Have you ever had one of those times in your life when you realize things are not as easy as they used to be? A couple of months ago, I promised myself that I would start doing a regular routine when summer started: exercise, eating right, etc., with the intention of never going through with it. Now, as some of you know, I’ve been having some medical problems…and that has prompted me to keep my promise to myself. Strange how life just pulls you in certain directions. Pain, especially constant ones, scare me, especially when they happen to me and I can’t explain it. So, like many other people, that is the first time I do anything about whatever bad diet or lack of exercise I’ve been deluding myself was not needed to maintain my health. Oh, the humanity.
Well, so far, I’ve kept my promise to myself this week. I’ve woken up relatively early for summer, exercised, eaten breakfast, and, throughout the day, drank lots of water…I mean…LOTS!!! (I went through two 35 bottle boxes from Costco in less than 10 days…that is like an average of 7 bottles a day…7 POUNDS of H2O!!!) Dang…Anyway, I hope I continue this. I actually like my morning routine now. However, once it is over…about 2 hours after I wake up, I do this. I sit at my computer and chat with people who are working…evil me. Sometimes I go out, but many are busy working and making money while I sit and do nothing.
Well, I haven’t done nothing. I read 5 books, intermittently gone in to TA for a computer class for teachers, wrote a couple of letters, paid some bills, started work on the APO Section IV staff newsletter, and have seen some movies in the last week. So, not too bad…but, more than half my day is spent on the computer. I might as well be at work. Ah…complain complain complain. When I was at work, I wanted to have a vacation... and by god, will have one! So, now, I will go back to my writing and hope to generate some good material. For those of you interested…I started my third blog, http://thetimegarden.blogspot.com based on a story I am currently writing. My second blog, if any of you have not noticed is http://theopennotebook.blogspot.com where I have poetry and some short short fiction. If any of you have any suggestions as to how I can edit any of that stuff…please feel free to email me: O0ps666@hotmail.com or chat with me online. Later all…

Today is the first day of summer break! Wow…I still can’t believe that the last year has gone by so quickly. The last week of work seemed like a blur. The kids were very excited to leave school and many of the teachers, including myself, were quite exhausted and ready for this break. The seniors, of which I had some part in advising this year, graduated this past Wednesday. Unlike last year, the ceremony was short and sweet; quite well done. The soft breeze in the unbelieveable 70 degree weather was perfect for both graduate and family (we graduate the seniors in our football field). I was a little sad to see some of them go. I had some of those seniors both my first two years of teaching. Seeing them walk was very poignant, to say the least. I wish them all the luck in the years to come!
The last two days of school were quick and consisted of half a school of students and very busy teachers that were packing up, correcting last minute papers and finals and turning in grades and keys for the summer. When I left for home Friday, at about 1 p.m., it felt very surreal. The streets suddenly seemed as if they went by like unto a dream.
This last weekend was graduation at UC Davis and the streets and sidewalks were piled full of anxious and excited parents and students alike. You could smell bbq’s, feel the cramped spaces in the parking lots, and see the joy of another year, another life gone by.
I’ll just sum up the weekend:
Friday – Saw Scooby Doo. That movie was hilarious. Quite a nice job done by the movie makers and director. Went to Denise’s party. Aside from the smoke outside, it was quite the shindig. It is always interesting to go to a party where you know, maybe, ¼ of the people there.
Saturday – Went to a bbq at Chaparral, but could not eat anything (some of you know why). Thanks for the cake though!!! Then, went to Fry’s and Costco to help assist Charlene and getting a new digital camera (with Kalen, Keith, and Elena). Afterwards, we went to see Bourne Identity. It was not as exciting as it was purported to be. The car chase has been compared to the one in French Connection and I just didn’t think it was that crazy. However, all in all, it was an ok movie. (I liked Scooby Doo better.)
Sunday – Woke up late (yea!). Went to Charlene’s graduation lunch at Buca’s where everyone got full off of the family style dishes that were piled high around the bust of the pope (scary and quite intimidating to have that face stare at you as you eat). Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially Chau, who seemed to have food talk to her the entire time. I then drove to my sister’s place where my parents were already helping her to pack things up and move them to the van to take home. Linda, however, was not done with her paper…one that should have been due before finals were over on Friday night. Ah, the art of procrastination…no one does it better than she can…and gets away with it. I took my parents out to dinner and she finished up. After my parents left, I went home and went to sleep with the tv on.
Today, I woke up early (damn!) and actually exercised….hehe…well, I played DDR for about 20 minutes and did some other small exercises. But, I went through 3 bottles of water. I enjoyed it very much.

This weekend, on some of my spare time, I was able to start writing again, and I hope to keep that up during the summer as well as the exercising and other hobbies. Ah…the bookstore is almost open…(open open open)…and I can do what I did when I was in high school (read!)…hehe…So, I am off…see you all later!