Time to get the ball rolling

It's time to get the ball rolling on this whole school-shopping mission I'm on - yet again. I am confident that the third time is a charm here... I have applied to both Maryville University and University of Missouri - St. Louis. In January I plan on meeting with both schools and figuring out which one will better meet my needs. If neither of them seem to be a good fit, I will move on to Lindenwood University, I suppose. So far I've not had no luck in communicating with this school. For whatever reason, I don't feel like it's right. Only time will tell.

I am so lucky that Brian is going to be with me through all this stress of switching schools - AGAIN. It was a major pain when I transferred to Park. I'm really disappointed that Park has let me down. But, 6 more semesters? That's not possible in any way, shape, or form! I've got to get on with my life here! Brian has been an awesome source of support since I've known him and I know he will help keep me calm and at peace about finding the right school.

Most of my friends from school are graduating. I should be graduating in 2009, or at least student teaching. It's frustrating that I've fallen behind but I have come to the conclusion that what really matters here is the fact that I've continued on in spite of a few roadblocks. Working at UFDC has given me a chance to earn some money, and take a mini-vacation from the full-time student life. I've gotten my taste of secretarial life and I think I prefer the full-time student thing :) So, when I do decide what school is right for me and make the move, I will be fully committed to this degree thing. Every time I step into a classroom, I get so excited. A "ONE DAY THIS WILL ALL BE MINE" kind of feeling. There's only one way that is going to happen and the first step to that is finding a school!

So, for the next few weeks and months I will be researching my options and doing a whole lot of praying. I want to thank everyone for their continued support through all my trials. So - Status is two applications in. That's PROGRESS. Go me!

Isn't it CHRIST-mas?

I’m shocked every year by how diluted this Christian holiday is becoming. Charlie Brown saw it coming back in 1965 when he complained about commercialization of Christmas in the famous “Charlie Brown Christmas.” Remember the days when we sung Christmas carols at our Christmas concerts in elementary school? Remember when the words Merry Christmas met you everywhere you went? I realized how much things have changed in our world since 1965 when I was watching Charlie Brown Christmas last night. There are multiple biblical references which now would be criticized big time. Then I got to thinking, we used to watch this popular cartoon in school. There was never any lengthy discussion or reaction to these biblical references. Makes sense to me because, isn’t Jesus truly the reason for the season?

I understand that with the mix of individuals now living in America we can’t expect Christmas greetings and cheer from everyone but I don’t think that this should hinder Christians who choose to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We should be able to proudly blare whatever Christmas carols we like… without recourse.

In bible study last Sunday we were discussing how Christmas loses its meaning in some families. We talked about what we would do in the future to continue to keep Jesus at the center of the Christmas celebration. Something we’ve done for many years at my Grandfather’s is a birthday cake for baby Jesus. For years I remember lighting candles and singing for Jesus’ birthday. This always reinforced for me that all the presents and goodness were in remembrance of Jesus. I think this is a tradition I’d like to carry on with my family one day when I have children of my own.

When commercially this holiday begins in September it’s hard to remember the reason. Isn’t the reason to shop, shop, shop til we drop?

Please watch this clip. It's a little over a minute. It makes me smile so big. Let Linus remind us what this shiny, sweet holiday is all about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

Let it Snow!!!

I finally got the snow I've been hoping for! Snow days are wonderful. It would've been nice if they would've closed the office before I was nearly there... the roads were pretty much horrible. I should have been scared for my life but I couldn't help but feel giddy as I watched the ice crystals caressing my windshield and hyptnotizingly dance across the roadway. There is something really magical about snow falling from the sky. All I could think was, "I'm baking cookies today!!!"

I must say that for whatever reason, people seem to lose all their smarts in these types of situations. I counted over twenty cars without their headlights. This is in blinding, windy snow mind you. What were they thinking? It took me 25 minutes just to enter the highway at I-29. That's when I sort of regretted being in my vehicle on the road and made me crave my warm bed and snugly kitten.

So, today is going to be a nice, relaxing day! Everyone needs a break from time to time. I find myself ten times more productive on a snow day... I love watching the snow fall! P.j.'s, hot chocolate, fresh-baked cookies..... what a YUMMY DAY!

P.S. Sheryl from accounting called in sick today for the second day in a row. Sheryl does not do this sort of thing! She is the one who brags about never being sick and makes us all feel bad when we call in. Something's up. She comes to work when she is sick. I am working on a few theories. It's my mission to figure out what is going on with all this. Something's amiss.

my cat's a democrat

Ah, I had such a wonderful weekend! Friday evening was a wonderful night out with the UFDC girl's (and Matt and his fiance). We started at Better Cheddar on the plaza. If you have not been to this store, you must go. It's full of imported cheeses, wine, jams, and other goodies! I was in heaven! It reminded me, so much, of Donovan's grandfather! He was such a classy man and as a small child his house, specifically his pantry and kitchen, were a source of fascination. He had great taste in wine and cheese and he just ate interesting things. This was an experience. It made me want to learn more about wine and cheese and be a classy broad :0) Seriously, if you've not been, I'll take you! I purchased a nice applewood smoked gouda. After Better Cheddar we went to dinner at Capitol Grill which was unbelievable. I tried a new food: Carpaccio. Get this, in Japan they have these cows who they try to keep as calm as possible. These cows get a massage and a can of beer daily so that their meat stays tender. I know it sounds crazy but think about it, the beef in the US is stressed out to no end. I like this theory..anyway Carpaccio is this beef thinly sliced, seasoned and seared. OMG YUM! It was different though. I've never eaten straight up raw beef. Next, we went to the comedy club at Zona Rosa. Thankfully Sheryl didn't join us because she doesn't like comedy... It's a bit deceiving though because it's called the "Improv" theater. However, there was no improving to be had. That's all fine and good, but people need to get the name right! It was quite inappropriate as far a jokes go, but it was still a good time! As odd as it sounds, I love hanging out with my coworkers.

Saturday morning I fled (ha, not really fled but it sounds more dramatic this way)to STL where I enjoyed a wonderful, amazing 24 hours. It's amazing how much more I can love Brian after a 24 hour period. While the distance stinks, I really feel like the time we do spend together is more quality than if we saw eachother everyday. We definitely don't take eachother for granted! I'm in love with my best friend!

Last night the weather got wintery! I bet you miss this, Cynthia?! I'm just thankful to be in Kc and not Maryville. It was bitter and it was slick.

In other news, I'm the current hight-bidder on a pink blackberry curve on eBay. Crossing my fingers for this one. Brian got one and it's incredible.

I should probably do some work!

p.s. Anyone heard of the band, "Girl in a Choma"? Give it a listen...

these are a few of my favorite things...

I'm into making lists lately. I constructed a beautiful list yesterday. Christmas season is a time for lists, isn't it? Who to buy for, grocery lists with items for baking, our own Christmas lists, New Year's Resolutions even. We like to list... at least, I know I do. To-do lists are priceless. Even Santa makes lists.

Here is a list of all the things I've spilled on myself today:

-Toothpaste

-Coffee (ouch)

-Make-up

-Mcrib sauce

I honestly do not know how I would function on a day to day basis if it wasn't for my ability to list tasks. Perhaps not everyone is like this, but most people I know are. I'm not anal about crossing things off like some... but I have to write things down!

So, here we are. Here are a few of my favorite things: coffee, tea, books, indie films, mp3's, my kitten, noodles, cuddling, baking...

~ tEcHnOlOgY bUg ~

There was a report on the news this morning that (ready for this?) ... THE INTERNET IS ADDICTIVE. I've been thinking about it all morning. It's true. I've come to this conclusion. They stated that if you were on the Internet for more than four hours a day, you may be in danger of becoming depressed, reclusive. I'll tell you one thing, I will be on the Internet for the next eight hours. I must be really addicted, and really in danger.

Over the past ten years or so, we've really become an Internet culture. The next generation of children have been coined "tech heads" or something to that affect. The thing that is so scary about all this is that the Internet makes us all so vulnerable and so accessible. Want to say something to a high school sweetheart who broke your heart? Not only can you message them anonymously, you can WRITE IT ON THEIR FACEBOOK WALL for the world to see! We completely expose ourselves to our closest friends and to perfect strangers. (In fact, I am doing it right now). What does this mean for our future? Will my kids attend school online?

I'll tell you what, when facebook conversations and pictures start becoming evidence in court...we've got problems. I know of this first-hand. I've witnessed it, and I've utilized the tool. It was sneaky... and it was effective. When people post these items, they're just asking for it.

It's great to have billions of resources at our fingertips but this Internet craze hurt us as well. Employers peruse the Internet social networking sites such as facebook and myspace before hiring individuals. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing wrong with this. If you are willing to put it out there for the entire world wide web, why would you be ashamed of a potential employer seeing it? This is happening though and it's costing some people their jobs.

The Internet does have a certain control over us, doesn't it? If it didn't, companies wouldn't take the time and effort to block various sites from their employees. I can say that I have been addicted to the Internet since I was in the sixth grade when I discovered AIM chatting and Napster. The world is becoming more wireless all the time. Most of my assignments require, at the very least, Internet research. My job requires Internet usage. As long as my day to day activities require me to use the Internet, my addiction will continue to be fed. I think we are all addicted. What do we do when we cannot access our facebook pages? We use facebook mobile. Other social networking sites also allow you to use them through your mobile phone. Wow.

What kind of world do we live in? A technological one. Stay tuned... we're going into oblivion here.

Okay.. I just spell-checked and according to Blogger.com, Internet is capitalized. Internet is apparently, now considered a proper noun.

Thanks for reading. See you in cyberspace.

need snow...

Okay... this is going to be nothing less than just a lot of random babbeling here. This job is making me restless. It's hard to work with our membership. They're demanding... and days get really long sitting here waiting for the phone to ring. There is definitely no way I could do this forever.

I need it to snow. Here are the reasons: 1. So I can bake me some ginerbread men 2. So I can get caught up on laundry 3. So I can finish my murder mystery. Those are all great reasons. I see the forecast and it says snow as early as 6AM. One perk of working where I do is that snow and ice make for a closed office. It's kind of absurd because no one else does this, but it's a grand policy as far as I am concerned. If the schools are closed, we are closed. Splendid how this works. Makes winters nice around here.

I want the world to know that I'm done with my Christmas shopping. Pretty much done anyway and thats a wonderful feeling. Christmas is going to be great this year. First year I've spent it with a significant other, which is exciting because this one is the most significant. :0) Holidays are a time to enjoy the warmth of family. I will be off Dec. 23-Jan. 6 or something incredible like this.

MU got into a bowl game... not a very desirable one though. Too bad they had to be dissapointing this year. This reminds me... that I am school shopping. Park University is an evil corporation.

I am looking at the following: 1. Maryville University (NOT NW! It's in STL) 2. Lindenwood 3. Washington U. I realize these are all in the St. Louis area. Anyone catching on? :0) This STL man and I are getting serious. Once I do choose a school you all better believe that I will be busting my ass to finish. Even if I have to take 18 hours/semester and summer school. It's time my friends... And, let's be honest - there's nothing in KC for me anymore. New beginnings are fun and exciting. With Daniel growing up and whatnot, I won't know what to do with myself.

I am currently enjoying the music of Girl Talk...album title: Feed the Animals. It is a remixed album of various songs. It's the bomb. And, it's free to download. I need lots of new music for my ipod. So, if anyone wants to donate to the cause... I'm open Monday-Saturday/

Boring update huh? Nothing particularly constructive to say today.