Group Projects...

Blech!

Are you a Badfish too?

Nick and I met up with some friends this weekend to see a Sublime cover band, Badfish. They were good and how else do you hear Sublime in concert? I know a Sublime cover band isn't the height of an amazing music scene, but with the recent addition of Toad's Place and the soon-to-be National Theater, Richmond is really attracting some great bands. Of course, I already have my Willie Nelson tickets. I am hoping to catch George Clinton, he puts on a heck-of-a-show, The Wailers, and Dark Star Orchestra. And if you are in the mood, Pat Benetar is coming and so are Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony and Rusted Root.

I didn't know I had it in me

I studied for 7 hours last night. I haven't done that since I had to write a research paper. I've also lost 6 pounds due to stress, not eating and fitful sleep. Yay! for the Grad School Diet.

Sorry

Sorry for the sparse postings. I will try to write when I have time, but this grad school thing is tough. For some reason, my program wants me to take 12 hours a semester, where most masters are 9 a semester. So, I'm taking 9 hours and working 30 hours a week. Not as bad as a lot of people going to grad school, but it is still tough and definitely a huge change. I am finding that I have very little time for my personal life. I texted my mom at 10 last night, when I got out of class, just to say I was still alive. She responded as any mom would, with a text back that said, "OK". Nick and I actually had a heart-to-heart over email because it gave us each sufficient time to get the words out. Did I mention that Nick is hoping for a promotion? So he has been working 60+ hours a week for a while now. Needless to say, we haven't been eating much, shopping much, or cleaning much. But, we will get through it and come out better on the other end.

Keep Going

It just occured to me that I'm not getting any younger and life isn't getting any easier. So, I need to have some fun before I have children. I am really hoping to get together either a big group camping trip or go to a festival somewhere. Does anyone have any ideas?

Beauregard's Thai Room

Nick and met some friends out for dinner this week at Beauregard's Thai Room. We had fun. We stayed late and got a little loud, but they didn't say anything to us. I enjoyed the food. The dining room was a little stuffy, but they appeared to have a lovely patio.

I have a problem. I am addicted to Sabra Hummus. It is the best hummus I have ever bought at a grocery store. I love it on these pretzel crisps, which are also delicious and addicting.

Just a Little Rant

3 Thing I can't stand

1. People making assumptions about others
2. People passing judgement about anyone or anything
3. People being overly critical of everything (I guess this goes along with judgement)

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest. Does that make me judgemental?

First day of School

I started school last night. I wasn't looking forward to being in school from 5:30 PM to 9:40 PM, but it wasn't too bad. At least, housing policy is interesting. I know you don't believe me.

Pet Drama

They have decided that their lives are way too boring and they just need some excitement. Last night, in the middle of cleaning my house, I left the room for one minute. When I came back, Spidey had managed to get her pinky claw stuck on something and pulled it off. I walked into my dining/living room to see bloody paw prints all over. I freaked out and ran to see if Daisy was okay. I promise I don't love her the most. She was fine. Then it hit me. I know it's Spidey, because who else would it be but the meanest animal that I provide shelter for. Anyway, she hasn't really let me look at it and you really can't soothe a cat. She assumes I am killing her. Am I a bad cat caretaker if I don't take her to the vet? I mean, Nick lost a toenail once and he's fine.

If You Liked...

HBO's Tell Me You Love Me , then you might also like the movie Trust The Man .

If You Need Some Extra Calories...

Nick and I made this Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff while we were at the beach and it was delicious. It's not healthy, but it sure hits the spot. It was strange beach food though.

More Sad News

I saw this article today at work about a recent VCU grad who underwent surgery for Crohn's disease and suffered some very severe complications. Her story really struck a chord with me since I have been struggling with stomach issues. While nothing has been diagnosed, I am pretty sure that it isn't anything as serious as Crohn's disease. If you have the time, check out her website, Love of Lindsay which will tell you how you can help Lindsay and her family.

Sad News

My thoughts go out to my friends at the Univeristy of Texas at Dallas. One of my former co-workers, Mark, has passed away. They still aren't sure of what happened and I think that Mark was only about 50. He was such a bright guy and was always friendly to me.

One Day

When I have some free money and some spare time. This will be mine. I haven't picked my color yet.

New Year's Eve

Nick and I had our second best new year's eve ever. The first was 2005, I believe. We were at the condo at Litchfield Beach and decided at 11:58 that maybe we should stumble to the beach and see what was happening at midnight. So we grabbed a blanket and a bottle of champagne and found a place in the sand just seconds before the fireworks started. We were absolutely surrounded by fireworks and we just sat there for a while enjoying them. We have been talking about that new year's ever since and I don't think we have ever even tried to top it since then. 2006, we lived in Texas and didn't know anyone, so we just stayed home. I was probably asleep at midnight. 2007*, we were getting ready to move into our current apartment and I have no idea what we did. But, this year, Nick and I were at the new house at Oak Island and decided that we should definitely make it to the beach for midnight. We grabbed Daisy and some champagne and a blanket and found a spot in the sand. And sure enough we got another fireworks show. This time they were only fireworks at the piers, but that's fine with me. Did I mention I kind of hate fireworks, so the further away the better. They are pretty, but I hate the noise and the risk of injury and I don't really agree with all that litter just falling in the ocean. But, sitting on the beach, completely alone, with the love of my life to ring in the new year is absolutely perfect.

* I remembered New Year's Eve 2007. Nick and decided to rent a lake house in NC. We invited a bunch of our friends, but no one came except Cindy. She did bring 15 of her friends. Story of my life.

Year End

So, last year was a good year. One of our least eventful yet.

• We managed to stay in Virginia, although we did, technically, move from Glen Allen to Richmond, but that doesn't really count.
• I got a job and managed not to move to another state, so I am about to work here a whole year.
• I turned 27 and Nick turned 28.
• Our oldest niece turned 1 and our youngest niece was born.
• Nick and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary and look forward to many, many more.
• My oldest friend, Megan got married.
• Nick's college buddies, Nick and Rhonda got married.
• Nick's college buddy, Andrew, married his girlfriend, Lauren.
• My dad turned 60.
• A dog tried to eat Daisy.
• Spidey and The Sir are still alive.
• I got into grad school.
• I saw Willie Nelson.

I think that's about it. If I think of anything I will add it. The important thing is that my family is healthy (besides my tummy) and everyone is happy.

Jello

"When placed in a container, jello conforms to the shape of the vessel. You however, should never conform. Unless, of course, you think you're jello."




-I don't know

Best Jobs of 2008

I am very excited that Urban Planner made it to the list of the Best Careers of 2008 . I am not surprised that the most awful job of EVER did not make it to the list. Sloth Watcher at The Dallas World Aquarium. They had a sloth out in the open, hanging from a tree, and it was some poor guy's job to watch the sloth. I don't know if he was more scared of what it would do the people or what the people would do to it.

P.S. I hate sloths.