Time Away

There's been a big Elephant in the room lately and that is the upcoming vacation that Chancho will be taking in May. In May he'll be visiting family in Peru for 2 weeks. Originally it was going to be for the entire month, but he's cut it down to 2. This has been in the works for several months now, but little has been said. I would love to go with him, but the money bully has me backed into a corner and I can't afford it. I think I've come to terms with it and have occupied myself with some new ways to stay in contact with Chancho while he is going to be away.  So far we've looked into getting a special package with Verizon Wireless for his phone and there wasn't anything available. We'll be using regular calling cards to stay in contact. I am going to need a little more than just email and phone contact so I have also been searching for different types of video chatting. We used Skype while I was away at school and that worked great, but he won't have a webcam while there. He is stuck with an internet cafe. Therefore, I have looked into using ooVoo. It's just a different version of a web chatting system, but it allows you to video call with someone who doesn't have the program downloaded on their computer, which would work out well for an internet cafe type situation.
I also am looking into taking a long weekend up to school to visit friends to keep myself busy. If that fails, then I'll just have to find something else around here to do. Maybe actually redoing my room! Ha. Anyways, I'm not too concerned about it. It will be like I'm off at school again, except with less communication. It will be the longest we've gone without talking or seeing one another in a year. We've become very spoiled. At least I have plenty of time to prepare myself.
Anyone have any other ways of communicating while their loved ones are far away?


Listening to:  "When I Said I Would" by Whitney Duncan
Quote of the Day: "Don’t sweat the small stuff"

13.8"

This whole entire week, I was plagued with an awful migraine. I couldn't shake it for anything. I think it may have been more than just a migraine as I had the chills and hot flashes as well. It always got worse at night too, when I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was sleep. Today was the first day (knock on wood) that I haven't had any headaches. I probably sweated it out of my system while I was out shoveling yesterday. Mother nature dumped some more snow on us. I thankfully had the day off so I was able to take my sweet time in waking up and cleaning everything up. I did make sure I was up before the mail came so the mailman wouldn't be climbing through a mountain of snow to our front door. While I was up and out I helped out my neighbors get their cars out of their driveway. I heard the spinning tires and headed on over for some extra hands. We were able to get the cars out within a few minutes.
At work today, you could tell that everyone was tired. And when you asked why the answer was always because they were out shoveling. The store closed early at 6pm yesterday so all of the orders from yesterday weren't completed leaving today backed up. When I arrived at 7am, this morning, there were 200+ orders waiting to be done. We had 5 people working diligently all day to get them done and by the time I was leaving at 4pm we were caught up to 6pm for today. However, the entire day we were behind by an hour and a half. We couldn't have any orders done for today either. There were a lot of unhappy customers that had to wait. Tomorrow should be better. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be.
Heading out tonight for a friend's birthday party, however calling it an early night to be rested up for work tomorrow.
Here's some pictures from the snowfall. The last picture is of my walk to work this morning at 630am.

Listening to: "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger

Quote of the Day:  "Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking a moment and making the best of it." - Gilda Radner

Love Kit

This probably would have come in handy for a Valentine's Day gift, but instead I'm just doing it for the hell of it. You don't need an occasion to share your love right? This is what it entails: grabbing a bunch of different types of candy and a few other miscellaneous items and making it into your own Love Kit. I haven't decided yet, but I am leaning in the direction of decorating an empty cereal box (money is limited these days). Or another idea is to decorate an old shoe box. Anyways, this is the list of candy:

• Jolly Rancher- For all the times you make me laugh

• Sweet Escapes- For the special times we spend alone

• Hershey Kisses (Hugs & Kisses) - Yours are simply the best

• 100,000 Bar- You are worth more than a grand to me

• Skittles- For the rainbow of colors you show me life through

• Peppermint Patty- For the cool sensations you give me

• Popcorn- Cause you keep popping into my thoughts

Here is the list of the miscellaneous items:

• Cotton Ball- To help soften any rough times

• Balloon- Because you encourage me to reach for the sky

• Needle & Thread- That we are bound together

• Match- We are a perfect match

• Pom Pom- For the warm fuzzies you give me

• Silk Rose- That will last forever....like us

• Puzzle Piece- Without you, I'm not whole.

 A little corny, but cute. It gets the point across and it isn't a lot of work. Since Chancho is treating me to dinner on Friday, I figured I'd give it to him then. I'm pretty sure I can find everything laying around the house somewhere. I may have to go to the store for some of the candy. Hopefully he'll enjoy it.

Listening to:  Love's Lookin' Good On You" by Lady Antebellum
I am obsessed with them right now.

Quote of the Day: "If you can't giggle, tickle, scream, laugh, run around the room naked, pour liquor on each other & lick it off, tie each other down, have whipped cream fights and dance and sing with each other, then you're having sex with the person too soon."

Playing Catch Up

It has been a bit since I last posted. I just haven't found anything that I really wanted or needed to say, but I feel like it's time. It hasn't even been all that busy and that is probably the source of my neglecting this blog. This past weekend was really good.
Starting with Thursday, I babysat for Buster again and he is now standing up on his own. He skipped over the crawling and went straight for walking. I'm sure in a few weeks he'll be walking by himself. Which, I am so excited about. It will give me more of a chance to be entertained. Right now he just sits and plays, I need someone to run after. I know I'll be kicking myself for saying that once he is up and running around, but I truly am looking forward to it. I got to walk the dog this time around and I hate it! I have to put Buster in a "backpack" and walk the dog. Apparently Buster is too much to handle while the dog is getting walked so it's best to put him on your back so he's out of your hands and he likes it. It's just so heavy, I feel like I'm going to topple over as I'm standing up.
Friday was a lazy day, spent in bed with Chancho. We really needed a day to ourselves as Thursday night we encountered our first rumor. His sister heard through friends that a girl was spreading rumors around that Chancho cheated on me and got her pregnant. A huge shock to the both of us. Chancho handled it the best he could and we've put it past us. We're on to the joking part. I'm so happy we can laugh about it now. So to say the least Friday was our day. We had dinner together and drank some wine.
After work on Saturday morning we headed up to Connecticut for my cousin's birthday party. It was a hat themed party. Chancho wore his work hat and everyone got a kick out of it. My family was already well into the drinks by the time we arrived so it was interesting right from the beginning. We cooked steak on granite blocks. It was really cool. You heat up a 6x6 granite block thoroughly and then place it on a bamboo tray. Then you cook your steak. We also tried chicken drumsticks, but it really doesn't work when you have to rotate it. It's best to just have something flat to cook it evenly. My cousin recently finished his west wing of the house so we played pool and enjoyed a fire out on the deck. It was a good evening.
Then Sunday while I was at work, I hurt myself. We have these wire shelves which come in 2, 3, 4 and 6 foot lengths. I have to pull these shelves almost every day and put them on carts for the customers. Of course, I don't really pay attention as I'm pulling them, I'm chatting away and thinking about what I'll be doing later or daydreaming. Which ultimately is the reason why I hurt myself. I pulled out a 4 foot long shelf, thinking it was a 2 foot one and it was a tad longer than I expected. It was getting heavier as I pulled it and I had it rested right underneath my rib cage. As it got heavier the more pressure I put onto my rib cage. Now, as a result, I have a bruised myself under my rib cage. It hurts all the time. It's not anything too painful, I can still function, but it's that annoying pain that's constantly there, as a reminder saying that I was a dumbass and need to pay attention more while I'm at work. I'm making a mental note now never to do that again.
Today I worked a full day and will be back again tomorrow. I'll have more time tomorrow to read up on everyone and be able to comment.

Listening to: "T-Shirt" by Shontelle
Quote of the Day:  "Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." - Robert Frost

The Love Story

Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings lived; happiness, sadness, knowledge, and all the others, including love.

One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave.

Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the last possible moment. When the island was almost totally under love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help. Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, "Richness, Can I come with you on your boat?" Richness answered, " I'm sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere."

Then Love decided to ask Vanity for help who was passing in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, "Vanity, help me please." "I can't help you", Vanity said, "You are all wet and will damage my beautiful boat."

Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, " Sadness, please let me go with you." Sadness answered, "Love, I'm sorry, but, I just need to be alone now."

Then, Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, "Happiness, please take me with you." But Happiness was so overjoyed that he didn't hear Love calling to him.

Love began to cry. Then, she heard a voice say, "Come Love, I will take you with me." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived on land the elder went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the elder.

Love then found Knowledge and asked, "Who was it that helped me?" "It was Time", Knowledge answered. "But why did Time help me when no one else would?", Love asked. Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."


Listening to:  "Just Got Started Lovin You" by James Otto

Down We Go

Saturday was the day of Cross Country Skiing. We woke up early and headed out to Fahnestock. My parents, aunt and uncle joined us. They have their own equipment so they started out on their own as we rented ours. It's a small park that has a handful of trails ranging in all levels of difficulties. Chancho laced up his boots and off we went. He was a natural. He didn't fall until later on in the day. Granted, he did take it slow in the beginning to get the hang of it, but he was moving along just like everyone else on the trails for the most part. At one point a lady passed by us and said "Great job at not falling! My husband would have fallen at least 5 times already!" and off she skied. I guess we stuck out as beginners. For the first half of the day we stuck to flat land. We did a loop on a field and then ventured out onto the lake. I was little bit nervous as we could see the ice on the lake. The snow was melting fast and the edges around some of the lake was back to water. I made Chancho cross over it first to make sure that it was safe. He gladly took that challenge on. Half way through the loop across the lake, Chancho realized that he was wearing the wrong size boots.

 He was feeling a lot of pain and just wanted to get back to the rental hut. We wound up getting back just in time for lunch. My dad was missing so as my mother searched for him Chancho got replacements for his boots. Once my dad was found, he apparently went off skiing by himself, we sat and ate lunch. Homemade sandwiches, soup, granola bars and fruit filled our stomachs enough for round two. Feeling a bit more confident Chancho decided he was ready for an intermediate trail, which meant there would be hills. We headed over to the trail with the easiest hill, but it was closed due to the snow melting away. That's when my uncle suggested that we go with him and my mother on another trail that had a few hills and just turn around before it turned into the most difficult trial. Chancho felt up to it so that's what we did. He fell on each of the hills, but it seemed as though he was getting the hang of it, that's when we stood at the beginning of the most difficult hill. It was a straight climb up a hill. We had a decision to make, go for it or turn back. Another skier came by and looked at it and then turned around. That did not deter Chancho though. He wanted to do it, so up we went. We climbed up the first hill, no problem. Skied down the first hill, made it successfully. Climbing up the second hill, not so easy. My uncle made it up, but with a struggle. Then followed my mother. She face planted, then rolled over onto her back and her ski's were up in the air. I started laughing hysterically, which in turn made me fall. I slide down a few feet towards Chancho. As Chancho witnessed all the falling he thought it best to choose a different route, off the trail. His ski got caught in some bushes and down he went. There were all three of us rolling on the hill laughing at one another. Once we gathered ourselves and made it up the hill we reached the top of the most difficult down hill of the park. My uncle, who is experienced, decided to walk half way down and then ski it, I followed him. My mom and Chancho walked it to the bottom. It was very icy and steep. At the bottom of it was a tree and if you didn't turn, you would hit it or if you missed the tree, you would fall into a rock wall. Luckily, we all made it out just fine. Chancho smiling and feeling accomplished. He finished his first Cross Country Ski trip without injury and only a few falls. I of course had the camera ready just for those great moments. I really had such a great time.

Quote of the Day: "Love isn't about the romantic nights or gifts. It isn't about fireworks going off around you when you have that first, real, kiss. Love isn't about kissing in the rain and dancing beneath the stars. It isn't about the big moments or the big surprises. Love is not a fairytale. Love is about still having the butterflies after years. It's about the second looks and laying in bed wide awake, all night, because you can't go to sleep mad at each other. It's about being willing to sacrifice, literally, everything for someone, just because you care so deeply for them. It's not about buying them gifts, but it's about leaving them little presents here and there, just to remind them that you are constantly thinking about them. Love is about all of the little things, that add up to really big things. Love is rare and special, but should not be treated as if it will break. Love needs to be thrown around and beat up a little bit, worn in, but not worn down. Love needs to be a comfortable feeling, a place to go when NO ONE else in the world can relate. A safe place, where you know that no matter how ugly you look or how angry you are, you will still be... loved."

Everything is Bigger in Texas

Apparently, shifting around in the back of Chancho's car this entire week has been this big heart shaped box filled with chocolate! Just waiting to be given to me. This was the first surprise.

Step one: I was told to get in the car. We drove to the train station and caught the express train into Grand Central. It was crowded so we had to stand. Interesting conversation happened while on the train. It went something like this:

Chancho: "Do you wanna do it now?"

Me: "What? No, I don't."  Man standing next to us, glares at us.

Chancho: "Well, okay do you want to wait til the next stop, that way we can get a seat in the back?"

Me: "No. We can wait til later." Man still glaring at us, shifting slightly away.

          Chancho: "Okay, fine. I just thought it would be good to do it now."

He then pulls out his lip medication. He had apparently been wanting me to put his medication on his cut. I can only put it on while he's sitting down and figured since we were on the train it would be more convenient than trying while we were walking in the city. I of course, wasn't thinking anything near that and apparently the guy standing next to us was afraid he might get a show himself. All I could do was laugh.

From Grand Central we hopped onto the subway and got off in Times Square and there we were. We walked a few steps and found our destination. Dallas BBQ. We walked in and they wanted to put us at a table right by the front door, but we both shook our heads no. We wanted something a bit closer to the back. Instead, they told us to take the elevator upstairs. Turns out there is a huge upstairs, just filled with tables. They were a little too close for comfort. I could join in on anyone's conversations if I felt like it. 

Here's how our night went: 

Welcome! Have a ginormous drink. I chose the Blue Hawaii (pina colada)

Chancho picked the Strawberry Long Island Iced Tea

Then came my dinner. Spare ribs, Chicken, french fries and corn bread. Yes, I ate the whole plate.

Chancho's dinner arrived soon after mine. Chicken, fried shrimp, french fries and corn bread. Yep, he too finished the plate clean. 

Round two of drinks

I opted for a regular size. Still pretty large in my book. I also switched to a Strawberry Daiquiri

And here ends our dinner. This is what our table looked like 2 hours later. Oh and those blue tubes on the table...Those are the shots of vodka that came in our drinks.

After being afraid to stand up after drinking so much, we stood our ground and took off for the movie theatre. Thankfully it was right next door. Valentine's Day was the movie that he picked out. The theatre was packed. We had a guy sitting behind us that thought he was in his living room. He commented on EVERYTHING. I really could have done him harm. He didn't even have anything witty to say. There just wasn't a filter on his thinking. It was like he forgot that thinking meant to keep it inside your head. Other than that though, it was an okay movie, not the greatest and I wouldn't buy it, but it was appropriate for the date. 

From there we traveled back home. I loved it. It was perfect. A great night out with just the two of us. We were able to laugh and be ourselves, we didn't discuss anything heavy and we made it a fun night out.

I can say that this is one "holiday" that I don't mind celebrating, not on the actual day.

Listening to: "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" by Elvis Presley

Quote of the Day: "I love every little thing about him. The good and the bad. They all make up him, and he's all I want." - Jacqueline Kelly

Preperation

In order to make sure that Valentine's Day was a success, I had a few things to accomplish Friday morning. I stuck to our goal of homemade gifts, even though Chancho broke those rules. I had Friday off so I woke up early and began my gift making. It started out with baking. I chose to make heart shaped brownies. With a quick trip to a very crowded Stop and Shop, I was back home with my box of brownies.

This is the pan that I used to get the heart shapes. It's really a muffin pan, but it worked just fine.

Mixing up the ingredients

And ta-da! The finished product!

I was able to make 10 of them with the entire box of brownies. I "accidentally" broke one so I had to eat it. 

While the brownies were baking, I had started my next homemade gift. I had collected a bunch of pictures from the previous Yankee season games that we had went to and put them into a collage. I bought a black floating frame and on the frame Puffy Painted this:

This is what it looks like from above:

I finished both projects just as Chancho was arriving at my house for him to take me to my surprise....


Listening to: "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by AeroSmith

Winter Wonderland

As the snow continues to fall, I am now cuddled up beneath a few layers of blankets. Earlier, I was out about in my yard and neighborhood taking a few pictures before the few rays of light that were left disappeared for good behind the snowy clouds. I took about 44 pictures in all, I'm not sure they really capture the storm that we had though. I still don't think it was anything like they were saying it was going to be. I was at work on time by 9am and we kept the store open until 5pm. There were customers shopping. The roads were fine on major roadways, but side streets weren't that great. The road to my house has only been plowed 2 times all day. It's pretty slushy right now. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive. I'll be back in tomorrow all day to keep me busy. Friday is a Valentine's day for us. Chancho has a surprise for me. All I know is that dinner and a movie await me, but he has warned me that I will have to do a lot of walking. I'm not sure how that plays into the dinner and a movie, but I'm excited to see what he has in store for me. I'll be sure to fill you all in!

Here are some of the pictures that I felt came out okay: 

 

 

Quote of the Day: “For some moments in life there are no words.” - David Seltzer

Unsatisfied Customer

At this moment in time, Verizon Wireless Sucks! FedEx came through all the wonderful snow today to deliver my most wanted package of a new phone. However, this "new" phone that Verizon sent to me is not so new after all. It doesn't work! I can see the screen just fine, but ask me to make a phone call or to receive one and FAIL. It won't connect. I spoke to 3 different people after I realized that it was searching for service for about 10 minutes and no one could help me. They saw that I was living in the area where "a great amount" of snow was falling and asked if this was true. My response was such: "Yeah, it's been snowing since midnight, but we only have 4". We have gotten snow here before and it's never been a problem." The lady continued to believe that it was the snows fault that the phone wasn't working and that she was going to wait 3 days to see if it would work. I refused that. How can they just wait 3 days to see if my phone will work again?? So I suggested that I just activate my broken phone and use that, it's better than not having a phone at all. As soon as she activated it, I was able to make a test phone call. Take that Verizon lady! It is Not the snow! She agrees now that it is most likely just the phone that they sent me and has requested that they send me another one, which should arrive on Friday. That will be a week without a working phone = An unsatisfied customer.
If I receive another broken phone, they will hear from me and it won't be all smiles and laughter from my end when they do.

Listening to: "In My Head" by Jason Derulo

Winter Storm Warning

  Winter Storm Warning

Just like the rest of the East Coast, I'll be preparing for this snow storm that is slowly approaching us. It seems like it'll be here by this evening. Work just checked in. We will be open tomorrow. Seems like I will either be sliding down the hill to work in a car or walking. Either way, I have to be there for work. I'm also prepared to have to stay later for those who don't make it in. Great opportunity for more hours! My prediction is that we won't get any more than 2 inches. They've been wrong these past two storms. Maybe the third times the charm, who knows.
Now for the not so good that this storm is causing. Chancho and I had plans to get together yesterday. A phone call changed that. Perfectly fine, just stayed in and ate dinner, insulted my father, and drank Bailey's with my mother instead. He had an arrest which made him stay all night. Earlier in the day the female called to say she wasn't coming in, but 4 hours later she changed her mind and came in. I bet she's regretting that decision now as she sits in a cell behind bars. Today we have plans to see one another, however Chancho is still aching from playing football and his lip is swollen 3 times the size, plus he thinks he's getting sick. I'd like to think this is his body telling him he needs to rest, but he likes to think that it's just what comes with winter. He is quickly dropping off a mattress with our friend Zach after work. Not too sure how that will go with 8-13 inches of snow moving our way, but cash is involved so I have a feeling they'll make it work. Will they make it work in time for him to see me later? Probably not, but I will hold out for this weekend. We will get to do something together, fun, entertaining, and if not, we'll at least see one another.

Listening to:

Quote of the Day: "If it doesn't work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain." - Jimmy Buffet

Two Awards!

Thank you, Thank you! I received two wonderful awards from two great people. First I'd like to thank Mrs. Fuzz for the Happy award.

Here are the rules:

• Copy the award image into a post
• List 10 things that make you happy
• Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day
• Put a link to their blogs
• Notify the award receivers
• Recipients should link back to the sender's blog

Ten things that make me Happy: 

1. Summer
2. Receiving flowers out of the blue
3. Music
4. Working Out
5. Any type of dessert
6. Clothes Shopping/ Shoe Shopping
7. Yankees
8. Road Trips
9. Taking Pictures
10. Eating dinner out with friends

Ten people that I'd like to send this on to: 

1. Damsel Underdressed 
2. Monica
3. Mrs. Deputy 
4. Mrs Officer/Mr Officer
5. Dori 
6. Leah
7. Samantha 
8. Bunny O 
9. Cassie
10. Joy 

Next Thank you to Ms. Bibi for the Beautiful Blogger Award. 


With this award, it asks that I share 7 things about myself.

1. I have grown up with Chickens in my backyard my entire life. And will be getting a fresh batch in the spring.
2. I can speak German, but not fluently.
3. My dream is to visit every baseball stadium in America. I have 4 down and the quest continues this summer.
4. Another goal of mine is to visit every state before I die. So far I have traveled the entire East Coast.
5. I have never broken a bone in my body.
6. I will try any food once. 
7. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18.

I am supposed to send this on to 7 people, but I will let you choose if you want to do this or not. So if you're reading this consider yourself chosen! 

Listening to: "History In The Making" by Darius Rucker
Quote of the Day: “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.” - Jesse Jackson

Yankees World Series Trophy

That is the Yankees World Series Trophy in all it's glory! This past Saturday it traveled from Hong Kong to the County Center for our cities viewing pleasures! It was only available for 3 measly hours. Chancho picked me up from work and we rushed over and got in line. There were only a few people on line because it wasn't advertised very well. We didn't have to wait very long to stand right next to it. It wasn't in a glass case or anything. I could have touched it, kissed it and smelled it if I felt the need to. It was so beautiful. It has gotten me so much more excited for this season to start. Pitchers and catchers report in a week I think it is and we will be buying our tickets for the Red Sox v. Yankees game very very soon. This week, I think we'll lay down the money and check off another stadium on our list. March is just around the corner!

No Phone! Ahhhhh

I am going Crazy!! My phone broke on Saturday. The screen went black. I have no way of looking at it, therefore I can't send or receive text messages or view any of my contacts. I can still receive phone calls and make calls, if I know the number. It's driving me bonkers! Chancho and I rely heavily on our phones for communication, especially while he's at work. We are constantly texting one another throughout the day. It feels really weird not being able to send him a text whenever I want. It's pretty sad how dependent I have become with this phone. I can't even use it as my alarm clock anymore. I had to download a gadget to my computer to make sure that I was up in time for work. Which did not mean I had a peaceful sleep. I was so nervous that I wasn't going to wake up to the new alarm. I strode into Verizon today, very confidently, and asked for a new phone. The man was not friendly, but said that because I was within warranty, I could indeed receive a new phone for FREE. The catch was that I have to until Wed for it to arrive AND it needs to be signed for. I'm sure I can handle not having a fully functioning phone until Wed, but the fact that it needs to be signed for is going to be tricky. Both, my mother and I have to work all day. My father on the other hand is off, but he has a strict rule of not answering the door, plus the fact that he lives in the basement and can't hear the doorbell. Two very good signs that I'll be driving to FedEx on Wed to pick up my phone after work. It all won't matter though once I have a working phone in my hand!

Superbowl Sunday was spent at Zach's house with his family and a couple of our friends. It was a good time. Chancho took the day off so that he could partake in the "superbowl" of his own. Every year him and a bunch of his (our) friends get together at a local college and play football. He is hurting today though. Of course they play tackle and don't wear any protection. He got his lip cut up real bad and his lip is probably 3 times the size today.

This upcoming weekend we are planning a Cross Country Ski trip. We thought we would head up to Lapland Lake, which is in the Adirondacks. It's a Finish themed park because the owner is from Finland who was an Olympic skier. It's about 3 hours away from here and a tad expensive for us right now so instead I have a feeling we'll be going to Fahnestock Winter Park. It's a lot closer, smaller, but affordable and only a day trip. Chancho has never been x-country skiing before, so I'm really excited to teach him and see how he does. Maybe he'll love it like he now loves camping.We shall see.

Listening to: "Smile" by Uncle Kracker

Sunny's

 I've been thinking a lot lately about school and how my life was a bit different when I was there only a few months ago. I am figuring out how to adjust to this new lifestyle, but with more responsibility and views on life. I am so grateful that I was able to spend 4 years away from home in new surroundings filled with wonderful people.
Growing up in a household where I wasn't the happiest child, I dreamed of the days where I would be able to leave and be on my own. As a requirement by my parents I had to attend school at least 2 hours away. This was to ensure that I wouldn't be home every weekend, but close enough that I could come home if something came up. I knew right away that I would be going further than 2 hours away. I wanted to escape being home and under my parents supervision. Little did I know that I would hate to travel the distance. I found a school as far as I could be in the state of New York, so I could attend a SUNY school. A tiny town that was as big as my neighborhood. They drove tractors down the road and had snow that would require you to use a snowsuit to get to classes dry. This is the wonderful school that I chose. There were many times, many many times, that I questioned why I chose to go there, but in the end I remembered that I was loving every minute of it.

I have met so many people, fantastic people while I was away at school. I have formed life long friendships that I know I could count on for anything. I would travel those 8 hours in a heartbeat if I knew they needed me. A group of girls that I met freshman year, became my family throughout the 4 years and it was hard to leave them behind. Now that we're all going in our separate directions, I know that we'll do everything possible to keep in touch. There was also a group of guys that I met my junior year that became like brothers to me. A lot of mornings were spent sharing stories about the previous nights activities and confiding in one another about embarrassing moments or not such great decisions, but in the end we were always there for one another. Sunny's is a local "nightclub" in town. It was the place where we could go freshman year as under-aged college students. It quickly became the place to go whenever you felt the urge to just dance. Our final year, we had a house about 200 steps away from the front door of Sunny's. It brings back a ton of memories.
Turns out that by escaping the home I grew up in, I have now distanced myself from a family that I miss everyday and am too far to just stop by and say hi. Now it comes down to emails and text messages, with a few phone calls here and there. They know that they can call me anytime. I guess the purpose of this post would just be to simply say that I appreciated being away at school and the friendships that I built. I wouldn't have done anything differently, regardless of how things have turned out so far. My friends mean the world to me and I will do anything for them. Some friendships are slowly sliding to the wayside, but that doesn't mean I don't cherish those moments and memories. I don't view it as losing a friend, but just someone passing by that I may see again. I am hoping for a reunion this summer. I may be going to surprise a friend who is walking the stage in May, I'd love to be there to see him finally finish. So here's to college and the greatest memories that I can hold on to while I make even bigger and better memories with the next chapter of my life!

Dedication to my friends whom I know I can call up at 1am if I'm lonely: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum

Quote of the Day: "When I want friendship defined-I look at my friends"

Calling All Jobs

I'm getting desperate. I need a new job, not that I don't love my job now, but that's all that it is, a job. I want a career. I am ready to switch it up and get on with something new and exciting. I have been applying to jobs almost every week and nothing. I mean nothing, has come of it. This has been going on since June. I haven't even gotten a call for an interview. What am I doing wrong? How is it possible that with a degree that I have not  been able to find something, anything. I started applying to jobs that I wouldn't even consider, but I am desperate. I have even started applying to places outside of my desired traveling range, meaning the worst place on earth NJ! I am trying to stay positive. I do have a job and an income that allows me to pay for my bills and school loans, but I am ready, beyond ready to move up.
The search continues on...


Listening to: "Rockstar" by Nickelback
Quote of the Day: "There has to be dark and muddy waters so that the sun could have something to background its flashing glory." - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Buried Alive by Roy Hallums

Picture yourself in Iraq, just trying to get some work done when you are kidnapped. How do you get yourself to survive? What will keep you going and willing to make it through your ordeal, no matter how long it is, with the worst possible thought on your mind of death? Roy Hallums brings you through his encouraging ordeal of being kidnapped by a gang, while working as a contractor in Iraq.
This book captures you right from the beginning, as you're thrown into a different world of new customs and life changing activities. It allows you to feel as Roy did while being held hostage and opens your mind into how strong you are as a person, questioning how you may react if put in a similar situation, if not by being kidnapped, but from the families point of view. It was hard to put the book down as you read further in, he left you wanting to know more with every flip of the page. Pick up the book and see for yourself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Family

Turns out that my grandmother made it through the surgery just fine. She is home today without any complications and wobbling around. My mother will be there for a few more days just to make sure that she is waited on hand and foot. My grandmother lives by herself in her own house that has two floors, her bedroom being upstairs so it's definitely not convenient for her to only have use of one leg. Thank you to all who had good thoughts and prayers.
Speaking of family. I was able to talk to a cousin today that I haven't spoken to in years a decade. Thanks to wonderful Facebook chat, we were able to talk for a few moments and catch up. It's nothing like meeting in person or visiting, but it was very nice. I told her to check out the blog so here's a quick shout out to you! Hi :)

In other news, I finally finished reading my book from BookSneeze yesterday so look forward to a post about that, when I find the time.

Listening to: "Superman" by Matchbox 20
Quote of the Day: "If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise."
-Robert Fritz

Off Day

Apparently yesterday I had an off day at work. I wasn't exactly "feeling" the work place atmosphere, but I was still doing my job. I just wasn't as peppy as they would have liked me to be. My manager also found me doing jobs that I wasn't necessarily supposed to be doing at that moment. I didn't consider that to be a bad thing, I was still doing work beneficial to the store, but I guess it just wasn't what she wanted.
My supervisor spoke to me today asking me what was happening. I was thrown off guard. I didn't expect that conversation at all. So there I was stumbling over my words trying to explain myself. As it turns out, I just didn't have the correct attitude that they were expecting. Bare with me a moment while I vent this out.
I just don't see how they can lecture me about my attitude after one day of me not smiling every time they saw me. You would think that they would understand that people just wake up and find themselves in a funk. I'm not one to fake my feelings. If I don't feel like myself, there is nothing that will make me act differently, especially if I'm at work. It doesn't effect how well I do my job if I'm not smiling and jumping up and down. I agree that I  may not come across as approachable if I'm not standing there smiling, but there has to be some leeway. My personality doesn't change. I'm still a kind, patient person. What gets me the most is that I was still working and helping the store out, unlike a few other employees who just stand there and stare at the ceiling.
Okay I'm done. Today was hopefully better. They announced that an employee is now a full timer, which means that they get a key to the store. I was a bit shocked and bummed out by that because I've been aiming for a position of that nature since I have yet to find another job. This is just motivating me even more to find another job and quick. It's time for a change, especially if they aren't going to reward me for my hard work.

Listening to: "Before Tomorrow Comes" by Alter Bridge
Quote of the Day: "Do not be afraid to give up the good for the great." -Robert Hege