Hats Upon Hats...

Hiatus, interlude, intermission, interval, lacuna, layoff, letup, lull, pause, recess, rest.... You get the picture!

2010-03-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, I have decided to step off this emotional roller coaster that is "dating". Not forever, I'm not sure exactly what this entails, but I am just so burnt out, I need a break. I have put in a lot of effort into going out, online dating, and being proactive in finding someone to have a possible relationship with. Countless dates, some terrible, some fantastic, and I have still yet to find a top contender. There are a few who would make the cut, but then there's a catch, of-freaking-course! So, I've just kinda had an epiphany today... Nothing miraculous, but I'm just mentally & emotionally exhausted. So I figure I'll give myself a few weeks, or a month, or more, who knows...

I cancelled my Match account. When I'm ready to jump back in, I think I'll give eHarmony a try, hopefully there will be more serious guys on there, not just booty calls. I need a guy who is an intellectual. Someone who is kinda offbeat, and has their own beliefs and opinions. Someone who can stand up to me and challenge me. I'm just not finding this. I also need a Man. I don't need to have drop dead gorgeous Unicorn at first sight kinda Man, although that would be just Lovely if I did, haha. But you know what I mean, I want a guy who I'm totally stoked on and want to show off to the world, even if the world doesn't agree with me.

I'm overwhelmed by life, school, Collin, home, divorce, money, soooo many things at once, I just feel like I'll break if I don't take a breather. So yea.

But, if I come across a smokin hot 6'4 Taylor-esque guy, in some nice Levis & a flannel, giving me the eye, while reading about Pathophysiology in Barnes & Nobel, drinking an Iced coffee with earbuds in listening to Passion Pit..... I will definitely Jump on the shit ;)

Living in the West...

2010-03-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

So I consider today to be a successful day. Woke up around 9, Starbucks with Collin, lazy Sunday watching some cartoons, then spent the rest of the day at the pool. No showering, bathing suits worn all day. My idea of perfection, basically. So while I was at the pool lounging, I was reading the April Sunset Magazine. I always see tons of recipes I want to make, and never get arounf to it. Well, I went to Trader Joes straight from the pool to pick up a few things, and made an Amazinggg meal! It was also nice that my dad was gone for the evening fro a Chefs dinner, so it was just Collin & I. I made a delicious lemon Cake and Yogurt marinated Chicken and cucumber salad. So good. I havent eaten meat for a long time now.... But this was delish! *I bought the free range organic chicken strips (fresh) from Trader Joes. Its worth the extra $$. I also used the TJ's Greek style yogurt, I think it makes a big taste difference.

Here are the recipes! Not mine, courtesy of Sunset....

Lemon Glazed Layer Cake

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups sugar *I use TJ's organic evaporated cane juice(sugar)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temp

3 large eggs

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

2 tbsp finely shredded lemon juice

Lemon Icing

In large bowl, whisk 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup lemon juice until smooth.

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter two 8-in round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment, and dust with flour. set aside.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to mix, set aside.

3. In a large bowl ( I use a mixer) beat butter & sugar, for about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Add half of flour mixture, then buttermilk, then remaining flour mixture. Then add lemon zest and juice, do not over-beat.

4. POur batter into pans, tap on counter to release air bubbles. Bake about 30-35 minutes. Cool for 10 min in pan, then remove to cool completely.

5. Place one layer on cake plate, and pur half of icing, Top with second layer and spread remaining icing on top. Top with lemon curls.

Grilled yogurt chicken with cucumber salad

4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves, about 1 1/2 lbs

1 1/4 cups plain whole milk yogurt

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp lemon juice

about 2/3 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp red chile flakes

1/4 tsp tumeric

1 tbsp vegetable oil(for grill)

1 large english cucumber, cut in 1/4s length wise then chopped

2 tbsp minced shallot(1 med)

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

freshly ground pepper, to taste

1. Rinse & pat chicken dry. Remove fat, If thick, pound thin. ( about 1/4 in thick)

2.preheat your grill to about 500 degrees

3.In a med bowl, combine yogurt, cumin,lemon juice, 3/4 tsp salt,chile flakes, and turmeric. Set aside half of mixture. Add chicken to bowl coat on both sides, and let sit at room temp for 10 minutes. ( You can do this ahead and let marinate in fridge)

4. Oil grill. Grill chicken 2-4 minutes covered on one side. Turn over and cook 2-3 minutes more.

5. In a serving bowl, combine cucumber, shallot, mint, reserved yogurt mixture, and combine. Add salt & pepper to taste. Serve with chicken Garnish with mint leaves & lemon slices!

I served this with Jasmine rice, but would be great with Couscous!

I really didnt think Collin would eat this, but he did (with ketchup) and he loved the cucmber salad too! Sweet!

The Force Soup!

2010-03-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

So for the past month or so, I've been making this soup weekly. One rainy day I wanted to make soup, and I had a ton of Organic broccoli from the farmers market, so I looked for a recipe on Foodnetwork.com I found a great recipe, "Rosalyn Carter's Cream of Broccoli Soup with No Cream" Amazing! It's so delicious, and so good for you, no heavy ingredients or dairy!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bay leaf
1 pound green broccoli, chopped
1 small potato, chopped
2 1/2 cups light vegetable stock
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 lemon, juiced
Lowfat plain yogurt

Directions

Saute onion and garlic in the oil until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add bay leaf, broccoli, potato, and stock. Simmer gently, covered for about 10 minutes, until the broccoli is tender, but still bright green. Remove bay leaf and let cool.

Puree in a blender (not totally smooth). Season to taste, add lemon juice and return to pan to reheat if necessary. Add a dollop of yogurt just before serving.

Now, I omitted the plain yogurt, I felt it wasn't needed. I also used more sock. I use a whole carton of the Trader Joe's Organic Vegetable Stock. I also added 1 cup of frozen peas and 1 cup chopped carrots. Adds some sweetness.

Now, if you would like to incorporate more veggies into the soup, here's what I do. While sauteeing the onion, add swiss chard. You can do two large leaves, or 4-5 like me. It is packed with nutrients & an easy way to use it, as I've had trouble finding ways to eat it before. You can really throw in any veggies you want! I also add some cajun seasoning to give it a kick! Just dont over puree the soup, or it'll be like eating baby food! I also use about 4 large cloves of garlic, and a large onion. Note: with the broccoli, use the stems too! They soften up and add lots of fiber!

I also leave 1 cup of small broccoli pieces aside, uncooked, and then after I've blended the soup, I throw them in and cover, let sit for about 5 minutes. It' gives a nice crunch!

I Hope you enjoy this soup! I seriously have been eating it every day for the past 4 weeks, and it is filling & delicious, and I feel awesome!

Oh, I call it "The Force soup" because I told Collin this is what Yoda eats to stay strong with The Force, and thats why he's green. It didn't really work, he wont eat it, but still calls it Th Force soup :)

January....

2010-01-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Some updates on my life.....

So, I have been Uber stressed out this month, trying so hard to find a job that pays well, is something I would enjoy, and can work around my schedule. Well, I haven't been ale to find anything! It has been so frustrating. And then, I found out that since I'm not starting classes until March, my financial aid doesn't get disbursed until then as well. FML. So, I had a chat with my dad filling him in on the situation. I was worried because I owe him around $500, which I was going to pay him with my aid money. He told me that it was okay that I couldn't pay him until March, and also said that he thought it would be better for me to not get a job, and to focus on Collin & his school work. Since I will get unemployment until mid-April, I do have some income. So that was a big relief, and even though my dad can be bat shit crazy at times and drive me up the walls, I really feel so fortunate for all the support he gives me.

I got Collin's progress report from his teacher, and he isn't doing so great. We've known this, but his teacher is recommending a second year of Kindergarten, because he is so young, she thinks that because he was only 4 at the start of the school year, his fine motor skills just aren't developed enough for him to write well. So I'm struggling with this idea, not because I'm feeling bad about him having to repeat K, but he has so many friends, I'm worried about the social aspect for him being left behind. So, Brian & I are going to try to work extra hard with him, to see if he can catch up.....

Something that also is helpful is that I finally have health insurance again! Yahoo! Now, the downside is that it's Medi-Cal, but I'll take what I can get. I was stressed that if I got hurt, I would have crazy medical bills, etc. I also got approved for foodstamps. Not something I want to exactly brag about, but, I qualify, and being in my situation, as a single mom, full time student, no job, I'm not too good for any extra help. I know that my situation is temporary, and that in a few years, I will be done with school, standing on my own two feet, and not needing any more assitance! It's nice cause it's just like a debit card, and I can use it at TJs, Costco, anywhere. $150 in free food a month will help me out sooo much! I wish I would have done it sooner! And then today, I got a letter in the mail from the State Student aid commission, saying I was awarded $15,000 grant for the school year for National University! I can't even express how amazing this news is! Because National is very expensive, for the three classes Im taking in March, the cost is $4,900, not including books.... I feel like things are finally starting to fall into place!

On the Shoe front... I guess things are going okay, but its really hard for me to let someone in, because I'm afraid of disappointment. So I'm trying to keep my expectations low, and just be patient. I am really smitten with, a certain pair of shoes, but I keep getting mixed signals, and I don't want to over analyze anything.... Trying to not be a crazy complicated girl is kinda tough... I want this pair to fit! Especially when there are Amazzzzzing Unicorns envolved!! :)

xoxox

Shoe Shopping

2009-12-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

So I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted. But this past semester, otherwise known as Microbiology was a nightmare insisting of weekly nervous breakdowns about how this class would prevent me from becoming a nurse. But, I survived it I guess. I'm freaking pissed I got a C, I worked so hard, and a 78.4% in the class, I mean c'mon lady, just gimme the B!!!! ok, enough of that.

So after the split with Kory, I really did not want to have to sit around and be single, or man hunt at bars. This brings us to a lovely little creation, Match.com. I was timid about the whole thing, and thought there would not be any good quality men oh there, just weird fat old guys trying to get laid. Well, there are some of those but there are also really really hot guys.... Sometimes weird, and almost 99% are just trying to get laid. Now really. Are you really gonna spend like $30+ to just find cute girls to sleep with, one nite standish? Really? Like can't you just go to PB for that? Really? I mean, it's a freaking pain to fill out the profile, and a lot of work to actively seek out some matches. Really, haven't they ever heard of OnlineBootyCall.com? So after weeding though all the douche-bags, I have found some good contenders. Then I see they are 5'9. FML.... But really, all they really good looking very successful ones who just LOVE kids are freaking short. Grrrrrr. Well, not all of them.

I seem to be having good luck, I guess Im good on paper, errr, screen? This brings me to shoe shopping. I feel like Match.com is a big online shoe store that I cant stop looking at, longingly searching for that perfect fit, style, and comfort. And every girl has to try on shoes, right? So today I will be uh, trying on my third pair of shoes. And this is very odd to me. Going on dates with different guys, consecutively..... I feel like a playa, but I guess this is how one dates, no? So the first pair of Shoes I tried, Im totally smitten with. Tall, funny, tall, cute, tall.... But kinda elusive, like busy working so much, and that just makes me want them more. He's kinda like my Unicorn, Im trying to get him, but idk if its possible. (Oh and, there's a double meaning to the Unicorn there, haha)

Shoes #2, seem like the perfect pair, the ones were all looking for, good on paper, everything Im looking for in a husband, but them you see a tiny smudge on the side and it ruins them. I haven't completely abandoned this one yet, We shall see how things unravel.

And so today I'm going out for lunch to try on pair number 3. A nice Chocolately pair :) *coughahemsharicough* And I really like lunch dates, much better than dinner, for the first date. Less pressure, don't have to dress up. Each person has usually some kind of time restraint so incase it's going bad, you have an excuse to leave. And then there's not the awkwardness of later, nighttime, etc.... Also, one doesn't have to worry about the date getting smashed over dinner, cause if he starts drinking at noon, usually good indication of no date #2.

OK! I must away, to ready myself.....

Lovely Weather

2009-10-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know this awesome coolness of weather we are having wont last long, but I am relishing in it! There are so many things I want to do, to bask in all it crisp glory, but when the ideas stike me as awesome and fun or romantic, I sigh, and alas, realize that very few men, including my bf, and most husbands, don't share the same love. Here are some of the things I really want to do right now....

Go to Bates Nut Farm with no kids in tow.

Walk down grand ave and purusing antique shops, book stores, coffee shops, etc...

Put on my cute boots with jeans and a scarf and going to either fashion valley or horton plaza, window shop and look at cute sweaters.

Drive up to Julian and having some cider and pie and walking around.

Go in my sweats to Barnes & Noble and browse in there for a few hours.

Bake. Cook. Bake some more. OK this last one, the guys love, but Im tired. I wish my grandma was closer so I could have someone cook for me delicious food.

It's times like these when I wish I had my very own Will or Jack :)

Oh well.

xoxo

Fudge You Alls!

2009-10-01T18:54:00.001-07:00

!!!! Wide Awake!!!!!

Ok, I am still kinda like, I don't get it, but I don't care and I'm still reading. WHy are there no vampires? I don't get it, but I like it. AND I freaking want some cookies! Fudge You Alls (hehe) for making me read it, now I can't stop and have done no studying all day, and will have annoyed boy friend because when he comes over in a bit, I'm not sure if I can stop reading....

But Im still still really confused and I would really like some vampire or hunky Rez boys right about now. Speaking of which, really NICE pics of whats-his-name- Jacob on the Red Carpet, so hot.

And I feel like this Edward role was written for Rob, like it's just him.....? idk.

Supper Club?

2009-09-29T19:17:00.001-07:00

So I was thinking, I LOVE Food! I love to cook, to try new things, to eat with friends. I give love through my food. Duh, I have grown up in kitchens, eating amazing gourmet food since I was born. Well, I know that I am super busy, more than I've ever been, but I really want to do a Supper Club... So I think it would be really fun to do a dinner night, where the Hostess chooses the theme... like Italian, Mexican, Thai, etc... and everyone brings part of the meal. The hostess could even deal out assignments, like a specific side. Once a week, every other week, once a month, whatever! I miss connecting with everyone, letting the kids run around and play. Even though I not a "married couple" any more, Im still the same person, still a mom, and love to be around good friends & food :) So who's interested? I'm open to ideas and suggestions, and I know everyone is always busy, we can find time whenever... Tues, Weds, Thurs or Sun nites are my open days. It would be fun to try out new recipes we wouldn't normally do, etc. OK, I need to have some pumpkin pie now :)

Unexpected encounter

2009-09-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

I am not having the best day, so I just feel like I should write and share to get this off my shoulders, so sorry for the melancholy post...

So this morning I was running errands and I ran into a friend at the store. This person was one of my closet friends, and we have for some reason fallen apart from each other since the beginning of this year. This was a friend who told me that I was one of their best friends, someone that they fell they could talk to about life stuff that they couldn't with any other friend. It has been really hard for me to loose this person as a friend, because I also valued our friendship and really cared for them as a person. I have tried calling and trying to rebuild the bridge, but it just never happened. So when we ran into each other this morning, it really caught me off guard. My how are you was met with a comment about having to get to work and then walking away with no how are you back. So I now feel like that was kinda the end. The closure I didn't want to happen but did.

As I was driving home, I was upset, hurt. A song was playing by Jack Johnson, called Losing Hope, and the chorus made me cry...

Losing hope is easy

When you only friend is gone

And every time you look around

Well, it all, it all just seems to change

But hanging on is easy

When you've got a friend to call

When nothings making sense at all

You're not the only one that's afraid of change

I know this wasn't my only friend, but it still really hurts to lose someone close. I feel I need to let go, and hang on with my friends who are there for me. I know that above all, He is always there for me, always constant, always loving and faithful. That sometimes it hurts to let go of people we love, but God will never abandon, and is always available in my times of need.

Namaste...

2009-09-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

So I am taking a yoga class at Palomar, b/c I needed one more unit to be full time.....Anyways, I Love it!! I can't believe I hadn't done yoga sooner! My instructor is awesome, and even though it's only 2 days a week, I can definitely feel the burn, but it is also so great for clearing the mind of all the busyness. I highly recommend it :) And the not so good news, I had my first test in Microbiology, and a failed with an amazing 53/100. I have never done so bad on a test before in my life! I'm pissed, because I know if I had a different instructor, one who I could actually understand, I would be doing so much better. So now I know I need to really kick it up and basically teach myself microbiology. Awesome. Oh well, I gotta stick it through...

Collin is doing great at school, he loves it and has his little group of buddies already. It's already been four weeks, time flies.

Monday the 21st is officially the last day of summer, I think I will go to the beach and say goodbye to the summer sun, and thanks for such a great summer! (Even though it will continue to HOT here, at least it'll be Autumn hot)

Fish-boy

2009-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

So Collin is taking a bath, and Im sitting on the toilet(sitting, thats it) with my laptop, trying to study but instead Face-booking and blog-stalking.... ANyways, Collin is just holding his breath underwater, over and over again. He just stayed under for 30 sec+....Then he comes up and starts to have a conversation. Not with me. I have no idea who. Kids are so weird/funny/crazy/silly/ adorable. Now the bar of soap is apparently some type of gun. I always said I would never allow guns & weapons. So much for that. We now too have a weapons container , so don't feel bad Lyn!

OK time to get him out and to bed then I will attempt to study again. First Microbiology test tmrw and all day I feel like I have ADD, I can't sit still or concentrate on anything! Ugh. Goodnite

Whats making us sick...

2009-09-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

OKay, so Im doing my homework for my medical anthropology course, which is an online class. There is an article that we are supposed to read, and it really hit home for me. I have so many people ask me, all the time, "why are you vegan??" Why not!?! Firstly, Im getting really annoyed by all these labels, and I feel that I shouldn't have to explain myself to anyone but me. Secondly, as some of you know, Collin was diagnosed with reflux as an infant. Then when he was about two, found out he was lactose intolerant. And seasonal allergies, etc... Well, I really wanted to have him not be on any perscription medications anyomre, unless it's for antibiotics or something. So for me I really am making a huge effort to eliminate all dairy, processed foods and meat from his diets. I am not very strict, since he loves sour cream, and I will let him eat some meat...

But anyways, here is the article, it is very thought provoking....

What’s Making Us Sick Is an Epidemic of Diagnoses

For most Americans, the biggest health threat is not avian flu, West Nile or mad cow disease. It’s our

health-care system.

You might think this is because doctors make mistakes (we do

make mistakes). But you can’t be a victim of medical error if you

are not in the system. The larger threat posed by American

medicine is that more and more of us are being drawn into the

system not because of an epidemic of disease, but because of an

epidemic of diagnoses.

Americans live longer than ever, yet more of us are told we are

sick.

How can this be? One reason is that we devote more resources to

medical care than any other country. Some of this investment is

productive, curing disease and alleviating suffering. But it also

leads to more diagnoses, a trend that has become an epidemic.

This epidemic is a threat to your health. It has two distinct

sources. One is the medicalization of everyday life. Most of us

experience physical or emotional sensations we don’t like, and in

the past, this was considered a part of life. Increasingly, however,

such sensations are considered symptoms of disease. Everyday

experiences like insomnia, sadness, twitchy legs and impaired sex

drive now become diagnoses: sleep disorder, depression, restless

leg syndrome and sexual dysfunction.

Perhaps most worrisome is the medicalization of childhood. If

children cough after exercising, they have asthma; if they have

trouble reading, they are dyslexic; if they are unhappy, they are

depressed; and if they alternate between unhappiness and

liveliness, they have bipolar disorder. While these diagnoses may

benefit the few with severe symptoms, one has to wonder about

the effect on the many whose symptoms are mild, intermittent or transient.

The other source is the drive to find disease early. While diagnoses used to be reserved for serious

illness, we now diagnose illness in people who have no symptoms at all, those with so-called

predisease or those “at risk.”

Two developments accelerate this process. First, advanced technology allows doctors to look really

hard for things to be wrong. We can detect trace molecules in the blood. We can direct fiber-optic

devices into every orifice. And CT scans, ultrasounds, M.R.I. and PET scans let doctors define subtle

structural defects deep inside the body. These technologies make it possible to give a diagnosis to just

about everybody: arthritis in people without joint pain, stomach damage in people without heartburn

and prostate cancer in over a million people who, but for testing, would have lived as long without

being a cancer patient.

Second, the rules are changing. Expert panels constantly expand what constitutes disease: thresholds

for diagnosing diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity have all fallen in the last few years.

The criterion for normal cholesterol has dropped multiple times. With these changes, disease can now

be diagnosed in more than half the population.

Most of us assume that all this additional diagnosis can only be beneficial. And some of it is. But at

the extreme, the logic of early detection is absurd. If more than half of us are sick, what does it mean

to be normal? Many more of us harbor “pre-disease” than will ever get disease, and all of us are “at

risk.” The medicalization of everyday life is no less problematic. Exactly what are we doing to our

children when 40 percent of summer campers are on one or more chronic prescription medications?

No one should take the process of making people into patients lightly. There are real drawbacks.

Simply labeling people as diseased can make them feel anxious and vulnerable — a particular concern

in children.

But the real problem with the epidemic of diagnoses is that it leads to an epidemic of treatments. Not

all treatments have important benefits, but almost all can have harms. Sometimes the harms are

known, but often the harms of new therapies take years to emerge — after many have been exposed.

For the severely ill, these harms generally pale relative to the potential benefits. But for those

experiencing mild symptoms, the harms become much more relevant. And for the many labeled as

having predisease or as being “at risk” but destined to remain healthy, treatment can only cause harm.

The epidemic of diagnoses has many causes. More diagnoses mean more money for drug

manufacturers, hospitals, physicians and disease advocacy groups. Researchers, and even the disease-

based organization of the National Institutes of Health, secure their stature (and financing) by

promoting the detection of “their” disease. Medico-legal concerns also drive the epidemic. While

failing to make a diagnosis can result in lawsuits, there are no corresponding penalties for

overdiagnosis. Thus, the path of least resistance for clinicians is to diagnose liberally — even when we

wonder if doing so really helps our patients.

As more of us are being told we are sick, fewer of us are being told we are well. People need to think

hard about the benefits and risks of increased diagnosis: the fundamental question they face is

whether or not to become a patient. And doctors need to remember the value of reassuring people

that they are not sick. Perhaps someone should start monitoring a new health metric: the proportion

of the population not requiring medical care. And the National Institutes of Health could propose a

new goal for medical researchers: reduce the need for medical services, not increase it.

ugh...

2009-08-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

So I still haven't posted about the first day of school, I will soon I promise. It has been a busy week, and since Monday afternoon I have had the worst migrane ever! I really want to just burrow into a dark hole and not come out until it's gone. I thought it was gone yesterday, but I woke up and, nope still here! 5 days. OMG. Im going to go to the chiropractor today to see if that will help. I hope it does, I'm supposed to go to street scene tonite....

xoxo

Back to School

2009-08-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

So I am very nervous about tomorrow. First day of school. Ugh. I talked with Collin in his bed tonite and he said he wasn't really excited and that he was nervous. So we talked and I told him it's okay to feel that way, and that I was nervous too. But I know he will have so much fun and love it, I'm just bummed I don't get to pick him up and hear about his first day. But thats not why I'm anxious, it's my school Im worried about. I have to take a math placement exam so that I can take statistics, which I need as a prereq for Nursing school. I haven't taken any math since Junior year in high school, so 7 years ago!!!! I was looking at the practice questions and I feel like Im screwed!! Ugh, why why why..... And then there's Microbiology, which I read the syllabus for and am now totally freaking out...I hope Im just overreacting and it wont be bad, but I am definitely freaked out.

Ok I need to watch True Blood to calm my nerves.

The Races

2009-08-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

I went to my very first Del Mar Horse Race yesterday. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but I still had a really good time. I think I was thinking more glamorous, but we sat with all the riff-raff, and still had fun. It was a first time for Kory and myself for betting too, and we had no idea how to do it, and had to ask the lady who seemed amused by us. I put $9 down on #6, and Kory put $6 on #7. We both lost. Oh well, at least now I can say I've done it. I know there's a strategy, but we each just picked our favorite number....

After the races we watched the concert, which was the reason we went. Pinback is a San Diego band and they play nice & mellow music. Unfortunately the nice & mellow music brings in fans who smoke the Pot and it was wafting every where and making me gag. We had special wristbands so we escaped the haze and enjoyed the rest of the show, smoke free, from the terrace above and behind the stage.

That was really my last day of summer vacation, the weekend doesn't count to me because I have a ton of stuff to do to get both Collin & I ready for school. It was a really good summer, and now I'm totally stressing out after just reading the Syllabus for my Microbiology class... Kill me now...

By the way.... So I have been totally denying it to myself for a while, but yes, I am dating. :) Kory is a really nice guy, I met him through my friend Sara, they have known each other for like 8 years. just wanted to get the out of the way. We are not super serious or anything, I'm not gonna marry the guy, but we are enjoying each others company and it is nice to go out on real dates again, and have someone treat me good :)

Disneyland!

2009-08-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

So on Thursday we went to Disneyland, finally! I hadn't been since last October, so I think I was just as excited as Collin was. We were going to go really early to buy or passes and be there at opening, but Collins school changed the Meet your Teacher date, so we went to his school at 8am, met his new teacher and saw his class, etc.... Then we hit the road! We had a really good time, and met up with Leah & co and the kids had a blast playing together.

We did pretty well and went on a good number of rides. At the end of the day we parted and Collin & I hit Pirates for the 2nd time, then just in time caught the last train around the Park to the front. we got a quick bite to eat at Downtown Disney, and saw some of the fireworks as we walked to the bus stop. Collin was crashed out before we left the parking garage :) A good day all in all, I can't wait to take him back on his Birthday!

Here are a few photos, I put most of em on FB already...

No-Meatloaf

2009-08-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

Made the No-meatloaf for dinner, it was delicious. Along with mashed potatoes and gravy, my dad didn't believe it was all vegan. But it was and it was awesome!

"Sushi"

2009-08-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

So I had a very delicious and satisfying dinner tonite, with my dad and Collin. We went out to our favorite Japanese place in RB. I had a veggie roll, and it was soo delicious! I was able to eat all the things I love, miso, cucumber sunomono, salad, rice and veggie tempura!

I think when people hear "Vegan" there is a very negative connotation associated with it, and they automatically think all you eat is tofu and raw veggies.

Tomorrow nite I am making NoMeatloaf :) I have made it a few times before and honestly you cannot tell the difference! The key is lots of good seasonings and veggies. I buy Trader Joes Meatless Meatballs, and let them come to room temp, then make it like you normally would. I make it southwest style with sauteed onions and garlic, corn, green chilies and salsa. It's really yummy and definitely a comfort food. And I make gravy with veggie stock with mased potatoes yumm!

I definitely feel better already. I do mish my beloved cheese and sour cream, but Im not dying, and hopefully by the end of 3o days I wont have those cravings. I bought tofutti "cream cheese" and "sour cream". They are HORRIBLE. Its blasphemy to even call it sour cream, I felt so bad when I gave it to Collin, Sour cream is like his fav thing to eat, and he was so mad when I gave it to him. So I will let him have regular sour cream and some cheeses, but definitely sticking with the rice & soy milk, he is lactose intolerant after all, and no meat. My Dad even admitted that after he ate a steak his stomach felt horrible after not eating meat all week. Hah!

I really really want to get a few chickens and build a coop on the side of our house so that we could have fresh eggs. That would be awesome to get truly organic natural eggs, know exactly where they came from. If I could do that then I would incorporate a few eggs into my diet, even though Im not a huge fan of eggs.

I am super excited today I received my checks from the EDD for the past 6 months. Now I don't have to ask my Dad to borrow money anymore, which is a Horrible thing to have to do! I hate it! I still have to be conservative so I can make it through the semester without working, but my splurge is getting Disneyland Annual passes for Collin & I. I am sooooo excited!!!! We are going to go this week, and I cannot wait!

Thursday I got to go to a concert with my friends Sara and Katie, thanks to my cousin who got us free tickets. We saw LMFAO who are silly guys who sing silly fun dancey tunes. It was a good time.

I cannot believe this is the last week of Summer Vacation!!! I have so enjoyed our ong lazy days of summer, doing nothing with Collin, and going to the pool, and sleeping in Every day. Thats going to be the biggest challenge, kindergarten starts at 8:25 so that means I have to up at like 7-7:30. Very hard for me since we normally don't get up before 9am. But I guess the routine will get easier...

Off to have some cookies(vegan of course) and watch Aladdin with Collin :)

Here we go...

2009-08-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

So I have finally broke down and started my own blog. I feel like every single person in the freaking world has a blog except me. Not anymore. I'm not really sure how this is going to go, I have never been a diary person....but I want to be able to keep everyone in the loop about what is happening in my life. I have no idea what Im doing on here. How do I upload photos? How do I add books Im reading? All these cool features I see on everyones pages???

Anyhoo, so here's what has been going down. I finally received the long awaited notice in the mail that I had won my side on my unemployment dispute with The Gap. After being employed for 3 1/2 years I was forced out by a horrible witch of a person and then denied my unemployment benefits. Well Justice was served Biaatch! ( Sorry, I had to say it :] ) So much stress has been lifted now, I know I will be able to make it through the fall semester without working, Amen!

Speaking of which school starts August 24th. Im taking a full load, again, with the big hitter being Microbiology coming in a a super fun 5.5 hours straight Mon and Weds....So excited. Not.

I am hoping this will be my last semester at Palomar and then I can start Nursing school , but well see. Then 2 years of Nursing school and I will be a real RN! Delivering babies to screaming crazed pooping mothers, Joy! Haha, just kidding I really can't wait!

Collin will also be starting Kindergarten the same day I go back to school. Im sad and excited at the same time. I know he is going to love school and have so much fun learning and making friends. I am relieved that his school is awesome and he will be in a good place while I am also at school. I can't believe that this came so fast, Colin will turn 5 on September 30th, and he has been a ball of sunshine and laughter for every single day of those five years! I don't think I will cry, I'm not really that kind of emotional. I will be sad that I don't get to pick him up after his first day of school though. I will be in class until 4pm, and Mondays are "Daddy Days" as Collin calls them. He stays with Brian on Mon and Fri nites, so he will do some of the picking up & dropping off. We have a court date set in November, which seems so far away, but if all goes well I will come away from it officially divorced and I can be done with courts and lawyers and such.

I am Happy. I am pursuing things that make me happy and trying to make a good life for Collin & I. I have really great friends, and on my "off" days I can go and relax and try to be a single 24 year old. Today is day three of my new Vegan-ness. I have to say it is not hard at all, and I am enjoying cooking good food and looking for alternative resources. I did very much so want to dump some parmesan onto my pasta & fresh tomatos today, but I was good and didn't. I dont feel any different yet, I will update as it goes. I also thought I will post some of my fav recipes I make that are vegan and delicious.

OK I feel like a bum sitting in my bathing suit in bed while Collin is napping, I should be more productive. Uh oh, is this going to be yet another time consuming vice? Probly. But first, the last fifty pages of Faefever are calling my name!

xoxo