The L-Top

Hello everyone!

This past Sunday was the one year anniversary of Matt Lorenzi's death. It doesn't feel like it's been that long. I can remember getting the news as if it was yesterday. Matt and I had our issues in high school, but after we graduated we said how we acted was stupid, immature and we moved on. He had a lot going for him, but his addiction won in the end. Shortly after Matt's passing two more of my classmates lost their battles with addiction: Nick Tripp and Jared Howze. All gone within six months. I visited Matt and Jared Sunday afternoon. As I'm walking towards Jared's resting place, an older woman asks me if I was friends with Matt and Jared. I had never seen her before, so I replied yes and asked her the same question. She replied, "No, but I have met their families. I visit my husband Felix every week and have a beer with him." She held up her can of Keystone with a smile. That may seem odd to most, but I think it's sweet. She decorates the tree by his grave with stained glass bird ornaments too. She was a very sweet woman, and she brightened my day.

On a lighter note: I am happy to say that I am writing this blog on my fixed LAPTOP that has been broken for the past six months or so. Now, my laptop was functioning but the back light on my screen died. So I had to use this huge 1990s monitor to be able to see anything! Not only could I not take my laptop anywhere, the monitor took up the majority of my desk space and I never had room to do any studying. Speaking of studying I had a test in my Abnormal Psychology class today, and I have a test in Juvenile Delinquency tomorrow and one more in Child Growth and Development on Thursday. I'm almost positive I'll be in a drooling state come Friday. The weekend will be welcomed with open arms!

One of my kids at Clayton got the lead role in the Nutcracker play at school! I'm very proud of him! He's one of my kiddos that wants to pursue marching band, so he instantly captured my heart! Not only did he get the role of The Nutcracker Prince, another one of our kids got the role of Clara. I was joking around with both of them saying, "You know Clara and the Nutcracker kiss, right?" They looked at me and said "WHAT?! No way!" Ah, the times of elementary school and the "cootie phase."

Going in a completely different direction...
I've been asking my friends and family what they want for Christmas this year. I know what you're thinking, "It's not even Halloween yet! Why are you thinking about Christmas?" I guess I took a cue from the craft stores, and I'm trying to get a head start on my shopping. It seems around that time of year, I struggle for cash. However, the past two Christmases I worked at David's Bridal. Right before Christmas is the slowest time of the year and I was only getting about six to ten hours a week. I don't think that's enough to buy the presents you want to get for your loved ones, personally.

Random Question:
What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Is it the spirit in the air? The hot chocolate? I want to know!

Random Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWOuEGfj6g&feature=player_embedded
It's a kitten doing a cute trick for its food! I asked my older sister if we could teach my cat, Bella (we named her that LONG before we knew about Twilight, so no relation) and her cat, Piper this trick. Her response? "No. Bella is anti-everything and Piper has the attention span of a cracked out gnat."



Later Days!
Dani

Read more...

A weekend to myself!

Hello, everyone!

It's the weekend, and I've gotten it off to a great start! I got up early (this being 9:30-10), took Riley down to Bear Creek Park for a nice walk, and I got an iron rod shelf at my neighbor's garage sale for $10! I'll probably head to Goodwill or Community Storehouse today too. I have a bunch of shirts, pants, shoes, etc that I don't want anymore and I can't seem to sell.
My parents are in San Antonio this weekend. Juli is performing at the Bands of America competition (as a matter of fact...she performs at 2:15 today), and Alicia is traveling from Austin to go watch Juli with my parents! We have three dogs and two cats at home, and no one to take care of them...so here I am! It's kind of nice having the house to myself for a few days! I'm going to a Halloween party tonight as Mother Nature. I love my costume! I feel beautiful and sexy in it, without showing an extreme amount of skin. I will post pictures later!

I have three tests next week: one on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Ugh! I'm sure my brain will be fried by then! I'm going to study as much as possible this weekend. I'm off on Monday because Keller ISD is having a student holiday/teacher workday. I'll still have class early that afternoon, but no work! Woop!


I'm going to finish up an assignment that's due today. Psychology....it's a neverending game of writing assignments :]


Later Days!
Dani

PS: I was totally eating a Lunchables while writing this. I don't care how old you are, Lunchables are always delicious!

Read more...

I'm a horrible blogger...

I'm pretty sure you can agree with my subject! I haven't written anything since last week, but I will bring you up to speed!

I've been sick lately, not swine flu sick just feeling achy and whatnot. I've missed a few of my classes because of it. I did get all caught up on my assignments for Juvenile Delinquency, so I guess there's an upside to the situation!
Today is the last day to turn in my personal history statement (aka my 34-page-autobiography). I have it all done, except getting it notarized. I'm excited for this opportunity, and I'm praying it works out. If I got the position I would be beyond ecstatic! Send me your prayers and good vibes!

Saturday night, me and Joe met up with my parents at Pennington Field to watch my little sister perform with the Keller Marching Band! She's colorguard captain, and I couldn't be more proud of her! She works very hard.
Oh! Joe and I went to the State Fair on Sunday! It was my first time to the fair (yes, even though I've lived in Texas for the past 13 to 14 years), and it was fun! We rode the TRE (Trinity Railway Express) to the American Airlines center, then hopped onto the DART. Let's just say that the TRE is much nicer than DART. DART was uuber cramped!
We didn't ride any rides, but we did enjoy the cuisine! Joe wanted to eat Fried Twinkies, but we couldn't find them. I tried the fried peaches and cream, and it was surprisingly delicious! Fair food is awesome!

I'm ready for this semester to be over! Bob (my juvenile delinquency teacher) told us that after Thanksgiving, we only have a week of classes left, then it's finals week! When he put it that way, I got more excited! That's not very far at all!
And I found out that Melissa is coming home for Christmas! How exciting is that?! I told her I decided we're having a Starbucks date! ;]

I don't have much else to say!


Later Days!
Dani

Read more...

Wednesday=Hump Day

We're half way through the week! Woo!

Today has been much better than yesterday. I guess sleeping for 7 hours yesterday, plus the 6 or 7 I got last night really helps! I've been running since 6:45 this morning. I had my dispatch test for the city of Keller, and it went well! I now get to fill out a 34-page autobiography, also known as the "personal history statement". I'm okay with filling out this packet. If I have to jump through hoops to get this position, I'll do whatever it takes!
Work with the kids was okay. Sara and I have started planning our New Moon midnight showing festivities. We'll change our clothes at work, then head straight to the theater (November 20 is a Friday, so we'll be viewing it Thursday night). I'm very, very excited!
Speaking of exciting things, I found out I can use the Navigator and Mobile Web options on my phone! They're part of my plan now! Needless to say, I updated my Twitter AND Facebook from my phone and I was enthralled. To quote Zombieland: "Rule number 32: Enjoy the little things!"
I spent some good coupleage time with Joe tonight. It was very nice, seeing as our schedules HATE each other and all. If he's not at school, he's a work. He also works the closing shift every Friday (which is til like 9:30-10pm), and every weekend. I never get to see him and this displeases me. My work schedule is pretty straight forward. Monday through Friday, 2:15-6:30, with weekends off. The first weekend I had off, I didn't know what to do with myself! I had worked in retail for a year and a half before getting hired with Clayton.

Thought/Question of the Day:
I want to stop biting my nails! Even though I have on nail polish (and a very pretty color too! Innocence by China Glaze), I still can't keep my fingers out of my mouth. Any tips out there to help me stop?

Random Gripe:
Alright, I've said this on my Facebook and Twitter, but I'm going to say it here as well.
I'M. TIRED. OF. FLAKY. FRIENDS/PEOPLE.
I really pick them don't I? Someone who says they're friends with me, then whenever I want to talk or hangout, they don't have the time. I bend over backwards to do what they want to do, or "go with the flow" and be flexible with my schedule to accommodate them. I go out of my way for birthdays, holidays and I never see any kind of appreciation or reciprocation. They call me when it's convenient for them. That's great and all, and I'll let that person vent because they need to. I'm a nice person like that, but shouldn't I get the time and respect I give to them? Have you ever done the "Are you really my friend" test with someone? I'm doing it now. I'm testing to see if I stop contacting a person, will they make the effort to call, text, or message me.
I've been doing this test for almost a week. Nothing. It's almost like a slap in the face.
I love it when people show their true colors. I suppose it's better that I learn now rather than later.


Later Days!
Dani

Read more...

Ah, Tuesday!

Hello friends!

This is my first blog, and I'm not sure what to say! My dear friend Melissa started a blog on her life in Queensland, Australia with her husband, Chris. I told her if she started one, I would too. It's a good way to see what's going on in each other's lives, so here I am!

Honestly, today was a little rough. I stayed up late last night studying for a test I had in my Child Growth and Development class, and then I couldn't get to sleep. I woke up this morning in a funk, and not feeling well. I have myoclonic epilepsy. So if I wake up too quickly out of a deep sleep, or if I'm having major chemical changes in the body I could seize. I haven't had a seizure in about 6 or 7 years (all thanks to birth control, ironically). I guess the lack of sleep didn't help me much. Thankfully, I can tell when I might have an episode. My arms feel weird, and I can't concentrate on anything...did I mention I had a test this morning? I put my head down for a little bit at Starbucks while doing some last minute cramming with my friend, Amanda.
I ended up calling in sick to work. I didn't know if I was going to get better or worse. My site director, Sara, is awesome though! She told me to get some sleep and she'd see me tomorrow. I'm lucky to work with such an amazing woman :]

In other news, I'm testing for a dispatcher position with the city of Keller tomorrow morning. I wish I could study for that one! I'm a little nervous! So send me good vibes, friends! God knows I need a little help! If I can even get an oral board or an interview, I know I'm doing great! I just have to get over this hurdle! I also have an interview with MedStar in Fort Worth for a dispatcher position on the twenty-third. One of these have to work out, I just know it.

The weather is getting colder here in North Texas. I wore a hoodie today, and I was in heaven! I'm so over the extremely hot summers here. Maybe I'll move to a cooler state someday? Who knows! We're inching along through October, next thing I know it will be Thanksgiving, then finals week at TCC! Time flies!

I don't know what else to say....so yeah.


Later Days!
Dani


PS: Remember that test I mentioned? I got a 98 on it ;]

Read more...