My First Dickens - Great Expectations

Yes. I am aware I'm an English Major. As an English Major it's assumed you've read every novel listed on the "Classic's Cannon" before you could drive. Okay...slight exaggeration because you'd be 15 and didn't know you would be an English major yet and thus no one could criticize you for your lack of assumed "well-readness" due to your college major choice; meaning "read every book every one's heard of but no one has read." No. Okay? I've not read any Dickens before now - other than an occasional short story, the beginning 4 chapters of "A Tale of Two Cities" (and that WAS before I could drive so back it up!), and a Christmas Carol - which is practically a novella anyway at around 100 pages.

THUS!!! Trying desperately to live up to the completely unrealistic expectations that come with the "English Major" title (not including the expectation that I should be able to spell every known and unknown word in the English language...sigh...another day, another rant) I just finished "Great Expectations." I have a friend; Steven. I may have mentioned him before (see previous 6-10 posts. Yes, I know it seems like he's my only friend..I'm sure I have a few more...somewhere), who recommended Dickens to me. He's not an English Major so he's automatically revered for having undertaken a classic without being obligated to do so by his major (you may all "Ooo" in astonishment if you MUST). His first Dickens experience was David Copperfield. I remember when he first mentioned this as "one of his favorites." It's actually the first time we went to lunch - Noodles and Company - and we started discussing books. I recommended East of Eden by John Steinbeck (AWESOME!), and he recommended David Copperfield. To this day neither of us have read each other's recommendations- but in San Francisco we both bought Great Expectations and decided to read it together. Now that you know the background - here's what came of it:

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will forever be a Dickens fan. Having not been acquainted with Dicken's talents in first person narrative I was instantly sucked in. His descriptions and imagery are vivid - when he wants them to be - and aren't when he doesn't. The language of course, is elevated, so you have to think about it - but not in a "Tale of Two Cities" kind of way. I found it simpler comparatively, but equally as intelligent. I mean it's Dickens - of course it's smart. What really drew me into his writings style, however, was his dry, almost undetectable, "between the lines" sense of humor. I surprisingly found myself chuckling through most of the book. I mean, to think one could find Dickens completely amusing. The sure shock to those passer-bys who heard me laughing, glanced at what I was reading, and found Charles Dickens looking back at them must've been disconcerting to say the least. They don't know! True to his Britishness - the humor was very dry indeed. If I were to describe his "comedy" compared to modern "standards", I'd say he's an "observant comic" - much like Jerry Seinfeld if I may be so bold. He's insight into human behavior, into human interaction and reaction, is, as the British might suggest, "spot on." It's so true - it's comical - and you can picture these variety of moments (and he truly does it through the entirety of the novel) vividly in your mind. You can even attribute some of the many fruitful characters reactions and personalities to yourself and others you know. Brilliantly done. One of the best first person narratives I've ever read.

So now you know Dickens has very quickly become one of my favorites - lets quickly (yes I'll try quickly) discuss some characters shall we? I'll try and remember I'm not writing this for an English Professor and just telling the Internet some insights...brief ones...lacking of..."objective and professional quality"and merely trying to wet your palate for some classic literature. They are classic for a reason you know.

My favorite characters are Joe - Pip's (the main character's) hard nosed sister's husband and life-long friend - and Herbert - Pip's roommate, associate, best friend, and comrade in every sense of the word. Both of these characters share similar traits; faith, innocence, humility, forgiveness, understanding, and a deep empathy for their friends. Joe, being a humble and uneducated blacksmith and guardian of Pip, struck me as the Christ figure in the novel. He certainly embodies one (if not many) of the qualities Christ himself exemplified daily: mercy, forgiveness, and charity. Towards the end of the novel, Joe had me positively in tears because of his humility and kindness. I simply adore his character. It's the character in the novel that makes you want to be a better person. Joe for me, is the unsung hero in the novel.

Herbert is Pip's cheerful and optimistic friend. Along with many of his "Joe-esque" qualities, what most stands out to me is he's positive attitude. He is so cheerful, so kind, and so giving with his words, his affections, and his thoughts. Herbert is easily likable -even upon their first encounter at Satis House when he and Pip "fought" in the garden. Like Joe is someone you aspire to emulate - Herbert is the fellow you want everything good in the world to happen to - and then realize even if it doesn't - he'll still be happy, full of life, and completely satisfied. He's someone you want helping usher you through life and helping you appreciate what you have.

Pip is an amazing character himself. He's the most "human" character - and I feel the most relateable. He carries with him weaknesses and vices just as anyone does - but he also has strengths and emotion in him just as anyone does. What is truly great about Pip is how he sees himself change, grow, and progress. When he recognizes his follies, his snap-judgements, his snobbery, and his pride - he repents - and then tries to make amends. There are a lot of excellent lesson's and themes found in this novel that could be discussed for 10 pages more. Not a good English Major am I?!??! EH? That's right - I could do this for 10 pages.

But I won't. Suffice it to say the novel deals with a plethora of themes ranging from love, to bitterness, contempt, personal choice, forgiveness, vice, empathy, true friendship, charity, and understanding. One of the strongest dichotomies I found is between Joe and Ms. Havisham. It's a comparison between forgiveness and humility vs bitterness and pride. One begets happiness and joy, the other contempt, and misery. Dickens is masterful in his themes and brilliant in his writing. Great Expectations is truly a classic and had me wondering "Why in the WORLD had I not read a true Dickens before now?"

I know you all have expectations (do I say great expectations to really drive the irony home?) of English Majors - and none of us can live up to it (especially if you have a French Minor - slaughters your spelling ability) because not a one of us can say we've read EVERY classic novel EVER to have been written - but if we had you should know we could write a million 10 page papers on them. And now that I've got some Dickens under my belt - can I admit I've never really read Jane Austen either? GASP! All in good time.

Utemp! Keepin' the dreams alive!

I am officially a "Utemp." Kinda catchy right? Er...yes. Catchy. Cough. Oh I see - you're not sure what a Utemp is. Oh well then your hesitant "oh....greeeeat" makes sense. Let me explain:

A Utemp is a "temp" essentially - but for the University of Utah. If I must go to a temp agency dahling it's going to be for the very BEST! I shan't temp anywhere but at institutions of higher education. Pish posh! I went to an "interview" today with the UofU HR department and he hired me on the spot. Well, I became a "temp" on the spot - and now it's a matter of what little jobs I get to do on campus. Many of the Utemp positions are administrative assistant, clerical responsibilities, etc. These things I feel I can do and it's these things, if I must temp, that I would most prefer to temp. Plus, they're all on the main campus and/or Research Park. So, location is perfect - as for parking - hmmm. Time to sign up for an Institute class again! Oh the nostalgia! I don't know how I feel about it! Groggy maybe.

But why temp?

Well, I know I mentioned we weren't going back to the Europe Adventure. Honestly, I feel like it's still possible. I'm deciding to make sure it's still an option as long as I feel it is. Logic. Priceless. I can't give it up. The opportunity is so profound, is such an answer to so many dreams/prayers I've ever had in my life, I can't just give it up because I was impatient or fearful or slightly abandoned or completely homeless or broke. It will take more than THAT to stop me from hanging on to hope! Truly though - ever since I can remember I've wanted to travel - to see the world - to experience culture and diversity like never before. In my Jr High, "tween" journals I have sketches of maps, far off destinations, dreams and fantasies about where I would go and what I would do. I've always had that dream; always. I went to England for a 6 week study abroad my second year at the UofU. It was a small step towards my world traveling dreams - and I thought it would help satiate some of the yearning I had to see the world - oh no no my friends - if anything it increased it. Exploded it. Fed it and made me want more. As Hugh Grant so adequately put it in Notting Hill, "It's like I've taken love heroine and I can't ever have it again" except this is "travel heroine" and has nothing to do with illicit substances. Don't do drugs. Stay in school.

My second dream that only just plagued my thoughts the last two years of living (okay - the moment I took out my first student loan more like; Snow College, 2003) - is to be completely 100% debt free. THINK OF IT! Those years of student loans you so arduously worked to accumulate so you could grab that invaluable education to make your way in the world - completely gone. Ooooohhhhh - think of it. Taste it. Grasp for it! The amazing opportunity that would open to me if those loans, those monthly payments that leave me destitute and rubbing my aching head and vomitus stomach every moment of my life, that are responsible for late night budget calculating and planning and scrimping and no savings, gone. GONE! (and lets be honest - no guy wants to date/marry a girl with a bunch of student loans...so lets just consider THAT opportunity more plausible. THAT opens up everything I want in my life - family. Family. Family. Family. A house. A kitty. A puppy. 3-5 kids running around (gasp! I know!) A kitchen. A herb garden!!!).

Lastly, I feel I could do some good for someone. Another great desire of my life is to serve people in some capacity that it would make even a smallish difference in their lives. I would've served an LDS mission had I felt it was for me. But, I did become a teacher! And it WASN'T for the salary (ha - shocker) - but for the opportunity to even give one student some direction, guidance, a safe place to be and learn and interact. I've somehow missed the teaching boat these last year of my graduating from college, but I feel this opportunity is a way I can do that - I can make a real difference in some people's lives - even in a small way. Before Steven and I left, Bob said we brought great feeling to his house. It felt different cause we were there. He felt there was "family" again. I can't shake that. I can't forget it. If that's something I can do for someone - just by trying my best, by merely being around - I want to do it - no matter how long it takes and how much I have to believe. I just want to help someone, somehow.

I know it seems almost unreasonable to imagine that such big dreams could really come to fruition with one fab - all be it hard to grasp right now- opportunity. But it can. And if it's supposed to - it will. I can't see how, but I feel I should wait anyway. I'd hate for my impatience and fear to keep me from it. So I won't. I'll stick to it as much as I feel I should - even if I'm going it "alone" - it's worth it. And hey, now I'm a UTemp!!! So there's time to wait a little longer. Talk about standing on the edge of a knife...but I am standing.

A Happy Weekend! I REALLY should take more pictures...

Alright. So my last few posts have been rather "blah" and downright depressing. Really, things could be worse. I mean, it could be a WOOD floor I'd be sleeping on instead of a carpeted, slightly blanket one, right? And, I could be living out of ONE suitcase instead of TWO. So there's that to remember. And luckily still, since I have a little bit of money left for food, there's an Einstein Bagel RIGHT across the street so I don't even HAVE to drive my craptastic, sweltering, gas-gulping truck anywhere to find lunch. Not to mention - since I don't have a job and apply online endlessly - I have plenty of time to exercise. Also - the Utes have won their first two games. Holla!

Ha ha - okay that seemed ironic and even pathetic - but really, I'm cheerfully enduring and to be honest - it really COULD be worse. And what has made everything a little more bearable - was a fun weekend. So here we go - focus on the FUN!

Steven came up this weekend to visit me in my somber state. Isn't that so great? I thought so. Since Steve doesn't update his blog much (ever), and since I feel he's become a part of mine since "Ridiculous Gypsy" is on hold, here's a brief summation of what he's been doing...VERY WELL! Hurray! Okay, he's doing well. He's living at home (read he has a bed! BED! Dresser! Closet! Lucky dog...and also read "free(er) food" and "free lodgings"...very good) and playing frisbee with his friends (oh how I long for group activity) and applying for some really promising positions that seem to pay well, and going to a Singles Ward (oh jealousy. I want to go to a ward all my own...and have a calling. i really want a calling), and...waiting for his online tutoring background check to be done. He also visited me. That was pretty much the sprinkles on the cake for him I'm sure. "Psh-ay! with the free food - I'm driving 3 1/2 hours to SLC to hang out with Moaning Myrtle...er...Andrea." Nice guy that one.

The Fab Friday Night Activities:

I being a lover of the Salt Lake City area, having lived here for 4 years, felt it was high time that Steven have an authentic SLC experience. Well, as authentic as it can get in two days and one night.

SO!

We began with the official "Mansion Tour." My last year living in SLC and attending the U, I had the privilege of living in a 1891 restored Victorian Mansion (read 9,000 square feet), 5 bed, 5 1/2 bath, 4 floors, hot tub on the roof, with 5 other girls for ridiculously cheap. I've given many tours of it, explained its history and how we came to be there, time and again. It was nostalgic to give the tour one more time to Steven. He seemed to like it. I will have to find a pic of it...or GO take a pic of it when it's daylight. Yes yes. On the "To-Do" list. I really should take more pics.

We then visited Liberty Park for a little stroll. I know. We're crazy partiers! It's a very lovely area - one I go do my exercising at in fact - and I wanted him to enjoy the little bits of environment the city has to offer. I think he enjoyed it. There WAS a babbling brook. I don't see how it gets better, really. Maybe throw in some Hippies and Goose Poop. Perfect Liberty Park experience!

After that we ventured to "The Atlantic" on Main Street and 3rd South. I'd like to side-note that Steven thought I didn't know where I was going - but I so totally did. I knew the restaurant was on Main Street - I was just unsure of the cross street - but I KNEW we'd run into it. We were walking and I wasn't worried. He worries...and mocks. Mostly mocks. Anyway... The Atlantic is this fabulous Mediterranean Restaurant that I absolutely love. Greek slash Mediterranean food is my favorite - and I thought "Hey, we actually should be eating this kind of food right now in Turkey - so we might as well not miss out on what would've been the best part!" Eh? Eh... Of course I liked it - and I hope Mr. Lewis did too. He's a conisure (neither I nor spellcheck can spell that one) of rice, and he wasn't a fan of the rice that came with his Greek plate, but it seemed that everything else was to Your Highness's liking. Posh posh!

Well what SLC Friday night would be complete without a ride on Trax TO the Gateway? NONE! So we rode Trax to the Gateway. Steven again didn't trust me to know what stop to get off of. It's REALLY a no-brainer, but as we rounded 4th west and headed South, Steven looked at me and said "Well I"m getting off in two stops! That's the Gateway I bet!" Just then I saw the brightly lit sign reading THE GATEWAY flicker in the dusky night out the window behind his head. I had to stifle a guffaw at the irony of it; "Okay Steven, you get off in two stops. I'm going to go ahead and get off right here." Who knows directions now? EH!?!?! So we wondered around the Gateway where Ken Doll...er Steven found MANY a tantalizing shirt at cough...mumble..American Eagle...AND The Gap. Oooo. The Gap outfit was really REALLY really great. Picture this: mens dark khaki's, white collared button up dress shirt with thin dark green and light green pin strip, WITH a LOVELY kelly green v-neck cotton sweater over it. Mmm. You love it don't you? It was pretty awesome. Don't worry, he bought it. Oh wait...I "MADE" him buy it. It's MY fault. :) I really should take more pics.

After our Trax/Gateway Adventure, we journeyed to his Aunties where he would be staying, who just so happens to live RIGHT down the street from my Mansion, and checked out the amazing view of the city they have from their condo. We got to visit with them for awhile - amazing people - and then I went home. I think it was a success! When there's a smashingly good outfit involved it's always a success.... and smashingly good food. And smashingly good COMPANY (read ME!).


Super Saturday Activities:

Saturday morning we got up (no really...like we were gone by 9'er) and ate at another beloved and tasty restaurant on my list of "must try" SLC eateries: Eggs in the City. Again, I knew "about" where it was; and had confidence we'd run into it. Steven proceeded to mock me and my supposed "directional impairment" but we MADE it didn't we Steven? YES! We did. And we ate. Ate real good. Since time was short on this our Saturday morning in SLC - we took a drive up to the UofU Institute where I spent the great majority of my college years. It was awesome to show Steven all those places that made up so much of my college life. It always makes one appreciate things more when one goes back. It makes me realize how grateful I have to be for the moments in my life I'm experiencing right now, rather than wishing them away for what I THINK will make me happier in the future. It's best just to be happy now...then you're happy always...and have no regrets. I had no regrets (mostly) about my experiences at the UofU, and although the trip around campus was nostalgic, I felt I'd spent the time there I needed to and had moved on.

I then took him for a cruise around the Aves - so he could get a taste of the variety and just picturesque-ness of the entire area. We made a final "must" stop at Hatch Family Chocolates where Steven picked out some goodies for his parents (and one for me!). He had to get back to Provo so his parents could have their car back and so they could head back to Cedar City. It seemed like a short weekend - but it was a lot of fun for me. It was really nice to be distracted from all the stresses and issues we are both trying to iron out with Bob and the trip and finances and the general direction of our lives. I felt really lost before this weekend, and finally having some fun and enjoying myself in the town I really grew to love helped a lot.

I still don't have a lot of options or much direction as of yet. It's a waiting game, and I'm hanging on a prayer and a hope. Luckily, I know that's all you need. Things will work out. I've already learned a lot from this experience - and it's been one to very much build up my faith and help me fully rely on the Lords plan for me...for both me and Steven...to help us make sense of it, to learn from it, to grow and refine who we are and what we really believe, and to push forward cheerfully, with faith, hoping with surety for a better world if we can just keep on believing.

So - although things may seem dismal, they could always be worse.

"The bad days will come, faith will always triumph, and our Heavenly promises will always be kept." That quote is from Elder Jeffery R. Holland's CES Fireside I listened to tonight.

It helps to know that - and it really helps to have had Steven come up and hang out for the weekend. :) Thank you, thank you! I owe ya BIG! You come up next time and we'll go to the Fashion Place Mall? EH? Oooo! And we HAVE to eat at The Pie! Maybe a Ute game! Volleyball AND Football! How does THAT tickle your fancy? Or maybe you should show me what Cedar gots? Didn't you mention a volleyball game coming up or something? Shakespeare Festival? There's an idea...we really should take more pics...

Where do I go from here?

Greetings Internet Posse.

So, I mentioned the adventure hiccup. Well, it seems the hiccup may take up permanent residence in the adventure and become the "solution." We're not going back.

Yes I know you are disappointed. I am too. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for so many things. We were supposed to gain experiences and have adventures that people only dream about. We were going to gain some financial stability that may have taken years and years of payments (read student loans and PH.D programs) to finally be free from. An opportunity to save money rather than scrape by. An opportunity to do some real good for some people who could really use what we had to offer. The perfect timing for the perfect opportunity that was to open up an entirely new, financially comfortable for once in my entire life, world.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime; one I guess we weren't meant to have. Sometimes, things do seem too good too be true. I've always been one to believe that you should hope for it all, and hold out for the best, and it will come around. I've never wanted to settle for "satisfactory" - I wanted the best. I never thought anyone should be satisfied with a reality they felt mediocre about, but take those risks that might lead them to what they've always dreamed about. Maybe what I was supposed to learn from this is when things seem too good too be true, they probably are. I've been a "glass half full" person my entire life, or rather, I've been sporting the rose colored glasses for far too long. I am rather gullible, taking things at face value and believing that people have the best intentions. I tend to diminish difficult circumstances in my life with a wave of my hand and an easy comment "oh...it happens...it could be much worse...it will be fine." Sometimes I just ignore it, put my head down, and plow through. This opportunity has turned almost into a cruel joke. Ha ha. Except I don't really feel like laughing. It's hard to laugh when it's hard to see the purpose, the "why", to some of life's bumps in the road. The comfort though, I believe, is there is purpose.

I'm jobless, seemingly homeless...living a real gypsies life on the good graces of a few friends, car-less, purposeless...and feeling a little lost and a lot scared. I can't say I've not learned a lot - because I have. I guess the lessons that change us the most are the hardest ones to learn. There may be a lot of refining going on...and a lot of faith being practiced...but all the same, I wish it would've worked out how I'd dreamed...how I had hoped it would. Yet, I think something will work out as it should - and in retrospect I can snap my fingers and say "Ah ha! I'm here today, exactly where I'm happiest to be, and it was because of that one really hard confusing experience." The rose colored glasses soften the blow ;) and if anyone out there knows anyone in SLC with a job for a sad little 25 year old with an English degree...don't hesitate!

A Hiccup in the Adventure

I'm back in Utah! Bwah!?!?! Yes I know. What happened to the European Adventure of unbelievable dreams and amazingness? Well it's still on! So no worries my friends (critics, skeptics, non-believers!). Steven and I are still going to be the "Traveling Gypsies Times Two" so never you fear! And never you yell at me for not posting for a week - yeah it's been one of those weeks - but now I can play some catch up.

Catch up #1: Heinz. Duh.

Catch up #2: After the bee sting incident we started to think about our situation. It's moments like bee stings where you really start to revlatuate your life. We hadn't started teaching yet because of this snag and that other snag which is uninteresting (aka slightly frustrating) and frankly not something I want to recount. Okay, maybe a small snag summation: It took us several weeks to work out the..."kinks" with BYU IS to finally get some assessment tests sent out for the boys to take. Praise the Lord they've taken them, the applications are in, the transcripts are sent, and now we await diagnosis, analysis, processing, and...funding. Love me a good waiting game. Once these things fall into place, we can order the the necessary classes and be on our merrily teaching way. ABC...123. Point being: our revelatuating led us to think we weren't being productive...we were land locked within a 5 mile radius...my feet hurt from daily walking...and the stress was starting to be taken out on each other which didn't bode well for a future together...as in the future year. Geez.

Catch up #3: Why are we back in Utah? Well as Steven might ask: "Why not?" I being less insufferable will go further than his conventional (though always thought-provoking and clearly something to consider) "answer" and give you the scoop. We are back in Utah awaiting a few of Bob's deals to come through, for the BYU IS waiting game to come to and end so we can start planning/ordering classes and curriculum, and some European accomodations to be solidified, so's we can pack up for our journey across the pond. Steve,being the logical, rational, financially stable, one on the trip, made just such the executive decision to return to Utah just this last Sunday. I felt slightly blind-sided at first and little..."WHAT THE!?!??!", but then he followed with a hurried (to blockade my clear upsetness) all-be-it "Yeah okay that makes sense" explanation: "Well there's no point in hanging out not being productive here while we wait on these things....spending money...when we could go back to Utah, be a little more productive (and by this he means he can work on his BYU online classes and new snazzy online tutoring job he discovered most cleverly via the Internet), and NOT spend money. Emphasis on the NOT. Don't you hate that it always boils down to money? Oh the curse and blessing of it!

Catch up #4: So after I decided Steve the Somber and more Serious was probably right about that (and because I couldn't stay without him anyway - nor did I want to), we purchased one way tickets to Las Vegas on Sunday night for the coming Tuesday morning. Steve did "allow" (psh - allow - ahem, yes actually allow) me to suggest Tuesday morning as the better alternative vs THE. VERY. NEXT. DAY. so we could gather our bearings and mostly - because the tickets were ridiculously cheaper. I knew "cheaper" would convince my frugal comrade. Plus, we had some areas of sentimental value I wanted to visit for the last time in Corte Madera before taking off: The Teacake Bake Shop (go look at it - I want!), playing Frisbee at San Celement Lycee de Francais, walking to "Our Mall" (which I'm sure one of us has pictures of somewhere...Steven! Speaking of pics - SOMEONE should at LEAST post about Stinson Beach...sheesh), playing some rousing card games (see here for details of my great losses...one day...one day) and Skip-Bo, things of this nature.

Catch up #5: We left Bob and the boys on Tuesday morning. Honestly, I was nervous thinking about what I would do at home for an undefined number of weeks - my hometown being located in the the Middle of SouthEastern Utah NOWHERE - with my time and energy. I guess I wouldn't be spending money right? So that's good. Plus, Steven being one who is most hard working and productive really needed to find himself some stability, routine, and cheap eating. I think we both teared when we ate at a small Cafe here in Huntington and the prices were better than reasonable...they were practically GIVING food away compared to what we were used to in San Fran. I stayed with Steven's fam (holla to his mom! She came and picked us up in Vegas AND fed us In-and-Out...mmmm) Tuesday night. We got to play a rousing game of Ultimate Frisbee with some of his old buddies which I really enjoyed (did I make you proud Steven? He's been coaching me for awhile now...), and feel the comforts of being in Utah again. There's really no where else like it. Plus, this option makes Steve happier, so you really can't argue with an improved happiness for someone.

Catch up #6: I'm home. Steve drove me from Cedar City to Emery County where I've now been on the computer thinking of options, plans, ideas, books I could read, non-money-requiring activities I could do to pass the time until we go to Europe. It's a waiting game...something I'm not good at...but clearly something I have to learn to accept. Patience is the worst virtue EVER! Who even made it a virtue anyway? Psh. But it's one we all have to learn I suppose. The point is...I'm back in Utah...a little hiccup before the adventure...one I will try and make the most of and be completely grateful for (or see reason for?). After all - I won't be able to see this great state of mine for an entire year - and I should try and appreciate it now.

Stay tuned Travel Fans, Friends, and Fam...because the adventure will start again...and I don't want anyone to miss a moment just because of this pesky little hiccup. Oh, and if anyone needs anything done, weeded, washing, mowed, scrubbed, baked...please...throw me a bone.

It stung me!

Yesterday, Steve and I bought a volleyball. We walked a long way to find our volleyball. The closest sports store to us was probably...oh...like 3 miles away at a Big 5 Sports something or other. But we really wanted a volleyball. I mean we REALLY wanted one. Steve's been teaching me how to play Ultimate Frisbee - no I mean like REALLY play (he's practically professional...he would be professional should there be a professional league where other professional frisbee enthusiasts could play...and Steve would play...professionally) - and although I'm a willing (and frustrating..ed) pupil, we decided it was time to mix up our daily exercise routine. VOLLEYBALL!

Today we took our volleyball out to practice. There is a little French School 2 blocks from our house that sports a large (soggy) grassy field in which soccer, frisbee, and other "running about" sports are easily enjoyed. There's also a sand volleyball court. Until today it was just standing there in mockery of the sport we couldn't play. And although we now HAVE a volleyball to really show that court who is boss, there are only two of us. It doesn't make for particularly intense playing, but we try and take things one step at a time.

After playing on the sand for awhile - we (I) decided it was time to move to the grass. The sand was frustrating me. So we moved our pepper game to the grass and started to volleyball about. My skills were starting to find their groove again just when a bump glanced off my left forearm a little more than my right forearm and caused Steve to dive for it. When the volleyball had hit me I felt a shocking, stinging pain in my wrist and glanced down to see a wasp securely attached to my wrist with his mean little stinger snugly inserted into my arm!

Sh**!

Yes...I said it. I didn't mean to! Weirdly, it's the first word that came to mind. I think it scared me as much as hurt me. It was creepy seeing that little wasp suddenly implanted into my arm. Oddly enough I brushed it away gently - ya know so's not to hurt the little beggar further - and looked at Steve with shock on my face and tears in my eyes.

"It stung me! A bee Steve! A bee! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!"

(okay okay...so it's the red dot towards the top of the pic...there's shade so it's hard to see the swelling and redness...and you can't capture sting pain in a picture! Don't snicker! It may be small but it burned!)

Steve's face faintly hinted of a slight awkwardness at hearing my slippery "sh" word thinking I said it because of my bad pass. Ah ha. No Steven! Bad passes do not justify an "sh" word! I use my "sh" words in much more provocative and serious situations: ie driving on the freeway with idiots. That's a great time for "sh" words...that and bee stings!

So I run to Steven holding out my arm in a "fix it!" kind of panic still screaming "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! It hurts!" I'd not had a sting since...well probably some childhood moment when I stepped on a bee. Remember doing that? I didn't! Steve's response was "haven't you ever had a bee sting before?"

Psh!

Well maybe I had but I didn't remember it stinging so bad! Sheesh! He also asked to make sure I wouldn't have any sort of allergic reaction. "Luckily" I knew I had been stung before and I had not reacted poorly to that - but geez it still hurt! Our volleyball "game" was at an end. How very sad. Instead Steve, me, and the sting came back to the house and put ice on it. I can't describe the almost immediate relief the ice bag upon my sting brought. It was amazing! Now, almost 6 hours later the pain is very dull and only acts up once in awhile. I still can't believe I was stung by a bee. I also can't believe that a bee sting is the most exciting thing I can think of to post about after 3 weeks in San Francisco. Does that make sense to anyone? Don't worry folks - we've got plans - big plans! We're going to take pictures of those plans too so just wait for it! For now, however, you get bee sting stories. Ow! Ow! Ow!

My little Ken Doll...er...Steve Doll...David Doll?

A few days ago Steven and I decided to go a little crazy and walk to the OTHER mall across the street from our usual shopping center. We have a "usual" shopping center because we walk there every...single...day. Sometimes we make the trip twice a day. Why? Well, we don't have a car yet. YET! I stress yet. Thus, we have be resigned to walking everywhere. It's good. No it is. We get our exercise and er...our exercise. It's about a 40 min walk to our "usual" shopping mall and we don't mind it that much. There's a Barnes and Noble, a cutsie little Teacake shop which I will document and post about soon (come to think of it) a shoe store (from which Steven bought two very enjoyable pairs of shoes - one pair being Flippity Flops (welcome to the flip flop fold Steve)), some good places to eat, and some ZGallery slash Sur La Table type stores. Not bad. However, the "other" mall, right across the Freeway, sported a Nordstrom (mmm) as well as a Cheesecake Factory. I was sure they had more options - but those were the few things we could see from the Freeway when we zipped by in a cab from the Ferry or coming home from church (the only two reasons we ever pay for a cab...stupid fuel prices...crappy...grumble...). I'd never eaten at the Cheesecake Factory and Steven had been there but once. Thus, we decided that night to go partake of the Cheesecake Factory and explore "the other side."

Well my friends, the OTHER SIDE sported not only the Cheesecake Factory and a beloved Nordstroms, but a Gap and Banana Republic as well. After eating we (aka I) decided to peruse the Banana Republic. Mmmm. It was the best Banana I'd ever been in . The entire bottom floor was dedicated to women's attire - and let me tell you it was a LARGE bottom floor. I tried on this dress...
And this dress...
I loved them both. I wanted them both. But alas, could not as of yet purchase them both...or even one of them for that matter. Sad! If I chose though - it would've been the turquoise number. Mmm. Soon. Very soon.

The fun didn't stop there. Using my logic and Girl-dar, I realized if there was an entire bottom floor of women's apparel, well there would be an entire floor of men's apparel as well. And I just so happen to have a man (Ken doll? Oh yes the wheels were turning)who could USE some apparel with me - so we headed upstairs.

Now, it's a well-known fact that the womens like to dress mens. I don't know guys - it's like the child-hood dress up games and Barbie/Ken Doll fantasies we used to have as little girls. Dressing them. Fluffing them. Making them look just how we want them. It's a little crazy - but it's the female way. It was my way. I started slowly - picking out a sale shirt here and an enjoyable chino there. When Steven made it into the dressing room with the loads of clothes I - I! - got to pick out...he came out looking something like this..With some of these...
My favorite being the previously pictured argyle with some GREAT stripped black dress pants on ridiculous sale for $35 marked down from $98! $98!! Don't even get me started on the boot cut jeans marked down from $79 to $25. Okay fine - get me started. They were great jeans - and they LOOKED great. Steve was a real sport letting me have "my way with him" at Banana and he walked away with the afore mentioned pants of stealer deals by the end of it all. However, after our many tryings on and contemplating the inseams and cuff lengths, this is the only pic I ended up taking...
No really - I realize this strapping man may look a little (a lot) like Agent Mulder/David Duchovney - but that's only because you aren't used to seeing Steven in a stripped collared shirt and tasteful blazer. Now that you are - expect great things. Oh yes, great...great things.