Talk about "LOL"

This week:
Obama is totally boss. Love the Obama....and love to hate Kanye.

You Learn Something New Everyday: Vol 1

Lundi 7 Septembre

Today I learned about la Côte-d'Ivoire. Props to my French text for helping me earn one point in the game of becoming more culturally aware of world geography.

I also learned that I have hidden shopping reserves that dwell somewhere deep inside my psyche. I went to my not-so favorite mall in my not-so favorite city (I only tolerate the place because it has two stores my town's mall doesn't: Forever 21 & H&M), and I didn't buy a single thing. Actually, I did buy a Wetzel's Pretzel's Pretzel, but scratch that - I mean I went into different clothes stores and DIDN'T but a single clothing item. Shocking. Not that I didn't find a single thing to wear - I did. They were just horrendously out of budget. I saw some delicious fall sweaters and superlipopette a gorgeous red coat.

I am so excited to add to my fall wardrobe this year. I must have a red coat and/or a black and white tweed coat, flat black boots, knee-length socks, and oodles and oodles of scarves.

Calling Out A Hotshot

Well, not really. I didn't call out said person who was trying to be all hotshot walking down the street....but the story is still amusing to me: The local high school let out and as I was passing the students on the street, one of them was trying to be all hot shot with aviator glasses and a stick-up-his-cul walk. Ugh, whateva! Yeah fool, aviator glasses on an awkward lanky body REALLY works. *cue the rolling of eyes* It was so surprising to see, I just HAD to laugh at him. Teenagers. Psh. Glad I never was one.

Which reminds me of a conversation I had with dear ol' Robert as we people-watched at the mall amongst the Irvine people. Psh to them! Everyone was walking around holding up their adidas bags and other name crap brands. Puh-lease. That's why I shop at Forever 21. They don't shove their brand in your face. You don't see any t-shirts that exclaim FOREVER 21 on them. No screaming brands on clothes, please. So tacky. If you're gonna brand-drop, do it correctly. Rock the Dolce & Gabana. Rock the Diane Von Furstenberg. As for me, the only brand-dropping I'd ever do (and really really want to) is Chanel, all the way bebe. I love me some Chanel. If you're wearing Chanel or any other REAL fashion brand, only THEN are you allowed to rock it (and properly). Honeychild, you can name brand drop all the way to the moon and back, as much as your tender little heart desires. So remember kids: You can rock it...just rock it properly...or not at all.

p.s.
I saw one fool who had an obviously old Nordstrom's bag cause it was crinklier then a mofo. She was just walking around like oh yeah I shop at Nordstrom's oh la la Name Brand Name Brand I wear expensive Name Brands. PUH-LEASE. Girlfriend need's Karl Lagerfeld's fabulous gloved hand to slap her.

Bonjour!

Wow, the last time I blogged was April 30th?! I regret to have not been blogging regularly because I see it as a self-prescribed self-medicating remedy that helps in releasing the bad aura that festers inside, allowing me to not only accomplish this feat in a healthy and timely matter, but to try to channel my energy into what I've been striving to uphold, known as my "c'est la vie" attitude, and see the humor in everything, no matter how detrimental to my sanity. Phew.

Thinking about it, it would be nice to look down on my tombstone and read "She Laughed Her Way Through Life." Wouldn't that be peachy? It has a nice ring to it.

I also want to blog again as a Note to Self in documenting what I'm learning during my French class. I cannot express just how happy and excited I am to finally be taking a French class. Why haven't I taken one sooner?! Oh well. C'est la vie. I'm taking one now.

Funny side note: in my French text, there's a section where we can practice reading French without any translation......it's a French girl's BLOG. And it even has makeshift Comments below it. That's hilarious. And it's good because so far these blog posts teaches phrases that the lessons in the text don't. In the first blog, which we'll be going over in class tomorrow, has these phrases that I learned:

Un jour exceptionnel = A special day
Un jour de chance = A lucky day

Nothing too exciting...yet. As an avid Amazoner...I cannot WAIT to find a good deal on something I've recently discovered @ Barnes & Noble:















I Have To Have This Book. Not sure if Monsieur will teach us how to swear in class, so I think I'll learn it at my own discretion...or lack thereof when I do learn those new phrases and stamp them permanently into my vernacular.

Oh, and THIS one I think I really want even more...I've already found a good deal on it a la Amazon. I think I'll buy it tomorrow:

I have to wake up at a reasonable hour tomorrow...but I'm obsessed with The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. CBS gots my back though with their readily available clips from the show. *sweet sigh*

Ciao!

Read Classics

Somebody who reads only newspapers and at best the books of contemporary authors looks to me like an extremely nearsighted person who scorns eyeglasses. He is completely dependent on the prejudices and fashions of his times, since he never gets to see or hear anything else. And what a person thinks on his own without being stimulated by the thoughts and experiences of other people is even in the best case rather paltry and monotonous.

There are only a few enlightened people with a lucid mind and style and with good taste with a century. What has been preserved of their work belongs among the most precious possessions of mankind.

Nothing is more needed than to overcome the modernist’s snobbishness.

-Albert Einstein

"I Love Glenn Beck's Sanity...and I Fear For It."

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The 10/31 Project
comedycentral.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

"I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it...!"

I'm supposed to be working on my take-home midterm right now but I'm too distracted. While I have a heap of assignments that's trying to bury me underneath it all, and it should really be stressing me to my wits end, I'm too distracted by the fact that I'm leaving on my spring break vacation in only 5 days! I'm excited like, valley girl excited.

For A Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic

No more birthday blues for me! I'm going to Disneyland!
Ok, not really. I just thought of all those people who win the olympics or whatever and reporters ask them "you've just one nascar, what are you going to do now!" "I'm going to Disneyland!"
Ok, blah, moving on...
No really, I'm traveling during spring break.
"I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it..."
I'll be gone for almost 10 days, I think.
Staying with friends, gonna have a blast, and all that jazz...

Which brings me to the next topic of discussion:
What happened to my carefree, kickback, happy-go-lucky outlook on life?
I used to be exceptionally good at it.
The BLAH in life has gotten to me.
But fear not.
I have been putting great effort into getting my joie de vivre back.
It's been going very well so far.
How did I lose it, you ask?
I used to be so nonchalant in dealing with the stressful drama that the universe always threw at me. I guess I was so focused on being so unfocused with these melodramatic irritants that I slowly lost my touch on being happy-go-lucky with the little ones.
The littlest things started to irritate me and cause me to blow my fuse quicker than pants drop in the bathroom stalls at prom.
How could I have let this happen?
But, like I said, I've been working at.
Quite effectively, thank you very much.
How have I been accomplishing this, you ask?
Simple.
I've been laughing at everything.
Laughter is the true medicine.
I have to sit through a boring lecture? I find things to laugh at. My Art 101 prof. said something along the lines of "this country of antiquity was surrounded by what is called the ocean." I kid you not. I wrote it down and put quotations around it so I wouldn't forget and to confirm that my ears did not deceive me.
Somebody's irritating me? I start laughing by what they're saying. I search for dumb qualities in people all the time now. Somebody think's they're being all hotshot? Dumb! When people try to do that, the dumb factor in their pathetic strive for attention almost always spews out. It's unavoidable. And it's hilarious.
Laugh at the little things, laugh at the big things.
What's the point in living life if you're always so serious, always trying to make yourself feel important - you'll miss out on all the funny things you're passing by.
There's enough funny to go around.
You'll find that the universe can be quite generous in even the most unsuspecting of times.

Julie/Julie

I just finished reading Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. Cooking, Julia Child, New York? Awesome book. Totally loved it. I love cooking, and I LOVE Julia Child, and I always appreciate a humorous book. I just wanted to cite an excerpt from the book (page 305) that pretty much sums up why I love this book so much:

Julie taught me what it takes to find your way in the world. It's not what I thought it was. I thought it was about - I don't know, confidence or will or luck. Those are all some good things to have, no question. But there's something
else, something these things grow out of.

It's joy.

Paul Signac

Harbour at Marseille. About 1906-07

Maurice de Vlaminck

View of the Seine. About 1906

Kees van Dongen

Woman in a Black Hat. About 1908

"It could be assumed she is an original composite image of the femme fatale.

Matisse

Portrait of Lydia Delektorskaya. 1947

Picasso

Harlequin and His Friend. 1901

"Picasso's Harlequin is rather Pierrot with a tragic mask. A large glass of absinthe - a bitter, green liqueur - stands on the table before Harlequin. It represents the bitterness of life and accentuates the curse afflicting Harlequin the artist.

Monet

White Water-lilies. 1899

"The series of water-lilies comprises 48 paintings. Monet completely ignores the perspective of the scene, concentrating all his attention on chromatic variations in the dabs of color."

Wishlist

These sweaters are on my Birthday Wishlist:

Blue Bohème

For my birthday, I want to go to Blue Bohème in San Diego.
I already know what I want to order:

Coq au Vin

"Bombe" au Chocolat (Dark Chocolate Mousse and Marinated Cherries, Creme Brulée, Crispy Hazlenut Bottom)

And maybe even.....

Crèpe au “Nutela”, Glace au Chocolat Blanc (Crepe Stuffed with a layer of the Famous Creamy, Chocolaty Hazelnut Spread. Served with a scoop of White Chocolate Ice Cream)

Sounds like Heaven...

It's That Time Again...

This year. 21 years old.

I wanted to go to Vegas for my birthday.

Now I might not even get out of the house.

How come every year has a Birthday Blues theme?

I'm holding on to hope still. I hope to go to Vegas or Hawaii this summer. Do ANYTHING this summer.

As a compromise to myself, I decided that I would be perfectly fine, even happy, to do something the weekend before my birthday (my birthday lands on a monday this year). I would love to go to some museums (Balboa Park is fine).

I actually looked up the week before my birthday (when I have spring break, and also the kids) and these are the free museums:

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center,
Centro Cultural de la Raza
Model Railroad Museum
Natural History Museum

Like I haven't been there a million times...

However, I just looked it up, and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is holding VAN GOGH: Brush with Genius. It's an IMAX film. That will be SO flippin' awesome.

This is the schedule for the third tuesday of the month (of free museums):

San Diego Art Institute
Mingei International Museum
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
Japanese Friendship Garden

Obviously I am dying to go to the ART museums. But I have school on this particular tuesday and is far past my birthday. Fabulous.

I'm also dying to go to a book store and look for some art books.

I don't know what I'm going to do. But I do know that no one will do anything for me.

*sigh*

Colbert - The Bale Out

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen Verbally Thrashes Steve Martin

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Funny Political News

Christian Bale Parody
Joke of the Day

We Are Scientists - Impatience

I <3 The Ruddster

Word.

sesquipedalian \ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yuhn\, adjective:

1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables.
3. A long word.

Why does sesquipedalian have to be a long word? :p

lackadaisical \lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl\, adjective:

Lacking spirit or liveliness; showing lack of interest; languid; listless.

I like the sound of lackadaisical.

slugabed \SLUHG-uh-bed\, noun:

One who stays in bed until a late hour; a sluggard.

Slugabed. What an awesome word.

Slugabed. tee hee. ;)

<3 Nicholas Fehn

Tina Fey Nailed It

Betsey Johnson

What I love from: Betsey Johnson Spring '09 Collection

Tuleh

What I love from: Tuleh Spring '09 Collection

Rachel Roy

What I love from: Rachel Roy Spring '09 Collection

Diane von Furstenberg

What I love from: Diane von Furstenberg Spring '09 Collection

Carolina Herrera

What I love from: Carolina Herrera Spring '09 Collection

Go Stewart!

Numerology

Birth Day:

"You have a great love of family, tradition, and community. You are the foundation of any enterprise you commit to, doing your work with determination and precision.

You love things that are solid and grounded in the practical. Yet, you possess a considerable amount of artistic talent that is searching for concrete forms of expression.

You love nature and are a natural organizer and manager with an eye for detail. You can work hard, long, and conscientiously. You have excellent concentration, however you have to be careful not to become overworked to the point that you no longer take time to play and smell the roses.

Your co-workers recognize your discipline and come to rely upon you. Your challenge is to make the most of what you are doing right now.

You must raise the work you are currently responsible for to a high degree of art. You need to cultivate faith and a willingness to apply yourself to the matter at hand.

If you refuse to develop such an attitude, you may wander from job to job, relationship to relationship. Use your considerable perseverance and determination.

You can be stubborn and rigid, refusing to allow new and creative ideas to penetrate your rigid adherence to established methods. This can, and often does, lead to frustration and repression for you. Things seem to take forever, especially when you resist bringing fresh approaches into your very tidy and comfortable ways of doing things.

The keys to your success are your willingness to maintain order and discipline in your life, and to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way"

Life Path:

7 - Self awareness, reflection, retreat, spiritual learning and study.

"7 - INVESTIGATOR

Traits:specialist, inventor, loner, eccentric, thoughtful, spiritual

The number 7 symbolizes humanity's deep inner need to find depth, meaning, and spiritual connection. When the creature needs of food, self-expression, material and domestic achievements have been met, we turn to the deeper levels of life -- to learn, to educate ourselves and to find purpose. The 7 is an investigator, an inventor, and must have solitude in which to find the inner voice. Sevens tend to be different, eccentric, or loners and are very discriminating in all areas.

Gifts: Mental understanding, analysis, perfection

Challenges: Pride, narrowness, distance, rigidity, connection to the past, argumentative, temper, silence

Personal Goal: To maintain control over life; to understand

Fears: Failure to achieve standards, making a mistake

Succeeds as: Consultant, professor, analyst, earth/maritime occupations, individualist, observer, occultist"

This is fun. Calculate your "personal day":

The Personal Day describes the trends and influences that are affecting us personally that day.

Just as we evolve through a nine-year cycle, so, too, do we experience nine-month and nine-day cycles.

To calculate your personal day, add your Birth Day, Birth Month, Current Day, Current Month and Current Year.

Follow the example to determine your Personal Month.

Birth Day: 15
Birth Month: 7
Current Day: 16
Current Month: 5
Current Year: 2005
Result: 1 + 5 + 7 + 1 + 6 + 5 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 5 = 32
3 + 2 = 5

Personal Day is 5.


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

1 Cycle
A very busy day with new starts and major decisions.

2 Cycle
Make compromises, just listen. Pay attention to details, wait patiently.

3 Cycle
A day to socialize, take action, share laughter, have a party. Use your imagination and creativity.

4 Cycle
Organizing, being practical and getting the work done is enjoyable. Take care of your finances and sign contracts, but only if you understand them fully.

5 Cycle
A time for a break. Travel, take action, communicate, expect changes or surprises.

6 Cycle
A day for creating harmony and improving your surroundings. Being responsible, getting married, taking care of anyone and everything.

7 Cycle
Time out day. Meditate, go for a walk, be alone, read a book.

8 Cycle
A power day. You feel in charge, dress the part, make decisions and have a global outlook and get things done almost effortlessly.

9 Cycle
No nonsense day. You catch up on your todo list. You're energetic and creative, attract money and are emotional and drawn to spirituality.

San Diegan

You might be from San Diego if:

Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you're surprised when other areas don't have this.

You can determine the accuracy of someone's "i'm ghetto" claim by knowing their high school. For example, El Camino High School, Hoover High School, or Crawford High School

You see weather forcasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren't remotely surprised.

You routinely go or have gone to Pat & Oscar's solely to get breadsticks.

You've ever gone to Downtown San Diego and marveled at the homeless people mingling with the rich young urbanities.

You've gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket.

You've tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium

You've been to the Wild Animal Park but can't remember the last time you went to the Zoo.

You've ever been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

You still call it the Del Mar Fair.

You say "i'm going to the track" and people know what you mean.

You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom is.

A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town.

There's a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County.

"Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan Moves You!"

You know what it means when two guys are walking in Hillcrest.

You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd.

You've gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game.

You know what "The Merge" is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour(s).

You've ever been to Belmont Park and rode the Big Dipper.

(For North County) You remember the days before the all the big movie theaters opened. And when they did. First the Edwards in San Marcos, then the Regal in Oceanside, then the Krikorian in Vista, and finally the Regal in Escondido.

You've ever taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the 5.

You know the difference between Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa.

You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, Cabrillo, Jamacha, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and El Cajon.

You've ever gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off.

You've ever been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15.

There are more bands than people.

Your house doesn't have air conditioning.

You know it's San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite.

Everyone has their favorite beach.

No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.

You live on, near or are surrounded by hills.

You hate tourists and their bad driving. GET OFF THE ROAD NORTH DAKOTA, NOBODY WANTS YOU HERE. SERIOUSLY. GO HOME.

You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona.

There are four distinct seasons: Nice, Nice, Nice, and A Little Chilly.

Your house is worth more than the GDP of some small countries.

You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for.

You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village.

You know someone who doesn't own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn't seem to own a shirt.

Your high school had a surf team.

You know what Santa Ana's are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana.

You know what a California burrito is.

You never, under any circumstances call it anything other than "the Gaslamp."

You never, under any circumstances call it anything other than "L.A."

Julian Pies.

You're shocked when you find out people have never been to the beach, and even more shocked to find out some have never seen the Ocean.

In elementary school you were forced to do countless "duck and cover" earthquake drills.

Your childhood dream was to become a dolphin trainer at Sea World.

You know or have known countless guys under 5'9'' tall that own huge lifted trucks to account for their shortcomings.

You love driving on the 52, just for those crazy bumps that they always try (and fail) to smooth over.

You know someone who knows someone who knows Reggie Bush.

You remember where you were the day of the Santana High School Shootings.

When you were a kid you thought the Mormon Church was a castle, or Disneyland.

You know what this sign means:
http://www.trafficsignstore.com/W54.jpg

You still call it Christmas on the Prado

"Nobody beats, El Cajon Ford!"

You've never had a snow day, but you've had a week off for fires.

Every time there's a major snow storm in the Midwest or the Northeast, the next day's newspaper has a picture of children playing on the beach on the front page.

You remember going to the WB store at UTC as a kid and playing in that tunnel thing they had.

Everytime you watch the weather you expect to hear "and here's the KUUUUUUUUUUUUUSI forecast" and/or "no flipping!" because of John Coleman.

You know the worst traffic in the world is Saturday morning-afternoon going south on the 5 and Sunday afternoon-evening going north on the 5.

You remember when 619 was the only area code in San Diego. And you get a little excited when you see Reggie Bush put 619 on his eye black.

You can surf and snowboard in the same day, but you've never felt like actually doing it.

You know the difference between UCSD and SDSU.

You know all the places where "Bring it On" and "Top Gun" were filmed.

Pretty much every area has a high school with "Rancho" in the name.

You've heard the phrase "Spring comes in Summer, Summer comes in Fall, Fall comes in Winter, and Winter not at all."

You've talked about going to Vegas when you turn 21 for like 5 years.

You've had Carne Asada Fries.

You've watched the Prep Pigskin Report, and most likely know someone on it.

You remember Premium 92/1, Q106.5, Star 100.7, and my 94.1.

You know that Cal Worthington will never die.

You went on a field trip to Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma.

You know what "The Turko Files" are, and are still a little afraid of his mustache.

You know what Lou's Records is, and that they have EVERYTHING.

Source Link

Sam Levenson

Time Tested Beauty Tips

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!"

--Sam Levenson

Poem

I'm cleaning out my computer and found this poem I saved:

"anyone lived in a pretty how town"
e.e. cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

Fall '08

Here's what I'm taking this semester:

Communications Media Survey:

"This course provides a survey of communications media and the interrelationships of media, individuals, and society including the history, structure and trends in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, recorded music, film, home, video, and the Internet. Students will apply theories and analyze media effects within the context of economics, technology, law and ethics, and social issues, including gender and cultural diversity."

Introduction to Statistics:

"An introduction to the concepts, ideas, and applications of probability and statistics. Math 140 covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation of population parameters, hypothesis testing, correlation, linear regression, and ANOVA. Applications will be taken from the fields of business, economics, social sciences, life sciences, engineering and physical sciences."

Family Nutrition:

"This course covers basic principles of nutrition for the non-professional student. It includes the study of the essential nutrients, meal planning and preparation, dietary considerations for pregnancy, the aged, weight control and heart disease, methods of food preservation and sanitation, plus food additives and consumer protection laws."

Critical Thinking and Composition (formerly Methods of Argument):

"This course focuses on studying the structure of argument, the detection of common argument fallacies, the creation of cogent, valid argument, and the acquisition of skills needed to translate clearly constructed arguments into argumentative essays. Students will study inductive and deductive logic, valid and invalid argument forms, the difference between fact, judgment and belief, and the importance definition plays in constructing strong arguments."

Nutrition and Foods:

"This course examines the science of nutrition and overviews the macro and micro nutrients. Exploration of the role of nutrition throughout the life span and the effects of exercise on overall wellness are also covered. Nutrition 101 is designed for students and health-care workers in beginning assistance level programs. This course is also intended to meet the introductory nutrition requirements for practical or licensed vocational nurses as well as diet technicians or diet aides. Nutrition 101 is also for non-professional students who wish to gain more knowledge regarding their own nutritional status and the application of this knowledge to improve their health and wellness."

Pretty interesting, huh? I actually only need to take Stats and Argument. But since they're both crazy I decided I need other "fun" classes to make up for their suckiness. Predetermined suckiness and I haven't even opened the book. Should be an interesting semester.

I browsed through to see if there were any interesting Communications this fall and found this one taught by a professor I took early on enrolling at my school. I thought she was great and I loved the class. So naturally I'm excited about this class. Her vibe is so laid-back that it even resonates online. (By the way, I'm taking this entire semester online. I love online classes and I know when I transfer to uni I won't be able to enjoy this luxury. So I'm enjoying it as much as I can, to the very last minute). Anyways, everyone's been checking in to the discussion board and the vibe is so chill that everyone seems to be comfortable already and getting to know each other. How awesome is that! Usually in online classes nobody gives a crap about each other.

I couldn't decide which Nutrition class to take so I signed up for both. If I really like it I might be convinced to get into Nutrition professionally. I'm totally up for any inspirational direction at this point. Bring it.

Luckily it's only the first week so it should be pretty kick-back. Hopefully. Or that's what I'm counting on at least. I'm still waiting for 2 of my books to arrive. I hope there's no assignments or anything soon. That would totally suck. Four classes start today, and out of the four I have the Stats text (borrowed) and the Phil is on the school website as a word doc. Sweet. My Communications book should hopefully come later today. I'm pretty sure there's a discussion on the first chapter this week. Crap. *please come today, book* And my Nutrition book should come wednesday. I don't think there's anything due this week for that. Yay.

I must remember to adopt my newfound attitude towards school and .... everything this semester.

Aloha

I figured aloha is the perfect word for this. For at the same time, I need to say goodbye to summer and hello first day of school. What did I do this summer? Oh I had LOADS of fun every single - no wait. I did Math. A math class. A summer math class. Joy. The only good thing that came from it was that I got the class out of the way now and that I did end up with an A. The class was alright. Except it was four days a week. Eight weeks. But it was a late afternoon class. Thank gawd for that. Oh, and our classroom didn't have air-conditioning. It felt like death in there. So friggin' hot. And even better, the high school kid who sat next to me must have never heard of deodorant. Ugh. Shoot me. After the class ended I had two weeks off. Two weeks of summer vacation. In total, I only had three weeks of summer vacation. The one extra one counts from the end of the spring semester. That's right - after the spring semester I had exactly one week until the summer semester started. Fantastic.

You know, it feels kinda weird now that the fall semester is starting. I mean, I got comfortable with taking just one class during the summer. Today I start four classes. I can tell my mind wanted to totally forget what a full workload feels like. Yeah, how excited is my brain, huh.

I did have some fun though. Thank gawd. Road trip to Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Carlsbad. Oh, and our foreign exchange student from Spain. That was totally awesome. We went to Disneyland, Santa Monica, San Diego, and did lots of shopping. Out and about. That's my kind of summer. *sigh*

Now's a good time to breakout "summertime."


"Summer, summer, summertime
Time to sit back and unwind"

;)

Deep Though

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

You Can Change Your Life, But It Won't Be Easy

You really, truly want to change. You're just not sure that you can do it. You need a solid plan, supportive friends, and a strong will. Think about times you've made hard changes, and what you did to get through them. A change is in your future - you just need a little help getting started.

Can You Change Your Life?

What Your City Walk Means

You are adventurous and easygoing. You love life, as long as you don't have to do anything hard. You are generally confident and friendly with strangers. You are well mannered and sociable. Money is very important to you. You like to have lots of nice things... and you don't care if you're being greedy. You are curious about ideas. If you had the means, you'd like to explore the whole world.

The City Walk Personality Test

I'm Rare

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men. You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

I'm Indie

The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick

You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times.Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness! Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Haha, Napoleon Dynamite. That's funny (I love that movie). Don't know if that's a good or bad thing...

What Does It All Mean?

What Jacqueline Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. People see you as a complete enigma, and only you truly understand who you are. You spend most of your time introspecting and seeking truth. You're a very interesting person... but not many people know you enough to realize it. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Hand Me The Keys

The Keys to Your Life

Anything good in your life comes from your ability to play and be free. The best way for you to solve a problem is to let go of it. Anything bad in your life comes from sinking to the level of those around you. Remember to lift people up, and refuse to participate in anything petty.

The Keys To Your Life

Voila!

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated. You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

Who's Your Inner European?

Haha. This makes me happy. I wish I were French...

Travel Horoscope for Aries

When you travel, you literally want to see a whole different world. You want a vacation full of adventure, exotic sights, and tons of variety. You should travel to: India Kenya New Zealand Brazil Thailand

What's Your Travel Horoscope?

I definitely want to go to New Zealand and India. Come to think of it, I want to see the entire world, or as much of it as I possibly can.

I'm Not Ruined - YAY!

You Have Not Been Ruined by American Culture

You're nothing like the typical American. In fact, you may not be American at all. You have a broad view of the world, and you're very well informed. And while you certainly have been influenced by American culture (who hasn't?), it's not your primary influence. You take a more global philosophy with your politics, taste, and life. And you're always expanding and revising what you believe.

Has American Culture Ruined You?

See, I'm Worldly

You Are Quite Worldly

You've done a good bit of worldly exploring, and you have an international perspective. And you're definitely looking forward to your future adventures abroad. You've got the passport, the desire to travel, and maybe even the language skills. Now all you need are the means!

How Worldly Are You?

You Are a Citizen of the World

Whenever possible, you try to pay attention to what's going on in the world. You are truly interested in all people and countries, no matter how far away from you they are. You try to learn, travel, and understand. Being a part of the whole world is important to you, and you're always working to be more internationally focused.

Are You a Citizen of the World?

Summer Person

You Are a Summer Person

You are energetic, outgoing, and active. You love to be out and about... hanging out with friends or getting things done. Summer is the perfect time for you to be as hyper as you want to be. In fact, during the rest of the year you feel half-asleep!

Are You a Winter Person or a Summer Person?

Road Trip

The Road Trip of Your Life

You see companionship and loyalty as what's most important in life. You live a life of leisure. You take your time in every aspect of life and enjoy it to the fullest. You're willing to take a few risks in life. You may not take the road no one travels, but you're happy to take the road less traveled. Eh, work is not really for you. You're all about playtime! You'll work if you have to, but you really don't like it. In another life, you could have been a great artist. You trust your creative instincts enough to let them lead you.

The Road Trip Test

My Life Path

Your Life Path Number is 7

Your purpose in life is to find truth and meaning You are very spiritual, and you are interested in the mysteries of life. You are quite analytical and a great thinker. You have many theories and insights. A life of solitude is perfect for you. You need time to think and do things your way. In love, you are quite charming. You attract many with your confidence and wit. While you enjoy being alone, sometimes you take it to an extreme. You can become too isolated, shutting out loved ones and friends. Express yourself a little bit more, and you'll be surprised where it takes you!

What Is Your Life Path Number?

One Heck of a Summer

SHIBBY!!! The San Diego Street Scene!! Okay, there's Bad News, Good News, and then another Bad News:
Let's start with the first bad news: Tragedy has struck => My loves (The Killers and Louis XIV) aren't performing this year. What the HEY?!? I need to call those fools up. How could they do this?! Oh wait...they already promised a private show at my house during the Street Scene. Dur, how could I forget? Okay, I feel better now.

The Good News: My other two loves (Tegan & Sara and Vampire Weekend) are performing!!

The other Bad News: VW is playing on the 19th and T&S are playing on the 20th.

Grrr.

So you see my dilemma here? It's like choosing between your children. Except in this case you really like both of them equally.

What ever will I do? Well, I have a while to think about it. *dread*

I'm taking Intermediate Math this summer. I think we're on our second week. Third? I can't keep track. I've lost track of the days lately. Weird. The week day just feels like one long monday. Don't ask me why.

Anyways, I'm doing very well in the class. Got an A+ on our first test last wednesday. Hoorah. We have a test this coming monday. Lord have mercy. It's an 8 week course and it couldn't be going any slower if it tried. Sitting in class for some two hours feels like a waste of time to me. Especially due to the fact that half of our homework is done on an online math site. I could be doing this crap at home. I so wish this course was online. I can't sit in classrooms when I know I'm more than capable of doing it on my own. Thank you nine years of home-school/independent study. Is it a blessing or a curse?

Darn my horrible near-vision sight. I have to sit in the front of the class in order to see the board. If I had perfect vision, I would sit in the back and read a book during a boring lecture. Since the first day of class we've had all of our homework assignments on one piece of paper given to us. Plus the online site gives step by step help in all of the problems. And we have an awesome answer key - a separate book from our text that shows step-by-step as well.

But the teacher is alright. I swear she reminds of Audrey Hepburn, I mean, the way she dresses is similar a la Breakfast at Tiffany's but not AS fancy. She's kinda funny. She always says that she's not here to make our lives more difficult with a lot of work. And then she says stuff like we have to do work while she's out swimming or whatever cause we're the students and she's the teacher. She's alright.

Well that's all for now. I'm done ranting about math for the moment. ;) Gotta keep reminding myself that I AM doing good in the class. That A+ is what gets me up every day. ;)

The Magician and the Parrot

There was magician on a cruise ship, and he was really good.

He was performing the highlight of his show when a parrot walked onstage and squawked, ''It's in his sleeve!''

The magician chased the bird away.

The next day the magician was performing his highlight again (in front of a smaller audience) when the parrot walked onstage and declared, ''It's in his pocket!''

The next day, as he was performing the highlight, he saw the parrot in the crowd. But before the parrot could ruin the magic trick, the boat crashed into a rock and sank.

The magician was lucky enough to find a board to hang on to. On the other end of the board was the parrot.

They stared at each other for three full days, neither of them saying anything, when suddenly the parrot said, ''I give up, what'd you do with the ship?''

Cheers to the Pursuit of Truth

The semester is over (and yet the next is right around the corner - literally [say, just around...TOMORROW]) and I just have to mention how surprised I was about my classes. Especially my U.S. history course. I'll tell you a secret: I actually really liked it. The prof. was totally awesome, so passionate about history and got us to truly understand the importance of thinking outside the box with an open mind.
Here's his "goodbye" to the class (right before our final exam):

"Hello all,

As I sit and reflect on our semester together I would like to say that it has been a pleasure working with each of you and I am simply thankful that I have had the opportunity to share a little bit of my passion for the past with you all. I know that I am not supposed to say this but you all constitute the best on-line group that I have ever worked with. Your collective enthusiasm was contagious and your desire to explore coupled with your willingness to interpret made my job nothing short of rewarding this spring. Thank you to all of you for making this, at least in my mind, an utterly satisfying semester!

As for what you may take from this class, please remember that history is about "what" happened but professional history is about "why" it happened. Once you begin to understand "why," the "what" begins to take on a whole new complexion.

Think critically, don't simply accept but analyze, and commit yourselves to viewing the past and its relationship to the present with balance in mind. Before you draw a "conclusion," stand on the other side of an issue for a minute and take a look. "Objective" history, as Peter Novick contends, may indeed be a "noble dream" but we, as historians, are obligated to pursue the truth nonetheless. The pursuit of "truth" requires that we compromise our preconceived notions and commit ourselves to embracing new interpretations and perspectives.

Do not be afraid of "new knowledge" but rather seek it as a source of understanding. Empowered with heightened understanding, we, collectively, can move forward not just as an American community, but as a global community bound by communication and fueled by a newfound faith in the future.

Thank you all again for a great semester and please, e-mail me with feedback on the class if you get the chance. I really would appreciate your comments-

All the best and don't sweat too much over Monday. I've designed the exam, as was the case with the midterm, with success in mind...

Dr. G."

Here's an e-mail he sent to me after I sent him my final exam:

"Thanks for all your hard work this semester Jackie...You were a pleasure to have in class and your discussion board comments were appreciated by all. Promise me that you will retain your awesome attitude and commitment to balanced scholarship. Always remember that there are at least two sides to every issue and don't ever be afraid to assume the "opposite" stance. The only way we get at least close to the "truth" is by standing on the other side of the fence and taking a look at the situation through the eyes of the "enemy." This is not to say that we simply abandon our existing interpretation but rather that we, at a minimum, gain a greater sense of perspective and, in turn, enhance our perception via a commitment to balance. As I said to my students in class yesterday, we don't critically evaluate America's past because we "hate" our country. To the contrary, we interpret our history critically because we revere our nation and we want to see its potential realized. Thanks again for your effort and stay in touch. Have a great summer!"

I'm gonna miss this class. Personally, I'm all about open-mindedness and when I can get it academically I freaken love it. That's my favorite part about school. Learning something that matters, that changes your perspective on...everything, that helps to mold you in to a better person who can understand as many sides to an issue as possible.

Cheers to more quality courses as this one.

Values

"One should guard against preaching to young people success is the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result, and the knowledge of the value of the result to community."
- Albert Einstein

"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to discover it in himself."
- Galileo Galilei

“Personal leadership is the process of keeping your vision and values before you and aligning your life to be congruent with them.”
- Stephen Covey

A-Punk

This made me so happy. It totally made my day and saved it from a crappy one (which it was dangerously close to becoming). Thank you Vampire Weekend!

I Knew It

You Belong in San Diego

Laid back and friendly, you were meant to live most of your life on the beach. You usually think everything is "all good"... except when the weather dips under 60F. You stay classy - especially when you're in Tijuana!

Where Does Your Inner Californian Belong?

Je veux

Synopsis:
"In a society seemingly fixated on youth, it's often difficult to appreciate the charms of becoming a real adult. In The Art of Growing Up, best-selling author Véronique Vienne celebrates the journey into adulthood, reminding us of what we gain with each passing birthday. Her wise and witty essays encourage us to delight in the rejuvenation that comes with time, suggesting that perhaps the true fountain of youth exists in growing up, at any age.

By purging old habits and obsolete limitations, The Art of Growing Up encourages us to be truly ourselves, at last. Véronique looks at the art of beginning, the art of inspiring, the art of choosing, and the art of cheating. She reveals one way to save the world, the new rules of glamour, and the best age-defying beauty tip ever. Filled with gorgeous duotone photographs that complement these delightful essays, The Art of Growing Up is the perfect gift for anyone who is ready to discover the true art of living."

Synopsis:
"For Margaret, Paris was a place where dreams were reality; a fairytale city where beauty, elegance and style were still the ultimate ambition. And Paris was a long way from the routine of Margaret's life with a less-than-satisfying job. Studying French allowed her, at least for a few hours a week, to forget her work and her fears of disappearing into suburbia. Margaret's life began to fall into place when she landed the job of her dreams at an online women's magazine. The job allowed her to pursue her passion for France and the language as she travelled to France to file stories, review French films and interview visiting French stars. How to Be French is about the challenges of learning another language but more than that, it is a captivating story about how your life can change when you follow your dreams."

----------------------------
(Other books I want)
.:Click on the books to view Synopsis and other details:.

Ugh

Yesterday's Horoscope:
"You have a healthy sense of who you are, but do you have a good sense of the person who you want to be? You're still a work in progress -- everyone is. And you need to think of your future not only in terms of where you'll be living and what you'll be doing, but in terms of who you want to become. Aim high. You can take the pressure! It's critical for you to maintain an open mind and be willing to learn. Embrace controversial ideas, because they will teach you valuable lessons."

Today's Horoscope:
"You are in a better place than you ever been in terms of your ambition. It's healthy, it's smart, and today, it's going to show you where you need to point your energies next. So if you suddenly get an urge to climb Mt. Everest, invent a cure for the common cold, learn a new language, or do something equally ambitious (like clean out all your closets), don't be surprised! This is a day where you will get your greatest satisfaction out of doing something that no one else really thought you could do."

Hmm...something that no one else really thought I could do...

Still searching for something to do on my birthday weekend. We wanted to go to a show Downtown, but there's not much. The good stuff is 21+. Look, this would've been fun:





Somewhere said it was during my b-day weekend, but obviously it's not.

I really wanna go to the beach. Maybe a movie? Shopping! The Flower Fields @ Carlsbad? They have restaurants there. Never been before. Could be fun. Lots of good pictures to take there, for sure. Sigh, I have no idea what I'm gonna do for my birthday. All I know is that I need to get away from this house!

The kids are back to school now after their 2-week spring break. I don't know what's more stressful - them being home all day or helping them with their homework. Jesse drove me crazy yesterday. Didn't bring homework home.

Mom wasn't home (took one of 'em to the doctor) so I had to help with their homework and make dinner. Ravioli and broccoli. The older girl gives me attitude EVERY SINGLE DAY. But you KNOW I give attitude right back to her. I ain't gonna let no kid get away with that crap. Wrong-o. She wanna talk crap to me - I can talk crap to her.

She thinks she's better than everyone, but she don't realize that she's one of the worst kids I've ever known. I can't stand people like that. I've noticed that people who think they're better than everyone else is, shall I say, lower than everyone else. She is NOT a good person. Attitude, attitude, attidue, hateful, hateful hateful, brat, brat, brat.

I have no problem telling her off. That girl needs to be put in her place.

I looked at this week's Best Buy ad and saw that Flight of the Conchords Season 1 is $16.99. After the crap I had to deal with yesterday (and all the days before and after), I decided I'm going to buy it for myself as an early birthday present. (Live Everyday Like It's Your Birthday).

Went to Best Buy today and they didn't even have it! Before I bought online from Best Buy I thought I'd check on ebay to see if I could find one cheaper and I couldn't. The Best Buy deal was awesome.

Thank the lord for primetime tv. I watched The Big Bang Theory for the first time yesterday. It's funny! And I watched How I Met Your Mother, which I don't usually watch - funny. Jon and Kate plus Eight, of course. I love those kids. Why can't we get kids like them! So adorable. And The Hills! I've missed my guilty pleasure.