Throwing truffles to the dying embers///

Song of the Day:  Beck> New Pollution

Wow. It has been a long time since I have had the time to write in this wonderful little blog of mine. I know so much has happened in my precious little life, but some things are not worth mentioning or remembering. There are only a handful of good things to report:

-College life resumes on August 30th. I will be starting my Junior year and finishing up my wonderful art history degree. A few weeks ago, I took this writing assessment to see if I need to take a English class or if I can just take a "writing intensive" class. Hopefully, I will know something by Friday.

-I am a roller derby girl. Back in July, I tried out to become a member of the Sacred City Derby Girls. I passed the test and I am now a "Fresh Meat" member! The training is not fun. Last week, we had 2 days back to back of 3 hour practices. I was sore for 3 days! I just came home from practice today. I know this pain is worth it. Someday, "Manda Smash" will make her derby debut. I am so happy that I am making new friends (cause I don't have too many lady friends) and getting a hardcore work out will be greatly appreciated... Especially if it gets me under 200lbs!

-Paul and I celebrated our 4th year together. I am so glad that my best friend is the person that I want to spend my life with and get old and crazy with. His birthday is coming up soon. He will be 28, then, 4 months later, I will be 27.

-Tomorrow: Seeing the "screening" of "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World". Coincidentally, one of my new derby friends is going too. Small world.

sit down. stand up///

Long time no write...

Updates:
Paul graduates on Friday.
Love doing gardening at my home.
Was accepted to Sac State and also got lots of wonderful grants to pay for college (translation: I don't pay shit).
Finding it fun at my new job with the government.
Still happy and glad that I don't work for stuck up a-holes anymore! June 1 will be 6 months since I have been fired and I have never been happier!

-M

Stupid emails...

Lame emails...
But it keeps me motivated!

RE: Administrative Assistant

Thank you for your interest in employment with our association. We received your resume for consideration for the Administrative Assistant position. We have completed our review of the numerous resumes and inquiries that were received and unfortunately, are unable to offer you an interview. We wish you well in your quest for employment that is suited to your skills, talents and career goals.

Sincerely,

HR Department

California Primary Care Association

RE: Law Firm Receptionist

Thank you for your submission, however your resume does not reflect the minimum requirements for this position. Best of luck in your job search.

_________________________________________________________
Terri Tully Puryear, CLM
Firm Administrator
Beeson, Tayer and Bodine

Cross off the list...

From: a r
Subject: Rejection
To: "p m"
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 11:24 AM

I got a call from that one place I interviewed at on Monday (the one for a receptionist at a metal frame company in West Sac) and she told me that they are going with someone else. I feel sad. I really thought that job would be good for me. Oh well. I am at least doing my financial planning homework (watching the videos and such) and my Islamic art lectures. Sad bear...

-Amanda.



From: p m
Subject: Re: Rejection
To: a r
Date: Wednesday February 24, 2010 11:48AM

Just keep your head up.

Why split these states when there can be only one?///

Since I have a moment before I head off to bed, I thought I would write a quick update in the life of me (while Beasley sits on my desk looking so very cute).

I had the interview with that law firm on Friday night. I admit, I was real nervous on the drive there. I don't know why. I liked the people that were there (2 lawyers and one CPA) and the whole thing lasted about 15 minutes. As of now, I have not heard back from them. It kinda makes me sad. I really could use this job. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that they call me back and offer me the job. I had a phone interview on Monday for an insurance company. I did well on that interview and the guy said he would call me back soon to have me come in for an actual interview... I haven't heard back from him either. I am still not giving up hope.

I got another unemployment check. Its nice having money again. I just wish it was a pay check from a job tho. I am becoming slightly crazy being home all day. But on Sunday, I went to my brothers apartment and we all (me, Paul, Mateo, Orion and Alison) went to the auction to look for a bike for Paul and Mateo helped to get my old bike fixed up. I have been going on a bike ride every day as part of my exercise. I like it. I just need to get an awesome helmet and maybe a better seat. I am trying to keep track of the rides on a google map.

Time to hop in bed. I am going to try to read another chapter of my Chuck Klosterman book. More in the morning.

I'll take a quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide///

I feel bad. Here I made resolutions and yet I don't think I have kept up with them as well as I would have liked to. The best news is that I haven't gained any more weight so far. Paul and I have been trying to do our best to change our eating habits. It is hard. We both really love food. He loves to cook and we do a good job of it too! We have been cutting our portions and also trying to eat more veggies and make our own food vs. eating out (which helps me out since I am on a fixed income at the moment). I am still hovering around 203 at the moment. It has been so cold to go to the garage and get on the treadmill (which I know is an excuse and that's my problem) but I have been cutting on the snacking while spending my days at home.

I have been sending tons of resumes online via craigslist. It has paid off some what. I had an interview this Tuesday for a dentist office in Midtown (which is coincidentally one block from where I was previously employed which would have been awkward for me) but I don’t think I will get the job. They apparently want someone who has experience with a dental office. I don’t have that. The thing that ticked me off more then anything was that the lady didn’t seem like I could do well in that office. She kept telling me that they wanted someone who knows their program, blah blah blah. I think the whole interview lasted a whopping 5 minutes. Tonight, I have another interview with a law firm that is walking distance to Sac State!!! It couldn't be any better then that. I am crossing my fingers that this is the big break that I am looking for. And if this isn’t the job for me, at least I got the chance to get interviewed.

My first unemployment check came in yesterday. It wasn’t much but its money that I can definitely use to get by. I also get paid from the three days I did temp work for those apartments. I know it will only be a little bit but it’s a good feeling to have some sort of money coming in with my name on it. I am kind of glad to have had this experience. It has taught me who I really can trust in life, people who I knew were back stabbers all along but yet chose to see the good in instead of seeing them for the evil bastards that they really are, and I have come to value the things that really matter in life to me. I have grown up. I am better then I was. I am no longer a weakling that others can push around and control.

I guess this is an update blog entry. And today, I am happy. I have a life that is wonderful. A life that is full of love. I have the cats to keep me company at home. Beasley loves to chat with me and get my attention when ever he can. He meows all the time and then comes to hang out with me on the window ledge in my “study” and watch the birds fly by or the squirrels play in the trees. He hangs out with me when I do my gardening in the back yard (my next project is to start an herb garden in the back yard) or when I am working on an art project. And Poppy loves to be a princess and sleep on the couch all day long. I am a lucky girl. End of story.

"We can rebuild her — we have the technology..."

The one thing I hate about making New Year's resolutions is the part where you actually have to start doing things in order to make a difference. If only life were more simple! Some may call that being lazy (I know if my parents read this they would think that) but, I am always just real bad at picking things that I would like to change about my life/ environment. I have a bad reputation on second guessing myself and making some bad decisions (nothing life threatening, but things that I would have most defiantly done another way). I guess the only way to make an effective list is to thing realistically and rationally. Here is what I have so far. Some of the items on my list have actually been on previous lists before which I (obviously) have not completed. I consider this a 'work in progress; of sorts. I know that some of these things will change as the year actually gets started in the next 25 hours or so.

Ahem. The list. In all its glory**

1. Get accepted to Sac State: This goal I know is somewhat out of my hand. When I went to meet with a counselor back in September, I was 10 units short of the 60 that I need in order to transfer to a CSU or a UC. I took some time talking things over with Paul and worked out a schedule for the 2010 Spring semester to get those last 10 units. I applied in the middle of November and submitted my information (and the no-refundable $55 application fee) to the college and will (hopefully, cross your fingers) will hear back from the college by the beginning of March 2010. This is the big goal for me. My entire happiness and the course of my future is possibly riding on this one decision. I just hope the college says yes.

2. Get a new job: I almost think that this should be the bigger priority then getting in to CSUS, but speaking since if I was still working at the chiropractic office by the time I got accepted to CSUS, I would have quit so I can fully concentrate on pursuing my BA and live off a student loan for a while. I do need a job. I am going crazy spending so much time at home. I think the last time I spent this much time at home was right after I had graduated from high school almost 10 years ago. Thankfully it has only been 1 month and I have found some temp work to help with the bills since stupid unemployment still hasn't kicked in for me (and Paul has been super supportive too). All I want is a part time job right now. I only have some much money in my saving account that I can live off. I worked so hard to save up that $3000 and now I feel like that hard work was all for nothing and I have nothing to show for it. Ugh. I gotta keep sending out those resumes and hope that something comes through.

3. Loose weight: Cliched, yeah. I know that. I admit, I was never a skinny person in my life. I was blessed with a love for food and a big butt c/o my wonderful parents. Perhaps if I can manage to get under the 200lb mark, the weight will just slide right off. And its not like I have a long way to go... I have been stuck at 204ish (give or take) for the past 4 years. I blame my love of food for this one. But I have put up the treadmill in the garage and the bike is in the "den" so I have no excuse. I just need to get my ass in gear. End of story.
   

4. Go on a trip with Paul: I tell you, loosing your job kinda shattered my future goals and dreams. I have actually planned (mentally, but I did plan it) to take Paul to Anaheim, CA (near both of our home towns) in July for the MLB All Star Game at Angels Stadium. The second I heard about where the All Star Game was going to be at in 2010, I knew that's where we were going. I am determined to make this a reality still. I just need to find the funds. The main cost will be lodging, gas to drive down there and the tickets to the events that we end up going to. I think the farthest distance we have been to is San Francisco (Paul took me there for the weekend on our 3rd anniversary and also to see the King Tut exhibit at the de Young Museum) or to Placerville to his Uncle Larry's cabin. We need to get out there while we are still young.
   

5. Build up the savings account (again): See #2. That or I need to sell more things online.
   

6. Be more confident: I need to learn that my life is going to be mine for many years to come. I should learn to love what I have. The more I love my body, the more I know it will reflect out and good things will happen. Its that karma thing. Maybe if I lost a few pounds, this one will become a reality. Plus it will make me happier in the long run.
   

7. Cook at least one meal by myself each week: I am so grateful that Paul is in my life. He loves to cook. I don't know how to. I blame myself for not learning how to. I even took a culinary class in high school too. He makes dinner all the time for us. He says that he doesn't mind and that he really loves to cook but I feel like I need to contribute to this relationship and take a load off his hands sometimes. Plus I know that this will give me some more confidence and I will know how to fend for myself if Paul is gone (cause I can only have so much fast food).
   

8. Read more books: I have so many books in my room and also in the master bedroom. I have lots of art books that I need to get to and also a lot of other books that I have bought on a whim and never had the chance to read. I think my brain will definitely benefit from the exercise. I am actually getting some momentum on this one; I have been reading one of many books by Chuck Klosterman.
   

Lets see how long I can last with this list.

(**In no particular order, mind you)