This morning, I was awakened by someone shaking the bed. Well, more like the whole room, really. Joe sat straight up and said, "We're having an earthquake!" Everything stopped shaking.

I sat up quickly, suddenly wide awake, and said, "Really?? That's what that was?"

"I think so! It felt like it, didn't it?" he asked.

"It felt like someone was shaking the whole place," I said. Joe had an expression that said, "Well?" and then I realized what I'd just said, and added, "So, yes!" I'm not too familiar with earthquakes, in case that wasn't already obvious.

Joe got up to check the internet and see if there was any information about it. I wandered into the bathroom, about to brush my teeth. Then Joe shouted, "We're having another earthquake!" I was already really close to a doorway, so I stood there, and Joe ran over to me. As he did, I heard everything making clinking noises and watched our monitors wobble from side to side atop our desks. Everything shook pretty hard for a little while, and then stopped as quickly as it had started. My heart was racing, and I hugged Joe. That was so freaky!

I thought that was the last of them, so I felt pretty calm again. Then a third one rumbled through our house. It wasn't as strong or as long-lasting as the first two. I was scared to death to go walk the JRTs! But it turned out just fine. No more earthquakes. The earth decided three in one day is enough!

The first two were a 4.0 and a 4.2 in San Ramon. Freaky stuff! Even though those were relatively small, they were the strongest ones I've ever felt. I mean, I grew up in Texas. I am not used to this kind of thing. Tornadoes, sure, I can handle those. I grew up with those. I guess any kind of natural disaster is scary, though!

On the animal front, the JRTs are fine and dandy. Today was my last day with them, so I got them all "tucked in," and left them for the day. I am proud of myself that I made my own invoice (hooray for Excel!), and remembered to leave all the necessary paperwork for JRTs' people. I feel so professional doing this stuff! I mean, I have envelopes with my address printed on them. In ink! I am such a badass.

I also met up with a new woman whose cats I'm going to care for in a few weeks. Her kitties are adorable! Especially the big girl cat, Pumpkin. Cute! She also has a really cool apartment, decorated with photographs that she and her husband took during their backpacking trips around the world. It was so awesome!

I got lunch on the way home and Joe and I had a funny conversation. A diamond commercial came on, and the guy narrator said that when he was a kid, he didn't know what to get his girlfriend. It showed a young boy handing a girl a frog, and the girl recoiling in horror. Then he said he thinks he's learned a lot since then, and it showed him as an adult giving his lady a diamond necklace, which she swooned over. Joe laughed and said I'd probably like it if he got me a frog for Valentine's Day. I said I absolutely would! Then he asked if I'd rather have a frog or diamonds and I said I'd rather have a frog! This didn't surprise him, but it did make him laugh. He knows me so well.

And the funny thing is, I also found out today that my Ya-Ya name is Duchess Spring Frog. How appropriate!

Right now, I'm feeling pretty sleepy. I'm very glad that I don't have to worry about any animals (other than my own) tonight, and can just relax. I'll probably take a nap, meditate, and watch t.v. tonight. Oh, and of course, I'll also be playing on There. It's such a fun program!

I also wanted to add as a kind of update that I took a brief online version of a career assessment test. It listed jobs I'd be good at, but none were specific. Animal Care was listed. Well, thanks. Maybe one of those tests wouldn't actually help me figure out what to do with myself, because the results aren't specific enough. After all, no test will be able to help me decide whether I'd be a better Zoo Nursery Attendent or a Zoo Education Director. Or a researcher for the ways in which gorillas learn. Etc, etc. I'll have to figure this out through my own research, I think.

And that's about it. Another nice thing I learned last night is that meditating really helps me feel better. I just had a generally uncomfortable feeling last night. I felt irritable and bothered by nothing in particular. You know that kind of day, right? So I sat down on a bench outside the JRTs' house, breathed, and did a short meditation beneath the trees and stars. Afterwards, I felt invigorated and happy. I think meditation is an important thing to incorporate into my daily life. It's wonderful!

On that note, I'm signing off for now. I wish you all a happy day!

~~Meg