Sin City

The title sounds so juicy doesn't it?  You're probably expecting multiple tales of wild sexcapades, drunken debauchery and the like.  Well, you won't find it here.  Unless, you count the wine consumption between my mother, sister, and I over this past weekend.  That always gets pretty wild with laughter.  My poor father, trying to sleep in the hotel room whilst we watch true crime tv and dispute the merits of good looking men with "icy blue eyes."  Apparently, according to my mother, "icy blue eyes" can't be trusted.  Makes me laugh just thinking about it.  What a great weekend!  I love, love, love when my family makes it up here to visit.  I wind up exhausted and can barely see straight from all the hustle and bustle but I really wouldn't trade it for anything.  It continues to amuse me how tired I get, and my parents, who are in their 70's just run around like it's nothing!  They kick my a$$, and they've got 40+ years on me.  Unbelievable.

I had the extreme pleasure of taking my sister to my Zumba class on Saturday.  In the past, she had talked about how she wanted to try it out, so I thought, well we have to go when you're here then!  She was a great sport!  I thought she did really well for it being her first time and all, but she expressed how she felt very uncoordinated.  Those of you that have tried Zumba can commiserate with that, right!?  That's exactly how you should feel after your first Zumba class.  The goal is to keep going.  It really isn't a workout.  It's a party.  I really do recommend it to nearly everyone who wants a good, fun workout.

On Sunday, my sister and I did the Race for the Cure in Eugene.  Last year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She doesn't really acknowledge it but we thought it was a good cause to support.  Over 6,000 people walked in the pouring rain and freezing cold at a less than speedy pace.  It was slow-goin, but we did it and it was cool to have mom and dad at the finish line too!  Thanks everyone for the wonderful weekend!

Oh, did you see, I have 5 followers now!?  Thanks friends!  And, I know you're dedicated because 2 of the 5 have given me a hard time for not writing for so long.  So loyal!  I really do have the best friends in the world.  Actually, one of my friends and followers, recently found an old Whitman's Sampler box filled with notes from me and three of my best girlfriends in the 8th grade.  The keeper of this "sampler" sent out an email each night for four nights.  Each note told of our undying friendship to each other and all the happenings of our lives.  To give you the Cliff's notes version, all of the other girls had very dramatic love lives, between breaking up and getting asked out by various popular boys.  I, however, had a steamy romance brewing with Leonardo DiCaprio.  Some of you may remember, or shall I say, some of you remember all too well and don't like to let me forget that I saw Titanic in theatres a record breaking 7 times.  At least.  Actually, we all lost count and the number is up for debate.  I think it was 6 or 7 but I'm sure my sister and mom would argue it was at least 12.  There is no way mom would have let me pay the price for the same movie 12 times.  Dad handles the money but she would have put her foot down on that, I'm sure of it!  Anyway, the notes were very funny and amusing.  I'm happy to say, actually, that I am still friends with all three of those girls and we keep in touch fairly regularly.  Amazing, right?

Usually, I give a few anecdotes about work.  I really don't want to talk about work right now.  I am finally winding down and feeling nice and relaxed.  I will let you know that one student went absolutely bananas over solving the problem 8 plus 2.  She fled the scene.  There were lots of changes that took place after work, but I can't even get into them right now.  I'm still processing.

Let's talk about something interesting.  Remember the time when I brought up the issue of an ex wanting me back?  Yes, this situation still exists.  For some reason, I thought, Okay, let's see what is really going to change.  Turns out nothing.  So here's the deal.  You can say you're sorry, but the real deal is changing your behavior.  I don't really know if I can accept the words that say change is on the way.  Who is this guy, Barack Obama?  Ha.  I'm not republican.  I just think there has to be some substance behind the words.  We'll see.

I made spaghetti squash for dinner tonight.  I recommend that you all eat lots of squash this fall.  I love squash, so much, just like I love fall.  Tonight was my first go with a squash on my own.  It was a tish undercooked I think, but it was still delicious paired with some green beans.  I think mushrooms would be good in that mix as well.  If you are looking for a good food blog, check out The Sustainable Palate by one of my dear friends' wives in San Francisco.  So far she's posted two recipes.  The whole grain pasta dish she posted looks absolutely divine!  Check it out.

The Oregon Ducks are ranked #2.  I'm praying for their health and strength in the final stretch of the season.  Much could happen between now and the end of the season.  I love my Ducks.

They had this whole segment on the movie, Love Story on Oprah today.  I'm sure most of you had nothing better to do this evening than to watch Oprah.  Anyway, apparently the famous scene of the movie shows the girl saying, "being in love means never having to say you're sorry..."  I literally shouted, "WHAT!?"  at the tv screen.  I'm home alone.  Regardless, when Oprah started the interview with the woman who uttered this line, she said, "What does that even mean?"  I felt very justified.  I was like, thank you!  She went on to say, being in love certainly does not mean never having to say you're sorry.  Vindication is mine!!!

Hope you all are having wonderful, blessed weeks.  My ice cream is melting...

Today's list:  Blessings...
1.  Family
2.  Friends
3.  Good health, stable mind, all of my appendages work and work well
4.  Great job
5.  Fantastic students (in their own rights, they are pretty cool)
6.  A roof over my head
7.  Delicious, nutritional food to eat
8.  A gym membership
9.  A car that runs
10.  Clothes I love
11.  Plenty of modern day amenities; hot water, running water, clean water, books, music, computer, tv, cozy bed, clean sheets, electricity
12.  etc....there are so many things I can't possibly name them all here, but this was a pretty solid start.