May hasn't even started, and it's already looking good! I was just looking over my google calender and realized that there are some good things planned for this upcoming month. But May isn't all fun and games; it is also time for me to do some serious training. I'm slated to test for my green belt on May 31st. I'm doing good, but life has really gotten in the way lately. I don't feel up to the level that I should be at this point (and I blame only me). However, the there is still a month. I'm really going to step it up. I went to class last night, and it was great. I felt like I'm definitely doing better...which is the point. I even received a few compliments from the instructor. But I don't want to dwell on those because I still have so much work to do.
1. Refine, refine, refine my form
2. Learn all 5 of the one step sparring
3. Learn all of my numbers for kicking (I don't expect this to make sense to you)
4. Get my right kicks as good/strong as my left
See, I still have a lot to do. Ok, so it will be a busy month, but there are some fun things planned too because you have to have fun too.
So far I have planned for the Old Pecan Street Festival, a play (Speed-the-Plow), the May meeting of my photography group, a photoshoot (painting with light) from the same group, and a 3 month anniversary. Hmm...seems like a pretty good list so far. But something is missing....ah, yes...the kayak which didn't make into April's busy schedule. It's on the list (once a month). Well, I'll definitely have to make sure that something gets planned with the pink kayak. Any takers? Oh, c'mon...you know you want to.... Think about it at least.
On another note:
This week has been good so far...yeah, I know it's only Tuesday. Work has been good, class went well last night, been doing well with eating, made a schedule for Bryan and I, and have been doing some research on a little side project. That's really wraps up the week so far. :)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Happy World Pinhole Camera Day!
Happy Pinhole Camera Day!! Ha, bet you didn't even know! Good thing you read this blog!! :) To celebrate, I attended a shoot set up by my meetup.com photography group. It was definitely different. And I have no idea what these pictures will look like. I tried making a pinhole camera that I found on the internet. Mostly it was a bust though. But I also made my Nikon 35mm into a pinhole by removing the lens and attaching a portion of an aluminum can with a pinhole in it (imagine that!). Never having done this and because the exposures are so long especially on such an overcast days, I didn't really dedicate a lot of frames to this project. However, if it turns out good or even lends itself to looking cool, I will probably try it out some more. I finished the roll in the normal fashion taking pictures of the location where we met for the shot, which was the Cathedral of Junk located in South Austin. I took shots with my iPhone:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009809&l=f2341&id=163200356
Pretty cool, huh? Hopefully I'll get the black and white 35mm pictures developed soon and have those added to the album.
Wanna know how the rest of the weekend went? Well, it was awesome! There was lots of lazy time, and it was fantastic and much needed...for both Bryan and I. I finally feel that I am rested up from the trip to Mississippi....took long enough.
Friday:
I went straight to Bryan's house after work and we went out to get pizza. Then we watched some Arrested Development and hit the sack. Sounds a little slow and boring, but it was just what was needed...slow.
Saturday:
Bryan and I went to Costco on Saturday morning to get a lot of groceries to last us for the week. Then it was to my house so that the movie day could begin. First we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Somehow Bryan has lived his entire life without seeing it. I rectified that! Then we watched Idiocracy. After that Bryan suggested we go out for sushi. This was something I have managed to go my whole life without trying. Guess what? I loved it! We tryed to watch another movie, but Bryan couldn't stay awake. So, we slept.
Today (Sunday):
I went to the shoot, came back to Bryan's house, and played some PS3 with him. We're about to eat some dinner made by the chef and boyfriend. :)
We've been eating A LOT better this week, and I already feel the results. The goals for the week: continue to eat well, go to class as much as possible, and wake 30 minutes early each day for household chores. Goals for the following week: do all of that and add more excising on top of that.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Workin' For The Weekend
It's finally Friday, and I couldn't be happier about it. Thanks to the trip to Mississippi this week has been long. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep...can't seem to get enough. But it was worth it. And we have nothing planned for this weekend that doesn't revolve around being lazy! Yay! I don't know what we'll do tonight, but I do know I want to be in bed by 10! Saturday will be a very good day indeed. Why? Because the only thing we have planned is to pull out the futon at my house and watch movies with lots of blankets and pillows...ahhh. Nice! I'm still unpacking and organizing the stuff I brought back from MS so if I do do anything, it will be with that and perhaps a little cleaning. Sunday calls for a trip to Costco for groceries with Bryan. We are going to buy the food for the week and prepare it. This way we have a well thought out meal plan for the week. Anything that equals less stress and time for me in the week then sign me up. Hopefully this works out great and becomes the weekly thing. We'll probably play some video games that night. Bryan received The Simpson's Game for PS3 from a friend, and there is always stuff to buy from the PS3 store!! Anyway, should be a good, relaxing weekend for the both of us so that on Monday morning we are raring to go!
I'm also going to try to work out a schedule for myself. This will hopefully keep me on track with classes, exercising, and all the other things I have to do. I think I'll start waking up about 30 minutes before I usually get up to do household chores and stuff. I find it hard to get out of bed to workout, but I think it will be a little easier if I have to get up and groggily load the washing machine. Small steps...
Have a great weekend everyone!
I'm also going to try to work out a schedule for myself. This will hopefully keep me on track with classes, exercising, and all the other things I have to do. I think I'll start waking up about 30 minutes before I usually get up to do household chores and stuff. I find it hard to get out of bed to workout, but I think it will be a little easier if I have to get up and groggily load the washing machine. Small steps...
Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Ya'll Come Back Now, Ya Hear...
We're back! (and I'm a little slow on posting this)
We went, we saw, we conquered. The whole thing went by so fast. I'll give you a quick recap to avoid a long detailed version you wouldn't read anyway.
Friday:
Drove, drove, drove...10.5 hours! We arrived at my dad's house and settled in. Then it was off to granny's for some delicious food! It was awesome to see Bryan get to enjoy Granny's food for the first time. And it was awesome to have it after so long. I miss sweat tea already...sigh. Full, we headed back to my dad's to sleep! It was much deserved.
Saturday:
We were up early and off to Jackson where we met my grandparents at my favorite restaurant of all time - Keifer's, a Greek place. It was so great to see them, and the food - Wow! My grandmother wanted to hit up this little flea market a few streets over. We all went. Bryan bought a cool mandala, and I got his grandmother one promised gift. After that Bryan, my grandfather, and I went to a country store for homemade ice cream. My grandmother went to get my cousins. We all met back at my grandparents' house where my Mom, sister, and brother joined us. Everyone just hung out, played and laughed. It was just what I needed and had been missing. They loved Bryan!
We finally left there to go to Hattiesburg for Lanie's wedding. It was a 2 hour drive. The wedding was beautiful and so was Laine. It was a really short wedding. We snapped a few pics and skipped the reception to go see my brother for a few minutes. Then we started the 2 hour trek back to my dad's with a quick stop for dinner.
Upon arriving at my dad's we pretty much crashed...another long, hard day.
Sunday:
We woke early yet again, packed all of our stuff in the car, and headed to Granny's house for homemade biscuits. Yum! Again, it was so awesome to introduce Bryan to all of the stuff I grew up eating. We hung out at Granny's house pretty much all day. We ate lunch there too. We ran over to see my cousin and her family. We went fishing! That's right...I got that city boy to fish! :) We went to see an Indian mound that is close to the house. I went through all of my stuff in storage, and Bryan helped me load it into the car. Finally it was time to leave. We stopped by my great aunt's house on the way to the casino where we were staying the night. After visiting with her for awhile, we were off to check into our room. We quickly showered so we could meet an old coworker of mine for dinner. Another good meal down plus many awesome stories, and it was time for bed. Another night deserved!
Monday:
Early to rise yet again. We checked out, grabbed breakfast, and piled into the car. And then....we drove, drove, drove...10.5 hours back home. We stopped for lunch right outside of Shreveport. Every trip needs a Cracker Barrel meal! That was the longest drive ever. I was beginning to think it would never end. But finally we were back at Bryan's house. We ate and said hello to the kitties. Then we had to go to my house to unload and say hello to the other kitty. Poor kittahs left all alone. Again we slept....good to be back in my own bed!
Pics from the trip:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009761&l=6dbd1&id=163200356
Tuesday:
Going to work was hard after all that. I was sooo tired even though I slept all night.
Wednesday:
Bryan had to drive me to work and has to pick me up also. I took my car to the dealership to get the radio replaced again. I really hope the coating doesn't peel again! I'm going to try to go to class tonight. I miss it. And Bryan is going to attempt to cook one of Granny's dishes while I'm there. Hopefully, there will be something delicious to devour when I get home.
I'm ready for the week to be over so I can catch up on some much needed sleep. This weekend will be a lazy one. I still have to unpack...
We went, we saw, we conquered. The whole thing went by so fast. I'll give you a quick recap to avoid a long detailed version you wouldn't read anyway.
Friday:
Drove, drove, drove...10.5 hours! We arrived at my dad's house and settled in. Then it was off to granny's for some delicious food! It was awesome to see Bryan get to enjoy Granny's food for the first time. And it was awesome to have it after so long. I miss sweat tea already...sigh. Full, we headed back to my dad's to sleep! It was much deserved.
Saturday:
We were up early and off to Jackson where we met my grandparents at my favorite restaurant of all time - Keifer's, a Greek place. It was so great to see them, and the food - Wow! My grandmother wanted to hit up this little flea market a few streets over. We all went. Bryan bought a cool mandala, and I got his grandmother one promised gift. After that Bryan, my grandfather, and I went to a country store for homemade ice cream. My grandmother went to get my cousins. We all met back at my grandparents' house where my Mom, sister, and brother joined us. Everyone just hung out, played and laughed. It was just what I needed and had been missing. They loved Bryan!
We finally left there to go to Hattiesburg for Lanie's wedding. It was a 2 hour drive. The wedding was beautiful and so was Laine. It was a really short wedding. We snapped a few pics and skipped the reception to go see my brother for a few minutes. Then we started the 2 hour trek back to my dad's with a quick stop for dinner.
Upon arriving at my dad's we pretty much crashed...another long, hard day.
Sunday:
We woke early yet again, packed all of our stuff in the car, and headed to Granny's house for homemade biscuits. Yum! Again, it was so awesome to introduce Bryan to all of the stuff I grew up eating. We hung out at Granny's house pretty much all day. We ate lunch there too. We ran over to see my cousin and her family. We went fishing! That's right...I got that city boy to fish! :) We went to see an Indian mound that is close to the house. I went through all of my stuff in storage, and Bryan helped me load it into the car. Finally it was time to leave. We stopped by my great aunt's house on the way to the casino where we were staying the night. After visiting with her for awhile, we were off to check into our room. We quickly showered so we could meet an old coworker of mine for dinner. Another good meal down plus many awesome stories, and it was time for bed. Another night deserved!
Monday:
Early to rise yet again. We checked out, grabbed breakfast, and piled into the car. And then....we drove, drove, drove...10.5 hours back home. We stopped for lunch right outside of Shreveport. Every trip needs a Cracker Barrel meal! That was the longest drive ever. I was beginning to think it would never end. But finally we were back at Bryan's house. We ate and said hello to the kitties. Then we had to go to my house to unload and say hello to the other kitty. Poor kittahs left all alone. Again we slept....good to be back in my own bed!
Pics from the trip:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009761&l=6dbd1&id=163200356
Tuesday:
Going to work was hard after all that. I was sooo tired even though I slept all night.
Wednesday:
Bryan had to drive me to work and has to pick me up also. I took my car to the dealership to get the radio replaced again. I really hope the coating doesn't peel again! I'm going to try to go to class tonight. I miss it. And Bryan is going to attempt to cook one of Granny's dishes while I'm there. Hopefully, there will be something delicious to devour when I get home.
I'm ready for the week to be over so I can catch up on some much needed sleep. This weekend will be a lazy one. I still have to unpack...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Philadelphia Or Bust!
I can't believe it's pretty much here! Of course I'm talking about the trip to Mississippi. Tomorrow! Yay! Um, early tomorrow - 6am early! It's a 10.5 hour drive. I'd like to get there and actually have time to enjoy it for the day. I'm pretty much packed. I have a few more things I need to do, but for the most part I'm ready to roll out now. However, I should wait. I think they may want me to stay at work for the remainder of the afternoon. An early bedtime is a requirement for tomorrow's drive. We're gonna divide the driving duties in half. Bryan will take the first leg, and I'll bring us home (because he doesn't know the way!).
I can practically taste the sweet tea! In fact, that may be the first thing I do once we drive up. No, I'll probably have too pee...but then tea! Ok, hugs maybe...but probably tea! Yeah, I do love it that much. I'm gonna try to bring back some of granny's food. However, I'm making no promises that it will survive the trip. By that, I mean I may eat it! Mmmmmm.....
There is a lot on our schedule of things to do. And I promise to take pics of it all. I know all of you want to know what this place I call home looks like. And many of you may want to see pictures of the local rednecks, I mean natives...hehe...I'm really only kidding! Lots and lots of pictures! Hehe...I wonder how long it will take people to realize that Bryan ain't from around these parts. I should not say that. I will stick out like a sore thumb when we go to visit Bryan's home! My accent is kinda hard to hide. :)
I just wanted to get a post in because it will be difficult to post from home. No, we have internet! We will just be so busy. But I promise, no later than Tuesday that I will make a new post with every highlight of the trip. The cell phone service is sketchy there so don't be upset if neither of us answers or returns calls, texts, or emails for awhile. We'll get back to you when we can.
So, other than the trip there isn't much to post on. Just working for the extended weekend.
But I do want to take this opportunity to plug my coworker's show. Here is the info:
Bryan and I are going to try to go probably sometime during the first weekend in May. Anyone is welcome to join us. In fact, please do join us!
On a side note: when I return from this trip I am training so hard! And everyone better give me hell about it if I don't. I'm going to try to keep a better schedule, and hopefully the rest will fall into place.
Have a great weekend!!
I can practically taste the sweet tea! In fact, that may be the first thing I do once we drive up. No, I'll probably have too pee...but then tea! Ok, hugs maybe...but probably tea! Yeah, I do love it that much. I'm gonna try to bring back some of granny's food. However, I'm making no promises that it will survive the trip. By that, I mean I may eat it! Mmmmmm.....
There is a lot on our schedule of things to do. And I promise to take pics of it all. I know all of you want to know what this place I call home looks like. And many of you may want to see pictures of the local rednecks, I mean natives...hehe...I'm really only kidding! Lots and lots of pictures! Hehe...I wonder how long it will take people to realize that Bryan ain't from around these parts. I should not say that. I will stick out like a sore thumb when we go to visit Bryan's home! My accent is kinda hard to hide. :)
I just wanted to get a post in because it will be difficult to post from home. No, we have internet! We will just be so busy. But I promise, no later than Tuesday that I will make a new post with every highlight of the trip. The cell phone service is sketchy there so don't be upset if neither of us answers or returns calls, texts, or emails for awhile. We'll get back to you when we can.
So, other than the trip there isn't much to post on. Just working for the extended weekend.
But I do want to take this opportunity to plug my coworker's show. Here is the info:
Who: Austin Playhouse
What: Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet
Where: Austin Playhouse, Larry L. King Theatre
3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C
When: April 18 - May 11, 2008
Thu thru Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm
Price: $20, all student tickets are half-price
Tickets: (512) 476-0084
Website: www.austinplayhouse.com
Austin Playhouse is proud to close out our first full second stage season in the Larry L. King Theatre with David Mamet's biting comedy, Speed-the-Plow, David Mamet's fast-paced comedy that takes on Hollywood executives with the same perceptive, dark humor the playwright employed in his modern classics Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo.
In Speed the Plow, two movie executives are faced with a choice – produce a sure-fire hit that has no artistic value or an "Eastern writer's" meaningful but commercially challenged book about the end of the world. The easy choice for these two executives is complicated by the arrival of a beautiful new secretary with a persuasive opinion of her own.
This extremely funny look at the morals that fuel the Hollywood machine stars Austin Playhouse Acting Company member Ben Wolfe (Don't Dress for Dinner), along with veteran Austin actor Ken Bradley (recently seen in Hyde Park Theatre's production of The Pillowman), and Hallie Martin (Austin Playhouse's Travesties). Speed the Plow is co-directed by Michael Stuart and Lara Toner, with lighting design by Don Day, and sound design by Jimy Gunn.
Bryan and I are going to try to go probably sometime during the first weekend in May. Anyone is welcome to join us. In fact, please do join us!
On a side note: when I return from this trip I am training so hard! And everyone better give me hell about it if I don't. I'm going to try to keep a better schedule, and hopefully the rest will fall into place.
Have a great weekend!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Home Sweet Home
I know everyone is tired of hearing about my upcoming trip home...but...I can't seem to get it off my brain! This won't be a normal post for me, but I just wanted to outline a few things we'll be doing as well as a few things I'm looking forward to about home.
Things I can't wait to experience at home:
1. Granny's Sweet Tea
2. My Stepmom's Sweet Tea
3. Granny's Chicken Spaghetti
4. Granny's Caramel Cake
5. Granny's Cornflake Candy
6. Seeing my Hometown as it first hits the horizon
7. The smell of dirt, grass, and diesel (smells of home - the diesel is because my grandfather works on heavy equipment all day and that's what he smells like when he comes home)
8. Just being back inside my Home
9. Hugs from Everyone!
10. Digging through some of my stuff in storage (I miss my stuff!! - get to bring a load back :D)
11. The Casino
12. Looking at a Neshoba Democrat
13. Trying to figure out what has changed/catching up on Hometown gossip
14. Showing off Bryan!!
Things I can't wait for Bryan to experience about my home:
1. Granny's Tea
2. My Stepmom's Tea
3. All the land and my the home where I grew up
4. The Fairgrounds
5. Meeting the Family esp. my siblings
6. Anything that Granny cooks
7. Fishing!
8. Seeing Kade do his Dirtbike thing (he's pretty good!)
9. Being surrounded by nothing but Southern accents (torture or heaven on earth?)
10. Seeing how long he can go before he meets too many people and becomes confused...hehe
Some of the things we are scheduled to do:
1. Eat - a lot! (mostly Granny's)
2. Pack my car down with a load of my crap
3. Eat lunch with my grandparents in Jackson at Keifer's
4. Eat dinner with an old coworker of mine
5. Attend an old friend's wedding
6. Visit with a lot...and I mean a lot...of family
7. Drive through the fairgrounds
8. Go fishing
9. Going shopping with my Granny (doubt Bryan will want to join in on this)
10. Photoshoot with my brother
So, as you can see it will hardly be a relaxing time. There's a lot to do and a lot to see. We will most likely be exhausted after the trip. Everyone keeps asking so fyi...its a 10.5 hour drive from here to there. Oh, and if you're in Philadelphia and you want to see me...well, think of a time because I won't just be randomly calling anyone to hang out. Chances are I won't see anyone outside of my family, but that is just fine because that's all I need. Ham Jam Arts Festival will be taking place while we are there. However, I doubt we'll be able to attend with the crazy schedule, but it would be nice. I would probably see a lot of people I know, and it would be fun to catch up with some...we shall see.
Nothing major to report of this week thus far. Went to class last night. It was one of the best I've attended thus far. I got some great help from a black belt in class. My form is really coming along. I'm going to try to practice it, my one-step sparring moves, and all blocks, punches, and kicks everyday until muscle memory starts to kick develop. Now that I've got my form down, I have been trying to refine, refine, refine. It's got to be sharp and powerful. Too bad that my body usually gives up before my will does. Halfway through class I'm done which means sloppy kicks and unsteady balance. It's not pretty, but I'm getting there. I can't seem to get back on that workout routine - too many visits and events. I'll be glad when we get back and things return to normal for awhile. My body needs a more disciplined schedule. This one is not working.
I'm going to meet Bryan at the Lakeline Mall tonight. He needs a tie for the wedding, and I need food! He suggested Fuddrucker's. And since it's like my favorite chain, I agreed!! I want to be in bed by 10. Seriously! I still need to pack for the trip, but looks like that will have to be put off till Wednesday night.
Things I'm loving at the moment: remote desktop (thanks Bryan!), Digsby (again, thanks Bryan!)
Things I can't wait to experience at home:
1. Granny's Sweet Tea
2. My Stepmom's Sweet Tea
3. Granny's Chicken Spaghetti
4. Granny's Caramel Cake
5. Granny's Cornflake Candy
6. Seeing my Hometown as it first hits the horizon
7. The smell of dirt, grass, and diesel (smells of home - the diesel is because my grandfather works on heavy equipment all day and that's what he smells like when he comes home)
8. Just being back inside my Home
9. Hugs from Everyone!
10. Digging through some of my stuff in storage (I miss my stuff!! - get to bring a load back :D)
11. The Casino
12. Looking at a Neshoba Democrat
13. Trying to figure out what has changed/catching up on Hometown gossip
14. Showing off Bryan!!
Things I can't wait for Bryan to experience about my home:
1. Granny's Tea
2. My Stepmom's Tea
3. All the land and my the home where I grew up
4. The Fairgrounds
5. Meeting the Family esp. my siblings
6. Anything that Granny cooks
7. Fishing!
8. Seeing Kade do his Dirtbike thing (he's pretty good!)
9. Being surrounded by nothing but Southern accents (torture or heaven on earth?)
10. Seeing how long he can go before he meets too many people and becomes confused...hehe
Some of the things we are scheduled to do:
1. Eat - a lot! (mostly Granny's)
2. Pack my car down with a load of my crap
3. Eat lunch with my grandparents in Jackson at Keifer's
4. Eat dinner with an old coworker of mine
5. Attend an old friend's wedding
6. Visit with a lot...and I mean a lot...of family
7. Drive through the fairgrounds
8. Go fishing
9. Going shopping with my Granny (doubt Bryan will want to join in on this)
10. Photoshoot with my brother
So, as you can see it will hardly be a relaxing time. There's a lot to do and a lot to see. We will most likely be exhausted after the trip. Everyone keeps asking so fyi...its a 10.5 hour drive from here to there. Oh, and if you're in Philadelphia and you want to see me...well, think of a time because I won't just be randomly calling anyone to hang out. Chances are I won't see anyone outside of my family, but that is just fine because that's all I need. Ham Jam Arts Festival will be taking place while we are there. However, I doubt we'll be able to attend with the crazy schedule, but it would be nice. I would probably see a lot of people I know, and it would be fun to catch up with some...we shall see.
Nothing major to report of this week thus far. Went to class last night. It was one of the best I've attended thus far. I got some great help from a black belt in class. My form is really coming along. I'm going to try to practice it, my one-step sparring moves, and all blocks, punches, and kicks everyday until muscle memory starts to kick develop. Now that I've got my form down, I have been trying to refine, refine, refine. It's got to be sharp and powerful. Too bad that my body usually gives up before my will does. Halfway through class I'm done which means sloppy kicks and unsteady balance. It's not pretty, but I'm getting there. I can't seem to get back on that workout routine - too many visits and events. I'll be glad when we get back and things return to normal for awhile. My body needs a more disciplined schedule. This one is not working.
I'm going to meet Bryan at the Lakeline Mall tonight. He needs a tie for the wedding, and I need food! He suggested Fuddrucker's. And since it's like my favorite chain, I agreed!! I want to be in bed by 10. Seriously! I still need to pack for the trip, but looks like that will have to be put off till Wednesday night.
Things I'm loving at the moment: remote desktop (thanks Bryan!), Digsby (again, thanks Bryan!)
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Countdown Begins
The weekend was busy but enjoyable.
Me n OC taking a little cat nap after the trip...very tired
Pics of Bryan and I at Hickory Street eating:
Friday:
We ate some very good leftovers...mmm. Then Bryan, his grandparents, and I watched Beowulf. It was pretty good. That's really all we did, but it was a nice way to end a long work week.
Saturday:
We (Byran, his grandparents, and I) were off to San Antonio by 10 AM. The drive went pretty quickly. The first thing we did was eat. We ate at this big restaurant downtown by the little market thing. It was a nice place, but I felt like I was being herded in and out. I guess they are just used to feeding a lot of people especially on a Saturday. After that, we all went shopping in the market place. I didn't really see any must haves, but I picked up presents for my younger siblings. I think they will like what I picked out. Next we were off to the Alamo. Hmmm....if you've seen it, you know it's not much to speak of. I think the grounds are very lovely though. We didn't stay to remember it long, and we were off to the riverwalk. We strolled along the riverwalk for awhile before heading home. Again, the drive went very quickly. I guess I should hit San Antonio more often. Later that night we went to Texas Land & Cattle to eat dinner. I think Bryan's grandparents really liked it there (that was our 2nd time to eat there during their trip). No arguments from me - I LOVE TLC.
Here is a link to the photos from the trip:
Me n OC taking a little cat nap after the trip...very tired
Sunday:
We mostly just hung out at Bryan's house. Bryan and I dropped off his grandparents at the airport around 3 PM. I think it was a good trip for them. It was awesome to meet them. They are good people. Bryan and I then headed downtown to spend the remainder of the afternoon until my photography meeting at 7. We just walked around with no real goal in mind. I loved it. I love going to any town, even my own, and just walking around doing whatever comes to mind and just taking in the scenery. We stopped at a restaurant called Hickory Street for dinner. It was sooo good! I had a blue cheeseburger...fyi. More walking and shopping. I bought this awesome pink wrap around skirt at this funky shop. It's very cute. I can't wait to wear it. It's really pink...will be hard to miss me. :) We decided to get some Amy's Ice Cream. I had never had any in my whole time in Austin. Well, we took care of that! I had some dark chocolate with Kit Kat. It was so rich. We went straight to the meeting after getting our ice cream.
Pics of Bryan and I at Hickory Street eating:
My meeting went so well. It was a blast. They discussed some of the upcoming events which got me really excited. Unfortunately, I will have to miss this month's peer challenge because I'll be in Mississippi. Too bad...I was really looking forward to it. I spoke with one of the organizers of the meeting at some length. He is an avid film user. It was awesome to talk to someone who is interested in film. I haven't done much with it since school, but I've been dying to get back to it. Hopefully, I'll be able to start printing again. That would rock! Anyway, it was good to talk to him and others there who share such a strong passion for the same thing that I do. And it's very neat to see all the directions and interests that people have inside of the photography realm. Everyone seems to kinda lean toward something different. It makes for awesome conversation. I think this is going to be a very good thing for me. I'm happy I joined. The next event I'll be able to attend is on Sunday, April 27th. It is pinhole camera day...didn't know there was one, but there you have it. My goal now is to research the crap out of this subject. I want to turn both my 35mm and my digital into pinholes as well as maybe making my own pinhole (the simple box kind). This last one depends on a lot...hehe. This sounds like it will be a fun and quite the learning shoot/experience.
After Bryan and I got back to his house it was rather late. We watched some tv and were out for the night.
Monday:
This morning I got up early so I could take my car to the dealership for the new steering wheel. Thanks to my roommate for following me there and taking me to work...even more thanks for buying me that yummy chicken biscuit. Bryan is going to have to pick me up from work and take me back to the dealership. I feel very bad for him. If you've ever been from one side of Austin to the other in rush hour, you'll feel sorry for him too. Thanks, babe! They assure me that it will be ready by this afternoon. I would think it would, but this place does not have a good track record with me. Time will tell.
And today marks the beginning of my countdown to home sweet home. In case you haven't been keeping up, we are leaving on Friday morning. I'm so happy and excited I can hardly contain myself. This week can not move fast enough. But there's still 4 days of work to make it through. Oh, and Bryan started his new job today!! :)
Friday, April 11, 2008
I'm 2/3 Texan!
Well, it's official! I'm 2/3 Texan! I finally got all of the proper paperwork to make Texas happy enough to issue me license plates!! Went early this morning before work and did the whole process which actually was pretty easy. I'll have to make sure to attach the suckers to my car tonight. Now all I am lacking is a Texas drivers license. With that I think I'll be a full blown Texan, and there will be no getting rid of me then! :)
Look:
I sure am glad I received one of the old plates. The new ones are not pretty at all.
I haven't posted since Wednesday. What's been going on? Not much really. Working (still getting some training on the new stuff) and hanging out with Bryan and his grandparents. I ate dinner with them at Bryan's house last night. His grandmother made some mac and cheese that was out of this world! Yummy! Enjoyed some for lunch today too. :D Haven't worked out much and have not been to class since I last posted. I received a call from the school saying that classes would be different for the rest of the week/weekend. Apparently they have to hold special classes for some of the new ranks (they recently had testing). I guess classes to introduce new green belts to the world of sparring and something for the new black belts. That's cool, but I really was hoping to go to class all this week since I've slacked horribly lately. Sometimes you just can't win. Next week I plan to really get back to my old schedule that was working so well to that nice little cold came along and ruined it all. I've really got to step it up...swim suit season is upon us my friends.
What does this weekend hold? Lots! Dunno what all is going on tonight...probably not much. Tomorrow we (Bryan, his grandparents, and I) are going to San Antonio to hit up the Alamo (don't forget it!) and the riverwalk. I'm pretty excited about this. I have only been to San Antonio once, and that was a long time ago (right after my high school graduation). I have been dying to go back especially since I live so close now. I will definitely take tons of pics. So, keep a look out for those. Sunday we'll take Bryan's grandparents to the airport and see them off home to New York. After that Bryan and I will head downtown so he can attend a meeting and I can go to my photography group meeting from meetup.com. I really need to take some of my own work this time. Hopefully they will have more info on some of the upcoming events. Some of them sounded really fun. I'm still hoping to get some networking in there. Surely the more I go the more people will be familiar with me and vise verse. It would be nice to make some friends with similar interests too. I would love to have a buddy to shoot with. Bryan also rented 3 movies so I guess we'll have to fit those in somewhere. I'm also gonna try to get some running in though it may be difficult with all that is already planned. I need it. Running is such a great stress reliever, and boy do I have stress!
On another note, I have the Mississippi (home) trip pretty much planned out. It already promises to be busy but fun. I think we will be very exhausted upon our return. We leave next Friday!!!! It's so close! I am soooooooo friggin' excited! It looks like there are going to be a lot of family trips back and forth planned this year with Bryan and his family. I guess by Christmas we will have met everyone! That's pretty cool. I can't wait to meet the rest of Bryan's family, but I'm nervous about him meeting mine. I'm sure I'm getting worked up for nothing. :) Sweet tea and granny's cooking...mmmm...only a few more days.
One last thing...my car. I took it to the dealership last Friday because the coating on the steering wheel has started to do this funky thing. It spent a week in the dealership awhile back because the coating on the radio player was coming off, which is now happening again. So, the dealership FINALLY calls today to say that the steering wheel is in. Lucille (my car - yes, I name my car) will be getting one new steering wheel come Monday. But.....the radio is peeling again. The dealership said they'd order another one. Lucille will be in the shop again probably next week. This is starting to get frustrating. If the radio does this again, I guess I'll have to take more drastic measures...but...I don't know what those measures would be. :) If I'm feeling up to it one day, I will have to blog about the crappy service department that Champion Hyundai on Research has. Really though, you don't want me to get started on that place.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Look:
I sure am glad I received one of the old plates. The new ones are not pretty at all.
I haven't posted since Wednesday. What's been going on? Not much really. Working (still getting some training on the new stuff) and hanging out with Bryan and his grandparents. I ate dinner with them at Bryan's house last night. His grandmother made some mac and cheese that was out of this world! Yummy! Enjoyed some for lunch today too. :D Haven't worked out much and have not been to class since I last posted. I received a call from the school saying that classes would be different for the rest of the week/weekend. Apparently they have to hold special classes for some of the new ranks (they recently had testing). I guess classes to introduce new green belts to the world of sparring and something for the new black belts. That's cool, but I really was hoping to go to class all this week since I've slacked horribly lately. Sometimes you just can't win. Next week I plan to really get back to my old schedule that was working so well to that nice little cold came along and ruined it all. I've really got to step it up...swim suit season is upon us my friends.
What does this weekend hold? Lots! Dunno what all is going on tonight...probably not much. Tomorrow we (Bryan, his grandparents, and I) are going to San Antonio to hit up the Alamo (don't forget it!) and the riverwalk. I'm pretty excited about this. I have only been to San Antonio once, and that was a long time ago (right after my high school graduation). I have been dying to go back especially since I live so close now. I will definitely take tons of pics. So, keep a look out for those. Sunday we'll take Bryan's grandparents to the airport and see them off home to New York. After that Bryan and I will head downtown so he can attend a meeting and I can go to my photography group meeting from meetup.com. I really need to take some of my own work this time. Hopefully they will have more info on some of the upcoming events. Some of them sounded really fun. I'm still hoping to get some networking in there. Surely the more I go the more people will be familiar with me and vise verse. It would be nice to make some friends with similar interests too. I would love to have a buddy to shoot with. Bryan also rented 3 movies so I guess we'll have to fit those in somewhere. I'm also gonna try to get some running in though it may be difficult with all that is already planned. I need it. Running is such a great stress reliever, and boy do I have stress!
On another note, I have the Mississippi (home) trip pretty much planned out. It already promises to be busy but fun. I think we will be very exhausted upon our return. We leave next Friday!!!! It's so close! I am soooooooo friggin' excited! It looks like there are going to be a lot of family trips back and forth planned this year with Bryan and his family. I guess by Christmas we will have met everyone! That's pretty cool. I can't wait to meet the rest of Bryan's family, but I'm nervous about him meeting mine. I'm sure I'm getting worked up for nothing. :) Sweet tea and granny's cooking...mmmm...only a few more days.
One last thing...my car. I took it to the dealership last Friday because the coating on the steering wheel has started to do this funky thing. It spent a week in the dealership awhile back because the coating on the radio player was coming off, which is now happening again. So, the dealership FINALLY calls today to say that the steering wheel is in. Lucille (my car - yes, I name my car) will be getting one new steering wheel come Monday. But.....the radio is peeling again. The dealership said they'd order another one. Lucille will be in the shop again probably next week. This is starting to get frustrating. If the radio does this again, I guess I'll have to take more drastic measures...but...I don't know what those measures would be. :) If I'm feeling up to it one day, I will have to blog about the crappy service department that Champion Hyundai on Research has. Really though, you don't want me to get started on that place.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Workin' On A Wednesday
Ugh....that is the best word to describe my mood today. And just so you can really tell how much I mean it, let me say it again - "Ugh!".
It's hump day. I suppose there should be some delight in that. The work week is half over. Sigh...it does not. Though Monday and Tuesday seemed to have flown by, today does not have that feeling. Instead it feels like 6 pm might never reach me. I get the sensation when I look at the clock that I'm in movie. I'm in a scene walking down a hall, and every time I advance the hall gets longer. Ok, this is a big exaggeration. I realize I'm being over dramatic. Perhaps this is due to the crappy sleep I got last night. You know the kind where you're almost glad it's time to get up because you weren't sleeping that well anyway? Yeah? That's the kind I had. Tossing and turning, hot then cold, got up to pee several times, and to top it off, dreaming men were breaking into my house. All this and an added pressure to be at work on time bring me back to Ugh! Ok, pity party done! :) Putting on a smile. Despite the bleak weather outside, I'm gonna have the best day I can. I'm going to class tonight. It's one-step night. This means I need to study my student manual before I get to class. I know none of mine, and I don't want to show up clueless any longer. Like my form, I need to get these one-steps down so I can start refining them.
I think it's time to lighten the mood of this post. Last night was fun. I met Bryan, his grandparents, and Nik at Texas Land & Cattle (a favorite of mine) for dinner. Good conversation and good fun! I love hearing stories from Bryan's childhood from his grandmother. It's cute! Too tired for working out, I went home computed a little, watched one tv show, and hit the sack.
I feel better already!
It's hump day. I suppose there should be some delight in that. The work week is half over. Sigh...it does not. Though Monday and Tuesday seemed to have flown by, today does not have that feeling. Instead it feels like 6 pm might never reach me. I get the sensation when I look at the clock that I'm in movie. I'm in a scene walking down a hall, and every time I advance the hall gets longer. Ok, this is a big exaggeration. I realize I'm being over dramatic. Perhaps this is due to the crappy sleep I got last night. You know the kind where you're almost glad it's time to get up because you weren't sleeping that well anyway? Yeah? That's the kind I had. Tossing and turning, hot then cold, got up to pee several times, and to top it off, dreaming men were breaking into my house. All this and an added pressure to be at work on time bring me back to Ugh! Ok, pity party done! :) Putting on a smile. Despite the bleak weather outside, I'm gonna have the best day I can. I'm going to class tonight. It's one-step night. This means I need to study my student manual before I get to class. I know none of mine, and I don't want to show up clueless any longer. Like my form, I need to get these one-steps down so I can start refining them.
I think it's time to lighten the mood of this post. Last night was fun. I met Bryan, his grandparents, and Nik at Texas Land & Cattle (a favorite of mine) for dinner. Good conversation and good fun! I love hearing stories from Bryan's childhood from his grandmother. It's cute! Too tired for working out, I went home computed a little, watched one tv show, and hit the sack.
I feel better already!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A Lesson To Me
I will not complain about the things that I have the power to change.
This is senseless and useless...and most likely annoying to those that must hear it.
I don't really fear change. In fact, in this case it is most welcomed. I have the power to change it or at least try, and yet I do nothing. Why? Why is it easier to find excuses to not do something than to do it? When I take a step back and look, it seems to me that all things take time and energy. It takes both time and energy to complain or to actually do. And since the way you spend your energy effects the way you feel, doesn't it make sense to spend one's time and energy toward the change you crave? Human beings are stubborn creatures. No one chose this for me and no one can change it for me. With all this said, it is my goal to begin to do things that will accomplish the change that I crave. But until I do, I will not complain. It is senseless and useless! I want it so bad. Sometimes though I just have to get so fed up with myself I get up off my lazy ass and do something. This is how I've learned I operate on many things. Sad but true. I am the only one standing in my way, the only one that can do something, and the only one suffering (if you don't count those whose ears have had to endure all the previous complaints). All signs point to you have reached the point where the only option is change or suffer. No godmother, magic lamp, or pixie dust is going to appear and change everything. This isn't a movie. And I highly doubt that a miracle will occur on my behalf (though it is most welcome and will be highly appreciated). Therefore, it is me...and only me.
I think my biggest challenge oddly enough is that first step. As long as I can do any one thing that starts the ball in motion, I think I will be good. It doesn't really matter what or how small that step is, but the step must occur.
Ugh, just do something!!!
I am so frustrated with myself! This had drug out weeks past what it should have. And thanks to pulling my feet around, who knows when I will find the change that I need. I am an idiot, but at least I know it. That has to be better than an idiot who has no clue at all.
Hi, my name is Victoria, and I'm an idiot.
I don't really want to be an idiot.....
This is senseless and useless...and most likely annoying to those that must hear it.
I don't really fear change. In fact, in this case it is most welcomed. I have the power to change it or at least try, and yet I do nothing. Why? Why is it easier to find excuses to not do something than to do it? When I take a step back and look, it seems to me that all things take time and energy. It takes both time and energy to complain or to actually do. And since the way you spend your energy effects the way you feel, doesn't it make sense to spend one's time and energy toward the change you crave? Human beings are stubborn creatures. No one chose this for me and no one can change it for me. With all this said, it is my goal to begin to do things that will accomplish the change that I crave. But until I do, I will not complain. It is senseless and useless! I want it so bad. Sometimes though I just have to get so fed up with myself I get up off my lazy ass and do something. This is how I've learned I operate on many things. Sad but true. I am the only one standing in my way, the only one that can do something, and the only one suffering (if you don't count those whose ears have had to endure all the previous complaints). All signs point to you have reached the point where the only option is change or suffer. No godmother, magic lamp, or pixie dust is going to appear and change everything. This isn't a movie. And I highly doubt that a miracle will occur on my behalf (though it is most welcome and will be highly appreciated). Therefore, it is me...and only me.
I think my biggest challenge oddly enough is that first step. As long as I can do any one thing that starts the ball in motion, I think I will be good. It doesn't really matter what or how small that step is, but the step must occur.
Ugh, just do something!!!
I am so frustrated with myself! This had drug out weeks past what it should have. And thanks to pulling my feet around, who knows when I will find the change that I need. I am an idiot, but at least I know it. That has to be better than an idiot who has no clue at all.
Hi, my name is Victoria, and I'm an idiot.
I don't really want to be an idiot.....
Monday, April 7, 2008
WhatAWeekend
I really have been meaning to blog...sorry for the long lapse...but can't promise it won't happen again. :D
Last week was the same as it is every week. Work...blah! They have been training me to take over documentation in another part of the company...so...a little training last week and continuing into this week.
This weekend has been another blast. Seems like they've all been amazing since I started spending them with Bryan. I think I sense a direct correlation.
Friday:
Saturday:
I helped Bryan shave his head. We both thought it would be wicked awesome if he had a mohawk. And now he does! Check out these pics I took of him....
The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing for the arrival of Bryan's grandparents. We picked them up from the airport early in the night and headed straight to Kerby Lane for dinner. Nothing like Kerby Lane pancakes....nothing! It was nice to finally meet Bryan's grandparents. They are super nice and quite funny. I like them a lot and hope they feel the same towards me. Bryan's grandmother gave me the sweetest little breast cancer awareness bracelet at dinner. It was very thoughtful, and I love it. We all arrived back to Bryan's house, hung out, and eventually hit the sack.
Sunday:
I tried out my new workout DVD when I arrived home. I didn't really like the video, but some of the moves were really good. I'll be incorporating those into my workouts in the future. Some of the moves really focused on my problem areas (butt and thighs). Today my abs, butt, and thighs are all sore. It hurts to walk, but I'm glad I'm working out again.
Monday:
April 18th is steadly drawing nearer. The closer it looms the more I am ready to be in Mississippi. I try not to think on it so much, but find that it is always in the back of my mind. Home is calling my name, and I really want to answer. I'm sure that the day will come quite quickly, and in no time at all we'll be back in Texas. I'll be a little homesick for a week and then all will be back to normal. I've tried to plan out as much as possible to make sure they we can see everyone and get everything done.
For now its back to the old job...have a great week all!
Last week was the same as it is every week. Work...blah! They have been training me to take over documentation in another part of the company...so...a little training last week and continuing into this week.
This weekend has been another blast. Seems like they've all been amazing since I started spending them with Bryan. I think I sense a direct correlation.
Friday:
Friday after work I headed to Bryan's house. My amazon.com book had arrived. It's called The Complete Guide to Light and Lighting in Digital Photography. It promises to be the best book on the subject. Just thumbing through it at Barnes and Noble that day said so. I really recommend this book if you have any interest on the subject. Bryan cooked another awesome dinner (thanks!). After dinner he suggested we hit Shooter's, a pool hall. Bryan brought along his IBM pool sticks. That is the first time I have ever played pool where I was able to bring my own sticks. That was a pretty awesome feeling...till I started playing and anyone watching soon realized that I did not know what I was doing. Still, I had an awesome time. Pool was a lot of fun. I only won one game but still feel that I had some awesome shots in there. I think Bryan and I were pretty evenly matched which made it quite enjoyable for me.
Saturday:
I have really slacked off working out for the past 3 weeks. I was sick for a week, but it really shouldn't have taken me 2 extra weeks to recover and get back into the swing of things. Totally disenchanted with the idea of working out, I didn't. Nor did I attend much of class. Saturday I ended this. I got my lazy ass up and went to class. And it was so much fun! Weekend classes are always longer. I finally have learned my entire yellow belt form and can now spend time refining, which is badly needed! I still have to learn my 5 sparring steps. I'm getting there...time. After we did the main part of class, the instructor allowed us to exercise with fun. We played some games with a medicine ball. We also played war ball (a version of dodge ball). I don't want to toot my own horn here, but my team won 2 out of 3 games! Class had me so energized that when I got back to Bryan's I hit the pavement running. I really pushed myself too. It was good and hot and wore me out. I was tired but happy. I'm glad I broke my lazy routine. Those things can really suck you in if you allow them.
I helped Bryan shave his head. We both thought it would be wicked awesome if he had a mohawk. And now he does! Check out these pics I took of him....
He's such a handsome devil! :) We're gonna see where we can take this thing.
The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing for the arrival of Bryan's grandparents. We picked them up from the airport early in the night and headed straight to Kerby Lane for dinner. Nothing like Kerby Lane pancakes....nothing! It was nice to finally meet Bryan's grandparents. They are super nice and quite funny. I like them a lot and hope they feel the same towards me. Bryan's grandmother gave me the sweetest little breast cancer awareness bracelet at dinner. It was very thoughtful, and I love it. We all arrived back to Bryan's house, hung out, and eventually hit the sack.
Sunday:
Sunday was a pretty awesome day. Slept in a little but not much. Bryan, his grandparents, and I all loaded up and went to the grocery store. After dropping off the goods and grabbing lunch at Bryan's house, Bryan, his grandfather, and I went to Home Depot to purchase some things for Bryan's yard. After receiving a nice letter with an accompanying photo from his HOA, he has really been trying to make it look nice. We picked out some nice rock thingies to outline the flower beds. Bryan and his grandfather spent several hours putting those into place. It really made the flower beds and yard as a whole look much nicer. I think they did an excellent job. While we were at Home Depot, Bryan bought some supplies to make these exercise wheels from a rosstraining.com video. I helped him put those together. Wow! They were really difficult (not to assemble, to do). Don't let ol' Ross there fool you in this video. He made them look easy, but these things will kick your ass...or abs rather! I tried them but found that since my abs hurt from Saturday's class these were almost impossible to endure. When they feel better, I'd love to try these things out. For now it's all Bryan! Bryan's grandmother gave me a cool silver key chain from New York depicting some of the city's famous attractions. After all of that, we all sat down to a nice meal prepared by the grandparents. It was a new dish for me, but I thought it was pretty good! We all watched a little TV and then I said good night and went home.
I tried out my new workout DVD when I arrived home. I didn't really like the video, but some of the moves were really good. I'll be incorporating those into my workouts in the future. Some of the moves really focused on my problem areas (butt and thighs). Today my abs, butt, and thighs are all sore. It hurts to walk, but I'm glad I'm working out again.
Monday:
Well, it's finally Monday and time to do the whole dance over again...sigh.
This morning I tried to become a little more Texan by getting my license plate. However, after driving all the way to Georgetown (and back by work in South Austin at 9) I was told I didn't have all the paper work I needed. I let them know my disgust with their website which doesn't really help new residents understand the process. I was also told that their was a Cedar Park office that I could use when I have collected all the proper paperwork. That was good to know....but the news didn't come in time. That was a waste of gas and sleeping time!
Goals for this week are to continue to work out...hard!...and try to spend a lot of time with Bryan's awesome grandparents before they leave on Sunday. I also have a few things I'd like to do at the house. Hopefully I'll find the time for all and will feel really accomplished at the end of the week.
April 18th is steadly drawing nearer. The closer it looms the more I am ready to be in Mississippi. I try not to think on it so much, but find that it is always in the back of my mind. Home is calling my name, and I really want to answer. I'm sure that the day will come quite quickly, and in no time at all we'll be back in Texas. I'll be a little homesick for a week and then all will be back to normal. I've tried to plan out as much as possible to make sure they we can see everyone and get everything done.
For now its back to the old job...have a great week all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
