Mini-Break, Part 2

On Thursday at 8am, I had to go to the dentist to fix all of my "problems", (lol ... so terrible!) I was there for almost 3 hours and I was sore until last night!

On Friday at 5:15am, I got up bright and early to go to Franklin for the President's Conference for Farm Bureau. Jessica and I were being recognized for representing TN for Collegiate Discussion Meet in next February during the lunch, and Mr. Curtis invited me for the day's activities. We had a great ham breakfast and then I learned a lot about groups that target agriculture from an intense woman from New York. During the breakout sessions, I spent a lot of time talking to David about Ag. Council. I also saw Clint!, my surrogate uncle. He was representing UT Extension. Before lunch, the Chairman and Chairwoman of both the Tennessee Democratic and Republican parties "debated" in front of the conference, and Lee Maddox was the moderator. Loving politics the way I do, I found it very interesting. It was also difficult masking my bias towards the Republican chairwoman, who did an exceptional job of representing John McCain. Despite having to wake up early, I'm glad I went, because I picked up a few things I can incorporate into Discussion Meet later on.

On Saturday, I desperately needed new jeans, and Mom and I went to Old Navy. I love Oldy Navy because sizes seem the most consistent and things there actually fit me! Because of a great sale, I got 4 (yes, four!) pair of pants. As silly as it sounds, I got a good range of "colors". A light pair, a dark pair, one in between, and some dark khakis. Then we went to Liz's and swam a little in her awesome pool! Later that night we watched Michael Phelps make history! I am extremely inspired by what he has done, and I have already thought of how I can incorporate his story into a unit for a leadership class. Dad and I watched some concert DVD's like we do some Saturday nights - last night was 311, Sheryl Crowe, Peter Gabriel, and The Police.
This morning I made breakfast, as usual for Sundays, and then Dad and I watched Vantage Point.

Then ... I started my huge task of "getting my life together" -- cleaning out my entire room. To most, this may seem easy. However, my room is almost as big as my parents', and I not only have tons of clothing and items from still from high school (that I never use or wear), but all of the things I accumulated while I lived in Corlew. So, as I glance in my planner and see nothing penciled in for this week, I am going to organize my entire tangible life. Tomorrow will be mostly culling all the clothing I don't wear so I can donate them. I also have gathered all of my old FFA shirts and am planning to make a quilt from them.

Home for August

Keeping with my promise to myself to learn how to cook more things, last night I cooked Steak Fajitas and Mexican Rice. I've cooked neither of those things before, because I usually don't like rice, and although fajitas are just strips of steak, I hate the onions they have to be cooked in and never helped Mom with them when she made them all through the years. We also got a small griddle pan for the stove top, and used that for warming the tortillas. Since I don't usually eat rice, although I liked it, I didn't know if it was good, but Mom and Dad both said they liked it. The fajitas were good, we had lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, and Dad had onions (yuck). I enjoyed making that and can add it to my recipes. Tonight is rib eyes with baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and bourbon baked beans. All of those things are things I have cooked before, and I love to grill, so it should be easy and very yummy.

I'm typing this blog on my new laptop! I'm absolutely in love with it. It's an HP, and I'm going to admit I got it at WalMart. It was $598, and although I will still have to purchase Windows Home and Office, I would have had to with most computers from any store, so I feel like I got a good deal. Wireless card, DVD burner, and it even came with a remote. I LOVE IT! I can't wait to use it at school, in my dorm. I keep saying it, but no more computer labs!



Last night, while rummaging around for things to look at on my new laptop, I found a contest called "Capture Music City," where people submit photographs in different categories that capture the Greater Nashville Area. Living about 38 miles outside of Nashville, I realized this includes me! So I made an account and submitted five pictures between three categories - Pets and Animals, Nature, and Music. Votes for each picture are taken, but you can only vote once, so instead of making it a popularity contest, it is more whether or not it is an exceptional pictures. So in case anyone is reading, take a minute to go to

http://www.capturemusiccity.com/people/iamahoot

and take just a moment to register so you can vote for my pictures. Once you're there, you can also mark that you "Love" them, and leave comments. This makes people more inclined to submit a positive vote. If you have spare time, tell someone else how to sign up and vote, too. I only uploaded just last night, and so far strangers and friends of mine alike have voted, commented, and made them favorites. Thanks to anyone who does this!

I saw The Dark Knight again today with my family. My Dad, who usually is enamoured with superhero movies, just thought it was ok. I absolutely loved it, and was glad to see it for a second time. I usually don't enjoy dark action movies, and I didn't even see the first one, but this was very well made and I plan on buying the DVD once its out. Heath Ledger deserves posthumous Oscar win, and I could see it again just to watch him. I loved it, and I'd encourage other people to see it in the theatre just for the experience.

Tomorrow we may go again to see the new Mummy movie. That may sound excessive, but going to the movies in the summer for me is like going to the the beach in the summer for other people. I love it!

Have a great weekend!

Back Home

I am officially an ex-resident of Corlew Hall. After almost a calendar year, I moved out today. I started last night at about 9pm - because my mom called back after I told her I could move out by the 9th to say she'd be there in the morning - and stayed up until about 2, then got up at 7 to put most everything in my car and wait for her to bring the truck for the big stuff.

When I brought the last of everything down, I realized I wouldn't have a reason to go back into the building ever again. I get attached to places like that in a weird way even with community bathrooms, disgusting smells on the boys floors, loud people above me, the crazy people always in the lobby. It was the first place I lived outside of my parent's house, so I guess I'll always remember it for being that milestone.

While I lived in Corlew, I:

-made some good friends
-got to know Cody better
-listened to my girls and their problems
-stayed up all night with someone who was sick
-laid in the shower when I was deathly ill
-celebrated my 21st birthday
-made a Haunted House
-discovered a new favorite movie
-yelled at my boss
-went to a toga party, and discovered why I should never go again
-listened to new, great music
-went to the best Shooter show yet
-stopped wasting my time dating the wrong guys, and started waiting for a good one
-attended the CMA Music Awards, and met some country music stars
-got elected Ag. Council President
-watched way too much Rock of Love, despite it being the stupidest show in existence
-learned that my family is great to be around
-found out my brother is getting married
-watched lots of Grey's Anatomy
-made some awesome grades, made some not so awesome grades
-renewed my faith in my major
-castrated a bull calf
-killed a few spiders (an act of major bravery for me)

and of course, TONS more. Those are the most distinct memories from the past year. Moving on! I'll be in Wood Hall this fall, then in December I move back to Sumner Co. to be closer to the places where I student teach, then ... I'll graduate!

On a different note, I'm buying my first computer tonight! The tax-free weekend starts at midnight, and since I'd stay up that late anyway, I'm going to buy it then. I know for most people it's old hat but I'm so excited to be able to take it to class, the library, my room ... no more smelly computer labs.

I'm also looking forward to the next three weeks I'll have at home. I plan to:
-clean out, vacuum, and clean the upholstery in my car
-clean out my closet
-donate my old clothes
-organize my scrapbooking stuff
-transfer my iTunes to my new computer
-cook dinner most nights

Speaking of cooking dinner, I really need to get better, so I've taken over supper for the next three weeks to make up for mooching of my parents while I'm here. Tonight was easy, there wasn't much to choose from since we need to go shopping, so I made ham and cheese sandwiches, with pasta. Which is a weird combo, I know, but my parents like this Italian and Ranch pasta mix and they don't seem to mind that they picked things that don't necessarily compliment each other. It bothers me though, because I'm just as much about presentation as I am the food. Tomorrow night is Mexican - grilled steak burritos. I'll have made lots of things by the time I go back to Murfreesboro, hopefully improving my cooking skills.

I'm going to wait for our midnight shopping trip by watching America's Best Dance Crew - go Fanny Pack!

Back at MTSU

This week I am back in Murfreesboro to work a lot of check-ins and check-outs. Today, though, I have the day off. Yesterday I went shopping and found the perfect pair of brown shoes in my size on sale for only 5 dollars. Ashley and I are going shopping later so I can find a pair of khakis. I am spoiled when it comes to dress clothes - I have been an SO for a while now, and yet I'm still stuck in the black skirt phase. Always being in official dress meant never buying khakis!

I got my bridesmaids dress this past Saturday. I also finished the Wedding Notebook I made for Amanda before I left on Sunday. I really hope it helps her.

I have been making a big effort to be better with my money and time. If this summer has taught me anything, it's even more independence and self-reliance. Although this next week is a little different, I have generally managed my money better since May and I don't feel so juvenile when it comes to my budget. I mention it because it seems always on my mind now that I am so aware of having to balance what I need with just what I want.

I'm very excited to go to YF&R this weekend! I enjoy getting older in the industry and listening to Tennessee agriculturalists.

Less than a month until I am done with this job - and 288 days until I graduate!!