It's Christmas break alright...

It's been a little while since I've posted. I've been home on Christmas break and the internet here is worthless. We are currently trying to feed off our neighbors signal in order to get wireless here - but it doesn't work so well. I have to sit in a certain place in the dining room. These chairs get hard after a while, and I miss being able to sit on the couch and watch TV while cruising the net - sad, I know. And yes, our neighbors know we do this.

Anyhow, so far, the break has been wonderful. I've been very busy, and I love it! Although, it does make the month long break fly by. I finished off my third semester of Nursing School with some pretty kick-ass grades if I do say so myself!


Let's see - I've worked a couple days, they only let me work one day a week (boo) but that's okay because I'd rather not be working my entire last Christmas break. But the money is nice.

My old digital camera broke right before Christmas break. And by old, I mean 2 years. I was very upset, but I know it was becoming outdated quickly anyway. And so, I got a new one in the mail when I got home ;) That Santa, he does get around! And let me tell you, it's the best camera I've ever experienced. All the pictures following are taken with it. The only problem I've experienced so far, is with uploading and viewing videos - some codec problem. I'll let Jason figure that one out.

I worked with Jess at 4-H camp for a couple summers, and I finally made my way down to Richmond to see her new and beautifully decorated house. And of course to pretend like I had my own baby Ellie for a day!

We celebrated my Daddy's something birthday. I can never remember how old he is. But I still love him!


My old roommate, Melissa had a Christmas Party last Saturday which I went to. She lives in Arlington, so I had a nice little road trip and some great quality time was spent! Oh, and Box came too :)

Then mom had her annual Christmas Party last night, and it was fun watching all the old people enjoy themselves doing such simple things. She loves to make everyone sing Christmas carols. I think it's hideous, and I kept thinking to myself "man, if I ever do shit like this and think it's actually fun..." But they had a good time on their Kazoos (yeah, she got kazoos) - I drank lots of wine.

Today we made Christmas cookies - a ton of them. All my neighbors came over, and a few others. We went at it for a good 3 hours. I was very proud of all the colorful icing I made :)





Tomorrow is Christmas - yay! Then I'll head up to Springfield to see Chris and Melissa Parkers' new house, and celebrate the "void between Christmas and New Years" with a lot of great friends I haven't seen in quite a while!

Then we'll head to Vermont on Monday to see my Uncle and cousins for the week. We'll spend New Year's up there - because, let's face it - I couldn't handle another Brock's New Years!

Jason is still in Iraq and doing fine. He's tired, and misses home a lot. He's gotten a ton of Christmas packages though, and he's saved all our wrapped presents to open on Christmas. He's excited for that I think. We sent him a Christmas tree and some lights to help boost morale, which I think was successful. And from what I hear, after 2009 hits, it's the downward slide for them - so they're excited about that. We're expecting him home around April or May we think. But we really have no idea.


And I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Am I talking about you?

RULES
1. List some things you want to say to 20 different people.
2. Don't say who they are.
3. Feel free to comment, but don't confirm or answer anything.
4. Never discuss it again.
5. This is in no particular order at all

Have Fun Reading!

1. I think you have a VERY bright future - your mind is in the right place, and you will achieve your goals - in time. So don't worry about a thing, it will all work out for the best, and I love you.

2. I'm glad we're friends, I enjoy having you in my life, but sometimes you make me feel very small. You're very condescending, and I don't know if you mean to be - but maybe you should be more aware of the effects it has on others.

3. I'm so glad we're friends - I enjoy our chats, too ;) We used to do this ALL the time. I hope we can keep it up. I always feel so comfortable telling you ANYTHING, and I am very very grateful for that. You have such great advice - I certainly hope you get as much out of our friendship as I do! Thank You!

4. I miss you! I can't wait to see you again - every time we're together, it's like we were never apart ;) All I want for Christmas is you!!!!!

5. Life is a two-way street, you know. But thank you for making the effort to see me. You appear happy, I hope you truly are. And I hope you're not going back to any old habits.

6. Um, you get out of life what you put in to it. I may be taking longer than most to start my life and my career - but at least I know how to enjoy it. I do not appreciate you making me feel like I have accomplished nothing and that I do not appreciate anything that has been given to me. You too, make me feel small - and I have decided that I do not need any more unnecessary negativity in my life. So the only thing I can think to do is move on to the bigger and better things that are out there waiting for me.

7. Oh, where can I begin? You are the light of my life - haha, no just kidding, but really, you amaze me sometimes with the comments you make about me - you are so intuitive and you really do know me too well. I appreciate that. And I appreciate the fact that you are willing to tell me my strengths and weaknesses in a way that won't make me feel so down on myself.

8. Thank you for always being so positive! At first, I couldn't believe someone could be so happy all the time - and now I just know, they can! And if they can't, well that's okay too. But, you have been very supportive of me, and such a wonderful listener.

9. You know I don't hate you! Why would I ever think such a thing?! I just have my 'moods' :) You truly are 'my person' :)

10. The military lifestyle is one you know so well, and you have been so encouraging to me recently. I appreciate your advice. You are a blessing to me, in this chaotic time in my life. Thank You!

11. I hate the fact that you think you are God's gift to life. I wish someone would just take you down so fast you didn't know what hit you, and I don't mean physically. You cause problems in other peoples lives that are not necessary. You think of no one but yourself. Ever. You are nothing but a gigantic thorn in my side and I will not do any favors for you ever again.

12. I'm not sure what I would do without you, and I try not to think of that day. And when I do, it makes me want to curl up in a ball and never face the world again. Please, never, ever leave me. I love you.

13. Even though you are cheap, I appreciate it for the long run. You are so smart - and as much as I want to be so annoyed with you, I have to remember where I got it!

14. You should take a step back and evaluate your priorities. Don't you have children? And a family? Shouldn't they be your priority? I think so.

15. So we don't speak much anymore, but know that I still love you, and wish you all the best. And that's all I can really think to say to you. Which I guess considering the rest, is a good thing.

16. I'm sad that we hardly see each other anymore. Either way, as long as we stay updated, I think I'll be able to survive. Can't wait to see you get married!

17. Sometimes I wish you'd find friends your own age and stay out of our lives. Then you seem so genuine - but then I have a sick feeling, you're not, at all. Less drama, more support. Thank you.

18. I am so very proud of you! You are living your dream! Thank you for all your support and encouragement, even from so far away. You are such an inspiration to so many people. I am glad you have found your place in life! But I can't wait to see you again! :)

19. I miss you! I can't believe our friendship was at its closest when we were so far apart and at such a disastrous time. I will wear your memory for as long as life allows. I love you!

20. You have been an integral part of my life. I can't imagine where I would be without the love and support of your entire family. I truly feel as though I am part of your family as well - and am very grateful for all the things I've learned from you and yours. I love you all!

I need a Life Coach.

No, seriously.

Just someone to tell me exactly what to do, how to get there, and when.

Thanks.

Friday.

1. Snow is too cold (honestly the first thing that came to mind was that "Snow Sucks" but I figured that might be a little Scrooge-like).

2. I'm looking forward to the JMU vs Villanova football game/tailgate tomorrow!

3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas Movie ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is I Love Lucy (I just got the entire series for Christmas - and I know because I ordered it).

5. I'm done with Community Health Class & Practicum.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the memories and the traditions.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to continuing my pity-party, bed picnic, and maybe going to Wal-Mart, tomorrow my plans include tailgating all day, football game, and eating good food, and possibly indulging in too much alcohol and Sunday, I want to STUDY MY BUTT OFF!

Disclaimer: This is gross.

WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD
(besides your boyfriend telling you an IED exploded 2 miles away from him)

When you have to go to the bathroom so uncontrollably, by the time you race to the bathroom and finally decide you have gotten there just in time, you have time to *sigh* in relief, only to look at the toilet paper roll...and it's empty.

You were positive the last time when you left it empty - that you would surely remember to bring more when you came back - only you weren't expecting to come back so soon, and with such urgency....

I suppose one should always get in the habit of replacing the TP immediately.

If not, you should blog about it. It's what normal people do ;)

let this be a lesson to you all.

Updating I suppose...

Everyone seems to be doing it...

But, I don't think anyone really reads this. But I suppose I can still update and pretend like I have friends that do read it. ha.

Well, Thanksgiving break...because I still have a break since I'm a perpetual student.

We got the entire week off this year, which is new for JMU! Yay. It went fairly slow though.
Let's see...where to begin...
I'll go day by day - because it's really that important...

Thursday (20th)

• I drove home after class all day - just in time for a Mary Kay party at my house...I showed everyone my video (see below) they didn't get it.
  
• Catch up time with Mom and Dad - I hadn't been home since September! That's a long time for me.
• Mom had knee surgery the Friday before, so I was taking care of her

Friday (21st)

• Drove mom to her Dr appt
• Dr said sure, you can take the brace off
• Mom was very excited, but still moving slowly
  
• So we decide to do some MAJOR Christmas shopping :)
  
• Mom adopts a family from Social Services every year, so we had 3 little girls to buy for...that was fun, spending all that money!
  
• We went to Wal-Mart, Target, Old Navy, and Linens - N - Things
• We also stocked up for Jason
• I went out to Bailey's with Andrea and Tammy...good times...but very freaking cold
  

Saturday (22nd)

• I can't even remember.
  

Sunday (23rd)

• Breakfast at the Tates - yummy fried potatoes
  
• I worked on a blanket for Jason - the kind where you cut around the edge and tie the two pieces together in a knot - I tried to find the softest fleece they had, but I don't know. I hope he likes it...
• We went to a dinner thing.
  
• Then I came home and did nothing.

Monday (24th)

• Hmm. I can't remember.
  

Tuesday (25th)

• I worked. 7A-7P
• I got my baby fix.
  

Wednesday (26th)

• I started preparing for Thanksgiving dinner - I made a Pecan Pie and tore the bread for the stuffing
• Then Sarah did my hair and make up
• I had a photoshoot with Liz
• Then it was off to Tammys to prepare for the best part of Thanksgiving break - Brocks
• It was a blast as always - I wore my brand new shoes (which I just discovered I ruined) and we sat at the bar all night and saw people we hadn't seen in ages
• I just wish I hadn't drank so much :(
  

Thursday (27th)

• Thanksgiving!
  
• I made it home. Put the turkey in the oven...
• Ate some leftover chinese food for lunch.
• Showered and took a nap.
• Woke up
• "Helped" cook the rest of the dinner
• It was only Mom, Dad & me - on the couch with our TV trays - seriously!
  
• Very low key.
  

Friday (28th)

• Black Friday - Mom woke me up at 7am
• We went to Massapponax - and it was so NOT crowded
• Khols, Justice (JUST FOR GIRLS), Wal-Mart
• Home for leftover turkey and gravy
• Tamara visited...
• We packed up Jasons 42lb Christmas package

Saturday (29th)

• I don't know again.
• Oh, big breakfast at the Tates as is every Saturday
  
• Becca and I made red and green rice krispie treats
• we ate a lot of them
• We ate at Pancho Villa in Dahlgren
• Daddy and I watched Sex & The City the movie

Sunday (30th)

• I laid in bed all day.
• Jason told me and IED had gone off not too far away
• That put me in a yucky mood and I was mean for the rest of the day until I stormed out of the house in annoyance
• Drove back to school, and here I sit...

A couple side notes:
The internet at home BLOWS - which is why I had to wait so long to post anything.
We watched home videos almost every night I think. They're fun.
I'll be home again in 2 weeks for about a month. Joy.
I read The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks - maybe not the best book to read with my lover in the Army - but it wasn't terrible either...typical Nicholas Sparks though...

I'm sure I'm leaving things out. But I don't think you care all that much!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
24 days till Christmas!

I'm stealing these Manic Monday things...

It's "Cyber Monday" today, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States. Do you do much online shopping, holiday or otherwise?

Yes. I am not obsessed with it or anything, it's not like I just go browsing, but if I have something to get that I know will be cheaper online, hell yeah!

Are you a Mac or a PC user? Why?

I use a PC. I've just never gotten in to the whole Mac thing. People have tried to convince me, but growing up using a PC and then the thought of having a completely different operating system which may or may not still work with all my old stuff (but everyone tells me it will) - well, it just kind of freaks me out.

What website do you spend more time on than you care to admit?

Facebook. No question. Also Gmail, which is odd because all my emails go to my phone...who knows. I think that's about it.

so proud...

You have got to check this out...

Pulmonary Embolism



Starring:
Molly as "The Pregnant Lady"
Beth as "The Nurse"
Stephanie as "The Baby"


So we had free reigns for creativity for our group presentation on - you guessed it - Pulmonary Embolism...

We did a power point presentation as well, and Beth and I made 'Pulmonary Embolism' Rice Krispie treats by dying the (strawberry!) marshmallows even more red, and making them in to balls instead of squares...PEREFCT! A BLOOD CLOT! They were a hit.

You know when you had group projects in school and it always seemed like the other groups came up with awesome ideas, and you always sat there thinking "man I wish my group would do something that fun"

Yeah, that was us today.

I am so proud of this video it's kind of ridiculous. Molly deserves the credit though, she edited it to the amazing piece of artwork it is.

I know of 3 people who read this blog, so I hope you 3 enjoy it! But I really hope if anyone else stumbles upon it, you will enjoy it also.

Nursing School isn't ALL studying...sheesh...

What wonderful memories we made. I can't wait to show everyone I know this video. Although I am sure no one will think it as nearly as funny as us nursing students do!

now back to dysrhythmias...

Oh, P.S. - Can I just share, that today, during Women's Health (which is the class we had to do this presentation for) We were learning about newborn assessments...so our teacher brought in the baby bed with warmer and such, and of course, 2 dolls...so during the break, I go up to the front of the class and start holding one of the babies like it is my own. And I'm just chatting away with everyone while holding this baby. And I proceed to hold that baby (DOLL) for the REST OF CLASS!

what in the world is wrong with me?!?!

Veteran's Day.

So, I just realized how unappreciative I have been today.

I was reading Melissa's blog, and I'm going to steal all of her ideas now. So, thank you in advance, I hope you don't mind!

Nicholas Conan Mason (12.21.04)

First of all, we all know how this affected our small town of King George. What a sad, sad day that was. And I still remember thinking "nah, it's not Nick, that would never happen..." But, almost 4 years later, I still have his silver fallen hero bracelet...it's scratched, and bent all out of proportion, but always worn with pride and joy - especially when I get to explain it to others, and I wouldn't have it any other way...

Sgt. Searles
OIF 2005-2006
OIF 2008-2009 (currently)

Not many 22 year olds can say they have completed 4 tours in Iraq...(a tour is 6 months)
But he will be able to.

He often says he is just stuck in a 22 year old body, but feels like he's 40. I always brush it off. But, I've never experienced the things he has, nor have I seen the things he has, that I know he will never forget.

From what I understand, his first deployment was awful. A lot of "action". Not this current one. He is tired. Just plain bored. Not much going on where they are, and they've moved once already.

I mean, could you imagine?
- Being dirty ALL THE TIME...and there's no point in showering every day because you'd just get dirty 10 minutes later...
- Carrying a plastic bag to the 'bathroom' with you to poop in, only to tie it up and carry it out with you?

- pulling all nighters just to talk to the one you love, only to have to go straight in to a mission on no sleep (there's an 8 hour time difference)
- sleeping in a sleeping bag. (that in itself would drive me crazy, they always get twisted up and end up at the bottom of the bed)
- sleeping in the same clothes you wake up in, go to the gym in, and then go BACK to sleep in...
- no ginger ale when you get a stomach bug. no one to make you feel better, not even a nice bathroom to keel over in...
- being with the same people day in and day out (i guess it's like marriage, except for you don't necessarily love those people in that way...haha)
- what I'm getting at is, the high stress situation + people you may not really like = misery.
- a time limit to even get to talk to those you love ("NUMBER 14, YOUR TIME IS UP" or "You have 3 minutes of call time remaining" - I am so tired of hearing that)

Well, I couldn't live like that. I'd be utterly miserable, and I'd probably make everyone around me miserable too!

So, that is why I am so proud of Jason. He endures the monotony and bullshit every single day, and has before. He puts his life on the line every time they go out on missions, and who knows, maybe just by being there period. He doesn't think a thing about it either. He's so humble, and gracious, and thoughtful, even in Iraq.

Bravo Company
1st Platoon
2nd Squad

I feel like I know a lot of these guys, even though I don't. But he talks about them all the time. And from what I hear, he talks about me to them all the time. I think they love it! But I try to send them fun stuff. Just recently, he requested Oreos. And boy did I send him Oreos. 6 packs to be exact, every single type they make.

Yes, they're bad for you. But when you have dust for dinner, what's the harm in 80 oreos?


And who can resist a man in uniform? Especially when he is this cute?!
I mean, really...
I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

(i'm proud of all you guys!)

If it's Bolded, I did it...

(Thanks, Melissa!)

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

02. Swam with dolphins (well if the ocean counts...you know they're in there somewhere!)

03. Climbed a mountain (old rag. many times. and all the times i walk through campus, it sure feels like i'm climbing a mountain!)

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone

08. Said "I love you" and meant it (Yes! I say it almost every day! if we get to talk that day, if not, i at least think it!)

09. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped

11. Visited Paris (with the love of my life - the only way to do it)

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise (oh many times, sometimes drunk, sometimes not!)

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game (well, the CAA National Championship in 2004 counts to me! And Maryland Basketball!)

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars (I've been camping a few times)

20. Changed a baby's diaper (Love it. can't wait till they're my own! And I worked at a day care. So it was basically my day job. haha)

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower (oh man, the last one I remember, freshman year of college...well, Melissa and I partook in some recreational *things* and couldn't stop giggling the entire time. good times.)

23. Gotten drunk on champagne (ANDREEEEEEE! nicole's favorite.)

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (all the time. in class, when someone is speaking, when someone is trying to be serious, etc)

27. Had a food fight

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger

30. Had a snowball fight (hasn't everyone?)

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (I worked at a camp where I had to get the attention of at least 250 9-12 year olds, plus their teenage counselors. I had some creative ways to get their attention, but it ended up with yelling haha not in a bad way, just to get my point out there haha)

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse

34. Ridden a roller coaster (Love them! I remember the first time I went on the Shockwave, I was scared. Oh and the indoor one that busts your head up...)

35. Hit a home run (well, if we were playing wiffle ball in my front yard, then yes)

36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking (story of my life. but really i'm not that bad of a dancer, but dancing like a fool is always fun)

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (they are rare moments recently, but they're there)

39. Had two hard drives for your computer

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (isn't that what you're really supposed to learn in college? i'm the old person in college now, so i'm usually the DD)

42. Had amazing friends (I really honestly always seem to find the best friends EVER. Well, usually)

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country

44. Watched whales

45. Stolen a sign

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip (aren't all the trips to the beach, school, parties, etc considered road trips? hell, i'd consider a trip to the sheetz a road trip.)

48. Gone rock climbing (not real rock climbing unless you count that one fun part in Old Rag, but we have a rock wall at our gym...i've been a few times, oh and at camp)

49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach (maybe not midnight? oh, we went swimming when we got home from the bar once, that was scary!)

50. Gone sky diving (I'd love to go again and I highly recommend it for everyone)

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love (story of my life, seriously, fall hard or don't fall at all)

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your CDs (well, I don't really have CD's any more, but I alphabetize my buddy list, and i color code my closet)

57. Pretended to be a superhero

58. Sung karaoke (The Pub. Mistake. it was with a big group, so you couldn't really hear me thank goodness)

59. Lounged around in bed all day (it really is the story of my life. it's quite sad, i'm so lazy and unhealthy its insane. that's what i do with my weekends, especially since jason bought me a tv to put in there! and of course its a given if i have a hangover)

60. Played touch football (powder puff...but i was really bad at it)

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain

63. Played in the mud (we used to make mud pies, "witches & ditches")

64. Played in the rain (i'm sure i have.)

65. Gone to a drive-in theatre

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (my current handsome, and i'm positive he'll never break my heart)

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party (um. does that mean you go to someones house that you don't really know? because that's what you do when you're at jmu. you walk around and find a large group of people and even more red solo cups on the ground, and you go in and find the keg...seriously)

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch (chocolate chip, all the time!)

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo (i have 3. i only like 1.)

81. Rafted the Snake River

82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"

83. Gotten flowers for no reason (I don't know if they were for 'no reason' but i've gotten orange roses, and pink ones)

84. Performed on stage (at least 2 dance recitals a year since i was 3. the nutcracker every christmas)

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music

87. Eaten shark (i think i've tried it at Mako Mikes)

88. Kissed on the first date

89. Gone to Thailand

90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone (I'm going to consider myself in a combat zone by association because he's there, and I talk to him every day, and well, I'm just as much there)

92. Buried one/both of your parents

93. Been on a cruise ship

94. Spoken more than one language fluently

95. Performed in Rocky Horror

96. Raised children

97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour (Well we haven't follwed their entire tour, but every time they come to Baltimore, we go)

98. Passed out cold (once, i stood up too fast, low BP, and probably from drinking)

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking (haha yes sometimes)

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication

106. Lost over 100 pounds

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Touched a stingray (I think so - at the Aquarium?)

110. Broken someone's heart

111. Helped an animal give birth

112. Won money on a TV game show

113. Broken a bone (does a hairline fracture in my foot count?)

114. Gone on an African safari

115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears (i have my tongue pierced. i love it. i don't know why)

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (I taught children how to shoot at camp. All day every day all summer long. I shot too. I love it.)

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild

118. Ridden a horse (yes, and then it decided to run, and i was scared shitless, and once i fell off, but it was more like i just kinda rolled off haha - this was at camp too. i was trying to get in to the whole horse thing. but turns out, so not my deal)

119. Had major surgery (eyes? is that major? i don't remember it, i was 18 months)

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period (oh i'm sure i've done this)

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States

124. Visited all 7 continents

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi (for the first time a couple weeks ago! at Kyoto with Nicole.)

128. Had your picture in the newspaper (maybe the local paper for sports or something in high school)

129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about (I try. It never really works. So i guess this shouldn't be bolded.)

t130. Gone back to school (holy cow. Bachelors Degree #2 comin right up!)

131. Parasailed

132. Touched a cockroach

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey

135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

137. Skipped all your school reunions

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

139. Been elected to public office

140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair (um. it's a new color every other month. i never know what color to even say it is!)

147. Been a DJ

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone's life

it's a beautiful day...

I think this tree is b-e-a-utiful! ALL the trees this autumn are! I don't know why I never really noticed it before. But recently I have been blown away by the beauty of them. It's sad though, it means more cold weather is coming. Boo. I really hate cold weather. But, on a happy note, this weekend was Homecoming & Halloween. Always a good time. Melissa and Nancy came back, I haven't seen them in a while! It was nice to look at old pictures and reminisce. The tailgate we were at had a lot of babies, so it was much more subdued this year. Bummer. Even bigger bummer for one who has baby fever, bad. Man, I want a baby!

Okay, so I'll put the rest of the pictures on Facebook. But let me tell you, I do not want to leave this place. I love it here. I feel like its my second home. I have a lot of second homes. That's a good thing though, right? I will leave, but I won't like it. This is MY Harrisonburg, MY JMU, MINE! It's so wierd coming back after being gone for a while, especially now, because they're building so many new things. I want to be part of them all. I want to experience them all. But, sadly, I have to grow up and move away. I can't live in a sea of red solo cups and smashed pumpkins for the rest of my life. I mean I could, but it wouldn't be a very good place for a baby! The best part will be that one weekend in October, that one weekend that we can revert to college life, and try to drink like we used to, and tell old stories and laugh a lot. I can't wait for next year. Next year will be my first REAL homecoming. Finally, no longer a student...yikes.

Just for kicks, we decided to take the drunk bus home Friday night. It was hilarious. I still go here, and I forgot how insane it is. I just don't usually go out like we used to. And we went out hard. Here is a small small piece of how it is.

I can't even describe to you, the amount of people that were out this weekend. You have to be careful driving, because they all walk in the roads. We almost hit someone running in to the middle of the road to get his shoe. What? Yes. His shoe. Nancy says "What are you, an idiot for Halloween?!" You can always count on her for a funny remark. Oh, and we shared our corny jokes - Melissa's was the best

"Hey did you hear about the circus in town?!"

"It's in-tents"

Anyway, there was no picture I could've taken that would capture the mass chaos this weekend. You just had to be here to see it. Truly incredible...and I don't know if that's a good thing! But it's what makes me love it here. Where else would you ever ever EVER see such things?!?!?!?

Oh, and it was Halloween.

Bethany and I dressed up as "fruits". I guess you would call them that. But basically my who-ha showed all night because that dress thing kept flipping up. But I had cute little shorts on, so it's whatever. Besides, I'm in college, we show our who-has. Haha okay, I don't know how credible that statement is, but it makes sense in my head.

So - good weekend. I missed Jason a lot though. A lot more than usual. I just wanted him to be able to experience that with me. He didn't really even know what Homecoming was!! Plus, all the babies...well, you know.

Now we're in November. Craziness! Ah! I just remembered it's our 9 month anniversary! I always forget that...whoops! haha. He forgot too though, because I've talked to him for a while today and he didn't say anything. But it's okay, he doesn't really have a calendar. I think all the days kind of mesh together for him. I know he's bummed about missing everything, but I keep telling myself that it's for the best because right now I'm incredibly busy with school. We're doing everything backwards, but I like backwards.

There was a lot of talk of engagement rings this weekend also. Nancy is getting married in June. We're growing up. We're getting married. It's weddings now, not unicorn birthday parties.

I suppose that's all I can really say for now. I have been laying in bed all day. Contemplating watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. But I have to try to restrain myself until it gets closer to Christmas...but I think I might just watch it anyway. I love that movie. I ate McDonald's too. I have got to start working out again. I don't like myself right now. Yuck.

Okay, now I'm just rambling. Enjoy the last hours of your Sunday. Back to the grind tomorrow. And now it's dark all the time!

Aw mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....

Oh, so this thought just came to me. Literally, just now.

"I'm tired of being in this murky place in my life"

I think I had that thought because I looked at Lizzz's status on Facebook, and it said that she "loves her life <3" (yes heart and everything)

And I thought, "man, she is always happy, always bubbly, maybe I should go to church and I'd be that way too"

Except for then I thought "that's silly, why do I think that just because people go to church, they have happier, bubblier lives? it's almost stereotypical of me, and i hate that"

So, back to the original thought of the murk. It sucks. For the past 24 years, it's been the same routine. And now I'm about to go in to uncharted, even more disgusting murky waters. In fact, it's so murky, I don't even think you'd call it water.

It's scary. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of it. To get a job? In a career that I'm learning (even though I kind of already knew) is crazy dangerous and scary. (I'm currently regretting my decision)

To move to a place I've never been, just because of some silly idea in my head a few years back?

To go somewhere in a relationship I sure as hell have never been? (but of course, i have always wanted to go)

Why can't my posts be so happy and bubbly and positive like everyone elses?

I am so over October. This month has been nothing but a roller coaster for me. I wish my brain would just chill out some times. It's always on. Is everyone else's like that? I feel like my posts are always going to be negative and depressing. But I guess that's who I am, so whatever.

I'm ready for May 2009. And May 2010 for that matter. But the amount of things I need to accomplish before those two dates is ridiculous. I suppose I'll manage, millions of others do.

I really have nothing exciting to blog about right now. I never really do. Unless you want to hear about my boring rambles trying to figure out which life pathways I should take. But then I'll just catch shit inadvertently for it all.

I just signed up for a practice NCLEX this Sunday. That should be interesting.

i'm back...

and just in case you were wondering...i only left because i found out there were people reading this who i didn't exactly expect to be reading it...so i got slightly frustrated. yes, my fault for not making it private or whatever you do with blogs...but i've still been reading yours, and i miss blogging.

writing helps me, and your responses help me even more. it really upset me to hear that i was being judged for my blog. it is like a tool i use to organize the daily issues that go on in my head. how can that be a bad thing? maybe i wasn't being judged. but through my eyes, i was.

so if i continue to write about that, i'll get mad all over again, so i'll quit now.

i guess i'll have to continue to edit what i write, and be sure to only say things i'm okay with the entire world seeing. even though, i was okay with it before, just not the general feeling i got from realizing the theoretical wierd looks i was getting.

so - again, like i said writing helps me - and i just realized, what is the point of blogging then if i'm constantly going to be worried about that?! hm.

i'll ponder on this some more i guess, before i blog again.

what do you think?