Pistons games we're going to:

Nov. 17th vs. Washington
Dec. 1st vs. New York
Dec. 31st vs. Phoenix
Jan. 17th vs. Utah
Feb. 25th vs. Chicago

Yessss I'm so pumped!

Ahh, did I tell you? When I went to Chicago last month, there was this huge billboard of Ben Wallace in a Bulls jersey on the side of the highway? I was like "whaaat?!" I used to think if there was any Piston who was iconic, he would be it. I guess not. Oh yeah and Bobby said that two of the Pistons live in Bellagio in Northville now. Weird huh?

Bada da da daaaa, I'm lovin' it

Is it dorky that I love the smell of a fresh, new spindle of writeable CDs? I thought about that at work today.

Steamed buns and cute dresses

On separate occasions this week, my mom and I and then D and I decided a new thing for us to do together is cook. My mom and I decided we should quit complaining to each other every time we come home from work/school about how we're too lazy to cook dinner. So now her and I have to cook for each other at least once a week, and the recipes we like we'll compile. D and I decided that we go out to eat too much so we should start trying out our own recipes too.

I saw this adorable little dress at the mall the other day, and it's the exact same dress as the one I obsessed over during New Year's (when I finished contemplating and decided to get it, the store didn't have it anymore) but it has different colors. So I'm trying to justify myself by finding a reason to buy it. E's wedding? Well I have the pink/peach dress I bought last summer for that, which I actually spent more money on than this one is worth. We'll see - maybe I'll just spoil myself because my birthday is coming up.

Things about Ricardo: State of the Nation address, DieselMax event, President said hi to me, too much work (and driving to work) is a pain.

Tagged by galiatovi, but since the people I know who read this blog don't blog, I dunno if I should tag anyone...? Here are my top ten:

1. Airplanes that fly really low over me on 94 when driving to work is real cool
2. My pup is always super excited to see me when I come home
3. Singing my heart out to a really good, really loud song when driving
4. I don't know why, but reunions with old friends I haven't seen in awhile
5. Goregous fall days when all I need is a sweater
6. Long, deep discussion in my philosophy class that leave me mind boggled
7. A steaming, hot bath with bubbles and a good book or magazine
8. Compliments on something I've worked really hard on
9. Spending time with high-energy friends that make me constantly smile and laugh
10. Lounging in absolute comfort with my favorite :)

Do the Monkey/Drive a Cadillac STS

My favorite: Catalina!
Pre-game: Bogdan as a sad little girl? haha

Chris!The band:The game:D's company car! The most luxiourious I think I've ever sat in. Voice activated bluetooth, satellite radio, 6 CD and DVD changers, auto-cruise control, automatic windshield wipers, keyless entry keyfob, heated seats and steering wheel, nav system, 320 hp (even though it's lugging a bit of weight), automatic manual, power telescope steering column, remote fuel door, remote ignition, automatic headlights, and projected display that only the driver can see.

I wouldn't be caught dead in this place

Cool blog I found today: Google Maps Mania. There's actually a map you can get of New York based off of smells. So supposedly, if you train your nose to the smells of alcohol, urine, chemical waste, and so on, you can use this map to find your way - hahaham.

I sat down at work today with all this ridiculous stuff I've been getting from JVA. At some point, I stopped thinking about what I was doing, just machined through it, and started thinking about how I haven't been myself lately.

With balancing my life, I think I've been really irresponsible. With school and work, I've been more responsible than usual. I have a huge potty mouth now and can't seem to stop swearing or saying bad things, and I think I've been losing my patience much more easily lately. And I think, overall, I've started getting sappier (is that a word?), and I've started acting more impulsively. I think at the wrong times, I've become pretty bitter and cynical too.

But I'm slowly trying to get myself back on track, so I guess I'm not all downhill.

I walked past Pete's office today and he yelled out the door "I thought you were supposed to be in school!" and I yelled back "I'm playing hooky to be at work!" And then I poked my head in his office and he was like "No, seriously, what's your schedule like?" So I told him, and he said, "Glad you're still with us here" and smiled. That was nice.

I got home from work and realized I got distracted when Dusan called me as I was walking out the door, so I forgot everythig I meant to take home. Long story short, he kept me company when I drove back to pick everything up. I gave him a tour of Ricardo, and just for fun, I took him by Visteon City (aka their headquarters, which is HUGE). We blasted music the whole way home, and it was just good to laugh with him and talk about funny things.

Oh yeah, I re-enabled the comments feature with word verification even though I still haven't posted my blog anywhere. Wait I take that back, I think I might have posted it on facebook, but I can't remember.

I wrote a narrative paper about Coldstone (yeah I know it's not one word but I like it that way). I couldn't figure out what else to write about since I've writen about everything already... robotics, Ricardo, training, piano, statkeeping... Anyway, the point is, I didn't realize until now how much I really loved that job. Sure there was drama at the end but I loved working there and with the crew. Hmm good times, good times.

Ahhh I gotta study.

The Ode to Nice Guys

A friend sent me this article, and although I told him I wasn't offended and I just disregarded it, I keep thinking about it and reading it over and over again. So I'll just say it. The problem with the "Ode to Nice Guys" (a rant written in Wharton Undergraduate Journal) is that it should be titled "An Ode to Nice Guys Who Aren't Associated With Nice Girls". Just to show I'm not her from the article, I'll keep this short and simple.

There is a small percentage of us who actually try not to be the girl in the article. We try to be the fair and independent girls who can take care of ourselves. We've learned that if we don't need a nice guy to make us happy, it will just be that much better when a nice guy comes around who also doesn't need a nice girl to make him happy, but we can make each other happier. And the truth is, I don't know if I could be with a "nice guy" like that. One who can't take care of himself first and foremost. Because I'll be the girl who takes care of herself first and foremost and hope that the guy won't let girls step all over him. That's my rant for the girls.

I do, however, give the writer a tiiiiny bit of credit for distinguishing that some girls: "grow out of that train of thought and realize they should be dating the nice guys, not taking them for granted" and that "The tricky part is finding those girls, and even trickier, finding the ones that are single."

Apparently, someone also wrote "Ode to the Nice Girls". I also don't completely agree with everything in this because of the part about "hours fixated on our looks" (that's a little insecurity) and "nice girls in disguise". Girls, if you want someone to see you as who you are then be who you are. At least some girl went out of her way to write this. Overall, I just think both are extreme.

Anyway, I only have a few more minutes but I thought I'd update for myself, I guess.

Things going on lately in no particular order:
Kicked lots of asses this week to get what I wanted (it sounds snobby, I know)
Loving my wireless options on the laptop
Listening to a lot of Panic! At the Disco
Dinner with Jay and visited the new school out in Wixom
Going to UM this weekend to see Cat, the football game, and parties

I saw the neatest thing today in my Philosophy class. This girl came in at least 20 minutes late and out of breath (this is a late afternoon class, so it's not like she just overslept - something probably happened). She sat down two seats in front of me and the guy in front of me leaned in instantly to get her up to speed about the lecture so she'd understand what was going on. And I know they don't know each other. That was nice of him, I thought.

Okayyy gotta go to class.

My dog looks anorexic now

The before and after pics of my doggie's first real haircut:

I try not to post songs but this one got me

You took my hand
You showed me how
You promised me
You'd be around

I took your words
And I believed
In everything
You said to me

If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong

I know better
Cause you said forever
And ever
Who knew?

Remember when
We were such fools
And so convinced
And just too cool

I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give
Anything

When someone said count your blessings now
'fore they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong

They knew better
Still you said forever
And ever
Who knew?

I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
And I won't forget you my friend
What happened

If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong and

That last kiss
I'll cherish
Until we meet again
And time makes
It harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep
Your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My darling
Who knew?
My darling
My darling
Who knew?
My darling
I miss you
My darling
Who knew?
Who knew?

Not sure what to do, actually

Well I haven't really written about what happened. To be honest, I haven't actually written about anything that's been happening, but I kind of want to I guess.

Dusan and I broke up. In fact, we did a few weeks ago, but it hasn't really seemed like it. It's seemed like we've been on and off the last few weeks until last night.

Yesterday was kind of a crappy day. I still wasn't feeling too good (physically) so I was contemplating whether or not to go to my one class, and then my mom calls to tell me we have a showing in an hour. So I missed class, got up, cleaned the house, got the dog, and left. Later, I ended up going to work, still feeling feverish.

Dusan called me to say he got his Green Card, which is really awesome considering how long it's taken and hard it's been for his family. He asked if I wanted to go out for sushi with him to celebrate, and I said yes. After a real good dinner and a real good time, we went to Josh's for some drinks and a mini-Prisonbreak marathon.

He drove me home and walked me in. We sat down and started talking, and I guess arguing too, but slowly we sort of started to realize what we were doing to ourselves and each other. I'm not sure how to explain that without explaining it.

-----

We fell asleep curled up in each others arms, reminicing about our relationship and how much history we felt like we were risking losing. When I woke up, he was gone. I called him to see when he'd left, and then I just sat there feeling helpless and crying myself back to sleep.

Fully part time... or something.

I'll never forget the time in robotics when one of the engineers asked Matt if he was going to work at Bosch, or something like that, and he just smiled and said "fully part time!"

I haven't been writing a lot lately, which is odd considering how much has been going on. I won't say it's because I've been busy because even when I am, I make time to write. I will say that it's been difficult trying to think of something kosher to write when I get on blogger because I know who does and doesn't read this (at least I think I do) and a lot of what I'd write would be... well yeah. I guess there is a lot going on I don't want to announce...? Yeah.

Maybe that's okay. Maybe hiding out for awhile is okay.

On a separate note, today was my first full week of classes and part time working during school. For the most part, it's been going hectic but not bad. One thing that's kept me going is my Philosophy class which I looove. I walk out of their and my head is in the clouds thinking about things I haven't thought about or thinking about things from a completely different perspective than I usually would. It'll be good, this'll be a good class.

Traffic Light Party

Pictures from a traffic light party at State I went to with Yvonne, the two Sarahs, Katherine, and Mark:

I know I don't know you

("Secret" - Maroon 5)

Well, what's new? I finally joined facebook and started classes. The plan is to go up to MSU and party it up with Yvonne this weekend.

My mind is drawing a blank. Sometimes blogging is nothing.

Cuz I'm not built that way

("Duck and Run" - Three Doors Down)

I laid down at 11:30 after coffee with Winky, buying spray roses (which are adorable), some hard lemonade with leftover stuffed cabbage from the party, and D coming over and fixed some stuff at my house. It's now freakin' 1:30am and my mind is racing, and I'm panicking.

Part of me just wants to close my eyes (figuratively) and machine through these fears without thinking about how numbing it will become, part of me is freaking out. I've come to the realization that: I've changed my mind about everything I've thought about everytime I've thought about it in the last few weeks, which pretty much means I need some time to re-think things for myself. Yeah that sentence made more sense in my head.

Last night I had this ridiculous dream about a war that involved everyone in my life. Completely randomly, I was fighting with and against people from every part of my life as I ran for my life, dodged bullets, hid, and ultimately, woke up when a huge explosion almost killed me. I woke up numb, heart racing, sweating, kicking my blankets off, and clutching my pillow like my life depended on it. Wow, what is going on with me?

How in the heck am I going to juggle school with Ricardo?

It feels like home to me

If you knew how much this moment means to me
"Feels Like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk

It felt real good to sit in a steaming, hot lavender bath and sort things out with an amazing friend (on the phone, of course). I'm home and I think I'm ready for things to pick up again.