I've spent most of the day sleeping today. This happens when my sleep schedule gets off-kilter. It should get back to normal when I go to bed this morning. I'll take a melatonin to keep me asleep.

I took a morning trip to RiteAid expecting deeply discounted boxes of chocolates. They wised up! I did however get half off a ton of M&Ms.

I have been experimenting with not shaving my legs. Mostly because razorblade companies are usually animal-testers. But I've found that I don't like my legs hairy. My legs don't get any sort of exfoliation, so they just look bumpy and dry. I picked up one of those electric shavers and I'm going to see how it works. Hopefully it won't be too horrid. Also picked up some brazil nut dry oil for my dry skin.

One good thing was deciding to play Settlers of Catan. We had champagne, ate popcorn and cupcakes and played. Of course I lost, like always. But that's fine since I was fairly drunk by the end of it. Good times, I think that will have to happen more often.

Back to work tonight.

Going to go waste time playing computer games.

Julie & Julia was actually very cute, better than I thought. But it made me want to go into the kitchen and make tons of little pastries! If it wasn't 6am I'd go in the kitchen and make something right now. This makes me excited about my upcoming visit to Goddard in April, since we've already made plans to visit Burlington and go back to the French bistro there. It was so good last time, and we'll probably hit up the Culinary Institute again. I'm drooling just remembering the cheddar souffle.

It's lightly snowing outside, which is always pretty in that low blue light of dawn. I wandered out there for a moment to put dvds in the mail.

Think I'm going to use some of my Christmas money to buy some actual good snow boots, instead of wearing my Chucks to run the girls to the bus stop. I'm thinking of springing for the Astrid Earth boots http://www.zappos.com/earth-astrid-vegan-black?zlfid=111 They're kind of ugly in a way, but they are the only vegan pull on boot that has any sort of traction. I'm like an old lady on ice, I slip all the time.

I think I might use my Target card for some in-house booties to wear on the cold ass hardwood floor.

My Father-in-law (wow, that's weird to say) sent us ridiculous gift bags along with other gifts today. They were filled with toys like playdoh, silly putty, and little puzzles. I might do one of the puzzles sometime this weekend. Silly but cute.

Today went well enough, but it didn't feel like a holiday really. Got home around 11 and ended up going to sleep close to noon. Woke around 6pm and started making dinner, then chatted with my parents over the phone.

We had our casserole and basmati rice.

Finally watched the last episode of Twin Peaks. I have the strong urge when I purchase a house to decorate an entire sitting room in zigzag black and white tiles and cover the walls with red velvet curtains.

Ended up falling asleep until 3am after chatting with Seth and opening gifts. I got a Dunder Mifflin mug, pens and a little dry erase board. Along with Christmas money and a Target giftcard, yay!

I'm also waiting on some gifts.

It was a good Holiday, but I was in a weird mood. I'll have to be in a more chipper mood for Seth tomorrow. Right now I'm going to watch Julie & Julia to pass the night.

Spending Christmas Eve at work, might get out earlier than I thought in the morning though.

I did however get to play Santa tonight and slip a bunch of presents underneath the tree while they're asleep. I can't wait to do that for my own kids, if we end up celebrating Christmas, or just concoct our own holiday traditions.

Otherwise I'm watching all those silly clipshows on VH1, which involves getting to see tons of clips including Lady Gaga!

Today I got The Fame Monster as a present from a friend and I couldn't be happier!

When I get home I plan to watch the last episode of Twin Peaks and relax before going to sleep. Tonight we'll have a little feast tonight with Samosa casserole, cheese and olives, and champagne. I might make orange chocolate cupcakes, or save them for Saturday.

I'll also open presents that have arrived in the mail, I already got an awesome "green beauty" book.

So my niece is really into me these days, even though I live 13 hours away. So I thought I would buy matching hats from an etsy seller and send hers with a pic of me wearing mine.

Here is the hat I'm getting custom made.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36722064

So cute!

In other news, I really want this!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33932473

Happy Christmas Eve to those who celebrate it.

I'm sitting here wasting time at work. Today is a day that I don't have to wake the girls for school, so it's an easy night. Except that I'm kind of sleepy and want to take a nap. After work I'm going to head to the grocery and pick up a few items for Christmas Night. I have to work Christmas Eve, a 12 hour shift to help out. Not looking forward to it, but it should be easy.

Then I'll sleep most of Christmas day and try to wake up in time to make dinner. Planning on making some cupcakes along with a Samosa casserole.

Just had the best dinner involving fresh oyster mushrooms, tiny leeks, and a side salad of mixed greens. All bought this morning at the Farmer's Market.

The mushrooms and greens were picked this morning. So good!

Just sauteed the mushrooms with soy butter, the leeks with the remaining butter and garlic.

I wish they had Farmer's Markets every weekend. The next is January 16th I believe, we'll be there bright and early since the oyster mushrooms sold out within a half hour of opening.

It's been a strange few days. I switched Tuesday and Wednesday to help out a coworker. So on Tuesday I was at work till 11:30, then didn't get to sleep till 1pm. Had a lot of problems sleeping. Ended up being in bed right up until 10pm.

Then on Wednesday I only slept from 10-3. Made it to clinic volunteering for a few hours and stopped by Target to pick up greeting cards and some snacks. Slept again from 8-midnight.

Spent the rest of the night watching movies with Seth.

Got my package from Sephora and I'm really happy with my picks. I'll have to review some of the lipsticks when I wear them. We also got my package of vegan marshmallows from Sweet & Sara. So good! I had Rocky Road bark last night.

It's odd making dinner at 2am. We had shitake "chicken" noodle soup. Excited about taking that to work tonight.

I have a "handbook" due on Monday, need to work my butt off this weekend to finish it. I'm having trouble finding good sources. Doesn't help that I can't get reliable internet at work. Going to read more tonight at work and compile everything over the weekend.

Then a paper due next Monday.

I don't want to go to work tonight, since it's freezing outside! One more night and then weekend!

Today is working out to be quite productive so far. Got up and got a shower then went to meet a new friend at Crackskulls, which involved having my favorite Almond joy soy iced latte. Ended up buying two books, one on the beauty industry and one about adolescent girls.

Got home and filled the bird feeder and threw some seed on the snow to attract more birds for my cats to watch. Took out some peppermint smelly things and put them around the house to make it more "festive".

Let Tachi (ferret) out to run around and cleaned his litter box.

Cleaned Pickles (turtle) tank.

Cleaned the cat's fountain, and did a few dishes.

Feel like it's been a productive day, along with cleaning the stovetop off.

Maybe I should actually work on my project that's due next Monday. Also need to fit in a nap since I got up 4 hours earlier than usual. And work happens again tomorrow.

I have some Google Wave invites if anyone browsing my lj wants one.

Had a really nice employee Christmas dinner last night. Really good Mac N Cheese, nice beer, and Secret Santa. Got a 25 dollar Sephora giftcard, so now I'm perplexed on what exactly I want to spend it on. I think I'm going to take advantage and buy a little over 25 bucks and use the card as a discount. I think some Urban Decay stuff at least, I know I need better lip stuff, my lips are always chapped lately.

Have to go to the grocery today, finally have enough cash in the bank account to fill the cabinets back up. That's exciting.

I should get more Sons of Anarchy episodes from Season 1 today, so that will fill my night. And I'm in the process of working on a handbook style project for my Cultural Competency class.

Otherwise things are going good. The last two days of work had been a little daunting, but I think I made it out alright.

Go Away Winter!

I'm already sick of your icy charade!

Now that the drama of this morning is over, I'm hoping tomorrow morning will be better. They owe it to me for today's mess. Guess this was my first test of wills at work. I have to become more assertive though. But with teenage girls it seems your either friend or Bitch. Guess I might have to be more Bitch.

I need some more winter items since I spend more time outside during the really cold hours of the morning.

I found an adorable etsy seller who makes fleece hats with cat ears or fox ears. I know it's kind of "Furry" of me, but I'm definitely getting one. I spoke to her through email and she agreed to make a custom order, one for me, and a child's size one for my niece. I figure I'll order it a little after Christmas, then ship it to her with a picture of me wearing the matching hat. I already got her one present and I don't want to give her more than my nephew, but she's been obsessed with me recently and she's so adorable!

I also need winter boots, something warm, and stable to walk to the bus stop when it's cold and icy. Chucks don't seem to be cutting it recently.

Luckily my first full paycheck from work came today and that means finances will be more stable, now to buy groceries soon!

I'm in a writing mood right now.

I wanted to put this somewhere where I might remember it.

Next semester I'm thinking of using an elective class and focusing on feminism and language. Especially the way women use words that are derogatory to women. I'm thinking of creating a workshop that I might be able to give to the girls that I work with. I hate hearing them put themselves down by using derogatory language that in general puts down women.

I wish there was a local burlesque group in my area that taught classes. I know there is one in Boston, but I don't really want to travel that far. And there is a burlesque group in the area, but to be honest pretty much all the girls are "ideal" body type. There is not a lot of variety in body shapes.

I watched a documentary tonight called "A Wink and A Smile" about a burlesque 101 class and the 10 girls involved in it, also highlighting other burlesque performers in Seattle. It looked like so much fun, and that group had variety in age/body type.

I wish I could get back into bellydance or burlesque. I miss my dance troupe in Muncie. Since the group had started together, in my BDII group, we all had about the same level of skill. I still have some of my costume pieces, including the green silk veil which is my favorite piece.

I also watched a film called "Disfigured", it's a film about an anorexic woman who strikes up a friendship with a woman involved in fat acceptance. I'm not really sure about the implications and the drama that go on. But I did like the concept of a "body acceptance" group which happens near the end of the film.

I had one of those night shift sleepy days. I've had them in the past where I just kept falling asleep during my night off. I just fell asleep 3 times tonight. So now I'm trying to stay awake for a few hours to keep on my usual sleep schedule.

Otherwise tonight was a lazy night. Seth and I went to Target to pick up a few things, which ended up being more than I thought. But I picked up my items for Secret Santa at work. And we also found something awesome while browsing the holiday food section. Pre-made puppy chow! I guess it might be a southern thing to call it puppy chow. But it's chex cereal coated with a peanut butter chocolate goo and rolled in powdered sugar. So good!

But then the rest of the night I've kept falling asleep, blah. Hopefully I can stay up a few more hours.

Watching the Lady Gaga video again, Bad Romance is just a work of art.

Otherwise things are fairly normal around the house. Work was a bitch last night, it was nice and quiet and I watched Sons of Anarchy season one from netflix. But the morning was windy and rainy which meant that my residents were bitchy. Of course the minute I got home from work it was so sunny I could barely sleep. I wanted to go for a walk, but was physically too tired.

Tonight I have work, then 3 days off. I love my weekends with this job. Soon money should be stabilized and I can get back to normal spending. I would like to start setting aside some money for a new laptop.

I'm letting my hair grow again, I'm going to stop buzzing down the sides of my head around the mohawk. Once it gets to a certain level I'm going to get the mohawk cut down to match the rest in a pixie cut. I'm tempted to dye it black again, but maybe that's a bad idea. I still want a wig, and once money is back on track I'm going to get one.

I'm writing this entry from work. How cool is that? I finally have a job that doesn't involve making, baking, or serving food. And one where I can use my free time how I wish. I've already done some homework, now I'm just wasting the last two hours.

Today is a holiday which doesn't require me to wake the residents up for school. Usually that's what I would be doing. Today they all get to sleep in, which makes my job super easy. Otherwise I've been chatting and typing away on this Cognition paper.

The paper is due on Friday. I have one full day and night to work on it. I'm at page 6 of 15, kinda getting stressed. I don't have to have it in on any certain time of friday, so I've still got some time to use on it. Tonight when I'm back here at work I'll try to finish up as much as possible.

I get weekends off now, Seth and I are considering going into Boston for a party, not sure yet if I want to.

Work is good though, I'm getting the hang of things and that's working out to be good.

This week has been busy with papers. I have a 5 page paper due on Monday and a 30 page paper due on next friday. I got an extension for the long paper due to changing focus last minute. Luckily my mentor was nice enough to work with me on it. It's for Cognition, which I've been struggling with since I had to cancel it last semester. I can't wait to be done with it. I'm doing a 15 page section on Cognition and Risky Sexual Decision making, and a 15 page overview of Cognition involving judgment and decision making. The Sexual one was my focus,but I didn't think I could fill 30 pages, so I asked to do an overview to fill up the required 30 page minimum.

Also this week I've been working training for CPR/First Aid certification. It is required to have for my position since I'll be the only staff at the house overnight. I had to cancel my shifts that were scheduled for this week while I did the training. The only day training they had was for the 8th of December which was too far away. So I did the online section and on Tuesday I'm doing a skill session to finish. But since I finished the certification, they're asking if I can cover Sunday's shift since 2 people are out of town. I'm nervous for my first day alone.

Tomorrow is the Transcending Boundaries conference. I'm excited and will be spending the weekend in Worcester, MA. That means I'll have to get a nap in after we get back on Sunday night to be able to be up the entire shift at work.

Things have been busy, but this means I'm going to be working again.

I decided to attend Kinky Con tomorrow, I was a little worried about doing it since I need to be up at 9am and Sunday I'm doing the shadowing shift from 11pm-8am. But the con seems interesting so we're going to attend. I may also go to the pubcrawl as well. I'll just have to figure out a way to get a good amount of sleep and stay awake till 8am.

My work schedule is put on hold for a minute till I pass my CPR/First Aid certification. My new work is paying for me to take the online class, which I'll try and do this weekend or on Monday. Then I guess I call and make an appointment to meet with someone and show my CPR skills as proof.

I think I'm going to like this job, once I get used to nights again.

In other news, I won unemployment from Me & O! Got some money deposited today. Lol.

Next weekend is the Transcending Boundaries conference, plus a paper due on friday, and a paper due on Monday, this week will be full of school work.

I think this entry deserves a more energetic Gaga icon.

I'm not usually a fangirl, but omg, I am for Lady Gaga.

I just watched the Bad Romance video and she is just gorgeous. The clothes, the hair, the whole visual element of the video is just stunning. I think I'm starting to like it more than the Paparazzi video which is my favorite video.

I'm definitely buying the Monster cd she's putting out with remixes of the Fame and some new songs.

Definitely watch if you love beautiful women, fashion, and artsy videos.