Kiki's Thoughts & Escapades

A New Year

2011-01-01T18:12:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

Hope your New Year's Eve Night was full of wonder and love

Here's to a Great Year...

Welcome 2011...

Saw a very funny saying today (by a European): "Silly Americans, it's 1-1-11 not 1-1-11!"
hehe :)

Click on the pictures for links to source

1 Done... Many More To Go!

2011-01-01T18:03:00.000-06:00

I've "finished" one thing on my Life List!! Woohoo ... :)

4. ~~Graduate college~~ Done! B.S. in Social Studies Education With Special Distinction ... 12-17-10

That accomplishment feels so good. So good.

New Year, New Aspirations

2010-12-31T19:33:00.003-06:00

So I've decided to try out the Project 365 again. I'm setting myself up for failure again. Yay. Go me!

Apparently the easiest way to do this is through tumblr. So I've set one up.

365 of Kiki

I figure this would be a great year to do 365

WEDDING! <3
just graduated - so job search begins
1st year of marriage
Aria (our adorable 1 yr old ~~baby~~ puppy)
LSAT studying
LSAT
law school apps
possibly moving??
possible trip to France
possible trip to Vegas
life … in general

I'm also going to try to do 100 Books in One Year. That one I think I'll be able to do. I adore reading and haven't been able to really read for the last 4.5 years (uni and all ... grr!). So I've been devouring books since graduation (which was fabulous by the way).

So here's to '11, may you be fun, loving, enjoyable, exciting, and memorable. (all in a good way, of course)

May yours be the best as well.

Christmas Challenge: Day 25

2010-12-25T23:50:00.000-06:00

Day 25: It’s Christmas! What were some of the things you received this year?

I don't like focusing on what I got. So instead I'm doing "What was your favorite part of this Christmas?"

& go with spending it with my love, my family, & my Aria.
It was an amazing day. Couldn't ask for a better day. Honestly.

Christmas Challenge: Day 23

2010-12-23T07:46:00.000-06:00

Day 23: How much money do you think you spent Christmas shopping?

Not much at all. Remember a few days ago when I said we're broke?
Still are ... & not b/c of Christmas shopping. (too bad)

Christmas Challenge: Day 22

2010-12-22T07:44:00.000-06:00

Day 22: Somewhere you would want to spend Christmas one year.

Somewhere with snow! Somewhere gorgeous & cold. Somewhere with a big fireplace and lots of books to read.

Also overseas - England or France

(of course with Josh!)

Maybe someday...

Christmas Challenge: Day 21

2010-12-21T07:40:00.000-06:00

Day 21: Your favorite Christmas movie.

Ha! Um I don't have one.
For all the love of Christmas tradition in my family we never watched a Christmas movie every year.
Yeah, I've never even seen some of the classics - like "It's A Wonderful Life" ... For Shame!

So maybe that's what I need to do this Christmas break because now I've GRADUATED!!!
Only that means this isn't really a Christmas break. It's just Christmas time. I no longer have breaks. Sigh. I knew this whole graduating thing wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Christmas Challenge: Day 20

2010-12-20T07:37:00.000-06:00

Day 20: All time favorite Christmas present.

Well shoot... I don't know. All time?
My very special earrings from Josh. I adore them! :)

Although I got the boxed set of Anne of Green Gables from Dr. A last year (or was it the year before? and was it for my birthday instead of xmas? I can't remember.) I loved that gift!

I guess I really don't know!

Christmas Challenge: Day 19

2010-12-19T07:34:00.000-06:00

Day 19: Whose gift was the hardest to buy this year?

Well, see we're kind of broke. So no Christmas presents this year! Oh yay!
But if we had bought presents the two hardest are Josh & Master.
I never know what to get them.

On the other hand... I could buy presents for my Mom & Chace all day long :)
I know them so well!

Christmas Challenge: Day 18

2010-12-18T07:32:00.000-06:00

Day 18: Favorite Starbucks holiday drink

Hot chocolate!
Yes, that's right. NOT a coffee based drink. Ew!

Christmas Challenge: Day 16

2010-12-16T07:27:00.000-06:00

Day 16: Your favorite Christmas tradition.

Anything family related.
I adore decorating the tree with my family. I love the silly gifts we get in our stockings. I love that it's always chaotic when the whole family is together.
I love it all.

Christmas Challenge: Day 15

2010-12-15T07:25:00.000-06:00

Day 15: Most annoying this about this time of year?

People who don't adore Christmas as much as I do! Ha!

Christmas Challenge: Day 14

2010-12-14T11:07:00.001-06:00

Day 14: Share a previous Christmas memory

I loved when Josh gave me my "promise ring" ... except it wasn't really a promise ring I guess.
Anyway.
He didn't give it to me in front of everyone. It was later... after we all had opened our gifts at my parents' house.
We were sitting in my room. I was wondering why he hadn't got me a present. & he pulls a pretty black box out of his pocket. & says "Here ... this is for you." ... very Josh :)
I was nervous opening it actually. By this point in our relationship we knew we were going to get married, but neither of has had proposed (not that we wound up doing it that way).
I was wondering if that is what he was doing.
Nope :)
Just a gorgeous ring for Christmas.

Another great Christmas memory - the first year Josh & I put up our first tree.

Christmas Challenge: Day 13

2010-12-13T11:02:00.002-06:00

Day 13: 5 things you love about Christmas

I adore everything about Christmas ... but here go five:

1. Lazy days spent with family
2. SNOW!! (especially last year when we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS!)
3. Cozy fires with hot chocolate & Christmas music
4. Love that fills the air
5. Giving gifts that make people laugh, cry, and grin like crazy

I could go on ... and on ... and on ...

Christmas Challenge: Day 12

2010-12-12T12:29:00.004-06:00

Day 12: Your favorite Christmas song.

It's hard to pick just one so I'll list several of my favorites:

~ Carol of the Bells
~ Jingle Bells
~ Any Trans-Siberian Orchestra music (especially Christmas Canon Rock - adore it!)
~ It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (because it is, duh!)
~ Silver Bells

I love all Christmas music! I'm one of those people - ya'know the ones who start listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and don't stop until New Year's Day. Heck, I've been known to bust out the Christmas music in June!!

I am especially loving Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer this year ... S & I sing it together :)

Christmas Challenge: Day 11

2010-12-11T06:44:00.001-06:00

Day 11: Favorite gift received as a child?

Ohhh... probably my water babies. They are these dolls that you fill with warm water and they are soft, flexible and warm. I especially adored playing "mommy" when I was little. I had twin girls :)

I also loved my skates that I got one year. & I'm sure there are many other gifts I adored.

Christmas Challenge: Day 10

2010-12-10T12:13:00.000-06:00

Day 10: Who spoiled Santa Claus for you?

I never did believe in Santa Claus & we don't plan to tell our children there is one.

Christmas Challenge: Day 9

2010-12-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

Day 9: When do you put up your tree?

Unfortunately, this year we didn't put up a tree :( but when we do it's after Thanksgiving

Today...

2010-12-09T11:34:00.002-06:00

... is my LAST DAY of undergraduate classes!!

Woohoo!!

The Single Digits

2010-12-08T20:08:00.002-06:00

I haven't written much about graduation lately. Well, now I am.
It's 9 days away. I can't believe I've come to this time in my life. It's so overwhelming and amazing. I really can't begin to describe what I'm feeling right now. I've accomplished so much. I have a ton left in my life, but I get to put a check next to this one in just a few days.

It doesn't seem possible. It doesn't seem possible that 4.5 years ago I left my family behind and moved up here. I didn't move far away, but it was definitely a transition.

Luckily, I had Josh to help me along. I remember going to that first class. I had my brand new notebook, pens, & textbook. I walked into that room and was completely overwhelmed. Josh and I had that first class together and I am so glad we did.

I was so extremely nervous. It was just like every year starting the new school year. I always got nervous. I was always so afraid I wasn't ready for the next step. The next level in learning. But it was also so different. I didn't have my mom there to tell me I'd do wonderfully. Of course, she told me that. But it was over the phone.
I had to lean on Josh for that. I had to learn to lean on myself.
I've grown up a lot these last few years.

I didn't have the "typical" college experience. I never partied. I didn't go on a million dates and find my "true love." (I already had him). But nonetheless I have greatly enjoyed college. I've enjoyed challenging myself. I've enjoyed seeing how much I've grown. I've enjoyed being responsible and living on my own. (even though I've also hated it too). I've enjoyed spending a day every week for the last 3 years with S & T. They gave me the relief from school when it got too hard. When I was too overwhelmed I could depend on a wonderful 4 hours every week (even if it was filled with poop &/or snot &/or drool!)

The next step is before me. I'm done with this phase. I'm done with my undergraduate career. Well, nine days away from done.
What comes next? Where do I go from here? If you know me in real life you know that I love having plans. I love having everything nice, neat, and organized. Knowing exactly what I am doing and where I am going next.
But oddly enough I'm actually revel(l)ing in this experience. In being scared. In being unsure. In not knowing.
Oh, I know my long term plans. I know what I'm doing with my life, but this is a different kind of not knowing. & it feels weird. It feels good.

Christmas Challenge: Day 8

2010-12-08T12:05:00.001-06:00

Day 8: There is mistletoe hanging above you, who do you wish is under?

So should I be all appropriate and say Josh?

Or should I go all fantasy and say someone else?

Christmas Challenge: Day 7

2010-12-07T23:03:00.001-06:00

Day 7: Your Christmas food craving.

Peanut brittle!
Brownies!
Chocolate chip cookies!
Peanut butter cookies!

Anything sweet and delicious

Lessons from the ST.

2010-12-06T22:01:00.001-06:00

Times when S always tells me he loves me:

When he is eating
When I am wiping his bum.

I adore him.

Christmas Challenge: Day 6

2010-12-06T10:57:00.000-06:00

Day 6: Which one of Santa’s reindeer is your favorite?

Um never really thought about this. Never watched the movie either (for shame! I know)
I'll just go with Prancer because I like the name :)

Christmas Challenge: Day 5

2010-12-05T11:50:00.011-06:00

Day 5: Favorite Candy Cane Flavor.

The really delicious multi-colored yummy ones!
lol

These:

& now I really really want some!

(as always the picture is linked to it's source)

Christmas Challenge: Day 4

2010-12-04T11:38:00.001-06:00

Day 4: What 3 things come to mind when you think Christmas.

This one is hard because there are so many memories and warm fuzzy feelings that surround Christmas for me.

So here are 3 of them

1) Trimming the tree ... I loved spending time with my parents & sister while putting up the tree. For as long as I remember it was a white tree with gorgeous blue and silver lights, bulbs, ribbon, and tinsel. Plus my one red bulb that said my name & '94 on it. It always had to be on the tree, but dad relegated it to the back because it ruined the vibe of the tree! lol

2) Fires & hot chocolate ... the house I grew up in has a fireplace and my parents make use of it every winter. I adore sitting in front of a fire and drinking hot chocolate. A very favorite memory that brings back those warm fuzzy feelings of being loved and being happy.

3) Absolute crazy family times! ... this is a memory that goes along with every holiday and most other random weekends. The time and place we get together changes every Christmas, but one thing stays constant: my family is fun, rambunctious, loving, joking, and chaotic. I can't begin to describe how happy I get just thinking about the times we've had together. I adored growing up with 3 siblings, and I would love to have several kids of my own so they can have the same happy and chaotic childhood I did.

Christmas Challenge: Day 3

2010-12-03T23:32:00.001-06:00

Day 3: A picture of you in the snow.

I adore this picture of myself.

The snow in my face is courtesy of Joshua.

Thank you, my love.

Also here's this one

Also thanks to Josh

Christmas Challenge: Day 2

2010-12-02T13:26:00.002-06:00

Day 2: Send a letter to Santa what’s on your Christmas list?

Dear Santa,

I'd really love a(n)

iPhone 4

iPad

(I <3 Apple)

The Good Wife Season 1

Twilight blu-ray

Also New Moon & Eclipse

(wouldn't mind owning the last two books either)

This gorgeous watch

That's all Santa! (actually I could make a much larger list ... but won't)

(all pictures are linked to their respective sources - if university taught me anything it's to cite my work)

Christmas Challenge: Day 1

2010-12-01T08:14:00.001-06:00

Day 1: A photo of you last Christmas.

We had an amazing Christmas last year - it snowed a ton. A white gorgeous Christmas!

The Gorgeous Chace & Me :)

I adore her

I adore socks.

Mom gets me new socks every year.

Christmas Challenge

2010-11-30T10:10:00.002-06:00

I found this on a friend's blog... & I've decided to play along.
So see you for the first installment tomorrow...

Day 1: A photo of you last Christmas.
Day 2: Send a letter to Santa/ what’s on your Christmas list?
Day 3: A picture of you in the snow.
Day 4: What 3 things come to mind when you think Christmas.
Day 5: Favorite Candy Cane Flavor.
Day 6: Which one of Santa’s reindeer is your favorite?
Day 7: Your Christmas food craving.
Day 8: There is mistletoe hanging above you, who do you wish is under?
Day 9: When do you put up your tree?
Day 10: Who spoiled Santa Claus for you?
Day 11: Favorite gift received as a child?
Day 12: Your favorite Christmas song.
Day 13: 5 things you love about Christmas.
Day 14: Share a previous Christmas memory.
Day 15: Most annoying this about this time of year?
Day 16: Your favorite Christmas tradition.
Day 17: A photo of you in the holiday spirit.
Day 18: Favorite Starbucks holiday drink.
Day 19: Whose gift was the hardest to buy this year?
Day 20: All time favorite Christmas present.
Day 21: Your favorite Christmas movie.
Day 22: Somewhere you would want to spend Christmas one year.
Day 23: How much money do you think you spent Christmas shopping?
Day 24: Don’t forget to leave cookies for Santa!. Your picture.
Day 25: It’s Christmas! What were some of the things you received this year?

Slay Me With Cuteness

2010-10-27T23:42:00.004-05:00

Ok, ok I don't wear jewelry that much, but I adore jewelry. Love necklaces, as I said ... don't wear them that often. With these? I'd wear them everyday. Everyday.

Recently I entered a giveaway for some jewelry or a gift certificate. It required going to Turtle Love Co. to look at the jewelry offered. Along the way I feel in love with this necklace:

Adore it! So cute! Little! Makes me think of S! What's not to love?!

That spurred my memory of another necklace I've been dying to have for quite awhile now.
This baby:

O.M.G. I die. Adorable! Cuddly and oh so sweet. I need it.

So I started looking through the MaryMaryHandmade shop and I see more adorable necklaces...

(makes me think of Mandy - she loves narhwals and everytime I see one I think of her. .... this would look super cute on her - not that she isn't super cute to begin with ... she is. ... oh boy quite talking kiki, you sound like a superfan)

oh the platypus ... I just want to name him Flutter, feed him, and pinch and kiss his little cheeks!
& now I want a platypus to play with.

(photo credits - click on any picture to go to photo source)

Lessons from the ST.

2010-10-16T12:24:00.001-05:00

Was it last week or the week before? I'm not sure, but I had the best conversation with S.

We were sitting in the kitchen. I was feeding T. S didn't want a snack (yeahhh), but he wanted to sit in his chair next to me.
He's adorable and so sweet when he wants to be with me. He just looks up at me and says "Kiki, I love you." & I melt and tell him I love him.

But that's not the best part... I was in between giving T bites of her cereal and I glanced at S just in time to see his finger in his nose. "Oh, no S!" I exclaimed and glanced back at T. She was still gumming her cereal.
So, I returned my attentions to S in time to see his finger in his mouth... the same finger that had been in his nose. Ew!

"S! Were you eating your boogers? Don't do that!"
S replies very indignantly, "I wasn't eating it, I was tasting it!"

I about fell out of my chair. No exaggeration here. Seriously, I had no idea how to respond to that!! It was hilarious!
So I replied, "Well, don't taste them either" all the while chuckling and I'm sure he could tell. So much for getting my point across!
I just sat and laughed while T ate the rest of her cereal.

This kid is amazing.

Lessons from the ST.

2010-09-29T16:11:00.002-05:00

So I'm a little behind on the posting. What's new? :)

Monday was a great day - everyday with S & T is a great day.

Learned a few more things:
~ With two active little ones I'm less of an entertainer and more of a referee. As in: "No, leave her blocks alone." "No, T don't put S's shark in your mouth." "Come back here!" "No hitting." "No, she didn't mean to take your shark away.... she's little and doesn't understand."
~ It's still a little crushing when a 3 year old points out a pimple. It is a little endearing though. "Kiki, you have a boo-boo like me." ... S said ... pointing to my face ... while I try to explain why he just had a timeout. Sometimes I'm sure he knows just how to change the topic.
~ It takes a long time to convince a 3 year old anything. A. Long. Time.

&
~ Poop is still fun :)

& the anxiety begins to build

2010-09-26T23:47:00.003-05:00

Today I made a countdown ticker for the wedding (when I should have been doing homework) - you can see it at the top of the blog ^ ... 3 Months, 1 Week, & 4 Days until the Big Day.

Excuse my while I go puke a little.

oh p.s. I'm not puking because I'm nervous or scared about committing my life to Josh... I have never been more sure of anything.
I'm nervous and scared it won't get all paid for or come together in time.

The Ladies

2010-09-25T16:39:00.003-05:00

I've decided to take to blogging more about the wedding. Because no one wants to listen to me ramble on and on about it anymore :)

Today I was searching online and emailing back and forth with three ladies about the potential bridesmaids' gifts. It's weird to not be able to discuss the ends and outs of them with the bridesmaids. The whole reason I picked the women I did is because they are the ones I talk to, confide in, and seek advice from. Now I'm making decisions and I cannot talk to them about it. It's weird and I have to stop myself from picking up the phone to text Amy or Heidi or call Chace.
And I can't talk to Mom because I'm considering her present to be something somewhat similar. (Is that bad wedding etiquette?)

Well, I'm off... we are going to meet with Sean, Heidi, and T. [Different T ... a little boy T :)] for dinner. I'm really excited!!

Bisous, Kiki

Whoa... Invites!

2010-09-24T20:55:00.001-05:00

WE BOUGHT THE INVITATIONS TODAY!!!

This is getting more and more real.

We were lucky enough to swing by Michael's Craft Store today to buy the invitations (we are semi-DIYing it). To our surprise they are buy 1 box get 1 free! So we got our invites at 1/2 price :) It was an amazing feeling to be saving that money.
So I'm going by tomorrow before dinner with The S's to grab announcements while the sale is still on. ... For any married folks reading ... did you send out announcements to those you weren't able to invite? There are several people we'd love to invite, but can't because of budget restraints. I think we'll do announcements.

Bisous, Kiki

The Dress Is In!

2010-09-21T23:06:00.003-05:00

My wedding dress came in last week. I went to Alfred Angelo today and tried it on. I loved it!!

I felt like a princess! I can't wait to wear it. Just a few more months!

There is still a lot to do on the wedding front. But I think it may be slowly coming together. I'm nervous about a lot of it, but I'm rather good at taking it in stride.

I've really tried to be laid back and not be a "bridezilla" (hate that term), and I think I've accomplished that so far! I'm not at all nit-picky about details. Which is odd because I am usually a details kind of girl.

I just want it to be a wonderful and amazing day! And if the Damask print on the invites doesn't exactly match the Damask print on the guest book it won't matter! Because I'll be marrying my best friend. I'll be celebrating with my closest family and friends. And Josh and I will be starting our next journey together.
And to us, that is all that is important.

Bisous,
Kiki

Lessons from the ST.

2010-09-20T23:18:00.001-05:00

Today S taught me that stingrays eat bumblebees. & no amount of coaxing will get a child to eat vegetables. Even the prize of a hot dog.

It was a good day!

Also learned that fussy babies are still adorable babies.

Bisous, Kiki

So I need to get back into this...

2010-09-20T23:16:00.002-05:00

Here goes!

Today I babysat - love them!
Hired the wedding photographer.
& had dinner and watched a tv show with the love of my life.

Happy 8 Years Josh! I can't wait to marry you.
109 days to go!

Bisous, Kiki

Happy Birthday!

2010-07-13T11:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my Big Brother!!

Master is really an amazing person. He's hilarious, an AMAZING artist (I'll have to share his work sometime), one of my best friends, & makes the best BBQ - some of which I get on Sunday! Woot!

I have great memories of him while we were growing up... but what is even better is listening to all his stories about the adventures he had with his friends. Um wow. ... can't share ... they'd get him in trouble :)

But the best part about him? His support of me & everyone else. He is always telling me - "Do what you want. If no one else likes it oh well... do what makes you happy." .... That unconditional support has been amazing these last few years. Especially when I was bouncing back and forth with what to do with my life. ... It's also been amazing with wedding planning.

Master, you really are an amazing big brother.
Happy Birthday! I love you.

My brother & me at my 21st birthday party.

I adore this picture of us.

Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 6: Days 35-41

2010-07-11T22:14:00.001-05:00

So this week was nothing big. Just hanging out. ... Josh started his new job & I cleaned the house. & thus these pictures are not that exciting, but here they are nonetheless!

Days 35-41: July 5-11, 2010

Day 35

Two pictures for today. This was how hot the bank said it was coming back home from my parents' house.

This is how hot it really was. Think the bank has a problem?

If you can't read it ... the bank says it was 127*!! ... can you read this?

Day 36

Aria loves to lounge & I love to find her in cute positions! ♥

Day 37

Wearing my BM shirt from H&C's wedding :)

Funny story - first time I wore this it was with another BM & it was the night before the wedding. We both had them on. The cashier at the store was all "Oh you guys are in a wedding tomorrow?"

"Um ... yeah"

Day 38

Reading! with Aria!!

Also? Babysat T this day. So that all adds up to - Perfection!

Day 39

Cutest little puppy face!

Day 40

Saw my Mommy & Chace today!!! EEEKKKK!!!

Also - Happy Birthday Michael!!!

Day 41

Watched this all day. It's actually a pretty great show!

So there we go! Next week will have some pictures of my visit to my Grandparents'. Have a great week!!

Bisous, Kiki

& now she's old

2010-07-10T21:50:00.004-05:00

My little sister... she's moved out of my parents' house & is out on her own now.
It's weird. But it'll be oh so much fun to have her closer to me!!!

Mom & I met up at Chace's new apt today. It's so perfect for her & she just needs ~~a few more dishes~~ to get a kitchen's worth of dishes!

But we had fun hanging out! It makes me kind of nostalgic for when I moved out. That first little bit was HARD. Ok who am I kidding? I still sometimes get teary-eyed leaving M&D's. It was, still is, & always will be home.

Anyway... before it gets too deep --- CONGRATS!! on the new life change my Big Little Sister. I love you!
Call if you need anything ;) ... I may or may not be able to offer a hot meal.

Scenes from today:

On our way!

The following are my Mom & Sister... totally average day -

Um you should not have mouthed off sister dear! ;)

In Trouble - she's scared!

Trying to make it all better!

Nope doesn't work!

All the while... Aria?

Yeah she's just lounging
::sigh:: I love that dog.

On the way home

Don't worry! We were stopped.

Also --- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!! Love you :)

Bisous, Kiki

Lessons from the ST.

2010-07-08T19:52:00.002-05:00

I've decided to start a new ... "series."

Lessons from S & T. It's a play on words ... S&T ... ST. ... St. .... Saint ... get it? lol

Every single time I watch them I learn something new. It may be huge or it may just be a little something.
Some of the lessons I've learned:

Babies stop crying eventually. While T is a marvelous baby there was one time she was very cranky (hey happens to every baby! & me too). She wouldn't stop crying. I was so sad I couldn't fix her problems for her. But then? She just stopped. I guess she just needed to let it all out! But I realized ... even when it's bad all babies stop crying eventually. She really didn't cry for long, but it was enough for me to learn the lesson.

Also here's a good lesson: When the older brother is way too quiet in the living room while you are rocking younger sister to sleep in the bedroom he may or may not have gotten into the Easter chocolate candy. Then he will come into the bedroom... grin at you with chocolate ALL over his mouth ... it will be the most innocent grin & you can't help but laugh! & that will wake up baby sister. Sigh. ... She will go back to sleep though.
---- & while I was rocking her again I told S "You sit down right there right now." His reply? The most sheepish look & quiet little "I'm in trouble huh?" Oh my heart sank. & I wanted to roll on the floor laughing at the same time. It is one of my favorite memories with him! ♥

So today's lesson - Babies make everything better. Even when you are having an all around good day - it will get better when you rock her to sleep, feed her, watch her discover new things, and spend quality time talking. T is so much fun & I adore her. & she and her brother make my days better. Even the great ones get better when I see them!! & of course they cure my bad days too.

Next Thursday I'm due to sit again... more lessons then!

Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 5: Days 28-34

2010-07-04T22:58:00.001-05:00

And here we are again! This week we traveled a lot & had fun doing so. So on with the pictures!

Days 28-34: June 28-July 4, 2010

Day 28

After we moved Josh's Dad & Rena we went & stayed a few day with his Mom.

This was Josh's birthday dessert - fried cheesecake! He loved it. I fake tried it.

Day 29

Aria sleeping with her bunny on the way back home. I adore her.

Day 30

SNOW CONES!!!!

Mine was Tiger's Blood (as always) & Josh's was Sour Apple with extra extra sour spray.

& still not sour enough.

Day 31

Poor Aria has a hurt paw :(

Day 32

Josh & Aria under his new NASA BLANKET!!!

For those of you familiar with The Office - Josh wasn't sleeping in his undies under it - à la Dwight. Though I'm sure he wanted to.

Day 33

Aria with her Beaver & Bear Head.

Yeah I take a ton of pictures of her. Yeah most of 365 will probably be her.

Day 34

Happy 4th of July!!

We went to Mom and Dad's. Since they now know how to professionally deal Blackjack we played.

I won.

Yeah that's $1,091 .... I started with around $185.

So there you go! A picture a day for the last week. .... Although I take more than a picture a day & sometimes it is agonizingly hard to pick just one.
Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 4: Days 21-27

2010-06-27T20:43:00.001-05:00

So here we are ... another week gone by. Someday I'll get into blogging on a more daily basis. But for now? For now this will do. At least I'm doing this! ... At a somewhat regular basis haha!! Backdating posts is a nice feature ;)

So here it is
Days 21-27: June 21-27, 2010

Day 21

Stack of books from the library. Better get to reading!

Day 22

Aria loves to kill and eat June Bugs (that's it in the pink circle)

Also... don't ask about the box knife. I have No.Idea.

Day 23

I attended a fundraiser for the Democratic Party tonight. This is Aria wearing the dress that I wore. She looks much better in it!

Day 24

Josh & I played War today. Ha! I won that hand.

Day 25

Possible wedding hairdo?

Yes, I think so!

Day 26

Traveling makes Aria sleepy.

Day 27

Moving Josh's Dad ... My view all day.

Don't worry we were stopped at a light!

Well this week was rather uneventful at the beginning... But I had a lot of fun at the Democrat fundraiser. & I enjoyed spending time with Josh's Dad, Rena, and Aunt D! ... & Jimmy - an adorable little puppy that beat Aria up! :(

Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 3: Days 14-20

2010-06-20T20:28:00.003-05:00

A lazy week ... with some awesome fun times thrown in :)

Days 14-20: June 14-20, 2010

Day 14

Heading back home. Kristy is coming to stay the week with us.

Day 15

Josh is happy I am home. I am too.

Day 16

Birthday Boy. He does not like his picture taken. I love you.

Day 17

Aria decapitated her bear. She's evil I tell you.

Day 18

Kristy doesn't like it when I don't pay attention to her. So she lays her head on my computer. Nice.

Day 19

Time to go wedding dress & bridesmaid dress shopping!
I found my dress & I LOVE IT!!!
Thank you to a very special person for getting it for me :)

Day 20

Josh's Birthday Cookie from his Aunt Darla
Also, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

Another great week!!

Bisous, Kiki

Happy Father's Day!!

2010-06-20T08:25:00.001-05:00

It's Father's Day! & I'd like to say I love you & thank you for everything to my wonderful Father. You are a great man, husband, friend, and father. You have always provided an example of what it means to be a hard worker, a supportive friend, and an honest person. You have always been there for me & I know you will continue to do so.

I love you more than words can adequately express.

My Graduation - 2006

Meditating

He's adorable

I love My Daddy

Haha!! We 3 are cute.

I know I used this one last week, but I adore this picture of us!

& A very Happy Father's Day to my other Dad, Comrade Lenin :)

I love you!

Also, Happy Father's Day to my brother Jonas, J, Sean (I hope Tristan got you something good!), & My Papa!

Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 2: Days 7-13

2010-06-13T13:19:00.001-05:00

This week was a lot of fun... filled with traveling, relaxing, time with friends & family, & two of my best friends' wedding to each other!! Congrats H&C!! I love you both :)

Without further ado...
Days 7-13: June 7-13, 2010

Day 7

A typical day... Aria obliterates her toys & then she crashes :)

Day 8

Aria laying on my bags - she does not want me to leave :( (& she's not the only one)

Day 9

Don't forget these!!

Day 10

Time to RELAX & read!!

Day 11

My bridesmaid gift - C is the sweetest! I ♥ her. & I love my gift! For those of you who don't know, I adore bags. & this is perfection!

Day 12

The Bride, Groom & I - two of my best friends!

Day 13

After I got home from the wedding (at 1am!) I took all the bobby pins out of my hair. It stayed. Wow.

This week was amazing! I'm ready to go home though.

Bisous, Kiki

Project 365: Week 1: Days 1-6

2010-06-06T11:50:00.002-05:00

So I've decided to bring back Project 52 & make it Project 365 instead.
I'll be doing daily pictures, but they will be posted on Sundays and will be from the previous Monday through that Sunday. (Except this time... June 1 was a Tuesday so it'll be Tuesday through Sunday.) I'm starting on June 1 b/c that is the first of the month. & those of you who know me know I can't start things when it will be "odd."

So here goes!
Days 1-6: June 1-6, 2010

Day 1

I have to start Project 365 with an Aria picture. She was dancing!

Day 2

I got a job volunteering with the Democrat County Offices. This is my awesome bag ready to go!

Day 3

Aria sleeping with Josh :)

Day 4

Nothing like a freshly laundered and made bed! So nice!

Day 5

Practicing walking to get ready to walk down the aisle in my BM shoes!

Day 6

Happy Birthday Daddy!!
These are Dad's birthday & Father's Day presents :)

Well, there is the first week! Let's hope I can keep it up

Bisous, Kiki

Happy Birthday Grumpy!!

2010-06-06T11:28:00.004-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DADDY!!

I love you more than I can say. You are amazing! I hope you have the best day!!

Adorable .. right?
Chace thinks he looked like a gangsta
:::throws up sideways peace sign::

Aw look at that face!

Kiki Dawn Weewack & Professor Weewack

I was always up in his business

I love and adore My Daddy!

Bisous, Kiki Dawn
Always Your Little Girl

Hi World!

2010-05-31T23:51:00.002-05:00

Google Analytics just told me that I have visitors to my blog from: Canada, Sweden, Russia, France (Hi A-C!), the UK, Australia, and the US!
Woohoo!!

In other news, I'm starting the Couch-to-5K program tomorrow morning. I should get to sleep. I'm scared... but I need to get healthy and lose weight (um plus look good in a wedding dress!).
So here it goes!
I'm doing the program with some friends on Twitter. They are my motivators. I'm excited and hopefully this will go well.

I've always wanted to be a runner. Not sure why. But I do. & So here it goes!
I'll report back in the AM how it goes.

Bisous, Kiki

P.S. I'm starting back Project 52 ... only I'm going to go ahead and do Project 365. I was inspired by another blog to do it this way: every week I'll post a compilation of all the pictures of the week with little captions. Maybe bring back weekend wrap-up & combine that with Project 365?

Volunteering!

2010-05-26T19:17:00.001-05:00

Today I stopped by my county's Democrat Party Offices to re-register. (I recently realized I didn't do so when we moved). So as I walked in and the lady asked me "Are you our new intern?" I replied, "No, but I'd love to intern if you'd have me!"
She said "Well, we always take volunteers to sign up."

After I filled out my voter registration form I said good-bye and thanked them. As I was leaving she asked, "Are you busy on Fridays?"
I said, "No."
She asked me to volunteer!!! I'm super excited :)

Bisous, Kiki

Also a side note, some great giveaways going on at:
All Things G&D
&Baby Makes 3!
Let's Have a Cocktail
Theta Mom
Mommy Goggles

2010-05-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

So I've been slacking again. BUT school's out and that means I'll be back to blogging with a vengeance! But I have to share this first...
to be honest it scared me. & I'm just looking to scare you too.

Bisous, Kiki

Today is the Day to Celebrate Mothers & I have just the Lady

2010-05-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

My mother is my role model, best friend, confidant, & biggest fan. She's the one who is always there for me and loves me no matter what. She dries my tears and comforts me when I need her. She celebrates in my happiest moments. She's my rock. She always makes time for me and always listens to me when I need her to. She is who I want to be when I grow up. She is not a perfect mother because no one is, but she is as close as you can get. She provides unconditional love and support. She is the epitome of grace, elegance, and class. She was everything I needed as I grew up... and she still is.

She held me after bad dreams, kissed scraped knees, fixed me breakfast every day, took me to library story hour and instilled my great love of reading, made sure I never needed anything. She gave me an idyllic childhood. She led me along the right paths, and she helped to make me who I am today. She knows me so well and always says the right thing.

I can receive no greater compliment than when people tell me I'm like my Mom.
I couldn't be prouder to call her Mom.
I love you.

Now that I've cried through that part of the post (you knew I would be mom!) here are some of my favorite pictures:

My Mother is beautiful inside and out

I like to think we look alike

We have so much fun together - Mom you will look great in orange!! ;)

Mom has a signature pose

Chace and I love to do it too ... a little over exaggerated of course!

She's adorable

She makes AWESOME cakes :)

My Mom & Her Mom

My Mother and My Father

I love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day from All of Us!

Since this post is already as long as that horrid poem we had to read in English class: Beowulf (ugh!), why don't I just continue with a few other Mothers that I think are wonderful:

Happy Mother's Day to M2! You did an amazing job raising your children and they have all turned out wonderful. Thank you for teaching Josh all you did and for loving him.

M2 with all her Kids

She's gorgeous ... inside and out!

Josh & his Mom

We told Josh to "Smile" .... M2 looks gorgeous!

The lighting is bad ... but I still love it!

Josh & his Mom is Vegas!

Mom and Me in Vegas!

Mom2 & her daughter Dr. A ... who is having her first!!

Happy Mother's Day Dr. A!!
I can't wait to meet my niece!!

Also a Very Happy Mother's Day to Nenah, Heidi, & G!!

You are all wonderful Moms who have done an amazing job raising your children!

Bisous, Kiki

Talbots

2010-05-05T10:24:00.004-05:00

There's nothing more motivating to go internet shopping than a giveaway of $250 giftcard to Talbots

Here's what I'd buy... or some combination of these:

... it feels vintage and that's what I want this year
ETA: apparently now it only shows up as black ... I do like the black better though!!

Polka Dot Swimsuit

Here's to hoping I win!

Bisous,
Kiki

2010-05-05T01:18:00.000-05:00

Here I am at 1:15 am ... blogging, obsessively checking facebook, writing messages about myself to awesome friends (love that part!! Hi A-C!), and generally doing anything but studying.

Why do I do this to myself?

Bisous,
Kiki

What If...

2010-05-01T20:54:00.002-05:00

This last week was National Infertility Awareness Week. I did not know this. As I was perusing my daily blog links I came across this video on What the Blog?

It's so moving. So touching. So emotional. Watch it ... it's worth the few minutes.

What IF? A Portrait of Infertility from Keiko Zoll on Vimeo.

I cried. To be honest, I’ve always been afraid that I’ll have trouble getting pregnant. That I’ll not be able to. Having a baby means more to me than anything else in this world.

Bisous,
Kiki

Wedding Planning = HAPPY ME!

2010-04-30T09:11:00.002-05:00

Josh and I made some more specific plans for the ~~far away~~ upcoming wedding.
The date we have set is Friday, January 7, 2011 at 2:45pm.

I can't wait to get a place and time set and booked. I can't wait to ask the wedding party too! <3

We have colors picked!

Also, I picked the wedding song I want... Oh my it is perfection. Now just to convince Josh. I'm so close! Sorry not putting it on here, I don't want it to be stolen! But if you want to know, let me know and I'll tell you ... I'm a pushover. (Not really though.)

~~Kiki

I Dub Thee Petunia

2010-04-29T09:02:00.008-05:00

The other day I picked up a beautiful maple tree for my parents. My city was giving them away for free to residents. Since we live in an apartment :( & that means no trees of our own. I got one for my parents.

Josh told me I was subverting the system and he didn't support it. Well, yeah, but that tree went to a nice home. She's going to be happy and have plenty of room to grow.
Petunia will be happy.
Yeah I named her. &?

~~Kiki

Update: As per Mom Petunia is thriving. So there. :)

I Should Have Bought that $254 Million Lotto Ticket

2010-04-28T10:38:00.001-05:00

So I recently wrote about how I won the great Starbucks giveaway from ...and baby makes 3! ... I can't wait to get it... muffins and hot chocolate here I come!

So here's the crazy thing... Jessica @ The Southern Belle Baby had a great giveaway I entered the other week. &&& I WON!!! ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! (yes this calls for capitals.)

oh and I WON YET ANOTHER ONE!!! @ Law Momma's site (love, love, love her!). Here's the giveaway... pretty amazing right??
Is this my week or what?
Lotto ticket today?

~~Kiki

& The Yawning Starts

2010-04-27T17:59:00.003-05:00

So after 30 straight hours of being up I am now going to have to sit through a 3 hour class. & it's not fun and exciting. I may fall asleep. It'd be different if it were a fun and exciting class ... say history, poli sci, soc, psych... but nope. It's boring. It's monotonous. & I have to have it to graduate. So there we go. Wish me luck and someone send me coffee.
Wait, no. Don't do that. I found out this morning that 1/2 cup can make me pee about 23 times in an hour. You know how annoying that is?
J asked if I am pregnant. Um nope. Just an abnormally incredibly small bladder.

On the plus side, I just found out the professor is taking us out after class next week (we only have 8 students). On the negative side, we're going for pizza ::sigh::

~~Kiki

for those who don't know ... get this ... I abhor pizza ... except for pizza rolls ... I'm weird I know ...

I Finally Won One!

2010-04-25T17:01:00.003-05:00

Yes, yes, I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still here! yay! School is getting overwhelming and I had to teach Friday. More on that later... on to the good stuff!!

I recently won a $10 gift certificate over at ...and baby makes 3 (love her blog)!! She loves me! She really does! OR at least random number generate at random.org does.

This is my first win through the marvelous blog giveaways I have entered.

So I'd like to thank
Alex for having a birthday (Happy Birthday little one!)
Kristi for the fabulous giveaway!
and random.org for picking me!

Yay!

Come back ~~tomorrow~~ soon for a full recap on the ~~annoying kids I taught today~~ Super Awesome Fun day I had teaching.

~~Kiki

My Little Sister is Old

2010-04-19T08:55:00.002-05:00

Chace enrolled in college this last week.

Here comes the cliché "I can't believe she's GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL AND GOING TO COLLEGE!!!" rant. But it's true. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT.

Congratulations Big Little Sister. I'm so proud of you. You have accomplished a lot, and you will accomplish a whole lot more.

I love you.

I miss you. ..... But soon you'll be close to me and we'll hang out every.single.weekend. K? Ok.

Ughhh!

2010-04-18T16:20:00.003-05:00

School really just sucks right now.

I start looking at my "To Do" list and I get major scared. I realize I do not have near enough time to finish all that I need to.

For my two education courses

I have to make a Unit (5 complete lesson plans w/ accompanying handouts, rubrics, etc)
Teach a lesson in my observation class (4 periods)
Write critique of myself teaching said lesson
Catch up on reading
Study for Quiz 3
Study for Quiz 7
Study for Final
Complete Portfolio

For my British Empire course

Catch up on reading
Read two novels for a paper due in about a week
Write said paper
Exam 4 - the week before finals! ~ who does that?
Final Exam

I'm seriously scared of this. I don't know how I'll get it all done; I always do, but I never know how.
I have to get all this done in under a month. Maybe that doesn't sound like much, but I have to do all this plus go to class, observe 30+ hours in a classroom, babysit, ... Oh and find time to sleep.
::sigh::
The only thing I can say at this point is Thank God my Sociology of Deviance course is done. I have an "A" in that course. That's a relief!

I'll be back at some point.

A Glimpse

2010-04-17T22:20:00.004-05:00

On Thursday I got a great surprise - G asked me to watch S and T!! It was great fun! :)
I watch T a few times a week and then S once a week, but not usually together. The change was so much fun. I loved watching them both. It was a great Joy. (hehe) :)

Fast forward to today. I got a little glimpse into my future. I was gathering up clothes to put in the washer. I grabbed my pants I wore on Thursday and thought "need to wash those... spit-up and boogers on them."
Made me laugh to myself. ... I could see myself a few years in the future saying the same thing... about my own kids' spit-up and boogers :)

Whew!

2010-04-14T17:09:00.006-05:00

Ok I just listened to myself teach the lesson.

OH did I mention I had to record myself to critique myself? I didn't? Oh yeah that was what made it so horrible!

Oh University, fully preparing us for a job in education.... You do so well!

I slayed the dragon. I did it. & it was fun. It really was.

My Attempt at Art

2010-04-11T20:38:00.001-05:00

All these were taken at The T's while watching my favorite little boy romp around in the yard - a.k.a. his favorite thing to do :)

& tomorrow can be over now. thank you.

2010-04-04T19:13:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is scary.

I'm teaching a concept clarification lesson about sectionalism leading up to the Civil War. I have to link in the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act (& Bleeding Kansas), Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dred Scott Decision, & John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry.
Tonight all I am doing is reading, reading, studying, studying, and reading about those events. You better believe you ask me something about them tomorrow and I'll know it! (I hope!)

So I was ~~stalking people~~ perusing fb today. I came across this friend's quote:

"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." G.K. Chesterton (Note: I can't find a source on this, so am not entirely sure this is an accurate quotation.)

It made me feel oddly calm.
Thank you.

The End.

2010-04-01T19:03:00.002-05:00

It's the end of Birthday Week 2010.

It started out great.... It ended great (S time!!) ... but parts of it were sucky.

Oh well.

51 weeks to go until Birthday Week 2011.

It's almost over. Just to start again.

2010-04-01T12:14:00.007-05:00

Today I was advised for my last semester of college.

I know this is cliche, but wow has time flown by.
I can't believe I'm already at this point. I can't believe I'm going to be a COLLEGE GRADUATE in just about 9 months. 9 more hours. That's all that is left until I have a college degree. A Bachelor of Science in Education. That means I know something about something. Maybe.

I still have a lot to do before I get where I want to be in life. This summer I have to study for the dreaded LSAT. Then I start applying to law schools. I hope I get in somewhere. This also means I am that much closer to achieving #4 on my Life List.

But the thing is ... I am within reach of a college degree. I can't stop saying that. College Degree.
I'm proud of myself. & I think I have a right to be.

Amazon! Books!

2010-03-29T15:47:00.004-05:00

I got a gift certificate to Amazon.com for my birthday!

I'm very excited about it... the only thing is - I have no idea what to buy! Amazon has everything.
I'm pretty set on books though. I ~~love~~ LOVE to read. Books always make me happy. While I've met books I don't particularly like (hello, textbooks) I haven't met one I absolutely hated.

So ... any suggestions on what I should buy? I love fiction - particularly historical fiction (think Alison Weir or Philippa Gregory). I love to read about law, French history, English history, and Early American history.

But! I'm open to other books too - especially murder mysteries and classics.

Birthday Dinner!

2010-03-27T18:55:00.003-05:00

Food. mmmm ::drool::

I love food. & last night I was treated to dinner by Comrad Lenin. We went to Outback. It was Com. Lenin, Josh, Aunt D, and me.

I, of course, had steak. It was delicious. Delicious.

I was given complimentary birthday ice cream. MMMmmmm!! I was so full, but the waitress had a good point - ice cream doesn't count. It melts and goes into the crevices around the food. That doesn't count. Gross, I know, but I got ice cream!

I also got a new book, DVD, flowers, and money :) I can't wait to buy my passport!!

So Birthday Week 2010 is going great!

My life is amazing

2010-03-26T10:04:00.003-05:00

Birthday Week is off to a great start.
Sometimes the best things in life are not material...

except these are kind of material, but you get what I mean!

Happy Birthday card from S (thank you! I love you!). .... you can see he wrote his initials "S.T." at the bottom ... right, G? or! maybe he was signing for T too??
(I'm convinced that's what it is... & now every time I look at it I see "S.T.")

and this from Josh. He's amazing. I love my "card!"

Isn't he sweet??? He had this up as a surprise for me when I came home from staying with S.

It's a great Birthday Week!

It's that time

2010-03-25T01:40:00.009-05:00

So it's that day... that day some people love (me!) & some people hate (wha?).

It's my birthday! Yes, I'm a birthday fanatic. I love, love, love my birthday. It's mahvalous Dahling!

I always have. & I don't really expect that to change.

So here's the story....
Once upon a time I was sad when the day ended (as always) and Josh decided to cheer me up (he's so thoughtful!). He invented Birthday Week for me! One whole week celebrating my birth. Who could ask for more??

So from now until next Wednesday it is my Birthday Week. I'm in charge... I get to pick all the food spots, movies, ... everything!

Let the fun COMMENCE!!
(Also, I got to see my mommy last night/this morning. She and my sister spent the night! Birthday Week 2010 started out GREAT!)

Ok Here It Goes Again

2010-03-11T18:47:00.004-06:00

I have a definite inability to keep up with this blogging thing.
I couldn't regularly post to save Aria's life. Good thing she doesn't depend on me doing so.

And just because they are that cool ... Here's another awesome one:

Living on Tulsa Time

2010-02-13T10:41:00.002-06:00

So we spontaneously decided to head to Tulsa this weekend! Josh's ring has been hanging out at the jewelry store for a few weeks & it's starting to wonder if we really care. We do little guy!

So while we are up here we are picking up a special secret gift for a special secret person's special secret birthday!! :)

Back to Norman tomorrow for studying & the 5th week of school. ::sigh::

1977

2010-02-06T21:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to my Oldest Brother!!!

I love you :)

(one of my favorites)

IT Geek & Master

Birthday Boy!

Ughhhh

2010-02-02T23:44:00.001-06:00

I don't know what else to name this thing .... IT Geek? Got suggestions?? (oh yeah and GET AROUND TO BLOGGING!!)

This nightly headache thing is starting to get really old really fast & it's only 2 days old.
I can't seem to get enough sleep. I sleep sleep sleep and I'm still tired.

Think something is wrong with me? Or is this just the hypochondria?

Smelly dog ... Smelly dog

2010-01-31T20:53:00.002-06:00

What are they feeding youuuuuuu?

Aria has the worst farts.
We've tried different food. Doesn't work :(

My Cliché "What I want to do before I die" List

2010-01-30T22:29:00.009-06:00

Recently I watched this episode of Momversation. Yes, I'm that weird childless person who watches and reads things about babies. Point, Laugh, Whatever. That past time of mine helped me land the BEST.JOB.EVER.
It got me to thinking, obviously, about my "bucket list."
What do I really want to do before I die? Is it that important to me to hurl myself off a tall building with only a rubber band to stop me?? Maybe. But what do I really want to do?
Here's my constantly changing list (in no particular order):
I'm not going to limit myself to a certain amount of items or a certain kind of item. I'm just looking to make my life a little more adventurous and a little more spontaneous. If I get the chance to do one of these things I am going to take it.

Become a parent (yes, I AM going to put this first).
Live in another country for a year
Marry my best friend
Attend & graduate from law school
Have a successful law career
Be fluent in French
Do something of an activist nature -- participate in a protest or rally.
Take a self-defense class
Procrastinate less
Swim with the bioluminescent plankton
See a Broadway Play
Travel with my sister
Marathon?
Raise awareness about People First Language
Learn ASL
Sleep in a hammock on a tropical island with the sound of waves lapping in the background
See the Northern Lights
Do something awesome to repay my parents for the wonderful life they have given me
Stay friends with J, G, S, & T for the rest of my life
Get another tattoo
Donate bone marrow
Swim with dolphins
Own a home ...
...with a fully stocked library
...with a window seat ... preferably the same house as the library
Do something drastic with my hair
Find a signature cocktail
Use a parasol
Learn how to properly use & wear makeup
Learn how to not be so emotional when I argue
Keep a list of every book I read from now on
Learn to only save/keep the things that really do have meaning
Visit France including Bordeaux, Paris, Clermont-Ferrand etc (to be updated)
Visit England - London, etc
Visit Greece - Athens!, Parthenon
Visit Italy - eat gelato at the fountains in Rome
Have professional pictures done
Sky dive
Pay for the person behind me (i.e. toll booth, coffee shop, restaurant, etc)
Write one handwritten card or letter per week for a year
Go skiing again
Learn how to water ski
Be able to do more push-ups than my dad
Show up at the airport with my bag and passport- take the first available flight
Get my passport
Achieve & maintain a healthy weight
Do 5 unassisted pull-ups
Scuba dive off the Great Barrier Reef

Here's where I get all preachy and motivating: I challenge you to make your own list. Take charge of your life! Do what you want. /endcheesiness

Also, here are a few things I've already had the pleasure of doing that would be on my list:

Visit DC
Get a tattoo
VEGAS!
Pilot an airplane ... as in I actually took over and flew the plane!!!

****some of these things have been "stolen" from others' life lists....

Also, I've added a link to the sidebar, so that you have the pleasure of reviewing this anytime you want. You know, if you want to fund one of my pursuits ... ::hint-hint::

Also, Also, when I accomplish one of my pursuits I will make sure to update it on here :)

Random Excuse for a Blog

2010-01-29T20:21:00.004-06:00

So I decided to clean, organize, and update my planner today. (It's a SNOW day!!! I ♥ them :))
That led to cleaning my purse. Ugh. It's like a black hole in there (those are massively interesting, btw).
Here's just a sampling of what I've accumulated since I last cleaned it out ... oh about the time the T-Rex was roaming .... also the last time I saw the bottom of my sink.

wallet - filled with who knows what and who knows how many receipts
2 checkbooks - really? 2? yep
18 chapsticks ... ok not 18; 15.
Shuffle that I never listen to, but had to have
mace - a present from my parents ;)
player's club card from VEGAS!
fan from Japan
list of names for Aria - none of which was "Aria"
Bible Scripture card from my Mom
empty ID card holder from VEGAS (gift from my brother :))
CPR cheat sheet - hey if you help save the day then why does it matter if you use a cheat sheet?
a sock. A SOCK! a Saturday Sock. It's blue and smelly
3 thingys of hand sanitizer
visine
perfume bottle
planner & pouch of pencils/pens
pouch of makeup, hair ties, mirror, blush, brush, etc
blood sugar tester
jump drive
buffalo wild wings hand wipe - that says "Not Approved for Underarm Use" hehe
replacement buttons for Urza's new leather jacket (he looks HAWT in it ;))
peanut brittle
2 pairs of earphones
scholarship papers
tampons of every size... about 88 of them - TMI? this is your warning. do not come back here if that was TMI!

yeah ... that's not all of it. I am slightly scared of what else is going to accumulate in my purse once I get around to fulfilling M2's dreams of being a grandmom.

I'm already feeling the stress...

2010-01-07T20:16:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know... it's been forever and a day since I have blogged.
I've been enjoying my time off. I have NOTHING to do most days (besides work) and it's been very difficult for me to get used to.
I'm always feeling anxious ... wondering what it is I need to be doing. I don't do down time very well. I always feel as if I have neglected something.
I am enjoying having time to read! Read novels, magazines, novels, the internet, novels and did I mention novels?! I LOVE to read. Adore it. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to read novels while in school.

Anyway, I'm already stressing because this is what all I am doing the next semester...

18 hrs of classes

EDSS 4553 - Foundations and Mentoring in Social Studies
EDSS 4563 - Teaching Secondary Social Studies
SOC 3523 - Crime and Delinquency (8 wk internet course)
SOC 3533 - The System of Criminal Justice
SOC 3543 - Sociology of Deviance
HIST 2223 - British Empire

At least 12 hrs of work at the lib per week
Babysitting! (my favorite part of the semester ... the part that lowers my stress level to be honest)
Homework
P90x
Learning French
30 hrs of Field Experience in a local suburban school

teaching a few of those classes -- EEK!

Young Democrats
OU Cousins
Planning a wedding to my best friend
Keep the house somewhat clean
I'm sure I'm forgetting something
Oh yes ... find time to sleep

Jealous of my life yet???

It'll be stressful, difficult, annoying, and oh so much fun.

Call me Krickle ... or Kricka (if you are yelling for me!)

2009-12-18T20:25:00.003-06:00

I got to see my favorite 2 people today: S & T.

G needed to finish up some grading and runs some errands so I stayed with Mr. S today. :) Oh my... he is perfection rolled up into a loveable package that is always running around in a whirlwind.

He doesn't stop until he falls asleep ... and today was no exception.

He's 2 now and loves imaginative play. Today we were lions chasing each other. We played with Rex and Pokey (his dinos) and with the pig and bear (odd friendship, but hey it works!). I chased him back and forth through the house. We played with his train set, and finally, we read books :)

S had chicken and carrots for lunch, and he fell asleep while eating them. It was adorable. I took pictures (of course!) and he just looks so sweet.

He was exhausted! He didn't even wake up when I changed his diaper and his pants.

It really was the best way to start off my Christmas Break. S always makes me happy... it never fails. I always leave there completely happy.

Oh I got to see T ... she is perfection, too. So beautiful.

I love those little ones. So incredibly much.

Oh! I almost forgot ... the title. S has finally decided to call me by name. I now go by Krickle ... or Kricka if you are yelling at me as S so often does. "Kricka sit down!!" "Kricka come mere!!" ... and of course, I oblige him.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack

2009-12-18T20:14:00.001-06:00

So it's probably time to get back to this blogging thing, eh?

School has been ... well ... crazy busy and I was overwhelmed. So blogging took a backseat.
I will be back posting Project 52 & try to stay on it. (That's what she said. NO TIME!.. but she did... NO TIME!)

So I have a million things to do before we leave for VEGAS!!!!
Yippee!!

So here's what I am .... or should be doing:

laundry
cleaning ... including living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathrooms, etc, etc,
packing

carry on
checked

sleeping (WE LEAVE AT 4AM! on Sunday!)
packing Aria ... she's going to stay with Nini!
dropping off Christmas presents (for S & T!)
baking muffins .... mmmmm
and the list goes on
and on
and on

So ... I'm off to watch TV instead ... or work on catching up on blogging
:sigh:

Life is wonderful and amazing... but so overwhelming.

She's Here ... the newest love of my life

2009-11-24T22:50:00.004-06:00

T has arrived!!

I'm so excited and can't wait to meet her!!! I'm sure she's adorable just like her older brother!!

I can't wait to hold her and play with her! & kiss her little cheeks!

YAY!

Oh and she arrived on her Daddy's birthday... what a present!

Also, I went overboard on the "!s" ... but this deserves it!

Planning...

2009-11-13T21:23:00.003-06:00

... is something I really love to do.

Unfortunately Josh doesn't much like to and I am stuck planning on my own.

Thanks to a very (very!) long nap by S yesterday I was able to plan out my entire 2010 school year. Ahhh! I love the feeling of a plan!

Spring 2010

EDSS 4553 - Foundations and Mentoring in Social Studies
EDSS 4563 - Teaching Secondary Social Studies
SOC 3533 - The System of Criminal Justice
SOC 3543 - Sociology of Deviance
HIST 2223 - British Empire

May Intersession?

SOC Elective - possibly Crime Scene Processing

Summer 2010

Study for LSAT!

September 2010 - LSAT!

Fall 2010

American HIST Elective
P SC 2603 - Governments Around the World
MUNM 3113 - World Music
SOC
SOC Elective?

Ahhhh isn't it beautiful??

Now back to S because really I'd just rather talk about him! He took a 3 hour ... 3 hour ... nap yesterday while I watched him. He woke up so incredilby happy and pretty much smiled and giggled the rest of the time I was there. We played in the tall grass out back, he handed me handfuls of dirt (thank you S!), he jumped and crawled and had the best time (and I did too!)

Of course, I had a wonderful time just watching him :) I really do enjoy staying with him...

::sigh:: that's the part of my plan I really don't like ... the part where I graduate and have to leave him :(

She Loves You ... Yeah, Yeah, Yeahhhh!

2009-11-09T19:25:00.004-06:00

Weekend Wrapup ... yep... totally have fallen off the horse with that one eh? (I'm trying to be Canadian! yay!)

This weekend was fun though... jammed packed with work and fun.
Friday I worked from 5-9 ... Saturday from 9-5 ... and Sunday from 12-5... but!

Dawn came up and we went out to eat... at Othello's! My favorite place EVER (besides El Tap in Ardmore)... mmm pasta stuffed with cheese and alfredo sauce poured all over it? gimme, gimme, gimme!!!... oh boy it was so good!
and sex on the peach? mmmmm good good good!
I heart food and drink.

Ok so then on to the movies ... Men Who Stare at Goats. Hilarious at parts, but I deign it a "rent" movie. ... no need to go to the movies for this one. It's funny.... but I couldn't find a compelling plot that hooked me in... I rooted for nothing.... there was nothing to root for.

Oh and Beatles Rock Band = love! yeah, yeah, yeahhhhhhh
I have confirmed that I have NO rhythm whatsoever. NONE

So then? talking, talking, talking until 4 am :) love

Overall it was a great weekend. I'm so happy I got to see her and spend time with her! She's awesome.

so.... onto this week.... ugh.
so ready for a BREAK

Project 52 - Week 6

2009-11-08T19:11:00.002-06:00

It's been unseasonably warm here this winter and I'm not sure if I like it or not.
I want winter ... I want cold, snow, rain... I want it to feel like the semester is coming to an end. I don't feel like Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away... I don't feel like Christmas break is only about 5 weeks away.

I need that feeling. I am getting so stale ... I don't want to do this anymore. I know that feeling comes around every semester, but I depend on the cues that it is coming to an end.
AND I AM NOT GETTING THOSE CUES! I'm dying here... I need a break... I need the end of the semester... ugh

oh but Aria loves it. Yep, LOVES it.

Yes, she's like Kristy :)

I wish I could come up with creative titles

2009-11-05T08:46:00.003-06:00

It's going to be a long, exhaustive day.

Butttt! I get to see my favorite little boy and my mommy and sister!!

I am way too excited.

I have no idea how I am going to get this paper written and study for my test though.
::sigh:: I hate being a procrastinator. Hate. It.

School... is getting in the way of life

2009-11-03T21:20:00.006-06:00

So I haven't been posting much and it's because I'm busier than imaginable.

Enjoy what I have here,... read the past posts if you need a fix.

I'm not sure when regular posting will be back... but if you want some funny visit
http://jvoffkilter.blogspot.com/
that is courtesy of my brother IT Geek...

Oops I forgot Want. Need. MUST HAVE. didn't I? I meant to bring that back this week.
::sigh:: oh well... it'll be here next week when I don't have homework coming out of all orifices and my fingernails.

back to your regularly scheduled life.

Project 52 - Week 5

2009-11-01T22:11:00.001-06:00

Burnt Out.

This was pretty much my life this last week, and I burnt my toast too.

This will be my life this upcoming week too...

::sigh::

I am so looking forward to a break. A real break.
A VEGAS BREAK! :)

My "Job" is Awesome

2009-10-30T13:12:00.007-05:00

Urza (whom I am thinking of renaming) has always argued with me that my job of taking care of S is not a "job" ... because apparently if you love what you do then you are not working.

Now, I love that little guy so very much, but sometimes taking care of a kid IS WORK!

(Ir)Regardless(haha) of if you love them or not.
Anyone who says taking care of kids isn't work,... well they haven't actually taken care of kids before.

So yesterday I stayed with S and we had an amazing time eating apples & bunny crackers, dancing to music, building with blocks, playing with trains, and drawing.

I asked S to draw me a particular picture and this is what he drew me:

Now that drawing is of a particular animal and I want to give you a chance to guess what it is before I tell you.
What do you think it is??

It is ....
A horse :)

All that to say that my "job" is awesome.
Purely and fantastically awesome.

Project 52 - Week 4

2009-10-25T11:00:00.001-05:00

So yeah this wasn't posted last Sunday and I'm back-dating it. So sue me. Seriously. Five years from now I'll need the practice.

This last week - ..... we got a puppy!!
Isn't she freaking adorable?!
Probably the cutest I've ever seen. (besides Kristy)

Name suggestions??
please.

UPDATE (11-03-09) after about 1 1/2 weeks she has a name ... Aria :)

Project 52 - Week 3

2009-10-18T19:04:00.003-05:00

Huh... I haven't posted in a while. Oops.

Well here's Week 3. It's been a long week. I'm stressed because of school and a million other things. I am sick and not happy about it. -- and it's not the hypochondria - I have an upper respiratory tract infection and an ear infection. Lovely.

But you know what makes that all better?

The Simple Things...

... like wonderful surprise notes.

Weekend Wrapup

2009-10-12T21:28:00.002-05:00

My weekends suck...

Work, work, work
That's what happened this weekend.
On the bright side I do love my job.

Next weekend will have a better wrapup!

Project 52 - Week 2

2009-10-11T12:19:00.000-05:00

Setting: Thursday afternoon - playing with S after his nap

We were playing and coloring. I started to draw shapes and had S name them for me (he's good at it!)

So I drew a rectangle...

Me: What is that S?

S: reckangle

Me: Good Job!!.... can you draw a rectangle?

S drew this (right under my square and rectangle)

Me: Wow S! Good job... you are so smart!

S: ..... I know!

:meltintoapuddlebecauseofuttercuteness:

I have a feeling that a lot of Project 52 will be about S.

Cut it out!

2009-10-09T21:36:00.002-05:00

work again today...
it was interesting - it always is at the library.
but today was extra weird. one of my co-workers checked in some books out of the book drop and they were CUT UP!! what is up with that?!?!

and it wasn't simply a page that was cut --- 15 pages or more were missing in every book - about 5 books!
It was crazy.

Who does that? Who defaces public property? WHO WOULD RUIN BOOKS?!? BOOKS?!?!
wtf

Parlez-vous français?

2009-10-08T10:01:00.004-05:00

I've loved the French language for a long time. I guess I should have taken it as my foreign language in school, but I didn't ... and now I have a hankering to learn it.
I'd love to travel to France especially Bordeaux, Normandy, Brittany (the coastline!), and of course Paris :)
Oh! Honeymoon?!

So here's what I'm wondering ... Does Rosetta Stone actually work? Or would that just be a large waste of money?
I really want to learn the language and unfortunately I don't have the time left at school to do a few semesters...

so how am I going to go about learning French?!?

Places in a bucket

2009-10-07T13:59:00.000-05:00

My Bucket List.. (of places I want to visit)

I'm sure you all know what a bucket list is right? Things you want to do before you die...

Well, this is a "places I want to visit" version

(and it'll probably be updated periodically as I learn of new places)

1. England
2. France
3. Greece
4. Italy
5. Alaska -- the NORTHERN LIGHTS!!!
6. Denmark
7. Australia
8. Ireland
9. New Zealand
10. Scotland (Isle of Skye)
11. Fiji
12. The Netherlands
13. Japan
14. Dubrovnik, Croatia
15. Morocco
16. The Azores
17. Antartica

and anywhere with CASTLES!!!

Want. Need. MUST HAVE. Tuesdays

2009-10-06T09:32:00.001-05:00

I skipped last week because I'm starting feel a little materialistic and it bothers me.
I'm not a person that focuses on things and I don't want to be viewed as such.

So Want. Need. MUST HAVE. Tuesdays will be postponed for a bit ... maybe next week you will get another view into the type of things I like.