to appreciate or even (gasp!) sing hymns.  Go to HymnSite.com to get all the hymnals you could ask for!  Not only can you hear the piano version of these songs, but also the organ and bells!  What more could you ask for, seriously?  I've been partial to bells, as that's the newest and least familiar instrument of the three to me.  I've taken note of what hymnals I know, in my expanding 'book/movie/song' lists.  Don't freak out when you're directed back to the home page after changing instruments.  You can then go to whatever hymn you want, and then either click on random songs or whatever you want, and it will all be in your chosen instrument 'til you change it.  I didn't know "Dona Nobis Pacem" meant "give them peace."  I was probably told so when I sang it in junior high, but it obviously didn't sink in.  Too bad you don't hear all of the parts at once with this version (it's kind of like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" in a sense.)

"If I only had a brain."   That's what the phone maitenance guy whistles as he leaves the suite.  Does that mean something?  I haven't asked him yet, but I've only known him 2 days.  I wonder, because my dad used to always sing/hum/whistle it when I did something air-brained growing up.  I don't think the whistling's directed at me in this case- maybe just the situation?  Or maybe that's his tune of choice, regardless of where he is or what's going on.

"A frost advisory means that frost is possible.  Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered."
----Wunderground, about Silver Spring Saturday morning

"...turn their gaze away from Him towards themselves.  Keep them watching their own minds and trying to produce feelings there by the action of their own wills... Teach them to estimate the value of each prayer by their success in producing the desired feeling; and never let them suspect how much success or failure of that kind depends on whether they are well or ill, fresh or tired, at the moment."
--Screwtape from The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

"WANTED: Healthy Sleeping Habits, Healthy Child"
--posted on Freecycle

"Certificate of Destruction"
--found on shredding service form

Who wants to come to the FilmFest DC with me?  With not taking public transportation as much recently, I almost missed it!  I want to go Saturday night, and maybe a weeknight next week.  There are definitely some interesting plots out there, although I'm leaning towards a mix of shorts.

This work-week has ended rather well.  I am not stressed, and there is still a beautiful floral arrangement before me.  <<OK- now there's not.  Some ladies are taking care of it for its remaining days>> A previous receptionist (whom I've heard much praise about) showed me how to do something, and let me know that (s)he's had problems with the boss before, too.  Made me feel better.

This morning, I was running to catch the bus (why is it, that no matter what time I wake up at, I usually have to run to catch it?), Susan gave me a ride.  Who's Susan?  A nice lady who lives in the neighborhood, works in the same city as me, and has a special place in her heart for frantic young ladies.  I probably looked like a high schooler, though, 'cause I'm wearing jeans and a neon-embroidered sweater.  I guess I never learned not to take rides from strangers (it was only two blocks..)

Women here like flowers.  There is a huge arrangement here at work- a collection of red and peace roses in full bloom, with forsythia and green ferns pulling it all together.  The peace roses are yellow at the base, fading to a peachy orange color at the tips.  It's original purpose was to help decorate the main conference room so that the Chinese visitors would be impressed.  Now it's on a small table in the receptionist area for all to see.  Just about every woman that walks past it has stopped in her tracks to admire it.  Take note, guys.  I'd just as well go for a walk past lilac bushes or through flowering trees, but there is definitely something appealing about colorful, livings plants/flowers!!

Work is currently bearable.  My boss is gone for the week, and I get a chance to talk with someone about what has gone on, my responsibilities, and if this all can't work out!  The temp agency is also being rather cool.  So that's exciting.  It's also warm today, and I get to go (to the library, past some lilac bushes) for lunch.  Nothing beats hunger like a good book!  I don't know if it's the spring air or what, but a good number of my Midwestern friends have written me lately!  That's very exciting.  It makes me really appreciate their friendship, and the internet.

blog in progress:  Peter Pan is not Robin Hood.  The Peter Pan I'm referring to is both a guy at church and an alliace for a spammer.  The spammer is affiliated with Japan.  When I think of the two characters, I'm thinking of the Disney cartoon versions.  I've always been fond of the fox-version of Robin Hood.  You could say he's my sort-of Prince Charming.  Between being so adventurous, helping the poor out, and just being so full of life, what's not to love?  So with these Peters flittering about, I thought, "A real-life Peter Pan!"  But I was thinking that Peter Pan was Robin Hood.  He is not.  He's the kid that never wants to grow up.  Now, there are some things that may be admirable about that, but he's never struck me as that cool.  No offense.  I'll try to find out what the real Peter Pan is like, and compare him to a Disney character when I get the chance.  And maybe some day I will meet Robin Hood.

Going on currently:  I got in trouble for putting a delivery in someone's mailbox instead of on her desk.  Supposedly, this is the biggest deal ever, and I don't see that.  She chewed me out, and I can't help but cry.  I've let the temp agency know about how she's treating me (before this ordeal), and I may end my time here (if she doesn't sooner).  Why, when people are getting important things in the mail, is it perfectly fine for it to go in their mailboxes some of the time, and other times, it's not?  She made it out like I'm "messing with her stuff."  Yeah, right.  I try to do the right thing, and in the right way, but nothing works for her.  I have a feeling that if I'd left it on her desk, she would have cussed me out then, also.  The temp agency is cool- offering help and options, and I don't want to leave here, except that I do value my health (not enough to pass up sweets and junk), and don't want to die of stress-related injuries/disease ever, or to make others' lives miserable by dishing out what I take in.  I complain more and have had more of a bad attitude since working here.  I take responsibility, because noone can force you to do so, but I do believe that when squeezed, whatever we/I absorb comes out.

Lest I forget:  It's winter, and there is fresh snow on the ground.  I'm attending the local university, and I've just finished my first semester.  It was a breeze, probably because I'd taken classes there during high school.  I already know I want to transfer, but I'll enjoy the time I'm here.  I'm carrying cross-country skis and poles, and am bundled up for the cold.  The thought of working out in January outside was much more appealing than sweating in the summer.  I'm running late, and head to the first day of class.  I sit down, and the class starts soon.  No one else has the gear or is dressed like me.  No matter... So then the teacher proceeds to talk about binding, and I think, OK- interesting- I didn't know we'd actually be learning much in the classroom, but, OK.  But not binding skis, etc., but books.  I fail to see the relevance, but hey, I'm sure it will 'tie' together (haha), and they talk about field trips, so fun!  It's only after a few more minutes that the prof gives the way out- the whole "This is Book-binding 101, if that's not you, feel free to head out."  Boy was I embarassed.  I must have looked ridiculous.  I gathered all of my stuff and smiled on my way out, with burning cheeks, and clanking equipment.  I walk into the correct classroom, and have not missed much, but again, no one else has equipment.  I learn that we can rent it or bring our own, and we will in fact be learning some things in the classroom before heading out.  This happened 5+ years ago (hard to believe!), and is one of many examples of ways I embarass myself.

The strained relationship between my boss (I use the term loosely) and I can be likened to a dating relationship-goes-sour.  We were initially happy with each other, excited, and always finding ways to compliment or learn more about the other.  This was the honeymoon period that sadly ended.  There may not be a clear turning point, but I think it may have been the day that I was asked to do something, didn't do it fast enough (had no clear instructions of how) and then Mr. Hyde came out, and has gagged and tied Dr. Jekyll somewhere that I can't find.  Mr. Hyde seems to have sabotaged our relationship, and is the unwilling spouse in a marriage.  (s)he's finding any excuse possible to push me away, hoping (it seems) to be rid of me, without actually breaking up with me.  It's hard for me to believe, but she actually physically ignores me and bad-mouths me when she's only a few feet away.  But I'm the persistent lover.  I've apologized, expressed my interest in working things out, offered anything of me that may be useful to her/him, to no avail.  (s)he's toying with my heart, saying, "Thanks" this morning.  That word awakened hope in my soul that things could be a shadow of what they've been before.  I pursued it, stalling for a second, and then venturing into a compliment.  Maybe the door's still open?  After only getting criticism for the last month, I'm ready for anything different.  It's not that (s)he's a bad person- (s)he is kind to most of the others here, and has been to me in the past- I try not to let the pain (s)he's caused me take root or influence my care for her/him.  This is different than relationships I've had before, though, because if the guy wanted out, I let him, without trying to hold it together.  I still think that my boss is under stress and I'm a way to relieve it for her/him.  I acknowledge that I can be frustrating, and won't always get everthing right or be helpful.  But give me a chance.  Teach me so I can help you and be useful.

There is a Chinese group visiting at my work today, and that is wonderful!!  The meeting is taking place just across the hall, and that just makes me so happy.  It can be quiet and border-line boring here.  I enjoy working here, and meeting all sorts of well-educated people, having steady hours and a steady schedule, nights and weekends off, and dressing business-casual (to name a few).  I can't tell you enough how much I prefer to work in the day.  Any time after 6pm is just really draining on me, for some reason.  Third shift is OK sometimes.  I just thrive in the morning.  Hello, sunshine!

Florida rocks with sea shells!
I had a great road trip to Florida, and am sad that it's over.  I half-expected to walk around a warm, bright campus this morning.  We stayed at Amber's old school with a friend of hers.  It has got to be one of the most beautiful campuses I've seen!  Palm trees, flowers, cobblestone...  We ended up going swimming in both the Atlantic and Gulf.  The waves were better in the former, the shells and sand: the latter.  There's something awesome and refreshing about swimming in fresh (not vs salt-), natural water (as opposed to pools and man-made lakes).  That's one thing CA is missing- warm water.  I could get a tan anywhere (that's debatable), but what's the point of a southern beach if you can't swim?  I can understand fishing lakes and just cool lakes, period, up north, but in my mind, if it's the ocean, semi-near the equator, it's gotta be swimmable.  My sunblock worked, and I am not burnt.  We went to a dollar theatre (Glory Road), met a good number of Amber's friends, ate at CiCi's Pizza, and mainly enjoyed the weather.  CiCi's not only has variety, but their buffet was $4 (varies by location,) and now I see that they have a location practically on my way home from work!

I now feel refreshed, inspired, and better able to handle the task set before me.  Also, I've learned that it's time to do something.  I don't know what that something is yet, but there will be changes.  Thank God for vacations!!

My tooth is stabilized.  Temporarily.  It's pretty much a clean line at the gums, but now there's strong crown glue holding the broken tooth and crown to what remains.  I still will try to avoid chewing, as much as possible (and the wind, as suggested by the dentist).  Last night, while watching Narnia, my tooth fell out.  I wasn't eating, just playing with its looseness a little.  Amber's tooth resinheld it in place last night, but I could only get it to stick up haphazardly, and it was loose this morning.  I don't know why it affected me so much, but I was in tears this morning, and could hardly smile a "hello" to co-workers.  Maybe it's cause I've internalized the stress, and now have pimples and just want everything to be OK without going through the work?  I'm so blessed that the dentist was willing to see me today, and that a co-worker covered for me to leave for it an hour earlier than lunch.

I've realized that I have little faith.  Callers said what they believed on the radio this morning, and they ranged from "that I'll have a good birthday today" to "God will heal Suzie."  It immediately struck me that I hope for those things, but I don't believe that they will happen- I don't want to get my hopes up (to get crushed).  Logically, I know that nothing is accomplished if it's not tried in the first place, but that doesn't always help.  There are some things that are easy for me to start, but most things are hard for me to continue, but especially to complete.  It's very hard for me to end things.  Now if it's dessert... haha.  But when it comes to more important things, like things that take commitment (sorry, I really can't come up with an example at the moment) I really need to be pushed sometimes or I might not do anything and just try to slide by.

I've got work to do, so I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, with a mix of relaxation and excitement!

So, I just finished And Then You Die, by Iris Johansen, and consequently found a 10 guilder bill towards the back.  It's from the Netherlands, and is no longer legal tender (since '02).  In order to exhange it for Euros, I'd have to go to the Netherlands' bank and explain why I haven't exchanged it earlier.  Unlikely.  I'll probably put it in a scrapbook- I like tokens from different countries.  The crazy thing is that a main theme in the book is counterfeit money that it laced with a mutated virus that kills people within hours of exposure.  I wonder if whoever put it in there thought of that, or if they had used it as a bookmark and forgotten it.  I think it's rather funny.

I think that the morning drive can be one of the best blessings.  It's still been very grey waking up.  It's so hard to get out of bed to that- it's just not motivating.  Lately, though, just a few blocks up the road, I see the sky clearing, a beautiful morning sun, and everything seems to be glowing and alive.  After awhile, it turns gloomy again, but doesn't life in general just do that sometimes?  (maybe not for everybody- maybe it's just me not seeing the beauty and significance of every moment)

Wonderful Freecycle has set me up with a coffee table this evening.  It may not be a perfect match- I mean I don't like coffee, but I don't expect too much of something I'm meeting from the internet.  I'm guessing he's a quiet type.  I've been told he's 20s to 30s.  He's a maple color, and would rather stay in the area than move with his family south.  I don't blame him- it's pretty nice here, and maybe there's termites down there- a good reason to avoid it.  I don't know what he expects from me- I plan on being good to him and keeping him clean, but he still might end up with some new dents or stains.  I wonder what his name is?

I've finally put some info and photos on my myspace.  It's not much- but it's long overdue.  (I haven't taken/uploaded pictures in '06).  I'll still blog here, but hopefully will have a cooler/more rounded myspace at some point.  Also, you might notice that I'm 'Sparkling_Snow' there.  If I would have chosen SparklingSnow when I first signed up, it would've been mine, but the girl who has that address seems cool.  I mean, she's in a photo eating my favorite dessert!

Amber and I are planning on taking a road trip to Florida, leaving this Saturday.  It's kind of wild, but why not?  She has some of her stuff there, and friends, and the beach sounds nice.  Besides, work is rather crazy.  Most of the people are awesome, but the boss who is the more sane and nice one is quitting, as in today is her last day!  I dreamt that the other boss and I were talking like normal people, and everything was cool.  So far, that has not happened.  I would like to work through everything, but we'll see.  It's so unstable!  I'll look at other opportunities.  I need the insurance.  My temporarily-glued tooth is loose again, so I need the insurance.  Except that it's major work and won't be covered (as in even 1%) 'til next year.  That's why Florida's kind of crazy- I'm saving my money for the dentist.  We'll be smart, though, and spend our money wisely.

Mid-October.  That answers one thing on my mind.  Besides that, I feel like a tangled-up mess.  I'm nervous about teaching tonight, because I won't see them for another 3 weeks (no class- Easter), so I want to be sure that they leave feeling confident and with enough to do to learn while they're not in class.  I had a great weekend with my mom and grandma.  It's beginning to hit me now that they are no longer in town.  Usually it takes me longer.  They threw me for a loop, because I saw a side of them that I hadn't before- not necessarily bad, but not as idealistically as before.  There is stuff that irritates them and such.  They're concerned for me- still having that open invitation to 'come home.'  That's good to know, but at this point, it doesn't feel supportive, like 'You seem to be handling yourself well.'  I think they don't expect that I'll ever live at 'home' again, though.  I guess I'm irritated because I thought they'd like what I like.  They enjoyed the museums and all, but not everything.  Man do I hate getting questioned, even for my 'own good.'  I think I do that to others, though. :(

My day got set off by a dream- I was outside with someone (don't know who), and the clouds were gathering.  One spot was very black, and it was moving fast- starting to form a sort of kite-tail.  I asked, "What's that?"  even though I knew.  "It's a tornado."  There were green hills and farm fields... the dream ended soon, and I had that impeding feeling of dread and helplessness.  I looked out the window to a gray cloud cover.  The kind that the Midwest gets for a good part of the winter, only darker, and only I'm not in the Midwest.  I stayed in bed for over an hour, dozing occasionally.  I was only a couple minutes late to work.  So far (in the waking world), 20-something people have been reported killed by tornadoes/hail last night in the Midwest.  Devastating.