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.