taken Christmas Day 2006, if memory serves right.
The photo above was during Summer 2007 (August) at Disneyland. Tony and I went there just a week or so before he was going into the hospital for his bone marrow transplant. Andrea and her family happened to be going there while we were there. So we hooked up one day for a few hours. It so happened to be our last day, and their first I think. Uck, notice how big I am in this photo? I didn't have many clothes I could even fit into. Not a fun size... but we had a blast at Disneyland. ;)
And here I am above Christmas Day 2007. Kinda hard to see exactly how big I am, but you can still tell. Showing some sort of timeline anyway. And most recent below...
The photo above was taken last month (July 2008) when my friend Keith arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport with a layover between flights. I jetted over there to say hi. We had maybe 20 minutes to chat before he hopped onto the next flight. He's a great friend and I was so ecstatic he let me know he was here even shortly. That's my bud. :)
(Hi I'm the one on the right, my dear best friend Lynzie is on the left)
I'm 36, single and lovin' life! Being an open-minded individual, I am rather intrigued with learning and discovering new things. I am always exploring a new and better me.
What memories will I take with me when my existence here is over? I relish and cherish each and every moment. (Smell the daisies, etc.)
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