Overhaul and Remodel

Hey Everyone. I've neglected this blog so long. I made the conscious decision a while back to put it on hold because I was overwhelmed with school and work. However, now I'm getting my life whipped back into shape. In the past 7 months, I had stopped working out and taking care of myself as well as stopped trying so hard in school for many reasons I won't get into.
Now I'm taking my life back. I'm going to work back into my healthy lifestyle involving healthful meals and visits to the gym. For a while, I got into the Berkeley rut of not caring about my appearance, and I realize that can quickly go downhill, so I'm getting that into shape as well. And I will take more time to put effort toward school and make the most of it. I should put more value into the education with which I'm paying thousands of dollars I don't have (that will haunt me forever).
Many plans are in the works, and I'd like to share them with you all as they happen. Many trips to be had, opportunities to seize and fun things to come. So, once again, I'm back. Get ready.

Going West....in SF

So I was finally forced to go further west into San Francisco than usual. Public transportation keeps me limited to where I can go. What a day though. Britt and I had to go to the Exploratorium for a class site visit. The Exploratorium is similar to the Imaginarium in Cedar Falls. (That's what it's called, right?)

Anyway, we had to observe visitors and try some of the activities at exhibits ourselves. I was very into one where you sat in a box, pushed a button, and hear a loud noise. The whole time, you are being recorded. After you react to the noise, a video replays your face from the time you pushed the button to after you react and realize what happened. It was pretty funny. You will always show a reaction, even when you know it is coming. It was in the area of the Exploratorium dedicated to the mind.

Here is a picture from an area about emotions:

Chairs:

The Tom Petty music video room:

Afterward, we took some photo booth pictures, and I bought cool hologram postcards in the gift shop where someone tried being really flirty, and was quite unsuccessful. Don't ever shoot me with an air cannon to get my attention. I'll just hate you. Then we went outside. The Exploratorium happens to be next to the Palace of Fine Arts. If you've ever seen The Rock, you know what I'm talking about. It was about as beautiful as the crazy black and white but with bly sky photo Britt took. She has a crazy fancy new Canon camera!

So we decided to walk at least to Lombard Street (the crazy famous curvy road) because we hadn't seen it up close yet. You can see it if you take the Hyde Street trolley. But we actually walked down it. It's a hell of a walk from the Exploratorium to the top of Lombard. Here is the view we got of the city when we were at the top of the hill:

After walking down Lombard, we just kept walking until we got to Powell. That's 3.5 miles of walking. It actually didn't take long and was fun because of the views.

It was long and we were tired, but it was worth it. What a good day.

-j

The Holidays

Hello.

So it's about time for a post. Since classes have been over, I have been one lazy bum. Having the holidays doesn't help either, as I find myself eating and watching TV all day long. It's nice to zone out though. I'll be back into the grind starting the 12th.

Shannon and I spent Christmas alone in California. It was kind of nice, but it was hard not to see my family...or dare I admit...snow. Shannon hung up a picture of a Christmas tree. That was it for decorations. Maybe we'll have a tree next year. Fortunately I could video chat with my family on Christmas day. I swear it is a big help when I'm missing people.

Out of boredom, constant holiday excitement, and more Christmas music than one can handle, I was anxious to bake. I made homemade chocolates: ones with peanuts and ones with crushed espresso beans. I put them in Christmas tree shaped ice cube trays. I sadly forgot to take a picture. Then Shannon and I made sugar cookies. (Well, I made them and he helped decorate a few.) To keep myself from eating all of them (there were a lot), I gave a bunch to my boss.

As for New Year's Eve, Shannon, Britt, Katie, Jason and I went to Acme Bar for some drinks. The boys played some pinball while the girls actually sat in the big booth that is never available. Then we were invited to a house party by a fellow former Iowan in Oakland. Britt stayed home while the rest of us went. It was pretty fun. We drank champagne I had brought and met a few more former Iowans. We were walking to the house when the clock struck midnight. Mind you, we were pretty deep into Oakland. When 12 rolled around, there were dozens of gunshots. How festive! That's how you celebrate anything in Oakland I guess. Then we went back to Former Iowan's house in Oakland near the Berkeley border on Telegraph. It was sort of lame, so we didn't stay long and came back to my place for sandwiches and video games (which only Shannon and Jason played).

I went to bed by 4 and slept until 4:30 the next day. I have no idea how I did it. I didn't even get drunk. Not even close.

So now, I am home, and Britt is back. We have been cat-sitting Bubbles Morris. He belongs to my friend Rebekah. She says he likes to be around other people, but so far, he only comes out when it's quiet and only one person is home. Otherwise he hides under the sofas. He's not so bad though. He takes little effort to care for. In addition, yesterday was my last day of taking care of Cynthia's (my boss, like boss boss) cats. They are much more fun and energetic. If only I could have an animal of my own.... Maybe in two years.

I went with Britt tonight to pick up her boyfriend in San Jose. It's about an hour south of here. I got to do the drive back, and it felt so good to A. Be driving and B. drive fast. I want a car oh so badly. Anyone want to buy me one?

Talk to you soon,

-j