4 Day Week

I'm nearly done with school for the week.  It's my last little break before graduation.  For the three day weekend Robert and I are going to visit his family in KC.  We're pumped!  I haven't been there since Thanksgiving, and Robert hasn't been there since Christmas.  It should be quite the shin-dig: Robert's parents, his sister, sister's boyfriend, maternal grandma and grandpa, aunt/uncle/two cousins, second cousin/wife/triplets, and us.  Special plans for the weekend include: going to the farmers' market (which is nothing like the one here.  It's more like a farmers' extravaganza), going on a hike, swimming, playing games, eating some delicious food, and maybe even studying a bit.  We're leaving today right after I take an American Public Address test and Robert takes a Hebrew test.  What's with professors giving tests right before a break?

This has been another big week: presentation on Tuesday, research paper on Wednesday, and test on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to next week and it's less busy schedule.

I did room checks for the girls' on my hall on Monday.  I took the new RA who will be taking my place with me on the checks.  I know she'll do a great job.  It's weird thinking about not being in the dorm, but I can wholeheartedly say that I am pumped to live in a house again.  It's been nice while it's lasted, but I'm ready to move on.  And isn't that great?  That God allows certain things to happen and let's changes occur so we're ready for the next step?

Health report:  This new iron medicine (Bifera) is definitely better than the previous supplements.  The new negative occurrence though is that I've started dry-heaving. TMI, I know.  Here's the deal.  I take acid reflux medicine (Omeprazole), and it has to be taken in the morning one hour before I eat.  Well, with taking iron supplements it helps a ton to have a full stomach because otherwise you could horribly nauseous.  I take the iron in between breakfast and lunch and then in between lunch and dinner.  That way my stomach isn't totally empty so I don't get sick but it isn't totally full so I can absorb as much Iron as possible.  In the morning my stomach is empty.  I haven't taken the Bifera for the day, but obviously the iron supplements have built up in my system, so I feel sick.  I'm very thankful that it's not nearly as bad as the first supplements, but we're still trying to work out some kinks.

I sent out my graduation announcements last week!!!!  The process might have forever converted me to DIY.  Here's the breakdown.  Ordering through the school was something ridiculous like $25 for for 20.  Don't remember exactly, but something like that.  I designed my own, had them printed on cardstock, the office store cut them for me, I bought stamps, and addressed them.  Cost of the actually announcements: $2.36, plus like $12 for postcard stamps.  So the whole thing was about $15 for 50 announcements.  For announcements and stamps through the school it would have been $75-100.  Hello!  Side note, 30 days til I graduate!

I'm getting more antsy every day as I wait for my new car.  It's been 3 1/2 weeks since I ordered it.  The maximum amount of time it should take is 8 weeks.  So I have 4 1/2 weeks or less left.  Let's gaze at it for a moment, shall we?

It's magenta and shiny and pretty :)

The inside of my car will look like this except it's an automatic not manual so the shifter will look slightly different.

Ahh!  Ok time to cram before the test.  Happy Easter!

No Such Luck

Well my attempt to donate blood was unsuccessful to say the least.  My iron was too low.  Speaking of blood, today I went to the doctor to get a CBC test done.  I've had low white blood cell counts for about 10 months now.  Hopefully this time it will be better.  I love the lady who usually draws my blood, Molly, but she had a baby about 3 weeks ago.  That's totally awesome, but she abandoned me in my time of need!  She knows my veins.  Today's experience was far from pleasant.  Poked the right arm: a few droplets came out.  Threw it away.  Poked the left arm: Absolutely nothing came out.  Poked the right arm again: A bit came out.  It's not very encouraging when the nurse says, "Hope this is enough to test it."  Cool.

I think my two tests went well yesterday.  Although stressing about tests is not fun, it's always exciting to get out earlier than usual.

I met with my dear friend Carey yesterday morning.  We've been getting together one morning a week for over a year now.  We share what's going on in our lives and then discuss the book we're reading.  So far we've read Calm my Anxious Heart, Choosing Gratitude, and now we're reading A Beautiful Offering.  Lately I've been learning that becoming more like Jesus isn't just going to happen one day.  It's a conscious effort.  I'm learning more and more what God requires of me.  I may not always choose the right thing, but I'm growing.

 Carey's cuties: Miles (above) and Cooper (below)

I'm the RA on call this weekend. Basically this means I'll sit in the dorm office Saturday from 5:00-midnight and hand out toilet paper twice because the other 150 girls are gone for the weekend.  If I'm focused it's usually a really good time to do homework.  I'm hoping I can write a research paper for Medieval and Renaissance Literature.  It's about Langland and his work of "Piers Plowman."  Should be invigorating.  haha

Robert's basketball team, the Viscous Fishes, fell to the Fascist Giraffes last night.  I'll know they'll get a victory soon though.

It rained/sleeted/snowed last night, but this is nothing compared to the 20 inches we got a couple of weeks ago.  Alright, off to class.  Happy Friday!

Test Week

I've entered week 5 of classes.  That means it's time for the first round of tests.  I have two on Thursday.  Trying to motivate myself to start studying early.

I'm going to attempt to give blood this afternoon.  This is a huge deal for me.  I tried giving blood when I was a junior in high school (about four and a half years ago), and it was not successful.  After sitting there for over an hour with a gigantic needle in my arm the nurse finally decided my blood had clotted so she threw away what little blood I had produced.  I was left with a horrible bruise for about a month.  Here's hoping this time it's more of a positive experience.

I had room checks last night.  I'm a resident assistant so I have to check the girls' rooms on my hall every two weeks.  It's always funny to see the different concepts of "clean."  For some girls it involves dusting, cleaning the mirror, vacuuming, sweeping, taking out the trash, doing laundry, making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, and spraying air freshener.  For other girls it involves having a messier room than my room is on "messy" days.  It's rather funny actually.

Robert's intramural team played last night.  They almost pulled out a victory but ended up losing by three points.  They play again tonight at 6:30, and I just know the Vicious Fishes are going to get their first W.

Epic accomplishment: When Robert and I first started lift weights I couldn't even lift the bench press bar (45 pounds).  I know...pathetic.  A few weeks ago I started to be able to do 10 reps.  Well today I did a max lift of 65 pounds!  That's the bar (45) plus a ten on each side (20).   I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow.

Mom and I went on a walk today.  I miss the days where we used to always work out together in high school.  I love talking with her.  She's the best!

There's a first time for everything

Well, here I am making my first post.  Not sure exactly how to start, so I guess I'll just jump into things.

Mom and I have had a lovely girls weekend.  We watched Despicable Me and went out for dinner yesterday.  Today we had MAJOR shopping success.  That's a big deal for us.  It's so hard to find clothes that fit well when you're tall.  We ended up going to New York and Co.  Success!  Then we found this little German tea house.  Precious!

 This picture was taken of Mom and me at Easter

I've been babysitting the Scowden girls all evening.  The girls have officially fallen asleep.  We had fun tonight.  We had pizza and grapes, watched Veggie Tales: The Wizards of Has, Eisley napped, we played "The Mermaid Game" (An Amy Grabowski specialty), the girls took a bath, we read, and then it was bedtime.

School stuff:  I have my first tests of the semester next week.  Both happen to fall on Thursday: Communication Theory and American Public Address.  I've been trying to make myself study over the weekend.  I've made the study guide for APA so that's a start.  It's exciting and scary that this is my last semester of college.  It's rather surreal actually.  I'm excited to be done with early morning classes, chapel, cafeteria food, and loud dorm life.  However, at the same time I know I'll miss the friends I've made, my fantastic professors, and not having to make my own food.  I had receive an email with my acceptance to grad school in December, but I got the official letter this week.  Another reminder that I'm starting a new chapter of my life.  I have thoughts going through my head like, "Will I be able to handle grad school?" "Will I make friends in my classes?" "Will my professors care?" "Will I get lost on my first day?" I try to ignore those thoughts since it's still a little less than four months away.

RA stuff: This is my fourth and final semester being a resident assistant in my dorm.  It's been rewarding to see the girls on my hall grow over the months.  I find myself starting to detach myself though.  When things happen I just think, "What does it matter?  I'll be gone in three months."  Probably not the best attitude, but it is true.

 After the Homecoming Parade last year

I am so thankful for my wonderful boyfriend, Robert.  We've been dating for almost a year.  He's my first boyfriend, first kiss, and first "I love you."  This past year has been so great!  For Valentine's Day Robert took me to Build a Bear where I made a super cute bear named Franklin.  I had made reservations at The Keeter Center, the restaurant at College of the Ozarks.  It's where my high school prom was, but Robert had never been there before.  It was so special!  They had a Valentine's menu, a band with electric guitar/stand up bass/drums, pink roses, candles, a dance floor, and fantastic food.  I got chicked with cous cous, and Robert got salmon with braised spinach in a phyllo pastry.  After that we walked around the campus for a bit.  It was very nice outside!  We wrapped it up by going to Fedora, a fondue restaurant.  Delicous!

 At a NYE party

My brother, Jim, plays professional basketball in Portugal.  He got to come home for Christmas, and this week my dad has been there visiting him.  He'll be back tomorrow night.  I guess Jim said this week has been the coldest week so far while we've been having the warmest week in a very long time.  Dad got to see Jim play (they won!), they went to the beach, had dinner at friends' houses, and even got to go to Belgium for a few days.

 Jim and me on a train in England

Alright.  I think you're officially updated on all the background information.  May this be the first of many posts!