give me cake or give me death!

to a delux wordpress blog in the sky

2008-09-27T13:30:00.002-06:00

I've moved.

http://afterthesparks.wordpress.com

All my old blogger posts are also here.
However, I like the setup much more...

and I can update from my iphone.

So head on over, check it out. Comment, update your bookmarks, what have you.

See you there!

Just go right along, you'll be happening too!

2008-09-14T07:31:00.002-06:00

Good morning to you!

Why can't I sleep in?

Does this mean I'm supposed to be productive today?

I don't want to be productive!

I want to wake up late and watch Arrested Development and Cry Baby in my pajamas until the last possible moment before work.

Maybe I'll make soap today, and my productivity will leave my house smelling like berries.

Oh, the possibilities!

2008-09-08T10:44:00.003-06:00

It's been a productive day.

And normally, this would be the time I get up.

I'm not quite sure how to handle this. I don't even have homework left.

I cleaned out the litter boxes and the cats room.
-- Cinder has been playing in there for the last hour.

No, not really.

2008-09-02T23:16:00.002-06:00

It's only been a couple days and I'm slacking.

I realized tonight that I forgot to even start my resume.
I don't like having resumes. Or truly interviewing for jobs.
I've never not been hired on the spot.

I don't think my resume is bad, but I figured that adding my short career as a CPA (Certified Personal Assistant in an Assisted Living Facility) would be beneficial.
-- I spent most of the time on my resume figuring out a non-crude way to say "I wiped old people's butts and dealt with sweet old ladies who would get scared because during my 6 hour shifts they'd forget who I was."
-- -- ended up saying something about assisting with personal care and developing patience.

Maybe I should sleep instead.

perchance to dream?

2008-08-29T09:27:00.004-06:00

I'm tired. Really tired. I guess it's because my body isn't used to having something to do every single day, but really? Even at night, I want to go to bed at 9, but I can't fall asleep until 2 in the morning only to have to get back up at 6:45 for class. For a first day or so, melatonin was helping. Now? Nada. Nothing. Zip. Zilch.

Any suggestions?

the swing of things

2008-08-27T09:29:00.003-06:00

For once, I find myself looking forward to school for something other than getting to see the people again.

Seriously.

Don't take offense, AUM kids, but after taking summer classes there I appreciate Huntingdon so much more.

Well, I take that back. I appreciate my sect of Huntingdon so much more. It's not that I really enjoy classes in general, or I'm glad to be wide awake and thinking at 8 am... but I do enjoy being remotely challenged. I like being somewhere that I don't feel is a waste of my time. Sure, I could have taken the easy way out Freshman year: left HC, gone to AUM and coasted through. Luckily, I didn't. I know the reason I didn't was because I'd basically be back to Freshman status, but now I realize that I have learned way more, and am much better prepared for what's to come: specifically, graduate school and internships.

So yeah, that's that.

I think I'm going to turn this into more of a micro-blog. Don't get me wrong, I love blogging. I like getting my ideas and frustrations out. However, when I go to write it either feels like a chore or like anything other than major changes in my life aren't really worthy.

So less big updates unless they're really needed... more daily quips, pictures, random thoughts. We'll see how this works. Any ideas?

I am also aware that no one is that interested in my scrapblog pages that I enjoy posting... but I don't care. They're fun to make, if anything. Plus, they help me sum up spans of time with my favorite/important pictures. The scrapblog featured today is the summation of my last summer in undergrad. Seriously. Courtney mentioned this about a week ago... and I guess I just didn't think about it. This is my last summer "off". WTF, kids? Does this mean I'm growing up? I'd hate to think that. Oh well. Anyway, onto a quick explanation of pictures.

Top left and top right: Pictures of Wade and I. Granted, the one on the top right isn't from this summer, it's from my 21st birthday, but who cares. If you're curious, that's who I'm currently dating. He's really neat, and it's nice to be with the person you've had a secret crush on for the last two and a half years or so. The top middle picture is of Courtney, Shannon, and I at the Escape Frame show. They're two of my favorite people. Bottom right is my best friend, and finally room mate Courtney. If you're ever curious about who I can stand for long periods of time: she's one of the few. We have fun with simple things, including meeting Anna for picnics in the park, which is the picture in the middle on the bottom. For the bottom left pictures, those are my sisters. I love them so much, it's not even funny. I've known young kids before, but not one has impressed me as much as these two girls. I don't get to see them as often as I'd like, but every time I do they amaze me. I'm going to stop there, because I could go on for hours. Maybe one day I'll write An Ode to Chloe and Mia but for now I'll spare you!

Oh yeah, and there's a picture of an orangutan I took at the zoo, just for kicks.

I feel as if this doesn't really have a closing, but that's alright. You'll deal. Until tomorrow, au revior. (I'm practicing French for my trip to Paris in 4 months and 4 days)

it takes two to tango

2008-07-11T13:17:00.004-06:00

As of last Monday, I've lived on my own/in this house for two full years.

As of yesterday, Choca is officially a two-year old.

On my next birthday, I'll be twenty-two years old.

I have two semesters left of undergraduate college.

... and two weeks left of this semester.

... ... and two tests on Tuesday.

two more episodes of Scrubs left until I need to go and actually get things done.

I'm goin' so fast that I can't slow down'[;

2008-04-24T11:43:00.002-06:00

I think I might have ADD.
Or a severe case of being plainly overwhelmed.
I can't focus on anything today, and nothing is helping.
It's even at the point that I find it hard for even my eyes to focus.
I've got a paper to write.
I've got tests to study for.
I've got a group presentation on Lord-knows-what to do.
It's all school that's overwhelming, and the silver lining is that it will be done in 2 1/2 weeks.
But I can't wait that long.
I know I'm not failing, but my complete lack of motivation makes me feel otherwise.
I had my priorities completely backwards the first few months of this semester...

and now I'm paying for it.

and he won't just quit and leave me alone.

All I ask is for a couple weeks of sanity. That's it. The decisions I make today, the work I do today, the effort I put in, the outlook I have now will be reflected in the rest of my life.

I didn't give up on him.
I just didn't like him all that much.

Why is that so hard for me to say?

No, I know. It's because I spent 4 months trying to convince myself otherwise...
for his benefit mainly.

But now I'm the selfish one.

I've had longer relationships.

Some just a few months longer.
One a year.
Why is this the one that just won't drop it?

I've tried to live my life basically following a line from a song in RENT...
... Forget regret. Or life is yours to miss.
I've said that instead of regretting the past, learn from it. Nothing is going to change if you dwell solely on the act of making the mistake.

There's a flaw in my logic now.

Though it has worked very well in the past, this time I've learned my lesson, but my mind is not at ease. This may well be my first real regret.

Is it selfish for me to want to succeed in life by myself?

I've written out exactly whats on my mind, but it's still a mess.

I really am working hard.

I am.

I don't want to disappoint my family.
I don't want to disappoint my friends.
I don't want to disappoint my coworkers.
I don't want to disappoint my peers.
I don't want to disappoint anyone who depends on me.
I don't want to disappoint myself.

I don't think there's a choice this year though.

What on earth can you do in that situation?

I know I can pray.
and I do. Hard.

Sometimes it's entirely to difficult for me to handle though.
Hard to trust completely in something you can't see.
Especially when you know that you can't just sit back and watch the world happen.

Sometimes I wish I could though.

Maybe I'll become good friends with an engineering major.
They'll create a way for me to press pause on my life.
I'll push play again once the rest of the world is working in my favor.

I need a vacation.

some scrapblog pages

2008-01-17T22:28:00.000-06:00

pardon the french

2007-12-16T02:18:00.000-06:00

So, there's a site called passiveaggressive.com (thanks, Luke) and theres a debate going on in the comments of one of the main posts about the issue of whether or whether not to tip and if so, how much. Now I'm as passive aggressive as the next person... actually more aggressive than passive. But anyway, I felt the need to put my comment (happens to be the longest one) on here because, well, I can.
------------------------------------------------

Now, there are two reasons why people go to restaurants.

1) So they don’t have to cook something themselves.
In my experience, a nice two-person meal cooked at home ranks about up there with the price of going to a decent restaurant. Think about it… the price of the main course, plus seasonings, plus ingredients for side dishes, plus the actual dishes and cookware needed, maybe adding in a bottle of decent wine? Yeah, it adds up quickly. That, my friends, is what you’re paying the actual restaurant for. That amount is listed nicely on the menu. It goes towards money for food, payment of the cooks and dishwashers, general upkeep of the facility, the itty bitty wage that servers get, and the rest goes to the owner.

2) To be waited on hand and foot.

The wage that servers get from the restaurant is for side work. Believe it or not, Fantasia was fiction. Brooms and mops don’t come to life after everyone leaves and clean the place. Sugar trays, napkin holders, and salt/pepper shakers don’t get up and refill themselves either. Your child’s puke under the table that you forgot to mention to anyone before you left didn’t completely disappear. Those things… and so much more… are the “side work” that is being paid for by the owners. Truthfully, they could care less about how the guests are being treated…if the food is really that fantastic and the atmosphere is flawless, people will come back no matter what the service. Also, no matter how busy it is or how crappy the service, all of that has got to be done. Hence, the hourly wage in general.

Last time I checked, after food was prepared and made it’s way to your plate, to get anything done other than eating meant someone had to get their fat ass up and go get it. Just like those napkin holders, drinks didn’t magically fill themselves up when getting low, and the food didn’t guide itself to the table. No, you have to eat and then work again. Empty drink? Make the walk to the kitchen to fill it back up. Steak cooked at the wrong temp? Go and cook a new one. Then, when everything is said and done, you’ve got to clear the table and take the dishes to the kitchen sink, hoping someone will be kind enough to do all the washing for you.

THAT my friends, is what the tip is. Basically, it is paying someone to do all those things for you. You don’t get served at all? No food, drinks, or even an acknowledgment? Ok, no tip. But did you get everything in general? You’ve GOT to leave SOMETHING. But seriously, to be under the impression that you can just go somewhere, and be waited on hand and foot with absolutely no reciprocation? You better be the fucking Queen of England, because there is no way you are more important than the lovely group at the table next to you with generous pockets and happy dispositions.

Oh, and to all of you that are saying that tips shouldn’t matter because you get less than a server (after tips) and work harder? Be a server for a week, or even just a day, then tell me what you think. However, if you’re in the service industry and currently have the ability to be as kind or rude to a customer as you’d like and still have a guaranteed income but have to switch to a job that requires brown-nosing just to pay the bills, it will be quite the rude awakening.

At least it's closure...

2007-11-25T14:22:00.000-06:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/world/europe/25czar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp

but is closure always necessary?

Vital Information for Your Everyday Life

2007-11-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

In bullet points!

- I've been waking up early. Too early in fact. Not mom or grandma early at 4 am, but I've currently been awake since 8am and I don't even have a class until 11. Hence, the reason I actually have time to write this blog.

- In all actuality, I have an Intermediate Accounting test on inventory methods tomorrow that is sure to kick my butt that I should be studying for. In addition, I have a Jesus and the Gospels research paper due in under 2 weeks that won't write itself no matter how hard I pray. It is supposed to be around 8 pages, must include non-internet sources other than the Bible, and I'm thinking about doing it on the differences in how the gospel writers perceived the humanity/divinity of Jesus and how it affected their writings. So if that wants to appear in my email before Nov 20, it'd be fantastic. Thanks.

Now onto important stuff.

- Ricky and I broke up. It was mainly my decision, but it needed to be done. It was hard the first few days, and still isn't easy, but we've been hanging out a good bit and just talking and surprisingly: that actually isn't awkward at all. So I'm not sure if this is a permanent change or not, but for right now I am enjoying my space.

- I just got the rude awakening that to get a decent job in accounting, I need a masters degree. I'm not sure where I'll be going yet, but I've been researching schools in the St. Louis area online. We'll see how that goes. I know there are lots of companies who pay you to get your CPA or pay for your masters program while working for them, so I may try and do that. The way it looks, if I graduate from HC in 4 years (which there is no doubt in my mind about) I only need 12 hours (approx. 4 classes) to sit for my CPA exam. So if I take those the summer following graduation, and sit for my exam and (hopefully) pass, I'll almost be a shoe-in as an entry level at an accounting firm. Let's hope the funds for the rest unfold before my eyes.

- My heat got turned on very promptly after that last blog. They said they actually read my blog and were unaware of my predicament, and were here within an hour of the phone call. Hip hip hooray, I'm warm again. I don't think the blog thing was actually the case. If so that would be very big brotheresque, but in any case I think I'll be blogging right after receiving the first bill. You know, just in case.

- My deck is done, and it looks fabulous along with my new fence. I would take pictures, but it really wouldn't do it justice. Advanced Fence and Deck sure does take a long time, but their price and quality are worth it.

- Since my mom's visit, I've actually kept my house clean. How weird is that?

- I'm working all weekend, so if you happen to be in the area stop in and leave big tips. Please and thank you.

Last, but not least...

- I've got to start Christmas shopping/making earlyish... so please... if you're expecting a gift from me (meaning I've probably bought/made something for you in the past) please give me a list of possibilities.

So I've got about half an hour 'til I technically need to get up, you can place bets among yourselves on whether I get ready early or play the wii until the last possible second.

Au Revoir!

2007-10-26T13:17:00.000-06:00

I hate ALAGASCO.

They are horrible.

I hate that they run a monopoly on Montgomery's gas lines.

I had an appointment scheduled for today AFTER 2. They even confirmed on the phone AFTER 2. They showed up at 11:35am. Because of their mistake, I can't get gas until Tuesday.

Tuesday.

to get heat in my house.

I'm a hot natured person.

I'm freaking freezing.

I'm very happy that the chimney people actually came and fixed that, so I can have a fire in my fireplace. They care.

My mailman cares too. That's about it.

The people who are supposed to work on my new deck have torn it down and haven't showed back up in 2 weeks. I can't walk out my back door to take garbage out. They also won't respond to our calls.

I'm cold.
I hate you Alagasco.
I'm not impressed with you, Advanced Deck and Fence.

(#$@&*)!!!

2007-10-05T20:37:00.000-06:00

Word to the wise:

Ok, yes, I know, I get irritated quite easily at customers. If you just do one or two things wrong I'll get over it. However, if you do any or all of this list, like one certain random customer tonight, I will spit in your food and refuse to give you service.

1. Do not stop and confront me to tell me that you're moving outside when your pizza comes while I am holding two very hot large pizzas.
2. Do not have this conversation with me:
Him: What do you have by way of drinks?
Me: Everything in the cooler in front of you, plus wine.
Him: Well what in form of water?
Me: What?
Him: Is there any tap water in there?
Me: No sir, but we serve tap water.
Him: How much is a glass?
Me: Well, free.
Him: Good, I'll take two. And deliver them to... you see that lady at that table?
Me: Yes.
Him: The ugly one, striped shirt?
Me: Excuse me?
Him: No, it's ok, it's my mother.
(Let's take into account that he is in his mid 50s and his "mother" is the nicest old lady you could ever meet)

3. Never have the previous conversation with me while I am in the middle of servicing 12 tables at a time.

4. You know what, just don't speak to me at all if you're going to say crap like that.

5. If you requested to be told when your pizza has cooked, and I let you know, do not expect to be able to grab your own plates, silverware, and pizza. The kitchen and the register table are for employees only, dumbass.

6. Do not do all of the following, and then leave without paying.

Ok, I'm done. Thanks, guys.

way, way low down

2007-09-28T20:40:00.000-06:00

Here's the lowdown...

I have no more free time.
That's it, really.

I mean I do have "free" time, but not much.
My "free time" is usually spent doing one of the following...
- Homework
- Spending time with Ricky
- Napping because I stayed up all night working or doing homework
- Cleaning (not as likely)
- Playing DDR with Courtney. I hate for this to be at the end of the list. I miss my best friend. Luckily, when we do get together the time is not wasted in the least, so thats a plus, right?

Speaking of Ricky; I am fully convinced I'm dating super man. This man is a Methodist preacher, a full time student, has a part time job at Banana Republic, does housework, cooks (surprise!), and still finds time to be a fantastic son and boyfriend. Plus, everybody loves him. So next time you see him (if you do) tell him to stop being so paranoid. Please and thank you.

So anyway, about 96% of my time is spent either at school, or working at Tomatinos or the bakery. If you need to talk to me, you can find me at one of the above.

Oh, and if you happen to be in Old Cloverdale at night, watch yourself. Tomatinos was broken into last night at 2:30 am on a fully lit street with tons of people still walking back and forth past it going to the nearby bars and such. So yeah, thats news.

Anything else and you'll just have to contact me personally.

Goodnight!

St. Louis.

2007-08-10T10:22:00.001-06:00

2007-07-05T15:22:00.000-06:00

Ricky Cash.
Ricky A. Cash.
Ricky Anthony Cash.
Ricky Tony Cash
Richard Cash.
Richard A. Cash.
Richard Anthony Cash.
Richard Tony Cash.
Rick Cash.
Rick A. Cash.
Rick Anthony Cash.
Rick Tony Cash.
R. Cash
R.A.Cash
R.A.C.

all for you.

all about me. the way it should be.

2007-06-29T10:02:00.000-06:00

New life plan.

I want to do crafts at a leisurely pace, and sell them for however much I need to pay the bills. Thats where my college business skills will take place. I'm thinking about changing my concentration to Accounting instead of Business Admin. I like accounting. I'll be my own accountant.

I want to do community theatre, or heck, maybe get paid, but not Broadway. Too much stress there.

I'm going to do both of these, and create a new family, and grow stronger ties with the family I already have.

I've changed my mind about Canada. I just want to take long trips there. However, Canada is nowhere near my family now. Or Ricky's. I hate living in the U.S... but I do not by any means hate my family. I'll put up with it to get to see them.

I'll be in Pensacola Sunday night through Thursday night. Tuesday and Wednesday nights we've rented a hotel room right on the beach, so as to not have to deal with traffic to see fireworks. This I am very excited about. My coworkers will possibly be there too. Shannon definitely will be. I miss hanging out with her.

I gave myself a spa treatment last night. Complete with facial mask and a warm bath. The only things that could have made it better are not having to clean the tub beforehand; if i could have kept the water insanely warm, and had a pillow to sleep in it with; and if the strawberries and champagne bath salts came equipped with actual strawberries and champagne; if this was all taking place in a nice resort in key west where I didn't need to worry about people calling my phone or roommates coming home or my cat with a water fetish that was trying to use me as an island so she could slowly ease herself in there with me. Other than that it was completely marvelous and relaxing.

If Judaism or Christianity are your chosen set of beliefs; please pray for
my step mother. She was diagnosed with the most severe form of lupus the other day. Nothing is known with how it will turn out and because there is no known cure, i'm pretty sure this won't be a small fight. Thanks.

One last happy note:

Do I not have the prettiest sisters in the world or what?

vomit-r-us

2007-06-09T12:00:00.000-06:00

Quick quick blog.

Mainly a question.

Does anyone know what to do about a purrfect little kitty who never vomits or goes potty outside of her room...

but...

has recently developed a habit of pooping in the litter box and peeing on the rug right next to it?

Thanks for the help!

certainly no epic

2007-05-20T14:22:00.000-06:00

Well, the previous post was right. First things first, I've decided to throw away all dreams of owning art galleries and such, and become a fortune teller. Maybe I'll write fortunes for Chinese restaurants. The details haven't been completely worked out, but it's happening for sure.

I can't think of much to say, but people deserve an update. Therefore, I deem a bulleted list as appropriate.

-- So, school. I'm done with half of my college career. I think that's weird. I don't want to go back to classes, and I don't want to be an adult yet. Grades aren't posted, but I think I did alright.

-- More importantly, Courtney is back in Birmingham. Boo for that. However, a whole bunch of people are still in the Gump. In fact, I've got a roommate for the summer, my friend Will. That's pretty awesome. He's pretty clean, at least compared to my last roommate, and he actually has a job and a personality. Weird, I know.

-- If you've talked to me at all in the last month or so, you'll know I'm currently in a relationship with one Richard A Cash Jr. He's magnificent, we're magnificent, quite compatible, overly adorable, we have a lot of fun together, we have magnificent late night talks. I'm very happy. It's completely different than the last "relationship" I had, in a very very good way.

-- Mother's Day/Mom's Birthday went well. I love her, and I hope she liked her gift. She was quite worth it.

-- Choca is doing well. She sleeps when I'm not here, and plays with everything she's not supposed to play with when I am. Ricky happens to be allergic to kitties though, so we can't hang out here as often as I'd like to. If anyone has any solutions, such as medicine that works really well (he has some, but it's not great) or anything, please PLEASE let me know. He's moving soon, about an hour away, and if I'm staying with him for a weekend or something, she's coming with me.

-- With the exception of work, my summer is basically free. Ricky and I are thinking about maybe going to Disney World sometime at the end of summer, and the week of July 4th I'll hopefully be in St. Louis seeing my Dad, Heather, Chloe, and Mia. I really hope that works out, I know it's a hectic week for them but Tomatinos is closed that whole week anyway. Hmm. Who knows. Anyway, the point is, I'm up for couple day trips to Pensacola or something, and my house is always open to visitors. the spare room is taken, but there's always a futon or my brand new couch!

I forgot lots of stuff, but if anyone wants to remind me of a topic that needs to be addressed, leave a comment. Any questions? No? Good. Hasta luego...

oh, and in case you haven't actually seen how adorable we are... here's a picture of us from New Orleans...

by any other name would smell as sweet

2007-04-12T13:01:00.000-06:00

my roses and other pretty flowers are back and in full bloom.
that's got to be a good sign.

Ahoy, and other nautical expressions!

2007-03-10T01:20:00.000-06:00

Let it be known that in my 20 years of experience, I have finally come to realize that you shouldn't hope and pray asking for silly things.

Most likely, you will get them.
However, you'll get them when you least expect it.
When you've moved on and they coincide with current affairs.

I love God's ironic sense of humor; it allows me to keep up the constant awkwardness of my life without actually working for it.

If I complain about anything from the time between now and my wisdom teeth removal (March 28, right after I get back from the first half of my spring break) tell me to shut it because my life is much less stressful than I make it out to be.

Winter break is turning out to be everything I expected and more. In a good way. You can ask me about details.

Oh, and to a certain person: Please don't dwell on how I act when I have had less than an hour of sleep, written a paper, and had an exam in a different subject all in one day. All I wanted for one day was to relax, but you didn't allow it which is what set off my bad mood. I, of course, being a theatre junkie and trained in the ways of a melo-drama overreacted. However, I stopped being a heinous bitch after the first day. Please stop acting like it has carried over more than that. I'm sorry for that day, but dwelling on even the recent past gets us nowhere. We are but mortal and can not change it, therefore we must embrace the tidings of future. This is not meant to offend, but I'm quite aware that if I attempted to speak these thoughts I wouldn't get past the first three words. Sorry.

Thank you and goodnight.

March Hare: Ah thank goodness! Those are the things that upset me!
March Hare: See all the trouble you started?
Alice: But I didn't think...
March Hare: Ah, that's just it. If you don't think, then you shouldn't talk.

take a shower and shine your shoes, you've got no time to lose

2007-03-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

Here are a few semi-interesting facts as of late:

- I figured out the mystery of who was using my wireless/itunes! As it turns out, my friend Jack moved into the house across the street that was being renovated last semester. I was quite excited to find out that not only am I the not the only younger person in my neighborhood now, but I know the other young person! It makes me happy to walk out the door in the morning and see someone I know.

- Choca was spayed on Tuesday. I am happy to report that she was the first kitty awake after the surgery, and is now quite happy. Her personality has changed significantly, but she is still an awesome cat. The difference is that now she plays with her toys instead of everything else, and she plays during the day and sleeps through the night instead of the other way around. Hooray for full nights of sleep. She also seems much happier and purrs much more often. Thanks for the prayers.

- Every day I get more and more reasons to figure out how to reproduce asexually. The boys that I could see myself with remain just friends or completely oblivious, the boys that I have no respect for are pushy to skip the "friends" stage, and the boys that I have no attraction to beyond being good friends just don't get the hint when I literally say that nothing more will occur between us. I don't understand, so I suppose I've got no reason to worry about it anymore. God will take care of me, I hope.

- I am ecstatic about winter/spring break. Here's the lowdown:

Winter break (this coming Thursday and Friday) Courtney and I are coming to Pensacola to get our groove on and such. I feel that last time she was cheated out of getting to see the beauty of downtown, so next weekend we're doing it right. If anyone is in town, College Night at Seville is where we'll be Thursday and if you'd like to meet up with us for gallivanting any other time, give me a call. There is also going to be a large group of girls from HC staying with Rachel McKinney so hooray!

Spring break I get to go and see Sara! I don't know exact details besides my flight itinerary but this is something I've wanted to do since we had to part ways for college and I miss my best friend tremendously.

It's time for Accounting, so I must leave you here. Just know that things are going well and life is good. God has provided so many things for me to celebrate.

Edit: I've gotten a 96 on my last Examen de Espanol and a 105 on my Accounting test... please pray that my Environmental Science test is just as good. PLEASE.

Hasta luego, Sara

pictures

2007-02-24T22:14:00.000-06:00

2007-02-22T10:28:00.001-06:00

High
77° F

WHAT?!

2007-02-17T15:51:00.000-06:00

Peanut Butter has been recalled

First spinach, then lettuce, now this?

What's next? Chocolate?

final straw

2007-02-11T23:51:00.000-06:00

I'm done.

I'm becoming asexual.

I'll be a flight attendant.

Who needs a boyfriend, fiancee, a husband, a family, or any of that mushy stuff?

Cupid is a knavish lad,
Thus to make poor females mad.

I'm very ticked off right now.

2007-02-07T13:29:00.000-06:00

Riddle me this:

I can't wake up. Well, I can, but it almost kills me. Before anyone asks, it's not because of how long I sleep. I can sleep 5-6 hours and feel like crap when I wake up and I can sleep 8-9 and i'm miserable for the first couple hours of my day. Even if I wake up on my own and can't go back to sleep the act of actually getting up just plain hurts. Choca, who used to come barreling into my room at the sound of my alarm clock now creeps in quietly, sits on the pillow next to me watching me set the snooze button, and waits patiently until the second ring. I fear that this deadly disease is most commonly known as laziness, but i'm convinced that it must be something else. Surely it can't be. Therefore I am calling on my adoring public for a diagnosis and possible treatment plan.

in other news, Huntingdon is doing A Midsummer Night's Dream as our last show for a few years. Long story short, the crappy theatre we have and worked so hard building last year will now be a construction site, and Fiona's health is going downhill... fast. I tried out, sort of. Turns out she had me do much different things as everyone else. Hopefully that's a good thing because if not I climbed and invisible tree on my hands and knees, attended a a Bowie concert, and I pretended to be such a sweet transvestite for nothing. Alas, alack, and forsooth.

Amy and Chris!! Seeing as you two are part of the small group of people that actually read/skim through this thing, you are cordially invited to swing night with Lloyd and I friday night. If you cann, be at the American Legion at 8:30am.

Love you kids! Bye!

You know you're in college when...

2007-01-31T00:32:00.000-06:00

I find this insanely funny... because it's true. If it hasn't happened to me, it's marked out. Pretty simple stuff.

1. High school started before 8am, but now anything before noon is considered “early.”

~~2. You have more beer than food in your fridge.~~ (beer is expensive!)

~~3. Weekends start on Thursday.~~ Not when you have 8am classes on Friday...

~~4. 6am is when you go to sleep, not when you wake up.~~

5. You know many different ways to cook ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese.

6. The health center gives out free condoms, and people take them… just in case.

7. Instead of falling asleep in class, you stay in bed.

8. You know how late McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Qdoba, etc. are open.

9. You think it’s the weekend on a Wednesday and you don’t know what month it is.

10. You can't remember the last time you washed your car.

11. Your underwear/sock supply dictates your laundry schedule.

12. You check Facebook/Myspace more than once a day.

13. You get drunk dialed on any night of the week.

14. You wash dishes in the bathroom sink. well, i did last year

15. You’ve fallen off a loft bed.

16. You talk about beer pong like it’s a sport.

17. Finding random people in your house is perfectly normal, and you even sympathize with them... sometimes when you wake up you have no idea where you are.

18. Your primary news sources are the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

~~19. You open a beer at 10 am and your roommate asks you if there’s more.~~ no roomate to bother me

20. The standard of meals per day falls to two, sometimes just one.

21. Your trash is overflowing and your bank account isn’t.

22. You go to Target or WalMart more than 3 times a week.

23. You wear the same jeans for 13 days without washing them.

24. Your breakfast consists of a coke or cereal bar on the way to class... anything with caffeine will do.

~~25. Quarters are like gold.~~ not anymore! last year, however...

26. Your idea of feeding the poor is buying yourself some ramen noodles.

27. You live in a house with ~~three~~two couches, none of which match.

28. You try to study but seem to procrastinate by eating, going to study breaks, talking to people, etc...

29. You talk to your roommate on instant messenger when you’re both home.

30. You ask people what YOU did last night.

31. Facebook becomes a part of your daily life – when friends say something funny, oh “that’s going on facebook.” When friends take pictures of you, you wonder how long it will take them to post them.

32. You’ve seen a hit and run involving a bicyclist/pedestrian.

33. You see people you know you’ve met but can never remember their names or how you know them.

34. You sleep more in class than in your room

35. Your idea of a square meal is a box of Pop-Tarts.

36. You've traveled with bags of dirty clothes.

37. You go home to do your laundry because you're too poor to pay the $2... or too lazy to go to a change machine. it's silly that a tank of gas seems more feasible than actually doing laundry... but it's true

38. You pay $100 for a book you don't read once, return it four months later, and get $7.

~~39. More than 20% of your household furnishings are made from milk crates.~~

40. You recognize the meat in the dorm soup as yesterday's meatloaf, and thus decide to eat a nice bowl of cereal - a safe bet for any meal.

41. You use words like "thus" (see #40).

~~42. You throw out bowls and plates because you don't feel like washing them.~~

~~43. Your beer pong table is nicer than all your other tables.~~

44. It takes preparation... and 3 people... to take out your garbage.

45. Going to the library is a social event.

~~46. You wear flip flops in the shower your freshman year... you know why.~~ I thank God we didn't have completely community bathrooms last year... only 4 people used mine!

47. You start joining clubs because of the free food. You think I was in French Club because I spoke French? Ha!

48. Visits home depend on how much money you have for gas.

49. You skip one class to write a paper for another.

50. You have no idea where your tuition money is going... technology fees? I think not.

51. Bicycles don't seem as lame as they did in high school.

52. You stay up late to finish homework then sleep through the class in which it was due.

~~53. Girls: You've balanced your foot on a shampoo bottle to shave.~~

54. Your backpack is giving you scoliosis.

55. You've written a check for 45 cents or stopped to get $2.00 of gas.

56. Your bill in the bookstore will be comparable to tuition.

57. Going to the mailbox becomes an ego booster/breaker.

~~58. Most of your T.A.s are foreign...what's the deal?~~

~~59. You never realized so many people are smarter than you.~~

60. You never realized so many people are dumber than you.

61. Western Europe could be wiped out by a terrible plague and you'd never know, but you can recite the last episode of your favorite show verbatim.

62. Care packages rank right up there with birthdays. JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A HOUSE DOES NOT MEAN THAT I DO NOT APPRECIATE CARE PACKAGES ANYMORE!!!

63. You craft ways to make any game into a drinking/stripping game.

64. You meet the type of people you thought only existed in the movies.

65. Printers break down only when you desperately need them.

66. Anything can be cooked in a microwave.

67. Two words: bike cops.

68. You have Safe Ride programmed into your phone.

69. Old school Nintendo... and guitar hero... are pretty much the best things ever.

70. Going to the grocery at midnight is completely normal.

~~71. You call restaurants that deliver more than you call your own family.~~ delivery people around here are pretty sketchy

72. You've paid bills over $5... in coins.

73. You can't imagine life without your computer/cell phone/ ipod.

74. Hoodies and sweatpants become the norm - jeans are considered "dressy" at certain occasions... like school.

75. A canceled class is almost as exciting as Christmas. probably more, actually

76. Taking a nap in the library is perfectly acceptable. the couches are more comfortable than my bed.

77. Your professors speak English... as a second language.

78. Your teachers swear in class and no one cares.

79. Candles in your dorm room are considered contraband, but cigarettes are ok.

80. You finish reading this and wonder how you can procrastinate next.

new life plan.

2007-01-24T09:22:00.001-06:00

Remember the out-of-date life plan?

Basically it's the same thing.

Two exceptions.

1. Finish school and get a BA in Business... minoring in Art
2. Stay working at Tomatinos the whole time (God willing)
3. In my free time, make the house look the best it has looked since 1946.
4. During senior year, train to become a bartender/barmaid whatever you'd like to call it.
5. After graduation, sell the house in Montgomery for a lot more than we paid and live with my mother for a year in Pensacola.
6. During that year, work at a bar owned by a friend of the family, and save up as much money as possible, in the mean time working on a plan. Work at a bank during the day, bartend at night
7. After the year is up, use saved money to open up an art gallery/unique gift shop... ~~location unknown.~~in Canada.
8. At the art gallery, sell art made by locals & family with talent, homemade items, anything random.
9. One gallery progresses to be semi-self-efficient, audition and be involved in local community theatre.
10. Be happy for the rest of my life, knowing I have no superiors and a passion for beauty in the arts.Plus, I'll be living in Canada and remain completely neutral by way of politics and world affairs and have a deeper appreciation for nature. I'll venture to the US once in a while to visit family and appreciate how my dollar is worth more, and show off how healthy I am due to my free healthcare.

2007-01-06T12:10:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure that room in Massey (one of the condemned buildings on campus) is cleaner than my house right now.

Choca is refusing to let me drown my sorrows in chocolate and trying to eat it instead.

I understand, dear kitten, that you're trying to take one for the team. I understand where you're coming from and completely sympathize with you. However, my little Choca-kan, your death by chocolate would only increase my bitterness to the world right now.

I don't really know what I am doing right now.

Halleluiah a real blog!

2006-12-26T14:07:00.000-06:00

Well, it seems as if everyone needs a Christmas post, right? Materialistically, I had quite the haul. I am proud to say that this blog is being typed and posted from my new laptop. It’s absolutely marvelous. Not only did I pull a new laptop, but I also a cornucopia of gifts such as clothes, accessories, gift cards, money, candy, art, and a brand-spanking new water filter found their way into my greedy little paws. Even Choca had a nice little haul of gift cards (no lie), toys, and kitty treats. Needless to say both of us are quite happy being spoiled little brats.

Jump back 3 weeks. Exams were tough, but the relief of getting them over with was sweet. In the end, I pulled 2 A’s (Accounting and Physical Science) and 3 B’s (Spanish, Photography, and Computers in Society). Not bad, could have been better if I spent a few more hours a week in the darkroom and actually studied for my Spanish tests. However, that didn’t happen. Next semester should be better. Hopefully I can do the same as last year and go from good grades first semester, to Deans List second. My question now is where can I find someone to hire for motivation? Any ideas? Any takers? I promise to pay in slippers, soap, hugs, and pies.

Despite how “successful” last semester was, I found that I needed this break a lot more than last year. I love having a roommate, even if we’ve got a couple cleaning things to discuss when she gets back J. Over the break I’ve worked my butt off some nights, gotten to know a lot of people from school, and met a couple fabulous new people. Unfortunately, one of those people is leaving today to go far far away. I’m not sure why I chose to spend basically every day with someone I knew was leaving two weeks later… but that’s what ended up happening and I’ve set myself up for slight disappointment again. Oh well, I’ll survive.

Anyway, back to the present. Christmas Eve my mom and I ventured to Birmingham where she went golfing with all the men and I went shopping with the ladies. Believe it or not, we actually bonded. It’s nice spending time with family when you’re not involved with all their drama. Spending time with them also helped me realize that I am really not ready for a serious relationship. All but one (who is younger than me) were in either incredibly serious relationships or married. Hearing them talk and share recipes and discuss things they can and can’t do completely overwhelmed me. That realization was probably the best Christmas present I could have given myself… well that and the day of relaxing with my mom. Oh! By the way, I’ve got couple days off before the new year, and I’m thinking of making myself present in Pensacola once more. So after work on the 28th I’ll be heading that way… and I should be available the 29th, 30th, and for lunch on the 31st. Any takers? No pies for this offer, but maybe a hug or two and a nice cup of coffee.

Well, the rest of my time before work shall be spent watching Johnny Depp clad in pirate gear and eyeliner, and finishing up a crocheted pair of slippers… so au revior and have a happy tomorrow.

2006-12-23T22:47:00.000-06:00

Why is it that when I find something that works, it leaves me much to early.

Metaphorically, of course.

2006-12-22T15:53:00.000-06:00

If I buy someone the yarn and the pattern to make this beret for me.... will you? Offer is open to any and everyone that knits. PRETTY PLEASE. I need I want get me.

this is the way it is, basically

2006-12-13T01:09:00.000-06:00

I am exhausted from living up to your expectations.

2006-12-03T00:46:00.000-06:00

I really wish I understood this.

I want to know why everything else in my life seems to be going my way... except this front.
It's like I'm in a western.
The western front.
get it?
yeah.

I'm sleepy and frustrated, probably not a good combination.
Tomorrow morning should help.
I'm not too sure I'm a fan of this vulnerability thing, but I've done my part.
Goodnight.

QUICK UPDATE.

2006-10-30T09:52:00.000-06:00

1- Everything is going well. I dropped a class, so now i'm catching up with the rest. Choca is loving life and has decided on a nightly ritual of licking my elbows at 3 in the morning... every morning. But we're good, despite the random elbow licking.

2- I'm coming to Pensacola this Friday and Saturday. I'm leaving Saturday night, but Saturday during the day I shall be enjoying myself and wandering around the arts fest with Jen Smith. If you'd like to schedule anything else, give me a call.

3- Speaking of calling... that's what you'll all have to do for the next few days. My computer refuses to believe that a wireless network is present -- anywhere. Not at school, not at work, not at home. I've restarted and troubleshoot(ed?) many a time... it's the Tech Team's problem now. Hopefully they can fix her. However, if anyone wants to just go ahead and buy me a MacBook, i'll love you forever and ever.

4- I've got class now. Adios!

blah blah blah

2006-10-10T22:45:00.000-06:00

maybe it's just that you're afraid to go out onto a limb-ovich
maybe your heart is completely swayed...
but your head can't follow through.

name that musical.
98.678439487587% of the time at least one of the songs applies to my life.

when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie

2006-10-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

... that's amore.

Random Fact #2-- I love the smell of fall, especially in Montgomery. It's almost like someone somewhere is constantly roasting marshmallows.

meet me beneath the willow tree

2006-09-27T20:32:00.002-06:00

I am now fully determined to believe that my backyard was the inspiration for The Secret Garden. Sure, the main garden does not exist anymore, but then again neither do the garage and random toilet that were there at ne point in it's history. I know i've only been here a few months, but believe it or not I do spend time outside. You'd think I would notice a rosebush next to where I park my bike or a flowering plant in the middle of the gravel "driveway," yet I did not find the beautiful flowers until I went outside looking for photography inspiration, nor did I find the rosebush in dire need of pruning until I took out my trash this evening. As dull as my yard seemed during the summer, I like the random mystery to it. Where did these plants come from? How did they survive the years of neglect they seem to have survived? If my yard is this cool during the fall... I can't wait til spring! Scratch that, I can, I like the cold weather.

In other news, I need to learn how to deal with problems on my own. In general, I'm much happier than I had been, but I've found that i'm stressing out about little issues now. Seeing as I am, after all, an only child I've always had everything pretty much handed to me. Remarkably, I'm not horrible at being on my own most of the time. However, I have yet to master my reaction to when things don't go exactly as I planned. For the first year that I was away from home, I had Lee, my mom, and my roomates to run to. One of those shelters has moved on, another is constantly working and stressed, and i'm pretty sure Courtney is incredibly tired of hearing me complain. Actually, it's not just problems that I'm, well, having a problem with. I overreact to most things. I brag about the good, and complain about the bad. Anyway, enough rambling. It's something I'm working on. Please pray for me and give advice if you can, both will be appreciated.

BTW: Oklahoma and the 3/4 of a day in Pensacola were amazing, and I'm convinced that the next two saturdays will be as well. I can't wait for a kitty, football games, family time, seeing old friends, and the fair. Hopefully everything will work out. Darn those classes and work inbetween!

rain rain, go away

2006-09-19T23:20:00.000-06:00

As per request, here are a couple pictures from the storm here on Monday. Luckily... Courtney and I got out of Target and into the car less than a minute before the lightning and rain started.

--------------------------------------------------------

courtney and I stayed up until 3 am singing broadway

2006-09-16T10:14:00.000-06:00

another one bites the dust

2006-09-08T11:32:00.000-06:00

I suppose it's about time for another update, seeing as how the last was borderline morbid.

Basically all I've done the past few days is go to school, work, and clean the house. As productive as that sounds-- it gets pretty darn redundant. Luckily my weekends are pretty booked, so I get some "relaxation time." It's odd though, I'd much rather have a busy weekend schedule than sit at home and lay around. I'm not good with "alone time" anymore. I think the summer wore me out in that aspect. It was kind of hard to have lots of visitors in a studio apartment. However, now I've got 2 "spare" rooms and a 7 foot couch. What to do, what to do.

I wish my life were exciting and that I had more to update about. I'd love to travel and blog about my adventures, or maybe if I just had a way with words I could elaborate enough to fool the general public.

I'm running out of time, so I suppose a quick list will do.

I'm perfectly ok after the breakup, so hooray for that. We're still friends, I get to keep our mutual friends, and we're still comfortable enough for me to do his laundry (hey, i can't refuse free detergent)
I kicked butt on my first Spanish test. Apparently the only question I missed, the professor did too when she was making the key.
My mom is staying the weekend here, and I've got a date with her and Rachel tomorrow for free food and football.
I found out that my dad is in fact not dead, just busy with limited means of communication. Hoorah.
I've finally met someone who appreciates dead-baby jokes as much as I do. I don't think anyone realizes how happy this makes me...
I get to see Oklahoma! in two weeks, eat sushi, and gallivant around downtown Pensacola.

On that note, Microeconomics is now done and i've got another class to go to.

Hasta luego,
Sara Beth

You'd think...

2006-09-02T23:54:00.000-06:00

... that spending a day with beautiful young very happily married couples would put ideas in my head. Believe it or not, that's a true statement. However, instead of making me want to get married and live happily ever after in a castle made of pink marshmallows with a pool full of vanilla pudding and a job at a bubble factory (trust me, it will happen)... it made me realize how empty my now non-current relationship had become. Don't get me wrong, I love him. I do. At one point I could see myself spending the rest of my life with him. However, time took its toll and luckily it took a year instead of 20 or 30. I became unhappy. I still don't know the exact reason besides the whole "we're obviously not right for eachother" but I do know that I came up with millions of excuses. Each one I would bottle up and let it bug me, then blow up on him. Every single time I did that though, he'd fix it. I don't know how he managed to do that and still act happy, but he did, and I thank him for it. It made me realize that it was possible to run out of excuses. Coincidentally, the same time I ran out of excuses and started recycling them I immediately was surrounded by people that were actually in true-love-til-death-do-us-part-sacred-commited bliss. I envy that. I want that, badly. However, it's going to have to wait. It'll take time, and in the mean time I'll date and try-try-try to not get myself into trouble. If you know me personally, I beg of you please try to guide me because every single one of you know that my will power is not always its strongest.

p.s.- If you happen to be a Mr. Charles Lewis a.k.a. "Dad" and you have recently moved to a St. Louis and it happens to feel like months since you've talked to a Sara Vaughn, please, I beg of you, give me a call. I think I could help with your predicament.

I want. I need. Get me.

2006-08-13T23:09:00.000-06:00

Someone, please find or make me a rug that looks EXACTLY like this. Please and thank you. Oh yeah, and I'll be happy as long at it's under 1,399.00 . Thanks.

discouraged was the girl afraid to pee

2006-08-12T23:15:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I havn't had a roach "problem" for a couple days now, and have been quite relieved to tell the truth. However, I walk into the bathroom, bladder ready to burst... and there is the largest cockroach I've ever seen. Not only is it huge, but it is on my shower curtain, nestled between ribbons AND it is licking its leg. That's right. Like a dog or a cat. So I go and get some paper towels and realize it's pribably best to knock it on the ground then step on it. Ok, game plan: check. Step one, knock it down: check. Step two, step on it as it scurries away: FAILURE. It disappeared. I am so freaked out. I looked everywhere for it. EVERYWHERE. I don't know where it is, and something tells me that it has gone to warn it's family so they can prepare for battle. Now, not only is my bladder battling with my will power, but I keep thinking I feel bugs all over me.

It won.

I let the roach win.

Where is Lee when I need him?

p.s.- there's a picture of the bathroom to let you know how close i had to be to him. disgusting.

before stonehenge there was woodhenge and strawhenge

2006-08-08T11:13:00.000-06:00

I must say, If Mr. Postman doesn't march himself back to my doorstep at the end of his route and try ringing my doorbell again or better yet just leaving my package under the mailbox I will be severely dissapointed, and tomorrow he will be getting a letter taped to my mailbox. It will read:

Dear Mr. Postman,
The package you were to deliever to me yesterday contained very important chargers for my phone. Unfortunately, I missed you because I was taking a nap and though I got up and raced to the door, I still missed you. About an hour after that, my phone died leaving me virtually unavailable to the world. My grandmother generously paid the extra money to get this to me yesterday, so we expected it yesterday. Therefore, I give you full permission to just leave it at the doorstep, and please remove this note when you leave. Thank you, and have a decent day.
Sara Vaughn

Does anyone know how to record from digital cable? I've been watching a truckload of BBC lately-- they caught me with Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill which I havn't seen since my dad introduced it to me a couple years ago-- and I've been hooked ever since. I just saw a commercial for "Shakespeare, Retold-- Macbeth" and I'd really like to watch it, however it's smack dab in the middle of my Sunday night work shift. Hopefully, mom will be here so someone can actually press the record button.... but does anyone know if this will work?

Public Service Announcement: If you're a cat belonging to my next door neighbor, no matter how cute and cuddly you may be, don't jump on my fence if you arn't sure whether you can make it or not. This rule is especially important if I happen to be taking my garbage out at midnight and your plans happen to coincide with mine. Thanks.

I think thats all for now. Thanks for listening.

and the beat goes on

2006-07-31T22:13:00.000-06:00

The last few days have been mildly eventful, I've accomplished a bit at least. Since my last couple posts, things have gotten much better. I was just not sleeping well, and a little stressed at work. I took it out on a couple people, and for that I apologize. I guess it's just another aspect of being my friend. It's kind of like a volunteer job you can't get out of, eh? Ha.

As far as technicalities go, I've been working quite a bit lately. Both at Tomatinos and at the church. I had Thursday, Saturday, and part of Sunday off. Thursday I just got stuff done around the house. Saturday Shannon and I drove around and ended up in Alabaster at a thrift store where we found the most amazing things! The biggest of which included a late 70's chair for $15 and a MARVELOUS $45, 7' couch. However, we realized that we hadn't thought 'what happens if we find huge furniture we just can't say no to?' so I ended up calling my cousin in Birmingham and he agreed to give us a hand :) I've got some amazing family. We also made it up to Birmingham and paiid the Galleria a visit. I fell in love with this scent from Victorias Secret... but that's about all the progress that trip made. Yesterday my Dave Dad and his girlfriend came over for a bit. Brought a blender, a bike, and some other misc housewares. We all talked for a while, and made a trip to Home Depot. That's about it.

I've been thinking about starting a few new projects... but how into them I'll be if I start them, well, thats a different story. I want to get a new bike. This one is fine for daytime random riding, but it's old as anything, and even with every metal joint being soaked in WD40 any incline seems like I'm riding up a mountain. Walmart has some cheap bikes that look pretty decent, so I believe I'll be saving up for it. The only thing I do know is that I won't be in Montgomery when I buy one. This 10% sales tax is killing me! I also want to get into yoga, again, and I want a cheap Henna tattoo kit. I need something quick that will get me into better shape, help my back, and not trigger my asthma too. Plus, I want something to look snazzy with my 'new bod' that's not permanent, because I'm sure once I get busy with school and work, the body won't be either.

So, those are the happenings and the thoughts from the past few days. Nothing that makes you say "whoa!" but that's life. Right? Right.

I am down, on my knees I can't take it anymore

2006-07-26T23:00:00.000-06:00

http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1219142,00.html

This article cracks me up. It's like Lance Bass being gay was some kind of secret. His family was "shocked" when they heard? Apparently they didn't know him as well as the rest of America, Europe, Australia... hell, I bet Canada even knew!

Now, if he revealed that he was attracted to Chris Kirkpatrick, then People would have a groundbreaking story.

Oh well, maybe that will be in next weeks issue.

p.s.- The title is from an N'Sync song. Get it? It's funny. I swear.

question of the day

2006-07-24T15:46:00.000-06:00

When it comes down to it, i'm a damn good friend. Why does that automatically mean that I can be walked all over?

I need a friend that will be there for me at 5 in the morning when I feel like shit and just need someone to talk to.

im physically and emotionally....

2006-07-24T04:46:00.000-06:00

drained. exhausted. overwhelmed. dissatisfied.

To make matters worse, it's all because of last night.

I shouldn't have taken it so hard. I started off yesterday tired because of a lack of a 'good night of sleep', didn't have time to take a nap, found out something that is good for me but sucks for my best friend, went to Tomatinos at 3pm and didn't get back until 9:45pm. In my opinion, in the state I was already in, it was hell. Maybe it was from running off a horrible night of sleep and half a bagel, I don't know. People were horrible to me, I wasn't working with someone I'm comfortable with (in fact, the girl was really nice, but we've never worked together), and I don't know. However, the end result is that the little bit of sleep I got last night my mind was racing putting me in different work situations. The location in each dream differed a litte, but the verdict remained the same: I didn't know what I was doing and was overwhelmed by tons of people who assumed they were the only ones there.

Now here I am, it's 5:49 and I don't know how long I've been awake. I laid in bed staring at the fan attempting to cool down, get comfortable, think about something else. It didn't work. I finally looked at the clock at about 5:10. I called Lee at 5:34 knowing he'd be up getting ready for work and thinking maybe he'd be happy to talk to me or feel better that he wasn't the only one awake at that time. I was wrong. I'm miserable, and I'm going to be working doubles today and tomorrow.

I'm not looking for pity, but this is a blog and at the moment it's the only place I can vent.

~~I really hope this whole thing with Sara S coming to stay with me works out, because I don't think I can go it alone for much longer. ~~nevermind. not happening.~~~~

its raining, its pouring.

2006-07-22T15:07:00.000-06:00
It's a shame too, my hair looked really decent today. That sounds awful. However, I am glad because it has been hot as hell (well, assuming the inferno is only around 100F with horrible humidity). Plus, the rain drizzling sounds really nice. Hopefully it will cool off, but one can only dream.

So after searching for hours (yeah, literally, i've got that kind of free time some days) last night on a no-sew way to resize my Tomatinos shirt, I found the best alternative. It's a 'only sew in one place straight across' tutorial. Granted, ok, so I did resize it and sew down the sides too... but that is beside the point. I believe this is going to be my first of many reconstructions. They're so easy and produce almost immediate results! So, if anyone feels the desire to spring for the book Generation T then I'd be more than happy to accept the generous offer. Disclaimer: Ignore the dumb look on my face. Doesn't the shirt that was about a size and a half too big look pretty decent for a first try? Yeah, thanks.

I've got other stuff to show off too... but I can't until later. Its a surprise, mom. Stop asking.

this pretty much sums up the last half hour or so.

2006-07-19T22:10:00.000-06:00
Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can hurt like hell.-- Chuch Palahniuk, Lullaby

"carry on"

2006-07-15T16:23:00.000-06:00
Let me just say: "I love this house" because, well, I do. It's wonderful. I've got some pictures of the house, email me or something if you'd like to see them. For 'security' purposes, I'm not going to post them right here. My mom came up today, brought her friend and along with them came a bed for my mom's room, a new comforter for mine, and rugs and lots of random little tidbits. Needless to say, the house looks 100x better than it does in the photos... granted it didn't look bad at all to begin with. I am so thankful I've got friends, and friends of the family that are so generous :)

I've been watching "Road to the Runway" and the first episode of the new Project Runway series... and I have to say that if I ever have children (hopefully that will happen... not for a while though) I want to look like Heidi. She is so friggin fasionable, even when she's got a belly the size of a large watermelon. Oh, and Sharon Stone (I just saw the Basic Instinct 2 commercial) really has just lost all of her sex appeal. I mean she's still attractive I guess, but the rest is just lost.

I've got to say something, to anyone reading this (especially females) that a blog I found, written by a girl named Amber has totally inspired me. I want to be like her. She's got amazing design skills, the dog I would want if I had a dog, gets to go to tons of shows, has great relationships with her friends, and above all she's incredibly self motivated. I want to start running, not because I feel fat or I actually like to run, but because reading her blog and her determination made me desire the same thing. So go check it out. Oh, and she also has a love for Project Runway.

Anyway, I'm about to go bowling with some friends that are still in Montgomery. Au revior!

2006-07-10T15:48:00.000-06:00
So I'm sitting here in the cafe next door to Tomatinos because, well, I'm an internet addict. I won't be getting it at the house til at least Thursday... so we'll see how this works out.

The house is amazing. I love it so much. Even being bored doesn't seem so bad there. Thursday my mom and I packed up everything and came up to Montgomery. We were up at 4 am on Friday morning, and closing was at 8 am. It went so smoothly. I couldn't believe it. We then went and loaded some stuff from my car at the house, and went back to the apartment to pack everything. Lee got there, and we forced him to load it all up. Moving went pretty smoothly. I don't really want to talk about Saturday though. I mean everything got moved in and stuff, but I was just miserable the whole day. I'm not totally sure why, but I'm pretty sure it had to do with everything happening at once and I do suppose Chloe appearing underneath every large object or in the middle of any assemblies of beds and whatnot didn't help. Oh well. Everything is in, and I'm happy. I've made a list of little things I still need, so if anyone wants that or the address, contact me somewhere other than the internet and it's all yours.

Ok, well, Shannon and I just had a little convo before work... so now it's a little late for me to type much more. However I've still got my cell phone, so if anyone is in the area or just wants to chat... I'm free except for 5-10:30 tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday. Other than that, I'm all yours :)

and so I raise my glass to symmetry

2006-07-05T20:24:00.000-06:00
I apologize for the lack of updating for the last few days. As much as I've been lounging around, I've still felt pretty busy. Mainly I've been getting ready to move. We have a walk-through tomorrow evening, and Friday morning (hopefully) we will be closing. Wonder why I'm saying hopefully? Apparently, these people can't get their stuff together. We really didn't ask much, but when the appraiser went they still hadn't gotten all the windows un-stuck (the windows... even the ones in the bedrooms were all painted shut. fire hazard anyone?) so hopefully everything will go smoothly and as planned. My anticipation hasn't stopped growing since the day we first saw it, and I don't think watching these house-hunters shows and such on HGTV is helping much.

I'm so happy that Lee is getting to come help me :) Ok, so I'm lucky to have him so generously come and help my family and I move in. With the job being so tempermental and the recent death of his grandfather, he's had a rough time lately. I really wish I could have known his grandfather when he wasn't in the hospital. From what I hear, he was a very amazing person. However, I suppose it was his time.

I suppose while I've been home I have been socializing. I went to a pot-luck for my friend Walid where I ate goat cheese and salad with blueberries in it. I bonded with Sarah W... which I've never really done before. We met up with Alexa and friends and saw Devil wears Prada. That was alright. I saw The Omen with Charlotte.. and I swear Chloe gave me that same look last night when she was up past her bedtime.

Speaking of Chloe and last night... it was probably the most eventful 4th of July I've had that I can remember. I spent it with my dad, Chloe, and Heather at what my dad likes to call his "bourgeois" friend's parent's house. It was amazing. You could see the fireworks perfectly from the balcony, the food was pretty good, there were tons of pretty babies (Chloe winning the vote, however) , everyone was very sociable, and his friends kept pushing wine on me. I mean, after so much peer pressure, I had to give in. Right? Right! So yeah, thats the story of my 4th of July.

In other random news... I watched Rock Star: Supernova and I'm now in love with Gilby Clarke. Basically because he's a rockstar and he looks essentially like a real-life Captain Jack Sparrow. Don't be jealous Lee.

vs.

too bad he's so old.

ok, well, its time to go to sleep so I can actually get up in the morning. Goodnight, sleep tight.

rant, i apologize

2006-06-29T15:56:00.000-06:00
it has to be said.... I swear...

Why can't the financial aid office at Huntingdon get anything right? My mother and I are getting a house. We move in July 7. That's next Friday, one week from tomorrow. Everyone knows about this, including the res. life staff. On the first bill we got from Huntingdon, they didn't include Room & Board fees. In that, they were correct, however they also didn't include the scholarships I have that cover half tuition and are completely refundable. We asked why, and they said it was because we hadn't filled out our FAFSA. Ok, sure, out fault, no problem. They said that when we fill it out, we need to go ahead and request a new bill. So we filled it out, requested, and recieved. The problem? Now they've added Room & Board (hey, im not even signed up for a room people... think about it) and there are still no scholarships listed. WTF, kids? wtf. We can't afford to pay for another house if you guys insist on me paying a random $11,000 more for school this year! Idiots.

I shall now step off my pedestal and listen to my new David Bowie record. Thank you.

the course of true love never did run smooth

2006-06-28T22:39:00.000-06:00
Nothing too terribly exciting has happened in the past couple days, but I think this event is cause for celebration... er... well... at least a quick blog :)

Today marks the 10 month anniversary for Lee and I. This has officially tied my longest "relationship." However, the previous was already pretty much dead, and this relationship is very much alive. I seriously can't see this relationship coming even close to an end, and I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Alright, that said, I now say goodnight!

if you want something visual that's not too abysmal

2006-06-25T22:06:00.000-06:00
I must say, there's nothin' better than laying in a cool apartment with the humidifier at full blast and your only commitment for the night being sleep. Nothin' better... unless of course by apartment I meant house, humidifier I meant central cooling and sleep being someone to entertain me. My body is exhausted from tonight, but that doesn't mean I can sleep right now. So what better to do than blog?

My weekend was fabulous, I must say. I spent the majority of it in Georgia (visiting Lee of course). We bowled, golfed, ate, watched Lake House, made smores, and just spent time together in general... the latter being my favorite activity. I know he wants to make sure I'm fully entertained and have a good time when I visit him, but I don't think he understands that my favorite time is when it's just us. It doesn't matter what we're doing. We could be just driving around talking, sitting watching tv, or sitting on a swing talking. I really don't care, it's all the same and it's my favorite thing to do. On that semi-same note... I'm always exhausted when I come back from Albany. I sleep plenty and it's only a 1 hr time zone difference and I don't run marathons while i'm there. Any ideas?

I look a few random pictures during my stay, and people love seeing pictures. Since I like sharing, I hope you enjoy them!

Ah, the drive to Georgia. Though it's 3 hrs as opposed to the 2 hrs it takes to get to Florida... it's a much more enjoyable drive. The 'open road' view is only about half of the drive, on and off. The rest is all cute little worn down towns that I don't get to see much of on other trips. Something tells me they won't be so cute by the end of next summer....

Unforunately, one of those 'cute little towns' comes with one of the most dangerous intersections in the U.S.... don't worry though, this picture was taken safely!

Ain't he a cutie? Apparently, Lee is just all-around sports guy. I mean I've heard the stories about football, baseball, and track... but golf too? For not playing often etc, he's pretty darn good if I say so myself... and I do.

Graffiti on some concrete. Punk isn't dead, but i'm pretty sure that "punx" never existed.

Another piece of graffiti. This one was amusing. Especially because, well, there was no art. Even less 'art' of the anarchist persuasion.

I'm pretty sure this is the entire Albany 'scene'. This very well may have been the anarchist artists agonizing about all their artwork. Say that 1 time without feeling like an idiot.

Sunsets are beautiful. There's no way anyone can resist those pictures.

home is where your history begins

2006-06-21T01:19:00.000-06:00
Hello first real post! I've gotten tired of livejournal, and decided to make blogger my new home. I don't believe a blog should exist for people to scroll through the entries looking soley for pictures or maybe quips featuring their name. In my world, blogs are written to be read otherwise why would we take the time to share our thoughts? I've taken the time to post a couple of my favorite blogs from myspace and livejournal, mainly as a way to save my fonder memories.

So hello, blogger world. Please accept me, I mean no harm.

life plan, new and improved

2006-06-19T00:04:00.000-06:00
So in the 2 hrs it took me to get from Pensacola to Montgomery this afternoon I did quite a bit of thinking. Not the usual 'im bored as hell please save me, mind' thinking. This actually [insert gasp] achieved something! So... without further adieu....

1. Finish school and get a BA in Business... minoring in Art
2. Stay working at Tomatinos the whole time (god willing)
3. In my free time, make the house look the best it has looked since 1946.
4. During senior year, train to become a bartender/barmaid whatever you'd like to call it.
5. After graduation, sell the house in Montgomery for a lot more than we paid and live with my mother for a year in Pensacola.
6. During that year, work at a bar owned by a friend of the family, and save up as much money as possible, in the mean time working on a plan.
7. After the year is up, use saved money to open up an art gallery/unique gift shop... location unknown.
8. At the art gallery, sell art made by locals & family with talent, homemade items, anything random.
9. One gallery progresses to be semi-self-efficient, audition and be involved in local community theatre.
10. Be happy for the rest of my life, knowing I have no superiors and a passion for beauty in the arts.

Fin.

2006-05-21T02:28:00.000-06:00
I am having macaroni and cheese for dinner for the first time in years. I had almost forgotten how it tasted. Not really like cheese or authentic macaroni. It has one of those tastes that trigger your memories. The first thing that came to mind was the wednesday/every other weekend trips to my father's house. The cuisine choices rarely differed: mac and cheese, rice a roni, french-cut green beans, sloppy joes, or hamburger helper. Lunch was always a variation of PB&J. The nights after the macaroni and cheese were usually spent under a makeshift fort with my doll Sam, er, that was his most recent name at least. I would change it when I forgot it, you see. When I was younger, I didn't have much of an imagination. However, I tried quite hard. I watched my fair share of children's shows and wondered why each time I played I couldn't turn my bedroom into a jungle or a three ring circus. Therefore whenever I had the opportunity I would attempt to set the scene up as much as I could. The problem was, once my tent was assembled and properly furnished, decorated, and ready to be inhabited the fun was over. I didn't know what to do next. Was I a broken child? Did my brain simply not posses the 'imagination trigger' that was portrayed on TV? Would this issue lead to inadequacy in the workplace and inability to do anything further than a blue-collar, 9 to 5, low pay, no benefits, and non-paid vacation career? Alright, maybe the last wasn't what was going through my naive little mind. Nowadays, I do believe I have it figured out. There are three kinds of people in this world (well, there are many kinds, but the majority can be assumed to posses the traits of at least one of my hypothetical classings). There are some that sit in the flowered, furnished tent and entertain themselves with whimsical ideas of what could, would, might, and possibly should. They like to stay in their utopian minds, using up all resources readily available. Doesn't sound bad, does it? Reaping the benefits of the laborers. There are the ones who are invited along, but just sit there and think 'wow this could be better if it were outside, or the window was facing slightly northeast.' Those who criticize a masterpiece, but don't move towards beneficial aid. Then there are the people who poured their heart and soul into finding the books with the perfect weights to use as anchors. The people that had the genius to combine flat sheets with fitted to add shape and develop entryways, or who provided a fan and adequate ventilation. The worker bees who strive to make a quality and useful product, and work til it's done for others to enjoy. I want to stay that person. Sure I don't know exactly what path I want to fore go, but all in all that is my goal for my carrer. For my family. For my friendships and relationships. For my life. I also came to realize in this little adventure of my mind and body that macaroni and cheese is best served cold with a homemade glass of moderately sweet tea.

this sums up my life.

2005-12-20T01:22:00.000-06:00
prankster2025: which i guess means you should be a thesbian (theres even possibility for innuendo in the title itself!) and i should be a 17th century playwright.
uptightmidnight: go for it.
prankster2025: hmm, theres only one problem
uptightmidnight: what?
uptightmidnight: don't have the right hairstyle?
prankster2025: im going to need a time machine built
prankster2025: well, its settled then
prankster2025: sara, we're kidnapping stephen hawking
uptightmidnight: i dont wanna.
prankster2025: well how else are we gonna get a time machine?
uptightmidnight: Christopher Llyod
prankster2025: great scott! youre right!
prankster2025: saravaughn, i do believe you are a genius

evaluation of self

2003-12-03T20:03:00.000-06:00
i want more new, exciting lj friends.
or I just need to get out more and meet people...
lj can be good to meet more p'cola folks
maybe i should become emo
though i'm not depressed,
i don't have any drama going on in my life...
...that actually constitutes as drama
and im not a huge fan of suicide

instead i'm me.
i'm pretty happy with my life..
...enough to have to complain about petty things
i go to school every day, and don't have the chance to go to many shows
though i've been to enough to know that the grind=bad
but I enjoy my music
whether its pop, emo (barely), rap, rock, punk, or even a few select -gasp- country songs
and get this... i even appreciate Avril Lavigne as an artist.
i'm a great listener, and I enjoy it.
sometimes I can give advice, but mainly I can just be a friend
I don't know what I want, but I know that it's alright
I tend to have a boyfriend most of the time, but mainly by chance..
definately not a dependancy issue, I can live without them
though they're handy to have around ;)
I have my own opinions, but most are circumstantial
I don't change my views to satisfy others, though
if someone says something i've never thought of before, i'll give them the benefit of the doubt
I am Christian, and I could care less about what others think of it
I believe in waiting until marriage for sex,
but I know that people make mistakes
I accept people for who they are, not what they look like,
yet bathing is still recommended.
I like who I am, inside and out
but I don't gloat, nor am I self centered.
I've learned not to care much about others views of me
though sometimes I weaken and let it hurt, but not for long
I'm not perfect, nor do I ever plan to be,
and I accept that.

I know there are plenty of things I could change about myself
sometimes I tend to be lazy
somewhat stubborn
I have the tendency not to think everything out
nor do I always set goals for myself
I fall for boys too easily
and I am often jealous
I speak my mind, not always thinking about the consequences
but I also hold things in that I shouldn't
I often have bad timing
and depending on my mood, I have been loud and obnoxious

but all of these flaws are conditional,
and can be changed, they don't happen all the time,
nor will I allow them to if they try.
I have flaws, just like everyone else
little quirks that sometimes get me into trouble
but what fun would life be without a little danger, here and there
those quirks make me who I am, the good and the bad
good and evil
light and dark
it's a nice balance of power
and I like it this way.

So I'm not sure what the point of this entry was, really,
a generalization followed by an explanation of myself, to myself,
but open to be read by anyone who passes by.
I dont know in what way it could help anyone else,
but it did something for me, though I can't quite pinpoint what it was/is
so that's that.

rat = gone out of my pool trap. thank you daniel.

what i've learned today...
translating ebonics with friends provides for hours of amusement and good quality bonding

suck up to substitutes, though I didn't, through association I acquired a pass to the teachers lounge to get a drink

don't sweat the small stuff, because it always turns out to be just that, small stuff.

talk to people new, they really might turn out to be much more insightful than you think

giggling like a 12 year old can be fun sometimes

the sound of the rain + candles + a fire in the fireplace= awesome place to catch up on reading

so that's all for now. i'm off to get ready for Bizzle Studizzle (Bible Study, for all of you uncultured types)

Hasta luego, amigos y amigas. Le deseo bien.