Via AllThingsAlishan

Officially Gallbladderless!

Hey, blogosphere!

Sorry I've been missing, I had my gallbladder removed on Thursday! I've since been quite sore and lazy on the couch. I promise to be a better blogger again, soon.

:)

Horrifying.

A man walked into an LA Fitness right outside of Pittsburgh last night, went into the cardio room, turned off the lights, and starting shooting. As of this afternoon, 4 women are confirmed dead and 9 other wounded.

My Mom and Aunt go to this gym. Thank GOD, none of them were there last night. Being in Raleigh, the moment I heard about it (on Twitter of all places!) I was a mess. I called my Mom in a panic, but she was home completely oblivious to what happened. She immediately called my Aunt and she was okay, too. I logged into Facebook to see that a girl I went to college with was supposed to be in the class the killer shot in to. Amazingly, she was tied up and unable to attend class. Her fiance was at the gym, but on the other side and escaped unscathed.

Another friend was neighbors with one of the victims. She was an older woman who lived alone, and another neighbor had to identify her.

I am still in a state of shock and disbelief. This man, in his selfishness took away not only lives of innocent women, but our piece of mind.

He had a blog, that you could only view if you correctly guess his birth and death date. Obviously, no one had read it before today. He blamed women, and his lack of a girlfriend or sex since 1982 for his misery. He hated the world, and planned to do this since November 2008, even taking a loaded gun to the gym on a previous occasion but "chickened-out". He blamed his absentee Father, and his bullying older brother for a life of solitude. Apparently there are 30 million single women in this country, and they all rejected him, so it CAN'T be his fault! He works out, he takes care of himself!

I've heard people say they feel bad for him. I am not one of those people. If this man had no self-worth and couldn't go on living, then fine, take your own life. But to plan a brutal attack on innocent women because you can't get laid? Screw that. You are NOT going to heaven, Jesus is NOT waiting for you at the pearly gates, and God is NOT forgiving you. You sir, will rot in hell for all of eternity. F*ck yourself.

My thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

You can read more about it here -- WTAE.com

Things To Look Forward To

-- Date night with the boy :)

-- Dinner with a friend Tuesday

-- A trip home to Pittsburgh in 2 weeks for a wedding(I am a huge fan of planning, be it trips, outfits, meals, etc.)

-- Friends visiting!! :)

-- Another trip home to Pittsburgh 3 weeks after that for yet another wedding

-- A trip back to Philly (we lived there for 2 years)! I can't wait to grab a slice of Lorenzo's pizza on South Street!

Oh the planning I'll do....

Vegas: In Pictures

We stayed at my favorite casino, The Hard Rock! The only gripe I have is that it's off the strip which means cabbing it everywhere.
The gorgeous ceiling @ The Bellagio lobby. I need this in my bedroom!
Vegas night life!
We walked a mile in 105 degree heat for In N Out burger! It was my first time, and it was even better than I had imagined. The shake on the right is from the "Secret Menu", the Neapolitan Shake -- a perfect combo of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Mmmmm. (For the record, we took a cab back)

Sandy toes at The Hard Rock pool!

Hello There!

Apologies for the lack of posts, I've been enjoying my summer vacation of a visit home and Vegas! Posting to resume as normal shortly :)

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.