Wait, when was the last time I posted something?!

It's been over six months since my last post, and things in my life have changed immensely.

Brief overview:

- Spent a month in Italy with my BFF

- Got accepted to the teaching credential program at CSU Long Beach

- Moved back to Long Beach

- Started waiting tables again

- Went to Australia

- Started school and watched all my free time slip away

So, here are some pictures of some of the fun things I have done during this time :)

Campo de'fiori market in Roma

Wine tasting at a 1,000 year old castle in Tuscany

Venezia, Italia

Messina, Sicilia, Italia

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia

Three sisters Katoomba, Australia

View from my Aunt's kitchen, Maclagan, Australia

Cows from the dairy farm, Maclagan, Australia

Carmen Trutanich - get educated Angelenos

I am ashamed to say that prior to reading this article, I had no idea who our city attorney is. Carmen Trutanich has attempted to expand the powers of the city attorney's office and has trampled on the rights of the citizens of this glorious city. Rather than focusing on decreasing gang violence, he is going after medical marijuana dispensaries that are in compliance with laws and street artists trying to have gallery shows. Clearly, these two groups are more hazardous to public safety than the Bloods or the Crips.

 The article I read was from last week's issue of LA Weekly. Click here to read it. 

"But since he took office, gang convictions are down 31%" - LA Weekly

Please, go out and register to vote. Here are the dates for elections here in California.


Picture taken from Google Images

Happy Leap Year!!

In an effort to connect mind and spirit, I have been reading daily meditations from the Dalai Lama. Every time I see his picture I just want to hug him, I can't help it. Anyways, I hope you can find guidance in today's thought.

"A nagging sense of discontent, a feeling of being dissatisfied, or of something not being right, is the fuel that gives rise to anger and hatred. This discontent arises in us when we feel that either ourselves, or someone we love, or our close friends are being treated unfairly or threatened and that people are being unjust.  Also, when others obstruct us in achieving something, we feel that we are being trodden upon, and then we feel angry. So the approach here is to get at the root, appreciating the casual nexus, the chain, which will ultimately explode in an emotional state like anger or hatred." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Food for Thought

Since I have been doing my 30 day yoga challenge, I have had a lot of time to reflect about a variety of things in my life. I have seen significant changes, not only in my strength and flexibility, but the way I approach my day. I feel more zen about everything.

Each class we begin with setting an intention, something that you want to focus on, it could be breath, an issue you are working through, peace, being present in the moment, etc. The class usually begins in a few still moments preparing the mind for the practice. Usually the teachers will read a meditation which can help to set the mood or focus for the class. Tonight we were focusing on habits, and this was the poem that the instructor read.

RIP Whitney

I am so shocked and saddened by this news. Drugs are bad kids.

Getting My Happy Ass in Shape

I am going to Italy for a month, 32 days to be exact. If there is one thing my homeland is known for, it's their food. Knowing that my jeans will be snug on my flight home, I am being proactive about the situation.

The yoga studio I go to is having a 30 day yoga challenge which entails going to yoga class 6 days a week for the next month. Each class is an hour and a half long meaning that I will be in downward facing dog for nine hours a week. Now, let me clear any misconceptions about yoga - it is not simply just breathing and stretching. Oh no, I walk away from most classes with jelly legs and wake up in the morning feeling like I got hit by a truck. Eventually, I would like to be able to do this:

Now, in reality I know that I cannot simply attain this in one month, but I am doing my best to be healthy. I am cutting down on deliciously fried things, magnificent cheese, and comforting chocolate (only for three weeks though - lets be real). All of these things will be plentiful in Italia and I cannot wait.

Reflection

Let's be honest, I spend a lot of time thinking about my relationships with men, and I had a realization. Thank you Sex and the City.

 

The times they are a changin'

For those of you who don't interact with me on a daily basis, I have been working at a job I despise since May 2011. It has gotten to the point where I dread waking up every morning.

Shit that Makes Me Laugh

Every time I watch this girl's videos I laugh, without fail. Here is just a sampler:

Although I have yet to try this technique, I believe her other strategies may be more successful.

Jesus and the lamb...

Things You Should NEVER Put on Your Resume

I spend a good portion of my day at work looking at resumes. The majority of them are all the same, but there are some that make me laugh, and not in a good way. Many people will put an "interests" section in a resume. At times, this could work in their favor, but most of the time this could work against them. For example, if I put the Lakers as an interest and the person reviewing the resumes is a huge Celtics fan, do you really think it will put your resume above the others? No, it won't. In fact, they will look at it and see Kobe's beautiful face making Paul Pierce cry and in a fit of rage nearly throw their computer out the window.

Recently, the best thing I saw was someone saying that their interests involve "watching the clouds pass." Now, this person must be living under a rock since they don't understand the cultural connotation that comes with cloud watching. Cloud watcher = lazy. Who wants to hire someone who would rather watch some clouds pass than work? No wonder you are unemployed you lazy fuck. So, rule #1: leave the interests section off. They are more interested in your skill set then what you like to do in your free time.

Next, I love opening a resume with a huge picture of your face. I get it, outside the US they tend to ask for a pic, know your audience. Even on Craigslist, if they ask for a picture they probably aren't legit. Rule #2: save the pictures for your Facebook page. Unless you are applying for a job in the adult field. No one cares how well you can Photoshop your face to make your wrinkles disappear.

Also, a resume should only show what you have been doing for the past ten years. No one cares that you were an accountant in the '70s when for the past 20 years you worked at Walmart. They won't hire you as an accountant. Then they will also know about how old you are, don't give them a reason to discriminate against you. If you think age discrimination no longer exists, don't kid yourself. Rule #3: No one cares what you were doing during the Civil Rights movement.

Hope this helps those of you who are unemployed :)

Decorative Gourd Season

Ahhh the fall. It is a time during which we Americans celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving. Turkeys, football, and cornucopias. The star of the cornucopia is the gourd. Throughout the years we have developed an obsession with gourds.

These awkwardly shaped veggies have made a move from our kitchen to seasonal decorations as well. In case you are unaware of the versatility of this magnificent food, please click here.

And you thought your awkward stage ended when you graduated high school.

I have been an awkward person all of my life. I am obnoxiously taller than most and I have a strange obsession with grammar.

For the most part, I am surrounded by others who are just as quirky as I. We spend our time discussing Ligers and how cool the Haka is. Over the years I have come to terms with this, and I let my freak flag wave in all it's glory.

The must have accesory for the Fall season...

This sh*t just got real

Registration is now open for.....

Oh yes. This marathon is going to make me it's bitch. With a landmark every mile, it has the potential to be awesome. It also has the potential for disaster. Knowing me, it will be the latter.

Just for shiggles....

By Anne Taintor

Sorry, I can't detach my emotions from my vagina.

 
Sometimes, no matter how old a man is, they still act like an 18 year old tool. These are actual e-mails between my friend and the biggest tool in the shed.

On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 11:03 AM, C wrote:
Hey G,

I've been thinking about the vague conversation we had about this woman who has come back into your life recently and I realized that as much as I wish I could detach my vagina from my emotions - I can't. And I don't feel very good about the situation we're in - amorphous as it is. I like you. But I know that this isn't going anywhere and you don't have feelings beyond a certain point for me. So, I propose we remain friends. I am just certain that things will become too confusing if we keep sleeping together. Please don't think twice about coming over and hanging out with L and K. I don't want there to be any tension. You're great and I think you should go after someone you love. Forgive me for saying all this in an email but somehow I think it would be all jumbled and incoherent by telephone. I hope to see you soon!

C

I'm a big kid now?

"When you turn 25, that's when you will really be grown up."

From the time I was young my mother has always used this age as a marker for everything. The age when it's appropriate to make any adult decisions. Now that my 25th birthday is glaring at me I am forced to look at those around me and see where they are in their lives.

My friends have all done well for themselves, pursuing what makes them happy. I cannot help but feel an overwhelming amount of discontent and sadness with what is going on in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am lucky to have a fantastic support system, a roof over my head, and a job. I always thought there would be more.

I think the hardest thing is that I thought I would have it all figured out by now, but I don't. My soul is pulling me into a thousand different directions and I cannot choose just one. I am a firm believer in taking charge of your life and making that change. I just don't know what to do.

Is everyone as lost as I am? Are they just better at hiding it?

Busta Rhymes lives up to his name

I always host one woman dance parties in my car. Oh yes, I am that person. Although many of the onlookers are probably staring in a jealous rage that they do not have sweet moves like I, there are a few that gawk at my music choice - rap. Being a white girl from the suburbs who likes loves rap puts into an elite group of people who appreciates inspired rhymes and a "sick beats".

So, I was cruising in my Jetta (wait is that another white girl stereotype I see?), bumpin' some sweet tunes and rocking out when the unmistakable verses of Busta Rhymes come onto the radio. Unfortunately, it was in a song by Chris Brown, the ultimate douchebag, but all I have to say, is after not hearing from Mr. Rhymes for many years, he's still got it. Check it out below (just skip to minute 1:28 to miss the tool).

Seriously, he is amazing.

Cinespia: the only time you can get excited about going to a cemetery

Recently I partook in a hipster's dream come true, Cinespia (it's really obscure, you've probably never heard of it). It's where you spend the evening with hundreds of your closest Angelenos watching a classic film at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Whip out the skinny jeans and get a 6-pack of PBR and you are good to go!