Caffeine update

Farewell Caffeine, I have moved on.

It's been quite some time now since I have had a caffeinated cup of coffee. I can't say that I miss it as much as I had anticipated. I haven't cracked and hopefully won't crack during my Christmas vacation either. My teeth clenching has gotten significantly better too. I think that I am going to have to keep this up for a while. I have taken to drinking decaf coffee, decaf Gingerbread lattes, hot chocolate, and taking many naps.

Amen, sistah.

My beloved Lindsay writes in her blog,

"Suicidal suckiness, amused detachment and relief that Christmas break is a mere NINE instructional days away. That's right, people. I just might make it to Christmas. Thank God Christ was born, thus giving us some days off of school. "

2 instructional days left for me. I can't wait for Christmas break.

Day 1-- Caffeine Free

Okay boys and girls, it's that time of year again!! That's right. I'm giving up caffeine! Since we all know that this phase is always temporary (can/will last as long as 6 months) and always for a purpose (i.e. twitching eye, jittery foot...). The purpose this time? Teeth clenching. I found myself clenching my teeth at the oddest times-- painting my toenails, driving home from work, or watching tv. I never had a problem with teeth (or jaw) clenching before so I was really puzzled when my jaw became mysteriously sore one day. I wasn't chewing gum or excessively eating. I was puzzled.

So, I looked up teeth clenching on the internet and found that people who have a tendency to clench their teeth probably have one of three things going on in their lives:

1. stress (not so much stress in my life right now...)
2. TMJ (no problem there yet)
3. excessive amounts of caffeine (oops)

Since Thanksgiving break, I have been slowly reducing my caffeine intake. It started off with drinking Starbucks "split" coffee drinks (they spilt the drink for you 1/2 caffeinated, 1/2 decaf) on workdays and no coffee on Sunday (luckily Sunday is my day of rest-- if a headache would start, I would just take a nap). But, after two weeks of the "split" regime, I decided that today would be the day that I drink decaf all day long.

The day hasn't been bad. My headache can be easily ignored and I know that sleep is in my near future. Caffeine free existence, here I come.

A very rare night out!

I love eggs!

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/eggsong

Coming home for the holidays!

December 23- January 10

The last of my standardized exams...

I passed the RICA!! Woohoo!

One week and a half left of first grade

I can't believe that the first half of my student teaching is almost over. My last day is next Thursday. It'll be sad to leave the kids and the school but I guess I'm moving on to be like a sponge. I'm gonna absorb everything.

Skooter's 2nd near death experience... Oiy!

So Skooter almost died. That's right... again. On the way to the vet appointment, Skooter fell out of the car window. Luckily, Joe had a leash on Skooter and was able to pull him back into the car via leash. He said that the whole falling-out-the-car-and-getting-pulled-back-in-the-car took less than a minute. Skooter never touched ground... I guess he dangled in the air for a milli-second before being rescued from the face of death. Joe was freaked out for the rest of the day. Good news though, Skooter seems unphased by his second (almost tragic) near death experience.

Skooter's near death experience...

I was thinking that this was going to be just another Wednesday at the Dog Park. I'm chattin' away with fellow dog lovers when I turn around to see what kind of mischief my dogs were in. Skooter, who is usually wandering around the perimeter of the park (peeing on bushes), was lying down on his side in the middle of the field. I called his name twice before I realized that something was horribly wrong. I ran over to him and he was just lying there... placid. I picked him up. His whole body was limp. Everything was a blur.

Next thing I know, someone is saying, "I know CPR, is he breathing?" I didn't know. All I knew was that he needed immediate medical attention. His happy, panting face was nothing more than that of a sleeping dog's. His heart was beating... but just barely.

"You go to the ER. I'll follow you with Benson. Just take Skooter, I'll meet you there."

My body went into auto-pilot. I ran as fast as I could to the car. I didn't want to run too fast because Skooter's body was just dangling in my arms. He had no muscle control. He was listless.

___________________

Long story short, the ER doctor thinks that he had a severe allergic reaction. She suspects that he swallowed a bee. Instead of breaking out into hives and slowly turning pale, Skooter's body went straight into anaphylactic shock. His body was turning off-- too weak to fight the poison. His body wanted to die. Luckily, we were able to counter the allergic reaction with a ton of meds. He was healthy enough to come back home later that night.

I can't thank my friends at the Dog Park enough. Everyone showed their support and was there for me in my time of need. Joe and I feel so lucky to have such great people around us on a daily basis. Thank-you for everything everyone has done!

How I have been spending my free time...

RICA

Stupid RICA exam... It's the last of the standardized tests that I need to pass to clear my teaching credential. My exam is in less than 4 hours. Wish me luck!

Benson won 2nd place!!

That's right! Our little Chihuahua is a champ! He placed second in the regional San Diego Chihuahua races. That makes him top 8 in the US! Woo hoo! He won himself a year's supply of Dog Food.

Honestly, Benson should have won Regionals but our "impartial" judge sucked. Benson was so fast that she couldn't keep an eye on him (okay, maybe Benson didn't run in a straight line and ran off to the side but he still crossed the line!), even the camera guy thought he won. Well, its like I tell my first graders, the game is not about winning or losing, it's about how you play.

Our rescue dog, Skooter

Imagine this cute dog scooting around on his butt (in a twirling motion) on the cement with his back legs sticking straight up in the air. My neighbor refers to his scooting as an "ass-fault." He'll scoot on asphalt, grass, cement, carpet (new and old), and dirt.

Week of Changes Part Two

I had my student teaching orientation earlier this week. I found out that I will be placed with a first grade class for the first half of the semester and a third grade class for the second half of the semester. I am so excited!

Week of changes

While I was out shopping for my "wedding dress" last weekend with Sharon (my mother-in-law), I remembered that I had a skirt that I needed to return at Abercrombie and Fitch. I was at the counter waiting on a sales girl when out-of-the-blue, she offered me a job. I told her that I couldn't because I was going to teach soon. Then I paused, told her how much I would love a discount and said that if I did work, I would only be able to work once or twice a month. I was saying that sort of kidding around because who really wants employees that work less than 24 times an entire year? Well, Abercrombie does. So I had my interview yesterday and ta-daaaaaaaaaaaa! I am the newest employee of A&F.

We're married!

That's right. Joe and I decided to have a civil ceremony at the County Clerk's Office on Monday instead of a big ole' wedding. We'll have said wedding when we're more financially stable. It'll probably be 5-15 years from now... hopefully by then we'll have a house, new cars, and maybe some kids. :)

I love New York.

I love New York. It's a great city. You never who you're going to meet.

Case in point: I was waiting for the train to pick me up to take me to Union Square. I was going to meet Felino for a cup of coffee. The scenario: It had just been the hottest day of the summer and it was currently the hottest evening as well. I waited for the (underground) train (I called them Metros in DC but that's tooo passe' to say to a New Yorker) and start to sweat. I sweat fairly easily and it was really hot. I tried to stay cool using my hand to fan my face when a family of three stops right next to me to wait too. The mother immediately starts to rifle through her purse. Apparently she saw how sweaty I was and was looking for some paper so she could help fan me. She looks at me and says, "Are you on your way to a date?" ha ha. What a good natured woman. I politely said no and explained that I was on my way to meet up with a friend. It didn't matter how I looked. :)

Last minute trip to New York

I love New York City. Ever since I was a child, my mother and I took annual shopping trips to NYC. My mother, an ex-Manhattenite, likes to go back to visit old friends and most importantly-- shop. Sometimes I wish that my parents hadn't relocated to Florida when they laid down their roots, but what can I say, they could have laid down roots in Kansas. I am thankful for what I have.
Anyways, since my move to San Diego, my mother and I's annual trip hadn't happened for two years... Until this week. Woo hoo! I found out my (tentative) student teaching schedule on Tuesday. The schedule basically told me that this upcoming week was the only time I had to take a short trip with my mother. I called her, asked her if she could go. Then, within 2 hours flat, we had our tickets, I quit my job at the restaraunt and my mom found someone to mind the store in her absence. I love it.

Allergies are in the air.

So, it's been a little over a month since we added Skooter to our humble family. Life has been peachy for the dogs. Benson and Skooter get along so well. They wrestle and play chase all the time. When Skooter gets tired, he'll run underneath the bed and pray that Benson won't follow. And of course, Skooter still scoots. Took him for a re-checkup earlier this week. They suspect that allergies are the culprit to his scooting fits.

Speaking of allergies, I recently found out from my allergist that I am allergic to three things, 1) cats (which I knew), 2) grass ( I kinda guessed this when I developed "seasonal" allergies this year), and 3) dogs. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am allergic to my own dogs. My doctor asked me if giving them away was an option and I politely responded with a "hell no." So now I am adapting to life as a woman with (positive) allergies. It's been draining (I clean ALL the time) but hey, what can I do? I love my dogs too much that I won't let hives stop me (it's not as bad as it sounds).

Benson has a brother!

Joe and I finally did things right. We actually adopted a dog from a rescue. That's right. No more impulsive trips to the petstore (sorry Benson). After a long month and a 1/2 or so of looking on petfinder.com and meeting various dogs up for adoption, Joe and I found one dog that met our perfect specifications. He's sweet, house-trained, crate-trained, well-adjusted and healthy. He's already a year old and knows a bunch of tricks. I can't imagine why his last owners gave him up but they did. Joe and I feel very lucky to have found the little guy. Oh yea, did I mention he likes to scoot on his butt in circles? I have never seen a Roomba in action before but that's how I imagine it moving, like our new dog on his ass in circles. ha ha. So here he is world, Skooter.

Moving sucks

Damn, there is so much dust in my old apartment! I sneeze every 5 seconds and blow my nose every 10. AND, who knew that I had so much crap?! This moving thing is taking longer than Joe and I anticipated.

Need room to breathe. Need time to rest. Need professional movers... NOW.

New place to move!

Joe and I have finally found a house to rent. It's a tiny 3 bedroom place but its got a yard for B. We figure that we'll live there for a year and decide later when we actually want to buy. Houses are so expensive out here that we are going to wait until I get a (real) full-time job. I usually hate moving but I am very excited for this move. If all goes well, we should be moved in by Wednesday of next week. Keep your fingers crossed!

As I was saying...

Thailand was great. My Thai side got to meet Joe for the first time. It was a consensus-- he was a hit. They especially liked that he ate spicy foods and was an easy-going dinner guest. Needless to say, when it comes to judging character, food speaks volumes when it comes to my family. Picky eaters can spoil the fun in just about anything.

To and from Thailand

Greetings! I am back on the west coast of the United States. I decided against blogging in Thailand because I only had access to dial-up. I will try to sum up my trip now.
It's hot in Thailand. Just in case you haven't been there in early-late May-- it's damn hot. Joe, my mother, Vikki, and I visited many, many places that probably would have been more pleasant if heat wasn't a factor. For example, we decided that we should take the driving tour of around many places (Ayutthaya, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha [though, I must admit, it's hard to see the Temple with huge, white walls, blocking your view], and many more). That's right, no hiking for us. We had hiked one day at the beginning of our trip and decided that staying in an air-conditioned car was much more pleasant.
Opps, gotta go. Will finish up later.

Want to buy my furniture?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/fur/70411371.html

i love webchat forums

I woke up in the middle of the night because of SEVERE cramps. I decided to do a midnight internet search so I could self-diagnose myself. I found this "Questions and Answers" forum. The questions, for the most part, were very run-of-the-mill-what's-wrong-with-me type questions and the answers sounded like they came from a medical professional of some sort. I blog about the last question and answer on the forum:

QUESTION: What if you is on the shots and you spot and have sex and the boy nuts inside of you and you start back to spot can you get pregnant like that?

ANSWER: I'm not sure I understand the question correctly.

root canal

That's right. I had my FIRST root canal today. My mouth is still numb so I am unable to write about the pain. But I anticipate it. I have a prescription for pain meds. Will get them immediately filled.

I love apples.

I am the proud new owner of an Apple iPod. I have wanted one for so long. My dream is now my reality. World of music, here I come.

I forgot how much fun house parties can be.

"I'm sorry I fucking FLOORED you, bitch," said the drunk guy who pushed the girl sitting on his lap.

"It's okay, I can't feel anything anyways."

Of course you couldn't. You're too drunk.

Took a test today. This is what it told me.

I am 23% Asshole/Bitch.

You are not an asshole or a bitch, more like an asshole and bitch target. You have no backbone, and fold at even a slightly insincere look. Stop crying, you wuss.

Take theAsshole/Bitch Test@ FualiDotCom

AHHH! I have allergies.

My mother has horrible allergies. My brother has worse. I never had "seasonal" allergies... until this year. My nose is constantly runny. I sneeze all the time. I am taking over the counter stuff but that doesn't seem to last long at all. Must call doctor. Must call doctor now.

Taipei

Joe has been working in Taipei while Benson and I have been visiting my family in Florida. Joe's teaching Everquest II program tools to the Taiwanese gaming company called Gamemania (I think that's the name). They need to learn these tools so they can "culturalize" it. It sounds like he's having a great time over there. He's even learned some Chinese phrases:

"What the heck."
"Whatever."
"Receipt."
"I am a skilled worker."

Oopps

I realize that I have lost the "links" portion on my new blog. I cut and pasted it from the older version but I guess it didn't save. All well. I will try to get those up and running again. Soon. Maybe. If I can remember how to do it.

A new look!

I figured that since I have hit a new era in my life (domestic and engaged), I should update my blog look. The black background on my old blog was wearing on me. I enjoy the green dots and neutral colors on my new background. Mas pleasing para me (my Spanish is great, isn't it?).

Drastic times call for drastic measures

For those of you that don't know yet, Joe proposed to me on Valentine's Day. Of course, I accepted and was in pre-wedding bliss until the next day. OH, what happened? Two small words dear friend, it's called, "Identity Theft." But no worries, it took about a week for me to contact all the banks and credit bureaus that I needed so I think that I have my bases covered now.

So now I'm hanging out with Benson in Tampa. It's been fun. It's good to see my family and work at the store again. Though, I tend to forget how culturally ignorant some people in the South can be. For instance, about an hour ago, a man walked into the store demanding to know what kind of food we sold at the "Thai Market." I replied, "We sell Thai food, sir," trying to be as nice as possible about it. Not all people get out of the country or study atlases so who am I to judge. Anyways, he looks at me like I'm insane and goes, "I don't know what you're talking about," staring at ME like I'm the crazy one. "Is it Chinese?" Anyways, this banter went on for a few minutes and this was when it hit me, I'm home.

Bumper Stickers Say the Darndest Things

"Circumcision, don't do it! If you love your baby, leave it intact."

Is my dog fat?

According to my veterinarian's chart on detecting animal obesity, Benson falls into the "ideal" category size. "Ideal," mind you, is smack-dab in between the category sizes of "emaciated/thin" and "fat/grossly obese." The chart even had illustrations.

Correction...

The baby was 9 lbs, 10 ounces.

Thar she blows!

My skinny friend Charina just gave birth to a 9 lb, 1 ounce girl last night. For those of you that don't know, a 9 lb baby is HUGE.

Congrats Charina and Dan!! I can't wait to see the little slugger.

Aphrodite, the Chihuahua

"I went to the Pet Psychic and she told me that Aphrodite wasn't ready for other pets to enter our house yet," said the woman I met yesterday at a Chihuahua meet-up.

Another day at work

Me to a 7 year old boy and his mother leaving the restaraunt-- "Thanks for coming in today!"

The 7 year old boy-- "NO, THAAAANK YOU!!"

This time last week...

Benson and I were in our first car accident together. I was on my way to the vet, waiting to turn left when a guy rear-ended me. I told him that I was on my way to the vet and took Benson out of the car. The guy felt sooo bad (things seem so much more tragic when a puppy is involved). ha ha. *Serves you right for not paying attention to the road.* The accident turned out to my advantage because I had lots of scrapes and scratches on my bumper already so this guy's insurance paid to fix everything. I also got a free rental car. I love it when I benefit. :)

Benson is potty-trained!

Okay, for those faithful checker uppers of my blog, my humblest apologies for being absent for a few weeks. Joe and I have been busy potty training Benson. It was a 24/7 battle to keep one eye on Benson to make sure he didn't do the "puppy squat" (if you own a dog, you know what I mean) and one eye on Law and Order. But now that he's housebroken (sort of... he still needs to learn not to chew on socks and toes), I can pay more attention to my blog :). See you soon.

Benson and me, happy at home.