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Online classes

Are the way to go! I am enjoying this online class so much because I do not have to be on campus for hours at a time. I tend to work much more quickly and efficiently than most people when it comes to stuff like that, and it is so much better for me to be able to work on my own time table and not have to worry about sitting in a room for a defined period of time. It's awesome.

Thanks Amanda

I added that verification. I did NOT know that guy. Weird!

Our vacation!

So last week we went on a long road trip. First we went to St. Louis for 2 days. We went to a place called Meramac Caverns where you could go on a tour underground through the cave system. That was pretty cool. Then we went to dinner and that was about it. The next day we went into downtown St. Louis to Forrest Park, which is bigger than Central Park in NY and really beautiful. We walked around and took pics and went to the zoo. Then we went to the Arch, which was pretty scarey because it was really high up and you sit in a little car cabin on the way to the top for a few minutes and you can see all the stairs going to the top. the view was great, though.

The next day we drove to Oklahoma and stayed with my Aunt and Uncle, then we drove around OK taking pictures and we went to the bombing memorial. We stayed with my cousin the next night, and she took us out for a great steak dinner at this local place. This was some of the best steak I have ever had! We went back to her place and drove around their golf course in their golf cart and went in their hot tub.

The next morning we drove to Dallas to the JFK memorial and then to Ft. Worth where we got to see a cattle drive. I wanted to get cowboy hats, but Ryan didn't think that would be as much fun as I did! But I did get to sit on a cattle! we also went to see where money is made. that was weird - she said "oh, that pile has about 16 million dollars." WOW.

We also went to Arkansas and saw Central HS where the Little Rock Nine went to school during the height of the civil rights movement, and we went to the Pres Clinton Library which was really cool. We also went to Hot Springs where the water flows out of the mountain super clean and SUPER hot. You could see the steam and it actually burns your hand to touch it. The last day was one of the most fun because we just explored the Ozark mtns and we went canoeing on a lake. I took this pic there. There were a lot of butterflys in the park.

So it was over 3000 miles of driving over 8 days, and we went to 4 states. This brings our total to 25 states I believe. It was great.

Summertime....

Finally! And my hours have changed so I can actually leave work at 4 now, which is so nice. I am in desperate need of a vacation, though. For real! This year has been so very busy and kind of stressful at times. Even now, I have a lot going on. I am taking one online class which will be debateably more work than some of the others I was looking at. But, seeing as how it is online, I think that will be a NICE change.

GPA

3.85 for the year. Not too bad!
Happy to have a break, even if it's only for one week.

1 year over!

Well, I just finished my first year of grad school, and I am sooo happy that is over. I have really enjoyed my classes for the most part, but it is a lot of reading and a lot of time. I am looking forward to just relaxing around the house after work. Tomorrow I am going to get a pedicure to start the summer off right, and this weekend some friends and I are going to a scrapbooking class. It's been a while since I have had time to scrapbook, so it will be fun to get back into it.

Fun, but busy, weekend

Last weekend was fun and very busy. Friday night I hung out with Ryan and fell asleep really early. We were both very tired. Saturday morning I got up and cleaned the house and made breakfast before Ryan went to photograph a wedding for the entire day. Then I ran some errands and went to Sara's housewarming party. It was great to see everyone, and she has a nice place that will be perfect for watching The Office ;). Then I came home and took a quick nap (it wasn't planned, I should have been doing hw, but I was so tired...) then I finished my paper for Group Project 1 in my class. Saturday night I went to Brad and Valerie's engagement party at her house. That was nice, and brad's friends and family seem pretty cool, too. Sunday I had a group meeting for Project 1 and to start on Project 2. It was short and sweet, and best of all, close to home and NOT on campus! Sunday afternoon Valerie and I went to a free class at Archivers to learn how to make invitations (possibly for her wedding...) It was a lot of fun, and very inspiring! Sunday night I got to look through a lot of Ryan's pictures and watched some TV, and that was the weekend!

Overall, a very productive, and fun weekend!

Assistant Director, Office of Academic Services

So I was finally promoted to my new job as Assistant Director of the office. I am very excited as it offers more opportunities as well as more pay! I am still going to be advising students, but I will do more with students currently in our graduate programs, as well as more fairs & presentations. It's pretty exciting!

Well, back to my lunch & studying!

I need to go on vacation/finish school

OK, seriously, it has been 6 months since my last trip and I am going crazy here! I need some palm trees, some sand, some sun! I am not sure where we will go this year, but I don't want to spend too much money. I found this really awesome hotel in Myrtle Beach, but it is like $160 a night, and I don't know if that is really worth it.So I'll keep looking...

Work has been busy lately, but it's made the time fly which is awesome! I am so excited that it is Friday (like usual!) I want to sleep in and spend some time scrapbooking. I only need to write a couple words on one more page and I am going to be 100% finished with my wedding scrapbook! I am so excited.

This weekend we are probably going have date-night tonight - maybe dinner and a movie or something. Tomorrow I am going to go shopping with Kim, and then tomorrow night we might be having some friends over. Sunday we are having lunch with my family for mothers day. And that about wraps up the weekend.

Still this quarter, I have to read about 500 more pages in my books, write 3 papers (about 3-5 pages each) but all involve research, do 2 presentations and STUDY a lot. I have 4 weeks left of classes (including my 2 finals) but it is still a lot to do in that amount of time bc some of it is due in less than 2 weeks.... It will be soooo good when school is finished!

I have been thinking lately about what I want in my career, and that will help me keep focused when I am not in the mood to do school stuff. I really need this masters degree to move up. Although I have received an email office for this Assistant Director postion, and I have already been doing some of that workload, but I haven't gotten anything official yet (such as the real offer letter and raise...) so I am still working on that. What a long process it has been. Seriously, just about 6 months. WOW.

A nice weekend

So this weekend Gahanna opened up their Creekside district - shops and resturants along the creek area. We went to walk around for a while and Ryan took some pictures. We also had this brother and wife over for his birthday on Saturday night. Sunday I finally got to pick up some pictutes to scrapbook with! I feel like it has been way way way too long! So I am finishing the last page of my wedding scrapbook hopefully tonight and I am also working on my 2006-2007 one as well. It's hard during school to find the time to do it, but hopefuly since I have spent the last 24 hours really focusing on school stuff, I will be ahead a little and able to take some time to scrapbook. I want to get those page organizer pockets that are in 12x12 so I can just slide all my pics into there and embellishments and paper, then when I am ready to do it, I can jsut reach into a divider and pull out that project. Right now I just make piles, and they are messy and dont stay how I want them. I am excited to scrapbook more than wedding stuff like I have been doing for almost 2 years!

Miterm is over!

I only had one midterm this quarter and it took place last night. I think I did pretty well on it, actually. I probably studied more than I had to, but I guess that is ok.

And an update, I decided to go get my tetanus shot the other day, and I did get the metal out of my hand!

Also, it looks like there will be an update on the job thing, keep checking back!

Other than that, our new patio set is really nice and I am planning to sit in it most of the evening tonihgt since I have no plans or obligations or class. Starting probably tomorrow I am going to focus a lot more on school and getting these projects finished. I guess I am sort of glad I took the classes I did the last 2 quarters bc it makes these others seem so much easier. Tonight would be a good night for some frisbee if I weren't so sore...

more weekend

We also tried to put together this cheap porch glider we bought last weekend. Well, in all it's 'made in china' glory, I got a sliver with the metal. It was pretty painful, and now I am fairly sure I will have tetanus and also lead poisoning. And it is ironic that last week we were talking for a couple days about how I haven't had my tetanus shot for well over the 10 year period you are supposed to have it. SO...now I am going to go in to the doctor this afternoon to do it. UGH!

Other than that, it was a good weekend! A lot of fun, and I can't wait for the next one!

Weekend Review

So Friday afternoon we took a little vacay time to go to a rehearsal and dinner for some friends that got married on Saturday. It was fun, and great to be home so early to spend the evening hanging out. Saturday I hung out with my neighbor for a bit and went to Meijer. I bought a really great new patio set super cheap. Saturday afternoon/evening we went to the wedding for which Ryan was the photographer. He did a really, really great job. I mean, REALLY good job. Enough to make me want to put my dress back on and buy a bouquet to make him take my pics. Sunday we had a lot of errands to run. I had to borrow my parents van to go pick up this patio set. Of course when we get there, it takes 5 people over 30 minutes to locate it in the back even though it was a HUGE box with my name on it. Seriously, they hire a bunch of idiots.but we brought it home and put it together. Now only if it was nice enough to actually cook out ON AN EVENING I AM HOME to do it!

Week 4! 6 more!

So I now track time based on which week of the quarter it is. I am finished with my classes for week 4. Next week I have a midterm in one class and have 3 projects I am working on between the two. I sure wish I could finish this program in only 2 years.

I forgot to file my city taxes. hahahaha...oops. Yeah, I remembered yesterday, but wasnt home from class until almost 10, so I was in that long line at the post office of people that wait until the last minute.

The weather is nicer out FINALLY. I am hoping to play some frisbee or at least go on a walk or run tonight after work. It will be really nice to have a couple evenings off. Friday night we are going to a rehearsal and dinner. Saturday we are going to a wedding (Ryan is the photographer). Sunday I will have to study...but maybe I can do that outside?

That's basically it for me right now.

PS- anyone watch the Biggest Loser? I was hooked this year and I am so happy that it turned out how it did. She totally deserved to win.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY

Happy Birthday Tiffany! I miss you and I hope you are having a good birthday weekend. I wanted to post a couple pics to remind you of the good times we had together as kids. Birthdays were always fun together - I especially remember playing the chocolate game with a big hershey bar and the flour game with the penny.

Spring has Arrived!

This was a really nice weekend. Friday we didn't do much, just stayed in for movie night. Saturday we went out for JC's birthday and stayed out way past my bedtime. It was a good time. Sunday afternoon we had friends over for pizza and frisbee. I also spent a lot of the day sitting on the front porch reading magazines and some of my book for school. Today is about 70 degrees and I am so excited! Except that I have class in a few minutes, so I will be inside until it is dark out :(

Oh well, at least it's finally Spring!!

Another post

So this last weekend was pretty fun. Valerie and I spend Sunday shopping and had some Pizza Hut pizza which was SO awesome. In fact, the leftovers I had for lunch yesterday were the highlight of my day!

School is really back in session, and it is exhausting. By the time I get home around 9:30 or so, I am so tired, but usually hungry, too. So I have to stay up to eat, but I am almost too tired to eat. Anyway, my group was assigned last night for 2 projects I have to do in one class, and it doesn't look too bad. They are both pretty nice and smart. Tonight I think we pick groups for my other class. I have already had to do a few hundred pages of reading this quarter, so I am a bit behind. Perhaps after work before class I can try to catch up. I really just want to take a nap.

So nothing interesting is happening with me, really. Just school &work which is taking up a lot of time, and sleeping. Nothing too exciing.

Spring quarter has started...

But it's not very warm out. For one class, I have 2 group projects, a final, and two books to read. For my other class, I have a group project, a book and packet to read, and a midterm and a final, oh and some online test or something. I have finally made a few friends that I sit with on a fairly regular basis, so that is nice too.

I am hoping tonights class will just be the overview of the syllabus, but I think we are starting the lecture as well. Hopefully we will get out early.

Other than that, I am still waiting for my new job to post so I can apply for it (it has taken months). Tonight is the Biggest Loser - watch it!

My stolen wallet...

So I hate people! Monday afternoon I went to the bank around 2, so I know I had my wallet when I got back (because I put something away). I went home after work without realizing that someone had come into my office when I ran across the hall and stolen my wallet out of my bag. I was only gone for a minute, and you can't even see my purse from the door. So someone had to come all the way in my office (my door was cracked about an inch, which I do all the time when I am in there! I could have been behind the door for all they knew...) and dig through my bag bc my wallet was in an inside pocket under my clothes and stuff.

So I got a call from my credit card company on monday night to verify some charges. Within 2 hours, they charged about $1,000 at 4 different stores! So I had to cancel everything. It really sucks. We haven't had any money or access to money really for the last few days. Supposedly we will get new cards someday soon, and I set up new bank accounts.

Not to mention that I had about $30 in there, and it was my Vera Bradley wallet (about $25). So dissapointing....

The police are investigating, but I would be surprised to see anything come of it. I would like to know who this person was, though, and if I had seen them in the building. Or worse, if it's someone that works here. Then when I tried to call my credit card company to get more information, it takes them 30 minutes to pull up my acct then they are asking me 20 questions about unrelated events in my life (for security purposes???) THEN tell me that I need to fax 3 documents in before they can even tell me what store location they used it at. FORGET THAT. I wanna talk to someone in America that can actually HELP ME.

Spring Break starts off nice

I am finally on Spring Break! I am so excited to have free time after work. It is exhausting to have class late a couple times a week.

Friday night we had some friends over and stayed up pretty late just laughing and having a good time. We watched a couple episodes of The Office (one of my fav! shows)
Saturday Ryan and I just hung out all day. We ended up going to get a new video game and we got there RIGHT before they closed. That was pretty lucky. It is a mario fighting game (fun fights, not with blood or anything), but I thought it was hard. Ryan always wins.
Sunday I went to a bridal shower for a new friend, and then I got free tickets to the Funny Bone (comedy club). I took Valerie for a girls night out. It was fun, but it ended up being a late night.
Tonight Kim is coming over to hang out probably, but I don't have a lot more plans this week. I think this weekend we have plans everyday, but I am looking forward to having a night or two free this week to just watch a movie or something. Oh, and to start watching American Idol.

PS - anyone watch Oprah's Big Give? It's so good! I forgot to watch it last night, though...

our snowman

I need to get more of the snow pics off my camera, but here is a fun one! We built this snowman in our neighbors yard. we were actually outside when they pulled up to see it. It was pretty funny.

later that night we were at home watching TV, and the doorbell rang. They had actually picked the snowman up and moved it onto our porch. Then rang and ran. It was pretty funny.

Builders are now building across the street from our hosue. I hope we get more good neighbors.

Blizzard of '08!

I think this is the most snowfall I have ever seen! We left work about an hour early last night so it only took us about an hour and a half to get home. Ryan shoveled about 4-5 inches off the driveway last night. But the time we woke up this morning, the driveway was completely covered again with about 9 inches of snow. We shoveled as much as we could, but it's covered again with a few more inches. In total, they are saying we had a record 20.4", the most ever in Columbus.

We did go outside to play, though! It was a lot of fun just standing still and falling straight backwards. It was like landing in a cloud. We ran around the house to the backyard and played back there, too. On the driveway, we made a HUGE snow turtle!

Need a break from school

So I have to read about 400 pages for next week, which would be fine, but I can't find one of my books. It was about $50, so I would REALLY like to know where it is. I have looked at home, in my car, at work...I actually think I accidently took it back to the library by mistake, causing me to have another book overdue. I have actually read the first 75 pages of that book, but I still need to read another 200+, so tonight the search is on.

My stats final was so hard I almost gave up. I mean, I kind of did. I ended up answering every question, although I didn't get them right I am sure. It was seriously the hardest test I have ever taken. totally NOT on the stuff we thought it would be on, and I know other people gave up as well. I can only hope for a huge curve or something cause I was counting on an A in that class.

I am just feeling tired of school right now, and there is still another quarter to go before I really get a break. Sure, after next week I will have a week off for Spring break, but that is going to fly by so fast, plus I will be buying books for the next qtr and organizing my notes and stuff from this quarter. I have to save everything for 3 years for my big comprehensive exam.

Vacations

So there are currently about 5 vacations I want to take. I love roadtrips, especially if I have a GPS thing, those are great!

I want to go to:
Smokey Mtns
Washington DC
MO, OK, TX, & AR
AL, LA, MS
BEACH!!!

Now all I have to do is convince Ryan to go on one of these...

Where is Spring?

I am really getting tired of this persistant snow. It's never enough to really enjoy, and it doesn't last for more than a day or 2, but then we get more. The roads have been bad, I'm always walking through puddles, and I hate the slush on my windsheild and the salt on my car. I CAN"T WAIT FOR SPRING :)

Tonight is my last stats test EVER! I am very excited. Tomorrow is my last lecture for my other class, then I have that final next week and I will be on break! YAY!

I can't wait for Spring quarter when I can walk outside with a Tshirt on and flip flops...

Dear Amanda,

I think you should start a blog.
"You know, if you wanted to, you can comment in your own "comment" section and write back to the people leaving comments"
OR you could have a blog, and I could post on there ;)

Our House

We have lived in our house for 2 years already. I can hardly believe it! We have painted a couple rooms, but for the most part, the walls are still plain white with no pictures hanging up yet. Maybe this year :). We would also LOVE to finish the basement, but I don't know about that happening anytime soon.

new years

New Years Eve, me and Valerie.

Holiday pictures

These are some pictures that I am FINALLY posting. The tree is our 9' tree in our great room, and the banister is ours. My cute husband is posing by our stockings. And then the other two are from New years eve - me and my friend Valerie, and of course, me and Ryan.

100% A

So A few weeks ago I took this written exam in my HR class. Although I had read the assigned 600 pages, been to every lecture, and took notes on the guest speakers, I really didn't think I did well on the exam. I felt like the questions were pulled out of thin air, and I tried my best to just answer what I knew. Well, as it turns out, I got 100%!!!!! I couldn't believe it! I actually had to close it and check again, and check the name to make sure it was mine.

We are also doing a group project in that class which we are really behind on. We need to do a 20 minute presentation on Thursday and we need to write about 25 pages on the material. We met last night and really pulled it together. I was super surprised! It looks like we are on track after all.

Also, in Stats we have had 2 exams so far (only the final left...) and I got A's on both! It sucks to be in school and have class late and all that, but it feels good to get an A!

Happy Valentines Day!

HAPPY HEART DAY! I just want to say that I love my husband, Ryan! He is so awesome and amazing and helps me whenever I ask and even when I don't ask. He does the dishes when I am in class, he goes grocery shopping with me if I want, and he always takes the trash out and brings the can back in so I never have to touch it. Plus, I had a little note from him when I came home last night and I thought it was really sweet.

We have celebrated plenty of Valentine's Days in the past, and we are both working all day, and I have class tonight until late. Perhaps we can do dinner and a movie this weekend or something. Either way, I love you and I am thinking of you!

Oh, and I made cute little lemon cupcakes with 3 shades of white and pink frosting and heart-shaped strawberries on top. YUM! Those must count for something.

ooooohhhhh we're half way there!!.....

I am more than half way done with Winter Quarter and I couldn't be more excited for it to end! It has been cold here lately with lots of snow and rain, and super cloudy. I had my second exam in stats last night and I think it went well. I got an A on the first one, and I have a good feeling about this one as well. If I got an A on this one, then I feel like I can relax a little for the final. In my other class, I had a difficult midterm last week and I get it back tonight. We are also working on a group project (well, we haven't exactly started yet....) where we have to write a 25 page paper and do a presentation as soon as 2 weeks from now. So I have a feeling it is going to be pretty busy pretty soon.

Next quarter I will have different classes, so that is kind of exciting. I will have class on Monday and Tuesday nights, so then I will get it over with early in the week.

Only 2 1/2 more years to go!!

Jury Duty

Well, I did it. I finished my two weeks of jury duty for the county. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, actually. I went every day for 2 weeks and just sat in a room with about 200 other people and just waited to see if I was going to get called for a case. I did get called for 2 seperate cases, but both times the defendant plead guilty before the trial started. It was a good experience to see how our system works, but I am glad it's over.

School

School is back for sure. This quarter is a little shorter than usual, so I was hoping it would feel quicker and easier. But now we are into it and it is hard! I have a stats midterm next week and I, along with most the rest of the class, are feeling a little behind and not too confident. I spent a while going over the formulas, and I think I am goign to be ok. I just need to spend a few more hours working on it before next week. I also have to read 279 pages between today and next thursday.....

yay for school.......

TOO LONG

I know, I know. It has been way too long since I have posted anything. I have been pretty busy. So Christmas break was good - it was so nice NOT to have school for a while! I have pictures, but I haven't taken them off of my camera yet, so I can't post them. New Years Eve was fun, too.

I have been watching a lot of The Office lately. I have to say, I think it is the funniest show ever made! Ryan and I have been watching it on DVD, and I think we are going to start over again tomorrow because it is that funny.

I have also been scrapbooking more over the last month - a few times a week, which is pretty good for me. I am really making progress toward finishing my wedding album, but it will be a while longer. I think I am going to redo my bridal shower pages bc I don't really like them that much anymore. After that, I just need to do the reception and everything else is basically done except glueing down some pics. So I am guessing it will be about 6 more pages. YAY! Finally!!!

The rest of the time, I am watching reality TV or brushing up on my financial knowledge. I am watching Suze Orman, the biggest loser, how I met your mother, rewatching Friends episodes on TBS, and any other reality show I can stand for an hour.