COUCHES... SMOKING... Holocaust Movies...and a A Good Night

A Place to Sit

Well... we finally got couches =) Woo Hoo... Did I mention they were FREE! A friend that I met in my program decided that his family didn't need them any more. How sweet is that? I can't believe he would just give me his couches. They are still in really good condition, too. I can't thank him enough... it was definitely a gift considering that I DID NOT want to have to pitch in money to buy a couch.

I HATE SMOKING!

It saddens me that no matter where I walk around here, people are smoking. It breaks my heart! Don't people know how bad it is for you????? What really chaps my hide is when there is a good looking guy smoking. It's like he had potential, then BAM- I see him put the cig to his mouth, that potential went down the drain! I am not saying they are bad people, they are just making a bad decision. They need a cigarette cessation program (there's the public health professional coming out of me!) OH... OH- I was so excited yesterday. The guy that helped us move the couches is a smoker... well, as we were crammed in his little truck, he asked if we cared if he smoked... guess what phrase I got to use- "Care if I die!" I have always wanted to use it. Totally worked too! He didn't really know how to respond, which says a lot because he is a smart alec. I felt proud to be in the Public Health field at that moment!

Holocaust Movies

I don't know why I watch Holocaust movies. They only make me have stomach aches. I FINALLY watched "Life is Beautiful". WOW- I agree, it is super good, but HOLY MOLEY the Holocaust is awful! I just can't believe people can be so MEAN- why on earth would they want to treat people like that? All I have to say is the father, Guido, was an AMAZING character. He was so funny from the get go. So full of life and love. AND, what a great father. He just kept this positive attitude for his son. He never once let his son see his pain or how afraid he might have been, even to the end. Props to this movie!

Pleasant Night:

I had a pleasant night. I went to institute and met some more people, which is a plus because last time I really didn't get a chance to talk to anyone. Then on the way home, the night was just beautiful... it was cool with a nice breeze and a full moon to boot! As I was walking, a man walks past me and says, " Isn't just a beautiful night." "Why, yes," I say. "Very pleasant!" To top it off, some man sitting by the library looks at me, as I smile a toothless smile, he says, "That smile will get you through the day, you know!" All I could say was, "Yes it can!" I didn't even give him my 100 Watt smile! SO ya, it's been a good night!

My Saturday....

1- I was able to finish up a paper that is due on Monday. I have to admit, it was a struggle. It was only am misson statement, but sometimes those are the hardest!!!! Glad I got it done, though!

2- I sat by the pool to read some articles for class and took a little dip in the pool. It's HOT here- 104??? What the X? I thought I left the heat- but I think all of Cali is getting hit by this lovely heatwave! So ya, the pool felt nice =)

3- I found (or my friend Michael introduced me to) a website that plays movies for FREE!!!!!!! You can usually find newer movies that have just come out! IT ROCKS! I love movies, so this website rocks my world. I have watched one too many already. It's great because it's not like I am downloading, they are just on the net- kinda like youtube.

4- Downtown San Jo just got a new Safeway! So, I don't have to go across town anymore to go grocery shopping =) I walked over to check it out, and guess what- they had FREE samples. What a great treat. Got some frozen yogurt... YUM. It was a wise decision to take a walk over to check out the new store. It's gonna be a great asset to downtown!! (at least for me)

5- More movies... I went and saw The Time Traverler's Wife- movies are olny $7.50 with a student ID! SWEET =) None of this $10.50 business... It was a good movie- Time travel always boggles my mind. They are here, there are there. I can never keep track! But, it was a good one! It was nice to get out- Even if it was just to watch yet another movie =)

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. ?

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. ?

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. ?

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. ?

5. Pay off your credit cards every month. ?

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. ?

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. ?

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. ?

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. ?

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. ?

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. ?

12.. It's OK to let your children see you cry. ?

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. ?

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. ?

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. ?

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. ?

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. ?

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. ?

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. ?

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. ?

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. ?

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. ?

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. ?

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' ?

27. Always choose life.?

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business. ?

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. ?

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. ?

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. ?

33. Believe in miracles. ?

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. ?

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. ?

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. ?

37. Your children get only one childhood. ?

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. ?

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. ?

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. ?

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. ?

42. The best is yet to come. ?

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. ?

44. Yield. ?

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Rude Awakening

A couple nights ago, the whole building was awakened by the fire alarm. Luckily, I really wasn't sleeping all that well (I guess that's the only time I feel lucky not to be able to sleep!). Just as my roommate turned off the light, the blaring, high pitch sound started around 12:30. Of course I was startled. I jumped right out of bed, and stood up not knowing what was going on. I thought it was just our fire alarm, thinking I left the stove on from that nights dinner. NOPE- as we investigate some more, we see across the way that another apartment's sprinklers on the balcony are pouring down with water. It was a mess! You could have taken a shower with all that water pressure! The unfortunate part was the alarm kept going on and off for about 2 hours. Needless to say, for what started as a rough night, it didn't get any better with the alarms! But, all is well. The apartment seems A-OK.. at least from our view =)

My First Day at School

1- I woke up to an awful garlic smell... thinkin it was just some lingering scent left from my roommates, I hurried to get out and go work out. HOWEVER, the smell followed me. I would get whiffs of it every now and then while lifting weights. I thought it was me at first, thinking the smell from the apartment permeated my clothing. NOPE... all along the smell was in the air. Hm, I guess that's what we get for being close to Gilroy (Garlic central!).

2- I was happy to find out that I can work out on campus. The weight room isn't immaculate (like UCSD), but I will make it work! It's free, and that's all I need to know. The only downer is that it doesn't open up until 7:00. Don't they know people like to get up early to work out?! What if I have to start working early??? Hm, let's hope I can still find the time!

3- Toto, we are not at BYU anymore. While walking to the bookstore, I discovered all the fraternities and Sororities. I honestly felt like I as in a movie or a TV show. Oh, and I can do without the smoking... Just not a fan of it!

4- Classes went well. My first class was a bit overwhelming. I feel like I am the student who has no idea what the teacher is talking about. It's at those moments when the teacher says, "Raise your hand if you haven't heard of (place whatever topic you want here)." When no one raises their hand, why on earth do I want to look like the fool? Did I miss something, not read an article? How does everyone else know what he's talking about except for me? That is usually the time I go home and have a fun time looking up the information. I am determined not to be the only one left with their hand up. I know it's only the first day, but how am I already behind????

My second class went a little bit more smoothly!! The professor is amazing. So full of life and energy about Public Health. She is definitely someone who I want to be. I hope I can become fully immersed in my career and LOVE it as she does.

SHHHHHHH.....

Do you ever feel that when you are trying to be quite, you tend the be the loudest? For example, the dishes decided to clang together, the fridge door hits the wall, you grab your bag and your keys fall out, your shoes opt for it to be the right time to start squeaking. Now, I am sure this stuff happens all the time, but it's almost like these noises become more pronounced when you are trying your hardest not to make a peep! I guess I can relate this to an injury. Say you have a small paper cut on your finger. Tell me why it seems that I always hit that finger a good 20 times a day. I guess I am just more aware of it when pain is shooting up my hand. Anyhoo, this has been something that has been boggling my mind for a few days. Having a roommate makes you think of these types of things!!!

San Jose... The Beginnings!!!

I officially arrived Wednesday, August 19th. I worked hard at moving in and getting my room all situated. My roommates seem great- So far no complaints, and we seem to get along just great. Although, they probably think I am a weirdo because I go to bed early! I can't help it- Early to bed, early to rise! Some things never change.

Here's where I walk into Campus!!!

My student ID card... I am OFFICIAL!

On Thursday and Friday I had LONG orientations. I guess that's what comes with starting a Master's Program. I'm not sure if I feel any more informed from the orientations, but I do feel a little bit nervous. This program is set for people who want to do two or three years. I have decided that 2 years sounds like a plan. When I tell people this who are already in the program, they gasp at the sound of it. "2 Years, huh? Wow, good luck." What I don't get is aren't Master's Programs usually 2 years? The one thing that really worries me is that I have been out of school for a couple years... getting back into the groove is the challenging part. Let's hope that it all works out!

I did meet some great people. There are a few more BRAVE souls out there taking on the 2 year program- We decided we need to all hang out and study together. One person in particular has become my buddy! His name is Michael and is ready to help me get through this craziness! He even offered to give me a couch! Things are looking up!

A little walk way by my building full of food and goodness!!!

Here's my building...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library

My Library Card... Haven't had one of these for many of moons =)

As for being in San Jose, it seems pretty fun! I haven't had the chance to do much (been busy with orientations!), but I have walked around a little, and I like it. There are a lof of good places to eat. When I get a job, I am definitely hitting the town!!!! Today, I did go check out the Library that's across the street! That's gonna be a PLUS!!!! I guess just living across the street from campus will always a be plus! =) I got a library card, which means I can go check out movies and books ALL THE TIME. I can tell this is gonna be a good year!