The 2009 Resolution

OK - I know that several posts back I said I don't really do New Year's resolutions, I don't see the point.  However, there is no better way to get started doing something than to say you don't or won't do it.

It occurred to me as I was cleaning and reorganizing my apartment today, that I have a lot of books...and I mean A LOT of books that I haven't read.  On my lone bookshelf in the guest room, I have 61 books total.  23 of those are read or not unreadable.  And by unreadable, I mean a books that one doesn't necessarily sit down and read.  For example:

• A book of craft patterns


• AAA Tourist Books for the states surrounding Illinois (courtesy of Rhonda)


• Greek New Testament (I couldn't read it when I took Biblical Greek in college, I'm going to go ahead and say that it's safe to assume that I won't be able to read it now.


• I think you get the idea.

After subtracting the 23 unreadable books from 61, you get 38.  And so, today, January 2, 2009, I resolve to read all 38 books by December 31, 2009.  I am both pumped about and deathly intimidated by my goal.  I'm pretty confident that I can do it, but with only 52 weeks in a year, I'm left with about 9 1/2 days to read each book.  For some of the books that will be cake, for others...eh, I'm not so convinced.  But here it is, my reading list for 2009, the good, the bad, and the very very thick (these are not listed in any particular order other than the order in which they were sitting on my shelf):

Build Your Own Website the Right Way Using HTML & CSS by Ian Lloyd: This book will have to be an ongoing read, teaching myself how to code is going to take slightly longer than 9.5 days...just a hunch.

Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath: I've heard a lot about this book, I'm optimistic.


Get a Financial Life by Beth Kobliner: I'm kind of a geek, if you didn't know.


No Man Is An Island by Thomas Merton: Recommended by my friend Jayson.


Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse by Jason Boyett: I started reading this book a long time ago, but I'm notorious for starting books and not finishing them.


Bad Cat by Jim Edgar: This will be a ridiculously easy read.


Thank You For Smoking by Christopher Buckley: This should also be a pretty easy read.  I read Boomsday by Buckley during my senior year of college and I absolutely loved it, so I should be able to plow through this one pretty quickly.


A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby: I've heard a lot about this book and it's supposed to be really good.


Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell: One of my geek-fix books, I loved The Tipping Point by Gladwell so I'm hopeful for this book as well.


Inferno by Dante Alighieri: We read large segments of this in Latin in high school and I own the book but I've never read it in it's entirety.


Saving for Retirement by Gail MarksJarvis: Yes, I am concerned about saving for retirement, Lord knows Social Security won't be there for me.


The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: I got this book when I was very young, and I have a really pretty copy of it, it's got the really classic illustrations.  I really enjoy the movie, and hey if nothing else, at least the pictures will be pretty.


Life After School. Explained.: I got this from the Alumni Association when I graduated from WKU.  I mean, it'll probably be pretty dumb, but it'll for sure be an easy read and might have good information.  Hey, when I said every unread (but readable) book, I meant it.


Understanding God’s Will by Kyle Lake: Have also started but not finished this one.


Wrestling With God by Rick Diamond: Have also started but not finished this one.

The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard: Have also started but not finished this one.

Shaping History by Derek Prince: Got this one at the OneThing Conference last year.


Legacies from Legends in Public Relations: Got this at PRSSA National Conference in Philadelphia in October of 2007.


The Vision and the Vow by Pete Grieg: Have also started but not finished this one.

Following Jesus by Dave Roberts: Have also started but not finished this one. (Noticing a trend yet?)


The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman: The world might be flat, this book, however, is not.  This will be a toughie.


Wikinomics by Dan Tapscott and Anythony D. Williams: This has been on my want-to-read list forever.


Talent is Never Enough by John C Maxwell: I got this from my church at college for my graduation.


What Every American Should Know About the Rest of the World by M.L. Rossi: I am all about being an informed American.


The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw: This has also been on my want-to-read list forever.


Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Caroll: Have also started but not finished this one, but am excited to actually finish it.  Alice In Wonderland is tied with The Little Mermaid for my favorite classic Disney movie.


The Origin of Brands by Al & Laura Ries: Recommended by my college boss and advertising professor, Cliff Shaluta, and I am all about reading books recommended by people I admire.  After all, you admire people because they have traits that you desire for yourself, and reading what they read is generally a pretty good way to start working on those traits in your life.


Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: Have also started but not finished this one.  But I am darn close!


The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown: I've got a pretty decent start with this one, but it's been a while so I'll probably have to start all over.


The Case for Faith by Dan Strobel: I can't recall if I've read this book or not.  It's got some pretty serious binding creases so I'm pretty sure I have, but I'm going to start reading it and if it sounds familiar and all starts to come back to me, then I'll put it in the already read pile.


One Thing by Dwayne Roberts: Have also started but not finished this one.

The Journey Towards Relevance by Kary Oberbrunner: Have also started but not finished this one.

Stiff by Mary Roach: Have also started but not finished this one.

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton: Recommended by my friend Jayson.


The Fall of Advertising & The Rise of PR by Al & Laura Ries: Another book recommended by Cliff Shaluta, in fact, he required it for my research in Ad and PR class but we never used it.


Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller: Have also started but not finished this one. (I told you it was a problem!)


The Art of Being compiled by Constance Rhodes: My best friend Christy got this for me my freshman year of college and it's signed by all of the artists who contributed to the book, it's pretty neat.

And if I'm feeling REALLY ambitious...

**Extra Credit:** The 2007 World Almanac: Hey, I know it's nerdy, it was a required book for my AP News Editing class my junior year of college.

So there you have it, my 2009 New Years Resolution.  If you take that reading list added with 2008's unfinished goal list (revised list below), I've got a LOT of work to do this year.

1. Get into an exercise routine. Whether it's the yoga ball, or running, or some weight training - just something to maintain my physical fitness.  I don't need to lose any weight or inches, I just want to be healthy.  If you start the habit now, it'll be easier to keep it up later.


2. Be better with my money. Save more.  Stop spending so much on stupid small stuff.  Etc.


3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. If I complete my major resolution, I will also complete this goal.

4. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable. With only one one-way trip standing between me and a free round-trip flight from Southwest, this is looking very likely.


5. Finish at least 3 books.  Do I even need to elaborate on this one?


6. Make a more concerted effort to help people.  I help people now, I just know I could do more.

This list will probably change, I know I had a good goal in mind and then it slipped into the dismal abyss but if it comes back I'll add it.  Anywho, I hope you all had a fabulous (and safe) Christmas and New Year.  I'll leave you with a few pictures of my holiday adventures.



This is me and my adorable godson, Robbie.  Tell me he isn't cute, I dare you.



L to R: Kayla, Christa, and me.  Also known as the three lovely ladies that our friend Jon had the pleasure of hanging out with on New Year's Eve.

Happy Christmas & Merriest of Merry New Years!

Coming home this time was different than it had been in the past.  This time around, while seeing friends is nice, I was really only concerned about seeing family and a few chosen close friends.  And I'm for certain past the stage of going out and acting ridiculous -- not sure if I ever hit that stage, at least not past a mild level.  A lot of my friends at home aren't past that stage.  And it makes it difficult to hang out with them.  I certainly don't look down on them for it, but I've definitely reached a point in life where I'm not just going to go somewhere and do something just because my friends are.  If I'm not intrigued by the idea, I don't have too much impetus to join in.  Certainly there are exceptions to this, but they aren't as often as they used to be. It is with this new found sense of self, what I am actually interested in doing, and places and activities that I want to associate with that I've found it a bit easier to not feel guilty for not seeing EVERYONE in my "little black book."  People drift apart, it's OK, it happens.  And as I said in a blog over the summer, if we maintained every friendship we had ever had we wouldn't have anyone close enough to really get to know us.

However, as a huge highlight to my time at home, I was fortunate enough to get to spend an entire day with my precious godson, Robbie.  He is absolutely adorable and perfect.  He's three-months-old tomorrow (Christmas), I cannot believe he's gotten so big.  I swear the next time I see him, he'll be graduating from high school or something ridiculous.  It's hard to believe that I flew home three months ago for his birth, it seems more like three weeks.  The end of this year has just absolutely flown by.  Heck, the entire year has flown by.  It is with that that I realized I had some goals I set to accomplish by the end of this year....lets see how I did.  I'm not too optimistic :/

1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. OK, so my job might allow me to use 3 hours a week to go work out.  Actually having the time to do that?  Sometimes it's more of a fantasy, but I'm still working on it.


2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts. Hahahahahaha....not even close.  Combine my current not-even-close status with the fact that Uncle Sam is taking out a sizably larger amount of money in taxes than he was this year...so I'm not too hopeful that the amount in savings will increase TOO much.


3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. I've done a little more work on this, and with my new found tighter budget, I'll have more time to study up.

4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up.  Exact movies have yet to be determined. COMPLETE!  Lets see if I can remember: Footloose, Ghost, Coneheads, Top Gun...there was another, but I forget.


5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches. I was until I had to move my yoga ball out of my room to clean for company, and I expect to resume this habit once I return from the holidays.


6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking.  i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet. COMPLETE!  I have gotten much more adventurous in my cooking, turns out I actually enjoy cooking...CRAZY!


7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable.  Not yet, but I'll probably be in Tampa in January and then in February and then in Baltimore for two months starting in March.


8. Finish at least 3 books.  One each full month remaining in the year.  I'm finishing one right now, and I'm started on a few others.  I'm not sure what my issue is.  I have this problem with starting books, getting distracted by something else for a few weeks (busy, late hours at work, etc.) and I drop the book and then start another one once my schedule dies down.


9. Find a church.  COMPLETE!  I have found a church, and while I struggle with it not being a carbon copy of the church I went to in college, I do really feel like that's where I'm supposed to be.  I've also gotten involved in a weekly bible study with one of the other lovely young women there.


10. Find somewhere to volunteer.  I volunteered out at a Christmas Lights thing in Lebanon, IL and I'm looking for other volunteer activities that are low-commitment with my heavy travel schedule for the first few months of 2009.

I guess all-in-all I haven't totally failed on my goals.  I could have done better.  But I did at least meet a few of them.

Well I'm off, good night and Merry Christmas to all.

Water Cooler Talk

Ok, so this conversation didn't actually happen at a water cooler, but it did happen around an office member's desk that has candy bowl on the corner, so it's kind of like the same thing, right?  This conversation spun off a conversation that we were having about the Home Use version of Microsoft Office.

Katherine: Do they have the Home Use for Mac?

Bekah: Yep, I just got it last week.

Mark: Who is Mac?

Bekah: Oh, just this guy I’ve been seeing for about 4 ½ years.  He’s pretty great, really reliable, never lets me down.  We're pretty serious, living together.

Katherine: He's great and all, although, you’ve got to admit, he is a bit pretentious.

Bekah: Yeah, but he’s sooo good looking.

Mark: He's hot!

Kristina: He is a smooth operator.

Mark: Not to mention he’s got a niiiiice OS.

Ooooh, I love my office, too bad we're all doomed to use PCs for the rest of our careers.

Amado, AZ

I got to spend Wednesday with this guy.  Suffice it to say it was probably one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.

The stories Col Halvorsen shared with us, the things that he's seen and done are absolutely incredible.

November 5th

The election of 2008 may be over, but the campaigning does not seem to have found its end just yet.  And so, the nasty exchanges between McCain and Obama supporters continue to flare despite the fact that the decision has been made.  And for what else, other than to drag out an already excruciatingly long election for absolutely no purpose?  No amount of debate, no amount of argument, and no amount of opinion will change the outcome of yesterday's election nor will the election duplicate itself onto another day so that it can occur again.

I have no intentions of sharing, with anyone, who I voted for yesterday.  I am confident in my vote, but quite frankly, I don't want to be caught in anymore political rhetoric than I already have been.  I don't want to listen to someone tell me how awesome the candidate that we both chose is, because I don't think either of the candidates yesterday were all that awesome.  Nor do I want to listen to how much of "an idiot" I am for not voting the way that someone else did.  And thus, I am exercising my right to not share who I voted for.

I am greatly lacking in enthusiasm for our new President-Elect.  Although, had the votes gone in the other direction, I would have been just as unenthusiastic.  What can I say?  This election took it all out of me, I have no more stamina, no more steam, nothing else to give, no more energy to care.  And while I continue to remain unenthusiastic, I have a lot more optimism and hope than I thought I would.  And not because of our President-Elect, but because I think the American people are so tired of what's going on in our country that we've finally reached a point to where we'll pursue change actively, and not just advertise change on bumper stickers.

With that, I'll also say that John McCain was probably the safe bet, his policies were so familiar that he couldn't have really hurt us any more than we're already hurting.  The amount of positive impact he could have made, while still existent, is probably a lot more limited than the amount of positive impact that Obama can make.  Obama's policies are extraordinarily different than those of Bush or McCain and thus the chance to screw us up even more than we already are is strong, stronger than McCain's, but you can never succeed greatly if you don't accept the risk of failing greatly.  But I'm hopeful for great success.  Not because of Obama, but because I know people are tired.

But regardless of how I voted yesterday, as a part of the total force of the United States Air Force, I am now, and will be for at least the next four years, an Obama supporter.  Welcome to the team Commander-in-Chief.  *Yes we can.*

Ultimately, I hope you all went and voted yesterday, even if your candidate didn't win, and even if you voted for Ron Paul.  If you didn't vote, I hope you realize that you basically just gave up your right to an opinion for the next 4 years.

With that, I leave you with this letter that I read on one of my feeds yesterday, it pretty accurately reflected my thought process on the election as well as my feelings towards both of the candidates.

A Letter to Our New President

Posted on November 4, 2008
Filed Under Deeper Walk, Relationships |

Dear President-elect,

Senators McCain and Obama, by this time tomorrow, one of you should be (barring some repeat nightmare from 2000, God forbid) our new leader. The mass chain emails and numerous recorded phone calls we’ve received tell us this is the most important election in my lifetime. Of course, I think I’ve heard this every were neighbors (and I’d certainly enjoy grilling out with both of you if we were neighbors - let’s see if we can make that happen after all the hullabaloo dies down). election in my lifetime, but I will not argue that this is indeed an pivotal moment in our national life. Contrary to the shrill cries and the numerous blog posts and the vast amounts of literature filling my mailbox and the many youtube videos currently jamming my feeds on facebook, I think both of you are good, decent men who want to serve your country. You have different visions of America in several important places, but I do not question your motives or your integrity. I don’t question your character. I even have this sneaking suspicion you guys would enjoy grilling out together if you

Senator McCain, I am thankful for your long history of acting on your principles, on doing what you say. I admire your courage and your willingness to give yourself to causes you believe in, even when it costs you dearly. I am thankful that you your history has been to call America to its best ideals. Senator, if you are elected today, please speak out strongly against those who have peddled fear and untruths in their opposition to your opponent, even if you do not believe they spoke for you. There has been a venom in this campaign that scars our ability to live together as a people - please speak and act against hatred and dishonesty wherever it raises its ugly head, even (perhaps especially) when the net result is that it helps your cause. Truly, the ends never justify the means. Also, please think deeply about issues of health care and poverty, recognizing the moral dimension to these difficult problems. Please pull in the best minds, the smartest advisers. Please pull in people from all persuasions and parties to find common ground and truly tackle these blights in our country. And please, please wrestle deeply with the moral implications of war. Consider if perhaps there is a new way to look at these very old issues of how to deal with nations who have evil intent. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.

Senator Obama, I am thankful for how you seem to draw the best out of so many people. I am thankful for the hope I have seen among people who for a very long time have felt alienated from the system. I am thankful for how you wrestle with tough issues and how you resist the quick and easy answer to what we must know are often very complex problems. I love how you love your family - that may be my favorite thing about you. Senator, if you are elected today, please reconsider your stance on abortion. I do understand that people of conscience and faith can have varying views on this, and I do understand that confronting some of the root causes of abortion may perhaps have more long term impact than only legal solutions. However, please took a new look at some of the most extreme issues at play. Surely we can agree that a baby born and breathing ought be protected, no matter the parent’s intent. I know you care for the weak and defenseless. Please understand how many of us see these children as the most weak and defenseless - this is an issue of justice. Also, please hear those who have differing economic and justice philosophies - and know that there is often agreement on the hope for the common good, but simply disagreement on how to achieve that common good. As you work for a way out in Iraq, please make sure that the innocent civilians are protected and do not pay an even higher price for our mistakes - and please work hard so we do not leave behind a breeding ground for terror. And please resist the extremes in your party who like to demonize the opposition, no matter whether you think they speak for you or not. You are the party’s leader, and we need our leaders to lead. You have spoke often of a third way. Now, please forge that path. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.

Senators Obama and McCain, I don’t envy your job, whatever job you end up with tomorrow. I can’t imagine the weariness you feel or the energy you have exerted the past two years. For whichever of you end up a resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I pray that you listen to good advisers and follow your best instincts. I pray you resist the allure of power and the temptations and cynicism that seem to plague the political inner sanctum. I pray that you lead us forward with a fresh vision, with moral clarity and with a strong hope for the common good of our whole nation, all our citizens. And I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you that, even with all the good I hope you do over the next four years, my ultimate hope is another King and another kingdom.

grace and godspeed,

Winn

God Bless Texas

I find myself in San Antonio, Texas this week for an Air Force journalism conference.  This morning has been solid briefings -- while not the most exciting things ever, they were at least somewhat informative and a good thermometer for the current public affairs climate in the Air Force.

We're staying a hotel near the Riverwalk which is nice.  The one huge drawback: no wireless.  Well I shouldn't say no wireless, there is wireless in the lobby, but not in the rooms.  Which is kind of a pain.  There are sleep number beds in the rooms, but no wireless?  That just doesn't make sense.  So down to the lobby I must go if I want to check e-mail, etc.  As an added level of not-so-much-fun, the office laptop refuses to connect to the secure network so I can check my e-mail and, with several major projects coming to a head this week, that is nothing to be happy about.

Yesterday was a long day of travel -- it still never ceases to amaze me just how long it takes people to get on and off an airplane.  I just don't get it.  You stand up, grab your bag and you walk off the plane -- where's the hold up?  But overall good flights, got some sleep on each flight which was desperately necessary after only three hours of sleep.

Well the next session starts soon so I'm off.  Enjoy your day.

I've been spotted!

Well folks, despite my best efforts the WKU Alumni Association has found me!  Having had to work for said Alumni Association (although admittedly, only for a week and a half, I just couldn't handle asking people for money) I understood the plight of the Sophomore who called me -- she was really nice and sweet and I was nothing but the same back to her.

Don't get me wrong, I have every intention on giving back to my university, especially the Ad+PR program whether it be with my time, money, talents or a combination of the three.  I got so much more out of college than what I paid for, I really did.  But couldn't they at least wait until I'm done paying off my student loans?!  Seriously.

I've actually made some progress (and some regression) with some of my goals that I listed in my previous blog, here's the update.

1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. I actually learned that as civilian employee I'm allowed 3 hours per week of work time to work out at the base gym, all I have to do is get a medical release from my doctor saying that I am in well enough health to work out and I should be set to go.  Just have to find a doctor.  So now, not only will working out be able to fit into my schedule, but it's a part of my job *woot*

2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts. This goal actually regressed, it makes more sense to pay off a credit card with a 7.9% interest rate than have money in a 2% interest rate savings account.  It only regressed $301 though, so no worries.

3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. Started the basics of HTML yesterday...AND I ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND IT!

4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up.  Exact movies have yet to be determined. No progress yet...working on it though.

5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches. Semi Progress, we're actually getting a few exercise ball chairs for my office.  Most of you know that I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back, and using exercise balls for chairs in the office is supposed to do remarkable things for your posture and your core, subsequently helping my back problems.  So while it's not actual exercise my new chair will have physical benefits.

6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking.  i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet. Hasn't changed a bit.

7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable.  I am going to San Antonio in a few weeks for work...isn't exactly a random weekend, but it's still a new city!

8. Finish at least 3 books.  One each full month remaining in the year.  I have a few books started: The World is Flat, Get a Financial Life, and Captivating.  Although, admittedly, I've already read the third one.  These books may or may not be the ones I finish by the end of 2008.

9. Find a church.  Definitely slept in on Sunday and didn't go to church, in my defense I barely got out of bed because I was so sore from the caving trip last Saturday.

10. Find somewhere to volunteer.  Still nothing here, but I do have a few ideas.

To-Do List

I never make New Year's Resolutions.  There are sometimes some practices that I think I should adopt, but there never really January 1 centric as much as they are just enhancements that I think I should add to my life and they come at all times of the year.  However, they generally pop up in excess around the August/September time frame.  I think it's probably because it's nearing the end of the year and I don't feel like I've accomplished enough.  And so, my friends, that time of year has come.  And in hopes that some of you out there will hold me accountable to my goals and harass me relentlessly if I don't at least put forth a good effort to meet this goals* by the end of this year, I'm posting them all on my blog.  Some are silly minor things, others are going to require more effort, but here they are, in all their glory:

1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.

2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts.

3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both.

4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up.  Exact movies have yet to be determined.

5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches.

6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking.  i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet.

7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable.

8. Finish at least 3 books.  One each full month remaining in the year.

9. Find a church.

10. Find somewhere to volunteer.

*These goals may be changed at anytime, by my discretion if I determine them totally unattainable or too easily attainable.

Meet My New Baby

OK, so it's been a while since my last post  - I have been extraordinarily busy, to the point of ridiculousness.  My new job is amazing, it keeps me busy and I absolutely love the work as well as the people I work with.  They are fabulous.  In addition to the craziness at work, I've had many visitors already.  Two weekends with my frien Rhonda and her daughters, and then a weekend with Mom.  All of which were awesome.

As many of you know, my car went totally insane around the time of my last post and after going through several decisions to buy a new car, not buy a car, wait till next summer, wait till the next time my car gets FUBAR'd, etc. I finally got real with myself about the situation and bought a new car.  This is my new baby.  Mine is "magnetic gray" and has a rear spoiler, but it is the hatchback.  I love it.  I most love the fact that it doesn't die on me at stop signs like my last did. :)

The 2008 election season has worn me out.  Completely.  Entirely. I'm toast.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm paying more attention to the election this year or if it's because this election has simply been dragged out far too long, but I am so over it.  I'm over the slamming of the opposing candidates, I'm over the ads for it, I'm over the hype around it, and I'm over the candidates that hang on for far too long.  However, I'm most over the fact that you can't seem to express an opinion on and issue or candidate without someone who opposes your thought coming to the conclusion that you are Satan incarnate solely for believing differently.  I still don't know who I'm voting for, and quite frankly I probably won't know who I'm voting for until my ballot is cast.

I can't honestly say that either party is really inspiring me to be on their side.  It's been some what of a tug-of-war for my vote.  And right now, the rope is not moving far enough to pull down one side or the other.

I suppose a big concern of mine is that voters are now going to make a decision based on their ability to make history because it's the first african american/woman in office.  Don't get me wrong, this is not an argument to only allow middle-aged white men in office, not at all.  I just fear that people who may agree more with the McCain side will vote Obama because of his race, and I fear just as much that people who agree more with Obama will vote McCain solely because there is a woman on the ticket.  Or that instead of finding who they agree with most they vote solely based on gender or race factors.  Irrational or not, it's still a concern of mine.  But November...please come soon.

Still Moving In

So, I suck at life. Or at least at blogging. In my defense I have been fairly busy with moving in, getting everything put away, acquainting myself with my new surroundings and basically just adjusting to life as an independent adult.

The move, outside of the movers dropping my brand new washing machine off the back of the truck, went very well. And, gratefully, my washing machine did, in fact, escape unscathed. The apartment is great, and pictures are coming soon, I swear. I just want to get everything put away before I splatter photographic evidence of my adulthood on here. I'm 95% there.

The car is getting replaced soon. After spending over $500 in less than three weeks to fix the same problem I have lost all patience. And even if it does get fixed it's just going to be something else tomorrow. I've been researching cars, loans, interest rates, and all the other super happy funny stuff that goes along with buying a car and quite frankly, I'm EXHAUSTED. Not to mention frustrated. But I'll get it figured out. I've narrowed it down to either a Honda Civic, VW Jetta and Toyota Corolla all 2004s or newer. Right now I"m just waiting to see how much of my paycheck I actually get to see after my health insurance and Uncle Sam take their cuts.

The new job is great. It's been a little slow to start, I'm still waiting on paperwork and other stuff to be processed before I actually have computer access. So, I've had a pretty chill two weeks. I've been learning a lot but I'm anxious to actually dig in and get my hands dirty. When 80% (if not more) of your job revolves around the computer it makes you pretty much useless when you can't use one. I have, however, been incredibly blessed with amazing co-workers. They've all been so helpful and have already bailed me out of binds with all of the frustration that I've been having with my car. From helping me get to work to coming over to help fix my car and some furniture to offering to take me shopping for the new car they've done it all. Not to mention just making sure that I'm taken care of and don't need anything. They're pretty great.

Finally got out to St. Louis last night with some new friends and I had an absolute blast. We hit a great bar downtown where we got to listen in on what must have been an eHarmony connected first date. We determined that after hearing "So where do you see yourself in 5 years?" It was pretty entertaining. Next week we're hitting an outdoors presentation of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. I'm pretty pumped.

That's all for now. More later when my head doesn't hurt as much as it does.

I'm a Gypsy

It's true. I am a gypsy, at least part gypsy -- it's a part of my honest to God blood line. I swear. It wasn't until the other night when my friend compared me to gypsies that I truly took ownership of that part of my background. I've never really been one for ethnic stereotypes you know, all Irish drink a lot, all Germans like beer, all Native Americans do rain dances, I could go on for hours -- but now, I'm starting to see a little bit more relevance in where I come from as it relates to how I am today.

My friend looked at me and asked if I knew why gypsies never had any rights and continued to answer saying that they never had any rights, couldn't vote, hold office, etcetera because they were never anywhere long enough to put down roots, to really become part of the community and then he paralleled that with me and my lifestyle and asked me how I made that work.

If it's one thing you'll learn about me, whether you've know me for 20 seconds or 20 years, is that I am constantly on the move. I live and thrive on change. But his question made me uncomfortable, not because I'm ashamed of how I am or because of the accusation of being rootless, but because it's not something I'm fully sure that I've reconciled with myself yet. He's right, I am rootless, I am the equivalent to a tree that you buy at a nursery, I've got a trunk, and branches and leaves but my roots -- well they're kind of there, but they're pretty shallow and short.

So I stood there for a second, slowly walking with him, and I thought about it. And I looked at him and then thought about it some more and then I explained, hopefully coherently, that this is who I am, and where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing. He's right, I don't have roots, at least not the ones he meant, but not all people are supposed to and just because you aren't in the same tri-county area with the people you love doesn't mean you love them any less, it just requires a little more effort.

People either stay in contact or they don't. Some people lose touch of each other and there is nothing wrong with that. If we all had each and every friend that we've ever had around until the day we died we wouldn't have the people that are truly our core, we would just have a bunch of so-so friends that when looked at on an individual basis wouldn't mean a whole lot to us. And having moved as much as I have, I don't take it personally if I've lose touch with someone, sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's their's and sometimes we're both at fault. But either way, it's the way that life works, people come and people go each for their own God-ordained reason. And if those I cross those people's paths again (which has happened on more than one occasion, in different cities, states and even countries than I knew them in before) then so be it, that's great. Speaking to this point is my dear friend, Chris, who I just recently got back in touch with. Some friends are just those kinds of friends who don't need to speak to each other all the time. And even though it is weeks, sometimes months, later they can call the other because something made them think of that person and they can pick up like they just talked yesterday. Chris is one of those friends, we picked up like not a day had passed and it was and still is great. Those are my favorite kind of friends, and that's not to say that I'm lazy with relationships because I'm not. I work very hard to keep the ones that I have because they mean something to me. In the same light I work to start new ones. But friendship to me isn't about talking all the time, it's about caring enough for some person and having enough respect to understand that life gets crazy and that even though life is crazy neither of those people care any less about the other person.

I found a quote that fits exactly what I'm trying to express via my sweet friend Tara that says:

"A friendship that can be ended didn't ever start."
-Mellin de Saint-Gelais, Oeuvres poétique

I explained all of this to Mike and hopefully it made some sort of sense. I realize that this mobile life I lead is not one understood by a whole lot of people, it's a very different upbringing and a very different perspective. Many understand my mobility no more than I can understand many people's immobility and the desire to stay in the same place for years and years.

With all of that being said I know that I might seem a slightly non-chalant when it comes to friendships, I'm really not. And I do probably take advantage of the fact that most of the time people will be there when I get back. That's not a good thing, and it's something I'm working on. But I know and believe with all my heart that the people who want to be around will be there for me and will want to be there for me regardless of where I am. That being said I also understand that people can't handle the whole long-distance friendship thing, it's just a difference of mannerisms, personalities, and perspective. Neither person is right, neither is wrong, it's just life.

And so this all leads both of us to no real conclusion, but I guess maybe at least a little bit more of an understanding: I am a gypsy. And I do have roots, just not geographic ones. I don't have a lot of life-long friendships but the few I do have are ones that I would fight and die for. I come from a family made strong from years of moving to new places, experiencing new things and enduring hardships together when we were all we had. I have a great faith in God that keeps me grounded and hopeful for the future that I know he has promised for me. I have roots, they're just different and I don't have as many as other people. And I'm okay with that, at least I am now. So, to my friend who put me on the spot, thank you. Without meaning to you really forced me to think about and reconcile with something that I hadn't yet and it helped me grow. I hope you're one of the ones who stays in touch.

Post 4th of July Post

Hey All!

I can only say that I hope everyone's 4th of July post was as fantastically fabulous as mine was. I went out to the Wagner's for their 4th Annual 4th of July awesomeness and if I do say so myself, I think this year was the best year yet. The poster that creatively inclined Michelle created for the event promised a special guest and after much anticipation and excitement the special guest appeared about half way through the party -- it was Uncle Sam -- in. the. flesh. AKA, it was Travis dressed in an Uncle Sam costume, but hey, it's the same thing, and probably better!

After Uncle Sam greeted everyone and we finally coaxed sweet 3 1/2 year old Ella to give Uncle Sam a friendly wave instead of a cry of terror we somehow got the GENIUS idea, to hold an impromptu "Heck yeah, go America!" parade around the Deerwood Park neighborhood of Northwest Omaha. Carmen graciously provided transportation to Uncle Sam as she was the owner of a car with a sunroof. So Uncle Sam hopped in the car and poked out of the sun roof and we were off. Initially myself and Mike were going to follow in my car video taping the whole thing, but then the rest of the gang wanted to join in so we walked behind the car. Carmen, however, had a little bit of a lead foot so we gave up. However, as fate would have it, we gave up in front of another barbeque that thought we were just hilarious, so they cheerfully offered for us to pile into the bed of their pick up truck and we would follow Carmen...and like good little boys and girls we hopped into the strangers' car and off we went in pursuit of Uncle Sam. After a good drive around the neighborhood, perking up barbeques and bringing smiles to all faces we found ourselves having created a new tradition: next year will be the 2nd annual "Heck yeah, go America!" parade. Next year's will be better organized.

After the parade it was time to begin set up for the fireworks extravaganza and as guys worked at setting that up the rest of us sat there, chatted and had a good time. The fireworks were excellent and although we had a couple of close calls, one zinging by Vonnie's ear and Travis' pant leg almost catching fire, we all made it out alive and in one piece. With the exception of my left middle finger...I burnt it on the grill, luckily that was the only casualty of the evening and it was a minor one at that.

Definitely a 4th of July to remember, it's still my favorite holiday.

Plans and preparations continue for the big move to St. Louis which is now less than two weeks away and while I am getting slightly nervous I am still mostly exciting for what lies ahead.

Next on the agenda tonight, reading up on more paperwork for the new job. Tonight's topic: grad school tuition assistance...I know it's exciting, please try to contain yourselves. Also on the schedule for the evening: remembering why I don't make plans with people.

Picture time:



My final moments with Harvey the bunny, before we sent him off in explosive style.



Anthony with Frederick the Turkey after we sent him bottle-rocketing into space...Wait, did I say we had bottle rockets, of course we didn't, those are illegal. *ahem*



Uncle Sam in all his awesome glory.



My view of the parade from the bed of the strangers' truck.

Happy {belated} Independence Day Y'all!

Whoops...

It's been a few days and it's been a whirlwind of activity since I returned from my Seattle vacation, which was amazing by the way.

I returned on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday began preparing once again for the move -- tying up loose ends, running random errands, etc.  I FINALLY received my orders first thing Thursday morning in and e-mail and spent all day finding people who could answer my questions, getting my moving date set up, and starting the leasing process for my apartment.  I didn't get the exact one I want.  It's the same complex and same floor plan but it's up on the top floor, which is going to cost me $20 more a month and it has vaulted ceilings so heating the place will be more challenging, but I can handle it.  Thursday night rolled around and so did the NBA Draft.  Congratulations to my pal, Courtney Lee, for getting picked up by the Magic on the 22nd pick of the first round!!  He's a great player and I'm excited to see what he'll do for them.

Friday was a doozy!  Worked from 6 to 2, it wasn't a bad day just a long one.  Felt like 2 o'clock would never come!  After work I headed back home to prepare for my Friday even plans: dinner at the Melting Pot and Pixar's new flick Wall-E with Rhonda and her awesome daughter Kay.  They came to pick me up at 430 and we were off, we had to drop her other daughter Rachel off at a friend's house across town by 5.  Right before I was headed out the door Daddy dearest called the house to warn us of the impending doom -- another big storm headed out way -- and encouraged me to check the Weather Channel.  So I hopped on good ole www.weather.com and scoped out the problem.  "Severe Thunder Warning" it said, so Rhonda and I figured it wasn't anything that we can't handle -- especially after the last few weeks of crazy storms.  So we were off.  We got no more than 3 miles away from the house and BAM!  Torrential down pour, extremely heavy winds were shaking the car, it wasn't fun.  We kept on driving (since there really wasn't much else we could do) and by the time we reached Rachel's friend's house it had calmed down well enough so that it was just now just bad rain.  We had the radio going to keep us informed about what was going on and we got hit pretty hard.  Tornado force winds in the West end of the city.  This is probably the most damage that Omaha has actually seen. We've had a lot of storms and a lot of tornadoes but this time the damage was everywhere!  Trees were mowed over, some of them falling on houses, cars and on the roads.  Fences demolished, some roofs ripped off, several fireworks stands were collapsed -- some with people still in them.  As a final finishing touch it also robbed trees of many of their leaves, leaving the city in a kelly green decoupage.  Power is still out in a good portion of the city. The annual Memorial Park Concert was also being held on Friday night.  People were waiting for the show to start when the sirens sounded and the place was evacuated.  And I can't forget about the art festival downtown that was ruined too.  I can't imagine how many pieces of art that these artists had worked on were demolished.  It was pretty bad.  Luckily the storm blew over in about 30 minutes, but it definitely left a mark.  After the storm had passed we had to change plans, The Melting Pot turned into Moe's and we had to return to Bellevue to see Wall-E.  The movie was amazing so go see it.

Yesterday was my final day of shopping for the apartment so the apartment is now fully furnished, praise the Lord!  I never realized how hard shopping for the apartment is.  Trying to remember what you already have. Making big purchase decisions about things that you don't really know about in your first apartment.  What kind of mattress is best?  Is this setting on this washing machine really necessary?  Will I actually use this?  Etc.  But it's done and the moving date is set: July 14th.  I'm getting a little nervous, I'm still very excited, but it's weird.  I'm leaving home, for good.  Sure, there will be visits and they'll be great.  But this is it, I'm flying solo now.  It's very odd.

Road Trippin' Day 1 & 2 (and part of day 3 technically, but since I just woke up and am still in bed it's not really day 3)

Well, hallelujah, praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition, folks!!! We are finally in Seattle after two loooooooong 13 hour days in the car and I finally have what seems to be a solid internet connection -- at least until I said that and my bars all disappeared. I guess I'll just keep typing and then when I get a full signal I'll copy all my words to make sure I don't lose them and then post them...argh crappy hotel wireless. I've noticed that hotels either have super great internet or internet that makes you want to launch your computer into tomorrow and more often than not it's the latter of those two.

We started out on Wednesday morning around 7:30 and plowed through western Nebraska - well actually almost all of Nebraska since I live in Omaha which is right on the Eastern border and oh. my. gosh. there is NOTHING there. I always knew that there was nothing in western Nebraska, but now that I've experienced it myself I KNOW.

I suppose I should also tell you before I go any further that I'm traveling with my dear friend, Jeremy, who is in the Coast Guard and is on his way to Alaska right now and I'm just along to keep him sane and hang out for a few days in Seattle before he catches his ferry to Ketchikan, Alaska. It's also important to mention that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how he's made this trip at least three times without running himself and his vehicle off the side of the side of the road -- yeah it's that bad. It's pretty, but pretty is only entertaining for so long.

Ok, so we got through Nebraska in all of it's flat, non-hilled existence and then into Wyoming. It was not until this trip that I actually believed Wyoming existed -- I mean, think about it, what comes out of Wyoming???? Noooooothing. Wyoming had hills and rock formations which were quite drastic changes from the flat landscape of Nebraska, but I was left with one burning question: Why do people live there?!?! WHY?! Granted, I think there's only about 22 of those people, but why subject yourself to that?! Uy mio!

After Wyoming it was on to Utah. A very pretty state, but I still don't like it. I visited Salt Lake City with some friends in late 2006 and basically wanted to gouge my own eyes out. It's pretty, sure, but we just flat out did not like it, we didn't find the people very hospitable nor did we find any that had much personality -- we went to find something to eat at 8 o'clock downtown and nothing was open -- that's weird. So I've never been too fond of Utah, it's similar to my distaste of Evansville, IN -- I've just never had a pleasant experience there. So we arrived in Ogden, Utah around 7 or 8 o'clock on Wednesday night and after getting settled in our hotel we hit the local Olive Garden for some amazing salad and lots of pasta and after feeling like we hadn't ate in days it certainly hit the spot. Utah, this time, wasn't that bad, far better than my previous experience but I still can't say I like the state, but I do still think it's pretty.

After some good sleep we woke up on Thursday morning around 6:30 to grab breakfast, pack up and then head out again. The day's task: plug through the rest of Utah, across Idaho, through a part of Oregon and then for the looong stretch across Washington.  We started off with a hearty breakfast of waffles and then filled up on gas to the tune of over $4 a gallon!!!!  Ridiculous and we set off.  The scenes were beautiful, even Idaho was fairly fun to look at.  It started to get very green when we got into Oregon and by Washington there were only three color grey/black on the road, blue in the sky and green everywhere else.  It was gorgeous!  We got some amazing sky views on our trip -- absolutely beautiful clouds.

We finally got to Seattle at 6:30 pm last night.  Just in time for rush hour!!!!  After fighting Seattle traffic, we  reached our hotel at 7, I don't think either of us have been happier to reach a hotel ever.  We discussed dinner options and both agreed that neither of us wanted to see that car again for at least 12 hours so we found ourselves desperately finding any restaurant that would deliver to our hotel finally finding a Dominos.  Dinner was filling, it certainly beat the Slim Jim, Riesen, and Oreo Cakester diet in the car.  After the pizza, it was a Jeff Dunham DVD and SLEEP!

So, here I am, day 3 and finally in Seattle.  We've got a few more things to do before we head out for a day of exploring.  Can't wait.  That all being said, it's important to give credit to those responsible for helping us get to Seattle they include: Margaret Cho, Chris Titus, Pablo Francisco, Mitch Hedberg, Dane Cook as well as our iPods.

Pictures to come soon as soon as my Photobucket decides to not be moronic.

It's 6 PM...

....and I'm brewing a pot of coffee and preparing for a night of thunderstorms and "tornadic activity."

I'm still holding it down on the homefront and am enjoying every moment of it...for the most part.  I could do with going to work but hey even that's not that bad knowing that I get to leave in just a few weeks since I should be leaving for my "real job" in July.  {I put "real job" in quotes because I feel that it's fairly offensive to call Panera an "unreal job" as the people I work with there do work, very hard each day.} I cannot believe it's already June.  I'm headed to Seattle for vacation with one of my favorite people, Jeremy, in less than 2 weeks and it still feels like it should be over a month away.  And after my return from Seattle it will be a matter of days (maybe a week or two) until I leave for good.  Crazy!

I spent yesterday at the hospital with one of my favorite couples, Eriq and Sara, waiting for their new addition to arrive.  Eriq Scott Herman II joined the party yesterday at 11:59 AM and I could not be more excited for them.  He is absolutely beautiful and the labor and delivery went unbelievably well.  He is the first baby to join our little family of old friends, Felica's baby boy will join us in October.  It's so weird that we're old enough to have friends that are having kids and having kids because they're starting a family and not just because they got accidentally impregnated in high school.

Well I need to charge the laptop before it has a change to die and more importantly before our power has the chance to go out.

Severe Storm Warning

...That's what all of our television network stations are telling us.  Severe thunderstorms mostly, but I think a few counties have tornado watches.  We love storms in the Clark household, well with the exception of my little sister Jennifer who, according to her twitter "less than <3s thunderstorms."  When the storm started naturally my Dad, Mom (both former meteorologists) and myself peered out the nearest window and/or screen door and watched the massive lightning, heavy downpour, and then finally the hail.

It has been crazy lately.  I started back at Panera this week -- I can hardly contain my joy :).  It hasn't been too bad, but every day further proves to me that I'm ready to start my career.  I've almost completely furnished my apartment, my guest room is finished, kitchen is finished, my living room (except the TV) is finished, and my bathrooms and master bedrooms are about 1/2 finished and I am so excited about that.  Everything is starting to come together, it's been a lot of fun.  Kind of stressful, but mostly fun.  I picked out my couch today and it is the most perfect bright light blue micro-suede couch ever and I love it.  I'm extremely excited to move, I'm ready for a fresh start.

In more important news, I paid $45 for gas this morning....in my TWELVE GALLON TANK in my 97 Nissan Sentra -- I. was. pissed.  The pump stopped and I glanced up at the price gauge and I almost passed out.  I've been comparing smaller SUVs and this morning my decision was made -- I'm getting a Prius.  Gas prices are absolutely out of control and I wish that I could follow my complaint with some logical solution to the problem of the gas prices.  I've heard all the arguments about who the blame should be laid on for the wallet-raping but I honestly can't say that I've been too impressed with any of the theories I've heard.  But I do know that if prices don't drop the American people, especially the middle class are going to be hurting and pretty severely too.  Although, maybe the higher prices will start a push towards better public transportation systems like they have in larger metropolitan areas (DC, St. Louis, etc.) and in Europe.  I'd love to live in a city where I wouldn't HAVE to take my car if I didn't want to.

Here's to hoping!

My Six-Year-Old Self

As you all know I just graduated a few weeks ago, and I'm staying with my parents in Omaha, Nebraska until I move for my "real job" in July. I'm loving being home and I'm terribly excited about moving into my first place that I can call my own in a couple months. I've found the apartment and I'm getting more and more preparations finished (i.e. bedding, cookware, etc.) for the move. Today's task has been to go through all of my old stuff and decide what to throw away and what to keep. I've found several keepers, several things for the trash, and several things to eBay. Among the keepers is what I'm about to share with all of you, my journal from when I was six. It was 1992, my Dad and thus, my family, was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

There are pictures to go with each of these entries but it will take longer for me to put those up as I'll have to devise a way to do it since our scanner is ghetto. Note: Everything following this is written exactly how it was in my journal -- cute six-year-old misspellings and all. I have made some clarifying notes next to some entries in {brackets}.

September 8, 1992: First day {first day of first grade}

September 9, 1992: Happy

September 10, 1992: Birthday {September 10th is not my birthday, nor either of my parents', nor my kid sister's...who knows.}

September 11, 1992: Weekend {I'm surfing in the picture I drew with this one}

September 15, 1992: Trees

September 18, 1992: {There are no words with this entry just a picture of someone crying. Me and my Mom think this is probably the day my Dad was deployed to Somalia}

September 21, 1992: I dreamed

September 25, 1992: If I could fly {the picture with this is particularly hilarious}

September 30, 1992: I feel happy when my dad coms hom love (or maybe leve) {this entry confirmed the Dad deployed to Somalia suspicion from three entries previous.}

October 2, 1992: I like Fridays because we go to gym to because.

October 6, 1992: I wish I could Hav Iscrem. {Ice cream???}

October 9, 1992: After school I like to go to gym after gym I go hom.

October 14, 1992: My favorite place is Disny Wurld and go to ThuD Math rul kusr Dr. {I have no idea}

October 16, 1992: I would to learn he {not sure if that actually says 'he'}

October 21, 1992: My favorite person is Jen. {Jen is my sister, this was after the first 2 1/2 years of her life where all she did was scream, but before she was old enough to make me realize that we would become close-to-enemies until I graduated high school.}

October *: Drugs are bad because they can mec you sick {that's right boys and girls, drugs with make you sick}

October 27, 1992: I am scared when i am all by mysef. {I don't know where I would have been by myself at the age of 6}

October 30, 1992: For Halloween, I am a cat. {the 'c' in 'cat' was backwards}

November 3, 1992: If I were President I would I would Tel all the piPsl to the WhiTE House {again, I have no idea, but note the date, apparently I was a pretty politically conscious child.}

November 4, 1992: Who won the President election Bill Clinton {again, politically conscious}

November 10, 1992: The nicest place is First Grade. {Wasn't it though? Snacks and recess -- what more could you ask for?}

November 12, 1992: If I were five years older I would babsit. {I did baby-sit a lot as a teenager -- a little foreshadowing}

November 13, 1992: I had a terrible day today {I probably missed my Daddy}

November 17, 1992: I like to read because its Fun. {I still think reading is fun}

November 20, 1992: School is importart because you lrn {I love the irony of spelling the word "learn" wrong in this sentence}

November 25, 1992: I can't wait till my brThday.

December 1, 1, 1992: My favorite movie is Batey and the Besty {Beauty and the Beast, maybe?}

December 4, 1992: My favorite stuffed animal is my cat and my dog. {I don't think I had a cat or dog stuff animal}

December 8, 1992: All I want for Chris is a Cat and Dog and for My Mommy and Daddy and Jennifer and me and ukol and my ant and my gapoy and gamoy. {Dad, apparently, was not home yet}

December 15, 1992: I want to give my Mom an Dad a reng Dalareng. {No idea what that last word is}

December 16, 1992: My favorite Christmas song is rockin ora the christmas tree.

December 22, 1992: My New Year's Resolution is Not tock bak to mom. {I'm wondering if this was prompted by a letter from Daddy encouraging me to help Mommy.}

January 4, 1993: Christmas was nice because I got a hed bad. {I got a head band. I'm glad that over the years I've kept the characteristic where it's the little things that make me smile (i.e. a head band)}

January 6, 1993: Don't talk to strangers because they are bad and tel yor Doddy and mommy.

January 12, 1993: Boat {ADD much?}

January 20, 1993: I hope the new President is nice {I should have also hoped that he'd keep it in his pants.}

January 22, 1993: Something good to me is vechvol and froot. {The only reason I knew I was talking about vegetables is because of the accompanying pictures.}

January 26, 1993: I would like to be a pilot because it's fun. {I have always loved airplanes, the sound they make and flying}

January 29, 1993: Mrs. Smith has a neat Job because it's fun.

February 1, 1993: when it rains i feel mad {I like rain}

February 3, 1993: I would like to be a herdresr. {Evidence that I was calling hair "her" way before it was cool to do so. I should be getting royalties.}

February 5, 1993: Lifesavers

February 12, 1993: I wish I was home.

February 19, 1993: Georg Washington is important because he was a General

February 24, 1993: I will save money for a home and a cat and dog. {Little Miss Independent}

February 26, 1993: I am excited because I am happy.

March 1, 1993: The wind was so strong that it blod the tree uy way. {This picture is also entertaining.}

El fin. I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did.

Teh neu apartment

I founz it.

For those of you who don't speak Lolcat that means I found my new apartment.  And I am totally pumped.  It's a two bed and two bath, 1100 square foot apartment.  It has a switch-on fireplace and plenty of space.  I've already started dreaming up different decor ideas because I'm a huge geek.  I cannot wait.

Shhh....I'm hunting apartments.

Well, as Andy so aptly pointed out in the comment section of my last blog, I am now graduated and I do need to change my About Me page. I figured I had a few days to do that since I didn't realize that anyone actually read this stuff, but apparently they do, so thank you Andy, I'll have that fixed as soon as I finish this blog entry. :)

So, yes, I graduated on Saturday and it was amazing. And as goofy as this sounds, it was everything I thought it would be. Sure the ceremony was boring but I was sitting next to friends so it didn't matter. I got to see tons of friends accomplish their goals. And I even danced back to my seat -- that is not a lie. Leaving friends on Saturday night was a lot easier and harder than I expected. Easier in the sense that I knew it was going to be hard, usually when I move (which I've done 17 times, and will do 4 more times between now and my 23rd birthday) I just deny that it's going to be hard. But this time I just embraced it, so I knew it was going to be hard so it was easier in that sense. But it was harder than I thought it would be because I felt like I was prepared for it, but only realized that by becoming more open to the idea of it being hard that it was going to be that much harder because I allowed myself to feel it then when it was happening and not just the next time I wanted to call someone to hang out.

So, I've been in Illinois where I will be working to find apartments and I'm having so-so luck. I've found a few that I really like, but are a little more than I'd like to spend, affordable, but I'd prefer to save. But so far, the ones that I've found that are more my financial style are...well...pretty crappy. As my Mom would say "not somewhere that I want my baby to live." We'll see. We've got one more day of searching, but I do have two places that I really really like so far.

Well I'm off, more updates later, I need to change my About Me section before Andy comes after me.

--------------------

Edit: Picture addition June 21st, 2008



The family and me after the ceremony.



My roommate Rachel and me.  She was also one of our Big Red Mascot hence the goofy looking hands.

My roommate Jessica and me.



Basketball extraordinaire & friend, Courtney Lee, and me before the ceremony.  Best of luck in the draft Courtney!



My friend Tyler and I after his commissioning.



Allie and me at her graduation party the night before the big day.  Have a great time in Israel, love!

Graduation Day

Last night, I slept on a windowsill.

The family descended on my house on Thursday evening after a very long car ride all the way from Kansas City, MO to Bowling Green, KY for the glorious occasion that is my college graduation taking place this afternoon at 3 PM.  Got the entire apartment loaded up into my family's three cars (including my car) and we're ready to get the heck out of dodge tomorrow morning.  That is, of course, after I take my obligatory diploma picture with Dr. Gary Ransdell, the president of my fine, fine university.

So the family descended and it's been a pretty peaceful time of togetherness which is ALWAYS good news.  LOTS of good food -- including Red Lobster and my promised steak dinner.  Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Today however, is my (and subsequently theirs as well) last day here in Bowling Green so we'll all be parting ways.  Although I am rather convinced that three days is just the right time for extended family to be together.  Long enough to catch up but short enough to not want to kill each other.

Well I suppose I should probably get to getting ready, not sure what we're doing before commencement but I know I've got my friend's commissioning at 1 o'clock and then graduation at 3 o'clock and I need to find something to eat -- not to mention my computer battery is dying.

Ta ta!