Pondering The Pretzel

Tonight while watching a movie, my roomie Sarah and I were munching on some pretzels which drew the curiosity of baby kitty. I have posted before how much he loves people food (his favorite being popcorn) and was very interested in the pretzels. We broke off a piece for him and he couldnd't decide whether it was food or a toy. He did not like the taste of the salt when he licked it and the look and intense stare he was giving to the pretzel was hilarious and while we tried to get a picture he is just too dark...but he was just too cute not to mention! We can't believe how big he has gotten! He now weighs 12 pounds and is only 8 months!

Here I caught him stealing a piece of popcorn. What a goof.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Jake turned the big 3-0 on Wednesday! Happy Birthday Big Brother! I Love you!

Whew..Its the Weekend!

What a Busy couple of weeks! This past week was super busy and left hardly anytime for anything but schoolwork! All three of us roomies spent everynight in our rooms working on the endless homework...Im glad the weekend is here! Next week is still busy but not nearly as much as this week!

My Big Plans for the weekend?


Cleaning my room, doing my laundry and doing my homework Saturday so I can fully enjoy the Golden Girls marathon on the Hallmark channel on Sunday! :)


Happy Weekend!

A Much Needed Girls Night!

I love my Alderwood Team Store Girlies! With our crazy schedules, school, new jobs, etc etc its rare to all get together just the 4 of us! Usually its 2/4 or 3/4 but Sunday our schedules were clear and Christin, Candace, Christina and Christy (haha) got together for a little dinner at one of our favorite places...Fox Sports Grill downtown. Its owned by Fox Sports and is an amazing place! We love it and its a hopping place during the Baseball season! It was fun to catch up on each others lives, and the latest and greatest gossip!`=) Even though Christin had her camera we forgot to get a picture...oh well! I look forward to our next girls night out!

Me with Candace and Christina

Me and Christin!

I Hope

That If I ever write a personal history of my life or an event it is not nearly as boring as the one I am being forced to read for class by Ernie O'Malley. While I find it interesting..it is extremely boring and gives the impression that while Mr O'Malley led an incredible life he must have thought it was boring or talked in an extremely mundane voice..because thats how it is written. ugh! save me!

25 Things...

All the rage on facebook...brought to you here!

1. I love living in Washington. After visiting my sister in LA I dont think I could ever live a Cali Life
2. I always honk and wave at the army convoys going over the pass. I love when Allie joins in
3. I could eat Subway everyday
4. My favorite Bar in Ellensburg is the Starlight (they have the best Martini's!) and my favorite bar in Bothell is La Palmera in Mill Creek (they have the best bartenders!)
5. I miss playing softball and indoor soccer everyday
6. I would love to go on a shopping spree at either Borders or Barnes and Noble
7. I love working for the Mariners..the best part may just be walking in the same tunnel with all those amazing players!!! For a baseball fan, its amazing!
8. Cameron is named after Mike Cameron and Mark Mclemore (Cameron Mclemore) because I got him in the 2001 season and wanted to name him to commerate that year. He is so a Cameron :) He also answers to Bug his nickname for his love of attacking bugs
9. I love the History Channel...and get sucked in for hours
10. I would love to be a nurse or a doctor but cant stand the sight of blood
11. I have a dream...that only a few of my friends know...I dont want to say what it is because its such an amazing idea I know somebody would steal it...But I am this close to convincing them...
12. I get sad everytime I drive by where Courson my freshman dorm used to be...the only momento I have is my door placard that Jen stole when a bunch of people snuck into Courson sophomore year. Freshman year was seriously one of the most fun times I have ever had in my life.
13. I still have my baby blanket and as my roomates just found out..panic when I cant find it
14. I dread the day I have to chose Bridesmaids
15. I love to fondue and drink wine with my mom and her friend Judy
16. I am a total night owl. I blame this on working for the Mariners as we work late and its hard to settle down right when I get home!
17. I hate MTV and refuse to watch anything on it
18. Nothing beats a Pedicure
19. I cannot stand Bandwagon fans (aka Seattle Sports Fans) and love to prove them wrong! But mostly, I dont listen to them anymore
20. An even bigger rant is when people dont stop and pause during the National Anthem. It is soooo disrespectful to our country and for the men and women who have and who are defending our country
21. I feel like a child again when I hear the ice cream truck
22. Sometimes I miss playing with my barbies and babydolls :)
23. I wish there was a true Christmastown...I would move there.
24. I hate when people assume instead of asking questions
25. I love quoting movies randomly in my everyday life!

The Kid Is Back...

The iminant signing of Ken Griifeeey Junior brings many emotions.

1. anger. from when he demanded his trade 10 years ago
2. memories...ohhh the wonderful memories that really, only stem back to the kingdome
3. disbelief... thought he was long gone
4. sadness...my griffey hat was forgotten at Safeco Field and now I have nothing to wear of his
5. worry that our Seattle fans will turn on him if he doesnt live up to their expectations
6. excitement...ticket on sale should be amazing this year! Hopefully it will bring back fans to the park
7. anger again for never waving to us when we called his name on little league nights...he saw us, even Arod waved...
8. excitement that he will retire as a Seattle Mariner...the best part yet
9. worry that he will get injured..dont get injured, dont get injured
10. happiness..as much as I slam those who always revert back to 95, it will be great to have a little piece of it back in our lives...so im jumping on the bandwagon!

The 09 season is lookin up...

Missing My Mama!

Im prettymuch a Mama's girl...yep. I'll admit it. While we drive each other nuts the majority of the time...she's my Mom and I love her dearly! I havent been home in a month thanks to school work and when I get stressed with homework load she's who I want! So as I wind down my extremely busy week she is the person I want to see! Thank Goodness I am going home this weekend! She will be venturing to Bainbridge Island with me to do some research at the local Historical Museum on the Japanese Internment! Lucky Her! :O) Love you Mama! Cant wait to see you Friday!

Snow!

We have hardly had any snow this year compared to my other years here in Ellensburg. We had Ellensburg type snow in Bothell in December though! It has been strange though to have very little snow! Even the locals have commented on it! This time last year the pass had been closed on the weekends for a month! Imagine our suprise when it snowed alot yesterday! I welcomed it since we have had so little! Its mostly melted now, and I havent gotten any pictures but I thought it would be fun to remember some other fun snow times:



Freshman Year, our dorm (Courson) had a huge snowball fight (boys vs Girls) this is me after I got clobbered in the face (dont worry, I got revenge!) I laugh everytime I see this Picture!

Sophomore year: My roomies and I went and played in the first snow of the year...the Ganges was frozen (a water way that runs through campus) so we went and played on it...we all ran across it, and our other roomie slipped, fell and went sliding across breaking the ice when she stopped..after a moment of panic we laughed hysterically. Still a fun memory!

Junior Year: We had a crazy blizzard! I had never seen it snow like this before..I watched it for hours and had to get a picture!

Chelsea and I made a little snowman with Broccoli, Potatoes, Carrot and a Cigar!

This might be my favorite part of campus. In the fall the colors are incredible on the trees..In the winter it looks like this...Very pretty!

Yay! Its Snowing! :)

My View On The Steroid Scandal

I have done lots of research and have read a lot about this topic and have written two papers on this topic for classes. And while yes, the players are certainly to blame for their lack of discretion, I blame the Commishioners office most. Bud Selig is the number one culprit because until 2004, there was no real standardized testing and a very weak, hardly if in fact at all punnishment for testing positive. While certain players were always suspected (Sammy, Mark, Pudge, Bond, Boonie...) they were never tested, or if they were, their tests were never made public and punnishment never happned.

So then suddenly we are faced with a crisis...Juiced was written and Jose Canseco tells all...and suddenly...players are being accussed, the government gets involved, fans suddenly wake up and are mad and feel cheated, and MLB and the Players Union scramble to agree on a testing system and punnishment. The question of whether to asterik * or not in records is a hot debate, and the future of assumed Hall of Famers are now in question. The biggest question of all is...who do we believe? Players are blaming players, doctors, club house attendants and playing the Victim or dumb (Ryan Franklin...somebody has it out for me...They must have tricked me..yah yah!) In trying to save their reputations they are lying, placing the blame, and calling out other players they say also took steroids. We are left with a mess. Miguel Tejada and Roger Clemens are facing Jail Time.

So then, Bud Selig, encourages the Mitchell Report where some 80 players, current, retired, and deceased (Ken Caminiti) were all listed as those who either :there was evidence they took steroids or failed the testing. There were no shockers, and there were shockers. Not all of their names were given to the media because there wasnt enough evidence (Damon, Varitek, Pujols, the major ones that come to mind) and like I said in my previous post, Alex Rodriguez was not on that list...and yet, he tested positive in 2003, and was one of the few (Andy Petite comes to mind) who admitted to using. Why wasn't he on that list? there are many reasons...and Mariner blogger Geoff Baker hits it on the head:http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2009/02/09/arod_did_it_now_about_that_mit.html
Could it be that they were hiding some of the bigger names? Alex Rodriguez, the youngest player, the brightest player, the player of the now and future..if he were revealed to be a steroid user along with Clemens, Palmeiro, Tejada, Canseco, Petite, Schilling..etc etc that fans would be ruined by baseball forever? Not attend games? (Because face it, Selig is in it for the money) Add in the hype of Canseco's book, and the asterik controversey...fans are UPSET. Now Arod has admitted to usage.. many have hailed him as the savior to baseball..an unrealistic view in my opinion. Rodriguez says it was a time of steroids...it was the culture of baseball. He's right. As a fan I cant believe that everybody is innocent. Shane Monahan declares the Mariner clubhouse was a steroid haven in the 90's...and the guilty players prove it. John McLaren is nuts to publicly deny there was a problem. The Mariners have had the MOST past/current players on any list. Its over 10 probably close between 15 and 20...The Mariners SHOULD be investigated. Texas and New York clearly had steroid problems as well. I think of Ken Caminiti's quotes...They are engrained in my head and I think of them everytime a steroid story comes up...
"It's no secret what's going on in baseball. At least half the guys are using steroids. They talk about it. They joke about it with each other. The guys who want to protect themselves or their image by lying have that right. Me? I'm at the point in my career where I've done just about every bad thing you can do. I try to walk with my head up. I don't have to hold my tongue. I don't want to hurt teammates or friends. But I've got nothing to hide.
If a young player were to ask me what to do," Caminiti continued, "I'm not going to tell him it's bad. Look at all the money in the game: You have a chance to set your family up, to get your daughter into a better school.... So I can't say, 'Don't do it,' not when the guy next to you is as big as a house and he's going to take your job and make the money."

Lying and cheating have been a part of the baseball since the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Nolan Ryan and the KY jelly, Pete Rose and gambling, Sammy Sosa and the cork bat. Steroids just go with it. They helped the homerun war between McGwire and Sosa. Bonds breaking the Aaron's record..pitchers become Cy Young and MVP's, and players to have their best seasons yet. We cannot change what happened, and we cant, nor should we FORGET what happened. But it happened. We can't change records. We can asterik them, but the public nor the media will never forget. The only thing we can do is encourage the REMOVAL of Bud Selig and a better and stricter enforcement against steroid use in Major League Baseball.

Dancing With The Stars!

My Guilty Pleasure! I used to make fun of Mom for watching this show when it first came on, but when Spice Girl Melanie Brown (Scary Spice!) was on the show, I of course had to watch and the inevitable happened...I fell in love! (And not just with hunky Maksim!) So now, I am a dedicated watcher..and the new cast was revealed...yay! Some I have never heard of, and some I am really really excited for!

Lawrence Taylor
The former NFL star, 50, played his entire career as a linebacker for the New York Giants.

Belinda Carlisle
The singer, 50, was the lead vocalist and founding member of the 80s band The Go-Go's.

Shawn Johnson
The 17-year-old Olympic-gold-medal-winning gymnast is the youngest DWTS competitor in the show's history. I am excited to see Shawn Johnson! She is my number 1 right now!!! I loved watching her in the Olympics!

Denise Richards
After a contentious divorce from Charlie Sheen, the 37-year-old actress and mother of two daughters got her own reality show, Denise Richards: It's Complicated. Denise is a train wreck and will no doubt bring the laughs!

Lil' Kim
The Grammy Award winning rapper, 33, spent 10 months in jail in 2006 for lying to a federal grand jury. GHETTO. Should be interesting!

Gilles Marini
The actor is best known for playing Kim Cattrall's sexy -- and predominantly naked -- neighbor in 2008's Sex and the City movie.

Steve-O
The daredevil performer, 34, showcased ridiculous stunts on MTV's Jackass and the spinoff Wildboyz.

Steve Wozniak
Nicknamed "The Woz" by ex Kathy Griffin, the computer engineer, 58, co-founded the Apple computer company with Steve Jobs. Hilarious! I love this! He cracked me up when he was dating Kathy Griffin and he was on her show the D-List! He is such a nerd, I cant wait to watch him either!

Jewel
The singer-songwriter, 34 - who became a household name in 1995 with her song "Who Will Save Your Soul" - has released seven albums.

Ty Murray
The former rodeo cowboy, 39, is married to fellow contestant Jewel.
will be interesting to watch a husband and wife compete against each other!

David Alan Grier
The actor, 53, came to fame on In Living Color and currently hosts the Comedy Central sketch news show, Chocolate News.

Chuck Wicks
The country singer is currently dating fellow crooner and two-time DWTS champion Julianne Hough. Wicks, 29, will be paired up with the professional dancer this season. This makes me sick...Julianne gets on my last nerve and I know this will be ridiculously annoying

Nancy O'Dell
The entertainment journalist currently serves as the co-host of Access Hollywood with Billy Bush. O'Dell, 42, also hosted NBC's pre-show for the 2009 Golden Globe Awards in January. Another annoying person, I think she will be the first to go!

A note about Alex Rodriguez..

When the Mitchell Report came out, the Mariners sent out the list in its entirety to every store and front office employee in the organization (seeing as they had the most players on it) Every player on that list had been investigated for steroid use and had to fail some performance enhancing drug to be on it. Alex Rodriguez was NOT on that list. The list was every player who had failed a drug test from the 90's to the current time. RUSS DAVIS was on that list...he hadnt been a Mariner since 1999. Only players who had circumstantial evidence were named to the media. I find it interesting that this has been "leaked" a mere two weeks before Spring Training and before the Baseball Classic and especially given the Joe Torre scandal. Alex Rodriguez also partcipated in the Baseball Classic in 2004 and all players were tested for steroids. If Alex had taken steroids even in 2003, there would still be reminants left (think Mike Morse!) and given the scandal of which team he would play for... I think that would have been leaked. Until there is solid proof that Alex Rodriguez has taken steroids (and there seems to be none thus far..even in the article) I am supporting him and claiming the motto innocent until proven guilty until he is in fact..proven guilty.

who knew a pencil could be so amusing?

While these photos were taken in September, very little has changed with the baby kitty and his love for pens, pencils...and our computers (Which we vehemently discourage!) There is nothing like highlighting, underlining, or making notes and being forcibly attacked and having whatever utensil you are using mark all over the place...He is also intrigued by the mouse on the computer as well as typing and paws at the screen..he also likes to attack Mario/Luigi and their fire-balls on the big screen TV when we are playing. While it can be very annoying it is also soo stinkin cute and I know it will probably wear off as he matures out of kittenhood. So I remind myself to relax and enjoy and just remove him when it becomes an issue.

With Cameron being almost 8 years old, I have forgotten what its like to have a kitten! Toke ( I did not chose his name by the way) is sooooo curious and just into everything! He loves the fireplace, people food, (especially ice cream) and cuddles which is very different from my Cameron who only likes to cuddle on his terms. There is nothing more wonderful then coming home after a long day and cuddling the baby kitty in your arms and watch him sleep and listen to him snore. Yes, I said snore! Its nice to have a little friend here at school! :)

We Cant Afford Bobby Abreu?! I Blame Ichiro.

Bobby Abreu would be a great addition to the Mariners. While his batting average was just under .300 last year (2.96) his on base percentage was 3.71 which is way more important to me, not even Ichiro's OBP was that high (3.61). While his batting average was under .300 it was better than the majority of the team who had 20 players under his. His slugging percentage was 4.71. In 609 plate appearances he had 180 hits, 39 were doubles and 4 were triples and 20 were homeruns (only 5 less than Mariner Homerun leader Adrian Beltre). His stats put him with quality players like John Olerud, Bernie Williams, Bobby Bonilla, Luis Gonzalez, George Brett, Garrett Anderson, and Reggie Smith. He has even contended that he is very interested in playing for the Mariners...so why arent they jumping at the chance to sign him?

They say they cant afford him. They have set their budget at $100 million and are around $ 96 right now. Yet, apart of Ichiro's contract was a reported $35,000 housing alliance, 4 first class tickets from Japan a year, a new car (specified as a Mercedes SUV) and continuation of a translator (DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT) plus whatever else they didnt release to the media. His teamates called him out in the media last season on his diva like behaviour and while yes, he is a great player, heck I'll give him amazing, his attitude and demands are less than pleasing. A recipient of an amazing contract he should step up the team leadership...nope not a chance. All Ichiro cares about is...ICHIRO. Back to my point...if you add up Ichiro's "Bonuses"

• 4 First Class tickets: $ 16,000 each times 4 = $64,000 times 5 years = $320,000 Give or take a few thousand dollars
• Mercedes SUV plus additional car perks $101,291
• Housing Allowance of $32,000 that increases by $1000 each year...round it up to $40,000
• An interpreter because he refuses to speak English to the media...research has found that media interpreters make around $70,000 a year..for a MLB interpreter? Im going to be very generous and round to $100,000
• And add the $ 5,000,000 signing bonus

$5,561,291 in extra Ichiro bonuses

While this may not seem like a significant number, with his $90 million salary he can afford the above..the right thing would be to give these up so the Mariners could sign the power hitter they most desperately need to become a successful team. Of course Ichiro would never do this because he doesnt want the team to have any star power besides himself. But I can dream right?!?!

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/index.html#036951

thanks to my Dad for the great link. Its really some great stuff! :)

2008 in Photos

While It may be February now, I have yet to get to my year in review! Here are some of my favorite moments from 2008! (Some are out of order...oh well!)







Celebrating the New Year at the Needle!

Mom and I at Quincy's Birthday Brunch

Melissa and I with our singing/dancing bunnies Angi gave us for Easter

Quincy and I at Jeremy and Amanda's Rehearsal Dinner Us Kids With Angi on Easter!

Mellie and I at Jer and Amanda's Wedding

Jake and I on his Birthday

Celebrating Mel's Birthday @ Cheesecake Factory!

Either Celebrating Mom or Mel's Bday

Bethany, Jackie, Me, Jen and Allie drinkin Martini's Technically this was 2007..But our Christmas party is legend.. Crystina, Allie, Bethany, Me and Chelsea at our Christmas Party

Jenn's 21st Birthday Weekend!

Valentine's Day @ The Starlight Celebrating Kyle's 21st Birthday
High School Stereo-Type Party: Me and Jackie-O

Chelsea and I...Highschool Softball Buddies!!

Mel, Me and Mom...Friday night at La Palmera! Jackie's 21st Birthday @ The Olive Garden!

Spring break at the Aquarium!

Coctail Party! BBQ @ The Pond

Jackie and Meghan's Night Out!

Wednesday Nights @ Grants! Roomies!

Alliecakes 21st Birthday!!!

Cameron Bug enjoying the Summer Sun! Hans and I dancing to some B. Spears!

The Alderwood Girlies got to work with me at Silver Sluggers Candace's 21 Run! Mel and I and a tree? On My Birthday Amanda, Mel, Me and Ma on my Birthday!! CWU gang at La Pa celebrating my Birthday!

Sarah's 21st Birthday! Enjoying a Jello Shots Beer Pong: The Players... Halloween...90210: Brenda, Kelly and Donna!

Baby Kitty And His First Christmas Tree!!

Laying In the Sink! Christmas in Hollywood!

The Hollywood Tower of TERROR!!!

Celebrating Mom's Birthday in Disneyland!!!