Tonight, while I was studying for my winter session Journ. 311: Writing and Reporting for The Media's final, I came across a tidbit of information that made me sad.
A blog is not a true blog unless you receive comments from your readers.
Well folks, I have no comments. Now, I haven't posted very much so far but there is potential for comments to appear...or so I thought.
Come to find out I had for some reason disabled the comment application from my blog. Honestly I don't know if I've ever messed with the settings on here enough to even realize the mystery behind my no comment status so it might have came set like that by default but, tonight I did.
So dear readers...if there are any besides my mom...you can now post comments on whatever random ramblings come to my mind and are typed, then sent out into this void.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
When it Rains it Pours
For the last few days Long Beach has been hit with a torrential down pore that left streets flooded, my university student union destroyed, and 5 or so inches of water in the drivers side of my car.
Yes, my new car, was flooded. I came to class at 8:50 a.m., parked on the first level of the parking garage, and when I returned at around 1:15 p.m. I found this...
Yes, my new car, was flooded. I came to class at 8:50 a.m., parked on the first level of the parking garage, and when I returned at around 1:15 p.m. I found this...
Now this is not the greatest picture ever and it doesn't do the pond beneath my car any justice but I waded almost up to my knees in water to get to the drivers side of my car. This was in a covered parking garage!
Ah, anyways, I proceeded to buy a wet/dry shopvac, a space heater, and an electrical cord and spent the next hour and a half trying to dry it out. After being significantly flustered I ran upstairs and had to get somewhat presentable because I had a job interview at 4. (That will be another story later when I know what's going on.)
Now, a day later, CSULB is shut down tomorrow due to flooding and everyone is battening down the hatches for what's supposed to be an even bigger storm tomorrow.
Let's hope that we all come out OK...just kidding, we'll be fine.
Talk to you later!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
2010
I can't believe we're already almost two weeks into the new year. I hope that all of you (who bother to read my ramblings) had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Those two particular holidays are probably my favorites.
This holiday season was a new experience for me since I was away from home for the better part of it. I had to hang some lights and buy a 3ft. tree to make my room feel a little more like home. Those were kind of futile attempts though because it didn't really feel much like Christmas until I came home. There's just something about being around all the people that you love to make the holidays feel right. Not only was I able to spend time with my family but James was home on leave too and since we had been apart for almost eight months we had a lot of fun together.
I think it's safe to say that this year has had a rocky start so far. Being back down here has been tough. I don't really know if it's because I know all my friends back home are still having fun on break while I'm back in school five days a week, or because I don't have anyone down here right now to hang out with, or if there's something else going on...but it's been pretty hard to be cheery the last two weeks.
Normally I would try to make a New Years resolution and try to stick to it as long as I possibly can but this year is a little different. I have a few New Years musts to make.
1. I need a second job or one full-time job that I can manage as a student.
2. I need to keep making friends down here.
3. I need to find a church that really makes me feel at home like SVCC does.
4. This one might be a long shot but James and I made it a resolution that we would see each other more than just 15 days this year....yeah two weeks and one day out of 2009 I got to see my boyfriend...major bummer.
So despite it's rough beginnings I'm hoping that 2010 will be a great year. I'll be one two more semesters closer to graduating college, this is possibly my family's North Carolina summer, and I know that God is going to do some really cool things in my life.
Talk to ya'll soon!
This holiday season was a new experience for me since I was away from home for the better part of it. I had to hang some lights and buy a 3ft. tree to make my room feel a little more like home. Those were kind of futile attempts though because it didn't really feel much like Christmas until I came home. There's just something about being around all the people that you love to make the holidays feel right. Not only was I able to spend time with my family but James was home on leave too and since we had been apart for almost eight months we had a lot of fun together.
I think it's safe to say that this year has had a rocky start so far. Being back down here has been tough. I don't really know if it's because I know all my friends back home are still having fun on break while I'm back in school five days a week, or because I don't have anyone down here right now to hang out with, or if there's something else going on...but it's been pretty hard to be cheery the last two weeks.
Normally I would try to make a New Years resolution and try to stick to it as long as I possibly can but this year is a little different. I have a few New Years musts to make.
1. I need a second job or one full-time job that I can manage as a student.
2. I need to keep making friends down here.
3. I need to find a church that really makes me feel at home like SVCC does.
4. This one might be a long shot but James and I made it a resolution that we would see each other more than just 15 days this year....yeah two weeks and one day out of 2009 I got to see my boyfriend...major bummer.
So despite it's rough beginnings I'm hoping that 2010 will be a great year. I'll be one two more semesters closer to graduating college, this is possibly my family's North Carolina summer, and I know that God is going to do some really cool things in my life.
Talk to ya'll soon!
Fight on the Home Front
Corporal Matthew Lorscheider, 28, served his country for four years in the Marine Corps as a machine gunner in Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. After serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when 9/11 happened and being deployed to Iraq for seven months in 2003, one would think that he had seen his fair share of battles.
Unfortunately, Lorscheider and many veterans, who are trying to further their education by attending college after their enlistments are up, have come across another fight. This time they are fighting stateside and their enemy is called the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The source of veteran student’s problems today is due to the newest addition to the GI Bill family. Effective in 2009, the original GI Bill was updated to the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 33. This law gives veterans who served active duty on, or after, Sept. 11, 2001 improved education benefits that would cover more than just educational expenses. Veterans now receive a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer over their education benefits to their spouses or children.
Lorscheider originally received the Montgomery GI Bill and immediately began using it after his discharge in June of 2004. All 36 months of his eligibility were used by January 2008. He was originally told that because his eligibility was done he was not going to receive any entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.
“The VA had a change of heart on that matter, however, and extended the eligibility to 48 months, allowing me the extra 12 months,” Lorscheider said.
The Post-9/11 Bill has encountered a big problem in the few months that it has been in effect. Payments to student veterans that were supposed to cover tuition, books and rent for Fall Semester 2009 were delayed for months and left these veterans with next to nothing to live on.
“At first the delay was understandable, I've dealt with the VA for the past 5 years and I'm used to these types of things, and I understand that to implement a program the size of the GI Bill takes time and a lot of hard work. But by the middle of September, they took ‘four to six weeks’ and changed it to ‘eight to ten weeks’ and then ‘ten to twelve weeks’ which is when I realized that I simply did not have the resources to hold out for that long,” Lorscheider explained. “The stress was incredible; I honestly think that it was the most stressful time in my life since my combat tour.”
Because of the delays in payments, the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, Retired U.S. Army General Eric K. Shinseki approved one-time 3,000 dollar advance payment checks to veterans who did not receive their benefits on time.
“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki on the VA’s GI Bill website. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”
The delays in Lorscheider’s benefits made him eligible for the advance payment checks.
“Had it not been for the advance, I would have been evicted in October,” he said.
Despite the advancement check Lorscheider called it a “temporary patch”. It didn’t solve the problem that he had no reliable income, so he decided to take make a tactical decision.
“I wanted people to know what was going on, because I believe that if the average American knows that veterans aren't being treated right, they'll step up and help us...,” he stated.
Lorscheider began to write e-mails to the White House, Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-37th District, Calif.), Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and every newspaper he could think of.
“I made the point in all these emails that this is not just play around money, this is money to live on while we go to school, it's supposed to cover our living expenses. I also wanted people to understand that we're not a bunch of whiners looking for a handout...,” Lorscheider said.
Luckily Lorscheider received his back check from the VA in mid-November and it seems that everything has been going well since. However, students, including Lorscheider, might not be out of the woods yet. The VA is going to be flooded with benefit applications for the upcoming Spring 2010 semester. Currently The Department of Veterans Affairs Education Call Center is closed on Thursdays and Fridays so their staff can process education benefit claims.
When asked if he was worried about the same delays happening in the next few months Lorscheider said, “I’m slightly concerned about spring semester. But I did receive two unexpected payments from (the) VA last week, I’m thinking that’s a sign that everything is due to kick on for the Spring.”
On tougher note Corporal Lorscheider is ready to do battle if things were to go wrong with his benefits again,
“The VA better hope things go smoothly, or else I'm marching into Congresswoman Richardson's office and demanding that heads roll...hell I might just run for congress myself.”
Unfortunately, Lorscheider and many veterans, who are trying to further their education by attending college after their enlistments are up, have come across another fight. This time they are fighting stateside and their enemy is called the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The source of veteran student’s problems today is due to the newest addition to the GI Bill family. Effective in 2009, the original GI Bill was updated to the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 33. This law gives veterans who served active duty on, or after, Sept. 11, 2001 improved education benefits that would cover more than just educational expenses. Veterans now receive a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer over their education benefits to their spouses or children.
Lorscheider originally received the Montgomery GI Bill and immediately began using it after his discharge in June of 2004. All 36 months of his eligibility were used by January 2008. He was originally told that because his eligibility was done he was not going to receive any entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.
“The VA had a change of heart on that matter, however, and extended the eligibility to 48 months, allowing me the extra 12 months,” Lorscheider said.
The Post-9/11 Bill has encountered a big problem in the few months that it has been in effect. Payments to student veterans that were supposed to cover tuition, books and rent for Fall Semester 2009 were delayed for months and left these veterans with next to nothing to live on.
“At first the delay was understandable, I've dealt with the VA for the past 5 years and I'm used to these types of things, and I understand that to implement a program the size of the GI Bill takes time and a lot of hard work. But by the middle of September, they took ‘four to six weeks’ and changed it to ‘eight to ten weeks’ and then ‘ten to twelve weeks’ which is when I realized that I simply did not have the resources to hold out for that long,” Lorscheider explained. “The stress was incredible; I honestly think that it was the most stressful time in my life since my combat tour.”
Because of the delays in payments, the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, Retired U.S. Army General Eric K. Shinseki approved one-time 3,000 dollar advance payment checks to veterans who did not receive their benefits on time.
“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki on the VA’s GI Bill website. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”
The delays in Lorscheider’s benefits made him eligible for the advance payment checks.
“Had it not been for the advance, I would have been evicted in October,” he said.
Despite the advancement check Lorscheider called it a “temporary patch”. It didn’t solve the problem that he had no reliable income, so he decided to take make a tactical decision.
“I wanted people to know what was going on, because I believe that if the average American knows that veterans aren't being treated right, they'll step up and help us...,” he stated.
Lorscheider began to write e-mails to the White House, Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-37th District, Calif.), Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and every newspaper he could think of.
“I made the point in all these emails that this is not just play around money, this is money to live on while we go to school, it's supposed to cover our living expenses. I also wanted people to understand that we're not a bunch of whiners looking for a handout...,” Lorscheider said.
Luckily Lorscheider received his back check from the VA in mid-November and it seems that everything has been going well since. However, students, including Lorscheider, might not be out of the woods yet. The VA is going to be flooded with benefit applications for the upcoming Spring 2010 semester. Currently The Department of Veterans Affairs Education Call Center is closed on Thursdays and Fridays so their staff can process education benefit claims.
When asked if he was worried about the same delays happening in the next few months Lorscheider said, “I’m slightly concerned about spring semester. But I did receive two unexpected payments from (the) VA last week, I’m thinking that’s a sign that everything is due to kick on for the Spring.”
On tougher note Corporal Lorscheider is ready to do battle if things were to go wrong with his benefits again,
“The VA better hope things go smoothly, or else I'm marching into Congresswoman Richardson's office and demanding that heads roll...hell I might just run for congress myself.”
Friday, December 11, 2009
Holiday (Mis)Happenings
I've never gotten a speeding ticket. I've never been pulled over for anything more than a bum headlight. Today however I was in a car accident...and it was my fault.
Traffic was stop and go and the car in front of me stopped and I tried and failed miserably. His beast of a van is completely fine, but my Volvo is not. I'm so upset. Most of you might know already but my car is somewhat of a sore spot in my parent's and my lives, but I do really like having a car that works and that looked decent and now it's messed up and I feel so horrible. Thank goodness Corinne's down here too because she came and rescued me and took me in for the night since I'm stranded.
This holiday season has already not been the greatest. I miss home more than I have in few months that I've been down here. It doesn't feel like Christmas at all. I don't get to go to Candy Cane Lane in Monterey, I don't have Christmas movies to watch and I don't have my normal Christmas things around. It's pretty heartbreaking.
So this is my rant for tonight. I'm really sad and stressed and I want my mommy and I don't care who knows it. = (
Traffic was stop and go and the car in front of me stopped and I tried and failed miserably. His beast of a van is completely fine, but my Volvo is not. I'm so upset. Most of you might know already but my car is somewhat of a sore spot in my parent's and my lives, but I do really like having a car that works and that looked decent and now it's messed up and I feel so horrible. Thank goodness Corinne's down here too because she came and rescued me and took me in for the night since I'm stranded.
This holiday season has already not been the greatest. I miss home more than I have in few months that I've been down here. It doesn't feel like Christmas at all. I don't get to go to Candy Cane Lane in Monterey, I don't have Christmas movies to watch and I don't have my normal Christmas things around. It's pretty heartbreaking.
So this is my rant for tonight. I'm really sad and stressed and I want my mommy and I don't care who knows it. = (
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Change is Gonna Come
Just when I feel like things are going to go smoothly and I can clearly see the path of something that's happening in my life God changes the plans.
I don't really understand why this happens to me so often. Am I too bossy with my own life and God's not cool with that? Is He trying to teach me something? Show me something? I just don't get it.
Today was another one of those times and I literally hit my knees and started praying because I was so confused. I'm still confused. Things just don't make sense.
God says he has a plan for my life and those plans are not going to harm me but help to prosper me...I just wish that I could see how this is going to be prosperous...
I don't really understand why this happens to me so often. Am I too bossy with my own life and God's not cool with that? Is He trying to teach me something? Show me something? I just don't get it.
Today was another one of those times and I literally hit my knees and started praying because I was so confused. I'm still confused. Things just don't make sense.
God says he has a plan for my life and those plans are not going to harm me but help to prosper me...I just wish that I could see how this is going to be prosperous...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Hold The Tomato
Today I got off work right around dinner time and really only had an hour to come up with something to cook and finish some homework before I went to an Inner Varsity bible study on campus. I decided to go get a 99 cent spicy chicken sandwich and small fries from Carl's Jr instead of cooking something.
Now, the spicy chicken sandwich is a favorite of mine, however; the one at Carl's Jr. is small and only comes with lettuce and mayonnaise. I really can't stand mayonnaise but I do love tomato, so I asked for the them to nix the gross white stuff and give me something I like. Now here's the kicker...they charged me 39 cents extra for one tiny tomato slice! Now, 39 cents might not sound like a big deal but I've been trying to avoid eating out as much as possible with the whole being-a-broke-college-student thing going on, so this was a big deal. I guess I will know from now on to hold the tomato and just go with plane lettuce on my chicken sandwich.
In other news, I'm doing pretty good. I've been working more at Hollister which really is a relief. I'm hoping to get a promotion in the next few weeks, the guy just has to quit first. For those of you who remember to you can say a quick prayer that he stops complaining and really does quit so I can work and make the money that I need.
Thanksgiving and my birthday are coming up really soon. I'll be 21 years old a week from tomorrow. I'm going to be back in the 831 Monday night-ish! I'm very excited about that. It'll be nice to be home for more than three days. I don't really have any set plans except to go seeNew Moon at some point because movies down here are way to expensive (over $11).
Well folks I think I'm going to print out some homework and get to bed. I'll write again soon.
Now, the spicy chicken sandwich is a favorite of mine, however; the one at Carl's Jr. is small and only comes with lettuce and mayonnaise. I really can't stand mayonnaise but I do love tomato, so I asked for the them to nix the gross white stuff and give me something I like. Now here's the kicker...they charged me 39 cents extra for one tiny tomato slice! Now, 39 cents might not sound like a big deal but I've been trying to avoid eating out as much as possible with the whole being-a-broke-college-student thing going on, so this was a big deal. I guess I will know from now on to hold the tomato and just go with plane lettuce on my chicken sandwich.
In other news, I'm doing pretty good. I've been working more at Hollister which really is a relief. I'm hoping to get a promotion in the next few weeks, the guy just has to quit first. For those of you who remember to you can say a quick prayer that he stops complaining and really does quit so I can work and make the money that I need.
Thanksgiving and my birthday are coming up really soon. I'll be 21 years old a week from tomorrow. I'm going to be back in the 831 Monday night-ish! I'm very excited about that. It'll be nice to be home for more than three days. I don't really have any set plans except to go see
Well folks I think I'm going to print out some homework and get to bed. I'll write again soon.
Friday, November 13, 2009
I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.
English 180, Literature Appreciation. Probably one of the best classes on my schedule this semester and the reason for that is my professor. I've always found that the classes that I've loved the most are taught by amazing people. For this class I have Boak Ferris and yes that really is his name.
In the few short months that I've been in his class (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) he's taught me how to analyze what I read and has done it with humor, wit and style. We've rarely had assignments but this week Boak decided to sort of pile it on. We've moved into poetry recently and he decided that we should try first hand at writing some ourselves. Two sonnets and two haiku are what we students had to take on. I'll admit, while I love to write, poetry has never really been my strong suit. Sure I've tried it and thought I had done a pretty good job on some but poetry just wasn't what I really felt compelled to write.
I managed to complete three out of the four while sitting in the LB Town Center's Starbucks with Corinne as we drank our peppermint mocha from red cups (I think red cups will have to be a separate post all on its own). The last one I completed this morning. The sonnets had to be about love and a situation that is only relevant to me. The haiku had to be about bumblebees and whatever I wanted to write about which ended up being snow.
So here are my poems. They are not amazing works of words but I think they'll do nicely for this assignment...just don't mock me. = )
“Long Distant”
If absence makes the heart grow fonder
Then my heart has more fondness than it can take.
While we’re together time is something we don’t squander
But when you’re gone I feel a sort of ache.
Your duty calls you to be far away.
Our love has become long distant.
I just wish that you could stay
And our time spent together could stay consistent.
One day your time will be done and you’ll be here.
The months of waiting and hoping will be no more.
I won’t have any reason to worry or fear
Because you won’t have to leave me anymore.
Long distant love may not be the best
But knowing I’m with you sure makes me feel blessed.
Then my heart has more fondness than it can take.
While we’re together time is something we don’t squander
But when you’re gone I feel a sort of ache.
Your duty calls you to be far away.
Our love has become long distant.
I just wish that you could stay
And our time spent together could stay consistent.
One day your time will be done and you’ll be here.
The months of waiting and hoping will be no more.
I won’t have any reason to worry or fear
Because you won’t have to leave me anymore.
Long distant love may not be the best
But knowing I’m with you sure makes me feel blessed.
“The Curls in My Hair”
My hair has caught the eye of many a passerby,
They tell me my curls are something to be desired.
When asked if they are natural I cannot tell a lie.
I tell them that my hair is indeed naturally acquired.
But when I was a toddler my hair was long and straight,
But a high fever came and took that all away.
Left with no hair the only thing to do was wait and wait.
They tell me my curls are something to be desired.
When asked if they are natural I cannot tell a lie.
I tell them that my hair is indeed naturally acquired.
But when I was a toddler my hair was long and straight,
But a high fever came and took that all away.
Left with no hair the only thing to do was wait and wait.
As the months went on my hair grew back in a curly display.
I consider my curls natural and that’s how they’ll always be.
Some people may argue that that’s not really what they are,
But if they look back on my life they’ll see
That these curls have always been me no matter how bizarre.
Loosing my hair and having it grow back a little strange,
Is something that I love and I would never ever change.
I consider my curls natural and that’s how they’ll always be.
Some people may argue that that’s not really what they are,
But if they look back on my life they’ll see
That these curls have always been me no matter how bizarre.
Loosing my hair and having it grow back a little strange,
Is something that I love and I would never ever change.
“Wonder of Winter”
Snow is on the ground
Sparkles in the moonlit night
Wonder of winter
“Springtime Workers”
Bees zip in and out
Among the flowers bright red
Workers of the spring
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
It's never happened to me before...
I forgot about a test! Ms. Type A Amanda forgot about a test. This was no little quiz either ladies and gentlemen, this was a honest to goodness test.
Now I've never been great at tests. My good grades in high school mostly rode on the fact that I did my homework and turned it in on time. I freeze when test time comes. I can study all I want and be able to tell you most everything that I need to know, but when that paper drops on the desk in front of me...blank...my mind goes blank. I swear it's some sort of learning disorder.
Anyways back to the recent test debacle which occurred Sunday night. Saturday night Corinne and I had a high school level sleep over and stayed up giggling under the covers till almost 4:30 a.m. By Sunday evening I was about ready to pass out. In fact I was completely ready for bed. Teeth were brushed, makeup was off, face was washed, and comfy boyfriend's pj bottoms and tank top were on. I was walking up the stairs and just happened to be running through a list of my classes that would occur tomorrow when it hit me. I forgot about my Media Ethics test.
Let me tell you, this was not pretty. Being as tired as I was, my emotions were running thin (or is that because I'm a girl? Anyways...) and I proceeded to burst into tears. I couldn't contain them. This had never happened. I had never not been prepared for a test. Luckily I called my cool, level-headed mother who kindly and gently reassured me that everything would be fine and that it was only 10:30 at night and I had all night to cram if I needed to. After a tearful goodbye I buckled down and got busy.
My light was off by 1 a.m. and I was sound asleep by about 1:05 a.m. Monday morning dawned and I was up and ready to face the test head on and face it I did. There were maybe three out of the fifty questions that I had to really ponder but overall I think I did pretty well for totally not remembering until the night before.
The week was off the a semi-great start and I survived. Hurray.
Now I've never been great at tests. My good grades in high school mostly rode on the fact that I did my homework and turned it in on time. I freeze when test time comes. I can study all I want and be able to tell you most everything that I need to know, but when that paper drops on the desk in front of me...blank...my mind goes blank. I swear it's some sort of learning disorder.
Anyways back to the recent test debacle which occurred Sunday night. Saturday night Corinne and I had a high school level sleep over and stayed up giggling under the covers till almost 4:30 a.m. By Sunday evening I was about ready to pass out. In fact I was completely ready for bed. Teeth were brushed, makeup was off, face was washed, and comfy boyfriend's pj bottoms and tank top were on. I was walking up the stairs and just happened to be running through a list of my classes that would occur tomorrow when it hit me. I forgot about my Media Ethics test.
Let me tell you, this was not pretty. Being as tired as I was, my emotions were running thin (or is that because I'm a girl? Anyways...) and I proceeded to burst into tears. I couldn't contain them. This had never happened. I had never not been prepared for a test. Luckily I called my cool, level-headed mother who kindly and gently reassured me that everything would be fine and that it was only 10:30 at night and I had all night to cram if I needed to. After a tearful goodbye I buckled down and got busy.
My light was off by 1 a.m. and I was sound asleep by about 1:05 a.m. Monday morning dawned and I was up and ready to face the test head on and face it I did. There were maybe three out of the fifty questions that I had to really ponder but overall I think I did pretty well for totally not remembering until the night before.
The week was off the a semi-great start and I survived. Hurray.
Monday, November 9, 2009
So far so...good?
I have exactly fifteen minutes to blog. Why fifteen? Because in fifteen minutes it'll be midnight and I will be turning off my light and going to bed.
I've been living in the sunny Southland for 2 months and 13 days although it really feels a lot longer than that. My transition from Salinas to here has been one filled with ups and downs. For example...
Well it's now 12:08 a.m. and I need to get some rest. I have many more stories to share with you and I'm making blogging a priority now. I need to write. It feels good to write something that I know I'm not going to be graded on. Goodnight world.
I've been living in the sunny Southland for 2 months and 13 days although it really feels a lot longer than that. My transition from Salinas to here has been one filled with ups and downs. For example...
- Down: For the first few weeks I thought my address included a house number, that wasn't my house at all. That address was on my new checks, my textbooks (that were not delivered until three weeks into the semester), my Wall Street Journal subscription, a scholarship check and many other various forms and job applications alike. Luckily it was just the house next door and my neighbors were cool and put up with my mistake and I was able to switch over everything to my new address quickly.
- Down: I've filled out almost, if not over, 20 job applications in four cities (Cypress, Long Beach, La Palma and Lakewood) and have never received a call back from a single store, restaurant, or babysitting seeker.
- Up: I was the "new girl" at the Lakewood Hollister for all of about a day. Now I'm once again being called the best in the store and really love working for my managers there. I don't really know exactly how to describe it but when I walk into work down here I feel like I'm home. I've really realized how much I value working and how much I truly do enjoy it.
- Down: I had a lot of downtime for the first month that I was here. I didn't know what to do with myself! I'm not used to being in a house all by myself. In Salinas my home seems to be always full of people, whether they're related to me or not, and that's what I'm used to. It was a really big challenge for me. The television was always on just so I would have some background noise.
- Down: I watched a lot of TV...ugh.
- Up: I went to a school event with Hannah Elliott and we got free t-shirts and our picture was posted on The Nugget's (a restaurant on campus) website. We were sipping our "mocktails" and it's really cute.
- Up: I've been going to Rock Harbor church since I got here. My roommate Angela has been going there for a few years now and Stephen Paulsen recommended it to be long before I moved. I love it. It's very geared towards people my age and their worship is amazing.
- Major Down: What would my life be like without car trouble? I can't even begin to tell you because I don't really know. I drove my car around for two weeks with a major gas leak. The guy at the repair shop said that I was lucky that my car didn't explode. I unfortunately couldn't agree with him...I wish the dang thing had exploded. Two days after I got that fixed Corinne and I were on our way back to Salinas when my radiator cracked on the Grapevine. We had it towed to the nearest shop, left it there for the weekend, got a ride back to Northridge to get Corinne's car, and by the time we were on the road again heading home it was 7:30 at night and if things had gone right the first time we would have already been home. That weekend really was not the best for me. Now my ABS light is on and while I'm driving on smooth, paved roads it feels like my car is going down some unpaved, country road. I swear this car will be the death of me and my parents.
Well it's now 12:08 a.m. and I need to get some rest. I have many more stories to share with you and I'm making blogging a priority now. I need to write. It feels good to write something that I know I'm not going to be graded on. Goodnight world.
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