Rain, Rain Go Away

I've figured out that I have the time (and remember) to write a post about once a week. Yay! This past week, not much happened... except the HUGE drop in temperature that brought the weather from fall to winter. I hate the cold! Especially when I don't have my winter coats or gloves with me. I have terrible circulation in my hands (it is called something I can't spell haha) so they are freezing, even inside!

Thursday night, I had the pleasure of playing in a soccer team. In the freezing cold. When it was supposed to rain. With people I didn't know. If you can't tell, I'm a bit bitter. It was pouring all day and freezing so I was hoping and praying the intramural soccer gane might be postponed or cancelled. But no, I got to freeze my butt off playing in a game with people I didn't know. Can't you tell I love doing things when I'm cold?

Friday night, I stayed in and did a little pampering. Yes, it is halloween weekend, but I felt no need to dress like a floozy (I am an 80 year old grandma at heart) in sub 35 degree weather. Plus, I was visiting my lovely boyfriend on Saturday and wanted to be sure I looked good:) So I showered, figured out what I was going to do with my hair, and gave myself a pedicure. Since the forecast was a rainy day Saturday, I couldn't straighten my hair like I originally planned so I left it natural in its semi-curly state.

Saturday I was off to Annapolis! I got up bright and early (sans the bright) and was out of my room by 8:30. I got to spend a lovely car ride with Patrick's Aunt Amy to get my car at his grandparents house. She had the most adorable bull dog in her car! Lulu was staying with her for a week. I fell in love:) Anyway, the ride down to Annapolis had to be the most scary car ride ever. For some reason, every huge truck in the Northeast decided to drive down 301 yesterday. I think every single one of them was out to get me. One cause me to be completely blinded by the water it splashed up on my windshield. That was hands down the scariest moment of my life. Another decided it wanted to pass ME and then slow down so I could pass him...uhm? But I finally made it to Naptown.

 By this time, I really had to go to the bathroom (thank you small bladder). Annapolis has NOWHERE you can park and just run in for the bathroom. I had to drive all the way back to the far side of town to find a supermarket and use their bathroom. I was a lot earlier than I expected. By the time I got back over and parked and walked to the yard, Patrick was strolling right out of the gate. Boy, did he look good. I was so happy to see him! Yes, I did see him last weekend, but we were finally getting the chance to hang out alone. It was almost like we were back home and it was senior year again. We watched movies all day and then went out to an amazing dinner that night! So good! Then we had a little bit of extra time before he had to be back on the yard (dinner took about 3 hours) so we sat and just talked, which is my absolute favorite thing to do. Then it was time to drop him off once again. Patrick wanted to try and get in through gate 8, which we were pretty sure we couldn't do. And we were right. We had the shortest goodbye ever. He literally hopped out of the car and was gone. Leaving this time was the hardest, for me, that it has ever been, next to I-day. I'm not sure why but I'll just say the ride home was a long one.

Unfortunately, the weather prohibited us from getting the pictures done I had been SO excited for. But, we can reschedule and hopefully the next day we plan will be picture perfect.

My life in a nutshell...

Okay, so keeping up with my blog hasn't been the easiest. I have tons of studying and homework to do (thank you, chemistry) along with tons of other things. I made it to the gym the other day after my run. I decided I was going to do a killer work out with Amanda (poor her). So we actually lifted. Like track practice lifting. Now my shoulders are so sore and have so many knots, I really need a back rub! And my feet are not very happy with all of this walking. I can't really remedy that too easily though. I refuse to take the bus unless it's absolutely necessary because it gets me at least a little work out.

On a different note,  a few different issues, both good and bad, have caused me to really start getting to know one of the other usnagfs. While we talked before, I can't believe how close Lauren and I are getting. She's beyond amazing and so helpful! I'm so thankful to have her to talk to! In other usna news, Patrick and I are having a wonderful opportunity next weekend! I cannot wait. I've had my outfit picked out for two weeks already! And I am so excited to finally meet Miss Megan! I am so so so EXCITED!!!

In a little bit, I get to go to the mall! I am pumped, it is way better than my mall at home! I love trying dresses on:) After that, I need to be sure I have all my stuff ready for tomorrow! I get to go to the Navy homecoming game vs. ECU with my second mother, little sister I never had, and best friend. I am stoked! (yes, I did just say stoked.) I'll be rocking my Navy crew t-shirt, ohhh yeahhhh:)

My decision to try to stand up while on facebook, twitter, blogging has become an epic fail. You burn a significantly greater amount of calories standing as opposed to sitting. I did dance around my room today! Thank you exercise science for teaching me so much awesome stuff, then making me feel really terrible about myself hahah.

Like Nike says, I need to "Just Do It".

        So blogging has been put on the back burner for awhile for a few different reasons. They aren't really important right now, so I won't go into detail.
       Two weekends ago, I went home to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday! (Old right? No one ever believes me!) It was so amazing. I came home before he got home from golfing (newly retired, what else would he be doing?). I waited in our family room with my mom and brother until he got home. I was nervous because I didn't exactly leave for school with him on good terms. When he got home, my mom and brother hid me from him (Jimmy decided sitting on top of me would be appropriate). He finally realized I was there and he gave me the biggest bear hug ever! It was the best feeling in the world. He also has a new thing where he is trying to give Jimmy and me a hug every day (obviously not while I'm at school) and tell us he loves us at least once a day, because you never know when one of us might not be around anymore. The four football players our community lost really took a toll on our community (I found myself hysterically crying when I saw a minor car accident the other day on my way to lab). Anyway, back to the weekend. The next day, I got to see Patrick's first race for Navy! It was exciting:) I love watching my man do what he loves to do. He ended up getting his Chit approved to come home for the weekend! It was great. I didn't want the weekend to be over.
        Last week happened to be stressful but ended up going by really quickly. I got my Chemistry exam back and was not too happy, but I can't say I expected any better. I just don't understand Chemistry.
       This past weekend was amazing though! Well first, it was parents weekend so I got to spend the whole weekend with my family which is always great. Plus, I got to stay in their hotel room to get a break! I loved it. Aside from the kind of stuff, my cousin finally had her twins! She's the first of my paternal cousins to have children. She had two little girls, Ella Grace and Addison Taylor (I am IN LOVE with the names!). I cannot wait to finally meet them! Also, bright and early this morning, my cousin's husband came home from his deployment! I am so so so happy for her! First, they didn't think he'd be home for Thanksgiving! And also, they spent probably eight, if not more, of their first year of marriage separated! I know thats what you sign up for in a military relationship but still, I couldn't be happier for her! Her 3am text saying she was getting up to shower made me so happy!
       Well, there is my recap of the past two weekends. Now to the current stuff. My parents have started worrying about how much I'm eating and whether or not I'm losing (too much) weight. While being a vegetarian in the dining hall is doable, it definitely isn't the easiest thing and isn't made any easier by having my classes interfere with open hours. And, since I haven't been working out as much as I used to (no dance classes 3 nights a week and no track practice), I don't burn a ton of calories and therefore don't need to eat a ton. I just need to be sure what I'm eating is healthy and worth the calories I take in.
     Which brings me to my next issue. I, for the first time in my life, do not have a flat, almost 6-pack stomach. I am beyond embarrassed of it, but hopefully knowing someone (I hope) is reading this will make me nervous that someday they might see the aforementioned stomach and be grossed out. So I am hoping it motivates me to get moving. Finding time to work out (the way I'm used to working out) is extremely hard. I've attended triathlon club meetings, but since I'm not a swimmer, don't have a bike, and haven't ran in who knows how long, I'm not quite ready for that. I went to the gym twice last week along with a Zumba class in the lounge. Go me! Finally getting some exercise in. I am in such a workout lull that I can't even get motivated to make up workouts (poor Amanda is stuck with the same old workout). So I decided I NEED to change things. While there isn't much I can do diet-wise while eating at the dining hall, I refuse to lose my body that I think isn't too shabby. I am planning to run before class Tuesday and Thursday. I also plan to go to the gym at least two days this week along with doing workouts in my room when I don't have time for the gym. I really have trouble with self-motivation and holding myself accountable so we'll see where this goes. I really need a training buddy, maybe who doesn't live here, who I can make this a competition with. All I know is that I'm getting pictures done next weekend and I really don't want to have to pick a different dress out to wear because I don't look as good as I did when I bought it...

The Longer the Waiting, the Sweeter the Big, Wet, Sloppy Doggy Kiss

Okay, in reality, I think dog kisses are disgusting. I love my dog and all, but I don't need her lovely tongue on my face. It's dirty. I don't care if "studies have been done and dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths". People don't lick me. But that's besides the point. I am FINALLY home for the first time since I went to school! I am one happy clam right now. (and yes, I did just say happy clam). Sunday is my dad's birthday and my mom, brother, and I managed to keep my home coming a secret from him! It made me so happy that he was so shocked to see me. And he gave me the biggest, longest hug I've ever gotten from him, which makes me happy because I didn't leave for school on the best terms. It's amazing how one thing as common as a hug can make your night.

Along with coming home to see my amazing family, I also get to see my boyfriend's first crew race rowing for the United States Naval Academy! Not only do I get to see him in his sexy uni (okay, not everyone agrees they are sexy...) but I get watch him race against my school, which is pretty fricken sweet since one of my guy friends rows for us. In other sporting events, I would be "reppin" my Delaware pride, but since Patrick is actually COMPETING, I guess I can sport my Navy gear:) I am also hoping everything works out and he gets to finally come home! He would be so happy to come home after four months! And to wear civies again...ahhh must be a great feeling. But we'll see how that works out:)

Otherwise, not much has been new. I had a very lovely chem exam Thursday. Not my favorite thing in the world but its over now. Though my chem teacher decided not to tell us until today that our labs went out of order, so I got to write a new procedure for next weeks lab. Just when I thought I finished all my homework for the weekend...

Okay, the fact I'm sitting here actually listening to "Anchors Aweigh" shows how much Patrick is rubbing off on me. I downloaded it for a project and never thought I'd listen to it again, except at Navy events. The perks of being a Navy girlfriend...

Oh! So the dork in me is coming out...I got wayyyy too excited that I found more sweaters to take back to school with me than I remembered having! I am one happy camper!

Food for Thought: If things are meant to be, they will happen. Maybe not when you want them to, maybe not how you expect, but things always work out how they are supposed to. Just have faith. And remember, “There is no joy without hardship.  If not for death, would we appreciate life?  If not for hate, would we know the ultimate goal is love? … At these moments you can either hold on to negativity and look for blame, or you can choose to heal and keep on loving.” -EKR

chemistry: a slow and painful death

Okay. Everyone has one. That terrible subject you just can't get a grasp on, no matter how hard you try. For me, this subject happens to be chemistry. And what is worse, my chemistry professor is probably the worst professor I have (not that she's completely terrible, all my other professors are just amazing!). Well, I have my first chem exam tomorrow. The more I study, the more confused I get, which is really quite wonderful. Better yet, she moved on this week to a bunch of organic nomenclature that won't be on the test! Oh how I love getting confused. I have presently decided as long as I get a C- for the semester (the grade I need for it to count towards me major), I will be ecstatic! Luckily, I only need 2 semesters of chem to graduate and they are both 100 level classes (my bio is a 200 level class, yet I find it easier?) I don't know. What I do know is that I am NOT destined to be a chem major.

But, I will say I love all of my other classes. My ex sci professor is probably one of the coolest guys I've ever met. My psych professor should be  a comedian. And my bio professor is adorable with her quirks. I actually enjoy going to their classes. I've decided, from ex sci, that this is definitely the major I want. From psych, I decided I want to have a psychology minor. And from bio, well, I decided AP bio last year wasn't such a bad idea. Thank gosh all of my classes aren't like my chem class, or I don't know how I would survive this semester.

On a lighter note, this weekend I GO HOME!!!!!! I have not been home since I left for school at the end of August. I miss everything terribly. AND, I forgot to bring a picture of my dog with me to hang in my dorm:( I am so excited because I'm surprising my dad for his birthday, which is on Sunday. I'm a little worried because we haven't talked much since I left for school because he was very upset with my decision not to jump for the track team. Yes, it may have been a great experience, but I do not regret my choice. I would not be able to even THINK of passing chemistry. And, I am able to join the triathlon club and hopefully compete in my first race in the spring! But anyway, back to my dad. I'm hoping it's kind of a forgive and forget situation. I do think it is very funny that he keeps asking my mom if they are going to Patrick's race on Saturday so they can see me (I will actually be going from home with Patrick's mom). She doesn't know what to tell him because they don't have to go anymore since I WILL SEE THEM FRIDAY!!!!!! The crew race will be another highlight of my weekend. I will get to see my boyfriend in non-Navy attire (not that I don't find him highly attractive in his uniform). AND that means PDA is allowed! yay:) I will have to figure out how to get all of my homework done, especially if his chit is approved to go home this weekend! I am beyond excited to be around my favorite people in the world this weekend. Also, my roommate will be venturing to the crew race to watch the Mid she has been talking to. It will be an interesting story to see how her travels go. She will be meeting his family (uh-oh) along with meeting my second mother (Patrick's mom)! I am so excited. AND we get to see one of the guys on our floor race, and get crushed by, Navy. I am so excited! Uhm, have I said yet that I am so excited?! I will be home until Monday morning which is the most wonderful thought in the world!!!

Welcome to my super busy month of October!