I got my kewl Obelisk Pendant!

I got it! (For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, see here.)

Since I've been sick, I've neglected checking the mail, but then I remembered that my pendant should have arrived already (since reviews said that Jewelry Luv has VERY fast shipping -- which they totally did!). Not only that, but you know how I'm a total E-mail queen? They totally won brownie points since they personally responded to my E-mail (nope ~ not an automated response). :)

I'm loving the pendant! It's a pretty solid piece, and it'll go great with my not-so-business-casual attire that I'll be rockin' every other day for the next year...now that I am officially unemployed! :D

First weekend unemployed

Although I'd love to say I went out partying to celebrate, I definitely can't say I did. However, I did have a date with Hal, Corwin, and Nyquil.

I've been fighting bronchitis (again) so most of yesterday was spent asleep. My supervisor thinks I got sick from BSP, since he's always sneezing, blowing snot, and touching me (how's that for parallel structure!). The past 2 sessions, he's been a little frisky, too. Both times, he put his hand on my back, but the second he started sliding his hand down, I stopped cold, "whoa there pal!" Just b/c u have a problem w/ pragmatics doesn't mean u can get away with everything, kid!

I have to admit that I crack myself up in the sessions. I.e. I'm teaching the kid "boy put on pants." Since the observers can't see the pictures I use to teach him, I included the picture to the side.

I gotta get my kicks in those 50 minute sessions, somehow!

Then again, my classmate asked me, "um, is he putting his pants on or taking them off??"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Back to yesterday. I seriously think I was asleep more than awake! The times that I was awake, I worked on Hal, our big artic/phon speech sample project (Hal has got some messed up speech, the poor kid!), and then I just couldn't stop myself from watching the Discovery Channel. I seriously watched about 4 hours worth! First a special about influenza, next about ebola, then "The Deadliest Catch," and finally "Corwin's Adventures." I feel so nerdy! I don't think I've watched that much TV since junior high.

Is this what it's like to be unemployed but in school f/t? No, probably not. That's probably what it's like to be unemployed, sick, and in school f/t.

A new Post-Liang day

I e-mailed T$ this morning and got the sweetest message...

---

Hello, Mrs. Flanklin! and happy Friday!
Think of today (Day 1 Post - Liang) as just another friday where I'm out b/c of schoolwork... ;)

B/c I am frantically working on a paper!! But just wanted to take a minute to say hello. :) Thank you, again, for making my *yesterday* a good *yesterday.*

I missed saying g'bye (again) to Va. :(

tell me, what was up w/ the dude in the green shirt in the elevator yesterday?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi,

I woke up this morning thinking about you. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. :-)

I will email you in a minute from my juno about about "green shirt" guy.

T-

---

That was such a sweet message! :*)
That is one more reason on top of the gazillion reasons of why I love you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I miss you already. I was traumatized when I went to 6 knowing you wouldn't meet me there. :-(

All sappy stuff aside, I am totally happy for you and I really am hoping things work out for the best, you deserve it!

I love you too my little friend. :-) Nem wants to plan lunch, but I say you, Ben, Shelley and I go w/o her. :-P

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aww, I miss my sista...and I'm totally going to miss our code-talk, breaks, and story exchange!

Last Day of Work

Yippee! I finally did it!
Although I'm still in denial. Do I really not have work any more? =O

I had a really good last day. I can't remember how my last day at L&P was, but I'm sure it wasn't as pleasant as today. I went down to 6 for one last breakfast w/ T$ and then we sat around the candy bowl one last time to hear crazy Tam's antics one last time (for me, at least). I am totally going to miss crazy Tam's stories and her putting people into their place. Again, I'm so glad I'm Black by association. Haha!

I also saw MOB and CH. That was an interesting experience to say the least. They basically wanted to know why they should put somebody else at this desk to help (c). In other words, wth does (c) do that's so dang busy anyways that requires an additional 30 hrs of work. I laughed inside wondering, do they know that I really like (c)? So I got her back. I tried my best to state a case for (c). Honestly, though, (c) was already busy when MP wasn't OMP. I'm truly amazed at the loyalty her attys have with her, too. They turned down bigger offices (totally a sign of seniority) just to stay w/ (c) or to stay close to her. I heard in the olden days, seniority and presitige was based on how many windows you had in your office!! Rumor has it that one atty had 6 windows! How crazy! Now, it's about whether you have a "corner" office, a "partner's" office, or a "bigger" office.

After that, I went on an Sbux break w/ VA, T$, and TT. I felt so bad b/c I decided to splurge on my fave drink (grande soy white chocolate mocha w/ whip cream) b4 I knew T$ was paying for me! I went back up for my exit interview, which really wasn't an exit interview, but moreso a chat w/ sweetie HR lady. We just went down a checklist of things (Did you return all technological equipment borrowed? Did you pay your personal charges? Did you turn in your keycard?)

After that, it was just chatting and ending business. I still didn't get to say good-bye to everyone that I wanted to, but I did manage a few. TT and T$ walked me down and Roll-Call security guard was still downstairs so I broke the news to him. The crazy guy's jaw dropped and so I told him to snap out of it! He said, "I watched you grow! You can't leave now!"

I thought that was real cute...it's an ongoing joke that we had. Every morning I went in, I wore my adidas, but at breaks, I'd come out in my "big girl shoes" -- my 3 or 4 inch heels, so Vince always teased, "Cheryl! What happened? You grew!" So, that was cute.

Next, he had me ROFL. He said, "what are you going to do now? No, wait, you told me. You're going to become a -- a vegetarian!"
A vegetarian???
"No, Vince, a speech-language pathologist."
"A what? A speech-language mythologist?"

Ok, now I know he's messin' w/ me at this point b/c he told me in the past that he saw an SLP for his lisp. :)

Organization

I am laughing at my BF, but in a good way.

Yesterday, I lamented about how I'm doing horrible in school (so much for having a few "smart" weeks). Just now he said, "I know why you're doing so bad in school. It's b/c you're so messy and unorganized!" Apparently, he was looking for the cable to the mp3 player today, and you could totally tell he rummaged around my desk, but didn't think to look under the bed frame.

Of course I rebutted that accusation b/c it's my job as his GF to deny any bad characteristic that he claims I possess.

"You break everything!" ~ ~ "No I don't."
"You make everything so difficult!" ~ ~ "Nah ah!"
"You are so messy" ~ ~ "YOU'RE messy!"

Come to think of it, I am offended considering I spent more time than I wanted the other night, reorganizing all my crap the other night. As my clinic partner put it best, it's like Hurricane Cheryl stormed through the room.

~~~~
Oops, JK.

I forgot that since we were going to swap desks (out), I put the cord in the utility drawer. Shhhh...he doesn't have to know! What matters is that I found it and gave it to him!

Obelisk Pendant

Rather than studying for my midterm tomorrow, I'm busy surfing the internet for some cool (free) stuff. Incidentally, I came across this unique pendant that I hope/should be getting in the mail for free (provided I provide a review upon receipt)!

I'll let you all know about it once I get it. It may not be as awesome as a free iPOD Shuffle (which my Berkeley cousin won from Blingo), but any free jewelry is cool...Not to mention, it closely matches the ink on my lower back. =O How cool is that! Especially since I lost the ring that my bro gave me, which is where the original design spawned from.

:D

Obsession

Anywho, I think I'm staving off a cold. I've been sneezing soOooOOOoOO much, and luckily, I haven't gotten sick. Usually, my sneezing is an indication of a full-blown cold the next day. Well, I feel a sore throat coming up today so I started on some serious drugs b/c I can't afford to get sick! I just need to stave it off until March 18 at least (when my last final is).

Dude, BF had me busting up today. We drove by Petco, Lil Focher's favorite store, and he asked if I wanted to bring Lil F to Petco one day, to see all the other turtles. Of course I would!

c: what do you think would happen if I dropped him into the tank of turtles?
x: I think he'd loke up on all the other turtles.
c: why do you say that?
x: he'd mob in there and prolly start a fight.
x: the other turtles would be like, "yo, where you from, ese?"
x: Lil Fawker'd be like, "yo, I ain't no ese, homie. I'm from the Westside!" (which he is)
x: and then he'd get into mad squabs w/ all the other turtles, even though he's outnumbered.
x:...he's a gangsta, for realz...

I was dying! Well, maybe you just had to be there. Or maybe I'm the only one that would LMAO. It's just that we don't know how Lil CF would be w/ other turtles. We tried to get him playmates, but nOoOOoO, he tried to eat them the second we introduced the cute lil babies. Then we had to give them up for adoption. :*( It was a sad day.

Every so often, I wonder if Lil F is lonely. I swear he's bored when I catch him blowing bubbles or getting stuck under his basking log since he has nobody to play with. But nOooOoo, I'm not allowed to get a playmate for him b/c he'd probably try to eat any other turtle.

On a separate thought, sorta related thought, I totally want to get more ink done. This time, a turtle. Yes, I'm obsessed with turtles.

Update on Mental Performance Status

Boy did I deceive myself. I thought I was on top of school, feeling smart and stuff the past 2 weeks, but I totally got rocked by the motor speech disorders exam. My memory's just too limited to memorize all the material for all of Dr. M's classes. Actually, my memory's just limited period. I used to blame it on lack of sleep, but I've come to just accept that it's me.

I.e., yesterday, my co-worker was telling me about her husband's crazy son from 1st marriage. The kid's 12 y/o and has serious problems, like he pulled a shank on his dad the day the first night he stayed with them a few months ago. The mom's changed her phone number so that the kid can't get in touch w/ her b/c he straight bit her all the way up her arm. She doesn't want anything to do w/ her own son. So, of course I'm sitting there asking if he has some type of disorder...and I couldn't recall Oppositional Deviant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. Instead, I was thinking the kid had like Emotional & Behavioral Disorder, but that didn't sound quite right. At least I'm remembering in time for Monday's midterm.

But she sure gave me a shock. She stopped ghetto-raising up at one point and darted her gorgeous green eyes to the left and right, and then said quietly, "y'know what that kid needs? Just gimme 20 minutes w/ him; I don't care if the cameras rollin and the windows are open -- just gimme 20 minutes w/ him b/c what that kid needs is some serious black-on-black crime to set him straight!"

To add onto the shock factor, sweet ol' T$'s sitting to my right, nodding her head in agreement and saying, "m-hm. You wouldn't understand; it's a Black thing."

Dude, I think my jaw straight dropped to the floor when I heard that black-on-black crime line! One thing's for sure, you ain't never wanna mess w/ Tam and T$, for reals! So glad those ladies are my homies...

Uh, back to the school lamentations. The good news is that I recovered fast enough to rock my Articulation & Phonology exam. Now I'm just procrastinating studying for Monday's Language Disorders class for "crazy woman" as BF has deemed the crazy prof. She got mad at us again, for "wasting time" in class asking questions about topics that we are supposed to know already.

Not only am I counting down the days I have left for work, I'm also counting down the days that I have left for that class.

Last Friday at work

I mean, this is the last Friday that will be spent at work! Also meaning, I took my last ghetto bus ride this AM. Yay!

Re-capping in rewind mode, last night I went to bed at 11:30 (the earliest yet, since probably the first week of the quarter) just so I could be a little more awake at work (but I'm actually quite the opposite at the moment). I had another midterm yesterday, which I hope went okay. I felt so lame b/c I went up to the professor and asked her, "is this (pointing to, 'What do you find to be the most difficult part of figuring out a phonological process/rule?') a subjective question?"

Before that, I had my session w/ my Big, Small Potato. He was particularly distracted but still managed to pull through. I joked w/ my classmates about how w/ him, I have to interpret his actions and assume that he likes me. I'm just jealous b/c all the other kids, who are high-functioning/can communicate, express their admiration and interest in my colleagues. W/ my kid, I just read into his actions. =P I.e., yesterday, at the end of the session, I cued him, "time to go!" pointing to my watch. He started rubbing his eyes, then his eyes watered, and he started crying! So I'm feeling bad and ask him, "do you want a cookie?"

And the kid was such a trooper; he's rubbing his one eye and signing w/ his other hand, and saying, "I want cookie, please." I looked at his mom helplessly, and the mom says, "sometimes, he starts crying and will cry for a really long time. We don't know why...sometimes he just gets moody like that. Maybe he's thinking of something."

Two thoughts: my classmates of course teased, well, maybe he likes you and was sad to go. That is a possibility b/c I do think he likes me. ;) But on a more serious, second thought, I thought about how as a parent, it has to be so difficult to see your child cry, and you have NO idea why. What could he be thinking about? Either way, it broke my heart. :(

Okay, well, for that particular incident, I don't think he was sad to leave me. But I still think he likes me. Even if I didn't get a box of chocolates and a pot of mini-roses on Valentine's Day from him.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't think I've ever been asked so many times for Valentine's Day re: what my plans are. Thank God I have a very loving BF, or else I'd feel like such a loser. (I knew BF was good for something!)

jk x 2!

Seriously, though, half of my classmates asked me what my plans are, and it made me think about what a sweetheart I have. My BF has always treated Valentine's Day as if it's my birthday. Come to think of it, Valentine's Day has traditionally been the day that I get the trademarked blue box with white ribbon. Sometimes even two of them. =O This Valentine's Day was probably the most low-key since we've been together, mainly b/c I got home after 8:30, I got a real dazzler for Christmas, and we're on a tight budget.... b/c I FINALLY gave my resignation letter!!!!

The funny thing is that we were gonna go to Houston's yesterday -- my Valentine's Day plans for us -- and he was going to cook for us today. When I told my bro that we were gonna go out yesterday, we had a pretty funny conversation.

B: ooO, you know what they say about that...
Me: About what?
B: About going out the day before Valentine's Day.
Me: What do you mean?
B: I heard on the radio, the other day, that that means YOU are 'the other'!

I laughed b/c I said, "actually, I was going to bring HIM out to dinner..." to which my bro laughed/said, "OMG, HE is 'the other'?!"

Well, not really. 'The other(s)' that I spent part of Valentine's Day with were my 16 female colleagues. I came home and although BF didn't cook, he tried to order from one of my fave Italian joints, C&O Trattoria, but they were incredibly busy. They had to put him on a wait-list to even order for take-out! So, we had Thai food. I thought that was as exciting as my night would get, until he surprised me w/ an ice-cream cake! :D

Wow, nothing beats an ice-cream cake from 31 Flavas. :)

If I could crack open a bottle of wine tonight, I would just to celebrate quitting work, having a *good* school day, and it being Valentine's Day. But, it's back to studying Articulation & Phonology...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Homecoming

On Saturday, I visited my relatives in THE OC to celebrate 3 homecomings. As usual, I got lost driving there. Dude, totally not my fault – The 5S was closed, and there was no detour route! Prior to that, I was talking to my cousin when I realized the gathering was at my Captain Cousin’s house, rather than Pastor Aunty’s house, and so I lamented about how I didn’t have the right directions. 5-years-my-junior-Cousin said quite seriously, “what? You don’t have a GPS system?” Well, excusey moi! On second thought, maybe she has a point; I do need one. Honestly, I have no idea what happened to my sense of direction. I used to have no problems whatsoever w/ directions in college, leaving a scene under not-so-clear states, around last-call hours. Nowadays, in my perpetual moments of clarity (or so I think), I manage to get lost wherever I go. Detour signs send me into a state of panic.

Anywho, Pastor Aunty’s 3 kids were being welcomed back. Captain Cousin is finally back from Kosovo and here to stay! Cousin, Esq. is visiting from law school up North, and Dr. Cousin is visiting from residency at Yale. We had a really good time, despite my bro and dad being MIA. Bro was at a wedding, and Dad was packing to leave for China (again). Instead of bringing home leftovers, I got 2 Valentine’s Day mylar balloons from Uncle W. :D

Spending time with the family made me realize how much school and work consumes my thoughts and time, and how it’s the same story day in and day out. It’s all I talk about! =(  Before I took off, Lorax asked me, “are you excited about today?” I’m thinking, what’s there to be excited about? Oh yeah, I’m going to a family gathering! Those are usually fun! I said, “y’know, I am excited, but not as excited as I could be b/c in the back of mind, I’m worried about not having enough time to study for my exam.”

In addition to the “same $h!+, different day” attitude, I had a convo with Captain Cousin’s Wife’s Sister’s BF, who said, “oh yah, that’s right; last time you told me that you’re working and in school f/t, and that you’re trying to quit.” I’m sure that must have been months ago that I told him all that. I’m sure everyone’s tired of hearing me talk about my same $h!+, different day. *Sigh.*

Anywho, I spent the rest of the weekend w/ Dad and Gramma. Poor Gramma; both of her boxes of Ensures were accidentally left at Dad’s! There was miscommunication on me and Dad’s part. As for Dad, I dropped him off at LAX last night. He actually drove my car, which I thought was funny/cute. He never asked to drive my Benzo in the past. Then again, he HATES small cars (although I LOVE small cars; I coulda totally gone for a Mini-Cooper). I’m actually really hoping and planning either this August or next year after graduation to go to China for real traveling and vacationing. I totally want to do the touristy thing – see the Great Wall, eat turtle soup, shop for knock-offs, etc.  

Totally j/k re: turtle soup! =X

Mental Performance Status

I think this Ginseng stuff has really worked for me this past week. Besides messing up in yesterday’s snot session, I had a pretty good week at school. Either it’s the ginseng, gingko, or I just somehow got a smidget smarter. Whatever it is, keep it coming!

I also established a serious bartering system w/ my herbal PP classmate. In exchange for Motor Speech notes, she gave me a delicious assortment of chocolate covered nuts from Trader Ho’s (which I’m bringing to share w/ Gramma Pearl tmrw, since she loves them, too), and she gave me some multi-vitamins w/ an extra kick of NRG. I hope that NRG is a legal relative of tweak or something b/c I need sumfn to keep me up.

.·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·.

One thing that I’ve noticed about myself, but never thought twice about “fixing,” is that I talk/whisper a heckuva lot to myself. When I’m at work, I say a few words under my breath. When I’m reading papers, I read a few words aloud. Shoot, even during exams, I whisper a word or two to myself! Too bad for AL, she can never really hear what I’m saying, though. ;) Nonetheless, it’s a really bad habit, especially during exams.

Last night, BF was trying to sleep while I worked on my journal article summary (stimulable phonemes will generalize and nonstimulable phonemes will not generalize so in therapy, it is better to treat nonstimulable phonemes). Same thing happened as usual – I reasoned aloud with myself. He, of course, felt obligated to bring it up to my attention. “Y’know, you talk a lot to yourself.”

=O

Ok, it’s not surprising news. I mean this whole blog is me monologuing right? That’s right, Cheryl. For some reason, I feel like it helps me focus, since I demonstrate the early symptoms of ADD. But, I think I’m going to try to work on not talking to myself. I’ll just add that onto my “things to do after I quit work” list. =P

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk

So, I'm really excited b/c for the first time ever, I'm participating in a charitable walk! I always thought my first walk would be for Breast Cancer Awareness, and maybe for AIDS, since I'm a big advocate for breast cancer awareness. I have no idea why or where that came from, but maybe it all started with when my college roomie's sorority promoted Breast Cancer Awareness, and I was forced to buy a pin. ;) Incidentally, I mentioned again to BF last night that I'm doing the MS Walk on April 9th. He said, isn't that the same day as the Breast Cancer Awareness walk? I said, no way! I didn't believe him!

Well, I didn't completely NOT believe him b/c then I dug through my jewelry chest to find the pink ribbon pin to wear this AM, next to my "Team MS Walk Captain" pin and red dress/heart disease awareness in womenpin. I'm secretly trying to go for more "flare." Well, it turns out that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October (and Heart Disease Awareness month is February). Not to mention April is Autism month, May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, and May 23 is World Turtle Day.

Turns out the BF was messing around w/ me. Seriously, I should have known, though. How would he know when Breast Cancer Awareness Day is? Anywho, so I can focus b/t now and then on the MS Walk. BTW, for more info, pls visit the other blog I frequently update, http://nsslha.blogspot.com or better yet, visit my personal MS Walk homepage!

Actually, I know this will sound cheesy, but after Monday night's NSSLHA meeting, I feel even more compelled to get as actively involved in events as I can. It's very inspirational to see when people really do care and want and do make a difference.

On a random note, I had a very cool "what a small world" event on Monday. My classmate/NSSLHA President uses the same cool MTV mug as me. I finally asked her where she got it. Turns out, my bro sent her sister a few when he used to work at MTV! Them 2 actually go way back to the UCLA/Sunset Village/Unicamp days! Haha! Very cool coincidence! Not to mention, both her and I went to UCSD (although she's a year younger than me).

A first time for everything

I totally ran on fumes today. Again, I went to bed around 3 A.M., after BF insisted I get some rest. Unfortunately, I didn't finish preparing for my Big, Small Potato's session today, so I couldn't sleep well and even DREAMT about messing the session up. I rolled outta bed at 5:20 and had a good few hours at work, despite feeling pretty gnarly in the morning. I was feeling pretty good leaving work...until I got my first stupid traffic violation!

I guess I wasn't awake nor caring about the careless pedestrians walking. Well, subconsciously (or "subcortically") I was b/c I didn't make a sharp left turn (from a one-way street onto a one-way street). In any case, I got the sirens and the stupid policeman telling me that once the pedestrians take one step onto the road, we have to stop. Maybe my Coke bottle glasses prevented me from using my peripheral vision??

Humph. Imagine my surprise in finding out that I have to go to Traffic School! (Yah, yah, when was I born? Yesterday.) Anywho, I actually had a good day at school for once. Possibly b/c I only have one class on Tues/Thurs. Still, I got a 25/25 on my paper (when the classmates that shared their grade, got a 22 or below) AND I actually came up w/ all the final rules to the phonological exercises we did in class. Yahoo! That stuff is actually very interesting and sort of fun. Basically, we sit there and analyze a child's speech/language to figure out what patterns of error s/he consistently make (so that we know what to treat in therapy). At first, errors appear random, but upon closer analysis, you see that kids actually consistently make errors. It's like doing detective work from a different angle. :D

My crazy classmate was totally harping on me today, too. She said, "wow, Cheryl, you look really good! It must be that Ginseng you're taking!" LOL I only mentioned the ginseng to her since she's a Costco pill-poppin' fewl, too. Her excuse is that she's really old. Actually, I think it is (psychologically) increasing my blood circulation b/c I haven't been freezing lately. In fact, I've had lotsa hot flashes. =X Hm.

At least BSP's not-snotty-session went okay, today, despite me running out of activities. He sorta sprayed on me while I had him imitate some words. I wonder if it's always going to be his dad that brings him now. Having his mom observe me and give me input really helped me. Just makes me realize even more, how important it is to have parental involvement, whether your kid is developing "normally" or not. Since she hasn't been around, my supervisor nixed some of my more complicated/optimistic objectives and had me start off at the most basic step of having him do immediate imitations of whatever I said. **yawn** My partner fell asleep while observing us. Hopefully, Thursday will be a little more exciting for us and our observers. =P

Super Bowl XL Sunday

I love Super Bowl Sundays!

Only b/c I love the junk food and ETOH associated with it. I don't know the 3rd thing about football, no matter how many times it has been explained to me. I.e.:

Are they going to introduce all of the MVPs?
Yes.
Why?
B/c it's the 40th Super Bowl.
You mean they don't always announce all of the past MVPs during all the Super Bowls?
[No answer.] (Which prompts to me to believe that "b/c it's the 40th Super Bowl" was a non sequitur to my question...either b/c BF didn't hear me right, he was just trying to shut me up, or both.)

Oh well, nm who won, b/c I got my fill of the new Pizza Hut Cheesy Bites pizza. :) That was delicious b/c I love cheese, and I am a very cheesy girl. =P Unfortunately, I can't celebrate Super Bowl the right way; no ETOH today since I've got heaps of reading to do. However, I've already planned that if we do not do anything for V-Day (since I get home around 8:45 P.M.), I will eat and drink myself to a sugar-high-heaven w/ a box of See's or Go Diva and a bottle of dessert wine (compliments of my best friend).

Dude, can I just say that today I'm totally living vicariously through my family! I just called my dad and he said, "uh, hold on...hey, is this where we exit? There's Rio." Rio? As in Rio in Las Vegas? DUUUUUDE!! What about me?! I was just daydreaming earlier today, about going sometime soon, too. For now, I have my mind set on real plans for a spa day over Spring Break.

I hope they win big. Like as big as a brand new car.

Saturday Outing

After months of whining to my bro about how I never get to do anything fun, I joined him and his friends on a walk from 3rd Street to San Vicente and back to the Farmer's Market (the one where the old man plowed through and killed a few people, last year) and ended up at the Lighthouse Buffet (rated top 5 buffets in the nation by Food Network!). Talk about being out of shape, the hour walk (+ 50 jumping jacks, as mandated by former We Ho cheerleader friend) along the beach was tiring! But it was a very nice way for me to get some fresh air and au naturale, non-medicinal, non-herbal stress relief.

Speaking of beaches, I just spoke w/ a friend who's visiting home, and she's down in SD. Lucky! I miss the SD beaches (so I'm glad I'm vicariously living through her as well). Back in college, I used to love hitting Scripps b/c the sand is absolutely breathtaking. You'd see slivers of purple (my fave color) w/ all shades of grays & silvers, all sparkling like glitter under the sun. (So what if I like all shiny, sparkly, glittery things?). But nothing beats the craziness of LA's beach "culture." Just on our hour walk, we saw soOOooO many bums, runners, doggies, old folks, and babies. Very interesting mix. Oh yeah, and one stark-raving lunatic. There's always at least one of those that are yelling about something totally nutty around Venice and/or Santa Monica. No matter how many loonies I encounter, I'm always still really shaken as if it's my 1st time in crazy L.A.

Man, all this beach talk just makes me feel like I definitely need to get out more -- another thing to add to my list of "things to do after I quit work." One day, I will have a real tan. One day. Even if it's a dirty Venice Beach tan. =P

Random (as I work on class notes): it bugs me that people still do not know how to use the bullet-style or number formatting in Word, so they tab everything to make it look perfect. It's so deceiving. Once you correct their typo, all the spacing gets messed up! Seriously, dude, it's not all that difficult. If I've learned anything from work, it's how to format a document. You want a tab leader? You got it. The only thing I haven't figured out (non-format related) is, where in the world does your document go when you've been working on an e-mail attachment, saving it (no, not "save as"), and you quit out of it just to have it disappear into a Black Hole? I've done that twice now, which is "so not like you, Cheryl" and haven't found it in Temp Settings/Docs or anywhere else.

Come to think of it, I've been doing these stupid mistakes that are "so not like you, Cheryl" more often than I'd like, these days. I.e. when co-worker spoke w/ me re: mistakes on entering timesheets, she said, "that's so not like you." Well, maybe she was just being nice.

Another random: I had the luxury of watching "Mythbusters" while I (slowly) ate my dinner, and it turns out that it's better to walk in the rain than run in the rain, if you're concerned about getting wet. Who knew? I never even thought about the difference. All my life, I've been told to "run! It's raining!"

Friday Funny

I took the day off from work, and boy did I need it! I slept from 12:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.!! Dang! Every morning I wake up sleep deprived, I say to myself, I just want to sleep like 12 hours straight. But heck, sleeping 14 is even better!

I went to Petco (Lil F's fave store) and bought 5 fish for the Lil Focher (but dude gave me 7). Dude, the Big Lil C F had another growth spurt! Within the last month, he surpassed 4 inches after a growth hiatus, and he is now at 4.25 inches! I almost bought another turtle b/c it was about the same size as Lil F, but I know Lil F's daddy would have had a fit if I brought another turtle home.

Anywho, then I went to Costco (my fave store). I picked up 2 cases of Ensure for Gramma, since she hasn't been eating much (teeth and tummy problems), some food items, and a bottle of Ginseng herbal Rx. As I was checking out, the young cashier dude and bag/box girl both asked me like twice if the Ensure was mine. I kept saying yes, and then finally, I blurted out, "actually, they're for my gramma so they're mine, but not really, and I duno why I feel embarrassed and have to justify by telling you guys."

Yes, I did ramble on like an idiot like that. I tend to do that when I'm embarrassed.

The best was the box girl said, "don't worry. This one time, I was putting this lady's stuff in the cart, and she said, 'uh, can you not put my Depends on the top of everything? It severely lowers my fawkable factor.'"

EWWWW!!!!!!

Dude, but that is so funny! Some people are so crazy!!

Re: the ginseng pills, my classmate told me she's been taking some herbal pills from Costco and she thinks they've been really calming her down. I picked these up b/c it's supposed to help stress levels, not to mention last weekend, my family kept telling me I need to drink ginseng. Well, I'd rather be a pill-poppin' fewl than drink stuff that tastes like shoe. Further updates on whether this stuff works will be provided in future posts.

Since I just took one, I think I'll test the stress-level-regulating factor by going to do some schoolwork now.

Sleep Deprived

This morning, I hit rock bottom in terms of my level of functioning. The problem is not that I go to sleep after 2 A.M.; the problem is waking up at 5:30. Weekday after weekday. Today, I got talked to at work, after a morning of mistakes that are "so not like you, Cheryl." Seriously, I wish I knew the secret to these attorneys superhuman powers. I.e. one travels b/t LA and SD multiple times a week, was coaching T-ball, made it home in time for son's game every Friday when he wasn't coaching, while representing the firm's largest client in a case that is setting a precedent in healthcare standards. Talk about sleep deprived. I get an extra hour of sleep than these workaholics do, and I can't manage to enter all their precious billable time right. I should get fired. And get severance.

Again, my last day is changing b/c Dr. F moved our midterm day. My co-workers forewarn me re: burning bridges, but I keep justifying to myself that it doesn't matter. I'm leaving the law field. No turning back. So, what's the big deal if I happen to burn a bridge? But me being the paranoid person who keeps receipts and statements for like 5 years, can't help but wonder if it will come back to haunt me.

Last night, I visited my best friend, a day after her birthday. I kinda liked that I was more spontaneous this week, visiting people despite my crazy schedule. I had a great time w/ her, her hubby, and their new doggy. She also made me do a quick reflection on my current transition in life. She asked me, aren't you excited? You're well on your way to your new career!

Actually, I can't quite remember exactly what she said, but she made me smile inside-out. Despite all my stress, delirium, and hysteria, I really am excited about my new career. Maybe a part of it is knowing that my life is headed in a specific direction and I find a lot of satisfaction being in this field. Who knows, maybe it'll be different once I'm out of school and finally in the field. Maybe it'll get even better since I won't have reading assignments and exams any more!

Berkeley Cousin's Birthday!

Yay! Today is Berkeley Cousin's 21st b-day!!! Dang, I remember when I turned 21. Awesome times, man. I hope nosebleedingly beautiful Berkeley Cousin has a kick~@$$ day/night (since I am also living vicariously through her). In that case, I hope she gets thoroughly wasted inside out (since I didn't on my 21st). Dude, I think I owe her at least 3 drinks by now for a few real favors she's done me. Yeah, sometime, soon, girl, sometime soon. ;) Dude, we should totally go clubbing. LOL DUDE! Since Dr. Cousin is coming home, we should TOTALLY all head up North and hit the night scene!

Okay, now I'm just getting way ahead of myself and daydreaming. Although I still think that's not too bad of an idea...I prolly thinking that b/c I've been dry for a month now and wouldn't mind a good stiff one right about now. That, or a triple venti latte.

~ ~ ~ ~

So I spoke w/ Berkeley Cousin to wish her a good one and she said, I'm at a friend's having alcoholic beverages (I think that's what she called it) and ice-cream! I said, that's awesome, 2 of my favorite things at one time?!?! Genius! Then a split second later, I thought and said, uh, don't you mean you're having daiquiris? LOL

Either way, she said we'll have ice-cream and alcoholic beverages next time we're together. Dude, it's on! :D

She sounds so mature, calling it "alcoholic beverages." Me? Call it a cocktail, beer, pick-me-up, night-cap, whatever the heck you want, as long as it's got ETOH!