I think I'm the only one who views my blog:

I got all excited due to the increasing number of views, but then I realized the views are just me checking the layout after I publish a new post. :(

I received an email from Real Simple today offering new subscribers 94% off of the cover price. SO just click on the link and it will take you to their Family and Friends page. This offers expires June 26th, 2009. The link takes you to Time Warners discount page and offers the titles of other magazines, as well.

If you can't take the heat...

...get out of the Southern states!

It has been so very hot these past few days. I believe the high temperatures have broken heat records for the highs for this time of the year. Global warming or cyclical trend?

So after I got up this morning, I decided to take Edward for a walk before it got too hot (it's supposed to be a high of 72 in Oceanside, but I'm convinced it will be 85). After we got back from our walk, it was already starting to warm up. So I decided to google "does covering windows keep house cooler" and this great article on cooling your home naturally came up. Of course, these things on their handy list take more time to throw together than I have, so I settled for throwing sheets on all out windows that don't have drapes (vertical blinds really don't block out the heat).

Also, because we rent our home, there is a limit to what we can do to the house (or what we even want to do). For example, the exterior of the house is painted a drab and ugly brown color. Darker colored homes absorb 70-90% of the radiant energy from the sun. The attic is also very poorly insulated, making the house cold during the winter and hot during the summer. However, both of these things require time, money and effort to complete. These are things I wish our landlords would have taken into consideration, but we are getting new double paned windows put in to replace the 1970's era single paned ones we currently possess. Beggars can't be choosers.

There are a few quick fixes I am interested in trying, one being this interesting heat absorbing layer you put in your attic between the interior of the roof and the insulation. It's some sort of aluminum foil with paper backing and it is supposed to absorb 25% of the heat that would otherwise be warming your house. Those sound relatively inexpensive and when we move, we could take them down with no problem. I also want to get better window coverings. Roughly 40% of unwanted heat comes in through windows. And believe me, our house gets HOT!

So now that I've done some quick research and thrown some window coverings on, I'm going to go take a cold shower and then it's off to school and work.

Real Simple Daily Thought:
Work hard to improve your mind and body. Nourish your spirit. Do the things you fear.

―Robin S. Sharma

"Help, I'm Alive"

Metric's new song "Help, I'm Alive" is one of my favorites right now. I'd put it on my Zune, but yesterday I shipped my computer off to Best Buy's repair place. I think my computer eats chargers for snacks and chargers cost around $90 new. Anyways, I found this interview with the artist and I loved hearing how she wrote the song and what was behind it. It makes me want to become a song writer (which is so incredibly hard to do!). This song has been stuck in my head for a little while and after reading the lyrics I feel like this song was written for this time of my life. I feel like I'm going through the motions, but I'm not quite living. Like I'm missing something (and I have a feeling I'm missing something big).

"I tremble
They’re gonna eat me alive
If I stumble
They’re gonna eat me alive

Can you hear my heart beating like a hammer, beating like a hammer
Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer
Hard to be soft, tough to be tender
Come take my pulse, the pace is on a runaway train
Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer, beating like a hammer

If you’re still alive
My regrets are few.
If my life is mine,
what shouldn’t I do?
I get wherever I’m going,
I get whatever I need
while my blood’s still flowing
and my heart still beats.

Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer
Hard to be soft, tough to be tender
Come take my pulse, the pace is on a runaway train
Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer, beating like a hammer

Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer."

Also, when I checked my email and got my Real Simple Daily Thought and I felt like that was just for me, too!

Real Simple Daily Thought:
"I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart."

―E.E. Cummings

AAA vs DMV

Ok, so as I write this, I am on hold with AAA. I have been on hold for a total of 45 minutes. This, however, does not include the 3 times my call was disconnected on their end...

So my question is, is AAA really helping more than the DMV did? I mean, I have yet to speak to a real person, I have been disconnected multiple times and I have been on hold for the same amount of time that I've been awake.

Unfortunately, despite being on hold this long, I'm going to have to go in to the office. I was planning on doing this, but I wanted to speak to someone to make sure I have all of the papers I need... Oh well.

****Update 4/15/09****
I went in to AAA and it was waaaaay better than the DMV. I mean, don't call either of them, they both suck as far as trying to get someone on the phone. But AAA was so much faster! If you do go to AAA, they only take cash or checks, so bring that with you!

Things I've always wanted to do:

I have resolved to try to do a couple things on this list every month or at least take the steps necessary to get me to where I need to be.

1) Send a postcard to PostSecret.
2) Surf well.
3) Sing karaoke.
4) Hike Half Dome.
5) Become a park ranger.
6) Scuba dive around ship wreckage.
7) Stand up for myself.
8) Stand up for someone else.
9) Reach my goal weight.
10) Run a 6 minute mile.
11) Start a nonprofit organization that helps animals.
12) Bungee jump.
13) Para sail.
14) Backpack through Sequoia Kings Canyon.
15) Be debt free.
16) Let go of my grudges.
17) Live on the beach.
18) Write a book (a good one).
19) Own my own home.
20) Be in a movie (as an extra, as a main character).

I'll stop with 20 things for right now.

"It’s not the tragedies that kill us, it’s the messes."

―Dorothy Parker

21) Write and record a song. Added 4/15/09.

Spring Cleaning: Not just for your closets and cupboards.

No rants or raves this time. Just a (hopefully) normal blog post. Since I know that wishing for another day of free time doesn't usually get you anywhere, I'm going to try to make the best of today. I've already gone through my closet and pulled out clothes to either give away or store because they don't fit or are for different weather than what we are currently experiencing.

I lead a very boring, "homebody" type life. I hope that I can get all my laundry done, perhaps wash my bedsheets and bathe the dog, go through my stuff in the garage and get some food for the week. I'm in a "throw everything away" mood. This is the perfect mood to be cleaning the garage. I used to be a total pack rat but now all I want to do throw everything away. I've been reading Real Simple magazine for almost a year now (speaking of which, if anyone wants to order me a subscription, mine is about to run out. ;) ) and it has helped me refocus my life and rearrange my priorities.

I've started to realize that I don't need things. I may want them, but I don't need them. Things don't hold memories, I do. The object in question may bring it back to mind, but I won't forget simply because I don't have that thing anymore. One suggestion Real Simple makes is to take a picture of an object with sentimental value (that either isn't functional or is just too bulky) and then donate or sell the actual piece. The picture will remind you of why the piece was important without creating more clutter than is necessary.

I've started to enjoy yoga, which was a complete surprise to me. My goal in life lately has simply been to be at peace with myself (with my decisions, with the way things are unfolding). I find that yoga really relaxes me and centers me (whould'a thunk it??). I've found that what helps keep me surrounded with peace is to have an uncluttered living space. Seeing as how I can't control what the rest of my house looks like (thanks to living with my family :) ), my room is my sanctuary. Since we have moved in January of this year, my room hasn't been that place for me. I've been too tired to fix it up and it's a vicious cycle (I'm tired, but my room doesn't help rejuvenate me, so I stay tired). Well, today I'm going to tackle the problem areas; the places that are disturbing my peace.

Another thing that helps me maintain my peace is connecting with God. I have the scripture of John 14:27 tattooed on me because I want it to be a permanent reminder.

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

When my family and I went to the group meetings at AA for my dad, we were told that anger is a sign of fear. I notice that when I live in fear (will I make rent, will I pass my classes, is everything really ok?) my peace is gone. There is a difference between living in fear and trying your hardest to be prepared. This verse helps keep me living in the moment instead of in the future (and the future is a scray place). God has a perfect plan. It just may not be my plan.

Well, this has been a rather long post. Now that I've spent a good 30 minutes in front of the computer, it's time to jump with both feet into my ToDo list.

Real Simple quote:

"In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order."

—Carl Jung

Spring Break:

Rave:
Getting a week off for spring break.
I love not having school for an entire week. I didn't even think about school (except to acknowledge that I wasn't in it) for about 4 days.

However...

Rant:
Getting a week off for spring break.
It totally sucks having to go back to school after only a week. I had been considering taking a class over the summer, but thank God they didn't offer anything that I could take. I really look forward to the summer. I love having no school for almost an entire season. Although, chances are I will be working 5-7 days a week. At least with school I meet people my own age instead of toddlers and elderly people... Wait...Does this mean I like school???

Real Simple Quote:
"There is joy in all."

—Anne Sexton