Guest post written by Jessica Lewis

I've had some really great plans for our home as soon as I set my eyes on it. Sure, the carpet wasn't my favorite color and I had some major issues with the bathroom. But, I think that now that we're all moved in, I'm going to take my time doing all of these things in our home. Besides, that fits in better with our budget anyhow.

I've been doing most of my research online to find pricing and what services I'm going to use to do each thing in our home. I know that at least for now, I'm going to use http://www.homeproimprovement.com to handle our carpeting. I'm not really sure what the former owner had in mind when she picked out sea foam green for carpeting all over the house, but I don't think that I want to get it.

So I'm going to replace the carpet with a much more neutral tan. I think that will be a lot easier to clean and match all kinds of new decor to. I'm really looking forward to having a normal color of carpet.

I'm back for my random 10. A thoughts snapshot for the week, er, month?  How long does it take for me to come back and visit anyway?

Anyhoozens...

1. The bosses gave away extra pizza from their power meeting...and I willingly accepted three slices. (You bet, I was gonna scratch that off and write "two" instead, but I decided to be honest).  Then another one came by with a tray of free dessert, and I got me a slice of banana bread.  I was like, OMG, I'M AN EATING MACHINE!  *with matching thought images of a real machine with a funnel on top where you can drop food and it will be sucked into a grinder going chu-chug chu-chug chu-chug*  Too funny!

2. I just realized I PURPOSELY step on sidewalk/pavement cracks......because I always hated it and I still do.  I defy myself.  That's how I roll.

3. I'm currently smitten with iPhoneography.  I always thought huge DSLRs are intimidating and a burden to carry around.  so perhaps I'll never own one. Right now, I'm having a love affair with the photo apps on my trusty iPhone.  I have an album on my FaceBook called "RANDOM SNAPSHOTS FROM A MOVING TRAIN".  It's a happy journey.  Simple, and instantly gratifying.  I like that.

4. I just realized yesterday that the reason why I don't play the piano as much as I want to is because I can only do it when:

     a.  Hubby's home with me and he's not watching TV

     b.  I'm by myself at home (but only while the sun is still up)

     I just came to terms with the fact yesterday that it creeps me out to play all by myself after sun down because of a stupid fear of having my two late grandmothers' ghosts come by behind me at the piano to listen, or correct my expression and timing since my most favorite pieces to play were their "signature" pieces while they were still alive (Drumheller and Baderewski).  Don't think it's stupid.  If you were in my shoes, you'll avoid it too. Teehee!

5. I'm finally overcoming my "wordlessness" and "speechlessness" following a hectic schedule at work with me spewing out document after document of corporate communication, an extra task our COO gave me.  It's fun.  But it left me "headachy" for a while.  I'm getting used to the grind now.  So, thus, I blog.  LOL.

6. There's approximately 6 minutes of keyboard time left for me before I take off.  I'm running out of things to say.

7. I can't wait to upgrade my iPhone...which is due next week.  More photo apps...wee hee!

8. It's Friday tomorrow.  I can't wait. 

9.  I have deadlines to beat tonight.  I'll do them in between cooking...and making talking to my mom and dad on the phone.

10.  Yippy, I stretched it to 10!  This thought is valid! 

    

    

5.

1.  I am finding it more and more (and rather shamelessly) convenient to write my stuff in bullets here.  I guess it works.  And this is my site so I make the rules.  Teehee!  I just like to capture my random thoughts as candidly as possible, sans any vacillation. Most of the time, I surprise myself each time I come back to read an old post. Like, hey, I really said that? Or like...hmmm, I don't remember this anymore but good thing I have the blog to make me remember! So, writing it all here in bullets is supposed to be a good thing.

2. My friend is so passionate about my own passion.  Dig that! Over coffee one time, I just mentioned how I dream of my art being printed on this *beep* [can't tell my secret yet] and she launched a full-blown marketing plan for me.  She's acting like an agent now, which really makes me happy because it's really hard for me to market my own stuff, while having to deal with actually executing them, and managing all these non-stop hypercreative thoughts that sprout every waking moment...and then, the 8-5 job that I so treasure these days too.  Sometimes, I still don't know how I am able to pull it all off....especially with my zealous commitment to my household, my kitchen, my hubby, and all my other family and friends. Magic, you say?  I'd say....Christ!  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!!!

3. It's Friday. I was planning to make Grilled Chicken on Pesto Pasta for dinner but the hubs was requesting if I can pick up our dinner from our favorite burger place.  Yeah, it's a premium meat place where I usually order THAT vegetarian burger.  Don't look at me like that.  I mean, I'm not vegetarian. But I'm really addicted to all things vegetarian that maybe one day, I won't be surprised if I really take the leap.  But I'm hoping to take bacon with me.  LOL.

4. I drink coffee again!  Did you get that... I.AM.DRINKING.COFFEE.AGAIN.  Don't ask.  But yeah, I do it in moderation.  Don't ask.

5. Sometimes, I wonder why I still hang on to this Bravejournal blog when I have a lot of other sites to take care of.  Habit, I guess.  So, you'll see me dropping by here until I have finally decided to lock the gates. Let's put it this way.... http://www.missclarisse.com is my home, http://www.wonderwifey.com is my office, and this one is my HOTEL.  The other sites are pitstops.  Here is where I take my vacation when I'm feeling fed up with the others, especially when I have to write opps when all I really want to do is hide inside my head.

5 today, when my target for each visit is a 10-point list.  Does that mean that the shorter my list, the less things there are going on in my life...ergo, the less exciting it is?

WRONG!

That means, I have more important things to do than focus on this list. Hahaha.  So, speaking of....

Toodles for now.  Other more important things are calling my name! And oh, TGIF....I hope your weekend rocks!

 

 

I appreciate the guest post, Jewel Rodgers As a nurse in a pediatric unit, I’ve been considering a new line of work for some time now. My daily schedule is pretty grueling, and I often find myself sad at the end of the day when dealing with difficult cases. The natural next step for me would be to go into counseling, so I’ve started job searching in my off hours. At home, I have a mobile internet connection from www.clearwireinternet.com, so it’s easy to scour local hospital sites for open positions. I haven’t yet told my superiors I’m lookin! g for something new, so I’m pretty careful not to put too many details out there. I have a few certifications that allow me to do basic family counseling, but I’m even considering going back to schoolto get a full degree in the field. I’ve long thought that I want to be a lifelong counselor, and it may just be time to make the jump. I’ve got some savings, I’m wearing thin with my current job and I’m in a position to make a change. When would be a better time?

 

It feels pretty darn super to be back! 

I was gone for a bit even if I promised to come by more often.  It's not my fault.  I had been unable to get in because of problem with cookies.  I'm not talking about the edible ones. But at least I'm back in!  Darn cookies!

I have a feeling that I am going to roll out another bulleted list of updates.  But this is my site, and I make the rules.  Teehee!

1.  I received an anonymous question in my link referral account asking why I said in my previous post that it has been months since I've had a cup of coffee but my blog site screams it.  Things change, I used to drink lots but due to health issues, I needed to refrain from it.  It's a struggle.  I still miss it once in a while.

2. I just scratched something off my bucket list last Saturday and now, 4 days later, I'm still jumping with joy (and smiling 24/7 even when I'm alone)  *looney*

3. I am busy doing a painting for a favorite doctor in the Philippines and she said she can't wait to put it up on her dining room wall.  I'm very excited and can't wait to ship it.

4. I am still smiling.  Oh geez, I can't stop!  LOL =)

5. I'm going to cook chowmein for dinner tonight because I'm craving for it!!!

6. I miss Holy Week in the Philippines.  The environment is more silent, solemn and reflective around this time.  Today, I will create that kind of prayerful space for me, until Easter. It's not that I don't try everyday, but I want it to be extra special this week.  It's going to be God and me in my cave, and in my heart. (and just a little space for chowmein)

7.  I'm still as busy as ever, two parties this weekend and then the hubs' special day coming up too.  I don't know what to do yet, and I don't even know what to give. =( 

8.  I am still smiling.  Teehee! I know, I keep saying it! =)

I thought I can complete a list of ten but I can't think of anything else to say since I have very little keyboard time left.  Taking off soon to buy my chowmein ingredients.  Woohoo!

See you next time. And I hope I won't have "cookie" problems with this site anymore. 

Or I'll eat those cookies, Bravenet!

1.  My hair is longer now since I had it dramatically and stylishly chopped off 2 years ago.
2.  I'm turning into a part-time vegetarian, just because.  I was vegetarian for 2 years in the late 90s and I still haven't shaken off my love for all things vegetarian to this day.  My freezer is still full of veggie food.  I still eat meat though.  I'm not going too radical for now.
3. My stepdaughter's now in college, woohoo!!!
4. I haven't had coffee in months!
5. I have recently become a fan of soaps and shows from my homeland. And I'm trying to catch up, big time!
6. I have more time for my art now.  Double woohoo!
7. I am praying hard for the whole world, for the safety of everyone, and for this planet to be disaster-free....all the time...more than you'll every know...
8. I finally have my homemade art and prints business put up!
9. I got more job responsibilities at work, albeit, uncompensated adjustments for now.  I can wait. My present salary is better than not having a job at all.
10.  I'm back to blogging and nothing's gonna stop me!

...has been stitched securely into the fabric of my life since 2005 that there is no way I am going to let anything rip it off...

So here I am. It feels pretty darn super to be back.

I really don't have much to say right now. Or rather, I have a lot! But there's only about 11 minutes left of keyboard time because I'm taking off soon.  I'll most likely check in again when I get home (why does it feel like I've just gotten back with an ex, LOL).  Yeah, I'll check in.  That's how much I care.  LOL.

Meanwhile, let me listen to my co-worker who's complaining about bathroom issues at work.  She has every reason to complain.  We're not exactly a bunch of filthy wackos whose sense of cleanliness has taken permanent residence in the gutter, but....there are the exceptions, as in most workplaces. And
*yuck*  is all I can say.

I'll spare you the gory details.

I'll be back (my love) haha!

Don't laugh but I just recently became "friends" on Facebook with Tricia DiMarco and Olivia Sharpe of Jerseylicious!  Yeah, I love watching that show.  Among a collection of "intellectual" shows I watch, of course! But yeah, I won't deny! I love the show maybe because of the drama and the realness of the characters. Or just plain entertainment, period.  I'm kind of like an animal-print person anyway and make up is one of my therapies of choice.  I could have gone to beauty school classes if I didn't have my eyes set on a different career (come to think of it, I am still trying to make up my mind about what I want to be when I grow up!) -- and I'm close to the fourth decade of my life.  But I'm serious about the beauty classes, maybe one day!

For now, I'll concentrate on my paintings and the gallery I need to fill up, the commissioned projects that are on queue, and the side business that needs a little sprucing up (shirt designs and all).

And then the children's book I've been wanting to pull off and publish and which is perpetually in limbo because I keep changing the concept. In fact, I just revamped all my old ideas to make room for a new one that came up like a flashing emergency light bulb atop my head. 

I'm going with the flow, but I'm getting there. Just give me time.  It is scarce at the moment but I'm squeezing it all in every second I can.

And yes, who knows. You'll find me in Jerseylicious one of these days. LOL.

I'm back and I'm not kidding.

Gotta-rake-in-d-moolah mode, yeah baby! Ever since I've been busy with other things (and yes, there's approximately a thousand or so of them), my blogging life has taken a back seat, to my grief, of course, but it couldn't be helped.

Bu it's payback time.  I'm back with so much remorse in my heart, and armed with sheer determination that I will resurrect this site like the phoenix no less!

Maybe, I'll start by doing a little facelift here and there. Or simply dust off the surfaces and shake the throws and the pillows, pull up the blinds and let the sunshine in. 

Yes,  I'm glad to be back!

Did you miss me?