Happy Holidays = Old Friends

I never seem to be amazed by the fact that I am one of those people that is blessed to have the friends ... FOREVER! It seems that once you are my friend you are locked in.

This holiday season so far has been filled with spending time with some of the most amazing, fun, crazy, silly friends ever!

Tuesday started with lunch & ice cream at the Piper establishments with Ashley, Miranda, and Alison. It was great to catch up with Miranda. Often our weekly communications are simply Monday nights around 8:30, we will text each other "SHELDON!!" and then go back and forth during Big Bang. It was great to see her in person and yummy share fried pickles and amazing ice cream.

Tuesday night was devoted to catching up with Jessie. We have not seen each other in WAY too long and it was time to see what was new/ crazy/ interesting/ ironic/ in our lives. Alison, Jessie, and I headed to one of our favorite Japanese places where we all remembered our credit cards and did not leave them on the table. (ha ha) Then we were off to Target for the purchase of a new "look" for Jessie. We laughed and laughed. Throughout the night I learned/ realized SEVERAL things: if someone is mean when they are little, they grow up to be evil; thomas edison is FOXXXY, and its amazing how much grace, confidence, and class some of my friends have when faced with something that is challenging.

Wednesday I had some of the girls from the class of 95 over to the house to hang out. I laughed and laughed. I could not have asked for a better time with people that have known me for what seems like forever. It was hilarious to catch up on what has been going on for the last 14 years. I really hope that this is something we try to do every Christmas Break because it was good times and I hope that more people can join us in the future. My favorite part is the fact that it was like we had just seen each other last week.

Yesterday was spent with mom, dad, Neal, and Erin. We did Christmas a little different this year, but it was still fun. I love my family and really wish that I got to see them more.

Today started with a phone call from my friend Supriya. I wish I knew the last time I saw her. But, again, it was like we had just talked last week. We are trying to meet up tomorrow.

There's about a week left of my break. I still have Drea to see (with some LU folks), Craig to hang out with, and many more. There's a journey to the beach with one Jenny where I will hopefully see another Jennie.

This reminder of the amazing people in my life has been EXACTLY what I needed!!!

New Moon

So I am completely perplexed by this movie.

I knew it was going to be bad... I just had no idea how bad. (yes, i know... I still went to see it, I had to know for myself)

The worst thing is I cannot pin down what exactly I thought was so terribly bad. I think it was a combination of a bad plot, horrible dialogue, and some kind of acting that I cannot seem to find an adjective to describe. (the STRANGEST THING-- When Jacob's hair was long, his character was more believable-- then his hair was cut and it was like he forgot who he was)

3am thoughts

It seems like I keep setting goals like, "Write more!" Yet I cannot seem to find the time or energy or inspiration to just sit down and write. Maybe because I do not seem to have an aim or objective. But, if I did have one I know I would feel "locked in" and committed, and we all know how much I cannot stand that!

So, for now, this is just an update of what is going on...

School is back in session. I am having the most awesome year ever! My kiddos are AWESOME! This time, I can honestly say, I have little or nothing to do with it. For once, I have a class of kids who have had the gift of being actually raised by people who love them and have taught them how to act. It is completely crazy and I cannot believe what a difference it makes. They are sweet, well behaved, and loving. I wake up every morning and cannot wait to get to school to teach them. They want to learn and let me push them. I feel like I am going to help them learn SO much!

What I learned at the Beach...

When traveling with new people that you have never traveled with before you can expect anything. I had a feeling that the 5 of us would be okay… but, you never know. I can honestly say this was an AWESOME trip.

Here are some things I learned on the trip:
- Everything is Sarah’s fault

- When you are under 5 feet 3 inches tall… a long shirt CAN be a dress

- Boys will flock when you fill out brackets

- Some of us LOVE drunk frat boys…. Some of us HATE drunk frat boys (guess which one I am!)

- Drinking beer in the shower is AWESOME

- True Red Sox fans believe anything is possible AND will do into a swampy nasty pit of alligators to get their winning World Series hat

- Good Karma will follow those who help the jellyfish

- 70s pop stars & songs make GREAT turtle names

- Brandy has the power to rename entire species of fish

- Eating the same dinner, at the same place, 3 nights in a row is COMPLETELY acceptable!

- 13 Bloody Mary is too much --- you will fall off a table

- “Chart” and “Graphic Organizer” are NOT what you call a “bracket”

- I love British boys even more than frat boys

- An I-65 wine tasting with snacks is the BEST way to travel

- Bronchitis on the beach will make you delirious

- Sweaters and towels do not look the same

- Illustrated brackets are better than official ones

- Boys who dig a gigantic hole, drive all night from Chicago, are older than college age, and look like Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters make great beach neighbors. (also get to be named Vince because we decided it to be so)

- Apparently it is NEVER too warm to wear a long sleeve Memphis basketball shirt on the beach

- According to drunk college boys there is “proper” swimwear attire

- Some of us can drink like we are paying tuition

- Liquor can be a dessert

- Everyone has a Scooby Doo personality

- It is possible for me to be still and quiet for a VERY extended period of time and still be awake!!!

21 pounds

Since my birthday (December 8th) I have lost 21 pounds. I am super excited about this accomplishment because usually any time I have tried to lose weight in the past I have quickly grown tired of it and stopped.

I realized that I cannot think of it as a “diet”. I have to think that this is what I do now. I go the gym most days. I either work on the elliptical OR go to Zumba class.

Also, several of my friends have been joining the trips to the Y. I love the fact that I end of seeing MANY people I know there. It the joy of being able to hang out, but not ding it at a restaurant where we will eat crap that half the time we don't even want.

I am also LOVING the fact that I am cooking ALL the time. I have even started cooking for my friends at work.

Vacation ... NEEDED!

So the winter months make me feel blah! It is time to begin to think about the lovely time of year known as Spring Break. I feel that a beach is going to be necessary.