Saturday, May 30, 2009

Alzheimer's Project

It's a documentary on HBO that I've recently been watching and it makes me wonder, especially with my family's multitude of genetic disease, including Alzheimer's. I keep imagining what it will be like IF/when my mom, or my dad, find themselves in that predicament. I've yet to watch an episode without a tear or two. See, my great grandmother (mom's side) has dementia, she never knows who I am, and her sister, brother and sister-in-law had/have Alzheimer's. It's inevitable that someone closer to me will have it, it may be years but it's something to consider now given my Nanny's current situation. At family functions I no longer approach Nanny Rhea, I dunno if it's fear or what, but I'm afraid that, should I approach her for the usual hug, she will look at me and ask, "who are you?". My sister and I have never been close to our Nanny Rhea. She has a HUGE family and lives in Dallas, so growing up in Gunter, we only saw her on holidays. On those occasions (and less than 5 years ago), we always saw her with her pearls and a dress on, looking at us saying "hug my neck" and "I've lost 10lbs, can you believe it!" (she always looked the same, but you had to love her consistency). Now she sits there, with her walker and looks at you as though she has no idea who you are. Again, I've never been close with Nanny Rhea but I'm afraid my mother will follow in those footsteps, perhaps years from now but this show has made me think of it. It just makes me sad that's all. Damn HBO!

***Can't we just go back to the previous post DANG!***

I've waited long enough...

If you know me, then you also know of my (borderline) obsession with Disney. Yes, it's true, I'm as big a kid as any when it comes to Disney! In this post, I am going to attempt to explain the reason for this obsession, it's difficult (truly) to explain but I will give it a shot. I apologize in advance for it's length.

In the Spring of 2002, I was talked into interviewing for an internship with Disney. I must say my motives were not the best (told it was a huge party basically). I did need a break from school as my grades were slipping horribly. As my mom says, every kid goes through that rebellious stage and I was definitely a late bloomer. I would literally go into tests heavily hungover. So a change was necessary and this internship seemed like a starting point, well from the bad grades at least lol (as I said before party+no school=good idea). It was a much difference experience though.

Yes there was definite partying (I never did nor will I ever do hardcore drugs in case that's what you're thinking) and lots of other things but, much more importantly, I not only found myself but lifetime friendships. I was not a huge Disney fan before, however something changed in the midst of this experience and, to this day, I cannot pinpoint it. That being said, when you're there, the mood is contagious, almost electric. It's like instant smile, it's almost a drug. It literally feels like ANYTHING can happen. I remember being at work one day at EPCOT and going to the breakroom, there was a TV on the news and my friend Beth and I watched in amazement as the US was bombing someone. We had no idea, you literally live in a bubble there. It's as though the outside world does not exist, you're just happy, almost euphoric. Dreams really do come true there, as hard as it was to even type that (given the corny factor), it's very true. If there is any advice I can given an adult, when going to Walt Disney World, it's...just let it in, be a kid again, that's what this place is about.

Obsession is a strong word and I'm not sure I'm officially obsessed with Walt Disney World; however, I cannot even consider a vacation without FIRST considering going there. I almost feel guilty if I want to go somewhere else, weird I know, which is probably why I've been 5 times since 2003 (when the internship ended). I never regret that though, I should say that first and foremost. I love it and I literally share in the excitement when someone I know is going, I love giving advice about the parks because (again corny) I want to SHARE the way I feel about it. As a matter of fact, I began planning a trip to take my niece Emma BEFORE she was born (ok that is weird I guess) and now I have another niece to plan for! Honestly, I would love nothing more than for my entire family to go together!

So, since I'll be 30 this year, I'm going to Walt Disney World (aka WDW) AGAIN! Well, that is, unless we can figure out a way to get to Alaska (my other obsession lol) without snow in October.

So, basically, if you were to draw a line that represented the things in my life that matter most...going to Disney for the internship definitely created a "blip" in that line. It's the same blip you see in the movies where a "cure is found for a disease" or, quite frankly, when you realize the important things in life and, while going to Disney is not important in the grand scheme of things, it's where I want to be.




***I must add I have not gone on vacations ONLY to WDW! We've also been, within recent years, to Key West, San Francisco and St Croix, USVI! So, I'm not THAT obsessed!***

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Game #1

I arrived at the fields almost an hour early. I figured it would be beneficial to at least see a game before playing one, I mean with all the silly rules and everything. It was interesting, seems like a regular game except those pesky rules, but they didn't get in the way. I would be lying if I didn't mention how incredibly nervous I was. As a team, we seemed so unorganized until I saw the team we were playing. They were passing out their shirts just before the game began. As for the shirts, I must say...we did good! The other teams all had the same colors with only numbers on the back...we actually looked like a team! Well to me anyway. Our final team member arrives just 5 minutes before the game, very little time to warm up. We are up to bat first (away team), first batter up...hits the ball...OUT. Second batter up....hit to second base and thrown out at first. Third batter up....STRIKE! Then, the game got called. Yes one of those little things we call a Spring thunderstorm moved into the area and the lightning show began. So we didn't get to play but that's ok. I say this because we #1 need to be more organized and #2 it actually made us all feel like a team! All in all, it was a good experience despite what happened lol. So, although practice was canceled today (due to stupid excuses from several team members) we will get our act together.

All that being said, I'm not sure I'll make it to our next game. You see a little girl will be brought into this world and our family on June 2nd, it's a given she takes precedence over softball. So, should I be up to the challenge of a game AFTER waking up at 4am and spending the day at the hospital, then I'll report back on how well we do. I must say, however, besides seeing Brynlee that morning, I'm more excited about seeing Emma's face when she realizes she truly has a little baby sister than some softball game.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Apartment Living

I will admit, first and foremost, I absolutely HATE it! It seems there is a need, at all times, for management to access our apartment and I think it's ridiculous. The most recent item of business is "pest control" aka "snooping time". At least that's what I feel they're really doing, probably because I'd be doing the same LOL. I don't mean going through stuff but checking out the decor, cleanliness, whether they're upholding the lease agreement, etc. That last part is where we're getting into hot water. You see, at the time we moved in, we didn't have the additional $500 for a pet deposit. This complex only allows one pet per apartment and it must be under 20lbs. We have a dog and cat, not to mention the new 50 gallon saltwater aquarium (that's another story...GRRR). So, even if I HAD put up the $500, I'd still be in violation. Of course, I realize it's my responsibility but whatever. After the deposit on the apartment as well as paying for movers, I'd say we were out almost $1200 and that doesn't even include the first month's rent (due at move-in).

Ok so back to pest control, perhaps it's just me but I am more than willing to take care of this myself. I guess it's a control issue, I don't know, I'd prefer to take care of my own environment and, yes, a house would be better (yet another story). Needless to say, I feel the need to clean the place within an inch of my life, I would never want anyone to think I live in squalor (it's not even close, just being dramatic). So it's a HUGE inconvenience, now I have to take Hero to work (probably will get groomed, I'm sure he's thrilled) and Lucy (my cat) must be dealt with. She is more the issue than Hero. You see, Lucy HATES her carrier as much as I hate apartments. The only difference is, I don't randomly pee and poop everywhere when being forced to live in an apartment, unlike when she's being forced in her carrier. Yeah...it sucks.

So on Thursday morning, as you're drinking your coffee, effortlessly driving to work, or haven't a care in the world...remember I'm (literally & figuratively) getting shit on.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Shawn Johnson

Amazing! Ok, you may not know what the heck I'm referring to but Shawn Johnson won on Dancing With The Stars! I know I might be ridiculous but I'm happy about it because she's an Olympic Gold Medalist and she won over a man apparently "famous" for showing his...(for lack of a better word) schlong...in a movie. In any case, I'm happy for her, and yes it's just a TV show, but I'm happy. Now if only Kris will win on American Idol my reality TV fix will be complete!


**And no, I did not vote!***

Monday, May 18, 2009

Re-admission

I applied yesterday for re-admission to UNT, as well as filed my FAFSA. I'm not saying that anything will come of it, all I know is that my education to this date has left me unfulfilled. So I'm going to get another degree, in what I do not know but, fortunately, I have some time to consider it. I figure that I will be 30 this year and now is as good a time as any to get back into the swing of things. I'm not even sure it's a stellar idea, I just know that having a degree and not being able to do anything you actually want to do because of your education is a hindrance. Anyway, another rambling thought. However, I've taken the first step, in my mind, to a better life. We'll see what comes next.

Who are these stars?

So I have to admit that I've been watching Dancing With The Stars, please limit the laughter and snickering to a minimum. Yes it's a silly show and I've never watched it before BUT, for some reason, I have this year. Ok, so is it me or is there something amiss with this competition? There are people fawning over this one competitor, who also happens to be in the final, yet he has NOTHING to show...er, well, I guess that's based on interpretation. You see this man, Gilles Marini, is famous in the United States for one thing...revealing his, um "assets" or uh "jewels" on the Sex & The City movie. Yep, that's it ladies and gentlemen...THAT'S IT! Ok so his dancing is great, who cares, my point is, why does THAT make him a star? I'm personally rooting for Shawn Johnson, I mean she's not a "star" so-to-speak either BUT she did win a gold medal in gymnastics for the USA. So, yeah, another rant I guess but this just makes no sense. In the finals of this show we have a man famous for a SHORT nude scene (no pun intended), a women jilted by The Bachelor and an Olympic Gold Medalist. Of course, the gold medalist should win...c'mon people vote! I mean I won't be voting but she's gotta win somehow right?