July 2006


I just finished cleaning out the closet in this room! I actually organized all of my scrapbooking stuff!! So maybe I will be inspired to start doing it again. Actually, I probably won’t because I leave soon.But it’s really organized.. i’m proud. That closet was horrible too…all kind of pictures and clippings and stickers and paper in so many boxes and garbage bags and stuff. Now all the pictures are in one little drawer, the clippings are in one and the paper is in one. I even put all the stickers and stuff in portable boxes so I can take them to school because I’ve discovered that I like sending letters/cards to people a lot (through snail mail) and I like to decorate them and make them look pretty.

Anyways… today was a pretty productive day. Besides cleaning the closet, I also cleaned my room. I wrote back to e-mails that I hadn’t had the chance to do since I was out of town, and I sent cards to some people! I might (probably will be) out of town again this weekend…to go up to Bloomington to see my aunt & uncle, and my cousin and other aunt. So that would be fun. I miss being home though..I feel bad leaving my mom all the time. :-/ But i guess it is good practice for her for when I’m gone for months at a time.

I have a lot of CDs I need to put on my ipod… maybe I will do that tomorrow.

I wish I had a ton of money so I could go print off all my pictures. That is the only bad thing about digital cameras. I take A LOT of pictures with them, and then I never go get them printed out. I haven’t printed pictures off since the end of last summer. I think. which equals almost a year… oh well, one day…


I went with Kristen and the family…


we met up with Julie whom I haven’t seen since Christmas break


Unfortunately we had really bad seats so we just laid on the grass and listened


Allison was in the play. My favorite part of this picture is the porta-potty behind us

according to myheritage.com I look like Jessica Alba.

Ok, goodnight.



I’m back from Pittsburgh!! It was a lot of fun and I got to meet a lot of really awesome people and do a lot of awesome stuff! The first night I was there we went to Derek’s house to watch some sports game on TV, but I ended up working on a song with Kristen and Ashley for the talent show. A couple days later we went to a Mexican Fiesta at Derek’s house. Then the Talent Show. That weekend we went about two and a half hours away and went boating. It was so much fun! went tubing, played volleyball and Euchere (or tried to), went swimming.. it was great! The next day we went to the new mall, and they have an H&M. That’s my new favorite store. too bad we don’t have one here :-[ Then the family had a birthday party for Mario, an old Italian guy. He was cool. Lots and lots of good food. ALL of the cousins were there too, so I think it equaled to like 13 kids…crazy. We also went to a prayer service one day which I really enjoyed. it was really encouraging and different from what I’ve been used to lately. It was a really nice, refreshing experience. That week we had a busy weekend! Friday we went to Steak ‘N Shake with everyone, which was a lot of fun. Highlights include all the girls going through Kristen’s list of life goals, and the guys wondering why they couldn’t see it. Saturday we drove to Columbus, OH (about 3.5 hours away from Pitt) for the Columbus Crew soccer game. It was a random decision, random road trip…but we had a great time! Saw Landon Donovan (Kristen’s favorite soccer player) and didn’t even know he was going to be there. Went to McDonald’s on the way home and had a random guy yell “SAY CHEESE!” to us! haha. Then Sunday was…. Bon Jovi! Awesome! Nickelback (opened), not so much. We also went to church on Sunday. I liked the message a lot. Relaxed most of the week until Thursday when we had everyone over for Italian Night! Kristen, Andrea and I made all kinds of yummy Italian food. Okay, so Andrea did most of it, but me and Kristen sure are amazing shell stuffers! All the kids were really excited about it too, and they made us the dessert. It was so cute! they made us a fruit pizza (because pizza is Italian) and an Italy cake. Friday we left for home. Katie went home with us for half of the drive, to Columbus, since we had to drive through there… I hated saying bye to everyone because you never know if you’re going to see them again :-[ The drive home was good though…Kristen and I were jamming!
And now…less than 4 weeks until I move!
We took 602 pictures all together. Yeah, that is a lot. Yeah, that is more than I took the two weeks I was in Europe. (it wouldn’t have been, had I had a digital camera in Europe!!! ((note to self for next summer))

So, the rest of the pictures can be found:
here for jumping pictures
here for Columbus Crew soccer game pictures
here for Bon Jovi concert pictures
and here for everything else


Roomies @ the Mexican Fiesta (plus Evan)… me, Kristen, and Andrea


me & Kristen at the Talent Show

Our new random obsession… jumping!


the girls, and Rick, at the lake. Rick, Katie, me, Andrea, Rosie, Kristen, Suzy, and Ebony


jumping at the lake!


me and Kristen with Calema and David, two of Kristen’s cousins


me and Kristen wearing our Texas shirts with Derek, who is an obsessed USC fan. There was crazy Texas/USC tension going on ALL THE TIME.


me with baby Isaac, the youngest of the 6 kids. He’s so cute! I would steal him.


the group at Steak N Shake, minus Shannon because she took the picture. Derek, Rick, Andrea, me, Kristen, Rosie, & Ashley.


at the Columbus Crew game. It was sooo windy!


GOAL! It was the only one they made…


Finally at Bon Jovi!!!


me with Bon Jovi! lol. Our seats were actually pretty good though.


me and Shannon at the Italian party!!


Chelsy, Rosie and me


me and Rick. I was standing on a chair. I got a massive bruise while taking this picture.


Jumping!!! duh.


One last Texas photo before hitting the road..


me and Katie


me on the way home

BON JOVI WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I’m in Pittsburgh! So far it’s been awesome! I’m staying with Kristen and a girl she works with at camp named Andrea at Kristen’s aunt & uncle’s house. I absolutely love her aunt Lisa! They have 6 kids (all under age 10) too, so there is never a dull moment. Except for I guess right now because they are all in Washington D.C….so me, kristen and andrea have the house to ourselves.

I hate typing on laptops.

Anyway. Today we went boating. It was awesome!!!! So awesome, in fact, that we took 105 pictures from just today. I can do that now with my new memory card :D I’ve met a lot of really cool people too. Yay for new friends!! :-]

Oh yeah and next week we are going to see BON JOVI in concert!!!

So I’m currently obsessed with the new Rascal Flatts CD. I pretty much love every song on it. I love it when I find CD’s that I actually like more than one song on. It makes me happy :)

Anywho, I’m going to Pittsburgh either tomorrow night or Tuesday! For an unknown amount of time. Could be a week, 10 days or two weeks…or anything in between. Who can say?

40 Things You’d Never Think to Ask…

1. Have you ever been questioned by the cops?
no

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
No..I LOVE roller coasters!!

3. When’s the last time you went sledding?
A lonnng time ago, a few years

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
I dunno… I tend to kick people when I sleep with them because I’m used to sleeping alone

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
no

6. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
I barely remember that case, but I think so

7. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
apparently Brad thinks Angelina…I like Jen better though

8. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
I know a little bit, I actually think it’s kind of interesting. I guess it’s in my blood somewhere since my dad was a lawyer/elected prosecutor

9. Do you know how to play poker?
nope

10. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
hmm… no not 48 hours. I think the longest was right at 24.

11. What is your favorite commercial?
I don’t know

12. Do you like to cuddle?
yeah

13. If you’re driving in the middle of the night, and no one is in sight, do you speed?
I don’t usually drive in the middle of the night, and the only time that comes to mind was from Springfield to St.Louis and I believe we did just because we were soooo tired, so yeah.

14. Do you have a secret that nobody knows?
I’m not sure if I have one that nobody knows, but I have one that not very many people know.

15. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
I’ll go with the Red Sox

16. How often do you remember your dreams?
it depends… I had a realllllly weird one last night!

17. Can you name 5 songs by Dr. Hook?
no, i can’t even name one

18. What’s the one thing on your mind?
this survey right now

19. Do you believe in love at first sight?
no. I believe in attraction at first sight, but love takes work.

20. What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I could sing!

21. Who is your hero?
my grandpa, my dad, my mom

22. If you could choose how to die, how would you?
Peacefully, in my sleep.

23. What do you wear to bed?
a t-shirt or a tank top and PJ’s

24. Have you ever been caught stealing?
no, I don’t steal

25. Rock or Rap?
Rock

26. If you could be seen with one famous person, who would it be?
MK, she is my best friend!

27. Do you know anyone in jail?
not personally

28. Have you ever sang in front of the mirror?
yep

29. What food do you find disgusting?
broccoli!

30. Did you ever play, “I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours?”
can’t say that I have

31. Who’s biggest fan are you?
right now Rascal Flatts apparently lol, but I don’t really consider myself anyone’s “biggest fan”

32. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?
yeah

34. If you could live anywhere where would you live?
somewhere that has warmer winters and perfect weather. I’ve heard that San Diego is nice for that..

35. If you could be any animal what would you be?
a penguin!! no not really, they are too cold… I love ‘em though. But probably a bird so I could fly!

36. Your best quality?
You tell me

37. Best feature?
? I’ve been told my teeth or my eyes.

38. When was the last time you smoked pot?
never have

39. Have you ever spent the night with a person of the opposite sex?
no

40. Do you miss high school?
not really, there are some good memories, but I wouldn’t wish to go back.

(Click here to post your own answers for this meme.)

I miss somebody right now.  (I miss my dad every day!) I don’t watch much TV these days. I own lots of books.
× I wear glasses or contact lenses. × I love to play video games. × I’ve tried marijuana.
× I’ve watched porn movies. × I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship. I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
× I curse sometimes. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year. × I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.

* * * * *

× I have broken someone’s bones. × I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal. × I hate the rain.
I’m paranoid at times. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free. I need/want money right now.
× I love sushi. × I talk really, really fast. × I have fresh breath in the morning.
I have long hair. × I have lost money in Las Vegas. I have at least one sibling.  (I have the bestest brothers ever!!)
× I was born in a country outside of the U.S. I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past. I couldn’t survive without Caller I.D.  (I don’t answer the phone unless I know who it is.)
× I like the way that I look. × I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months. × I am usually pessimistic.
× I have a lot of mood swings. × I think prostitution should be legalized. I slept with a roommate.  (me and Kristen practically lived together last year)
× I have a hidden talent. × I’m always hyper no matter how much sugar I have. I have a lot of friends.
I have pecked someone of the same sex.  (on the cheek) × I enjoy talking on the phone. × I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop and/or window shop. × I’m obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal. × I’m completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a mobile phone. × I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months. I’ve rejected someone before.
× I currently like/love someone. × I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before. × I’ve called the cops on a friend before. I’m not allergic to anything.  (that i know of)
I have a lot to learn. × I am shy around the opposite sex. × I’m online 24/7, even as an away message.
× I have at least 5 away messages saved. I have tried alcohol or drugs before.  (not drugs) × I have made a move on a friend’s significant other or crush in the past.
× I own the “South Park” movie. × I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal. I enjoy some country music.
I would die for my best friends. × I’m obsessive, and often a perfectionist. × I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy. × I have dated a close friend’s ex. I am happy at this moment.
× I’m obsessed with guys. × Democrat. Republican.
× I don’t even know what I am. × I am punk rockish. × I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
× I study for tests most of the time. × I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I’ve ever met. × I can work on a car.
× I love my job(s). × I am comfortable with who I am right now. × I have more than just my ears pierced.
× I walk barefoot wherever I can. × I have jumped off a bridge. × I love sea turtles.
× I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup. I plan on achieving a major goal/dream. × I am proficient on a musical instrument.
× I hate office jobs. I went to college out of state. × I am adopted.
× I am a pyro. I have thrown up from crying too much. I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
× I fall for the worst people. × I adore bright colours. × I usually like covers better than originals.
× I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays. × I can pick up things with my toes. × I can't whistle.
I have ridden/owned a horse. × I still have every journal I’ve ever written in. × I talk in my sleep.
× I’ve often thought that I was born in the wrong century. I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions. × I wear a toe ring.
× I have a tattoo. × I can’t stand at LEAST one person that I work with. I am a caffeine junkie.
× I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I’m not ashamed at all. × If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder. × I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
× I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner. × I’m an artist. × I am ambidextrous.
× I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed. × If it weren’t for having to see other people naked, I’d live in a nudist colony. × I have terrible teeth.
× I hate my toes. × I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me. × I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
× I have lived in either three different states or countries. × I am extremely flexible. I love hugs more than kisses.
× I want to own my own business. × I smoke. × I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
× Nobody has ever said I’m normal. Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then. × I am proficient in the use of many types of firearms and combat weapons.
× I like the way women look in stylized men’s suits. I don’t like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me. × I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds.
× I have played strip poker with someone else before. × I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help. × I believe in ghosts and the paranormal.
I can’t stand being alone. I have at least one obsession at any given time. × I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again.
× I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment. × I’m a judgmental asshole. × I’m a HUGE drama-queen.
I have travelled on more than one continent. × I sometimes wish my father would just disappear. × I need people to tell me I’m good at something in order to feel that I am.
× I am a Libertarian. × I can speak more than one language. × I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be.
× I would rather read than watch TV. I like reading fact more than fiction. I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
× I have no piercings. I have spent the night in a train station or other public place.  (does on a train count?) × I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
× I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night. × There have been times when I have wondered “Why was I born?” and may/may not have cried over it. I like most animals better than most people.  (I’m a sucker for animals!)
× I own a collection of retro games consoles. × The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver. × I have hit someone with a dead fish.
× I am compulsively honest. × I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired. × I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
× I have gone from wishing I was a girl to revelling in being a boy to feeling like a girl again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex. × I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders. × I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to.
× I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on. × I dislike milk. × I obsessively wash my hands.
I always carry something significant around with me. × Sometimes I’d rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair. × I’ve pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others.
× Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother. × I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document. I’ve liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird.
× I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time. × Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed. × I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won.
× I do not ”get” most comedy acts. × I don’t think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing. × I don’t like to chew gum.
× I am obsessed with history/historical things and can’t wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it. I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car. × I had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years.
I wish people would be more empathic and honest with each other. × I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly. × I love to sing.
× I want to live in my mother’s basement when I grow up. × I have a custom-built computer. × I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there’s a 0% possiblity of ever achieving it.
× I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human. I’ve gone skinny-dipping. I’ve performed in three plays.
I enjoy burritos. I’m Irish and loving it.  (eh..>Scot-Irish is close enough) × I have a thing for redheads.
× I am a twin! × Most of the times, I’d rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically ‘fun&’ × Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else.
I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes. × I sleep more than 12 hours a day. I wish I could be prouder of what I’ve accomplished, but it’s never enough.
× I need more time to myself. I wish I was more open-minded. × I hope that I go really prematurely grey.
× I download songs from the internet. × I’ve just reenacted chapter 58 of Death Note with my best friend. × I say random things to freak people out.
× I’m still a little mad about the ending of Death Note. × I love playing Truth or Dare. × I love listening to slow music, but I hate singing to it.
Music helps me remember that I am not alone. × Playing my favorite sport makes me temporarily forget my problems. I think this survey is particularly long.
× I prefer my LJ friends to my real-life ones. I can only hate someone that I love. × I’ve ordered an extra two shots of espresso to an Americano at Starbucks.

TODAY IS MY 20TH BIRHTDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had a pretty good birthday party //slash// going away party!

My mom made everyone eat chicken, Adam makes cookies from scratch, we changed the menu just for Hope, we got the cinematic details of Pirates of the Caribbean from Jeremy, we talked about the paper rock scissors championship on ESPN, Adam matched the red kitchen, Meredith took charge of the party (go Meredith!), Adam was the present coordinator, I leave August 26th, EVERYONE is invited to Family Weekend at Union, we made sure there was room for everyone at the table and fit as many people as we could onto the bench, and I got my back adjusted! woo hoo. I’m sure there is more stuff that happened that I’m forgetting. Hmmm….

Oh well, it was good fun. I’m glad my family got to come… I hope there weren’t too many awkward moments :-/

The pictures are available here.

Thanks for taking pictures, Meredith! :)

After the party me, Alyssa and Drew went to Target and Starbucks. I got some cool shoes and a purse (Thanks Hope!) and then we went to the falls. We also bought a game called Whoonu? which was pretty fun. We played that til like 11pm.

Toooooday I haven’t done too much. Just chilling with my mom…. I turned 20 for real. I did talk to Adam and we gave eachother the SCOOP (AKA we caught up on everything since yesterday). I love Adam, he is pretty much awesome.

Can’t think of much else! Thanks to everyone who came yesterday. Hope you had fun! (you’ll get a more formal thank you soon ;-) )

My party starts in 3 hours and since I have nothing else to do, I’m killing time with this survey.

Okay, thats a lie, I have a ton of stuff to do, but I’m still killing time with this survey anyway :)

Four jobs you have had:
1. hmm… Skip Jacks cashier
2. assistant at Anderson Bookkeeping & Tax
3. A Joyful Noise
4. and I worked at the nursing home for a brief time

Four movies you watch over and over:
1. Elizabethtown
2. Elf
3. I can’t think of anything else
4. but I do like Lifetime movies

Four places where you have lived:
1. J-ville
2. Clarksville
3. Columbus
4. North Vernon

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. The Hills
2. 7th Heaven
3. Criminal Minds
4. 8th and Ocean

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Spain
2. France
3. England
4. Italy

Four websites I visit daily:
1. insightbb.com
2. livejournal
3. myspace
4. facebook

Four songs I listen to daily:
1. lately it’s been the Carrie Underwood CD
2. or the Dixie Chicks CD
3. so any songs
4. on those

Four of my favorite foods:
1. chicken
2. quesadillas
3. Italian food
4. mac-n-cheese

Four people I am tagging:
*Anyone who want to do this …

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean at midnight last night. They started the movie like 25 minutes late though. grrr :( It was really good though! I got home and my mom was still awake too, she was scared to go to bed because she found out that Tobey has fleas. which is weird ’cause we always give him flea medicine. oh well, i guess it doesn’t work. so we ended up going to bed at like 4:45am. And I actually woke up before noon. 3 minutes before noon, but still before noon which is a lot earlier than I thought I’d wake up.

Lots to do today….

So this was a really good week! I got to see my cousin and aunt that I haven’t seen since I graduated last year and I also got to have dinner with my uncle that I haven’t seen in forever…literally it’s been years since we’ve even talked. We wrote letters back and forth a few times last summer but kinda lost touch again until recently. We’ve been writing back and forth again since I invited him to my birthday party and then I found out we were going to Bloomington and I e-mailed him to see if he wanted to get together, and he did so we all went out to eat. It was really good to see him! We had a great time, it was really cool! He felt bad that he hadn’t been in my life all these years, and he’s completely different since the last time I saw him. The coolest part was, he originally told me he wasn’t going to be able to come to my birthday party because his back had been messed up and he couldn’t sit long enough to drive all the way down here, but when I got home I checked my e-mail and he sent me a message saying he was feeling better since he went to the doctor and he was going to come to my party! it may not sound like a big deal but it is if you’re in my family and know the background story. So that’s pretty much awesome! I am so excited we’re back in touch. This week has been like a family reunion!

Anyway… on with the pictures.


Alyssa swimming at Grandma Eileen’s on Saturday


yay!


This is Bubby. He used the boob padding from a bathing suit as a hat
I guess that’s okay though because he’s not even 2 yet.


We went home on Sunday.

I went to church with my Aunt Kathy on Sunday too. But there aren’t any pictures of that.
We went to Bloomington on Monday.


Alyssa and her boyfriend Tucker


me, Alyssa and Tucker getting ready to go swimming at Farmer’s house


Alyssa and me in the pool.. I believe it was heated. It was mega nice… in ground pool, automatic pool cover. Awesome.


Happy 4th of July!


we were bored so we decided to take random pictures of ourselves…


Alyssa is loved….and licked!!!


ooh! black and white!

Then we watched Eight Below. That’s a really good movie! You should watch it if you haven’t.


back at Farmer’s house for dinner before going to see the fireworks

We played this game called Corn Hole while waiting for the fireworks. It was pretty fun. The scoring confused me for awhile though, but I finally caught on.


woo hoo fireworks!

I took a lot of pictures of the fireworks with my special ‘fireworks’ setting on my camera. They look kinda weird, but I blame that on not having a tripod. I guess they actually look kinda neat, just not exactly like fireworks.

Then today I went to dinner with my Aunt Linda and Uncle Bill


I haven’t seen them in years! I would say at least 5 years, probably more. We went out to eat at Olive Garden.
me and Grant


Grant loved Tobey! (not really, he thought he barked too much, but that’s okay ’cause Tobey thought Grant barked too much too. so there.)


how could you not love that face?
he actually traveled pretty well. He was happy to be home though.

Happy 4th of July, people! Happy Birthday, America!

The end.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIC!!!

I’m off to my grandma’s house for a few days. A weekend filled with sun, pool, steak, Christmas in July and shopping! woo hoo! and I get to see my favoritest cousin after going a whole year without doing so! PARTY.