Day 318: 7/25/12 - "The Art of Falling"

"...It's time for a change, It's time for a move,
And I know that it's frightening but it's also exciting
I'm taking a risk that I know is worth fighting
Its better
To make your mistakes than to live with out knowing
Its better to fall on your face then to stay on your feet
As long long long as you tried your best..."

-"The Art of Falling" by Greg Holden

"No Luck"  Today was a total bust, in my humble opinion.  By my first day in San Antonio I had already seen 3 places!  Here?  I've seen none!  Not one!  Nada!  Zilch!  I'm working with an apartment locator because it is so tough to navigate the market around here.  But I can honestly say that I'm concerned - I'm not sure if they are going to be able to truly help me.  Here is the rundown of what I did today.

6:30am - woke up after being in bed since around 8pm the night before...apparently all I have to do to get sleep is to go without for nearly 24 hours!

6:45am - went for a walk/run and came back drenched...yep, it's that humid here.

7:50am - breakfast

8:15am - hit the road for a 9am appointment - got stuck in traffic - missed appointment

9:15am - rescheduled appointment to 11:30am; called apartment locator - scheduled for 12:30pm

9:30am - drove around looking for a few things, like a drugstore for some lotion and free wifi.

10:45am - hit the FIU campus for the free wifi and for the meeting.

12:00pm - headed off to the apartment locator - got stuck in traffic

1:30pm - headed back to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale, completely exhausted and feeling defeated.

2:30pm - hit Subway for lunch/dinner sub

3:00pm - ate and then started working and catching up on e-mail...until after 7:00pm

8:35pm - realized I needed to print something - hit the Business Center

9:00pm - decided to have a snack

10:30pm - going to bed, early....again...

Day 294: 7/1/12 - "Back to Life"

"Back to life, back to reality

back to the here and now yeah..."

-"Back to Life" by Soul II Soul

Last Day in Paradise: I hated packing on Sunday as I prepared to leave my friend's house.  Yes, it was very much like being pulled back into reality and real life as I knew that Monday would bring issues and work, and issues.  But that is life at its best!

Travel Woes: Sometimes I hate traveling.  Here is what happened during my trek back to San Antonio.  First my friend dropped me off at the wrong terminal - completely my fault and United's as well, since they didn't tell me I was on United Express!  I was supposed to go to the Commuter Terminal but I completely forgot that I was going through LA.  So I got in, checked in and was told I was at the wrong terminal.  Luckily they have a bus that loops around, so I hopped on and then went through a very short security line in the very small commuter terminal.  There are only 4 gates there! Then, they call us in boarding order, only to have us cluster outside as the plane is prepared for boarding. Why in the hell did you even call us out there in any order if you were going to let us board that way?  Then horror of all horrors - it was a propeller plane!  It was so small I couldn't even stand up in it, and I almost didn't get my backs on (got lucky).  I napped through that one luckily and got to LAX with no issues.  Then over to the next gate to only a slightly bigger plane...and a delay.  Our flight was supposed to leave at 7:58 and didn't even board until 8:40.  We took off around 9:00 (I think) and finally arrived in San Antonio at 1:30am...yay me!  I then found my phone was dead but got lucky since the cabs were there waiting for those of us unlucky enough to be flying home overnight.  No more small planes for me though.  If I can help it, I will refuse to get on one again!

Day 290: 6/27/12 - "Don't Miss Your Life"

"...We all know time goes way too fast
Hold on tight ‘cause it don't happen twice
Don't miss your life."

 -"Don't Miss Your Life" by Phil Vassar

But I'm On Vacation!  The audacity of some people!  Your procrastination is not my problem nor is it my fault, so bugging me during my time away is just rude!  And, asking me to take care of something that you know damn well you can take care of by yourself, well, that's just plain stupid since I'm not there and I can't do it.  Keep in mind that I'm on VACATION.  I may send you e-mails during your time away but I don't expect an answer.  You're sending me text messages and e-mails with deadlines of this week...while I'm on VACATION!!!

Speaking of Vacation...I hung out at UCSD today while my friend TO went to her class.  The campus has some of the coolest architecture I've ever seen!  I had a great time taking pictures, hanging out in the library, and then freezing my butt off while enjoying the free guest wifi access (thanks for having such great access!).  Here are the pics of the campus that I took:

Day 284: 6/21/12 - "Come Fly With Me"

"Come fly with me,

Let's fly, let's fly away..."

-"Come Fly With Me" by Frank Sinatra

Traveling Is So Much....Fun?  Early morning flights are not always fun, but mine turned out much better than I expected.  I had to cab it to the airport, but once there, I didn't have to wait long to get onto my plane.  My next flight was a little bit in question as I had to pretty much do a professional fast-walk to make it from one terminal to the other.  But the flight went well and we landed nice and early in sunny but cool (yay!) California.  Then I hit the shuttle and got the the hotel and...they wouldn't let me check in early...at all.  But at least I wasn't alone - they wouldn't let anyone else check in early either.  So a long walk, some Subway, the Convention Center, free wi-fi, and 4 hours later I had a headache, I was overly tired, but able to check in and see my friend!  So all in all, it was fun...sort of.  And I'm in Sunny California!  Can't wait to see my other friends too!

Day 282: 6/19/12 - "Take Me There"

"There's a place in your heart where nobody's been.
Take me there.
Things nobody knows, not even your friends.
Take me there.
Tell me about your momma, your daddy, your home town, show me around.
I wanna see it all, don't leave anything out.
 

 I wanna know, everything about you.
And I wanna go, down every road you've been.
Where your hopes and dreams and wishes live, where you keep the rest of your life hid...."

-"Take Me There" by Rascal Flatts

Not Great But Not Bad: My return visit to my least favorite type of doctor in the world (ladies, you all know which one I mean) turned out better than I expected.  Yes, I have a couple of fibroids, but neither is in a location that they are worried about, and neither is of a size that would cause problems.  So lucky me, I get to just take ibruprofen for the pain (again, ladies, you know what I'm talking about).  All in all, a good visit if you can get past the very invasive sonogram I had to have.  For all those politicians who want to pass a law requiring any woman to have to have a sonogram in order to have an abortion - all I have to say is "not a chance!"  I would not wish that uncomfortable procedure on any woman, no matter the reason.  I may not think that abortion is right, but it is still the right of an individual woman, one that they've been making for hundreds of years (Yes, men - abortions existed long before there were doctors, clinics, or anything sanitary and safe.  Women figured it out back then, they'll figure it out again, so get over yourselves!).  Okay, I'm off of my soap box.

Packing:  I hate packing for long trips - especially when I'm trying to avoid paying for my luggage.  Now I have to make decisions about what to take and what not to take.  I think I'm just going to borrow some clothes from my friend Toni - she's shorter than I am, but we wear about the same size.  So if I need something nice to wear to one of our outings, I may have to rely on her (or go shopping and leave it with her!).  Oh well, I'll figure it out tomorrow - I'm too tired tonight to deal and I have some self-medicating to do...doctor's orders (see above!).

Day 277: 6/14/12 - "Keep Your Eyes Open"

"If you could soldier on
Headstrong into the storm...
Don’t look back
The road is long...

Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You’ll never make it to the great unknown till you
Keep your eyes open...
So show me your fire, show me your heart"

-"Keep Your Eye Open" by NeedToBreathe

Not Meant to Be: Sometimes things that you think are what you need and are meant to be, just aren't.  Sometimes its not your fault that these things don't work out, even if a part of you feels guilty because that's your personal make up.  My guilt level for this particular failure is nearly zero though, which is a new sensation for me.  Instead I'm battling a high level of anger - anger that someone else's actions and behaviors have caused me to make such a major change in my life.  But I refuse to give this person any more of me, and continuing to be angry would let her win.  I have only positive things to look forward to now, and look forward I will...

California Bound: Only a week to go until I hit Cali - I'm super excited because I'll get to spend time with some of my best friends, while enjoying the California sunshine and taking in Disney.  What could be better?  Well, of course there are likely things that could make it better, but I won't worry about that!  I'm just going to concentrate on having fun!

Day 254: 5/22/12 - "What Matters"

"It ain't about the money

No, it ain't about the time

It ain't about the love you've lost

All the things you think you left behind

It ain't about your losing streak

Makes you feel like your falling apart

What matters is your heart..."

-"What Matters" by Edwin McCain

I Have Returned:  2 days away weren't enough but they were better than nothing, and it was interesting visiting Miami since I had never been there. I got up early this morning and hit the beach (just to walk around in the sand) and was saddened by the trash I found that someone had just thrown out onto the sand.  It disgusts me that people are so lazy that they don't care about the messes they leave behind for others to clean up!  It was beyond humid while I was out there but the water was nice and cool (now that I realize I have a cold, I probably shouldn't have been out wandering around in the water...).  I then headed over to Einstein Bros. for a quick and healthy breakfast.  I had just stepped back into my hotel room and went to look outside when I saw that it was pouring!  Apparently this is pretty common in Miami but it was a surprise for me.  I was one minute from getting completely soaked!

A cloudy morning in Miami...

Toes and rolled up pants, awaiting water...

There's the water!

Here it comes again!

I Want My Mommy:  And some chicken noodle soup.  I starting feeling a little icky last night and sure enough by the time I got home tonight I was coughing and sneezing with the best of them.  Off to bed in hopes of feeling better tomorrow.  I suspect that I'll get worse before I get better though.  Hope I don't develop a fever - can't ban myself from work when I'm so short-handed.

Wishing I Could Help:  I have a friend going through a really tough time right now and it's one that he just does not understand (I actually agree with him - it doesn't make sense to me either).  I just hope things start to improve for him soon - he deserves so much more than what he is getting (many people do).  It always bothers me that someone like him, who is such a nice guy and hardworking, and nice looking, gets mistreated by someone who just doesn't appreciate him or what she has.  And I can't even get a guy like him to consider me - though I'd be counting my blessings every day if I had him in my life in that way.  But at least I have his friendship and hopefully I can help him through this tough time.  I don't know how but if he does need me, he only has to call...

Day 253: 5/21/12 - "Runaway"

"Run away, run away, run away and save your life

Run away, run away,

Run away if you want to survive..."

-"Run Away" by Real McCoy

On the Beach: I'm in my second hotel of my short trip to Miami and today I'm on the beach.  I got in late so I didn't get to go down there before the sun set, but Ive decided to try to catch a sunrise tomorrow.  I don't know how I feel about this trip just yet.  I need to sit down when I get home and really think about a lot of things that I heard while here and things that I saw (the seeing more than the hearing may be the most important thing). But I have had fun and eaten way too much food (including things really bad for me!).  But I'll hit the gym Wednesday (maybe) when I get back or Thursday if I'm too tired.  I'll be back to my usual energizer bunny self by them.  Hope to have pictures to post today - so far nothing...but I've been a bit busy.  Don't worry Mom and Dad, I got your usuals!

Kawanna

Day 252: 5/20/12 - "Miami"

"Party in the city where the heat is on

All night on the beach till the break of dawn

Welcome to Miami and Bienvenido a Miami..."

-"Miami" by Will Smith

Hello Miami!  Okay, so I'm not on the beach (yet) nor am I dancing the day away, but I am in Miami and felt that the song was idea (thanks Will!).  Today was long with all of the travel and tomorrow will be long for other reasons.  But I know I will get through it all with flying colors.  And tomorrow night I get to see a long lost friend - looking forward to that!  I'll keep this short - I have work to do in order to be ready for tomorrow...I'm talking about the hair here people...gotta get it right!

Day 251: 5/19/12 - "Crush"

"It's crazy I'm thinking, just knowing that the world is round.

I'm here I'm dancing on the ground

Am I right side up or upside down?

And is it real, or am I dreaming?"

-"Crush" by Dave Matthews Band

Packing!  Packing can be so onerous sometimes - trying to make sure I don't forget something really important...like something to sleep in!  Which also reminds get my swimsuit....okay, now that I've packed that, I need to think about the toiletries, and the shoes, and having at least one extra outfit in case I run into any clothing dilemmas while there.  And yes, I've packed the umbrella since the 7 day says that there will be a 30-40% chance for rain every day.  Just ope I get some rest tonight and on the plane so that I don't have bags under my eyes when I meet others - don't want to look like I'm as tired as I really am!  Pictures will be posted  as soon as possible and if I actually do something fun other than sit around my hotel room talking to myself...

Day 249: 5/17/12 - "All We Are"

"I kept falling over
I kept looking backward
I went broke believing
That the simple should be hard

All we are we are
All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful...

And in the end the words won't matter
Cause in the end nothing stays the same
And in the end dreams just scatter and fall like rain"

-"All We Are" by Matt Nathanson

A Day Late: I was so tired last night that I didn't even bother trying to put together my blog post. By the time I turned off my computer I was seeing double and pretty much fell asleep right away (which is a miracle for me).  What I would have posted about was pretty basic yesterday, and here it is in all its fascinating glory.

Pet Peeve City: I got home from work to the joy of a neighbor playing their music so loudly that they were shaking my walls...and they live two apartments down!  I have the urge to go down there and ask them to turn it down, but I also know that if your neighbors are already inconsiderate enough to play their music that loudly (there's no way they don't know it is too loud), then they likely won't be welcoming of someone asking them to turn it down.  I try to keep a low profile around my neighbors - I don't know them and I don't particularly want to.  And I really don't want a pissed off neighbor knowing I'm not happy with them - they might just crank it even louder!  Oh well, I'll just have to start thinking about moving on again - maybe it is time to consider buying a house?  Who knows!

Local Weather Report Not Looking Good: My trip might be a rainy one (though I've heard that can be expected with southern Florida.

 

At least it won't be in the 90's and the humidity will be below 80%.  Beggars can't be choosers!

Day 220: 4/18/12 - "So Small"

"I know it's hard on a rainy day

You wanna shut the world out

And just be left alone

But don't run out on your faith

'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

And what you've been out there searching for forever

Is in your hands

And when you figure out

Love is all that matter after all

It sure makes everything else

Seem so small..."

-"So Small" by Carrie Underwood

Talking About My Dream: Two of my students asked me today if I was going to open a bakery.  One of the others had mentioned that she thought I should open one and they agreed.  It was fun to talk about that with them and I remember feeling so much lighter as I laughed and joked with them.  I even came up with a name for my shop based on the success of my banana cream filling...Fillings.  Of course, now I have to perfect making different fillings for cupcakes so that I can live up to that name.  Of course, I could also just name it K's Creations which would cover a lot of things!  It's nice to dream but I need to either go for it or give it up.  Just another one of those things I need to factor in as I move forward with my life.

Planning a Trip: Time to take my usual trip out west to see my friend and the babies!  I didn't go last year because my friend came to visit me, but I love my time in Cali, even if it is only for a few days and I love hanging with TO - my sister!  I'll have to see if I can find a cheap flight and find out the best time for me to crash with her (don't want to mess up her summer plans).  Looks like I might get to hit both coasts this summer multiple times - how exciting!

Day 177: 3/6/12 - "Be OK"

"I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok

I just want to be ok today...

I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today

I just want to feel something today...

Open me up and you will see

I'm a gallery of broken hearts

I'm beyond repair, let me be

And give me back my broken parts

Just give me back my pieces

Just give them back to me please

Just give me back my pieces

And let me hold my broken parts..."

-"Be OK" by Ingrid Michaelson

Let's Not Be Difficult:  I'm learning that some people are difficult just because they want to be.  Today I was one step away from going up to someone and just flat out saying - "That wasn't a request, it was an order...you don't get to say no."  But that's not my style and it also wouldn't have gone over well.  I also don't want to start channeling others who have a habit of doing that exact thing to me and others and I absolutely HATE it!  But I'll be reminding this person that the proper way to handle something is given in our guidelines and that they need to be followed to allow us to do what we need to do to get our jobs done.  And if that doesn't work, then I will say "you don't have a choice!"

Cost of Travel: I'm trying to balance my ALA travel with the need to take a vacation and right now I know I can't wait until June to take that vacation!  I'll go completely crazy if I try to, so I'm going to have to find one of those last minute deals and just go where it offers for me to go.  I think I just need to pick a weekend to do it, make sure I've scheduled the time off, and then just go!  I just don't want to get stuck going somewhere I've already been or somewhere that being a single traveler just doesn't go over well.  I really need to go to the beach or something like that, but I'm not much of a beach girl.  We'll just have to see!

Day 130: 1/19/12 - "What Do You Want From Me?"

"Hey, slow it down, whataya want from me?
Whataya want from me?
Yeah, I'm afraid, whataya want from me?
Whataya want from me?"

-"What Do You Want From Me?" by Adam Lambert

Something New: Today I flew for the first time without taking Dramamine.  It was a true adventure as I realized that my motion sickness is definitely not in my head.  I basically forgot that I had not taken anything at all until I started to feel nauseous about 10 minutes into the flight.  Then I had to spend the rest of the time making sure I didn't get too sick.  Sprite zero helped keep me calm...and the flight was short so I was able to tough it out.  I'm not sure if I'll do the same thing on the way back, but it was nice to not be so tired when I got in and it was nice not to have the side effects that taking Dramamine can sometimes cause.

Stumbling Into Paradise: Okay, so Fountain Place isn't really paradise, but it is a beautiful place that I stumbled upon as I was walking around Dallas today.  It is very park-like with small fountains, benches, and lots of shade.  But the little "dancing" water spouts is what I really enjoyed watching.  I took some pics and a video so that anyone interested can take a look. Sorry, no music to go with the dancing, but you can imagine a nice classical piece to accompany the show!

Daily Oddities: Sometimes I find things just to be "odd."  I'm sure others don't see them that way but to each his/her own.  Here are my oddities from today:

• Coming off the plane in Dallas, the hallways was painted with a tropical scene.  This makes no sense to me considering Dallas is a landlocked city..nary a beach in site!  It made we want to get on another plane and go to the tropical place.  Shouldn't you have images related and welcoming people to Dallas?
• Information on websites should match information provided at the actual location, correct?  Then why did Supershuttle say to call when you arrived, but their phone message from the courtesy phone said to just go out to the curb?  You could have told me this online!  And Sheraton - your website says that Internet is not free - so why when I come to my room you say it is (I'm not complaining!)?

Day 107: 12/27/11 - "Road Trippin'"

"Road trippin' with my two favorite allies

Fully loaded we've got snacks and supplies..."

-"Road Trippin'" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

On the Road: Today was a travel day and one that I will likely never forget.  I've never started a 16 hour trip as late as we did (I was waiting on my brother to get his check and pay some bills. A proposed Noon start turned into a 2:00 pm start).  We made good time and had good weather and no major issues on the way (other than my brother's side seat driving!).

Day 77: 11/27/11 - "So Far Away"

"This is my life
Its not what it was before

All these feelings I've shared

And these are my dreams

That I'd never lived before..."

- "So Far Away" by Staind

Airport Saga Continues: I should have known when I saw all of the rain falling today in Tennessee that it was going to be an adventure getting home.  I had to leave at 3:30 pm to catch an 8:50 pm flight so that I could stop and pick up my mother on the way.  All was fine until I tried to pull out of her yard and ran the car right into a bog!  I didn't realize how deep the mud was or how mushy the grass and surrounding area had become.  I buried the car and my mom's friend had to call a local friend with a truck to come over and pull us out.  So we spent nearly an hour in the cold and rain and both my father and I got our feet and jeans wet.  Luckily I was able to change when I got to the airport but was a pain in the butt.  Then, to make matters worse, when I arrived at the San Antonio airport I had to figure out where the shuttle to economy parking would pick up.  A bunch of us had to ask an officer to find out and we had to wait outside for nearly 20 minutes.  Then when we got to the lot, they only had one lane open for us to get out of the lot and it took another 20 minutes.  The only perk?  They only charged us $8 per day rather than the $10 we would have paid in long term parking.  Not sure if it was worth it now as I sit here with a sore throat and itchy eyes...

Day 74: 11/24/11 - "Ode to My Family"

"Happiness, was when I was young and we didn't give a damn..."

-"Ode to My Family" by The Cranberries

Airport Woes: I left for the airport 2.5 hours before my plane was scheduled to leave. Imagine my surprise when I arrived there and the long term parking was already closed.  But the San Antonio Airport didn't help the situation by not putting up any signs to divert us before we got stuck in the line for the long term parking.  You had to wait in line, get to a staff person who was blocking the short term lane, get directions and a ticket, turn in your ticket to get out of the parking and then go over to the overflow lot.  Once there we wound up waiting almost 30 minutes for a shuttle bus to come and get us and drop us off at the airport.

Family Matters: It was good to see my family and get to enjoy my Aunt's cooking!  The sad part though was that we were missing some family members who just didn't get to come.  How did I know?  There was food left at the end of the day.  There is never food left at Thanksgiving and this year there was.  It was also the first Thanksgiving without our Uncle Bobby - it just wasn't the same....

Day 62: 11-12-11 - "Wake Up"

"There's no sentimental value to the roast that fell on your floor.

There's no fundamental excuse for the granted I'm taken for..."

-"Wake Up" by Alanis Morissette

Recovery: Traveling always takes something out of me lately and I need time to recoup my energy and get my strength back.  But for some reason this last trip to Atlanta really did a number on me.  I'm struggling to concentrate today and with the lack of concentration comes listlessness.  I don't want to do anything, nothing appeals to me, and curling up into a ball sounds good right about now (though not productive).  I made it through my work e-mail but found myself alternately rubbing my head to ward off the headache that seemed to want to form, and frowning in anger at what I was reading.  E-mail should not have the power to elicit such anger out of me, but I find I'm losing my patience with the actions of others, especially when those actions are unnecessary and designed to be harmful.

Crossroads: I'm at one right now and struggling to figure out which direction I want to go in.  Each choice will have heavy ramifications, for me and for my family...