Sign on the dotted line

I just received the contract for my article. I thought I'd be receiving this 20 page document to sign when in fact it was just a simple letter stating the obvious. I'm supposed to be receiving payment within two months after the manuscript deadline. YEAH because I can really use the $$! I think someone needs to pinch me because I still can't believe this is really happening! I just have to remind myself that I am a new writer, who is just getting started and who still has a lot to learn about writing! Though, never in a million years would I have thought that a magazine would want to publish my article! I'm practicing my autograph just in case anyone wants one!

On Wednesday, I spent my entire lunch with a nice, "older" gentleman. No, it wasn't my crush, but it was with a tutor at my school, who patiently helped me with my annoying and neverending Math homework. I really and truly wanted to attend the Chamber of Commerce luncheon where "Mr. Cutie" (or "QT") was going to be recognized at as one of the new BOD (Board of Directors), but it just didn't happen. I'm hopeful that there will be another opportunity to run into him soon.

Speaking of opportunities, I guess I spoke too soon! I just read in my local newspaper that there's going to be a benefit concert at "Mr. Cutie's" POB (place of business) next weekend! A former alum of my high school, who has made a name for himself in the folk music world, will be performing. He's trying to raise $$ for the purchase of solar panels, a battery and inverter that he'll be delivering to a village in West Africa next month. Ultimately, he'd like to set up a non-profit music school there. Coincidentally, I saw this musician and former resident just before Xmas, at Longs. I looked up and found myself making eye contact with this former h.s. alum, from afar. He saw me and probably thought, "She looks familiar." Did I mention that his father is my doctor? Yes, it's a small world! Anyway, I wish I would've said something to him, but I didn't. Maybe he could've introduced me to "Mr. Cutie"! My strategic plan is to call up my friend, who was this musician's classmate, and see if she wants to go with me. If she can't go, I think I can try coaxing my other friend. ;) The event is FREE!

A good friend of mine sent me the following e-mail. Too funny!

HUMOR FOR LEXOPHILES (LOVERS OF WORDS):

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Police were called to a day care where a 3-yr-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

The butcher backed up into the meat grinder & got a little behind in his
work.

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

The short fortune teller, who escaped from prison, was a small medium at large.

A thief, who stole a calendar got, 12 months.

A thief fell & broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.

The dead batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist & a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

A will is a dead giveaway.

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

A backward poet writes inverse.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.

If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft & I'll show you A-flat miner.

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

A calendar's days are numbered.

A lot of money is tainted: 'taint yours, and 'taint mine.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

He had a photographic memory, which was never developed.

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

Acupuncture: a jab well done.

Math: friend or foe?

School started again and so far I'm feeling overwhelmed with my math class. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've never been great in math and I know I never will be. They say that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and my strength is English. It's like I have this mental block when it comes to math. I just had to dish out $$ to buy a graphing calculator, which I absolutely won't have any use for after I complete all my Math courses (I have one more left after this one). My instructor briefly went over on how to use this calculator for our homework assignments, but I didn't have mine with me at the time. I can pretty much work any sort of gadget, but I'm oblivious when it comes to this calculator. The manual that came with it isn't any help either. On the bright side, my three other classes are a breeze: a Pilates class (which I've taken before), a four week Counseling class, and Political Science, which seems rather interesting. Again, I just want to PASS my math class with a credit, which I opted to take instead of a grade since this course isn't transferable. I have to take this math course in order to advance to the next one, which is transferable.

In other news, Julie the editor sent me an e-mail to confirm that they'll be including my article in the May issue. She said that the contract is in the mail. I still can't believe that my article is getting published! I just hope that the person I profiled in this article is very happy with what I've written. :) I've already got some ideas for my next two articles, which I'd like to write when I have more time. I know, I know. I have to make time! One of those ideas includes my next subject (see below)!

And lastly, I found out that my town is having a luncheon to induct the new Board of Directors for the CofC. It turns out that "Mr. Cutie" is one of those newly elected directors and he's going to be there! However, you have to pay to go to this luncheon and I was told that the tickets are sold out, but that I could get on the waiting list. I figure it may be worth it to attend so I know what's happening in my community. Besides, maybe this will finally be the opportunity that I get to talk to "Mr. Cutie"! ;) Then again, I might "chicken out" at the last minute and not attend the luncheon at all. :(

Good news!

I recently e-mailed the Editor of the publication {the same one where I had applied to in Nov.} that I had submitted my profile story to and asked her if she had read the story. This was her reply:

"Yes and it's a great start! I gave it to the Managing Editor and we'll get back to you when we can. Right now things are crazy, but yes, I'm going to put it in the May issue. So it may be a little while before we get back to you again, but I'm happy with what you sent. Great job!"

I am SO ecstatic! If I understood and read the e-mail correctly, I'm getting my FIRST article published! :) I have to go out and celebrate! :)

So I went to go pay for my schooling, parking, and books today. I was told that I owed $36, so as I went to pay for it, the clerk told me that my scholarship was taking care of it. I told her that I still hadn't received my parking permit, which I so desperately need. The clerk said that they mailed it to me today. Why does the school wait until the last minute to do this? I don't think I should have to pay any additional money when I've already paid for it! She told me that if I didn't receive the permit by the first day of class, which is this Monday, then I'll need to go to the Campus Police and let them know my situation. Ughhhhh!! The things I have to deal with in order to get a good education.

Speaking of education, I just found out my grades & am very pleased with myself. I received a "C" in Food & Nutrition, a "B" in Philosophy, and (drumroll, please) an "A" in Journalism (Magazine Writing)! This also deserves a celebration! ;)

I went by "Mr. Cutie's" POB this afternoon, but I didn't see him around, so I didn't bother going in. :( I could have used some hot cocoa, but I know there's going to be another opportunity to go in & say hello, SOON! :)

Storm Watch: A bad start to the New Year

Around this time every year, my area experiences terrible weather. Today has been no exception! It has rained all night and all day, and I've seen trees down and many areas closed due to the flooding. We're due for a series of 3 major storms with hurricane force winds, which aren't typical around here. One storm has already passed and we're expecting two more this weekend. Thank God my neighborhood has been spared from any flooding.

I went in to work for a few hours today and as I listened to my co-workers' radios and/or their Internet radio connection [I have yet to get a phone or computer of my very own, after having been at my job for 1 1/2 years!], I was thinking, "Gosh, God must really be mad at us for something we did or didn't do!" When I was younger, I used to be a "worry wart" and all rainstorms and thunderstorms would have scared the living daylights out of me. Now that I'm older, it doesn't scare me as much.

I do pray that nothing really bad happens to my loved ones, myself, or my community.

Happy New Year!

Well, 2007 is almost history and another new year is upon us. Time sure flies! I have but only a few wishes for 2008:


1) I pray that my parents have the best of health. They're the greatest people I know (ok, so I'm a little biased!) and I don't know how I would survive without them. :)


2) For my sister to have faith during this tough time that she 's going through. Things will eventually get better for her.


3) For my brother to have continued success in what he enjoys doing and I hope that he finds that someone special.


4) For my two nieces and nephew to be happy despite what they and their mother have gone through this year. I pray that my oldest niece will enjoy her new surroundings and job, and that her b/f stays true to her and takes care of her. For my nephew, I also hope he enjoys his new surroundings and that he will stay focused while away at school. As for middle niece, I hope that she enjoys her time off away from school and that she knows that she can always go back to it when she is good and ready.


5) For the rest of my growing and extended family, I hope that everyone is in good health and that their lives are filled with love and happiness.


6) For my old & new friends, I hope that they're happy. I may have lost contact with a few "old" friends [though not by choice], but all I really wish for them is the best.


7) As for me, I still have the same wishes as I did before: that I have great health and continued success in school. And if God is listening, I pray that 2008 will be a great year for me in that I will finally meet that special someone!

Christmas is just around the corner!

I just couldn't wait to say this, but school is over! I took my last two finals today and boy, what a relief it is off my back! :) I am FREE from the worrying and the STRESS that I was under for the last 3-4 months. Now I can relax and enjoy the next three weeks of vacation. I intend to do the following:

1) Catch up on some house work (including getting rid of all those papers I accumulated from doing research) since I've alienated it for a while.

2) Exercise/go running because I haven't had much time for it.

3) Meet up with some friends.

4) Go bargain shopping right after the Xmas holiday.

5) Finish reading this book I bought--from two years ago.

6) To go back to "Mr. Cutie's" p.o.b. and introduce myself to him--that's if he's ever there! ;)

So I started my Xmas shopping today. I didn't get a chance to do it earlier because I was inundated with school stuff. I bought something for my father, sister and 2 nieces, but now I need to find something for my mother, brother, and nephew. I swore to my mother that there wasn't going to be a Christmas this year because 1) I didn't have the $$ and 2) I wasn't in the holiday spirit. So much for breaking promises! :(

Finally, this week I'm supposed to be submitting the draft of the profile I wrote to the publication that didn't hire me. I'm hoping the subject of my profile gives his ok on the quotes I sent him tonight. And I'm praying that the publication will want to publish my first story! :) Ah...the life of a freelance writer. :)

Every cloud has a silver lining

I received an e-mail last week from the Editor of the publication where I had recently applied to. It turns out that she gave the job to another candidate. :( I wasn't really disappointed that I didn't get the job. I know I need to improve my writing skills and I plan to do so. You know, there's always a silver lining to be found somewhere! Here is what the Editor's wrote me:


"It's not because we don't adore you! And I am still interested in having you write the WFC piece. Thanks so much for your time and patience. Perhaps we can do an internship at some point in the future? I have one lined up for the spring already, but maybe during summer or fall."

Well, I didn't hesitate to respond and told her that I'd be interested in interning in the summer. She responded by saying she was glad. I'm looking at this as another opportunity or stepping stone to what could possibly lead to a future career, either with this publication or with another one in my area.

Ok, so I finally went to "Mr. Cutie's" place of business (p.o.b.) about two weeks ago w/ my friend Angelica. As we walked into the place, I looked at the waitress behind the counter and asked, "Is your mother's name Joy?" She responded, "Yes. Do you see a resemblance?" Kathleen, our waitress, is the spitting image of her mother. It turns out that her parents and my parents were neighbors back in the mid/late 70s. At that time, their son was just a few months old. I remember when my mother took me to visit the neighbors and all I saw was this little baby in his crib. Unfortunately, Kathleen's parents moved shortly thereafter into another neighborhood, just around the corner. She and her older sister weren't born yet when her parents lived next door. However, I do remember seeing her in town with her parents many years ago.

During the course of our conversation, I explained to Angelica how I knew Kathleen. Before we finished lunch, Kathleen came out and talked to us. I found out that she graduated with my oldest niece & when I told her my niece's name, she replied that she did notice a resemblance between my niece and I. That was funny to hear her say that because no one has ever told me that. People have always said that my other niece/Godchild looks more like me!

Anyway, after talking to the waitress--who actually made a few mistakes w/ my friend's lunch & with our bill (we gave her a good tip anyway. She said that she promised next time the service would be better. Oh, there will definitely be a next time. I can guarantee that!), I eventually fessed up to my friend as to why I wanted to eat lunch where we did. My very good reasons were: 1) I had never been there before, and 2) I was hoping to run into the owner..."Mr. Cutie"! Unfortunately, he wasn't there that day. :( There may be another opportunity to hang out at his p.o.b. in the future! On occasion, they have live music there. Apparently another alum of our high school--who happens to be a classmate of Angelica's--plays there every now and then. Hmmm...the next time he's performing sounds like the perfect time to go in again and maybe this time I'll run into "Mr. Cutie"! :) Hey, and if Kathleen is still working there, maybe I can ask for the 411 on her boss!

Well, I need to get back to finishing up my homework. Thank God there's only two more weeks of school left! YEAH! Can't wait for winter break, even though it's going to be a short one. :(