Friday, August 29, 2008

I'm Back

Back from China. I had a great time. But for now I'm a bit jet-lagged and organizing my life. More updates to come.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

10 Things I'm Not Afraid To Admit

I'm stuck in SFO International Airport and I thought I would copy Crystal's blog idea and post 10 Things I'm Not Afraid To Admit:
  1. I still sleep with a teddy bear. His name is Teddy Betty. I got him when I was 4 months old. And he has no face.
  2. I have to have my toenails painted. This is due to a tattoo on my left foot and a funny "shrek" toe on my right foot.
  3. I believe in God.
  4. I know I should do more of my own share to take better care of this planet. Stop using recycled bags and bringing coffee in my own coffee cup to work, for example.
  5. I love going to local breweries and trying new and different beers and learning about the process. I also collect pint glasses from breweries. I have over 30 thus far.
  6. I love my family unconditionally. However, I think they are all nuts.
  7. I really enjoy q-tipping my ears. I love the feeling. I have no idea why though.
  8. I love popping zits and peeling off dead skin. Especially on other people. My mom says I should have become a dermatologist instead of doing marketing.
  9. I think it would be cool to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. I would never want to carry a weapon or feel like I have too. I just think it would be crazy to know I could if I wanted too. It should also be noted that guns scare me.
  10. I really hope my children are all taller than me.
What are you Not Afraid To Admit?

Friday, August 15, 2008

The Girl Effect

Awesome video! This is what drives me!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Tickets are In

The plane tickets are in!

I will officially be in China, Saturday, August 16th through Friday, August 29th.

Still trying to figure out Thailand.

SO PUMPED TO SEE MY DAD IN 4 DAYS!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Question of the Day

I feel like I should ask more questions on my blog. In an attempt to find out if people actually read it and to get to know them more. So question of the day is:

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?"

Okay Okay

So if you hadn't noticed, I've been kind of sick/stress/anxious/miserable/negative lately. Kind of out of character for me. So I decided this morning. After getting woken up too early, that I need an attitude adjustment. I need to refocus and be more positive.

So I'm trying (failing in my imperfect human ways) but trying.

And God is still blessing me and Satan is testing me at the same time.

WHO WOULDN'T KILL FOR A CHANCE TO GO TO CHINA? More importantly, who wouldn't be totally stoked to have two whole weeks to hang out with their dad in China and Thailand (did I mention Thailand yet?)

All I have to do is survive this week and I'm golden.

Pos: Get to go to China.
Neg: Have to get a ton of last minute subs at the pool.
Pos: I was scared I was going to have to quit my job to be able to go to China, but was totally shocked at how awesome my boss was in helping me get subs. That is done with! (Not to mention she gave me a ton of Lead Guard Hours since another HG is having surgery so I'm going to break even after going to China for a week!)
Neg: I have to refill a prescription.
Pos: Call it in!
Neg: Apparently the drugs I have been taking are "black boxed" which means they could kill me. Now I have to fix a doctors visit in before Saturday - found a spot.
Pos: Figuring this out before my health benefits run out.
Neg: Need to get a hair cut.
Pos: My friend suggested this really awesome place. I got in. And they do eyebrows - two birds one stone.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

China - Plan Break Down

Original Plan:
Dad, Kirk and I - Shanghai, Beijing (for the Olympics), Xi'an, Bali (for a week - Dad's vacation)

Plan 2:
Mom is coming too.

Plan 3:
No Olympics (didn't get visas/tickets in time).

Plan 4:
Thailand instead of Bali.

Plan 5:
No Beijing due to Olympics.

Plan 6:
Leave Thursday, 8/14

Plan 7:
Leave Saturday, 8/16

Plan 8:
Who knows... I'm at my wits end.

Mis-communications from the get go:
  • No repeat countries for me for Dad's vacation week, thus not Thailand or Viet Nam - FAIL
  • Want to see Great Wall and Terra Cotta Warriors - QUESTIONABLE
  • Hang out with Dad - DEFINITE
Kirk - just wants to see Dad.
Mom - wants a free trip to China.
I - want to see Dad and make the most of my time off from work/job hunting.

Trying to be optimistic right now and failing miserably.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Stressed and Blessed

Today I felt like my body was telling me I was stressed. Sleep deprived and having the chills. Even though I don't feel stressed. I haven't felt this way since sophomore year of college, when my parents got separated, me and my boyfriend of 3 years broke up, I was getting injections into my shoulder to help it heal from collegiate swimming, and I was going to college 3,000 miles away from home.

I didn't feel stressed out then - but when my doctor pointed all that out to me I understood how I could be stressed out. Needless to say I'm taking it easy this weekend.

  • Tomorrow is my first day off from working since Houseboat Camp on June 21st.
  • Last night was the first time I ever slept alone in my house (just Dainty and I) so I went to bed at 1:30AM and woke up at 5:15Am to open the pool.
  • My health insurance will run out August 27th (my 22nd birthday). This is something that terrifies me.
  • I might be leaving for China a week from today. Something I am super excited about, but I need to get more organized before I leave for two weeks.
But I do have some exciting stuff going on with my life.
  • I had a great conversation with my dad this afternoon - looks like I'm going to China soon.
  • I got another female business women mentor. That makes two. I'm such a lucky girl. I've been working with Darcy Winslow - Executive Advisor for the Nike Foundation for 4 years. Now I'm adding Jill Eiland from Corporate Affairs at Intel to my list.
  • I've applied to some really awesome jobs at Habitat for Humanity and OMSI.
  • I reconnected with another family friend who is helping me get more involved with Oregon politics and is also helping me get more involved in the Komen Organization.
  • I finally started helping my aunt get rid of some stuff from her previous job (we've been talking about doing it for 3 years).
But for now. I'm planning on spending the rest of the weekend resting. Regardless, I'm focusing on all the blessings God has given me this past week.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Beer Bread

One of my best friends from high school, Jon Grotz is visiting me this weekend. Today after checking out the Red Bull Flutag he taught me how to make beer bread. And it is yummy! Thought I would share the love. Here is the recipe:

Jon Grotz's Simple Yummy Beer Bread:
Ingredients:
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 3 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1 dark beer (room temperature) - today we used Sam Adam's Cream Stout
  • 3/4 stick of melted butter
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Grease loaf pan
  • Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and beer
  • Pour into pan
  • Bake for 45 minutes
  • Then pour melted butter on top
  • Bake for an additional 15 minutes
  • Cool and enjoy!

"Every Day I'm Hustling"

Here are some things that I am doing to make money this summer:
  1. Head Lifeguard at T.H.P.R.D.'s Aquatic Center
  2. Working a swim camp at Nike
  3. Selling a family friend's random assets on craigslist and ebay
Although, no none of these jobs offer health benefits. Something I will need on August 27th (my 22nd birthday), when my dad's insurance expires for me. Which makes me very nervous. Here are my options:

  1. Get a "real" job - still working on that.
  2. Get a part time job that offers benefits (like a Starbuck's barista)
  3. Apply (and get into) Portland State grad school and take one graduate school course and thus go back to being a "full time" student.
Other suggestions? Thoughts? Random insight?