Hardcore slacking on my part....

Alright, well....as you can obviously tell my "30 thankful things" didn't really happen. I'll tell ya why. Got really busy, stressed and not to mention the holiday itself. I also got HELLLLLLLA sick the Sunday through Wednesday the week of Thanksgiving and wasn't always around a computer to update it....not sure I have the patience to post a large blog from my phone either....so yeah. So, we'll scrub it...

News from my life: Officially on Christmas break, and I'm super happy. The kiddos at work were going INSANE and driving me to the edge. lol. Hopefully two weeks away from school will restore their sanity. Other than that, work has been going really well. I got totally caught up on all my paperwork this Thursday.

Been hanging out with Kandis a lot. I've missed her so much. She got a new tattoo and I was there for it....*inside scoop* I may be getting a new one in a month or two....and I'm stoked!!! lol.

Everyone is breaking up...and honestly, for most of them, I think it's a good thing. lol. Call me a cynical single, but I'd rather be single than together with someone and miserable.

Going to spend most if not all of my two weeks off at Mom's or in Lubbock with Rebecca. I'm excited. I hated growing up out in West Texas, but it's home....and there are times when I really miss it. The simplicity, the easy going, no traffic. lol. Dad, the nieces and I are heading down tomorrow. The girls have to go back to their mom Christmas eve so we're having Christmas early. Randi and Richard are coming like the 21st, I think? And I think I'm barely getting anything this year because Mom and Dad are giving me money for a NEW TV!!! I have to come up with the rest of it...but hey, it's a huge help. I'm tired for my friend Justin always giving me crap about having "the oldest TV in the world" when it is only a few years old, like less than 10. lol. It's OK about not getting much though...I really don't need or want anything.

I need to go back to school and find a job that pays more....those are two New Years resolutions I'm gonna work on this year. I'll be sad to leave my kids, but I have to pay my bills. lol. And I miss school...God, never thought I'd say that. But I still cannot decide what I want to get my Masters in. I could go the psychology route and be an LPC. I could go the social worker route and do something...lol. Or, find something totally different to go into. This is the hardest choice I've ever had to face in my life and it sucks. Cause for once, I really don't know what I want...and I hate it.

Well, I guess this will suffice for now. I have to finish picking up my apartment, get ready, pack, load the car and head to Dad's. We're leaving tomorrow morning and have a few stops on our 4 hour drive....joyyyyyyy. lol. Hope all is well with you lovelies.

Much love.

Thankfulness cont.

So I'm wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy behind. I've been so stinkin tired though that's why I've been slacking...but here I am to continue my list!

Numero 4. I am thankful for the choices I have made in my life. Not all of them have been great ones, and some have caused me some tremendous repercussions in life, but that's a big part of it. Everyone has to find their way. Make their mistakes and learn from them. That's the point of trials and tribulations in our life....to make us a better person and to show us that we have the ability to make it through anything.

Numero 5. I am thankful for the job I have and the work I do. Now, don't get me wrong, I will complain about my job as much as the next person...but I really do love it. I like my kids and I like being an impact on their lives. I've met some parents and had some kids themselves tell me that I was such a big help to them and will be a person they will remember for always for being there for them. That's always something I wanted to do. After years of meeting kids my parents worked with that always told them and me how much them being in their lives, even for just a year or season of football or whatever, made such an impact, I'm glad to have been able to have a hand in that as well.

Number 6. I am thankful for music. Now, I can't play any instrument, dance or sing worth a damn, but I loves me some music. No matter what kind of mood I'm in or what kind of day I'm having, I can find a song or two that can lift me up.

Number 7. I am thankful for my education. And all of that goes to my parents. They both scrimped and saved and did whatever they could to make sure that I could go to college and graduate without owing a penny...and that's exactly what I did. Mom, all through college, would say that this was her biggest gift to me. An education that would help point my life in the right direction. They supported me the whole way through too. Back to the previous post, my parents are the best. :)

Number 8. I am thankful for my humor, my smile, and most of all, my laugh. Anyone that knows me, knows that I laugh all the time and most of the time for little to no reason at all. I'm sarcastic and I love it. My whole family is. It takes a lot to really get me down and depressed and I've only been really in the dumps maybe twice in my whole life. I love to smile and laugh. I love to crack jokes. I love to laugh at stupid stuff, even if it's me being dumb. I am greatful for the many, many, MANY people in my life that make me laugh daily. You know who you are. =)

Numero 9. I am thankful for memories. I like that my mind is random and associates memories with almost anything. Songs, smells, places, pictures, clothes....etc. So many things in my life are full of wonderful memories and I think that may be another reason why the previous number is such a big thing for me too....cause I can remember these things that have happened and laugh and smile about them. I cherish the memories I have made and eagarly look forward to making new memories.

Alright, well, my head is pounding and this was pretty quick and random...but I'll post more soon.

Much love.

To give thanks....

Alright, well, it's officially November. It's insane to think where 2010 went. Seems like it just started. Scary how time flies the older you get. So, on Facebook, people have started doing these "One thing a day I'm thankful for" and since I haven't had much to blog about lately (Cause life is very repetitive, most days) I've decided to turn it into a blog. So, I'm getting a late start but I'm going to do 30 things I'm thankful for this month. Be prepared, weekends will most likely be bunched together, cause I'm rarely home on weekends anymore. This past weekend being the exception because I had a dear friend in crisis...which brings me to my number one. (And to all that reads, it's it no particular order)

1. I am thankful for my friends. Life is full of craziness. Absolutely crazy, insanity. Be it work, relationships, family, health, drama of any sorts. Friends are God's little angels on Earth to help us through it all. (Family too, but we'll get to that one) I have no idea where I would be without my friends. I am lucky enough to say that I have MANY friends that I would happily do anything for, and the best part, I know that more than most of them would do the same for me.

2. I am thankful to still have my precious kitty. She's been a part of my life for over 14 years. She's the best part of my evenings. I come home, relax, she comes out and gets scratches from me. When it's bed time, I crawl into bed and before I can even lay down, she's on the foot of the bed waiting for me to get situated so she can lay right next to me. She gives me snuggles at night and first thing in the morning when I wake up. When getting ready for work, she paws me as I walk by. She watches while I get ready. I secretly think she laughs at me when I sing along with the radio. And every day when I'm leaving, she looks at me as if to say "Do you really have to go?" If only I could find a man that loving and dedicated, no? lol. Here's a picture of my crazy baby:

3. I am thankful for my parents. I've always loved my parents, but it seems like the older I get, the more I love and appreciate them. Which, I guess is a good thing because some people it takes the death of a parent to realize how much they mean. I dread that day. I emotionally depend on my parents for so much. They are my sanity, even though they drive me crazy sometimes too. But, that's part of being a parent I guess. I talk to them every day. Most of the time, more than once. Texting, email, phone calls, what have you. I still go to dinner with my Dad once a week, just like we've done for years. If I have a weekend with nothing planned, I will dash of to either one of their houses and just spend time with them. I want to make sure that I've soaked in enough time with them, but there will never be enough time. I know they'll always be with me though, no matter. I've got some friends that tease me and say they are too "attached" but it's not only them. I'm attached to my parents too. They've done far too much for me to even fathom not loving them. Hands down (and I am a little biased) they are the best parents on the planet. They taught me morals and values but also to be strong willed and willing to fight for what's right and that I am capable of doing anything I can put my mind to. They've always been supportive yet tough when they needed to be. I am thankful to have parents that care so much about me.

So with this, I wrap up...until my next post and my next thing I'm thankful for

Much love.

Do you believe in signs?

So today at work we had the Rachel's Challenge assembly for our students. Ever seen it? It's powerful stuff. Here's a short video about the overall purpose of it.




So, in the middle of it...I'm standing in the back of the auditorium listening to this guy talk about being kind and helping those around us, being compassionate to others, telling Rachel's story and all the symbols and premonitions she had in her journals and had mentioned to multiple family and friends about dying young and impacting the world, and forgiving those around us who may have hurt us and something catches my eye. I bend down before the end of the assembly and pick up a pin...and this is what it was

Now, it may seem crazy, but I just thought it was odd to find that, of all things, during the middle of this touching and moving assembly. And as the day wore on, it really made me wonder what it meant. Is it a sign that I need to have more hope? Have I become cynical and lost faith in the person I am? Mom's been encouraging me to go back to Church, is it a sign that I need to recommit to my faith?  It could just be a pin that I happened to come across and that's it. But at the moment it just seemed more meaningful than that. And I believe that everything happens for a reason *see previous blog* lol.

I'm curious to know what you think...because different takes could help to explain it more.

Ok, no mas.

Much love.

TIme to play catch up...

So I've been on a bit of a hiatus. Mainly because I've been sickly and just overall run down. It sucks getting old. (kidding) I work with teenagers and they think it's funny to tell me how old I am. Was even told I had wrinkles yesterday...that kid made my hit list. I kid. It's about that yearly time when flus and colds are rampant and I get either hella bad allergies or strep throat. This time, thus far, I just got the allergies. I seemed to have fought off strep cause up until a few days ago my right tonsil was about the size of a ping pong ball....well, felt like it. Haven't been able to sleep very well without the aid of some sort of night time remedy. Which I hate...I like my sleep all natural.

Alright, so what's been going on with me, you ask? Let's see...

I've had a couple of things change in my personal life...it's hard when things change. You get used to talking to someone every day or all the time and then you decide that you're on two different pages and then it's like *poof* I also believe that a friendship is on it's way out the door. It sucks, but it's difficult to be friends with someone that can't be friends with you. Annnnnnnnnnd that's all I'm gonna say about that. Sorry to go Forrest Gump on ya.

I cut my hair...about 3-4 inches. It went from my bra line to a little past my shoulders. It took me about a year to get it to where it was....but there just came a day where I was at work and I had just had enough and wanted a change....so I went to my little girl, and got her to chop it off.

Went from about this...

To this:

Let's see, what else? Ooooo!!! I know. One of my best friends, Miranda, got hitched a year ago and moved to North Carolina....we found out this week she's moving back to TEJAS!!! Yayay!!!!! She'll be far away still...but not near as far as NC. And when I go home to see my mom, she'll be much closer! Whoo!

Went and hung out with some of my favorite ladies last weekend, and I'm gonna get to see some of them again this weekend hopefully! We went to dinner and ended up closing the place down. It was a blast. Made me miss college and simpler times. Growing up is overrated.

I need to start seriously looking for a job that pays more. I like my job and I love the kids I work with...it's just getting harder and harder to live on the little I bring home. Dang non-profits. Dang degree I can't do jack with. Someone should have warned me. LOL. But, of course, if I had found my rich spouse by now, it wouldn't be an issue. LMAO kidding. Or am I?

I also need to figure out what I'm going to grad school for and how the heck I'm going to pay for it...some things don't require the GRE but most do....so I need to figure it out so that I can determine whether or not I even need to take the dang test.

I'm so ready for fall...ready for the cool air, sweaters, hoodies and for football to start getting real intense. My team won this week! Booyah!

And on that, I'll close...hope you have a great rest of the week and weekend, and when something more exciting happens, I'll let you know.

Much <3!!!

P.S. Goooooooooooooo Colts!!!

Lessons in life...well, from me. lol.

Be prepared....this is gonna be hella random. Thoughts and stuff that I feel need to be said...not directed at anyone in particular....just notes from my mind. And know, that I don't mean to offend (in case I do)....just my opinions.

People tend to fall in love with someone they can't have or that don't love them back, and push away the ones that actually do want them...why?

Everything happens for a reason, every action and reaction has a purpose, have the patience to find out what that reason is...

Sometimes people "meddle" because they care. Scratch that...majority of the time, people meddle because they care.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT stay together for the kids...it quite possibly could end up being way worse than divorce. We live in a time now that divorce is so common, kids will be able to adapt better and have far too many peers that they can bond with. Maybe I'm biased because my parents split and my parents are way better seperate, and not married. lol. Besides what does it model for your kids if you're in a unloving, non-functioning relationship?  You want better than that for your children, don't you? I know I do (when/if I have any). Now, I know there are people out there that don't believe in divorce and that want to be married only once, but just know....other than people that feel the same, no one will judge you or think less of you. I've seen and have known too many people and kids from my work who's ideals of love and relationships are so altered that they make the same if not worse mistakes in their love lives. And just because it seems like "the right thing to do" doesn't make it so.

Have high standards...know what you want and be willing to wait until it comes.

Don't be afraid to be alone (single). It won't kill you. I promise! I have too many friends that get in these HORRIBLE relationships for the only purpose of being in a relationship. Maybe my last one was such a doozy that I just am hip to the game now...I'd rather be alone than deal with a bad boyfriend. And there IS such a thing as an emotionally abusive relationship....be smart enough to get yourself out.

Embrace who you really are....cause in the end, you're always going to be your own best friend, or you should be. Be happy in your skin.

Surround yourself with people that make your life good. Extract those who cause stress and unnecessary drama.

Make sure you let people know what they mean to you...

Do things that will make you happy. I'm not saying to be selfish and only care about yourself...but on occasion, it's good to do things just for you. Treat yourself.

Ok, enough randomness....I had intentions earlier today of blogging about life and what's been going on...but this seemed better only because I'm not 100% sure who reads this. LOL.

Much <3!

So this is what 24 feels like...

It's not really any different...thus far. We'll see if this sore and stiff stuff goes away tomorrow. LOL.

So, I figured I'd give you a run down of the birthday weekend, part one....cause I get to do over next week with the family...and this time there will be PRESENTS! lol. And cake.

So Friday I went to work any my kids were wonderful because they remembered it was my birthday and made sure to tell me "Happy Birthday" every time they saw me. I was visited by five previous students and it was a great joy. I got off work at 2 and came home to meet Kristin and we left and headed to New Braunfels. We stopped in Austin to eat a classy meal of Taco Bell...only because we couldn't find the Wing Stop. lol. We made it to the resort we were staying at and it was absolutely gorgeous. We got ready and headed to the acoustic set of The Toadies. It was so chill and amazing. they gave us brief stories about the songs they played. Was cool to learn the actual reasons behind some of my favorite songs of all time. Afterwords, we made a late night run to a gas station and then went back to the resort and to bed.

Saturday, we woke up, got ready and headed to the River. We rented out tubes and got some refreshments and made our way down the 'Lupe....It was AMAZING. I want to do it every year from now on. lol. It was that fun. 4 hours of just hanging and floating around. A few rapids and fun people you meet along the way. Actually met some people that live in my town and a man that lives in my apartment complex. So we went and found Kristin's favorite, Carl's Jr. and had some dinner before we went and took a nap. We woke up, got ready and went to see the Toadies again...they did a brief acoustic repeat and then came back and played all my favorite songs and most of their new ones. Was so great. I'm hoping it will be around my birthday again next year and that they'll keep it at New Braunfels. I'm pretty hell bent on going back every year. If I don't move down their first. LOL.

Next weekend we're (Randi and I) working on a surprise for mom's birthday and the whole fam will be together to celebrate our birthdays. Whoo!

Alrighty...well, I'm sunburned and my abs hurt from holding my head up for four hours floating on the river....I hurt my foot stepping on the rocks in the river and I slipped a time or two trying to get back on my tube...BUT, it was still way worth it. Work this week, payday this week! I'm a pretty happy camper. =)

Ok, that's it...I'm sure I can be doing something more productive...such as unpacking or hanging up my laundry...meh. lol.

Much love.

Leveling up tomorrow....

So...tomorrow I turn 24! Whooo!  Going to work and getting off early, epic. Then, meeting Kristin and heading to New Braunfels to go to the third annual Dia De Los Toadies! Whooo! Hopefully there will be some time spent floating the river as well as rocking out! Even more epic. So excited, let's hope that 24 is way better than 23 was...need some good things to start happening...ready for the next step. =)

Ok, this one is short and sweet 'cause I need to go pack and a Birthday present to myself, other than TOADIES, is a good nights sleep!

Much <3!

Alllllllllllllllrighty then...

So....I don't know if anyone remembers the days of live journal and dead journal....but I had a dead journal and I loved, loved, LOVED it! But then, drama occurred and I let it wither and die it's own natural death. One day came along and I decided to go start up again, just to find out that dead journal no longer existed. Soooo, I'm glad that blogs are starting to come back. I would journal in my own journal at home with all my own private thoughts and whatnot....but I hate my handwriting....so, needless to say, blog it is.

Hopefully, since we're older and more mature now (cause that was back in high school), this will be a better experience. I won't be blasting people and this will be more of a therapeutic/easy way for friends and family to be able to see what's up with me. I've missed writing.

Anywho, a little about myself...grew up in a small West Texas town, moved to the "metroplex" aka Denton to go to college, fell in love with the area and made the transition to big city life. There are times, a lot more frequently, that I miss the small town stuff...but, I snap out of it pretty quick. Graduated college in December 2007 with a degree in Psychology. Currently work for a Non-profit organization and for the most part I like my job. Work with at-risk teenagers at a high school. The goal of the organization is to keep students from dropping out and preparing them for life after high school. It's very rewarding and my students really seem to love me. Been with the company for almost 3 years...and it's amazing that it's been that long. 

I'm currently pondering the next step in my life. I'm kind of ready for a new direction...problem is, not 100% sure what I want to do. New job? Back to school? What to get my Masters in? Even looked at maybe doing something like going to Court Reporting school. Sadly, think it's my quarter life crisis. Just kind of wanting something that makes more money because if anyone out there works non-profit, knows the money isn't that swell.

Now, for what this blog is going to be about....like I said earlier and as the headline reads...it's going to be a blog about me and life and all that goes inbetween. The shhhhhhtuff that happens. =)

Alright, I think this is long enough for a first post...feel free to follow me, stalk me, comment me, share me...what have you. I'll be here...and updating when I feels like. =D

Much <3!