Sand in the City

Yup - it's that time of year. It's the 15th Annual Sand in the City in Portland, OR. Roughly 450 tons of sand is dumped in Pioneer Square and wonderful artist design sand art. Enjoy.

magic 8 ball, what does my future hold?

Got the gigantic information packet from University of Portland for transferring nursing students. OMG... it's insane how each State/University/Private school offering their services for me to obtain my RN have very different pre-reqs! If I had my pick (and could not only afford my school of choice but realistically just go to school for two years after PCC), I'd be going to OHSU. The reality of my situation is something I'm accepting - who knows, Oprah could send me $100K for school and cost of living or I could win the lottery - but I started looking for other options. University of Portland seems to suit my needs. I haven't taken a tour of the campus or met any advisors in person, but I am still a year away from applying as a transfer student.

I like their location, their reputation, and their general student appreciation and support (everything I've absorbed through online research and speaking on the phone with people).

But I'm an over planner and want to make sure I'm on track. I knew I had to up my math credentials, (damn you statistics!!) and I would have to get some foreign language credits but literature and history? My writing compositions classes aren't enough? I FREAKING SCORED As IN BOTH WR121 and WR122!! Blarg. I feel like I have to completely re-assist my next year at PCC. Take classes I haven't even considered and really start looking at my finances - and start doing some serious saving.

How can you start saving when you live paycheck to paycheck? In the pit of my stomach I feel like I'm going to have to get rid of my car and get something much cheaper, aka, older. Alas, I have a year to figure shit out before I start filling out transfer applications. But it's exciting to know that I have year of school behind me. Silver lining, right?

When will I touch this light at the end of this very, very dark tunnel?

working out for weight loss: where I'm at and what I'm thinking

I hate to admit it but I'm starting to get burnt out. Between work and school and working out - I can't fall asleep and then I can't wake up. Ugh.

I feel like I'm working out so hard (and smart), my diet could use improvement (need variety and more veggies) but the weight loss isn't coming along as quickly as I'd like. I've lost 6.5 pounds in the 8 weeks I've been working out. That's less then a pound a week. The positive thing to focus on is I'm consistently losing weight each week. I've gone down one size and can absolutely see a difference (and feel a difference) in my body.

My work out schedule since June 21st (roughly 2.5 weeks ago, when summer term started), I do dance aerobics for 90 minutes on Mondays and Wednesdays. I go to an hour long class at 24 Hour Fitness on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I'm not lifting because I'm so exhausted - it's a battle just to find the strength/endurance to finish the 24 Hour Fitness classes, let alone try to lift. I'm hoping my body will start to feel strong and I'll break through my plateau and start hitting a weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week till I hit my goal. I would like to be at my healthy and ideal weight of 135 pounds by fall term (late September), but at this current rate I'm losing weight, I won't be there.

I have a rafting/camping trip in two weeks that I'm anxious about wearing a bathing suit and of course my Vegas trip the last weekend in August. But I really try not to think about these trips - I just want to train my body so I'll be better at maintaining an ideal weight - instead of all the up and down I've done all my life!

I'll update you in a few weeks to see if things have changed.

Springwater Corridor

Uh... so I guess in April the Springwater Corridor from 174th/Jenne Road to 7th/Spokane has sporadic closures. Hmmm... yeah, I found out the hard way. I blew off math class to go for a ride, my heart was set on riding to OMSI on such a beautiful night, hopefully take some pictures and just clear my mind, but was met by a few closures. The first two weren't a big deal - clearly marked detours on non-motorized streets but I got to the 32nd and Johnson Creek blvd section and BAM!! No signs. Road blocks. Cars zooming each and every way. I bust out my map, think I'm going the smartest route - MORE DETOURS!! I ask a few cyclist passing by, "where's the Springwater Corridor connection?" - they point behind them as they ride along. I do a few turns, nearly fall off my bike due to the f*cking gravel and broken up sidewalks; get pissed and head home.

I googled info for the closures and it seems like everyone is pissed that the city didn't notify the cyclist well enough.

Boo Portland. Big fat boo.

F*ck Miley Cyrus

I'm working a UFC promotion tonight that requires me to wear a short, denim skirt. Well, I DON'T OWN A DENIM SKIRT!! I'm 26 years old and can honestly say short jean skirts are never flattering on adult women - they're adorable on pre-teens that wear them with tights and colorful tops.

So I run to Walmart because 1) I know they cater to women dressing like pre-teens and 2) they're cheap.

The ONLY brand of jean skirts they have in the junior section - that are mini denim skirts is of course MILEY CYRUS! I'm a standard size 8 but in the Miley Cyrus world - I'M A FREAKIN' SIZE 15!! Miley makes mini denim skirts up to size 20, and this is the JUNIOR SECTION!

Arg. The skirt was $10 and it fits. WTF ever. This is just another reason why women shouldn't get tied up in what size they are. I'm an 8 at the GAP and a 15 in Miley Cyrus' line.

The Great Eight

Stolen from Jessica's page.

1. What is your favorite board/party/card game?
I'm addicted to (easy) cross word puzzles and Sudoku. I don't go a single day without wasting time on one.

2. What is your earliest memory?
I don't know... I have memories of playing house with my older brother Mark, learning the running-man from my older sister... random events that I can't attach a date to.

3. If you could witness one event that occurred prior to your birth, what would it be?
Michael Jackson performing the Moon Walk live for the first time at the Motown 25th Anniversary celebration.

4. What is your favorite curse word?
The classic fuck. It's so powerful and miscellaneous.

5. What is your main fault?
That my self-worth is on a dramatic sliding scale.

6. What turns you on?
Whoa! It's been so long, I don't know if I remember, LOL. Confidence. Humor. Openness. And all that tall, dark and handsome stuff.

7. What is your idea of misery?
The Golf+oil+government taking their sweet ass time.

8. What do you wish you knew more about?
What makes me tick and why certain things tick me off.

Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri

This is a big "F*CK YOU" to all the Justin Bobbys of the world. I'm 75% there... I just love connecting and healing through music. Enjoy :)



No I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running around leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running around leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

And it took so long just to feel all right
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

And who do you think you are
Running around leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are
Running around leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are