you can still be thankful in december...

I had planned on barging back into the blogging world for a Thanksgiving extravaganza. Then I got sicky...but I am still bringing it back. So, all the things I'm most thankful for in this glorious life (one week later):

grace. my iPhone. friends. laughter. taco bell. being employed. tomas de la cruz, my trusty jeep. good quality engrossing fiction. prayer. answers to prayer. unexpected answers to prayer. baseball. being alive to witness and experience the Giants as world series champs. DVR. spectre. the soreness after a good hike. living in california. family. friends that are family. enjoying the use of all 5 senses. the comforting sights and sounds from a VCR. sunsets. crossing things off my Super Random Life Goal List. the subtle brillance of Brendan Fraser. cooking with friends. live music. the Sigh No More album by mumford. cross-country road trips. laughing to the point where your face hurts. sleep. christmas joy. my rainbow flip-flops. HIMYM. not having all the answers. my babyniece. new experiences. things that don't change. star wars. facebook (for making far away friends and family stay connected). mountains. the ocean. ice cream. not being lactose intolerant.

I'm certain there is more but that'll do for now. Thanks, it's a good thing!

"it's the end of your job as you know it..."

I find it appropriate to adapt a REM song for my blog post title. I discovered an all-90s radio station in Sacramento and it's the greatest most random station ever. Goes from Dave Matthews Band to Mariah Carey to Beastie Boys to N*Sync to Dr. Dre to Amy Grant.

Seriously fantastic. Brings about much joy and car dancing every time I get to listen.

http://www.90sbuzz.com/

My Americorps job is over tomorrow.

Hard to believe it's been a year...and yet what a year it has been.

Struggles, growth, challenges, pride, joy, learning, smells, transition, experience, to say the least.

It's not something I'd recommend to everyone, and it's not something I would do again, but I think it was something that I needed to do. Apparently the ol' G-O-D knows what he's doing. At the moment, he's keeping the next step in my journey a secret (which is always frustrating) but I'm actually finding a bit of a peace in the unknown.

Last night was Wednesday night...one of my favorite nights of the week (and without too many shows to watch....though I am now hopelessly hooked on Psych Ü). And my post-college bible study started back up. Always full of lots of laughter, good discussion, and potluck. We talked about Ecclesiastes. Honestly, I had never thought about it as a depressing book in the bible. It's always been one of my favorites. What does that say about me? I don't know, I just like being reminded that there is a season for everything. There's gonna be good and there's gonna be crappy. I find a comfort in knowing that I'm not alone and it's not gonna last forever. It all really is a "chase after the wind."

(though, the stupid Rebecca St. James song has been stuck in my head since talking about it.)

And now it's in yours.

Apparently, Rebecca St. James still makes music. Good to know. I used to do her 40 days with God bible study.

Somehow, it's nearly the end of August. Luckily, it hasn't been too insanely hot this summer. But that has also helped it not feel like summer. It just sped on by. Kids are back in school. I've got my yearly desire to buy school supplies. The Giants are in the playoff hunt. And there's still a month before shows start again. I have a feeling there will once again be too many hours of television that I want to watch and not enough hours in my day. Maybe I need different priorities....nah....I just need all the good shows to not be on Thursday!

One hour and one day left on the job!

Let's do this.

me gusta futbol

Ah, The World Cup. It's like the Olympics with a singular sport :) It's every four years. And it's those every four years that remind me that I do, in fact, enjoy soccer (or rather, futbol). I grew up in the valley....I've been surrounded by it my whole life. A good number of my Saturdays were spent at the soccer fields at CSUS (before that area became the dorms and a pond) cheering on my friends. It was practically required to play at recess and any other P.E. break at Julien Elementary. And it was fun. Some days were more fun than others but I really did like it. And my most vivid memory of playing soccer was in 5th or 6th grade (so...maybe not that vivid, but still) was when a girl named Nessa got her arm broken during P.E. playing soccer. And how happy I was that it wasn't me. But still....it was impressive, and a well kicked ball.

What else makes me like this sport? I admire the crap outta those that play. Have you tried sprinting around for an hour and a half recently? Yeah...I definitely don't make it as long as I did once upon a time. And goalies are straight up badass crazy....in the best way possible. Love them! Much like I love and appreciate catchers. Catchers are just insane. "sure, I'll squat for a couple hours. Wanna throw a ball 90 mph at me too? Ok, sure. Oh, what's that? You want to come racing at me full speed and tackle me while I hold on to a baseball? Yup, bring it on. Cameras showing close up shots of my crotch while I flash some signs? Why not. Hit in the noggin and other various body parts with foul tips and what not? Yup. I'm game." But goalies are flying all over the place....wearing much less protection than a catcher. "You wanna kick a ball at me full speed while I try to read your mind and cover a 8' x 24' area with my best ninja/jedi-like abilities? Okie dokie"

Why else? I'm a girl. Girls like athletes. My top 3 athletes: 1> h2o polo players/swimmers (best overall body and tan) 2> soccer players (have you seen their legs?! glorious to gaze at) 3> baseball players (arms. forearms. catchers' legs. arms.)

But why do I neglect to remember my appreciation and enjoyment of soccer those 3 years between world cups? Call it my Olympic theory. Every 4 years I'm suddenly an expert in things like synchronized diving (the greatest Olympic event ever, in my opinion) and ice dancing (which is different than figure skating....but don't ask me why for another 4 years). Why? Because I need to be in the know....and I need to cheer on MY country. That's the difference. Only during the World Cup does the USA come together and care about soccer. Because we are competitive. Because we love our country. Because tying England felt pretty much like winning. And because you get miraculous moments like those brought to us by Landon Donovan. That is now my most vivid World Cup memory. My previous one? Sitting at a cafe in downtown Lakeland FL and watching the Zidane headbutt incident. But who cares about that now. I've got a genuine American Miracle Moment to care about. It's those things that bring people together....make people care about soccer....and feel good to be American. Because, even if we feel like we are a powerhouse in the world, we still secretly want to be the underdog because it's only when you're the underdog that you get moments like Landon Donovan scoring in stoppage time after being denied a legit goal (AGAIN!) from refs who for some reason hate America.

America may be out of the World Cup now....but I'm still caring about the World Cup. Maybe I'll attempt to hit up a San Jose Earthquakes game someday....but no matter what, in four years, I'll be straight up obsessed with soccer again. USA.

"al azar" (that's spanish!)

sitting at work...thinking "al azar" thoughts

• went to 2 gigantes games last weekend. came back with a new sweatshirt, a new BEAT LA tshirt (which has instantly become my favorite shirt EVER), free rally scarf and Willie Mays bobbleheads, fun memories and a 4-0 record on the season for games that I attend.
• looked through pictures on my facebook and started to mourn my long hair.
• read online that McDonalds used to put sugar on their fries to help kids crave them. I see this having the potential to be accurate. They do something to make you crave them.
• I've been getting 7 hours sleep a night and yet I continually wake up desiring more sleep. Could this be my childhood and college years catching up with me?
• I recently passed the 20 months left of my 20s mark. yup, that's less than 2 years. what a strange thought. an even stranger thought? how much can happen in that short amount of time.
• fresh strawberries are a good start, but I'm beyond ready for some peaches, plums, apricots, and pluots picked from the tree.
• I want to do a Star Wars marathon.
• It's the final week of the TV season. I find myself not caring as much and yet caring way more than ever....if that makes any sense. Suffice to say, LOST shall be consuming my entire weekend.
• It hasn't really sunk in that I get to hang out with my dearest friends from college memorial day weekend for a mini-reunion. Shall be good fun.
• On the other hand, my 10 year high school reunion is in July and I couldn't really care less about going.
• I've actually kept up fairly well with my 2010 year long commitments {read the bible in the year with my bible study group and take a picture a day for project 365 with a group of college friends} Only missed one day in project 365 and I'm only a week behind in the bible reading.
• went to my childhood church a couple of weeks ago. saddened and led to multiple cusswords. sigh.
• purchased 2 VHS copies of Billy Blanks Tae Bo but have yet to actually be productive with them. soon. real soon.
• speaking of VHS, I had to go to wal-mart to find some (5 pack for $8!) so that I can be my historically minded pop culture junkie self this weekend. I shall be adding the LOST finale shows to my VHS finale collection which includes: Full House, Home Improvement, Boy Meets World, Dawson's Creek, Friends, etc. Someday I'll get one of those fancy VHS to DVD converter thingies and transfer. But as much as I love my TV on DVD collection, there's just something special about watching the VHS....especially seeing the commercials that were on :)
• I moved in over a month ago and have yet to put away my laundry....that's not good...huh?
• Wes Anderson was created to make stop-motion animation films. Tis his purpose in this world. If you haven't already watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox, what the cuss are you waiting for?!
• I want to go to the beach, I want to go hike around the mountains, I want a tan. It would be ideal to combine all these wants.
• As a huge fan of Gladiator and of Robin Hood, I was most excited to see the Ridley Scott directed Robin Hood. Let me tell you, I've never been more disappointed watching a movie. Horrible and not Robin Hood. It's basically an origin story. No shenanigans and hardly any archery! Terrible. Only highlight? Kevin Durand (Keamy from LOST) as Little John.
• I want to actually become bilingual in Spanish. I should be more proactive in achieving that Super Random Life Goal.
• 45 minutes and 2 days left in my work week. 102 days left in my Americorps VISTA commitment. Not that I'm counting or anything...

hibernation over....

I spent the better part of my afternoon completely bored and going through friends' blogs when I happened upon my own and saw just how long it had been since I shared some "word vomit" with y'all. Now it's not that I forgot all about my blog, had too much time on my hands, was bored to a whole new level, or filled with so many wondrous and random things that I just couldn't convince myself to narrow it down on a proper topic. No, no, no. It was all of those things combined. Which is quite a unique talent, if I do say so myself.

I've been serving as an Americorps VISTA for 8 months now with less than 4 months to go until I once again get to address the age-old dilemma "what do i want to do with my life?" One of these days that question will have a definitive answer, right? Any thoughts or ideas? Kindergarten teacher is NOT an acceptable answer (no offense kindergarten teachers).

I'm finally down to the last half hour of work for the day. It feels as though it should be AT LEAST Wednesday, but alas, tis only Tuesday. The redeeming part about that? LOST and glee tonight! yip-yip-yippee!

It's not much, but I'll try to put my boredom to good use in remembering how to channel my writing skillz. Namaste.

and p.s. Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you :)

Fandom Classifications

So, I'm an absolute Pop Culture junkie. This we know. But now, I have learned the actual names and classifications that partially define me. Oh the joys of being a geek. And I know I'm not alone here. So, what's your classification?

Which fandoms are you a part of?
In pop culture, there are many fun classifications and names for different types of people. Which ones do you belong to?
By @EWFrontRow | Survey created less than 2 days ago | This survey ends on Feb 28, 2010

1- Which of the following fan groups do you consider yourself a part of?

- Abramsologist - You consider J.J. Abrams a genius and love many of his movies/shows
- BSGer - You consider Battlestar Galactica one of the greatest shows of all time
- Dunderhead/Dunder Mifflinite - The Office is one of you all-time favorite shows
- Fanboy/Fangirl - you're obsessed with at least one cult TV show or franchise, or belong to a very active fan community
- Film Snob - you're not ashamed to admit it: you know a lot about movies and like sharing your thoughts and opinions with others
- Foodie - you love food and food TV and enjoy reading and learning about restaurants, food preparation, and food personalities
- Gleek - you’ll never stop believing in Fox’s Glee
- Idoloonie – American Idol makes you crazy (in a wonderful, obsessive sort of way)
- Janeite - you regularly read and re-read the works of Jane Austen, and have watched at least a few of the film/TV adaptations of her works
- Lostie/Lostaway - Lost is one of your favorite shows and you love reading or coming up with your own theories about what is going on
- Maddict – you’re so in love with Mad Men, you’re this close to joining Maddicts Anonymous
- Potterite/Potthead - you think that Harry Potter could very well be the greatest book series ever
- Psych-O - you’re a huge fan of USA’s Psych
- Reality Head - unabashed lovers of reality TV
- Scaper - Farscape rocks your world
- Shipper - you are deeply invested in the relationship of at least one TV couple
- Team Mars/LoVe – Still waiting on that Veronica Mars movie
- Trekkie/Trekker - Star Trek fan
- Trubie/Bon Tempest - True Blood coarses through your veins
- Twihard - you have a mildy unhealthy Twilight obsession but are proud to admit it
- Vultures – new episodes of Bones give your life meaning
- Warsie - you are a Star Wars fan
- Watch and Learner – you love watching educational/true TV that teaches and informs you; true stories and how-to shows are among your favorite shows
- Whedonite/Browncoat/Active - you adore and evangelize the works of Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon
- Whovian/Torchwoodite – You adore the world of Dr. Who and love the shows Dr. Who and/or Torchwood
- X-Philes - fans of the TV show X-Files
- None of these

So, for the record, I am:

An Abramsologist-Dunderhead-Film Snob-Gleek-Lostie-Shipper-Vulture-Warsie.

And I like it

http://twtpoll.com/uyxr7c

The Guilty Pleasures of the OOs

Or as I like to refer to it:

The

"I know I shouldn't admit to liking this movie but honestly, if it's on cable, I am totally stopping and watching it every time"

List

Also featured in the list:

"This makes me laugh WAY harder than it should"

and

"That plot line made absolutely no sense" (I'm looking at you, The Lake House!)

and

"Dear Lord, I'm such a girl sometimes"

and

"Yup, stuff blows up and I like it a lot"

and

"yeah, I still own it on VHS"

Here we go...

1. M:I 2 (2000)
2. Bring It On (2000)
3. Center Stage (2000)
4. Coyote Ugly (2000)
5. Dude, Where's My Car ? (2000) --sidenote: my first dvd I ever owned!
6. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
7. Get Over It (2001)
8. Serendipity (2001)
9. The Wedding Planner (2001)
10. Joe Dirt (2001)
11. American Outlaws (2001)
12. Crossroads (2002)
13. xXx (2002)
14. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)
15. What A Girl Wants (2003)
16. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
17. A Cinderella Story (2004)
18. The Prince & Me (2004)
19. Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004)
20. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
21. The Ringer (2005)
22. Hitch (2005)
23. The Pacifier (2005)
24. Fever Pitch (2005)
25. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
26. John Tucker Must Die (2006)
27. The Lake House (2006)
28. Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny (2006)
29. Catch and Release (2007)
30. August Rush (2007)
31. Blades of Glory (2007)
32. Shooter (2007)
33. Music and Lyrics (2007)
34. The Gameplan (2007)
35. 27 Dresses (2008)
36. Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
37. Definitely, Maybe (2008)
38. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull (2008)
39. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
40. House Bunny (2008)
41. Australia (2008)
42. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
43. 17 Again (2009)
44. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
45. Band Slam (2009) -- actually quality tween flick!
46. All About Steve (2009)
47. Fired Up (2009)

Yup. There it is. Out there in the blogosphere. I realize this could potentially come back to haunt me one day...but...tis the truth. I've seen 'em all....and enjoy them! Everybody's got their own list like this, no doubt about it!

I'm excited for new Great, Guilty, and Garbage to partake in!

Bring it on, Hollywood!