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INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2,1,'2010-05-09 16:40:14','2010-05-09 20:40:14','&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:  a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.  2:  She is no longer waiting around for Happily Ever After to show up.  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  3:  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\"><strong><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust): </a></strong> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/\r\nuplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\"><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\">Chapter Two:  The Year of Play:  </a></strong>1.  an infinitely saner 52 playdate project in which our heroine appeases her inner child by frolicking, romping, sparkling, and flitting.</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous Almond Milk Lattes made with 2 shots of the World\'s Best <a href=\"http://www.espressovero.com/attibassi_products.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Italian Espresso</strong></a> and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Talk to Me.</strong></a>\r\n\r\nIf you are feeling super feisty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>share your play idea for my 52 Playdates project</strong></a><strong>.</strong> I have 52 slots to fill, and I only have a few ideas at the moment.  Bring it!\r\n\r\nLast year, I embarked on a 365 day project dubbed \"The Year of Living Curiously\".  I injected one soul-scintillating curiosity into each day for a year.  Somehow I balanced work, life, blog and a rescue puppy without having a major meltdown.  (Although my mother has reminded me of a few mini \"episodes\".)  You can read about what evolved into the best year of my life (so far) <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, <del>as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products</del> because after an <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/03/day-215-you-know-what-happens-on-whale-watching-tours-right/\" target=\"_blank\">\"experience\" in Santa Barbara</a></strong>, I would more than likely need an IV drip of Dramamine.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','publish','closed','closed','','about','','','2012-04-01 10:45:56','2012-04-01 17:45:56','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/?page_id=2',0,'page','',0),(11,1,'2010-06-13 23:35:20','2010-06-13 23:35:20','','flowerBG','','inherit','open','open','','flowerbg','','','2010-06-13 23:35:20','2010-06-13 23:35:20','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/flowerBG.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(22,1,'2010-06-16 02:38:08','2010-06-16 02:38:08','','flowerBG','','inherit','open','open','','flowerbg-2','','','2010-06-16 02:38:08','2010-06-16 02:38:08','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/flowerBG1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(18,1,'2010-06-14 02:36:24','2010-06-14 02:36:24','','DiaryLogo','','inherit','open','open','','diarylogo','','','2010-06-14 02:36:24','2010-06-14 02:36:24','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DiaryLogo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(29,1,'2010-06-18 00:01:37','2010-06-18 00:01:37','','flowerBG2','','inherit','open','open','','flowerbg2','','','2010-06-18 00:01:37','2010-06-18 00:01:37','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/flowerBG2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(63,1,'2010-06-27 01:28:15','2010-06-27 01:28:15','','flowerBG3','','inherit','open','open','','flowerbg3','','','2010-06-27 01:28:15','2010-06-27 01:28:15','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/flowerBG3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(67,1,'2010-06-27 01:42:25','2010-06-27 01:42:25','','portraitSmall','','inherit','open','open','','portraitsmall','','','2010-06-27 01:42:25','2010-06-27 01:42:25','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/portraitSmall.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(77,1,'2010-06-27 02:04:35','2010-06-27 02:04:35','','Final2049','','inherit','open','open','','final2049','','','2010-06-27 02:04:35','2010-06-27 02:04:35','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Final2049.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1135,1,'2010-10-10 19:01:46','2010-10-11 02:01:46','<p>I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful states in our great nation.  I think we might also have the most diverse landscapes of any of the other 49 states. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I awoke on Day 24 in the Sonoran Desert, which is actually quite stunning. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 2 hour drive from Captain Adventure\'s house, we reveled in the Red Rocks of Sedona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After another 30 minute drive, we hiked a pine forest trail in Flagstaff (trail elevation 9600 ft.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As you can see, if you can tolerate 115 temps for a few months, this state is your oyster. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 25:  Sedona Woo Woo and Other Adventures','','inherit','open','open','','1108-revision-2','','','2010-10-10 19:01:46','2010-10-11 02:01:46','',1108,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/10/1108-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(98,1,'2010-09-01 21:09:49','2010-09-01 21:09:49','','blog','','inherit','open','open','','97-revision','','','2010-09-01 21:09:49','2010-09-01 21:09:49','',97,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/blog',0,'revision','',0),(97,1,'2010-09-01 21:09:59','2010-09-01 21:09:59','','blog','','publish','open','open','','blog','','','2010-09-04 17:30:11','2010-09-04 17:30:11','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com',0,'page','',0),(102,1,'2012-04-01 10:40:42','2012-04-01 17:40:42','&nbsp;\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:  a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.  2:  She is no longer waiting around for Happily Ever After to show up.  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  3:  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\"><strong><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust): </a></strong> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/\nuplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\"><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\">Chapter Two:  The Year of Play:  </a></strong>1.  an infinitely saner 52 playdate project in which our heroine appeases her inner child by frolicking, romping, sparkling, and flitting.</p>\n&nbsp;\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\n<!--          -->\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\n\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\n\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Talk to Me.</strong></a>\n\nIf you are feeling super feisty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>share your play idea for my 52 Playdates project</strong></a><strong>.</strong> I have 52 slots to fill, and I only have a few ideas at the moment.  Bring it!\n\nLast year, I embarked on a 365 day project dubbed \"The Year of Living Curiously\".  I injected one soul-scintillating curiosity into each day for a year.  Somehow I balanced work, life, blog and a rescue puppy without having a major meltdown.  (Although my mother has reminded me of a few mini \"episodes\".)  You can read about what evolved into the best year of my life (so far) <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\n	<li>\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, <del>as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products</del> because after an <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/03/day-215-you-know-what-happens-on-whale-watching-tours-right/\" target=\"_blank\">\"experience\" in Santa Barbara</a></strong>, I would more than likely need an IV drip of Dramamine.</div></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-autosave','','','2012-04-01 10:40:42','2012-04-01 17:40:42','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/blog',0,'revision','',0),(103,1,'2010-09-03 03:09:33','2010-09-03 03:09:33','&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: large;\">365 or Bust!</span></h4>\r\nHerein lies the story of the year in which I had an <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis and took on an insane 365 day blog project.  You can locate all 365 days, spanning from September 2010 - October 2011 under the \"Archived Adventures\" section on the righthand side of the blog.  (Make sure to click the flag to the left of each month\'s name for the menu of posts to appear.)\r\n<h4></h4>\r\nYou might also get a kick out of the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Curious</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/30/lessons-learned-from-my-year-of-living-curiously/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lessons Learned from The Year of Living Curiously.</strong> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeptember 15, 2010\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\nI can live with that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously ','','publish','open','open','','365-or-bust','','','2012-03-10 22:19:18','2012-03-11 05:19:18','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com',0,'page','',14),(8663,1,'2011-12-28 20:51:07','2011-12-29 03:51:07','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\nI can live with that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-37','','','2011-12-28 20:51:07','2011-12-29 03:51:07','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/28/103-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(104,1,'2010-09-03 03:09:10','2010-09-03 03:09:10','','365 or bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision','','','2010-09-03 03:09:10','2010-09-03 03:09:10','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/blog',0,'revision','',0),(105,1,'2010-09-03 03:13:49','2010-09-03 03:13:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\">// <![CDATA[\r\nvar host = ((\"https:\" == document.location.protocol) ? \"https://secure.\" : \"http://\");document.write(unescape(\"%3Cscript src=\'\" + host + 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\"http://\");document.write(unescape(\"%3Cscript src=\'\" + host + \"wufoo.com/scripts/embed/form.js\' type=\'text/javascript\'%3E%3C/script%3E\"));</script>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\">\r\nvar m7x3s5 = new WufooForm();\r\nm7x3s5.initialize({\r\n\'userName\':\'diaryofalatebloomer\', \r\n\'formHash\':\'m7x3s5\', \r\n\'autoResize\':true,\r\n\'height\':\'546\',\r\n\'header\':\'show\'});\r\nm7x3s5.display();\r\n</script>','Share your playdate idea!','','publish','closed','closed','','submit-a-365-idea','','','2012-01-01 09:54:00','2012-01-01 16:54:00','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com',0,'page','',0),(109,1,'2010-09-04 13:26:56','2010-09-04 13:26:56','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision','','','2010-09-04 13:26:56','2010-09-04 13:26:56','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/blog',0,'revision','',0),(110,1,'2010-09-01 21:09:59','2010-09-01 21:09:59','','blog','','inherit','open','open','','97-revision-2','','','2010-09-01 21:09:59','2010-09-01 21:09:59','',97,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/blog',0,'revision','',0),(959,1,'2010-10-07 01:11:34','2010-10-07 08:11:34','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970  \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and the creepiest mascot in the nation. ASU has also earned the distinction of Top Party School. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before you rush to any conclusions, let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  College boys are not my thing.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>You might remember from my old blog that <strong><a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\">the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</a></strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even sneak a peek.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Important and shameless sidenote:</span></strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniacdom. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of elation and sadness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, <em>I</em> was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered a cappuccino gelato cone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','publish','open','open','','day-20-college-coed-for-the-night','','','2010-10-06 20:01:27','2010-10-07 03:01:27','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=959',0,'post','',4),(960,1,'2010-10-06 11:32:34','2010-10-06 18:32:34','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision','','','2010-10-06 11:32:34','2010-10-06 18:32:34','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(961,1,'2010-10-07 11:11:15','2010-10-07 18:11:15','<p><a href=\"http://www.beenbooed.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1053 alignnone\" title=\"boo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/boo1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"252\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I\'m talking about the good Boo, not the bad Boo-hiss. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The good Boo happens each October.  Tag.  You\'re it.  Consider yourself BOO\'ed.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here is how you play: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Get thee to <a href=\"http://www.beenbooed.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.beenboed.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong> </li>\r\n	<li>Print two \"BOO\" sheets.  Prepare two Halloween treats to accompany the sheets.  I found 12 treat bags for 99 cents at Walgreens.  (You can also pick up the infamous <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/01/day15-flashback-friday-blowing-bubbles/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>79 cent bubble soap </strong></a>while you’re there.)  </li>\r\n	<li>Stuff the bags with Halloween candy. </li>\r\n	<li>Leave the BOO gifties on someone\'s door step, ring the bell, and RUN!  I hid in the bushes to hear people’s reactions, but you don’t have to do this part if it creeps you out.</li>\r\n	<li>If you have been BOO\'ed, cut out the ghost and place it on or near your door so you won\'t be BOO’ed again. </li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Bonus Tip:</strong>  This also provides hours of entertainment in the office.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Happy Halloween! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 21:  Have You Been BOO\'ed Yet?  ','','publish','open','open','','day-21-have-you-been-booed-yet','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/01/day15-flashback-friday-blowing-bubbles/','2010-10-06 20:52:56','2010-10-07 03:52:56','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=961',0,'post','',3),(962,1,'2010-10-06 11:33:20','2010-10-06 18:33:20','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','961-revision','','','2010-10-06 11:33:20','2010-10-06 18:33:20','',961,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/961-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(963,1,'2010-10-08 01:11:09','2010-10-08 08:11:09','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/lencioni/203030529/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1065\" title=\"recordplayer\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/recordplayer-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>Back when I was a kid, I would disappear into my room, lie on my bed, and listen to music.  I would play an album in its entirety.  It was an activity in itself. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Somehow, 20 - 30+ years later, listening to music is now a background activity:  while hiking, while preparing dinner, while entertaining guests, while driving the car.  Does anyone over the age of 25 have 45 minutes in the day to do nothing but listen to music?  Do grown adults<em> do</em> this, or just lazy teenagers? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Day 22, I honestly didn\'t have the strength for much else.  I received word that my grandfather had been transported to hospice, and I completely unraveled.  I wanted to crawl into a cocoon and hide from the world.  I could have cared less about my original plan of making Caramel Apples. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, I retreated to my fainting couch.  (You might call it a chaise, but I always prefer the more dramatic and colorful names for things.)  I turned on my iPod and found the latest <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>\"album\" that my mother gave me for my birthday.  I curled into the fetal position and escaped into the music.  A musical hibernation.  Nothing to do but absorb every note, every lyric, every nuance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sadness and anxiety eased with each song, until the last track, where I drifted off to sleep.  What a gift! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Maybe lazy teenagers are on to something.  I am going to make a conscious choice to channel my inner teenager more often. </p>','Day 22:  Flashback Friday:  Music Hibernation ','','publish','open','open','','day-22-flashback-friday-musical-hibernation','','','2010-10-07 21:30:09','2010-10-08 04:30:09','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=963',0,'post','',3),(964,1,'2010-10-06 11:34:11','2010-10-06 18:34:11','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','963-revision','','','2010-10-06 11:34:11','2010-10-06 18:34:11','',963,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/963-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(965,1,'2010-10-06 11:45:57','2010-10-06 18:45:57','<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-2','','','2010-10-06 11:45:57','2010-10-06 18:45:57','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(966,1,'2010-10-06 12:22:18','2010-10-06 19:22:18','<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher showing up but is too sweet to say anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and widely known as one of the largest party schools in the nation.  However, Kimeee  and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Lauren is enrolled in the honors college there, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool sets her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I encountered a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for us.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice was most definitely a cake walk on Day 20.  The buzz and excitement of college and fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-3','','','2010-10-06 12:22:18','2010-10-06 19:22:18','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(967,1,'2010-10-06 15:43:47','2010-10-06 22:43:47','<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year olds are freshmen in college.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher showing up but is too sweet to say anything.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation.  However, Kimeee  and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Lauren is enrolled in the honors college there, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool sets her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I encountered a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for us.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  But the choice is always there.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice was most definitely a cake walk on Day 20.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about Lauren feeling mortified, I was</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-4','','','2010-10-06 15:43:47','2010-10-06 22:43:47','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(968,1,'2010-10-06 17:23:50','2010-10-07 00:23:50','<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I encountered a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice was most definitely a cake walk on Day 20.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and whispered apologetically for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, in organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but this is college, and I needed college food. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-5','','','2010-10-06 17:23:50','2010-10-07 00:23:50','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(116,1,'2009-10-16 20:15:00','2009-10-16 20:15:00','<p><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PeZGOvaDG6E/StjU9bskuGI/AAAAAAAAACY/AmH25oihgns/s1600-h/happinesspic.jpg\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393294705647990882\" style=\"margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; float: left; height: 240px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PeZGOvaDG6E/StjU9bskuGI/AAAAAAAAACY/AmH25oihgns/s320/happinesspic.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a> Recently, one of my favorite best-selling authors, Karen <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_0\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Salmansohn</span>, sent out an invitation to start a <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_1\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerang</span>. Karen\'s regular blogs on various sites (including Oprah.com) reach many millions of readers. She asked for aspiring <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerangers</span> to pitch her a terrific concept. If Karen felt that it made empowering content for one of her blogs, she would then blog about you. In return, the <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_3\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggeranger</span> would then hail Karen\'s latest book, <em>Prince Harming Syndrome</em>, on their blog, thus creating a <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_4\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerang</span> Effect.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Well . . . . SHE PICKED ME!!!! I have been a fan of Karen\'s for a long time, so this made my year. Karen has asked that I send her 3-5 tips on how people can boost happiness in their lives. I will list them here today. Coming this weekend to a blog near you....my review of <em>Prince Harming Syndrome</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Late Bloomer’s 5 Tips for Bliss</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><br />\r\n </strong><br />\r\n In order for these tips to take root, you must practice them daily. Happiness is not bestowed upon us. It is a daily choice. As the song goes, “Don’t worry, be happy!” :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Live authentically. Be true to yourself and follow your passions. (Kindly ignore all critiques from the Peanut Gallery.)</li>\r\n	<li>Love really does make the world go ‘round. Cherish your family, friends and loved ones. Most importantly, love thyself. </li>\r\n	<li>Laugh. It does a body good. </li>\r\n	<li>There are an estimated 6912 spoken languages in the world, but only one is universal: Music. Shakespeare was on to something -- Music truly is the food of love (and life, I might add, Will!) Play on, everyone! </li>\r\n	<li>Nurture your body, mind and soul through yoga, exercise, a spiritual practice, meditation, music, art and/or whatever else floats your boat and feels authentic to you.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Bonus tip:<br />\r\n </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Read. I once heard in a yoga class that “you are only as young as your spine is flexible.” I would like to add that “you are only as young as your mind is flexible.” Pick up a good book and exercise your mind. </li>\r\n</ul>','Late Bloomer’s Top 5 Tips for Bliss','','publish','open','open','','late-bloomers-top-5-tips-for-bliss','','','2010-09-17 23:06:30','2010-09-18 06:06:30','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2009/10/16/late-bloomers-top-5-tips-for-bliss/',0,'post','',2),(980,1,'2010-10-06 18:04:37','2010-10-07 01:04:37','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-16','','','2010-10-06 18:04:37','2010-10-07 01:04:37','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(981,1,'2010-10-06 18:04:42','2010-10-07 01:04:42','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-17','','','2010-10-06 18:04:42','2010-10-07 01:04:42','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(993,1,'2010-10-06 18:29:04','2010-10-07 01:29:04','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-29','','','2010-10-06 18:29:04','2010-10-07 01:29:04','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(984,1,'2010-10-06 18:11:55','2010-10-07 01:11:55','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-20','','','2010-10-06 18:11:55','2010-10-07 01:11:55','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(983,1,'2010-10-06 18:11:42','2010-10-07 01:11:42','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-19','','','2010-10-06 18:11:42','2010-10-07 01:11:42','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(982,1,'2010-10-06 18:11:21','2010-10-07 01:11:21','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-18','','','2010-10-06 18:11:21','2010-10-07 01:11:21','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(986,1,'2010-10-06 18:20:53','2010-10-07 01:20:53','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-22','','','2010-10-06 18:20:53','2010-10-07 01:20:53','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(985,1,'2010-10-06 18:20:44','2010-10-07 01:20:44','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-21','','','2010-10-06 18:20:44','2010-10-07 01:20:44','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(992,1,'2010-10-06 18:28:58','2010-10-07 01:28:58','[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-28','','','2010-10-06 18:28:58','2010-10-07 01:28:58','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(991,1,'2010-10-06 18:27:31','2010-10-07 01:27:31','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in U.S.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970 \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n<p></br></p>\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n</br>\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p>\n</p></p>\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-27','','','2010-10-06 18:27:31','2010-10-07 01:27:31','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(990,1,'2010-10-06 18:25:13','2010-10-07 01:25:13','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in U.S.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970 \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p></p>\r\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-26','','','2010-10-06 18:25:13','2010-10-07 01:25:13','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(989,1,'2010-10-06 18:24:49','2010-10-07 01:24:49','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in U.S.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970 \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p>\r\n</p></p>\r\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-25','','','2010-10-06 18:24:49','2010-10-07 01:24:49','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(988,1,'2010-10-06 18:23:53','2010-10-07 01:23:53','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in U.S.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970 \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-24','','','2010-10-06 18:23:53','2010-10-07 01:23:53','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(987,1,'2010-10-06 18:23:11','2010-10-07 01:23:11','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in U.S.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970 \" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong></a>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-23','','','2010-10-06 18:23:11','2010-10-07 01:23:11','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(132,1,'2009-10-16 20:15:00','2009-10-16 20:15:00','<a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PeZGOvaDG6E/StjU9bskuGI/AAAAAAAAACY/AmH25oihgns/s1600-h/happinesspic.jpg\"><img style=\"MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393294705647990882\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PeZGOvaDG6E/StjU9bskuGI/AAAAAAAAACY/AmH25oihgns/s320/happinesspic.jpg\" /></a> Recently, one of my favorite best-selling authors, Karen <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_0\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Salmansohn</span>, sent out an invitation to start a <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_1\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerang</span>. Karen\'s regular blogs on various sites (including Oprah.com) reach many millions of readers. She asked for aspiring <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerangers</span> to pitch her a terrific concept. If Karen felt that it made empowering content for one of her blogs, she would then blog about you. In return, the <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_3\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggeranger</span> would then hail Karen\'s latest book, <em>Prince Harming Syndrome</em>, on their blog, thus creating a <span id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_4\" class=\"blsp-spelling-error\">Bloggerang</span> Effect.<br /><br />Well . . . . SHE PICKED ME!!!! I have been a fan of Karen\'s for a long time, so this made my year. Karen has asked that I send her 3-5 tips on how people can boost happiness in their lives. I will list them here today. Coming this weekend to a blog near you....my review of <em>Prince Harming Syndrome</em>.<br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Late Bloomer’s 5 Tips for Bliss<br /></strong><br />In order for these tips to take root, you must practice them daily. Happiness is not bestowed upon us. It is a daily choice. As the song goes, “Don’t worry, be happy!” :-) </p><p><br /></p><ul><li>Live authentically. Be true to yourself and follow your passions. (Kindly ignore all critiques from the Peanut Gallery.)<br /><br /></li><li>Love really does make the world go ‘round. Cherish your family, friends and loved ones. Most importantly, love thyself.<br /><br /></li><li>Laugh. It does a body good.<br /><br /></li><li>There are an estimated 6912 spoken languages in the world, but only one is universal: Music. Shakespeare was on to something -- Music truly is the food of love (and life, I might add, Will!) Play on, everyone!<br /><br /></li><li>Nurture your body, mind and soul through yoga, exercise, a spiritual practice, meditation, music, art and/or whatever else floats your boat and feels authentic to you.<br /></li></ul><p><br /><strong>Bonus tip:<br /></strong><br /></p><ul><li>Read. I once heard in a yoga class that “you are only as young as your spine is flexible.” I would like to add that “you are only as young as your mind is flexible.” Pick up a good book and exercise your mind. </li></ul>','Late Bloomer\'s Top 5 Tips for Bliss','','inherit','open','open','','116-revision','','','2009-10-16 20:15:00','2009-10-16 20:15:00','',116,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2009/10/16/116-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(970,1,'2010-10-06 17:49:21','2010-10-07 00:49:21','','asu','\"Sparky\" aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation ','inherit','open','open','','asu','','','2010-10-06 17:49:21','2010-10-07 00:49:21','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(971,1,'2010-10-06 17:50:35','2010-10-07 00:50:35','[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-7','','','2010-10-06 17:50:35','2010-10-07 00:50:35','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(979,1,'2010-10-06 18:04:18','2010-10-07 01:04:18','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-15','','','2010-10-06 18:04:18','2010-10-07 01:04:18','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(972,1,'2010-10-06 17:51:24','2010-10-07 00:51:24','[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-8','','','2010-10-06 17:51:24','2010-10-07 00:51:24','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(976,1,'2010-10-06 17:58:51','2010-10-07 00:58:51','[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-12','','','2010-10-06 17:58:51','2010-10-07 00:58:51','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(973,1,'2010-10-06 17:56:48','2010-10-07 00:56:48','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-9','','','2010-10-06 17:56:48','2010-10-07 00:56:48','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(975,1,'2010-10-06 17:58:29','2010-10-07 00:58:29','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-11','','','2010-10-06 17:58:29','2010-10-07 00:58:29','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(974,1,'2010-10-06 17:57:03','2010-10-07 00:57:03','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-10','','','2010-10-06 17:57:03','2010-10-07 00:57:03','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(139,1,'2010-09-04 13:27:32','2010-09-04 13:27:32','','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision-2','','','2010-09-04 13:27:32','2010-09-04 13:27:32','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/04/108-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(140,1,'2010-09-05 15:30:38','2010-09-05 15:30:38','<!--cforms name=\"365 Submission\"-->','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision-3','','','2010-09-05 15:30:38','2010-09-05 15:30:38','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/108-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(165,1,'2010-09-06 22:41:01','2010-09-06 22:41:01','<!--cforms name=\"365 Submission\"-->','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision-6','','','2010-09-06 22:41:01','2010-09-06 22:41:01','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/06/108-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(141,1,'2010-09-05 16:21:35','2010-09-05 16:21:35','<!--cforms name=\"365 Submission\"-->','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision-4','','','2010-09-05 16:21:35','2010-09-05 16:21:35','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/108-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(142,1,'2011-12-29 14:36:41','2011-12-29 21:36:41','[contact-form 1 \"Contact form 1\"]','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-autosave','','','2011-12-29 14:36:41','2011-12-29 21:36:41','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/108-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(143,1,'2010-05-09 16:40:14','2010-05-09 20:40:14','This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision','','','2010-05-09 16:40:14','2010-05-09 20:40:14','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/05/09/2-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(144,1,'2010-09-03 03:13:49','2010-09-03 03:13:49','','talk to me','','inherit','open','open','','105-revision-2','','','2010-09-03 03:13:49','2010-09-03 03:13:49','',105,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/03/105-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(145,1,'2012-01-01 09:50:58','2012-01-01 16:50:58','&nbsp;\n\n<script type=\"text/javascript\">// <![CDATA[\nvar host = ((\"https:\" == document.location.protocol) ? \"https://secure.\" : \"http://\");document.write(unescape(\"%3Cscript src=\'\" + host + \"wufoo.com/scripts/embed/form.js\' type=\'text/javascript\'%3E%3C/script%3E\"));\n// ]]></script>\n\n<script type=\"text/javascript\">// <![CDATA[\nvar z7x3k1 = new WufooForm();\nz7x3k1.initialize({\n\'userName\':\'diaryofalatebloomer\', \n\'formHash\':\'z7x3k1\', \n\'autoResize\':true,\n\'height\':\'557\',\n\'header\':\'show\'});\nz7x3k1.display();\n// ]]></script>','Talk to me.','','inherit','open','open','','105-autosave','','','2012-01-01 09:50:58','2012-01-01 16:50:58','',105,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/105-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(146,1,'2010-09-05 16:51:10','2010-09-05 16:51:10','<!--cforms name=\"Talk To Me...\"-->','talk to me','','inherit','open','open','','105-revision-3','','','2010-09-05 16:51:10','2010-09-05 16:51:10','',105,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/105-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(147,1,'2010-09-05 17:24:37','2010-09-05 17:24:37','<!--cforms name=\"Talk To Me...\"-->','talk to me','','inherit','open','open','','105-revision-4','','','2010-09-05 17:24:37','2010-09-05 17:24:37','',105,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/105-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(148,1,'2010-09-03 03:09:33','2010-09-03 03:09:33','','365 or bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-2','','','2010-09-03 03:09:33','2010-09-03 03:09:33','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/03/103-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(978,1,'2010-10-06 18:01:04','2010-10-07 01:01:04','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  A strange mixture of sadness and elation washed over me.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. <br class=\"spacer_\" /><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-14','','','2010-10-06 18:01:04','2010-10-07 01:01:04','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(977,1,'2010-10-06 18:00:04','2010-10-07 01:00:04','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_970\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"221\" caption=\"&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-970\" title=\"asu\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. \n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. <br class=\"spacer_\" /><br class=\"spacer_\" />\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>\n\n</p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-13','','','2010-10-06 18:00:04','2010-10-07 01:00:04','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(969,1,'2010-10-06 17:27:11','2010-10-07 00:27:11','<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3 -6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing \"Itsy Bitsy Spider\".  Where has the time gone???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by <strong>Singh Farms</strong> at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong>the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren\'s dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked so000 young and so000 scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It\'s refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren\'s acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I encountered a strange mixture of sadness and elation.  It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It\'s a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  But the choice is always there. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But enough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice was most definitely a cake walk on Day 20.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren\'s feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I\'m not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn\'t help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and whispered apologetically for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needd college food, dammit! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 20:  College Coed for the Night','','inherit','open','open','','959-revision-6','','','2010-10-06 17:27:11','2010-10-07 00:27:11','',959,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/06/959-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(161,1,'2010-09-05 16:23:10','2010-09-05 16:23:10','This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-2','','','2010-09-05 16:23:10','2010-09-05 16:23:10','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/2-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(162,1,'2010-09-05 17:30:28','2010-09-05 17:30:28','','365 or bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-3','','','2010-09-05 17:30:28','2010-09-05 17:30:28','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/103-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(163,1,'2010-09-06 21:23:30','2010-09-06 21:23:30','','365 or Bust!','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-4','','','2010-09-06 21:23:30','2010-09-06 21:23:30','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/06/103-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(164,1,'2010-09-05 16:22:06','2010-09-05 16:22:06','<!--cforms name=\"365 Submission\"-->','Submit a 365 Idea','','inherit','open','open','','108-revision-5','','','2010-09-05 16:22:06','2010-09-05 16:22:06','',108,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/05/108-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1157,1,'2010-10-11 18:26:57','2010-10-12 01:26:57','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a>                                            <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-15','','','2010-10-11 18:26:57','2010-10-12 01:26:57','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(1158,1,'2010-10-11 18:27:48','2010-10-12 01:27:48','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Best,</p>\n\n<p>Michelle</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a>                                           </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"></a> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-16','','','2010-10-11 18:27:48','2010-10-12 01:27:48','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(1160,1,'2010-10-11 18:30:26','2010-10-12 01:30:26','','michelle4','','inherit','open','open','','michelle4-2','','','2010-10-11 18:30:26','2010-10-12 01:30:26','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle41.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1159,1,'2010-10-11 18:29:00','2010-10-12 01:29:00','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1145 alignnone\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a>                                           </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-17','','','2010-10-11 18:29:00','2010-10-12 01:29:00','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(1161,1,'2010-10-11 18:29:33','2010-10-12 01:29:33','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-18','','','2010-10-11 18:29:33','2010-10-12 01:29:33','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(408,1,'2010-09-16 01:11:19','2010-09-16 08:11:19','<p>Attention all Late Bloomers and Late Bloomer Wannabees in my fair city:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Tonight, September 16th</strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>6:30 p.m.</strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Free (Yes, FREE!) Sunset Yoga</strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.icmontelucia.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Montelucia Resort and Spa</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Who\'s in?</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Namaste, peeps!</p>\r\n\r\n<p>For those of you who cannot attend or live outside of my fair city, find a sunset yoga near you if you are so inclined.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> Day 2:  To Be Continued...</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>P.S.  Today is also my bro-in-law\'s bday, and I would like to give a shout out to the best bro-in-law in the Twitterverse.</p>','Day 2:  Sunset Yoga Beckons (Part One)','','publish','open','open','','day-2-sunset-yoga-beckons-part-one','','','2010-09-17 22:48:08','2010-09-18 05:48:08','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=408',0,'post','',4),(1156,1,'2010-10-11 18:26:47','2010-10-12 01:26:47','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Best,</p>\n\n<p>Michelle</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a>                                            <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-14','','','2010-10-11 18:26:47','2010-10-12 01:26:47','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(1136,1,'2010-10-10 19:19:36','2010-10-11 02:19:36','<p>I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful states in our great nation.  I think we might also boast the most diverse landscapes of any of the other 49 states. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I awoke on Day 24 in the Sonoran Desert, which is actually quite stunning. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 2 hour drive from Captain Adventure\'s house, we scaled the Red Rocks of Sedona.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After another 30 minute drive, we hiked a pine forest trail in Flagstaff (trail elevation 9600 ft.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As you can see, if you can tolerate 115 temps for a few months, then this state is one  breathtakingly majestic oyster. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The plan for Day 24 started with a Google hunt for the height of Aspen \"gold rush\" in Flagstaff.  I\'ve been to Flagstaff many times, but never at the peak of fall foliage, and I wanted an autumnal experience to remember. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The second weekend of October is considered THE weekend to visit Flagstaff for fall colors, so I called up my friend, David (aka Captain Adventure), who lives and breathes nature stuff. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 25:  Sedona Woo Woo and Other Adventures','','inherit','open','open','','1108-revision-3','','','2010-10-10 19:19:36','2010-10-11 02:19:36','',1108,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/10/1108-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1137,1,'2010-10-11 19:06:44','2010-10-12 02:06:44','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_1155\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thank you for the best childhood memories, Papa. \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1155\" title=\"michelle6\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>       <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle41.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1160\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle41-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a>                  </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/papaimmigration.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1163\" title=\"papaimmigration\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/papaimmigration-300x203.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"203\" /></a></p>\r\n<p>My Papa was a Portuguese immigrant who came to this country, started his own business, and worked hard to achieve his success.  He was a Purple Heart veteran of World War II.<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>He always put his family first, and he was a beautiful, gentle soul.  I love you, Papa.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1166\" title=\"michelle2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle2-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" />Nana and Papa on their wedding day -- April 19th, 1942  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','To Be Continued...','','publish','open','open','','to-be-continued','','','2010-10-11 22:18:21','2010-10-12 05:18:21','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=1137',0,'post','',13),(1138,1,'2010-10-11 14:48:52','2010-10-11 21:48:52','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision','','','2010-10-11 14:48:52','2010-10-11 21:48:52','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1139,1,'2010-10-11 14:49:52','2010-10-11 21:49:52','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Best,</p>\n\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-2','','','2010-10-11 14:49:52','2010-10-11 21:49:52','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1140,1,'2010-10-11 14:51:24','2010-10-11 21:51:24','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Best,</p>\n\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-3','','','2010-10-11 14:51:24','2010-10-11 21:51:24','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1141,1,'2010-10-11 18:12:12','2010-10-12 01:12:12','','michelle5','','inherit','open','open','','michelle5','','','2010-10-11 18:12:12','2010-10-12 01:12:12','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1142,1,'2010-10-11 18:13:05','2010-10-12 01:13:05','','michelle3','','inherit','open','open','','michelle3','','','2010-10-11 18:13:05','2010-10-12 01:13:05','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1143,1,'2010-10-11 18:11:52','2010-10-12 01:11:52','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Best,</p>\n\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-4','','','2010-10-11 18:11:52','2010-10-12 01:11:52','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1144,1,'2010-10-11 18:14:02','2010-10-12 01:14:02','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-5','','','2010-10-11 18:14:02','2010-10-12 01:14:02','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1148,1,'2010-10-11 18:19:50','2010-10-12 01:19:50','<p>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-7','','','2010-10-11 18:19:50','2010-10-12 01:19:50','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1145,1,'2010-10-11 18:16:12','2010-10-12 01:16:12','','michelle4','','inherit','open','open','','michelle4','','','2010-10-11 18:16:12','2010-10-12 01:16:12','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1146,1,'2010-10-11 18:17:30','2010-10-12 01:17:30','','michelle6','Thank you for Southampton memories, Papa.  ','inherit','open','open','','michelle6','','','2010-10-11 18:17:30','2010-10-12 01:17:30','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle6.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1147,1,'2010-10-11 18:14:24','2010-10-12 01:14:24','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-6','','','2010-10-11 18:14:24','2010-10-12 01:14:24','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1149,1,'2010-10-11 18:20:35','2010-10-12 01:20:35','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-8','','','2010-10-11 18:20:35','2010-10-12 01:20:35','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1150,1,'2010-10-11 18:20:50','2010-10-12 01:20:50','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-9','','','2010-10-11 18:20:50','2010-10-12 01:20:50','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1151,1,'2010-10-11 18:21:37','2010-10-12 01:21:37','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-10','','','2010-10-11 18:21:37','2010-10-12 01:21:37','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(1152,1,'2010-10-11 18:21:44','2010-10-12 01:21:44','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-11','','','2010-10-11 18:21:44','2010-10-12 01:21:44','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(1154,1,'2010-10-11 18:25:32','2010-10-12 01:25:32','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-13','','','2010-10-11 18:25:32','2010-10-12 01:25:32','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(1153,1,'2010-10-11 18:22:28','2010-10-12 01:22:28','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142\" title=\"michelle3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dear Friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1145\" title=\"michelle4\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle4-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','To Be Continued...','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision-12','','','2010-10-11 18:22:28','2010-10-12 01:22:28','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/1137-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(1155,1,'2010-10-11 18:26:22','2010-10-12 01:26:22','','michelle6','','inherit','open','open','','michelle6-2','','','2010-10-11 18:26:22','2010-10-12 01:26:22','',1137,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(186,1,'2010-09-13 20:03:45','2010-09-14 03:03:45','<p>Welcome to my new digs.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My brand new concept launches this Wednesday.  To find out more about the project, take a look at <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"365 or Bust\".</strong></a> To learn more about me, check out <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"What Makes Me Tick\".</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>See you soon!</p>','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','publish','open','open','','o-k-o-k-its-really-coming-soon-this-time-9152010','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/','2010-09-17 22:56:49','2010-09-18 05:56:49','',0,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=186',0,'post','',3),(187,1,'2010-09-08 21:22:37','2010-09-09 04:22:37','','O.k. O.k.  It\'s REALLY coming soon this time.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision','','','2010-09-08 21:22:37','2010-09-09 04:22:37','',186,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/08/186-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(188,1,'2010-09-08 21:22:45','2010-09-09 04:22:45','See you next week!','O.k. O.k.  It\'s REALLY coming soon this time.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-2','','','2010-09-08 21:22:45','2010-09-09 04:22:45','',186,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/08/186-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(427,1,'2010-09-18 01:11:17','2010-09-18 08:11:17','<div class=\"mceTemp\"><dl id=\"attachment_435\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"width: 310px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P91601661.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-435\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P91601661-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Just another day in paradise</dd></dl>\r\n\r\n<p>Some of you asked me on Wednesday, \"So what was your Day 1 adventure?\"  My reply is, \"Launching a big girl blog!\"</p></div>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Holy Learning Curve, Batman! </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">If you snuck a peek at my <strong><a href=\"http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\">old blog,</a></strong>you probably noticed that I\'ve come a loooooong way, baby!  Wahoo!  Thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes these past few days.  Your response has been the best birthday present that a Late Bloomer could ask for. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"></div>\r\n\r\n<p>On Day 2 I actually left my house for a Zen adventure. </p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">My precious and darling friend, Corinnie (her name is Corinne, but I address most of my friends by silly nicknames), invited me to a Summer Sunset Yoga class at the Montelucia Resort which is a divine escape, let me tell you, dahlings.  I have always wanted to take a yoga class outside in nature, so I was over-the-moon about this all day.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Class was scheduled for 6:30 which meant I had to zip out of the cubicle jungle, haul my cookies across town, and -- horror of all horrors -- skip dinner.  When you are raised in a neurotic Portuguese family whose obsession with food is second only to the Italians, skipping dinner is a very, very big deal.  To prepare for this trauma, I downed a disgusting protein shake two hours before class so I wouldn\'t pass out and embarrass myself in front of fellow classmates and poolside patrons of the resort. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">The first thing I noticed upon our arrival was all the MEN! They caught my attention not only because I am more than a little boy crazy (guilty as charged), but also because I am used to seeing only women at yoga classes in the suburbs.  I could get used to this. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">I suppose that I was somewhat discombobulated by the \"scenery\" because when I excused myself for a quickie pre-class trip to the loo, I unknowingly barged into the men\'s restroom, and yes, there was a guy at the urinal.  After my initial shock, I broke out into the giggles and ran to the women\'s room.  I had a sneaking suspicion that the tone of the evening had been set.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Returning to my mat, it dawned on me:  Even though I have always sworn that I will NEVER take a Bikram/Hot yoga class because I will probably yak and faint and die from the heat, here I was taking a sunset yoga class in 103°.  Essentially, I was in an outdoor Bikram/Hot yoga class. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Oops.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Luckily, a distraction in the way of a shirtless young thang parked his mat right next to mine. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Heat schmeat.  What\'s a little heat when you can focus on the moon above, the mountains ahead, and a perfectly sculpted physique beside you?  Heat schmeat indeed...</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Other than sunscreen-laced sweat rolling down my face and into my eyes, my hair frizzing into a poodle poof, and the onset of dehydration, I was fine. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">There was also a minor B.O. issue which I swear was me because I first noticed it while in downward dog where my nose was alarmingly close to my armpit.  However, Corinniecakes later assured me that it had to be her because she\'s on a Tom\'s of Maine deodorant kick, and we all know that \"natural\" deodorants are a joke. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Whew!</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">I have to hand it to the Bikram peeps though.  The heat really does make you more limber.  I was able to get into poses that I have never been able to pretzel myself into previously.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">And since this was an urban crowd, the music was so hip that I when I closed my eyes, I thought that I was in a Scottsdale nightclub.  Class ended with a Chris Isaak \"Wicked Game\" techno/trance mix.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">???</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">This just further distracted me because a. it was weird (I am a purist) and b. whenever I hear \"Wicked Game\" I think of the <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QF-v29K6f4&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>video</strong> </a>which has to be the sexiest video of all time.  Sigh...  I suppose there could be worse distractions than fantasizing about tantric yoga with Chris Isaak. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Overall, the class rocked.  If you are yogically inclined, get thee to a Sunset Yoga class near you. </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">Till next time...</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"> </div>','Day 2:  Sunset Yoga Beckons (Part Two)','','publish','open','open','','day-2-sunset-yoga-beckons-part-two','','','2010-09-19 11:21:54','2010-09-19 18:21:54','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=427',0,'post','',5),(191,1,'2010-09-09 20:25:49','2010-09-10 03:25:49','','Final B&W1977test2','','inherit','open','open','','final-bw1977test2','','','2010-09-09 20:25:49','2010-09-10 03:25:49','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(192,1,'2010-09-06 21:07:32','2010-09-06 21:07:32','This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-3','','','2010-09-06 21:07:32','2010-09-06 21:07:32','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/06/2-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(193,1,'2010-09-09 20:33:17','2010-09-10 03:33:17','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile. \r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-4','','','2010-09-09 20:33:17','2010-09-10 03:33:17','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(194,1,'2010-09-09 20:34:38','2010-09-10 03:34:38','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile. \r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-5','','','2010-09-09 20:34:38','2010-09-10 03:34:38','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(198,1,'2010-09-09 21:14:44','2010-09-10 04:14:44','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul></ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-7','','','2010-09-09 21:14:44','2010-09-10 04:14:44','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(195,1,'2010-09-09 20:34:57','2010-09-10 03:34:57','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile. \r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-6','','','2010-09-09 20:34:57','2010-09-10 03:34:57','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(196,1,'2010-09-08 21:23:35','2010-09-09 04:23:35','See you next week!','O.k. O.k.  It\'s really coming soon this time.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-3','','','2010-09-08 21:23:35','2010-09-09 04:23:35','',186,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/08/186-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(197,1,'2010-09-09 21:15:29','2010-09-10 04:15:29','See you next week!\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>akdfj;akdf;kdf</li>\r\n	<li>a;kdfadjf;ksdf;akdjf</li>\r\n</ul>','O.k. O.k.  It\'s really coming soon this time.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-4','','','2010-09-09 21:15:29','2010-09-10 04:15:29','',186,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/186-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(199,1,'2010-09-09 21:17:37','2010-09-10 04:17:37','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-8','','','2010-09-09 21:17:37','2010-09-10 04:17:37','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(200,1,'2010-09-09 21:18:17','2010-09-10 04:18:17','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-9','','','2010-09-09 21:18:17','2010-09-10 04:18:17','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(201,1,'2010-09-09 21:24:26','2010-09-10 04:24:26','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n?','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-10','','','2010-09-09 21:24:26','2010-09-10 04:24:26','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(202,1,'2010-09-09 21:32:35','2010-09-10 04:32:35','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n&hearts; ','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-11','','','2010-09-09 21:32:35','2010-09-10 04:32:35','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(205,1,'2010-09-09 21:43:03','2010-09-10 04:43:03','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  (I scored a spot on the show Trading Spaces.  Yes, I love my room, and yes, Carter is a hottie.<ul>\r\n	<li>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in first and second grade. </li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-14','','','2010-09-09 21:43:03','2010-09-10 04:43:03','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(203,1,'2010-09-09 21:35:52','2010-09-10 04:35:52','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n&hearts; ','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-12','','','2010-09-09 21:35:52','2010-09-10 04:35:52','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(210,1,'2010-09-09 22:08:46','2010-09-10 05:08:46','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul></ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-19','','','2010-09-09 22:08:46','2010-09-10 05:08:46','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(206,1,'2010-09-09 21:53:02','2010-09-10 04:53:02','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  ','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-15','','','2010-09-09 21:53:02','2010-09-10 04:53:02','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(204,1,'2010-09-09 21:42:05','2010-09-10 04:42:05','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  (I scored a spot on the show Trading Spaces.  Yes, I love my room, and yes, Carter is a hottie.</p>\r\n	<li>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in first and second grade. </li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-13','','','2010-09-09 21:42:05','2010-09-10 04:42:05','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(207,1,'2010-09-09 22:00:31','2010-09-10 05:00:31','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-16','','','2010-09-09 22:00:31','2010-09-10 05:00:31','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(208,1,'2010-09-09 22:03:05','2010-09-10 05:03:05','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-17','','','2010-09-09 22:03:05','2010-09-10 05:03:05','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(211,1,'2010-09-10 16:21:40','2010-09-10 23:21:40','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>testing 123</li>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>testing</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-20','','','2010-09-10 16:21:40','2010-09-10 23:21:40','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(209,1,'2010-09-09 22:05:47','2010-09-10 05:05:47','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n	<li>I am not</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-18','','','2010-09-09 22:05:47','2010-09-10 05:05:47','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/2-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(213,1,'2010-09-10 16:23:25','2010-09-10 23:23:25','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-22','','','2010-09-10 16:23:25','2010-09-10 23:23:25','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(212,1,'2010-09-10 16:22:54','2010-09-10 23:22:54','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>testing 123</li>\r\n<ul>\r\n<h3>\r\n	<li>testing</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-21','','','2010-09-10 16:22:54','2010-09-10 23:22:54','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(214,1,'2010-09-10 18:07:24','2010-09-11 01:07:24','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>test 123</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>test124</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-23','','','2010-09-10 18:07:24','2010-09-11 01:07:24','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(215,1,'2010-09-10 18:17:51','2010-09-11 01:17:51','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>test 123</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>test124</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-24','','','2010-09-10 18:17:51','2010-09-11 01:17:51','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(216,1,'2010-09-10 18:22:00','2010-09-11 01:22:00','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>asfsadf</li>\r\n	<li>asdfasdfdasf</li>\r\n	<li>asdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdf</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-25','','','2010-09-10 18:22:00','2010-09-11 01:22:00','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(217,1,'2010-09-10 18:25:19','2010-09-11 01:25:19','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n\r\n&#182;\r\n&#182;','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-26','','','2010-09-10 18:25:19','2010-09-11 01:25:19','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(218,1,'2010-09-10 18:29:58','2010-09-11 01:29:58','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf</li>\r\n<br/>\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf</li>\r\n</br>	\r\n<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-27','','','2010-09-10 18:29:58','2010-09-11 01:29:58','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(219,1,'2010-09-10 18:31:00','2010-09-11 01:31:00','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf</li>\r\n\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf</li>\r\n\r\n<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-28','','','2010-09-10 18:31:00','2010-09-11 01:31:00','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(222,1,'2010-09-10 18:40:09','2010-09-11 01:40:09','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n Quirky Facts...\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf</li>\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-31','','','2010-09-10 18:40:09','2010-09-11 01:40:09','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(221,1,'2010-09-10 18:38:54','2010-09-11 01:38:54','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf <br/>  </li>\r\n\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf<br/>  </li>\r\n\r\n<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads<br/>  </li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-30','','','2010-09-10 18:38:54','2010-09-11 01:38:54','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(220,1,'2010-09-10 18:37:36','2010-09-11 01:37:36','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n \r\n<h3>Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li style=\"margin-bottom:45px;\">aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf</li>\r\n\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf</li>\r\n\r\n<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-29','','','2010-09-10 18:37:36','2010-09-11 01:37:36','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(223,1,'2010-09-10 18:40:51','2010-09-11 01:40:51','<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"> </span></h4>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> Quirky Facts...</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>aasfasdfdsfsdfsdfdsf</li>\r\n	<li>asdfasfsadfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>afasfasfasdfasdf</li>\r\n	<li>asfasdfasdfads</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-32','','','2010-09-10 18:40:51','2010-09-11 01:40:51','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/10/2-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(224,1,'2010-09-11 10:55:24','2010-09-11 17:55:24','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n** adfj;dakj;sakj;sadkjf;kdjs\r\n\r\n**afjsfk;adsj;fdjsa;fkdja;ksj;asd\r\n\r\n** akdjf;alkdsf;dsajf;ladsjf;kdjdas','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-33','','','2010-09-11 10:55:24','2010-09-11 17:55:24','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(225,1,'2010-09-11 11:06:29','2010-09-11 18:06:29','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. \r\n\r\n**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. \r\n\r\n**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.\r\n\r\n**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. \r\n\r\n**  I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. \r\n\r\n**','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-34','','','2010-09-11 11:06:29','2010-09-11 18:06:29','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(226,1,'2010-09-11 11:12:00','2010-09-11 18:12:00','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**</p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-35','','','2010-09-11 11:12:00','2010-09-11 18:12:00','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(227,1,'2010-09-11 11:42:16','2010-09-11 18:42:16','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me....</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  .... Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one fateful summer, a clown. </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-36','','','2010-09-11 11:42:16','2010-09-11 18:42:16','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(228,1,'2013-01-31 20:22:50','2013-02-01 03:22:50','&nbsp;\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: large;\">365 or Bust!</span></h4>\nHerein lies the story of the year in which I had an <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis and took on an insane 365 day blog project.  You can locate all 365 days, spanning from September 2010 - October 2011 under the \"Archived Adventures\" section on the righthand side of the blog.  (Make sure to click the flag to the left of each month\'s name for the menu of posts to appear.)\n<h4></h4>\nYou might also get a kick out of the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Curious</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/30/lessons-learned-from-my-year-of-living-curiously/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lessons Learned from The Year of Living Curiously.</strong> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSeptember 15, 2010\n\n&nbsp;\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\n\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\n\nI can live with that.\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\n\nAnd then...\n\nLife got in the way.\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\n\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\n\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously ','','inherit','open','open','','103-autosave','','','2013-01-31 20:22:50','2013-02-01 03:22:50','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(8063,1,'2011-10-25 20:19:11','2011-10-26 03:19:11','It\'s really a book club.  But the book is about wishing.  Which is, of course, right up my alley.  And if the thought of wishing perks you up, then you are more than welcome to join my club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe idea all started with those sassy dreamers over at <strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong>.  I was nearing the end of their online course and starting to feel that subtle panicky sadness that I also encounter when approaching the conclusion of a great book.  I don\'t want to reach \"The End\".  I want to stay in that cocoon of make-believe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut <strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong> is all about <em>believing</em> in your dreams and <em>making</em> space for them to come true.  In order for dreams to take flight, you need to leave the cocoon, sister!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat if I forgot everything I learned in the course?  What if I needed reminders or encouragement along the way?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo provided the answer in one of their final installments, \"Better Together, Finding Your Tribe\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is the suggestion that resonated most with me on that day:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><strong>Host a dreamer book discussion.</strong> Survey your current circle of friends for potential conversation partners about dreaming big.  Invite five avid readers to go through Noelle Oxenhandler’s “The Wishing Year” with you as a way to open up the topic of dreaming.  See what happens when dreaming is the primary topic of discussion for a scheduled period of time.</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next day I sent this email out to 11 friends at work, most of who had just joined me in the now-infamous <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=tea+leaf\" target=\"_blank\">Tea Leaf Reading.</a></strong>  I knew that if they were open for zany, then they would certainly be open for dreaming.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><strong>Subject:</strong>  Book club, wishes, and tea!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Someone mentioned a book club the other day.  I’m not the type that can commit for a year, but I can commit for a book! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This one was suggested last night through Mondo Beyondo – an online course that I’m taking which is all about dreaming BIG!  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Here’s what I envision:  Reading this book November/December.  Maybe meeting for a coffee break periodically to discuss “chapters”, and then a Holiday Tea (on a weekend at a real tea house!</span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">) at the very end to discuss the book and wishes for 2012.  Who’s in?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Feel free to forward to interested parties who weren’t with us at the Tea Leaf Reading! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Year-Memoir-Fulfilled-Desire/dp/1400064856\">http://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Year-Memoir-Fulfilled-Desire/dp/1400064856</a></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</blockquote>\r\nThis took place back in August -- the home stretch of this blog when I had 49 blog days to live out loud.  In the whirlwind of Work, Life, Blog, Puppy, and soon-to-be International Travel, I knew there was a very good chance that I would have forgotten this bright idea of a Book Club/Dreaming Club/Wishing Club.  So I did what I always do when I absolutely positively MUST remember something:  I wrote it down in my Franklin Covey Planner.  With a retractable<em> pencil</em>.  How\'s <em>that</em> for old-school?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 364, I logged on to Amazon and ordered the book.  I am officially committed to continue on the Dreaming Big flight, and I\'m taking 11 friends with me.   (10 accepted, and 1 more interested party joined.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre <em>you</em> interested in joining our Wishing Club?  If so, here are the 4 ridiculously easy steps that I would like for you to take pronto:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShow your interest in the comment section below.  You can say, \"Yes!\", \"Sign me up!\", \"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes!  I wouldn\'t miss this for the world!\" or something similar.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGet thee to your favorite Indie bookstore or if that is impossible your preferred online site and order <em>The Wishing Year</em> by Noelle Oxenhandler.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStick your nose in the book on November 1st or soon thereafter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCheck back with me throughout November and December for discussion and wishing.*  My 365 project has concluded (last soul-scintillating heart-scintillating activity posts tomorrow and OH MY . . . .) but that doesn\'t mean Carpe Diem-ing comes to a screeching halt.  You haven\'t heard the last of me.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho\'s in?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*Remember, you can always be updated of blog posts by\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 364:  Would You Like to Join My Wishing Club? ','','inherit','open','open','','8052-revision-11','','','2011-10-25 20:19:11','2011-10-26 03:19:11','',8052,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/8052-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(229,1,'2010-09-11 11:52:20','2010-09-11 18:52:20','<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me....</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  .... Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-37','','','2010-09-11 11:52:20','2010-09-11 18:52:20','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(230,1,'2010-09-06 21:23:52','2010-09-06 21:23:52','','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-5','','','2010-09-06 21:23:52','2010-09-06 21:23:52','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/06/103-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(231,1,'2010-09-11 12:07:24','2010-09-11 19:07:24','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me....</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  .... Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-38','','','2010-09-11 12:07:24','2010-09-11 19:07:24','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(232,1,'2010-09-11 12:25:58','2010-09-11 19:25:58','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me....</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  .... Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am now a coporate slave.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation) and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-39','','','2010-09-11 12:25:58','2010-09-11 19:25:58','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(233,1,'2010-09-11 12:29:39','2010-09-11 19:29:39','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n \r\n<h3>What Makes Me Tick... </h3>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-40','','','2010-09-11 12:29:39','2010-09-11 19:29:39','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(234,1,'2010-09-11 12:30:05','2010-09-11 19:30:05','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n \r\n<h3>What Makes Me Tick... </h3>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-41','','','2010-09-11 12:30:05','2010-09-11 19:30:05','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(237,1,'2010-09-11 12:37:35','2010-09-11 19:37:35','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Floats My Boat... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-44','','','2010-09-11 12:37:35','2010-09-11 19:37:35','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(235,1,'2010-09-11 12:34:36','2010-09-11 19:34:36','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n \r\n<h3>What Makes Me Tick... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs..the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-42','','','2010-09-11 12:34:36','2010-09-11 19:34:36','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(236,1,'2010-09-11 12:36:58','2010-09-11 19:36:58','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine embarks on a mission to break free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me,</a> or if you\'re feeling super fiesty or creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Makes Me Tick... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-43','','','2010-09-11 12:36:58','2010-09-11 19:36:58','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(238,1,'2010-09-11 12:43:33','2010-09-11 19:43:33','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em>Trading Spaces.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a Masterpiece Theatre director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Whale Wars</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Floats My Boat... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-45','','','2010-09-11 12:43:33','2010-09-11 19:43:33','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(239,1,'2010-09-11 12:53:25','2010-09-11 19:53:25','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Floats My Boat... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-46','','','2010-09-11 12:53:25','2010-09-11 19:53:25','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(240,1,'2010-09-11 12:59:58','2010-09-11 19:59:58','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/uplifting/provocative/soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Floats My Boat... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-47','','','2010-09-11 12:59:58','2010-09-11 19:59:58','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(241,1,'2010-09-11 12:07:37','2010-09-11 19:07:37','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my Existential Crisis.  </span></h4>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-6','','','2010-09-11 12:07:37','2010-09-11 19:07:37','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(242,1,'2010-09-11 13:07:01','2010-09-11 20:07:01','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-7','','','2010-09-11 13:07:01','2010-09-11 20:07:01','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(243,1,'2010-09-11 13:04:50','2010-09-11 20:04:50','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Floats My Boat... </h3>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-48','','','2010-09-11 13:04:50','2010-09-11 20:04:50','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),