My Two New Years Resolutions

I have two resolutions for the year of 2008. The first one I had also made last year, it only lasted until the middle of March. The second one is something I've been striving to achieve for several months now, and I've decided to make it a New Years Resolution (cause that just makes it seem more important, don't it now).

Number Uno: To run at least One mile everday. And if for some reason (say I'm sick, injured, etc.) that I can't get in my mile, the back up resolution is to run the same amount of miles in the month. (Does it work to have a back up resloution? Doesn't matter, cause I'm changing the rules.)

Number Dose: To just be happy. I've decided that all I want to be as I go through life is happy. For some people it seems so simple, but I have a somewhat melancholy personality that shoots me down, and it shoots me down far. So resolution number two is to be happy. I've taken to drawing a smiley face on my wrist, and since he such wonky eyes he makes me laugh, which makes me happy. Hopefully I won't need my dude one day (who's name, by the way, is Lomly, cause he reminds me of Larry, Mo, and Curly).

So those are my resolutions, what are yours?

Christmas

What a good, and different, Christmas we had in the Smith household this year. Instead of getting nice, big, expensive presents from our parents we are going on trips (next Thursday we're going Sking and Snowboarding) and only had stocking stuffers, which are some of my favorite presents. Like the pair of hand made slippers I got! I'd seen them in Terressentials several weeks ago and kept going back to them, but didn't buy them. I guess Mom noticed because they were in my stocking today. Yay me!
Aren't the gorgeous? I love the colors, and they're sooo comfortable.

Let's see....Cece bought me these amazingly cool gold, sparkly tights that are Rocky Horror Picture Show-esk. They're fantastic, and I love 'em. Sadly, they're in the wash so I show any pictures.

My Grandmother, God bless her, bought me a new digital camera. Mine was abused by me and I'd been talking about getting one for several months. Thanks to her, I don't have to spend my money. It's a nice camera, a Nikon, and it has so much more extra stuff then my old camera.

By far one of my favorite presents was from my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle David. It had a tag on it that said "For Olivia, and her unique sense of humor", well that piqued my interest and I opened the first box to find......Cookie cutters in the shape of gingerbread men. And not just any gingerbread me, ABC* gingerbread men. The picture isn't very good, but if you can see one has a leg missing, one has an arm missing, and one has it's head missing. I laughed for a good long while, let me tell you, and I would still laugh when I looked at the box hours later. I also proceeded to bake some sugar cookies with the lovely new design of ABC* cookies.

These are what the finished products looked like, not the best picture, but it'll do. They also tasted really good, which please me cause this was the first time that I'd ever made sugar cookies.

The next package contained a package of sticky notes that wasn't your normal bright colors, it has check boxes saying funny stuff like "I want you to....shut up, go away, like me, and of course your normal call me/e-mail me. It also had a notepad that says stuff along the same lines. All in all, they made me laugh.

And last but not least, I got a moose ornament. See, I have this obsessions with Moose that started about a year and a half ago and I thought it was awesome that Mom and Dad found a Moose ornament.

I'd say it was a pretty good year. I got the stuff I wanted, had a marvelous time, and spent time with family. What's not to love?

Now I want to hear about you and yours!

*Already Been Chewed
(Don't you just love that companys sense of humor? :P)

Seven Of My Favorite Things

1. Stargate SG-1
I absolutely adore this show. It's reduced me to tears, made me laugh 'til I cried, kept me on a string, and given me my desire to write (Stargate FanFictions where my first bits of writing). Sadly, SG-1 ended this July, after a fabulous 10 year run that put them in the Guinness Book of World Records.

This is the cast of SG-1, from Seasons 1-10. Some of the characters from past seasons have moved on to higher ranking jobs in the military, and some are dead.


2. Stargate Atlantis
The spin off of SG-1 that was very easy to fall deeply in love with. As with SG-1, it's reduced me to tears, made me laugh 'til I cried, kept me on a string, and given me a desire to write. I've learned so much from both of these shows in the way of random facts, it's common for me to sprout off a random fact and for my Mom to go "Did 'ya learn that on Stargate?". At least half the time my answer is yes.














Season 4 Cast: Does the blond look familiar? She came from Stargate SG-1 to take over command of Atlantis since the brunette in the other picture (the former leader) is missing, presumed dead. Though we all know that may not be true.








Season 3 Cast: See the pretty lady in the front? We don't know if she's dead or alive, though we all hope she's living. And the handsome man in the green? They killed him, much to the horror of fans all around the world.


3. Soccer
Is a huge passion of mine. I've been playing for five years, and though I dropped my outdoor team in April and have yet to find a new team, it is still a big part of my life. Soccer's been a major player in shaping me into the person I am today. Learning to accept defeat graciously, learning to win graciously, perseverance, and accepting things for what they are. I have a feeling it will always be a part of my life in some form or another.

How can you not love this sport? I'm not even sure where the ball is in this picture, but my guess would be the keeper cleared it.

4.Movies
'Tis true, movies are one of my favorite things. And it's not just certain movies, it's all movies. I mean sure, I do have my preferences on actors and genres, but I will hardly ever say no to going to the movies. I love the art of movie making, and the result of all that work. I believe every movie and character should be savored. I love the stories that can be told through movies. The villains are particular favorites of mine, because I don't actually view anyone as a completely evil. I look through their eyes and see why they are how they are, I mean, they're definitely bad people and deserve to be classified as villains, but they have intriguing pasts. Like Sweeney Todd, man have I fallen in love with that movie. But let's not go there.

5. Unschooling
I love the fact that I am unschooled. Every time I sit back and think about it I thank my lucky stars. My life would be so different if I wasn't. So many amazing people wouldn't be in my life, I wouldn't have the amazing relationships that I have with my siblings and parents, and I would be getting in so much trouble at school. Not because I'm bad, but because I just don't agree with most everything that the school system does and am not afraid to speak my mind. Needless to say, I'd be good friends with the principal and detention would be my homie.

6. Burts Bees
My Mother brought home some Burt's Bees sometime ago and told us we were to try it as a chapstick because it was better for out bodies. It didn't take too long to fall in love with this stuff. Now I always have one on hand. I love the peppermint one (my mother and two of my sisters have moved on to the Honey) and can go through a stick pretty quickly during the winter season.

7. My Family
Nothing can be said to express how much these people mean to me. They're there through thick and thin. Every single on of them has been victim to my sharp, cold, vindictive tongue and they all still have my back when I need them. Words can't describe my pride in them.
It may be an old picture (by about a year), but it's one of the best and comes with some of the happiest memories I have.

I Think Everyone Should Have This On A Shirt

"You better brace yourself for a whole lot of ugly coming at you from a never ending parade of stupid." Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray.

Isn't that the truth for anyone who's just too out there? Or too different? This is my next project, I just have to figure out how to screen print. xD

Our Government At It's Best

Wow. My Mom had sent me a link a couple of weeks back saying to watch this, that it was long, but to watch it. Today I finally did. It is incredible. It's about twenty minutes long and it talks about the consuming that U.S. citizens do and how it's effecting our society. I'd known it was bad, and I'd kinda, sorta, pitched in. But the numbers she gave were astounding. And the information was actually quite scary. I didn't know it was THAT bad. I suggest you watch it. It's an eye opener, and for those whose eyes are already opened, maybe you'd like to hear what she has to say about it.

The Story of Stuff

This is our government at it's best. God save us all.

How To Be A Gangster

These guys make me laugh everytime I watch this video. I was in tears and couldn't breath the first time I watched it, that's how hard I was laughing. Hope you'll like it. :D Though I can understand if you don't.

10 Facts About Yours Truly

He he, I saw this on Diana's blog and had to do it. It looked like so much fun!

The rules: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog of ten weird or random facts about you, your habits, or your goals. At the end, choose ten people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave each a comment (such as, "You're IT!") with instructions to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you, but you should let her know when you've posted to your blog so she can see your answers.

1. I'm an amazing bullshitter. And I don't mean in only the game. I can make just about anyone believe just about anything.

2. Sometimes I wish I was someone else. Someone glamorous and famous, then I resolve to become glamorous and famous. Then I realize I'm already pretty glamorous (if I do say so myself) and I question my want to be famous. Talk about any idenity crisis.

3. I have a horrid habit of stopping in the middle of my sentence and changing to a completely different subject. Why? Several reasons, one, I usually am just talking to talk. Two, something I said reminded me of something I'd said in a previous conversation that I then want to tell the current person I'm talking to about (if that makes any sense), and three, that's just how I am. I've learned to accept it.

4. I have this obsession with Mulan and Tarzan, as in, the Disney movies that are not at all historically accurate (I go on a rant everytime I watch Hercules, yet I still love that movie, strange how Disney can do that to ya). But what's a girl to do, when she has an obsession, she has an obsession. It'll end soon....maybe.

5. Though I complain 24/7 that I'm in some sort of pain, in reality it doesn't bother me. I just want to have something to complain about. My own logic says it doesn't make any sense, but it gives me so much satisfaction.

6. Despite all my outgoingness, I can actually get very stage fright, though I hide it well it's there. My heart is pounding, I talk to fast, and everythings all jumbled in my brain. But I love being on stage so I work through it and relax as things go on, hopefully I'll one day have no stage fright at all. Aside from a few butterfly's maybe.

7. I can't stay serious about anything for a long period of time. If I were in school I'd constantly be getting in trouble for being the class clown. I love to laugh and have a good time, even if it means getting me in trouble. It makes people really mad, but I don't understand why we can't all laugh and have a good time while still learning.

8. My disgust for certain traits in people make it really hard to admire and listen to the pople who are "above" me. From my perspective, I know more then them, or know a better way to do it, but since I'm only a kid and most of them don't want my opinion it causes problems, to say the least.

9. My only true goal in Life is to be happy, and to make the people around me laugh. I love getting even the most serious person to laugh, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

10. Four of my greatest heros are my siblings. Though I only look up to one, they each have a trait about them that I would love to have myself and look up too and admire them for. Who says your heros have to be "big people"?

Whoever wants to do this must do it and send me the link so I know they did it. :P

Happy Birthday to my Mommy!

Imma Monkey

So I finally got around to looking up enough Monkey Zodiac information to actually post a little something about it. Or maybe a lot something, but either way, it's something.

Playful, even obliging at times, the Monkey hides the poor opinion he has of others beneath his apparent friendliness. He distrusts people born under any other sign and considers himself to be superior to all of them. He has plenty of intelligence and a fantastic ability to pull the wool over people's eyes. He is so artful that he can even fool the Dragon -- who is strong, stubborn, and no fool himself -- and resist the magnetism of the Tiger, whom he teases unmercifully.

He he, well Diana it seems that you pulling the boy's tail is completely and totally justifiable, just show him this when he starts glaring at you. :P

The first part of the Monkey's life will be happy. The second will be upset and confused and his plans will often miscarry. Once attaining a ripe old age, the Monkey will increasingly enjoy a simple, everyday life.

Hmm.....I'm not sure I like the sound of the second part of my life. I rather like that most of my plans work. At least I'll be happy when I'm old.

Most Monkeys have one fetish - FOOD. They are not pigs, they don't stuff themselves with food, instead, they just have this habit of eating snacks whenever they like, and wherever they like. And one last truth about monkey people is, they adore bananas. Go visit your monkey friend's kitchen, I bet you will find some bananas there.

:o I LOVE banana's!! Actually, I love food in general. I don't understand people who don't love food, it seems....archaic to me.

Monkeys have flexible principles and serene self-confidence so they are completely content; but they usually manage to complicate the lives of others. After yet another plan or project has gone wrong, they are seldom there to help clean up the disorder and confusion that they leave in their wake. Monkeys can handle that too; with their charm and persuasiveness they can make people believe that just knowing them is a privilege.

He he, I laugh everytime I read the last sentence. Isn't it true though?

Positive Traits
Inventive, versatile, humorous, generous, intelligent, witty, lively, independent, strong-willed

Negative Traits
Manipulative, opinionated, conceited, egotistical, capricious, superficial, meddling, careless

Most Compatibility
Rat, Dragon, Rooster

Well that's good, at least I know I'm compatible with Nic and Abi.

Semi-Compatibility
Pig, Goat, Horse, Monkey

Incompatibility
Tiger, Ox, Rabbit, Dog, Snake

Well how much does that suck? BOTH of my parents are Dogs, as is Audrey, my aunt is a Snake, my cousin is a Tiger, and several of my friends are born under those signs.

So that's my Monkey info. I do have to say that I think we're one of the better sounding signs out there. Of course, that's a trait that is attributed to us Monkey's, so that could be the only reason. xP I love doing this kind of stuff, it makes me happy to learn about just about anything, but this is the bug that's bitten me so this is what I'm looking at every day. Next time I dive in to google I will look up Monkey-Gemini and just hope that my computer doesn't explode from all of the energy. :x

Ooo, interesting side note. I saw The Golden Compass last night. I am absolutely in love with that movie now. I'm not quite sure why it struck me so deep, but I loved Nicole Kidman (she nailed the part), the girl who played Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards, who is a new actress) did a very good job for having no movie experience, and Daniel Craig was as charming as ever. Actually, everyone was well cast in that movie, and aced their parts. I can't wait for the second movie to come out, and they haven't even started filming yet! I don't even know when it'll be released! AH!! I can read the books, I will read the books, but I want to see Nicole Kidman in action (can you tell she was my most favorite part of the whole movie? :P). So now I will have to wait and cross my fingers that it's released sometime early 2009. God, I'll be 17 (or close to it), how scary is that?

<3
Olivia

Booyah!

I received an early Christmas present last night! My Granddaddy payed for me to get my cartilage pierced! I'm so physced! I've beeng gunnin' to get it done for a while now, and I've been putting it off because of the money, but when Granddaddy said that he had no idea what to get me for Christmas I suggested that he pay for my cartilage piercing. And what d'ya know, he agreed. Actually, it didn't surprise me, he's the Grandfather that has both of his hears pierced and will agree to get or do anything for me. Within reason anyway.

So last night we went down to Snakemans and got it pierced. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it'd be, and it only hurt a little. To top it off, I learned something new. The part of the ear that he pierced is called the outer helix, instead of piercing the cartilage. You don't pierce the actual cartilage because of the ever lovely possibility of cauliflower ear, which involves fluid building up in the ear and giving you a funky lookin' ear because of all the fluid that is built up. It can also cause permanent damage to your ear drum because of the pressure becomes to much on the ear the ear drum will rupture. How grody is that? Ooo, and it's called cauliflower ear because of a)the cauliflowery look it gets and b)because the color in the ear will start to fade to white, hence giving it a more cauliflower look. Go look up a picture, it's pretty grody and I refuse to post a picture of it on my blog. It will taint it, and the only person aloud to taint my blog is me. :P

Here is me tainting my blog with crazy duck lips, but ignore them and look at the earring! Ha ha, or look at the crazy duck lips.

You gotta love it.

<3

Olivia

Great Wolf Lodge

Wowza, what a fun three days, and an awesome Christmas present. We went to the Great Wolf Lodge. It's an indoor water park in several places across the states (and one is in Niagara Falls). A homeschooler posted it on one of my Mom's homeschool boards, and she proposed that it be the first half of a two parter Christmas present. We all agreed and she signed us up. And come to find out Danielle, the girls, and Sam were going, as well as a family that holds friends for all of us. That made my day, three days with people I love to hang out with, and to top it off, at a water park. What's not to love?

Then I found out about these wands that you could be and go on Magi quests. I had to have one! Actually, Abbi, Cece, and I all had to have one, so we settled on one and figured we could share. But Kailee and I got it first 'cause we were the ones picking it up. It was hilarious great fun! We ran around the hotel (all three stories of it) and zapped stuff. Then we'd giggle like little kids. That went on for several hours. But that wasn't all that went on during our questing. Danielle, Julia, Emily, and Sam had wands too, and I saw 'em as I was coming up the stairs. Well one of my favorite things to do is to try and sneak up on Danielle, and I succeeded. Then I gently rubbed it in her face. She said it was because she couldn't focus on more than one thing (when normally she has eyes everywhere, or so she says) because she had had two beers. I know, lame excuse. :P And then I realized she didn't have a wand, and I asked Danielle why she didn't have a stick (yes, I was calling our wand a stick :D) and she replied that she had a stick, she'd just left it at home. We all laughed uproariously (I've always wanted an excuse to use that word) while Julia, Emily, and Sam didn't get it. But that little conversation right there started a game of Attack Danielle (or in her case Attack Olivia). The rest of the night was filled with screeching, hollering, and laughing until you fell over. I love nights like those. They're the best out there.

Sadly, it was only a three day trip and very shortly it was time to go home. So we all got out tired butts into the car Wednesday evening and started the three hour drive home. I was silently pouting that Danielle and the kids get to go see Amy Steinberg and unschooling buddies while I'm stuck working, but enough about my self centeredness. xP We had found out that morning that it was snowing at home, and that by that evening there were about two inches on the ground. We were all very pleased with the thought of snow, even if it is only two inches. Nic and I were kinda hoping for six. Or a foot. Eithers good with us. When I look outside it's pretty, no matter what the amount of snow. I love the whiteness of snow and the look it gives the outside.

So that was the beginning of my week. It was a pretty snazzy beginning. I'm hopein' to finish out the week just as good.

<3
Olivia

Gemininess

So last night I got this bug to look up Gemini information. I spend who knows how long on Astrology.com last night, and this morning I got on Wikipedia and looked up more Gemini stuff. Here's the summary of what it means to be a Gemini.

Positive Traits
Adaptable, intellectual, witty, inquisitive, intuitive, charming, brilliant, affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, thoughtful, honest, straight-forward, social, talkative, youthful, mercurial, eloquent, brave, free-spirited, loves attention, playful, good-natured, good sense of humor, leader, broad-minded, diplomatic, and lively.

Yep, that's me.

Negative Traits
Temperamental, fickle, demand attention and admiration, boastful, plays mind games, quarrelsome, prattlers, tricksters, somewhat conceited, devious, manipulative, two-faced, superficial, theatrical, argumentative, restless, childish, indecisive, nervous, duality, tense, cold, insensitive, inconsistent, and cunning.

Now wait just one minute. Cunning is a negative trait? Who wrote this thing? 'Cause that's a load of BS. Plus I see nothing wrong with being a trickster OR playing mind games. Honestly. xo

Ideal Careers
Actor/actress, comedian, teacher, debtor, sales person, diplomats, speaker, authors, poets, journalists, lawyers, movie writer, or director.

Well what do ya know? I've considered all of those as a career. I'm leaning toward comedian, actress, director, or author. I've come to realize that I debate in everyday life, so why would I want to make that my career?

Likes
Talking, the unusual, teaching, different things in life, Multiple projects all going at once

Honestly, who doesn't like talking? Or the unusual? Any one of those things for that matter?

Dislikes
Feeling tied down, learning, being in bad situation, mental inaction, being alone

Amen to that. Well, except for the learning part. I love to learn, it keeps me going forward in Life. And that's a big deal to me. And I don't mind being alone, sometimes. But I love being able to hear the people around me, even if I'm not interacting, or even in the same room as them.

Birthstones
Pearl, Agate, Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Mother of Pearl

Colours
Yellow, Red, White, and Rainbow

I didn't know Rainbow was a color.....ah well. It's amazing whether it's a color or not and I'm happy it's a Gemini color...thing.

Gemstones
Pearl, Emerald, Alexandrite, and Beryl

Metals
Gold and Silver

Flower
Tulip

So that's my Gemininess. And yours, if you're a Gemini. Not to sound, ya know, conceited or anything, but I think it's one of the better signs out there. :D

I've also been looking up my Monkeyness, but that is for another post. So all you Monkeys keep an eye out. Right now, I'm gonna go have a second Thanksgiving dinner.

<3
Olivia

I Saw My Girls!!!

-Does A Happy Dance- After, hmmmm....., three(?) months of not seeing Emily, Julia, Sam, or Danielle I saw them last night. Well, sadly, I didn't get to see Sam because he wasn't feeling well and had fallen asleep before I got there, but in his place Danielle's mom was up, and she's always a joy to talk to. 'Scuse the pun. 'Da husband was there as well (making what looked like really good pizzas), but he and I don't really talk. I did bring wine though, so I was in good graces. :D
We only stayed for an hour but in that hour we dressed up with practically everything in their dressup box, paraded around the kitchen for the adults to see, and then went downstairs and added more to our outfits. It was one of the best nights I've had in a long time. People think I'm crazy when I tell them two of my bestest friends are a 10 year old and and 8 year old. But in light of some teenage drama that's been going on in my life, it makes total sense to have friends who are at least 5 years younger than you and only want to have fun. Don't deny the sense of that.
All to quickly that hour came to end and we had to leave, the girls were hangin' on to my arms and escorted me out to the car (Danielle also escorted us, though she wasn't a hanger oner :P). They were consoled by the fact that I'll be seeing them again in two weeks at an indoor water park a lot of homeschoolers are going to. Or in our case, unschoolers. We'll be there for three days, so that's three days of me hanging out with some of my bestest friends. Kizzle will be there as well, which will just add to the fun. I so excited!

<3
Olivia

In regards to LIFE is Good

I'm registered! I'm offically on the road to Vancouver. Well, Corvallis first, then Vancouver. From Vancouver life just get's crazy. I love crazy. :) At least, as long as it's a good crazy. Speaking of good crazy, life's been a good semi-crazy. Work has been...well, work. Somedays it's okay, and somedays it's like shoot me now. But what else is there to expect? Friends have been amazing, I'm making more and having fun hanging out with people besides Kelsey and Rhiannon. Dance is hilarious-great-fun as always. It's amazing, I love everything about it. I haven't had a day where I've come out and been like, dude this sucks. Every week I come out like I've been shot out of a cannon. But the best part of the past week is that I started playing soccer again! Finally, after six months of doing no soccer I started playing. It was like a good friend was welcoming me back with open arms, and a couple of slaps for leaving them (which I totally deserved). I was soooo sore the next two or three days after playing, but I always smiled while I complained because I was happy to be sore. My next game is this Saturday, man am I physced. But first I get to watch Abbi play her first game of the season tomorrow night, which should be funny and interesting. Not because she's bad, but because of the people she's playing with.
Ooo, Thanksgiving is next week! I can't wait! I love Thanksgiving. All that food, and seeing family. We have a neat tradition of going to my Uncles in the morning for a Thanksgiving breakfeast, and in the evening we to my Grandparents for Thanksgiving dinner, were all of my Dad's brothers and sisters are. And then on Friday my Moms mom comes over and we have another Thanksgiving feast, cept I won't be helping because I've been slated to work since it's Frosty Friday and it's going to be mayhem. xP

<3
Olivia

Explaning Unschooling

At work today a good friend, as well as a suppliers, of Allison came in to drop off some bones. As with most people we started talking and something was said to make her ask how old I was. When I told her I was fifteen she asked the typical question of why aren't you in school? I went through the whole, I'm unschooled, therefore I don't have to go to school. Well this lady was genuinely interested in what unschooling was and asked for details, so I gave her the basics. I got about halfway through the shpeel that I normally give people on unschooling when I suddenly said something about Cece and how she learns because she wants to, not because she's forced to. And then I realized I'm the same way. For the past couple of years I've been told that, but I'd never realized it until this morning. Let me tell you, I almost cried. I'm not even sure why. Well, I am. I'm PMSin' so my hormones are a little on the wack side, but that doesn't really explain why I would cry because my sister learns because she wants to. It makes no sense, and it leaves me pondering. Maybe that's a good thing. I've been feeling stuck lately. I needed something to give me a push. If you're not making progress in Life then what are you doing? There's always something new to learn.

<3
Olivia

Underoath!

'Tis true, Kelsey and I went to see Underoath Tuesday night. Let me just say that was one of the funnest nights I've had in a long time. Well, the first hour was great and the last hour was great, the middle two hours sucked. Not because I wasn't having fun, but because my ears were in pain. The second and third band sucked. The only two good things were 1)the scream so you can't understand a word they're saying (though you have to be a bad singer if we say you sing bad even though you're actually screaming) and 2)the music was insanely loud and bass filled and right now loud and bass filled is the music my soul is screaming at me, so it reflected my soul. But the first band was good, and Underoath was amazing, course that didn't come as a surprise.

The way home was priceless, ask Mom and Deana. Kelsey and I had seen someone we kinda, sorta, not really know, though we do know he's made it on to the National Kayaking Team several times in the past, anywho so we start taking about how native Baltimorians don't say Balt-i-more they say Balt-more (actually that's how I say it too) and earlier in the evening I'd mentioned the Potomac, which a lot of people native to Maryland pronounce wrong, so needless to say Kel and I go off on a tryad of goin' kayakin' on the po-to-mac and being from Baltmore and how we wanna kayak on the Missippi, and so much more. You get the idea though, and if you don't that's quite alright because most (if not all) of the people close to us don't get us so I can't expect a reader like you to. He he. As Kelsey and I always do we found ourselves hilarious and preceded to laugh the entire way back to my house, while chowin' down on two large MickyD's fries and eating our McFlurry's (or in Kel's case a Strawberry milkshake).

That was my Tuesday night, it was amazing, definetly worth the late night and tiredness yesterday and today. Hope yours was a good, or better!

<3
Olivia

I Love Parties

Last night was one of my buddies birthday parties (her birthday was actually last week sometime), and I had a blast. It was in her basement, which is huge, has a pool table, and a drum set. To top off the goodness one of my bestest buddies and my retarded brother (who's actually the chick who was throwing the birthday parties boyfriend) were there. And to top it off even more, the party was Rocky Horror Picture Show themed so we all had the option of dressing up like skanks and running around with boobs and asses hanging out. What's not to love?

Needless to say Kizzle, Dizzle, and I banged on the drum set for several hours making so much noise you couldn't hear the person next to you, but we called it the music of our souls, loud fast and no particular beat to it. The other two Kizzle's would join us sometimes, but for the most part it was Kizzle, Dizzle, and Olizzle (me!) playing the drums. Sometimes we would take breaks to play pool, which always incites dirty jokes with me and Dizzle (who's my retarded brother if you haven't guessed), and causes the Kizzle that isn't Dizzle's girlfriend to get grossed out, which makes it that much more worthwhile. And the Rocky Horror Picture Show topped it all off with some amazing fun. Me, two of the three Kizzles, and Dizzle all dressed up. I sadly did not get any pictures, my camera's flash currently isn't working. We suspect it's a combination of hitting my real brother with it one to many times and dropping it on hard surfaces. He.

All in all it was the best birthday party I've been to in a long time, and was the most fun I've had in a long time. What's not to love about it?

<3
Olivia

First Driving Lesson. :o

The title says it all. I had my first driving lesson today. It was decided years ago that my Dad would be the one to teach me to drive because I get mad at my Mom way to easy, hence my Padre got me (don't ask me why I get mad at my Mom, I really have no reason to, and I have no logical explanation for why it happens. Hopefully I'll figure it out one day). So we took his little green Nissan down to the mall parking lot and I learned just how much fun driving a clutch can be. I was actually surprised with myself, I didn't do as near as horrible as I'd imagined. I only stalled half a bazillion times instead of a bazillion and a half times. He he, and the funniest part was that as the evening went on my stalling got better. We weren't even getting whiplash near the end of the lesson. The hardest part for me was starting and stopping, using both feet at the same time is totally beyond me. But I'm determined to learn the clutch because if I can drive a clutch I can drive an automatic. At least that's my theory. It was fun though, I can tell I'm going to enjoy driving. Or at least I'm going to enjoy it until I have to take people places I don't want to go. But as long as I have the keys I'm pretty sure I'll be happy. I'm physced. Can you tell? Wonder if Diana will let me drive around when I get to Oregon....Lol

<3
Olivia

Sick Again?!

Not so long ago I was sick, as you well know, and now I'm sick again. I'm so aggravated. Why did I have to get sick? I take good care of my body (courtesy of my Madre). And while, yes, that's not a complete fail safe to not getting sick it seems like ever since I got back from Live and Learn my immune system has been weak. It totally blows. I hate being sick. And there's a breakout of staph in the DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and probably Virgina. That has my Mom, and probably some other people, a tad bit worried, which sucks for me because Mom's hounding me to use the Neti Pot. I HATE that thing. It burns and I'm so bad at using it I made water come out of my eye! Yeah, and she wants me to use it again. I don't think so. Though I'll still probably end up attempting to make it work because I'm not in the mood to fight Mom. Arg, this totally sucks.

<3
Olivia

Fighting After A Really Good Day

Well aren't I a happy camper. I talked to Danette today and I got my schedule worked out. It's all very nice now, I'm not working Friday evenings anymore. :) I'll finish out this month on that schedule, but after that I'm out of there. Unless they need me. Which I offered, because every once in a while it'd be nice to get that extra 30 or 40 bucks. Needless to say I'm a very happy camper. I have Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to myself and I'm still making enough money to go to LIFE is Good. Whee.

Sadly that was the only good part of my day, well and the rest of work was good too. But once I got in the car things went downhill. I was ^irrationally upset over the fact that Audrey was ^{once again} in the front seat. Nearly every time Mom picks me up and Audrey's in the car Audrey's upfront. I want to sit up front and tell Mom about my day dammit. But no, Audrey's sitting there. So Mom immediately gets irked with me, even though ^almost as quickly as I got upset I got over it. Or, more accurately, I would've, it's not like it's ^that big of a deal. But since Mom doesn't realize this she decided to say something, so I didn't get right over it and we got in to a minor tissy. Not that big of a deal, it seems like the common thing right now. Well a couple of minutes later Mom brings up a book that was two weeks over due and since I'd been the last one seen reading it I was the person to talk to. Well I was still fuming because I'm a real piss about these kind of things and almost ^always stay mad for half an hour or so afterwards, but I managed to keep what I thought was a pretty civil tone (for myself anyway) while I explained that I hadn't seen it since I got done reading it a month or so ago and that I'd put it on the shelf were all of the library books go. Well I guess Mom didn't think my tone was any good because next thing you know we're in another tissy, which quickly turns into a yelling match. In the car. Yes, my Mom actually does yell loud enough that I bet the neighboring cars were going "What the fuck?", just like the mothers she stares at when they're yelling at their kids. Course, most of those kids don't yell back so it was probably even more interesting to hear me yelling back from the rear of the van.

Well we got done with that fight (they never last long, but they're always hardcore and leave both of us upset) and I didn't say much of anything until we got home. Well I find the book (and it was exactly were I said it was) and go off. When I come back out in a little while I hear Nick make the comment that "He thinks the reason for all the flys downstairs is Piggy' (our guinea pig) cage." and Mom says "Yeah. Olivia weren't you going to clean that?"
Okay, so I had said that I would clean it, but I wasn't really in the mood to clean it anymore. So all I said was "Sure." I guess it had a bad tone to it again because Mom got mad. Again we got in another tissy. And at the end Mom said something about me and fighting to the effect of me wanting to fight. I very honestly said "Yeah, I do want to fight." So Mom said she wasn't going to say anything else to me for the rest of the day. Not sure if that's suppose to be a punishment or what, but since 3:30 this afternoon Mom hasn't said more than ten words to me (yeah, I know. She actually spoke to me! He he).

I guess I really should learn to fight with someone beside Mom. It's just that I know Mom will always forgive me, but I guess one of these days she's not going to forgive me and we'll have no chance in hell of repairing our relationship. I guess the best solution would be for me to not want to fight anymore....

<3
Olivia

Horrifying

So today I decided to pick up a magazine called Mother Jones, and on the cover it said 'School of Shock', and in smaller letters it said 'Food Deprivation, Isolation, Electric Shock'. Kelsey had mentioned the article in passing last night so I decided to read it. I'm glad I did, but at the same time I'm going "I did not need to know that was out there", even though I actually do want to know what's out there.

The article was very long and detailed, explaining all about how this school in Massachusetts the, Judge Rotenberg Center, is a school for treating behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities, but in the most archaic form. Electric shock was the big one. They hook the child, teen, adult up to a electrical device and if they get violent, cuss, say something wrong they get shocked! According to the man who runs it, Dr. Israel, it's painful, but without any side effects. It's merely a disciplinary action like spanking your child, only taken to the extreme. It disgusts me to no end.

Twice Massachusetts has tried to shut the school down, once in the 80's and once in the 90's (politically correct my ass), twice Dr. Israel has managed to wiggle his way out of closure. Parent's have actually rallied to it's defence. They say it's a life saver, before JRC their children were violent, disobedient, and rude. After JRC all they have to do is show them the shelf (the device used to shock the "students") and their son/daughter would sit down and eat, or whatever other thing they wanted them to do.

I'm not saying that it's not a good idea to have a school were you can send your child to get help with their disability, and where you can learn to handle them once they come back, but electrical shock is not the answer. If we, the American people, found out that the P.O.W.'s we've taken are being tortured by our military there'd be a public outcry. Yet when our own children are being tortured we don't do anything. What does that say about us? What does that say about our ability to help people with needs?

<3
Olivia

Bubble Juice!

I've come to realize that dance is my bubble juice. Gasp! And the best (or worst. Hm?) part of it is that I'm 100% serious! For years now my whole life has been soccer oriented, all I talked about was going to a Divison One college (preferably UNC) and then on to the US Women's National Team to kick ass in the Olympics, World Cup, etc. and having dropped dance I didn't even look back. It was my sisters thing, not mine. I was way to busy to be dancing and playing soccer. My schedule was hectic. But since injuring myself last summer, and finally consenting to the fact that I 1)didn't like the WAGS team I was on and 2)I just couldn't play, my knee wasn't actually up to standard (little did I know how bad it actually was. Is.), I dropped soccer and decompressed. According to me madre you could visibly see me relaxing and enjoying life more. I did. No more did I have to worry about staying in shape, getting in 20 hours of workout a week minimum, being able to dive four feet off the ground (though I have to say I do look snazzy when I'm flying through the air). One of the thoughts that crossed my mind was 'HEY! I can get fat if I want to!" it was a shocker to me, because playing soccer I had to be in tip-top shape (not saying that I was, but I was supposed to be. He he.) and couldn't just eat whatever I want and be like "Who cares if it all goes to my hips, butt, legs, etc. it's not like I have to be in shape." Where's when I played I was always somewhat cautios with what I ate. Lol. No more!

Life was freedom. For a while, then it was boredom. I had nothing to do. So I decided to take up dancing again, and play rec ball for some local team. Well my plans got a little changed when I saw my Aunt in FL and it was decided that I should only dance. I was still physced, but I was also bummed about not being able to play soccer. It's a nice home to go to when I want something that comes natural and is amazing fun (soccer is my first love.)

Dance started four or five weeks ago now and I'm absolutely in love! It's a Teen Jazz/Hip-Hop Class, but of course we're all taking it for the Hip-Hop, and I have who I consider to be the bestest and coolest teacher in the whole studio. She's so funny, and she puts up with my eccentricities and loudness. I mean, I think she's at nerves end by the end of class, but she puts up with me. I think she realizes and respects that I really am trying to calm myself down and be good, and she also realizes I like to be the center of attention so therefore I'm loud and constantly telling jokes or doing something weird with my body, so she doesn't do anything, except maybe I got a warning look one time, and she does kinda hint, but in joking form so I appreciate that. Personally, I think it's because she's an ex-broadway performer so she understands the need to be the center of attention and knows that even when you're really really trying to calm yourself down it's just so damn hard.

So that whole long bit was to say that dance is now my bubble juice, I always come out so happy and loud and goofy, but mostly I'm very very bubbly (now you know why I've deemed it my bubble juice, he).

On a little side note though I will be playing indoor soccer this winter. I'm so flippidy flippin excited! I LOOOVE indoor. I can't wait! Season should start sometime next month. Soon, yay! Inguries will welcome me back with open arms (see, I'm so dramatic. Broadway here I come! Wait, I can't sing....Hollywood here I come!). Lol.

<3
Olivia

TGIF

Yes, I really am thanking God that it's Friday. Why? No, not because it's my last day of work before the weekend (actually, I didn't work today. Yay! Throw confetti with me. Lol.). And no, not because I'm leaving for tomorrow morning for Buffalo. It's because my class at FCC started today with the ever lovely Suz. For anyone who hasn't heard me go on a shpeel about Suz, or seen my face light up when you mention her, Suz is one of my closest adult friends. I mean, it's not like we tell each other everything (actually, we really don't know anything about each other..), but she's just so cool and you can be yourself around her without her judging you. She's actually the person who gave me the nickname of Sparkly Goodness, I carry it like a totem. So I take her classes for two reasons, 1) I love them (they're normally about something to do with the Greeks or Ancient Lit., though this semester it's about Henry VIII, but I love him too so it's okay.) 2)I love her. Needless to say they have me walkin on sunshine because I absolutely get pumped to spend an hour and forty-five minutes with her every Friday morning for the next twelve weeks (I think it's twelve anyway). To at to the high I offered to help her with her Heroes, Monsters, Villains class that's two hours after mine and she jumped on the idea (if you haven't guessed she loves me as much as I love her. We're two peas in a pod. No lie, we were talking about the good ole days when we would put collars on our brothers and lead them around because we were so desperate for a pet. Good times.). So now I get to spend three hours and then some with Suz every Friday. What more can I ask for? (Alright, I can ask for a lot more but I'm arrogant and egotistical, not greedy. xD)

So yes, today one of the thoughts running around in this brain of mine was "TGIF". Ooo, and another was I wonder how sick Diana is of the car yet. Lol. You're in my thoughts dear.

<3
Olivia

First Paycheck!!!!

Yep, the title says it all. I, Olivia Smith, recieved my first paycheck today. It was for $491.31. I was so happy. I payed my parents back for the laptop (well, all but $25 xD) and kept $100 for myself to go shopping. And then I went to the mall and splurged. JcPenny was having a hardcore sale and I bought two polo type thingys, a tank top, a GORGEOUS t-shirt, bangles, and a necklace. Then I headed to this store called London Style (I think that's what it's called anyway) and bought this purple half-jacket that I fell in love with when I saw it. I was walking by and it was like BAM! there it was, my new boyfriend. Lol. I also picked up a red cami. THEN I went to Victoria's Secret and bought myself a pair of cami sweatpants. And last but not least I went into CVS and picked up some liquid eyeliner. Those are only the places I bought stuff at, lol. It was a good day, I'm happy with myself and how I've acted. I was good practically the whole day (with a slip when I snapped at Cece a little. Poor Cece, always getting the butt of everyones moods/emotions.) It's time like these that I feel on top of the world without having won a soccer game or having gotten a high from hanging out with my friends. It's just a natural high. The high I get off of Life.

<3
Olivia

Ren Fest, New Horse, and Tye-Dying

So Ren Fest. What can be said? It's absolutely amazing, fun, and ronchy. What's not to like right? It was my first time so the experience was awesome! It was pirate week and I saw soooo many outfits I wanted that I was ready to come home and kill my computer because all my money had gone to it (luckily the Ren Fest is far enough away that I wouldn't have made it home and back in one day, lol). Needless to say next year I'm going next year with a boat load of money and buying a whole spiffy outfit to run around in. Feel free to join me. :D I sadly didn't get any pictures of me. I was to busy being mesmerized my the 'Drench and Wench' or the 'Hey Nunnie Nunnie' show (which is absolutely hilarious! I found what was missing in my life when I sat down to watch it. ;p). I did get some pictures in the very beginning of the ladies on the ropes up in the air. They were pretty cool. The good ones I'll post.



So that's them. Yep, I know. I beg for a digital camera for my birthday and then I cart it around with me but don't' actually take any pictures. But its the knowledge that I have it if I want it that makes me happy. :D And Diana, I did think of you every time someone said wench or I saw a woman (or man) that looked like a wench. xD


In other news my grandmother bought a new horse last week and is just as quickly thinking of selling her, but that's my grandma for you. She buys something impulsively and then realizes she doesn't want it or it's not what she thought it was. So we went to see another horse yesterday, a TB Gelding named Winston. Personally, and I've told my Grandma this, I find him dull. He didn't seem to have any personality. Pebbles (the TWH she bought) is exploding with personality. But it also isn't my choice. I'll be going my own way in a couple of years and won't be around to ride either horse so I hope that Nanny goes with her heart. Winston is better for her because she can ride him, but if she didn't work with him he'd probably go back to being your typical TB, rarin' to go and not good for the elderly. But Pebbles probably can't hold her anyway so I don't know what she's going to do. I figure I'll probably find out soon. Meanwhile, let me show ya'all some pictures of Pebbles because I think she's absolutely gorgeous (and that's saying something because I can't stand paint coloring most of the time. Lol.)

So that's her! Ain't she gorgeous! I've fallen pretty fast for her. Or maybe I just like her because she's new and hasn't done anything to piss me off yet....

One of the best parts of this week though was the Tye-Dying we did on Friday morning. I had so much fun running around in a Bob Marley wig (as if I need it. Lol.) and goofing off waiting for my buddies to arrive. And at long last they did. Danielle pulled up with Emily yelling out the window "Olivia!!!" and I thought Danielle was gonna crack a rib she laughed so hard at my hairdo. Needless to say I had fun. I hung out with Sam for most of the afternoon (surprisingly enough) and gave the girls hugs whenever I saw them. I bugged Danielle and had an all around good time. It was the conference all over again, even the Tye-Dying was chaotic, just not on the scale that the conference was. That was pure mayhem, but fun. :D

So that was my week. It was pretty good. I'm practicing being happy, or maybe I'm just in a happy place, but either way it's working for me and I'm happy right now (with a few exceptions).

<3
Olivia

Work Today and Tuesday Night

Well what'da know, taking work one day at a time is working (for the most part). As long as I don't think about how tomorrow I'm going to have to work then I'm a happy camper. Though I have decided I prefer working with Dani opposed to Allison. Dani's just not so intense, and more easy going. I did talk to Allison about working on a MySpace for the store, and she said she'll pay me an hourly rate to maintain it. Woohoo. She also said she wants me to start working on the stores website, which is like 'eh' with me. I've done website stuff before and it's not my favorite thing to do. But it does mean that I get to spend a day with Dani teaching me about the website. Course, it could all go down the drain because Allison has a habit of forgetting she said these things. Either way it doesn't really matter to me.

On another note Tuesday night I caught up with a soccer friend I hadn't seen since April and had a blast! Her Mom's a hoot, and is kinda obsessed with me. She threatened to keep me and not let me go home, which I thought was funny cause she doesn't realize just how annoying I can get and how much I don't fit into their family. They were really nice, as always, it's always funny going to their house though because they live so different from us. Like they actually served me. I was like 'er, I can get my own food. that's what I'm use to.' and they were like 'no, no, it's okay.' situations like that are always weird. I'm just not used to such formality. It reminded me of going through Biltmore and seeing how they were served and at the time I remember thinking 'I could never live like this. I like getting my own food.'. I mean, it's okay for when I go out to a restaurant because when I do that it's because I want to be served. Needless to say, I still don't think I could have servants.

OMG! I forgot to mention what happened at work this morning. Okay, so I have this obsession with Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. It's what I drink during the Halloween season, I absolutely love it. My boss HATES Starbucks (a lot of downtown people do for some reason...hell, maybe you do to. Lol.) and when I walked up this morning she was like 'what are you doing drinking Starbucks?' I was expecting something like this, but hadn't really thought about what I'd say. And all I did was breeze right by her and say 'I like Starbucks. Get over it.' without missing a beat and kept on walking. After a several second delay I heard her laugh, but I'm pretty sure it was one of those laughs that was only laughed because she had no idea what to do. I'm sure you've all heard laughs like that at one point in your life. I thought she was going to fire me, and I also thought it was hilariously funny and a great way to start the day. :D Now my true self comes out, I'm a smart ass loud mouth that laughs at other peoples stupidity. Hm. I wonder if that should try and be changed...

<3
Olivia

Lost

Do you ever have those days when you feel lost? I'm having one right now and I'm not sure what to do with myself. I'm really emotional, unsettled, and insecure. I would love to go shopping and just space out, but it's Sunday and the malls closed 45 minutes ago. It's ironic really, one of the few times I feel like going shopping I can't because the mall is closed. I don't know what to do. This only happens a couple of times a year, but when it does I have no idea what to do. I HATE feeling like this. And I think the worst part is I have this little voice in the back of my head that says stuff like "Why are you whining? Your life is good." or "Ah, quit your bitchin' and fight it." I'm a fighter, so it makes sense. I just don't know how to fight myself! Most of the time I have a very easy time making decisions so I don't fight with myself over decisions so I have no idea how to fight myself and get out of this rut. Arg! I'll figure it out eventually, or exhaust myself even more trying.

On another note, I had a fairly good time last night at my Aunt's house. We only stayed for about three hours, and I hardly said anything but when I did speak they all listened, and most of the time they laughed. I loved it. As long as my crowd laughs I'm a happy camper.

Tomorrow I start another week of work. I'm going to try the advice of a friend and do my best to change my thoughts to a happy setting when it comes to work and I'm taking my damn goat back! Oh, and I'm not going to think about the day after tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that, I'm just going to concentrate on the moment and live in the moment. Life's to short to worry.

<3
Olivia

Not Happy With Work

I was not a happy camper after work last night after work. I wasn't even a happy camper during work. I was tired, I didn't want to go to work, and I will admit that when I'm tired (and on my period, ugh) I'm a little crabby. But only a little, I swear. So basically everything my boss said pissed me off. Am I starting to sound like a teenager? Olivia's dark side comes out. Lol. The only thing that kept me from not saying anything was the L.I.F.E. is Good Conference and the visit to Diana. I need this job to get out there. I'm paying for most of it, my parents will chip in a couple of bucks if it's needed but this is something I want to do and therefore I'm paying for it. Totally fair, but it means I have to keep this job long enough to save up the money needed. How badly I wanted to quit is not even funny, I'm actually disappointed looking back now that I'm happily awake and my stomach isn't bothering me. I shouldn't have thought the things that I thought. Ah well, it reminds me that I am only a teen and not an adult I think I am most of the time.

Today I had to work again. Only this was a Greyhound event that wasn't with Allison but with Dani. I was looking forward to it, but at the same time dreading having to work. I'm sooooo glad I went though. It was awesome! I loved seeing all the Greyhounds and learning about them. I've always had an eye for Greyhounds and have considered getting one once I've stopped my globe trotting. Well today settled it, I'm SO getting one in ten or fifteen years. So I've decided that I just don't like working in the shop. At least not everyday. I'm working 26 hours a week. I'd like to cut that down to 21 hours. Take a day off sometime during the week. And I need some way of ignoring Allison and her stupid remarks cause I'm not sure L.I.F.E. is Good will last for the next nine months :x(don't shoot me! :o).

Tonight should be good though. I'm going to my Aunt's house with my Mom for a going away party for my Aunt, who's moving to CO. I can't wait! I absolutely love CO and now I have close family I can visit (I also have some cousins once removed that I just met last summer but they aren't close to me like my Aunt and Uncle who I've known my whole life (or at least as long as I can remember)). I actually my stop by to visit them on my way back from Corvallis because then I can just fly into Pheonix and meet my Mom, Dad, Siblings, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, and cousins who I'm going to the Grand Canyon with. This summer's just ending and I can hardly wait until next summer. I don't know how I'll keep myself occupied. Except for work of course. Lol.

<3

Olivia

To Dream

This is just a little something I wanted to share with anyone who reads this. I'm proud of it. I like the message it sends. I know it helps me get through a long day of work. Or even just a hard day emotionally.

To Dream

To dream is to survive
Sometimes all we have are our dreams
Other times all we need are our dreams
And we when don't need them
Or they aren't all we have
They are still there to give us a goal in life
Something to look forward to
Whether your dream is one of fame and glory
Or whether it's one of family and love
It makes no difference
Your dreams are key to your survival
The pot of gold at the end of a very long rainbow

<3

Olivia

Farther Along The Path of Life

Yesterday when I woke up I wasn't feeling well enough to go to work, so I stayed home and lazed around doing my best to get better. This morning I felt well enough to go to work so I hopped in the car and went to work. Yay me. More money on my paycheck (which I sadly don't get for another two weeks, but I can deal).

I've been noticing pretty much since day 1 that Allison has some issues in her past that inhibit her today. I don't know what they are, but she seems bitter and sad to me. Don't get me wrong, she's a great person and I'm sure a really good friend (everyone downtown seems to love her). She's just bitter and sad. And sometimes when she says things I literally stop whatever I'm doing and stare at her for several seconds before being able to go back to work. She sounds like most teenagers I know. She hasn't learned to forgive. She harps on things like you wouldn't believe. Then she'll start talking about people and just about every time she does the thought "high school" crosses my mind. There's many, many, many reasons I don't like the school system. The stupid things like being mad at someone because "like omg, she won't, like, shop at my store" is one of them. Can't you just get over that? Who cares? It's probably a good thing. Arg. It's very aggravating.

As I've gotten older I've noticed more and more wounded adults. Wounds that have been around since they were my age! Can't they let them scab and scar and move on? It was really hard for me to understand at first why I seemed more mature then the adults that were suppose to be my "authority". With some help from my ever lovely, full of answers, Mom I realized it was the life style I lead. It's helped me to be more mature and not as wounded. And when I am wounded to let it scab and scar then move on. Of course, I also contribute it to the fact that my parents are so damn good to me. They aren't parents who are going to micro manage me and try to make me do stuff. How much better can it get? When I think about things like this it really does make me realize that I'm Livin' The Life. And that I'm farther down the path of Life then a lot of adults out there. Who'da thunk it? xD

<3
Olivia

Sick. Bleh.

When I went to bed last night I was worried. I'd gotten really cold at practice last night, then at dance I'd worked up a nice sweat, then stepped outside causing my body to immediately cool down, and to top it off, when I got home I realized my cell phone was MIA. So when I went to bed I thought two things, 1)I wonder if I'm going to get sick tomorrow? and 2)wonder where the hell I lost my cell phone? Normally, I wouldn't worry about being sick, I've always prided myself in having an immune system like a rhino, I just don't get sick. But right now mono and strep throat are going around the schools so that, on top of temperature extremes, had me thinking maybe.

But this morning when I got up I was happy. I wasn't coughing up a lung and I found my cell phone (turns out it had fallen beneath my Mom's shawl in the car). So I went to work, tired and sore, but happy.

Around noon Allison (my boss) charges me with a lunch run to Five Guys and asks if I would like anything. I, who'd been feeling steadily worse for the past two hours, declined saying that it probably wouldn't help me feel better (see, for anyone who doesn't know what Five Guys is, it's a delicious (in my opinion) burger joint that also happens to be a tad greasy. Only a tad though). Allison immediately asked what's wrong. So I told her my stomach and head were bothering me. She said to make the run and then call my Mom to pick me up because she'd rather me go home and sleep it off then me miss work for the next two days. I said I was fine for another three hours, after all it wasn't a busy day. Then Dani came down stairs and between the two of them they decided that I needed to go home. So I agreed to go home, but then I remembered that Mom was at RJ and wouldn't be able to pick me up. I tell them and Dani said that she lives on the same side of town as me and that she was leaving in an hour so she could just drop me off. Allison loved that idea and decided that is what I was to do. And I decided not to argue.

So then around 1 this lady comes in the store and asks if anyone drives a somethin' or other car because she just saw it get hit, and the lady who hit it was driving off. Well that car (whatever kind of car it be) is Dani's car. So we go running out and sure enough the lady that hit it is driving off. But when she saw all of us she stopped and said that she was going to go to the police and report the accident but since we were here she'd wait. Didn't look that way to me, she looked guilty as a peacock and like she was running. To top it off, when Dani asked her if she knew what the license's plate number was on Dani's car the lady didn't know it, so we were kind of curious as to how she'd be able to report the accident without the license plate number. Ah well. But needless to say where's we were suppose to be leaving the store about 1 or 1:30 we didn't leave until 2:30.

Shortly after I got home Mom got home, we talked for a couple of minutes about work and then she suggested that I lay down and try to get some sleep. I agreed and went back to my room wondering how in the world I was going to get any sleep with how noisy it was out side. I underestimated just how tired I was. I fell asleep and didn't wake up for another three hours. And I'm still tired! I'm not sure if I'm going to be going into work tomorrow, my head still hurts, my internal temperature is still hotter than normal, my stomach is upset, and my throat is getting scratchier by the hour. But who knows, maybe I'll go to sleep and wake up better than ever. One can only hope. Course, Allison said I was not to come in if I was still feeling sick enough that I was going to start fading because they said I was fading at work today. Whatever that means.

So that's been my day. Hope your's has gone better.

<3
Olivia

Whew, What a Busy Month

Wow! What a busy month I've had. I was just thinking about it and realizing just how busy I've been lately.

It all started when I was horse sitting. The lady Abby and I horse sit for has six horses, which isn't really a lot until you get into just how detailed you have to be about feeding them. Three of the horses food you have to let it soak down to mush so that they can eat it. And for one of those three you have to do it three times a day! So that meant going over there every four hours, just to feed one horse! I didn't mind doing it, in fact I enjoyed doing it, it was a just a big change from my lazy schedule of doing what I want, when I want. Course, I was getting fifty bucks out if it, which is always a good thing in my book. xP

So we horse sat for a week and then we came home and packed for the Live and Learn Conference, which we left for the next morning bright and early! Mom, Audrey, and Cece had already left for Tennessee with Deana and Kelsey so it was just me, Abby, Dad, Ben, and Benji in the car (Nick had been in NC for a week already so we didn't have to worry about him).

We got to Asheville in the early afternoon on Sunday and checked in at our resort, were we later met the ladies, who'd been in Tennessee visiting Kel's family. We went out to dinner that night at http://www.thelobstertrap.biz/, the food was delicious, everyone was insanely nice, and there was good live music. He even sang No Woman, No Cry! Quite possibly my most favorite song ever, and definitely my most favorite song by Bob Marley. All in all it was probably the best time I've had out at dinner in a long time.
Monday we walked around Asheville for a couple of hours in the late morning/early afternoon and had a blast! Kel and I found this really cool shop that if Monk never would be able to go in. Lol. It was very cramped and disorderly with loads of cool stuff. Kel got the most awesome pair of pants! And Deana got a matching pair. We also found this Indian store that had the coolest music, clothes, bags, jewelry, and sculptures of the Buddha and such things. I ended up going home with a tote and a CD called Asian Massive. It's an awesome CD.
For lunch we went to a little diner that had 8oz. Glass Coke Bottles that you actually needed a bottle opener to open! It's amazing the little things in life that fascinate and amuse you. Needless to say Kel and I loved 'em. We brought them home, but I'm not sure were they went in the excitement of the conference, and the chaos of unpacking. Oh well, I'm sure they'll turn up. Maybe when I move out...

Tuesday Dad, Audrey, Abby, Cece, and I went to Biltmore, were we met up with Deana and Kelsey. It was so much fun! I'm a HUGE history buff, and it was cool seeing the HUGE house. More of a castle really, it was crazy. The dining room was my favorite room, it was big (I think length wise my house could have fit in it :o) and had really high ceilings. Like, really high. Probably thirty, forty, feet up. It made me think of Running With Scissors when Augusten and Natalie decide they need to higher ceilings so they put a hole in the kitchen ceiling. I feel the same way, I need high ceilings for all of my crazy Monkey Gemini ideas to float around in. As well as my angry poet ideas, or maybe temperamental poet is a better description. I'm not really an angry person...Anyway, I'm getting off topic. After we toured the house we walked around the gardens, then we went down to the wine tasting. But before we got the to wine tasting we got to look around were they make the wine and champagne and learn how it was made. I wasn't really interested since I don't like wine or champagne, but the tanks were huge. That much I remember. Then we went to the wine tasting, were Deana and Dad were mistaken for a couple and Cece, Kel, Audrey, Abby, and I their kids. So that was the joke for the rest of the day. The grape juice they gave us, the kids, was really good.
After the wine tasting (or rather grape juice drinking) we went down to the farm yard and saw the Draft Horses, the sheep, the goats, the donkeys, the chickens, and the peeps. They were so cute! And, of course, I loved the horses. Big Belgian Draft horses named Bert and Ernie. They were sweethearts.
Ten minutes later we went up to the creamery and bought some ice cream. Then we got wrapped up in watching the blacksmith make a key chain, it was so cool! It started as a metal rod about two feet long and 1/4 of an inch thick and he turned it into a leaf key chain! I ended up getting one in the gift store. So finally, after many fun hours at the Biltmore we headed back to the resort, happy and fun filled. That evening we learned a dance to Crank That, which we decided to perform in the talent show.

Wednesday dawned and we packed up early and headed to the conference. Yay! Finally! When we got there we checked in and then went up to our cabin. About half an hour later Mom called me and told Audrey, Kelsey, and I to meet her and Dad at Lee Hall to start setting up for the Tye-Dying. So we walked up the treacherous hill that we learned to hate (and love) over the next five days. Once to Lee we started mixing dyes, setting up tables, filling buckets, all that good pre-tye-dye stuff.
At 12:30 we headed down to lunch (which wasn't actually that bad in my opinion), and then back up the hill to guard the stuff while Mom and Dad went down to lunch. At 1:30 they craziness started. We then proceeded to tye-dye for the next five hours! I am not kidding you, I think I met everyone there in the first five hours of the conference.
Dinner that night was disgusting, I don't even want to know what kind of seasoning they put on the chicken cause it almost made me consider going vegetarian. Which is a big deal for someone like me! xD That night was The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You have no idea how much that movie means to me. It's a chance to dress up with very fun, revealing, clothing and act like a tramp without being arrested. And it was great fun because we not-drag queens kicked the drag queens off stage merely because we're better than them. Then we danced along, sang along, and yelled obscenities at the screen. Who wouldn't have fun?

Thursday I went to the letterboxing workshop and bugged my good buddy Danielle while meeting a new buddy I'd made friends with online. I also made my tassel belt for the belly dancing workshop, which I took later that day. And can I just say Wow! It was American Tribal Belly Dancing and it was amazing! And so much fun! I loved it. I'm now looking for a belly dancing place here in MD. They converted me. Bad Mindy, bad Andy! Lol. I then walked with Danielle and Jules down to the talent show, were Danielle ditched us to go write clues for the letterboxing and notes for her talk the next morning. I know, she's a terrible excuse maker. I should offer her lessons....

Friday I hung out with Em and Jules all day. I love those kids. Hell, I love that family. They're an awesome bunch of people that I am so blessed to live near. And poor me, I can't see them every Monday anymore due to work. :'( But that Friday we played in the steam (creek?), went to funshops, hung out at their cabin, and goofed off until that afternoon when I went to Wal Mart to buy some stuff for my Fairy God Child, as well as some glow sticks for Sam, Emily, and Julia. And myself. xD That night was Belly Dancing in the talent show night, as well as the Crank That dance. It was fun, I love being on stage and entertaining people. Then I gave the girls their glow sticks and slipped one on Danielle's head.

Saturday I once again was at Danielle's letterboxing, only this time I wasn't making a stamp and I wasn't bugging her, I was just there because I had nowhere else to sit and knit. Or so I thought at the time, but see it turns out Fate had me sitting there so that my Long Lost Monkey Twin Sister Diana would come up and talk to me. The beginning of a beautiful friendship. That night was the dance and I was pumped for a night of dancing and making Danielle head bang damn it! Surprisingly I succeeded in making Danielle head bang, it was only once but I did win! Mwhahaha. And surprisingly, I didn't get to dance the night away because my knee started hurting something terrible and I had to sit down and knit. Which made no never mind to me, except that I had really wanted to dance. But Danielle did fret a little (don't deny it), which always makes me feel loved. And no sarcasm would've been in that sentence had you been listening to me instead of reading it. After a couple of hours of hanging out down at the dance with the adults, which involved knitting, duck duck goose, some burping causing Danielle to gag and almost throw up, and just hanging out talking I went up to Diana's cabin for a coupla hours. I was going to dread her hair, but seeing as how we didn't have a flea comb I couldn't and therefore just hung out. It was great fun, but at 2:30 I was so exhausted that I had to leave and collapse in my own cabin bed before collapsing on her floor.

Sunday dawned a sad day. The conference was ending that day. So sad. Alyssa, Cece, and I raided Diana's cabin and ate her food, drank her drinks, and failed miserably at guitar hero. That afternoon was the good bye picnic. We only stayed for a little while before leaving, we had a long drive home and we just wanted to get in the car and sleep. Except Nick, who was content to stay with his er....friend for the rest of time. Or at least longer then we planned on staying.

The drive home was miserable. They were okay when we were little because we could all fit with no problem, therefore we could sleep with no problem, but we're all basically five feet tall (except for Cece) and the seven of us can't fit in a seven seater van with shit packed in all around us for eight hours without getting miserable. Course, Mom would probably say it was possible if we just wanted to not be miserable, but I haven't mastered that technique yet so I was miserable. When we pulled in at 12:15 I was grateful for my bed.

The next two days were days of getting into our fall schedules. I coached some 5,6, and 7 year olds Monday night and had dance class after that. Tuesday I just kinda hung out and lazed around. We all felt a little bad from something we think Nick's buddy Alec gave to us, so we were also all a little stuffy and headachey. Then on Wednesday was my first day of work. At my first job. I've now been working there three days and they already love me. Lol. And no, I'm not making that up. My boss Allison told me madre when she picked me up on Friday. I have this amazing gift for charming the right people, and I don't even know how I do it. I just know I have a gift of charm. Or something like charm. Mommy says it's just because she and Dad breed well, which you can't deny.

So that's my crazy month. New friends, a new job, and a much busier schedule. I feel like I've been thrown that much farther into the adult world this past month. I'm going to start learning how to drive sometime in the near future (hopefully) and this time next year I'll be two days away from getting my license. As long as I don't grow up completely I'm okay with that.

Oh, and a funny side note. I was in JoAnn's today looking at yarn and my pants ripped almost completely in half. I am not kidding you my whole flippin' ass was hanging out. It was so funny. So I had to walk around with my shirt pulled down over my butt. And to top it off I really had to pee. Story of my life. Lol.

<3
Olivia