on being thankful

I have a lot of things to be thankful for. My family, my amazing boyfriend, my health, my education, my happiness, my home, my car...and the list goes on. I like Thanksgiving, not because the Pilgrims made friends with the Indians (turns out they killed them and pushed them off their land, how nice), but because it's the one day where we stop and are thankful for what we do have. I am blessed with a close family that loves me, a man who treats me like gold, and way better health than in past years. It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget about what we have, not necessarily in worldly or material possessions, but what we have in love, friendship, and happiness.

Tomorrow I am going to Thanksgiving dinner with John and his family. It will be strange to not be with my family, but I am going to stop and see my family in the afternoon, since we aren't eating at Jen's until 5pm. It will also be weird because it's my birthday and it wont feel like it, but that's ok, because we are celebrating this weekend with my family, and that will be fun. Again, more to be thankful for.

I hope all everyone enjoys their day tomorrow, and if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, have a great day anyway!

the one where i post a lot of pictures

I skipped school today to work on my Swedish immigration paper. It was worth it; I got almost all of it done. It was so cool to read my grandfather's history, and about how my family came to be. I have three years worth of letters from my great-grandfather and great-grandmother during their "courtship" that are so interesting to read them, and I feel really privileged to have those.  It's amazing back then how intact families were, and how they helped each other out no matter what. My great-grandfather lived to be 99 and a half, and no doubt it was because of our amazing family. I don't remember him that much, I was only a year or so when he died, but my mom always tells me how he remembered my name even after he forgot everyone else's - I think it's because I'm named after his mother Emilie, but it makes me feel special anyway. He was such a handsome man, even up into his old age.

Handsome, right?! Not only that, he was a good man...and I'd give anything to be able to talk to him and know him now that I am older. I hope he would be proud that I am writing a paper about him.

While I spent 10 hours working on the project today, I also found time to procrastinate. What better way to procrastinate than take self portraits? I had good intentions (purposeful intentions, even). I was trying to decide what to wear on Thanksgiving, aka my birthday.I don't think I like my hair with side-bangs. But I usually hate my hair when it's up. I just plain old don't like my hair lately.

Hair up with bangs, hair down with bangs, hair off the face with headband?

I tried to get a picture of the bangs, and it came out kinda cool. My skin has been so red and blotchy lately; I hate this cold weather. I need a good non-pimple-creating moisturizer...as if I had the money to buy one.

Lucy was looking so cute this afternoon, I couldn't help myself.

Tomorrow is my last day of work before a glorious 4 day weekend - full of yummy food, turning 21, getting a Christmas tree, seeing my family, and taco salad. I might even go to church with my mom tomorrow night because I know it would make her happy, even though I detest going to church.

this and that

You know what is really frustrating? When my favorite show leaves a HUGE cliffhanger, and then says it wont be back until January 5. When I will be 1,000 miles away from home and unable to watch. Drives me insane.

My birthday is in three (almost two) days, I'm very excited. I love birthdays, even when they are not mine. I like that every single person gets a day that's all about them. It's one thing you can't take away, no matter what. Birthdays are always there.

I'm sore from the gym, I'm cold from the lack of heat, and I'm tired just because I'm tired.I got my Ipod tangled on a machine at the gym, luckily the only people around me were people I know so it wasn't as embarrassing as it could have been. I have the day off tomorrow, but I have to buckle down and start working on a paper and presentation that are due in December. I really want to try and get to the store to buy my Christmas cards, so I can write them out on Friday.

Oh, and because I am turning a magical 21, my car insurance company decided to lower my policy amount, so now I am saving an extra $400 a year! Thanks cavemen! Oh! And John said I could go to work with him Friday and help him...so watch out, all of you businesses on the Berlin turnpike and Research parkway, you're getting a new FedEx girl on Friday ;)

milo being adorable

Currently Stressing Over: Graduate school...where to go, how long it will last, how much it will cost.

My school does not offer a dual Masters & Certification program, which is what I want. Southern does offer one, so I emailed a few people to find out about it. I think I'll have to start applying fairly soon.

I will graduate with a BA in December 2009, and then depending on which program, it could be up to two years until I graduate with my MA and Certification, which means I may not be teaching until 2012. That seems way too far away. Ahhh information overload!

I took a lot of pictures of Milo this weekend because he was looking especially adorable. (When does he not??) I'll post a few on here.

Excited for this week - Tuesday I'm off from everything, Thursday is Thanksgiving AKA my birthday, and Friday we are getting our Christmas tree! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... =)


Here we are on top of the shelf in John's closet. Still recovering from having his manhood taken away =)



Helloooo I'm really cute!

something about the way i love you

No school until Dec 2!

I'm house sitting at my uncle's this weekend. He and my grandparents are going to VT this weekend for a funeral, and they have to labradors that need attention, so John and I will be staying out there with them. It will be nice to get away and relax, but I feel bad that it's because of a funeral (of an 18 year old who committed suicide, no less).

Milo had his surgery yesterday which had me worried all day long. I went to check on him last night after class and my poor boy was so drugged up and sleepy! I felt so bad for him, but I went back over today and he was much better but still sleepy. I texted John this afternoon that I got out of class early and he texted back that I should go see Milo, which was cute, because he usually is too tired during the week to do anything with me. He said he doesn't know what to do with himself, being off all week. I guess he is bored ;)

Looking forward to the holidays too...I'm setting next Friday aside to do all my Christmas cards - so keep an eye out in the mail over the next few weeks!

Ricky is sitting on my desk next to the keyboard giving me an evil stare...I guess maybe he wants me to feed him? =)

Here is Milo a few weeks ago...John was cleaning out his closet to find things to donate to Goodwill, and Milo had to get in the dresser and check things out for himself:

a little splurge

Since my birthday is next week, and I have not bought myself much in the last year (besides Pepper, of course), I decided to splurge at my favorite store, New York and Company. Technically, I did not splurge - I used my credit card...and the fact that it was Tuesday (on Tuesdays gold card holders get an extra discount) I justified the $150 on clothes. I got a really nice little black dress for only $60 - obviously, a black dress is a staple (like potatoes or rice) as far as clothing goes. I got a pair of black pants for work, since my favorite pair that I've had since I was a sophomore in high school finally broke apart. I got a nice top for Thanksgiving (aka my birthday) and another top with a shell for work. Not a bad deal for all that stuff.

I have done no school work in the last two days. It's too close to Thanksgiving break...although I really do need to work on my two papers. Thursday night, that's the plan. Don't let me forget!

all that shimmers

Despite the rainy, damp, and cold weather, this weekend was pretty good. I spent all of Friday night cleaning out my closet, putting away summer clothes, and getting rid of stuff I don't wear anymore. My room is so clean, I love it.

Saturday we (my parents, Erin, John and I) braved the crowded mall and trekked through crowds of people to the Disney Store to buy our park tickets. I think I was the only one excited about getting them, but what are you gonna do? ;)Forty-six days until we leave!After that, John and I met Matt for lunch at Chili's, went back to his house, and we both fell asleep for a fabulous two hour nap. Then we went back to Chili's with Matt and we each got our own lava cake dessert - and do you know those things have 1300 calories in them?? Luckily I wasn't able to finish mine. Sunday was lazy, we slept in til after noon. John and I were just driving around that afternoon and we just happened to end up at this cute little gift store that he delivers to for work. He told me months ago that it is a store that I would like, and recently told me that it's going out of business. I've been dying to go, but I didn't know how to get there, or the address, or the name, or anything. My super-awesome boyfriend brought me there Sunday afternoon and we spent 45 minutes walking through the store (and I spent 45 minutes wishing I wasn't broke!) They had the cutest things, it reminded me of an Anthropologie store, minus clothing. I hope I get my sister for Secret Santa, so I have another excuse to go there before they close.

John and I started going to the gym last week, and it feels SO GOOD to be back. I forgot how much it de-stresses me, not to mention that I actually feel good about myself after. And it was a nice surprise to see that I didn't lose much of my endurance in the last 11 months that I have been without a membership.

Wall-E was released today and SOMEONE is very excited and hopeful that it will show up on November 27th as a birthday gift (hint hint) since I am obviously broke saving for Christmas and Disney. (Have I mentioned that I am broke?) Also on my list of Disney DVDs that I have not been able to afford in the last year: Sleeping Beauty, Enchanted, Robin Hood, Fox and the Hound, Mulan, etc. For anyone who doesn't know, I collect the animated classics and some of the newer movies, but they MUST be in the cardboard sleeve, otherwise I wont buy them. It's a collection, which is why they all have to match, duh. I am very excitd that Beauty and the Beast is re-releasing in 2010, and I'm pretty sure Snow White is in 2009. =)

It's cold, I have school tomorrow, and I am dying for Thanksgiving break. Next week I have two days of work and that's it. I'm skipping school on Tuesday, Thursday is my birthday (which is obviously why everyone has the day off, nevermind that it's Thanksgiving!), and Friday I have off work. And then the semester is pretty much over...hello Christmas break! Hello Disney!

Life is good. =)