My Government Teacher is Worse Than My Korean Nazi Boss. HELP.

t's been a little while since I've written anything here, so I decided that I'm about due.

My dad told me yesterday that I need to start figuring out a new design for my room. What the heck does that mean, you might ask? I had no clue what he was talking about either. So I asked him, using those exact words, might I add. He said that my sister and I need to set up our room in a more practical manner, because we have zero storage space, as well as zero living space in here. It's as if we don't have a room at all. More like a closet. But a closet would mean that we have storage space... so we really don't even have that. I'm stuck between a few different options: a trundle bed, so that on the weeks my sister isn't here, I can simply shove her bed under mine, and pretend that I have my own room! Or I could go with one of those loft beds so that I could put our desk underneath it, or my keyboard... something along those lines. Lastly, there is the option of bringing back the bunk beds. This is the idea that I'm least fond of, for obvious reasons. I'd rather not have my sister sleeping directly above me, nor would I like to bump my head every morning when I wake up. So basically I am stuck between the trundle bed or the loft bed... I think I'm leaning toward the trundle bed more. Climbing up to bed every night--or jumping down every morning--just doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to me. Being able to set up my keyboard is playing a big part in my decision making process. With this music class I'm taking this semester, I need to practice more, and I can't do that very easily when I have to set up/tear down my keyboard every day.

I've had the urge to work out more lately. As well as eat better. Sometimes. Sometimes greasy nachos sound fantastic. Other times an apple or a yogurt sound better. I'd like to say I could survive on the healthy stuff alone, but I'd be lying. I can't live without my macaroni and cheese. It's my favorite. So the working out helps with that. But I don't have my gym pass anymore, because I felt that it was a waste of money. I still agree with myself on that, but there are times that I miss it, especially now that I have a good friend who goes several times a week. Thank goodness for my coworkers, who are equally as motivated as I am about working out now. We attempted to do tae-bo this week in Candice's living room. If we had had a video camera set up in front of us, it would've made for one heck of a comedy. Just saying.

School is going... alright to say the least. My music class is great! I'm going to spend this semester in that class working on lots of things I'd like to learn/improve on, such as ear training, new songs, and I might even try writing some of my own stuff... we'll see how that goes. Government class on the other hand, is hell, to say the least. It's like high school all over again, only worse. My teacher is a fun-sucking psycho to say the least. He is beyond strict. For example, he doesn't let his students go to the bathroom during class, have a phone out at any point, talk amongst each other, or choose where to sit. If his rules are broken, he expells you from his class for X amount of weeks. Oh, and if you are absent more than three times to his class throughout the semester, you will be dropped from the class. Sounds fun, right? I love it. .> I'm also taking art. Beginning drawing, to be precise. It's okay so far. It's really long. Three hours at a time, totaling to six hours a week, sitting on those oh-so uncomfortable wooden horses. Not my idea of a good tuesday or thursday night, but I'll endure it for my education's sake I suppose. Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it... is getting that job really worth getting this degree? Is that degree really worth being forced to sit through Mr. Peters' painfully biased monologue, or killing my back sitting on those wretched art benches? Is it? If only we could know the future...

And on that note, it is 3:52am, aka time for me to get off the computer and go to bed, seeing as I have work in less than 12 hours. Goodnight my blog readers!

Addicted to Diet Pepsi

First off--I'M TIRED. Straight up. Two of my four days in a row are done. I'm only 7 hours shy of my 28-hour week. Today a girl walked up to me, and she looked like she had a question. I was anticipating something along the lines of "what time do you guys close tonight?" or "do you guys have leggings?" or maybe even "do you guys still have those neon-colored underwear?" But no. Instead, this question comes out of her mouth: "Do you work here like every day?" So now apparently even the customers notice that I basically live there now. But I have finally started to use the register. FINALLY. It's not as if I've been working in that little box full of clothes for over a year and a half or anything.

I am out of Diet Pepsi. I just might have to go get some right now. Because I don't think I can survive a 7-hour day at work without it. Especially with this boss in particular. I guess I'm addicted. But like they say, the first step is admitting it and conquering that denial! I'm definitely not in denial. But I'm not trying to break myself of this habit either... I just hope I don't start developing headaches or some other sort of ailment if I skip a day or two...

School is starting this week. I have mixed feelings about this, just like I do my job. One the one hand, it'll give me something to do with the days I'm not working (although those seem to be in short supply lately). On the other hand, I'm taking 17 units this semester. That is five more than I took last semester. And they're much harder classes than before, as well. I'm just hoping I'll be able to juggle all the aspects of my life without any trouble. We'll see how that goes...

I got a new phone! It's the EnV Touch, which I'm still adjusting to... I'm not sure if I ever will though, because it's got water damage (or should I say soda damage). But it was free. So I can't complain! My old splinter of a phone was dying. Literally. None of the directional buttons would work. Or the "OK" button. It was basically like an old-school house phone--you had to dial every number by hand. And forget texting. That was an adventure in itself. A very, VERY frustrating adventure.

I've been having a lot of dreams lately. Depressing dreams. Well supposedly you always have dreams, you just don't always remember them. But I've definitely been remembering mine. ...Perhaps it has to do with my addiction to Diet Pepsi? Or the fact that I've the past week of my life at work? Moving along, in the first one I was attending a four year university, which I think was Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but I'm not positive. I was staying in a dorm, which had a futon and a big flatscreen tv in it, and I owned a silver Porche. I also had this amazing boyfriend who I think was visiting me for the weekend. When I woke up to my alarm clock blaring "Fruit Machine" by the Ting Tings, my sudden reuniting with reality was extremely saddening, not to mention annoying. I've also realized that no matter what song I set my iPod to play when my alarm goes off in the morning, it always sounds terrible, simply because it is waking me up from either a sound, dreamless sleep, or an amazing alternate reality found in my dreams. Last night's dream was not so blissful, but just as depressing. I can't remember much, but I do remember that my dad had died. I don't know how, or why, or when. But he was gone. And my mom lived in a giant mansion. I just remember crying a lot in the dream. Then when I woke up I smelled bacon, and I knew my dad was in the kitchen frying it up. Even though I'm not a huge meat fan, I had never been so happy to wake up to that smell.

That's about the most exciting thing that has happened in my life in the past few days. I hope you're not completely bored out of your skull.

Stalkers, Ungodly Hours, "Something Special", and Frustrations

Wow, I almost feel like a celebrity with 4 legitimate "followers". I don't like that you're called followers. Like on Twitter. It just sounds too stalkerish. I suppose I could also view it in a different light, as if I have "fans" or something less creepy, and more of a positive thing.

Today I woke up at 1pm. It was a beautiful thing. I believe that is the time that the world should start its day, none of this 6am nonsense. I had plenty of time to do some laundry, make some lunch, pick up my sister from school and get ready before work at 4.

The other day me and my coworker noticed that each of us who work at Fashion Q can be identified by unique little mannerisms that we each posses. Apparently mine is cheerfully saying "hi!", sighing happily, and giggling. Upon realizing this truism in my workplace, I also adopted the idea to other areas of my life, and the friends that I associated in each of those areas. I discovered that everyone I know can be identified by a different habit, phrase or gesture that makes them unique. And that made me smile. Knowing that everyone has that "something special" about them is a self-esteem builder, not to mention a great topic of conversation.

I've been getting frustrated a bit lately. I am not a fan of getting frustrated. I am a naturally patient person most of the time, but there are those certain things that just push me over the edge. For example:

When someone borrows something of mine without telling me, and I don't find out that they took it until I am frantically searching for it, minutes before I need to use it. (i.e., my sister wearing my clothes to school, and me waking up at the godly hour of 1 in the afternoon to get ready for work, and the jacket I was going to wear--my favorite one--is missing from its usual place in my closet.)

• When someone fails to be considerate, especially when it is expected of them. (i.e., customers failing to turn clothes inside out after trying them on, or even just putting them back on a hanger and bringing them out of the fitting room.)


• When I take a cranky pill. (aka, an aspirin from my friend Jason's medicine cabinet.)


• When someone cancels on you at the last minute. Or the minute after that.


• When while driving, someone cuts you off, only to drive slower than they were going before.


• When you have a fantastic dream, but have to wake up early the next day, so your dream is sadly interrupted by the annoying sound of your alarm clock, even if it is the sound of your favorite song playing. Even your favorite song can't make that dream come true.


• When you run out of money, and have to ask your parents to borrow some. Even though I still live with them, it's still a degrading feeling.

Those are all the frustrations that I can think of right now... I'm in a relatively good mood right now, so all those things that put me in a bad mood aren't really coming to mind. I suppose that's a good thing.

Well the tv is off now, and its almost 1am. I need to get up at an ungodly hour tomorrow (which would be before noon), so I should actually go take that shower now, and go to bed. The "happiest place on earth" awaits me tomorrow, as well as Fashion Q, Victoria Gardens, and the Claremont movie theater. I will most likely post tomorrow about my fun-filled day of rain and outdoor locations. Until then...!

Fashion Q & Vanessa Carlton

Well the past two days have been spent in somewhere that I cannot completely determine if I like or dislike. On the one hand, I feel like I can completely let down my guard and spill whatever's happening in my life to the people there. And, on the other hand, I feel like I'm in a concentration camp full of cami's to be priced, jeans to be sensored, and a go-back rack to be cleared, all while under the strict supervision of a communication-limited Korean authority. Yes, this is the environment I call "work", more commonly known as Fashion Q. I worked the night shift yesterday, and the morning shift today, so I have an 18 hour break until I must return to this place of which I have mixed feelings. Then I'm off till monday night! Hallelujah. Then I must prepare myself for a strenuous 28-hour week. I've just got to keep telling myself: it's worth the money. It's worth having a car that is younger than you, and can start without having to be shifted into neutral first. It's worth being able to feed that little girl in Indonesia that you support through World Vision. It's worth being able to buy those shoes... It's worth it. And somehow, I get through. (With the help of my amazing coworkers, too, of course.)

I was listening to some of my music today. I recently discovered that I am a fan of I Am Ghost. As well as Chantal Kreviazuk. And Ke$ha. And always Vanessa Carlton. She is amazing. She's a lot like me... she plucked out a song, randomly, on the piano one day, so her mother decided to start giving her lessons. (That's the exact same way I started playing piano, except Vanessa wa a toddler when this happened, and I was 9, and my mother didn't teach me, my neighbor did.) She should come out with another album soon. And she should go on tour. She is at the top of my list of celebrities I'd like to meet. I had a chance to meet her a few months ago, but the concentration camp--I mean "work"--got in the way. So, alas, our meeting was postponed. Another time then, Vanessa.

Thats all for now....

Funerals Don't Just Make You Cry, They Make You THINK.

So here is post number two on my new blog. I was thinking about it, and "blog" is a strange word. I feel like it should be something gross. And big.

I went to my great-grandma's funeral today. She was almost 105 years old. That's a long time to be alive. I always thought that I'd never want to live for that long. But then one of my great-uncles said something today to make me rethink my position on that topic. He said that there had to be a reason for God to keep someone alive for that long. And after hearing all the stories of how sweet my great-grandma was to everyone she came in contact with, I think God kept her here to help us realize how we should be treating one another on a daily basis. Someone at the funeral quoted this passage, and it explains exactly how we should be treating one another:

"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" -Matthew 25:35-40

THAT is how we should be treating one another. Not just our best friends, or our family members. EVERYONE.

Now on a lighter note, I have decided that I want to learn how to play "Listen To Your Heart" by DTH. I heard it on the radio the other day at work, and I like it. (Yes, I like those old, cheesy songs like the "Titanic Love Theme" and such. Don't hate.)

I've also been cooking more... I think part of that has to do with me not having any money. And because of how inspired I was by that movie, Julie & Julia. Like last night I made taco salad. All by myself. This is a big accomplishment for me, cooking all by myself.

Anywho, I'm getting a tad bit sleepy, so I think I'll finish watching disc 5 of Season 1 of Gilmore Girls. I don't know what I'm going to do once I finish watching it... I've become addicted. To that, and to diet soda. I had three cans yesterday. THREE. I don't think that's healthy. .....and.....i'm over it! Until next time.....!

The First Post: Me, A New Battery, And Shoes.

Deep breath. Here goes. Okay. So before I start typing out some of the random blips I consider to be events in my life, it might be important for me to tell you a little about what makes me, ME.

The name's Shannon. I'm 19, and that number seems to increase every year on January 15. Currently my favorite color is purple... but that could change with the weather. Or my mood. Or the date. I've been playing the piano since I was 9 years old--and I love it! Now, I teach little energetic, musical munchkins myself. And I find them quite adorable! I graduated from Glendora High School, class of '09. Now I go to UCLA--the University of Citrus located near Azusa. Yup. I go to Citrus. It's a blast. .> (a little side note--as if this wasn't already the most random compliation of facts already--that little symbol is the sarcasm symbol. Be prepared to become extremely familiar with it.) I live with my dad in the quiet little town of Glendora, aka Glen-BORE-a. I have a little sister, too. Becca's 15, and lives with my mom, about 5 minutes away. I'm a cat person. Meow. I guess as I continue this blog you'll learn more about me along the way!

Today is Tuesday, February 2. The events of the day occurred as follows:

• I woke up at 9am after getting 5 hours of sleep because I couldn't fall asleep last night.


• My car battery died again overnight.


• Once my dad helped me get it started, I picked up my friend Jess at APU and we took a trip down memory lane and visited our high school hallways... yes, from last year. It felt weird to walk through them... like wanting to mindlessly open the door to a house you used to live in, even though you don't live there anymore, simply because it comes so naturally.


• Then we went back to my car, and guess what? It wouldn't start. For the 5th time this week.


• Being the genius that I am, I concluded that something was wrong with the battery, so I took it to the auto parts store to get it tested. (Sidenote: I had taken my car there yesterday, and there was a guy there who tested my battery, but he wasn't wearing a Kragen Auto Parts uniform like the other guys. After he was done testing it, I guess it finally occurred to him that it was a little weird that some random creeper was testing my battery in the Vons parking lot... so he explained that he did in fact work at the auto parts store, but he was off that day. Now back to today...) The same guy was there again today, and although he was a tad creepy, he WAS helpful, so I can't complain. It turned out my battery was a bad egg.


• Mmm... phrases involving food always make me hungry. ADD moment. Also known as a "Becca moment". Becca has ADHD. Thus, explaining why ADD moments = Becca moments.


• My mom saved the day--and my wallet--and bought the new battery for me. These are the times that I'm especially thankful for my parent's financial support. And also the times that I'm not so appreciative of the minimal-ness of minimum wage and part time jobs.


• Then I went home, microwaved some leftover pizza, watched yesterday's episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager.


• At 4 I clocked in at work. I worked with Lizzy, whom I haven't worked with in probably a month. She's funny. And we got SHOES!! This is a very big deal, for three reasons:

1. We haven't gotten shoes in at Fashion Q in MONTHS.


2. I am currently going through an obsession with shoes.


3. They were extremely cute shoes. (notice that was bold AND underlined.)

• After work I dropped off the *free* Redbox movie I got yesterday. (Once a month Redbox sends me a text with a code to get a free movie rental. Its a nice surprise every first monday of the month--I usually forget about it until I get that text.) Jess and I got Julie & Julia, which is partially what inspired me to write this blog. The other things that inspired me are my love for writing, and my friend Jason, who thinks my life is pretty entertaining. Or maybe he just thinks the way I describe my life is entertaining... either way, here I am! Writing a blog.


• I am now watching Life Unexpected, while writing this neverending monologue about February 2, 2010.

And that was my day. There were a couple things that ran through my mind that I didn't get to touch on yet... the first was how much I want ankle boots. The second was how much I love my friends. They are incredible! I can't even begin to describe why they mean so much to me. I'll save that for another post. The third was how its been a while since I've had ice cream. I think I'll go get some right now. That also gives me an incentive to stop writing this extremely long post, and to change the channel from The Simpsons to something less mind-numbing. Bye for now!