Nato's Blog

A blessing and a curse....

2005-03-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Pros and Cons of getting the Wisdom teeth out
Pros: Percocet, ice cream, having a reason to do nothing, getting taken care of by the family, pretty much
everyone is nice to you, mostly b/c they feel sorry for your unfortunate appearance
Cons: HUGE cheeks, wooziness due to percocet, can't eat real food, being under house arrest due to unfortunate appearance

I am now well into my 3rd post-op day of recovery, and pretty much bored the hell out of my mind. I have watched at least 5 romantic comedies, 3 of which turned out to be huge disappointments (basically they didnt end up together in the end...WTF?). I have consumed a pint of coffee ice cream, some refried beans and scrambled eggs over the past few days, and my first order of business once I am able to eat real food again is to get a Tender Crisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch from Burger King. And I do blame most of my hankering for one on those commercials- I just love them, and do sing along to them when they come on.

Have enjoyed the well-wishings from friends and family. Nick and Kristi were kind enough to stop by w/ a little gift, which was very sweet. Oh and Kristi, thanks for not making a big deal about my face, you were sweet to lie :) "It's not that bad Natalie..." Hahahaha. Just hope I can recover soon, because this weekend is Lisa's birthday, and since I missed her entire birthday last year...ummm yeah....I did have a good reason...anyway, I want to celebrate! Both that and be able to celebrate my graduation- I know I kind of have all of spring quarter to do that, but it doesn't seem like I actually did graduate, seeing as how I was under the knife exactly 21 hours after my last test ended. Congratulations to me :)

Mrahhhhh. Ok, am now going to either conquer a game on MSN.com, or channel surf for a couple of hours.

Summertime

2005-03-09T00:33:00.000-08:00

"And we all sit round,
here in our home town,
listen to the waves,
as they all crash down,
and watch the fire,
as it slowly burns away,
glowin' ambers,
fly across the sky,
your here by my side,
in the summer, all last summer.
The world passes by,
in the summer, all last summer."

Kad naks vasara?!?

2005-02-15T15:34:00.001-08:00

The ladies...

2005-02-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

The boys...

2005-02-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

Me, Megs, and Heder at the All American for Mardi Gras

Oh what a night....

2005-02-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

..or two or three, hahaha! Holy crap, what a fun weekend. The chaos began on Friday with the sorority dance, which was a surprisingly pleasant evening. I asked my friend Chris who was such a fun date, and Lisa asked a fun guy too. We served tacos and Alix attempted to make Guava-ritas (which in all actuality became glasses of tequila with crushed ice and a splash of Guava juice. Ew.) The dance was at the Westin- also surprising, seeing as how an average of 4 girls are in the bathroom puking, when really no one got sick and everyone was in a semi-controlled state of drunkeness. Also, the whole PC turned out, sooooo, it was just great. Lots of fun dancing, got to dance with the crazy sis (who was smashed ;) j/k breeze). Afterwards we attempted to continue the party at Risa's cocktail soiree, but we were too tired. Then, the next night was the Nut Hut party. I, stupidly, wore my cutest and most uncomfortable shoes which tore up my feet on the 12 block walk there and back. Ouchie.
Having my midterm on Monday prevented me from getting too wasted so that I would have to sleep all day, so that turned out to be a relatively early night. BUT, Sunday night, despite my impending midterm the next day, Lisa and I went out with Risa and Dean to celebrate their birthdays at the ole' Emigrant. So fun, saw Ward and JJ from the old Ridgewood crew. Just good talking that ended up being 2 hours. Va bene- life's too short. And, I think my midterm went fine so, woohoo!
Valentine's Day brought no good things, but no bad things. Just an ordinary Monday- perhaps its better that way. Better, at least, than having a crappy ass Monday that just happens to be Valentine's Day so it just multiplies the crappiness of it. Nope, it was a fine day. So is today, just absolutely beautiful.
Today at the elemenatry school, the teacher of the class I tutor in had me read to the class. Why I was a ltitle nervous at first, I have no idea- they are only 8 and 9 yrs old! But, I loved it, kind of like acting in a way. Latvian wasn't bad today at all. Soon its time for dinner with Omi and the sibs, yum. Perhaps Italian? Haven't had that for a while.
Another day, another week. Keep on truckin, and look forward to the good things that are happening or are going to happen. Cheers!

That was a crazy night....

2005-02-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

Last night was so much fun, a little crazy, and included alot of loud drunkeness. Awesome. We started the night off by celebrating Briana's 22nd birthday at Ruth's Chris- fun because we got to see our long-lost roomie Michelle who works there! I ordered the Ahi appetizer for happy hour, which ended up being 4 miniscule strips of fish. Really good, but hardly the sustinence I needed for a night of drinking. After that, I did some things around the apartment, and then Risaroo came over and we began the festivities. And when Lisa and Michelle finally joined us, and after 1/2 and hour of trying to call a cab, we ended up at the Ballroom in Freemont. So fun! All of our pledge class and a whole pack of Pikes were there, so it was so fun. And, to top off the dancing, the last song was "More than a Feeling"!!!! My and Lisa's song----needless to say we were flipping out, it was great. Then, we went to a Pike liveout house at like 3am.....played some pool (and was getting hit on by a guy who just turned 20, ummmmm, riiiigghhhtttttt)....tried to get the girls to come back home with me (didn't work) and ended up getting to bed at the respectable hour of 4:45am. But, feel great now, as have just cleaned kitchen and room and done a bunch of laundry. Feel as though have accomplished some great feat. Perhaps I should celebrate again tonight.....

Song of the Day: More than a Feeling- Boston

My brain has turned to mush

2005-01-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

Today was my 4 1/2 hour Washington Educator Skills Test, and I am now completely drained. And the test wasn't even that hard! Basic grammar, reading assessment, and basic algebra. There was just so much of it! But now I am a little farther along towards achieving my goal so, yeah, I'm just glad its over with. Am starting to worry slightly about financial situation, seeing as how I would like to go to Mazatlan for Spring Break, however I have some other housekeeping issues that need dealing with. For example, virtually every electronic device I have is either broken, severely outdated, or (most often) both. My computer is not only old, but its power cord is almost completely frayed, and the screen is hanging on by one hinge. My phone is a Nokia brick phone that I have had since 11th grade (over 5 years ago) and it is constantly switching off at inappropriate moments. My discman must be held together with 2 rubberbands in a very distinct formation, or else it will not work. And my CD player is from the 5TH GRADE. It has been a trusty old piece of machinery, however, now its almost impossible to turn the volume down, and CDs usually never play on it. Oh, and there is a hole in my ceiling in my room at the apartment. Feel like am living in broken down shack.

Time to sit down with the vino and start my resume!

Good Weekend

2005-01-16T23:18:00.000-08:00

Well, it was very nice to come home this weekend. Funny how being "away" from home for even just 2 weeks seems like a long time. Was soooo good to see family. Found a very important admission ticket that I will need next week to take the West-B exam (for my Masters in Teaching appl.). Last night went to Mego's apartamento which was hosting a white trash bash. I think everyone looked sufficiently/convincingly white trash, so that was fun. There was even an illicit baby being passed around! So nice to see the Roma girls- we topped off the night with a couple swigs of the last of my store of Limoncello from Positano, but- va bene!! It was so worth it. Broham came, which was so fun. Glad he got to meet my friends. Oh, and today the whole family went to Logan's soccer game and ...dundunaduuuhhhhhhh..........he scored a GOAL!!! First one of the season for him, we were so excited :) Wahoo. Sadly, tomorrow I have a buttload of work to do, even though it is MLK Day.
Oh, and I'm a little freaked b/c it sounds like we have an animal running around our attic. Sick. I'm going to sleep with a stick next to my bed.

If

2005-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

New favorite poem....*sigh*...

2005-01-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

He's a welder. Thats hot.

2005-01-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

Owns the gallery...

2005-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

My top 3 picks for the Bachelorette...one is an art gallery owner, another is a teacher...hmmmm....I wonder why I like these guys?!? I will keep my picks updated...let me know what you think!

The Bachelorette

2005-01-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well, its that time of year again, when I give up all else (i.e. school) and devote myself fully to the phenomenon we call- The Bachelorette. I am such a fan of this show, and have awesome memories of having "Bachelorette" parties w/ my fellow sorority sisters---and you can damn well be sure we are going to continue that tradition. Woohoo! Unfortunatly, I missed the first party at the other liveout house last night, but I definetly watched and must say that the current bachelor buffet is quite tantalizing ;) hehehe. Next week, we place bets! Let me know if you want in.

Good/bad news is that I will be tutoring every morning starting at 9 am. Bad- b/c its too damn early!!!!! Good- I may actually get enough hours for my application! Yay!

Oh and all I have to say about our stupid weather, is that if it is going to be so damn cold, IT SHOULD AT LEAST SNOW!!!!!!!!

Ciao for now :)

2005-01-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

yet another apartment party pic...did we EVER study??? ummmm....no. :)

2005-01-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

a better picture of my favorite place on earth

2005-01-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

some of my lovely rome roomates

2005-01-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

yet another going-OUT picture from Rome. hehehe, Liz is wearing Andrea's vespa helmet :)

What did I get myself into?

2005-01-05T18:11:00.000-08:00

Despite my previous utterings/complaints about my course load, I decided to add another class so that I can graduate this quarter. I just thought, why the heck not? That way, I can work all of Spring quarter and hopefully make lots of money and be on my way to a new car, or, any car. I think I am good to go now. Hopefully the whole tutoring thing will work out though. And applying to Grad school. And everyhing else. Baaaahhhhhhhh!

I didn't think it could get any worse

2005-01-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

Perhaps I am being a teeeeeensy bit dramatic, but I didn't think that my Latvian class could get any harder......oh, but it did. I have just spent the last 3 hours translating, and it looks like I have another 2 to go before tomorrow. I am partially in shock and needed to break away from my vardnica for a bit before I went stir crazy. Oh, haha, and to add to this super fun class is a new student who lived in Latvia for 2 years (of course) and is fluent (of course). It is now a battle of the sexes: the highly communicable boys against the lost and flailing girls. Life's not fair!!! But you already knew that.

Looks like me and Lis are going up to Western to visit Whit and Valerie and her friend Jeff and some other peoples. Poor Lis, she needs to get away.

Ok, back to the grind.

Am soooooo in love.....

2004-12-30T23:49:00.000-08:00

...with Zach Braff.

Yes I finally jumped on the bandwagon and watched Garden State for the first time. I felt it was very well made and hilarious in so many ways. Also very poignant and truthful and relatable. And, while I was already in love with Zach cuz of Scrubs, well, I am now *cough* obsessed. But I'm sure its just a passing thing.

"Don't talk about knights in front of him. Its a sore subject." <------hahahaha

Tomorrow is the last day of 2004!!! And also, Mom and Dad's Anniversary. So....yay...lots to celebrate. Time to sleep and recharge for the drinking that will happen tomorrow.

2004-12-29T15:39:00.000-08:00

A concert going on in the Campo di Fiori. This view out of our apartment was so great. There were so many different and entertaining things going on, that sticking your head out the window was literally like watching t.v. Crazy, Italiano t.v., but t.v. just the same.

2004-12-29T15:36:00.000-08:00

One of the 3 magnificent temples at Paestum

2004-12-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

The roomies of the Campo apartment

2004-12-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

Am finally figuring out how to post pictures from Rome on the web for all to see and enjoy. Some of them are really random, and none of them do justice to the beauty that is Roma. Ah....la dolce vita......

2004-12-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite place in the entire world: The Pantheon in Rome. Sorry the pic is blurry, I'm tryin to get the hang of this bloggerbot picture thing.

2004-12-28T23:02:00.000-08:00

Just came across this quote from the movie I Heart Huckabees. I think we can all relate.

Albert Markovski: Motherfucking cocksucker motherfucking shit fucker what am I doing? What am I doing? I don't know what I'm doing. I'm doing the best that I can. I know that's all I can ask of myself. Is that good enough? Is my work doing any good? Is anybody paying attention? Is it hopeless to try and change things? The African guy is a sign, right? Because if he isn't, than nothing in this world makes any sense to me. I'm fucked! Maybe I should quit. Don't quit! Maybe I should just fucking quit. Don't fucking quit! I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to fucking do anymore! Fucker! Fuck shit!

Stuck in my head!!!

2004-12-28T22:30:00.000-08:00

Am having some trouble getting certain things out of my head. Take for instance... some people that I might have met over the break....... Arrgghhh. I guess I have never really and truly known the frustration of wanting something so badly and not being able to have it. I have been very lucky in this way. I have been able to accomplish most of the goals in my life. And, if I want something bad enough, I figure out a way to make it happen. Persistance? Obssession? Sometimes I think I just can't let things go. They keep circulating in my mind, drifting in and out of my consciousness, but they are always there...waiting for the right time perhaps.

Anyway, what I am referring to is this guy I met over break. Wow. I don't want to describe him too in detail, lest his identity be revealed (and there are those that I know who know him and are very good friends with him and then that could be rather embarassing). The point is that I got to hang out with him for one night and now he will be out of the state for who knows how long. I will probably never see him again. And you know, this really doesnt seem like a big deal, because I only hung out with him for one night, but stiiiillll. It's the thought that keeps circulating in my head. I have found that there are people who can leave a very strong impression on you. And it sticks with you.........

Still haven't figured out New Year's plans yet. Just found out that the party I was planning on going to up at the U is no longer happening, so Jenny may be having a "lakeside bash". I have so many great memories of the lake, so it should be a good time.

Ciao for now!

Fresh

2004-12-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

Well, this is my first start at anything online-journally-related whatsoever. Kinda freaky if you think about it. Why would we want to post our thoughts and ideas on the web for all to see? I guess it's a good way to get stuff off your chest and tell somebody your feelings/problems/goings-on, without risking the possible embarassment of them thinking you are crazy. Also, I guess you can see what's going on in the lives of your friends that you don't get to see too often. Sooo....yeahhhh....I'll give it a shot.

So, my life thus far.....

It's the day after Christmas and all is well. Only 7 more days of blissful freedom until I will once again be forced to carry the burden of my higher education. Poo.
Got some good stuff for Xmas...a new messanger bag (swiss!), some good books, clothes, etc. Mom got me some tile fragments and mosaic grout (for my next crafty endeavour I am going to attempt to mosaic something- it can't be that hard right?).

More later when I have the energy to type all of what I want to type. BTW if you are wondering about my Blog title..... "Nato" is derived from the days of Rome. Ah yes, my Rome (our Rome, really). The Roma Girls and I each had a variety of nicknames, usually stemming from some drunken escapade, or an aspect of our personality (ahem, K-train anyone? hahaha) And really, I don't know how I got stuck with Nato, but I like it, so whatev.

Ciao for now!