Sorry, no title. *deal with it*

After making my announcement about my new job on here, I waited a week before posting it to Facebook. When I did, it was nice to see all my old friends and co-workers have something to say on the matter. I forget sometimes that I know a lot of very nice people.

My sister is moving in with her boyfriend! They get the keys to their lovely new apartment next month. So excited that my sister is not only staking her claim in the world, but also achieving some huge milestones along the way. Plus, her one-year anniversary with her current job is fast approaching. She and her boyfriend are busy working to get their things together for the big move-in. Not sure if they'll be needing assistance from me, but time will tell.

So, after doing some research, I have decided that my new-gen console purchase will be the Xbox One. Mainly due to the fact that I know the new Silent Hill title will not be an exclusive, plus the new Tomb Raider will be out on that system first (The other reason is that my sister is planning to get this system and I want to be able to play with her). This may change as time goes on, but I feel that the One will be a sensible purchase. Plus, I can transfer my Minecraft worlds onto the new system and play it on the game there!

I'm also looking into getting a new laptop. But the when remains an unknown. All I know for sure is I'm sticking with HP (a brand I've been using for a long time) and I may actually order it online (a first for me). After that, it becomes a question of what features I want the laptop to have and how much I'm willing to spend. I mean, the one I have cost about $700 and it has lasted me this long. Probably should keep that in mind as I keep looking.

Sadly, I've not kept up with my writing. I need to fix that, starting today. As the morning arises, I will begin more work into Dolls (hoping to wrap it up in the early days of October) and work on City before even thinking of tackling NaNoWriMo this year. In fact, the latter remains an unknown due to the new job, among other things. But actually, the project might be a balm for the hectic times. Who knows?

That's about it for now. Will update as it goes.

Whoo!

Damn that television! What a bad picture!

From the Talking Heads song lyrics I used, guess what the big news is?

I FOUND A JOB!!!

So, some personal news...

After months of wondering what the hell was going on with her hip, being in so much pain that work-camping was becoming more of a chore than a fun thing, my mom went to the doctor and found out she will be needing hip replacement surgery. She is scheduled to get it done in mid-November, over a week before my birthday.

Now, this isn't her first rodeo with all this, she had both of her knees replaced over ten years ago. But naturally, I worry since she is... well, ten years older than when she got her knees done (for those keeping score at home, she is sixty-one). Dammit, I knew having older parents was going to start haunting me at some point. And here we are: me fretting over it.

I know she is in good hands: the doctor did her previous replacement surgeries and has even helped my dad with his own arthritis issues. My mom is no hothouse orchid either, I liken her more to a lovely flowering succulent: low-maintenance yet when something is seriously wrong, TLC is welcomed with open arms. My parents are very faithful and believe in prayer (which can help calm one down during stressful situations) and also have great insurance, even the funds to pay off whatever the hospital will likely throw at them.

For once, I'm thankful I still live with my parents. With this surgery being a future thing, I feel I'll be able to help whenever I can. And no, it will not come at the cost of my job-hunting nor my possible future job(s). My mom made it clear that she will smack me upside the head (metaphorically of course!) if I ignore myself while helping her during the six-eight week recovery period. It may be things like help keep the house clean, drive her to some places, and even root for her as she works on physical therapy.

I was barely eighteen when my mom first went for surgery to alleviate her arthritis (sadly, a disease that has roots deep on both sides of my family tree). I was an immature, snarky, pessimistic girl then. I'm still snarky, but I have grown so much. Sure, I still get pessimistic thoughts and I have the tendency to whine especially when I'm under deep stress (better than getting angry, I guess); but I feel now that I can be more of a help as a young adult with a better grasp of herself. Not just because I got better psychologically, but now that I've shouldered a lot of responsibility since then, helping someone after a surgery wouldn't be an overwhelming thing to do.

But that doesn't mean I will not worry. Damn my anxious mind.

The one thing to keep in mind is that once it's done, my mom will be mostly pain-free until her days on Earth are done. May she live to be a hundred, more years of less pain and more adventure!

Love and cheers to you, Mom! You continue to be an inspiration.

Last of the August Break Pics

Okay gang, welcome to the new month (okay it's five days into it, but shut up okay?): a full thirty days of trying new things, starting and finishing goals, and other platitude-ridden silliness. But seriously, let's get some things done, peeps!

Sorry that it took me so long to finish posting the last twelve days: I had a lot of traveling, personal things happened*, and job-hunting has taken over my life.

So, with no further introduction, here are the last of the August Break pictures!