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Thursday, August 18, 2011

I'm like a kid the first day of first grade

Next week school starts and I'm feeling quite nervous yet excited. I'm not sure why, because this is not my first year. I've been in college for a while now. However this semester will be a little different because of several reasons:

1. I'm taking classes that I picked out myself instead of only classes off the degree plan

2. My classes are all online and I've always wanted to take an online class.

Next Monday I'll be able to access my classes on the website and I'll attend the orientation and we'll meet the first day. After that everything is online except for the proctored tests in one of the classes.

I'm super excited!

I'll be taking three classes: Maritial and Sexual Lifestyles, Developmental Psychology, and Introduction to M.I.S. (Computer class). It's incredibly liberating to have picked out something that I just saw and thought would be interesting.

Anyone else excited about this next semester? What classes are you taking?


Posted with BloghuB for Windows Phone 7

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Summer is Almost Over

Next week school is back in session and I'm actually excited. I've been really missing the routine and surprisingly I've also missed the academic rigor. I'm sure half-way through the semester when I'm surrounded by piles of note cards and textbooks I'll just be praying for finals to come. However at the moment I can't wait for next week to come.

To sum up whats happened this summer....work, work, work!

But in the midst of all that work some great things have happened and I've had quite a few adventures: 
  • My sister graduated high school. 
  • I went to A-Kon in Dallas. 
  • Attended various (inexpensive) sporting events. 
  • Hung out with friends and made merry ; )
Also, my car broke down about a month ago and stranded my in Belton, Texas. BF and I were driving down for a wedding and when we got to town we were an hour and a half early so we just drove around town looking for something to occupy ourselves. As we drove down a residential street trying to get turned around so we could head to Walmart we hit a bump. No big deal right? There are bumpy roads everywhere. When we got to the stop sign BF put his foot on the gas to accelerate after stopping and the engine revved. I hoped that it had just shifted to neutral, but alas the car was in drive. Reverse still worked so he backed into a nearby parking lot.so we were out of the road. After looking under the hood and deciding that we were pretty much screwed three hours away from anyone that could help us, I get a phone call from a friend who was also going to the wedding asking if we're there yet. (What a Godsend!) After telling her what's happened they came and picked us up and we went to the wedding. 

Afterwards we returned to my poor car that wouldn't go forward to gather up any valuables and then we headed out. They dropped my off at the Walmart in Hillsboro so I could meet my folks who were going to help me tow it back home and I bought a change of clothes so that I wasn't stuck in my dress. I went back to the farm with my parents and BF went home with our friends because he had to Guard Duty at 7AM the next day. 

We woke up and I helped take care of the goats and then we started getting my Dad's 16' flatbed trailer ready for the long ride to Belton. We arrived back at my car around noon and after poking around for a little while seeing if there was anything we could do, we loaded it up. Being a small town we accumulated quite an audience and several people were nice enough to help us as we backed it off a small retaining wall, that was just right height, and onto the trailer. 

My poor car!

It was dark by the time we got back to the farm so I didn't get back home until Sunday. On Tuesday we pulled it to the transmission shop and they set to work. I had to have my transmission rebuilt which was very expensive. But I picked it up that Friday and it goes forward now. I'm glad I didn't have to buy a new car, but my savings account makes sad faces at me when I log in to my online banking. 

But all turned out well and thanks to good friends and my parents I made it home safe. 

This summer has been pretty good even so. It even rained this last Saturday! Now we just need about 20 more inches of rain so that the land will come back to life! : )

Any one else have some adventures this summer? 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Underrated Movie

Last night after Yoga class I came home sweaty and happy only to find that when I walked in the door that someone had left the television turned on. When I looked at it I realized that a movie was about to start so I sat down to see what it was. When I realized that it was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, which is a movie I've had on my "movies to watch" list since it came out I naturally had to stay and watch.


Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

I don't think that people gave this movie enough credit. It was a pretty good movie. Now granted I never read the books so I don't know how it measures up to the original story, but I thought the story line was good and that the actors did a good job telling the story and keeping me interested. 

Of course it could have just been all the feel good endorphines running through my body from just exercising, but I don't think so. 

What did you think of Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief? 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Yoga Project

A few years ago I took a yoga class at UT Arlington and I absolutely loved to practice. Since then I have discovered that my cable provider has free ExerciseTV yoga videos that you can download so I've been doing those every once in a while, when I had the house to myself (which is next to never). I like practicing in a group setting where we are all flexing and bending towards our own inner peace. However, I don't like having me inner peace intruded upon by staring roommates that can't seem to make themselves scarce for an hour and insist on sitting on the couch to watch me stretch and contort myself while I try to balance on one foot as if their piercing eyes and the confounded looks on their faces aren't invading my practice. I've asked several times for them to join me but they refuse, so then I ask them to go somewhere else and stop staring. But the next time it's the same story over again so I eventually stopped practicing at home which meant I had stopped altogether.

Until I heard about The Yoga Project, a studio in Arlington that practices Baptiste Power Yoga done in a room heated to 95 degrees. It sounds pretty intimidating when you read the description, but they offer a $3 Basics Class on Saturdays that sounded like a good way to check it out. I invited a couple of friends to check it out with me that were also excited about trying a yoga class. If it was terrible and we hated it then we only lost an hour and $3 so we set out not really knowing what to expect.

When we got there we filled out the waivers, paid the $3, and went inside to lay out our mats. When we got inside we noticed that people had their mats laid out but on top of their mats they had long towels that covered the mat and a hand towel and water bottle sitting next to their props. When we asked what was up with the mat towel the lady in front of us told us how much we would be sweating and that they mats can get slippery. So we followed their lead and laid out towels as well.

During the class we did sweat! But it was absolutely incredible I left the class feeling detoxified and like I had a great work out. I've been back twice so far and I really kick myself that I didn't sign up for the $39 unlimited classes for a month offer that you can only get your first time. But since I'm still a student its only $10 a class for the regular classes and I have my eye on a class tonight that I would like to attend.

Practicing Yoga really does wonders for my health, happiness, and sanity. I am so glad that I have once again found a way to practice and I highly recommend stepping onto the mat to anyone.

Namaste

Thursday, June 2, 2011

My New Little Garden

After going to the grocery store and getting remarkably little for $52.76 I have decided that there are a few things that I can do to alleviate the strain on my little paycheck: 
  1. Check the store circulars to see if any stores have what I need on sale
  2. Check for coupons before I head to the store
  3. Grow some of my own food
Now do not worry, I'm not about to go coupon mom on this page. : )

I have however begun what I hope will become a prosperous garden. Today I planted two tomato plants in my little patio. Even though there is not a whole lot of space in my back yard there is enough for a few extra plants. If this goes well there is one particular bush that I would not mind putting out of its misery in order to reclaim some extra garden space. 

I went to Ace Hardware today and picked up two little tomato plants, some fertilizer, a soaker hose, and 2 tomato cages.  When I got home I cleaned up the little planter, trimmed the bush that is already there, and planted my two little seedlings. Then I wrapped the soaker hose around the cages so that I just have to turn the faucet on and they'll get a nice big drink. 



If this works out, I plan on also planting potatoes, peppers, and strawberries. I thought about corn, but they get a little to big and you have to plant corn early in the spring around Valentine's Day. 

I also rescued this little guy from sure demise since it was right were my tomatoes were going to go. I figured I'd grow it like a bonsai, and it will have a nice indoor air conditioned life.  


I'm not sure what kind of tree it is, but its a cute little one and has nice leaves. I really hope it survives the transplant. 


Monday, May 30, 2011

Sh*t My Dad Says

Sh*t My Dad SaysIf you haven't read Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern then you are really missing out. We've all had parents and they've most assuredly said something or done something that was ridiculously embarrassing or crazy and this book hilariously connects with its reader on that level.

I was wary at first when my boyfriend handed it to me. Having seen the television show and deeming it not worthy to take up space on my DVR, I was apprehensive about the book but since it was only about 150 pages and came with a glowing recommendation from my boyfriend I figured that I'd give it a try.

I read the whole book, laughing the whole way through at the humorous anecdotes and the similar situations I had with my own parents. Definitely add this to your list of books to read.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Strippers in a Children's Movie.... Really?!

Last night my sister and I went to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 at the movie theater. It was a pretty good movie, but we're a little dorky sometimes so we like that kind of cute movie. Being the kind of movie that it was with a target audience of the age of 6 to 12 years old, there were quite a few children in the theater and one of the trailers which is also supposed to be a kids movie was rather baffling. Check it out........



BAD KITTY!!! Keep your clothes on!

I don't know about you, but I really don't think that young children should watch a strip tease, even if the character is animated. With the music and the trowing of clothes, you can't deny that it's a strip tease!

Strippers, cats or otherwise, do not belong in children's movies.

They can get enough of it on prime time broadcast TV: http://youtu.be/JnAHuCInLWo

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Good-By Spirit!

Yesterday NASA announced that after over a year of silence from the Mars rover Spirit, which has been on Mars for about 7 years, they are hanging their hats and listing her as MIA.

Spirit Rover
Spirit landed on Mars in January of 2004 for a mission that was to last 3 months. Since then it has gathered quite a bit of data including evidence that Mars may have been wetter in the past then it is now. In March of 2010 Spirit stop sending signals which some believe was the result of a particularly harsh Martian winter which did not allow Spirit to get the solar rays it needed for power. Without an adequate supply of power the electronics in Spirit would have been particularly susceptible to the extreme cold.

Looking forward the NASA Rover Team is preparing to launch the next generation Rover called Curiosity this November which will gather data to determine if Mars ever has or ever will support microbial life.

I know that I will not forget Spirit or Oppertunity because they are one of the first NASA Missions that peaked my interest and a true testiment to modern day engineering.

Friday, May 20, 2011

The Other Boleyn Girl

Now that finals are over I have actually had time to sit down and read. I started my summer with The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory which has been on my reading list for a while and subsequently travelling with me every where in my car just in case I get a moment to read. I finally sat down over the last three days and finished this wonderful story.

It's a story about duty and desire. A young woman who's family trusts her about in an attempt to gain power, titles, and riches. In her world everything is for the family, she must forsake her husband to gain favor and then dutifully serve the one who steals away everything she has earned and achieved.

Historical fiction is by far one of my favorite genres and Gregory does an incredible job telling the story of Ann Boleyn from a unique perspective which through out the story stays true to major historical events. If you're in the mood for an entertaining book which is also a little bit of a guilty pleasure I would definately recommend The Other Boleyn Girl.


"The Most Happy"


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hiding from life.... in the bathroom

Here I sit bored to death. If I leave this room I must return to the grind stone that has transformed me into someone that works until i pass out from exhaustion leaving no time for the fun and games of my youth. Why do I do this to myself? Because I know no other way. I have always accepted responsibility open handedly, until my arms are so full i can no longer continue on.

I must learn to say no. Not only to others but also to myself.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Never Knock on a Stranger's Door

I was waiting on the stoop of someone’s home. I only stopped to avoid the rain. They never would have known that I was there. Why did I knock on that door?

I was headed home from the grocery store. I didn’t have the money to waste gas going to the store. The light from inside the house came on. Why did I knock on that door?

I remembered my husband would get off work soon. I thought that he could come pick me up. The house was well kept, with tender and care. Why did I knock on that door?

I did not know what had happened here. I had never heard the stories people told behind closed doors. There was someone inside, maybe watching TV. Why did I knock on that door?

I knocked on the door. I was greeted by a man. He seemed like a nice enough man. Why did I knock on that door?

I was offered inside. I gladly obliged. He offered me a seat. Why did I knock on that door?

I turned around towards the living room. I saw fresh blood on the floor. His eyes met mine with a crazy glare when I looked back at him. Why did I knock on that door?

I turned to leave. I was stopped by his hands. He turned me to look at his dead wife on the floor. Why did I knock on that door?

I tried to scream but no sound came out. I felt a hot pain along my throat. He threw me to the floor towards his wife. Why did I knock on that door?

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Thomas Jefferson Said It..........

"And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."


"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare but only those specifically enumerated."


“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Friday, March 25, 2011

Weekend Adventures

Last week was spring break and I had three whole days off in a row. With all this free time I decided to go down to the farm. I haven't been down there in months and there were a couple of new baby goats that were born the weekend before which of course I wanted to play with.

While I was there 5 babies were born!

We had one momma goat just lay down in the yard and give birth out in the open right in the middle of everything (which is very unusual for goats). She and her two babies just stayed right there all day, even when the herd moved on she never moved. But when it got dark they were still out there even though the other goats had gone back to the barn. We couldn't just leave the babies out there in the open all night, it would not be safe for them so we decided to pick them up and put them in the closest barn for the night.

But when we picked them up and moved them, momma goat went crazy! She started running around screaming at the top of her lungs. She was so scared, she thought we were taking her babies from her and hurting them I suppose. She was so scared and I felt so bad for her. It took us atleast 10 minutes to herd her into the barn that her babies were in, but when she finally realized they were safe in the barn she calmed down.


Baby Goats A Few Hours Old

Last weekend was alot of fun. I'm glad I was able to spend that time with my family.  :)

Worse then the Avian Flu

Everywhere I go I have to listen to Angry Birds this and Angry Birds that. I have played the game and it is pretty fun but not so fun that my entire life should revolve around it. The radio is not safe, the internet is not safe, and now work is not safe.

A couple of people at work have become so addicted to this game that they are playing it at work, even when we are behind on our workload. Seriously?

When I saw this video I knew that I just had to share, because I love Star Trek and frustrated with everyone addicted to Angry Birds so I found it completely hilarious. : )




Monday, February 14, 2011

Over the River and Through the Woods........

On our way back from my Grandmother's 70th birthday party in Alabama, we stopped in Pensacola, Florida to play on the beach. Even though it was 60 degrees outside and the water was even colder we still had a lot of fun.

Here are some pictures of the good times that I took with my new Windows 7 Phone. (I'm loving it so far!)



We were feeding them cheesy bugles. They really liked them! : )

 When we ran out of bugles they went after our shoes!


This was at a gas station on the way home and I just thought it was funny.

All in all it was a pretty fun trip. My family is spread all over the south so it isn't very often that we can all get together.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Years Eve

All I’m going to say for now is:

 

  1. Alcohol was definitely involved
  2. There was some gambling
  3. Yeah someone passed out and got markered
  4. Yeah someone threw up --- Causing other drunks to need to puke. LOL
  5. Kinect Sports + Alcohol = LOTS of FUN!!!!

 

Perhaps I shall post stories later, but for now I don’t know where to start.