I killed my MDA!

Last night I managed to kill my MDA. How? I managed to wet it somehow. I don't know how exactly but it happened while using it while in the bath. I don't think I dropped it in the tub but I suppose it's possible (Don't ask me why I don't remember).

Anyway, this is not the first phone that I've murdered (unintentionally of course). I once dropped my Motorola V600 in the bathtub and then had to buy another one on ebay. I'm not sure I totally killed this one because it's still giving me signs of life but the screen is flickering and the touch screen does not seem to be working. :( Needless to say I am really depressed about it. Fortunately I have my RAZR as a backup. The funny thing about this whole experience, though, is that I used to love my RAZR and thought it was really great before I had my MDA. Now I realize that it sucks. I can't go online as easily and I can't log onto google talk which I'm generally logged onto all day on my MDA. I'm feeling really deprived and am having withdrawals. I may have no choice but to buy another phone, however the timing is not good. I just spent way too much hosting my family and am supposed to try to save money for my escape from Florida. This is why I've decided to start the "Buy Inxshopper a New Phone foundation"! Yes, you can help make a difference in my life by donating money to help buy me a new phone! Interested? Feel free to send your donations to my Paypal account. Contact me for details. ;) Thanks!

I survived!

So I survived my week with the family and didn't feel the need to kill them by the time they left which for me is quite remarkable! I must say, having family (or anyone for that matter) over is quite tiring, so by the time it was time for them to leave I felt like collapsing and sleeping for at least one day straight. The funny thing was that I was off the day after my mom and sis were scheduled to leave which seemed perfect. However my sister's flight was canceled (they were on different flights) so she ended up spending an extra night with me. Normally I would've been ecstatic but I was actually kind of disappointed because I had been looking forward to having a day to myself. It turned out well though and I'm glad they were able to come visit me before I leave Florida. Not too much time left. Speaking of, I still have a ton of stuff to get rid of before I leave. Anyone interested in buying all my old fat clothes? ;)

Anyway, here's a video of one of my sister's favorite things to do while visiting me in FL: annoying Perry!

Family Time!

My sister has just completed her junior year at Ohio State and decided that she'd take a detour before heading home and visiting me, which was smart on her part because I (hopefully) won't be living here much longer. Anyway, I figured it would be fun even though I knew I'd have to work most of the time she'd be around. I'm pretty good about making time. However, it turned into a family affair when my mom decided to come around the same time as well.

So, my sister arrived Wednesday and my mom arrived late last night. So far so good but I wonder how long it'll be before we get on each other's nerves. I give it two days and since I actually have the weekend off, perhaps one. We shall see...

Stupid Neighbors

I am not an outdoorsy person at all. I don't care for any outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, etc. Probably the only thing I like to do outside is go running and sometimes barbecue or maybe go to the beach. I especially don't want to be outside when it's humid and/or hotter than hell which is usually the case here in South Florida. This is why I don't understand why people insist on eating or being outside around here. Part of what got me thinking about this are my annoying neighbors. There's this large family (or at least I think they're a family) who lives diagonally across from me, and every day they are sitting outside at this table they've placed in front of their apartment and there is literally someone there all damn day! They will socialize out there, eat every meal out there and just sit out there for no reason. I don't understand the need for them to sit outside at all hours of the day. It's almost as if they take shifts doing so. I feel like going up to them and asking them why they insist on sitting there at all hours of the day (and I mean literally all hours, like as late as 2am). Part of what makes this especially annoying is that they will seriously sit there and stare at you. Sure, I can be fun to watch ;)but this is getting ridiculous. I mean, were they not taught that it's rude to stare? I guess not everyone has manners. All I know is that it's getting old and they better stop soon before I get mean about it.

Why I make a bad Hispanic

So I went to this new lounge bar/club in Aventura (the "city" that I currently live in)last night, and I was having a pretty good time. The place is nice, with a cool bar and lots of seating where you can lounge stylishly. When I first walked in they were playing regular club music and which I generally like but then all of a sudden they started playing Spanish reggae-ish music (forgot what that's called, all I know is that it sucks). So, being that I'm in S. Florida of course a lot of the people there are Latin and once the crappy Spanish music started playing they all started dancing. It began with that, continued with other Spanish songs that you wouldn't know unless you're Latin and you like that crap, i.e. nothing very mainstream. Anyway, all this got me thinking about how I am the complete opposite of what anyone thinks of when they think of a Latin (Hispanic, whatever you want to call it) girl. In a way I am almost like the Anti-Hispanic and for the following reasons:

• I don't speak Spanish: or believe that just because you live in Miami you should be lazy and just go around speaking it when you're perfectly capable of speaking English.
  
• I hate dancing: For some reason people think that all Latins love to dance. People freak when they find out that I really don't. I think most of them do but for some reason, that's not my thing. It just never has been.
  
• I don't like Latin music: I really don't care for any Spanish music at all. Enough said about that.
  
• I went to college and have a college degree: I know a lot of Hispanics these days do go to college but the percentage is still quite low. I've met several people who are Hispanic in Miami and most of them have not attended college.
  
• I don't believe in extended families: Hispanics are weird about their living conditions. They have a tendency to live with their entire extended families and think this is normal. Who on earth would want to live with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc? Not me! I believe in growing up and living your own life.
  
• I have a social life outside of my family: This ties back to the extended family thing. A lot of Hispanics who live with their relatives also hang out with them 24-7. Their cousins, siblings or whatever are the main people they hang out with and they rarely have real friends outside of the family. Weird but not me...
  
• I am not Catholic: Yes, I've been to church before and technically I was raised Catholic but religion does not play a strong role in my life and if it did I would not call myself Catholic. If I did I would make a very bad one. ;)

There are other reasons why I make a bad Hispanic but these are all I could come up with right now. Perhaps I'm just weird in general. I don't know but I also don't care. ;)

Welcome Perry!

I've been meaning to write in this blog for the past 2 weeks but haven't gotten around to it because things have been very busy and chaotic. The highlight has been the new addition to the family, our new dog, Perry. He's a black and white Shih-Tzu and looks a lot like Prince. I found him on Petfinder.com and fell in love with him when I saw his picture. I knew I had to have him. He was located in Orlando where had been rescued by a non-profit organization. I submitted an application and fortunately we were able to adopt him even though we lived outside of the area. It was a long drive up there but definitely worth it.

Perry is super cute and the complete opposite of Prince. He's thin (he needs to gain some weight), super energetic and very outgoing. He's adjusting well to his new home.

Prince is adjusting well too. It took him a couple of days before he seemed comfortable with everything. Initially he was acting jealous and would occasionally growl at Perry, but he seems to be getting better about it. Our hope is that they'll become best friends because that was a big reason for getting Perry.

Anyway, I'm still getting used to walking two dogs and just having two dogs in general (you should've seen me at Petco trying to handle both of them. Pretty embarrasing). It's more tiring than I thought but I'll get used to it. It's nice having two Shih-Tzus greet you when you come home from work.

Top Ten Questions I'm Sick of Answering

So the other day, while out to lunch with David, I decided I was going to come up with a list of the top 10 questions that I am sick of answering. These are questions that I am asked a lot, mostly by complete strangers. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind answering people's questions but some of them are particularly annoying and/or offensive. I think I should just print out a pamphlet with these so whenever I encounter any of them I can just hand them to the inquirer.

Anyway, here they are. Enjoy!


1. Why don't you speak Spanish? Aren't you Hispanic? Are you ashamed?
I've gotten this question asked a lot, especially since I moved to Miami. It's number one on my list because I don't think that I should have to justify whether or not I speak Spanish or be looked upon as some kind of freak of nature because I don't. Not every single Hispanic speaks Spanish (Have they not ever watched the movie Selena? She didn't always speak Spanish) and frankly I think it's rude to just assume that I should. It seems to me that Hispanics are the only minorities that are expected to speak Spanish just because of their ethnic background. I never see anyone give an Italian (for example) a hard time because they don't speak Italian. If you're born and raised in the US, is it really that unthinkable to only speak English? Isn't it still the official language? My question to people in Miami who live here and only speak Spanish is why don't you speak English? (I could go on and on about this one but I'll end it here)

2. What are you?

Many, many times, I'll come across a complete stranger who will look at me with a baffled look on their face and ask me, "what are you?" What they mean is that they are confused as to what my ethnic background is so they'll ask me "what I am." How ridiculous and insulting is that? Like it matters and like I should have to answer that. What I want to say to them is "freak, I don't even know you and what's it to you?" Who cares "what I am" and how is that relevant to anything? I don't mind answering that question if it's someone I just met that I have some kind of relationship with but if you're a complete stranger, don't ask me that question or if you do rephrase it so that it sounds more intellectual.

3. Why don't you smile more?

People have been asking me that question for years! I remember this one time when I was in H.S., I was walking to school and a complete stranger said "you should smile more" as he passed me by. Wtf? I never understood that. What am supposed to do? Walk around with a huge grin on my face for no reason? Who does that?

4. Why don't you work for a newspaper? (upon finding out that I have a BA in Journalism)

So I majored in Journalism and never worked in that field. A lot of people get degrees in certain majors and then end up doing something completely different. Besides, things don't always work out perfectly and one is always entitled to change one's mind about things, including careers.

5. Why don't you want to have/like kids?

Most people (especially women) think I am the biggest weirdo because I don't care much for kids and don't ever want to have any of my own. I just don't need that to feel complete. I'm more of an animal person. Besides, I think I'm being more responsible by realizing that this is not a road I ever want to take rather than just giving in to the norm and then turning out to be a bad parent (not that I think I'd make a bad parent, being one would just make me miserable). Too many people become parents for all the wrong reasons and I refuse to be one of them.

6. Why aren't you married/when are you getting married?

First of all, who cares? Second of all, getting married has never been a priority for me (I'm not even sure how I feel about the whole idea). I don't need to be anyone's wife to feel fulfilled. David and I have been together for many years and getting hitched is not going to make things any better. We'd still be the same people so why rush into anything? If we go ahead and do so it'll be whenever we feel is right.

7. Why are you still renting? Why haven't you bought a house?

Buying a home is a huge decision/commitment. I feel you should be 100% sure you want to live somewhere before you make such a huge investment. Besides, it's easier said than done. Buying property is something I definitely want to do but I'll do it when I feel it's right.

8. Why do you always wear black?

It's my favorite color, ok? I've worn mostly black since my metalhead days in H.S. and I just like it. I guess it's the goth in me. ;)


9. Why don't you cook more?

I don't enjoy the process. I love eating but do not enjoy actually making meals. Too time consuming, tedious, domestic, i.e. unlike me.

10. Why did you go to school in Arizona?

Why not? It's a pretty cool state (just not literally although they have more seasons than we do here in FL). It was just a place I wanted to check out.