Hola! that's how we say "hi" in my neighborhood. I literally live across the way from "Dora the Explorer," and every time I pass by I see the big brown eyes of this little Mexican girl with a bowl cut saying "Hola!" I in turn say "hello." I feel like that is my Sesame Street lesson for her in return. Let's just say I am getting cultured these days. I have grown accustomed to the sound of sketch looking ice cream trucks and accordian-playing- maracca shaking- lively singing- music blaring at me as I walk down my thin side walk to my door. I am the "quiet" one in the 'hood. Sometimes, on Saturday morninigs I like to shake things up by playing my country music, a little Keith Urban or Miranda Lampert do the trick.
Besides confusing my neighbors, I've been staying pretty busy at work. I am the Director of First Impressions (I re-named my position, sounds better on my resume than 'receptionist') at a local insurance agency. I have become very socially oriented in my company... playing softball, meeting at Starbucks, our various Holiday parties... maybe a little too social though!
Life has become very redundant. I added a workout regiment to my routine back in June. In October I ran my first 5K with Shanna and in November I ran a 10K with my friend Jamie. I lost 40 pounds, but I still have quite a bit to go. I was able to take some time off to visit the parents in October! It was a blast to have all three of us girls together again! Why is that stupid cliche so right- 'time flies when you're having fun'- it's just not fair!
I am still single. Shocker, huh? I replaced the want of a relationship with a kitten. Her name is Junipurr, and she is purrfect! I've only had her for a couple days, but we're besties. She likes curling up on my lap when I'm painting, scrapbooking, watching TV, well anytime I am sitting. I fear I am going to turn into one of those crazy middle-aged cat women. Soon, I will be walking down the street with my hair in curlers and pushing June in a cat stroller (yes, they do make them, and no, I don't have one... yet).
I will probably bring in 2011 the same way I did 2010- sleeping. WOW! Me and my kitten, we know how to par-tay!
Well, I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas! Remeber the true meaning- John 3:16 For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him, will not die but have eternal LIFE.
As we say at my casa-
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
Love,
Trina

I had the weirdest dream last night...
I was working on the set of ABC's Bachelor. All these AMAZINGLY gorgeous women were all over the place and surrounded this lone guy. I walked over to the group- obviously looking the part of the frumpy staff member, because I got all sorts of catty remarks and stares. I went to tell "the bachelor" important instructions for the show, when he started hitting on me. I, of course, was very sarcastic and witty, which only made him more interested (why can't I, even in my dreams, be graceful and sweet?!). He then told me that I should be a contestant, because I might win. I don't remember all the details, but I became a contestant, then got eliminated in the first round, because really I was just- in his words- "friend material." So, then we were sitting on this yacht making fun of all the women, but then he had to ask me to leave, because he had to chose a wife... then I woke up.
Weird...

SO... I have been working visciously to shed some weight. Last Monday, I decided I needed to lose another 6 pounds before my vacation... which I leave for tomorrow. That gave me about a week and a half to lose that weight. Well people! I did it, and then some. I lost 7 pounds- boo yah! I felt really good this morning when I stepped on that scale. I have offically lost 41 pounds now. This is the plus side. On the other side, I'm still not at my half way mark. Boo-hoo, eh, oh well.

Just about every morning I run to Starbucks before I go to work. I walk in the store, and I swear it's like Cheers. "Trina!" I love it! It's a huge factor in why I go out of my way for to go to this particular location. The morning staff are so great, I love them, except one. I have really tried to be particularly sweet to this one older lady who works morning shift, I'll call her Mary. Mary looks like a sharp lady, however she is so scatter-brained. Thus, appearances are deceiving.
Now, Mary has improved in service over the last couple of months. She knows that I get an Americano. However, every day she works, she always asks how many shots I want. A venti only has 4. Every day I tell her 4, then she says "Oh, that's different." Now I would laugh if she was being sarcastic, but she actually thinks I switched it up. I have stopped to think that maybe she is getting me confused with one of the other morning regulars... but I don't think that is the case, and this is why...
The other morning I went in and got my Americano, but my friend Jamie was not able to make it in, so I went back with her on our morning break. Mary was taking orders and ringing people up, while one of my favorite Baristas made the drinks, so I knew drinks would be up REALLY fast. Mary looks at Jamie and says,
"Now, I don't remember your name."
Jamie: Oh. It's Jamie.
Mary: Oh, OK. I know your name though, Trisha.
I look at Jamie, then over my shoulder, looking for someone named "Trisha." Yeah, she is talking to me. I muffle my laughter and think... "Don't be to sure about that."
On Thursday, Mary is working and takes my order... the same conversation about the shots, yada yada. I go to the bar to wait for my drink. I'm standing there talking to the Barista on bar, again it comes up quick. I add my Splenda and cream, and start to walk away. Then, I notice it. It's not my name on the cup. I look around. I was the only one waiting for a drink. Then I laugh, and show the barista on bar. She laughs and rolls her eyes. People at work were calling me "Tristen" all day! To make matters worse my delicious espresso dripped on my nice cream sweater. I just told people that some jerk "Tristen" did it!
You gotta love Mary!

This week I really have to stay on track in order to run my 10k. Again, like I said in my last post, it got moved up a week.
Today was grueling! I sat at my desk and stressed over how much I needed to run. Running has started to consume my life! I think that is funny, because I always roll my eyes when I talk to those kinds of people.... you know who you are! Anyway, I am sitting at my desk, picturing my flailing body on the treadmill- I think of the chocolate eating cartoon character, Cathy, with the beads of sweat literally springing from her forehead. Man, I really was dreading this run. The clock loomed closer to five and thus closer to my work out. I had already decided today I was going to rum three miles. My pulse quickened. Ugh. I even worked past five, so I would delay it.
I wasn't able to postpone anymore... with out it looking fishy. I mean, why would the receptionist need to work SO late? I walked like a sad puppy up the stairs to the locker room, literally dragging my feet. My mom would have been annoyed... "pick up your feet."
I changed and went into the gym. I stretched- lots of stretching... I didn't want to pull a muscle... right? OK, I stretched longer than usual.
Finally, I looked that treadmill in the buttons and said "It's either you or me." That's right I gave it an ultimatum! Knowing how competitive I can be, you can only guess what happened. That's right I ran 3.25 miles in 45 minutes! I was so proud... I could even hear "Eye of the Tiger" playing in my head. I got off the treaded beast and pounded my fist in the air, did some awesome air-kicks, and then a flip... alright, I did none of that. However, I am very proud!

Saturday, I got out REALLY early to run. I only had to do 2 miles, but that is the furthest I've had to run outside, so far. I am about to really kick up the mileage in order to run the 10k... which I found out the date changed. It is now a week earlier...great. I am staying on track and, so far, doing well!

Today, I found myself sitting at my desk wanting to write. Not feeling very inspired, I got home made dinner- a hot dog (bun free) and string cheese. Mmmmm. I sat on the couch, watched some old episodes of The Office, got bored, turned on music, walked around, tripped on all my shoes and what not that I don't pick up. I decided that I was still hungry so I decided on some yummy stove popped pop corn!!!! What a treat. Hmmm, I will think twice about popping pop corn from now on!
Because I am all about a low power bill, I don't turn on lights or air conditioning until 8pm... I know, thrifty, right? Well, it gets pretty hot in my little place- August, Phoenix, stove on. I live alone so I don't think twice about wearing a sports bra and boxers. Shocking huh?! I am so conservative too! I ran 2.5 miles at lunch today- I think I deserved to rock the outfit! HaHA. Well, I am no Barbie and thus as I shook the pot of popping goodness, the scalding lid flew off, leaving a nice two inch mark on my side. However, the good news is... if it would have happened two months ago the mark would have been closer to my belly button! Yay me! :)
Word to the wise... it doesn't matter if you live alone or hot it is in your home, just wear a t-shirt if you decide pop corn is a good idea... or use the microwave!

I have some announcements to make... these are things that I've been thinking about for a while, but have had my doubts about sharing with people. I have a fear that I will not accomplish my goals if everyone knows, dumb huh?

Announcement #1: I am running a 5K in October and a 10K in November. I started training at the end of June and have slowly become... a 'funner.' My 'bestie' and I coined the term 'funner' because we have both seceretly longed to be runners... or more like wish we had the bodies of runners! We decided a little reverse psychology would need to be put into play thus we started chanting "running is funning" randomly throughout our workouts. Have I mentioned that I use the treadmill at work, which is in a room built with thin walls surrounded by the Accounting Department? I'm sure they enjoy my chanting, while they are hard at work. Imagine sitting in your cube, crunching numbers, when out of no where you hear, "Yeah, Trina! You're a Funner! Running is Funning!" Oh well, I just broke 2.25 miles today on my lunch break. They have a hard time getting out of their chairs... just kidding!

Announcement #2: For the last year I've been working on a novel. Who knows if it will ever get published, but I am enjoying it. To be perfectly honest my computer is full of half finished stories, but this one is dear to my heart... so far. I go months without touching it, but then I come back and start writing again. I feel like such a nerd sometimes, because I will be alone in my apartment, and then I'll write something and will burst out laughing. OK, so I laugh at my own jokes, I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing! I would love to be a published author, but I think I would feel pretty good if I just finished this one... for me.

Boo, another skinny blond just pranced into Starbucks! One day I will be that skinny woman that makes all the chunky girls jealous...

Here's to running and writing! Keep me in your prayers as I accomplish my goals!

Today I sit in Starbucks, with a borrowed computer and free Wi-Fi. The view is not bad. A decent looking man talking on his cell phone sits in the corner directly in front of me. Unfortunately, I am not the type to bat my eyes and flirt. Beside that, a skinny blond just sat at the table in front of me. So I laugh to myself... oh well. I take a second look at the man, first impressions can be misleading, as he is not that attractive. Plus, he would be my type if he was in church right now... says the hypocrite. Sigh.
In all honesty, like everyone else, I have good days and bad ones. Lately the bad days have been holding strong. Actually, I think mediocre is a better word. I'm homesick. Homesick for all things in the Northwest; Rain, bodies of water, trees! Of course I am homesick for people too, family and friends. I would love to visit... except I can't. I live in a rut... called my life. I work at a mediocre job and live alone in a mediocre apartment. I drive a mediocre car and drink mediocre coffee. I'm not depressed just in a rut.
I am a selfish creature. I am completely blessed. I have sunshine all the time, I have a job, I have an apartment, I have a car, and I can scrape my pennies together to buy Starbucks! Life isn't so bad, just when you are lonely. Homesick.

SO...
I only have time for a quick update... since I am stealing my neighbor's internet, and I am not quite sure how long it will last!
I moved down south... well of the 60. I am now less than 15 minutes away from work and loving my commute. I have a small studio and love living alone... sometimes. When it comes down to it, I am a total chicken. The other day I decided I didn't like the way my "bedroom" was set up and I wanted to rearrange. As I moved my bed, I discovered that I had a pet I didn't know about- man, I would have really freaked if it was a lizard, but it wasn't- there on the window sill sat my pet moth. Oh, but it wasn't just any moth- this was the Godzilla of all moths- it literally was monsterous. I did what any sane woman would do and ran to the kitchen to get a cup to put over it. Instantly, I decided that was no good. See, I would have to wait for it to suffocate, then I would have to dispose of it's body. This was no good. So, my next plan of action was a shoe- no good either. After, I smoosh my pet with my cute yellow flats, I would have to figure out how to wash the monster's body off the bottom... now I know why women get married.
What did I end up doing?! I know you're in suspense aren't you...
I used the next best thing- I rolled up a three week old issue of People and really let the bat sized creature have it with the face of some poor celebrity on the cover. Then, I vacuumed up the body and threw the magazine away. However, grief hit me after I had finished the job. I sat on the edge of my bed sad and depressed. I threw away the magazine with out completing the crossword puzzle in the back. Just terrible.

I can't believe that it is already April!!!! Time has seriously flown by! Not too much to update everyone on. Between apartment hunting, fitness boot camp, and having mid-mid life crises, I've successfully remained busy.
The Apartment
I am in the market for a studio or a one bedroom. My biggest struggle is finding something in my small budget that feels safe. The last thing I want is to come home and feel like I am going to be murdered. Shanna and I went to look at some places a couple of weeks ago and they were all very small. Not like I need a lot of room. I don't have a lot of stuff... just a hot pink dresser...
Enter Mid-mid-life Crisis
I came to the realization the other day that I am almost 25 and really, have nothing to show for it. I don't own anything except said bright dresser and my college loans. Sure, I have a degree, but the only one who seems to be impressed with that is moi. While most of my friends are married, in serious relationships, or starting families, I remain... alone. This has NEVER bothered me the way it seems to now. Yeah, sure, I have blogged about being single, but I saw it as my status was my choice. It dawned on me the other day during my crisis that maybe it's not my choice at all... sweat began to form on my forehead and my hands froze on my keyboard... I'm doomed. I can feel my eggs dying as I not only search for a ghetto apartment, but also a cat to be my life companion. "Hi. My name is Trina and I'm the crazy cat lady next door." Exaggerate much? I know it's in my head, but that same day someone told me that "I'm getting there (in age)." That was the same day that the life insurance people called to say "we can't process your forms until we have your husbands forms too. So, you need to have him fill them out and send them in..." ugh, I still haven't called them back.
The Stress Reliever
I am six weeks into my fitness boot camp. I have lost a dress size and am feeling a lot stronger from when I started. I find I work out better if I am kinda irritated, and since the instructor irritates me a lot, I thrive! I used to look at him like "You want me to do what?" Now my expressions say... "bring it!" My arms feel like they will fall off Tuesday and Thursday my legs give out like Bambi. I can hold a squat on a half balance ball for a minute! That was my latest goal! However, I do get myself in trouble with my back-talk! I can't help it. My punishment? Walking squats. Man, if my parents would have made me do those every time I talked back... I would probably started behaving myself or I would have AWESOME legs!

I have more to update on, like the job, new friends, and ridiculous comments that come out of my mouth/great timing, but that will have to wait for another time.

This morning I was visited by the image of someone I knew in Jr High, the 13 year old me. Nothing out of the ordinary happened as I went about my morning routine, but the second I looked into the mirror the image of "Josie Grossy" appeared looking at me. I was never considered the "cute girl" growing up, but I had 'a great personality' (not much has changed). I was never really self conscience of my appearance, well to a certain extent. What 13 year old doesn't want to have clear skin, amazing hair, and a perfect body? It's just nothing I ever fixated on. However, when I look back at pictures I feel sorry for the overweight girl with bad clothes, bad skin, and bad hair.
The funny thing is, when I was that age I loved my hair. It was the one thing I loved about myself. I'm sorry, I just don't think that hair down to one's butt is really attractive on anyone, let alone a 13 year old who is also dealing with bad skin and bad clothes.
This was the image I saw staring back at me this morning. My face had at least 5 NEW red marks, my hair was half-up-half-down (in a bad way, I mean one side in a pony tail, the other side clung to my face), and even yesterday's mascara made an appearance under my lower lashes making it hard for me to completely forget the past.
The most embarrassing part is that my makeup didn't make a difference! I was 13 year old Trina all over again, only this time I also wore glasses! Yeah, I could tell people were looking at the huge zit on my chin instead of making eye contact as I made their lattes all day, but when it came down to it, I acted the same as 13 year old me would have. I ignored it and did my own thing. Today, I had an ugly day. Now, I am off to wash my face with Acne wash I bought on my break... I don't want 13 year old me to show up again tomorrow, one day was quite enough!

I haven't always been a clumsy person, but as I get older disaster comes naturally to me. I remember my first tennis match my freshman year of high school I was so excited. My turn to serve... my very FIRST serve, the ball didn't even make it to the net, however it did make it to the back of my partner's skull. Nice. Junior year of high school I fell seven times in five days, including falling up a hill. How do you fall up a hill? It's still unclear to me, but I do have a nice scar on my knee to showcase the event. Sophomore year of college, my heel gets caught on the cuff of my pants and I go down a flight of stairs of my dorm on my belly. Eventually, I start to think that I broke the curse as nothing happens for awhile... well we all remember the treadmill incident last year... it's in the archive. Well it's Wednesday, and I fell hard on Sunday, followed by several aftershocks of tripping over EVERYTHING (I don't say that lightly), and breaking a glass today because of my clown feet.
I've always embarrassed easily when I have drawn some sort of attention to myself, so I have learned to deal with it in the only way I know how... pretend it never happened. Freshman tennis- as my partner rubs the new bump on her head I toss the ball in the air and have a perfect serve. Not acknowledging until after that I was sorry about the bump.
Junior year falling up the hill- pretended nothing happened, and acted completely surprised when someone pointed out the blood that was running down my leg. "Huh, wonder where that came from," I said playing it off cool.
Sophomore year and the stairwell- I trudged back up the stairs to change my clothes- ripped a hole in the knee- when I walked back on my floor, one of my friends comes running out asking what happened because she heard a crash. I smiled and said "huh? I didn't hear anything." she in return asked why my eyes were watery, and I replied that it must be allergies!
Treadmill incident- well after I fell off and was lodged between my treadmill and the lady's next to me, I hurriedly stood up and began my workout again. Ignoring all the stares and thinking "it never happened."
That's what I choose to believe... it never happened!

Ah, I bet some eyes perked up there... no, I have not sold out to everything I believe in. Tonight on the way to the movie theater, Shanna and I had a discussion about online dating. Really, the whole conversation started with an elderly couple that I met at Starbucks, who just happened to be married for 41 years today. As, I was telling my dear sister the story, I began to think, if I got married at 25 I would be 65 when I celebrated my 40th year. However, I turn 25 in May, and I am NOWHERE near being married... thank heaven-So not ready for that yet. This makes my 40th anniversary year sky rocket- these are the things I think about... not the man and what-not, just how old I will be, quite the romantic, huh?
This brought up the dreaded topic of online dating. My oh-so modern sister believes that this is the way I will probably meet the "man of my dreams" (just gagged a little at that cliche). "You should sign up for Eharmony" she says. Umm desperate much? Yeah, being single has it's drawbacks, and I'm not gonna lie, dinner and a movie would be a nice switch time and again, but I am not about to pay a 30-60 dollar fee...I could take myself to dinner and a movie on that budget! Plus, I am only 24 and not to that point yet.
I kept insisting to her that I want a "story." I do not want my "meet cute" (coined from the movie The Holiday) to be the three words I despise the most... "WE MET ONLINE." Ugh! I know it works for people, and congrats to them! I just don't think there is anything wrong for wanting my own story that doesn't involve a... profile. The way I see it, I buy clothes, books, and movies online. I pay my bills online. Do you get where this is going.... it may be convenient, but it's not me.

I am really not a fan of abstract art... I mean, anyone can paint a red splash on a white canvas and say it symbolizes war, violence, or "blah blah." However, there is a new technique I am dying to try that is well, slightly abstract. It combines scrap paper, paint, and liquid pencil. I'm thinking about giving it a go this weekend! We'll see!

A new post! WOW, it's been for-ev-er since my last post. I was SO excited for Christmas that I decided to post something every day up until the 25th, starting on the first. Well, as it turns out, I didn't post until the 2nd and I stopped on the 7th... way to go me! Ah well, what can you do about it.
A new year also calls for a new job! Well, actually I started working on the 8th of December... I guess that's why I stopped "Christmas blogging." I began my job as guess what... a receptionist, sigh. However, the company offers a lot of job growth, so let's all cross our fingers. Not that answering the phones is horrible, but I pray that it's not all that I'll amount to! I caught myself thinking, "why, oh why, did I get a college degree (to which I am HEAVILY paying for), when all I do is answer phones, scan documents, and distribute faxes- and sometimes completely obscure ones at that?" I just keep reminding myself that we all have to start somewhere. What I really want to do is stand on my granite desk and hold my staple remover to the heavens and say (in my best Scarlett O'Hara voice, "As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never pull staples again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never pull staples again." However, I remain silent, and I do mean silent since I sit alone and the only one that would hear me is... me. Plus, I would like to keep my steady job.
By the by, I am also working at Starbucks on the weekends! Oh, boy working 7 days a week! Yeah, I haven't toned down the sarcasm any! I gave myself the same Scarlett speech three years ago after graduation except I said "I'll never make a Frappuccino again..." This is me eating my words, make that double- Seattle people don't normally get blended drinks in the winter... Phoenix it NEVER stops! I love being a barista, it's just the high maintenance people I can't stand. People who stand over your shoulder and watch to see if you mess up. People who say "that's not how 'so 'n so' made my drink." I make drinks "the Starbucks way," by recipe, I can't help it if "so 'n so" makes it wrong! Moreover, who orders a stirred Caramel Macchiato (pronounced ma-key-ahh-toe, not ma-chi-eh-too)? It's not supposed to be stirred, FYI you are ruining the art of that drink!
I don't laugh as much as I used to. I roll my eyes more and release large sighs. I am sick of "character building." I am pretty sure people just tell you that you are 'building your character,' when they are really thinking... "that sucks!" By the by, anyone who knows me, knows my character is off the charts. I don't need anymore building... can I hear an amen! If my character was a building it would be comparable to the Mall of America- because it's large and fun!
To conclude, I haven't posted a lot lately, I remove staples at my new job, I repeatedly blend on the weekends, I feel I no longer need 'character building' experiences, for I have had enough. A new year calls for... peace and laughter.