Life

A New Chapter

2008-02-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

And so begins a new chapter in my life. It feels like so much time has passed in the last 2 years. A LOT has happened, and honestly not all of it is something I even want to talk about anymore. I'm sure a therapist would say "it's bad to repress things" but some things just hurt to much to think about sometimes. Maybe another day then hmm?

I'm engaged to the love of my life, and couldn't be more happy about that. Things are finally going the way I had wanted all along. Something clicked, and it all just fell into place. My family is expanding one baby at a time. I feel like I hardly know any of them anymore. It's hard to be so far away and know that you'll just have to start saving for that 2 week trip because any less is not enough time at all. I know some of it is my fault, I've ended up distancing myself from everyone really focusing all I can on making my life work right. To those I have pushed to the side I'm sorry. I love my family dearly and want nothing more to have all of them close to me because everyone holds a special place in my heart.

I had a real reason for actually writing this post, but I'm not sure I even feel like typing about it anymore. It feels so trivial in retrospect, and everyone has bigger things in life that cause pain. But in good news Reece got the job as a corrections officer and the washington state pen. So he's moving to walla walla, and I.. well I'm staying here. To those who know me I'm sure that says it all and nothing more need to be said. For those who don't well, it's hard to face. I know we'll make it through and in the end I'll probably be stronger for it, but that's not really what I see when I look at it right now. I miss being 8 life was so much easier.

Boarding

2007-03-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm just so..frustrated, I guess is the word. I can't find a job that will work for me, give me the experience I want and actually be decent. It's so easy for me to feel shot down and hopeless, especially when I had such high hopes for something that just didn't work out like I thought it would. I really thought this time I had it and it would work for me because things do and I'm good at making it work, but of course this is the one time things don't work and leave me feeling like it's all a waste. I know it's not, and I've done well with keeping my hopes up. Maybe today they'll call..maybe tomorrow..I look at my phone expecting to see a missed call, and when I do it turns out to be nothing but a disapointment.

I went snowboarding on sunday, which was a total blast..until I bit the dust and everything just hit me at once. I fell a lot, and I've fallen before but not like this. It was one of those falls where you're not sure if you're going to get up, or if you're okay. It's pure shock and a rush of fear and pain. I just started crying. Not really because it hurt so much at that moment, but it was unexpected. I wasn't sure what happened, and I didn't slide I went from racing down the mountain to flat on my face in only an instant. I couldn't breathe for a moment, and I felt like my chest had been reduced to mush. I laid for a while and just took it all in. Then I felt bad about falling and how I shouldn't have so I beat myself up for that too. I kept going after that of course, even went up one more time after. I'm a firm believer in getting back on the horse when you fall off. Otherwise you'll just a)fear it forever or b) regret not trying it one more time just to prove you don't fear it. It was kind of like the time I almost crashed Reece's motorcycle. I cried simply because it happened and it shocked me. Nothing bad happened, I didn't crash and I wasn't hurt. But simply because it happened, and something worse COULD have happened made me cry. I don't know, the mind is a crazy thing.

Jobs

2007-03-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

So I went to a first interview with the company that's placing people in the internship..still haven't heard anything back but I can be hopeful. I'm not sure how fast they're pushing it so I'll give them a little time before I lose all hope on that. Had a phone interview for a technical assistant position at a company that does mostly workers comp insurance claim stuff. I'm not sure what all I'd do but I'll maybe be hearing from her in a few days if she wants me to come for a face to face. So we'll see. My options are open at this point and I'm just wanting to find something that'll get my foot in a good place. Can't help but feeling like it's all not going to work out but that's just me being nervous and impatient.

In other news a year ago yesterday Reece an I were dating (officially..we kind of just picked that day because it was the first dinner date we'd had. I'm sure we could have chosen closer to valentines or something). We didn't do much because it's an early morning day, but I didn't go to school so we spent the evening just hanging out together (our favorite past time). We were going to go to Family Fun Center for 12 dollar tuesday and ride the go carts all night, but it would have been too late for that. I know, it seems corny but it's the little things and that's why we work so well. There aren't expectations for anything big, we just like being together doing things we enjoy. We do enjoy fancy dinners together, but we're saving that for sunday. We're hoping to spend the day up at the mountain and then have dinner at Ring Side in the night hours. I'll have to get all dressed up, which will be fun!! I love being fancy, and i'll have to make him get dressed up too (which is sexy beyond all sexy..gotta love a man in a button up shirt and a tie!!). It's been a great year for us relationship wise. We've made it through some rough times, and learned a lot about each other and us and I couldn't feel any better about our future together.

So here's to a great year and a hopeful future

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

The most AMAZING thing just fell in my lap!!! On the door of my classroom is this thing, and it said something about a medical billing internship..I read down and it would be an extensive introduction to what a job as a biller would be like. I'd get on the job training, as well as my school at night and get paid way more than I do now. I'd have the opportunity to get my foot in the door, have experience and it could possibly lead to a permanent job! And even if I didn't it would be the BEST thing for me because it would boost my resume by a TON and give me that extra oomph and a recomondation that you can't refuse! I know I'll win their hearts if they give me a chance. This could be it, FINALLY a sign that maybe things will work out okay. I mean really..this couldn't have happened at a better time for me. Just when I'd lost hope of anything good from this place, this happens. So hopefully something good will come of it. I'm getting all worked up over it when I shouldn't because if it doesn't happen I'll be more than disappointed, I'll be crushed, again. They don't require any experience so I'm fine there. They'd like bilingual but it's not required. It's a little ways out BUT IT'S WORTH IT!!! I'll sit in traffic and get up early every day I dont' care this could be the best thing that's happened as far as career goes. WISH ME LUCK!!

Jobs

2007-03-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

So I was job searching online all day today. Boy is it tiring!! And so frustrating. I found some neat things but who knows if I'll even get a call. So much of what I'm looking for they already want experience. On our classroom door was a billing and coding aprentiship opprtunity and we'd get paid well and learn LOTS. But it's in lake oswego!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How could I get from here to there and here again witha 9-5 job? It'd never work but it would be an awesomely AMAZING opportunity. I'm sorely tempted to see if I can make it work but I don't know..Not sure if it could be done. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that I find something medically related that works out with my schedule for school!

Coffeeeee

2007-02-25T21:57:00.000-08:00

Been nice not having school for a few days. Kind of lets the mind clear and you can live a little. On the work front they've given me new things to do!! I got to be trained how to make coffee drinks in the cafe so now I can help when they need it. It's fun and they like me there because I like to do things for them that they don't like to do, haha of course. I won't get to be down there much because I'm just back up, but on the days that I do it really makes it a good day.

Reece managed to rustle us up a new lappy! We've got the new 15 in macbook Pro with the glossy screen and it's very perdy. It'll be good to have something that actually works right and doesn't pause for 20min every time you ask it to do something.

Found out that school is going to be longer than originally thought, which sucks in a way but it'll give me more time to maybe find another job close to the field I want to at least have a foot in the door. I talked to meesha brian and chester about school and life and they gave me some good advice for getting through it all. It's great to have such amazing family who gets me through anything and always has something thoughtful and helpful to say. I miss everyone, it makes me sad sometimes knowing I'm missing a whole world down there and the lives of my family and nieces. Hopefully some day I can go back.

Sleeeeeeeep

2007-02-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

Oi, tuesdays are so exausting for me. I have to get up at 5 to be at work by six. I'm on the merch team so I have to go and switch out displays and all that jazz. It's nice because I get to leave early but I'm definately there early. The other people who are there at 6 get to leave at two but I have to stay until three. I'm usually just kind of mulling about trying to avoid doing anything because I'm too tired to think. Then I get a ride home from Reece and we eat a little food before I head out for school at 5. I don't even know how I stay awake in class. Of course I'm no good when I get home because I'll usually end up watching an episode or two of whatever tv show we're on, bad I know. Tonight I'd just like to sleep, we've got things to do tomorrow. I'd really like a new computer. My mac doesn't have enough ram and it's old and blah..that and I'm just obsessed with the new macs so it's a good excuse.

I'm finding more and more that I'm not really sure where school will lead me. It sounds like these jobs are in demand but getting one without prior experience isn't easy and I have no background in anything medical. I feel like I need to work as a receptionist at an office or hospital just to have a foot in the door. I'm not sure though.

Well it's back to class, and hopefully I don't pass out!

Long Time

2007-02-19T17:51:00.000-08:00

Boy oh boy has it really been 3 months? Time flies, especially when you're busy. So last time we had just found a place to live. We're still living there, it's in the ghetto (worse than mom and dad's!!) and the only people that live in our complex are black or mexican. We've had people come pounding on our door at all hours of the day and night mistaking us for our neighbors. We think they were selling drugs, but they got kicked out for being rowdy or something. Our neighbor on the other side gets drunk and comes knocking sometimes, and the people across the way like to smoke weed regularly and have drunken parties with kids. So beside all that it's not so bad. It's a huge place, two bedrooms and one and a half bath. I have so much closet space it's crazy, yet somehow I seem to use it all still.. I don't get a chance to clean much, which I hate because it gets dirty and I hate living in filth (hmm where did I get that from?). We gave up our babies (no no, just cats it's okay) to some really awesome people from my work because we thought we were going to be moving where we couldn't have them. Turns out we didn't have to move after all and we were sad for a while.. Then Reece found something furry and cute and very small and brought it home. And now we have devil spawn, or Tamber as I like to call her when she's being sweet. She cries when she can't see us, even if we just walked from the kitchen to the living room to sit on the couch, she enjoys scaling my leg like a mountain to sit on my hip and watch what I'm doing. Beware of your body parts because if it's there she'll claw it and she has needles in those paws. She's still working on the whole litter box thing (As Reece will tell you from cleaning poop off of various things and washing the blankets often).. All in all she's a pain in my rear, but she's cute sometimes. I leave it up to Reece to deal with her since he found her and brought her home and we didn't get rid of her. I do help when she needs things but I'm mad at her most of the time so I don't like to do anything for her. She enjoys showering with me..yes showering. She'll get all the way into the tub and lick my toes. Weird? Yes very, but she wouldn't be our cat if she wasn't totally messed up.

I'm going to school for Medical Billing and Coding at Apollo college. It's corny cuz it's in a mall, but it's only 11 months and 11 grand so hopefully it'll work out. I get to wear scrubs to school, which is fun, and learn all about medical stuff. Mostly we do insurance and coding types of things. So maybe one of these days I'll be making big bucks in a hospital. I'll let you know if I get that far.

Reece bought me a car so I could get to work and school and home without being raped and robbed. It's been amazingly wonderful so far, even though I just had to cough up 600 for new breaks. But honda's are worth it and they last a lifetime.

We're hoping to move once I graduate and get a job (october or november) to somewhere nicer. We're pondering Vancouver because there are lots of cheap apartments there that are in a nice area and are actually nice (they have pools and spas!) but we're not really sure and since it is so far down the road we're not too worried at the moment. I'm just focusing on trying to pass my class and make enough money at the same time. I work full time and go to school for 4 hours monday through thursday. We have tests almost every week on terminology and in class we plow through material on coding. It's kind of scary doing it all, and really tiring, but hopefully in the end it'll be worth it.

On our days off (which my boss has been kind to me and they actually coincide) we mostly just laze about on the couch doing homework and watching netflix (we've watched rescue me, greys anatomy, some house, lots of movies and are currently on season one of lost). I'm hoping that a few saturdays a month, at the least, we'll be able to watch Rae's kids while her and Tom go out on a date. I miss seeing babies and I'm sure they miss dating! It'll be good catch up time and a fun change of pace..

Mostly I just miss people. I don't see a whole lot of anyone, even Reece sometimes. I get only part days off because of school, and I work every other day. I won't be able to take any real vacations during school because I can't afford to miss a night. I'm sad that I don't get to see all my little nieces grow up, but hopefully sometime in the future I'll get down there or maybe even move one day!!

So I think that catches things up, and hopefully I can find a little snitch of time to keep things updated, maybe even some pictures!

Home Sweet Home

2006-10-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

So we finally landed a place to live (yay!) and it's not under a bridge in downtown thankfully. It's kinda far out (162nd and burnside) but it's RIGHT on the max (I can see it from our window) and it's cheaper, twice the size, and nice. We're dreading moving on the 15th of nov just because it totally sucks and it's a little bit of a drive so it'll take some time (I'm not even sure I can get the day off to help!). The only downside is there is so much space we dont have anything to fill it with! We're looking for a cheap washer and dryer because there are hookups in the unit, also a table of sorts and any sort of chairs because we have a kitchen area now. Yay for actually being able to eat at a real table for once. The cats are going to love the space to race around in, and the cat box no longer has to be in the kitchen (thank god). Overall we're really excited about it, other than the moving part, and are hoping it'll all work out. Craigslist is showing many options for a decent washer/dryer for 100 or so, and hopefully we can rustle up the cash to snag one when we move.
Glad everything has worked out well in my relationship life as well. No one thought it was smart to move in together after such a short time, everyone predicted it would end badly, yet every day we grow closer and experience more together that brings us together. We're so comfortable with each other and just enjoy each other's presence so much it's crazy. We're so alike in a lot of ways that we just know each other and work with that to mesh and avoid conflict. Don't even really have words for it, just glad things worked out the way they did.

New

2006-10-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

So work is still going well. I'm getting more used to the physical aspect so it's not as draining. We're coming into the holiday season which I hear is complete chaos so that'll be exciting haha. They're hiring like 5 people this weekend, getting all the temps ready to help out. It'll be fun to have even more people there AND people who know less than me haha.

We're looking for a new apartment right now, and that's anything but fun. It's stressing Reece out which I hate, but we have to do it. Our rent for this place is going up, and I make less money so we need something cheaper. We found somewhere it's 2 bdrm townhouse for like 650 which is really nice, and it's 2 blocks from the max which is super for me being carless and all. We're going to look at it today, so I'm trying to keep my hopes up. I don't think it's out of our league but we'll see eh? It'd be great for the cats and us. Having all the up front money to take care of deposites and so on is what's worrying Reece. He's very aware if finances and is analyzing it to death. He's thinking of selling his bike which I won't let him do because it's been his dream and he finally got it. Plus it'd be party my fault that he had to, and I know he wouldn't mean to or want to but I'd feel like he'd resent me just a little for it, even if he never showed it. We'll exhaust our other options first. Well I now have both cats laying on my chest and I really can't see the computer screen so I think that's a sign that I need to be done.

Ha!

2006-10-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ooo no one could have guessed that I'd actually enjoy this job! It's fun, and comfortable. It fits and I'm..yes yes it's true..Happy! The people that work there are super cool and helpful and they are all like family and I fit in just fine. Books are nice to be around, and the kinds of people that go to a book store are interesting too. I'm still learning the ropes but I think I'm learning fast and doing really well. I hope this all turns out to work, it seems like I'll be getting plenty of hours (the two other people that were supposed to be hired with me didn't come) and the money will turn out fine. The best feeling of all is being on my feet all day (odd to say haha) and come home feeling tired, not because I was sitting at a desk doing nothing, but because I was moving and active and actually wore myself out. I sleep better, and sitting down doesn't feel like a crime, which means I GET TO READ AGAIN! I haven't read a book in ages because I feel guilty just sitting..but now I sit and enjoy relaxing with a good book and coffee!! Ahhh I could do this forever, but I'm still planning to go to school. I need to make sure this all pans out but hopefully in a few months I'll get it started. I'll miss borders though, it's just a wonderful environment. So nice to not be in a depressed mood all the time, I love that all this worked out for me so quickly, and I trusted myself to make the right choices. Guess what everyone is getting for christmas? Haha yeah..

Borders

2006-09-29T08:52:00.001-07:00

So a long story short would be that I quit Cingular, got a job at Borders books and plan on going to school sometime in the next few months for Medical Billing and Coding/ Administrative assistant.

The long part involves all the termoil behind that. So over the last week I've been thinking, and finally figured out what I want to do with my life. At last the search is over!! It only took me what, 18 years? Anywho, I decided I wanted to be a Medical administrative assistant (the person behind the front desk taking charts names etc) with an emphasis on billing and coding (makes me more money). So I started searching for schools and found one, Apollo College, that will take 9 to 11 months to complete and then help place me in a job if I want. They say they have good financial aid, I'm looking into it so we'll see. Cingular I hated more than anything and knew I had to quit if not for my sanity, then for school because the hours didn't work. Found a job at Borders books and they were hiring for this weekend so I applied got two interviews and the job within two days! A new record for me. In any case I'm really excited about working in a book store, and mom and dad of course won't mind visiting haha. I'm worried about money because I'm not sure the pay and hours will be enough but I'm hoping it will turn out. We may end up moving into a cheaper place if we can find one. We're not sure and any ideas would be helpful as long as still possible. I have to keep in mind I need to be able to get to work and school without a car. Both are on the max line so that's great for me. Feel bad pushing reece into this but I think it'll be okay, and he's really been super supportive which is wonderful because I've finally found something I want to do with myself. He's going to go to school soon too we hope, and I'll help him out as much as I can. Anywho, that's my story. I hope I haven't screwed myself but I'm pumped for now so at least that'll keep me going. I'll do what I have to, to make things work but I think this was the best choice for me right now. Thoughts would be nice from anyone!

Borders

2006-09-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Peek-a-boo!

2006-09-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

Finally!! I've been trying to login to blogger for ages but because they introduced a google version it wanted me to sign up for another one. Anywho, so here is a recap of life so far. Been working out on the main floor at Cingular for a week now. I've been making their stats for most of the days which is a good sign. I found a groove so I just do the same thing over and over and can make it quick and efficient. Can't say I enjoy it, but really who's surprised? I have trouble finding something I'm really interested in enough to enjoy it for any period of time. I think I'm a tester. Because I don't know what I want, I want to try a little of everything just to see, because it seems silly to do all the work towards something only to find out you don't really like it. Not that I ever thought I'd work towards working in a call center but hey, it pays good for now. The other day I was thinking how much I'd rather be working at hollywood video, and that's saying something. I guess it's just life though, I feel like nothing I do is ever good enough for myself. I can't settle on liking one thing for a significant period of time. It's almost like I need to just go through a temp agency and get a different job every day. Unfortunately that's not reliable and I need reliable cash right now. But on the upside of things, I got to learn to ride a yamaha R6 crotch rocket. Crazy business there, and I had my scare but it's still fun. Reece is lucky to have it, and I'm glad that I could help him out and cover what he couldn't. It's been a life dream for him, so I thought it'd be nice to help make it happen no? I need to work on just getting a car and license before I even go there. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook on things. Been looking into going to school for something, but I'm running into a big wall as usual figuring out what I want to go for. I was kind of thinking a medical receptionist or something, you know the people in the front office to make you fill out nasty forms, file, take calls and so on. I think it'd be fun. But I'd also like to be a kindergarten teacher. Unfortunately it's not something I'd like to persue in oregon due to the current situation with schools and making no money there.

I'm excited, today I get to go babysit for Rae and Tom so that'll be fun. I miss fam, and my babies. Can't wait for Thanksgiving when Brian and Christina and Juliette come up! I haven't seen them in a long while, and Juliette is going to be so huge! Today is laundry day though, so I must retire to the laundry room and make sure my clothes are getting dry.

Life? Ha

2006-08-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

My first weekend after my very first week of work..oi what a boring two days. Work is crazy, only because there is so much information I feel overloaded. It certainly seems like I could never do the job well, but I've still got three more weeks in the classroom and then a lovely four more weeks in transition actually doing calls. I don't know, I hate the hours and I have no life now. I hated my other job enough to leave though, I'm just not sure how long I can do this. I'll certainly find out after two months I guess. I just feel like it's hurting everything I had going for me. All my work on building my friend relationships again lost because no one can match hours and I'm just not the stay out late party every night girl so that leaves out doing anything after work. I see my boyfriend for about an hour a day if I'm lucky..that doesn't include sleep, I guess I should start counting that since it's the only extended period of time we have together. But I'm not worried about us at all, we'll work through it somehow. It's nice to know that I've got him behind me no matter what I do. The most interesting thing I've done, lately, is shop for new clothes for work. I have the unfortunate ability to choose things that I can't wear at work (but it's all so cute, how could I say no?!). I DO like the business look though, so I have fun looking classy, older, and very sexy all at the same time. I adore my hair, it finalizes the perfect look for me. I guess going darker is what I needed all along. Not to mention since I dyed it it's been softer because of the conditioner I found, so straightening it is better and all around it's just nicer, feels thinner too. I am so rambling right now, I had way to much coffee and haven't done anything to expend that energy, so my fingers are getting a nice work out typing at 100 mph. So I'll wrap this up with a bit about my baby (The cat! No one freak out). She's growing so fast it's crazy. She eats a lot too, but isn't getting fat so that's good. She's starting to talk, which is more than adorable. She cries too when she thinks I'm gone. I was laying on the couch and she was sleeping under it, she came out and ran towards the door crying because she didn't see me and thought I'd left. She came bounding back when she heard me call. It's so nice to feel needed. She's doing the favoring mommy act. She's great with Reece when I'm gone, but when I come home she becomes a terror, and then will only give me kisses (yes she gives kisses, it's too cute). She sleeps next to me at night, just like cruiser she has to burrow underneath the blankets and cozy up close. I love everything I have an everyone in my life, I feel so lucky to have such a great family, boyfriend, and kitty.

Cingular

2006-08-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well first days are always boring with all the techicalities involved. Paperwork, things to sign, managers to meet, tours to get, emergency evacuations to practice etc. But we did learn a little about the company, how much they pride themselves in their success, and of course what the next four weeks entails for us. Some perks are free parking downtown, or a free bus pass every month, free cell service down the road, and a 30% discount on cingular products. Okay enough with all the boring stuff..my trainer is CRAZY. More like annoying, in that (and anyone who has ever watched south park with appreciate this) almost every sentence is ended with "Mmmmkay". In the elevator room you get severe virtigo, they think it's because of the enclosed room and the pressure from the elevator shafts, but it's totally trippy and made me think I was going insane. They have free coffee, which is a nice perk. Always need that, although with starting so late in the day I'm not needing it as much as I'd think. I feel surprisingly awake and refreshed. I got home around 9:10 and went to bed around 10. I was really awake but was able to fall asleep without too much difficulty. I was surprised not to feel exausted after work, and to wake up feeling very awake and refreshed. We'll see how long this lasts, but for now it's nice not to feel tired so much.

And so it begins..

2006-07-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

So today is the big day. I'm excited, like I am on the first day of school, with the knowing dread that I'll end up hating it later. But I'm giving it a chance to be good and turn out to be something I enjoy rather than dread every day. Bad part is the hours, I plan on getting up with Reece but he is up around 7 am at the latest which means I have from then until 11:30 to do..something. Haven't quite figured it out yet. Today I just cleaned house and paid bills and so on, but that's not going to work every day. I'm hoping to work out again. It's just so boring by myself and I'd have to go from the gym to work which sucks too because I don't like getting ready there. I suppose it could work. Everyone else makes it work, it's just not what I'm into. I'd rather do fun things for exercise. So hard to get up and do it, especially with such a cute kitten laying on my chest (taking a break from running crazily about the house, trying to play with everything I'm doing). I attempted to post some pictures on my gallery, but only got a few before it wouldn't work anymore. So if you'd like to see some pictures of the apartment http://www.macfamily.net/jessi/gallery/ . I'm working on getting some from the roof pics to give you a feel of how awesome it is to have roof access in downtown portland. In the mean time I'm going to see if I can eat something before I go. Enjoy me as the infamous Marilyn Monroe. Doesn't even look like me huh?

Hair Craze

2006-07-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

So about a week ago, I went to this benefit thing where you get make overs and all sorts of other neat things. There was a hair dresser there who was promoting his business by doing free hair cuts/dos. Well he decided he really wanted to try something on my hair, and this is how I turned out. He just HAD to have me look like Marilyn Monroe. I must say he did a good job with the hair. After this picture he made me get my make-up re-done so I actually DID look like her. It was kind of creepy. When I get those photos I'll put some up. Mom commented that I didn't even look like me. I also dyed my hair not too long after this, I'll have to find some decent photos of that to post. It's kind of a darker brown with red tints in it. Actually looks pretty natural which I thought was interesting.

Beautious

2006-07-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

I got the most wonderful point and click camera today, and it came with a printer that you put the memory card into and it prints real photos right there for you!!! (it was $99, but the mail in rebate of $100 made it free!). It is a Exilim. Pretty much the casio version of the canon elf..it was $50 cheaper and had more functions and better quality soo...why not hmm?! I hope to be posting LOTS of pictures, and I'm going to really get into my scrapbooking now because I can actually print out nice pictures really easily. Don't be jealous of my printer, hehe it's open for use. Meanwhile I'll let you enjoy our cute little devil kitten.