I've officially asked off vacation for four days for Stephanie and Nate's wedding including the Bachelorette Party that will be taking place over Labor Day weekend. I am so excited for this event considering both Stephanie and Nathan are two of my favorite people in the whole world and my oldest friends.
I would love to post some of my ideas on here but considering I think she checks the site from time to time, I will have to keep my ideas closed until after the party.
I had big plans for Labor Day weekend - get home on Friday morning, hang out in GC and hit up the Tigers football game. Although OF COURSE every time I try to go home and see a game, they're playing away that night. Since when do they EVER play away over Labor Day weekend? I mean, it IS the county fair weekend!! Oh well.. It will leave some good time to hang out with my dad and see good ol' GC in it's prime form. Then Saturday we'll take off for Omaha for the festivities. Return to GC on Sunday where I hope to hitch a spin on the Snyder's new pontoon and then catch a Labor Day picnic on Monday with my mom's family and celebrate Grandma's 95th birthday.
Weekends like that excite me so much. I love going home when I have the chance to see lots of people (like Fair/summer holiday weekends when so many people will be back in Guthrie), and it will give me the chance to do so many important things in one trip.
I was worried today because I realized I won't be back in Iowa until June for Colby's wedding and since the event is so far away, it won't leave any time to check in with the family. I was worried about not seeing my grandparents until August but I think we're going to work something out to see them during that trip, even if it's just for a little bit. I had thoughts about coming back for a VERY fast trip for Mother's Day but my mom didn't think it would be worth the cost of the ticket to be back for such a short while. However, I might save up and surprise her. Money is tight right now but I'm still optimistic that a raise is coming -- someday :)
That's about all the excitement for now...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Just another Sunday...
Today was my first Easter away from my family. I know Easter isn't a huge holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it has been a bit of a big deal the last few years for me. I moved to San Diego two years ago on the Monday after Easter. It was my last holiday to say goodbye to everyone -- then last year, I accepted my new job position and took a week off before starting to go home for the holiday and check in with the family. So there have always been some big happenings around this time of year, and yet here I am - a little lost.
I went back to church today which was a great experience. I hadn't been since around Christmas, and I'm not sure why I don't make an effort more. I usually get a lot out of the services and it just makes me start the week on a better feeling. Today was of course a packed house, and there was the cutest little boy sitting right behind me that would yell "Yay!!!" after the special brass horn section would finish accompanying the choir. It was adorable.
I then went over to my fabulous friends, Ashley & Matt's, townhouse for dinner. We just all remembered yesterday while watching the UNLV basketball game that Iowa State is playing UNLV out here this fall and tailgating plans have already been made. We got verrrrrrry excited and I am already ecstatic for fall to come around.
Another item to look forward to -- my big 25th birthday. The Fourth of July is on a Friday this year so the celebration could get crazy. Now if all of my friends would stop moving away, we could plan a craaaazy shindig! :)
I'm trying to find something to really look forward to every month to help time pass faster and take my mind off of work. Here's what I've got so far:
April -- vacation in Newport Beach with April and Amanda
May -- trying reallllllllllly hard to get back home for Mother's Day
June -- Colby's wedding
July -- my birthday!
August -- Stephanie's bachelorette party
September -- football season begins!
October -- Nate & Stephanie's wedding
November -- Thanksgiving
December -- Christmas
I think that's enough to get me through 2008. I can't believe I'm already planning this all out in March, but I just want to be prepared to get through the next few months in case they turn out to be more difficult than I'm hoping.
That's all for now. Here's to a new week!
I went back to church today which was a great experience. I hadn't been since around Christmas, and I'm not sure why I don't make an effort more. I usually get a lot out of the services and it just makes me start the week on a better feeling. Today was of course a packed house, and there was the cutest little boy sitting right behind me that would yell "Yay!!!" after the special brass horn section would finish accompanying the choir. It was adorable.
I then went over to my fabulous friends, Ashley & Matt's, townhouse for dinner. We just all remembered yesterday while watching the UNLV basketball game that Iowa State is playing UNLV out here this fall and tailgating plans have already been made. We got verrrrrrry excited and I am already ecstatic for fall to come around.
Another item to look forward to -- my big 25th birthday. The Fourth of July is on a Friday this year so the celebration could get crazy. Now if all of my friends would stop moving away, we could plan a craaaazy shindig! :)
I'm trying to find something to really look forward to every month to help time pass faster and take my mind off of work. Here's what I've got so far:
April -- vacation in Newport Beach with April and Amanda
May -- trying reallllllllllly hard to get back home for Mother's Day
June -- Colby's wedding
July -- my birthday!
August -- Stephanie's bachelorette party
September -- football season begins!
October -- Nate & Stephanie's wedding
November -- Thanksgiving
December -- Christmas
I think that's enough to get me through 2008. I can't believe I'm already planning this all out in March, but I just want to be prepared to get through the next few months in case they turn out to be more difficult than I'm hoping.
That's all for now. Here's to a new week!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Growing up is hard to do...
I've been holding in a lot of anger the past few weeks, stemming mostly from frustration. I've been dedicating so much of myself to my career that suddenly I realized that my social life is completely absent and I'm at the same job title and salary that I would have gotten straight out of college over two years ago.
Somehow.. this does not add up. I ask for feedback. Nothing but rave reviews. Which is good.. but still doesn't eliminate my frustration.
My father tells me I need to have more patience... something that has never been one of my strongest virtues.
I think more than anything it brings on self-doubt, paranoia, and hurt that maybe I've chosen the wrong path, maybe this is something that I'm just no good at. My boss assured me otherwise, but those feelings just don't disappear.
In a way, it makes me terrified. I mean, I love my job. I literally love getting up and going to work every day. I'm so incredibly passionate about my clients - sometimes it even amazes me. But if this isn't what I'm supposed to be doing, why am I spending so much time here, dedicating every ounce of energy I have into this? Why am I spending time away from my family?
I will wait this out. It can't always be fast and it can't always be fair. I will try my best to swallow my pride and see what happens. But it hurts and it's hard. I just hope in the end it's worth it. I really want it to be.
Somehow.. this does not add up. I ask for feedback. Nothing but rave reviews. Which is good.. but still doesn't eliminate my frustration.
My father tells me I need to have more patience... something that has never been one of my strongest virtues.
I think more than anything it brings on self-doubt, paranoia, and hurt that maybe I've chosen the wrong path, maybe this is something that I'm just no good at. My boss assured me otherwise, but those feelings just don't disappear.
In a way, it makes me terrified. I mean, I love my job. I literally love getting up and going to work every day. I'm so incredibly passionate about my clients - sometimes it even amazes me. But if this isn't what I'm supposed to be doing, why am I spending so much time here, dedicating every ounce of energy I have into this? Why am I spending time away from my family?
I will wait this out. It can't always be fast and it can't always be fair. I will try my best to swallow my pride and see what happens. But it hurts and it's hard. I just hope in the end it's worth it. I really want it to be.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Things that make you go "Huh???"
You know when you're watching a movie and a young girl realizes she is turning into her mother and has a freak out moment? Yep, that just happened to me...
Ma - I love you and I hope you aren't reading this but if you are, I write this with a lot of love and admiration for you...
But every night before my grandparents would come to visit or we'd have a family outing, my mom was like a crack addict that just had their first taste of heroin. She was cleaning the house like a mad woman, and she always insisted we cleaned areas that no visitor, friend or even the closest family members would ever have any chance of possibly seeing. I remember one night going downstairs well after midnight and finding her in our laundry/utility room in the basement, trying to organize her old play costumes. I mean, really?? What reason would my uncle have to take a peak in there? Or why would my best girl friends over for a sleepover want to see in my brother's closet? God bless her though.. The house always looked great.
And now, the night before she arrives to visit and stay at my house, I just found myself scrubbing the death out of the bottom of my soap dispenser. I'm not really sure why, but it still had some sticker residue on it and by God, I was going to get it off.
And that's when it hit me.. I am my mother's child. For sure. No doubt. Definitely.
But I didn't freak out. All in all, she's a pretty cool broad and I'm excited to see her tomorrow and give her a safe haven from the horrible winter that Iowa has been hit with.
But Ma, I'm leaving my bathroom floors dirty. There is hair in the corners and dust, but as much as I love you, I'm not about to get on my hands and knees at 12:30 am. If anyone knows I'm not perfect, it's you, and I'm pretty ok with that :-)
Happy Friday, y'all!! It's been a long week -- enjoy!
Ma - I love you and I hope you aren't reading this but if you are, I write this with a lot of love and admiration for you...
But every night before my grandparents would come to visit or we'd have a family outing, my mom was like a crack addict that just had their first taste of heroin. She was cleaning the house like a mad woman, and she always insisted we cleaned areas that no visitor, friend or even the closest family members would ever have any chance of possibly seeing. I remember one night going downstairs well after midnight and finding her in our laundry/utility room in the basement, trying to organize her old play costumes. I mean, really?? What reason would my uncle have to take a peak in there? Or why would my best girl friends over for a sleepover want to see in my brother's closet? God bless her though.. The house always looked great.
And now, the night before she arrives to visit and stay at my house, I just found myself scrubbing the death out of the bottom of my soap dispenser. I'm not really sure why, but it still had some sticker residue on it and by God, I was going to get it off.
And that's when it hit me.. I am my mother's child. For sure. No doubt. Definitely.
But I didn't freak out. All in all, she's a pretty cool broad and I'm excited to see her tomorrow and give her a safe haven from the horrible winter that Iowa has been hit with.
But Ma, I'm leaving my bathroom floors dirty. There is hair in the corners and dust, but as much as I love you, I'm not about to get on my hands and knees at 12:30 am. If anyone knows I'm not perfect, it's you, and I'm pretty ok with that :-)
Happy Friday, y'all!! It's been a long week -- enjoy!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
You're only young once... Or so I'm trying to convince my toes.
What a marathon weekend of activity.. Friday night Jax and I had to work an event at 54 and then went to hang out at our other nightclub client (reminder: I have to be careful mentioning my client's names b/c I don't necessarily need my personal blog popping up during our web media searches...) We had some good team bonding with the crew and then I met back up with Jessi + friends for some dancing at 54 again. It was a pretty late night of dancing but it was a good time to say the least. My feet were not loving me later on in the night and most of Saturday, but that's the price you pay for wearing high heels and being on your feet for 7 hours straight - yowch!
Last night I knew the group was going to head out to another nightclub and I promised my feet it would not be a late night. When we hopped in a cab at 4 am, they were not happy I lied to them. Although I will admit that having someone pay for table service (thus getting to sit for a couple hours) was a MAJOR help.
The funny thing -- even living in the capitol of nightlife -- it's VERY rare for me to go out two nights in a row. I can't even remember the last time I did it. It was fun, but I'm glad it's not every night.
This week will probably fly by like they all do, but I am so excited for Friday when my mom arrives to visit for the weekend. Last time she was in town, she came during the week so we only got to hang out at night - not leaving me much time to show her anything beyond the strip - which is an unrealistic visit to Vegas when you actually know someone that lives here.
Even better -- the cherry blossom trees are just starting to bloom so they should be perfect by the time she gets here. Plus daylight savings time will give us even more hours to explore the beautiful scenery including Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, possibly Hoover Dam, etc...
In other news.. my roommate is out of town this week for work. I don't know what happened to me as a kid - if I was permanently damaged by Nightmare on Elm Street or what.. But when I am in a house to myself, I analyze every single little noise or sound. I freak myself out -- hence why I am blogging at midnight instead of crashing to prepare for the big week ahead... I know I'm not the only one that does this, but seriously -- I'm 24. I shouldn't still be afraid of the dark on some level. Or is this normal? Does everyone do this on some level?
Ok time to turn the laptop off and crash. Have a great week!
Last night I knew the group was going to head out to another nightclub and I promised my feet it would not be a late night. When we hopped in a cab at 4 am, they were not happy I lied to them. Although I will admit that having someone pay for table service (thus getting to sit for a couple hours) was a MAJOR help.
The funny thing -- even living in the capitol of nightlife -- it's VERY rare for me to go out two nights in a row. I can't even remember the last time I did it. It was fun, but I'm glad it's not every night.
This week will probably fly by like they all do, but I am so excited for Friday when my mom arrives to visit for the weekend. Last time she was in town, she came during the week so we only got to hang out at night - not leaving me much time to show her anything beyond the strip - which is an unrealistic visit to Vegas when you actually know someone that lives here.
Even better -- the cherry blossom trees are just starting to bloom so they should be perfect by the time she gets here. Plus daylight savings time will give us even more hours to explore the beautiful scenery including Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, possibly Hoover Dam, etc...
In other news.. my roommate is out of town this week for work. I don't know what happened to me as a kid - if I was permanently damaged by Nightmare on Elm Street or what.. But when I am in a house to myself, I analyze every single little noise or sound. I freak myself out -- hence why I am blogging at midnight instead of crashing to prepare for the big week ahead... I know I'm not the only one that does this, but seriously -- I'm 24. I shouldn't still be afraid of the dark on some level. Or is this normal? Does everyone do this on some level?
Ok time to turn the laptop off and crash. Have a great week!
