A Splash In The Pond

MOVED

2009-07-07T21:20:00.001+02:00

I've started posting here now in case anyone is actually reading any of this!

http://waterlilylily.tumblr.com/

I dream of...

2009-06-26T18:39:00.001+02:00

About 2 nights ago I had a dream that I met Jason Segel in a bar. Last night, Suz met Jason Segel in a bar. About a month ago I had a dream about a conversation between two friends and a few days later they had that exact conversation with each other. I can't think of any other examples right now but I know there are more. Also last week I saw a ghost outside my window.

#IranElection

2009-06-18T00:30:00.002+02:00

What a week...and it's only Wednesday! So I started summer session 2 weeks ago and each session is only 3 weeks long. BUT somebody at my school decided that the last week of 1st session and the first week of 2nd session should overlap. Yeah so i'm in class all day every day this week and it sucks. Not only is there class to attend but also readings and a final exam on Friday. Great.

ON TOP of school stuff the Iranian presidential election happened last Friday. And unless you've been living under a rock then you should know that the election was rigged and there have been mass protests in Iran and around the world this week. I went to two of them here in Paris already.

There's a reason I am so distracted mentally by what's happening right now in Iran. I'm 30 years old and 30 years ago in 1979 was the revolution in Iran. My parents left Iran before the revolution and moved to Canada where I was born and raised with my brother. Had my parents stayed in Iran I would have been born there and possibly grown up there. A vast majority of the protesters are students and people my age as an overwhelming percent of Iranians are under the age of 35. I am under the age of 35. I could be there right now. Who knows what your life would have been like if even one thing was different. There's no way to know if I would have been a protester but I think I would have. I've seen protests before but I have never felt this way about any of them until now. I suppose the thought that that could be me on the streets of Tehran is really stuck in my head and heart right now. I want to be there with them, protesting in the streets for freedom. Obviously I don't want to get shot at or anything like that but I think what they're doing is admirable. I feel a sense of connection to the citizens of Iran even though I wasn't born there and I've never been there. My parents are both from Iran, I am Persian and this is my fight too.

There's not much that I can do right now from my little studio apartment in Paris but to go to the protests that I can go to (they're usually during class so it's hard to get there in time). One thing that has emerged through all this is the use of websites like Twitter, YouTube, Twitpic, Facebook etc. These sites have been essential for the people in Iran to spread videos, news and pictures to the rest of the world. Since I don't have a TV I can't watch any news programs but what i've heard is in the first few days main stream media barely covered the story at all. My sense is now that they are covering it but no one can expect the MSM to show the kinds of footage and photos on TV that are truly at the heart of the protest. It's amazing to see on these sites the raw footage from the heart of the situation. To see students' dorms terrorized, see people injured and dead is unbelievable. I'm grateful that the Internet has allowed others to really see the people of Iran fight for freedom.

I feel a little like a kid caught in the middle, I'm both west and east. I'm Canadian and Persian, and I'm proud of it!

So anyways...this week has been really hard and it's only going to get harder. I think I am mentally breaking down a little. Last night I passed out in the middle of my bed/futon with all the lights still on, window wide open and computer on. I was that exhausted! I still am exhausted but I can't even imagine what it must feel like for the students in Iran right now. I hope that all Iranians stay safe but keep on keeping on!

Here's a link to a video i took of one of the protests in Paris. Already has 300+ views!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itibtJg2NHA

My Staycation

2009-05-29T01:17:00.005+02:00

Here are some shots from my Staycation!

Notre Dame Church

Musee d'Orsay

Le Pere Lachaise cemetary

Edith Piaf

Jim Morrison

Chopin

The Louvre

Sunday Funday

2009-05-17T23:48:00.003+02:00

Today I decided to get out of the apartment and go for a walk. I thought I'd try to get lost and just explore. Of course when I want to get lost I don't but when I don't want to get lost I do! Here are some shots from today.

Dear Tourists

2009-05-15T18:37:00.007+02:00

This is more like an open letter to the tourists that will flock to Paris this year. Now please don't get me wrong, I was once you, a tourist to this fine city. And now that I live here and have been on both sides I want to share a few tips.

1. We all know you're in a new city and you probably have no clue where you're going. Perfectly acceptable, what is not acceptable is when you pull out your map and stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Just dead in your tracks! Not cool. When you're driving you wouldn't stop in the middle of the street to look at your map would you? No, so don't do it on the sidewalk either. Pull over! And if you don't pull over, don't look at me like i'm the jerk because i bumped in to you! You're the one who stopped dead in your tracks.

2. You're probably visiting Paris with someone, that's great! But if you roll with a large crew, don't take up the whole sidewalk. The sidewalks in Paris are small enough as is, sometimes barely big enough for one person to walk on, let alone two in passing. So think about that when you and your crew are walking down the street, it's ok to walk in pairs or even single file. We all know you're a tough gang ok? You don't need to own the sidewalk, share the sidewalk please.

3. It's ok to ask for directions! Yes, I know I look scary and mean (moi?!) But if I can help you, I will point you in the right direction, even though most of the time I have no clue! But the point is that most Parisians will actually help you with directions, they're a lot nicer and friendlier than people think.

4. Yes, I know most North American cities don't have an underground metro system and figuring out the Metro can be tricky at first. The ticket buying procedure can also be challenging for first timers so please do us all a favor, if you and you're posse could just take up one of the stalls and leave the others open for us who have places to be that would be great, thanks!

5. Don't tip! I know, it sounds crazy especially from those of us North Americans who are used to tipping. The tip is included here and it's absolutely not necessary for you tip. IF you want to tip a few coins, like your change that's fine but none of that 15-20% stuff here. That's a rip off, don't get ripped off. Do however, tip your bell hop if he brings your bags up. Don't tip the waiter or the cab driver unless they were awesome.

6. If you're near the Champs de Mars (the grassy area by the Eiffel Tower) or on the Champs Elysee and some woman comes up to you and asks you if you speak English, say NO. You'll think they're asking YOU for directions or something but they're not. They will show you a picture of some kid who is "sick" and "needs surgery". This is a scam, they will try to get money from you either by your guilt or my stealing it while you're distracted.

7. Also, if some guy is walking towards you and suddenly bends down to pick up a ring off the ground then comes to you and asks you if you dropped it, say NO. First of all these guys are idiots, if they are walking towards me and see a ring on the ground IN FRONT of me then how did I drop it? Did I throw it? No, these are scammers stay away.

8. If you visit the Montmartre area (the artsy area & near Moulin Rouge & Sacre Coeur church) if some guys want to show you a "trick" with string, say NO and walk away fast. Their trick is to tie up your hands somehow and while you're mesmerized by their magic they rip you off.

(None of these things have actually happened to me {knock on wood} but i've seen them)

9. Pointing to order food is perfectly acceptable! Don't be afraid to try to speak French but throwing in a point to the food or the menu won't hurt either. At least there's no confusion!

10. Meat is not fully cooked here! I got sick one time from a hamburger at a restaurant because i'm not used to meat being so rare. It's ok to ask for it well done (Bien cuie) It's better to have the meat cooked than be sick after, at least in my opinion it is!

11. ENJOY Paris! Eat lots of bread, cheese and chocolate! Drink lots of wine! Go shopping! Explore! Smile! I promise I will try to do more of these things too ok?

Bon Voyage!

SWEEP!

2009-04-23T02:24:00.005+02:00

Yes, the Canucks swept the Blues in round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! What a wonderful feeling to see your team play so well. I am NOT a bandwagon fan. I have been a Canucks fan for as long as I can remember. Being born and raised in Vancouver, the Canucks are my team, my boys. And my boys won! The challenge I face living here in Paris is that the games are at ungodly hours. Well they start fine, like 1 or 2am but they go on for 3+hours. This means I don't sleep till 5 or 6am. Thankfully they won in 4 which means they're off for 10 days which means I get to rest for at least the next 10 days. And my friends will be happy since I won't be tweeting about the game for the next week and a half! I told them sorry but it's the playoffs and I LOVE my team! So they'll just have to put up with my twitter updates about the #Canucks for a while! So happy it's playoff time! It really doesn't get any better than playoff hockey!

South of France Road Trip

2009-04-14T19:14:00.007+02:00

Here's some stuff from the road trip to the South of France...more to come.

PS: I'm exhausted! I drove the entire way (because I wanted to) but still, i'm done!

Grasse

Marseille

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Nice

Cannes

Provence

The "Run & Jump" picture (I took the video)

PPS: These are all out of order!

The trip went: Provence, Grasse, Cannes, Nice, Monaco & Marseille

In The Metro

2009-04-06T22:16:00.005+02:00

There's one metro station that has this long people mover thing which I love! We were on it the other night and I took video. I'm not in the video but you can hear my voice so that counts!

Video includes Ashley, Amy, Leanne, Jenn, Megan, Kasey & my voice!

Protest in Paris

2009-04-04T19:39:00.006+02:00

Today as I was out around the Montparnasse area I witnessed my first ever French Protest! This one however was different than the usual ones you hear about. Usually you hear about the French protesting job wages or something like that. This one was about genocide in Sri Lanka. I couldn't understand what they were chanting but they were loud and they had signs with some horrific images on them. The line of protesters went on and on. They were marching down the street where I was waiting for the bus and since the bus wasn't coming anytime soon I decided to snap some photos and I took a video of the protest.

A few more pictures from Paris

2009-04-04T19:37:00.001+02:00

This whole display is made out of chocolate!!

We had a picnic on the Champ de Mars (that's what the grass area by the Eiffel Tower is called in case you were wondering)

Bonjour!

2009-04-04T11:46:00.000+02:00

blah blah blah

2009-03-29T21:41:00.002+02:00

I'm sick. I don't feel like talking to anyone. I just want to stay in my little hole in the wall and just be by myself today. I have a shit load of laundry to do. I have a shit load of reading to do. I have no food at home and the stores are closed on Sundays. Ok? So can we all agree that Nilo gets to be in hibernation today? Thanks!

It's bad, but it's not Armageddon...yet!

2009-03-24T22:31:00.001+01:00

My friend Sam sent me this article http://adage.com/article?article_id=135440

He asked me what my response was to it and I ended up writing more than I thought I was going to! Here's what I wrote to him:

Ok so of course right now everything seems dark and horrible, and yes, things are awful right now in this economy but I don't see it being AS bad as they say. I think or I should say I hope that Obama has what it takes to turn this around!

Yes, the consumer can now be a producer. We see it in Youtube, Facebook etc...but that doesn't mean that the only things people will watch from now on are youtube videos. No way! We will still want all of our professionally produced programming.

Now in terms of Newspapers, in the old fashion sense is dying. Reading a newspaper is as much about the content as it is about the ritual. The people who grew up reading the morning paper with their coffee are no longer the main consumers. Now, with digitalization and the increased speed at which we live our lives, waiting for a newspaper to be printed and sent to our front door seems ancient.

I could touch on each type of medium but the story is pretty much the same across the board. Yes, it's bad but it's not Armageddon.

We are all playing catch up to the "Digital Revolution". The internet seems like it has been around forever but really the advancements in this technology have evolved in the last 20 years in overdrive. And now, as a society we are playing catch up. The people in charge of the business models did not take advantage (in an acceptable way) from the beginning so now when the general public is charged for something online they don't feel like they should have to pay because up until now they haven't had to. If you're used to getting something for free there's little chance you'll now start paying for it. I think the bottom line is that the people in charge, the CEO's of all these major corporations dropped the ball about 20 years ago.

The internet was developed on an open mentality, the people who really invented and revolutionized the Internet were not the CEO's, they were the geeks in the basements, all working on the same programs together, posting what they've found and building off of each other's works. It's what we call today "Web 2.0" If, now strictly from a business side, the CEO's had payed attention to what was going on from the beginning I don't think we'd be in such trouble as we are now. If from the beginning we were charged for email accounts we wouldn't know any different today. Of course I don't want to pay to use gmail or hotmail but imagine if we never knew we didn't have to pay for it? We would pay. Then the newspapers that are strictly online now maybe wouldn't feel such a tight pull on the purse strings if we just knew that to read a full article we had to pay for it or to access craigslist we had to pay for it, the same way you pay to place an ad in the paper.

So, as an entire society we have to figure out a way to monetize the Internet. I think it can be done, we just need the right person or group to figure out how to do it. I agree with the article that we can't rely solely on advertising, people do not respond to online ads in the same way. So how exactly will we come around on this? Not sure, but i'm not ready to bury my head in the sand yet. I still think there are enough creative people out there to figure this out. There are a lot of obstacles and a lot of people to convince but I think someone out there somewhere will figure this out. And if they don't, well at least it was fun while it lasted and hopefully I won't have to pay back any school loans!

A walk in the garden

2009-03-09T00:17:00.004+01:00

The other day I thought I would go to the Tuileries gardens and read for class. I DID read for a little bit but it was too cold to sit any longer. It was about 40 degrees!! When you move from 10 years in "Sunny" San Diego, 40 degrees is below freezing! Ok, it wasn't below freezing but it was too cold to just sit there. So I took a little walk through before heading back home and took some pics...

2009-03-09T00:12:00.004+01:00

I know I haven't written about my trip to London yet and I got back on Tuesday and it's already Sunday night. I had a great time in Londontown, I got to visit with Suz & Molly and that was better for me than anything else right now. I really really needed to see some friends. Not that i haven't made friends while I've been here but seeing my friends from home is on a whole other level. There are a few more people from home that i would give anything to see right now but unfortunately i can't. But seeing Molly & Suz made me feel way less homesick and it was awesome to just spend time with them. We didn't do a lot of touristy stuff we just hung out and it was the best!

This is us at Suz's birthday party, we all had to dress up representing a country. I was France, Molly was like Caribbean or Bahamas (Somewhere tropical!) and Suz was Russian (A Russian spy to be exact)

Today's Playlist

2009-03-05T11:29:00.001+01:00

Here's my playlist for today and possibly tomorrow...

Against Me! - Thrash Unreal
Against Me! - Stop!
Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Arcade Fire - Keep the car running
Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent
Basia Bulat - In the night
Chromeo - Momma's Boy
Cobra Starship - Guilty Pleasure
Cold War Kids - Hang me up to dry
Duffy - Mercy
Editors - Smokers outside the hospital
Foxboro Hottubs - Mother Mary
The Fratellis - Flathead
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Kings of Leon - Sex on fire
Kooks - Always where I need to be
Ludo - Love me dead
Metro Station - Shake It
MGMT - Time to pretend
MGMT - Electric Feel
MGMT - Kids
Modest Mouse - Dashboard
Moldy Peaches - Anyone else but you
Muse - Feeling Good
New Found Glory - Hit or Miss
Paramore - Born for this
Rilo Kiley - Moneymaker
Rise Against - Good left undone
Social D - Story of my life
Social D - Ball and Chain
Social D - Far Behind
Social D - Ring of Fire
The Stills - Still in love song
Tegan and Sara - Back in your head
Vampire Weekend - A-Punk
VHS or Beta - Can't believe a single word
Walkmen - Canadian Girl
You say Party! We say die - Downtown Mayors goodnight

And all of Bad Religion "The Grey Race" and "The Process of Belief"

I'm back!

2009-03-04T02:09:00.001+01:00

I'm back in Paris! It's already 2 am so i'm not writing a full blog tonight but I will soon...had a great time in Londontown!!!

xoxo

Another typical "MySpace" Survey...

2009-02-26T01:11:00.003+01:00

What was mostly on your mind today?
Trying to get as much work done for school as possible

Tell me about the shirt you're wearing.
AUP Hoodie (or is Hoody?)

What's currently bothering you right now?
Thinking about all the stuff I have to do for school

What are you currently hearing?
London Calling by The Clash

Are you afraid of the dark?
Not really

Who last told you that they loved you?
My cousin

Would you ever consider piercing your lip?
No

Do you have unlimited texting?
No, only 120 texts for 10euro! Rip off

Did you speak to your father today?
nope

How did you wake up this morning?
my alarm & some random person knocking on my door

Are you wearing shorts?
yes over tights

Do you have a best friend?
Yes

Do you wear a lot of make-up?
i wouldn't say its a lot but i do wear bright eye shadows that always match my outfits. Yes, i match.

Do you straighten your hair often?
it's currently chemically straightened thank god!

What's something you like to do when you're down?
shop!

Who do you text when you're having a bad day?
I BBM Dawn & Cheri ususally

Do you regret anything from your past?
Can't have regrets, you live you learn

What classes do you not pay attention in?
At the Masters level it's hard not to pay attention.

When was the last time you cried?
A few days ago when i was feeling really homesick

Who are the last four males you talked to?
My professor Raj, the guy at the Japanese restaurant taking my order, the security guard at school & the guy at the Carte de Sejour office

When will your next kiss be?
no idea

Are you in a relationship right now?
no

If someone liked you what would be the best way to let you know?
tell me?

Where was your last kiss?
don't remember

Would you care if you saw the person you like, kissing someone else?
are we in highschool?

Do you like someone?
always!

Did you wake up before 8 AM this morning?
no

Do you wear eyeliner?
Yes of course, my eye look wouldn't be complete without it!

Have you ever been asked out by someone you didn't want to date?
yes

Did you ever get caught passing notes?
hmm...no i don't think i ever got caught

Were you smiling in the last picture taken of you?
That's not part of the Nilo pose, sorry

What was the last song you listened to?
Now i'm listening to Persian music on iTunes, I've been in a Persian music mood lately

Do you miss anyone right now?
YES!!!!!

Seven days from now, will you be in a relationship?
haha i doubt it!

Are you satisfied with life right now?
mostly

What's something you really want right now, be honest?
i want to see my family & friends back home

Is there anybody you wish you could be spending time with right now?
YES!!! my FAMILY & FRIENDS back home!!!!

What's the name of the last person who sent you a MySpace comment?
Suzanne for her birthday

Do you have plans for today?
it's 1am here...plans are to sleep very soon!

Would you date someone 3 years olderthen you?
Yes, that's not a big deal

How late did you stay up last night and why?
I think i stayed up till 1 or 2am watching tv online

When is the next time you will hug someone?
tomorrow probably

Are you mad about anything?
Yes, at how unorganized my school is

Did you go to sleep last night smiling?
How do you fall asleep smiling?

What was the first thing you thought of this morning?
Who the fuck is knocking on my door!!!??

Will this weekend be a good one?
YES!!!! I'm going to London this weekend for Suz's birthday and to visit Suz & Molly

What are you thinking about right now?
I should really go to sleep now

How are you feeling right now?
tired

Do you know anyone that is pregnant?
Yes

Is there someone you will never forget?
absolutely

Is there someone you know you should hate but you can't?
No, i have no problem hating people who deserve it

Have you ever lost anyone close to you?
Yes

Is there anyone you trust who you shouldn't?
Not that i know of...

How's your heart lately?

It's missing my friends & family very much

Would you move to another country to be with the one you love?
Well i moved for school so maybe i would for love too

Are you afraid of falling in love?
no

Are you talking to someone while doing this?
No

If a bear attacked you would you know how to defend yourself?
play dead?

How clean is your room?
it's clean, just messy

Do you fall for guys/girls easily?
Yes

Do you know someone named Dan?
yes

Do you currently want to scream at the top of your lungs?
No

Last person you talked to on the phone?
Suzanne

Last thing you drank?
Water

Do you like heated pools?
yes

Do you like the color green?
yes it's one of my favs

Is there anyone who doesn't like you?
I'm sure there are plenty!

I got lost today...surprised? Nope!

2009-02-22T19:39:00.003+01:00

So today I decided to get out of the house (apartment) so I went to the train station to print out my ticket to London. I know it's a week early and I know I could've gone the day of and just printed it but I wanted to make sure I have it in hand and there are no problems...plus I needed somewhere to go today. So I did that and then I decided that I would just stop by the Louvre because I have not seen it yet since i've been here. So I got off the metro at Louvre stop which I didn't realize let's you out right inside the lobby area! Neat! I walked around and then went up the Jardin Tuileries (ps I don't know how to spell any of these places) anyways, I sat a bench and tried to read a chapter for school but it started to drizzle so I got up and started walking towards the pyramid. I took some pictures (see below) and then just decided to start walking. I didn't really know where I was going but I was walking along the Seine and I could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Then all of a sudden I was at the bottom of the Champs Elysee! So I figured since i'm here I might as well walk up the Arc side and then home. Well, once I got to the Arc I decided that I would go passed my street and go to the other side of the Arc to see what's down those streets. Well the street I went down there wasn't much there. A lot of motorcycle shops and men's clothing stores, I decided to call it "Man Street". haha I crack myself up! Anyways, of course going home from Man Street I decided not to go back the way I came and instead thought I could figure out my way. Well, eventually I did figure out my way but not before I officially felt lost and started to panic just a little bit. But eventually I saw the Arc in the distance and I know I live by it so then I found my way home. Yay me! The walk was nice but i'm not sure how long it actually took me to do it because I wasn't paying attention to the time, maybe 45 min? Not sure but it's a nice walk and next time I'm going INSIDE the Louvre! I've been before but I want to go again. When I got home my landlady called and she was telling me that the plumber is coming tomorrow because she thinks something is leaking and we started talking and now I know what she does, she's a painter! And she said she occasionally gets invites to the openings but she doesn't go anymore and she said next time she gets one she's giving it to me! How cool is that?! Love her!

Here are pictures from today, there are more up on Facebook if you want to see...

Some pictures from the past two weeks...

2009-02-21T22:33:00.002+01:00

This is me & Elie, one of our new french friends

This is Jenn, Me & Cheryl at Jenn's party on Valentine's Day

This is me at my first movie in Paris! We saw He's Just Not That In To You...or Ce que pensent les hommes

The water fountain at Palais Royal, don't worry I didn't touch the water

At Palais Royal

Helloooo Spring Break!

2009-02-21T15:15:00.002+01:00

It's not even Spring yet but we're already in Spring Break. Whatevs i'll take it especially since on Friday i'm going to LONDON!! I'm so beyond excited to see Molly and Suzanne!!

So today is I guess the first day of Spring Break and a lot of classmates are currently in Fes Morocco for a class (NGO Practicum) I had no desire to go so I didn't. They're coming back in 2 weeks on the Sunday before classes start again. With my time before I leave for London I'm really going to TRY to get ahead on some of my papers for school. If I can get some of this stuff out of the way I think it'll make my life a lot easier. So now I just have to actually DO IT! But...not today it's Saturday! It's already 3pm but i've only been awake for 3 hours! haha I do kinda enjoy the school schedule though, not having to be at work at 9am every day is kinda nice. Ok so today I think i'm going to just stroll through some stores or hit up the BHV department store just for fun. Might be going out to a club tonight, not really sure what those plans are yet. Either way, today is a day off from school work and I'm taking the day off!

xoxo

Today was better...

2009-02-19T00:44:00.002+01:00

Well today was for sure better than yesterday. My landlady for realz did ring my doorbell this morning and not the weird Chinese guy. So she told me somebody was coming tomorrow at 8:30am to check something that has to do with the roof but they need to check something in my apartment to. Anyways I brought up the incident and she said that Ericka my other neighbor called her already and told her what happened. So Madame Landlady said not to worry that she would handle it and that apparently this guy has been living in that tiny closet oh sorry I mean apartment for 20 years and he hasn't been a problem. So dude what the hell's the problem now? Anyways I feel better about it now and Madame Landlady also told me that if I ever need anything to call her and even if I needed a ride in the middle of the night her and her dog "Monsieur" (seriously her dogs name is Monsieur!) would come pick me up, how nice is that? I love my landlady she rules.

Ok so two more days left till I am officially on Spring Break! And ONE more week till I go to Londontown!!! So super super super excited!! And Suz's birthday is on Tuesday any ideas what to get her? Something French perhaps? hmm...I need inspiration I think I will go to Galleries Lafayette they have a really cool section with some fun stuff.

Ok time to watch this week's episode of Heroes online and then sleepy time.

Oh and PS Ericka my neighbor and her boyfriend were having sexy time again tonight!

I'm Just Not In To This Day.

2009-02-17T23:03:00.004+01:00

So I've had a really weird day and I'm so glad it's almost time to go to sleep because I'm so OVER this day. So let's start at the beginning...

First I wanted to wake up earlier than I have been. I'm trying to instill a better schedule. So of course that didn't happen but I started to wake up around 10am and around when I was starting to wake up my doorbell rang. First off I didn't even realize I had a doorbell. So I thought as I was slowly getting out of bed it's got to be my landlady, who else would be at my door right? So I look through the peep hole and it was blurry because I had literally just woken up and was really still half asleep and it looked like my landlady a short blond french lady. So I open the door and standing there was NOT my landlady it was an older gaunt looking Chinese man. So naturally I'm freaked out and he starts talking to me in what I think was French but I couldn't understand exactly what he was saying. So I think he's asking me for hot water but soon realize he's not. Then he says "English?" and I say "yes" and then he proceeds in broken English which I barely understand. He's trying to explain something to me but then he starts leaning in towards the door line, the line which you do not cross which immediately freaked me out even more so I started waving my hands in a shooing motion for him to get back. At this point I'm super freaked out and he starts leaning back in so I close the door and as I close the door I hear the word "bread". I didn't slam the door but I did close the door basically in his face. I went and sat down and thought what the fuck just happened?? So then not 2 seconds later I hear him in the hall go to my other neighbor's door and the chick's boyfriend answers the door. I think he gave him some food but I'm not sure. So I start getting ready for school and now I'm feeling guilty because this guy is basically begging for food, he looks like he hasn't eaten in forever and I just closed the door on him. As I was getting ready to leave I looked around my place to see if I even had anything to give him. I really don't have any food except for a few random things in the fridge and I had half a box of this stuff that's similar to Melba Toast. I decided that I would give him what I had left of the Melba toast so as I'm leaving I knocked on his door and I stood as far away as I could with my arm reached out and gave him the food. He started to thank me but I basically took off and didn't let him finish. So the whole day now I have the image of my neighbor the gaunt Chinese man in my head!

Then I get to school and meet Susan and I tell her what happened and I decided that I need a Starbucks (which is right by school) so we go there on the way to class. As we're walking from Starbucks to class I stepped on a cable that was on the sidewalk and almost fell. Luckily I didn't fall but I almost fell which shook me up even more. Then I sit through 3 hours of class. Then I have a meeting with my Global Internet professor to talk about my term paper. We had to meet with him to discuss our topics. I started discussing my topic and I could tell he didn't like it, or at least didn't think it was a good enough topic to write my paper on, great. Luckily I had a back up topic which he liked much better.

The other part of the day that pissed me off has to do with just how unorganized my school/department is. When we first arrived they assigned us advisers but now they've reassigned advisers so I went online to the site where it's supposed to tell me who my advisor is and it says it doesn't recognize my student ID (mind you i'm logged in to the site WITH my student ID!) Ok fine, so then I see the chair of the department in the hall so I go ask him and he schedules an appointment with me for March 12th (today is February 17th) um thanks. It's because the next two weeks are Spring Break so we're all off but the word around is that we have to register for Summer classes DURING Spring Break...um excuse me? And now my advisor won't meet with me until AFTER? WTF? The whole class schedule, the advising system just everything is ass backwards here. I feel like the whole department is so unorganized and they don't know what the fuck's going on. Hello! We're the Communications Department, maybe try communicating with each other eh???

So now Jenn and I leave the Grad Lounge and head to Kamini's place for dinner and on the metro a homeless guy gets on the train and starts begging people for money. At this point I'm so frazzled from the day I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown and I just want this homeless man to go away. He's not holding on to anything in the train so he keeps flopping around and his bag is hitting me and I just want to shove him away, but I don't. I just have an internal break down!

I'm home now and yes, I have readings to do for class tomorrow but I just can't do it. I'm sorry but I just can't so i'm going to watch the latest episode of Friday Night Lights and then go to sleep. I'm so over this day!

Please let tomorrow be better.

A LOLcats book reading?

2009-02-16T01:56:00.000+01:00

My New Friend

2009-02-15T23:49:00.003+01:00

So at first I was kinda weirded out by the fact that the guy at Publicis DrugStore recognizes me now but now I think it's cool. Publicis DrugStore is like an all-in-one place and definitely pricey but it's the closest thing to me that i've found so far and easy to walk to. The front of the store is on the Champs Elysee but I usually go in through the other entrance which is closest to me. It's got a full restaurant, a wine cellar, a gift shop, a magazine/tabac, a pharmacy, a bakery and some food/drinks. So my guy is probably in his mid-40's i'm guessing and he's always there! I went there last night before going to Jenn's party to get a bottle of wine and he was so cute he kinda blushed! And then tonight I went in to get a bottle of coca light (diet coke) and he asked me about the party last night! So anyways, he's adorable and now when he sees me he smiles and I wave and smile back.

It's been a while...

2009-02-14T12:04:00.002+01:00

So I guess it's been a while since i've posted anything which seems to be a pattern with me. When I was a kid I could never keep a journal or a diary because I'd write in it for a few days and then get tired of it. Not that i'm tired of this but I just get busy and when I do have a minute I don't want to sit and write but then I do want to sit and write because I want to write this stuff down.

I feel like I'm always in every situation in a Catch 22...about everything!

Anyways, so this week was week 4 of classes. One more full week and then I've got 2 weeks of Spring Break. This went by fast, really fast. I need to get my train ticket asap. I'm going to London for Suz's birthday! SO EXCITED!!! I get to see Suz & Molly and I feel like it's been forever. I'm going on the Friday the 27th and back on March 3rd. We're celebrating Suz's birthday and so we have to dress up for the party and represent a country and bring an alcohol from that country. I don't even have half my clothes here so I have to work with what I've got. I bought a beret so i'm going to be french! I wonder if I can bring a bottle of Champagne on the Eurostar with me? Or maybe I should just buy it when I get there, i'm sure I can find Champagne in London.

So let's talk briefly about school...I've done two more papers since my last update and I got 10 out of 10 on one and 9 out of 10 on the other. I'm not really sure why I got a 9 but it's fine, i'm not going to ask about it. I'm happy with it, it's a good grade and I'll take it! Especially since I thought I did shit on it!

Today is Valentine's Day so Happy Valentine's Day!

lemmelone!

2009-02-09T23:46:00.002+01:00

leave me alone facebook! damn you and your constant updates...and you're no better twitter! I'm half way done a paper that i really want to finish for tomorrow's class but I can't focus with all you distractions! must.focus.now.

He's Just not that in to you...

2009-02-08T20:27:00.001+01:00

And in French they're calling the movie "Ce que Pensent Les Hommes" which literally translates to "What Guys Think" haha nice! grrr stupid boys.

Trippy!

2009-02-08T20:14:00.001+01:00

You know what's really trippy? So as I'm perusing facebook I notice that one of my old classmates from elementary school/high school was tagged in some photos. I clicked on one just to see and ok first off he's not even in the photo but secondly and most importantly the house that these people are in is EXACTLY my grandparent's old house!! So i'm sure it's a house that's probably in the same neighborhood because even when I was a kid I had some neighbors who had houses with the same layout as ours. I guess the creepy part is more that I just saw pictures of the inside of my grandparent's house on facebook. I'm sure it's not the same house but it LOOKS exactly the same. Same staircase, same hallway, same everything (minus the decorations & furniture of course). My grandparents have passed away and haven't lived in that house in over 10 years but it still just tripped me out!

My current playlist

2009-02-08T02:51:00.003+01:00

So I really want to see the movie Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. I don't know much about the movie except it stars Michael Cera and I heart him! And so I started thinking about playlists and here's my current one that i've been listening to for the past few days...what's yours?

Big in Japan - Alphaville

Forever Young - Alphaville

The Metro - Berlin

Take My Breath Away - Berlin

Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles

Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart

Never Surrender - Corey Hart

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

Karma Chameleon - Cluture Club

You Spin Me Round - Dead or Alive

People are People - Depeche Mode

Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode

Mirror in the Bathroom - English Beat

Rock Me Amadeus - Falco

Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Go's

Take on Me - A Ha

Don't You Want Me - The Human League

Too Shy - Kajagoogoo

Funky Town - Lips Inc.

Down Under - Men At Work

Maniac - Michael Sembello

I Melt With You - Modern English

One Night In Bangkok - Murray Head

Blue Monday - New Order

Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo

If You Leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark

Always on Mind - Pet Shop Boys

Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders

Pretty in Pink - Psychedelic Furs

Send Me an Angel - Real Life

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

It's My Life - Talk Talk

Shout - Tears for Fears

She Blinded Me with Science - Thomas Dolby

Voices Carry - Til Tuesday

Can you tell what kind of mood i'm in? ;)

My...50?

2009-02-07T15:41:00.004+01:00

So there's a new phenomenon going on at Facebook with the 25 Random things about you. Even USA Today did an article about it. I already did my 25 things and posted them to Facebook but then after writing them I kept thinking of other things that I wanted to add...

So here's my "Other 25"...

1. I can speak 3 languages fluently: English, French & Farsi and I speak conversational Spanish and a little Italian

2. I personally know and am friends with the Marketing Directors of Disneyland, Legoland, SeaWorld and The San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park

3. I participated in a lot of activities as a child! Ballet, Gymnastics, Tennis, Swimming, Piano, Karate, Flute/Band, Soccer

4. My eyes change color depending on what i'm wearing. They'll go from different shades of blue and green

5. I love Arena Rock/Hair Metal! I would've been in heaven if I was older in the 80's & 90's and could've seen some of these bands live in their prime

6. I'm a little OCD, not enough to be a problem but I am definitely at least a little OCD

7. I hate judgemental people, everyone does things and who are you to judge? No judging.

8. I've never had a lot of goals in my life. I just do things and stuff happens. My only goals ever were to work in the entertainment industry, move to Paris and have a family. I've done 2 out of 3 so far...

9. In highschool I used to match my nail polish to my outfits. Now I match my eyeshadow to my outfits

10. I have a group of friends who are "Family". In the family is Me, Dawn, Jason, Darren, Chad, Boozie, Josh (+ Jen), Fabella, (sometimes Jack depending on who you ask)...and I was the newest addition 8 years ago and I'm the baby of the group (and I like it that way!)

11. I can hold a grudge for a lifetime

12. Sometimes on a nice day I used to get in the car and just drive around with no destination in mind. Just drive and blast music with the window down. Those were the most relaxing times of my life. I wish I could do that now.

13. I've never not been on a diet...even in childhood

14. I LOVE Vegas! I used to go a couple times a year and I wish slot machines didn't cost money to play...i love slot machines.

15. I used to say I would never work but I've had plenty of jobs: Babysitter, Newspaper delivery, Salon assistant, Sales person at The Bay (department store, i worked in the Men's department), JC Penny gift wrap, The Old Spaghetti Factory (hostess then busser then terrible waitress!), TOP caller (fundraising for UCSD), UCSD Event Assistant, Rock 105.3, KOOL, KUSS, Star, Fox 6 and The CW.

16. I hate turtle necks! I hate anything around my neck...remember chocker necklaces? Maybe I have a fear of being chocked? Anything tight around my neck will not work

17. I pretty much only wear black clothes but not for any Gothic reasons, I just like black.

18. I admire Marilyn Monroe. I think she went through a lot growing up and managed to make a decent life for herself and did the best she could.

19. I'm fun I promise! I just need time to warm up to people.

20. I thought I hated wine...until I came to Paris and discovered there's such a thing as Rose (Rosay) wine! Oh and dessert wine ain't bad either.

21. I am not a feminist. That doesn't mean woman shouldn't have the vote etc...of course not but there are certain things I will not get up in arms about.

22. I can take a joke, I don't get offended easily and I can dish it out too!

23. I crush hard.

24. I am not a morning person!

25. I am ALWAYS late! If you want me to be on time, tell me the meeting time is 15 - 30 minutes before the actual time. Seriously...i'm always late.

My first 25 from Facebook:

1. I have lived in 3 different countries so far...Canada, USA & France

2. When I was younger (elementary school age) I hated my name and wished I had a name that started with the letter "L" because I liked the way the L looked in cursive...so for a brief moment (and only to a few neighbors) I went by the name Linda...even though my middle name is Lily, somehow it never occurred to me to go by my middle name until I was in my mid-20's and for completely different reasons!

3. I love Hockey! I have hockey running through my blood, if I could go to every Canucks game I would (even though they've lost every game i've been to!) And I was devastated in 1994 when the Canucks lost in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals by 1 goal to the NY Rangers, which is why to this day I HATE the Rangers, I HATE Mark Messier and I HATE Mike Keenan and I HATED when they came to Vancouver years later. But I LOVE Trevor Linden and I remember where I was the day he was first traded, the day he came back and the day he retired.

4. In the car driving at home I have no sense of direction but when I'm on vacation or in a foreign city I'm a supreme navigator! It's true...ask my friends, they won't ever ask me for directions!

5. I'm extremely paranoid. About everything. Luckily my true friends know this and can deal with it and I always apologize for it but I just can't help it.

6. I used to want to be an actress and a singer when I grew up.

7. I hate being told what to do, it just makes me want to do the opposite out of spite.

8. I love that I look younger than I am even though my age doesn't bother me (I'll be 30 in March!) and I love my birthday!

9. I have 4 lawyers in my family and one works for Sketchers, one owns the gay bar Rage in West Hollywood (even though he's so right wing), one works for a major software company and one just decided to get his license just to have it!

10. I have met a ridiculous amount of celebrities in my life but my favorite is by far the first ever celeb I met - Rick Morranis (from Honey I shrunk the kids). He was using the track at my high school and I darted outside after class to get his autograph and he said he liked my name. I still have his autograph to this day.

11. I feel lucky to have these eyes.

12. I love my family and friends like there's no tomorrow. I would do absolutely anything they needed or asked me to do.

13. I have the two most beautiful precious god daughters in the world - Harlow & Zoe and i would die for them.

14. I hate small talk so I live in a constant catch 22.

15. When I was 14 I was an extra in a film called "Cyberteens In Love" and it starred Justine Priestly, Jason Priestly's sister (from the original 90210)

16. I have worked for 4 radio stations and 2 TV stations

17. I have been educated at 2 elementary schools, 1 high school, 3 colleges, 1 university and 1 grad school. (We didn't have middle school in Vancouver)

18. I have been friends with someone (Dan) for literally our entire lives. He was born when I was 6 months old and we've been friends to this day.

19. I still can't believe that I'm actually in Grad School and it sometimes scares the crap out of me that I'm really here.

20. When I first moved to San Diego some days instead of doing laundry I would just buy new clothes...ahh those were the days!

21. I can't cook. The microwave is my best friend!

22. I know all the words to Annie and I can recite the entire movie including the songs without watching it.

23. I have thrown my dinner out the window when I was a kid so I didn't have to eat it.

24. My first job was as a babysitter when I was 12

25. I never leave the house without at least some make up on...even though i've been told I don't need it I can't do it! I have to have my face on and this face only wears M.A.C. make up.

...

2009-02-05T01:29:00.003+01:00

I was reading my horoscope for February and at the very very bottom it said this passage and I love it, it's very true to me I think...

"The tranquil waters of the lily pond have a Zen quality that invites meditation. This is an apt image for you, dear Pisces, for you are spiritual and philosophical in nature, the sign most capable of expressing unconditional love and compassion for a friend, family member, or even a complete stranger."

Really? I mean really?

2009-02-05T00:56:00.002+01:00

Second night in a row I can hear my neighbors getting it on!

I'm a 10!

2009-02-03T21:18:00.001+01:00

Or at least I got 10 out of 10 on my first assignment EVER in Grad School! Yes! And we had presentations in Advertising class yesterday and my group got a lot of praise. We haven't recieved a "grade" from the teacher yet but I know we done good!

I shouldn't be spending my time like this...

2009-02-01T22:52:00.001+01:00

http://www.mytalkingstain.com/?mid=29411139

Caturday

2009-01-31T17:44:00.000+01:00

Is really Saturday and I've pretty much spent the entire day in the library. So good right? Well sorta, I finished this week's journal entries that I had to do for my CM 504 Global Internet class. I actually kinda dig it and I like my journal assignment so far...just hope i'm doing it right! haha we'll see I guess. So I would stay longer but I need to go home and get ready for tonight. Tonight is this girl from my program - Megan - 's birthday party. And she picked a bar called The Great Canadian! How awesome is that! That's 2 Canadian bars in Paris that I know of now. Woot! I only wish I brought my shirt that says "Canadian Girls Kick Ass"!!

Ok I really need to go, I was going to write more but I already wrote like 5 pages today in the journal so i'm done for today! And tomorrow will be spent reading reading reading!

Shiny Objects

2009-01-29T22:16:00.000+01:00

I've been looking for this video all week! I couldn't remember which folder I saved it to but I finally found it (in the most obvious place of course!) It's really short because it was sooooo cold I could barely stand it. We were on a night bus tour of Paris that was organized by the school and I took this video and then ran back on the bus!

TRIUMPH!

2009-01-28T22:10:00.001+01:00

I feel I have reached a few milestones in the 2 and half weeks that I've been in Paris. First off today as I was walking to the bus to go to school a lady asked me in French if I knew where some street was. So she thought I was French or at least that I knew where the hell I was and where I was going. Of course I had no idea where that street was and even if I did know where it was I’m the last person to give out directions. So I said IN French that I'm sorry I'm not from this area I don't know where that is. "Desolee, je suis pas d'ici. Je ne sais pas ou est cette rue" In case you were wondering that's how you say it in French.

My second triumph is a little more important to me. I can now make it up ALL 6 flights of stairs to my apartment without stopping! Ok this might not seem like a big deal but imagine you lived on the 6th floor and there were no elevators and you had to climb the windy staircase EVERY single day. And I should add that I am in no way an active athlete anymore. Yes in high school I played soccer but that was a long time ago my friend. And going to the gym is rarer than snow in San Diego. So making it up all 6 flights without stopping is kind of a big deal to me. And I’m pretty proud of myself for accomplishing that goal. Now I just need to do it without feeling like I'm going to have a heart attack each time is the next goal.

School is in full swing now. I really need to change my attitude about the readings and the essays. I need to just love it and not wish there was less of it. I'm in Graduate School for chrissake what did I expect? So last night as I was reading for one of my classes I started to really take notes on the readings and try to fully understand it and not just skim it. Then what happened in class today? He spent all of 5 minutes on the reading I was so prepared for! Ugh. Love it. Must love it.

Oh and on a fun note I just signed up for the cultural trip to London! We get to go on tours of the BBC and last year they got to go to Bloomberg. I'm not sure if we're going to Bloomberg this time but at least we get to go to the BBC which I think is pretty cool. Hopefully it's more interesting of a tour than the ones we used to give at CC! Also the trip happens to fall on my birthday (March 20th) and so I will have some sort of birthday celebration in London with Molly & Suzanne!! And I haven't seen them in what feels like forever so i'm super excited to see them again!

Tomorrow is a planned public transportation strike in France. This means that the metro and busses will not be running. I have heard though that they will run a smaller percentage of public transportation though so i'm not sure how bad it'll be. I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

This.Is.Rad!

2009-01-24T10:48:00.000+01:00

http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=4477&cat=343

Must.Love.School.

2009-01-24T01:15:00.000+01:00

First week of class. Check.

I'm in for quite a year. So much reading and homework and essays and papers and exams. I wonder what was I thinking? Oh yeah, I wanted to live in Paris. I just need to buck up and love my homework, embrace the readings and get back in to writing scholarly and not "for-air" writing. My Global Internet class seems interesting so far. The main theory class I could do without though. The teacher just completely reiterated the readings and basically talked to us for an hour and 20 minutes. So not loving that class right now. And in one of my classes i'm one of two people in the class! There's no hiding in the back of that class!

Tomorrow Jenn and I are going to the Montmartre area. It's the artsy area of Paris. She wants to get some kind of poster to put on her bare wall in her apartment. My apartment came with some hideous red and yellow poster. I hate yellow! I wish I could take it down but I'd have no where to put it if i did take it down. And it's so huge and I don't want to buy anything more than i have to so i'll live with it.

I finally got a blanket yesterday! So much nicer to sleep with a blanket and not shiver under A sheet. I have a radiator in my room but it doesn't do such a great job of heating the whole room so at night it's pretty freezing. Hopefully this cold weather won't last too long. I know summer will be boiling hot so I'm just waiting for Spring so i can enjoy some decent weather here. And once it warms up I think we're going to go on the Bateaux Mouches so we can stand on the outside deck of the boat.

Thursday was just a downpour of rain and so much wind!! Some friends and I went shopping on Thursday (day off!) and I caved and bought an umbrella. Mistake. It was so windy that my umbrella kept flipping inside out and eventually broke! 12 euro down the drain! Same thing happened to Jenn and Crystal's umbrellas. Both Jenn and I dumped ours in the trash but Crystal somehow managed not to break hers. I've decided i'm not buying another umbrella. I don't think they can withstand the winds here. So when it rains i'll just suck it up and get wet. A little rain never hurt anyone...right? Oh well I guess...c'est la vie!

I got to Skype with my parent's today! It's pretty cool if you have a webcam/mic to use. If anyone wants to Skype me my screen name is WaterLily_Lily. I don't think that many people use it but it's totally free to call skype-to-skype and very cheap to call an actual landline/cellphone.

I took some more interesting (at least i think they are) photos the past few days but I haven't downloaded them yet. I hope to do that soon and I'll post the links again to facebook.

PICTURES!

2009-01-21T22:19:00.000+01:00

Finally I have internet at home in my little apartment so I have been able to upload pictures. I've uploaded them to Facebook for now. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the pictures, just follow the links.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=212260&l=a58fc&id=705000542

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=209909&l=14f5f&id=705000542

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=212269&l=7bf46&id=705000542

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=212278&l=b2e5a&id=705000542

one week!

2009-01-18T20:43:00.000+01:00

Well I have been in Paris now for one whole week! Orientation is over and what a week it has been! Tomorrow is the first day of classes and I still can't believe that I'm back in school. What a weird feeling to be 29 and back in school. I have found some more students closer to my age though so that's nice. Last night my new friends and I went out for what was supposed to be one drink with our student advisor Javier who has been in our program for a year. He's really nice. So anyways it was one of the girls in the programs birthday and there were quite a few MAGC that's the Abbreviation for our program- students there. We got to meet a lot of the other prole in our program who started in September and they are all super cool and nice. And so this little bar that we were at turned in to a karaoke bar and then around 1am it turned in to a dance club! And I left around 330am with Javier and another girl who lives by me. We shared a cab home. Jen ended up walking home with the others and didn't get home till 4! And the bar wasn't even closing! No last call here! Oh and we met 4 french guys who were hilarious! Pictures to come soon!! Saturday we also walkrd around montmart where the moulin rouge is and up to the sacre coeur church. We also had fondue for dinner and OMG it was so good!

gimme back my money bitches!

2009-01-18T16:05:00.000+01:00

I hate the exchange rate! I just changed 300 dollars and only got 180 euro!

on the bus

2009-01-16T20:12:00.000+01:00

I'm on the bus now heading home. Looking out the window and I see the eiffel tower. Not a bad view to go home to every night eh? I think ill grab another baguette from the champs tonight. Not a bad dinner for 3.80 euro!

My Paris Apartment

2009-01-16T14:26:00.000+01:00

I was able to take a few photos with my cell phone to post for now online. I have much more photos on my camera to post but i haven't downloaded those pictures yet. Here's my place!

Kitchen

"Closet"

Bed/Futon

The last few days

2009-01-15T11:14:00.000+01:00

Ok, I finally have a moment to catch up on the last few days! So the trip over here was fine, the plane to France had much smaller seats than the plane from LAX to Philly! I didn't sleep on the plane, i tried but I just couldn't. There were student advisors who met us right when we got out of the baggage claim. The carts were free to use! And i definitely used one. But once we got to a certain point of the airport we couldn't take the cart anymore so i had to drag my two bags for a while and that was hard. There was a group of us and some were walking faster than others. With my 200 pounds of bags behind me it was a little hard to keep up! But i managed. They had a shuttle to take us to the FIAP which is the student hostel that they had us in. Right away I met another girl her name is Jen and she's in the same program as me. She's younger, 24 years old and she's from upstate NY. She's very sweet and more mature for her age. I also met another girl from India and her name is Kamini. She's also 24 but they are both more mature than some of the other girls here. There are a group of girls who act like they're in Highschool. My student advisor's name is Javier. He's been here a year and he's been helpful. Everyone here is really nice and helpful. I met 2 of the professors today for student advising and they were very nice.

My apartment is really nice and everyone who's heard about it (that already lives here) has said that's it's in a really good neighborhood. My landlady is really nice and she speaks english very well. I told her that i want to practice my french so she's speaking to me in french. Last night she gave me a comforter that she said i can keep! I just need to buy a pillow now. Last night i used my airplane pillow. It worked but i'd like to get a real pillow.

I paid her my deposit of 670 euro and prorated for January was 429 euro. So I'm paid up through the end of January! I finally have my ATM card! And I should be getting my cell phone today and with the cell i can BBM other blackberry's for FREE anywhere and make free calls to landlines in the US and Canada. Anything Free is good!

And once i can get my laptop set up at home i will start posting pictures!

=)

Another day!

2009-01-14T17:47:00.000+01:00

I registered for classes today. I'm taking 3 core and 1 elective classes. The elective is an Advertising Practicum. Should be intersting. The campus is divided in to a bunch of buildings around the 7th. There are 3 main buildings and they're about a 5 - 10 min walk from each other. Not too bad except on 2 days i have back to back classes in different buildings. But they do give you 15 minutes between to get around so that's good. I'm walking now more than ever in my life! And i live on the 6th floor with no elevator. ugh! But at least hopefully that'll keep me in shape! Especially after eating all the bread! I finally had crepes last night. YUM! And i've been living off of baguettes and ham and cheese for the past few days. And "Coca Light" which is diet coke which i'm obsessed with, it's actually better than diet coke, the taste. I don't know what's actually different but it's good stuff!

So many things to do! I have my bank account and now i just need my cell phone. Once i get my cell phone i can BBM (blackberry messenger) to anyone for FREE! And I can make free calls to landlines in the US!

I'm Here I'm Here!

2009-01-14T12:17:00.001+01:00

Wow, ok I have not had a chance to write in here like i've wanted to. There's so much to tell so far and it's only Wednesday! Luckily there are computers at school that I can use since my internet at home is not set up yet. There's so much to do, so much to set up, so much to take care of this week. It's kinda ridic. I will have to come back to the computers later to go in to more detail on everything. I haven't downloaded any pictures yet but I will try to do that as soon as possible. For now, i'm here and i'm alive!

50 people 1 question...briliant

2009-01-08T18:54:00.000+01:00

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.

Pack pack pack

2009-01-06T19:10:00.000+01:00

I started really packing for Paris yesterday and by last night I had one suitcase almost done. And to my utter surprise almost all my clothes fit in one suitcase. Wtf? I thought I had way more stuff than that. Well there's a lot that I'm not taking. I'm not taking about half the jeans that I have. I decided that if I have worn it less than a handful of times in the last year then I probably won't wear it in Paris. I still have one empty suitcase to fill with my sweaters, jacket, shoes and other personal items. And once that is done then I'm done packing! It's really hard to believe that I'm leaving on Friday! I mean today is Tuesday that's not very far away!

And this morning I woke up with a sore throat, I haven't tried talking yet but I can't imagine that it would go very well. I need to take something to get rid of this cold before I leave. I really don't want to be sick on the plane.

I got my US passport yesterday. What a pain in the ass this has been. Over the weekend I got a letter saying there was something wrong with my certificate and they couldn't finish processing my passport. On Monday I had to go to the Federal Building in LA to get my certificate straightened out (the problem was that the idiots in SD forgot to stamp my certificate.) So my dad and I went to the Federal Building and it took about 2 1/2 hours but I walked away with my passport in hand. The saving grace was that I was able to get my passport the same day. Now I have a Canadian passport, a US passport and a French Visa...I'm so international!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

2009-01-03T22:05:00.000+01:00

I ended up spending New Years Eve + the end of the week in Lake Arrowhead. Simeen, Shannon and I decided to go sledding through the forest and here's the video I put together...

Video of my munchkins!

2009-01-03T09:34:00.000+01:00

I got to visit with Dawn, Jason, Harlow & Zoe before the New Year. And since i'm in to making these little videos now, here's what I put together! (I tried to upload it to blogger but it won't upload so watch it here: http://www.facebook.com/v/110404685542

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-29T10:33:00.001+01:00

It's been a while because it's Christmas Time! I got a purple iPod nano! Which is exactly what I wanted! Here's a video I put together from the pictures on Christmas Eve! G'night!

Getting ready

2008-12-23T20:59:00.000+01:00

Here's what I got in my inbox today:

MA in Global Communications Spring 2009 Reading List

* Celine Dion’s Let’s talk about love: A Journey To The End Of Taste By Carl Wilson

* International Communication: Continuity and Change: Second Edition by Daya Kishan Thussu

* Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide by Henry Jenkins

And so it begins!

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is...

2008-12-23T11:12:00.000+01:00

Really quick here because it's 2 am and I'm actually tired. Today my dad drove down from LA in my uncle's truck to help me move. So anyways long story short it was pouring rain today and I had to move in the pissing rain. Awesome. We were completely drenched, every single inch of us was soaked. In all the times I have moved I have never ever moved in the rain and it was horrible. In San Diego no less!! Of all the days it had to rain on moving day! Well, needless to say if you know me or my dad you know that about 20 minutes in to it we were just laughing and saying "oh well!" let's just get through this as best we can. And we did, we were soaked doing it but we laughed about it. I think you just have to laugh at stuff like that. My mom was sweet tonight, she said San Diego was crying because I was leaving. Awww...how cute?! And with that I say goodnight, stay dry and sweet dreams world!

USandA

2008-12-20T19:57:00.000+01:00

Here are the pictures from my Citizenship ceremony. I became a US citizen on 12/17/08. Ugh what a pain in the ass this process was! It took about a year and a half to get this done. I applied for citizenship in July 2007 and I thought that was enough time since my Green Card expired in April 2008. But no, I didn't get it all done until December 2008!

So finally it is ceremony day! Now what are the chances of rain in San Diego? Oh about 5% chance and of course it rained on Wednesday. So I'm supposed to get there at 7:30am sharp. I get there on an empty tank of gas (with the light ON!), park and walk out to the LINE. Walked in the rain without a coat or an umbrella. I expected there to be a fair amount of people but what I didn't expect was to have to stand in line in the rain! Once we got inside I had to stand in another line to register. That line took at least 40 minutes. I get to the front of the line and am told I'm in the WRONG line! ugh. Get in the other line and get up front. The guy doesn't understand at first what i'm trying explain about my expired Green Card and how it was taken away already and that yes i have traveled outside the US and yadda yadda yadda. So FINALLY I get signed in and get my US Citizen's Almanac (whoo!) and a flag (Flag!).

So now i'm sitting waiting for the ceremony to start but nope, they decide that now is a good time to bring on the Polish folk dancers on stage. Um.

Ok, you danced now let's get on with it. The judge comes on stage and talks for a while. We then have to stand when our country is called. There were about 10 Canadians. He skipped Mexico but at the end said "so are there any people from Mexico here?" and about 75% of the room stood up and people were cheering and clapping...ok fine yay now can we move on? In the end I walked away as an American Citizen and I should be getting my passport in 1 - 3 weeks.

This doesn't mean that i'm not a Canadian! I will always and forever be a Canadian and I will never give up my Canadian passport!!

...

2008-12-20T07:12:00.000+01:00

utterly and completely bored tonight.

About 89%...

2008-12-19T21:02:00.000+01:00

I think I am about 89% done packing. A few clothes are still hanging in the closet because I still need some clothes out and I have a bunch of boxes that need to be closed. I kept them open in case I need to throw something in them still.

All xmas shopping done! Need to wrap them now which is the best part! I love wrapping presents...if you need any wrapping done call me! Seriously, I know it's weird but I love wrapping presents!

So the official moving day is now Monday. The great part is that my roommates wanted to hire a cleaner/maid to come on Tuesday and we split it 3 ways so I paid $80 and I don't have to clean anything! SWEET!

Ok you know what I realized this week? There's nothing but CRAP on TV in the middle of the day! And when did it really hit me? Today when I had to return the cable box to Time Warner and then we switched the cable to Ry's name so my name is off the account. Well I decided that since i'm only here for another 2 days that I wouldn't hook up the new cable box back up to my TV in my room. So now as I sit here and try to find something to watch in the background while i work on my packing I've been flipping through the basic cable channels that I have and there's nothing but crap! And I don't have the digital so there's no guide so I actually have to flip through the channels! ugh.

And another thing happened this morning. So we had to find the closest time warner office and we'd already unplugged the cable box so no Internet and i already gave up my blackberry so how to find?? What did we do before Internet?? And there's no yellow pages in the house! Thankfully there's still 411. Wow...how accustomed we've become to the internets.

Happy Trails!

My feets...dey hurt!

2008-12-17T01:02:00.000+01:00

Totally wore the wrong shoes to the mall today. And they are definitely going in the "I'm not bringing you to Paris" pile! But the good thing is that I got almost all my shopping done and I only had to go to one mall! I got my mom, my dad and my cousin done! Just my brother is left! Nice.

Had the "Creative Services/Design Department Holiday Gift Exchange/Lunch Thing" today! It doesn't quite feel like I'm "gone" yet though since it's only been 2 days. It's also weird saying goodbye to people, goodbye is just weird so I was saying See you later. Which is hopefully true. Judy called it my "vacation". Not quite like a vacation but sure why not?

I think my packing is about 60% done. Most everything not in my room is not coming with me. I have some dishes and bowls that I'm leaving. I'm taking my shot glass collection, I have quite a few actually! So I'm taking those with me to my parent's house. Other than that it's just the stuff in my room which is mostly clothes. The hard part right now is leaving clothes out to wear this week.

I have my citizenship ceremony tomorrow morning at 7:30am! Ugh. Why does it have to be so early!?!? boo. So tomorrow I'll officially be an American citizen (but I will always be a Canadian!).

Happy Trails!

Stay Classy San Diego

2008-12-13T22:20:00.000+01:00

Here are the pictures from my bye bye lunch

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194491&l=b3f45&id=705000542

and my bye bye party

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194494&l=ed57b&id=705000542

My girls Molly & Suzanne who are in London right now still managed to make it to the party!

This is me...d-runk!

Zach, Marissa, Tricia & Adam!

Me & Jeremy

Good friends!

Me & Sean, yes the one that got his cubicle tin foiled!

With one of my roommies - Sam and friends Aline and Luis

They got me a cake at work!

Robin decorated my entire car in post-it notes that say Bon Voyage!!

My partner in crime Robin!

Pics from TEB

2008-12-13T22:03:00.001+01:00

Here are the pictures from Third Eye Blind...

i'm dumb @ heart

2008-12-13T21:07:00.000+01:00

I had a t-shirt up in my old cubicle that said "Dumb at Heart". And, yes I'm dumb at heart. Last night was my party and it was fun, I got really drunk! Some people who said they were coming didn't show, which I expected but there were a few people who didn't come and I really thought they would. I know I was talking to someone and I admitted something I probably shouldn't have but I know he won't say anything. Really though, he guessed it pretty much right away so is it really a surprise? No. And if you use logic you can pretty much figure it out. Ugh, sometimes I hate how I feel about people. I can crush so hard and feel so stupid because it's never reciprocated. I guess it really doesn't matter now since i'm moving away. Oh well. Ces't La Vie!

Pictures to follow later...

This is it!

2008-12-12T21:01:00.000+01:00

Today is my last day at channel 6! wow...

In times where jobs are few and far between I am quitting mine! So I was thinking about that yesterday. This is how I see it...

In the sales presentations that were going on this week the GSM said something that really stuck with me. He said that businesses that advertise during down times are usually the first ones to bounce back and do better on the up-swing. So I sort of see this as applying to me. Instead of sitting back and going with the flow and doing the same job that I have been doing for the last 7 years I am bettering myself, making myself more valuable in the job market. This process will take a year. Many see the economic turn around coming in 2010 which is right when I will be looking for a job. Hopefully, this means I have timed things right! I guess we'll see what happens!

We're going to McGregor's tonight!

Happy Trails

Third Eye...

2008-12-12T02:07:00.000+01:00

Thanks to a local radio station - Sophie 103.7 - myself, Nicole and Beau (another co-worker) went to Anthology in Little Italy to see Third Eye Blind perform. Whenever we go to these radio lounge type things it's very "intimate" and the bands play 3 - 4 songs. I don't really know the band that well but it's a cool thing to go to. The first time I went to something like this at Anthology was to see Death Cab For Cutie. That was cool! This was "ok". Stephen Jenkins, the lead singer in TEB (from now on that's short for Third Eye Blind), anyways so he was kinda funny and they both looked and seemed totally baked. I took a few pictures but haven't downloaded them yet. I'll see how they turned out, I think i'll post at least a few here.

So tomorrow is Friday, which means it's my last day of work! AHHHHHHH

I'm off work soon...going to head up to have dinner with Dawn and the gerkins! YAY love my baby time!!

Happy Trails

Fortune Cookie...

2008-12-11T07:26:00.001+01:00

My fortune cookie says "Remember 1 month from this date. Good things are coming!" ...1 month from today is the day I land in Paris! Wow...how did a cookie now? I believe you cookie! I believe!

Tonight consisted of watching some tv and hanging out with the roommies. A nice relaxed evening. Relaxed of course until I start writing in this blog! I seem to start stressing when I sit in front of this thing! Maybe I should stop? Nah! I'll keep stressing! lol

So tomorrow is Thursday, that leaves me with 2 days left of work. This week has been more manageable because our sales department has these presentations that they are doing to potential clients. I've been helping with the slide show. I'm like the kid in the back of the class who pushes the button to go to the next slide...except I have to sit right in front! At least it keeps me busy during the day. It's nice to have a distraction and not have to think too much about my last day.

What I'm looking forward to right now is the see ya' later party at McGregor's on Friday. After that, I can tell you I'm not looking forward to the packing that I have to do. So much packing!!

Ok, enough for tonight.

Happy Trails

~Nilo

Shtuff

2008-12-10T07:50:00.000+01:00

Tuesday is almost over, which means I have 3 days left at work. That trips me out! I look around my room at all the stuff I have to pack and THAT trips me out. One of my roommates asked me tonight when I'm moving...next weekend. Wow. I can't take that in, I can't compute that in my head. Maybe when Friday rolls around I will but for now, I'm a basket case...internally of course.

Today I helped out at work with a sales presentation. I didn't do anything special, I just pushed a few buttons during a slide presentation but it felt good to be a part of their presentation. Even though I didn't really DO anything, it was nice to be in the room.

Today also marks the day I gave up my blackberry. $30 a month just for the internet package! Plus I was paying an additional $10 a month for the GPS. I LOVED the GPS on my phone, her name was Sally. But with a month...litterally a month from today I fly away I needed to cut down the cost of my phone. I also found out that I can suspend my service for 6 months at a time. So, starting January 10th my phone will be suspended. No incoming and no outgoing calls. I just have to resist the urge to use my phone while i'm gone. I have a Skype account set up and i'll get a cell phone when I get to Paris for the local calls. So much more to do! I'm so anxious, so nervous, so scared, so happy, so still can't believe this is really happening!

I'm starting to ween myself off of the TV shows that I watch. I haven't watched Days of our Lives in a few weeks. I love Days but I can't watch it every day when i'm gone so i've started not watching it while i'm here. I'm also way behind on the other shows that I like to watch. If I don't catch up by next week that's it. Time Warner is under my name and they have a new policy now which states that they won't transfer accounts anymore. So, in order to get my name off the account we have to unplug and return all of the equipment and then the boys will have to open a new account under their name with new equipment. Such a pain! Oh well, we do what we have to do I suppose.

Wednesday...Thursday...FRIDAY. Friday is the day of my going-away happy hour/party. It's not really a party "party". It's more of a get together at McGregors. A lot of people have said they are coming...I hope that's true. Why do I worry so much! Geeze...can I just not worry about something for once? I guess it's a sign of caring...or so someone once told me. I'm also pretty paranoid in general...I guess that doesn't help either.

I'm tired tonight...looks like i'm going to bed early. I just put a load of clothes in the washer though...I want to stay up to put them in the dryer but I don't think I'll make it...

Happy Trails

~Nilo

It's the Final Countdown

2008-12-08T08:38:00.000+01:00

Tonight it hit me, this week is my last week at work. HOLY CRAP! Last Friday I had my goodbye lunch with co-workers. We went to Sadaf, a Persian restaurant downtown. It was nice and everyone seemed to like it. It was kinda weird though, aside from a single diner we were the only people there. We had one long table right in the middle of the restaurant. Someone said it was the Last Supper and it really felt that way. It's always strange to have a goodbye meal. You don't really get to talk to everyone, I guess it's more of a gesture. It was nice to have people there who are not from my department. In the end, it was a nice meal and we had some good Persian food.

So, this is my last week. Tomorrow - Monday - my replacement and I are supposed to have lunch with my old boss who now works at Club/Restaurant that the station will do promotions with. I'd rather not have it be so formal but i'm sure it'll be fine. Monday night i'm supposed to go to Dawn's to help her with her Christmas cards. I'm all for that, any time I get to spend with Dawn and the babies is precious to me. Tuesday i probably have something but I can't think of it...oh ya it's the Teddy Bear Drive. I'm supposed to drive our SD6 car in the caravan with the teddy bears. Early morning, i think 7am? Wednesday i'm not sure what i have and Thursday is meetings in the morning. Friday is my LAST day! wow...It's hard to even imagine. Friday after work I will be at Mcgregor's for my last "hurrah" I guess is what I'd call it. A lot of people have said they are coming, I really hope they do! It's going to be an interesting week to say the least. I've never had a "last week" like this. A week where i've known and been prepared to leave. I am definitely feeling a touch of "senoritis", i've had to hand over all of my duties to Nicole. She's doing a great job. I know she'll do great and she really deserves the job. She's been an intern/part-time for over a year and she's already graduated college. I feel like she's really getting the hang of it and she can hold her own. I see myself in her 7 years ago. I'm proud of her, she's come a long way since i met her in January! I wonder if I had anything to do with it? If there's one person I know I helped it was Monica. I know I taught Monica skills she didn't have before she started working for me. And now, she's doing really well and i'm really proud of her and proud that I taught her something. ...I'm getting teary! I cry easily lately!

After this week and after work is done I will start packing. I have to pack EVERYTHING I own and move it to my parent's house in LA. I need to start getting rid of stuff. I need to stop feeling so attached to my stuff. I just hate throwing things away! I don't have enough room to store everything and do I really need ALL this stuff? Probably not but it's so hard to get rid of it! But I will, I have been getting rid of a lot clothes i'm not wearing...so at least that's something.

I can feel the pressure on my chest/heart again tonight. It's the anxiety, the stress of knowing that IT is coming and it's just around the corner. Not only is it almost time to go but it's also almost Christmas and I haven't bought a single present yet. I have to buy for my mom, my dad, my brother, my cousin and an office gift exchange. I don't have the money or the time for this. How is that I made more money this year than I ever have YET I STILL live paycheck-to-paycheck? I spend too much on crap, that's my problem. Well and the fact that I NEVER cook so all of my meals are "to-go" or frozen. That shit ads up! I don't know how i'm going to survive in Paris! Do they have Ramen noodles in Paris? lol Somebody told me recently "What are you going to do? They don't have Wal-Mart in Paris!" No, they don't and I'll figure it out. I don't know how, but I will.

I want this weight lifted off of my chest...I need to calm down. Everything is going to be ok...don't cry! Don't cry! As soon as I start thinking about money and how I will be able to afford anything when I get there I start to freak out!! Ok, just writing this is making it worse so no more for tonight.

IMG00175.jpg

2008-12-04T21:20:00.000+01:00

Knickerbocker!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Another one!

2008-12-03T23:33:00.001+01:00

Things You Don't Know About Me

TAKE THIS SURVEY!

Take this survey

What is on your bed right now?
CLOTHES, OLD RECEIPTS, LAPTOP

When was the last time you threw up?
DON'T REMEMBER

What's your favorite word or phrase?
GO FUCK YOURSELF!

Name 3 people who made you smile today?
WHO WILL - DAWN ZOE HARLOW

What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
NOT GETTING OUT OF BED LIKE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
ANOTHER STUPID SURVEY

What is your favorite holiday?
MY BIRTHDAY! OK AND CHRISTMAS

Have you ever been to another country?
YES

What is the last thing you said aloud?
HUH

What is the best ice cream flavor?
COOKIE DOUGH

What was the last thing you had to drink?
DIET CHERRY COKE

What are you wearing right now?
BLACK BLACK BLACK

What was the last thing you ate?
SANDWICH

Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
THIS WEEK? NO

When was the last time you ran?
TOO LONG AGO

What's the last sporting event you watched?
CANUCKS VS. FLAMES FROM THE 10TH ROW AT GM PLACE!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
GREECE AND EGYPT

Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on myspace?
ALEX

Ever go camping?
YES

Do you have a tan?
NOT ANYMORE

Have you ever lost anything down a toilet?
NO

What is your guilty pleasure?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Do you use smiley faces on the computer alot?
DEFINE A LOT

Do you drink your soda from a straw?
ONLY IF IT'S IN A GLASS AT A RESTAURANT

What did your last text message say?
FROM MY ROOMMATE ABOUT A DVD

Are you someone's best friend?
YES

What are you doing tomorrow?
WORKING

Where is your mom right now?
WORKING

Look to your left, what do you see?
TABLE

What color is your watch?
DON'T WEAR A WATCH

What do you think of when you think of Australia?
THAT OPERA HOUSE THING

Ever ridden on a roller coaster?
YES

What is your birthstone?
AQUAMARINE

Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive tthru?
DEPENDS

Do you have any friends on myspace that you actually hate?
I DON'T THINK SO

Do you have a dog?
NO

Last person you talked to on the phone?
BEAU

Any plans today?
DINNER

Are you happy?
YES

Where are you right now?
AT WORK

Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY

Last song listened to?
CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Last movie you saw?
TWILIGHT

Are you allergic to anything?
NO

Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
BLACK FLATS

Are you jealous of anyone?
NO

Are you married?
NO

Is anyone jealous of you?
YES

Do any of your friends have children?
YES

Do you eat healthy?
NOT REALLY

What do you usually do during the day?
WORK

Do you hate anyone right now?
NOT REALLY

Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
YES

How many kids do you want when you're older?
2

How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
30

Have you ever been to Six Flags?
YES

How did u get one of your scars?
AT THE GYM

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS SURVEY!

MySpace Surveys

MySpaceBulletins

2008-12-03T23:23:00.001+01:00

Get To The Point

TAKE THIS SURVEY!

Take this survey

whats your name spelt backwards?
rafoulin

What did you do last night?
laundry, clean, watch tv, read

The last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
Britney Spears' album "Circus"

Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery?
eww no

Last time you swam in a pool?
don't remember

What are you wearing?
excuse me? I just met you

How many cars have you owned?
6

Type of music you dislike most?
trance/house

Are you registered to vote?
can't vote not a citizen yet!

Do you have cable?
yes

What kind of computer do you use?
at home - Dell laptop

Ever made a prank phone call?
yes

You like anyone right now?
always

Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
no

Furthest place you ever traveled?
Europe

What's your favorite comic strip?
it was Garfield

Do u know all the words to the national anthem?
yes

Shower, morning or night?
either one

Best movie you've seen in the past month?
can't think of one

Favorite pizza toppings?
mushrooms and italian sausage

Chips or popcorn?
both

What cell phone provider do you have?
at&t

Have you ever smoked peanut shells?
huh?

Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?
no

Orange Juice or apple?
OJ will kill ya'

Who were the last people you sat at lunch with?
Nicole

favorite chocolate bar?
all kinds!

Who is your longest friend and how long?
Tara, since we were 8

Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
don't know

Have you ever won a trophy?
yes

Favorite arcade game?
Pinball

Ever ordered from an infomercial?
yes but i sent it right back!

Sprite or 7-UP?
doesn't matter

Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?
yes

Last thing you bought at Walgreens?
nothing

Ever thrown up in public?
yes

Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
true love

Do you believe in love at first sight?
yes

SPONGEBOB OR JIMMY NEUTRON?
neither

Did you have long hair as a young kid?
sometimes

What message is on your voicemail machine?
me

Where would you like to go right now?
home

Whats the name of your pet?
don't have one

What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it?
back pack?

What do you think about most?
moving to Paris

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS SURVEY!

MySpace Surveys

Quizzzzzz

2008-12-03T23:15:00.001+01:00

fail.

NKOTB!!

2008-11-26T20:03:00.000+01:00

One of the most amazing concerts I have ever been to you! And I've seen my fair share of shows! Everybody was totally in to it...it was magical.

When a co-worker leaves...

2008-11-15T03:04:00.000+01:00

THIS happens! =)

Geography

2008-11-04T22:56:00.000+01:00

This Traveler IQ challenge compares your geographical knowledge against the World's Original Travel Blog's other 3,269,282 travelers who have taken this challenge as of Tuesday, November 04, 2008 at 09:50PM GMT. (TravelPod is a TripAdvisor Media Network member)

I'm surrounded by Assholes!

2008-11-04T21:51:00.000+01:00

Have you seen Spaceballs? No? Well then you don't know what that saying is from but it's freaking hilarious!

Ok so today is November 4Th, which means it's election day in the United States. Has that EVER concerned me before today? Nope. Not even a little bit. Before the last few months I couldn't have cared less about politics or elections or anything like that. Well if you haven't been paying attention you may have missed a very important proposition that is on the ballot this time around - Prop 8. If you need more info on what this prop is about go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008) or google it.

This is the first time I have ever actually wanted to vote. And if I could, I would vote No on Prop 8. I believe that anyone should be able to get married if they want to. We cannot discriminate against people for any reason - race, colour, religion or sexual preference. Gay people are people. Plain and simple. Government does not say that a black person can't marry a white person so why would we let them say that a man can't marry a man? Being in a gay marriage doesn't hurt anyone, let alone children! Don't even get me started on the ridiculous ads that say children will suffer if gay marriage is allowed! And the bullshit lies the pro-yes on 8 people say about the teacher in San Fran who got married and forced her students to attend!!! Are you kidding me? The teacher didn't even know that the students were coming, it was the parents of those students who arranged to be there when the teacher got married.

And it's not just about the right to marry but everything that comes with being married. The hospital visitation rights, the medical benefits and anything else that comes along with it. If you're married, no matter who you are you deserve the same benefits. That's not hard to figure out people!

Well, the bottom line for me is that legally I can't vote because I'm not an American citizen yet. So I urge you to do your part to help end discrimination and VOTE NO on 8!

Funny "ha ha"

2008-10-29T22:19:00.000+01:00

It's official!

2008-10-29T07:47:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I got my student visa! I'm sooooo outta here! Peace out bitches. Ok not quite like that. But I did get my Visa yesterday so the French will take me! (Even when a certain American won't...but we won't get in to that)

I have to get black & white passport photos taken and then send that off with my last form! Finally! All of that paperwork is done. Now I just have to find out about financial aid/student loans. That part sucks. I wish money wasn't such an issue...oh well.

Work is weird right now. I'm training somebody to do part of my job and another guy is going to do the other part. My boss told me that it'll take 2 people to replace me! Very sweet of her to say. So at the moment I'm training and that sorta leaves me with not much to do. I'm not complaining, it's actually nice not to have to do everything for a change. Plus once i get to grad school i'll be so busy that this slower pace is nice. For now. I can only be "bored" for so long before i start getting restless.

I had a beer and a half tonight and i was so tipsy! I'm going to need to work on that tolerance level. Had some time to catch up with some friends - Monica and Britt. So that was nice, i haven't seen them in a while. I'll have to start making time for all my friends that i won't be seeing for a while.

This Friday is Halloween! I love Halloween!! I really wanted to dress up in something cute, I was leaning towards something like Nancy Sinatra but I didn't find anything that i liked. I might be able to pull some stuff from my closet but I really need those white go go boots to make that work. I have some old cat ears that I could wear or i also have a plastic crown/wand that i could wear and be a princess. We'll see...i have tomorrow after work to go through my closet and put something decent together.

I'm seriously about to pass out...

Head gear

2008-10-20T21:37:00.000+02:00

Check this out...found it on the Nylon Magazine blog...

You can get it on Amazon.com for like $12! LOL I could never actually wear it but it's still pretty cool. Wonder what other little gifts are in this book? hmmm...

Smile and Wave!

2008-10-19T11:39:00.003+02:00

The best video of Sean's reaction...wait for the wave!

What happens when you go on vacation!

2008-10-19T11:19:00.000+02:00

So by now you know what I did to Sean's cube...well he said he considered this the greatest compliment he's ever gotten!

Holy Crap!

2008-10-19T10:41:00.000+02:00

Holy crap I'm moving to Paris! Yes, it's true...well it's true as long as I can manage to get my shit together! I've applied and have been accepted to Grad School at The American University of Paris. For some reason, must be insanity, I will be attempting to earn a Masters of Arts in Global Communication. WTF??? Yes, i am for sure insane! OK, obviously they wouldn't have accepted me if I didn't at least meet the requirements. But still...what!?! OK, calm down. I freak myself out at least once a day. I go from excited to scared to nervous to completely loosing it all in the span of a day, every day.

I have already put in my notice at work and have started training someone. I've found that it's hard to teach someone in one week what you have learned over the span of 7 years. I've been a Promotions Coordinator for 7 freaking years! How do you teach that to someone? I feel bad for the guy. He's never going to be able to "be me" in the 2 months i have to train him. And already people have said to me, in front of him, that I have been the best in this position that they've had. Which is awesome, for me...not so much for him. I will try my best to teach him as much as I can but some things you just can't teach. I can't teach him grammar and spelling and sentence structure. He needs to come in with those skills. So if he can't master that, he could be in trouble. Regardless, I will try my best to shove as much information as I can down his throat (in a good way!) before I leave.

My last day will be December 11Th and the following day is my citizenship ceremony. After that, I pack up all my stuff and move it to my parent's house in LA. I'll spend the holidays with the family and then I fly out on January 9Th and arrive in Paris on January 10Th. 2009 will be a very interesting year! I will be LIVING in PARIS!! That's still so unreal to me. I hope it really sinks in soon.

Anyways, I've got a ton of preparing to do before I can go. I have to get this confirmation letter from CampusFrance, which cost me $120 by the way! Then I have to get my student Visa from the French Consulate in LA, buy my plane ticket to Paris, pack, move...etc etc etc!!!!

The hardest part will be saying goodbye. Some people I will probably never see again. I probably won't come back to San Diego when I'm done. Unless I find an amazing job here then I would come back. The only reason to come back is to see The Bruckels. And who knows, by then they may have made their move to the Pacific Northwest like they want to. I don't know what my future holds. I really have no clue, no idea! I just hope this move to Paris for Grad School really will be worth it. I NEED to do bigger things with my life. I'm not dating, I'm not married and I have no kids. At the rate that I'm going I may never have those things, so what's left for me? A career I suppose. Well it's time to make that career happen! I'm 29, it's time to be more and have more. Would I rather have a family right now as opposed to going to school...sure I would...but I don't so this is the next best thing.

On a sort of similar note...have you ever met someone, known them for a while and just known that they are the one person you want to be with? But you've never dated that person, you just know. And what if you're leaving and may never come back, do you risk not staying in touch with that person by confessing your feelings before you leave? There's a possibility that you will stay in touch with this person, mainly via email or myspace/facebook so you don't want to risk making things awkward and then loosing whatever chance at maintaining communication with this person. On the other hand however, you would give anything to know if they even remotely thought of you "that" way. What would you do?

Harlow & zoe get ready for halloween!

2008-10-04T04:19:00.000+02:00

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Harlow & zoe get ready for halloween!

2008-10-04T04:12:00.000+02:00

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Harlow & zoe get ready for halloween!

2008-10-04T04:09:00.000+02:00

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So far...so good!

2008-09-30T00:21:00.000+02:00

Ok, first let's start with the first person to come back from his trip - the water cups victim! He LOVED the prank and everyone is raving about how awesome it is - even the GM of the whole company! YAY! Now i just have to wait until Wednesday for Sales Guy to come back from his trip and see his reaction. So far the guess around the office is that he will freak out, but in a good way. Either way whether it's good or bad, he will FREAK OUT! This much I know. I can't wait! We're going to video tape it and hope to "youtube" shortly after his arrival. This is going to be EPIC! Loves it!

On the other note...I GOT IN!! I'll explain more on that later...

Door to hell!

2008-09-26T21:21:00.000+02:00

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When smart girls attack!

2008-09-26T20:17:00.000+02:00

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Attack #2!

2008-09-26T20:16:00.000+02:00

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Welcome back!

2008-09-26T20:12:00.000+02:00

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How I spent the week my boss was on vacation!

2008-09-25T03:31:00.000+02:00

The report on what the picture represents is best taken from my co-conspirator's blog:

There's something to be said for vengeance, especially when born, nurtured and then carried out with infinite patience by two very sinister women. A quick backstory: a coworker, let's call him Dude, is on vacation this week. Prior to leaving, however, Dude decided to play around with myself and another girl from work (who we'll call Badass Wench) and then, true to his cocky and swaggering demeanor, was stupid enough to copy us both on his belittling emails (which detailed his taunting, almighty belief that he is MAN and he can ROAR...in short, he goaded us). I'm sure in his mind, he wondered what her or I could possibly come up with that might disrupt his pretty organized life in any way. Did I mention that Dude might be obsessive-compulsive? Organization, perfectionism and possible obsessive-compulsive disorder are key elements here.I suppose he never dreamed that Badass Wench and I would join forces. Probably a good thought, seeing where her and I have only really passed greetings in the halls....but his mistake was copying us both on his smug emails, thus uniting us to a greater cause. This is a delightful match made in Hell.Let's recap and then fast forward: Dude starts small duel with girls individually. Girls retaliate on their own, launching singular and disbanded attacks on Dude. Girls realize that Dude has inexplicably copied them both on emails, outlining his omnipotent status as ultimate and unbeatable male. Girls contact each other separately and join forces, becoming a conduit for rogue sinister thoughts and actions. Girls plot vengeance. Dude leaves on week-long vacation. Girls begin to unravel their ultimate plan. Girls put the grand scheme into motion. Dude is still on vacation, happily whistling to himself around Europe without a care in the world.Now seriously, tell me that you wouldn't want to do this in your office:

Lo lo sleeping on my shoulder

2008-09-22T07:48:00.000+02:00

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The True/False quiz

2008-09-14T09:22:00.001+02:00

I wear perfume or cologne daily:

false

I have a calendar in my room:
true

I screen my phone calls:
false

I have had my wisdom teeth removed:
true

I have driven a mini-van:
true

I own a video camera:
true

I have alergies:
false

I am an only child:
false

I am afriad of clowns:
false

I subscribe to Cosmopolitan Magazine:
true

I take a daily vitamin:
true

I have too many credit cards:
true

I have painted my bedroom:
false

I have worn hand-me-down clothes:
true

I have broken a bone:
false

I have cheated on a partner:
false

I play video games:
false

I have been in a submarine:
true (only if the old Disneyland sub counts!)

I have been to Disney:
true

I have an opinion about Britney Spears:
true

I am an aunt/uncle:
true

I have a scar on my knee:
true

I am currently on medication:
false

I text more than I call people:
false

I have been a bridesmaid/groomsmen:
true

I am married:
false

I have had a supprise birthday party:
false

I drink coffee:
false

I watch American Idol:
true

I have been to Washington DC:
false

I have been on a diet:
true

I have gotten into a car accident:
true

MySpace Quizzes take up time

2008-09-14T09:17:00.001+02:00

1. First thing you wash in the shower?

My hair

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
Red

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
sure

4.Do you plan outfits?
sometimes

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
blah

6. Whats the closest thing to you thats red?
fake flower

7. Do you say aim or a-i-m?
aim

8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
i don't remember

9. Did you meet anybody new today?
nope

10. What are you craving right now?
ice cream!

11. Do you floss?
sometimes

12. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
patch kids

13. When was the last time you talked on aim?
at least a year

14. Are you emotional?
yes!

15. Would you dance to the taco song?
the taco song? um...never heard of that but sure why not?

16. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
maybe in school?

17. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
both

18. Do you like your hair?
yes

19. Do you like yourself?
most of the time

20. Have you ever met a celebrity?
part of the job description

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
eww no

22. What are you listening to right now?
Real Time with Bill Mahr is on tv

23. How many countries have you visited?
9

24. Are your parents strict?
they were

25. Would you go sky diving?
no

26. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
no

27. Would you throw potatoes at him?
no

28. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?
yes

29. Have you ever been in a castle?
yes

30. Do you rent movies often?
no

31. Who sits in behind you in your math class?
math class? it's been 10 years since i had math class!

32. Have you made a prank phone call?
haha yes

33. Do you own a gun?
no

34. Can you count backwards from 74?
yes

35. Who are you going to be with tonight?
me myself and i

36. Brown or white eggs?
white

37. Do you own something from Hot Topic?
probably

38. Ever been on a train?
yes

39. Ever been in love?
no

40. Do you have a cell-phone?
yes

41. Are you too forgiving?
no

42. Do you use chap stick?
sometimes

43. What is your best friend doing tomorrow?
she's at a winery

44. Can you use chop sticks?
only with the training wheels

45. Ever have cream puffs?
yes

46. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
yes

47. What was the last question you asked?
um...? don't remember

48. What was the last CD you bought?
bought a cd?

49. Boys or girls?
for what?

50. What is your bus number for school?
what's with the school questions??

51. Is your hair curly?
naturally yes

52. Last time you cried?
Friday

53. Ever walked into a wall?
probably

54. Do looks matter?
yes

55. Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun?
probably

56. Have you ever slapped someone?
yes

57. Favorite time of the year?
Spring

58. Favorite color?
Green & purple

59. Are you sarcastic?
yes

60. Do you have any tattoos?
no

61. The last person you held hands with?
don't remember!

62. Do you sleep with the TV on?
no

63. Where was your default picture taken at?
in my car

64. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
probably

65. Do you like your life right now?
mostly

66. How often do you talk on the phone?
often

67. What is your favorite animal?
kittens

68. What was the most recent thing you bought?
does dinner count?

69. Do you have good vision?
yes

70. Can you hula hoop?
yes

71. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
no

72. Do you have a job?
yes

73. Can you handle the truth?
yes

74. What are you wearing?
shorts and a tank

75. Have you ever crawled through a window?
yes

SeaWorld/WAP weekend

2008-09-14T08:54:00.000+02:00

A few weekends ago my cousins came down for a visit and I took them to SeaWorld and the Wild Animal Park. Here's me with my baby cousin Nicholas.

And here's me with my cousins in the "fun" mirror...

I have a thing about Penguins lately...so I took a video of this penguin swimming at SeaWorld...cute!

Synchronized sleeping!

2008-09-14T00:22:00.000+02:00

My "nieces" Zoe & Harlow!

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Mine are just for show!

2008-09-14T00:21:00.000+02:00

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A monkey & a Turtle

2008-09-14T00:19:00.000+02:00

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Me on my birthday back in march!

2008-09-14T00:17:00.000+02:00

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Zo-zo bean!

2008-09-14T00:15:00.000+02:00

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