Running

After over six months, I put myself to the test and went for a run. Prior to last Fall, I was a solid runner. I'd do it almost everyday, and it was also an easy task- didn't even have to think about it twice. But then, once Fall started there were too many things to do and night classes and I just simply forgot to run.

Starting again is a pain. Your body feels heavy (although mine is simply heavy now), your calves begin to burn and your brain begs you to stop- all you got is the music to distract you from your own self-defeating thoughts. Funny, isn't it? We are truly our own best enemies. Anyway as I was running tonight, I felt good... it's a feeling I only get when I... ok, TMI, but it's truly a unique feeling. I am invincible... nothing can catch me or hurt me.

I'm not sure why I forgot to value this feeling. Maybe my life will give me a break to do this more often. Goodness.

Be Smart

I think some people underestimate parents. Yes they embarrass some of you, yes they hurt some of you- but some parents (not even mine) are the best example we could ever follow.

I'm 21 and trying to make my way through college (barely a Sophomore- if you didn't read it in my info). It's not easy and my best friend could tell you how much I struggle with money. I'm not too bad though, at least I'm in school and have a roof over my head. But let me get back to my initial point: Parents.

I was never taught anything useful by my parents about credit, or school, or life. Everything I know I've learned from other people, the internet, TV and good ol' experience. Now, I'm not trying to defame the two people that decided to get together and give me life, but rather put some facts on the table, because not knowing can hurt you lots.

I've had my share of late payments and overdrawn fees. I have no savings. I've lost money with silly decisions; and this list would make it to the moon if I keep going.

Yes, maybe I should have known better than to make a payment late and all that jazz, but in reality, if I had been told that I should shop around, read the fine print, look at interest rates and keep accurate payment dates, maybe I'd be in a different situation. So if you have no idea what I'm talking about, go spend your afternoon in GOOGLE researching how to get smarter about your finances. Otherwise, go pat your old man (or woman) on the back, they deserve it.

No Roommates

I've been quite the little housewife since I got home after work a little past 2pm (It's a bit after 3pm now...). Laundry, cleaning, more cleaning, cleaning... Whatever happened to not having to do anything at all? Yes, I know- I'll never stop wishing for that day to come.

My roommates have been out of town for about a week now (and hopefully for another week more) and I've gotten a chance to experience what living by myself would be like. And let me tell you something, having roommates sucks!

I love my roommates. They're seriously the best ones I've ever had since I moved to L.A. But it's a lot nicer to just come home and chill without having to worry about what your roommates are doing or thinking. I'll have my own place someday.

Someday.

Dream of Other Times

It's really crazy to think that tomorrow will be March already. I feel like this year is flying.

A few posts back I complained heavily about reading, little did I know that once school would start, that's all I'd be doing. I wake up, I read. Throughout the whole day, I read. I go to the bathroom, I read. I'm sure you get the picture. As a matter of fact, I should be reading right now.

It's not all that bad though. Reading about Politics and History has been great- but I can't say the same about Physiological Psychology and Chemistry. But all in all, I feel like this semester will be a successful one. I think.

Because I've been reading so much, all I could think about lately is what I could be doing if I weren't reading. I could be taking a walk, watching a movie, bowling, riding a motorcycle (I don't even own one), surfing (I don't know how to surf), writing (this kinda counts as writing, right?), hanging out with friends? Okay, maybe if I weren't reading I still wouldn't be doing all these things, but it should be okay to dream. Dream of other times. Better times.

Back to reality now- A molecule is a group or two of atoms... zzz.

Live A Little

Spent two days in bed sick, and today happens to be a holiday celebrated at work- getting lazy here.

Has someone ever told you to "live a little"? I'm not a 100% sure if someone has to me, but I do say it to myself... more often that you'd think.

When I was living in the South, my life was pretty boring- I so mean that. I worked during the day, then spent my nights reading / playing on the computer / playing video games. Kinda boring, huh? Well, I always felt like I've missed out on stuff. From the time I was 17 until I turned 20, I was like hibernating... letting my days pass me by without a second thought.

And now, I've traveled (locally, but still), been to places, ate things, read books, learned things... And I'm planning to do more catch up as I go.

Been planning a trip for while but it's never the right time to go? I got news for you, there will never be a right time. Just go do it. Live a little. And while you do that, I'll be camping 'til Sunday.

Happy Valentine's everybody!

:)

Morning Ritual

This is my first day back to the office since last Wednesday and you wouldn't believe the amount of work that is sitting in front of me! I can already predict that finishing this entry will take me more than an hour. Just to make sure, I originally opened this window at 9.30 am- It's 10.20 am now.

Apparently the people that could have done some of the work that has now been assigned to me, decided to fool around while I was gone (perhaps they were writing on their blogs?), so now I get the full load. I've been typing my life away on this keyboard since I got here, jumping from one project to the other. I've never been so thankful of having coffee in the morning as I was today, but as I sip some water while I work on stuff, I can't help but to dream about more coffee. . . (It's 10.47am now). But even though I feel like today is certainly going to be a long day, let me tell you what makes it all worth it. I'm not sure what your morning ritual might be, but mine, it's much needed.

Waking up is a nightmare, I could snooze my alarm 20 times if time would allow me to do so. But I gotta admit that after I'm up on my feet, things go a lot better. I'm lucky the days I eat something for breakfast, but that's never as important as having coffee. Today was a Carrot Cake Clif Bar and Vanilla something coffee- which my girlfriend gets for me after I drop her off where she works. Then I get to be stuck on traffic for about 45 minutes or so. Now let's be open minded for a second; I know no one likes the idea of traffic (and if you don't live in L.A. or Atlanta, you really have nothing to complain about!) but driving while drinking coffee and listening to KTalk (Politics) before I clock in really gets me started. I mean, there's nothing like dodging bad drivers with one hand (coffee on the other) while wondering why on earth Sarah Palin would write a speech on her hand. Doesn't this sound like the perfect beginning to a perfect morning?

Okay, maybe only to me, but still- do you have a different ritual? Well, after 8 hours of work, I get to go home to a warm meal and loving company- that's what makes it all worth it.

Alright, I think I need to leave this desk now and go grab some lunch. It's 12.40pm now in case you were wondering. . .

I Used To Sell Hot Dogs - Part I

I just walked out of a conversation with my girlfriend and her parents about politics. I know I have little time to be here without anyone noticing but I NEEDED this. I'm not trying to get away, but rather trying to write stuff down before I forget about it.

You might wonder why we're talking about politics to begin with, and if I'm allowed to, I think I can take credit for starting it all. While I was away for a few days visiting my best friend in the Bay area, I left Nickle and Dimed for my girlfriend to read, and we just asked her dad if he's read it. He said he hadn't and he said he didn't need to because he understood the whole plot.

Well in case you haven't read it, this book is about a journalist who takes a few low-paying jobs to see how the poor make it in America. And she realized that they don't. So he's a lawyer and I asked him if he really understood the plot. Then he began to tell me about all sorts of jobs he went though while in high school and college and how he's now a lawyer because he's worked for it. Then I guess he does get it, and I get it too.

I graduated from high school at 16- thanks to skipping a couple of grades, and college wasn't an option for me after I moved to the United States because of my little knowledge of English (However, I was just about to go to Engineering school in my country before I was forced to come here- I'm not complaining, just explaing); so work was my only destiny. Lucky me, I know. One of my faciest jobs was selling hot dogs.

I started really early in the morning and worked all the way 'til about 8pm or so. I was working more than eight hours a day before I was even 18. I was hired by friends of the family, who I think took advantage of my inexperience in the workforce (and even life itself).  But the deal seemed simple enough, I'd come and stay with them in their guest room, then work for them during the day, and then help them out with their baby at night- like I said, simple enough. I still remember vividly when they asked me what I wanted to do with my life and I said "well, once I save some money, I'd like to go to college!" they told me that what I had just told them was a very distant dream, and that I should buy a car instead, "that's what kids your age do!" I understand now that they just wanted me to get into a debt that would secure me as their employee for a while.

My first day:

It must have been 6.30am when my new boss had knocked at the door. "I'll be out in a minute!" I said half asleep. I remember wishing that I was waking up to go to class but I decided to be thankful that at least I had a roof to sleep under the night before. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and was out the door in no time.

I didn't really know at first why I was getting up so early, because I never thought that people would want a hot dog at 7am or anytime close to that, but then I found out that it takes a while to restock and get the cart ready to go.

On our way to wherever my spot was going to be, my boss even bought me an energy drink to hold me through the day- "trust me kiddo, you're gonna need it!" I looked up to him. After all, I was only 16 and he was a businessman and all.

Will continue...

This And Read

What a day! Waking up a little after 4am to drive nonstop for 6 hours is not precisely what I call a fun time. Specially when my girlfriend, who is supposed to be trying to keep me awake, falls asleep in the passenger seat- and makes me wanna sleep too! Oh well, we made it here safely. Got lunch with the aunt, took a nap, dinner with the parents, hung out. . . all good times.

Right after dinner, we went into Borders (the bookstore) because my girlfriend's mom was looking for a book to give to her husband. First of all, that's just cute- I really hope that after 30 something years of marriage, I too will have it in me to get little things for my spouse. Second of all, it reminded me how behind I am on my readings!

Really, it's not about being a geek, I really hope "the cool people" of nowadays would understand that. I've always thought of reading as excercise for the mind- and I'm not trying to be corny here. I've always been the one that never gets tired of learning more and more. But lately, I've been reading less and less.

I got "Night" by Elie Weisel for my birthday (which was back in November), and if you look at my "Currently Reading" section (on the right side of this page), you'll see that I'm still reading it! Granted I've been doing all sorts of trips and things but that can't be an excuse. I need to read more and I will do just that. So I'll finish this and read a bit, that's a promise.

Oh and for future reference, any book you think I should read?

P.S. The road trip was actually really enjoyable!

Whatever Happened To Being Professional?

Seriously. When I graduated from high school five years ago (wow, that sounds so long ago), I knew that I was leaving a stage of my life to move right into the next one- whatever that was. It seems simple enough, right? So how come sometimes I feel like the people around me are still holding on to it?

Next semester (which will start in less than two weeks), I'll get a chance to be president of a student club. I'm both excited and sad about it. I'm excited because I know I can bring a lot to the club, but I'm sad because there's a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. Oddly enough, I'm not worried about being responsible for things but rather for people. The executive board of the club has elected and appointed officers. And of course, I get to pick those appointed officers. And I have done that- and that has become a nightmare (need I remind you that the semester hasn't even started yet?).

First, there's an elected position vacant. Then, more candidates than positions to appoint for. There's also the one elected officer that decides to quit two weeks before the semester starts (The VP and my right hand!) . The one officer who does not get along with an appointed officer (who's filling in the vacancy). The appointed one jealous of the one with a fancier title (who will be the new VP). The one who didn't get elected as president and resents me for it. And don't even get me started on the one that didn't get elected or appointed and decided to get on my face about it (email after email after email...)!

Whatever happened to doing what you're supposed to do and being kind to one another? Or even just not worrying about what the other person is doing? Furthermore, you got elected to work for the club, not for yourself. And if you didn't get appointed, don't you trust the president's judgement (who got elected by 400+ members)?

This is way more drama than what my little head can stand. But in the bright side, it might just give me something to write about. I do need to talk to the elected one, who doesn't get along with the appointed one, because they have to work together and I'm not sure how that's gonna play out.

Remind me why I got myself into this again?

I Get Paid Regardless

Is it bad if I have to consciously make myself come to work? Why am I even asking, I bet everyone feels the same way. It's not that I don't like my job but I'd just be rather doing something else- don't we all?

I have just been told by my boss that I need to give a tour in about an hour. Oh yeah, besides working at the office, I'm also a Campus Tour Guide. Not the fanciest title ever, but I do enjoy doing what I do (after I gave up hoping I didn't have to be here today).

I remember when I went to a campus tour at UCLA. Our group's guide, was about 19 and she was an English major. I felt so envious of her. I wanted to be her. I wanted to be in a university completing my studies, being smart, working, telling people how much I loved my school and all that good stuff. I remember walking around campus knowing that "someday" would not be too far away.

When I first came to apply for this job, I had no idea it involved giving tours (thanks for the info Michael) but when I was told about it, I got excited. The memory of that UCLA tour was long gone until I searched for it today. It's quite surprising when you realize that everything you do in life might be somehow connected to something you've done before (karma?).

So in about 45 minutes I'll go and tell a student that this is a step closer. That our campus is great and the student life, a dream come true (for a junior college). That this is where it all starts for those that couldn't make it big time after high school, and that overall, this is another chance. If I'm lucky they'll believe my words and work on their education until they succeed and graduate. If not, they'll make fun of my pep talk over coffee with their friends and never come back. Good thing I get paid regardless.

Change

I certainly lost track of the last time I was here. With the holidays and trying to transfer to a 4-year university, I sorta forgot what was like to write anything other than essays for admission and scholarships.

My life has changed a lot since last year. I received 2009 with a lot of expectations and doubts. The second half of my freshman year was soon to start and I was still unsure of what I wanted out of life. Today, I'm in the middle of my sophomore year and waiting to hear back from schools to know where I'll graduate from. I've been dating my girlfriend for over three months now (officially) and I've already met her family.

It seems like it's been 10 years since last January and I take that to be a good thing. I have always been a lover of simplicity, and I feel like I'm in a good point in my life without major complications. I'm not sure of what 21 y/o people out there are looking for, but I love the way things are working for me right now. I just hope I can continue to give readers either hope or some entertaining of what they read here from me.

What's ahead?

It was my girlfriend's birthday this past Saturday and we're going to see her family this coming Thursday to celebrate. That's a road trip to Arizona. To see my in-laws. Again. Don't get me wrong, I like them, and they seem to like me too. But what's more important, the Superbowl on Sunday! (Hopefully she's not reading this =] ).

What's now?

I'm stuck at the office where I work doing a whole lot of... blogging.