Rearrangements.

I've written a few times about my desire to rearrange my bedroom, and I finally did it! It looks lovely, if I do say so myself. But don't let my opinion sway you. See for yourself.

This was the original layout, with my loft bed on the right side of the door.

Now my bed is directly across from the door (in front of the window).

I added a little art corner and draped my paper chain on the wall! I love it.

And I finally found a way to post my lomographs without ruining them or putting them somewhere that I'm going to have to remove them from in 64 days! I Mod Podge'd them onto canvas. My favorite one is the pictures of this weekend's adventure with Francyne.

Such a fun day! Most of the pictures are washed out because it was too bright for my ISO 400 film.

What's funny is the pictures of snow and the sunny day (with us wearing shorts) were all taken the same week. Oklahoma weather is just totally bipolar.

This is of my Christmas/New Years roll.

This is a collection of some new ones and some from my first roll.
I liked the contrast.

I am so very excited about starting my job. The only thing that makes me sad about Tuesday is the weather people are saying to expect anywhere from 6 to 20 inches of snow. You read that correctly. Almost two feet of snow dumped on the OK state. I am not excited about the malevolent weather, but I am excited about getting paid for working. I don't mind being broke, but it's getting kind of old. So it'll be a nice change to actually have an income. Granted, it's not going to mean an immediate shopping spree, but I will invest in some cute work clothes before I start making huge student loan payments. Because if you don't look good, you don't feel good. And being a host is all about first impressions. And I want to make the cutest first impressions possible. It's good for the business.

I started watching Lost Season 1 today. I am always game for a fantastic sci-fi show, and I've always heard great things about this series. But I watched 7 episodes today. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this kind of commitment to a series. I gave up on Heroes because it was getting so ridiculous. I felt like I was breaking up with Peter Petrelli when I stopped watching it. He developed woman-like mood swings and it was just way too much for me to handle. I need stability, and Peter wasn't providing it for me so I had to end things.

But Lost is quite a mystery, and I do love the complexities that are arising. A friend explained to me that there's a really amazing connection between all the characters, and that I should watch it if I ever get the chance. So Ellie, this is me embracing Lost. Because you said it was awesome.

Cheers.

Employed/ Best Day Ever

I am so tired! Today was a very full day. Francyne came over around noon and we went for a bike ride around the neighborhood.

Francyne by the duck pond.

We rode up to the duck pond, behind the church and over to 129th and played at the park in my neighborhood. We climbed this gigantic tree with one really low, twisty branch. After that, we biked over to QuikTrip, got sodas, then sat around outside until we were done with them. I felt like I was 12 doing that because we were just chillin' in the grass with our bikes next to us. It was wonderful though.

We went back to my house, grabbed our Wreck This Journals and art supplies, and sat on my sidewalk in the sunshine. Francyne accomplished a lot this afternoon.

She made a paint hand print.

She poured her coffee on the appropriate page.

And left a rather large puddle on the sidewalk.

And she poked lots of holes too!

This was our little set up.

We were gonna go to McDonald's and get Happy Meals for dinner (because earlier we were talking about how ridiculous the name is) but Laina invited to get Chili's with her. So we dropped off the roll of film that we finished at the tree photoshoot and walked to Chili's.

Goodness. They're so photogenic...

When they want to be. Such priceless gems.

At Chili's, we were greeted by the general manager that I spoke with on Tuesday (but was turned down by) about coming back to work there until I leave for Basic. He asked me if I'd been hired anywhere yet and I said "No" and he was like "I'm sorry, Kristen. I wish I could help you out." He went away and came back five minutes later and said "I would like you to host for me, and I can put you on Military Leave until you come back. Can you come in on Tuesday?" And I about exploded with excitement, but I managed to give him an answer.


Vom                            
While we were getting ready to leave, Laina saw a lady with a napkin over her mouth and saw her cheeks swell up. Laina was freaking out and Francyne and I didn't understand why. Then we heard a weird sound as the lady opened the bathroom door. Then Laina explained that the lady looked like she was about to throw up. I peeked over Laina and, sure enough, the lady totally puked on the door! She didn't even make it in the bathroom before she blew chunks everywhere. I flagged down a near-by server and said "Excuse me, ma'am, a lady just threw up on the bathroom door." She looked up and said "Gross," and immediately walked away. One of the grossest and funniest things that's ever happened in Chili's. So naturally, we started telling our favorite throw up stories, which is always a joy to share.


So, not only was today totally gorgeous outside, way fun biking and hanging out with Francyne, awesomely documented (with my Diana Mini; pictures soon to come), and dinner with Laina was a vomitrocious blast, but I also got a job at my favorite place of employment ever. Praise Jesus! I am so ecstatic about working there again. I can't wait! I just hope people don't make a habit out of puking on the bathroom doors because keeping the bathrooms clean is a hosts' job. Marve.

Dirty Winter.

This photo and the following are some of the results of googling "Dirty Winter" images. ha

Being a girl is so expensive. I wish people were more accepting of the whole "all natural" thing. If so, I would be all about it. I mean, I get by with the bare minimum during winter because it's not good for your skin to shower everyday as is. But it's even worse when the cold dries you out.
I typically go three or four days without washing my hair during the winter. My dad and step mom both got a rash (which was really just chapped skin) because they shower twice a day. They asked if I got it too and I was like "No, I'm good. But I hardly shower when it's cold out," and then they were like "Maybe we should do that too." Yeah, ya should. It not only allows the finances to shift from what you're paying for water to the electricity bill to fund the heating, but it's also healthier for you! So there you have it, my rant on not showering during winter. The end.

I don't own this, but I wish I did.

On a different subject, I am currently on the prowl for a full time job. I'm hoping to get something in a photo processing lab. I called Chili's and talked to my old manager today, who is now the general manager, but he said he can't hire me now since I'm leaving in April. :/ But I'm still job hunting, and I'm willing to keep my lips sealed for the next 9 weeks in order to make payments on my school crap.

Spree

Nothing astounding has happened in my life, other than quitting my job without calling in. I have never quit a job like that before, but it feels so good to be done with those crazies. I'm working on a few paintings right now, and I'm hoping to finish them before 10:30pm. The only trouble is I just drank sleepy time tea, and consequently am now feeling ready to tuck in. But I'm going to keep blasting Polyphonic Spree and hope I can stay awake long enough to finish. I normally get too caught up in the details to finish a painting at a decent time, but I'm gonna try a nonchalant approach to these pieces, despite the fact that they're supposed to be mirror images of each other. I'm just gonna do it anyway and hope they turn out. And if not, oh well!

Get It Together.

Summer Rain by Haik Kocharian

Beauty comes in the weirdest ways. Inspiration, in what would seem like haunting arrows from our past. But I cried my tears long ago, and moving forward is the only thing on my mind. Forgiveness is refreshing like cool rain. I hope I never feel like I'm above the humility that comes with asking for it, or too taken by wallowing in my own pain to give it. Bitterness is cancer, and I've seen it destroy the hearts of beautiful people. Don't let it hold you prisoner.
Forgiveness is freedom. And you deserve to be free to discover what life has in store for you. I love you, sweet reader. Now grow and let your heart expand beyond what you thought was possible. Give love and you'll get love.

I QUIT.

My second day on the job at Joe's Italian Grill, I was asked to worked a double. I went in, worked lunch, and was asked to cover the floor by myself from 2 to 5. Initially, I was told I'd have off between lunch and dinner, but my manger/the owner, Martin, changed his mind and decided to let everyone else have a break except for me. I worked 12 hours straight, as one of four servers running a full-service restaurant without a host, busser, food expediter, or To Go person. On top of that, the owner himself was seating people at dirty tables with dishes from the people before still on the tables. He also refuses to set up sections for us servers and expected Matt, his nephew, to be able to serve tables and run a rotation. Needless to say, last night was a complete fail for the restaurant.
He doesn't want to hire more cooks or servers, but he insists that if the restaurant fails, he doesn't care because he has enough money. Well, if he has enough money to be able to lose his investment, then it doesn't make a difference for him if I'm not there to help him. After all, I was only getting 2.13 an hour. So I'm sure he can afford to replace me. He's had over 150 people come in and fill out applications in the last three days, so there is no reason, other than his stinginess, why we had to be so understaffed last night.
The "head server" Pam, former owner of Arris' Pizza here in Owasso, and I were the only two people working last night that weren't family. Halfway through the anarchy of the dinner rush, with us running all over the restaurant and greeting and serving as many tables as possible, we agreed that we weren't coming back in today. I'm not going to even bother to call in. There is no reason why last night should have gone like it did. But Martin is so closed-minded, and refuses to help establish more order in the restaurant, by simply adding a seating chart or hiring more help. I don't care anymore though. It's not my freaking problem. I am never going back, and there is no way I will ever subject myself to that kind of crap ever again.
I have never been so adamant or vocal about how terrible a business is, because I think it's bad form to talk crap about your former boss. But if you have ever worked in the food industry before, you know that leadership and order on the floor set the tone for the dining experience. Joe's Italian Grill doesn't have adequate management.
They don't follow health regulations either. Martin was seating people at the bar, which is also where we were supposed to place dirty dishes once the dish cart filled up. Instead of running the dishes to the back, because I wasn't allowed to go into the kitchen, I was made to stack them directly under the window to the kitchen where the new food was being sent from. We ran out of clean cups, plates, salad, ice, cut lemons, bread, and pretty much every other thing severs are in charge of getting for guests simply because Martin refused to prepare extras and keep them in the walk-in. Because it's cheaper for him to use what we need as we go. But it cost us servers good tips because we couldn't get anything to our tables in a timely manner.
If you get a job there, you're subjecting yourself to a demeaning culture; Albanian men expect you to serve them as if they're paying you to do their bitch work. After I had clocked off, I was asked to make a pot of coffee by one of Martin's nephews. I made the coffee, but then he yelled at me and asked "Where is my coffee?"
 "It just finished brewing."
 "Why haven't you brought it to me?"
"Because you can get it yourself! And you didn't even say please. Don't be so demanding."
 "Fine! I'll just get it myself!"
 "That's an idea."

On top of all of that crap, Martin pocketed Pam's cash tips off of tables. She saw him do it more than once, which is why she walked about with like 45 bucks from the whole night. I am a woman of integrity and honesty, and I can not stand behind or work under someone who is stealing from my fellow co-workers. Because I don't know if I'm getting stolen from either. I just do not back shady business, and there is nothing that could ever make me go back to that Hell hole ever again.
I had so many tables that were asking why I was running around so much. Several of them had worked as servers before and asked " Has your manager ever heard of sections before? There's no reason why you should have to sprint around the restaurant just to get to your tables." The only reason why I made money was because people felt bad for how I was getting screwed over by the chaos. And I guarantee none of those people will ever come back. Because, honestly, who wants to go eat somewhere if you don't know if you'll get sat at a clean table, be greeted within the first 15 minutes of sitting at your table, or even get your food within an hour and a half of putting your order in? There is just no way that business is going to survive Owasso. But hey, Martin has money so he can afford the loss. He doesn't care, so why should his employees?

And that is my experience from working at Joe's Italian Grill.

Hands On Joe's.

I finally got a job. 74 days before leaving for Basic. But I'm not saying anything because I'm tired of being broke as a joke and bored as a bum. I went in for training at 5 this evening, but was only given a de-brief on how we fill out tickets, where to wash your hands, and where the bev station is.
Everything else I learned along the way when they threw me on the floor. Yikes. I did decent considering I didn't know what the heck I was doing. I was one of three servers covering twenty tables, which I am not used to. They don't have sections either, so I was literally running all over the restaurant the whole night. Tomorrow, I am going to beg for a seating chart, so I don't have to sprint around everywhere just to get refills. Ugh.
It's an Italian restaurant called "Joe's Italian Grill", but the owner's name is Martin. ha. His two sons, Al and Matt, are also servers and they're who I will be working with for the next 70 days. Al is really attractive, but Matt (his older brother), made it a point to say that I am not allowed to fraternize with fellow employees. But that's great, because that means it's family policy (because it's a family-owned business) that I'm off-limits. And, since everyone I work with is a guy, it's nice to know that I'm protected by that code.
The family is originally from Montenegro, but they just moved to Owasso from Dallas. They speak Albanian, English and Spanish, which is cool... except when they're ranting to each other about something I did wrong, and I can't understand what the deal is.
Because they're not white bread, they're very melodramatic (for men). It was a bit overwhelming. But they're really nice to me and, when I messed up, they were really kind about explaining what I did wrong then correcting it for me. They don't like me carrying heavy trays, and always follow me with a tray-jack. It might be a bit frustrating to put up with their snide comments to each other in Albanian with English cuss words thrown in, but money is money. And I made forty on my first night off eight tables. Not bad considering I still don't know how to pronounce half the stuff on the menu or what comes with a side salad and what doesn't. "Nothing like hands on training," says Francyne.

75 Days. 20 Years of Snow. (Cabin Fever Has Set In)

75 Days!!!

I went to bed at 8 pm last night, which was a big difference from 2 am the night before. I'm hoping that one of these days I'll find some regularity in my sleeping pattern. It's just so difficult to channel all this passion. Especially when the sudden urge to start and finish a painting hits at 9 pm. ha. Maybe one of these days I'll start painting when the sun is still up. But until that day comes, I'll just keep doing what I do.

Jack Jack...                                                

Jack Jack and I played inside today since it's too cold to go out. We played "Voltron". I was the red Lion and he was the blue Lion. I have to say, although my twenty year old body still fits comfortably in a laundry basket, it does not contort in the same manner without stretching before. Naturally, I didn't think it would be an issue when I climbed into "The Red Lion" earlier, but my lower back has not forgiven me yet. I'm hoping that playing Voltron does not become a regular occurrence in my job. We painted today though! So I'm hoping he'll like to make that a habit instead.

Snow...                                                      

We're supposed to get 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow! As always, there are pros and cons. The pros are that Jack and I will get to play in it if there's school tomorrow, and if school is cancelled I won't have to work tomorrow. The cons are I might have to wake up way early to go play in the freezing cold, and that I might have to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs all day. Either way, tomorrow will be good. 

I just wish I had a best friend/neighbor that I could hang out and play in the snow with. Maybe I should go to Miss Next Door Neighbor and ask her if she wants to be my best friend. It worked for Helen Lewengrub in Superstar, so why wouldn't it work for me? You're probably thinking "Kristen, you're dumb. Superstar was a SNL film." But I assure you, anonymous reader, my life is just short of cameras, boom mics and good editing from being a cheesy comedy about an underdog reaching fame, stardom and a magical first kiss. Maybe if I start monologues of failing romance at stop signs and making out with trees, I'll actually become Mary Katherine Gallagher. Hmm... I shall have to ponder this before I make any drastic lifestyle changes. For now, I'll stick to reading Harry Potter, sitting in laundry baskets and playing pretend with a four year old ginger kid.

Mary Katherine Gallagher, my childhood role model.
Ask my mom who I was for Halloween at age ten.

Mum...                                                          

My mamita called me today after going to the doctor and told me she was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in her hands. It makes me really sad that she's aging and her health isn't what it used to be, just as her and I are becoming good friends. I love her a lot and I want to take care of her as best as I can. Please pray for my momma, Shirley. She's a saint and I want to help her, but there isn't much I can do but pray right now.

Art...                                                            

I'm getting a lot better at finishing pieces in a timely manner, and this is very exciting news! I recently pledged to participate in Project Restyle, an upcycling project that Elsie Flannigan is leading on her blog. I'm really excited and can't wait to finish more clothes and accessories for Spring and Summer! I love that it's like an idea share resource. It doesn't take much for me to be inspired, so I love seeing what people come up with for new ideas.

Rearrangements...                                          

I decided to rearrange my room this week so I can start preparing myself mentally for the changes that are soon to come, as well as utilize what little space I have more effectively. I figured out two days ago that my lil Samsung Solstice can take panoramic pictures! Totally sick, right? So I decided to take a six-photo sequence so you can see what my room looks like now. Mind you, my room is definitely not clean (Thank goodness you can't see the floor in this picture). When I'm done with the new set-up I'll post a before and after. 

Here's what my sweet little pad looks like right now:
 Closet door on the left of the entrance, window, loft bed/desk,
then bookshelf and door. 

That has to be the coolest sequence of pictures I've ever taken in my life. I hope you're as impressed with my five dollar Samsung as I am.

In other photo news, I decided to document some random things from my evening that I needed my Diana Mini for but, of course, she was upstairs. And I, I was far lazy to run all the way upstairs to get her. But instant gratification is worth it sometimes. Take Ramen, for example. It's really high in sodium and the noodles are just as poorly made as Brittany Murphy's last movie (coincidently named "The Ramen Girl"... no wonder she killed herself). No nutritional (or entertainment) value whatsoever. But, I digress. Because it's what I had for dinner...

You can bet your bottom dollar that segway was planned.

Doesn't the joy in this photo astound you?
It sums up my equal enthusiasm for Brittany Murphy
 movies as well as Beef Ramen. Woot.

However, despite the excitement of Ramen, rearrangement preparations, and a Last Airbender: Book One marathon, I still had time to sit and enjoy this...

A roaring fire in my Dad's new favorite toy, a fireplace hot box thing. It's got a catalytic converter that burns the smoke (which I did not know was possible until yesterday) AND a fan to blow the hot air out into the room. It's basically a modern wood-burning stove. It even has a little ledge that you can cook stuff on in case of an emergency. Awesome, huh?

Back to pictures...

This is a personal favorite.

I did my best to give one of those sad-eyed fake
 smiles that you see in elementary school year books. I think I achieved my goal.

Well, tomorrow will be here soon enough. Jack Frost is on his way to rough me up, and Jack Pierce will be anxiously waiting to play in the snow. (Cross your fingers for a snow day!)

Loves.

Xoxo,

Kristen

La Luna

I just finished a painting. And I kinda like it.

Love,
Kristen

Painting and Sushi Date: Part Deux

Sam and Lainy painting (and chatting) away. <3

Our art date was a total success. Sadly, I didn't get pictures of the girls' finished pieces with my digital camera, but I did with my Diana. Speaking of my Diana, the first thing I made today was a chain and lace camera strap for her...

Doesn't she just look happy? :)

SO GLAM, DI.

Hobb Lobb had some incredible chains with patterns on them. I bought a black and white striped chain, some iridescent teal lace, wove it through the chain, then secured it on with a button and some stitches. I can't find my jump hoops right now, but once I do, I'm going to secure the chain to make sure it holds.

Sam working on our collabo piece, which will be finished on Friday when Lainy comes back over.

Lainy starting on her adorable bird picture (that I did not get a picture of). Sorry dudes.

I just finished my piece that I sketched the other day! Sam gave me the idea of doing dandelions which turned out super whimsical and perfect for my little lady. She's so sassy with her pink hair, pill box hat and cropped veil, and form-fitting gray dress. I can only hope to be this sassy one day. One day... :)

I had so much fun painting this!

My favorite thing is how well I think her body language translates.
Doesn't it feel like she's just really unimpressed? :)

I will post more pictures of my painting adventures when I get my film developed. Until then, you're just gonna either a) wait patiently, or b) come over and paint with me so we can document a new adventure! I'll even let you be the photographer!

Jah Love,
K

Painting and Sushi Date

My dear friend Sam and I are going to be artistic together today! She and I weren't friends in high school, but then we both dated the same crazy guy and bonded over the healing. It's amazing how God orchestrates beautiful friendships out of the most heartbreaking situations. As Kate Nash says "You can grow flowers from where dirt used to be," ("Merry Happy", Made of Bricks 2007).
So today, we're growing flowers. We're going to paint! I can't wait. Here are some inspiring images that may very well guide me in the direction of what I paint today.

That is all. I hope you're as excited as I to see what happens with all of these pretty little ideas swimming in my brain.

Xoxo,
K