the friendly professional

Moving On Up: To a Healthier Life Style

2011-05-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today is the fourth day I've gone to the pool since Sunday.
I'm trying to get healthier, not necessarily loose weight (because I've always been big), but get healthier.
I need to for many reasons.
Any weight lose will be a good thing..but I'm not expecting miracles. I'm hoping that I just get healthier. So..as many times I can a week, I need to go swim.
I joined the Santa Clara Swim Club for about $50 a month. The pool is nice (I've gotten a lane to myself every day so far). The price is right.

Hopefully, life will get healthier.

Thanks to a good friend, Elina, for inspiring me to get my butt in gear. =]

Agent Smith from the Matrix talks like Carl Sagan...

2011-02-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

Carl Sagan....

Agent Smith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fosG7tmWTZ8
(Sorry, embedding is disabled...)

Library Technology is Awesome

2010-12-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

I was browsing the San Jose Public Library holdings for a few popular readings for the winter break, only to find that all of them were checked out or only available across town.

As I was looking, I noticed an interesting feature: Audio Books at San Jose Public Library.

This feature allows you to bookshelf an audio file and then download it at your leisure. You’re able to listen to the file for 6-21 days.

I’ll be downloading Pride and Prejudice: Dawn of the Dreadful to listen to on my trip down to San Diego for Christmas.

Its awesome!

This saves me from having to borrow a popular book, the time for reading it and something to do on my long drive. =]

I have to say, the technology that has developed during my life time is amazing. I would have never thought that I could borrow an audio file from the library for a period of a few days (for FREE!).

Also, its quite awesome the technology provided to Silicon Valley residents. I never thought of it before, but living in San Jose, CA has so many benefits that I would have never noticed had I not moved here. The San Jose Public Library System ROCKS!

2010-12-13T22:10:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've worn out my welcome on Facebook for the evening and my normal "moral support" has checked out early and gone to bed.
Blarg..This paper won't write itself but my sails have no steam and tea kettle is blowing wind.

If only it could be Wednesday, my paper turned in and I was happily knitting..or wrapping presents. That sounds so nice right now.

Only graduate school could make you pine for the little things in life.

While trying to avoid my paper instead of finishing it, I've also had this proposition dropped in my lap and its starting to pinch.

Do I take the part time 8th grade science position and turn my part-time teaching gig into a full-time mess?

PRO: I'd be off of work earlier in the day (by 4pm unless I chose to stay longer).

CON: There is a possibility I would get paid less via salary then my current hourly status. It is very sad but true.

CON: Still doing graduate school while teaching full-time? I must be crazy.

PRO: I wouldn't have to work extended day hours (3-6pm) any more.

CON: Teaching 6 classes is not easy, plus grading? Again, I must be crazy.

There is no balance here..unless I can pull more then $15 large ones there is no point. I did the math. If they can pay me more then $15K for the 5 months I would be doing this, then its worth it. Otherwise? They're crazy for considering this.

Oh well, back to my paper.
Hope all is well in Blogland.

Found This - Had To Share

2010-11-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

Producer to assignment editor:
“I can’t listen to this right now. OSHA says that if one more person rides my ass today I’m going to have to get handrails and a special permit.”

Jay Poole via Overheard in the Newsroom
Woo! This is from OUR newsroom, guys! I believe the exchange was between Claudia and George.

Overheard in the Newsroom

overheardinthenewsroom.com

Lesson Two

2010-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

Story: I'm trying to focus so hard on this text my professor put on the internet, but it is tiny and insanely hard to read.

So, I click on the link to try and read another version (that is hopefully bigger.) I find it on Google Docs - I scroll up - there is a picture of the cover..I recognize it and exclaim:

"I own that fucking book!"

Yes, it is one of the books I accidentally purchased from a friend, thinking I needed it when it actually wasn't required. (See post "Lesson One".)

Oh yes, no more having to ready tiny online print. Score.

Lesson One

2010-07-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

My first graduate school lesson is this:

Don't buy your books until AFTER your classes have been confirmed.

Less then an hour after I purchased all of the text books I thought I needed, I got an email saying one of my classes didn't have enough enrollment so it was canceled and I was re-enrolled in the same class but with a different instructor.

Now, I don't need two of the books out of four that I purchased. I also realized, that I purchased the wrong edition of another book. I managed to get one good book out of the four I bought.

I'm hoping I can exchange the three or even just one for another book that I didn't know I needed until now. I will have to buy the 3rd Edition version of the book that I accidentally purchased the 2nd Edition of, because the professor said there was a significant difference between the two editions. No dodging that bullet.

So, first lesson learned. Don't drop the dough till the class be confirmed.

Fraud Attempt

2010-07-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

So for those who worry about accidentally sending money to someone they don't know, here is something to look out for.

I'm sending this short email with panic in my heart, the situation of things here right now seems so tensed because I'm stranded already, Apparently I'm stuck here in LONDON ENGLAND with family because we were held by muggers on KENTISH TOWN ROAD yesterday after shopping at the city mall, our wallets were taken off us which has our credit cards and bank cards in it but we already canceled them now,It's such a crazy experience for me, We need help flying back home, the authorities are not being 100% supportive but the good thing is We still have our passport but dont have enough money to get my flight ticket back home, please I need you to loan me some money, will reimburse you as soon as I'm back home, I promise.

I don't know the sender nor recognize the email address. Be suspicious, trust no one.

What Can 49 Cents Do For You?

2010-07-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

My yearly raise showed up on my paycheck today. I didn't know what it was going to be in advance; only that I was getting a raise.

So, here is the back story, before the real absurdity begins.

I started out at $15.00 an hour. Not bad. Awesome, actually, at the time.

At my Anniversary Date, I got a $0.50 raise. Again, not too bad.

At the beginning of my second year teaching (the fall of my second year), I got a whopping $1.00 raise. AWESOME. Say it again. AWESOME.

So, this year, my second Anniversary Date, I was expecting a healthy raise, but nothing extreme. (Honestly, I was expecting $0.25.) So when I looked at my paycheck and noticed that it no longer said $16.50 and now said $16.99, I went "that is better then $0.25....but..couldn't just give me the extra cent?" Geez...So, one cent short of $17.00 an hour is my new rate.

Thankfully, I was told that the highest rate I can get at my work is $18.00 an hour considering I don't have a teaching credential. I say "thankfully," because, now, I won't be surprised when I hit the ceiling pay wise. But..thats fine. I'd need to find another job, eventually, anyway. Cheers to the raise!

And, thanks to my Nana, I've deposited the most, ever, in one day, into my bank account. Between a gift to help pay for school and my paycheck, today, I am pretty rich (on paper.) That money will quickly disappear after books and a set amount to each semester.

Toy Story 3

2010-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

No interesting pre-story to this movie. My man and I actually paid to see this one. And like all Toy Story movies, it was cute.

For all Pixar movies there was a short. It is not my intention to be mean, but I think the Short ('Day and Night') was a better concept then Toy Story 3. The 3D for 'Day and Night' was spectacular. It wasn't up in your face; it was simple and really well done. The combination of the "cut-out" and "background" action was incredible to see. If anything, see Toy Story 3 to see 'Day and Night'.

I still liked Toy Story 2 more than 1 or 3, but 3 had charm, you were really cheering for the characters, and felt for them. It helps that some of us grew up with these characters. Everyone knows Woody wouldn't give up, Buzz has ingenuity, Jessie is perfectly optimistic and antics from Ham, Rex, The Potato Heads, Barbie (Barbie was cool ^_^;;), the Slinky dog, the Alien guys, and...Bullseye (the horse, duh.)

I know I dissed the concept for the movie just breaths ago, but honestly, where else was Pixar going to go to squeeze out any last pocket change from the Toy Story piggy bank?

Andy is grown up. Of course he doesn't play with his toys as much, but is he really going to discard them so easily? When you go to college, you have three choices: trash, donate, or store.

The movie does bring up the horrific truth of toy torture at daycare facilities. You can't help but feel bad for any toy that is used as a paint brush or hammer. "Lotsa'" is right, the little kids need toys too, but it really should be on the teachers at the day care to choose age-appropriate toys to put in the "Caterpillar" room.

I remember going "that is a sad end, even for a toy" several times throughout the movie, but Pixar did manage to wrap it up cleanly. I was surprised by the end but happy it was heart-felt and left the crowd smiling.

So, as Toy Story has been trying to teach us from the very beginning, be good to your toys.

(I do still have Piggy (a stuffed bear) and Baby Bear, who are still married but have no children.)

Despicable Me

2010-06-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

'Despicable Me' was insanely cute and funny, plus, the 3D was pretty good too. Me and my man barely made it in. It took forever to find parking at the Pruneridge, so when we finally parked and got in line, we didn't think we'd get let in. So we're standing in line and its slowly moving up with 15 minutes before the showing. They start letting people in again and we hear the usher say "only 25 more." We frantically try to count to see if we'll get in and I hear my man say "watch, they'll cut off right in front of us." We get closer and closer, and the usher says "24..25" as he stamps my hand and then my man's hand. It was awesomely close.

We entered the swarming theater and made our way to the doors at the back of the small lobby. A guy on a stool handed us our 3D glasses and we quickly entered the theater to find our seats. Unfortunately, we had to sit in the second row from the bottom, but we weren't about to be picky. Half a minute later in line and we wouldn't have made it in anyway.

The movie started and had audio silence for the first 3 minutes or so (no previews) and everyone had to make a comment. Especially the lady behind us. Thankfully, once the movie had restarted, with audio, she stopped sounding like a complaining, pompous middle-schooler, and only made occasional comments to her child at appropriate times. (Thank the Theater Gods).

The movie was awesome and cute and funny (quite a bit adult referenced humor), and definitely worth seeing again. Hope the school lets me see it again (for free).

At any rate, I'm really glad I got to see it. It is really a heart-filled story about not abandoning your family and high-jinx. It was cute. See it.

Oh, and watching Gru was like watching what my boyfriend would be if he was a father. Uh..sorta anyway. It was cute ^_^;;

Soda Good

2010-06-16T19:52:00.000-07:00

Howie's Lemon-Up is good. It tastes just like Key Lime yogurt. =]

Gotta love Bev Mo. Their beverages are some times a little expensive, but its fun to splurge everyone once in awhile.

Oh, I get to pre-screen Despicable Me tomorrow night with my man. Yay!

Keep Up The Heart Rate

2010-05-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

Tuesday: Didn't walk.
Wednesday: 30 Minute Lunch Walk.
Thursday: 30 Minute Lunch Walk.
Friday: 30 Minute Lunch Walk.
Saturday: 30+ Minute Walk along Stevens Creek.
Sunday: No walk today.

Now that it is actually starting to warm up in the bay area, (hate to mention that you could go to the snow on Memorial Day weekend), I'll be able to swim more comfortably. I probably won't start swimming until my swim top arrives. Unfortunately, it cost me $100 (includes shipping).

Its ridiculous how much bathing suits, especially for specialty sizes, cost.

I'm picky, really picky. I want a suit that keeps me supported and covered, but is still lets me move. I also want one that won't fade and start to become transparent. I also want one that makes it easy to apply sunscreen. I'm so damn picky and I have yet to find the perfect suit. Plus, because its so expensive, its hard to be picky.

I did feel a little justified picking out a more expensive suit top because I will be swimming 4+ days a week this summer. (May I be skinnier by the end). Hopefully my new purchase will keep up with me.

On another note: I hate Danica Patrick. At first 'the man' was all "I hate her, I hate her, I hate her" and I would try to give her a chance considering she is one of a few women in a male dominated sport. Then I started watching her drive, the commercials started becoming more prevalent, and she started being a whore.

3) Her commercials are sexist and obnoxious.
2) She is whoring herself out to EVERYONE. Go Daddy.com, Boost Mobile, some Oil distributor, blah blah blah. EVERYONE!
1) SHE CAN'T DRIVE. She is horrible. She is disrespectful. She is handles issues on the track unprofessionally. She is not a good role-model for any aspiring young driver (female or male).

Danica, as a feminist, I have to say good job at getting out there. As a woman and race fan..SHUT UP and GO AWAY.

Oh, and one more thing. Good job Brazil. Good drivers (mostly) and sugar beat ethanol. =]

Goals

2010-05-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

Starting last Sunday, because thats when I made the pledge:
Sunday: Swam a half hour.
Monday: Swam a half hour.
Tuesday: Swam a half hour.
Wednesday: Nada.
Thursday: Walked 30 minutes on lunch break.
Friday: Walked 30 minutes on lunch break.
Saturday: 30 minute walk.
Sunday: Nada.
Monday (Today): 30 minute walk.

Getting there to looking better in my bride's maid dress. Won't be perfect, but will definitely be better.

Paying for School

2010-05-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

As if paying regular bills wasn't enough, now I need to figure out how to pay for Graduate School.
I had the money talk with my parents today and they seem pretty confident that I could do it.
There is the break down.
Two years (includeing 3 total summer classes) between Fall 2010 and Summer 2012 comes out to $20,382.00. Since I'm taking on-line classes I don't have to worry about student fee's/etc (a plus), but I do have to pay.

I've received my Financial Aid Award information and it looks promising and good easy to work with.
(Tangent) Why the hell is it called an Award? I know it is based on your financial standing and what you should be able to afford with regards to your education, but it sounds more like you won something. Yay, a Financial Award, I'm getting money, right!? Wrong. You get the honor of owing more money. The award part is just how much money you have the pleasure of owing.

At any rate, the "Award" is the perfect amount with regards to the Subsidized Stafford Loan.

Fall 2010 --> $4,740.00
Spring 2011 --> $4,266.00
Summer 2011 --> $2,844.00
Plus about 3 grand that my grandmother was nice enough to stash away for me makes the grand total that I'll need to take out a loan on: $8,850.00

Perfect considering the Sub. Stafford amount I have available to me for all of that is $8,500.
Just $250 shy of the whole amount. Perfect, right? Yeah, I thought so.

My second academic year isn't as pretty, but is much cheaper because I'll be carrying less units.
From crunching number (why couldn't crunching number be like biting into a Crunch Bar), second year should cost $8,532.

My goal is to:
1) Get a few scholarships to bring that amount down. I've got a few that I've researched that I'll definitely try. I would try for this academic year but I've missed most of the deadlines. *sad face*

2) Take out an ELF from P.E.O. International. I can borrow up to 10 grand at 3%, paid back in 6 years from the date loan initiation. There was some thought processes involved in when I'd take this loan. The interest rate is amazing. If I take the full amount out and take the full 6 years to pay it back, I'll only be paying $1,800 more then the initial loan amount. Cool, right? But the 6 year deadline scares me a little. By taking this loan out my second academic year, I'm hoping that I won't only have less to pay on it (because of scholarships) but that I'll also have more time to pay it off in (5 years after graduating instead of 4 if I were to take the loan out now).

All in all it makes a lot of sense.

I'll be paying for most of my books out of pocket so that I can take a tax deduction on them. Hopefully that'll be enough to keep me from having to pay taxes for 2010. *crosses fingers*

We'll see though. Its a big toss up.

I won't know if I should just pay the 3 grand to the school directly until I find out if the "Award" covers Summer 2011. If it DOESN'T, then I'm going to hold on to the 3 grand because it'll cover ALL of my Summer 2011 expenses and will have gained a little more interested by sitting in the bank. If my "Award" DOES cover the Summer, then I'll just pay the 3 grand out directly.

Crazy I say, crazy.

Hmm..I hope my green beans are coming out alright.

In the quest to get into better shape, I've been trying to eat better. Which, in short, means I'm cooking in unfamiliar territory. Wish me luck.

The Academia - My eReader

2010-05-21T20:28:00.001-07:00

I've been looking around (not researching, just looking) at the many eReaders out there, and none of them have really made me droll yet. Possibly because what I would use an eReader for is not standard to those who read for pleasure or would like to get their favorite magazine/newspaper delivered electronically instead of by mail.

While in college I thought how amazing it would be to have all of my heavy Biology and Chemistry textbooks on a portable electronic devise so that I could switch between them easily, not have to lug them places, and have a Ctrl F to find the passage that I could remember but not necessarily find again.

When the modern world finally produced a relatively cheap medium that looked to solve my former problem, I got heart palputations. Finally, when I go back to school, I won't have to wait for the post office to deliver the books I ordered online, just the download bar. But nothing has yet stood out to me, screaming "I can make your life better".

The Academia, the eReader I would design would sound a bit like this:

1) Wireless connectivity for internet researching on databases and the like. I would want to be able to browse simple text searches and download PDFs of scholarly journals, read them, make notes, and store the articles.

2) Paper-Like Display in Color. If I'm going to spend my time reading research papers then I want to see the diagrams, images, and charts that accompany any good Bio based journal. According to E Ink, color Paper-Like displays aren't far off at least.

3) Full Keyboard, or at least something close to it. If a stylus one-key typing could be an option I guess, but its more of a last resort. Personally, I'd rather have my eReader be like a journal as well, but I know the ability to write with a stylus isn't as good as regular ol' pen and paper. I know that the industry makes tablet notebooks that perform all of these functions, but I don't want a full computer to distract me when I'm heading from class to class.

4) Word, Excel, PowerPoint are a must. I'm sure I could compromise by getting all of my documents off of Google Documents. If I've got access to my documents, then I'll want to edit them. Think of how cool it would be to input your data in an eReader in the lab as the results are being determined. It would be so much easier then having to look at my scribbled notes on the paper towel I shoved in my pocket as I left the lab.

At this rate, I'll probably never own an eReader. I really want an eReader portability with computer functionality. I don't want the bare bones, but I definitely don't need all the frills. I want something that makes working, researching, taking notes, and accessing it all again, enjoyable.

Go Sharks!

2010-05-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a parent at my work who I'm friends with on Facebook:

Let us pray together..... Our Father who art in San Jose. Hockey be thy name. Thy will be done. The cup will be won. On ice, as well as in the stands. Give us this day our hockey sticks, and forgive us our penalties, as we forgive those who cross-check against us. Lead us not into elimination. But deliver us to victory. In the name of fans,…Lord Stanley, and in the name of da Sharks. AMEN!

The San Jose Sharks, for the first time ever in franchise history, has made it to the 3rd Round of the Play Offs. I'm really excited for them..but pissed I have to listen to the games on the radio because we can't afford the stations that actually televise the games. >_<;;

Grad School Is Tiring...

2010-04-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Grad school is tiring and I haven't even started yet.

At this point I've made an excel file detailing the cost of units by semester with reference to the classes I'll be taking. In the same file is a break down of where the money will be coming from to pay for this mess.

The next part of figuring out money is to look at how much it'll cost to pay for books and whether I'll need to take a loan out for them.

Once I've figured out, roughly, how much I'll need to borrow, I need to contact the Financial Aid department of San Jose State U. to see who they accept loans from. Hopefully they accept my current institution so that I can take out a loan from the same place I currently owe money to. After that, I have to go to them and ask for another loan.

During that process I'll need to figure out 1) If they'll postpone the interest accrual on my Mills Loan and 2) If I'll be able to still pay on either loan or if I can postpone any payments until I've completed my Masters.

THEN, I have to pull out the investment money that my grandmother has put aside for me. Its not much, but it'll definitely offset the cost of my first semester. Hmm..just a thought, maybe I should keep a hold of that money she put aside and use it to buy books. Who knows, it could possibly be enough to pay for all of my books for the full two years, plus. Hm..things to think about.

Until then, we'll see.

I still need to apply to the PEO and see if they'll give me any money. =]

Even Jedi have Librarians.

I'm Going Back to School

2010-04-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

I've been admitted for the Fall Special Session (2010) of Library and Information Science Graduate degree at San Jose State University. Which means I'm going back to school!

I'll be the 4th person in my family (on both sides) I get a degree greater than a Bachelor's Degree.

Unfortunately, it means that I'm going to be even more in debt. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a better paying job during/after my schooling. My grandmother has been nice enough to put a little bit of money aside for me but when units are $474 each and most classes are 3 units each..yeah, expensive. =]

The cool thing is I'll be able to use my Biology Degree to work in a specialized area (Science/Biology/Health/etc.) which means either a private industry (private business) or college level academics...Which means bigger bucks, right?

Now I'll need to learn how to juggle working 8 hours a day and taking classes online. Good luck to me....Yay!

Having Flash Backs

2010-04-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

Geez. The man is playing Crazy Taxi on the new Dream Cast he just bought. The background music is all mid-to-late 90's music, especially "Offspring". ..lol, its pretty awesome.

An Update

2010-02-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

An update:
1) Ticket Paid..just waiting for information on how to take drivers ed so I can clear the ticket from my record. Hope there isn't a time restriction on it that says I have to complete it tonight. =/
2) Applied for Masters of Library and Information Sciences. Its really easy...-_-;; too easy. Just have to submit my transcripts now.

Things I still need to do:
1) Get my oil changed. Need a new oil filter, air filter, suspension, tires rotated, (supposedly) idle air control (which won't fix my problem), and new audio book to listen to in my car.
2) Finish The Soul of the New Machine so I can start Predator.

May the Force be With You.

2010-02-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

Even the Jedi have Librarians!

What to do with Instant Oatmeal.

2010-02-19T22:51:00.000-08:00

Things you can make with Instant Oatmeal that isn't a hot bowl of cereal...Unless you don't follow the directions:

Cookies:
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Basic Oatmeal Cookies w/ Raisins and Cranberries

Carmel Apple Flat Bread <-- I'll be making this one tomorrow.

Aunt Lottie's Jam Bars:

3/4 C butter - softened

1 C brown sugar

1 1/2 C flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 quick or regular oats

3/4 C (or 10 oz jar) fruit jam or preserves of your choice - just don't use a jelly (too watery)

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add flour, salt, soda and mix well. Stir in oats til evenly distributed. Press about half the mixture into a 13" x 9" baking pan. Mixture should completely cover the bottom of the pan. [Note: you can use a 9'' x 9" pan instead if you want thicker bars.] Evenly spread the jam over the mixture stopping shy of the pan edges. Scatter remaining mixture over jam and lightly press to flatten some. Top should still be a little loose and open.

Bake for 20 -25 min at 400 degrees until nicely browned on top.

Let pan cool quite a bit before cutting into bars. Don't let get completely down to room temp though as they get harder to cut.

For even more decadence you may serve bars with whipped cream.

First News of the Olympics

2010-02-12T21:45:00.001-08:00

Our thoughts are with you, Georgia.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/sports/olympics/13luge.html

Get Vaccinated.

2010-02-08T20:08:00.001-08:00

Santa Clara County Public Health in the News

In case you missed Dr. Fenstersheib’s article in the Mercury News that ran this Sunday, please click on this link to take a look now. Our local Health Officer and many others are reflecting on the pandemic H1N1 flu. We are asked ourselves: what worked and what didn’t, what lessons did we learn and what do we think needs to happen next?

Peter Sandman, a national expert in risk communication, also provides many insights in his article, Pandemic Interruptus: It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over.

Here is a recap of his top message points at this time, and we agree with his thinking:

Like you, we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Flu pandemics are unpredictable. From the beginning, we have had to prepare for a wide range of possibilities – and we still do. We will continue to err on the alarming side, convinced that it’s better to over-prepare than to under-prepare, until we are sure the pandemic is over.
We probably haven’t seen the last of swine flu. It may come back soon, or not for many months. It may come back as a pandemic third wave, or as a new seasonal strain. Either way, getting vaccinated now against swine flu is a sensible precaution.
So far the pandemic has been mild. It sure didn’t feel that way if you were among its victims, or their families and friends. But the truth is, most of us were lucky. This isn’t the pandemic that health officials were worried about, at least not so far. It’s a real pandemic, and it has killed way more children than the average seasonal flu. But overall, it has been less deadly than the average seasonal flu.
We may still face the pandemic officials were worried about. Swine flu could mutate to become more severe. A new, worse pandemic could emerge – maybe bird flu; maybe something completely new. What has happened already is a tragedy for many people. But it is a practice run for all of us – not a false alarm – and we should see it that way.

Published by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Copyright © 2010 Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System
All rights reserved.

I'm Desperate

2010-02-06T22:11:00.000-08:00

I'm so desperate to go back to school that I'm looking everywhere.

I have looked at Public Health, my love, and determined, that if I were do Public Health, I would need to move. Which, in my current situation, seems not to be an option.

Therefore, I must find programs in my area (South Bay).

One area that I've had a small but constant interest in is Library science. I've never been 100% good at any one particular subject, I've always had interest in all of them. Science, History, Math, and, yes, Language. Library Science would let me be interested in all of it and still be involved in all of it.

The other cool thing about Library Sciences is I can take a special focus where I can work in a particular field. Like..biology or public health. It would be awesome.

Seems like the San Jose State program does not require a GRE, letters of reference, or a statement of purpose. All the things I suck at. I'm a good student and a damn hard worker.

Hopefully that'll pay off. So far, the only way I can go back for the Fall of 2010 is if I do their on-line program. I don't really want to do an on-line program. I learn so much better being in a classroom where I can ask questions the moment I have them. I can apply for the Spring 2011 semester now though. So..I might. Its only $55 to apply so I might just do it. =]

Commercial Response

2010-01-20T18:34:00.001-08:00

"Lets buy an RV"..."That commercial is starting to get to me. It's making me want to make an impulse buy."

Anyone Want Any Shoes?

2010-01-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

I'm selling shoes that are either too big or too small, so, if you're larger or smaller then a 9.5 then get a hold of me.
I also have a few other pairs that are smaller then a 9 if you're interested.
Let me know: jjynne@gmail.com

The top two pairs have already sold. Sorry folks.

Stumble Upon

2010-01-13T17:53:00.000-08:00

Stumble Upon is pretty cool. I have to say.

But I haven't used it in quite some time. Mainly because I found myself being one of those annoying people who would send links to people.

I didn't realize I had the problem until I started receiving them. Joy. But, some times its okay to share; like now. So thanks Dad for this hilarious link:

9 Strange Things Found While Searching For Waldo

Katamari!!!

2010-01-11T21:26:00.000-08:00

So I have a new love.

Thanks to the boyfriend and "We [heart] Katamari" for Christmas and, then, finding "Katamari Damacy" at Fry's for 15 bucks, I'm hooked.

Instead of knitting, I now roll up everything in sight using a katamari ball. And, by golly, it is so dang addicting. Even the background music (Katamari Mamba) is insanely addicting (even if 95% of the songs are in Japanese and untranslatable).

It also seems like there are 3 other games I don't own. I'll be rolling katamari forever!!!

Traffic Violation: VC-22450A

2010-01-06T22:19:00.000-08:00

For those who want to know (especially those on Yahoo Answers) this particular violation (for someone with no resent activity - at all - on their record) costs $222. It costs $261 if you want to pay the ticket and go to Traffic School to have the ticket expunged from their record.

This ticket was cited on the West Side of San Jose (near the north boarder of Santa Clara).

Good luck every body.

Remember: Come to a full and complete stop.

Flash Backs in Dream Land

2009-12-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

I have been having a dream with the reoccurring theme that suggestions I left high school a year early to go to college, and therefore, did not get my diploma. But, because I did not get my high school diploma, I have to go back for the year I missed.

Every time I have had this dream, I have managed to be late for school. Last time I had this dream, I remember feeling stressed out that I was late. This time, I was late, but was not stressed. Though..I had managed to find the assignments ahead of time and had already completed my homework due that day.

Its an interesting dream, but every time I wake up from it, I have to remind myself that it does not make sense that I could skip a year and still survive college..and then have to return to high school anyway.

Maybe this dream is a wish for easier times. High school was a breeze...

Looking For The Perfect Gift

2009-12-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

When you come from a family with a healthy sense of humor, finding Christmas gifts can be fun..yet, challenging. After a small and rather feeble attempt to find a gift for a distant but fun relative I finally resorted to the internet.

I googled "gag gifts in San Jose, CA" and received several results. The first I clicked on was a yelp.com entry or the same search. The first response from yelp was about an Asian Market that has interesting gift ideas "with a(n) Asian Flair". The second response is what made me stop in hysterical laughter:

2. Target

Category: Department Stores

moisturizer, tampons, gag gifts, mirrors, pajamas, shoes for women, and lube. For some reason, if I come here for one thing - I always seem to end up spending $50.

Oh yeah, gag gifts, pjs, shoes for women and lube. Score!

It was the little light on the horizon after my traffic ticket today...Another story for another time.

Step One...

2009-12-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

I just finished my first soda in over a week. Go me!

Guarnteed Job, What About School?

2009-11-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

I am the friendly professional. At least I try to be, but things still concern me about my future career exploits.

Things I have presently:
1) a job that pays the bills. Not everything I want is attainable at the moment, but I am slowly pulling myself out of the red.

2) a degree in Biology. Which I don't seem to be using. Yes, biology is amazing and I can some times wow my students with details about cell biology and chemistry, but currently the only thing my 4 years in college does is give me a 4 dollar an hour difference to the other hourly employees I work with.

3) An A+ in Introduction to Statistics. Yes, I teach math. Yes, that gives me an edge over some of the other students in the class. But, will I ever need statistics later in my life?

4) The ability to take more night classes next semester at the local junior college. (Cool, ASL and a PE class).

5) I am knitting like crazy. Should I be doing something else more productive...yes....

This is where I am at. All of my buddies are either finished with graduate school, in the middle of graduate school, or are actively applying for graduate school. Me? Not so much...Have I wanted to, yes.

After my escapades of applying to the few Public Health Programs in the bay area and not being accepted, realizing that is possible to get a Public Health job without a degree, giving up, trying at a teaching program, and deciding that is not where I want to be, but still having a teaching position for a job...Where does that leave me? A run-on sentence.

I told my parents that I wanted to start grad school in the fall of 2010. I have done nothing. Applications for any such program would be do....now. Oh yeah, I'm on it...-_-;;

I have no studied for any GRE tests, I have barely (meaning, once) looked at any Biology/Chemistry GRE tests, and I haven't talked to any counselors at any schools about how I can get into their program.

I do blame me not getting into any school on all of the facts listed in the sentence above. Which means I need to fix those two things before I can go anywhere. I was hoping that by taking classes at the local community college level I would either help my appeal factor or at least kick my butt back into the study mode. Has it? No..

I thought about talking with a counselor about transfer plans to San Jose State or Berkeley. But I didn't get this idea until I saw a poster saying there were recruiters at the community college that day and they were only there during my one-hour lunch break.

When I applied to college back in high school I had so much more motivation. I was an outgoing, extra curricular, student extraordinaire, with the yellow brick road stretched out ahead of me. Why don't I have the same motivation and stamina to apply to grad school now?

...How can I change this?.....

A Piece of Internet History

2009-10-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to InsaneDavid, a piece of internet history will be reappearing in the near future. His site, Sailor Senshi Sanctuary, will be brought back to life. After 10 years since it's inception, SSS is now updated for Sailor Moon in 2009.

Keep an eye out for Sailor Senshi Sanctuary.

Wish List

2009-10-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Even with the recent raise I got from work, I still feel (and am) short on money. So...eventually, these are things I'll want, and why.

1) A digital camera. There is nothing worse then not being able to take pictures. Now that my last manual camera has bit the dust, I need a new photo taking device. (Truthfully, I haven't figured out if my camera has really died, I just haven't had the time or money figure out whats wrong with it). But a digital camera would be nice considering I don't really feel the need to get prints of my photos any more unless they're really good.

2) A new cell phone. I just finished my two year contract with AT&T and I don't want to renew just to pay out the butt for a new fancy phone. I'll probably want a refurbished phone at some point. For right now, my phone is fine but eventually I'll want an updated phone.

3) A new car battery. This list is obviously not put into a particular order because I need a car battery more than I need a camera or cell phone. I thought about replacing it myself (thinking it would be cheaper), but I went to Pepboys and it cost about $70 for the cheapest battery. After looking at the coronation on the leads, the cleaning, and disposal of the battery, I'd rather just pay someone to do it for me at $100 (roughly).

...Thats it.

Cell Phone Debacle

2009-07-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

My AT&T cell service contract ends tomorrow. I went to a local store today to determine what I was going to do. I had been looking around online to see if I wanted to change my service/contract/plan and then if I wanted/needed a new cell phone.

I have had the same cell phone for two years now. (I had to resign a 2-year contract when I spilled milk on my original GoPhone Motorola. Another comment: I loved that phone. I was pissed when I really wanted was that same phone again and they didn't offer it at AT&T, then I found it at Target for $20). A new phone would probably be appropriate but knowing my luck, I'll forgo a new phone and then unfortunately dump my 2-year old phone in the Endless River at Raging Waters.

Anyway, I was looking around and determined that the plan I had is still a good deal (even if I wish it included texting - but it seems that no AT&T plan includes texting, its an added "Feature"). So that is taken care of, but then there is the phone. I don't want to and can't afford to pay more then $30 for a phone out of pocket. When I went to the local store and asked the salesman about it I figured out that that wouldn't happen. If anything I'd have to pay at minimum $50 bucks out of pocket for any phone, plus an $18 upgrade fee. What BS.

All of that seems to be blown out of the water by the online discounts you can get at the AT&T website. So, of course, when I go to update my contract tonight (just incase my phone drops of the network - though I doubt it will - still need to look that up), the login portion of the website was down -_-;;

So..yeah..I definitely need a free phone..but the whole point I went into the store was to try and find a phone with the best sound quality. I constantly need to call people in noisy environments (or use the speaker phone for "hands free" calling) so sound quality is the most important feature to me. The salesman was able to give me some ideas on good phones, but they were all going to cost me more then I wanted.

...At any rate..its frustrating. More updates later. ...I need ice cream.

Owen Is Mine!

2009-06-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

I paid off my car today. I had the money transferred to the loan, paid off the interest from the last month, and I now own my car. Yay!

Scrabble Results Are In

2009-05-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Round 1:
David: 267
Jessica: 32

Round 2:
David: 179
Jessica: 273

Round 3:
David: 253
Jessica: 336

Round 4:
David: 209
Jessica: 252

Round 5:
David: 326
Jessica: 253

In other news, Tommy, the new computer is in. Yes..that is a Who reference.

Terminal

2009-04-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

My computer, Magnolia, of 6 years this summer, has been classified as terminal.

I have heard that most laptops have a life of about 4 years. With this knowledge, my computer should have died shortly after I graduated. During college even, I knew many classmates who went through multiple computers during their 4 year college career. Even so, I have had Magnolia worked on, but other then that, I have only had minor headaches and relatively easy fixes.

Now things are not so easy. From the diagnosis, a video component is going bad. With an updated video driver there is now decreased symptoms, but worries none the less.

I have decided not to move my computer between work and home any more. If I work at home, I will backup everything via the internet. I have backed up all of my important files, so if my computer were to dye tomorrow, it wouldn't be a problem.

Knowing all of this, I need to start looking for another laptop. (As you can tell from this post, I'm devastated about this. I will miss Magnolia. I have such a history with this computer that it will be hard to let it go). I have a few requirements but none of them can be fulfilled until I have the money to buy another computer.

Some requirements:
Smaller computer, but NOT a sub-compact computer.
-I bought Magnolia with the idea that I would use my computer as a TV through my 4 years of college. It was going to be my DVD player, so a larger screen was key. Now that I have access to a huge TV, DVD player, etc. I don't need a larger computer. Especially, now that I need to lug my computer between home and work a smaller computer would be nice.

Windows XP.
-If I get a new computer, then I can't ask this, but who knows. Maybe I can find a cheap referb somewhere. Vista just doesn't make sense to me. When ever I have to help my students I always have to flounder around to figure out how Vista does the same function.

Word/Powerpoint.
I don't want to pay extra for Word and Powerpoint. I love Office 2000. Office did not come with my XP computer but uh...shhh, its our little secret.

Wireless Networking.
To my knowledge, ALL laptops have this these days. Which is good..means I won't need the external wireless card I have been using since the internal wireless card I do have does not comply with the new wireless network standards.

So far those are my only requirements. Not much to ask for, right? Oh..and I need it cheap. I really can't afford a computer right now considering I owe my parents money and I still don't know what my job outlook is. But that is another post.

I'll keep you (the general public) in the loop.

Now..to look up something else I shouldn't spend my money on. =]

Bad Boards O'Plenty

2009-04-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Round One:
David: 235 (No Bingo, -11)
Jessica: 209 (No Bingo, -10)

Round Two:
David: 267 (Bingo)
Jessica: 293 (Bingo)

Scrabble Galore

2009-04-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

Round One:
David: 218 (Bingo)
Jessica: 354 (Bingo)

Round Two:
David: 199 (No Bingo)
Jessica: 278 (Bingo)

I Have Paid Off My Credit Card

2009-04-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

I paid off my credit card today. Its only a $500 dollar limit, but, I believe, it has been over a year since I had it completely paid off.
To celebrate, I am going to Disneyland! ...Where I can start owing more money on my credit card.
Now..to pay back my parents over 15 hundred dollars.... =]

Scrabble: A Slow Day

2009-04-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

First Round:
David: 263, No Bingo
Jessica: 247, Bingo

Second Round:
David: 151, No Bingo
Jessica: 258, Bingo

Scrabble Double-Shot

2009-04-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Round 1:
David: 182
Jessica: 323

Round 2:
David: 211
Jessica: 272

Job Security

2008-11-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

I really don't have a fear over job security right now. Especially now that the person who hired me was fired. Unfortunately, it took the firing of the only person I considered a "friend" to get fired.
All of them brought it on themselves in some way or another..though, less so for the "friend".
"Corporate" has been trimming the fat at the different locations which is still nail biting, but since I have a stable position it makes me less likely to be axed. Regardless, a good person has been let go. A person who worked well with the kids, could keep them in line, and was their friend.

Salute.

Along with all of this headache and sudden change, comes the possibility of changing in not only an education, but job stability.
The "P-Unit" has said how she wants me to start full time/salaried work for next year. This would mean a detour from what I have a degree in to a subject I have very little true experience in. Which is fine..but it means going back to school for more then just a teaching Credential. It means much more.
With salaried employment comes the possibility of actually GOING BACK TO SCHOOL..and having more work to do AT HOME. But I guess we'll see.
Its possible. The only other thing that scares me about the possibility of Salaried Employment is being under the thumb of the P-Unit ALL the time.
So..here is to the almighty thought process and the search for the perfect job.
Friendly Professional Out.

Mixed Messages

2008-11-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

I am mad. Mad that Yes on Prop 8 has taken it upon themselves to use Barack Obama's image to further their cause. According to the ad banner I just found on SlideShare.com, Obama and McCain both support Prop 8. When, last night, I saw Barack Obama's image used to counter Prop 8; saying Prop 8 will permit discrimination under the law. I'm pissed. When you click on the add banner for Yes on Prop 8, it shows both major candidates and their VPs, saying: "At least they agree on something...". Oh it makes me mad.
I then tried to go to Barack Obama's website to make a formal complaint, but was unable to do anything but "show my support" by filling out a short survey. Its bullshit!
Shouldn't you know what your image is being used for, especially if you are a Presidential Candidate?
What I really want to do is write a letter to Obama's campaign saying that I now wish I had voted for the Green or Independent Party candidates because of the use of Obama's image used to support Prop 8.
I took a screen capture of the offending ad banner.
I'm furious!

Political Nonsense

2008-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Finally another post.
Unfortunately, it took the political mayhem of the recent year to get me into the swing of things. But even still, I don't have any cohesive thoughts or solid ideas of what I feel is right and wrong in my country, only that there is difference.
From living with my logically conservative boyfriend and the move from a highly conservative location, to a new one, (one I thought was going to be more liberal, only to be wrong), has made me realize that America is torn in two...maybe even three.
Every one's perspective is different these days. Everyone has ideas that do not match, 100%, with anyone else.
For once, I can't point to someone and say that our views are the same because the reason why we are even agreeing on one point is different.
Even the people who do share the out come I want for my nation and state, do not share the same logic or reasoning. We have these conversations and though I understand their views and agree on some points, I can't whole heartily agree with their opinions.
I understand why they see things the way they do, but I still think their final outcome is poor or unreasonable.
It is just a constant reminder of why we have a democratic system. So that things can still be done with the approval of the majority. But, what about the minority? The people these measures truly hurt.
Of course I am speaking to Prop. 8 in California. I don't understand why people can vote for it when it only takes away the Constitutional rights of a minority. When the acceptance of this Proposition only makes a group of people into second class citizens.
I don't understand it.
But then I listen to those in approval with Prop 8. Saying that it is because of their religion. That two women or two men can not be married in their eyes. I see the fact that they were born into a religious environment that sheltered them for the ideas of equality among humans in the eyes of the state in favor of inequality in the eyes of "God".
I politely continue most debates or conversations on the matter and say that the state can affirm a marriage and that God does not have to. But that people should have the right to marry who they want.
I see why they think that way. It is drilled into them that this is the way it is, so that's the way it is. I understand that and it is not their fault for not seeing or being empathetic to what the true consequences are.
Either way, I do believe that people should marry who they want. But, I do not believe that threatening or trying to sway people's ideas on how they vote is right either.
I have a co-worker who would be effected if Prop 8 where to pass.
He has been fervently trying to sway voting opinions on Prop 8 in the work place for the last 2 weeks. Personally, I think his ways are more harm then good.
He has gone to almost every single employee, asking their opinions of Prop. 8, then gets very uppity at their response if they are pro Prop. 8.
Does he not understand that he lives in one of the more conservative cities in the Bay Area? Does he not understand that his passion, regarldess of how much people like him, will not change their views on such a touchy subject? Does he not understand that though I agree with the out come, I don't agree with his methods. His passion is a turn off!
He wants to convert every "bible thumper" into an equality nut for gay rights, which, is almost as bad as most "bible thumpers" trying to convert gay people into straight people. They are the same coin with different faces.
It drives me nuts! Let people be people as long as they don't under anyone. In this case, the passage of Prop. 8 would hurt people. ..But with the way things are looking..I have a feeling there is no stopping it.
I'm not being a pessamist. In fact, i wish I was. I am being a realist. Which only sinks my faith in the human population.

Head Above Water With the Horizon In Sight

2008-04-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

Craig's List is an interesting invention. As much as I love Google, Blogger, eBay, PostSecrets, etc., etc., Craig's List is the best of the grass root sites.

I know of plenty of people screwed over by findings on Craig's List, I being one of them, but in general, its an easy place to post job news, cheap crap, and supposedly, available singles.

With the latest job search, Craig's List has been one of the places I have visited. Between Monster, HotJobs, and CareerBuilder, I actually prefer Craig's List format and the type of businesses that use the site. If you're looking for companies that get little publication, like summer camps, private schools, or college student test subjects, Craig's List is your free posting local.

Speaking of private schools and summer camps, those are the organizations I have found to be the most fruitful in my searches to jump into the educational industry.

I did find a private school organization that was having a Job Fair. It subject title did not say much actually, and I am lucky I clicked the link, but the linked description was actually pretty interesting. The organization is a group of birth-kindergarten pre-schools, 2-5 year old pre-schools, an elementary school and one middle school. This got my attention.

Since I am still located in the Central Valley I did not want to make the trek to San Jose just for a job fair, I wanted a job interview. So I lied. I sent the contact person an email with my resume saying I couldn't make the job fair, but if they were interested to please contact me to see if I could make up the evening. The email was sent Friday night, so by Monday night I was a little disappointed when I didn't have a response. But lo', this morning I was awoken (on my day off) by a phone call from the Middle School. The lady making the call was very nice and offered me an interview at my availability.

So off we go with the interviewing. The position would be substituting until the summer, when the position would then become full time. The other nice thing is the school is located very close to one of the houses I may be able to stay at while the transition of moving is happening. Three cheers to me.

Now that I have a planned interview I have to get my wardrobe figured out..which I still haven't done, but at least I did go out and buy a small variety of thank you cards to use based on who interviews me.

I am not too worried about the interview itself as long as I be myself. Nerves will always get me in the end, but as long as I think my answers through, be myself, and use my previous experiences as reference, I should be okay..Right?

I've been told to "aim high" as far as pay is concerned, but I've always had a hard time asking about pay. I know that they will pay as much as they can for good help, which I am. I am a hard worker and proud of it. (Not to toot my own horn, but I am a hard worker). I still need to make enough to survive. I only wish I could start out at a reasonable pay, then if I have trouble, just say "hey, I need a buck or two more, that okay?". I know it doesn't work that way, but one can hope. My highest pay ever has only been $10.50/hour, but thats not bad. I'm still thinking I would need around $12-$14/hour to survive in the big city, but I won't know until we get there.

With that, wish me luck. It would be good to get this position and back into the educational field.

Getting Back To Basics

2008-03-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Grr..this new blogger is odd. But maybe it is because I haven't blogged in a few months short of a year. Honestly, there hasn't been much to report.

Being out of school sucks. I miss it, a lot.

Throughout these past few months since the summer I've held two jobs, adding to the list of many. The list itself is the basis of the blog I guess..oddly enough.

Lets recap...

High School: Start my Sophomore year of high school I worked as an administrative assistant for my local church. Between that and baby sitting I was able to save up a fair amount of cash. Enough money to get me through my Freshmen year of college quiet easily. (2)

College: The summer after my Freshmen year I found I was starting to hit red on my bank statements so I thought a summer job was desperately in order. I started work as a summer teacher's assistant in my home town's local church run child care facility. (Yes, the same church I worked for in high school had their own day care). And really, I liked that job a lot. I got to play with kids, get some sun, and still got to go on kick ass field trips to the zoo, the park, and the beach, plus I got to come back every summer afterwards till graduation. After that first summer ended and I went back to school, I checked out the school career fair and hooked up with the pool to put my life guard training to use. Five hours of life guarding a week and five hours at the Women's Studies Department, working as an office assistant, gave me part time work and enough pay to send money home.

After a year of double shift as a life guard and office assistant, my Residential Assistant at the time, Kick-Ass-Chris, recommended me for a Residential Assistant (RA) position for my Junior year. Junior year, I was in, a hip new RA for the Freshwomen dorm. I really enjoyed this job too..regardless of picking up poo, busting pot smokers, and dealing with the occasional melt down. I did the RA thing for two years, Junior and Senior year. Senior year was the toughest due to unruly residents who didn't listen. At this point I did manage to pick up an amazing boyfriend so that helped even out the problems.

By the end of my Senior year and "real life" was starting to sneak up, I decided to apply at another career fair on campus for at least a summer job. Thats where I ran into the campus summer arts camp for children aged five to thirteen. I'd done the counselor/teacher's assistant thing and I wasn't looking to repeat the position soon, so I applied for the administrative assistant position. Thankfully, I was hired on and started work a week after graduation. I really enjoyed this job and I wish I could duplicate the work and co-workers,..but maybe up the pay scale just a little so I could actually live on just that job. (5)

Post College (Completely): Unfortunately, that summer job came to an end. Like I said, I'd love to do that job forever, but I couldn't. With the end of the job I picked up roots once more and moved in with my wonderful, amazing, sweet, and handsome boyfriend. Thing is, I didn't have a job. After a month of searching for myself, I finally went to a temp agency and they hooked me up with a corporate job, working in accounting. The job wasn't bad, it just wasn't my cup of tea. My co-workers were great once I got to know them, but my higher management sucked. I should have tried to get hired there from being a temp, but I honestly thought I wouldn't be in the area long, seeing as my boyfriend and I were hoping to move. Time passed and finally I got let go from being a temp. Yes, unemployment again. This time it only lasted two weeks, seeing as I was desperate to not get behind on my tuition payments. Thats when I started as a kitchen assistant in an assisted living facility. No glam, at all. Uniforms, over friendly/talkative management, smelly work environment, even smellier pay, and flex scheduling. Not to mention..I don't work too well with the elderly. I manage to keep a smile on my face, plug on through, but I need this to be as temporary as my title is: "temp". (2)

With that said, this all came up because of a lunch room conversation. The kitchen ladies where recapping their previous jobs; some more "glamorous" then others. I counted out how many jobs I'd had, nine total. All of them where astonished that within the past eight years of my life, I had nine paying jobs. I was a little astonished too because it hadn't felt like so many, but I must have thought of it at some point, hence the name of my blog.

All in all, I feel like its almost too many. I feel like I went to college so that I could have the career I wanted. ..I also went to college to figure out what that ideal career is, but my idea is still changing. After applying to two relatively different grad school programs, my idea of what I want to do has shifted. I love health, but I have realized the education is my passion, and that as long as I could teach and help improve someone else's life, that I would be happy in a long term job.

This realization, unfortunately, does not help out the fact that I've spent over four hundred dollars applying to grad school programs that have either not accepted me or I will not hear from for another few months. I am not holding my breath, but really, I should have just started the teaching path a lot sooner, even if just for pack up. Plus, it does not help the lousy employment position I am in right now. I need another job and with the market the way it is, people are thankful they even have a job these days. I know finding another job, even one I can stand, will be next to impossible.

If anything, all I've done is narrow down the areas where I know I wouldn't be happy.

At least I know now to not apply for any food service positions, whatsoever.

Out.

Harry Potter And The Big Purchase

2007-06-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hello all, its been awhile, but thats okay cause I've been quite out of touch. As you all know I'm perfectly graduated from college but now without Internet and little time.

I do have a charming little room in an apartment that I am subletting (plus a roommate I never see) and I'm working 8+ hours a day..that I only get paid for as long as its written as "8 hours". But its all good..it only lasts til August and its okay - its a good job.

In other news, the new and last Harry Potter book is coming out very soon. I do have to say I'm interested..I have read the other 6 books and I do believe them to be good stories. They're not ground breaking, I'm glad the series has gotten kids to read, but I do have to say..there is too much marketing about it.

I don't really like the movies other then theres kinda cool things to look at. At this point there is no way to include even half the amount of detail in the books into the movies and therefore there is no way to compete. But everyone knows movies, usually, are never as good as the books they're based on.

There are always people with mixed feelings about anything and it usually has to do with when they heard about them. I too can fall to this hindrance. If someone over hypes something to me it makes me less inclined to take it up and examine it. A book. A movie. A restaurant. Doesn't matter. The more people rave and try their hardest to get me to try something, the more I'm inclined to say "no". Just say "its a good place/book/movie, I'd recommend it" and be done.

I do wish people wouldn't bash on Harry Potter so much though. Is it really as bad as Barney? The Telli-Tubbies? Anything else parents/older siblings can't stand that their toddlers/children really enjoy. Just saying.

So while I will go out and buy the last book, I won't go out and buy anymore of the movies (though I may see it in the theaters once just so I can I did and feel disappointed about how much better the book was) and be happy.

Reporting from my LAN line and borrowed Internet from Turlock - the Friendly Professional.

The end is near...

2007-04-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Its good to know that even though I haven't yet practiced my MCB presentation for tomorrow I can still do this:

Love Things That Need Change

2007-04-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Campus Drama..But the good kind.
I've recently become active in a movement to change how Mills College hiring and firing policy.

Most recently a lot of employees of Mills that have done nothing but devote themselves to the students of Mills have been either pushed out or fired (especially employees and faculty of diversity).

This practice of Mills seems to have begun way before my time with Mills considering the list of grievances that were created by my group mirror those created at the 1990 strike.

The reasons I am participating in the demonstrations and trying to change Mills is to improve it because I've felt many people vital to the development of Mills women and men have been cast aside.

In no way am I saying that Mills is not great without these people, but I am saying that Mills could only get better with their presence.

The MillS Weekly has done a fairly good job at documenting the demonstration and at least trying to get the word out about what The Committee for Change (the group I'm assisting) is about.

One thing that makes me sad, more so then the fact that Mills is like a revolving door for those of diversity and student encouragement, is that other students, like myself, see that the Committee for Change does not appreciate Mills.

This Letter to the Editor makes me think that some students don't understand that we are making change to benefit Mills and that if we didn't care about Mills we wouldn't be doing this and investing precious time and energy.

Unfortunately the person who's termination/dismissal from Mills that got me involved had a full Weekly release devoted to her but it is not available on-line. The person in question was the Dean of Students, Joanna Iwata. Iwata has been the pillar of the students, the communication grid to the administration for the students and a great mediator. Her presences on campus is still mourned and will be for some time.

With that said I think I'll retire this post. I'll do my best to post about any developments, but as they stand the administration is hoping to hold out till past graduation when we have a summer break and no way to be active.

Political Wall Statements

2007-04-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've been seeing coming up a lot lately has been political graffiti. And let me tell you, its been nice.

I'm all for art..in many forms. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, has a message of some sorts (even if just to make you happy), and its thought out; art work makes sense to me.

Theres one particular artist that I've seen pop up..Banksy. I don't know who this person is (or if its a group of people), but the art work and the subtle messages are wonderful. A lot of new work has shown up since I first discovered the website a few months back: http://www.banksy.co.uk/menu.html

This is another picture that I found via StumbleUpon that I really liked: http://halbot.haluze.sk/images/2006-07/2428_banksy_19.jpg

A lot of Banksy work I've been using as my desktop images cause they're powerful and still get a message across.

I'm not big on people tagging for the hell of it..Weird undefined letters in no particular, relevant order.

Give me some form, a message and a newly decorated street sign or wall and I'm happy.

2007-03-25T22:48:00.000-07:00

Hey All..wow, second post this month. Now, if only that was a record.

As life has been flowing on and I look to all the things that need to happen before I graduate, I'm starting to get a little pumped up. I know I'll make it, but I still need to stay focused.

The nice thing is I think I've found a new little theme song and even a little character to keep me centered and head on straight. Its a little sad, but insanely cute and oddly, a strange cover of Queens own We Will Rock You (a classic, though, not the best Queen song ever). So for your downloading enjoyment (now that the last group of people who read my blog no longer have dial-up) I've posted the little video here:

Enjoy all, I sure do.

Now..to get back to those two resumes I need by Tuesday.
At least I'm not sick anymore and I can dance with the half-egg man to the little kids singing Queen ^_^;;.

Things That Make Me Mad

2007-03-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've actually been finding a lot of things that make me mad lately. Mostly its been other drivers on the road, the price of gas, lack of work getting done, my employers, etc.

The thing that really got to me though happened today. The Dean of Students at my college, a great lady who has done nothing but be the Dean, the advocate for students, was let go. She wasn't quite fired because her contract was up and they didn't rehire her..but that in itself was an injustice.

This woman was great - she got shit done, she spoke up and out about concerns, asked questions, sent out questionnaires, kept the campus informed, pushed for meetings and everything..EVERYTHING.

As I type this its been 10 minutes since she was last the Dean of Mills College..I feel like I need to remove my hat in honor..and that tomorrow I should either wear black or all white (in the ceremonial sign of praise of life - though shes not dead).

All in all there are lots of things to be mad about..This takes the cake.

Not that I'll miss an old friends wedding because I'm graduating. Not because I got cut off by a guy who'd rather travel on the shoulder then merge in behind me while he was entering the freeway and I was in traffic. Not because I worked my ass off only to have failed plasmids. Nope..I'm pissed someone who could have made the future bright for so many Mills students was left by the wayside..As if the students didn't already hate the big-wig decision makers, they really do no.

Okay..I've ranted enough about this. Just pisses me off to see more good people either thrown or driven out of Mills College.

P.S. I did get an A- on my midterm though in MCB..so I can't complain too badly about my plasmid prep. ^_^;;

The Invisible Car

2007-03-03T22:42:00.000-08:00

There could quite possibly be an abandoned DeLorean here. Can you spot it?

I'll let you know in a few weeks if its still there. =]

Two Months Later...

2007-02-26T23:50:00.000-08:00

So its been two months (nearly to the day) since I made my last post. Trust me, this was not from a lack of life I've been living but a lack of time/remembering to post.

All in all things have been great. School has been incredibly easy (ie. I haven't had any homework until now - a good month into school) so I've just been sailing by.

I just got back from Houston, Texas which is why I kinda felt the urge to purge..on Blogger..Yeah, that was kinda gross. At any rate..*dream sequence into the past*..

My trip started on Thursday evening, Feb. 22nd, when I got onto the plane, just in time (cause the bus system failed me) for my flight - thinking I had a direct 5 hour flight to Houston. Man was I wrong.

We ended up in Phoenix, Arizona where everyone but me and about seven other passengers got off. They'd originally told us that we wouldn't have to depart from the plane, considering the flight was continued, but then they said we had to. With a bit of a disgruntled attitude I speed-walked to the next terminal/gate. Seems the flight number continued, though the plane did not, thus why my ticket didn't show the layover.

I got a little worried when I got there considering I didn't have a boarding pass for this new plane so I got the balls to ask the flight attendant from my original plane what to do. The obvious answer hit me like a ton of bricks: "Just wait in the Pre-Board section and show them your ID". Fabulous.

The next bit of news was quite stressful as the sound of a sweet hearted woman over the loud speaker delivered grave news of warning: "For all those on flight ####, there is a possible chance of re-routing do to a weather hazard of fog at Houston, Hobby Airport, please be advised".

This made my heart sink. I quickly conversed with my fellow Pre-Boarders about the closest re-routed location (Dallas, Texas) - not a good sign for me. So..

First Idea: Call Crystal (a good plan)
Second: Find Phone - Cell phone...no signal (bad)
Third: Find Pay Phone - Found...broken (bad)
Fourth: Find Second Pay Phone - Found...in use (bad)

So I gave up..and just started praying as I entered the plane and found a seat.

The last little incident involved my plane in a holding pattern above Houston because the one computer that was to guide us to the ground, through the fog, was broken and we had to wait for it to be fixed.

Long story short, I was very happy to be on the ground once I got to Houston, and even more glad that I didn't have to rent a car at 2am Texas Central Time to drive the 5 hours from Dallas to Houston.

After that though the trip was a blast (until I had to fly back to Oakland - but I'll get there).

My best friend in the whole wide world showed me all around NASA (awesome awesome) and Galveston (thats just the short and sweet). So it was great. I took a ton of pictures and really (flight included) only spent about 85 bucks this weekend (gotta love frequent flier miles and the $5 security fee). I did manage to pick up a poster, some post cards, a shirt, and a lot of fond memories. The weather was weird too..but in that it was cloudy but not insanely warm, but not muggy..so strange. Oh..and a lot of insanely big churches..and I learned the power of property tax..thats scary..Almost as scary as the drivers in big trucks in Texas.

At any rate, I get back on the plane at Houston Hobby, only to find out that my direct flight has a stop in Phoenix (again) and San Diego before I finally get to Oakland, California.

The flight wasn't bad..just the twinge of home-sickness when I couldn't leave the plane in San Diego like I've always done a dozen times before. What really made it bad though was not being able to call my parents from the plane on my cell phone because I was out of minutes. Speaking of minutes..*checks that*.

So yeah..that was your post and my update. Any questions? ^_^;;

New Beginnings and Some Changes

2006-12-26T23:28:00.000-08:00

Because too many people have asked, I'm sick of telling the same story and..I think I've finally made up my mind, its time for a global posting.

I'm sure to a few peoples disappointment, I've decided to take a year off of school.

For many reasons I'd been trying to avoid it (mainly for the fear of never going back once I learned the joys of a 9-5 job - but please, give me a break).

I've talked it over with a few trusted people and I've come to this decision. Really, theres a need for a little something different is in the works and I have to appease it.

The goal is to get a part-time job around March or early April and start saving up money (ie. pay off car quicker or save up for living after school). I'm still going to take the GREs next week (sorry $130 bucks doesn't just go down the drain) but hold my scores for year. At this point I've started looking into programs (okay, only one - AmierCorps) that'll keep me employed and entertained for the coming non-schooled year if that happens.

The ultimate option would be getting into a low-grade position at a county public health department (since I've heard they hire people straight out of college). Then I could work my way up and do the whole lab/investigation/education development thing I want to do. ^_^;;

With all of that nonsense said, stop asking, hehe, just kidding. Thats it, there is no more.

Since I'm now applying next fall for Graduate school, UC Berkeley is again top of the list.

I Can Now Graduate..Sorta..

2006-12-04T22:20:00.000-08:00

I've finished my thesis.
As of 9:15pm, December 4th, 2006, I, Jessica Lynne Dewey-Hoffman, pressed the print button (for the odd pages so it would be double-sided) for my thesis.

After an hour or so of continuous printing, I know have 3 color copies of my paper.

Its an amazing thing. Now, after 2 finals and 2 short other papers, I will have completed my 7th semester at Mills College, and have only one more semester to complete before I graduate with a degree in Biology.

WOOOHOOOOO!!!!..Now..grad school..-_-;;

Ahhh..Parents..So True

2006-12-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

Dear daughter,

The more we spend on you, the more we love you.

The more we feed you, the more we love you.

The more we hold on to you, smother you, keep you around us forever, never letting you go to live your own life, the more we love you.

Merry Christmas, love, Dad and Mom

Just a little e-mail I got back from my parents after sending them this link.

Quiet Cars Are No Fun

2006-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

I should be revising my thesis..its due Monday at 5pm..but instead, I read an article on the new Lexus.

The tag line is really what drew my attention: New Lexus sedan: fast, classy - and dull

I won't comment too much because I know very little about Lexus having only ridden in a few and never as a driver. I do think its interesting that the author feels that the car, as nice and fast as it is..doesn't have the any excitement in it.

Lexus has always struck me as the car appealing to the older generation who would rather have a comfortable seat, a nice sound system, and good brakes to wear out then a fast engine and smooth shifting..as apposed to quiet shifting.

The author boasts Lexus's high power (5.4 secs to 60mph - not bad) but also how quiet it is. (Keeping distracting sounds out: ie. the semi honking at you as it barrels towards you or just the V8 engine under the hood?).

Either way, I was impressed with what the author felt was lacking in the car. Its his own opinion, but lacking definition in the seats, chrome detail on the sheet metal, and even the gentle roar of a V8 under the hood seem to be points the Lexus should have had.

Its a breath of fresh air that the reviewer of a luxury vehicle feels that you should hear the engine under the hood and that it should be defined by the working parts in the car, as opposed to covering them up with frill and the ability to get traffic reports in your car.

This reviewer gets my vote for what a luxury car should be..but seeing as I can't afford one I guess I should be happy with my lovely little Owen (the name of my car ^_^) and stop dreaming of times where I only care if my seats have visible seams or not.

P.S. more regular posts about life in late December..until then..Thesis and Finals. Happy trails all. =]

November 3rd - Friday..the day the world stood still..

2006-11-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

Ah..that makes it sound so dramtic =].
Nothing really too big anyway..

I'd mentioned to several people that I'd been planning to take only a semester off and continue with graduate school in Spring 2008. Well..I was wrong. Seems most schools (none actually) offer Spring admition for graduate work.

I still don't feel like I should rush my GREs though. Between work and thesis, writing papers and studying I just don't want to focus on that now (even though I know I'm being a pansy and acting as if "oh, I'm so busy I have no time"..but I don't want to rush GREs - thats all).

Because of my lack of wanting to push myself, I won't be able to apply to my first choice, Berkeley, for graduate school. Their application is due December 1st and theres no way I can get it ready by then. That leaves San Diego State (the date I still need to find) and San Jose State (April 1st). San Diego has a better department but San Jose has a better location in my opinion. I love San Diego, but I like the Bay Area more.

At this point things are going fairly well. Its November, which means only a month and a week left of school. Between now and then I have to finish my thesis, complete three 4-5 page papers, fly back to San Diego (drive to Arizona, fly back to San Diego for my bestfriends birthday ^_^;;, then fly back to Oakland), and complete two finals. Then I get to go home for a month.

Oh, next semester..since spring comes after winter break.. It turns out I can't complete my minor because of scheduling conflicts between molecular cell biology (MCB) and the art history class I would have needed to take.

So I'm taking:
MCB + Lab
Communist China
China and Japan Since 1800
Book Design and Gender (a book arts class)
Library Resources and Methods (a 0.5 unit class)

With those classes I'll be able to graduate in Spring 07 with a BA in Biology.

Also..for graduation, today is senior picture day, so I'm as dolled up as I can get on such short notice. Almost wore a tie, but the shirt I wanted to wear wouldn't fit the tie as nicely as I would have wanted (not color wise, but style wise)...But then again, the shirt I wanted to wear was beyond wrinkled repair today so I ended up settling for something else. I'm hoping they come out nice..I really don't have any really nice recent photos of me, except for the one of Davy and I. =]

Alright..I should..do something else..productive.. yeah..productive..-_-;; why must it be friday and why must I be productive?

Time Keeps On Spin'in..Into The Future

2006-09-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

So I have no time..I'm very sorry I didn't warn anyone..but I figured you'd know as much as I did..

While studying this semester I have learned:
1) I have a fairly decent thesis topic.

2) I can get a B+ on a biochemistry midterm (go figure).

3) I can finally make it to world 2 in Mario Brothers 3..now to get past that stupid pyramid..

4) I will be so very happy when this semester is over.

5) I will not be minoring in Asian History (much to me wanting a smooth easy semester after this one from hell).

6) I need to start doing more GRE stuff..the classes I'm taking now do help..but I still need review.

7) Its almost October..lord help me. =]

As for that..you may not hear from me for awhile unless something big happens..sorry, just the way the cookie crumbles.

Piano Man..no the other Piano Man

2006-09-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

So I don't care largely for Elton John *listening to the boos and hisses in the background* but he does sing wonderful lyrics.

I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

Music by Elton John and Davey Johnstone
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album Too Low For Zero

Don't wish it away
Don't look at it like it's forever
Between you and me I could honestly say
That things can only get better

And while I'm away
Dust out the demons inside
And it won't be long before you and me run
To the place in our hearts where we hide

And I guess that's why they call it the blues
Time on my hands could be time spent with you
Laughing like children, living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues

Just stare into space
Picture my face in your hands
Live for each second without hesitation
And never forget I'm your man

Lyrics from www.eltonography.com

Pushing Other Posts

2006-08-27T23:33:00.000-07:00

I don't normally pimp my friend's site matrial but I felt like I needed to today. My posts are usually never political or current event in nature..which is why I look to others for that particular aspect.

This particular post from ColoredInk really made me think of her as not only a person, her goals in life, but also what is going on in this world.

She is a good friend of mine in college who wants to be a journalist. This post really makes me look at whats been going on in her life..though, I have no answers for what the dream means. So yeah..food for thought.

Also, the link on the left for Greyfox has a nice look at stem cells.

School..bah..

2006-08-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

So classes started and all is right with the world.

Went to Emeryville with the girls this early afternoon and saw Accepted..which was a fun light hearted movie, worth my $6.00 (cause we got there before noon). After the movie we trudged through the Barnes and Nobles so that people could get books and I could get the parking pass validated.

Next was a small trip into Old Navy..which turned into a larger debt on my credit card cause I found these cute cute pants and 3/4 sleeved shirts that are perfect for interviews..and looking perfectly professional and sexy. -_-;; Yeah..sexy. Um..so yeah..that was like 96 bucks down the drain of fashion and success..but I got a 10 dollar off coupon that I got to use that day, so it was really only like 86 bucks.

Next was into Ikea where I picked up $2.99 dish towels..cause I was a little grossed out that I had to dry my dishes with towels I'd previously used for my face and hair -_-;;. So that was necessary.

Our final stop was Office Depot where I picked up school supplies..also necessary..but nearly 30 bucks there.

Its the end of my spending spree for awhile. Next I need to get gas and pay off my next car payment..and my parents, but I'm done for awhile. I've got everything I need..well..except bras, but that'll be a slow process.

Back to classes..I'm taking:

China and Japan to 1800
Human Physiology
Biochemistry
Biology Senior Seminar
Fitness Swimming

At this point I've had everything but Senior Seminar, but its all been awesome. I really hope I'll be able to keep my head above water and still be able to do my GREs this semester..AND APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL.

The nice thing is my Human Physiology professor, who is kick ass with a specialty in pathology, is also a Berkeley professor and I'm hoping to talk to her about graduate work.

Alright..break over, back to reading about Chinese Language and divinity.

Down to 8 Mini Skirts

2006-08-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

So the news is out..has been for awhile now, that Pluto is no longer categorized as a planet.

Now those who know that I do appreciate Sailor Moon have asked, many times, what does this mean for the Sailor Scout Universe. I actually did think about this for a few moments after hearing the news and I came to the conclusion..that it doesn't matter. Sailor Moon..her representing mass is the Moon..which, may I remind you, is a moon, not a planet.

I dunno though..being the Mistress of Time and then being demoted to a Dwarf Planet or even Frozen Planet. But oh well..She was always a little strange if you ask me, but still no right to start discrediting her as not an official scout just because her planet got redefined.

I think its appropriate and I don't think it should cause any problems cause really..it wasn't one to begin with.

So..all in all its been wonderful folks.. see you the next time they decide to rename a huge piece of rock.

Even I get boarded. Do you think I had a choice?

2006-08-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ah..so its been like almost three weeks and I can recount all of them for you. ^_^

Week One: Spent it in Morro Bay and spent more money then I should have. I did have a blast though with my parents and tent camping. We went kayaking (dad and I), saw Hearst Castle (always awesome), and just hung out. Even found a cute internet cafe called 2 Dogs where I got some of my e-mails checked and money transferred, etc. The coffee was good too.

Week Two: Met up with InsaneDavid for the first time and he helped me move back into my beautiful room. For the record, yes, I have my own bathroom (toilet, bath/shower, and sink)..But its lavender..-_-;; but I'll get over it.

After I took InsaneDavid back to his live in job for the summer I returned for a hard two weeks of training for RA junk..Its not really junk but its kinda hard when you've heard most of it already before.

Week Three: I did get everything finished for my residents..though, not before my residents started showing up. This wasn't my fault, this was because no one told me that half my residents were showing up early (as in friday and saturday instead of monday -_-;;). So I frantically got their name tags and added information up the hall before all of the earlier arrivers actually arrived.

So after I got stuff done I went and picked up InsaneDavid again and we hung out for the weekend when I didn't have to do campus jobs. And it was wonderful..we have a lot of fun doing stuff together. It was awesome spending another weekend with him. =]

Start of School: So classes start tomorrow and I'm kinda ready. Got all but one of my books, I know where all my classes are and the times, and I'm excited about all of them.
Tonight I have to help give an opening hall meeting to everyone where we go over policy, key cards, RCFs, bathroom stuff, escorts, etc. Then I'll have my floor break off and get into themes so we can discuss how they'll work this semester..considering there is no planning on it. -_-;;

So yeah..I've purchased a TV, a DVD player and a few other things like toilet paper and a shower curtain that I needed ^_^;;

I'm done for now..hopefully I can keep updating. =]

Off to Oakland

2006-07-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

I'm packing to go back to school..and..thats all I have to report =]
All other updates will be reported on when I get a chance..and if I feel they're necessary.

Good luck and good night.

ah ha! a second post..not really

2006-07-11T23:26:00.000-07:00

Oh..so I went to this nifty little tea party with a few of the women from my dad's side of the family, my mom, and my mom's mom. So..I finally wore into public and into the dirt and grime, the glass slippers that I got to replace the slightly too big ones. These stayed on my feet and were quite amazing ^_^ Here they are, in all their pixiled glory: Glass Slippers

Uh..I live...um..right..

2006-07-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

So this isn't an update..this is so my records look up to date cause..I suck.

So yeah..the car is good, getting the transmission tuned up next week. Its still leaking a little oil though - getting that looked at too. Oh, and I rotated my tires this weekend..all of them..by myself. ^_^..I'm sore now -_-;;

Internship going well for as much as I do..which is little.

Working going well..minus a kid throwing up on my multiple times..but what can you do.

And..life is great. Can't complain..^_^ very excited about going back to school though..for more then a few reasons.

New Do And Shoes

2006-06-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Ok ok, so I haven't gotten my hair trimmed yet..but thats sorta on my list next after I get the car fixed. And don't worry for those who care, its just a trim..and I want my bangs back so they have time to grow out again.

The shoes though, are the important thing.

I've been eye-balling these shoes for quite some time (like..at least 6 months) and now that I'm home and theres actually a TUK store in Hillcrest (and a little arm twisting) I went out today and got them.

They're so hot and oh..just beautiful ^_^. Shoes

So thats it. I wasn't going to get them cause I thought I was going to have to pay $220 towards getting the Camry on the insurance, but dad wrote a check today without even talking to me, so its a done deal. =]

Time to go teeter around in those heels ^_^;;

Ladies and Gentlemen, May I Present Owen

2006-06-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have officially purchased my first car.

A 1999 Toyota Camry, which I have named Owen.

The last check up was by the mechanics and they gave Owen a clean bell of health minus a very small oil leak, needing a transimition check (fluid was just a little dirty/dusty), and a re-work of the IAC (has to do with idle control on cold start up - have any questions, just ask me).

So I bought it.

Its kinda funny considering the name because there is a fictional children's character named Owen, about the same color as my car, and carries around a yellow fuzzy blanket (the blanket, appropriately named, is Fuzzy).

http://www.kevinhenkes.com/mouse/05.asp

So yes..thats my new baby =] And I can't stop grinning about it. I'm so very excited. =]

Next big accomplishment..internship..find out Thursday. =]
Peace.

Points of light - a small update for your sunday afternoon

2006-06-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

So the title of the last entry should have been the title for this entry.

I'd intended to talk about more then just one subject in the last blog entry, but..I'm now thinking its best I only stick to one subject when blogging anyway..so..The title for the last blog does not fit its subject..but oh well.

Let me explain. The subject to the last blog entry is in reference to where you go, at my high school, if you were late to class. The idea behind it being, that if you're late, the doors lock, and you go to a place that isn't locked - "Lock out". They have this at most high schools, no surprise.
I bring it up because the last of "the girls" graduated from middle school on friday and is now one of the big dawgs (more of a reference to the high school she'll be going to actually). Shes the last of "the girls" - who all happen to be sleeping on my living room floor right now - for once I was up the earliest, go figure. So yeah..thats that.

Onward..

So the car isn't going to work - the 95 blue Toyota Camry that is.

The guy helping me out at New Cars Inc is going to talk to his boss though, and see if he can get a 99 Camry, marked at about 500 bucks over what the first 95 Camry was going for, can get it marked down to the price I can afford (somewhere under 6 Grand). I think the only reason the 99 is marked so low already (considering there was a 98 for a bit more at the lot), is because theres so much mileage on it. Still less mileage then the 95 obviously, but only by about 20K less. Interesting, no? At any rate, I'm not too big of a fan of that years design - the body..but I could over look it, even make it my own, if I can take it out the door at that price.

I'm going to find out if the boss approves the decrease in price and if I can take it to the mechanic on monday. If thats a done deal (kinda like the last one), then the bank should approve it (which is easier then the mechanic) and it could very well be mine. ..Making me the proud owner of a car thats newer then both my parents and my grandmother (who happens to have the same vintage but a year older). The 98s (which my grandmother has) were a change over year - new body design, different stuff..more stuff..etc. In other words, Toyota turned it into a granny mobile that year. But hey..I can't complain over a car that will keep me going for years to come (far past graduate school)..my hopes is to the point of my first child..but who knows..hopefully I can keep a hold of cars like my parents can. ..And only own three by the time I'm 50. =]

My last little tidbit..I may have an internship.

I contacted a nice doctor who contacted me back and asked if I would be interested in working with his med-student who is currently trying to come up with a way of evaluating whether students in elementary and middle pick on other students who are over weight. I'd probably be doing classroom evaluations and plugging numbers, etc. So yeah..

Oh..in other news..my final words. I probably won't be on-line late any more..not my usual 2am business for quite awhile. Instead I'll be doing GRE studying, reading for my thesis topic (which I need to find), and possibly plug and chugging numbers for my good doctor in the internship department.

That said..have a good day =]

Punishment for being late - lock out

2006-06-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry this update is so late..though..very few of you check it anyway. So..your update, pre-packaged for your convince.

The car matter.

So I went to the bank, they gave me a loan (co-signed with my mom of course). The paperwork was approved with only minimal requirements like the used car more have less then 100K miles on it (unless it is a Honda or Toyota - score 2 points for me) and the loan must fit, within reason, the Kelley Blue Book value of the car at purchase point.

No big deal, right? So, last saturday (bout a week ago), mom suggested I go check out New Cars Inc, a dealership of used cars that was suggested by my credit union. That idea, as mixed as I was about it at the time, turned out to be a good idea. What they do is get the criteria for the car you want, then go out and find it for you. Pretty nifty, huh? So I gave the guy my criteria, and he said he'd get back to me. Well, wednesday he did, and wednesday I test drove a car =].

I really enjoyed it - 1995, Toyota Camry, light blue, grey interior (still in great shape), CD player, AC/heat, 140K miles and looks clean.

The bad thing is that I took it to my mechanic today to get it checked and theres some serious stuff wrong with it.

1) two cracked v-belts (which means a rod could be thrown if they snap = VERY BAD), but not terribly expensive as far as car repairs go.

2) leaky lines - normal in an older car of course..but there are quite a few. Still not as bad on the car repair expensive list.

3) tumbler on the front passenger door lock is broken, ie. means I can't lock or unlock the car from that side with the key - possible re-keying in my future. Still, not to expensive.

4) transmition tune-up - not too expensive again..though..a lot of work..not a new engine..but not a simple oil change either.

But all together, all those are pretty important, yet small things add up, plus man power/hours, I'll probably be looking at at least a $500 repair.

now the kicker..
4) the compression for one of the cylinders is off..by about 30 pounds, which isn't good..not engine blowing, but definitely not good. Now this repair..a very pretty penny..probably about a grand. Now..this isn't a huge huge problem..but..its a concern. I can drive this car to Oakland..back to San Diego and..a few side trips in between. Could even have the car its entire life..but..it could be cut shorter by this problem. But..I won't make the dealership pay for this.

So, I have three options for dealing with this:

1) dropping this car and finding another (easy enough, no harm, no foul)..though I did blow 90 bucks on the mechanic inspection today.

2) bargin with New Cars Inc to lower the price, hopefully at least 500 bucks so that I can save money to make the repairs myself. The car isn't worth nearly 6 grand to me in this condition, why pay that much if those things are still not right.

3) supposedly New Cars Inc has their own mechanic..who works for a lot cheaper then mine, ie. New Cars does the repairs, not all, but like the v-belt, transmition tune up, lines and locks, and I pay full price for the car. I don't expect them to do the cylinders, etc, but I do expect a car that won't throw a rod within the first long distance trip do to strain on the v-belts.

So that was the amazing first car buying experience update. I won't know anything more until I go into the dealership again tomorrow afternoon, but it should be interesting and exciting.

Uh..next installment..internships..=]

June Gloom in May

2006-05-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

I'm back in San Diego..and let me tell you, Oakland is definitely warmer right now. The "June Gloom" has set in early it seems here in San Diego, which can only mean one thing..a freakin hot summer.

My flight was good, no delays or anything..and all thanks to my good friend who decided I didn't deserve to lug my 75 pounds worth of duffel bags, a backpack, laptop bag, and a huge 16"x22" book (see previous post on Winsor McCay) on the bus and through the airport.

Got in and mom picked me up, then took me to Point Loma Seafood - a great little dive that sells fresh fish and other stuff (note, they only accept cash).

Then I got to drive home in my favorite San Diego cruising mobile of choice and got to see the dog and move my stuff in..to which, its already exploded all over my floor cause I couldn't find my shorts for when I wanted to go jogging earlier.

So yeah, everythings back to the usual summer schedule. Tomorrow I plan to do some errands (conditioner, job hour scheduling, auto-trader ^_^;; etc.) so that'll be fun.

Be good all. =]

I'm not going to do any work-and you can't make me

2006-05-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

So, chance encounters this morning with someone near and dear to my heart (^_~) has made me not want to study till after brunch. ..Though, that is a bit of lie because I've already re-watched a little clip that had been shown in class to review the information so I can better do the study questions surrounding it. But otherwise..nope, no work for me.

By faithfully finding something else to do instead of studying, I have:

Read and commented on the new update at Postsecret.com

~ my favorites being New York tragedy (cause I can totally see where its coming from), White Chocolate (because teaching children is a reward in itself), the Conservative Christian, and the Graduate in Poetry one.

I've also started doing a bit of reading into a possibility..my first car.

Yes, I've blogged about it..a lot..complained..a lot..and of course, like most things in my life, the decision is more fluid then ever.

With the price upchuck in gas I'd seriously thought about changing everything over to a used gas/electric car. My concerns with this only being that its kinda new technology and lord knows how much I'd have to feed to keep the car running. I was hoping that investing in a gas/electric would save me in the long run gas money wise. But..after talking to my parents ..this sorta came up...(image a dream like sequence right about...here)..

It all began with my neighbor, just two doors down, who got his first car before I did (not saying its a big deal, the kid who lives next to me on the other side got his first car like 5 years before I did), but still..thats not the point of the story.

Anyway, the kid who just got his first car, got a 5 year old, retired Crown Vic..and by retired, I mean, former police car..for $2K. This in itself is enticing..an almost new car, with some mileage (understandable), for $2K - shoot me now.

It sounded like a good idea, but there were other things floating around in my head.

Crown Vic = Big Car + Ford = Gas Eating Machine

Well, turns out, according to my good friends down the street, that the boat gets about the same mileage as my mom's Volvo..which is surprising. Its a bigger car, I have a feeling it weighs in just a bit more..but..also has a bigger engine then my mom's (inline 5 vs. V8, you do the math).

There are other things I've heard through the grape vine though. Because Ford has a contract with state police, they can get parts cheaper because of this stupid little P printed on all of the parts. Ie. a 500 dollar part for a regular Vic is only about $50 bucks for the police Vic. Which brings a small smile to my face that says "oh hell yeah".

So, mileage, check, cheap parts, check, smooth ride, of course, good size car (cause, shamefully, I don't feel comfortable in a tin can - which means no Civics..just seeing those cars makes me wet myself in fear that they'll blow over, at least the Echo is deceptive about its weaknesses), check. Seriously..its everything I need..which brings me to my last concern...

Its a COP CAR....

Yes folks, image is important to me..sure people will pull over a bit cause I'm driving something that used to pull them over and give them tickets..but..damn..thats frightening. I've been pulled over once, just once, my fault, but just once..wasn't too frightening for me personally, but..damn..its not something I want to instill in others, thats just rude.

Its also a stupid reason for hesitating on a great car opportunity..but still..

Alright..rant is over, 20 minutes till brunch and I can't pump any more out of this. Hope everyone is well. Finals are almost over, and I'm nearly free for a summer of hard labor, cool waves, and all the comic book and thesis reading I can stand. Bu-bye! ^_^

Because I have 15 minutes...

2006-05-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

So I do have 15 minutes before dinner and I thought I'd make a clear list of just..things. Its a life moment I guess. =]

So today I spent about 5 hours in the library studying neurobiology and I actually feel like I've absorbed something..granted..those were the lectures I didn't fall asleep in to begin with.

I'm going to dinner in a few minutes..but afterwards, while I'm waiting to digest before I go running (cause I haven't been in a week -_-;;), I'll need to rehash my CPR knowledge because I'm getting recerted tomorrow afternoon. I really should have gotten lifeguard recerted..but I just don't have the time with finals, and I'm not guarding this summer.

So yeah, after abit of random studying and a run, I'll probably shower real quick, then make myself presentable enough to go back to the library till 10 or 11. Then..more then likely, I'll bring myself home and start laundry.

Wow..no classes or real work things and I'm still busy..Go figure. -_-;;

Hip Hip Horray

2006-04-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have to make a public announcement that my "Uncle" Allen is an amazing, brilliant man who takes very good care of his "niece". I say all of this in quotation marks because hes not really my uncle, but thats his name in the family.

So yes, three cheers for him and saving my grade. ^_^

In other news..life is good. =]

Guilty Pleasures

2006-04-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

So today I put down money on the most expensive book I've ever purchased. With tax, my total was about 214 bucks..original ticket price was $199.99.

It is one of 5,000 first edition reprints of Winsor McCay's Little Nemo in Slumberland. All from McCay's Sunday morning comic strips, in original size, all in a 16"x22" beautifully printed book.

...Now..how to get it back to San Diego?

In Hindsight

2006-04-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Alright, now that I'm no longer stressed after yesterdays ordeal I've got a confession...I really do like doing voice over clips.

Its hard! Well..making noises is anyway. Speaking lines are pretty easy. I'm not insanely good at anything, nor experienced, but as long as I can do a voice relatively close to my own its pretty much a breeze. Considering the first few times I did it, I was surprised to find I was able to find the sound (well, that I wanted) quickly for the character this time.

Trying to figure out the sound a character makes while jumping or kicking..now thats a completely different story. It took me forever, probably at least 45 minutes of 1-2second clips to figure it out. And even then it was probably just a collection of clips that I ran one right after the other. (Meaning a small chore for the lovely person directing me).

All in all though, I think its funny cause its almost like what I had to do back in Elementary and middle school with the puppets at my church..but..abit more expressive. Kinda hard to make a 12 year old make a puppet emot..but oh well. Hopefully I can get abit more practice in. Not asking to be famous..but its nice to be apart of something I really only have a minor connection to to begin with.

Only time will tell..=]

No More!

2006-04-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Itty Bitty Rant..
No one is to disappear for the next month..no one..I don't care if someone thought you were in the bathroom and you weren't, NO ONE!

No one is to force me to talk to a mother who is crying hysterically about her anything..I give that a month as well.

No one is to ask me to do anything minor for the next week..I need me time and I need time to study..ok? -_-;; No one listens. No more added luncheons, no more extra labs, no more paper work. No more projects that I need to help either. What I'm signed up for now is all you'll get out of me..because there are not suddenly more hours in a day..I'm done..

Ok..rant over..thanks for listening -_-;;

Summer Prep Finalized

2006-04-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Storage container and rental vehicle have been reserved for the 11th of May to move my crap from Point A: 206 Warren Olney Hall to Point B: Summer Self-Storage Facility.

Bonus points for getting a rental van a hell of a lot cheaper then a car and the storage facility at a 3 month rental discount. Oh yes, I did good. ^_^

Week in Leagues

2006-04-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome again to another pointless update by yours truly..me ^_^.

So the 21st birthday went well. As usual it was very hush hush, which is the way I like it. Wish me happy birthday all you want, but the only people I enjoy singing my birthday praises are those cool Mariachi-esc employees at major chain mexican food places. So yes, kept the singing down to a minimum. Got some cool swag too - always fun..In fact, I need to figure out my new radio for when I got jogging tonight ..supposedly it can do 10 preset channels ^_^;; Hehe, I've also been having fun with an insanely cute Sailor Jupiter handpuppet (>_<;; even if Marcela made Makoto-chan beat up on poor Zelda when I wasn't looking). Hehe, I've also been wearing my kick ass new Gunsmith Cats watch every day and I've listened to all of my new CDs now at least once already.

In other news, things are great. The weather was thuroughly nasty yesturday with just tons and tons of rain. But it was nice cause it lead to a cool, clear, spring day today.

Also got to make slime and silly putty today in organic chemistry lab. I have a feeling I'll be preparing that for the kids I work with during the summer for a science project. ..Also found out that diapers can hold 60 times their weight in water. Not urine mind you (cause thats mostly ions) but straight water. Kinda cool, no?

So yes..life is pretty wonderful right now. I'm where I need to be, I'm extremely happy and I'm just feel'in the love.

This weekend I get to see Lucky Number Slevin and possibly Inside Man (and drool over Clive Owen), develop some pictures, spend the 50 bucks in cash advance for my residents (we're making marble magnets and pushpins =]), and just have a relaxing weekend before midterms and finals pick up.

Hope you're all well. =]

Fishing for Feedback

2006-04-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

For the internship I'm hoping to get my hands on this summer I need to submit a resume and cover letter. Well..since I'm not vying for a used car sales position, writing my cover letter was very difficult. Here it is in its full glory (short and sweet..hopefully). Please reply with any suggestions you think are necessary. Remember..this is my first time..so go easy on me. =]

Dear San Diego Public Health Department Representative,

I wish to state my interest in an internship experience working for the Public Health Department. Currently I am engaged in obtaining a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology from Mills College, where I will be of first semester Senior standing in the fall of 2006.

Since I was very little, I have had an interest in what made people sick, which later in high school became an excitement about infectious disease and their movements throughout populations. This excitement lead me to an interest in Public Health that was only heightened by a high school program which allowed me to only scratch the surface of the field. Now that I am completing my undergraduate degree I am looking to explore even further and gain experience before I begin applying to Masters Programs in Public Health, focusing specifically on Epidemiology and infectious disease investigation.

With a readiness to learn, excellent organization skills, and ability to work diligently, I feel I would be benefit to who ever took me under their wing for the summer. Please consider me for any project or job that needs an extra hand.

If you need to contact please call my school extension or email.

I feel like a zombie..

2006-03-30T23:43:00.000-08:00

Man I'm exhausted.

Things to come:
Graduate Program possibilities
Finalized Summer Plans
Possible Birthday Update
Resume Blues

Things I need to do:
Finish Resume and Cover Letter
Gender and Public Policy Assignments 1 and 2
Study Ass off for Organic Chem
Neuro Back-up Reading
RA Junk

Course Schedule, Fall 2006

2006-03-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

Thats right folks, we're that much closer to the second to last semester of undergraduate college for me. And so far so good.

The Course Schedule came out for next semester today and I think it'll be fun and interesting. At this point I've finished with my General Education (ie. 10 classes that I wouldn't have taken otherwise had they not been required) and I'm only about 3 science classes away from my major requirement. Too bad I'm the full few credits away from the diploma. No worries though, as long as I keep a full load I will graduate on time (May 2007).

So, heres the list:

Biochemistry, 1.00 Credits, MWF (9:00-9:50am), Th Lab (1:00-5:00 pm)

Human Physiology, 1.00 Credits, MF (1:00-2:15pm) no Lab

Biology Senior Seminar, 1.00 Credit, T (2:00-5:00pm) no Lab

China and Japan to 1800, 1.00 Credit, TTh (11:00-12:15pm)

Fitness Swimming, 0.25 Credit, MW (10:00-10:50am)

I finally got to fit a PE class back into my schedule and its finally swimming ^_^. I wanted to take Elementary Spanish this semester (in the hopes of taking Spanish II next semester), but it doesn't fit into my science schedule (which is necessary for me to graduate).

They do offer Elementary Spanish Spring semester though, so I might try to work that in.

I will be able to take more fun classes spring semester because I'm only going to take Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, and, if I do well in Biochem, a second semester of Biochemistry.

All in all I'm really excited to be so close and have nothing but fun classes ahead of me. =] Glad I made it through the system..now hopefully Mills won't do anything to mess me up. -_-;;

The Midway

2006-03-24T17:08:00.000-08:00

Today was a lot of fun. Mom and dad took the day off so we could all spend time together, which usually means a meal out and some cool learning/walking experience. Today's adventure took us to Cafe 222. A happening place with really good potato pancakes (what I got) and other great breakfast/lunch items (I recommend their pumpkin pancakes).

Afterwards, we drove just down the street abit to the floating Midway Museum. The Midway is a retired Navy Aircraft Carrier, built in 1940. It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest who is in San Diego. Admittion is a little steep at first glance but its a great time with a walking/audio tour. Parking is a bit much as well (and be warned, the parking machines NEVER give change, so make sure to have exact fair = carry lots of $1). But all in all its great. You basically have free run of the ship, the docents are kick ass, and looking at all of the aircraft and the boat itself is a lot of fun.

Heres the website: The Midway Museum

Also, if ships are your thing, I recommend taking a walk along Harbor Drive which parallels the bay. There are usually several tall ships docked that you can some times board. ie. The Star of India

p.s. Always take your student ID if you have one, it saves money. =]

p.s.s. I'll be back in Oakland as of noon-ish on Saturday, I'm on Duty..so..yeah. =]

While I was surfing..

2006-03-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

A little site I like to poke through while I'm bored. Enjoy.
RetroCrush

Major Purchases 101

2006-03-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying there are extreme differences between buying a toy when you are a child and when you are old enough to write a check for a toy.

When you are a child you can usually determine between good quality plastic, finer hair on a doll, how much water super soakers can hold compared to other brands or models, or if the hand automated kick-action is as bad ass as the flying model.

When you're older and pumping money into an investment you tend to look at many more aspects, not just quality plastic..though, that is a factor some times.

First, there tends to be a need (not just 'I want I want'..though I do know some people like that). Does this fulfill my needs? Play the media type I'm looking for? Does it look cool?

Second, will it be effective with what I want it to do? Will it suck batteries/wallet dry to get it to run? (hint hint) Will the investment last me a long time? Is used an option? What can I afford?

All of these factors need to be taken into account. Which means that proper information needs to be obtained to answer the questions.

There are many resources out there to help evaluate all of these questions so that the correct purchase can be made with little regret, or, ideally, no regret.

Such non-profit organizations as Consumer Report are great resources, as well as the "compare items" on many major stores that distribute on-line.

Most recently I have been in the market for three items. Two smaller ticket items and one big ticket item.

The first being a mini radio made specifically for athletes. This nifty little device is designed to keep me semi-occupied while I'm out on the track for my 40 minutes, twice a week. Many have suggested I get an iPod (cringe) or just an MP3 player (which, yes, would take care of my next problem, but I'll address that later). But I don't want such an expensive little thing that'll just get thrashed and possibly dropped in mud, and I promptly loss half of my music collect.
InsigniaÃ™ Sports Armband AM/FM Radio

The next item is a new CD Player. -_-;; Yes yes, I know, "Why not an MP3 Player, geez, live in the stone age do we?". And yes..to answer your question, I do believe the best at home sterio system includes a turn table and collection of vinyl. Ahem. The CD Player I got for my 15th birthday has slowly been dying. It plays music pretty good still (only skips every so often and is a little noisy during rotation), but the inner semi-locking mechanism has chipped and I do believe it'll die soon. I use the old fart often while studying so I am worried that it'll die. When it does, I would like to replace it with this lovely model, that will play MP3s when I ask it to. I've been very happy with my Sony CD player thus far and I'm hoping a newer model will be just as kind to me as the previous. Lord knows I've been through far more headphones in my day then actual players.
MP3 CD WalkmanÃÂ® PlayerD-NE005BLUE

And finally, my big ticket item...-_-;; a car. Not new, just new to me. I don't need it to do much..ok ok, yes, getting to San Diego from the Bay Area would be required of it every once in awhile, but hey, thats life. I won't drive it much while I still attend Mills, maybe once or twice a week, but thats ok too. I just know that as soon as I get into graduate school (that will be the next post), that I'll need my own wheels cause Maggi and Rachel won't be going to school with me then.

This is really where all of the research came in (though I did do some homework on the radio and CD player too). I bought a Used Car Consumer Report, read it basically cover to cover (when I should have been studying), and found some decent cars that would do me good. All of them in my price range are early 90'foreign cars. So far I've been eye balling Honda Accords, the Toyota Camery, and the Subaru Impreza.

I've checked them out, they look good, and all of them by Blue Book should be under 5K = my price range. I couldn't afford one right now, I'd need some help, but we'll see.

Theres your purchase update.

Join us next time for Graduate School 101: Which Program Makes You Happy?

John Williams Is The Man

2006-03-08T22:31:00.000-08:00

The title of the post has nothing to do with the post..FYI..

So I'd been poking around a bit trying to find something to blog about, but up until today live has been good and uneventful. Not saying today was horrible, but it was definitely eventful and, really, quite amazing.

I finally started contacting San Diegians this week in the hopes of talking to someone in the medical/research/public health realm about what they did and if I could figure out what I have most interest in. This all leading up to an internship and possibly knowledge into what I can do with my life after graduating in a year.

My first stab in the dark happened to be an old acquaintance of my mom's who worked at the Pre-school I work at during the summer, who now works for the San Diego Department of Public Health. I didn't know her very well but I was really curious as to what she did considering it'd been awhile since I looked into Public Health and was not exactly sure what they did, only that it could be a multitude of things.

Well, today, two days after my first try at contacting the Public Health lady, I got a call from her saying she'd love to meet with me because she happened to be in San Francisco this week, and specifically in Berkeley today. I was so stoked. She said she'd take me out to dinner so we could talk. I managed to get a hold of her in the middle of my Ecology lab and planned to meet her at 5:30pm by Sproul.

So, right after lab I jetted to the back gate where a 56 bus showed up just in time to take me to BART where I only had to wait about 2 minutes for the Richmond train I needed. I managed to get to our meeting point only 5 minutes late and it was pretty easy to find her. Hehe, was kinda funny cause she looked at me and went "Yeah, you're Sue's daughter".

And after that and finding dinner it was just the most amazing dinner I've ever had. We sat for just over two hours and she told me about her amazing job. Everything from what I'd need to do to be good at it, the education I'd need, the fun parts, the not so fun parts, the incredible detective work needed to do the job, just everything. In short..I think I'm in love.

From what she told me I really just need my four years of undergraduate work, a year of nursing school (yay! no med school), and the right thinking (a masters in public health would help too of course). She was very clear that it does take a certain person to do the job and do it well and I'm hoping so much that I'm that type of person. It just sounds like so much fun to interview people, take samples, analyze them, figure out whats going on with them, figure out how they got it, if they've passed what ever is wrong on to anyone else, if anyone else needs to be notified. Just everything..its so systematic, but still requires creativity and communication, and gut instinct. I would get to solve disease mysteries.

Just having this conversation with her made me feel so passionate and just "wow" about the whole prospect that I could be doing this with my life. To help people get the medicine they need before things get too bad, or even find people before they start showing symptoms of potentially very nasty bugs.

Oh I could go on for awhile about how cool I find this and how driven it makes me feel to accomplish this. Based on what she told me tonight I'm even willing to try Spanish again.

Its just so thrilling to have this idea sitting in my hands and knowing I could do something with it. I know it'll take time but its do-able and it sounds like so much fun. Something that could be challenge and a thrill or some times just a normal day at the office.

Hehe, alright, I'll bring this session to a close before I get cared away and take up more time..Really should be working, but oh well. ..Just really excited that I think I have a path figured out for myself thats attainable and worthwhile.

Any news to report?..

2006-03-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

So I have to say the biggest accomplishment I've made thus far on my journey of jogging two nights week is that...I have not yet fallen on my face.

I've made other improvements like jogging a solid 40 minutes with only stopping twice for a quick sip of water. And..really, the only other improvement is that I'm doing far better then any other time I've run in high school or middle school.

So yay..go me. =]

Oh! Speak up!

2006-02-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

Oh! I know a few people read this blog (ie. my parents - hi mom and dad!). So please comment if something doesn't look right..Guys, don't have to wait till Saturday to ask me things. I check my mail more often then my phone messages. =]

Summer of Craziness

2006-02-25T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hehe, just cause some people got confused, no, I won't be taking Caitey up on her offer, as sweet as it is. That out of the way..

Those who will be wanting to go to Comic-Con this summer and need to stay at my house, let me know.

Mark your calendars for the weekend of July 20-23rd. Thats Thursday to that Sunday. I want to make sure everyone who is going gets it saved right away so we don't have any last minute "I didn't know"s. =]

p.s. theres a pre-registering process if you'd like to check it out. Registration Form
Comic-Con International

Some One Flip A Coin

2006-02-20T00:08:00.000-08:00

Alright, I know people are sick of this debate I'm having with myself..but this time its not my fault, its Caitey's fault.

I was on duty tonight, minding my own business, when I was walking up to Ethel Moore and Caitey and Rebecca were out smoking and Caitey stopped me.

"Hey Lynne, you should apply for the Bear."
Me: "Uh, whats that?"
Caitey: "You do research during the summer under the professor's eye and junk" She was far more detailed, but thats the short
Me: "Oh wow..darn, I had just decided to go home for Summer Break"
Caitey: "Oh, well, if you wanted, you could work with me if I get the research grant together, I'd teach you all about it, it'd be great, and if it all works out, you could get published with me."
Me: "Sweet!"

So..me on my head again. I probably won't do it, but its something to definitely consider. -_-;;

We'll see I guess.

Blog Worthy: A Cold Day In Hell

2006-02-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

Back Story:

For my senior year of high school, I had to finish a project of my own design, spend at least 20 hours on it (ended up spending about 120), create a presentation on the project, and then write a paper relating to the project in some way. Well, I learned how to weld, not that I'm any good at it, but it was definitely fun and exciting. To prove my few skills I made gate with the help of my mentor. This gate was supposed to be placed in a small alley way between my house and my neighbors house to keep the dogs from getting into the house from the backyard.

Well..after three years, the gate has finally been installed..

E-mail from Dad: By the way I finally installed the gate you made in high school. I took a photo of it and will send it to you next week. Dad

Morning Has Broken..So Fix It

2006-02-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

I'm just happy to say that its been sunny two days in a row. Still breezy, a bit chilly, but I've missed the sun so much. I am one of those people who tends to slow down when the sun isn't out..sleep alot, you know, hibernate (though, the correct term is torpor - thank you Ecology). But I got to wear cut offs today, no socks in my converse, and only a termal shirt under my t-shirt. This makes me happy. =]

My Five Minutes Are Up

2006-02-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

A few of you know I was asked to do voice work abit ago, and I just noticed the website has some updates. I don't have any real interactions with the actual production other then that I spoke into a microphone several times, recorded it, and sent it over to my link to the business. =]

Its nothing big, not like I have a contract or anything (not in the slightest), but it makes me feel kinda glowy, so here is my five minutes of fame. Sailor Moon: Destiny Revival

I'm listed under staff so check it out. =] Hehe, especially considering I'll probably never get asked to do anything along these lines again ^_^;;.