Easter

It's official: Less than four weeks until I graduate!  My graduation present from Robert is a multi-part pamper gift.  Today I made an appointment for a haircut (at Galini Salon and Day Spa), an algae massage (at Grove Spa), and manicure (at Safari).  Tomorrow I'll make an appointment for a pedicure and facial at the Gallery.  This is something I've wanted basically for forever but would never just get for myself.  I'm pumped!

Easter weekend was good.  Robert and I went to his house.  It was packed!  His mom and dad; his sister, her boyfriend, and his daughter; maternal grandmother/grandfather; uncle/aunt/cousin; second cousin/wife/triplets; second cousin and wife, and a friend.  Highlights included: Eating lunch at Mi Ranchito, going on a hike, swimming at the fitness center (plus my first sauna experience - not a fan), movies, games (Robert and I owned at Pictionary!), buying rain boots at Off Broadway going to church, dying eggs, and eating lots of good food.

So fun!

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!

Reflections

I just got back from a delightful lunch/wedding shower for my dear friend Tiffani.  I am so very thankful for the wonderful friends at SBU God has blessed me with.  Bekah, Rachel, Joelle, Tiffani, and I all went out to the Tea Garden for lunch.  I've known Tiffani forever, but I've gotten to know the other girls through classes over the past semesters.  They make class so much more fun.   I'm gonna miss them!

I skipped Medieval/Renaissance Literature today.  Wild!  I took the extra time to read Maya Angelou in the park and eat a chocolate chip cookie. :)

Robert and I have been blessed with part-time jobs this semester.  Neither of us worked last school year or last semester at all.  This semester neither of us are taking many classes so we have time.  I work at the church nursery about 8-10 hours a week and babysit some too.  Robert works in the school cafeteria 6-8 hours a week and does some yard work for my grandparents.  It's certainly not a lot, but it's nice to have gas money and be able to stash a bit of it away.  I'm working in the church nursery tonight from 5:45-8:30, and Robert's working at Mellers tonight from 4:45-6:30 ish.  Having to work hard for your money sure makes you more conscious when spending it.

I'm sitting at my desk while listening to the girls next door get down to some Beyonce.  Thinking about not being in this dorm room in five weeks brings about mixed emotions.  Part of my screams, "Good riddance!"  The other part says, "Slow down!"  Things I won't miss about SBU include:
-The cafeteria.  Shocking.  I'm pumped to be able to pick what I eat and to actually know what's in it.  True, I'll have to spend time making it, but it'll be worth it.
-Hiking up to the third floor to get to my room.
-Loud people who scream, pump up the jams, and slam doors at 2am
-Sharing a bathroom
-Not having control over the thermostat.  I have two incredibly cold natured (but sweet) suitemates.

Things I'll miss:
-Knowing so many people.  I'm nervous about not knowing ANYONE at Drury.
-Having things fixed by maintenance
-Being so class to Robert and having similar schedules.  Next year, he'll be in class all day (9:00-3:00 basically) while I'm at the house.  Then by the time he's done it'll be time for me to head out (leave at 4:30 for class from 5:20-8:30.  Get back at 9:15 and then crash).
-Not really ever having to study that much.  People keep trying to scare me by saying I'll have to read a million pages a night next year.