January 11, 2007 by samantha.

I do not have much to say. Things are kinda slow right now and nothing exciting is happening. I was going through my photo album and I found this picture. This has to be one of my favorites. Last year for my birthday, my mom and I did the photo caravan at the Wild Animal Park. We were able to drive out into the enclosures and see the animals up close.

This beautiful giraffe was one of the tall blondes that we got to feed. I have always had a soft spot for giraffes, but seeing them this close was very special. They are gentle giants. Their long eyelashes would make any girl jealous. And the look on this one’s face could put a smile on anyone’s face!
One the million places that I have always wanted to visit is Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya. Years ago I read about the place in my mom’s French Elle and then again in the book Tall Blondes. It sounds like a magical place. It is a giraffe sanctuary, that supports itself with the numerous visitors that stay at the manor. I hope to make my way there one day. Hopefully it will live up to my expectations!

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January 8, 2007 by samantha.

While I was in Florida, I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  I was walking through Borders in Tallahassee and the title sparked my interest.  It is the coming of age book about a young boy, Charlie, who is struggling to find himself.  Instead of writing in a journal, Charlie writes letters to an unknown recipient.  In fact, Charlie is just an alias and does not even know whom he is writing to.  Throughout the course of the book, Charlie deals with a myriad of issues: loneliness, the awkward stages of adolescence, first dates and kisses, and family dramas.  I found the book and easy and enjoyable read.  I did have two issues with the book.  First was that every review I read about it compared it to The Catcher in the Rye.  I can see how they would compare the two, but I found them very different.  I found Chbosky more honest than Salinger.  Maybe that was because I could relate to Charlie and the references in the book easier than with Catcher in the Rye.  My other problem was that the book was published by MTV.  Who knew! I do have to say that did disturb me a bit.  I wonder why?!!?

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January 4, 2007 by samantha.

Since many of us are giving up things for our resolutions, I have to ask:

What is your guilty pleasure?  What is the one thing that when you crave it you cannot say no, no matter what??

I crave odd things: Firehouse Subs (I know that is sad, but if you had one you would understand!), my mom’s tacos (who knew a frog could make tacos!), and this crabcake I had when in Seattle (anyone want to go to Seattle this weekend?).  Now ask me in a few days and my cravings will probably change.  Right now I am just craving dinner!

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January 4, 2007 by samantha.

After two weeks of vacation, I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back at work.  I like a routine and being on vacation is hard for me sometimes.  Do not get me wrong!  I love having time off and getting paid for it.  I love being able to travel and visit new places.  But I am truly a creature of habit.  I like following the same schedule everyday.  I like knowing I have someplace to be when I wake up in the morning.  Thankfully my kids were too exhausted to be little monsters.  You would think that they would be well rested and ready to get to work.  Instead I was trying to keep them awake!  Between you and me, I have noticed in the two days that we have been back, that my students are actually working and trying harder.  Could this be a new turn of events for them?  Or am I putting the cart before the horse?  We have only been back two days and maybe this new trend will not last!  I guess I should enjoy it while I can!

Anyway, I may be happy to be back at work and catching up with all my friends, but I am still thinking of moving.  I am going to work on finding places to move to and what the job market looks like in those areas.  I will not move for at least a year or so.  Going back to Florida just proved to me how much of a California girl I am not!  I am going to hold my head up high and call myself a Southern.  I still struggle with that sometimes, but I think that is what I am!  There is just something about the people, the manners, and the general atmosphere the South has that California does not.  In fact, it does not come even close! California does have some great points.  I love the mountains, I really enjoy exploring Los Angeles, and I could go to Santa Monica everyday.  Still, I am a G.R.I.T.S: Girl Raised In The South.  And I despise grits!

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January 1, 2007 by samantha.

I hate to sound like everyone else, but it is so hard to believe that it is already 2007! I remember when everyone was freaking out with Y2K! I bet those people feel silly now!!! This past year was a great one for me. I got a great job, made some wonderful new friends, and traveled to some fabulous new places. It makes me wonder what the new year has in store for me. I am not one to make resolutions. I always thought they were so silly and pointless. I think of New Year’s resolutions as promises that are made to be broken… and I can do that anytime of the year! I guess if I had to make a resolution I would say mine is to finally get my house in order. The yard needs to be done, walls need to be painted, and furniture needs to be bought. Another good thing about this year is that I finally got over my aversion to buying furniture in case I move. I figure it is time to buy some good pieces that I can have for years. Also in this year, I hope to continue my travels. I will probably go back to Oregon and of course to Florida. I hope to return to France. It would be fun to explore someplace new. A few friends and I have discussed New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Canada. Who knows where I will end up! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I do not stay home for the year. Talk about boring! Anyway, what are some of your resolutions or plans for the new year? If they are any good, I may have to steal them for my own!

I just noticed that I forgot to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I guess I was so busy, that I forgot!!!! Imagine that! I thought I would be bored in Florida and instead I was running a million miles a minute! So Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Eid Al-Adha, Happy New Year, and anything else I forgot!

Finally, I just wanted to share this picture from my trip to Florida. This was taken at Turkry Creek on our Christmas hike.

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