Update

Sorry about how long it has been since I wrote, I haven't been spending much time on the Internet lately. So, a brief overview of the last several months. I didn't get the Corrections job, they sent me a letter after my interview saying "thanks, but no thanks." Gene and I went on our trip to San Francisco and had a great time. The Castello di Amorosa was gorgeous and the wines were amazing. Gene and I are no longer dating, we broke up in January. A few days before I was let go from my job at the Police Department actually. So that was a difficult week. My ex-boyfriend Alan decided to take me to Vegas with him and his friend Danny to cheer me up when I told him what happened. We stayed at the Venetian and had a great time. The Venetian is an absolutely beautiful hotel. Alan and I are dating again, though we aren't sure where it's going yet. In March I got a job with Chipotle at the restaurant that had just opened in Westlake Village and one with OSH in Santa Barbara, where my best friend Jen works. In April I started a Phlebotomy class, that taught me how to do blood draws so I could become a Certified Phlebotomist Technician 1. I am currently only working at OSH so I could concentrate on class. I have finished all the classes now and aced both the midterm and the final. On June 6th Jen married Henry, her boyfriend of almost 5 years, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Wedgewood in Ventura. On June 13th I turned 24, though I celebrated mostly alone since Jen was on her honeymoon, my parents were in Colorado, and I was working.

So I think that is everything up until now. I start my Phlebotomy internship on July 6th at VCMC and I am both excited and nervous. The internship is a week long, Monday through Friday. After the internship I take the state certification test and will be able to get a position as a Phlebotomist. Since my parents were out of state for my birthday we are celebrating it on July 7th by seeing the play Spamalot. Well, that's it for now. I will try to get some pictures up of recent events.

Disneyland and San Francisco, Oh My!

Well the interview went alright I think (hope). I should find out by this Wednesday if I made it into background checks (cross your fingers for me). Dad was a big help, he told me things I had never thought about when it comes to interviews. I learned how to smooth a jacket unobtrusively as I sit down, that relaxing in a chair and using some small hand gestures when talking is better than sitting straight and not moving, and I learned that answers are better if they are more than a few words but less than a "paragraph." Thanks Dad!

Last Wednesday I went to Disneyland with my brother, Matt, his wife, Chris, and their two older kids, Naia (7) and Miles (2). We had a great time but we were all exhausted by the time we left. We saw all of Disneyland except for Toontown before leaving and heading over to California Adventure for Mickey's Halloween Costume Party. We lucked out on how long we spent in each line, the longest we spent in line by far was 30 minutes for the Storybook ride. All the lines were typically 15 minutes or less, well there were ones that were longer but we got fast passes for those. Whoever came up with fast passes should receive a medal or something, they are so great! Sadly Miles was not able to go on more than half of the rides, he was too short, but he took it really well. Naia got dragged on some rides that she was probably tempted to curse Matt and I for later, she isn't fond of the dark (so she hated Space Mountain) and she doesn't like them to be "too fast" either (which I think is odd since when we went on the Tea Cups she had hers going as fast as her arms could manage). Chris and I aren't real big on taking pictures so there aren't many to show but I will add them as soon as I load them on the computer.

Gene and I are taking a trip to San Francisco from Nov. 6th through the 10th (this will be the first vacation I have ever taken with a significant other). It should be great, we are both very excited, not only about going to SF but also about having almost a full five days for just the two of us. When Gene first told me what days he could get off we only had a little over 3 weeks to plan the trip and at first we were debating between New York and SF, but since I couldn't foresee getting my hands on over $600 on such short notice we decided to go with SF (definitely cheaper and I have been really wanting to go for a while). We got a room at the Opal Hotel in the Civic Center area of SF, the reviews are very mixed but overall fairly good, so I have my fingers crossed that it will be a pleasant stay. I have never actually made it to SF, the closest I have been is San Jose so this will be totally new for me, but Gene has been before so hopefully he won't be bored seeing things he has seen before. He was excited to find out that the Raiders (a football team that Gene is a huge fan of) will be playing in the area on the Sunday we are there, so I am letting him drag me to a game. Those that know me know that sports are not very high up on my list of things to watch, the only sport that has ever held my attention for very long is Ice Hockey and I don't even watch it unless I go to a game, which is rare. I have decided that if I see nothing else I will see the Castello di Amorosa Winery, it's a winery with an authentic Italian castle that my parents saw while on a trip to Napa Valley. It is about an hour and a half drive from our hotel, but I have been dieing to see it ever since my parents told me about it. I also want to see Pier 39 and Alcatraz; well really I think I would enjoy seeing all the touristy things they have there, but there is only so much time and neither Gene nor I are morning people so that would cut down the number of things we could see too (since stores often close around the time we night people are really getting going, oh well). Anyone have any places they thought were the best and that I should definitely see?

Nervous

Well, my interview is coming up in a few days and I have mass amounts of butterflies in my stomach. I don't think I have ever wanted a job as much as I want this on before. I just hope it is as good a job for me as it looks, not to mention that I am actually able to get it. My interview is at 0800 on Wednesday and anyone that knows me knows I am so not a morning person, but I will prevail! Also it will be a panel interview with 3 people! Sheesh! I can just see it now, me sitting there shaking and trying not to stutter while 3 people shoot questions at me. Great now I want to crawl into a dark corner and hide. Anyone with some sound advise? My dad is going to prep me with some questions the day before, since he has some experience on hiring panels. Maybe I should brush up on my meditation skills, can't hurt, right?

On another topic, I have dropped out of college for right now. My stress levels were through the roof, I was skipping classes, not doing any homework or studying, and I was beginning to have minor panic attacks before class (generally not a good sign), so I decided enough was enough and dropped my classes. I will likely go back next year, but I am not going to pressure myself to do so, if I am ready when classes start then I will go back otherwise I will wait until I am ready again. My only regret is that I wasted my parents money, they paid $1700 of the $1950 for this semester. So I will be paying them $100 every time I receive a paycheck (so every two weeks) until I have paid them back not only for this semester but also for my laptop and the down payment on my car that they lent me the money for. All of that comes to a grand total of (drum roll please)... $3900. Yeah, ouch. My parents are too good to me. It is likely to take me a couple years to pay that off at $200 a month (if there are no unforseen problems), but I will pay them back.

So for those of you that don't already know, my best friend Jennifer is getting married! They have finally set the date! Yes, on their third attempt to set a date it looks like it will be June 6, 2009. Oddly enough, only 4 days before Jen's birthday and exactly a week before mine. We went wedding dress shopping in Santa Barbara this week. I am getting way too familiar with wedding dress shops lately. It was a nice little gathering of people that went: Jen's mom, Marsha, her fiance's mom, Sandra (?), her younger sister and bridesmaid, Anna, her (and my) best friend and bridesmaid, Jessica, and of course me, the maid of honor. We went to three shops, if you count the first one which was out of business, in just over 4 hours. Jen actually thought she might make it to 4 shops (1 per hour)! I think she is nuts! She is learning as she goes though; apparently she didn't check to see if the places she wanted to go to required appointments, which was our main set back (silly girl). I know as the maid of honor I should have asked but I just assumed that her mom would have mentioned it or she would have noticed it as she was looking up places to go, my bad. Jessica thinks we should take a look at David's Bridal but I have been adament that that would be a bad idea (mom and I both think that their prices are too high for the quality, or lack there of, of the fabric and general make of the dresses), thankfully Jen agrees with me. Poor Anna is having trouble finding anything that would work for her as a bridesmaid, she is at that size between flower girl and bridesmaid that makes things difficult. Of course, I am having some trouble too but that is because I am so very curvy that the dresses they have as samples just don't fit, something that I have become pretty used to. Lol, also I have found out that apparently I am the deciding factor on what color dresses the bridesmaids get and not because I am choosy but because my skin tone is so difficult to match (I have a redhead's coloring). Jessica, of course, is having no troubles with the dresses she fits into almost all of them perfectly and none of the possible colors look bad on her, (sigh) it almost makes a girl want to hate her, no matter how much you love her any other time.

So I have decided to let my friends help me improve my (apparently) terrible taste in clothing. I have always prefered comfortable clothing over fashionable clothing, since I wear a uniform at work and (in my opinion) don't really have a reason to waste money on expensive clothing that isn't particularly comfortable or serviceable. Now that I have a serious relationship that I really want to work, I have begun listening to what is being said about my typical appearance. Man, what a downer! I dress like I'm in high school, I have too much black in my closet, my tennis shoes are ugly and manly, I walk and sit without grace, my hair looks terrible up (this one I have been hearing for years), etc. I think I would prefer to go back to peaceful oblivion. God, it just occured to me that if I actually took the time to care about my appearance my typical tardiness would be even worse! Hehe, maybe I should mention that to everyone, maybe then they would leave me alone! (Evil cackle) But no seriously, I am trying to be better.

My Mr. Right?

Everyone meet Gene. He is my new boyfriend (I mentioned him in prior blogs). He is great, a guy that really seems to understand me, even at my quirkiest. He understands and is ok with me typically running late, he doesn't expect me to wear makeup and seems to even like that even when I do it is light, he likes my laugh and my smile, he thinks my glasses are cute (when I don't wear my contacts), and he is very intelligent so I never feel like I need to censor or reword my thoughts. Hell, I think he might be more intelligent than I am (I'm not saying that I'm a genius, but sadly the guys I typically date make me look like I am by comparison). He graduated high school after 3 1/2 years and then graduated with a BA in Business Management from CSUN in 3 1/2 years. He is very focused when he wants something and as far as I can tell has always gotten what he wants. When he looks at me I swear he is trying to memorize my face. He compliments me and I never feel the need to say "Bullshit," which is almost always my response to compliments (especially from guys). He is polite, but not overly so and it doesn't feel forced (like a guy that thinks he will get brownie points if he pretends to like pulling out chairs or opening doors). Oh, he gives great back massages, too! I love that he doesn't mind public displays of affection, I hate it when guys feel the need to have a foot between us because we are walking outside. Ok, I think I am done gushing about him now.

Nothing interesting on the school front. Nothing new with work.

Something that is new, however, I am back to actively for an apartment. It has been time for me to move out for a while now but I keep pulling back at the last minute. I am pretty comfortable living with my parents, but living with Gary is not at all comfortable, even though he isn't nearly as much of an ass as he used to be (I think he has just learned some subtlety, not kindness). I had been thinking about getting roommates, even talked to a couple guy friends and looking for a 3 bedroom place, but now one of them invited a woman with two kids to join in. At first I thought I would be ok with it, but the more I think about it the more I think it would be better to get my own place. To do so I will be paying more and likely getting less, but one of the reasons I want to move out is to have more space. I have so much stuff I could decorate a house, though I would still need things like tables and couches, lol. I have been compiling a list of places to drive by and look at. I have a good sized list of places in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Paula that are in my price range. I am looking at places that have a rent up to $850, with at least a couple utilities included in the price. I have an appointment to view a studio in Oxnard on Wednesday, it is a couple blocks from the hospital, so I hope the neighborhood is ok. The price is great, $650 with all utilities covered. The downside so far is that it is attached to a house, but I am told it has a separate entrance (we will see). The pictures of the place give me hope (though it doesn't have a bathtub just a shower by the looks of it, pout).

Oh, I almost forgot! I finally got a call back regarding the Corrections position, my interview is in about two weeks! Hip Hip Hooray! Wish me luck!

The bad with the good

Man I feel wrung out and beaten to a pulp. I have allergies (or the beginning of a cold) making my sinuses go haywire, which of course means my ears keep plugging up, my head is throbbing, and I feel like I have a faucet in place of my nose. Not to mention the monthly round of cramps, fatigue, and a killer need for chocolate.
Seriously, what kind of sadistic entity could possibly come up with this torture?!
I feel like my brain has taken a hike down a long tunnel, because it is taking for ever for thoughts to process. No, blonde jokes! I am not blonde on the outside or the inside thank you very much!
So, on a happier note, I did my first on stage performance for acting class and I did really well! The assignment was to re-enact two ordinary minutes of our life. So I chose to do me doing my hair and putting in my contacts. Well, I didn't have time to wash my hands before performing so I didn't actually put the contacts in, but almost everyone thought I did! Woo-hoo, go me! I even convinced the teacher I had actually put them in!
Also I got a new phone! It's a crackberry, I mean blackberry. I love my new toy! It has everything; web, email, gps and navigation, calendar, camcorder, camera, voice recorder, notetaking, texting, and of course cellphone, among other things. I am so hooked! I am seriously thinking the thing is worth the dough I shelled out for it and the monthly charge for all the capabilities. For $80 a month I get unlimited web and email, 450 call minutes, unlimited texts within Verizon, and 500 texts outside Verizon. I don't think I will ever be able to put it down again! :)
Okay I think I am done gushing now. :)

Hey

Wow, it has been over a year since I last blogged! Well, lets see, I am attending CSUCI and I have just changed my major from Teaching to Sociology, I am working full-time as a Records Specialist, and I have a new boyfriend. I have been considering transferring to CSUN because they have a Sociology course with an emphasis in Criminology, which CSUCI does not. Who knows if this change will last, to tell the truth I really don't know what I want to do. The reason I was going with Sociology was because I am interested in being a probation officer (which requires a BS in Sociology) but I may change my mind again. (Sigh) I hate not knowing what I want.
I have applied for a position as a Correction Services Officer and am waiting for the interview. I hate working in Records, my supervisor is a B.I.T.C.H.! Almost everyone in Records (hell, most of the department) feel the same way; it seems like the only people that don't agree are the Senior Records Clerks. I heard recently that even people at the Sheriff's dept know how bad she is. We have people jumping ship left and right lately. One woman just moved to Mississippi to get away from her! One is waiting to sell her house then she intends to move to Texas, one is applying for a position with LA county Sheriffs, and I am applying with Corrections. I don't know how they are going to be able to fill the 2 openings they already have let alone the ones that are going to be opening soon with so many people leaving.
Classes are okay. I am taking 2 Sociology classes and an acting class. By far my favorite is the acting class, which is no surprise to those who know me. The Sociology classes are interesting but not exactly fascinating. Sociology is an unusual science, you don't really have anything to study and yet you have everything to study, because society isn't an entity that you can actually see and yet every person in the world is a part of a society. Weird, huh?
My new boyfriend is named Gene, he is amazing, intelligent, and HOT! We met on EHarmony. He manages Sports Authority and on the side he flips homes. The funny thing is he seems to be as fascinated by me as I am by him. I was surprised when he told me that on our first date he was thinking what is this beautiful woman doing here with me. I had been thinking something along those lines too! Hehe, maybe that makes us perfect for each other, huh? My best friends Jen and Jessica both approve of him (which is actually unusual). He and I have been on 6 dates now and everything seems great so far. He has an interesting dating policy, at 1 month, 4 months, and then 4 years in a relationship he evaluates how the relationship is going and whether he wants to stay in the relationship. He has actually had a couple 4 year relationships! Sheesh, I haven't had a relationship last 1 full year let alone 4! LOL, I am told I am picky, but I see nothing wrong with that.
So I think that is everything for now. Hopefully I will start remembering to do this more often. :)

Hey everyone!

Sorry I know it has been months since my last blog entry. A lot has happened in that time, too. Scrapbooker's Villa is now out of business, it closed June 28th. I bought a new-ish car on July 1st to replace the one I totalled in May. I got a silver 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. Scott and Jennifer got married on August 11th (a truly beautiful ceremony and reception). Now to get down to the new news.

I have been accepted to California State University Channel Islands! I will be taking one class at Ventura College (anatomy of murder, I am really excited about this class). I will be taking another 9 to 12 units at CSUCI. The class at VC starts on Tuesday, August 21st and the rest start August 27th.

On a much less happy note, my car (the one I have had for exactly 49 days) broke down today! The cable that connects to the battery corroded and broke off!!!!!!! I am so not happy about this! It was lucky that when it did brake I was parked and only a few blocks from home. Dad and I had the car towed to the dealership and we'll be going back in the morning to see what they intend to do about it. If their attitude doesn't improve on what we got today we are going to tell every person we know never to go there.

My 22 B-day

This will be short since it is a quarter after midnight here. I had an interesting birthday. It started off with me being awakened at 9AM (I didn't go to sleep until after 3AM, bad Rie-Rie) with a phone call from my Sarge offering me a position in fingerprinting. I have been requesting this position for over a year now, so I'm totally jazzed. Then I spend the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon playing with Addison, while Rachel sleeps, and watching Season 2 of Top Chef (I am now officially addicted).



At a little after 3PM Rachel, Addison, and I head over to the Paisley Pot to do some ceramic painting. When we get there there is a sign in the window informing customers that the business will be going out of business July 31. You're probably thinking too bad but how does that affect us right then? Well, right next to that sign is another sign informing us that they are out of ceramics, but do still have some mosaic pieces. No ceramics! Sigh. So we go in anyway and look at what mosaic pieces they have. It consisted of an incomplete alphabet, some numbers, and a couple rhinos. Hmmm, no thanks. So next idea, movies! Rachel and I decide to take Addison to her first theater movie. We saw Surf's Up, it was actually really cute and Addison was really good throughout the movie. She enjoyed stealing the straw out of my soda, she went through 3 before we gave up and put the soda on the floor.



At about 8:30 we headed over to the Asian Grill because I wanted Sushi and this way I could get that and Rachel and John could get something that they liked. Well, we get there at about 8:50 and notice that the Grill closes at 9. Oops. They let us in anyway but the sushi bar was closed, so I got Chinese instead. Oh well. For desert we went back to the house and had a very cute little chocolate cake with chocolate icing, that was actually a good size for just three people. I finished off the night by watching the first episode of this season's Top Chef.



Just something I thought I'd throw out that I found amusing. I got calls from my friends Rich, Henry, and Dan wishing me a happy birthday. As well as Mom, Dad, Matt, and Gary. I also got an e-card from Wenona, and myspace birthday wishes from Breanne and my friend Allen. Did anyone else notice that none of my female friends (Wenona, you're family) wished me a happy birthday, most significantly my two best friends Jen and Jess? Ok, I should mention that Jen and Micki sent me early wishes (Jen on the 8th and Micki on the 11th, both in response to the b-day wishes I sent them, so does that even really count?). Lol, I just find it amusing that my guy friends remember my birthday (and my brothers actually made the effort to call me) but my female friends didn't. Go figure?

I've started writing

Hmm, I'm beginning to think nobody reads this except Mom and Rachel. Oh well I guess that means I can write whatever I want and it won't matter right? Hmmm, blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda. :) LOL, ok moving on. So, I have finally begun writing the children's book Dad suggested I write months and months ago. I only have a very basic storyline, but would like some opinions (that means the good and the bad, please). Here it goes.

The main character is a young, red-haired witch, named Rowena. She has a small, red dragon, named Ruby that goes everywhere with her. The meaning behind this story is not to judge others by how they look.

Rowena and Ruby are walking through the forest, near the hills. They come across a little, long armed, furry, green haired monster. Rowena and Ruby scream and dive behind a bush. The monster dives behind a rock. After a few minutes of hiding Ruby looks over the bush to see if the monster is still there but doesn't see anything. Ruby whistles at Rowena, so she looks too. Just as she peeks over the bush, the monster peeks over the rock. They all scream and duck again. Ruby gets curious and flies over to the monster's hiding place.

"Don't hurt me," yells the monster.

Shocked, Rowena looks towards the rock. "We wouldn't hurt you!"

"Yes, you would. I know what you are!"

Ruby cocks her head and whistles questioningly. Rowena stands and walks over to the rock where Ruby is hovering. The monster whimpers and tries to make himself smaller behind the rock with his arms covering his head. Rowena leans over the rock a bit and asks, "What is your name?"

The monster shivers and whispers, "Go away."

Rowena looks at Ruby and shrugs. "But why," she asks. "We haven't hurt you."

The monster angrily declares, "I know what you are! You're a witch and that," he points quickly at Ruby, "is a dragon!"

Still confused, Rowena says, "Yes, so?"

"Witches are evil! They're always putting spells on people! And dragons breath fire!"

Rowena laughs. "That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I am not evil and why would I put a spell on people? And of course dragons breath fire, but Ruby is too young to do more than light a candle."

The monster peeks around his arm, then hides again. "It is not stupid. All witches are evil!"

Still giggling at such a silly idea, Rowena sits on the rock. "If I was so evil, then wouldn't I have already put a spell on you?"

"Maybe." The monster peeks again and seeing Rowena sitting, whimpers and tries to move away without uncovering his head.

Getting tired of this, Rowena sighs and says, "Oh, for the Mother's sake, I am not going to hurt you and neither will Ruby!"

"Ruby?"

Rowena smiles at Ruby, who whistled happily at the sound of her name. "Yes, Ruby is my dragon. She is my best friend. My name is Rowena. Now, will you please tell me your name?"

The monster looks up carefully, ready to hide again if necessary. "Rork," he mumbles.

"Your name is Rock?"

Annoyed the monster says, "No! RORK!"

Startled by the shout Rowena jumps a bit. "Oh! Sorry. Rork. Is that right?"

So that is what I have so far. What do you think?

Diet time

Well, it looks like I need to go on another diet. I've been noticing the past month that my work pants are getting tight, especially along the waist and thighs. Another reason I need to go on a diet (though I doubt anyone wants to know this, it is my blog so I can say what I want), if I don't start losing weight soon I'm going to have to go up another bra size. That is the last thing I need. I have enough trouble with C-cups but I'm fast approaching D-cup with my recent weight gain. Lol, I think the only person that will be happy to know I'm going on a diet and picking up my exercise routine again will be Dad, because he dearly loves having someone suffering and sweating right along with him when he exercises. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions for a diet, well other than eating right, I've already started doing that. It is amazingly difficult to eat right with my jobs. Both the PD and the Villa have chocolate, candy, and soda everywhere. My downfall is always when I'm at work, because I don't have the willpower to not eat a piece when it is sitting there calling my name. Suggestions, PLEASE?