Sign from Above

I almost always take the elevator to get to my classes on the 4th and 5th floors. Today was different. By some power, either a guardian angel or just guilt from eating a hamburger the day before, I decided to take the stairs. Just then, my entire campus experienced a power outage. I would've been stuck in the elevators! You could hear some of the people freaking out.

Talk about good timing. I should listen to my angel more, that or my conscience.

Two Birds, One Stone

Have you ever really thought about this phrase? It's awful! Knocking birds down with rocks! How primitive! And cruel!

I propose eliminating this phrase from your vocabulary. It's just an outdated, unapplicable, and mean thing to say.

Drugs Lose

I just woke up from an unplanned 5 hour nap! Well, 30 min of it was planned; but, now it's actually bed time and I have mounds of homework! I'm not even medicated! Have I mentioned that I am sick of being sick?! I even tried to drink caffeine to keep me up today.

I guess sick trumps drugs any day.

Tastless

I am so done with being sick. I am sick of being sick. I cannot taste my food! :( I did not get to savor my sister's eggplant parmigiana last night for dinner, I was unable to enjoy my chocolate muffin for breakfast, and this afternoon - this afternoon drew the line! I could not taste my white chocolate mocha! Madness! I might as well have ordered a skinny decaf and would not have even known the difference! If I shell out $4 for a drink, I better damn well be able to taste it!

Rude Awakening

So pet owners, how do your pets wake you up? A little purring? Barking? Whining? Face licking? Java used to do all of the above, except for the purring of course. However, I have been harder and harder to wake up lately, the Nyquil the past few nights is certainly keeping me in my deep sleep. Java's barking and whining are just distant sounds like my alarm clock - easily ignored. He is not allowed to jump on the bed anymore and so a lick in the face is out of the question. His new-found way to wake up his mommy is nothing short of annoying. Not at all sweet or thoughtful; but, a complete single-minded way to say "wake up mommy! I need to pee!"

How does he wake me up nowadays? Well, he rams his massive 100 pound body right into my mattress! The entire bed shakes as if there was an earthquake! I don't know how he does is exactly, head on or by his side, but it gives me a headache every morning! Stop it Java! You're bugging your mama! I'm up! I'm up!

Caritas 2008

I went to a church retreat this past weekend called Caritas, at Lake Arrowhead. The 4-day weekend was very fulfilling, empowering, and joyful. I came with expectations and hope. To better grasp how big this weekend was for me, find the distinction between expectation and hope. Expectation is something you know, with some level of certainty, would happen. Hope - you hope for things; but, don't really believe they'd occur. Hope has no guarantees. They are miracles. This retreat was monumental. Not only did I get all that I expected; I also got what I had hoped.

The retreat was a 4-day block of worship, praise, prayer, mass, meals, discussions, and sleep (barely). Each event ended with a sounding of a small, hand-held, brass bell - indicating it was time to move on to the next thing. A typical day started off with breakfast, then singing, a large group discussion/sharing, an individual prayer, a small group discussion/sharing, then lunch, a large group discussion, dinner, and finally a mass/service. Read a poetic account of one of my monumental days: The Bell Rings

It was a great weekend. I met some wonderful people. It was just what I needed. Though I am very sick from the trip, and may possibly miss my first week of school, I would do it all over again.

The Bell Rings

When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.
Jer 31:13

The Bell Rings

She went up a mountain in search of me,
Not knowing I never left her.
She only had to listen
For I had been calling her.
She was not ready.
Eager to find me, but rendered by guilt,
She was angry for a long time. Resentful of me.
Then she became empty. Dry.

The Bell Rings

I spoke to her through her peers,
Two in particular.
I told one to speak of the most hurtful of all loves -
Unrequited Love.
I love all my children, including her,
Although they do not love me in return.
I love all my children,
Even though they ignore me, forget me, deny me.

I told the other to speak of my love -
Unconditional.
I am always here with my children,
Despite that they only turn to me in times of need.

The Bell Rings

She walks outside,
Breathing the crisp mountain air.
She finds herself alone
Where the road bends.
She rests against a stone wall,
A lamp post lights my word.
She is in deep thought,
Overwhelmed with my love.
She cries.
Her heart is full,
She calls to me in prayer.

Heavenly Father,
I have been wretched,
Blamed you for all my misfortunes.
I realize that they were just part of the journey you planned for me.
I trust you.
Lead me father,
I will follow.
I don't deserve forgiveness
But I ask for it.
I am sorry for leaving you out of my life
Please forgive me.
I ask that you enter my heart again
Fill me with your love.
I ask of you,
Let me be your daughter.

My dear daughter,
I never left you.
And know this,
I already forgave you.
You only need to forgive yourself.
I have been waiting for you
To open your heart to me
I welcome you.
I love you.

The Restaurant Biz: Humbling and Crippling.

Five years at Einstein Bagels certainly humbled me. No question. But, it also made me real picky about my bagels! I cannot have anything less! I have been craving for bagels lately, but; there are no Einstein Bagels here in SoCal. Unable to contain the craving any longer, I settled for Einstein's sister company: Noah's Bagels.

I splurged and got myself an egg sandwich. It was not good :( Refusing to pay extra money to have it made the way I like it (with cream cheese and tomato), I ended up with what regular customers get. That's the problem, I am not a regular customer. I know what is behind that counter and I want the add-ons without the extreme price - charging me 50 cents for a slice of tomato and $2 for a small amount of cream cheese!

I miss free bagels.

Pretty But Useless

I played tennis with these holiday balls today. Bought them at 75% off and was real excited to play with these cute tennis balls!

It was a mistake to take them out of the can. The cuteness disappeared as soon as I found their true nature: distracting, nerve-racking, heavy, confusing, and impossible to work with!

Pretty exterior; annoying qualities. Hmm, these tennis balls are starting to sound like some people. Anyone you know?

It's My Birthday and I Will Cry if I Want To

Okay, maybe not; but, I am still pretty sad. My birthday is coming to an end and other than the people I live with, only three family members, three friends, and two co-workers remembered what today is – thanks Mom, Diana and Vanessa, Klasina, Liz, Elisa, Linda and Char.

Some people (you know who you are), even gave me a call to ask me, or inform me of something and did not greet me! They seriously just forgot! I am 25 years old! That’s a quarter of a century people! A milestone!

My sadness has turned into anger. What are you going to do about it?

The Tradition Continues

The Old Spaghetti Factory. I remember it being a big deal when I was 13 years old. It was not a restaurant we'd go to all the time; it was reserved for special occasions, at least back then. The occasion? My birthday.

Ever since then, my birthday dinner has been celebrated within it's high ceilings, graceful lighting, good food, and of course, a trolley.

Here's to my family, putting up with 12 years of Italian food. Here's to tradition, may your end be only for the better. Here's to being a quarter of a century.

Cheers.

2008 Resolutions

Week 1 of the new year is ending and I am still on track for ALL of my new year resolutions. Here's a recap:

Resolution #1:
January through March - pack lunch at least 2x a week
April through July - pack lunch at least 3x a week
July through December - pack lunch at least 4x a week

Okay so we had Tuesday off work; but, there were still 4 business days, of which I packed 3 days of lunches.

Resolution #2:
Attend church at least once a week.

I went to church on Sunday :)

Resolution #3:
Play tennis at least 3x a week. Gym visit may be substituted in case of unsuitable weather conditions.

I practiced my serves on New Year's Day, played singles with a team mate on Wednesday, and played doubles on Thursday.

Resolution #4:
Learn how to knit.

Not only did I learn how to knit; 2 days later, and I finished knitting 2 scarves!

So far so good. Let's check again when school starts.

Pass The Cheer

The Peppermint season is approaching its final days. The cheer is ending! A final rush to Starbucks, cherishing every drop, I need it to last until the next season. Ahh! Not soon enough!

The Blockbuster Week

Saw several movies this past week, the first was I Am Legend. It had mostly the same structure as the original novel and movie. It's a love it or hate it movie; meaning, people will either love it, or hate it. Go see it for yourself; but, be warned - it took me a few hours to unnerve myself. This movie was real intense.

Movies adapted from novels are never as good as the book, at least I have never seen one. Atonement was no exception. Although I thought Atonement was a good movie on its own, it simply did not do Ian McEwan's writing justice. Some even found the movie to be long and slow. If you believe you would feel the same way, I suggest you see it anyway and watch it with an artistic eye. Appreciate the art of film making and immerse yourself in great cinematography, good direction, and incredible acting.

Speaking of great acting, Charlie Wilson's War had a brilliant cast. What can I say...good plot, great characters, Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts. This movie speaks for itself.

A complete opposite of Charlie Wilson's War was The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. I wanted to see a cutesy flick and instead, wound up annoyed. All the cute parts were in the trailer - that was it! I would've liked to see more development between the characters, it felt cut off and unresolved. Mixing the cutesy story of a water horse against a backdrop of the World War was not a good idea either. The war concept overpowered what was supposed to be a family movie.

To end my week, the clear and obvious choice was to see Sweeney Todd. I have not seen it on Broadway and was really unfamiliar with the story. I loved it! Dark, yet pasty. Gory, yet delectable. Predictable, yet engaging. Dim, yet beautiful. Each frame was like a well-composed photograph. This was a nice end to my Blockbuster week.

I saw everything from horror, romance, political, "family", to musical. I think I covered the bases this week. Until the next set of blockbusters...

Present-filled Moment

Who honored me with Christmas presents? What did they give me? Most of the gifts can be accounted for at this very moment...

Right now, I am admiring the newest addition to my art collection (from T. Buds), while listening to Alvin, Simon, and Theodore sing Here Comes Santa Clause (from A. Ben), and uploading pictures to my jump drive (from A. Ben). I am being kept warm by a portable heater (from T. Buds) and a University of Utah sweater (from Klasina). Planning my outfit for tomorrow, I am desperately trying to fit in my alfalfa weave bag (from T. Buds); but, realize my other bag (from Yoshika) would be a more suitable pairing with my headband (from Linda).

During this late hour, as I contemplate where to place my 2008 Utah Life Calendar (From T. Kroesche), I suddenly crave a Peppermint White Mocha. Is it worth it to brave the strong Santa Ana winds and use my Starbucks gift cards (from Char and R. Buck)? That means I'd have to change out of my pajamas! Hmm, lazy vs addiction - this is the rarest of occasions - being thankful to be lazy; laziness actually being the better characteristic.

New plan: get ready for bed and unwind - by means of my Ipod Nano (from T. Buds).

Thank you family and friends. I cannot wait for another year with you all!

Love,
ME

Holiday Treat

Straight No Chaser performing 12 Days.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Seriously! GO. Be Merry :)

And have a great new year too!

Think You Have A Drinking Problem?

I heard the first step to overcoming addiction is to admit it. Well, here I am, my name is Cressida, and I am a coffee and caffeine addict.

It all started with a massive school project that demanded late nights; hence, the need for caffeine. Then Starbucks started their seasonal Peppermint Mocha and that drew me in further. Finals week came and I could not, and would not break free. It's been months of Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha goodness, and on occasion a diet soda; what can I say, I am only human.

Determined to clean my desk and pull out all remnants of the school semester, I took a good look at what crowded my area the most. It was not books or notes, nor index cards or highlighters, it was the Grande cups and soda cans. Yes, now I see my problem. For years, I have tried very hard not to get addicted to coffee - drinking it only when necessary. However, this time, I was exposed to the drug for a much longer period, and now having trouble wanting to shake it off.

I still refuse to become one of those people who need a cup of coffee in the morning in order to function; therefore, I will break this habit! That is, after Starbucks pulls their peppermint line off their menu.

Finding Serenity in the Midst of Finals

With my last final exam three hours away, I decided to stay on campus to eat lunch before a last run through my marketing notes. As I headed towards the student union, I was pained with the thought of having to push through a hungry crowd, stand in long lines, and stalk students leaving their tables so that I would not have to use my quick-numbing lap to eat off of. Just thinking of all this trouble, especially the inevitable charlie horse, made me regret staying on campus.

As the automatic doors slid open, the cafeteria was unusually bare. I guess being that it's finals week, the students are more dispersed. I decided to eat outside, given the sunny, mid-December, California weather. There is a patio area, hidden by trees, that is my favorite place on this campus. It is a rectangular cavity in front of the union building. The only way in is by a set of stairs to the left of the building entrance. As you descend, it feels as if you are entering a different world. The air is completely void of school and its pressures. Granted you are surrounded by students; but, there seems to be a silent agreement not to bring your school cares with you. Everyone is so calm, it makes the entire area like a little piece of heaven amongst all hell.

One towering wall is covered with hanging plants; on the other side is a gradual slope of earth full of ground plants and trees. The sun peeks through; but, the trees shade me. A single, late-blooming flower on the wall welcomes me to my seat. The gentle speakers whisper classical music. I sit back, look around, and relax; appreciative of the rare moments that come at the most opportune time.

Bring it On!

It's the eve of finals week and I am going to kick ass! Let's go baby!