calicojasmine

Suzanne!!! Shock Shock Me!!!! But if anyone can understand and empathize your situation it is me, Sweetie. Of course you need to look after yourself... take care of yourself - on every level..... do whatever it takes to heal and relax and be well, and of course we will be in touch.... I will always be here for you, my dear, dear friend.... xoxo Joan

I'm thinkin' - ANY kind of Asian food...... yummmm......

Welcome to our world.

Care to share????

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS TOOOOOOOO SHORT!!!!! WE PASS THIS WAY ONLY ONCE!!!!!

BTW emily, it was 2:46 AM over here - like I said, time to eat dinner!!!

HEY GIRRRRRRLLLLLLLL!!!! Glad you're so UPPPPP!!! I'm kinda fluctuating - more like a rollercoaster these days... so what else is new??? But very glad to hear that things are working out for you....... I STILLLLL have your beautiful flowers and balloon!!!! That in itself makes me SOOOO HAPPY!!! I think I'm going to permanently move into this thread!!!

I really like Facebook. Never got into MySpace.

Suzy, I think you nailed it right on the head.... There certainly seems to be a parallel between creativity, drama and the dual diagnosis of mental illness and drug use... Just look at all the "greats" who have succumbed to early passings from music careers laced with drug overdoses..... Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrisson, to name just a few. And I'm not even mentioning all those who are currently "courting" the behavior..... of which, sadly, Ms. Winehouse is included.....

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! PARASOL DRINKS!!! You know the ones... the little umbrellas in the cocktails.... no cruise is complete without at LEAST 3 per day......... Have a couple on me!!!!!

Ohhhhh nooooooooo....... I haven't even had dinner yet......... You're probably wondering - WTF???? But I'm in the "Joan Zone".... nothing makes sense in here... I eat dinner at 5:00 AM and sleep until 3:00 PM - 'cause I'm KA-RAZY!!!!!!!!!!

HEY, LIKEWISE!!!

Yeah, I have a couple of expressions: "Life sucks and then you die". "That which doesn't kill you makes you crazy". It also helps to have a great trauma therapist!!! LOL! Seriously, though, I guess I have a helluva lot of experience dealing with hardship and trauma.... and I'm incredibly stubborn.... refuse to go down without a fight.... they're gonna drag me out kicking and screaming! LOL!

THANKS - NOW I'M TOTALLY JONESING!!!!!!! WELL, YOU'RE JUST B-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-D!!!!!

I know how that can be... I'm home a lot, too. 'Way too sick to go out.... my computer is my window to the world..... MFC was really a godsend last year....

Thanks, racha, points very well taken....... I totally agree with you - there are different levels of abuse ad bullying - all I am trying to do is remind people to sit back, take a deep breath and perhaps indulge in a wake up call or three..... I know I have to do it every now and again (more often than not!) In fact, when I start getting morose about my own situation it helps me to sit back and remember the AIDS patients I used to help as a medical social worker..... it is humbling when one realizes that there are truly those who are worse off than you.... There is an expression: "I cried because I had no shoes until I met the man who had no feet." Truly. My father used to say that. He is the dearly departed, had a terrible, horrific death. However I digress. I know you mean well, and absolutely respect your opinion and courage in posting your thoughts and convictions. I am merely offering a different point of view. For whatever it's worth, for however long I can hold it.

CRAVINGS??????????? THANKS, GUYS, FOR GETTING ME GOING HERE!!!! WHERE DO I START?????? CHINESE FOOD..................... CHOCOLATE.......................... :naughty: CHEESECAKE.........................:naughty: THANKS A LOT!!!

Thanks babs. And you are MOST welcome!!!!

Okay Guys! Stop! My turn now: I've read 98% of this thread, reflecting on the differing points and opinions.... I have some pretty strong feelings, and I certainly do not want to minimize anyone else's convictions. I would also like to add that I really hope that in the course of the last year+ I have not been perceived to have insulted/abused/bullied anyone, as that would be the very last thing I would have intended. I make it a personal commitment to speak from my heart and soul; I do not play games, and being a victim of abuse/bullying myself, I do not take any of this lightly. Believe it or not, I feel for EVERYONE here... I believe everybody has a right to express their views as well as to be fairly heard in this forum. Feelings should always be considered. The truth should always be expressed. You know the expression - "Do unto others........." Well, there you go. Simple stuff, right? But I have to also say - People! Take a chill pill! Are we mistaking some careless posting for the real offender - "Bullying"? "Abuse"???? Yes, feelings get hurt... egos get a little trampled...... but can you really put all this in the same context as the children who are battered and women who are victims of domestic violence? Again, I must stress... I do NOT mean to minimize ANYONE'S feelings here... I give kudos to all who have had the courage to come forward and air their grievances in this disturbing manner. But I also would like to disclose a part of me that is so close, so hidden and disturbed. And I do this simply for the sake of perhaps helping one of you...... I have been a victim of bullying/abuse since I was in utero. There was family violence, domestic violence (when I was married) and many medical misdiagnoses.... I will lose my life because of this. I am bleeding out as we speak. Every day I get weaker. I'm not holding a Pity Party, only asking to see this issue in it's proper perspective. I don't take one day at a time, I take one second at a time. What I'm trying to say here is - life is too short. We pass this way only once. Therefore we need to make the time that we do have here really count. I try to see the humor in everything; I love Mika's music more than ever; I stop to smell the roses every chance I get..... I'm attempting to let go of all my anger and let everyone I care about how much they mean to me. And if someone pisses me off.... well...... I'm trying to get over that too......... I do NOT mean to sound "holier than thou" - I heard that loud and clear in the beginning of this thread, and, believe me, that is the farthest thing from my mind. But I do have the benefit of experience....... if not the luxury of time. To everyone........... I wish all the best life has to offer......

HAHA Caz you didn't fool me for one second!!!!!!! But then again I'm such a cynical, jaded old thing!!! LOL! I hope you have a wonderful time on the cruise!!! Get spoiled! It feels like you're a Queen! I have great memories of my 2-week cruise to Alaska in 2003! BON VOYAGE!!!!

You eat ice too??????? What's the fascination???? I've had ice chips after surgery... before they give you clear fluids or feed you..... But actually, it makes sense.... zero calories..... Jenny Craig would be soooo proud.....

You are most welcome!!! We will most def chat again!!!

OH WOW!!!! Does that ever sound fantastic!!!! :punk:What a wonderful career that would be!!! I can totally relate 'cause I'm a major animal lover/advocate and do lots for the SPCA and the WWF (World Wildlife Federation - I'm sure you already know this!) Anyways - in terms of money - first off, can your parents help you? Can you get a student loan? You mentioned you were looking for a summer job. There's also working part-time while you're going to school. Or maybe some family or friend could give you a loan. But don't give up!!! It's totally do-able! I got my degree in social work when I went back to school in my 30's. If I can do it, anyone can!!! And I put myself through, no one helped! All the while I was in an abusive marriage and injured in a car accident. Like I said, if I can do it under those circumstances anyone can!!!!