Baby, You Can(t) Drive My Car

Resolution Update

2008-07-05T13:59:18Z

After six months, here's what I've accomplished:

Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records - Made a binder with a calendar and some other medical-related stuff in it, January, 24.
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding - Went snowboarding at Snowshoe, January 10-12.
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend - FAILED - Called my ex-boyfriend, February 18. Befriended said ex-boyfriend again, April 19.
Find a good gynecologist - Found an awesome gynecologist, January 25.
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise - Got a raise, April 1.
Write more - Finally started writing my novel! Up to twelve pages, April 30.
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store - Got a check from CafePress for $25.16, May 17.
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii - Got Nintendo Wii, May 9.
Get Guitar Hero - Got Guitar Hero, May 10.
Get Dance Dance Revolution - Got DDR, May 10. (Sold DDR on eBay, May 22.)
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A in Richmond, February 1.
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends - John D., John W., Sarah
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo - Painted the trim and three doors in my hallway, March 9-10. Painteed the kitchen and the dining room, May 16. Painted the master bathroom (again), June 30.
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before - Went to Snowshoe, January 10-13.
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania - They came to Virginia Beach, June 23-28.
Get a Crock-Pot - Got a Crock-Pot, February 9.
Have a party - Had a Superbowl party, February 3. Had a Wii Party, May 10.
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to Cheeseburger in Paradise with a bunch of friends and then played Guitar Hero at Cabo Cafe with Amy, April 10.
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15 - Ran 1.5 miles in 13:02, February 7.
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe! - Had an awesome time at Snowshoe, January 10-13.
February: Don't complain as much and cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED - Complained less, but cried WAY more than 10 times.
March: Cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED
April: Plan a trip - FAILED
May: Go out on at least three dates with at least three different people - Um, I can't remember May. It's July.
June: FAILED because I didn't update the LJ!
July: Get Guitar Hero Aerosmith

Resolution Update

2008-05-03T20:39:48Z

After four months, here's what I've accomplished:

Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records - Made a binder with a calendar and some other medical-related stuff in it, January, 24.
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding - Went snowboarding at Snowshoe, January 10-12.
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend - FAILED - Called my ex-boyfriend, February 18. Befriended said ex-boyfriend again, April 19.
Find a good gynecologist - Found an awesome gynecologist, January 25.
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise - Got a raise, April 1.
Write more - Finally started writing my novel! Up to twelve pages, April 30.
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii
Get Guitar Hero
Get Dance Dance Revolution
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A in Richmond, February 1.
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo - Painted the trim and three doors in my hallway, March 9-10.
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before - Went to Snowshoe, January 10-13.
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania
Get a Crock-Pot - Got a Crock-Pot, February 9.
Have a party - Had a Superbowl party, February 3.
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to Cheeseburger in Paradise with a bunch of friends and then played Guitar Hero at Cabo Cafe with Amy, April 10.
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15 - Ran 1.5 miles in 13:02, February 7.
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe! - Had an awesome time at Snowshoe, January 10-13.
February: Don't complain as much and cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED - Complained less, but cried WAY more than 10 times.
March: Cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED
April: Plan a trip - FAILED
May: Go out on at least three dates with at least three different people

Thank You, Paxil

2008-04-20T20:22:07Z

My friend Amy had an interesting response to some advice I gave her over the phone a few minutes ago. She said she was going to write Paxil a thank you note for making me so cool. I've been on Paxil for just about two months now, and I think she's right. I know it seems odd to broadcast over the Internet that I'm taking an antidepressant medication (I don't usually use the LJ for personal business), but I have a good reason. For several months, I was afraid to start taking Paxil because I read so many horror stories on the web about side effects and bad experiences that people have posted on countless websites and discussion boards. I never read anything positive - everything was just so negative!

A doctor suggested a prescription for Paxil to me back in October, but I refused to take it because I was panicked about all the bad things I'd read about it. By February, I was finally fed up with anxiety attacks and daily crying episodes and uncontrollable mood swings, and I made the decision to try it.

As most people know, I'm not a big pill-popper. I hate taking medication and try to avoid it whenever possible. Another reason I wanted to stay off Paxil is because I didn't want to commit to taking a pill every day indefinitely. But, you know what? Ever since I've started taking Paxil, I've taken less Advil, less Tylenol and less NyQuil than ever before. No more stress headaches. No more sleepless nights.

So, here it goes - I beat you to it, Amy - a few words of thanks to my new favorite pill.

Dear Paxil,
Thank you. Thank you so much for the past two months. Thank you for stopping my dead in my tracks on the downward spiral of depression I was surely sinking deeper and deeper into. Thank you for giving me the clarity to consciously choose my thoughts and control my emotions. Thank you for allowing me the ability to think rationally through every situation at a slow enough pace that I can understand everything that's going on in my head. Thank you for ridding me of constant anxiety about trivial things. Thank you for chasing away the out-of-control fsense of sadness, guilt and hopelessness I've been feeling for a long, long time. Thank you for giving my tear ducts a break and for ending the scary midnight panic attacks that were depriving me of much-needed sleep. Thank you for showing me how to enjoy concentrating on myself for a change and for the freedom to be myself without seeking so much validation from others. Thank you for proving to me that I am the strong, wise, independent person I always wanted to be. Thank you for allowing me to see all of the good things I've accomplished in my life and feel hopeful about the future. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to relax and experience a sense of contentment and comfort within myself I've never felt before. Thank you for blessing me with the motivation and focus to start writing the novel I've been dreaming about since fifth grade. Thank you for making my life more enjoyable, more fulfilling and more fun. Thank you for showing me that everything wasn't always my fault and that I can finally stop apologizing. Thank you so, so much.
Love,
Lisa

Happy Anniversary, Captain Sea Jay!

2008-04-10T16:34:48Z

Today is my one-year anniversary with my pet fish, Captain Sea Jay Lewis (he's a pirate). He was one of my birthday presents last year, and has become my favorite companion to talk to at work. Captain Sea Jay is a beautiful betta that lives in a bowl on my desk at work. He's pretty much the coolest fish on the planet.

The captain spends his days exploring the less-than-vast expanse of decorative rocks and plastic vegetation that make up his watery habitat. He's also very attentive to life on the other side of his glass-walled rotunda - he loves to play and chase my finger up and down and around and around his 2.5-liter bowl. He curiously comes to the surface to check out objects just out of his reach, and if something catches his interest enough (like food), he'll jump right out of the water like a breaching shark for a bite!

To celebrate my birthday (and our anniversary), my co-workers decorated my cubicle with shiny purple and green garland and Hawaiian leis. Captain Sea Jay and I feel like we’re at a luau! We’re going to listen to Radio Margaritaville all day long and have the best person/pet fish anniversary ever.

In With The Old?

2008-04-09T22:46:53Z

It's my last day of being 26 - my birthday is tomorrow. I'm sitting alone in A Latte Cafe in downtown Norfolk, working on what will hopefully be my first novel (nine pages so far!) and waiting for 8:00 to roll around, so I can head over to The NorVa to see Ben Folds with Michelle. A new friend of mine asked when my birthday was the other night while we were at dinner, and I told him I'd rather not say. He keeps texting me every night, "Happy Birthday? Maybe today?" because I wouldn't tell him the exact day - only that it was this week. Turning 27 as a single girl with two cats and half a condo seems a little traumatic. I think it's official. I'm getting old.

Resolution Update

2008-04-02T00:54:44Z

After three months, here's what I've accomplished:

Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records - Made a binder with a calendar and some other medical-related stuff in it, January, 24.
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding - Went snowboarding at Snowshoe, January 10-12.
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend - FAILED - Called my ex-boyfriend, February 18.
Find a good gynecologist - Found an awesome gynecologist, January 25.
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise
Write more
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii
Get Guitar Hero
Get Dance Dance Revolution
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A in Richmond, February 1.
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo - Painted the trim and three doors in my hallway, March 9-10.
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before - Went to Snowshoe, January 10-13.
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania
Get a Crock-Pot - Got a Crock-Pot, February 9.
Have a party - Had a Superbowl party, February 3.
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15 - Ran 1.5 miles in 13:02, February 7.
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe! - Had an awesome time at Snowshoe, January 10-13.
February: Don't complain as much and cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED - Complained less, but cried WAY more than 10 times.
March: Cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED
April: Plan a trip

Technological Advancement

2008-03-22T19:23:53Z

I'm posting this from my phone from Guadalajara's!

Leave it to me...

2008-03-18T23:02:42Z

Guess who microwaved her leftover Thai food for dinner, tried to open the container while it was way too hot, and let it slip out of her hand spewing burning hot rice directly onto her hands, the carpet and mostly the garbage .

Yes, that would be me.

Baked Lays and non-diet cherry Coke, here I come.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2008-03-17T23:58:16Z

Just because I'm 100 percent Italian doesn't mean I can't down a green beer or two or three once a year!

Resolution Update

2008-03-04T02:31:02Z

After two months, here's what I've accomplished:

Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records - Made a binder with a calendar and some other medical-related stuff in it, January, 24.
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding - Went snowboarding at Snowshoe, January 10-12.
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend - FAILED - Called my ex-boyfriend, February 18.
Find a good gynecologist - Found an awesome gynecologist, January 25.
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise
Write more
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii
Get Guitar Hero
Get Dance Dance Revolution
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A in Richmond, February 1.
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before - Went to Snowshoe, January 10-13.
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania
Get a Crock-Pot - Got a Crock-Pot, February 9.
Have a party - Had a Superbowl party, February 3.
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15 - Ran 1.5 miles in 13:02, February 7.
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe! - Had an awesome time at Snowshoe, January 10-13.
February: Don't complain as much and cry less than 10 times this month - FAILED - Complained less, but cried WAY more than 10 times.
March: Cry less than 10 times this month

First Time Ever

2008-02-13T01:59:49Z

A Window Into My Morning At Work

2008-02-13T01:55:39Z

10 minutes ago…

Candice: “So when are you going to get pregnant?”
Lisa: “What?!?”
Candice: “When are you going to get pregnant so we can do this together?”
Lisa: “Oh my god, hormones are already taking over your brain! Get a grip! You’re living in a dream world!”
Candice: (Sighs.) “Fine.”

10 minutes before that… (on instant messenger)

Amy: “My jeans I ordered are getting here, like any minute. You have to come in the bathroom with me when I try them on because I feel fat and ugly today and you might have to keep me from committing suicide when they don’t fit by drinking up the bathroom soap an drowning myself in the toilet.”
Lisa: “Okay, just let me know when they get here.”

10 minutes before that… (on instant messenger)

Harmony: “What are you doing for lunch?”
Lisa: “Hanging myself from a flagpole outside.”
Harmony: “Good luck with that. Want to go running outside w/me and Tyra?”
Lisa: “Nah. I don’t want to go outside. It’s supposed to rain. I guess I’ll have to find a place to hang myself indoors.”
Harmony: “Check w/Amy on that. I’m sure she’ll have some good ideas.”

90 minutes before that…

Tom: “My, you’re here early!”
Lisa: “It’s 8:15.”
Tom: “That’s early for you!”
Lisa: “Not really. Yesterday I was here at 8. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t stay out partying like a delinquent all night so I’m unable to drag myself out of bed in the mornings. When I do get here a 9, it’s usually because I’m spending 20 minutes with my cats or cleaning up after my train wreck of a roommate who really can’t keep a job because she does that or checking my e-mails and MySpace at home. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop making it a national holiday every time I show up to work on time. It’s mildly insulting, and it kind of makes me look like an idiot.”

(Actually, I only wish I said everything after “Yesterday I was here at 8.” I seriously should have. Seriously.)

Resolution Update

2008-02-05T00:34:40Z

After one month, here's what I've accomplished:

Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records - Made a binder with a calendar and some other medical-related stuff in it, January, 24.
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding - Went snowboarding at Snowshoe, January 10-12.
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend
Find a good gynecologist - Found an awesome gynecologist, January 25.
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise
Write more
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii
Get Guitar Hero
Get Dance Dance Revolution
Hang out with The Big A
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before - Went to Snowshoe, January 10-13.
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania
Get a Crock-Pot
Have a party
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe! - Had an awesome time at Snowshoe, January 10-13.
February: Don't complain as much and cry less than 10 times this month

Down, Down, Down to Mephisto's Cafe

2008-01-20T17:51:22Z

If you've been keeping up with me for the past four years, you might remember when I first discovered the brilliance that is Streetlight Manifesto. Since then, I've been lucky enough to see them in concert two or three times.

Anyway, Tomas Kalnoky is my hero. He's an awesome writer.

Streetlight Manifesto finally released a new album - Somewhere in the Between - this past November. And, apparently, they've created their first official video! Check it out!

2008 Resolutions

2008-01-05T15:54:01Z

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting the list. Sorry for taking so long - I can't access social networking or blogging sites at work anymore! Nothing to exciting or surprising this year - just a nice attainable list that will hopefully encourage me to take care of some things and have some fun without spending a million dollars.

So, for the fifth year in a row, here they are - Lisa's New Year's Resolutions!

In the year 2008, I will:
Read 10 non-fiction books
Create a system for keeping track of my own medical records
Take my cats to the vet
Go camping
Go fishing
Go surfing
Go snowboarding
Take a whole week off work
Don’t call my ex-boyfriend
Find a good gynecologist
Don’t complain as much when I’m sick
Go horseback riding
Get a raise
Write more
Sell more stuff on eBay
Make $100 off my CafePress.com store
Finish gluing Swarovski crystals to my other brown flip-flop
Get a TiVo HD
Get a Nintendo Wii
Get Guitar Hero
Get Dance Dance Revolution
Run the Rock ’n’ Roll or OBX ½ Marathon
Visit Joelle in California
Hang out with The Big A
Frame my college degree
Volunteer for something
Make at least five new friends
Use my wetsuit
Finish painting my condo
Put down wood floors in my condo
Look hot in a bathing suit this summer
Do something that scares me
Go to an orthodontist, even if it’s just for a free consultation
Go see some places I’ve never been before
Go ice skating
Go roller skating
Go to at least one VT football game
Frame some of the photos I’ve taken and hang them up in my condo
Go see Katie & Adam's new house
Baby-sit for at least one my friends' kids
Visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Franky and my cousins in Pennsylvania
Get a Crock-Pot

Have a party
Open a new savings account with CJ
Go to the gym a lot
Play my oboe
Buy Kerri dinner
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Do something exciting on my birthday
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Run 1.5 miles in 14:15
End the year with a positive net worth
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Have an awesome time with my boyfriend on our trip to Snowshoe!

Final Resolution Update of 2007

2008-01-01T20:04:04Z

There goes another year! After twelve months, here's where I stand on my resolutions:

In the year 2007, I will:
Take a whole week off work - FAILED
Paint the rest of my condo - ALMOST - Painted Kristina's bathroom, June 15. Painted Kristina's bedroom, September 23. Painted the hallway, October 18.
Take Mele to the vet - FAILED
Get a Nintendo Wii - FAILED
Do yoga - ACCOMPLISHED - Did hot yoga, November 27. Did hot yoga again, December 4.
Visit Kerri in Grenada - FAILED
Run more - ACCOMPLISHED - I ran on the beach a lot in the spring and summer, and I've been running on the treadmill at the gym since I joined. I also ran in a 5K this year - which isn't much, but I didn't run in any races last year!
Eat out less - ACCOMPLISHED - I've definitely cut back on spending so much money eating out. Chris and I go food shopping together and cook dinner for each other a lot! When we do eat out, I try to use my Entertainment book and other coupons.
Adopt another kitty - ACCOMPLISHED - Brought Kona home, January 3.
Take a class - FAILED
Organize my room - ALMOST - I reorganized some of my cabinets and cleaned off my dresser a few weeks ago, but my room is sort of a mess right now.
Get a massage - ACCOMPLISHED - Got a reflexology massage, February 17.
Begin writing a book - FAILED
Frame my college degree - FAILED
Make $25 off my CafePress.com store - ACCOMPLISHED - Received a check for $38.52 from CafePress, October 17.
Cook something new - ACCOMPLISHED - Cooked French dip roast beef sandwiches and asparagus and green beans with lemon tarragon dipping sauce, January 18. Made lasagna, March 1. Cooked bruschetta chicken bake, March 28. Cooked ravioli, May 1. I keep cooking new things, but I'm not keeping track anymore. Cooked crabcakes and coconut shrimp, August 5.
Hang out with my little cousins I used to live with in Vegas (Kristin, Courtney, Sammy and Franky) - FAILED
Reformat my hard drive - FAILED
Eat at the restaurant that used to be Chef Ed's - FAILED
Bowl a 200 - FAILED
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game - FAILED
Go horseback riding - FAILED
Rent a car - FAILED
Visit Charleston, SC - FAILED
Get a flat screen TV - ACCOMPLISHED - Got a 40-inch Samsung LCD flat screen TV, December 30.
Stop being late to everything (especially work) - ACCOMPLISHED - I've been much better about being on time, especially to work.
Ice skate - ACCOMPLISHED - Went ice skating at MacArthur Center with Amy, January 12.
Take Chris to New Jersey (Bring him to Bar A and Brave New World) - ACCOMPLISHED - Took Chris to New Jersey, June 29. Brought him to Bar A and Brave New World, June 30.
Belly dance - FAILED
Get my surfboard back from Rich - ACCOMPLISHED - Got my surfboard back from Rich, January 22.
Take it in the ocean - ACCOMPLISHED - Took surfboard in the ocean, June 18. Went surfing again, June 19. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 12. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 22.
Stand up on it (in the ocean) - ACCOMPLISHED - Stood up on my surfboard twice, August 12.
Make 10 new friends - ALMOST - Jessie Caretti, Heather Wilkie, Teresa Jordan, Michelle Smith
Set up a filing cabinet at home - FAILED
Get a sewing machine - FAILED
Use my AirTran ticket to fly somewhere - ACCOMPLISHED - Used my AirTran ticket to fly to Ohio (and back) for Tara's wedding, May 24-26.
Hang out with The Big A - ACCOMPLISHED - Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen, February 11. Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen again, February 24. Hung out with The Big A at Homecoming, September 28-29.
See at least 10 cool concerts (including Jack's Mannequin and Reel Big Fish) - ALMOST - Huey Lewis & The News @ the Oceanfront, June 1. 1964, The Tribute @ Harborfest, June 8. Badfish @ The NorVa, June 9. Jimmy Buffet @ Nissan Pavilion, June 28. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ Ram's Head Live!, July 14. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ The NorVa, July 20. The Shins @ The NorVa, October 20.
Eat sushi - ACCOMPLISHED - Ate two California rolls with Chris at Otani (with salmon eggs in them - gross!), January 27. Ate sushi at Chris's dad's house, May 27. Got sushi to go from Blue Fin and brought it over to Chris's house to surprise him, August 31. As of November, I eat sushi all the time now for lunch.
Watch a Jenna Jameson movie - FAILED
Ride my bike - ACCOMPLISHED - Rode my bike, March 13.
Get a dustbuster - ACCOMPLISHED - Got a dustbuster, February 4.
Go to California - ACCOMPLISHED - Went to California for work (San Francisco and Oakland), October 8-12.
Fix the CD player in the Malibu (or get a car with a properly functioning CD player) - ACCOMPLISHED - Bought a 2002 Ford ZX2 with a functioning six-CD changer, January 14.
Buy a lottery ticket - ACCOMPLISHED - Bought a lottery ticket (didn't win anything), October 16.
Get a goldfish for my desk at work - ACCOMPLISHED - Brought Captian Sea Jay Lewis the betta fish (my birthday present) to work, April 12. Even cooler than a goldfish!
Write someone a letter - ACCOMPLISHED - Wrote Chris a letter, December 9.
Use my wetsuit - FAILED
Revamp my LJ - FAILED
Read at least 15 books - ACCOMPLISHED - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach, Women & Money by Suze Orman, Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laura Baratz-Logsted, The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene, The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain, The Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain, Her Mother's Shadow by Diane Chamberlain, A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett, The Choice by Nicholas Sparks, Where is Joe Merchant? by Jimmy Buffett, Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
Make something I can wear - ALMOST - I started gluing Swarovski crystals to a pair of flip-flops this summer, but I only finished one.
Spend a day in New York City - ACCOMPLISHED - Spent an evening in New York City (ate dinner and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), June 29.
Get a raise - ACCOMPLISHED - Got a raise, March 30.
Make my fireplace look pretty - ALMOST - I moved my loveseat in front of it, so now it doesn't matter what it looks like. Does that count?
Sell something on eBay - ACCOMPLISHED - Sold two items on eBay, February 3. Sold an item on eBay, February 27. Sold three items on eBay, March 7. Sold one item on eBay, March 28. Sold two more items on eBay, April 1. Sold two more items on eBay, June 21. I keep selling stuff on eBay, so I'm not keeping track anymore! As of August, I've turned selling stuff on eBay into a profitable hobby.
Do something exciting on my birthday - ACCOMPLISHED - Went to PF Chang's with Chris, Scott, Amy, Corinne, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine for dinner and then hung out for a bit at Gordon Biersch for the Maibock tapping party, April 10. Chris sent me beautiful flowers that lasted for three weeks and gave me a betta fish for my desk at work.
Win money playing poker - FAILED
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year - ACCOMPLISHED
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes - FAILED
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes - FAILED
Get my wisdom teeth out - ACCOMPLISHED - Got my wisdom teeth out, April 4.
Re-read Hawaii by James Michener - FAILED
Buy more real estate - FAILED
Go to Busch Gardens - ACCOMPLISHED - Went to Busch Gardens, October 21.
Not cut my hair short again - ACCOMPLISHED
Have a party - FAILED
Get a keyboard - FAILED
Write a song - FAILED
Get a picture in front of the VT bush - ACCOMPLISHED - Got a picture in front of the VT bush with Andrea, September 29.
Run in a race - ACCOMPLISHED - Ran in the Kiwanis Town Center Races 5K, November 10.
Take clothes to the consignment shop - FAILED
Volunteer for something - FAILED
Play my oboe - FAILED
End the year with a positive net worth - FAILED
Make a new resolution every month - ACCOMPLISHED
January: Give Tara the $100 I owe her - Wrote Tara a check for $115, January 13.
February: Learn to snowboard - Took a snowboarding lesson, February 11. Read a snowboarding book while icing by bruised knees, February 12. Bought a snowboard, February 13. Went snowboarding again (and did AWESOME!), February 24.
March: Go running more as the weather gets nice (at least 10 times) - Went running 10 times.
April: Sell my loveseat - Failed.
May: Plan a cruise with Chris for our one-year anniversary! - We didn't plan a cruise, but we're planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean for this December, and we opened a joint savings account to save up for it, May 27.
June: Paint Kristina's room - Almost. She still hasn't taken her furniture out of it, but we painted her bathroom, June 15. Painted her room, September 23.
July: Get a tan - I spent alot of time at the beach this month! For all intents and purposes, I'm tan. Maybe not as tan as everyone else, but tan for me. Chris even said I was tan!
August: Slim down and tone up a little, so I don't have to waste money on bigger fall clothes - Failed. I think I'm fatter. Accomplished, September 30.
September: Join a gym and run 1.5 miles in 14:15 or less - Joined the rec center with Tara, September 5. Ran a mile and a half in 13:47 on a treadmill, September 11.
October: Find a new hobby - Surprisingly, my new hobby this month was hanging out with my friends more.
November: Plan a holiday dinner with friends (since I'm always out of town for Thanksgiving and Christmas) - Failed. I planned it, but I never actually sent out the invites. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough money to have a party.
December: Don't use a bunch of money from my savings account to buy Christmas presents - Accomplished. I still have plenty of money leftover after Christmas, and I only bought presents for my immediate family and my boyfriend.

Well, out of 75 resolutions, thats 36 ACCOMPLISHED, 6 ALMOST, and 33 FAILED. I say that's pretty good, considering how many resolutions I made this year!

vtjerseygirl03 @ 2007-12-28T08:00:00

2007-12-28T14:03:38Z

I filled this questionnaire out in 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, too!

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Had surgery, opened a joint savings account with a boyfriend, was a bridesmaid in a wedding

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept a lot of them, and of course I'm going to make more!

Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes. Kristen gave birth to Kevin Younkins on February 20; Lauren gave birth to Kyle Flora on April 4; and Allison gave birth to Caroline Harper-Bahr on December 17.

Did anyone close to you die? No

What countries did you visit? I was supposed to visit Mexico, but it didn't work out.

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A vacation!

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory? April 16

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Changing my spending habits so that I could save up some money

What was your biggest failure? Settling into a job that doesn't really challenge me

Did you suffer illness or injury? I had an awful allergic reaction to Bactrim (an antibiotic). I broke out in hives and had to go to the emergency room! I had countless other silly things happen to me, too.

What was the best thing you bought? A snowboard!

Whose behavior merited celebration? Chris's again - he took care of me when I had my wisdom teeth out; he's always so understanding, he helped me paint some of my condo; he took me to the emergency room at four in the morning; he's become more open with me, and he's just an amazing person. Also, mine - I've been pretty cool to a lot of people that I wasn't sure liked me this year, and in return, I think most of them think I'm fun to hang out with now.

Where did most of your money go? Mortgage payments, savings accounts, car payments, doctors and pharmacies

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Planning a vacation with Chris (we didn't end up going, but I was still excited!)

What song will always remind you of 2007? Today - Joshua Radin

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier
Thinner or fatter? Thinner
Richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you'd done more of? Surfing

What do you wish you'd done less of? Itching

How will you be spending Christmas? I flew home to New Jersey. When I got there on the 22nd, Stephen and I had dinner at Mom's Kitchen with his girlfriend. On the 23rd, we spent the entire day baking cookies. We spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents' new house in Manchester. Uncle Cricket, Aunt Angel, Cricky, Joelle and Uncle Johnny were there. On Christmas Day we went up to my Aunt Debbie's house to have dinner with her and Uncle Sal, Christina and Grandma Tillie. I cooked chicken marsala all morning on Christmas Eve for us to eat on Christmas day. It was my first holiday dinner that I cooked for a bunch of people, and it was delicious! Santa brought me a new snowboarding jacket and pants and a $350 gift card to put towards that flat screen TV I've been wanting. Chris and I opened presents on the 26th. I gave him a programmable coffeemaker, a few shirts, the next kitesurfing instructional DVD and an IndoBoard. He gave me a really cool iPod speaker dock, a Spa Phoenix gift certificate and a beautiful Mandarin pearl necklace and bracelet.

Did you fall in love in 2007? Every day

How many one-night stands? 0

Who were your best friends? Kristy, Chris, Tara

What thing did you do that was meaningful to others? I tried to jumpstart my friends' cars when they wouldn't start, but it never worked. I also tried to communicate better with people and be more open and honest - even if it was via MySpace.

What was your favorite TV program? Big Brother 8, Survivor, Chuck, Desperate Housewives, Saturday Night Live

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No

What was the best book you read? A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett

What was your greatest musical discovery? Colbie Caillat

What did you want and get? A snowboard, a new car, a vacuum and a fish

What did you want and not get? A new digital camera, a flat screen TV, and wood floors in my condo

What was your favorite film of this year? Superbad

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 26, Chris sent me some beautiful flowers while I was at work, and that night, a bunch of my friends (Amy, Corinne, Scott, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine) all met up with us at P.F. Chang's to celebrate. Then we had a few drinks at Gordon Biersch, and Chris gave me my fish - Captain Sea Jay Lewis.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Going to Cancun, having a computer with a functioning soundcard

What kept you sane? The Employee Assistance Program, Quicken, TiVo, Mele, Kona, Andrea, CJ, the gym, the beach, a few weekend trips to the Outer Banks, pharmacies and hydroxyzine

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Kristen Bell

What political issue stirred you the most? I hate political issues.

Who did you miss? Kristy, Allison, Andrea, my family and CJ (for a few weeks)

Who was the best new person you met this year? Michelle Smith

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: Saving money up for big stuff later is better than spending it on little stuff now.

Quote that sums up your year:
"It's The Fray!"
"The Fray?"

Resolution Update

2007-12-05T04:18:19Z

After eleven months, here's where I stand on my resolutions:

In the year 2007, I will:
Take a whole week off work
Paint the rest of my condo - Painted Kristina's bathroom, June 15. Painted Kristina's bedroom, September 23. Painted the hallway, October 18.
Take Mele to the vet
Get a Nintendo Wii
Do yoga - Did hot yoga, November 27.
Visit Kerri in Grenada
Run more
Eat out less
Adopt another kitty - Brought Kona home, January 3.
Take a class
Organize my room
Get a massage - Got a reflexology massage, February 17.
Begin writing a book
Frame my college degree
Make $25 off my CafePress.com store - Received a check for $38.52 from CafePress, October 17.
Cook something new - Cooked French dip roast beef sandwiches and asparagus and green beans with lemon tarragon dipping sauce, January 18. Made lasagna, March 1. Cooked bruschetta chicken bake, March 28. Cooked ravioli, May 1. I keep cooking new things, but I'm not keeping track anymore. Cooked crabcakes and coconut shrimp, August 5.
Hang out with my little cousins I used to live with in Vegas (Kristin, Courtney, Sammy and Franky)
Reformat my hard drive
Eat at the restaurant that used to be Chef Ed's
Bowl a 200
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Go horseback riding
Rent a car
Visit Charleston, SC
Get a flat screen TV
Stop being late to everything (especially work)
Ice skate - Went ice skating at MacArthur Center with Amy, January 12.
Take Chris to New Jersey (Bring him to Bar A and Brave New World) - Took Chris to New Jersey, June 29. Brought him to Bar A and Brave New World, June 30.
Belly dance
Get my surfboard back from Rich - Got my surfboard back from Rich, January 22.
Take it in the ocean - Took surfboard in the ocean, June 18. Went surfing again, June 19. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 12. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 22.
Stand up on it (in the ocean) - Stood up on my surfboard twice, August 12.
Make 10 new friends - Jessie Caretti, Heather Wilkie, Teresa Jordan, Michelle Smith
Set up a filing cabinet at home
Get a sewing machine
Use my AirTran ticket to fly somewhere - Used my AirTran ticket to fly to Ohio (and back) for Tara's wedding, May 24-26.
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen, February 11. Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen again, February 24. Hung out with The Big A at Homecoming, September 28-29.
See at least 10 cool concerts (including Jack's Mannequin and Reel Big Fish) - Huey Lewis & The News @ the Oceanfront, June 1. 1964, The Tribute @ Harborfest, June 8. Badfish @ The NorVa, June 9. Jimmy Buffet @ Nissan Pavilion, June 28. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ Ram's Head Live!, July 14. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ The NorVa, July 20. The Shins @ The NorVa, October 20.
Eat sushi - Ate two California rolls with Chris at Otani (with salmon eggs in them - gross!), January 27. Ate sushi at Chris's dad's house, May 27. Got sushi to go from Blue Fin and brought it over to Chris's house to surprise him, August 31. As of November, I eat sushi all the time now for lunch.
Watch a Jenna Jameson movie
Ride my bike - Rode my bike, March 13.
Get a dustbuster - Got a dustbuster, February 4.
Go to California - Went to California for work (San Francisco and Oakland), October 8-12.
Fix the CD player in the Malibu (or get a car with a properly functioning CD player) - Bought a 2002 Ford ZX2 with a functioning six-CD changer, January 14.
Buy a lottery ticket - Bought a lottery ticket (didn't win anything), October 16.
Get a goldfish for my desk at work - Brought Captian Sea Jay Lewis the betta fish (my birthday present) to work, April 12. Even cooler than a goldfish!
Write someone a letter
Use my wetsuit
Revamp my LJ
Read at least 15 books - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach, Women & Money by Suze Orman, Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laura Baratz-Logsted, The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene, The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain, The Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain, Her Mother's Shadow by Diane Chamberlain, A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett, The Choice by Nicholas Sparks, Where is Joe Merchant? by Jimmy Buffett, Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
Make something I can wear
Spend a day in New York City - Spent an evening in New York City (ate dinner and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), June 29.
Get a raise - Got a raise, March 30.
Make my fireplace look pretty
Sell something on eBay - Sold two items on eBay, February 3. Sold an item on eBay, February 27. Sold three items on eBay, March 7. Sold one item on eBay, March 28. Sold two more items on eBay, April 1. Sold two more items on eBay, June 21. I keep selling stuff on eBay, so I'm not keeping track anymore! As of August, I've turned selling stuff on eBay into a profitable hobby.
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to PF Chang's with Chris, Scott, Amy, Corinne, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine for dinner and then hung out for a bit at Gordon Biersch for the Maibock tapping party, April 10. Chris sent me beautiful flowers that lasted for three weeks and gave me a betta fish for my desk at work.
Win money playing poker
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Get my wisdom teeth out - Got my wisdom teeth out, April 4.
Re-read Hawaii by James Michener
Buy more real estate
Go to Busch Gardens - Went to Busch Gardens, October 21.
Not cut my hair short again
Have a party
Get a keyboard
Write a song
Get a picture in front of the VT bush - Got a picture in front of the VT bush with Andrea, September 29.
Run in a race - Ran in the Kiwanis Town Center Races 5K, November 10.
Take clothes to the consignment shop
Volunteer for something
Play my oboe
End the year with a positive net worth
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Give Tara the $100 I owe her - Wrote Tara a check for $115, January 13.
February: Learn to snowboard - Took a snowboarding lesson, February 11. Read a snowboarding book while icing by bruised knees, February 12. Bought a snowboard, February 13. Went snowboarding again (and did AWESOME!), February 24.
March: Go running more as the weather gets nice (at least 10 times) - Went running 10 times.
April: Sell my loveseat - Failed.
May: Plan a cruise with Chris for our one-year anniversary! - We didn't plan a cruise, but we're planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean for this December, and we opened a joint savings account to save up for it, May 27.
June: Paint Kristina's room - Almost. She still hasn't taken her furniture out of it, but we painted her bathroom, June 15. Painted her room, September 23.
July: Get a tan - I spent alot of time at the beach this month! For all intents and purposes, I'm tan. Maybe not as tan as everyone else, but tan for me. Chris even said I was tan!
August: Slim down and tone up a little, so I don't have to waste money on bigger fall clothes - Failed. I think I'm fatter. Accomplished, September 30.
September: Join a gym and run 1.5 miles in 14:15 or less - Joined the rec center with Tara, September 5. Ran a mile and a half in 13:47 on a treadmill, September 11.
October: Find a new hobby - Surprisingly, my new hobby this month was hanging out with my friends more.
November: Plan a holiday dinner with friends (since I'm always out of town for Thanksgiving and Christmas) - Failed. I planned it, but I never actually sent out the invites. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough money to have a party.
December: Don't use a bunch of money from my savings account to buy Christmas presents

Resolution Update

2007-11-03T22:11:26Z

After ten months, here's where I stand on my resolutions:

In the year 2007, I will:
Take a whole week off work
Paint the rest of my condo - Painted Kristina's bathroom, June 15. Painted Kristina's bedroom, September 23. Painted the hallway, October 18.
Take Mele to the vet
Get a Nintendo Wii
Do yoga
Visit Kerri in Grenada
Run more
Eat out less
Adopt another kitty - Brought Kona home, January 3.
Take a class
Organize my room
Get a massage - Got a reflexology massage, February 17.
Begin writing a book
Frame my college degree
Make $25 off my CafePress.com store - Received a check for $38.52 from CafePress, October 17.
Cook something new - Cooked French dip roast beef sandwiches and asparagus and green beans with lemon tarragon dipping sauce, January 18. Made lasagna, March 1. Cooked bruschetta chicken bake, March 28. Cooked ravioli, May 1. I keep cooking new things, but I'm not keeping track anymore. Cooked crabcakes and coconut shrimp, August 5.
Hang out with my little cousins I used to live with in Vegas (Kristin, Courtney, Sammy and Franky)
Reformat my hard drive
Eat at the restaurant that used to be Chef Ed's
Bowl a 200
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Go horseback riding
Rent a car
Visit Charleston, SC
Get a flat screen TV
Stop being late to everything (especially work)
Ice skate - Went ice skating at MacArthur Center with Amy, January 12.
Take Chris to New Jersey (Bring him to Bar A and Brave New World) - Took Chris to New Jersey, June 29. Brought him to Bar A and Brave New World, June 30.
Belly dance
Get my surfboard back from Rich - Got my surfboard back from Rich, January 22.
Take it in the ocean - Took surfboard in the ocean, June 18. Went surfing again, June 19. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 12. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 22.
Stand up on it (in the ocean) - Stood up on my surfboard twice, August 12.
Make 10 new friends - Jessie Caretti, Heather Wilkie, Teresa Jordan, Michelle Smith
Set up a filing cabinet at home
Get a sewing machine
Use my AirTran ticket to fly somewhere - Used my AirTran ticket to fly to Ohio (and back) for Tara's wedding, May 24-26.
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen, February 11. Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen again, February 24. Hung out with The Big A at Homecoming, September 28-29.
See at least 10 cool concerts (including Jack's Mannequin and Reel Big Fish) - Huey Lewis & The News @ the Oceanfront, June 1. 1964, The Tribute @ Harborfest, June 8. Badfish @ The NorVa, June 9. Jimmy Buffet @ Nissan Pavilion, June 28. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ Ram's Head Live!, July 14. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ The NorVa, July 20. The Shins @ The NorVa, October 20.
Eat sushi - Ate two California rolls with Chris at Otani (with salmon eggs in them - gross!), January 27. Ate sushi at Chris's dad's house, May 27. Got sushi to go from Blue Fin and brought it over to Chris's house to suprise him, August 31.
Watch a Jenna Jameson movie
Ride my bike - Rode my bike, March 13.
Get a dustbuster - Got a dustbuster, February 4.
Go to California - Went to California for work (San Francisco and Oakland), October 8-12.
Fix the CD player in the Malibu (or get a car with a properly functioning CD player) - Bought a 2002 Ford ZX2 with a functioning six-CD changer, January 14.
Buy a lottery ticket - Bought a lottery ticket (didn't win anything), October 16.
Get a goldfish for my desk at work - Brought Captian Sea Jay Lewis the betta fish (my birthday present) to work, April 12. Even cooler than a goldfish!
Write someone a letter
Use my wetsuit
Revamp my LJ
Read at least 15 books - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach, Women & Money by Suze Orman, Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laura Baratz-Logsted, The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene, The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain, The Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain, Her Mother's Shadow by Diane Chamberlain, A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
Make something I can wear
Spend a day in New York City - Spent an evening in New York City (ate dinner and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), June 29.
Get a raise - Got a raise, March 30.
Make my fireplace look pretty
Sell something on eBay - Sold two items on eBay, February 3. Sold an item on eBay, February 27. Sold three items on eBay, March 7. Sold one item on eBay, March 28. Sold two more items on eBay, April 1. Sold two more items on eBay, June 21. I keep selling stuff on eBay, so I'm not keeping track anymore! As of August, I've turned selling stuff on eBay into a profitable hobby.
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to PF Chang's with Chris, Scott, Amy, Corinne, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine for dinner and then hung out for a bit at Gordon Biersch for the Maibock tapping party, April 10. Chris sent me beautiful flowers that lasted for three weeks and gave me a betta fish for my desk at work.
Win money playing poker
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Get my wisdom teeth out - Got my wisdom teeth out, April 4.
Re-read Hawaii by James Michener
Buy more real estate
Go to Busch Gardens - Went to Busch Gardens, October 21.
Not cut my hair short again
Have a party
Get a keyboard
Write a song
Get a picture in front of the VT bush - Got a picture in front of the VT bush with Andrea, September 29.
Run in a race
Take clothes to the consignment shop
Volunteer for something
Play my oboe
End the year with a positive net worth
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Give Tara the $100 I owe her - Wrote Tara a check for $115, January 13.
February: Learn to snowboard - Took a snowboarding lesson, February 11. Read a snowboarding book while icing by bruised knees, February 12. Bought a snowboard, February 13. Went snowboarding again (and did AWESOME!), February 24.
March: Go running more as the weather gets nice (at least 10 times) - Went running 10 times.
April: Sell my loveseat - Failed.
May: Plan a cruise with Chris for our one-year anniversary! - We didn't plan a cruise, but we're planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean for this December, and we opened a joint savings account to save up for it, May 27.
June: Paint Kristina's room - Almost. She still hasn't taken her furniture out of it, but we painted her bathroom, June 15. Painted her room, September 23.
July: Get a tan - I spent alot of time at the beach this month! For all intents and purposes, I'm tan. Maybe not as tan as everyone else, but tan for me. Chris even said I was tan!
August: Slim down and tone up a little, so I don't have to waste money on bigger fall clothes - Failed. I think I'm fatter. Accomplished, September 30.
September: Join a gym and run 1.5 miles in 14:15 or less - Joined the rec center with Tara, September 5. Ran a mile and a half in 13:47 on a treadmill, September 11.
October: Find a new hobby - Surprisingly, my new hobby this month was hanging out with my friends more.
November: Plan a holiday dinner with friends (since I'm always out of town for Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Red October

2007-10-21T14:07:58Z

Although it's late October, the weather here is still beautiful. We went to the beach yesterday! I got to go see The Shins last night with a little sunburn. In October! It's cute. Be jealous.

Pearl Harbor

2007-10-20T04:20:03Z

Note: This entry is somewhat exaggerated for the purpose of being more entertaining. While it is loosely based on actual events, it is solely meant to be a satirical short story for your enjoyment. Thanks.

Pearl Harbor ruined my life. No, not that Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor, the Sherwin Williams paint color. It’s the color I decided to paint the master bedroom in my condo after obsessing over at least 47 different shades of tan and blue for three months. Personally, I like the color. It’s kind of a light coral/khaki color – neutral, but bright and kind of beachy. It looks great with white trim and the wood floors I’ll put down someday. But, that’s not the point.

I rent the master bedroom out to a girl who was out of town for the weekend. I had been telling her for weeks I was going to paint it. But, that’s also not the point.

Maybe I picked a bad weekend to paint – it was supposed to rain, but it ended up being the last beach weekend of the season. Maybe I should have been more prepared – I was still wavering on a color choice, and I had no supplies or ladder ready the morning we were supposed to paint. Or maybe I should have just painted the room blue.

Either way, on a partly cloudy Saturday morning four weeks ago, I woke up and decided my boyfriend and I were going to paint the room. And then I decided we weren’t going to paint the room. And then we checked the weather, and I decided we were going to paint the room. If I can offer you one tidbit of advice here, it’s this – don’t ever believe what you read about the weather.

“If it’s going to rain, then fuck it. Let’s just paint,” I said.

“Okay, just decide. I told you I’d help you, so, whatever you want to do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Let’s just paint the room if you want to paint it.”

So off we went to Lowe’s. We picked up the paint (I decided on Pearl Harbor) and the rollers, some tape and a few tarps. We drove back to my house (in the 80-degree sunshine) and began to paint. We painted all that beautiful day and then we finished up on Sunday afternoon.

When we finally made it to the beach – where I can assure you my boyfriend would rather have been all weekend – it was late Sunday afternoon, and he was barely speaking to me.

Let me tell you a little bit about my boyfriend. My boyfriend is my best friend. He’s an amazing person, the nicest guy I’ve ever met and always fun and easy to be around. However, he is very non-confrontational and not much of a communicator, so it appears that he’s afraid to tell me anything that might piss me off. For instance, “Baby, let’s paint next weekend. I’d rather be at the beach today.” Here, I can offer you some more advice – don’t be afraid of your girlfriend (even if she's from New Jersey).

By the time this painting debacle was over, my boyfriend had decided that perhaps he was unsure about whether or not he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. He also decided that he was too strapped for cash to go on our vacation that we had been planning for three months. And last but not least, he decided he needed some space.

Some space? Over painting? What the hell is that? We never even fight! We always have fun! I know he loves the beach, but I had no idea how much my boyfriend must really hate painting.

Anyway, fast forward four weeks. My perfect boyfriend is taking a break from dating me. My roommate has her shit strewn haphazardly all over the master bedroom, so it sort of looks like the actual Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. And I am just trying not to go crazy.

The only thing I could think of to do yesterday to prevent an oncoming anxiety attack was paint the hallway. I figure if I paint the condo one wall at a time, it should be done by December. So, I got out the bucket of Pearl Harbor and started slathering it on the wall. My roommate didn’t even notice.

“Did you notice the hallway?” I asked this evening.

“What about it?”

“I painted it.”

“Oh. Really?”

“Granted, it’s the hallway,” I said, “but you didn’t notice?”

“No,” she replied.

“Well, do you like it?”

“No. Not really.”

“What? I thought you said you liked this color in your room?”

“I did. But, I don’t anymore. Nothing matches it.”

So, there you have it. I have no boyfriend, and my roommate hates her bedroom. She’ll probably move out any day now, and I’ll be forced to file for bankruptcy because I won’t be able to pay my mortgage. And then my condo will be foreclosed on by the bank, and I won’t even have any more walls to paint Pearl Harbor to keep me sane. I’ll veer off course into a downward spiral of depression and anxiety attacks and most likely kill myself by the end of the month. And when I do, I guess you can just tell everyone Pearl Harbor ruined my life.

Resolution Update

2007-10-01T16:24:57Z

After nine months, here's where I stand on my resolutions:

In the year 2007, I will:
Take a whole week off work
Paint the rest of my condo - Painted Kristina's bathroom, June 15. Painted Kristina's bedroom, September 23.
Take Mele to the vet
Get a Nintendo Wii
Do yoga
Visit Kerri in Grenada
Run more
Eat out less
Adopt another kitty - Brought Kona home, January 3.
Take a class
Organize my room
Get a massage - Got a reflexology massage, February 17.
Begin writing a book
Frame my college degree
Make $25 off my CafePress.com store
Cook something new - Cooked French dip roast beef sandwiches and asparagus and green beans with lemon tarragon dipping sauce, January 18. Made lasagna, March 1. Cooked bruschetta chicken bake, March 28. Cooked ravioli, May 1. I keep cooking new things, but I'm not keeping track anymore. Cooked crabcakes and coconut shrimp, August 5.
Hang out with my little cousins I used to live with in Vegas (Kristin, Courtney, Sammy and Franky)
Reformat my hard drive
Eat at the restaurant that used to be Chef Ed's
Bowl a 200
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Go horseback riding
Rent a car
Visit Charleston, SC
Get a flat screen TV
Stop being late to everything (especially work)
Ice skate - Went ice skating at MacArthur Center with Amy, January 12.
Take Chris to New Jersey (Bring him to Bar A and Brave New World) - Took Chris to New Jersey, June 29. Brought him to Bar A and Brave New World, June 30.
Belly dance
Get my surfboard back from Rich - Got my surfboard back from Rich, January 22.
Take it in the ocean - Took surfboard in the ocean, June 18. Went surfing again, June 19. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 12. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 22.
Stand up on it (in the ocean) - Stood up on my surfboard twice, August 12.
Make 10 new friends - Jessie Caretti, Heather Wilkie, Teresa Jordan
Set up a filing cabinet at home
Get a sewing machine
Use my AirTran ticket to fly somewhere - Used my AirTran ticket to fly to Ohio (and back) for Tara's wedding, May 24-26.
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen, February 11. Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen again, February 24. Hung out with The Big A at Homecoming, September 28-29.
See at least 10 cool concerts (including Jack's Mannequin and Reel Big Fish) - Huey Lewis & The News @ the Oceanfront, June 1. 1964, The Tribute @ Harborfest, June 8. Badfish @ The NorVa, June 9. Jimmy Buffet @ Nissan Pavilion, June 28. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ Ram's Head Live!, July 14. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ The NorVa, July 20.
Eat sushi - Ate two California rolls with Chris at Otani (with salmon eggs in them - gross!), January 27. Ate sushi at Chris's dad's house, May 27. Got sushi to go from Blue Fin and brought it over to Chris's house to suprise him, August 31.
Watch a Jenna Jameson movie
Ride my bike - Rode my bike, March 13.
Get a dustbuster - Got a dustbuster, February 4.
Go to California
Fix the CD player in the Malibu (or get a car with a properly functioning CD player) - Bought a 2002 Ford ZX2 with a functioning six-CD changer, January 14.
Buy a lottery ticket
Get a goldfish for my desk at work - Brought Captian Sea Jay Lewis the betta fish (my birthday present) to work, April 12. Even cooler than a goldfish!
Write someone a letter
Use my wetsuit
Revamp my LJ
Read at least 15 books - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach, Women & Money by Suze Orman, Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laura Baratz-Logsted, The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene, The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain, The Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain, Her Mother's Shadow by Diane Chamberlain
Make something I can wear
Spend a day in New York City - Spent an evening in New York City (ate dinner and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), June 29.
Get a raise - Got a raise, March 30.
Make my fireplace look pretty
Sell something on eBay - Sold two items on eBay, February 3. Sold an item on eBay, February 27. Sold three items on eBay, March 7. Sold one item on eBay, March 28. Sold two more items on eBay, April 1. Sold two more items on eBay, June 21. I keep selling stuff on eBay, so I'm not keeping track anymore! As of August, I've turned selling stuff on eBay into a profitable hobby.
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to PF Chang's with Chris, Scott, Amy, Corinne, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine for dinner and then hung out for a bit at Gordon Biersch for the Maibock tapping party, April 10. Chris sent me beautiful flowers that lasted for three weeks and gave me a betta fish for my desk at work.
Win money playing poker
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Get my wisdom teeth out - Got my wisdom teeth out, April 4.
Re-read Hawaii by James Michener
Buy more real estate
Go to Busch Gardens
Not cut my hair short again
Have a party
Get a keyboard
Write a song
Get a picture in front of the VT bush - Got a picture in front of the VT bush with Andrea, September 29.
Run in a race
Take clothes to the consignment shop
Volunteer for something
Play my oboe
End the year with a positive net worth
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Give Tara the $100 I owe her - Wrote Tara a check for $115, January 13.
February: Learn to snowboard - Took a snowboarding lesson, February 11. Read a snowboarding book while icing by bruised knees, February 12. Bought a snowboard, February 13. Went snowboarding again (and did AWESOME!), February 24.
March: Go running more as the weather gets nice (at least 10 times) - Went running 10 times.
April: Sell my loveseat - Failed.
May: Plan a cruise with Chris for our one-year anniversary! - We didn't plan a cruise, but we're planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean for this December, and we opened a joint savings account to save up for it, May 27.
June: Paint Kristina's room - Almost. She still hasn't taken her furniture out of it, but we painted her bathroom, June 15. Painted her room, September 23.
July: Get a tan - I spent alot of time at the beach this month! For all intents and purposes, I'm tan. Maybe not as tan as everyone else, but tan for me. Chris even said I was tan!
August: Slim down and tone up a little, so I don't have to waste money on bigger fall clothes - Failed. I think I'm fatter. Accomplished, September 30.
September: Join a gym and run 1.5 miles in 14:15 or less - Joined the rec center with Tara, September 5. Ran a mile and a half in 13:47 on a treadmill, September 11.
October: Find a new hobby

Resolution Update

2007-09-04T13:48:31Z

After eight months, here's where I stand on my resolutions:

In the year 2007, I will:
Take a whole week off work
Paint the rest of my condo - Painted Kristina's bathroom, June 15.
Take Mele to the vet
Get a Nintendo Wii
Do yoga
Visit Kerri in Grenada
Run more
Eat out less
Adopt another kitty - Brought Kona home, January 3.
Take a class
Organize my room
Get a massage - Got a reflexology massage, February 17.
Begin writing a book
Frame my college degree
Make $25 off my CafePress.com store
Cook something new - Cooked French dip roast beef sandwiches and asparagus and green beans with lemon tarragon dipping sauce, January 18. Made lasagna, March 1. Cooked bruschetta chicken bake, March 28. Cooked ravioli, May 1. I keep cooking new things, but I'm not keeping track anymore. Cooked crabcakes and coconut shrimp, August 5.
Hang out with my little cousins I used to live with in Vegas (Kristin, Courtney, Sammy and Franky)
Reformat my hard drive
Eat at the restaurant that used to be Chef Ed's
Bowl a 200
Play the Rich Dad CASHFLOW 101 board game
Go horseback riding
Rent a car
Visit Charleston, SC
Get a flat screen TV
Stop being late to everything (especially work)
Ice skate - Went ice skating at MacArthur Center with Amy, January 12.
Take Chris to New Jersey (Bring him to Bar A and Brave New World) - Took Chris to New Jersey, June 29. Brought him to Bar A and Brave New World, June 30.
Belly dance
Get my surfboard back from Rich - Got my surfboard back from Rich, January 22.
Take it in the ocean - Took surfboard in the ocean, June 18. Went surfing again, June 19. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 12. Took surfboard in the ocean, August 22.
Stand up on it (in the ocean) - Stood up on my surfboard twice, August 12.
Make 10 new friends - Jessie Caretti, Heather Wilkie, Teresa Jordan
Set up a filing cabinet at home
Get a sewing machine
Use my AirTran ticket to fly somewhere - Used my AirTran ticket to fly to Ohio (and back) for Tara's wedding, May 24-26.
Hang out with The Big A - Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen, February 11. Hung out with The Big A at Wintergreen again, February 24.
See at least 10 cool concerts (including Jack's Mannequin and Reel Big Fish) - Huey Lewis & The News @ the Oceanfront, June 1. 1964, The Tribute @ Harborfest, June 8. Badfish @ The NorVa, June 9. Jimmy Buffet @ Nissan Pavilion, June 28. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ Ram's Head Live!, July 14. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto @ The NorVa, July 20.
Eat sushi - Ate two California rolls with Chris at Otani (with salmon eggs in them - gross!), January 27. Ate sushi at Chris's dad's house, May 27. Got sushi to go from Blue Fin and brought it over to Chris's house to suprise him, August 31.
Watch a Jenna Jameson movie
Ride my bike - Rode my bike, March 13.
Get a dustbuster - Got a dustbuster, February 4.
Go to California
Fix the CD player in the Malibu (or get a car with a properly functioning CD player) - Bought a 2002 Ford ZX2 with a functioning six-CD changer, January 14.
Buy a lottery ticket
Get a goldfish for my desk at work - Brought Captian Sea Jay Lewis the betta fish (my birthday present) to work, April 12. Even cooler than a goldfish!
Write someone a letter
Use my wetsuit
Revamp my LJ
Read at least 15 books - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach, Women & Money by Suze Orman, Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laura Baratz-Logsted, The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene, The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain, The Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain, Her Mother's Shadow by Diane Chamberlain
Make something I can wear
Spend a day in New York City - Spent an evening in New York City (ate dinner and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), June 29.
Get a raise - Got a raise, March 30.
Make my fireplace look pretty
Sell something on eBay - Sold two items on eBay, February 3. Sold an item on eBay, February 27. Sold three items on eBay, March 7. Sold one item on eBay, March 28. Sold two more items on eBay, April 1. Sold two more items on eBay, June 21. I keep selling stuff on eBay, so I'm not keeping track anymore! As of August, I've turned selling stuff on eBay into a profitable hobby.
Do something exciting on my birthday - Went to PF Chang's with Chris, Scott, Amy, Corinne, Laurie, Grant, Tom and Christine for dinner and then hung out for a bit at Gordon Biersch for the Maibock tapping party, April 10. Chris sent me beautiful flowers that lasted for three weeks and gave me a betta fish for my desk at work.
Win money playing poker
Continue writing in my LJ for another whole year
Do 58 sit-ups in two minutes
Do 21 push-ups in two minutes
Get my wisdom teeth out - Got my wisdom teeth out, April 4.
Re-read Hawaii by James Michener
Buy more real estate
Go to Busch Gardens
Not cut my hair short again
Have a party
Get a keyboard
Write a song
Get a picture in front of the VT bush
Run in a race
Take clothes to the consignment shop
Volunteer for something
Play my oboe
End the year with a positive net worth
Make a new resolution every month:
January: Give Tara the $100 I owe her - Wrote Tara a check for $115, January 13.
February: Learn to snowboard - Took a snowboarding lesson, February 11. Read a snowboarding book while icing by bruised knees, February 12. Bought a snowboard, February 13. Went snowboarding again (and did AWESOME!), February 24.
March: Go running more as the weather gets nice (at least 10 times) - Went running 10 times.
April: Sell my loveseat - Failed.
May: Plan a cruise with Chris for our one-year anniversary! - We didn't plan a cruise, but we're planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean for this December, and we opened a joint savings account to save up for it, May 27.
June: Paint Kristina's room - Almost. She still hasn't taken her furniture out of it, but we painted her bathroom, June 15.
July: Get a tan - I spent alot of time at the beach this month! For all intents and purposes, I'm tan. Maybe not as tan as everyone else, but tan for me. Chris even said I was tan!
August: Slim down and tone up a little, so I don't have to waste money on bigger fall clothes - Failed. I think I'm fatter.
September: Join a gym and run 1.5 miles in 14:15 or less

Eating Habits

2007-08-09T13:02:59Z

I'm the only person I know that eats Krispy Kremes with a fork and knife. But, they're just so sticky...