It is 22.40 and gray outside! I am outta here!

April 16, 2003

I am so glad today is OVER!! I have been stressing all day because not only am I sick with a cold that just won't leave, my little sister went to the hospital today. She went in and they thought she had appendicitis. So I was freaking out all day thinking my sister was going to be in surgery and all. As it turns out, she had ruptured ovarian cysts and they let her go home because she is healthy and athletic and they think she will be fine. God is so good! So many people were in prayer for my sister throughout the day and as it turns out she is just fine! Now if only I could feel better myself!!!

Now for the results of Dennis' trip to the jewelry store! We have decided on rings 7 & 8. I am so so excited! My ring will be inscribed with his name and our wedding date, and his ring will be incribed with my name and our wedding date. I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait!!!

Here is today's Wednesday Wish: You granted the ability to wish for everyone in the world to do one thing. What would it be?

If I could make everyone do something, it would be to have tolerance and love for each other. No wars and no predjudice. And maybe I would make everyone share.

It is 8:35 pm and chilly in Malibu! I am outta here!

April 15, 2003

Well, the first big announcement of the day is that I have created a version of my blog in ESPANOL! Please forgive the numerous grammatical errors and the lack of accent marks. I know there is a way to put accent marks onto your site, but I am just way too lazy. Which could end in some confusion. Hopefully spanish readers will get the basics of what I am trying to write.

Anyway, the second biggest news of the day is that Dennis is going ring shopping today! I am SO SO SO excited about this! I get a new husband AND a new ring? Plus, they will inscribe our names and the wedding date on the band. I joke that this is so I, the more forgetful of us, will not forget our anniversary. But it is actually Chilean tradition. So we are working on a mezcla (a mix) of Chilean and American traditions. The rings are incribed (Chilean) but my ring will have a diamond (American). soooooo cool!

Here is todays Tuesday This or That

1. File taxes as early as possible, or wait until the last possible minute?Wait until the last minute. I am sure Dennis will file early, however. He is weird like that!

2. File electronically, or mail paper forms? FILE ELECTRONICALLY!!!!!

3. Prepare your own taxes, or have someone do it for you? My mom has always done my taxes and I am quite spoiled by this. This next year, if I can figure it out, I will do it myself. If I can afford to pay someone else to have the headache, I will consider that too.

4. Are you a saver or a spender? I am a saver by default. I spend so much time debating on my purchases that I end up being a cheap-skate. I like to spend money but I like to save too. Between Dennis and I, I am more likely to clip coupons.

5. Do you prefer to carry cash, or pay with plastic (credit/debit cards), or by check? I prefer to pay with my debit card. I like to have some cash for things like soda machines but overall, I usually pay with my debit card. Dennis prefers cash.

6. You're broke and desperately need a job, but the only places that are hiring are retail or fast food places. Which would you pick? Fast Food. I know it sounds gross but you usually get FREE FOOD and if you are broke, that is way better than a discount on merchandise. I have worked at FootLocker and at the movie theater concession stand. Which was the better job? Concession stand. Why? The benefits were more tangible when I was broke.

7. Keeping track of your money: are you more meticulous or careless about it? I am more careless than I should be. I know how to balance my checkbook and I save my receipts but I usually end up guestimating my balance and that can be dangerous.

8. What do you do if you find yourself with a lot of change weighing down your purse/pocket/wallet? Do you try to spend it to *get rid of it*, or do you put it in a jar or a piggy bank? I spend extra change pretty quickly unless it is pennies. I usually save pennies in a jar even though I have never saved enough pennies to ever buy something.

9. Which form of fake money do you like better...Monopoly money or those chocolate coins covered with gold foil? Hello!!! Chocolate!!!

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You find a wallet containing $5,000 in cash, as well as several credit cards and the owner's drivers' license. Your rent is due tomorrow and you're short $200. Do you take the money (some or all of it) and mail back the wallet anonymously...or do you return the wallet with all contents I would return it but not anonymously! (What if there is a reward?) I know that is wrong but hey, I'm short $200.

It's 17.00 in Malibu and the sun is out shining! I am outta here!

April 14, 2003

It rained today in Malibu. It rained and rained and I stayed indoors as much as possible. The best thing that happened today was that when I called Dennis in Chile, he answered his cell phone while at a friend's house. Dennis is addicted to dominoes and the game 42 and this is what he plays whenever he meets with friends. Anyway, I told him to tell his friends that I sent my hellos. He told them and then they said "Hola Erin!" on the other end! To hear his friends, on the other side of the world, tease him about me was so cool. I am a part of his life, even when I am not with him, and this means so much to me. I feel like his friends are mine. When we end our conversation by saying "many many kisses" and I hear his friends say "awwwwww", I am thrilled. It is really so so cool.

Today's Monday Mission

1. Are there any illnesses that you seem more susceptible to than others?I got strep throat alot when I was younger. Now that I have diabetes, It seems like I am always more tired more easily. I have less endurance

2. What are your favorite boy and girl names? What names do you think are trendy or overused?I love names like Hayley and Hannah and Anna. I can't think of a single boys name. Maybe something like Micheal or Joshua. These are my choice of names before even trying to negotiate with Dennis, who has completely different preferences. The one thing we seem to agree on is no Maria or Jose. I have heard way to many Kellys, Ashleys, Jessicas, Jeremys, Nathans, Micheals. They are good names. I like Micheal. But I like oringinality too. I wonder how much is based on location. Something really common in Los Angeles is probably not as common in Boston.

3. Any current songs on the radio (or elsewhere) that you think are pure crap? Why don't you like it? I like alot of music. I was just thinking that I really don't like music, however, like Marilyn Manson, because you can't understand. He sings the same language I do, but his words are unintellible and they just reek nonsense. I hope noone is a Manson fan. I appreciate the freedom of speech but umm. . . And I'm pretty open minded! I love rap music and pop and oldies and country and latin- I'm all over the board. I just don't like hardcore scary rock. I don't like ska music either. It's kinda like a reggae-ish punk but it gives me a headache. Everyone in my highschool adored it.

4. Can you (now or in your youth) play any musical instruments? Do you still play? Dennis is the musical one. I can play the kazoo. Kindof. I can't even really whistle. He, on the other hand, used to be in a band and can play the drums and the keyboard. His mother has a picture of him singing in front of some local band when he was a little boy. It is the cutest picture ever.

5. What is the most recent self-improvement program (fitness, weight loss, learning something new) that you began? Did you stick with it? Why or why not?Most recently, I tried the Atkins diet. I stuck for about 2 weeks. The problem is that you can't eat carbs and you have to eat alot of protein. This is ideal for diabetics because carbs are sugar. It's so so hard though. No bread, pasta, etc. I can cut out the sweets and have gotten rid of the pasta but I have a harder time with bread. Also, I am not a big meat eater so most of my protein is from peanut butter and cheese. not together. I am so lucky that I don't have any other habits like smoking.

6. How would you look in a hooters uniform? Ha! Like a giant orange with brown hair!

BONUS: Do you believe in love, do you believe it's true? I absolutely believe in love and I absolutely believe it's true! My whole value system is based on the belief that love exists and is true!

Today's Comment Question: Who are your current favorite male and female actors? Speaking in terms of actors and their abilities and not of their personalities- I love Colin Farrell and Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek and Julia Roberts and Drew Barrymore. These actors consistently make films that I enjoy.

It is cerca 11:30 pm and cold and rainy outside in Malibu and I am outta here!

I am bored so I am going to do this week's circle of words

1. To some there is a difference between bathing and taking a bath. Bathing is the same thing as taking a shower, just laying down. But "taking a bath" is when you bring out the candles, the inflatable pillow, the bubble bath, the bath salts, the good book, and the list goes on. Taking a bath is sometimes the only time of the day that we can get away from the rest of the world and sort out our thoughts, meditate, or think about absolutely nothing! How often do you "take a bath"? What types of things does your bath include? Music, reading, meditation, salts, bubbles..etc?? If time allows, which do you prefer, the shower, bathing, or taking a bath?

I never ever take baths. I suppose I just prefer showering. Now, if there was only a hot tub in my backyard. That would be different.

2. Aromatherapy- the ancient therapeutic art of blending essential oils or extracts distilled from aromatic flowers, plants, herbs, and fruit for medicinal purposes. Do you use any form of aromatherapy in your home or office? Do any scents help you with relaxing, to rid of a headache, activate memory, stimulate your brain and so on? What scents do you like to use in your home? Do you use special scents for special occasions?

I've never really used scents to make myself feel better per se, but there are certain scents that I favor. Who doesn't feel better when they smell something baking in the kitchen, for example. Or the smell of strawberries in my shampoo, when I'm in the shower. The soothing smell of Dennis' cologne, when I am stressed.

3. As humans we were given the ability to explore life through the senses - smell, taste, hear, touch, and sight. We may take our senses for granted or ...we may not have all of the senses. Imagine for a minute what it would be like to take a trip through a garden without any sense of smell or sound. What it would be like to visit a zoo without being able to see...only smell. Life would sure be different wouldn't it? Name the senses in order from most important to least important and why. Hard isn't it?

I definitely sight touch as perhaps the most important, under smell and taste and hearing and sight. I love love love the touch and feel of different textures. Nothing calms me down more than a soft blanket or a certain fabric. I can't imagine not being able to feel Dennis' hands on my face, etc. I don't know.

April 13,2003

I just returned from a Mary Kay makeup party. I never knew makeup could be so much fun! Here is my dilemma. The lady was real nice and real sweet. I filled out a job application to be part of her "team". Am I crazy? Me? A Mary Kay Lady? Well here are the perks. Commission is 50% and there are a bunch of tax right offs and I don't have to work more than part time. Doesn't that sound like something fun to add extra? It's really tempting. I suppose my only fear is that I will fail. I'm overdramatizing things a bit, but you have to pay $100 to get the kit that you carry around with you to sell. That's alot of dollars! If I was guarenteed profit, it wouldn't be a problem. HMMMM. My gut tells me that I am good where I am and Dennis told me that he didn't want me to either. But it sounds like fun. It just doesn't sound like me. Well, I answered my own question. Ladies, if you want some good makeup let me know and I will hook you up with this woman. She is wonderful. As for me, I am going to stick where I am. who knows, maybe some years down the line, I will change my mind.

Anyway, as you can see, I have been only a little productive. I am about 25% done with a paper due tomorrow and I would rather be vegging. It is a cloudy day outside but my cough is getting slowly better. I can't wait to go to Chile. I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait. I am sooooo lonely here without Dennis!!!

It is 7pm and grey outside in Malibu. I am outta here!

I was just thinking as I added the 'somewhere over ontario" linkie to my page, that i have alot of linkies. but I really do read all of them! There are various points in the day where I have nothing better to do than blog! I think that when I go to Chile and am busy making love and being a newlywed with stars in her eyes, it will be different. I hope no one thinks I add linkies just to put more color on my page. (which is by the way a metaphor for my brain) I really do check on yall! Some of you I was reading before I had my own blog up!

April 12, 2003

As I planned, I did absolutely nothing today. My cold is not leaving and so all I did was cough, sleep, and work on my web page. Which is gonna hafta be okay. because I said so. I will write my sociology paper tomorrow. grrrr. Dennis' sister will be fine, he called me about five minutes ago. I'm sure she will be but on the other hand, I feel bad for her. It can't be fun knowing you are going to return home from the hospital to a husband and kids. Sometimes we put ourselves under too much. Mental Note: I have to look for traveler's insurane for when I am in Chile this summer. Pretty easy task but also pretty easy to push aside and procrastinate. Tonight, I am going to watch forensic programs on Court TV, the best tv station since nikelodeon, and I am going to continue being lazy.

It is 9:55 in Malibu and I am outta here!

April 11, 2003

I was going to answer the friday five but I decided not to. I like music and all, but I never go to concerts and I don't have any favorites. The best concert I have ever seen was the B52s because they really enjoy performing and I was with someone important. Most concerts I have been too were with my parents cause they couldn't get a sitter. i.e. Paul Revere and the Raiders. Anyways, pretty easy day. Prayer Request= Dennis' sister Cristina is in the hospital in Santiago de Chile, with some heart problems. She has a heart arrythmia and I suppose it is just weak. I'm not sure exactly because I don't even think Dennis understands exactly. I have a small arrythmia, the doctors have said, but I only notice after a low blood sugar when my heart skips a little. its nothing. Anyway, today is Friday and I am ready to spend my weekend relaxing- as the argentines say, I will have fiaca

It is 9:47 pm and a little chilly outside in Malibu, CA. I am outta here!

woohoo! look at what I just got!Because I am!!

April 10, 2003

You're visited by the chore fairy who agrees to give you one wish for a chore you will never have to do again as long as you live. What chore do you wish to eliminate from your life (it will be automatically done for you!)?

I would give that fairy the dishes! I hate doing the dishes! Because I am alone right now, I don't do them unless I have no other choice and they stare at me like an ugly reminder that I am not domestic. (A second choice would be to eliminate cleaning after pets. I hated the catbox when I was a kid. It's the main reason I don't want pets.)

Today was an uneventful day. I did waaay to much work on my web site and not enough work on my statistics homework. I did go to the drug store to get a refund for some diabetes supplies that I was charged for but should not have been charged for. If that last line makes sense. I still have an annoying cough but I bought some "Halls Fruit Breezes" today and they are pretty good as far as cough drops go. I used to hate cough medicine time. My mother would give me a cough drop at bed time and I would hide it in my pillow case when she was gone. Everytime I take cough drops I think about that and wonder why mom never said anything. I also bought some sugarfree chocolate ice cream today. It tasted like it was sugar free but yall would be surprised at how good sugarfree actually tastes after awhile. Anyway, it is almost friday and I am in a state of I-could-be-working-on-something-productive-but-why. I am linkie-shopping and that is waaaay more fun then reading for my sociology class.

It is almost 8pm in Malibu and I am out of here. (unless I get something cool in my email to post, etc. -erin

April 9th, 2003

Wednesday What If Questions? from tuckeredoutmom.com

Do you regularly struggle to break these habits?I do! Because they either offend or they are pretty much ugly to look at. I am getting married soon and I am embarrassed that I can't grow my nails out because I keep compulsively cutting them or biting them off. I will probably get them done but still. It's gross. It's a habit I should have quit in grade school!

Are there people you envy enough that you would want to trade lives with them?Actually, I don't really envy anyone right now. I have a few things I would like i.e. a movie star body or a movie star bank account but God has been so good to me lately. Even with all that is going on, I feel really lucky for my life.

Would you enjoy spending a month of solitude in a beautiful natural setting? Food and shelter would be provided but you would not see another person for that month.It depends on whether or not I would have contact like television, telephone, internet. I know that sounds terrible but I really am utterly dependent on the outside world. I would get so bored and so lonely without contact daily from Dennis or from family and friends. I would last about two days at the most.

If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose and why? I would choose the cook because I can't cook. I can do everything else except cook. Living in the college dorms, I have come to somewhat rely on the school cafeteria and I am already anxious for next year when I will actually have to make food for myself. Dennis laughs when I tell him I am not domestic because I am not. I burn water. He says he will teach me but I am not so sure. Everything else I can handle except the cooking. (although a secretary might be my second choice.)

Today is almost over and I am so relieved. The past few days I have had a cold and it is finally going away! I love NYQUIL! I feel productive in that the site is pretty much as done as its going to be. It has become my new hobby and obsession and so I have learned more html code than any of the actual classes I am taking! I have turned into the nerd I used to fear. :) Dennis is at the doctor's because he has been suffering from some reactions that we hope are stress related. It just is clear to me how easy it is to let stress overwhelm your health! I just called him on his cell phone to check on him and his doctor told me that we need to get married soon. I agree. I can't wait I cant wait I cant wait!!! I also had a meeting today with housing and community living to discuss housing and all of the things coming up. My life is about to completely change and Pepperdine wants to make sure that I am prepared adequately. I am grateful to go to a school that cares so much about its students. I am trying to be an adult and it really helps to have people support me and lead me along.

I have got to start actually studying. I have to do a monton of reading for my Sociology Deviance class and I have a pile of work to do for my Statistics class. I am convinced that if I don't get some of it done tonight, I am going to be in trouble. I dropped a class today, African American Film. It's a class I took because I thought it would be easy and alas, it is way harder. It's really a class for students who study film. I study psychology. so long farewell. Anyway, pray for our health and stamina. We are so close to the next step! Pray for housing that we can stay on campus next year and that I get housing in the summer. Finally pray for classes. It is the end of the semester and I just need to get through the next two weeks!

It is 15.00 in Los Angeles and the weather is beautiful! -erin

And part of the card that Dennis sent me this afternoon!

Made by faith

Smilies from Mazeguy