passi0n.net

Dear Alesha,
Here is your horoscope
for Sunday, June 1:

You’re just a little bit aggravated by all the details that seem to be mounting up faster than you can deal with them, but help is on the way! As long as you can maintain your sanity, things should be fine.

I like posting my horoscopes, especially when they directly correlate with what is going on in my life at the moment. Oh, and HELLO JUNE! Only 3 days until my Half Birthday!

I have a lot going on right now. Aside from working 2 jobs, 6 days a week- I am working very hard to get back on track financially, academically, mentally/emotionally and physically. I have wanted to for awhile, but now I am finally in a situation where I am able to. Having a job I love really helps with the stress factor, and stress is the main thing that has been holding me back.

Financially- I am consulting with lawyers on the best step to take regarding my past problems with debt (a few credit cards, but mostly medical and some school-related stuff). I am considering filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. I had a few unavoidable medical problems in the past 3-4 years, and the bills for those, on top of bills I was able to handle at the time, are completely overwhelming. Whatever decision I choose to make will not be made with haste as this is something I have been researching for over a year and have the support of my family with whatever decision I choose to make.

Academically- I have filled out my re-application forms for Oregon State University and have to meet with the Head Adviser of the College of Liberal Arts to have them signed. I plan on starting back in the fall (if not summer) to at least get my transfer requirements perfect and squared away. I would love to finish my BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice through Portland State University’s Online program. The only problem with just enrolling in their program now, is that you must have their transfer requirements fulfilled, and have official transcripts with the application. I have completed my AAS in Criminal Justice at the local community college as well as 3 years at OSU. I still owe the community college money (I’ve been making monthly payments) and they won’t release my transcripts until it is paid in full. Well, I’m sick of waiting (it has been 2 years since I “graduated”) and I really have no way to pay them in full. 3 years at OSU should be enough to cover the transfer credits, but in my case, it is not.

I need to go back to school, not only because I crave the knowledge as well as the degree, but because my student loans are all currently in Forbearance status due to my financial situation. The break that I am getting won’t last forever and I’m going to have to start making payments on my loans. That is something that I really can’t afford to do right now. I need to go back to school, finish my degree, and make the steps to start my career – so I not only have something to show for all those loans, but so I can afford to pay them back.

Mentally/Emotionally- I have been focusing on making to-do lists and actually getting the things done. For the first time since I moved into my apartment (in April 2006), I have been deep cleaning. Today I spent hours scrubbing my stove, kitchen counters and walls, cleaning out and organizing my cupboards and drawers, etc. I also cleaned my bathroom and closet. Next I need to clean out my toiletries (on my bathroom shelf) and all my medicine/first-aid stuff in my bathroom drawers. I also need to go through my drawers and closet again and get rid of tons of clothes that I never wear anymore. It helps that my Mom runs a consignment clothing boutique. It just feels so good to finally be getting things done and to slowly but surely be getting back on track.

I have also been focusing on my sleep habits and working on exhausting myself during the day and not working out so late in the evening, so I can sleep a full night. I got a new black satin sleep mask a few months ago, as well as a nature sounds alarm clock. I love falling asleep listening to the rain sounds! I also got Sleepytime tea and Simply Sleep tablets for nights when I have to force myself to sleep, or am having trouble winding down.

This was supposed to be finished yesterday but I didn’t get the chance!! TO BE CONTINUED (with more on my mental/physical health) …. soon~!

I’ve registered for the Nike Women’s (half) Marathon in San Francisco on October 19th (as said in my last post). If you’re interested in doing it with me, go sign up before March 22nd for the random drawing selection for participation. I really hope I get it and if I do, I have about 7 mos to train. 13.1 miles… aaaah I’m gonna die. At least I’ll die doing something healthy!!! Only write back regarding this if you’re serious. It would be nice to have a training partner…preferably someone who is serious about getting in shape or is a motivational RUNNER. I am far from that…..

I’m working at McMenamins and LOVING it. We have awesome food, beer, service, and happy hour specials! The people are great and the atmosphere is awesome. I’m so glad I work there!

I’m renewing my gym membership on the 21st (if not before) and I am RIDICULOUSLY excited to get back in there and be able to work out everyday again!!

My cousin Hudson is INSANELY cute. I have the most adorable pictures from this past weekend in Bend. I might even make an album on Myspace and MAYBE post some here. I’m going to have to tag them though since there are creepy people out there who steal pictures of cute kids to use as their own.

I am still in the process of upgrading WP to the newest version and getting a new layout done. I will be buying a new domain name sometime this year as well. Excited about that~!

Well other than the fact that I am doing well and working a lot, there isn’t much else to update. I am on day 3 of working 8 days in a row. Wish me luck (& $$$$) haha

♥

P.S. CHECK OUT SOCIALVIBE.COM

Ms. Hottie McBoobs invites you to SocialVibe

I worked Sunday and Monday and thank GOODNESS I was feeling a lot better by then. I took Friday and Saturday nights off at my door job and stayed in bed. I am still on antibiotics but aside from some aches and my body feeling a little tired, I’m so much better. Thanks to all of you who prayed for me ♥ I NEVER want to go through anything like that again. It was terrible!!

The new job is wonderful. I love it there! I finished my third day of training on Monday and my first shift as a full fledged Pub Server is tomorrow! I even got a nifty t-shirt with our Terminator Stout logo on it!

omfg I am so miserable. I’m bundled up trying to sweat out my 103.7 fever. Pray for me. Idk how much longer I can handle this. I’ve been in bed for four days practically. I called the doc today and they had me come in and get new antibiotics and an antibiotic shot in my butt. The only positive thing is that I got a Barbie bandaid.

Fucking kidney infection!

So my bladder infection that I had all weekend turned into a kidney infection. No bueno. I spent yesterday afternoon at the doctor, the pharmacy (to get Vicodin & Metronidazole), and the store (getting cranberry juice & Acidophilus). I didn’t sleep well AT ALL last night and slept in, only to have teeth chattering chills for the last 3 hours and now I’m sweating. I just took a Vicodin and I’m about to hop in the shower because I have orientation @ my new job at 3. This sucks! I really shouldn’t have taken that bath the night before last!! Argh pain. All I want to do is be massaged to sleep!

For those of you who think I’m sick all the time… I haven’t been sick since January 2007, when I was in the ER for two consecutive days with a case of strep throat that nearly killed me. I had an allergic reaction in December 2007 (from laundry detergent) at my parents house and didn’t go to the doctor for a month. I spent 2 weeks on Prednisone and I can safely assume that is where my bladder infection started (when I got off the medication). A bath and not getting on antibiotics soon enough then lead to my kidney infection. I’ve had UTI’s before, though. My first and last kidney infection was in 2004 and my last bladder infection was in 2003. Pray that I get better soon because I hate feeling like my body is attacking itself, which is exactly what it is doing!

On a more positive note, my pink balls from SocialVibe arrived the other day and I can’t wait to start snapping pics with them! I love balls!

Do you love balls? If so, check out SocialVibe by clicking on the link below. Hey, if Alesha is doin’ it, shouldn’t you?! (don’t think, just click)You’re Invited: Click here to join SocialVibe

First thing first… This layout is back but ONLY temporarily since it doesn’t actually work.

I am totally in the mood to finally get this site change rolling. It has been a few months since Danny upgraded me to WordPress 2.0 and my Blix theme (the one with the now defunct navigation buttons at the top) wasn’t compatible. I have a few themes that I am going to manipulate in order to find the one I like best. I’ve been having a lot of fun with the Flickr blog feature so expect that to be implemented somehow I also need to find a good 2.0 compatible clickable smiley plug-in. Any suggestions?

A quick update on my life:

I work 2 jobs now and that consumes the majority of my time. I work at the bar still as a cocktail waitress every Friday and Saturday night and some Thursday nights as well. I also work as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Full-Time Monday through Friday at a Real Estate office. I work on Average 60 hours a week. Its quite exhausting and overwhelming at times but I am starting to get ahead. My student loans became repayable in January and between my Emergency Appendectomy back in November, my 2 ER visits for my almost deadly bout with strep throat in January, & my Tonsillectomy about 3.5 weeks ago– I have accumulated a lot of debt. Smack that on top of what I already owed to creditors and I’m going to be paying people for a very long time. Oh well though, such is life. I’m still alive and healthy and happy that is what truly matters.

I had a tonsillectomy about 3.5 weeks ago and have healed really well from that. I lost 20 lbs in the process (from my liquid diet and/or not eating) and have only gained about 6 back, just from starting to eat again. As soon as I get paid, it is back to the gym for me. I’ve been trying to go to Krav Maga again so I can take my Level 1 test (finally) in June. It is something definitely want to accomplish after waiting so long. I have also been attempting to utilize my tanning package at my gym and am managing to keep a bit of color in my skin. I used credit (from returns) that I had on Amazon so I could buy some nice new Designer Skin accelerator. I can’t wait to get it and try it out. Yay for brownness!

I got a new tattoo last week. It is 7 stars on my foot with varying line thickness and some solid, some just outlined. It is a tattoo I first wanted about nine years ago. As far as the meaning goes, I’ll start with the significance of stars and WHY I wanted a tattoo like this. First, when I got my bellybutton pierced when I was 14, my piercer and I got to talking. He was a 14 yr ER nurse and had a lot of passion for his profession and life. I admired him a lot. I asked about his tattoos and piercings and he showed me a tattoo that started on his foot and went up around his leg. I loved the placement and just knew I’d get one similar someday. Ever since, I have visualized 7 stars (7 is my lucky number and has had huge significance in my life) starting at my big toe and wrapping up to my ankle bone. I hate wearing shoes. I always walk around either barefoot or in flip flops and I absolutely love how this looks with my flip flops!

In middle school and high school I’d sit in class with a sharpie marker and draw it on my foot. When it would fade, I’d draw it again. It was supposed to be my first tattoo but I ended up getting one on my lower back 3 yrs ago that I also designed instead. Not only have I always had a huge connection to stars (I draw them all the time, etc) and astrology but also constellations (I have the big dipper on my arm in freckles… 7 stars). The star is also my favorite shape.

I have wanted this tattoo so bad for such a long time & last week I just had a feeling that it was time to finally go for it. It is going through its scabbing process now now and I can’t wait to see how it will look when it is finally done healing. Don’t worry, there will be pictures!

So between the health issues out of the way, getting in better shape, getting out of debt & on top of my finances, improving my friendships and relationships, physically improving myself (haircut/dye, tattoo, tan, working out, etc)… This is a time for change. Wish me luck with everything!

By the way, I haven’t really typed out a blog entry on here in such a long time that there are a few things I want to say to a select few special people who I know read my site.

To my wonderful Mom: Thank you so much for coming to take care of me when I had surgery. I appreciate it more than you know and am glad we got to spend that week together. I wish we could do that more often. I already have ideas for the next time and hopefully we are brought together during more healthy times & can go out and enjoy ourselves. Karaoke? On another note, I’m sorry for all the undue stress I cause you. Things will get better, I promise.

To my Dad: You always have my back. I love you so much! Thank you once again for helping me out in a time of need. I’m so thankful to have a father like you.

To the lovely Chaundra: I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished over the past year that I can’t even put it into words. A new baby, a new love, a new family, and a fresh new start and you are as strong as ever. I love you and can’t wait to see you again sometime soon!

To John: Thank you in advance for dying my hair Nevermind… it looks like Tara will probably do it tomorrow.

Well, I’d love to stay and type for a few hours because I really haven’t done this in a LONG time… BUT, I have to go take a shower, run some library books back, then we’re dying my hair tonight... and tomorrow its back to work for another 6 days. Miss you all!

Ciao!

I’m about to jump in the shower and get dressed to go to the hospital. Check-In time is at 1 and I’m not only REALLY really thirsty right now but I’m hungry too. It has been about 12 hours since I’ve eaten and I can’t eat now until after the surgery… & I won’t be able to swallow. NO FUN!

Pray for me! I’m nervous!    I’ll update as soon as I feel up to it. Ciao!

So yay, Alesha gets to have surgery AGAIN… For those of you who don’t remember, I had an Emergency (completely unexpected) Appendectomy in November.

Now, this coming Tuesday, March 27th, I have to have a Tonsillectomy (surgical removal of my tonsils) due to being deathly ill from Strep Throat in January as well as having chronic throat issues for years.

I just got back from my Pre-Op appt and lab tests and I’m good to go. I got a prescription for liquid vicodin (which I have heard I am going to NEED) and am not looking forward to liquids for a week then soft foods for the 2nd week. No fun… except for the weight loss factor I guess.

Nay to staying in bed for a week during Spring Break and nay to bleeding from my throat (ew!)… so everyone be sure to have a drink for me!

Wish me luck because I’m pretty sure I’ll need it! ♥

P.S. I’ve gotten several requests from people for my address so they can send cards,etc…. If you want it, just msg me and I’ll give it to you. Thx!

Ahh real food.

Originally uploaded by passi0n_net.

Messy food! Cheese enchilada w/ beans & rice (& sour cream & guac).
Everything is soft and I needed real food. This is really delicious.
Naptime next then shower and attempt @ working 6-close. Wish me luck
cause I need the $.

~☆ Alesha via ³