I would love to generalize and say that this list is what everyone learns, but it would be the truth. I’m only providing 10 lessons for brevity.

Here’s what I learned:

1. Relationships must complete you as a person.
2. There is a such a thing as “the one,” and when you meet this person you will know absolutely.
3. Men and women do not want the same things. Men want sex. Women want commitment.
4. Once you meet the right person, you will live happily ever after.
5. Marriage is the end-all goal. Anything else is just plain crazy.
6. True love consumes you–every thought is about the other person.
7. Bad boys can be tamed.
8. If you’re not in love, you’re miserable.
9. Prince Charming will come.
10. Love conquers all.

Nothing on this list has made my life any easier.

It finally arrived after waiting just over two weeks. I thought I would be able to walk into the store and get one then. I was wrong. I used my son’s iPad until his graduation when I gave it to him. It wasn’t terribly useful at the airport the day I was there–too many people on the wi-fi.

I finally saw Ricardo on Nurse Jackie. The “Bleeding” episode. He was wheeling out a “dead” body when Zoe yells. I have been watching closely for awhile.

Okay, so it has been forever since I last posted. A lot has happened. Mostly the job. Since this blog is public, I don’t want to post about the job. I’ve been too distracted to remember to write.

I watched Gravity on Starz tonight. I wanted to check out this new series. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worthwhile. It’s quite good.

Frankly, I’ve been trying to get in all my shows somehow. I don’t always get to watch them the night they are on. I have been going to bed before most of my shows come on. It’s a shame that so many shows begin at 10 pm. I’ve been watching Nurse Jackie–another excellent show–looking for another blogger on that show, but I haven’t seen Ricardo yet.

This cold has really kicked my butt. I have been since since early Thursday morning, so I haven’t been doing any interesting cooking. I have been eating soup with doctored up chicken broth according to the directions in Julia Child’s cookbook. It definitely makes a better tasting soup. I went to both ballet and Tahitian practices. I nearly passed out in Tahitian class after 1 1/2 hours. In spite of being sick, I have kept the various appointments I have had. Recently I had a phone interview, which turned into an in-person interview on Monday. I have been certain that my cold would be gone by then, but so far that isn’t the case. These things usually last 3 days, but I’m on my fourth day and still not feeling better. The cough has started, and my throat isn’t much better compared to Thursday.

Tahitian dance class kicked my butt yesterday. For those of you who don’t know, I spend 2 1/2 hours every Saturday in Tahitian dance practice. The first hour is easier than the next 1 1/2 hour session–usually. This was a typical Saturday where the second class was harder. We worked on a specific move. I was lucky to walk out of the dance studio. I tried some similar movements today, and I’m still sore. Nothing like being barely able to move on my birthday. However, I didn’t make any plans this year. I wasn’t sure what to do, and then it got too late for my friends to be available. I was too tired after dance class on Saturday eto even consider going out.

I have had quite a few birthday wishes–more than I expected. Thanks to all!

How often when running errands are you privy to an interesting conversation? For me, it’s rare. I went to the post office today because it was a necessity. I had avoided the post office before the hectic mailing for the holidays.  I went early knowing that I would have to wait in line until they opened the doors. When I got in line, there was a black man, an Indian man and a Chinese woman talking about the differences in how their cultures treat women. It was rather brilliant, and for once, I was glad that I got somewhere early to stand in line.

On my way to the photographer this morning, I saw a large man with colorful tattoos on his bulging arms. He had very little hair–mostly shaved. He wore a white wife beater and jeans. Anyone know why they call those tank tops wife beaters? And…he was pushing a stroller. I had to laugh when I noticed the incongruency. Did I actually see a tattooed, body builder pushing a stroller? I didn’t see a child in the stroller. It’s too bad I didn’t have my camera and couldn’t have stopped to snap a photo if I had.

No, sadly, I won’t be taking the pictures today. I will be in front of the camera. I have a casting call for HP this morning. I touched up my eyebrows (absolutely necessary) and had a little accident. Hopefully it won’t show up in the photos. I don’t have Tahitian dance practice today, so I will have to find something else to do for the afternoon. Perhaps I should get out my camera and take photos. It’s a beautiful day here.

Okay, maybe you guys can’t relate, but I know the women can. I have been working on losing about 10 pounds that I gained earlier this year. Instead of buying new clothes, I thought it would be better to lose the weight to get into the clothes in my packed closet. I have beautiful clothes that I currently can’t wear. I have been frustrated with the weight loss because it’s not dropping off like it used to or the way I think it should.

I tried something different this time. I went to do a body wrap. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After being mummified to the point where I could barely breathe, I had to walk (could hardly move) to another room with exercise equipment! I didn’t realize that I would be covered in wet, dripping bandages, covered with plastic bags at my hands and feet (you drip) and covered with a poncho and told to get on the “gazelle” machine for an hour. An hour? I had to attempt to move my legs and arms back and forth for an hour? How? I was lucky to be walking. After the hour, I had lost just over 11 inches. They promise 10-30 inches. Now, I can fit into my smaller jeans that I haven’t worn in more than six months. And…they don’t pinch at the waist. I lost most of my inches around my torso, butt and thighs. It’s a miracle.

It’s a great day when you can get into those skinny jeans!

For anyone who is interested:  the body wraps are from Simply Beautiful.