Aleiah's Xanga

Busy Busy

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:13:03 GMT

So I'll just leave you with this crafty morsel of scrapbookiness by Mel-Belle! Thanks lady!!

On A Whim...

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:31:07 GMT

So I'm out here in NYC, right in the middle of it all... I walk one block up, I'm in SoHo... I take one block down, I'm in Chinatown. Two blocks down would land me in the middle of Little Italy. I actually like this! Granted, I'm out here with literally nothing except for my toothbrush and the clothes on my back, I am really enjoying this more than I thought I would! Thank goodness for plastic & ATMs! I actually regret that I didn't come out sooner to visit. But now, I can look forward to visiting my sister in San Fran (right before she moves to another location)!
I'm about to run out for some more exploring before I have to meet with the designer who's going to make my wedding dress. My sister's flight will get back at around the same time, so maybe we'll all be able to catch a bite to eat before I have to go to sleep for my ass-crack early flight back to Chicago. I kinda wish that this wasn't such a spur-of-the-moment trip though, cuz I really would have liked to meet up with some of my old friends out here... Oh well, there'll be another time. I've grown quite fond of the cannolis here already!

Duh!

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:12:51 GMT

So I was sitting there today, busy as a bee, drowning in paperwork, and it dawned on me... Something that I firmly believe in, and can totally achieve! No, I'm not talking about memorizing my all of my quizzes and acing the final exam... Actually, I decided that I am going to sell my cards, bookmarks, etc., and DONATE all of my profits to the American Cancer Society! Well, I'll keep just enough to cover the cost of the materials and shipping. After all, why not put this hobby of mine to genuine GOOD use, right? I'm so happy right now...

But if you're not interested in my cards, which I will take no offense to, please check out the American Cancer Society's page, and consider making a donation!

Thanks!!!

Disappointing

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:43:48 GMT

You know, have you ever built yourself up for that one (what-you-thought-was) awesome event, and end up having it turn out to be a complete DUD??

Well, I just went through that with my Medical Terminology midterm. What a complete disaster!! No, I didn't fail. As a matter of fact, I ACED IT! So you might be asking, why the bitterness and frustration? Well, I spent a whole lotta time on studying and preparing for it, and I gave up some much-needed hang-out time with some good friends (which I am still sad about missing out on). More importantly, I held back from calling my brother from another mother so I could properly study... Only to have the instructor take each and every single question from all the quizzes we've had so far... VERBATIM! I could have saved myself a week and a half and just memorized the quizzes! (Which wouldn't even be necessary because I knew those already!)

What the hell???? I mean, come on... I busted my brain, lost sleep, and sacrificed my sanity and social plans for this ANTI-CLIMACTIC test?!?!? Geez...

Well, the positive thing from this is that I can now tell you what cryptorchidism is... And I can tell you the difference between a hydrocele, varicocele, cystocele, and rectocele. Narcissism, histrionic, antisocial... Yeah, all that good stuff.

So I blew off some steam, and de-stressed by making another card...

You likey?? You can get a more detailed description and more pix at my Etsy Store!

Ok, time to catch up on some much-needed sleep... Nite all!

Open For Business

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:41:01 GMT

In my spare time (ok, study breaks, if you have to get technical), I've been messing around with my overly-neglected scrapbooking toys. So I figured I might as well be productive during those brief moments too... So here is my new, side venture:

Etsy
Buy Handmade
Aleiah

Please stop by and take a look! I will be producing more as time goes on, so make sure you keep checking up on my progress! And yes, if the urge comes over you to make a purchase, don't fight it!

* * * * * * * * E D I T * * * * * * * * * *

Apparently, this blog isn't cooperating with my store, hence the blank white box above... But you can see my store off to the right-hand side of my blog! Sorry!

New Leaf?

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:33:08 GMT

Could it be? Are pigs flying? Is today really a day where the tides have really turned?

I came home from the gym this morning, and my mom tells me that Sis1 called and asked if she could help pick up any chinese herbs that may not be available here in Chicago...
So I asked, "Did she yell at you for not wanting to do chemo?".
"No, and she didn't even bring it up," replies my mom.
"You mean she didn't even try to push for it?!?"
"Nope."

Whoa! After hearing that, a huge wave of relief came over me! Now we can focus on what my mom wants, and stop with the incessant fighting!

It's going to be a good day... Thank you for all you support and prayers!

Take It As You Will

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:21:12 GMT

I've reached a point in my life where I just want to shout at the top of my lungs : "Screw you all, I want a nap!!!" (with emphasis on the first part!)

My family is now being ripped apart on this whole chemo thing... My stance is that it's my mom's choice, and nobody else's. My sisters are forcefully telling my mom that she needs to do the chemo. My mom has expressed to me that she doesn't want to do the chemo, but she feels obligated to because "your big sisters want me to." Being the stubborn, and sometimes (delusionally) righteous, person that I am, I went up against one of my sisters to fight for what I believe is right, my mom's free will. We got nowhere. I ended up with a mild sore throat, a splitting headache, and a depleted kleenex supply. I don't want to fight with her, because I know it's making my mom feel even worse, but if I didn't speak up, that just lays the groundwork to get trampled on.

So what was I supposed to do? Stand by idly and let them push my mom into something she didn't want?

And now, it's seeping into the wedding. We may have to move the reception date up. Geez, do people not understand that it takes TIME to plan things like this??? No matter how big or small??? I'm having mild panic attacks every day, and I think I'm going to snap soon... Things might get pretty ugly soon... But then again, aren't things ugly and hairy enough already?

Hub-bub & Rumblings

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:12:02 GMT

I've been so busy lately. I almost forgot my password to log on here! What's even worse is that I rarely get to see my lil' chubbo... But I keep telling myself to stick to it, and it will all come to an end, sooner... No later, just SOONER. And that's all a person can ask for, right?

So, if any of you remaining cultheads care, this is what's been consuming my daily life:

School - Yes, I'm going back so I can get my acupuncture license. It's a total 180 from I.T., but in my entire life, I've always gotten the greatest joy from making people feel good, and having some sort of impact on their lives, no matter how insignificant it is. With I.T., the only joy I've ever gotten was my paycheck, in which I got through helping some guy better organize his company, so he can more efficiently sell his services. Just not my cup of tea... But more power to those of you that can and are doing it! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to shop online, pay my bills, etc. etc. etc.!
Wedding planning - We've hit a few bumps along the way, but nothing that we can't handle. It's just more frustrating that it's worth. This wedding has made us realize how incredibly predatory people have become... But more importantly, good things can fall into your lap when you least expect it...
Parents - My mom just got her feeding tube removed on Tuesday, and from here on out, we will be seeing her surgeon every 4 months (instead of every 2 weeks). Phew! The next step is to meet with oncologists to get more info on chemo... I sometimes feel like we're stuck in quicksand at times, we've stepped in, managed to pull ourselves out a little, only to still be stuck. But at least we're still able to keep fighting!
My dad is home with us now too. It's really hard, but we're making it work. Thankfully, my mom has gotten strong enough to manage him, AND we have help now too. Well, sort of. But it's still more than we had before! I wish I could say that he was doing better, but I really feel that the Alzheimer's is hitting harder now. It's so sad to see him look at his own daughter with a blank who-are-you look sometimes. Thankfully, he still knows and remembers who my mom is. That's the most important one...
Work - It seems like there's more and more paperwork now. Insurance companies generate more and more garbage, issue more BS policies... I'm almost scared that they'll start needing a blood sample from me every time I submit a claim! And just recently, we found out that Sam's Club will be moving, from the next town, to the spot RIGHT ACROSS from us! So we've got to start preparing for the increase in business in a few months... One thing though, I hope they finish with the ground-breaking soon... The tremors keep shaking our building, and I've been suffering from "sea-sickness" from it! Even as I type, the *rumble*rumble*rumble* is gently shaking my desk, tea, and me!

As for everything else, I can't, and won't, complain. They're just minor things to me now. I miss my social life, but thankfully, I still get out ocassionally, and luckily, my friends are completely understanding. Well, I've taken enough time from work and studying, so I bid the few faithful cultheads "adieu" until next time...

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Can you see why I miss Chubbo so much? He's grown so much now! And he's actually playing with Daddy now! *sigh* I love my nephew...

New Year, New Hope?

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:32:40 GMT

Well, Christmas came and went. I'd like to say that it was eventful, but I'd be lying. My sisters ended up making this Christmas a haul for me, which was really surprising. Not that they don't get me anything ever, but this year, they went above and beyond... Lots of us think it's because I'm taking the brunt of Parent Care... Or maybe they finally realized how much fun & joy their baby sister is... Who knows? Their gesture, whatever it may be, is still very appreciated.

I've been at odds with Dean lately. Apparently, we're both feeling the same issues with each other, but we can't express it properly without the other party taking the intention into a completely different area. It's like a chicken trying to talk to a duck (don't ask, it's a chinese expression). It's frustrating at times, but we somehow manage to catch each other's quacking and clucking, and the spats cease. It's really strange to me, but I'm still thankful that we eventually figure things out... It helps that he tries to understand me, since I can't even understand myself at times.

Now the latest hurdle is to stop minimizing each other. I often think that certain tasks are easy (without actually ever experiencing them), and he does the same (except to a greater degree) to me in retaliation. It's not intentional on my part, so I'm trying to make a conscious effort to stop minimizing him and his efforts. It stings alot when he lashes back, and I just want to close the door and walk away from him...forever. But then I realize what had just happened, and we sit down and figure things out... Thank goodness for the decent communication lines, I guess.

Other than that, I'm slowly letting more slack on the mommy reins. She's taking on a little bit more now, and I'm trying really hard not to be such a over-the-shoulder-neurotic-daughter all the time. But it's still hard though, because she'll seem to make improvements, and then get days where she's in pain and wiped out again. So as planned, I'm just taking it a day at a time. That's all I can do... Well, besides thanking the Big Guy upstairs and you guys each day...

Let's hope the New Year brings us all better, and brighter things!

Using All Available Resources

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:18:58 GMT

And that means "free" gas! Well, it's a loaner from Honda. I'm finally home after sitting in the dealership for over 2 hours trying tio diagnose Dean's car. *stupid engine light* Turns out it's some sensor for the coolant. If we don't get it fixed it won't distribute the coolant..blah...blah...cost more in repairs later. And they told me it would take about another 2-3 hours to fix... "Would you like to wait for you car, miss?" HELL TO THE *F* NO! So I told them to give me a loaner so I can go drive around and do all the errands that I've had to put off for the week...

So watch me go *vroom*put*put*beeeeep* in my dinky blue, lil' 4-door civic loaner. Granted, mine is older, but it can still beat the tar outta this little sardine can! Plus, I feel like a little, old lady driving this thing... *grunt*

Aleiah's Xanga

** Busy Busy **

** On A Whim... **

** Duh! **

** Disappointing **

** Open For Business **

** New Leaf? **

** Take It As You Will **

** Hub-bub & Rumblings **

** New Year, New Hope? **

** Using All Available Resources **