Turkey Three Ways

What a four day weekend!

Wednesday night I went out for Happy Hours with my work people. Thursday was Kirk's for Thanksgiving with friends and his family. We had turkey three ways (smoked, broiled, and fried). I had never done Thanksgiving with friends, it was good. After Ryan and I plotted the best Black Friday plan. We decided on Walmart. We got there around 7:00pm and did not leave until 1:00am. Way longer than any person should ever be in Walmart. Though I did manage to get both seasons of Vampire Diaries (LOVE LOVE LOVE), season 2 of True Blood, season 1 of Pretty little Liars, 7 DVDs, a drink blender AND a wii. I got all of that for less than $200. So all in all it was a win win situation.

Friday I set up Netflicks (necessary in order to survive grad school) and headed to Thanksgiving #2 at Bretts house. He made sweet potatoes like my mom, I just cannot explain how much I needed those. It's just not Thanksgiving without them. Just a great day with family. After I was supposed to go out, but I was too exhausted. So I played with the wii (sounds dirty) and passed out.

Today Katherine and I went out to lunch for much needed catch up time. I missed her! Then I came home to...wait for it-do more freaking homework. Brad had a long layover in Denver so I went to the airport and we had dinner. Good to see him :)

Since then I have been working on homework...on a Saturday night. This class is awful. Tomorrow I have to wake up and do more homework. It's never ending, and I still don't have my final grade for my first class. Not cool, not cool at all.

Looking forward to next weekend when I won't have so much homework, and yea I'll leave it at that. Hope you are all having a better Saturday night than I am!

Over the river and...

Writing this is better than doing my homework. Much better. I'm so bad at this grad school thing. I have to have to have to get my homework done tonight. My grandma is in town this weekend (yay!) so I won't have time for homework. That's not completely true but I'd rather spend my Sunday at Carly's watching movies. Even though the movies are Star Wars...yeah there is a story there. Regardless I'm really looking forward to the family packed weekend! :)

I ran longer than I ever have this week. It was only for 18 minutes, but that's a heck of a lot longer than I could run a month ago. I guess this going to a gym thing is working out for me. Good thing to, because it takes up A LOT of my time. Goal: 5k this year. Eventually I want to run a half marathon. Next year? I think that's a realistic goal.

Ok Mandy stop procrastinating!!!! 

Home for Christmas

I booked my overpriced flight to Ohio. I have been debating flying home for 2 weeks. It's a lot of money to go to..Ohio. I needed to get over that road block. It's not Ohio I'm paying to see...it's the people. The people in Ohio are priceless. SO people I will be home from December 21st (really late)-December 26th. I'm so excited to be with family for Christmas. AH I'm so excited for so many things! The second I booked the flight I knew it was the right thing to do.

Work Eve

Honey, I'm hooomeee!!! 

Today was a really long day. I am going on maybe 3 hours of sleep. The flights were good-it's just exhausting. Then I had to catch a ride on the bus from the airport to Stapleton. All I wanted was Chipoltle, but it's closed due to the holiday. URG! I was annoyed-it's one of those days. I was starving so I ordered a pizza and unpacked. I'm trying so hard to not fall asleep...I HAVE to be able to sleep tonight. Why you ask?

Tomorrow is my first day at the new job! 

I'm nervous. Don't get me wrong but I'm excited, the job seems awesome (have I mentioned it's NOT admissions?)  I'm just excited to meet new people and work downtown. I can walk to work now!

Myrtle Beach was a lot of fun, and a lot of mom time (which is good. I love her, and miss her like crazy!). More than I have gotten in a year and a half. Really though it was relaxing. Just really good to touch base. It's funny I spend  A LOT of time complaining that I live in the Western time zone yet I hated being in the East time zone. It's prob better, but the people involved in my day to day life were two hours behind me. I didn't like that feeling. Somewhere in this past year and a half Denver became home. Yes, I talk about leaving. One day I probably will, but right now Denver is exactly where I want to be. Which is good, I mean a friend and I established today that DC makes you fat. I have no idea why I'm here, but I'm happy. I think that's what counts.

The following song is officially my summer anthem-it sums up my vacation to a t (minus the she part).




Gonna put the the world away for a minute
Pretend I don't live in it
Sunshine gonna wash my blues away

Had sweet love but I lost it
She got too close so I fought her
Now I'm lost in the world trying to find me a better way

Wishing I was knee deep in the water somewhere
Got the blue sky breeze and it don't seem fair
Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair
Sunrise there's a fire in the sky
Never been so happy
Never felt so high
And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise

I hope everyone has a fantastic 4th of July. Enjoy the fireworks for me! The idea of getting dressed and going out sounds more exhausting than I already am. Thank you all for the invites, but I spent the day in the sky. That has to count for something? There is something about the 4th of July. I can always remember where I am and what I was doing this time last year. All the years. Today isn't where I wanted to be on this day, this year. Though, I do believe that I am right where I'm supposed to be. The questions is...where are you?

Myrtle Beach

Hi everyone! Im posting this from my phone...so i'm not sure how it will turn out. Vacation is going really well. Im eating too much and spending too much time in cheesy gift stores (yes i know they sell trash, but I love them anyway) There is also the beach....sigh. I love the beach. Im not missing Denver yet, though I imagine I will. I am missing the people though. Its strange. I always complain about the time difference, and I still am. A lot of my favorites are two hours behind. Im not enjoying that.

I am enjoying seeing my family. That is something I miss. This is the most I have seen my mom in a year and a half.

In regard to other things I am being stubborn. Something I should have done months ago. And im ok. Of course the distance probably helps. Im also wondering if posting this is too much information. Hmm....pondering. You don't care so why should I?

I have been reading Eat Pray Love. I don't love it, but I acknowledge I don't think that way. I do admire her though, and the book reaffirms that I am glad to be single. Or at least that I am glad to remain single until I find a guy I am able to be serious about.

Speaking of me being single. On the flight here a women asked me why I was single. I laughed. She wanted to know and we had a lot of time. By the end of my story she was laughing. I keep telling you people MY LIFE WOULD BE A GOOD BOOK. Too bad all the characters read my blog so I can't write the good stuff.

I need to go to bed. Its late here and I have to be up early for a boat ride :)

beach time

Wow what a day.

I applied for a job last week. I had two interviews with them this past week (SURPRISE!) The job is a student adviser *NOT ADMISSIONS!* SO I would be working with students once they enroll to ensure that they graduate.  A big bonus is that the school is right down the street from where I work. Yes...I can walk to work. I'm so excited! I was offered the position at 11:30 this morning. I was due to NAU at 12:00. I was able to go in just to quit my job. In other words...I didn't have to make another dial!!!!!! I have never been so excited to not have to go back somewhere ever before. Yesterday when I was banging my head against the desk pretty much sums up my views on the job.

Anyways...I'M FREE! Not even a free trip to Vegas could make me want to stay. Me and the girls are all planning a get together to break things down further. It's going to have to wait a bit though, BECAUSE I am leaving for Myrtle Beach in the morning!! I have a week off of work so now is a better time than ever to spend time with my mom.

So Denver, be safe. I will be back in 9 days 

Congrats to Kasi for getting married tomorrow. Wish I could be there. Speaking of cousins, Brad is coming to Denver again! I'm so excited.

It was such a good day.

Pride

Whoa. Been a bit, and I was doing so well updating! Tsk Tsk Mandy.

So this weekend was insane busy--in a good way :) Friday was Jacksons (of course) Kinda a drama filled evening, but still fun. Saturday Ellie and I went to Elitches. We got season passes. YAY I now have a place to go swimming all Summer! WINNING! That night the plan was to go out, but after trying to hunt down her friends we were exhausted. We ended up at the Yard House. We had chicken pasta and they forgot the chicken. I know right? So we got to keep what he had, and they gave us another meal. Not to mention they comped it. AWESOME. Sunday was the Pride Parade. As you can see below there was an insane amount of people. It wasn't nearly as good as last year, but it was still worth going to.

Anyways. This is the conversation that made my weekend:
Me: Happy Fathers Day, because you're so much more than just an uncle to me. I love you :)
Uncle Jack: Thank you so much. It's nice things like this that make you seem like a daughter. Love you, Uncle Dad
Me: That just made my day.
Uncle Jack: Great, you made mine.

I smile just reading it back, and I slightly tear up.  I was raised in a VERY normal way. No my, biological father wasn't in the picture. I never knew him though--so there is nothing to miss. My mom has 4 brothers and they ALL stepped up to the plate. Especially my Uncle Jack-and he is one hell of a guy. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

As for today, I am home sick from work. Hate not feeling 100% I have relaxed a lot though, and I should be good to go tomorrow. Hope you all had a great weekend too!

I heart my Grandma

What a week it has been. Work has been busy, which is good because it goes faster. I'm just really ready for the weekend.

My grandma has breast cancer, we found out today. I was at work--so big thanks to Myheisha and Katherine for the hugs when I broke down. They don't know how bad it is, she has surgery next Friday. Hopefully they get rid of all the cancer. Positive thoughts and prayers appreciated.

I have more to talk about, but its inconsequential next to my grandma having cancer. The entire thing is unreal to me.

....well here goes. In other news:
I learned a lot this past week about what I want in a relationship, and what I don't want. I also learned I won't settle for anything less than HIM.

I know who I am. I'm not divorced. I don't have kids. I'm not stuck in a bad relationship. I can take care of myself. There is nothing for you to fix here--I don't NEED you, and I'm beginning to realize that's exactly what some guys want. Yes you can say you want strong and independent all you want, but face the facts. You're looking for a project. I can't nor do I want to be THAT girl. And honestly I deserve a guy that is strong enough to handle that, and doesn't need to fix anything.

This made me laugh yesterday:
Ashley: I hate the Evans!
Me: I LOVE the Evans!
Ashley: Cappy is so much better.
Me: And this is why you are happily married and I am very much single.

It's true though. I will always prefer the Evans of the world. I may be on Team Aiden, but I understand why Carrie chose Big. When it comes down to it I will always pick Big...oh the irony.

Cheers to 2011!

It's a new year which brings new beginnings :)

Denver finally got snow...gross. I honestly had not driven in snow in over a year. I realized I don't miss it. And I mean really--did it have to storm right before New Years Eve???? LAME.

It was still a good NYE though. Doug and I went to The Hard Rock Cafe then watched the 9pm fireworks show downtown. It was FREEZING! Still really cool that I can walk a block and be in the middle of the whole celebration. Once the fireworks were done I went with Doug to his friends house in Broomfield. It was his church group--which included his cousins and brother. We played telephone pictionary. It's a super fun game so you have to try it sometime. If you want to know how just ask :) Then we hang downstairs where everyone was playing Dance Dance or something on Wii. I didn't participate but I watched, and it was hilarious! Before we knew it, it was 2011. We left soon after and hung out here...which was fun until the fire alarm started ringing, and didn't stop for an hour. The fire department came and knocked on all the doors asking people if they had been cooking. It would be funny if it wasn't so annoying.

Today I spent New Years Day with my family. We hung at Michelle's and ate chili and watched football. How American of us.

OO! Big news! I got a ticket home! I will be in Ohio from Jan 21-Jan 25!!!!!!!! I'm really excited!
AND Bigger news Jessica Fegan is getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited for you future Mrs. Rhoads!

Home Alone

I'm watching Home Alone. What a great American classic. I'm seeing it from a different point of view now that I'm older (note that I did not say old.) I still love it and can not stop laughing. They get schooled by an 8 year old.

I went to Montana today. I'll post pictures soon. Anyways we went to Billings-which is pretty much the only "city" in the state, and it's the closest city to Cody (90 miles!) It's pretty here..but not as pretty as Denver. I might be biased on that.

Speaking of Denver, I will be back there bright and early Monday morning. I'm missing it. Doug told me I was running away and I should come back. lol If I was running away I wouldn't run to Montana. Silly boy :)

On a sad note my mom's uncle Jack died last night. She was able to be with him in Florida and held his hand at the very end. That means a lot to my Grandma. She lost her little brother, and even though he had a good life and passed on peacefully it's still rough. She knew him 84 years and it's never easy to lost a loved one. I can't imagine how deep a relationship has to be that spans that long. So please pray for my Grandma and her sisters. It's just the girls now.

RIP Jack Bernard

Is it September yet?

I'm watching a TV show on Serial Killers. It's creepy. It's terrifying that people are capable of doing that to other people. Then they don't even care. I took a class on this in college, and it did not make me feel any better about the situation. There are so many things to be scared about in this world. Now that I live alone my mind will be in over-drive. Time to move on to happier subjects.

Avatar in 3D this weekend! I can not tell you how excited I am to see it. I love the movie but I never saw it in theaters because I'm stubborn and to be honest it looked dumb. It's also almost September which means my mom will be here in a couple weeks!! It is strange to think that she has never seen my apartment or met my friends. I'm just excited for whole to do all that. AND we are going to Washington Park on Friday. Which is funny, for reasons I'm not going to explain on here.

That's all I know right now. I'm going to a McInnis BBQ tomorrow. It will be nice to touch base with most people. It's going to be a busy weekend. I will fill you guys in next week.

It happens in a blink

My brother was here! We had a great time-it was too short though:( Me him and Danny went to the Cherry Cricket (love that place!) w/ Michelle and little Cooper. Then me Danny and Ryan went to Coyote Ugly. On the way home we got on one of the bike taxi things. It was hilarious! We were all crying from laughing so hard...it's one of those you had to be there kind of things.

Other than that I have been adding finishing touches to my apartment. I hung more pictures and I have frames up everywhere. I got cable today :) LOVES it. Things have been stop and go w/ the campaign, I'm not going to go into it here. He is still In It To Win It.

My mom is coming to Denver the second week of September!!! It can NOT come fast enough. I'm missing her like crazy.

I have a couple pictures of my apartment, remember it's still a work in progress


I will post more pictures later.

I started reading again. I'm not going to over think that though. The last book was super sad, but I also think I was in one of my moods (it was one of those weeks).

So I was thinking about my blog, and realized I talk about people, but I don't explain the relationship I have w/ them. I just wanted to point out that I noticed I do that...I don't intend on changing that anytime soon though.

Over all things are good, I'm ready for my friends to start moving downtown though.