We got 16 inches of snow here in Denver last night. The day started out absolutely beautiful. Jack and I headed downtown to the 16th Street Mall where we had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. When we left the house, it was 55 degrees and sunny. By the time we were done with lunch, clouds had rolled in and the winds had picked up. However, it was still nice enough to wander the mall. It was really neat because it's all outdoors. The street is closed down to traffic and people just wander in and out of the stores at their own pace.
I bought t-shirts for the kids and then we headed to the Tattered Cover, this amazing and old Denver bookstore. I bought myself some hot chocolate (because there is nothing better than hot chocolate while in a bookstore!) and just wandered in amazement. This bookstore is by far the coolest bookstore I've ever been in because it's old and filled with two stories of books and magazines. I could have spent all day in there but I managed to make it out with only having spent $20 and that on a magazine, a book, and my hot chocolate.
By the time we walked out of the bookstore, it was pouring down rain. We made a mad dash for the bus and made it just before the doors closed. We took it to the stop closest to Jack's car but we still had to walk two blocks in the rain. By the time we reached the parking garage we were soaked but laughing because it had been fun running in the rain.
We decided on our drive home that the weather was perfect for soup and grilled cheese so we stopped at the grocery store on our way home to get the ingredients for dinner. I also bought brownie mix and made dessert as well. By the time we reached the house, not even an hour later, the rain had changed over to snow and it was coming down fast and quick. By this morning we had gotten 16 inches of snow. Crazy.
Last night Angie and Joseph came over and we just hung out and watched American Idol. Tonight we're all going over to Jack's house for dinner. He's making tacos and we're going to watch Idol again tonight. I've spent a good portion of the day just lying around. I did find the motivation to shower which is good. haha
I got my grades back! I got a 4.0 for the quarter and my overall gpa went up from a 3.2 to a 3.4! Woo! I'm so proud of how well I'm doing in grad school. I absolutlely love it. It's hard but all of my hard work is paying off and my grades definitely reflect it.
I also paid off my credit card today with my financial aid refund and it feels so good to know I have no more debt to my name other than my student loan debt. I shudder at the thought of paying off student loans for the rest of my life. Boo.
But, I don't want to end on a sad note. I did awesome this quarter and I'm having a great time on spring break so it can't get much better than this right now! :-)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
No place like home
So this is my third day in Denver and I'm actually kind of missing home already. Is that sad? Don't get me wrong-I'm having a great time. It's just been hard to chat with my parents and friends because I keep forgetting the time difference. And it's definitely weird to not be at work right now. I wonder how the first day went without me. Oh geez...time to move on to a new topic since I just mentioned work during my vacation. :-P
Last night's big news was the health care bill and since it passed, I know a lot of people who have been angry about it. I don't know enough about it to take a stance nor do I really want anyone to fill me in. I plan to research it myself and then take a stand on it, even if it's already passed. So in that respect, please keep your comments to yourself regarding the health care bill. :-)
I joined the rec center here yesterday as a non-resident. It only cost me $7 to join and then it'll be $5.50 every time I go in to work out. Plus, the pass is good for two years so I can use it when I come back to visit again next summer. My cousin is going to let me have the car in the afternoons while he's in class so this will give me the chance to stay on top of my workouts while I'm on vacation. Yesterday the two of us, his friend Angie, and her son went to the rec and walked the outdoor bike/hike path. It's almost a full mile around and then it splits off into another path which is another mile so by the time I was done, I had run two miles. I opted to run while they walked, though I did walk parts of it. Angie's son Joseph walked and ran with me which was fun. We clicked right away and had a lot to talk about. At the end of my run, I plopped down in the middle of the sidewalk and told them I wasn't moving again because I couldn't feel my legs. :-P
After our run, we went to get a smoothie at this place called Inta Juice and it was super yummy. We came back so I could shower and then went to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ, a place we don't have in Cincinnati. Then we pretty much hung out and watched the health care coverage until everyone went to bed.
Mike and Terry Lee are both working this morning and then Terry Lee is coming here to drop the car off so I can take him to class and then I'm going to go exploring on my own. No worries though...no chance of me getting lost! They have a gps so I should be relatively fine. Everything here seems to be on a grid and I plan to avoid the highways so it shouldn't be too bad. I really just want to find a Wal-mart or a Joanne's Fabrics so I can get Denver Broncos fabric to make my mom a fleece tie blanket so she'll give me my Charlie Brown blanket back. ;-D
Alright, I'm off. I just loaded the dishwasher and Terry Lee should be home anytime now so I'm going to go explore. :-)
Last night's big news was the health care bill and since it passed, I know a lot of people who have been angry about it. I don't know enough about it to take a stance nor do I really want anyone to fill me in. I plan to research it myself and then take a stand on it, even if it's already passed. So in that respect, please keep your comments to yourself regarding the health care bill. :-)
I joined the rec center here yesterday as a non-resident. It only cost me $7 to join and then it'll be $5.50 every time I go in to work out. Plus, the pass is good for two years so I can use it when I come back to visit again next summer. My cousin is going to let me have the car in the afternoons while he's in class so this will give me the chance to stay on top of my workouts while I'm on vacation. Yesterday the two of us, his friend Angie, and her son went to the rec and walked the outdoor bike/hike path. It's almost a full mile around and then it splits off into another path which is another mile so by the time I was done, I had run two miles. I opted to run while they walked, though I did walk parts of it. Angie's son Joseph walked and ran with me which was fun. We clicked right away and had a lot to talk about. At the end of my run, I plopped down in the middle of the sidewalk and told them I wasn't moving again because I couldn't feel my legs. :-P
After our run, we went to get a smoothie at this place called Inta Juice and it was super yummy. We came back so I could shower and then went to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ, a place we don't have in Cincinnati. Then we pretty much hung out and watched the health care coverage until everyone went to bed.
Mike and Terry Lee are both working this morning and then Terry Lee is coming here to drop the car off so I can take him to class and then I'm going to go exploring on my own. No worries though...no chance of me getting lost! They have a gps so I should be relatively fine. Everything here seems to be on a grid and I plan to avoid the highways so it shouldn't be too bad. I really just want to find a Wal-mart or a Joanne's Fabrics so I can get Denver Broncos fabric to make my mom a fleece tie blanket so she'll give me my Charlie Brown blanket back. ;-D
Alright, I'm off. I just loaded the dishwasher and Terry Lee should be home anytime now so I'm going to go explore. :-)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
In Denver!!
I'm officially in Denver and settled in. I stayed at a hotel in Indianapolis last night (Friday...I'm not sure how this will post with the time differences and stuff :-P ) at a hotel where I paid for one night but could leave my car parked for the week and then take their shuttle to th airport. I had a lovely 5:30 a.m. wake up call from the front desk and caught the 6 a.m. shuttle to the airport for my 8:10 a.m. flight.
Since I had checked in online yesterday morning and already printed my boarding pass, I was able to quickly check my suitcase and move through security. My flight was about two and a half hours and I spent that time finishing a book I had started the night before in the hotel. We had some bumpy moments during the flight but overall it was great.
I landed and quickly moved to baggage and we headed out the door. My cousin graciously gave my the front seat since Mike was driving so I could see better. The view of the Rockies had been stunning from the plane but it was even more stunning the closer we moved towards them. This is the furthest west I have ever been and it's gorgeous out here.
We went to Fuddruckers for lunch where the last eight years quickly melted away. Afterward, we came back and I settled in on th couch to watch OU take on Tennessee but since I had made the mistake of covering up with a blanket, I quickly fell asleep and slept for three hours. Terry Lee and Mike had been out and about doing stuff for work so it was nice to unwind and nap. The thinner air and the little sleep I got last night made the nap necessary.
After I woke up, we hung out for a bit and then Mike, Jack, and I went to Kmart and dinner since Terry Lee had fallen asleep. They took me to this little hole in th wall pizza place called Wazee, which is the equivalent of Mac's for all you Cliftonites in Cincinnati. It was really good and we all know how picky I can be.
I got to see part of downtown while we drove and we drove past Coors Field which means Megan you and I are coming back sometime during the summertime (maybe next year??) to go to a Rockies game! Sometime this week I also get to see Mile High Stadium which will make my mom jealous since she loves the Broncos.
Now it's bedtime. Tomorrow I'm going to church with Mike and Jack and then hopefully working out at the rec center before exploring again. So far, so good. I'm having a great time!
Since I had checked in online yesterday morning and already printed my boarding pass, I was able to quickly check my suitcase and move through security. My flight was about two and a half hours and I spent that time finishing a book I had started the night before in the hotel. We had some bumpy moments during the flight but overall it was great.
I landed and quickly moved to baggage and we headed out the door. My cousin graciously gave my the front seat since Mike was driving so I could see better. The view of the Rockies had been stunning from the plane but it was even more stunning the closer we moved towards them. This is the furthest west I have ever been and it's gorgeous out here.
We went to Fuddruckers for lunch where the last eight years quickly melted away. Afterward, we came back and I settled in on th couch to watch OU take on Tennessee but since I had made the mistake of covering up with a blanket, I quickly fell asleep and slept for three hours. Terry Lee and Mike had been out and about doing stuff for work so it was nice to unwind and nap. The thinner air and the little sleep I got last night made the nap necessary.
After I woke up, we hung out for a bit and then Mike, Jack, and I went to Kmart and dinner since Terry Lee had fallen asleep. They took me to this little hole in th wall pizza place called Wazee, which is the equivalent of Mac's for all you Cliftonites in Cincinnati. It was really good and we all know how picky I can be.
I got to see part of downtown while we drove and we drove past Coors Field which means Megan you and I are coming back sometime during the summertime (maybe next year??) to go to a Rockies game! Sometime this week I also get to see Mile High Stadium which will make my mom jealous since she loves the Broncos.
Now it's bedtime. Tomorrow I'm going to church with Mike and Jack and then hopefully working out at the rec center before exploring again. So far, so good. I'm having a great time!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A month?!?
I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated! Actually, I can. This quarter has been so ridiculously busy that I haven't had time to breathe, let alone blog. So what's been going on in my life?
School is going well. I've been working with a real life client this quarter which has been challenging. She has definitely taught me a lot about being a counselor and has also affirmed that I definitely want to be in the school setting and not the mental health field. Classes are also going well. I scheduled for the spring and I'm taking my field practicum along with muticultural counseling so it should be another busy quarter since I'm going to be working in an elementary school with the school counselor for ten weeks starting after spring break.
Dave and Katie's wedding is rapidly approaching, which means Vince's visit is also coming soon! I spent Friday night at Dave and Katie's new house and it made me realize how much I miss them. I'm so busy that on weekends anymore I prefer to curl up on the couch with a book instead of going out. I need to stop being so antisocial but that's what work and grad school have done to me.
My weight loss has stalled big time. I didn't make it to the gym at all this past week because I was working on a research paper all week and my eating habits have gone down the drain again. I need to get myself back on track. I plan on making it to the gym a couple times this week and then taking my running clothes to Denver with me next week since the weather looks like it'll be nice for at least part of my visit.
Speaking of Denver I'm only six days away! I'm driving to Indianapolis Friday night after working and then flying out first thing Saturday morning. I can't wait to spend a week with Terry Lee and he's got big plans for my visit, which sounds like it's going to be a blast. It's also going to be nice to just relax and catch my breath before spring quarter starts.
There's really not much else going on. Work, school, and spending time with my family and friends when I can pretty much consumes me. Nothing exciting happened in the last month unless you count all the snow we got. Other than that, things have just been as normal as they can be.
I probably won't update again before I leave so I'm sure I'll be back after my trip with lots of pictures and stories!
School is going well. I've been working with a real life client this quarter which has been challenging. She has definitely taught me a lot about being a counselor and has also affirmed that I definitely want to be in the school setting and not the mental health field. Classes are also going well. I scheduled for the spring and I'm taking my field practicum along with muticultural counseling so it should be another busy quarter since I'm going to be working in an elementary school with the school counselor for ten weeks starting after spring break.
Dave and Katie's wedding is rapidly approaching, which means Vince's visit is also coming soon! I spent Friday night at Dave and Katie's new house and it made me realize how much I miss them. I'm so busy that on weekends anymore I prefer to curl up on the couch with a book instead of going out. I need to stop being so antisocial but that's what work and grad school have done to me.
My weight loss has stalled big time. I didn't make it to the gym at all this past week because I was working on a research paper all week and my eating habits have gone down the drain again. I need to get myself back on track. I plan on making it to the gym a couple times this week and then taking my running clothes to Denver with me next week since the weather looks like it'll be nice for at least part of my visit.
Speaking of Denver I'm only six days away! I'm driving to Indianapolis Friday night after working and then flying out first thing Saturday morning. I can't wait to spend a week with Terry Lee and he's got big plans for my visit, which sounds like it's going to be a blast. It's also going to be nice to just relax and catch my breath before spring quarter starts.
There's really not much else going on. Work, school, and spending time with my family and friends when I can pretty much consumes me. Nothing exciting happened in the last month unless you count all the snow we got. Other than that, things have just been as normal as they can be.
I probably won't update again before I leave so I'm sure I'll be back after my trip with lots of pictures and stories!
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