Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Help is on the way!

I'm very excited that the Education Dept has decided to hire another Graduate Assistant to work in the Department. I will have some help!

And he's a blogger too. He maintains the MSUSA Cultural Diversity site for our University.
I know Berne knows him... :)

I'm looking forward to having a new colleague... coworker... friend?

Hey Dad...

Maybe Luxor needs something like THIS to keep him from tearing up your new carpet...

/evil grin

Shall I return to having a Picture of the Day?


queenstown_valley
Originally uploaded by aaspenstarshine.
Sure! Why not!? Flickr makes it really easy!

Today's picture is of the lovely valley - looking back at Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Aspen is about to:

a. curse more than she has in her entire life
b. hyperventilate
c. cry
d. scream
e. all of the above


Correct answer: e. all of the above

I... I....
oh god...

I noticed last fall my old computer was about ready to die on me so I started looking at external hard drives. My dad actually bought me one for christmas and I tried transfering all my pictures, music, school files, etc. over to the external hd. When I checked the external hd with my laptop I saw that it only had transfered the folders (empty folders) and a few files. I was like... uhmmm???

This afternoon I had time, so I sat down to sort this out. My old computer didn't have any of those files either.... I did two system restores and nothing... the files are gone... they've gone *POOF*.... What am I going to do?!?

Worst of all I actually broke down today (after MONTHS of debating) and ordered an ipod! My old computer had 2500 songs....
And now...

/mourn

Ok... stopped in mid-post to take my old computer to a local place...
/thanks Aya for telling me they were still open

Hoping and praying they can retreive the last 7 years (40 gb) of files I so desperately want back!

Mountain Momma


mountain
Originally uploaded by aaspenstarshine.
Dude! Check this out!
I'm playing around with flickr (finally) and discovered the "Blog This" option.

OOoOOooOoooOooOOoo!

Madam M sees many pictures in your future...

Attention Please...

Darby Conley, creator of Get Fuzzy, is a (comic) genius.

That is all.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Alone in the Dark

So I just got back from league bowling and when I walked in my room and turned on my light *pop* out goes my second light. Two days ago my other bulb in the main fixture went out but I haven't been inspired to climb up there, unscrew the casing (a major pain) and replace it... now I have a bit more inspiration.

Bowling went... well.... yeah.... I was REALLY rusty two weeks ago after being off for an entire month & I was still sick. I bowled horribly and last week I didn't bowl at all. My first game tonight I tied my highest score and thought "Woot I'm back!" and then the second and third game came around... put me back in my place *frown* Oh well... :)

Saturday, January 28, 2006

A Good Nights Sleep

I bought a down-ish-feathery bed thingy... yeah... so I need to work on my description skills.
I found this King Size downy bed topper at a certain major store and it was UNBELIEVABLY cheap. The three foam toppers I had on my bed weren't cutting it and I've been looking for something better. When I sleep on a hard bed I wake up stiff and sore in the morning. This thing is the ticket! Put it on my bed last night (had to double it up since my bed is a twin xl) and had a truly wonderful night's sleep! I can snuggle down into it and it swallows me up! Aaaaaahhhhhh....

Movies I've seen in the last few weeks:
Hoodwinked
Underworld: Evolution
Nanny McFee

Currently Reading: Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (the 3rd book in the Artemis Fowl series.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

The lights are off...

But I'm not asleep.

I've been having a really hard time getting to sleep this semester. At first it was because I was sick and coughing my head off, but now that I'm better (thank God) I dunno... I was blaming it on my schedule being off whack, but I'm still having to get up at the same time in the morning, so that should have settled my internal clock (regulator)?

Tonight it finally dawned on me why I'm having so much trouble: ASL.
On Monday and Wednesday nights I'm reviewing in my head (and yes signing to myself in the dark) for class the next day. On Tuesday and Thursday nights I'm reviewing what I learned in class that day.

I practice my fingerspelling as I'm walking around campus and on my way to work today I almost ran into a professor (literally) because I was signing to myself.

heh heh heh...

I love it! I forgot how much fun it was.

I'm spurred on by the fact that I know I have a lot to learn and I still haven't remembered everything I knew 3 years ago.

Anywhoo... now that I've figured out my sleeping problems and put it in print, MAYBE I can get to sleep...
/hopes

Nighters!

"Have you ever seen such hairy pigs?

So the other night I'm flipping channels when I see a dirt road covered with sheep.
Me being me, I pause for a moment and think: Awww, New Zealand...

Out of the woods comes an orange streak, known in some circles as The General Lee. As it comes to a quick stop the fair-haired bloke exclaims...

"Have you ever seen such hairy pigs?"

The power of words

It is very important to remember anything you say on the net is out there for anybody and everybody. You never know who is reading you blog - even with trackbacks that give you some stats - you don't know who the people are and even if you delete it 5 minutes after you have posted it there's a chance that SOMEONE read it...
Also, you need to be aware of the way in which your words may be perceived. In my experience sarcasm does not work too well in the virtual world. There are no facial clues, no inflections/tones in the voice, no body language... Words may be interpreted in many ways.
Just something to keep in mind...

Part of my code/way of life/whatever is to:
1. Practice common sense
2. Be aware of my surroundings

Number 1 translates to every aspect of my life.
Number 2 does too... maybe for the blogosphere surroundings could be replaced with audience...

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

A Common Link

Sharon is right, right and right!

A friend of mine had been going on about the show HOUSE for quite some time. I finally watched a rerun of the first season - the week before the new season started - and that was all it took! I was hooked! I only found out he was a Brit after watching the first 10 mins of the Golden Globes - when he gave his acceptance speech.
She was right on all accounts.
Awesome and addicting show
AND
Amazing actor
AND
Spot-on Amercian accent!

*cough* Aussie guy doesn't hurt either *clears throat*

hehehe

Reason number 872 why I'm a klutz:

While moving around computers in the lab today I managed to slice open my hand - a good 1.5" slice.
/pats self on back
Good job Aspen.

Best part- I went to one of the professors to see if they had a bandaid (or 2) and they put it on for me :)
Awwww... just like my Mommy used to :)

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

By George I Think I've Got It!

Or at least I'm starting to!
Things FINALLY started to click in the old clunker-of-a-brain I have.
We were doing some actual review this time and things were really starting to come back to me and I was learning some new stuff to boot. WOOT! My brain can still decipher ASL and my hands can still make the signs!

/happy dance

/sigh of relief

I've wanted to learn sign language since my third grade teacher taught us the alphabet and I was SERIOUSLY thinking I would have to drop this class and go back to ASL 3. That would have bummed me out BIG time.

I even earned myself a high-five from the prof when I spoke with him after class and told him I felt much better about the class :)

In other news....

Several people have been blogging about the boring-ness of their blogs. I feel exactly the same way. There are people in this class who have done things with their blogs that I could never have imagined. And several of the blogs I ran accross doing research for this project were fascinating. I feel inspired, like Loni, but unfortunately I seem to be missing the ability to put that into print. I'm conisdering ways I could make my blog more entertaining. I have always admired Aya's ability to let her sense of humor show through the blog - I have a sense of humor, honest, I just don't know how to show it through my writing. Ah well, maybe that's a challenge I should set for myself this semester. I guess I could try writing as a pirate, a fairy, a dog *grin*, a mouse? a princess? an actress? a door mat? a suitcase? a guitar? oooOoooooooh... A new character everyday.... or one a week at least? hmmmm....
/more gears turning (can you hear them creaking?)

Oh... and I should appologize to the Pirates of the group, my pirate speak is a bit rusty, what with having not spoken it... ever. :) I shall practice.

Don't believe everything you see/read on the web

So the weather map shows clear skies but in fact we are receiving a good amount of snow.
Soooo not complaining.
/love snow
Only problem I have with it is the snowplows wake me up in the morning - but I can usually get back to sleep with the knowledge that I'll wake up to a fresh batch of snow :)

I had another night of not being able to get to sleep and when I was laying there trying desperately to get to sleep this crazy sound kept bringing me to full altertness. It was one of those sounds you have to get up and check out or else it bugs you forever. It was just the wind, but coming right of the lake and whipping the trees around and smashing into the outside of the dorm and my window = noisy.

Oofda... I have ASL three in an hour and a half and yet again I feel nervous/anxious and unsure of myself. It's good to have things which challenge you, I'm just not used to ASL being one of those things.

Quizzy Time... Again

hehe... I wish....

You Are a Chick Rocker!

You're living proof that chicks can rock
You're inspired by Joan Jett and the Donnas
And when you rock, you rock hard
(Plus, you get all the cute guy groupies you want!)


I'd try it... Being from the south I L O V E pecan pies.

You Are Pecan Pie Soda

Sweet, but totally nuts


And thanks to Pop Culture for THIS link, which in turn led to THIS link... cuz I looooove ze critters!

Monday, January 23, 2006

My Catty Tale

Sue's page - Catty Tails is cracking me up. When I was reading her A Myth Debunked (I think) post I couldn't help but think that her Pippin sounds like Sheba - my mom's Russian Blue.

When I go home I belong to her - seriously - she fights the other two cats if they try to come into my room, hissing and swatting and all. She does purr me to sleep most nights though. She lays beside me and flicks me with her tail. Sort of playing with me - she continues to flick me with her tail and for about ten minutes or so I'll grab it and let it go on every other flick or so. It annoyed me when she first started doing it, then I realized that this was her way of playing with me - so now I play along. The entire time she does this she is purring for me. When her purring begins to carry me away to dreamland she stops with the flicking. Sometimes she leaves before I'm asleep, sometimes after, and sometimes she stays for most of the night - of course she always has to go in and check on Mom and Dad. But then there are the times she comes back...

A couple of nights a week (at least) she comes back in the middle of the night, kneading me with her paws (thank goodness she was declawed before we got her) and head-buts me and steps on my hair (owie!) and does everything else, including climbing on top of me which freaking hurts because she is a BIG cat. Those tiny paws feel like armor-piercing bullets when she's climbing on you, seriously. But when she wants her loving she wants it NOW and she makes SURE I'm awake to know it.

She loves to curl up in the crook of my arm and sleep... and sometimes I wake up with her right in front of my face - luckily she leaves me breathing room.

Ahhhh I love that silly cat. Such personality, such a lover... and she doesn't meow like a normal cat, she mews... squeaks... squawks... it's ADORABLE! She didn't even know how to purr when we got her - the other cats had to teach her. We think she must have been taken away from her momma too early. Can you believe some girl dropped her off at our vet friends clinic to be spayed and declawed and never came back for her? YEESH stupid woman, she has NO idea what she missed out on.

Anywho, that's my catty tale/tail :)

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Blogging Blogs v. 1.0

I’m writing this in Word because I do NOT want to lose this!

So I had a bit of a hard time with the research on this one. I spent over 8 hours just looking for appropriate blogs. For some reason Blogger kept sending me to newly started blogs, but I wanted one that was at least a year old…. I compromised a bit.

I found so many blogs that were interesting and it took a while to narrow them down, but usually I went for the ones that had been on the longest. It’s amazing what kind of people are out there, where they are from, what they are using their blogs for and uhm… And then I kept going off to other sites linked from their sites… I found a blog entirely devoted to those online quizzes you can take… yeah… Oh and I found a blog to a person who lives in Highland Village, Texas – which is really freaking close to my hometown. Wow.

Anywho… Here goes the official stuff.

Blog Number 1: Jawbone Radio

This blog is done in conjunction with a radio show and was started in Feb. 2005 from Lakeland, Ohio.
Their description of the blog is:

”Show notes, excuses and more that make up the Jawbone Radio Show, a humble podcast produced from the attic of our home in Cleveland, Ohio.”

Content – Definitely self-promotion and content for their radio station. I have heard of podcasts but had never actually listened to one before. For those of you who don’t know it’s an online radio-type stream. This one isn’t particularly interesting, or at least it wasn’t to me, but it allowed me to get my feet wet.

Audience – The intended audience is quite obvious – listeners/patrons of their podcast. He makes a point of welcoming new people who might be joining from new links, such as the BBC or because of a newspaper article. Another way of making sure people know that they’re being noticed.

Kind of Blog – Advertising? I’m not really sure what category this blog would fall under. It’s definitely a filter for different things happening in society, from Cyclops kittens to the latest news on tv shows.

Purpose – Again, reputation building and in a way a filter to their own radio station.

Description/Observations –
*Len & Norah are a married couple doing a radio show out of their attic. Len is the one who keeps up the website.
*They allow comments on their site.
*Posts contain “show notes” and links to sites related to topics and to their podcasts – also length of show.
*Take contributions from the public – clips, personal music, idea, etc.
*Also include some personal information such as trips they are taking.
*Ask for votes on Podcast Alley.
*All podcasts are available from their sites – on the days they are posted.
*Site is BIG way of self-promotion. Early on they talked about making the front page of a local newspaper and they have an online store.
*Lots of photos with the posts, including some drawings – though I wish he had posted the picture of the Metrosexual Bigfoot because I’d be interested in what that looks like.
*Naked podcast, International podcast.
*Some topics include: Music, podcast, World of Warcraft, Boo Berry and the Monster Cereals…. They really do seem to cover a wide range.
*Personal feelings about topics abound on the blog and reflect the podcasts.
*Not all posts link to podcasts.
*Tendancy to post and link to ODD material.

Blogging Blogs v. 2.0

Blog Number 2: You Spin Me

This blog belongs to an Aussie (Australian) woman… Oh come on! Like you’re really surprised!

Her own blog description: ” I'm a twenty something gal, getting on with life and giving it a good old fashioned go.”

This blog has only been online since October 2005, but I really wanted to take a closer look after seeing she was: 1. from Australia, 2. my age, 3. it somewhat reminded me of my early blogging days.

Content – Everday life, trips, horoscope, song lyrics, movies, outings with friends, her job, dreams and her interpretations of them, the weather and her cats Fred & Ginger (hehehe). She allows comments. Earlier posts have a lot to do with working on herself and some sort of seminar she went t She ends each post with ”love k,” like a letter. She’s very open about her insecurities and problems with her self image as well as problems and feelings about her past relationships (more open than I would ever be in a public forum). She’s working on these. She also talks about her craft projects and has made links for her quilts, handbags, and cross stitch (though nothing on these pages yet).
Her posts contain at least one image, sometimes pictures she has taken, sometimes not.

Audience – Family and friends and herself. She posted a Happy Birthday to her Mum and her dearly departed Uncle B. She refers to her readers as “yall” and “all.” That is my intended audience, but I wouldn’t share a lot of the things that she does.

Kind of Blog – This blog is an online journal. The posts are written almost in the forms of letters, but I would classify it as a journal. Her posts can be quite long.

Purpose – Her main purpose is to suss out her feelings about issues in her life and to work things out like her self-image and such. She’s also keeping track (to some extent) of her exercise and diet.

In Chapter 2, Rebecca Blood talks about the motives for blogging; “information sharing, reputation building, and personal expression.” This blog is one of personal expression much like a notebook.

Blogging Blogs v. 3.0

Blog Number 3: Having A Wonderful Time

This blog’s banner changes, but the one part that remains constant is the fact that it is updated every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Here are a few examples:
”Peeking into your bedroom window every…
Your doctor says take it every…
The party bus stops here every…
Force-feeding you entertaining goodness every…
Forseeing your future every…
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday”


There’s a definite movie theme, from the banner to the links for rentable/seeable movies.

The first post on this blog, back in May 2004, the blogs author Brian says:

”I have always had a keen eye for insanity. You know what I mean. That sixth sense to look in a certain direction because Something is going to happen. The guy with the extreme mullet that breaks into an impromptu solo on his air guitar or the large sweaty man in a small mazda miata with the license plate that says "COOLGUY". This site will highlight the insanity in the world that occurs each and every day.

We will also hope to answer some of life's biggest questions, like, Why is a clown outside of a car dealership considered a good selling technique?, Do you really want to buy a car from a clown? Is it a way to get children's attention so that the parents have no choice but to stop in?
I feel confident that I will be able to explore the oddities and answer the questions. Welcome to Having a Wonderful Time“

This gives you an idea of the sense of humor and the purpose of the author, Brian. His humor is a key part of this blog, it’s what makes it interesting and something that you would want to read – the everyday stories he tells with a flare.
Content – This blogger is someone with a sense of humor. There is an “Ask Kevin” Column that has unusual questions answered in a humorous way… The author wrote a letter of complaint to the PA Department of Transportation on his blog – obviously it is extremely unlikely they would ever read this – but it is somewhat humorous and a way of venting frustrations. Stories of trying to scare kids who come trick-or-treating at his house are even somewhat humorous.
He also pulls stuff from the media to make cracks at/for entertainment purposes.

Audience – Varied. People who want to be amused and tuned in to the cooler bits on the web. (the filter affect)

Kind of Blog & Purpose – I’d say this was a blog of personal expression, meant for entertainment. He invites, actually it sounds more like a challenge: “Speak your mind,” his readers to comment on his posts.

Rebecca Blood also talks about blogs building self-awareness in Chapter 2.
An example of this would be this authors thoughts on his previous statement about Superman.

Seems pretty accurate

you are lightcyan
#E0FFFF

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well.

Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working.

Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.
the spacefem.com html color quiz

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Just because

Rules: Bold the following that are true about you, italicize things you wish were true, add one true thing about you, and then tag five more people.

I miss somebody right now.
I love olives.
I own lots of books.
I love to play video games.
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I curse sometimes.
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
I hate the rain.
I'm paranoid at times.
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really, really fast. (When I'm nervous)
I have fresh breath in the morning.
I have long hair.
I have at least one sibling.
I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
I like the way that I look.
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I have a hidden talent.
I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
I have a lot of friends.
I am currently single.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I love to shop.
I don't hate anyone.
I'm a pretty good dancer.
I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in God.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I've rejected someone before.
I currently like someone.
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before.
I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.
I'm not allergic to anything.
I have a lot to learn.
I am shy around the opposite sex.
I have at least 5 away messages saved.
I have tried alcohol or drugs before. (alcohol... not the drugs)
I own the "South Park" movie.
I enjoy some country music.
I watch soap operas whenever I can.
I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.
I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.
I am happy at this moment.
I am punk rockish.
I am preppy.
I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.
I can work on a car.
I love my job.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced.
I walk barefoot wherever I can.
I have jumped off a bridge.
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.
I believe in prophetic dreams.
Plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
I'm proficient in a musical instrument. (used to be :()
I worked at McDonald's restaurant.
I hate office jobs.
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I went to college out of state.
I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
I adore bright colors.
I love Dear Abby.
I can't live without black eyeliner.
I think school is awesome. (I know I'm a nerd)
I think pigtails serve a purpose. (Sure! It's called cuteness!)
I think John Cusack is adorable.
I can pick up things with my toes. (Can't everyone?)
I can whistle. (been working on it - still needs work but I can a bit)
I have ridden a horse.
I still have every journal I've ever written in.
I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.
I have jazz in my blood.

I have been to a country outside of the U.S.

-----

OK... I took some things out that were just... well I didn't like them. And I'm not tagging anybody because I hate chain lettery-type things. And nobody tagged me, I found this on a blog I was looking at for class and thought it would be a good time-waster.

The Queen



Ginger has been with me for a verrrry long time, almost 20 years
I made her scarf out of scraps from the scarf I made for Aya and the crown has a long story behind it - basically she was the RA's mascot two years ago for Linden Hall.

Meet the Roommates

Schefflera and Baby Clover


Aloe Vera

Friday, January 20, 2006

Awwww Shucks

Schroeder
You are Schroeder!


Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Silly Girl! Pets are for people with homes!

Nice ones, with big yards and more than one room.

Yeah... so apparently I enjoy torturing myself. I decided to look again at pets on the net. I found a site that has pets that were rescued from Hurricane Katrina and are in need of new homes.
Ugh.

You know what's funny... the sadder looking the dog, the more my heart goes out to it. Don't be surprised if when I finally get a dog I'm like... "Omg he's the most beautiful, cutest creature on earth!" and then I post a picture of a dog with... well, a face only a mother could love!

And I was watching a dog show on tv a couple of nights this week... I only cried once. They were showing this little dog that TOTALLY looked like a mutt but it reminded me of Jake... in the face at least. And then they were talking about Lhaso Apso's and the judge, who used to breed them, was saying that they are very much a one-person animal. Which lends more support to the theory that Jake may have been part Lhaso, because he was definitely a one-person dog.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

A Post from Work

I have posted from my office, from the lab, from my dorm, from the dorm front desk, from Aya's, Aya's mom's, home in Texas, the Library, New Zealand, Australia, the LA airport and the Minneapolis airport, and the SuperLab. I'm trying really hard to think of a place I can post from that would be new.... but so far I've got nothing. Any ideas?

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

"Targeted Serendipity"

I like what Rebecca Blood has to say in The Weblog Handbook about "Targeted Serendipity" - that "weblogs attract regular readers precisely because they regularly point readers away." For example, I used to have a link to WWDN (before he became devoted to poker and his site went all fubar) BECAUSE of the things I found through his site.
ie: Buzznet - Image Hosting
and Joe & Monkey - Web Comic

When I find a site that reliably links to other funny/good things - I add it to my bookmarks. It's good to have a few (or more) sites you know will provide you with funny things...

I like Joe & Monkey and Get Fuzzy partly because of the Pop-Culture references. Joe & Monkey - The main character is Joe Banks (Joe vs the Volcano, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... things I grew up with) and sometime something comes up and I'm like... Huh? And I go and look it up.

Sidenote: When I link to sites outside of my own website I always have them open in a new window. I do this because the majority of my links are within the text of my post (See above) and I want my readers to be able to click on the link - see what it's about and come back to finish what I've written. This is how I prefer other pages to be - I've gotten into the habbit of right clicking and opening all links in new window.

Go with me on this one...

Over the break I watched an interview with Mike Myers. In this interview he was asked about the death of his father and how that impacted him/his career.... His explanation went something like this: His success was like getting poker chips at a casino = yay - but being able to tell his dad about it and share it with him was like cashing it in - getting the dollars = WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! After his father was gone he had to find new ways to cash in - enjoying his success on his own...
I REALLY liked his explanation...

With me so far?

So, in my life when things happen; the good, the bad, the ugly... I share it 3 ways...

1. My parents - I honestly don't know what I would do without them. I call them everyday and share the highlights with them - only way I can stand to be so far away.
2. Aya - After all, what are best friends for?
3. Blogging - writing it down (typing it out) also helps me work things out and often Aya reads about it before I get a chance to tell her - same with the parents.

PS - As for Mike Myers, even though he's "Canadian," his parents are Brits... that explains a LOT!

For the New People

Name: Aspen

Named for: aspen trees

Age: 27

Status: Single

Working On: Master of Education, Emphasis: Technology aka "Educational/Information Communications and Technology"

Origin: Denton, Texas

Family: Mom & Dad, no siblings, 2 grandmothers, 4 aunts, 2 uncles, 3 first cousins (all married - live in Alabama, Nevada, and Texas), 7 second cousins, 2 dogs, 3 cats.
Small family, but I love them all

Reasons for Relocating: I hate hot weather - and when I say hate I really mean that I cannot physically handle the heat, nor do I wish to. I am completely and totally miserable in Texas. I inherited that trait from my dad - we have never liked hot weather. I LOVE SNOW! Love it! It's beautiful and peaceful and aaaaah SNOW! Also, I knew someone up here, my best friend Aya - which made moving up here a lot easier. And of course the school - my old school was huge and impersonal and I wanted something where the professors at least recognized you as POSSIBLY being in one of their classes (not making you show ID to prove you were).

Reasons for Blogging: Too many to count. Though Aya is the reason I got started... actually I think she was taking this very class when she talked me into starting a blog.... Aaah memories... ;)

Likes: Snow, Animals (especially DOGS), Music, Movies, Books, Travelling, Sleep, Nature, Chocolate, Mexican Food, Italian Food, Fantasy Stuff (movies and books), Internet/Computers, Learning, Friends and Family, Get Fuzzy, all things Kiwi (New Zealand), Comfortable Clothes, Scooby Doo, The Princess Bride, The Court Jester (or anything Danny Kaye), Chewbacca, Smiling, Laughing, Living...

Dislikes: Mushrooms, Mean/Rudeness, Condescending People, Squealing Tires - like when the car they belong to is about to hit you... BOOM!

Hmmm... Anything else you could ever want to know about me can be found: HERE at All you ever wanted to know about Aspen, and a good deal more.
And if you have a question, don't be afraid to Ask it!

Relief is found...

THIS actually provides some relief! How exciting is that!?!

I'm not saying it tastes great, but isn't that the way it goes? To quote my dad; "If it tastes horrible it MUST be working!"

Now if I could just spend the rest of the week in bed - I know I could beat this thing down.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Goody-Goody-Gumdrops!

I finally gave up and went to see a Dr. today - after waiting for an hour and 5 mins with the the Dr. I came out with the news that I have myself a case of the good-old-fashioned-flu. Shweeet. She did perscribe some serious cough syrup for night time - since I'm coughing so much I can't sleep.

Basically I've locked myself in my room and I'm gonna try my best not to share. Have to go to classes and work tomorrow - but for today I'm staying in bed.

RAWR!

You Are a Little Scary

You've got a nice edge to you. Use it.


hehehe....
The kids I student-taught would probably agree to this.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Humiliation

Keeping in mind that I am still sick - and that I haven't bowled in a month....
The first game tonight - I bowled a 42. A forty-two. 42. No matter how you look at it - it sucks. After two frames I was breaking out in a feverish-sweat and wishing I were back in my dorm room, crawled up in bed. As if a 42 weren't bad enough... The second game I came the closest yet to falling flat on my face. Full-on, bum-in-the-air, arms-flailing. I thought I was a gonner.

Why share this embarassing info you may ask. Because even I can find humor in my humiliation. I mean I REALLY thought my face was gonna hit the floor.

hehehe aaahhhh

I went bright red - turned around and my teammates were gawking at me (literally one persons mouth was open) and then they burst into laughter... The one guy immitated my falling (as he's done on a couple of other occasions when I've flailed a bit). /sigh

Oofda.

Tripped over my own foot. I am grace personified.

As always...

In honor of my new class I've been playing around with my blog template = problems, bugs, glitches.

Aaah well, so is life.

/ponder

I have absolutely no idea what to blog about.
Eeeep Performance anxiety. Now that I know there are people outside my immediate friends and parents reading this....

Ah well hopefully inspiration will strike me soon.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Well Whaddaya Know...

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything.
You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey.
You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.


And so it was... for quite a while before blogger got angry with my template and made me revert back to a cookie-cutter version.

Thanks Aya :)

Blogging Class

I'm sitting in class atm and the instructor is telling people how to set up a blog... We have the option to start a new blog or to keep our old one. I love my old one so I'm keeping it!

So... in the future there will be assignments and such on my blog in addition to my random ramblings.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

I feel like crying about it but...

Instead I'm gonna go practice my arse off.
I've wanted to learn American Sign Language (ASL) since my 3rd grade teacher taught us the abc's. I took ASL 1 and 2 a couple of years ago and now that they're offering it I'm taking 3. I had my first class tonight and the instructor is a very nice, deaf, man. It became painfully obvious to me, within the first 30 seconds of class, that I have a LOT of work to do to get to where I need to be.
So... I'm off to Review and Learn!

Socks!?!?!

You Are Socks!

Cozy and warm... but easily lost.
You make a good puppet.


Not sure how to respond to that one...

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream...

A sleepless night... lots of coughing and tossing about.
BUT! I went to the drug store today and stocked up! Woot! Bring on the drugs!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Sharing & Caring

That's what family is all about.

Dad got sick - gave to me - I gave to Mom - Mom gave back to me before I left.
BAH!
What is up with this? I feel like I've been nothing but sick for the past couple of months. /grumble
I told Mom if I keep getting sick everytime I come home - I'll stop coming home. For some reason she didn't like that very much.... hehe...

Classes have started.

I got back at 2:40pm yesterday and had a class at 4pm - ASL 3 - SO FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!! Though nervous because it has been a LONG time since I've had ASL and I'm realllllly rusty. Unfortunately, only half the class showed up and no professor. After waiting around for 40 mins we decided to try again on Thursday.

Today I had my first Weblogs & Wikis class - been wanting this class for over a year - so very excited to see what I learn.
I also have an online class... speaking of - need to make a point of logging on tonight and finding out what it's all about.

First day back at work - not too painful. I was a bit nervous as I could just imagine a full voicemail and mail box, but luckily it seems like I handled most things via email while I was away - aaaah the wonders of the electronic age!
Though me training a new employee with almost no voice and doped up on dayquil... well I hope she understood what I was saying ... at least she didn't flee the premises. She's sitting in there atm - hasn't needed me yet... I've got another new worker to train tomorrow, hopefully I can put together a full sentence without wheezing, snuffling or forgeting a word ;)

yuuuup... that's all I can think of now.
Hope everyone's settling back in nicely.

Toodles.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

We're on FI-YARRRR!

Well, we're not, but everybody around us is.
There's loads of smoke in the air and that combined with the budding trees - yes trees budding because it's been so flipping hot lately (75-85's) - is playing havoc on my allergies. I haven't really had to worry bout allergies for quite a while, but now that I've been back in Texas for 3 weeks = ugh! I can't wait to get back to MN where the air is clean and nothing is in bloom!
On the other hand this is gonna be one of those times when it's hard to leave home. Putting aside the ability to breath without wheezing or coughing - lots of good stuff this trip. I needed that since the last few trips home have pretty much sucked. Lotsa family and friends, reading for fun, spinning, playing with puppy and kitty, relaxing... Sometimes it's easy to leave, like when the trip has been filled with death and depression, and sometimes it's really hard. I keep hoping for one more week, perhaps that's because I know I won't be coming back until August, and 8 months seems like a long time. But it always feels good to get back to my life - work, school, work, homework... things that keep me busy and make the time pass by quickly until I come home again.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Welcome to 2006

Went to East Texas with my dad on Saturday and came back SUPER sick - coughing, sneezing, sniffling - slept almost non-stop sense then :(
Icccckyyyyyy pooo!
Feeling lots better today, hoping the trend continues tomorrow.

Happy New Year.