The Start of the Christmas Season

You may remember this post: here, or have seen many other bloggers plug the same promotion: 50 free personalized Christmas cards courtesy of Shutterfly that available to bloggers.

It was an extremely great deal. Here's how much it cost:

you still have to pay shipping. it's still a great deal! with this promo code, i saved $104.50

. wow!

I created mine and placed the order on November 27, so that I could receive them and mail them out in a timely manner. As of November 29, the order was shipped.

Top Ten: Random Thoughts, Purchases, Buys, and Moments of the Recent Week

 TOP TEN RANDOM THOUGHTS, PURCHASES, BUYS, AND MOMENTS OF THE RECENT WEEK

1. One morning over my five day break, David and I were lying in bed cuddling. I can't remember what I said to him, but whatever it was, he thought I said: spackled. I thought this was a pretty, funny word, especially the way we were saying it. Literally, for three days, I thought we had made that word up. I googled it, and found out that it is an actual word. He knew what it was was already. Sadly, I did not.

2. On Friday, one of my college professors from undergrad sent me a text message. Yeah, some may think it is weird to be friends with your professors and hang out. It's just normal for me. (Note: I don't hang out with any of my graduate school professors). Anyway, the text message conversation read:

professor: went into the old {insert name of place that I used to work when I was 16-18 years old}  today for my beer. the girl didn't know what a lime was. you were a much better checker.

me: haha...are you serious? what an idiot. thanks hehe :)

professor: i am serious. she had to aske me what it was.

me: wow....she's extremely dumb. did you tell her what it was?

professor; yes. i wanted to get out of there!

me: what did she say after you told her? haha.

professor: not much. thats what i get for drinking corona

me: lol

professor: if she didn't know what a lime do you think she was good for much conversation?

me: yeah that's true. i can't believe someone doesn't know what a lime is.

professor: it just made me think of you because you used to do that job.

me: man i hated that job.

professor: i couldn't tell. you were so friendly :)

me: haha :)

3. I only have two more days of graduate school class left (November 30 and December 2), and I can't wait!


4. Also, over the weekend, I designed and ordered my free 50 Christmas cards from Shutterfly. Preview coming soon!

5. Last week, I got a pair of Sperry's for about $25.

david loves these kind of shoes. i have to admit, this isn't my go-to-style. however, it's always nice to mix it up a bit. plus, the shoes are super fratty. they are really big in some of the fraternities.

6. I received this award from Just a Girl a few weeks ago.
 

Thanks girl :)

7. I had class last night, November 29. Well, it wasn't actual class. All we had to do was turn in our assignments and leave. Half the class brought food and swore we were having class for the entire time, or at least for an hour or so. I told them that we were turning our assignments in, and then leaving. I think I would remember a teacher saying that we weren't really going to have class. Well, what do you know? We just turned our stuff in and left. Big surprise!

8. I used John Frieda's Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Smoothing Creme and it works wonders. Make my hair really silky, smooth, and soft.

9. I did part of one my assignments on my computer and finished it on my work computer. I saved it to my work computer and printed it off. I got to class and turned it in. We were then told we had to submit it online via livetext that night, November 29. Well, basically I had to just redo what I had done, because there was no way that I was driving to my office to submit a paper via livetext. I'm sure it could've waited until the next day, November 30. I just didn't want to take my chances. Plus, knowing me, I would've forgot. In fact, I know I would've, because I forgot the first time. It just sucks that the paper that I submitted online isn't the exact same (well 4.5 pages is, the last 2.5 isn't) as the one that I turned in. Boo.

10. I was just looking at the calendar for December, and I'm basically off work for 2 weeks. I'm going out of town for training for 3 days. Another day I can take off whenever I choose. I just have to get the date approved. Then I get 5 days off for Christmas and 5 days off for New Year's. Woo! (Granted, I will have to visit my clients at least once or twice. However, I'm not 'technically' working).

Here's my transcript so far:

as of now, i have finished two more classes: counseling theory/CBT and career counseling. so, those grades aren't posted. i finish practicum on december 2. after that, my first year is over. YES!

Our Carriage Awaits...

Friday was the first cold day that we've had this season. Usually, it has been in 60s and 70s. We had snow this morning. It was rather shocking, because a few days before it was warm outside. The snow wasn't much, just a light dusting. The grass wasn't even all the way covered. That's how little of snow we got.

On Friday, November 26, my city was giving away free carriage rides. They also are on two or three other nights in December. I've been wanting to at least for six years now. Back in 2004 and 2005, I tried to get my ex to take me on one, but he wouldn't. It is rather expensive. I believe it was around $75 for 30 minutes. Plus, they always had a long wait, since so many people wanted to do it.

I was just browsing facebook and I saw someone had posted on my friend/coworker's wall, and it was about the free carriage rides downtown. I went to our city's website, and sure enough there it was. Even though, the free rides were only fifteen minutes, I still wanted to it.

It was extremely cold outside. My Weather Channel app for my iPhone said it was 30 degrees, but felt like 22 degrees. It is really windy in my city, especially downtown near the tall buildings. Good thing they had blankets on the carriages. There was a line, so we had to wait about 45 minutes. There were three different carriages taking people for rides at once. Plus, the rides lasted longer than 15 minutes, because of the red lights downtown. We had to share a carriage with another couple. We saw an obnoxious couple that was fighting, which was basically the girl nagging her boyfriend. Good thing, we didn't share the carriage with them. We were really close to riding with them, but last minute they noticed the carriage they were walking to had two other people already in it.

I want to go back again for a free ride. However, what I really want is to go on our very own ride for 30 minutes or 1 hour. Whether I get to or not, this was still a really fun memory.

one of the many trees downtown

us in front of the tree

carriage with horses

my love

the happy, but freezing couple

christmas card potential?

very artsy, i think.

this is on a building downtown. the snowflakes move like they are falling from the sky. always something neat to look for around this time of the year.

our carriage awaits...

i can't feel my face!

Your Name Is?

As many most know, Black Friday was on November 26. I never went, and doubt I will ever go. I don't like waiting in lines, and I probably would be one of those people that would get kicked out for being out on control. Haha! I would much rather pay more money or just partake in Cyber Monday. At the Best Buys in my cities, people were reported waiting 48 hours before Black Friday even hit. Crazy!

Anyway, David was running some errands. I decided to stay at the house and work on school stuff, blog, or whatever. When he came back, he said that I had something on my back and that it was "cute." I had no idea what it was. I first thought he had put something on my back, and I still hadn't noticed it. Well, I looked in the mirror and this is what I saw.

*his name tag for his ACUs had been in the floor, and had stuck to my shirt. haha!

(i blurred out his last name for identity purposes)

Make a Wish

Ever since I was little, I remember that my mom, dad, and I would travel to Virginia to be with my grandmother for Thanksgiving. This stopped around the time that I was eleven, since my dad was ill. He died when I was thirteen years old, and then my grandmother died eight months later.

One thing that I've always remembered was after my grandmother cleaned the turkey of the bones, she kept the wishbone. She kept it out for me, so that my dad and I could make a wish. It was a tradition. Every year, we would let the wishbone dry out for two days after Thanksgiving. We would each grab a side and pull. While in the process, we would each make a wish. It would break. Whoever had the largest piece, their wish would come true.

I honestly can't remember the last time I did this. Thanksgiving wasn't like it used to be. My mom and I started going to my aunt's house, but I never remember the wishbone being saved for me. Last year, I spent Thanksgiving with David and his family, but we had Thanksgiving a week late. On actual Thanksgiving day, we went to a fancy restaurant. His parents were in the process of moving.

However, this year, I was able to obtain the wishbone.

GAME FACES ON...

GET READY TO PULL...

 

RECEIVED THE SHORTER PIECE

WINNER

 VICTORY.... BWHAHAHA!!!!

The Future As We Know It

On November 25, David and I were at Best Buy. I bought him a new xbox 360 game; Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, just because :) I noticed that they had the newest, must-have gadget of 2010. The Kinect.  David already has the xbox 360, which he loves. I tried the kinect out in the store, and it was amazing.

It is such advanced technology.

It uses no controller. 

It is voice-activated. 

It uses a motion-sensor. 

It is really hard to find, and sold out just about everywhere.

It is available in bundles; bundles with a xbox 360 console, and bundles with different Kinect games. I decided to buy a Kinect for David for Christmas, while it was still avaiable. I went online to Microsoft's website, since that is who makes it. I bought the bundle that comes with the Kinect and 2 other games. (Every Kinect comes with Kinect Adventures).

*update. I checked the website the very next day, and every single bundle was sold out. The day after that, there wasn't even an option to purchase it. I must have gotten the last one. I just hopes it is delivered before Christmas.

The future as we know it.

Thanksgiving 2010

 I am so thankful that I had a great Thanksgiving. I had five days off work with pay. Granted, I had to check-in with my clients, but that didn't take long at all. David and I spent Thanksgiving with his family. It was so yummy that we went back the next night, November 26 to have leftovers.

Lots to Be Thankful For

I received all of these capital letter images from Daily Drop Cap. Her work is amazing, and has tons of more designs to use from. I just chose her more recent work that she had posted.

A few weeks ago, I saw on Keeping up with Kelly & Co.'s blog that she was doing the gratitude challenge. One of the days was to blog about what you are thankful for using an A-Z list. I loved this idea. When you really think about it, it's really hard to come up with stuff for every letter. I guess it is so easy to take things for granted. I know that I am leaving out tons of stuff. So without further ado, I bring you... my list. It's kind of lame, but here are the things that I came up with.





partment

oyfriend, blogging, bacon, baths, balconies, butterflies, bubbles, benefits





ar, cheese, credit cards, colors, city life, candles, central air/heat, compliments, chi hair straightener, closets, clouds, clothes, Control+F or Command+F




avid, debit cards, DVR, diet coke, DVDs, dinner, decorations, delivery, discounts





ducation, electricity, elections






ood, flowers, freedom, family, friends, facebook, fruit, followers, fireplace, followers





lee, Grey's Anatomy, GPS, google





ealth, hugs, holidays, hulu, holiday pay





Phone, ice cream, internet





ob, jewelry





isses





ife, love





oney, music, Macbook, massages, military, movies, makeup, mail, magazines





ikon D3000 camera, non-fiction books, notebooks





pportunities, online shopping





ay at the pump, potato skins, pets, perfume, pens, planners, pay day (not the candy bar...haha), patios





uiet






ain




hopping, seasons, Steak n Shake, Smashburger, smiling, sun, sex, sunrise, sunset, shoes, sunglasses, sales




echnology, television, 24 hour restaurants





nited States of America





acations, voting




ork, weather, wi-fi, weddings




erox, X chromosome




chromosome





zzzzzzz......




I Found the Diamonds

About an hour after I posted: It's In The Works. I found the diamonds. I was moving the covers off the bed, and I felt something hard. I grabbed it to see what it was, and it was a jewelry box. He immediately grabbed it, and said "You can't see those." Well, he relented and showed me what was in the box. After all, these diamonds and pieces of jewelry had been in his family. I have no idea what he is going to sell, what he is going to buy, or what he is going to use. All I know is, he likes the mount of one of the rings. It's from the 1920s or 1940s, and the guy at the jewelry store said that people don't do that anymore and it's outdated. David said he was like, Hmph...I like it! He showed it to me, and I liked it too!

It's in the Works

Today, I text messaged my boyfriend after I was home from work.

No answer.

I called him.

No answer.

Repeat a few times.

No answer.

Finally, he messaged me and said: "Hey babe, I'm out right now, I'll call ya when I'm back."

I automatically knew where "out" was. He didn't have class today, because of the holiday. Sure enough, I was right. He was at various jewelry stores and maybe appraisers to see how much the diamonds he had is worth. He told me that he has a few options, but has basically already decided how he wants the ring designed. He said that the ring is going to be unique, and that I won't find another person with a ring like it. I like that it is going to be different. Can you say engagement? Soon? I had no idea that he was going to ask about the diamonds this fast. I figured he would wait at least a few months or so. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Timeline: Now until sometime in March. At the latest early April. (That would have to be my guess).

It's really happening.

Real Life

A couple of weeks ago, I saw Babbling Abby and Dave and Brit Plus One do a 'Real Life' post. I thought it was a great idea, so here's mine:

Real life...My day varies from what time I visit my clients at my job. I basically set my own schedule.

Real life...Each morning before I go to work, I watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I can't help, but still love that show.

Real life...It's only a two day work week, and I get paid for the whole week.

Real life...After forgetting and being lazy for a few weeks, David and I finally made a copy of his house key. (He already has one of mine). We also made a copy of each other's car keys.

Real life...I'm planning mine and David's wedding before we are engaged. (We already know we are getting married. Plus, I'm a 'Type A' personality. I have to plan, organize, and plan some more).

Real life...I'm helping David study for a test in his Arabic class. Granted, I can't read the words, or even pronounce it correctly (I get the jist of it. It's close enough that he knows what I'm saying). However, when he says each word, I know what they mean. You would think that I'm the one that has the test, by the way that I'm answering each question.

Real life...As of right now, I'm caught up with everything. (Well, excluding my final assignments for my classes due in a week). Now, when I finally have a chance to blog, I don't know what to say. That makes me sad.

Real life...I always seem to get that 'Sunday Night Feeling.'

Real life...I have been wanting one of those Jo Totes camera bag/purse. I wanted the black one with the flower. I must have waited too long to purchase it, since it is out of stock, until January. Awesome. *sarcasm

Real life...I've still been putting off cleaning my apartment. It is a disaster. *shudders

Real life...I'm beginning to save money for mine and David's wedding. (We don't know who is going to help us with what. We obviously can't do the 'traditional father of the bride' pays for everything. My dad died 11 years ago. So, we might have to pay for the majority of it ourselves. Who knows. We will see when that time comes).

Real life...I'm counting down the days, until my first year of graduate school is over. 10 days left, which is basically three classes. Actually, it is more like two. One of the classes; we just show up, turn our assignments in, and leave.

Real life...I still haven't ordered my 50 free cards for Shutterfly. I haven't decided, whether or not to use pictures I already have or have new pictures taken. I was thinking about having David's dad could take pictures of us at Thanksgiving. (He used to be a photographer).

Real life...If I don't have clothes at David's house (which is 1 mile away), I'd rather go to Wal-Mart or Target and buy something than go back to my apartment.

Real life...I eat about the same two restaurants, when I'm taking lunch at work. Boring, I know.

Soon?

David and I aren't engaged yet, (but we talk about marriage all the time. We even talk about the details that we would like to include in our wedding). I think it is going to happen soon. Well, at least in the next 3-4 months. Maybe.


Case in point:

1. He said he has already talked to his mother about us being engaged and marriage.

2. He said he is going to have to talk to her about the diamonds. I believe he is going to use diamonds that has been in his family. If that's the case, all he needs is a band or whatever.

3. He says we will probably be moving in together around March or April, instead of August or September.

4. He had mentioned that we won't be "dating," when we move in together.

5. He said he has been thinking of different ways to "pop the question."

6. He said he won't be able to spend as much money this year on Christmas like he did last year, because this year, he has to save up for "other" stuff.

Now the question is...

When do you guys think he will propose? Any guesses?

Smile For The Camera: Part II

You may remember this post: Smile For the Camera that I posted back around August or September. This was a test photoshoot for a calendar. Needless to say, one of my photos wasn't chosen.

Looking back at the photos, there ehhhh.... Could be worse, could be a lot better.

I was on facebook and saw the ones that weren't chosen. Honestly, I wasn't surprised, because going into it, I knew I probably wouldn't be chosen. I'm not mad or sad, because honestly, there were probably only two attractive girls that were chosen. Oh well. It's probably a good thing that I didn't get chosen considering my job and my soon-to-be profession after graduate school. I don't think it would be all that "professional" considering my work and field that I'm in.

Oh well. What can you do.

Puppies & Ducks

For some reason this is mine and David's new nickname for each other. Haha!

David aka "Sleepy Puppy"

Me aka "Odd Duck"

Where does he come up with these things?
LOL.