I'm impressed if you're actually reading this after I haven't updated my blog in 9 months! To simplify things, I won't be using this site anymore. You can find me on www.friendster.com/ameliafe or www.myspace.com/ameliafe for future blogging. Bye!

Okay, life has been quite busy and I have neglected my own blog. I need to catch up and read everyone else's blogs too! I will eventually share pictures and other details about life.

But for now, I'm just going to ask for some prayers as I'm trying to make some relatively significant life decisions. Nothing huge nor a reason to worry, I just feel a littly paralyze right now and am not sure what to do.

On a lighter note, I had a nice birthday. Received some fun messages. My salon family had a fun "Happy Birthday" strewn (?) across my cube and a tasty marizan cake (SO yum!) And a client even tipped me $10. Wow, 2 days in a row I, the receptionist, got tipped. Life is good...it's the little things that make me happy these days.

I didn't feel like running outside, so today was an elliptical day. The heart rate is pretty low these days...or maybe I just need to work harder? Anyway, my health--nothing to worry about thus far, another thing to be thankful for. I hope I got my daddy's strong genes. He just turned 64 last week, and seemed to pass the stress test with flying colors.

A few folks who I sing with in the VA Consort sang Christmas carols at a Hospice Home this afternoon. It felt good to bring a little Christmas joy to those living there, their friends and families and those who care for them.

My friend Becky who used to sing in the Consort gave me a tiara to borrow and wear at tonight's dress rehearsal. I felt silly at first. Okay, not really, I wore it with pride! I became the center of many jokes this evening, which I think we all needed considering we knew we had a tedious 3 hour rehearsal ahead of us. The singing of Happy Birthday by about 100 singers was the most impressive I've personally heard/received.

This year was an improvement. I think last year grocery shopping was the big event on Dec. 1. I honestly wasn't expecting today to be different than any other day, but thanks to those who pleasantly surprised me! I'll have to tell Becky how much people treat you differently when you wear a tiara--I can't remember ever receiving so many smiles and well-wishes from people I don't even know!

That was my day. I think next year my b-day will fall on a Friday. I will begin planning an exciting weekend trip for myself--no weddings, no going where family wants me to go. I will allow myself 72 hours of selfishness and will save $2/day for the next 365 days. I plan to have fun entering my 30s!

Sorry friends...haven't been online much these days. When I get a chance, I'll be sure to post a couple pictures from this past Halloween weekend. I was The Queen Bee...complete with a big ol' beehive on my head (yes, created out of my own hair).

Other than that, life isn't too exciting. Wish I had more to share. I updated my website. Started painting my master bathroom. Running more again. Can only squeak out 4 miles, but I'm working on it! Anyone up for doing the Charlottesville 10-miler and/or 1/2 marathon in April 2006?

I've met a couple nice boys, but I won't go into that in TOO much detail...you just never know who is reading this!

Good times...

This past weekend was fun and productive.

I stayed in Friday night, knowing that I had to go from working all day Sat. to preparations for my friend Laurel's 80s Prom Party! I watched a little Smallville, and then I'm embarrassed to say what I did next, alone, on a Fri. night. I busted out my dad's "Magic Sing"--the karaoke microphone. I found myself singing the Carpenters, Whitney Houston and Madonna while my cat watched me in shock. And I didn't sing these selections just once. Oh no. With this new toy I can alter the key, tempo, reverb, the works! I was getting myself into the 80s zone.

Saturday, the prom dress I bought from Goodwill came out (with added bedazzle-age to the large bow in the front). Laurel and I decorated her boyfriend's basement, complete with a backdrop for photos. The blue eyeliner and eye shadow were applied. I brushed my (now permed) hair. Alas, this was the first time I tried brushing my very thick curly hair, and it seemed to have defied gravity. Once we calmed the hair down several inches and wiped the blue make-up streaming down my face, the mall bangs wre created. I was transformed into the perfect minority Molly Ringwald minus an Andrew McCarthy.

Skip to Sunday afternoon. After watching a few episodes of yet more Smallville, I painted my half bathroom a lovely, soothing blue. I'm happy with the final product, except my type A self has trouble sleeping knowing that the part of the wall behind the tiolet was unreachable and hence, unpainted and white.

Where does the time go? Well a brief update. That weekend I was feeling undecisive...I was able to make time to clean and watch 24 before heading out to the bar night. Good times had by all, even got to brush up on my pool-playing skills. I actually stayed out until 1am, a rare thing indeed.

I was in Portland, OR this past weekend for the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. Had a great time and the weekend went by way to quickly.

More details later, but I thought I should post a little something since it's been a while. I think I'm going to move my bloggage to another place. I'm not a huge fan of the navigation set-up here, or maybe I can figure out how to change it. Any suggestions? I know some of you use blogspot or xanga? Definitely want free and user friendly.

Must go teach soon...ttfn

Someone decide for me...what should I do? You know how I like to plan in advance, and I'm feeling indecisive. My options for a Friday night:
A. Stay home. Watch more episodes of 24. (Netflix is the beginning of the end of my social life)
B. It's alumni weekend for UVA crew. A coach friend invited me to the bar night to benefit the men's crew--hmmm, always fun to meet new people, esp. if there will possibly be single, straight, age appropriate men present. (I never have such opportunities when hanging with theater/choral types)
C. Paint my bathroom. (I purchased some exciting green paint, "Sweet Annie" a sort of sage green)
D. Clean my home in preparation for visiting family this weekend. (although I'm sure any cleaning job won't be satisfactory for my mom, she'll clean again when she gets here...that's our ritual)
E. DDR (only if I have company to play with me!)
F. Wash my car (seriously, I've been putting it off for a while)

On a somewhat more exciting note, I was hired today by another music studio in town. I'm leaving Music & Arts Center--on good terms after being with them 2-3 yrs. They said they will continue to refer voice students to me at my new location. The owner of the studio said that in the 19 years they have been in business, I'm the first voice teacher applicant she's felt comfortable hiring--I was pretty flattered! I won't share all the long boring details discussed at the interview, but I have a good feeling about working with this staff, the facilities and financial arrangements are better, and I'll stop wasting money at the Starbucks next door when I have time to kill before or between lessons. I'm excited about the change.

I heart you if you have continued reading my blog up to this point. I'll try to share more juicy updates that will keep you better entertained and informed. Time for bed. Depending on what happens this weekend, perhaps I'll have some fun stories to share. Maybe I'll open a new song on the DDR, meet a new boy, or discover a new handy painting tool.

About the race: Wye Island Regatta
Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2005
12.4 miles, approx. 1 1/2 hr. long race
Weather sunny, hot and humid!
Our race didn't start until 11 or 11:30, so we were pretty toasty!

Final results (with the age handicap), my boat finished 4th out of 7 or 8 boats, only 13 seconds behind 3rd place (the other boat from our club). Not bad considering: A) most rowers were novices, for some this was their first race ever; B) a rigger broke only 10 minutes into the race, so we ended up rowing with only 7 people instead of 8. I think someone said that without the handicap, we our actual finish time was faster than other boats...I'm waiting for them to publish the results online so I can see for myself. Anyway, we're pretty happy with how we did!

The other races we went to this summer were sprints, only 1000 meters, so like 4 minutes or so. Oddly enough, I think I like the longer endurance events better.

So I need to do some cross training for next season, I don't like knowing I've been in better shape in the past. Anyone up for training for some running races? I think I'll train for the C-ville 10 miler again, and if anyone is interested, maybe we can do a race in DC or Baltimore? Long term goal, maybe Bay to Breakers in SF and the Rock and Roll half or full marathon in Arizona. It's been too long since my Chicago 1/2, need to get my act together again!

I just got home from a "sort of" 2nd date. Long story... Anyway, in a nutshell, it was great. Dinner at Blue Light Grill. A shortish night since we both are working in the AM, and he was at work last night until 6am, slept a few hours then was back at work at 10:15am. I could blab more about our evening, but I won't bore you. Besides, my latest DVDs arrived from Netflix--more episodes of 24!! Must watch at least one before bed!

I bought another fish. A bicolor pseudo to be specific. It needs a name. Small, long and thin, the head is yellow, body purple, the in between part magenta.

My 2 damsels are Willow 2 and Xander 2 (the originals died before the move)--so these are the replacements. Spike (the puffer fish) also died, I hope to get another in the not too distant future. Any one catching on to the theme? I almost got an Angel fish--heehee, but they were all too big for my tank. Should I have a Buffy or Drusilla first? Any votes?

I really did mean to be productive once I got out of work and do some work for my studio...I do that now. Good bye.

We have a race Sat. AM in Annapolis. I'm going to try and arrive in NoVA on Friday, 5:30 PMish in time for a Happy Hour and maybe dinner with my sis at Cafe Asia in Rosslyn(I think). Anyone care to join in the fun?

Will be back from MD late Sat. afternoon--hopefully hanging with the Nora in Pentagon City.

Sunday morning go to church then my usual brunch at Monroes in Alexandria.

I'm giving more than 2 minutes notice. I hope you are proud of me!! :)