CHOKED!

I did not know what nervous was until today.

Sure, I have given public speeches before, but that was a kind of nervous I knew how to channel and control. This afternoon, I walked on to those tennis courts and it dawned on me, "holy cow, I am at sectionals." It was nervousness and anxiety at an entirely different level, a level I never knew existed, and did not know how to handle.

I could not get anything right. I played tentatively and I'd sink it into the net, then I would try to adjust but it would fly out. I tried everything. I was so tight and mechanical. I never found my rhythm. My doubles partner told me afterward that she had never seen me like that before. She did not know what to do because she did not recognize who was playing next to her. It was horrible. I was unable to focus and it was so frustrating!
That was my first appearance at sectionals. I truly can say that today was definitely an experience. I will be back at sectionals, and when that time comes, I will know what to expect.

Rent-A-Pet

I was browsing through a magazine this morning and was horrified at what I saw. Pets are now available to rent. One customer was quoted, " I love the idea that I can indulge my Labrador fix and be the person with a cute dog on the street, without the ongoing responsibility. I can have a dog for a week when I am home, and it's convenient when I travel, I don't have any pet to worry about!"

Okay, take a step back. Don't you see that this is INSANE? What is wrong with you people? Some of you may argue that this is a great way to have pets when your hectic traveling schedule would normally not allow. C'mon. Grow up and get over yourself!

First of all, pets are not like chocolate that you can indulge in from time to time. They are living creatures that cannot just be passed around from one person to another. Can't you understand how traumatic this is to an animal. To come from a caged facility and then taken home to bond for a couple of weeks and then wonder what they did wrong when they are returned? Not to mention different sets of rules these dogs have to learn every time they go into a different house. Pets are a real commitment. You can't just have a pet whenever you can or feel like it. If you were a true pet-lover, you'd see how cruel this is and won't even consider this option.

If you don't have the time or space to take care of a pet, then you should not have one. Think. Wait until you can finally have a pet that you won't have to share with anyone else. A pet that you would form a priceless bond with and become your cherished companion.

Pets are living animals with true feelings. Pets are real. Pets are precious. Pets are worth the wait.

USTA Sectionals

Because of the fires here in SoCal, Sectionals (supposed to be last week) and Nationals are both taking place this weekend. Double the matches = need to double the players.

I received a phone call Tuesday from one of the USTA captains and asked me to fill in for one of the spots!

"Of course I will do it! Uh, wait. I actually rolled my ankle two days ago..."

"Again?! Okay, I will leave it up to you. If you feel well enough to play, then play. But if not, then you find me someone to take the spot."

Are you kidding me? Pass up this opportunity and give it to someone else?! Right. My ankle was compressed, elevated, and on ice for the next two days.

It's Friday night, and I feel great! Going to practice tomorrow and head to sectionals Sunday afternoon.

TriLevel Sectionals, here I come!

The Payoff

My test results are in and...not bad. Two As and one B. Nice that this time around, I have something to show from all that studying.

Although I have to say that I am a little disappointed. Can't help but think 3 As would've been better, especially when the questions I missed that fell short of the A, could've been avoided if I had just slowed down a little bit. It was the last of the three exams and I was at the end of my sanity.

I have this week off due to Thanksgiving. THANK YOU!!!! Then there are 3 more weeks of school and back to my crazy schedule. Almost over. My goal is to end the semester with truly satisfactory grades.

More Fires

I have not seen it rain here for nearly a year! I have seen fire. Lots of fire! Huge fires just this summer, mainly in Lake Arrowhead but one close to where I work. Now fires are back and one is close to school. They are certainly making their way closer to home.

Breathing in ash. Have to take my mask out again...*SIGH* We need rain.

Sauvignon Blanc

It's been a hell of a month! I have been studying like crazy for round 2 of my exams, the last of which I finished two days ago. It's now Friday night, and you know what I really want to do? Crack open that bottle of wine I purchased while taking a break from my books a week ago - total perk when my coffee shop/study place sits next to a wine store, hehe. Alas, I cannot. Because aside from those books I've been hitting, I've also taken a few whacks at tennis balls. My USTA league team has finally reached the #1 spot, and to stay there, we have to win our final three matches in straight sets. That is a very tall order. The first of those three matches is this Sunday. No alcohol for me just yet.

Heaven In A Cup

It's that time of year when my absolute favorite drink is being served - Peppermint White Mocha.

My coffee pallate has extensively changed this past year to be more of a connoiseurs. With that said, Starbucks Coffee, with their burnt beans and pitiful, or should I say, non-existent frothing skills, is never on my list of stores to stop by anymore. What has replaced Starbucks on that list is their former trainer: Peet's Coffee - the best coffee distributor/service out there. I was more than ecstatic to find that they too have a Peppermint White Mocha on their menu, so of course, I did not hesitate to indulge myself. The result? Absolute heaven! Seriously. Instead of burnt coffee covered with peppermint syrup, Peets' version is great tasting coffee, with only a hint of peppermint. You get your espresso with a nice minty aftertaste - oh so wonderful. I don't even know how I survived without the heavenly cup; but, I do know I cannot survive any future winter seasons without it.

Peet's is the best!