Favorite Time of Year

-Doing all of my shopping on the 23rd.

-Not putting our tree up, but rather borrowing a 3ft tall fiberoctic.

-Only having 70 lights on the 3ft fiberoctic accompanied by a few small ornaments.

-Displaying this tree on the 24th.

-Being 18 and in the classified category "too old for gifts".

-Walking into family's homes wearing flip flops and short sleeves on Christmas Eve.

-Having a sinus infection which brings a sucky appetite for the best time of year for food.

WHINE WHINE WHINE.

On a positive note,

-I was able to spend some time with both of my favorite families (Norman's and Easter's)

-to see a couple of dear friends that I hardly see anymore

-received the first ornament that we will place on our first Christmas tree together AND it's Mickey and Minnie =)

-Got the Bose headphones that I've wanted for quite some time.

-Enjoyed watching Christmas movies with loved ones

-and organized my room and closet... which makes me feel super wonderful.

So Merry Christmas. 

There were definitely things about this year that drove me crazy, but I didn't miss out on anything that really matters in life, and was thoroughly blessed with what counts the most.

Ironic

While walking through Disney World on December 18th, I hear "Let it Snow" being sung to congas in a tropical rhythm, airing over the world's favorite 80 degree F fairy-tale land. 

"I had an epiphary!" -Michael Scott

The title above may not be the EXACT quote... but the same message is there, in which pertains to me. I've come to realize that I am not the blogger I'd like to be. This is my first post since like 2 or 3 months? And it isn't even about anything. So I need some new ideas. 

Meet My Randomocity!

I'm going to somewhat vent a little. However, I'm going to make sure that there will be more positive things said than negative. 

. I can not stand selfish people. UGH!

. This morning was incredible. You know that early morning- I can crawl back into my cozy oh so comfortable bed- feeling? Oh gosh, yeah.

. I only have one more week (after this one) to deal with Elm Spanish class! WOO HOO!

. I've already gotten a jump start on Christmas shopping. This is pretty amazing for me! Last year, for example- I was rushing around 2 wks before trying to purchase everything for everyone. 

. I'M GETTING A WII!!! 

. I heard a song the other day from the early 90s that I haven't heard in years, and it's been stuck in my head every since!

 "She's got her daddy's money, her mama's good looks, more laughs than a stack of comic books, a wild imagination, a college education, add it all uuuup it's a deadly combination! She's a good bass fisher, a dynamite kisser, country as a turnip greeeen. She's got her (dun) daddy's money (dun na na)  her mama's good looks, and look who's lookin at me!"

Fun stuff. =) Don't you love finding those old songs that you once loved before?

. I have quite a few people that I miss dearly. Friends that are off at college or either live several states away... but the good thing?

I'm going to Disney during thanksgiving, and then again for Christmas break! HECK YES. 

. My daddy will be 49 tomorrow. Time to start planning for next year's big party! 

. Oh, and the best part? Here's the parana's woeful tale of the day. I got my bottom braces on last Wednesday, right? Well because of my overbite, they had to put an appliance in the roof of my mouth so my top teeth don't break my bottom brackets. I have the worst lisp EVER. It's slowly getting better- but wow it's frustrating. My bottom brackets are stainless steel instead of ceramic (clear) like the top, so now I really can say "I'm a parana. Parana's live in the Amazon!" and look like the girl from Nemo. Ha. 

That's it for now! 

God laughs.

My dad and I were having a conversation a couple of days ago concerning the importance of me having a spare key for my car. What you need to know is that my key contains some kind of recognition chip and thus can not be replicated for a small price. Of course, my argument was that I could just be responsible and not have to spend about $100 in having one that I may never need. After all, I've never before lost the one I already have.

A couple of hours later.

I'm unloading my things from the bus from the previous weekend's events. It's a weekly thing- unload all the clothes, wash them, and get them back on the bus. I finish what I'm doing, and go to grab my pocket book and keys. Only- I can't find them. About this time- 10pm- my dad calls to tell me he's going to bed unless I'm going to be home within the next little bit- then he'd wait up for me. So I tell him that I'm looking for my keys- right after we've had this conversation about me losing them! In the meantime, my dad is laughing at me, saying those oh so dreadful words of "I told you so". I checked everywhere. My pocketbook, the first place I ever put them, they aren't there. My bunk, where I've been unloading things from, not there. Inside the house, maybe I left them on the bar before I went out to the bus, they aren't there. I looked for my keys for 40 minutes. Yes. 40. So I'm thinking- Ok, God. I've cried uncle. I get it. Finally I found them. They were in my pocket book, but they had gotten down into a side pouch that I had no clue was even unzipped. I guess God has a pretty good sense of humor, and more than likely I'm going to end up out of a hundred bucks here pretty soon. 

Heroes s3. SPOILER ALERT.

So if you saw Heroes last night, you're most likely haunted with the thought that Sylar could be Clair's uncle. REALLY?! Is that why he didn't kill her? What in the world is up with Parkman? Where is Molly? Do I REALLY have 6 days of waiting for the next episode? 

Now you know what my previous Monday night consisted of. What you didn't know is that this brace face pigged out on sausage rolls... or something of the sort. Not that sausage rolls are of ANY concern to ANYONE except the hungry. Maybe I'm hungry. Hmm. 

I've just had to take a break from college for the night. I've worked for 5 consecutive hours and am still slightly behind. Ok- pretty behind. 

Did you know that this week has been deemed National Stay at Home Week? This time of year always makes me enjoy home much much more. The weather in some weird way makes me so much happier. I sleep better. I'm more energized. I'm more positive. I'm wearing long sleeve shirts- and I'm loving it. 

Speaking of long sleeve shirts- I got some pretty amazing deals at American Eagle last week. Any top- buy it, get one half off. Oh yes. 

My cat almost died. My dad drove his truck not knowing that my darling kitty was underneath the hood. Luckily she wasn't near the whatever belt he mentioned, and she came out of the truck- at the church- without a scratch. He got her back home and she hid for the rest of the day. My poor girl. 

Luckily, I have a Challenge episode on T-Vo awaiting my attention. Forget college. I can do more tomorrow. 

To: office lovers <3

Are you a die hard fan of The Office?

Season 5 is just around the corner...

Will Jim propose to Pam??? 

Go to www.dundermifflininfiniti.com and join the Macon branch!!!

I bet you didn't know...

If you were to ask me to tell you one thing that you probably didn't know about me, here's what I'd say:

I love watching food network cake challenges. They fascinate me. The more I watch, the more I just wanna try to make one. You can be so creative! You can do it for any occasion! AND IT'S EDIBLE! How much better does it get? I really want to try this... and as soon as I have free time and a few extra bucks, I think I might! =)

For now, I should go be a good college kid. Broke and timeless. 

In a Japanese world..

Fact: Japanese societies require their workers to begin their day with meditation. 

In a business, typically the first half hour to an hour is spent in deep meditation. It doesn't end here... it gets better.

Fact: An hour long power nap is required mid work day. 

I can only wonder why America doesn't find this to be a great idea. With all the the Japanese are capable of, what is there to disprove this method? 

I always believed in power naps in high school.

College and ambition

So we got back home on Monday, and Sheri went for chemo. She's still holding strong and doing well! Thanks for your prayers... I know this family appreciates every one of them!

We left out again on Wednesday night at 11. Last night we were in Richmond, IN, and tonight are in Tallahassee, AL. 

I started online college Wednesday, and so far, I'm really liking it! I've been getting up about 2 hours before everyone else and using that time to check assignments and do whatever reading is assigned. Funny enough, I'm about the only one fresh out of high school- since it's online college which provides great opportunities for adults with lives. (As if I'm not speaking the obvious though =) ) It's really cool though to read what people post and how different everyone's lives are. 

I'd love to start blogging more often... it's something I'd like to be good at. I've said that in a myspace blog before but I think I wrote too often instead of just writing when I felt "inspired". I figure it just takes practice, so anytime anything interesting happens, I'll be sure to post it. 

For now, it's time to load in product and get started in our nightly routine.

Tomorrow, our show is in the morning- which means a 7:30 AM set up time. We'll have the rest of the day off though- and maybe time for a movie! Real quick- speaking of movies- Madison and I saw Tropic Thunder Wednesday... hahaha.

Much love,

Shan

Homeward bound.

This blog is going to be lengthy because it's going to cover about 10 days- briefly.

So I'm finally on my way home. I left home Aug the 13th, Wednesday before last. That Thursday we did a date in Berryville, Virginia- with The Lewis Family. Then we left headed to Atl where we took a plane to Seattle, Washington- which was my first time flying! Once we got there, we boarded the ms Amsterdam and set sail for Alaska. 

Here's a brief description of the trip. ( Midway through the week I realized that I didn't pack my USB for my camera- the only thing I forgot to pack- which means my camera died... I'm so ready to get home because I can upload my pics to my computer and actually look at them!)

Friday- we boarded. They did 2 shows that night and Madison and I stayed with Maura...  she's such a fun kiddo, lol.

Saturday- we just sailed. And got our sea legs, of course. They did a few more shows and the bookstore was opened for a few hours so we worked it. 

Sunday-

We were in Juneau, Alaska. We went to the Salmon Bake where we ate a lot and took lots of pictures. Joe Penrod ate a worm. Ew. We were all roasting marsh mellows and this squirrel was like 3 feet away from us. No, that's not a big deal but it wasn't to afraid of us... until we got within a foot anyway. 

Monday-

We had the day off from work, and were also in Skagway. 

Tuesday- 

We viewed the glacier and water falls at Tracy Arm. I couldn't stop taking pictures! With each one I just felt that I could get a better one. To tell the truth, the pictures really wouldn't do the real view any justice. 

Wednesday-

We were in Ketchican.

Thursday- 

We were in Victoria, Canada- which was absolutely beautiful.

Madison and I were able to grab supper at a nice Italian restaurant with Marsh and Pastor Tom.

Friday- we arrived back in Seattle and disembarked at 7:30 AM, flew to Dallas... which is a whole nother story.

So we get to the Alaskan airport in Seattle. We've been sitting there for like 2 hours and it's almost time to board. Kyle turns to Madison and says, "You know that guy from the eye drop commercials??" Madison- "Yeah... Ben Stein?" and he begins listening. He realizes that the voice next to him really does sound like Ben Stein. So he looks over, and Ben Stein has heard the whole conversation. He smiles and nods confirming his identity. We all got excited and planned on asking him to sign our boarding passes if he got off the phone before we boarded. He didn't, but Madison was able to tell him that he was looking forward to his newest flick. Then Ben stops me and says, "You are very beautiful!"  I thanked him. He then points to Morgan and says, "You are too!". So we felt pretty good =) Such a random thing to happen... Ben Stein sitting by you in the airport... who knows how long he'd been there before we noticed. He was probably flying out to LA... who knows.

So we get to Dallas, and we had some Japanese. Mrs. Sheri and I decided to leave once we ate and headed for Old Navy and Khole's. They had a whole lot of cute stuff in for this season, so that was a nice shopping trip. Besides, I always enjoy her company. She's pretty incredible. 

Saturday- as in yesterday... we had a show in Seminole, OK. With us were Mike and Kelly Bowling, Karen Peck and New River, Austin's Bridge (this was my first time hearing them- they were pretty cool), The Dixie Melody Boys, and Aaron Wilburn. He's a hoot. Thankfully it didn't rain, like it does every year... but it was a long show. I don't think we were done and packed up until like 3 AM. 

Today, Sunday, we had a date in Emory, TX. And where I began this lengthy blog- we're now on the way home. I'm going to upload some pictures tomorrow. 

Sheri starts chemo in the morning. Please keep her and the family in your prayers. It's much appreciated. =) 

Much love,

Shan