Picture Links!

I realized that I don't have very many pictures on here! And since I just went through & copied all of my wedding blog posts into this one, I thought I'd update other stuffs too!

These are all of the pictures that I have on Facebook.

~ WEDDING PICTURES ~
Engagement Pictures
Rehearsal
Getting Ready
Ceremony
Reception
Honeymoon

~ COLLEGE PICTURES ~
Fall 2005
Spring 2006
Dallas Formal 2006
Zahra's Birthday
Summer 2006
Fall 2006 (1)
Fall 2006 (2)
Snow Day 2006
Spring 2007

~ SPECIAL ALBUMS ~
Mommy
Monte
Feast 2006
High School

The Adventures of Montezuma

Yesterday was a fun day for Monte. He seemed a little perkier than normal (which is really saying something), and his behavior rather amused me.

First, I took him outside after work. Since he seemed eager to run around, I let him off his leash & we played fetch with Bear. Then, all of a sudden, he ran over to the swimming pool gate, slipped between the bars, and trotted over to the steps (I had set him on the first step a few days ago to get him used to "swimming"). I set him on the top step, thinking he would try to jump right back out, but he just started drinking the water! It was as though he liked the taste of chlorine! So then I had to take him out...we don't want him getting chlorine poisoning.

When we went back in, I put him back in the bathroom with the baby gate so that I could do some reading. Mom & Chester gave him a strange-looking toy that's shaped like a cat head & tail attached by a rope. This is one of his favorite "group toys" so we always take it when he'll have other dogs around. What was funny, though, was that Chloe came up to the gate, laid down, and started sticking her paws through the gate. Monte responded by bringing the cat toy over to her, and they started playing with it together! It was cute to watch :)

After class, I came home & took a bath because I wasn't feeling very well. Monte always loves it when I take baths, because he can put his front feet up on the side of the tub & feel as tall as me. He gives me lots of kisses on my nose, and brings Bear to me to throw for him. But last night, after the first couple of times I threw Bear, he ran up to the tub and flung it in with me! It was hilarious! I didn't want him playing with a wet toy after that, so I put Bear up on the toilet seat lid. Monte got frustrated, because he kept reaching up to grab it, but he just missed it each time. Finally I put Bear on the floor mat so he could play. Then, he got so excited that he actually jumped up onto the side of the bath tub...all 4 feet! I think it startled him as much as it startled me, because he immediately jumped down. He's not really fond of baths lol.

Long Time, No Post

It's been a while since I've posted, mostly because of the end-of-semester madness that comes a couple of times each year. Here are some of the things that I remember:

My violin recital went quite well. I got to wear a pretty dress, and there were no major mess-ups! Somehow, I think the fact that the hall was full actually made me less nervous. Strange how that works... But Benjamin & my dad gave me some really pretty flowers, that I've been able to arrange nicely in a vase. It's a pretty mix of dark & light pink gerber daisies (duh), pink calla lilies, and pink gladiolas. Benjamin's family, grandparents, and cousin came, along with my parents & Juliane, Julie & Derek, and Zahra & Neil. I feel I was well supported :)

I was not, however, well supported by my teacher from last semester. I got a B+ in one of my literature classes in the fall, and decided to contest the grade and request an A-. I have gone all semester under the impression that I had until finals to start the process, but really I only had 8 weeks. I met with the professor anyway, and she didn't want to change the grade. I understand that teachers have the final authority on these issues, but I feel like I should not have made an "A/B" (whatever that is) on my paper and a B- on my exam. Especially when her only complaints were things like "don't phrase it that way" and crossing out "their native country" and scribbling in "Czechoslovakia." And really especially when I speak English fluently, and...well...

I have 1 more exam tomorrow, and then I'll be finished!

This summer I'm taking 5 classes:
> Statistics (CCCC)
> Advanced Composition
> World Music
> Intro to Criminal Justice
> US History

And then I'll be finished-finished! I don't know if I'm relieved-excited or scared-excited. Luckily I don't have to decide right now...I just need to get to the point where I do.

Last night Benjamin let Chloe sleep in the bedroom instead of in her kennel in the living room. I didn't notice until I got up to get some water at 4am. So I guess she behaved herself rather well, or maybe I was just tired & didn't notice her walking on me.

It's only 4:40 and I'm ready for a nap.

I'd like to find out what I need to do to get teacher-certified without having to take classes here.

I had a yummy margarita last night, and it was yummy. I want another one today :)

Ft Worth Teen Weekend

This weekend was the annual Teen Weekend in DFW. Juliane went to the teen prom in her pretty yellow dress, but didn't play basketball because of her shoulder problems. Cameron, though, did play, and quite well. I think he got 17 points in the "all-star game" at the end of the tournament. Cammy & Ryan played against each other...that was fun :)

We took Monte with us to the gym yesterday, and he ran around outside for a long time. He must have been exhausted by the time we left, as he'd been the center of attention all afternoon. He basically stayed glued to Mom's lap the whole time, except when Dad was holding him. There was a 3 month old long haired chihuahua there too. Some dumb friends of the owner-kid were pretending to throw it to each other. Poor baby. I should call Child Control.

Saturday night I came home while Benjamin went to the teen dance for a while & then to his parents' house to play games. Julie came over after her banquet (she looked so pretty in her "cocktail dress") and we watched a movie. I had rented No Reservations because it had been recommended to me. Julie said some old ladies suggested it to her as well, so we eagerly watched it. About 30 minutes into it, Julie asked when the girl was going to start dating the guy. I said she probably wouldn't Julie didn't know it, but I was secretly hoping that she would not start dating the guy, because that would mean that the plot was just beginning, and I wanted to movie to end! As it turned out, we both thought the movie was lame, so we turned it down & talked. And ate Sour Patch Kids.

Today I registered for my UTD summer classes:
- Intro to Criminal Justice (online & pass/fail...oh yeah)
- 19th Century British Literature
- History of American Religion
- Hitler & National Socialism (my back-up)

In a few weeks, I'll register for my CCCC summer classes:
- Statistics
- US History (online)

After 15 hours this summer, I will be finished with my bachelor's degree, and ready to take on the world! Really, I'll be ready to take on a serious vacation or something. August 14th is my day of freedom.

I have this countdown application thing on Facebook, but this makes more sense than that. Wow, I love my slipping antecedents and their implication on my slipping scholarly-ness.

Countdowns
Recital: 25 days
Anniversary: 126 days
Graduation: 136 days

Monte all Fluffy

This morning Benjamin gave Monte a bath. Really, he gave him a shower...he's started giving the puppy showers when he takes showers. It's quite efficient, really.

Afterwards, Monte was very excited, and needed to tinkle. He was such a good boy, waiting by the front door for us to let him out. Of course, he was still really wet, and we didn't want to let him out in the dirt until he was dry. It took both of us to blow dry this little chihuahua. He gets so frantic whenever he hears a blow dryer or a vacuum cleaner or anything like that.

Then I took him outside. He proceeded to sniff out a place to poo, and then backed up perfectly so that he could provide fertilizer to the only weed plant in sight. Then he scooted and ran back up the stairs. T'was quite cute :)

Benjamin has just left for his monthly bridge game. I've requested he be home around 9:30, so that would be like a 4 hour game. I wish things could hold my attention that long :(

This week I have 2 exams...one on Wednesday and another on Thursday. I'm looking forward to the end of the semester in...6 weeks! Then it's a few crash courses in summer school and diploma time for me. I'm not sure if I spelled "diploma" correctly...that would probably be something to look into.

Eeenyway, I'm tired even though it's mid-afternoon, and I think I'll watch a movie & fall asleep. Of course, laundry would probably be the more efficient choice...

WHAT Registry?!?

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

We went to Houston this weekend to visit my family, and today we went to Macy's with my mom to start our gift registry. We went to a "Service Counter" where it looked like we were supposed to begin, and after a short wait (during which Mom offered to get their attention by casually opening the cash register) a lady came over to help us. I explained that we needed to start a gift registry, and she gave me the most unpleasantly surprised look I can imagine, and asked, "You two are getting married?" I was like, "Yes." Then she pointed us to another counter.

Later in the car, Benjamin brought it back up. He explained that the lady bugged him, and in response to her indignance (did I make up that word?) he wanted to reply, "Yes! I love her very much!"

And I know I didn't look terribly young, because Benjamin said so. Plus, I looked extra cute, and seriously marriable, and was sporting a very pretty diamond ring on the cooresponding finger. I just don't understand her amazement. Poo.

And speaking of poo, apparently Monte likes to eat cat poo, and then Chester likes to bring poo to my parents & their guests as presents. We have some very un-selfish dogs.

After we got past the Marriage Police, we got to use the spiffy little scanner to scan UPCs :) Benjamin went a little scanner-happy, and registered for 12 butter dishes...(actually, it was an accident that we made together). But I'm happy to say that we have officially registered for our wedding china & silverware. We also picked out stuff for the bathroom, but when we went to scan it, our little scanner friend rejected the entry because apparently it was on clearance...so we had to buy it today.

(Don't) Let it Snow

I've counted it up, and I believe it's snowed about 5 times this winter. Last year, it snowed once. WE LIVE IN TEXAS! I used to get excited about the snow, but now I'm over it. All I can say is that when it's cold, I'd rather have snow than rain or sleet :-p

I'm starting to really look forward to this weekend. Friday night there is a little Young Adults social, but Saturday is what I'm reeeeeally excited about...Benjamin & I will finally go to our first "real" dance. I have a dress that I LOVE (and we found Benjamin a matching turquoise tie!)...so even though the dress code is supposedly "dressy casual" we're going in a floor-length dress & a tux <3 I really hope they play our song at some point, but I'm not really counting on it.

Then on Sunday there is another social, and then we're heading down to Houston to visit my parents. They are looking forward to seeing the grandpuppy again :-p I shall have interviews with my 3rd grade teacher & my 6th grade science teacher! Mom, Benjamin & I have a sushi date planned too :)

We're just hoping that Benjamin will be over his flu/cold/bronchitis, from which he has been suffering since Sunday night, by Saturday.

Julie just walked in...we're trying to decide which movie to watch:
Julie: Why don't you have The American President?
Me: Because my mom jacked it.
Julie: She jacked it?
Me: She jacked it.
Julie: *gangster style* You should pop a cap!
Me: *confuzzled look*
Julie: It's new slang.

Ze Weekend

...was spiffy :) Benjamin & I had a fun double-date with Jill & Matthew...we found a really good sushi place, we watched a couple of really ridiculous movies (Is it just me, or have movies gotten dumber since I stopped watching so many?), and the guys surprised us with flowers <3

Now Monte is falling asleep in my lap. He is probably rather tired, as he could not get over the fact that he had company over yesterday. He went virtually crazy as he demanded & received lots of attention. The consensus is that he is quite a cutie :-p

Mourning the Fishy

Yesterday, Benjamin's white fish (name unknown) died. He will not be flushed immediately, though, as a proper mourning period is in order. He was a good fish, and we are sad to see him go.

On a slightly more hilarious note, we watched a video in Ed Psych last night, which elaborated on Kohlberg's 6 steps in moral development. In the video, a doctor was conducting an experiment which involved giving electric shocks to a student (the "learner") when he answered questions incorrectly, as asked by the "teacher."
Doctor: When you get a question wrong, you will be punished with an electric shock.
Learner: Are you sure this isn't dangerous?
Doctor: Although the shocks may be extremely painful, there will be no permanent tissue damage.
Class: *partially laughing, partially dumbfounded*
Time passes
Teacher: That's wrong...15 volts. Excuse me, sir...how long do I hold the lever down?
Doctor: That's for you to decide...you're the teacher.
Teacher: Wrong...30 volts.
Time passes.
Teacher: Wrong...120 volts.
Learner: Aaaah!!!
As it turned out, the guy wasn't really getting shocked...Kirsten was able to tell me this about 5 seconds into it. Ergo, I was able to laugh along with the unintended humor of the low-budget video without feeling like a terrible person. The experiment was really on the teacher-dude :-p How's that for a twist?

Aaaaand, today was my first day of tutoring 3rd grade! All in all, I think it will be a positive experience...a little crazy at first, but I'll soon settle in. Hopefully I'll have my own class in about 2 1/2 years! Wow, that'll be nuts :)

Tomorrow (errr, today) we'll have breakfast with Megan & her boyfriend, and then dinner and stuff with Jill & her boyfriend. Should be fun!

Light as a heifer

On Monday night, Julie & I watched Gold Diggers of 1933 for Film Musicals class:

*Girl & Guy dancing*
Guy: Why, you're light as a heifer! I mean, feather!

Then yesterday, we watched 42nd Street in class:

Girl: *passes out during rehearsal...they carry her into the lobby...she wakes up* Oh my, I guess I passed out.
Guy: *hits on the girl who just passed out*
Girl: *bats eyelashes, etc etc*
Guy: remind me to tell you I think you're swell!
Julie: *leans over to me* Adriane, remind me to tell you you're light as a heifer!

Maintenance just came to unclog our bathtub drain. As expected, it was just hair. Lots and lots of hair.

Monte pooed on his mat! Twice! This is a big accomplishment for him :)

Oh, and while we're discussing old movies, here's part of an email from Benjamin <3:
Ummm, you didn't mention anything about catching up on school work on Sunday. :-) I figured that you would want to, but frankly Scarlet, I don't give a crap. ;-) I want to smooch you.

I want to smooch you too <3

Now that I've probably alienated most people, that is all!

The Great Rebirth

So it's been almost 6 months since I updated, and the time apart has made me realize how much I miss those frequent scurryings to the computer, coupled with a shrill, "I'm blogging that!" I liked myself better as a blog-adict, and I believe there are some others who would agree. Perhaps my attitude in person is improved by my willingness to write bluntly.

Who knows. Anyway, here's a quick update:

I went to Houston several times, and spent Thanksgiving in Dallas

For the Feast, I went to Kerrville and got absolutely nothing done. It was more fun that I expected, because I hung out with several young adults I hadn't seen in a while. Benjamin went to Italy, and sent me this:

This picture is everywhere, I know, but I love it bunches :)

I got a chihuahua puppy in November. His birthday is October 11, and he's just over 3 months now. A couple of weeks ago, he was almost up to 2 pounds! Montezuma (Monte) knows his name, and how to use his potty-pad. However, he likes to be defiant and tinkle on his mat, but poo on the floor while I'm looking at him. Other than that, he's quite well behaved.

Wreck on 45 going home over winter break. Ouch. My darling came to take care of me <3

Finally, this semester my classes are:
~ Syntax & Mechanical Structure
~ Western Literary Tradition
~ Film Musicals
~ Prose Narratives
~ Educational Psychology
~ American Public School

PS- Don't forget to post comments. I know it's sad, but I have very little excitement in my life.

Victory!!

I just changed Luke & Lorelai's water ALL BY MYSELF!! Of course, I didn't actually grab the fish like Julie does, but we can't all be super brave :) Instead, I repeatedly filled and dumped out the water, with the fish in it. That was probably more traumatic to them than picking them up, now that I think about it :-/

On the other hand, some of my appliances hate me. As I walked into my room, my ceiling fan decided to go berzerk. At the exact moment that I passed under said fan, it strategically dropped a light bulb onto my unexpecting head. Of course, I heard the bulb release, so I reflexively looked up and...*SMACK* right on the forehead.

Whee!

I've just realized that I tend to use the word/crazy sound effect "whee!" in much of my blogging and speaking. As you might be able to deduce, I heart "whee!"

I miss my Julie & Zahra...Behold, a convo with Zahra:
PRZNchika87: julie says she's never going to see you again
PRZNchika87: because she's joining a cult that lives in the woods
PRZNchika87:and she forfeits all worldly possessions.
addicat123: ha! we shall see how long THIS lasts!
PRZNchika87: ahahaha
addicat123: Miss "I need my perfectly fitted pillow to fit behind my perfectly created and fragile back in my perfectly constructed study nook in my brightly colored bed in order to be productive in the slightest"
PRZNchika87: hahahahahaha
PRZNchika87: LOL!!!!!
PRZNchika87: i am soooooooooooo xanga-ing that
addicat123: whee!
PRZNchika87:so what else my dearest adriane?
PRZNchika87: julie's sad that you think she's fragile
addicat123: she's totally not fragile...i just put that in to...err...project my own inadequacies upon her mighty image
addicat123: :-P
PRZNchika87: oh adrianeeeeee
PRZNchika87: julie <3's you as do i

I have to get my wisdom teeth cut out (yes, not pulled) this summer. One of them is already coming in, which according to the dentist, is what we call a bad thing. Megan just had her's cut out, and said it wasn't too bad...she was using the time off to clean. Perhaps I'll be so lucky...then again, my disdain for medical practices involving a needle in general will probably lead me to dream up some sort of pain, even if none actually exists. I must go to a surgeon that puts in the IV after I've been druged with a mask, and then removes the IV before I'm conscious. Otherwise, they'll have a crazy girl on their hands, which I don't believe anyone wants to see. Ah, think back to those finger-prick tests at the age of 16, when Mommy told me to stop screaming because I was scaring the children...Doctors hate me. Nurses hate me more. But not as much as I hate needles. And that's all I have to say about that.

Luke & Lorelai seem to have survived the trip from Dallas to Houston. I am quite proud of their heroic bravery. I still want beta babies :D ...Zahra, will you do some calling to pet stores again & find out how to make Luke quit ignoring his wife?

Bad Kitty

Not really. I love him.

My cat (Oreo) has a nasty little habit of coming into the garage, then letting me shut it. But when it is about 4 inches off the ground, 1/3 second from being closed, he sticks his paw under it, setting off the sensors, and making it re-open for his grand exit. He's so spoiled.

Ok, here's that nostalgic post we've all been waiting for!

Stop. Go no further. Start the song Closing Time. Have you started it? Ok good. Now you may proceed.

In about 12 hours (I’ve been working on this throughout the day), I'm going to be moving for the 2nd time in a year. I'm so unbelievably happy to get to go home, see my family, spend oodles of time with my Mom...it's been hard living so far away. By the same token, though, I'm going to be so sad to leave this place - this apartment that has become my home away from home, these friends, this environment of intellectual stimulation. So, in the style of Zahra's post (her's is more picture-inclusive than mine), I shall proceed to give a list of grievances. Ah, how this reminds me of a day about 8 months ago when I was doing this very same thing.

While I'm certainly going to miss many aspects of this life I'm leaving, most of it revolves around the lovely girls of apartment ****. These girls have turned into more than amiable roommates. They've made my freshman year experience one that I will always look back upon with fondness. They have attained the status of best friends. And for that, they hold a special, irreplaceable place in my heart. I will miss them the most.

Things I Love About Julie
* Her French accent which she "can't help"
* Her decision to marry Switchfoot...collectively
* The inertia which causes her arms to flail behind her torso upon walking
* The way I never dread the sound of "Aaa-dri-on" (now "A-shri-on") in the distance
* She is always ready to watch a Lifetime movie with me & Sparky
* Her insistence on consuming every last speck of...whatever (lick that bowl, Julie!)
* The way she confidently declares herself endearing...but that she doesn't fully comprehend the limitlessness of that statement
* Her daily updates on Erwin in my absence
* Finding her slippers tucked neatly under the table for her to come back to
* Her pretty paintings that make our living room sparkle

Things I Love About Zahra
* Her beastly willingness to protect us amid our Lifetime fears…and to fight
* The fact that she LIVES to "lock me out"
* The way she "moves in" every Sunday evening
* That she is "the world's official hugger"...and never fails to deliver on that
* That she designates and entire load of laundry to her panties
* Her offer to come all the way to Houston just to chaperone a date
* That we reached a consensus to take a nap under the warm pink UTD blanket after Hope Floats

Things I Love About Valene
* Her facial expression after muttering “huh?”
* Her disgust with spinach…and our taste for it
* That she gave me part of the vacuum fuzz after cleaning it out
* The unrecognized peer pressure which she exerts on the rest of us with her spiffy sayings

I’ll miss the Waterview network connection hating me, and kicking me off alllll the time. Zahra, thank you for not blocking me on AIM, even though you threatened to do so. Having a reliable internet connection will be saddening.

I’ll miss Julie grabbing Luke & Lorelai with her bare hands so that we can clean their filthy water. I’ll miss having 4 people around to feed them constantly. And I’ll miss making beta babies!

I’ll miss the free movies that Valene found as part of our cable package. Sleepless in Seattle, West Side Story, Funny Girl…all better when you have great girls to share them with. Oh what fun, moving the couch up to the TV…we’re tough girls!

I’ll miss naming the boys that come into our lives. More than that, I’ll miss having those boys around to do things for us. I wonder if my brother….

I’ll miss hearing Julie’s door open in the mornings, and jumping out of bed immediately. That was better than any alarm clock. What! Julie’s up before me?! Aaaah!

I’ll miss calling the maintenance men for everything that needs done in our apartment. I treasure all of those maintenance reports that we have laying around. We’re on a first-name basis with several of them now!

I’ll miss looking at Jackie Chan every time I go into Julie’s room. I have to say, he’s beginning to grow on me now. Of course, the same can’t be said of Julie’s attitude toward my fuzzy posters. It’s ok…I’ll also miss her systematically removing them from my walls in the hope that I won’t notice.

I’ll miss shouting “someone’s food is ready” because the impatient microwave keeps beeping once a minute.

I’ll miss Julie trying to make me get new PJs. You’ve tried everything, and I’m still wearing cheeky monkey! Perhaps, though, we can get matching ones in accordance with your bribe.

I’ll miss the interrogation chair, and the reign of WABB over our relationships with boys. I’ll miss the confused look on many guys’ faces as we actually carried out the interrogations we promised. Remember when Cake Boy (ok ok, Tony) brought us that HUGE cake as a peace offering? I’m glad we gave him another chance.

I’ll miss Julie’s singing on the way to the grocery store or the movies. You’ve made me love Moulin Rouge, hun! You’re so unbelievably cute.

I’ll miss Thursday lunches in the PUB. How I’ve looked forward to those each week, and hated missing them on occasion. Even when I would be working the lunch rush, it was cheering just to see you guys come in.

I’ll miss the PUB itself, and the good friends I have made working there. I’m so blessed to be able to have fun at my job.

I’ll miss Roommate Weekends, and broadcasting our mutual love to the masses. “Do you have roommates? You should get some.”

I’ll miss taking trips in our pajamas. Wal-Mart, the Meteor Theater, the mailbox…ah, the memories.

I’ll miss Julie singing “Bad Day” and playing it on her computer when I have one. I’ll miss being able to hear the song on her computer when she goes to Zahra’s xanga, since my computer hates me & won’t play it.

I’ll miss having a home to come back to when I feel weezy.

I’ll miss taking pictures of everything. It feels like everything we’ve done has been properly documented visually. I love our three best pictures.

I’ll miss the menopausal weather. Hot. Cold. Moderately warm. Freezing beyond comprehension. Yeah, it’s always a surprise. Sorry I’ve been slacking on delivering the weather report each morning!

I’ll miss having no room in the refrigerator for legitimate stuff (like milk) because it is so full of to-go boxes.

I’ll miss the yellow walls, and Julie’s paintings.

I’ll miss finding my panties in a bag on my doorknob. I’ll miss having girls around who understand how you can have an entire bag full of panties.

I’ll miss waking up to the shrill sound of smoke detectors…and laughing in the living room while they continue to shriek for half an hour in the middle of the night.

I’ll miss eating french fries from the PUB. But not before we’ve re-cooked them in the oven & showered them with Tony Chachere’s (sp??)

But more than all of that, I’ll miss having girls to call maintenance for me. I’ll miss hearing my name (with a French accent, of course) on a daily basis. I’ll miss the people with whom I take grocery store trips, and the girls that live to lock me out. I’ll miss having those awesome friends who are willing to ask weird questions to make sure that the guys I’m hanging out with are worth it. I’ll miss deep conversations that last until the wee hours of the morning, and buying lots of pillows with my new bedding, confident that we’ll use all of them.

The memories…

In the past 8 months and 19 days, we have accomplished so much. Much more than a group of skimpy college girls could be expected. We have:
(click the * for a picture!!)
* Gotten through a pregnancy & learned French insults
* Successfully sauntered Wal-Mart in PJs at midnight without getting raped
* Learned how to do normal body functions in a class that 1/3 of us don’t take
* Cured Julie of her brownie addiction
* Established ourselves as virgins
* Taken pictures with Abuelo
* Been through some hard times, and remained there for each other
* Experienced the awesomeness that is giant QuikTrip cups
* Considered skydiving together…nah!
* Had fun with balls (hehe)
* Shrunk our collective female fat zones
* Traded clothes & warned each other of possible death-by-weather
* Made it through Govt 2302. ‘Nuff said.
* Realized that our best dates are with each other
* Giggled about boy parts during Thursday lunch
* Put glucose tablets to a much more “creative” use
* Gotten married. Some of us more than others…
* Been totally awesome princesses
* Gotten gussied
* Turned on one another, but made it through in the end
* Been scarred by the sight of nakey boys & discussed nakey trees
* Ordered & eaten 3 medium 1-topping pizzas
* Handled the three-musty-Mexican-maintenance-men & called maintenance for EVERYthing! They must loooooove us!
* Discovered the tragedy of the female condom & hemorrhoids
* Prepared for a tornado
* Had a slumber party on the balcony
* Grown quite accustomed to talking on AIM & banging on walls
* Experienced the happiness of Julie & Zahra’s marriage
* Left Olive Garden with 10 to-go boxes
* Gleefully pounced upon each other
* Caught & detained the blog culprit…but she still commits her crimes!
* Become tenacious wildcats in Jujitsu
* Dedicated Zahra the confrontational-phone-call maker…for bills and the cable guy
* Named boys & done interrogations with WAAB
* Spoken out against modern sexuality
* Played some serious flag football
* Toasted our 1-month anniversary
* Disturbed an entire movie theater with our fashionable exit
* Learned where we come from…through the people upstairs
* Lived through fire
* Rewarded ourselves with a couple of our favorite jelly donuts
* Left our comfort zones & made new & lifelong friendships

Tonight we had our reminiscence session. We sat on the couch, in our PJs of course, and ate french fries. We talked about our time together. Zahra recalled “hating” me when I moved in, because I apparently gave her a weird look. How was I to know that she was supposed to be there?! We realized that we attended the same orientation last April. The 3 of us recalled our first eager telephone conversations and unleashed first impressions. Julie thought I was going to be a drunken popular girl…but when she came in & saw me “freaking out” over groceries, she knew she had nothing to fear. I thought she was going to be a really anal smart girl…which she is (without the anal part :-p). Zahra addressed how unfair I have been in taking up all of the communal kitchen & storage space…and Julie agreed. Apparently, I have too much crap…but I can’t live without it. Then Julie started to go into her room. I thought she was coming to my room to read this screen (a super no-no) so I ran to stop her. In the process I hurt my foot. She doesn’t care…she said I deserved it. Poo. :-)

I’m sitting here, now at 2:30 in the morning, after just having had a discussion with Julie. Mostly, we talked about how much I miss orchestra & what a big part of my life that was. I’ve often thought about where I would be in my musical pursuits if I had followed my original plan to go elsewhere.

But tonight, after our reminiscence session, I realized that Julie, Zahra & I ALL wanted to go elsewhere. I wanted to go to Sam Houston & major in music. Zahra wanted to go to Rice & made this known through her attitude at UTD orientation. Julie wanted to go to Baylor & got a new car instead. I remember fighting my parents about this school, telling them it was the last place I wanted to go. I even had all of my friends hating the idea with me.

Even after deciding that I did want to come here, I still catch myself wondering. I wonder what I might have kept if I hadn't abandoned my “first choice.” What’s ironic is that after 8 months, I now realize what I would have lost if I had.

Love Always,
Adriane