Catching Up Thanks, an Engagement, and a Birthday.

Apologies for my absence but life has been crazy busy, but awesome none the less.

Before I do some major catch-up on my 30 Days of Thanks, I want to send a BIG Congratulations out to one of my oldest and dearest friends, Ashley B.(see stars in my Sky) and her new fiancé' Colin on their engagement that happened last night. Since we became friends in our junior year of high school, we have had PLENTY of discussions of weddings, proposals, and all other things bridal and I couldn't be any happier for her that she now gets to live out all those dreams. Congratulations again to the future Mrs. Franks. :)

Also, a big Happy Birthday shout out to another long time and great friend, J.C. Can't wait to celebrate Tuesday night!

Okay so keeping up with these 30 days of Thanks has been a little more difficult that I thought. So with that being said, I am going to do a little combining on days of thanks because I want to catch up!

Day 14-17: My Job

Okay so if you know me at all, you know that I, at time, am less than pleased with my primary job. I won't elaborate much but it's definitely a glass half empty a lot of days. HOWEVER, when I step back and look at the big picture, I really am thankful for my job, especially with the Holidays coming up. Not only do I have above average in regular vacation, we also get a full week of either the week of Christmas or the week of New Year's that is not taken from our vacation. I am very thankful for that time off to spend with loved ones. I am also thankful for a job where I get a bonus around Christmas to help with the cost of presents. I am thankful that I have a really awesome boss that doesn't make coming to work absolutely miserable. November 14-17h I am very thankful that I have a job and all the positive things that come from it. I am thankful I am not unemployed and that I can pay all my bills/expenses on my own.

Day 18: Texas A&M University

I wish that Friday would have just been another day; however, it marked 12 years since the Aggie Bonfire collapsed and killed 12 Aggies. Texas A&M University is a big family. Say what you want about us being crazies with all of our traditions and cult like mentality, but there is truly a spirit that can ne'er be told. I want to share a quote from an article that was published in Texas Monthly in November of 2009, which was the 10 year anniversary of the collapse of the bonfire.

“The bonfire symbolizes two things,” reads the 1947 Texas A&M freshman handbook. “A burning desire to beat the team from the University of Texas, and the undying flame of love that every loyal Aggie carries in his heart for the school.”

This statement, along with a lot of other moments from that tragic day fill the pages of that November 2009 issue that sits on my counter. I don't ever save magazines but that one I will always keep. I recommend reading the article in full to anyone-Aggie Bonfire- Ring of Fire. It covers not only the history of Bonfire, but it also paints of vivid picture of the bravery of the Aggie students, football team, and staff/faculty that would not stop until all Aggies were recovered from the pile of wood. I cried reading the article and my heart hearts every year on November 18th, but you can bet every time I look down at this little gold ring on my right hand ring finger, my heart swells with pride. I am so honored to be a part of the Aggie family. I am proud to say that I attended and graduated from Texas A&M University and am extremely thankful that I met some of my best friends and the love of my life while I was there. I am thankful for the lessons I learned while I was there, especially the ones not in any classroom. November 18th I am thankful for Texas A&M University. I am thankful for the generations of students that came before me and helped shape and create the core values and traditions of the university. I am thankful for the future students that will keep those traditions going strong for years to come. And I am beyond thankful for the memories that I have from those 4 years in College Station, TX.

Day 19- Housewife

I have this friend, you MAY have heard me mention her (see stars in sky), she goes by Lauryn/Housewife and this girl is my best friend. Saturday after the Aggies BTHO Kansas, Trevor and I spent the rest of the evening with Lauryn and her bf Jordan (we so lovingly named them LoJo.). We really didn't do anything crazy, just dinner and a little wine after at the apartment but it totally didn't matter, still an awesome weekend. Little moments like having girl talk in her room while the boys watched, you guessed it, more football, are the reasons why I am thankful for her. She may be 2 years younger than me but don't let that fool you, she can dish out some pretty great advice. Even though I am technically an only child, a friendship like ours makes me feel like I have a sister.

November 19th, I am thankful for Lauryn W. I thank God that our paths somehow crossed and that we became friends. I am thankful for all the tough situations that each one of us has gotten the other one through, and the memories that we have made.

Day 20-My Dad

Yesterday, on his way home from Austin with his wife Debbie, my Dad stopped by my apartment for while just to visit. It was great seeing him and getting to actually talk face to face. It's been way to long since I have seen him. My Dad is not what you call lovey-dovey. He is more described as a "hard ass". We have had our good moments and we have had some really bad moments. But in the past couple of years, I feel like we finally got it right. My Dad was strict growing up, sometimes a little intense, but I feel like he played a huge role in shaping me into the person that I am today. Looking back now, I am thankful for the way he raised me, and for the "no room for error" tactic he used. I feel because of the way he raised/disciplined me that I have respect for others, I have manners, and I know not to walk loudly when you’re on the second floor of anything. :) I know that I need to turn off lights if I am not using them, and always do your chores, even when you don't want to. I know that you alone are responsible for your actions and blaming it on anything or anyone else just isn't acceptable.

November 20th, I am thankful for my Dad. I am thankful that he raised me the way he did. I am thankful for how hard he worked when I was young to support our family. I am thankful that we now have a great relationship and that we came back from the dark place that we went to during my parents’ divorce.

I am also thankful for short weeks! My thanksgiving break begins at 4 P.M. tomorrow and I cannot wait. Tomorrow evening is also our good friend J.C.'s birthday shindig, which is guaranteed to be a good time.

Happy Monday Dolls.

Cheese Enchiladas and the Gym Annoyances

It's Friday! Friday! FRIDAY!

and I am NOT singing that stupid Rebecca Black excuse for a song. I am so glad that it is Friday, mainly because Thursday was a less than pleasing day for several reasons. I am not going to elaborate too much but work was tough, some lady passed out cold at the same restaurant we were at during lunch, and certain people's character flaws were really testing my patience. To top it off I was incredibly exhausted after lunch from not getting as much sleep as I normally do the night before. (It was totally worth it though because Britney Spears killed it)  So when I got home yesterday, I crawl straight into bed. 5:30 rolls around and that typically means I change into workout clothes go pick up Trevor, and work out from 6-7. This is how that went down.

(Phone ringing)
T-Hello
D-Hey, whatcha doing?
T-Nothing, just talking with Shawn. You about to be here?
D-Yeahhhh, about that. I'm super tired from last night still and think I am going to skip the gym today.
T-Oh yeah I bet you are tired. Okay well I will see you when I get out.
D-Okay, see you then

I lay back down for about 45 seconds.....then.... (After thinking about that super healthy Mexican food I ate for lunch)

(Phone ringing)
T-Hello
D-I am about to be at your place.
T-Okay (starts to say something else)
D-(interrupting) I just guilted myself into working out because I was thinking about cheese enchiladas.
T-Okkkayyy...
D-Yeah so I'll be there soon.

Trevor could tell from the moment I picked him up how "great" a mood I was in when he said, and I quote, "I feel sorry for your elliptical".

Now, before I continue I just have to get this off my chest I absolutely CAN NOT stand people on facebook that post a new status every time they drag their butts to a gym. ATTENTION TO PEOPLE WHO DO THAT: NO ONE CARES! If you are really working out as much as you say, then it will show. It is not necessary to post your check in at the gym the moment you pull in the parking lot. Now don't get me wrong, it's a free country and you can post whatever you want, and sometimes people have really great workouts and want to share it (guilty of that), I completely get it. But EVERY SINGLE TIME (read in slow motion)....not necessary. So with all that said, I promise to not make "gym posts" unless it comes with a good story.

So back to the original story, Trevor and I are now at the gym (thank you los cucos) and as I begin my workout, I take notice to a few things. Mind you, still not in a very good mood.

-To the girl in the matching Addidas workout outfit, the galleria is about 5 miles down the road, you would probably get a better workout there than here.
-To the guy who keeps trying to maintain eye contact with me while you do your lat pull downs...I have no interest in you, and you’re creeping me out.
-To the creepy small 30 year old male with giant head phones, I can still hear your weird techno music that sings about "kitty cats, milk and being the affair", turn that shit down.
-To the wanna be meathead who's arms are not much bigger than mine, doing that ONE press on bench and making noises that sound like you're on the toilet is not going to help you turn into the hulk like creature you aspire to be.

I will say, even with all the annoyances I am so glad that I ended up going. 45 minutes on the butt killer GLUT course and some abs was really what I needed. Before the gym I really was running on a very short fuse (from my frustrations of the day). Sometimes you just need to sweat it out and focus on breathing instead of how crazy life and people can drive you.

I also want to give kudos to two very special ladies and one great guy who helped me keep my sanity yesterday, and trust me, it's not the first time any one of them have done so. Jess and Lauryn, thank you both for some good laughs and great advice. I apologize for my ranting and appreciate your friendship more than you will ever know. Trevor, thank you for being you. (I know, super cheesy, but also super true). The reason I laugh everyday is because of you. You really do make the problems go away just by being there.  

Okay, I am actually going to start working now, and begin my countown to the weekend....(only 7 hours and 25 minutes left..WOO!)

Happy Friday Dolls.