just missed March

All right. I almost got it in there. I'm almost 100% sure that there are only three people who look at this blog. Which is exactly what I want. I'm really only sure of myself, and Amy. I added a third in there to account for any error in my judgement. Speaking of errors in judgement, Lee and I recently aquired two young long-haired dachshunds. Cutest dogs in the world, but basically we've decided they're yappers and poop machines. Cutest yappers and poop machines in the world, though. Dylan is the red and Rocky is the black. Very handsome, and really sweet personalities. Well, Dylan's a momma's boy and Rocky, I am sure, is plotting how to do us in and take over the neighborhood.
Who knew. Now we are dog people. We spend ridiculous amounts of money on rawhide and odor neutralizers. I'm sure this is all to fill my mothering insticts. Or perhaps to eradicate them.
It's not all bad. In fact, it's mostly good. When Lee or I get angry, we go and give ourselves a time out and have a cookie. Then we put on the zookeeper hat and clean out the mudroom, whistling happily all the while.
Dogs. Like the commercial, Dogs Rule. Once you get that, the world makes a little more sense somehow.
And in the professional sphere... just trying to get that Master's degree. Lee's already started. I'm getting things together. We'll see how this goes.

feelin' down and out

Sigh.. just kind of have the blahs. Of course, after reading some of sedmikraska's blog spot, well, that cheered me up plenty. How often do I laugh out loud at work? Things are really not bad right now. I'm taking prep classes for the GRE, and I'm determined to do well. Lee and I are going to drive out to Kerrville to meet some potential adoptees-- dachshunds, two of them. It's Wednesday, got my tea, about to have lunch. The weather has been like early spring.. damp, not cold, even a little warm now and then. Monday was gorgeous, and Lee and I impulsively went to eat and have margaritas at Jorge's.. my limit is 2. Which sounds pathetic, but I think they're getting the tequila from an unlabeled bottle with blue tape on it (actually did shots from a bottle like this.. home grown?).. Anyway, the things are tough on me. And I had 2 1/2 Monday, which meant I started talking and didn't shut up for hours, laughing and doing things that I absolutely had no recollection of the next day. Ah well. Way to start the week!
Not sure where the blahs are coming from.. maybe I'm just hungry??
xoxo,
m

which describes how you're feeling all the time...

All right.. a January 2005 post! Akemashita omedetou!
This is a good sign. Once again, spurred on by Amy's encouragement, I write. Really, by her inspiration, as usual. I'm going to have to get some pictures posted soon. Let's see, what is new...
Last month, I went with Lee and his parents and brother to Belize. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, really. I tried SCUBA. Which, if you recall, stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It's something that is so wonderful and exciting to do, I would encourage anyone physically capable, to try it. But keep in mind, once you try it, you may find yourself making plans to become a certified diver. And then, all of your vacations will become tropical ones (around the 18 degree latitude). At least, that's what's happened to me and Lee. We want to be divers! It reminded me of my childhood love of the ocean. If it's possible that something like that can be passed down through the generations, then I can say I inherited it from both my grandparents in Japan and in Texas.
This year will be an interesting year. Also planned for the near future, is the adoption of a couple of dachshund pups (hopefully).
Then the GRE, and then applications to grad schools. And then Lee is also wanting a career change, not to mention his pursuit of a Master's in Aviation Science.
2005... here's to the New Year.

Well, shoot. I didn't make a November post. Well, let's pretend this is the one for late November, and I'll try to make another post a couple weeks from now, and that one will count for December.
As usual, Daisy Pirate has inspired this post. She's about to leave Japan (well, in a few months) to come back to the States. I think she's doing some soul searching. Me, too. I am in need of a big change in my daily life. I would like to go to graduate school and pursue a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I would not be able to apply until 2006-- not just because applications are usually due in Dec or Jan, but because I don't know how prepared I am mentally and financially. I just took a General Chem I class at ACC to refresh and find out if I wanted to go back to school. It was hard work and I admit I am a little rusty.. basically I was relearning everything. But I really enjoyed it, and I think I did well. And I think I want to go back to school.
It's a long hard road ahead, though, and I'm 30. (Practically 30). And I still have a lingering feeling of doubt, as to whether or not this is something I really want to do. I don't remember having doubt like this before. I think there are so many real-world concerns weighing in now, finances, children, where Lee's career will take him, where mine will take me... I need to take a deep breath and choose. And hope everything manages to fall into place. Usually, it has. Perhaps I've just been lucky? I am a rabbit...
But what about art? This question keeps driving me crazy. I paint, I keep a few small paintings going on at all times, but when will it grow? Will it even get a chance to, if I go back to school? Research is not something I can do just in my spare time, it will be something I will have to do full time and also in my spare time. I will have to be on top of the game, being competitive, finding funds and making connections.
So much to decide... for the next big step.

I'm trying to at least post one entry a month.. so we'll see how long this works. I don't get online at work for fun that much. I actually do many work-related activities online, such as create purchase documents for our department. Pretty boring. Usually the highlight of my day is getting out of the office. At least I have some natural light from a window, twice removed. And no annoying buzzing sound across the hall anymore.
I want to do something completely different, though. I am taking a chemistry class right now (again, I should say) and I'm really enjoying it. Although it makes me want to paint even more. I think the tighter the schedule I have, the more inclined I am to work in painting into the week. I'm signed up and have started a correspondence-based ecology class, which I have been really looking forward to. However I think I will drop it and wait until next semester to take printmaking. I also want to learn French or (re-learn) Spanish... just to keep my options open.
We may be leaving the country again...