seriously?!?

It is 11:10 on Thursday evening in Columbus, Ohio. The temperature is -8 degrees...with windchill...wait for it...a delightfully face-melting -30. That's right. Negative-fucking-THIRTY. Let's just say I am not at all amused by the prospect of a full day traipsing around campus tomorrow. I have no idea if it can even reach the point where OSU closes because of cold temperatures...I am currently pondering how many layers of clothes I can wear and still be able to zip up my coat. I'm thinking at least two pairs of pants and three shirts...probably two pairs of socks. I wish I had goggles.

I also wish I had a physicist to keep me warm on a night like this. Nash and Noodle will be nice to cuddle with tonight.

Is it spring yet?

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!!!*

x-mas

Above, Melissa and I react to the completely abysmal play of the Blue Jackets last night. Epic hockey fail. :-(


Christmas eve...it's raining in Columbus. Last night everything was covered in a nice slippery sheet of ice.

The end of the quarter was not quite what I wanted it to be. I should have worked harder, and will resolve to do so next quarter. I think the senioritis has set in. I just want to be done. I am starting to map out my next steps, and plan where I will go next in my career. It's exciting and scary and there are lots of questions running through my head, but I'm trying to take it one step at a time.

Not going to lie...I've been a little down the past couple of weeks. Kinda sucks. Work has been fine, haven't been doing a whole lot of socializing, and I've been *really* tired. The cats seem to be getting into slightly less trouble which is nice.

Hanukkah started on Sunday night, and we did a little family celebrating. There was a lot going on since Melissa had just gotten home and then was leaving for Missouri early the next morning, so it wasn't very elaborate...which is ok. :-) Family time is always nice.

Lighting the candles and saying the blessings


Fun with camera timer


Latke time!


Yum, yum, yum





Latkes and sour cream...not healthy in any way, but SO DELICIOUS!!!




Now I'm headed over to Mom and Dad's to have some dinner, then back home, hopefully to see Melissa and Matt.

Just wanting to feel a little holiday spirit, instead of so down and blue.

thanksgiving recap...finally...

Wowza...it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I can't believe it's Christmas eve. I'm excited to go to Texas on Sunday. I am way behind on updating this thing!!

First up, I feel compelled to share some pictures from Thanksgiving, even though it's almost a month in the past. I had such a great time...


While shopping for squash casserole supplies...Dundees are everywhere!


We got to see two hockey games during the week It's the favorite way for the Bornstein family to celebrate any occasion.



Cooking for Thanksgiving is always lots of fun - Ben and Mom were joking about something here. I swear, I did more than just take pictures, I helped prepare as well!


Dad needed a break to check up with his crackberry.


My sister Melissa, Caleb her boyfriend, my best friend Melissa and her boyfriend Matt were also on hand for activities of thankfulness.


Here's a view of the table, post nom.



Two goobers at a hockey game.

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.

Furry monsters

It snowed most of the day today, and although snow in Columbus can be a royal pain in the ass, it is also very pretty to look at. While driving around today I saw many accidents, including a car that was almost in the Olentangy river after sliding off of 315. I myself almost rear ended someone on my way down the little hill where Kenny Road hits Bethel. Luckily I was able to stop my car in time, and promptly told Ben I should probably call him later and not talk on the phone while driving in the snow. Yes, I am bad.

This snowy weather is lovely to look at when you are warm inside, although I admit it makes me wish I had a physicist to snuggle with. Poor guy, he's suffering through "winter" in California...ya know, the whole wearing shorts and riding his bike thing.

The Blue Jackets are playing tonight in LA. Hoping for good things.

The cats were being rather cute today, so I snapped a couple pictures.





Mom and I were going to go to Winterfair today, but with the snow and crazy driving, we decided to stay in. We had a nice dinner and then hung out while I did laundry. Mom did some work while I continued my crafting endeavors. I am going to have to make another trip by JoAnne's tomorrow morning to pick up some more supplies.

Here's another sneak peak at my crafty-ness.

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...