Moving Apartments Sucks!!!

Yep, I said it. I'll say it again: it SUCKS!!

Ugh. Thanks. I needed that. Due to crappy people above me, I am not only starting a new job, I am looking for a new apartment. So, quick post, because I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Let us hope the above picture proves to be true.

The job is going well. It's really nice to be back among people. Not that I didn't love being at home with my dog watching Law and Order: SVU marathons. But it's nice to have someone answer in words.

Sorry for the short post. Hi ho, hi ho, back to apartment hunting and packing I go!!!

And if anyone sees a single story two bedroom apartment for rent in Orange County, CA, let me know! :)

I Told Ya 2012 Was Gonna Be My Year!

Okey-dokey, I have good news! Starting on Tuesday ...

I am going back to work part-time!

Yay! Go me! I will be working at my old place of employment, as a file clerk. They know all about the MS, so it wasn't a problem for me as far as letting them know I was sick. They were there and stood by me when I was diagnosed. It's a medical office. They know what MS is. It's a nice, easy, no-stress job and it's only part-time. Different from what I originally did there, which is way too stressful for me to go back to, but still among the amazing people I used to work with.

I'm so excited, I can't even tell you! I've been out of the medical field for awhile now, but next week, I'll be rocking these again:

Beautiful scrubs. I had to go buy new ones. Thanks Topamax for the lost poundage. That was a cool side effect that I appreciate.

It's so surreal to me that I'm going back. When I was diagnosed and tried to go back about a month or two later; I was so sick, I just couldn't do it. Finally, seven years later, I am finally feeling halfway back to normal. Which is awesome for anyone with Multiple Sclerosis. I think this is a great thing too because it will get me out of the house. If you have a job to go to, you spend your time more effectively. Instead of watching Teen Mom 2 marathons all day, maybe I'll get at least one chore done.

So, if the blogs slow down, you at least know why. I aim to keep them up, but I don't like to make promises I can't keep. I will still blog, it just may be less frequently. Then again, maybe they'll pick up.

And hey, who knows, maybe I'll meet a cute sales rep and have something fun to tell you! Keep your fingers crossed!

Finding My Balance Again

First things first- yes, I have annoyingly changed the name of my blog. AGAIN! I'm a Gemini and obviously very indecisive. I pretty much changed it back to what it was originally, but with the addition of my name so it starts with an "A". The "A" also stands for "AWESOME"!!!  And, I admit, this keeps it apart from all the other blogs about Multiple Sclerosis that start with an "M". Tune in next week folks to see what else I change my mind about. Will it be the name of my blog (probably not since I just did that), will I become a  blonde (I kinda doubt it, but never say never), or will I just change the color of my toenail polish (if you're the betting kind- I'd choose that one).
I also joined Google +. What does that mean? As soon as I figure out what on Earth I'm doing on there and how to use it- I'll let you know.

Now onto the blog.
Apologies about the rant on my last post. I just really need to find a new apartment. It's frustrating when you want to get so many things accomplished and you can't- because you have inconsiderate neighbors who interrupt your sleep constantly.
I want to wake up early and work out so I can get my triglycerides down, as well as improve my general health. But I need more rest.
I really want to go back to work part time and feel like a contributing member of society. But I can't even begin to focus on that right now while I'm stressing. And get I need to get more rest.
I want to be just a generally more active person. I know I'll never be a gung-ho go-getter who can do a million things in a day like some amazing people I know. I envy them and their vivacity, get-up-and-go, motivation, and plain old energy. Yeah, I used a Thesaurus. Shush, I'm tired. I ran out of synonyms. I just want 1/4 of the energy that a normal person has; and I would have, if it wasn't for those meddling kids. Oh wait... that's Scooby-Doo. I mean those noisy upstairs neighbors.

Sorry, went off on a tangent. Now where was my poor scattered brain again? Oh yes. I was able to work out this morning. Did a little yoga. Kinda tipped over while doing a twist in a warrior pose. Kinda scared my poor dog. It was actually really funny. I laughed out loud. At MYSELF! Now how many people can say that about their day-to-day-lives? I was never in any danger, I can assure you... I almost always tip over while doing yoga. Especially when doing twists. That, I definitely blame on the MS. I used to be a Varsity Song-Leader in High School. I have dancing skills dammit. I used to have balance skills. Well, better balance skills than I have now. Here's what the crescent half moon pose should IDEALLY look like:

Here's the link to an article on how to do the pose, by Sara Ivanhoe, my favorite yoga instructor. 

http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411838,00.html

Try it, if you are able, just for kicks! Let me know how you do!! Be very careful though... and maybe move any nearby coffee tables. By the way, Sara Ivanhoe's following me on Twitter. Eeek!! I'm so stoked!! I feel so popular!!


Doing my yoga today and getting back on a schedule was a good thing for me. I feel better, like I can do things again. I have to remind myself that no matter what stresses arise in my life- nothing is more important than my health. If you have your health- you have everything. So daily yoga, watch out. I will be knocking crap off of my coffee table and scaring poor Sid much more frequently. And I'll feel much better for it. Namaste.

Quick Update: My Google + name is Ali Bab. if you have problems finding me, please send me a message. I'm new to it too. But I believe you can find me by that... I hope. I'm also on Pinterest now, but I'm on there by my full name, so you have to message me for that and then I can give you the link. Happy Saturday!!

I'm So Tired; But I'm Trying to Put on a Happy Face!

As anyone with MS knows, you get fatigued ALL of the time. Sleep? Eight hours is a bare minimum to be a functioning human being the next day. For me, personally, to get through the day- I like a good nine hours. Unfortunately, I have upstairs neighbors from hell and with all the ridiculous amount of noise that they make- I've been getting about six hours a night. No bueno. No bueno at all! 


My upstairs neighbors (there are three, a mom, a dad, and kid about 5) are the worst. They stomp. STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! They take about five showers a day. She cleans every day. Starting at 7 a.m.!! Vacuuming, doing like 3 loads of wash in the community laundry room a day, and she mops all the time. It's a small two bedroom apartment, same layout as mine. She also opens and closes the closet doors about five times at 6 am when she's looking for something for her kid to wear. If you can't find it- here's an idea: leave the door open! It's fraying my nerves. 


I had to go to the office and complain today. I said I feel as though they are trying to intimidate me out of the apartment that I have lived in for longer than they've been here. I also told the manager that I have MS and I NEED my sleep. I'm not being lazy. Oh, and when I shower, the evil witch goes into the bathroom and bangs doors and drops crap in the shower. Freaking me out!! What the hell? So darn rude!! The manager, at least, completely agreed with me and they are getting a letter of warning. I will continue to complain until they stop. If they don't stop, hopefully they get kicked out. You would think that people would know that A) you live in an apartment and B) you live in the upstairs apartment. Maybe you should watch your noise level. But people have no common sense. So, I've been trying to do a lot of things, but they've all been put on hold because of these extremely rude neighbors. I'll let you know if they shut up. Or if they move (crossing fingers).


This saying totally fits me at the moment. It was this or an expletive filled rant about rude neighbors. 

There is a great site filled with passive-aggressive notes to neighbors. Here's the link: http://www.happyplace.com/3941/the-most-entertaining-obnoxious-or-completely-insane-notes-written-to-neighbors

Enjoy.

Until then, I'll just keep my head up and keep thinking...

"Gray skies are gonna clear up,

Put on a happy face!
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face!
And spread sunshine all over the place, just
Put on a happy face!"


Unless they keep waking me up. Then, it's on. Just kidding. I also don't know what happened to the background color. It's because I'm so damn tired. Blergh. :(

My New Hair, Latest Neurology Appointment and My Dream Valentine

So, it is that time of the year again. As I write this, it is the 7th of February, so Valentine's Day is in exactly one week. It has got to be my least favorite holiday of them all. If you're in a relationship- you have a ton of pressure about what you're supposed to do for that day. Going out to dinner is a nightmare. A million others are doing the same thing. If you are single- Hallmark and all the other companies make you feel like a total loser. Well not this year Hallmark! I reject your idea of a commercialized lovey-dovey holiday! I bought myself some chocolate and some tulips (my favorite flower) and I sent cards to those in my life that I love. I have no problem with love. I LOVE, love. How could you not? But it comes in many shapes and sizes. I send my 89 year Nana a Valentine because she rocks and she loves me more than anyone in the world. Except my dog. No offense to friends and loved ones, I know you all love me, but you get the point. So, Sid, the amazing dog, will be my Valentine and I will eat chocolate that I bought myself. And do whatever the hell I want that day. :)

I'm feeling pretty rocking and damn good about myself since my amazing cousin did my hair. I went back to brunette (the color I was born with) and am rocking some awesome bangs.

Yep, I'm feeling a lot better. What a difference a haircut can make. Plus that stupid cold seems to have finally run it's course (knock on wood). Look out boys (okay, men, boys just sounds better) Allison is single and ready to mingle. God, I'm a dork. I need to find a hot dorky man. He must exist, right? Right?!? I also wouldn't complain if he looked something like.....

The ever so scrumptious Michael Fassbender. Or as TMZ called him, Michael Fenderbender. Yep, he could cause a lot of those when people are looking at him. I had my Neurology appointment today and on the way home I stopped at Barnes & Nobles and spent my Christmas gift card on the Interview magazine with him on the cover. Well spent, I must say. I also got a book. I'm also intellectual, not only obsessed with MF's beauty. ;-)

The Neurology appointment went well. I have to go in for my MRI soon. No big deal. I just fear going in for them because I feel really good at the moment. I don't want to see any new lesions and get bummed out by it. So, I'll keep thinking positive thoughts and keep in mind that if there are any new lesions, they must be in a part of my brain that I don't use. Although I like to think I use a lot of it and that's why I got the damn MS in the first place. Cause my brain's so big it was pushing up against the skull. Just a theory, Let me have it.

Till next time readers, stay strong, and may you find love wherever you look for it. And if you don't find it- make your own.

I think I Might Be a Zombie

For me, my brain feels like it's at its peak performance at about 6 to 9 p.m. Unfortunately, the rest of the world is not set up to run that way. I really kinda hate it. I wish I was a morning person, I really, really do. But I never get going until at least noon and then I feel like the best of the day has passed me by. Before noon, I just feel like a zombie. I always have errands, Dr. appointments, just day-to-day things to do that must be done- during daylight hours. So it sucks. Why is it that as I'm chilling at home at 7 p.m., I feel like I could take on the world? Is it the MS? Is it because I know I can't actually go out and do stuff at that hour? Like a reverse psychology thing? And then of course, there's the annoying fact that after spending all day trying to wake up, by the time it's 8 p.m. and I do feel like I'm FULLY here; I take forever to fall asleep.

I'm looking into ways to overcome this. I'm trying to get up and get moving in the morning, rather than staying in bed, watching Good Day L.A. and getting nothing accomplished except probably killing off brain cells that I cannot afford to lose. I know this also sounds like I'm complaining and I really don't want to do that either. I want this blog to be a happy place. Happy thoughts. Puppies and kitties(cute!). Chocolate(yummy!) Michael Fassbender(cute AND yummy!!). Not blogs about things that will bum people out. I just have these thoughts that run through my head at night(when my brain runs the best) and I need somewhere to voice them. Vent them. Same difference.

I might be the only person out there that functions the best during prime-time hours. Who knows, maybe that's just how I would be, MS or not. There's also the possibility that I feel the best at that time because I'm the most relaxed then? For instance, tonight, that's when Modern Family is on and I'm laughing and not worried about getting anything done? It's a working theory. I know I'm definitely not the best person at handling any kind of stress.

It's also not as if I cannot function during the day. I can and do. It's just that where I feel like I'm functioning at 75% at 1 p.m., it feels like I'm at a full 100% at 8 p.m. I'll try to keep track of what is causing this, if I can figure it out, and if I can do anything to make it better and then let you know.

I have been doing better about blogging. I've just been telling myself to write, even if it's supremely boring. It's also helped me get out and actually do things! Even stay in and work out, just to do something. It's a great motivator, having a blog. I still have a bit of that flu, so I'm still taking it pretty easy. The flu has nothing to do with my fatigue during the day either. Well, I'm sure it doesn't help, but the fatigue has always been there. Hopefully, just as trying to blog more often has been successful, trying to be more energetic during the day will take hold too.

I have a busy rest of the week. Taking someone else to the Dr. and then I get to go have my hair done. I'm super excited for that. So, until I blog again, I leave you with Michael Fassbender and puppy photos. You're welcome.

What is Happiness to You?

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” 

― Dr. Seuss

What makes you happy? Are you generally a pessimist or an optimist? Sometimes happiness shows up as soon as we wake up, some days we never feel completely happy. So, I was running around yesterday doing some errands I was thinking about it. What makes me happy? When am I the happiest? I'm also reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, so I'm sure that played into it too.

Overall, I am a pretty happy person. I would say I'm an optimist and happy 97% of the time. Give me my dog and a book to read and I am set for a good day. I also had to paint my toenails yesterday and I realized, painting my toenails makes me happy. The fact that I CAN  paint my toenails makes me happy. The bright colors brighten my day when I see my cute toes in flip flops. And on a day like yesterday when it hit 85* here, I was wearing flip-flops, so seeing those cute little bright red cute toes made me supremely happy. I used a red color call Racey Rouge. How could that not brighten your day, I ask? Here's a pic of my "Racey Rouged" toes in front of Sid last night. Yes, I'm pointing my toes funny so that you can see the color.

As I said, I was running around doing errands, and one of those was taking Sid to the groomer's. While I was waiting for him I went by my old work and I even went by Starbucks, picked up a Frappacino (thanks Christmas gift card!) and then stopped by the Garden Grove Library. I used to go there all the time as a kid with my mom and we would take bread to feed the ducks. The ducks are still there, being fed by a new generation of moms and kids, and they even have geese, roosters, and special ducks that aren't the normal Mallards that I'm used to. I was sitting there reading and an older man came up to me and he told me they even get a crane. He also told me that the roosters are there because the GG Police confiscated them from a house (they're illegal here because of the noise and because people do cock fighting) and the cops decided that the library was the best place for them. It's a good deal for them now. It's where I'D want to go. :)

So, I took Sid to the groomer's and now he looks and smells likes a brand new dog. And with my newly painted toes, I feel like a new woman. I spent some time with old co-workers and at a place full of books.

So, here's my question to you, my dear readers:
What makes you happy? Big or small? Whether it helps you get your mind off MS or whether you are perfectly healthy? I'm very interested to hear what makes your day brighter.