By the way, I did it. I cut off my hair. Pictures will come soon...

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

A) I needed a background change. Like it?

B) Ok, my nearest and dearest... I really need to change my hair. So I need your vote/opinion. I was looking online for haircuts that will flatter my round face and I saw one that I think could work. Of course my hair color wouldn't look like this, and I wouldn't be Kelly Clarkson...but what do you think?

Thank you for your time.

A Glimpse of the Future

Please read and/or watch this. I have a feeling this will be me in about 24 years!!!

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92464

Enjoy.

It's Time.

Ok, folks. I was reading through some of my old posts for my immense amusement...and I realized I had promised I would post the essay that I wrote about in my very first blog post. So...since I haven't been able to think of anything else to post (and it's been more than a month)...here it is, in all its glory.

[Editor's Note: 1) I wrote this as a Senior in high school. 2) Grammar, etc is probably not perfect...but whatever. 3) We were supposed to write this as if we were applying to a college and had to write about ourselves. 4) Well...I think I will explain this after the essay, or perhaps in a completely different post.]

My Inner Elderly Person

I am an old woman trapped inside a seventeen-year-old girl's body. I know what you may be thinking: "Why would we want this girl to attend our university when she has the limited physical abilities of an elderly person?" Now, do not toss this essay aside until you let me explain myself. The physical aspects of my being an elderly woman are only limited to: the possible deafness in my left ear, my stomach being sensitive to rich food, and this notion that I have that I may be shrinking in size. And aside from the fact that my nickname in fourth grade was "Grandma" and that I always complain that I am "getting old" when I feel pain, my similiarity to an old woman is more mental than physical.

For instance, like many elderly, I live by routine. In the morning I wake up, find my clothes (key word: find), change, put in my contacts, brush my hair and teeth (not at the same time, or with the same brush), and do my makeup. I do this everyday, in the exact same order. If I do not follow this regime, I forget to do one of those activities and probably end up embarrassing myself at school or just going insane.

Most grandparents are very concerned about the well being of their family and friends. I like to think of myself in that way. I do not go to the extreme and become nosy, but I do like to know how my friends are doing and if they need help. I constantly badger them about their health. For example, last night I participated in a church service project and fixed up a local elementary school's playground. It was very hot outside and there was no water to quench our tremendous thirst. My friend started to feel dizzy and thought that she might pass out. Of course, I made sure that this would not happen by promptly telling her, "Now you better not faint on me!" (I am sure those "magic" words did the trick.) I also tried to check up on her every few seconds to make sure she was not lying on the ground unconscious.

Every day, I can almost guarantee that I will hear some amount of profanity. Whether it is from television of from students at school, I hear plenty of it. And I do not like it. I do not enjoy hearing those "choice" words fall upon my ears, so I have decided to replace these words with that I like to call "old fogie terms," or terms that were said in the "old days." So, if I ever hit my thumb with a hammer, you will most likely hear me scream "Heavens to Betsy!" If I am surprised, I will say, " Oh heavens!" or "Knock me down and call me horizontal!" I am not certain where these terms originate from, but I think they add humor to the situations in which I use them.

I am in no way ashamed to be compared to an old person, and I am quite content to have these qualities. These qualities make me...me. I do not mind my "inner elderly person" telling me that I am not doing things in the right order, or to check up on someone, or to remember to use clean language. This inner self is what keeps me going. And maybe, as I mature and become older, my inner child will be struggling to get out and tell me to lighten up.

Ok, so there you go. I have some things to explain/add/say in general...but I will save that for the next post (so you can rest your eyes). So please....just enjoy this for a few days (key word: enjoy).

Minnie Mocked Me

Today, as I was riding the freight elevator up and down all morning (you'll find out why later), I thought about what an interesting list of skills I've acquired in the past six months at my new job. So, here is my new resume that I'm sure will get me a job in Hollywood or something.

Skills:
Model: I modeled my Halloween costume during the weather segment.
Professional Dancer: I also danced in my Halloween costume on live television (something I rather regret).
Food Taster: I tasted yams during a cooking segment on my birthday. They even let me blow out a candle and everything. I think I'm ready for commercials.
Delivery Gal: I have delivered burgers, pastries, sandwiches, and even photos between the station and Casey's (our feature reporter) live shot location.
Professional Bowler: Yes, I have bowled on live TV. And I was terrible. (Oh yeah, and I ate more food on TV, too.)
Tour Guide: I give tours to high school students who don't think I'm funny.
Dog Racer: I was in charge of holding a Yorkie before a race with another dog. Luckily, she was released before she could pee on me.
Bodyguard: Today, I had the privilege of escorting Mickey and Minne Mouse from the first floor to a secret location in the basement (hence the elevator). That was interesting, and maybe a little creepy. Minne kept mocking me by mimicking every move I made. And Mickey kept standing dangerously too close to me. I don't really think I like things in costumes.

So, what do you think? Am I hired?

Lost--in the good way.

Sorry, folks (aka the 5 people who bother to give this blog a glance). I haven't written for awhile.


I've been busy......................watching LOST. Watching LOST like it's my job.

I've been watching all of the seasons straight through since Christmas. And now I'm soooo ready for the 5th season to start! I have to say that these LOST marathons have started affecting my dreams. Last night, I had gotten a song published in a magazine that I had written about LOST. I had forgotten that I had written it for a class, and they loved it, so they got it published. The weird thing is, I have this distinct impression that I had a totally separate dream another night about actually writing the song. Awesome. All I know about the song is that it was an awesome choral arrangement.

Needless to say, the trippy dream has reminded me that I have some songs in my head that I really should write. My brain just won't let me rest. And heaven knows I have the time to do it now.



Anyway, so that's the update on my life. I really don't do much else (besides that whole working full-time thing).



But , I am looking forward to finally going home next month--my mom has no idea, and it's at the most random time. It's going to be hilarious. And it will be nice, since it's been over a year since I've been to the OK. HOORAY!!!



Peace.

Bah Humbug

Here's the thing--I love Christmas. I really do. But, I'm kinda boycotting it this year. Not the whole celebrating the birth of the Savior part or anything. I'm giving gifts, I'm singing the songs, and heck, we even have delightful Christmas decorations up in our house. But, I'm not really feelin' it on the inside. It's not truly Christmas when you don't get to spend it with your family, in your own house, and get to sleep in your own childhood room. And since I don't get to do that, on account of that I'm a real-live adult and have to work, it's not REALLY Christmas...at least not for me.

So I'm going through the Christmas-y motions, putting a smile on my face, for the benefit of all mankind...but on Christmas morning, I won't be celebrating Jensen-style. A lot of people have invited me to spend Christmas morning with them, but I think I would enjoy it more if I could just stay at my little house in the Avenues, in my most comfy pajamas and my bathrobe (oh, and I have a very sad story about my favorite p'jams) where I can open the presents I have from my mother, and talk to my family on the phone at every whim. My only Christmas wish is that I could talk to them face-to-face, but I can live with the phone idea. (And don't worry...I'll probably be eating some kind of Christmas buffet with my mom's relatives later on in the evening...I won't starve.)

Now, this post is NOT to envoke pit or anything...I'm really alright. I have to admit I'm interested to see how my Maren Christmas will turn out. It could be kinda fun. I'm only trying to explain why my smile might seem a little fake while singing Christmas carols. But, please, don't call me Scrooge...that'll make me real mad.

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas!!!