tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83776558776174297632024-02-20T23:38:20.233-05:00why limit happy to an hour?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-41827485824877651162014-04-03T08:15:00.000-04:002014-04-03T11:44:29.171-04:00The Finale of How I Met Your Mother or Why I Will Never Let My Daughter Watch my Favorite Show***SPOILER ALERT***<br />
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I get that it's 3 days later, but I feel like I should specify that this blog will contain SPOILERS. Let me just make this clear, stop scrolling if you don't want to know. Because I'm going to SPOIL it for you.<br />
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Let me also make this perfectly clear. How I Met Your Mother is my favorite show. I cannot decide if it will ultimately beat out Friends as favorite show of all time, but it has certainly been fundamental in my life for the past few years, taking me through my young adult life as I'm sure Friends guided people through the 90s. I cried before the opening credits on Monday night. Like sobbed, not just shed a few tears. It was the first of many cries.<br />
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But the finale was horrendous.<br />
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And the more I think about it, the more angry I really get at the writers.<br />
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I'd also like to preface with the fact that I enjoyed the premise of the episode. One big issue with finales is that you always wonder, what happened to the characters after the show? This finale answered that, and put me in a new position of not caring what happened after a certain point.<br />
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Here's why it was not ok.<br />
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<b>1) There was no recognition of the mother.</b> The kids don't even say, we loved mom but it's time for you to move on. They just say, go for Robin. No mention of her death or how important she was in all their lives, just "this is about Aunt Robin." And while they are correct, it is about Aunt Robin, that does not mean that as her children they should discount the fact that she was crucial to all of their lives and it's devastating that she will not get to see them as they grow up. Why even bother bringing her in?<br />
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<b>2) The life lessons. </b>This is where I really start to lose it. HIMYM has long been a source of life lessons for its viewers. Some are serious (the importance of friends in hard times; making sure your priorities align with your partner) and some are not (nothing good happens after 2 am - although that maybe the most important).<br />
But here's what I learned from the series finale of HIMYM:<br />
Men get what they want. Women don't.<br />
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I'm serious. That's what I saw.<br />
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Taking into account that I'm not a super feminist with intentions of burying men under ground, I am a career-driven, ambitious, young professional with aspirations much like Robin to make a name for myself in my given field. I intend to do that regardless of other aspects of my life - husbands, kids, friends, medical issues etc. I think it's important to find happiness in whatever you do, and right now working hard and advancing makes me happy.<br />
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Here's how the lives of the men in HIMYM turn out:<br />
<u>Barney</u> - gets to have a child he loves and no commitment so that he can continue to live the lifestyle he has always wanted.<br />
<u>Marshall</u> - Gets to be a judge (his dream) and be a father to 3 lovely children.<br />
<u>Ted </u>- Gets to have his <i>two </i>dream women, his two dream kids (thankfully NOT Luke and Lea), a successful career as an architect, and the house he loves. He gets to trade one woman for the next in the time of his life that he needs them to get exactly what he wants out of both.<br />
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Here's how the lives of the woman in HIMYM turn out:<br />
<u>The mother (Tracey)</u> - dies young after the heartbreaking death of her first love.<br />
<u>Lily</u> - gets pregnant again. No mention of her budding art career that has really taken off between seasons 8 and 9, or whether she is happy as a mother or a teacher or an artist of all 3. Just that she's as big as a whale and loses her best friend.<br />
<u>Robin</u> - has to sacrifice her marriage at the time her career finally takes off and she is living the dream (because, obviously, you can't have a successful career AND a happy marriage). Loses all of her friends to her career. And...of course...finally finds happiness when she has a man back in her life, because living her dream has never made her TRULY happy.<br />
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Seriously. Watch it again. This is exactly how it goes.<br />
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So no. I don't like the way HIMYM ended. And it's not just because I wasted 9 years of my life waiting for Ted to find his true love so we could see the woman that would ultimately fulfill all of his expectations. Or because the show ended in the same cheesy way it started.<br />
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Lily and Robin had different life goals. They represented varying lifestyles that women could aspire to. Yet neither of them ended up happy.<br />
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I'm so glad I have THAT to look forward to in my 40s.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-50352383115721065392014-03-24T12:58:00.004-04:002014-03-24T12:58:57.402-04:00Adventures in life, or that time I forgot to blog for 4 weeks. Hello out there world (aka Meg and Jamie...my loyal readers),<br />
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At the urging of one of my loyal readers, I felt it necessary to update my blog on the important life journey I've been taking...<br />
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It's called gluten free month, or that month that I had to create a willpower within myself.<br />
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February and March have been a roller coaster. I put a lot on hold to complete not one, but two half marathons within 3 weeks (Disney Princes, 2/24 and Rock and Roll DC, 3/15), as well as jump back on the wagon as far as the gluten free life goes. So some of my other adventures (cheese tasting, going to new places) took a backseat to constant hours on the pavement and constant whining during the recovery (which is still going on).<br />
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However, running in and of itself, was quite an adventure.<br />
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I started running (and to clarify, that means the Couch25k program...on the treadmill) in December 2012 right before leaving for DC. I signed up for a 5k in May, thinking it was honestly, not going to happen. Completing it felt great. Even though I went through the race alone, and I was not prepared for the weaving associated with large races, I finished in 32 minutes and felt like I had really accomplished something great.<br />
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So I guess I was riding that wave when I signed up for the Disney Princess half marathon.<br />
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Growing up in Florida, it seems that every female of college-ish age feels the pull to complete this half marathon. It is the one that all your friends have done, and YOU GET TO BE A PRINCESS FOR A DAY. So this initial decision made on the fly with a couple of my friends didn't seem crazy.<br />
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Now the rock and roll half, that was a crazy decision. This race was going to be 3 weeks after my first half marathon (would I even be walking yet?) with a friend of mine who is a good and serious (and fast) runner. But my thought process went like so:<br />
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<ul>
<li>It takes 6 months to prepare for a half marathon</li>
<li>Ugh 6 months...that's awful</li>
<li>Wait, if I run in February I'll already be prepared. </li>
<li>OMG this is so efficient and time-saving!</li>
</ul>
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Seriously, I wish someone had heard me go through this to explain why it was a bad idea. </div>
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And why it was, was this:</div>
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It's very commonplace to walk the entirety of the Disney half marathon. I thought, man I've found so many beautiful places to run, and I can definitely up my mileage on the weekends and get to where I need to be. Training doesn't even start until October!</div>
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Well kids, you know what else happens in October when you live north of Florida? That's right. Cold, dry air. </div>
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And for those that haven't been tuned in, this winter is one of the worst DC has seen in 25 years. </div>
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Well played winter.</div>
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So I started out on a quest to find a running group. I had heard from many of my friends that this was the way to do it, because you will get feedback and have accountability to get up when it is 18 degrees, snowing, raining, and hailing on you (yes...those four things all happened in one morning). My research led me to the Potomac River Running Distance Training Program, and I can 100% say that without Coach T and this group, I would not have made any sort of personal records or met success. </div>
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And honestly, I didn't meet any kind of success with Disney. I would say that I ran it, but the last 3 miles were sort of a run/walk situation. I finished in just over 3 hours (1 minute shy of my goal), and felt defeated, sweaty, and really not ready to continue for 3 weeks. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Disney - Gross and Crying</td></tr>
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But fortunately, the Rock and Roll run was a much better experience. After 4 months of grueling winter, we woke to a balmy 50 degrees and sunny, with just enough humidity. The course was outstanding, with lots of turns and interesting things to see, and although I hit my regular wall at mile 11, I managed to finish in 2:28, setting a MAJOR PR and feeling ready to conquer the world. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post RnR - less gross</td></tr>
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So of course after swearing off running, I signed up for another <a href="https://potomacriverrunning.com/about-us/run-with-us/">Potomac River Running program.</a> </div>
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I guess I caught the running bug.</div>
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The gluten free month is uneventful. I learned that malted milk balls (aka Robin's eggs, the best candy ever) has wheat flour in it. I also successfully avoided thin mints, several helpings of mac and cheese, free bagels, and most recently falafel. It amazes me that the Jewish community has not done more to provide satisfactory gluten free bagels, but I guess I'm still young and the future holds great things. </div>
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I'll try to at least update next week at some point. But if not then, I'll write you when I write you.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-74209745973671675572014-02-11T17:00:00.001-05:002014-02-11T17:00:03.900-05:00The Plight of the Green JellybeansThis is absolutely a ridiculous thing to write about. But I've dedicated so much brain power to it over the past few days, I can't help but NOT share my story with the world. So they can all know that I am insane.<br />
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One of my coworkers has a stocked candy dish always. It's awesome. She even makes the effort to invest in holiday-representative candy (did you all know that york patties are hearts for valentine's day????). One of the office's all time favorites are the jellybeans. Not just any jelly beans, but STARBURST JELLYBEANS. Basically like a smaller version of the best candy ever, that you feel less bad about eating a ton of.<br />
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Based on my mild to medium OCD, I can only eat jellybeans 2 at a time of the same flavor (or my mouth will be uneven...yes I'm sharing my neurotic feelings with the world, I'm not ashamed). Obviously I started with the best...pink, and for a while I would only eat the pink ones (also the most popular).<br />
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When I realized my first plight (running out of pink too quickly) I expanded my preferences to include red. Which, in all fairness, is super lame of me. Because they are basically pink.<br />
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So as time wore on, I got more adventurous (and let's be honest, more bored doing the same thing every day) so I took on purple. They were also delicious. So I now had 3 whole flavors I could choose from.<br />
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BUT I WANTED MORE. So a few weeks ago I added yellow in to my repertoire. It was a great decision because, no one likes purple or yellow.<br />
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However, throughout all of this, one major thing has plagued me. Everyone knows the basic starburst assortment - yellow, orange (ew), red and pink. So here lay before me, a bowl of jellybeans, sans orange (totally fine) but PLUS GREEN.<br />
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GREEN!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!<br />
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For months now (yes seriously, months) I have avoided the green jellybeans like the plague, assuming some sort of mint or tree or some other weird greenness. What could they possibly be?<br />
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So today...I took the leap...<br />
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And they're watermelon.<br />
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Now I can more haphazardly reach into the bowl and count by twos of all represented colors.<br />
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Happy Tuesday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-73703329522574011992014-02-09T10:09:00.000-05:002014-02-09T10:09:02.150-05:00Adventures in Cooking...Or How I Will Never Learn to Not Touch My Eyes After Cutting Jalapenos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dill Pickle Dip on my newly knitted potholder</td></tr>
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One of my resolutions every year is to learn how to cook/cook more/eat out less/some variation of this project. Last year, I was relatively successful. This stemmed largely from a) moving to DC and feeling like a poor intern and b) having a roommate who also loved to cook. Since those two factors have changed, I fell off the wagon. So what better time to be better than the beginning of a new year?<br />
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One of the things I enjoy doing is cooking a lot on Sunday (especially some sort of portable breakfast) and then having leftovers during the week. I've become especially skilled at this since I don't really have the ambition to do anything during the week after work.<br />
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Clearly I'm more ambitious with the goals than the blogging :-)<br />
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Last weekend I made my OWN salsa verde (minus the cilantro because I'm an idiot) and cooked chicken in the crockpot. I also made dill pickle dip for the super bowl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa Verde (I didn't take a picture of the chicken)</td></tr>
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I signed up for the <a href="http://www.slenderkitchen.com/slender-kitchen-members/meal-plans/">Slender Kitchen</a> meal plan, which is nice because they have a meal plan option for 2 instead of 4. They also have a low carb meal plan, which is great for when I'm trying to actually not eat gluten. <div>
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The dill pickle dip is a Pinterest creation, from <a href="http://afewshortcuts.com/2013/09/dill-pickle-dip/#_a5y_p=992858">here</a>. It was delicious and I ate it all week!<br /><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-70164482683962990582014-02-04T14:26:00.005-05:002014-02-04T14:26:50.078-05:00Adventures in the north...Or that time winter was the worst season ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This one doesn't really need a blog entry. It's pretty much how I feel every day. </div>
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But the good news is it's supposed to freezing rain again this weekend...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-81918151685367306802014-02-02T16:50:00.003-05:002014-02-02T16:50:20.122-05:00Adventures in Knitting, or How I Gave Myself ArthritisLast night my friend Sarah hosted the first annual (monthly, recurring) Stitch and B*tch night. Festivities included knitting, crocheting, baking, and w(h)ining. The night was a great success, with some guests (yours truly) persisting until midnight. Not only did I finish my potholder (shout out to Sarah and Katie for supplying me with materials), my friend Tina was able to effectively figure out how to drink wine while using both hands to accomplish a task.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I begin my knitting journey</td></tr>
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I used to knit as a child. My grandmother taught me, and I spent a lot of time scouting out her various tools and yarns. I loved the yarn store, because much like every craft store, it's full of hope and possibility. And much like every other craft project, it inevitably ends with me spending too much money, enjoying about a second of it, and then quitting or producing a mediocre project based on my need to finish and move on to the next thing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dishcloth pattern</td></tr>
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The best example of this in knitting was when I decided I was going to actually make a scarf I would wear. I walked into the local yarn store and promptly picked out the most expensive yarn ball in existence (that might be an exaggeration, but it was $25 and as many of you who knit will know, there are few projects that only require one ball of yarn). After discussing with the woman and settling on a knitting needle size, I begged my mother to let me have the ridiculously expensive yarn. She gave in, and I went home and promptly began to butcher another art project. Three balls of $25 yarn later, I had an hourglass shaped scarf, that went from large at one end to small in the middle and large at the other end. I was not impressed. Not only was the workmanship shoddy, but the insanely expensive designer yarn left black pieces everywhere. However, my mother was able to effectively guilt me into wearing this $75+ scarf at least once, and I can honestly say I have no idea what became of its fate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has an eyelet pattern. Not well pictured here. </td></tr>
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Needless to say, I'm not a knitter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1545848_10201269491554784_1785568401_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1545848_10201269491554784_1785568401_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woah...I'm halfway there...Woah - Oh</td></tr>
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But a few years ago my mom took it up, and I have two lovely scarves from her that are not misshapen and utilize different patterns than just knit.<br />
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So last night I decided to start up again, with an insanely hard project for someone who hasn't held needles in 10 years. The night was off to an immediate bad start when I went to the knitting store and it was closed. So Sarah suggested I make this potholder, and after a few lessons (yarn on...that one was new to me) I was knitting away as if no time had passed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product</td></tr>
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I finished the potholder (really it's not a potholder, it's more of a thing to set warm dishes down on) and I notice it's still uneven (counting stitches aside). However, I'm proud of it and I'm excited about this new tradition that will hopefully continue with my friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It works!</td></tr>
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Tonight it will be holding Superbowl dip (to be described in a future blog post). Go Broncos!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-14796623376792932682014-02-01T17:41:00.001-05:002014-02-02T08:02:29.018-05:00Becoming an AdultSo it is 2014, and I haven't done much of anything in a while. I'm not really determined to start up a new blog, but I am making such attempt at change that I feel like I need a way to remember. And also to hold myself more accountable. So this will now be a place where I can document my life changes. If anyone is interested, please read on.<br />
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<b>I liked DC so I put a ring on it...</b><br />
And by that I mean, I made the financial commitment to this city by investing in winter clothes. More specifically, a good coat with a hood. That was my deal breaker for said coat, because my head is cold and remembering extra items of clothing is probably not going to happen. Although it is not down, I foresee that I will be attempting to purchase one of those in the near future (perchance at the North Face sale). But in all seriousness, I made the mental and metaphorical commitment to being in this city for 5+ years. That is a big deal for me, based on how hard I tried to get out of DC about two months ago. But I feel good about where I am in life, and now it is time for me to attempt to get to know this city better.<br />
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<b>Explore DC</b><br />
Since I am committing to this city, I need to make a conscious effort to get to know it better. So far, I'm not doing great with that (although I have been to a bunch of new places in Arlington recently). But this might be a March goal. I have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Washington-Foot-Fifth-Walking-Alexandria-ebook/dp/B0057JAWV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391293910&sr=8-1&keywords=walking+tour+dc">walking tour book for DC</a>, so maybe if I have a spare moment in February I will go for a short walk and see some sights. But I will definitely make this a priority at some point in the year.<br />
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<b>Become more versed in the world of cheese</b><br />
Anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that I have one extreme love in the world...and that is any and every form of cheese. So, as I mature (pronounced, ma-too-er) I have decided that my tastes should mature with me. This includes such other things as wine, whiskey and food-to-go (part of that being, to get rid of fast food as a staple of my diet), but mostly it encompasses this goal for cheese. Sometimes I walk by the nice aisle of wine and think, one day I will be able to afford those $50 bottles of wine, and actually appreciate them. But various cheeses have significantly different tastes, and so I have decided to focus my taste buds on that. I even purchased this lovely<a href="http://www.handeyesupply.com/products/33-pieces-of-cheese"> book</a> to document my tastes (which will hopefully then be translated on to the blog).<br />
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<b>Run my first (and second) half marathon</b><br />
This one is a big deal. I started Couch to 5k a year ago when I moved here. In May I ran my first 5k EVER. Now I am attempting to run two half marathons within a month of each other (Disney Princess and Rock and Roll DC). This is INSANE. But because I knew it was insane, I joined a running group, a social jewish running group, a free running group, and got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Runners-World-Training-Journal-Runner--From/dp/1609618548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391294117&sr=8-1&keywords=runner%27s+world+training+log">running log.</a> Although I have been slacking a little on the running with people thing, I am excited that this has become a part of my life. I have made it to 8.5 miles, and I feel confident I will get where I need to be in the next few weeks. It has certainly been an adventure running in the cold (and living in the cold, and breathing in the cold), but I am impressed with myself at how far I have come. My original resolution was to run an organized race each month of the year, but unfortunately I couldn't come up with one for January. I do feel that running is going to become a regular part of my life, and I can't wait to see what other fun things it brings me going forward.<br />
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<b>Read More</b><br />
This is always in the back of my mind, and always an issue. I love books. Everything about them. I have way too many. But occasionally I go through periods in my life where reading takes a backseat to other things. It happened last fall, and I hit a lull. I was finally able to drag myself out of that lull by finishing a book, and then quickly finishing another one. I think that I had become complacent in what I was reading (I tend to find something I like, and then buy like 10 other books on the subject) and I needed to shake it up. So I made an effort to have my kindle with me at all times, as well as various books in various stages of being read on my nightstand. But, this goal has a double meaning. When I say read more, I mean both read more frequently and read more types of things. I have a subscription to the <a href="http://www.washingtonian-magazine.com/?infinity=gaw~USGOO%2BBRAND%2BSPART%2BBrand~USGOO%2BBRAND%2BEXACT%2BWASH%2BWashingtonian%20Magazine~14004820196~washingtonian~e&gclid=CMjfw_m_rbwCFStnOgodCg4ACQ">Washingtonian</a> (again, thank you groupon), as well as a subscription to the <a href="https://subscription.smithsonianmag.com/1111gwo/landing_a.cfm?src=SJRZZ33&gclid=CM_B4oPArbwCFacDOgodVT8AOQ">Smithsonian</a> magazine (thank you mommy). I want to mix up my reading and make sure I end up with fewer back issues of these (I cleaned them out, and honestly most of them just got moved to the coffee table, there's some good stuff in the Washingtonian). I also want to make a better effort to read the news, whether it's the free metro paper I grab and always throw away (the man who gives them out is so sweet) or the news articles sent out by our communications department every day to keep us informed of the healthcare world. To hold myself to a book standard, I swore to follow the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PiBetaPhi/app_457937420910073"> Pi Beta Phi book club</a> list this year, in an attempt to complete at least 12 books. All of which will be kindle so they are easily accessible.<br />
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<b>Live better</b><br />
Super specific I know. But to me this goal encompasses all of the other ones, and more. I want to eat better (and less gluten-ey) in 2014. I want to try new foods. I want to try new things. I want to see more places. I want to do better at work, at home, at BBYO, at making friends. I want to read more. I want to feel better during the days and nights. So this comes with some smaller more specific steps. I am trying yoga and I signed up for a GRE class (thank you groupon). I am spending my weekends doing things, instead of spending 8 hours in bed. I am going to cross train and NOT just run (insert yoga and potentially joining a gym). I am going to take the opportunities, but also learn to say no (this is a biggie for me). I am going to cook more. And I am going to have a more organized life, so I got a new planner.<br />
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<b>Keep track of it</b><br />
Last year I got a 2013 day journal, and I only made it through February. I have been trying to keep track of things (running, cheese) as best I can, but I have a feeling this blog might be the answer. I am going to make a calculated effort to keep track of all of this stuff, and post fun blogs with pictures and stuff. But who knows? It might only last a month. It might be too much. I might get bored or remember how good bread with gluten tastes. Only time will tell.<br />
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I will say, I am impressed with this first blog. I even put links in.<br />
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And to make it even better, I'm adding in a picture from the new year. To remind myself how well it started out.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-88966591743703825762011-04-25T00:00:00.003-04:002011-04-25T00:03:18.908-04:00Four Years AgoI was sitting in Chain Reaction graduation the other night, and the magnitude of the event hit me. Not that the senior members are graduating, but that I have now sat through 3 graduations. That means that my prelude with Chain Reaction began over three years ago, and for the first time the end is in sight. Chain Reaction, as many of you know, has been my life for most of high school. It is such a staple in my life that I can't imagine parting with it even more than I can't believe I will be leaving high school this year to venture in to the big bad unknown world of college. I can see things around me winding down everywhere...the end of the UF semester, the reviews for AP tests, graduation anouncements, the ending of most school clubs. And all I can wonder is, will the rest of my life pass this quickly? Because as eager as I am to leave high school behind, will I be that eager if the next four years pass as quickly as the last four years have? I signed a lease, I made contact with the UF collegiate council, I signed up for preview, and I bought student football tickets...I have already rushed this foray into the unknown...and high school isn't even over yet! <br /><br />I drove by the GHS marquee yesterday and saw something written about the Class of 2007. For so long that year has stood out in my mind as the year I would graduate high school. And for the first time, I realized I was sad about graduating. Not about leaving GHS, but just about being old enough to graduate. We have all been sheltered for so long and now we are being scattered, as if someone reached down and just threw us and saw where we landed. But the scarier thing is, that this is not the last time in our lives that we will be scattered. In four years some of us will return, some of us will venture out further into the world, and some may not be here to continue.<br /><br />It's weird to think I can remember a time when 1 minute seemed like forever. When I thought 60 minutes to an hour was way too many minutes. When I thought the end of middle school was decades away. When I couldn't believe we were a year into the new millenium. When I started high school and wished so desperately the four years would be over. But now I have run out of things to count down, things to look forward to. The fact that I had to calculate my year of college graduation on facebook seems unfathomable to me. How could this be it?<br /><br />So back to Chain Reaction graduation. It is amazing to see, from a graduate's point of view, how one person can change the life of another. But that's what happens in Chain Reaction. While we are out there working for the babies, we fail to realize that we have inadvertantly changed the lives of those around us. Allie Weiner said something that really summed it all up. She said, "From the outside, we are just the kids in purple polos at WalkAmerica, and the kids who sell club MOD tickets. But if you could see the Chain Reaction I have seen, you would see kids who have bonded so much, we are all sitting in the ticket booth together, even though it only requires 2 people to sell tickets." And she's right. Watching the chain reaction is a real and tangible thing. These kids who 9 months ago sat in a room with me being interviewed are not the same kids who have just graduated to senior member status. They began as 19 individuals, and now they are a group bonded so much more deeply than you could ever hope to see. Chain Reaction graduation offers a real chance to watch lives change, and I was glad to see it the other night. <br /><br />So what was this about? I'm not sure. Graduation is sneaking up on us faster than we realize, and as happy as we are to get out of here, I believe that some of us are stlil nervous about leaving. I am...<br /><br />April 25, 2007<br /><br />**<br /><br />Seems as though not much has changed. Chain Reaction graduation is tomorrow night. My graduation is next Saturday. Once again we're being scattered. I think I feel more confident in knowing that there are some things that will never change. People are always moving, always changing. We are always alone in the making of these decisions, and we alone can control who stays in our lives and who goes. As for me, I think it's safe to say I am a long way from losing touch with the most important people in my life. The biggest difference between these four years and those four years is how much stronger these four years have made me, and how that strength translates into my relationships. I can easily say this has been four years of regret, but as for now, as the outcome measure goes, it was pretty successful. T-6 days and counting...<br /><br />April 25, 2011Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-84618586538907041522011-02-16T14:04:00.001-05:002011-02-16T14:04:08.364-05:00Do not stand at my grave and weep,<br />I am not there, I do not sleep.<br />I am in a thousand winds that blow,<br />I am the softly falling snow.<br />I am the gentle showers of rain,<br />I am the fields of ripening grain.<br />I am in the morning hush,<br />I am in the graceful rush<br />Of beautiful birds in circling flight,<br />I am the starshine of the night.<br />I am in the flowers that bloom,<br />I am in a quiet room.<br />I am in the birds that sing,<br />I am in each lovely thing.<br />Do not stand at my grave bereft<br />I am not there. I have not left.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-91906490117514558522011-02-02T21:24:00.003-05:002011-02-02T21:36:06.855-05:00what did I do for fun when I was 10 years old?I revisited Ms. Rubin's blog in a blatant attempt to procrastinate studying some more (although as per my resolutions I have done all the readings for the assigned dates), and I came across her challenge question for this week:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What did you do for fun when you were 10 years old?<br /></span><br /><br />I'm sad to say that I can barely remember that far back (it really wasn't that far back). What I do remember is that it was almost the turn of the millenium, a time of turmoil when the world was entering the unknown (remember Y2K?). My favorite movie at the time was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186726/">Zenon Girl of the 21st Century </a> (cetus lepidus she looks young), which I can distinctly remember because it inspired some...interesting fashion choices on my part. <br /><br />Turning 10 and entering the 5th grade was a big deal at the small school I attended, as it meant you were now a part of the senior class. Three or four new students joined us that year, and I can remember the drama they would create in later years. There were 9 of us that made it from 5th-8th grade (with only one dropout--me, and I returned), and my best friend is one of the girls who came from that class (14 years and counting). We bought messenger bags instead of backpacks, because at the turn of the millenium those were what the grown-ups had. <br /><br />Interestingly, 10 years old was the first year I went to the camp that I have now worked at for four years. And I had a phenomenal summer. I was not an outdoor kid, but I still have the hundreds of beaded necklaces and bracelets on spiral wire stored in my "memory box." I also know that at that age I loved to read, and I remember bringing the second Harry Potter book with me to camp (which I now regret because my mother wrote my name in permanent marker on the first page of that FIRST EDITION). Long before these books gained popularity I knew they would come to be my favorites.<br /><br />It's hard to say what else I had fun doing when I was 10 years old, because honestly I wasn't allowed to do much. I went to a lot of movies and I had sleepovers, and I guess I enjoyed doing those things but it may just have been default. I know that when I was 10 I discovered how much I liked volleyball, but I didn't play until I was 11. I'm not sure if I went to the movies because it was cool to be without my parents or because I really wanted to go to the movies that often (fortunately back then I could afford to go that often). <br /><br />In some ways I think I had already narrowed down my favorite activities at 10. Even my favorite books were already picked out. Which may have been Gretchen's point in this reflection...those activities should still bring me the happiness I am looking for.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-26298113959721734742011-02-01T21:23:00.004-05:002011-02-01T21:37:14.005-05:00It's an interesting placeEndings always make you reflect. On what you've done, on what you're doing, on what you're going to do, and on what you could've done differently. Unfortunately I've recently been confronted with the "what I could've done differently" phase, which for some reasons feels more plausible than the "what you're going to do" phase. It's bothersome because changing the past is as unattainable as predicting the future. Yet I manage to sit here every day and look back at past decisions and wonder, "Emily, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"<br /><br />As the big wide world of the future looms ahead of us, my friends and I have certainly gone off the deep end. Between the weird and often violent dreams, the excessive laziness, and the extreme insecurities that fester around us, I am surprised that we are still managing to lead fairly stable lives. Some have turned to compulsive habits like applying to too many jobs or joining the peace corps, while I have chosen to sit back and analyze every decision I've ever made. And where has it left me? Wishing for time travel.<br /><br />If they invent time travel in my lifetime, will I go back and warn past Emily of her extremely bad judgement? Assuming that by that time I have lived out most of my adult life and I will know basically how the story ends, will I want to go back and change it knowing full well that happiness now could mean extreme unhappiness in the future? In such a sense, is time travel even ethical enough to pursue, considering it could very well end lives that are already in existence?<br /><br />No. The truth of the matter is that my story has more pages left unwritten than I have even begun to live. In the words of Alanis Morisette, "Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out." And I can say with extreme honesty that I have looked at both sides of some decisions I have made and see that even though it was hard at the time, I am a better person because of that decision. But what if they invented time travel tomorrow, and I was able to go back and do it all better. Take the classes I wanted, make better grades, find friends I never knew existed and apologize to those I know I've hurt. It's so hard to see when you're on the inside looking out, and it's so hard to say that the unknown consequences of those decisions wouldn't seem worth it at this point. <br /><br />There's a Rascal Flatts song that claims "I wouldn't change a thing. I'd walk right back through the rain. Back through every broken heart on the day that it was breaking. And I'd relive all the years, and be thankful for the tears I've cried with every stumble step that led to you and got me here." I can't imagine this being true. I can't imagine being in a place where all this pain and all these mistakes are worth it. But that somebody feels this way, gives me hope that one day, I will too.<br /><br />Fortunately this is all irrelevant, and all I can say to past Emily is, how are we the same person? Why is it so much easier for me to logically see how you are making bad decisions? Fortunately, she'll never know how things turn out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-10000409704145504802011-01-26T16:25:00.005-05:002011-01-26T16:33:19.075-05:00oh the weather outside is weather...1. Cicerones. I have never not been thankful for this phenomenal group of people that shaped my college career. Serious CLUV to the newbies of 08...and newbies 11 get ready for the wild ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcB_dvIQtJnmH6mMXuD5Nd13UnbwzxJjhUJv2lcj2Xf7ytJX_wSmJ2m77eVxOP7f4lz5yVjuKrCY9ViK__t0sYj1VJ9RRrHK2ISpd71C8bslntsvHm50O5rg0Prz4TPurh3dm1dcgLUs/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcB_dvIQtJnmH6mMXuD5Nd13UnbwzxJjhUJv2lcj2Xf7ytJX_wSmJ2m77eVxOP7f4lz5yVjuKrCY9ViK__t0sYj1VJ9RRrHK2ISpd71C8bslntsvHm50O5rg0Prz4TPurh3dm1dcgLUs/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566610274203271602" /></a><br /><center>How we started...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxztyV3ID3Ch8gjAvwDdIhTIsSd5n5Th8IXLyWm8W_F04U8paUBFVqxsBqQhDKG84r2ngCbkTNO45savBpVHj0uJBM5z9QiwEEPxfd2kAQe-SdwBxRIa3Xl09a_vmS9ZtS_FTXSAIGnk/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxztyV3ID3Ch8gjAvwDdIhTIsSd5n5Th8IXLyWm8W_F04U8paUBFVqxsBqQhDKG84r2ngCbkTNO45savBpVHj0uJBM5z9QiwEEPxfd2kAQe-SdwBxRIa3Xl09a_vmS9ZtS_FTXSAIGnk/s400/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566610392893931154" /></a><br />...and what we've become. </center><br /><br />2. Not being an adult quite yet. Justifying turning off the world because of the rain. And having mexican fiestas in fraternity houses.<br /><br />3. Pi Phi food. And the fact that it's provided for me. No responsibility needed. <br /><br />4. Being able to walk. I was on crutches for about a month during my junior year and I felt a new appreciation for this. And it occurred to me (since I have a huge fear of injuring myself playing soccer...which starts tonight) that I would NOT be able to get to my classes this semester if I was on crutches. It would actually be impossible without someone driving me from class to class.<br /><br />5. Living in Gainesville. Where real life takes a break. Or if you're Christopher Emmanuel...where life is like inception. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgXzGtwhMt_1RiDnnqJN1dCcRADlDqmEcNGYRtBCyVs8yMbuWuaGo59jfbaAztKaOGAJGZiuT4_AAgCg_v4774UgaM2E-016tCa4CZhkae4HViLrrsa14K30XpPeBRLPKvZEzT9qldYM/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgXzGtwhMt_1RiDnnqJN1dCcRADlDqmEcNGYRtBCyVs8yMbuWuaGo59jfbaAztKaOGAJGZiuT4_AAgCg_v4774UgaM2E-016tCa4CZhkae4HViLrrsa14K30XpPeBRLPKvZEzT9qldYM/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566610803838117682" /></a><br /><br />6. The internet. Making life easier since circa 1992.<br /><br />7. Having four day weekends. Every weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-78634318945989401612011-01-21T21:26:00.001-05:002011-01-21T21:26:19.193-05:00#nowplaying Back to DecemberI'm so glad you made time to see me<br />How's life, tell me how's your family<br />I haven't seen them in a while<br />You've been good, busier than ever<br />We small talk, work and the weather<br />Your guard is up and I know why<br /><br />'Cause the last time you saw me<br />'Twas still burned in the back of your mind<br />You gave me roses and I left them there to die<br /><br />So this is me swallowing my pride,<br />Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night<br />And I'd go back to December all the time<br />It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you<br />Wishing that I'd realized what I had when you were mine<br />I'd go back to December, turn around and make it alright<br />I go back to December all the time<br /><br />These days I haven't been sleeping<br />Staying up playing back myself leaving<br />When your birthday passed and I didn't call<br />And I think about summer, all the beautiful times<br />I watched you laughing from the passenger side and<br />Realized I loved you in the fall<br />And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind<br />You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye<br /><br />So this is me swallowing my pride,<br />Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night<br />And I'd go back to December all the time<br />It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you<br />Wishing that I'd realized what I had when you were mine<br />I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind<br />I go back to December all the time<br /><br />I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right<br />And how you held me in your arms that September night,<br />The first time you ever saw me cry<br />Maybe this is wishful thinking<br />Probably mindless dreaming<br />If we loved again I swear I'd love you right<br /><br />I'd go back in time and change it but I can't<br />So if the chain is on your door, I understand<br /><br />But this is me swallowing my pride,<br />Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night<br />And I'd go back to December<br />It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you<br />Wishing that I'd realized what I had when you were mine and<br />I go back to December, turn around and make it alright and<br />I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind and<br />I go back to December all the timeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-53633247233774297702011-01-20T08:51:00.043-05:002011-01-20T12:02:29.074-05:00maybe it cracked under the pressureToday I decided I am going to quit the Happiness Project. Not because I hate the world and want to be miserable, and certainly not because I don't want to live a happier life. But here I am 3 weeks into 2011 and to say that it has been a whirlwind of emotions would be an understatement. So it dawned on me today: you can't control happiness. Happiness is not something that I can turn on and off or manipulate. It's not something I can choose to be or not to be. I can do things that I enjoy, but if the underlying emotion at that time is not happiness then really it will all be for nothing. <br /><br />So far, 2011 has not even come close to matching up to 2010 in happiness. 2011 was like the bad rebound after the perfect relationship, like playing John Brantley after playing Tim Tebow. It wasn't what I expected. And maybe, like John Brantley, 2011 was just destined to fail by circumstance. Maybe 2011 needs a new offensive coordinator who knows how to play a passing quarterback. I guess we'll have to wait for the season to finish to find out. <br /><br />This morning I spent a large amount of time on facebook, reflecting back on 2010 and why I was so happy. And I noticed, there was no real reason. Of course I was doing all the things you're supposed to, like being with people I liked, and doing things that made me happy, and surrounding myself with the correct situations. But really, I was just a different person, especially in the beginning. Maybe it was the blonde hair. Either way, that person has been lost and I don't think the Happiness Project is the way to bring her back. <br /><br />So here are some highlights of 2010 and happy Emily. In 2011 I am still going to stick to some of my resolutions, but for the first time in my life I'm going to relinquish some of the control I have (or want to have) over every situation. I'm going to accept that I can't make everyone happy, and that I can't control my own happiness in relationships with other people. I think 2011 is destined to be a worse year than 2010, if not simply by the circumstance that it holds the unknown future in its second half. But here's to 2010...and everything about it that made me happy. <br /><center><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUgSjko4h3SLVrgXs_IZhTMhrkpGP0nzOnoE6KiUatoCXaQYjgFb79y4VFlQ1ghAy5K1ef1y3_GCqikWIyHFHWzPf1SVpTXs0DXY7qzJbVT3tY06P9yyo7wu2KHuZ2rk4ESCfrTfalqA/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUgSjko4h3SLVrgXs_IZhTMhrkpGP0nzOnoE6KiUatoCXaQYjgFb79y4VFlQ1ghAy5K1ef1y3_GCqikWIyHFHWzPf1SVpTXs0DXY7qzJbVT3tY06P9yyo7wu2KHuZ2rk4ESCfrTfalqA/s400/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564267127836948754" /></a><br />My last moments of 2010. The happiest and best new year I've ever had, in the Ritz Carlton.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGrIaXeodyAd9_m5eSseGBSAx8ihr-gAn2MOmBuYxbW_hHHnFmZKg5eAFbgvY1l26EAJ0Ff3ONOK1WWwmLBDqvq7CH1FUde4MFWkSJgnxLb8aGHwW2f7IZGhsez498Gp3kMwgpRWfARA/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGrIaXeodyAd9_m5eSseGBSAx8ihr-gAn2MOmBuYxbW_hHHnFmZKg5eAFbgvY1l26EAJ0Ff3ONOK1WWwmLBDqvq7CH1FUde4MFWkSJgnxLb8aGHwW2f7IZGhsez498Gp3kMwgpRWfARA/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564267391995086002" /></a><br />Day trip to Orlando over Winter Break<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAGdpjtPi8ThaQDqtKmvGj2NxVUAqUzQkAj4CzlJl5321nwhYiC1-Tibo0uO3lbjyljtsh3DtaTUzWopFxLD7gKAqlHP4Xx-3mmDROJU-WP758EkfDRlcnN-mlp9XVltaWAIXAvdWlrk/s1600/photo-5.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAGdpjtPi8ThaQDqtKmvGj2NxVUAqUzQkAj4CzlJl5321nwhYiC1-Tibo0uO3lbjyljtsh3DtaTUzWopFxLD7gKAqlHP4Xx-3mmDROJU-WP758EkfDRlcnN-mlp9XVltaWAIXAvdWlrk/s400/photo-5.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564267695139352850" /></a><br />Senior events<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsN1zoTVoc8r0Fsjc3MB8iyD6RUjUfBd75XlX7MepDur2RaoE_l9Iv3GHD1AV4HUVSiY1gOA-m1Vuww5ZMvCsGNOllMoPAt9P72cKXojAQCxQNCk17R87mfKwv_qvwGeRUOytYQatkRY/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsN1zoTVoc8r0Fsjc3MB8iyD6RUjUfBd75XlX7MepDur2RaoE_l9Iv3GHD1AV4HUVSiY1gOA-m1Vuww5ZMvCsGNOllMoPAt9P72cKXojAQCxQNCk17R87mfKwv_qvwGeRUOytYQatkRY/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564267901251698242" /></a><br />Date Functions<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0AMc-kAEPACKzajcU7KhPzYOmp5ckIy_WbLZSCSiha1CXORENzYfPrYqMFCZ65VKHCJ1Lzmvff8P6fjK9Q-SL2CmzQ5uGu8ObKZX8prinMXjgvG1FdZBbTvH5wkFAL8UAh3uVwKsNf8/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0AMc-kAEPACKzajcU7KhPzYOmp5ckIy_WbLZSCSiha1CXORENzYfPrYqMFCZ65VKHCJ1Lzmvff8P6fjK9Q-SL2CmzQ5uGu8ObKZX8prinMXjgvG1FdZBbTvH5wkFAL8UAh3uVwKsNf8/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564267998175867650" /></a><br />Harry Potter premieres (at 3:15)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu_thqRySfNF0MH-nvH88RkeSyk9B0DU68NkItI2Mp6X7GSU2e5rOG9Lo4pgwzd3CT0WlmwX_nE_3bkJ2ANeU54LykcKU-1mJc6VQrw3vbJeVrYt00qne3T2Xnh29Z6afteWdlzqt4pY/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu_thqRySfNF0MH-nvH88RkeSyk9B0DU68NkItI2Mp6X7GSU2e5rOG9Lo4pgwzd3CT0WlmwX_nE_3bkJ2ANeU54LykcKU-1mJc6VQrw3vbJeVrYt00qne3T2Xnh29Z6afteWdlzqt4pY/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564268230512080930" /></a><br />My sister's Bat Mitzvah<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0-AoQbjbWAjrI8j6xyxaV_NBXNCIHJrQ3oB4KUIZolqam3Nmdb2YTSHDoF1i-w66nYbbCfXog28svt23M5sLACnAiL9FK80iqOax9P6mGCe6yR7JEAP5SCGvu153w-mAexcc8zQSdfc/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0-AoQbjbWAjrI8j6xyxaV_NBXNCIHJrQ3oB4KUIZolqam3Nmdb2YTSHDoF1i-w66nYbbCfXog28svt23M5sLACnAiL9FK80iqOax9P6mGCe6yR7JEAP5SCGvu153w-mAexcc8zQSdfc/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564268410945591650" /></a><br />Gamedays at Phrathouse<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbug_zK7qioqei_rx8wMZ995A_CBexq9b7tlShrqw2eW_DTncDzC5fFM6XhvnnAMHfxDgavapdMhXejViek4qhO4wm5VGY6qA7u9KRgEd95dY7BBVSjGUfjgTWKe2ncw6QC_JsCdW-Y8c/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbug_zK7qioqei_rx8wMZ995A_CBexq9b7tlShrqw2eW_DTncDzC5fFM6XhvnnAMHfxDgavapdMhXejViek4qhO4wm5VGY6qA7u9KRgEd95dY7BBVSjGUfjgTWKe2ncw6QC_JsCdW-Y8c/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564268550333355794" /></a><br />Onesies<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSODxYYJRUekPK46xEoe4iGJogq8X9M1vNSWt9tjUZTxL47RGZFDUeIv1Cb4JJvcerOHzIdg-GYEWoDOA90-RBcCBu8UyCVFY9OfumOKof_eNOFwRtx_Aq0o1cbY2EJNrwdI4T2ppjuw/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSODxYYJRUekPK46xEoe4iGJogq8X9M1vNSWt9tjUZTxL47RGZFDUeIv1Cb4JJvcerOHzIdg-GYEWoDOA90-RBcCBu8UyCVFY9OfumOKof_eNOFwRtx_Aq0o1cbY2EJNrwdI4T2ppjuw/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564268940157362370" /></a><br />FBK Speakers Bureau<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNgk__ttMWMEwpN_NBXHBDJyeJrR_NPYVyrsmYYs4pZmeo4t4isegKB1lVbRuPBBB6PbiYb5usdVah35KoHT4ET0yAcQQcyDfMy72ofL2W3kAeqfCCldyqpdk7vqa7Ii0Utfl2nkkeEQ/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNgk__ttMWMEwpN_NBXHBDJyeJrR_NPYVyrsmYYs4pZmeo4t4isegKB1lVbRuPBBB6PbiYb5usdVah35KoHT4ET0yAcQQcyDfMy72ofL2W3kAeqfCCldyqpdk7vqa7Ii0Utfl2nkkeEQ/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564269085364869266" /></a><br />Homecoming and meeting Aziz<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97a-3KPi_rIxoBPsmcJ8PNNqKdjJ9JatqQBp-PTT3uXmS9rlrk-5UFgZGtpPNn83_vtQH8Sunplpz3ROYOYAsYssMeUnQioIqEpMuNxVK5pjpWahxGWHTaue6gFJ4OiDeUFJXCHg3x80/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97a-3KPi_rIxoBPsmcJ8PNNqKdjJ9JatqQBp-PTT3uXmS9rlrk-5UFgZGtpPNn83_vtQH8Sunplpz3ROYOYAsYssMeUnQioIqEpMuNxVK5pjpWahxGWHTaue6gFJ4OiDeUFJXCHg3x80/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564269284327842242" /></a><br />Last Homecoming<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUfxQoCdEZgHEMF19aEu0aB-bnoByghYXmsNDeopp54pWvc7rG6F3zD6U6I0EKbNABdjurSHh6qlOUePvzTs0W4wTPMjnAlsH5p2uLcfWKyC-qF2wS91cDG3NnDlVW1ZRdfiPpqbho4/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUfxQoCdEZgHEMF19aEu0aB-bnoByghYXmsNDeopp54pWvc7rG6F3zD6U6I0EKbNABdjurSHh6qlOUePvzTs0W4wTPMjnAlsH5p2uLcfWKyC-qF2wS91cDG3NnDlVW1ZRdfiPpqbho4/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564269425593073394" /></a><br />AGR Buck-off...this entire night<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbv8oQlX1twPvkOykHmfmMbizIZSWslO0hsRrbbC6kjRZUtmaOBsZL3sL08LVDfpOHtXijjh4Qtq9LPLYXz_XqLWkhm45WmjMkwSP-6IUxM_N3T4OTCTTYOFurhfQNUVUPo5sxlk5BXA/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbv8oQlX1twPvkOykHmfmMbizIZSWslO0hsRrbbC6kjRZUtmaOBsZL3sL08LVDfpOHtXijjh4Qtq9LPLYXz_XqLWkhm45WmjMkwSP-6IUxM_N3T4OTCTTYOFurhfQNUVUPo5sxlk5BXA/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564269742373640866" /></a><br />Spontaneous Roadtrip to NOLA #3<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6zaZjHcXk1hnSg_DsjBKd-PastfKlo2K3Lz0BmIoLDRwIxuOPP1n43f6p5m1OqLY_TsCD9_78tfOaJ4MDUQmyyxGrGakFZBXS532rlm1CHjICVhMiVSbKmbBvJMkr2O0Z6mEjatF9xw/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6zaZjHcXk1hnSg_DsjBKd-PastfKlo2K3Lz0BmIoLDRwIxuOPP1n43f6p5m1OqLY_TsCD9_78tfOaJ4MDUQmyyxGrGakFZBXS532rlm1CHjICVhMiVSbKmbBvJMkr2O0Z6mEjatF9xw/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564269968030628482" /></a><br />Becoming a great-grandbig, and my Beta Alpha Sigma Family<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblcfd45s7pYL3ArJqVR1m8EdmzIu5-cqQgM5_lrQXXKx-HyOIowtde1SYX50mAqmIxfvHn1ZFPXp7Hznos4i7CNSB7LlydJ22DMmVf3UVAqstlBMjrLWAPsiawNovLs2dwscwETT5Z10/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblcfd45s7pYL3ArJqVR1m8EdmzIu5-cqQgM5_lrQXXKx-HyOIowtde1SYX50mAqmIxfvHn1ZFPXp7Hznos4i7CNSB7LlydJ22DMmVf3UVAqstlBMjrLWAPsiawNovLs2dwscwETT5Z10/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564270180447092978" /></a><br />More Phrathouse Gamedays<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxmCiLJrVVjZalTMknJLU4yo-jIjxS5s-7FhhEiDsmhoK-MuI_ppODHyQBB4YQNYQ-KHYmD-fZeiuWRVKVsgloVAjjDeR3VI6oweWeVFQikTSoIDikmVq8GmiZ1AC2MTO1idaEo7_PpQ/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxmCiLJrVVjZalTMknJLU4yo-jIjxS5s-7FhhEiDsmhoK-MuI_ppODHyQBB4YQNYQ-KHYmD-fZeiuWRVKVsgloVAjjDeR3VI6oweWeVFQikTSoIDikmVq8GmiZ1AC2MTO1idaEo7_PpQ/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564270365134787458" /></a><br />Spontaneous Roadtrip to NOLA #2<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jyCQVQ0gULl0OQlz29j7H2D_IrOmb201I7Y5tKP6jF7gyRTdqww6iQRfleqSmli887h580sqDyvZ7_HsG5Fns1hYSRXtBDyDR8cifq3i_S8xRZZtgmsq6od-AqtpK8Xtld6J7PSUnuM/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jyCQVQ0gULl0OQlz29j7H2D_IrOmb201I7Y5tKP6jF7gyRTdqww6iQRfleqSmli887h580sqDyvZ7_HsG5Fns1hYSRXtBDyDR8cifq3i_S8xRZZtgmsq6od-AqtpK8Xtld6J7PSUnuM/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564275438324748850" /></a><br />With the SHED Barbeque<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0hub6eIUggf9k-j4tsiCoCl2hpR2t4XPojZJ0imCxOGmCGq8umjdWpLZ_CXd6GReyCDbetXoA_vo2XRKk2VgmK_2KNmagwAYv4FyJf4HRcZH-Tr8l3V80CVq_QojbFD7wrwRpPFImXY/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0hub6eIUggf9k-j4tsiCoCl2hpR2t4XPojZJ0imCxOGmCGq8umjdWpLZ_CXd6GReyCDbetXoA_vo2XRKk2VgmK_2KNmagwAYv4FyJf4HRcZH-Tr8l3V80CVq_QojbFD7wrwRpPFImXY/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564270752089565042" /></a><br />Spontaneous Roadtrip to NOLA #1<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXmEf_27UaJeQNTj5z_YURiRR_voXPHAYP2a1N2MK75yDb7sM6jQo6xzRhLb5hKkONfBdNnmNBAJSDUk1chnXRrxP2KD-6acttlX-w5F_OjOeABl98jJu2I_jTQYxX_-jqEQ2TPR6KsY/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXmEf_27UaJeQNTj5z_YURiRR_voXPHAYP2a1N2MK75yDb7sM6jQo6xzRhLb5hKkONfBdNnmNBAJSDUk1chnXRrxP2KD-6acttlX-w5F_OjOeABl98jJu2I_jTQYxX_-jqEQ2TPR6KsY/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564270549177062898" /></a><br />Senior Bid Day<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR1YiNwY8M5STvOoARON1CoxYPDbpLW5hApaXh7n75QomwoxHrxwD1kqct17PZ6uVuede8EZSVo2ZQCrXA7vM99w2MsvnIfJAMlCkYG3ReY1vQ8GWocOLaGzMjIfb_i0p3cUKCeC4eYc/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR1YiNwY8M5STvOoARON1CoxYPDbpLW5hApaXh7n75QomwoxHrxwD1kqct17PZ6uVuede8EZSVo2ZQCrXA7vM99w2MsvnIfJAMlCkYG3ReY1vQ8GWocOLaGzMjIfb_i0p3cUKCeC4eYc/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564270966065381362" /></a><br />"Learning to Cook"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZW5X5_fbtLigfQNOBYRY_EA_M1r7F4TOCua1xGYq6e22UjlVrs-GR5UGupc9Jk9BZcL7-vwnkZXsfFb8k9M2mz9EEe9qp3nMK_iejfGHEttbmacE2UGZkCSJplNELO-bGpxyNWBAWYA/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZW5X5_fbtLigfQNOBYRY_EA_M1r7F4TOCua1xGYq6e22UjlVrs-GR5UGupc9Jk9BZcL7-vwnkZXsfFb8k9M2mz9EEe9qp3nMK_iejfGHEttbmacE2UGZkCSJplNELO-bGpxyNWBAWYA/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564271156265187570" /></a><br />Newbies 08 and Senior CLUV<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7SOdOAyGAcIghzItT1AyRJw8AGuHN-DcxUotYpi7_1JTwDhFbmy4aTGq3OKHFadOMGfDrHMiLzmte3PjGLXtH4rOqTB5QNS4sR0JU-yPcMpCk9QRWv9y9s_M3pIfdrEbnrAeEgMgDa4/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7SOdOAyGAcIghzItT1AyRJw8AGuHN-DcxUotYpi7_1JTwDhFbmy4aTGq3OKHFadOMGfDrHMiLzmte3PjGLXtH4rOqTB5QNS4sR0JU-yPcMpCk9QRWv9y9s_M3pIfdrEbnrAeEgMgDa4/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564271323340868018" /></a><br />Senior Prefs<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdqmYOb6sSzcazlzQiLKD2JkrrJ-ErG9A7a9Q22abPu97STyK0pstyNAMvX5pArmlPk4RyYchE5N0uXWUM_L8jNN_Wv_ERpeWXI6nWJPGNbR7d2VEe9rvnF2HnHlExkEY6_UmutbPvAQ/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdqmYOb6sSzcazlzQiLKD2JkrrJ-ErG9A7a9Q22abPu97STyK0pstyNAMvX5pArmlPk4RyYchE5N0uXWUM_L8jNN_Wv_ERpeWXI6nWJPGNbR7d2VEe9rvnF2HnHlExkEY6_UmutbPvAQ/s400/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564271639660390578" /></a><br />W8A Super p10s<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN07nnlrSMIAPNhV9FSbiRJY3UY6ucbLtQBM9oMVt4PwUp7OYJDTB1XVZFLRnogxq5otnUXSzhQ0Ex2ExgHXPAMZFMkAjEAjw_LQWLeetLeIOwZjjezy5jAAn3UanFY3o9M3ySV8OXBC8/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN07nnlrSMIAPNhV9FSbiRJY3UY6ucbLtQBM9oMVt4PwUp7OYJDTB1XVZFLRnogxq5otnUXSzhQ0Ex2ExgHXPAMZFMkAjEAjw_LQWLeetLeIOwZjjezy5jAAn3UanFY3o9M3ySV8OXBC8/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564271928212735698" /></a><br />Goats on the roof and days off<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HxYoqaFToetdEAKjHIffCBZOQKUBi8cLQdGhmkzq9IvvFf67kvMvowjCnvkc5O9zOec8j9e4erCwFcvHanwWMy8f-SGZ73BdSeNkF6gmXBNpo2bmRMl-giCDMCfhsYq7K_7fLSKW0uA/s1600/photo-2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HxYoqaFToetdEAKjHIffCBZOQKUBi8cLQdGhmkzq9IvvFf67kvMvowjCnvkc5O9zOec8j9e4erCwFcvHanwWMy8f-SGZ73BdSeNkF6gmXBNpo2bmRMl-giCDMCfhsYq7K_7fLSKW0uA/s400/photo-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564272033766059778" /></a><br />This sums up camp...I could probably put up 100 pictures more <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCIb4fjTaYS6c5FZXxISbGMm-hwwWGG82WJSgZ0m0X4E4CRZ9SZtbTcGPhRSIgBrkDQgj4G1mZHM-zKsuR4HcXyshHcIU7jCkhLRgTzVA_5yemQ6gsm3YhTXkfOLaAKaoZzoC92wD5TI/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCIb4fjTaYS6c5FZXxISbGMm-hwwWGG82WJSgZ0m0X4E4CRZ9SZtbTcGPhRSIgBrkDQgj4G1mZHM-zKsuR4HcXyshHcIU7jCkhLRgTzVA_5yemQ6gsm3YhTXkfOLaAKaoZzoC92wD5TI/s400/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564275712410662898" /></a><br />My 21st Birthday...obviously<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFs8yWMhzLeKe35VlLBqlEHp-WbOwx2CbuTKvoz4mJ4jm2wdw0_n2dAHykSMx3jCptsXhokpJ2sor-RKo4K_eg3wYjE9bUM9YP3ZyhAsuFxL-iNs56JxrLUojT3GLfs8UWkavwXkIWDI/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFs8yWMhzLeKe35VlLBqlEHp-WbOwx2CbuTKvoz4mJ4jm2wdw0_n2dAHykSMx3jCptsXhokpJ2sor-RKo4K_eg3wYjE9bUM9YP3ZyhAsuFxL-iNs56JxrLUojT3GLfs8UWkavwXkIWDI/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564272430954047394" /></a><br />Summer A summer senate...motion to extend?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAwi1oGYMQD-prsyrz0Sv521J_NhW0sq-5o3y0WZLyuHKznhhIlqBZZD5RM5pqDSv_j8B-Csl_HZ2fGBM2206S04PEhzwbkJvs8nZ8qdUiyDpTCO2PfS2-spY0w0mz5lPQmz5C1bCQSA/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAwi1oGYMQD-prsyrz0Sv521J_NhW0sq-5o3y0WZLyuHKznhhIlqBZZD5RM5pqDSv_j8B-Csl_HZ2fGBM2206S04PEhzwbkJvs8nZ8qdUiyDpTCO2PfS2-spY0w0mz5lPQmz5C1bCQSA/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564272883164381090" /></a><br />That time I tried to enter an oyster eating competition...in my new Lilly<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QXsGkIVYJHSN80_VHBbd-2j-rdSrUXfqHK7JwQx7Uu54TFs3YQNWzCpZTGhx0WAX_m-jRtlGnQTD2EfCQ8K4XCeSRo5Bt-VkiRFh5RQaYp44-T5ycWm9gG6wqshIYgrAIceT-WLLc2o/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QXsGkIVYJHSN80_VHBbd-2j-rdSrUXfqHK7JwQx7Uu54TFs3YQNWzCpZTGhx0WAX_m-jRtlGnQTD2EfCQ8K4XCeSRo5Bt-VkiRFh5RQaYp44-T5ycWm9gG6wqshIYgrAIceT-WLLc2o/s400/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564273039164237010" /></a><br />Exec<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrB0EhWYdT83QObANdVF3xja_9EUS00zNlF21RSGVP8AHMudhMcXeTy45ma0sQFU65qWrwUdaqNmpS5e31kZQwIMvWaH2H0HqS3iTzI-qLTgjxcqXHSQjbdi0Je_egC1d2RIuEp1Srm8/s1600/photo-2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrB0EhWYdT83QObANdVF3xja_9EUS00zNlF21RSGVP8AHMudhMcXeTy45ma0sQFU65qWrwUdaqNmpS5e31kZQwIMvWaH2H0HqS3iTzI-qLTgjxcqXHSQjbdi0Je_egC1d2RIuEp1Srm8/s400/photo-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564273362415027922" /></a><br />NOLA Spring Break by Day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnMrtMdagcWUjd3Vp6Agy3-sw0dMAJu7J2y6sUqF4eKSrSgqFHVeiJXhweCARgdKXzQxoSbFcch4xtPcZsoLkvRpwEjNcT7Qprcei-ZjMxT-_YX3dzRdGsYoEyMTTIBisogRhIeVCptA/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnMrtMdagcWUjd3Vp6Agy3-sw0dMAJu7J2y6sUqF4eKSrSgqFHVeiJXhweCARgdKXzQxoSbFcch4xtPcZsoLkvRpwEjNcT7Qprcei-ZjMxT-_YX3dzRdGsYoEyMTTIBisogRhIeVCptA/s400/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564273551965352850" /></a><br />...and by night<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_de5IuPSweokJYwaxl-z5zSbSR77z1wIO5hVbiV5i7kyrgfEKux3sdqW8Bzb0D8u_ViC_w9VFzbMdk7nIDsp1tryD3hyEqmVWaxVRQWWohRYz71whzHA5LZBaF6_YB4EkrJxGWc8lLjo/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_de5IuPSweokJYwaxl-z5zSbSR77z1wIO5hVbiV5i7kyrgfEKux3sdqW8Bzb0D8u_ViC_w9VFzbMdk7nIDsp1tryD3hyEqmVWaxVRQWWohRYz71whzHA5LZBaF6_YB4EkrJxGWc8lLjo/s400/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564273807830638066" /></a><br />SG Trip to Tallahassee<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy5Jke1yGoaEakQ8-EWfA_nca3XetxscH1Rx7M6-DZvO0Ify261nPOtTFGp2n0JvFivUrFBVc8k8yPaG1Rht64ZWkmeNWUyI8I1mrJcOQ1VIoUIbZkKwbrf9rONtjxB3XkDwuUsBqOvo/s1600/photo-5.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy5Jke1yGoaEakQ8-EWfA_nca3XetxscH1Rx7M6-DZvO0Ify261nPOtTFGp2n0JvFivUrFBVc8k8yPaG1Rht64ZWkmeNWUyI8I1mrJcOQ1VIoUIbZkKwbrf9rONtjxB3XkDwuUsBqOvo/s400/photo-5.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564273950016073906" /></a><br />Kappa Sig Woodser<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshNGTW9eoslE7aKAUuiWNnwV4-XYCy6S5YeYL26OYlW-XCO3COPLjYHgxdXhkdTF4FlZObh0oba4hCpFgr4JVnLS0OrM2Uh5En70_qLgQUdz2voewdpmuJVIaO913ILOatSl9k0wmFGE/s1600/photo-6.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshNGTW9eoslE7aKAUuiWNnwV4-XYCy6S5YeYL26OYlW-XCO3COPLjYHgxdXhkdTF4FlZObh0oba4hCpFgr4JVnLS0OrM2Uh5En70_qLgQUdz2voewdpmuJVIaO913ILOatSl9k0wmFGE/s400/photo-6.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564274107590240002" /></a><br />Project Makeover :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqod-5Yx-2vbr9r-LxHz4wdUx9LtRt3Ogz6fNAWRV-LKOyRahvzbs4pOdGnVM4h0Cf_SJ059e5OMLzFkZt5xU06el0V26LiKfXvQiYUQ_rSjhcdmuJ8SlHIARUbm_Nu2Bd5CafzgskC2Q/s1600/photo-7.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqod-5Yx-2vbr9r-LxHz4wdUx9LtRt3Ogz6fNAWRV-LKOyRahvzbs4pOdGnVM4h0Cf_SJ059e5OMLzFkZt5xU06el0V26LiKfXvQiYUQ_rSjhcdmuJ8SlHIARUbm_Nu2Bd5CafzgskC2Q/s400/photo-7.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564274361899205490" /></a><br />The Heart for Haiti 5K and valentine's day<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0FwzHn6TTvusTVaBGF43_XKOor3flgltRKjpkDv-VCy9DyLtcOSC8Cc-76Mvziy4CRTuzg4BRFa30sI8TpEZNe9BHPTplvJKao7zyrHMDCJa48SL_uvkkvIkGi_b5pQzuPjYlIacaeQ/s1600/photo-8.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0FwzHn6TTvusTVaBGF43_XKOor3flgltRKjpkDv-VCy9DyLtcOSC8Cc-76Mvziy4CRTuzg4BRFa30sI8TpEZNe9BHPTplvJKao7zyrHMDCJa48SL_uvkkvIkGi_b5pQzuPjYlIacaeQ/s400/photo-8.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564274524262540210" /></a><br />Blue Man Group<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUNk1uFaZqqLjTw5RTujpwS_owOzH-fvxDWPNTUPVLeJaFkfNZwb9PVt_JS9zOC7lCmNFHD9U8mKKTHcDDKoqaG6X3BlpjkZVZYoELss4Hr256ShGLtLnBTClpXzNTVeiXc-Zfc26Ad8/s1600/photo-9.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUNk1uFaZqqLjTw5RTujpwS_owOzH-fvxDWPNTUPVLeJaFkfNZwb9PVt_JS9zOC7lCmNFHD9U8mKKTHcDDKoqaG6X3BlpjkZVZYoELss4Hr256ShGLtLnBTClpXzNTVeiXc-Zfc26Ad8/s400/photo-9.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564274787107391042" /></a><br />Cicerone Interviews<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8F6HZq2_4mI4U2dniNiGdUP5dvzmrGwEqsisYwFyaop_jqpHJB2735CSQwBT5cWyvvbRhYCsgEjf2QWeU9Vypcb0KkLk1UWBEOb3mfi166WAmX2EqPdhz-FNefDNzDsYngYNsQSHZog/s1600/photo-11.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8F6HZq2_4mI4U2dniNiGdUP5dvzmrGwEqsisYwFyaop_jqpHJB2735CSQwBT5cWyvvbRhYCsgEjf2QWeU9Vypcb0KkLk1UWBEOb3mfi166WAmX2EqPdhz-FNefDNzDsYngYNsQSHZog/s400/photo-11.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564275051267515106" /></a><br />Going Blonde<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvQJ1rFL_TFyqaDeoe4JmVfjcUFX4DB0JVfBcICD6mSkrLKdj8dn5us3PIRzZx291_w5ZkP_RS2gSJXIGEFOITfjvvsMoBJo6eYj-klE6sTjNrAq7Evazxc4Wsbbv8aD-sG3dpGXEq10/s1600/photo-10.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvQJ1rFL_TFyqaDeoe4JmVfjcUFX4DB0JVfBcICD6mSkrLKdj8dn5us3PIRzZx291_w5ZkP_RS2gSJXIGEFOITfjvvsMoBJo6eYj-klE6sTjNrAq7Evazxc4Wsbbv8aD-sG3dpGXEq10/s400/photo-10.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564275150227538450" /></a><br />And of course the most epic end to 2009 and beginning of 2010...Israel</center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-50845474767930660612011-01-17T20:43:00.001-05:002011-01-17T20:43:24.008-05:00#nowplaying A little bit Stronger by Sara EvansWoke up late today, and I still feel the sting of the pain.<br />But I brushed my teeth anyway, got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face.<br />I got a little bit stronger.<br /><br />Riding in the car to work, and I'm trying to ignore the hurt.<br />So I turned on the radio, Stupid song made me think of you,<br />I listened to it for minute, but I changed it.<br />I'm getting a little bit stronger, just a little bit stronger.<br /><br />And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,<br />I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels<br />Letting you drag my heart around.<br />And ohhh<br />I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.<br />I know my heart will never be the same, <br />but I'm telling myself I'll be okay.<br />Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.<br /><br />Doesn't happen over night, but you turn around and a months gone by, <br />And you realize you haven't cried.<br />I'm not giving you a hour or a second or another minute longer.<br />I'm busy getting stronger.<br /><br />And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,<br />I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels<br />Letting you drag my heart around.<br />And ohhh<br />I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.<br />I know my heart will never be the same, <br />but I'm telling myself I'll be okay.<br />Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.<br />I get a little bit stronger.<br /><br />Getting along without you baby,<br />I'm better off without you baby,<br />How does it feel with out me baby?<br />I'm getting stronger without you baby.<br /><br />And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,<br />I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels<br />Letting you drag my heart around.<br />And ohhh<br />I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.<br />I know my heart will never be the same, <br />but I'm telling myself I'll be okay,<br />Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.<br />I get a little bit stronger.<br /><br />I'm just a little bit stronger.<br />A little bit, a little bit, a little bit stronger.<br />I get a little bit stronger.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-58396120363698255622011-01-17T13:26:00.007-05:002011-01-17T13:45:56.508-05:00it's been a whilesince I had anything to be thankful for...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHMdrzXo8aus-37WKywpGBYXYWPTmhkXfVe6gS1aVRjOt929gIxKdxIhhhowTjT1W-AxU2P3d12w7D4Yy01AJCpPCrjvlm_p1R6_zKC2vEFVaR7Imw5ekJDOyVK31h4uWCQhQsR5N9nY/s1600/martin_luther_king.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHMdrzXo8aus-37WKywpGBYXYWPTmhkXfVe6gS1aVRjOt929gIxKdxIhhhowTjT1W-AxU2P3d12w7D4Yy01AJCpPCrjvlm_p1R6_zKC2vEFVaR7Imw5ekJDOyVK31h4uWCQhQsR5N9nY/s400/martin_luther_king.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563224753241545826" /></a>1. A day off of school. Thanks to one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. <br /><br />2.The fact that I am still in college, and the semester has barely started. <br /><br />3. My mom. She always works hard to make sure that I'm taken care of, even though it's technically not her responsibility anymore. <br /><br />4. Boy Meets World reruns at 7 am. To help me through those early mornings.<br /><br />5. Starbucks. And the people who work there who know me. <br /><br />6. My friends. Of all groups. Who do whatever they can to be there for me. <br /><br />7. An empty wall. To create whatever I want on. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYoK5OsUEjUssBox_CW3CUnvOOJOmI3WmNt_5xclOK0B8J7y1IIJ06M8ihW2aGgQU8G7GHvg-zFdAwrmGXUSMydJmcwO12ym0divscYPMpIRPasCrwL-59gdahmC9mPgyZkjrluZh2wE/s1600/picture+heart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYoK5OsUEjUssBox_CW3CUnvOOJOmI3WmNt_5xclOK0B8J7y1IIJ06M8ihW2aGgQU8G7GHvg-zFdAwrmGXUSMydJmcwO12ym0divscYPMpIRPasCrwL-59gdahmC9mPgyZkjrluZh2wE/s400/picture+heart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563227938967271698" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-72478692009460351152011-01-10T09:30:00.005-05:002011-01-10T15:37:10.440-05:00when it comes to mondays......this one is particularly bad. <br /><br />Beginning with what was supposed to be an extremely early morning cycling class (scratched), and instead beginning with just a rough start around 8 am, this Monday could not look more formidable. Immediately after I exited the shower I woke up just enough to understand what the startling sounds outside my window were...thunder. Not only is it downpouring, but the copious amounts of rain are interspersed with lightning and thunder...my favorite. That coupled with a full day of meetings and work including what is sure to be one of the latest nights of the semester makes this...a formidable monday. <br /><br />Fortunately two good things came out of this Monday. <br /><br />The first happened when I heard the thunder. This summer at camp I had one new camper. A cute little blonde from San Fransisco, Adena was a first timer on the east coast who fit in with my girls in about 10 seconds. One of the first realizations I had that she wasn't from around here was the first thunder storm we had that summer. For those who don't know, the southeastern United States get particularly bad thunder storms, and I have heard it rumored that Tampa, Florida is the lightning capital of the world. So these storms to me, especially after hurricanes, barely interfere with my life, unless I get caught without an umbrella. However, poor Adena, stuck on the top bunk, nearly had a heart attack and asked me if the sky was breaking open. Evidently, the thunder storms in San Fran are not of nearly the magnitude that they are down here, and she didn't think that the screen windows and sad little wood cabin was enough to protect her from what was surely the end of the world. <br /><br />This memory makes me so happy. Currently, I am struggling with the decision about whether to return to camp this summer, without my campers, or to follow them across two continents and spend the summer with them in Israel. It has been an extremely difficult decision, but the more memories I have like this, the more I feel confident that I will make the right decision, and wait another year before I see camp again. <br /><br />The second happy thought came when I realized it was the first Monday of the semester. Last semester, when things got particularly bad, my friend Ruthie started sending me inspirational Monday morning text messages. I always forgot they were coming, but each time they did I got a little bit happier regardless of the situation. Noticing how early I was awake, I decided to take the initiative and send her one since she has spent the weekend sick in bed with what can only be the bubonic plague (or a cold, the jury's still out). <br /><br />I realize that Ruthie and I will probably not live in the same place again after this semester, but how lucky we are to have ample means of communication at our fingertips. As an out-of-state student, Ruthie is much more open to the idea of picking up and relocating, whereas the Gainesville native in me sees this as nothing short of terrifying. But, if we tried hard enough (and I know I am going to), Ruthie and I can at least continue to send each other happy Monday morning texts, if not happy texts whenever we get the opportunity too. <br /><br />So now Monday begins...and I feel a mix of happiness, sadness, and anxiety at the thought of trekking across campus in the rain. But I guess happiness isn't always smiles, sometimes it's just taking a negative situation and making it a positive one. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.</span><br />-Grouch MarxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-76871655443826775522011-01-07T21:01:00.002-05:002011-01-07T21:02:08.899-05:00My First Splendid Truth<span style="font-weight:bold;">Sometimes it's nice to be alone. But other times it's not. <span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-89771891136850237492011-01-07T18:20:00.004-05:002011-01-07T18:30:23.589-05:00laugh out loudAs I near the end of Mrs. Rubin's book, I find that I have become an extremely introspective person in the last few days. Normally, I am not a fan of introspection. Why sit and think about things when you can go out and do? However, much like Mrs. Rubin, I have started having moments where a situation makes me stop and reflect--am I really happy?<br /><br />Today's situation occurred about 30 minutes ago. My roommates and I were walking up the stairs to our apartment, and we were just being ridiculous. Seeing as none of us has plans to go out tonight (here's a good splendid truth...four nights out in a row is too many), we were just planning on sitting around watching tv and hanging out. But something on the stairs, for some reason created an outright hysteria in our laughter that had me crying and gasping for breath. <br /><br />And then it hit me...I am so happy. <br /><br />There are many times I regret decisions I've made in college. Organizations I've wasted my time on, classes I haven't given enough effort (or just wish I hadn't taken at all), and things I've put off until "the time is right." In my four years I've never been to a FL/GA game because I always thought I would wait until I was 21 and had a place to stay. But, without all the decisions and mistakes I've made in the past 3 1/2 years, I wouldn't be surrounded by the people I am. People that, when I look back at my college career, I will know have made these four years the best of my life so far. <br /><br />As for my other resolutions, I did finally make it to the gym. After Lauren and I missed our class, we proceeded to do some weight machines (with no direction), and walk the full 2 miles across campus back to our apartment. I decided against going out, and decided I'm going to dedicate my Friday night to reading (for school and fun), so that I feel better going into next week. And even though I woke up with a cold, I stuck to all my commitments. Fortunately, my bed was already made and I've had an easy time keeping my room clean (there really is something to be said for tackling small messes versus big messes). Most importantly, last night I hung out with my camp friends, fulfilling my goal of not spending every second with the same group of people and ignoring other people who are also important to me. <br /><br />Can't wait for a great Friday night with the people who make me laugh out loud. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-guFKyCTn3E-0VnxuRUL8ULEIEsItEhBU5TZzsP25-dbNzcLjUrIJaiCIDSecPxkVNaNj0msriPVwTr2xITqKIa-KJSju4y6NbrhspfgJJeVkXwMYvGl1iHL7ltJB6KM4F0ZJQHWoEEQ/s1600/photo.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-guFKyCTn3E-0VnxuRUL8ULEIEsItEhBU5TZzsP25-dbNzcLjUrIJaiCIDSecPxkVNaNj0msriPVwTr2xITqKIa-KJSju4y6NbrhspfgJJeVkXwMYvGl1iHL7ltJB6KM4F0ZJQHWoEEQ/s400/photo.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559590266773656882" /></a><br /><3 PHrathouseUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-53543705504257254512011-01-06T20:52:00.002-05:002011-01-06T21:01:56.067-05:00listen to the bellsYesterday it rained. Which is a nice way of saying it was a small monsoon outside my apartment. The rain has never made me happy. Coupled with the cold we are basically asking to put me in a bad mood. I begrudgingly got out of bed (might I add, after attending all of my classes and looking presentable in them), and agreed to pick up my friend from the pouring rain to take him to our meeting. In the midst of complaining about the weather, the lack of good drivers on the road, and the fact that we were going to be late, I noticed him attempting to open the window. He looked at me when I asked why he would do such a thing in a monsoon and said, "I want to listen to the bells." I looked up past him and realized that at 4:48 on a Tuesday afternoon, someone was at the top of Century Tower playing a recital on the carillon. And so, I listened. <br /><br />As for my other resolutions, I have already fallen behind in flossing my teeth and looking presentable every day. However, I made an effort to remember this morning (earning myself a nice smiley face sticker), and showered in between my two blocks of class (by the way, 6 hours of class on Thursday...it better be worth having Monday and Friday off). This change made my last block of class infinitely easier. <br /><br />In addition, I realized how much I took for granted about my class location last semester. In other words, that having a class right across the street was a blessing. All of my classes now are down what is known as the Shands hill, the largest hill on campus (or in the world...I'm not sure. It's huge). In addition to being up and down hill, my apartment is at least a mile from the location of three of my classes. And on the way back, as you might have figured out, it's uphill. Yesterday as I approached Museum Road and 13th street, I realized in shock that I still had 6 more blocks to walk....uphill. By the time I made it back I had a stitch in my side (emphasizing my need to exercise more). However, today in the post-monsoon sunshine, it occurred to me that walking 2 miles every day (4 on Tuesday and Thursday) was not only regular exercise, but a good amount of it. This realization led to the realization that I am already on my way to exercising more in the new year, even though I have yet to visit a gym (tomorrow for sure). I was ecstatic. <br /><br />So maybe I haven't established the pattern I want to establish for the next couple of years, but I am on my way to keeping at least some of my resolutions. I have also started writing things down--blogging, keeping a one-sentence journal (a la Gretchen Rubin), and writing things in a notebook I keep in my planner so that I won't forget anything important. As we progress I'll tackle cooking, organizing my life, and getting more regular sleep. Until then, I am quite content just listening to the bells.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-58856404860117054102011-01-05T13:55:00.002-05:002011-01-05T14:07:15.014-05:00the last first day of schoolIt's an interesting concept. The beginning of the end. I can distinctly remember the day I changed my Facebook network--UF 2011. At the time, I was struggling with my own concept of growing up, transitioning from high school to college, leaving my old friends for new ones, moving out, and generally feeling as though life was about to change. But 2011 was four years away, and at 18, 4 years was a long time. Yet here I am, five days into the year I graduate college. Starting class for the last time as an undergraduate at the University of Florida. <br /><br />There have certainly been times when I was ready to leave; times when the end couldn't come soon enough. Yet here I am, staring at a degree audit that reads: ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET. Academically I've reached my end at UF, but when I look back at college, will all my requirements have really been met?<br /><br />I started a bucket list at the end of junior year. So far, none of my to-do items have been crossed off. I didn't attend every game, I'm not finished with my FBook, I haven't done anything spectacular to make this year more memorable. So now I'm faced with a list of accomplishments and a time frame to complete them while still occupying myself with school, involvement, and fwendz. I didn't ever manage to do a Salty Dog 11-11 happy hour, but I spent many happy hours with my friends in other places. I didn't get to be the director or chair of any event, but I made a significant contribution to many others. I didn't get straight As, but I managed to learn something from some of my classes. So have I failed my bucket list, or have I found other ways to make my time at UF my best time ever?<br /><br />At the last service of camp this summer, my friend Ari began his farewell with this: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"If you only had two days left at camp, what would you do? Would you climb to the top of the rock wall? Would you sing the birkat on stage? Would you tell your friends and counselors how you really felt?"<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />This last semester will be my last hoorah. So will I spend my time climbing to the top of Century Tower, or simply making sure that every time I pass it I make a point to take in its beauty? Will I road trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, or will I spend my last spring break with the people who make me the happiest? Is it about the experiences, or the memories? With no direction in life I only know that this semester may be one of the most important times of my life, and however it's spent, it will be happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-89474389664321477852011-01-04T13:13:00.002-05:002011-01-04T13:19:49.816-05:00challenge #4: Live Right.In the spirit of general challenges, and fitting because my favorite number is 4, my last challenge will be to live right. This challenge is fluid; I find new things to make my life better every day. And I wanted to allow the last one to be more fluid because I can already feel myself cracking under the pressure of trying to get these resolutions to be a part of my life. I think it's safe to say that this next month especially is going to be a struggle, but to keep myself in line in general, I know that there are some things I need to be constantly working on. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Be nicer.<br />Appreciate the important people in life. <br />Write things down. Take pictures. Document these memories. <br />Stay on top of life. <br />Keep learning and exploring. <br />Don't sweat the small stuff. <br />It's not about who you're letting down, it's about not letting down yourself.<br />Remember: the days are long but the years are short.<br />Whatever it is, it's good enough. <br /></span><br /><br />And again keeping in mind, these may change.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-15780413572778573212011-01-04T13:04:00.003-05:002011-01-04T13:25:53.347-05:00challenge #3: getting it togetherI guess this set of challenges is something that has no common thread, but falls into the category of lifestyle. Basically, I want to start living my life right, which while it incorporates all the challenges, rests on the extent to which I live from day to day. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />1. Practice more than just good hygiene. </span><br />Before anyone gets grossed out, I have good hygiene. I have perfect teeth, shower daily and generally work to be a clean person (more than that, dirty and smelly people freak me out). However, for the fact that I have gone 21 years with no cavities, braces, or major oral surgeries, I have never practiced a regular flossing routine. And it has come around to haunt me. Additionally, I have out of control hair, and often find myself wanting to just put it up and not take the time to make it look presentable. This makes me feel less than clean, and often I end up showering again to correct it which is just bad for your hair. So this year I want to floss every day and make myself look presentable every day. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Clean your room.</span><br />About every 2 weeks I realize that I can't live in my room anymore (normally it's because I need to study and would rather clean than study). But this year I resolve to put all my clothes away (unfortunately that starts with unpacking everything I took to New Orleans), find places for everything, downsize, and most importantly, make my bed every day. Without a doubt, this will be the hardest resolution for me to keep.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-2305460932541872662010-12-28T15:04:00.007-05:002010-12-28T15:24:55.857-05:00challenge #2: living a cultured lifeI have always loved books. And while I enjoy reading them, the joy of books to me lies in the actual physical objects themselves, not necessarily the stories. It is not a surprise that I have never wanted a Kindle, Nook, or iPad to enjoy these books on. While it is practical, convenient and probably the same cost, I have never liked reading on a computer or screen nearly as much as I have liked holding a book (although I did break down and put the free Kindle application on my computer and phone...just in case I'm stranded somewhere without a book). <br /><br />Recently I have discovered a new section of the bookstore previously unvisited by me--the cookbook section. After a quick love affair with the Food Network began in August, I have collected 10 new cookbooks...and about 10 skill points toward the art of cooking. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3HipMhBmFwAOB6-IgS1h0w0UtjzFGA50rrphsTZ6cRHH5ju6qNAt4CZ5M3mBs7CI21VWyPpcx38VFyqRSuNbm3ruGA-FtmIk6N2_UCQl6Bdg_EPxqHv5QMpAtoTg1btmN5-NTw8Wy90/s1600/photo-1.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3HipMhBmFwAOB6-IgS1h0w0UtjzFGA50rrphsTZ6cRHH5ju6qNAt4CZ5M3mBs7CI21VWyPpcx38VFyqRSuNbm3ruGA-FtmIk6N2_UCQl6Bdg_EPxqHv5QMpAtoTg1btmN5-NTw8Wy90/s320/photo-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555827822389285090" /></a> It is safe to say that I am one of the worst cooks in the world. Hands down. I have minor difficulty following a recipe, although can usually (with some help from my mom/roommate/fireman) make it through the recipe without any major slip-ups (such as this lovely concoction) and an edible dish. <br /><br />So in an attempt to culture myself, I have decided that challenge #2 is going to experiencing the finer end of three things I hold close to my heart: books, food and alcohol. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Read for fun at least 20 minutes every day</span><br />Now this one seems weird, because in this blog I have mentioned books/libraries at least 10 times. But the problem with the semester is, I am forced to read so much for school, that I neglect reading for fun. I am either too tired of it, or I feel that if I have the time to read for fun I should be reading school work. This semester I think I managed to complete 5 books, which is about the number I've managed to complete this winter vacation. I used to read all the time, and I always enjoyed it. It just gets a little hectic every day when there are so many other things I need to be doing. So, in conjunction with actually getting my school work done, I am forcing myself to enjoy a 20 minute tidbit of a book every day this year. If it's more, well then more power to me (because my reading list keeps expanding), and if it's not more, then at least I will get 20 minutes a day to enjoy myself and not think about school. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Learn how to cook. </span><br />There is a big part of me that has denied the urge to learn to cook for years. However, sometimes I enjoy it. Or at least, I enjoy thinking about it. It's when it gets hectic and time consuming that I usually give up. I have managed to skate by on not knowing more than how to heat things up in the microwave due to the fact that as a member of a sorority I have meals provided to me twice a day and lived in the house where the most advanced appliance I was given access to was a George Foreman grill. But now I am about to depart for the unknown and I can't afford to live on Ramen for the rest of my life. I have been trying out some meals, and here are some of the most recent dishes I've prepared:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1-n7-O0PCFDIbcmE8k6TWmD1440sAvp35j0_RRzbOcA9_-HtrVxJLCLfKMwb62zyS1Yqpbe7oB3QzLB7iIZ6tzjDn5rfopXyCA-epPAFtBitIsyqfjy6BhAuw4P50HggvGG1fh7Qzlg/s1600/photo-2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1-n7-O0PCFDIbcmE8k6TWmD1440sAvp35j0_RRzbOcA9_-HtrVxJLCLfKMwb62zyS1Yqpbe7oB3QzLB7iIZ6tzjDn5rfopXyCA-epPAFtBitIsyqfjy6BhAuw4P50HggvGG1fh7Qzlg/s320/photo-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555829846409806098" /></a> Neely's Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Potato Chips (a big hit)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW0Dz5vemKHM48TD2Z4i5Oy19JgwV27DSC7HvlHSnuFNTDVdPYUY7UYZgb5eJvFnsGHv1AOL61q3_s57_3Zyo-QIlDLx5Xi-FEAEN5rGpDn4Rn2U6d19ekQAzp6tWuqlpSaC8zas-Z_U/s1600/photo-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW0Dz5vemKHM48TD2Z4i5Oy19JgwV27DSC7HvlHSnuFNTDVdPYUY7UYZgb5eJvFnsGHv1AOL61q3_s57_3Zyo-QIlDLx5Xi-FEAEN5rGpDn4Rn2U6d19ekQAzp6tWuqlpSaC8zas-Z_U/s320/photo-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555830166245556226" /></a> Roasted Tomato Basil Soup from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn-JcL3Oey68CKjOxep94URQGNei4yOt4DD6LPl-1PWmc1pMzk4_ugvnmpi73mf8gp0jcgCnXqlAj86Im0kI-m3aTDFn8qW5qTqqBjJ2LkF1AY_t1BBjz5U44okXQuHc47GFfS1f1dEw/s1600/photo-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn-JcL3Oey68CKjOxep94URQGNei4yOt4DD6LPl-1PWmc1pMzk4_ugvnmpi73mf8gp0jcgCnXqlAj86Im0kI-m3aTDFn8qW5qTqqBjJ2LkF1AY_t1BBjz5U44okXQuHc47GFfS1f1dEw/s320/photo-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555830449333170658" /></a> Salmon with Mustard Potato Chip Crust from the New Best Recipe<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Learn about alcohol</span><br />Between this and the title, it may appear that I do nothing else with my life but drink. That is not even close to true, but as I approach the end of the era in which liquor from a plastic bottle is appropriate, I have become fascinated with the different varieties and nicer forms of alcohol available. My dream would be to go to Italy and watch the entire process of making wine, but I will settle for working on creating the perfect drinks. Talk about a science--it took me several tries to concoct my perfect bloody marys, which are now a huge hit with my friends. I am currently working on the perfect martini, and I hope to one day be able to create drinks easily and with a supreme knowledge of what it is I am working with. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Blog about it</span><br />While not mentioned previously, a huge part of my enjoyment of this process is writing about it. I have always loved writing, and while I certainly have room to refine my style, I want it to continue to be a part of my life. I intend to start keeping a journal as well, much as I have every year, although this year with the help of the Happiness Project I will aim for one sentence a day...and go from there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377655877617429763.post-31614301110926130712010-12-28T12:29:00.003-05:002010-12-28T12:37:48.587-05:00Challenge #1: SchoolBeing that this is the last semester I may ever be in school (although probably not), it is about time that I started doing it right. My first challenge for change is to become a better student. I am taking a lofty 13 credits this spring, and I intend to make As in every single one of those classes. Not only that, but I am also going to take classes I am interested in, and actually gain knowledge from the material. <br /><br />My resolutions for this include:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Develop a study schedule. </span><br />I have several breaks during the school day that are long enough to accomplish something major. I am going to set out a schedule of work for each week and stick to it, with rewards if I do and punishments if I don't. This is the last chance I have to do this right, and if it's not then it will help me out later in my school career. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Go to class.</span><br />This one seems obvious, but I am terrible at attending class. Online classes normally work better for me, because I have a short attention span and get antsy sitting for too long. But, this semester I am going to attend class unless there's an extreme reason I can't. Every. Single. One.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Make good use of the time you have. </span><br />This means doing school work instead of napping, not instead of being social. I will not allow school to disturb my friendships or any other activities, so when I have a moment when school work is the only thing to do, then that's when I will do it. <br /><br />I know that this one will be the toughest, but the happiness that will come from getting good grades and doing well in school will be the most valuable happiness I can achieve from my four years in college. Instead of just sliding by as I have been, I will apply myself and learn to balance the things I don't like with the things I do. This will be challenge #1.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0