This Girl's Life!

Goodbye 2007

2007-12-31T19:37:00.000-02:00

This morning I woke up feeling refreshed and happy. My sister is in town with her boyfriend and my husband was snuggling next to me. Although, going to work on New Years Eve really sucks I felt pretty happy. I jumped in the shower. I don’t know about you but the shower seems to be where I have all of my greatest thoughts, such as they are. So as the water poured out I remember that when I through away my favorite jeans: the ones with the hole in the crotch and the beginning of a hole on my butt. I had thrown away my Belk Gift Card. My $11 dollar gift card was in the dumpster!

You see, yesterday I had frantically been cleaning up my tiny apartment because my sister and her boyfriend were coming to spend New Years with us. In my haste I said I love these ten dollar Express jeans from Good Will, but they have Got To Go-- You know the holes and all. So I chunked them. One less thing to wash! YeePee and then I asked my husband to take out the garbage.

He did… and this is why I found myself at 7:55 am racing to the dumpster. I don’t know about you but I have to work One Whole Hour for Eleven dollars and I’ve had my eye on two Beau-t-ful brown towels at Belk that only cost $8.00. That $ll.00 would cover taxes too!

So I fished around in the dumpster. Jumping around and yelling “If there are any rats around please don’t let me see you!” Finally, I ran back to my apartment begged my husband to help. While promising to bonk me on the head if the card wasn’t in my jean pocket he fished out the ten dollar express jeans and I got my $11.00 Belk gift card! Brown towels here I come.

And that is how I started my last day of 2007.

First Post of August!

2007-08-12T02:54:00.000-02:00

Graduate School starts for me on Monday. I have 1 day left of freedom and this is how I’m spending it:

1) Grocery shopping

2) Cleaning the bathroom and washing clothes

3) Having dinner with the future in-laws

4) Supper with our awesome friends

5) Familiarizing myself with Valdosta’s Website (luckily very similar to Georgia Southerns web-site)

6) House Hunting

7) Trying to finish Harry Potter

Yes! I said House Hunting! Here’s the story: Our wonderful cat, Smitty, made his great escape while family was in town last weekend for Scott and my shower. We were devastated. We looked for him everywhere, put up flyers and I constantly scanned Lanier drive for him. We even ran an ad in the Herald. After 2 days and 2 sleepless nights we found him and brought him home! A Happy Ending. (Picture is Smitty as a baby)

Now the spark: I love Georgia Southern University. I love the students and I hope they enjoy GSU as much as I did. But, I no longer want to live around them. I hate all of the traffic, both cars and foot traffic, around my apartment. I hate that my dog and 2 cats don’t have a yard of their own. And after almost losing Smitty, I decided I had had enough. The very next day I went to the bank and found out we could buy a house!

Owning your own home is the American Dream! I’m more excited about buying a house then I am about planning my wedding. I’ve been dragging friends all around Statesboro looking at houses and finding neighborhoods, and it’s been so much fun. Hopefully, Scott and I will find the perfect first house for the kids and us.

Running update: Not so good. In fact lousy! I can’t seem to get back into a routine after being sick and that really stinks. I’m planning on getting back into my running routine as school starts on Monday.

Note: 1. I know bad things can happen even living in a house in a nice neighborhood. 2. I’m really nervous about grad school.

Vanilla

2007-07-25T23:50:00.000-02:00

Yesterday my co-workers said that I was Vanilla: as in style, personality my over presentation of myself. Within the first 3 seconds I immediately thought “No I’m not!” but then I looked down at my brown linen pants with my plain cranberry top and realized “Yes I am.” And then I realized that I was okay with being Vanilla. I rather like being Vanilla. In fact, I’ve never been more accepting and comfortable in my own skin before. I like myself and I have far fewer moments of the “Why the hell did I say that?” or the “Why do I have to be socially retarded?” So this morning when I put on my old trusty Kicks with yet another pair of tan linen pants with an equally boring pink shirt I thought bring on Vanilla and bring on ME.

Jogging update: Being sick put a crimp in my training schedule. I’ve been really disappointed about not being able to be active. I also found that I’m grumpier and I eat SO much more when I haven’t worked out. Such is life. (that’s a Grandmother saying :)) Hopefully, I’ll feel up to a short run tomorrow.

Oh Yeah, I don’t talk about work here but my Harry Potter program went really well! I had to share.

Training: Novice

2007-07-16T00:47:00.000-02:00

Well, I’m starting my second week of training. If I follow my 12-week guide I should be ready to run my first Half Marathon by October the 6^th: the Saturday before the wedding. Too bad I have to work that Saturday. And yes I know that GSU has a home game, but it was work that Saturday or not get to go to my own wedding.

This week I’ll be adding strength training along with cross training. And on this new training schedule I’ll only have 1 day of rest every other day is filled with running, cross training or strength training. It’s a pretty interesting schedule and should keep me on my toes. I’m thinking about getting my bike up and running and using it as my cross. I’m really not much of a swimmer but that might be fun or at least a change.

For my running update: I did 4 miles on Saturday in 35:02. My goal was 5 miles, but just walking home was a chore after those first 4. I did try to jog a little on the way back.

I did go see Harry Potter this weekend! And my study is kinda clean. I’m sorry that my blog revolves around all this jogging stuff. At least I’m posting again!

Old Dirty Kicks

2007-07-12T21:30:00.000-02:00

My college friend Mitzi and I were talking about the Nike Sport and because she lives 5 hours hours away she asked me to post a picture of my Tennis Shoes with the Runner's Pouch. So there you have it folks. At least you can't smell them.

Watermelon!

2007-07-10T11:25:00.000-02:00

I am so jealous! Georgia Southern is serving Watermelon on Sweetheart Circle today and I’m going to miss it. All of you students or if you work on Campus: “Eat some for me!” ah I guess this is what happens when you collect a regular paycheck.

Not much else is happening in this little corner of the web. Jogging update: I'm number 317 out of 558 in my beginners challenge.

UGH!

2007-07-09T10:45:00.000-02:00

Today's morning jog SUCKED! I'm starting over NOW! It's going to be good day!

I’m surprised of myself.

2007-07-08T12:04:00.000-02:00

Kelley, I’m sure you have heard about all of this from your sister. This is my disclaimer on how boring you might find this post!

Ok, last Sunday I bought the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. The only problem is you have to buy the very expensive Nike shoes that the Kit works with. Luckily, this company Grantwood Technology created the handy Sport Pouch for only $6.99. The down side: you have to order it online and wait a week for it to arrive, especially during a holiday week.

But it came yesterday! And it ROCKED! Seriously, this is the coolest jogging tool EVER. I realized that the loop that I thought was 2 miles is really 3. 3 Miles! I’ve been trying for weeks to jog at least 2 miles and I’ve been doing it the entire time and didn’t know it. Now that is an increase in the self-esteem area.

My one mistake that I did make yesterday was I tool my dog Dez along. Boy was she freaking SLOW! She trailed along behind as far as her leash would let her. And yes I do understand the potty breaks, but still I wanted an accurate view of my time. On the plus side she kept me company and I’ll probably keep taking her with me. I think with the proper jogging leash she can be great. Hehehe It was starting to storm yesterday and we had a huge crack of thunder Man you have never seen that dog take off so fast. I was like “Now that’s what I’m taking about!” At least I know she has it in her.

The other cool feature about the Nike + iPod is that it not only keeps up with your times, distances, calories burned all on your iPod, but you can log on to http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/ and keep a record of all your runs, sign up for challenges with other people and set goals for yourself. I signed up for this Beginners challenge for the month of July. Already someone has invited me to take part in her challenge. It’s pretty freaking cool.

I think the handiest part of the Nike + iPod (I’m just going to call it Nike Sport from here on out) is that it counted down my miles. There is nothing more encouraging then hearing “300 meters left”, Well Hell Yeah I can do that. It does the same if you set it for time or whatever you want.

Anyway, I'm happy that a friend recommended it to me and I definitely recommend it to anyone who jogs or thinks they want to. It works for walkers t0.

The End

2007-06-11T15:44:00.000-02:00

For the last episode of the Sopranos I decided to cook one of Carmela's dishes. It always seemed that she was carrying baked Ziti to her priest, so I found a good recipe and gave it a go. (I actually got this recipe from another blogger who had the same idea)

I have to say that this dish rocked and could easily be made calorie friendly with wheat noodles and low fat cheese. I did have trouble with my noodles being a little crunchy on top, but I think that can be fixed. Baked Ziti with Turkey Meatballs was YUM-O and was almost the perfect Italian ending (No one got whacked) .

BAKED ZITI WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

For meatballs
1 pound ground turkey
1 large garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted, cooled, and chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves (preferably flat-leafed)
1 large egg, beaten lightly
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ziti or penne
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces)
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese (about 3 ounces)
about 6 cups winter tomato saucea
15-ounce container ricotta cheese

Make meatballs:In a bowl stir together well turkey, garlic, bread crumbs, onion, pine nuts, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper and form into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. In a large heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook half of meatballs, shaking skillet, until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper towels to drain and brown remaining meatballs in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same manner.
Preheat oven to 375°F. and oil a 3- to 4-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish.

In a kettle of salted boiling water cook pasta until just al dente, about 8 minutes, and drain well. In a small bowl toss together mozzarella and Romano.
Spoon about 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce and half of meatballs into prepared dish and spoon half of pasta on top. Spread half remaining sauce and half cheese mixture over pasta. Top with remaining meatballs and drop dollops of ricotta over meatballs. Spread remaining pasta over ricotta and top with remaining sauce and remaining cheese mixture.
Bake ziti in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden, and let stand 10 minutes before serving.Serves 6 to 8.Gourmet February 1994

For Winter Sauce I used sauce out of a jar.

LEIGHA! LEIGHA! LEIGHA!

2007-05-28T23:31:00.001-02:00

Imagine arriving to your High School Graduation on a church bus with 30 plus family members. Now add to the mortification: a sign with your name and having your father pull up to the front door so that you and your family members could unload. Welcome to the beginning of my cousin’s high school graduation. We also chanted Leigha! Leigha! Leigha!

I have to say that yes it probably was very embarrassing for Leigha, but she got to ride to her graduation with her entire family: Mom, Dad, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, a slew of cousins and one brave friend. A freaking BUS load! How special is that? VERY! It rocked. We all traveled from Georgia, Alabama and Indiana just to be there for her on her special day. Scott and I drove for 12 hours, got lost in Birmingham, and sat through 3 trains at 2 in the morning just to be there to watch her walk across the stage. I have to say that my family has its flaws, but damn we rocked this weekend.

The weekend overall was really good. It had its moments where Scott and I wanted to strangle my parents, but it did teach us some valuable lesson that will come in handy for the wedding. I never realized how hard it would be to NOT automatically DO what my parents wanted. Example: just letting them decided where and when we are going to eat.

Ugh, I never knew deciding on a place to eat would be so hard.

The lesson learned: Scott’s wants and needs come before my parents. (who knew I would have to be taught that?)

Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day! Only 4 days left of this workweek and then next week I start my new position. I can’t wait.

I should have some book reviews on the way. I finished 2 books (one I just loved) and started on another that is just amazing.

Wow, It's been along time!

2007-05-22T12:11:00.000-02:00

I've been thinking and thinking about updating my blog. This may be a super small post but it's a start.

Reason's for not posting:

1) Even after years of writing literature papers I'm still afraid of writing.
2) I've been bummed out about how my blog looks.
3) I really want to say what I feel on my blog and that takes guts.
4) I'm not so sure anyone actually reads this thing. People have taken me off their friends list. It's not looking very positive.
5) I've kept to myself alot this past year, but now I'm ready to share and be apart of the world.

A few updates:
I bought a gorgeous wedding dress! and yes Scott and I have set a date! We even have a location. We signed the paper work! it's final.

I actually have more to say but I have to get ready for work. By the way I received a promotion. (Warning: From now on I will be tooting my own horn. I recently learned that if you don't celebrate your own accomplishments no one else will. I'm damn well going to enjoy the good stuff in life!)

Have a great day, everyone! (I'm actually writing as if I have an audience! hehe

Wednesday: Hump Day.

2006-07-26T16:06:00.000-02:00

Today is my last Wednesday of freedom. That’s right I will truly be in the real world next week. I don’t know why they call it the real world. The world feels pretty real to me right now. I think “real world” should be prefaced with working depending on context of course. The Working Real World. There. That’s what I’ll be entering next week.

Anyway, I do have a full time position at the Statesboro Regional Library. I will be starting next Monday. I’m very excited and relieved. This is such a great gig. Much better than I had hoped for in Statesboro. I’m having a little trouble figuring out how to balance work and Grad School and, you know, my life. I’m planning on cutting back my classes, but I’m just not sure how much is too much, or too little. I’m like the girl with the bears who wanted it just right. All of you Grad Students, or recently graduated Grad Students ring in with some insight here.

________________________________________________________________________

After safely securing my full-time job, I took a few days to reflect on why I choose English Literature for my major in the first place. I can honestly say that for about 2 months (from May to July) I really resented my degree and how useless I felt it was. But now that my chest isn’t so tight and I’m using more coherent language (something other than the F bomb) I want to make a list of why being an English Major is one of the greatest degrees out there, but I want help. I know why I choose this particular major.

Two Reasons:

1.I loved to read.
2.I sucked at writing, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could write and write decently if not well. Grammar still kills me, thus FANBOYS is always in the back of my mind.

So, English Majors, why this degree?

Ahoy Buccaneers!

2006-07-19T07:14:00.000-02:00

After watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (I absolutely loved this movie!) I’ve decided that Scott and I are going to dress up as Pirates for Halloween. (He doesn't know this yet.) I know, I know it’s only July and I shouldn’t be thinking about Halloween. But, I wanna be a PIRATE! So what, I’m a dork. I’ve already scoped out fabric and costume ideas.

YARRR!

Just for reminders, here are a few pictures from last years Halloween Bash.

Update=boring

2006-03-03T17:59:00.000-02:00

Ok, so I have no ideas or time really for posting. But it has been a little over a month since I last posted. So here goes my update:

·Scott gave me Sirius Satellite radio for Valentine’s Day! I’ve really enjoyed it, but I am planning on reading to owner’s manual soon. I’m having lots of trouble working the damn thing. Right now I can’t seem to get it to turn on. I’m sure that it is the operator and not the machine. Uggg I wish I were a technology person.

·Speaking of which, I’ve applied to grad school for Instructional Technology. All that I have left is taking the GRE and I’m going to do that over spring break.
·Well that seems to be about it.

·I had a rough week this past week.
1.I got sick and had to go home to see my family doctor.
2.I’m living with my crappy roommate.
3.One of our dogs Gracie passed away this week. Very unexpected and I’ve been
sad about that.
4.I lost my jump drive and had to rewrite my mid-term. It was only 3 mins late!
5.Dr. Griffin assigned a paper on the same week as her mid-term. Who does that?
It’s so unfair!
·We had a very good Baby Shower for Bean. She received lots of very cool baby stuff that I didn’t even know existed.

·Scott took me to see “A Date Movie.” It was funny and I laughed all the way through it.

·Becca is going to come visit Statesboro next weekend!

That’s it.

Living for the future

2006-02-02T18:05:00.000-02:00

We all do it. You know the sayings. “When I get that new job…,” or “Just as soon as I get a pay raise…” I have a few of my own “Things will be better just as soon as I’m out of this stupid Spanish class,” and “If I just had my own space!” My personal favorite so far “If I just didn’t have to sit in the closet to: A) Have a private phone call B) Steal the neighbors Internet C) Get away from my roommate-- then things would be better. I want my own place!”

How can I learn to appreciate the here and now? How can you all out in cyberspace learn to live for the moment? I spent this past weekend worried about a test. Then I spent the week upset about the same test. Now, in retrospect I’m kicking myself for the wasted time. The one time this week when I put everything aside and just enjoyed myself was at the GUS basketball game. Boy, did it feel great!

I’m not quite sure how to live in the here and now, because, frankly, sometimes the here and now just isn’t that great. Life comes in cycles, at least that’s how I see it, and people just keep moving forward. The one thing Scott has taught me recently is to keep a positive outlook. Unfortunately, I’ve been a little black rain cloud.

Does it really matter that I’m sitting in a closet that isn’t really my closet just so I can have a little time to myself? Not really, not in the long run. In fact this is probably the only time I’ll ever have the chance to sit in a closet and write. I’ve just made another college student memory.

I may still get down sometimes or have a rough day, but I’m going to do my best to remain positive. I’m going to try to enjoy life as it comes. I just don’t want to regret my life and my choices because I was to busy being a little black rain cloud.

Childhood Books

2006-01-26T10:59:00.000-02:00

I’ve been pretty laid back this week so, I don’t have any interesting stories to tell or anything to complain about. Because, well:

1. I spend my free time going to the gym.
2. If I’m not at the gym I’m sleeping.
3. If I’m not at the gym or sleeping I’m in class.

I don’t even go to the library anymore. I’m becoming a homebody.

My substitute roommate and I made plans yesterday to go and eat Mexican together. This is something we do. It’s kinda been our thing. But today I was to worn out from sleeping to want to go out. (Yes from sleeping, and that is why I’m up at 12 writing a blog) Instead I ate a frozen pizza and watched the national news. I don’t even have a minor adventure to write about. I don’t think going to the bank to deposit my financial aid check counts.

I though I would leave you guys with my reading list from my Literature for Adolescents class.

Holes Louis Sachar
Bud, Not Buddy Christopher Paul Curtis
The Bicycle Man David L. Dudley (The Department Chair)
Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town Kimberly Willis Holt
Behind the Mountains Edwidge Danticat
Under The Blood-Red Sun Graham Salisbury
Leaving Home Hazel Rochman and Darlene Z. McCampbell
Speak Laurie Halse Anderson
Rainbow Boys Alex Sanchez
godless Pete Hautman
whale talk Chris Crutcher

Let me know if any of you guys read any of these books as an adolescent. For that matter, let me know what you guys read growing up. I was a huge Judy Bloom fan myself. I loved her “Fudge” books and Blubber was a huge hit with me because, well I was the chubby kid. Who can forget Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret. I was really into the series books: The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, Goose Bumps and the list goes on. I loved C.S. Lewis as well. The Magician’s Nephew was oddly one of my favorites, second to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Sometimes people lose themselves in Southern Hospitality.

2006-01-25T00:02:00.000-02:00

Hospitality in itself is a good thing. Treating others with warmth and generosity is what human beings should naturally do. Southern Hospitality, however, is an entirely different beast. Southern Hospitality becomes not about just being kind and welcoming, but about being pleasing and never stepping on others toes. Maybe it isn’t Southern Hospitality that I have a problem with, but the expectations placed upon southern women.

Maybe I have a problem with standing up for myself.

Growing up in the south is like growing up in another world. As a child I was taught Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am, Yes Sir, and No Sir. If I answered my mother with yes she would respond with “Yes what?” and the child version of Jessica never said no. Saying “NO” to my Mother ensured a good ‘ole fashioned spanking. If you were going to use the word you had better be prepared for an ass beating. Honestly, I cannot recall any of my siblings or me using the word no. Even No Ma’am, if used in certain context, could make my Mom’s eyebrows rise.

So why do I feel like I’ve lost myself in Southern Hospitality, or rather social expectations? I’ m drawn back to the Yes Ma’am and No Ma’am’s of my childhood. As an adult I’m no longer required to treat people respectfully, I just do. And honestly there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Recently I’ve found that I’ve become more than just respectful, I’ve tried to become pleasing. I want those that I care about the most to be happy, and I’ve sacrificed my own happiness for theirs: A recipe for disaster.

In Mexico people think that it is rude to not give you directions. If you ask a Mexican how to get somewhere, and even if they don’t’ know the way they will make up something. Yes, this is completely unhelpful, but it’s the culture. Southern Hospitality has the same need to please. If you’re hosting a party or just a group of people, as host you go out of your way to make sure everyone is happy. As a guest you accept whatever your host offers you. That’s Southern Hospitality at it’s best.

So how can I keep the charming side of Southern Hospitality while remaining true to myself? This past weekend my boyfriend was cooking me an egg and I explained to him exactly how I wanted it, but it didn’t turn out as I had expected. At that second I had a moment. My thought process went like this:

I can accept this egg and eat it as is, or I can just tell him that he got it wrong.
But, if I eat that egg he’ll think that’s how I really like them, and I’ll be stuck eating eggs that way forever.
I don’t want to be difficult.
I’ll just cook another egg myself.

The southern girl in me found an acceptable way to try and get what I wanted while still being pleasing. But why does everything have to be pleasing. Why couldn’t I have just said, “That’s not how I eat my eggs” especially after having explained how I wanted it cooked. I came across as rude by offering to cook another egg. I wasn’t respectful or pleasing, but I was trying to be both and get what wanted.
I want to be warm and welcoming and generous while still being myself.

Recently, my roommate and her family have taken over my apartment. I’ve become a nomad living with my boyfriend on the weekends and another friend during the week. I’ve been totally stressed out about this entire living situation, but the Southern Girl in me has just bitten my tongue, but I’ve had enough.

As the saying goes “I need to grow some balls!” I’m tired of getting taken advantage of.
I’m ready to stand up for myself. My New Year’s resolution has become not just to lose weight, but also to take pride in myself: To realize that I deserve to be treated respectfully, and that my needs, my wants and my dreams and my wishes are just as important as anyone else.

This isn’t about Southern Hospitality. This is about learning to be myself.

January Workout update

2006-01-24T15:35:00.000-02:00

I’m on the horse, as Stacey likes to say, the workout horse that is. This is week 3 of the great workout plan and I’ve hit a wall.

I feel like I’m doing things right: Cardio Monday, Wednesday and Friday and weights on Tuesday and Thursday with some cardio. But week three has found me weak and tired. When I’m jogging on the treadmill my arms feel sooo heavy and I have to really force myself to push through.

Today, which is weights and cardio day, I almost gave up. I did my weight training with the intention of hopping on an elliptical for a few minutes. So when the time came for cardio, of course, all the machines were full. I just decided to forget it and leave. But as fate would have it a girl got off the elliptical as I was walking out, and I took it as a sign and hopped right on. It was a good workout.

But here’s the deal: I put back on the 1 pound that I had lost over the past 2 week and added half a pound. ADDED! Talk about disappointment. I know I know muscle is stronger then fat and that’s probably where the weight came from. Maybe I should just change my weigh in day from Tuesday to Wednesday. I don’t know. I’m just going to push on through and hope for the best.

I hope everyone else’s is doing well with the New Year resolutions. Just think the first month is almost over!

Why me?

2006-01-09T13:44:00.000-02:00

This semester already seems to be picking up from last semester. I would like a beer and a cigarette while I cry. I promised myself that I would make the best of my last 4 classes at Georgia Southern, but really I just wish I didn’t have to take them. I’m tired of being stressed and emotional all the time, but most of all I hate Spanish!

Interlude

2006-01-03T13:38:00.000-02:00

Ok I have to admit that I’m a complete dork. About 2 days ago I turned on my new laptop to write a blog. I felt inspired and was ready to put my thoughts into words. As soon as I turned my computer on it said I had a virus. So I consulted my sister’s boyfriend, he suggested I use my parent’s computer to google the virus. So I did, and of course that was useless because I understood nothing about the virus other than it comes through your e-mail. I then called my boyfriend and he suggested I get serious computer help. So I did, this morning in fact. It turned out that I’m just a paranoid dork; my laptop is fine and was just warning me that I wasn’t protected against this sober or sober virus.

So all you guys get is this boring post until I have something of interest written.
But I do hope you all had a great New Years and are enjoying the 1st of the year. This is my last week of freedom before my last semester of school begins on the 9th.

100 Things to Know About Me!

2005-12-29T18:11:00.000-02:00

I’ve been a blogger, well ever since I’ve been in college, so that’s about 5 years now. “100 things about me” seems to be a popular thing among blogspot bloggers, and well since I’ve joined the blogspot bandwagon it seems only right that I do what the blogspot bloggers do. After reading you might find that I’m a pretty boring person, and you would be right. Hopefully, for those that don’t know me quite so well, you’ll have a little better insight into what makes me me. Plus this is an easy way to get back in the groove of blogging.

100. I’m a Georgia Southern student.
99. English major with and a minor in Irish studies.
98. I stink at writing and grammar, but I do try.
97. I believe that anyone who can speak can write, no matter how badly. So, I guess there is hope for me.
96. I earned my associates degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
95. My first major was Agricultural Education. I wanted to teach Horticulture on the High School level.
94. From age 15 until I graduated High School I worked at The Greenhouse Nursery and Landscape Design.
93. Before that I worked with my Dad on his landscaping crew. I can spread pine straw with the best of them.
While at ABAC I took Animal Practicum where I learned:
92. How to collect semen from: a bull and a boar
91. How to castrate a bull.
90. How to brand cows.
89. How to tag cows, and I can give them shots correctly.
88. Check to see if a cow is pregnant.
Disclaimer: I did all of these procedures in the classroom setting with an instructor present, and I haven’t done any of these things since.
87. I love plants.
86. My apartment is full of them.
85. I can’t wait to have my own yard so that I can landscape it.
84. I love reading, I have since I was a child. My favorite thing was to escape into a book. My sister and I spent many summers checking out books at the Library and then devouring them at home. There is nothing better then wiling away the summer in a good book.
82. It should be no surprise that I want to get my master degree in Library Science.
81. I have 4 more classes remaining at Georgia Southern University.
80. Spanish is one of those classes
79. I have a fraternal twin sister.
78. Yes, that means that we do not look alike.
77. She is tall with dirty blond hair.
76. Our eyes are both blue, but different shades of blue.
75. We do have the same smile, or so I’ve been told.
74. We had an older brother who was killed in a car accident.
73. My sister’s name is Rebecca
72. She has traveled all over the world. Mexico was her latest trip.
71. I’ve been to Wisconsin and that was for one bad trip that lasted one day.
70. I went traveled to Wisconsin to see Phish, but never made it to the show.
69. Wisconsin is the farthest I’ve ever been from home.
68. Currently, I am trying to read The Stand. It isn’t going so well and I may give up soon.
67. My all time Favorite band is, by far, Fleetwood Mac.
66. Stevie Nicks is my all time favorite singer/poet.
65. My favorite Stevie Nick’s song is If you ever did Believe. This song can be found on the Practical Magic soundtrack.
64. I love Nancy Grace. (You might know her from Larry King Live, and she now has her own show on Court TV. Grace is a lawyer from Atlanta, she is outspoken and I like it.)
63. I read Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol every year at Christmas time.
62. My favorite character is Tiny Tim.
61. My favorite John Wayne movie is McLintock.
60. My favorite movie is Bridget Jones’ Diary.
59. Sometimes I feel like I have Bridget Jones’ public speaking skills; in other words verbal vomit.
Things that I love:
58. snugglizing with my boyfriend
57. Fireflies because they look like fire works in the woods. Much better then in a jar!
56. Movies that transport me to a magical land.
55. My sister
54. My Mama
53. My Daddy
52. Going home after being away for a long, long time.
51. My parent’s drive way is ½ mile long.
50. My sister and my Dad totaled their cars in that very same drive.
49. I can be reclusive at times.
48. I love escaping into a good novel.
47. I’m guilty of reading romance novels. (I apologize to my English major friends)
46. I’m guilty of watching CMT and I actually like country music. I can’t help it, it’s part of my roots. I grew up on it.
45. I saw the Dukes of Hazard in the theater.
44. I make homemade cards. (Alison, if you e-mail me your new address I’ll mail you a homemade house-warming card.)
43. I had a horse named Lucky growing up.
42. Lucky bit my sister on the knee while she was on her horse Sugar.
41. My favorite football player is Peyton Manning.
40. A.P. is right up there with Manning.
39. Sometimes I cry for no reason.
38. My favorite food is pickle and chip sandwiches.
37. I’m addicted to chap stick. Any kind will do for me. It’s in my genes everyone in my family carries a stick in their pocket. My Maw-Maw (my great grandmother) kept at least 3 tubes next to her bed at all times.
36. I’m afraid of the middle-age bulge.
35. I’m afraid of losing my dreams.
34. I want to travel to Ireland.
33. My boyfriend is 33 years old.
32. I want him to go to Ireland with me. I want to share my dreams with him.
31. I’m a hippie at heart.
30. I donated my hair to Locks of Love.
29. I wear glasses.
28. I love fresh chocolate chip cookies.
27. I enjoy smoking. There is something so nice about just being able to go outside and sitting on the porch and smoking a cigarette. Unhealthy yes.
26. My first love is now married with a kid on the way.
25. My parents have been married for 25 years.
24. I have to workout and watch what I eat to fight the fat gene.
23. My birthday is April 7th
22. I’m 22 years old.
21. So if you were doing the math that means that I’m currently 11 years younger then my boyfriend.
20. One day I will quit the cancer stick for good.
19. I love dancing in my room all alone.
18. My current boyfriend is the only boyfriend I have ever farted in front of. That’s true love!
17. My Favorite TV shows are: The Golden Girls, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock, Gilmore Girls and Smallville.
16. Scott just reminded me that I know how to Arc weld. This was an ABAC class.
15. I would defiantly need a refresher course on the welding, but I’m pretty sure that it would come back pretty quickly. I was just as good, if not better then some of the boys in my class.
14. My roommate and I made picture frames in welding class.
13. I love walking around naked.
12. Underwear is my favorite thing to buy. I love pretty panties.
11. I love family dinners. That’s one thing that I’ve missed in college.
10. I love the way paper whites smell.
9. Tulips and Zinnias are my favorite flower.
8. I stink at spelling
7. I love spell check
6. When I’m mad or upset with someone I find it hard to look him or her in the eye.
5. I think a person’s soul is reflected in their eyes.
4. I laugh really loud.
3. I’m a Christian.
2. I went horseback riding today! It rocked! I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.
1. Most importantly I’m happy with the person that I’ve become, with the choices that I’ve made thus far, and with the life that is mine!

13.5

2005-12-16T17:10:00.000-02:00

An important number really, at least in my life. 13.5 inches is the amount of hair that I donated to Locks of Love. I’m now sporting a sexy new ‘do As I was sitting in the chair at the beauty shop I decided: 1. That I didn’t want to be one of those women that have the same hair style for a decade 2. I wanted to do my part to help cancer victims. 3. Long hair is freaking boring.

I know, I know I haven’t been posting regularly and according to Liquid Courage I have no excuse. School has been out for a while now. But I do have a few good excuses: 1. My sister is

home from Mexico and we’ve been spending tons of time together 2. I’m doing tons of reading. 3. I’m sorta studying for the GRE, or at least I brought the book home with me 4. I’m sleeping a ton. 5. I got my hair cut! All that combined plus Mom and Dad’s crappy internet equals no blogging.

My reading list (so far):
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Stand by Stephen King (Scott and my sister love this book so It’s now on my list)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (I read this every Christmas. It’s become my tradition)

A few Spanish cuss words I’ve picked up from Becca:
no pinches mames
El pinche raton
Se chinga tu madre

My List Revisited

2005-12-02T10:16:00.000-02:00

I decided that if Scott could revisit his so could I. And yes I know that he was only able to revisit his list because it was near his birthday. Isn’t the rule you can change your list on your Birthday and on New Years? But because I have yet to complete my list, the rules don’t apply to me.

Scott recently bought a slew of DVDs which at first, I have to admit, I turned my nose up at. Why would I want TV on DVD? But then I realized the benefits to TV on DVD. You can watch episodes anytime, when ever it’s convenient for you and you can start from the very first episode. Plus there are no commercials! What more could you ask for?

We started off with “The West Wing”. Watching “The West Wing” has sentimental value for me because my grandmother, also known as Nanny, used to watch this show all the time. It does seem odd watching my dead grandmother’s favorite show, but now I understand her fascination with the show. It’s kinda like listening to a song that reminds you of someone special. There isn’t anything odd or creepy about that. “The West Wing” simply reminds me of my Nanny and I like that.

This brings me to the DVD that inspired my last and final celebrity pick: “Smallville”. The WB has done it again, no wonder their ratings are up. “Smallville” is awesome and on the 5th season, I believe, it could be the 6th. “Smallville” provides the back story on Superman. The WB’s interpretation of the Superman mythology has Clark Kent leaning how to control his powers and Lex Luther is actually a nice guy, at least in the first season. Not only is Lex Luther a good guy but he is freaking HOT!

Which brings me to my last and final pick: Michael Rosenbaum!

Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luther is about 90% of why I like “Smallville.” What more could a girl ask for? Lex Luther is Hot! He’s Sexy! He’s Wealthy! And he’s the biggest BADASS in town! And in Scott’s favor he’s bald.

My List is complete!

Paste

2005-11-30T06:15:00.000-02:00

Scott found this amazing music magazine, Paste, which I promptly stole from him. I did ask first, so technically I’m not a thief. I believe that he is planning on writing about it on his blog, but he is taking way to long so I’m writing about it myself.

Paste Magazine is an independent music magazine. It is produced bi-monthly and features musicians, reviews music (of course), along with films and books. It’s classy, it’s cool, the writing is amazing and this month Paste is featuring one of my favorite artists, Fiona Apple.

Unlike many of you old fogies, Fiona Apple got me through my adolescent years. When the music video for “Criminal” came out I was memorized. I was awe struck by Apple’s ability to create such emotional intensity. At that point in my life Stevie Nicks was a huge influence, but because she was older, I felt that age created her mystique. Apple taught me that depth can be found in the young, that I, too, had the right to feel.

Paste also comes with a free CD and DVD. The CD Scott has, so I haven’t had the opportunity to check it out, but I really enjoyed the DVD. It features short films; one of my favorites was Dear Sweet Emma, and music videos.

I’m sleepy and it’s time for bed so go check out Scott’s new find for your self.

Is it summer

2005-11-29T11:22:00.000-02:00

Is it summer?

At this time of year most people spend nights huddled in their beds trying to keep as much heat in as possible. I, however, have my one window open, I’m sleeping in as little as possible and I’ve still woken up sweating and miserable. Tomorrow night I plan on putting the box fan back in the window. Thank You roommates!

My roommate is from Zimbabwe and has not seen her mother in 5 years. Her mother has recently arrived for graduation and the Holidays, and being an older lady she requires more heat. This is why our apartment temperature is roughly 85 degrees. At least this is what it was when I went to bed tonight.

I love my parents. I really like Pippa’s mom. I just wish when parents came to visit they didn’t disrupt your entire life. I hate sweating in the summer. I hate it even more in the fall/winter. And I really hate it when I have a cold and heat makes breathing more of a task than it already is.

Parents, I love ya but next time rent a hotel!

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

2005-11-28T22:34:00.000-02:00

Today is Monday and the first time I’ve touched a computer since last Tuesday. I decided school was out and Thanksgiving was a good excuse to just avoid the world and enjoy my family. I was able to dedicate one day to each parent. It was super nice. Unfortunately, my sister is still in Mexico so the phone ended up being my only connection to her and on one of our chats we were both so incredible sleepy that we just gave up. Turkey does that to you.

While avoiding the world minus Scott, he is always included, I read a great book: This Boy’s Life: A Memoir by Tobias Wolff. Lately I’ve found myself drawn to reading memoirs. There is something powerful in knowing that what you’re reading, although in story form, is someone’s life. Tobias Wolff tells a tale that has readers grabbing a pen to underline life-changing passages that remind us of our lives. At least that’s what I did.

We travel along with a young Toby Wolff as he travels across the country with his mother, escaping one stepfather after another. With every move Wolff searches for his identity, even changing his name to create his own personality. Readers watch a boy who tries desperately to make the world see him for what he is. Not just a wild, outrageous rough and tumble boy with an attitude, but a boy with potential and possibility. Wolff’s story of growing up in the 50’s becomes a tale that spans all generations.

Knowing that everything comes to an end is a gift of experience, a consolation gift for knowing that we ourselves are coming to an end. Before we get it we live in a continuous present, and imagine the future as more of that present. Happiness is endless happiness, innocent of its own sure passing. Pain is endless pain.

As a reader I soaked this passage in, reading and re-reading these words, relating them to my life. Wolff was able to draw meaning out of his life and put it into words that express what all people must learn. Even as I sit here thinking about this book and this passage, I realize that I still have yet to comprehend what Wolff is saying. To live is to experience and that’s what Wolff as taught me.

A lot of Wolff’s travels I couldn’t relate to, but I immediately thought of Scott and of all the times he has had to move and make new friends. Wolff just seems to know the kids that were destined to be his friends. This makes me wonder if people truly know, instinctively, the path that is supposed to be theirs, the people that are supposed to be in their lives. Maybe, maybe not.

Final Rating: Five Stars--- A great read that causes great thought while being very entertained. Wolff is a master at storytelling, even when it’s his own life.

The writing dilemma.

2005-10-21T02:12:00.000-02:00

I love songs and I love music. What I don’t truly get is poetry. I think this is a great flaw that I have which doesn’t make any sense because songs are in essence poems. What songs have that words on paper lack is the author’s voice inflection. Singers have the ability to control pitch and tone. This clues the listener into what is important.
I’ve wanted to write about Stevie Nick’s song “Nightbird” for a while now, but I got bogged down on the words. I looked up the lyrics online, and when I actually saw the words in writing, I felt like I lost the true spirit of the song. I lost the atmosphere that the song created for me. Now I have a new plan. I’m going to go back to the song and just listen to it and write about how Stevie’s music affects me, and why I make her music apart of my life.

Weekend Update

2005-10-19T21:33:00.000-02:00

1.Scott and I saw Elizabethtown. I’m sure that Scott will be writing a review of the movie soon, so I’ll let you check that out on his blog. I will say that I was super excited that a Fleetwood Mac song was included. The producer was, after all, Cameron Crowe.
2. Saturday I ran in the Hoofin’ for Habitat race. I had a really great time. My first race. I was runner number 110. I am very proud of myself; I completed the race and am enthused about doing another. I did learn a few things.

A)Eating breakfast is a must. Energy is a good thing.
B)5k doesn’t mean 5 miles. I’m not up on the metric system,but I soon figured it out.
C)Everyone there was super supportive, good people who care about being healthy.

3. Scott went to the seafood festival, which he and a fellow coworker and our friend worked. We had a good time, ate some good seafood, checked out the redneck Savannah folks.
4. Sunday my good buddy Crystal caned down and we went to the Widespread Panic concert. It was a great show; I danced my butt of, doing what Scott refers to as the hippie, widespread fly swatting groove. I’m sure he will correct me if my terminology is wrong, but you get the idea. And that, my friends, was my weekend. Now I’m doing school groove.

I know I said I was planning on doing a weekly Fleetwood Mac blog, and even when Derek sarcastically said “Good luck with that” I still thought I could do it. Turns out it happens to be a bit more work than I had expected. And, although, I still want to do it I think it may have to wait until school and life isn’t quite so hectic. I’ll be just as surprised as you are if I manage to post something soon.

I dont know

2005-10-12T07:31:00.000-02:00

When you have a question you can’t answer. I have the perfect answer. I don’t know. I’ve figured out the secret to everything.  Having to make all of these life decisions is stressing me out. So, I’ve made a decision to not make any decisions. Good Plan   Now I can concentrate on the here and now without worrying about what I’m going to do next May.  Good Plan.
Ok, so maybe this is too much of a Bridget Jones’ solution, but it really is the best I’ve got for right now.

On to another question: Are towns really like “The Gilmore Girls’” Stars Hollow?  I seem to have found my way to Statesboro, Georgia and I think I could live here if things were as cute and quaint as Stars Hollow. Unfortunately, Statesboro has all of the small town gossip, usual small town job opportunities and Wal-mart.  Don’t get me wrong Statesboro is really growing on me, but wouldn’t it be cute to be able to walk around Statesboro like Lorelai and Rory walk around Stars Hollow. Okay, soo it’s just a thought, but it would be really fun. I want the nice clothes and perfect hair too. Owning a successful Inn would top things off.

That random thought just brought me to another. Tonight’s episode of “Gilmore Girls” had me totally relating to Rory. When last season ended Rory was told that her dreams would never come true, she would never be a successful journalist. What does Rory do? She runs away. Instead of standing up and fighting for her dreams and goals, she decides to quit Yale and move in with her Grandparents. As a dedicated fan of Gilmore Girls and Rory, I’ve been really pissed off with Rory’s lack of strength.  Tonight I totally supported Rory’s escape from realty.  Shouldn’t people, even extremely motivated and goal orientated people be allowed to take breaks.

Basically, what all of this rambling comes down to is me trying to wrap my brain around what to do about the future, and how that decision should effect the present. (question: does anyone else analyze the words effect and affect every single time you use them. It’s so annoying. It’s like then and than. You swear you know when to use the correct word, but you end up going back and second guessing yourself.) Less rambling and more interesting post planned for tomorrow.

Things that make life better.

2005-10-11T21:52:00.000-02:00

I recently heard two sisters discussing the traits that they have unknowingly taken on from their mother. This led to an analysis of the traits that I have from my mother. Of course these are traits that I swore I would never ever have. One I am indulging in at this very moment: Coffee, one cup of coffee with creamer.  My coffee even looks just like my mother’s.  As a child I hated coffee, it never appealed to me. I wasn’t like my mother, who apparently started drinking coffee as soon as she could say “I want some.” Being the first grandchild her grandmother, my Maw-Maw, indulged her. That’s not such a bad trait or habit really. Coffee is a good social stimulant.
Looking back at my mother’s life, I realized following in her foot steps isn’t such a bad thing. I just want to tweak things to fit me. I would like to learn from the life that she chose to lead.
  She was a kick ass mother.  She always provided for us and had enough love for everyone. That’s certainly a trait that I want. I want my future child to know how much I love it. I want to make Christmas and Birthdays and all holidays super special, just like she did.
I wouldn’t mind being a great cook.  Knowing that people associate your dressing, or apple cake with Thanksgiving and Christmas would rock. I want to be able to cook from the recipes that she cooks from. Knowing that these are recipes that she got from her grandmother, and they are still serving our family. There is something so special about cooking bisquits that turn out just like my mother’s. It always reminds me of home and of the love that I felt there. Food, in that way is so very comforting.
I hope one day to have a garden just as beautiful as hers. Just to be half the gardener she is would thrill me to no end. To know that I inherited her green thumb and to know that a part of her is in me is just an awesome feeling.
These days when I’ve been down and out and just feel like I can’t do much of anything right, I look back at my mother. She raised three children, one of which she has already lost, and still she moves forward. She’s the glue that keeps my family together. In not so many words, she taught me that when things get tough you just keep moving forward.  It’s how she has lived her life and how I must live mine. These days when I just want to climb in bed and have a good cry and then curl up with a good book, just avoid life really. I look back at my mother and realize, if for no other reason, I have to move forward so that I don’t let her down.
Hopefully, I haven’t been too sentimental for you, the reader. If nothing else just know that I feel WAY better.  Hey, this is coming from the girl who has watched “Gilmore Girls” all though college.

Autumn

2005-10-11T00:43:00.000-02:00

For those of you who don’t know-- autumn is my all-time favorite season. To jump start the season, Desdemona (Scott’s dog) and I carved Mister Pumpkin-head on Sunday. It went like this: I did all of the carving and the cleaning up, while Dez curiously looked on, and attempted to steal pumpkin seeds. She is half beagle and eats anything and everything. Even 4 raw pork chops left unattended on the kitchen counter. We love our dog.

Because I love autumn, I’ve decided to do my best to find a Fleetwood Mac song to support the season. This has turned into a huge Fleetwood Mac song search. I’ve realized that I’ve loaned Fleetwood Mac CD’s to friends who haven’t returned them, and left Fleetwood Mac CDs at home. So now I have one line of one song running through my head, and I can’t seem to find it. I knew this would happen.

I have more to say, but I’ve already killed an amazing amount of time searching for the perfect Fleetwood Mac song, and “Oliver Twist” must be read by tomorrow. The life of a student.

Fleetwood Mac

2005-10-05T15:52:00.000-02:00

After cruising around other people’s blogs, I’ve noticed a few things. 1. Some people become super personal 2. There is good writing and bad writing 3. A lot of people come up with really cool themes that not only represent their personality, but also keep readers interested in what they have to say. I’ve seen people who use only song titles for all of their blog titles, very cool. One guy is writing about where he went wrong in all of his past relationships, starting from the very beginning. Interesting to say the least. So, I’ve decided to 1. Avoid the personal stuff as much as possible, while still keeping those who read my blog from a distance updated. 2. I’m going to work on having decent writing. Hopefully the bad grammar won’t be off putting, and I do my best to catch all miss-spelled words. 3. I’m creating a theme of sorts.

What does this have to do with the tile you say? Well, I decided to take something that I’m interested in, Fleetwood Mac, and make it apart of my blog. Here’s the plan: once a week I hope to write something Fleetwood Mac related, or review a Fleetwood Mac song. Just for the record, I’m considering Stevie Nicks as part of Fleetwood Mac, but I will also include some of her personal records in some of the topics. This not only provides a theme for my blog, but also gives me a chance to see how music has affected my life. As for you the reader, hopefully you will be entertained. If nothing else you’ll have proof as to what a huge dork I am.

A little Introduction:

Fleetwood Mac
A band that has served as friend, lover, and psychologist all in one, beginning with the first time I heard “Rhiannon.” Unfortunately, I’m a little young to have ever been apart of the Fleetwood Mac generation. I hopped on the Fleetwood Mac bandwagon at the very end of the band’s career. I missed the drugs, the crazy love affairs, and the wild concerts, but I’ve got the lasting music produced from such an erotic life style. Here’s the band.

Lindsey Buckingham: Singer and plays guitar
Stevie Nicks: Singer and plays the tambourine.
Mick Fleetwood: Drummer
Christine McVie: Keyboardist and singer
John McVie: Bassists

Hoofin’ for Habitat

2005-10-05T15:23:00.000-02:00

I’ve decided to put my exercise plan to the test by running a 5k for Habitat for Humanity. Monday I went to the RAC (School’s gym) to jog on the treadmill, while I was there I noticed that they had different runs advertised. A light came on. I thought “Hey, what better way to keep me motivated then to sign up for scheduled runs.” I decided that running for a charity would be a much better plan for me. I would not only be supporting a good cause, but I won’t be quite as embarrassed for walking when other people will be walking as well. Then maybe I can work up to real, serious races. Maybe Not. Come October 15 we will see how well I do. To prepare I’ve downloaded the 5k course, which happens to be on Georgia Southern’s campus, and I plan on giving it a go today. I know many of you will be traveling away to support Georgia Southern football, or headed to Savannah for the seafood festival (which I hope to still make). But for those of you remaining in the 'boro' for the weekend, come out and join me. It should be a blast.

ISFP

2005-09-29T23:11:00.000-02:00

ISeFiP
Introverted Feeling
Extraverted Sensing
Extraverted Intuition
Extraverted Thinking

It's amazing how well this fits me. I'll post more when I have time. I've already wasted the day on reading about the Myers-Briggs test. I must write my paper sometime.

What would you do if you were homeless?

2005-09-27T19:52:00.000-02:00

If I were homeless I would live on a college campus. It’s the perfect place. You could hang out in the library. It’s open 24-7 Sunday through Thursday, closing at 10pm only on Friday and Saturday. The perfect solution, you would have a roof over your head, comfy chairs to lounge around and sleep on, and most importantly bathrooms are provided. For entertainment you have access to computers; you can chat with your buddies, play computer games, and keep up with the news. You could even create your own blog talking about being homeless in the library. And let’s not forget about all the great books you would have to read. All kinds of classics right there at the tip of your fingers, all you have to do is go and pull them off the shelf. As for taking a shower, well that’s not a problem. Just walk over to the school pool, anyone can go in because of the swim lessons and water aerobics classes, shower there. It’s a perfect plan.

Sadly it isn’t my idea. I usually go to the library a couple of times through out the week. Every time that I go, I see the same old lady there. I could be there at 8 in the morning or at 9 o’clock on a Friday night. It doesn’t matter, she’s always there. I’ve been seeing her since last semester for sure.

I’ve become very curious about her. I want to know where she goes when the library closes. And does she really live there? The other day she had some new prescription bags, along with all of her other junk. How did she get the perscriptions? Does she drive and have a car? I’ve often thought that maybe her son or daughter works there and she just comes in with them. I wonder if other people are as half as interested in her as I am. I dunno.

Recap of Yesterday:

2005-09-27T07:51:00.000-02:00

I listed my goals for getting in shape on September 7, 2005. Yesterday, I decided to check on my progress. So I went out and bought a stop watch and timed how long it took me to jog a mile.
9 MINTUES!!! My goal was 10 or under, so I made it! I attempted the 10 boy style push-ups, but it just wasn’t happening. I made it to #3 and pushed on through the 4th, but the 5th push-up almost killed me. It’s back to the easy style for a bit longer, at least until I can build up some arm muscle. I’ve got a start and that’s what counts.

Yesterday’s rant of the day: In my Bible class we had a take home test that consisted of two essays. It wasn’t bad. Our teacher was coming around picking up our essays, so I got mine out and put it on my desk. Here comes the rant. The girl sitting next to me proceeded to stain as far as she could out of her seat to read my paper. What the hell. If you want to read my paper why don’t you just ask?

“Wide Open Spaces”

2005-09-23T18:47:00.000-02:00

As many of you know, lately I’ve been thinking about graduation and what that means for the future. Today I was driving home from shopping at Wal-mart for tailgating stuff and I had a moment. I think everyone has “moments,” as I like to call them. Times when your life is going really well, but you just get a little sad and the tears start flowing. If someone were to ask you what was wrong, you couldn’t say.

Thinking about the future and school coming to an end got me to thinking about how all of this started. I remember packing up my car, and my sister and me following my parents all the way to my new home, ABAC. Which, by-the-way, was 3.5 hours away from home and 4.5 hours away from my sister. This was the first time I had ever been completely without my sister. The first time I had ever had to stand on my own 2 feet. If I remember correctly, as my family was pulling out of the Chandler Hall parking lot (which no longer exist) everyone was crying.

Little did I know that, that fateful day would lead me to Statesboro, Georgia and Georgia Southern. If you had asked me back then if I were planning on going to GSU, I might have doubtfully said “It could happen.” Georgia Southern just wasn’t in my plan. I wanted to teach Horticulture, not English. Boy, how plans change and life takes over.

Now I’m an English major with an Irish minor, both of which I just fell into. I’m dating a great guy and looking into staying in, no other then Statesboro, Georgia. My how things change. I never thought the wide open spaces that I was searching for would lead to Statesboro, the home of… what? Nothing really, maybe the home of Georgia Southern.

I still have dreams. I want to go to Ireland. I want to continue my education. I’d like to have a family one day. The dreams I had when I was 18 and leaving home for the first time have evolved and changed to fit the life that I’m supposed to have. I’m happy with that. I’m glad that I have a free spirit that allows me to go where life takes me. So far it’s been fun, and I hope the adventures keep coming.

Can you make new friends?

2005-09-21T17:26:00.000-02:00

In response to Sunnydale2005's question, "can you make new friends?":

That should be obvious, yes you can. Everyone does in life. Sometimes out of loneliness, a new location, a new job. You meet new people through friends, and then become friends. Life happens and most people just take it in stride. That sounds really easy and perfectly normal. The question at hand is can old friends and new friends mingle together?

I have to be optimistic and say yes. I am the outsider to a group of old friends. I was brought in by a significant other. When one becomes two the dynamic of a lot of situations change, friends included. The key to having a friend is being a friend.

Now here comes the negative side: Everyone has broken up with someone and lost friends because of the break up. It happens. The problem with becoming friends with the new significant other’s old friends is that you know deep down that they are his friends. The 5 months you’ve known them is nothing compared to the 10 to 15 years he has known them.

<-- Blair and Kelley... and above, me getting the shot. Part of the big group of friends and hopeful friends...

My theory as of recently has been to stop worrying about it. People will either like you or they won’t. I have to admit I’m a bit scared. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life at social engagements where no one cares what’s happening in my life. It would be nice to have “our” friends and not just his friends.

So I have to say that I think it can be done. Old friends can make new friends. New people can become apart of the old group. Life changes, people have to change with it.

I love having a sister that’s exactly my age!

2005-09-16T05:05:00.000-02:00

I miss my best friend. For those of you who don’t know I have a twin sister who is studying abroad in Mexico this semester. You say “She’s only gone… for what 6 months. Big deal,” I say, have you shared every single important event in your life with another person? Probably not, but I have. From pre-school up until we left for separate colleges, we’ve been together. She’s been there when parents couldn’t, boyfriends wouldn’t and friends weren’t.
I’m at the time of my life when I need her the most. I have so many questions to ask her and thoughts to share with her, but I just can’t call her up. She’s gone out of the country before. What did I do then? I just called up her cell phone and left her several long messages. She was only gone for two weeks, tops. But 6 months! Good grief, what am I to do?

I found a way!
I’ve had the chance to chat with her on aim. It just isn’t the same as hearing her voice. Luckily, I’ve downloaded a program called Skype that will allow us to talk for free. I’m one microphone away from talking to my sister! I can’t wait.

The Future looms near.

2005-09-16T04:05:00.000-02:00

This week I’ve done the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do my entire college career.
Apply for graduation!

I’ve always had a plan, even just a temporary plan of sorts. When I graduated high school, I went to college and earned my associates. After that I immediately jumped right into a four year program. Now that I’ve run out of classes to take, graduating is inevitable. I’m at a loss. Do I take the praxis and try teaching for a year? What about the GRE, and my hopes for getting my masters in Library Science. Can I just keep going to school? It would be so nice just to worry about the next set of classes that I need to take.

There are so many students who are ready to be out of school, making money. I want to make money too. It would be nice to be financially independent. My parents would be so proud. I just don’t know what to do, or even how to go about doing it. My poor boyfriend, he just had to catch me when my life is in such a state of flux. Hopefully, within the next few weeks I’ll have some sort of plan in action. Until then stressed out frantic phone calls will be made to my parents and my-oh- so understanding boyfriend.

23-20

2005-09-13T03:42:00.000-02:00

Things I learned at my first Georgia Southern game.

1.You never ever, ever, ever, ever say “I think were going to lose” even if we do.
2.If your Georgia Southern t-shirt is not navy blue, you will be ridiculed. All day people will say “That’s not a Georgia Southern t-shirt!” Doesn’t matter if it says Georgia Southern on it or not.
3.People become obnoxiously drunk and yell at each other. Just hope you aren’t in the firing zone getting a coke.
4.Obsessing over too many people bringing the same thing to the tailgate ( i.e. potato salad) is a waste of time. No one is going to bring it anyway.
5.You must stand up the entire game. This is actually very fun. Although, I don’t recommend jumping on those benches. Sometimes you end up jumping right off. This can be a bit of a shock: to you and the person in front of you.
6.You must take huge gulps of alcoholic drink while waiting to get into the stadium. This is very handy in keeping the buzz going.
7.Remember to bring water. It is a necessity.
8.Do not forget student ID

I have to say that my first Georgia Southern football game Rocked! Even though we lost, I couldn’t have picked a better team to lose to. The Cowboys really needed a morale booster. For those of you who don’t know, McNeese State is a team from Louisiana. A lot of the players had family in New Orleans, and the only things they had left were the things that they took to school with them. Football kept them going.

Overall, I think Georgia Southern football games are going to be something that the Sports Writer and I can do together. Georgia Southern is now our team.

Georgia Southern Football!

2005-09-09T23:03:00.000-02:00

Tomorrow I will be experiencing my first Georgia Southern football game. To say I’m not excited would be a lie. I am! I’m washing my one and only GSU t-shirt as I’m typing this. Which, by-the-way, was a recent purchase to jump start my growing school spirit.

A little back ground information: I’m working on my last year of my four year degree. Yes, yes I am a 5th year college student. It’s not so bad. I attended a two year school where I earned my associates degree in Agriculture. I had intentions of continuing on in the agriculture field, but at the last minute switched to English. Clemson soon turned into Georgia Southern. eeh, it happens. I’ve been here in Statesboro for about a year and half. This December makes 2 solid years. I have yet to fully attend a Georgia Southern football game. Tomorrow is a BIG DEAL!

Now dating an avid Georgia Southern fan, who happens to be a sports writer, I think it’s time for me to see what all the fun is about. I’ve done a little background work. I went to Eagle Ladies Locker Room to pick up a few tips. All I really learned was how to drink beer. Apparently, that’s all part of the game. I’ve got beer drinking down, now I can tailgate. Luckily, the Reflector (news-paper published once a month by GSU students) published a handy article called “Football for Dummies”. Now I have a slight understanding of the game. What this article failed to inform me of were all the traditions that go with the game. Who knew you had to get up at 9 AM and have breakfast with your buddies. Good grief Saturday is a day for sleep. The game doesn’t even start until 6. I don’t even understand all of this about tailgating in spot #13-7, or whatever spot. I got the look for asking questions on that one. As if I understand all the nuances that pertain to this pre-game stuff.

Anyway, I’m super excited about tomorrow’s game. (Don’t ask who we’re playing, I have no clue) I’m really just excited to get to experience something that my boyfriend loves. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that I like it.

Get in Shape

2005-09-07T14:43:00.000-02:00

After months of shopping for tennis shoes I finally found an acceptable pair. I liked them so much that I bought two! Hey, if you were a size 6 and had been looking for tennis shoes since April and you finally found the perfect pair you would have bought 2 as well. Now that I have my new kicks I’ve run out of excuses for not getting in shape.
When I started dating my present boyfriend I was a good 12lbs lighter. That’s right I’ve put on 12 solid pounds of comfort weight. AHHHH I’m disgusted just thinking about it. The jeans that I met Scott in, I can no longer get in.

Goals:
1. Get back in jeans that I wore 4 months ago.
2. Look hotter then the Hooter’s Girls (check out Highly Sophisticated Rednecks and you will understand)
3. Be able to jog a mile in 10 minutes or under. (Hey, I’m short and outta shape lets not push things. 10 minutes is just fine)
4. Increase general good heath…. Stay away from the brownies! Bananas are good!
5. Be able to do 10 boy style push ups
6. Get rid of teacher wobble.
7. Stay away from the cigarettes.
8. Look hot by October so that I can dress super sexy for Halloween!

I’ll keep you posted.