Off-setting the cost of gas

The bf did the calculations...only when we've ridden our bikes to and from home 290 times will we have broken even with what we paid for them and what it would've cost for gas.

When is being green "too green"?

I've substantially increased the amount of water I drink in a given day. Which leads to...peeing. A lot. Which in turn leads to flushing. A lot. I've never been one to not flush, but I have to choose: don't flush or cut back on the water intake. :o)

My spirits have been lifted...

...by this kick-a$$ blog template! I think I've found "the one". And I figured out how to edit the html stuff too...I'll get paid lots of money to do this for someone someday. ;o)

Negativity

I'm all about being positive and living life to the fullest, but sometimes you just have to vent.

1. I spent over 3 hours with my advisor today doing three ordinations (type of data analysis) that should have taken us 1 hour tops. Aagh! And now I have to update my report to the NCWRC (due tomorrow)--I have no desire whatsoever to look at any of these data right now.

2. After the meeting with my advisor I headed over to O'Malleys to hang out with friends. Diet? What diet?

3. My tiger barb is eating my serpaes! >o[ The only way I know how to rectify this problem is to add another tiger barb to keep the other in check, but I swore I would never buy another t.b. They're too aggressive for my peaceful nature. Maybe I should "accidentally" drop him in ethanol. Hmmmmm.... NOT REALLY! Geez! You thought I was serious! ;o)

4. I didn't ride my bike today. :o(

Odds and ends

I realize this is the umpteenth time I've blogged today, but I have two more things to say:

1. My bf and I received our first nastiness from a driver while riding our bikes to the grocery store today. Our second day out and we're already getting gestures! No flipping us off or anything, just pointing to the sidewalk, but still! Bicyclists aren't supposed to ride on sidewalks anyway. :oP Oh well.
2. I'm pasteing an excerpt from an email I sent to Mere today...with all the weight loss talk going around, I thought some of you might enjoy it: "As for weighing yourself everyday...I weighed myself four times yesterday. First it was 151 and I said, "To hell with that!" And I took off my shoes and pants and re-weighed. I managed to shed two pounds. :o) Then that night right before I took a shower I weighed in at 148. I lost 1 pound in less than a day! lol And then I weighed myself again after the shower and lost a pound while taking a shower! So I started the day at 151 and ended at 147. LOL! Perhaps something's wrong with my scale?? :oD"

Birthday party planning

Does anyone have any suggestions (cheap and easy) for a 30th birthday party I'm holding in honor of my boyfriend (it will be in September)?

I'm creating a cd of the top 100 songs from 1978 (I don't know if they're really the top 100--it's just a list I found on the Internet), getting a keg, making a cake, making a poster of some major events of 1978, and setting out pictures and a photo album of him as a young'un. I thought about making a t-shirt for him to wear, but all of the sayings I've found are too cheesy & not worth the time, energy, or money to order one.

I found only one "You know you're thirty when..." on the Internet and it was based out of UK so it didn't make much sense. Bummer!

As for food, grilling has been a little overdone so I was thinking about getting a huge sub and everyone else can bring sides. That might be a little heavy on my wallet though--especially if I get a keg. I've tried doing a sign-up sheet for food before and that didn't work. Any suggestions?

Perhaps I should stop by a party store too. What a novel idea!

My internal tug-of-war

Has anyone noticed how everything in this wonderful world is labeled? Everything has at least one name, if not several. I first really thought about this after the question of which positions the new GSA officers wanted was posed. A friend of mine asked, "Why must we label ourselves with a specific position? Why can't we just be 'GSA officers'?" I understand there are practical reasons to label or name something, such as enabling others to better understand whatever it is we're talking about, but I struggle with the following label: 'vegetarian'.

I currently have no meat in my home except for some breakfast biscuits for the bf that I can't believe I condoned by buying, some hot dogs leftover from a party, some sandwich meat, and seafood for a lasagna I was going to make. I also only buy soymilk now and eggs that are from free-range, organically fed chickens. My dream (even though I've heard they're nasty) is to have chickens so I don't have to buy eggs. :o)

I've always been pretty picky when it comes to eating meat. I have never liked grilled chicken very much, never liked eating meat off the bone, never liked steaks, etc. Typically, if it's breaded, small, and easy to eat, I like it.New Year's of 2007 I decided my resolution, since I already ate little meat and I wanted to be more 'eco-friendly', would be to not eat meat (aka become vegetarian). I did well. I don't think I ate any meat except when we ate sushi. Sushi is my absolute favorite, so I permitted myself to have that little enjoyment. Funny, that's probably worse than eating a hamburger (when we're talking about the impact on the earth)! So technically, I never really was vegetarian...pescatarian, sure. Vegetarian, no.

And then my downfall: Zaxby's. :oP I started eating their chicken salad sandwich. Mmmmmm! And then I heard my friend, who was also vegetarian, started eating meat again. Another friend of mine who is quite a bit older than me, very intelligent, super cool, and whom I respect tremendously told me about how she used to be vegetarian and then realized it was overrated and dropped it. So it was a combination of all of those things, my bf (who's not vegetarian), the ease (or lack thereof) of vegetarian food preparation, and constantly wondering if I was getting all of the vitamins and minerals I needed that sent me back to being a 'meat-eater'.

I tried to compromise and said that I would only eat meat if it was organic, free-range stuff. I even went into town to buy organic meat to make for my bf and me. I second guessed this decision recently when I paid $7 for 2...count them, 2 organic chicken breasts. :oP We weren't even able to finish them and gave the leftovers to the dogs!

I don't know what my issue is. I think I feel like I failed because I'm eating meat again. But why do I feel like I failed? That's ridiculous! Why do I feel like I have to be one or the other? Black or white...vegetarian or non. I like my advisor's label: facultative vegetarian. Meaning eating meat when one feels like it. I'm just not sure that my personality permits a gray area with something like this.
I think the other issue is that I don't like very many vegetables. Blech = mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, onions, bell peppers (depending on how they're cooked), and others. Well, that pretty much takes care of most 'vegetarian dishes' at restaurants. Do I order something I probably won't like because I'm avoiding meat or order something I'll like but feel crappy afterwards for eating?

I think I just need to figure out what makes me happiest (obvious?). Vegetarian, flexitarian, pescatarian, facultative vegetarian...or just me!

My Lovely Day

My bf's grandmother left today to go back to her house. She drove up on Saturday to visit with us. She stayed at my house, but only overnight, so that took some stress off. Not only was I stressed about meeting his grandmother for the first time, but also making sure that I was being a good hostess. :oP She said the bed was really comfortable (which is what I'm always most concerned about) so that was good. My dad has said the same thing, so it must be true. All in all, I think things went well. Awkward, but well.

After she left we went to Waynesville to try out the disc golf course there. It's pretty nice...I enjoyed the first 9 holes better than the 2nd 9. The 2nd 9 holes were less shady so I became hot and uncomfortable...not to mention I was wearing my Chacos which aren't the most comfortable footwear for disc golf. I wore a tank top without sunscreen (silly me!) to try and even out my tan lines in time for my cousin's wedding, but I think I did more harm than good. :oP!

We stopped at Fuddrucker's in Asheville for lunch. Not the healthiest when one's trying to lose weight, but we have to stop at our favorites when we get the chance...Sylva doesn't have the largest array of restaurants. I know, lame excuse. :o)

And then...drum roll please...I bought a bike! It's a Trek WSD 1.2 T. My bf bought the men's version. We took them for a little spin when we got home and it will definitely take some getting used to (and getting into shape! for me, at least). Some issues:
--I live in the mts of western NC
--my driveway is STEEP
--the drive to get to the main road is STEEP
--the roads have no shoulders and are curvy making it difficult for cars to pass
Basically, if you're in a blind curve they have to slow down and follow behind you until they can see if there are any cars coming in the opposite direction--sometimes they even go if they can see or not. At this point, I don't mind these things...if I get hit, then I'll mind.

My day is winding down with the bf preoccupied with WoW, my blog post coming to an end, and now I shall go work on re-editting my report for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

March 25, 1992

The following is something I wrote (with all the misspellings and errors kept in) for "Writing" in my fourth grade class...enjoy!

My Easter Bunny Adventure

One Easter morning I woke up and looked in my Easter basket and there was a big chocolate egg. I started to eat it and then I got this strange feeling in my stomach.

Then all of a sudden POP! I looked in the mirror "AHH!" "I'm a bunny!" I didn't know what to tell my parents! I went to the living room, I looked at my mom and then at my dad. "AHH!" "Get that bunny out of here! I'm allergic to bunnies!", screeched my mom. "Shoo, scat!", my dad yelled and kicked me out the window. "AHH!" THUMP! I have to find a way to get back into the house. I thought to myself. Then I looked at the hole in the door for the dog. "Aha!" I hopped over to the door. Then I jumped in the house with one simple leap. Once I got inside there was another bunny waiting for me. "Who are you?", I asked. "Let me guess. The Easter bunny!" "Right.", he said. "What did you put in that egg?" "A special formula. I put it in for a special reason. I need you to go to the Buena Vista Mall and pretend you're the Easter bunny and give out candy.", he said. "No way!" "Well suit yourself.", he said as he started to walk away. "Wait a minute. If I do this will you show me how to get back to myself again?", I asked. "Yes but you have to do the job first."

I hopped to the Buena Vista Mall, and there was a huge crowd waiting for the Easter bunny. (or me) I hopped over to the crowd and started to hand out candies to everyone. As soon as all the people were gone, I hopped back to my house. There was the Easter bunny waiting for me. "Well, are you going to tell me?" "There is another special chocolate egg in your basket. If you eat it you will turn back to yourself again. But hurry your mom is coming." I hopped over to my basket and started to eat the egg. Then all of a sudden POP!

"I'm myself again!", I yelled out of happiness. "What are you yelling about?", my mom asked. "It's a LONG story!!"

And the morral of this story is never eat an Easter egg without letting your parents check it!!"


Believe it or not, my teacher thought this story was so fabulous it was posted on a board in the school. Also, both of the double exclamation marks at the end were used to draw goofy smileys.

I love dogs but...

I can't stand the new tv show Greatest American Dog. It's boring, the tasks are dumb, the people (both the owners and judges) are crazy, only pure bred dogs are on the show (and I'd bet $20 you'll never see a rottweiler or pitbull on the show--not from lack of talent but from reputation), and really...how in the world can you find the "greatest American dog"?? I'd equate it to finding the greatest American baby. Not possible!

Kitchen Renovation

I've decided to get new kitchen cabinets and countertops. Do I have money to do this? Yes and no. I have money, but technically, it's not mine (it has to be paid back at some point). I've thought about doing this for a while, but just recently got to where I could justify it enough in my mind. My justifications: this will increase the resale value of my house considerably and it would be great if I could walk into my kitchen and not cringe. Plus, the functionality of the cabinets is nil and countertop space is limited.

Sorry about the mess...I didn't feel like cleaning just for this picture. I went to Lowe's the other day and got a design/estimate drawn up. I also tentatively decided on natural maple cabinets. The cabinet installer also came by last week to double check measurements and make sure everything was okay for the install.

There are a couple of problems I'll have to contend with: as you can see from the picture, I have an old hood. Well, newer cabinets (unless I went custom--which I'm not doing) above the stove are shallower to make room for microwave/hood combos. This means that the exhaust outlet (or whatever you call it) will be too low for a microhood. There's a couple of ways to rectify this--I still have yet to decide what I want to do. Another problem is that these microhoods generally require a dedicated breaker and odds are I don't have one.

I currently don't have a dishwasher and thought about having one put in, but ultimately decided not to because of cost. I'd have to have a plumber come in and do a whole bunch of work. But when we're talking about resale value, I think having a dishwasher would be a big plus. Maybe I should? I remember when I was looking at buying the house, not having a dishwasher was a major turn-off. Now, however, I'm glad I don't have one because it'd be a big waste of money, water, and energy. The only time a dishwasher would come in handy for me is when I have parties. Along the lines of a dishwasher, I need to figure out what kind of sink I want. I'd really like the kind that has the low middle piece so that I can wash pots more easily, but if I do that that means I'll have limited sink depth for dish washing. Hmmmm.....

At any rate, another thing I have to decide on is whether to put in a sink with a garbage disposal. Again, I don't have one currently and therefore don't have the electrical hooked up for that purpose. So if I decide to do that, I would have to hire an electrician to work on that. Which may be the route to go since one of my classmates is an electrician and I can get the microhood on a dedicated breaker as well. In the design we also added a base and top cabinet where the baker's rack is. I'm most excited about that. That's more storage and counter space.

I decided to go with laminate for the countertops. I really didn't have much choice with this actually; I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible and laminate is pretty much the only option. I was not aware, however, that there is low end to high end laminate. I thought it was standard all around. They have this HD (high end) laminate that adds a texture to the laminate. I don't think I'll go HD but I may upgrade from low end and go premium. I also have decided to go with a darker laminate to off-set the paleness of the natural maple.

I meet with the Lowe's guy again today, so hopefully we can get this ball a-rollin'!

UPDATE: I signed the contract, paid for the cabinets, and yes, I did decide to install a dishwasher. :o)

On the path to a...career?

It has recently become very clear to me what question one gets above all others as one nears graduation...What are you doing after you graduate? I've also come to realize that as an undergrad, "I'm not really sure." is an acceptable answer. As a graduate student, not so much!

Unlike my dad, who swears he always knew he wanted to become a dentist, I still don't know what I want to be. In fact, it took me a couple of years at UNM to declare Biology as a major. Even then I wasn't sure but thought Biology would be the closest fit. After graduation and searching for jobs, I realized most of the jobs offered in the field of biology require a graduate degree. So I applied for graduate school. Did I know what I was getting into? Absolutely not. I feel like everything I've done regarding school or jobs has been because I was supposed to, not because I wanted to or knew without a shadow of a doubt that this is what I was "called" to do. Some people take a couple of years off to "find themselves"...I thought that maybe this is what I should have done. But then I realize, I could take 10 years off and still not know what I want to do! At first this really bugged me, and on some level it still does bug me that I don't know what my "passion" is, but somehow I now have peace that this just may be how it is and that I may never know.

Part of my research requires me to drive 70 miles (one way) to a remote area of western North Carolina and sample vegetation. Do I enjoy doing this? No. I have no desire whatsoever to do this sort of thing as a living. Does this surprise me? Definitely. I love hiking. I love being outdoors. Did I think this was the type of thing I would love doing and do for the rest of my life? Yep. Would I enjoy it more if there was someone out there with me?? Absolutely. Which makes me hope that the reason I hate it so much is because I'm out there alone. Which leads me to my next statement: isn't that what a biologist is supposed to enjoy? Just you and nature...paradise?

So that's why I'm in this limbo...it's made me think I picked the wrong career. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to quit graduate school and never go back to biology. I am going to finish graduate school. I'm also still going to look for jobs in the biology field. There are so many different things one can do in this field, perhaps I just haven't found yet what I really love. I can't say I haven't entertained other career ideas such as veterinarian technician. I applied to and was accepted to vet tech school in Albuquerque. During my second year in graduate school, I regretted my decision not to go to vet tech school. I also have entertained the idea of going to culinary school. A college in Asheville has a 3-week culinary course that I thought would be a good introduction into the culinary world and help me figure out if I should pursue that instead.

A while back my advisor emailed me an article about dogs and conservation issues. When I read the article, I realized that these are two things I'm "passionate" about. Perhaps this is what I'm called to do... http://www.workingdogsforconservation.org/index.shtml see also http://www.examiner.com/a-1496404~Fidos_find_NW_plants_for_rare_butterfly.html
This may be something very difficult to get in to, but I'm definitely going to give it a shot! And then I wouldn't have to hike in the woods by myself! ;o)

My Restless Night

It started with my nightmare about blog templates. I searched and searched, but couldn't find one I liked...I even resorted to getting my boyfriend to look for me. Haha...I have had problems finding one I like in real life, but I didn't know it bothered me that much! :o)

Let me set up the second part for you: I have 2 dogs, Athena & Capone. Athena = rottweiler Capone = medium sized mix Athena qualifies as a guard dog only in that a lot of people just see her and think the worst. She'll actually just lick you to death. Capone on the other hand, barks defensively at any unfamiliar sound. His bark is so sharp and loud that if I'm not prepared for it, it scares the crap out of me. Also, they rarely wake me up...occassionally Athena will snore so loud that I have to get up and shift her body weight, but that's about it.

So around 4:00 this morning the dogs (I'm not sure who it was or if it was both) started to make noises. I was half asleep so I'm not sure exactly what noise made me wake up but I remember thinking what if one of them was having seizure? No history of seizures...just a weird thought I had in half consciousness. I turned the lamp on and everything looked find so I turned it out and went back to bed. Thinking back on it, I think they were up at the window fan smelling some scent that was being blown in. They layed back down and shortly afterward Capone jumped up and started barking his head off. It scared me half to death so I yelled at him to quit it...not even 5 seconds later I heard a loud bang or pop from outside along with a flash of bright white light. At this point, I was pretty freaked out and thought someone was roaming outside my house shooting people. Probably not what was going on, but not something I want to wake up to again anytime soon. I considered going and shutting all of the windows (I have no air conditioning) but I never got up the energy or fright to do that. The only other thought I had was that maybe a transformer blew, but that happened earlier in the year and this bang was totally different than the one I heard when the transformer blew.

Who knows!

A great day in Asheville?...

...or just excited to go shopping? On Saturday I found two dresses for $30 each...one was originally $70, the other $60. Yesterday we went into town to find me some shoes for my cousin's wedding and ended up doing more than originally anticipated. First, I didn't realize the mall doesn't open on Sunday until 12, so we ate lunch at Chili's to waste some time--it's one of my favorites and I hadn't been there in forever! (I recommend the warm cinnamon roll desert shot.) The shoes I found yesterday were originally $90 and I got them for $40! I got polyester batting to stuff the dog beds I plan to make sometime soon, as well as 12 oz. cotton yarn on sale for $5 each. I also got a workout shirt and workout shorts...both of which I desperately needed. We then stopped by a bike shop (we're toying with the idea of biking to campus instead of driving) and found that the cheapest road bike I could get is $770. Since I'm not yet prepared to spend that kind of money, I called up a friend and he agreed we could try out his bike he's trying to sell. So we loaded up the bike and then went to see The Darkknight. Pretty good movie I must say. I'm going out in the field today, so the bike will have to wait until tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. ;o) I wanted to look for an elliptical trainer too, but when Chris made the point that I won't need one if I buy a road bike, I abandoned that quest. He probably was just tired of shopping. :o)

So that was my day in Asheville...a grand day out for girl who lives in the country!

My new old tattoo

A few years ago I went to Belize with my Tropical Biology class. To this day, it remains the best trip of my life. Granted, I haven't been on many trips. :o) While there, I got it into my head that I wanted to get a tattoo to commemorate the trip. Not the brightest idea Nicole has ever had. I didn't really know what I wanted and ended up just picking a "flower" from their books. It looked okay, but there were some obvious "blowouts" in the outline, and it just looked like someone smacked a picture down on my back. I don't, however, regret the tattoo.

I knew I wanted someone to add some leaves and make it look better later, but never got around to doing it. Three weeks ago I went to see Brian Reaid at Ace of Spades in Asheville (he was recommended to me by a friend) about fixing this monstrosity of a tattoo. ;o) He sketched something out and started working on it that day. For several reasons, he decided to do the tattoo in two sessions and only tattoo the black stuff that day. Last week I went in for the second session where he added the color and finished it up.

I'm much happier with this new old tattoo. He even faded out the edges so more can be easily added if I so desired. ;o) I wanted to post a before and after, but I don't have a picture of my old tattoo on this computer...just visualize a crappy flower tattoo.

P.S. This cost more than I'd like to admit.

Paper or plastic? NEITHER!

I suppose all who know me shouldn't be surprised that my first "real" post is about "being green" and what I am (and am not) doing to help.

PLASTIC BAGS

I have several plastic bag holders hanging in my laundry room filled with plastic bags. I use them mostly for bathroom trash bags, but I have used them to crochet a bag for my sister. The crocheted plastic bag was the point at which I was so annoyed with how many I had and was running out of room for them. I don't know if it's my mom's influence or what, but I never throw away my plastic bags...unless they're holding trash. It was my annoyance as well as the incentive of a bag discount on my groceries that led me to purchase my first reusable grocery bags. *By the way, I'll probably never crochet another bag from plastic bags again. It's so time-consuming!*

So I bought two canvas bags several years ago to use for my groceries in place of paper and plastic bags. I used them all the time. Unfortunately, when I moved to western North Carolina, I didn't pack them, never bought anymore, and therefore started using plastic bags again. One year later, after my house in New Mexico sold and I received my things that I had left behind, I was reunited with my blessed canvas bags. About that time I noticed that the grocery store I frequented as well as the Wal-Mart in Sylva *gasp* began selling "green bags". I bought several of those since they were so inexpensive ($1.00). I also crocheted myself a "market bag" to use for produce items instead of the plastic bags the grocery stores provide for you. I have quite an arsenal of reusable bags...and I use them. Also, if I'm getting just a few things and didn't bring my bags with me, I will request my things not be bagged.

I realized recently, while packing for a road trip to Wisconsin, that these bags shouldn't be thought of as strictly grocery bags. I packed my pack with my things but still had to figure out where the odds and ends such as board games, food, camping stuff, etc. would go. "Grocery" bags to the rescue! It was great! Everything was easily accessible, easy to carry, and I had no worries about the bags breaking.

RESPONSES

I won't lie, I get weird looks all the time. Especially since I live in a small town. I used to feel embarrassed to ask my things not be bagged or even that they use my reusables (I always felt I was making them go out of their way). So I asked a clerk one day, "Is it more trouble to use my bags?" And to my surprise she stated not at all, that it's actually easier. The only thing that I have yet to figure out a solution to is that no matter how many bags I bring, they stuff the bags to the breaking point. I'll bring 4 bags and 2 get stuffed. It's annoying, but I've realized that one, the clerks aren't used to my bags like they are the plastic ones and two, they generally don't look to see how much stuff I have and how many bags I brought. I think they're worried I haven't brought enough bags. I also had a clerk one time think that I was buying my market bag from their store. I thought, "Man I'm good!" :o)

REASONS WHY ONE MIGHT STILL USE PLASTIC

I honestly can't think of any valid reason why someone would not make the transition to reusable bags. The most common thing I hear is that people tend to forget them. So plan. Set them aside before you go grocery shopping. Trust me, after a while, you'll feel naked without them. I still put my bags in several places "just in case". Some reside in my boyfriend's car in case we make an impromptu stop somewhere, some stay in my car, but most of them stay in my house. I also won't lie and say that I'm perfect. An example of this resides below:

THE INFLUENCE ONE CAN HAVE ON OTHERS

I have to give props to my boyfriend...I won't say I have successfully trained him ;o) but rather, I've rubbed off on him. We were at Barnes and Noble with a friend the other day and all three of us bought books but checked out at different times. My boyfriend checked out before me and when I met up with him at the door, he was carrying his book while I had mine in a bag (I had forgotten to tell the lady I didn't need a bag). I was SO proud! Yet so ashamed... :o)

CONCLUSION

So needless to say, my plastic bag supply has been dwindling...much to my relief. I had planned to continue this post by discussing recycling, composting, etc. but I didn't realize this plastic bag discussion would be so long. So I'll save those for another day. If you're curious about plastic bags and such, google it, there's plenty of information out there. You can also check out this webpage: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/paper-bags-or-plastic-bags-everything-you-need-to-know.php

I've done it!

I've hopped on the blogger bus! This is somewhat new to me, so bear with me while I figure out what I'm doing. Goal #1 accomplished: figure out how to change templates.

I had blogged occasionally on myspace, but I've gotten frustrated with it recently. So what led to this major milestone, you ask? Well, I was sitting in the lab finding other things to do besides identify lichens (quite successfully I might add) and saw that not only does my sister, my brother, and Mere all have blogs, but so do Cassie, Tyly, and Rachel! So, being the conformist/follower that I am, I decided to bite the bullet and make one of my own. I had toyed with the idea previously, but ultimately decided not to because it was just one more thing to distract me from what I should be doing...working on my research. And then I thought, 'What a perfect reason!' I also questioned it because what could I possibly blog about that anyone would find remotely interesting? I then ask, 'What blog god says it must be interesting??'

*An aside: I finally identified one of the plants that has alluded me for quite some time now...it finally flowered and therefore I was able to nail it down as a hedge nettle of some sort. Yay!*

Actually, I think there are some advantages to blogging. One, it seems like it could be quite therapeutic. I've wanted to start a journal for a while now, but never could get enough desire to do it. Perhaps this is the next best thing? Two, it seems like a great way for friends/family to get a detailed view of how/what I'm doing (assuming they have that desire) via a different forum than Facebook or myspace.

There are several things going on in my life right now that I'm keeping myself from blabbing about here. I'm holding out because...well, because if I blogged about them all right now, I wouldn't have anything to blog about later! :oP

Stayed tuned!