Broke...but Happy

Just got back from the two-night adventure to Grand Forks. It was a definite success as I seemed to find something in almost every store we went in. Only thing I didn't find...a swimsuit...I guess the three year quest for a swimsuit will continue! Another highlite was playing Catch Phrase with my dad (he might be the worst player ever - but he tries hard). It's been a while since I've laughed that hard - his clues were probably worse than bad...but still funny!!

I also managed to cross a few things off my list. I went with my mom to see the movie P.S. I love you - and it was a great chick flick. I laughed and maybe even cried a little. The preview for The Bucket List also played - that's another sentimental movie that I want to see..made me think of my own list. I also made the trip to Happy Harry's with my dad. It was great. After 30 minutes of perusing the shelves the decisions were finally made. Not only did I get my apple schnapps...but I also got to pick two other bottles...sweet deal! Now I'm just waiting for New Years! About the list - don't think one week is enough to get everything done so I either have to be creative (like go skiing down a ditch) or I will extend the deadline till the end of Winter...we will see what happens.

Here's what surprised me most about this past week. I'm used to being by myself, doing things in a particular way and keeping things somewhat organized (some may say I'm way too set in my ways). Anyways...after almost a week at home - in close quarters with at least 2 other people - I have made the adjustments to make the week flow smoothly (no major altercations haha!) I still let some of a pecularities show through - but for the most part have been quite flexible. That being said, however, I am ready for my own space once again - and my own bed - I just need a semi to haul everything back! Tonight it's off to watch Cory play hockey (or at least attempt to play after a week of doing nothing but eating and maybe some beverage sipping) and then tomorrow I get to go back to my place! YAY back to routine!

Now it's time to really focus on the hockey game. Oh how enjoyable holidays can be!

Christmas!

Christmas is now 364 days away. It's crazy how much you look forward to it and then suddenly it's all done. Christmas this year was great. Once again I was spoiled like crazy. I got all sorts of random things like a rolling pin, towel warmer, alcohol dispenser, wii games (I LOVE being a doctor in trauma center ER!), a second dance pad, toaster oven, pajamas, clothes, games, headphones, lotion, and lots of other cool stuff. I know that things I will remember though won't be the gifts, it will be the things that happen. Like:

• Mom and dad misplacing one of my gifts and looking for it for a solid 2 hours yesterday before we started opening. (Note: it still hasn't been found!)


• My mom and dad playing Wii and trying out Dance Dance Revolution (I am certain that Wes almost broke the mat he was stomping so hard).


• Playing mario and sonic olympic games (and once again, pretty much demolishing Cory).


• Watching people's expressions when they open gifts that my dad has wrapped - cause you never know what to expect! Like the "matching" socks that Cory and Christine got - and what my dad hid inside!


• The fact that out of the 5 gifts that I got Cory the one that he enjoyed the most was the toy John Deere tractor and air seeder. This wasn't much of a surprise actually - it was just cute.


• All the food - breakfast was great and supper was greater! The thing about supper is that there is always talk about Christmas past - memories - and I know that a few years from now we will all be laughing about something from this Christmas.

So Christmas was great and I need to send a huge thanks out to everybody for everything! It was a great day with lots of smiles and laughs.

Just when I thought the excitement for the day was over - we get the news that Macy got engaged. YIKES! She has found herself a real good guy and I couldn't be happier for her! Congratulations!

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~Harlan Miller~

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. ~Augusta E. Rundel~

It's time for holidays...

Although there were some days I questioned whether or not I would end the day in one piece, I did make it - and I feel rather put together. The last week of school went as well as one could hope for. Actually I think I made more progress in some classes than I have made most of the semester. Basketball is in full force now - making the weeks crazy busy. While the weeks are pretty hectic it really helps me appreciate the down time on the weekends. Funny how that works.



So now that I have a few days off from school I've been thinking about all the things that I want to accomplish this holiday season. I started thinking of these things and then caught myself thinking "NO THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN" well if I think that way it's probably true. So now I'm really seriously going to try to make these things happen. A few work related tasks made the list - but I really worked hard at trying to focus my goals on things that were more recreation directed. Haha - I just wanna have fun. As the holidays progress I'll update my progress on "conquering the list":

The "List"

• Plan the trig unit for math
• Make exam review for math and biology
• Go skating and bring some "hot chocolate"
• Go skiing and then rent a snowboard and learn how!
• Watch Alvin and the Chipmunks and p.s. I love you
• Go to Mongos
• Go shop at Happy Harry's and find some Sour Apple Shnapps
• Breakfast at Coras
• Bake cookies
• Go out for New Years and have a good time
• Night out with Christine
• Go tobogganing
• Go ice fishing and out fish Dad and Cory
• Just remember to make the most of every day! Be thankful for all I'm given.

Merry Christmas

Here's to my brother

A fairly eventful weekend has come and gone. It was the first weekend in quite sometime that I was kept occupied doing things that weren't school related. It was Cory's birthday. I thought now was as an appropriate time as any to share a few of my thoughts and ideas on why he is the greatest brother.

I admire the respect he has for all people. It is rare to hear Cory talk bad about anybody. Even if he's upset he focuses on situations instead of people. He has shown me what it means to pick out the positive. I can only strive to ever do this to the extent that he does. Through his actions I have seen the way he treats the women in his life- he holds them in high regard- he has shown me what respect, admiration, and love look like. Because of the role models that him and my dad have been I will never allow any guy to treat me otherwise - or to make me compromise any part of who I am in order to make them happy.

I appreciate Cory's willingness to help out wherever and whenever a helping hand is needed. I can always bank on Cory to cheer me up after a tough day. His warm, kind spirit doesn't go unnoticed. He provides me with a sense of protection - and I know that I'll always have him on my side no matter what issues I end up getting myself in - he will be there to help me through.

Not many brothers would put up with the constant critique and comments about their performance in every single hockey game...but for some reason Cory always takes the time to listen, and usually goes out of the way to make time to hear my opinions. He knows I watch his every move carefully and cares enough to allow me to be as involved as possible. I am not looking forward to the day he "retires" - cause I'll have nobody to "coach" from the sidelines.

When I know I have the opportunity to hang out with Cory I am almost guarenteed that fun times will be had. He doesn't mind my dry jokes and usual shy disposition. He is probably better than anyone at getting me to relax, come out of my shell, enjoy whatever is happening, and have a good time.

I could go on and on about Cory - but most importantly I want him to know that he is more than a brother to me. He is a great friend, supporter, and mentor. I tell him this, but sometimes I feel like I don't sure my appreciation enough. So Cory, this is for you. I hope that your year is a great one and I look forward to the many memories we will make together. Love you lots!

Don't Blink..

Sometimes I feel like I wish I could speed time up (like those last 20 minutes of class on Fridays...or the last few seconds of a hockey game when Cory's team is up by a goal). Most of the time, however, I think there are more times I wish that I could slow time down. Like sunday evenings when I'm taking some time to relax and unwind. No matter what we do - time flies (sometimes like a turkey and other times like an eagle).

I guess what I have to keep reminding myself is that I gotta make the most of the time I'm given - even if sometimes if feels like what I'm doing at the time is gonna end up getting me nowhere - you just never can be too sure. I spend a lot of time thinking and reflecting, which I see as a good thing. However, there are times when it would be nice to just forget about everything and really truly relax. Last night, for instance, I'm sure that if all the thoughts that ran through my mind would've been recorded on paper I would have ended up with a complete novel by the time morning came. It was just one of those nights.

Lately alone time has been the most comforting - although others seem to have a hard time grasping how this could be. It's simple really. When I'm by myself I can worry about my own stresses - don't have to worry about inflicting any negative stresses on others. Right now I really have to sort out my own expectations because I am not willing to be hurt and disappointed again as a result of fooling myself into thinking that I'm doing what's right...even though at the time it's hard to see otherwise. Time to get both my feet firmly planted again and then maybe I will thinking about venturing other directions...who knows when that will be.

2 weeks till holidays and I'll try and enjoy the very excited energy that the students bring with them to school!

December is Here

Sunday evenings are the hardest. It seems that the unwinding process has just begun yet its less than 12 hours till the Monday morning havoc begins. As I sit here I can't help but feel guilty because really I should be working on getting ready for the week - instead I'm under a blanket doing nothing that will better prepare me for tomorrow. I think part of the problem is that it is so close to the holiday season. The past few months have been busy and demanding; making me fight the constant urge to begin the holidays early.

On the other side - a little relaxation in solitude might benefit me more than stressing over the fine details of an elaborate lesson plan. At least this way I'll be mentally and emotionally equipped to deal with the many needs of the highschool population. Besides - I am ready for tomorrow...it's the rest of the week that I'm more worried about it. Keep on keepin' on.

The last few months - well they've revolved around school mostly. That's how I spend my time - almost all of it. Looking forward to Christmas and just a few days to really unwind completely. I don't have plans, but lately that's what makes me the most content. It's been hard to get excited for anything so hopefully that plays itself out. Certain things have taken a lot out of me and now it's just time to rebuild - and that will be done slowly - with time. No use in making myself do things that just do feel right. Right now, what's right is reflection and a lot of me time - with occasional breaks...of course. Because "Every day may not be good...but there is something good in every day."