Feb 2004-May 2008
Most posted month: Oct 2004 (with 70 posts, though some of them are pictures)
Least posted (full) month: Oct 2007 (ironically enough!)

After four+ years, I am going to lay Andromydah the blog to rest and start anew. I started this blog as a senior in high school, and am ending it as a (non-graduating, but still) senior in college. I'm getting married in 2 months and 2 weeks, and I'm going to be 'on my own' (well, with Dan) immediately after that. So I figured it was time for this chapter in my life (so to speak; not that blogs are in chapters

Not only am I changing names but I'm changing blog clients, over to Wordpress. Why? Well, not necessarily because it's better (although it may be; I really haven't experimented with it yet) but because it's new. Plus, it'll be fun!

You can find my new blog at laeci.wordpress.com, under the title name hey, sunshine. No gimmicks, no faux names or put-on attitudes, just me. And that may not have been good enough for me four years ago, but it is now, and I'm happy for that.

yay

I am pleased to announce that I'm having a good week. I've figured out that the direction my week turns depends heavily on my Sunday: how much I get done, how early I go to bed, etc etc. This Sunday I went to Elmshaven with Daylene for her Adventist Heritage class (and had a surprisingly interesting tour led by an adorable older woman--she was the perfect grandma-type--and an equally adorable family with five kids under the age of 8 [!]), got coffee and walked around St. Helena, actually DID my homework for Monday (and some for Tuesday and Wednesday too!), went to Revo (and the PUC chapter) with Daylene and Annalisa, and was in bed by 10pm (although I did talk to Dan until 10:30.) This was, if I may brag, an exceedingly successful Sunday.

Right now I'm halfway through my Tuesday, drinking coffee from the Grind, and even if the barista was a little bitchy to me it's still deliciously tasty. It's been superhot around here (well, in the high 90s-100s F, which is pretty darn hot for the Napa Valley) but today is in the high 70's, so even the weather is in a good mood.

Here's a list of other good things (since I seem to be so positive today):

• I've attended all my classes thus far this week. Yes, I know it's only Tuesday, but it's still an accomplishment for me, and sets a good tone for the week. (Once you skip one, it's easier to skip the class right after that, and so on... it's a vicious cycle.)
• I got paid today for some tutoring I did last fall--better late than never! =) (Honestly, both the parents and I had forgotten about it, so it's cool. Plus, now I can put the money on my credit card instead of spending it on useless stuff, which I surely would have done then.)
• I have the theme to the Legend of Zelda on my computer (the original digital-y sounding one), and it's currently playing.
• I get paid on Thursday. Hooray payday!
• We're watching Comedian Harmonists in my German class, and it's a great movie. (It's also a movie I Netflixed, so hopefully we'll finish soon so I can get my next movie, lol!)
• Two words: mailorder underwear.
  
• This next weekend is a long one, and I managed to get rid of my shifts on Monday so I get to stay home all weekend! This means I can spend multiple days with Dan for the first time in, like, ever (since March, actually), and I get to see my family too, not to mention have an actual mini-vacation! I'm super excited. I hope that...
• ...the movies I ordered from Amazon (Once, Wristcutters) get here in time so we can watch them! They are both amazing movies.
  

Here's some things that would make me happy:

• If my History teacher would update our grades on the internet. I have a test and two essays I'm anxious to know about...
• Friday, come soon!! (And bring Summer with you, please.)
• Getting paid (...Thursday) so I can buy Phantom of the Opera (the 2004 version)and its soundtrack from Amazon.

Here's hoping the rest of the week stays happy and goes by fast.

so, yeah.

I'm feeling blahish today. This usually happens when there's nothing to look forward to in my immediate future... I guess school's getting out in a month, but that isn't quite soon enough to make me feel better. =P I am going home for Memorial Day, so that's good, but this weekend? Not so much. I was supposed to go home to see Dan, so I got rid of all my weekend shifts, but then he and his mom went on a trip this weekend to Southern California and Disneyland and other fun stuff, so that didn't work out either. I'm in between paychecks and don't have the money to go home or anywhere really fun, so I guess I'm stuck here doing nothing (not even making money, damnit) while my boyfriend goes gallivanting around having a great time... *ranty rant rant*

But. On the plus side, at least my awesome Jinx tshirt came yesterday and I'm wearing it today. (It was one of my birthday presents. To myself. Well, the money was a present, but I decided to put it towards the shirt.) It's like 100 degrees today and I'll probably get hot in the shirt's sleevey blackness, but I don't care, because I'm cute. =)

yankee or dixie?

Surprisingly, I'm 51% Dixie, and I've spent my entire life in California... who knew?

(Take the quiz!)

*giggle*

From Myspace,
Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on! and doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

my birthday weekend

It's pretty depressing to think that for all intents and purposes my birthday is over, since everyone has gone home and I should be starting my homework right about now. However, since those thoughts are too depressing to dwell on, I think I'll concentrate some more on the birthday stuff.

Friday: I had a Terrifying Experience (yes, so frightening it deserves capital letters) in the afternoon. Because I haven't been home in awhile my laundry basket was completely full, so I decided to do some laundry. Just as I put a few loads in the huge industrial dryer I realized that I had checks to deposit and breakfast to get for the next morning. My clothes would be drying for an hour for so (ancient dryers; it takes forever) so I decided to just run to town and leave the stuff there. I got back just before six and realized that I was, in fact, supposed to work at six, so I sat at the desk for a bit before going to retrieve my laundry.

The dryer was completely empty. Which actually isn't all that uncommon--we only have a few working dryers (and a whole bunch which will eat your money and refuse to spin, or only blow cold air) and if someone leaves their clothes for awhile, most of us will move the clothes to one of the surrounding flat surfaces (desks, tables, etc). Though there were a few piles of laundry on the tables, none of them were my clothes. So I guessed: maybe someone was angry at me for leaving my clothes in so long? I checked the floor, the drawers in the desks, the washers, and even the tiny tunnel that led to the big space behind the dryers... nothing.

I was starting to get desperate, so I began a systematic test of the dorm and the area around the dorm. I checked dumpsters, grass, couches, chairs, kitchens, everywhere--with no results. I was starting to freak out at the potential loss of most of my spring clothes (not to mention the lion's share of my underwear, if in fact a lion had a share of my undies). Luckily, Ashley (the only RA on campus at the moment) walked by and saved me. At her suggestion I made some pathetic begging notes to put around the dorm, and a list of the missing clothing for Kiley and Ashley to surreptitiously snoop for during room check. I decided to tag along with with Ashley; while we were walking Kiley decided to do one last check of the laundry room. The laundry was back in its entirety, down to the last sock. I don't know if it was because we harassed the residents, if someone felt guilty, or if someone just accidentally took my laundry for five hours. I am just SO glad it's back!

Saturday: My entire family came to visit me, which was super sweet of them. We drove into El Cerrito, picked up Dan, and drove over to the San Francisco Zoo! Since it was the afternoon a lot of the animals were sleepy, but they were still cute, especially this one penguin who kept jumping up onto a little divider in his exhibit and then down again, like a kid on a street curb. Oh, and I wanted to cuddle the polar bear but my family wouldn't let me... something about it being the most dangerous kind of bear in the world? =) We ate a picnic lunch near the playground and picked up delicious coffee on our way out. In the gift shop, Dan bought me an adorable snow leopard plushie (kind of like these guys but mine is cuter) to replace Geoffrey (black leopard plushie Dan gave to me when we first started dating, whom I so irresponsibly lost in the last month.)

After the zoo, we were hungry so we decided to search for some food around the piers. Ghirardelli ice cream sounded good to all of us, but we had to eat something first, so we parked near the Square and went to Lori's, a '50's diner, for dinner. Makayla and I couldn't choose between grilled chicken sandwich ("The Heart Breaker") and the chili dog ("Rebel Rouser"), so we split them and they both were delicious. (So were the onion rings!) =D After we ate, we waited in line for Ghirardelli and all ate delicious sundaes (except for Dan, who had to be boring and drink a chocolate milkshake, as always, lol.) Afterwards we took an exciting drive around the city... my mom wanted to drive Dan off at his dorm, and on our way home we passed by Lombard street, which Kassi wanted to drive down (the twisty part, anyway.) Unfortunately, you have to go up a HUGE hill to get there, and I'm afraid of heights. I closed my eyes the entire steep way up, opened them for the twisty part of Lombard, then closed them again for more steepness. =) Eventually we got to Dan's dorm and I had to say goodbye to him.

Sunday: My actual birthday! =) Sadly, I had to be alone for most of the day, but I at least got to spend the morning/early afternoon with my family. My mom opened Mother's Day presents and I opened birthday presents--a really awesome rolly cooler from my parents, a roll-up picnic blanket from Kaeli, earrings and chocolate from Makayla, and earrings and a necklace from Kassi. My family also brought me a pot of beautiful purple calla lilies (with a mini birthday baloon in it, hehe.) The day before I opened Dan's present, which was duct tape bandaids--yes, my boyfriend is awesome--cute fridge magnets, and a pack of all 3 Jurassic Park movies. After presents, we ate in the caf and then I had to say goodbye to everyone.

I decided I didn't want to be alone doing nothing for my birthday, so I headed into town. I got coffee at Napa Valley Roasting Co., a bunch of clothes at Ross, the soundtrack to Once (awesome movie, by the way) and panties that proclaim my love for coffee (yes, they do in fact exist) from Walmart, and a Gardenburger, onion rings, and a peanut butter chocolate milkshake from Taylors (yes, I indulged, but it was delicious! Plus I was by myself all afternoon, so I needed a bit of self-spoiling, though I may regret it in my P.E. class
tomorrow.) Back in my room I watched CSI: (an episode with a Mythbusters cameo; neat!), did internet-y things, put away my new stuff, talked to Dan (and my mom and Kassi), and I am about to go to sleep. I feel tired, I have work at 4am and class at 8am, and sleep is a pretty awesome thing to do, even on a birthday. (I see the irony that most people get drunk on their 21st birthday while I am going to be in bed by 10, but what can I say--I REALLY value my sleep!)

I still miss everybody though. Next birthday, I vow to be surrounded by people ALL day (and I'll probably get tired of it, lol!)

as days go by

I've been feeling yucky since about Thursday night, and it's the weirdest thing--I explained it to someone as a cross between a stomach bug and mono, which was pretty accurate. But then I started getting these weird dizzy spells and body/head aches and I realized that actually, I just felt like I was motion sick all the time, whether I went near a moving vehicle or not. I think this definitely counts as one of my weirder illnesses, and it most definitely was not fun. BUT, on the plus side, I woke up this morning and felt a ton better. I'm still not 100% (I felt like a complete wuss in my Weight Training class, lol) but I'm just happy to be eating and walking around and going to classes and stuff.

I'm currently sitting alone in my room (even with two roommates, it's amazing how different our schedules are, so all three of us get tons of alone time) trying to focus on doing homework. The problem is, my homework is all reading: I'm supposed to have Band of Brothers (by Stephen Ambrose) finished by tomorrow - I'm not even halfway there - and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse more than halfway read by Friday (obviously for two different classes, lol.) The problem is though, I have a shelf full of library books that I'd rather read (not that I have anything against Ambrose or Woolf - I like them both actually, but when something's required for school it's not nearly as fun to read, you know?) I also need to work on my German workbook, which is due tomorrow and I haven't even started on. Yeah, I don't exactly have a fun night cut out for me.

Hey, is this a headache I feel coming on? DO NOT WANT!!

my =) sunday

I've been struggling lately with all kinds of unhappy (included but not limited to: tummysick, headsick, emotionsick, stresssick - that has far too many S's) so my most awesome day on Sunday was VERY needed, not to mention appreciated.

Highlights:

• My lovely fiance, who I never fail to hassle for his anti-flower-buying ways (case in point: on Valentine's day I asked for one thing; flowers... I got several presents actually, but NO FLOWERS) actually showed up at the BART station with flowers! More specifically, a beautiful single red rose with some pretty cream/violet status-type flowers (that's actually a kind of flower, right? I seem to remember them from decorating the Rose Parade when I was little, but the internet doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about, so maybe I'm confused...)
• Cuddling galore! I told Dan we were going to cuddle THE ENTIRE TIME because I missed him so much (we didn't, but I actually wouldn't have minded if we did, hehe)
• Yummy Mexican semi-fast food (Rubio's Grill for lunchDel Taco for dinner; I stole at least 20 of Dan's French fries. I think that's a record! Dan says I don't like fries unless I'm stealing them off his plate, and that's pretty much true.)
  
• We FINALLY got around to watching 28 Days Later, which I bought sometime last year for an obscenely low price of $6 or something like that, just so we could watch it together--because Dan and I are all about "the zomb-zombs" (yes, we make up cutesy nicknames for everything! Even the undead!) and because I simply thought it was a great movie. Now we need to work on procuring and viewing the sequel. (Speaking of, according to IMDB the sequel doesn't seem to have any of the original cast, which is sad because I really liked them. Oh, and also, the actress who played Hannah is older than me, which is only mildly disturbing.)
  
• I don't know why, but we were both in silly, happy, good moods the entire time. I like that. It's nice to be reassured that something other than lab-brewed chemicals can make me happy.

I just have to make it through another horrible week until next weekend, which is going to be good because 1) it's my birthday (yay 21!), 2) my family is coming to visit, 3) it's Mom's Day and I get to give my mom fun stuff =), and 4) I get to see Dan! (We're spending Saturday in San Francisco as one big happy family.)

Now if I could only stop myself from near-vomiting every few hours... eew.

definitely an english major

After finishing my Advanced English Syntax midterm (in which I diagrammed a bunch of sentences), I came back to my room and sang Dan a little song which went like this

I is sleepy
I is sleepy
Yes I is
Yes I is
I has good grammar
I has good grammar
Yes I does
Yes I does

(To the tune of Frère Jacques, of course--and yes I had to Google the pronunciation for that, lol)

one of those moments when I think I'm entirely entitled to use really bad language

I'm pretty sure PUC's goal is to fuck with my schedule as much as humanly possible to make next year as tough for me as, well, humanly possible.

Here's the thing: I only need 20-some more credits, and the majority of them are generals. So you'd think that I could just finish up at a less expensive, more convenient (for living in Vallejo) community or state college, right? Well, no. Because there's a rule that a huge percentage of your senior year classes have to be from PUC (meaning I could only take 8 of those classes elsewhere.) So I am stuck taking minimum credits over the course of two quarters (it's just the way scheduling worked out - more on that later) for $30,000 a year when I could be doing it locally for $5,000...

If that weren't enough of a frustration, just when I think I get my class schedule figured out they fuck it up all over again. Now, I understand that the English department is going through some problems (one teacher is retiring, another is on sick leave) but that's no excuse for letting EVERYTHING go to shit. Here's how my scheduling has gone for next year: ideally I could cram all my 10-some credits in one quarter and be DONE, but since certain classes are only offered certain quarters (and certain years at that), that just isn't going to happen. Initially I thought I could get all my classes in during Fall and Winter quarter, meaning I'd have Spring quarter off. That would be nice. Then I found out that no, actually, the classes that I need are during Fall and Spring quarter, meaning I'll have to take Winter quarter off (because seriously, I'm not going to pay the hellish sum of money PUC requires for classes I don't need.) There are only 8 credits worth of classes I needed Fall quarter, so I had to add a random class, and there were 15 credits I needed Spring quarter.

At this point let me remind you why it's very important I get my classes over with in a timely fashion and within a certain time restraint: I'm getting married this summer, and even if I wasn't my parents wouldn't be able to help me with school anymore starting next year. Because they're teachers in the Adventist school system, I've been getting a 70% discount on my bill--which basically means that my parents' extremely low professional salaries are able to pay for my bill about as much as the average professional can, and yes I still do have plenty of loans--but this discount only goes for 4 years, meaning I'm on my own no matter what next year.

That said, I'm not doing myself any favors by living in Vallejo next year (gas prices being what they are), but I'm convinced (as is Dan) that this is the right time in our three-year relationship to get married, so we're doing it anyway. He's going to have to commute an hour too. We're both making sacrifices, but it'll be worth it. These sacrifices aren't limited to travel time, however--we're both going to have to work, and since school comes easier for me/my schedule is more conducive to it (er, was)/we're going to be poor, I'm going to be working somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 hours a week. (Right now I'm working 11-20 hours a week and doing fine, but I'm also living on campus and not paying rent, etc--my loans are, actually.)

So. Keeping all that in mind, imagine how delighted I was to find out today that PUC administration has decided to rearrange my slaved-over, carefully-organized schedule once again, moving a required class from Fall quarter to Spring. Okay, at least they didn't move it to Winter (when it'd be the only class I need), I'll give you that. But that means that I officially have 8 credits for Fall (only 5 of which I need) and 19 credits for Spring. Obviously, um, this isn't going to work. My adviser emailed the students affected by this change (me being one of the three) to get our input, so I'm very much hoping that the other two girls have either 11am or 12pm free--because God knows I NEED my schedule compacted, with my 2 hours of commuting per day plus likely five hours of work... oh, plus I'm supposed to keep a house (or apartment, as the case may be) and a marriage together. Thanks, PUC.

I'm not going to say that if I knew it was going to be this hard next year, I wouldn't have decided to get married. But it would have been nice if I had been informed from the beginning of the complications, and if the rules didn't change every other fucking day.

*breathes*

Okay. There are a few things I can do to alleviate that horrible 19-credit schedule (because as it is, I'm not going to have time to sleep. Ever.) One thing I can do is take Physics (a required general) and a few P.E. classes (2, to be exact) at Napa Valley College. I'll still have to pay just as much at PUC (you pay a base amount for 12 credits, and anything under that is just obscenely expensive per quarter hour--they really like to rape you around here) plus whatever extra at Napa (SOO much less expensive per hour, seriously!), but I just may stay sane. (And sleep occasionally.) There's still the problem of my 8 credits (under full time!) Fall quarter, though...

I'm still completely pissed off, just so you know.