Happy New Year

Hope everyone has a happy and safe new year's eve and the best for 2006!!

So Christmas is over. I'm fighting jetlag from my transatlantic journey back home on Dec 23rd. Until last night, my room looked like an explosion hurled clothes and random presents all over my bed. It looked worse than it was by far! The new year is approaching, and god lets hope 2006 is better than this year has been! The wedding is rapidly approaching as well, and I'm very torn about what I want, and stressed out about our current situation (of not having jobs and not knowing where we'll end up after the 'big day'). Once upon a time we had it all planned, but we all know the saying about best laid plans.

In other news, I'm looking for a new design for my blog and ironically my MIL2B had Christmas cards with the picture from my current design, so I snagged one from her...because that picture is just too funny ;)

My Grades

Literature and Women: A

Mass Media Ethics and Law: A

Great Short Stories: A

Romantic and Victorian Literature: A

Yup I got ALL A's!!!! Very exciting as I haven't ever gotten all A's at college and this past semester has been very emotional. ;)

Pond Hopping

I've been in England since Sunday morning :)

About half way through my trip as I'll only be here until the 23rd of Dec. In a way I wish I was staying longer but I feel like I should be home for Christmas. Its been tough, because I feel the more normal here than I have in a long time and going home will just make me dwell on everything again. But oh well. This weekend is Christmas 0.5 hehe so that'll be fun. Haven't really been up to much else, I probably won't post again until after Christmas but just wanted to let everyone know I was here safe and sound :)

Thought I'd update, will probably be the last time before I go to England (on Saturday). This week is finals week so my schedule for the next 4 days is:

Monday: Mass Media Ethics and Law Final @ 10am
Then work from 1 -3 pm

Tuesday: Work from 9am - 11am. Then work on papers due Weds & Thurs

Weds: Work from 10am - 12pm. Women and Literature final @ 2pm and turn in paper.

Thurs: Romantic and Victorian Lit Final @ 10am - turn in learning letter and paper. Think I signed up to work then but I'll say I can't come in.

Pack to go home, check out of dorms, leave - probably around 5pm or so.

Then I'll be home Friday and leave for England on Saturday. But I'll be back on the 23rd right in time for Christmas.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Mine was ok. Got some Christmas shopping done on Friday, and looked around in the mall yesterday. I'm officially really really broke! Luckily I don't think either family is going all out for Christmas this year (Pete's are saving up to come over for the wedding in June :) ) so we'll have a low key Christmas all around. I had all intentions of finishing my Christmas cards but that'll have to wait I guess. Been feeling depressed and unmotivated which is understandable I guess. And on top of everything I have a cold/flu bug! The next two weeks are going to be hell as far as school but then I'm off to England for 2 weeks so that's something to be happy about! yay!

New Template

How does it look? I tried it on a PC in the library yesterday and it looked all messed up but i'm my mac and it looks fine now. If it looks messed up let me know, and if anyone knows anything about HTML let me know how to fix it if it looks messed up. Thanks!

Feeling Human

I know I get enough sleep, I guess my complaint is that the scheduling of it is all over the place. Yeah I should go to a DR but I have no time right now and won't until after Christmas. Maybe then, I dunno. Slept from 8pm til 12am last night then went back to bed and got up at 6:45 I can live with that. So today I feel human.

Tiredness

I haven't had a good nights sleep in almost 4 months. I've never been on to have trouble sleeping...remember I was the girl who was sleeping on a bench in Disney at Grad Night back in the day. Thin lines have started to appear under my eyes, the dark circles are getting worse. I don't want to sleep like this, but I can't help it. I try staying up, sometimes I make it until midnight but then I sleep and am up again by 7am. So at night I'm exhausted and usually crash around 10:30 - which means waking up at around 6:30. When I'm home I usually crash on the couch watching TV ie last night I probably feel asleep around 9:30pm and kept waking up and watching bits of Law and Order then dozing off again. Argh. So I was up at 5:45am this morning. Argh Argh Argh. Should probably read or something, I stayed at home last night so I have to drive back to school this morning, after my brother leaves for school I'll probably shower and get going so at least I get something accomplished by 10am today.

Senioritis

The other day my brother said how he had senioritis in High School. Ah simplier times when everything was great. What I remember most about HS is eating lunch...on the bench next to the stairs or out on the sunny sidewalk when it was cold. Or on half days when we use to go to Steak n Shake. Anyway HS seems a million years ago now. And I'm getting senioritis of a different kind, the college version. Which causes prolonged staring at light sockets while THE MOST ANNOYING TEACHER plays air guitar and says the same wacked out phrases a thousand times. And becoming aggrivated when another one gives no structure and changes due dates faster than the speed of light. Oh and last but not least, wasting so much time on the internet or talking to others, complaining about all of this that you could be done with something important like one of the 3 papers you have to write by this time next month. By then my second-to-last semester will be over.

I feel a strange nostalgia for this place recently, but another feeling of suffication from it. I'm outgrowing it, the professors are becoming more annoying, more people know my name. It takes me a long time to become comfortable in places, but as soon as I become completely comfortable I usually out-grow them. Perhaps comfort = conformity and that's something I'm just not ready for. God knows what I'm going on about. Better go read something useful before I quit school altogether and become a traveling dog groomer or something. Now I'm just talking crap...

The Music Outside Head

Actually the music is the punk/rock variety which is blaring from someone's ipod in the computer lab. All I want to do is finish my paper for tomorrow. I'm freezing. I mean COLD. I've been getting this type of cold a lot lately, that kind that doesn't really involve putting on more clothes but warming ones insides. When I was little my mom had to cut the feet out of my pajamas (you know the ones with feet) because my feet got hot and sweated. They still do. But my finger tips and toes get as cold as ice. Must be a circulation problem or something. Well will end this here and try to concentrate on my paper and not the music that's playing outside my head.

PS Trip went well. Wedding was beautiful...some pics of the scenery on my flickr badge, the other family/friends ones are on my flickr account. If you want to see those, ask to be my contact and if I know you I'll let you see them :)

Planes and Automobiles

What's up with the font? This computer is showing all arabic and symbols instead of text! Weird! Anyway, I'm off today into the wild blue yonder of umm Newark! Fun fun. I'm excited about the wedding but I'm getting sick again/still :( My ears hurt, my throat hurts and my eyes are heavy. Argh. Traveling with my two brothers should be fun! I'll take pics and tell you all about it when I get back! Laters (expression I've stolen from Sara!)

After 21 years I should know...

I don't do naps. I either go to sleep or stay up. So when the novacaine from this morning's QUICKEST FILLING EVER made me nauseous and tired all day and I finally laid down around 5:30 I should have known I wouldn't get up in time for dinner. Three and a half hours later I wake up, and my first thoughts are "well I missed dinner," along with "just get changed and go back to bed." Both of which I ignored and got up. This time change stuff is always fun because I have to readjust to it being pitch black by 9pm. Together with my Sprite and Goldfish crackers I contemplate my inability to take naps, and re-evaluate going to bed after all. Its one of the many aspects of myself I use to blame my mom for, because she always told the pre-school teachers not to let me sleep during naptime because I would be awake all night afterwards. Back then I went to bed by 7pm though, when I would suddenly go up to my daddy and say: "bed time!" With outstretched arms waiting to be carried to bed. As my mom use to say, my body clock was amazing and she could set the time by me. If only that would be beneficially now, with clogged ears and a dry/medicine tasting mouth. Wearing my snoopy pajama pants that make me think of freshmen year and the promise of a college-education. I'm about done now, and just wish I could set my body clock to tell time again. And that my mom was here to read it.

"Sometimes the Easy Way Out Is The Right Way Out"

That's a quote from one of my favorites "The Matchmaker." Most of the time, as with many of 'my movies' I put them on then proceed to fall asleep. Because when you can quote a movie backwards and forwards you really don't have to watch it all the way through much.

So the meaning of the quote being, that a dropped publication workshop, basically writing for the school newspaper. I just don't have the time. After THE WORST TEST EVER this morning in Mass Media Ethics and Law, I really have no energy to track down people for quotes and find useless information for articles that don't mean anything but PR for the school, and 'experience' for me. Because every future employer wants to see how I can make up clever phrases in articles about dining hall food or the like. Sorry if I sound cynical...I've been up since 5:30 and my left eye hurts...giving me the worst half headache for hell.

Oh...and happy halloween! So begins the season of anti-climax holidays. Going to buy a bag of candy tonight in case anyone knocks at the door at home. It will be Reeses. Because god help me I need them the night before I get a fill from my dentist, who has a pig nose.

Sunny Florida

I'm watching the 10pm local news. I really really really hate this city's local news. Its like some alternative universe. You know what was the lead story this evening? That its 60F outside. Yeah. Because that's really cold. What planet are you people from? This is NICE weather, not cold. One woman had her scarf and gloves out today, according the news. WTF save the hats and gloves for somewhere that's cooler than 40F. My Galaxy and Cadbury's is gone. I have depleted my illegal ration :( Only about a month and 2 weeks until I can get real chocolate from England! yay! Mmmmm. Might make my second cup of peach tea..its been a long day!

This is Autumn

This is the first day its seemed like autumn in Florida! It might have to do with Hurricane Wilma...but at least it isn't 80F anymore...well for now! Chilly and rainy but not anywhere near cold...I could do with a less rain and a bit more chill but its nice anyway. Not much else to report on...my life is boring. This weekend we had Thanksgiving 0.5 - my sister wanted to cook a turkey to see how it would turn out - since she's never done it before. Well, note to self, learn how to cook a turkey. Because my sister's was ok, but she didn't cook it long enough the first time so it had to be put back in, and it tasted a little funny to me afterwards. If theres another thing I could ask my mom it would be: "how do you cook a turkey?" I vaguely remember her showing my last year though. That's the worst thing about death...there isn't any way to know the answers to things you never thought to ask.

Updated: Note to self - big trucks and big puddles on old streets = soaking wet jeans with cold gross puddle water. All people in cars who race down wet roads and splash innocent bystanders just wanting to get back from the Communications building should be shot. Enough said.

Discovering Destiny ? Or Desperation?

I've you've known me for awhile you'll know the last thing I ever wanted to become was and English teacher. But I've always loved them and their complex knowledge of things that don't really matter but make you think. Well, I'm having an epiphany I think. Because...I think thats what I want to be. Maybe its sentimentality. Or just sheer desperation to find a real career beyond "vague media person." But finances being what they are I probably won't be going to grad school too soon...which I think is good because lord knows I need a break from academia. Hmmm...maybe I've been abducted by aliens...but yes that's my latest thought! Frightening indeed!

Why I'm an English Major

I don't usually post specific stuff about my college on here, but one of my professors just got her book published! Its a major accomplishment anyway but I feel like I'm in on the inside story because she's told us about the publishing process for the past year in her classes.

Sometimes I get frustrated being and English major, because as everyone says: "What can you do with that?" But I like reading and being in the presence of intellectuals. Sure the never-ending papers are annoying, and one cannot know the MLA Handbook enough. It's times like these that I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile...and thats a good feeling.

Anyway, here it is if anyone is interested in looking at it: Reading the Bronte Body: Disease, Desire, and the Constraints of Culture

Avoidance

So I have to read almost 100 more pages by 12:30 tomorrow. And what am I doing? Blogging and watching the last of Martha's Apprentice. Because that will help me read "Lady Audley's Secret" yeah. Other than that, nothing much to blog about. My overall outlook has improved, I guess because I have something to focus on. Not long until Pete and I are together again at least for a little while!

Glimmer of Hope

Finally some good news in my life:

1) I fixed my laptop yesterday (yay me!!)

2) I booked my flight this morning to go to England before Christmas (I'll be home for Christmas Eve and Day though)

3) Pete got some good news regarding a job he's been after...so fingers crossed.

Here I am, Living Under a Rock

Apparently since my mac decided to crash I have been living under a rock because I didn't know that Katie Holmes was pregnant with Tom Cruise's baby. That's freaky. I'm emotional and need a break. Going out to dinner to celebrate my friend, Steph's birthday. Sent Pete's package out for our anniversary....man I can't believe its nearly been 7 years since we met online!! He better love me because it costed a FORTUNE to send (if a fortune is $35). Speaking of the devil, I have to head back to my room to call him since the comps at the library don't allow any IM programs so thats our only other means of communication. Bah.

Feeling totally unmotivated today! Have a breif article due at 3:30 so I should do that fast. Not digging working for the paper this semester, none of my stuff is getting published, I get the crap stories, and basically I just don't care. So I might drop that "class" its only one credit hour and I've already taken it before so I don't really need it.

Pete and I have been talking about the whole "where to live" question lately. Basically it depends on jobs at the moment, if he still doesn't have anything decent by January we're going to re-evaluate the situation and see what we come up with. Now that one place is looking more possible than the other, I'm longing for the opposite one and coming up with positives for that! God only knows what we'll end up doing.

The Crap of Life

On the night before everything is due...my mac won't turn on. WONDERFUL. I'm isolated from chatting on AIM or MSN until futher notice. And I'm pretty much sleeping in the library tonight. Woohoo.

The Saturday Night That Never Was

Part 1
Ok, it all started like this. I ended my 5+ hour treck of paper writing in the library - where I posted yesterday's rant about that god forsaken place. Then I packed up my crap (most of which was already still packed from last weekend) and headed home around 5:15 p.m. I made it about halfway home, to Marineland (which is a low-budget Sea World type place that has been closed for awhile, and a town). My car magically stopped working, luckily I was able to pull into the UF research building thing there (I thought of Sara) and called my dad. He thought the engine might be wet from puddles (since its been raining 24/7 here for the past week mostly). So I turned the car off and then back on...it seemed to be driving ok. And then I stopped again right in front on the sign for the town of Hammock. I've always wanted to blog about the random town names on that part of AIA between Flagler and St. Aug...anyway.

So there I was, on the side of the road...it was probably around 5:45 by then. I called my dad again, he thought it might be the oil. I checked the oil, it seemed a bit low, so I put some oil in the there that I found in the truck - lucky I thought right? Still wouldn't drive. Then I overhear my dad telling the woman who's daughter sold him the car. He then asked me how much gas I had in the car. "A quarter of a tank," I said. My dad replied by saying that he forgot to tell me when he bought that car, that the gas gauge on it was messed up. A quarter of a tank means its EMPTY. I ran out of gas! But it wasn't my fault.

Part 2

My dad called AAA, said it was an emergency and they said they'd be there asap, an hour at the latest. Ok. This was probably around 6:15. It would have taken my dad longer to drive there so I waited. Time really passes slow when you have NOTHING TO DO, sitting on the side of the road, with car whizzing past you. So I called my dad back a few times, I called my sister, and I read "The Robber Bride" by Margret Atwood for my Literature and Women class. By around 7pm my dad called my back again. AAA somehow thought that near Marineland sounded a lot like MIAMI so guess what? THEY WENT THERE. (For those who don't know Miami is like 5 hours south of us). YEAH IT GOT THAT BAD. It started getting dark and I started getting tired. Finally, my dad called back again to say my brother Chris was coming to get me, so that we could go get gas, and then I could drive home. By 8:30 I was on my way merrily down the road. Emotion, Exhausted, and knowing that my dad owed me big time. And to never trust AAA again, because even after being dispatched AGAIN to the RIGHT PLACE - they never came.

That was my Saturday night that never was.

My Evening in the Car...

I'll explain tomorrow...but I spent close to 3 hours sitting in my car on the side of the road, in a town called Hammock. To be continued...

Library on Saturday

The temperature I'm sure is about 10 below 0. My fingers are frozen as I type. Someone on another computer is pounding their fist on the wood of the desk to make random noise. The french girl across from me keeps on TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE, at least she finally put it on silent! Sometimes I wonder why I stay here on the weekends to work...I freeze to death and have to listen to random people avoiding work just like me. Back to my paper...

Autumn Girl

I remember seeing this skin on BlogSkins.com probably last autumn and really liking it. I was going to change to it yesterday but I had to find a code that would take off the blogger navigation bar because it chopped off the girl's hat and some of the text on the right side.

I really like it. I know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I was thinking of leaving the old template up until the end of the month but I just needed a bit of color! Plus I love the limited autumn we get here lol basically a break from the heat :)

I might set up a seperate blog (as if I need another one) or a geocities site for in memory of my mom sometime soon, when I have a break from school...speaking of which I should go start my essay that's due on Tuesday..ahh.

Memorial Poem ~ Author Unknown

We do not need a special day to bring you to our minds.
The days we do not think of you are very hard to find.
Each morning when we awake we know that you are gone.
And no one knows the heartache as we try to carry on.
Our hearts still ache with sadness and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you no one will ever know.
Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill.
In life we loved you dearly; in death we love you still.

There will always to be a heartache, and often a silent tear.
But always a precious memory of the days when you were here.
If tears would make a staircase, and heartaches make a lane,
We'd walk the path to heaven and bring you home again.
We hold you close within our hearts; and there you will remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.
Our family chain is broken now, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

Pride and Prejudice!

I feel like I live and breathe Jane Austen at the moment, since I just read Sense and Sensibility for my Romantic and Victorian Lit class, and am now reading Pride and Prejudice for my Women and Lit class. Yeah, lost of Austen and lots of literature. But I'm SO excited about this movie coming out. Its already out in England (want to be there just for that ! :( ) But it'll be in theatres here Nov. 18 woohoo. You can see a little trailer here.

Death by Starbucks: My Latest Addiction

My downfall began when Molly's (the college snack bar/coffee place) started 'proudly brewing' Starbucks coffee. Now, with normal budget constraints I usually refrain from Starbucks unless its a treat. But with this new acquisition of Starbucks on campus I began to falter. The main reason: I get $100 worth of 'Molly's money' on my student ID card because I live on campus and therefore am subjected to the eatable delights of the dining hall. As I type this, my fingers twitch with the familiar buzz of caffeine and sugar jolting through my veins as I consume my tall, white chocolate mocha. I get at least 3 of these per week, sometimes more. I know my balance for my free money is getting low, but I can't help myself. This cup is my demise:

A Whole Lot of Nothing Much

Not much to report on here, just papers, articles, presentations, and all that fun stuff. Loving my new car - I went to Target the other day and got cute seat covers for it and a flip flop shaped air freshener, which reminded my of my future mother-in-law. Speaking of the Queen, she and the rest of the royal court are living it up, in somewhere I've never heard of, on holiday. I swear I don't think my in-laws and co. are ever not on holiday. But thats another reason why I love them.

So Pete had been home alone and fending for himself, so I've been calling him on the phone since we're both alone and therefore, lonely. I'm thinking about going there for almost 2 weeks before Christmas, that way I can spend some time with Pete and his family. Plus it would be weird not to see Pete until just before the wedding!

Oh, speaking of the big w-word, my sister and I went to a wedding expo on Sunday. I guess I should do a bit about what I'm thinking of from that, what I still need to do and etc on my wedding blog. Well that's about it for now.

I Say Goodbye...and Hello

This may very well be the last day I ride in you, my little Toyota Tercel. Well, this isn't goodbye forever, but soon Chris will probably make you spantaneously combust. I'll miss riding down A1A looking at the beach with you. I'm sorry for running you into that fence at Lopez...for letting you get broken into...and for generally not cleaning you very much. But we've had 5 fun years together, and you're getting old. I hope you don't take this personally...but I'm on to greener pastures. Goodbye my friend, I will remember you fondly as my little car that always got me where I had to go.

______________________

Hello new car, with your air conditioning and sun roof. You're newer and brighter, like a fire engine, and although I never saw myself in a red car I can see myself driving you. You're comfortable and dark inside with tinted windows that I'm not quite use to yet but I think we'll be good together. I'm not sure how long I'll have you: it might be less than a year, or longer. But I'll try to wash you more often than I did my tercel, though that probably won't happen. But I won't run you into a fence...well at least I hope not! We shall be good friends...

My Saturday

Was your Saturday as exciting and impressive as mine? ....



No, I didn't think so...

Calendar Girls

I got Calender Girls (2003) from the previously viewed section at Blockbuster over the weekend for $8 woohoo. I wanted to get it for awhile but since Pete's nan has it I always figured I'd just borrow it from her when I was over there and see it, then decide if I wanted to get it on DVD. But $8 isn't bad so I bought it. I really like it, again it was one of those movies I didn't know what to expect and it was surprisingly good! I laughed out loud and cried a bit too, which is always a marking of a good movie. 7 out of 10 stars :)

The Couple Who Blogs Together....

Well just has headaches from messing around with templates all the time..wait thats only me... Pete has a new blog for game reviews...not for tender ears...he has a way with words. English Rednecks Rants & Reviews

Because I have no life...

I started another blog!

From Anglophile to Expat Yeah I know, I have too much time on my hands!

Rest in Peace

My dad's brother, David, passed away today. He had cancer, although they don't know if he knew he had it but he slipped into a coma and passed away. I cried because life is just so unfair, and I know how his wife and children feel and I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone. RIP Uncle David.

Not too much to say but aren't we adorable? ;)

First and foremost...a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to Sara!! Eddie will be here soon and I shall enjoy him before passing him on!! (This is in reference to Eddie Izzard, the comedian, on DVD...and is nothing dirty!)

Well I think I'm having an identity crisis. I just don't know who I am or what I want. Sometimes I think I want to stay here, be with my family, etc. and then I end up spending the whole weekend alone looking after the dogs and cleaning the house. I know everyone's busy but I just feel so alone. At least in England my mad in-laws are always doing something we can be included in, and there are the age old social gatherings of candle parties...which basically are the same as any other party to my in-laws...and excuse to drink, and the candles are an added bonus.

So I don't know. I'm thinking I'll stick with our current plan: me moving to England, then if we decided to move back we go through the visa process in reverse. That way we both can work (assuming we get jobs!) so that we MIGHT/MAYBE be able to afford our own place in the next 100 years. Oh yeah.

Well, back to my current life...including a messy and cold dorm room, a shower that has to be heated up, and Mass Media Ethics and Law at 10am.

New Template...yet again! Any thoughts??? I like it so I guess thats all that matters really ;)

My friend Steph let me borrow her copy of The Wedding Date>. I don't think the movie ever made it to cinemas or if it did it was only there for a little while. I have to say I really like it, but then again I like small, kind of quirky movies like that. My rating: 6 out of 10 Stars :)

10 Years Ago

I was 11 and just starting 6th grade at OLL..I had tons of homework to do everynight...somethings never change! I started having a crush on Mike Metz..which lasted far too long! My sister had just gotten married in June...I thought 23 was way too young to get married (LOL).

5 Years Ago

I was 16 and starting my junior year at Lopez. I became better friends with Sara because we had English Honors class together. I had known Pete for almost 2 years, and my mom and I went to England for the first time to meet his family in June/July of that year.

1 Year Ago

I was starting my junior year at college. We were being hit by what number 2 or 3 of the 4 or 5 hurricanes we had in 2004! My mom was staying in my dorm room with me, after we had driven all the way up to Georgia and decided to come back again all in the same day. We were just thinking about wedding plans and didn't have anything booked (well we don't have much now but anyway...)

Yesterday

Went to class, ate, read for Mass Media Ethics...and watched 4 Weddings and a Funeral.

5 Snacks I Enjoy

Le Creme Yogurt, Reeses, Cadburys in the UK, Guylian seashells, and sour cream & onion potato chips.

5 Songs I Know All The Words To

Ummm Elton John songs (yes I'm sad), When You Say Nothing At All (Ronan Keating), almost all of the songs off the latest U2 CD because I always have it playing in my car...

5 Things I Would Do With $100 Million

Donate to Breast Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society, Humane Society etc. Buy a house in the US and the UK, buy another house in each for each family to stay in when they visit. Pay off the house for my dad. Spend a lot decorating the houses I bought. Put some in savings and then just blow the rest on stuff I really don't need hehe.

5 Things I Would Never Wear

Gigantic gold hoop earrings, crop tops, 4+ inch heels, anything with a lot of furriness to it.

5 Favo(u)rite TV Shows

Ab Fab, Mad About You, Sex and the City, Seinfeld, Friends

5 Biggest Joys

Pete, spending time with my family, traveling by plane, spending time with Pete's family, and I guess the wedding will be...

5 Favourite Toys

DVD player, Computer/Internet, TV, my car, digital camera.

5 People I Tag (meaning online friends I visit)

Gem, Jennie, Fiona, Miriam, Sarah (Ace's wife)...and a whole lot more!

So here I am...

I think I'm going to change the template for this blog over the weekend. Been considering closing it down but I think I'll just start a new one after the wedding, mostly about us being married, living together, probably living in England (we're back to debating this again but for now we've decided to stick to our original plan). But this template never really formatted well and I've downloaded another one from the same site so hopefully that'll work better.

Avoiding reading, its only the first full week of school and I just can't catch up with it. So glad I'm only taking 4 classes this semester! I guess all that busting my butt in previous semesters paid off..but I still feel totally overwhelmed. Oh well I'll get through it.

Been having dreams but also sleeping pretty good so I don't feel totally drained most of the time. I think I'm getting sick...or it might just be from my wisdom teeth coming in (I think my mom told me once that she felt the same kind of pressure and pain in her ears and throat when hers were coming in.)

If my mom were still around she'd probably be in New Orleans helping the Katrina victims. She'd probably load her van up with old bedspreads from the motel, that huge supply of canned goods she always kept in the house in case of such emergencies, and other stuff and drive up there. Then she'd probably bring people back with her, give them rooms at the motel to stay, and let them help out around there for payment. That's just the kind of person she was and I think thats what I miss most about her.

Today in my weird Great Short Stories class the wacko professor asked the question: "Have you ever really felt your parents' love?" And I started tearing up because I always did from my mom. In the few months before her death especially, she would say she loved me and when I would say it back she would reply: "You don't have to say anything in return, I just wanted to tell you that." And when I would get upset about anything major...most recently over my Uncle's partner's death in July... I remember how she would hug me as I was sobbing and she would hug me so tight sometimes I couldn't breath. And all these thoughts came flooding back to me in class. And just like I'm doing now...my eyes welled up with tears.

I slept good last night..yay! Didn't go to sleep at all until 11pm and then got up at 7am yay.

So before I left for England, my mom got me this 27" TV with Dvd player and VCR all-in-one to bring to school with me. Well...I tried to use the dvd player last night to watch an episode or 2 of Mad About You or Seinfeld before bed. And the DVD player didn't play either disk...it sounded as though it was about to and then something to stuck and it started to make a clicking noise.

So I tried other DVDs. The only DVDs that would work were those that are 2 sided you know the ones, mostly for older films that have standard screen size and wide screen size on different sides of the disc. And Sliding Doors worked too...but that wasn't 2 sides it just didn't have an image label on the front, just the title of the movie on the disc itself. So does anyone know if its possible for a DVD player not to play dvds with labels on them? Or maybe the ones I picked just weren't clean enough or something? I'm confused!

So my procrastination tactics begin early...I should be reading Madame Bovard but I'm blogging instead...surprise, surprise.

I moved into my new room on Tuesday, and classes began yesterday. I'm taking 3 english/literature classes and 1 communications class. I have 12 novels to read, in addition to other text books. Plus I'm doing the paper again this semester, so I actually have stuff to put in my portfolio in the spring.

My sleep patterns still haven't regulated...last night I had a nightmare which wasn't even about my mom. Actually my mom was still alive in it, but my niece and nephew died. Talk about shocking, I almost had to call my sister up to make sure they were fine. Other than that I don't have dreams, I just can't sleep. At home I was getting into a pattern of one night I wouldn't fall asleep until 1am and get up at least around 7am at the latest, and then next I would go fall asleep on the couch watching tv around 8pm and wake up, and go to bed around midnight, and then get up around 6am. Since I've been at school though I've been falling asleep around 9pm...waking up around 11:30 and then going to bed...and getting up around 6:30am.

Other than that things are good here, I still feel like there's a part of me missing. I don't feel as lost as I did when it first happened, I feel a bit more independent, but a bit detached from everything as well.

Today I pack up my things to begin my 4th and final year of college. I remember all the others years that she came with me on the big move, with all my stuff packed in the van. Last year it was only her and I doing it together: moving in and moving out again. We always fought as we tried to join the hoards of other students and their parents lugging big boxes, TVs, and bedding in old elevators that couldn't fit them all. She'd have a plan to put as much on the kart as possible to make the move faster, while I'd want to make more trips with fewer things to carry each time. But after all the arguing, drama, and chaos, we'd get all my stuff into the room and go to the pizza place downtown for tortellini salad and a white pizza.

So tomorrow as my dad, my brothers, and I lug too many boxes along with the hoards of other people doing the same; I'll think of her and smile at the chaos of it all. And then go have tortellini salad...just like we would have done if she were here.

Fiona introduced me to this site: Bless This Chick. I submitted my online name: PrincessJuls and got back my picture today :)



Edited: Oops they have temporarily suspended submission for names but when they open it up again be sure to check it out!

A Great Many Things

On windy, rainy days...which happen more here in Florida than the tourism boards would like you to believe...my mom and I use to get an array of snacks and sit down and watch movies. If it was especially cold and gloomy it'd be designated as the perfect day to watch Little Women.

During those long, cozy afternoons my mom and I use to talked about all the characters as if we knew them...and mostly praise Jo and complain about how spoiled Amy was. My mom was the definitive Jo...loud, outspoken, confident, but still searching for her real direction in life. There's a single line in the movie that sums up my mom's life perfectly.

When Jo leaves Concord for New York, meets Professor Bhaer, and attends a discussion about current affairs she is told that she should have been a lawyer. Her response to that statement was, "I should have been a great many things, Mr. Mayer".

I can still hear my mom reciting it...and the truth was she was a great many things in her lifetime...and each of those things: mother, friend, carer, protector, advocate, student, wife, daughter, niece, motelier, landscaper, artist...meant so much to so many people. She had such a presence that now, the world seems quieter. But I can still hear the music in my head...a vague mixture of the great many things she was.

I've been thinking about watching Little Women lately, but the weather isn't right...and when it is...it will be a solomn day.

Here We Go Again

As if I didn't have enough on my mind at the moment: Hurricane Katrina Ahhh.

Last year during Hurricane Frances, I think, my mom said in my room with me at school. Of course she talked to everyone...I joked that she met more people in a few days than I had in the previous 2+ years. But she was just that kind of person. I think myself being sentimental about little things of hers...clothes, her van, the message she wrote on the dry erase board in the kitchen just to the right of the computer "Good Monring...Have a Great Day!" I guess I feel if I lose those things I'll lose all of her forever.

What Would Have Been

For the last 3 weeks or so (since coming back home from my second home) I've felt as though I'm living in some alternative reality..kind of like Sliding Doors. Yeah, I know, I love that movie so sue me already.

Anyway, the alternative me that didn't get the tragic news on August 2nd would be on a boeing 747 powered by the almighty Virgin Atlantic Airways on her way back home after almost a month. A part of me wishes I was that girl...that my only tears would be over leaving Pete...that my mom would be at the airport to meet me as I walked over to baggage claim like all the other times before. And with that last sentence a single tear drop streams down my cheek.

But it wasn't meant to be I guess. We had a good week, carefree week together in England. But I guess I was meant to be jolted back into my current reality. It has its advantages...I'm mostly over my double jet lag, I've been able to unpack just in time to re-pack for school. I've gotten to spend time with my bestest friends...especially my faithful Lopez crew including Sara, who is about to leave us for great adventures in Edinburgh.

So, I no longer think of the last 3 weeks as carefree time taken away from me. But rather, extra time given for my last summer ever at home...if things go as planned at the moment. And I guess that's the last gift my mom could give me...but I still wish she didn't have to. But that's life...and death.

I guess its just on the mac that the dates after the first post aren't in the blue heading boxes? Probably. Now with all that work I don't even know if I like it that much LOL better leave it for now after spending all day yesterday figuring the coding out!

Can anyone good with coding help me? I'm trying to change my blog template to this one but I'm having trouble with the coding of it...ie how to get my blog content to fit into the frames where they're suppose to be. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Here's another song that makes me think all that has happened in the past 3 weeks:

Wake Me Up When September Ends ~ Green Day

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends

Live Like You Were Dying

I heard this song on the radio today and had to sing along. It reminded me of my mom turning it up and singing along to it, me rolling my eyes and telling her to stop. But today I sang along, and couldn't help crying when I got to the chorus. My mom got the chance to live like she was dying twice...once while she was fighting breast cancer in 1998 and again in the last few months, only she didn't know it the second time. Anyway, this isn't suppose to be depressing, I swear.

Live Like You Were Dying ~ Tim McGraw

He said I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime
and I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
and talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end
how's it hit you when you get that kinda news
man what'd you do

and he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named FuManchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn't such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again

and then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named FuManchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
what'd you do with it what did you do with it
what did I do with it
what would I do with it'

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named FuManchu
and then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I watched an eagle as it was flying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying

If you're reading this it means I resisted all urges to take my return trip to England with Pete, even after the airport attendant tempting me with "are you sure?" and "this is your last chance...". I knew I had to stay, but I wished I could go just get away from reality again for a little while. But there are papers to go through, bags to pack, and a new room to be moved into soon. All without her. These past two weeks have been by far the hardest of my life, and yet I feel strangely independent and scared of that. I guess I'll survive because the alternative can't be better, can it? Probably not. I should probably write this in the journal Kamie sent me, instead of on here, but in a way I don't want to be alone with my thoughts...Does that make any sense?

Today Pete's leaving, the worst part is I have a ticket too but no way to get home from England if I go. Its like torture, a part of me just wants to hop on the plane and not think about anything else. But the other part of me knows I have to stay here, get this place cleaned up, get ready for school, and finish my last year. The little things make me miss my mom the most, a pair of her gardening shoes on the steps of an apartment at the motel, the back porch where she use to spend most of her time. Its getting easier every day, but it still hurts like hell. I might go to her niche later today just to spend some time thinking about her. I just wish I got to say goodbye.

Bless This Woman

Tomorrow we're placing my mom's ashes in a niche at a local cemetary, the spot is overlooking the beautiful garden and facing a magnolia tree like the ones in our backyard. The other day I got this breast cancer pin to place in the niche as a momento as my mom was a breast cancer survivor:



You can read a bit about the pin here.

Mother and Daughter

The day before we came back home, Pete bought me this figurine to remember my mom by. Just thought I'd share it with you all.

The Day the Music Died

Thanks for all your support, the emails and tags on here, and for those who have sent flowers and cards. My mom passed away unexpectedly a week ago yesterday. They suspect it was a heart attack, though we haven't gotten the official word in yet. To anyone who knew her, or anyone that even heard about her, my mom was an amazing person. She had such a presence and gave so much to so many people that everyone feels lost without her, me most of all. We had a special bond, which I use to say meant that she made me do everything, but now I see it was in preparation for her being gone.

Pete and I were in England when it happened. We'd gone into Basildon to do some shopping, just for things we wanted to pick up. We went to a few DVD shops, he had to go the Job Center, and then we went to Asda (which is owned by Walmart). As we approached the CD/DVD section his mobile phone rang. We thought I'd be his friend Kate, but it was his mum. I remember Pete saying something about me not being on the phone with him but close, and then he told me to wait there while he walked away about 20 ft. I remember his face from that far away and I knew something was wrong. He wouldn't tell me what it was, which annoyed me because I thought it was about someone in his family. He said his mum was picking us up at a certain spot so we raced in that direction passed the crowds of people. I'm usually good under stress but I had to tell him to slow down because I felt numb and couldn't breathe. I guess we both looked in a state because a man who walked passed us asked if everything was alright. We got into his mum's car and drove home, I remember being so worried about Pete if something happened to one of his family members or friends. We got in the house, and I remember Pete's mum asking him if he wanted to tell me or if he wanted her to. That's when I knew it had to do with me. He took me into his room, closed the door, and made me put my bag on the floor.

It was the most surreal moment of my life. I remember him telling me the news, me wailing and him crying. Then I went numb and became frantic to get in touch with someone at home.

We got a charter flight out of London last Thursday and arrived around 3pm in the afternoon. The viewing was on Friday and the funeral on Saturday. Everyday is a little better and I get use to her not being here with us in person, but I know her spirit is with all of us and in every life that she touched.

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory of My Mom

Barbara Ann



February 2, 1956 - August 2, 2005

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch,
Or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has
Breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've been here a week now, its gone by fast but at the same time I feels like I've been here for ages and still have 3 weeks and a day to go. Been shopping a bit at Next the first day I was here and got:








And Lin got me this bag:

Puddle Jumping

Arrived at Gatwick around 7:30am yesterday, a bit late, very tired, but good. No matter what seat I choose from VA's website as my living space for the 8 and a bit duration of the flight I always seem to get behind the "SOD YOU TRAVELLER." You know the type, they don't care that another person is a mere 10 inches behind them, they will push their seat back AS FAR AS IT WILL GO ie into your lap so that your tray table is pretty much digging into your ribs. Well of course, this time was no different. I thought perhaps I'd be lucky and get at least the middle seat empty so that I could stetch a bit. A second after I said that a father and son walked up and killed my dream. The father reassured me, glancing at the -10 inches of space I had, "that'll have to go up soon, but the you know it'll just come down again." Yes, state the obvious why don't you? Bah.
Then miracle of miracles, the old couple that were sitting behind me decided to snag some empty steats right behind a galley (should have done myself but I didn't see them - bah.) So I swooped in and took the aisle seat behind me. So the woman at the window and I shared the middle seat for a bit of stretching out space, trash, and the like.
Surprisingly, the movies were kind of decent, so I saw HITCH once through, and bits of it again and MISS CONGENIALITY 2 - which was surprisingly good as my movie critic fiance previously told me.
Got througout immigration alright, weird to think its the last time I'll go through with a spousal visa (if all things go right of course.) VERY WEIRD. But being here again it feels as though I should be here, its weird to explain but it feels like home. Not that my actual home ie where I was raised, live currently, and where my parents are, isn't - but this is as well.
As for my inlaws, as mad as ever. Lin has lost a TON of weight so I officially hate her for that but she looks terrific and I'm glad I'll have a dieting buddy to keep my progress up while I'm here. On the wedding front I gave Lin their Save the Date and will give the others out as well while I'm here. A little over 10 months until we're married!!!! That's even scarier to think about!

Pond Hopping

I'm pond hopping tomorrow evening...thought I'd share a pic I took back in ummm early 2002 (the date says 11/06/2002 but I think its from January 2002 and the date was just messed up on the camera:



This is how much my in-laws and their friends drink - I think that was over New Years and it was only HALF the bottles (the rest were inside) LOL.

Deja Vu

Or something like it:

Latest Attacks in London - Today

It's amazing how we become desensitized so quickly, only one person mentioned it to me today here at my internship. But then again this is America and as much as I hate to admit it, we don't always care too much about what happens in other countries especially if its with minor injuries. Pete not in London today, so my stomach is normal and not tied in knots.

I'll be there on Tuesday...sort of reconsidering my idea about going to the London Eye during this trip..one of the few major attractions in London I haven't been to yet. I'm not afraid, but cautious.

Found on Lydia's blog:

Your True Birth Month Is July

Tactful Honest Friendly Secretive Homebody Sentimental Hardworking Approachable Fun to be with Has reputation Not revengeful Easily consoled Very emotional Wary and sharp Waits for friends Likes to be quiet Witty and snarky Caring and loving Loves to be alone Overly concerned Loves to be loved Treats others equally Puts in effort in work Takes pride in oneself Moody and easily hurt No difficulties in studying Strong sense of sympathy Forgiving but never forgets Quiet unless excited or tensed Not aggressive unless provoked Concerned about people's feelings Temperamental and unpredictable Judge people through observations Easily hurt but takes long to recover Guides others physically and mentally Dislikes the nonsensical and unnecessary Difficult to fathom and to be understood Sensitive and forms impressions carefully Always broods about the past and the old friends

What's Your True Birth Month?

Have very exciting news I posed on my wedding blog if anyone cares :)

Great Packing Extravaganza 2005 started over the weekend, but hasn't been touched since then. I'm thinking I'll start the major packing on Friday after my internship is over..that's if I don't need to work at the motel. I can't believe I'm leaving Monday!! Woohoo!

You Are 26 Years Old

26 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Found on Heidi's blog:

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it.

You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.

In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Hmmm pretty true except for the last two....

Then I found this from a link on that site...not surprising lol:

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?

I'm American I Need Stuff

I'm a complusive over-packer, it's a genetic thing I inherited from my mother. She just went up to NJ for a funeral and brought: one big suitcase and a larger soft side cooler that she used as another checked in bag. She brought like 5 different handbags with her...she was only gone a week. I'm not much better.

"At least your not as bad as your mother," Pete's mum says to me. "We needed two cars when both of you came over." Yes, we had 4 suitcases in the summer of 2000. One was full of...wait for it...chocolate. Apparently after her 3 weeks of nothing but Cadbury's in Ireland in about 1980, my mom decided she wouldn't get stuck again starving. So we brought a suitcase full of chocolate.

This time I'm trying to be better, but I know I'll end up with my 2 trusty suitcases. The black one, which I've secured together with duct tape, because it's falling apart. And the blue American Tourister, which weighs a ton before I fill it. Yes. I'm American I need stuff. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Yup new template. You still have to click back on the blog to post after clicking the comments though - you thought I'd make it easy right?

A Letter from London

Sasoozie posted this on her blog and I thought it summed London's thoughts accurately:

http://www.lnreview.co.uk/news/005167.php

Terror on the Underground and an Ocean Away

Pete usually doesn't go to London, especially at rush hour. This week he did and for 3 days it didn't seem worrying until yesterday.

Thank god he arranged for his friend Kate to call me (getting my brother on the phone while I was in the shower) who told me Pete was ok despite what happened. I didn't know what happened.

Unusually I had just gotten out of bed at 7am and before checking anything online I jumped in the shower. After getting the message that something had happened, I turned on the TV and frantically moved the channels to a news station. CNN told me what I was wondering - bombings on the London Underground. At least Pete was safe.

Pete, his mum, grand parents, and friends of the family were working in London this week doing robing for graduations at a University. The train they were on from Liverpool Street missed the chaos by 15 minutes. Thank God.

I had knots in my stomach all day at my internship. I dialed Pete's mobile number frantically over and over again trying to get the network to connect me to his voice. I had to make sure myself that he was ok. It's amazing what scenarios you think about when you don't know. What if anyone with them is hurt? What if they were stuck somewhere? What if he told Kate to call me just so I wouldn't worry? What if....

They were safe at the university, apparently the graduation had to go on, and they had to dress students who didn't want to be there. Not because they didn't care, but because their they wanted to find out about their own friends and family that might be affected by the chaos.

After such an unusual day, Pete and his family got seats on the underground going back home. They all sat down. His mum got out grapes and asked if anyone wanted some..."Grapes anyone?" I guess life goes on.

------

I finally got in touch with Pete around 2pm on his mobile through a bad connection. It was so great to hear his voice.

How to Post Comments on my Wacky Layout:

Click on the comments text link ---> This will bring you back to the blank page with the icons going up the left side ---> Click on the blog icon and that will take you to the post with a link "Post a comment" ---> Click on the link and you can comment!

Hmmmm not too much going on here....less than 3 weeks until I'm in England! yay. I know it hasn't been long since Pete left but it just feels so weird being here this time of year. I was actually in the country for the 4th of July!!! Woohoo. Actually it was pretty crap...I spent it cleaning and watching tv and feeling depressed. But whatever.

Again I've been a bit slacking on the blog front, not much to report. I felt better on Weds and by Friday I was completely back to normal though I am off salsa and similar good for awhile - yuck! Went with two of my friends to The Cheesecake Factory on Saturday - OMG if you know of one and haven't gone...GO NOW!!! The food was great and the cheesecake was AMAZING. I had the Dutch Apple Caramel Streusel, which you can see a picture of on the website if you go to the Menu -> Cheesecakes -> Then click on the picture icon next to the name mmmmmm. Also had a busy day on Friday...updated my wedding blog with the BIG NEWS!!!

Been a bit lazy with my blog lately, basically just working and waiting til I go to England in late July :) I was up all night puking and with an upset stomach..I think I have this: Gastroenteritis I think I got it from my niece who I think has had it recently - the little carrier lol. It hasn't been bad today, at least the puking and upset stomach has calmed down..I just feel really weak and tired. Hopefully I'll sleep tonight and feel better in the morning. My ears have been bothering me too (as usual) really should get checked out soon lol. At least its not as bad as my food poisoning from pineapple chicken in July 2001 - that was horrible! Anyway I better end this here before my typing gets funny lol.

New template woohoo. Came across it on Blogskins.com and LOVE IT. Going to add all my links from my other template on here eventually but its late and I'm tired. Been doing my Save the Date's today...after a lot of drama they turned out ok. Only spending out like 35 invites because mostly inviting couple and small families, about 68 ppl so far I think. Anyway best be off...going to David's Bridal like an hour and a half away tomorrow...the quest for bridesmaids dresses begins!

Which Family Guy character are you?

I have some news...anyone wanna guess ????

AH most of you know already because you've read it elsewhere so I'll spill the beans....

I booked my flight to go to England from: July 25 (arriving on 26th) until August 25 yay!!!!

Pete got home safe and sound yesterday morning, seems like a long time ago since he was here but it was only like 2 days ago! Anyway, I'm back on the weight loss track, so if your interested read my wellness journal which should be linked over there ------>

Not too much else to talk about, saving up to book my ticket to England for late July - late August. Need to be back at college on August 31st so pushing it a bit close but oh well. Will keep this updated with any info!

Long time no post...been pretty busy here.

Pete leaves on Monday so we're going to spend the last few days just hanging out :) I'll miss him a lot but I should be there in August so we'll only be apart for 2 months yay!

I started my internship at a local tourism bureau, I'll be helping out the Communications and Internet departments :) Did three half days this week and its been nice so I think I'll enjoy it.

Have some more news too, we've been busy doing church stuff for the wedding: went to our focus group meetings and went to the all day Pre-Caana conference thing. So yesterday went to see if we could book a date with the church. Unfortunately the nun in charge was gone for the day so we ended up going to the reception venue and seeing what they had open :)
And guess what...we booked the venue for June 10, 2006 and paid the deposit!!!!!!!! So I hope this date is good with my bridemaid, going to email them soon, if not LET ME KNOW people hehe. This is the venue by the way: Riverside Pavillion

Thanks to Nat for this graphic:

Mmmmm cake:



Thanks to Jennie for the graphic:



Bear from here

Had a nice day, went to the motel where we had birthday cake with my grandma and nana and my parents. Got some presents including a good amount of money from my parents!!

Then we went to the Outback to meet Sara and Tiff - who took advantage of my Amazon wishlist and got me book: The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson and Confessions of a Shopoholic. And Sara also got me a cute purse :)

My other presents were:

From Pete's grandparents - the earrings in the picture from yesterday
From Pete's parents - the braclet in the pic from yesterday
Josie and Pete - the 21 album
Jan and Neil - the 21 quid in Next vouchers
Pete - the Me to You bears, guylians, and the jewelry box I linked to a few days ago and a new top I wore last night.



All in all it was a very happy birthday!!! Now I feel old lol.

It's my 21st Birthday today!!!! Here are the presents I received from my "english family" hehehe.



And a close up:



Needless to say I can't wait to get over there later in the summer to use my Next vouchers!!

New living room:



Pete and I - the night he arrived:

Pete's been here a week today, the time is going by fairly slow so that's good :) My birthday is on Monday, so still some time to buy your last minute presents hehe. We've been busy babysitting my niece and nephew and cleaning the house, my mom has been redecorating so its been interesting. We went shopping for my birthday and Pete bought me a lovely jewelry box. He also got me a travel jewelry box, that you can see here. But I have to wait for my other presents hehe. I guess that's about it for now. We bought "Closer" on dvd, really interesting movie, not for the those with faint ears though. Anyway best be off for now, will update again soon :)

After a stressful week of De-Clutter 2005 (name stolen from Sas lol) - my room is actually clean!!



...Just in time for Pete to get here this afternoon and mess it up again lol.

The red is named "rocking chair red." I did another coat of it last night but I missed a few spots because I couldn't see them, so touching them up today. We're only doing the one wall that color so its not that shocking. My dad was home to paint the other walls white, now we just have to do the base boards. My mom spent all day yesterday scrapping the wallpaper of one of the bathrooms so they can paint that tan. Lots of painting. I still have primer on my arm and somehow on my glasses lol.

Pete'll be here in a little over 30 hours :) He's packing now, only bringing one suitcase of course for 3 and a half weeks. I bring two for that long, but then again I'm a girl. And as I tell Lin as we try to stuff my cases into her little red Yaris: "I'm American, I need stuff!" Anyway that's about all on this end for now, still have to put my clothes back in my dresser, clean out the junk drawers (I have two in my dresser and one cabnet of book built in) and then wash the sheets on my bed (or change them as they're flannel and its the end of April in FL lol). Anyway, lots to do by tomorrow.

Painting the town...or wall...red:







It's only the first coat...I'll have to take pics of the finished product with the new furniture and everything :)

Still trying to unpack and clean, always fun still have way too much stuff! So Pete'll be here on Thurs so we might not be online a lot after that, though my mom is redecorating and we have no living room and being the computer is in the kitchen where there are the only places to sit, and my car is messed up, so we might be on quite a lot after all lol. I updated the layout on my wedding blog and changed the title. Too lazy to do the coding for a links so just look on the right menu for it --------->

Done with finals, packed up all my crap, and am back home. Tell me this - HOW AM I EVER GOING TO MOVE TO ENGLAND WITH ALL THE CRAP I HAVE ???? I'll be fun, I'll probably be disowned by half my family and my in-laws for screaming at everyone - because I get stressed out when I'm packing and moving.

Anyway - Pete blogged - check it out here

Technically two finals down and two to go, though I doubt if turning in a 2 page letter and watching Bend it Like Beckham for Post-Colonial lit really constitutes as a final! Almost all packed to move back home, my roommate left today, I didn't think I'd see her so I left her a note saying goodbye - then I saw her in the hall going back to the room and didn't say anything. I'm not one for soppy goodbyes when for 8 months we've barely spoken. Roll on next year and my own room (fingers crossed). Pete will be here a week from tomorrow!!! I'm excited to be having a proper birthday with him here, not like my family doesn't celebrate my birthday but its not the same. Its the first one we're able to spend in person! My in-laws are going shopping for my birthday presents this weekend (well Pete's mum and nan anyway). Anxious to see what they get me! Well only half an hour until my Editing and Layout exam, better go look over my notes a bit! Then I have Mass Media and Society tomorrow at 8am! At least I've done the notecards for that. Woohoo another year almost over and one more to go! My hasn't it gone by fast?!

Well I had a lovely weekend with William...Shakespeare. Yes I know he's long been dead but reading and writing down quotes from 4 of his plays took all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today. My eyes got so bad after reading for 7 hours straight on Saturday that I had to lay down instead of chat with Pete and ended up going to bed really early. Tonight I have to go over the quotes I wrote down and review the ones I want to for the essay test tomorrow. 2 Essays on 4 plays in an hour and 45 mins fun times. Then on Weds I have to turn in a 'learning letter' for post-colonial lit and take the Editing and Layout final (which I need to study for) and then study in between for Mass Media and Society on Thurs at 8am. Not much else going on...oh Pete will be here in 10 days!!!! Yay!!!! He's arriving in Orlando on next Thursday afternoon yay !!!!!! Anyway my roommate just left for the night, so back to studying bah.

You Are a Link Blogger!

Your blog is more about cool links than thougtful posts. Better to be entertaining and breif than longwinded and boring!

What kind of blogger are you?

JULIE
J	is for	Joyful
U	is for	Unusual
L	is for	Lovable
I	is for	Irresistible
E	is for	Elitist

What Does Your Name Mean?

51% (Dixie). Barely into the Dixie category.

Yankee or Dixie? I've been in FL too long I think ;)

Found on Jennie's blog

Gotta love a good wedding - they do look really happy bless them. It looks normal for them to be married if that makes sense.

The formal was interesting, couldn't say I had a great time but whatever. Went out to dinner with my friend Steph last night to the Outback mmmmmmm. Trying to write a paper but moving very slow on it. You might not hear from me for a few weeks as I get done with school and then finals next week ah!

So my third year of uni is coming to a close, don't worry I have one more year. Here in the wonderful U. S. of A. we basically send the last year of high school and first year of college twiddling our thumbs in an attempt to 'adjust,' meaning we spend the next 3 years getting stressed out and wishing it was over soon. And it is. Scary.

For the first time I'm going to an evening, non-academic function...yes a formal. God help me. The last time I danced as to "Hey Mickey" on New Years Eve with my In-laws and friends in a cheerleading costume. Tonight I'll dance to something more recent, in something less flashy, with people more my own age. And this scares me. I can socialize with half-pissed middle aged couples, but half-pissed 20 year olds? Not so sure. I've always gotten along better with older people, probably because thats close to my wannabe mental age. So here I sit, with my the name of my college plastered on my butt, waiting to see what time we're leave. I would take pics, but I don't have my camera.

So I told Pete I want one of these but there is no way I'm bidding $21 for it. I doubt if he'll get me one. 1) Because I think they only sell that crap in London or Windsor or some equally touristy place like that, not in Wickford or even the bustling metropolis of Basildon (god help us). 2) Because he couldn't care less and 3) because has he said "they're F***ing ugly. Any takers?

In other gift news, I called Pete tonight. My lovely mother in law answered the phone.

Lin: "We were just talking about you"
Me: Pause
L: "Only good things...about your birthday"
Me: Oh right!
L: I'll get Pete for you
Me: Ok
L: Alright bye
Me: Ok..bye.

So my in laws were talking about what I would like for my birthday. The big 21 - a month from Saturday. I told Pete they don't have to get me anything...but know them and that they spoil me rotten its useless to say to them. I really do like them, I'm glad I don't have scary future in-laws and we all get along fine and laugh and joke around. Like I told Pete the other day, his parents aren't really parents - only people that just so happen to have made him. ;) They're a laugh.

Pity for Poor Prince Charles Because lord knows he needs it. LOL

I hate computers, I hate stupid network connections!!!!! I have been trying for almost an hour to get onto AIM with no luck. Connection has been lost. WTF ???!!!!!!!! And hotmail takes ages to load, as usual. Its too late to call Pete even if I had a land line to call him on. I don't have enough sources for my paper due on Weds, I'm EXTREMELY behind in Shakespeare, and there is only one week of classes left before finals. AHHHHHH. I think I 'm going to destress by making a Amazon wishlist for my 21st birthday so people can by me crap...sound good ? I think so.

As if you need more - The wedding of the week. Sorry I cannot resist. Anyone want to place bets for who will be running to Barnes and Noble to buy a very overpriced Hello magazine (about what $6+) and glued to the TV for all the latest. You all know me too well - some habits never die and I will always be obsessed.

And the drama continues.

Not much else to report on really, oh I'm doing an article for my non-existant Advanced Reporting class on: Rate My Professor.com Another reason not to become a college professor I suppose, not that I wanted to be one anyway.

Oh and I got this adorable photo of my nephew and neice this morning in the mail from my sister:

You Are Medium Maintenance You aren't as hard to deal with as some girls But you aren't the most laid back chick either You're easy to deal with 90% of the time, but watch out for that 10%! If the guy you are with has good intentions, then calm down a little But if he's really screwing up, don't waste your breath - move on :-) Are You High Maintenance? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Weird array of posts today

Not quite me but OK....I think its because I said I correct typographical errors in my textbooks...but I do!!

Took image out bc it was too big to fit my layout and covered the right menu.

You are 'programming in QBASIC'. This programming
language (of which the acronym stands for
'Quick Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic
Instruction Code'), which is so primitive that
it cannot easily be used for any purpose
involving the Internet nor even sound, was
current more than a decade ago.

You are independent, in a good way. When something
which you need cannot be found, you make it
yourself. In writing and in talking with
people, you value clarity and precision; your
friends may not realize how important that is.
When necessary, you are prepared to be a
mediator in conflicts between your friends.
You are very rational, and you think of things
in terms of logic and common sense.
Unfortunately, your emotionally unstable
friends may be put off by your devotion to
logic; they may even accuse you of pedantry and
insensitivity. Your problem is that
programming in QBASIC has been obsolete for a
long time.


What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I got out of class an hour an a half year. Why? Because apparently my instructor (she's a reporter, or was, for the local paper) is moving to Texas tomorrow. Yes, Texas, tomorrow. Quite a shock, but like she said we can email her our last 2 assignment (articles) and it'll be like a real news agency doing a out-of-area or whatever report. I'm happy about not having to go to the class for the next 2 weeks at 5pm until around 7:30pm on Thursday. Wow only 2 more weeks of classes and then finals AH! Anyway was an interesting class tonight.

I've been exercising lately and trying to eat better for my diet challenge - losing 30 lbs or about that by August when I go to England (TBC) - check out my wellness journal -----> for details.

RIP

Finally she can rest in peace: Schiavo dies at 41

It's a terrible story, something that makes your stomach hurt with the thought of being starved to death. Whatever you think about the case, she's in a much better place now.

Baking with Julia

Holidays are about baking:





Mmmmm Oatmeal Carmelitas.





Mmmmm brownies.

And time at home is about shopping:





New flip flops.





New colorful handbag, cosmetic pouch, and wallet.

Have a Hoppy Easter.

Pete just told me about a young girl who was raped last night in Basildon :( Here's the article from BBC News. Poor little girl :(

Tangent Alert...

Not only is NBC doing a rip off of THE OFFICE - well I wasn't very impressed with it to begin with but still. But now they're ripping off Fever Pitch, a movie that came out in 1997 (thank you Scene It champion me)! It's a movie from the book by Nick Hornby. Well now the US version is coming out on April 8th: Fever Pitch rip off. Sorry its just lame...we're INDEPENDENT apparently but can America come up with its own ideas for TV and movies? Nope.

The long awaited U.S. release on DVD...



V.Good.

Went to see Hitch last night with a friend who was in my PR group last semester, the movie was a lot better than I expected. 4 out of 5 stars!

Men See You As Playful Men want a challenge and you are the perfect playmate You know how to push men's buttons and attract a wide range of guys You enjoy living and loving - it's one of your most attractive qualities Men are often consumed with desire for you, and you love that! How Do Men See You? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

I'm just posting so that my blog will republish...does anyone have this problem with publishing your blog after you edit the template or something...the little wheel goes around but it doesn't publish or publishes REALLY slow???!! Has happened more on the PC's than on Macs but on both for me. Bah.

Debating whether or not to order Bridget Jones Edge of Reason on Amazon (it comes out here in the US on Tues)- if I do pre-order it the dvd might get here by Weds, but since I'm off school on Thurs and Friday it might get here when I'm at home...so I might just wait and pick it up at Walmart or something on Tuesday. Usually they have sales on new releases if they're really popular...hmph.

All you need to know about St. Patrick's Day

One draw back of getting Felicity Series 4 on DVD is that I need to watch it immediately...therefore no work will get done. Ah.

U2 Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

*** Edited ***

I found the lyrics to my favorite song on the latest U2 album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" the song is entitled Fast Cars:


My cell is ringing
No ID
I need to know who's calling

My garden's overgrown
I go out on my belly crawling
I got CCTV, pornography, CNBC
I got the nightly news
To get to know the enemy

All I want is a picture of you
All I want is to get right next to you
All I want is your face in a locket
Picture in my pocket
I take a pill to stop it

I know these fast cars
Will do me no good

I'm going nowhere
Where I am it is a lot of fun
There in the desert to dismantle an atomic bomb
I watch you shadow box
Check the stocks
I'm in detox
I want the lot of what you've got
What you've got can make this stop

All I want is a picture of you
All I want is to be right next to you
All I want is your picture in a locket
Your face in my pocket
Take a pill to stop it

I know these fast cars
Will do me no good

Child inside

Don't you worry 'bout your mind
Don't you worry 'bout your mind
Don't you worry 'bout your mind
Don't you worry 'bout your mind

You should worry 'bout the day
That the pain it goes away
You know I miss mine sometimes

The size is much too big

There is no fiction
That will truly fit the situation
I'm documenting every detail
Every conversation
Not used to talkin' to somebody in the body
Somebody in a body,
Somebody in a body

The lyrics don't sound like much the the music to it is just great!

Yay!!! Pete booked his flight tonight to come here for my birthday!!!! He'll arrive in Orlando on April 28 and will stay until May 23rd!! Yay!!! Seems weird that he'll be here in 45 days, I guess it seems like I just left there even though its been over 2 months.

New template - its from a song on the most recent U2 album ;)

City of Blinding Lights

The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now

Neon heart dayglo eyes
A city lit by fireflies
They’re advertising in the skies
For people like us

And I miss you when you’re not around
I’m getting ready to leave the ground….

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Don’t look before you laugh
Look ugly in a photograph
Flash bulbs purple irises
The camera can’t see

I’ve seen you walk unafraid
I’ve seen you in the clothes you made
Can you see the beauty inside of me?
What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?

And I miss you when you’re not around
I’m getting ready to leave the ground

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Time… time
Won’t leave me as I am
But time won’t take the boy out of this man

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

The more you know the less you feel
Some pray for others steal
Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel… luckily

Seems I only update here on Tuesdays....

Well I'm sick again/still. This thing has been coming back ever since I got back from England in August!! On antiobiotics again, they seem to be working on and off, with the help of asprin or Nyquil. Last night I was feeling horrible and finally decided to go to sleep at 8:45 pm and woke up 12 hours later at 8:45 am. Think I helped but I'm not cured. I won't even go into a particularly disgusting incident this morning regarding mucus....

On a positive note...I went to Target on Sunday and got a box of Guylian seashells for $6 (which, with the exchange rate is about the same as in England - 3 quid.) But they only have them during Christmas and Easter :( I also go real cadbury caramel eggs (a pack of 4 for $1.89) mmmmm. So while I'm not really hungry for normal food with my illness, I'm putting away some great chocolate!

I also got 2 boxes of 50 Save the Date cards on clearance for $5 each, including a printer test sheet and envelopes. They're 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 card with a silver border around them and "Save the Date" at the top in silver. I'm going to start printing them when we have a wedding date confirmed - hopefully in May! I also started the guest list on theknot.com and did a wedding webpage for us on there too.