what shall we die for?

Today I'm pretty sure I burned far more calories than I consumed. Yay!

Also, still no chocolate, despite manifold temptations!

True Blood has eaten my brain. That is all.

I'm back to applying for zoo jobs again. I took some time off from it for a while because I craved some consistency and stability in my life after 4 and a half years of a seasonally nomadic existence. I wanted to sit still and stay on one place for a bit. But while I really like my current job, it's not something that I can do for long, and I don't want to put down any really firm roots here (like a year long lease or something), so I'm back to trying to get a job I want for a while. So far I have applied to three zoos:

Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL) for a seal keeper position
Dallas Zoo (Dallas, TX) for a mammal keeper position
Jackson Zoo (Jackson, MS) for a general keeper position

I really hope I get one of these jobs. I just need to get a foot in at a zoo, go there, work for 2 or so years, then if I don't like it I will have the experience to try to get a position I might like better. Ideally I would like a job around the Midwest so I'm not moving really far from my family, but Texas and Mississippi are both better than Oregon, and I've been there. Wish me luck!

In other news, I have not had any chocolate yet. This is actually quite impressive for me since I have dark chocolate squares and chocolate covered espresso beans in my room.

First off, apologies to anyone that may be offended by the subject line. But really, get over it!

Today, I decided to give up something for Lent. This is the first time I've ever done this. I'm not really into giving things up, especially when I like them. And what's the point of giving something up for Lent if you don't like it in the first place? This one is gonna be a doozy too! Are you ready for it?

Are you SURE!?

Well, here it is...

...

...

CHOCOLATE! Yes, that's right, I am giving up chocolate for Lent. She of the constant having of chocolate chip cookies, the near daily mocha, the lover of all things chocolate (especially dark), is giving up chocolate for Lent. Really, the largest downside to this plan that I see is that I'm going to have to find a new caffeine delivery system, because I NEED my caffeine! So, I figure that when I walk into Dunn Bro's Coffee in the morning, and the person behind the counter asks me if I would like my usual small skim mocha with whip (yes, they know me there, what of it?), I will have to politely inform them that for some crazy reason, this crazy woman decided to nix chocolate 'till Easter and ask instead for a small chai latte.

This should be an interesting few weeks. I'm going to have to stock up on fruit flavored hard candy, because I need something sweet!

How long is it 'till Easter???

So...I really should get back into posting on here too, since all I really do is copy and paste from other blogs anyway. Here's my most recent!

one little compliment can make you feel amazing. so give me a compliment--anything in the entire world, even that my nose is exceptionally well-formed. then, put this in your journal. and once you get some warm-fuzzy comments, put that entry in a memory or tag and when you're feeling down, just go to that entry and it will remind you of how great you really are.

I had an interview in Duluth on Tuesday. I drove up in the morning, and my friend came with me, which was nice. We looked around the zoo, then I had my interview, and we had lunch, and then went home. I think the interview went well. I hope I get it! It's at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN. I could totally live in Duluth. It's only abut 2 hours from home, and it's a great city, really pretty, especially in spring and summer. Wish me luck!

Pulled over from my LJ, not that I imagine I will get any hits on this here.

One little compliment can make you feel great. So give me a compliment, anything in the entire world, even that my shoelaces are pretty. Put this in your journal. Once you get some comments, put that entry in a memory or tag and when you are feeling down, just go to that entry and this will remind you how great you are.

Comments are going to be screened so none of you will know if I'm uber-popular, who gets over 100 comments on this, or who's a total loser and doesn't get any.

So, my friend and I went for pizza at Campus Pizza in Dinkytown today. For those of you who don't live in Minnesota or the Minneapolis area, Dinkytown is the area around the University of Minnesota TC campus (Minneapolis side). There were students walking around with backpacks, and people studying over pizza, and U of M logo stuff everywhere, and I WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!! I miss it so bad! There was maroons and gold all over the place. I miss being surrounded by those colors.

For the rest of you who don't know, I went to the University of Minnesota, Morris campus. All of the new signs and Morris, look like all of the signs around the U campus. It made me kinda home sick in a really weird way. I miss being a student. I don't miss tests, or homework really, but I do miss learning. I miss the student atmosphere. I miss having a purpose, even if it was just to go to class and learn something. I am currently purposeless, and I hate it. I'm not doing anything! I need to get off my ass and study for the GRE and get into grad school, but even if I get in, school won't start for me until fall of 2010. I want a job that I could see becoming a career.

All I do right now is go to work and come home. I make shit for pay for dealing with horrible people. I hate working retail! I would love it if I could get a zoo job. Please, someone hire me! I may not have 2 years of experience, but I'm a fast learner and a hard worker! I need something to do with my life for now. I need to find some place to volunteer, or get into community theater and musicals and stuff. I want to go back to school!!!!!!

I need you're creative thinking! I am trying to think up a name for my little "company" I've got going on. it used to be Kira's Creations, but there is already a Kira's Creations out there, and she has her own website, so HELP!

Name:
Kira Leigh

Things I make:
Jewelry
Purses
Knitted stuff
Bandannas
Paintings

Things I like:
The stuff I make
Large cats
All cats
animals
reading
other stuff

Please! Most of you are far more creative than I am, can you help me!?!?!

BTW, you can see my stuff here, and here

For anyone who wanted to see the paintings, they are under ( this cut. )

I should be doing something constructive right now. Or, lacking that, at least sleeping! but no, I am twiddling around on the internet to no immediate end. I should go iron my brocade fabric so I can pin my pattern parts to it to make a few purses. I think after I get a few done, I'll put them on Etsy. If I do end up doing that, I'll post the link to my own stuff. I have yet to register as a seller, I'm currently only a potential buyer.

Maybe I'll put my recent paintings up there too. I doubt they would sell, but I don't need them around here. My friend wanted some pics, so once I get new batteries in my camera, I'll take some pics and post them here. If, for some strange reason, anyone is interested, let me know and I'd be happy to sell them, but really, they're not that good. I just put color to canvas.

I can't wait until spring so I can open my windows and try my hand at oil painting. Currently I'm doing acrylic, but I have a set of oil paints that's sitting on my desk, taunting me with it's potential funness.

Maybe I should just go to bed. I think four paragraphs counts as constructive, don't you?

I was just feeding my addiction and watching an interview with Rob Pattinson, and oh man, what a complete spaz! Seriously! I'd never watched an interview with him before, and he's all over the place! Stuttering and losing is train of thought and coming back to it and giggling nervously. It's highly amusing.

I have been so fracking busy lately! So I'm selling cookies made to order to people who want to order (mostly people from church, with some family involvement, and others through word of mouth). I didn't know what to expect when I thought up this brilliant plan, but it pretty much took off. In pure orders, i.e. no supplies taken out, I have $549 in orders, some of which I have already filled. Right now, I'm pretty much working towards Sundays for delivery, more or less because most of the orders have come from church people. For this Sunday, I have 15 dozen cookies and a pie to make. Today, I had to have 8 doz done for a single order at my dad's work. I have about 10 doz cookies almost finished for Sunday. The cookies that are cooked but not complete just need chocolate or something, then I have 5 more doz and a pie to make. pretty much, when I'm not at work, I'm baking. When I'm not doing either of those things, I am trying to get christmas presents done, and occasionally I get to sleep. I should sleep more.

Oh well, at least I'm getting paid!

I'm going to buy my first and very own sewing machine on Friday, and I'm really excited! I have decided on the model I want from our sewing machine department, and I looked at it online and it's got all sorts of neat stuff. This machine also comes with free "Learn to work your sewing m machine" classes, which is nice, because beyond stitching with a straight stitch, I'm lost. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm not looking forward to spending the money, but it's only like $129 before tax, and its an investment. For some reason, I would have no problem dropping $300+ tax on an iPod touch, but I don't want to spend half that on something that will last me longer. I'm weird. And excited! Squee!!

I have a fucking ton of Twilight icons.

That is all.

And has been for all of 56 minutes here.

It snowed today, and I think this is going to stick. It looks like it's gonna stick. Now starts the being blanketed in snow until April. I like Minnesota, I don;t like snow. It's cold and wet and slippery and makes driving hell.

Now it's been December for 57 minutes. I need to load my new "All I Want for Christmas" icons to here. Tomorrow, I need to sleep now. Nighty night!

59 minutes now.

I really need to go to bed. Gotta get up and go sing at church tomorrow, then go to work for six hours. I'll do that after I post this.

I want to see Twilight again. Maybe I'll go Monday. It's amusing, and I enjoy giggling at the silly parts. I am buying this the moment it comes out, and I really hope that there are lots-o-extras to go along with it!

I currently have two different socks on needles; one on 4 #1 double points, and the other on #2 9" circular. That little circular needle is the shit!

Off to bed now.

So, Thanksgiving came, it went, there was some entertaining family drama, and some good food. I didn't actually eat that much today, especially since I only had the one meal. We took our family pic today, my mom, dad, brothers and I. Gotta say, we're not the ugliest family out there. Now I am going to go to bed, in preparation for going to work in the morning. I don't actually start until 8am, but we're going to have flannel for $1.49/yard, and I need to get there before the store opens so I can get mine cut. Don't want all the customers getting all the good stuff! I work until 4 on Friday, then I have to work 12-8 on Saturday. Then I work the following three days. I need a job with a more consistent schedule! So anyway, Edward/RPatz, totally makin' all the panties drop!

I am in love with the Twilight soundtrack. I've been in love with Stephanie Meyers' play lists since I discovered them, but I went out and bought the movie soundtrack, and I love it to pieces. Bella Lullaby is the most beautiful sing, I just want to lay on my bed and listen to it over and over again.

♥♥♥

Also, liked the movie a bunch as well. Went to the midnight showing on Thursday night/Friday morning, and then went to see it again yesterday with my mom. They did a good job translating a book that big into a movie, especially since the book mostly takes place in Bella's head and stuff. Though really Kristen Stewart has like no emotion ever! Oi! But still, loved Alice to little tiny pieces to make up for that.

I need movie icons, or something.

And forget this cold bohemian hell.

I want the desert back. I want to go back to Santa Fe so bad. And Arizona. I want to make a little New Mexico and Arizona trip this spring when the desert is blooming. Guess I'll have to start saving now! Mom's up for the idea. Maybe we'll drive out in a rental, and fly back, since it take about three or so days to get from here to Flagstaff. I think a stop in Denver, then on to Santa Fe and possibly Albuquerque, with a possible side trip to Roswell, just to say I went there, then on to Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix. I really liked it out there when we drove through and did a bit of visiting, can't wait to go back!

Oh the pictures I will take, oh the bugs I will run away from. So much fun!