Kristin Parker’s blog

I am sad to say that I will not be participating in Black Friday this year, due to the fact that I am going out of town. Quite the travesty if you ask me...as I am a certified holiday shopper.

I remember a couple of years ago when I woke up at 2 a.m. (who is insane enough to wake up at this time!?) and I went to wait in line at Walmart...just so I could purchase some $3 DVDs. They didn't open until 4 a.m., so I had to wait in line for about an hour...a line that wrapped around the entire store - all the way back to its loading docks!

After getting out of Walmart I headed over to Target to meet the same fate - waiting in line for another hour until they opened at 6 a.m. I don't even remember if I bought anything there, even after waiting in line.

I think I got up that early and participated because it's exciting for a couple of different reasons. First, you get to see all the crazy mothers and fathers trying to snag a deal on the toy their kid wants for Christmas...and may even see them brawl over it. Secondly, Friday marks the official mark to the holiday shopping season. Thirdly, (and this is probably the reason I like it the most) it means that Christmas is less than a month away.

I LOVE Christmas...and what better way to bring in the holiday cheer than by standing out in 40 to 50-degree weather with other shoppers who although they may not be as ecstatic as you are about the impending holiday, are there nonetheless to get their Christmas shopping on.

This year, I have noticed that some retailers have extended their savings and deals onto their websites. Since I won't be here on Friday to partake in this retail madness, I indulged myself with a little shopping this evening courtesy of Old Navy Online. (I had to!)

So to all you brave souls who are thinking about partaking in this joyous holiday shopping, I wish you good luck. Drink lots of coffee, wear a warm jacket, and be prepared to get a little pushy.

I haven't updated in a while, and I thought that I would briefly update on what I have been up to lately. For the last week (six days), I have been on vacation with the guy I am currently seeing - Steven. We decided - at the last moment - to take a road trip across the Southwest. We started driving from Los Angeles and drove into Arizona (Flagstaff, Sedona and Camp Verde), then crossed over into New Mexico (Santa Fe) before heading north to Colorado Springs, then traversed into Utah (Moab and Richfield), before making our final stop in Las Vegas, NV.

Although I wasn't sure what to expect, the trip exceeded any expectations I had. Never have I spent so much time with a single person in my life...and trust me, it was hard! The trip wasn't all sunshine and daisies...it had it's rough spots, but I think that we passed with flying colors. I'm pretty sure that if my OCD tendencies haven't scared him off yet, that he'll be around for a while.

Below are pictures from our trip. I'll be posting some more on my Facebook as soon as I resize the huge files!

This kitty was chilling underneath his makeshift hut and got up only after he saw we started taking pictures there; he started pacing the fence. He was so close - I wanted to reach out and pet him!

We watched a show called "Tiger Splash" and afterward got to feed the tigers for a few bucks. This tiger was one from the show. They actually played in the pool!

We got to feed this guy during our afternoon safari trip. He came right up to the bus and ate the food right from my hand! His long tongue gave my hand a bath...ewwwWww.

Our second stop on the trip was to the Grand Canyon. I've never been there and it's absolutely amazing! We actually hiked down half the Bright Angel Trail, down into the canyon! It was exhausting - I barely made it back up to the rim!

We were in the car for hours at a time...I had to find creative ways of entertaining ourselves. We played 20 Questions, completed crosswords, and even played Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

We got to Colorado Springs and hit the Garden of Gods. It looked like it was about to rain but it held out long enough for us to make it through the park and onto our next destination - Seven Falls.

We got to Seven Falls and it had just started sprinkling. We took a mountain elevator up 2600 feet and were almost sent back down because it had started to rain heavily and thunder, but the attendant let us run out onto the deck and take a picture by the falls (some nice Texan took our picture!)

We got into Utah and - despite the hot weather - decided to go to Arches National Park, home of the nation's largest collection of natural arches (over 2000!) We packed plenty of water, as you can see.

Our final destination before heading home was Vegas, baby. We stayed here at the Stratosphere where I finally got to gamble for the first time...and lost $40 while Steven won some money. What ever happened to beginner's luck?

As of 11:45 this morning, I have officially become an iPhone convert. I went into the AT&T store, just to browse around and see how the Blackberry Bold works...and I walked out with the purchase receipt for an iPhone 3G S.

I'm not sure whether it was the cute salesman who lured me into playing with the iPhone model they had out, or if it was the superfast internet compared to that of the Bold that sold me...but I walked out of the store with a new cell phone ordered.

I've been contemplating my upgrade for a couple of weeks now and had narrowed it down to the iPhone or Blackberry Bold (if I continued with AT&T). But the Bold didn't impress me. And even though I'm reluctant to give up my full QWERTY keyboard, I'm hoping the iPhone will win me over shortly.

Although I won't get my phone until sometime next week (if I'm lucky and it ships fast), I've already bought a new case, skin and a couple screen protectors for this new phone.

I guess I'll have to wait and see if the iPhone lives up to its reputation.

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"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you, he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe...it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is...just...moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope." ("He's Just Not That Into You")
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Oh. My. God.

I hate laundry day - especially since none of the laundry machines are working. And especially since I didn't find out this fact until the end of the wash cycle when all my clothes were SOAKED with water and I had to wring them out in the sink.

Now I have to use the large washing machine that charges me a dollar more to wash. Ugh.

I wish I was rich enough to have a service do this for me.

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Just thought I'd share my current playlist with you...

1. "Infected" - Fallon & Felisha

2. "Goodbye" - Kristinia Debarge

3. "Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo

4. "Jai Ho" - A.R. Rahman and the Pussycat Dolls

5. "Roll the Credits" - Paula DeAnda

6. "La Isla Bonita" - Tasha

7. "I Did It for Love" - BoA
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Swine flu is officially at my college.

Oh. My. Goodness.
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So, the weather in SoCal has been absolutely gorgeous the last few days - especially down my way toward Long Beach. It's been warmer than I usually tolerate, but it's been balanced by tranquil breezes. I love breezy days - perfect beach days!

School has been busy. I had a midterm last week that I will hopefully get back tonight during class (if I go). It's also getting to that point in the semester where there's only about 6 weeks left (or about that), and I'm just over it. But I've kind of been pushing myself to keep working hard because I really want to make the President's Honor List again. The only class I'm worried about is the physical science class. I don't want a "C" in the class - that's not acceptable. I'm going to try and talk to the teachers and see if I can get any sort of extra credit.

I had an interview last night for the special education program at my school (apparently, they just don't let anybody in). It was a group interview, which I absolutely despise. I hate the fact that five other people are trying to one-up you and "outshine" you. And that's exactly how the interview was. There were a couple of really annoying girls who kept referring to their "extensive experience" (which - by the way - was child's play compared to mine), and I wanted to throw my pen at them. Ugh. I hate having to brag about myself - that's just not me.

Anyway, I think the interview went well...I will find out in 2-3 weeks, but I'm pretty confident that I made it into the program. I'm just excited to start on those special education classes.

Work has been great. My supervisor is really pushing my principal to let me work summer school with her which would be great. I'm going to start looking for summer jobs next week. (I hate searching for jobs!) If anybody needs a tutor or babysitter, I'm your lady! :)

I'm at school right now - waiting for my class at 3:30. I'll only be here till 4:30 if I decide not to go to my 7 o'clock class. We'll see.

Till next time...
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So, tonight marks my return to Vox. I haven't written in a while (we'll get to why in a bit), and I've missed the gratification I get from publicly exposing my innermost thoughts and feelings to strangers. I'm happy to be back.

One of the reasons I've put Vox on the backburner is because I've been extremely busy with school. I'm in the midst of my second semester at CSU Long Beach, and it's been an overwhelming semester to say the least. I'm taking five classes, plus a physical science lab that's kicking my butt.

Apart from the classes, I've also had to work on completing 50 service hours for two of my teaching classes. Unfortunately (because of the way my program works), I wasn't able to do those hours in the classroom I work in; however, I was able to do them at my job - just in a general education classroom. I'm working in the 1st grade classrooms of one of my RSP kids (he's one of my favorites), and the teacher has given me a lot of responsibilities. I've been able to present some math and ELD lessons, which is always exciting. However, I also have to prepare these lessons myself - making posters, worksheets, etc.

But my hard work is paying off. I received a certificate in the mail the other day from my college. I had made the President's Honor List for last semester. I was so excited! It's always motivating to see that all this hard work is getting me somewhere. I'm hoping to get as good of grades this semester. (Cross your fingers for me!)

Work has also been busy. I was out sick today, and I hate being out. I feel like I disappoint my supervisor when I have to take a day off of work. I try not to miss any days, if I can.

My six-month review was last week, and I got the highest marks in all areas I was being observed in. Thank goodness someone sees my hard work in action! My pay rate should be increasing shortly, which is exciting - and a relief.

In other news, my love life at this point in nonexistant. There was a guy I was seeing. We started "dating" in October, but stopped talking for a month back in mid-January. I saw him a couple of weeks ago, but I think that it'll be the last time. We have trust issues that I just don't see being resolved anytime soon. I don't think he's ready to be in a serious relationship, either.

I've been talking to and seeing one of my former co-workers from the car dealership. He's really sweet and always fun to be with, but I'm not sure where things are going with him. I'm being cautious not to jump into something that'll turn out to be temporary.

Finally, I'm still searching for another apartment. I'm trying to get something this week because I don't want (and really can't afford) to stay here much longer. I'm looking for something cheaper and maybe something closer to school. But I don't want to live in the ghetto part of LB. So, I'm looking in Downey and Norwalk...even Bellflower. Pray that I find something quickly.

Anyway, I'm off to bed. I have to wake up early for work and then I have class in the afternoon, and a midterm at 7 p.m. Always fun. Till next time...
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"Never forget: You are your most valuable asset. Whatever money fears you may be faving, you will survive them, with hard work and a sense of humor."

Ah! I read this in my December "Marie Claire" issue that I JUST picked up from my coffee table today (after it's been sitting there since November) - the wise words were written by the editor-in-chief, and brought tears to my eyes (no joke...long story).

It's been a rough last few days...been dealing with some personal financial issues and trying to remain optimistic. My lease is up on my apartment and I'm stressed out over the thought that I may have to go through the entire ordeal of moving again. I've been looking at other apartments, and have until Friday if I'm going to renew my lease here. Ugh...so much stress.

On top of that, I start school next week and the first week is always stressful. I'm worried about getting straight A's again this semester...juggling work and school...and finding another part-time job. So much stress.

Say some prayers for me!
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