So, if you're reading this and it is approximately 3:00pm (PST) or after on August 18th, then the automatic posting for Blogger worked (yay!).
At this very moment, I am sitting (or should be, at least) on the plane that is going to take me high, high into the skies for about 10 hours. There are 2 legs of my flight: The first is from Los Angeles to Frankfurt, Germany. Then, the second, Frankfurt to Vienna, Austria.
After I touch down, I will (if the airline hasn't lost my luggage...) take my bags and hop on the train for a 30min or so ride to the Westbahnhof station. My hotel is in walking distance of this station and I hope to be all checked in and settled by 5pm - 5:30pm latest (I know I am going to be exhausted).
I'm not 100% (or even 50%) sure how I am going to spend my evening but hopefully, I can recharge with just a catnap and then spend some time walking around my new home for the next 4 1/2 mos.
Thursday (the 20th) is a big, big day for me. This is the day that I meet with the rest of the IES Vienna students and we get whisked away into the mountains for our Orientation. There is a 99% chance I will not have any internet access well into next week, so do not panic. We're used to this blog being silent, right?
Alrightie people. Wish me luck!
Let the adventure begin!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Because this is exactly what I need to do instead of packing...
I stayed up quite late putting this together. I'm not sure why but all of a sudden, I really wanted to do this. So I did and without further ado, I present my memorial video of the Tobey Man.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
So Long Charlie
I am officially cat-less. On Tuesday, Charlie and I drove the 400+ miles to Auntie Vamps in Salinas (with a quick stop over in LA to drop Robby off @ Nana and Papa's).
When I was first tossing around the idea about going abroad, my one big reason for not being able to go was because I had the Boys. Well, Auntie Vamp quickly shot down my reasoning by graciously offering to take both Tobey and Charlie for the duration of my stay in Austria.
Sadly, Tobey managed to get out about two weeks ago and, even sadder, has vanished, which here, usually means he didn't make it. I've gone 10 rounds with myself over him getting out but in the end, there's nothing I can do to change the past and Charlie still needed a good home while I was gone.
Auntie Vamp's it was. Only first, we had to get through the car ride.
In the beginning, Charlie was...shall we say...not too fond of the car:
He started with a sweet and short protest.
No thanks, I think I'll stay right here. These little peddle things make a cool backrest.
When that didn't work, he resorted to screaming.
Look at the road not at the camera, crazy woman!
Then, after two hours of pretty much non-stop howling, he calmed down (read: passed out):
After a ridiculously long amount of time, we arrived at Auntie Vamp's:
Finally, ground that doesn't move!
To make sure Charlie was adjusted to his new surroundings, I stayed a few days and listened as my little King schooled Auntie Vamp in exactly how he likes things done, including food never served above room temperature, belly rubs at any given moment, and unimpeded access to the chest when he wants a snuggle.
After we snorted our "yah, rights" to that, I told her just to make sure he had food and water and a clean box and the boy was good to go.
Luckily, Charlie has had a soft spot Auntie Vamp from day 1 (literally) and he was willing to negotiate the exact terms and conditions. Because he loves her, see?
Mr. Charlie man and his Auntie Vamp on adoption day (she clearly won his affections)
Now, I am back in San Diego and missing my little man very much. Auntie Vamp has already texted to say that he is getting along very well in his new surroundings and even has a new BFF - who just happens to be Auntie Vamp's BF. But even though he's being spoiled out of his mind right at this very moment with things I've probably denied him for the past year, you can see in his eyes how much he wants me back soon, right?
Crazy woman, you won't get me back in that car alive...
When I was first tossing around the idea about going abroad, my one big reason for not being able to go was because I had the Boys. Well, Auntie Vamp quickly shot down my reasoning by graciously offering to take both Tobey and Charlie for the duration of my stay in Austria.
Sadly, Tobey managed to get out about two weeks ago and, even sadder, has vanished, which here, usually means he didn't make it. I've gone 10 rounds with myself over him getting out but in the end, there's nothing I can do to change the past and Charlie still needed a good home while I was gone.
Auntie Vamp's it was. Only first, we had to get through the car ride.
In the beginning, Charlie was...shall we say...not too fond of the car:
He started with a sweet and short protest.
No thanks, I think I'll stay right here. These little peddle things make a cool backrest.
When that didn't work, he resorted to screaming.
Look at the road not at the camera, crazy woman!Then, after two hours of pretty much non-stop howling, he calmed down (read: passed out):
After a ridiculously long amount of time, we arrived at Auntie Vamp's:
Finally, ground that doesn't move!To make sure Charlie was adjusted to his new surroundings, I stayed a few days and listened as my little King schooled Auntie Vamp in exactly how he likes things done, including food never served above room temperature, belly rubs at any given moment, and unimpeded access to the chest when he wants a snuggle.
After we snorted our "yah, rights" to that, I told her just to make sure he had food and water and a clean box and the boy was good to go.
Luckily, Charlie has had a soft spot Auntie Vamp from day 1 (literally) and he was willing to negotiate the exact terms and conditions. Because he loves her, see?
Mr. Charlie man and his Auntie Vamp on adoption day (she clearly won his affections)Now, I am back in San Diego and missing my little man very much. Auntie Vamp has already texted to say that he is getting along very well in his new surroundings and even has a new BFF - who just happens to be Auntie Vamp's BF. But even though he's being spoiled out of his mind right at this very moment with things I've probably denied him for the past year, you can see in his eyes how much he wants me back soon, right?
Crazy woman, you won't get me back in that car alive...
Friday, August 7, 2009
When Heartbreak Has A Name
Tobey 2005-2009
Charlie and I were blessed to have you for the last year (and FYI: this is why I didn't want you to get outside...you don't come back). See you in Heaven, baby boy!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What can you do when you already did your best?
So I got my grades in today. They're pretty much what I was expecting - and dreading.
I got an A in Spanish. It was my last quarter and I have absolutely loved my teacher. I will miss him very much next year. I also got an A in Art (ok an A- but it's still technically an A). Another good teacher, a first timer for me, but there was a lot of work in the class and I had a few bumps, which I'm sure earned me that '-'. Then there was my marketing class. Ah, what a time suck that was. The teacher was great and I was getting good grades on my tests but there was a group project in this class that was oh so awful. And a particular girl in my group who went beyond awful and straight to 'made-life-a-living-hell'. She alone was the reason I had to stay up for 30+ hrs straight to clean up a mess she made so we didn't fail the project. Even with her, I would have had an A in this class if I'd done better on the final. But my grade on the final caught me completely off guard - a 74%, which pretty much solidified my B+. If I'd gotten just a few points more, I would have had an A- or possibily even an A. And then, my law class. On the surface, this class seemed pretty easy. Lots of reading, a little quiz each week to make sure you were doing the reading, and a 20 page paper at the end. The rest was just a round robin discussion of the topics. I thought I was doing pretty good. Right in the middle as far as participation. Didn't talk the most, but more than others. And I always thought I did pretty good on the quiz's. Lord knows I took like 4 pgs of notes for every reading! The paper kicked my rear, however. I've never had a problem writing a paper before but, then again, I've never taken a law class. Apparently, there are very strict rules. I wrote this paper - no joke - at least 3 times. And each time, I'd get a 'nope, not right' email back with lots of comments from the teacher. And each time I'd go back and find more sources, more information, etc. I was re-writting this thing pretty much right up until the deadline. Overall, I got a B in the class. Not a B+, a B. Why? I don't know. If I did as decent as I thought with the rest, then my paper must have really sucked lemons.
So, those are my grades for the quarter - two A's and two B's. Pretty much an exact match to my first quarter at DU.
It's a pretty sucky way to end my first year - especially because I worked my butt off in the two classes that I earned my B's in. I met with that marketing group a minimum of 2x a week for 3+ hours each time. I spent entire Saturday's looking for new sources for my law paper because my teacher was convinced the sources I found had articles they themselves had written on my topic. I never found any. I would have used them, really, I would have.
So, what can you do when you've already done your best? I honestly cannot think of one thing that I didn't do for those classes - I gave 110% of myself. And I earned B's. Why? I don't know. But I know I did my best. Unfortunately, this time, my best wasn't good enough.
And, just to reiterate, that really, really sucks.
I got an A in Spanish. It was my last quarter and I have absolutely loved my teacher. I will miss him very much next year. I also got an A in Art (ok an A- but it's still technically an A). Another good teacher, a first timer for me, but there was a lot of work in the class and I had a few bumps, which I'm sure earned me that '-'. Then there was my marketing class. Ah, what a time suck that was. The teacher was great and I was getting good grades on my tests but there was a group project in this class that was oh so awful. And a particular girl in my group who went beyond awful and straight to 'made-life-a-living-hell'. She alone was the reason I had to stay up for 30+ hrs straight to clean up a mess she made so we didn't fail the project. Even with her, I would have had an A in this class if I'd done better on the final. But my grade on the final caught me completely off guard - a 74%, which pretty much solidified my B+. If I'd gotten just a few points more, I would have had an A- or possibily even an A. And then, my law class. On the surface, this class seemed pretty easy. Lots of reading, a little quiz each week to make sure you were doing the reading, and a 20 page paper at the end. The rest was just a round robin discussion of the topics. I thought I was doing pretty good. Right in the middle as far as participation. Didn't talk the most, but more than others. And I always thought I did pretty good on the quiz's. Lord knows I took like 4 pgs of notes for every reading! The paper kicked my rear, however. I've never had a problem writing a paper before but, then again, I've never taken a law class. Apparently, there are very strict rules. I wrote this paper - no joke - at least 3 times. And each time, I'd get a 'nope, not right' email back with lots of comments from the teacher. And each time I'd go back and find more sources, more information, etc. I was re-writting this thing pretty much right up until the deadline. Overall, I got a B in the class. Not a B+, a B. Why? I don't know. If I did as decent as I thought with the rest, then my paper must have really sucked lemons.
So, those are my grades for the quarter - two A's and two B's. Pretty much an exact match to my first quarter at DU.
It's a pretty sucky way to end my first year - especially because I worked my butt off in the two classes that I earned my B's in. I met with that marketing group a minimum of 2x a week for 3+ hours each time. I spent entire Saturday's looking for new sources for my law paper because my teacher was convinced the sources I found had articles they themselves had written on my topic. I never found any. I would have used them, really, I would have.
So, what can you do when you've already done your best? I honestly cannot think of one thing that I didn't do for those classes - I gave 110% of myself. And I earned B's. Why? I don't know. But I know I did my best. Unfortunately, this time, my best wasn't good enough.
And, just to reiterate, that really, really sucks.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
It's Just Hit Me...
Monday is my marketing final.
Tuesday is my Art final.
Friday my law paper is due.
Saturday Robby flies in to help me pack and paint.
Sunday is my last day at Calvary Apostolic.
Tuesday I'll do a final walk through of my apartment and then Phil, Robby, and I will pile into the Kia and head out. Destination San Diego.
My first year at DU is almost over. I can't believe it. I can't believe I'll be saying good-bye to Denver until January. I'll miss the amber and gold of Fall. The first snow. Skiing the first run at A-Basin.
But there will be things to replace it. Reconnecting with family and friends in San Diego. Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove. Las Vegas with the Lopez's. Jaden staying for a month! And of course, Austria.
So yes, Denver, I will miss you. But when we meet again, oh, the stories I'll have to tell.
Tuesday is my Art final.
Friday my law paper is due.
Saturday Robby flies in to help me pack and paint.
Sunday is my last day at Calvary Apostolic.
Tuesday I'll do a final walk through of my apartment and then Phil, Robby, and I will pile into the Kia and head out. Destination San Diego.
My first year at DU is almost over. I can't believe it. I can't believe I'll be saying good-bye to Denver until January. I'll miss the amber and gold of Fall. The first snow. Skiing the first run at A-Basin.
But there will be things to replace it. Reconnecting with family and friends in San Diego. Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove. Las Vegas with the Lopez's. Jaden staying for a month! And of course, Austria.
So yes, Denver, I will miss you. But when we meet again, oh, the stories I'll have to tell.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Last Weekend
So I picked up The Kid last Wednesday. His plane was about 10min late and I was getting antsy
but then he was there and all was good.
but then he was there and all was good.
He even talked me into taking him right to KFC and then dessert at Dairy Queen. Spoiled? Where'd you get an idea like that?
On Friday, we went up to Arapahoe Basin and, after a little trial and error, he was skiing like an old pro.
Here's a video of our big day.
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