Ah! So Excited!

So much going on! I'm 22! It was my birthday a little bit ago. I watched cartoons and got too drunk with a friend. What a better way to celebrate a new year?

Right now I'm in Chicago. I had to take a car, bus, and a train to get here but I did it! The guy on the Amtrak who sold food was hilarious. I was trying to sell: "Lobster, prime rib, cold white dry turkey breast from my mother in-law's kitchen!" It was a hoot.

I stayed in Wrigleyville for a night which was neat since I'm like a fake Cubs. See, I like the Cubs because my Aunt likes the Cubs. Which is a silly reason to like a team. But its no better than my reason for liking the Tigers either. I just do. but I don't follow either team enough to tell you if they are doing well or how their last game went. I just like them so when playoffs and stuff happens I have a team to defend. It's silly.

Then I stayed with my cousin out in the suburbs for a night. I love my cousin Heidi. She is a lot older than me though so its a little wierd (15 yrs). Like she has two kids, and is pregnant with twins (girls! awwww). I just don't fit with her or her family. Plus she's from my mom's side of the family and we just don't know them very well, so its hard to really get in talking with her and stuff. But it was nice to see family. It was so funny, I climbed into bed and the sheets and stuff had the faintest scent of "Grandma W." It was like that smallest hint of smell that I associate with the W. family and it was there, in her house and sheets. I love smells. I think they are so neat. And we got Dairy Queen, which we ALWAYS do when we go to visit my mom's family. They love them some Dairy Queen. I mena, we have one near my parent's house, but it isn't the same, we don't go that often. No idea why not. I love Dairy QUeen though, and it always reminds me of happy times. Despite having a nice calm morning though, I still managed to forget my coat at her house. I don't know how the heck I'm gonna get it back. She's like an hour to 90 minutes out of town. Blah.

Right now I'm sitting at a friend's apartment waiting to go to dinner. I'm with Jackie, from high school, and we're gonna get some BBQ. I have been alone the last few days and I kind of liked that. Like, I love having friends with me and not being alone, but I really really liked being the creator of my day. Not having to check with another person, or just wander around till I figured out where the heck I was. I liked that freedom.

I can't wait for Paul to see Chicago though. He's never visited and I think it is just a cool city. I don't know if he'll like it though. Its so BIG. He's from such a small town, I don't know if he'd like a big town like this. I think the people are neat, the restaurants are amazing, and I just love public transportation!!! It's my favorite thing about industrialized countries I think. Yup, that and indoor plumbing.

Ok, well Jackie was taking a nap, so I think I'm going to go wake her up so we can get some food! Yea! I love food, and eating and exploring! There is just so much to see :)

A Return To Quizzes

I'm doing a quiz today. Because I can. Also, because I really want to try and return to a time when I talked about my feelings on here. I want to t go back to using this as amy sounding off board. My escape and my safe zone. Its an autobiography that has its ups and downs. I don't want to lose the ups in the downs and I don't want to lose the poetry in the prose. So for that reason I'm going to do a quiz. Its long, but I think it will hit on some things I may have missed. Also...the return of colored text!!

~*Layer One*~
Name: Ery, Sheep, Honey
Birthplace: Downstate
Current location: Working at the college.

~*Layer Two*~
Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Brown (Paul used to think it was red...but its not!)
Height: 5'7"
Righty or lefty: Righty
Zodiac sign: Aries
Heritage: Greek, German and Irish. More stuff mixed in as well
Your weakness: Good food, warm hugs, good smells
Your fears: Being weak, being alone forever, dying unidentified, messing something up in the future
Your ideal pizza: Sausage, mushrooms, olives, onions, green peppers and bacon
Your thoughts when you first wake up: 'Morning already...lets GO!'
Your bedtime: Midnight-1am most nights
Your most missed memory: Being surrounded by girlfriends

~*Layer Three*~
Pepsi or Coke?: Either will work if I need a cola
McDonalds or Burger King?: McDonalds, but I'm trying to cut back now
Single or Group date?: Single. There is something so special about doing something with that special someone and not having to deal with the societal constraints that work within a group
Chocolate or Vanilla?: Vanilla...unless I'm craving chocolate.
Capuccino or coffee?: Latte, please
Apples or Bananas: Apples (so many varieties)
Blue or Red: Blue
Walmart or Kmart: Don't like either really
Math or English: English. Although math is pretty good at filling time when you've got a pad and a pencil
Radio or CD: Radio ( I crave diversity)
Drawing or Painting: Painting.
High School or College: College. The freedom of choice is great. I do miss the comraderie of high school though. And the close friends.

~*Layer Four*~
Smoke: Nope
Cuss: Yeah, unfortunately. But less now than 2 years ago.
Sing: Every chance I get. I want to belt it out all day long.
Shower everyday: Well...I try. Sometimes (like today) I miss a day)
Want to get married: Yes yes yes yes yes I do
Believe in yourself: I want to say yes. I want to also say no. I'm confused about the whole thing right now. I'm scared of failure and I'm scared that I might be one, so then what?
Get motion sickness: On big boats and sometimes in cars. (I carry Dramamine everywhere to fight the feeling)
Think you are attractive: Yes (except in my bridesmaid dress...I looked large and triangular and that was not attractive)
Think you're a health freak: No, I just try to balance everything.
Get along with your parents: Yeah. More so now than when I lived at home. I think its a part of growing up
Play an instrument: No, I really want to learn the piano one day, though

~*Layer Five*~ In the last month have you:
Drank alcohol: Yup...sometimes that happens when you're old enough
Done a drug: Nothing illegal
Had sex: Depends on the definition. Intercourse, no. Other sexual acts...yes. Damn, am I ever annoyed by this whole situation. I want to. I don't want to. We're not, but just barely. Why? I don't even know anymore.
Made out: YEs, but not for nearly long enough. If I could have a good 20 minute kissing session...man oh man I'd be a happy camper.
Gone on a date: Yup!
Gone to the mall: Oh yeah. I love Green Bay, and their mall.
Eaten an entire box of oreos: Nope. Still haven't seen a box of oreos.
Been dumped: No, thank God. Although the way I've been treating him its lucky I haven't. I don't know what gets into me sometimes. Its like a bug crawls up my tush and just begs me to fight.
Gone skating: No, but maybe I will today after dinner.
Made Homemade cookies: I've been thinking about it. Does that count?
Gone skinnydipping: No :( I really want to get in the damn lake.
Dyed your hair: No. I'm putting highlights in right before my trip downstate though. I'm going to look so cute when I go home!

~*Layer Six*~ Have you evers:
Played a game that required you take off clothes: Yes. Not a proud moment, but I'm hiding under the "I was young and foolish" argument
Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Haha. Yessir. Often.
Been caught "doing something": OH jeez. Yes. Lock doors. I'll remember to lock doors for the rest of my life thanks to Cortney, Marc and that stupid movie.
Said "I love you" to someone: Yes, everyday I say it, mean it, and try to show it.
Danced naked: I love dancing. I love being naked. I love doing them together.
Dreamed something really crazy: Who hasn't? Actually my dreams have been quiet for a little while now.
Stalked someone: No.

~*Layer Seven*~
Age you hope to be married: 25? I'm scared of mputting my life on hold. I want to be married. I want to be married sooner rather than later but I don't want to rush into something neither of us is ready for. I want to get married because it's the next logical step. I feel ready to take that leap and I hate that the drone of parents and guidance counsleors and other people say we're too young. This wait till you're older stuff doesn't make sense to me. Wait for what? We're growing together now. We're learning about life together now. Isn't that marriage? Isn't marriage growing up and learning together? Its about life and I want to promote that life. But. What if it really isn't the right time? Will we ever even know? Why wait then? Why not jump in with both feet like we did when we met?
Names and number of children: 2-5 kids. I love kids.
Describe your dream wedding: I want a long white dress with a full skirt. I want a veil and I want a church. Lots of family and friends around for the ceremony and reception afterwards. I wantdelicious food and a great DJ. I want laughter and kisses all night. Tears from the mothers. And I want to walk to Paul at the end of that aisle and at the end of the night and say "I do" to each and every one of those traditional wedding vows.
How do you want to die: Loved
Where do you want to go to college: ALready here.
What do you want to be when you grow up?: A conference coordinator. This is for the big kind of grown up. I dont' think I'll be doing thisuntil my 30's possibly 40's. Sooner would be better. But I can wait.
What country would you most like to visit: Russia, Finland, Greece, France, Thailand

~*Layer Eight*~
Last person who fell asleep in your bed: Me and Paul
Last who saw you cry: Paul
Last person who made you cry: Paul/myself
Last person who spent the night at your house: Brandon I think
Last person you shared a drink with: I wanna say it was Cortney with that mai tai
Last person you went to the movies with: Paul, Ku'u, Brandon...these other two girls whose names I can't remember
Last person you went to the mall with: Katie (oh did we shop)
Last person who yelled at you: Ermmm...I can't remember. Paul doesn't usually yell he just raises his voice a bit. Not a full yell though. Ummm...maybe Katie? I really don't know.
Last times you went out of state:

~*Layer Ten*~
Things you like in a guy: A sense of humor, confidence, the ability to take charge (of me, a situation, a room...that power is just hot), the ability to have fun despite what is manly or masculine or whatever, an easy smile, a good relationship to family, a love/appreciation of small cute things (babies, puppies, etc.), the ability to understand me...even when I don't make sense, the desire to fix things (even when its hard to do)
What book are you reading now: "No Humans Involved" by Kelly Armstrong
What is on your mouse pad: A calendar blotter
Favorite magazine: Cosmo? I don't read magazines very often, but if I am its usually that one.
Favorite sound: Water on the beach, Paul's voice, a really strong piece of music (big notes, good rhythm, good vocals and lots of emotions), children laughing and playing.
Worst feeling in the world: Feeling completely alone and isolated...especially if you are with people. I hate this feeling. I feel it way too often and I hate it.
How many rings before you answer: AS few as possible. I don't like waiting on the phone and I don't want others to have to either.
If you could have any job you wanted what would it be: I'd be singing professionally somewhere, but I don't have the money, the ambition or the strength to take that route.
What are you going to do when you finish this survey: probably write up another entry to try and get some stuff off my chest. That merde-y feeling is back and I don't like it.

Sunny Day

Its gorgeous out!! THe sun is shining there is a light breeze and its warm! Lucky for me all I have to do today is work 12 hours (hmm sarcasm much?). On the upside I do get to buy a pair of cute shoes and make yummy dinner. I'm happy.

I planned a week's menu last night. It was hard to get into, but in the end I found that it really helped with grocery shopping. I didn't buy anything I didn't need (although I forgot rice, so I'll have to substitute a different starch). Plus I've already thought of starches and veggies to go with each dinner. Most will have leftovers for work the next day and I even planned meals for when Paul is gone to camp. This way, I can eat the stuff I like, without making him feel like he has to eat a PB&J sandwich for dinner.

So I decided that the easiest way for me to do some of the FLYlady stuff was to do the babysteps as proscribed and then add in a couple more. Like the menu planning. I don't even know when that would start happening, but it sounded fun. Why not do something fun? I mean, if its enjoyable it can't be work, right? Hopefully that logic holds.

Ooo! Yesterday I found a recipe for a watermelon gazpacho, and I am so excited to try it out! It has watermelon, cucumbers peppers and shallots in it. I think it'l;l be really really good. Plus it go awesome reviews online. I might try it next week when Paul comes home. I also want to try the summer gratin recipe out on Paul. It was really good in class so I think he might eat it.

Hmm, not much else going on. I have my first day on the job all by myself today. I'm really excited/nervous. I hope nothing goes wrong. I figure if I just do what I'm supposed to do then I should be just fine! On that note, I'm gonna go back to imaginary shoe shopping (you know, the shopping you do for fancy shoes you can't afford)

Lots of Love,
~*Ery*~

P.S. My sunburn didn't peel!! Oh! And tomorrow I'm gonna try sugaring. More on that to come later.

Dinner!

So I've decided that it is silly for me to continually make and eat food straight out of a box with only one ingredient added. I mean, I know how to cook, and I'm a decent hand at it too. I want some good home made gravys and stuff, and I can do it! So this week is the experimental week. I found recipes for dinner every night this wek and created my shopping list off of them. I have so far managed to make chicken stew (more on that to follow) and homemade macaroni and cheese. I'm quite proud.

So the chicken stew was originally chicken and dumplings. Unfortunately I messed up the dumplings/they tasted like flour. So I took them out. Well I was trying so hard to get my gallon of chicken broth to reduce/thicken up that the chicken started just falling apart. And that is what is holding everything together in a stew like consistency. Everything tastes really good though. Woot!

I just finished the mac and cheese. This has been my first try with not out of the box stuff and I'm still not impressed. The thing I dislike about baked mac and cheese is that it gets dry in the oven. I think if I add some cream and bit more butter it might come out the way I like it. I think its a personal preference, but I like it to ooze when I cut into it.

Tomorrow I'm making Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf. I really hope it will turn out ok. Paul didn't really like the chicken stew too much ("the texture is funny" oy, its just chicken!) and he hasn't tried the mac and cheese yet, but I have a feeling he won't like that either. I'm trying really hard to find things I think he might like, and he finds reasons to not really liiek the things I come up with. Its a tad frustrating. Some of the problem might be that I really like a variety of things and he's pretty particular. He's a momma's boy and likes what she makes. Personally I think she's pretty good too, but I also know there is so much more out there as far as foods go. Why close out all those other amazing food options because its isn't something you've had a thousand times before?

Lots of Love,
~*Ery*~