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Made way too much barbecue for one person, so I might have just let whatever kids from the neighborhood come have food. Better than having to eat the same thing three times a day for a week, right?

The cleaning bug bit while I was trying to relax from running. I think I've reorganized every room in the house, and I won't lie, there's a lot of rooms.

Alucard, darling, sorry if I rearranged the dressers and you can't find your socks. I promise they're still here and I haven't thrown them away.

I even made space for all the things the Dreams have given us. It's rather nice to have them organized and displayed properly.

Scheduled a new fight for a few months down the road. But I signed up for a tough mudder race in March. fight in May. I figure the training for those two events will keep me busy for the next few months. I'm good with that. I signed up for the tough mudder thanks to my trainer, he's doing it too, so we're both going to beat ourselves up.

Goodness, look at me. branching out again! But my trainer says it'll be good for my fight career too, it'll help build up tolerance and stamina.

In the meantime, I think I need a social life again.

So while I won the last fight, I took some time to myself to rest up. It was a long match, and I ended up looking like a raccoon for awhile. But it's nice to see snow, even if I'd rather there not be any. I wanted to be lazy and lay out by the pool but oh well. Guess that just means more training time! And running in snow...

Alucard
What shall we do for christmas this year?

Vladimir
I suppose I should ask, instead of just try to guess, what you would like for Christmas this year? I'm preparing my lists, and since you are here and it is that much easier to get you your gifts, I do hope you'll indulge a girl.

Tomorrow I leave for San Diego, weigh ins are later in the day, then the fight is on Saturday. I'm ready for this. I've got this. I can't wait to see what Alucard has planned, too, he's been making me wait and I'm sorely impatient! I want to know.

Then when I get back, I'm looking forward to catching up with an old friend and getting ready for the start of Christmas events. Although, I'm not sure if we're doing Thanksgiving or not, I suppose we should. At least it'll give me a good excuse to make a turkey.

I'm certainly glad to have stayed in last night - I have escaped most of the OC's strangeness, I'd like to keep that going, I think. Although I'll admit, some of these happenings can be rather fascinating to watch from the outside. I do feel sorry for those who get caught up in it, though.

My fight is almost here, a few more weeks, then I can't wait. San Diego is so nice to visit, after all, and I cannot believe I'll have a match near my home. Such a nice thing.

I had the privilege of experiencing my first American Halloween today, or, I should say, yesterday. I do admit that I admire the lengths to which people go. It is a very committed day, though not entirely so different from what I am used to. There are many superstitions surrounding Romania and much of that lends itself to such festivities. Many times there are recreations of witch trials, as well.

Still, I was not prepared to walk into the office in the morning to find the interns all dressed according to Romanian myths and legends. Nor had I expected to ingest so much chocolate. I fear that at this rate I will never sleep.

More running. More training. But I don't think I could do anything else right now. I'm in love with this too much. That said, got conned into some new photos. I don't think the gym needs any more promo ones but oh well..

I am still getting used to glasses. I've never needed them before recently and they're just a weird adjustment. I keep forgetting to put them on in the morning. Which, while not entirely a bad thing, is awkward when I actually need them.

Ah well, weirder things have happened.

Today was a good Monday, for once. Got my butt kicked at the gym. Bought new fight shorts for November. Bought new shoes and ingredients for dinner. I avoided running today, but I did enough errands that I think I covered it all. Now a little homework before dinner. Oh and much to my dismay, my optometrist appointment ended with me needing glasses. Picked up two sets of frames, and I don't need them to fight, so at least that is a bonus.

Usually Mondays aren't so pleasant but I'm not going to argue, too much.

People more experienced with this than myself:

I've been told dating men is easier than dating women.

Contrary to popular belief, I have never dated a man.

Is dating a woman always like needing to care for a small child?

Is dating men any easier?

Right. Ten miles a day (how did I still get conned into that?) Is it November yet? I am really looking forward to my match. Training at the gym every other day, training at home almost every day, I'll be hard pressed to not be ready for it.

I have the best trainers. Both at home and at the gym. I'm terribly glad for it - I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't. Heck I've even picked up the last couple classes I need for my degree, just because Father would be disappointed if I didn't finish.

It's a good thing I love being busy.

It's nice to know I haven't been locked into a group to fight with yet - only because my Coach got me my next match. He was all you'll have a few extra months. Liar. It's Bellator 131 November 15 in San Diego! I'm all excited to be able to fight, almost literally, in my own back yard.

Well I guess those ten mile runs a day will pay off. My old hair girl moved, and I have more hair than I did last time, I'll hire someone to braid my hair tight the day before my fight.

Alucard
So yes, we'll have to get back to training. I think my trainers like when I come in working with more knowledge. I love you.

I am glad that Alucard kept me in the house this past few days. I apparently lost my mind in this whole mess. It was certainly not my shining moment. I do hope we can avoid them again, I rather dislike not being able to sleep and seeing things.

Alucard
You are a saint, as ironic as that is. Honestly glad I cannot hurt you.
I can't, right? I mean we should just be happy I have no guns.
And it was only a sword I tried to stab you repeatedly with.

Ghouls. Why did my hallucinations have to be THAT

I had thought just disrupted sleep was the extent of my involvement in the strangeness this last weekend but then when I got to my office the department head wanted a word about the state of it.



Yeah, apparently I must have had a few ideas on Thursday and wrote them down. Umm. Oops.

When my trainer convinces me that a good ten mile run is a GREAT idea, remind me to punch him in the face next time.

I'm pretty sure my legs hate me. And he wants me to do that twice a week. There have got to be better ways to work on endurance. If he is harboring dreams of submitting me to a Spartan race or something, I might have to go buy a Spa business just so I won't die.

Alucard
Who ever gave my trainer these ideas needs to be shot. He's got it in his head to turn me into something all around awesome. My legs are not happy with this plan. Save me!

Unless you gave him the idea then I'm glowering at you and you need to make it up to me.

Sometimes this place is stressful and weird. But it's home.

( Cut for photo not filtered )

Well, I'm going to explore all my options while we're waiting for a next fight, they said it might be a few more months, so, only so many hours can be devoted to training. I agreed to another photoshoot. I do hope it'll be as fun as the last.

Alucard
Dear, I had a dream again.

And stumbled across something that the OC saw fit to deliver...

I'm kind of in love with this story. A guy at burger king was starting to get a headache. A parent behind him in line was allowing their child to scream on about apple pie. So the guy finally gets his turn to order and orders all the apple pies out of spite. He is my new hero.

I need more coffee for a morning like this.

Alucard
Darling, this place has seen fit to give me a gift.

Lesson Learned: don't show teammates the one photo from a photo shoot you thought was lovely of you. They'll spend the next hour in tears of laughter wondering if you've gone soft on them.

On a side note, they got pummeled during sparring for it. I had to reassure them, after all, I've not gone soft on them.

So I agreed to go back for some more photos, and while I was very hesitant, it turned out to be a lot of fun. So, I'll share one that I loved.

( Not filtered, saving F-Lists )

Alucard
I have a few just for you, love.

I love the looks I get when I participate in a Fourth celebration at the gym. The British girl with red white and blue on, we had a little party at the gym and did some things for local veterans, but the looks - you'd think by now that the idea of someone not from here celebrating the Fourth wouldn't be so weird.

I understand the history between our countries but that was hundreds of years ago. Pretty sure we're on decent terms now. I guess the accent throws people.

Still, was funny.

I survived the photoshoot, thank god, I thought it was going to be awful but it was in fact, kind of fun.

Well, hello Network! My name's Effie, and I'm sure we're going to make absolutely wonderful friends! This is my first post, so please, be gentle!

I've spent most of this month relaxing. Which, I won't lie, has been utterly nice. We decided to wait on my next fight for a few extra months, which is a nice down time and I can focus on Alucard and do lighter training for awhile. I'm excited about all that. It'll be nice to finally get away for a week or something and visit someplace we've never been.

Although next week I have a stupid photoshoot scheduled for the gym, since I'm all pro now they want good photos of me. I'm not so excited about that.

Exhausted. Worn out. Beat up. But happy. Friday was a good night. I won. Even if I have some new cuts and a nice shiner. Ouch. I need a spa day and a massage. But hey, I won. It was harder than the last fight, but worth it.

So next Friday is my fight. It'll be televised if anyone wants to check it out. I am not nearly as nervous as I was for the first one. I'll be glad for the downtime, I trained pretty hard this time around and am really looking forward to sitting back and working out for fun.

We get a few months between fights, so I'll take time to enjoy things. Possibly even talk my dearest into some sort of mini-vacation. I've been so focused on training I must have neglected him, should fix that, I think.

It is days like today that I sorely miss my mother. Fight or not fight you will find me eating a tub of chocolate ice cream. I'll burn it off tomorrow. But today? I cannot even go home to lay flowers on her grave. Hopefully Father will do so for me, although it occurs, he probably doesn't remember since being in the States I celebrate both Home's and Here's Mother's Day....

I may not have lived there for a few years but I do still have to watch Eurovision. It seems you can't rid a Brit of things ingrained since childhood.

Today was run ten miles day - put running shoes on and just let go. It felt good to shake up the routine a bit. I got to see parts of the city and beaches I'd forgotten about. I love running, even if I much prefer fighting or dancing. The run felt great and I stopped for a healthy smoothie and a grilled chicken salad afterwards, which tasted amazing. I love finding little hole in the wall cafes.

A few weeks before the fight and all I want to do is lounge around. This time I'm not so worried. Ah well.

When I'm stressed, I dance. Which, I think, Alucard's in favor of. I think I'm taking a break from training for a couple days, I'm just too worn out.

Mmmm. I think I'm feeling up to going out to dinner tonight. It's rare, especially when I'm putting my nose to the grindstone for training. Food good. Exhaustion bad.

Three weeks until my next fight in Los Angeles. I'm actually rather excited again. Two weeks until I have to make sure I'm close enough to hit weight. Two weeks to eat salads with meat on top, but no junk food. Except caffeine, sorry world, THAT won't happen.

I'd also like to announce that I have the best better half ever - seriously how many guys actually like letting their girls go get beat up? And spoil them rotten anyways? Valentine's was a successful day, the last two weeks have been perfect, and it can't get better than this. Even if the usual shenanigans of this city happened, fuck it.

Oh and I passed all my classes. One semester left of That crap until I'm done. I know daddy wants me to take over the family business but I am just not really feeling it. Sorry dad.

I haven't decided if I am going to do anything tonight or not. I may have totally forgotten about the holiday as a whole.

Lesson number six for the day: crashing and burning in the middle of training is a good indication you haven't slept enough in a few days and probably should stop training seven days a week. Also it results in a beautiful black eye. Sorry, Alucard, I messed up my face XD

Good news! I have another fight scheduled. I'm so excited I could jump around the house like a crazy person. Which I may have done regardless. Instead of hitting the gym today I think I'll hit the ballet studio and limber up a bit more.

In other news, I've had more dreams - they're interesting to say the least, I suppose. At least life isn't boring, right?

I don't think I will ever understand the appeal of Black Friday. Just reading about the chaos after the fact makes me glad I hid in my house all weekend. I never got into Thanksgiving myself, it's one of the holidays I haven't quite adopted yet. And I think I'll avoid adopting Black Friday shopping madness. I like to shop but that's taking it way too far in my book. I can wait on sales.

I find myself unable to part with the item that my dreams showed me then appeared in my rooms. I've grown rather attached to it. How strange is that?

Alucard
Dearest, what say you to a drive up the coast?

Waking up from a Dream is creepy enough. Then I go take a bath and find a cross necklace on my sink. From my dreams. Seriously? This place is creeping me out. I jumped and knocked a vase over and cut my hand up. And now I can't train because they made me get stitches.

But hey, I also realized I sorta missed my 30th birthday because of all this no talking fun. Oops?

Well at least now I don't need to freak out about everything - not being able to speak appears to be somewhat normal this week in the OC. Fantastic. My trainers were very confused when I walked in with a small dry erase board and held it up saying "Sorry can't talk!" then we played a hearty game of charades during training.

Who knew you talked so much during sparring and training? I never realized. Heck I can't even grunt in pain when I get elbowed in the ribs. Glad I don't have a match right now, that would be incredibly awkward.

I find myself looking forward to the dreams, I am curious as to what the next chapter in my life in them is. I like the dream-me so far. I make a suit look damn fine. Although I wonder if the skills eventually translate over, I apparently can shoot rather well in my dreams and I've never held a gun here.

One of the best things about my career choice is that after a fight I get a few months off. Which means... I have a lot of down time between training (which is more laid back at the moment) and homework (which isn't much thank god). It's giving me time to make friends (My father called and said he was worried I was going to be a hermit...) and I've strapped my pointe shoes back on and hit the floor again.

I forgot how much my toes aren't used to my pointe shoes anymore. I think I've gotten more bruises and cracked toe nails from my pointe shoes than my fights. Not that I'd trade it for anything. But, that being said, I really, really need a spa day.

Anyone know a really good place to get pampered around here?

Well then. That was enlightening. I think I will skip the second helping of dreams. This first one is a world of... what the fuck. I'm hoping it's a fluke.

It is always a surprise when one's father randomly shows up. Lord help me survive the next day or two with him hovering around my house, while trying not to get under my feet. Although he has stated he's not going to ruin my relationship, he's still hovering with a sense of disapproval.

Also, glad whatever crazy hit us here now isn't affecting me so I don't have to deal with that too.

Nothing like getting back into the swing of classes after a huge night. My brain is saying "school? why school? go train for your next fight!" instead of "STUDY". Great adrenaline rushes are addicting, who knew?

The looks I get from the bruises, that are fading slowly, are hilarious. Not really expecting a business major to look like she got her butt kicked. I really do enjoy telling them, no I wasn't mugged. I won a cage match. The looks are the best.

Vegas? Was wonderful. The drive to Vegas was wonderful. My classmates, however, are going to wonder, who the hell beat me up. A day after my fight the left side of my face is a nice bruise, pretty sure anyone who saw my ribs right now would think I got hit by a car, bruises everywhere. And cuts and scrapes and mat burns.

I'm off to Vegas. I can't believe it's only a few days until my fight. I've been training hard, so hopefully it pans out well. If not, always my degree right?

So I punched my trainer in the nose hard enough to make it bleed....

there was a valid set of reasons!!!

For one, I drove to the gym after finishing up paperwork for school. Turns out my brakes are going on my car, so parking was fun. That's a good way to start my day and so I spent my morning beating up my trainer. He wasn't happy with that hook to the nose but you know, I was a little upset with the way morning went and he was egging me on.

This is what he gets for putting me on a no caffeine diet for the next two weeks before the fight. No caffeine. Pasta only once a week, minimal breads, high protein. I'm a grump without my coffee. (don't worry, I am cheating, I went with Tea. He's grumpy about it, but I told him no caffeine cold turkey would make me turn his face into a mass of bruises!)

Now I'm just waiting for a ride home (Alucard if you're reading this instead of your texts, answer your texts.) where I will go for a long swim in the ocean then who knows.