I'm Not AWOL

Hello!

I feel it's been forever since I've written.  I was afraid the internets wasn't out there anymore. So much has been going on...

Where do I start?  Well, lets start with the idea I had about this whole restaurant business.  It's still a current passion, though achieving it is no less an easy task.  It seems to be going at a minuscule rate.  I think I realize by my parents not saying anything to my request, are essentially saying no.  Why?  I'm not too sure yet and I'll broach that when the time is right.  On the upside, my brother is willing to sell me his car.  Bonus.  It's affordable, it might need some work, though, which I'm calculating.  I've applied to a bakery/cafe down the street, so I'm hoping for a second job - in the industry.  Having a car will help me get from A to B quicker than on feet.  The only downside of this car (to me), is that it's manual.  Ugh.  My city is so hilly that having a standard proves challenging (though not impossible, of course).  I've driven one before, but on back roads and parking lots; not on city streets (eek!).  But, it's a cool car so I'd be crazy not to take it.  As a side note, I've also been comparing leasing a new car - where repairs won't cost anything, as they would with an older vehicle.  But, the monthly payment would be higher than what I'd have to pay my brother (plus insurance, etc).  If I have a second job, I'm not at all worried about numbers, but I can't guarantee on that yet - unless miracles happen - fast.  So do I lease (new or used), which would cost me more a month but less in repairs, or buy my brothers which would cost less a month but possibly more in repairs?  I'm only looking at these two options (for various reasons that I won't go into at this point).

I have to write a separate paragraph for calling for insurance.. cause.. it was that special.  And when I say special, I mean frustrating.  I got asked like, 20 personal questions.  "You need this information for a quote?" I said.  Apparently.  I was on that bloody phone for almost half an hour (she was slow).  Do I want /something/ coverage for $1,000,000 or $2,000,000?  Do I want a $500 deductible?  $1000?  Do I want Accidental Forgiveness?  Theft coverage? Plus a whole new gamut of terms I'd never heard of or understand to a common degree.  Gah!  I don't know what all of this means!  And I don't even think 10 of me equals close to $1,000,000 - so I don't know what that's about.  And how do I know if I want the 500 or 1000 deductible on whatever option?  It was enough to drive me already-crazy.  So many new things to learn.

Babu is shedding like a mad fiend.

Anyways, with the restaurant idea, I'll willing to accept that life may take me in another direction.  I hope not; it's something I'd really like to do.  But things change.  Life changes.  I know what I *want* to do, but however that is executed may remain fluid.

Lent.  Vegetarianism is going quite well, actually, without much effort.  I'm a bit surprised.  But then, I'm barely a week in.  I'm starting to crave chicken a bit, I won't lie, but I try not to think about it too much.  I've looked in one of my books (The Enlightened Eaters Whole Foods Guide - a must-read. Very informative about nutritional information of food, listed and described at the beginning of the book) and I tagged a few recipes.  Hope to go shopping for them soon.  I'm anxious to try new recipes!  You'll be interested to know that since I've gone meatless, it's changed my approach to food.  I don't eat as much sweets as I did before.  I'm more conscious what I put in my body and try to make sensible choices.  I was, though, struggling a bit with my sugar ('was' because I got severely sick 2 nights ago and haven't had a normal appetite since, so I'm a little off track).  So I'd eat more, like one wants to when their sugar feels low, but then I'm over-eating, even if it's healthy, because I'm filling a ... false void, if you will.  So I don't know how to get around that one.  Oh, and my no-swearing rule for Lent is.. faulty at best.  I just might have to not observe it at work; there's so much frustration there some days I can't help it.

Y'know what I dislike?  What I REALLY dislike?  I mean.. it drives me crazy.  Ron Sexsmith's hair.  I'm not even lying.  I've had to look at it for the past few days on the CBC website (I listen to the online radio) and it's making me mental.  He has so much hair!  And it's a mess!  I just want to... grabs hunks of it and rip it off! Or at least give him a haircut!  Sheesh!   /rant

Very unfortunate what's going on in Japan.  I hope the world community keeps reaching out.

I want to dye my hair.  I dislike the grays coming in.

I'm trying to decide what I want to do (if anything) for my 35th birthday (in April).  35.  Eesh.

I have no men stories.  So sad.

Well, I can't think of anything else I need to write about.  Hope y'all are having a good Monday.  The sun's out here!  A pleasant surprise.  Heard it's supposed to reach 10*C mid-week, so definitely looking forward to that.