Laundry

So one of the good things about doing laundry at school, is that there is multiple washing machines & Dryers. So usually you can get it done on the quick.

well..... I am not so lucky.

Washier #1: does not accept coins at the moment... it is on a quarter strike.

Washier #2: has grown lazy and it's rebelling by not going through the spin cycle. This is more cruel than the first dryer because you believe that everything is normal until you remove your clothes and find them soaking wet, which causes you to spend extra money to dry them longer..... while it laughs at you from across the room as you throw them into the dryer.

Washer #3: Works... it has formed sympathy for you and has decided to cooperate..... but who knows how long that will last, seeing as it is the lone machine used by multiple college students.

Now at this moment in time the dryers are all working, which is just grand seeing as you can still only wash one load at a time.

Believe me: I started laundry at like 10 and it is now 1am and still have a load drying....... thank goodness my first class doesn't start until 11am.

On a good note: I got to talk with my RA (to complain about mentioned washers) and her name is Sara and she is AWESOME:) we planned a card game night next week for the girls and guys on our floor. So that will be something to look forward too.

FREE STUFF:)

Today was the college fair... and I made out like a bandit!!! It was hot but worth it, I walked around with Jenny and we got an awesome hamburger with chips and a drink for 2 bucks. We got tons of pampletes and listened to lots of sales pitches. But it was tons of fun. They had live music and the band was awesome.

All in all it makes me happy on these days that I get a chance to go to college and live on campus. I know my age gets me down sometimes, but this is a great time of my life, no matter how old I am!!!

Resurrection of the Bllog

So....yeah.... my blog might be a little mad because I may have been neglecting it for the past couple of months. But I have told various dedicated followers that I would resume my blogging duties with the start of a new school year.

So, instead of giving many excuses for my absence I will instead start on with a new post about my AWESOME new dorm.

I liked my dorm last semester. It satisfied my needs, and gave me a place to sleep. But this dorm is like a Marriott compared to a Motel 6 in the bad part of town. I am now in Arlington Hall (A Hall). The location is closer to the buildings on campus, right next to the cafeteria, and again soooo much nicer inside. It is bigger and has much more surface space and closet space. So far I LOVE it. And I don't think I will have a big problem sleeping because the AC actually works here.

My roommate's name is Caitlyn, and we have gotten to know each other a little bit today as she unpacked her stuff, I have a feeling we will get along well this semester. She is a biology major, so I know the tough classes she will be taking.

I am excited about my classes this semester, I will actually get to take some classes for my Social Work Major. Anthropology, Social Work human behavior, Social Work Practice 1, Economics for Non-business majors and well Spanish 2, not so much excited about that one.

On a different note: You can now rent school books. Which is sooooo much cheaper!!!! I got one book for almost $70 cheaper, and I just have to give it back at the end of the semester. For anyone who has bought college books before knows how awesome this is!!!!

And now Pictures of my new crib:)

View From near the door:

View from my bed:

View of my closet:

This just cracked me up!!

But of course I am nothing like this:P

The Longer You Procrastinate

Amount of work you plan to get done later
Amount of work you actually do later
Time left
Urgency
Population of doodletown
Willingness to bullsh*t just to fill up space

So Strange and So True....(I really wish it wasn't though)

So I go to lunch today, simply enough. I was in the mood for just a simply hamburger and some fries. I retrieved my food from the counter and found a table to enjoy the juicy burger in front of me. 

I set my food down and my book bag, and turned back to get a drink. 

You must have a nice beverage to wash down the fries. 

As I was headed back to my table I saw a man leaning over my stuff. 

I immediately thought he was taking my food to the trash thinking someone had left it. 

I thought this was strange because it was a full plate of food, but still I called after him to 

assure him that I had every intent to consume every morsel.

So as I head toward him ( I wasn't that far) calling:

"Sir!!,No Sir!!!"

He turns to me, with MY hamburger in his hands chewing the bite he had just bitten off. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT!!!!!!!!!

I stopped dead strictly from shock. 

He looked like a dear in the headlights. I realize this was a older Asian guy that worked in the cafeteria, and I had passed him on the way to my table, while he sat at another table finishing what looked like was his lunch. 

So why was he eating MY lunch????

After the most awkward 3 seconds of staring at each other he put the hamburger back on my plate!?!

I kinda curled my lip and told him... no thanks he could have it, I would get another. 

I really could not tell if he was embarrassed or not, but he picked it up and walked away. 

He came back a couple of minutes later and said sorry without really looking at me. 

Suddenly the hamburger didn't seem as yummy as it had at first. 

I still can't believe it all happened. I mean really what situation would that seem right?

I called a friend to tell her and she asked seriously if I was that bored that I had to make up stories to entertain myself. 

I really wish that I could have made this up, but sadly I didn't. 

So who knows I may end up eating like I have been in jail for a semester, lets hope I can get through today without random people eating food off my plate. 

Twilight Party

So I love Twilight. I kinda feel like a 14 year old girl obsessed with it. It is a guilty pleasure that I am sadly not feeling guilty about yet.  I never read the books, but probably will now.  Which will be crazy because I have never been able to read a book after watching the movie. But this story line appeals to me big time. I know the movie has its shortcomings, Like the actress that plays Bella has this really annoying stuttering thing going on the whole movie.... I could do with out that. And you can tell it is not the most "Hollywood" of movies, but I think I like it that way better. I sill love it though.  

Anyway. I went to babysit my wonderful nieces and nephew this weekend. And because I had to find any excuse to watch the movie again I decided to have a Twilight party with them. 

It was FUN!!!! 

I let Benjamin, Ella and Maiya make a "B" and "E" out of pepperonis on two pizzas. One for Edward and one for Bella. And then we consumed them with the appetite of a vampire.

And of course we had to wear our Twilight pins to show our dedication!!!

The best part was......... We got to Twi-Dye t-shirts.  I have wanted to tye-dye.... oops I mean twi-dye for a while now, and it was fun to get the kids involved and do it with them. Here are the results. 

Ella's Shirt: It says "Edward + Bella"  "Twilight"

My Shirt says Twilight

Maiya's Shirt says Twilight as well. 

And Benjamin's says : "Team James"   "Twilight"

Of course Benjamin liked the "bad" vampires of the movie. His reaction at the end of the movie. 

" I like the baseball and the fight scene, but I could have done without all that talking." 

Maiya fell asleep pretty early in the film, but watched it will Ella the next morning. I think she like it. She was very concerned about Bella and the end, but seemed to zone out for most of the movie. 

Ella and I of course loved it, and think Edward is a major hottie!!! But all in all it was just great to spend time with my little children that call my sister mom. I have missed them while being away at school. 

Now I am just wondering how often Janie is gonna let them wear their shirts. I didn't get to see them on them before I had to leave because the words were still drying.  Hopefully I will see them soon. 

BTW: For any of you who care... or who love music or even Twilight for that matter: Robert Pattinson(who plays Edward) sings two of the songs on the soundtrack and they are amazing.  "Never think" is my favorite and the other is " Let me Sign" 

Graduation????

I know this day will come.... BUT.... right this moment it feels like a million miles away. I just looked over my degree audit, and started making a schedule for next fall. And it just all hit me....

I 

have

a 

long

way

to

go.

As my mother likes to say: If it were easy everyone would have a degree. 

And this all makes me think of a story by Robert Hastings that my sister once gave me called "The Station" if you have never read it you should check it out here. 

Ignorance is Apparently Bliss

So...I just went to a social gathering for a group that I am kinda getting involved with on campus. It is similar to Habitat for Humanity, kinda like a spin off. I haven't gotten to do a lot of things with the groups, because of conflict of schedule and lack of opportunities for the group to help with. 

I thought it was interesting that they had a social night, and I thought it would be a good chance to meet other people that liked helping others in need. My night did not go as well as planned. 

There was a low turn out, and that sucks. It is a new group so it is still in the up and running stages, but it already has a high member volume. Why do more people not show up? I will admit it took me a long time to learn that if I commit to something I need to follow through.... my mother tried her hardest to instill that in me from the start. But I truly feel that too many people drop that ball now-a-days. They had a sign up sheet go around in meetings, about 25+ signed up saying they would come. About 10 people came(including the 4 group leaders). I think people take for granted the time and effort people put in to events like this. It is amazing people still try.

Also....while there I learned about a opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics which are coming to our campus in April. I am super excited. While talking to some people a heard one of the girls say " That is cool, but retarded people and down syndrome people freak me out." 

......really!!! really!!!...... can comments like that not be kept to ourselves. They are people too, and I just feel that you belittle yourself when you show how little you understand about other people.

Again talking in conversation, same said girl insulted a friend of mine when asking her why she was thinking about changing her major to social work ( which happens to be my major). I say insulted her because the question was posed like this:

"Why would you go from up here(hold right hand up high) to down here( hold left hand extremely lower)?"

I then ask "What is wrong with social work"

To which she replies  " It is just cha-ching to blah"

My degree is not BLAH!!!

 

At this point I wanted to scream. I had to really hold back the verbal diarrhea that was churning in my mind. So many things that could be said, but probably so little that would be understood by someone who doesn't have the slightest clue on how to  work for a degree that you have discovered to be your calling, no matter the pay. 

Again later in the evening she let her ignorance show by stating she doesn't know why anyone would get an associate nursing degree. Of course she doesn't know..... because ignorance is bliss.  

Group Work

I realize that group work is a part of life,schools, and in the workplace.... but let me go ahead and state:

I DON'T LIKE IT!

In life we work with friends, because they share the same values and already know how what your strengths are and is doesn't really feel like you are working on something, more like you are on a crazy adventure with someone you have fun with. 

At work, you may not like the people you are stuck with but you are both working toward a common goal, so divide and conquer may work because no one wants to get fired. 

At school is seems like all of this logic is thrown out the window. I hate being forced to work with complete strangers on a project/paper that is already difficult.  I have now been in college for 4 semesters and had to deal with some sort of group work at least once a semester. The group always consist of 

- leader/ worker/writer-person who actually does project

- the space head/follower/ starer of desk -this person usually does help a little with the work load)

- idiot/jerk/ pothead-- this person usually is vocal about not contributing in anyway, or leaves before discussion begins

- disappearing act/ overly ambitious one/ fly by the seat of their pants/loud one/ antagonist-- this person is usually a combination of any of the previous mentioned things. They love to argue the ideas presented, claimed they are going to do so much for the project but seem to disappear when work needs to be done and show up due day and make entire group look stupid by scrambling words together. 

now sometimes groups are lucky and work wonderful, I guess I just haven't been that lucky. So I will continue to do my work ( the groups work) so I can ensure my good grades, so I can graduate and get the raises they hope for!

This is what I/we are working on now:

English1302: The class was divided in between 3 groups. Group 1: discuss the negative aspects of video games on kids. Group 2: opposite of group 1. Group 3: write a solution for both sides including points given by both sides.  

I am in group 3, and the day that groups were assigned I already knew I would hate this assignment. I am in a group of 5, and the debate was given today, so my group has until tomorrow evening to meet and write a response. Yeah, everyone is busy!!!! BUSY!!!umm I'm sorry I was aiming for a A in this class.I am so glad everyone could take time out of their schedule for school!!! So we are trying to do email meetings while everyone writes something and I try to make sense out of it all. Plus I seriously think I have a stoner in my group because he talks with drawn out words and abnormally long pauses in between each word. This is his stance: "Video games are not bad, I play video games all the time, and look at me I turned out fine."

ummm. I would beg to differ. 

So while I try not to stress because no one has emailed me back yet, and try not to curse the person that thought group work in school was a brilliant idea to help us learn how to teamwork, I will listen to music and write the paper anyway. 

Her Morning Elegance

Pause the music if you were listening and watch this awesome video:P

I was featured in a article

Its nothing big, but in the Collin College Community Newletter I am mentioned regarding my ideas on the college's core values. Here is the article:  (and yes they called me Megan! but atleast they spelled my last name right!)

Core Values lead Collin College 

The college Mace.

It is challenging to put a face on institutions of higher education because colleges are more than buildings; they are a myriad of diverse, living beings and evolving, intangible ideas. However, it is surprisingly simple to describe Collin College because the professors, students and staff exude its core values. We have a passion for Learning, Service & Involvement, Creativity & Innovation, Academic Excellence, Dignity & Respect and Integrity.

Dr. Bob Collins, chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, carries a card with these core values in his coat pocket because he believes it is important to review and practice values like Integrity daily. “Integrity can be thought of in mathematical terms; Integrity and integral have the same root. They are both wholeness. It means our actions and words correspond; what we say and what we do are integrated. Another one of our core values is Academic Excellence. The evidence is that our students who transfer do well at universities, many at tier one universities. The college has garnered numerous academic awards. We are one of the few colleges that have more than one U.S. professor of the year,” Dr. Collins said.

The core values were developed in 2000 through a group effort by the trustees, faculty, staff and administrators. Since then, these values have become a guiding force.

They are the selection criteria for the Living Legends of Collin County. The college measures outstanding faculty and employees by their demonstration of the core values. These values are the basis for employee evaluations. The core values are even emblazoned on the college seal, and they lead each year’s commencement procession as they are embossed on the college mace.

Perhaps the best illustration of the college’s core values is seen in the actions of the college’s students. For example, service and involvement were demonstrated recently when students and faculty contributed 731 pounds of food, equaling 935 meals, through a program chaired by Professor Cheryl Wiltse and sponsored by faculty with the Book in Common* program.

According to student Megan Grinels, who recently led a relief drive for victims of Hurricane Ike, “Donating a bag of blankets or canned goods gives people a sense of purpose. We give to others in gratitude for what the college does for us. The core values are not just words; they are actions that the college accomplishes. We have pride in those words,” Grinels said.

Breakthrough

So.... after not falling asleep till almost 7am.... yes SEVEN IN THE MORNING.... Monday night, I rethought my problems.

 I am not stressed.... at least I don't feel stress... grades are great ( yea :p)  and money is fine.

so I looked at what is different in my life... besides everything.  

1. I am no longer working

2. I can't separate my bedroom from my living room, study room, lounging room

3.  I have ALOT of free time on my hands and nothing to fill it with.

I figured that getting done with my classes at 2 on most days and sitting in my room till I'm ready to go to sleep was not helping my situation. So for the last couple of days I have forced myself not to go back to my room after my last class. And started going to the wonderful MAC (Maverick Athletics Center) and working out. This place is awesome. And since I have been going at night they have this cool little cart  that will take you there so you are not walking alone in the dark (My aunt would have liked that.... she hated me being alone at night).  

I have never been against working out or exercise in general, but I also have never had that NEED to go, or the energy to change and drive there and then force myself to sweat and breathe hard, BUT.... I have got to say I have been loving it. They have cool T.V.s attached to the machines so you can watch what ever you want, or you can look out on to the street or face the basketball courts and watch the game that is being played.  I really felt like I was getting rid of alot of extra energy that I was holding on to. I have successfully slept the past three nights unaided.  

This is a pic from the MAC, the ellipticals are my favorite. 

MISSY HIGGINS

So for my friend Ashley's birthday we (Ashley,Kate and I) got tickets to go to the House of Blues to see Missy Higgins.  Ashley got me listening to her soon after we became friends, and we have been wanting to see her in concert ever since.  It WAS awesome. Here are some pictures from the show.

 

Sleep-- Friend and/or Foe

So NEVER in my life have I had trouble sleeping, except for maybe the occasional night before something exciting. Any one who really knows me can vouch for my ability to sleep for 10-12 hours easily, no sweat. Now most people can average a 5-7 hour night and function well the next day-- I run best on 8-9 hours of sleep. I believe this comes from my father's side of the gene pool.  My grandmother always slept in, and my father had the superpower of sleep as well. I remember hearing-- "quiet, your father is asleep" OFTEN

BUT.. I have lost my powers. For the past week and a half sleep has left me and found a new home somewhere.  I the other night I stared at my wall, ceiling, floor, t.v., magazines, books, iPhone.. and anything else I could stare at until 4:30 am!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!! one night may have been okay enough to recover from but I have been wide awake in the the wee hours for a couple of nights. 

SO... Wednesday I decided to go get some Unisom, to help me kick back into a regular sleep schedule. My plan was to go to sleep early with help, wake up refreshed and go to sleep Thursday night unaided.  The first half worked well.  Wednesday night I fell asleep at 11:00 after taking one Unisom and woke up at 7:00 am BEFORE my alarm!!! it was great,, I felt more productive all day and even got a lot of studying done. So last night, I clean up, wash my face and lay in the bed at 10:30, got comfy, closed my eyes..... and ...... realized I was NOT sleepy.  So I turned on my fan read a little bit and tried again.  By midnight I felt hopeless. Took another pill, and drifted off to neverland a little bit bore 1am.  Woke up this morning a little after 9am ( class was at 11:00). 

I do not want to rely on pills, and not sure why I developing insomnia.  I read some stuff online to help the sleeping impaired this is what I found:

1. go to sleep at the same time every night

2. have a calming environment.

3. make the bedroom a place for only sleep 

4. keep noise level down

Ummmmm DORM LIFE.... so I have done these things to help

1. buy a clip on fan

2. put in head phones and listen to enya

3. try to study in places other than my room

I  will admit it is weird sleeping in a room with someone I barley know, but she is a quiet person,and quiet sleeper. 

Any other suggestions..... anyone else who survived dorm life and had a similar problem??? I hope that with time and a schedule I follow things will get better.  

Video Blog Update

FIRE FIRE

This is pretty cool, I would want to do it, but then again, I probably shouldn't

Never gave these quizes much thought BUT......

I really think this nailed me!!! I just hit random quiz and apparently my bathroom habits explain me best. 

Your Bathroom Habits Say You're Selfless

You are a giving soul. Way too giving, in fact. You often get stuck doing the dirty work that no one else will do. You spend a lot on clothes, and you tend to be a very stylish dresser. However, it's hard for you to throw away trendy clothes when they go out of style. You are a little shy and easily embarrassed. You often wonder if you are normal. In relationships, you tend to be very romantic and demanding. You'll treat your partner like gold, but you expect a lot in return.

What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?

Aunt Beth

so I know that school began on Jan 20, 2009... but it doesn't actually start until you have your first week that includes a test, a paper, a project and about 3 million chapters to read.

Hence no blog for a while. 

But, I would like to remember my Aunt Beth for a moment. 

 My Aunt Beth passed away on Friday.  It was expected because of her condition. She was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and completed chemo treatment in October.  By Jan. she was on a downward slope and we were unsure why.  At the end of January the doctors told us that the cancer was present in her colon, large lymph nodes, and brain. She was in a lot of pain, and had tried a round of treatment, but decided it was too painful, and refused anymore. I know that death is never a happy ending, but it is an ending for us all, and I am glad that death ended her pain, but sad that her life has ended. 

I will Miss her greatly. I will Miss her love of card games, and the Mexican food we would eat together when I lived above her. I will Miss her compassion for animals. I will remember her stories of her world travels and her memories of her husband Bill. I will forever be grateful to have had her in my life. Most of all I will remember Her. 

As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death. 
- Leonardo da Vinci

Closed for bad weather

I got up this morning, a little late ( because my bed was SOOOOO comfy) but in plenty of time to get ready and walk to class.  So I washed my face, brushed my teeth, fixed my hair. Put on socks underwear, pants, undershirt, shirt,jacket, scarf, gloves, and shoes. 

Walked out my door, and notice that one of my suite mates put up a lovely sign.... it read:

"UTA closed, ALL CLASSES CANCELLED... Cafeteria still open"

S**t

So I went back to my room to call my sister, because without her knowing, I put her in charge of calling me and telling me these things, so I don't have to get out of bed. 

But I made the day productive and did laundry and homework. I was actually kinda mad that there were no classes.  It is too early in the semester to NEED a day off, and I just know that all of my teachers are going to do the "we have to cram and make up work" which me teaching myself things, which I am not good at... hence being at college.  

And as I write this I hear sleet and freezing rain hitting my window, which mean more than likely classes will be cancelled tomorrow.  

Here's hoping for warmer weather. 

I heart squirrels

yeah, I know they are not always the coolest animals. In VA they were everywhere and would eat the food out of the bird feeders, and usually end up breaking them. 

BUT

here in Arlington... the are cute.  I watched one for probably way too long while I was waiting for my last class to start.  They eat their nuts(hehe... no dirty thoughts) in a very corn on the cob like way, and they sit on the hind legs, while the munch with their little tiny hands.  

I guess since they have gotten used to sharing their home with a bunch of college kids they are not exactly scared of us.  The don't run, and I swear they stare at us too, so I don't feel too bad watching them eat. 

I actually saw two of them playing( or fighting) on a tree this morning as I walked to class, and it was funny to watch.  I honestly thought, at how when kids fight we grow annoyed and aggravated, but two squirrels on a tree it becomes an interesting dance that invokes a smile. 

maybe it is just me, but just made me realize how much I really do like my campus.  and the fact that is is 75degrees on a Jan afternoon here in TX!

10 things i have learned.....so far

1. my govt teacher is a republican teaching roughly 100 democratic students:)  and former pres. bush might(MIGHT) be coming to speak to just my class. Not the whole school just my class. double :)

2. walking slowly up three flights of stairs doesn't make them easier, just prolongs the end of them. 

3. lots of people are eating lunch alone, not just me. 

4. who ever orders desks for the college  seems to think that 10 year olds are attending classes. 

5. my way around campus (sort of, although I probably still look like a dork.

6. walking in the cold at night to go get dinner is not as nice as walking downstairs in my slippers. 

7. my sonic boom alarm clock with bed shaker is AWESOME-- I really should have gotten one sooner, I may have saved Kyle from getting mad at me some mornings.

8. I am not the oldest person at college ( maybe in the dorms, not sure yet)

9. my classes are fun

10. my shower temperature is NOT consistent.  taking a shower in the morning is not fun, every time someone on my floor flushes (which is often) the water turns to scalding hot. Not good when washing soap off of your face. 

maybe at the end of the semester, I will have learned 10 academic things.  

Video Blog:)

And it begins.......

So last Sunday, my sister whipped up a very wonderful,very nice goodbye party for me. I know it probably seems silly that everyone is saying goodbye when I will back in a couple of months, and probably back many weekends. But the goodbye wasn't as much for me as it was for the past couple of years. I have loved living with my sister and her family. And becoming friends with so many people through the church. I don't think it has hit me yet on how much my life is going to change.

Thank you everyone for all your kindness!

and special thanks to Sarah Rager who made me a

wonder piece of art that I get to fill with my stuff and carry around for

everyone to ask-- "WHERE did you get that?"... and I can say

From this wonderful woman-- check her out online here.

The picture above is her awesomeness.

PART II:

I have officially moved.

Thursday I packed. I finished around 5pm and really was impressed with myself.

I normally have a packing problem.

Like I could be going to the Sahara Desert and would pack a parka, you know just in case the world freezes while I there.

I do this when packing for anything. I could be going to a place for the weekend and pack for 2 weeks, you just never know what is gonna happen. And of course I will be the only person everyone is jealous of when I have when they need.

It doesn't matter that in this day in age a walmart is on every other corner and that in a life or death situation I could buy what I forgotten. I would much rather drag 4 suitcases to my destination.

Where was I?

Yes, So I packed smart enough(as hard as It was) and managed to get all of my belongings in Janie's van. And Friday morning we headed off to UTA.

Now all this time I have been worrying about who my roommate would be, would people like me, could I manage this whole university thing.

What I did not think about....

having a room on the 3rd floor with no elevator.

yeah.......

I am not worried about the day to day.. stairs don't scare me....

moving my extremely packed suitcases, a filing cabinet,and a small fridge, plus numerous other things.

that SUCKED.

I thought we would get everything up stairs, and then walk around the campus.

but after 10 or so trips downs steps and up carrying stuff.

The campus can wait.

But Janie and I survived.

barely

And I survived my first night alone, with the help of my glorious high count sheet (on sale @ Target--- if they go on sale again, and you can-- GET THEM)

My roommate hasn't moved in yet, in fact I don't think any of my 5 suite mates have either.

I have pretty much gotten settle in.

The whole dorm is pretty silent.

so I haven't really meet anyone yet.

I will be sure to post immediately after first super embarrassing moment,

'cause there is just bound to be one.

in the mean time, marvel at my tons of space in my dorm room.

Its hard taking pictures of this room, so excuse the quality of the angles.

Well Hello, 2009, Where did you come from???

I had a very boring/fun new years eve. I'm in VA right now helping family out and doing a little visiting while here. Last night I got to toast in the new year with my sister and aunt. I rarely get to spend time with family, and most of the time end up spending nights out with friends. It was a very non-eventful night, but I found that fun because I got to bond with just my sister, which believe it or not, is rare now that her child count is up to four, and her husband usually takes up her alone time. With me moving out of the house is just a few days, almost as soon as we get back to Dallas, I'm happy we get a little alone time.

And with all that said, I miss Dallas. I miss home. I do like visiting here, and I am SOOOOO grateful that I got to see Renee(Best Friend) and Debbie( Awesome Woman). I really do miss them both. I have known Renee since 7th grade, she was my first roommate, and we have been so close and I am grateful that our friendship has passed the test of distance. We don't talk as often but we never miss a beat. Debbie has been such an inspiration in my life and she has had such a hard year, I am happy I was able to see talk with her. It don't know when where you live becomes your home. It happens very subtle. When I moved to Dallas, I missed VA so much, and for months felt like I was living in someone else's home. Now I feel like a tourist in VA and I MISS home.

Well I can't believe that 2008 has come and gone. I feel like I blinked, and very long blink. So much happened, and so much didn't happen at the same time. Maybe 2009 will show some improvement, and will last a little longer.

Wishing everyone a good year!!