So with my sister's phone call this afternoon informing me of her plans to come down here for the first weekend in December for an early Christmas, I have thus decided there is something I must do.

ACK, I must finish my Christmas shopping!!!! ...For my sister and niece anyway ^_^;; I'm also going to start with the decorating either Wednesday or Thursday of this week, because next week's going to be busy with work, I'm sure. I'm going to be too tired to want to do it later, so why not do it while I have the energy, right? Of course, this cold of mine is zapping what little I have, but that's okay! Fight through it!

Mom and I have big plans for the house this year - different themes for every room! Purple for the parlor, aka the room I'm in right now, blue for the dining room, red for the family room, and green/white for the kitchen! It's going to look gorgeous! I can't wait!!!!

I'm also really excited about the presents I'll be giving my family this year, particularly Mom. I have a couple of shirts I wear specifically for bowling; one that was made for me and the other I made. She kinda wants one, and guess what - Michaels' is having a saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaale! lol So I'm going to make her one, and my dad and brother will each get a special shirt, too. Those will be my big projects this year. Gotta get started soon, omg!

Ah, I live for these sorts of moments. lol

There are things I know I need to say, I just don't know how to say them. Probably because I'm scared. I dread being rejected and cast aside because of something I've said. I'm thinking so carefully how to say it, but every time I do I see the same set of hate filled eyes looking down at me.

I'm so afraid to tell them, but I just don't know how to do it...

So today was my new supervisor, Linda's birthday. Nobody in my department seems to get the hint that birthdays should be celebrated, so I took it upon myself to get the lady something. She used to manage the Disney store in our mall, and when that went under (yeah I know, how could a Disney store go under?) she came to work for us. She's been the Home supervisor for about 18 months now and we've had our ups and downs. She's a hard woman to satisfy.

But anyway, I came into work today not expecting to see her, and when I saw she was there, I was like: oh! I have something for you in my car! So I ran back out, came in with it and apologized for not getting to wrap it, but she was surprised enough to get a gift so she didn't care if it was wrapped or not. When she opened it, though, I got the surprise of my life.

I gave her a figure of Snow White on a carousel horse; two things combined that she loves and collects. I just thought she'd be like: this will be cool for my collection! But she cried... the dear woman wept she was so touched. She said I had no idea how much that meant to her because this was her first birthday without her mother, who had passed away right before Mother's Day this year, so apparently this was a reminder of something her mother would have given her. She hugged me twice through tears and went on showing off her present to everyone before she went home.

I... didn't think that would ever happen. This is the lady that most associates in our store seem to avoid because she's so hard to please, and I feel inferior to all of them, yet I stepped out of my comfort zone and got rewarded with a truly touching moment. Why can't we all be like that? Do something unexpected and then potentially change that person's life entirely? The world would be a better place if we all did our part to make people smile.

So yeah, my update for the day. lol Oh! And pray for Kelly's boy Alex. He's being tested for that nasty flu going around and he's only 8 with a twin brother and baby sister. I don't want my second family to get all sickly ;_;

First to report, I changed departments at work a few weeks ago; I'm a Home associate now and I love it! I get to work one-on-one with my customers, provide insight, and I'm learning new things every day. It's really a lot of fun, but the best thing is I'm finally feeling accomplished after two years of working for JCP. The work I do is rewarding, and my customers appreciate my help. This is such a huge burst of confidence!

Second on the list; I've restarted my original story completely. Trinity Kingdom is officially no more, and has been re-vamped into something much easier to both write and read. It is, for the moment, entitled Coded, based on the original images in my head five years ago when I started coming up with the story. It's not as tragic and Reia's not as much of a wuss anymore. 13thleprechaun is providing valuable insight for me in shaping the characters better and helping me get the plot going the right direction. I have one chapter written and ready to go, but I'm still debating posting it so early, since I may want to save it for an actual publisher.

Lastly, I saw this video on Facebook earlier tonight and I died. Enjoy!

Omg yay! I'm going to see 13thleprechaun for her birthday in January! WOOOOOT!

I participated in my first ever bowling tournament tonight; an 8 pin no tap tournament, and I'd like to think I had a decent showing. My first game was a 198, followed by a lousy 99, and in conclusion a 202. I would normally be ecstatic about the first and last scores, but to me those are hollow victories.

See, the "8 pin no tap" rule basically means that if you knock over 8 pins with your first ball, it automatically counts as a strike. So, I did several of those, and thus the high scores. I have my doubts that my measly 499 series will stand the test until Sunday, but if I place in the top fifteen, an award will come my way ^_^

Now that I know how tournaments work, though, I plan to be ready and much better for the next one!

Okay, so I finished Green Rider last night, loved it to pieces, and have started the second book, First Rider's Call. In my ever-increasing curiosity for the various characters, I decided to delve into the small fandom in hopes of finding perhaps some fanfiction following the first book... mainly about the two characters I feel should get together.

I'm shocked to find very little, but there's a lot of the other couple that did cross my mind, however I didn't seem it plausible. I will admit I'm more partial to the one I liked first, but this other one's kinda drawing me towards it...

Bah, I'm an Alton x Karigan shipper - hear me roar!

...After this horrible headache goes away. Ow.

So last night Mom and I decided to go out for a bit and do something besides bowling. We chose to go to one of the little shopping centers nearby and we looked around a bit. We bought a couple shirts in Belks (omg, we're traitors to the JCP name. lol) and then eventually made our way to Books a Million, which I wasn't expecting to find anything within that would snag my attention. WRONG. Omg, I found a great book that I'm loving so far and I want to chronicle my adventures through it when I'm here!

The book I got is Green Rider by Kristen Britain; a fantasy novel. I never thought I'd be into this, but so far it's really, really good and I can't seem to want to put it down. Last night at 2 AM I remember telling myself "just one more chapter...!", but I fell asleep with the book on top of my face. lol

One of the reasons I love it thus far is that the main character, Karigan, has a single father, and that makes this book automatically drip with father/daughter-ness. She idolizes the man and I love her for it. Granted, he hasn't really made an appearance yet, but still - I adore the book for adding that beautiful element! And the reading style is simple to follow. Not too choppy, but not too artistic either. It's just right for me. Plus it's adding in the contemporary feel of today's life where talking about certain things is stupid, but to others it's very serious, ie magic and what-not.

Turning out to be a great read! Time to go dig into the plot some more! ^__^

Dear Friend I hold so dear,

I know how you feel, and trust me on that one. I've had my moments of "Ignore what the world says, I'll follow after". They're sometimes pretty hard to deal with. I obviously shape what I do based on the opinions of others, and I'm glad you're not that way. You have been making your own path, one that you can be proud of that you shaped for yourself.

Moving forward is something both you and I do quite well. We know what it takes to push and pull through the weariest of times, and you know something else? We do it with style!

You have been a treasure to me these last six years and there's nothing I want more right now than to be with you and make you smile. My door, phone and shoulder are always available to you, no matter where I'm at. You are an inspiration to me and I love you!

~Telle~

As this much deserved week off continues, I come bearing news of random things! One of these things is: I'm into FMA... AGAIN! lol I've only seen one episode of the new Brotherhood series, but would like to see it soon. I re-watched what I had of the series recently, then concluded with the last nine episodes to refresh my memory. It had been quite a while since I sat down and focused on it. Such a good series, truly. I have it to thank for helping me think outside the box when it comes to my writing. Arakawa, you rock!

Ed was as hot as ever. But Scar was hotter. lol Yummy delicious! Gained an even stronger love for Hughes, too. World's best anime Dad - hands down. Dang I love that guy. He made purple look like a masculine color!

Dang I'm feeling random. ( Click the cut for pictures of life as of late! )

More ramblings next time. lol

Okay, umm... Terminator : Salvation... Christian Bale as John Connor.

WHOA BABY. SIGN. ME. UP.

Please come out Friday, oh dear movie of mine. I must see you and all your Christian Bale-ified glory!

As another busy work-week comes to a close and a not-so-busy one begins, I'm going to take the next few days that I'm not working to fully immerse myself in the most emotional painting project I've ever done. I'm painting another shelf, but this one is special and quite frankly personal. So far it's a pretty metallic purple and underneath, the part of the shelf people will actually see, are several words that describe me (faith, songs, friends, stories, etc.). On the top, though, is what will pretty much be for my eyes only and those fortunate to see the shelf before I hang it up.

With opinions taken from my family and close friends, I decided to put lines from my favorite poems on the main portion of the shelf. Some of my favorite poems are the ones that have expressed some of the saddest events of my life, but I think this will be a good thing. I'm hoping that this piece of work I'll be doing will be something I can pass on through my family, as silly as it sounds. An heirloom?

Regardless of the sentimental value it may not hold down the line, I'll know I put my heart in it. Here's to art - and here't to creativity.

Tonight was the Relay for Life, my third year to participate, and while the turn-out wasn't as nice as I had hoped, I still had fun. I met a lot of really great people, had some great food and enjoyed celebrating my mom's awesome story. To remind those who are unaware, my mother is now a 24 year survivor of thyroid cancer, and the doctors, even after treatments, gave her only six months to five years to live. Way to go Mom, eh? Woot! So here she is - the Survivor of Survivors!



Thanks for all you've done, Mom. I know I've been a cranky daughter this last year, but hey - you're an awesome mother and I couldn't want a better one. Right on!

I've been resisting making this post because I feel so incredibly giddy about it, but I can't hold back anymore.

The other night I renewed my love for "Chitty chitty bang bang" and can't stop singing the songs now, much less the urge to get up and do the dancing numbers. I mean, really, how can one possibly resist the temptation to get up and dance around with a cane while listening to "Me ole bamboo"? Or how can one not have tears in their eyes when "Hushabye mountain" plays in the background?

CCBB was one of my favorite childhood movies for years and has now reclaimed its place in my heart never to be put up on the shelf again. It has such a magical quality to it that I can't help but smile as I sing the lyrics that I never paid attention to this time fifteen years ago. I also laugh since I know the meaning behind "POSH" now - never understood that song until two days ago. lol

So with a light spirit, I encourage you all to get out those old VCRs and find your VHS copy of Chitty, because it will make you feel like a kid again ^__^

Lately I've found a lot of strength in the example my closest friends have been giving me. One is going through her own personal battles, struggling, but putting one foot in front of the other every day. She pushes through the grim and mundane by her own determination, and all the while still educating herself for her future. She doesn't realize that what I lack she has gained in my place and I couldn't be more proud of her.

This sucks! Both my teams are out of the tournament already! You stupid NCAA Committee and your stupid rules for picking out your stupid brackets! You're not fair at all! GRR!

*weeps over her Butler and Ohio State boys' losses*

What's this? First meme in months, I believe. Captured from sabordefresa and spotlighting on my most recent squish, Jim Gordon! Woot!

1. Do you like this character?
No, I just bought a Dark Knight calendar today for the sole purpose of getting the one picture I can't find of him. DUH! Favorite character in the Batman universe, hands-down!

2. What name/names do you call this character?
Lawl "Commissioner" and just Gordon. Occasionally "The Old Man". lol

3. What image-color do you associate with character?
He seems to wear a lot of browns, grays and some black. Rather dull, isn't he?

4. What image-song do you associate with character?
Probably Clay Aiken's "Measure of a man", since he's just a simple guy in a corrupt society trying to do the right thing

5. What blood-type do you think this character is?
Absolutely no clue o.O

6. Of all of the titles that this character appears in, what character do you like to put this character with?
His wifey-snookums. lol And I'll admit to the obvious undertones with Batman himself. Not very subtle, are we, Mr.Nolan?

7. What would you want to say to this character?
I probably wouldn't be able to muster words and would more than likely crumble at his feet from the awesome, but if I could I think I'd say something along the lines of "You are the world's best dad, cop and husband - you rock!"

8. Which do you want to do with this character: Shake hands, hug or kiss?
...*looks around* All three. lol

9. Please choose 5 friends with your choice of character.
If you want to, feel free!

I... can't stop looking at my icon. This isn't fair! GRR!

The value of friendship is worth more than any fortune known to man. It's more precious than the ring one can wear on their finger and will look even better with wear and tear. My fingerprints cover my loved ones because friendship is my savings account. I don't need to invest in anything else.

Okay dude, no seriously - just finished watching The Dark Knight and amazingly loved it. Didn't really have much of a Batman feel at all to it, but hey, that's all right. Who said it had to?

So here's the biggest surprise: favorite character? No, not Batman. Nope, not even Joker. Then who? AHA! Gordon! Why? HE'S A DADDY! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Ya know, if I'm not careful, I could have another one of those big fangirl moments. Dun tell me I need to add someone to my Fangirling List...

...Tee hee!

Dear Mom and Dad,

For the love of God, I am not tech support! Figure the stupid computers out for yourselves if you want to watch the dumb game that badly! Give me two minutes to myself since I am home finally. Disappointed, but home. I'd like to write if it's OKAY WITH YOU... >.<

Not a whole lotta love at the moment,

Telle

God, I wish I was somewhere else right now. Being at home sucks and I hate it. I love that I have a roof over my head and I am grateful, don't get me wrong. It's just when I emphasize that on a rare night like tonight when I feel like I can try to write and thus I want to be alone, they never respect it and barge in my room fifteen million times for help with the computers. You know something? I really don't care if the sound doesn't work on the game, Mom. Whenever you watch them on TV you have the sound turned off anyway, so why does it matter?

Just leave me alone for at least an hour, okay, Parents? I need some time to think...