In all my glory...

So yesterday was a very crazy day. I felt like I was constantly racing the clock to get everything done. The last thing I had was an evening exam for my statistics class.

I was studying away for stats, had mostly finished, but looked up a few more concepts I wasn't quite comfortable with. Feeling slightly more comfortable with said concepts I looked up at the clock and it was blinking 7:10.

Crap! I was supposed to have left 10 minutes ago in order to make it on time to my test. So I raced around the house cramming things into my back pack and rushed out the door, jumped in my car and peeled out of the parking lot.

During the drive to campus that I realized I may have a bright future as a professional driver---as long as there was a test at the finish line that I was going to be late for I would win every time. I finally made it to campus, after what seemed like an eternity filled with constant nervous glances at the clock in my car. I pulled into the institute parking lot (which is usually empty at this time of night and was very close to where my test was) and there are NO parking spots--DAH! All I could think as I peeled out of a parking lot for the second time in one night and headed for the nearest parking garage is 'I HATE family home evening!'

As I circled the levels of the aforementioned parking garage searching for a parking spot I was left wondering what the heck so many people were doing on campus on a Monday evening and wondering why in the world today of all days I couldn't find a parking spot. Finally, I found a spot, pulled in, jumped out of the car, slammed the door behind me and sprinted out of the parking garage. I looked at my cell phone--7:24. I had six minutes to make it to this test. I was praying as I walked as speedily as possible down the street that I would find the room quickly seeing as how I'd never been there before.

Right about then, something started happening in the recesses of my brain. Something wasn't adding up! Something was wrong.

Then it clicked. I just started laughing my head off in the middle of the sidewalk as I remembered that my test started at 8:00 not 7:30. My walk immediately slowed to a mosey. Instead of a frantic rush I enjoyed a nice leisurely stroll to my 8:00pm exam, arriving 30 minutes early.

This is what one busy day at grad school can do to your brain.

I hate to see what I'm going to be like when I'm old.

One life dream fulfilled...

Just saw Brian Regan live from 10 rows back.

I can die happy

and I just about did...die of laughter.

If you don't know who he is search for him on youtube--watch, laugh, and never to look back on your pre-Brian Regan existence. You'll wonder how you ever lived life without him.

Shout out to Nathan Miles for putting it all together and making this dream-come-true possible.

I got nothin'

Well I can't really think of anything to blog about. Life is busy, but I just can't think of anything witty to say. So here are the highlights:

Niece/Nephew #14 was born yesterday: It's a girl and she is ADORABLE! Chubby little cheeks already--can't wait to kiss 'em.

Brian Regan Live: that's right folks I'm going to see Brian Regan live tomorrow night. I can die happy.

Grad school is getting the best of me: At the moment grad school is going right along and I'm running, trying to catch up. Though I'm not going lie more often than not I stop by the side of the road out of breath and just let it keep going. Hopefully next week will be better.

I have little to no variety in my diet: pretty much I subsist on whole wheat spaghetti, wheat thins and salad. Not simultaneously of course. It's really time for me to start doing some cooking! Though in my defense my monotonous diet is pretty healthful, which is good.

I have a new man in my life...Bernard: ok well pathetically I'm referring to a stuffed animal, but not just any stuffed animal this is a newfoundland (it's a type of dog that I love). I'm not really a stuffed animal person, but Bernard is an exception. He was a present from my sister. She knows how much I want a real dog so she got me Bernard for the interm. Amazingly, he looks a lot like this dog we used to have (who also happens to be the best dog in the whole world!) named Moose. Needless to say Bernard and I our getting along great and it is satiating my dog-hungriness for the moment. Thanks Taylor family!

My pajamas glow in the dark: which I totally forgot about. I busted out a pair of my Fall pjs and when I turned out the light I was like 'what is that glowing...?' They brought a smile to my face. So thanks again Mom for the glow in the dark pajamas. Great investment.

Well those are pretty much the highlights.

Assertiveness Training

I am a very assertive person...

in theory.

When it comes to more practical application I find I'm a bit of a struggler.

One of my new friends here at Purdue introduced (or rather re-introduced) me to the wonderful world of public library book sales. You can get like 7 books for $5. It's great! So as we perused the tables of books I came across a title that just cracked me up, Assertiveness: 'How Can I Say What I Mean?' Of course I had to pick it up and look at it! As I was leafing through it sort of chuckling to myself when I came across this page:

and I just busted a gut (yes in the middle of the library--good thing I'm a quiet laugher) Well of course my friend is wondering what in the world is going on so I just show him the page because I can't stop laughing--and he starts laughing hysterically, choking out between fits of laughter. 'I think those are some of the very first things you ever said to me. You HAVE to get that book!'

Well needless to say, after wiping away a few tears of laughter I walked out of that book sale with my very own copy of Assertiveness: 'How Can I Say What I Mean?' So look forward to some future posting(s) about how to be more assertive.

Why Sam's Club is my new favorite store...

So those of you who know me particularly well are probably just laughing right now. For those of you who don't know me quite so well...I love ranch dressing. And not just any ranch dressing this particular brand and flavor of ranch dressing. Good news people---Sam's Club sells a 36 oz jar of this culinary delight for less than I can buy a 25 oz jar for in the regular grocery store.

Thank you Sam's Club. Next on the list...world peace.

Jail

Or at least that is where it sort of looks like these feet are.



But it is an economical way to get a bigger print of a picture without paying $10+. Just crop the picture into smaller 4x6 sections, print 'em out, and put 'em together. Voile! You too could have your very own 'behind bars' large print. haha!

Before and After

BEFORE:

So this is me after doing stats homework for a few hours. Really pretty happy and content at my plugging along:



AFTER:

This is me after checking my messages:



There was a message from a boy asking me to call him back because he had 'a question' for me...


Oh that phrase never fails to turn my stomach into a knot and make my palms sweat. We all know what that infamous 'question' is! When you call them back it's never 'What did you get for #7 on the stats homework' or 'The Bishop was wondering if you could come see him on Sunday' (People who have those kinds of questions state their intentions in their phone messages.) Oh no...it usually starts out with 'So what are you doing this weekend...?'

Really fellas (if there are any guys who read this blog) its nothing personal. I just don't think I'll ever get used to dating. I've been doing it for long enough you'd think I'd stop going into 'fight or flight' mode everytime a boy called. Though it does help a bit when you call them back and they are just as nervous and end up telling you all about their love of chalkboards...I love graduate students.