The tower's built of spit and spite, without a sound, without a sight. The biter bit, the bitter bite. (It's better to be out at night.)

So...as you can tell from the title, I'm on a Neil Gaiman binge. Well, not really. I just got a new book of his, Fragile Things. It's his collection of short stories and some poetry. Very good. The title is from a short about Vampires. I found it intriguing that it's basically a cycle that never finishes. Specifically: The biter bit, the bitter bite. And around and around it goes... Intriguing.

Anyway.

I/We had a very interesting odd weekend. First off, because Hubby's great-uncle passed away and we headed up to the funeral on Saturday. It was a lovely ceremony with family on a cliff overlooking the ocean with the waves crashing in the background. At the end, all the grandkids threw flowers into the ocean. Hubby read a speech from his dad who couldn't make it out, and everyone loved it. All in all, it was very lovely and dear, a good remembrance service. Then we drove home and got back about 8-9pm.

Sunday, of course, was Valentine's Day. Hubby and I were amazed and delighted to realize this was our fourth Valentine's together-1 dating, 1 engaged, 2 married. We both could hardly believe it's been that long, but come December, we'll have been together for four years and counting. So very wonderful.

So Sunday, we didn't have plans. We wanted a relaxing Valentine's Day, nothing stressful. Hubby had taken me out to dinner last week early on as our V-Day dinner. I was wanting to do something on Sunday but couldn't figure out what. We slept in, relaxed, and then Hubby got up and "ordered" me to stay in bed and in comfy PJs while he went out to run errands. When he got home, he made me walk out with my eyes closed and then gave me my gifts. The first were these gorgeous orchid plants he got me, instead of a bouquet of flowers, because he wanted them to last as long as possible, and these can keep growing and blooming for a long while (so long as I keep taking care of them. Hehe). Then he told me he was going to make us dinner, and we were going to curl up on the couch watching fun movies and just have a relaxing night. It was a lovely Valentine's Day. I have the best husband around, and I am one lucky,lucky girl.

To my delight, I discovered on Friday that I had the day off Monday because of President's Day! I was a bit worried I'd still have to get up early to go in to work with Hubby because of the whole one car thing and I had a class at 6pm. However, Hubby's boss let him off at 4:30 which meant I was able to sleep in till noon (Haven't done that in a LONG time!), take a shower, relax, read, organize the house a bit, and do wifey things. It was gloriously relaxing. I didn't have to worry about anything, got some laundry done and some dishes (thank God for washer/dryer and dishwasher! It's amazing!). I also discovered that our lovely little Condo is amazingly peaceful and quiet during the day, and bright with sunlight when you have the doors and windows all open! I spent a good two hours curled up in a recliner just reading and enjoying the sounds from outside that didn't involve sirens or yelling. Hehe. I honestly can't wait till I can stay at home and only work Part-Time. I don't know exactly when that will happen, but man, am I looking forward to it!

Well, I have set a goal. My hubby is taking me and a friend on an "Epic Date" (his name for it) in April. Which means, I would like to get in better shape before then. So...I have decided to start swimming in the mornings, and doing the P90X with my hubby (we start next week!), and also cut down on my food intake. By which I mean, except for one meal, only fruits and veggies for the rest. I want to tone up and lose this stomach. I fully admit I've been a bit lax when it comes to working out, but with my hubby getting up at 6AM every other day to go running, and starting the P90X, I figured I should too. Might try some Yoga too ;) Goal: Lose weight, but overall, be in better shape, and lost the stomach. Whatever that means and however that works out. The nice one is Tues/Thurs I'm on campus about an hour before my class, so I can easily do a quick half hour at the gym and get to class. So, here's hoping it works! I knew taking 2 PE classes this semester was a good idea!

Oh, btw. I'm getting a new addition to my body, face really. Glasses! I went and got an eye exam (I totally forgot the air-puff they do to my eyes, I must have jumped a foot!), and got glasses. They are cute, if I do say so myself. They'll be coming in about 2 weeks. Hopefully it'll help my headaches go away, especially with trying to see the powerpoint and reading the board at school (and also driving), because so far, I keep getting major migraines. Meh. Hooray for a job that causes eye strain. But hey, at least it's a job.

Alrighty, I think that's all caught up now. I have work to do, somewhat, and signs to practice.

Ta!

P.s. Here's hoping I get some other additions to my body soon too. XD

Remember your name. Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

Hello February! When did you arrive and how did you get here so soon?? Wasn't it just last week that Hubby was graduating, it was Christmas, and things were slowing down? Apparently not. I do believe you are laughing at me, evilly. Ah well. Welcome!

****

We are moved in. Except for boxes in the garage we need to go through. However, I don't count them as not being moved in because we have been living easily and comfortably in our new place. Besides, unpacking all our books will take time and love and care. Weekend project! I want to try to go through a box a day but that hasn't happened quite yet, mostly because this week has been crazy.

We finished moving all of our stuff over on Sunday (whee!). Slept for a couple hours, then it was up and time to head to work. The commute was surprisingly not bad at all. We're trying to figure out the right routes to take to miss traffic, and I think we finally settled on one. It takes about a half hour or so, but with the freeway time and driving and actually being able to sleep comfortably, we don't mind at all. I then had my first class that night which went very well. I love the teacher, and it's only an hour long. Which is...very odd. I haven't been in that short of a class since Freshman year. Tuesday was the same routine but more sleep this time (yay!), and then my ASL class which I'll talk more about later!! Wednesday was a relatively normal day, fell asleep on the bed while reading. Today started well, got plenty of sleep, brought breakfast and lunch! And I have my ASL class tonight.

Well, since I've brought it up so much...

My ASL class is amazing!!! It's one of the best decisions I made to take for class this semester! I'm going to hopefully be around to take ASL 2 next semester and hopefully hopefully (crossing fingers!!) be around to finish it out with ASL 3 next spring. I'm not sure how that all will work out, but I'm really hoping it does. My prof is deaf, showed up with an interpreter the first night. Basically said that this is the first/last night with an interpreter. After that first class, we will be on our own. So we as students will have to figure out how to communicate with our teacher, and he will...probably be laughing as we try to talk to him. He said there will be a lot of charades for a while and writing on the white board. We are not allowed to speak at all. We always have to be looking at him to understand what he's saying, to see the signs and read body language. I am going to love it, and the class is small (only about 15 people), which will make it fun and close-knit too. Tonight is my 2nd one, and I am absolutely thrilled to be going! Good thing I'm a visual learner and can read body language very well too!

We are settling in beautifully at our new place. We love going home every night and feeling like it really is our home. There's a wonderful sense of being away from everything (school and work). Instead of feeling like we are just an extension of Biola's campus or something like that. We actually have a cute small "house" if you will (as my friend put it!). It's amazing to feel not cramped. That I can stand in the kitchen or sit at the dining room table and not feel like I'm overlapping into the living room. We have a queen-sized bed! That's glorious. Especially when we both spread out as we sleep, not feeling like I'm going to roll over and fall off the bed. (Hehe. I didn't that once. It wasn't fun.) And Hubby is absolutely ecstatic about the 2 car garage and workbench. I, for one, love our dishwasher, stove, and washer and dryer. They all perform amazingly and quickly! There's almost more space than I know what to do with. (Almost) I still have to unpack boxes upon boxes of books, but I do believe I'll be able to find a place to put them up. All of them! I cannot wait! The nice one is with our garage, we have boxes piled up (not many though, which is nice) and we can take our time going through them. Most of them will probably stay out in the garage in a corner. I was able to get most of my pictures up and some books. I have two shelves in the kitchen dedicated to my Old Books collection! They face the front door, so it'll be one of the first things you get to see as you walk in! Along with my adorable Willow Tree figurines.

Overall, we're both ecstatic over our new home. We absolutely love it and the area is beautiful. We've been having fun driving around, figuring out where everything is. How far away, and all that. Oh! We also got a Costco membership! So we stocked up on things for a good while. It's so nice being just five minutes down the freeway from shopping centers, food courts, and basically anywhere. Instead of having to drive at least fifteen minutes just to get to a shopping center.

Life has been good and interesting. I've been thinking alot about things (nothing I want to post here), and my spiritual walk has been getting stronger. I've started trying to do some devotions at night when I can...and praying through some Celtic prayers out of a Celtic Spirituality book right now. It has definitely helped. I find that reading prayers is much easier for me lately than attempting to figure out what to say.

Life is good. God is good. And things are settling in a very Good way. Can't wait to see what kind of changes are going to happen!

I'm also posting an amazing poem by Neil Gaiman. It really hits me in specific parts, and although it's written for how to interact if you find yourself in a faerie tale, a lot can be applied to Life itself. Which seems like a faerie tale at times (in a very original sense...that things aren't normal and straight-forward. They rarely are). Mostly because I'm incredibly sad I wont' be able to make it UCLA tonight where he's speaking. I saw his post about it a while back (like October), went, "OH my gosh, I have to go!!" and totally forgot till today. Which means only the most expensive tickets are left. I have so many questions for him and would love to just hear him speak on writing, how to write, why, how to tell good stories. Hopefully he shall return soon, and I will be able to go! With a Signing!

So without further ado,

Instructions

by Neil Gaiman

Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never

saw before.

Say "please" before you open the latch,

go through,

walk down the path.

A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted

front door,

as a knocker,

do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.

Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat

nothing.

However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,

feed it.

If it tells you that it is dirty,

clean it.

If it cries to you that it hurts,

if you can,

ease its pain.

From the back garden you will be able to see the

wild wood.

The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's

realm;

there is another land at the bottom of it.

If you turn around here,

you can walk back, safely;

you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

Once through the garden you will be in the

wood.

The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-

growth.

Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She

may ask for something;

give it to her. She

will point the way to the castle.

Inside it are three princesses.

Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.

In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve

months sit about a fire,

warming their feet, exchanging tales.

They may do favors for you, if you are polite.

You may pick strawberries in December's frost.

Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where

you are going.

The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-

man will take you.

(The answer to his question is this:

If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to

leave the boat.

Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.

Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that

witches are often betrayed by their appetites;

dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;

hearts can be well-hidden,

and you betray them with your tongue.

Do not be jealous of your sister.

Know that diamonds and roses

are as uncomfortable when they tumble from

one's lips as toads and frogs:

colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

Remember your name.

Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped

to help you in their turn.

Trust dreams.

Trust your heart, and trust your story.

When you come back, return the way you came.

Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.

Do not forget your manners.

Do not look back.

Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).

Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).

Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is

why it will not stand.

When you reach the little house, the place your

journey started,

you will recognize it, although it will seem

much smaller than you remember.

Walk up the path, and through the garden gate

you never saw before but once.

And then go home. Or make a home.

And rest.

Boxes, moving, furniture selling, oh my!

We are moving tomorrow!! Well, more accurately, beginning our move tomorrow. Hubby and I are taking the entire weekend to do our move (we have to be out of our old apartment by Monday, the 1st), but the nice one is we can use the entire weekend to move more in waves, instead of freaking out the night before and scrambling to get everything done in one day/night.

It's the nice one, moving into a full furnished place, we can move in just basic essentials tomorrow night, sleep there, and then head back on Saturday to get the bigger things and other things. Shouldn't be a bad move in the slightest, and should be very easy. I'm going to be spending Saturday unpacking and organizing what I can as the boxes come in. Then probably towards the end of the day (going to let "the boys" take care of most of the moving), going to go back and help finish moving and cleaning the old place. Unless Hubby and the Marine decide to just do it all. Which is entirely possible.

We are currently selling most of our furniture. We've successfully sold our fridge, loveseat, and Loft Bed Frame. Now we just have a sleeper sofa, another small couch to sell. Hopefully the people coming to look at it tonight would be willing to take them off our hands. Here's hoping!!

In other news, I am completely registered for classes at school. Bad side: The Road Cycling class I'm taking (or at least want to take) means I need to get a decent--at least, if not very good--road bike. And those are expensive. So...we'll figure something out. Maybe hit up Craig's list...

I'm also taking a Health and Wellness class which should be interesting. All about nutrition and living well and balanced lives, which I'm interested in.

And my favorite most exciting class: American Sign Language, 1!! Soo freaking happy to be able to take this class, and I'm glad things worked out that I can! I just hope I can finish it out (two-three semesters worth). We'll see. I'm just glad to be able to be learning it again. I'll be able to talk to my friends who are fluent! And we'll have fun :-)

Oh! And tomorrow evening, Lush and Il Duce are coming to visit!! Very excited to hang out with them. We're doing a big dinner and hang out time, because we haven't seen them since before Christmas (wow!). Lush is going to help me figure out decorating stuff for the new place and organize and all that. Cannot wait to see them!!

Short blog post today but I need to run to lunch with a friend.

To Do Today:

-Pack up kitchen

It's no longer summer!

I'm sure most of you are going, Well, duh! It's October. And maybe where you're at, it's been nice and chilly since September, but let me tell you, it just started getting chilly here. Last week was 95 with humidity! This week it's down to the low 70s, and hopefully will be staying that way! No more heat, please. I love summer. And here in SoCal it's a gorgeous time of the year with the heat, running around in skirts and dresses and all that, but it's nice to have the heatwave break, and for fall to show up.

I love fall because of things like hot coffee, sweaters, curling up under covers, being cold in the morning, wearing sweats, boots, jackets. Being able to leave my hair down without dying of heat stroke. (My hair is thick.) The feeling of briskness in the air as you walk around, the way the cold air snaps in your face. Wanting to eat soup and bread, chili and cornbread. Hardier meals. ...I don't think I'd mind living in a colder place eventually. I like seasons a lot. The heat of summer, swimming, going to the beach. The snappiness of fall when it starts getting chilly. The winter--which, honestly, I've never really experienced, having never been where it snowed, but I have experienced decently cold winters--for Christmas, the jolliness of the seasons, all of the yummy things to eat and drink. Spring because it's a gorgeous time when things start blooming and popping out everywhere. Just warm enough to wear skirts and dresses but chilly enough to wear cardigans. It's fun, and I enjoy all the different outfits you can wear for all of them.

All that to say, I could live where the seasons are much more pronounced. I think I would enjoy it. I've always thought about living somewhere like NYC or DC or around there...though I would be sad to leave the West Coast. Of course, I also wouldn't mind living up in Berkeley area or San Diego. Or a small countryside town in Ireland or France or England. So I guess I ought to be a gypsy and wander around the world. I suppose there are two "problems" with that: Money. And Hubby. I can't just go off and leave him to travel the world. Hehe. Though maybe we can go together...hmm....

I have two big projects due next week. That's exciting. One I'm looking forward to doing, if a bit hard to do, and the other one I'm not so much, mainly because our group has to present on it for a good hour and a half. I hate talking in front of people. But hopefully being up there with the rest of my group and also knowing my subject will allow that to go well. Here's hoping, at least.

I've been doing some good self-evaluating. Processing how I got to where I am, who I am, why I am the way that I am, and what might have happened if I had changed one choice or decision. Intriguing.

I've come to decide I am more myself now than I have ever been in my life. Because I've finally embraced myself and "the shoes I wear" and I am happy with who I am and how I am. And that is a very good thing.

Hubby and I are growing together as we both realize who we are and how we are supposed to interact with each and go through life together as a married couple, and planning figuring out what to do in the years to come. I am really excited to see what happens!

Alrighty, almost done with work. I should get back.

Until next time!

P.s. See? I told you it wouldn't be as long as before.

P.p.s. I'm working out now, and have already lost 5-6 pounds. Huzzah!

September: Happy Birthday Sis!

Oh my goodness, it's September already! When did that happen?? Man, the summer flew past, and now school's in full swing.

First things first: Happy Birthday, Sis!! You're 15 today! I can hardly believe it. I hope you have a wonderful day, and enjoy your birthday! We love you lots!! You're in our thoughts always.

We had a lovely anniversary, went down to San Diego and hit up the Wild Animal Park, the Zoo, and Sea World for five days. I haven't been there since...little. I have a vague sense I've been to Sea World when in my teens, but the Zoo not since 10 or so. Anyway, we had a marvelous time, and I have a ton of pictures I need to sort through so I can post them. So excited it's been a year, and can't wait to see what this next year has in store for us. So here goes year 2! w00t! :-)

Things have been going well, for the most part. I've been thinking through some stuff and just doing a lot of processing of me, who I am, etc. It's been hard but good. God has really been taking care of us. Though I joke that He could do it sooner than making me stress and worry and freak out, and then suddenly taking care of it. Taking care of it right away would be fine with me too, you know. Hehe.

I have a wedding this weekend. My maid of honor is finally getting married! So excited for her!! First wedding I'm in (besides my own of course). We have these cute blue strapless dresses with pockets. I'm headed down Thursday night with Linus for a Girls' night in with the bride and then helping out on Friday and the wedding is Saturday morning. I have so much to do between now and then, though. I need to finish their gift, get shoes, and do a couple other things. I think I'll probably finish their gift tonight, work on something else tomorrow night, and get shoes after work before church. (Ash, if you're reading this, don't you dare start worrying!) I'm rather excited though because with Friday off, I'll have a 4 day weekend! Hooray! So blessed to be a part of this wedding. I'm sure I'll have some pictures to post.

I'm really excited about my classes this semester. You know, all two of them! I'm taking a Dysfunctional Families/Child Abuse class on Monday night, and Foundations of Development Tuesday nights. Excited because they're actually in the direction I want to be going. Monday night class will be intense but good. And we'll see about tonight's.

That's all for now, I have to get back to work. Just thought I'd update.

Oh, in prayer for the fires burning. We were up at a camp this past weekend near them, and it was insane. Praying for Hubby's aunt as well, cause her neighborhood is on watch for the fires. Thanks go out to the firefighters!