Carry the Flag!

Epic Blue Jackets victory tonight. Sadly I wasn't there, but I watched excitedly from home. We conquered the evil Dead Things (also known as the Red Wings) in a 3-2 overtime victory. All three goals courtesy of Rick Nash. I so wish I could have been there to scream my head off and watch the hats rain from the sky as the cannon sounded to signify the overtime victory. These are two huge points to kick off the second half of the season. I was hoping Chimera might get a goal in his first game back after injury, but it's all good. Captain Nash took care of business. My boys need to keep playing like this. It's pretty exciting to be a Jackets fan right now.

In other icey news...the weather is horrible. Rehearsals for the play were canceled tonight, and it looks like OSU students will be the only people in the city who have classes tomorrow...unless there's some sort of miracle which would be a-maz-ing.

I was informed today I have a new manager at work...this came as a surprise. Hopefully all will still be ok.

Gotta get to bed soon...need to take a shower...but before I do...

GO BLUE JACKETS!!!


*edited to add: HOLY SHIT - OSU closed...no class tomorrow. Sweeeeeeet!

welcome to 2009

woah...happy new year!

I had a great time on my Texas adventure. As usual, it was fabulous seeing Ben, and I had a blast meeting the rest of the Dundee clan and some assorted friends and others. The only part of Texas I had seen before was a small part of the Dallas airport, so it was exciting to see a new state. It was very Texas-y. Highlights included walks on the beach for shell collecting, lots of dogs to pet and snuggle, an aquarium in a pyramid, and the warmth of a fire from a lovingly constructed fire pit.

Sadly the transition back to the real world and the beginning of winter quarter has happened all too quickly. Classes started today, and although I'm taking a fun dialect class taught by a friend from Otterbein, and I will try to enjoy the challenges of French, I'm not super thrilled about the coming weeks of this winter quarter. The weather is yucky, and my geology class seems like it may be trying. Due to my excellent skills for never planning ahead, I've been without a couple of my prescriptions for a couple of weeks now. Silly, Bryanne... Yeah, so needless to say I'm feeling the effects. I'm back on everything as of this afternoon, so hopefully the situation will begin to right itself in a couple of days.

While a good portion of the population of Columbus is now enraptured by a football game, I am watching the Bachelor and eating some yogurt. Oh yes...the fascinating life I lead!

In exciting news, I've been cast in Raconteur Theatre Company's next production - Isaac, I am. It's been about a million years since I acted, and my good friend Lorelei is also a part of the cast. I'm so looking forward to this experience, and hope that it proves to be as much fun as I think it will be.

I've got big goals for 2009, and lots of changes and growth on the horizon. I really want to get back in the swing of things to be healthier, in better shape, more organzied and productive and generally happier. It's a tall order, but I want it...badly. So step by step, one day at a time will be my plan. Two easily summarized goals include figuring out the next step in my educational career, and being able to run a 5k by this summer.

A full Texas trip update will come soon...but for now...back to the Bachelor! *bwa ha ha!!!*

ugh...

So the good news is it's not so cold today...in fact not really cold at all. Granted, it has rained all day, but I will gladly take that over snow. It's been gray and gloomy overall, which doesn't do a lot for fostering a good mood.

I shouldn't be writing this blog right now. I should be studying for my exams tomorrow. I think my brain needed a little break though. I have my french exam at 9:30, and then physical anthropology at 1:30. Everything is under control. I have good grade thus far in both classes, and should be in good shape for the exams, but it stresses me out none the less. I seem to not feel comfortable going into exams unless I overprepare, so thats where I am right now. Most previous quarters have worked out nicely so I only have one exam each day, and having two tomorrow is stressing me out a bit. Just have to breathe and try to focus...which is hard. When I have a lot to do, I have a hard time just working on things bit by bit. Instead, I tend to worry about getting everything done and am less productive overall.

The blue jackets suck. It is so depressing I can't even describe it. I just don't get it.

My cats are fairly calm today...and better stay away from the new laptop charger. I have to figure out a way to get them to stop chewing on stuff.

Three weeks from today I will be in Galveston - There's something to look forward to! Two days from now I will be done with exams and beginning to enjoy a couple weeks of freedom - from school anyways.

I like the holidays. I like vacation. I like traveling and exploring new places.

I've had straight A's for 7 quarters straight...I really hope I don't jeopardize this tomorrow. I am trying to tell myself that a "B" every so often wouldn't be the end of the world...I *almost* believe it.

Ok...back to the books.

been a long time!

Yikes...I've been very negligent in my blogging. Let me just say, I am thrilled to be done with classes for the quarter. Now I just have to make it through exams, and then I can relax. Well...work a bunch hopefully, but also relax!

Thanksgiving was excellent, and I will provide some proper blog-umentation of the events at a later date. I have to be up for work in a few short hours, so I can't stay up too much later.

New job is going well. Getting used to the morning hours has been quite the challenge. I enjoy it though. I'm still going to work the occasional shift at Bravo as well for some extra income.

My cats are evil. There was very little doubt before...but now every day I become a little more sure that my cute little fluff balls are actually agents of the devil.

The following is what was waiting for me when I arrived home after class today.


I wish I could tell you this didn't seem to happen from time to time, but unfortunately that is not the case. You have to wonder...is the perpetrator of this act malicious or merely retarded? I am inclined to think it may just be a little of both. Ben may think that 400 lb chihuahuas would be the coolest thing ever, but two 10 lb cats are about all I can handle. At least I love constantly sweeping the floor...oh wait...



Here's Noodle - Looking kinda guilty.

But you can't hate him too much, because then he goes and gets all cute...like here as he snuggles up on a small pile of dirty socks. Aww...Noodle...



I think his feet are particularly cute.



Now he gives a movie star smile.



This holiday season I am attempting something I have always wanted to do but have never followed through on. I am trying my hand at crafting holiday gifts for people. I love all things crafty, but seem to have ADD when it comes to choosing one and really getting into it. I found a great community on livejournal for homemade gift ideas, and decided this would be the year I made it happen.

I've got a couple plans underway - bought some supplies today and even started crafting a bit. The first finished prototype is going to live with my mom, and i don't have any pictures of that one but here's a glimpse of the next one I am working on. I won't yet reveal just what they are...because it would ruin the surprise...but here's a sneak peak.


Ok...time for bed.

Until next time...

tuesday groove

I had to clear snow off of my car this morning. It's always a rude awakening the first time you have to do that every winter. F-ing snow. I like it...but it's a royal pain, and my body hasn't adjusted to the cold yet.

So, I am obsessed with Beyonce's new song, Single Ladies. This is going to be my new morning groove and am making a new work out mix to feature it. I should have worked out today, but thats another story. I promise myself to work out tomorrow, since it also helps improve my mood. A good, energetic song never fails to help me start the day on a positive note. This one makes me just want to get up and dance, even though I don't really dance. What you may not know is that I am a dance superstar in the privacy of my own apartment. However, my moves are not for public consumption...

I started my new job at Starbucks very, very early on Monday morning. I was unable to fall asleep the night before, so going on two hours sleep from work, straight to class had me in a pretty foul and hopeless mood. I know/hope that once I can adjust to this schedule it will be easier, but I also know that I certainly have a tendency to sort of get all doom and gloom about things from time to time, especially when I am tired. Monday was one of those days. With excellent encouraging words from my parents and Ben I was feeling better by the end of the day.

Again, I had trouble sleeping last night - although 5 hours of sleep is much better than 2. I ended up getting off work a little early, and coming home for a nap, which went longer than I had originally intended. I am feeling more caught up on sleep, but am now concerned it may affect how early I get to sleep tonight. I don't know...I'm still feeling pretty tired.

Since I worked for Starbucks before (for almost two years mind you) the training is going very smoothly. I remember a lot of it, and there isn't *so* much that has changed. I got a bit ahead today so tomorrow morning I will start making drinks on the bar right away, as opposed to having to trudge through the reading (which is a good refresher, but pretty boring overall). There are some new drinks I will have to learn, but I think I remember a lot of the other stuff. Beth, my learning coach, is so nice, as are the rest of the people who work there. Andi, my manager seems really great as well - from what I can tell of them so far, I really like her management philosophy. Overall it seems like such a positive place to work. I have a lot of really happy memories from my previous stint at Starbucks - until a bad management change sent everything awry - and am looking forward to this experience. Working in the morning will be an adjustment for sure, but thats when the best parts of the job take place - Making drinks, interacting with customers, being busy. The night shifts were the ones I didn't like as much - there's so much in the store that has to be cleaned and sanitized every night - breaking down all the syrup pumps, mopping, doing load after load after load of dishes...those are the things I will not miss.

6 days till the arrival of the physicist. A little more than a week from thanksgiving. I will be working a lot, but am going to try to get ahead on homework this week so that when I am not in class or at work I can enjoy the time with my family, and my man.

My cats are crazy...but are actually being quiet right now. Amazing. Now I will run out to procure some dinner before the Jackets game starts. Sadly it's not on tv, so I will have to listen on the radio...or use my dad's special NHL video account thing (since he's at the game after all)...while I type up the final copy of my French composition. I am going to turn that bugger in early.

So there you have it...my life in a nutshell. Woot.

we now interrupt your crazy week for an evening of relaxation

Friday...whew...

So week 8 of the quarter has ended and I am feeling like things with my classes *somewhat* under control. I've got quite a bit coming up in french class this week, but I think it should be do-able.

On the job front - I am transitioning yet again. Starting Monday I'm going to be a minion of the coffee monster yet again - going back to Starbucks. I'm actually really excited about it. Well, excited about everything but having to get up at ungodly hours. I'm sure it will be an adjustment.

The Blue Jackets spanked the Sabres tonight 6-1. Granted, Sabre goalie, Patrick Lalime hadn't played in a couple weeks...but the Sabres are one of the best teams in the eastern conference. We beat them in Buffalo which is an added bonus. Yay road win! 4-1-1 in our last 6 games. That's not too shabby. Hopefully we can make a strong showing tomorrow against the Wild.

One of the great benefits of dating someone with good taste in music is that you get introduced to great new artists. I'm enjoying my "weekend" this evening by becoming more familiar with the music of Joshua Radin. It's been a while since I've discovered an artist where I can really listen to every song on their album without wanting to skip any. Thank you Mr. Physicist!

It's going to be a long week for sure, but after a good workout this afternoon, a decisive Blue Jackets victory and a relaxing evening of listening to music, I think I will be up for the challenge.

keep on trucking

This happy orchid will brighten up the dark, dreary impending winter of central ohio.

The end of the quarter is drawing near. This means many things - some good, some stressful. The good is that Ben will be here in two weeks. The bad is that there is lots of work to be done. I am staying reasonably on top of things. My french composition turned out better than I thought. (Apparently I set ridiculously high standards for myself there) I think I did reasonably well on my anthropology midterm today. My theatre class is a cluster fuck...but thats a whole other story.

The Blue Jackets have won three in a row and are 4-0-2 in their last six games. This is an excellent turn around from the few games before that. Steve Mason, our young stud of a goalie, is so exciting to watch! I *really* hope he lives up to his potential. We've had too many first round picks that have turned into busts.

Since I am a super fan of massive proportion, I won a years supply of hot dogs on Wednesday night. Mind you, this is the second time this has happened. Every so often they will have stations in the arena where you can make a sign before the game, and both times I have done this I have won. Great success!! Granted the hot dogs are not my favorite, so I am donating the coupons to a local food bank. Maybe one of these days I will win something more blue jacket-y...like a jersey...or my very own blue jacket.

Me with my sign...although I did get the quote wrong. There is a cannon in nationwide arena that gets fired after ever blue jackets goal.


52 coupons for packages of sugardale hotdogs. Yum...I guess...


Until next time...