New Year's To-Do's

I've been in a "bettering yourself everyday" type of mood lately, so I don't have an end goal to complete any particular resolutions per se this year. Rather, 2012 is going to be all about being a better me in general. That said, I've come up with a list of things I'd like to accomplish this year (and beyond). Here it is:

Adventure

1. Visit Aztalan (see wikipedia photo --->)

2. Take a road trip
3. Visit Katie in Spokane
4. Visit Elizabeth in Arkansas
5. Go to a state I haven't been to before
6. Go to Canada, eh

Fitness
1. Do a bike race
2. Do a sprint triathlon (Danskin, probably)

Outdoors
1. Go camping
2. Buy a State Park pass
3. Go hiking often
4. Go cross-country skiing

Self
1. Whiten my teeth (or stop drinking soda!)
2. Wear more sunscreen (though I do look awfully nice when tanned) ;)
3. Join the Optimists

More to come!

'11 Christmas List

I know it's a little early to be planning for Christmas, but Ronnie got me thinking about how much I love slippers, and I realized that I needed a new pair. That got me started thinking about starting this year's list of desirables and actually taking the time to write them down. I doubt anyone giving me a gift will actually read this, but hey, it's good to have a few ideas in mind for friends who outright ask what to give you. I love basically any gift I'm given, so don't take this list to be something it is not - it's just a list of stuff I want and don't necessarily need.

In no particular order:

• Slippers
• Bike Trainer
• Books
• Age of Empires 2 for Mac
• Dog Stroller
• $20 iTunes gift card (that should cover the gangsta rap songs I've always wanted and haven't yet downloaded)
• Old Navy gift card (my favorite store as of late)
• Express gift card (jeans!!)
• Just Dance 3 for Wii
• Car rack for my new bike :)
• Cute scarfs (the non-winter kind)

That should do it for now! I'll let you know if I get any of this stuff :) Am I missing something I should have on here? Let me know!!

First Riders List

For those who have had the privilege of riding in my *new* car (and by new, of course, I mean new to me), I write this list for posterity. If you've been reading this, you know by now that I love lists and you're probably laughing at my lame excuse for creating yet another.

Enjoy!

First people to ride in my car (as of 3/6/11) - you'll see that a lot of the Mirabel staff were among the lucky list-makers:

1. Lisa (my great friend and the Mirabel operations manager)
2. Tim Anderson (our lawn guy)
3. Steph
4. Bob (the maintenance guy)
5. Katie E.
6. Stephen H. (maintenance guy)
7. Lauren
8. Mom
9. Ronnie
10. Dad
11-14. Erica, Erika, Dianah, and Sarah

Prior to gas prices rising to $3.50/gallon this past week, I was all about driving people around in my new car. However, chances are, if you're not on this list yet you'll have to hold out for a ride since I'm becoming less inclined to burn up gas driving around without purpose! :)

Oh, the end of it all

I am officially 15 sentences away from being completely and utterly finished with my undergraduate education. How ironic is it that the last paper I will ever write is about NAGPRA and Native American's rights? I successfully avoided courses on the topic since I know a lot about NAs already....but sure enough, I got tricked into this paper because of the curation course of which I am a part. So it goes.

I've given it some thought and made a list of things I would like to accomplish this summer. Being that I begin my full-time job Monday (!) I guess there is not definite beginning or end to summer for me. So I will now set an arbitrary date by which to accomplish the goals mentioned below: August 31st.

*Read at least the first three chapters in the Bible
*Finish The Count of Monte Cristo
*Curl 50 lbs

Things to do - Summer 2010

Always adventurous, I love planning out exciting things to do that I have not yet done! Below find a list of just a few things I'd love to do this summer:

-Go to a Brewers' Game
-Visit the Jelly Belly Factory
-Go to Mt. Olympus theme park (WI Dells)
-Bike 20 miles at once
-Win a prize
-Create a piece of art
-Go on a hike through the arboretum

More will be added later, as I find time to update this list.

This is going to be the busiest week of my life, so forgive me for being hasty.

My Bucket List

Pet a buffalo
Go to all 50 states








Eat a hamburger
Marry the love of my life
Have two or three beautiful children
Write a book
Have a 4.0 semester  Fall 2009
Be on a gameshow
Go on a girls' weekend to New York
Own a home
Swim with dolphins
Participate in Habitat for Humanity
Go to Disneyworld Spring 2005
Go to Disneyland
Meet a US President (current or former)
Go on a vacation to somewhere foreign and warm (Cancun, Bahamas, etc) March 2011 - Costa Rica!
Learn German
Learn to play the trumpet
Learn to play the harp
Learn to play violin or cello
Own a cactus
Run a mile in under 8 minutes
Beat Super Mario 64 (Get ALL the stars!) November 2010
See Muse in concert March 2010, October 2010 :)
Catch a walleye
Try Asian food   I'm going to say that rice and stir-fry count! Summer 2010
Read the Bible
Go on a trek through the Amazon
Go on a road trip with my friends and boyfriend
Find treasure
Run Crazylegs New!
Do another triathlon New!
Curl 50 lbs New!
See Mamma Mia! live January 2011 with mom :)



More to come

How busy life seems!

I can't help but feel a bit more busy now that I am beginning my real-life job tomorrow! I just finished bringing all of my things from home inside, and have spent the last half hour or so reorganizing my food in the pantry. Ha this is proving to be a very exciting night! Here are the things I hope to get done this week:

1. Take out garbage
2. Throw out things I don't use
3. Take keyboard tray off of desk
4. Vacuum room
5. Send books out to Kelli
6. Bring binder back to downtown office
7. Bring books back to professor
8. Return library books
9. Buy black shoes for work
10. Send card to Beth
11. Buy address book
12. Put holiday decorations away
13. Pick up prescription

I cannot wait until tomorrow! I have my outfit picked out already. I feel very lucky to work with Lisa - she is amazing! I have to admit though, sitting here by myself, I really miss Katie E. and Cait a lot! We were fortunate enough to have Katie stop by for a bit, but I haven't seen Keke since August. Beth is gone too, having graduated last month, but I know for sure that I will be seeing her in March (when I go to the MUSE concert!). I thought Liz would be home tonight, but I guess I'll have to see her and Allison sometime tomorrow.

Last night I was invited to Erica's 22nd birthday party, and I am really glad I went! It was nice to see her, Erika, Dianah, and Jenny in a non-awkward situation. I say that because the last few times we have gotten together, I haven't been able to feel comfortable. It is too bad that Katie doesn't get along with Jenny, because last night was a ton of fun and relaxed - I didn't feel like an outsider and spent the whole time dancing, laughing, and having a few drinks with some old friends. I had to bring an old school camera last night so the pictures will have to be taken in and put on a CD before I can upload them. :) Ronnie was a sweetheart and picked me up so that I wouldn't have to drive home. Whenever I return to Madison, I realize how much I miss having him around. He is so wonderful - I love him and always look forward to the next time we can see each other.

My Christmas List

This is a copy of the list I'm sending to my mom to help with ideas :)

• Curious Case of Benjamin Button DVD
• The Nightmare Before Christmas DVD
• Elf DVD
• #1s - Destiny's Child CD
  
• humidifier
• Harrius Potter 
• Emily Post's Etiquette book 
• Warm slippers

Causes for Smiling

• The sound of rain
• Freshly-baked bread - both the smell and the taste!
  
• The scratchy feeling when a cat licks your hand
• Naughty Latin poems
• The sound of a chapstick cap being removed
• Christmas music
• Faux fur blankets
• Cream puffs
• Candles that smell like ginger, apples, and cinnamon
• The smell of old books
• Nighttime in the city - all of the lights!
• Apple cider
• Puppies and when they cuddle
• Towns that have little shops on streets with old fashioned street lamps
• Reflecting on childhood things once loved 
• Sitting by a fire
• Feeling grown up
  

Most especially:

• Having someone in my life that truly understands me and my quirkiness, and loves me no matter how silly I am
• My friends - they are amazing and I will be sad when everyone moves away
• My parents - no matter how goofy they are, I know they love me and will always be there for me
  

Why I get up each morning

I thought I would share with you all the things I look forward to each day (literally). Here goes:

Monday

• Nothing in particular as Monday is a crumby day
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler (a new game I've decided I like)
  

Tuesday

• Latin lecture with the unforgettable Professor McKeown
  
• Watching "The Biggest Loser" and rooting for whoever seems to be the nicest and most sincere
• Classics Society meetings (bi-weekly) which are always interesting...!
• Knowing that I can stay up late (past 11pm, if I'm feeling particularly reckless)
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler (see a recurring theme?)
  

Wednesday

• The one hour break I get between two of my classes
• Being able to sleep in
• The potential to get out of class before 5pm
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler
  

Thursday

• Having the weekend in sight!
• One word: Survivor
• Going out/catching up with friends
• Work
• Not having Latin homework due
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler
  

Friday

• Friday ipse!
• Not having Italian
• Again, not having Italian. It's a lot of work and meets four times a week.
• Work
• Being able to relax
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler

Saturday

• Sleeping in
• Perhaps going to a movie and eating delicious movie theater popcorn
• Catching up on readings
• Reading for pleasure
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler
  

Sunday

• Doing nothing, usually
• Being able to go on an extended bike ride
• Facebook, playing Food Friendzy and Fish Wrangler

It doesn't take a lot to get me excited about the day, as you can see!

Top 25 Gaming Hunks

I thought I would share this with you all since it is perhaps the worst list I've ever seen. Some of the more ridiculous characters include:

#13 - Kratos from God of War

Sexy? Probably not.


#11 - Brett Favre
Um...isn't he IRL?


#2 - Zac Efron??
He's not even in a game!

So who was lucky number one? Captain Jack Sparrow, which is apparently in a Pirates of the Carribean game. Quite a disappointing list. I mean, if we're going to pull from images of characters that aren't in games, where was Yami Yugi? I was glad to see that Squall made the list. That was about the only thing I was happy to see when reviewing this list. They even put Link on there, comparing him to Legolas since "women love elves." And the Master Chief...I've never seen him out of his armor - how can he even be on the list?!

I would say that you shouldn't spend your time reading this list, but it is so ridiculous that you have to! Now!

Things I Like

This is a brief list of things I like in no particular order, because I am unwilling to post a note about 25 things about myself on facebook. Also, I am procrastinating and waiting for Ronnie to call.

• Blueberries
• Playing video games
• Eating popcorn at the Rathskellar after APO with friends
• Lists
• Knowing that no matter where my life takes me, I will be able to find happiness; I am optimist.
• Writing, keeping a blog
• Asti
• Riding my bike - but not biking, because that implies vigorous exercise and sometimes I enjoy a leisurely ride.
• Snuggling, and being close to Ronnie
• Doing nerdy things
• Wearing high heels and looking sexy
• Yoga, as of recent
• Chicken nuggets, though I am trying to not eat so many at once :/
• Going to the Shell in the morning. It is a challenge going so often. I really hope that I can lose some of the weight I've put on since college since I don't feel like myself with this extra "love."
  
• Reading just about anything - magazines (so long as they are not about celebrities), newspapers, online news, readings for class, and of course fiction. I have read non-fiction and enjoyed it, though my preference is historical fiction.
• Laying outside in the sun
• Working at JSM. The people there are amazing and I love what I do!
• Swimming. Recreationally only, though.
• Shopping for gifts for other people
• Making things - I love building things, creating things, and designing things. I think that had a been better at calculus, engineering may have been the way to go.
  
• Learning about anything and everything
• Good surprises
• Getting texts and being surprised by Ronnie - I love when he does unexpected things for me, and when he's spontaneous
• Grammar, and those who can understand its quirks.
  

I'm a creep

Today, rather than beginning my reading for cultural anthro (Anthro 300) I ended up spending about an hour creeping on facebook. Why? I'm really not sure. All I know is that the semester is just beginning and I already feel busy. Last week I worked 26 hours. I also worked out for at least 7 hours last week. I've been really good about going to the shell every morning, except for one time last week. But, to make up for it, I ended up going to the SERF later and working out an hour before I went to Late Night Yoga with Cait. It's also nice knowing that I've inspired Cait and Beth to come work out! I even bought cute stretchy pants at Old Navy.

Because I like lists, and I just bought four new movies, here is a list of all the movies I own, color-coded by how I acquired each:

Amazon.com Gift 5.99 DVD Store on State
Target Blockbuster Wal-mart

• 1408
• 50 First Dates
• Alexander
• Along Came Polly
• Amityville Horror
• Anchorman
• Big Daddy
• Brother Bear
• Count of Monte Cristo
• The Day After Tomorrow
• Dirty Dancing Havana Nights
  
• Finding Nemo
• The Green Mile
• Gladiator
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Knocked Up
• Lord of the Rings (1-3)
  
• Mamma Mia!
• Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl
• Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
• Planet of the Apes
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• There's Something About Mary
• Troy

That was exciting. Anyway, for anyone who caught my name on the news or through online articles, yes, I was at the Monster Truck show here in Madison and yes, I did see that man get run over. It was awful to see and I'm going to leave it at that. I don't think I'll ever forget what I saw, or the reaction of the crowd and driver.

On a happier note, I've now visited Sonic three times successfully. I say successfully because of almost all of the times I've attempted to go there, there has been such a long line that it's almost not even worth it. Yeah, I said it. Though delicious, it is not worth it to be in line for more than 20 minutes for Sonic.

We hosted a fondue party last night for Liz's going away to Costa Rica complete with a homemade fondue recipe invented by Liz! She made a chocolaty peanut butter fondue in which we dipped angel food cake, pretzels, strawberries, oranges, apples, and marshmallows. Yummy! It was the four of us roommates plus Katie, Amy, April, Steph, Mitchy, Josh, Alex, Trent, Ashley, Dani, and Bri. I'm really going to miss her - she is amazing. Who else is going to enjoy FailBlog with me? Honestly though, we've gotten a lot closer this year and it's too bad that we might not see each other until August. Why August? I finally got my acceptance letter to Greece! That means I'll be in Athens, and possibly at a field school afterward, from late May until July or August. We'd end up missing each other by only a day or two.

My room is an absolute mess. If I had to pick an adjective to describe it, I would say that it's awful. The excuse I make is that the time I spend cleaning my room could be better spent working out. Though often I find that I work out best in the morning and end up not cleaning my room anyway.

I think that's it for now. I really should get around to studying since I have an Italian exam this week (thank goodness I'm taking it pass/fail) and I have a bunch of anthro reading to catch up on.

Wii FTW? Yes, FTW.

So, today I acquired a Wii. I know, I know, I said before that it was the one platform I was completely uninterested in. Well, I made a mistake. I love N64, and for me, the Wii is simply a newer version of my once-beloved N64. Mikel was amazing and sold me his Wii with two remotes and a nunchuck for $240, along with Wii Sports and Wii Play. Needless to say, I played it for several hours until my mom wanted to watch Judge Judy. In case you don't know, we only have one television at home with video game capabilities. Mikel even gave me two Gamecube games (yet another system I told myself I would never buy) but I lack a Gamecube memory card or controller to play them. I'll ask him about getting those later. For now, I'm plenty happy playing the same 14 mingames over and over. Though I do long for Super Mario Galaxy.....it reminds me of hooking up our N64 for the first time, and dreading how complicated the entire installation and interface would be since Sega was no walk in the park to hook up. Of course, N64 didn't require unhooking our TV antenna and there is no "lobby" area (Sega also lacked one, but we thought N64 might have one that would leave us confused for some reason). Funny story, when XBOX was the gift a few years ago, my dad, brother, and I saw my mom on TV buying the system at Wal-Mart. Fox 6 was showing how crazy stores were on Black Friday that year, and there was my mom, fighting off other moms, to buy us an XBOX. Of course, when she got home we made her give it to us right away so that we could play it. She was reluctant and denied even buying it, but they ran the story again that night and sure enough, there she was!

I went and saw Quantum of Solace with Yvonne yesterday, and have to admit that Daniel Craig is somewhat attractive for an old guy. I was disappointed that there was a general lack of cool objects used by 007, though I was impressed with the movie theater's popcorn. Delicious, as always.

I want to mention that while driving back home for Thanksgiving I saw a falling star. Not just a shooting star, but a falling star. It was definitely headed toward Earth. I love the annual meteor showers, but am not into them enough to bother becoming interested in astronomy; all I know is that the bigger ones are in December/January and August. This random little star was both cute and lovely.

If you love me, you will consider buying me one of these things for my 21st birthday, which is December 9th:

- Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
- Champagne (any variety)
- Super Smash Brothers Brawl (Wii)
- An iPod charger so I can charge it without my computer
- A real popcorn popper
- Books
- Anything romantic
- Cute earrings

This list (which may be added to as I think of new things) will also serve as my Christmas list, which will be reposted for Christmas once I can think of all the things I might desire for Jesus' birthday!

Top Ten Favorite Foods

I recently found out that cheeseburgers make the list of Ronnie's top ten favorite foods. I truly believed them to fall lower on his list, below pancakes, steak, and all of the other things I know he loves to eat. Inspired by this ranking of foods, I decided to list my favorite. Here they are, in order, my favorites:

1. Steam N Mash mashed potatoes
2. Tyson Chicken Breast Tenders
3. Baked Mostaccioli
4. French Fries
   
5. Popcorn
6. Gumby's Pizza
7. Berries: Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries
   
8. Velveeta Mac N Cheese
9. Honey Crisp Apples
10. Cousins' Subs brand chips

Updated list of Summer Fun

Well, it's been a tumultuous week. I've been playing a lot of D&D (yes, Ronnie did convince me to play it) and hanging out with Jack, Ryan, Mike B, and Ronnie. We weren't able to go camping last weekend, so I have to change my list. But that's okay though! I did lots of other productive things, and I can cross off things that I won't be able to do. I've also added things to this wondrous list. The things I am unable to do are italicized and those I have done will either be crossed out or bolded. For right now, they're bolded because the strikethrough html isn't working.

My dad promised me that sometime next week we can go fishing!! I still need to get my license, and Ronnie needs to also.

Ronnie's been playing this weird game called Culdcept Saga on his 360 and I don't really like it. It's kind of like Monopoly, except that you put creatures down on squares and opponents can either battle them or pay the toll. I just had to put that on here because it's the most boring game to watch. Ever.

In my spare time I've been killing random Sims and their pets in order to make the best graveyard ever on one of the lots. The best part? When Sims don't mourn the gravesites, harmless ghosts walk around the house and scare those living there. Cheap thrills.

As far as D&D goes, it isn't so bad. Honestly. It's not larping (thank goodness) but it's also not a board game. It's hard to explain, but I think it's okay. Right now I'm just learning (as is everyone else for the most part) so I'll give the final word later. I'm just excited to have a pet camel named Humphrey! I feel kind of nerdy right now....just a little bit.

So I've decided what I'm going to do career-wise. I'm going to be an archaeologist. A classical archaeologist, preferably. There's a good chance I'll end up working for the (U.S.) government in CRM - Cultural Resource Management. In order to get most archaeology jobs, one needs to have a master's degree in archaeology, usually from a field school. It'll take an extra 1-3 years, but it'll be worth it. Plus, it helps that I love my arch book already. I'm way past my goal of three chapters - I think I'm on chapter five!

1. Go fishing at least three times
2. Go camping (uncrossed out)
   
3. Visit Caitlyn in Sparta
4. Go canoing in Madison
5. Go to Summerfest
6. Go to Lollapalooza (or at least go to see Muse)
7. Take the dogs to the beach
   
8. Visit the Wind Point lighthouse and have a romantic date with Ronnie
9. Go to Six Flags
10. Go to the drive-up A&W
11. Read my archeology book (at least three chapters)
12. Go to the Dells
13. Get super tan
14. Ride bikes with Ronnie
    
15. Do the Danskin Triathlon - I have to work that day!
    
16. Watch the fireworks downtown
17. Watch the fireworks in OC
18. See Body Worlds
19. Go to the art museum
    
20. Go to the Majestic theater in Brookfield
21. Get in shape
    
22. See Amish people (maybe at Katie's?)
23. Swim in Katie's pool at Hilldale Towers
24. Go to Ikea
25. Learn "Hard to Concentrate" on bass
26. Complete the online assignments for the Leadership Certificate
27. Get engaged
28. Have a spa day with mom
29. Go somewhere out of the state (like, idk, New Mexico or Oklahoma?)
30. Finish off two the Grisham books I haven't read
31. Read/Begin the Count of Monte Cristo
32. (NEW) Finish at least four books total (one of which must be Wuthering Heights)
33. (NEW) Go to Mayfair
34. (NEW) Learn a song on my guitar
    
35. (NEW) Go mini golfing
36. (NEW) Try a new food and like it

Encounters of the Random Kind

I love it when I run into random people. Here's a list of everyone I ran into and how. God this is so much better than writing for the Herald. haha.

Around 1:30 pm: Left the Brothel with Liz who had Psi Chi induction. We both looked hott.

Around 2 pm: I met with Exec Board in the Beefeater's room. So, it wasn't random, but whatev. I saw Maggie, Loryn, Liz P, Justin, Maggie, Kelsi, and Megan. Good times.

Around 2:45 pm: I ran into Hilary and Rene as I walked down the street in a very short dress without shoes. Look at this guy with shoes! Fuck shoes!

Around 2:47 pm: Saw Raj. Sort of. I thought it was him, but didn't know for sure so I continued to walk past him until he said hi. We talked about APO. It was nice. I was still not wearing shoes.

Around 2:49 pm: Saw Carly biking by. Said hi, and managed to step into mud, shoeless.

Around 2:54 pm: Saw Liz walking home. Very nice. We walked home together so I didn't have to get my key out. Amazing.

Around 5:56 pm: Went over to Lauren's to work on MHR. While there, Amanda came over. She is Dana's roommate and I went to high school with her. Highly random.

Around 6:43 pm: Tricked Beth into going to Wendy's. Delicious. Muahahah! Came back, watched Princess with April and Liz (see below).

What a nice day.