Friday, January 2, 2009

Obligatory Resolution Post

Year in review:

It sucked.

Okay, that's not true.

Correction: MOSTLY sucked.

Why: Good job (at times), Good Prospects (bright future and all), Good Times (Lindy Focus and other dance events plus traveling to see family and friends) but bad Family Health.

It was the year of the Cancer... and I can only hope things will look better in 2009.

I don't really remember my resolutions other than that one was most certainly "Lose Weight". So I succeeded at least in that one! I'm not at my goal but I'm in a good range so I count that conquered. Let's just hope I can keep it off. Other than that, I personally feel I have matured as far as responsibility and organization goes. Plus I've been consistently learning Spanish and working towards my goals! I'm pretty proud of myself.

So my resolutions for 2009 are:

- Lose the rest of the weight (125lb end goal) and get in shape! Meaning work out AT LEAST once a week and be able to do 15 solid pushups.
- Once the semester ends and I graduated become super serious about Dance with Austin. Meaning competing, choreographing, teaching more and practicing at least 4 times a week.
- Graduate!
- Continue to learn Spanish and become fluent. Go to Spanish meetups.
- Work with Ruby on Rails by the end of spring.
- Work with Python by the end of the year.
- Don't loose my dream to eventually get to Spain.
- Sort my stuff! Finally! This goal will begin once I start the summer.
- Full time job of course...
- Go to at least one all Bal weekend.


Man lots... but I think they are doable. Just got to get up the energy.

EVENTS I'll be at in 2009:

Definates:
- Soflex
- Orlx
- Frankie's 95th/visit family in NY
- Barack's Inaugeration!
- Lavanya Land/Philie

Most Likelies/Hopefullies:
- Southern Belle
-ULHS
- Lindy Focus
- Atlx
- EBC or All Ball?
- Sugarfoot Stomp
-Swing and Soul?

There's more on "my list" but let's focus on those first.

But yes things have been good though and in the end I should feel lucky.

Crazy busy holiday of course plus two dance events. Also, Austin graduated and started a full time job!

IN REVIEW:

Swing and Soul in Atlanta was like no workshop event I've ever been to before. Very much about the experience rather than the workshops per se. The classes were motivational and covered everything from popping to West African Dance. I had a fun time but was dragging due to impending sickness and finals just ending. Also I was not always a fan of the Soul music played. Still a great experience. Got to hang out with Sue before she left. :(

Meanwhile Aline was visiting from Spain. It was very nice to see her and I do miss her already.

Then Austin graduated! Much fun had by all. I can't say that I can be any more happy for him. The family got together and we had a wonderful dinner at Ceviche afterwards. The following weekend we had a party. Once again sangria was prevelant.

Then there was Christmas. Christmas Eve my family and I joined Austin's family at his Aunt's as per his family's tradition. Very nice time and I was happy to see Jason there. The rest of the eve we opened gifts at my parent's house. I got a Wacom tablet and I'm super excited about clearing off my desk and putting it to work! This is definately the next step I need to take towards my graphical career.

Christmas Day me and austin seperated so we could spend it with our respected families. This kind of sucked but it kept the peace. Besides I hadn't spent a Christmas Day with my family in 3 years. Very relaxed, had the turkey dinner we missed from Thanksgiving and got to see my grandparents!

I left that night to get back to Orlando, pack and leave for Lindy Focus VII the next morning! I was there for the next 6 days and had a blast. Only regret having icky knees and once again an impending sickness that kept me from fully enjoying the dances at night. Either way it was nice to get to know people, get some sleep (at an event? Really?), stay in a nice hotel and forget about my worries for a while. I did not compete though ohwells.

The classes were good I got into the highest level, but not always that stimulating. The ones that were good were very good though and elevated my dancing greatly.

Austin won the velociraptoff. I hope there is video.

Met a guy who is doing Graduate Studies on Semantic Web at Emery in Atlanta! This made me plot devious future plans...

Here's to hoping next year they have a teacher training track and that I'm in better shape so my knees don't hurt as much.

So now I'm home. Catching up on teh internet and thinking about what my next step will be.

1. Get better.
2. Practice Spanish.

And thus my year starts - Sheila

P.S. It would be nice if I wrote more during the coming year too...

P.P.S. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY Funny!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Bittersweet

Pros:
-Obama is now our president
-First african american to be president!
-Conservation Amendment passed
-I'm safe, relatively uneffected (though my mom and dad are...) by the downturn in the economy and I have a wonderful boyfriend who is my soul mate.

Cons:
-Amendment 2 passed.... and Prop 8
-I fear for Obama's safety.
-Community college amendment and amendment 1 didn't pass? .... What gives? We need plain text descriptions on the ballot so people understand... The community college amendment was just an amendment to let us VOTE for an increase in funding... not automatic funding. Voting against voting? There weren't even any real opponents to the bill... this was a 50/50 slap dash vote I feel.
-Michael Crichton died. :( I had no idea he was sick. He's my favorite author. I have 3 more books left to read of his... and then there will be no more. I'm glad he was at least able to admit that he was wrong about global warming before he died. Very sad indeed.
- I have to get up early tomorrow.... for unpleasant reasons... not looking forward to it... i scared.


About the Pros:

I saw this pleasant looking chubby white male frolicking today shouting "Obama won!" High fiving himself and just being ecstatic.

I saw nations celebrating this monumental civil right moment on the television. Children and adults from Rome to China in jubilation.

I saw those fighting repression and depression in the US flock to the streets in joy

I saw young people care!!

I never felt so proud and just wanted to cry in joy. Nearly did if I wasn't so self conscious and so pessimistic at the same time. Watery eyes instead. I am a bit jaded and a little too wary to drink the koolaid.

You have my vote of faith Obama, don't let us down. I want to truely believe in a politician and a world leader.

About the Cons:

Things I don't understand:
-bigotry of all kinds
-wishing death on others
-fairness and how it relates to reality
-over population and medicine advances (a constant struggle for me... thanks Daniel Quin and Jason Burkett)
-anyone that thinks Obama is a muslim terrorist due to the facts (What facts?)

I saw a highschooler post that he "knows the facts" and that Obama went to flight school and is a practicing Muslim.... He then wished him dead. How are people raising their children? With such hatred in their heart and an inability to question what they hear and do fact checking? The fact is with Obama or McCain no one is going to get to this level of scrutiny... a step from being the president to being the president with lying about major details of their background... It is all outlandish smeer tactics. Media is too pervasive for that.

Took a lot of restraint not to post a correction, but really I was not part of the discussion. And others were negating him.

In CA they passed prop 8, which most likely will be repealed anyway due to being unconstitutional (it calls for past same sex marriages to be retroactively nullified which could be considered double jeopardy.)

People are saying that time is on our side and that in the end we still made great strives and I'm trying to be optimistic. 5 years a go a law passed in CA similar to Prop 8. 62% voted yes. Yesterday 52% voted in Prop 8. A ten percent decrease in supporters in 5 years is a great strive and lgbt supporters should be proud.

Anyway I need a little break from heart break... from perhaps caring too much (I take it to personal). Though I vow never to get behind on my current events again.

I can't wait for Jan. 20th!

- S

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Enough is enough of this stupid Hate Mongering.

I am utterly incensed at the recent slander attacks by the John McCain campaign against Obama. Not only is he FEEDING the American people fear but he is disrespecting the people he claims to love so much by avoiding the real issues. These are the same techniques that the "Gotcha Media" that he espouses uses to get ratings and I will NOT have it from my next president let a lone a presidential candidate. He is a hypocrite to the truest kind.

McCain is going to get Obama killed by McCain insinuating that Obama is a terrorist and riling up the masses that don't know better and perhaps should. People shouting "KILL OBAMA!" from his speech crowds and "TERRORIST MUST DIE!" And some nut may do it. Obama is a family man who is serving his country and community. Whether you believe in his politics or not, you have to respect his hard work and intent. And he could very well be killed due to John McCain's mud slinging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVFWahLTdUo : Angry Barrage? Have you heard "Kill McCain" at Obama rallies? No, Obama speaks about McCain's character with much repect... though strongly disagreeing with the issues. In addition, Obama has been VERY clear about who he is especially in regards to the actual issues... just read his plan on his website: http://obama.com .

And, only yesterday did McCain start back peddling perhaps realizing what he is doing. TRULY creating Partisanship by creating unrooted hatred among the masses. But is it too late? Will McCain redeem himself and his party?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt3s6bZWQeY : So scary.

The people DESERVE talking about the issues. You respect us McCain? Then present your views and stop this senseless and illogical muddy campaign. McCain ALSO voted against the Iraq war bill that would give our soldiers more supplies (due to it having a time line), but yet he uses Barack's no vote against him? Some simple fact checking will reveal this, and even when asked point blank, McCain and Palin wheel around the issue and then reaffirm it again! Or run from the media... Are they stupid or just think we are? Because McCain, you are counting on the masses to not look it up! And not see YOUR double speak... Straight Speech Express sure takes a lot of stops and detours.

I am so scared for our future/present where we have not only real terrorists and fear mongers outside of our country but also within. John McCain is the real terrorist.

- Sheila

P.S. I'm sorry but I can maybe understand supporting McCain... or at least I did until the latest developments. But do we really in ANY WAY think Palin is qualified to be second in command. Who is the real Sarah Palin? That's what I want to know. Why don't you finally answer a question?

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Things are good

Just super busy and slightly stressful. It's good though because its stressful but still allows room for me to change the way I organize myself, todos, and productivity. I feel about 85% on the ball and ready for when it gets super stressful (aka next semester).

Not getting to work out as much but still eating sensibly enough that I'm loosing weight. I did work out today and man do I feel good. I really wish I could find the energy to do it more often because afterwards I always feel soooo good.

Especially after yoga! I haven't been doing it as much and man today made me sorrily regret that... my whole body just feels sooooo good afterwards. Lithe, flexible... good. My spin feels relaxed and my whole body is alert.

Anyway... with my graduation this Spring I'll have more time to make it a regular thing, plus the millions of other projects I have. Speaking of yoga, I need to find some good short routines for the morning... and the willpower to wake up early to do them.


Anywho... OCD has been great so far and I'm looking forward to our practice tonight.

What else? Family is good other then the economy sucking... But at least we have our health. Though Quin did pass away. :/ I don't think it will really hit me until I go visit my family in 2 weeks. I also still really miss Dido. It's been an intense year... lots of changes... Also the year of cancer! Two loved ones passed from it and one was effected buy luckily overcame it.

Just focusing on doing well at work, building my resume and saving money for Spain. I'm getting good at conserving though I need to learn to actually balance my check book! I've been practicing my spanish regularly too. And I now bring my own bags when I shop at Publix (stronger and better for the environment). Just one of my mini accomplishments, and changes I've implemented in my life.

Just feeeling really in control! Plus I'm 18 lbs skinnier than 4 months ago! Oh and me and austin started choreographing for Lindy Focus..... hopefully we actually pull it off this time and show people what we are made of.

Just lots going on as you can see... and really now I should be proof reading a 25 page business plan right... but I'm procastinating by being productive (yes that is possible).

Better go do that now...

- S

Monday, September 1, 2008

Since last check in

Traveled to NY had a blast hanging out with the family. Very relaxing. I really hope to return soon. It was just sooooo nice.

Competed in Sunstate. Did not place but got to the finals in everything. Still very happy with the the turn out and it was a good experience. Performed. That was okay we'll get better.

Traveled to Boston. Again very relaxing. Watched a lot of Buffy. Hung out with Nina for her 21st. Saw some of my friends that were still left there. Had to leave early for the lame hurricane which did nothing. AGAIN did not get to go to the MFA. Garrrararr! Maybe I'll try to go to the Orlando MFA soon... just to get an art fix, set and sketch.

Started school. Two extremely easy classes. Two middle (but one is group based... blah). And one very hard. Should be easily handable. I'm scared for the spring though. 5 project based classes!

Just getting errands done... and projects... hope to finish up the most of orlx. And start on a yawers site and business cards.


Just so much to do!

But all is well - S

Excited for Spain.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Very busy but

Wanted to check in.

Past weekend has been amazing though I have SERIOUSLY slacked on my final project for my flash class. :/


Austin and I celebrated our 3 year! He surprised me with a trip to Lakeridge Winery and then an overnight stay in Mt Dora. Good food and lots of wine.... and being with my soulmate. It was perfect and so relaxing.

But now here I am home, lethargic and 3 pounds lbs heavier... Le Sigh.

It's going to be a hectic week... work, finishing classes, anniversary diner on Tuesday and then off to NY!

So yeah... I suppose I better start my hw.....

- S

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Batman

So I've "had" the last two days off of work.. but yea not really. I've been glued to my computer and I'm pretty getting pretty antsy... 12 hours a day really is unhealthy.

Of course I have more to do right now but I took a break to watch a spanish soap opera. Man right now this woman is beating the crap out of another woman... in spanish!

Learning spanish is going well I suppose... just forging through.

I was supposed to go to a spanish speaking meetup yesterday but couldn't go due to computer work. :/ Austin went though (I swear he's my liason) and he had a blast and he demands I go next time.

I did get to go to batman last night though! The first showing. Really just went for the spectacle (unlike some I enjoy the bantery and excitment of the crowd at a movie opening). I do like Batman but I wasn't expecting much.

But like many other surprise movie delights this summer I loved it! Woah intense... so intense... and twisted. The acting was amazing................ Like the last one though the action was often too quick to know what was going on and then ended in a snap... out of no where. But towards the end it just got plain bad ass. So many twists! I'm glad I did not follow the press leading up to the movie because I felt I got even more suprised by the events of the movie. This movie is the best of the series!


One thing I HATED about the movie was their insistance to call him "THE batman" not just batman. At first I thought it was a joke.. but over and over they used the article before hand. It's like how people call it "THE Ukraine" when really it doesn't need the article (too bad I do that).

Woah! Now that woman is being beaten up by a man... in spanish!

The batman must do homework - S


I have an "open" weekend.. yea right. Not with hw.