Guns & Roses

When I was a sophomore in high school, one of the theater directors wouldn't start rehearsal until the entire cast and crew went around in a circle and did Guns & roses.  If you've never heard of this, You go around the circle/table/etc. and each person says the worst part of your day, gun, and the best part of your day, a rose.  Some days have more guns than others and visa versa.
Today's Guns:
*  Got in a 'tiff' with one of my best friends last night which meant very little sleep
*  Got to class and found out I forgot my cover sheet for my project
*  Figured out that I'm pretty sure that I didn't do my project correctly
*  Found out that there are OVER 60 people applying for the professional phase that I'm applying to meaning that over half of the applicants aren't getting into the program
*  Had an awkward hour to kill between work and class
*  Made two 2nd graders cry and got one of them an office referral
Today's Roses:
*  My second class ended after only 30 minutes
*  Came home and got the living room picked up
*  Got 2 loads of laundry done
*  Folded my sister's laundry
*  Got the kitchen picked up
*  Made a fabulous dinner homemade dinner!

Parmesan pan-fried/oven baked chicken with broccoli cuts and scalloped potatoes!
I got the Parmesan crusted chicken from Arli, the potatoes were Betty Crocker from a box and the broccoli was from my freezer!

Valentine's Day

For an interesting take on Valentine's day, and a view that I share, visit my sister the wisenheimer here!

As for my Valentine's Day, it was the first one that I've actually attended classes on since middle school. I know this sounds ridiculous because who doesn't lovvvvvve Valentine's day right? I don't like this holiday for the sheer reason that I find it a little exaggerated (read a lot). Call me old-fashioned, but I think a romantic evening at home spent with each other is much better than spending a ton of money on flowers and candy and presents. No don't misinterpret me here, presents are always acceptable no matter how corny the holiday is. But I can tell you that getting a thoughtful present on March 16th for just the simple reason that you care about me means a thousand times more to me and us infinitely more romantic than retrieving a cliched gift on February 14th. Obviously, this is just my opinion.

 I spent my day embracing the holiday by making cookies and cupcakes for those poor unfortunate singles who had to work last night. This is what I ended up with: giant heart shaped sugar cookies with royal icing for decoration and applesauce spice cupcakes with an almond scented cinnamon maple frosting. They were a HIT at work! The left over cupcakes went home with a couple of girls to accompany their Valentine's day celebration. As for the extra cookies, I've got the left overs and am planning on taking them to some friends today as a belated Valentine's treat!

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later

Yesterday, I went to Austin with Arli and Phil to go bug collecting!!!  Now, most of you may be thinking "Bug collecting?? Didn't I read a post about how creeped out you are by cockroaches??? Why on God's green earth would you be going bug collecting?!"  The real  reason I went was because I LOVVEE road trips and with all of the work for school, work at work, and field work I've been doing, it leaves very little time to have some fun and hang out.  So we headed out in the mid morning and got back later that evening!  Here are some pictures of our fabulous outing!! :)

Arli's Road Trip Face!! Attractive no?!

This is me helping with the bug 

Look at me!! I'm touching bug stuff!! (OK so it's just a jar with Bug preserver stuff inside but hey, it's a start!)

Beautiful little creek that we trespassed to see.  Also, during this little adventure, we learned that armadillos can hop!  Who knew?

Two Best Friends :)

Happily Married Couple!

Random car door on the bank of the creek...

Arli: "It looks like Mickey Mouse died here..."

This property not only had bullet signs in their "no trespassing" sign, this bus also had the windows shot out....

The two lovely goats and sheep that were chillin when we left!!

 All in all, it was a lovely day and we had such a good time and can't wait for our Spring Break trip to NEW ORLEANS!!!  It's exactly a month away and I can't wait because by then, I will be 100% complete with my application to the professional phase of my program!  Also, we'll be 100% relaxing away from all the stresses associated with my life in College Station!

Fantastic Day!

Ok, Let's back track just a tad.  Okay?  Okay
Yesterday, I went to all of my classes and while they weren't entirely thrilling, they weren't terrible either.  I would like to count that as a success :) After my classes, I went to the elementary school and worked with some second graders one in particular who is an English Language Learner.  It was trying, but for some reason, that kid puts a smile on my face for no reason other than he is always trying to avoid work.  Normally an annoyance to a teacher wannabe but his tactics are quite inventive!  Anyway, after coming home from the school, I decided to finish up some assignments and after that I still had time to bake for work.  I made the best chocolate chip cookies I've made in a verrry long time.  Now, don't get me wrong, my chocolate chip cookies are still fabulous whenever I make them, but these, these were phenomenal!  Crisp on the outside, golden brown, choc full of chocolate chips, and nice and chewy on the inside.  Not overcooked but also not undercooked.  So being the cookie addict I am, I ate about half a dozen and took most of them into work where they were promptly devoured!  :)
Today was full of cold weather, gusts of icy cold wind, freezing rain, and frozen shoes.  But on the plus side, I got out of work early and one of my classes was canceled!! Now all I need is to get some reading done and I will have had a wholly productive day!

It Seems Like It Was Just Yesterday...

I know it has been a while (read forever) since I blogged last.  Let me give you the 10 second tidy version of the catch up:
1.  Got excellent grades last semester!
2.  Got a job last summer as a caller at an NPO!
3.  Typical Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's etc.
4.  Got a promotion at work! WHOO HOO!
5.  Also working as a receptionist at work!! :)
6.  Time consuming classes this semester.
7.  Made ExCELLENT friends in my water ex class (somewhat out of order) ((you'll hear plenty about them, Arli and Phil))
8.  Became addicted to HGTV
9.  Became estranged from some friends
10. And I'm still single and 20

Okay, now that we're all caught up, let me have just a tiny little rant!
Tonight, I went to get gas in my car, and it just happens that Sam's Club is the cheapest place to fill the tank.  I get out and unlock my gas cap, do the credit card nonsense and start pumping the gas.  All completely innocent.  The older hispanic man at the pump next to me steps back and starts watching me pump gas.  Then he makes this comment, "So, you're a Texas A&M Dad?"  (Side note:  I got my Dad's car and didn't have the heart/time/energy to take off the window sticker that reads Texas A&M Dad.)  So I kindly replied "oh, that? This used to be my Dad's car"  and after that he continued to try and chat me up waiting much to long to finish pumping his gas and put the pump up for my taste.  Overall, I think it is extremely distasteful to chat up a girl half your age at a gas station at night....

Back To School!

I've always been the type to look forward to the first day of school.  Its always been like a high for me to start a new school year!!!  Today I only have one class and it isn't until later this afternoon.  So I can't wait to meet my professors  and new classmates!  Yea the course work is probably going to be difficult but from what I've heard its completely manageable!  I just can't wait to get to campus!!  Being on campus feels great!  This day also marks me going back to work! Which given the deflated status of my bank accounts at the moment is extremely exciting!  :)  Ok, well I am off to get ready for class insanely early!! :)

A Lesson in Manners

Now I'm not claiming to be the know all be all of manners.  Yes I have my vices but I do consider my self a generally considerate person.  For instance, when asked to be someplace at a certain time, I make it a point to arrive on time.  Whenever we had family Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, parties of any sort, my family was ALWAYS late.  I remember one year my mom was so upset about us always being late, she told my dad that the get together started 2 hours earlier than it actually did so we would get there on time.  It was a move like this that helped me realize that I HATE being late.  And as someone who prides herself on being a good hostess and a gracious guest, I find it UNBELIEVABLY rude to show up late or just not show up and not call.  
Now, translate this into everyday life and not just parties and get togethers. I understand showing up a tad bit late for class every now and then.  I understand that some people have class ALL the way ACROSS campus and may always walk in a few minutes late.  This I have no problem with.  However, I do have a LARGE problem with the fact that in my 50 minute chemistry class, there happens to be this one girl who walks in AT LEAST 20-30 minutes late EVERY class.  This isn't just once in a while, its EVERY day we have class.  Its not even like she can sneak in the back, the only way to get into class is through the front of the room through a very squeeky door!  I cannot believe how inconsiderate that is! UGH! And its not like she just rolled out of bed, the girl has her hair and makeup all nicely done when she walks in.  I just want to scream at her  "WAKE UP AN HOUR EARLIER!"  or "ITS A 9 O'CLOCK CHEM CLASS, NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE!!"