Abating Moue

Yes, yes, I haven't written in this for quite a while!

As you may or may have not known, my GRE was on November 5th. Hence my lack of writing entries lately...I'm free from the madness!

I have not received my essay scores yet, but I got the Verbal and Quantitative the same day. While I won't reveal my scores, I will say that I scored average on the Verbal and 100 points higher than the average on the Quantitative. This, of course, was to my extreme surprise.

I'm still perturbed about the Verbal section. Even though I didn't expect 90% of the words I studied to show up, I also didn't expect crazy ass one off words that I could barely conjecture.

Further, the analogy part where they have 2 words that are conceptually linked and you have to identify a pair of words with a similar conceptual link was B.S. I could've argued any of the analogies so it was bull that they were looking for one answer. It's funny because they have security cameras on each desk and I think everytime I made a massively confused facial expression, some dude would come in the room and walk behind me to check on me. Jerk.

Something else I didn't anticipate was being forced to put my belongings in locker and pull my pockets inside out. I couldn't even bring my bottled water in during the 3 hour test. Parched.

A temporary weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm anxious to get my essay scores and hope I did well enough to officially work on my Grad School application. I've already got two recommendation letters and need two more. It's a lot of work but exciting, I'm ready for some life changes...

Plaintive Incantation

My first GRE dream happened last night. 4 days to go and I dreamed that I got a 498 on everything --- just everything. An insidious feeling pervaded my bones as I desperately tried to wake up from this nightmare. Stupid dreams...

While I spent many hours studying this weekend, I also made a little time to relax, work out, and chill.

Winning our soccer game this Friday was better on the self esteem, especially because we got slaughtered the week prior. I think lifting weights more has increased by sprint stamina, I noticed I've gotten a little faster.

My dad mentioned that our teammate, Katy, would not be attending the next few games because she was getting implants. As I sat back debating a petulant comment, I remembered that Katy had Breast Cancer. Seeing as this was a recent event (you have to wait a few months to make sure the cancer is gone before getting implants) I'm very proud and amazed that Katy plays soccer with us. She has better ball handling skills than I do and has pretty good endurance too.

A plethora of math studying awaits me now and each moment is pivotal. Friday may be awesome or poignant, oh....my....word.

The Hills are Alive

I recently watched the Oprah special celebrating the 45th Anniversary of The Sound of Music, which included the entire cast that played the Von Trapp Family.

Having only seen the movie once, I heard it was loosely based on the real Von Trapp story, and I really loved the music and not to mention the most idyllic and amazing scenery (Um, can I film a movie in Salzburg for 6 months please????)

It was great listening to Christopher Plumber playfully talk with Oprah about filming the movie. For being in his 80s, he's still quite potent and well versed. What was funny was when the "children" all came out and were being interviewed and Oprah asked the woman that played the oldest daughter (I am 16 going on 17 -- which btw she was 21 during the filming) if Chris Plumber ever taught her anything during their filming together. She earnestly said, "Oh, he taught me how to DRINK!" :)

After reading up to learn more about the real Von Trapp story, I noticed that some people, even some members of the Von Trapp Family, were not proponents of how the movie portrayed the family, especially the Father. The movie purported the Father to be distant and and prosaic, but the actual children said he was never that way at all.

Understandable I suppose, however, movies, even movies re-telling the tale, have to be quixotic to some degree --- it's a musical and meant to be a little histrionic.

I'm still fascinated by what went on in Europe during Hitlers imperious reign and can't ever imagine being in a situation that I would have to flee my country to be safe. Crazy.

Back to the Von Trapps, did you know that they still have the family lodge in Vermont, which has been for a long time a resort and bucolic get-away? I was trying to think of reasons why I would want to visit Vermont and this is easily one of the reasons. Vermont in fall at the Von Trapp Family Lodge... ahhhhhh.....

I'm planning a bicycle journey in Austria next year --- Krimml to Salzburg on the The Tauernradweg --- I'm overjoyed that the opportunity is more real than ever, as I've been thinking about this for a long time. Time to start planning and doing some of my own family history digging.

Conidtions Mild

I know, I know. You're sick of hearing about my dental woes. Well guess what, this sardonic comic laughed in my face today. Har har har.

Dude, I am worded out tonight. The way I learn something best is to write it down, review, cover it up, and rewrite it. My penmanship is terribly illegible, to the point of a Doctor's handwriting. And you know the writing is bad when you yourself can barley read it.

The weather has been 80s two days in a row getting home from work. I really enjoyed my respite at work today and went for a walk around the block --- I'd rather be hiking.

My friend sent me an article today about a 23 yr old girl in Florida that is being charged with the murder of her 3 year old baby. Get this: mother was playing Farmville and baby was relentlessly crying. So much so, that the mother got irritated, shook the baby repeatedly, put the baby down, lit a cigarette, and went back to playing Farmville. Well, she shook the baby to death. I'm not saying that Farmville is reprehensible by any means, but man, do I hate that game even more.

Onward to another subject, it's kind of hard to not be rapacious with the garlic potatoes my mom made tonight. Damn good. My week has been full of good food, in fact. I still had Julian Bakery items from my trip last weeked: Apple Nut Bread, Blueberry Cream Cheese Strudel, and Ginger Molasses Fruit Bars. My coworker also made this awesome turkey and spinach wrap for me today with tomatoes and cream cheese in it. Yes, it's irrefutable that I love food! :)

Tomorrow is Halloween Idol at our work and I'm looking forward to seeing some good costumes. I think I'll forbear dressing up this year. I'd probably just flounder in anything ridiculous looking anyway. My friend says he's dressing up as a pedophile: they look like everyone else! Alright, bad joke, but amusing.

Good Night, Ya'll!

Sentient Sensory

Yet another trip to the Dentist today. Holy crap, I haven't been to the dentist this much since I had braces 9 years ago. Drooling on myself was the epitome of this visit as more mouth numbing ensued. I'm planning on ditching the wisdom teeth about the 3rd week of November. Joy.

The GRE is November 5th and I am girding my loins. I still have 34 vocab quizzes to do -- which I am forecasting 4/day (should be done on Wed and the test is Fri), a salutary amount of words for the test but I'm managing. Funny, when I test myself the next day on words from the day before, I always know the words better than when I first learned them. It just feels like an exigency sometimes and words are going in one ear, out the other, but I'm trying to be as exhaustive as I can and scrutinize vocab as much as possible.

I just hope I do well, you know?

I can't help but wonder if my studying will extricate me from the questions I'll be presented --- or if I'll completely bomb and waste $160. Quit thinking so much, Alexis, and wipe that look off your face.

No time for Halloween this year, bah humbug. Transfer is playing on Sunday night and I have work the next morning and need every ounce of sleep I can get test week.

The day after the test will thankfully be more sanguine and ethereal -- wedding in Point Loma --- picture me, stress release on the dance floor, legs salient, electric sliding in action, extraneous robot impression... It would be sage to not keep my glass full of wine, just sayin'.

Esoteric. Esoteric. Evanescent. Goodnight.

Succinct

When I went to the Dentist for my examine this year, I found it interesting and a little scary that he disparaged the quality of work done on my fillings from another Dentist last year. The new dentist was recently vindicated when I was flossing two nights ago and I looked up to find a hole gaping in my molar! So basically I had to get those two fillings redone because I had a Dentist that did crappy work. Awesome. Sometimes I feel there's a lot of dubiety in going to the Dentist -- is each Dentist as experienced as the other? Does he care about his work? Will he smell as good as the Dentist I'm going to now? I digress...

There was a story in the news today about a former Real Estate agent (woman) who befriended a homeless person in a park and let the homeless person sleep in her car. Consequently, the owner of the car found the homeless person dead in her car. Scared to tell the Police, she left the corpse rotting in her car for 10 months!!! Tried to cover up the stink with baking soda and covering the body in clothes. Police found the car illegally parked, horrified by the stench and found the mummified corpse reduced to 30 pounds of decayed nastiness. I don't know what's more egregious: getting rid of the body versus driving around with a rotting body for 10 months!!! Beyond belief!

On another topic, I'm going to Julian this weekend for some good ol' Apple Pie. I'm actually quite ebullient about seeing fall colors, hiking around, and leaving with some sublime pie in my tummy. Ah, holiday time, love it.

The Docile and The Dogmatic

At work, I teach clients how to use their website. Some clients dissipate my patience, others make me happy to teach. I have found that being slightly sycophant with someone can seen as encouragement, which can give someone the confidence to do something themselves. I say sycophant only because I don't like doing other people's work for them --- like a caveat of working in groups in college, I'll show more deference to you if you at least put the effort in.

The cold and rainy day distended my yearning to just be at home and study with some hot cocoa. I was hoping to get my body fat checked at work at the Health and Fitness Expo but I finally succumbed to my desire to leave the building.

There was a surfeit of rain on the road today, which of course means torpor drivers. Which brings me to Jr. Seau... what the what?? Wha' hoppened? I read an article today that there has been a spike in violent football injures. One guy was paralyzed, there were concussions... interesting quote by James Harrison of the Steelers.

"I don't want to injure anybody," Harrison said following Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory. "There's a big difference between being hurt and being injured. You get hurt, you shake it off and come back the next series or the next game. I try to hurt people."

I try to hurt people. Doesn't that still sound terrible? I see his point because, after all, it's football. But still...

Be Discreet Be Discrete

I was talking with my 8 year old brother and he said to me, "Me and my friend Kyle like to hook up!" Kyle is my little brother's best friend that used to live next door to us for the past 8 years and recently moved away.

Slightly bemused, I asked, "What do you mean by 'hook up'?"

He continued, "I go to school and trade Pokemon cards for the ones he likes and when I see Kyle on the weekends, I give him the cards, I give him the hook up!" Ah, you hook him up.

I smiled. Mason's a good friend, a sweet kid. I think that everyone should have a symbiotic relationship like that with someone. I don't mean to be dependent, but have a relationship that has more than tangential meaning in some way --- just someone you look forward to doing something nice.

Yesterday I heard for the first time the saying "Champagne taste on a beer budget." I didn't understand it at first --- probably because I think beer tastes better than champagne...so, why would you want to waste your money on champagne?? Apparently my boyfriends "very well off" Dad had the temerity to use this phrase when debating on a new Lexus ES versus LS. Hmph, tantamount to a millionaire saying, "I can't spend like I used to" --- yea BUT... you're still a MILLIONAIRE. I was at Fashion Valley this weekend and it was PACKED --- sometimes I get a tacit feeling that the recession is over...but I know better.

I'd Rather Digress

It's a rainy, muggy morning in San Diego --- a transitory relief from the 100 degree weather, but I'd rather it be 70 and sunny. I actually went for a walk around some places near Seaport Village this morning that I've never been, Coronado Island o'er yonder and denizens out on their morning run.

We had some delightful blueberry and banana pancakes at Richard Walkers for breakfast in downtown while some camera crew filmed this MINI driving down the street the restaurant was on. The MINI was black covered in a repeating pattern of upside down "V" decals and its wheels were dressed in neon pink and green color. I wonder what it was being filmed for...the camera crew didn't look like dilettantes but it didn't look big budget either.

I've concluded rainy days are not desultory --- some people may call this a day of torpor and kids may feel cooped up, but days like these are for studying, couch potato-ing, reading, reflecting, writing...a deluge of thoughts expressed in a simple compendium when someone asks, "what are you thinking about?"

Right now, I'm actually thinking that I'm sick of studying and hoping these didactic flashcards really ARE helping me...

Fillings and Feelings

Today I had to bail a little early at work to get a second opinion from another dentist regarding whether I should ditch the wisdom teeth. I brought my regular x-rays from my other dentist for this guy to take a look. When I met the doctor, he took one glance and was like, "well, we really need to take a panoramic x-ray to check out all the nerves and everything" yada yada yada.

I didn't want the second opinion to be cursory but I stopped him, "I just need to know whether this is inevitable or not. I'm not paying $25 for a panoramic x-ray just yet, the other dentist was able to look at THESE x-rays and right away said I needed the wisdom teeth out."

All the sudden the dentist corroborated, "Oh, yea, well, you definitely need them out, you can tell by this right here," pointing to some tooth x-ray. Ok, Hambone.

And there you go, folks. I thought the admin lady was culpable of trying to get $$ from me too --- already trying to set up the appointment to get the teeth out! Whoa there, Nelly. I'm not ready for someone to debilitate me! Plus, I'm waiting until after I take the GRE and go to a wedding anyway. I can't lose a day of studying and refuse to look like a chipmunk in front of people I've never met (probably will never meet again, but still).

Could someone just live vicariously through me for the whole wisdom teeth thing?? I'd rather not in all veracity... but I can't imagine anyone who'd want to go through it either.

Transitioning, my mom made cherry cheesecake last night for my little sisters birthday. Funny, I didn't like it growing up but I love it now. The best part of cherry cheesecake is the graham cracker crust -- Everyone lacks volition when this cheesecake is placed in front of them -- you can tell by the vestige of crumbs left in the container. YUM!

So Many Words, So Little Time...

Well I have one month to go before the GRE and I'm starting to feel the stress more and more each day. It also puts me in discord only because the test is comprehensive/not comprehensive, you know? Can't I just know the exact questions I'm going to get? I want clemency when all I am getting is a condescending overtone -- which I feel is not conducive to my studying sometimes...

I saw Let Me In this week; that movie about a boy that befriends a vampire girl. Finally a break from Twilight, this movie construed vampires how they really are --- congenial monsters. A little long, but compelling. I still really want to see Wall Street.

I'm trying to decide whether to go to Oktoberfest in OB today -- drinking beer is, of course, the corollary. But OB is always so crowded, the parking isn't copious. Although, my conjecture is that it would be a convivial event and nice break from studying. Not that I have to go to Oktoberfest for this statement to be corroborated, but I'm still thinking of it.

I'm still debating on getting a second opinion about having my wisdom teeth taken out. Is this me just being credulous that I won't have to get them out sooner or later? The dentist's confident countenance gives me courage...but only for a short while.

Ah, Happy Saturday, Folks.

The circuitous way...

I love watching the TV show Lie to Me. Aside from being quite attracted to Mr. Tim Roth, I love the idea of being able to point out a charlatan or be able to see the truth on a face by uttering a single expression. No doubt about it, Mr. Lightman could circumvent me in a heartbeat --- not to say I wouldn't put up a good fight with some circumlocution... and on to another subject, all I can think about is Tim Roth :)

I was helping a client on the phone today at work and she said, "hold on, I'm driving and I'm trying to write down what you're saying." I desperately wanted to censure her act because she sounded so utterly overwhelmed and sidetracked but I was circumspect. "Please don't try to write and drive --- let me email you directions..." Seriously? As if I haven't seen enough accidents on the news from texting or simply not paying attention. The most recent accident I heard about was from a girl "Ghost Riding" --- and she fell off the car and onto her face --- and they had to literally scrape her flesh and hair off the pavement... as if car accidents aren't cogent enough to make you drive safe...DRIVE SAVE, PEOPLE.

I've been studying a lot lately, but I've also been lacking some sleep and decent exercise. The inclement, cold weather has made me all too cognizant of my desire for both necessities. Like, I could really go for some squats right now, but my eyeballs are heavy. And I'm turning more colloquial --- time to turn in.

Au revoir...

Recapitulatation of el weekend...

First of all, I would like to castigate this capricious weather for being over 100 degrees one day and then thunderstorms and lightning the next! What's up, San Diego?!

Saturday was actually a nice 75 degree day and the clouds looked like puffy marshmallows in the sky. I was hoping the same clouds would be visible on Sunday too as the boyfriend and I went on a photographic adventure in Pt. Loma and Sunset Cliffs, but alas, categorical overcast spoiled my plans...ok not too terribly, but the puffy clouds would've been useful for some shots.

The theme of the photo adventure was multiple shots of charismatic, catholic cadence combined to milk the senses and explore the imagination. I know it's a lot of alliteration, but trust me, that's the intent. Inpiration: Jerry Uelsmann --GOOGLE --- and go see at MOPA (Museum of Photographic Arts)

Sunday was a beautiful day, and in some ways, cathartic too. Had some AMAZING homemade french toast made with pumpkin cranberry bread topped with whipped cream cheese, hot maple syrup with blueberries and bananas. Gave Pt. Loma Seafood another shot --- not super impressed to be honest...don't understand the hype --- FINALLY found a 5 Guys in San Diego!!! The burger and Cajun fries were almost as I remembered when I enjoyed the lovely meal in DC. A catalyst for a happy tummy indeed.

In between the awesome food, we went to the British Car Show in Pt. Loma --- Vintage Austin Healey's, Mini's, Bentley's, Rolls, Triumphs, MGs... basically I was drooling the entire time... who wants to buy one for me???

I'll leave you with a little something I photographed this weekend...I bid adieu

Many the Miles...

Thank you so SO much, Sara Bareilles, for putting on an amazing, blithe show at the House of Blues! Listening to her music puts me in a bucolic state of mind -- like I could just drive through rural country to nowhere taking in the beauty and thinking about the complexities of life...

So, the concert was awesome but the events before and after slightly made my heart stop. First, I FORGOT the tickets to the concert (they were mailed to me) so I had to go to will call and deal with this porcine woman with a snappy 'tude. "You have to call Ticket Master.".....Uh... and THEN What?? Like, next step, please! Luckily, I was able to get my tickets printed out.

After the concert, we made our way back to my car...or... no car??? We both knew I parked on the 3rd floor, but when we got there --- no car! Ok...maybe up higher? No... down a floor...no...down a floor...NO (heart majorly pounding at this point). Lina and I were both thinking of how to broach the subject...if it came to that! LUCKILY.. found the car 4 floors down (wtf) and it only took one floor to get off the exit! Swear to Buddah we went up 3 floors to park! I have an alibi!

On the 15N going home last night, traffic was burgeoning as road construction forced lanes to merge, which was in my mind completely unnecessary! The lanes were empty with no trucks or anything... home at midnight..whew...

Had some delightful sushi at Happy's Sushi in Mira Mesa tonight. Rainbow Roll, Fantasy Roll, and Pizza Roll --- YUM!!! I recommend you go!

Acumen of Wisdom

After going to the dentist today, it is clear I am beset by fear. Doc is adamant about my wisdom teeth coming out...but I really think it's a malevolent act to rip open my gums and leave holes behind... I REALLY shouldn't have watched that blatant YouTube video... uuugggggg...

Well if i don't come out alive, I bequeath this blog to some soul that can carry on my legacy... legacy of....... yea, just kidding.

Let's hope I don't have bad dreams tonight, oof!

Irritable Vowel Syndrome...

While I actually looked forward to studying today, on this hot, semi-banal day I might add, I'm drawing blanks as to what I should write. I've belabored 140 words this morning and the newest words have nothing to do with what I want to write about --- words like bane (poison), belligerent (combative), malefactor (evildoer) and the likes...

I've mused myself into bemusement as to how to write this entry..... ah lazy Sunday...

It may be a lazy day but I did beget some AMAZING French Toast this morning: Apple Bread topped with a hot mixture of whipped cream cheese, brown sugar, blueberries, bananas, and syrup. Holy Yummness!

So it's 100 degrees today and I was thinking of yoga instead of a run. I truly don't understand how people can run in adverse conditions..... The air conditioned house remains my bastion but I still think about the calories I could be sweating off... decisions, decisions...

One thing's for sure, it's certainly a great day for the beach --- if only the sun wasn't a malignant element to me still... my skin is still pretty sun sensitive because of my antibiotics...

Happy Sunday, folks! And remember to take it easy at least one day a week to reflect, chill, smile, relax, sweat, do something new, and do something that makes you happy :)

The Battle of the Bay

Today was a glorious day on the Battlefield of Mission Bay Park. There was no time to act autonomously as the Battle was an aggregate of Aqua Cycling, Egg Toss, Tug of War, Potato Sack Racing, and Pie Eating.

My teammate and I were in the last leg of the Aqua Cycling and I desperately assimilated the winning moves. It looked auspicious as our first two teammates soared through the first round. Even though I was the first out of the gate and to the giant bicycle, things went awry when my teammate fell not once, but a couple times. My personal defeat was assuaged when our Team came in 3rd overall. Watching our teammate Tyler doing the Potato Sack Race was probably the funniest Sack Race I've ever seen!

My thighs were on fire from peddling AND I have soccer tonight. I'm still wearing my bright orange socks and war paint beneath my eyes. Maybe I'll have the audacity to score a goal tonight, would that be great?

F.I.O Figure It Out

Last Saturday my friend accompanied me to Lestat's Coffee House in North Park. I'm convinced they have one of the best iced mochas in San Diego. They've also expanded their quarters since I've been. Way to go, Lestat's.

We sat on a couch that was next to a plastic coated white chair with ruffles -- In addition to the chair's unfavorable aesthetics, this chair looked completely uncomfortable, which was probably why it wasn't occupied.

My assumption was confirmed when a guy in a baggy sweater and black, ripped skinny jeans proceeded to desperately get comfortable in the squeaky chair. An arduous task it seemed, he finally settled with hit feet up on the table, toes and socks protruding from his busted up slippers (which by the way said Faded Glory -- Wal-Mart brand). He grumbled, "The only chair in the room not occupied. Ugly AND you can never get comfy in it".

My friend and I continued our conversation as this guy pulled out his mini laptop that had a Meat is Murder sticker on the back of the monitor.

This guy actually turned out to be quite amicable as he asked if his feet were bothering us...or his computer cord was bothering us...or if his constant shifting was bothering us... no guy...

I had mentioned to my friend that I recently went to Father's Office in LA and had an amazing burger. Mr. Eavesdropper blurts out "I LOVE THAT PLACE! Great Burgers!"

My friend glanced at the sticker on his computer and says, "You eat burgers but you're a vegetarian. 'Splain." Oh, so you lead an ascetic diet because veggie sandwiches were the cheapest thing at Subway.

This guy, his name was Peter, actually turned out to be a delight that night. He was very artless, yet ardent in his words during our topics of conversation...a nice guy.

He was a student studying music.

Reflecting back, I can't help but think how I miss school and being assiduous and making my brain crunch regularly. It's easy to fall out of that pattern, but hard to get back...seemingly. Like I have mentioned, this blog is just an artifice to help me get back into the habit.

I feel like it's working. I heard the word "aberration" on the news tonight and blurted out "A DEVIATION!" My dad just rolled his eyes and chuckled in my face. Awesome.

I'll Be The Arbiter

For the time being, I have appropriated this Blog, particularly for writing entries with "educated vocabulary". I'm also going to make a conscious effort not to use this blog to vent or belittle things/people.. I briefly viewed some earlier entries and thought to myself this is the antithesis of myself, my normal attitude... and I wouldn't go out of my way to read something like that voluntarily so why would I write it...

In other news, I finally got Sara Bareilles' CD in the mail and have been listening to it non-stop since I got it. While I hands-down love her and don't hesitate to give her approbation, I like her previous album just a smidgen better. I'm SO excited to see her in concert Sept 29th!!! My favorite songs off the new album are (in no particular order): Gonna Get Over You, Basket Case, Blue Bird, Breathe Again, King of Anything, Uncharted. Her voice appeases me...

My friend Laura took the GRE this weekend and did fairly well. Listening to her experience gave me more confidence in my aptitude to prepare for this test. I still think it's archaic to not be allowed to use a calculator for certain problems, but that's just me...someone that doesn't like math and isn't super great at it.

What else is becoming less arcane to you people about me?

I'll Be The Arbiter.

Odd Dream I Dare Say

So I had a slightly weird dream last night in which I had major antipathy for my parent's friends and vandalized their house....in hopes of depreciating the value of the house. Uh...yep.

I got caught a couple times vandalizing the house; my apathy and lack of apprehension was apotheosis to anarchy. My parents asked me to stop and I appeased them only with an apocryphal statement of, "Yea...I won't do it anymore." They knew though.

I couldn't pin point my animosity, only that it was there. It was definitely an anomaly but I never felt sorry for the anguish I caused anyone.

I'm not joking. I really had that stupid dream.

Switching gears, I saw some AWESOME woody's today in Encinitas --- I guess there was over 300 woody's there. I was in heaven, basically.

Now I'm looking forward to some BBQ and margaritas tonight. woooo hoooO! Happy Saturday, folks!

Friday Night and the Calves are Tight

Getting up for work this morning was a little rough. My strut was analogous to an old man with bowed legs, which makes me feel ambivalent about this whole 22 mile hike thing and whether it was worth it... yea... I know... And I don't think soccer tonight ameliorated my toe blisters because they're definitely feeling more tender as I lay here and write this entry.

I was telling my Dad about trekking Whitney and told him about how a lot of people hike to Trail Camp and take 2 days to summit versus doing it in one day. I said I don't like the idea of shitting in a bag and having to carry it 6 miles down a mountain. He was confused why people can't just dig holes. I told him about contamination of the land and maybe it was ambiguous, but I told him, "You don't farm with human waste, you farm with horse and cow crap. Our crap ruins things." He amenably stated, "Yea, I guess so..." Yea, dude.

We're doing Battle of the Bay for our Company Event this year --- I'm competing in Aqua Cycling next Friday. I'm ready to tear up the water!... or be an amorphous blob of cycling awfulness. Nah, I should be fully recovered by then.

Ni-nIte All!

Day 5 or Day 8? Ah Hell, This is About Mounting Whitney

Do you remembuh?? The 15th night of Septembuh?? Because I do. Burned in my brain...while not dancing down the mountain, I was certainly pushing myself with great alacrity and only thinking, "This is awful! This is JUST awful!"

Mt. Whitney: Highest Peak in the lower 48 states at 14,497 feet and a 22 mile round trip feat.

8 friends. One mission. 3:15am-9:00pm hike. You do the math. I'll cry.

I can say the things that alleviate my pain and utter abhorrence for me actually WANTING to do this are hanging out with good friends and getting to the summit.

I considered the first 8 miles (not including hiking in darkness from 3am-sunrise) to be quite scenic and beautiful; the last 3 miles to the summit made me feel so abject and irritated. Every time someone coming down the trail would say, "you're almost there! Only a LITTLE further!", Johanna and I would acrimoniously grumble, "Shove it up your shove hole!"

We were hungry. We were fatigued. The altitude was kicking in and Mt.Whitney was turning us all into cranky 5 year olds.

And everything seemed NEVER ENDING. It felt like it took YEARS to hike the last 3 miles to the top. And the switch backs in the dark to get back to the car???? Don't get me started!

Overall, I'm very proud of all us for accomplishing something so great. I'm still very bitter about seemingly never ending switchbacks that will forever haunt me. Seriously, watching my headlamp spotlight only a few feet in front of me was totally Blair Witch feel.

The other major highlight from the trip was seeing a Bear 5 feet away from me at 3AM and everyone chipping in to scare him off! Good MORNING?!

Alright, I'm tired and my calves are killing me. Some spaghetti and New Castle helped ease some blah-ness...I'm going to review some photos from this amazing trip.

I'll try and paraphrase Tim's conclusion that, really, 3 days later we'll all be like, "you know, I'm really glad I did this." But Yesterday and Today --- everyone is just thinking, "Why the HELL did I put myself through this???"

Day 4: The Affinity for the Agenda

As the weekend wraps up, I am more and more nervous about Mt. Whitney. Am I in shape enough? Will the weather be adverse? Will I have to shit on the mountain like Tim did last year????

I am all packed and ready for the most part... just missing my camel pack if I can find it... gotta figure out a way to get 3 liters up the mountain without my bag swishing around.

I'm really excited to take some photos up the mountain too. Debating on bringing my film camera or not...hoping the long hike doesn't drain too much of my aesthetic sense...

When we summit on Wednesday, I'm going to have such unadulterated joy, I'll probably be more affable than usual with the hikers at the top...if I hug someone I don't know, I'll let you know how the story goes. :)

So I know I said I'd write in this everyday (or try to) but I'll be in Lone Pine Monday - Thursday... I'll still be studying, of course....maybe...hopefully...for the most part...

Day 3: Busy Bee

My Saturday has started off generally good so far.

Had to get an oil change before my trip to Mt. Whitney. BTW, highly recommend signing up for Groupons. I got this deal of 3 oil changes for $30 and it's good for a year. Pretty excited about the deal since I have a car payment now.

While the oil change took an hour and a half, the service guy made my morning with his adulation for my Rabbit. He kept saying, "Conejo! Conejo! Ja?!" (Rabbit in Spanish in case you are unaware)

Even on a Saturday, I'm still trying to adhere to a study regime. I plan on studying some algebra after this entry and I'm pretty adamant about going for a run later to de-stresssify (sure...we'll call that a word).

Now, time to address the subject of Algeeeebrrraaaa... Oh Boy!

Day 2: I like it in abstract

When I think about my goals life, I have to consider being abstinent with things that hinder my progress. But just like any dieter, it doesn't work if you deprive yourself. So I'll admit it, I was on Facebook earlier. SUckas.

I start a new season of soccer tonight. I feel like I'm getting better acumen for the sport but I also think we got a great team this season. One of the things I like about about Team Sports is that no matter how you get accosted during the game or acrimonious the other Team may seem during the game, there tends to be good sportsmanship at the end overall.

Wish me luck!

p.s. I'm hiking Mt. Whitney next week. Hopefully it won't be as abysmal as last year. I have all the faith that we'll summit! Really looking forward to it!

Day 1: Abnegation Aggravation

While I'd rather be pissing around the Internet or enjoying some good ol' tele right now, I am studying today...and the hopefully the next day...and the next day...

After my first vocab sesh (just checking out about 10 words a day), I'm pretty abashed at my memory (or lack there of) --- the words sound so familiar...just not on the tip of my tongue or in my everyday vocab.

Reading new words everyday is surely an aberration, but I'll feel glad once this becomes more of a "look forward to" habit.

Hoping to go for a run soon before the sun abates and the moon comes up...and long ago somebody left with the cup...Cake?? Anyone??

And So It Begins...

The countdown starts now! Ok, tomorrow.

While the thought sometimes aggravates my senses and puts a sour mug on my face, I've finally draggggggeeeedddd my feet long enough and set a date to take the GRE.

I've got 8 weeks to study my toochis off in hopes of an alright test score.

My problem with standardized tests is that, simply, I'm not very good at them. Crack under pressure? Mayhaps. Blowing through a seeming breeze? Possibly. Eff it, I'm just not good at them and never have been. And...it bugs me that people may think I'm not very smart because of this.

I don't think I'm the Village Idiot by any means; I consider myself to be decently educated in fact (graduated college with a 3.1 GPA which ISN'T bad)...but this is the Achilles Heel in my world...

That being said, to help myself study for the verbal, I'm going to bore you saucy readers everyday with a new vocab word or two and use it in a sentence. I will also update you on my math skrillz if I find anything to enlighten you with.

Consider Tomorrow Day 1 through the fiery pits of GREatness.

Passports, Placebos, and Pickled Salad

So, pretend you're at work and decide to eat lunch on the floor with your co-workers. Only, you're by the door at the desk with your friend and a monitor is hiding your faces.

Your friend pulls out his lunch (which he takes pride in making delicious dishes most every day) and opens his container of what seemed to be salad.

Ok, the smell was a slightly pungent toot smell when he first opened the container as he smiled and said, "Oo! Pickled Salad! Yum!"

Smell wears off, no biggie. ... Right?

While your friend continues to eat his lunch, you look up from your dish and notice something peculiar. Someone is making a face. A face of disgust. A face that looks like they just smelled the fart of the century.

It didn't take long for me to realize more people scrunches their noses and whipping their head around like "Where the crap is that CRAP?"

I suddenly realized. PICKLED SALAD!

I nudged my friend, pointed and snickered. We about died when one girl got up, grabbed the Lysol and started spraying around the room saying, "DAMN! DAMMMMMNNN! THAT STANKS! WHAT'S THAT SMELL??"

Faces red, tears forming in our eyes as the laughter took over -- boss man walks by the door, looks at us and accuses, "IT'S YOU TWO!"

"Does my pickled salad really smell that bad????" ....um, ohmygodyes.

BAHAHAHa!

So, that was one of the better days at work. I'm more looking forward to my vacation in 7 days. Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland! It will be my first time in Canada and I am super excited! I've been to the Bahamas and Mexico, however, never needed a passport. It was very cool getting my official passport. I can't wait to loose my Vancouver virginity and look forward to getting more stamps on the passport as time goes.

Things I'm most looking forward to on my trip:
Vancouver -- Stanley Park, Capistrano Suspension Bridge, Japadogs
Seattle -- Pikes Place, Needle, Bainbridge Island
Portland -- VooDoo Doughnuts!!!

I went to Bishop and Mammoth for Memorial weekend. My face is so friggen' dry it's killing me. Seriously, if I could have one wish, it would be flawless skin. I am so sick of being on antibiotics, creams, blah, blah, etc. and it's really frustrating that it still doesn't work... I'm so impatient.

To end this passage, I am recommending chili sauce and spaghetti sauce mixed. It's good, spicy stuff.

Ciao and Cheers!

P.s. Check out the website I recently finished building www.sandiegocityfoto.com

www.alexistia.com is launched!

Gosh, I feel like I have been massively busy the past month and a half --- more caffeine or more sleep?? I can't decide....

I've built 2 websites, updated a logo, and STILL haven't touched my Infrared and Fish Eye pix from my San Fran/Fort Bragg/Northern CA Coast trip in January. ::sad face::

At any rate, I am super stoked about the site building. My first official builds with CSS: A client of mine and my own site.

www.qprs.com

www.alexistia.com

Lots of fun and LOTS of hours.

I wish I was back to my normal workout regime but at least I play soccer on Friday nights for some stress release.

If the weather permits, I'm hiking PQ canyon all the way to Camino Del Sur/or the beach? We'll see my friends.

On a side note, that celeb-look-a-like site said I look like Penelope Cruz! WHAT.EVER.

Ciao and Cheers, friends!