Witches and Whales

I did two very exciting things this week!

First: I got a call Sunday morning to see if I wanted to go see Wicked that evening (some friends were going with a group of their other friends, and there happened to be a last minute extra ticket.) Of course I wanted to go! I almost flew to New York City just to see this musical last year! I've missed the LA showings twice now, and I guess the third time is the charm. It was wonderful. Great music, funny, clever, and nothing like the book.

Second: some of my friends work on a tallship sailboat, the American Pride, and I went on a whale watching trip with them Tuesday morning. We saw a small gray whale heading north and ran parallel to it for about ten consecutive blows. It was absolutely AMAZING being so close and seeing it surface, blow, and the tail come out when it dove back down!

Quote-o-the-day

"It's still two human beings trying to get along, so it's going to become complicated. And love is always complicated. But still humans must try to love each other, darling. We must get our hearts broken sometimes. This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something." -Eat, Pray, Love by Elizebeth Gilbert

Yeah, but getting your heart broken isn't fun.

Pro....cras....ti....naaaaaa....tor

You would think that one would have kicked the old procrastination habit after having graduated high school, obtained a bachelor's degree, lived on their own and entered the working world. You would think that one grows up, matures, and learns to no longer procrastinate.

WRONG! Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator. And I am the prime example of that. I just can't seem to rid myself of this habit.

I recently started a class at CSULB--an intro to the science single subject teaching credential program (something I'm considering going into.) We had an assignment--our Science Autobiography in the format of a brochure, poster, webpage, podcast or song--given to us the first day of class that was going to be due in two weeks. I had TWO weeks to do it, and the NIGHT BEFORE it was due, I was scrambling to get my webpage done on a friend's computer, kicking myself the whole time. Yes, I've always worked well under pressure. Yes I finished the assignment and turned it in. But I definitely don't enjoy working under pressure and being stressed out, and really need to learn to stop this procrastination problem...

The Innovator's Song

I am the seasoned traveller

of the Labyrinth.

The genius of alacrity.

Wizard of the impossible.

My brilliance yet unmatched

in its profound originality.

My heart's full of potent magic

that could cast a thousand spells.

Seeking answers to my endless queries,

I overturn barriers and boundaries,

opening new paths and portals

for my own curiosity.

I am Shen, the Innovator

-Theodora Lau

Trucker

Did I ever mention that I went to truck driving school a couple ofmonths back? (Probably not, since I've been very inconsistent withmy posts. In my defense: not having internet access at home significantly affects one's blogging endeavers and abilities. So, I apologize for not having mentioned many things...) Yep, I went to truck driving school, and can now competently manuever a huge-ass truck (containing live sea stars, fish, baby sharks and other nea tmarine animals) on side streets and freeways. I'm sure it's funny trying to imagine little old me sitting behind the wheel, but I think it's kind of cool. I was definitely a big chicken at first, and didn't want to practice driving at all. But with a little push and some encouragement, I no longer have a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and can drive at posted speeds (instead of below, haha). All I need is a trucker hat now! =D Going out on ourAquarium on Wheels outreach program has been a lot of fun. There's a fair share of hard work, and can be very tiring with 4:45am starttimes and 13-hr work days, but I'm enjoying what I'm doing. That's what really counts.

Late Twenties Dread

My 26th birthday is coming up in less than two weeks. I know in previous years I've joked about not looking forward to getting older, but it's a little different this time around. I'm not joking anymore. Although 26 isn't very old in the grand scheme of life, I'm still dreading it for some reason. At this point, I don't even have the heart to plan a birthday party, dinner or even a gathering. And that's quite unusual for my normal event planning-frenzied self! Take deep breaths, deep breaths. It's not going to be that bad, right? Right??....I do feel a little silly for freaking out so much, but just can't help it...

People Should Go On Vacation More Often

Because:
1. Vacations are awesome! Who wouldn't want to go on one? I really NEED to go on a trip soon.
2. It clears up LA traffic! It took me less than an hour to get home from work the past two days. This really is a miracle, because it usually takes me 1.5 to 2 hrs to get home. This week between Xmas and New Years is great.

...And a Happy New Years to you all!...

Quote-o-the-day

"You mean you're comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it?"

"Yes," Mrs. Whatsit said. "You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you."

-A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'engle

Happy 30th!

Chandler's birthday was yesterday, and we're heading to Vegas tomorrow for a weekend celebration. We're seeing Cirque du Soleil's "O", which I'm super excited about. Should be a fun weekend! Happy Birthday Chan!

Thoughts on Time II

I was looking back on some posts, and came across this one

Thoughts on Time

from July 2005. Almost a year and a half later, and I still relate, still feel the same way.

"It's a bit scary, I feel like time is slipping through my fingers too quickly, and that I have nothing to show for all these months that have passed by. I'm starting to feel the pressure to "figure out my life" again, and although I know I'm young and that time isn't flying by as fast as I think, the anxiety is still present. There are so many things I want to do, and see, to give and learn, discover and feel, I fear that if I don't do it all RIGHT NOW, I may miss my chance--that time, and my life, will slip through my fingers before I realize it, slip too quickly for me to catch it.
I want to help save the environment, inspire others to care, try new things, travel the world, give my love and fall in love, meet interesting people, overcome my fears, open my heart, raise a family, not worry about money, go on adventures, drink sunsets and breathe in the salty sea air...and so much more. Hope I have the time and opportunity to do it all..."

I have done many things and made changes in my life since writing that, but in many ways, I feel like I'm in the same place. The pressure to "figure out my life" is coming on especially strong at this point. What will my next move be? What is the next step? It seems like a neverending process of discovery...