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I had an interesting day on Monday. And I felt the need to record it's happenings.
Monday: I had my Praxis 1 test: Reading and Writing. Was really nervous I wouldn't find the testing center, and had to be there at 7:30. With 1. getting lost and 2. rush hour time buffers, I left the house at 6:45. It was amazing that I was functional for the test. Traffic was light that early, and I found the place immediately, arriving at 7:10ish. Sat in the car for 20 minutes. Took the pills I'm supposed to take at 7:30, and went in when someone opened the door.
Ok, the last standardized test I took was the ACT. This was nothing like it. I mean, computer monitor was a bit odd. Btw, NOT a fan of computer tests, except for the essay, which is vastly better than hand writing. All in all, the experience was something like being admitted into prison. Fingerprints were taken, my picture was taken, everything but my DL and my locker key had to stay in the locker outside the testing cubes, including jewelry and my watch. Then I had to sign in, and they made me take off my hoodie. Well, after some objection from me that none of the rules said anything about hoodies and it was FREEZING, they let me keep it on, but I had to tuck the hood in. I looked like I had a hunchback, but at least I was warm! (Interesting sidenote:if you wanted to remove your jacket during your test, you had to use up your test time to step outside and take it off. SHEESH, PEOPLE.) AND, I had to turn out my pockets in front of the test monitor and then get Security Wanded to make sure I was packing heat or metallic test answers. It was INTENSE. I'm pretty sure they would have done a cavity search if I had had a suspicious amount of lint in my pocket.
I passed the Reading. I hope I passed the Writing. I left, way earlier than I thought I would. Went out to lunch with Devon and Niki at Chi's, which I haven't been to in years. I realized how very much I was going to miss lunch bunching, when Niki flies the coop.
Devon and I went into David's Bridal and Devon told the sales lady I was getting hitched. We are now planning to go back with Niki and I get to be princess/bride for a day. I plan on making a REALLY big deal out of this, buying a fake ring for myself, and planning my wedding in it's entirety. Oh, yeah.
Went to a movie, which I was a little late for, due to dress shopping. It was The Lucky One. I arrived at Riverdale, and no one was selling tickets. I waited. I went to the bathroom. I waited some more. The movie had started 10 minutes ago, and I was pretty sure it was through previews. Someone waited with me, wanting popcorn, but gave up and went back to his theater. I also gave up, and went right on in to the movie, already in progress. It's on my bucket list to double dip a movie... but this is just about the same thing, right? I totally did not pay for that movie, and I didn't feel bad. Why? Cause I HATE missing the beginning, and waiting for employees that apparently don't care if the business makes money... well, you just asked for it, Riverdale. Movie rating: Yeah, Ok. I enjoyed it. I can admit it. Zac Effron, you're pretty dang adorable and that helped. It also helped that the movie was free. In fact, between those two factors, I give it two thumbs up!
I drove back home to hang out with Lavern. And for the first (and hopefully ONLY) time in my life I nearly hit a pedestrian. I had just stopped into Sonic to get myself a chocolate malt with what had been my movie money (yay!), and had turned back onto Camp Robinson Road. I was in the left hand lane. A line of cars stopped in the right hand lane to turn into McDonald's. A girl, who clearly wasn't very bright, bolted in front of that line of turning traffic without bothering to see if the NEXT lane was clear (it wasn't, hi.) I slammed on the breaks, of course, and screeched and turned. Had I been slightly distracted or going a mile per hour faster, she would have gotten hit. She continued to bolt and barely cleared my bumper with her legs intact. I could not stop (she was about 1 car length in front of me when she jumped out and I was going the speed limit, which was 40mph). So, I hope the poor girl made it the rest of the way across the road. She was darting through the suicide lane (appropriate, eh?) when I last saw her.
That moment supplied all of the action-packed excitement the movie was lacking.
Monday: I give you two thumbs up, as well.
Monday: I had my Praxis 1 test: Reading and Writing. Was really nervous I wouldn't find the testing center, and had to be there at 7:30. With 1. getting lost and 2. rush hour time buffers, I left the house at 6:45. It was amazing that I was functional for the test. Traffic was light that early, and I found the place immediately, arriving at 7:10ish. Sat in the car for 20 minutes. Took the pills I'm supposed to take at 7:30, and went in when someone opened the door.
Ok, the last standardized test I took was the ACT. This was nothing like it. I mean, computer monitor was a bit odd. Btw, NOT a fan of computer tests, except for the essay, which is vastly better than hand writing. All in all, the experience was something like being admitted into prison. Fingerprints were taken, my picture was taken, everything but my DL and my locker key had to stay in the locker outside the testing cubes, including jewelry and my watch. Then I had to sign in, and they made me take off my hoodie. Well, after some objection from me that none of the rules said anything about hoodies and it was FREEZING, they let me keep it on, but I had to tuck the hood in. I looked like I had a hunchback, but at least I was warm! (Interesting sidenote:if you wanted to remove your jacket during your test, you had to use up your test time to step outside and take it off. SHEESH, PEOPLE.) AND, I had to turn out my pockets in front of the test monitor and then get Security Wanded to make sure I was packing heat or metallic test answers. It was INTENSE. I'm pretty sure they would have done a cavity search if I had had a suspicious amount of lint in my pocket.
I passed the Reading. I hope I passed the Writing. I left, way earlier than I thought I would. Went out to lunch with Devon and Niki at Chi's, which I haven't been to in years. I realized how very much I was going to miss lunch bunching, when Niki flies the coop.
Devon and I went into David's Bridal and Devon told the sales lady I was getting hitched. We are now planning to go back with Niki and I get to be princess/bride for a day. I plan on making a REALLY big deal out of this, buying a fake ring for myself, and planning my wedding in it's entirety. Oh, yeah.
Went to a movie, which I was a little late for, due to dress shopping. It was The Lucky One. I arrived at Riverdale, and no one was selling tickets. I waited. I went to the bathroom. I waited some more. The movie had started 10 minutes ago, and I was pretty sure it was through previews. Someone waited with me, wanting popcorn, but gave up and went back to his theater. I also gave up, and went right on in to the movie, already in progress. It's on my bucket list to double dip a movie... but this is just about the same thing, right? I totally did not pay for that movie, and I didn't feel bad. Why? Cause I HATE missing the beginning, and waiting for employees that apparently don't care if the business makes money... well, you just asked for it, Riverdale. Movie rating: Yeah, Ok. I enjoyed it. I can admit it. Zac Effron, you're pretty dang adorable and that helped. It also helped that the movie was free. In fact, between those two factors, I give it two thumbs up!
I drove back home to hang out with Lavern. And for the first (and hopefully ONLY) time in my life I nearly hit a pedestrian. I had just stopped into Sonic to get myself a chocolate malt with what had been my movie money (yay!), and had turned back onto Camp Robinson Road. I was in the left hand lane. A line of cars stopped in the right hand lane to turn into McDonald's. A girl, who clearly wasn't very bright, bolted in front of that line of turning traffic without bothering to see if the NEXT lane was clear (it wasn't, hi.) I slammed on the breaks, of course, and screeched and turned. Had I been slightly distracted or going a mile per hour faster, she would have gotten hit. She continued to bolt and barely cleared my bumper with her legs intact. I could not stop (she was about 1 car length in front of me when she jumped out and I was going the speed limit, which was 40mph). So, I hope the poor girl made it the rest of the way across the road. She was darting through the suicide lane (appropriate, eh?) when I last saw her.
That moment supplied all of the action-packed excitement the movie was lacking.
Monday: I give you two thumbs up, as well.
It was a bad day. But it was a day that reminded me how much I love my friends, and my dog (pretty much my bestie, not going to lie). All you people( dog) are incredibly important to me. Thanks for being there. Yes, even out there in cyberlandia. Or on the futon mattress which is temporarily in the dining room and looks like the biggest, comfiest dog bed EVER.
Today was a tough day. It started with my coffee from McDonalds (a latte to get me started in a good mood) was chunky because they put the wrong kind of carmel in it and it bonded with the milk and turned into sweet and yet sour tasting curdles. I learned this the last time that it happened. But, I was on my way to work and didn't have time to turn around and go complain. So I continued on my slightly less merry way... I should have just gone home right then. But I did not heed the warning, and I pressed on.
And then work. It was our 10th birthday anniversary party thing today, and my dear, dear boss (sarcasm) is not good with events and stress. It was a long, bad, 12 hour day. Also in this day the new instructor-in-training quit. So, yeah, that's 3 out of 4 in the last 2 years that we lost before they were even certified. And it's a busy time of year to lose someone. And she was really good. Damn that she doesn't want to work in a "toxic environment". (That phrase was actually used earlier this week.)
And also my AVCA meeting is next week. Talked to the previous president, who was supposed to bring me the bylaws and stuff in March, but she went on maternity leave. I talked to her for the first time since March last week. She said she'd bring me the stuff Friday. She didn't. She's on a leave of absence from work and won't be back to fill her duties to the chapter or to the state AVCA group. Also the Secretary quit last week and no one has nominated anyone to fill that roll. I'm not actually sure of the process of nominating and voting mid-year, as I DON'T HAVE THE BYLAWS. The next meeting is in a week and our venue (the LR airport) just canceled on us. I also have not booked a speaker because I'm too damn busy with my own job.
I tell you all this to set the tone, so that you better understand my state of mind on returning home. (Ok, and also cause I like to whine.)
Anyway, poor Lavern had a rough day, too. She was in her kennel all 12 of those hours I was gone. of course, when I get home, guilt ridden as I was and late to serve her dinner, I took her on a walk. We walk out the door and there are kids next door/in my yard are playing kickball. They seem to think I'm hearing impaired because they say things all the time that are really dumb and often rude and I guess assume I can't hear them? Today they said, "watch out for that dog!" "Oh, look it's a dog!" multiple times.
Uh, Lavern is
1. tiny
2. incredibly timid and
3. on a leash on the other side of the street.
We continue. We almost make it home when Lavern gets attacked by a 100 pound boxer. She starts screaming... and I say screaming because "yelping" doesn't begin to describe the terrified sound she was making as she tried to escape while tethered to me by her leash. She keeps diving away as I try to pull her close and pick her up as the boxer ("Dodger")'s owner calls from the other side of the street. Dodger is NOT listening, and Lavern is not able to safely come to me. Dodger grabs her with his boxer jaws a few times, but she's wiley and slithers away. The owner is not coming over. She's just calling. She's NOT COMING OVER.
Until I kick the shit out of her dog.
Yes, that's right. KICKED THE SHIT OUT OF HER DOG. You don't want me to kick the shit out of your dog? Find me on a better day, but more importantly, train your dog, or don't let your vicious dog out of the house without a leash on.
My voice is still horse from lunging and screaming at the boxer, right before I kicked it. Square in the ribs, with the cowboy boot I was still wearing from work. It's pointy toe made a thud on his side and caused him to bow away. Post kick and medieval-lost-control-of-my-emotional-st
Now, dinner. For both of us. Sorry, Vern. That happens again I will not wait a single second before attacking the other dog. You are way more important to me than being polite to a stranger who doesn't have control of her dog.
Today was a tough day. It started with my coffee from McDonalds (a latte to get me started in a good mood) was chunky because they put the wrong kind of carmel in it and it bonded with the milk and turned into sweet and yet sour tasting curdles. I learned this the last time that it happened. But, I was on my way to work and didn't have time to turn around and go complain. So I continued on my slightly less merry way... I should have just gone home right then. But I did not heed the warning, and I pressed on.
And then work. It was our 10th birthday anniversary party thing today, and my dear, dear boss (sarcasm) is not good with events and stress. It was a long, bad, 12 hour day. Also in this day the new instructor-in-training quit. So, yeah, that's 3 out of 4 in the last 2 years that we lost before they were even certified. And it's a busy time of year to lose someone. And she was really good. Damn that she doesn't want to work in a "toxic environment". (That phrase was actually used earlier this week.)
And also my AVCA meeting is next week. Talked to the previous president, who was supposed to bring me the bylaws and stuff in March, but she went on maternity leave. I talked to her for the first time since March last week. She said she'd bring me the stuff Friday. She didn't. She's on a leave of absence from work and won't be back to fill her duties to the chapter or to the state AVCA group. Also the Secretary quit last week and no one has nominated anyone to fill that roll. I'm not actually sure of the process of nominating and voting mid-year, as I DON'T HAVE THE BYLAWS. The next meeting is in a week and our venue (the LR airport) just canceled on us. I also have not booked a speaker because I'm too damn busy with my own job.
I tell you all this to set the tone, so that you better understand my state of mind on returning home. (Ok, and also cause I like to whine.)
Anyway, poor Lavern had a rough day, too. She was in her kennel all 12 of those hours I was gone. of course, when I get home, guilt ridden as I was and late to serve her dinner, I took her on a walk. We walk out the door and there are kids next door/in my yard are playing kickball. They seem to think I'm hearing impaired because they say things all the time that are really dumb and often rude and I guess assume I can't hear them? Today they said, "watch out for that dog!" "Oh, look it's a dog!" multiple times.
Uh, Lavern is
1. tiny
2. incredibly timid and
3. on a leash on the other side of the street.
We continue. We almost make it home when Lavern gets attacked by a 100 pound boxer. She starts screaming... and I say screaming because "yelping" doesn't begin to describe the terrified sound she was making as she tried to escape while tethered to me by her leash. She keeps diving away as I try to pull her close and pick her up as the boxer ("Dodger")'s owner calls from the other side of the street. Dodger is NOT listening, and Lavern is not able to safely come to me. Dodger grabs her with his boxer jaws a few times, but she's wiley and slithers away. The owner is not coming over. She's just calling. She's NOT COMING OVER.
Until I kick the shit out of her dog.
Yes, that's right. KICKED THE SHIT OUT OF HER DOG. You don't want me to kick the shit out of your dog? Find me on a better day, but more importantly, train your dog, or don't let your vicious dog out of the house without a leash on.
My voice is still horse from lunging and screaming at the boxer, right before I kicked it. Square in the ribs, with the cowboy boot I was still wearing from work. It's pointy toe made a thud on his side and caused him to bow away. Post kick and medieval-lost-control-of-my-emotional-st
Now, dinner. For both of us. Sorry, Vern. That happens again I will not wait a single second before attacking the other dog. You are way more important to me than being polite to a stranger who doesn't have control of her dog.
Apparently Rick Santorum believes that Democrates made up global warming to waste money and make everyone give up luxuries (or "freedoms" as Ron Paul called them). It's true, Rick. You caught 'em. And I bet they were wringing their hands and cackling at the Secret Meeting Of EvilDoers you snuck into. It's a good thing you're here, Rick. To say things that kind of make me giggle, and kind of make me fear that one day you could be our nation's leader:
"I believe the Earth gets warmer, and I also believe the Earth gets cooler. And I think history points out that it does that, and that the idea that man, through the production of CO2 — which is a trace gas in the atmosphere, and the man-made part of that trace gas is itself a trace gas — is somehow responsible for climate change is, I think, just patently absurd when you consider all the other factors, El Niño, La Niña, sunspots, moisture in the air. ... To me, this is an opportunity for the left to create — it's really a beautifully concocted scheme because they know that the Earth is gonna cool and warm."
"I believe the Earth gets warmer, and I also believe the Earth gets cooler. And I think history points out that it does that, and that the idea that man, through the production of CO2 — which is a trace gas in the atmosphere, and the man-made part of that trace gas is itself a trace gas — is somehow responsible for climate change is, I think, just patently absurd when you consider all the other factors, El Niño, La Niña, sunspots, moisture in the air. ... To me, this is an opportunity for the left to create — it's really a beautifully concocted scheme because they know that the Earth is gonna cool and warm."
It has occurred to me that I need to come up with goals. Or destinations, really. If I don't have them, how will I ever get there? How will I know where to turn or what road to take? Where do I want to end up? I've been thinking about where I want to live, how I want my life to be, what my perfect day would be like... and it's suddenly become very apparent that I need to be seeking a man like this, or I'll continue to date whoever comes along the road I'm lost on. So, I'm going to make a mark. Probably, no one alive will hit these marks... but at least it's a place to start. Here it is: my perfect man.
1. Man (might as well start with the basics.)
2. Attractive (it's become apparent to me that I really need to be truly attracted to the person I date. It's shocking I'd never considered this before.)
3. Smart (like, not a rocket scientist, but someone I can hold interesting conversations with)
4. Useful (handy. good around the house,can fix cars, something. It's amazing how much I realize I value this one.)
5. Does not have a hobby that includes staring at a screen more than 4 hours per week (this includes, but is not limited to, sports and video games.) (Also, my theory is that if someone meets criteria 3, he has spent his time more usefully and probably didn't have time to pick up such a useless hobby.)
6. Physically fit (this does go along with 2, but I value it for different reasons. I want someone to respect and take care of his body, because I don't need someone dying on me before we're old.)
7. Taller than me (live and learn, people.)
8. Plays the guitar, piano, or both
9. Spiritual, but open
10. Kind and loving
11. Genuine
12. Liberal in belief, conservative in love
13. Wants kids
14. Likes privacy, and is respectful of mine. In fact, I'm going to add: we would have seperate rooms after marriage. Not necessarily bedrooms, but rooms that are each our own.
15. Vegetarian
16. Likes to travel
1. Man (might as well start with the basics.)
2. Attractive (it's become apparent to me that I really need to be truly attracted to the person I date. It's shocking I'd never considered this before.)
3. Smart (like, not a rocket scientist, but someone I can hold interesting conversations with)
4. Useful (handy. good around the house,can fix cars, something. It's amazing how much I realize I value this one.)
5. Does not have a hobby that includes staring at a screen more than 4 hours per week (this includes, but is not limited to, sports and video games.) (Also, my theory is that if someone meets criteria 3, he has spent his time more usefully and probably didn't have time to pick up such a useless hobby.)
6. Physically fit (this does go along with 2, but I value it for different reasons. I want someone to respect and take care of his body, because I don't need someone dying on me before we're old.)
7. Taller than me (live and learn, people.)
8. Plays the guitar, piano, or both
9. Spiritual, but open
10. Kind and loving
11. Genuine
12. Liberal in belief, conservative in love
13. Wants kids
14. Likes privacy, and is respectful of mine. In fact, I'm going to add: we would have seperate rooms after marriage. Not necessarily bedrooms, but rooms that are each our own.
15. Vegetarian
16. Likes to travel
By all standards, I'm having a pretty kick ass day. It was my late day to come in, so I slept a little late. I slept pretty well last night after I tore myself away from Harry Potter (my book re-read in prep for the movie tomorrow). I picked a ripe tomato off the plant this morning, which always makes me happy. My parents took me out to lunch. My dad bought and presented me with a new laptop at lunch (out of Chris money). It's pretty sweet. The weather is nice--less than 100 degrees for most of the day--and it looks like my lessons tonight will go smoothly. And they're not even stressful lessons to teach.
And yet, I keep needing to encourage myself to keep my chin up and get back to work. "just make it through today, and tomorrow will be better."
What's with me?
And yet, I keep needing to encourage myself to keep my chin up and get back to work. "just make it through today, and tomorrow will be better."
What's with me?
So, Prince William looks surprisingly good in a cowboy hat! And his Duchess isn't too shabby either. I was sort of shocked by this, especially since I work at a barn and I still feel awkward wearing a cowboy hat. Way to pull off the look, British Royalty!
Over the past few years, my friends page on lj has dwindled. People dont' post as much, and some friends closed their journals entirely. But for the first time ever, I just went to my friends page, and there was not ONE post from a friend that was new enough to be there. It was a depressingly blank page.
Friends, how are you? I miss you. Even Niki, who I sat next to in church yesterday for about thirty minutes before I snuck out during communion.
Miss you.
Friends, how are you? I miss you. Even Niki, who I sat next to in church yesterday for about thirty minutes before I snuck out during communion.
Miss you.
Freinds, we need some dang journal updates. GO!
