Sayyyyy... That reminds me of another amusing anecdote...

fisme_nasu @ 2009-12-13T22:22:00

2009-12-14T03:22:15Z

After a very, very, very long time - almost 2 years - I finally own a computer. I'm sure Bren will be very happy not to have to share his laptop as much. Katie still needs to use a computer from time to time and we'll let her use both of ours in turn. I probably won't be on very much still, but i wanted to share the good news. :)

Good news and bad news

2009-11-12T20:51:37Z

They finally got my full transcript and are entering it now. I'm so happy - I was getting really frustrated with how terrible this system is. I still think it's terrible, but at least now my little chunk of crap has been dealt with. :) And overtime is back on the menu at work, so I'll be racking up some hours.

The bad news - we just got an email saying that they're cutting the payments to our retirement accounts from 3-9% depending on years of service to 3-5%. I was getting 4% and I'll be dropped back down to 3% starting in February. They're still going to match our 401K contribution, but instead of depositing it per paycheck, they'll drop it in a lump sum at the end of the year - if you're still employed. If you get fired or quit before December 31, you forfeit the money.

And Monkey is sick and I have to call her dad and tell him that she's not going this weekend. Joy.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-11-10T21:11:00

2009-11-11T02:12:56Z

My hormones are raging. Badly. I'm going to scream.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-11-10T16:08:00

2009-11-10T21:31:27Z

My head aches from crying about the Fort Hood memorial service, so I wanted to change the subject in my head. Did anyone watch last week's South Park? I love that show so hard, but I fucking hate Family Guy. Mainly because Family Guy has a ton of rape jokes and horrible sexist, racist, sizist, bigoted crap for plots, while South Park tends to point out the stupid, offensive shit and challenge the viewer to change reality. Anyway, I'm talking about the episode with the bikers(who I pictured as the "weekend warrior" types). When the pastor held up the "GOD HATES FAGS" sign, I thought I would die laughing, and seriously hoped someone would run to Fred Phelps with the video. I won't spoil it any more for you guys if you haven't seen it, but you should.

Today I was driving to the bank and I ended up behind some dude with a bumper sticker that said something like "How Dare You Decide For GOD To Let A Baby Live?" along with several other Jesus related stickers. Yay, rising blood pressure! I've gotten into some arguments lately over abortion and how it relates to women's rights, gay marriage, and whether Obama is the Anti-Christ because his Holiday Tree doesn't mention Jesus. I think faith is a wonderful thing, unless it makes you crazy or hurts you in some other way. I'm very glad that I live in a country where I am free to choose whatever faith I wish to practise, if any. But too many people seem to forget that that's the way it is here. And a lot of religions were made up and (are still) run by people who just wanted power.

I don't know where I'm going with this right now, but I just wish people would think and research more instead of parroting what some one else told them.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-11-06T13:25:00

2009-11-06T18:39:01Z

My updated transcript still isn't showing, but I called HCC and they confirmed they mailed it out on Tuesday and confirmed the school's address. Hopefully it will get there today and be entered by the beginning of next week. I want credit for my Psych, Sociology, and Biology classes, dammit! And that computer course. It's not as imperative as my AP scores were, but still!

I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend at home. I'm planning on doing some housecleaning and purging of clothes and books, but other than that, I'm going to vegetate. I've done 5 loads of laundry and a few loads of dishes this week, not to mention cooking, mommy duties, and working full time. I need a break and some pampering.

I think I'll make this a near internet free weekend, too. I might play a couple of games on facebook, but I definitely want to stay away from anything that will raise my blood pressure. Maybe I'll look at pictures of upside down dogs. :)

fisme_nasu @ 2009-11-04T13:17:00

2009-11-04T18:19:54Z

Dear Mom,

No, I don't want to take a 6 month course to be a phlebotomist or histologist or whatever. I know it would be quicker, however, that's not what I want. Please, just stop. I get that you're trying to be helpful, but for once, listen to me when I tell you that I think that being a nurse - especially a l&d nurse or a nicu nurse - might just be my dream job.

Foooooooooooooddddddddddd

2009-11-04T16:49:00Z

I was reading a post on a blog about how your tastes change every so often. I've never been a really picky eater - the few foods I'll outright refuse are tomato juice, okra, raw onions, cottage cheese, and overly spicy things. So it took me a while to think about what I like now that I didn't as a kid, and the only thing I could think of was cooked bell peppers. I'm still choosy about my condiments - it has to be Heinz ketchup and Hellman's mayo - but anything else, I'll happily scrumpf down. I don't like the taste of alchohol, nor am I a coffee fan, unless it's been heavily sweetened and flavored.

My daughter is shaping up to be like me, but she's quite a bit pickier. She's scared of squash and I've never met one I didn't like. She also won't eat any fat, even bacon fat. Weirdo. Ben's more like his dad right now. Bren has a list of maybe 5 vegetables and 3 fruits he'll eat. No fish, no beans, no eggs, no nuts. Benny's got a tendency to ignore everything except meat and rice, potatoes, or noodles. And chocolate. He loves applesauce, but won't eat it unless he's got graham crackers to dip. I'm hoping I can influence him to eat better. What kind of kid doesn't like corn?

Finally, some good news!

2009-11-03T21:55:39Z

I was able to register for classes. I'll be taking Chem, Stats, Anthropology, and Geography of World Economics. The last three are to make up for past failures and hopefully raise my grades enough so i can get financial aid next semester. My mom is sending me a check so I can pay for my classes now and I'll pay her back next month.

Katie made the honor roll for the first time ever! 5 A's and 2 B's! I wish we had some money so we could reward her. Oh, well, she'll get her reward for Christmas - we want to get her a Wii and hope all our family and friends will join in to outfit her nicely. My mom is buying her the Wii fit. Her eyes are going to pop out of her head when she opens her presents. :D

GAH!

2009-11-03T15:40:21Z

Just got back from FSCJ where a whole lot of nothing happened. The person in charge of entering the AP scores was at a meeting and probably won't be back until this afternoon. I left a copy with her secretary. The advisor couldn't do anything but tell me to wait until the scores were entered. She gave me the phone number for the other person so I can bother her if nothing's up by 3 pm. She did give me some more good info about how things have changed since way back when, so I can actually retake one class I didn't think I was eligible for.

Here's hoping I'll be registered by this evening!

Facepalm x infinity

2009-11-03T13:32:30Z

Urgh, tired. My body's still used to the old time. Stupid government.

So I called the college yesterday and they still hadn't gotten the amended transcript and AP scores. I called HCC and whoops, they hadn't sent out the transcript yet. Tee-hee!
.
.
.
.
Yeah. Fuck you.

So I called the advising office at FSCJ and told them what was going on. They transferred me to an advisor who told me to come in and bring my unofficial transcript and hand deliver my AP scores to the testing office. Which is pretty much what I tried to do three months ago. I'm heading over there now. Hopefully I'll be registered for classes by the end of the day.

Arguing with idiots on the internet

2009-10-30T14:46:05Z

I really should stop reading the comments on newssites. Today on news4jax.com, there was an article about a 15 year old boy who was shot in front of his home. Cue the usual racist remarks, and then someone who has Obama in their username comments. They immediately get attacked for being an Obama supporter because Obama has decided not to have a Christmas treee - instead, it's a "holiday" tree. Which honestly falls in line with most other government run offices. And OMG, it's the first time in HISTORY that the White House hasn't had a Christmas tree and no mention of Jesus anywhere!

So I point out that the Christmas tree is actually a pagan symbol, there wasn't a tradition of having a Christmas tree in the White House until 1929, and Christianity isn't the national religion anyway. And hello, seperation of church and state! I poked a little bit more on the internet and it turns out there haven't even been angels on the tree for most of the last 40 years, much less Jesus.

I got attacked for that, but if they respond again, I'm ignoring it. But really, people, turn off the tv and do some reading every once in a while!

Pluggity plug plug

2009-10-30T13:36:24Z

Join bitchinkitchn! It's a community where the recipes will be made into a book and the proceeds will go to open a rape crisis center here in Jacksonville.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-27T13:17:00

2009-10-27T17:24:24Z

Sorry for the lack of updates. It's been a bit hectic. Bren has been sick, Ben has been growing, there's been tragedy in the area and I've been spending a lot of time talking to Monkey about protecting herself, and my bestest friend xbalegot married. I've also been dealing with school stuff - HCC only sent a third of my transcript because I "rushed" the girl in archive to get it out. Yeah, it took you three weeks, you really rushed. The College Board charged my card, so I'm hoping that means they sent my scores. As soon as all that gets there and entered into the system, I can get an appointment with an advisor. Which means mid November. How long have I been working on this? Mid August? It doesn't matter; I am NOT giving up, no matter how much extra crap I have to deal with.

I hope all of you are doing well.

I wanted to be...... A LUMBERJACK!!!!

2009-10-21T19:37:50Z

I never wanted to be one of those people who talked about how good they used to be at things, but I find myself doing it a lot. I think part of the reason I'm doing it us out of a desperate attempt not to look like a stupid loser. The thing is, I don't feel like I can take credit for my past scholastic accomplishments - besides the violin - because I didn't work for any of it. Yes, I did the reading and paid attention in class, but that's what I was supposed to do. But I never studied and rarely did homework.

Now I'm in the middle of fighting to get everything taken care of so I can start school - my HCC transcript finally came in (not entered yet), but I'm still hounding the college board to get off their asses and send out my AP scores - and I'm feeling more embarrassed and upset with myself over fucking up the wonderful opportunity I had 15 years ago. The truth is, it's not entirely my fault. And my life now is good. But ugh, my pride hurts.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-18T23:40:00

2009-10-19T03:48:13Z

Blurgh, I feel like shit. I've been nauseous (and more) off and on for 5 days. My digestive system has been rebelling at both ends. I don't know what it is, but I wish it would stop. I guess I'll eat the BRAT diet and see if that helps, because the pepto isn't.

Work tomorrow. :`(

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-18T10:11:00

2009-10-18T14:15:03Z

Dear asshole judge from Louisiana,

Please feel free to DIAF any time now, you racist fuckwit. I really hope your actions in denying the interracial couple their marriage license lead to a wider interpretation of Loving Vs Virginia, one that includes legalizing gay marriage. Then your head will really explode.

No love,

A person in an interracial marriage with mixed children.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-13T22:58:00

2009-10-14T03:16:04Z

I feel like Cartman pacing in front of the game store, waiting for the Wii to come out. What is it with the weird hours of operation these places have? The college board customer service is open 8-4:45, archived records at HCC open 8-2, advising office at FSCJ hours all over the place. My HCC transcript should get there by Thursday, but there's no guarantee it will be entered immediately.

Tut has a cold I didn't know cats could get them He sounds like a squeaky toy when he sneezes. He's unhappy enough to stop begging for treats, which worries me. If he's not better in a couple of days, we're going to the vet.

Dear HCC records department,

2009-10-13T17:54:26Z

Look. I know you have a shitty job. I had a similar one maintaining the records at the day care voucher program. I was the office bitch and I had to field calls from belligerent people all day. But I always tried to get those people helped - I never brushed them off or lied to them.

When I called you last Thursday and told you you had cashed my check two weeks prior with no response, you gave me some story about how it would take a while to get my records from the "other system," but you'd leave your coworker a sticky note telling her to get it done first thing in the morning on Friday. You do this all the time, you said. Well, I guess you must have a heck of a lot of sticky notes, because when I called you just now, you told me that you just sent it out. I know you were open yesterday. WTF? I don't think your sticky note priority system is working very well. Get it together.

Thank goodness this is (hopefully) my last interaction with your incompetent asses. Now I have to badger the College Board into finding out if they processed the fax I sent last week.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-12T13:22:00

2009-10-12T17:29:04Z

Having today off is a bit of a surprise. Yeah, it's a bank holiday, but we usually work. The economy killing our overtime work on holidays has its good points.

Today is also our 1 year anniversary. <3

Even though I've been concentrating a lot on the future, today, I'm going to slow down and appreciate the present. Here's to now. :)

Writer's Block: Gone Too Far

2009-10-11T04:02:38Z

What is the scariest incident with drugs or alcohol you’ve witnessed or personally experienced? How did it change you?

Sponsored by MTV's Gone Too Far. Tune into the series premiere this Monday at 10 p.m. EST.

View 546 Answers

The first week of my freshman year in college, I walked into the bathroom to see a girl passed out on the floor surrounded by vomit. She turned out to have a bad case of alcohol poisoning and had to be hospitalized. Alcoholism runs in my family - my mom, both grandfathers, and other distant relatives have all struggled with it - but it was never so immediate as this. I've never had the desire to drink or do drugs, but it made me take other people's binge drinking more seriously.

Yay, Kristen!

2009-10-09T22:51:20Z

For those of you not watching Glee, I have to share this song. There's no video, but goodness, was this amazing!

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-08T19:25:00

2009-10-08T23:25:56Z

The logic of the battles in Civ escapes me sometimes.

I faxed in my request for the AP scores. The people at the college say that the age doesn't matter - I'll still get the credits. I'm thrilled that I won't have to take any of those classes over again. Now I'm just waiting for all my transcript info to get there so I can sit down with an advisor and see how deep in the hole I am. From what I can tell, not very - there are only a few classes I can't retake because they're not offered, so it won't kill my GPA too badly - mainly because the classes I did pass, I got A's or B's. And I should do just as well in the classes I do retake, as well as the prereqs.

Other than that, work, work, work. Ben threw up all over the place repeatedly last night so I'm tired as hell. Tomorrow is Bren's eye surgery. And Monday, we'll have been married 1 year. Time flies, man.

fisme_nasu @ 2009-10-05T10:47:00

2009-10-05T14:51:01Z

Sorry I haven't been around... I've been busy and trying to be good and focused on work. This weekend was a bit hectic, too. I found a message board that has more info regarding the nursing program, so a lot of my questions are being answered. Still no transcripts - I checked up on them and they say it can take up to 10 business days to process. I hope not, but what can you do? Not as if I can bribe the people to do it any faster - I don't have any money. :)

I'll try to sign back on later to catch up on reading your journals and responding to comments.

Halloween costume

2009-10-03T15:26:09Z

So I've been racking my brains about what costume I should wear. And I think I'd like to be Mother Earth/Earth Goddess. I'm still figuring out how to pull it together. I have a few dresses that might work as a base - a floor length blue one, a knee length brown eyelet dress, a knee length brown dress with autum leaves embroidered on the skirt, and a couple of dresses with flowers on them. But I'm not sure whether to go with one of those or look for something more blue/green. And I want to wear a crown of some sort, but I don't know if it should be flowers, leaves, fruit, or a combination of those things. Since it's harvest time, maybe I could carry a cornucopia.... I don't know. What do you guys think?

Have some goodies

2009-10-01T23:39:05Z

I love you guys so hard. To make up for the rage of the morning, here's the recipe for the best oatmeal cookies ever. You can substitute chocolate and/or butterscotch chips for the craisins, if you want.

6 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour (1 1/2 c.)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
8 ounces unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
6 ounces dried cranberries (1 1/3 c.)
5 ounces chopped pecans (about 1 c.)

Oven to 350 degrees F.
(if baking right away).
Line sheet pans with parchment.
Mix the dry ingredients together, then stir in the oats.
Set aside.
Beat the butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, then scrape down the bowl; add the honey and vanilla and beat until blended.
Add the flour mixture in two additions, beating each until well combined.
Stir in the cranberries and pecans.
At this point, you can either bake, or freeze.
To freeze, just scrape the dough onto plastic wrap, roll into a log, wrap tightly, and freeze until ready to bake.
Then just take them out of the freezer, let sit for about 15 minutes, then slice into 3/16" thick slices and bake as directed.
To bake immediately: drop by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on parchment lined sheet pans.
Bake until the centers of the cookies are soft and no longer look wet; about 9-11 minutes.
Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.

And here's the awesome dutch apple pie I made the other day:

1 your favorite homemade pie crust or ready-made pie crust
5 1/2 cups peeled cored sliced cooking apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Topping

3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup butter or margarine, room temperature

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Fit pie crust into pie plate.
In a large bowl, mix sliced apples, lemon juice, both sugars,flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Pile into crust.
Prepare topping:.
In a medium bowl, with a pastry blender or a fork, mix flour, both sugars, and butter until coarsely crumbled.
Sprinkle evenly over apples.
Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.

I'm off to eat dinner - chicken bog.