Gregory Graffius Graduates!

Today, my nephew Gregory joins the ranks of the High School Graduates.

His parents, grandparents and I were there to scream from the bleachers.
Gregory attended J Serra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano. He played Football and LaCrosse and had one of the worst cases of Senior-itis I've seen... :o)

Gregory will head to Saddleback College in the Fall.

Way to go!!!

Memorial Day

I enjoyed a day off work for Memorial Day. Ziad and I had planned to go to the beach today (I even bought a new boogie board to test out) but it was cool and drizzling today... so we had to change our plans.

Ziad made whole wheat pancakes with blackberries, strawberries and cool whip on top and eggs and hot tea. Have I mentioned how much I love the perk of having an executive chef for a boyfriend!? My favorite part of the weekend is when he cooks me breakfast and we catch up on shows that are DVR'd.

We pracitced our song, Anyone Else But You, from Juno which we will be singing in a talent (though considering myself a talented singer is very much a sttttrrrreeeetttccchhhh) show next month and then went to the mall to find my outfit. I ended up with a maternity shirt (as Juno is pregnant) and a beach ball.

After the mall we headed to The Rainbow Factory. Rainbows are my all-time favorite flip flops/shoes...

May Movie Madness

I saw this movie this weekend. It's classic. Prepare to be entertained by the inspiring individuals of 'Young@Heart,' a New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen Walker's documentary begins, the retirees, led by their strict musical director, are rehearsing their new show, struggling with a discordant Sonic Youth number and giving new meaning to James Brown's "I Feel Good." What ultimately emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to the simple things these seniors value: old friendships, new challenges and a little time in the spotlight. I HIGHLY recommend it!

This month, I also sawBaby Mama ~ HILLARIOUS! And Iron Man ~ Special Effects and a lot of Robert Downey Junior... great flic! And Forgetting Sarah Marshall ~ Crude humor, but I laughed out loud more than I care to admit!

I know, I know... shouldn't I be working on my thesis? Yes... but a girl's gotta take a break!

Ponderables

THINGS TO PONDER

Can you cry under water?

When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just"chunkydunk."

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to? Taxes?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would bea good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?

Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

We took a Sunday drive today and ended up in Carlsbad. Ziad wanted to surprise his son, Alex with a visit. We weren't planning on going to the beach... but ended up there, unprepared! Still a fun day of laying in the sun, people watching, walking around and enjoying the day!

Carlsbad is one of my favorite beaches ~ it's usually not crowded, easy to get to, FREE, and has a decent surf.

Here's Z. He's modeling the new "roll-up-your-pants because you forgot shorts" fashion!

Meme

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

1998 ~ I was a Sophomore at Oregon State University on exchange in London, England. I was living in West Harrow, London with an Irish Host family. I loved my time on exchange. I took History of London, British art and architecture and British theatre. The theatre was my favorite part ~ saw lots and lots of plays and musicals... and RENT at least a dozen times. I traveled to Greece, Holland, Belgium and Ireland with my classmates. My parents, little sister and the Reed family came at the end of my exchange ~ We "did" London together and then my family and I spent time all over Scotland.

2. What 5 things are on your list of things to do today?

1.) Go to my kickboxing class at 10:00AM.

2.) Wash car.

3.) Take a nap

4.) Go to church

5.) Watch Bella dvd in my jammies ~ enjoy a quiet solo Saturday night in!

3. What snacks do you enjoy?

Snacks are my weakness. Right now I'm into sugar free pudding with fat free cool whip, a banana and cashews ~ all mixed together! It's my creation. Salty and sweet! I love apples and peanut butter, "tart" frozen yogurt with strawberries on top. My favorite treat ever (and if I could eat it every single day and not weigh 700 pounds) is called a Big Foot from The Chocolate Cafe. It's decedent marshmallow crisp rice crunch, layered with creamy caramel, topped with natural roasted peanut butter, and covered in rich Belgian chocolate!

4. What would you do if you became a billionaire?

I would give to my church's ministry to help combat HIV and take care of orphans all over the world. I would travel. First stops would be Alaska, South America, Africa and Australia. I would buy houses in Bend, Oregon, New York City, New York, Laguna Beach, California and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. I would buy a convertable, Mini Cooper, Hummer and a big fat custom Motor home / RV. I'd give money to my family and friends AND to ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.

5. What are your bad habits?

Multitasking ~ talking on the phone, playing solitaire on my iPod, checking my BlackBerry, watching TV and chewing gum... tend to make the person that I'm talking too, think I'm a little distracted. I also can be a little impatient with myself and want things to happen instantly. I'm working on this!

6. Where have you lived?

Houston ~ Texas, Villa Park ~ California, Black Butte Ranch ~ Oregon, Corvallis ~ Oregon, Greenwich ~ Connecticut, London ~ England, Portland ~ Oregon, Redlands ~ California, Colton ~ California, Memphis ~ Tennessee and Aliso Viejo ~ California.

7. What are 5 interesting jobs you've had?

1.) Babysitter for strangers at the resort town (Black Butte Ranch) I lived in.

2.) Housekeeper at The Best Western. (This, I must admit, was short lived... I was "promoted" to front desk at Coldwell Banker Realty (owned by the same folks!)

3.) Bus girl.

4.) Childbirth supporter / coach in Labor and Delivery with teenagers... (Part of my job as a Child Life Specialist)

5.) Scrapbook maker!

8. Who have I tagged to participate in this meme?

Tirza (http://www.wibelfamily.blogspot.com/)

and

Tysha (http://www.tyshaandjacob.blogspot.com/)

The time has come...

I joined LA Boxing this week. Don't ask me why. Guess I was just ready to kick it up a notch and the reality that I'm turning 30, "retired" from running, get bored working from home all day without human contact, or the fact that I was just dying to blow all of my "stimulate the economy"check... Whatever the reason... I'm committed.

I've taken 3 classes so far. I'm, by far, the least coordinated... the most out of shape... and obviously a newbie. Some girls took me under their wing... ur... glove... and assured me that they had to sit out the first few classes because they. thought. they. were. going. to die. And I believe 'em.

Here's what the owner of the gym boasts, "The equipment requirements are elementary: a bag, gloves, jump rope, timer and music. And you'll get a workout that doesn't miss a spot: a 1,000-calorie-an-hour cardio bomb and a superb all-body tuner that builds shoulders and forearms and works legs, hips, abs, upper back, triceps, biceps and lats. (Want to blast your delts? Try holding 16-ounce gloves at chin level for two rounds.)

Maybe I will look like her....

In my dreams.

My knuckles hurt.

Anyone for a game of UNO?

What will they think of next? :o)