Twenty Minutes' Rendezvous

New Blog!

2009-06-24T15:17:00.001-07:00

Check out my new blog !

True (trōō)(adj.) : being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

2009-04-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare

I am not being true to myself. In fact tonight I am going to a meeting where I fully intend to lie about how I think a marriage should work to the pastor who is presiding over my wedding. Then at my wedding I plan on lying in church about my marital intent. Does this miss I am having second thoughts? No. What is means is the invitations have already gone out and therefore I am going to suck it up, lie in church and willingly say out loud that the relationship I have with Guy is one of submission when in reality, its not. We are equal partners and companions. That will never change. We respect each other as equals not as leader and follower. I don't need someone to lord over me. I need someone who is going to be there to tough out the bad times and enjoy the good times. I don't need guidance, I need love and friendship. The funny thing about all of this is the fact that getting married in the church has essentially induced in me a crisis of beliefs and has pushed me away from the idea of organized religion altogether. If Jesus really felt about women the way the church preaches then I want nothing to do with Christianity. The most amusing (and possibly the only amusing thing) about this who ridiculous and emotionally detrimental situations is that it could have been avoided. Had I stood my ground and opted to have a really small self funded wedding, most likely a barbecue, outside . Instead we are having a huge, let me repeat huge, wedding inside a church (which makes no sense because neither of us are all that religious) followed by a reception at a beach side resort. I sold out for something I never wanted to begin with and it definitely wasn't worth it. Who would have thought following ignoring Hamlet's advice would get me in this much trouble?

Gem (jěm)(n.) :Something that is valued for its beauty or perfection

2009-04-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

The best thing about San Diego is the multitude of independent business. When it came time for Guy and me to pick out a place to have our rehearsal dinner everyone had something to say about it but no one trusted the local restaurants to know how to handle a party of thirty people. Guy's parents really pushed for Cheesecake Factory but we insisted that if people were coming from all over the world to our beloved San Diego they should get a taste of what our locals had to offer, not something they could get in any medium sized plus city in the US. Guy and I decided that the very best place to showcase our local cuisine would be the Parkhouse Eatery, which also happens to be out very favorite restaurant.

We found Parkhouse completely by accident. In an attempt to widen our perceptions of our fair city on a multiple levels we decided the best place was to start with one of the biological needs, edible sustenance. Guy bought me a ton of random gift certificates for Christmas, one of which just happened to be this cute quirky homey place on Park Boulevard, from which you can see our church. We went, I had blackberry pancakes, he had a lamb burger and we've been going back ever since. We recommend everything. And now we get to share our favorite place with our very closest family and friends.

Our Rehearsal Invitation

Do (dōō)(v.) :to accomplish; finish; complete

2009-04-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Things to Do Before I Go:
Part Two
Numbers Eleven through Twenty.
Part One

Eleven: Stay in the Ice Hotel
Twelve: Visit all 50 states
Thirteen: Plant a garden
Fourteen: Make bread from scratch
Fifteen: See the Nile river
Sixteen: Visit all 7 continents
Seventeen: Learn to surf
Eighteen: Go on an overnight backpacking trip
Nineteen: See the Cubs play at Wrigley Field (again)
Twenty: Go scuba diving

Friday :the sixth day of the week, following Thursday.

2009-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! These are some of my favorite Friday songs!

Song (sŏŏng)(n.) :a short metrical composition intended or adapted for singing

2009-04-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

More wedding music!

1234 By The Plain White T's

Today by Joshua Radin which I discovered thanks to Ellen and Portia's wedding video which is the one posted directly below this one. Aren't they just the cutest couple? Portia's dress was simply amazing.

College (kŏl'ĭj)(n.):an institution of higher learning

2009-04-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Being on the cusp of twenty-two years of age and college graduation, I am still trying to figure out who I am. Or maybe its just that I have too many. I want to do everything, see everything, experience everything, be everything. I have come to terms with the fact that there are some things I will never be. I will never be six feet tall. I will never be a mathematician. I will never be a cat person. (Don't get me wrong, I like cats even though they make my eyes itch, burn and swell closed, but as much as I like all fur covered, four footed things, I just prefer the undying loyalty and adoration that only a dog can give). I have a much harder time coming to terms with that fact there are things I want to do that I might not have the chance to do. There are many uncertainties and questions that are beginning to arise. There are also I whole lot of things that begin with "I want to..." that are coming to mind.

One thing I do know (or at least know that I don't know) is after four years of college I still have no idea what I want to do with my life, so I'm going to graduate school to give myself more time. Now of course I must decide where I want to go and what I want to do. Is it worth the money? Will I ever graduate with my master's degree? Am I motivated enough to finish. Am I smart enough to get in?

Some possible answers....
+San Diego State University has an amazing children's literature program where I would get to spend most of my days delving into the beauty and complexity of children's literature.

Pros: 1:Wouldn't have to move to some far away place where I don't know anyone and my family is still close b. 2:In state tuition. 3:Guy can stay at his current job which he loves more than he thought he could ever love a job.

Cons: 1:If I do decide I want to get a PhD it looks better if you go to a different school. 2:I really want to move away from San Diego. 3:I have no job lined up here 4:We both feel it may be one of our only realistic opportunities to move out of California.

+ SJSU Library Science Program online
Pros: 1: Online so I would be able to work full time while getting my degree 2:I love my job at the library now and could see myself making a career out of it. 3:Wouldn't have to move and Guy could keep his job

Cons: 1:Much more expensive than actually attending SDSU. 2:The degree does not offer up teaching potential like the children's literature program would 3:I worry that without the in class interaction I will not be motivated

+Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Photography
Pros: 1:I have always wanted pursue photography professionally 2:The program is online and thus I would be able to work while obtaining my career 3:I already own most of the required equipment

Cons: 1:Out of state tuition 2:Its a longer program, another four years 3:Not really a graduate program 4:Has nothing to do with my current degree

+A two year vet tech program at the local community college
Pros: 1:I have always wanted to work with animals 2:Job ready right out of school 3:Possibly cheaper vet care for the pups.

Cons: 1:Yet another program that has nothing to do with my current degree 2:Makes my current degree one epic waste of time

Velveteen (věl'vĭ-tēn') (n.):A cotton pile fabric resembling velvet.

2009-03-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
Excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Rome (rōm)(n.) :a city in and the capital of Italy

2009-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

My best friend, who is very possibly thee best friend of all best friends is sending Guy and I on a ten day tour of Europe, with one of our stops being Rome. Guy has always wanted to go to Rome. His father is somewhat of an aficionado as far as their history is concerned and that interest has rubbed off on Guy over the past twenty-one years. I can't even imagine how cool it is going to be to see all the sights, eat authentic pasta, drink some exceptional wine on the roof of our hotel overlooking Rome and spend time with my newly assigned husband. We just booked our hotel for Rome at Hotel Forty-Seven and I am so excited about it that I wanted to post some pictures.

To see in Rome:

The Colosseum
The Forum
The Spanish Steps
The Trevi Fountain

For those of you who have been to Rome, what cannot we absolutely not miss?

Go (gō)(v.) : to die

2009-03-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Things to Do Before I Go:
Part One
Numbers One through Ten.
Inspired By Mighty Girl!

Picture courtesy of Rolf Hicker

One: Own a home
Two: Get Married
Three: Have or adopt at least one child
Four: See Orcas in the wild
Five: Be a foster pet parent
Six: Learn to drive
Seven: Have a job where I can take my dog to work with me
Eight: Have a dog well-behaved enough to take to my job where I can take my dog with me
Nine: Take a photography class
Ten: Get a tattoo

Phenomenal (fĭ-nŏm'ə-nəl) (adj).: highly extraordinary or prodigious

2009-03-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Progress (prŏg'rěs')(n.) : a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage

2009-03-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

100 days from now I will be preparing to officially make the plunge, getting married. In celebration of this milestone I have decided that a progress post is in order.

Us:
Rachel and Guy

Cooper&Scout

Rachel and Guy
Establish 02.16.2005
Engaged 02.17.2007
Adopted Cooper on 06.21.2007
Adopted Scout on 09.22.2008
Making it official 06.13.2009

Wedding Website:
RachelAndGuy.com

The Save the Date:

Thanks Vista Print!

The Church:

Grace Lutheran Chuch

The Reception Venue:

Bahia Resort and Hotel
Mission Bay, San Diego

The Dress:
Link to Picture
(Just in case Guy reads)

The Garter:
Link to Picture
I only purchased the smaller one. It has since been customized.

The Chucks:

These are obviously screen shots of my shoes. I designed them on Converse.com and had them shipped to my friends house because we were having trouble with our mail. If you click on the pictures it will bring up a larger image so you can see the images better. The heel stripe reads 13june2009.

The Rings:

1/2 carat round cut diamonds in a prong settings

14K white gold

The Fake Rings (For Europe):

His&Hers

The Food:
Appetizers:

Blackened Shrimp with Garlic cream cheese on Asiago Crostini
Scallop and Tiger Shrimp Brochette
Crab Cakes with Lime and Ginger
Artichoke Hearts with Boursin Cheese and Toasted Pecans

Salad:

Baby Spinach Salad with Sun Dried Cranberries and Almonds in a Raspberry Vinaigrette

Dinner:

Baked Breast of Chicken with Pomegranate Glaze
Filet Mignon with Cabernet Sauce
Whipped Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Vegetables

Dessert:

White Chocolate Vanilla Ice Cream Truffle with Raspberry Sauce

The Cake:
Our cake is still up in the air, sort of. Its ordered but up until 10 days before we can change it however we want. Right now its a three tier white cake with whipped cream frosting. We were planning on adorning it with flowers and a ribbon at the base of each tier but while browsing the internet we found a cake that we both think is amazing. We are going to go to our bakery, a lovely local place called Flour Power and talk to them about how much more it would cost to do our dream cake.
The flavors will remain the same.

The First Tier: pudding chiffon-yellow cake-with peach slices drifting throughout & peach mousse.
The Middle Tier: white cake infused with coconut and tied together with a coconut cream.
The Bottom Tier: The Works- white cake with our light Bavarian cream, one thin layer of raspberry & one thin layer of lemon jam.

Guy's grooms cake (which will most likely be frozen and kept for the first anniversary) is Chocolate Peanut Butter: Chocolate peanut butter cake with peanut butter folded into the mousse, and a layer of fudge to top it off.

The Flowers:

We are using all white flowers so imagine these in white. Half the centerpieces will be tulips. The other half will be something like this except only the calla lilies which will be bowed out more, much like the tulips.

The Invitations:

Ours are not in these colors. The Pocket is teal, the insert is white and the ribbon is royal blue. Ordered from AlaunByDesign.com . We just finalized the proofs today and hope to get them in about 3 weeks.

The Limo:

Chrysler 300 Stretch Limo
Seats up to 10.

Cake Cutting Set:

Vera Wang "With Love"
My mother is getting them engraved as a gift for us.

Other Stuff that has been completed:

The DJ
The Month of Coordinator
The Officiant
Passports
The Photographer
Rehearsal Dinner
Website invitation inserts
Hotel for Rome
Ring Bowl
Chair Covers
Unity Candle
Linens
Library Cards
Library Pockets
Get rings sized
Favor Tags
Pre-marriage Couseling
Perfume
Send Invitations
Registries
Champagne Flutes
Make Boarding Appointment for Dogs
Marriage license
Menus

What's Left to Do:

Book Hair and Makeup
Guestbook
Escort Cards
Place Cards
Table Names
Table Signs
Signs

-candy bar
-guestbook

Candy Buffet Stuff (IP)
OOT Baskets
Gifts (IP)
Guy's Clothes (IP)
Figure out the ceremony
Music for the reception
Share your photo cards
Kids packets (IP)
Programs
Bouquet charms (IP)
Undergarments
Dress fittings (IP)
Card Box (IP)
Letters for Candy Buffet (IP)

hi⋅jack (hī'jāk')(v.):To seize control of

2009-03-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

This blog has officially been hijacked by love, to be more specific my wedding. This is fair warning that from here on out a whole lot of the posts are going to be about my upcoming nuptials in some way. Its going to be venting, ranting, tears, and a whole lot of mushy love stuff. This is the only apology I will make. We are at the 100 day mark!

Bicycle (bī'sĭk'əl)(n): a vehicle with two wheels,propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain,and having handlebars for steering

2009-03-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Wedding wise we are at crunch time and this past weekend we started looking at readings. Even though we are having a church wedding we are planning on having at least one reading that's not from the bible. During our search we found this and I thought it was really cute.

Marriage Made for Two:

"A successful marriage can learn a lot from bicycle riding.You should promise each other that you will not be fair weather riders, but venture out together in the wind and the rain. Only by braving the storms as a team will you reap the rewards when the sunshine arrives.Look after each other. A well oiled bike will run smoothly and change gear easily.Marriage is like a tandem…keep pedaling or the one at the front shouts at you!You should promise each other to not only enjoy new adventures and explorations, but appreciate the same old routes you know and love.Marriage is a promise to each other to endure the climbs so that you may chase the swoops and swerves of perfect single track.The journey may be long and may have hills ahead, but if you climb together with love and passion, you will be able to achieve everything you both desire!"

Healthy (hěl'thē)(adj.) :possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality

2009-02-27T21:42:00.000-08:00

I need to lose some weight for my wedding and for my health. As of this morning I weighed 149.4 pounds and that just doesn't sit right with me. I have gained ten pounds in the last year. I was to be healthier which means I need to learn to eat right and exercise regularly. Starting Monday I start my new schedule which will include, updating Sparkpeople with exercise and food information every day. I hope to lose 30 pounds by the time I get married in June. Losing that amount of weight would put me smack dab in the middle of my healthy weight range. Can I do it? The answer to that question is yes, I can. Will I? Well, I hope so. My healthy eating plan allows for one cheat meal a week and the rest of the time I strive to eat 1200 calories a day, no more. Frozen yogurt once a week. Starbucks once a week, skinny lattes only.

Stats:
Age: 21
Height: 5'4
Weight 149.4lbs
BMI: 25.7

Exercise Schedule:
Monday: 90 minutes cardio
Tuesday: 30 minutes strength training, walk the dogs
Wednesday:90 minutes cardio, walk the dogs
Thursday: 90 minutes cardio, walk the dogs
Friday: 30 minutes strength

Joker (jō'kər)(n.) :An insolent person who seeks to make a show of cleverness.

2009-02-26T08:27:00.000-08:00

"Oh, you. You just couldn't let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren't you? Huh? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won't kill you because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever."-The Joker, The Dark Knight

Every year my family throws a party for the Oscars, to celebrate that which is the the beauty of film, live action and animated a like. This year was just a little different with Spencer being in the hospital but we improvised and threw a shindig at the hospital. The nurses filled out ballots and we had prizes to hand out with. I think it just proves the point that no matter where Spencer is he brings the party with him.

Probably the most justified moment for me, as a lifelong Batman fan, was Heath Ledger's Best Supporting Actor win for his portrayal as the Joker. While, to see The Dark Knight recognized at an award ceremony of this caliber was amazing, it was also a bittersweet moment to see that Heath Ledger was in fact not there to accept the award that he had so genuinely earned. He managed to encompass the Joker to an extent no actor has ever reached before.

Another avid Batman fan, my brother Spencer, posted about it on his blog as well. Check it out here.

Love (lŭv)(n.) : a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2009-02-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

"I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all. No... not the artful postures of love, not playful and poetical games of love for the amusement of an evening, but love that... over-throws life. Unbiddable, ungovernable - like a riot in the heart, and nothing to be done, come ruin or rapture. Love - like there has never been in a play."- Viola, Shakespeare in Love

Yesterday. Guy and I celebrated our four year anniversary. I had work in the morning at Starbucks but Guy had the day off so we got a pizza from Costco and stayed in safe from the rain. We watched Shakespeare in Love and took a nap with the dogs. All in all, I have no complaints. We have spent the better half of day together, just lounging about, until I had to go to work at seven. It wasn't very eventful, as it usually is, but we are saving for our grand honeymoon and all. After I get my passport we might take a trip to Mexico for a romantic weekend.

And just because its embarrassing. Guy and I in June of 2005.

Tune (tōōn)(n.):a succession of musical sounds forming an air or melody

2009-02-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Today, I am hope from work today; playing hookey actually. A good friend of mine arrived home from Iraq early Saturday morning and we had him and his wife over for dinner. Afterwards, we ended up playing a board game which led us into the wee hours of the morning. I had Guy call work this morning and tell them I was sick. I have never done such a thing at any job I have ever had. I think Starbucks brings out the worst in me. And while I am home from work I should be doing homework or cleaning or maybe just sleeping but alas I am in wedding panic mode. One thing we haven't nailed down to any extent is our music. With the exception of my father daughter dance to jive to with my dad we are sort of clueless. Here are some ideas I have come up with while wasting my time today.

Father Daughter Dance: Cheek to Cheek by Fred Astaire. My dad used to sing that to me all the time when I was a kid and every time I hear it I think about what it was like dancing on my dad's toes.

First Dance: The Luckiest By Ben Folds. I love this love, love it unto the ends of the earth and would love to have it be our first dance, despite the fact that its really long but I haven't passed it by Guy yet.

Behind (bĭ-hīnd')(adv.) : not keeping up with, later than

2009-02-08T10:22:00.001-08:00

Once again I feel like we are falling behind with all the wedding stuff. The cake is ordered but now we changed our mind and want a round cake and we still have to pick out our ribbon so that's not really done. My dress is ordered and on its way. It should be in by April 20th and then the fittings begin. We still have yet to order our invitations which should have been done weeks ago. The rehearsal dinner has not been even spoken about although Guy and I think we know where we would like it to be held. Our on site coordinator for the reception hasn't returned my calls or emailed me back in over a week. She only works three days a week and every time I email her I get an auto response that she is not in that particular day. Its very frustrating.

The topper on the way behind on wedding stuff cake is that a week after Guy received his passport in the mail I received a letter from the US State Department stating they need me to provide further evidence that I am who I say I am. I am assuming its the fact that I have had probably at least five different addresses in the last three years and four of those are currently in use due to college stuff getting sent to my parents, work stuff getting sent to my place and bank stuff getting sent to Guy's house. I am so worried that we won't get to go on our honeymoon because I have more than one address. I am sending my extra paperwork out tomorrow in hopes that everything will be sorted out quickly. Send positive passport vibes my way!We will both be devastated if for some reason they deny me. I was shocked to get that letter in the mail.

Wedding to Do List for the Week of February Eight:
-Call about the rehearsal dinner
-Get passport paperwork sent out
--anxiously await passport in the mail
-Book Hotel for Italy
-Order Invitations (and menus)
-Work on Bridesmaid's gifts
-Start putting together a wedding playlist
-get rings sized
-email the MOH and the Best Man

Handmade (hānd'mād')(adj.) :made by hand, rather than by machine

2009-02-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Etsy is going to be the end of my financial stability (which has actually already been decimated by both vet and car bills). After discovering etsy a couple of years ago I have found countless treasures.

These are my current temptations:

Modular Messenger in Steel Blue by bayanhippo

Hope Floats by CreateBeautyDaily

Obama 08 shirt by maartenj13

Lil Pearl Freshwater White Pearl Wire Wrapped Ring by artwearbymona

Literature (lĭt'ər-ə-chŏŏr')(n.): writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest

2009-01-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

"Do not, under any circumstances, belittle a work of fiction by trying to turn it into a carbon copy of real life; what we search for in fiction is not so much reality but the epiphany of truth." —Azar Nafisi

Yes (yěs)(n.):An affirmative

2009-01-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

In honor of our soon to be president, a man who has already inspired a nation full of people that had forgotten the word that is hope, welcome to the White House President Obama.

Update (ŭp-dāt')(v.) : to bring up to date, as by adding new information or making corrections

2009-01-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

Wedding update:
What's Done!
The Cake: Its ordered! We went last night for our tasting, loved the cake and put our order in with a lovely little bakery called Flour Power. We went with a three tiered square cake in white with ribbon accents and some fresh flowers. Really simple and elegant which is sort of the theme. We picked the following flavors:
The First Tier: pudding chiffon-yellow cake-with peach slices drifting throughout & peach mousse.
The Middle Tier: white cake infused with coconut and tied together with a coconut cream.
The Bottom Tier: The Works- white cake with our light Bavarian cream, one thin layer of raspberry & one thin layer of lemon jam.
Guy's grooms cake (which will most likely be frozen and kept for the first anniversary) is Chocolate Peanut Butter: Chocolate peanut butter cake with peanut butter folded into the mousse, and a layer of fudge to top it off.

Something similar to this but with teal ribbon and strategically placed peonies or tulips.

The Dinner: Guy and I had our tasting Tuesday to get everything squared away as far as the menu goes. We still need to pick out our appetizers and make a decision as to whether or not we should do a signature drink but other than that we've got it down. What's for dinner? Chicken in a pomegranate glaze and filet mignon with a reduced veal sauce on the side with garlic whipped potatoes, fresh steamed vegetables, a mixed green salad with your choice of dressing, rolls, wine and champagne toast. Plus a white chocolate ice cream truffle with raspberry sauce. Sounds yummy doesn't it?

What's in Progress
The Dress: I went to look at dresses once before and found two I really liked. One for the looks and the other for the price. I have an appointment at two on Saturday,so tomorrow, to go try those two on again and most likely order one. I'm not one of those girls that needs to find the dress and either of these two suits me well so I think I'll be going with one of them.

The Website: Every couple of days we add new info. Just in the last couple of weeks we have added information about the wedding party, food, pictures and accommodations. Check it out at RachelAndGuy.com

The Invitations: They are picked out. Now we are just working on the wording and the fonts. Beyond that we are all set. Hopefully these will be ordered in the next couple of weeks. Preferably next week.

Year (yîr) (n.) :a space of 12 calendar months calculated from any point

2009-01-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

What a difference a year makes. I can't imagine how many times that has been uttered through out history and yet there is a real truth that resonates through it; three hundred and sixty-five days can change everything. Last new year's I was basking in the afterglow of Christmas at my parents house enjoying food, family, and friends, surrounded by all the people I cared for most. This year I barely stayed up long enough to welcome 2009 into existence.

Although this year has been rough already I am unwilling to accept that it will be anything but fulfilling and wonderful. I am getting married. I am graduating from college. I am going to Europe. Spencer will finally be done with the treacheries of leukemia. All these things are amazing blessings. And so today, I will do my best to look forward instead of back over my shoulder and welcome what is to come.

Review (rĭ-vyōō')(n.) :the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation

2008-12-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

As 2009 quickly approaches this is my 2008 in review. Ups, Downs and a whole lot of in between.

+What did you do in 2008 that you have never done before?
Worked two jobs
+Did you keep all of last years resolutions?
Nope. Some I did, most I didn't. 2 out of 5 completed.
+Have you any resolutions for next year?
Lose some weight. Get my BA. Enjoy Europe.
+What countries did you visit?
Just traveled all over the US of A.
+What would you like to have in 2009 that you didn’t have in 2008?
A husband.
+What date in 2008 will remain etched in your memory?
August 13,2008-The day we received the official news that Spencer relapsed.
+What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving
+What was your biggest failure?
Not doing better in school.
+Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Nothing serious.
+What was the best thing you bought?
My DSLR camera.
+Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
John McCain and other various republicans. Most of the people who go to SDSU and everyone who voted yes on Prop 8.
+Where did most of your money go?
Bills
+What did you get really really really excited about?
Road Trip to Colorado
+What do you wish you’d done less of?
Drank coffee. Complained.
+How will you be spending Christmas?
In LA with the family plus Guy and minus the pups.
+Did you fall in love in 2008?
I was in love long before 2008 and but there have been many moments in which I fell in love with Guy all over again.
+How many one night stands?
Zero
+What was your favorite TV show?
Grey's Anatomy
+Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I hate anyone. There have been people who have fallen from my graces, certainly.
+What was/were the best books you read?
The Plague by Albert Camus
Sula by Toni Morrison
Things Fall apart by Achebe
+What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sea Wolf or Kanye West
+What did you want and get?
A dog
+What did you want and not get?
a trip to Seattle
+What was your favorite film this year?
The Dark Knight
+What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
21, Went to Joe's Crab Shack, had a margarita and smoked a cigar.
+What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
More money
+How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever fits
+What or Who kept you sane?
Guy, Spencer and a lot of coffee and tea
+Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Patrick Dempsey
+Which political issue stirred you the most?
Gay rights and Obama for President!
+Who did you miss?
All my out of town family, Spencer when we were in different cities.
+Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year?
It is nearly always possible to do more than you ever believed you could but sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is take a nap.
+Quote a song lyric that sums up your year…
"Do not, under any circumstances, belittle a work of fiction by trying to turn it into a carbon copy of real life; what we search for in fiction is not so much reality but the epiphany of truth."
— Azar Nafisi

Fortress (fôr'trĭs)(n.) :any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

2008-12-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

Under the pink quilted covers,
I hold the pulse that counts your blood.
I think the woods outdoors
are half asleep,
left over from summer
like a stack of books after a flood,
left over like those promises I never keep.
On the right, the scrub pine tree
waits like a fruit store
holding up bunches of tufted broccoli.

We watch the wind from our square bed.
I press down my index finger-
half in jest, half in dread-
on the brown mole
under your left eye, inherited
from my right cheek: a spot of danger
where a bewitched worm ate its way through our soul
in search of beauty. My child, since July
the leaves have been fed
secretly from a pool of beet-red dye.

And sometimes they are battle green
with trunks as wet as hunters' boots,
smacked hard by the wind, clean
as oilskins. No,
the wind's not off the ocean.
Yes, it cried in your room like a wolf
and your pony tail hurt you. That was a long time ago.
The wind rolled the tide like a dying
woman. She wouldn't sleep,
she rolled there all night, grunting and sighing.

Darling, life is not in my hands;
life with its terrible changes
will take you, bombs or glands,
your own child at
your breast, your own house on your own land.
Outside the bittersweet turns orange.
Before she died, my mother and I picked those fat
branches, finding orange nipples
on the gray wire strands.
We weeded the forest, curing trees like cripples.

Your feet thump-thump against my back
and you whisper to yourself. Child,
what are you wishing? What pact
are you making?
What mouse runs between your eyes? What ark
can I fill for you when the world goes wild?
The woods are under water, their weeds are shaking
in the tide; birches like zebra fish
flash by in a pack.
Child, I cannot promise that you will get your wish.

I cannot promise very much.
I give you the images I know.
Lie still with me and watch.
A pheasant moves
by like a seal, pulled through the mulch
by his thick white collar. He's on show
like a clown. He drags a beige feather that he removed,
one time, from an old lady's hat.
We laugh and we touch.
I promise you love. Time will not take away that.

Wish (wĭsh)(v.): to want; desire; long for

2008-11-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Around this time of year, every year, wish list requests begin to float in. My parents want to know, Nana wants to know, Guy's parents want to know. I often get asked the question, What are you wishing for this holiday season? This year I only have two things to request and they won't fit in the stocking hung on the mantel.

Number One: A quick, easy and successful bone marrow transplant for Spencer. If I get nothing else for Christmas for the rest of my life, this will be enough. To think that this could be to solidified end to his ten year battle with cancer is incredible and such a blessing. And a perfect match? 10 out of 10? What an amazing Christmas gift for our family and friends.

Number Two: A better year in 2009, for myself, Guy and our families who have suffered greatly in the midst of great joy this year. I hope the coming year is full of love, hope and a sense of peace that has at times escaped us in 2008. We have so much to look forward to! Getting married, Spencer's improved health, my graduation from college, a honeymoon in Europe, married life (a double edged sword, or so I've been told) and so much more.

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."-How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss

Eight (āt)(n.) :a cardinal number, seven plus one.

2008-11-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

Jon and Kate Plus 8 is probably my utmost guilty pleasure (of which I have many and will be documenting here). Why, because the truth is I don't have a whole lot of free time and what little free time I do have tends to be spent watching Jon and Kate plus 8.

What's the show about? A husband and wife who accidentally ended up with eight kids when their attempt for a single baby, after having twins (Mady and Cara), resulted in sextuplets (Alexis, Leah, Hannah, Joel, Collin and Aedan). In the last maybe year, the show seems to have drummed up a good amount of controversy. People claim that Jon and Kate are using their kids to get free stuff and make money. My take on the whole thing is this,the kids seem happy and comfortable. A family that has eight children would never be able to go on ski trips, to go to Hawaii without someone offering to pay for it. I think the kids are getting to experience a lot of things that would just be too expensive for them to afford otherwise. People tend to be critical but I can't imagine that most people would turn down amazing opportunities offered to their children. I certainly wouldn't.

Why do I love this show? It shows what I would consider a real family, with real problems and real relationships. The parents bicker. The children fight. Mady throws tantrums. The little kids melt down. Despite those things, I really feel like there is a whole lot of love a long with the undoubted stress that would come from having eight children. The kids are cute and the parents like each other and care about their kids.

Sick (sĭk)(adj.): afflicted with ill health or disease; ailing.

2008-11-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

I am very very sick. The kind of sick where it hurts to breathe and sit. I think I have the stomach flu which is well very unfortunate. I am home from work which means my paycheck is going to be practically nothing. I don't know how the bills are going to get paid this month but for the time being I am going to try to get better so I can go to work tonight and at least make some money today.

Cat (kāt) (n.) : a small domesticated carnivore, Felis domestica

2008-11-11T20:53:00.000-08:00

Stupid but cute

Out (out)(adj) :to a point or state of extinction, nonexistence

2008-11-10T23:44:00.000-08:00

I have run out of things to write about . I am in a rut. So, I ask you, what do you want me to write about? Give me a topic and I will find a way to write about it something before the end of the month.

Hoax (hōks)(n.) : something intended to deceive or defraud

2008-11-09T23:29:00.000-08:00

Looks like someone with a good deal of spunk and html skills has pulled one over on Warner Bros. They created a website, Wonder-Who.com , pretending that it was a viral campaign similar to that used by Warner Bros. to promote the the Batman sequel, the Dark Knight over a period of a year. The tricksters revealed Megan Fox, known for her role as Sam's love interest in the blockbuster hit, Transformers, as none other that Wonder Woman herself. The Wonder Woman feature film in question has never officially been announced and Warner Bros. claims that the Wonder Woman character will act only in a Justice League film. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing her get her own film.

Pancake (pān'kāk') (n.) : a thin, flat cake of batter fried on both sides on a griddle or in a frying pan

2008-11-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

While listening to much music trying to whittle down our must play list for the wedding Guy and I rediscovered our extensive love for Jack Johnson. This is one of our favorites. If you enjoy it check out Do You Remember? and Better Together as well.

Interest (ĭn'trĭst)(n.):the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something

2008-11-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself. -Henry Miller

Disappointment (dĭs'ə-point'mənt)(n.) : the act or fact of disappointing

2008-11-06T22:21:00.000-08:00

I have heard so many people utter "I am so happy its over" in regards to the election but the truth is the aftermath has just begun. This election has been bittersweet to me. I never imagined that the joy I felt when Obama claimed the presidency would be tainted by the knowledge that Prop Eight, the prop that would eliminate gay marriage in California, did indeed pass. Now, it is just beginning. Appeals are already being made. People are rallying together in the name of equality!

How appalling is it that we live in a world that embraces hate and discrimination? And yet, there is hope. Yes, I said hope. Hope in the numbers. Prop 8 passed by a mere four percent and seventy percent of people under 30 years of age voted no. Change is coming! My children will be raised in a more tolerant world that the one I was. If you are a California citizen over the age of 18 and want to support equal rights please check out this petition.

Remember...

President (prěz'ĭ-dənt)(n.):the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the Chief Executive of the United States.

2008-11-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. -Barack Obama

Voice (vois)(n.): the faculty or power of uttering sounds through the mouth by the controlled expulsion of air

2008-11-04T05:41:00.000-08:00

Don't let your voice be silenced!

Honeymoon (hŭn'ē-mōōn')(n.) :a vacation or trip taken by a newly married couple.

2008-11-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last week we booked the flights for our honeymoon. Where are we going do you ask? The answer is London and Rome with a day side trip to Paris to take a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower. Ten days in Europe and all I can say is what an impulse buy. We started to watch the fares climb daily and decided we would be hard pressed to regret five days in Rome and five days in London. My best friend is paying for our honeymoon, or a great chunk of it. In fact that is the only reason we are going. Otherwise there would be not be going anywhere.

Now we are doing the rest of the research. Trying to figure out what we must see and where we are going to stay. Getting passport paperwork filled out and gearing up for what we assume will be the trip of our lives. This is an adventure of epic proportion. Let the exploring begin!

Itinerary (thus far, not at all complete)
June 15th: Leave for London
June 16th: Arrive in London (thanks to the epic time change, wish us luck)
June 17th: Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
June 18th: Day trip to Paris via the high speed rail, possibly an overnight stay?
June 19th: Tower of London and the Globe Theater
June 20th:
June 21st: Leave for and arrive in Rome
June 22nd: The Roman Colosseum
June 23rd:
June 24th:
June 25th: Return to Los Angeles via a stop in London @ Heathrow

Autumn (ô'təm)(n.) :the season between summer and winter; fall.

2008-11-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

Mooch said it best. "Let the pumpkin pies begin!" Today we saw just a brief glimpse of fall. Finally after a sweltering heat wave with highs in the triple digits these past couple of weeks (which may I add is odd even for smack dab in the middle of summer for sunny mild San Diego) we saw a touch of cold and a touch of rain sweep through as either a tease or a promise. I am hoping for the latter. Now the weather has warmed considerable and dark clouds have moved farther into the east but maybe just maybe this is the beginning of something great. Thanksgiving approaches and with that the true beginning of the holiday season which I am ever so excited about. I have been tempted to turn on the Christmas music when home by myself but have yet to give in. The small snippets I hear when I'm out about town has been getting me by. I look forward to the upcoming year. Two-thousand and eight has been a trying one but as we progress towards two-thousand and nine the prospects of a joyous year is beginning to pop up. Spencer's current treatment is leading to the life saving bone marrow treatment that will bring healing and relief. Guy and I are getting hitched and as scary as that is it is ten times more exciting. I can't wait to officially begin our lives together. My undergraduate studies are coming to a close and the possibility of grad school is starting to form. Cooper is healing and is nearly back to his old pre-attack self. And maybe just maybe I'll have Obama to call my president next year. Do I dare cautiously say things are looking up?

NaBloPoMo (pro. unknown)(n.):National Blog Posting Month

2008-11-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

Every month is NaBloPoMo and this month it is my turn. To be honest I am simply doing this as a challenge to myself. Can I take a few minutes out of my day everyday for 30 days in a row? Do I have the means to stop everything else I'm doing in order to scribble down my thoughts? We find out. Wish me luck.

In other news Jenny Lewis concert tonight @ UCSD!

Trauma (trô'mə) (n.):an experience that produces psychological injury or pain.

2008-10-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been traumatic to say the very very least. While camping a drunk man wandered onto our campsite walking an American pit bull Labrador mix. The dog attacked our older dog, Cooper and Guy got bit in the process.

Cooper sustained extensive injuries but thanks to all involved (minus the attacking dog and her drunk handler) he is alive. His bottom jaw was completely shattered and he had a compound fracture. The veterinary doctors at the emergency hospital fixed him up and nearly $3,000 later our boy is at home resting and recuperating. We have been referring to him as Frankenmutt. Its obvious he's exhausted but there are moments when there is no doubt he is happy to be home and we couldn't be more ecstatic to have little boy blue home. His face is pretty messed up and its made even more evident because there is no hair to cover his stitches and his jaw is crooked. But, he's alive, has no spinal, brain, heart or lung damage like they originally feared. He has eaten his first meal in many days and I can't even express how truly calming it is to know he has some nourishment.

Guy is fine other than having a torn up hand, an allergic reaction to the tetanus shot and contracting some sort of bacterial infection. Unfortunately because he missed two days of work he was let go. Now he is unemployed and we are seriously crunched for money.

Side Note: This is not an attack on pitbulls. In fact, I have an affinity for the breed and think they can be wonderful family pets when trained properly and handled with care. Because of their size and strength when they do bite they can cause great damage. In this case the situation was faulty to begin with, the man handling the dog was not her owner, was intoxicated and obviously not familiar with the dog's behavior. The family is paying for the damages over a 4 month span.

Before and After

Chad: of English Origin, meaning From the Warrior's Town

2008-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

This is Chad Vader. Like his brother he had an unfortunate volcano accident. This is one of many fan produced videos that can be see at BlameSociety.net

Vote(vōt) (n.) :a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or body of individuals.

2008-10-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

I've never been quiet about my political beliefs and I won't start now. People are always afraid to affix themselves to one political party or another. Politics are taboo and yet our politics tell a lot about who we are and what is important to us. There has been some interest in how I am voting in November's upcoming election. This is where I stand. The ones I talk about here are the ones most important to me in this election.

For President/Vice President : Obama and Biden

Obama has been my first choice during this entire election. I feel some of Hillary's promises were unrealistic, especially her time line for Iraq. Obama inspires hope in me, while I fear what will happen in and because of this country if McCain is elected. There are of course things I don't agree with Biden's privacy policy being one but there are many many things that would make in impossible to vote for McCain and Palin.

California Props:

Prop. 1: A Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.

My Vote: Yes
Why: We need more safe, quick reliable transportation that doesn't rely on finite natural resources and continue to lease us to foreign oil. This would also relieve congestion on the freeways and allow safer freeway travel as a result.

Prop 2: Treatment of Farm Animals.

My Vote: Yes
Why: Humane treatment of all animals is close to my heart. I am not a vegetarian. I eat meat but while that animal is alive I believe it should have the best quality of life possible. This proposition also includes animals not used for the sole purpose of food who might otherwise spend their entire lives in cages too small for them to turn around it. No animal need suffer at the hand of people to lazy to heed the responsibility taken on when owning an animal.

Prop 3: Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program.

My Vote: Yes
Why: My brother is currently the resident of a California Children's Hospital. Every week I see children who need this bond to save their lives.

Prop 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy

My Vote: No
Why: I believe in a woman's right to chose, always, regardless of age. This kind of stuff is where botched abortions and dead teenagers begin to pop up. No woman should be forced to have other people making decisions about their bodies especially when it comes to something so sacred as bringing another person into this world.

Prop 8: Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.

My Vote: No
Why: Love is love. It knows no gender. America is built on the principle of equality and such principles need extend beyond class, race, gender and yet sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same title and rights as straight couples.

Prince (prĭns) (n):A male member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a son of the monarch.

2008-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Prince John"

This is Prince John, a miniature schnauzer poodle mix that my parents rescued this summer. He is the sweetest dog. I took this picture of him not to long ago and really like it.

Camping (kāmp-ing)(v.): Lodging in a camp.

2008-10-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am using this as sort of a thought gathering sheet for camping and informational source for all. For those going for sure we would appreciate it if you would chose a meal to supply food for and let me know what it is so I can update it. It would also be nice if everyone would chip in a couple of dollars toward the fee site which was $60. Thanks!

Where:
Sweetwater Summit
3218 Summit Meadow Road
Bonita, CA 91902
Sites 59&60

When:
October 18th 2PM through October 19th 1PM

Who:
Rachel
Guy
Cooper
Scout
Damien
Matt
Michael
Alma

Meals.
10.18.08
Lunch: Alma

Dinner:

10.19.08
Breakfast: Rachel and Guy
Camping Breakfast -> Ham and cheese sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls, cooked on the camping stove to perfection. Fresh fruit selection. Bagels and Cream Cheese.

Lunch:

Snacks

Laundromat (lôn'drə-māt') (n.): A service mark used for a commercial establishment equipped with washing machines and dryers, usually coin-operated

2008-10-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Love at the Laundromat
By Geoff Sansom

Down at the
laundromat
I'm watching
my clothes
tumble
and dry in
the steamy heat
grappling and groping
with each other
I watch my socks
fondle the underwear
while my shirt
embraces
the legs of my jeans,
and every item
seems to be
getting it on
with the sheets
throwing a discreet cover
over everything -
and I wonder
about all this embracing
and why what I wear
does not hug me so hard
nor caress with such care.

Scout (skout) (n.) :A watcher or sentinel.

2008-10-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is Scout. She is a 5 month old miniature schnauzer (aka little hellfire). Don't let the innocent face fool you. She spends most of her time driving older brother Cooper completely nuts. So far she has been testing our patience and burrowing her way deep into our hearts. We absolutely love our new addition.

PS: sorry for the sort of terrible picture. She doesn't sit still for very long.

Concert (kŏn'surt) (n.): a public musical performance in which a number of singers or instrumentalists, or both, participate.

2008-09-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

In complete an utter celebration of the Jenny Lewis concert tickets I recently purchased for her show at UCSD in November I provide you with some beautiful Jenny Lewis music via You Tube.

Froth (frôth) (n.) :A mass of bubbles

2008-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

Froth
I am ginger ale
fizzy jumble of meandering bubbles
of thought and action
inconstant
easing some
making thick the distaste of others
so they expectorate
I'm out to fibrillate amongst other's\tongues
"bubble, bubble, toil and trouble"
zap
pop
sizzle
whoosh

by Sandra Subasic

Hospital (hŏs'pĭ-tl) :an institution in which sick or injured persons are given medical or surgical treatment.

2008-09-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

After spending so much time at the hospital in the past couple of months it is inevitable that I eventually write something about. I love Children's Hospital Los Angeles, I just hate being there because it means that something is wrong. Spencer is sick. He is not at home filling the space with brilliant laughter and humorous insight. His commentary on the world has dwindled down a few words a few times a day and smiles are even less frequent. He is getting better. Slowly but undeniably.

This place is full of hope. There is the hope of a normal healthy life. It is replete with kids that will experience life because the medical attention they received in the hospital has saved their lives. It is a hospital where families find doctors who love children and treat them with the utmost respect. It is a place where people come broken and leave fixed.

On that ridiculously sentimental note I leave you a poem that is displayed in the garden attached to the hospital.

I am a butterfly. I live in the hospital.
I wear a red dress with silver glitter.
I sleep on a little couch made of leaves.
-Yajuira, 13

Shiver (shĭv'ər) (adj.): to shake or tremble with cold, fear, excitement, etc

2008-09-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

Shiver
by Rachel Brandt

"Wake up. Come on. Its time to get up."
His voice is sweet and soft
Mr brother stands beside him
a twin born thirty years late
He is bundled in mittens,
scarf and jacket.

It is cold outside
the air, still and frigid
No streetlight
pitch black
"Careful , don't trip."

My breath comes out in
sharp misty clouds before me
Lying down, the concrete below me is solid
flat. Like a frozen lake in January
The crinkle crunch of my jacket
breaks the silence

The three of us, we lie in a row
Three tiny dots on the earth's surface
calm as we wait for the world
to shatter
Shivering, we watch, anticipation
a hand flies up "There!"
a star falls
burning out of existence

Out loud we wish on each one
"Its a meteor, you know, not even a star" I say
"Just pretend for a while" is his reply
So I do

Modern (mŏd'ərn) (adj.) : not antiquated or obsolete

2008-08-31T05:57:00.000-07:00

-15

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

Great (grāt) (adj.): notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding

2008-08-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly."
— Albert Einstein

Height (hīt)(n.): the distance between the lowest and highest points of a person standing upright; stature

2008-08-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Guy is a heightist. My future husband, the one who is a mere thirteen inches taller than I am, has a prejudice against short people. He seems to have gotten to a point where he can look over the fact that I am undeniably short and love me in spite of it but will never let me forget it. That of course doesn't keep him from saying at least one demeaning thing. Today as we drove he attempted to explain to me why I should never be allowed to drive a truck because he has a rule that if you can't see over your car you shouldn't drive it. With that said, I don't drive. I never learned. I tried and I won't say I failed, I just never invested a lot of time or effort into it. Sure, I want to be able to drive and now that I am planning my wedding I need to but the idea of driving Guy's Altima to will undoubtedly explode and fling my body into millions of little pieces all over San Diego County. Now that I've learned I am officially too short to drive the 4Runner I have no inclination to learn. He also holds the opinion that short people walk to slowly, which is probably true when one's strides are twice as long as your counterparts. I've all but given up holding hands while attempting to walk with him because I look like that four year old you see being hastily dragged through the mall and wonder why their mother ever decided to have kids in the first place. How did I fall in love with a 6'5 heightist?

Trolley (trŏl'ē) (n.): A device that collects electric current from an overhead wire and transmits it to the motor of an electric vehicle

2008-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

"Trolley"

Silhouette (sĭl'ōō-ět') (n.):a dark image outlined against a lighter background

2008-08-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

"Silhouette"

Release (rĭ-lēs') (n.): to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain

2008-08-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

A while back I found a band called Oh Laura and I fell in love with Frida Ohrn, the lead singer's, voice. Soon after, while checking out there website, I found that they together with Saab had collaborated on a commercial for a new line of cars to be released. The video they created in well done and has a message unlike most commercial ventures these days. I know they are trying to sell a car but if you listen to the words and look at the images being displayed the is a blatant animal rights vibe being sent out. For your viewing pleasure, Release Me by Oh Laura...

Cassius (kash'us) (n.):A purple pigment, obtained by the action of some compounds of tin upon certain salts of gold.

2008-08-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

"Cassius"

Visit (vĭz'ĭt)(v.): to come or go to

2008-08-16T18:10:00.001-07:00

On this road trip I actually visited four states that I had never been to before but the one in which I spent the most time would obviously be Colorado, as that was the destination of our Road Trip.

The welcoming committee.

Work (wûrk) (n.): exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something

2008-08-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am officially the holder of a minion position at one of America's consumer gods. No its not Walmart or McDonalds or Microsoft which of course leaves Starbucks. I've been working there for a week as of today and I still don't know how to do anything. There are hundreds of drinks to memorize codes for and don't even get me started on how to actually make the drinks. I have to smile and say thank you to everyone even the people who are complete and utter jerks. I'm surprised they don't make me curtsy every time someone buys something which would wear thin even faster than the rest of it is. Good news is they were very understanding with my schedule, working two jobs and needing to have weekends off to be at home with the family. It looks like I will be working 16 hours a week there and another 16 at the library if I am lucky. The good news is I have a paycheck to pick up both Thursday and Friday of next week and money is nearly always good especially when you have month old veterinary bills to pay off.

Hope (hōp) (n.):the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:

2008-08-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

My faith has been exhausted. Hope is all I've got left and let me tell you, it is in short supply. I knew this day was coming. I've known for a week. I am waiting for that feeling of utter devastation to wash over me and yet nothing. I can feel nothing. I have run out of tears, but not for long I know. For the first time in a long time I truly believe ignorance is bliss. I've always been that curious kid. The one with all the questions; the just because questions. Now, I don't want to know. What don't I want to know? I don't want to know that my baby brother has cancer for the third time in his sixteen year life and that the following months are going to be hard on us all, especially him.

His prognosis meeting was today. He's relapsed although that much we already know. He will have chemotherapy, starting when his leukemia cells hit 25%. They are at 10% now. They caught this pretty much as early as they could have which is always a good thing. He has an echocardiogram tomorrow and after that its sort of a waiting game. They are looking for a bone marrow donor. I don't match although we do have the same blood type which may come in handy in the future. Hopefully we will get a more detailed timeline within the next two weeks. He can't go back to school in the fall and they've already started working with a social worker to set up something, probably a guided independent study program. The doctor are confident. My parents are confident. Spencer is confident. I am confident. We can do this.

He looks so healthy. You would never look at him and think that kid's sick. It seems like every few minutes I find myself wishing it was me. You know how people say they would take a bullet for someone? I would take a bus for this kid. I would take on his leukemia if I could. And the hardest part of it for me is that I am so far away this time around. Guy and I are planning on spending most weekends in Palmdale or Los Angeles with my family where ever they may be at the time as long as we have someone to watch after dear little Cooper.

For all of those who have kept our family in your thoughts and prayers, thank you and I would ask that you continue to do so. I will update this as time goes on and information becomes available. While they are not foreseeing a problem with find Spencer a bone marrow donor , there are thousands of people searching the database everyday for a match. If you are not already registered I would strongly encourage you to do so. More information can be found at the official Bone Marrow Registry Website, www.Marrow.org . Donating bone marrow is a simple procedure and almost always done through outpatient services. You could save a life!

Yellow (yěl'ō)(n.): the primary color between green and orange in the visible spectrum

2008-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

"Not So Mellow Yellow"

Gaze (gāz) (v.): to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder

2008-08-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

"Gaze"

Life (līf) (n.): the general or universal condition of human existence

2008-08-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

I’ve lived a fairly charmed life. I had a happy childhood surrounded by friends and family and dogs. My mother has always protected us from the world while still allowing and encouraging us to us to experience it. My father has always been a child at heart, entertaining us, supporting us in all our endeavors with a lighthearted mirth that goes unmatched in my experience and always supplying us with the material and emotional needs we require. My brother Spencer is funny and sweet much like my father, and somewhat shy in a mildly socially awkward and endearing way. I am still ,to this day, best friends with my little brother despite the four year gap between us. For the most part, we have somehow managed to escape the sibling rivalry that people tend to struggle with throughout life and enjoy each other’s company immensely. Needless to say, my family is extremely close and I can only hope that if Guy and I ever have or adopt children that we will be so tightly knit. My love for my family, extended included, is surpassed by no one and no thing and only met by the love I feel for Guy, my future husband and Carly, my very best friend. My whole life I had talked about going far away to college, to Maine, to New York, to study abroad but when the time came to make such decisions I couldn’t bear to be more than three hours away from Spencer or anyone else I love for that matter but especially Spencer. Luckily for me Carly and Guy followed me to San Diego. Hopefully in a couple of years, Spencer will follow suit. For now, my family is a mere three hours away. They are my sentimental Achilles heel, my weakness. I am twenty-one years old and I still cry every time I have to part with my family, as embarrassing as it is to admit. Hot tears manage to escape and splash down the planes of my face, fast and hard, no matter how brave I try to be, no matter how hard I try to keep them contained in the too-small corners of my eyes. I realize there have been times when I have butted heads with my parents, mostly my mother, but I think that’s something I inherited from her, a deeply ingrained passionate nature and an unyielding belief in what I feel is right. My fight has always been stronger than my flight, although in recent years I have learned to choose my battles. Beyond those unmemorable skirmishes our family has always managed to get along fairly well.

Please note that I said charmed and not perfect. We’ve had our share hardships and bad luck. The death of friends and family. Family members who enjoys alcohol more than is healthy. Too many miles between California and the Midwest where the rest of our family resides. A brother who suffered with childhood leukemia for many years and now is on the cusp of learning what the near future of his health will be. Wednesday as I was coming home from a whirlwind road trip to Colorado, I received an unexpected blow. After a few years of good reports and healthy normal blood results, Spencer’s blood counts came back abnormally low. Immediately we were all sent into a deep dark hole of confusion, of unknowing. More tests on Thursday which came back inconclusive but thus far I am considering that a blessing. No cancer cells….yet or at all? Which is it? Guy and I went home to my parent’s house after work on Friday to be with my family and enjoy the comfort that only such close quarters can supply. And now as I sit in the car driving back to San Diego after a too short weekend I am waiting, hoping, praying for a good news but I can’t help but wonder is was this the last normal weekend our family will spend together in the following weeks, months? We went to see Iron Man at the discount theater, all four of us plus Guy and his little brother Luke. We grilled ribs and hamburgers while basking in the beauty of a desert sunset. We all sat around the dinner table enjoying each other’s company, wholeheartedly. Thank God for this weekend. Now, once again, for what feels like the millionth time, I can do nothing but sit back and wait for something to happen. I am both helpless and fearful. What do I do? The answer to that of course is nothing, I can do nothing.. Nothing to help, nothing to soothe, nothing to fix or prevent. Nothing but sit anxiously awaiting something. What do I want to hear? “ Just a false alarm guys, just kidding. We had you going for a while didn’t we? Just a painfully cruel, heart-wrenching joke. You may now return to your regularly scheduled, cancer-free life.” Or maybe just something about a clean bill of health. The truth of the matter is I'm here through thick or thin and Spence knows that but I'd rather the biggest of his worries be the dread of returning to school after a short summer than what he is worried about now.

Trap (trāp)(v.) :to deceive or trick by mans of a scheme or plan

2008-08-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

My first ever tourist trap! On our trip to Durango, Colorado we stopped off at Four Corners which is the border of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. They have gift shops, carnival food and booths full of Native American wears such as blankets and silver jewelry. You have to pay to stand on a slab of concrete with a marker in the middle. Pay we did, stand we did and photograph we did. Here is the evidence.

Palisade (n.): fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground(pāl'ĭ-sād')

2008-08-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

"Behind the Palisade "

Train (trān) (n.): A series of connected railroad cars pulled or pushed by one or more locomotives

2008-08-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

"Iron Horse"

Smile (smīl) (n.): A facial expression characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or derision.

2008-08-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

"Smile"

Brief (brēf) (adj.) :lasting or taking a short time; of short duration

2008-08-03T22:39:00.001-07:00

Just a brief update to let everyone know we made it here alive. We made it safely to Durango after a grueling 16 hour drive through California, Arizona and some of Colorado. We stopped off at Four Corners on our way through and have taken hundreds of pictures thus far. Today we went to Mesa Verde to do some hiking and check out the cliff dwellings and checked out all the local haunts in town. Tomorrow we have horseback riding in the morning, followed by some sort of concrete slide and after that rafting on the Animas River. We have packed so much into this trip I can't even imagine how we are going to make the drive home. Wish me luck with tomorrows adventures.

Pack (pāk) (v.): to form into a group or compact mass.

2008-08-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

We are pretty much all packed up. The luggage is in the trunk. The cooler is full. Cooper has been bathed. We are a little bit late heading to bed but otherwise everything seems to be in order and that's what worries me. Isn't it when you feel like everything is going according to plan that something undoubtedly more terrible than being behind schedule chooses to implode? I can only hope that all is well in the morning as we head out. Wish us luck! There may be updates from the road and most certainly from Durango.

Mark (märk) (n.): a visible impression or trace on something

2008-08-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

"Mark Your Territory"

Mingle (mĭng'gel)(v.) : to become mixed, blended, or united.

2008-07-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

"Mingle"

Surprise (sər-prīz') (v.): to come upon or discover suddenly and unexpectedly

2008-07-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

"Surprise Party"

Stretch (strěch)(v.): To lengthen, widen, or distend

2008-07-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

"Stretch"

Colorado (kŏl'e-rād'ō) (n.): A state of the west-central United States, the 38th state to be officially admitted into the United States.

2008-07-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

We are slowly but surely getting ready to head out on our grueling yet exciting road trip to Colorado this Saturday. We are leaving Saturday at 6am and driving sixteen hours to Durango, Colorado where we will promptly go to sleep. Sunday we are up early to go on a white-water rafting excursion and possibly a hike after that. Monday we are planning on going horseback riding and probably something else exhausting and then Tuesday its back in the car for another sixteen hour drive back. Why are Guy and I doing this to ourselves? There are a few reasons. 1: I have never been to Colorado. 2: The only other road trip I have taken in my life made me think that there is no way I could actually enjoy a road trip and Guy is convinced that this canon ball run of sorts will make me feel differently. 3: Guy's best friend Garrett, the one we are visiting, is moving out of the state in a couple of weeks and we won't be seeing him until the week of the wedding next June, as he is the best man.

We have made the mildly monumental decision to take our little dog, Cooper with us. After discovering that he was both miserable and making all the other dogs and workers at the kennel miserable last time we left him there, we have decided that it is better for his mental health and ours if we take him along. He will have to stay in the barn in his kennel most of the time but at least he won't be surrounded by the incessant noises and smells of the kennel. He loves the car so much that every time we take him out he makes a bee line for the 4runner where he enjoys having the spacious back seat to himself.

Tomorrow I start laundry and packing, as well as planning our three meals on the way to Colorado, as we have both decided fast food is the wrong way to go, money and health wise. We will have a cooler with us so we do have the option of keeping stuff cold. Does anyone have any ideas for food that is filling, healthy and goes over well in the car?

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Rolling (rōl′iŋ) (adj.): moving by revolving or turning over and over

2008-07-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

"Rolling In"

Save (sāv) (v.) :to set aside, reserve, or lay by

2008-07-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

We've checked off two more wedding tasks from our never ending list and after that we've sort of taken a break to relax but now I am being to feel as though we are falling behind. Now I'm not really sure where to go from here. We booked our photographers,Meurer Image, as they are talented ,friendly and came very highly recommended. We also finished and ordered our save the dates which look like this except actually centered...

Hide (hīd) (v.): to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered

2008-07-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

"Hide"

Hot (hŏt)(adj.):having a high temperature

2008-07-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today is hot. Hot for a day in June, hot for any day of any month in San Diego. Even the flies, who usually delight in the smells produced by the destructive power of heat, seek solace among the covered porches . They fly languidly,moving slowly, like surprise guests who happen upon a your doorstep only to find the house empty and then have nothing to do but shift from foot to foot and wait for your return.

Comic (kŏm'ĭk)(adj): Amusing; humorous

2008-07-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Comic-Con 2008!

Harbor (här'bər) (n.):A sheltered part of a body of water deep enough to provide anchorage for ships.

2008-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Safe Harbor"

Grow (grō) (v.):To develop so as to become

2008-07-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

"When I Grow Up"

Close (klōs) (adj.) : being in or having proximity in space or time

2008-07-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

"Stay Close"

Pastry (pā'strē)(n.): a sweet baked food made of dough

2008-07-22T11:44:00.001-07:00

Finally a comic that encompasses my two passions, dogs and literature.

Pride (prīd)(n.): the state or feeling of being proud.

2008-07-20T12:11:00.001-07:00

This weekend San Diegans are celebrating individuality with the San Diego Gay Pride Festival which kicked off with a very spirited parade through Hillcrest, a community within San Diego that is known for it's open mindedness and support of the GLBT community. Guy and I along with two of our friends, Carly and Damien, went out to the parade to show our support for equal rights for everyone, gay, straight or otherwise. I can only hope that my generation is the beginning of an era full of tolerance, something I will surely instill in any future children Guy and I may produce and/or adopt. Here are some highlight photos!

Californians, remember to Vote NO on Prop 8 to keep marriage legal for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation!

Automobile (ô'tə-mō-bēl')(n.): a passenger vehicle designed for operation on ordinary roads and typically having four wheels.

2008-07-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

We got a new car, well new to us anyway. Yesterday Guy's car completely died. After 9 years and 220,000 miles it finally gave out on us. Luckily for us they were having a used car tent sale. We ended up getting a 1997 Toyota 4Runner with only 28,000 miles on it which is sort of awesome. It runs great and the best thing about it is that it only cost $7,888 plus financing but we are planning on paying it off in a year which will cut down on our finance expenses. It comes with a 3 year warranty that covers the car as a whole so anything that breaks or needs to be replaced it is covered. It gets the same gas mileage as Guy's 1999 Nissan Altima because the 4Runner is a 4 cylinder.

This is what we were looking for:

This is what we got:

The Real Vehicle:

Connect (kə-někt')(v.): to unite or link together

2008-07-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

Brave (brāv) (adj): possessing or exhibiting courage

2008-07-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

When I first started writing this I didn't think I had much to say. It was an experiment, to see if I was immersed enough in the world to make valid commentary about it. I was going to be brilliant in my use of literary allusions and book reviews. Now I realize that I am immersed in the world but mostly I don't wish to make such commentary to often. I originally thought that I would be writing this for other people, that I would keep it impersonal and follow current events and as time has gone on I realize I am writing this for myself more than anyone else. I do keep up with current events, I read the newspaper, and sometimes I write about said events but its less news reporter sort of a way and more in a inner commentary sort of way. This kind of writing doesn't often get the readership a news blog would receive but why write something I wouldn't be all too interested to read myself? With that said I am always thrilled to find a new comment on a post I've made, be it one that agrees or disagrees and believe me I get a lot of disagreements fueled by the comments I decide to make.

As much of a personal outlet for both joy and frustration as this has become, very few people who know me in real life know it exists. With the exception of my soon to be husband, who isn't a regular reader or internet user despite his being a computer genius, his roommate who is a close friend of mine and my little brother, Spencer no one I know reads it and mostly, I am the only one who reads it.

Today I challenge myself to step outside of my very small square of a comfort zone and let people know that this exists. To unabashedly promote it to the world. The first step I am going to take is to put a link in my personal email signature so that those that I hold near and dear will be able to both find it and read it, maybe even comment on it. This is step #1.

Mutt (mŭt) (noun): dog of mixed breed

2008-07-02T10:24:00.001-07:00

Busy (bĭz'ē)(adj): Sustaining much activity

2008-07-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Seeing as I am starting a new job tomorrow, we have to get the dog boarded, we have an appointment with a photographer and we are headed out of town tomorrow today is going to be busy and at 10 in the morning I already have a long list.

[x] 2 loads of laundry
--[x] wash
--[x] dry
--[x] fold
--[x] hang
--[x] put away all already clean laundry
[x] get Coop's stuff ready for tomorrow
--[x] toys
--[x] food
--[x] shot records
[x] make a pile of stuff to take
--[x]crates
--[x]batman book
--[x]small cooler
[x] make plans with Carly for Friday
[ ] get Jeannie a birthday card
[ ] clean the bedroom
[ ] clean the bathroom
[x] walk Cooper
[x] feed Cooper
[x] file papers that need to be filed
[x] send out the Netflix
[x] send out the DJ deposit
[x] defrost something for dinner
[x] pack for tomorrow

Cooper: of English origin, meaning barrel maker

2008-06-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

If you stick around long enough there are five things you will undeniably read about at least once if not multiple times. They are as follows: My kooky family, my upcoming wedding, my boy, my politics and my dog. Today you got lucky, its my dog.

Cooper is what could be considered a project dog, to say the least. He's old, he's moody, he's afraid of grass and water, he has no front teeth, and he is, with the exception of Guy, one of the best things that has happened to me by chance. I never expected to find my sort of a dog person fiance glued to the front of a kennel containing a smelly ratty old terrier mix that looked more like an abandoned mop head than a dog when we weren't even looking for a dog, but I did one warm day in June while stopping at the San Diego Animal Shelter to pick up my volunteer sweatshirt. I found Guy squatting down, attempting to make himself small in the eyes of this 15 pound dog which is not an easy feat for a man who stands at 6 feet 5 inches. Did I mention he was baby talking to this dog, a mildly unresponsive dog who's matted tail would occasionally wag across the cement floor which ,of course, only fueled Guy's efforts more. If you have ever been to an animal shelter you know that the noise in the dog kennels is nearly unbearable, full of excited dogs showing off to every passerby and my first question of course was then why doesn't this dog care? The truth of the matter, as I found out later, was that he had given up. In his nearly seven week stay at the shelter he had seen hundreds of pairs of feet pass him by and hundreds of kind hands had pressed up against the front of his kennel until they read his chart. " 9 and 1/2 years old, too old. Let's look for a puppy". Guy was set on taking this dog home. We did an interact. The woman who oversaw everything told us he was going to be the worse dog we ever had, he was going to pee on everything, he was going to snarl, he was going to chew and for the most part she was right. After having him pee on the floor too many times to count, we crate trained him. But in his defense Cooper never has, to this day, chewed on anything of importance although he has a gum fetish and will seek it out until he finds the prize. We adopted him. We paid $35 and we came back to pick him up the next day. He was newly neutered and came with a leash, a personalized dog tag, shots and licensing for a year. He had a name, Cooper, which derived from two placed Gary Cooper, the actor and Coop, a character from MegasXLR, and he had a family. Despite all his old man grumpiness at times he has turned out to be the best money-pit I have ever owned.

He's not the best behaved dog I've ever owned although he's learning and he wants to be that dog. Everyday he does something that makes me laugh, something that makes me angry and something that makes me stop a minute and think about the world and the idiosyncrasies created by so many things all mashed together. Today as I was taking him out for an early morning pee and walk about the complex he stopped to sniff a ray of sunshine peaking through the leaves onto the sidewalk as though it was a tangible thing. After licking it twice, apparently satisfied that he had either welcomed it to the neighborhood or vanquished its evil he wandered on looking for a proper place to pee and when he was finished with that he cantered back to the door where he took a seat upon the mat and waited for further instructions. Since that day at the shelter he has livened up quite a bit and people are often surprised to find that he is indeed an older dog at 10 and 1/2 years and not the new spirit of the puppy but the unbreakable and ever vigilant soul of a wise old man. In trying to help Cooper along in this world, Guy and I have both found out things about ourselves and learned to appreciate small moments of joy and relish in the unexpected, as they make getting out of bed in the morning worth all the while.

List (lĭst) (noun): A series of names, words, or other items

2008-06-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Booked:
Church
Reception Hall
DJ
Month of Wedding Coordinator

Not Booked:
Everything Else

Rid (rĭd)(verb): to clear, disencumber, or free of something

2008-06-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Goals:
+Get to 125 pounds
+Cardio 3 times a week
+Strength training 2 times a week
+Eat between 100-1300 cals a day
+Take 20 minutes a day to do something useful for myself
+Start drinking tea everyday
+Read a book a week
+Walk to dog everyday
+At least 64 ounce of water everyday
+No more that one latte per ever 7 days

Disappointment (dĭs'ə-point'mənt) (noun): The condition or feeling of being disappointed.

2008-06-19T01:47:00.000-07:00

I am disappointed in myself, in my lack of motivation. I want to be better and yet I for some reason cannot force myself to do anything. Everyday I disappoint myself in some way. I makes excuses for myself and I strive to be better mentally but I struggle when it comes to committing myself to it.

Today, I publicly commit myself to bettering myself both physically and mentally. Everyday I will do something everyday to promote mental and physical health. No more prolonged bouts of self-pity, no more binge eating.

Rules (rōōl) (noun): An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct

2008-05-28T23:23:00.000-07:00

Today I broke all my own rules. I cried. I wasted an entire day with my head in a book that I was reading solely for the purpose of wallowing in a deep mire of self-pity. I ate things that leave sharp uncomfortable crumbs on my sheets knowingly and will undoubtedly complain about it later. I let my dog eat straight off my plate , after I was done of course. I yelled at my mother for things that were in no way her fault. I ordered pizza for dinner and plan to allow myself to eat at least three pieces accompanied by one tall cold glass of non-diet mountain dew. I pouted to get what I wanted. And in one last glorious attempt at making myself feel better I am writing this for all world to read, which means I will have made a complete rotation through the entirety of my vices, or the ones which I am aware of, in a single day.

The pizza eating has occurred and I would just like to announce that it did indeed become 4 pieces of pizza along with 2 bread sticks and no mountain dew.

Everyday I say tomorrow I will start over. I will reinvent my mind, my body, my life. Everyday I say tomorrow and and every tomorrow I promise myself the same thing. Will tomorrow be my real new beginning? I doubt it. I have no motivation. I feel myself getting lazier and lazier. I haven't been to the gym in months. Everyday I eat too much of everything thats bad for me. I just don't care. Not caring is breaking the rules too.

Enchanted: (ěn-chānt'ed)(adj): to charm; to enrapture

2008-05-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

After watching Enchanted and receiving the dvd for my twenty-first birthday and watching it quite a few times since then, I have decided I have things to say about it. The first thing I want to comment on is the soundtrack. Alan Menken and Harry Warren did an incredible job with the composed pieces. The three other songs on the soundtrack are fun and match up well with their corresponding scenes in the movie. My favorite of the songs is So Close by Jon McLaughlin . I added a video of the song withing the movie to the bottom of this post. The movie itself opens up with twelve minutes of beautiful Disney animation, reminiscent of the original feature length features specifically Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. To add the the nostalgic factor Julie Andrews,Mary Poppins herself, narrates the introduction. The entire movie is one huge homage to all the classics. The parts are well cast with Amy Adams as the far from home ,naive Giselle. Patrick Dempsey's portrayal of Robert as the cynical and questioning formerly heart-broken man is well done and believable. As fas the cinematography there are some beautiful shots, especially of those in Time Square in downtown New York, New York and Central Park. Each scene fits the mood for which is was shot to convey. One especially well shot sequence is the choreographed dance to "How Does She Know" in which hundreds of people dance about. The use of the park's well know landmarks through out the song and dance session brings the essence of New York to the forefront while at the same time showing the vast differences between the real world of New York and Andalasia while at the same time tying them together in order to show just how the two can seamlessly mesh. Overall the movie is well written and is on essence a live action Disney Princess movie.

Enchanted
Rated PG
1 hour 47 minutes running time
Directed by Kevin Lima

Laughter (lāf'tər) (noun): an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement

2008-05-11T13:10:00.001-07:00

Your Laughter by Pablo Neruda

Take bread away from me, if you wish,
take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.

Do not take away the rose,
the lance flower that you pluck,
the water that suddenly
bursts forth in joy,
the sudden wave
of silver born in you.

My struggle is harsh and I come back
with eyes tired
at times from having seen
the unchanging earth,
but when your laughter enters
it rises to the sky seeking me
and it opens for me all
the doors of life.

My love, in the darkest
hour your laughter
opens, and if suddenly
you see my blood staining
the stones of the street,
laugh, because your laughter
will be for my hands
like a fresh sword.

Next to the sea in the autumn,
your laughter must raise
its foamy cascade,
and in the spring, love,
I want your laughter like
the flower I was waiting for,
the blue flower, the rose
of my echoing country.

Laugh at the night,
at the day, at the moon,
laugh at the twisted
streets of the island,
laugh at this clumsy
boy who loves you,
but when I open
my eyes and close them,
when my steps go,
when my steps return,
deny me bread, air,
light, spring,
but never your laughter
for I would die.

Reader (rē'dər) (noun): One that reads.

2008-03-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

'A man should begin with his own times. He should become acquainted first of all with the world in which he is living and participating. He should not be afraid of reading too much or too little. He should take his reading as he does his food or his exercise. The good reader will gravitate to the good books. He will discover from his contemporaries what is inspiring or fecundating, or merely enjoyable, in past literature. He should have the pleasure of making these discoveries on his own, in his own way. What has worth, charm, beauty, wisdom, cannot be lost or forgotten. But things can lose all value, all charm and appeal, if one is dragged to them by the scalp.'
-Henry Miller

Hungry (hŭng'grē)(adjective): Experiencing a desire or need for food.

2008-03-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am this hungry.

Woman (wŏŏm'ən)(noun): the female human being

2008-03-01T10:35:00.001-08:00

I worked with a man (up until the end of last week) who looks like a rustic Calvin Klein underwear model, rippling bicep muscles and all. He’s quite nice to look at but after talking to him I have decided I would have enjoyed him far more had he not decided to speak. His complete lack of respect for woman makes him entirely unappealing. The interesting thing is he thinks himself extremely respectful to woman. He opens doors and changes light bulbs and does heavy lifting while at the same time making unfounded assumptions of me based on my biological sex. Maybe, just maybe, the fact that I have a vagina makes me neither incapable of opening a door nor inferior to the penis owners of this world. The first (and last) time I opened a door for him he refused to walk through. In fact, we both stubbornly stood blocking the entry way for an excess of five minutes waiting for the other to give in. Finally, I looked at him and said “I can open doors just as well as you. What you just did was rude and disrespectful. Why won’t you let me be polite just because I am a woman?” and I left him standing there as the door slammed in his face. This story of course has almost nothing to do with the vile act of opening doors. To be honest I think opening doors for people is generally a very nice thing to do and I do it all the time. The sexism that was presented in this particular situation is my problem.

After the door incident afternoon I made the (very bad, yet enlightening) decision to talk to said co-worker about gender. For him, gender is the deciding factor in all things. It guides every decision you will make. Intelligence, kindness, merit, all other variables are trumped by what parts you were born with. During this heated conversation I learned that I am biologically wired to love romantic comedies and strongly disliked any action and adventure. My place was (and I quote) “barefoot and pregnant”. All women have a maternal driving force that makes them want to have children, be stay at home mothers and wives who are happy to submit to their superior husbands. While my retorts were both varied, well founded and brilliant he was unwilling to submit to the idea that gender is cultural and not set biologically. I was also informed that my father must be gay because he didn’t like the movie 300 and that my fiancé is “a pussy” (please note the negative connotation that refers to the female anatomy) because I asked him out on our first date instead of the other way around.

The idea that gender roles are both universal and biological is an unjustified idea. Gender roles are cultural. That is why they change over time and differ as you travel geographically. In America, the expected gender roles are based in Anglo-Saxon Christian ideals. Adam was created in God’s image while woman was a mere afterthought. In Genesis chapter two, verse nineteen God gave Adam the job of naming all the animals and then he created Eve for the sole purpose of helping Adam and being his companion.

2:19-And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
2:20- And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Later, Eve is essentially blamed for the fall of man kind from the Garden of Eden and God's good graces. If you aren’t into reading the bible as literature but this idea interests you read Paradise Lost by John Milton which gives a poetic literary rendition of the story of the fall.

The Judeo- Christian creation myth still weighs heavily on women today. When you look woman up in the dictionary you get a lot of different definitions, which include a wife, a sweetheart or paramour, a female person who cleans house, cooks, etc, and these are just three of the definitions placed on women. Despite that pressure and the historical oppression women have suffered, we rise above. We rise above the misconceptions everyday. Every time a woman performs a life saving surgery, she rises above a time when women weren’t allowed to practice medicine. Every time a woman writes a book, she rises above a world where women were not allowed to get an education, to read, to write. Every time a woman works her way to the top of a law firm food chain, she rises above a time when women were thought too emotional and irrational to practice law. Every time a woman dares to be herself without social constructions guiding her decisions, we all rise above. When will the word realize masculine and feminine is only relevant when view through the lens of cultural context?