I know i never update, but I just find this so cute! Well, starting out my diet journey. *waves little flag*

Wow, LJ's gotten a lot more complex since last time i was here...what are all these new features for??? @_@

I got my hair dyed red today, it looks lighter and more lively and I love it!! Thanks so much leila and hanh for dying it! I'll post a picture when i can *blows kiss*

i love my new layout! It's so colorful :3

Gummy Bears

You may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.

Your Dosha is Kapha

Calm and grounded, you are not prone to mood swings or anger. However, once you do get angry, it takes a lot to cool you down. You tend to think a little slower than most people, but your logic is astounding. Overall, you very loyal and trustworthy. You're not scared of being who you really are. With friends: You enjoy their company, but often listen more than talk In love: You crave connection and affection. It's hard for you to be single. To achieve more balance: Exercise vigorously (especially in the sun) and let go of attachments.

I can't wait for Pan's Labyrinth!

I've been seriously offered to go get liposuction. Last year I said no, but I think this year I'll accept.

It's kind of sad when your life just becomes work work work work, you see your frieds every once in a while, your boyfriend even less (who apparently doesn't notice). If people are thinking about going to otakon I may as well just bite the bullet (in terms of cash) and go because it feels like that'll be the only time I'll get to have a real vacation. Bleh.

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait.. With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

LIFE.IS.GOOD.

American Studies 204 B+ (grrr)
German 320 - B
German 403 - no grade yet, but looking at my written submissions, most likely an A
Health 476 (Death) - B (O_O!!!!)
German 315 - A- (O_O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I just looked over my grades this morning, absolutely near tears thinking I would get like 4 B's and a C (in Death). But then I look at this and I'm like OMG!!!!!!!!!!! MIRACLES DO COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!! First big surprise was me getting an A- in German 315, which was my absolute worst class cuz I couldn't keep up with it and didn't turn in any work until the last few weeks of class. But I spent a shitload of time on my final project which was a children's book version of Faust, with illustrations and rhyme schemes, the works. I was so sure I was gonna get a D, then my teacher (known as the most awesome teacher in the German dept.) said he would probably give everyone either an A or a B, so I figured I'd get a B. And now I'm hit with this!!! That makes me soo much happier since I thought I'd get an A in American Studies but only ended up getting a B+ (I should have done more extra credit dammit).

The next biggest surprise was Death class cuz I was already expecting to get a C in the class (I had a B on the first exam, the next a C, so I needed an A on the last exam but I felt the most I got was a high B when I took it). I think the teacher was going really really easy on us cuz this was supposed to be the last Death class offered ever.

You know what's really funny though? I told Hanh a while ago that I predicted before the semester that I would get a 3.41 GPA. I saw it in a dream and if you calculate it all, it's a 3.4! The same thing happened to me last semester, I predicted my GPA in a dream lol. So now that I finally have a very substantial 3.4 GPA (even though I don't know what my cumulative GPA is) I can now be apartment leader, go to Austria next spring, and also stay in the language house! lol I'm soo happy!!!

My birthday was the absolute best I could ever ask for. Since I'm turning the big 2-0 I wanted it to be as low key as possible. God I feel so old!! So the morning of my birthday it was just like any other day. Got up, ate breakfast, hung out a bit, did chores mostly. Then Robbie came over and he helped me with my chores ^^.

What we were mostly waiting on was Melissa to come back from getting her hair and nails done with Amelia since both of them were going to the SVHS prom with their B/Fs. The pictures were going to be taken at my house so mom and I tried our best to make the place look nice (we switched pictures on the walls around, redid flower arrangements, vacuumed, all that stuff).

So then finally they showed up, all looking adorable. Melissa had her hair done in these almost gothic lolita curls and I made almost (ALMOST) a grimace when I saw her. I mean come on, this is tomboy melissa! WITH GIRLY HAIR!! Anyway, Melissa felt kinda bad cuz she thought I didn't like it so I apologized (really, nothing could have prepared me for that). So then we waited for Melissa's B/F cuz he was late and when he finally showed up, all the parents and myself practically became paparrazi. We took all these photos and they looked sooo cute X3 !!

Afterwards they left and then the rest of us (Mom, Daniela, Rob and I) prepared to head out for cheesecake factory. There was like an 1.5 hour wait but it wasn't too bad since we got to hang around white flint mall. Robbie and I hung out at BORDERS while my mom and daniela looked at clothes. Finally, our little buzzer went off and we got our table. The food there was AMAZING. But they served it in these huge portions so it was no wonder why everyone kept on saying "I was too full for the cheesecake." So in the end, I shared a cheesecake with robbie, and mom and daniela shared one too.

The entire time I was a little nervous in the back of my mind that they were gonna do a "happy birthday" singing so whenever my mom wanted to use "the bathroom" I followed her. Turns out she got the slip from me and when I came out I saw her talking to a waiter lol. So we went back and I just gave mom this playful glare the entire time, and she just laughed "why are you looking at me like that?" So then we ordered our desserts and, of course, damn birthday singers. Still, they kept it short and sweet and it was very nice.

But Daniela poor thing wasn't feeling too good and actually passed out in the restaurant. Turns out she had a fever, so we went home. As soon as we got home, mom and daniela went to bed and rob and I hung out in the family room watching pulp fiction. I then called Leila to see if anything was gonna happen that night and she said she and Hanh were "working on something" so I figured they were putting little jewels on their cellphones again. So they said they'd just hang out at Jen's and Bobo came to pick us up. As soon as I get there, everyone gives me a HUGE photo collage!!!!! I was so surprised!! And I laughed so hard at the irony of giving a photophobic person a collage of herself (genius). I absolutely loved it, and the pictures of myself on there were actually kind of nice.

Afterwards, we all watched Ichi the Killer which I actually had been wanting to check out. It was interesting, and all the really gory scenes were taken out so I could watch it lol. Then afterwards Kurt muttered something like "Can we have cake now?" and even though I couldn't see cuz everyone was behind me, apparently everyone gave Kurt this DEATH GLARE. I couldn't stop laughing, it was such a Kurt thing to do (but still cute lol). I'll be honest, I was about to cry when I saw the cake. It all came as a big surprise to me, I thought it was just gonna be another day of hanging out, and it was just surprise after surprise after surprise.

After cake we sang lots of karaoke (I wish they had disney songs ;_;) Truth be told, I don't really go for HUGE elaborate birthday parties. When you constantly hang out with a 16 and 10 year old, you just feel like 20 is the new 40 lol. So the fact that it was just another day but with lots of special things added to it, it was the best anyone could ask for. To all my friends, thank you soooo much for everything you did. I love you all <( ^_^ )>!!

Well, tonight was the anticipated night drawn by a simple idea while hanging out at my dormroom on evening. The Game Soundtrack Orchestra (GSO)/ Language House Film Club special video game concert/movie night! It went really well and I ended up staying for the entire thing (concert and showing of Final Fantasy Advent Children). I bought the DVD and there was my contribution lol. But the GSO was amazing. They played Hikari and it was beautifully done (probably because they practiced really realy hard cuz no one was accustomed to it's high pitched notes). I really did enjoy myself and alot of people did too. I'm happy -^_^-

Oh man, it seems I'm gonna be pulling another all nighter tonight. So much work to do

1. all this make up work so not to fail a class (though I hear the teacher is extremely cool, but hey, don't wanna bury myself into deeper shit than I already am...meanwhile I have either an A or a B in the rest of my classes grraawwrrrr!!!).

2. Actual organization and printing of the Language House literary magazine (GOD!!!!)

3. Work for the rest of my classes

My soul just feels like growing wings, break my window, and just fly away.

Lucky for me though, after the event tonight was over, there was alot of leftover drinks. And I was eye-ing the Mountain Dew :3 So I got 4 cans of and a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew lol. All the other video game nerds were trying to snatch it from me while I wasn't looking and I just yelled "no! mine!" in this cutesy voice. Then I ran lol. But I did help out with cleaning up after everything was over so fair trade (i think?) Anywayz, I got enough oil to keep my lantern burning all night, and I'm only maybe a quarter done with work (it's been 2.5 hours already @_@)

Friday morning I'm going home. I miss my family terribly. Can't wait ^w^

woo hoo! After just talking with my boss, so far she seems pleased with the way things are going ^w^. Honestly, I'm soo looking forward to finishing this. If only I felt the same way about school ><, lol

Only at 3:58 buried under a mountain of work do I take the time to write in my lj. ah....
well, seeing as how the deadline for the writing/translation club literary magazine is NOW in another 5 days, I feel motivated again to work hard. For the past week I don't know why I was in such a slump, a funk, a whatever you call where you feel down (like not depressed down) and your brain just turns off and nothing can get it to jumpstart. I'm actually enjoying myself here and I don't plan to go to sleep til I see the sunrise outta this window in front of me!! >:D ha ha ha!!

Thank GOD for 1 p.m. classes

OH WAIT. now the computer is telling me I got 9.5 minutes to save whatever I gotta save cuz it's gonna shut down...DAMN!!!!!!!!

funny, something is compelling me to write...am I just that bored??? O_o

Everything's been going well so far. I'm doing well in most of my classes, I have so much riding on my gradepoint average this semester (which I will discuss later). I love having my own room again ^^ usually my old roommate tina would be sleeping for 2.5 hours by now and I would be hanging out on the computer til 3 a.m. in the dark. lol

In about 4 more days it'll be robbie and I's 2 year anniversary, wow. I just figured it out like Monday. Can't complain though, these 2 years have been very good, and I look forward to spending a few more with a truly wonderful friend and lover.

I've been offered to study abroad in vienna, austria next spring. I'm jumping at the chance, because they pay for your tuition and you get to stay there for 1 semester. My mom wants me to stay longer, but I have to get accepted first before anything gets finalized.

So yeah, if I don't get a 3.0 GPA this semester, I'll not only fuck up my chances of living in the language house and being apartment leader, but I won't get accepted to study abroad next spring ;_;. Can't fuck up!!! If anything, I feel most comfortable with this semester cuz it's all german language courses (with the exception of 1 american studies film course and 1 death class) so yeah, I'm feeling pretty confident.

Things are also turning out well with the writing/translation club. I'm very glad I took the job. It was kinda hard at first cuz no one showed up to the meetings and it just wasn't working out for some people, but now that it's getting closer to the due date of the literary magazine/anthologie thing we're planning on making, the members with true dedication are coming. It's very...heartwarming. But yeah other than that, I'm having a really good time and meeting a lot of interesting people. yay ^^

Planning for Otakon is turning out interestingly. We might need to squish some people in a room. And I don't even know if I'll get my costume done on time ^^; But to be honest, since some people ended up not being able to make it, I'm actually saving money by sparing myself of the aeris outfit (that $300 wig was gonna murder me, especially since my hair got cut really really short ^^; )oooh need to lose sooo much weight!!

OMG somewhere along the time of me living here, the girls grew like crazy. Melissa is doing well, she's so busy what with school and C.A.P. and her personal life. Daniela is growing and becoming cuter by the day. My mom says she reminds her so much of me (well yeah, ever since Daniela was born she was just like me. Same appearance, we even had the same birthweight). They're going on spring break next week so they're actually gonna come over and hang out with me. Yay \^^/!!! I miss my little sisters so much X3!!

I miss everyone! That night we all went to see Slither was really great! I felt like the old crew was all together again (not perfect but still). I hope we do more things like that in the future.

I send you all my love.

oh man, I never update ^_^;;

as some of you may know I took the job as being chairperson and head of the Language House Writing and Translation Club. Let me tell you if worked out HORRIBLY at first ;_; but now things are looking better than ever ^_^. So our goal this semester is to make a first ever Language House publication of collected translated written works and art works. Lots of pressure since this club is the one my boss, Dr. Phoenix expects the most out of (and I have no leadership experience whatsoever >.<) So then I post up flyers and set up a date for the first meeting. And what do you know? The popular College Park literary magazine "Stylus" saw one of our flyers I set up in the Art/Sociology Building and they wanna collaborate with us!

They sent the offer in email form to me and my boss and we discussed it the next morning. I personally wasn't too keen on the idea but Phoenix loved it (especially since she paid Stylus staff $1000 to help them out). So we both decided that we should make that the first order to be discussed at our first meeting! Alot of people surprisingly said "why don't we do both?" Stylus will give us better recognition than a practicaly unheard of first time publication, which will ultimately look better on the resume. I thought that this was my first year with these responsibilties and just giving up the majority of our responsibility for the anthologie (proofreading, editing, selection for the final cut, organization of the written pieces, organization of the artwork and photography) to some big name business made me feel uncomfortable. So the next morning I discussed it with Phoenix again and then she asked "Before we begin, I was wondering before I left the meeting last night was 'Why don't we do both?' " He he he he ^_^;;;

So now it's settled, we're doing both, which makes me and everyone else happy. I'm just glad I have some experience with this stuff (thank you Ms. Gibson and the Oracle!)

But yeah, what really made me happy was when I wrote to the Stylus people last night and gave them our answer and conditions and they wrote me back today!

Dear Ms. Johnna Schmidt,
> Hi! How are you? I'm so glad you
> found one of our flyers! Sadly neither one of your
> representatives could make it last night but since it was in
> short notice, I completely understand. Now, Dr. Phoenix and I
> have discussed this possible collaboration with you and we
> thought that we should run it through our club members first
> to see if they are comfortable with it. So far the general
> consensus is that we would be more than happy to work with you
> as co-sponsor of your multilingual section as we work on our
> own publication. We are actually currently discussing amongst
> ourselves when we can have our weekly meetings that fits into
> everyone's work schedule.
>
> What I would like more than anything is to perhaps have one of
> your representatives come to our meeting to discuss with us
> the guidelines of our collaboration with you; since many of
> our members know your magazine but are not too familiar with
> its inner workings. So if you write back to me while I figure
> out a set day and time for the meeting, I would be more than
> appreciative. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
>
> Sincerely,
> Giselle Amezquita
> Head of Language House Writing/Translation Club


and then she wrote back

Dear Giselle:

Great! I'm so glad this is coming together. I've always envisioned a
closer tie between Writers' House and Language House and this is the
perfect connection point.

I'm copying this to Ishai Barnoy, our multi-lingual editor (and Kyle
Bodt, the Editor-in-Chief). I spoke to him about it today and he is
enthusiastic about your participation.

-Johnna

woo hoo!!! I'm so happy!!!

hehehe after several months I decide to update >_<

well I guess it takes me to be sick out of my mind with a constant cough and practically seeing double to be able to make me sit down here and decide to write something.

Christmas and New Years were very much fun. Christmas Eve I spent it first working and then going off with my dad, blech. Thank God melissa and daniela were there, it was total 19 hours of awkwardness.... then I came home and spent it with my mother and my sisters. Strange thing though, my mom has always wanted to maintain a friendly relationship with the father of her children, but my dad was way too pigheaded and proud to have anything to do with the woman who left him. But for once, all hostility was put down. My mom invited him to the house and wanted to show him around.

I guess this makes me a bad person, but as soon as he walked into the house, I felt like my special place was suffering an intruder. Maybe it didn't help that dad and I had a big fight over the phone before I went to his place.

Anywayz, mom showed him the whole first floor, second floor, all our rooms and all that good stuff. I must admit, the sight of our white christmas tree surrounded by bright presents all wrapped and placed with love was quite heartwarming. And the view outside our deck took his breath away (to those who have been to my house, you know what it looks like) Poor man didn't even have as much as christmas lights on his own house.

Anyway, melissa and I kept our distance while mom and daniela proudly showed the house to dad. To Daniela, this is the first time she has seen Mami and Papi together, so it must have been really amazing for her. Of course, Melissa and I knew that those two together doesn't mean all bunnies and rainbows.
You could tell on Dad's face that he felt uncomfortable, and he was actually fidgeting to leave. By the end of the tour, we all wished Dad a merry christmas and we all gave him a hug. He was holding back tears. As soon as he left, the air of awkwardness vanished immediately and things felt like normal. We all couldn't stop talking about how wierd it felt having the whole family back together.

I spoke with robbie later that night and we were discussing the meaning of christmas. Coincidentally robbie spoke of the meaning of christmas as a time to forget all mistakes and learn to forgive and love that person, that it was a time to unite in the unconditional love that is family. I couldn't do that for my own father. What robbie had described was exactly what my mother was trying to do for the pathetic shell that is my father, and I couldn't even open my heart once to the man who brought me into this world, not even on Christmas. I guess this is a missed opportunity that I will always regret.

The rest of Christmas day (to those who are still reading, hehe I don't blame you if you decide to go "Back" and finding something more interesting to read ^_^;;) was enjoyable. The girls and I cooked with Mom and we all had a nice dinner together. Then we opened presents. The best feeling in the world was watching Mom's face light up when she saw the Ipod nano that melissa, daniela and I pitched in to get. We all got very good gifts, I got mostly clothes and little trinkets. To be honest, I was just glad to be back with my family and I really didn't care if I got that many presents. I guess the whole allure of receiving gifts slowly vanishes with age.

Then immediately after opening presents and cleaning all the leftover wrapping papers and dishes, almost everyone got on their cellphones (save for daniela who went straight to her gameboy sp with a new pokemon guidebook from santa, the ruby game has left her stumped so many times poor thing lol). I went down my whole contact list and called everyone I could to wish them a quick "merry christmas" ^^. It's nice to hear your friends' voice on the holidays, I hope we keep doing that for years to come ^^.

Well that was christmas...yes I do realize that it has been a while and I should have written this a long time ago but hey, this one is for the books.

I wish everyone the best of luck on finals!!!

hey guys
after much deliberation and thought and under extremely challenging circumstances I've made a decision for myself that might be my most "smartest" (according to melissa)

I've decided I'm not going to live on campus next semester. I've had a full year here and that should be enough time to get me back on my feet and get me used to how University of Maryland works. Its just the costs are way too high and I should never have thought that I could get too comfortable here. So yeah, I'm gonna finally finally FINALLY get my license and drive here. It's the best thing for my family and most importantly me (hehe). so yeah...details later

WOO HOO!!!!
GOT MY $80.00 DOLLARS BACK THAT THAT SON-0F-A-BITCH STOLE FROM ME!!!

*feel like dancing*

everyone cross their fingers for state of emergency snow storm like the one we had few years back :3

UGH GOD SO DAMN BORED

This is the disadvantage of working during the weekend: no time for shit u wanna do. Whether it's spending time with my sisters, a sudden urge to do racquetball, go shopping for clearance items, or just simply for the sake of wanting sex I just don't have time anymore. grrr!!! oh well, it's not like I'm pissed or anything. I'm just kinda sad at noticing the lack of free time I have. But FFX-2 soundtrack is keeping me in a uppity mood.

Someone rented charlie and the chocolate factory @ my dorm. I'm tempted to watch it now.

Well here was this weekend. Friday, went through hell with metro and buses just to get to work (I lost one of my cute pink gloves but I made it to work on time! Touka Koukan) Once I got home I pretty much collapsed ^^;

Saturday. Cleaned my room and now it looks bitchin' and helped around the house. Although my original plans were to go see robbie for a little one on one time ^_~ but sadly no luck ;_; Went with Leila to the mall since we all had to do some christmas shopping. We met up with Byron and Gabe there. It was pretty fun, being the cheapass I am I didn't buy much except for christmas cards (packs @ 20% off and buy two third one free) at Waldenbooks. We also went to Red Robin for some quick eats, it was my first time going to the Red Robin in the mall. It was pretty good, I wasn't too hungry so all I got was clam chowder soup. Then we headed back and leila dropped robbie and I off @ his house. We talked about personal stuff, cuddled and then I had to head back to work. God my sex drive is practically draining out of me!!!!! Work was as well as can be expected.

Sunday - HAD TO WAKE UP AND GO TO WORK AT 8 FRIGGIN A.M. FOR A EARLY BIRD CROWD THAT NEVER CAME!!!! Thanks to Robbie for being my alarm clock *chu!*, I had to get up @ 6:45 cuz my managers are indirect assholes. I mean seriously, I can't keep working CLOSING - CLOSING - OPENING. I don't care if I have to take one for the team if no one else can work those hours but EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND?!?!, it's too friggin inconvenient. Must say something *_*. Plus I hate it when I have to come to work and my bosses tell me that I'll be the only cashier up cuz 4 or 5 people called out of work "sick." MOTHER******!!! *meeeeep...* To look on the positive side, this morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. it was like a paid nap ;3

and now I'm here...tired from the metro ride...still wanting sex...yeah...hehehe....I may as well just go and walk it off. Ja matta ne!

well let's see...first order of business: an intriguing first entry! but what to write about? well, the whole purpose of this new lj is for me to stop being a quiet, shy person and speak my mind. OK then...hmm...

My apartment mates and I just did secret santas. I'm not allowed to tell who it is I got but I have to go shopping this weekend and get her present. Let's see, I know she likes vodka....alot lol.

SO yeah I've just renovated myself completely (electronically anywayz) like if u go see my facebook is completely changed and so has this lj. I would have to say the reason for all this would have to be cuz I discovered something about myself yesterday. I finally realized what everyone was talking about when they said I should grow more balls or be more gutsy. I should. I'm actually kind of tired of being quiet little giselle who is easily interrupted and easily ditched. The reason I'm so quiet I guess is cuz I've developed this fear of sounding out of place or stupid. Well, I'm tired of always acting afraid of what others will think of me and I'm gonna be more open. No one wants to look for an quiet introvert so I wanna act more myself because I know that's not who I am. Forgive me though I have this fear that people won't like me or look at me the same once I begin to be more open but then again, maybe I'm just becoming as outspoken as everyone else I've noticed seems to be. It's not that I don't trust you it's just I'm still getting over that fear of sounding stupid or like an outspoken bitch. Well, I'm learning to swallow that fear up and I'm gonna speak all the time now! It took someone who was too accepting of me to help me know that I wanted to change, and that really helped me want to break free of my timid shell. Oh God someone shoot me I'm beginning to sound Gabe-dramatic.

Hi Hi!

Brand new journal! Band new layout! Brand new name!
It feels great to start anew

<td align="center" style="background: #000000; color: #FFFFFF;">Giselle's Random Movie Quote:

'Here's looking at you kid.'

- Rick, Casablanca

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>