more than half way their

So the original goal was to work out 150 times this year. And I think it is safe to say that I will achieve that goal. So far I have 79 "w's" on my calendar for 2009, and it isn't yet officially May! I honestly have to say that i'm proud of myself. Throughout the past 4 months the longest i've gone without the gym was 4 days, and that was back in March, because I had back to back vacations. Besides that, I haven't missed a single workout. I was hoping to get my number of blogs to match my number of workouts but, I didn't have a chance to blog one of the days I was in Austin and did a bunch of walking, that I qualified as a work out. I actually worked out on purpose today because I wanted to do a recap specifically at the end of the month. And well Thursday is usually a day off from the gym, but I've been wanting to try this new class, so I went to the gym today. I did a class called STRIKE, it is a hard core cardio kick boxing class, ...i'm actually still shaking it from it! ...i'll be super sore tomorrow, i can tell you that right now.
i need to really step up my workouts. it is safe to say that i have a good routine going, but the weight just isn't coming off like i want it too. and i know it is my food. i think for the most part i'm eating pretty good, but i'm eating too much. i have horrible portion control. absolutely horrible. What's worse is I know that is my problem, but i'm not really doing too much about it. so i will continue to work on it, as well as try and squeeze in 6 workouts a week. Plus try and make Saturday and Sunday double workout days. I bought some DVD workouts. One of them was a Jillian Michaels workout, ...the one I did in College Station, and it is only 20 minutes. I figure I have 20 minutes extra on the weekends to do an extra workout. The other was a Dancing with the Stars work out. I haven't done that one yet, but I'm hoping it'll be a fun one.
so if anyone out their has any good tips on portion control or food intake, i will gladly take it. i have already done the simple things, ...take out sugary drinks/soda. I seriously only drink water, and i drink water all day long. i eat slow, very slow. both of those habits are ones i've had for a long time.
so sorry this blog was kinda random and all over the place.

Planning

The original idea for today's post was suppose to be ice cream. But I drove to Baskin Robbins after my workout tonight, and their was a huge line outside of the store, and decided it wasn't worth it. So I had to rethink my strategy for today's post.

Something I'm good at is planning. I'm a planner. ...which is one reason why it is frustrating my life isn't going as I "planned". Anyways, I'm really looking forward to the summer. I have two big trips coming up, one to Florida and one to Rhode Island with my parents. This week I've been planning the trip to RI. And lots of fun stuff is in store, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Ok, that's all. If you made it to Baskin Robbins I really hope you enjoyed your cheap ice cream!

Why?

So something interesting happened on Saturday while I was at the gym. Over the past 3+ years I've seen my ex twice, and communicated (mainly text) a handful of times. The past two times I texted him was to basically check up on him or his family because a bad event created National news. The first was when that bridge collapsed in Minneapolis (where he lives). The ex is of course someone I will always care for, but not someone I need or want to communicate with on a regular basis. Since our break up this has never happened. So I basically texted him after the bridge collapsed just to make sure he was ok. He was ok, all was well. Most recently their was fear in Bismarck (where he is from) that the river would over flow and flood the city. So I texted him at the beginning of the month asking him how is mother was. He response back was that she was doing well. And that he hopes I'm doing well, and he's happy and thankful I thought of his family. So I clarified and texted back specifically asking how she was with the river(the reason for my text to begin with). ...which he never replied. So I let it go.
Well then Saturday afternoon he sends me a text "Hi there, how are you doing?" So we texted back and forth. I told him about my Lasik (he had the procedure done a couple of years ago in Minneapolis). He told me about his sister's wedding in Hawaii next month. And that was pretty much it.
Of course in the back of my head the whole time, I'm wondering, Why?, why is he texted me? Is their another motive?, if so what is it? The conversation basically ended with me telling him to have fun in Hawaii.
In the past when I've communicated with him it was because I had a reason. What was his reason to text me?
Anyways, I'm glad I got that off my chest.

Lasik Rundown

This whole experience has been amazing. It's been about 56 hours since my surgery and I just can't believe it. Let me say that I know the picture below from the previous blog is kinda sorta really scary, but my Mom and I cracked up laughing while trying to get the perfect picture of my eyeball hickey's! ...It was seriously funny, you should have been there! And since I've posted such a horrid looking picture of myself I thought I would try to top it with me in my sleeping goggles. Yup, that's right. I have to where goggles for the first week, so that I don't accidentally rub my eyes (no rubbing!). They actually aren't that uncomfortable, but my battery has died on my camera, so unfortunately (or fortunately) you don't get to see me in my goggles. I look very cute I'm sure! :)

Let me share the details of my surgery. I arrived at the eye doctor's at around 10:15am, Friday morning, to set up all the paper work, pay them the big bucks for the procedure, and sign away and acknowledge all of the things that could go wrong and the possible side effects. Once that was taken care of, they take new pictures of my eyes, and let me know what to expect during the 10 minute surgery. All of that took about 2 hours. They then take me into a back room, dress my hair and feet in very attractive medical gear, and give me a happy pill to calm my nerves. ...which in all honesty, I don't think did anything for me.

Then I go into the "operating room" and the doctor tells me all is going to be fine. She says she is going to look at my eyes and mark them with a purple marker so she can see where to make the incisions. You know the purple marker you see doctors use to mark patients going in for cosmetic surgery's? ...well surely the doctor wasn't going to actually mark my eyes with a purple marker. This was my eyeball, not my skin. So I thought "purple marker" was some medical turn for something else the doctor would use to mark my eye. ...well I was wrong. It was actually a purple marker she used, and put little purple dots on my eyes. I get a whole bunch of numbing eye drops put into my eyes and we are off to start. I lay down on the bed thing they patch my left eye and start with creating the flap on my right eye. Right eye is open and ready for the laser. They then put the patch over my right eye, and swivel me over to do my left eye. Left eye is open and ready for the laser. This first part was maybe 3 minutes. I get up and walk over for the second part, and lay underneath the the lasers. The 4 or 5 step walk to the other bed looked like I was in a bubble, and blurry, and kinda gray is the best was to describe it, but I could still see. Once I'm laying down again getting ready for the laser part I get more eye numbing drops, and my left eye is patched again. The doctor scraps something over my right eye, and asks if I can feel anything. I say no. At this point in time I see a red flashing light, which I am told to focus on and a green light. It kinda looks like a up close blurry laser light show, with only 2 lights. They go to town with the lasers, and this is the noisy part with the smell of burning hair. Repeat for my left eye. This part was maybe 5 minutes.

Afterwards I'm taken into a recovery room to close my eyes for 15 minutes. My eyes are hurting at this point, they just feel very sensitive. That's really all I can say. I don't really know how to describe it. That 15 minutes the flap basically heals itself. The doctor checks the flap one last time before sending me home, and she says it's healing just as it should.

I haven't experienced any dryness, I sometimes have a little sensitivity, but I just close my eyes for a few seconds and it goes away. I do have the "halo effect" at night around lights, but that is completely normal, and could last up to6mos to a year. All is perfect. I'm amazed.

This afternoon Mom and I went shopping and I was able to walk in and out of stores without switching my sun glasses to regular glasses and then visa versa. The biggest adjustment is at the gym. I actually really liked not being able to see people at the gym. And now I can see people, look at their faces, ...look at the attractive guys I'm sweating next too! But it's an adjustment that is well worth it. If you have ever looked into getting Lasik I would highly recommend it! Such a super fast recovery, and the power of sight!

My Eyes Got Some Action

My eye Hickeys

So yesterday I got Lasik. Everything has gone amazing. I was so freaked out and really anxious. One of the assistance's who was in with me during the entire procedure (all of about 10 minutes) kept telling me that it is going to be over before I know it, and I'll be questioning why I was making such a big deal out of it. And that is so true. You don't feel a thing while you swivel back and forth from one eye to another. The worse part was the actual laser part, you hear and you smell it. It smells like burning hair. I had to go home after and take a 5 hour nap which was really hard for me because I don't take naps and I don't like naps. I think I maybe slept a total of 60 minutes during the 5 hours, other than that I just had my eyes closed. I have to take 3 different types of eye drops, and I have hickeys on my eyes. While the doctor was finishing up my left eye she told me that about these hickeys. I said to her "So my eyes got some action." And it made everyone in the operating room laugh. And well that's exactly what it is, broken blood vessels. ...in.my.eye. But not caused my a make out session with a boy sucking on my eye ball ;) but by the suction from the procedure. While reading all the material of all the side effects and what to expect, I was expecting it all to happen to me. And while none of it has happened. Well some. My eyes are a little bit sensitive, but that's it. No dry eyes, no real bad irritation. I can see. I went to the gym today, and I could see the TV's while working out. Amazing stuff if you ask me. And other than the bruises on my eyes, and not wearing glasses, all is back to normal!

The Big Laser Day Tomorrow

So my mom arrived this evening, just late enough for me to get in a work out. Tomorrow I go to LasikPlus to get my Lasik done on my eyes! I'm a lot excited and a little nervous. Today at work one of my co-workers said "This is the last day you'll wear glasses." And at that point in time it really hit me. Prior to that point I hadn't really thought about it. I really hope that this procedure won't hinder my work out routine. I really really hope it won't. And that I'll be able to get right back to the gym. So once I am able to get in a work out, I'll be right back year in blog world to give you all the laser details! Wish me luck!

A Good Balance

So did you know that today is Administrative Professionals Day? Well it is. My boss forgot, but a co-worker reminded him. It was kinda funny, let me tell you the story. A lot of times if my boss just has a simple questions or needs me, he will just yell for me. Which is fine, it works for us.
My boss yelling out to my office: "April."
Me: "Yeah?"
Boss: "Is today Earth Day?"
Me: "Yeah."

.
..
...
....
...
..
.
...Pause of about 3 or 4 minutes.

Boss: "April."
Me: "Yeah?"
Boss: "Come into my office please"
Boss, looks at me and whispers: "Is today Admin. Day?"
Me: "Yeah."
Boss: "Well that's stupid, why would it be the same day as Earth Day?"
Me: "I don't know."

Shortly after that he left the office, and got me the bamboo plant you see above. I really like it. The green plant, with the black rocks. Beautiful.

Around lunch time he was trying to get a hold of his boss who he had a call with, but he wasn't on the call. So he told me to try and get a hold of his Admin. I told him that she wasn't available.
Boss: "Well I think the special Admins. got lunch."
Me: "Sandy, thank you so much for telling me that."
Boss, he winks at me: "Isn't their a Bosses Day?"
Me: "Yes, their is and I'll make sure to get you something."

Sandy and I are very much on the same page when it comes to our sense of humor. He gives me crap, and I have no problem giving it back. Because even though I didn't get lunch, I still know that he thinks I am special.

Sandy was in a good mood today. Which put me in a good mood, even though it was a very busy day. Yesterday was a very very stressful day, I wanted to cry. Today made up for all the stress. Today was a good day.

"Marley & Me"

Book Review: Marley & Me by John Grogan.

I really enjoyed this book. I went to the movie back in December and had no idea it was a book. Usually if a movie is a book, I prefer to read the book before I see the movie. So when I found it was a book, I knew I had to check it out.

The book like usual was better than the movie. Their are couple of really cute parts that are in the book but not in the movie. Like the reviews, if you have ever appreciated house hold pets, this book is for you. You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book, and I think that is one of the appeals of the story.

The story is of Marley the dog who forms a family with newlyweds in South Florida to a home of 3 children in rural eastern Pennsylvania and the journey in-between.

The story is a tear jerker, like the movie, and I was happy that I read the last 3 chapters at home and not on the bus.

I would highly recommend this book to both laugh and cry.

~something I love~

People.com is something I love. It is a guilty pleasure of mine. I love to look at all the pictures and the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It is a site I easily go to every single day.

Another 1st Birthday

me, alyica, TC, and Sammy



Today was a good day. I had a super lazy morning. ...I haven't had a lazy morning like today's in a really really long time. It was great.

This afternoon was Alycia's 1st birthday. Throughout the past couple of years I've gone to a lot of first birthdays. Alycia was born on April 15, 2008. She is an adorable little girl. Very laid back like her Dad, and has all the latest accessories like her Mom. She of course was spoiled today and everyone was wanting her attention. I luckily got to hold her a few times to get a good amount of some baby love.

After the party I went to the gym for a nice long workout. I'm trying to strengthen my left knee, and by doctors orders I was told to go to the treadmill instead of my usual of the elliptical. So since old habits are hard to break, I decided to do half and half. 25 minutes on the elliptical 20 on the treadmill. The 25 minutes on the elliptical flew by (since I usually do 45 minutes) then I went to treadmill. Well I suppose I got distracted by my magazine on the treadmill, and did 30 minutes on the treadmill. So all in all 55 minutes of cardio! Then I did my legs, chest, and 2 ab machines. It was a nice workout. The gym for the most part was empty, which is how I like it.

Yesterday

So yesterday my friend Emily tagged me. The tag goes something like this:
once you're tagged, you must take your picture right then and there.
no editing.

Well technically I cheated. I didn't have my camera with me yesterday at work, when I saw I was tagged. So I took this picture of me when I got home. I thought I would try to take a funny picture. A lot of times during my alone time, I'll make funny noises, sing random songs, have conversations with myself.
In this picture I had just got done making a weird noise, and I was laughing at myself just as I snapped the picture.
So for your viewing pleasure, is me laughing at how I entertain myself:
I will say that I purposefully kept my glasses on in this picture, because it will be one of the last pictures of me in my glasses. In one week I'll be getting Lasik!!!

I didn't post this yesterday because I didn't work out yesterday. But I did work out today. Tonight at Dance Jam was 80's day. It was all about the 80's. The instructor dressed in 80's gear, we had 80's music, and learned an 80's routine. It was super fun.

Thanksgiving

I know the holiday is a far way out. But right now I feel that I have a lot to be thankful for, and I just want to express it. It has been almost year now that I got my new job within Qwest. In my old job I worked in the Consumer call center taking in bound calls.
Today at work they announced that that center will be closing on July 15th. I was in shock, and I am still in shock. That so very easily could have been me. I know how it feels. I was laid off 4 months after I moved here, and it took me 6 months to find a new job, and that was over 6 years ago. I can't even imagine getting laid off right now and trying to find a job.
What sucks about losing a job, is how much a job defines you. When you meet someone new, it is almost customary to ask "what do you do?". I remember that feeling. Thinking their is so much more to me than my job, or my lack of having of a job. But in our society we focus on a person having a job so much. It is sad, I think.
Although it almost seems normal to get laid off right now. Which is so scary. So so scary.
I have a great job, with a great salary, great benefits, and vacation. I am so grateful.
But it doesn't take away my fear, that that could be me. I honestly don't know what I would do if I lost my job. I've been with Qwest 5 and 1/2 years, and I know how lucky I am. I know I won't be able to find a job at the same pay, benefits etc...that I have now.
For now I'll be praying for all of my previous co-workers in hope that they will be ok.
So for today I am celebrating being Thankful for what I do have.
Happy and blessed to be where I am, right now.

Today's Letter Is: "D"

My friend Emily did a tag of letters. I asked for one, and I was assigned the letter "d".
Here are 10 things I love that begin with the letter "d". Enjoy!

1. Digital Camera - I'm huge picture person. So I love my digital camera. I probably take my camera with him everywhere I go 75% of the time. I love having things documented. And with a digital camera I get to delete the pictures I don't want. Amazing.

2. Denali - My super cute tuxedo cat. She is so lively, cute, and small. She was the runt of her litter, and is reasonably smaller that what an average cat size is. She loves to play catch, purr, and go into the shower just after it was used. She is one reason why I am now both a cat and a dog person.

3. Digital Video Recorder aka DVR - I love my DVR. It multiplies my love for TV. I would never watch TV without it. It cuts down a 60 minute TV show to 40 minutes. And for one of my favorite shows like "DWTS" it cuts it down even more, because all I really watch is the dancing. The person who invited this was pure genius!
4. "Dancing with the Stars" - This of course has to do with my love of dancing. I watch this show, and I seriously wish I would have pursued a professional dancing career. I love it. The intensity, the movement, the outfits, the music. I love performing Dance. So much fun.

5. Decorating - I love decorating. Photo albums, houses, closets, outfits. I would love to go to school for interior design. It is something I think I'm pretty good at. I love color, and finding what goes together. ...finding the unexpected. For me that is what decorating is.
6. Dogs - I've always been a dog person. I grew up with a dog. She was cocker-spaniel mix puppy named Lady. She was so cute, and was just like a puppy up until she passed away over 5 years ago. We had her for 18 years! She had an amazing live, and brought so much love into my parents house growing up. Sometimes I still expect to see her when I return to my parents house. I miss her.

7. Dining - I really enjoy eating out. This is one reason why I love Denver so much. Their is always a new place to go. If I could eat out everyday I probably would. Thankfully though my love for food, as also allowed me to love to cook. But dining out is definitely one of my favorite things to do.
8. Dolphins - I've always really liked dolphins. Mainly because of their connection with the water and swimming. I love the water and I love swimming. I have a dolphin tattoo on my outer right ankle that I love. I have even gone swimming with dolphins in Cozumel. It is an awesome memory!

9. Directions - This is something I'm good at. Mainly because I had to learn my directions when I moved to Denver. But I think it is a talent, because I know a couple of people who have no sense of direction, and it drives me nuts!

10. "Dirty Dancing" - Definitely one of my favorite movies. I love the story, and even thought I've seen it a ton of times, I still feel like every time I watch it I see something different. A classic in my mind.

I have a Crush

Nathan Fillion

One of the things I really really enjoy is TV. I very easily love TV. Thank goodness for my DVR! One of my first TV crushes was on Joey Buchanan on "One Life to Live". OLTL was the soap opera my parents watched when I was younger. I got into OLTL when I was in middle school. And now for the past 3+ years I DVR OLTL everyday, and have watched it everyday since. Nathan Fillion played Joey Buchanan, and I thought he was so cute. Back when I was in MS the younger cast did a ad for American Eagle. And when I saw the print ad in a magazine I went to American Eagle and bought the shirt he was wearing in the ad. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Anyways he was the type of crush where a part of me seriously thought we would end up together. Of course I knew it would never really happen, but in the fantasy part of my heart I always thought "just maybe..." It was always either him or Carson Daly. ;) I seriously thought we would end up together one day too ...until I found out recently he had a baby with his girlfriend, that was a sad day for me.

Anyways, Nathan Fillion hasn't been a regular on OLTL since I was in MS. He was recently on "Desperate Housewives", and he just recently got his very own show on ABC called "Castle". And well I haven't had a chance recently to watch "Castle" until this weekend. And yesterday and today I got to watch all 5 episodes that have come out so far. And I have to say I really enjoy the series so far. Very funny, and some good twists and turns. I would highly recommend it! And seeing him so much this weekend my part of my heart that is full of my fantasies has been going back to my thoughts of us living happily ever after!

Who is your celebrity crush?

Productive Day

So I'm back in my world of "normal" ...for the time being. Spending my weekends alone etc... Today I have a nice full day. It started this morning at swim class. It had been more than a month since I had been to hydro class, and it felt great to be back in the water. After my morning work out I went and had a leisurely breakfast at Village Inn. During my breakfast I enjoyed putting a good dint in the book I'm currently reading "Twilight". Once I was stuffed I drove to Lakewood to LasikPlus for a Lasik exam, to see if I was a good candidate. I've been wanting to look into Lasik for the past 5 years. And I'm super happy to report that I passed! I'll be getting the procedure done in a couple of weeks. I seriously can't wait! After getting my eyes dialated I drove to get my hair done. I was in much need for a cut, and well I'm very happy with the results. I love the feeling after I get my hair cut. Once I arrived back home I did two loads of laundry. All in all good day!

drained

A lot is going on right now (sorta). I could easily talk about everything, but at the same time I feel like I could easily talk about nothing at all.

Mainly what is draining me right now is work. The past two weeks at work have been crazy. And for the most part crazy bad. But as a big company, the higher ups of the world (my boss) try to put a positive spin on it. Two weeks ago the organization that I work for laid of 10 people. Thankfully I wasn't one of them, and I feel so blessed to still have my job. The Monday before these lay-offs happened I was in Austin. My boss called me while I was on vacation, frantic because he needed things that I already did for him, and I had put on his desk the Thursday before. Because I knew he would need these things, and because I knew I would be on vacation out of town on Friday and Monday.

This week as been a bunch of busy work. Making sure contacts are updated, new numbers are changed, getting all laptops returned, exit checklists completed, and the biggest pain of all. Moving people. We have 3 managers moving from our building in Littleton, to where I work in downtown Denver. This requires three different types of tickets, three different systems, and some more picky than the other. Let me give you an example. One system is call BOA (don't ask me what that stands for, because I don't know.) You complete a BOA to transfer someones phone number and voicemail box. Of course one of the things the BOA requires you to submit is the phone number you want transferred. Let's say you put in the phone number like this: 3035551212. You click submit. The BOA comes back and yells at you "Error: Phone number format invalid"(or something like that). You click the "Ok" box. What does the system do? Erase everything you have already imputed. So you have to start all over. Date: 04/10/09. And it has to be that format. Not 04-10-09, or 04.10.2009. Six digit, with a "/". The phone number has to be submitted like this: 303-555-1212. Needless to say this system is extremely picky, and if you get one thing wrong, and get an error, you have to start.all.over.again.

Ok, I'm done.

Austin Finale: Keep Austin weird

Did you know that Austin has the world's largest urban bat colony. Late Spring to Early Fall lots and lots(something like 1.5 million, I think) of bats fly out just as the sun is setting from under the Congress Bridge and fly around Austin eating 30,000 pounds of insects a night! Since we are the beginning of Spring I myself didn't get to see the bats fly out, but we did see some bats when we left BookPeople. My last day in Austin Nikki and walked across the Congress Bridge, and then down below to walk around Lady Bird Johnson Lake.

Nikki and I with Austin as our backdrop.

This specific spot is special to me, because this is where Nikki had a special memorial service for our Uncle Fred when he pasted away 2 years ago. Uncle Fred wasn't much of a traveler, but it is special to know that their are pieces of him within each of us everywhere we go, which makes Uncle Fred quite the traveler! We miss you Uncle Fred!
Another big theme throughout Austin is "Keep Austin Weird". These T-shirts are just about everywhere. And well I'm a big fan of T-shirts, and getting something with the City that I visited.
Our last stop before Nikki took me to the airport was to Freebirds. This is similar to a Chiptole. Very tasty burritos, with lots of options for your eating pleasure.

My trip to Texas was a lot of fun. Most of all just hanging out with Nikki was fabulous. Nikki and I often talk about how we wish we could just go somewhere have some coffee and visit. And it is safe to say that this weekend was full of just that! Hopefully one day she will make a trip to Colorado (hint, hint) or even possibly move here! :)

Austin Day 1

Sunday was spent getting to know Austin. Nikki and I drove back to Austin after a very leisurely Sunday morning. Once we arrived back in Austin and checked into our hotel, we walked to the State Capital Building. ...and that made me realize I have never been to the state Capital right here in Colorado, in Denver, in walking distance to where I work. ...I think I'll have to take a field trip there one of these days. Anyways, the Capital building in Austin was awesome. Sunday was our one good weather day, no wind, no coldness, in exchange for comfortable walking weather around downtown Austin.

This is up in the dome of the building. Look around the star, it spells Texas. I thought that was super cool!

Around Austin are these life size guitars all around. I'm pretty sure it is symbol since Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World". ...around downtown Denver their are life size cows...I wonder what that is suppose to mean?! Anyways the guitars were pretty cool. I like this one because of all the colors!
Sunday night Nikki and I had a very laid back fancy dinner at Eddie V's. The food was awesome. I'm a very slow eater, and Nikki and I didn't really have anywhere specific that we needed to be so we took our time. From start to finish we were sitting at our booth for 2 hours! It was great! Probably one of the highlights of my trip.
After dinner and dessert(I had coconut cream pie) Nikki took me to BookPeople. The Denver version of a TatteredCover. A local, big, book store. It was a lot of fun just to walk around and share stories about different books we have read and hope to one day read. Nikki bought an awesome children's book for who would end up being Joshua John! I got some cards.

College Station Day 2

First let me introduce you to my favorite cat in Texas. ...and that says a lot since Texas is a pretty big state! :) Murphy is Dan and Nikki's cat. She is super cute, and fun! It was great to meet her. She is making an appearance in this weeks "Otis and Denali Update". It was a of fun hanging out with her.

Saturday was a super tasty day in the household of Dan and Nikki. We started off with a nice pancake breakfast cooked by Nikki. Then we headed off on a little car ride to Plantersville, TX to do some fresh strawberry picking at King's Orchard. I had never done anything like it, and it was so much fun. It was super windy and little bit cold, but the company was fabulous! We got fresh strawberries, and lettuce to be enjoyed!

Dan & Nikki picking some strawberry goodness

Yummy!

We even saw some beautiful flowers

After the afternoon of strawberry pickin' fun we had a fabulous packed lunch, car picnic style! It was a little bit too cold to enjoy our lunch out on of the picnic tables, so we set up camp inside the car. It was a lot of fun, and Dan tackled the cold and washed some of the strawberries for us to enjoy. And let me tell you these fresh strawberries were fabulous! Seriously so good and juicy. Easily the best strawberries I have ever had! Great idea Nikki!

After our morning at King's Orchard we returned to College Station to do our perspective workouts. Dan went on a bike ride, Nikki went on a run around Texas A&M campus, I stayed behind and did a Jillian Michael workout DVD. If you don't know who Jillian Michael is, she's a trainer on the Biggest Loser. This DVD was three 20 minute workouts, 1 easy, 2 intermediate, and 3 advanced. I thought I would be able to do the first one pretty easy, as well as the intermediate. Well I was pretty much wrong. Jillian kicked my a$$! She works out your upper body and lower body at the same time! And well I suppose her idea behind it works, but it hurts! I was sore for the next two days. Both my chest and thighs. But at the same time it felt good! I got through the easy workout, and did about 10 minutes of the second workout before I gave up.
Time and time again Nikki has told me how awesome Dan is at grilling. And I got to experience it first hand Saturday night. He cooked us a classic Texas BBQ dinner, of drunk chicken and ribs! And wow it was so good! Dan even made homemade BBQ sauce, that he should seriously make a label and sell at the grocery store's because it was simply amazing. For your viewing pleasure(above) is the chicken getting "drunk". I thought it was a little bit funny! Nikki and I made a great salad with the fresh lettuce picked that morning.
We ended our dinner with dessert of course. A perfect ending was homemade strawberry shortcake. Topped with the days pickin' of strawberries!
Dan and Nikki made me feel so comfortable in their College Station home, I even had fresh roses in my room for me! ...aren't they beautiful?, I love the color!

College Station Day 1

Last weekend I had the pleasure to travel to Texas to visit my cousin Nikki and her husband Dan. It was a great trip, and over the next few days I'll share my visit with you. The first two days were spent in College Station, where Dan and Nikki live and work.

While on the drive to College Station from Austin, we made a stop off the freeway to take a picture on the Texas blue bonnets. They were beautiful! The experience however wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Prior to landing Austin received a good down poor and the ground was nice and muddy and the ants were out in full force. The mud effected me, the ants effected Nikki. Sad for Nikki because she got a handful bits on each foot(she was wearing sandals), and a day later one foot had a very bad reaction and swelled up quite a bit. I felt so bad! But again the experience was a good one, and we got some beautiful pictures.

The next stop was a tour of the Texas A&M Campus. It was a lot of fun. It was great to hear all of the traditions of such a big campus, college town! People there say "Howdy" to each other, and one of the highlights of the tour was a group of girls gathered in front of a building we went into, and I decided to say "howdy" to them, and WOW the reaction I got was amazing. All the girls immediately said in unison "howdy" back to me, like I was the coolest for saying that to them. And well it made me feel good, and it was fun to laugh about.


The buildings around this campus are amazing. Awesome details and lighting. The pictures don't do it justice.
This stained glass was the interior of a lecture hall! Can you imagine that being the classroom you go to everyday!?

We even saw some fencing being portrayed by what I imagine would have been from the 18th century. He called Nikki and I "My Lady"!

Me, Dan, and Nikki

Dinner was at La Bodega! It was fabulous. I had the shrimp tacos, and they were so tasty. I also had a "shaker" which is a martini, and I kid you not this "shaker" had a total of about 6 drinks. Needless to say I only had about 2 and half, and the rest was enjoyed by Dan!

Stay tuned Day 2 is coming tomorrow.

The Past: 2 Weeks Ago

I'm going to try and catch everyone up on what's been going on the past couple of weeks. Two weekends ago I traveled to Albuquerque to attend my friends baby shower. Here is the run down of my quick trip home.

Frontier=Yummy!

One thing I have to have when I'm in Albuquerque is red chile and homemade tortillas. So upon my arrival I had my parents take me to the Frontier. The Frontier is an Albuquerque staple, and a place I highly recommend if you are in the area. It is literally right across from the University of New Mexico campus, so it was always easily accessible the 3 semesters I lived on campus. I had huevos rancheros with a famous Frontier sweet roll! This place isn't exactly my parents type of places so I was very happy that they took me!

UNM

The one night I was in town, I had a fabulous dinner with my cousin Kari, followed by a get together with some more family and friends at Fox and Hound. It was a lovely night. ...Isn't the hat cute?!, it was a fabulous birthday gift from Kari.

Christine, Shaun, Me, Kari, Cheryl

The main event was my friend Brisa's baby shower, for the upcoming arrival of her baby Girl in June! Brisa and I met the summer of 1994, while going to summer school for high school P.E. And well the rest is history. Some very fond memories are actually at the Frontier(see above) during our college days.We've been through a lot together, and we have a friendship that I feel very blessed to have.

Brisa and I

No April Fool's

Welcome Joshua John!!! He is already so loved! Happy Birthday!

Proud Parents: Matt and Charlene
Brand new Big Sister: Katherine Elizabeth

My cousin Charlene gave birth today at 4:40am, in Rhode Island to a beautiful baby BOY!!! The gender was a surprise, and I am overjoyed with this new arrival!