2010 Recap

So 2010 was a year of different. Different in a great way. I'm not sure exactly why, maybe after each month of the big 'wohoos' I'll figure it out.
January 2010- I start school and DePaul University. and I FINALLY turn the BIG 2-1!

Feburary 2010- Spent our first Valentines day with The Boy :)

March 2010- Went on a great spring break with my Dad to Nashville.

April 2010- My Best friend Alyx turned 21. I visited her at University of Iowa.

May 2010- I learned to be confident in my relationship with The Boy. This was when I realized he really liked me and I knew he wasn't going anywhere. That was a good feeling.

June 2010- Started to take care of the first liter of foster boxer mix puppies for a shelter. I also move into my apartment in the city.

July 2010- It was the best 4th of July I ever had. I foster for a second liter of puggle pups.

(me and some of my friends on the 4th)

August 2010- My Boy turned 23 and it was the first time I saw him get sick from drinking. :)

September 2010- I start my last fall quarter at DePaul. It was my sister's 20th birthday!! AND the boy got a puppy!!

October 2010- My first halloween that I didn't dress up.

November 2010- Visited my 93 year old grandpa in Ohio for thanksgiving! :)

December 2010- Christmas was great! I'm very lucky that this is me and the Boy's 2nd christmas. I hope he knows how happy he makes me! :)

A Late Merry CHRISTmas??

Holy Holiday craziness. Today is definitely a lazy, chill day for me. Christmas this year was great! Our Christmas Eve open house was another great success. I love seeing family and family friends that I haven't seen in such a long time. *I must give my Uncle Chris major Uncle points for finding out what to get me for Christmas from my blog!!! :) A PANINI SANDWICH MAKER!

I went to the Boy's Grandma's house yesterday to open more presents and eat dinner, which was absolutely delicious by the way! The Boy did very good for Christmas presents this year. He got my a Lakeshore learning store (for my future classroom), new workout clothes and a very cute painted wine glass. I would say he gets good boyfriend points these past couple of days! 

I also went to the annual candle-light service at the Church down the street from my house. It's a yearly ritual that my sister, my neighbor/best friend, and her family and then my Mom go. Sometimes my Grandma comes with, or sometimes she's too tired and skips out. 

Church in our family is not a priority, nor is it a weekly or monthly event we do. So my sister and I never were required to go to church or Sunday school. Ironically, my Grandma (my mom's mom) was a Methodist Pastor for the majority of her adult life. She made my Mom and Aunt go to church every....and I mean EVERY SINGLE Sunday of their childhood and adolescent years. My Aunt is  still is a little bitter about My Grandma making her go to Church the Sunday after her Prom. (To be honest, I would be too!) So needless to say, she is very strict about her religious practices and events. My Mom and Aunt just accepted the way their Mom was back then and just went along with what she wanted them to do. My Aunt has since then, been non-religious. Maybe even a little bit Atheist. My mom on the other hand could take it or leave it. 

I was baptized Methodist, along with my sister. But growing up religion was never something we practiced as a family (and I was completely OK with that). Partly, because when my Dad was younger religion was largely forced on him. He was told what religion he was and he HAD to practice and preach it; even if he disagreed with it. He outspokenly hated that!

(me and my dad, golfing on his B-day!)

I asked him one time, "Why don't we go to church regularly?" And he told me, "I promised myself that when I had kids I would never force religion on them. If they wanted to explore the religion on their own I would fully support it, but since I was forced to believe in something I didn't, I hated it; and to this day it still brings back that same feeling." I truly appreciate and thank my family so much for not forcing ANY religion on me and my sister.

I believe in a higher power. Now what that higher power is, I do not know. I was listening to the Pastor at the Christmas Eve service this year and just asking so many questions. 

My sister on the other hand is a 110% skeptic. And she is probably one of the smartest people I know and brings up some really thought-out good questions for all the religious people that go by 'the word of the lord'. She gets frustrated when she asks my Grandma her questions because my Grandma won't answer my sister's question but just babble on about something else and my sister gets angry. So my sister has all these questions that still go unanswered. No religious person has ever been able to answer her questions. Here are some of her questions that she comes up with herself. If anyone can help me to help her answer them in a respectful way, please let me know.

*Everyone says that the Bible is the "Word of the Lord', yet the Lord did not write the bible. Why do people say this? Science has disproved Christianity, so why don't people listen to that? Why does God allow suffering and so much evil in the world? If he is so almighty and good, why does he continue to put harm and suffering in people's life?

The more I think about these the more I could agree with her. Now let me be clear...my sister is NOT atheist. She does believe in A higher power, she is just continuing to search and find out what that is exactly. 

Christmas plans

So my weekend was great. I went up to Grand Valley State University to watch one of my best friends (and neighbor) pole vault. She won. As usual. We had a great night. Since we go to different schools and she's on the track team we don't see each other a lot. But when we do we have a great time. It's always fun to have an amazing night with great friends!

I can't believe Christmas is THIS WEEK! Christmas definitely snuck up on me this year. I'm done with all my christmas shopping, finally! My Grandma comes here on Wednesday to spend christmas festivities with our family. My Grandpa however and my other grandma will not be coming this year :( My Grandpa doesn't travel anymore and he's just real sick. My other grandma is staying with him. It'll be weird and different without them here this christmas.

(Me and The Boy)

Every year my family has a christmas eve open house/party at our house. We have a small family (I only have 4 cousins...TOTAL- 2 on my moms and 2 on my dads) and we have a lot of close family friends that are like family to us. So they all come over and we just eat, drink, and open presents. So that's what I'll be doing this Christmas eve. The Boy is coming over christmas eve as well.
Christmas morning we usually open presents, just the 4 of us plus my Grandma. Then go to my aunt and uncles house where my cousins are and usually my other grandpa and grandma are there too. This year my grandpa and grandma aren't going to be at my aunt's house. It will just be my aunt, uncle, and my oldest cousin. So this year my family of 4 are going to open presents at my aunts house, instead of my house. The Boy is coming to my aunts for christmas presents as well :) and then I'm going to his Grandma's house for dinner and his family's party.

So I'm excited for this christmas.

My girlfriends are coming home too! That'll be fun.

Ok, it's football sunday so I should probably check my fantasy team and then just sit back and watch.

All grown up?

It's almost Christmas time and I'm super excited!!! 


I finished all my christmas shopping today and I'm officially broke. But this is one christmas I'm actually excited about.  I got the boy some toys I think he'll like, so I'm excited for him to open them. Hopefully I get good girlfriend points this christmas.


I also got my parents a pretty neat gift as well. And for my sister, she's a tough one to shop for, but I got her something cute. She's going to Spain next semester to study abroad and so she asked for ONLY things that she can take with her. Or things she can use on the plane, etc. So it was tough. 


On Friday, all my friends will come home from college for winter break. I'm excited to see them. We've all kind of headed our separate ways when it comes to our lives, but whenever we're home, we try to get together and catch up. One of my girlfriends, that use to be my roommate at the first University I attended, sent our group of girls this quote. It really fits with what we are all doing lately in our lives. 


"Let's face it, we've changed ... we've all changed. Somewhere between summer ending and school starting, we've all gone our own directions. Hearts were broken, friendships diminished, new loves started and new people came into our lives. We no longer spend all our time together in our circle of friends, we no longer talk for hours about nothing at all. We've changed ... some for the better and some for the worse. Some of us are finding love while others are trying to let go. Even though we've changed, we all know that even though were all finding our own place in the world, that when we find our love, when we let go of a love, when the tears fall or the happy smile spreads across our face ... we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us and no matter what happens, nothing will ever change so much that we're not all best friends forever."


C, my friend that was also my roommate freshmen year, is going to Graduate in a week!!! And already has a job. She's so lucky. My other friend, AK, is going to graduate in the spring. She's then going back to grad school. Same with my friend S. She's going to physical therapy school, after she graduates in the spring. Another one of my girlfriends is graduating from Notre Dame in the spring. She too, has a job set up already when she's done with school. She's a genius and we all knew she would get a great job out of college. And as far as I go, I still have a year and 1 quarter to go. I student teach in January 2012. I'm hoping it comes sooner rather than later. I'm sick of school. 


But the quote just states how far we've all come,yet how different we've all become, but the fact that we'll all still be there for one another. 

Sometimes It's Just Nice To Know

UGH! I'm so frustrated. Is it selfish for me to want Boy to reassure me every so often that he likes me. Today we had a good day. We went christmas shopping. We got back to his house and just goofing around play fighting with each other. It was a lot of fun to just sit and laugh with each other.

Then was just making me mad. Just the little comments he says sometimes. He knows it gets on my nerve too. He'll say just kidding too, but I still am grouchy afterwards.

I stayed grouchy for an extra long time tonight see if he'd would take the extra time to reassure me he was kidding, or come sit by me, or kiss my cheek, or ANYTHING. and...he didn't.

Am I suppose to be mad? Or is that just how guys are? He blames being stubborn on his Italian blood. Trust me he is VERY VERY stubborn. So maybe it's just something I have to get use too? I hope not. Because he does have a very, very sweet side. I just wish he'd show me his sweet side especially when he knows I'm grouchy. Then maybe he wouldn't get crabby Kristen.

 Whatever.

Sometimes it's just nice to be reassured on how he feels about me...ya know?

Should I Worry?

Since I'm done with the holiday blog challenge; which was a lot of fun, I decided to write about my personal life. I just want to write on what's going on with my everyday life thoughts and challenges.

This January will be a year since my boy and I started dating. I haven't been this happy with a boyfriend since, well....EVER! He's a little older than I am, therefore already graduated from college and has a big boy job already. He got very lucky. A year is a a long time for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way right now. I am super happy.

I know I'm only 21, which I consider still 'young', so I'm not thinking WAY into the future, but when you have a boyfriend sometimes it's hard NOT to think of the "maybe's" or "what-if's"of the future. We watch House Hunters together all the time. It's weird because we both like all the same type of decorations, structure, and build. I can't help but think, "Wow, going to look for a house together would be so easy. We have the same 'house' tastes."

He also gets along with my family GREAT!!!! Like it's unbelievable how much my parents like him, especially my dad, who is hard to please sometimes when it comes to guys. He likes them probably more than he likes me. He said to me jokingly the other day, "Kris, if we ever get married and then divorced, I'm gonna claim your parents." It's feels so good to have a boyfriend get along with your family so well and they like him just as much.

I have to admit though, I'm scared to get hurt. What girl isn't? I'm head over heals for this boy and he has the power to hurt me. I learned in my last relationship to not let me guard down so soon. It took a long time for me to feel comfortable with my this new boy, like a good 6 months. So I learned (whether this is good or bad) to put a 'tough' front on. I don't want to feel vulnerable. In my last relationship he took advantage of the fact that I was so vulnerable. I know my new boy would NEVER EVER hurt me intentionally, but I'm still scared.

Still scared there's someone better out there for him.
Scared he'll leave me for her.
Scared of the what-if's.
Scared of what can become of us
and scared of the true feelings that I have developed for him.

We have not said the over-used three words yet, and to be honest I'm scared. What if I say it and he doesn't say it back? What if he doesn't feel the same way I do? And most dreadful...what if he never does say it?

I do have one fear. Some of he's ex's and past hookups are very attractive. Some are now single. However, when I first met him 3 1/2 years ago, he had a girlfriend. Whom he was dating quit awhile before I came along. When we met I did not know he had a girlfriend. We had kissed a couple times during the first few weeks of the quarter. Nothing more. One of his friends later told me he had a girlfriend. I was pissed, because I liked him then and he would have been stupid if he didn't know that. So we stopped talking. My fear, naturally, would be that he does the same thing to me, that he did to his ex-girlfriend. I know he's not in college anymore, but he is very attractive and I know other girls think so too. Am I wrong for fearing this?

I know he hasn't cheated on me since we've been together because I do think he has changed. So that's not what I'm worried about. I am, however, worried if he finds someone better he won't come and tell me.

Ugh.

Don't get me wrong, I really REALLY like my boy, more than I have ever liked any guy before. I just hope he is as happy as I am. :)

This is our puppy Bronx, we got a couple months ago! So cute!

Day 13 (it should be)

Sorry everyone. I'm slacking these days! I had a busy week doing christmas shopping for the boy and sister. The next few days to come are dedicated to the parental's and relatives. umph. so much money. Times like these are when I wish I had a job. 

Anyways...since I skipped a couple days blogging I'm just going to pick up where I left off.

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe, but I basically already did that with my favorite holiday recipe. Opps. So I'm just going to do what I would want from Oprah's favorite things show!! And this year there was TWO!! So I'm sure I could find plenty of things I want. Here we go:

1. Without a doubt the iPAD!!!

2. I absolutely LOVEE Garretts Popcorn. I know I'm from Chicago and I can get it whenever I want, but it's so good that I would still love if I got it for Christmas.

3. I would have been the crying obnoxious girl on the TV if I was given the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle!! This car is gorgeous! 

4. I would also like a Panini Press Maker thingy. I love sandwich and especially grilled cheese. This way I would make perfect grilled cheeses!

5. I loved the candles that Oprah gave away. I think it's a cute concept; a different candle scent for different rooms of the house. Who would have thought? 

6. I also like to think I'm active. So these cute running shoes would MAKE me go running....in style. lol

7. To learn to take professional pictures is something I've always wanted to learn to do. My sister did it and her photos were amazing!

8. I also need a vacation! So a cruise sounds fabulous right about now!! 

9. and last but not least...who wouldn't want a brand new tv? a 3D one at that!

I would love all of these, but it's fun to dream! And maybe if Ma or Pa wins the lotto...maybe it'll happen! :)

Day 11: Our Christmas Decorations

So I don't have any pictures of inside our house, but my mom took a video of outside our house and sent it to my sister who is away at school. So take a looksy. Also, our tree doesn't have ornaments on it yet. lol. We'll get there eventually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_z5B7gdE6I

Day 10: New Year Resolutions

My New Year's resolution is to eat better and to go to the gym more than I did in 2010. Specifically, I want to lift weights more, just to get toned. 

I always have a new year's resolution. I think it's a good way to start a new year, fresh. If you had a horrible year, you can go into January 1st with a whole new outlook and perspective. New Year's is always an excuse to start a better year for yourself. I never fail to at least try to accomplish my new years resolution. 

What are some of your new years resolution?

Day 9-Holiday Song

I absolutely LOVE Christmas songs. 
My top fav is probably Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You".

I also like The Christmas Shoes, by New Song. Make's me cry everytime, but SO good. It really makes me appreciate what and who I have every year for the holidays.

Oldie but goodie is definitely Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays but *NSYNC

My Only Wish (This Year), Britney Spears

My last but definitely not least favorite is This Christmas by Joe

Ok...so they might not be as new as some, but they're still my favorite! :) They all put me in the Christmas mood.

Day 8- Favorite Holiday recipe

I love the holidays because of all the food. But one of my favorite cookie recipe's are peanut butter kiss cookies. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 18 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine sugar, peanut butter, and egg.
3. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. NOTE: If dough is too sticky, refrigerate 1/2 hour or until easy to handle.
4. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove cookies from oven. Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.

Day 7: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

There aren't a lot of things I dislike about the holidays. One thing that I do dislike are all the crowds that the mall and stores attract. I also don't like that I can't find a job during winter break. lol How does Santa expect me to pay for all the presents I have to get? 


Tomorrow I'm going to go look around and see what kind of jobs are out there for me only for 7 weeks. 




A Christmas shopper's complaint is one of long-standing. - Author Unknown

Day 6!!

Holiday Craft/DIY  (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)


I'm not very handy when it comes to crafts. But I wish I was. I still like doing crafts. I remember in elementary school I'd always make ornaments. 


My sister and I also used to make gingerbread houses every year. That was fun.

I wish I could make cool ornaments, or stockings. Maybe once I'm older, I'll try new crafts.

Day 5: Gift Ideas!!

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Kristen’s Christmas List

-Coach- Bev Sneakers (khaki/chestnut- size 8)

-Coach- Poppy perfume

-New glasses case

-New purse

-Nice teacher clothes (shoes, pants, shirts, jewelry)

-SHAPE magazine

-pots and pans

-Hunters Wellies Boots w/ fleece welly socks AND wellie sock cable cuff (NOT SURE ON COLORS YET-I want to try a pair on before with different colors)

-Converse women’s chuck Taylor all star low top sneakers (size 8- charcoal)

-Gourmet Getaway lunch tote- French bull Vine

-Vera Bradley: Multi-Pocket Tote in Black Microfiber –OR- Tote in Night and Day (Take a look yourself. You can choose one you like better)

-A grey DePaul hoodie (WITH NO ZIPPER)

-Either the DePaul Nike Tempo Shorts in Blue or DePaul womens nike workout pants- black

-a White depaul womens t-shirt or the grey long sleeve depaul shirt

-A new blog design (or blogging for dummies –or something like that)

-TJ Max gift card

-Teacher supplies (lesson plan workbook/ideas)

That is the exact list I gave all my family and friends! Hopefully this year will be a good christmas! :)

Day 4: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

I know I'm a day late, but I was so busy yesterday I didn't have time to blog. :( I haven't NOT had time to blog since I started! But I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, because I know I did!!

My all time favorite holiday movie is White Christmas. I watched it with my parents all the time around the holidays and still love it. My sister and I actually wanted to perform, 'Sister, Sister' one Christmas eve, but we still have yet to do that. I also love the movie Elf. Such a good, funny classic christmas movie.

Another TV show that I watch religiously around this time is the Victoria Secret Fashion show!

Quote of the week: "Buddy the elf. What's your favorite color?"

Day 3!!

The most meaningful gift/best gift you've received:

This is pretty hard. I would have to say homemade gifts are the best. My sister made me a picture frame one year and my aunt made me a tie blanket that I still use a couple years ago. Homemade are the most meaningful. I've never received any type of jewelry from a special boy or anyone like that..so it's not that....(yet). lol.

That's all. Short and sweet.

I'm off to Ohio tomorrow morning for Thanksgiving to see my grandparents! :)

It'll be an early black friday for me!

Day #2

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks


To be honest...I've never gone shopping on black friday. I don't like crowds and I think people's worst side's always come out when battling to get the last of the 'hot new toy' deal. I like to go shopping when all the crowds are gone. I usually get ALL my christmas shopping done the day week before Christmas Eve. 

(THIS DOES NOT LOOK FUN TO ME!!)

As for tricks....I don't have any. But I do love me a great deal. I'm already the coupon goddess! I love coupons. If anyone has any ideas to get even better deals than coupons, let me know! :)


On another note: today at 5 pm I will officially be on Winter Break until January!! YESSS!!! ohhh the joys of going to a private school that is on the quarter system.

Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 1

Day 1: What are your Christmas/Holiday traditions-

For Thanksgiving my family (of 4) usually goes to my aunt and uncle's house for the big feast. I'm always amazed at how much dinner I eat and (somehow) I still manage to gobble down plenty of dessert! Dessert's my favorite of course..so it's only right.

It'll be my first holiday in 11 years without my best friend :( ---L-to-R; Bear, my aunts german shepard and Buddy, my baby boy!!!!)

As for Christmas, it's my families turn. We have lots of friends and family over for Christmas Eve food, desserts and presents! My dad always makes a shrimp jambalaya for every Christmas Eve. The last party go-er's usually always leave around 11 pm, when 'santa' has to do his job.


Christmas morning, my whole family wakes up and opens stockings. We then eat breakfast, make coffee and such. My sister and I are usually the first one's down by the tree ready to open presents; even though we're already 20 and 21 years old. lol.

Christmas 2009. My fam! My Mom, me, my sister, Dad and my baby, buddy!

After all the presents are open, we head to my aunt and uncle's house for a christmas #2 (basically). We open presents, eat snacks and finally eat christmas dinner and dessert once again. Christmas dinner's are alway's bittersweet for me because I love the Holiday's and Christmas dinner is like the last 'hooray' of good holiday dinner's and dessert's and family time!

5 Question Friday

I'm joining Mama M's five question Friday. 

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

I like a lot of Christmas songs, but one that I can rather do without would have to be Silent Night. It's just slow, monotone and not cheery, like I feel christmas songs should be.

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

Cuddle! :) Until one of us falls asleep and toss and turn, then we just get comfy and  continue to sleep.

3. Have you ever had surgery?

Yes. I have dysplastic nevus syndrome. So, I have had 4 invasive surgeries to remove dangerous skin cells.

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

Whenever I have the money to finish it. That's usually the day before christmas eve. :)

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

Good question. I would probably get an iPhone first, and then a white VW Jeta OR a Nissan Xterra. Either of those would be my dream car. OR.....a whole new wardrobe. :) I could go on forever with this list. I'll stop there! 

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!!

A dog is the only thing on earth That loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings

12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge!!

So as I was 'blogging' around, I came across Aly's Blog. Her and friend and her decided to create a 12 days of christmas blog challenge. I thought, "What a fantastic idea." So here are the topics (I took from aly's blog), if anyone else would like to do it also. 

Start Date: Monday, November 22nd

{Topics}

Day 1 (November 22nd): Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY  (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

Come back on Monday to link up! I hope you all join in! We are giving you a sneak peek so you can start getting prepared!

Days 1 -3 are November 22 - 24

**** NO BLOG CHALLENGE ON Thanksgiving! ****

Day 4 will pick back up on November 26th!!

(don't mess this up girls! i will hunt you down!)