Congratulations, you were accepted as an advanced standing student to the University of Denver, School of Social Work!
Still waiting to hear back from:
--UC Berkeley
--Boston College
2.28.2009
2.24.2009
the love of all things "homebody-ish"
Friday-celebrated getting into Denver with a few cocktails from Fly Bar. watched the movie Bottle Shock. drank wine.
Saturday-ate a morning muffin from Apollo Cafe. drank a latte from Mojo. worked on felt & button flowers. did pilates. ate a burger. started an 1000-piece puzzle.
Sunday-worked on the puzzle. ate some eggs. worked on the puzzle. ran on a treadmill. talked with my parents on the phone. ate pasta. watched 2 episodes of gangland on the history channel.
Monday-rode the bus to work. worked. rode the bus home from work. made dinner (soyaki steak & veggie stir-fry). worked on the puzzle. did pilates. worked on the puzzle.
Tuesday-biked to work. worked....
Saturday-ate a morning muffin from Apollo Cafe. drank a latte from Mojo. worked on felt & button flowers. did pilates. ate a burger. started an 1000-piece puzzle.
Sunday-worked on the puzzle. ate some eggs. worked on the puzzle. ran on a treadmill. talked with my parents on the phone. ate pasta. watched 2 episodes of gangland on the history channel.
Monday-rode the bus to work. worked. rode the bus home from work. made dinner (soyaki steak & veggie stir-fry). worked on the puzzle. did pilates. worked on the puzzle.
Tuesday-biked to work. worked....
2.20.2009
congratulations, you are...
ACCEPTED to the University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies!
Yeah!!!
Still waiting to hear back from:
--University of Denver, School of Social Work
--UC Berkeley
--Boston College
Yeah!!!
Still waiting to hear back from:
--University of Denver, School of Social Work
--UC Berkeley
--Boston College
2.17.2009
Waving goodbye, Welcoming hello
Valentine's Day: I slept in late and enjoyed a rainy morning inside. It was wonderful. I love the sound of rain falling. It's methodical. It's calming. I love it while sipping hot tea. By late afternoon, Micah and I took over the living room with pilates. We stretched and worked our "core." Then, we rushed to get ready for dinner. The wonderful attorneys I work for gave me a gift certificate way back in October to Medjool (up-scale mediterranean tapas). I made reservations about a month ago and we ventured into the cold, wet night's air.
Dinner:
Carafe of Sangria
Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Goat Cheese, Harissa Powder, and Honey
Coffee Marinated Beef Tenderloin with Potato Cake
Seared Sea Scallops and Mushrooms in a Crab Sauce
Fried Calamari, Red Onions, and Lemons with Aioli
Hummus and Pita
Dessert:
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries
Ginger Cake with Almond Ice Cream and a Orange Carmel Sauce
Cup of Coffee
Glass of Port
2 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Dinner was fabulous. The ambiance was hip, but romantic (and I'm not even a mushy Valentine's day person). I even got to take home a red rose (there was one placed on every table). It was fun and relaxing, however without the gift certificate it would have been nigh possible.
Sun-Day: Once again, slept in late, listening to the rain pitter, patter on the window. Micah and I ditched church. We went to the gym. Lately, I've been trying "Intervals." Anyone have a ganter as to what that is? You guessed it, alternating between sprinting and brisk walking...and boy, is it a killer. In the afternoon, I just chilled and chatted around my apartment kitchen table with Daniel and Amanda. For our last hurrah, Micah, me, Daniel, Amanda, and Elisabeth all went out for pizza and drinks. I had never been to Pizza Orgasmica on Clement, but it is hip and fun. It is complete with fireplaces, funky pictures, and a bright, eye-numbingly pink bathroom. We braved the rain back to the apartment, and here's a good story. Elisabeth, Micah and I took the bus. About a quarter into the ride, on comes two marina chicks and their marina boy. I'm usually nauseated just at the site of such marina people (aka yuppies), but this particular night was even worse. One of the girls got on with her "ghetto blaster." Oh, you don't know what a ghetto blaster is? Let me tell you..it's a gold, flashy purse that also doubles as a stereo! Sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, I'm usually quite the city person when it comes to the bus, i.e. you do your thing and I'll do mine. But my limit abruptly ends at 30+ year olds getting on the bus with stereo purses blasting "ghetto music" (otherwise known as rap). I, one, find this social economic sterotype offensive. And two, find it utterly mind-blowing that there exists a white, 30-yr old female that finds it socially acceptable to play her "ghetto blaster" on a public bus! My blood slowly started bubbling and by 3 stops later it was at a full boil. My blood boiled over when the song "Ass and Titties" came on. I stood up in front of the trio and stated it was completely inappropriate and forcefully requested that it be turned off. The bus driver reiterated my pleas and the girl shut off her "ghetto blaster." However, the sneers and giggling did not stop. I was floored. I hear by state, "Bloggers, if you own a ghetto blaster or know someone that does, stop reading my blog because I hate you."
We eventually made it home to celebrate Daniel's birthday with apple pie and ice cream. Minus the bus incident, the roomies' last night was one for the memory tank.
[i'm going to miss this group hanging out around this kitchen table]
President's Day: I once again lazily woke up. I made some tea and toast and watched animal planet for half an hour. I then grudingly said farewell to Daniel and Amanda. They departed for a long road trip to Daniel's parent's house in Mississippi, where they will stay for about 3 weeks until they eventually begin the Appalachian Trail. Good luck guys!
After fighting back tears (I don't like good-byes of any kind, I'm a bit of a pansy in that way), I cleaned up some stuff in my room and then went downtown to meet up with Micah for lunch. My poor fiance (second time I'm using that word in a blog post, still freaking out about it) had to work even though almost everyone else in his office took off. He decided he could take a little bit longer of a lunch break (who's going to notice), so we jumped on BART and went to the Mission for Mr. Pickles. If you haven't experience a Mr. Pickles' sandwich, I promise to take you. I don't have it often enough, but it is scrumptuous! After lunch, I went to the Paper Source, another of my favorite places. I bought some paper (shocker) and some stamps for decorating escort cards and a different wedding favor I'm working on. I bought some hangers at Walgreens and then on my walk back to my apartment I found this (see pic below):
How great is a grey and green polka dot umbrella..ella...ella? I'm prepared if it rains on June 20, 2009!
At around 6pm, Bean showed up. She's my new roommate. She's itty-bitty, artsy, and plays the drums (let's hope at resonable hours). She moved in some stuff, and then moved in some more stuff, and then she moved in some more. Basically the apartment looks like a bomb blew up, scattering the floor with paper boxes.
In conclusion: Daniel and Amanda, you will be greatly missed from 1056. Bean, I'm glad you moved in and I'm excited for fun roommate times ahead!
Dinner:
Carafe of Sangria
Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Goat Cheese, Harissa Powder, and Honey
Coffee Marinated Beef Tenderloin with Potato Cake
Seared Sea Scallops and Mushrooms in a Crab Sauce
Fried Calamari, Red Onions, and Lemons with Aioli
Hummus and Pita
Dessert:
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries
Ginger Cake with Almond Ice Cream and a Orange Carmel Sauce
Cup of Coffee
Glass of Port
2 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Dinner was fabulous. The ambiance was hip, but romantic (and I'm not even a mushy Valentine's day person). I even got to take home a red rose (there was one placed on every table). It was fun and relaxing, however without the gift certificate it would have been nigh possible.
Sun-Day: Once again, slept in late, listening to the rain pitter, patter on the window. Micah and I ditched church. We went to the gym. Lately, I've been trying "Intervals." Anyone have a ganter as to what that is? You guessed it, alternating between sprinting and brisk walking...and boy, is it a killer. In the afternoon, I just chilled and chatted around my apartment kitchen table with Daniel and Amanda. For our last hurrah, Micah, me, Daniel, Amanda, and Elisabeth all went out for pizza and drinks. I had never been to Pizza Orgasmica on Clement, but it is hip and fun. It is complete with fireplaces, funky pictures, and a bright, eye-numbingly pink bathroom. We braved the rain back to the apartment, and here's a good story. Elisabeth, Micah and I took the bus. About a quarter into the ride, on comes two marina chicks and their marina boy. I'm usually nauseated just at the site of such marina people (aka yuppies), but this particular night was even worse. One of the girls got on with her "ghetto blaster." Oh, you don't know what a ghetto blaster is? Let me tell you..it's a gold, flashy purse that also doubles as a stereo! Sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, I'm usually quite the city person when it comes to the bus, i.e. you do your thing and I'll do mine. But my limit abruptly ends at 30+ year olds getting on the bus with stereo purses blasting "ghetto music" (otherwise known as rap). I, one, find this social economic sterotype offensive. And two, find it utterly mind-blowing that there exists a white, 30-yr old female that finds it socially acceptable to play her "ghetto blaster" on a public bus! My blood slowly started bubbling and by 3 stops later it was at a full boil. My blood boiled over when the song "Ass and Titties" came on. I stood up in front of the trio and stated it was completely inappropriate and forcefully requested that it be turned off. The bus driver reiterated my pleas and the girl shut off her "ghetto blaster." However, the sneers and giggling did not stop. I was floored. I hear by state, "Bloggers, if you own a ghetto blaster or know someone that does, stop reading my blog because I hate you."
We eventually made it home to celebrate Daniel's birthday with apple pie and ice cream. Minus the bus incident, the roomies' last night was one for the memory tank.
[i'm going to miss this group hanging out around this kitchen table]
President's Day: I once again lazily woke up. I made some tea and toast and watched animal planet for half an hour. I then grudingly said farewell to Daniel and Amanda. They departed for a long road trip to Daniel's parent's house in Mississippi, where they will stay for about 3 weeks until they eventually begin the Appalachian Trail. Good luck guys!
After fighting back tears (I don't like good-byes of any kind, I'm a bit of a pansy in that way), I cleaned up some stuff in my room and then went downtown to meet up with Micah for lunch. My poor fiance (second time I'm using that word in a blog post, still freaking out about it) had to work even though almost everyone else in his office took off. He decided he could take a little bit longer of a lunch break (who's going to notice), so we jumped on BART and went to the Mission for Mr. Pickles. If you haven't experience a Mr. Pickles' sandwich, I promise to take you. I don't have it often enough, but it is scrumptuous! After lunch, I went to the Paper Source, another of my favorite places. I bought some paper (shocker) and some stamps for decorating escort cards and a different wedding favor I'm working on. I bought some hangers at Walgreens and then on my walk back to my apartment I found this (see pic below):
How great is a grey and green polka dot umbrella..ella...ella? I'm prepared if it rains on June 20, 2009!
At around 6pm, Bean showed up. She's my new roommate. She's itty-bitty, artsy, and plays the drums (let's hope at resonable hours). She moved in some stuff, and then moved in some more stuff, and then she moved in some more. Basically the apartment looks like a bomb blew up, scattering the floor with paper boxes.
In conclusion: Daniel and Amanda, you will be greatly missed from 1056. Bean, I'm glad you moved in and I'm excited for fun roommate times ahead!
2.13.2009
excited
I'm looking forward to my 3 day weekend! Valentine's day, Sun day, and President's day. Yeah!
2.12.2009
GRRR...
Another client story...
Client C came by the office on Tuesday. She was with a friend and acted frantic about filing a restraining order. She had been given an appointment for next thursday, but that was too far away..she needed one NOW.
So, being the compassionate, caring person that I am, I arranged to come into work early today to meet with client C. I arrived at work at 2:50pm, 10 minutes before the appointment.
I checked my voicemail, my email, and of course my blog.
I waited.
I called a couple clients. Answered the phone a couple times.
I waited.
I looked at my schedule for the rest of this week and next week.
I waited.
I got nervous about intrepreting at court tomorrow for a client.
I waited.
I called DHL and attempted to schedule a pick up.
I gave up...client C isn't coming.
Client C came by the office on Tuesday. She was with a friend and acted frantic about filing a restraining order. She had been given an appointment for next thursday, but that was too far away..she needed one NOW.
So, being the compassionate, caring person that I am, I arranged to come into work early today to meet with client C. I arrived at work at 2:50pm, 10 minutes before the appointment.
I checked my voicemail, my email, and of course my blog.
I waited.
I called a couple clients. Answered the phone a couple times.
I waited.
I looked at my schedule for the rest of this week and next week.
I waited.
I got nervous about intrepreting at court tomorrow for a client.
I waited.
I called DHL and attempted to schedule a pick up.
I gave up...client C isn't coming.
2.10.2009
What is a restraining order?
Well, a restraining order is a court order telling one person to stay the hell away from another person. The judge can order a restraining order if there has been recent incidents of physical violence (nope, verbal, emotional, financial abuse, etc won't cut it in our court system) or if there is a pattern of constant harassment and/or threats.
Does it work?
Well, that's relative. It depends on whether the person being restrained cares about a piece of paper and whether or not said person has the slightest fear of the court system or the police. Will a restraining order stop a controlling, abusive man from getting to the person he is most obsessed with? Probably not. Will it stop a man from calling repetively asking to get back together? Your guess is as good as mine.
Sometimes I think my work doesn't have a whole lot of merit. Of course, I know that women finding even an ounce of protection under the law may prevent future incidents of violence or may be empowering or motivating. I wish a restraining order did more. I wish it was more respected.
I met with client B this morning about the violations that have occured since she obtained a restraining order. She launched into a full out monologue about the guy (we'll call him Mr. F) following her in his car and coming over to her house to yell at her and threaten her. She tells me that her 12-yr old son who lives outside the country was kidnaped and a male caller (unknown if it was Mr. F) threatened her 15-yr old daughter that they were going to end up orphans because of all the problems "mom was involved in". Extended family paid the ransom to get the 12-yr old back, but how frightening to have your son kidnaped and feel so helpless not even being in the same country. After all the physical violence client B faced during years of playing mistress to Mr. F, here she is in almost the same damn spot. To make things even more traumatic, Mr. F filed for a restraining order against client B and now we have to deal with a whole mess of new paperwork and more court hearings. Mr. F accuses client B of shooting up his house and stalking him. He even had the nerve to claim to the court that he was never served (given a copy of) client B's request for a restraining order and therefore knew nothing about the hearing. Mr. F, you were served in jail by the sheriff's department...man up! He is asking the court to take away the little bit of protection client B feels she has through the restraining order.
Mr. F,
You digust me. It is of no concern to you whether you leave client B beaten, frightened, or depressed. You have taken advantage of the love that client B and, as I hear, numerous other women have given you. You have crossed boundaries, broken bones, and left a limp body behind to stoke your ego. As a social worker and as a person who has faith in a higher being, I understand that you too have value. I acknowledge you have a unique set of experiences. I believe that even though I care nothing for you, that there should be someone that does. Although saying that weakens my anger towards you a fraction, I most bluntly find you a despicable, ungrateful, destructive fuck-up.
Sincerely,
cg
(I apologize if this post offends anyone, just trying to put words to my feelings).
2.09.2009
Daniel and Amanda
My roomies are moving out. They have made the brave (sometimes I think insane) decision to hike the Appalachian Trail. That's about 2, 175 miles of pure walking, no cheating, no cars, no planes, no trains, no bikes, just one step in front of the other. The WHOLE way! It's a commitment. It's about a 7 month (maybe shorter, maybe longer) commitment to admiring nature and escaping wild pigs, mountain lions, and bears.
They leave a week from today, on February 16, 2009. They are driving from California to Mississippi and then in the beginning of March they will embark on their adventure.
Daniel: I will miss your honest opinion, your southern roots, your sarcasim, and your listening ear.
Amanda: I will miss your expressions, your inquisitive nature, your hand-me-downs, and your humor.
I will miss our long conversations around the kitchen table, discussing everything for politics to bodily functions. I will keep fond memories of hiking half dome and "panda dogs." I will miss our boardgame playing, social drinking, and secret keeping.
Thank you for being great roommates! I'm excited to get updates (hopefully) about your trek and I can't wait to see you guys when you've finished!
Best of LUCK!
They leave a week from today, on February 16, 2009. They are driving from California to Mississippi and then in the beginning of March they will embark on their adventure.
Daniel: I will miss your honest opinion, your southern roots, your sarcasim, and your listening ear.
Amanda: I will miss your expressions, your inquisitive nature, your hand-me-downs, and your humor.
I will miss our long conversations around the kitchen table, discussing everything for politics to bodily functions. I will keep fond memories of hiking half dome and "panda dogs." I will miss our boardgame playing, social drinking, and secret keeping.
Thank you for being great roommates! I'm excited to get updates (hopefully) about your trek and I can't wait to see you guys when you've finished!
Best of LUCK!
2.06.2009
buttons, buttons, buttons...and felt
So you ask...What can you create with buttons and felt? Well, add in a little embroidery floss and glue, and well, you've got this:
Add in a little flower wire and flower tape, and this is what you get:
Ok, so here's my idea. Incorporate the flowers into the centerpieces and then let each person take one home as a unique, handmade favor. (Yes, I do understand that this means a very involved commitment to making felt flowers for the next 4 months!)
Any thoughts? Yea? Nah?
Add in a little flower wire and flower tape, and this is what you get:
Ok, so here's my idea. Incorporate the flowers into the centerpieces and then let each person take one home as a unique, handmade favor. (Yes, I do understand that this means a very involved commitment to making felt flowers for the next 4 months!)
Any thoughts? Yea? Nah?
2.03.2009
joint account
micah and i have a joint bank account. it's kind of wierd, but even wierder the experience we had getting it.
maria works at ** bank and she just happened to be working the day micah and i went in to open our account (lucky for us!). micah was on his lunch break, so there was a bit of a time crunch, little did we know how lengthy of a process it is to set up a joint account at ** bank with maria helping us. maria asked us some questions. we told her where we work, how much we make, how much we have in savings, etc.. then, she asked for two forms of i.d. we both presented her with our driver's licenses and our debit cards. she took them and continued filling out the forms on her computer.
as the conversation progressed, it was quite clear that maria was never destined to be a short term information memorizer. i say this because no matter how many times we told her our names, she never got them right. micah was "me-kel" and i was "gracie" (god knows where that came from). seriously, maria, you are LOOKING at our driver's licenses. can't you read our names straight of the cards? even after verbally annoucing our names a good 4 times each it was still unclear to her who was sitting in front of her.
maria comes to the find out that she forgot to enter some vital information way back when, and her co-worker explains she will need to start over. omg! when will this end?
we continued. finally, we got to the part in the process where we needed to sign away our lives away to ** bank. none of this paper signing anymore, its all electronic. micah signs first. then it's my turn...i picked up the pen to sign my name below my printed name. it read "clara gracie farr." maria, really? gracie? can you not read? can you not hear the words coming out of my mouth. my name is clara GRACE!! where did you get gracie from? i proceed to tell maria that my middle name is not gracie...once again. she apologizes, tells me to sign anyway and then tells me she will change it and have me sign again.
jump forward like 27 minutes, i sign my name under the correct spelling of my name. i enter my password (like 2 times, because for some "odd" reason the computer just couldn't process it on the first go around. micah leaves after already being 30 minutes past his lunch break (whoops). i stay until the bitter end.
i wait for the final papers and i bid maria farewell (good riddance).
but, hey we have a joint bank account. mission accomplished.
maria works at ** bank and she just happened to be working the day micah and i went in to open our account (lucky for us!). micah was on his lunch break, so there was a bit of a time crunch, little did we know how lengthy of a process it is to set up a joint account at ** bank with maria helping us. maria asked us some questions. we told her where we work, how much we make, how much we have in savings, etc.. then, she asked for two forms of i.d. we both presented her with our driver's licenses and our debit cards. she took them and continued filling out the forms on her computer.
as the conversation progressed, it was quite clear that maria was never destined to be a short term information memorizer. i say this because no matter how many times we told her our names, she never got them right. micah was "me-kel" and i was "gracie" (god knows where that came from). seriously, maria, you are LOOKING at our driver's licenses. can't you read our names straight of the cards? even after verbally annoucing our names a good 4 times each it was still unclear to her who was sitting in front of her.
maria comes to the find out that she forgot to enter some vital information way back when, and her co-worker explains she will need to start over. omg! when will this end?
we continued. finally, we got to the part in the process where we needed to sign away our lives away to ** bank. none of this paper signing anymore, its all electronic. micah signs first. then it's my turn...i picked up the pen to sign my name below my printed name. it read "clara gracie farr." maria, really? gracie? can you not read? can you not hear the words coming out of my mouth. my name is clara GRACE!! where did you get gracie from? i proceed to tell maria that my middle name is not gracie...once again. she apologizes, tells me to sign anyway and then tells me she will change it and have me sign again.
jump forward like 27 minutes, i sign my name under the correct spelling of my name. i enter my password (like 2 times, because for some "odd" reason the computer just couldn't process it on the first go around. micah leaves after already being 30 minutes past his lunch break (whoops). i stay until the bitter end.
i wait for the final papers and i bid maria farewell (good riddance).
but, hey we have a joint bank account. mission accomplished.
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