A Million Things Running Through My Mind

Homework I could/ should be doing:
•Working on the Fundamentals of Marketing slideshow
•Looking up info for my Taste & Flavor Beverages paper (herbal liqueurs)
•Writing my diario for Espanol
•Writing an editorial about capital punishment (Why is this even an assignment?!)
•Working on the final project for Human Resources
•Reading part 3 of How to Win Friends for Interpersonal Communications
•Reading chapter 10 in the Interpersonal Communications textbook

Other (productive) things I could be doing:
•Coming up with a good argument for the debate I was having with my Human Resources teacher this morning (He doesn’t believe in situational ethics, he says it’s always black or white. I disagree!)
•Reading Setting the Table (this book is so informative! I love it!)
•Studying my Visual Food Lover’s Guide (I’m brushing up on my product ID)
•Writing something cool for the new school paper thing coming out soon

This blog post is proof that I chose to do none of these things. Instead I’m thinking about:
•This stupid cold sore I’ve got
•Worrying about catching this flu that’s going around
•How much longer I’m going to procrastinate before I actually do any of my homework
•If I’ll find anything to do this weekend
•Why I have no money to do anything
•If this guy, Cam, likes me or if he’s just being nice
•If I’d give Cam a chance if he ever did ask me out
•If I like my new haircut or not (I really can’t decide)
•How unhealthy I’ve been eating
•That I haven’t been exercising at all
•That I haven’t been keeping up with everyone’s blogs (sorry!)
•That I still haven’t written that email to Emma yet (sorry Bet!)
•That I said I was going to be social, but even though I’ve had every night free I’ve been a lame-o sitting in my room by myself because I’m too chicken
•How happy I am that I think I can finally be just friends with Aaron ((aka that guy) I mean there’s no avoiding him. I see him all the time! Friendship is a lot less awkward and sad.)
•That I want to smash my laptop with a hammer because it is a POS

Yeah. I have a lot of stuff running through my mind. Not quite a million things, but a lot. Sometimes I wonder why I can’t just turn my brain off.

Update:

Here are the pictures of my new haircut! I don't think I like it down, but I definitely like it up. It came out shorter than I wanted. =/

Show and Tell- With Updates

Early Happy New Year to everyone! Tomorrow I'll be heading back home to celebrate. I didn't plan to go back home this weekend, but my cousin needs help moving. Besides, I still have no real friends up here.

Today my cousin and I were downtown getting lunch and we stopped into this cool little store. The have a lot of interesting things there, most of them made of different types of stone. As a gift, my cousin told me to pick out one of the pendulums I have been eying for months but never bought. I picked out this beauty.


I love it! I have been playing around with it since I got it. I think I have finally found my favorite divination tool. As much as I like that tarot deck I got, tarot is a bit difficult for me.

I wish I could say that things have been going well, but they haven't. One of my classes completely depresses me every time I have it. Everything this teacher tells us is telling me I don't have what it takes to make it in this field. That I just shouldn't be here. It feeds my doubts and fears. It's all I can do to not cry in the middle of class. I don't know what to do about it.

I have also just been down in general. As much as I really hate saying it, it was because of that boy I like. It makes me angry that I let something so stupid hurt me so much. It was definitely not a good experience for me. I opened up to someone and ended up hurt. Hopefully I can just learn something from it and move on.

The cherry on top is this stubborn cold I have. I'd really just like it to go away so I can try to have some fun this weekend. Or not, you know, whatever works for the rest of the universe.

Wow! Sorry to be such a downer. I'm going to shower and take some NyQuil.

Yum

Wow I've been busy! Shopping, cooking, crying because I messed up while cooking, crying because I accidentally turned my white clothes pink (Anyone know how to fix that?!), being angry at my parents because they cleaned and painted over at the new house on Thanksgiving. I went to Walmart with my mom and aunt at 5 this morning. CRAZY! Then we went back again later to buy paint for the house, not so crazy. It's like after 8AM it turned into a regular shopping day there. I need to go back to Walmart for a 3rd time in a little while so I can buy even more paint for my room. I can't wait until it's all painted so I can show you the pictures! Speaking of the house, when I was there last night I noticed that it has got this really weird vibe to it. It definitely needs a cleansing to get rid of the energy from the previous tenants. I know there are a lot of different ways to do that, so I am looking for suggestions on what your favorite method is.

As promised, I have pictures. This is just the desserts. We had the same old dinner that most people have. Turkey, stuffing, etc.


Chocolate Pecan Pie. YUM! I took this pic before I cut into it. It tastes like a fudgy brownie filled with pecans. I made the crust myself, and it looked nice, but it got destoryed during transport from my house to my grandparent's house.


Homemade whipped cream. :)


Some of my cousin's carrot cake that I took home.


This is the cheesecake I messed up on. It still tastes delicious.


Oreo Torte. Probably the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. This is the one I left at home for us.


This is the one I brought for my family to eat.


The cats just got to lay around all day. They looked so cute I just had to get some pictures.

Happy Surprises

When I cam home last night I had two awesome surprises waiting for me! The first was a box of goodies from Jaz at Octoberfarm!


It came all wrapped up! It made me feel like I was opening a birthday or Christmas present.


There was even a card and chocolates!


Ta-da!


She even included an extra jar of her homemade pepper jelly- which I can't wait to try! I'm going to have it out for Thanksgiving.


A honey bear. :)


The jar of preserves.


More candy! Which was tempted to eat for breakfast...


Instead I had some of the yummy jam on an english muffin.


After a few bites I decided to try it with peanut butter... it made the best PB&J I've ever had!


The ingredient list for the jam.


I ate my breakfast while reading my new book that I won from Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween! Once I get good at crocheting (I'm seriously stuck right now! I need to see if my aunt Taunya can help me...) I am going to start making some of these wicked cute things. My goal: to be able to make these by this time next year. Then I can make a bunch and have a giveaway with them!

I have won so many great things this year. I want to have a giveaway of my own! I am brainstorming now to try and come up with something I can giveaway. Hmm, I wonder how well fudge would travel? I don't really know what else I'd be able to make and mail to someone. I can't really make anything cool that isn't food. xD

I am so thankful for my amazing blog buddies. Thank you Joyce! Thank you Mrs. B! And thank you to everyone who reads my blog!

So Much Sugar...

I've awoken from my sugar coma to share some pictures with you!


My little ghost meringues- thanks for the idea Suzie!


Sweet & Sour meatballs- our only non junk food all night!


Cupcakes! Store bought mix, but a homemade frosting. We added a raspberry extract to it, a lot of red food coloring, and mini chocolate chips. Yum!



Dirt Dessert, with worms! It's just oreos and coolwhip with gummy worms, but it everyone's favorite in my family.

Well, the dirt might just be second to chocolate covered pretzels! It wouldn't feel like Halloween in my family without them. I covered them in sprinkles and coconut. It was my first time covering them in coconut, and I definitely like it!


Some red ice cubes for our drinks. ;)

While I was making these, with help from my cousin of course, I sent the younger (okay 13 & 14 year old) kids to decorate. They did a great job!





And Tia carved our last pumpkin. I love it!


We had a fun night of sitting around eating junk food and watching movies. I hope everyone else had a fun night, too!

Autumnal Equinox

Happy Mabon to all Pagans! To any non-Pagans, happy first day of Autumn! I wish I had remembered sooner, I guess I've just been busy. I'm enjoying the colorful leaves, I even risked looking like a leaf peeper by taking some pictures this morning.





Often around Mabon we remember the myth of Persephone and Demeter. While eating grapes this morning, though, I recalled the story of the god Dionysus (aka Bacchus). As a god of the harvest he, like Demeter, symbolizes the death and rebirth cycle of nature. He has appealed to me since I first began researching him last year.

Unfortunately I don't live near a place where I can pick my own grapes, but we can pick our own apples! That has been a tradition in my family since I was little. We always go apple picking every year. They went last weekend, so there will be plenty of apples for me to make yummy stuff with when I go home this weekend. If anyone has any awesome apple recipes they think I should try, please post them or a link to them.

Full Moon Poem & College So Far

Friday is the full moon. They included this poem in my datebook, and I thought it fit really well. For me at least.

Like the fruits of the vine, our lives too can change and ferment. As you gather the late fruit harvest of your labor, give thanks for the sweetness of life. From such sweetness comes pleasure and treats, but also fermentation and "spirits." Celebrate the ever-changing nature of life, dreams, and goals as you toast the scared ingredients- friends, family, and familiars- the loving relationships that mellow and ferment you. Honor Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy. Invoke the balance of the light and dark, and evaluate the balance within your life. As you prepare for the growing darkness, readying yourself to move within, clean and declutter yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Balance will bring you steady footing throughout the challenging journey ahead.

-Dallas Jennifer Cobb

So far I am loving Montpelier. I've walked around, eaten at a little diner, and found the grocery store. My cousin has been here 6 weeks already, so she knows where everything is. I am lucky for this because I'd have gotten lost without her! Today was the first day of orientation. It was mostly paperwork. There is a dorm meeting at 8:00 tonight, and after we have dinner reservations at a restaurant for 8:45. I really hope the meeting is short, because I'd hate to have to cancel. I'm going with my cousin and some new friends. I'm excited that I am actually making friends! That sounds lame, but I mean it.

Dorm room pictures! It's a small room, but since I'm sharing with my cousin it makes it easier.


All the stuff on the window, and it's a nice sunny day today.


Mini-fridge!

My desk, covered in stuff. It will get cleaned off once I actually need to use it.


Decorations! Yeah that pirate flag is hung up with duck tape, and the sun is hanging on a shoe lace. xD Resourcefulness!


My bed, where I'm sitting now.

I'm Leaving Tonight!

A change of plans has occurred and I am now leaving tonight for school! My cousin's car broke and she needs a ride. It was either me going early or her taking the train, and to be honest I'd like the company for the drive up there. I don't know if I ever mentioned the fact that my cousin and I are going to the same school. We'll even be sharing a dorm. She started in July, though, so she's been there a little longer.

My car is (mostly) packed. I have yet to put my blankets, pillows, electronics, food, or the new spider plant my Aunt Taunya gave me in the car. It's so full that I have to wonder 1- if it will be different to drive due to extra weight, and 2- if all that stuff will even fit in the dorm!


The back seat of my car...


Spider plant! I hope I don't kill it... Next to it is the sage which, surprisingly, hasn't died yet.

Everyone in my family is so nervous for me that I am trying not to be nervous myself. The excitement is more what I'm feeling now. I'm almost wondering what the big deal is, since I'll be home on Saturday. There are no classes until Tuesday since it will be Labor Day weekend. We have yet another fair to show at on Monday, another small town one where I can kick some butt and get ribbons and cash.

I think our littlest cat has figured out that I'm leaving, since she hasn't left my lap for more than 20 minutes at a time all morning. She's the one who comes in my room every morning and gets in my face as a way to say "Hey, wake up!" She's such a sweetheart. I'm going to miss our two cats and dog a lot. My friends say I'll go nuts without any pets, maybe I can find a Humane Society to volunteer at while I'm there?


Our little cat, Anastasia, curled up in my lap.

Since I am going up a whole day earlier I'll have time to explore the town/ city/ whatever you want to call it. I won't want to wander the whole time, though, so it's a good thing I have plenty to keep me busy. I can organize my stuff in my new room, read one of the books I brought, or I can read articles from the cool e-zine Mrs. B. just told everyone about. Check out Copper Moon! It's an online magazine for Pagans age 13-26. I read a few of the articles this morning and they really hold a lot of good information.

I'm off to take care of last minute things. Once my dorm is decorated I'll have pictures.

Updates

Today was the day we went to another fair to show cows. I actually showed at this fair and, oh my gods, I'm glad I did! It's such a thrill going into the ring again. I placed well in all the classes I was in. I even walked away with the big purple ribbon I wanted! The only bad part was the rain. It makes keeping the cows clean a lot harder, plus we were all cold and miserable. Now that I have taken a nice hot shower, changed into warm, dry, clothes, and eaten I am fine.


Update: I couldn't resist adding this picture of my cousin Braiden. He looks so cute curled up with the cows.

I leave for school on Wednesday. I am still going back and forth between nervous and excited, but I know it's going to be alright. I guess that's one thing I've learned from my past 'going away from home' experiences. The leaving is the hardest part. The difference is- this time it's for real. I'm going to be living at my dorm, and for an extended period of time. It's not just for a week. I'm mostly worried about the little things. Like getting up there and realizing I don't have something. You know, those silly little things you take for granted when you're living with your parents. The things I don't need to worry about now. I almost guarantee that within a month I'm going to be asking "Hey, why didn't someone tell me living away from my parents would be hard!" I obviously know it's going to be difficult, but I don't fully understand what it means to be 'on my own' yet. It's scary.

One thing I think I can start worrying about now is the fact that three of the eleven textbooks I ordered off Amazon.com haven't arrived yet. The last day they can get here without being late it September 10th. That's a little too late for me! I guess I have to keep my fingers crossed that they get here sooner. Other than the books, I just need to pick up a few things at the store. And pack everything into my car... that is not going to be a fun car ride!

I know there was more I wanted to say, but I'm exhausted. If it comes back to be I'll jot it down and write it in another post. I'm gonna go lay down on the couch now and hope I fall asleep watching TV. Not before The Simpsons come on at 7:30, though. I kind of want to watch The Simpsons...

Graduation

It's done and over with! It doesn't seem real. I feel like today didn't really happen. But I graduated today! The weather was great. No rain, and not too hot. We were all really scared we would end up having it in the gym- which would not have been fun with the humidity!

I got a lot of awards and scholarships. I really don't feel like listing them- but I got over $10,000 in scholarships. That'll take a dent out of my college tuition! The ceremony went off perfectly- for us at least. I'm sure the principal will have a few complaints. Andreas 'accidentally' falling down the stairs after receiving his diploma. Or how we all threw our caps in the air like he asked us not to. It was great.

The best part for me, though, was afterwards. I got to spend the whole day eating good food (a lot of desserts!) and hanging out with the people who mean the most to me. It seems kind of silly, how much I enjoy just spending time with my whole family.

It's 9:30 and I'm exhausted. No parties for me. I don't drink (even though I believe the drinking age should be 18) because my parents don't want me to. My Aunt Jen did give me a bottle of strawberry rum as a joke, though. It's going to sit on my shelf for a little while I guess!

I start my summer job on Monday. I'll be working in a factory packaging mascara bottles. My mom works there, so she got me the job. It won't be fun, but it's money! And thank gods it's only temporary. I wish I could take a week off. I'm going "out of the frying pan, into the fire" as everyone keeps saying. I'll take my break at the end of the summer right before I leave for school, though.