BTW

If you haven't seen it, check out ABC's show Castle. It's not as bad as the commercials made it out to seem - we really thought it was gonna be lame but we rather enjoy it. Now, we do have a thing for Nathan Fillion - we enjoy him very much on (the now cancelled Fox show) Firefly. Check them both out! Ü

Have a happy day!

Week Twelve

February 15-21, 2009

So, let's just cut to the chase since it's been so long, shall we? I made a new recipe this week. With our large book purchase several weeks ago, I bought a cookbook by Bob Green (Oprah's foodie guy) and so I decided I would try a recipe. I picked his turkey chili recipe which actually wasn't too bad. It was a little more watery than I anticipated and a little bland but on the whole not bad. Even Kevin ate it. Oh, and it was supposed to make 4 servings and it made more like 10. I was eating that stuff for a week! But I was proud of myself for trying something new.

I was a winner again this week! I *love* Amy Sumrall and her generosity. She had another drawing for her This Little Piggy kit and she drew my name. I *love* it! And this kit is the one I used for the weather report this week. Isn't it so cute?

I had several migraines again this week but that's nothing new.



Went to a workshop on Saturday about being familiar with black culture, black sayings and how to be a better [caucasion] interpreter when interpreting for our customers. The workshop was okay. It didn't really teach me anything I hadn't already learned by growing up in St. Louis and working in a high school for 10 years. There was a funny story that the presenter shared with us but I don't know how much you all will appreciate it but I'll share anyway:

The presenter said he had been working with another [caucasion] intepreter who was captioning a video that was being signed by a black signer. After she was done captioning the video, she asked him to look over her work. He recalled one particular part of the video in which she captioned part of a conversation between a little girl and her mother.

White interpretation (paraphrased):

"My mother told me to go outside and get a branch off the tree so she could beat me with it."

Holy cow, woman! Really? This mother threatened to BEAT her kid with a TREE BRANCH??? This is why we need to integrate ourselves more with other cultures. Anyone who has had any experience with black culture (or really even southern culture in this instance) knows the translation should have sounded more like this:

"My mama hollered at me to go on outside and get myself a switch 'cause she was gonna whup me."

I was rather shocked once I heard the white woman's interpretation of the story. I just couldn't believe no one ever heard of a switch and the fact that someone was gonna get whupped with it.

After the workshop I was supposed to go to dinner and a show with some of the girls from work but none of them were at the workshop and I didn't have any contact information for any of them so I just went home. Had a bit of a migraine so that was okay, I guess.

Also, I finished reading The Kite Runner this week. I don't know how much any of you know about this book but I had a really hard time reading it due to its content. The book itself was excellent, very well written which made it very easy to read and hard to put down. I just had issues with some of the events that took place in the book mostly because it reminded me of some bad things that happened in my life. Again, I recommend reading this book but not if you are depressed or recently experienced a death of a family member or friend. The story will stay with you and if you are already sensitive, it will haunt you even longer.

Until next time...

Hello!

Hello fellow readers! I just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you! I have been busy then I went on vacation and now my internet is acting up again so I don't know when I'll be able to post from my computer again. Anyway, Kevin came across this blog a while back and it makes me laugh and so I'm sharing some of the pictures from this blog. I hope they make you laugh as much as they made me laugh. I should warn you, though, if you do check out the blog, some of you may find some of the pictures there offensive and that's why I've brought you some of the more tame ones. And if you can't see a picture clearly, try clicking on it. That should help. :)

Happy viewing!

Mommy! Mommy! Can I have it?

I was wondering what I could do with all those extra body parts just lying around!

I love people who can't do math...(that's regular price if you didn't get that)

Is that really necessary?

How did they even DO that?!

Oh, well, I certainly would be impressed. Who wouldn't? ...?

I want to know how he got it over his shoulders.

Yes, killers, Nazis and psychopaths just scream "Happy Holidays" to me!

I didn't know Girl Scouts were for sale. Perhaps I could use one.

Seriously? Who thought this was a good idea? Gross.

Are people REALLY this stupid?

Again, really?

Oh! How very convenient!

Ugh. I guess I don't hold much hope for Kevin's education while in North Carolina...

They must have one of those backward dictionaries.

25 Random Things

So, most of us know about this 25 random things list going around on Facebook. Well, I have been trying for at least a month to figure out what most of you do not know about me. It was difficult to think of 25 unknown things about me or my life but I have compiled a list for you. And because it was not done in a day, it will probably seem very random as there wasn't really a thought process behind each entry. I should warn you that some of the items are not pleasant memories at all. Please proceed with caution.

25 Random Things About My Life

1. While attempting to make a cardboard doll house, I sliced my left hand open with a utility knife deep enough I could see bone but I forced my sister not to tell my mom. I don't know how I hid it from her but I knew I didn't want to get into trouble for playing around on my dad's workbench. Oh, and I was like eight. Eh, maybe ten.

2. The older I get, the more scared of things I become.

3. While in the Bahamas snorkeling in the ocean, I was floating and backed up into something. I don't know what that something was - whether it was coral or an animal (of course I'm thinking shark!) - but since that day I'm terrified of swimming in the ocean.

4. I wish I had musical talent; I especially want to know how to play the piano and I also have a desire to play the violin and guitar.

5. I am a true believer that "Silence is Golden." I don't really talk much, I rarely have music or other noise on at home and rarely travel anywhere with the radio on. I once drove to Tennessee from Missouri and back (a 10 hour trip one way) with no extra audio stimulation--just the hum of the engine, the wind, and other noises that go along with driving. Oh, but don't SHHHsh people. That's just about as annoying as them talking!

6. I enjoy interpreting theatrical performances and other dramatic

presentations. If I can't be on Broadway, I'll be in front.

7. I think I liked to read until I *had* to read for school (other than Dick & Jane) but I am starting to get into books again.

8. I *hate* wimpy handshakes.

9. I love a good hug.

10. Ever since I was a young girl (possibly pre-teen), I've had a vivid dream about dying in a car accident.

11. Water and dental floss--never leave home without them. (unless it's Thanksgiving; for some reason that's the day I never have enough of either)

12. In public restrooms I always tear off the first few sheets of toilet paper and dispose of them before pulling off what I'm going to use. (One never knows if they've touched the floor and what the person before you was doing and how much of the roll they touched. ew.)

13. It still bothers me that one of my high school science teachers accused me of sleeping in class. I have *never* slept in class!

14. A few years ago I took a Tai Chi class and was doing quite well in it and the teacher really liked me (even asked me to lead the class once) but when it was time to take the final, my plantar fasciitis was so inflamed that I couldn't walk to the class and I ended up with a failing grade. I'm disappointed and frustrated with myself for not being able to get that "A" that I deserve and that the teacher wanted to give to me.

15. I was a candy tester when I was about 12 years old. My girlfriend who lived across the street asked me one day if I wanted to make some money. She took me to a house down the street and the lady said she wanted me to eat some candy and tell her how I liked it. I did that a few times but for some reason Katie and I stopped going to her house. Yes, I was taught "don't take candy from strangers" but I did it anyway. And she gave me money! Wow, mom, the more I remember and talk about my childhood the more I'm sorry I gave you so many reasons to worry. I obviously was not thinking!

16. About 12 years ago I was at my boyfriend's apartment putting away laundry when I heard a weakened cry. "Please don't kill me," she said. A few hours later the police department was calling my house asking to speak with me. Could I have saved her life? Was that what I was supposed to do? Why didn't I call the police? Was I sure that's what I heard? A haunting memory that is very difficult to live with.

17. There is nothing better than getting into a bed that has just been made with freshly laundered sheets. It might just be my very favorite thing!

18. I can still remember going to Schnucks grocery store off Lewis & Clark Blvd near my grandmother's house. My favorite memory of that Schnucks was the fluffy cheesecake they made that mom and I would share after a shopping trip. My least favorite memory is from the time I was sitting under the cart (they had the tall carts with the shallow but high baskets back then) and I guess I wasn't paying attention but I had my middle finger on my right hand near the wheel of the cart. We were stopped for a moment but once the cart was in motion, my finger managed to wedge itself between the metal of the cart and the wheel. I remember it hurting and my fingernail turning all shades of purple.

19. When I was in the 8th grade, I was in show choir (sing and dance simultaneously). The young man who was my dance partner decided, a few years later, to burn down the school.

20. In the 10th grade I was taking Geometry for my math class. I sat on the far side of the room, second seat. A very cute boy who was always nice to me sat in the first seat. His name was Robbie Angelbeck. At some point during the year, my friend took a gun, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

21. Mostly I'm friendly on the outside but I find it very hard to make friends.

22. One of my favorite treats in life is Cadbury Mini Eggs. I'm disappointed that they are only available at Easter time but I guess that's why they are a treat. :)

23. I absolutely LOVE to laugh.

24. I hate sitting next to someone who sniffs all the time instead of blowing their nose. And don't get me started on the people who talk with their mouth full or smack their gum. Annoying!

25. I hate the idea of smoking and everything that comes with it--the smell, the pollution, the ashes, the way it permeates clothing (and furniture, etc). But one of the things that drives me most crazy is the cigarette butt especially when it is thrown out of a car window. I wish I was gutsy enough to get out of the car, pick it up and hand it back to the person that dropped it.

I hope that provides some insight to who I am. Have a nice weekend all.

Week 11

February 8-14, 2009

This week I venutured out to get an oil change at Jiffy Lube which caused a myriad of emotion. The people there were SO friendly and SO very helpful. The manager noticed I was from out of state and was asking me questions about where I came from and why I was in Durham. She also said if I ever needed anything, anything at all, I could call on her or any of her staff at any time. I thought that was a really nice gesture. After that, I was sent into the waiting room only to be called back onto the floor moments later. Earl, th guy who was changing my oil, noticed that the spout into which the new oil would go was broken and had apparently been broken for some time (my guess is the punk from Firestone who did my MO inspection did it and didn't say anything). He and Mr. Roberts, another worker at JL, discussed with me what I should do. Earl actually cleaned off the broken piece and superglued it back on for me. Mr. Roberts said that I should be fine to drive it for a while but Earl suggested I get it fixed as soon as I can. Well, I have to wait until Kevin's car is NC legal so it'll still be a few weeks. So, yea for nice people and boo for dishonest ones.

I had another migraine this week which is never any fun but hanging out with friends is. We went to Mark & Dana's for dinner one evening and just talked. Mark can entertain anyone for hours with his stories.

I also think I got free shoes from DSW this week. A few weeks ago I ordered some shoes online because I had gift certificates that were going to expire. Well, I couldn't have that happen so I ordered several pair of shoes none of which ended up working for me. Kevin and I ventured to DSW one evening in order to return all of the shoes and hopefully find some kind of walking shoes that aren't going to kill my feet or my back. I don't even think it was a full minute before I found some Keds that I tried on. They had helped me before and I'm hoping they do again. We already had the shoes to return at the register so I walked up with three pairs of other shoes I was hoping worked. After about 35 minutes of working through the computer process for returning the shoes, the manager said my total was something like $15.00 for the three new shoes. Now, I don't have a master's degree in math but I'm pretty sure that's wrong. Kevin said, "I didn't know you had to be an accountant [to process returns here]." The manager gave me the receipt to look over and I can't really decipher what it says. I'll assume she knew what she was doing but I'm pretty sure I didn't pay for shoes that I came home with. Perhaps it was worked out with all the discounts and things. I'm really not sure.

So, Saturday was Valentine's Day and I worked from 3-9PM. I already discussed working that day with Kevin when I was picking out my schedule. We knew especially because it was a weekend we wouldn't be going anywhere special so he gave me the OK to work. Well, while I was out he did laundry, washed dishes and made tacos for dinner. He even made brownies for dessert. I wish every day was Valentine's Day! Thank you for doing that, Kevin. I really love it when you help out around the house especially since I haven't really had the desire to do much since I moved here.

On a side note, anyone out there watching the TV show Lie To Me? We rather enjoy it except now we are both analyzing ourselves and others in conversation. It's quite interesting.

Have a great week all!