Be very patient, it does gets better...

It's the end of a semester and it's getting to me again. There is so much in my head that I actually can't think clearly without concentrating really hard. I finished one Art Aesthetics paper and now have to start a longer one due May 9. I have a major Environmental Science exam and an African Art essay exam so I need to study. 

However, I can't keep my mind on just those tasks. I find myself dealing with guilt over missed family events, fear that I won't be able to get a job this summer, disbelief over finding out my individual health insurance payments will be even higher than the COBRA payments I've already been making, and anger about why more of the classes I need to graduate are not being offered this summer and fall? 

Even on the "fun" side, the projects that I thought I was so close to completing are still cluttering up my living room and 12 planks of birch are still stacked in the trunk of my car. The only things I did accomplish was put together my IKEA Vika Amon/Vika Artur desk and move the computer back in there just in time to finish that Art Aesthetics paper. Woo! Wow, this post is really a bummer, isn't it? Well, that stops now!!! 

Yesterday I went on the Internet to catch up on a missed episode of Lost when I decided instead to check out NBC's 30 Rock. I had a really good feeling when Tina Fey left SNL that her show would be funny, but I never made the effort to find out when it was on (the fact that they kept moving it around didn't help either). So yesterday, I decided to watch an episode online and afterwards had an overwhelming desire to make popcorn, crawl into bed, and watch every single one, especially the recent ones with her character's new romance with "flowers guy". It's so cute! I kept laughing out loud and I couldn't stop. 

If you haven't had a real laugh in a long time you need to start watching this show. Don't let SCARY Alec Baldwin scare you off (have you heard THAT thing?) just watch this show. Also, from what I've seen of Tracy Morgan on talk shows, don't let him get to you either. Just think sweet, pretty Tina Fey, the woman who "makes smart sexy." I swear, you'll love it.

One step at a time

Cute, no?

I am finally fed up with all the plastic bags I bring home from shopping. For some reason, I only think to refuse them when buying groceries, probably because they ask "Paper or plastic?".

So, I actually ordered something from Delight.com to help me. Delight.com offers up some attractive item every day and entices you with either a discount, free shipping, or a free gift. I check it out but never thought I'd buy something. (I'm trying to only buy things I need...or can justify easily) However, this one was so popular and sold out so fast, it was also being mentioned on many other sites and blogs. I couldn't escape it.



What did I buy? A set of FIVE reusable, waterproof, and extremely strong shopping bags from Envirosax in Australia. I would rather have just two of them, one for groceries and another for regular shopping, but I think these would make great thoughtful gifts to someone.

Now, when anyone starts to put my purchase in their store-branded plastic bag, I can say "No thank you, I brought my own."

What makes you a grownup...

in other people's eyes?

I've been thinking about that lately, what with the babies and all.

External markers of adulthood:

Owning a home
Committed relationship
Financially independent (Serious job with retirement plan and/or pension)
Children and/or pets
Responsible lifestyle
Relationships with other responsible adults

Internal markers of adulthood:

Established morals, values, and the conviction of one's beliefs
Acceptance of one's self
Personal experiences

Can you think of any others?

If you love me, buy me this...

Ahhh.....

Thank you!


*Chubby's One-Stop Cruiser Shop in LA

I love you dad!

Well, my father came to visit and help me finish my many unfinished projects. If you read my other blog, SHELTER, you know that the largest project, painting my room, was completed. However, it was far from an enjoyable experience. In the past, I have done all my painting by myself. I have seen many times on TV people having painting parties and having a great time. Well, all I experienced was tension, frustration, and disappointment.

Every other time I've completed a project I would end up feeling proud and satisfied. This time, all I can see are all the places where it needs a second (or even a first!) coat.

Even though it was my project and in my apartment it was impossible to get it done my way. No matter how many rooms or pieces of furniture I have painted in the past, apparently, I still know nothing about painting. Arghhhh!

Would it have been as difficult with a friend? I hope not! I don't know about asking any of them to do something for me anytime soon but if I were in their homes I would make sure to do it the way they want and to at least respect their wishes.

This was really upsetting, since my relationship with my father; which was practically nonexistent in my childhood; has only become better and richer as the years go on. In fact, recently we have had some great times, talking about almost anything. Experiencing this devaluation from him put me in shock. Somehow, something brought out a horrible competitive streak in us, and seeing himself, perhaps as the only adult, he had to be right and as the other adult in the room I needed to be heard.

It ended up great though because we were able to talk honestly about it and mutually decide that we will NEVER work on a project like this again, EVER!

Just art galleries, craft fairs, and music events for us from now on. Whew!

My first magazine swap

Originally uploaded by lsaspacey.

These two magazines are going to my first international magazine swap buddy, 36metres-carres, in Switzerland!