Finally, pictures.

Today is my day off of work, so I have been busy
organizing and finally cleaning my kitchen, getting the computer hooked up to internet, and then taking one long nap to old episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Sound like an awesome day? It is...and I intend to get back to it right after I put up some long ago promised pictures from my camera :)

1) Yummy sushi during an afternoon outing with Cindy, before we saw Black Swan. Such a fun night out with a good friend!!












2) My often-after-work ritual. Playing pool with good work friends and talking a ton and laughing too much. Oh, and yes, I was the DD this night.










3) No seriously--I love my work friends. They make the more often than not good days awesome, and the occasional bad days bearable.










4) New Years Eve--ringing in 2011 with good friends and watermelon flavored hookah.












5) Jamie, me, Erika, and Will enjoying wine right after I arrived at the party. Fashionably late as always, but ready for fun :)











6) The bachelorette, belle of the ball, always classy and gorgeous Erika. This was stop 2 of the night--Las Margaritas--ostensibly for cheese dip, but clearly for the margaritas.









7) Beginning of the night. Erika's mom hired one of her students to be the DD. Trust me, it was a wise call.












8) Sing it or wing it, baby. Last stop of the night before Steak 'n' Shake and bed. My fever was probably still hovering around 102 at this point. So worth it.

A Month to Remember

It has been a very, very long time since I have posted a blog...mostly because I haven't really had the time but also because I haven't known quite what to say. My last post indicated the holidays had descended upon the retail world...and my job in the process. Now that I'm on the other side of them, let me just tell you that they just about killed me this year. Apparently, the 24 year old Kelly is a lot less patient and a lot meaner than the 23 year old Kelly, and I was just not feeling in the Christmas spirit until I had gotten about 2 glasses of wine in me on Christmas Eve and my feet had stopped aching just a little bit. We hired a lot of new people at work right before holiday hell hit, and while a few of them were, and are for that matter, awesome...the others managed to piss us all off and then quit when we really needed them. Not to mention we had nearly double the sales as last year, which is good overall but really sucked at the time. I did, however, manage to get all of my shopping done nearly two weeks before Christmas, so that decreased the stress level a tad...but I, of course, compensated by trying to organize my new house amidst the holiday rush. Working 50+ hours a week and then staying up until daylight cleaning and organizing the house meant that I got very little sleep for a good 3 weeks....and got sick twice in the month of December. The first time I fought through it like a trooper...and the second nearly killed me...but here I am alive and well in January!

Christmas itself was amazing. My brother and his girlfriend arrived on December 23rd...and in the wee morning hours of the 24th I finally got to meet Hannah. We immediately became friends, which is super important as it could have put a major damper on the holidays AND I knew how much my brother likes her. On Christmas Eve, I nearly had a nervous breakdown because I missed nearly half of the one and only church service I regularly attend each year since it seems that 95% of Chattanooga waited until the VERY LAST MINUTE to shop. That being said, I managed to sneak into the service in time to hear my favorite song and light my candle...so, SUCCESS! We spent the rest of that evening drinking a lot of wine (marking the first time in nearly 2 months I consumed enough alcohol to feel a buzz), eating my mom's delicious cooking and watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...all traditional in my household. As my parents and Hannah went to sleep, my brother and I played pool and finally got a chance to catch up until about 3 AM, when we decided to get a few hours of sleep before enjoying a white Christmas. Total bonus? We drank some gin, and I now have a good gin memory to begin to counteract the one I strive to get over someday...hint, lots of scars. My favorite part of Christmas morning, as always, was the hot apple cider/delicious food combo I actually did most of the prep for this year...but the presents didn't suck either. I got a ticket to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter from my brother and Hannah (I may have cried a little), a new camera!, the coolest Keurig coffee pot ever, new clothes and shoes for my completely new body...and lots of other goodies. Seriously, my family is amazing...and almost as stoked as I am that I'm 38 pounds lighter than I was Christmas 2009. I'm actually super healthy now and have crazy amounts of energy. Who knew that being more organized, eating more veggies and fruit and less chips, and always being on the move could make you feel better? Weird. After we all hung out for a while, we remembered that playing Wii and drinking cider is only entertaining for so long...and then we gotta get out. So, we braved the cold and carefully drove the icy streets to the Majestic movie theater downtown so we could finally check out the 21 and up Ovation Club, where they serve alcohol and things like crab cakes to eat. While lounging in a recliner and drinking red wine, I realized going to a regular movie theater is pretty lame. I never wanted the day to end...but, like always, it flew by. I must say it made it much easier to go back to work when I realized an hour or so into my shift on the 26th that there weren't nearly as many people with returns and no receipts to deal with...whew! It also helped knowing I was off on the 27th for Erika's bachelorette party...which brings me to an awesome time and also that second time getting sick I mentioned earlier.

December 27th started out with knowing Brent and Hannah were leaving in the afternoon, which was a total bummer of course, but not before we met up with my mom's sister Amy, her husband Julian, and their kids Grant, Jackson, and Charlie--all of whom I hadn't seen in almost 5 years. Please, don't get me started on why it had been that long--I'm just happy I got to see them again! Due to weather and traffic delays, we only got to hang out with them for less than an hour, but it was nice to catch up and exchange gifts nonetheless. By this time, I was beginning to feel pretty sickly, but I kissed everybody goodbye and made a quick stop at Victoria's Secret to get a gift for Erika before heading to her party. I showed up a little late, but didn't miss anything important and also provided the party camera so all was forgiven. After playing a few games and giving Erika her gifts, we all spruced up for what proved to be a hilarious night. Before going out, I checked my temperature--which was 102 degrees. Never one to bring down a party, I took tylenol and drank some water and moved on. There was no way I would ever forgive myself if I missed one of my oldest friend's bachelorette parties, so off we were! First, we went to Niko's where I tried my first chocolate martini (hello--YUM!) and we got a picture with Mrs. Pierce. The next stop was Las Margaritas for cheese dip and, well, margaritas. Then Sing it or Wing it for blow job shots and karoake...and convincing Karen to put her shoes on repeatedly...and then we decided to forgo Taco Mac and head to Steak n Shake. We stopped along the way for ridiculously awesome pictures and memories...which all added up to me sleeping on Erika's Mom's couch until 4 PM and calling (or texting, since I had no voice) out of work sick. The plague that traveled around work for more than a month and had already tried to kick my ass once finally succeeded in bringing me down...for a day. In case it isn't obvious, I love working and HATE calling out sick. Nevertheless, I was pretty weak for the next few days and felt like a major burden on everybody I loved for a while. New Years proved to be pretty low key, and I spent a long time on the phone with Kristin in the early morning hours of 1/1/11. Instead of resolutions this year, I decided to make a list of things I want to try out this year...here's hoping this works out better for me.

Retail world is slowly but surely getting back to normal, and I couldn't be more grateful. Of course, 3 days ago we got hit with nearly a foot of snow and I was stuck at home for waaaaaaaay too long....until work people rescued me today! Now, I'm staying at the house of one of my work friends...and as it is nearly 6 AM, the house is totally asleep except for me, the resident vampire. Sleeping most of yesterday didn't help, and being at somebody else's house also adds to my insomnia, so I may be working later on very little sleep...or none at all. Oh well--I know I'll sleep a ton tomorrow night :) As I'm on a friend's computer, I'll hold off on posting some pictures until a later date. Ta-ta friends!

The Season has begun...in retail world.

Oh man! The crazy holiday season is here...and working in retail, that has a whole different meaning than just those who have to get out and SHOP during this time. Aaaaaaaaaaaand I still have to do that...le sigh. I feel like last year I was so all over my holiday shopping and done by the end of the first week of December--that's SO not going to happen this year! But in good news? I'm all moved out of my apartment and into my new place (which will remain a mystery unless I'm specifically asked by somebody I trust who wants to come visit and/or help me decorate)...but nothing is organized at all! Oh well...this is the week all hell breaks loose in retail world...and I'm working 12-9 on Thanksgiving (excited actually!) and then...Black Friday. If you need me, I'll be curled up in the fetal position in a corner somewhere--haha, just kidding! I'll be sure to keep everybody posted on what funny happenings occur during the holiday season...they are sure to crop up amidst all the people who try to ruin others' holiday season. Stay tuned!

What are the Odds?

This year has flown by...yeah, that makes me feel old to say that. The thing is, this is the first year I've really, truly noticed just how quickly it truly has gone by. May has always crept up and then flown by, then the creep continues until fall and Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are over honestly before you know it sometime. I'm not exactly geriatric yet, but getting older has produced some marked differences in me. I'm still exactly the same--I laugh at crappy jokes, talk too loud, ask too many questions, have random spurts of energy that have people doubting my sanity--but I know that I have really matured in this past year. For one thing, I have tried to become more responsible with my money, which of course is trying at times considering I don't make all that much. I'm definitely doing okay, but I have to spend a little time each week checking my budget to make sure that I have enough in my account to pay for things like gas and coffee. I know, I know...coffee?? I work a lot and I need caffeine people! At work, I of course always get a good deal because of my discount, and I try to space out drinking each cup over several hours along with water. Dehydration is my new worst enemy, but I'm glad there is always water close by. When I want something just a little bit different--and seasonal appropriate!--I go to the BP and get their pumpkin spice cappucino...so ridiculously good! A few weeks go I bought one of their travel mugs, which means I get 99 cent refills indefinitely... on anything. It's the small things really. It's also helped that I have cut down on my snack consumption, which seems petty but a dollar here and 3 there adds up fast. I'm still a sodium junkie and I love my chips, but now I'll get one bag and munch on it for a long time instead of devouring 4 within an hour. It's a perk that it just happens to be healthier too. I started back with light running and crunches a couple of months ago and then it got--in typical Chattanooga fashion--stupidly cold outside. The only time it's warm? When I'm at work of course.

Now I know that I trained for my half marathon through the winter but a few things have changed: I'm not coming straight out of cross country season so the cold is intense--plus, I got a wicked respiratory infection freshman year at Ole Miss, and of course I avoided medical help for almost too long (where it would have become meningitis) and ever since then I typically get a pretty bad, but relatively short, similar infection. They aren't typically as bad at that original one, but they can put me down for the count for a little while. My body simply can't tolerate the cold like it used to, which I conveniently always forget when I'm sweating in my car with broken air conditioning during the summer and begging for cold weather. Luckily, the heat in my car is awesome, and they have started keeping it up freezer temperature at work. In their defense, the weather changes so rapidly that I can't say they are hesitant to change up the weather in the store...in case we have a 30 degree night which morphs into a 75 degree afternoon. Problem is, the vents aren't all that great up front and I'm right by the doors. Needless to say, I make a big effort to remember a coat. Part of me is ready to just have whatever respiratory thing I'm going to get hit already, but then again everybody else at work is sick and I hate leaving them stranded. It's rare that I call out, but during the worst day of the infection I typically have to since most people don't like trying to decipher what I'm saying between a hoarse voice and coughing...and dodging whatever comes out of my mouth when the cough comes out of nowhere. Another reason running is different now is because I was hit by a car about 3 years ago (while helping a pregnant woman not get hit instead thank you!) and it hit at my kneed from the side. They thought I tore my MCL, and I very will may have, but while it may have healed wonky...I didn't have to deal with doctors anymore. Going to the ER has started to feel more like going to get a tune-up on your car--they keep telling you things that are imperative get done. Yes, IMPERATIVE. Or, you know, we could just finish up what I came in for and I'll be on my way. Okay, I know its stupid and childish, but whatever. Honestly, with my shit issues anyway, it was only a matter of time before I needed to get the straps that fit under your kneecaps and support it and tendons...on both legs. I just love that the stupid mistakes I made almost 10 years ago are still affecting me to this degree. Without them, my knees throb at the end of each run because the support is faulty. Both of these problems could be solved by going to an outdoor gym and doing a lot of elliptical machine work--but alas, work. With the holidays coming up (seriously, WHAT?) its a crazy time to try to start a routine. I'm going to keep running stuff in my car just in case I ge a chance to actually go...and I'll set up a brand new routine around the beginning of the year. It makes it difficult also that I never say no if they ask me to stay later or pick up a shift unless I truly can't go (like being out of town) ...because they know I need the money and I'm not proud. So yes, routines are tough for me, especially with it being cold. Having to plan ahead to go the the gym is one thing; feeling like you're going to freeze to death before the you can start to run s is quite another. Oh, and I'm still not in that great of shape. Blah. And by the way, it might not seem like it, but 24 is so much older than 17 in terms of what stresses the body... for me at least. Sometimes, I feel 84 instead. I'm hoping I can still make it into the gym at least a couple of days a week, and my Mom was talking about checking out some kickboxing classes (which I used to be OBSESSED with and totally miss), so here's hoping! It would be nice to have one of my off days coincide with one of those warm afternoons before winter hits, but we'll see. I do love to be outside, but I also really do NOT like being cold. Oh, conundrum...

Moving on...For anybody who has ever mocked me endlessly with my obsession with checking to make sure I turned off my lights....shove it. I managed the doozy of that situation. For whatever reason I had my lights on during the day, and since that's, you know, weird, I didn't even check and went up to my apartment and did some laundry and cleaned out the litter box and showered for work. Since it was Brian's (the old cafe manager) last day, I wanted to go in a couple of hours early to get to work with him for a bit before he was over and out. Plus, you know me and that money. Side note: it was so swamped from the moment I got there on that I probably managed to chat with him for a total of 15 minutes of that hour and a half. Fail. Anyway, I go down to my car and nooooope...not going to start. I knew immediately, though it made no sense that my lights were on. Panic mode lasted 5 minutes while I ran around seeing if anybody could jump me off...then I gave up and called my friend. Everybody at work was expecting me, and when it's my idea to be early....it kind of looks bad when I'm not. I hate feeling like I let people down--hell, if somebody comes in early for me (haha like twice but still), I already have plans made. Brandi took me to work (still eternally grateful!) and I was only a few minutes later than I said I would be...and work went well. I played a few rounds of pool with some work buddies and then got a ride home. Crisis averted, right?

So, what are the odds that the only time I park in one of the two parking spots set off to the side, the person beside me doesn't seem to feel the need to leave...for 3 days. Nor do they answer when I knock to see if they can jump me off...though I saw them on the porch. Eh, three straight days of drinking could do that...so I've heard. Honestly, I was only able to do that once during the only Spring Break trip I went on in college; typically, I would never have 3 days off of both class and work to actually do that. At this point in my life, it really doesn't sound appealing either. See? Growing up. Side note: I really have lost that desire to drink often. It kind of went away my super senior year of college and the first year back home, and then the roommate turned 21 and I had a mini reunion of my drinking ways. In all honesty though, I'm just not feeling it most of the time. It's expensive, I now get terrible hangovers, and even the cutest person at the bar looks a little rough after 5 hours dancing and 6 whiskey shots. Of course, that's when everybody wants to take pictures because we all must still look ADORABLE. Every once in a while I'll want a good liquor drink or two, and I'll indulge if it's feasible, but typically a night out is one where a bunch of us from work go shoot pool and drink maybe a couple of beers apiece. Don't get me wrong--I can still party like a rockstar, but I found I enjoy it more when it's a few times a year and a treat with good friends and not the weekend norm. So anyway, my car is still stuck at my apartment, dead. Luckily, my friends are great and have been shuttling me around for the best few days. I love them, but I feel awful about it. I have to fix the car thing today though, because DWTS is on tonight and I work tomorrow morning. Anyway, speaking of being shuttled around, I gotta catch a ride to get back to the car situation. Catch you up on the rest later.

My 3rd Favorite Month of the Year

So, it has been awhile since I blogged, in large part because so much has played out in my life recently. The roommate and I have not spoken since October 2nd, except for her pointless attempts to try and demand me to do things, such as clean off the porch after Elise left or clean out my litterbox. Please note that I, along with many others, respond pretty negatively to demands, especially those made in a childish way. I don't ask for much from my friends and roommates and I am fairly certain I am relatively easy to live with (on a side note, my litterbox is FINE) and it takes a lot for me to turn on you--but I don't like people being mean to my best friends (and any friends really)...and it irks me when my generosity is so quickly forgotten. In case anybody didn't know, I paid for 2 months of rent BEFORE I MOVED IN. I never would have thought twice about it until true colors were shown. I should have listened to the many, many people that tried to warn me, but I always try to see the best in people, especially those I consider to be my friends. It's like a wise friend told me--I am a giver and she is a taker. I love giving to others and usually think of my friends and loved ones before myself, but not everybody is like that. I guess I thought it was immaturity, but I now think it is pure mean under all that. Maybe one day that will change, but I'm not going to hang around hoping that day comes. There are far too many people that love me and too much good left for me to see to dwell on what could have been. Yes, it hurts that somebody I considered a friend decided to treat me this way, but I know that I deserve far better from my friends--and get it every day. Sometimes I'm sad about it, but I'm really just ready to move on and forget. That is much less stressful.

ANYWAY, this is my 3rd favorite month of the year! The ones that beat it are May--because DUH my birthday--and December--because of New Years' and Christmas and having all of my Chatty people in the same town again! October therefore is my 3rd favorite month...and that's because it's SCARY MOVIE TIME! I love scary movies (2nd here only to Harry Potter, which is in a league of its own)...so I'm going to be revisitig some of my absolute favorites (Halloween, Pet Semetary, Carrie, The Exorcist...), but I'm always up for new suggestions! I prefer the ones with relevant gore (you know, where it ties into the plot line instead of just trying to gross the audience out for 2 hours), but mostly ones that really make you think...because I think when you delve into your subconscious with a movie and figure out how it relates to you or could happen in real life...well that's far scarier. A great suspense, although not so much horror, movie is Flowers in the Attic (which can be watched instantly on Netflix). It's based on the V.C. Andrews book of the same name, which I have not read but very much want to--along with the sequels which I don't think made it to movie format. For lovers of psychology, it really is a must see, but keep in mind it was made some time ago (late 70s or early 80s I think). Some of those favorites I mentioned are on the list because I saw them when I was very young (Carrie--age 9; Halloween--age 10; The Exorcist--age 13) and they have stuck with me...kind of like a macabre version of remembering a first kiss (Harrison--age 5 or, if you think that one doesn't really count, Michael--age 11). All scary movie buffs (okay, almost all) remember their first scary movie (or the earliest they can recall anyway--some started young). I also remember my first movie (Leonardo Dicaprio) and TV (JTT) crushes. Also, I remember people I wanted to be "just like" when I grew up (Jo from Little Women--book first, then movie--and Cher from Clueless-- oh come on, I was 10). I even remember authors I admired as I discovered my own love of writing (Alcott, Du Maurier, Bronte, Plath, Hornbacher). But it all goes back to the horror movies, because they awakened my senses and made me really think. Pet Semetary made my list of faves because, once again, it made me think. What if you could bring back a loved one from an unfair death? Would you? What if there were no guarantees that they would be the same? Or what if it was pretty much certain that they would be very different? I think most people would have a tough time with that decision, especially when the death is so new and the feelings are so raw. Oh, on a side note, that little kid always totally creeped me out after he came back from the dead. Sometimes, it's also just fun to be spooked.

As for Halloween itself, it falls on a Sunday...ugh. Even worse, my Ole Miss vs. Auburn game day plans fell through, so I wll be here (and probably working) instead of in Oxford. To say I'm bummed is a huge understatement. I do work with some characters, however, so maybe it will be pretty fun. Thus far, I have no real plans for the holiday itself; I'm sure something awesome will come up, but once again I find myself missing Oxford during these favorite times of year. I feel like I complain about this a lot, but I hope to find myself back in Mississippi in the next few months. I miss the people, and the weather, and the state itself. I know I was born in Tennessee, but Mississippi feels so much like home even still.

I'm at my parents house right now, because they are out of town and needed somebody to check on their "dog" (I put it in quotes because she's small enough to be a rat). I'm off work today, and since I work in the morning on Monday and I'm also off on Tuesday, I get to watch both DWTS nights uninterrupted! Small victories....anyway. I'll let the world know what becomes of my Halloween weekend and I'll be sure to update much sooner next time...or try to anyway.

*PICTURES*

1) & 2) The view I get every night that I work. We have the most beautiful sunsets.

3) From the movie "Carrie". The placement within my blog was accidental, but I think it's pretty fitting.

4) The Exorcist!

5) Flowers in the Attic

6) Michael Myers wielding his knife in "Halloween"

7) Pet Semetary

The Weekend that Flew By

A great weekend has come to a close. I have kept myself busy so as not to get depressed that Elise is no longer here...but coming home after work was kind of sad tonight, and very quiet. It was awesome hanging out with somebody as nocturnal as I am once again. In all honesty, it was just a blast and it's very, very hard not to be sad. This weekend (which I'll get to in detail in a second) finally put in front of my face what I've been trying to avoid for a long time. While I may have grown up in Chattanooga, it has become clear that Mississippi is where I want to be...for a long, long time. The thing is, I like my job most of the time and I have made some good friends here. I love being near my parents and we have gotten so much closer since I moved back home, simply because I get to see them so much more often. But my heart? It's in Mississippi. The friends I have there are so wonderful and they don't even know it. To them, giving of yourself to a friend is only natural...but as I have come to learn, not everybody thinks that way. They are always willing to give whatever they have to others, but it's so much more than just things. I am completely myself around them...and they love me for it. Not just tolerate, but love me. They want me around so much that they constantly remind me that I need to move home. These are people that have lived with me, have picked me up and held me close when I am at my lowest, laughed with me even when it was stupid, and have chosen to keep me in their lives despite everything we have been through (and maybe partly because of it)...and I put them through a lot. We fight, as all friends are prone to do, but it truly brings us closer in the end.

When Elise was here, we watched some old webcam videos we made when we worked at Subway in Oxford together. We were goofy and ate for the duration of almost every video, but that's not what I notice. Though it seems like the opposite would be true, we weren't putting on a show. There are several times when we walk away from the camera to help customers, and you can hear us talking and having a good time. What struck me was how incredibly happy I was. It wasn't contrived, and it wasn't work, it was honesty. I was 21, had a job where I spent most of my time, a roommate that was so much like me (especially in terms of humor!), parties to go to every weekend if I wanted to go (and mostly I did), I was attending a school I adored, and I was almost always broke but never really cared. I was surrounded by people who always had my back as I had theirs, and had been for a long time. After a while, I had forgotten friendships that weren't completely give and take...and to be honest I had few, if any, of those growing up either. Of course, we all always asked each other nicely if we were positive it was okay for the other to get the drinks, dinner, etc. that time...but it always was. There was an unspoken bond...you get the drinks this time, and I'll buy when I get paid again. And nobody cared a bit. We all trusted each other, and for good reason. Elise reminded me that these friends, these wonderful, unique girls, are still like that...only now I am very aware that there are people out there who just don't operate that way. I wasn't even allowed to question it when she wanted to get me something. She knew I don't have much money, but she didn't bring it up. She just gave. There are some people here who behave similarly, but I have been subjected to some not-so-nice people who have no problem taking but always expect payback ASAP when I need to borrow anything. It's not that I expect people to give me stuff and help me out when I need it, but that's the whole point. More so than the actual things that they give me, what is important to me is that they always want to. I have always treated my friends (and roommates) that way, and had gotten very used to being treated the same way. I need to move back home.

I am very aware that we have all grown up a little bit, and it won't be like college all over again. Honestly, I don't want to always spend my free time partying...in fact, I rarely even want to go out anymore. Getting dolled up has become more of a special occasion and less of a norm, and I love it. I have a blast when I do go out with good friends, but I'm just as content to sit around in pajamas watching movies, drinking coffee, and talking. My friends are intelligent people, and our conversations are often completely random and enthralling. I, quite simply, adore them. Occasionally I don't mind explaining things to people, but afer a while it is irritating. With people like Elise and Kristin, I don't have to explain myself very often and it's very refreshing. Anyway, let me tell you about my absolutely fantastic weekend with one of my very best friends.

Elise had planned to arrive relatively early on Friday evening, but ended up getting here around 11 PM. I didn't mind since it took that entire day to clean my apartment and get some studying done, but I was so excited when she got here. We both got quick showers (well, she took a bath) and then the two of us and Allie went to meet some of my work friends at Diamond's (a pool hall). We had such a good time, and didn't get tired at all...at least, Elise and I didn't. After the bar closed at 3, we dropped Allie off at the apartment and went to Waffle House. We talked forever and ate more than I had eaten on any given day in the past month. Once we got back home, we kept talking and didn't end up falling asleep until after 6 AM. It was awesome. Saturday was spent, in large part, lounging around. I woke up relatively early for such little sleep, and sat outside on the porch with a mug of coffee reading and studying a little until Elise woke up. She joined me outside for some coffee and some more chatting. We didn't end up going out until 8 for dinner, venturing downtown to my favorite sushi restaurant in town, Sekisui. After dinner, we came back to the apartment and got ready to go out. We stopped by my parents house because they adore Elise and my brother was also in town. After talking to my parents for a while, we went downtown again to Hair of the Dog (I love that bar). The night was going pretty normally, until about 10 minutes before last call. Both Elise and I were working on our second whiskey and Dr. Peppers when one of my regulars at work drunkenly struck up a conversation with us. It was somewhat embarrasing, but hilarious. And THEN, a random old man (seriously, gray hair and all) comes up and just stares at us. I could be wrong but he seemed to be on something a little stronger than just alcohol. He managed to say "hi" but otherwise just lurked creepily and then...he sat down with us. It would have been pretty scary if we weren't in a crowded bar and if it hadn't been so funny. I haven't finished a drink that fast since college. Once we left, it was back to my apartment where we once again stayed up until well after 6 AM just talking and reminiscing.

We were even lazier on Sunday, which I feel pretty bad about because we missed both brunch with my family and my brother's new girlfriend (who I still haven't met because she was asleep when we got to my parents' house, having done a triathalon that day) and dinner with my parents later that night. We didn't even leave the apartment until we had "lunch" at around 5:30 PM. Two margaritas, some chips and salsa and cheese dip, and some shared fajitas later, we went back home and did absolutely nothing. Since both of us spend so much of our time working and on the go, it was nice. Later that night (or morning really) was when we watched all of our old webcam movies, which even I haven't watched in forever (I say it that way because they are on my computer) and cracked up for hours. We also talked about how fun it was living together, and the old group of friends having parties, and working, and all of those things best friends reminisce about. Once again, we didn't fall asleep until way early in the morning. There is always a lot to be said between old friends who rarely see each other...and stuff that never needs to be said. We got a few hours of sleep, and then it was time for her to pack up and leave. I forced myself not to cry, because I'm trying not to be the whiner these days. I led her out of town and then went back home and got ready for work. I'm actually glad I had to work because otherwise I just would have moped around...and that's pretty pointless. She made it home safely, thank heavens, but I can't help but think how far away everybody is once again. Growing up can be fun, but it certainly is hard.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss my friends. I decided that I'm going to actively look for jobs in Mississippi, and also graduate schools with good counseling programs, and scholarships to attend them. Maybe nothing will come of my searching. Or maybe I'll find a terrific job here (or 2nd job...one in my field) and stay. All I know is something has got to give. I either need to find a way to move to Mississippi or earn enough money here to visit frequently. Either way, I have to get my happy back. I know that even during those times when I was so happy in Oxford I had very bad days. My mind functions that way, and that's never going to change. But as bad as the times were, they were few and far between. Yes, much of it had to do with the town of Oxford, but it really all came down to the people...my people. I miss them, and since I know life is short and memories are forever, I want to see them more often. Or, you know, everyday. I need to feel good again, because I know I can. And they would say I'm worth it too.


*PICTURES
1) Mango and strawberry margaritas on Sunday at Amigos.
2) Karma sleeping on the porch while Elise and I talked
3) Copper snoozed some, too.

The Countdown has hit hours instead of days...

So I made it through my work week, despite some people trying to ruin every single day. I'm so glad there are great people at work to make the...um...not so great ones matter very little. Still, I can't say it doesn't get me down when people are unnecessarily rude to me. Who wouldn't get a little blue? But alas...like I said, the working portion of the week is over for me and now I just have mere hours until my dear Elise gets here! I have been furiously cleaning all through the night, and will continue to the rest of the day...only taking a break to go to the doctor and maybe give plasma...and this of course. Gotta love the blogging. No, seriously.

So far, I have cleaned the kitchen (it's spotless!) and my bathroom, with the exception of the litter box because I'm going to leave that for the last minute so it's really fresh in the apartment. I still have to clean my sheets and continue to deodorize my closet (and the rest of the apartment, let's be honest--we have 3 cats), clean, vacuum and dust my room (and organize my movies, but that really goes into the whole "cleaning" thing), clean and vacuum the patio/porch, and do a once over on vacuuming and what-not the living room. After I clean out the litter box, I'll probably sweep and mop my bathroom floor again. I realize it sounds like a lot to do in just a few hours, but it's really not. I have complete faith in my ability to get all of this done!! On a side note, I really hate trying to party on a budget--who else wants to win the lottery? Even just a little one is all I'm really asking for here. But I digress...

Like I've said, oh, a million times already, I'm so ready for Elise to get here. Once you live with somebody for a year, it's hard to only see them a few times a year after that. It is very nice, however, that whenever Elise and I hang out (the same holds true for Kristin), it's like we live together all over again. I love those friends that really know you, with all of your flaws and strengths, so that you can really be yourself around them. I'm lucky in that I have quite a few of these personally, and I'm glad one of the very best is coming to stay with me for a long weekend! We are bound and determined to have a good time...and we always do. It's like Ole Miss says, "We may not win every game, but we ain't never lost a party!". How true that is of so many of my friendships, and most of all, of my wonderful university. I miss it everyday, but it makes it a little easier knowing that friends will always come and see me, I'm never too far away to visit Oxford, and a little part of my heart lives on there forever. It's a rare thing to keep up with friends from high school and college, and I've managed to do both. For now, I'm going to continue to clean and get ready for my doctor's appointment. I'll talk to y'all on the flip side.


*PICTURES:
1) When I worked at Subway in Oxford, I marveled almost daily at the beautiful sunsets that we could see from inside. On this day, I just had to run outside and take a picture.
2) Taken from right outside the library a Ole Miss during exam week, I find this picture to be absolutely stunning.
3) Lauren, Elise, me, and Rachael the first night I ever went out and partied with them. Though I look a wee bit fat in this picture, I still love it because it reminds me of great times.
4) Me with my first ever legal drink--a Jolly Rancher Martini from Old Venice in Oxford. Delicious...and yes I know this picture is a random addition...deal.
5) From the book, "Dixieland Delight", which is about a guy who travels to all of the SEC schools to experience their tailgating traditions. There are random lists throughout the book, and this one was of the ranking of Prettiest Girls in all of the SEC schools. It's hard to see, but Ole Miss is ranked #1 here. Yep!
6) A book I found while straightening at work. I loved the boots, so I took a picture. I'm now on the hunt for ones exactly like it, but with a stiletto heel.