My parents...

are driving down to Kansas City as we speak. My stepbrother Mike got kicked out of his girlfriend's house and has nowhere to go...

If I'm not at work this weekend, that's probably why. I have to take care of my little sister first.

<3

Hee hee....

Theron's so cute.

This morning, he texts me (in the middle of my music alarm, which was playing "Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morissette no less) and asks me if I want him to come pick me up. I think it was the best way to wake up, with the exception of turning over and staring into his gorgeous brown eyes or looking at his sleepy face.

He could be doing so many other things with his time... but he's not... he's with me. He's holding me, cuddling me, being so gentle. He always pushes me to be better, to do my homework, to get stuff done early, to clean my room.

I missed him so much this weekend. Granted, I was working most of the time, but when I was home it was like I had no clue what I wanted to do. I did some homework, watched some TV, spent time with my family... played Lego Star Wars :)

Here is what I'm thankful for...

• Kelsey - No matter how much we fight and act like we hate each other, I hope you know that I wouldn't be the same without you. I love you soooo much. I'm sorry that I don't spend as much time with you as I should. I had so much fun being your big sister all weekend, and your bff! You can kick my ass on Guitar Hero any day!


• Mom - I love you. I hope that you feel better soon. I'm so thankful that you made it through the night. Please sleep and try to get better. I'll take care of what I can as far as cooking okay? You need to take care of you now, so you can get back to taking care of the rest of us. X-P


• Dad - You're super awesome! I'm sad that we don't get to spend that much time together, but I'm so glad that you're in my life.


• Nicki - You make everyday at work worth it. You are the funnest and the silliest gal I know (well, okay, maybe tied with Mama Latonya :). Thanks for all you do to try and make work funner!


• Latonya - I know you're probably not gonna read this, but you are so much fun hun. I love being at work with you because we're always on the same page and always know what to do to get stuff done. You really are like a second mommy to me, and I wanna thank you for listening to me blab on and on about Theron and his cuteness, and for giving me advice.


• Nate & Norene & Girls - I miss you guys so much. I wish that we were still around each other. I'm so excited for Munkey to graduate and be a teacher. Your girls are growing up so fast. They're so adorable and I miss every second of everyday that I used to spend with them, and you two too!


• Nette & Kiddles - I miss you guys. I worry about you a lot. You're so far away, and we don't talk as often as I wish we did. Jonathan, I can remember when you were just a teeny baby. You're such a good kid, and a great big brother. Micah, you're a princess!


• Gramma Patty - I miss you more than you'll ever know. Who else is gonna pick me up after finals and go shopping with me? Get me Dairy Queen? Talk about mommies? I love you!
  


• Theron - You brighten my days and light up my nights. You make everything I've been through worth it. I don't know what I did to be so lucky to get you, but I'll never question it. There aren't even words to describe you - that's what I resort to neology. I love how you push me to be better, how you cheer me up in two seconds, the way you look at me that just screams "I love you!". You make me want to be a better person - clean my room, do my homework, work harder. You keep me on the right track. I know that it's only been two months, but it feels like forever. I feel like I'm myself around you. You are the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man I've ever met, not to mention the most handsome, silliest, and adorable one too! You are more than I could've ever asked more, more than I could've even hoped for - you're my dream come true. I love you so much. I adore you. Be with me, not just now, but for an indeterminate amount of time... forever even. If there's one big thing that this whole weekend away taught me, it's that I can't be without you. Even if I could, I wouldn't want to. You're the only person who knows exactly what I'm thinking, exactly what to say, exactly what to do to make everything seem perfect, even if it isn't. The way you hold me, put your arms around me, kiss me... I've never seen anyone be so sweet. I love you more than you will ever know Mister Sir.

I'm thankful for so much more, but I suppose I can't find the words to say it. Even if I could, would you really want to read a blog 10 miles long? I wouldn't. X-P

Sad

Yup. I kind of am right now.

My friend Mike at work got arrested and fired all in one today.

For a while now, there've been things disappearing out of the electronics department... I guess today, somehow, they traced it back to him.

It really struck me for some reason that he'd do that. Maybe it's cos he is younger than me and has had such a hard life already. Maybe it's cos he was a fun guy to hang out with, and flirt with a little, I'll admit. Maybe it's just cos he was such a hard worker and I would've never expected that it was him. Whatever the case, I'm saddened that 1) he did it, and 2) that he has had such a hard life that would push him to that. He was working two jobs to make ends meat, and now this stealing and pawning things off? *sigh*

I'm glad that I didn't get the chance to get romantically involved with him now. For a while, I thought I might ask him out, but it seemed like something better was on it's way. And how!

The worst part was seeing him being escorted out in handcuffs with a cop at his side. Looking at him for the last time, but not in the eye... feeling his shame as he walked past... wishing I could give him a hug, tell him thank you for all the times he watched my back when there were customers who were ready for a throw-down or bending over backwards and dropping everything when I needed his help... watching them begin the conversation over where he was going now and what was gonna happen.

As Theron would say, some people's kids, eh?

I am...

I had to write this poem for Education100 a few weeks ago...

I Am

I am compassionate and helpful.
I believe that children are the future.
I wonder if my students will like me, or think I'm crazy.
I hear the giggles of kids as they learn something important through humor.
I see a classroom of kids looking up to me, waiting for the next example.
I want to help make the world a better place.
I am compassionate and helpful.

I pretend like I am a little girl every day, to escape stress.
I feel like schools don't have passionate teachers anymore.
I touch the hearts of my past teachers by taking examples from them.
I worry that I might be that one teacher every kid thinks is crazy.
I cry when I see parents belittling their children in stores.
I believe that I can make a difference in those kids' lives.
I am compassionate and helpful.

I understand that not every kid is going to like me.
I say never give up what you want most for what you want right now.
I dream about a day where I can see my students graduate.
I try to help every child that I meet.
I hope that I will be an important part of many lives.
I believe that education is the biggest investment in the future.
I am compassionate and helpful.

It seems like everything I am coincides with everything that Esmé Raji Codell is too. If you haven't read her book, Educating Esmé: Diary of a First Year Teacher yet, I suggest you get it. It's only like a 200 page paperback that'll take you maybe three hours to finish. It's really worth the ten dollars or so, depending on where you get it. It really helps to exhibit the problems inherent in the education system today. You can read more about her at her wesbite, http://www.planetesme.com/.

Phenylketuronics

Phenylalanine is the main culprit of allergies and all sorts of other problems for hundreds of thousands of people. It's in all sorts of pain medications - which, really, is just great when I need to relieve the arthritis pain, and have no more Aleve... And it's in just about any diet thing out there... and, sadly, every kind of gum aside from Dentyne fire and Big red. But I'm starting to think that there's a good side to why I'm allergic to it...

phenylketonuria
Inherited metabolic condition in which the liver of a child cannot control the level of phenylalanine (an amino acid derived from protein food) in the bloodstream. The condition must be detected promptly and a special diet started in the first few weeks of life if brain damage is to be avoided. Untreated, it causes stunted growth, epilepsy, and severe mental
disability.

So this stuff has formic acid and formaldehyde in it. Formaldehyde you should recognize as the wonderful preservative that gives grandma that freshly dead look at the altar in her coffin. Formic acid has a smell that, if you have pests, you're all too aware of. You ever squish an ant, and then wonder why your fingers smell so bad? That's formic acid. And every time you have a
diet soda or flavored water, a light yogurt, or even a piece of your favorite non-cinnamon, non-kid-oriented gum, that's what you're eating. Yum!

Although phenylalanine is somewhat of an essential thing to have in your body, the amount that's in our food today is extremely troubling.

With Turkey day coming up, try to chew on this. Although this chemical is very, very bad in high doses, when mixed with tryptophan (that additive in your holiday turkey that makes you all sleepy -- and you thought it was just your boring family!), it helps to create an intestinal hormone called cholecystokinin, which helps you to digest things via tasty intestinal mucosa. So tasty!

Phenylalanine helps to make tyrosine and, together, they makeup thyroxine or thyroid hormone and adrenaline and noradrenaline which is converted into a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical which transmits nerve impulses. This neurotransmitter is used by the brain to manufacture noradrenaline which promotes mental alertness, memory, elevates mood and suppresses the appetite very effectively. Hence its presence in diet foods.

The danger of phenylalanine to phenylketuronics [people allergic to the phenyl group] is that they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine properly. Because of their inability to metabolize phenylalanine, it builds up in the blood in the form of phenylperuvic acid. High levels of phenylperuvic acid in the blood can cause a number of problems including mental retardation, muscle aches and pains and even seizures. Because of this phenylketuronics must be very careful of their diets and avoid the ingestion of phenylalanine.

Aspartame is a compound of two amino acids -- aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Because it is essentially half phenylalanine, people who have the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) and cannot metabolize phenylalanine normally need to avoid diet drinks and other products containing aspartame (trade name: NutraSweet). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia (cardiac arrhythmia), insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

That's not all...

The following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma (that's right, cancer!), birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression.

Another fun study a la Supersize Me...

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.

Phenylketonuria
The genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) is the inability to metabolize phenylalanine. Individuals with this disorder are known as "phenylketonurics" and must abstain from consumption of phenylalanine. This dietary restriction also applies to pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in blood) because they do not properly metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. Persons suffering from PKU must monitor their intake of protein to control the buildup of phenylalanine as their bodies convert protein into its component amino acids.

A related issue is the compound present in many sugarless gums and mints, snack foods, sugarless soft drinks (such as diet sodas including CocaCola Zero, Pepsi Max, some forms of Lipton Tea, Clear Splash flavored water), and a number of other low calorie food products. The artificial sweetener aspartame, sold under the names "Equal" and "NutraSweet", is an ester that is hydrolyzed in the body to give phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol (wood alcohol). The
breakdown problems phenylketonurics have with protein and the attendant build up of phenylalanine in the body also occurs with the ingestion of aspartame, although to a lesser degree. Accordingly, all products in the U.S. and Canada that contain aspartame must be labeled: "Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine." [It's not always in an easily seeable place,
however] In the UK, foods containing aspartame must carry ingredients panels that refer to the presence of 'aspartame or E951', and they must be labeled with a warning "Contains a source of phenylalanine". These warnings are specifically placed to aid individuals who suffer from PKU so that they can avoid such foods. Interestingly, the macaque genome was recently sequenced and it was found that macaques naturally have a mutation that is found in humans who have PKU.

I've taken the liberty of highlighting the best parts...

Maybe read that last part in red one more time...

Phenlylalanine actually alters your DNA... That's right, your DNA! Why would they put this in anything? Don't you think that maybe, just maybe, that's not such a good idea, altering one's
DNA?

If you still don't think that it's a hazard, unless of course you happen to be a phenylketuronic, maybe you should visit this site. ADD and ADHD, along with some emotional and behavioral disorders, are a result of too much phenylalanine in the mother's diet during pregnancy.

The Mayo Clinic website states that:

"Phenylalanine is found in protein-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, as well as some leafy vegetables and whole grains. It's also found in diet foods, such as diet soda,
that contain aspartame."

which is all fine and well until you realize that there probably isn't that much in said protein-rich foods or you start studying up on all the things you consume everyday that contain the dreaded phenylalanine.

I would suggest that you guys do your own research and decide whether or not you want to continue to imbibe anything with phenylalanine. However, I would suggest that you not. It's been linked to cancer and all sorts of not fun diseases and maladies. Until further testing is done, please don't drink diet, or chew minty gum, or have any of the millions of things that now contain phenylalanine.

At least try to cut back, eh?

The history of my name...

I'd do something different today.

Here's how to spell my name in a whole buncha languages! Enjoy!

Chinese: 基尔斯 (simplified) or 基爾斯 (traditional)
Japanese: キルステン
Korean: 조종
Russian: Кирстен
Arabic: أدلت السيدة كيرستين

Fun right? I wish my name was different in more languages though.
On the subject of names...

"Kirsten Larson longs to feel at home in a strange land. In 1854, Kirsten leaves all she’s ever known to come with her family to the New World. They settle on the Minnesota frontier, a place where people don’t speak her language or wear clothes like hers—or know about the traditions she holds dear. Yet with quiet strength and an open heart, Kirsten discovers the richness of her new land—and the true meaning of home."

So totally like me. If you wanna read more about Kirsten Larson, the American Girl, go to the American Girl website.


Quite literally, my name is...

KIRSTEN
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Scandinavian
Scandinavian form of CHRISTINA
which is...

CHRISTINA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Scandinavian
Pronounced: kris-TEEN-a (English), kris-TEE-nah (German) [key]
Feminine form of CHRISTIAN. This was the name of a Swedish queen of the 17th century who was interested in the arts and philosophy. She gave up her crown to become a Roman Catholic.
and one more back...

CHRISTIAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German
Pronounced: KRIS-chen (English), KRISH-chen (English), krees-TYAWN (French), kris-TEE-ahn (German) [key]
From a medieval Latin name that meant "Christian". This was the name of ten kings of Denmark. Another famous bearer of the name was Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of such fairy tales as 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. In medieval England this was also a feminine name.

What about Theron?

Theron means hunter in greek (see below).

Ancient Greek: Θηρων
Arabic: ثيرون
Chinese: 塞隆 (simplified and traditional)
Japanese: セロン
Korean: 테론
Russian: Терон

Yay names!

Shambala!

Last night, we went to the Shambala center.

They were doing meditation and invited us to join them, which we gladly did.

Usually, I meditate in the corpse pose (lying on my back, arms stretched out to either side - like making a snow angel without the movement). It's easier for me because of the lack of strain on the body. I thoroughly enjoyed last night though. We sat in the half-lotus position, because we're not super experienced in that crazy feet over thighs area.

There was a birthday celebration for the founder's son, who is off doing other things. Wine, cider, cheese & crackers (oh yah!), and yummy chocolates and teas. It was awesomely fun.

Wednesdays

are always really long seeming... except this one.

I'm having a great day today.

I actually woke up and was ready to leave the house by 6, but since we didn't have to leave until closer to 745, I was able to shower and be all girly with my hair. I got all dressed up and look all purdy.

Calculus was okay this morning. Still didn't get the tests back from last week, but hopefully tomorrow. Dr. Feil's getting sicker, and I'm getting unhappy that I'm in the splash-zone... luckily, he's not a spitter. Haha.

I got to snuggle with Theron this morning. He's super cuddly. :)

The only thing that really irked me about today so far was my EDU100 class. No, not really the class, but the topic. The whole class period today dealt with the ugly (Mrs. Donovan gave us the ol' "the good, the bad, and the ugly" speech at the beginning of the year). Last night I had to read a handout about the signs of all kinds of abuse - how to spot them, report them, all that fun stuff. There was a whole page with the things that teachers are supposed to watch out for, the most important warning signs of neglect and physical/emotional/sexual abuse. I hate that the article doesn't mention children molesting each other, because that happens more than adult on children sexual abuse.

For those of you who don't know, or don't know me, I was sexually abused by my best friend when I was little. Most of the women in my family have been. We all tend to be people pleasers, which is apparently one of the main symptoms of emotional abuse.

When someone is abused sexually, it doesn't just affect the sexual part of him/her. It takes a huge toll on them physically (depending on exactly what's happening to them), and emotionally.

It's like someone has stolen your innocence away. That's not something that you just get back... you never really do. All you can do is to pretend that it didn't happen to you, to block it out. The only problem with that, though, is that you are who you are. If I wasn't abused, maybe I would be some Britney Spears type pop star, ruining my life more and more with each line of coke I snort... or some girl who got pregnant in middle school, because she hadn't been exposed to sexuality before and had no clue what was happening to her during the conception.

The point is, you are who you are, and everything that you've been through has helped to make you that way. Yes, I'm withdrawn for the first few days/weeks/months that you know me, but I'm sure that it's helped me to avoid more problems by not interacting with certain people. Or my sister with her anger issues - she doesn't get walked all over by people trying to manipulate her because that's her defense.

We can't ignore our pasts. So, what's our alternative? Just omit it? That's the same as ignoring. Not focus on it at all? Same thing. The only thing that we can do is embrace the things that we've been through, the trials and tribulations, if you will, that we've faced. I was sexually abused for many years. No one knew what was going on, and I couldn't bring myself to talk, so no one could possibly do anything about it. How could I understand the things that my mama and my sister have been through if that hadn't happened to me? How unfeeling and awkward would the revealing conversations be? How many children/people am I supposed to talk to, supposed to let them know that they didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't their fault?

I know it might seem like I'm not mad about it at all. Believe me, I'm extremely upset. You would think that having a family full of abused women would have helped me, that they would've seen. Not necessarily. And maybe parts of them did see, did notice little things wrong, but were in denial.

And Claire? Oh, believe me, she got hers I'm sure. A six year old doesn't know those kinds of things unless shown... Her dad neglected them constantly. He worked for a Congressman who shall remain nameless... They were always with his friends or his girlfriends (and boy, did he go through a lot of 'em!).

I was so hesitant to move away from Eugene, not because I was going to miss my friends or my family (not to say that I wasn't, but it didn't scare the life outta me), but because I didn't know where she was. Come to find out (through searching myspace and google in the last 5 minutes) she's in Milwaukee... great... wonderful... perfect... lovely...

Anyways, enough about all that junkers. I think an hour venting is good enough for right now.

On a much, much, MUCH lighter and happier note, I'm going to a Buddhist temple tonight on a site visit for rel306. I'm really excited. This is really what I want to be and really what I identify with. Hopefully it goes well.

I'm sure I'll hop on tomorrow with wonderful tales about Buddhism and such things.

KK

Scheduling for next semester

I finished. And, just in case you wanted to know, here's my schedule.

REL106 Sec B Understanding Religion Prof Boykin -MT-RF- 10:00a-10:50a
REL316 Sec A Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Prof Boykin -MT-RF- 11:00a-11:50a
MUS158 Sec A Rock Music: Roots and History Prof Carpenter -M--R-- 02:00p-03:50p
HIS203 Online The American Civil War Prof Herdegen Online

The first two classes are gonna be fun, cos they're with my Asian Religions professor. Everyone knows I love rock music, so that'll be good too. Plus, it satisfies the only LSP I have yet to fulfill. AND Theron says the Civil War class is pretty easy and fun. So I'm stoked.

Now that I got that done and some of my other homework out of the way, I'm gonna get ahead on some other homeworks.

KK

Yikes!

So much to say after not writing for almost a whole week! Erk!

Registration is tomorrow for next semester. I really hope that I get into the classes that I need/want to take. Hopefully, Theron's schedule and my own don't mesh too badly.

Wednesday night, Theron wrote up this mock test for calculus, and we spent like four hours going through it. I had a test the next morning, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. Hopefully, I got a good grade. I've never been with anyone who wanted me to do well like this, and it's sooo cool. I hope he knows how very much I appreciate it.

Grrr was actually relatively nice to me on Thursday. Hopefully that means she's getting over her damn self. Nicki told me a fun lil story when I went to say goodbye to her on Saturday morning. Apparently Grrr might be going to a different store. *crosses fingers* I'm not going to look for a different job then, until I know if she's leaving or what's going on. Without her, that store is awesome, and everything runs well.

Friday was wonderful. I got to sleep in, because Dr. Feil was out of town at a conference, so he canceled class. I didn't have to work either, so that was nice. Theron's mom came down, and took us to lunch. The math tutors didn't get paid though, and it totally ruined the whole day. Stupid people not doing the right thing. Rawr.

Saturday was an awesome day! We went to the Milwaukee Public Museum with some people from History Club. It was tons of fun. I haven't really been in Milwaukee that much, or to a natural history museum, so it was definitely a fun first for me. I think that Theron had fun watching me be all amazed at all this stuff. It seemed like it anyways. There is so much to see there that I could spend literally three or four days in there. There's so much to read, so much to look at, to experience. I wish I could've been there all day. Four floors of all these different exhibits - ancient cultures, natural wonders, wars, dinosaurs, extinct animals, the rainforest, and more! I really liked it, can you tell?

After roaming around the museum for a few hours, we went and saw Dinosaurs Alive! at the IMAX theater. That was crazy cool! The screen was sooo big. I kinda had trouble focusing on a lot - so did other people though, because a lot of us almost or completely fell asleep. Might have had something to do with the reclined seats as well... sooo comfy...

We went out to lunch at Mo's Irish Pub. That was some good food. Very filing too. They have these garlic cheese fries that are to die for! I ate way too many of them though...

As a joke, some of us thought it'd be funny to go to the porn store. Haha, funny joke... Until we went. Some of those movie titles - yikes! A lot of the things in there are scary. It was the first time Theron had been in one, so it was kinda funny to watch him. Our group was probably one of the funnest to have in there though. We had Sam, the really shy guy who was a little scared, and Jenny, who is the hilarious lesbian who loves to make jokes about anything and everything, and then another girl - I feel bad, cos I forgot her name already... Ooops. She was cool, though. And then Theron and I... It was really funny. I love how they have pipes for "tobacco use." Yeah right, like anyone who buys those really uses them for that.

Sunday was okay, I guess. I worked later in the day (3-close), so it made it harder for me to do homework. I'd much rather work earlier. Maybe that's just me though. Grrr wasn't there, though, so my night was terribly pleasant.

I have to work tonight, Thursday afternoon, and Friday night, but I get Saturday off, which is sooo nice.

On a super happy note, I figured out that I can put my hair up! It's super cute.

Plus, it's 57 degrees out right now, so I get to wear flippity-floppitys! Yay!

Adios! Hasta luego!


----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - When The World Ends
via FoxyTunes

Eugene...

So in my Excel class (csc107), we have to go through these tutorials. Here's this week's...

Ellen Jefferson, business manager for the Eugene Community Theatre in Eugene, Oregon, is automating several processes for the theatre's business office. Each year, the theatre mails a brochure to patrons and other interested individuals showcasing the upcoming seasons' offerings. Then, theatre-goers make their selections and mail in the order form. Ellen wants to automate the process of invoicing, capturing the order, calculating the charges, and printing an invoice. She also wants the invoice system to reflect specific requests for tickets (number, series, and location in theatre).

But get this - I always thought that there was some truth to some of these. Obviously, if you're from Eugene, you know the above is false. It gets better... Here're some of the people...

Michael Keller
1234 Main Street
Eugene, OR 70777
(806) 555-1111

George Zildane
105 Central Ave.
Eugene, OR 70777
(808) 685-1111

Kate Holland
186 Pinetop Drive
Eugene, Oregon 70777
(888) 555-1234

Ridiculousness! I feel mocked... :(

Off to homeworkland for moi! Au revoir!

I should...

not be multitasking while doing homework, but oh well.

I really like my Asian Religions class, and my decision to switch over to Religious Studies as a major. I think I finally found my niche.

I halfway told Grrr off yesterday, and Latanya totally did. I hope that she isn't going to get fired. Grrr tried to make some joke to me about me not having a doctor's note for my OCD/Perfectionism, and it totally offended me. So I said no right? And she says, "Well it must not be THAT bad then." So, I got all up in her face about it. "No, Grrr, that just means I don't have insurance or enough money to get you a doctor's note." Ha! She ignored my comment.

I stopped by Tallinger's last night to get an application, filled it out, and hopefully the other girl she hired isn't going to work out (I'm a horrible, horrible person!). I can't wait to get away from Kmart, even if that means less money. Ugh.

Theron left me the cutest messages when I was at work the other day. It was super cute even! I really like writing about him on here, because I'm bragging about him, but he gets to see it too. It's kinda fun, cos I think mayhaps he gets embarrassed about it... Then again maybe not.

Well, since I've not multitasked my homework at all, I'm gonna go finish the reading for class in a half hour...

Toodles

Ahhh, the weekend update...

So my weekend was alright, I suppose. I've been super busy... well, and super lazy.

Saturday went well enough. Aside from getting some stuff at the store, there wasn't a whole lot of eventful stuff. Theron and I cleaned my room. It was nice to have him there to help motivate me, but at the same time, I feel bad... I should be able to motivate myself... I'm just super lazy and lethargic, I suppose. X-P

Oregon whomped Arizona State Saturday night, moving them to the number 3 spot in BCS standings. They play Arizona there Thursday night and in UCLA the Saturday after next before coming back home to play the civil war game against Oregon State. This game is legendary, for those of you who have no clue about it. Almost every year, these are the first tickets to get sold out. Go ducks!

We made dirt cake Saturday night, which was supremely fun. I got to crush all the loverly Oreos, but I didn't do a great job... We put sooo many gummy worms in there. I think the piece I had last night had like 5 or 6 in it!

Sunday was a terriblie day at work. I found out the price changer girl - who never does her job right - and my boss were talking about how I never do my job right. Between that, and then price changer girl telling me that I'm not allowed to put up the ad signs unless they're ringing up right, even though it's HER job to put them in the damn computer, I've just about had it. Poor Latanya was standing there listening to stupid girl talk to me like that, and SHE almost walked out. No one there is happy. Everyone is tired of trying to pretend, and our boss doesn't treat anyone right at all. She actually said to me the other day that this is not a job that requires thinking!!! I turned to Morgan (one of the newer girls), and she was just as floored as I was. I'm a college student - I've been trained for years TO think! Not gonna stop just stupid lady says so. It was so bad that, when I got off work, Theron and I drove around looking for places that were hiring. I'm gonna go apply at Tallinger's tonight after work. I know it'll probably mean a dock in pay, but I'll take it as long as the atmosphere is a little bit better.

Last night, Theron and I ate a whole box of cereal for dinner. It was pretty amusing, I thought.

On an even worse note, my arthritis is being terrible. I'm trying not to show it in front of Theron, because I don't want to freak him out or look like a complete doofus. I don't think it's gonna stop being this way for a while now though, so maybe it's time to break out the crazy tape.

I keep dropping things midway through holding on to them... My eyes are starting to get funky again... I actually had to get eye drops the other day. My ankle, which was already bad from me twisting it trying to be all cool and sportsy (which was a bad move, knowing my klumsiness), is hurting worse now. Thankfully, that's the only joint that's being attacked right now, but it's my friggin' ankle! Not a good thing to have problems with. Hopefully it gets better soon, but seeing as it's getting colder and colder, I highly doubt that'll happen. I had to start taking my Aleve again, which means I'm gonna start getting sick to my stomach.

Excitingly though, the main gene responsible for Rheumatoid Arthritis was found in the past couple of days. Maybe there'll be a cure or better treatment by the time I have kids so that they don't have to go through as much of this as I have. It's bad enough to have watched my little sister get sicker... I don't want to see this happen to anyone anymore. Stupid pain, grrrr!

Halloween

So the rest of my Halloween went well.

Theron and I went trick or treating with my friend Nicki and her kids. Well, we didn't actually trick or treat, but we went around with them in any case. Her kids are really fun to be around.

I didn't wear any extra clothes last night whilst trick or treating though... When I finally got home, I was frozen right down to the bone. Brrr! Before Theron headed home, he piled 6 or 7 blankets on me - all the spare ones we could find... I still am a little cold, but mostly better.

I'm supposed to work tonight from 130-6. I think I'm gonna call in though, because I don't feel that good, like I could give 100%ish, and if Grrr's there tonight, she'll chew my ass out for being slow and not moving at her pace. Nicki said she was in a terrible mood yesterday, and I doubt that'll change anytime soon. Nonetheless, I'm gonna call in after my class.

I found out that if I eat a snacky breakfast in Calc, it's impossible for me to fall asleep. I think maybe I should do that from now on. And maybe my homework would be good too. I gots a lot of catching up to do before our test next Thursday.

On a much brighter note,

I had my advising meeting today. Found out that the school gave me SPA201 and 202, so I don't have to take a language. Also, they gave me HIS105 and 106, so I've fulfilled that for a history minor. Just four more classes and I'll have it! Yay!

You HAVE to read the comment on the blog that I posted yesterday. Theron made up a new version to the Bubbly song which is pretty cute. Click here to see it.