My White Padded Room

The Befuddled Awakening

2009-02-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

So, this morning I woke up and after I was sitting there for a minute I discovered something. Have you ever woken up and not felt quite rested? Ok, well, have you thought you had a pretty good sleep but still didn't feel very energetic? Well, I have mornings like this all too often. ( I think it's the fact that I bought a really cheap bed.) Anyway, I noticed that my covers were completely different than the night before. I always make my bed the same way with the comforter showing the dark black side facing up and the tag on the comforter at the bottom right corner. But today, the comforter was showing the light black flowered side up and the tag was in the left hand corner. I'm not sure what exactly went on. I sleep alone and I thought I slept pretty well, but the covers were all over the place and backwards/upside down/just plain skittywampus. Baffled by the condition of my bed spread, I got up to start my day and discovered that the other blankets were wrapped around my legs in such a way that I had to kick and squirm and get almost violent with them in order to get out of the death grip they had placed on me. Now, this is just not the most welcoming morning routine to begin with, I must admit. By the time I got out of bed I didn't know if I should yell at them, laugh at them, or just recognize it as a sign that the day wasn't going to go well and I should just get back in and cover my head until noon.

Not have the choice to stay home, I just simply shook my head and got in the shower. The messy covers are still waiting for me now, because I was afraid to make the bed knowing that the crazy covers may end up grabbing me and pulling me back in for the rest of the day. Let's hope that tonight things will go better. :)

Pub Quiz

2009-02-25T23:21:00.001-08:00

Every Wednesday night, a group of us go to FADO and participate in Pub Quiz. It's an interesting competition that happens between groups of patrons at this local Irish Pub. The questions cover everything from Musicians to pictures of artists to historical points of interesting, and all other type of questions. Some questions are way too easy, for instance, "What was the name of the musical that tells about a family caught in the middle of WWII ..." obviously it's The Sound of Music. But for the most part the questions are really hard, like giving really obscure movie quotes from several movies, like "I'll keep it" and "Hey Gorgeous". Plus there are many others that really difficult.

The MC looks like Vin Diesle and he's a little bit smug if you try to ask him for help. He's carrying the answers, so I don't know why he acts as if he knows it all, but he does. So that kinda ruins his good looking-ness. The waitress' don't make any money because we get there around 7 and we don't leave until almost 11. By 9 O'Clock, they are irritated and annoyed at our constant desire for refills and non-alcoholic purchases, as well as never being quite done with the round of questions in time to hand it in when she asks for it the first time.
The first time I went, I thought, ok... if I were going to study for a game show like Jeopardy, how would I study? Of course I considered going to the library, watching the sports channel for interesting facts, and paying particular attention to literature, music, and art. But then I asked myself, "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING>>> IT"S PUB QUIZ!!" The winners recieve $100 gift card to the restaraunt and the satifaction of winning. We have been going since before Christmas and we have never, I repeat NEVER, won. Once we tied for third and lost in the tie breaking question which you had to be a MENSA canidate to have answered. And yet, despite our horrible loss of only 14 points out of 70 possible, we still go week after week. The food is good and company is great, but we are just fooling ourselves if we think we are going to win.

It's definitely a great time had by all and as I sit here tonight thinking about some of the questions that were asked, I am loving that someone came up with the idea. I wish I had come up with it. They must have to pay for the questions. But I'm sure it brings in a least one full night each week, which in this economy is big. But mostly, I wish some of my friends from college could be at the table to help me. I may start recruiting, which means some of you will have to come to Vegas for a Wednesday night of Philly Cheesesteaks, Irish appetizers, and crazy questions.

Start studying...

Teaching! Why reinvent the wheel?

2009-02-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

It's been forever since I've written on the blog. I've had some requests and now it seems logical to go ahead and write again, especially now that I can attach this to my Facebook. I am hoping that I can vent my frustrations of teaching, and share my victories here and it will make me feel better. I also hope that someone, somewhere, might gain something from the experiences I'm having. If there's one thing I've learned, it's to not reinvent the wheel. Teachers say it all the time and so do our administrators. If someone else has already figured it out, why would you go to all the work to do it yourself? Well, I feel like I'm constantly reinventing. I guess I wish student teaching had lasted longer than 16 weeks.

I've been teaching for three years and have had so many tough situations, exciting times, and amazing moments in the classroom. Some have been complex and I've shared with people, but some have been small moments that I have enjoyed and kept to myself. Today was a day that had both.

My current class is extremely challenging. I feel my "grouchy brows" creep together almost immediately when I enter the classroom. I have to say that standardized testing perpetuates this condition of the face. Unfortunately, I have no control over how this happens or if it happens. I just have to participate like these unfortunate little ones I have in my classroom.

So this morning, I was so frustrated. I felt as if everything I said went in one sweet little ear and right out the other of each and every student in the room. Nothing I seemed to do made the words I was saying stick. Following directions is the hardest thing in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD with this group. By lunch, I had a headache taking over and I was wishing there was a botox injection available in the vending machine or a white padded room where I could get it all out.

After lunch, something changed. I'm not sure what it was, but I'm pretty sure it was just the fact that I know there was a whole half a day left, and also that there are three months of school left and somehow, I had to survive. After getting through reading and math, we moved onto writing and I was given the cutest song about Parts of a Friendly Letter. We sang and came up with hand motions. It was awesome. The students were engaged and I felt fulfilled as if I accomplishing

Right now I'm reading a book my sister Jacque gave me a million years ago. It's called "The Gentle Touch" by Ardeth G. Kapp. I'm hoping I can learn something to help me to reach those kids that, right now, feel completely untouchable. I know I have the ability to cause change because I have done it... but I have to figure out how to cause change without causing a stress and anxiety indused ventricle explosion. If I can't figure this out, I'll never make it 30 years.

Well, I'm off to finalize the thesis and then to bed, obviously... way too late.

Later.

Take Down

2006-10-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

I just love these pictures, so I thought I'd post them on the blog today. I don't have much to write other than this is what I love about this guy.

Have a good day.

Ciao

Dating...

2006-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well, after the longest dryspell in history, I finally have found myself in a relationship with someone. I know I said something about this before, but I thought I'd spend some time on my blog to write a little about him and what's up. As you have read from my Vegas moments, finding a man in this city is nothing short of a miracle. Around July, when I found myself working at the wonderful and spectacular Applebee's, the bartender Crystal and I became instant friends. She invited me over for dinner one night and told me their friend Fernando was coming to eat as well. Crystal, Frankie (Crystal's boyfriend) and Fernando have all been friends since the 6th grade. I thought, "oh great... she's going to try and set me up with someone" so in arriving first, I was hoping he wouldn't be able to make it and then I'd be able to relax. I was wrong. The ever faithful friend showed up right on time. When he walked in I thought, well, forget it, he won't like me. The workouts from Curves hadn't started to show any progress at that point.

Week after week, we all hung out, talking, watching movies, eating, and just spending time around each other. At the end of the night, Fernando and I would leave, walking down the sidewalk to our cars not saying much of anything to each other, except the occasional empty comment just trying to make some conversation. I was always thinking... why doesn't he talk more. Crystal kept sayin that we should hook up, but I didn't want to go for Ferdinand just because Crystal told me I should, right?? Of course. Apparently Fernando was always thinking, ... why does she get in her car so fast every night and why doesn't she stop and talk to me a little bit before she leaves. ... I had no idea he even thought I was cute or anything because he's shy and no one ever asked him what he thought about me. I actually didn't think he even wanted to be my friend, but there was an occasional moment where I would be talking a mile a minute, as you have all witnessed me do, and I'd look over and see Fernando totally into it. I was even caught speechless for a moment when I realized he wasn't just looking at me thinking I was crazy, he was actually listening to what I was saying. (I didn't think men listened.) ha ha ha

Well, finally, after a long shift at Applebees, Frankie and Fernando came to pick Crystal and I up and we went and got some food. Suddenly a miracle occurred. The man that never spoke started talking to me. By the end of dinner, we were in a major conversation. After that we all hung out until pretty late, laughing and playing video games and just messin' around. We sat on the couch, with pillows covering up our hands so Crystal and Frankie couldn't see us holding hands. We left their apartment and ended up sitting in his car until 7 a.m. !!!

After that it's just been awesome. We've been dating seriously since then, which is around Labor Day. He has done nothing by amaze me every day. I am so lucky to have such a great guy in my life. I've never experienced someone who has such respect for women and people in general. He is such a hard worker, as well. He is graduating in Accounting and Finance in December from UNLV and then he is going to open his own business. He works with his dad and at a high rise condo here in the city. He and his dad are best friends and they are Mr. Fix-ets. They can fix anything. He makes me laugh and he makes me feel like I'm on up on a pedistal. Hopefully I do the same for him, which he says that I do.

Here are some pictures of us. There aren't many but there will be more. He's definitely going to be in my life for a long time.

Enjoy the photos.

Jess

Tales of the Student Teacher

2006-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone.

I finally have had some time to put down some pictures of my class and me in it. I'm sure there is some legal stipulation that says I can't have pictures of these kids, so if you know them, please don't tell their parents.

As for my classroom. Things have been interesting. I've been teaching full time now for a few weeks. It's been great! However, the perfectionist in me has had to take a deep breath and just get things covered. I haven't had time to be really interesting or do anything amazing that anyone outside of our classroom would notice. I think I've kept the students entertained though. The other day we did a conga line and in rhythmic way sang "e-a-r ... e-a-r... errrrr" so we could remember the spelling rule that the letters e-a-r make a errrr sound like in earn, yearn. It was fun. The students loved doing the conga around the room.

My experience so far has definitely had it's share of challenges. Some of you know I worked at a school with kids who have behavorial disorders for about 6 months. I learned a lot during that time about discipline and how normal discipline techniques on these kinds of kids of the opposite affect as they do on children without behavorial disorders. Well, you'd think that experience would have helped me, but it's so different in a classroom where you have one student with those problems and the rest are complete angels.

My good friend and student with down syndrome... for legal purposes we'll call him Luke, has had a rough couple of weeks. This last week was full of moments where I wondered how the heck I ever could help him.

I walked outside one morning to get the students, ready for a perfectly sweat free day of teaching, and to my amazement and horror, Luke was chasing the other kids around swinging his backpack like a slugger on the NY Mets. The kids are so well behaved they were trying to stay in line but still duck his painful blows. Some were telling him to stop and others were just beginning to enter a state of shock. That was Monday. OnTuesday Luke threw a tantrum in the room and after writing on the wall with his crayon, he threw the entire bag and hit one of my students square in the face. The bag broke open and other crayons bounced off of her like a rubber ball and spread like machine fire hitting two or three other students. They just kept on coloring because they didn't want to get into trouble. After that moment, I took Luke into the hallway and he calmed down long enough to distract me and then he ran down the hallway. When he rounded the corner, of course before me because I was not going to run (that's what he wants and I wasn't wearing a sports bra) he then proceded to leave the building. I wasn't sure where he went and I had left 16 children in the room with a teachers aid who I feel is notwonderful for me to have to tell my Assistant Principal during my internship that I lost I student. It is a little comical now, but being that it was my b-day and only Tuesday, I was feeling a little peeved after the whole thing.

Other than that, things are going well. I can't wait until I have my own classroom and a pay check to go with it. This working for free stuff is pretty hard to handle.

Ahh, the classroom photo. ha ha ha

Till next time.

Ciao

A Very Long Silence

2006-10-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Hello All.

After a very long silence, I have finally found the time to write again. So much has been going on in my life that I just can't seem to get a minute to write. There's that, and the fact that I lost my password forever and couldn't figure out how to log on so that I could continue my various rantings. So I'm up for a little writing tonite.

I started student teaching, finally! My first day of school was nuts. There were so many students. I'm currently in an elementary school that only houses Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. This is a novel idea, because there are no worries of older kids and problems that occur with the mixing of ages. There are 16 2nd grade teachers in my school. I am with one of them and she is a pretty good teacher. I enjoy learning from her and I believe she has learned a few things from me, as well. After teaching now for a month, I can honestly say that I love it. I do not feel like it's work. Instead, I feel like it's a mix of stand up comedy, playing, and (let's be honest with ourselves) saving the world. I know that sounds arrogant, as if I could save the world, but I mean that it makes you feel so good that you taught a child or helped a child to be comfortable with reading out loud that it feels like you saved the world. I love my class.

I have one student who has down syndrome. I become so elated whenever he does something on his own, without a prompting or a bit of instruction. He was in charge of leading the pledge of allegiance last week. On Monday, when I announced that it would be his turn to lead the class, he immediately stood up and said everything correctly. His little voice and the way he stutters just a touch and slurs his words made my heart melted as he managed to say every line correctly in preparing the class to say the pledge. Occasionally he gives me a hug and tells me he loves me. That is awesome. The kid just makes me laugh. Unfortunately, his loving attitude is usually spoiled with a comment about poop right in front of the other students. He asked if he could draw me a picture ... it was of my butt pooping he said. Nice. I finally got him to draw me a picture of himself instead. It is the cutest self-portrait I've ever recieved.

Other than school, I'm still working at Applebees. They have been especially unaccomodating with my school schedule. My employer actually told me to "suck it up" when I told her that working until midnight when I had school at 7:00 a.m. was too difficult. I know, I know... I can hear the violins stringing now... however, I feel I'm justified in asking for a little decency after working like a horse for them all summer. At least the food is still free. And it's getting better, too. I recommend giving Applebees a try soon. They have this new brick chicken and a penne rosa pasta with italian sausage........ YUMMY!! It's good stuff.

The big news, I suppose, is the latest boyfriend in my life. After a five year dry spell... and how dry it was.... I have finally found myself in a relationship with a wonderful man. He was not what I was looking for and I was not what he was looking for, but now that we've found each other; it's amazing. I know. I know. Get me the barf bag. But he's awesome. His name is Fernando Isaac Ruvalcaba. ( I can't pronounce it either, so don't worry.) I suppose there is more for this to come later. He is a student at UNLV and graduating in December in Accounting and Finance. He is the biggest gentlemen I've ever been privledged to go out with and we have the best time, except when we wrestle. I beat him every time because I'm tough. (Actually, it's the other way around, but it makes me feel better to lie.)

I'm sorry it's been so long. I'll update pictures and other comments later. I hope all is well with all of you.

Adios,

Jessica

The Work World

2006-07-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

The joys of being a twenty-something and just out of college are not complete without jobs that have nothing to do with your degree, right? After working at the wonderful monkey-do-a-job temp agency my assignment ended and I was left back in my car searching for a new job. As I have said about Las Vegas before, it definitely has had its share of big-city moments for me. Looking for other temp agencies was among those moments as I got completely confused at the directions I got off of mapquest when I came to the corner of Sunset and Sunset knowing that I was supposed to take Sunset to Whitney Ranch Dr. As the sweat started to bead on my forehead from the heat that my air conditioning just wouldn't keep at bay and my nerves shredded in frustration, my poor mother got an ear-full of my regret for having moved to such a large city with no money. I found the temp agency the next day with help from a friend and found myself watching yet another video on proper the procedures for lifting anything over 50lbs and what to do if there is a chemical spill. I informed the agent at Addecco that I was only applying for an office job and that I wouldn't be experiencing chemical spills unless they asked me to change the toner in the copier, at which point, after I'd been there for an hour, she told me that office doesn't handle office positions, only warehouse. Could we have put this in advertisement, please? (The picture in the ad is people in office attire... go figure!) Luckily, about a month and a half ago, I applied to work at Applebees and Hollywood video hoping these could take the place of a second job and get me out of my apartment. After having a nervous breakdown in the car, I headed home to drown my woes in an episode of Alias when the phone rang and it was Applebees. The very next day, Hollywood video called and offered me a job.

I started training at Applebees, complete with my red shirt and "Hi Neighbor" button as I thougth to myself, how hard could it be. HA HA HA. I've been working for a week and a half now, and my body is rocked! I'm so tired. To all those poor waitresses out there that I've sent back to the kitchen with my food or asked for more sauce or a refill on a mixed lemonade... I pay homage to you and ask your forgivness in making your job harder. My feet hurt so bad that I think even after a foot translplant they will still hurt. I came home expecting to have lost at least 15lbs after the first three days and five shifts, unfortunately, ... nothing. It's all still there. It hasn't been too bad, really, but there have been the occasional table of people that leave me a list of improvements on the back of my ticket or even tell me right there at the table how I could be a better waitress or server. It's nice. "Thank you customer, for explaining to me how I could be a better server... have you been a server?"I want to ask. Well, I guess karma is the pitts because I've done that before... but my servers were really really bad; like letting the table next to us smell our food before they set it on our table and never coming back to fill our drinks or give us silverware. It's JUST FOOD! But I guess it's a serious thing. It's all good though. I am making enough money in tips alone to pay my bills and that was the goal. My disgustingly rich days will have to wait until I'm a teacher. ha ha ha ha

As for my job at Hollywood Video... if I thought monkey could have done my temp job, than his retarded counterpart could do my job at Hollywood with his eyes closed and his opposable thumbs tied behind his back.

The list of interesting jobs and job experiences continues to grow with me. I can add waitress to my personal resume now. What the worst job you've ever had? What was the best job you ever had? If you could do it all over again, what job do you wish you could have had that you never got? As always, thanks for reading.

Ciao

Searching for a Happy Medium

2006-07-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Moving to Las Vegas has meant leaving most of my good friends behind and striking out on my own in the world of single and free. While this sounds glorious to some of you with children and families, and it is pretty nice, I have to admit I have had my share of lonely moments where I'm missing my friends. But I know that I can make new friends and find "my crowd" to hang out with if I just open myself up to new possibilities. I began with my roommates, whom I knew casually from classes or seminars in school. They are nice girls, however, I learned quickly they were not "my people" when I was told I was watching trash on television and that anything that cost of $5 was too much money to spend on doing something. (The trash I was watching was Friends and I can absolutely appreciate thrifty people, however, in Vegas, it just happens to cost more sometimes.) I tried to convince myself that despite their extremely conservative and cost conscience lives, I could hang out with them once in a while. I learned the hard way (after banging my head against the wall in frustration) that I could not go to bed at 9 o'clock or attend only $2.50 viewings of PG only movies and talk about being a teacher during every moment of our excursions out on the town. I decided I needed to find a different type of people to get to know.

I recently got a job working at Applebee's and on the first day of training, this very friendly, and wildly sarcastic gay hispanic asked if I wanted to go to a party with some other employees from another store. I accepted, of course, feeling desperate for social interaction and eager to meet new people. Of course, I knew I might be getting myself into something a little interesting and I informed him that I wasn't a partier, nor did I drink. He assured me it wasn't a problem and convinced me to go. The group would be meeting at a club in Sunset Station (a Casino off the strip) called Club Madrid. The club usually books a big show once in a while, however, on a regular basis they have an 80's night where they play only 80's music and everyone dances and has a good time. ( I did a little research just to be sure I wasn't meeting at some stereo typical Sin City club where anything more than lingerie would be wearing too much. ) I arrived at the casino on my own and decided to take a once-by to look in the door of the club and see what was going on inside before just traipsing in there. From the first walk-by I noticed people dancing and a band on stage. The music was Love Shack, which I thought was awesome. I walked by again, slowing down a bit to really look inside. This time I noticed a woman, in black leather lingerie on the table, cracking a whip, and dancing rather provocatively. My pupils dialated and I rubbed my eyes wondering if I had seen what I thought I had seen. So, again, I sauntered inconspicuously by the front entrance to the club and heard the lead singer of the band shout out through the microphone....

"Is anybody horny?????"

With that, I gripped the strap of my purse and headed towards the door laughing and shaking my head. I knew it was too much for me that night. Not only am I the Eddie Bauer poster girl and a country bumpkin, but I am fairly conservative myself and knew that if I was going to be spending the evening with my new gay friend, I would already be entering a new realm of people, the likes of which my roommates would choke on their own g'fawing as they listened to him talk and joke around. After hearing the golden question of the evening inside Club Madrid, I knew I had overstepped myself into a place that I just wasn't laid back enough to enjoy. I realized that the reason people must drink before going out is to lose their inhibitions and throw caution to the wind. So, I'm back at my staunch and uptight apartment listening to rebellious music on my iPod and watching PG13 when no one else is home so I don't disturb the balance of good, better, best and untainted roommates. I am determined to find a happy medium or I'll just have to consider moving back to Idaho. ** gasp **

2006-06-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been listening to the radio and heard a contest where if you called in and told the last 10 songs and who sang each of them you'd win a prize. Usually it's a hat or a snow cone gift certificate; something like that. It's never been that big of a deal, however, I can remember thinking how much I wanted to win a contest on the radio when I was a little girl. It has become apparent to me since I have moved to Vegas that I still have that desire, and now more than ever. The radio stations here aren't giving away styrofoam dollars that triple in size when you place them in water, or collapsable cups that you can fit in your purse. No, they give good stuff.

I realized my new desire to win when I was listening to 94.1 on the way to work and they announced they were giving away a designer handbag with show tickets and coupons to spa's and restaurants around Las Vegas. HELLO!!! Of course I wanted to win that. You just had to be the 29th caller and then listen to the contents of the bag and guess the prize without going over... The Purse is Right... Well, I never got my chance to do that because I always missed the cue and they quit about a week ago. Feeling a bit disappointed, I returned to the radio, this time switching stations because they are always playing the same stupid song on 94.1.

This time it was 95.5 KWNR, The New Country. It's a good station because they play some new country with some older and that was good. Well, on the way to work I hear ... be the 9th caller right now and win tickets to Martina McBride, in concert at Mandalay Bay on Saturday! What!!???? I'm thinking now is my chance to really get something, so I think I hear the number and I call and end up getting some poor guy out of bed with me asking ... "Am I the 9th caller??" He was like, "what the..." uh.. sorry, wrong number.

Well, I come into work and explain the situation to my co-workers. We look up the phone number (I was way off) and I program it into my cell phone. We turn the radio on and proceed, as monkeys in the zoo, pounding away at the 10-key. Soon, we think we hear an ad to call in and get the tickets. I quickly grab my cell phone and press the speed dial. The phone is answered by the corporate office who then gives me the correct number to the radio station D.J. As he answers, he says that I have not called at the right time and should listen for the sound and then call back when that is played on the radio. I ask... what's the sound. He replies ... now pay attention because it goes fast...

"it's like ... summer summer summer... blah blah blah.. and its a quip put together, thanks bye"

WHAT! WHAT??? How can I listen for that? What is that supposed to be? Well, it became a quest in the office. By yesterday afternoon we were listening intently and stopping typing every time we heard the D.J. beginning to talk. Never knowing if we'd heard the sound or not, but occasionally hearing someone on the radio saying they had won the tickets. They give the tickets away every hour supposedly... so we keep listening. Today, as 4 o'clock approaches, everyone in my office has the radio station phone number programmed into their speed dial and we are all waiting for "the sound" to play. Several times, I thought I'd heard the sound and so I called in ... "am I the 9th caller, did I hear the sound?" The D.J., less and less enthusiastic, and I'm sure a supporter of caller i.d. replies each time ..."no, not yet. keep listening." We we listened and we finally heard the sound and called in...

Drum Roll!

Busy Signal.
Busy Signal.
Busy Signal.
Busy Signal.

All of us, getting the busy signal. No matter how many times we called back... Same thing. Busy signal. So, no tickets today.

Don't you just love free stuff? (It probably cost the amount of the tickets in phone charges and lost work time by now.) Keep posted to hear about when I win.

Ciao.

The Ones You Love

2006-06-17T01:13:00.001-07:00

Recently a new friend of mine was driving home from a movie here in Las Vegas. She was with her husband and it was about 1 am on a Friday night. As they were headed home, they were struck from behind by a drunk driver who had been exceeding 120 mph. Luckily, her husband was able to control the vehicle enough to keep them from hitting the semi in the next lane, and instead they plummetted into the cement wall on the other side. The other car also hit the cement barrier. When they hit the barrier, their truck bounced off and and turned around, now facing on coming traffic. As the airbags deployed and the cab filled with dust/smoke, they could see the headlights coming towards them and were sure that if they were hit, they would lose their lives. Fortunately, the approaching lights was an off-duty officer who had been following the drunk driver and had seen the accident minutes after reported the man. When the truck came to a stop, my friend said that she immediately reached for her husband and called out... are you there, are you alright. Because the cab was filled with smoke and dust from the airbags, neither of them could see the other. He answered back, "I'm here, I'm ok".

As I sat there, jaw-dropped and stunned from her story I thought to myself, Wow. I'm so glad she's alive, well, and unharmed, and that her husband is as well. But I was also struck by the realization that in the face of tragedy and uncertainty, it's the ones you love who are most important. Her safety didn't matter. Her condition didn't concern her. But what she wanted to know, the minute she could find out, was if her husband was okay. She told how the driver got out of his car and they got out of theirs and the man kept asking them if she was alright. They were not injured, amazingly. But she did tell that man that he would have devistated their lives if he had killed one of them.

Another girl I work for told me about her fiance and their love for one another. As a Staten Island resident and someone who was working in NYC at the time of 9/11, she explained that her and her fiance realized the only thing that matters in this life are the ones you love. Now her family is close, and they are getting married, and her goals, and his, have changed. They spend time with one another, forgetting the petty things and working through the difficult problems with a commitment to making it work.

If anyone watched the news and the following broadcasts after Hurricane Katrina or the Tsunami, they could easily see the one thing on everyone's minds. These people had lost all their possessions, all their money, their pictures, their homes and some didn't even have shoes on their feet or food in the stomach. But when they were given a chance to ask for anything, they were asking for their families.

As I think about the people in my life and the ones I love and have loved through the years, I realize they are the first people I would be concerned with in a tragedy. I think we take our loved ones for granted. All too often we treat strangers with more kindness and courtesy than we do our loved ones because we know that our loved ones will still be there in the morning. Consider today, what if they weren't. Cherish the ones you love and keep them close. Reach out for them when they are right beside you and when you can see them. Don't wait until you aren't sure if they are there or not.

On a more serious note than usual, just takin' a minute to say...

I LOVE YOU to the important people in my life.

Love, Jessie

Diet Explosion

2006-06-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

Dang. I saw this online after my roommate told me about a news broadcast. It's called the Diet Coke/Mentos Challenge. I thought it was something that might help me lose weight. Well, maybe if I'm running from the spray. Anyway, in light of being from Las Vegas now, I thought I'd put this great clip. Enjoy! As for my nephews... Michael, Tanner, Andrew, Isaac, William, Brian, Colin, Caleb, Josh, Mathew, Mark, Brady, and Ethan ... give this a try over the 4th of July.

Take pictures and let me know how it goes.

It takes a minute to load and then press play. (the triangle on the left side)

"The Movie Talker"

2006-06-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Most people have their pet peeves. I am no exception to this rule. I have many pet peeves, probably too many, which may be a main reason I sit home every Saturday night admiring the cleanliness of my apartment and finding things to straighten. (Did you see the Wedding Planner with J-Lo... when she is vaccuuming the blinds with the attachment ... ---->ME!) Back to my peeving...

Yes, I have pet peeves. Some that are not worth sharing for the sake of you keeping your lunch down, but others have their place on the blog. I hate it when a person's brake light doesn't work on their vehicle and you find yourself in their back seat and wondering ... when did they start to stop! I hate it when there is food on the couch or someone wiped their dirty, greasy hands on the couch or pillow as if it was a napkin, which was less than 50ft away (face it, the apt. isn't that big ya lazy). I really hate it when someone takes the remote out of your hands and changes the channel, or if they turn the radio station, or worse, when they simply turn off the radio/cd without asking! WHAT! Who does that you say, well, I know plenty of rude people that have done that. However, I have a pet peeve that kills me and seems to be one of my many plagues recently. ---- Update on the bugs, Roach Motel's work and so does the Blackflag Spray! Thank you Walmart.-----

My pet peeve of the week is "the movie talker". Yes, I said it. The movie talker is a person that feels the need to comment, question, suggest, or narrate a movie while in progress. Now. This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Recently, I was watching a movie with my un-named co-habitator and her counterpart. Enjoying my popcorn and diet pepsi, I was suddenly stunned from my brainless state by questions and comments coming from the couch.

"What's that?" she asks.
"It's the guy that's coming to teach her about her powers." he replies.
"What is she thinking, doesn't she know that's dangerous?" she continues.
"Well, it's a room where the floor is just those panels ...." her clammer on.

PLEASE BE QUIET! I felt like screaming, but didn't. To my own detriment, I find myself in torture for a long six hours as we proceeded through our previously planned X-men marathon before going to the theatre to see the new one. (which I loved!) The two commented, and gave a narrative ... seriously saying things like, "she's going to the door", "he's using a fire ball to blow up those trucks", and "her hair is gray now".

This is not a baseball game being broadcast on the radio. It is not a golf tournament where the commentator whispers to the on-lookers about the strokes that have been made and whether or not he needs this birdie. NO. This is a movie. You are supposed to stuff your face with butter and caffine and sit mindlessly while allowing your dormant emotions to be rocked by the ultimate action packed, epic romantic comedy you paid $9.50 to see. (yes, it costs $9.50 to see a movie here in Las Vegas) The only thing worse than this is when a person comes into the movie late and wants to know everything about what's going on and whenever a new character enters the screen, they say "who's that". Dang Gina... that bugs!

Well, you might be giggling a little by now, but I know you know what I'm talking about. We have all been there. If not, you will experience it and when you do, you will be thinking, where is my blow-horn and hand-held sledge hammer? These people need a muzzle and I'm telling you that next time, if I'm not too hard up for company, I'm going to the movie by myself. (Which is a totally liberating experience for anyone who hasn't tried it. Just talk on the phone until you go in and sit down and then enjoy the row, seats, popcorn, soda, candy, and NO TALKING to your hearts desire, ... or two hours, whichever comes first.)

Now, to all of you out there who are movie talkers, and you know who you are.

<<<<>>>>>

Here is my Russian lady friend as a helpful reminder. If you continue your movie talking madness, I will send her to your house.

Until later, enjoy, comment, and stay out of trouble.

Ciao!

"Bugged"

2006-06-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

Ok. Will someone please answer this question.... WHY MUST BUGS PLAGUE MY LIFE?

I hate bugs. Anyone who knows me knows that. This is the same person that worked and lived in the BigHorns for an entire summer, with bugs, spiders, and the like. Even mice ate my socks, however, I am now suffering from a form of phobia and neuroses caused be living with bugs. Some of you may be calling this ridiculous, and I will admit, it is at times, a little. But I must plea my case in telling you that I feel entitled after my experiences.

Apt. #1

The year is 1999 and I have chosen to live in Orem, UT. Not a bad choice, considering that anything seemed better than WY at the time. But after a couple of nights in my new apt. which was actually a townhouse down by the river (not be confused with a van) I retire to my bed to find *dum dum dum* EAR WIGS!!!! *SCREAM! yes.. lots of them. Earwigs are crawling around in my bed. Of course, I can handle a bug or two, but not in my bed. I killed the earwigs, one by one, and then crawled into bed after hearing my mothers voice in my head telling me to get over it. After a nights sleep, somehow, I awake to the sight of yet another earwig crawling across the pillow towards me. YES, my worst fears are coming to pass right before my weary eyes. A bug is going to burrow inside my ear canal and I'm going to go deaf and find the hatching egg sack when I go to the Dr. for a cure. I jump out of bed to find they are everywhere. I also was pleased as punch to find centipedes, spiders, and other creepy crawly things in my room, bathroom and living room. That place was a dump and it was so disgusting. I was able to get out of that gross place, but not until I faced the Wicked Landlord of the North and her Biology degree that proved there was no possibility of bugs in a bed. Moving on.

Apt. #2

Several years later, and after much therapy and soothing night sounds, I find myself, despite better judgement, moving into a basement apartment in Worland, WY. At first, it seemed fine. I told myself I might see a bug or two, but if the place was clean, and so it appeared, I would not have a problem with the gross bugs. This time it was Silverfish that kicked it off. All over the kitchen and bathroom. Yes folks, again, I found myself sobbing like a baby and swearing like a trucker as I began to clean them up. This time, keeping the dead carcasses for evidence. After many spiders and a return of my neuroses, I am trying to talk myself out of just abandoning everything I own and moving to a highrise in a cement village. Unfortunately for a person just above the poverty level, I could not afford that. More unfortunately was the moment I knew I had to call the landlord. The time was 11:00 p.m. and I was heading to bed. Closing the window so that I may sleep in peace and quiet, a spider ... HUGE AS LIFE jumps for my hand making a loud thud as it lands on the wood frame of the window. As big as a 50 cent piece, I scream, hoping the wake the old lady that lives above me and happens to double for the same woman in the movie Duplex with Drew Barrymore. Unfortunately, no one awakes and I have to kill the dang thing, abandoning my post as spider-watchperson and breaking the cardinal rule of "never lose sight of the spider". My landlord didn't believe me, but after a tearful breakdown, and the threat of moving out, agreed to have an exterminator come. This did not help much because after about three weeks, the spiders and their families were back in full force. I eventually moved out, but not until I paid over $300 in bills to have the pest control guy come back every month until October ... all summer! I believe the apt. has been vacant ever since, or at least it appears that way whenever I am home and drive past.

Apt. #3

So, the reason for this tirade... COCKROACHES! I live in Nevada now, and while I knew there would be a cockroach or two, I believe we have a problem on our hands. One or two in a week, I can deal with it. They are gross, but the explanation that they are coming in from outside when we open the door makes perfect sense because they are right there, waiting with their little feelers and their tiny gross brains that plan how to torture adults. (That is what they are thinking, I saw it on t.v.) But tonight, after seeing a HUGE one make a break for the kitchen my roommate attempted to kill it with a bottle of Lysol Kitchen cleaner. As she sprayed the darn thing, it sat and squirmed, probably laughing in and evil comic book comeback as if to say, you can try .... ha ha ha. When she put her foot down to stamp it, it crawled on her shoe, at which point she began kicking in the air screaming and I began screaming out of fear that it would land on me. Well, we cannot find the stupid thing anywhere. Either Lysol has a magic ingredient that disintegrates cockroaches (which I proved false later in the evening on another one) or that stupid thing is going to turn up somewhere. But either way, I'm sitting on the couch wondering why I'm not tired, and suddenly my keen sense and cat-like reflexes send my bug radar into overload. I look over and see a HUGE cockroach, not the same one, headed for my room. I go to the kitchen to get something to kill it with and see another one, peering out from the laundry room door. Well, it's clear we have a problem. I cannot tolerate this at all. I kill one with violent swings of my swiffer-wet jet, and trap the other under a plastic cup that I can see into. I dont' know what I'm going to do with this one, but the other is dead, and no, the Lysol didn't do anything to it except make it foam a little. I guess my landlord will be hearing from me tomorrow.

Have a great, bug free night at your house!

Everything I need to know, I learned from T.V.

2006-06-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

After many many years of college, countless classes, listening to professors and somewhat reading the textbooks that cost a fortune, I realize now that I could have admitted that a quality education was taking place at the monthly low price of $49 from DirecTV. Yes, I am saying, and have said before, that everything I need to know about life, I've learned from T.V. While I'm sure this is provoking a giggle or two from those of you who know me, and a shock from some of my family members or those of you who don't know me, it is the truth and not meant as a joke.

Television's catch-22 personality has been a member of my life from as far back as I can remember. As a small child, I hid in the corner of the living room watching M.A.S.H with my brother and sisters when I should have been in bed. I discovered at an early age the the Army wasn't for me. Watching Murder She Wrote, despite my sisters plea's that I change the channel taught me how to solve a mystery when I'm in my 60's. Mom, if you're curious, let me know. Magnum P.I. was a favorite of my brothers, however, I'm not sure what learned from that, except that Tom Selleck made the mustache look about has hot as a mustache can look on anyone. And last, but definitely not least, of the childhood favorites is the Cosby show. Of course, watching Cosby helped me to solve all kinds of family problems. I learned that a child can never get away with a lie, because the parent always knows, that having a doctor for a father and a lawyer for a mother would only get me a brownstone in New York, but would also create a world of family courts and medical lessons, and that if my dad ate too many hogies, he would have funky dreams and think he was having a baby. (One of my favorite episodes)

So, as I grew into a teen-ager, the sick twist of life's lessons continued with an addiction to Wednesday nights and 90210. Yes, I even bought the soundtrack to the show and still have it in my c.d. case. Life in Beverly Hills could be mine vicariously through the lives of Kelley, Donna, Brenda, Andria, and I would learn that drugs, money, fashion, popularity and life on the beach in the summer wasn't everything it was cracked up to be, but I could still look good doing it if I had all that money. Fortunately for me, as a teen-ager I didn't realize all that I was really learning from these shows, it would have counteracted some of America's best viewing possibilities of the future.

I'm talking about Dawson's Creek, Alias, and of course, Buffy. Seriously, these three shows have been just what I needed to catapult me into adulthood.

Of course, Dawsons Creek is the show about dating. When in the confusion of whom to choose, it is always best to date each person that is madly in love with you several times through the years, stringing them along, breaking their hearts, and then somehow, reeling them back in for more until you finally decide. Now, I knew all along that Pacey was the one for Joey, or me, whomever he decided on, but Joey seemed to think she needed Dawson's hair to run her fingers through. Unfortunately, when he started looking like a girl, the attraction had to stop there. But as far as dating goes, I know in my life, when faced with any dating challenge, I turn to a good episode of Dawson's Creek before making my next move.

Now, of course, a lesson or two has been learned from watching Alias. There are so many times in my life that I have been faced by a secret faction of the government, claiming to be the CIA and wondering if I should join or not.
Of course, the answer is yes, because without this decision I would never meet that hunk of my life, Vaughn. Here's another t.v. star that just doesn't know what he's missing in his life. But back to the lessons learned. Should I go with the red wig, or the red leather jump suit.... wig. Do I sneak up behind the guy that is trying to kill me, or swing in from the chain overhead ... swinging, of course! And what should I do when I find out my best friend and roommate has been doubled ... (this has happened so many times I can't even count) ... well I have to kill her of course. Sad, I know. But when it's best for the government, it's best for me. When I found out that I was actually working for the wrong side, I watched season three of Alias and learned how to cope with this betrayal. Now that it's over, I'm not sure who I'll turn to for all my agent needs, but I'm sure NBC will not disappoint me. (A tribute to the show and the love of my life, Vaughn, will come later, so keep checking back.)

But over all, the one show that has taught me everything I need to know, and has been a blessing to others... especially those that have frequented a Sunday School class or two, is ...........BUFFY!

Not to be confused with the crappy movie made in the early 90's, no... this is Buffy the t.v. series. Sarah Michelle Gellar, you have taught us all so much about courage, friendship, loyalty, and fighting off every vampire that comes in your path, (unless they are hot of course). When ever faced with evil, Buffy looked inside herself and found the courage to fight. I am almost teary-eyed now just thinking about it. Because of my low income status, I'm unable to afford cable, and so I miss any possible re-run of Buffy, but the lessons linger in my mind as I try to make decisions facing the evil that lurks in this city of sin. Thank you Buffy, Thank you Alias, Thank you Dawson's creek. I could not have learned a thinkg without you.

As for the rest of you non-t.v. watchers, you don't know what you're missing, but you can find out by going to the DIRECTV website and checking out there programming prices. It's worth it, trust me!

Chao for now. - Jess

Work!! Or not?

2006-06-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

Another week of work has come to an end. This week wasn't very hard, but what week is at this job. Temping is the apparently the first job the post graduate, pre-career platform job. Data entry is apparently the only job that they actually pay humans to do even though a monkey could do it just as effectively. I suppose I should be happy about having a job that requires no thought, no training, and absolutely no energy. Instead, I find myself wondering if the last few years of school are draining out of my finger tips with every keystroke. I hope I don't lose everything I've learned before I begin teaching.

I'd like to take this opportunity, however, to share about my fellow-employees. Working in the tight, non-airconditioned cubicle village has created some of America's Finest Employees. The tension that exists in this smoke/coffee filled air could be cut like a knife, but provides for a little humor in the process. Only nicknames are used, of course.

"Hugo" .... try Hu--not! Muscle shirts should only be worn by extremely HOT guys who work out more than they breathe. Hugo, with his slick, black muscle shirt stood in the filing room, flabbily hanging out over the belt that was holding up his highwater Levi's. This is absolutely not allowed. As I tried to walk by to put a file away, he barely moved out of the way and rubbed his chest looking down at it. ARE YOU SERIOUS! Please!! Gross doesn't begin to say what was running through my mind. Someone call the fashion police. Hurry!

"Computer Carl" -- this guy is classic. Sitting at the chair across my desk, I notice his bare love handles hanging out from under his raggidy, dryer beaten, polo shirt. Now, I don't know about you guys, but bare love handles are extremely attractive, especially on a mid-50's beer guzzler from Denver. I don't know what I ever saw in guys my age. I'm switchin' to the older crowd.

"Wanda the WACKO" -- My favorite! If you ever saw a woman in her mid 40's with OCD working in payroll, then you will know what I mean when I tell you this lady is a freak. If the stamp on the time sheet is not angled exactly at 90 degrees, she will politely and condesendingly pull you over and explain the process to you. As a germ-a-phobe she points out potential office procedures that could lead to sickness. As a hypocrite, she sits at her desk with her bare feet and also sits on the floor as well. I wouldn't touch the floor with my bare-anything and I feel like disinfecting my shoes at night. But my favorite action of Wanda is when she asks her Magic 8 ball for advice. I am serious folks. She actually reaches for her 8 ball and asks it questions throughout the day. I've never met a person over 10 that asks an 8 ball a question about anything remotely serious. This new source of office consulting may be the wave of the future and you may want to get an 8-ball for yourself.

TGIF... back to the monotony on Monday.

2006-06-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

Ok. Let the battle of the bulge begin. Yesterday, after forcing my Pillsbury Dough tummy into my pants one more time, I decided ... that's it! I have heard of so many people that are losing weight at Curves ... CURVES? Really? Is it a diet? Is it a gym? Does 30 minutes really work? So, I went in and signed up, luckily they had a special for only $3 sign up I could get started. So, before I knew it, I left feeling Gung Ho! Today was my first workout. It is a gym ladies. It is a workout and it is a new way of life. I loved it! There were women of all sizes and shapes and they were talking and laughing, working out, and even some of them were complaining. One lady said ... "I'm doing the leg crunches" and everyone cheered. By the time I finished my workout, I was sweating, I felt like I burned those french fries off that I ate for lunch, and I think I'll go back. So, that's good. The ad asks ... can 30 minutes really change your life? Well, I'll guess we'll see.

2006-06-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Who said FAO Schwartz was just for kids?

http://www.fao.com/home.jsp

Go check out the site.

2006-06-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

What would a TwentySomething have to say that others would be interested in???? Nothing. In lou of endless amounts of time on my hands after work, I'm writing it anyway.

Enjoy many more posts to come ... or don't.