RANT

Some people have what is called a "cardinal trait", a characteristic about them that can overall sum up who they are as a person, and this trait is visible in them throughout day to day life. An example would be Mother Theresa who was compassionate, and Abraham Lincoln was known for his honesty. Having a cardinal trait isn't common, and if I had one, I hope people would see me as loyal. I will always stand by a friend even if she/he is doing something I disagree with.

Even if you were my best friend, and I could see you lying to me through your teeth about something, I would still stand by your side. Maybe it's because you don't even know what you want that causes you to say one thing and do another. Maybe I should just give up on the subject and let you make your own mistakes, but stop lying to me about it.

Enough said.

This is NOT what I signed up for.

We had a noise complaint a few weeks ago and ever since then, it seems like our mere presence is a catalyst for drama. It was a legitimate complaint and I saw it coming. I was actually supposed to be elsewhere that night but when Jackie told me who she had invited over, I cancelled plans and came home to hold down the fort. I don't blame them for complaining that time because the noise was ridiculous, but ever since then, they've really gone over the top.

After the incident, the neighbor left a nasty note on our door listing all the rules we had broken. I wrote her back an entire page of syrupy-sweetness and she loved it. The next day there was a Thank You card on my door. She said we had made amends and that it was no longer a big deal, but still felt it necessary to mention it at the next homeowners meeting. All the board members dislike us already and involved our relator. Now I get a call every few days from either the relator or somebody on the HOA board to talk about disturbances.

As of today, I've had enough. I was leaving for work and at no fault of my own, or anybody I know, there was a Sparks beer can by my front tire. Oh lucky me guess who happened to be walking by at that moment? Some nameless person on the board of nazi homeowners. She made the motion of rolling down my window while still pointing at the beer can, and proceeded to tell me that this must be my beer can because they are "consistently cleaning up garbage after people that come to [my] house". The expression on her face didn't change after I pushed the fact that this was not my beer can. Can someone please tell me how my beer cans look different than someone else's beer cans? We've been very picky about who comes over ever since the noise complaint, and basically we've only had a few girly friends dwindle in and out here and there. Long story short, Lady, any garbage you find is not mine.

And I'll tell you what, Lady, as long as we're on the subject of discontent, I'm sure you'd care to hear this is NOT what I signed up for. When I signed that lease, I had windows. I had BLINDS. I had a patio. I didn't have construction guys walking through my house without notice. I didn't know I would be waking up after a nap on the couch, and seeing my patio door open with men on my patio, playing with my cat. I didn't know all the parking spots would be filled by construction materials. I didn't know we would never get a garage key, or a cabana key, or a mailbox key. I didn't know everyone in the building would start blaming everything on us!

I've got news for you Lady, they aren't my beer cans, and at this point, you're lucky I don't go postal on you.

what happened to my morning?

Life is amazing. One of my personal ten commandments was to "Enjoy the process", and I meant the process of growing up, accepting that this is my time to a broke college student and knowing how to love it. This phase of life is amazing, and now it finally makes sense why I've heard that college is supposedly the best time of a person's life. I'm not sure how much college actually factors into the equation though... I think it is more of just being this age, being able to have reckless adventures and stay up all, being able to make the kind of memories that I'll still smile about in 60 years from now.

I won't go into detail about how it happened (my parents read this, lol!) , but last night was a good night. After leaving a friend's BBQ, Jackie and I happened to stumble upon "new friends" as we like to call them (there's the reckless part I was talkin' about) and found our way into a house party. Before I knew it, we were standing at opposite sides of a beer pong table with our chosen teammates and havin a great time. I don't know about Jackie, but I pretty much drank my weight in booze last night. Who needs pain pills? I felt invincible.

It is almost 4:00pm and Jackie is still sleeping. We got home about 12 hours ago and she hasn't emerged since. This is the best kind of Saturday. Still in my pajamas, watching a movie on the couch, kitten sleeping next to me, no classes to study for, and happened to stumble upon an unsecured wireless connection from one of my neighbors. Thanks buddy, you rock.

Speaking of no classes to study for, I am done with school until summer classes start on July 1st and GUESS WHO GOT A 4.0 FOR SPRING QUARTER!! WOO-HOO!!!!

That's all for now. I've got a box of wine to go investigate.

Cheers.

My Ten Commandments

My thinking is always a work in progress. I am always under construction... still trying to figure out my place in the world, still learning, still growing, and realizing I have all the time in the world to do so. With that being said, here are the ten general ideas I live by, whether intentional or not. Maybe they'll do something for you too.

1. Always be Jacee.

2. Let it go.
3. See the beauty in everything.

4. Don't put anything off.

5. Be polite and be fair.
6. Enjoy the process.
7. Be consistent.
8. Question everything.

9. In all that I do, do quality.
10. Keep growing.

Is it even possible?

Recently I finished a short video for a scholarship that carried the theme, "How can one person make a difference?" and it made my wheels turn. Is it even possible for one person to make a difference? It's taken millions of us to destroy our world one step at a time, and right now I see our society changing faster than ever in the worst way.

You know these economic stimulus checks that the government is sending out to everyone who filed taxes for 2007? Those are a horrible idea; a short term solution for a long term problem. I'll be putting my entire check towards my credit card... not exactly stimulating the economy, is it?

I believe the upcoming recession can be solely traced back to gas prices. Before I was paying $4.50 a gallon, I would get my nails done every two weeks, go tanning about 3 times a week, buy coffee once or maybe twice a day, and shop as a cure for boredom. Now that it takes one full day of work just to pay my gas for the week, spending money is definitely gone. I can see why businesses are suffering. Believe it or not, even Starbucks is suffering. People just aren't buying those daily coffees anymore, and when it comes to coffee shops, why not go to Tully's where you can have free wireless, instead of Starbucks where they require a paid T-Mobile account?

I'm afraid for all the small-business owners out there. Getting through the next few years will be really bumpy. My family's business is feeling the shakiness of hard times as some of our service partners have gone bankrupt, while others are on the brink of it.

I guess that's my rant about our economy going down hill, but it brings me back to my original question: Can one person make a difference? And if so, would that one person please show him-or-herself? Because if there is one person, we really really need you.

Military Care Packages

At 5:00AM today, a good friend of mine got on a plane heading back to Afghanistan after having two weeks at home. I couldn't sleep last night and ended up staying up the entire night to write letters to all my military friends. I've been promising to send packages once my classes are over and I have time to put something together. I'm not exactly the Martha Stewart of sending care packages so I googled it to find some ideas. Even though I still plan on making my own, I found a great site that sends out care packages for somewhat cheap. I can probably do it cheaper myself, but it's convenience is very appealing. The packages start at $9.99, and you pay for it / ship it out through the site. Mind you, that the 9.99 package is the "extra small" and the site charges a few extra dollars for shipping.

Here's the site address, you should check it out.
http://www.militarycarepackages.net/

I'll be out shopping tonight for items for 3 care packages. If you'd like to add something or want to help out, let me know.

now I'm just rambling...

I used to joke that I have so much to say and nobody to say it to, but for the last month or so, it's been more along the lines of not enough time to say it. I find myself laying in bed, building entire cities of thought in my mind, but never pull out a pen to write something down.

A lot has been going on lately, but none of it is visible on the surface. My world is definitely changing, but it's all happening on an undercurrent level; it's changing because of too many things that are being left unsaid. Pieces that I've delicately stacked up are slowly falling out of place.

Maybe things are supposed to happen that way... Maybe I'm realizing that a key friend of mine are no longer on the same page. I'll just wait to see how things pan out, because I don't plan on being the one to say something.

In other news, I am one test away from finishing Spring quarter, and then have a whopping ten days off before starting summer quarter. It will be my busiest school schedule so far, and I'm actually really looking forward to it.

Guess that's all I've got for now.

Cheers.