The Rise of Modern Science - My New Class

Hi, Everyone!

I actually had some free time yesterday, which I made the mistake of using for sorting my L5R CCG deck . . . only to realize nearly three hours later that it was Sunday and I hadn't done my blog! But, I was tired and it was too late, so I'm doing it now. :}

With the end of my last course, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, I thought for some silly reason I'd come into more time with which to write my music . . . The day after that class ended, I started my class for The Rise of Modern Science, which on average requires reading 5 or more chapters each week on top of working on a pretty serious opinion paper. =^oo^= I was not expecting that! Thankfully, other than Ch. 7, Brian L. Silver's writing in "The Ascent of Science" has been a delight to read, and that's helped. Unfortunately, that's still really time consuming and my back kind of feels funny from sitting how I do when I read; I need to start using a different posture if I'm going to keep up!

While initially panicking, I managed to not only catch up but pretty much make a new start toward getting ahead in my reading over the weekend! Hooray! :) So, perhaps I can get back on track with wedding stuff now. I've decided this week that I'm going to make a list (why didn't I put anything about the wedding down in my 101 goals, btw? Because I felt guilty doing it! Me = crazy) and make progress with something every single day. Even if it's the smallest bit of progress, I think I'll be feeling better about things in no time. Terinati and I have gotten so much taken care of, but there is still more to do and time is RUNNING OUT. AHHHH!

Oh, and speaking of time running out, we finished another two months and another game of Fitness Challenge!


We worked really hard this month! I have to wonder, if I hadn't been sick, how many points would we have gotten?! As it was, Terinati won by 2 points, but since we both got over 40 (yay, us!) he can't give me a card. Ha! Had I been 2 points less, it would be a totally different story, so it's a good thing that I kept up! :} I'm really proud of him, though! Go Sweetie-kins! And, he definitely earned it. He had a goal weight to reach before the wedding (we're making a lifestyle choice here, though, so we're not going back once it's over... I don't really understand how anyone can), and he's met it! :D I've also almost met my goal, but I'm pretty happy with how I am too (which is probably what makes it hard to try that little bit harder to tone up :} ), so . . . huzzah!

Oh, and I'm making a character for a 3.5 D&D game. =^00^= I need to get that done... I'm ... the last person in the group... * pouts *


That's what's been on my mind. Nothing exciting. Probably not even blog-worthy.

What has been exciting is that I've been trying to find my singing voice again, and I've been discovering interesting things about myself and how I sing, and that will help with composing my music, one of my wedding tasks for myself, so I'm really pleased with that. I've been have a magic time of just being me and enjoying the little things that I have with Terinati, Stardust, and Tatsu. It's sad to look at the recession going on, and yet I know that I've worked really hard to earn the lives we have, sacrificing a lot of myself in the process, so that sorrow is often lifted by the joy of knowing that we're more than okay. We're truly alive. We don't have lots of stuff. Heck, I get nervous just buying myself new clothes! And yet, life is so full . . . and there's still so much ahead of us! I can't imagine feeling luckier to be what we truly are together. * smile *

And, on that happy note, I will leave you to your Monday! Most people are sad to start their work week, but for me . . . I'm inexplicably happy! =^--^=

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Time to follow up on the January Princess Challenge!

1.) Complete the master book of L5R rules and house rules for the RPG I’ve been working on and keep it up to date. (I actually may need to start over because of formatting issues, but we’ll see!) I’m calling it “World of Rokugan,” though the title may change with the new release of the Burning Sands core rules. It’s just a book for Terinati and I so that we can find things easier (and correct editing mishaps, though most of those have been fixed in the new edition! Thanks, AEG! :) )

03/02/09 - Terinati and I sat down and started creating categories and figuring out what sections will be moved where. Two hours spent on that! Go us!

4.) Get my BA in Psychology with a high GPA (already doing well there!).

03/03/09 - Received an A in my Negotiation and Conflict course! :)

6.) Learn Japanese (I don’t anticipate being fluent without living in the country, but I’d like to be able to get the gist of things, especially for reading and writing!).

Purchased the Remembering the Kanji I book!

19.) Catch up on the books that I’ve gotten from loved ones as opposed to only reading for school. Already started on this, but we’ll see if I can keep up!

03/09/09 - finished reading "A Way of Being" by Carl R. Rogers.

23.) Make some time for Terinat’s games, like LOTRO. I think my first step is getting comfortable playing it by myself instead of just jumping in to everyone who’s really been into it all along, know the lore, etc. When I start something new, I need to take my time, read everything, and really get it for myself before I can enjoy it with someone else. Perhaps an hour a week is a decent starting point. (Heehee, I think most people probably set goals to play games less . . . I feel like Mr. Guder, here)

03/01/09 - Played w/Terinati! Pacifist hobbits, FTW!

57.) I will look up words that I don’t know so long as I have access to some sort of dictionary. I don’t anticipate remembering them all, but I’m not satisfied with using context all of the time anymore. I’ve already learned that doing a word a day doesn’t help me.

More words! (31, so far!)

subversive

74.) Learn more about L5R CCG.

03/08/09 - I resorted my deck for the first time in months. Trying Unicorn clan because I have no spells for my Phoenix shugenjas. None. Where are all the spell cards?!

February Princess Challenge

So, I have been remiss in my blogging duties for this month. Several factors have contributed to this: 1.) busy season at my work, which induced a great deal of stress and lead me to taking more me time for myself to recover from crazy-dodging during the day, 2.) my team project for my Negotiation and Conflict course coming to an end, requiring extra time from all of my team to look at it and make sure it was up to snuff, and 3.) getting horribly sick! I had plans for all of the cool stuff I was going to write here, for getting my song finished, and for even talking about Valentine's Day! * pout * Sadly, it was not to be so!

However, I did keep up on my goals and did discover some cool things I want to share briefly before getting to the point, which is of course, my late post about my February Princess Challenge!

While I did miss the opportunity to broadcast about it being Heart Month and all of the cool things that there are to participate in that I discovered, one thing that is still available and very cool is an article-driven blog by my big bro about the queries and thoughts of romance. It's a participatory site, and he responds very quickly to comments that are posted. The site is called Loveqube. I hope that you'll check it out! Even if you're a cynic when it comes to love and romance, this website is bound to make you laugh, think, or at least enjoy the quality of writing available there (far better than what you're getting here!!).


And now, for the challenge! In February, Princess Skye wanted the princesses from around the world to talk about their kingdoms. My first thought was that I don't really think of my world in the traditional sense; I kind of imagine it. So, throughout the month, I thought up the concept in my head about how I visualize my kingdom in my mind, and I think it's more interesting than the reality (though, it is very much based in reality). I was going to draw a map, too, but when I started drawing I realized it could do no justice to my imagination at my current skill level, so I'm just going to write about it.

My kingdom is broken up into the different islands of where I've lived before. Some are so close that you could jump from one to the other . . .

Starting on the western, southern shore, is a long, feather-shaped island called The Island of Lost Angels. I was born there. Many people see this island of mystery as a place of opportunity and go there seeking fame and fortune. What the average person doesn't know is that there seem to be lost souls roaming freely in the warm, island sun. It's difficult to tell the difference between those who are dead and alive because this difference is in their minds and in general, the dead look about the same as the living. However, the opportunity and fortune that is sought is not a lie; it is hidden by the shadows of lies in some cases, while others are at the end of some very hefty quest chains. In addition to dangerous characters and difficult quests, the island itself is a danger, frequently subject to earthquakes.

To survive in this island happily requires a sense of honesty and genuineness that does not exist in many other parts of my kingdom. Sadly, my King felt it was too dangerous to remain there, so at a young age we moved our castle to an island north of there . . .

Separated from the Island of Lost Angels by caves and cold wind, the Isle of Sand and Rain is a hilly island mostly made up of sand dunes on the southern side. A long, perilous mountain range stretches through the middle, separating the southern part of the island from the north, where it rains all of the time and is cooler. The drastic nature of this isle tends to make its inhabitants frequently hostile, and I didn't really like it there as a consequence. There is a magic to the winds of the south, however, which I often sang or whistled to. To this day, I will never forget those winds, and when they sweep across into other parts of my kingdom, I feel again that I am with long lost family.

To the east, connected by a rocky bridge, are the Fields of Solitude. Here is a quiet, mountainous land full of glaciers in the high mountains, with flowered vales and rivers and other peaceful places further down. In these fields I have happy memories, and while I may never return here and experience what I have in the past, I often go here in my mind. It was a beautiful, natural place, and I appreciated its earthiness. It seems to be unraveling with the years and corruption that tends to come through the land. The magic of this place seems to be that the corruption may come there, but it also dies there, and then, as the cycle of nature, the land is renewed with a newness that is fresh and beautiful.

Even further east of the fields, across a long, treacherous bridge of ice connects one of the high glaciers to Winter Land. Despite the name, the place is not cold and isolate (at least, for those who know how to survive the intense snow storms). Those from this land are tightly knit and stronger for it, a community of families who strongly to desire to preserve what they have and work together for a brighter future. While an inspiring place, a person like me who grew up on the western edge of my kingdom where it was warmer and doing a lot to raise myself found this place incredibly uninhabitable. Despite this, it has the most magic snows of anywhere in my kingdom, and I miss seeing the sparkling, fairy-touched ice crystals floating down to greet me.

To the east and south, separated by a large stretch of sea, is the Isle of Lights. While seeming small, the island is extraordinarily full. The people of this island are all blind and deaf, seemingly only aware of themselves until they bump into someone else. Everyone, of course, is seeking survival in the fullest ways, though, and there is so much creativity in the isle despite the disconnected nature of the people that it is hard to not find opportunity or new, exciting things to try here. Many who move here from other parts of my kingdom are confused by the blindness and the deafness, though they manage to collaborate with the natives once they learn how to communicate with them. Tensions do run high here, as communication (the key to negotiation) is difficult between everyone. Some foreigners come here and become blind and deaf as the natives, while others leave and, with the spell seemingly lifted, open their eyes and ears for the first time. From all stretches of my kingdom, people come to see the Isle of Lights with great expectations; untrue to its name, it does not shine like the Island of Lost Angels.

Next to last and perhaps the most important, in the middle of this circle of islands is an immense fog that hides the Isle of Mystery. I have only been to this place in my dreams, and it constantly changes shape, though it retains many attributes each time. Its castle is frequently guarded, but there is a secret entrance through the water . . . But, this is my secret to keep for myself. Within its castle, there is something that I have been searching for, but I never seem able to reach it in my dreams, so this isle remains, as its name indicates, a mystery.

As I explore, I'm sure that my kingdom will expand, but for now I dwell in the Isle of Lights with my Prince, my Princess Stardust, and her Knight Sir Tatsu. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed sharing them with me! I think I may expand on these in the future, though leaving it kind of vague like this seems more appropriate right now.


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If you thought I haven't been tracking my goals all month, then you are mistaken! Though, admittedly, I didn't accomplish a whole lot. :/ Here's what I've done!

5.) Focus on communicating better through study of etiquette, psychology, and linguistics.

I've learned some new techniques through my Negotiation and Conflict class! Hooray!

9.) Find as much stuff to unlock in Wii Fit and My Fitness Coach as possible (I’ll warn of any spoilers when I post about this in the future, because I really don’t like having things spoiled for me).

Unlocked 10 reps of Single Arm Stand and 10 reps of Push Up and Side in Wii Fit.

10.) Exercise regularly. I don’t like scheduling it on M, W, F or anything like that, but as long as I do it 3 or more times a week, I think that’s good. Monotony of using the same days every week makes me just plain not want to do it (one of the problems I have with My Fitness Coach).

Other than being really sick the last week, I've been keeping to my goals here! YEAH!

18.) Finish reading the Harry Potter books so that I can be in the loop with my friends who are Harry Potter fans.

02/02/09 - finished reading "Quidditch Through the Ages" by Kennilworthy Whisp!

24.) Don’t procrastinate with my school work! Sometimes it’s okay when I need to relax, but I know it’s ultimately better to shoot for doing my work early so that I’m giving a better, more relaxed effort.

I've basically been on task with this. I truly feel that the only time I put off school work was when I knew it would benefit me, and I have no regrets for my Negotiation and Conflict course, which is coming to a close on Tuesday.

26.) Take more time to listen to myself, silently. This is hard for me, sometimes. I think if I take five minutes a week, that’s pretty good.

I feel like I'm being very consistent in doing well here.

37.) Get my ID updated for what my married name will be. EE!

02/28/09 - DONE!

45.) Always write legibly. Sometimes I allow myself to feel rushed, and then I write a bunch of gibberish . . . which really defeats the purpose of writing. :}

I've been focusing on this every time I write and I definitely see improvement!

46.) Talk less and listen more (inspired by Princess Skye’s New Year’s resolutions for this one). Going to use some techniques I learned in my Interpersonal Communication course here! I can do it!

Been focusing on this in February, and I feel like I'm doing better. Kept catching myself trying to make sure I'd get words in when I started, and now doing much better. Also noticed who actually is interested in listening to me or just talking, which is a significant thing to notice when communicating with someone. :)

52.) Keep my nails short. It’s a prerequisite for not stumbling on keyboards or issues with guitar playing, but I do let them get wild sometimes, just because I like their wildness. And then I cut myself on them. :} I’m too clumsy for long nails! :}

03/01/09 - Still on task! Just trimmed them again yesterday. They have not gotten long since I cut them in January! :)

53.) Be more green. I’ve worked hard on this in the past year, both at work and at home, but I can do more, and it’ll help with reducing clutter. (lol, I’ll defy gravity!)

February - Switched our corporate office from using products such as Febreeze and replaced with method products that are better for the environment and for people. (got rid of Air Wick! Huzzah! Aroma Rings! Huzzah!)

56.) Manage Hoshi’s experience points better (my character in L5R). I’m learning how my old techniques are leading to a jack of all trades master of none situation, and I just need to make sacrifices in some areas that aren’t as much in tune with her character and not be afraid to go with the other ones.

I am being good and saving up for Traits, not just buying Skills every chance that I get. :) So far, plan seems okay.

57.) I will look up words that I don’t know so long as I have access to some sort of dictionary. I don’t anticipate remembering them all, but I’m not satisfied with using context all of the time anymore. I’ve already learned that doing a word a day doesn’t help me.

More words! (30, so far)

sedentary

gilt

Edam

melancholia

vociferously

laissez-faire

balaclava

paean

farcical

ablutions

60.) Will stop and think more often rather than feeling rushed.

This actually saved me from doing something really stupid during our team project! HOORAY! I'm glad that I utilized it. :)

83.) Fast more. It’s good for you, when done properly.

I am working toward alternate day fasting. Terinati and I have been at this for a couple of weeks, and it's been great! I'm still very gradually reducing my intake on "fasting days". It's important not to just stop eating. It's hard to not want to eat just because eating is easy, but this also frees me up to do other things and helps us to save money, so I'm happy with the exchange.

84.) Save more money. We still have lives to try and live and save up for after the wedding, too (that house won’t buy itself! Goal #16).

Working toward alternate day fasting is helping with this goal. :) Eat less, save more!

90.) Stop saying ignorant things out of habit like “that’s so gay” or “that’s so retarded” that I just picked up while growing up and don’t really mean that way. :p

I actually can't remember the last time I've said anything like this... at all. Maybe this goal was already met? Or, maybe I don't hear myself talking. I'm going to try and monitor myself to be sure.

91.) Get rid of subconscious undermining thoughts (usually dealing with my memory). I can accomplish more than I’ve trained myself to believe in the past.

02/28/09 - Surprisingly, I've discovered that waking up every 3 hours for Zicam also results in remembering more dreams. For some reason, doing this makes me feel more energized as I go over my dreams, and I find myself having less undermining thoughts. I'm going to try exchanging Zicam for water once I'm done with this and continue the schedule to see if this continues to help.

92.) Make solid goals with Terinati to work through conflict resolution better in the future (a process that we’re constantly doing better, but I’d like to clear out really old communication problems that are still lingering).

Terinati and I did one of my Negotiation and Conflict assignments together (it was that type of assignment), and I think we're doing better and better at this every day. :)

93.) Be more aware of power distribution in relationships and the perceptions of those power distributions (including my own).

This definitely takes conscious thought for me, but I am seeing it more and more.

94.) I will keep up with the real world news at least once a week.

Doing okay here!

95.) Monitor my work goals with the weekly dedication I intend to give to these goals.

My goals have recently been reset, so this will start in March.

I hope everyone else is doing well with their personal goals too! :)

Illuminique's Birthday Bash!

So, some may think that I forgot last week. Some interesting things did happen, and I did work toward my goals, and then I had nothing that I thought was worth writing about. That, and Sunday was consumed entirely by preparing for the main event of today's blog! Illuminique's birthday bash! :)

It was a really cool day! I like doing fun events, especially for good friends. Illuminique is particularly special because she works so hard and I really wanted to treat her to a stress-free day. We didn't celebrate on her actual birthday, but it was nice because everyone was able to be there. We went to see Inkheart, which was great (I want to read the books now!), and then enjoyed some cake from Whole Foods and some ZPizza. Yum! Of course, there were gifts and talking, like at most parties, and that was all fun too. =^--^= I really hope she enjoyed it as well!

While I didn't make cake, I did make cookies. Double-chocolate, white-chocolate chunk cookies with pecans.

They seemed to go over well, although they're really filling. Each cookie is 500 calories, hence I do not make them often. :} I think next time I want to try adding a little cocoa powder instead of almost entirely melted chocolate. I think it'll give it something different to the texture and flavor. * shrug *

The best part was seeing Illuminique smile. I think she really had fun. :)

There's just something really great about celebrating someone else and seeing them happy. * smile * I'm always surprised when I meet someone who thinks of it as a chore. Working hard that day was really great for everyone, though!

I can't wait for more of her artwork to come out! Someday, when there is a website, I will link it and you will be AMAZED by this lady's brilliance! :) Beyond being a wonderful friend worth celebrating, she has real talent. I just know she's going to do great things. Yay, Illuminique!! =^--^=

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Updates on my goals!

2.) Finish composing “We Are One” for the wedding in June so that it can be recorded in the studio.

01/26/09 - finally satisfied with the lyrics while waiting all day in the jury lounge.

01/31/09 - changed the key and chord progression. Simplifying the background parts as the complex parts were getting in the way of the message of the song.

7.) Get rid of the stuff in the apartment I no longer want! It’s time to remove the clutter and be who I really am. Time to let go!

Terinati took out my clothes and donated them to a drive that was going on in our apartment complex.

9.) Find as much stuff to unlock in Wii Fit and My Fitness Coach as possible (I’ll warn of any spoilers when I post about this in the future, because I really don’t like having things spoiled for me).

01/26/09 - Unlocked 30 Reps of Rowing Squats in Wii Fit! Also got perfect score for 2nd time on the Advanced Step game. Also became flexible enough to grab my ankles during the Bridge pose!

10.) Exercise regularly. I don’t like scheduling it on M, W, F or anything like that, but as long as I do it 3 or more times a week, I think that’s good. Monotony of using the same days every week makes me just plain not want to do it (one of the problems I have with My Fitness Coach).

Routine schedule: M-Wii Fit, T-My Fitness Coach, W-Random (DVD/whatever practical workout comes my way), Th-My Fitness Coach, F-Wii Fit

15.) Get my MUSH really up and running with people and at least one monthly activity to share that will bring the community together. The MUSH is up, really; I’m just scared to show it to anyone right now. :} Because there’s nothing to do in it other than role-play table-top games.

Computer doing the serving will no longer stay on. :/ Working on fixing with Terinati.

23.) Make some time for Terinat’s games, like LOTRO. I think my first step is getting comfortable playing it by myself instead of just jumping in to everyone who’s really been into it all along, know the lore, etc. When I start something new, I need to take my time, read everything, and really get it for myself before I can enjoy it with someone else. Perhaps an hour a week is a decent starting point. (Heehee, I think most people probably set goals to play games less . . . I feel like Mr. Guder, here)

01/20/09 - Hunter reached level 10!

26.) Take more time to listen to myself, silently. This is hard for me, sometimes. I think if I take five minutes a week, that’s pretty good.

01/24/09 & 02/01/09 - Took a lot of time for this.

27.) Continue to work on not taking the negativity of others personally; it’s usually not even about me. Focus on being who I am and doing what I believe is right without participating in the negativity.

01/27/09 - some co-workers tried to throw me under the bus while I wasn't even in because of jury duty. Didn't take it personally, and it ended well! :)

31.) Spend more time caring for Stardust and Tatsu. I need to figure out a less time-consuming routine, though we definitely do our best with them.

I've been brushing them regularly, decided to bathe them once a month, and have been keeping up on their Soft Paws daily!

39.) Update my Netflix List more regularly. Sometimes I forget about it. Not a big goal, but there is an agenda behind it. :)

01/24/09 - Updated! Now, to keep an eye on it!

53.) Be more green. I’ve worked hard on this in the past year, both at work and at home, but I can do more, and it’ll help with reducing clutter. (lol, I’ll defy gravity!)

01/19/09 - purchased a mostly recycled toothbrush by Recycline.

57.) I will look up words that I don’t know so long as I have access to some sort of dictionary. I don’t anticipate remembering them all, but I’m not satisfied with using context all of the time anymore. I’ve already learned that doing a word a day doesn’t help me.

New ones (20, so far)

inductive

edification

epistemologies

brinkmanship

70.) I will continue to give back, even if I’m no longer able to do so through TOPs for whatever reason.

Donated clothes in a drive our apartment building was putting on (January).

71.) They say that meeting our goals is a reward unto itself. However, I also know that positive reinforcement is important for our relationships with ourselves because we tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else could ever be. In order to stop the “I suck” voice, I will implement a reward system for completing my goals (the small ones on the path to larger ones and the larger ones).

01/24/09 - Ordered my charm necklace and my first charm for working on this goal list; a 2009 charm! :) Also got those little ring thingies to put it on with. :}

76.) Check Soft Paws on Tatsu and Stardust daily, even if I can’t get to the other stuff (goal #31).

01/20/09 - put Soft Paws on the cats... and then ran out. d'oh!

01/21/09 - ordered more Soft Paws! Black and White for the little man, red and pink for Stardust (Valentine's Day).

01/27/09 - new Soft Paws arrived yesterday, and I updated Tatsu and Stardust's paws! Huzzah!

Been doing this daily since. :)

87.) Get a stainless steel water bottle. None of the woes of plastic use, but still keeping hydrated!

COMPLETED! On 01/27/09, after work, Terinati and I were in the store and I saw some stainless steel water bottles nestled into a hidden place and pointed them out. We both got one! :)

Another Completed Fitness Challenge!

This week was pretty eventful for me, and in ways that I can't expound on in great detail, but I will do my best!

First, this Monday marked the end of another 2-month fitness challenge game with Terinati and I.

I won again! 36 to 26 points!

Terinati then drew a card and was responsible for getting the ceiling fan in the dining room fixed, which has been waiting for 4 months since we started the first game. :} It does this thing where it rattles sometimes and the glass is broken around one of the bulbs, which can't be safe with the rattling. I'm worried that one day it will rattle hard enough that the glass will just fall out on whoever is beneath it, so it's good that that will get taken care of!

We're off to a competitive start this week, though, as Terinati has been more steady with his work outs. I'm really proud of him! Keep it up, Sweetie! :)

The second main event was actually at my workplace. I don't talk about it much because it would be kind of unethical. This week was rough, though, because we lost our receptionist. I can't go into detail about the circumstances and everything that occurred as a result to that, but it was very stressful. I'm the only person in the building who has been the receptionist, so I'm kind of the only person who knows the job at all other than what our boss has gone through and been made aware of. That meant I was picking up the slack at work, so I've been kind of mentaly exhausted this week. At the same time, I think this is a sign we're heading into a new era, and I'm excited to see where that will lead us all. Hopefully, it will be a new a good era for the previous receptionist as well.

As I promised myself, though, I gave myself time to relax, guilt-free. Some of my favorite moments this week were spent watching Joan of Arcadia on DVD with Terinati and Stardust. It was one of those happy, family moments that were precious. Thanks to Terinati for taking these pictures of us together!

See? Those vet assistants were wrong! Look how cute she can be! ;)

heehee. Yep, we're biting on each other. Just love bites, though. I'm so glad she's recovered so well. I love that crazy furrball. =^--^= When I'm with her like this, it's hard to remember that was ever such a terror when I first got her. Just goes to show what faith and a lot of love can do over time.

Finally, yesterday my Maid of Honor, Kyriel, and my flower girl, Anna, went out to do some wedding business. We found a stylist at the salon that Anna uses, and I'm really feeling good about things now because I know the approximate cost and they seem very flexible, helpful, and considerate. I haven't been to a salon for over a decade, but every time I went it seemed that the stylists there were more interested in doing what they wanted than caring if I liked it. :} It was definitely a good experience yesterday! Plus, they have a florist just up the street from them, so they can handle ordering flowers for my hair if I go in that direction. YAY! One less thing for me to have to coordinate. Go them!

Next stop, makeover!

Since it didn't take as long at the salon as we'd thought it would, we figured we'd continue the girly search and try to find makeup. So, we all three had makeovers done at a mall.

Although I was assured that I was pretty, on the way home I thought to myself, I can't touch my face. I don't want to get makeup on Terinati. This is really uncomfortable.

When I saw Terinati's expression upon arriving home, it confirmed for me what I don't want to do for the wedding. I don't think I'm going to go with traditional makeup for sure. Secondly, I don't think I trust anyone else to do my face anymore. :} The woman was great, nice, friendly, and honest, but . . . AHHH!! Even though she was great at finding colors I thought were acceptable, Terinat's instant assessment that I should be on stage was accurate. I think if I do my own, it can be more subtle. It's just going to take practice.

Furthermore, that's not something I want to subject myself to on the wedding day. Worrying about getting makeup on other people or my dress or something silly like that . . . No way! My day is going to be fun and free of unnecessary stress. Seriously, I like the way I look even more now that I've reminded myself of how ridiculous trying to look different is. Perhaps some highlights for fun, like eyeshadow or sparkles or something, but keeping it simple on an otherwise big day is okay with me! :) It's a relief to have this relevation now rather than later, for sure. What's really important is who I perceive myself to be.

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And now, on to my regular update of my goals!

9.) Find as much stuff to unlock in Wii Fit and My Fitness Coach as possible (I’ll warn of any spoilers when I post about this in the future, because Ireally don’t like having things spoiled for me).

01/14/09 My Fitness Coach: unlocked bronze level membership: "dance" music and Desert Springs Resort now avail! Wahoo! :)

10.) Exercise regularly. I don’t like scheduling it on M, W, F or anything like that, but as long as I do it 3 or more times a week, I think that’s good. Monotony of using the same days every week makes me just plain not want to do it (one of the problems I have with My Fitness Coach).

Figured out that working out on Sunday and blogging weekly on that day are not compatible goals; both too time consuming. Therefore, Sunday is not an exercise day. I'm going to try to work out every other day of the week however, with Saturday being optional depending on how I feel. Light/easy workouts on Tuesday and Thursday, Friday is definitely My Fitness Coach day, and Wii Fit or My Fitness Coach on Monday and Wendesday, depending on my mood. It's better to have a routine that I do almost every day rather than one I can flake out on. Other than getting sick one day of the week, this worked perfectly.

11.) Make time for relaxation, even if I don’t think that I have it. A couple hours each evening. I’m too afraid of being lazy, and I need to let that go because otherwise I have regular mental breakdowns, and that just can’t be healthy.

I was feeling pressured about a school assignment I wanted to get further ahead on, but I realized I was getting stressed and took time to give myself a facial, sit in a bubble bath, and chill out while listening to music and letting my incense give a soothing aroma.

20.) Get outside of my shell and adventure more, saying yes more often to going out with friends to places I’ve never been to before (The November Princess Adventure, going out and getting manicures and pedicures with Anna, and heading to New York for the first time on 01/03 are examples of me heading in this direction already).

01/17/09 - Got a makeover. AHHH!

23.) Make some time for Terinat’s games, like LOTRO. I think my first step is getting comfortable playing it by myself instead of just jumping in to everyone who’s really been into it all along, know the lore, etc. When I start something new, I need to take my time, read everything, and really get it for myself before I can enjoy it with someone else. Perhaps an hour a week is a decent starting point. (Heehee, I think most people probably set goals to play games less . . . I feel like Mr. Guder, here)

01/17/09 - I created a hunter this week and played her a few times. Enjoying it by myself!

32.) Learn to wear makeup. I don’t like wearing makeup most of the time (I really enjoy natural beauty, and I just don’t buy that it is healthy to wear it), but sometimes it’s desired and I want to do better with that.

01/17/09 - Learned what not to do with makeup.

33.) Stock makeup that I like and works for me.

Purchased a powder foundation (probably won't use except for really particular situations), blush, and a brush. dun dun DUN.

38.) GM Cyberpunk 2020 for Terinati on a weekly basis or so.

01/16/09 - GM'd the start of the next arc! So far, so good!

53.) Be more green. I’ve worked hard on this in the past year, both at work and at home, but I can do more, and it’ll help with reducing clutter. (lol, I’ll defy gravity!)

01/13/09 - before printing out invoices for reconcilation, making sure that they're actually for the account I handle. Many sheets have been wasted due to people just sending me random documents. :} No more! (Good thing to, because the very first e-mail I opened was one I already had completed a month ago)

57.) I will look up words that I don’t know so long as I have access to some sort of dictionary. I don’t anticipate remembering them all, but I’m not satisfied with using context all of the time anymore. I’ve already learned that doing a word a day doesn’t help me.

Picayune: –adjective Also, pic⋅a⋅yun⋅ish. Informal.

1.	of little value or account; small; trifling: a picayune amount.

2.	petty, carping, or prejudiced: I didn't want to seem picayune by criticizing.

–noun

3.	(formerly, in Louisiana, Florida, etc.) a coin equal to half a Spanish real.

4.	any small coin, as a five-cent piece.

5.	Informal. an insignificant person or thing.

am⋅biv⋅a⋅lence

/æmˈbɪvələns/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [am-biv-uh-luhns] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

1.	uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.

2.	Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.

ar⋅chi⋅pel⋅a⋅go

/ˌɑrkəˈpɛləˌgoʊ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ahr-kuh-pel-uh-goh] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -gos, -goes.

1.	a large group or chain of islands: the Malay Archipelago.

2.	any large body of water with many islands.

3.	the Archipelago, the Aegean Sea.

ep⋅i⋅de⋅mi⋅ol⋅o⋅gy

/ˌɛpɪˌdimiˈɒlədʒi, -ˌdɛmi-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ep-i-dee-mee-ol-uh-jee, -dem-ee-] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence and prevalence of disease in large populations and with detection of the source and cause of epidemics of infectious disease.

car⋅touche

/kɑrˈtuʃ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kahr-toosh] Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	Architecture. a rounded, convex surface, usually surrounded with carved ornamental scrollwork, for receiving a painted or low-relief decoration, as an escutcheon.

2.	an oval or oblong figure, as on ancient Egyptian monuments, enclosing characters that represent the name of a sovereign.

3.	the case containing the inflammable materials in certain fireworks.

4.	cartridge (def. 1).

5.	a box for cartridges.

en⋅cap⋅su⋅late /ɛnˈkæpsəˌleɪt, -syʊ-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [en-kap-suh-leyt, -syoo-] Show IPA Pronunciation
verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to place in or as if in a capsule.

2.	to summarize or condense.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to become enclosed in or as if in a capsule.

That last one was obvious in retrospect, but the context sure didn't point in that direction!

Also realized I could just link the definitions and it'd be less space-consuming.

sanction

litmus

58.) Do more logic puzzles or hemi-sync exercises to work out my brain. Just as important as the body!

I did over ten logic puzzles this week! It was fun to get back into it.

68.) I will work with Rainshine on making the mix CD!

01/13/09 - posted on the forum with Rainshine about the mix CD we're working on making with others. Established some goals (.wav file quality, who is printing labels, sending in pics, ideas for a name, poking Terinati & Kyriel to join us).

71.) They say that meeting our goals is a reward unto itself. However, I also know that positive reinforcement is important for our relationships with ourselves because we tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else could ever be. In order to stop the “I suck” voice, I will implement a reward system for completing my goals (the small ones on the path to larger ones and the larger ones).

01/13/09 Although it is advised against to have conflicting goals, especially with rewards, I don't know any ways to reward myself that don't involve spending money. So, that conflict will just have to be. I'm learning about charm bracelets and I've started a wish list on the charmfactory.com website. With permission from Terinati, I'll purchase a monthly charm that will symbolize my progress. Actually, the initial chain and split rings are the most expensive part. The charms themselves are pretty cheap. The charm necklace I've picked out (I really hate having things on my wrists for long periods of time, and I want this to be with me to remind me of my accomplishments) is 18" in length, so I think it'll be good for a long time to come as well. I've never done a charm bracelet/necklace before, but I think it will be cool. Some months may merit more than one charm award, but my goal is to do enough that I can earn one charm a month. :)

That's it! Wish me luck for next week! =^--^=

Wicked

As those of you who follow me on Twitter already know, last week I went on my very first trip to New York to see Wicked, invited by one of my co-workers and dragging along Kyriel to enjoy the new experience with me. I'd never heard Wicked before (although, Temple tried to play it for us in the car; I couldn't quite hear it clearly enough through all the background noise, and then I took a nap... :} ), never read the book (though, I really would like to now), and didn't really know what to expect.

Let me first say, New York isn't what I expected, although I didn't really know what to expect. You see a lot of TV about New York and how some people feel about it, but . . . we all know how reliable TV is. :} What I found about the areas we were in New York was the pleasant surprise that it wasn't as stressful as I imagined it being. I live in a pretty big city, and people are always rushed, cursing, and so ridiculously stressed out. Despite the daily grind of traffic and politics never changing, people here seem always surprised and riled up about it. I really don't think that's a healthy way to live, so it stands out to me. I thought that New York might have similar environments in their bigger cities, but not so! People were shockingly calm, even about some of the not-so-ethical things going on in plain sight! It was just accepted. They know they can't stop it, and they don't waste time stressing about it. Traffic is definitely something there, but even though people want to get to where they're going, there isn't the feel of outrage because (shock!) there's traffic in a big city, and that's just how it is. So, my first impression of New York is a good one. :) It's just another, very different place.

So, on with the trip! First stop was our hotel, which had an interior that looked a little bit like the interior of a ship; it was cool!

Also shockingly cheap! Hooray! (I really don't have that much money for trips... :} )

Then, it was on to sight-seeing, of course!

This would be much cooler if Spiderman were in it. I love you, Spiderman!!

Yep, I was a nerd and took pictures of the Subway as we went in. I had a double-motive, though, other than liking the gritty layout of it. I GM a Cyberpunk 2020 game for Terinati, and most of it takes place in NY. A place I've never even been to, right? :p So, being there gave me some great insights to how to give the environment and lifestyle more appropriate feel. In fact, it's probably going to give the game a bit of a makeover, but for the better (I hope).

This was one of the walls inside the Subway! Is that not so COOL? And appropriate, since you head down . . . I wasn't expecting stuff like that down there. The smell kind of negates ideas of art . . . :}

One-armed women's restroom! Anyone? Anyone?? ;)

A "crystal" couch? Stardust and Tatsu's hair would so get stuck in that. :} But, it was fun to sit somewhere sparkly and feel pretty. =^--^=

Oo, shiny! It totally makes me think of Sailor Moon.

Look! A jazz club with the same name as my kitter-pea! I had to take a picture of it, even though we didn't go there. I missed her for that one night of separation. :} I'm tighter with her than I realized. Going to Japan without her is going to stink.

Before we headed out to the show, we had reservations at the Russian Tea Room. I had only a vague idea of what I was in for.

It was pretty, surrounded by the holiday lights still up in the city.

Right outside was a door with gryphons on it, which Kyriel noticed immediately. Since I had my camera out, she asked me to take a photo for her. Shortly after, the nerds amongst us who have read/seen Harry Potter were amused by the "gryphon door." Ha ha ha... * sigh * :}

Some folks arranged to have a caviar tasting. Kyriel and I refrained in order to save money, but it sure looked pretty!

Our meals were so delicious! I was impressed with the service up until dessert, when they started getting orders confused. :} But, they were quick to fix it and it was a delightful nearly three-hour experience. It was the kind of relaxation that I needed after traveling and exploring New York all day.

We hurriedly got into taxis (OMG, I love taxis in NY! They know where they're going! They try to get there fast! I didn't get hit on! They were friendly! There were interactive TVs inside the cabs which would show you how you were getting where you were going, and some taxis had TVs on top!), and moved on to the Gershwin. I would have loved to take a bicycle rickshaw if it hadn't been so cold outside, or even a horse and carriage (wouldn't have been the same without Terinati), but it made me glad that we got in a taxi during our trip. Taxi drivers across the United States have something to learn from how these guys are doing it!

I didn't take pictures inside the theater or in the show, since you're not supposed to. I wish I had taken a photo of the set, though, because it was even more gorgeous (a few extra touches) than the one they show on the website. I was in awe, even sitting in the row furthest back in the theater. The sound, the quality, the acting, the choreography . . . I've never seen anything like Wicked. In fact, I've never seen a show where the visuals could match up to my imagination. This one probably went beyond what I could have pictured taking place in it. And, the story!! YUM! I wonder what Frank Oz (I forget his real name) would have thought of Glinda (based on his wife in real life) being turned into a naive, "blonde" girl, but considering his overall changes to the original book during the time he was working on it, I bet his spirit is out there smiling somewhere.

I woke up early the next morning to get ready to head back. Best continental breakfast (short of waffles you make yourself) I've ever had. NUM! As I watched the sun rise in New York for the first time ever, I felt really fortunate that I had been invited on this trip. There was more I wish I could have done, but given the time alotted, I'm glad that we made the most of our time there.

---

This is my weekly follow-up of goals from the January Princess Challenge, as promised, and won't probably be as interesting as the above. :}

Goal #...

1.) Complete the master book of L5R rules and house rules for the RPG I’ve been working on and keep it up to date. (I actually may need to start over because of formatting issues, but we’ll see!) I’m calling it “World of Rokugan,” though the title may change with the new release of the Burning Sands core rules. It’s just a book for Terinati and I so that we can find things easier (and correct editing mishaps, though most of those have been fixed in the new edition! Thanks, AEG! :) )

Rather that one book, it occurs to me that this information may be more valuable in a set of documents that is broken up by topic, some with recurring information where the different things overlap. That would make it more accessible by having the section in the title and having the file be small enough to post on Google Docs. I'm going to talk this over with Terinati to see what he thinks. He always has brilliant suggestions.

2.) Finish composing “We Are One” for the wedding in June so that it can be recorded in the studio.

This one is becoming a top priority as it is very time sensitive and I've been bothered to get it done for the last several months. :/

4.) Get my BA in Psychology with a high GPA (already doing well there!).

I started early reading for my Negotiation and Conflict Resolution course. I'm doing pretty well keeping up with it so far.

11.) Make time for relaxation, even if I don’t think that I have it. A couple hours each evening. I’m too afraid of being lazy, and I need to let that go because otherwise I have regular mental breakdowns, and that just can’t be healthy.

So far, so good!

15.) Get my MUSH really up and running with people and at least one monthly activity to share that will bring the community together. The MUSH is up, really; I’m just scared to show it to anyone right now. :} Because there’s nothing to do in it other than role-play table-top games.

I worked on the character generation area on 01/09/09, creating the @descs in preparation to make it more interesting.

01/10/09 - I updated with the @descs and altered the relevant exit information.

18.) Finish reading the Harry Potter books so that I can be in the loop with my friends who are Harry Potter fans.

Got through Ch. 6 of "Quidditch Through the Ages" this week!

20.) Get outside of my shell and adventure more, saying yes more often to going out with friends to places I’ve never been to before (The November Princess Adventure, going out and getting manicures and pedicures with Anna, and heading to New York for the first time on 01/03 are examples of me heading in this direction already).

Obviously, this blog on NY is an example of success here! Hooray!

23.) Make some time for Terinat’s games, like LOTRO. I think my first step is getting comfortable playing it by myself instead of just jumping in to everyone who’s really been into it all along, know the lore, etc. When I start something new, I need to take my time, read everything, and really get it for myself before I can enjoy it with someone else. Perhaps an hour a week is a decent starting point. (Heehee, I think most people probably set goals to play games less . . . I feel like Mr. Guder, here)

01/10/09 - Installed updates for LOTRO (haven't done this for months, so that's serious progress) while working on homework.

24.) Don’t procrastinate with my school work! Sometimes it’s okay when I need to relax, but I know it’s ultimately better to shoot for doing my work early so that I’m giving a better, more relaxed effort.

Been all on schedule (ahead, actually) so far!

38.) GM Cyberpunk 2020 for Terinati on a weekly basis or so.

Worked on mapping out the next arc this week . . . I think I may be ready to play, but I just want to read through my notes one more time. Perhaps create some handy NPCs.

45.) Always write legibly. Sometimes I allow myself to feel rushed, and then I write a bunch of gibberish . . . which really defeats the purpose of writing. :}

Focused on this more this week. Still needs some polish.

52.) Keep my nails short. It’s a prerequisite for not stumbling on keyboards or issues with guitar playing, but I do let them get wild sometimes, just because I like their wildness. And then I cut myself on them. :} I’m too clumsy for long nails! :}

01/11/09 - cut down my fingernails as short as they'll go.

53.) Be more green. I’ve worked hard on this in the past year, both at work and at home, but I can do more, and it’ll help with reducing clutter. (lol, I’ll defy gravity!)

01/11/09 - We started using method's squeaky green dryer cloths. Did you know that drier sheets are sometimes made with animal fat?

57.) I will look up words that I don’t know so long as I have access to some sort of dictionary. I don’t anticipate remembering them all, but I’m not satisfied with using context all of the time anymore. I’ve already learned that doing a word a day doesn’t help me.

01/10/09 - found 'ephemeral' in "A Way of Being" by Carl Rogers. According to dictionary.com, it means: lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.

Then, in the same section, 'gadfly,' which dictionary.com says is: a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc.

Aboveboard: in open sight; without tricks, concealment, or disguise: Their actions are open and aboveboard.

Laymen: a person who is not a member of a given profession, as law or medicine.

Incipient: beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage: an incipient cold.

Denigrate: to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame: to denigrate someone's character.

Congenial: agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character: congenial surroundings.

Lackadaisically: without interest, vigor, or determination; listless; lethargic: a lackadaisical attempt.

62.) Check this list once a week and,

63.) Make a regular, non-spammy blog.

So far, so good? I cut down this blog and reduced what I was planning on saying, and I'm still happy with it.

81.) I will not rush myself or allow others to pressure me into rushing. I need to slow down and think things through.

It was hard this week because people have started getting busy, which makes them stressed, and then they panic. However, I stopped myself several times during the week and managed to slow myself down and do things right, so I think I did pretty well. It's certainly not ingrained, though.

101.) I will stay faithful to these many goals in the years ahead until my time ticks out!

I put this list into Google Docs so that I can access it and write notes down for myself from anywhere there is internet.

I don't think of any of the goals as complete this week, but I'm pretty happy with my progress! Gotta keep it up, though! Off I go! :)