Quality's not all that great, but when I have more time maybe I'll play around with it a little better :) Ah, the things we do when we are bored.
Create your own FACEinHOLE
Create your own FACEinHOLE
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
BRITISH HUMOR SUCKS
Ok seriously, this is the WORST headline ever written. Leave it to the Brits...
Not funny BBC, not funny.
Not funny BBC, not funny.
She's got those Wrangler-bottom jeans and the boots with the spurs....
Bachelorette weekend pictures (update!)
The girls getting their line on.... even though we didn't know what the heck we were doing!
Shimming with Laura, actually I have no idea what we're doing but she looks like she's going to puke.
Laura and the old cowboy!!!
This is my view from the main dance floor, hello ladies!
Laughing at Laura, who wanted me to dance with this "cute" guy next to me.
Taking a break from the dancing action with the Rosas!Monday, July 28, 2008
Bachelorette fun
I guess this post isn't really anything exciting without accompanying photos, but you're all going to have to wait. I still haven't unpacked from the weekend (i.e. laundry) and need to do so shortly along with uploading photos. Meghan, I promise I'll get them to you soon :)
But let's talk about the near train wreck that almost occurred on Saturday night:
After a normal dinner -- complete with too much food causing nearly three of us to want to vomit -- we piled into my car at 9:30 p.m. with the intent of heading to Fremont for some line dancin'! On the way, several members inside of my vehicle have to fight off the urge to doze off, as it was already 10 p.m. When I get to the gas station, this creepy man in an RV is looming really closely to our proximity and kind of creeping out everyone else. I attempt three times to fuel up, but my card will not be accepted and of course, I forgot my actual credit card and only had the ATM. So I jump into the driver's seat and back into the next pump as creepy man next door is saying something awkward and scary. Long story short, attempt #3 fails and I have to go to the window for some help. Turns out the man who works at the gas station is mildly mentally unstable -- to put it nicely. He did not understand that I wasn't getting gas out of the pump and then did not understand that I wanted to pay manually to do so.
10:30 p.m. we're on the road and getting ready to enter the Saddle Rack. Except when we arrive, Laura realizes that she doesn't have her identification, kind of crucial when entering a bar. Expecting the worst and hoping for the best, we make our way towards the queue. One bouncer checks me, then proceeds to question Laura. She pours her little heart out, saying we're a bachelorette party and she doesn't have her ID and we can't go all the way back to Pleasanton to get it. He sends her off to the next bouncer who proceeds to have her empty out her massive purse and see what she's got. A bandaid, highlighter, pen, feminine products and international student card. Grudgingly he let us in....
And that was just the beginning. Since Laura forgot her wallet, she also forgot her MONEY. So I was on door duty covering most of the girls' entry fees. Meaning that my bills were also winding down. After crossing the threshold into the bar, Laura and I agreed that we definitely deserved something to drink after all of this mayhem. So we go to order two bottles of beer, which one bartender says should be about $8. Between the two of us, Laura and I had $9 so that was (painfully) sufficient for a tip included. We go back and ask if anyone else wants anything, then order two beers from a female bartender.... who tells me it's going to be $10.50. At this point, I sort of freak out because neither of us has the extra two dollars so someone else in the party spots me and I give her a measly 50 cent tip. Then we run away from the bar area, far, far away.
Thinking it can't possibly get any worse, we take our seats at a small table when a 75-year old toothless man comes by and asks two girls in our party if they want to dance. Laura nudges them to go and when they still refuse, he of course asks Laura. Looking at me she's like, "what the heck?" and goes off to dance with him. They waltz across the line dancing floor for a bit and then he extends his second hand out to me and twirls the two of us for about five minutes. It was awkward and painful and fun.
At least we got some smiles out of the night :)
But let's talk about the near train wreck that almost occurred on Saturday night:
After a normal dinner -- complete with too much food causing nearly three of us to want to vomit -- we piled into my car at 9:30 p.m. with the intent of heading to Fremont for some line dancin'! On the way, several members inside of my vehicle have to fight off the urge to doze off, as it was already 10 p.m. When I get to the gas station, this creepy man in an RV is looming really closely to our proximity and kind of creeping out everyone else. I attempt three times to fuel up, but my card will not be accepted and of course, I forgot my actual credit card and only had the ATM. So I jump into the driver's seat and back into the next pump as creepy man next door is saying something awkward and scary. Long story short, attempt #3 fails and I have to go to the window for some help. Turns out the man who works at the gas station is mildly mentally unstable -- to put it nicely. He did not understand that I wasn't getting gas out of the pump and then did not understand that I wanted to pay manually to do so.
10:30 p.m. we're on the road and getting ready to enter the Saddle Rack. Except when we arrive, Laura realizes that she doesn't have her identification, kind of crucial when entering a bar. Expecting the worst and hoping for the best, we make our way towards the queue. One bouncer checks me, then proceeds to question Laura. She pours her little heart out, saying we're a bachelorette party and she doesn't have her ID and we can't go all the way back to Pleasanton to get it. He sends her off to the next bouncer who proceeds to have her empty out her massive purse and see what she's got. A bandaid, highlighter, pen, feminine products and international student card. Grudgingly he let us in....
And that was just the beginning. Since Laura forgot her wallet, she also forgot her MONEY. So I was on door duty covering most of the girls' entry fees. Meaning that my bills were also winding down. After crossing the threshold into the bar, Laura and I agreed that we definitely deserved something to drink after all of this mayhem. So we go to order two bottles of beer, which one bartender says should be about $8. Between the two of us, Laura and I had $9 so that was (painfully) sufficient for a tip included. We go back and ask if anyone else wants anything, then order two beers from a female bartender.... who tells me it's going to be $10.50. At this point, I sort of freak out because neither of us has the extra two dollars so someone else in the party spots me and I give her a measly 50 cent tip. Then we run away from the bar area, far, far away.
Thinking it can't possibly get any worse, we take our seats at a small table when a 75-year old toothless man comes by and asks two girls in our party if they want to dance. Laura nudges them to go and when they still refuse, he of course asks Laura. Looking at me she's like, "what the heck?" and goes off to dance with him. They waltz across the line dancing floor for a bit and then he extends his second hand out to me and twirls the two of us for about five minutes. It was awkward and painful and fun.
At least we got some smiles out of the night :)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My new home
I honestly feel like I post this every six months. Well, I do. But now I think I'm set for about two years, so no more reading this entry for you all...
But here are some pictures of my new school and place of employment (for those of you who haven't seen it):
But here are some pictures of my new school and place of employment (for those of you who haven't seen it):
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
What has the workforce done to me?!
Oh my God, I'm one of those boring people who has a full-time (sort of) job and consequently nothing cool or of significance to note anymore.
Well, that's not entirely true. I'm really enjoying my job and all the people I work with. Since I'm not in charge of any fall semester sports, I don't have too much work to do on my own teams meaning I can help out whatever sport that needs attention. And I did get to drive one of the campus golf carts to the library this afternoon, so that's pretty big time. However, the small load of work on my plate lends to very short hours and I'm able to hit the gym for 1.5 to 2 hours each day. And I'm still not losing my damn France weight! In time...
I have been thinking a lot though, since I'm a grad assistant I will be taking classes in less than a month and I have two things I really want to check into. As a grad student, I don't imagine I'll have too many classes/seminars, but more ongoing research work for my final thesis. If this is the case, I would love to take some upper-division French undergrad courses to keep my French at a decent level so I emailed the head of the dept. this morning. And also, I want to start learning another language, so I want to see if it's possible to sit in on/audit any grammar classes like Spanish or possibly German.
And speaking of French, I'm sort of developing a long-term goal here. When I have my Master's in two year's time and once my assistantship is up, if I can't break back into professional sports I would definitely plan on staying at the collegiate level. However, I still want to use my French, so I'm going to think very, very hard for the next two years about applying to work at McGill University in Montreal if there are any openings. I want to say their Athletics Department has something ridiculous like 50 varsity sports including winter sports like skiing, ice skating, hockey, etc. and BASEBALL, basketball and American football!
Yeah, I realize there will be snow and extreme colds, but I'll also get to work for a collegiate athletics department and use my French on a daily basis (and if I ever get to this point... have bilingual children!).
But that's quite a long time away.
Well, that's not entirely true. I'm really enjoying my job and all the people I work with. Since I'm not in charge of any fall semester sports, I don't have too much work to do on my own teams meaning I can help out whatever sport that needs attention. And I did get to drive one of the campus golf carts to the library this afternoon, so that's pretty big time. However, the small load of work on my plate lends to very short hours and I'm able to hit the gym for 1.5 to 2 hours each day. And I'm still not losing my damn France weight! In time...
I have been thinking a lot though, since I'm a grad assistant I will be taking classes in less than a month and I have two things I really want to check into. As a grad student, I don't imagine I'll have too many classes/seminars, but more ongoing research work for my final thesis. If this is the case, I would love to take some upper-division French undergrad courses to keep my French at a decent level so I emailed the head of the dept. this morning. And also, I want to start learning another language, so I want to see if it's possible to sit in on/audit any grammar classes like Spanish or possibly German.
And speaking of French, I'm sort of developing a long-term goal here. When I have my Master's in two year's time and once my assistantship is up, if I can't break back into professional sports I would definitely plan on staying at the collegiate level. However, I still want to use my French, so I'm going to think very, very hard for the next two years about applying to work at McGill University in Montreal if there are any openings. I want to say their Athletics Department has something ridiculous like 50 varsity sports including winter sports like skiing, ice skating, hockey, etc. and BASEBALL, basketball and American football!
Yeah, I realize there will be snow and extreme colds, but I'll also get to work for a collegiate athletics department and use my French on a daily basis (and if I ever get to this point... have bilingual children!).
But that's quite a long time away.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Commutes around the (MY) world
After living on a campus known for its seven miles of bike trail and 14,000+ bikes, it's sort of a weird feeling driving to school here. UC Santa Barbara was best known for its student community adjacent to the campus, Isla Vista, where I happened to live for the three years after I moved out of the dorms. I took for granted not having a car and walking/biking no more than 15 minutes from my house to the farthest part of campus.
But now here in Stockton with temperatures in the high 100s, I can't do that anymore. First, because parts of this city are not "pedestrian" friendly to put it nicely. Secondly, I live about two miles from the campus. It took me 30 minutes to ride to work once and I was drenched in sweat by the time I arrived. No leisurely rides for me here.
This is all great news, considering gas is over $4.50 a gallon right now.
I sort of also took for granted my 12 Euro bus pass in France. But do not miss all the billions of strikes that occurred on a weekly basis. If I could walk 25-50 minutes to get to my elementary schools in torrential rain.... never mind, I refuse to do that again.
It is nice to have a vehicle again, even if it cuts in to my future children's college funds...
But now here in Stockton with temperatures in the high 100s, I can't do that anymore. First, because parts of this city are not "pedestrian" friendly to put it nicely. Secondly, I live about two miles from the campus. It took me 30 minutes to ride to work once and I was drenched in sweat by the time I arrived. No leisurely rides for me here.
This is all great news, considering gas is over $4.50 a gallon right now.
I sort of also took for granted my 12 Euro bus pass in France. But do not miss all the billions of strikes that occurred on a weekly basis. If I could walk 25-50 minutes to get to my elementary schools in torrential rain.... never mind, I refuse to do that again.
It is nice to have a vehicle again, even if it cuts in to my future children's college funds...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Bastille Day!
In my busyness -- and the MLB Home Run Derby, I still can't believe Justin Morneau won after Josh Hamilton's 28 homers in the first round alone -- I completely forgot that today is Bastille Day, France's equivalent of the 4th of July.
This would have been my third year spending the holiday in France, however I jammed out of the country early. And strangely enough, when I was studying abroad in 2005 we opted to go to Florence, Italy instead of spending the weekend in Paris. An opportunity I guess that was too good to pass up.
And in other French news the Tour is still going pretty strong right now I guess, nearly halfway into the race. Though I couldn't tell you who's the yellow jersey wearer right now. I guess no one here really cares with Landis and Lance Armstrong out for Team USA. Speaking of Team USA, the Olympics are right around the corner and I soooo cannot wait to watch those. The swimming and running trials in California and Oregon got me all pumped up for what's to come. Where the heck is this year going?! I still can't believe I'm working on my third week living in Stockon and working for Pacific.
So now that my little -- or big, depending on how you look at it -- tangent is over, Happy Bastille Day, France.
This would have been my third year spending the holiday in France, however I jammed out of the country early. And strangely enough, when I was studying abroad in 2005 we opted to go to Florence, Italy instead of spending the weekend in Paris. An opportunity I guess that was too good to pass up.
And in other French news the Tour is still going pretty strong right now I guess, nearly halfway into the race. Though I couldn't tell you who's the yellow jersey wearer right now. I guess no one here really cares with Landis and Lance Armstrong out for Team USA. Speaking of Team USA, the Olympics are right around the corner and I soooo cannot wait to watch those. The swimming and running trials in California and Oregon got me all pumped up for what's to come. Where the heck is this year going?! I still can't believe I'm working on my third week living in Stockon and working for Pacific.
So now that my little -- or big, depending on how you look at it -- tangent is over, Happy Bastille Day, France.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Magic.
I know some of you are curious about what I do at work all day.
Well, it is the summer so nothing too exciting's going on. But I was told to play around with and learn PhotoShop because I will be using it often as the year progresses.
Don't be jealous, but check out what I did two days ago:
Admit it, you're jealous.
Well, it is the summer so nothing too exciting's going on. But I was told to play around with and learn PhotoShop because I will be using it often as the year progresses.
Don't be jealous, but check out what I did two days ago:
Admit it, you're jealous.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"More bars in more places"
I wish I could find it online, but AT&T has a new cell phone commercial boasting even better coverage in France than the leading companies.
The thing I enjoy most about that commercial is the woman speaking in French. She's telling the American family, "Over here you'll find the television and here is your bed," etc. Except, she's totally a native English speaker. One who probably hasn't had more than a class or two of French. You know those people who speak really sing-songy in up and down intonations? Not like I'm a French pro or anything -- I'm still quite far from it -- but at least French people always had to ask me where I was from. When they did find out I was American, everyone was extremely impressed.
Whatever, I pride myself on understanding enough French and knowing enough about social conventions and culture there to realize a non-French speaker when I hear one!
And in other news, as sad as I still am about the Rich Harden trade, I'm not sore enough to deny that the boy looks pretty good in blue.
The thing I enjoy most about that commercial is the woman speaking in French. She's telling the American family, "Over here you'll find the television and here is your bed," etc. Except, she's totally a native English speaker. One who probably hasn't had more than a class or two of French. You know those people who speak really sing-songy in up and down intonations? Not like I'm a French pro or anything -- I'm still quite far from it -- but at least French people always had to ask me where I was from. When they did find out I was American, everyone was extremely impressed.
Whatever, I pride myself on understanding enough French and knowing enough about social conventions and culture there to realize a non-French speaker when I hear one!
And in other news, as sad as I still am about the Rich Harden trade, I'm not sore enough to deny that the boy looks pretty good in blue.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Baseball crushes...
I am extremely unhappy with Billy Beane (GM of the Oakland Athletics) right now. He could have traded ANYONE on the team, but it HAD to be righty pitcher Rich Harden.
It HAD to be him.
Let's not forget how I've had a crush on Rich Harden since junior year of high school. That's SEVEN years of dedication here people. I also met him at the A's spring training camp in Phoenix my freshman, sophomore and senior years of college.
And now he's gone. Oh yeah, he also lives (livED excuse me) in Alamo behind my parents. Which means my dreams of working for the Oakland Athletics and meeting Rich Harden before his contract expires in 2009 are shot. Nada. I guess the only positive here is that the Cubs' spring training facilities are also in the Phoenix area. If we go next year, you KNOW I will be watching some Cubby games!
But all is not lost. Last night I was watching the A's game -- while working here at one of Pacific's youth soccer/recruiting camps -- and sort of fell in love instantly with their newest member, 24 year old Wes Bankston. He even hit a homer, good boy. (He's on the right in the photo below!)
So I guess it's a good thing I developed my mini crush yesterday, before we traded Harden this afternoon at 3 p.m. But, now what am I going to do with all my Harden jerseys?!?!?!?!?!
It HAD to be him.
Let's not forget how I've had a crush on Rich Harden since junior year of high school. That's SEVEN years of dedication here people. I also met him at the A's spring training camp in Phoenix my freshman, sophomore and senior years of college.
And now he's gone. Oh yeah, he also lives (livED excuse me) in Alamo behind my parents. Which means my dreams of working for the Oakland Athletics and meeting Rich Harden before his contract expires in 2009 are shot. Nada. I guess the only positive here is that the Cubs' spring training facilities are also in the Phoenix area. If we go next year, you KNOW I will be watching some Cubby games!
But all is not lost. Last night I was watching the A's game -- while working here at one of Pacific's youth soccer/recruiting camps -- and sort of fell in love instantly with their newest member, 24 year old Wes Bankston. He even hit a homer, good boy. (He's on the right in the photo below!)
So I guess it's a good thing I developed my mini crush yesterday, before we traded Harden this afternoon at 3 p.m. But, now what am I going to do with all my Harden jerseys?!?!?!?!?!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Welcome to Hell
Although I don't entirely agree that it's hell, California's getting a lot closer to such a state.
After another long weekend trip down to Santa Barbara for the Fourth of July weekend there are nearly 1,000 fires blazing in California and my car is completely covered in ash -- I need a car wash in the very near future. But driving down Wednesday night, I noticed the hills just above Goleta glowing as if I were driving past an active volcano. California's larget -- the Santa Barbara Gap Fire -- is nearly three miles long, running parallel to the 101 and has been causing rolling blackouts among all the power grids within 15 miles of the fires.
Well, luckily no one I know has been injured and all their homes are still in tact. This summer is just turning out to be one of the hottest and most fire-active summer in as long as I can remember.
In other news, I really have enjoyed starting my new job. Here's the first (mini) release I wrote for the website. Oh, and my sports have changed: I'll be the primary contact for women's water polo, men's and women's swimming and the secondary for women's volleyball and baseball.
Looking forward to Week 2!
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