11.8.13

Today had a rough start because my laptop wouldn't turn on. However I still have many things to be thankful for, like...

• When I got upset about the laptop Jack immediately went to work figuring out what is wrong with it and trying to fix it.
• And we always have our good, ol' reliable friend Mike to go to with computer issues. He's so helpful.
• And later today Jack went out and bought the cord we need to retrieve my files.
• Before the laptop debacle, I did get up really early and worked out for an hour in advance of a busy day.
• I got to chat with Teresa while walking the mile or so from where I parked to a professor's office.
• I made it to office hours and got a lot of clarification on confusing material. Plus I just felt reassured by how friendly the professor was.
• I babysat for Nikki, and her daughter is a pretty easy kid to watch. Made her laugh a lot goofing around on the playground.
• Also the weather was beautiful for hanging out at a playground so long. So were the trees in the park.
• And it was a happy kind of nostalgia because I used to live in that same neighborhood when I was a toddler. Life is weird.
• Plus sometimes it's just nice to be able to help a friend out.
• I was able to fit in about 2 hours (cumulative) of studying despite so much going on today.
• Jack and I had a nice date night, dinner and good conversation. The conversation was so good, in fact, that one of the server's commented on how we seemed to be having such a good conversation.
• And we got to use a Groupon for dinner, which makes the bill so very small. :)
• And right after we left the restaurant we realized the automated system they have meant Jack tipped 20% on only the cost after our Groupon (which is almost nothing), so he drove back to give them $5. What a sweetheart.
• AND I got a letter in the mail from Bryan!

So despite some downers at the outset, today was still a pretty good day. :)

Feels like fall!

11.7.13

• I really enjoy being the TA for our seminar class.
• I have a dentist appointment next week that's 100% covered by my insurance.
• Got to talk to Ellen for over an hour, commiserating on online arguments and school stuff.
• Got some decent studying in today.
• I worked out even though I really didn't feel like it, so I was proud.
• And I made more onion soup.
• I finished reading the handgun safety study guide, so I feel very informed about handguns now
• Molly sent me an "instruction manual" for how to watch Walking Dead episodes, and the manual is hilarious.

Stronger, better, thinner, smarter.

11.6.13

• Good chats with a classmate and the program director about pranks we've done or had done to us over the years.
• Lecture was understandable tonight--interesting case examples involving plant DNA.
• Gave a presentation for the class I TA, and got great feedback. Everyone really seemed to enjoy it.
• Jack & I got some Arby's and we are vegging together for the evening.
• I don't have to get up early tomorrow. *konk*

I like this state.

11.5.13

Today...

• Stayed in bed the first couple hours and answered emails I've been putting off
• Jack didn't have to be at work until 11am so I got to see him in the morning
• Chatted with the Starbucks cashier about this and that. I'm up there enough that they recognize me now, haha
• Spent hours at Starbucks in the corner working on my presentation for tomorrow
• Got to chat with both Julie and Ellen for a long while in the afteroon
• Jack came to hang out with me during his lunch, and I was walking home as he drove back to work and as he drove by me he rolled down the window and yelled "I like you!" and it was pretty funny.
• Got a free drink with Starbucks rewards
• Had a lovely home-cooked dinner with Jess, including delicious Roscato
• Made plans for an eventual Christmas cookie party!
• Skyped with Renata & Kaisen for a few minutes
• Laughed a lot at these photos:

30 Days of Thankfulness, 2012 - the rest

30 Days of Thankfulness, 2012 - relationships

11.3.13

Lalala!

• I slept in and it was still 7am when I woke up because of blessed daylight savings, haha!
• I weighed less than I expected, which is always a good start to the day!
• I worked out to Sons of Anarchy, and it kept my attention the whole time.
• I wore my patched jeans for the first time in months, and felt cute.
• I felt productive doing laundry and cooking while continuing to half-watch SoA.
• It felt like fall because I was cooking onion soup and baking bread and I could hear the wind chimes in my backyard.
• While I was waiting on soup and laundry, I also hand sewed some reddish brownish orange-ish patches onto an old pair of ripped jeans. Now they are wearable and more colorful than before.
• When the laundry was done I got to wear one of my "new" shirts that Rachel gave me. :)
• When the soup was done I had a big warm bowl of soup and toasty bread to enjoy for lunch.
• Jack came with me to Starbucks after he got off work.
• And it felt like fall on our walk to Starbucks.
• Starbucks has their red cups out, which means it's about to be the holiday season!
• I got a hot chocolate again.
• Got good work done for hours.
• Enjoyed talking with Jack about some of the papers I'm reading. He is equally interested so I can really talk to him about it.
• Actually, I feel I can really talk to him about pretty much anything.
• He also made me laugh a lot.
• Enjoyed chatting with Molly (online) about Firefly and Walking Dead characters.
• Got some new knee high socks for the first time in like 7 years.

So yeah. Today was a particularly good day. :)

30 Days of Thankfulness, 2012

Some of the things for which I gave thanks last year.

2012 was a presidential election year.

11.2.13

• Drove through some very beautiful California countryside.
• Saw CSU Chico campus, which is gorgeous. It was extremely autumn-y.
• There was also a bell tower which I got to hear go off twice.
• Managed to get some needed work done while also listening to conference lectures. Yay multitasking!
• Got some free Hershey toffee nuggets.
• Have friends that can make me laugh pretty hard.
• Felt tall.
• Stayed within my calorie count.
• Even though she's far away, I can keep tabs on my sister through her blog.

Ready for Thanksgiving!

11.1.13

Today:

• I got up early enough to workout before going to a study group, so I felt good about that.
• I watched an episode of Breaking Bad while working out. It's great to have a show compelling enough to make the workout go quickly.
• Jack taught Rachel how to change her oil, and it was a good refresher for me too.
• He also changed my oil.
• Rachel helped me wash my car.
• She also let me raid a bunch of clothes she's taking to Goodwill, and I found several tops I really like, which is so perfect as I was just telling Jack two days ago that I am really bored with my wardrobe but I don't actually need anything new so I wasn't going to get anything new. Ha!
• Jack & I had Panera Frontega chicken sandwiches for dinner, 
• while watching Ender's Game
• at the drive-in! I love drive-ins.

Seasonal Changes