The Scent of Compatibility

According to Body Sense magazine, everyone emits aromatic molecules that indicate genetic compatibility with another person. I find this really interesting! As it turns out, this genetic signature, called major histocompatibility complex (MHC), can be interfered with by contraception pills. Generally, researchers find that the best partners have different MHC odors. Couples of dissimilar MHC genes have been found to remain more faithful to each other and report being more satisfied in their relationship. Women on the pill, however, tend to be attracted to mates with identical MHC odors. In short, women may prefer different men when they're on the pill than when they're off it. Crazy!

TODAY I GRADUATED!

I've done it!!! Its been the fastest most grueling year of my life, and I never once considered quitting! Today I have graduated the accredited CNI college with a 720 hour diploma in Massage Therapy. A few days ago my sister surprised me with this awesome homemade cake at school. My best school friend, Amanda, also surprised me with Sunflowers. I'm so lucky! This has been an emotional moment for me. As a single mother of three small children, starting over in life, this was just the career path I needed. I couldn't be happier with my decision, and i'm grateful for the support. By the end of September (maybe before) I plan to be Nationally certified and state licensed. Within the next 2 years I plan to be in a banks office going over my proposal to start my own Day Spa. I will be successful. I am determined. I am driven. I am creative, smart, and enthusiastic enough to pull this off! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and become permanent clients of mine. I adore you all and hope you will continue to follow me through my journey. You only live life once. Make it count! Do what you love!!

Its almost tiiiiiime!

This is my last Module before graduating August 10th. Where has the time gone?? I'm filled with mixed emotions. I fear not finding a job..and also finding a job. I know that makes no sense. I will miss my friends terribly. Especially Miss Amanda Pica and Mr. Garrett Curtis! Ive had the best time in school this last year. Its been a blast! Ive also touched more asses in the most invasive ways possible...Apparently Piriformis work is my specialty. haha

I got my business plan done (a requirement for graduation) and submitted for my fake Day Spa. My teacher loved it so much that she insisted I go thru with this business for real, then hire her to work for me. ahahahaha. I guess it was good enough to pass after all! I was stressin' for a minute.....

I actually feel like a real grown-up now that I know a skill and have college under my belt. I'm also really good at what I do....I think I finally found my calling.

Next up on my list of adventures to accomplish:

1.) Pre Natal certification (September)
2.) Pass Nationals!! (ASAP)
3.) Become a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (within the next week!)
4.) FIND A JOB AND GET LICENSED!! (ASAP)

If anybody needs a great Swedish ($40), Deep Tissue ($60), Reflexology ($40 30 min), Hot Stone ($70), or Pre Natal massage ($95), please let me know!

Today I salute Aunt Tina!

All these years I've been sort of the outsider in my family. I've always been the "different" one. My sisters are very much the same in personality and interests, leaving us with a lot of head-butting. They love the same music (mostly boy bands and musicals), the same TV shows (mostly crappy reality TV or judge shows), have the same taste in most things (they are best friends pretty much), and are extreme girly girls (right down to their rainbow sherbet eye shadows!)They are also both blonds. I reside in the amazing brunette category! I don't watch TV, but if I do, its usually Top Gear, Spaced, AbFab, or Red Dwarf on BBC. I love classic rock, heavy metal, and some amazing hip hop. I love anything with an engine and often fantasize about riding motorcycles. I have a soft spot for airplanes. I used to attend Ren Fairs cuz I like to dress up. I'm a bit of a sci-fi nerd. I love to write and be as creative as possible. I'm addicted to the computer which my family doesn't understand. Dont get me wrong, I've always loved who I am..Ive just never understood where I stood genetically. My fathers side of the family lives across the county and we've never been particularly close. I never knew my aunts growing up. Recently my aunt Tina and I got in touch on Facebook. The more I find out about her the more my genetic coding makes sense! She and I are the most alike of all my relatives, and our facial features are eerily similar. (Yeah for round faces and big eyes!) She actually does ride a motorcycle! She cries looking at airplanes and how magnificent they are. She is on the computer as much as I am..maybe even more. Ha! She also dresses up, loves music, has been known to sport the bob haircut, cant get enough BBC, etc.. It would have been cool to have been around her more growing up, but then people would just say I was a copy-cat. Now I know its genetics that is responsible for my love of British TV, and dressing like a serving wench on the weekends.....Woot!

Eric turns 8!!

This has been a very emotional weekend for me! Ive managed to hide it well, with a house full of people. Haha. Eric turned 8 on Saturday, which is a very important age in my religion. That is the age of baptism. We call it 'the age of accountability' because we feel it is the age at which a child fully understands right from wrong and can make the decision on their own to become baptized with an understanding of its significance. Eric was baptized last Sunday...and it was AMAZING! My father performed the baptism, and his other grand-father confirmed him a member of our church. I was asked to give a talk and felt like throwing up the entire time..I got thru it, tho. Eric was presented with his very first set of scriptures. Blue leather with his name engraved in silver on it. He was so excited! Afterward, the president of his sunday school gave him a cute note on poster board spelled out with candy bars. It was very special for him. My son made out like a bandit, in the birthday department. On Saturday his dad flew in. He spent the day at Disneyland with his grandparents, who bought him an Indiana Jones hat, and an Indiana Jones Lego set. For his birthday dinner, he always wants the same thing..Spaghetti with one gigantic meatball. Kasi made him a Sponge Bob cake which was adorable! For presents he recieved a skate board and helmet, piano sheet music, drawing books, a backpack, and a skim board. What a lucky kid! I cant believe im old enough to have an 8 year old. It seems surreal to me. Its my tradition to write the things I love about my friends and family on my blog using their new age. So here are 8 things I love about Eric!

1.) He is very into his artwork and stories.
2.) He is a talented piano player who wakes us up at 7am with songs from the hymnals.
3.) He likes to wear goofy outfits and pretend.
4.) He wants to work at Rubies Diner on the Pier cuz he digs the paper hats and bow-ties.
5.) He is very affectionate and always makes sure to give kissy faces when i look at him from across a room.
6.) He wants to serve a mission in France so he can speak "france-talk"..
7.) He is very helpful and makes sure our neighbors have all the help they need..
8.) He has a beautiful singing voice and is apart of the OCMC at the Performing Arts Center...I couldnt be prouder!!





















Cousin Eliza Jean and sister Skylar


Erics poster board of candy!


Aunt Kasi and Uncle Justin


Erin and Scott enjoy chocolate chip cookies afterward..

Today I salute the Beach Cruiser!

Today I salute the greatness of the California Beach Cruiser! They are beautiful, vintage in model, and in my opinion, a necessity living in paradise! I am determined to have one next summer so I can ride bikes with my kids. They should be plenty old enough to keep up with me by then, and I love the workout! Living 2 miles from the beach provides us with zero excuses to get out into the sun and have fun as a family! My problem is that im torn between two bikes. I need help in deciding which bike best fits my personality. I am head over heels for Betty, the black beauty with hot pink and silver flames. Its reminiscent of a 1950's hot rod that a tough pinup would be proud to sit on. My sisters, however, think that my personality is best suited to riding on Minx, the ultra cool leopard print bike that oozes sex appeal and fiesty attitude. They tell me Betty is not for me, but I have to disagree. Am I being delusional? Is Betty not at all my type? I need feedback people! You will determine which bike I get, and specify WHY you think it fits me?...HELP A SISTA OUT!

BLACK BETTY


SAUCY MINX

Today I salute Melissa Marr

Last week I finished the third book of Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series...It was strange,enchanting, gothic, and well thought out. I loved them all, and hope she continues to add to this series of books. She is a new young adult author, who brings to life a world of disturbing Faeries that linger alongside unsuspecting mortals. Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange (my personal favorite), and Fragile Eternity are three very cool fantasy books guaranteed to give Stephanie Meyer a run for her money. I give it 4 out of 5 stars...If you're into Fantasy folklore and have a uterus, these books are for you.