quarter life crisis

the one where I'm moving...

2008-03-11T09:20:00.003-05:00

...my blog. Check us out at: Foxy Flores Fam

the one where I'm getting married tomorrow!!

2008-03-08T00:44:00.002-05:00

I am getting married tomorrow!!! Everything went so smoothly today...nails, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner... I'm still a tiny bit under the weather, but I am taking some meds and pushing through. I can't wait for tomorrow. Next time I post I will be a married woman!

2008-03-05T10:46:00.002-05:00

I am fighting off a small cold...my throat is a little sore, I'm stopped up, and I feel a little achy. Pray that it goes away by tomorrow!! Same thing for the brand new, haven't-had-one-in-several-weeks pimple on my cheek. Where is my windex when I need it??

Things are coming together at wedding central! I'm working on a few tedious tasks...like printing labels for out of town guest bags and place cards for the bridesmaid luncheon. Printing those things always seems like it will be quick and easy, but it never is. I also need to finish writing notes to my girls and the hostesses of the luncheon and I need to wrap my gift to my mom. And I need to buy a black slip for my rehearsal dinner dress. And I need to get my eyebrows waxed! Not that you really wanted to hear my To Do list, but it is kind of cathartic to blog about it.

I'm getting REALLY excited! Today should be the last day of tedious stuff and then people start arriving tomorrow!! Hopefully my cold will be gone by then and I can just relax and enjoy my last 72 hours as a single gal! I am so ready to be married to Brian!

2008-03-03T00:50:00.002-05:00

Texas weather is weird. Tonight we're under tornado warning (or is it watch? I never really get the difference even though people explain it to me over and over). Tomorrow it might snow. Then somehow, miraculously, Saturday should be sunny and 61. How on earth does that work? I just hope its true!

Tomorrow we're getting our marriage license, shopping for apartments, and opening our joint checking account! Talk about big stuff. Brian also ordered a card for me on his credit card account. Weird. I bought his groom gift today, which I think he will really like and will hopefully have forever. Can't tell you what it is yet ( : I also found a perfect little thank you gift for my mom. Its a cute little heart shaped box that says "forever." I know its not much, but I think she will really like it. I had a big shower on Saturday and got some really nice things. Combined with all of the things we have gotten in the mail, I have my work cut out for me with thank you notes! But more than anything, seeing the huge pile of gifts just reminds me how many people out there really care about me and Brian. We are so blessed to have such thoughtful, generous friends and family. Its always nice to have a reminder that you are really truly loved!

I know the next few days are going to fly by. Pray that I will remember and notice all the little things and that time will move a little slower!

Cheers: to watching Father of the Bride with my dad
Jeers: to PMS making me me even more emotional than I would be already!

the one with the 10 day forecast!

2008-02-28T08:44:00.002-05:00

Here's our wedding day forecast: partly cloudy, high 66, low 44, 10% chance of precipitation. The weather channel says its a good day for a scenic drive. YAY!! Lets just hope it stays that way. I am in the middle of packing to go home and get married. Talk about pressure not to forget anything. Luckily I think I took home all the essential things over Christmas, like the pearls I'm wearing, the shoes, my ZTA pledge pin that counts as my something blue. I already feel like I'm over-packing because I'm taking two suitcases with me (mainly so that I can bring back a few of our gifts). Its all starting to feel very real!! Yesterday I took care of all my school responsibilities, so I don't have anything to worry about next week (unless I just feel like reading ahead for classes, yeah right). Other than packing, today I'm giving my apartment my 60 day notice that I'm moving out in May. Weird.

On Tuesday, my sweet puppy turned 3 years old. In honor of her birthday, she finally got her much-needed bath and a trip to Petsmart. We got her a toy that you can stuff a treat in while you're gone. She LOVES it. I can't believe she's already 3. At least she still acts like a puppy (without all the unpleasant puppy side effects, like cleaning the carpet).

Cheers: to a good forecast and a fast-approaching wedding!!

Jeers: to trying to get a response from people who have yet to RSVP

2008-02-25T18:11:00.002-05:00

10 years ago:
I was finishing 9th grade and was just a few months away from meeting my future husband at church. I was in the theatre group at school and was about to start driver's ed!

Things on my to do list today:
Get fingerprinted (for my bar application)
Clean my apartment in preparation for the boy moving in
Laundry
Reading for class
Submitting our wedding announcement to the Dallas Morning News (look for it 3/9!!)
Bathe my stinky dog

What would I do if I was suddenly became a Billionaire?
Travel all over the world with my husband, buy a cabin on a ski slope and a villa in Italy, and gifts for the lovely people in my life.

Three of my bad habits:
leaving partly used tissues around the house (gross, I know)
interrupting Brian
not checking my voicemail when people leave messages (and screening calls...sorry)

Five jobs I have had:
Winstead - law firm where I'll be working after school
Ogletree - another law firm
Omni Hotels - I did a little bit of PR
Camp Mystic
Score! - a tutoring center

Five things people don't know about me:
1. My hair has not been this long since I was 5
2. I never finish off a mug of coffee because the temperature is only right for about 8 minutes and I don't drink that fast
3. My Netflix list has 100+ movies on it (because Brian keeps adding movies like its his job) and it feels like one gigantic To Do list, which makes me just want to cancel the whole thing
4. I only like bitesize Snickers. They just taste better than an entire candy bar.
5. My new favorite drink is Malibu and Chocolate Martini Mix. Its like candy.

I tag these 5 people: Kasey, Sara, Jen McCrady, Julie, Kristy

the one with my deformed ear

2008-02-24T14:29:00.003-05:00

I have a problem. My ipod earbud headphones fall out of my left ear. I put them in to study and I sort of tilt my head while I read so that the left ear is on the downside. And 9 times out of 10 the headphone will fall out after a few minutes. I spend a lot of time putting it back in and trying to shove it far enough into my ear so that it will really stay in. The right ear stays in just fine, even when I tilt my head that way (which I have done several times as an experiment). I guess I need to go back to the dorky over-the-head headphones.

PS - I think Hillary Clinton sort of has a mullet. You would think that hair stylist and wardrobe consultant would be the first people hired on the first female presidential campaign. I guess Hillary has different priorities than me. Yet another reason why I can never vote for her.

the one with books as movies...hmmm

2008-02-21T20:19:00.007-05:00

Some of my very very favorite books are coming out as movies. I adore these books and I love the idea of them having them acted out for me, but I hope they're done right. I almost feel like I have a personal stake in how the movies turn out, which is kind of a weird thing to say about a movie.

First up is The Other Boleyn Girl, about Mary Boleyn (Anne's sister) who was King Henry XIII's lover before Anne became queen. I loved the book and learned a lot from it about Tudor England. I think Scarlett Johansen and Natalie Portman are good picks for the main character, but I'm a little worried because reviews of it so far haven't been great. I can't wait to see it either way. It comes out next weekend!! Maybe this will be one of the last movies I go see with my fiance?

When I read Confessions of a Shopaholic several years ago, I thought it would make a great movie. Girl shops too much. Girl gets in financial trouble. Hilarity ensues. After five installments, I still love Becky Bloomwood and her antics. I usually don't re-read books unless I really love them, and I have re-read most of these. Anyway, they (the mysterious Hollywood "they") finally announced that production had started on it last year! I was so excited. Then last week I read about the casting, etc. and found out they are setting the movie in NYC instead of London, which just makes me upset. Why take a good British comedy out of Britain? I wanted to see London shops and have British accents. And now the sequel - Shopaholic takes Manahattan - doesn't work at all. I'm very upset. It would be like taking Bridget Jones or Harry Potter out of England. It just wouldn't work. I'll still go see the movie, but grudgingly now instead of excitedly. At least I think they got the casting right. Isla Fisher looks like a Shopaholic. Its due out next year.

Finally, The Time Traveler's WIfe. I can't even describe how much I adore this book. It's a bizarre love story, but a sweet one. Henry spontaneously time travels in and out of Claire's life, but somehow they fall in love. This is one of those books where the love story just comes through the pages and grabs you as being real and true, not just a love story dictated to you by the author. Does that make any sense? Some books you just know they're in love because you can feel it, other books you know they're in love only because the author tells you they are. I like the first kind of love story infinitely more. But I digress. The movie looks like it is going to be perfect. It has Rachel McAdams, who I love, and Eric Bana, who is really cute. It comes out in November and I really cannot wait for this one.

If you haven't read these books, read them soon before the movies come out. They are so good.

the one with eight years!

2008-02-14T09:57:00.005-05:00

I woke up this morning to two wonderful surprises! Brian gave me some gorgeous gerber daisies (my favorite) and it snowed during the night! I took Latte out to play in the snow this morning before it melted away. What a nice way to start Valentine's Day!! Today marks the 8th anniversary of when I officially became Brian's girl. Eight years ago, we had gone on two dates and spent a lot of time flirting at church. Finally, after our Monday night Bible study on Valentine's Day, Brian gave me a red rose, a cute teddy bear, and a hershey's hug and kiss. He got very flustered and nervous and tried to ask me to be his girlfriend. After watching the poor guy suffer for a few minutes, I just said YES!! He hadn't even got the question out all the way. Luckily by the time he proposed to me six years later, he had had a little more practice talking to girls ( : I can't wait to be his wife in 23 days!!

light dusting of snow outside my apt

Latte sniffing the snow in her pink shirt

the one where it isn't interesting

2008-02-13T10:25:00.003-05:00

I don't have much to say...

unless you want to hear about how I broke two fingernails really bad and then cried because they might not grow out in time for the wedding.

unless you want to hear about all the editing I have to do for my law journal in order to send the next issue to the printer before spring break (i.e. before the wedding).

unless you want to hear about the rain that decided to pour when I was walking to class this morning and soaked me from the knee down.

unless you want to hear about my unimpressive workout record or my new interest in yoga that is making me sore.

unless you want to hear about how I need to start writing two research papers this week and don't even know what my topics are.

unless you want to hear about how BRIAN is having dreams about our wedding, including how his grooms cake was white instead of chocolate and decorated with a little bride and groom. Sounds like he's worried his cake will be a bride's cake.

unless you want to hear about how I can't find my iPod and hope that I didn't really lose it.

unless you want to hear about how my apt is disaster and I can't imagine adding a boy to it right now.

unless you want to hear about how I still need to shop for a dress to wear to the rehearsal dinner and gifts for our parents and a gift for Brian.

unless you want to hear about how Latte is going to turn 3 in two weeks and it makes me sad.

Cheers: to the end of the writers strike
Jeers: to cold wet feet

the one with soulja boy at the bowling alley

2008-02-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

On Saturday night I went bowling with Brian and two friends. Right after we got there "Extreme Bowling" started. They turned down the lights, turned on the disco lights and cranked up the dance music. On the lane next to us was a really big family with several little kids. You know what kind of crowd typically frequents bowling alleys on the weekend so you can just imagine what they were like. Well, after a few songs, Souja Boy comes on. ALL of the kids on the next lane break out with the whole choreographed dance. And by all, I mean even the TWO YEAR OLD little girl knew all the moves! It was the funniest thing I have ever seen. This Souja Boy video of Roo doing the dance is about the closest thing to what we saw.

In other news, I went to my first law school social function on Friday night. They had this big party called 100 Nights (Until Graduation) for the 3L class. I typically avoid all things law school but decided this one might be worth venturing out. We got dressed up, had some of the free food and drink, did a round of mingling and left after an hour and a half. Not exactly the most fun ever, but not bad either. Maybe I should have made this effort two years ago...oh well....

We had some people over for the Super Bowl last night. We got Papa Johns (with no problems despite my mom's warning that this was the "busiest pizza night of the year") and had some queso and this amazing Mississippi Mud Cake. It was chocolatey, marshmellowy, gooey goodness. I was unimpressed with the game until the very end and equally unimpressed with the commercials. I remember laughing at a few of them, but can't remember which ones now.

Not a lot else going on. School is about to get busy with journal stuff and class and writing two papers. Wedding stuff is winding up. I got my bridal portraits back and love them. We're finalizing music and working on the program. Other than that, not much to do! I have decided to make a better effort at taking care of myself for the next month: getting enough sleep, working out, drinking more water, taking off my make up at night, and avoiding stress. We'll see how that goes ( :

Cheers: to people buying things off my registry! so exciting!
Jeers: to ripping my fingernail partway off during bowling and having limited use of my thumb right now

2008-01-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

Quick question for you married folks and anyone else with an opinion on the matter. Did you buy your parents and in-laws a gift for your wedding? If so, what did you get them? I need some ideas!

the one with the bar application

2008-01-30T10:44:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I finally mailed off my bar application!! This is a really big deal. The application has been on my To Do List since NOVEMBER. I can't even tell you how good it felt to cross that off. The application is a pretty scary thing. Its about 20 pages long, requires a handwriting sample, a picture, three notorized affidavits, extensive employment history, several character references, and multiple questions about my criminal background. Scary. Almost as scary as the three day exam awaiting me in August.

On a lighter note, the people at the post office were really nice to me. I had to send the application via certified mail, which I had never done before. After seeing that my packet was headed to the Texas Bar Examiners, she announced the the whole post office that I was going to be a lawyer. Then all the workers started telling me their lawyer stories and congratulating me and wishing me luck on the exam. The lady I was working with kept assuring me that they would make sure my application got there safely and that I had nothing to worry about. When I left, they all wished me luck and clapped. Too cute. I love it when strangers help you celebrate important moments in your life.

Cheers: to finding a good plane ticket to Jen's wedding!
Jeers: to only managing to get one or two workouts in per week, instead of my goal of four

the one with ZTA and ATO

2008-01-29T22:18:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, Brian and I decided to go explore Virginia since we just have a few months left in this state! We drove across the state to the Blue Ridge Mountain to visit Lexington, home to Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. Part of the reason for going was to see the Blue Ridge, part to see Lee Chapel where Robert E. Lee is buried, and part to see the birthplace of ATO. Brian's fraternity was founded at VMI and had this cool fountain and plaque commemorating the frat.

After we left Lexington, we drove to see Appomattox Courthouse, which is where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. Brian was excited to see a little piece of history (and you know how much he loves his history). Then we drove to Farmville, VA to see Longwood College where my sorority was founded. After seeing the ATO fountain, I was expecting something equally grand from my ZTAs. No such luck. They had a sign that recognized the four sororities that were founded at Longwood, including ZTA. Two of the other sororities had their own benches or fountains, but Zeta didn't have anything special. I did find a few crowns painted on the sidewalk, but who knows if Zetas put them there. I was a little disappointed, but it was still fun to see the place where it started.

2008-01-25T23:38:00.000-05:00

Friday night in the apartment workout room. Four law school girls working out. I have to say that makes me a little sad. I blame law school for our lack of social activities.

the one with 43 days

2008-01-25T11:04:00.000-05:00

Just to set the record straight, I have been counting down to things my whole life, not just since I got engaged. Until I was in high school, I started the countdown to my birthday at least two months out. And I put up my Christmas count down calendar at 99 days. And I have had a countdown to law school graduation on my desktop since at least 500 days till graduation. I count down to lots of things: Baylor Homecoming, season premiers of favorite shows (6 days until Lost, in case you were wondering), birthdays, Christmas, graduation, vacations, exams, movies, fridays, etc. Its not just because I'm getting married in 43 days.

Life is pretty good right now. School is only moderately busy and fairly low on the stress-o-meter. My application to take the Texas Bar is the most stressful thing I'm dealing with at the moment. I have to track down all my supervisors from every job I have had since I was 18. Seems easy, but its not. The application also asks questions about whether I've ever been disciplined at a job or had any sort of criminal record. I don't think I have, but it is making me paranoid that I robbed a bank in my past and then blocked out the memory.

In wedding news:

I took my bridal portraits last weekend and had so much fun! I felt like a princess. We took some pics in the studio and some at the arboretum. I can't wait to see the proofs next week!
Our invitations went out and we already have some RSVPs! I feel like giving the mailman a hug for moving stuff along so quickly.
Brian's parents booked a new rehearsal dinner spot! We'll be at the La Hacienda Ranch in Carrollton.
Now we're just working on the wedding program, music, and other little things.

Cheers: three day weekends
Jeers: not knowing how to spend the weekend

the one with mavs

2008-01-23T15:11:00.000-05:00

At the end of Christmas break, I went to a Mavs v. Heat game with Brian and my sister and her boyfriend. We had some really really great seats (courtesy of Dad's work). You could practically smell the sweat. Plus I like seeing the really tall guys like Shaq and Dirk. Its funny how the 6'3 players look really shrimpy when they're next to the 7'0 ones. The game was really close. Down to 2 or 3 points in the last few minutes so we were on the edge of our seats. We also treated ourselves to some yummy Dryers chocolate icecream...mmmmm....so much for new year's resolutions!

2008-01-13T19:36:00.000-05:00

We just bought our plane tickets home for our wedding!!! Its starting to get really really real!!!

Yesterday was Brian's 25th birthday. To celebrate, we picked up coffee and chickfila for breakfast and drove up to Alexandria, VA. We shopped around this cute area and then toured George Washington's free mason lodge. That may sound like a boring birthday to you, but Brian loved it. Then we had dinner at a French bistro in Colonial and treated ourselves to dessert! I've been a bad fiance and still owe him birthday and Christmas gifts, but everyone likes dragging out the fun, right?

I spent the last week trying to re-adjust to school life. My apartment is almost back in order, but my to do list just keeps growing. Everytime I cross something off, I add two more. I did manage to work out 2 times this week, which is more than normal, but not as much as I would like. I was pleasantly surprised with my grades from last semester, esp considering how stressed I was during exams. But my grades were good, so I feel more confident starting the new semester.

Things are coming together with the wedding. We're picking out pictures for our slideshow right now and trying to get things settled again with the rehearsal dinner. Next weekend I have my bridal portraits and the final meetings with the florist, the wedding planner, and the church. We're finalizing our programs and music. My dad and I are taking a dance lesson together. We're so close!

Cheers: to online shopping!
Jeers: to skinny lattes...really not tasty

the one with our couple's shower

2008-01-13T08:59:00.000-05:00

Before Christmas, two of my bridesmaids, Sara and Leslie, threw us a couples shower. We had a really good time hanging out with our friends and catch up. One of the best parts was a competition to build a dream house for us out of gingerbread stuff. There were three groups and it was hilarious watching them try to build elaborate gingerbread houses for us. One had a garage with a porsche and our favorite included a palace for Latte. We also did some Christmas karaoke...including a trio by the Flores Brothers. Very funny. Here are some pics from our first shower!

Group #1 Ready to Build

Group #2...their roof fell thru

The winning house from Group #3 of all boys

Karaoke by Brian and his brothers

Brian tried REALLY hard not to break any bows

Me with the fab hostesses, Sara and Leslie

the one with a science experiment

2008-01-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

Hypothesis: coffee will remain liquid forever

Materials: coffee and 1 travel mug

Method: pour coffee into travel mug, screw lid on tightly, place in corner of counter, forget for a month

Result: coffee turns to a solid form and grows mold

Lesson: always rinse out your coffee mugs!!

the one with the last first day of school!!

2008-01-07T23:18:00.000-05:00

Today was my last first day of school EVER! What a crazy thing. No more school. No more degrees. No more learning. Hahaha. After going to school basically since I was 4, I finally made it to the end 20 years later! My classes today went pretty well. The profs seem nice and hopefully the stuff won't be too boring. One good thing is that the classes I picked have early exams or papers, so I'm DONE with class on April 23!! Then I'll have almost 2 weeks to pack and relax before graduation. Its going to be a fabulous semester!

I'm a little behind on updating you with pictures of things over the break, so expect some belated posts this week.

Cheers: to Apple fixing my laptop and getting it back to me in 4 days
Jeers: to Cozymel's shutting down and making us have to search all over agin for a rehearsal dinner spot

the one with 2008

2008-01-03T08:53:00.001-05:00

It's finally here! The year that Brian and I finally get married!! Besides becoming a wife and changing my name, 2008 is going to be a big year for me. Get married March 8. Turn 25 on March 24. Graduate law school May 11. Take the Bar in July. Start real job with real income in September. Thats big stuff!! I'm looking forward to all of it...except the Bar.

Cheers: to Crest White Strips

Jeers: to being computer-less for the next 10 days!

the one with s'mores

2007-12-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

Can you believe Christmas is over already? I hope you had a very merry one with your family and friends. I sure did.

A few days before Christmas, some friends came over and we lit my parent's fire pit in the backyard and roasted marshmallows. They were so good! We even got graham crackers that were gingerbread flavored and had some dark chocolate to use. It was so nice to sit by the fire, drink hot chocolate and spiked eggnog, and chat. Except for the smokey smell and stinging eyes, it was a perfect night. Here are some pics for you to enjoy!

The whole group

Finger-lickin' good

Goofy Brian and Mikey

the one where I'm DONE!!!

2007-12-17T14:52:00.000-05:00

I'm done with finals. YAY!! The last one wasn't too bad, or maybe I'm just highly apathetic. Now all I have to do is clean my messy little apt and pack my little rear off to go home tomorrow!! My bebe is taking me to a nice dinner tonight at an authentic colonial tavern to celebrate (granted, we do have a coupon for a free dinner, but its still nice to go somewhere nice to celebrate)! Then tomorrow I just need to finish packing and doing a few little errands before my flight.

some things I'm looking forward to over the break (in no particular order):
1. reading several chicky books, starting with Austenland and then The Boleyn Inheritance
2. picking up my wedding dress
3. playing monopoly with Brian's family
4. MEXICAN FOOD
5. wassail
6. seeing friends and family
7. my bachelorette party in Austin!!
8. seeing my grandparents
9. starting 2008 aka the year I graduate, get married, turn 25 and start a real job!
10. shopping at my favorite malls
11. seeing a lot of good movies...starting with Atonement, Juno and Kite Runner!
12. seeing my precious puppy again
13. roadtripping down to Corpus and back with my sister

and...of course...

CHRISTMAS!!!

the one with a few pictures

2007-12-15T08:32:00.000-05:00

A day in DC at the Modern Art Museum

My pretty Christmas wreath

At Grand Illumination in Williamsburg

At the Christmas Party for Brian's work

Two exams down (the last one was REALLY hard), one to go!

the one with no title

2007-12-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

One exam down, two to go. The first one, employment, wasn't too bad. Tomorrow I take Land Use, which is an 8 hour exam for a 2 credit class. Seems a little excessive to me and its impossible to concentrate on a test for that long. Quite ridiculous.

In wedding news, we're really close to finishing the design on our invitations. I love them. We should have them next week! And my mom picked up my veil, which I can't wait to see. And some wonderful friends are throwing us a couples shower over the break (night of Dec. 23rd if you're in town). I can't wait to see all our friends again! Also I found out my mom's cousin designs jewelry, so I think she is going to custom-make my wedding band to go with my engagement ring. Personalized, unique, and less expensive...gotta love that!

Thanks for the blog updates and pictures! You are helping me to procrastinate!

Cheers: to Lost Season 3 on DVD!
Jeers: to feeling like a lump of lard who hasn't done anything but sit in a chair and study for 2 whole weeks

the one with a new low

2007-12-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to report that I am watching "Holiday in Handcuffs" on ABC Fam.

I'm a little embarassed to admit this.

I just can't study anymore about Title VII or Family Medical Leave or OSHA.

the one where I miss FB

2007-12-11T13:17:00.000-05:00

I miss FB. Without it, my life is emptier. Since I can't check FB every 5 minutes, I check my email and my blog friends. But no one ever emails or updates. You people need to update more often so that I have things to read.

Exam #1 in 17 hours.

I really don't want to study anymore.

the one where I remembered why the library bugs me

2007-12-09T16:04:00.000-05:00

I'm studying in the library, which is a very rare thing for me. I only resort to the library when everywhere else has failed me. Home is too distracting because of the tempation to eat and nap and watch tv. Starbucks has been too cold and too tempting to drink too many sugary holiday drinks. Barnes and Noble doesn't have enough laptop plugs. Panera Bread tempts me to buy food instead of finishing off stuff at home. Basically I'm restless and tired of my normal studying haunts.

So I'm at the library.

Which was going perfectly well for a while. I had a table to myself, a nice view of some fall trees, and a quiet atmosphere.

Enter the crunchers. A bunch of 2Ls who brought a can of candied popcorn. Don't they know that studying is not a party? Then this guy sat down at my table. He's one of those people who feels the need to thrash around when he turns pages. I really don't understand that. Then he went to get crackers (hello, Mr. Cruncher) and a coke. Now he's making caffeine burpy noises, which I have to assume he doesn't know other people can hear. Its just gross.

This is why I avoid the library.

A girl just came in with a can of pringles. I can't make this stuff up.

the one with somehow

2007-12-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Like Sara, I too should be studying. I just can't seem to do it. I open the books. I stare at them. I try to read my notes. I know that I'm really uprepared but somehow I just don't care. Somehow I end up going to breakfast with Brian and then shopping. Somehow I take a nap in the middle of the day. Somehow I watch an entire movie while I eat dinner. Somehow I sneak onto facebook. Somehow I find time to update my wedding website and my blog.

I have a final in Emp Law on Wed, then Land Use on Friday, then Business Associations next Monday. Thats it! Emp shouldn't be too bad, Land Use might be rough and Biz is going to be like taking a final in another language (par value? fiduciary duty? what???). So close. I'll be back in the homeland eating Whataburger next Tuesday night.

Nothing else interesting to report.

Cheers: to candles that really smell like christmas cookies
Jeers: to having to have brian change the password to Latte's facebook profile so that I really can't log on at all. No more cheating.

Confession

2007-12-05T08:13:00.000-05:00

Now that it has gotten cold, I check outside my window every morning right when I get up to see if it snowed overnight, even though no one has forecasted any snow.

the one with December...what??

2007-12-03T20:03:00.000-05:00

How is it December? Seriously. Time is going by much too quickly, at least as far as school goes. As much as I want to be done with the semester and law school in general, I am really dreading finals this time around. I'm very under-prepared. (Please don't take this as an invitation to post comments like "you'll do fine" and "it'll be okay" because that just irritates me). At least I have a little good news: the first TWO issues of my law journal went to the printer!! Last year they didn't send off issue two until February, so I feel pretty good about my managing editorial skills. Its kind of a big deal.

On Sunday, the Burg had a big holiday kick-off called Grand Illumination. In the colonial area, the little fife and drummers played Christmas music and then they set off 3 simultaneous fireworks displays. It was by far the coolest fireworks thing I've ever seen. I don't really know how to describe them, but they were a lot cooler than the basic ones. I set up my Christmas tree (or Christmas shrub, as Brian likes to call my 3ft tree) this week and all my decorations. I'm also wearing my reindeer pajama pants, so I feel very spirited. Oh and I got a really cute wreath from Pier One.

In other news (ie. skip this part if you don't want to hear about wedding details and countdowns), we're in double digits. 95 days to be precise. Things are moving along. Just need to convince certain people to buy their mother of the bride dress and certain other people to book our rehearsal dinner. And need to pick out wedding bands. And find new bedding to register for since the stuff we wanted isn't available anymore.

Back to the grind...

Oh, and I am taking a leave of absence from facebook right now (forced being that Brian changed my password so that I can't log in) because I need fewer distractions.

Cheers: to books about Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy
Jeers: to tv writers going on strike

the one with the Christmas card picture

2007-11-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

Every year the christmas card picture is drama in my house. Inevitably, my mom picks a time to take the picture when someone has to be somewhere or someone doesn't have the right clothes or someone has not had time to straighten her hair. This year, instead of taking the picture when all 5 of us were in Chicago, my mom waited until the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when my sister and I had flights to catch, to take the picture. So we planned to take the picture after church (i.e. 12:45). Around 1:15, with only 15 minutes until my sister has to leave for the airport, we start to wonder where my dumb brother is. He decided that "come over right after church" really meant "go home, eat lunch, watch some tv, and then take your sweet time coming over." He finally showed up, we get all posed, snap one picture, and then the camera battery dies. So then the search is on for the charger and an extension cord. Then the memory card is full. So we have to get another camera. Then the dogs are in the way. Etc. Etc. By the time we finally take enough pictures to have one where we all look good, Meredith is running 15 minutes late for her flight. My dad starts yelling that Meredith will miss her flight, Meredith starts panicking, my mom tries to rush her to the car, Meredith starts crying and yelling at Scott for being late, my mom yells at Scott for making Meredith cry, Scott yells at us for not having the camera properly charged....drama all the way around.

Don't be fooled by happy smiles on the Christmas card pictures you get.

Cheers: to decorating for Christmas tonight!
Jeers: to not knowing what on earth my professor is talking about because I'm so behind!

the one with scattered thoughts

2007-11-19T13:26:00.000-05:00

I'm back home, in the new guest room (at least until my Maw comes and then I get booted to my sister's room). It really isnt as wierd as I thought it would be to have everything rearranged.

I also have a cold, thanks to spending 65+ hours editing with Julie, the editor in chief of my journal, who has been sick. I feel better today since my mom has medicated me and I got about 12 hours of sleep last night.

My project for the week is my business associations outline for my looming exam. Unfortunately, I haven't paid attention in class or done my reading since about September so I have no idea where to start.

I'm really sad about leaving Brian in Williamsburg by himself for Thanksgiving.

I'm excited about seeing some friends this week! Jen and I are having coffee tonight, my sister gets home tomorrow, Friday and Saturday I get to see Kasey, Emily and Sara! Hopefully Leslie will be home at some point, too.

Oh and I did find my phone. Barnes and Noble had it. Big relief.

Thats really all I can think of to tell you. Blogging didn't waste nearly enough time. I suppose I have to start studying.

the one with a sad new reality

2007-11-14T07:57:00.001-05:00

I have been officially kicked out. Of my house. Thats right. My mom decided to rearrange the rooms in our house. For the last few years, my room has had all my stuff and my greatgrandmother's furniture. For some reason my mom decided to flip my room with my brother's old room. So now "my room" has a big desk, a fold out couch, and a tv. And they aren't going to call it my room anymore. They're calling it the study. And they're calling the room with my furniture the guest room.

I have been kicked out.

I guess its because I'm getting married in four months? But still. Its a little wierd not having a room to go home to over Thanksgiving. When I'm home, I have the choice of sleeping: on the pull out couch (boo), on an air mattress (boo), or on the floor in my sister's room (boo).

Cheers: to sending the first issue of my journal to the printer TODAY!!!!!

Jeers: to misplacing my phone ) :

the one with a valuable skill

2007-11-12T08:10:00.000-05:00

The low-tire light on my car has been on for about a week. I have been living in constant fear of walking out to a flat tire. So finally on Sunday I convinced Brian to go with me to put air in my tires. Once we got to the gas station, we realized that neither of us has ever really learned how to check tires or use air machines or anything. Luckily I got an electronic little tire guage in my stocking last year (thanks Mom). After reading the car manual and getting grease on our hands, we got my tires pumped and the low-tire light turned off. We're now considering opening our own car repair shop: Flores Fix-It Shop.

The last week I've barely seen sunshine because I've been in the journal office in the basement. We are close to sending our first issue to the printer, which is a huge accomplishment. Over the last week, the editor-in-chief (Julie) and I have re-read every single one of the 450 pages to looking for mistakes (and catching a lot). Its been grueling. And we're starting our final review of Issue 2 as soon as this one goes to the printer. No rest for the weary.

I spent the weekend recovering - bubble bath, going to bed at 10, catching up on sleep, and reading for class. Sunday was really fun. We went to Richmond to finish registering at Dillards and do a little shopping and eat at Chipotle for lunch and PF Chang's for dinner! Right now I'm watching an episode of Ugly Betty and getting ready for another long week in the journal office. The light at the end of the tunnel is going home for Thanksgiving on Sunday!!

Cheers: Christmas blend coffee!
Jeers: dreams about failing exams...already!

the one with a wedding whirlwind!

2007-11-07T23:46:00.000-05:00

I went home last weekend with Brian for the first time since JULY for Brian's (younger) brother's wedding. We flew home Halloween night and hit the ground running the next day doing stuff for our wedding. Here's a re-cap of what we accomplished:

Went to cake tastings at three bakeries. We picked our favorite and have initial designs on both cakes. They are going to be so yummy and pretty! And the cake lady's name is Elena!
Picked out linens for the reception. Brian and his mom got to see the reception site for this first time and they liked it!
PICKED UP MY WEDDING DRESS!!!!! And it fits!! And it looks good with the shoes I had!
Met with the lady who is designing my invitations, programs and stationary and got our initial ideas going.
Had premarital counseling with our minister.

Lessons learned: communicate!
And, "a man is a microwave, a woman is a crockpot."

Consulted with my make-up lady and picked out my colors.
Designed my veil with a lady who makes personalized veils.
Had my first dress fitting.
Went shopping with my mom and future mother-in-law for their dresses. They were being very silly and both found dresses they love.
Shopped a little for wedding bands. I think we both know what we want now!
Sorted through pictures of us growing up for our slideshow!

I think thats it. I was so exhausted after the weekend and on a little bit of sensory overload, but it feels good to have some big things accomplished. I love that we're getting to the exciting decisions (aka the ones that involve food and colors and such).

Marcus and Amanda's wedding went really well. The rehearsal dinner was tasty, and several people gave very sweet toasts (only a few roasts). Then Saturday morning I went to take the MPRE (ethics exam for the bar). I didn't study nearly as much as I should have, so be praying that I passed because the next time its offered is on my wedding day, which would not be very convenient. Anyway, after the test, the fun began! Their wedding was at 2 and the chapel looked very pretty. The ceremony went smoothly...flower girl and ring bearer made it down the aisle...everyone said the right words...no one cried too much... They had a reception at the church with the cakes and bouquet toss and all that. We had about an hour or so of downtime between that reception and their dinner reception, so all of the wedding party, including the bride and groom, went to Starbucks! They got free drinks and the baristas even wrote "husband" and "wife" on their cups. Cute. The dinner recepion was really fun - good steak, good DJ, lots of dancing!! I even managed to get Brian's dad out on the dance floor with me for a while, which was really funny. Overall the wedding festivities were really fun and I hope it is the start of a good marriage for my future brother and sister-in-law!!

Cheers: to COLD weather and gingerbread lattes. And to getting mexi food and Whataburger!!

Jeers: to 250 pages of editing + 300 pages of class reading = stress

the one with a little of this, a little of that

2007-10-28T23:03:00.001-05:00

Game 4, bottom of the ninth, 2 outs, no pressure. Thats right. I'm watching the World Series. The Sox just won.

I just did a little blog reminiscing. A year ago I posted about going to Baylor Homecoming. Two years agao I posted about Latte's halloween costume. She was a pumpkin. Its fun to go back and see what was going on in my life. Some things really haven't changed - like my comments about school, stress, tv, my dog, and lack of sleep.

This weekend has been pretty good. Williamsburg finally got some rain and the temp dropped below 70. I actually needed longsleeves and closed-toe shoes for the first time in ages. Friday night I went to a wine tasting thing at the winery and then to a halloween party. Yesterday we took Latte to colonial. She got to meet some sheep and she learned about squirrels. Her new mission in life it to catch a squirrel. I had dinner at a new sushi place and then saw Dan in Real Life with Brian. I really liked the movie, you should go see it. Today I bought an absolutely gorgeous dress at the outlets and I can't wait to find someplace to wear it. I also made some really good curried chicken and rice soup. The next few days are going to be tough - I need to write a paper, study for the ethics exam for the bar, and do a ton of editing for my journal. BUT the light at the end of the tunnel is going home on Wednesday night for my future brother-in-law's wedding and for a lot of fun wedding planning of my own. I haven't been home since July so I'm really looking forward to some good Mexican food and time in Dallas!!

Cheers: to picking up my wedding dress at the end of the week!!
Jeers: to grocery stores that stock expired food

2007-10-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

Wonder which one I'll be?

Cheers: to Latte getting well
Jeers: to my employment paper which is still unwritten

2007-10-22T20:32:00.000-05:00

Update #2: Latte is feeling much better. They got her re-hydrated at the vet today and now she's home with some meds. She's going back to the vet tomorrow so they can monitor her while I'm in class, but I think she's going to be just fine. Thanks for being concerned ( :

2007-10-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

Update: they are keeping Latte for the day, putting her on an IV and doing blood work to see if her pancreas is okay. Poor dog.

the one where I don't know how you moms do it

2007-10-22T08:28:00.001-05:00

Latte is really sick. It started at about 2 am Sunday morning. It was so bad that I had to clean her bed and give her a bath. Then again at 3. Then about 4:30. And then I couldn't go back to bed. She seemed fine for a while with a few spaced out episodes. Last night was fine. Then this morning she has thrown up at least 10 times. I don't know how there can possibly be anything left in her little system! She's done so much that my carpet cleaner bottle is empty and I'm almost out of paper towels and all my rags need to be washed (again). I feel so bad for her and so frustrated with all the cleaning and nastiness. I have no idea how you moms out there handle this stuff with little humans.

Cheers: to all my young mom friends who handle projectile vomiting, etc. on a daily basis

Jeers: to the prospect of getting a sick dirty dog to the vet this morning

the one with (too much) tv

2007-10-20T10:29:00.000-05:00

So I have had two dreams lately that make me think that I might possibly watch too much tv.

Dream #1. I am friends with the Desperate Housewives. I'm over at Susan's, hanging out with her and Gabby. Then Gabby gets angry with Carlos and starts throwing a fit. She trashes Susan's stuff and Susan has to kick her out. I help Susan throw Gabby's stuff out in the mud. Then Lynette comes to pick Gabby up and everyone is yelling at everyone.

Dream #2. I am on The Bachelor. We're at a party and we finally get some one-on-one time. He tells me that he really likes me and that the other girls are just dumb. Then he secretly asks for my number so that he can call me and we can keep talking and go on some secret dates without the other girls knowing. But we run out of time for him to write down his number for me and so I have to slip him my number on a little piece of paper. The dream ends with me waiting for him to call.

If I have a dream where I'm a patient on Grey's Anatomy or a victim on Pushing Daisies, then I'm going to have to consider cutting down on my tv time.

Cheers: to starting my countdown to Christmas (66 days!) (don't freak out, I still don't put up any decorations until after Thanksgiving)

Jeers: to my unwritten employment law paper

the one where Chicago was WICKED!!!

2007-10-17T07:22:00.000-05:00

I have been in Chicago with my whole family (including Brian!!) for the last 4 days! It felt like we were there for a really long time because we got to do so many fun things and eat at some really good places. So much for the working out I had been doing!! And I even brought my running shoes on the trip...what a waste of suitcase space!!! Here's a quick overview: Friday we spent time on Navy Pier. We rode the ferris wheel and laughed at each other in the fun house mirrors. Saturday we went to the Field Museum to see Sue, the biggest complete T-Rex. We had lunch at this Irish Pub and then went to the top of Sears Tower - just 103 stories up in an elevator that goes 18 mph. Yikes. We had dinner at one of Chicago's deep dish pizzerias and then went to see WICKED!!!! I don't even have words to describe how much I loved the show. It was so fun to watch and the music was so good and we had AMAZING seats. Row 6. Wow. Sunday we did some shopping on Magnificent Mile - got some super cute purple flats and two cute scarves and some jewelry. Of course we went to the art museum for Brian that afternoon! Monday we went to the aquarium and saw a baby balooga whale, a really cute sea otter, a komodo dragon, and a cool dolphin show. That night we had an awesome dinner at a steak house with my parents. I was so stuffed. Overall the trip was full and fun. Its just fun to explore a new city. I think the best thing was that Brian and my family got a chance to sort of reconnect, which was really nice to finally see happen.

Cheers: to my wedding dress finally arriving!!!! I cannot wait to go pick it up!

Jeers: to school and papers and editing. blah.

the one with a fall weekend

2007-10-08T07:26:00.000-05:00

This weekend, in spite of the not-so-fall weather, I embraced the season. On Friday night, I went with Brian to Hallowscream at Busch Gardens (the theme park here). The park has been ranked as one of the prettiest in the country and it deserves the ranking! The whole park was decorated for Halloween and had several haunted houses set up. Each one had a different theme and included a lot of scarily dressed people who would jump out at you or make noises or try to scare the crap out of you. I think one of the creepiest parts was walking down this mirror lined hallway with creepy lights and seeing other people stare out at you. Creepy. They also had people throughout the park dressed in scary clothes who would creep up behind you or follow you. I was proud of myself for not being a huge chicken. We also rode some of the big roller coasters, at least until we started feeling sick. It was a fun night!

Saturday was one of the best fall days ever. We rode the ferry across the James River to a farm in Surry County where you can pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch!! We took Latte and she thought getting to run around like a banshee was heavenly. They have so so many kinds of pumpkins: jack-o-lantern ones, tiny baby ones, pie pumpkins, huge white ones, striped ones and Cinderella pumpkins. We took our time finding the perfect pumpkins for carving. We also got a few pie pumpkins and we're going to try to make a pumpkin pie from scratch. As in from the pumpkin. We'll see how that goes. And we got several small ones for decorating. I can't wait to pick out my carving design for my perfect pumpkin. I haven't carved a pumpkin in years!!

Sunday started with a (free!) pumpkin spice latte on the way to a day in DC! We ate some pei wei, walked around the city, browsed a new exhibit at the art museum, and did some reading by a fountain. Okay, so none of those things are very "fall" specific, but at least I had a PSL to start it off!!

Cheers: to getting married 5 months from today! and to getting 2 magazines in the mail on Saturday! and to heading to Chicago in 4 days!

Jeers: to needing to write a paper and study for the upcoming ethics exam for the bar!

the one with 10 reasons why I love my dog

2007-10-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

1. She likes to stay in bed and act super sleepy after I get up
2. She has one whisker thats curly and all the others are straight
3. She comes running every single time a bag of shredded cheese is opened, hoping for a handout
4. Her love of tennis balls is insatiable

5. She runs to the window to watch me when I leave
6. She knows the names of her toys and will go get them for you (this one is Cleatus, the football player)

7. She knows what the word "nap" means and jumps up on the couch to cuddle when I say it
8. She HATES greeting cards that sing and flips out whenever I open one
9. The only time she voluntarily gets in her crate is when she knows I'm running the bathwater for her and not me
10. She barks at things she doesn't understand: bikes, skateboards, brooms, etc.

the one with grown up bedding

2007-10-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

This is the bedding that I think I like. Only I would get it maybe in a light green on brown instead of the blue. I think its sophisticated. Brian likes it too. Let me just say that picking out bedding has been the hardest thing! The down side to this stuff is that its available only online from Restoration Hardware and its a little expensive. Part of me just wants to order it myself and then register for some matching sheets somewhere else. I am a little wary of ordering something to important online. Its just hard to decide what to do!

In other news (that's for you Kase), I'm going to Chicago for Fall Break with my family and Brian!! Four full days in the city. Shopping on Magnificent Mile. Watching a show (maybe Wicked!!). Letting my parents pay for nice meals. Should be fabulous!

Last weekend I hosted a "Western Night" for some friends. I made my grandmother's homemade brisket (so good), some cheesey squash casserole, rolls, salad, mashed potatos and homemade pecan pie! All good southern/western food. Then we went to see 3:10 to Yuma. I think the food was better than the movie, but it was still fun.

Not a whole lot else is going on. I'm still busy editing articles and I'm still way behind in school. Nothing new on the wedding front. Oh, except that Brian and I are each doing our pre-marital counseling test for our first meeting with our minister. We have to rate statements on whether we agree or disagree with them: If both partners are working, the husband should do the same amount of household chores as the wife. My partner has some personal habits that bother me. I am satisfied with how my partner and I talk with each other. Etc. Should be interesting. We aren't allowed to talk about the questions, which is hard.

Cheers: to new episodes of my favorite shows
Jeers: to a messy apt!

the one with tomatos

2007-09-24T18:02:00.000-05:00

I never ever thought this would happen. I like tomatos. There. I said it. Growing up I never liked tomatos and would religiously pick them out of anything. Then I had cornbread salad and slowly learned not to hate the tomatos in that. And then the other day I bought some grape tomatos because I was actually craving them for salad. I also like those tomato mozarella salads now. I still don't think I can eat the really big tomatos just plain or on a sandwich, but having a craving for small tomatos is definitely a new thing. So strange to me.

Other random updates:

Life: I am watching Fiddler on the Roof for the first time right now and quite enjoying it. Mazel tov, mazel tov. I bought some really great stuff at White House, Black Market this weekend. Most of it was on sale and its all really cute.

School: School work has really piled up lately. I'm about a week behind in reading for class because I have been very busy editing articles for my journal. I desperately need to get caught up but I'm not really sure how thats going to happen.

Wedding: We found our string quartet. Brian picked out the tuxedos for all the guys. We have appointments to meet with cake bakers, our minister, the invitation people, and the linen people in November when we're home. Just trying to figure out hairstylist, make up person, videographer, and music.

Cheers: to my new Colbie Caillat cd. Its awesome.
Jeers: to getting a crack in my brand new windshield on my brand new car!!

the one with a nightmare

2007-09-21T07:10:00.000-05:00

Last night I had my first dream about the wedding where things went catastrophically wrong. For some reason in dreamland, I didn't get to the church till it was time to start. And when I did, I found out that they had let the school at our church take over the chapel and we would be forced to have our wedding outside in the parking lot. Not cool. Then the processional music starts for seating the parents and for the wedding party. Apparently, no one had rehearsed and so everyone (parents, grandparents and bridesmaids) just rushed the stage all at once. And then I couldn't find my dad so I had to walk down by myself and as I was walking I realized my dress didn't fit. Then the guy videotaping everything had to be right up in our faces in order to hear our vows and no one could see us. We finally got to the reception, which was in another area of the parking lot, and nothing was set up. There was one cake, but it was really gooey and gross and we couldn't even cut it. All in all, the entire thing was a disaster. Luckily it didn't seem realistic at all, but during the whole dream I was trying not to cry and I kept thinking, "this is my wedding day and I hate it, nothing is going the way I want." Lets just hope this dream doesn't come true!!

Cheers: to discovering the best brownie pie in williamsburg
Jeers: to being waaaaay behind in school

the one with a mini-reunion and a really fun weekend!

2007-09-19T07:07:00.000-05:00

Two of my very best friends, Kasey and Emily, came to visit me last week! We had three full days of catching up and hanging out. On Thursday and Friday, we hung around Williamsburg seeing the sights: Jamestown Settlement, Yankee Candle Factory, Colonial Williamsburg, Cheese Shop and some shopping (of course)!! Our days revolved around food: we would decide where to eat lunch as we were eating breakfast. We managed to fit in 3 hours of Baylor Sing DVDs, some homemade queso like old times, a late-night Kirk Franklin sing-a-long, and a long game of Phase Ten!

Then on Saturday we got up really early for a day of fun in DC. Kasey had never been before so we promised her a whirlwind overview of the city. Luckily we had the most gorgeous weather - clear and in the 70s. Our first stop on the tour was a real live protest! We happened to be there on the day of a huge anti-war protest marching from the White House to the Capital. The people were CRAZY, so we found some pro-Bush anti-protesters to stand near. We kept running in to the protesters all day and even saw some of them getting arrested by the Capital!

We also saw the Archives, the Air & Space Museum, the highlights from the American History Museum, the White House, Supreme Court building, Union Station, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and WWII Memorial. Plus an unwanted tour of China Town when we were searching for a dinner spot. It was a long day and we were all a little grumpy at times, but it was really fun too!

The girls left Sunday morning and Latte is still looking for them. She thinks they came just to play ball with her. I've been catching up on sleep and homework and dealing with my first big editing assignment for the Journal. And my To Do list just keeps getting longer!!

Cheers: to making a delicious pizza with fresh basil from my basil plant
Jeers: to my friend's car getting towed from my apt complex because she parked in the wrong place

the one with canoeing under the stars

2007-09-09T21:14:00.000-05:00

Last night I did something pretty cool. I went canoeing on the York River at night! The tour left at dusk, which is right when the sun sets and it starts to get dark. There were seven other canoes with our tour and two guides. We canoed for a while and then we would stop all our canoes in one spot to talk about the stars and the constellations. It was incredible how many stars you could see! It was a little unnerving to be paddling a canoe in the dark - we could just see the canoe in front of us - and we had a few incidents with steering (they usually included me yelling something like "Brian DO NOT steer me into the marsh again!!"). Other than getting a little sick from the motion and the smell of the marsh, it was a really fun experience.

Today we drove up to DC - mainly so that I could eat at Pei Wei! We drove by the Iwo Jima memorial because we just watched Flags of our Fathers last weekend. Then we walked around for a while and went to the art museum before heading back home. We're lucky to live so close that we can go to DC for day trips. I'm going to miss that when we get back to Texas next year.

Cheers: my carpet looks super clean!

Jeers: behind in reading (again...still...whatever)

the one with an update

2007-09-07T07:53:00.000-05:00

School. I started classes again and just finished the second week. I'm taking a rather light load - only 12 hours and 3 of those are not an actual class. Even with the light load, I'm still pretty busy with the things I have to do as managing editor for my law journal. This year should be less stressful than the last two and hopefully more fun. And I am graduating in 247 days!!

Life. I got really sick last week with everything from sore throat to feeling achy to congestion. It was not fun and I think I'm finally better. I am playing catch-up today and trying to get everything straightened up and get some homework done. Last weekend Brian and I took Latte to the mall in Richmond. Its an outdoor mall that welcomes dogs and I think we all had fun shopping. Plus they have a Chipotle there!

Wedding. After using my legal skills to re-write the floral contract (it was AWFUL), we have finally picked our florist. We have sent out our Save the Date cards (except for the 5 addresses that Brian still needs to get for me...grrrrr)!! We're about to order bridesmaid dresses (ahem, Sara). We have started registering, but I still can't find bedding that I like. Next up is finding/choosing a videographer, ceremony music and musicians, and stylists (hahah, I love that I get to have stylists). Overall I think we're on track! And I LOVE checking the counter on our wedding website to see how many people have looked at it. Its just fun.

Cheers: Kasey and Emily will be here in 5 days!!

Jeers: Searching for plane tickets is not fun!

2007-08-30T12:27:00.000-05:00

I might be dying of a sore throat. Just bought out the CVS supply of sore throat and cold medicine.

First week of school is over and done. Not too bad.

More later if I survive.

the one with a few official announcements

2007-08-22T08:23:00.000-05:00

I am getting married in less than 200 days. 199 to be exact.

The Save the Date cards are in the mail.

We picked out a florist. Finally.

I officially accepted a job at a law firm for next year.

My sister is a Theta.

I hate authors who contribute to my law journal and then miss deadlines by several weeks causing me to feel stressed.

My car has license plates.

Cheers: to wearing my new "Virginia is for Lovers" shirt
Jeers: to having to go wait in line at the post office and the parking tag office

the one where this news made my WEEK!!

2007-08-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

Kasey and Emily, two of the loves of my life and two of my fabulous bridesmaids, are coming to visit me in the burg in 3 weeks!! I can't believe it!!

the one where I did this for Kasey

2007-08-17T14:30:00.000-05:00

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My 8 Random Facts:

1. I like to read bits and pieces from the ends of books as I read them. For example, after I read 10 pages of a book I will read the last paragraph of the book. Then when I'm 50 pages in, I'll read another paragraph from the end. Its not an exact formula or anything but its really a sick and embarassing habit.

2. When I'm in the shower and loose hair falls out while I'm shampooing, I stick the hair to the shower wall. I have no idea how normal this is.

3. I dislike putting titles and captions on my scrapbook pages right when I make the page so I have to go back and add them in later. Sometimes even years later.

4. I don't like the new facebook applications. Even though I have one.

5. I have to unpack right when I get home from a trip or when I move. Can't stand to have boxes or luggage sitting around with stuff inside.

6. Like Kasey, I also screen calls from anyone and everyone with no good reason. So consider yourself lucky if I actually answer when you call and don't take it personally if I don't...I screen everyone not just you.

7. I don't have a green thumb but I like to buy plants and pretend that I do. Then I feel really sad when I have to throw them away.

8. I hate throwing away movie stubs and I have a huge pile of them that I really should just chunk.

Tag you're it: Julie, Jacqueline and Sara

the one with a (dis)heartening statistic

2007-08-13T13:28:00.000-05:00

Just learned that the passage rate for the Texas bar for out-of-state students (aka ME) was 75% last year. YIKES.

the one with some stuff since my last update

2007-08-12T22:48:00.000-05:00

~ Got a new iPod. Its green this time.

~ Latte was boarded at the vet for the first time and she hated it. Poor thing. Makes me never want to leave home again.

~ Classes start two weeks from today.

~ Rearranged my living room out of boredom.

~ Made an amazing dinner (thanks to Rachael Ray) called Chinese 5-Spice Chicken with Avacado. Amazing.

~ Killed two of my baby basil plants. Only two (of the original eleven) remain.

~ My sister went to college. She's going through rush right now (too bad they don't have a ZTA chapter at KU).

~ Finished reading HP7 and loved it. Now I'm reading Kite Runner and loving that.

~ Burned my head and now its peeling and looks like I have HUGE dandruff flakes.

~ Played chess with Brian and beat him. This rarely happens and is a big deal.

2007-08-12T07:40:00.001-05:00

no one is updating their blogs or doing anything on facebook and I'm bored.

I need a new hobby.

Or (shocker shocker) maybe I'm ready for school to start.

2007-08-09T14:44:00.000-05:00

for your viewing pleasure (and an answer to my recent fit of boredom) check out our wedding website under my list of links.

cheers.

2007-08-07T23:09:00.000-05:00

A pic of me with the new car...

the one with registering

2007-07-31T11:25:00.000-05:00

Brian and I started our wedding registries! We've done a few things at Bed Bath & Beyond and we're planning to go to Dillards. Its a lot of fun to pick stuff out, but we're a little clueless on how to pick some of the bigger stuff...like vacuum cleaners, toaster ovens, pots and pans, etc. If you have any advice or recommendations on good stuff, feel free to let me know!!

the one with the sad iPod and Ratatouille

2007-07-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

I went to work out the other day and I dropped my iPod on the carpeted floor of the workout room. I didn't think anything of it because I've dropped my iPod before and it hasn't messed anything up. But then I tried to turn it on so I could listen to music while I cooked some dinner and it just made this sad little face and some strange clicky noises. I've spent the last several minutes trying to restore the dumb thing and it seems like its permanently broken. Poor sad little iPod.

On a happier note, last night we saw Ratatouille and I have got to tell you that it was the best animated movie I have seen in SUCH a long time. I laughed a lot and enjoyed the plot. It had enough twists and turns in it to keep me interested. It made me want to eat a lot of french food and go to Paris!! I highly recommend it!!

the one where I'm in Williamsburg...

2007-07-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

After 20+ hours of driving (in my beautiful new car), my friend Jacqueline and I made it to Williamsburg! The drive was relatively uneventful - unless you count the freak monsoon we drove through or the Quality Inn that was not exactly quality. We listened to Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix on the way so that we would be ready for the arrival of book seven on Friday night! Latte did pretty well in the car and thought she was in heaven when Jacqueline let her have a little bit of her vanilla icecream.

Once we got to Williamsburg, we headed straight to tour Jamestown with Brian. This is us in a Powhaten Indian hut.

After Jamestown and some good seafood, we headed to Harry Potter night! We didn't get our books till about 1 a.m. because we had to wait for the 600 people who had pre-ordered books to go first. We were numbers 143 and 144 of the people who didn't pre-order. Totally worth it. I can't believe this is the last installment!

The next day we headed up to DC to act like tourists and shop at Georgetown. We even saw a portrait of J.K. Rowling on loan from the British Portrait Gallery! Sunday we went to Virginia Beach, played a riveting game of Phase 10, followed by some Mario Party and some yummy pie. On Monday I took Jacqueline to all the Colonial sites and shops before she had to leave.

It was a fun weekend and I'm so glad she drove back with me and got to stay for a few days! Since she left I've been trying to clean and organize my apartment before the semester starts in a few weeks. I've also been working out (yay me!!) and reading Harry Potter (so so good).

Next Up: Road trip to Connecticut and Rhode Island! We're going to Mystic Pizza!!

the one with Lucy, may she rest in peace

2007-07-19T14:58:00.000-05:00

My beloved car Lucy is no longer mine. We had eight good years together. She took me to high school and she was with me at Baylor. She even made it to law school. But the brakes and the AC and the mysterious rattle in the trunk and the problem with the locks just got to be too much. She was ready for a new home.

We had some good memories together. One of my favorites was the time she backed into the mailbox at Julie's house. Or the light pole in the empty church parking lot. Or the time she broke down on the way home from the airport. Or the time she got egged in the Collins parking lot at Baylor. Or the time she got stuck on the beach in Corpus. Ahhh the memories.

My new car doesn't have a name or a picture yet. But she's light blue and still has that new car smell (and has a gecko living inside...we saw the gecko run under the seat and now can't find the stupid thing).

the one where I'm on the road again

2007-07-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

In a little less than two hours I will be back on the road to Virginia! My car is PACKED. It is insane the amount of stuff I collect and how much you need to live. My friend Jacqueline is doing the drive with me and then touring the Burg for a few days once we get there. And Latte is making the trip so keep your fingers crossed that she won't get too stressed. If all goes well, I'll be back in the Burg by Friday...just in time for the midnight Harry Potter party at Barnes & Noble!!

2007-07-06T13:39:00.001-05:00

You know you've crossed some sort of line when you start dreaming about your Save the Date cards. Sheesh.

BTW, I officially have nothing to do. I'm done working and I finished my law school stuff that had to be done this summer and most of the big wedding decisions are made. So now if the sun would just come out, I could enjoy my summer! Until it does, I'm re-reading all the Harry Potter books in preparation for book 7 and I'm trying to scrapbook.

Hope summer is treating you well!

the one where things are happening!

2007-07-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

Here's the wedding checklist:

Church: booked (moved the ceremony time to 7pm and had the meeting at church with director of weddings)

Minister: booked (he was our youth minister)

Reception site: chosen

Wedding dress: ordered (so so beautiful)

Bridesmaid dresses: chosen (just need to get measurements!)

Photographer: booked

Engagement pictures: taken (waiting for proofs)

Coordinator: chosen (she is awesome!)

Invitations: chosen (I never knew how much I could love paper)

Colors: chosen

Guest list: in the works (massive and never-ending)

Cake: narrowed down

Band: narrowed down

The only big things left to do before I head back to school in a few weeks are choose the band, the baker and the florist! I'm so relieved and happy that the big things are getting done. It's going to be a beautiful wedding and a super super fun party!

the one with reindeer and bad weather

2007-06-28T08:44:00.000-05:00

Funny Story #1: Brian, Michael and I were driving into the mountains from Denver around dusk on Friday. Brian has been looking out the window the whole way up and suddenly says: There's a deer!! No its a REINDEER!!!!! Of course, it was not actually a reindeer, just a regular one. But then Brian proceeds to tell us all about reindeer and how they have fuzzy antlers. Michael and I are cracking up at the absurd possibility that there could be a reindeer on the side of the mountain. Two days later, after a lot of teasing Brian about his reindeer comment and after taking our engagement pictures in Vail Village (I don't have the pictures back yet, so be patient little bloggers), Michael, Leslie and I are walking around waiting for Brian to come back from getting something from the car. A little cart comes into view - the kind you can ride in - and it is pulled by an actual REINDEER. No joke. You can take a ride in this reindeer drawn cart. We crack up and call Brian to tell him to run back because we have a surprise for him. He does and as soon as he sees the reindeer we all just die laughing. And yes, they actually do have fuzzy antlers. How on earth he knew that is beyond me.

Funny Story #2: On Monday, my flight out of Denver was scheduled to leave at 12. In the line for security we ran into the newlyweds, Jonathan and Jenny. They were on my flight to Dallas and then catching a plane to Mexico for their honeymoon. We hung out in the airport together waiting for our flight and it gets delayed because of Dallas weather. We finally leave 2 hours late. Then we keep getting redirected in the air. Then we have to stop to re-fuel in Odessa. Then we can't take off. Then we get redirected again. We finally landed around 9, only 6 hours later than scheduled. The newlyweds missed their connection to Mexico and no more flights were leaving that night. Both of their families were still in CO from the wedding, so they were stranded with no car and no luggage (because it was checked) and no hotel because the airport hotel was full. So I ended up taking them over to her parents house in Dallas and we all ate dinner together. I'm sure they didn't exactly plan to spend their first day as a married couple with me from breakfast through dinner!

the one where I got a cavity

2007-06-26T13:11:00.000-05:00

Today was a day I have dreaded since my first teeth cleaning at age 6. To me, getting my teeth cleaned is like taking a test. A little painful, something I dread and I really really want an A. For 24 years I've been getting As at the dentist. Today I failed miserably. Well not miserably, but I do have a small cavity. My first cavity. So sad.

I just got back from a wedding in Vail and I've got a good story for you about the trip, but its going to have to wait till I eat some lunch and brush my teeth because you know I can't handle getting another D at the dentist anytime soon.

the one with some thoughts

2007-06-18T22:18:00.000-05:00

1. Don't cut your hair a week before your engagement pictures.

2. If you're the guy that changes light bulbs and stuff in office buildings, you get to walk around on stilts everyday.

3. Whataburger fries and chocolate milk shakes are the cure for stress and grouchies.

the one where indecision strikes again

2007-06-11T23:18:00.000-05:00

I have been delaying this post on purpose because I kept thinking I would post when I could make big announcements like: I bought my wedding dress! I found a reception site! But I haven't done either of those things and it is stressing me out. For the last four weeks, my life has been consumed by work and wedding.

I'm working at a law firm (one of the same ones as last summer) and I love it, but it keeps me busy. The summer clerkship is full of activities and lunches and actual work, not to mention the pressure of trying to be smart and funny and awesome so that they will want to hire me full time. I've been doing real estate work and banking work. At the end of my clerkship (only two more weeks), I have to pick between the two practices and decide what kind of lawyer I really want to be. I have no idea. Indecision strikes again.

When I'm not at work (okay, sometimes when I am at work), I'm busy planning wedding things. We have our date and our minister, but at the moment, thats it. I have looked at dresses and narrowed it down. Same for reception sites and photographers and bands. Everytime I try to pick something, I freeze and start wondering if I'm making the right decision for "the most important day of my life." Do I really want the reception to be here? Is this really the right dress? Will this photographer really capture all the right moments in the right way? Is this band really going to be able to turn the reception into the big party I want it to be? Its daunting. Indecision strikes again.

Check back soon...hopefully I'll have some decisions made.

the one with tales of a shopaholic

2007-05-27T00:13:00.000-05:00

Two trips to the mall. Two green dresses. I'm a sucker.

Me: I'm only going to the mall to look for work shirts.

But on the way to Banana Republic, I notice Anthropologie is having a sale.

Me: They might have work shirts. And it can't hurt to just look at the dresses.

Sales Girl 1: That dress is really cute when you try it on and that color green is perfect for you. Want me to take it to the dressing room for you?

I tried on the dress and Sales Girl was right. Adorable. I had to buy it. I owed it to Sales Girl. Two days later, on my way to exchange something, I notice a new store with a sales sign in the window.

Me:They might have work shirts!

Sales Girl 2: That dress is really cute when you try it on and that color green is perfect for you. Want me to take it to the dressing room for you?

How could I say no?

My closet is now two green dresses fuller and still devoid of work shirts.

Don't judge me.

the one with quantity v. quality

2007-05-20T09:32:00.000-05:00

What would you rather have: quantity or quality? As I moved all my stuff back home for the summer, I realized that I still have nothing to wear. So of course I need to go shopping, especially for some shoes. My sister wanted to go to Payless or Rack Room to find shoes, but thats just not my style. I like to shoe shop at Dillards or Nordstrom. She likes having quantity, but I would rather have quality. If I can find great stuff on sale, thats great, but I hate to sacrifice the quality just so I can have a lot of stuff. I like to shop at nice stores where they lay everything out neatly for me to look at. I hate digging through racks and hoping I find a treasure.

Maybe thats why I never have anything to wear.

So what about you? Is it quantity or quality?

the one with the queen, the end of the year, and the Massenburgs

2007-05-11T09:05:00.000-05:00

Wow. I just can't believe I am done with my second year of law school. Its just unreal. I still feel like I need to stop blogging and go study or at least feel guilty about not studying. I hope that feeling wears off soon. I finished exams on Wednesday and have been packing and relaxing ever since. I'm heading out in a few hours for Texas and summer, which will be great except for the fact that Brian will still be in VA. Ah, well. Thats the price we pay for getting to be together the rest of the year.

Besides exams and studying and all that mess, I got to do two fun things last week. Her majesty, the Queen of England, came to a little place I call the burg last week, as I'm sure you might know. She also came to the William & Mary campus in the afternoon. I managed to finish my exam in time to see her! She looks like a really sweet lady and I just love her proper little wave and amazing hats. Pretty cool to see her in person.

The Queen in the middle walking with the President of William & Mary and his wife (who is also one of my law professors).

Me & Brian waiting for the Queen

Last weekend I headed home for a mere 36 hours to see some of my best friends get married. I have known both Michael and Leslie since high school. I was there the day they met and I've seen them fall in love. Plus, Brian and Michael were roommates and frat bros and Leslie and I were roommates and sorority sisters. I know we'll be friends with them for life - the kind where you go on family vacations together and sit together at Baylor Homecoming parades. It was so neat to stand beside them when they exchanged vows. And the party was super fun...including a congo line with maracas...it was Cinco de Mayo and all.

the (future) Foxes and the Massenburgs

dancing with maracas!

Even though I had a rough final Monday morning when I got back, it was definitely worth the trip to see Michael and Leslie become Mr. and Mrs. Massenburg. Thats just so wierd (in a good way) to say.

the one with exam cravings

2007-04-30T09:03:00.000-05:00

Every semester my exam junk food cravings change. Last semester it was cheeto puffs and oreos. The semester before that it was java chip frapaccinos and cheese chex mix. This semester its Duncan Hines Peanutbutter Brownies. I adore them. They are simply magical, especially right when they come out of the oven. I'm also having a love affair with Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream icecream. It has chocolate covered pieces of waffle cone and a caramel swirl in vanilla icecream. Heavenly. When I'm not craving sweets, I pig out on cheese or cheese flavored products.

No wonder I gain weight during exams.

Workouts and normal eating will resume May 9.

the one where yo soy estudiando

2007-04-26T12:42:00.000-05:00

Its that time again.

May 1 - exam 1
May 4 - exam 2
May 5 - cinco de awesome (aka Sara's Bday and Michael/Leslie's wedding)
May 7 - exam 3
May 9 - exam 4
May 11 - head to TX
May 14 - start job

the one with pictures of my babies

2007-04-20T16:23:00.000-05:00

Babies: Day 2

Babies: Day 6

Latte looking very proud of her mischief - the little circle is a bare spot where carpet should be

PS - I bought some basil seeds, so we'll see how that goes.

PPS - Eating the carpet made Latte sick all over my couch. Good thing that dog is cute or I would kick her out.

the one with my new babies!

2007-04-18T08:09:00.000-05:00

I have little baby plants! They just poked their little leaves above soil two days ago and they grow a little more everytime I look at them. Its very exciting. I'll post some pics for you, as I know you all want to watch my garden grow (and by garden I mean one little pot).

My other baby, Latte, has apparently reached her Terrible Twos. She decided to dig a hole in the middle of my living room carpet. She left behind a 4 in. diameter hole completely bare. So much for getting back my deposit when I move out next year. She also destroyed another pair of headphones (pair #3). This time she dug them out of my school bag. Bad little dog.

Cheers: an actual new episode of Grey's tonight!!
Jeers: a messy apt, a smelly dog, and no time

the one where Sara visited the Burg (and I didn't get a new Easter dress)

2007-04-13T14:46:00.000-05:00

This is a little delayed, but Sara came to the Burg last weekend and we had a blast! Here are a few highlights:
After hanging out on Saturday night, we woke up to SNOW on Saturday!! It was so beautiful and still falling when we got up. I had a little incident involving falling and snow inside my pajama top. Nothing wakes you up like snow to skin contact. We got a yummy breakfast at a local coffee hotspot, then headed to Jamestown for a tour from Dr. Brian Fox, PhD.
I learned that the first Africans over here made cloth out of bark, that the word racoon is a Powhaten Indian word, that the first English people over here called themselves "adventurers" not settlers, and that tour guides who know a lot about history are really hott (good thing I get to marry one!). We saw a re-created versions of an Indian village, the Jamestown Fort and the ships that brought the English here. It also snowed again while we were touring. And we watched people make glass just like they did back then...so cool. After Jamestown, we visited Colonial Williamsburg...complete with a tour of the old church, time in the stocks, and a fief and drum militia! Sunday morning, we drove up to DC for a day of touring. We toured it up at the art gallery, the national archives, and some monuments. It was super cold, but lots of fun...especially eating icecream in 40 degree weather and realizing we're pretty dumb (do YOU know what the department of justice does??). Monday, we slept in, shopped at the famous peanut shop and took one more stroll through "downtown" williamsburg. It was a really fun weekend and I can't wait for my next visitors! You too can have a personal tour, if you book your trip before May 11, 2008 (which, by the way, is my graduation date!).

In other news, this is the first year in my whole life that I didn't get a new Easter dress. How weird and sad is that? I don't think I'm okay with it. I guess next year I get to buy TWO!!

School (aka my life) is super busy. I'm trying to learn all the things I need to know about being managing editor of a law journal while studying for finals and staying sane. Finals are in two weeks and I'm on the verge of a major freak out.

Brian is still good. He likes his job a lot and just became an official tour guide, so he'll be giving tours for kids on the side of what he's doing now. Also, I think he's found a closer/better place to live next year with some of my friends, so thats nice. And he might get to meet the queen. Can't beat that. He keeps me sane and reminds me to actually enjoy life instead of stressing my way through. We're still pro/conning wedding dates and I'll definitely let you know when we pick!

Thats all I got.

Pro: Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream icecream. I'm addicted. Best icecream ever.
Con: Apt is a mess

the one with Rory and Elle

2007-04-06T17:28:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or do Reese Witherspoon and Alexis Bledel look alike with their current hairstyles. I didn't realize it until just recently. I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of the bangs at first, but I am a fan of both Alexis and Reese....so I might have to reconsider.

Other random news - it might SNOW in Williamsburg tonight/tomorrow. I'm glad I haven't gotten around to putting my sweaters away yet because I need them!

the one with an addendum

2007-04-04T23:10:00.000-05:00

Just for clarification, I've never paid any attention to the NCAA and I don't plan to. Brian said it sounded like I usually watch, but I just didn't this year. Don't be misled.

PS - My Glamour magazine came today and for the first time ever, I'm not even done with last month's issue...so busy with law school I can't even keep up with my magazines anymore and that makes me sad.

the one where I miss bluebonnets

2007-04-03T07:03:00.000-05:00

- I found a place that sells my favorite lemon flavored yogurt

- Exams are WAY too soon..as in 27 days...yikes!!

- Sara is coming to visit THIS weekend!! I wish ALL my friends could come with her.

- My car died last week (right before my exam) and had to have a lot of work done, but she's better now. At least she'll make it back to Texas this summer!

- Its spring and the Burg is looking pretty.

- I did my taxes myself for the first time this year and it wasn't as scary as I thought (and I'll be getting a nice refund!!)

- My birthday was fun: Brian got a spongebob pinata and my friends and I had fun beating it to a pulp

- I learned to make Tuscan-style chicken cutlets with creamy spinach...very yummy (thanks Racheal Ray). Next up: cooking a small turkey from scratch. Never thought I would want to try that.

- I'm doing yet another test to see if my thumb has turned green yet... Plants (like fish) don't normally thrive when in my care, but maybe this time will be different.

- I have not paid attention to the NCAA stuff AT ALL this year and I won't apologize for it ( :

- I'm having fun looking through wedding magazines again! When I go home on May 5, I'm sitting down with my parents to finally finally finally set a date!!!! Possible options: Dec. 29, 2007 (chances are slim), Mar. 1, 2008 (better chances) or May 31, 2008 (the fall back). YAYAY!!!

- I really miss bluebonnets. Virginia doesn't have anything that can compete with a huge field of bluebonnets.

the one with Boogie

2007-03-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

I have a crazy neighbor. He's about 65. He has a dog named Boogie. Boogie is an old grey schnauzer. Everyday he lets Boogie out to go to the bathroom. Everyday Boogie takes off running down the greenbelt behind my building, right outside my bedroom window. So the old man chases Boogie and yells. I wake up most mornings to: "Get back here Boogie. Goshdarnit, Boogie come back here." Etc. Only he doesn't say goshdarnit. And he doesn't just say it. He yells it. Some mornings Boogie is really fast, so the old man has to get in his car and drive around looking for Boogie, while yelling out the window. Its really comical.

I think I'll buy Boogie a leash.

the one where I tried on wedding dresses!!

2007-03-21T07:52:00.000-05:00

It's official. I'm a bride. After 14 months of being engaged, I finally got to start doing wedding things when I least expected it. I was home for the weekend and I was grumpy because my parents picked up Whataburger and didn't get me any. Thats an almost unforgiveable sin in our house. So I was pouting. My sister wanted me and my mom to go look at some potential prom dresses with her and I went, still pouting. After Meredith tried on dresses and headed out to choir practice, my MOM suggested that I try on some wedding dresses while we were there!!! As most of you know, this is a HUGE step. So we gathered up 6 or 7 dresses and let me just say, those things weigh a ton. I could only carry two at a time. I managed to get myself into the first one and when I stepped up on the little mirror platform, my mom and I both lost it. Good thing the place had a box of kleenex right there. I loved the first dress and a few of the others, but I have no idea how you pick one!! As far as wedding dates go, we haven't picked one yet, but we're getting closer. YAY!!!

Spring break was super fun. The first half was very relaxing and I got a little closer to caught up on school stuff. I headed home Thursday afternoon. Friday was spent doing a little shopping, seeing Brian's family, and getting things ready for Saturday. Saturday - aka Day of Leslie - was very fun! My mom and I hosted a wedding brunch for Leslie at my house. Besides the yummy punch and girly food, it was so great to see some old friends! In the afternoon, we went to play Whirlyball as part of Leslie's Bachelorette activities. Then we went to Sambuca, a jazz place in downtown, for a swanky dinner. We had a private alcove with cool cushiony benches and privacy curtains. We were like celebrities. Leslie got some fun lingerie - and a somewhat creepy Christian sex book with PICTURES. Creepy. Afterward, we had icecream sundaes and a slumber party at a hotel!

Sunday, I did the wedding dress thing and had a birthday dinner with my family at a mexican food restaurant! Now I'm back in Williamsburg for a busy week of class, meetings, and catching up.

Cheers: new Bare Minerals makeup!!
Jeers: the apt is a mess

the one with spring break

2007-03-10T12:55:00.000-05:00

That glorious week of spring has finally arrived where I don't have to do anything!! I turned in my 55 page paper yesterday!!! I took a two hour nap in celebration and then went to eat at Texas Roadhouse. Perfect kick off to spring break! I don't have any big plans. I'm headed home on Thursday for a few days with my family and for a few wedding showers. Hope to see some fun friends and eat some good mexican food!

Cheers: to a much needed break
Jeers: to the song "Rockstar" by Nickleback. Worst song I've ever heard.

the one with adventure, art and edamame

2007-03-05T12:48:00.000-05:00

It all started Friday in class wtih a craving for edamame and Pei Wei. But there isn't a Pei Wei within 50 miles of the Burg. So I convinced Brian to drive 2.5 hours to D.C., which has one of the only Pei Weis north of the Carolinas. We decided to make a day of it. We left around 9 on Sunday morning, after grabbing some coffee. We parked outside the city and took the Metro in. We were a little unprepared for how cold and windy it was in the city, so we spent most of the afternoon in museums. We wandered around the Air & Space Museum and saw a few of the American history items on display there while the history museum is being renovated. The coolest one was seeing Carrie Bradshaw's laptop from Sex & the City!! Then we walked around the National Gallery of Art for a while.

We decided to spend the rest of our time in this way cool Starbucks on DuPont Circle. Then we caught the metro back to our car. The only hitch was that the metro was undergoing repairs so we had to wait for 30 min on a platform in the cold for a shuttle to take us to the next stop where our car was...and I had to go to the bathroom!! We finally got to the car, drove another 20 minutes, and saw the Pei Wei sign, like a beacon in the night. I order chicken fried rice and edamame (of course). You know how good food tastes when you're starving? It was like that. Everything was absolutely perfect and delicious. Totally worth the 2.5 hour drive.

We made it back to the Burg last night around midnight (we missed our exit at one point because we were too busy trying to name all the states each of us had been to). I'm exhausted today, and have a lot of work to do to catch up, but it was so worth it. If you live in Texas, or anywhere with a Pei Wei, make sure you appreciate it. You don't know how good it is till you can't have it.

Cheers: to 4 more days until spring break!
Jeers: to another week without Greys

the one with more happy things

2007-02-23T22:52:00.000-05:00

You can't complain when you find more reasons to be happy. Here's whats what:

1. Trista and Ryan are having a baby! Bachelorette & Baby!!

2. Speaking of babies, Shopaholic & Baby comes out on Tuesday! These are only my favorite books.

3. Meredith lived! And, for the record, I totally called it that her mom would be the one to die.

4. I finished my paper! Actually, I finished the third draft. The final is due right before spring break, but the whole thing is essentially complete. I feel like I just wrote a novel....a very boring novel.

Not a lot has been happening here in the Burg. I've been working non-stop on that paper, and now that its done I have to catch up on reading. The insanity never slows down. I was also selected to be Managing Editor on the Editorial Board for my Journal next year. I think I'll enjoy it, but I hope I didn't sign up for more than I can handle. Spring Break is in two weeks...I can't believe the semester is almost halfway over. I sort of have a new hobby - crocheting. This week I taught myself how to do the double crochet. Pretty fancy. Send in your order now for a really cool scarf...

the one with some reasons to be happy

2007-02-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

1. My new Glamour magazine came in the mail

2. My mom sent me a package with a crochet kit (my latest hobby) and the first two Harry Potters. Now I can start re-reading them before the last book comes out this summer!

3. Only 12 more pages till I'm done with my enormous, never-ending stupid paper.

4. My puppy has been extra cuddly lately. She has fallen asleep in my lap twice today and is curled up next to me right now.

5. Kasey Joy sent me a fun valentine's card!

6. My favorite shows have extra good episodes because its time for sweeps!

7. My sister sent me some more of my favorite pens because Latte chewed the ones I got for Christmas.

and last, but not least....

Brian's brother Marcus just proposed to his girlfriend Amanda and she said yes! I'm going to have a sister-in-law!!

the one with many valentine's

2007-02-15T08:54:00.000-05:00

As of yesterday, Brian and I have been dating SEVEN YEARS. I think thats nuts. Here are some highlights from the last seven valentine's:

2000: Brian asked me to be his girlfriend after a Wednesday night Bible study we both attended. He gave me a cute little teddy bear in a heart sweater and a rose. He was SO nervous. It was cute.

2001: We planned to go out to dinner and Brian was 45 minutes late picking me up! He didn't realize how long it would take to stop and by flowers - a dozen roses - and a box of chocolates. We tried to go somewhere romantic to eat, but ended up at a mexican food place. It was still fun though.

2002: Valentine's Day attacked my college roommate with a vengence. She got a HUGE balloon that took up half the room from one boy, roses from another boy, a cookie bouquet from her aunt, and a package of other goodies from her parents. In my half of the room there were 6 very pretty tulips. It was kinda sad.

2003: I spent the few days before V-Day making a scrapbook of the last three years of our relationship. And then Brian gave me a notebook with some of his favorite memories and pictures of us. Cute. We ate at a crappy little Italian place in Waco. Afterward we ate chocolate covered strawberries in our apartment courtyard.

2004: I think I had Sing practice until really late, which kinda messed up the plans.

2005: I had graduated from Baylor, so Brian drove up to Dallas and we had dinner at one of those Japanese places where they cook in front of you with the rest of my family. Sounds un-romantic, but it was really fun, esp when Brian tried to catch a shrimp in his mouth!

2006: Brian was in Texas and I was in the Burg for V-Day. But he did come visit the weekend after V-Day and we spent a fun four days playing and hanging out.

2007: I had class till 8, so I picked up Olive Garden for dinner. Brian surprised me when I got home with a dozen dark red gerber daisies! They're gorgeous! And he cleaned up my apartment and bought some good wine to go with dinner. We watched Moulin Rouge and just relaxed. So nice.

the one where I wish I had a hidden cam

2007-02-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Last night we went out to dinner with some friends and then to a comedy show. It was a really fun night. Laughter is so good for you, especially after you spend an entire day working on a citecheck for law school. But the funniest part of the night was when I got back to my apartment. Before I left, I had emptied trash cans and had three small target-sized bags by the door to take out later. I came home to find the bags spread out across the living room and various paper goods had been shredded. Also, the deli bag with one slice of turkey was chewed open and mysteriously empty. Latte was just sitting in her bed, looking very full and satisfied with herself.

I would love to have a hidden camera in my apartment to see how she accomplished her feat. How did she drag the bags that were twice her size? Did she attack right after I left? Had she been plotting this since she smelled the turkey when I was gathering trash? How long did it take her to chew into the bags? Someday when I get a video camera, I'm going to set it up and leave something tempting behind and just watch.

Cheers: to a yummy italian dinner
Jeers: to more citechecking and 17 more pages to write in a week

the one with random thoughts #2

2007-02-06T22:33:00.001-05:00

- Viteks (the greatest BBQ in Waco) has closed its doors. The home of the gutpack (a huge pile of fritos, BBQ, beans, and cheese) is no more. And I didn't get to say goodbye or relish my last gutpack. Sad.

- It's 14 degrees outside and might snow tonight.

- I liked the Superbowl commercial where the crabs worshipped the cooler. Beer and idol worship, is that bad? I also liked eating yummy homemade pizza and dip and playing beer pong.

- I almost spent a ton of money in online shopping today, but managed to restrain myself.

- Saw "Because I Said So" with one of my fun neighbors and liked it a lot. I think Diane Keaton is funny and I like Mandy Moore and Lauren Graham.

- I've started watching "Glenn Beck," a news show on CNN, everyday. This is the first time in my life I have regularly paid attention to the news.

- My sister probably won't go to Baylor and I'm sad. She also got in a car wreck today and I wish i could be there for her. Don't worry, she's fine and it wasn't her fault, but still.

- I've managed to write 2 more pages on m paper. 18 to go!!

- Brian and I are about to celebrate 7 years of being together. Isn't that crazy?

- I'm curious if laser hair removal works. Might be a good longterm investment, esp if you add up all the money spent on razers, shaving cream, waxing, etc.

- Latte pretends to sneeze when she wants to get my attention, esp when she wants me to get her ball out from under the tv stand.

- William & Mary is on the news right now because the college president removed a small cross from a chapel and it has caused a huge controversy.

Sorry this is pretty dull. Such is life.

the one with random thoughts #2

2007-02-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

the one with my 200th post (and lots of ways to procrastinate)

2007-02-02T18:26:00.000-05:00

I have this huge paper looming over my head. Its due on Feb. 17. I need to write 20 more pages in 15 days. And yet I can't do it. I sit at my laptop, organize my notes, open my paper and .... nothing. I can't figure out where to start or what else to say. This is the worst case of writers block I've ever had. But I have gotten very good at procrastinating:

- buying the new Norah Jones cd. very good.
- making pumpkin bread. also very good.
- watching tv (not one of the more creative options, but still useful)
- organizing my bills and my filing cabinet
- cleaning, dusting and laundry
- picking out new pictures to put in my frames
- reading ahead for class
- cooking yummy dinners
- walking Latte
- bathing Latte
- learning to crochet
- napping
- online shopping

Hopefully I'll get inspired to write soon before I end up pulling an all-nighter.

Fun in the Burg: Last weekend Brian and I went to a game night with some people from school. We played old school games that I hadn't played since college like Catch Phrase and Taboo. It was really fun. Kase, the most embarassing Catch Phrase word was "flacid", but luckily it wasn't mine because the person definitely had to make a reference to male parts. Awkward. This week it has snowed twice in the Burg. The snow hasn't lasted long or turned the world white, but its still pretty and happy. I love watching it fall and I love getting my hopes up that class will be canceled. Supposedly we have another chance at snow next week...the low on Tuesday is supposed to be 12. Crazy!!

Cheers: to going to see Because I Said So this weekend. Hope its good!
Jeers: to law school

the one where Hillary reminds me of Martha Stewart

2007-01-24T22:50:00.000-05:00

Think about it. They are both cold, heartless b-words. And did you see the video where Hillary announced her candidacy for pres? She tried to act all homey and friendly (i.e. "Lets begin a conversation..."), just like Martha. Anyway, just a little political food for thought. Bet you didn't expect to get that on my blog.

This week has been better than last week, although it started with a MAJOR freak out moment. When I dropped my tax law class, I focused on finding a small class that seemed interesting and wouldn't be curved. But I forgot to check the exam schedule. Some of you might know that two of my best friends are getting married on May 5, which is the Saturday right in the middle of my exams. Brian and I are both in the wedding and I really want to be there. So on Monday night, a mere 10 hours before the end of the add/drop period, I realized that the class I added had an exam on May 5! I FLIPPED out. Luckily, I talked to the dean and everything is going to be fine and I can keep the class and move the exam. But it was still a pretty rough start to the week.

Last weekend, I got to go skiing in West Virginia with a group from school!! It was so much fun and reminded me of the college ski trips (and youth group trips) that I've been on. Skiing in WV is a little different than Colorado, but still really great. I just love the feeling of zooming down the mountain and wondering if you can stay in control or if this is the run where you're going to break your leg. We even got fresh snow on our last morning, which made everything so picturesque. The only downside was trying to drive down the mountain once that snow had turned to ice! But, I made it home in one piece with no injuries.

Other than that, nothing new. Just reading and trying to stay on top of everything this semester. In the next few weeks I'll be finishing the last 20 pages of my 50 page paper, prosecuting a criminal trial (a fake one, but for a grade), acting as a witness in another trial, helping out with the publicity committee for a big event at school, doing research for a prof, and trying to stay sane!!

Cheers: to Sara coming to the Burg in April!!
Jeers: to puppies who get sick in the night and throw up on your new sorority t-shirt quilt

the one with my distastrous week

2007-01-19T08:32:00.000-05:00

Reasons why this week has been a disaster:

* An accident on the highway made me late for a class and we were making the seating chart

* I spilled a cup of coffee INTO my book bag, ruining my planner and my new favorite pens and severely damaging my brandnew $115 bankruptcy book and $40 supplement. And getting coffee stains all over my coach bag.

* I spilled water last night on my study table, nearly missing all the scrapbook pages I've made since junior year of college

* Grades = disaster despite lots of studying

* I was playing with Latte last night and reached to grab the sock she had in her mouth and poked her in the eye with my fingernail making her scream

* I've had to rearrange my schedule several times because there was no way I could handle Federal Income Tax Law

* I'm trying a new brand of contacts and they are not settling into my right eye, which makes me walk around with a wierd squinty look

Reasons why I'm trying to be positive:

* I'm going skiing today in Snowshoe, West Virginia with some friends from school

* I really really really like my Real Estate class

* New episodes of my shows!!

* Brian is HERE to take care of me when I fall apart (which is pretty often these days)

the one with Brian's birthday

2007-01-14T09:26:00.000-05:00

On Friday Brian turned 24. To celebrate, we drove over to Charlottesville for the day. It's about a two hour drive straight west from Williamsburg. We stopped in Richmond for lunch at Chipotle (Brian's fave). When we got to Charlottesville it was rainy and cold, but we walked around the UVA campus and some shops anyway. I remembered a really good cafe with yummy desserts from when I went on a college visit to UVA. We tried to go to it, but they closed a few months ago! It was really sad. After that we drove over to Monticello, which is where Thomas Jefferson lived. It's the building on the back of the nickel, fyi. It was cool to see his house and plantation. On the way back to the 'burg, we stopped again in Richmond for dinner at P.F. Changs!! I love that place. I didn't love the two hour wait, but at least we got to shop while we waited. And the food was totally worth it. Oh, and he loved his present. It's a nutcracker shaped like a squirrel!! So fun. We've been eating pecans for the last few days.

Yesterday I started reading for classes. Boo. And I'm supposed to be working on a paper too but I haven't been very good abotu that. Oh well, I have to ease my way back into the semester.

Cheers: to a Harry Potter marathon
Jeers: to losing the charger for my camera

the one with random thoughts in my head (Jen inspired me)

2007-01-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

1. Mario Kart is super fun, especially when you get to throw bombs at each other
2. I was nervous about introducing Brian to my barista. I didn't want my Starbucks reputation damaged at all, but it seems to be going fine. We even got a free drink!
3. I love that my shows are finally coming back on this week! Except for gilmore girls. Does anyone know when they're coming back?
4. I hate when the new Glamour magazine is on the newstand before its in my mailbox.
5. So not ready for school to start. Just dropped $500 on books that look very intimidating.
6. Grades won't be posted till Jan 19. Boo.
7. Love the Rachael Ray talk show. She makes me want to cook adventurous things . . . like frittata.
8. Latte got a haircut and they put a ridiculous purple boy in her hair. At least it matches her collar and her coat.
9. My electric bill was $0.00. Isn't that strange? I don't really understand how thats possible.
10. Marley and Me is a very good book. Very funny, but did make me cry at the end.
11. Brian's birthday is friday and I have a hilarious present for him. Can't wait to show you all pictures.
12. My mom got my Zeta shirts made into a quilt and it is AWESOME. The quilt is huge and fits on my queen bed and has most of my favorite shirts in it. I love it.

13. Can't believe that two years ago I had just finished Rush. Rush was my life.
14. Can't believe that one year ago Brian asked me to marry him! (Also can't believe I still haven't planned my wedding but thats another story).

15. So happy I got to have coffee with my Little, dinner with Emily and a puppy play date with Jacqueline before I left Tejas.
16. Hate the ProActive commercials that come on all the time here. They're each like two minutes long and are so stupid.
17. Can't wait for 7-7-07, aka Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!
18. Love my new robe from AE. Its the softest thing ever and I wear it all the time.

the one where its January

2007-01-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

I'm back in the 'burg for semester #4. Pretty crazy, huh? I can't believe I'm halfway done and I can't believe I've been done with Baylor for two years. Whirlwind. Here's an update for you:

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Super fun!! Always great when you get to see all your best friends looking like they woke up in the 80s. Best part of the night was when Brian finished off everyone's wine glass like he was doing shots and then gave Jenny a lap dance. Don't worry, we have it on video. Definitely going to be an annual affair.

Christmas: Different. This was the first Christmas ever that I haven't been at my house. My family went down to Corpus to spend Christmas with my grandparents because my grandpa can no longer travel. The whole event was surreal starting with our attempt to leave Dallas. You should know that my dad is a travel nazi. He turns into a crazed maniac anytime we leave town. This time we planned to leave around 10am but didn't actually get in the car until 1pm. Once we were all completely loaded and ready to go, my dad realized my mom hadn't gotten her tire fixed so he made us move everything into his car. You could literally see the steam coming out of his ears. Christmas was just strange and wierd and sad. Its just wierd knowing that Christmases probably won't be the same from here on out. But the best part about going to Corpus was getting to see some old friends and my cousins. Who knew that everyone in Corpus went to the bar on Christmas night?

New Years: I rang in the 2007 with some Mikey & Leslie and Jonathan & Jenny. They were nice enough to let me be a fifth wheel since BJ was in VA without me. We hottubbed, drank some sparkling cider and played Phase 10 until 4 a.m.

Brian: Officially moved to Virginia and started his new job! He already knows more about what to do in Williamsburg than I do. His new job is so perfect for him. He likes his co-workers and really enjoys learning more about Jamestown. And I love having him here. We've gotten to do normal stuff that I've missed, like walking Latte and watching tv.

Pro: I found the perfect wool coat and black knee high boots! Merry Christmas to me!!
Con: One of my new DVDs is already scratched. Boo.

the one where I ate like a queen

2006-12-22T01:58:00.000-05:00

Oh man, I love holiday eating. Earlier this week Brian and I want to Texas de Brazil for lunch and my digestive system still hasn't recovered. For those who don't know, its a brazilian steakhouse. First you load up on an amazing salad bar. Then they bring out cheesey rolls (similar to the cheesey biscuits at Red Lobster) and then you flip over this little card to the green side and the meat starts coming. Waiters wearing pirate-looking pants (one bore a striking resemblence to Orlando Bloom) stop by your table with long sword-like skewers of meat. And they keep coming till you turn your card to red. Parmesan crusted chicken. Garlic top sirloin. Flank steak. Austrian sausage. Leg o lamb (I passed on that one). I have never felt like more of a carnivore.

Then tonight we went to Abacus, which is a trendy/swanky place in uptown. Its one of those restaurants where the plates are white and everything is swirled with some sort of colorful sauce and sprinkled with a contrasting spice. We started with fancy martinis and lobster shooters, which was sort of like taking a shot of lobster in an orange sauce. Sounds bizarre, which it was, but it was also super yummy. Then we had a crab cake. Then BJ got buffalo and I had salmon. For desert we had chocolate cakey donuts (yes, donuts) and an eggnog float. Very creative, fancy, out-of-my-league dining. The bill was outrageous....$155 for the two of us.

BUT the best part about both meals is that they were FREE!!! And not free because Brian paid for my half. But completely free except for the tip!! Brian got both giftcards during his stint at the hotel and they expired at the end of the year, so we picked this week to pig out. I can't imagine having room for turkey dinner on Christmas.

Cheers: to ugly Christmas sweaters and getting to see friends!!
Jeers: to still not being done shopping and to family members who claim not to want anything this year