Job Searching

I HATE job searching.... with a passion..... it makes me depressed. Of course, being off my meds probably doesn't help, but still... some of these adds are quite INSANE in what they are asking in an employee.

Take for instance the Upper East Side family who "wants a College GRADUATE who is CPR certified, computer "savvy", who is willing to be able to assist with family "assistant" duties AND care for the family pets" ...... REALLY people?!?!?!? I thought slavery was abolished during the last century!!

Then there is the SoHo family who are "Seeking a kind, loving and responsible nanny to care for a baby, 3 year old and 5 year old (rarely all at once!) BOTH parents work so you are the sole care giver. $15 per hour AFTER taxes. Applicants must have the x-factor that makes you "get" kids. Experience and references a must and ability to commit to the job."

Then of course there is the New Jersey family who wants: Exceptional Every Other Weekend Nanny Needed (Allendale, NJ)

GRRRRRRRRRRR I just HAAATE this......

edit: ...and as I keep searching it just gets more and more ridiculous...

"Full time position with a family with two young children. Candidates must have a college degree (earned in the U.S.), and have three or more years of nanny experience working full-time with preschoolers/toddlers/infants. Competitive compensation tied to experience and background. If this sounds like you, please send your resume (including education and professional experience) and a brief note describing your approach to working with children. Please do not apply if you do not meet these requirements. Compensation: $750+ per week

YIKES!

For heaven only knows WHAT reason, I have now joined Twitter.... Insanity?!?! Probably... at least that's the only reason I can come up with at the moment... sigh...

So I am following 47 people/groups, some are news agencies, some are stars/actors/musicians, and some are teams of one sort or another.... (SK Brann) the most exciting for me though is that there are 11 peeps following me..!!!!! I KNOW!!!!
Although I must admit I only know one of them personally... but hey... :)

Anywho, so that's the latest craziness going on here... well that, and I got downsized and am looking for a new job AGAIN...

Lastly, if anyone out there in the blogger universe wants to hook up on twitter, tweet me! ;)

NEED YOUR HELP!!

I'm trying to find out which WalMart sells this mirror!!!

EXCITED!

Just have to say I am soooooo excited... and here's why....

Another window....

I have moved, thus the lagging in writing lately... I've been insanely busy packing, cleaning, sorting, packing, sorting, packing, working, packing, sorting, cleaning...... you get the idea.

AND Line is in Loopyland, which means simply she is off her meds.... BAD idea, but it will hopefully be rectified soon...
gotta find a doc in the new area....
note to self...

Now, there are no exsisting pictures of me packing, but that might be just as well.... lol... My new place will be seen as soon as I can get my butt down to the store and get proper batteries for my camera... 'cause it's not taking pictures now apparently... maybe it's on strike..?!?!?

The new family is nice, but it's weird dealing with a TWEENager.... I have no clue what goes on in that head of hers.... and I can't "read" her or anticipate what she'll think or like.... it's FRUSTRATING as all Hades!! But she is cute, quiet and hopefully we'll get along just fine... I'm just nervous, having not dealt with a 12 yr old for a long time...
Just Breathe Line!!

So there, that is the latest from Line's Loopyland...
for now...
OOOOOHHHHH
EXCEPT...
I almost forgot to mention the geniousness of Line.... *sigh*
I was cleaning up in my blog, playing with my design, outlay etc. when I managed to DELETE my Kindred Spirits list... (that is the name of the list with my friends' pages...)
so if there is anyone out there in the web world who reads my blog, who is my friend... please send me the link to your blog, so I can add it to my fave's list....
PLEASE :)
I love to catch up, and have a little glimps into your life... even if you haven't updated your blog for a YEAR or FIVE... please let me in?!?!?

Summers now and then

This summer I've tried to remember the summers of my childhood... Happy memories, like playing with my cousins, crab fishing with my dad and uncle, visiting family, vacationing in our surrounding Scandinavian countries, and so forth.

It is somewhat of an experience of mine, to remember the joyous times and try to build a future on them instead of letting later, not so happy memories determine my life.

I wish I had more pictures from those times. However, I found one, we used to have these cows behind our house because my Uncle rented out the hill which our house sat on to other farmers who didn't have enough for their cows. (at least I think that's why...)

So here they are, in memory of Mormors house and the animals that surrounded us...

Another funny email attachement

Jim's mom sent me this, and I had to agree, it's pretty fabulous!

Enjoy!

Now, people... don't go all crazy here... this is a little story I got sent as an email. And in the interest of keeping with the "new" resolution of posting even when life is stressful and hectic and I'd rather curl up in a ball than post anything, I hereby give you this little funny "story"

SHOULD A CHILD WITNESS CHILDBIRTH?????

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call. The House was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom;

Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr- old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.
Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place.......spank his butt again!

***

Rejoice!

Turns out these last postings weren't a "spoof" after all.... part of me wants to yell: "I'm BACK BLOGGING", but for fear of jinxing it, I won't.... suffice to say, I have more to share with the world... and I got some inspiration from an unexpected source... so even if it is just for me.... here's some more scribblings...

I walked onto a film set in Central Park the other day, and got to be "background"... it was fun, and I definitely got bit by the acting bug, so a few days after, I went to a movie with a friend and got asked for my opinion afterwards, and was posted on Youtube. This has been the week for "acting" for me I guess... *giggle* and now I want more... below are the pictures I took with my phone on the set of the movie, starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Cristina Applegate, among others.... I only got within ten feet of Drew, but hey... that's the closest I've been to someone famous since I almost got run down by Donald Jr. so I'm not complaining... *hee hee hee*

I am currently reading this book called "Look me in the eye", by a man who grew up with parents who were seriously mentally ill, he himself has Aspergers Syndrome. His brother has written a book also, (as well as several blogs) and it was made into a big hollywood movie a few years ago, called "Running with Scissors".

But I regress, this is about living with Aspergers, from someone's point who is the one diagnosed with it, and seeing this world through Aspie eyes is very interesting. Having lived with Aspie peeps, and dealt with them on a very personal level, this book still brings new aspects and nuances to life both as an NT and Aspie. Though, I highly doubt that too many Aspies run into all the crazy situations that this guy does.... Hey, he went on tour with Kiss and Pink Floyd... among other things!!! He does very well with expressing how his highly brilliant mind works, and I enjoy the many funny stories and situations he finds himself in. Though it's heartbreaking to hear about his growing up with two parents who are off their rockers, each in their own way...

Anywho, good book. Well written and easy to follow. And very VERY interesting, I think!

For the record, I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND the movie "Adam". It is beautiful, moving, enlightening, worth every penny. Unfortunately it was only given a limited release, but these days, thanks to technology, hopefully we have it on DVD within a few short months....
For those who are into stats though, for a film that was only released to 4 theaters, and still managed to pull a gross of $96,888 over 5 days, that is quite an achievement!!! And that is how good this movie is!

Birthday Party

Last Monday it was Lisa's birthday, Alicia and I went and had a great time. It's great because I'm finally starting to recognize people and getting to know some as well. Jilleen was at the party also, another friend from Inwood.

Visitor

My dear friend and old roomie, Kerry-Anne came to visit while she was in the states. It was great to see her and hang out with her after such a long time, and we had lots of fun together.

Madame Tussaud's with Kerry-Anne

New Friend

I have a new friend.... His name is Gimli. (Yes, like the dwarf in Lord of the Rings). We spent all this past weekend together and it was FUN...
Now, I really REALLY want a dog.....

FYI

Oh by the way, sorry to those who are interested and actually read this blog every now and then, my laptop is still at the shop (I hope...) so this posting does not mean I am back for full yet... Hopefully I'll be getting it back soon though, and then.... there will be updates and pictures!

YAY!!!

SPRING

HAS

FINALLY

SPRUNG!!!!

And it's about time...

The city finally has little green "lungs", and though it's been a bit wet lately, I think we are all mostly happy about the weather...

FYI

My computer has been troublesome and temperamental this past week, and now I have to send it off to get the "motherboard" replaced.... so all the fun updates and posts I've been planning and wanting will have to wait... Sorry, but I will come back I promise!
*giggle*
Line

Easter

The fam. went to Acapulco, Mexico this week, which meant I had the apartement all to myself and it has been GREAT!!!! :)

I invited my friend Alicia over, and we've had a great few days with shopping, good food and just hanging out. Monday we went to Central Park since the weather was finally nice. It has been really cold this easter, in fact it was warmer at christmas than it has been this past week. Anywho, I digress, I will post some pics from the latest little while tonight or tomorrow. On Thursday morning I get to go on a Stake Youth Conference trip to Palmyra. I really look forward to that. And will blogg about it when I get back! I am going to take my camera too, so hopefully I'll have lots to document.
Anywho, that's it from me. For now.

FAO Swartz is a big Toy Store here in the City, with Toys from all over the world and things one almost can't even imagine, it's a dream come true for any child, big or small...

Remember the movie Big? Tom Hanks dancing on a huge piano?? Here it is...

an update

It's been long... too long, I know.. Thanks for the warm "fuzzies" and nice uplifting proddings to bring me back....(I am, I hope, back...)

General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints commenced this weekend. I had forgotten about the replacement of an apostle, so I was pleasantly surprised to read about the addition. I didn't see it happen, because I was out shopping Sat. Morning with a friend (Alicia), and in the afternoon I was babysitting Max. However, I was able to watch all of Sundays' Sessions... it's amazing how uplifting it was... like moisturizing-cream on dry skin... I felt a burden lifted and a brighter outlook on the future.

Saturday Evening, my friend Gayle had a few of us "gals" over for a movie night, we watched Twilight, eat yummy treats (among other things there were a plethora of fruits and veggies... yay) and just talked and hung out. It was nice to be doing something fun with adults for a change. And it was interesting to get others views on Twilight the movie vs. Twilight the book... A few of us had read the books AND seen the movie, one gal had seen the movie only, and two had not read or seen anything before. It was great to get their "side" and input.

One thing I am pondering these days are about the "what-if's" in life... "what if I didn't have a chemical imbalance", "what if I move", "what if the "right guy" isn't coming any time soon", "what if I could see the future road for me the next six months".... and along with the "what if's" come the "might have been"'s but hindsight is 20/20 and it does no good to wallow in the past...

Well, that's it for me tonight.
Thank you again Anette og Toril! Good to know someone's interested...
HUGS to all my PEEPS out there!
Line

The Bucket List Tag

Again, I haven't really had anything to blog about lately.. I've been tagged on facebook several times with this "25 random things about you" list, but since I don't have 25 interesting or otherwise things about me to tell, I haven't responded... then I got tagged with this one, and I didn't think it was too bad. Now this is not MY Bucket List by any means, but for fun, I'll play along.... so here it is.....

Things you have done during your lifetime:
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(X) Been lost
( ) Walked on the National Mall in DC
(X) Swam in the ocean (Both the pacific AND the atlantic!)
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. (I've held a snake... yuck...)
(X) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone special
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies by yourself

( ) Been deep sea fishing
(/) Driven across the United States, this I haven't done but I've taken the train from Utah to New York... that's almost across the country... it was AWESOME!!!
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(X) Lived in more than one country
(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of the Grand Canyon
( ) Seen the Statue of Liberty, NOT YET.... but I am going to... very soon, when my friend Emily comes to see me for a week, we are going to the Statue of Liberty among other places...
(X) Gone to the top of the Space Needle, I did this when I was in Seattle a year and a half ago... (yikes I can't believe it's been that long ago...)
( ) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding, not for very long though, and it was in a corral...so not so "romantic" as it sounds...

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(X) Been to Disneyland
( ) Been to Disney World
(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Been in a rain forest
(X) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on a camel
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing
(X) Been snow-skiing

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef
( ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game

a-bleh

Sorry, I couldn't come up with a fancy title, so that's all you get....

I am not in a blogging mood... and I don't really think I have much to say or anything fun to tell...

So here is my boring week.... I'm just finally getting over this nasty "cold" I've had for two weeks now. YAY.. it's tireing though, being sick takes a lot out of ya!
Well, since I've been so miserable for two weeks, I decided to have some Line Pampering this week, and I will admit, I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself, having had to been sick on my birthday and all....

So I went to my favorite place, Barnes and Noble, bought myself a BOOK!!!!! :) Happiness indeed! It's one I've read before, but I like it.

Wednesday I tended little Max. He is such a sweet, funny little guy, and we're becoming fast friends. I had dinner with them afterwards, and Gayle taught me how to make little rosettes, called yo-yo's. By the way that is the craft project I was talking about earlier this month.. and I will post pictures soon, I promise. They are fun and easy to do, the fabrics I've got are beautiful, I am very excited!

And then yesterday I went and hung out in the Fashion District.. well... "hung out" meaning shopping... I got some AWESOME deals, and I am excited to be back into the sewing again.. Still miss all my stuff that is in storage, but I'll get over it I am sure.

So there it is, now I am going to finish watching Rachael Ray, then I am off to Barnes and Noble and their Starbucks Cafe for some yummy hot chocolate...
Ohhh it's going to be nice when this stupid winter is over...

I WANT SUN!!!!!!

quickie update

Just a quickie update, I am SICK!!!

AGAIN!!!!!

Life is not fair!
It hurts when I walk, it hurts when cough, and I have to cough alot because my lungs also hurt... it even hurts when I breathe... can someone shoot me now, please!
My head aches from all the shaking (due to all the coughing)... and I swear I might get a whiplash from all this violent shaking..... okay, so that might be a slight exhaguration but still...

At least I am not alone.... Dyl has "walking pneumonia" or so the doctors say (who at first told me they couldn't hear anything in his lungs...), Z is coughing up half his lungs, and so am I.

Bunch of sicko's!!! *sigh*

did I mention it hurts??

oh, and don't get me started on my sinuses....

Craftiness....

Now, I remember vaguely that I posted a blog like this a while ago... the sad part is that since then nothing much (iow. NOTHING else) has happened in the craft department.... Sure I've started projects, but not finished any... I'm part of a lovely craft group that meets around town a few times a week, and I haven't attended one of them yet!! (Sorry Diana!)

So with the danger of Jinxing myself, I hereby declare another start on another project! 

Pictures to come..... :)

Amazing

Thanks to BT.no I found this fantastic picture of the FishMarket in Bergen (Fisketorget).. Taken by an american tourist sometime in the 1890's
There are quite a few of these taken from all over Scandinavia, and it was a great treat for me to go through them and see... This is the Bergen my great Grandparents knew... Here my great-great grandmother brought the vegetables and the milk to trade for things they needed at the farm.

Shortly after this, my granddads' brother took off on a ship perhaps like the ones we see in the distance of this picture....never to return to Norway again.

I LOVE history, and Geneology! Thanks to the us government for putting these pictures online for us all to watch!

Jazz

Last Saturday (the 10th) I attended an "Urban Folk/Jazz" Jam at my favorite BN. It was an evening long music festival with artists from the area as well as surrounding cities. Musicians such as Thomas Doncker, Richie Goods, Allan Harris, Jana Herzen, Bujo Kevin Jones, Charnett Moffett and Kuku with "[his] cousin from the irish part of Nigeria: John Smith".

It was AMAZING!!!
The music was fantastic, each artist brought their own "flavor" and humor to the scene. There was clearly camradery between everyone, and though it was labeled a "performance" it felt relaxed and down to earth like no other concert I've been to. Artists wandering around talking to us in the audience, listening and cheering for each other, helping out with instruments and stuff... truly a special special event. I was very impressed. And the music? FANTASTIC!!!!

The only spot on the otherwise perfect evening was that the concert was cut short, because B&N was closing early due to a "winter storm"..... (which wasn't all that horrible at all!!!!)

Normalcy

School has started, SwimTeam has started, Religious Class starts on Saturday and today, I got a call from the school nurse about D's cough.... Yep, we're back to normal... oh and did I mention they've had headlice over the holidays?!?!?!?! YUCK!!!! and yes, I am ITCHING all over everywhere..... first bed bugs, now lice.... AND cocroaches in the kitchen....
I'd definitely say we're out of the fog that can be the holidays!!!

TIGER!!!!

My friends.. I am a Tiger! And a Wood one at that!!! At least according to the Chinese Zodiac... So in the beginning of this new year, when everything is still new and fresh... I thought I'd just might find out exactly what lies ahead, as such I turned to the stars (naturally) and those who profess to know them.. Well, in the "western" zodiac I am an Aquarious.. and that's all fine and dandy.. but it doesn't really tell me much... so I turned to the Eastern "shores" and found this:

People who befriend the personable Tiger will never need to look for excitement anywhere else. This striped rascal lives for adventure and his reckless nature helps him find it.

 The third sign of the Zodiac is a handful of contradictions. Calm but quick tempered, warm-hearted yet fearlessly aggressive, Tigers are independent loners who desperately need attention. (..ahem....)

Hardworking and altruistic, the Tiger becomes completely wrapped up in projects and causes. This noble and powerful sign is said to protect homes from fire, thieves and ghosts. The same characteristics that make the Tiger so endearing are often the most annoying. He is intense and moody, but never dull.

Horses, Dogs and Pigs frequently make good companions for the Tiger; but Oxen, Rabbits and Snakes tend to rub his fur the wrong way.

Compatible: Horses, Dogs, Pigs 

Incompatible: Oxen, Rabbits, Snakes

So there you have it people! Anyone else who wants to share some insight feel free! ;) but be aware... I might bite if I don't like what you say...lol....

Belated Christmas "list" thingy...

This is one of those emails that get sendt around every so often... you know the drill.. copy, paste, delete and fill in your own answers...

Well, since the holidays are now behind us, and I am not so scrooge'ish anymore, I thought I'd post it!

Christmas checklist
Welcome to the 2008 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know You!You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree? Wrap
3. Colored or white lights on tree and house? White maybe colored on other decorations (tables, etc.)
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? Start the day after Thanksgiving, putting out a little at a time... tree shouldn't be decorated until the night between the 23rd and 24th though.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish not including dessert? Pinnekjøtt m. tilbehør
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Presents and the smell of the cooking... and church christmas eve.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I still believe in Santa, nobody told me differently.....
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up I did.
10. How do you decorate? RED everywhere, christmas curtains, lights, lots of good smells...
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT
12. Can you ice skate? yup... not anything fancy though..
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first real baby doll... yes I think I was 3 almost 4yrs
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? My family/Loved ones
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Riskrem og Pumpkin Pie the best of both worlds..

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Being together with those I love.
17. What tops your tree? a STAR
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? a Norwegian one called "det Lyser i Stille Grender"
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? YUCK... don't like em!

...and back towards normal...

Yesterday, Barry, Annie and Zed left for Upstate New York and Kevin, Barrie and Shane came back from Ireland... The cats got a bit restless in the morning, as BAZ were packing their suitcases.... Apparently bags and suitcases are terrifying.. lol...

Fabio took out his nerves by chasing waterdrops in the sink. Jolie, was mewing and wandering restless around the place...
Then a few hours later when KBS came, there was rejoicing like no tomorrow... It's amazing how comunicative animals can be...without being able to speak... and fluffy Jolie, who hates human touch was snuggling with her dad as if her life depended on it.. I wish I'd taken pictures, because it was quite something to behold.

So tired, sick and jetlagged but happy to be home, there was happiness still around!
And with only two days left of the holiday vacation for the kids, things are slowly coming around and getting back to normal... Annie, Barry and Zed are leaving to go back to California later tonight. And my crew is coming back from their vacation at some point today as well.

Last night I could almost hear the collective sigh that settled around the city, as parents and children settled this last weekend before the normalcy picks up again....

Insanity or stupidity on a stick!!!

Today I witnessed something truly CRAZY!!!!! Last night, Barry was looking on the internet and came across this web-site about the Polar Bear Club he exclaimed "hey, hey that's what I want to do tomorrow....." So today after eating some Norskie Pannekaker (made by yours truly) we set out, to Coney Island....

Now you might think, okay? So what? There's a bunch of crazy people jumping in the water... so what..... Let me tell you... we had nice sunny skies, but the temperature (air) was 11 degrees F!!!!!! and in the water 34 degrees!!!!!!! And people were running into the water, dipping under, of their OWN FREE WILL!!!!! (I will post pics later to prove it!) Some even stayed in for a few minuets, playing and splashing around... it was the craziest scene I have witnessed in a looooong while!!!!!

And Barry... yup... he got in....submerged himself and came back out a few inches taller and with some more (possibly frozen) chest-hair..... TRUE STORY!!!

this was taken before....