Back.

I'm back at school.... I forgot about all the drama going on while I was away. Some of my friends are really struggling (and that's not what I'm referring to as drama). I'm really excited to love on them. But the other ones are basically done with me. I'm sure it's my fault, but still not fun. I'm not looking forward to dealing with it. But it's night time and I don't think I slept at all over the last week. A couple 4 hour naps, but no real sleep. So I'm exhausted and that makes things seem bigger. Good thing I love Mondays... or something. Only 2 Mondays left!

Black Friday.

Good 5 a.m.
Good sales.
Good female bonding.
Good aches all over my body.
Good Idea to go shopping.

Replace all of the "good"s with "lame" or any other negative word of choice and you'll be about where I am.

Priceline exceeds expectations again...

The Boys Slumber Party..... The Free Lodge.




The Girls Slumber Party... Thank you Marriott... Complete with homemade spa treatments...

Gratitude....

Lately I've been thankful for so many things, so I thought I would list them on this day of thanks to help me remember...
Good Parents.
Deep Friendships.
Funny siblings.
Funny cousins.
Precious Grandparents.
Redemption.
Macaroni and Cheese.
Advil.
Buddy the Elf.
Grace.
A Sparkly Ring.
Hugs from the giver of that sparkly ring.
Sweet little kids.
Naps.
Chapstick.
Phase 10.
Heat.
And again, Grace.

My Funny Life...

So Far this year Thanksgiving Break has been devoid of any major catastrophes... I've had a couple close calls, but overall it's been pretty harmless. This morning I worked with my personal trainer from the summer and almost puked (which isn't saying much)... I was really disappointed that I'm so out of shape, but I'm saying it's because I only got 3 hours of sleep...

The rest of my day was filled with a bubble bath, my marriage book, and fun at the spa with my mom...

Do you recognize these legs?





They belong to this boy... my brother. He joined us after he used his tanning gift card from graduation. He's apparently ticklish. He's also straight and has never tanned or been pedicured before. He did it because I'm his favorite sister... I'm pretty sure.

Blurbs.

-I'm on thanksgiving break.... and HOME.
-Other AU kids still have to go to two more days of class.
-When I get crabby, Nate gets the worst of it.
-I tripped and fell at a busy gas station today. Something about I was running because it was cold and my feet got wrapped around my pants, proceeded to rip my pants on the seem up to my knee.... The next thing I knew, my dinner, purse and body were sprawled out on the dirty gas station pavement. Nate sat in the warm, clean car laughing.
-The Economy makes me nervous.
-I failed a test today. I studied the wrong chapter. Awesome.
-This is my 200th post.
-I thoroughly enjoy playing solitaire...
-I can't live without chocolate.
-I love my dogs.
-I'm going to plan my Branson Wedding next week.
-Then I'm going to my grandparents farm. I can't wait. My family hasn't even seen the ring. I miss them.
-I'm still really mad at America's Next Top Model.

ANTM... Warning Spoilers.

One thing I pride myself on is the discipline I portray when it comes to religiously watching America's Next Top Model. It's actually a show I'm "not allowed to watch".... Apparently it sends messages that beauty is only external... Either way, I'm addicted and last night was the season finale. And all I have to say, judges, was that you made a terrible mistake. There is no way in the entire universe that Samantha - the commercially short haired girl that doesn't know how to dress- beat out Annaleigh - the beautiful figure skater modelesque perfect candidate. I hardly believed it when McKee beat her... but Samantha? Gross. Bad Choice, Top Model Judges, Bad Choice.

I am absolutely the surfacey lame girl, I would feel sorry for if I were watching me... but I'm not ashamed. Like I always say, if it's entertaining, it's fully legit.

Have my Cake and Eat it too...

As I plan my wedding, I'm learning more and more about how these things work. One thing I've found is that I guess the groom gets his own cake. Which makes me pretty jealous. Does that mean the big pretty cake is mine? If that's the case, I feel I'm getting the shaft... the big pretty cake is for the guests... I want my own cake. And I want to look like this...

A Few of my Favorite Things...

so I'm freakishly addicted to my google reader... I love that I can have everything divided into specific folders and quickly browse all kinds of blogs... So I thought I'd go through my dividers and share my favorite blogs...

Cooking...
Closet Cooking - I don't cook, but it's fun to read about....

Financial...
Finance Professor.com - I have to do a lot of googling when I read this one...

Friends... I have a lot of friends that blog... so I'll list a few... you heard me: I have more friends than you...
Adam - This guy's a new blogger, but so far so good...
My BFF - this blog gives us an inside look at the life and demands of a world renowned fashion designer...
Randall - I read this one whenever I need my college football fix or when I want to feel cool...
Chris -I literally just subscribed to this blog so I know nothing about it, but Chris is a funny guy, I've got high hopes.
Rob - This blog is a mixture of fun reviews and full-proof ministry tips...
Rachel - Rob's wifey teaches us how to stay fit!
The Eldridge's -My friends that got married a few months ago... We learn about their new life as husband and wife in Kansas City...

Interest:
With this nest - A sister to "with this ring" a wedding blog I read religiously, With this nest gives great home decorating tips and gets me really excited for my new home with my new husband...

Ministry:
Work of the People - I like it.
Resources 4 Creatives - I really like it.

Photography:
Digital Photography School - Inspiring and Educational...

Wedding!
Once Wed Blog - Wonderfulness.

I enjoy being a girl...

But sometimes I feel like I should be in a movie called mean girls...

Over-Achievers...

So I'm sitting in class today (the class in which I take such copious notes) and our professor begins by giving us a chance to go over the calendar. 4 weeks left of class, then finals. Ok, I've got a LOT to do, but I know that and that's how all semesters work. Students keep asking questions about various assignments and grades and blah blah blah... All stuff that I'm interested in and listening to, but am aware of most of the answers to their questions. Then our professor asks for our input as far as past assignments go. We use a ridiculous program called moodle, which can be confusing at times. I have missed two online quizzes (out of 15), really no big deal. But one student asked if our professor wouldn't mind re-opening some quizzes and other online activities that we had maybe missed. I raised my head, ecstatic that I might get a chance to add 20 points if not more to my overall grade... Anywho, some students started arguing. Sophomores mostly... Saying things like, "this is college, we need to figure out on our own, if we missed a quiz, we should take the hit." I happily agreed with this theory and would never ask to redo a quiz or essay, but the professor was asking for our input... a free ticket to improving our grade was laid on the table, and students COMPLAINED! I was livid. I live by two principles in this life: 1. never eat a lunchable 2. when grace is given, take it... always, take it.


We were told that "this discussion will continue on Wednesday..."

FALL.

I guess I've never parked under a tree in the fall before.


Lesson Learned.

Class Notes...

No skip November is going really well so far...

No Skip November

So today starts "No Skip November"... I will not be skipping any of my classes or appointments (not that I skip appointments, but we all know I HATE going to class). All I have to do is go to class every day like a normal college kid for 3.5 weeks and then it's thanksgiving... Then two more weeks in december and my semester is finished! So far, I've been rewarded for my new academic vigor with a test and 11 papers today (we've known about them all semester, I have two left before six p.m. tonight, I'll be fine.), 1 paper tomorrow (that's the killer), a group project and a case study on wednesday... At least the sun is supposed to shine all week...

Under the Overpass...

I just finished this book today... It's about a college student and his friend who drop out to go live on the streets for five months as homeless people... I had my doubts because of its seeming similarities to this book, which sent the students on my campus into a craze of selling all of their things and getting really mean to the people who didn't... But I'm speaking at a homeless shelter for a class, so I thought it would be helpful insight... It was verrry interesting. It was convicting in a way that wouldn't make me want to share my money, but my time and my compassion and love. Not that I'm not willing to share my money, but it's scary to think I'd be supporting just another fix for a homeless man. Anyways, I feel like I understand a little bit more about homeless life and will keep a box of protein bars in my car in case I come across any in my town.

In other news, last night was Nate's first tournament game... they didn't win, which made it his last game of the season, which made it his last game at taylor, which made it his last game of his soccer career... It was very emotional. But I'm proud of him. Now onto training for our half marathon in May!