The last day of 2007

Wow...I can not believe 2007 is nearly over. In my time zone, that is less than 2 hours from now as I start this. I have been actually thinking about this post for several days...nahh...a week. I have been trying to decide how I want to spend this last day. Of course there was work but now it is time for me. So I toast to you and me by hanging out in the tub with a lemon drop martini in my hand. You have got to love adult lemonade. :-) Plus I made a great dinner of turkey meatloaf (very moist), a potato and veggies. What is for dessert????? --- Creme Brule and another martini, of course.

This has been an interesting year. My dad says it has been one of his worst and for me, I have had two in a row. In just over two years, I have had my last grandmother, my best friend and a friend pass away. I have had to put my cat to sleep so he wouldn't have to feel the pain of kidney failure and liver cancer. Another friend of mine has been fighting cancer this year. She has intravascular lymphoma and by the grace of the universe and medicine, it is in remission. I have had my ups and downs as well...trying to figure out where I am at, where I am headed and what I want.

I have had some great times. First off, my parents are awesome! My dad and I have been watching baseball games and my mom and I can talk and enjoy what ever we are doing. As for my nephews...they are the best. Dad and Mom --- Thank You!

My friends are awesome!. They have allowed me my space as I have walked the path of grief. To my Jane Austen friends...glad there is more to watch in 2008. K - hockey soon..I promise and thank you for having our adult lunch. Taiji will always be part of my life and those who practice with me in it. My students who work for me are great and I am grateful for the chance to supervise you. More Friday's ahead at Cafe Ole! L - this year has been rough for you as well...thank you for smiling and being you. I may not mention everyone but you are all wonderful and special to me.

I think of resolutions and cringe...until I read a great little piece here. They are not resolutions but roadmaps. So as I map out my 2008, I will continue to envision my future and appreciate my past. My choices are mine.

I am at a fork stuck in the road............change is ahead............are we ready?

Grades today

I got an 'A' in Chinese 201. Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 25th

Merry Christmas everyone.

Cookies!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight was great. My nephew Joe and I made sugar cookies tonight. We made dough, cut out shapes with holiday cookie cutters and he decorated. What a great experience. We both had fun.

The countdown has begun...

Today I completed my Christmas shopping...well almost. I need to get a sponsorship of an animal at the San Diego Zoo for each of my nephews. Fortunately I can do that online. I had done bits and pieces of my Christmas shopping over the last 2 weeks but nothing too significant. Today i did the rest. First to the mall. I went before noon because I knew the place would be insane after that. Then I meandered to lunch. I decided that since I needed to go to Barnes & Noble I got a sandwich and Starbucks. They have a great smoked turkey sandwich on 8 grain and cranberry bread. That with a cup of tea was just what I needed. I was also very good...no desserts. After 2 hours there I headed to Pier 1 for those remaining things. At last I am home...5 hours later. Whew! Now I have to wrap......

While waiting for my phone...

Once I was helped tonight on my psycho phone, it was one of those times where life is just funny. Tonight, I wandered the mall and bought nothing. I saw something there that a friend was looking for his girlfriend and I gave him a call...he happened to be in the mall a few stores away doing his Christmas shopping. It was a good time as we wandered the mall looking for a fun little gift (no I am not giving it away). Now if I could just get in the mood for Christmas...

Cell phones

My phone is driving me up a tree. Starting today it crashes when someone calls. Sigh. Now I have to go to the mall and see if they can fix my phone or give me a new one. Wheee!

Although...it is a good way to avoid people.

Update: My cellphone provider gave me a NEW phone. Downside was having to do a bunch of reconfiguration but at least I don't have to watch it crash and reboot every time someone calls. Plus I got the new software installed. Yes!

Life

Two steps forward...ten steps back. Yep, life sucks.

Absolutely Amazing

Any one who knows me knows that on Sundays I watch football. Today was different. Discovery Channel and the BBC have created an 11 hour mini-series about our planet called "Planet Earth". This series is just fabulous and today they have had it on all day. It is interesting, heartwarming and at times...heart-wrenching. The cinematography is breath-taking. Seeing polar bears swim in the open ocean, great white sharks jumping out of the water in slow motion and cool looking tree frogs is just amazing!

Food as Art

Cream of Mushroom Soup almost too pretty to eat...Almost.

Thanks for taking and editing the pic L.

Looking out the window...

There are many times when we second guess ourselves and allow influences both internal and external to shape what we are and what we want. I am finally realizing that I really do know what I want.

Snow

It has been roughly a week since my last post and it has been a busy one. I have had classes, work and have been to California for a workshop. I will finally slow down this weekend...I hope.

I love snow. While driving in from California last night, I hit snow 40 miles out of town. It is rather interesting watching people drive in the snow. The majority fall into two categories: those that panic and those that drive like a bulb has burned out in light fixture. No moon this time but it was beautiful. Today is gorgeous. It snowed some more and right now we have blue sky! We got 18 to 24 inches this weekend in town (depends on where you are).

Well tomorrow the roads will be an ice rink. Looks like I am leaving early!

Almost over

Another semester of Chinese nearly under my belt. Only thing left is the final next week. I will try to practice speaking some and understand the spoken language this weekend at the workshop.

On the road again....

Very True

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
-- Marie Curie