working 9 to 5

so i started back at work two weeks ago and it's kinda rough. this last stint was my first time on umemployment and surprisingly enough its SUPER easy to get used to getting money for nothing. Now having to actually go somewhere that doesn't involve the beach or aimlessly surfing the internet, almost seems torturous!
I am mostly kidding of course. I am definitely greatful to have a job and be needed somewhere. :-)
It's nice having Nick back in town too. It's fabulous coming home and he's done the dishes and my laundry and the grocery shopping. I think everyone should have a house-man.
I don't really have any other exciting tales to tell. My roomies are gone for summer vacation, my friends have been busy - so it's mostly me and Nick hanging out when we're not at work. Simple life, but pretty awesome.

Names

I got this name book. AKA a baby name book. Calling a baby name book however freaks me out, so I am referring to it as a name book. It's not the typical style where it tells you the root of the word, language and meaning. Instead it focuses on styles of names, popularity of the name in the past 100 years, related names and trends. It's really interesting so I thought I'd share. The brothers and sisters thing refers to names that are in a similar style and popularity and likely to be chosen along with the given name.

Girls:
Candace: #747, peak #115 - 1980s
Style: New Classics
Nicknames: Candy
Variants: Candice, Candis
Sisters: Meredith, Holly, Katrina, Adreienne, Cara
Brothers: Geoffery, Lance, Derek, Terrance, Clint
Candace sounds comfortably modern and American, like Janice, but it has something extra. The name is a little stronger, even regal. Perhaps its the just the classy inage of Candice Bergen, but the name also has a long and grand history. Candace was a traitional name for ancient queens of Ethiopia, and mentioned as such in the Bible.

Elizabeth: #9, peak #6 - 1900s
Style: Biblical, Timeless
Nicknames: Beth, Bess, Betsy, Betty, Bette, Buffy, Eliza, Elle, Elsie, Elsa, Izzy, Liz, Lisa, Liza, Lizbeth, Lisbette, Lise, Liddy, Libby
Variants: Elisabeth, Elspeth, Elisheba, Isabel
Sisters: Anna, Katherine, Sarah, Julia, Margaret
Brothers: Joseph, William, Samuel, Edward, Charles
Elizabeth is the chameleon name. It changes into a remarkable array of nicknames, letting you tweak the style to fit any personality. This abundance dates back to the days when Elizabeth was such a ubiquitous name in England that many alternatives were needed to tell women apart. You can feel confindent that this clasic can handle its ongoing modern popularity with ease.

Jessica: #18, peak #1 - 1980s
Style: 70s-80s, New Classics, Shakespearean
Nicknames: Jessie, Jess
Sisters: Nicole, Erica, Jennifer, Vanessa, Amanda
Brothers: Jeremy, Ryan, Brandon, Jonathan, Christopher
Everything parents have always loved about Jessica still applies. It's a delicately fiminine name with Shakespearean heritage and a peppy nickname. It's an impeccable choice, but not one that will attract much notice - Jessica's been so popular for so long it gets taken for granted. Less common lacy classics include Marina, Tabitha, and Veronica.

Mariana: #244, peak #244 - 2003
Style: Lacy and Lissome, Latino, Saints, Shakesperean
Nicknames: Mari, Maria
Variants: Marianna
Sisters: Natalia, Valeria, Annika, Adriana, Liliana
Brothers: Rodrigo, Fabian, Deigo, Mateo, Lorenzo
A typical Latina hit with bih potential for girls of all backgrounds. With its familiar "mari" root, Mariana's like an old friend after a diet and a makeover. And if anyone asks how you though of it, tell them you've been reading Shakespeare. It's a favorite choice of his comedies.

Guys:
Benjamin: #25, peak #27 - 2001
Style: Biblical, Timeless
Nicknames: Ben, Benno, Benji
Sisters: Rachel, Sarah, Victoria, Leah, Emily
Brothers: Nicholas, Samuel, Jonathan, Adam, Alexander
Benjamin is a name of perfect balance. It's popular but not trendy. It's biblical, but not conspicuously antique. The full Benjamin is handsome, Benji is cute and Ben's an all-around good guy. You're all set

Brian: #58, peak #8 - 1970s
Style: Celtic, New Classics, Nickname proof, 70s-80s
Variant: Bryan
Sisters: Kelly, Michelle, Shannon, bridget, Amy
Brothers: Kevin, Joseph, Sean, Mark, Eric, Jeremy
Brian has been an Irish favorite for centuries and an American one since the 50s. It is one of the "can't miss" names, reliable and teaseproof. Lately Brian's been dividing the territory with the rhyming fellow Irishman Ryan. If you're choosing between the two, Brian is warmer, Ryan is more boyish (Mariana - hilarious that that is the description of Devon's baby girl's name).

Daniel: #566, peak #6 - 1980s
Style: Biblical, Timeless
Nicknames: Dan, Danny
Variants: Danyel
Sisters: Rebecca, Rachel, Joanna, Andrea, Sarah
Brothers: Matthew, Micheal, David, Joel, Benjamin
Daniel is one of the few Old Testament names to be rock-solid American classics. It was a top hit even back when Jacob and Joshua were considered ancient relics. Asa a result, Daniel sounds less tied to its biblical roots and more grounded in the modern world. It's friendly, handsome and universally liked.

Tony: #303, peak #50 1960s
Style: Mid-century, Nicknames
Sisters: Laurie, Cindy, Carla, Tina, Becky
Brothers: Greg, Martry, Dino, Ricky, Rod
For generations scores of parents have left Anthony, Antonio and friends by the wayside and written Tony right on the birth certificate. The name's rough and ready cheer is timelessly appealing. If you picture the name on a corporate resume though, Anthony still reads better.

goggies

So I have been desiring a dog lately. I am going back and forth on what kind I want - the cute fluffy happy face of a Schipperke? or the social acceptable and also adorable SPCA mutt? Either way I know I have had more and more urges to get a puppy recently and I think I know exactly the reasons why. I have a need to buy cute outfits to dress it in. I have the need to train it and make it into a responsible dog. I want to take rediculous pictures of my puppy with lame props. I want to snuggle it and have it look at me like I'm its whole world. Which some would say is the beginning of baby fever and I should maybe have a kid instead (mostly my mother who wouldn't give a rats ass about me not being married but just wants a goddamn grandkid!). But the problem with kids is at some point they learn to talk and then they freak me out. So dog it is!

El Paso

So here I am in Te-has. I am DEFINITELY enjoying my time with Nick, even just doing the little things like going to a movie, washing dishes, or making him buy me a soda even though he disapproves and makes a frowny face.
But good lord is El Paso a shit-hole. In the day that I have been here the winds are 20-30 mph with gusts of 65 mph. 65!! In what world is that a gust? To make it worse because this is a desert, there's a lot of sand. And where there's high winds and sand, not only does your skin get completely exfoliated every time you step outside but it makes its way through every nook and cranny of everything.
Anyway. I've already begun my domestivity transformation and cleaned the whole house. Including mopping. At some point in time I expect Nick to give me a medal for being the bestest girlfriend ever. We'll see.
Much love! Miss California

List it up

Reasons Why Today Is Awesome:

• Nick got a job for Cal Fire in Santa Cruz, starting May 18th
• The Army is letting him off early from his contract on May 2nd
• Now we can do our road trip we've been planning!

Reasons Why Today Is Not-So-Much:

• I have two cavities! I've never had a cavity :-(

goodtimes.

Life has changed drastically in the past week. For one, I am no longer employed as I have hit my three month off-season. I am collecting unemployment which kind of feels like cheating. Shouldn't I be worrying that I don't have a job? Wondering how I am going to pay my bills? Instead my bills will just about be taken care of so I can spend my time visiting my family and friends. Yay! Actually so far I have been a very productive unemployed person, I get up at 8 every day and conquer several chores each day. Tomorrow I am even going to do my taxes, wha wha!
Also this week was my birthday. Woot. I don't know why but I feel like 24 is going to be a really good year. Maybe because it's my Golden Birthday (24 on the 24th), but I think it has more to do with the fact that as a kid I attached being 24 to being super adult and cool. I don't think I'll be cool but perhaps I will feel super adult this year?
My birthday parties were awesome. I got super drunk off sake, which gives you the uncontrollable urge to sing karaoke. And not just any karaoke, but songs WAY out of your range like Mariah Carey. I sang flawlessly of course. Those tears the little kids were pumping out were happy tears right?
And looking towards my future life - I will be leaving for Texas in 5 days! I will have no money, no car and no way to get on & off base without a military ID. I will 100% be a "kept" women, which for some reason I am really excited about. I downloaded a recipe for steak to cook Nick when he gets home from work. STEAK. What is this boy doing to me? Damn you feminism, don't abandon me now!

Can't buy me loooovve

Being that I am a child of divorce I have always put a lot of thought in what it means to love someone. I strongly believe you cannot fake love. Love has to come out of mutual respect, understanding and affection. You, especially, cannot buy love. Women who are with old men simply because they buy them cars and jewels don't make any sense to me. Even with all the stuff I would still feel like barfing every time "Daddy wanted some sugar". Eww. eww. eww. Buy love is just not an option.
Then Nick mailed me an iPod Touch.
Hmmmm....

My home.

So I know I moved in here in November, but I just got a digital camera so I haven't been able to SHOW you what my house looks like! Here it is in all its cozy glory...












My living room... which i couldn't show the other half of. but it's big and full of light!










my bedroom.... skinny, but looong.

Things My Mom Never Told Me That May Have Screwed Me Up...

There are several things that I feel every kid hears growing up from their mom. Not so much me. Mom says she didn't think they were important...

1. Make your bed every day
2. Wash behind your ears
3. Wash your lady parts (don't worry, I figured that one out myself)
4. Don't talk to strangers
5. It's impolite to scratch yourself in public
6. Write "Thank You" cards
7. Don't interrupt people when they're talking

Things That May Have Been Unconventional That My Mom DID Tell Me

1. Sex is the best thing ever
2. Smoking pot every once in a while won't kill you
3. You don't have to finish your plate or eat food you don't want to
4. You have large calves, and maybe shouldn't wear short dresses
5. Be as crazy as you want
6. Say what you want
7. Waiting for a man to do something for you is ridiculous
8. Always have enough money to escape
9. You don't have to apologize for being who you are and doing what you want
10. Marry a man who can fix things
11. You're my favorite kid

Eh

Computer is fixed.
Funny things have happened in my life.
I slept until 1, so I feel disgusting.
The urge to write is not so much.

the saga continues

Here's my insane saga of trying to get my computer fixed, if anyone cares. Not that exciting, but DAMN frustrating...
1. computer broke. my friend Derek who is a legitimate IT person says it's my harddrive and that he will copy all the old stuff to a new harddrive for me. Sweet. = $90.00
2. Get the harddrive back, install it in the computer. It doesn't work. So I take it to a computer shop. = $80.00
3. Computer shop says it boots up fine. I take it home. Doesn't work.
4. Take it back to the computer shop, it works for them fine. Take it back to my house. Doesn't work.
5. Take it to a different computer place, works for them fine. Take it home. Doesn't work. They suggest a new mouse and keyboard.
6. Get a new mouse and keyboard ($30.00). Install it into the computer. Doesn't work.
7. At my mom's house, I systematically go through everything that plugs into my computer to try to isolate the problem. They all work. Plug in just my stuff. It works just fine.

So here's the answer to my problem. My house has an invisible force field around it that doesn't allow computer towers to boot up. I win!
Grrrrr...

Worth it

So I haven't had the internet in three weeks. It's been a little difficult to post, but this is worth it. Unless you've been in a coma, you know about the Beyonce "Single Ladies" video and how it is hip-shakingly fantastic. You haven't seen ANYTHING yet...