dermatology matters of skin and hair

After the trip to the mall (in search for gloves after my search at Target proved unfruitful), I am now more concerned about my hair. I saw so many pretty girls and well-dressed women. Between seeing my exposed scalp in the mall mirrors, the many desired articles of clothing, and with the rash I have (not sure from what) and going in sweatpants after working, I don't feel cute or confident. I just googled "thin hair" in hopes of finding a quick solution. I came across this.

http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/articles/female-hair-loss-2

I guess it's another thing to bring up when I go to my dermatologist a week from Monday. I had to make an appointment after this last week of itching and skin abrasions developing all over.

Ahh. Why do I feel like I'm falling apart? On the upside, I got to the gym yesterday; went to Reilly with Mia and Neill. Oh, and I met with Dr. Garza to discuss my applications and writing. She's going to write my third recommendation (Dr. Henne and Dr. Smith writing the other two). Today I'm going to work on the required statements, but I just want to curl up in bed right now!

Audrey, how I love you.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/08/04/16_tautou_lgl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/04/why_audrey_tautou_might_replac.html&usg=__Wwdo1rR8fC-r1vtMFznLenbiVzg=&h=375&w=250&sz=26&hl=en&start=96&sig2=wsGs3xrcn-oaKTYiqkWIRA&um=1&tbnid=atmPDXiDr20zOM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=81&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daudrey%2Btautou%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D90%26um%3D1&ei=sylBS_iaLZuKNfCqiRc

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.magxone.com/uploads/2009/04/audrey-tautou-elle-belgium-april-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.magxone.com/elle/audrey-tautou-elle-belgium-april-2009/&usg=__I7deHZ280dRA8JAtFyaoabCZ5YU=&h=600&w=449&sz=53&hl=en&start=149&sig2=gYml89hTv6A5odhlJbnVNQ&um=1&tbnid=hImQJGv0Qy89dM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=101&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daudrey%2Btautou%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D144%26um%3D1&ei=_ClBS6TlCKHIM8Ta1K4C

I'm at our neighbor, Mahsa's. Jesse's assembling a chest of drawers while I look up hairstyles because I convinced Mahsa to cut my bangs :)

Hair, specifically mine

While I miss my short hair (and I mean at times I really miss it), and the celebrity-followers indicate a trend towards short and sweet, I'm committed to letting my hair grow out. But, that doesn't mean I can't trim the bangs a little, right? I'm just a little hesitant since I've waited so long to be able to tuck my bangs behind my ear. But, I think my hair needs a better form, more tiering. Hmph. Will my waves and curls ruin any chance of a cute and mysterious sweep on bangs? You would think I'd remember (or be able to tell from old photos), but I guess we might just have to see. Maybe if I can convince Neill, he'll take some scissors to them (being my hairs).

http://www.shorthaircutstrends.com/

And, how you insert photos into a post? I'd like to post some of the people whose hair has been inspiration for my own cuts.

New Year's Resolutions

With 2010 roughly 25 hours away, I can't help but think of resolutions to undertake. The excuse to make goals is there; will I follow through? So here are my intentioned resolutions, in no particular order:

1. To actually do everything I say/tell someone (mainly with my parents, Mia and Jesse) I'm going to do. (e.g., making/baking/cooking a dish)

2. To work on my vocabulary. At NOMA today when reading the piece descriptions, I encountered some words that I was unfamiliar with. The GRE may have passed (if I don't take it again, but I'm still in contempation about it), but I want to expand my mental lexicon and that will only come from exposure and usage. I need to ask Drew what app she downloaded so I can do so on my [new as in Christmas gift from Jesse-new] iPod Touch (which I named Jolisa).

3. To get an acceptance letter from Tulane and/or the New School. First, I must get my applications in on time. Asked for recommendations so now, the next two days, it's writing for me! Also, I would like to say to get another job as well, but if I begin at Tulane, I won't need a job since I'll also be awarded a stipend. I'll be happy to teach ESL (twice a week) still though.

4. To keep my current exercise habits

5. To write more--on my blog and livejournal, but also prose on my own, and especially letters to friends and family!

6. To save money for important things like student loans, repayment to parents, more foundational things for Jesse's and my life together, and travelling!

7. To convince Jesse to go somewhere in addition to Mexico (provided we have the money)

8. To be a better, more considerate and empathetic sister (and friend)

9. To get along better with Daddy and help Mama when I can. To travel to Baton Rouge more often, even if that means going on my own (without Jesse).

10. To practice my Spanish more regularly and to start on a third language; I may have to wait until I regain my Spanish before moving on.

11. To learn as much as I can about New Orleans by visiting places and talking to people. Today, Mia and I went to NOMA, and I was overhelmed and impressed by all of the exhibits. The ones concerning New Orleans, or with parts of New Orleans as its subject matter, struck me and motivates me to learn more about my beloved city.

12. To be open to religion and spirituality, in whatever form to which I'm exposed. I'm not saying that I want to be religious, but I want to learn more about how and why humans have a tendency to organize together, based on belief systems and divination. I went to see Avatar with Mia, Neill, and Jesse last night, and I've been turning a few things in my head since. In the movie the native religion, with animisim and pluralistic identity and deity, are concepts I want to better familiarize myself with. Many religions that don't belong to the ubiquitous three have these roots in their history. I want to learn more about the evolution of religion, I guess.

That's all for now, I suppose. I'm sure I'll come up with more.Oh, actually one more. (13) To actually write "2010" without one mistake of "2009" in the first few weeks to months of the new year.

Lastly, I watched Paris, Je t'aime with Mia tonight. I loved it! Though I was only there for 2 days, I long to return! I ordered My Life in France (by Julia Child) with part of a gift card from Amazon from my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tony; I'll be recieving it any day, and I'm looking forward to reading it. While Mia and I were having lunch, I ran into a sort-of childhood friend today and she now lives in Paris. Just hearing about her life and watching a French movie (or series of shorts) opens the pandora (haha, not that bad) box for my phase of French obsession. It may be short-lived because with me, sometimes, you never can tell.

Check out the blog I made my dad. He didn't appreciate it though. Oh well, I'm proud of myself.

soapboxofpianomanal.blogspot.com.

Bonne nuit!

Love working at a school

Written hours ago on a legal pad

So I'm sitting at Jesse's desk at his office because for the second time in the last week, I've exhibited brilliance--I locked myself out of the house.

This time I was going to take a quick trip--a walk to the post office for some last minute card-sending. But, alas, less than five seconds after locking the bottom, I realized I should check my purse and lo and behold, they weren't in there. Well, Mia isn't in town so I couldn't call her to ask her for her spares. And, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal since Jesse's at work. But, between not having any cash on me and the other lockout incident, of both, I will update about later, it's not my week! Plus, Saki has a "friend" (read, to Saki, a bitch who she'll have to compete with) over, Coco [after the Chanel], because our neighbor is out of town. But, I had to scavenge to find enough change for the streetcar. I thought I didn't have enough, but fortunately, the streetcars take pennies (didn't know, but that works).

I enjoyed the ride downtown with my box of red and white envelopes awaiting the final stamps of approval. I hadn't brought anything to read, thinking it would be straight to my destination and back--no time for recreation--but the lack of diversion gave me the pleasurable opportunity to observe the bustling holiday-anticipating riders, both families with children recently out of school and individuals.

So showing up to Jesse's office on Poydras, I was waiting, standing inside his doorway when he returned from the bathroom. I was much more excited to see him than I expected and he didn't seem to mind the interruption, either. Well, I left to walk to Loyola Avenue and mail some of my posts (I still have a few more) and then, returned to his office.

We have some some shopping to do after he gets off so I'll just stay here until 4:30, from whence we'll go to the Christmas shop (in the Quarter) to get our ornament this year (and lemme tell you, it's beautiful! I can tell you since I'm typing this later; it's a lovely, shiny, red bird, maybe cardinal, on a twig). We're hoping that this becomes our annual tradition. Then, to Borders, to the house of McGehees' office manager to pick up my reissued check, home (to walk the dogs). And, then back out to Best Buy and elsewhere.

Tomorrow, I have some last minute shopping to do. I'll go with Neill because there are a few things I'd like to get for Jesse.

Tonight, I'm attempting the sweet potatoes Jesse so loved at Copelands a month or so ago. They were amaretto pecan cream mashed sweet potatoes.

Do we ever really get peace of mind?

I'm laying in bed because about 5 minutes ago I went outside to run, but was intimidated by the cold front that arrived sometime last night. I may muster up enough courage to go back out there in a few minutes, but for now, I'm content to lay in bed. Whilst doing so, I am realizing just how beautiful this room is. It's the Oak tree outside and how it allows most of the sun's light in, washing into the two walls of windows and onto my bed. I remember the first time Jesse and I were looking at this place, and we walked into the empty room in awe. I don't get to take time to roll in the warmth of my bed and the sun much anymore since I've been participating in the almost humdrum of employment, albeit part-time. (Sadie's sick so I have this morning off). Fortunately, though, I won't be missing the money I would have made because a friend asked me to babysit her daughter since today because she has to sub. So, that'll work out well for my finances, plus I actually really enjoy babysitting this one!

I still have some cooking to do this evening. I accidently had lunch with Ms. Mary and Rita yesterday at Little Gate so I suggested we do it again, and seeing as Ms. Mary loves curry (she's from England), I plan on bringing some shrimp curry. I'm also going to bake some cookies for my ESL students, coworkers, and Mia and Neill. Neill and I are supposed to hang out today, but with my babysitting plans (I was called this morning), I don't know what time we'll be able to. In the plans are Mamma Mia, baking, and I'd like to get some grocery shopping in, but I don't know how.

Jesse's car is out of commission indefinitely. We were coming home through 5-10 inches of rain on Saturday and now his clutch is not shifting into the different gears. It's been a little stressful because he has two exams this week. Luckily, Lydia took him on Monday because they had the same exam. Otherwise, we've been patrons of the streetcar--even riding to work together yesterday. It's nice to do that, and a little nostalgic (though the first time that we've done it together), but it was raining heavily yesterday when we left so it wasn't the picturesque journey one might imagine. After his exam on Saturday, we'll see what will happen with his car.

So I need to cook, do some cleaning, make it outside to run (it is a beautiful day nevertheless), and write Christmas cards. This weekend/early next week, Christmas shopping and then visiting my family! Jesse's parents are coming in Sunday so we may go to Celebration in the Oaks or Miracle on Fulton Street. Michael and Hillary may come too. Mia, possibly, but doubtful...her car is in the shop from that accident in front of Whole Foods. :o

Also, I'll be beginning on my GRE prep again--for February. I had a dream last night that I didn't/wouldn't do so well. I hope that's just anxiety. Speaking of which, I'm ready to get my analytical writing results!

Happy Holidays, says my blog

New seasonal layout. Wanna change it up, add words to my banner, but I'm going to have to play around for a while. I'd also like to work on creating my own for the new year. I'll have to work on my livejournal layout, too. It's rather blase.

I'm not so gung-ho about the "Merry Christmas," but I liked the cherry blossom look. Lemme know what you think. :) Both of you who read my blog haha.