I was looking at cute overload today when I ran across the most scrumbly bento ever! How on earth could anyone actually be expected to EAT when your food is so amazingly lovely??

I have been pretty quiet on here lately considering all the big things going on in my life. I’ve already announced to most of my friends/family/online world, but for the sake of clarity, I really ought to put it here, as well.

Next Wednesday (3rd September), I’m leaving the UK. Ross and I have had several issues over the years, and though we love each other, things don’t always work out when two such different people come to living together.

So I’m moving back to the US to pick up the pieces of my life. I have a few thousand dollars which will buy me a car and an apartment, and I’ll try and find myself a dream job there. I will be living with my parents for the short term, but eventually, I’ll be on my own for the first time in my entire 26 years of life!

To say I’m scared and nervous is an understatement. I’ve never had to take care of myself before. I’ve always had someone there to do it for me. Not that I’ve WANTED to be as feeble as I am… It just turns out that I easily allow myself to become lazy.

Anyway, Ross and I are only separating at the moment. Divorce is not being discussed except as a possibility. The plan is that I’ll make myself a life in the US, and Ross will follow in around 9 months, as long as we are both on the same page. If not, c’est la vie. We’re hoping for the best, but all our affairs are in order just in case things don’t resolve.

I am so happy that I will be able to really have some time to get to know myself again. Since moving to the UK, I’ve totally lost track of who I am and what makes me happy. I am a ghost of someone I used to be. But I think I can honestly say that this separation will make me the kind of person I can be proud of.

Hopefully, Ross will have time to reflect on his behaviour, as well, which can only be good for us. I think we’ve realised that while love can get you to do things you wouldn’t normally do, it isn’t enough to keep you on the right track forever. Sometimes you have to look inside yourself for the answers.

So there it is. I officially resign from England. :) I will take up my post as proud American once again. I may even go out and vote this year!

When I first moved to the UK, I found myself confused by many aspects of the country. Maybe the most strange of all was the school system. Figuring out the difference between GCSEs and A Levels and O Levels, etc just made my brain hurt. And one of the strangest things I learned about was the process of “clearing.”

Getting in to university can sometimes be difficult. What do you do when your first choice or even fourth choice won’t accept you? If you WANT to go to university, you are going to have to join in the fun of clearing.

This year, the University of Bedfordshire is inviting students onto their courses via the clearing process. From August 14th until mid-September, you can call them up on 0800 013 0925 or visit their website: University of Bedfordshire - Clearing 2008.

Don’t let the chance of university pass you by. Contact them today and get a great education for yourself.

This video is so close to life that it feels like someone took a video of my cat and put it online. Where would I be without my annoying little kitty??

Today is the 30th birthday of the man I love most in the whole world.

He is beautiful.

He is articulate.

He is a good provider.

And…

he is a very “special boy.”

So if you see Ross Williams today…

wish him a Happy 30th Birthday.

And be sure to compliment his cowboy boots.

Okay, folks. This doesn’t usually happen, but I’m stumped. Maybe it’s because it’s after midnight and I’m TIRED. But I can’t think of the name of a short story/novella I read in high school and it’s REALLY annoying me, as I want to get my hands on it.

Basically the premise is about boys at a private school. There is one boy who sort of stands out as a bit of a mischief maker. He wears his school tie as a belt, and he’s always getting in trouble. For some reason all the boys jump out of a tree into some water to show how tough they are. The mischievous boy ends up breaking his leg, and when the doctor’s go to set it, marrow escapes, poisoning his body, and he dies.

Sorry for the spoilers if you haven’t read it, but DAMN. I can’t for the life of me remember what it was. Please help!

I was reminded of this story tonight while doing a crossword puzzle. The puzzle had a hint about a “wading bird,” which I realised was an Ibis. It reminded me of the short story, The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst. I suddenly recalled many a short story I wanted to re-read, and I found a GREAT resource for short stories.

If anyone is interested, click here.

Anyway, I’m REALLY trying to figure out the name of this story so I can go re-read it. For some reason I keep thinking it has a name like, “An __________    ____________.” And the word “pearl” keeps coming to mind. I have no idea why.

If you can think of it, PLEASE let me know.

Starting time: 10:44 PM
Name: Kathleen Rebekkah Vyktoriah (Katie)
Sisters: Amanda Elayne (Manda)
Brothers: Joshua David (JD) and Padraic John (Pat)
Shoe size: 7 or 8 (UK) 10 or 11 (US)
Height: 5′8

Where do you live: Wokingham, Berkshire, England
Favorite drinks: Water. I can’t drink fizzy drinks or alcohol.
Favorite breakfast: Pancakes with sausage patties all drenched in maple syrup. Or biscuits and gravy. Mmm.
Have you ever been on a plane?: Haha. I used to be a Flight Attendant, so planes were kind of a prerequisite. :)
Swam in the ocean: Amazingly, no! I have paddled in the ocean severally, but I have never had the pleasure of actually swimming.
Fallen asleep at school: I used to miss entire afternoons worth of classes by falling asleep in the school TV station.
Broken someone’s heart: I very much doubt it.
Fell off your chair: Quite a few times. Including once in 8th grade while wearing a miniskirt and very tight corset top. The fecking hottie of our class pushed it out from under me and laughed.
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: Yes, but only because there was a family emergency I was waiting to hear about.
Saved e-mails: I always save emails.

What is your room like: I have a small office in the house which holds a computer desk, several three drawer cabinets, SHELVES UPON SHELVES of books, a load of cubbies, a guitar, loads of candles, incense and aromatherapy oils, and all of my art supplies.
What’s right beside you: My computer tower to my left (which is covered with stacks of unfinished paintings) and a bunch of paint brushes, paintings and cameras to my right.
What is the last thing you ate: Chicken Korma. About three mouthfuls, which is all I can stomach these days.
Ever had chicken pox: Yep. Don’t remember them, but I have a nice little pockmark scar on my forehead.
Sore throat: Erm… hasn’t everyone? I’ve had strep throat and tonsilitis more times than I can count.
Stitches: Only from surgeries. Never from injuries. I have over 400 stitches/staples in my stomach. HA!
Broken nose: Twice. First time because my little brother swung a two by four at my face when I was 11. Second time because a cabbage patch kid fell off the top bunk bed and onto my still recovering face.

Do you believe in love at first sight: It’s happened to me once. It didn’t last.
Like picnics: I don’t really think I’ve ever truly been on one.
Who was/were the last person/people you danced with: My cat Gypsy. Right before she stuck her claw in my face.
Last person who made you smile: Ross. He’s useless with his tool…. by that I mean the screwdriver…
You last yelled at: The cats. They are completely nuts.

Today did you:

Talk to someone you like: I talked to Ross and the cats. So I suppose so! I also talked to Sara, the lovely nurse at the endocrinology clinic who vampirically assaulted me with needles.
Kiss anyone: Ross and the cats. I’m an affectionate bugger.
Get sick: Hehe. I threw up water on the living room rug. Woops!
Talk to an ex: Nope. It’s not that time of year. ;)
Miss someone: Certainly. I have a lot of someones I miss since I live in a foreign country!
Eat: I did! And it stayed down and didn’t hurt! Thank god for lanzoprazole!

Best feeling in the world: When I hold my cat in my arms and she falls asleep purring adorably at me.
Do you sleep with stuffed animals: I sleep with my hubby and a teddy bear called Not Quite.
What’s under your bed: Floor. We’re currently sleeping on a mattress.
Who do you really hate: Joanna Daly. She’s an Irish cunt who deserves to be flayed. (For Legal purposes, I’m going to pretend that I’m joking here)
What time is it now? 11:01 PM

SECOND SECTION
Random:
Is there a person who is on your mind now: Yes.
Do you have any siblings: 3
Do you want children: Yes. One day. In a few years.
Do you smile often: I have no idea. Not consciously.
Do you like your hand-writing: On occasion. I have pretty writing most of the time.
Are your toe nails painted: Ha. Well, there’s the tiniest dot of colour on the very tips, which is from them being painted about 5 months ago. Go me!
Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: I don’t have a bed! I have a mattress on the floor!!
What color shirt are you wearing now: Blue
What were you doing at 7:00 p.m. yesterday: Very little, I’d wager.
I can’t wait till: I’m rich.
Are you a friendly person: No. Go away!
Do you have any pets: Two lovely cats. But I prefer Muse to Gypsy. Mostly because Gypsy is a soulless ghoul.
Where is the person you have feelings for right now?: I couldn’t rightly say as he’s not with me right now.
Did the last person you held hands with mean anything to you now?: Since that was probably my husband, I’d assume so.
Do you sleep with the TV on?: No
What are you doing right now?: Getting tired of questions.
Have you ever crawled through a window?: I’m sure I have, though I can’t think of any specific instances at the moment.
Can you handle the truth?: Who can?!
Are you too forgiving?: Possibly.
Are you closer to your mother or father?: I trust both of them with different emotions.
Who was the last person you cried in front of?: Ross.
How many people can you say you’ve really loved?: Besides family? Two.
Do you eat healthy?: I have no choice in the matter!
Do you still have pictures of you & your ex?: Yep
Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you?: Yep.
If you’re having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to?: My mommy and daddy.
Are you loud or quiet most of the time?: Quiet. Unless I’m being intentionally obnoxious.
Are you confident?: I wish I was!

THIRD SECTION
5 things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Getting ready for my junior year of high school
2. Staying up late on the internet talking to strangers
3. Hanging out at Stateline Speedway with my friend Lisa
4. Enjoying the sensation of being a teen driver
5. Planning my escape from Irvine, PA

5 things on my to-do list today:

1. Give Ross a backrub
2. Write a book
3. Redesign my art site
4. Read magazines
5. Paint pretty things

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Solero ice cream bars
2. Chicken bites
3. Yogurt
4. Prunes
5. Cheese sticks

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Pay off the debt of everyone I care about
2. Design and build my dream house complete with art studio
3. Set up a trust fund for future children
4. Donate money to my favourite charities
5. Open an art gallery

5 of my bad habits:

1. Picking scabs
2. Being too critical
3. Shopping too foolishly
4. Being incredibly messy
5. Not keeping promises

5 places I have lived in:

1. Warren, PA, USA
2. Laredo, TX, USA
3. Phoenix, AZ, USA
4. Charlotte, NC, USA
5. Imperial, CA, USA

5 jobs I’ve had:

1. Flight Attendant
2. Engineering Assistant
3. Waitress
4. Recruitment Consultant
5. Marketing Coordinator

Time now: 11:17 PM

I’ve been working on a painting for a few days, and I decided to video the process. So far I’ve put in about 9 hours which I have condensed into a 5 minute video.

There’s still a ton left, but I haven’t done it yet. :) The results are below!