side note

I realize I just wrote but I had to make a quick comment. My wonderful husband stated that my cat post made me seem like a "cat lady". I don't know what feelings you get when you hear that phrase, but it definitely conjures up images of cat hair-covered creepiness, which as I believe, is definitely not me. To his comment I saw bah humbug. I'm someone who happens to really love her animals and sees them for more than just a pet. They are great little creatures who I happen to adore (umm, except when they do annoying things like scratch at my couch or try to bite me).

Enough about me cats...off to eat some fresh crabs (i.e., still totally alive and ready to go in my belly).

P.S. Uhh, is it super awkward to talk about adoring your pets and then immediately after talk about eating another kind of animal? Sort of. But, I'm going to be ok with it. We're talking FRESH crabs people!

Book Report (long post, sorry)

During my two years of grad school I told myself I wasn't allowed to read books for fun. Probably way too dramatic and a bit harsh on myself, but I felt that if I was going to be taking part in this higher level of learning, that I couldn't get distracted. But I love to read. Reading is an extraordinarily amazing way to lose track of time. I love being immersed in the world an author has created and let myself really sink in to it. I must admit that I tend to love only fiction (is it sad that as 25-year old I still have to say to myself "fiction = false"? mm, I should probably have that down by now) because of that whole world immersing business I do so adore. So, now that I'm on the cusp of AC (after college; I only have 5 weeks left!!!), I've really been letting myself go to town with reading. It has been amazing. And since I have the most terrible memory when it comes to remembering what I've read, I've decided to do a little documenting with you.

Maddy likes reading too.

Book #1: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--This book honestly requires no detailed explanation. All you need to know is that it's amazing. So good. I really love HP and Hogwarts is truly the only real fictional setting that I would dream of belonging to. Call me a nerd. Call me weird. I do-not-care. HP is awesome. As a side note, I read this in anticipation for the last movies coming out. I saw online that one came out in July and I got excited so I started reading this book as a refresher. I just found out like two weeks ago that really the first part comes out in November and the second in July 2011. Boo. Oh well, I'm already amped and prepared.

Book #2: The Tales of Beetle the Bard--Doesn't really count because it took me like 20 minutes, but if you read the last HP, Beetle the Bard is the essential book to follow and I had yet to read it after owning it for almost two years. The "fairy tale" stories are fun with just the right amount of wizard to appease this girl.

Book #3: The Secret Life of Bees--This book was truly an exceptional find. I saw it in the kitchenette of my department and liked how the cover and pages felt (essential) and thought it sounded like a good story. Good really doesn't cut it for what a great story it really is. It's about a young girl who is living in South Carolina in the 60s and really feels the impacts of racial segregation through the horrific, prejudice people who live in her town. The basic plot is that she lives alone with her horrible father whom she runs away from with her housekeeper/ mother figure. They find themselves living with three sisters who make honey and they all help each other to really discover life. It was written so well and flowed so easily. I enjoyed myself completely while reading it. I highly recommend it. My mother saw the movie based on the book and said it was quite good as well.

Book #4: The Spelling Bee--I enjoyed this book as well but it definitely had some very strange, weird happenings in it. It's based on a family (mom, dad, brother, sister) who are all individually searching for something more than their life has to offer. For the most part, I wanted to yell at them all and say "communicate! Your lives' (correct use of life?) issues would be solved if you freakin' just talked to one another." But alas, that didn't happen and I was left stumbling along with them as they each journeyed on their own. They were all into believing everything happened for a reason. The littlest anything was sign sent straight to them. Again, I wish I could have done some more yelling but that's what this book was all about. For those looking for a good clean book, I wouldn't recommend this as it had some inappropriate moments. :)

Book #5: Brave New World--Umm, why were we allowed to read this in high school? This book is SO bizarre and has plenty of inappropriate moments itself. I wanted to reread it because I remembered it being a big deal and holy moly, why has that book yet to be banned? So I'm not that prude-ish but I just couldn't get over imagining myself as a high schooler discussing some of the topics this book covers. I suppose AP English students are supposed to be more mature, so perhaps that's why I don't associate awkward giggling with this book. Pretty much every tabook topic is covered in this one. I also felt like I maybe shouldn't have been in AP English because I didn't get it. I mean I got it: technology was being used to control society, people weren't allowed to be individuals (no thinking, feeling, being alone, etc. etc.). I guess I just don't see what the big hype is. Oh well on that one.

Book #6: Stori Telling--This one is only slightly more embarrassing to admit to reading because it's written by Tori Spelling and is all about her life up to baby #1. But, I'm going to be a big girl and not be embarrassed to admit that I have come to enjoy her after watching her show "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" (on Oxygen) and wanted to know more about her. I was slightly annoyed at times with what she was complaining about things that happened in her life (omg, she was given a BMW when all she wanted was an affordable Rabbit Volkswagen) but I felt better when she acknowledged that people maybe wouldn't get why she could complain about such things. It was interesting to read about her life, hear her perspective compared to what tabloids say (is it bad that I felt at times she may have been exaggerating the truth?), and dive into one of my first non-fiction readings. I'm probably going to read all the books she has written, so I'm going to be lame-o a bit longer.

As boring as my summer reading may be, it's going to continue because this gal has jumped on the reading train and is not getting off any time soon. I promise next time I update about my reading status, I won't wait until after I have read six books. :)

say hello to my little friends

This is General Jenkins. Aka as Jinxy, the General, Buddy Bear, Biggins, Sluggie. General is a pretty simple cat. You see his tail a twitchin', steer clear. You see him rubbing on literally ever corner of the house, he's ready for a little love. Currently he has one obsession and one obsession only. Yes, he does love catnip, yes he does still enjoy a good fleece blanket, and yes, he will do a back flip (literally) when you play with him. But, these things aren't what my little kitty love heart desires. Nope. He's only got one thing on that little radar of his and that's the great outdoors. He loves outside. Like love-LOVES outside. Hence the picture of him going to town muching away on the grass. If he could spend all day filling up on the good green stuff, he would. I'm not sure Jared grew a lawn for General to eat up, but our little fat cat wouldn't know otherwise. It used to be you couldn't walk in the kitchen without him running towards his food bowl. Now when you walk that way he is scramming towards the back door and mewing up a storm letting you know just how bad the outdoors are calling his name. I present to the jury, exhibit A of my poor little kitty's cry.

And this is Dr. Madeline Jarvik. Aka Miss Maddy and Moo Moo. Unlike her brother, she is less easy to read. She loves her mama (who couldn't blame the gal) and can be an intense lover and cuddler (only with her mama). She does not particularly enjoy men and their low pitched voices. She does not like loud noises, such as walking too loudly on the floor (i.e., wearing shoes in the house). She does not enjoy when her brother is in her business. She also does not enjoy going outdoors, though she is warming up to the idea of it. Maddy isn't as big of a poo as her dislikes would make her seem to be; the girl just knows what she likes and what she doesn't. I like how the picture looks like its depicting her longiness to be with Jared. Very artsy and well done, if I do say so myself.

It's funny to think about that not too long ago I was petrified of cats. Like they really creeped me out. I also thought they were only really good for making a house smelly and getting hair everywhere. Also not too long ago I was kind of scared of my Jenkins. He was a bit of a grouch that darted back and forth and was not afraid of swiping a claw in your direction. But now, I don't know what I would do without these two. They have kept me company during some boring moments of life (e.g., studying for countless hours) and have provided me with many a laughs (e.g., Maddy swimming across the floor on her back; Maddy with a string hanging out her rear end; Jinxy chasing me around the apartment). Though they will never understand it, I really am thankful for them. Cheers to you my little furry loves. And let us enjoy together what life AC (after college) really brings! :)

feed my soul sol

I don't think it's a coincidence that the word sol (spanish for sun) and the word soul (english for that wondeful something inside us all) are pronounced/sound the same. No. Definitely no coinicidence because this girl's soul, the parts that gets re-engergized from the magic of the sun, are feeling a little empty. I feel like I've been extremely whiney about the weather but really, today is the first official day of summer and I think we've only really had two nice days (i.e., sun ALL day with a sky that is mostly blue) in the past couple months. And I really don't like to complain. Because I am happy. I love this new city we have built our lives in but my soul is definitely yearning for that great big, wondefully warm, golden globe that is so beautiful. I also think I'm feeling sad about no sun because of the thought process that naturally ensues inside me, which is, goes somethings like this:

"Oh how I wish there was sun. A warm, sunny day would be fantastic right now. I could get a little color and it would actually make it feel like mid-June. My mom says it's sunny in Kansas City. Like really sunny. And really nice. Like super nice. She also talked about the humidity but I could totally deal with the humidity right now. I miss Kansas City. I wish I was at the pool with my dad and my sister. If we lived in Kansas city I could be with my family. I miss my family."

And then it just goes downhill from there. That yearning for the sun quickly develops into a yearning for my family, for summer time with them. Which, I know, is totally normal. But I just knew if that lovely sun was here, my sould would be much happier and wouldn't be longing for things as much. But in time this Junuary (seriously, that is what people call June...why am I complaining if this is what is expected?!?) will pass and wondeful summer time for me and my lovely hubby and two cats (General is currently obsessing with being in the yard) to enjoy. So, for today, sun or no sun, I'm celebrating the official kick-off to summer. And as such, doing so with the offical changing of the wreaths (thank you mother for my supply of wonderful wreaths).

Adios fun spring wreath

Hello gorgeous summer wreath

I was totally going to ignore the fact that I haven't posted in six months but alas, I must. I have decided that since school is unofficially over and real life is about to begin, that I will post and will do so more frequently. Also after reading a few blogs I decided a few things for my own: 1) blogs are much more entertaining when there are pictures (new personal goal 1: be better at documenting life); 2) I should use my blog as a way to channel creativity (new personal goal 2: get creative! and use my new found freedom to do so); 3) simple, more frequent blogging is much better for the reader and writer (new personal goal 3: see projects through); and 4) learn how to work this friggin' blog thing to make it more attractive. Wish me luck.

excited, thankful, merry

Since it's been a bit since I last posted, I have some catching up to do. Here are the three "big" areas that deserve attention today.

1. We bought a house!!! Soon after my last post we signed some papers (our second offer was accepted) and things are official. My emotions were similar to as I predicted but they aren't as full force as they will be because we bought a house that's new construction and therefore is not yet built. We went to the site yesterday and the foundation was poured, so we are officially on our way. Everyday I think of new things that I'm looking forward to/hate about living in an apartment. I would say the top excitements deal with not having shared walls and the cat litter boxes moving out of our master bathroom. The house will be worth it for just those two things. Once more progress is made, pictures shall be posted.
2. We had our second annual Thanksgiving. Plans were coming together to make it a rather good and busy day but one of the uncles (Jared has two uncles that live in the area, aged 25 and 27) had a misfortunate event with his appendix and plans changed. Although we did spend a large amount of time in the hospital, I would say we made the best of it. We played games, laughed (although laughing was more painful for others), and had a rather good time. I felt bad later saying I had fun but really, I did. Sorry Uncle Mark that your misfortune was fun for me. : ) All that aside, I am very grateful for many things this year (2009) and I believe they deserve attention. I am thankful for a wonderful husband that has put up with a busy, often grumpy wife. I am thankful for my parents who have visited me so often and have made living away from them easier to deal with. I am thankful for airplanes, a)becasue they get my family to me and me to my family and b)because they allow my husband a super job that has allowed us to live in a great apartment, in a super area, and helped me to continue my education. I am thankful for a super grad school program that has helped me grow and feel more confident in myself. I am thankful for my two kitties that make me laugh and have been my furry friends when I needed them. I could probably go on but I'll savor my other thank you's for myself.
3. This was the first Christmas in my 25 years of living that I've been away from my family. Although I thought it would be much harder, the holiday was amazing with Jared's family. I had some built up anxiety about being away from my family but realized that although Christmas is an amazing day, I was happy to have just seen both of my parents and knew that it wouldn't be long until I saw them again. I hadn't seen Jared's mom in a year and a half, so it was definitely time to be with his family. We enjoyed a lot of laughs and I got to experience a lot of fun, new family traditions. There was plenty of snow to make the holiday complete and I was truly happy to be there with them. It's great to have in-laws that really feel like family where I can joke and be myself. I would definitely say that I'm opening up more with them and feeling comfortable, which made things even better. I am looking forward to next year for being with my family, but I definitely will miss being with Jared's side for sure. Perhaps I shouldn't say "my" family and "his" family anymore because honestly, it feels more like "our" family. (insert cheesy smiley face and floating hearts).

the anxiety is a buildin'

Jared and I decided to be brave and recently made an offer on a house. It feels scary thinking that we're ready for that kind of step in our lives but it's also super exciting imagining that we may actually have a house that we can call our own. Signing the paperwork for the contract honestly felt like an out of body experience. We met with our real estate agent for over 2 hours going through the contract and then we went ahead and made the group decision to just go for it. If our offer actually goes through the first time I imagine this is how my emotions might go--excitement, initial shock, giddiness, shock again, freak out moment, and then true excitement for what is to come. Really, I shouldn't say we're not ready for this because we are. Perhaps it would be more ideal if I already had a job but that day will come soon enough. I should probably get over the fact of feeling young and not "old enough" to do things. Is there ever a point where you actually feel the age you are?

As far as getting a job goes, that's another area that's causing me increased anxiety. Not about getting a job but thinking about what all has to happen before that moment can come. I've been having a lot of moments of "do you know what you're doing? Honestly, do you think you are qualified to be left alone with children and actually help them?" Perhaps what's building up the pressure is the MASSIVE comprehensive exam I have to take in the spring. It is going to be the biggest test of my life that will require me to study for months. I'm really trying to look at it as a super opportunity to really know everything I've been taught and to let it serve to really prepare me for my work. That was probably a total Captain Obvious statement--I do know that is the purpose of this test but really it's hard to be that optimistic when such a huge thing is lurking over you. Positivity is key I suppose...we'll see how that goes. : )

edit

Editor's note:
In the blog entitled "giving it the ol' college try" a definite error was made. There was a link to "One Bust Away" that really should have read "One Bus Away." I definitely was not trying to provide any information other than citing an internet site that is used for finding city buses in the Seattle metro area. My most sincere apologies.