Grad School Characters

Every class has a few characters. I am a few weeks in to my first class in pursuit of my Masters and I have tagged the characters of my class.

Let's begin...
First, there's "that girl." You know, the one that is obnoxious, comes in late, has an excuse, knows everything. She is also the one where when her hand goes up, the whole class rolls their eyes in anticipation of what is coming out of her mouth next. Yep, I have "that girl" in my class. She wears too red lipstick and constantly refers to her husband, or being married, or planning a wedding. She found a way to compare writing a thesis (or in our case an APR) to planning a wedding. Really? Get over yourself. Last night, after walking in late and causing a disturbance, she proceeded to tell the teacher (and the entire class) that she was late due to a doctor's appointment. No one needs to know that. Seriously. We don't care and now we're annoyed that you've even opened your mouth.

Next, there's "sleeper dude." He snuggled up on the first night of class, front row, and passed out. He just finished his Undergrad last semester, so I assume his parents said, "Why don't you stay and have some more fun?" Since his performance on the first night, he has remained awake for each class thereafter; however, now he finds the need to over compensate by using words that are too big for him. Some of them he makes up and some are words but are used incorrectly.

And finally, there's "Carlton." Please tell me you remember the Fresh Prince of Belaire? Well, Carlton is in my class. Seriously. The best part is that "that girl" and "Carlton" are furthest along in the program yet they seem to ask the most ridiculous questions and have the most difficulty with the smallest of tasks. For example, we had a homework assignment out of our workbook. It was very simple. Read it and follow the instructions. "That girl" proceeded to ask, "which pages do I need to be reading?" To which I replied, "all of them..." It was not a hard task. Really. Just read your syllabus and it'll explain the assignment. Last night was even better. "Carlton" asked a question to which our professor responded, "well, like I said last week..." Then, much to my surprise (not) "that girl" raised her hand and asked for clarification. Again. Our professor responded, "again, like I said last week..." Really? REALLY? I am beginning to lose faith in the program. Do they let just about anyone in?

I was pleased to see my first paper received a 93 and my first assignment received a 100. I can do this!

Toy Story 3: A tearful review

Toy Story 3 is a MUST SEE! We had so much fun at the midnight showing last thursday night. The theatre was full of parents and TEENS, all in the 15-18 age range. My mom commented that they all grew up with Woody and Buzz. In the movie Andy is 17 and leaving for college...just like Landon will be at this time next year. Here are a few photos from the night...

I am sort of ashamed/embarrassed to admit it...but I cried at the end of the movie. Bawled, really. Like a child. But I couldn't help it. The end is just so touching and it made me think of my baby brother that is growing up so fast right before my eyes. What can I say? I'm a sucker...

I would like to say this: When I do themes. I DO them. Landon was all about having a Toy Story birthday, so I prepared for it by getting a TS cake, party favor bags, napkins/plates, etc. I brought it ALL in to the movie. I didn't even sneak it in. I clearly walked past the ticket guys holding a huge bag and a sheet cake. About 30 minutes before show time (11:30PM) the entire theatre broke in to the "Happy Birthday" song and sang to Landon. I lit all17 candles, against my brother's wishes. I cut up cake and served our party of 8 and then proceeded to pass it out to our fellow movie-goers. Let's recap: I brought in party favors, a cake, candles, a lighter, and a knife. I am a champ.

Happy Birthday, baby brother!

Today I am wishing a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite baby brother, Landon! Today he turns 17 years old and I can hardly believe it. I remember when he was born. I was so excited to be a big sister after eight years of being an only child. I loved for my mom to bring him up to the Elementary School so that I could show him off to my friends. He was my real, live baby doll!

He may or may not want me to share this, but when he was a toddler his favorite movie was Toy Story. (That's not the bad part...) He also loved to dress in character for whatever movie he was watching, so when we'd put on Toy Story, he'd get out his cowboy boots (for Woody) and a baby blanket, which he proceeded to tie in a cape-like fashion (for Buzz Lightyear). And his favorite outfit was a diaper. That's it. Boots. Cape. Diaper. (Don't worry, we have pictures to prove it!) Things haven't changed much...tonight, at midnight, we will be some of the first to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D. Landon hasn't decided what he's wearing yet. :)

I love you, Landon Forrest, and I am so proud of the young man you have become! Happy Birthday, baby brother!

"...He will show you which path to take..."

Just when I think I have it all figured out, something happens in my life that turns everything upside down. This has always been the case, which is detrimental to a "planner" like me. I always have a "plan," a "goal," an "end result" in mind. Sometimes it works out, but usually, it doesn't. This morning while doing my routine Facebook checking, I came across a Bible verse my cousin posted: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Boy, oh boy, did this ring a bell. Ding! Ding! Ding! Got it. I'm working on it...

Avoiding the Blog & Moving Forward

I've been avoiding my Blog for a couple of weeks now. That is what happens when your heart is broken. You avoid life, you avoid moving on, you avoid the memories...But, it's time to pick up the pieces and move forward. I forgot how hard break-ups are. To put it simply, they suck, really. So I won't focus on that.

But, what I will focus on is that I am officially a Bobcat! Yes, you heard right, I have traded in the Mean Green for some cute, furry paws. (Ok, I still love my Mean Green...) I started Graduate School last week. I am pursuing a Master's in Public Administration and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. I have no idea how long it will take me (I refuse to "map" it out) but I know that in the end it will be worth it.

My life is a bit crazy right now. I go to San Marcos on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-10pm for class, Tuesdays I coach Lana's summer volleyball team, and Thursdays I play in a volleyball league of my own. Oh, and did I mention I still work full-time?! Crazy. Just crazy. Life has really thrown me in to a tornado lately, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, except maybe the heartache. I could do without that.

I will try to stop avoiding the Blog. I was talking with my friend Amanda at work the other day about my lack of blogging, which she is guilty of, too! So maybe we can hold each other accountable. Look for a Blog very soon on Landon's 17th Birthday!