Been a While Since We Last Had Cat Pics...

Hey, Everyone!

I had another week where I was insanely busy, but, when it comes down to it, there's not much to talk about. "Work, work, work, and more work" just about sums it up. I had a very busy week with my job at WebTalk Radio and I wrote a few more articles for Sarasota Dog.

We got Robert a Scratching post:
Which Ringo used to his advantage to have a go at the pile of other toys they own (which Robert is normally very possessive over):
That's about it for now.

As usual, I've got a few things in the works, but nothing I can talk about yet.

See you next Monday!

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.webs.com

Feeling Better, New Bed, Christmas Lights

Hey, Everyone!

Thanks to all of you who wrote/texted/called me to see how I'm feeling. I'm doing much better now; thank you. I threw up again once at work last Thursday (tomatoes were too much for my still-sensitive guts), but other than that it's been smooth sailing! I've been eating solid food again. I have to stick to fairly bland things still, but at least I'm not on a diet of nothing but baby food anymore!

Also, thanks to anyone who tuned into the season finale of Champions of Champions Elite. :) We don't know yet if there's going to be a season 2, but they're keeping Ramiro & me around for a while longer until they find out. I'm still going to be updating their Official blog twice a week, if anyone cares.

In other news, Ramiro and I got new bedding:Pretty nice, huh? But it didn't take long before it looked like...
Oh, CATS!! You're all so silly.

I also hung out with my parents yesterday and we ate steak & potatoes and went around looking at Christmas lights. Here's a picture I took from my cell phone of the Balian Ice Cream House:
If you search for "balian house" on Google, you get a lot of great pictures of this place. It's really something. You see the GLOW from this house for a couple blocks away... My picture's a bit bad because a.) it's a cell phone pic, b.) I was in a car that was in motion and, c.) it was raining like CRAZY (and still is!!) here in Southern California. If you're ever in Alta Dena, California around Christmas-time, you should check it out.

Anyway, if I don't write again until after the fact (and I probably won't), I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas (even if you don't believe in Christ--I still hope you have a happy day!). :)

Until next time...

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.webs.com

Champions of Champions Elite!

Hey, Everyone!!!

Guess what!!

I FINALLY got a "real" job!!

I'm an in-house writer for Risarc Productions and the G4 Network. My focus is going to be on their new show CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS ELITE!

Check it out!!!

http://coc-elite.com

Psst! I get extra Brownie Points at work if you click that link. ;)

I'm super-duper happy! For the next three months, I have a full-time job. And it's a great job!

Seems like all that writing I've been doing over the past few weeks has paid off! Thank you for all your thoughts & prayers. Those paid off too. <3

I'm going to the Montrose Oktoberfest tomorrow. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Until next time...

Lauren*
http://littlezotz.webs.com

See You After Next Week!

Hey, Everyone!!

I'm going to be extremely busy in the upcoming days. I have several articles due and they're all due "soon." I'm going to have to write 4-5 articles a day to meet everyone's demands.

So, I'm not going to be online for "social" reasons for a while.

I'm going into "hiding" for a little bit and I'll miss you all, but I'll be back soon! :)

Until next time...

--Lauren*

My Resume

I'm looking for a new job. I thought I'd post my "resume" here in case any of you can think of anywhere that might like to hire someone like I am... Suggestions welcome!

EMPLOYMENT
July 2009-Present
Worked at Del Taco #93 as a cashier and server

September 2005-February 2009
Worked as an assistant instructor and office manager for the Glendale branch of Fred Villari’s Studios of Self-Defense

June 2005-September 2006
Worked at the Wherehouse (#1376) on Foothill Blvd. as a sales associate

October 2004
Worked in the kitchen/catered for Mrs. Thais Herrington’s scrap-booking event.

June 2004-November 2004
Worked for the Montrose Village Newsstand running the cashier and taking care of inventory.

November 2003-June 2004
Worked for the Rice Garden in La Canada as a cashier and server

October 2003
Worked in the kitchen for Mrs. Thais Herrington’s scrap-booking event.

Oct. 2000-June 2003
Worked in the BBQ Room at Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School as a cashier and server

February 2003
Modeled tiaras for R & M Bridal’s annual catalog

HONORS/ACHIEVEMENTS

• October 2009, sold a piece of artwork in order to raise money for Children's Hospital in LA.
  

• June 2009, had my paintings up on a wall at the Gallery at the End of the World.

• February 2009, worked as an illustrator for Charles Barlow Inc. for the book Scary Man.

• June 2008, achieved the rank of second-degree black belt.

• October 2007, had my paintings up on a wall at the Gallery at the End of the World.
  

• August 2007, started a new autobiographical online comic strip, The Greener Side

• July 2006, wrote several articles for The Pulse magazine.

• June 2006, achieved the rank of first-degree black belt.
  

• September 2005, became an assistant instructor at Fred Villari’s Studio of Self-Defense.

• August 2005, was chosen to be included in the International Library of Poetry’s collection book, The Best Poets of 2005.

• Early 2005, I had my picture published in the English Journal as part of an article about reading to children in elementary schools (I had made a children’s book as part of a project in 2000 and read it to some students).

• Was given a Perfect Attendance Award for my time spent at Bryman College in 2004.
  

• Summer 2004, obtained awards for various completed "modules" in Bryman College's Dental Assisting program.
  

• Summer 2004, obtained an X-Ray and Coronal Polishing License from Bryman College when I was there studying as a Dental Assistant.

• Summer 2004, obtained a CPR and AED license.

• May 2004, was chosen to be one of 33 poets featured in the International Library of Poetry’s book on audio CD, The Sound Of Poetry

• May 2004, received the Editor’s Choice Award from poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry

• March 2004, started up my own online comic strip, Unlucky In A Tin Can

• Winter of 2004, had my poem “Another Degree of Nine” chosen for publication in the International Library of Poetry’s annual book.

• May 2003, received a scholarship from Lincoln Elementary School

• October 2003 “Story of the Month” on Teen Magazine’s website

• Head writer for the Clark Chronicle (school newspaper) 2002-03

• PTSA Service Award (for making my school “an all-around better place to be”) 2003

• Student Service Award for excellent service as a student worker in the cafeteria at Clark Magnet High School 2003

• Member of Clark Magnet’s Principal’s Advisory Committee (PAC) 2000-03

• June 2002 “Story of the Month” on Teen Magazine’s website

• March 2002 “Story of the Month” on Teen Magazine’s website

• Award for Outstanding Achievement (best in my class) in American Literature 2002

• Golden Sate Academic Excellence Award in Written Composition 2002

• Golden State Academic Excellence Award in Biology 2002

• Student Service Award for excellent service as a student worker in the cafeteria at Clark Magnet High School 2001

• Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of volunteer work at Lincoln Elementary School 2000

I guess that's about it... Education-wise, I graduated from Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School in 2003, attended Bryman College for Dental Assisting in 2004, and was taking various classes at Glendale Community College off and on from 2006-2009.

I type an average of about 70WPM.

I've been applying to places in my area and would prefer not to work at a "food" job again, but I'm open to trying new things. Let me know if you have any suggestions/ideas. Thanks!

--Lauren*

Not Feeling Well

First of all, many thanks to those of you who have written and/or called me to wish me well. It's true: I haven't been feeling well lately. I've been in and out of the hospital with a string of "illnesses."

Early last month, I had a bit of a cold, but continued to go to work anyway. I was getting more hours and needed the money and I forced myself to keep going even though I kept getting progressively worse. The day before Thanksgiving, Ramiro ended up taking me to the hospital. My cold had turned into Pneumonia. I was forced to take some time off from work. (I haven't been back to work since November 23rd).

And, just as I was starting to feel all the way better (except for a lingering cough--which I've been told could stick around for another two weeks!), poor Ramiro ended up having to take me to the hospital again. With my zero immunity from the Pneumonia, I ended up catching a very bad flu virus that mainly affected the "violently throwing up" and "non-stop diarrhea" parts of my anatomy. NOT PLEASANT AT ALL! Ugh.

I'm out of the hospital now and on the road to recovery from all my various troubles. Except my wallet is a bit worse for wear. I've ended up having to spend much MUCH more than I made when I forced myself to go to work with a cold. And my dream of having a Saving's Account? Well... Maybe next year. I was only a few dollars away, but now I'm pretty much down to the "lucky" two-dollar bill I started out with. I'm trying very, very hard not to be extremely bummed about this and remain optimistic that 2010 will be better money-wise. *smiles*

On the bright side, my Thanksgiving went pretty well... I had Pneumonia and couldn't taste anything (and my diet restrictions meant I couldn't eat a lot of the "good stuff"--it was basically just an ordinary meal for me), but Ramiro came over and my mom's brother and his ex-wife. So that was nice.

And I'm very thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Especially Ramiro. And my parents. And Ramiro's parents & sister. There are many many AWESOME people in my life, but those are the ones that I'm the most grateful for at this moment. You know that people really REALLY love you when they'll still sit with you when you're horrifically throwing up. Thanks, guys. I love you all so much. <3

Anyway, that's pretty much what I've been up to lately. Just...being sick. You haven't missed much! haha.

Hopefully my next entry will be something more fun!

Later.

--Lauren*