Misadventures of a bookworm

Friending Frenzy

2013-06-23T06:06:45Z

I can't deny that I've been feeling a bit lonely lately. It is my fault, I won't pretend it isn't. I haven't been much online and, as a result, my followers forgot about me and probably found me a bit boring when I came back with (more or less) regular posts. I won't blame anyone who did. Still I want to really thank those few who still comment on my entries and who're still there, pretty active on my flist!

I recently gave penpalling a thought. I have always been an avid penpal, one of those who wrote very long letters. I've always thought my own life as an old woman writing snail mail to my far away friends. BUT. I sort of lose interest in it. I still do keep touch with my old pals, of course. They are friends and I wouldn't let them down, never. But writing a proper snail mail. Well, that is another thing. I just can't find the time to do it. I have never got a single day when I can sit down for a solid hour and use that time for writing. I've got a snail mail to my best friend Eva sitting on my desk, unanswered, for some 3 months! Shame!
Anyway, since I haven't got time to write snail mail I think I will give my whole time to blogging and journalling. That's more immediate. There's no waiting for an answer. And typing is faster than handwriting. At least it is for me! But I need friends on here. Because with no friends to share my thoughts with it's no fun! That's why I posted this Friending Frenzy! Hope I can get myself new followers and friends!

A few bits about me.
Name, Marta. Nationality, Italian. Living in Central Italy. Currently working in social work. Not sure what future has in store for me in the work field. Getting married to my one and only on October 12th this year. Dog owner. Bookworm. Nuts about the net and some tv series. Lactose intolerant. Love to travel. I am a rambler. Need to be more regular with posts though, but doing my best to improve!

Friending Frenzy

2013-01-28T16:46:00Z

There's a friending frenzy going on here on LJ and I joined it, in the hope to make a bit less quiet my own journal.. Here's the link to it http://users.livejournal.com/lindalee_/1336803.html?view=7009763#t7009763 just in case you too need some new friends to add to your f-list!

Who knows if there are Friending Frenzies on DW as well?!

Penpals Secret Santa 2012

2012-10-14T12:09:59Z

Hello fellow penpals!
Christmas is my favourite time of the whole year. Comes October and I start counting days down to Christmas! I love, love, love everything involving Christmas carols, Christmas markets and Christmas movies... And of course I am fan of Secret Santa! This year though I would like to host a slightly different Secret Santa. We still get to swap our gifts (let's say we'll try and fit a budget of 10€ each) but together with them we'll have to send our Secret Santa partner an intro letter. We may find a potential friend in our swap partner and a new friendship would be the best and most prized Christmas pressie ever!
So, here you are a few rules:

- You can sign up for the Penpals Secret Santa untill November 10th.
- You'll receive via email your match Secret Santa partner's details by November 15th
- You have to send out your Secret Santa envie by December 10th.
- The Secret Santa present(s) -it's up to you if you want to send out one single item or more- must cost around 10€

To take part to the Penpal Secret Santa do please email me (paper_and_ink@hotmail.it) this entry form all filled in with your info, I will match everyone before November 15th.

Name:
Age:
Profession:
Hobbies:
(Average) Letters Lenght:
A few words about yourself:
Favourite Book:
Snail Mail Adresse:
Allergies:
Likes:
Dislikes:

Ok, now do sign up for this year Penpals Secret Santa and spread the word with your pals and friends please: the more, the merrier!

Writer's Block: B.Y.O.B. Holidays

2011-12-13T16:50:00Z

Oh, my holiday wishlist would be sooooo long to even be listed down! lol* Most of all I would like to spend a happy Xmas,in spite of a recent loss and in spite of ups and downs life gives us.
On a more trivial side, I would really love a pair of camper sneakers that I saw online on camper official site and are unavailable in Italy: they are purple in color and with multicolo drawings...So lovely!

Writer's Block: B.Y.O.B. Holidays

2011-12-12T15:38:42Z

Being a Catholic, I celebrate December the 8th, the Annunciation of the Angel to the Virgin that she's with a baby boy, the Son of God. We usually go to Mass on that day and spend the day decorating the house for Xmas: most families put up a tree and a nativity. The day is usually spent at home with family.
Of course, for the same reason as before, I also celebrate December 25th, Xmas day. It starts at midnight in the night between 24th and 25th when there's the Holy Mass. Then we exhange pressies with friends in front of the church and are never home untill 2 am. We have a big lunch with family and have a few hours rest in the afternoon before we go back to eat a big dinner with family again. Xmas days can ben tiresome, but it's my favourite day ever!
We're off work on 26th also, but I wouldn't say we really celebrate it. We rather spend the day at home, eating leftovers and reading, watching tv and (me) writing.
Then comes December the 31st, when we celebrate Silvester's. I think I celebrate this one because it'd not be considered as "normal" not to! But I am not one for Silvester's, not at all! Anyway, we usually have a big dinner (yes, in Italy we're all about eating...lol) with friends. Usually we cook it ourselves so that we save money. We end the year eating and start into the new year toasting with sparkly wine and then playing card games and role games and board games untill the crack of dawn!

Writer's Block: Bless you!

2011-12-05T16:51:20Z

Oh, it's not really an allergy, rather an intolerance (even if it's quite severe): I am lactose intolerant. It also gives me severe stomach cramps and I even ended up throwing up in public once because of some hidden lactose in a restaurant dish that wasn't supposed to contain any! I tell you, it's not fun! Did you know that most food contains lactose?! Apart from cheese, milk, cream, yogurt, ice-cream...I am not allowed to eat most cookies, hamburger, chips (!), sausages, smoked ham, chocolate (!!!!), sandwiches bread and other foods I can't remember of right now... Still I am glad I finally found out what's that made my life so miserable after months of trying selective diets!

2011 letters project

2011-07-13T20:48:09Z

I've just found out about this lovely project on Facebook. I will post here the link to this family's blog, so that if anyone like to take part in the project can do it! And please spread the voice with your friends! This project is too amazing not to help them! :)

http://2011letters.blogspot.com

Writer's Block: Good eats

2010-10-12T17:39:50Z

Among my three most favourite foods I would list:

pizza, lasagne and french fries.. unluckily if my suspected lactose intolerance is proved true I will be forced to change my fave ones priority, since pizza and lasagne will be offlimits for little me! So, given a lactose intolerance, I would list 3 foods as it follows: french fries, spinach and (how comes I cannot really think of a fave 3rd food?!?) .. and .. pineapple, I got it! Looks pretty sad of a favourite list, huh?!

3 least favourite food.. that i think should mean food i don't really like:

artichokes are a big NO-NO with me here, 2nd rank in my least fave food list goes to olives (unless it is fried green olives filled with minced meat we talk about..in that case I like them!), last but not least is fish (again an exception is made for tuna in tins and seafood).

meme stolen from princesslia84 :)

2010-10-08T05:19:49Z

I AM: happy. sad. a good friend. adventurous. shy. confident. procrastinating. a male. bored. anxious. clumsy. sociable. always punctual. selfish. intelligent. funny. a female. sarcastic. insecure. sick. beautiful. articulate. loud. kind. even tempered. honest. short. tall. medium height. proud of myself. loving. witty. down to earth. outspoken. determined. high maintenance. pretty. assertive. organized. selfless.

I HAVE: brown hair. blue eyes. pale skin. brown eyes. curly hair. long fingernails. curves. braces. chipped nail polish. long legs. long hair. straight hair. a fringe. long eyelashes. sore feet. dark skin. green eyes. blonde hair. dyed hair. red hair. short legs. rosy cheeks. wavy hair. black hair. a small waist. piercings. tattoos. big ears. small ears.

I LOVE: babies. flowers. kisses. summer. coffee. the rain. candles. incense. late night talk shows. insects. hugs. attention. the beach. chocolate. music. hats. harry potter. twilight. facebook. black and white photos. sleeping in. narrating my pet’s thoughts. opening gifts. buying gifts. halloween. cute texts. apples. compliments. country music. hip hop. sushi. sports. art. singing. seeing my loved ones happy. surprises. sunsets and sunrises. skinny dipping. horror movies. simon cowell. family guy. garlic. hearing somebody talk in their sleep. being right. kfc. abstract photography. concerts and festivals. tanning. over sized t-shirts. driving.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE A: police officer. lawyer. doctor. teacher. fruit picker. mother. greenpeace volunteer. hippie. groupie. rockstar. footballer’s wife. therapist. singer. actress. diving instructor. lottery winner. company owner. housewife. nurse. builder. race car driver. website developer. an inspirational talker. music teacher. artist. chef. makeup artist. hairdresser. restaurant owner. homeless shelter volunteer. fitness trainer. vet. radio show host. band manager.

I LIKE TO EAT: fruit. vegetables. fast food. sushi. rice. sandwiches. subway. chicken. cakes. seafood. pasta. rice crackers. cheese. ice cream. lunch. garlic bread. peanut butter out of the jar. eggs. lots of ethnic foods. pancakes. honey. bread crusts. low calorie foods. soy products. gluten free products. toast. breakfast. pizza.

I DISLIKE: cold mornings. baths. people dissing my taste in music. people in front of me walking really slowly. having my personal space invaded. cleaning. going to bed early. wine/beer. religion arguments. coffee. the beach. rain. children. having my photo taken. drama. gossiping. hip hop. cooking shows. drugs. cats. people singing happy birthday to me. school. selfish people. social networking sites. swimming. snow. eminem. seafood. one word text messages. awkward silences. alarm clocks.

I LIKE: Reading. Writing. The Beatles. True Blood. Demi Lovato. Miley Cyrus. Selena Gomez. Taylor Swift. Knitting. Crafts. Perez Hilton. Tea. Cats. Twitter. Cold weather. Tofu. Hummus. Adam Lambert. Muse. The Killers. Jay Leno. Conan O’Brien. Craig Ferguson. PCs. John Lennon. Jennifer Aniston. LOST. Marriage Equality. Michael Buble. Poetry. Yoga. Crocs. Peace. My hometown. Proper spelling. Proper grammar. Disney. Saturday Night Live. Stem Cell Research. Green movement. Adopting animals. Vegetarianism/Veganism. Jimmy Fallon. Learning new languages. David Bowie. Snow. Horror books. Fantasy books. Disney Channel Shows. Being pale.

I AM: a cuddler. I am a morning person. I am an only child. I am currently in my pyjamas. I am currently pregnant. I am currently single. I am currently suffering from a broken heart. I am left handed. I am married. I am addicted to my MySpace. I am online 24/7, even as an away message. I am a little shy around the opposite gender at first. I bite my nails. I can be paranoid at times. I don’t like anyone. I enjoy country music. I enjoy jazz music. I enjoy smoothies. I enjoy talking on the phone. I have a car. I have/had a hard time paying attention at school. I have a hidden talent. I have a pet. I have a tendency to fall for the "wrong" guy/girl. I have all my grandparents. I have been to another country. I have been told that I have an unusual sense of humour. I have or had broken a bone. I have caller I.D. on my phone. I have bathed someone. I have changed a diaper. I have changed a lot over the past year. I have done something illegal. I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color. I have had major/minor surgery. I have had my hair cut within the last week. I have mood swings. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have rejected someone before. I have seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I like the taste of blood. I love Michael Jackson. I love sleeping. I love to play computer games. I love to shop. I own 100 CDs or more. I own and use a library card. I read books for pleasure in my spare time. I sleep a lot during the day. I strongly dislike maths. I was born in a country other than the US. I watch soap operas on a regular basis. I work at a job that I enjoy. I would classify myself as ghetto. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free. I am currently wearing socks. I am tired. I love to paint/draw/sketch/sculpt.

I HAVE/HAD: Graduated high school. Rode every ride at an amusement park. Collected something really stupid. Gone to a rock concert. Helped someone. Gone fishing. Spun turn tables. Watched four movies in one night. Been dumped. Failed a class. Dealt drugs. Taken a college level course. Been in a car accident. Been in a tornado. Done hard drugs (i.e. ecstasy, heroin, crack, meth, acid). Watched someone/something die. Been to a funeral. Burned yourself. Ran a marathon. Your parents got divorced. Keep a memory box. Cried yourself to sleep. Spent over $200 in one day. Cheated on someone. Been cheated on. Written a 10 page letter. Gone skiing. Been sailing. Had a best friend. Lost someone you loved. Shoplifted something. Been to jail. Had detention .Skipped school. Got in trouble for something you didn’t do. Stolen books from the library. Gone to a different country. Been in a mental hospital. Watched the "Harry Potter" movies. Fired a gun. Gambled in a casino. Had a yard sale. And a lemonade stand. Actually made money at the lemonade stand. Been in a school play. Been fired from a job. Taken a lie detector test. Swam with dolphins. Gone to Sea World. Attempted suicide. Voted for American/Australian/Pop/NZ Idol. Written poetry. Read more than 20 books a year. Gone to Europe. Loved someone you couldn’t have. Wondered about your sexuality. Used a colouring book over age 12. Had surgery. Had stitches. Taken a taxi. Seen the Washington Monument. Had more than 5 IM’s/online conversations going at once. Overdosed. Had a drug or alcohol problem. Been in a fist fight. Had a hamster. Petted a wild animal. Used a credit card. Gone surfing in California. Did "spirit day" at school. Dyed your hair. Got a tattoo. Had something pierced. Got straight A’s. Been on the Honour Roll. Your parents sent you to a shrink. Been handcuffed. Known someone with HIV or AIDS. Taken pictures with a webcam. Started a fire.

Writer's Block: Open book test

2010-10-06T17:26:05Z

first of all they would of course say that I am a real bookworm! i have shelves full of books and my friend ilaria always says that visiting my room is like taking a tour of a library.. lol* this is of course my proud and joy!
you'd surely get it that i am an english geek, because half the books i own are in english. and you'd probably say that i am organized and tidy, because my books are ordered in descending order according to their height.. people would surely get it that i am omnivore, as i read anything.. as long as it is prose! they would get it that i rather buy paperbacks than hardcovers. of course you probably wouldn't get it why i do it.. i buy paperbacks because i love to live my books to the fullest, i bring them everywhere, bend the spine, turn the pages, read when eating, when in bed, when walking and even when at the loo.. :) and my books mustn't stay like new, but have to proudly show their owner's activity from their outside look.
last but not least people would get it by taking a close look to my books that i am a compulsive shopping addict when it is about books! i own over 80 books to be read on my shelves, yet you can find new titles almost weekly if you come to my personal library! :)

martj @ 2010-08-17T06:54:00

2010-08-17T04:54:17Z

saw this great meme in my friend jennie's page and I think I'll give it a go!

30 days meme:

Day 01 – Introduce yourself
Day 02 – Your first love, in great detail
Day 03 – Your parents, in great detail
Day 04 – What you ate today, in great detail
Day 05 – Your definition of love, in great detail
Day 06 – Your day, in great detail
Day 07 – Your best friend, in great detail
Day 08 – A moment, in great detail
Day 09 – Your beliefs, in great detail
Day 10 – What you wore today, in great detail
Day 11 – Your siblings, in great detail
Day 12 – What’s in your bag, in great detail
Day 13 – This week, in great detail
Day 14 – What you wore today, in great detail
Day 15 – Your dreams, in great detail
Day 16 – Your first kiss, in great detail
Day 17 – Your favorite memory, in great detail
Day 18 – Your favorite birthday, in great detail
Day 19 – Something you regret, in great detail
Day 20 – This month, in great detail
Day 21 – Another moment, in great detail
Day 22 – Something that upsets you, in great detail
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better, in great detail
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry, in great detail
Day 25 – A first, in great detail
Day 26 – Your fears, in great detail
Day 27 – Your favorite place, in great detail
Day 28 – Something that you miss, in great detail
Day 29 – Your aspirations, in great detail
Day 30 – One last moment, in great detail

martj @ 2010-05-06T10:03:00

2010-05-06T08:03:51Z

I DO FEEL SO BAD! I AM MESSING EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE...HOPE RICKY WILL FORGIVE ME THE PAIN I AM GIVING HIM THESE DAYS...WOULD LIKE TO SHOUT, TO CRY, TO RUN AWAY FROM HERE...BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING OF THE ABOVE...AND I FEEL LIKE DIEING INSIDE...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

martj @ 2010-04-15T12:28:00

2010-04-15T10:28:25Z

I know I've been silent for a life time and I know I owe you all a long update of what I've been up to in the last months, but I am afraid I won't be able to write it down today... Still I feel like writing, because I cannot just concentrate on text books and need to unwind and ... ain't writing the best way ever to do that?!? To me at least, it is!!!

I have had lots happening to me lately and life's been on the stressful side lately. But I won't much complain. I try to look at it with the brightest smile and to keep my hopes high that it will get better soon for all of us.
Ok, in small words...

- First thing that put me down is that Ricky and Ilaria (for those of you who don't know it, my boyfriend and my best friend) are not on friendly terms. Well, story is complicated and I think I have no right to tell everyone about it in details, but since it hits me hard because I am caught in between them two I need to write about it. Ricky's mad at Ilaria and they have been going through this very weird period for something like a month. I have been crying about it, because it feels foolish that I cannot enjoy my boyfriend and my best friend together anymore, when I was doing so before... Of course things have changed a lot in the last months between us all and I think we've been changing a lot. I don't like that my life was messed up and it's not been the same since July 2009 when Carlo left to Kosovo. I know that Ricky's faithful to him, that he's been suffering about him and that he's missing his best friend (and to Ricky it counts a lot, since he's quite reserved and having a best friend to talk to isn't much Ricky-ish!). But I am caught in the middle and I am so sorry that Ila and Ricky are not friendly to eachother anymore. I just hope our lives will go back to more normal terms... Eventually. Ilaria is the best friend I've ever had who didn't live miles and miles away, it is something I'd never experienced before to have someone living in my same town who's so much understanding and who likes most things that I like and who talks to me about everything and whom I can say everything to... It would be such a shame if we got our friendship spoilt...

-Anyway, I am glad that this period is a (very) up time with Ricky. In one month time we'll be celebrating our 9th anniversary and we are going through a (teenie) I-am-deeply-madly-in-love-with-you period!!! lol* We text eachother tens of times a day, we feel butterflies in our bellies when together... Ain't it all perfect?!?! Yes, it is!!! And I am so thankful to have him in my life now and (hopefully) for a long time to come. Not that troubles will be over forever, not at all, but I am positive that we'll work them out together now and forever.

-Again a downside in my life... Uncle Marco. That man has the power to mess up our lives with the click of a finger! Booohoo him! He now came up asking for our summer house to be sold because he's short of some 75000€ in his bank account!!! WTF!?!? They've been going on talking for a couple months now, my parents suggesting agreements to him, that he kept refusing one after the other. At last they decided to sell the summer house (he wants an insanely high value to be put on it... That house is very old and in a not too fancy zone of the town so it will hardly be sold for more than 100000€ that is what my parents offered him to buy uncle's half of the house). Parents were at the summer house yesterday to see some dealers for work and before coming home they met an estate agent and put the house on the market. We all doubt it will be sold anytime soon anyway. But when they told us today morning (they were home past midnight yesterday and I was already sleeping) my sister had one of her tantrums. She spoke to mum in such a rude way... I would have slapped her hard had I been in mom's shoes!!! WTF! No one is happy having to sell that house, but I can understand mom who isn't willing to turn her shoulders on her brother, as mean and stupid (no other words can describe uncle's behaviour better!) he is to us all. He won't accept any other agreement, then that house has to be sold. I cannot understand how my sister can be that mean to mom. She knows all about her depression and I think we should be a bit more supportive... I think uncle's making her suffer enough already and she doesn't need any more burden at the moment. But my sister won't care... Bah!

-Work wise I am not happiest about it. Well, not quite true, it depends on what place I am working at. I feel the best ever at the Youth Centre were all my friends are and I love to be there! I don't much see the point in wasting time at the CSI office though, but it has to be done so...

-I am now studying for a public examination that I'll sit on April 28th. I have quite much to learn by that date and too little time to do it all. But I must do it, it is my own future I am talking about. I will also start filling in cv's again and send them out soon. I need a job in December when I will be over with the civil service project.

-I am terribly behind with letter writing, I am actually not proceeding at all with it... It is a shame and I miss it so much!!! It feels not good that I am neglecting my pallies so much, but I cannot do otherwise, not with all the things I have to do and not with this not too high mood I am constantly on, thank to someone and something.

-Last but not least, Rolly and I started to attend canine obedience school. The teacher said Rolly is fit for the agility training and we'll think of it once he'll be fully trained. We're now doing the "fuss" and the "sitz" commands. He seems to understand, can't say he's happy to do both though. LOL*

I swear I will update again soon... Sooner than this time anyway!!!

martj @ 2010-03-08T09:47:00

2010-03-08T08:47:34Z

stolen from yueshi

1. If you're on my friends list, I want to know 35 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine.

2. Comment here with your answers and repost the questionnaire on your own journal.

01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
02) What was your dream growing up?
03) What talent do you wish you had?
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
05) Favourite vegetable?
06) What was the last book you read?
07) What zodiac sign are you?
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
09) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favourite sport?
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What colour eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
26) What's your favourite place to hang out at?
27) Do you believe in ghosts?
28) Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
29) Do you swear a lot?
30) Biggest pet peeve?
31) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
32) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
33) Favourite and least favourite food?
34) Do you believe in God?
35) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

martj @ 2010-02-25T13:13:00

2010-02-25T12:13:12Z

Long long time not updated... I have been going through a rough time and actually didn't feel like writing at all. So I basically had an off period of more than one month when I had no letters, no journal, no writing at all! It wasn't like me at all!
I am now feeling a bit better, on a more cheerful mood and feel like telling my best friends (via mail) about my feelings and what's been going on in my life so far. I have already written to badmadnad and posted the letter today (I admitt it being rubbish because not only it is written in parts but she had to deal with my ups and downs... but after all this is the downside of being my bestie!) and I am now working onlitarana 's mail. We've got lots to catch up on! Next one will bekriss81 to be written. That's for sure and then I have got another 2 and I have written to everyone. Mind you, I make it sound an easy thing to write this lot, but it'll actually take weeks before I am officially done with replies. I am such a slow writer and having so little spare time isn't helping!
But I swear I will do my best to be as fast as I can!
I am done with reading a good few books since I last updated. I read "Marley&Me", "Veil of Roses", "Dewey: the small town library cat who touched the world", "The lovely bones" and I started yesterday "L'amore e gli stracci del tempo" that is by an Albanian author called Anilda Ibrahimi who writes in Italian and I am not at all sure is translated in any other languages. Today I noticed that there's a new Edward Rutherford's book issued about New York this time and I think I must have it!

martj @ 2010-01-30T11:06:00

2010-01-30T10:06:12Z

i won't be around for a week, leaving for a one week away with my fellow-workers...hooray, NOT! Hope it won't be as bad as I fear and I won't miss Ricky, Rolly and the net friends too much!!!
See you in a week time folks!
Hugs,
Marta
xox.

martj @ 2010-01-27T22:14:00

2010-01-27T21:14:25Z

Today it's the worst day in the new year so far...I am so sad tonight! Rolly chewed the new sofa today and I can't think of mom's reaction when she'll be home from the mountains... Awful, awful, awful! I can't get it, he's well behaved with me, but is a total disaster when parents or Monica are in charge...And today Monica left him alone and he did the mess with the sofa!!! I feel like crying!!!

martj @ 2010-01-19T22:18:00

2010-01-19T21:18:38Z

Yesterday night I went with Ricky to his coworker's home. Another posh house to start with, and I already was not in the best of moods I admitt it...I am not good at hiding it when I am pissed off or feel not at ease with someone...My fault!
The dinner was nothing special, and they were all laughing about nonsenses and at some point I felt like I was on the verge of tears! I'd just realized that Ricky spends more time with those people than he does with me and they (all girls) were calling him silly names... It was driving me crazy and I had to behave not to burst in tears... Sometimes I wonder if it is the right thing to live the lives we do...Confused matter I know... I was confused yesterday night and I didn't like it that they were calling MY boyfriend those silly names and being that much in confidence with him... I hate it especially because I know how Ricky usually is a reserved person... I felt just blah yesterday night and I was still feeling weird today morning.

Today was pretty a busy day for me: I worked 9-12 in the morning doing some minor tasks at the CSI office. I rushed back home, where Rolly was waiting for me, we went out for a short walk and then again back home to cook lunch. Afte lunch I went outside with Rolly and played with him for some 20 minutes. I must do that because he'd otherwise try to spend time chewing random things at home (last time he did something of the like he did it with mom's book and she wasn't pleased with it!). At 3 I was at the Youth Centre in my suburb where I had to first tutor the kids who were doing homework 'till 5. I had to prepare a snack for them after that. The afternoon ended with me watching them playing the PS2 untill 6.30. When they (finally) went home I cleaned up everything at the Centre and hurried back home. I am now in my pj and I think it won't be long before I go to bed. I am pretty tired today but it is not surprise when I'm a busy bee everyday!

I have still got 7 letters to reply and I feel awful about it, but I can't put myself to writing in the evening. Tomorrow morning I am at home and I will give writing a try.
Reading isn't going much better, still stuck on Rhett Butler's people, because of lack of spare time (it's a good book really). Will read half an hour before falling asleep.

martj @ 2010-01-18T10:53:00

2010-01-18T09:53:16Z

I am off work today: I love Mondays! I probably am one of the very few people in the world who like Mondays, but it can't be different because it means day off! My worst day is no doubts Tuesday, because then I am working morning AND afternoon...

Saturday was the busiest day ever, I was busy with the Youth Centre staff morning, afternoon AND evening... I had lots of fun that must be said, there were my friends, we took LOTS of pictures and we had a blast all night long. I would have liked to go home earlier still, because 2 am is very late in the night, especially when you'd woken up at 6am in the morning and you can't sleep late the following day... We had a fancy party at the Youth Centre on Saturday night and it took hours to get everything organized, but it was worth the huge amount of job, because the party was great and we had fun. I wore a dress, yes I said a dress! Of course it wasn't mine, but I had borrowed mom's dress, I looked girly I think. It was my first time wearing a skirt since I was a teen at middle school and my first time wearing a dress in ages (I think mom dresses me really girly when I was like 4y.o. but I can't remember wearing a dress, so I must have been a kid the last time I did). Of course it felt awkward, but eventually I made it through the whole night with that thing on and it even made me wonder (for a while, don't worry I am back to my usual not-so-girly self again) if I needed to get more girly with wearing dresses, skirts and make up... LOL* I can't but posting a photo on here, because it is such a memory: me with a dress, I mean... ME! Of course my legs are HUGE and FAT and I don't look nice in a dress, but...I wanted to share this. [no need to tell you that I am the last one on the right, the one with the black dress)

I was upset yesterday night. Some of you already know that I have been a member of a penpal forum for some time now. I have made some good friends on there and I have always felt home there and liked it pretty much. I have been busy lately and missed some threads on there. I didn't imagine that so much had been going on, but yesterday I got an invitation to join another forum of penpals that I did. When there I couldn't but notice that it was so much alike the one I usually browse through. I didn't like it, it was an obvious copy of the other forum and I don't really like copycat people! (yes, Nad, of course I don't like you! LOL) I noticed that the moderator of this forum was a (former) member of the other forum. A newby on the other forum, actually. I went back to MY forum (I like to call it my forum, because it is where I belong) and asked one of the admins what was going on and I got an explanation of the whole matter: allegedly some members have been arguing (over some misunderstandments I think) and some people left the forum and created another one (they must have done with some more creativity because they simply copied the threads titles from the other forum and this is unfair of them!) were they would meet. Some other people were banned from the old forum because of that. I asked the new (copied) forum moderator to please delete me from there because I didn't feel like going on with it, but she wouldn't delete my account... Aw! It's silly to argue like that and I don't like people backstabbing others... And I don't want to be on that new forum anymore... I felt so disappointed yesterday and I wanted to leave both forums, but then I thougth I had nothing to do with the whole matter and I could still stay in the old forum and enjoy it as much as I've always had! Blah to people who mess with others' lives!

I am TERRIBLY behind with letters: I owe 6 to Nad, Magalie, Julia, Krissie, Outi and Leanne... Awful of me, I know! I will try and have at least one written today that I am off.

Books-wise I am reading Rhett Butler's People at the moment, that I pretty much like, because I can see things from Rhett's point of view for a chance and I like it! The New Yorkers was as disappointing as I had foreseen, I went through it one night I was in, looking forward to being finished with it. I have already sent it to the States, to a fellow mooch-er.

I won't go to the theatre on Wednesday because I have a compulsory meeting at the Sports Centre...Boohooo! At first I was feeling so gloomy and angry, but now I have given it up and am ok with missing "Grease". Ricky asked his parents if they like to go instead of us, so we may get our money back. It'd be just too much to stand had we lost our money.

Tonight I am going to Ricky's fellow worker's home for dinner. Of course I wasn't happy going because I just can't stand those girls (too cheecky and snoobish to my likings...but then I am a real bitch!) but Ricky wanted me to go and I would have felt too guilty had I not attended the dinner...Hope it won't be too awful a night! Hopefully it won't last long, because tomorrow we'll be working and we can't have a late night... Think of me tonight!

martj @ 2010-01-13T11:09:00

2010-01-13T10:09:52Z

WOW! Time's fastening and I can't believe we already are on 13th and I still think of New Year's Eve as yesterday!
I've been a busy bee in the last few days. I had lots to do (and still have plenty of things to do!) at the Youth Centres I work at and I also had to fullfill my parents' wish and go with mom to the mall and buy a new jacket.
It was a nightmarish week the past one because of staff meeting lasting till 2am (when I had to be up by 7 on the following morning and be at the Sports Centre by 9), and on Friday I had a night out with Ilaria (that was due to be over early, but actually we didn't make it to be home till 1.30am) and last but not least on Saturday night I went to a gig (an Italian singer - N. Fabi - that I think none of the people reading my journal really ever heard of) with Ricky, Ilaria and other mates and we weren't home before 3am... And I actually didn't like the songs at all: what with them all being about him being dumped by his girlfriend and general pessimism spreading all over! And, just to make myself all the more miserable, I had to be up by 8 on Sunday morning because of the shopping spree my mom literally forced me to!
Ok, truth has to be said and I really was in need of new clothes, but I don't like to go shopping (unless it is books I am shopping for, in what case it is hard to stop me!) and it really was a pain in the ass (sorry for bad words) to wake up early and go shopping. People seem to get crazy during sales season and we weren't the only one to be up at the crack of dawn (yes, 8am can be called that name on a Sunday) for shopping! I was lucky because Think Pink (my favourite shop at the mall) had a brown bomber jacket that fit me perfectly and it was half the original price so I went for it. At that point mom even tried to talk me into buying another one in addition to the one we'd just purchased, maybe something less sporty, something on the smart side, but I refused because a) I already have something smarter, b) I was tired and sick of shopping, c) I had spotted a bookshop where they sold books on sales and they were 15% off. She gave it up the smart jacket but was still pleased with me purchasing a pair of black trousers, a greenish pullover and a bag at Benetton's. Finally I had to visit the bookshop where I got "My sister, my love" by Joyce Carol Oates.
Job is ok, still tiring, but it is obvious when you work with kids and teens: they have much more energies than you and they cry, run, play all together and it's your luck you don't get a headache at the end of the day!
Because of me being constantly busy I had to drop a handful of pals, the newest, those I still wasn't close with. I was so sorry doing that, but I really couldn't help it because I don't like to write back once every many months and it was driving me crazy to have many letters to be replied and no time to do that at all! The people I had to give up to seemed to be understanding and I can't but being grateful to them who didn't blame me as I was already feeling bad for dropping them like that.
Bookwise, I am reading "The New Yorkers" that I had many expectations about, probably too many since it's been a disappointment so far. I actually was about to give it up (I am past its half) but I want to read it to its end and see if it gets any better, even if I have lost any hopes it will. I already found someone on Bookmooch who wants it and I am sending it out as soon as I am finished with the reading.
Next week, on 20th, I am going to see "Grease" at the Theatre: I am looking forward to it! It is the very first musical I see live and I am thrilled about it!
Last update about my life is not too good of a news (for me at least): I am going to be away from 31st Jan. to 6th Feb. because of a course we must attend with the Sports Centre (called CSI). There'll be people doing the civil service year coming from all over Italy and we'll be staying there at this hotel (or whatever it is that we're staying at) for one week and attend lectures everyday. Funny, not! Especially because it bothers me big time to be away for one whole week. I hope I can at least bring along my pc, will ask if they have wireless connection there. I will bring a book and a letter to write with me, that's for sure. After all, I think I won't be socializing much. After all I am (found this funny definition reading The New Yorkers, only nice thing of it so far) an Asocial worker! On top of that Ricky isn't thrilled with me having to go, because we already see too little of eachother and one whole week apart isn't something we needed! But there's nothing I can do against it.

This meme is too fun to do!

2010-01-05T18:32:21Z

Dear a_lenchen:
I don't really know how to tell you this, but You're a pervert. I think I realized it When your dwarf bit me In your camping car and I saw you Pull the toupee off Manchester United's goalkeeper. I'm sure you're Ashamed enough to understand How awful I've felt. I'm returning Your love letters to you, butI'll keep Your suicide note as a memory. You should also know that I Always will remember A new life as a clone.
Best regards,
Martj.

RULES:
Do the "Letter MEME". Tag no less than 5 other people,and leave them a comment, informing them that they have been tagged.Then copy the "How-to" Letter Meme, and finish your Journal entry.

-> How you do the Letter Meme:

Dear (the last person who left a comment on your journal):

Idon't really know how to tell you this, but ___1___. I think I realizedit ___2___ ___3___ and I saw you ___4___ ___5___. I'm sure you're___6___ enough to understand ___7___. I'm returning ___8___ to you, butI'll keep ___9___ as a memory. You should also know that I ___10______11___ .

___12___,
-Your name-

1. What's the color of your shirt?
Blue - Our romance is over
Red - Our affair is over
White - I'll join the monastery
Black - I dislike you
Green - Our horoscope doesn't match
Grey - You're a pervert
Yellow - I'm selling myself
Pink - Your nostrils are insulting
Brown - The mafia wants you
No shirt - You're a loser
Other - I'm in love with your sister

2. Which is your birth month?
January - That night
February - Last year
March - When your dwarf bit me
April - When I tripped on sesame seeds
May - First of May
June - When you put cuffs on me
July - When I threw up
August - When I saw the shrunken head
September - When we skinny dipped
October - When I quoted Santa
November - When your dog ran amok
December - When I changed tennis shoes

3. Which food do you prefer?
Tacos - In your apartment
Pizza - In your camping car
Pasta - Outside of Chicago
Hamburgers - Under the bus
Salad - As you ate enchilada
Chicken - In your closet
Kabob - With Paris Hilton
Fish - In women's clothing
Sandwiches - At the Hare Krishna graduation
Lasagna - At the mental hospital
Hot dog - Under a state of trance
None of the above - With George Bush and his wife

4. What's the color of your socks?
Yellow - Hit on
Red - Insult
Black - Ignore
Blue - Knock out
Purple - Pour syrup on
White - Carve your initials into
Grey - Pull the clothes off
Brown - Put leeches on
Orange - Castrate
Pink - Pull the toupee off
Barefoot - Sit on
Other - Drive out

5. What's the color of your underwear?
Black - My best friend
White - My father
Grey - Bill Clinton
Brown - My fart balloon
Purple - My mustard soufflé
Red - Donald Duck
Blue - My avocado plant
Yellow - My penpal in Ghana
Orange - My Kid Rock-collection
Pink - Manchester United's goalkeeper
None - My John F. Kennedy-statue
Other - The crazy monk

6. What do you prefer to watch on TV?
Scrubs - Man
O.C. - Emotional
One Tree Hill - Open
Heroes - Frostbitten
Lost - High
House - Scarred
Simpsons - Cowardly
The news - Mongolic
Idol - Masochistic
Family Guy - Senile
Top Model - Middle-class
None of the above - Ashamed

7. Your mood right now?
Happy - How awful I've felt
Sad - How boring you are
Bored - That Santa doesn't exist
Angry - That your pimples are at the last stage
Depressed - That we're cousins
Excited - That there is no solution to this.
Nervous - The middle-east
Worried - That your Honda sucks
Apathetic - That I did a sex-change
Ashamed - That I'm allergic to your hamster
Cuddly - That I get turned on by garbage men
Overjoyous - That I'm open
Other - That Extreme Home Makeover sucks

8. What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?
White - Your ring
Yellow - Your love letters
Red - Your Darth Vader-poster
Black - Your tame stone
Blue - The couch cushions
Green - The pictures from LA
Orange - Your false teeth
Brown - Your contact book
Grey - Our matching snoopy-bibs
Purple - Your old lottery coupons
Pink - The cut toenails
Other - Your memories from the military service

9. The first letter of your first name?
A/B - Your photo
C/D - The oil stocks
E/F - Your neighbour Martin
G/H - My virginity
I/J - The results of your blood-sample
K/L - Your left ear
M/N - Your suicide note
O/P - My common sense
Q/R - Your mom
S/T - Your collection of butterflies
U/V - Your criminal record
W/X - David's tricot outfits
Y/Z - Your grades from college

10. The last letter in your last name?
A/B - Always will remember
C/D - Never will forget
E/F - Always wanted to break
G/H - Never openly mocked
I/J - Always have felt dirty before
K/L - Will tell the authorities about
M/N - Told in my confession today about
O/P - Was interviewed by the Times about
Q/R - Told my psychiatrist about
S/T - Get sick when I think of
U/V - Always will try to forget
W/X - Am better off without
Y/Z - Never liked

11. What do you prefer to drink?
Water- Our friendship
Beer - Senility
Soft drink - A new life as a clone
Soda - The incarnation as an eskimo
Milk - The apartment building
Wine - Cocaine abuse
Cider - A passionate interest for mice
Juice - Oprah Winfrey imitations
Mineral water - Embarrassing rash
Hot chocolate - Eggplant-fetishism
Whisky - To ruin the second world war
Other - To hate the Boston Celtics

12. To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?
Thailand - Warm regards
USA - Best regards
England - Good luck on your short-term leave from jail
Spain - Go and drown yourself
China - Disgusting regards
Germany - With ease
Japan - Go burn
Greece - Your everlasting enemy
Australia - Greetings to your frog Leonard
Egypt - Fuck off now
France - In pain
Other - Greetings to your freaky family

martj @ 2010-01-05T19:13:00

2010-01-05T18:13:51Z

I am starting my entry today with a meme I've stolen from emiliachi that I had much fun filling in.

STEP ONE:
Spell your name with songs. (this part was a pain in the ass for me who's crap at remembering songs titles)

Miracle drug
Acrobat
Rise
Tree hugger
American idiot

STEP TWO:
– Name: →Marta
– Birth date: → March 28th 1982.
– Nickname: →Martj
– Eye Color: → Brownish.
– Hair Color: → Brunette.
– Zodiac Sign: → Aries.

STEP THREE:
– The shoes you wore today: →Red Geox shoes.
– Your weakness(es): → Can't help buying more books than what I can possibly read...
– Your fear(s): → Insects, injections.
– Your perfect pizza: → with multi-cheese topping*yum yum*
– Goal you’d like to achieve: → marriage...

STEP FOUR:
– Your best physical feature? → mmm hard to say...I like my nose ok.
– Your bedtime? → week time around 11.30pm, weekends at 1am.
– Most missed memory? → when I could write mails all day long and none would bother me and I had so much spare time in my hands.

STEP FIVE:
This Or That…
– Pepsi or Coke? → Coke.
– McDonald’s or Burger King: → Burger King.
– Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: → nothing, thank you...
– Chocolate or Vanilla: → Chocolate.
– Cappuccino or coffee: → Cappuccino.

STEP SIX:
Do You…
– Curse: → mmm no!
– Sing: → rather not to!
– Dance: → nah, feel like a wooden chock!
– Take a shower everyday: → yup.
– Have a crush: → i am in love.
– Do you think you’ve been in love?: → i am!
– Want to go to college: → been there, done that.
– Like(d) high school: → a lot back then!
– Want to get married: → my biggest desire at the minute!
– Get motion sickness: → never.
– Think you’re attractive: → wouldn't say so.
– Think you’re a health freak: → nah.
– Get along with your parents: → depends on the days... not much lately but still.

STEP SEVEN:
In the past month…
– Gone to the mall: → today i did.
– Eaten an entire box of Oreos: → even if it may sound weird i don't much like them...
– Eaten Sushi: → no.
– Been on stage: → no
– Gone skating: → wish i did! there's a lovely ice rink nearby but never get the chance to go.
– Made homemade cookies: → No.
– Gone skinny dipping: →no.
– Stolen anything: → No.

STEP EIGHT:
Ever…
– Played a game that required removal of clothing: → No.
– If so, was it mixed company: → see above.
- Flashed anyone: → No.
– Been beaten up: → no.
– Shoplifted: → i was 14...*blushing*

STEP NINE:
– Age you hope to be married: → in 2011 would be perfect... I would be 29 that's ok.
– Numbers of Children: → three would do.
– Describe your Dream Wedding: → with Ricky, that's all that really counts!

STEP TEN:
In a boyfriend/girlfriend...
– Best eye color?: → brownish.
– Best hair color?: → brownish.
– Short hair or long hair?: → like it more if it is short.
– Height: → since i am dating Ricky who's 1.90m and more i think i must like tall men... *Lol*

STEP ELEVEN:
– Number of people I could trust with my life: → two.
- Number of CDs that I own: → eleven?! do burned counts?!? if so I think I reach 20.
- Number of tattoos: → None.
– Number of piercings: → none.

Personal Quiz

Who were you with yesterday? → my family.
What woke you up this morning? → the alarm clock.
Where are you? → In my room.
Is tomorrow going to be a good day? → hope so!
Do you like anybody? → my friends, relatives (most of anyway), Ricky...
THE PAST
Ever thrown up in public? → thankfully not.
Passed out because of alcohol? → no.
What’s on your mind RIGHT NOW? → i want some chocolate!

THE FUTURE
What kind of home would you like? →cosy, warm, not too big, with a big bookshelf to keep all my books in.
What do you want to be when you grow up? → A mother and wife.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? → Hopefully married with a kid and a happy family to care of.

IN GENERAL
Do you like candy necklaces? → no.
When was the last time you fell over or ran into something? → can't really remember.
Do you still go trick or treating? → never did that.
What was the last thing you ate? → am eating the chocolate i was craving before right now (kinder cereal for the record)
Whats your favorite type of soda? → mmm... schweppes tonic
Have you ever won an award? → nope.
Are you listening to music right now? → hardly listen to music.
How long ’till your birthday? → less than 3 months.
When were you the saddest in your whole life? → i think when granpa passed away.
Do you use ebay to buy or sell? → to buy, but i did once or twice only.
Have you ever heard a song written about you? → i read the lyric, even if it was for my boyfriend, but it talked about me.
Something you want to happen in 2010? → would like to travel abroad somewhere i have never been before.
Honestly, do you miss 2008? → i wouldn't say so.

HONESTY SECTION
1. Honestly, what color is your underwear? → pink.
2. Honestly, whats on your mind? → i shouldn't have eaten that kinder cereal chocolate...
3. Honestly, what are you doing right now? → saying hello to mom who's just came home from work.
4. Honestly, have you done something bad today? → can't think of anything right now.
5. Honestly, who is the last person you talked to on the phone? → Ricky.
6. Honestly, are you jealous of someone right now? → maybe my sis who's booked her american trip: NYC, Boston and Washington DC. And she'll spend a couple days in London on the way home... How can I possibly ignore her luck?!?!
7. Honestly, what makes you mad most of the time? → my sis when she acts moody.
8. Honestly, do you bite your nails? → too often.
9. Honestly, have you had an eating disorder? → sort of, I was 18 back then and lost some 18-20Kg in 6 months.
10. Honestly, do you want to see someone this very moment? → nope, I like to be at home in my room right now.
11. Honestly, are you keeping a big secret now? →nope.
12. Honestly, do you have a friend you don’t actually like? → if it is called a friend, how comes I don't like him/her?!?
13. Honestly, what was the last text message you received? → a txt from Ilaria.
14. Honestly, are you in denial? → No.
15. Honestly, do you get up in the middle of the night? → no, thankfully.
16. Honestly, do you like anyone? → lots of people.
17. Honestly, does anyone like you? → hope so.

RAGE SECTION
1. What do you do when you’re mad? → I shut up and sulk.
2. What’s the worst thing you’ve done when you were mad? → said some nasty things I'd better keep to myself.
3. Ever made anyone cry when you were mad? → I think I did to my sis.
4. Do you swear when you’re mad? → no.

CRYING SECTION
1. When was the last time you actually cried? → mmm...sometimes in October I think.
2. Ever cried yourself to sleep? → unfortunaly I did.
3. Do certain songs make you cry? → no.
4. What usually makes you cry? → stress, disappointments.

HAPPY SECTION
1. Are you usually a happy person? → I am an optimistic person, so yes I tend to be happy most of the time.
2. What makes you the happiest? → Being with friends and helping others.
3. What song makes you always happy? → All I want is you from Juno soundtrack.
4. Do you believe in yourself? → sometimes.
5. When people say they think you are good looking/pretty, do you get happy? → I rather them to say I am good, anyway it doesn't happen often so...no problem!

Today afternoon I met with Ricky and we first went to the mall, then to the Big Bookshop where I got 3 books (one of that will be Ricky's gift for tomorrow): Rhett Butler's People by Mc Caig, The charming Man by Marian Keyes and a huge book of all Austen's works. I know I have already many books to read at home, but I was in my book-shopping mood and I couldn't help it!!! Especially because Rhett Butler... and Austen were two volumes I had been wanting for months.
Tonight Ricky and I are going to a mate's house for some cards games. It is common to meet mates and play cards and other games over the Xmas season (that will be officially over tomorrow with the Epiphany). Due to the flu that we both caught durning the holidays we've not done it much, so we won't miss tonight invitation.
I am looking forward to tomorrow: will my stocking be full to the brim with sweets?!

martj @ 2010-01-04T12:58:00

2010-01-04T11:58:57Z

The last couple days have been the busiest ever! On January 2nd I was working at the Youth Centre in the afternoon, then Eleonora had her birthday and we were out for dinner, eating pizza and celebrating with her. I had a pizza with cheese topping that I'd not eaten for a long while: it was so yummy!!!
Yesterday I was a busy bee. In the morning we met at 8.30 at the church with Ricky, Luana and some kids and we went to the old people's home in downtown where we sang at the Mass with the oldies and then played the puppet show once again and Ricky and "his" kids played some Christmas music to them. Those oldies were so happy that we were there and had so much fun, even if the puppet show was not that good (we had only got 4 kids coming with us, and they had to play some 9 parts of the show...no wonders it wasn't the best show ever!) ! There was an old lady who was smiling all the time long and even clapping her hands and holding hands with two other oldies during some songs. It gave us joy to see them happy, but it felt somewhat melancholic too, because those people must be very lonely there. One lady told us to please go back to visit them again because they so much need our company, it was such a cry for help! I took lots of piccies and some of them are absolutely beautiful.
In the afternoon I was at the Youth Centre again, from 4 pm to 7.30pm. There were quite a lot of teenies coming but everything was quiet and we had a nice afternoon to go through.Anyway I was so busy yesterday that I hardly turned on the pc and it is so unlike me!
Today I will make sure I have a night in and an early night on top of that!
I went shopping in the morning and got everything needed to fill the stockings for my sis and Ricky on 6th. I got chocolates, sweets and a small booklet for Monica and an electric toothbrush (it'll come in handy with all of those sweets *lol*) and a running Adidas suit for Ricky. It is the last holiday of the X-mas season, the Epiphany, and I want it to rock!!!
I am still reading Hold Tight, and I like it to bits! I got "Love in the time of cholera" today at the supermarket, it was cheap and I couldn't help it: I had to get it!!!
It's snowing today, but it won't hopefully set since the ground is all wet... This weather constantly changing surely isn't helping my cold! I am still with a running nose... Awful!

martj @ 2010-01-01T11:02:00

2010-01-01T10:02:10Z

How's the New Year started with you all?! Mine was really wet. Man (!), it was raining pretty heavy yesterday night when we greeted the new year at midnight and it almost spoilt the fireworks show, and today it is pouring down with the heaviest rain ever!!! Really, I can't remember of a New Year as wet as this one!!!
I slept 2 hours today, from 6.30am when I was back home from the Church Youth Centre, to 8.15am when I had to wake up because I urgently needed the loo. I think I shouldn't have drank any red wine (or any wine at all!) yesterday night, that I still wasn't 100% ok... I now have a light heartburnt but nothing too unbearable. It won't surely spoil my lunch today!
I plan on spending the day with writing a letter (working on Eva's at the moment) and then going on with the gripping thriller I started yesterday evening "Hold tight" by Harlan Coben. If the plot stays like this I will have to list it among the best books read in 2010 already! lol*
At 6pm I am meeting mates at the Youth Centre because we need to do some bits and pieces to have it all clean and shiny again after the party. And we'll be dining together tonight because we've got lots (and I seriously mean it!) of leftovers that we could feed another 20 people off (anyone wanna join us?! You're welcome!)!!!
The party yesterday night was fun, the dinner was fullfilling and tasty and we seriously ate too much! We then played some board games, starting with Tabu (that's always big fun, if played with some smart people!) and Wherewolves, the role play game we are so fond of, that I was the master of. Finally, farmers won but I admitt the wolves played such a great match!
Time to get ready for the 11.30 Mass...Gotta go! Happy New Year everyone once again, may this year be bright and happy and lucky and lots of other good things for everyone of us!

martj @ 2009-12-30T17:07:00

2009-12-30T16:07:27Z

less than 2 days left and we're in 2010!!! WOW! It seems yeasterday that everyone was getting ready for the big Y2K!!! And it's been 10 years already...Is this growing up?! I mean, the more we grow the faster our days go by...Anyway!
I usually make lots of resolutions for the new year, that mostly are things I repeat to myself and to my friends every year, but actually never really realize half of them! So, I think this year I can make a list of what I hope to achieve... That would be less ambitious than proper resolutions and I would then feel less guilty in case I didn't work it out...
* I surely want to look for a job, something that didn't annihilate myself as the previous job did, but that still was something to live of. I have got the civil service project to stick to untill 1st December 2010, that sort of makes me feel ok and safe in the meanwhile. I am not in a real hurry for a new job this time, I still have a 30 hours/week activity to think of and some € to store in my bank account monthly, still I will be looking for something better that I can work at after December 2010, or even before if it comes up earlier than that!
* I want to be fair and try to be present and regular with my pals. I made the choice to keep more pals a few months ago and I am now firm in being regular with my replies. Of course I no more promise a letter after a fortnight, but I know I can keep it to 3 weeks that I get the letter! I spent the 3 days of my sickleave basically letter writing all day long and I loved it so much and got it that I will never do without letters in my life! Yesterday I wrote to Emma (rockinchick ) 'till past midnight and I just couldn't stop it!
* dieting?!? It would be cool if I really did that, and if I had the strenght to add some physical exercise to eating less...but I promised not to make resolutions so...well this is a hope for 2010, but honestly I doubt I'll ever achieve this one! And I am pretty sure everyone who knows me well enough is doubting about it too!
* I would like to find more time to read, I started 2009 with a great reading activity, then I got that job and I felt as if 5 months of my everyday life had been wiped off and I lost all the will and interest in reading. I am now slowling going back to it and I like it so much that I wonder how I could have done without books at all! I have many (too many really) books that I bought but never read in my room and it surely is a great starting point for the new year.
* my pets, for sure I want to dedicate my time to them, as often as I can. Especially Minou, I feel guilty about her being alone most of the day. Thus I want to spend my time with her, when I am not working and when I am reading. As for Rolly, I am already giving to him every second of my spare time, I want to try and not be too lazy when he wants to run and play... Sometimes I think I limit his physical activity a bit too much and just because it would mean physical activity for me too...
* Last but not least, my relationship with Ricky. We've been going through a rough period, worst is gone but we still have ups and downs almost weekly. We do need to move in together but the goal is still not reachable, not for 2010. All I can hope for is to be as patient and understanding as I can to make it work. So that 2011 will finally be OUR year!

Before I end this entry and wish everyone a happy new year, I want to post a meme that I stole from emiliachi 's journal.

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I worked in a therapeutic community for teens, it was my first real job ever and something that both enriched and deprived me of many things. Surely an experience that I won't easily forget.

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Already said this bit in the entry above. I usually make lots of resolutions but hardly keep any. So I haven't made any for the year coming!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

Did anyone close to you die?
Charlie had to be put down because of spinal cancer. He was 15, a great companion and I still miss him dearly.

What countries did you visit?
Proud to say that in 2009 I visited both Austria and Germany...Whoohoo!

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I would like to meet some penpals, who knows maybe that 2010 is the year for that!!!

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August the 10th - the day I quit my job. It surely was a date that changed my year a lot and my life together with it. I realized I wasn't up for such a job, not if my biggest dream was to build a family. And resigning from that job meant questioning myself, my relationship, my life... all but an easy period for me!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
getting my first job, surely it was important at that moment!

What was your biggest failure?
not being able to stick to that job. But I think I would have been much bigger a loser had I lost Ricky, and I was losing it with that job of mine.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Apart for some flu and allergies, I was healthy thank God! Ah, ok, I spend 5 days in hospital at the end of February because of some problems to an eye, but it turned out that it was nothing more than cold having caused it!

What was the best thing you bought?
No doubts here: my Sony Vaio Notebook!!!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ricky's because he is making everything he can to make my life the best possible and I am grateful to him!

Whose behavior made you appalled?
Carlo, sorry to say... He left to Kosovo and we're still all puzzled here with hime gone.

Where did most of your money go?
on Ricky, as usual! But it is the way I like it to be!

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Organizing a 1-yr-after-surprise-graduation party for Ricky with 100 guests and his old band reunited playing for him and with him! It was something I will never forget!!! I was hyper and it surely was one of the best things I've ever done in my life!

What song will always remind you of 2009?
All I want is you from Juno's soundtrack. I think I listened to it non stop and I still hum it now and then... Def. my song for 2009!

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? As happy as last year, with someone missing that gives you a melancholic feeling but with new friends gained that gives you extra happiness...so I am even!
b) Thinner or fatter? Fatter.
c) Richer or poorer? richer, because I was earning ok with the old job and stored most of that money for my future.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
sex ?!? LOL* someone may agree with me on this point!

What do you wish you'd done less of?
crying, I cried A LOT this year, especially because of stress caused by that job of mine!

How will you be spending Christmas?
X-mas came and went and I spent it at home, recovering from a flu. Not the best X-mas ever, but Ricky and family was here with me so all in all it was ok!

Did you fall in love in 2009?
I fell in love again, with Ricky, we went through a rough time in the summer and I think we fell in love again after that, during our holidays in Germany.

How many one-night stands?
none thank you.

What was your favorite TV program?
in 2009 it surely was Law and Order, but I admitt falling for Misteries of Murdoch recently.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
hate, what a feeling! No I hate none.

What was the best book you read?
Best book of 2009 must be One Child by Torey L. Hayden that I read a few days ago.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Snow Petrol.

What did you want and get?
My dog Rolly.

What did you want and not get?
a house of my own... but probably I didn't want it to that extent... I mean I am sensible and knew that I am too poor for a house and all that it means!

What was your favourite film of this year?
I fell for Juno at the beginning of 2009 and still think it is one of the best films I watched this year!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On my 27th birthday I worked the 7am-3pm shift at the community and then spent the afternoon at home with Rolly, untill Ricky came and borught me to dine at the restaurant. I remember feeling sorry because it felt not a special day at all (surely nothing to blame to Ricky, it was something that came from me) and I didn't much enjoy it.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
my parents and sometimes Ricky think I am way too careless... I think I have not much of a fashion concept actually!

What kept you sane?
God and Faith!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
except for Johnny Depp I hardly fancy any celebrities.

What political issue stirred you the most?
I am not much into politics.

Who did you miss?
I miss Charlie, I miss Carlo, I sometimes miss the boys at the community (surely not missing my bosses and co-workers there!)

Who was the best new person you met?
I met some new friends that I wasn't close to before, they are amazing people and I am blessed to be their friend!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Love, health and family are the most important values in everyone's life!

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a river in the mountains tall,
The rumble of your water would be my call.
If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow
Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.

All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a wink, I'd be a nod
If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod.
If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug
And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug

All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were the wood, I'd be the fire.
If you were the love, I'd be the desire.
If you were a castle, I'd be your moat,
And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.

All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

With that said, I wish everyone here the merriest New Year Eve ever and all the best for 2010! May we all find health, peace and happiness in our lives for the New Year!!!