No TV = More Time

I finally did it! I’m free from Comcast. Awhile back these two kids came to our door offering us a better package, being the sucker that I am, I went with it. Apparently they didn't process it right and my bill was messed up for 3 months. It was all very annoying so I got them paid and said cancel that shit. I feel good about it and made up this wonderful thought cloud of things we’ll have more time for. I’m not sure how long it’ll last but my husband agreed to be cable free for a month. We haven’t decided about the internet yet, because I might need it to do homework.  

More Than Just A Loss of Twinkies

Friday while so many were concerned about no longer being able to buy Twinkies, 18,5000 Hostess employees lost their jobs. Here in the local area 600 were laid off from the Ogden plant including one of my cousins and two uncles.

My family has had a long working history with the Ogden plant starting with my dad who was there for 18 years, my Tio Nato, Tio Poncho, Angel, Tiffany M., Tiffany V., Randy, and Kiki.

When I think of Wonder Bread I think of my childhood. I remember the smell of my dad coming home smelling like bread and sweat, yayas between his toes(maybe I only remember this because they tell me I would clean the fuzz out when he got home). I remember we always had bread in the house and buns for parties. My dad would hardly ever bring Hostess things home because they're not healthy for you, and now I can appreciate that.  My favorite were Raspberry Filled Donuts and the Chocolate Frosted Mini Donettes.

I can't imagine how scary it is to have a family to care for and lose your job. I hope those laid off are able to find work soon.

Time Zone Troubles

In my research and methods class we are supposed to interview two people about their decision to attend graduate school. The two people I chose are not in my timezone. One is in Chicago at Northwestern University and the other is in Cambridge, MA at Harvard Divinity School. I'm really excited to hear about their experience in deciding to go to grad school. These are two people I met at church and have known for quite awhile. I love that we're all out doing our thing in grad school.

 I've had some poor communication with Janae she emailed me Wednesday to set up a time for "tomorrow." I read it Thursday and didn't pay attention to what date the email was sent so I thought "tomorrow" meant Friday. After getting that straight here we are on Friday and we said 5 PM EST. I thought that was 2 PM Utah time. Wrong again! I'm just glad I was early, and didn't leave her hanging AGAIN. She proposed we use Google Video Chat. I've never tried it, but after looking into it I think it seems really neat.

For the past few months I've been assuming Chicago is 2 hours ahead, but good thing I had this experience that lead me to double check. They're only 1 hour ahead.  We're going to use Facebook video calling, which I haven't tried either. I hope the interview with Luis goes smooth. 

Grateful For My Rights

It's crazy to think there was a time when women weren't consider equal to men when it came to voting. I'm grateful to be a Chicana who uses her right to vote. 

I voted today for many reasons, number one being that it's a privilege that not everyone has. I have friends and family who are very involved in furthering their education, uplifting their community and building a strong future for their families, but they don't have a voice in the election yet. 

I was so anxious yesterday thinking about the election. The only way I could calm myself was to meditate in prayer that the right person would be selected. It's relieving to know that after today a decision will be announced.

While reviewing each candidates' plan I couldn't help but get emotional when I read the immigration section. Many of my friends came here as children and America is all they know. Many have bachelors degrees and can't work because they don't have that 9-digit number. Our young people deserve the chance to contribute their talents to this country. 

Next topic of interest that really gets me is all the negativity towards LGBTQ rights like same sex marriage and the right to have children. Seriously if you've ever been in love could you imagine someone telling you what's acceptable in your relationship. You wouldn't stand for it. Everyone deserves love so please have an accepting heart. 

Finally, my health decisions are mine! I have been going to Planned Parenthood ever since I made the decision to be sexually responsible. Everything I stand for has to do with health prevention. Limited access to health care and preventative measures like birth control, mammograms, and other screenings would hinder progress in early detection and family planning. Back off! 

I know there are many other issues, but these are a few that really matter to me. I hope you get out and exercise your rights today. 

Plasma

This weekend Jose and I went with my brother to donate plasma. Bro gets $50 a referral so we figured we’d earn an extra $95 each and he could get $100. If anyone would like to be my referral I could use an extra $50.

As I sat across the room staring at my handsome husband I wondered if we didn’t know each other and we happened to cross paths in that facility would we approach each other, would we go on a date, would we marry? Are we soul mates that were destined to find each other? I don’t believe in soul mates, he does.  

Donating plasma wasn’t so bad; it hurt more than donating blood. I haven’t decided if I want to continue. Depending on our financial situation it might be a good idea and extra Christmas money is always good. I felt like it was very time consuming and I barely have enough time to get my normal tasks done. In reality I waste a lot of time on the computer and watching TV so why not be more proactive and donate, make money, and work on homework.

Jose had an allergic reaction to something while donating. I was across the room and saw five techs gathered around him fanning him, propping his legs up, and ripping out the line. I was scared because I didn’t know what was going on. I felt helpless not being able to be by his side.  He said his hands cramped up and his wrists felt like they were going to snap. When we got home his back was itchy and full of welts. He has to speak with the doctor on Friday. Maybe he just shouldn’t go back.

Such An Adult

I feel like the adult I’d imagined I’d be. When I was younger I dreamed of having a career that involved traveling. Last week my husband and I were both on business trips. Jose goes out more often than I do and sometimes I don’t know when he’ll be back. A co-worker of mine thought that was so strange, but we are a very independent couple so it works for us. I mentioned my thoughts to Jose that I like my free time and that I can handle being away from him, he just laughed, because sometimes I’m an emotional, needy wife.  

I went to Las Vegas with five other co-workers for a seminar about updates to our banking platform. Not the most exciting sessions, but Vegas is always entertaining.

                                            Sleepy man                                     Waiting for everyone else to get to the hotel 

                           Working it on the strip, flip flops and all               So freakin' disgusting, the streets of Vegas

                                                            Catered breakfast & lunch                  My baby wearing obsession

            Row all to myself                                    KC & Eric 

                                               Getting ready                                                Me, KC & David

                             Dinner at Dick's Last Resort                                                      The hat says it all! 

     Not cool!!!

                                                        Sushi Night                                                    Absinthe

Eric won a video camera

This seminar happened to be the week before a three day weekend so I postponed my flight home until Monday. I caught a cheap flight from Vegas to Long Beach to spend time with my husband’s sister and family. I felt so happy there. I’m so grateful to call them my family. 

                                              Playing games                                                         She's so sexy 

                   Cali Sunset                                                        I started doing homework so Leah pulled hers out

                                                                 Hiking                                           Getting a massage from Jimmy

                                                     Bailey

                                                           3 footed kitty                                  Leilannie cleaning her room

                                                 Leah loves her puppy                                      

                                                  Hot from hiking                              Seeing how many grapes fit in his mouth

Monday morning I had breakfast with Jose’s best friend’s wife. I forgot to get a picture so this is all I have. She is 36 weeks pregnant and it’s a mystery as to what they’re having.

On the drive home from the airport I was telling my mom how interesting it is to be around teen girls. Not that they’re annoying, but it’s funny to remember that I was like that at one time. I told her how the whole car ride Lani and Jazmin were giggling non-stop, then she slapped me with, like you and Stela. Man I miss that girl.

Jimmy, Susie, Leah, Me, Lani, Jasmine, & Jaime at Famous Daves

I was happy to get home and see everyone, not so happy to catch up on homework. My way of unpacking is as I need something I get it out of my suitcase. My goal is to unpack by the end of the weekend. Hold me to it people.

2 Cute! Happy Birthday Janeece

I’m no fun and only think about education so baby J got a book and I made these magnetic letters. They wouldn’t have been possible without help from Tiffany, who cut the letters out on her Silhouette; my mom, who helped me brainstorm whether I should sew, serge or hand stitch; and Jose who cut and kept me entertained by making up words for each letter.

Aren’t the glitter Toms adorable? 

Happy 2^nd Birthday Janeece! We love and miss you.

Throwback Thursday: Baby Announcement X 2

Last Thursday I found out my cousin Rachel was pregnant so I had already planned to write this post with a throwback picture of her. Not even a week later her sister announced she’s pregnant. Seriously that is like a dream come true to be pregnant sisters. Okay…I probably don’t know what I’m talking about because I don’t have a sister, and I'd probably want all of the attention, but they’re not like that. I think it’s so fun that these two little cousins will be the same age and hopefully grow up to be best friends like we were and like this quote found a on Pinterest suggests, 

Grandma’s House

The place cousins go to become best friends.

I’m so happy and excited for them to have children. I’m the only one left out, but I can’t get distracted. Sometimes it seems like Spring 2014 will never come, but I know it’s coming at an accelerated pace and I have a lot of work to do.

Like I’ve previously said I like sending things through the mail. I found these cute cards for the parents-to-be and grandparents-to-be. My friend Crystalee recently wrote a post about cursive becoming obsolete so in addition to sending something by mail, I wrote in cursive. I use cursive when jotting down notes, but it’s something only I can decipher. It was a fun challenge to write legible and oh so pretty. 

 

For the grandparents-to-be

I didn't buy this one because it was only for a grandma-to-be, but I loved the words