2007

Another year comes to a close...too bad I haven't been keeping up with my posts enough to really remember it!! Just as an update...I passed all of the tests that I had been studying so hard for a few months back. I have also been accepted to the CalTeach program through Cal State Fullerton. I start the program on January 7, 2008. It will take about 16 months to complete and then I will be a certified teacher!! I still work at Pacific Trend Properties and Restoration as an Office Assistant. It is very busy work and my boss still hasn't hired someone new for when I start school. My program has the classes online and then I will be student teaching part time every day for the whole program. So, I will only be able to work part time. I told John months ago about the program and he was supposed to be looking for someone new...yet still nothing! I am curious to see what my life will be like next year. Part time job, part time student teaching, and online classes. I think I will be busy!

It seems that the end of the year brings lots of changes and lots of new movies that the studios hurry to get out. Recently, I saw both "Enchanted" and "The Golden Compass." I really enjoyed "Enchanted." It was a real return to the Disney classics. I would watch it again, and I will probably purchase the DVD. Now, for "The Golden Compass." I have never read the books so I went in with no expectations and no idea what the story was really about. I had seen many trailers and the movie looked really great! Plus, my rebellious side really wanted to spite all those boycotters who kept spamming my email with "Boycott this movie, it kills God and religion" emails. So, I went into the film with an open mind and was ready to love it. I only liked it a little.

I felt as though I was missing most of the plot. Like the only way I would truly enjoy and get everything out of the film was if I had read the books. The graphics were amazing, of course. I liked a lot of little details of the film. The only thing that I had a real problem with was the lack of character development. Through the whole film I felt like "why do I care about these characters? Why do they have these relationships with each other? Why are they motivated to do the things that they are doing?" I felt like the film was pushing these relationships on the characters and not really explaining them. For example, without giving too much away, there is a scene near the beginning of the film where Lyra and Nicole Kidman's character are shopping and trying on clothes and doing very girly bonding. The scene is scattered and random and seems like it was just a last minute decision to put the scene in there. I don't think that I am explaining how I felt about it very well. But I am sure when you see the scene you will understand what I mean. I know that the studio was planning on sequels, and I liked the film well enough that I am perfectly willing to see them. But I don't think that they will happen because of the box office results. I did poorly, from what I hear, in the U.S. and only slightly better oversees. I guess I'll just have to read the books to find out what happens.

I don't know if I will get another chance to post this year. So, in case I don't, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish you all the best and I hope that you are all blessed and content this holiday season. I also hope that the new year brings you everything you want it to!!

The Results Are In...

I PASSED!!!! I just got my results a few days ago. I took the CSET on September 15, and I passed all three subtests! YEAH!!! Every time that I think about it I still feel shocked. Only 60% of those who take this test pass it...And that is including those who have taken it more than once already! I am so relieved! I took the CBEST a few weeks ago and will find out how I did in two weeks. Either way, I get to start my teacher prep program in January! Thank you to everyone who kept me in their prayers and wished me luck!!

CSET

I am taking the CSET this Saturday at 7:15am in Orange County. It was kind of a rush decision on my part to take it. And because of that, I only have a week to study. So, I am not entirely hopeful about what the outcome will be. I keep reading forums that have people saying that they took it five times, because they kept failing it. I can't believe they do that; it's not a cheap test. I have five hours to take three sub-tests. I really hope I pass; but I don't think that I will. If I could at least pass one, that would be good. I don't know when I will post again...My stress level be incredibly high, and the fact that I will be very distracted! So, wish me luck, pray for me, and all of that! I hope you are all well!

Birthday!

So, today was my birthday. My sister was away at school (actually she was on a trip from school) and my brother was gone. I also had work today. On my way to work the cast of "Wicked" was singing live on the radio. When I got to work I found balloons and a card waiting for me. It was a no stress day at work because we had gotten a week's worth of stuff done early because the boss, John, was going out of town. Then John took us all out to lunch at Macaroni Grill. It was really nice. The waitress sang happy birthday in Italian to Angela (my other boss--her b-day is on Sunday). Then we got this really good cake. Plus, I got paid! All together it was a very good day at work!

I got home to find that my mom had decorated and had bought a beautiful cake for me. When my dad got home we opened gifts. I got two books and some candy from my sister; a stress-relieving neck pillow; stress-reliving lotion, soap, and bath salts; a sign that says "FRIENDS;" "The Un-sinkable Molly Brown;" "Thoroughly Modern Milly;" and "Into The Woods." Then we went to dinner at P.F. Chang's. It was really good. The three of us shared the lemon chicken, the ginger chicken, and the kung-pao chicken. We also got these wonton things. When we got home we were very full and we crashed for a while. Then I decided that I needed to go out and deposit checks and things.

So, my mom and I went to the bank, and then we went to Target. Finally, we went to Barnes and Noble so I could get some things. I got "Kiss Me Kate" (a movie I've been wanting for a while), and I got a book that I used to read as a child called "All Of A Kind Family," I've been looking for it forever. So, although this day was great, I am beat now and really need to go to sleep. When I wake up I will have been 24 for a whole day. I'm old. I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!

Neglect

So, I have been majorly ignoring my blog as of late. So, I will put in a new post about my current situations. Let's see...I have been trying to find a full-time job, with benefits, ever since I got home from school. I really don't want to have to settle for a customer service, min. wage job that I won't want to stay with. So, the other day I had an interview with a real estate company. I would be a receptionist/bidder; I would go to auctions and bid on foreclosed homes for the company. They offered me the job today and I told them I would let them know by the end of the week. I have another interview for a dental company tomorrow that I want to follow up on. I think it is full time with benefits, while the real estate job has no benefits. That's about it for now. Nothing really exciting. I will post next week about my updated job situation. Take care all!


***UPDATE: I decided to take the real estate job; I start on Tuesday...Wish me luck!***

Wow!!

I went to see "wicked" at the Pantages theater last Thursday. I cannot describe how much I loved it...And how much I want to go again! I fully recommend this play to anyone looking for a wonderful Broadway experience! The costumes, lighting, and special effects were all amazing. I loved the music before, but after seeing the play I love it even more! I think I liked the L.A. cast even more than the cast that performs on the CD I have. The only negative thing I have to say is about the theater itself. There are very few bathrooms and a whole lot of people. Intermission needs to be longer if they want everyone to be able to do their "business" and get back to their seats on time. But, seriously, go see this play. You won't be disappointed!

As for the whole Hollywood thing...Not my favorite place in the world. Especially Hollywood Boulevard. It was always so crowded! And people don't bother with traffic laws and things like that. It was very stressful. Even walking down the street is stressful. There are so many people trying to hand you things. I just wanted to make one big announcement that said, "I don't have any interest in seeing the star's homes!" We went and checked out the El Capitan theater and saw the stars on the street. We also stopped by the Grauman's Chinese Theater, which was right across from our hotel, and saw the hand and footprints. I have the exact same hand size as Doris Day. Some of those celebrities have the tiniest feet!

Our hotel stay started out well, but then went downhill. We stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. I had read really bad reviews about it right before we left. The staff was nice and the hotel was fancy, but a little dark and a little too modern. The room was okay. They didn't do the best job on the painting. The lines weren't straight and there were clear spots that they had messed up when painting. I'm not trying to be nit picky...I just notice it. The carpet was plain...As was the bathroom. The room was dark, but it was clean. The beds were really comfortable. Although, they didn't have any top sheets...Which I found odd. The hotel also had valet parking, so we had to tip people every time we drove somewhere.

Overall, I would say that the stay was nice...But I wouldn't stay there again. It was trying to be fancy then it really was. It was stressful because we spent the whole stay not really touching anything because we were worried that they would charge us for something outrageous. Which they are known to do. I guess I am not a fancy hotel type of girl. I would have been happier at a Best Western. After we got home we found out that the hotel had charged us for something stupid. They keep your credit card on file for incidentals. They haven't told us what they charged us for yet...But we are fighting it. It is so stupid, we didn't use anything! I bet their maids get drunk off the mini-bar and then charge it to guests tab! Whatever...We will figure it out.

Before we went to the play, we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was really nice and calm. It was a nice change from the busy Hollywood streets. But back to Wicked! I have a new goal to save up some money so I can go see it again very soon! I wish they would put it on DVD, like they have with some other Broadway plays, so I can watch it whenever I want. I'm not talking out a movie-versions...I mean, the actual play on video. I bet it will be a while though. So, that's my really long post! I'm going to go listen to my Wicked CD now! Take care everyone! Oh, and to Elizabeth...Sorry I didn't stop by to see you...I didn't get your post until after I got back. I hope you are doing great!

5 Days Until 'WICKED'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right folks! For my graduation present my parents got my "Wicked" tickets! My Mom, sister, and I are going to see it this Thursday at the Pantages Theater in L.A. We are staying overnight at some hotel across from Grauman's Chinese Theater. It is going to be awesome!!! I can't wait!

In other news...I got a new Mp3 player today. My other one broke after one of the buttons got stuck. I hope this one will last a while. It was not cheap. It's got lots of cool features and I can't wait until my music is done loading and I can start using it.

There's not really anything else to post right now. Life is boring and slow and there is not enough money in it. Well, I guess that's it for now. I'm hungry, tired, and want to start using my new Mp3 player!

Back in So. Cal, slow at posting!

Okay, it's been WAY too long since I last posted. Not like I have an excuse...I haven't been up to much lately. Graduation was in December and it went really well. But it was also a really long day. There was a very nice catered lunch with speakers and music and things of that nature. Then my family took a bunch of pictures outside. I was freezing! Then we had commencement and then separated into colleges and had graduation. Again, throughout all of this there were more speakers and more music. Among the speakers was Elder Holland and Elder Kerr. It was a very nice event, even though everyone was exhausted by the end of it. So, that's it...Now I'm a college graduate. My future plans involve a teacher preparation program through Cal State Fullerton, once I earn enough money.

Until I get a job and start earning money I am kind of stuck with nothing to do. I am trying to get a job at a school district because there is a rumor that they will pay for employees to get their credentials. Unfortunately, the district is kind of slow about updating their job lists. So, I am expanding my job search to receptionist jobs. I just need a way to earn some money so I can get into that program. I have applied a few places, and I do have an interview tomorrow, so we will see how it goes. I am hoping the excitement level in my life will pick up soon. I don't really know anyone my age down here anymore, so I don't really have anything to do.

On another note...After searching for weeks, since I got back to Cali actually, I finally managed to get a Nintendo Wii for my brother. He had been saving up his money for awhile just so he could get this thing. He, and I, also called a ton of stores almost every day trying to find one. No one ever had them in. So, last Thursday I heard a rumor that 'Toys R Us' in Riverside was going to get some in, so I went around 9 or 10 in the morning only to find out that it was not true. So, after driving around for awhile my mom and I decided to go into 'Circuit City' on a whim. I went in and was looking in their game section when an employee came up to me and was like, "Are you looking for a Nintendo Wii?" Then he told me that they had gotten one, and only one, in that morning and they still had it. It hadn't even been checked in yet. So I bought it. My brother was extremely happy about it! He owes me for life now.

So, that's all from me for now. If anything else comes up then I'll let everybody know. Take care and peace out!