Under A Black Cloud

FMD

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:12:00 +0000

You've seen the acronym everywhere on facebook and Twitter. FML. If you aren't aware, FML stands for (pardon my vulgarity) Fuck My Life.

Ouch. Really?! Your life?! I know it's just an expression, but I think it's just a little too much, don't you? I mean, you stubbed your toe, got in a car accident, forgot to pay your taxes; shattered a jar of pickles on the floor, it sucks, I know, but to let that fuck your life? C'mon now.

Allow me to recommend that you begin using the acronym, FMD: Fuck My Day. I can have a whole sucky day, it happens often, more often than I would prefer actually. But my life? That's a blessing, I'd never place a label other than thankfulness and gratitude along with that.

So FMD away my friends, FMD away.

Annoying Teenagers

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:01:00 +0000

I distinctly remember being an annoying teenager. I clung to my fellow annoying teenage friends and we, whether we intended to or not, MUST HAVE annoyed everyone around us with our loud and rowdy behavior. At the time, I didn't think much of it. I didn't even pay attention as to whether we affected those around us; we lived in our own little bubble and we loved every stinkin' moment of it.

So, naturally - I HAVE NOW BECOME AN 'ANNOYING TEENAGER' MAGNET.

I am convinced that this is God punishing me for my past.

I have to laugh about it. (Through clenched teeth, while I shoot piercing death-stares at them.)

Happy New Year!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:55:00 +0000

I tried my hardest to stay awake and celebrate the beginning of 2011, but alas, I am old and was completely wiped out by 11:00pm. I should have waited until midnight to have those few glasses of Wilson Creek Almond Champage. My bad.

2010 was very good to me. I began the year celebrating the marriage of a wonderful friend. I played my dream role, in my dream show, with my dream cast and made memories and friendships that will last for the rest of my days. I completely immersed myself in theater for the first half of the year. Mind you, the shows I became involved in required at least an hour commute to and from shows/rehearsals. In one instance, I did two shows at the same time. What the heck was I thinking?! But I don't regret it one bit.

Needless to say, I achieved 'theater burnout' and decided to take a break from theater to go back to school. While I miss performing, at this point in my life, I am thoroughly enjoying school. I always said I had wanted to be the first in our family to graduate from college. I just didn't think it would take me this long. Haha.

Now, for New Year's Resolutions. I'm typically not one to make them, because I rarely follow through. This year will be different. I want to be a better friend, daughter, sister and girlfriend. I've learned that nurturing relationships with the people you love is so important. I don't want to take a single person for granted. I want to be more spontaneous. I want to communicate more. I want to document my life more, it seems to be going by so darn fast. I don't want to forget any of it. That means more blogging and more pictures.

AND...I need to lose weight. I know...yadda-yadda-yadda...same old story for everyone. But seriously thought. I NEED to lose weight. You see, for the past 6 months or so, I've had NO TIME to even think about being healthy. Trying to maintain two different full time schedules, I've been either sitting on my rear end at work all day, or sitting on the couch doing homework so there's been little (or no) time for exercise. Food has become more about convenience than anything, and convenient food isn't necessarily healthy y'all. Right now, I am the heaviest I have ever been. My energy has died and I've been sick more in the last 4 months than I have been in the last 4 years. It's time for a change.

So today I began the Isagenix 30 day cleanse. I'm quite excited and can't wait to get back to being healthier. I can't stand this sniffly-being-sick thing. It's driving me nuts.

I have a feeling that 2011 is going to be a fabulous year. I have been so blessed in my life. I'm looking forward to sharing those blessings (and being a blessing) for others.

Love you all! Happy New Year!

The Color Purple Tour Casting Call

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Dear Friends - some of you are ridiculously talented musical theater folk. The Color Purple is casting its tour. I know some of ya'll need to audition. Thanks. :)

Harvard English Placement Test

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:55:00 +0000

I just took my Harvard English placement test in an effort to try and skip the beginning expository writing class and go straight into the intermediate expository writing class, which is mandatory in order for me to be accepted to the ALB program.

First of all, I haven't had to take a timed test involving an essay in approximately 18 years and I'm not exactly a speedy writer. I'm actually quite fickle when it comes to writing. I like to type any and all thoughts out and rearrange, expand upon and structure my writing from there. I knew I wouldn't have time to do that with this test.

I was given an excerpt from Orestes Brownson's "Necessity of Liberal Education" and I had to prove my ability to comprehend the excerpt by answering 8 multiple choice questions. Then, I had to write an essay summarizing Brownson's argument and whether or not I agreed with him; citing at least two points from his excerpt, I was to explain my stance, using personal experience or observation as my argument.
All in one hour. Egads. At three minutes left I hadn't even begun to summarize my essay and I submitted my essay without proof-reading. Bad use of time on my part. After submitting, the system allows you to read your submission. One typo and one misplaced apostrophe. Great.

We'll see. I'll get my results on December 17th. If I don't pass the test, I will have to take the fundamental expository writing course. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, I could use the extra writing instruction. Lord knows if I get accepted into the program I'll be writing a lot and I'll need all the help I can get. And the course will count toward my degree, so it really isn't a bad thing. I was just hoping to be able to use the money I would spend on that extra class on something more interesting, like the Anthropology class that studies the language, culture and society that Tolkien created for The Lord of the Rings. (I seriously cannot wait to take it!)

No matter what the outcome, it'll be good. I mean, I didn't think I would be able to breeze through Harvard, right?!

Musical Theater Nightmare

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:22:00 +0000

I don't stress often, but when I do, there are certain things that just REALLY get to me. Like, if I happen to be in a show and I don't know my lines, or songs. Right now, I'm juggling two shows, one of which is going to be opening in less than a week. (Children of Eden, Carlsbad Community Theater. See it. It's good.) And I haven't much time to rehearse and memorize due to my packed schedule. I'm overloaded with lyrics and harmonies, and trying to memorize them. For me, this is perfect nightmare material.

Dream begins:

I'm asked by J. Scott Lapp to perform in a charity/benefit gala. I, of course, agree to it. He says that he will pick the songs I will be performing, I'll just need to show up and be ready to sing.

So I get the venue and can't find Jer. NO ONE can seem to tell me what songs I'm supposed to be singing. I happen to stumble upon a copy of the program for the evening and I show that I'm slated to sing three songs I HAVE NEVER HEARD IN MY LIFE. The show is just about to start and I'm due to sing at the very end, so I have about an hour left and I start cramming to learn the songs. I eventually decide that it's impossible, so I frantically search for Jer to let him know that I'm not going to be able to perform. This is the conversation that follows:

Me: Jer, there is absolutely no way I'm going to be able to learn these songs and be performance ready.
J: Coreena, you'll be fine. You're professional enough. I know you can do it. You can sight read, right?
Me: Yeah...enough to get by...but not to be performance ready. Are you serious?! You want me to just sight read? What's wrong with you?
J: Okay...fine...How about this...I'll just introduce you...and when you don't come out on stage, so-and-so (I forgot the name) and I will perform this pirate number we had wanted to do but had to take out of the show.
Me: WHAT?! You're going to what?! But how does that make me look...calling my name and I don't show up?
J: Well, then whose fault is that?
Me: It's yours Jer, it's your fault, when you told me you'd pick songs for me, I assumed they'd be songs that I knew...
J: Well, then it's your fault for assuming then, right?
Me: Really Jer? Really?!
(He shrugs.)

End dream.

I need a theater break. After these next two shows, I'm going on a theater strike until the re-mount of Rent. (Which isn't really a solid plan, but I can hope, right?) Haha.

Google Voice

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0000

I've been using Google Voice for a few days now and let me tell you. I'm very, very impressed.

See, I'm not big on talking on the phone. I'm a texter and an emailer. It's not that I don't want to talk to you, it's just that I have a tendency to fill every second of my spare time with stuff thanks to my chronic "I can't say no" problem. So chances are, when you call, I'm in the middle of something. Texting and emailing allows me to respond when I have a few spare minutes. So much more convenient for me, which is why I'm liking Google Voice.

Google Voice is a new service being offered by Google. It's basically a free voice mail service that you can tie to ANY or ALL of your contact numbers. So, to explain it in a nutshell, someone calls my cell phone, I don't answer, it goes to Google Voice, my voice mail greeting plays and they leave me a message. I then get an email AND a text message WITH THE MESSAGE TRANSCRIBED. At that point, I can read the message and either decide to call someone back right away OR I can email OR text them my response.

It's genius. Pure genius. Try it. Good stuff.

Google Voice

Comic Con: Day One - Waiting

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:22:00 +0000

I love hearing people complain about the lines here...I mean...do you know where you are? Haha.

I'm waiting in a loooooooong line for the TRON preview and panel. I hope I make it in! Preview for Salt right afterward, then who knows? The weather is perfectly overcast and cool, which keeps attitudes and smelly bodies to a minimum (thank you baby Jesus).

Comic Con has truly taken over downtown San Diego this year, as you can see by the oversize decal on the Hilton. It's one of many decorating the skyline. San Diego is really pulling out all the stops. I'm sure it's in an effort to keep Comic Con here. I know I'd hate to see it go elsewhere...

Signing off for now...hope ya'll have a great day!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Let Your Geek Flags Fly!

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:27:00 +0000

Today, my friends, marks day one of the phenomenon that is Comic Con (a.k.a., people-watchers paradise).

This year, my favorite person and I will be enjoying this event in all of its glory, by attending all four days. (YAY!)

I, first of all, would like to thank some dear friends who have made this possible by rescuing our procrastinating butts by and getting us passes well after they sold out. (I will not tell you how these passes came to be, because I may have to kill you for knowing.) Secondly, I would like to let you all know that I will be blogging daily, sometimes twice a day, or multiple times if I feel like it.

An event like this is too good to keep all the funny stuff and pictures for myself, I HAVE to share!

Going to pick up passes this evening! So excited!

SUPER SAVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:11:00 +0000

I had to make a quick trip to Target on my lunch break today to pick up a baby shower gift for a co-worker and some other thangs (yes, I said thangs).

For me, a shopping trip to Target is never a complete trip without walking each and every end-cap clearance section, provided I have time. I realize that it's a little obsessive, but man, I can find me some sweet deals on a good day!

TODAY was a good day!

On my way to pick up some ibuprofen, I stopped at the cosmetics clearance end-cap and hit the jackpot!!! I picked up a 1.7oz bottle of Vera Wang perfume, two tubes of Yes to Cucumbers leave-in conditioner and two Sally Hansen nail polish pens for $24.60 TOTAL. Regular price would have been $99.95. That's a savings of $75.35. CRAZY!!!

Happy Friday!

When I Grow Up...

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Even at 35, I still find myself saying, "When I grow up..."

EESH. I AM grown up. At least, I'm not a child anymore - fresh out of high school or college looking at life with a fresh slate and tons of possibilities. I have a great job, a good relationship and about 17 years of independent living under my belt. I still feel young, though. (And now I completely understand my parents' behavior when I was about 10 wondering why they couldn't act like 'old' people - I'm sorry for rolling my eyes at you back then!)

Recently, I have found myself at a crossroads in life. My boss is planning on retiring in about 4 or five years, and as much as I enjoy my job and the people I work with, after having worked for him for what will be about 13 years, I feel like his retirement will open a door for me to take a step into a new career.

So now I'm asking myself, "What's next?"

Here are the careers I have been fortunate to have so far: sandwich maker, baker, barista, receptionist, cell phone technician, customer service representative, dancer, choreographer, singer, actress, sales manager, executive assistant, bartender, food server, human resources administrator, administrative assistant, voice teacher and musical director. I've done a lot so far, and I feel like I want to try something new.

I believe that being happy with what you do for a living can greatly enhance one's livelihood. But I have to be very careful about doing 'what I love' because 'what I love' won't necessarily 'pay the bills'. I mean, I could sit poolside all day sipping tropical drinks and eating buffalo wings, but I don't see many money-making opportunities in that. Unless I happen to be a model shooting a commercial for the newest resort hotel in Maui. And I doubt I would get hired for that...have you seen me in a bikini lately? Exactly. I haven't even attempted to put a bikini on in about 10 years.

I've kicked around a few new career ideas: nursing - but I don't think I have the patience for that, teaching - I don't think I have the patience for that either, musical theater/acting - I can't imagine having to audition for a living (gah!) or starving while waiting for opportunities, financial planning - I don't exactly feel comfortable playing with other peoples' money, and the list goes on and on...

So after much thought, I have decided to pursue something that I absolutely love doing and would do more often if I had the time.

Writing.

This means that my budding part-time community theater career will be put on hold for awhile (or scaled back at least...because ya'll know I have a hard time saying no). I mean, after playing my dream role (Joanne Jefferson) in an AMAZING production of RENT, I feel like I can take a little bit of a break...to GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

Yup...and thanks to the digital age, I will be able to take classes online and not have to deal with all those nineteen year olds who think they're smarter than me (j/k). Seriously though, I want to get a degree in Journalism, with either an emphasis in Public Relations or Digital Journalism. That opens the door to tons of opportunities, whether it be writing for a corporation, media or freelance.

I'm so excited and can't wait to get started. Here we gooooo!

Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee | Starbucks Coffee Company

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:52:00 +0000

I like to enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee in the morning, but not so much in the afternoon. A warm cup of anything at 2:30pm makes me want to take a nap. No bueno.

Then Starbucks has this genius idea to create an 'instant' cold coffee. And I'm in love with this idea. Absolutely in love. Seriously.

Sweetened iced coffee in the middle of the afternoon with a dollop of soy milk is perfectionus. Yes, I said perfect-ion-us. You love it.

I have a feeling I will be living off of Starbucks VIA Iced Coffee for the next few months. :)

Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee Starbucks Coffee Company

NBA Championship Game

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:47:00 +0000

My take on the game last night:

Great defense from both teams.
Horrible offense from both teams. I mean...for awhile there, the game was in contention for the lowest scoring playoff game in NBA history.
Rondo owned the court most of the night...man, he wanted it and played like he wanted it.
Kobe is NOT Michael Jordan, he will never be Michael Jordan, and people need to stop comparing him to Michael Jordan. He's good...but he's not THAT good.
Free throws: c'mon guys...they're FREE. What's the deal?
Refs made some bad calls on both sides, none of which swayed the game in either teams favor.
I'm glad the Lakers were able to pull their offense together in the 4th period.
As a Laker fan, I'm appalled at how classless some Laker fans can be. Really?! It just a game people...JUST A GAME. Enjoy the win and just go home...no violence is necessary.
Players wives need to stay off of the stage during the trophy presentation. I want to see the guys who just left their hearts on the court celebrate...just sayin'...
Did I mention...IT'S JUST A GAME.

RENT

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:36:00 +0000

I'M JOANNE!!!

(Yes, that was said with the enthusiasm of a 'woo-hoo' girl. You know, a 'woo-hoo' girl. Most easily identified in packs, particularly in clubs or bars, out celebrating a bachelorette party, birthday, or the like in which after any significant event, like consuming a shot, the 'WOO-HOO's' commence. THAT kind of 'woo-hoo' girl. LOL.)

Joanne Jefferson is a dream role of mine, along with Effie White. And since I'm not right race to play Effie (dangit) and would have to gain about 20 more pounds, Joanne is up there at the top of the dream role list. So when I heard that Temecula Valley Players was doing RENT this spring, I knew this may be one of the few chances I'd ever have to play Joanne. Mind you, I had never actually SEEN the stage production of RENT up until a few weeks before auditions. I knew the songs, had seen the movie (I thought it was, eh) and was familiar with the story line. But once I downloaded and watched the recording of the stage version of the show, I HAD TO BE A PART OF IT. The connection between the actors is so inspiring. There are moments in the show that run you through every possible emotion any human is capable of feeling. It's soooooo good.

And the cast of this show is soooooo good. Our first read/sing through of the show had me in chills on more than one occasion. AND our artistic team is amazing! We all get along so well, no attitudes, no divas, just wonderful and loving people.

I can't wait to see how this journey pans out for us. :-)

The Attack of Blackie

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:03:00 +0000

An old story. It still makes me crack up. Thought I'd share. =)

The office building where I work in Mission Valley is approximately 100 yards away from the banks of the San Diego River. It is isolated from the main area of the Valley, so wildlife can be found in abundance on the grounds in the form of birds, rabbits, spiders, ducks, etc. My favorite of these animals is the Brewer’s blackbird.

There are a pair of birds, a male and female, who reside in the trees on the south side of the property. I have named the male “Blackie” (because he is a black bird) and I rarely see the female, so she is yet to be named. Every spring, they’ll nest, have baby birdies, raise them until they fly off into the big world, and then hang out and until the next spring to nest again.

Now, witnessing this miracle of life year after year isn’t what makes these birds my absolute favorite. What makes them my favorite is how aggressive they are while nesting, particularly Blackie. I have heard numerous stories of people being viciously dive-bombed by Blackie on the south side of our building, where the picnic tables and smoking area are.

On occasion, I’ll sit outside at one of the picnic tables during my lunch break, just to read a book and I’ll see it happen...

Okay. So I go out there primarily so I can watch him attack people, sick I know.

I sit there cracking up while watching unsuspecting victims get attacked and freak out...it’s better than candid camera, I swear! He’ll swoop down behind someone walking by (and it only happens to people as they’re walking by) and flutter at the back of their head then quickly take off. Half the time, people turn around in time to see him. The other half of the time, people completely miss him, totally baffled at what the heck happened, looking at the people around, trying to figure out who threw something at them. It’s hilarious!

It never occurred to me, that my time would come.

It happened yesterday morning, while heading to the deli to grab breakfast (in the building next door). I was walking the winding path between the buildings, next to the bubbling stream that runs along side the sidewalk, listening to the peaceful water, looking at the pretty Gardenias that had just bloomed when...BAM!...I felt something hit the back of my head. I wasn’t hard; the first thing I thought is someone must have thrown a beach ball at me (I know...who walks around office buildings throwing beach balls at people - hey - I’m being honest, that’s the first thing I thought of).

I turned around to see who threw the beach ball, and about two feet away from my head, a little bit above eye level was Blackie, hovering there, flapping his wings and staring at me with his piercing yellow eyes. At that moment, I realized...

I have just been victimized by Blackie!!!

He hovered there for a few seconds and then flew to the nearest tree branch, all the while keeping his beady eyes focused on me. I walked backward for a few steps, just to make sure he didn’t swoop in on me again. Then, I realized that in walking backwards I couldn’t see where I was going and I could very well fall backwards right in to the stream , so I turned around as I was stepping, to find that my next step would have been over the edge into the water (which would have been a graceful two foot fall in which I would look up and imagine a line of judges on the sidewalk, holding score cards to rate my dive). Thank God I hadn’t shifted my weight yet as I was able to catch myself and step back onto the sidewalk. Whew.

I turned to shoot Blackie a 'look what you almost made me do' look, and he was chirping, still perched on the branch. I could have sworn his chirping was laughter...oh no...he is not laughing at me.

Then he flew off...

Not sure if he was protecting his nest, collecting hair for the nest (because my hair looks like a nest already, you know, and it would be perfect) or if he was just trying to make me fall into the stream.

I guess it doesn’t matter because I know it was payback for my sick lunch-time candid camera show.

I grabbed a ‘Reader’ at the deli to roll up and use a weapon, just in case the sneaky little bird wanted to go for another round on the way back.

I spotted him on the way back...perched HIGH up in the tree...watching me...chirping (laughing)...

...he didn’t want none of this...

...I would have totally taken him out...but he was too scared...

...sissy bird...

I haven’t seen him since...here is his photo. If any of you see him, let him know I'm looking for him.

Falling...

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:30:00 +0000

This is probably the funniest fall I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing...

My Charger Girl days were always exciting, and gamedays had to be the icing on the cake. Particularly the moment before the beginning of the game, where we'd run out of the large inflated helmet to get ready for player introductions.

The cannon fires..."go, go, go"...and we run...right arm up in the air...left arm behind your back. Your only focus is the hair of the Charger Girl in front of you swinging in your face.

Well this particular gameday...by dear friend Brooke (who is ALWAYS falling) was in the process of going through the routine...like we've done many times before, when all of a sudden...

Oh crap! Her right arm has disappeared from the line-up...and instead of seeing hair...GRASS! OOOMMPHHH!!!...and she's sliding...on her stomach...when she should be running. Oh CRAP!!! Get up! Get up! She's crawling...scrambling for poms! Oh MY GOSH!!!

She gets up, composes herself, and keeps going...like a good Charger Girl would do (mind you...we're are all DYING with laughter through the whole player intro) .

Should be just a funny memory that we'll all laugh about when we're old and gray, right... I mean...it's bad enough that she ate shit in front of 60,000+ people, right?...Not in Brooke's world...the team photographer (and good friend) Mike Nowak just HAPPENED TO BE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER AS SHE FELL - and he got a picture of it. SWEET!

As if that wasn't bad enough...she and I used to participate in weekly football picks every Friday night on the air with Dave & Jeff on KFMB (a local sports radio show) and THEY got wind of the fall and posted the pics on thier website.

Poor Brookie - if there is any one person that I know could handle having her most embarrasing moment broadcast throughout Southern California...it would be her.

Oh Traditions...

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:10:00 +0000

If any of you have had the joy of participating in the wondermous show that is Traditions of Christmas...then you'll appreciate this list of things that will (or will not) be missed after the show closes:

The anticipation of what the 'named reindeers' will do at the beginning of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Waking up with bruises from running into set pieces backstage--not realizing the collisions were actually bruise-worthy due to the adrenalin running through your veins.
Running over small children you can't see due to the large hoop skirt that impairs your view from the thighs down.
The malfunctioning snow machine that drenches audience members in bubbles during White Christmas.
Unhappy animals who leave their droppings for cast members to gag on and step in.
Getting hit in the crotch with a misdirected snowball. (Thanks Kim...and thank GOD I'm not a male...)
Dance partners who fail to wash their hands after using hair gel. :-)
Wondering whether or not the microphones are actually going to be louder than the tracks.
Waiting for buttons to pop, zippers to break, hats to go flying and other various wardrobe malfunctions.
Hearing the kickline count out loud during the kick line in 'Jingle Bells'.
Wondering which accent one of the cast members (ahem...Reggie) will don during Jingle Bells. :-)

Father always knows best...

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Being the independent woman that I am, I normally think I know what is best for me. I, of course, always consult with who I know is really in control...God.

BUT, regardless of what God tells me, some of the time, I seem to think that I know what is best for me.

Lately, my issue has been with tithing. I tithe, but not as much as I should, or as much as is commanded in the Bible (10% of your first fruits). Not because I am greedy, but because I don't think that I could make ends meet if I were to tithe 10% of my gross income. (Yeah, total lack of faith in this situation, I know, but that's a good chunk of change). It is a struggle for me and I pray about it frequently, I'm just too chicken to take the step to attempt it.

Last Saturday night, while celebrating a good friend's birthday, my car was towed. Yes, I parked it in an area where it could have been towed, but took the gamble that it wouldn't be towed (with reassurance from a friend that said they've parked there and not been towed before), again, stupid me (not blaming anyone else, cause I'm the one made the decision and parked the car). So after the festivites, I walked out to an empty parking spot.

Most people would TOTALLY freak out in that situation. I, on the other hand, am always aware that God is trying to teach me something in situations like this. So what was I supposed to learn?

Get this...

The amount it cost me to get my car back, PLUS, the amount that I am currently tithing to my church monthly, EQUALS, approximately 10% of my gross income.

So this month, I will have to make ends meet, less 10% of my gross income. Will I make it? Of course. Because God intended for this to happen to SHOW me that I will be fine.

I was too chicken to step out of the boat, so He pushed me...

And will I probably tithe appropriately from this point on...

So the score now, is:

God - 1,534,042

Me - 0

You think I would learn by now.

Poofy

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Those of you that know me well know that I have been cursed (or blessed depending on how you look at it) with the most unruly, curly hair imaginable. Seriously. It has a mind of its own it never looks the same two days in a row even though I'll go through the EXACT same styling routine. From wet to dry, it looks totally different and once dry; I'm stuck with whatever shape it has decided to take on for the day whether I like it or not. Whatever attempt I try to make at taming it just makes it worse - frizzy and big hair is what I end up with.

As a teenager, I was lovingly given the nickname 'Poofy' (thanks Max, I think I can owe this to you)... In fact, there are people in this world that ONLY know me as 'Poofy'. They have NO CLUE what my real name is (again...thanks Max.)

When I was little, I had the most beautiful hair; long, dark, big, ringlet curls (think Mariah Carey in her early career). Then, puberty hit. I vividly remember sitting in the living room with my dad, feeling my scalp, trying to figure out why the roots of my hair felt funny...it was the madness growing in...

I will admit that my hair is largely a part of who I am. It gives me character (a little too much character if you ask me). I had to learn to be totally confident with myself in order to lug around this big head of hair and not have my feelings hurt when people would point and laugh. You think I'm joking? Think Fry-Guy. Remember the Hamburgler from McDonalds? And his little colored mop-looking friends with just eyes and feet. That was me - a teenager with a Fry-Guy on my shoulders. Anyway, I didn't care. It was me and I accepted it so everyone else around me did, too (I think...if they didn't, I never knew...maybe that's why I had so few friends...lol). My mom blames it on the fact that she took me to get a perm when I was 12 and it never grew out (yeah right), it's actually my grandfather (her dad) that I got the hair from...sheesh! Maybe she just doesn't want to admit that the hair is her fault.

It wasn't until I was about 18 that I discovered how to tame the pseudo-dread-locked mess. Through the help of Clairol 3-in-1 mousse I actually found curls.

THEN...a Dominican woman that used to come visit me at the place I worked recommended that I see her hairstylist, Jamal. That was over ten years ago and I only saw him twice and I will NEVER forget his name. This is due largely to the fact that the man worked wonders with my hair and for the first time in my life got it to look, as he would say, "Sugar straight".

So for about ten years, I pretty much wore my hair straight. Once or twice a month, I would wear it curly, just to give it a rest. I still can't control it when it's curly though...but I'm used to it.

Now the only thing that sucks about wearing it straight is that if for any reason, it comes into contact with moisture, I'm seriously screwed. A prime example is during my Charger Girl years. We were told, as part of our contract, how we should wear our hair. I was to keep my hair burgundy-ish brown, and straight. Let me tell you...after 4 hours of dancing on a football field in 80 degree weather, the hair wasn't straight any longer. From scalp to about 3 inches out, curly-frizzy-mess, while the rest stayed straight. It looked like a lion's mane and it was at that time I was given the nickname 'Mufasa.'...that's a whole other story I won't go into...today...

So...curly hair...a blessing and a curse. Some days I want to shave it all off for charity and sport a wig because it would be so much easier. Some days I love it (primarily when it's cooperating with me), and most days I pray that I don't pass it on to my children. Something tells me that I will, though. Poor kids don't know even what they're in for...I wonder if there's a way I can warn them?

It's time to accept it...

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:33:00 +0000

The other day I was talking with some friends and I mentioned that the first movie I remember seeing in the theaters was ET and I was five at the time. Someone responded, “Wait? You’re THAT old?!”

I might not like it, but I MUST accept it; I’m getting older. I still feel young (and always will), but aging is inevitable and I’m starting to pick up on it more and more lately.

Here are some clues that I’m starting to get older:

I start referring to anyone under 25 as ‘kids’ or ‘babies’.
I get excited that someone asks to see my ID when I order an alcoholic beverage.
I prefer to watch the news over MTV.
Waking up at 8:00am on a Saturday IS sleeping in.
I have NO idea what the popular songs are right now. OR who sings them.
I color my hair, not as a fashion statement, but to hide the grays that are growing in.
I’m always trying to feed people. You know, like when your mom always fed your friends when they came over.
My purse has grown exponentially in size. What was once a handbag is now a tote bag.
Should there be some sort of horrible disaster, I could live comfortably for about a week from the contents in the trunk and the back seat of my car.
I avoid drinking too much because I don’t want a hangover. I don’t want a hangover because they last for DAYS now, not just a morning.
When purchasing shoes, I’m more into ‘comfort’ than looks. (I have become a fan of Merrell, Born, Aerosoles, or just about anything The Walking Company carries.)
I start yawning heavily at about 9:30pm.
Osteoporosis is a worry that kind of floats in the back of my mind.
If I have a day off (which is a pretty rare occasion), it’s spent cleaning, doing laundry, running errands and grocery shopping.
I prefer ‘lunches’ with friends over ‘drinks and dancing’.
I have a conversation with someone about what I do for a living and THEY refer to it as a career, not a job.
Friends call because they just heard “Funky Cold Medina” on the radio and thought of me.
I use the phrase, “I can’t, I have work tomorrow,” more often than I used to.
I start getting cast in ‘older’ roles, even though you’re still auditioning for the younger ones. (Haha.)
People refer to me as ‘ma’am’.
I keep snacks in my purse.
I frequently find myself saying, “Did I really just do that? That’s something my mom would do.”
I start to resemble my mother more and more every day.
I would rather avoid crowded situations, i.e., concerts, street fairs, block parties and the like.
I’ve gone through the, all my friends are getting married phase, all my friends are having babies phase, all my friends are getting divorced phase and I’ll soon be entering the my friends are going to be grandparents phase.
I’m concerned about saving for retirement.
I’m counting down the years and months until retirement.
I’m looking forward to retirement.

Things I would never recommend you purchase at the 99 cent store.

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:38:00 +0000

I really like the 99 cent store; for random things mostly: garlic salt, flaming hot cheetos, wrapping paper, gift bags, bottled water and the like. Occasionally I'll find awesome deals on things I won't buy in the store because they're ridiculously overpriced (like avocados).

As I was browsing the 99 cent store yesterday morning, in an effort to amuse myself, I walked the ENTIRE store, making a mental note of things that I would NEVER buy at the 99 cent store:

A box of condoms - REALLY?!?! Now don't get me wrong, I tip my hat to those individuals being responsible. But I don't know...
Pregnancy tests - Again, I could be overreacting to this, but...um...I dont' know...
Frozen meat - It just doesn't look right...next time you're in one of those stores, check it out and you'll know what I mean.
Hardware - I've done it and don't recommend it.
Perfume - It's basically one part fragrance, 19 parts water. You're better off dousing yourself with air freshener (which I WOULD recommend buying at the 99 cent store).
Makeup - remember the 'fake' makeup your mom would buy you in the kid aisle of the supermarket that would last for all of 5 minutes before it disappeared. This is the equivalent of that. Just don't do it.

Favorite Time of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:10:00 +0000

Favorite Time of the Day
Originally uploaded by cmm92101

Saturday night while waiting to see Into the Woods at Starlight, I decided to walk around for a bit before the doors opened. Boy, am I glad that I did. I stumbled across this (picture). I didn't think that my camera would capture how breathtaking it looked. It did for the most part, a little tweaking on my part, but this is exactly how it looked. Beautiful. =)

Are You Going?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Come see Alice! It's a brand new musical! It's going to be really great. The music is good. The dancing is fun. The story is interesting. You won't be disappointed.

I'm in it, too. But don't see it for that reason (because I'm really not on stage all that much). Alice (our lead) is phenomenal, really...see it.

AND you can get 2 for 1 tickets in sections B & C if you call the box office and mention my name.

Do it! You know you want to.
*waves hand and uses Jedi mind trick*

=D

Ruby's Diner

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:56:00 +0000

Diner dining
Originally uploaded by cmm92101

I love diners. Corvette's, Ruby's, you name it...

Sometimes I think I should have been born in a different era. =)

I caught these photos while waiting for Ryan to show up for a date. People in the place were looking at me like, 'poor girl, sitting all alone in a booth, taking pictures of random things.'

Haha.

Cowles Mountain

noreply@blogger.com (Coreena) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:05:00 +0000

Cowles Mountain
Originally uploaded by cmm92101

I've been itching to hike Cowles Mountain lately. The last time I did it, I lost my car key and was miraculously rescued by some nice, patient, friendly, honest people.

I had a few hours between work and rehearsal, so I decided I would try and traverse the mountain from the back side.

I've had many people recommend that I try to climb Cowles from the back. It's less busy, there's more vegetation, it's not as strenuous a climb, yadda-yadda-yadda.

Yes, it is definitely less busy. Maybe that's because from the end of Lake Murray Boulevard, it's about a ten minute walk to the trail head. 10 minutes into your hike, you're not even hiking yet! As nice as it was to be on an isolated trail (I didn't see a single soul until 50 minutes into my hike), I will say that animals and insect definitely have no problem making themselves seen. I came across at least 3 bee hives, 1 wasp hive, half a dozen lizards (one that was bigger than my foot!), bunnies, squirrels, and little black flies that seemed to be drawn to my sweat, which was abound after about 15 minutes up the trail head.

Right around the beginning of the trail head, there is a section of path that is lined with these beautiful white flowers. The flowers are actually present along the entire trail, but moreso in the beginning. They're beautiful, and the bees seem to like them too. My first time through the area, I was just mosey-ing along, enjoying the scenery, when it came to my attention that there were heavy buzzing sounds all around me. Bees everywhere! I have never been stung by one, and was pretty sure yesterday was going to be the day. But no. On the way back, I ran through the area screaming, flailing my arms, hoping not to be stung. *whew*

The trail is NOT less strenuous as the main trail, it's about the same but LONGER. Most of the hike is spent on the hills BEHIND Cowles Mountain. I had to turn around before I even got to the service road, and I hadn't even stepped foot on the mountain yet.

The entire time, I kept thinking. I could totally trip and fall out here, break a leg and NO ONE would know. The insect and animals could start eating me alive and my screams would go unheard! I would periodically (every five minutes) check my phone to make sure that I had adequate signal. I did. The whole time, thank God!

It was great to explore new territory. I really enjoyed the hike, even though I didn't have time to make it to the top. I may try it again this weekend, early one morning. Before the heat. The main trail is definitely easier for me. But who wants easy!?!