Every rose has a thorn

So...Monday was our last class for cake decor 1, in which we make the infamous rose. You may notice that there is no picture of a cake, with these roses. (you may not have..but now you know) I sucked at making roses. The icing was far too thin, which later I found out that I didn't put in enough sugar. You'd think that half of a 32 oz bag would be 16 oz or 2 cups. However, you'd be wrong, like me. You apparently need 4 cups. Perhaps because of the fluff factor of the sugar, I don't know. So, yeah, i have wilted crappy flowers. At least I know now what I did wrong. I have signed up for cake 2, where we'll learn more flowers. So check in for more photos later if you want. But my final cake is too embarrassing to post, which sadly has to double as my birthday cake. How fitting.

rediscovering faith in humanity

I have not yet found a job here since we've moved. To be honest, I haven't worked all that hard to find one. Its not due to laziness, I'd like to find work, to earn money of course, but to keep busy also. Just, the last job I had was aweful and I lost a lot of faith I had in the architectural world and in humanity. So, after getting away from that, I thought I'd take a little time to build that faith back up, and what better way than to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Other than the Humane society, I think Habitat is one of my favorite organizations. I admire how its a non-profit, fully volunteer run organization, so the people there want to serve. That's so different from some architects I've worked with, where its all about gaining credit for yourself. Absolutely anyone can help, even if you don't know a hammer from a truck, they'll happily help you out. Also a rare find in architecture, where if you make a mistake you're called retarted and berated in front of everyone. My favorite thing about it, is that in involves the candiates that apply for housing by requireing what they call "sweat equity" in which the soon to be owners must clock hours building their home. The volunteers get a chance to interact with them, which is awesome, but they get to help build their home! Its long, hot and hard work, but so worth it! If you've never helped, do it! Not only are you helping others out, but you get to see how a house goes together, which is pretty stinkin' cool!

send in the clowns

Its week three, cake two, of my wilton cake class. This one didn't really go as well, but that's ok. I think the cake came out pretty cute, not my fav though. Those clowns are pure icing though, so they'd be nasty to eat :( Husband asked if the clowns were doing yoga, two could be. One is in childs pose (very natural for a clown) and the other, i guess is in the sitting pose? The one falling off the cake would be me doing yoga. Luckily, yoga is not generally done on ledges like that, only 1/8" mats. I can handle that....sort of...

Let us ice cake

6 months out and I'm back in school. Well, sort of. I'm taking a cake decorating class at a local craft store. Tuition is far less expensive at a whopping $7 a course (plus tools and such). My mom took these classes when I was small, and I always thought it was really cool. The icing is disgusting, but the cakes look cool! Since I majored in architecture in college and spent days working on little models, I thought that cake decorating might be a more fun outlet for that (and tastier...some kids ate paste as kids I guess, but superglue isn't such a good idea). Right now, I am halfway through course one and its looking fairly promising that I'll take course two. (There are 4 in total) The first week was just basic how to make the icing, ice the cake and what tools we'll need. This week, we finally got to get down and dirty with our cakes! I do mean dirty, because the icing gets everywhere, and its not easy to get off of skin. Anyhow, we learned the basic icing technique to decorate a cake, and we could choose any really easy pattern, so I chose a sail boat. We were running really short on class time, and I didn't have enough icing bags, so i only used two colors unfortunately. I think it came out well though. Below is the finished product of my first class led decorated cake. (as gross as the icing is, it works far better than the unfortunate icing on my blue angel cake)

oh come on!

It seems like Americans today will take anything but responsibility! Hotels have to screw down anything over 3 lbs* or people will take it, but expell a brat from pre-school, and its discrimiation against "active" children. Ok, I believe that ADHD is real and there are some children who suffer from it, however I'd be willing to bet that a majority of children are just under diciplined and, instead of taking responsibility for their kids just being obnoxious, their parents find a quick fix and drug them up to fix their problem. Then complain when their child is on the drugs for being withdrawn. Um yeah because their on medication they don't need. They need a good swift slap to the behind every now and again, or if that's not your thing (which it apparently isn't, drugs are) tell your child "no" every once in a while. Not only is it irresponsible on behalf of the parents, it hinders the children who actually have the condition. Since 80%*of the kids are treated for ADHD, the ones who actually have it aren't getting the medical attention they need. *I'm pulling stats out of thin air, I'm not an expert, just opinionated.
Ok, so what am I on my high horse about? There is an article about the rising number of children being kicked out of preschool. Yep, thats right, pre-school. Parents are up in arms because their "active" children are being denied education because of their "wild imaginations and personality". No...you're kid is wreaking havoc and the poor teachers, that actually have to put up with your kid all day, are not allowed to dicipline your children, other than maybe time-out. So in order for the other kids who can behave themselves to learn, they have to weed out the monsters. Pre-school is not a baby sitting service, nor is it required. Its meant to ready children for kindergarten. The teachers do not serve as serrogate parents, they've got enough on their plates. The parents argue that all children hit and bite at age three, its how they express themselves, it doesn't make them holy terrors. Well, yeah thats true, kids do do that at that age, but you don't have to let them get away with it all the time. They also mess their pants, are you not going to potty train them, because that's how they are at that age?

Its going to just be one of those days

So, I woke up this morning, got to sleep in a little more than usual, so I started the day thinking that this one would be great! Yesterday I went on base to see about career placement and they helped out some, and referred me to a place that I was planning to visit today. See now, thats where I went wrong, I planned. As I'm walking down the stairs out to the truck, resume in hand, I realize I am one key short of a ring. (Yes that can be taken more than one way) My truck key is awol. fabulous. I have no idea the last time I saw it. I think it was in Florida though, so that narrows it down some. The part that attaches to the key ring was plastic, and was broken when I received it. I thought I ghetto rigged it well enough to stay on the ring, but I guess not. Now, all errands must be put off until tomorrow because husband has my car. The only car I have a key to. Well, that lowered my spirits of finding a job sooner a little, but there is still plenty to be done. I have a mountain of laundry thats waiting to be washed. So, I go out to the truck (I have the keyless entry device, but i don't know how to hotwire a car, so Im still stranded) to where I thought a treasure of quarters were. Unfortunatly, now there is only 50 cents. I don't have enough to do one load...and I've got probably 4. I guess I'm hoofing it down to the walgreens to get a roll of quarters. Hopefully I won't get hit by a car...at least there is a hospital nearby. Nope, not going to walgreens...its raining now, and where is my umbrella? In my car. How very poetic. I hate this city

how much is that doggie in the window?

I'll tell you, about $400 if we get one while we live in this apartment! I want a dog, and I want one really badly. Quite a few of the tennents here have them, and I see them walking their dogs every morning and evening, and I get a little jealous. However, this apartment demands a $300 pet deposit, per animal! I understand that animals can do a number on the carpets and walls (namely number one and two...a little potty humor for you) but that seems a bit extreme! They at least allow up to 50 lbs, so you can get a real dog, but still that is so much money. Plus, you actually have to pay for the animal, unless you find a stray I guess. The humane society here charges about $75 for adoption, which is normal. I'm not sure if they've had their shots or not, I am fairly certain that they've all been fixed. Thats pretty darn expensive though all together, and thats not even counting food, toys, or other medical needs! However, my birthday is this month...and I really want a dog. A large part of me wants to save any birthday money I get to go towards a dog fund. Another part wants to save up to get a digital slr camera. I kind of want the dog more right now though. Its so hard to be patient! Part of me wants to wait until we know where husband is going after flight school, maybe we'll have a little more stability (i said a little). Is it really worth paying that deposit if we're only here for 8 more months? Some of it may be refundable, I can't remember. There is no additional monthly fee for the pets, so I don't think that it is. sigh...the price you pay for companionship...(no I won't settle for a fish, or hamster, or cat. It would still cost the same (i don't think you have to pay deposit on a fish or hamster) but you get less pet for the same money)

things ive learned about marriage

Well, we've hit the 6 month marker. Today is my husband and my semi-anniversary. In Hollywood, thats a very successful marriage. However, I don't think their "success" is a very good marker. During this fairly short, but significant time, I've learned many a lesson, so I thought I'd share a few.

1. When you get mad, you can't just hide away into your bedroom and argue that nothing is wrong (they know better). They know where you live and can follow you. If they don't follow you, you have to come out and face the music sometime anyway. Unless you're one of those hollywood people with a mansion that has a bajillion bedrooms, then you could possibly hide....but that'd be dumb.
2. You can't be afraid to argue a little. Everyone does it, and its much better than bottling it up inside. It is important, however, to pick your battles. Some things really aren't all that important. Its also equally important to pick your words wisely too, they can be very hurtful...or can come back to bite you in the rear. Arguing is meant to discuss opposing opinions and come to a comprimise, not compete between who can throw the best insults with the loudest voice.
3. Once married, certain family members feel they must mention having children every time they see you. Even though you've made it very clear you're waiting. (a year after MacKenzie has one...just kidding)
4. You no longer have your own anything. You may go to the grocery to buy your favorite yogurt, only to find some missing the next day, and they took some granola bars too. Lucky for me, my husband doesn't have a strange woman dressing fettish, so all of my clothes are fairly safe.
5. After spending hours cleaning the house to just the way you like it, your spouse may come home and make a mess to just the way he likes it, without even noticing the work that had been done.
6. Though he may not notice when you've cleaned, he may always notice something else that matters much more, like when you're upset about something and just need someone to rub your back or play with your hair.
7. At the end of they day, you can always know you're going home to the only person you can really be yourself with, and watch kids movies/shows with without being looked at weird because they're right there watching them with you. Well, that and the dog, but we don't have one yet.

some positivity please

Ok, so not everything is so bad here. I never thought it was, but it certainly isn't home yet. Anyhow, I've had some breakthroughs. For instance, I purchased steak! It was well priced, and, it made it home! I cooked it, it came out well, we ate it and didn't get sick! All in all, it was a good dinner. Also, I've been wanting to take a cake decorating class, and the Hobby Lobby back home was holding classes, but they started as we were moving, so I was kind of bummed. But lo! I went to Michaels the other day, and it was pouring down rain so I was aimlessly wandering around until the deluge subsided. As I wandered, I went down the cake aisle only to find flyers for cake decorating classes starting in July. Not only that, they're half priced lessons! I think it was meant to be :) The first class is next monday, so I'll post how things go!