Alert the press, I've updated!

So much has happened since I last updated, I'm a little dumbfounded on where to start! First, and most exciting, I moved! I now live in a grown-up apartment. I love my new place! It's just so BIG! My grown-up bedroom set looks fantastic in it. Now I just need grown-up living room and dining room furniture and I'll be set!

Second, I met a boy. I resisted said boy for a good month before I finally gave in to liking him. What changed, you ask? Well, I saw his bathroom. Yes, that's right, his bathroom. It was clean. No gross boy areas, everything matched, there was art on the walls, and most importantly, toilet paper was available! After noting this, I decided I could give said boy a chance. So after seeing the bathroom, I walked into his bedroom. And low and behold, it was clean, everything matched, there was tons of art displayed, and, thankfully, no toilet paper here. I was hooked! So here are the stats on my boy. He's a communication design major at Texas State University. He works at a bank when he's not in class. He is constantly working on one project or another for one of his art classes. (And yes, the art in his apartment is his own work) He is a junior and a half, and probably has 1 1/2 - 2 years left until he graduates. He is commited and focused on his classes and graduating. He is tall and adorable and honestly gives the best hugs in the whole entire world. There is a slight possibility that this just might be a biased oppinion. :)

Getting out there...

I am proud to say that I've already started working on my personal goals for 2007. I went downtown with my work boyfriend yesterday. We went to this really awesome steakhouse on 6th called Ruth Chris. I think that was the best steak I've ever had. We did some wine tasting while we were there, and I drank almost an entire glass of wine. Hey, don't judge, those glasses were as big as my face!

I did, however, pass up the perfect picture taking night tonight. I kept reminding myself to bring my camera to Dedication Dinner, but it seems I'm not very good at minding me. We ate at Mike's El Ranchero on South Lamar. The food was pretty good, the place was well decorated, and the staff working that night were great. There were one or two hot guys running around the place, and this is where I miss my camera the most! Oh well, I'm two for three attempted so far. At least that's positive odds!

2006... A Brief History

It's hard to believe that 2006 has come and gone. I have so many great memories, I don't know where to start. I traveled to 6 states all over the country, some business and some pleasure. I went to New York to take the Police Officer exam and just to go to NYC, Maryland for parents' weekend at the Naval Academy to see my little brother, California for two Chick-fil-A grand openings, Colorado to visit a friend, Louisiana to teach at the Carthage High School band camp, and Georgia for a marketing class at the Chick-fil-A home office. Throughout the year, some friendships were created, some strengthened, others renewed, and sadly, a couple dwindled away. The year saw two marriages within my friends, and another engagement. And on that note, I look to the future.

I have come up with my personal goals for 2007. I don't believe in new years resolutions, mostly because no one ever accomplishes their resolutions. And because I am not resolving myself to these hardships, I am personally choosing these goals. Yeah, I know its all a matter of perspective, but looking at it this way greatly increases my chances of reaching those goals. (It also helps that most of them are fun!)

Personal Goal #1: Get Organized
This is probably the most overused resolution or goal, but it is tried and true and unfortunately, all too necessary. I'm tired of a messy apartment, and I'm convinced after watching countless HGTV shows that being organized will make my apartment magically stay clean!

Personal Goal #2: Get Out More
This is one of the fun goals! No more staying home with my dog and reading a book every night. (Think of the money I'll save on books!) I'm going to get out of the house more and actually live my life! At least once a week, I'm gonna at least go sit in a bar and have a drink, which leads me to...

Personal Goal #3: Acquire a Taste for Wine
I have this image in my head of the perfect relaxing evening. I'm laying back in a comfy chair, curled up with a good book, some jazz or big band music playing in the background, and a big glass of wine close at hand. I'm determined to learn to love wine. Hey, I'm looking out for my health here. A glass of wine a day is supposed to be good for you. Not to mention the stress-release side-effects!

Personal Goal #4: Take More Pictures
I have a pretty good digital camera that I got when I graduated college over a year ago, and I intend to put it to good use. Plus its so much easier to explain things, or just tell a story if there are corroborating pictures. And getting out more should provide me with photo ops! And finally, last but not least....

Personal Goal #5: Exercise More
Ok, so this is probably the most common phrase uttered in any given January when discussing plans for the future, but I'm sticking with it. I have always been involved in some sort of activity or organization that kept me active. Until this past year, that is. Now I need to get in the habit of working out. That means getting off my lazy ass and actually doing stuff. See, I'm trying to help myself out, seeing as reading a book isn't exactly considered a strenuous activity!

So here's to 2007, may it be a year of excitement and fun, filled with new friends and old with plenty of pictures to help me remember all the good times, and a relaxing glass of wine at the end of 365 amazing days.

Christmas Traditions

Every family has their own Christmas traditions. This year, we broke away from the same-old everyday turkey and ham Christmas dinners and opted for a Christmas brunch on Christmas Eve Day. We had breakfast burritos with lots of salsa, a spinich and mushroom quiche, three different breakfast cassaroles, pigs in a blanket, and my personal favorite, mimosas! We had family there spaning four generations. Needless to say, we represented East Texas well, with our front yard looking like a used car lot. The only thing missing were those multi-colored penant flags and the annoying salesman. (Something to strive for next year!) But I think we forged a new Christmas tradition this year. The mimosas just put everyone in the Christmas spirit!

My two little second cousins, Laney (2) and Koryn (4), acted as Santa's little helpers when it came time to pass out the gifts. That, (and these adorable little aprons mom got for them), earned them the privilege of helping Granny make the Christmas cookies this year. This is one Christmas tradition that I hope never goes away. I think they ate more cookie dough than was left to make cookies!

Rusty and I really enjoyed the cookies! Aren't we the cutest brother and sister you ever did see?

So here's to Christmas traditions! May every year bring such fun memories, wonderful food and the best family I could hope for.

Everyone eventually bats out of a slump

I'm definately in a slump right now. Not a life slump, just a dating slump. I'm actually really happy right now. Finally. It took me a while to get there, but I have arrived. I have great friends, a good job, the prospect of owning my own business if I choose, the ability to pack up and move to New York if I want. I only have to make up my mind and follow it, and I don't have a deadline to rush me. I realized this past week that I am in a great place in life. (Thanks, roomie-sister!)

Now, about this dating slump. Most often, the best way out of a slump is to approach the problem from a different angle. Well, as the only angle I've used thus far has been to do next to nothing, finding a new perspective shouldn't be extremely difficult. My plan is to actually be a girl. (Surprised!?) I have actually been attracting attention since I started wearing makeup and fixing my hair and just generally caring about my appearance. I know, I know.... you've been telling me that for year(s). But I'm finally believing it. And I love it. So, I'm going to schedule an appointment to get my hair done. Not too short, but flirty and sassy. Maybe lighten my natural strawberry blonde color and add some copper and blonde highlights. Then I'm going shopping for some cute heels and a killer new outfit. Yes, I said killer...I'm going to stop those boys in their tracks! Then I'm going out to a nice club/bar/somewhere that would attract a more mature clientel than the typical college frat hangout, (not that the bar is set high with that qualifier). Or perhaps I'll just go to that college frat hangout and show them what they have to look forward to. Wish you were here to share in my plans and guide me around town, or I were there explore the windy city with you. But we'll coordinate on that when Brad comes to visit!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Its the first day of December. Its actually almost cold outside. My mom is here and lazing back in a chair, reading a book. My dog, Marble, is asleep curled up next to me on the couch. I'm listening to Bing Crosby fill the air with Christmas songs. I suddenly have an urge to put little Santas and snowpeople and lights and candles everywhere. All that's missing is the snow and the tree. The tree I can handle. As for the snow, well, I have a prayer sent up, but if anyone wants to send up reinforcements, I need all the help I can get!

Life is like......baseball

So I watched this new show on TBS tonight called My Boys. Its about this girl who has no problem hangin' out with the boys, but dating them....well, that's another story. She meets this guy and things start out going great. Then, not so much. I can completely relate. I think I'm gonna like this show. Anyway, she talks about how all life is comparable to baseball. I like that show even more. :)

You know what I like about baseball? Well, all sports. The rules. You know what to expect. Three stirkes and you're out. Four tries to move the ball ten yards. You know what is expected of you. Protect the pocket so the quarterback can hurl the ball down the field. Always keep your eye on the ball. Even the unwritten rules are respected in sports. Things like sportsmanlike conduct and respecting the game. Why can't dating have rules like these? When you go out with someone and you say "We'll have to do this again," you should be required to 'do this again.' When a shy girl (that would be me) calls and texts you, you return the favor with a drink or two, simply out of appreciation of my very out of character boldness. Well, that and because a very cute, intellegent, sweet, and sexy psuedo-redhead called and texted you. At the very least, you call her once in a while. Not text everything, but actually use the phone for spoken words, you know, to use those minutes you pay for every month. Yes, dating is in dire need of a rule book, and possibly an umpire as well. The jury is still out on the umpire, though, as there are certain areas of dating that I'd just as soon a third party were not priviledged to. But that's a blog for another day. :) First, I'd just like to go on a real date. Is that really too much to ask?

ps - please excuse this 'pity me' post. I just had to get this out of my system.....again.....