The Update, Wha Wha, The Update

Remember when I told you I was mostly unemployed? And trying harder than one would think to avoid that cozy, yet a bit too cramped for my style, van, down by the river? But, no, not that van. Because who, I mean really, avoids that van?

Remember?

No?

It was over a week ago, and if you too struggle from short-term memory loss, then you are not alone (Hi! Welcome! Pass the cake!), and perhaps we should pull up a chair and watch Memento, and also! (consider tattooing pertinent information all over our bodies, yes, and!) hang out with elephants more often. Being through osmosis. I heard it totally works.

So, what I’ve been trying to say for three paragraph breaks is: a. This past week has been BUSY, mostly because b. I am now! employed!* and also because c. Working eight (a day) and forty (a week, hours, that is) again, well, it’s going to make me tired, but it’s sort of fun! too, and d.There was also the important news of this handsome (and pensive) gentlemen recently celebrating the abundance of wisdom acquired throughout the past year, with all of my family calling at odd hours to sing to him, because nothing makes my family happier than knowing someone is not sleeping but, is rather, listening to an obnoxiously sweet rendition of “Happy Birthday”:

Thank you to everyone who was praying and/or sending the goodness in thought and verbage to us. It totally WORKED, and we appreciate your thoughts, emails, and comments. I’ve said it before, but, really: y’all are rad.

I think Chris might be even more excited than I am about the job, because, well it has a pay-check, and plus! benefits, too. We are quite excited about the benefits. We are attempting to see if we can somehow work a trip to Someplace Tropical into the flex spending portion of said benefits. I’m thinking: most likely not. But it’s still fun to think of reasons why spending ten days basking in sun and surf would be directly beneficial to our current medical and dental needs.

“My teeth are, well, they are sensitive to the cold and thus: Someplace Tropical with a coconut drink in tow is, clearly, the answer.”

* More details to come soon. But not too many. Because, well, I LIKE my job. Want to keep it, I do.

Where Am I Going, Where Have I Been?

This week I have been:

Writing, editing, and organizing grant proposals, and preparing gargantuan-sized grant budgets feverishly, to meet deadlines both old and new.

Snuggling with my pug and enjoying any downtime I have been able to muster.

Writing! I’m so excited about three different stories I have in the works, and thanks to a recent prompt by Danny, I’ve been sitting down daily to translate my excitement into actual words on a page. (Not unlike snakes on a plane. Only → Read more...

Stand In The Place Where You Live

This post inspired by my friend and partner in movie quote crime, Home Sweet Sarah.

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Some of the most memorable places I have stood, in no particular order:

On The Great Wall of China. Next to my sister as she took her wedding vows. In front of the Kremlin in Moscow. Next to my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Priest Lake. Specifically, my family’s Priest Lake dock spot. On Mt. Seorak, South Korea. Poolside for countless summers with friends, and cousins, and awesome(ly ridiculous) bikinis. At the base → Read more...

“I once saw him beat a guy up with a starfish.” “That’s ridiculous.”

Full disclosure: I initially considered titling this post !!!!!!!!! but Wordpress started laughing at me, and threatened to throw spam.

At this point to say I cannot contain my already typically excessive exclaiming is to understate. HOW am I going to refrain from blurting out, “Hawaii! I’m going there!” from now until I leave at the beginning of September? Better yet, Maui! + getting to see my sister in TWO WEEKS = how am I going to sleep tonight? And the → Read more...

Not A Kid’s Movie Review: Pan’s Labyrinth

Originally aired: January 19, 2007. Watched by Kerri Anne: August 1, 2010. Courtesy of: Netflix Instant Watch. Because: a) I was in the mood for a lighthearted, kid-centric story; b) Netflix told me I would four stars enjoy it and saw fit to leave out crucial somber-tone-revealing plot points in their synopsis; c) Netflix is a lying liar face; d) ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Starring: A slew of great Spanish actors you’ve probably never heard of, most notably Ivana Baquero and Maribel Verdú. Protagonist’s → Read more...