It's Always Something

I passed pre-reqs with a 91% average. Although the material wasn't too difficult, it was very time consuming. 8 hrs of lecture + 2 hrs of reading every day. Plus, quizzes everyday. It was an intense month. On Monday, I started core, semester 1. Three months of 2 days in lecture (8 hrs each day) and 3 days in clinicals plus tests on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays. I anticipate this is where it begins to get interesting. Wish me luck.

This morning I got together with some of my girlfriends to attend another girlfriend's kickboxing group exercise class. I have not been to the gym nor consistently exercised for over two years and completely underestimated how HARD exercise can be for me! Like math, it appears that if you do not use it, you definitely LOSE it. Only 30 minutes into the routine, I felt lightheaded and nauseous and had to sit down to catch my breath. As I sat there and watched my energizer-bunny friend teach the class, I realized that I do not want to make my life more complicated than it has to be by not taking care of my health. I don't want to stroke out. I don't want to be out of breath when I walk up 5+ flights of stairs. I don't want back pain, joint pain, or any other type of pain that stems from lack of exercise and poor diet. I don't want stints in my body to hold my arteries open. I don't want chemicals coursing through my veins to regulate my blood, hormones, or we...

As a parent, one of the things I have tried to show Brooklynn are the classics. My definition of the classics are things that existed in my generation that are about to be extinct. For example, I prefer that Brooklynn read newspapers over online. I still buy her books rather than get her an e-reader. I make her watch movies such as Annie, Clue, Gremlins, Ghostbusters, and Grease. Most recently, I have decided to start purchasing vinyl records again. Not only because a very close friend of ours is a DJ, but also because I think she is missing out on the full experience of buying vinyl. Now that everything is digital, purchasing music has become such an impersonal process for such a personal experience. Buying MP3s online removes the pride one gets from finding your next favorite album by sifting through records for hours, appreciating each album's artwork, and the satisfaction of holding this new music, this piece of art, in your hands. Visiting a record store in LA. Sifting ...

I had a wonderful time spending the evening getting to know friends of a friend. A lovely couple who are expecting their second child. It's been so long since I have been to a nice, civilized dinner party with friends. Their fabulous view of the Bay Bridge didn't hurt, either. It's nice to be reminded that there are still "normal" couples out there. People who love one another, who treat each other with respect, and work together as a team. Thank you, guys, for such a wonderful evening tonight. I can't wait for movie night! (har har).

Brooklynn has been so anxious to visit Hollywood during our trip to Southern California. She has been convinced she will run into Miley Cyrus, Brad Pitt + Angelina Jolie, Justin Timberlake, and Zac Efron. I didn't have the heart to tell her the chances of that are slim to none. So, we started our hunt at, where else? The hollywood walk of fame! Brooklynn's first, must-see star belonged to The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. She was stoked we found it without too much hastle. Brooklynn finds the star of her favorite TV family, The Simpsons! Although quite creepy, this Michael Jackson impersonator brought huge smiles to Brookie's face. Both before and after taking this photo, Brooklynn stood staring star struck. Gawd only knows how she would have reacted if it were the real MJ. Our tourist pic with our Hollywood sunglasses + Hollywood sign waaaaaaaaaay off into the distance. At the end of each day, THIS is why I do what I do. Love.

Today, Brooklynn insisted her Auntie Lea get out of the apartment and experience LA. Lea obliged and the 3 of us girls headed to Melrose for some shopping. Upon our arrival, Lea spots a tattoo shop and decides she wants a tattoo piece honoring her late mother who passed away recently (see June 10, 2009 post). I agree to take her. Should an 8-yr old be in a tattoo parlor? Most may think not. I decided it was more than OK for a few reasons: 1) I want to teach Brooklynn to appreciate all types of art and artists. In this case, tattoo artists. Here she can ask them questions and get their insight + stories first-hand. 2) People get tattoos for all sorts of reasons. I couldn't think of a better reason than honoring the sudden passing of one's mother. 3) Brooklynn's dad has 4 tattoos- an angry sunshine, a year of the tiger character, her brother's initials, and one in memory of his BFF who passed away in 1985. Perhaps this helps her understand her father a bit more. Learnin...

Today was New Year's Day and I refused to start 2010 with negativity. After such an emotional New Year's Eve, I was more than happy the next few days of our So Cal trip would be busy with family. First on the agenda- The Tournament of Roses Parade. My brother and faux sis-in-law (aka FSIL) live blocks from the parade. Although all 10 of us had planned on getting up early on New Year's Day to get good seats, only myself, FSIL, G, and Bstarr (with some help) were up at 7am. We packed up the stroller and started walking... a LOT of walking. Apparently, everyone in Pasadena had waken up earlier than us. The streets were CROWDED. Who said attendance was down 30%??? We ended up walking about a mile before we found us a spot. Hungry, hot, and grouchy we waited for the parade. After battling other spectators to keep our view clear (with the help of the Pasadena Police Dept.) the parade finally commenced. At that moment, the long morning instantly paid off. What a view! Sadly, a...