well... hello, honey... i'm home

Not without my bff!, originally uploaded by Gods Emerald.

The trip was pretty good overall. I missed home and Greg and normal streets, but I'm back now. And I'm happy. I love traveling, but it's just a bit rough at times. Now I'm just looking forward to Christmas. :)


Gems:
french toast breakfast
knowing my way
texting all stinkin' day
rides around town
reuniting with Gregory

trip to texas: sunday, day four

My Gift, originally uploaded by bpitzer20.

I had an amazing day today... I know I said yesterday was good, but I was wrong! I got to sleep in, take a shower, go shopping at the high-end outlets, and eat at Sonic for the first time! I got some great things for myself, but even better gifts!! Now I can't wait for Christmas... or getting home to see Gregory. Texas was good, but not that good.


Gems:
a relaxing start
a productive outing
a happy grandmother
a perfect gift!!
a blissful ending

trip to texas: b-day, day three

Dana Doodle is my hero., originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Today was tremendous. I avoided driving altogether, bought something spectacular, and maintained a good mood for most of the day! Even more exciting than anything I did is Dana's birthday... she's 20 years old and the whole family took turns saying their congratulations! I love you, Doodle. You would just love it here!! Today we went antique shopping again and we will be shopping high-end outlets tomorrow. Crate & Barrel, here I come!

Oh, p.s. If you're ever in San Antonio, make sure to go to the Riverwalk! It is amazingly romantic!


Gems:
late night texts
specialized omelets
day of antique shopping
the peacock wreath
Riverwalk lights

trip to texas: friday, day two

Related: Believe It, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Yesterday went well. We flew in late but otherwise without problems. It was beyond difficult to find the hotel but we arrived and it was good. This morning I awoke at 9am (7am California time), so I was pretty tired today. However after lunch, Matt's graduation, and the following swa-ray, I still managed to go out to celebrate with my cousin! We went to a place called Nephews (I think) and had a great time!! I miss Greg!


Gems:
free food
antique shopping
Matt's girlfriend, Faith
Texas drinking
hearing Greg's voice

leaving to texas & missing you

Homecoming Cowboy Boots, originally uploaded by Texas to Mexico.

Leaving for Texas in a little bit.
I will write in my journal and update when I get home.
I love you guys.

All my love!


Gems:
late nights
Robeks meetings
Christmas presents
organizing
traveling

about ready for my final bow

Twilight charms, originally uploaded by GeekMom Heather.

It's pouring rain harder than ever and I've already had to go out and drive in it. I had my science final at 8am this morning, so hopefully that went well. I now have to work on my history final all day to get it done by 5:15, so I can drive to school, park, and get it in by 6pm. After that, I'M DONE!! I have no more undergrad work to do... GRADUATE STATUS!! Woot! I love college... I can say that now that I'm almost done! :)


Gems:
no more science
rainy day music
undergrad completion
double with parents
6-month-iversary part deux

we need no mistletoe for love

We need no mistletoe, originally uploaded by Candi Mandi.

It's been six months.

And I couldn't be any happier if I tried. Greg has shown me so much about myself, about life, and love. I feel incredibly blessed and eager for the future. We have some huge things to overcome in this next year, with Accutane and the credential program, but he has set a new kind of fire under me. It's not about what I can or cannot do. It's about God and His power and purpose for my life. I pray that God will pull us both closer to Him and each other over the next months and years. I love you, Greg. Happy Six-month-iversary!


Gems:
soup for lunch
finishing the paper on time
completing Math 302
plans to meet
celebration dinners

ooooooooooh ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Tacoma, Washington, originally uploaded by Barrybar.

I want to live here!!
It's called the Bostwick in Tacoma. It used to be a hotel, but it is an apartment building. The rooms look marvelous and the rent isn't too high. Can you imagine it? Alright... Enough day-dreaming... Back to work for finals. I have to read and review a math article that is much too long for the final tomorrow. Lame.


Gems:
wake-up call
planning for accutaine
comforting texts
Vietnamese food
Heroes finale tonight

we are your Christmas friends

Merry Christmas!!!, originally uploaded by Toni Blay.

Never got online to blog yesterday.
Sorry about that.
Had lunch with Greg's gang.
Spent the rest of the day with Greg.


Gems:
friends
art
reading
rest
love!

i'm all dolled up and loving it

feeling fancy, originally uploaded by perfectbound.

Woke up and read. Had lunch with Big and the boyfriends. Got paint supplies at Michael's. Came home, popped in The Producers (for Greg), and took a shower. Switched off with Greg for the bathroom to get ready. Let Greg get a quick nap. Went to Banquet and loved every second. Got dropped off at home and realized that Greg left with my phone. Boo! I feel naked. This is lame. So, don't call... I won't get it.


Gems:
woot conversations
"fat fat fattie"
hours of primping
Randoms!!
hearing His truth

this is all i want for Christmas

Christmas Starbucks and Stripes, originally uploaded by Pink Sherbet Photography.

** family
** friends
** cold weather
** warm beverages
** smiles & laughter
** time to rest
** dancing
** cuddling
** tv & movies
** Gregory
** peace


Gems:
spending all morning in bed
catching up on more reading
searching fashion archives
feeling God's blessings
the Christmas party tonight

aladdin, streamers, & real talk

[311/366] Family Fun, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

It was a fabulous night at the sorority house tonight. The alumni event was smashingly good and I stayed as late as I could allow. I talked with Big, Lil, Grand Big, Twin and Monacs a ton... I miss these girls so much and I cherish every moment I get to spend with them. Couldn't resist the above photo op of our adorable sippy cups that we got to drink from (d. coke, of course). And now that I'm home, I'm off to bed... Or to a restless night of surfing the web and reading my new book. Heh. I have a sickness.


Gems:
guiltless rest
final undergrad class
cuddling with Greg
sorority chatter
my WONDERFUL randoms!!!

the school days are numbered

{Week 44} A Little Longer, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Class tonight and tomorrow. Two finals and a final project.
Talked to my dad about credentials and I'm pretty excited about it. Of course, I'm still hecka nervous but what else can be expected?! I can't wait to be done with my undergrad, have a new car, and start the final process to my future job. My calendar is my new bestest friend!


[these are SO cute... i love them!]

Gems:
restful sleep
arriving on time
chocolate for breakfast
car color bargaining
pm's from Big Sis :)

enjoying the peace while i can

falling leaves, originally uploaded by ohtoberich.

I have a few things still to do throughout the next week:
-- science: group task (due tomorrow)
-- history: observation paper (due tomorrow)
-- math: read & review article (due tuesday)
-- history: final project (due next wednesday)

After these things are turned in and the one quiz & two exams are done, I will be completely through with my undergrad semester. Then I have two weeks to rest and read ahead on some materials to get ready for the credential program that starts on January 5th. The great news about the program is that I have barely any Saturday commitments to worry about and I get to go to Suzy's wedding in May. I was worried that it wouldn't be possible. ALSO, I get a one week break in April, I believe. If I really play my cards right, I can test out of one of the required classes, so that would be extremely nice as well. I'm still nervous, but super excited for next semester!!

As for now, I'm going to enjoy the cold season.
God is good.


Gems:
sleep
reading
credential info
sincere sappiness
God's strength & protection

super powers for Christmas

day three hundred fourteen. birds on a wire., originally uploaded by ::reflecting truth::.

I love Heroes.
I love Twilight.
I love using my imagination.
I love Greg.
I love God.

I do wish I could have the power to see the future... Or at least to speed it up... Yeah, to speed it up. LoL. No I don't. But it would be cool, wouldn't it?!


Gems:
late night reading
being on time
talking with Doodle
books & more books
dinner with the Denglers

dreaming of a white Christmas

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas..., originally uploaded by chris mhmm.

Can I order some snow for the holiday season?
Since that's prolly not going to happen... I guess my new shoes, new old books, and retouched hair will have to do. Still... snow would be great! I'm so eager for the end of the semester. I am thrilled that things are coming together pretty well.


Gems:
Frippleville
car rides
stinky kisses
naps
tv time

books, pickles, & bridget jones

Candace likes coffee!, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Greg and I had a marvelous time in Julian today!
Tomorrow I have Frippleville.
I should get some sleep.
CHECK THIS OUT!


Gems:
photo ops
candy shops
first editions
sour pickles
time with Greg

this may not be the last time

Stephenie Meyer, originally uploaded by SheReads.

First Stephenie Meyer was writing the first book (Twilight) over again, from Edward's perspective, then a draft of the first chapter leaked on the internet, she was heartbroken, decided to keep writing, and now she can't bring herself to keep writing, for she might change the story and kill off characters. I thought I was done, but she posted by leaked drafts on her site. I can't ignore what I might never see fully published. Stephenie Meyer, you leave me alone. You knew that I wouldn't be able to resist reading more. You just need to stop writing these incredibly addictive and altogether wonderful teen novels!! I'm sorry, but we are not on good terms anymore, Stephenie Meyer.

*sigh*
I hope it's still published. :)


A song that my sister wrote:
<sub>"It's Twilight"

Oh, I've been waiting
For the day you would come
And my patience is fading
I can't stay away

Tell me why
Tell me how
I can't survive without you
Your scent
Driving me wild
It's twilight
You're in my arms tonight

Do you swear you won't leave me?
No question, you are my life
The only thing it would hurt me to lose
I'm afraid to close my eyes

Tell me why
Tell me how
I can't survive without you
Your scent
Driving me wild
It's twilight
You're in my arms tonight

I love you more than anything in the world
Is it even enough
You're ready to give up everything
Yes it's enough for forever

Tell me why
Tell me how
I can't survive without you
Your scent
Driving me wild
It's twilight
You're in my arms tonight</sub>



Gems:
coffee
kids' movies
"you've got mail"
twilight series
boyfriend

when you don't have the words

Leap, originally uploaded by Bus Full of Hearts.

Dance fascinates me... All forms.
I love that people are able to communicate a range of emotions through the movement of dance. It's not simply a receive and process interaction either... Watching and observing dance often draws out the strong urge to move in rhythm alongside that individual, couple, or group performing for you. I am so thankful for dancing. :)


Gems:
showers
freedom
Doodle
children
dancing

love notes via text messaging

See why I love fall..., originally uploaded by littlesilverboxes {Katrina}.

I received several texts today from various people... None stood out to me as I tore through my history text and books on the Columbian Exchange for my presentation tonight, but two small texts from Greg. I was just finished and hurrying to print my paper and run out the door when I received them. The first was this:

I'm freaking out.

Immediately, I reacted in a very selfish way and began with my mental gripes about how I had it so much worse than he could right now, after spending a full day rushing through text to get a half-assed and only slightly-intelligent response to the prompt that simply directed me to study the Columbian Exchange. That was all I had!! Everyone else had a in-depth question that forced them to think and dive into the material to find an answer and I had nothing. I had to make some in-depth response out of the most obvious prompt I could possibly imagine. However, I held myself back and just asked him, "why?" Just as I hopped in my car to head to class, he responded with this text:

Cuz my heart doesn't ache. I have nothing to be sad about. I'm too happy. I don't have anything to brood over and figure out solutions to.

I prayed as I drove to class, thanking God for His blessings.


Gems:
pasta
rest
time
completion
gifts from God!!