ah the Irish

well, i tried to post pictures, and then I tried to e-mail pictures, and I've found that is to no avail. Maybe I'll figure it out one day, but till then, I guess I'll just have to keep trying to paint them for you, not literally of course, because i can't pain, duh. Well the engagement party was Tuesday, and it was SO fun. They had a Kaley band there, I'm pretty sure I spelled that wrong. The Kaley band is sorta like ummm.....well the type of dancing is sorta like line dancing, but in bigger groups. It's really lively and tons of fun, although my feet are still killing me from the shoes I wore. I hope to get a picture of my dress on here, eventually. Everyone was there and lots of his friends, and it was just a blast, we didn't get in till 1:30. Then, we had decided to go down to Dublin the next day, and we were leaving on the train w/ some friends at 7:50, being at the train station at 7:30. Needless to say we were ALL exhausted, but went anyways, and slept a bit on the train ride down. We then we to breakfast since the only thing on our stomachs from the night before was alcohol, we decided to have a BIG breakfast...hmmm was it good too. Then, since we ARE in Ireland, we decided to go to the Guiness factory there. Now, for those of you who have no clue what Guiness is, it's a VERY dark, thick beer, more like a solid than a liquid I would say, and EXTREMELY popular w/ the Irish. We went to the place and saw how it was made and they give you this lil glass stone w/ a drop of it in it. Then, when you get done w/ the tour, you get a free pint of Guiness (I gave mine to the boys, I don't really like beer, no matter how much they try and get me to like it, ish). Oh man I'm still sore from going to the gym w/ Helen on Tuesday, and my feet from Tuesday night, ugh, I think she and I are gonna go see a movie this afternoon, nice and relaxed. Well, i'm off! I'll try to get you guys pictures SOOn, they'd be here now, but this stupid computer is too slow to process them. Love you all!

WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!

well, I'll have to say, I was a lil bit down on Christmas Eve not seeing all my family. But, when I woke up on Christmas morning and Dave came bounding in my room and told me to look outside, I was QUITE excited to see the whiteness. It SNOWED! Now mind you Canadians, we're not talking about a couple of inches and especially not fee, we're talking a dusting here, just enough to make it white. It WAS enough to make snowmen and have a snowball fight though, which is exactly what we did...great stuff. So, the biggest question on Christmas is always "whaddya get???" I got some hiking boots, a watch, shirt, manicure set, a knot book and a piece of rope to try them with, things like that, it was a good christmas for me. I really enjoyed giving Dave his gift the best though. I got him the stuff he wanted, climbing cams of course, and a pair of fleece pants, but I also got him a remote control car. It was just a lil thing, but he loved it, a played w/ it immediately...it was fun to see him excited like a lil kid, it was really what made my day. We saw lots of family on Christmas, friends too, and sat in front of the roaring fire lots. We ate lots of turkey and ham, and Christmas pudding as is the tradition over here (great stuff by the way...mmmmm). It was a wonderful day. I missed my family very much, but it was wonderful to have the oppurtunity to share in Dave's family traditions, to see what he holds dear, and to get to know his family better. Well, the rest of the family is out tonight and Dave has cooked pasta for us, then we're watchin Bridget jones, the 1st one. I love and miss you all, hope you're christmas's were as good as mine.

to sleep...to slumber

Friday's lunch went really well. Doug and Mercill were wonderful as usual. We went to a really great place called Rain City (imagine that, in Ireland, rain? NO!). I had roast duck--i don't think i've had roast duck before, good stuff. Then we went back to their house for coffee. Then their oldest daughter Janet came in like a whirlwind. She is just one HUGE ball of energy, and she's 31! Let me tell ya, she's hilarious--she's GOT to get that from her dad. I was in a ball of laughter the whole time she was there! Saturday...ummmm...what did i DO on Saturday...ok that day is lost to me--i have absolutely no clue. Well, SUNDAY then. Sunday the Nelson side of the family came over. That's Robin & Elizabeth, Ken & Jen, and their boys Adam and Mark (MAN I'm getting good at this!). They were a lot of fun. I had met Adam once before in Canada, and it was nice talking to him again, mostly it was nice to have someone in the house around my own age, other than Dave. He brought his digeridoo, THAT was great fun, seeing other people try it and get no sound, or some very interesting non-musical sounds out of it. Monday Dave and I had lunch w/ Adam, then Dave went climbing (I was suppose to go but didn't really feel like it--so he made me go on a walk so I would get some fresh air...more like fresh rain). Then we met his olds, recently married friends, Steve & Amy for drinks that night. It was nice to finally meet some of Dave's friends, see where he gets some of his energy (and Steve's got ALOT of it). Yesterday afternoon Sylvia and I went to the Exploris Aquarium. My favorite part was the seals!!!!!!!! I decided I'm going to have pet seals now--they're SO SO SO CUTE! Anytime you're anywhere around they poke their heads out and look at you, they're very curious! Course the poking the head out may be caused by the fact that they're nearsited when not in the water...but i like them anyways...and i want one...or three. Last night we went to another family's house for dinner. I can't remember their last name, but their kids names (which are a lil older than me I--around Dave's age I guess) are Fiona and Michael, both med. students. That was fun too, but they had Dave and I seated totally separated from each other all night, and he had been working all day, and I get really nervous sometimes meeting Dave's friends alone--so that was the only down side. Today Dave's working from 9 to 9--I'm gonna try to read Chocolat' and go for a walk alone a bit later--easy day. Well that's all really. I'm gonna reply to all your e-mails now--ya know, you REALLY don't have to e-mail the VERY next day, it would be ok if ya waited a few, then I could catch up! That and I've been sleeping crap of late, say barely 5 hours a night, and I can't only get back to sleep around 8 or 9 so I end up sleeping till 11:30...makes me very irritable. Anyways, thought you would benefit from that lil piece of info...ZzZzzzzzzz

a week gone by...

Well yes, I know it's been a little over a week since I've blogged and I'll tell you why, by filling you in on the events of it of course.

So, let's see, I'll start w/ last Friday night. That night the family was over for Chinese take out. The guest list included Ken & Jen, Elizabeth & Robin (guy by the way, for those of you in the USA who only hear the name Robin in female form), And I want to say JoAnn, but I'm not sure that's right...ah jeez, give me a break, I remember the OTHER names! She has 2 little girls, at least, maybe 3, you can correct me Helen. Anyways, that was a nice time, we ate dinner then visited around the fire and decorated tree until close to midnight! Saturday Sylvia and I went shopping for just a bit, then we went to a Christmas craft fair and a lovely old mansion and grounds about a half hour away or so. Sunday was church in the mornin, then the Sunday afternoon walk (Dave worked though). Instead of just going around the usual loop of the neighborhood they took me to see Belfast University and the Botanical gardens close by. Yes it IS cold here, but the plants were in greenhouses, so that's why they were still around. Then we went to a museum that was beside that, and a 50 or so odd instrumental band just happened to be there! They were wonderful--I love good Christmas music. We just wondered around the museum and listened to the music--good day! Then on Monday Dave and I went to see 2 castles (not the Belfast Castle however--all the tours of that have been booked up since August!), a temple, the Giants Causeway (which is all these rock pushed up in a certain shape and pattern by the pressure of a volcano years ago--magnificent, they looked like they were carved!), a beautiful beach looking up to cliffs, and LOTS of sheep. I chased the sheep...although you're not suppose to cause you might scare them to death---literally. But, I did anyways, cause it's funny to see them all run away from you--don't tell the Irish gov.--I might be sent away (they kill dogs that frighten them to death, ISH!). Anyways, that's what I've been doin! I got done w/ my Christmas shopping today! Feels great! Tomorrow we're going climbing w/ Steve, and then to lunch w/ Uncle Doug (he's great I tell ya, makes me laugh all the time, especially when he interacts w/ Mervyn--hilarious!). Well, gotta go--Mervyn is VERY particular about his computer and I'm usin it--so I want to get off before he gets back. I accidentally left the volume on mute yesterday and he about went into fits w/ Dave cause he thought he did it--he NEEDS to unwind I tell ya. toodaloo!

a dreary day

I PROMISE this will not be such a long blog this time, I know they're tedious to read, so I'll keep it short. Yesterday we did go hiking in the Moornes, but it wasn't HALF as beautiful as Tuesday. It was muggy, foggy, cold, and very damp yesterday, so none the less not TOO many pictures were taken (although there were a few). I was feeling VERY under the weather, but I managed to make it hiking all day (although we didn't take the extremely steep route Steve wanted to take, thank God). It was fun to hang out w/ Steve, a blast really. Dave and Steve really feed off of each other, they're hilarious. It was also nice to do something active again, although it would have been nicer if we could see farther than 10 ft. in front of us, and if i wasn't so sick (my nose therefore wouldn't have run like a faucet). All in all--an ok day, we'll go back when it's nicer weather.
Today Dave and I put up the tree we got on Tuesday. He FINALLY hacked it into the shape it needed to be to actually STAY in the stand, and we decorated it (although you can rearrange it if you want Hellen, ¬smile¬). Well, Dave just got back from picking up his mom from school, so I'm gonna get outta here. Have a great gray Irish day!!!!

Hi guys! Well, I'm still standing and I've been in Ireland for almost a week now...ok just 5 days, but close enough. I still have a bad cold, and I get motion sickness every time I get in a car (have you SEEN these lil roads and such! FRIGG! HOW THEY DON'T CRASH AROUND EVERY CURVE IS A MIRACLE!), but other than that it's going well.
I have heard a rumor, only one person can tell me if it's true. There's a person that reads this religiously, more than my family for sure, but who doesn't, who lives in London, but they never post a comment. They feel they know me better through the blog, but I feel I know very little of them, other than comments by others, and would VERY much like to get to know this person. If this person is found...please post of the blog.
On Saturday I went shopping w/ Dave's mom, which was a lil awkward at first and we didn't talk much. But, when I got back here his mom, dad, and I had tea together and talked for a long time (dave worked all day Sat.). I also went to their church, which is alot like ours since its presbyterian too, but a lil more traditional. After that, on Sunday's they always go for walks. So, since Dave had to work, I went w/ his mom, dad, aunt and uncle on my own. We had a great time, his dad, Mervyn, loves to talk to me, so it was nice. Halfway through our walk we stopped at another aunt and unlces house for tea (that's midday, but also happens several times throughout the day). It was nice (although I'm not much for tea, when I'm at Dave's I just drink coffee), the family did a lil bonbarding me w/ questions and things at first, which I didn't mind, and then we just all got to talking. They had to clear up a few things for me, because I can't understand them sometimes, or the words they use, lol. Then we went to his grandparents house (he only has one set--his mother's parents--called Nana and Gaga). ANOTHER one of his uncles just happened to me THERE! He was the funniest of all, I think his name is Doug, he's the only name I remembered all day (maybe it was because he talked the most, lol). Had a great day overall, then came back, picked up Dave from work, and rented a movie (sorta crap movie, don't remember what it was called, the main character died in the end though, so obviously not something i would like, unless they get hit by a bus, cause that's funny--anyone at the movies that night w/ Candice, Dave, Eric and I would know what I'm talking about--mean girls baby). Dave and I went shopping yesterday and I bought a lil black dress and some shoes for our engagement party (i've never had a black dress, so it was fun), then he took me to a proper Irish lunch place and then we picked up his mom from school (she teaches 4 and 5 yr olds) and played Scrabble together till dinner.(I won!) Good day. Today we picked up the Christmas tree and are working on getting it into the stand they always use; which is a hacked out base of a tree...log I guess, but it's very awkwardly shape and proving a long task. tomorrow we're going to for a hike on the Moores....dunno if that's suppose to be capitalized or not...it's quite a good hike, and Steve M is coming along too, --maybe even some rock climbing too. Well, that's all I have to report really, Sylvia and I are getting ready to make dinner since the men are gone for the evening working. The country here really IS beautiful, I'm looking forward to taking some pictures tomorrow. toodaloo!

I'M HERE!

Wow, I finally made it! It's a big suprise to me after the horrible flight I had to get here, let me tell ya about it. Well, I got to the airport in Charlotte, and they told me the weather was horrible in Washington, so I was gonna hafta fly outta Chicago (there's goes another 2 hours onto my already long flight to London). Then I get to London, after only sleeping half an hour, and CONTINUOUS disturbance and having to wear our seat belt because of all of it, we're late to get there of course. So, when I finally figure out where I'm suppose to be going (that airport is HUGE!!!) the guy at the counter tells me my plane is already boarding and I won't make it, he changes my luggage to the next flight, and that's that. I get through customs in about 30 seconds (Dave couldn't believe it, I told him I'm just an innocent looking Southern girl, why would they suspect anything of ME???). I get to the place where I'm suppose to wait, and guess what, I could've made my plane, it was still boarding. But, since my luggage was going later, I had to too. Let me tell ya, I was not pleased with the cute guy at the counter...he is now on my hit list...just kidding if anyone from the Irish government is reading this. So, I finally get to the airport in Belfast, and, as if I expected any more from the day I had been having, all my luggage didn't make it there. However, it came later that day directly to the house, so no harm done, I had my cosmetics in my carry-on. That was my flight, believe it or not, it WAS that bad. I told Dave I was never making that flight alone again. He just nodded.
When saw Dave it made up for everthing. I was a lil nervous, not seeing him for 2 months and all, but he ran up and gave me a HUGE hug and a half dozen red roses (SO SWEET!). Then when I got to the car, there was another bouquet waiting for me on my seat! It was full of wild flowers and yellow roses! He's awesome.
I was exhausted when we got back though. But, when I got to my room he had made me a journal to write all the stuff I see and do here in Ireland in! He even wrote me a lil Irish slang dictionary so I'd know what everybody was talking about, lol, and he put pictures of different things we were going to see while I'm here, and a calender of events we were going to! HE IS SO ONE TH BALL! Anyways, enough bragging about my baby, lol.
Dave and I went walking by Irish Sea yesterday, it was gorgeous. The country here is SO beautiful and green! They ALL drive compact cars because the whole country is only about as big as North Carolina. Today Sylvia (Dave's mom) and I are going shopping this afternoon, and maybe stop by Dave's gear shop to see what it's like (he's working today).
Yes this was an exceptionally long blog...but now you know what alls been happening for the last couple of days! Don't you feel special, informed....maybe complete?!? I thought so. So that settles it then.

I’m writing this before the day of leaving the good ‘ol Southern state of North Carolina for Ireland. However, my blog is being screwy and every time I try to type something is says ERROR CANNONT PROCESS AT THIS TIME. Ugh. SO, I’m typing this in my e-mail, and then I’m gonna post it when I get there. So, yeah…you’re reading this like it’s new, but it’s actually a day or 2 old….you’ll get over it. ANYWAYS, I’m leaving here in a couple of hours. I’ve packed almost everything; it’ll fit promise, once Bethany and I both sit on it I’m sure. It’s a colder day, I prayed for a colder day, I’m wearing a sweater, and for some weird reason the weather in NC is still in the 60’s some afternoons, IT’S DECEMBER FOR PETE’S SAKE! Oh well, that’s how it is here. One day you’re sweating outside, the next you’re wearing your winter coat. I’m still a lil nervous about flying. I don’t really like it. I bought some Dramamine yesterday though, so it’ll just knock me out of the plane. I’m sad about leaving, excited about seeing Dave and his family, but still sad I’m leaving my night conversations with Bethany, my football arguments with David, my in depth conversations with my parents—and I’m leaving for Christmas, my favorite season of the year. BUT, I do get to see Dave and spend Christmas with him, so that’s gonna be great. It doesn’t really feel like any other day though ya know….like I’m just gonna go to work today, and then come home and go to church w/ my parents. OH, it’s 9 am, time for me to get off of here and finish packing, saying my goodbye’s, and so on. Next time I write I’ll be in Ireland! Love you all!

could be the end....

Well, today's blog COULD be the end of blog's I make from the US for 2 months, but, I dunno for sure yet. I have ALL of my packing yet to do, so, I may be a little bit busy for the next day and a half. My flight doesn't leave until 2:30 on Wednesday, I thought it left at 1, or better yet 11 am...but what do I know. The couple of days have been crazy. Thanksgiving w/ Heather's family was great, a lil weird, but, if you had a father like hers, you would understand. Then, OF COURSE, I watched football, the Cowboys won, it was great. Speaking of football, the Panthers won their 3RD GAME OF THE SEASON YESTERDAY; yes it's a small victory, but, ya gotta be happy with what you have (they could get into the playoffs if they won every game after this, unlikely, but hopeful). Anyways, Friday......Friday I went shopping w/ Shannon on the biggest shopping day of the year here, when people fight over the poplular toy of the year. Shannon, her twin one year olds, and I went shopping. Everything was fine till we went in Toys R Us, we were exhausted when we came out of there. That was our last stop. After that Blaire and lil Landon came over for the night, then hung out the whole next day, it was fun. Then she convinced me to go to Rachael's 21st b=day party at Applebees. Reminder: Rachael is the one not talking to me. SO, I went. Everything turned out REALLY WELL! Rache and I talked, and got everything sorted out, it was really good. Yesterday (Sun.) my family and I exchanged my Christmas presents...i gave them theirs, they gave me mine...yeah, I thought you would catch on. It was really nice. Then Sheena, David (lil bro), and I went to see "After the Sunset" at the movies, it was REALLY good! I also picked up the Oakley's that Steven wanted me to bring over....so ...yeah...STeven I got 'em...lol. Well, that's all pretty much. I gotta get off here before my Mom gets back from her first class and says "YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO DO AND YOU'RE ON THE COMPUTER, YOU'RE NEVER GONNA GET DONE PACKING....." and so on. Ah I'm in for a crazy 2 days......fun stuff!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already! I know that most of you that read this don't have Thanksgiving today, since you're either from Ireland or Canada, and of course your country is weird and doesn't do it today, lol. Well, today should be a day of blessing, of counting our blessings traditionally, so that's what I plan to do. It's a beautiful, 60'F sunshiny, day today, and the Thanksgiving parade is on TV, and there will be football later, HOW MUCH BETTER CAN IT GET! Well, today my family is at the beach celebrating Thanksgiving, and I decided to stay home because of all the plans I had to make for my trip to Ireland next week. I'm going to be spending the Thanksgiving meal w/ an old friend's family, so at least I still get turkey. Well, I have to get ready, but I want to make a list of some of the things I'm thankful for first, so here they are.
I'm thankful for:

• My God who loves me no matter the messes I make of my life, and who always picks me up again, and cleans me up
• My family, who has ALWAYS supported me in whatever I wanted to do with my life, and help me chase and achieve my dreams--Thank you Mom and Dad, for being such a godly influence on me.
• My fiance, Dave, who has loved me even before I thought of him as more than a friend, but has ALWAYS been my friend, who has listened, let me cry, held me tight, and and loved me unconditionally
• My older sister Shannon. Who has always given me advice, told me I could move into her house anytime, has been my friend, my advicate, and meant the world to me
• My lil sister Bethany, who still lets me be apart of her life, who still whispers to me at night about the boy she likes, and who still asks me "does this look ok?" (and vis versa).
• My older brother Shaun, who I idolized as a child, and still look up to as "mom and dad's perfect son" today, lol. Thank you for letting me always tag along, it meant everything to me
• My lil brother David, who is the one in our family to keep sports in the picture. Who I can talk football with, and buy movies for. Who is the big NC STATE fan with me, and can still laugh at our hilariously silly, weird family
• My friend Sheena, who has been there for me regardless of how I yelled at her to stay out of my BAD decisions about my life at the time, has cried W/ me, has picked up the pieces of SO many bad relationships and told me I would find "him" someday(you were right!), and who changed her phone plan just so she could call me in Canada
• My friend Blaire, who gave me another chance at being her friend. Who is always there to do silly stuff with, reminisce about our wild highschool days, and lets me into her life
• The family cat Annie, for making me realize I DON'T want a cat, because I hate cats, especially they're fur

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, don't forget what you're thankful for today.

...a time to cry

I've had this class for 2 days now, 2 days in a ROW I might add, and I've felt exhausted every time I get done w/ them. I'm at my wits end! I called a "very disciplinary" teacher in there yesterday, TWICE, and as soon as she left, they were back as they were. I yell most of the class, and they couldn't care less. Some of the people have been suspended recently, but even that hasn't scared them. They're freshmen, and they're flesh eating little rodents, and I hate them all. I feel sorry for the ones in there who ACTUALLY make an attempt to try and learn, it's of no use, they others FORBID them to by their actions! I almost cried in the middle of class yesterday, but of course I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. They were a little better today, if that's possible. I came in with both barrel's blazing. They asked if they could look at their notes before their quiz, I said "No, you should have done that last night, I will have no tolerance for this class today because of the way you behaved yesterday." I didn't either. I can't take a nap today though, I have things to do! Happy things!
After I go to the gym today, we're going to decorate for Christmas! Yes, I realize it's still a week before Thanksgiving, but, my parents want to do it while I'm still here, and next week we'll be at the beach w/ my grandparents helping build a new deck, so it's now or never. Wow, was THAT ever a run-on sentence, lol. I LOVE Christmas! I love seeing the tree lights at night, and the Christmas decorations all over the house, I love it! I even love the Christmas music for a whole month. It makes me So happy, I really enjoy the family time during Christmas, but this year, I'll be with Dave's family! I'm really excited about getting to know them.
Well, I have one more class of the day. They use to be awful, now they seem like angels compared to 4th period...oh how I loathe them. I must go I suppose. I think I'm gonna read Chris's blog, it always makes me laugh. I love you Chris.
p.s. notice how I started using words like "loathe" and "rodent" and "forbid", I guess it happened because I just finished reading "Wuthering Heights," along w/ a trail of other classics, good book, ended ok actually, I was surprised considering how depressing the rest of the book was. Ok.. Bye!

6 pages of gift registry!

....and that was for just ONE place...I didn't even CHECK the others!
I went and bought a wedding gift for some of my old friends today, Heather & Jake. They're wedding registry is HUGE! I mean, they put stuff like "ice cube trays" on there, they're like $0.85! Yeah, so I don't think I'm gonna put that kind of stuff on my registry. Speaking of which, I haven't registered yet, and I don't know when I should start really. I mean, who really knows how to do all this stuff other than people who've been married before. And honestly, my mom isn't being a big help, she had a very small wedding, and she already had a house and stuff when she got married. I just feel like I'm doing it all wrong, but I guess it doesn't really matter huh?
Yeah, so yesterday's blog was a little intense, s0rry about that. I'm about to go to a photography place to see if I want to use them for our wedding. Dave likes his pictures, but he has a reputation of not staying long at the reception.
Every time people find out I'm engaged they do that thing that happened continually on the movie "Just Married," they say, "You're too young! You have your whole life ahead of you!" And then I think...yes, and I want to spend every second of it with Dave! By the way, that movie was HILARIOUS, I recommend all engaged people see it.
Ok, so I don't have much to do, so I guess I'll say good-bye. I'm heading to church after the photo place. I think I'm in charge of the game for the youth tonight. I'm gonna split them up into teams and let them pick a person to duck tape to the wall. The person who stays stuck the longest wins! It's GREAT fun, I did it when I was in youth. lol. Toodaloo!

to spill out of the head and heart

I lie there at night, try to sleep, but sleep doesn't come quickly. I always think of the wedding or the photographer, or how the heck i'm suppose to pack for 2 months and NOT fill two suitcases to overflowing. I think how I miss his hugs, and how Rachael still isn't talking to me. I love that I get to see Blaire and talk to Sheena lots, but it's just not enough. I'm so desparetly lonely. I'm lonely for a Christian friend who I can ask to pray for me, who I can cry with, who I can go to church stuff with, or even TALK about church. Sheena is those things to me, but I get to see her so very seldom. I'm lonely for that Christian fellowship. I fill each day with work, the gym, and a little TV and it's over and I start again, the same as the next! I worry if marriage will be all I hope it will be, or if I'll still be lonely except for Dave. I don't believe that 2 people can be everything to each other, not for me anyways. I need outside people, people to trust in, and input into our lives. I want to minister to others, and use whatever I can to help them get the most out of this life! I want to know if we're going to be ok, if we're going to be able to make it in this country. I want our families to be closer. I want to be OH so close to his mother, yet how can i, when she lives all the way in Ireland, if we're to live here! Most of all I worry that I'll be like my mother. That I worry all the time, and fill my life to max with pointless things that don't matter for anything. That I'll have child who I just CAN'T understand or get along w/ (that would be me). I'm worried that I'll treat Dave like I treat my mom; I don't treat her as she should be treated, I yell often, and have a short temper w/ her only. I want to be the person GOD wants me to be! But sometimes, I just dont know how. I want to help, not hinder, but.....I don't know how, i feel like i have more bad characteristics than good most of the time. So many thoughts, no time to write them down. Ah well, thanx for listening to my ramblings.

good weekend!

Hi there! Well, the weekend DID go good! My family and I went to Winston-Salem for Friday night, as I mentioned on Friday, and it was a lot of fun! We went to the Olive Garden to eat (our favorite resturant) and then to Barnes & Nobles (fav. book store). We stayed there for probably around 2 hour--sipping coffee, listening to music, and reading books and magazines...good times. I bought "The Screwtape Letters" and looked at "The Devil Wears Prada," looks like a funny book, I put it on my Christmas list. I also put the cd's "American Idiot"-Greenday's newest, and the new Cake on my list, good stuff. Ya know, Barnes & Nobles (like the Canadian's Chapters) is my favorite place. It's so peaceful, it's almost a religious experience for me. I don't talk much while I'm there, I like to sit in perfect silence under the "trees" in the kids section, just looking at childhood books, or whatever, it calms me, gets me ready for whatevers ahead that week. I wish there was one closer than an hour away, but at least it's not farther than that. Saturday we went to the mall--did some Christmas shopping. Then off to the gym, I was the only girl there, weird, but whatever. I got to run on the treadmill while watching 4 football games, TOTALLY awesome! Speaking of football games...the Panthers WON last night!!! I KNOW I couldn't believe it EITHER! Considering they are 2 and 7 (after last night) this season, so say the least, they're not doing too well. But, it was a great game, AWESOME interception at the end by the Panthers! I got so see Blaire alot this weekend, and the baby, which is really good. I SO much enjoy spending more time with her! I love it! Ok, class time again, gotta go!

sucky week...

I can't believe it's been 10 days since I blogged here. When I first came home timed dragged, now it seems to fly by so fast I don't have time to BREATH! Well, I sent off Dave's immigration stuff tomorrow, so maybe we'll actually be able to LIVE in this country. Although the stuff we just sent in just allows him to stay here for 3 months BEFORE the wedding. Then he has to apply for a work visa if he wants to work, and then conditional permanent resident, and then UNconditional permanent resident. Fun fun....so we have LOTS of paperwork before us.
Well, since Halloween nothing really exciting has happened to me. I've gone to work, gone to Gold's Gym to work out almost every day, and watched a lot of TV. I've still managed to put off finding a photographer for the wedding, although since the visa stuff is done, I'm gonna have to do that next week.
I did manage to alienate my friend whom I've know for 12 years now, who is now not speaking to me at all. This is the story. Last Saturday night, Blaire, Rachael and their significant other's and I went to a club called the Liquid Lounge in Charlotte. I somehow ended up talking to Rachael's boyfriend. I said something really stupid to him, about her not being mature enough to get married. Then he told her, and she said she didn't want to see me or talk to me or hear from me ever again. Yeah, I'm one big idiot. I've called her 3 times this week and left messages on her cell phone. I also sent flowers to her at work. I still haven't heard from her. Because my big stupid mouth, I may have lost the friend I have known the longest. Yeah, so it hasn't been that great of a week. I haven't slept much. Well, I'm off to work. Then I'm going to Winston-Salem with my parents for the night, hopefully it will be good family time w/ them, I don't do that very often.

till the season to be scared by Scream Masks

After my debut as Hermione on Friday, I thought my weekend was to be uneventful, however, that was not to be. Saturday I went to my lil brother's last soccer game. He played his heart out, but the team just WASN'T working together, and they lost. Saturday night Bethany and I went to the Fall Festival at Piedmont (my old college). It was really fun! We played a whole bunch of corny games (get it, CORN-Y...ha HA...ok I'll stop now). We crawled through a maze of cardboard boxes and got to do the hit-the-mole-on-the-head thingy, and jouste each other off of balance beams. Then came the most awesome....the car bash!!! MAN, I hit that thing so hard, SO many times w/ the sledge hammer, that my ARMS were sore the next day! I mean, you have to admit, that the sound of breaking glass is pretty sweet (i'm not violent I swear...lol)!!! Then Sheena, B, and I went to Barnes & Nobles (only the greatest place on EARTH!) and got coffee and read "I spy" books (sorta like "Where's Waldo", but looking for other little things). We stayed there for like 2 hours, it was SO fuN! Then came Sunday, Halloween. Sunday night Blaire, Chad, Matt (Blaire's lil bro), and I went to the Shriner's Haunted Trail. It was actually pretty scary. We got in there and I was holding on to Matt, and vis versa, and it was crazy. We were fine until the chain saw people started coming after us, then Matt had my hand and tried to run through this tunnel thing, but it wasn't as wide as he thought, and my head slammed into this BOARD! Yeah, it hurt, but I wasn't gonna slow down! The chain saw people wore scream masks (which is the only movie that has ROYALLY FREAKED me out for YEARS now!!), and THAT didn't help. But, when it was all over, and my heart beat went back to normal, it was actually really fun. So that was my weekend....gotta go teach some more! toodles!

HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

Today is costume day at Graystone. I, as you know, dressed up as Hermione from Harry Potter. I dressed up JUST like their Hogwarts uniform (black pants, white button up shirt, tie, black witch/warlock robe). It was so FUN! I used an old graduation gown as my robe! I printed a Hogwarts badge off the internet, and stuck that on my robe. We had candy guessing games, candy, and scary stories!!! I got pictures of alot of the kids in their costumes, and the teachers TOO!
Yesterday I got to talk to Dave. It was SO nice just to hear his voice. I could picture him sitting there, on the other side of the phone, lounging on his bed(because it was about 9:45 pm over there when he called), and smiling. I miss him so much. I think I've been doing pretty well with it though, at least my friends say so. They always ask me if I'm ok, and I say "i'm fine," even though I still have sappy bouts from time to time, and cry at sad movies more often than I use to. I let out my emotion of missing Dave in other ways (like crying when I see a sad commercial, or hearing a sad story, even if i don't even KNOW the person, it's quite annoying actually). I miss him terribly, but I'm getting through by hanging out w/ my friends more often (like Blaire, she always shows she cares about me).
Well, gotta go for today, another class is coming in, and I'm going out to do secretary work. Tonight is all the good Friday night shows, and tomorrow is the Fall Festival at Piedmont (tell ya how that goes later). Love you all and HAPPY HALLOWEEN to you if I'm not on here before then!

Blairsey and Landon (her 7 month old) came over to stay w/ me on Monday night. It was so great. She and i watched "Raising Helen" (great movie) and then we stayed up and talked till 2 am. I haven't done that in AGES! I had Tuesday off, so that was good. It felt great just to connect w/ her again. I made breakfast for her on Tuesday (although I burnt the bacon...lol) and then she left. I had a lot of errands to run. I FINALLY got the wording for the invitations down pat, and sent off the downpayment for the reception place. Then I cleaned....my clothes were all over the house (as usual when my parents are away) and washed clothes. I went to eat w/ them last night too, and Robert and his fiance' Jessi were there. I'm going again tonight too (HEY, IT'S FREE FOOD....tonight's pizza!). It's nice just to camp again (well sorta, I'm not staying there overnight). I love the smell of woodsmoke, campfires are great.
Nathan (the pastor who's going to do my wedding, and an old friend) called yesterday. He runs a christian tripping company, and wants Dave and I to work for him NEXT SPRING! I was SO excited! I e-mailed Dave ASAP and told him about it! It's SUCH a blessing from God, there's no other way to describe it. It's not for sure yet, but he wants to know soon if we're interested. He wants us to run a group by ourselves because there's so much demand for it, they can't handle all the people! It's an AWESOME BLESSING! Ok...so i'm gonna stop now :).
Well, I'm off, I'm still at work and have a class to sub now...fun stuff! OH! I almost forgot! I get to dress up to come to school on Friday for halloween...guess what i'm dressing as???? NO, not that...what kinda person do you think I AM anyways...JEEZ! I'm gonna dress as Hermione from Harry Potter!!!!!!! WUHOOO!!!!!!! Gotta love 'em. TUDALOOO!

Weekend

Well I did take Bethany to the movie on Thursday night ("Raise Your Voice"), it was really good. I thought it was just gonna be some cute-sey teen chick-flick, but it was actually sorta SAD in the begining (but it gets better near the end, so if you like Hillary Duff, go see it). It was really good to spend time w/ my lil sis, I don't do that enough.
I also had a nice time just hanging out with Rachael for awhile, I NEVER get to do that. I was good just to hang out at her house and talk. Although I did find out that her and Blaire cancelled our Sunday excursion to the wedding convention thing, and forgot to tell ME.
Friday started out super well, as I got a letter from Dave, and it was SOOO sweet. I put it in my car so I could read it anytime I wanted. I was just suppose to substitute all day, and then go home as usual. But, halfway through the day I decided that since I wasn't going to the wedding thing w/ the girls, I would go to Sheena's brothers BMX races w/ them in Georgia. SO, as soon as I got off work I left for South Carolina (where they live, 3 hr. drive) and went to the race w/ them. It was cool to watch Josh race. There wasn't that much to do there, but we had fun. I was really exhausting when we drove back yesterday because it took 4 hrs to Sheena's house, and then 3 hrs back to mine. I got home around 9:30, I went RIGHT to bed.
So, that was my weekend. Now I'm back at school, subing all day. Tonight I'm going to eat w/ my parents at Morrow Mtn (it's only 15 mins away, they're camping there all week).
Well, till later!

busy and lovin it

I voted yesterday. It was really cool! It's all electronic and computerized, so it only takes a few minutes. I felt very patriotic, it felt good. I hope alot of people vote this year, i don't care who they vote for, as long as they VOTE. Voting is next TUESDAY (unless you vote early), DON'T FORGET!
Today's a busy day. I substitute from 11 - 3 (it's 2:15 right now, only 45 MINS TO GO!), then go to my house, change, and go see Rachael. THEN, I pick up Bethany @ 6 at the Summer's house (she just got done w/ ballet), and hopefully take her to see the new Hillary Duff movie "Raise Your Voice," (that is IF she's done w/ her english paper). Then we come home and watch whichever show is on at the time (we'll have to miss Surivor ~sobb~ but we MAY catch CSI or Without a Trace). Tomorrow I substitute from 9 - 3 (so it's gonna be a boring day).
I've gotten in the habit of eating Tuna sandwiches (i think it came from having only tuna in the cubbard when I was in LDP--end of the shopping weak and no more food). It's good for you, so I guess that's good. I'm actually starting to ENJOY the grain cereals I have to eat for breakfast (but don't tell Dave, cause he's always bugging me about eating them and how good they are for me, ish). I'm hoping to get a gym memebership in November (just for a month), and maybe be able to work out after work, and swim some laps and stuff. So that's good.
I've read about 6 or 7 books since I've been home (the advantages of substitute teaching--lots of silence, little to do). I've read 2 Chronicles of Narnia books (Lewis), Pride and Prejiduce(Jane Austen), a romance novel(?), the Pickwick Papers(Dickens), an old african novel(dunno, but it was in Oprah's Book club), and a wedding book called a Wedding Season (it sux, I wouldn't recommend it). I'm now working on reading "The Return of the Native"(Thomas Hardy). I've only read 2 pages of it, so I don't know about it yet. Hopefully it will be good. Before the end of the year I want to finally read "The Screw tape letters" by C.S. Lewis and re-read "The Secret Garden," (I love kids books). I'm sure I'll read a couple of books in Ireland too, although I think I'll wait till I get over there to pick them out. When I get my own house I want to have a really big library of great books. Books are awesome--I love reading. Anyways, I'm gonna go do some lame tests on the internet for fun so that I won't make this too long. Talk to ya later!