New Years resolutions are overrated.  I'll admit that I've fallen victim countless times to the empty promises of weight loss and healthy eating (although recent health problems now force me to eat healthy- score! take that, processed food!). But I want something new. I want something that will be more than just lip service and unattainable hyped up ambitions. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, I have begun participating in Project 365.

The idea is that I take one photo everyday for an entire year. Not just any photo, however. This one photo a day has to be something memorable that relates to how I feel or what is occurring in my life on that particular day. I've come to realize recently that my life is increasingly accelerating and passing me by without me even stopping to notice it. And one of my biggest fears in life is growing old to only realize that I have wasted most of my adult life not noticing the little things that make living so enjoyable and worth it. I can tell you for certain that I cannot remember what happened on this day last year, and that's disappointing for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't want some weird x-men mutant power of super-human memory or anything like that, but I do need to allow myself to observe my life more closely.

One of the events that inspired me to want to do this project, instead of picking some frivolous resolution, was the passing of my dog, Rinny. I remember countless years ago how happy, energetic, and loving she was. I don't want to forget that, and only focus on how she was in the end where she couldn't stand on her own or even drink water without the assistance of medication. I can also remember (although increasingly vaguely), what my life as a student was. I miss being a student and going to classes... it all went by so fast, and I don't want that kind of speed to accelerate the rest of my life.

So a photo-ing I shall go!

( Day one- January 1st )

( Day one- January 2nd )

Well I'll be going now. Rachel is already asleep (long day for her today), and I should read before going to sleep myself. I'm currently reading "The Last Lecture". huh... I wonder if this book is another reason why I'm doing this project. Gotta wonder. :)

XOXO

It's a cloudy, rainy sunday afternoon and I am still in the same sweatpants I began wearing friday night as p-jays (and yes, I bathed... because I know you were beginning to question that!). All I can say is, is that I love weekends. After a five day working week, there is nothing like waking up late, showering, then putting your p-jays back on and laying on the couch without even bothering to dry your hair. Oh, how I relish it! I've been spending most of my two days just hanging out in my apartment, watching movies and tv, and bonding with my sugar glider, Stormy. Ever tried bonding with an Australian marsupial? You should!

Other than the headache that I'm enduring at the moment, my life is relatively stable. I got most of my Christmas shopping done (*coughonlinecough*), the bills are paid, and I've begun writing again. I need an outlet! I'm graduated from college and aren't attending classes anymore, I don't really have a hobby, work is making my mind increasingly numb... so I need this. My vocabulary is dwindling and my critical thinking is beginning to suck! It's about time I put my fatass cranium on a treadmill so it can get some exercise.

It has been a long time since I've tried doing some serious writing, but I am ambitious! The reason why I'm so motivated is because the storyline is something that I think is twisted enough to keep even myself interested. The plotline? A brother and sister (lesbian) go into the mountains for a hiking/camping trip and stumble upon this guy living alone in an old house. They stay for the night due to bad weather, but are held hostage when they realize he is a psychotic fundamentalist christian who's job, he feels, it is to 'deliver' them from their sinful ways. Think of it as a bastard child of the "Jesus Camp" movie and "Misery" by Stephen King. This book isn't ant-christian by any means, just anti-fundamentalist and anti-crazy. Should I post it here (protected, of course), or should I just finish it first??? Would anyone read it?

Anyway, I'm going to take some pain meds for my aching brain, then get back to brainstorming/writing. Not looking forward to work tomorrow!

I would love to know how I had so much time on my hands as a teenager to write so many posts on my previous blogs. I remember being 17 and having all the time in the world to post two to three posts a day on pointless, menial issues about my life. But now that I'm 23, by the time I'm home from work I think to myself, "...napping sounds like a better option than blogging". And usually napping wins. 80% of the time, at least.

My days have become much less busy now that my Japanese Language Proficiency Test is completed and done with! It was in Chicago, and that weekend was chaotic and difficult. But now that its done, all I have to worry about is finishing my Christmas shopping.

Work just tires me out so much... by the time I get back, I don't have any energy to do anything but sit on the couch. *sigh* But I have to be at work early tomorrow, and after that I'll be heading to Cleveland for the football game between the Browns and Steelers (that's going to be a cold ass game...), to then come back here to work on Friday.

All I can say is, I am really looking forward to Saturday and Sunday, when I can just relax and recharge.

Buh......... -_-

Well, this weekend isn't entirely lazy, I do have a lot of stuff to get done (ie: JET statement of purpose essay, studying...). But I'm not working! Having the opportunity to not have to work for two days (in a row, no less), is fantastic! And it is so gorgeous outside, we opened the windows to the apartment and are airing the place out. *deep breath* ah.. so refreshing!

On some not-so-great news, we have a leak in our bathroom behind our toilet. We called it in to maintenance and they'll be coming by sometime tomorrow afternoon. This just adds to the growing list we already have to address to the maintenance people here about the apartment... we still have the guy's wrench, so we've got some leverage ;D

I am currently 90% completed with my JET application (that includes having all my documentation together). All I gotta do is collect my last recommendation letter and write my statement of purpose, which shouldn't be too difficult. I'm also really concerned about my JLPT exam in December... to be honest, I don't think I'll pass my level (level 2). But that doesn't mean I won't try! I'm still busting my ass to absorb as much grammar and vocab into my brain as I can before that exam is put down in front of me! And ya know, if I don't pass, there is always next year. It's no big deal (and if I get accepted on the JET program and go to Japan, my Japanese will naturally get better anyway and give me a nice leg-up!).

The rest of the day will consist of studying, some Lord of the Rings Online with my dad, grocery shopping, and getting the crested gecko!! I'll post pictures ;)

XOXO

PS:( see how poofy my hair can get when I DON'T have to wear a hairnet all day?? )

Other than work, which was long, monotonous, and uneventful, today was pretty nice! After coming home from work, Rachel and I went to her co-worker's home to look at some crested geckos! She apparently breeds them and is willing to sell us a baby for $35 (they usually go for $70-$100 when fully grown...). They are low maintenance, have huge adorable eyes, and AMAZING feet!! Their feet are very feathery and soft... and the way they leap around in the air? *sigh* priceless :)

( Never seen a crested gecko before? )

All Rachel and I have to do is check the procedures for bringing a lizard pet into Japan if we get accepted to the JET program. Yes, a six month quarantine period to make sure the animal is clean and not carrying anything, but we have also heard that if the pet is checked by a specialist before departure and a certificate is given, the wait period could be bypassed. But who knows, we gotta check it out. Why? Well, because crested geckos can live up to 25 years! So this isn't like buying a hamster or something... its a long-term commitment. :)

Today I've been going Japanese grammar crazy! Grammar is really tough for me, so I've started making a list of what I need, and this website (plus smart.fm), is so helpful! http://www.e-japanese.jp/grammar2.htm

Anyway, thats enough from me tonight. Off to bed! Tomorrow is look-like-a-bum day with sweatpants~ holla!

XOXO

Yes, I have created a new blog.... why? Well, my old blog was at blogspot and I was fairly pleased with it until I realized that I wanted to have more of a media-focused blog. You can't really do that with blogspot though... so I've decided to make my way back to livejournal.

This is the last time I make a blog transition, I promise! More updates to come - - but until then, I gotta go to sleep! So here is a video to tide you over~