Get Well Soon!

Many of you whom read this may have received my email regarding prayer requests for my close friend and former roommate, Lindsey. I am posting here for any others that may read and believe in the power of prayer. My friend was admitted yesterday to a hospital in San Antonio, TX with viral meningitis. While the viral form is not nearly as severe and threatening as the bacterial form, I say if you have to be admitted to the hospital, it is a BIG DEAL! She is in good spirits, just tired and achy, which is part of this sickness. No word yet when she will be released, just being held for observations now. Against her wishes I am making a big deal over this because no matter how big or small a problem may be it is never to big/small for a prayer! Please take the time to say a quick prayer for her quick recovery. Thanks to everyone and Get Well Soon, Linds!

Hello New Year!

Ringing in the new year always makes me feel good. No matter how well I did with the previous resolution I always feel like the slate has been cleaned and this will be "the year", whatever that may bring.

This year I spent a very quite New Year's Eve at home. While I admit it was a little lonely being by myself, I took full advantage of having the entire evening to pamper myself and bring in the new year in style. I cooked a nice dinner, took a long bubble bath, did my nails and then curled up with a movie. I babysat that morning so I was actually pretty exhausted and barely even made it to the midnight hour.

My plans of continuing the pampering the next day were sorely interrupted, when we showed up at the pedicure place, that told us they would be open, and no one was to be found. Oh well, I guess I'll have to drag myself back and have my pedicure at another time!

This year my resolution is to take better care of my teeth. Not that I have bad dental hygiene, but I don't always follow the floss-rinse-brush cycle very well. So I have bought all new supplies and am on a mission. I am even making a special purse size kit so no matter where I am I don't really have an excuse. We'll see!

BTW, if anyone noticed my avatar change on my Christmas Cheer post, apparently it changes everytime I make a change. Bummer, I kinda like that picture!

O Christmas Tree

I took some pics. of my favorite tree ornaments, some that we have had forever and others that are new editions. My favorite ballet slippers didn't make it to the tree and conveniently couldn't be found! Enjoy!

Holiday Movie Review: Alvin and The Chipminks

For our 2nd Annual Family Fun Christmas Movie we went to see Alvin and The Chipmunks. I am a big fan of the little guys from my childhood and was actually wanting to see the movie before we settled on it for our family movie. I must say it was pretty cute. You gotta love those adorable little guys. The animation was pretty good as far as my untrained eye can see too. I certainly don't think it will win any awards but it was a fun movie for the holidays. I always like to check out the movie websites for the extras and with this one you can "Get Munked" and create your own chipmunk character with voice recording. Try it!

Movie Review: Polar Express in IMAX 3D

WOW, what an experience! Being my first trip to an IMAX theatre I figured it would be great, but this went well beyond. The Polar Express is such a great movie even not at the IMAX, but seeing it there really brings it to life. The snow flakes seem as if they are going to land right in your hands and the train ride actually feels like a magical roller coaster. And then there's Santa's village that is just incredible. If you need a little help getting in the Christmas spirit this movie, or book even, is a must. Making it's way to becoming a new Christmas classic, if it isn't already, I assure anyone this magical movie will help children of age 5 or 50 remember the magic of believing! Be sure to check out the website for the movie where you can build your own snowman and even board the train itself! The website is just a cool as the movie with lots of interactive ideas.

Christmas Cheer

Just sending a little Christmas in Cali. cheer! This is supposed to be me by the way!

I'm FREE!!!

Today officially ended my first semester at UCDavis and without question I am elated! I have conquered organic chemistry (we'll see how well when grades come out) and am very happy to be saying that I am moving on. If you ever want to torture someone for fun give them a semester, or two, or three, in organic chemistry.

If that was not enough for me to be doing I also started my job yesterday with the research lab. You remember the one I mentioned TWO MONTHS AGO! The wait is finally over and all the paperwork signed and dated for me to start just in time for finals and leaving on holiday next week (I like to refer to a vacation as going on holiday because I think it sounds cool when the Brits say it). :) The day went well and after two months of frustration I have a renewed excitement about this job. It is actually very cool work that I will be doing with DNA and cancer research. I was slightly nervous because I wasn't sure about how my experience, or what I thought was lack there of, would fit in with everyone else. But it turns out I am in the same position as everyone else when they started and may even have more experience than some did in the beginning. So my nerves were put to ease and I am ready to move forward.

I also started a little babysitting gig that I will be doing for a bit on Monday(s). It is just one day a week while the parents are at work, but it will definitely be good for a little extra spending cash. My other job is only two days a week for right now. The little girl I am sitting for is ~17mos. and as cute as can be. She would warm up to me and we would play and then all of a sudden she would realize she didn't know me that well and shy away (actually she would scream hysterically). I thought it was kinda funny how she would do this. It made for an exhausting day but I will get used to it, probably just in time for something else to come up. That's how it always seems to work out, right?!

Things have certainly come together this week, but I am really excited about coming home next week. I will be heading east on the 19th, so I can't wait to see everyone!