Be careful what you wish for...

In a staff meeting before the holidays the question was posed, "What is one wish you have for Christmas?". Well I said to have a White Christmas and that's exactly what I got! I'm up in WA for the holiday with my mom and brother. The snow has been beautiful, especially out at the lake, but there's so much of it. I've finally started to brave driving into town on my own as it's melting and it's nice to get out of the house.

Tonight I'm getting together with some high school friends for Karaoke at Reggie's Tavern. It's a total dive and my brother and his crew might make an appearance as well. Should be good times!

Christmas Wishes

Dear Santa,

I keep seeing commercials for the Snuggie and I really want one. I can't tell you how frustrated I get when I have to extract my hand from its warm resting spot under my blanket to answer my phone. On top of that, I really want to look like a Jedi Knight while lounging around my house and think the Snuggie will help me make this dream a reality. I really hope you can work around any copyright issues (I assume that something as genius as a snuggie is copyrighted) and have your elves whip me up a nice knock off.

Thanks for all you do and for your dedication in hiring the disenfranchised. Ever since Ozzy Osbourned stopped touring, little people have had a really hard time finding work. I doubt it will end anytime soon as there are no immediate plans for a sequel to Willow.

With thoughts of gingerbread men....

Stephanie

Fit to be Fried

Friday night started out with a long overdue trip to the Cracker Barrel for Fish Fry Friday with Mike, Amanda, and Baby Kate (we missed you Bran!).

Then it was on to the second round of action. See when you are single you can hang with your married friends early and then cruise out to the single scene later. This way I get the best of both worlds and the marrieds don't fall asleep on me as I'm hitting my second wind.

The second round that night consisted of a house party at another friend's place. She had a great fire going, some good cider, and one fella set the mood with some acoustic guitar playing. Then came the reason for this post: they busted out "I love the 80's: trivia". Teams were randomly assigned and of course my teamed smoked the competition. I fear that again people won't want to play b/c we whooped them so bad. In all honesty, I was more of a support player this go round, but did help out by knowing the first names of the infamous Menendez brothers, some random facts about Reeboks and The Facts of Life, and was able to sing the Different Strokes theme song.

There were cries of our team being stacked, to which we replied it couldn't be since it was random.

That little exchange led to what I believe is the best name for a quiz team ever: "Randomly Stacked". I will so be using that in the future, hopefully in a venue that allows me to pad my pockets a little bit.

It would look great with my hat and new boots....

www.rednecks4obama.com

Their motto: We hunt, fish, drink beer, and support Barack Obama.

HomeSchoolers in Love

I love me some TLC. Yet another way that I can fulfill my voyeuristic tendencies. I love all of their documentary-esque shows. I caught a new one last night called "17 Kids and Counting". It chronicles the lives of a family of (you guessed it!) 17 who live in Arkansas. Oh yeah Dad's name is Jim Bob and the kiddos are home schooled. I'd heckle, but it's too dang easy and the family really is super cute. www.duggarfamily.com

This new installation with the family showed their oldest getting engaged and talked about their rules for dating or "courting". Basically, this involves the constant eagle eyes of a chaperon and no kissing. When I first heard them describe it I gave it my best Whitney Houston, "Ahhh hell to the no!" I was chatting with a friend about it and she brought up the point that if they didn't know what they were missing it wouldn't be all that bad.

She makes a good point. When I looked at it through that lens it all seemed pretty sweet. Then I had to crawl back into the gutter and started pondering what the honeymoon would be like. One word: AWKWARD.

On a related side note, I was very happy to see that the family had embraced the glory that is hair gel. I will miss Mama Duggar's bouffant though.

Bathroom Stall Saint

My good deed of the day was rescuing a little old lady from the bathroom stall. Weird? Yes. Blog worthy? Most definitely.

I was visiting the stinky bathroom down the hall from my office today at work (it usually smells like an outhouse one would find in a campground....sick, I know). Of course I was in a hurry to get to my waiting client and both of the stalls were taken. The handicapped stall was locked and I could see feet near the front of the other stall. I figured the person was just finishing up so I decided to wait. (Listening to someone's problems for 50 minutes while having to pee is never a good idea).

The person in the handicap stall comes out and so I go in and being the nosey person I am, was checking out the person's feet under the stall 'cuz they were still in there. They were now pointing perpendicularly to the toilet so I had no idea what they were doing in there. No flushing was happening, no puking, maybe crying? I hear them rattle the door a little bit, but still no voice or anything.

I make my way out of my stall and am washing my hands while debating if I should talk to the person or just hussle off to my client. I've been trying to listen to my intuition more these days and something was telling me to check on the person so I go and ask the person if they are alright.

She said that she was and was ready to come out, but didn't know how. I went over and pushed the door in (luckily she had managed to unlock it). That bathroom door opens into the stall and there wasn't enough leverage on the latch for her to pull it open. I realized later that you have to pull the top of the door in order for it to open which she must not have been able to reach. I have no idea how long she was actually in there. I think it might have been awhile though because after I let her out there was an old man waiting very close to the entrance looking anxious (whom I'd seen going in, but hadn't thought much about).

Moral of the story, folks? Being nosey in the bathroom might just make someone's day. :]

Choice

So I had this experience last night that I thought was a great metaphor for how I've been experiencing campaign season. I was out to dinner with some friends and two of them started to talk politics while I colored (to defend myself a little bit I should probably add that it was for charity and I was giving a shout out to my Bruins). It made me realize that I've had my head in the clouds for a bit. Sort of paying attention to the major headlines (thank you Perez Hilton), but not really getting down to the nitty gritty.

Awhile back, I tried to figure out the differences between Obama and Clinton by making my way through their websites. It was all kinds of difficult to distinguish between the two of them and I wondered how I would make a decision that was any more informed than just my gutt feelings about each of them.

I think part of the reason that I avoid all the political rants is that it's hard for me to wade through all the slurs and mud slinging to see the issues. I hate semantics!!!! Just give me your platform clear and simple and let me make a decision based on what your goals are after getting into office. I'm annoyed at what I see to be cheap ploys aimed at winning my support. It feels to me like we are back in high school and it's ASB election season. Whoever comes up with catchiest slogan or is the "coolest" gets the win regardless of what their plans are for change.

All that leads me to now. I'm at a place where I want to throw my support behind a candidate, but really want to understand what each hopes to accomplish if elected. I find myself leaning towards the left, but feel like I need more information before being able to firmly commit.

I guess I'm hoping to catch some of the passion and zeal that I see friends displaying for their candidate of choice. Now, it's just figuring out my choice....

The Latin Sensation sweeping the nation....

Zumba!

So, my friend Michelle and I tried to make a class last time I was out in Cali, but when we showed up at the studio it was canceled. A boo!

The sensation has hit the midwest as the Tech Rec Center is offering classes twice a week. I made it out to one tonight and had a blast.

It's the little things that make me happy: booty shaking and pelvic thrusts to name just a few.

I've got some great Zumba Karma going too since the classes are offered on the two evenings when I'm actually available to take them.

I'll have my latin moves ready to hit the clubs in no time. :]

Bored in Lubbock on a Friday night?

Dye your hair. I'm now out to prove that redheads have more fun.

Olympic Fashion

I'm digging Team USA's leotards. Flashy, yet not too busy at the same time. Makes me think back to kindergarten gymnastics and my classic Mary Lou Retton stars and stripes. (I have an amazing throwback pic, but alas, no scanner)

~An Olympic fashion statement I could do without: scrunchies. C'mon ladies, throw those bad boys away.

Looking for a third date?

Never say either of these statements on the second date:

1. I have two webbed toes on each foot.

2. My mom says hi.

Man exits, anxiety dreams, and crafting things

Man Exits

~ I noticed something on Saturday about guys. They can leave situations without acknowledging anyone. I saw this happen twice (two different situations, two different guys). The first happened at a large dinner. People were starting to leave and saying their goodbyes. Suddenly I see a friend (who's a dude) just stand up and start walking away. I asked if he was leaving and he said he was and then disappeared. Now in girl-dom this would mean she was really ticked off or had gotten her feelings hurt. Not the case with the guys. Part of me wonders if it would be freeing to just go as you please, but the girl in me who graduated first in her etiquette class (mmhmm that's right) thinks that it's all kinds of rude.

~ The second time happened later that night at a movie. A group of us went to see Mama Mia (5 girls, 1 guy). After the last musical number when the credits started to roll the guy just stood up and left. Again, no goodbye, just left. Weird.

Anxiety Dreams

~ I think that I have a pretty high threshold for my anxiety. I try to make it work for me, usually in the form of late night cram sessions. A lot of times I don't realize just how nervous I am until I wake up the next morning and recall my dreams the night before.

~ I was just recently called to be a Sunday School teacher (scary!) As today was my first day to teach I had one of these dreams just last night. A theme always emerges...I'm transported back to my college band days and am practicing for a performance. I'm on the field with all of my friends and I just can't get it right. I either can't remember where I'm going or don't know the music and I start freaking out because we are about to perform and I don't want to get reamed by Hondo. Last night's dream had me scrambling to find my music folder since I didn't have any of the songs memorized. I don't think back to my performance days all that often so I find it hilarious that some of my anxiety comes out in this form. At least it's good for a laugh to keep the nerves in check.

Crafting Things

~I've had the opportunity recently to do some crafting and event organizing. I realize how much I enjoy doing this stuff. I can't say that I'd want to start mass producing my products necessarily, but I would be interestd in figuring out how to work my desire to create into my career. Art therapy perhaps? :]

Here are my most recent creations:

~The first is a diaper cake I made for my friend's baby shower this past week. Kind of labor intensive, but oh so much fun to design.

~This is Rebel's centerpiece which I got to help design and put together (ignore my whithered bouquet...it had a long day in the June, Texas heat). Since we couldn't actually light the candles in the building I had to get creative and found some battery operated candles that gave off some nice light. To top it all off they were very budget friendly.

Miss Cleo says:

The new you is about to go on display. Don't bother with primping or any preparations forgotten until now. Focus exclusively on being yourself and letting soulmate activity come to you.

~ I think we all know that you shouldn't argue with words of wisdom from Miss Cleo. Let the "soulmate activity" begin! Maybe I should make plans to hang out at the barrel this weekend to up my chances of blue collar run-ins.

Desk Calendar Wisdom

"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it." ~Mary Little

Can I get an Amen?

Summer of Fun Part I

It's only the beginning of July and I realized today just how great of a summer I am having already. Productive? Eh, not so much, but fun for sure. A few of the highlights in pictures:




A quick weekend trip up to Amarillo to visit Rebel in her new house and check out Cadillac Ranch.



A not so quick roadtrip with Brandy to Stillwater, Oklahoma to visit Dr. KamiLynn at Oklahoma State.

A trip to Cali where I got the opportunity to a) have my 16 year old brother drive me around. (Yes, just as scary as it sounds)





and b) bike around Coronado island (where I also scouted for real estate, a little out of my price range, but the lifestyle is very appealing...surrounded by beaches and enlisted men, need I say more?)


Watch my best friend in Lubbock get married and serve as her wedding coordinator.



Hang out with people who share my fondness for all things white trash and indulge me by dressing up to watch documentaries about Oklahomans who fish for catfish with their barehands (deserving of its own post later). The inflatable deer head has to be one of my favorite purchases as of late. My favorite gift recently was the glow in the dark SPAM cups that Layne brought back for me from the Minnesotta SPAM museum.




Attempt to waterski at Lake Alan Henry and remember how much I love boating and all things that have to do with water.



And finally...making new friends!!

Life Lessons from "The Other Boleyn Girl"

In no particular order:

~ Sisters can be evil

~ There's usually trouble when a man comes into the picture

~ Being a ho gets you beheaded

~ Lust makes you do some really stupid things (e.g. deny your own progeny, create divorce, start your own Church, etc)

Since when did old and single equal creepy? Oh, wait...

Story #1:
Went to a new optometrist today. I was sitting in the chair contact-less (read: blind) and in walks the optometrist who I deem to be cute in a blurry sort of way (i.e., under 35, Southern accent, good smelling cologne.....what wasn't so blurry was the band of silver around his left ring finger) Anyway, as he's checking out my eyes he's making small talk and asks about my hobbies and then asks if I'm married to which I say, no I'm single. No joke, he then proceeds to scoot across the room on his rolly chair to crack open the door to the exam room. Then justifies it by saying that he needs some more air and that I should let him know if having the door open bothers me.

How's that for subtle???? We're fine in the semi-dark exam room until he realizes I'm single and then suddenly the room is stuffy. I know I couldn't have been eyeing him salaciously or anything similar because I couldn't focus on anything. Yet somehow I'm a pariah when it's discovered that I'm single? Weird question to be asking your patient anyway, buddy.

Story #2:
At FHE tonight my friend was playing a mix she titled "Junior High Dance" which was a smattering of hits that you would likely hear at said event over the years. So, a Christina Aguilera song comes on and a first year student asks me "What time does this remind you of? I deflect said loaded question and flipped it back on her (I am a therapist, you recall).

Her answer? "It reminds me of 6th grade."

My response: "Sixth grade? Holy crap! I was a junior in college when this song came out. I don't think we should play this game anymore."

The Dream Team

Finally had an opportunity to play Trivial Pursuit: 80s, 90s, and pop culture edition this weekend. I bought the 90s edition a few years back and only got to play that once with my friends. I mopped the floor with them on our first go round and no one has wanted to play with me since. An upside of having all your friends move away (the only upside I can see) is that a whole group of people were unaware of my mad skillz.

We split into two teams to make it go faster and I aligned myself with another friend who has idiot savant tendencies (like myself) who I've always wanted to pair up with and another friend who also has a store of pointless trivia knowledge.

We handily beat our components by five pie pieces. There were cries of us sweeping due to easy questions, but alas we are the dream team. There was a lot of smack talk going on throughout the game (honestly, none by me... I like it to be more of a sneak attack) and unfortunately, don't think this crew will be up for playing again...at least with this same team roster.

Here's a pic of the dream team (while it lasted) from disco roller skating a few weeks back.

Cowboys are my weakness.....

This weekend the rodeo was in town so I was finally able to follow through on White Trash Friday complete with dressing up! We actually had 8 people come out and six of them were game enough to dress up. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of everybody together, but there was a pretty good showing. One of my buddies wore a mullet wig, the other grew out his scruff for the week and showed up in a pearl snap (bestill my heart!). After heading to Cracker Barell for Fish Fry Friday we headed up to the rodeo. Now this is the third rodeo that I've been to in Lubbock and I think the best so far, maybe because I knew more what to expect. I'm still going out on a limb and claiming that mutton bustin' is my favorite event.

Here's my outfit from the rodeo. I was going more for trailer dweller who just won the lotto. Notice the denim on denim, horse shirt, dream catcher earrings, strappy gold sandals and blue eye shadow to boot. I even busted out Victoria Secret Body Spray (after winning the lotto a girl's gotta splurge somehow). Hotness! I was tempted to scratch off some of my toenail polish to complete the look, but didn't think that I could stand to look at my jacked up toes for the whole evening (I have a thing about immaculate pedicures.)

We had some good conversations while watching the Rodeo too. I decided that my event would probably be barrel racing and my theme song would be "Rock you like a hurricane" by the Scorpions. I asked the fellas what event they would like to participate in and we had one response of bronc riding and the other was calf roping. Which fit both of their personalities, you've got the bronc rider who's more wild and manly in a way and then the roper who's more about precision and agility. While my initial instinct is to be attracted to bull riders (c'mon how hot is that, he just rode a freaking bull!) I think I'm starting to lean towards ropers. A sign of maturity perhaps? :]

Regardless of event, I've come to realize there's just sumpin' 'bout them country boys. Friday night at the rodeo we also got to stick around for a concert by Jason Meadows (if you know him from anything it's probably his song "18 videotapes"). He was good in concert and his accent was so thick you could hardly make out what he was saying...and yet again I found it pretty stinking hot.

To finish off my weekend of all things country, the movie "8 Seconds" was on tv today. Makes the rodeo life look pretty enticing......

Plushie Prom

This is the third installment of my new series of "Awkward Prom Photo" re-enactments.

I call it "Plushie Prom".

~This amazing pastel dress/chiffon capelet combo was originally intended to be worn to a Barn Dance last summer so I could bust out the footloose dance. The others in my crew thought it was too hot that day (I also found Kevin Bacon's snazzy red coat for my friend) so alas, the outfit was banished to the costume closet....that is until tonight when I decided that it could be put to good use as an Easter Dress. Thank goodness for the costume closet! You never know when you might need to dress up like a sailor, Strawberry Shortcake, or a bare foot and pregnant trailer dweller. The list goes on and on...(I really need a new hobby).

For the curious, here are the first two.

This is the inspiration for it all, taken at this year's Neuropsychiatry Christmas Party,

"Country Club Prom".

And the second is from a group date I went on last week. I call it "Awkwardness Cubed"

Counterevidence

My theory that ice and a bendy straw makes everything taste better is in fact: FALSE!

I'm trying not to throw up in my mouth as I type. V-8 is sick no matter how you try to dress it up. Bendy straw and ice be darned!

Nectar of the Gods

Today on my trip to "happy hour" at the hospital cafeteria (which conveniently correlates with mine and my friend's casenote hour) I discovered the joy that is Grapefruit Juice. Can't really say that I've ever been a big fan, but I've been feeling under the weather recently and it called out to me from the refrigerator. I obliged and was amazed at it's deliciosity. Part of the appeal could have been the ice and bendy straw. What doesn't ice and a bendy straw make taste better though? I'm just sayin'......

Who knew emerging adulthood extended into your 30s?

So, I had an experience tonight that threw me for a loop. I was at a Church activity and had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was chatting with a friend and was suddenly rammed from behind. I turned around to find that I'd just been run into by a guy who was (for reasons unknown) running around while pushing a garbage can on wheels. After ramming me he continued on running his garbage can around. Ok, bizarre first of all, but as the shock was wearing off I realized that it had actually hurt quite a bit and in checking out my leg found that he'd taken a chunk out of the back my ankle. The person continued to run around like an idiot until my friend called him out on the fact that he had in fact crashed into me...at which point he did apologize, but really didn't seem to care all that much. To make matters even worse I would wager a bet that this person couldn't even tell you my name, despite the fact that we've been attending church together for at least the last two years. And this is the LDS Church we are talking about here people, this means: 3+ hours on Sunday and then at least 1-2 other activities each week, our group can't be more than 75 on a good day and I probably wouldn't even need all my fingers to count the number of times I've missed church during that time. Now, don't I feel special? But, I digress.....

He said he thought he had bandaids in his car and offered to get me one which I said would be nice. I limped to the bathroom (looking like a complete idiot) and once there couldn't get the cut to stop bleeding and at this point started to get really pissed off. When I came back out and someone asked how I was doing he made some crack about seeing if I needed stitches.

What the heck is wrong with this guy that he thinks it's ok to crash into someone and not apologize? And to run into a woman no less! And did I mention that he's like 30?!!!!! Something I'd expect from an 18 year old, but come on you're 30! Granted, I know he didn't mean to hurt me, but from my friend's report of it, the running into me part seemed to be pretty intentional (in order to earn a laugh I guess) and it wasn't as if he had somehow lost control of the garbage can and immediately apologized. (Seriously, how assanine does it sound that I was injured by a 30 year old trying to be funny by playing with a garbage can on wheels? You can't make this crap up people! Only in Lubbock I say)

I hate that situations like these are becoming the norm and not the exception. Another freaking reason I have to get the heck out of Lubbock. I guess at least it gave me something to blog about. How's that for a re-frame? :]

Let there be light!

As of today, my committee members have my document and we've set a proposal date. Hoo-freaking-ray! I'm starting to see the small, yet intoxicating gleam of light at the end of the still dark and very scary tunnel....now if only there's a job waiting for me at the other end, all will be right with the world.

Sausage Fest

While I should be finishing up the last edits on my proposal, I thought this would be a grand time to write a little note about my love of Prison Break.


It's like crack. I caught two episodes of the first season one Saturday afternoon and was quickly hooked. Unfortunately, I was never around on the night that the second season aired and this was pre-DVR days so I had to wait until it came out on DVD. For those of you who don't know, I'm not a big fan of watching movies more than once so my movie collection is very light (e.g., UCLA band highlight videos, "All the right moves"-[I know random, but Tom Cruise is a hot football player who seduces the flute player in her band uniform....I live vicariously], and a few dance/workout videos). Well I splurged and bought the second season and holed up and basically watched it over a weekend....like crack I say!

It's a show with a lot of twists and turns and I must say is better when you can watch them all in a row. I thought it would totally be one of those shows that the guys would also enjoy, (guns, intricate escape plans, hand to hand combat, explosions) but when I tried to regale a man-friend with tales of it's glory he let me know that he wasn't into watching a sausage fest. I protested, but upon a greater inspection I realized he was right. It has many the classic male archetypes. I'd go so far as to say just about any lady can find her ideal man in its line up of characters.






Here's my breakdown:

Michael Scoffield-genius ringleader with a strong moral/caring side (a little too mama's boy for me)




Fernando Succre-got himself in trouble for love (too pretty for me)



Tweener-young thug who got busted stealing a baseball card that was worth so much money he got hard time....coincidentally got himself locked up in real life for vehicular homicide (The ones most likely to hit on me? Can they just smell that I'm the girl who will try to "love them straight?")



Lincoln Burrows- yet another bad boy with a heart of gold who wanted to go straight, but got himself caught up with "The Company." (Ah, just right. Look at that jaw, very Neanderthal-ish)




I guess that's enough objectification for one night, just thought I should share the love....ok, back to the edits.

I almost peed myself....

We have weekly staff meetings at work and they are bit uncomfortable. Everyone gets along well, but there's that weird boundary between how serious and how relaxed we can be. I of course lean to the less serious side.

One of my friends is pregnant at work and she let us know a few weeks ago that her baby was now considered a fetus. I then decided that her child would be known from then on as "Cletus the Fetus". I then proceeded to laugh hysterically and couldn't stop. One of those laughs where you almost cry. My cheeks hurt and I could hardly see because I was laughing so hard. Then I couldn't stop because I was so embarassed. I could see my boss (through my squint) giving me an odd look and this made it that much harder to stop. It had been quite some time since I'd had such a laughing fit and it although awkward it was a nice change.

Enter this week's staff meeting on Valentine's Day. We had some goodies and the presentation that week was on therapist self care. She had a few different hand outs for us and one of them was on positive self speak and dealt with making a valentine to yourself. She busted out the glitter glue and at first I was a skeptic. Too messy for me, but then I came up with a brilliant idea. A valentine to myself that embraced my love of all things White Trash. When I explained my little anagram to my colleagues I again started laughing hysterically and couldn't stop. At least this time I heard a few chuckles out of my boss as well. Well played Haygood, well played.

Mad laser skills

So, I babysat for my friend's son last weekend. Well actually, I was a "pre-teen companion" because goodness knows that 11 year olds do not need babysitters. That was basically the theme of the weekend.....constant reminders of the things that he could do for himself. Of course, one of the things he couldn't do for himself was drive to the "Main Event Entertainment Complex" and pay for laser tag and video games. So, I happily stepped into the role of credit card on legs with a set of wheels.

It was the second time in as many weeks that I'd gotten to play laser tag. The first time was with some other friends and I didn't realize how much fun it was. I got into it the first time and was running all over shooting people and attacking the other side's base. I did alright the first time around, but brought it home my second round. Top scorer on my team and No. 2 overall. There was a kid in line scoping everyone out and I heard him make a comment that he was probably the most athletic person there. Haha sucker. You got chumped by an old lady! I tried not to rub it in to the 11 year old too much 'cuz I didn't want to make him cry, but I was pretty proud of myself. I'm now looking for others to step up and give me a run for my money. We'll see if that was just a fluke or if I have another skill set I need to be tapping into. How could I work "laser tag prodigy" into my vita?

A Void

Things that I miss:

~Being mooned as he left the room.
~Being woken up to a bouncing puppy on my bed egged on with him chanting "Get her Buster, get her!"
~Hearing, "She's alive!" after finally emerging early afternoon from my bedroom.
~Listening to him count slug bugs with my little brother on the rides to and from campus during my first year.
~Coming home from a late night out to find him asleep on the couch trying to wait up for me.
~Cringing at his rendition of "Sweet Potato Pie" sung in my honor.
~His puppy dog face when trying to persuade me to do a chore for him.
~Being chided for not checking the oil in my car.
~Being rescued from car problems and ear infections while at college.
~His performance of the "Buster the Wonderdog" song.
~His love of getting "comfy cozy" which consisted of all of us in our pajamas watching tv together.
~His laugh

Welcomed with love....

I am proud to announce the arrival of.............Chapter 2!

My little bundle of pride and joy (yeah, the joy parts a lie) arrived this morning at 4:05 am and came in at a whopping length of 28 pages.

The classic finger and toe check is currently in progress, but it appears to be pretty healthy with just a slight defect....or two.

Mother and Father (my laptop?) are resting comfortably in the knowledge that they were able to be part of such a miraculous event, which in an unusual turn of events actually took 12 months to arrive! :]

This man is a genius. I've been perusing his site (www.phdcomics.com) and see that some themes are universal across grad student experiences, regardless of program. Hilarious!

Delicious Wisdom

This was the quote on my piece of Dove chocolate today: "If they can do it, you know you can."

Can I get an Amen?

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend....

Guilty Pleasures:

1. Rob and Big. I watched this alone last night and laughed out loud a few times. I would love to be a part of their posse. Not too sure what my role would be, but I greatly appreciate their randomness. Come on, how could you not love inviting a polygraph expert over to try to find the phantom duker, training your own street turtle to unleash at Brennans and mini-horse shows where the more be-dazzled the outfit, the more you fit in? Seriously, any suggestions in how I can roll with them would be greatly appreciated.

2. Boston: The band, not the city. Nothing induces the urge to rock a little air guitar than listening to one of their ditties. Current fave: Don't look back.

3. My NSYNC station on Pandora: Takes me back to the good old days..... in college. Hunting down the latest edition of TigerBeat at the newsstand on Kinross. Yoona and I's wall collage. Taping performances on TRL. Learning the dance routines in Midvale II apts. Watching other crappy boy and girl bands play the mall scene in an attempt to win tickets to their show. Ah, the memories.

Really bad singing during a really good movie.

So, I'm trying to focus on the positive in this blog, but before I'm able to do that I need to vent for a second. I hate writing my dissertation. Like hate, hate. Like throwing myself off the Marsha Sharp freeway would be less painful than the writer's block I'm experiencing. There I said it, and most likely at some point in the future it will be stated for the record yet again.

One of the things that does make me happy is horrendous renditions of good songs with the addition of my own lyrics. Case in point: Today I watched "Once". Great freaking movie! Not a lot of action by any means, but the development of the character's relationship was cool to see. And neither of the main characters had names...just guy and girl. You should watch it. Lots of good/heartwrenching songs as well.

I can't remember any of the lyrics that I came up with, but needless to say they were good. I guess you'll have to take my word for it. Or maybe next time, you'll come watch the movie with me and experience it for yourself!

Everybody's doing it....

I've been wanting to blog for awhile now, but always come up with an excuse not to. Well, blogging has now become my excuse not to work on my dissertation. As, I've already cleaned my apartment today, I had to find something new to distract me. Voila-my first post.

My goal is to use this to document my experience with all things random that happen to make me smile. Life's little blessings according to Stephanie, if you will. Let the games begin!