Sunday, December 12, 2010

Mercedes' Notes

In following along with a new blog I follow, Exploding Doughnut, I figured I'd give my (probably non-existant) readers 10 facts about me.

#1. I LOVE water. I'm obsessed with it.  I drink 2+ liters a day.  I swam competitively for 10ish years.  I neeeeeed to go see the ocean ASAP! (I'll be in Portland/Vancouver in a few weeks though, so hopefully I can hang around the coast then).  I like frozen water too.  Skiing and snow and ice are amazing.  I love ice sculptures too.  That's probably one of the best things about living somewhere it's below 0 for a good chunk of the year.

#2.  I plan to graduate in approximately year! I'll have my bachelor of arts in sociology next December.  I really like my major.  It's been so interesting learning about why we are the way we are.  Although I wish I had the guts to tell off some people in my life who are racist.  But, I love them too much.  Between now and then I might also get my associates degree (just because I can) and hopefully will be getting my Certified Nursing Assistant certificate.  I'll have lots of degrees.  Then after that, I think I'll head on over to get my bachelor of science in Nursing.  (or maybe just my associate for now.)

#3.  I'm extremely grateful for Alpha Phi Omega.  It's a national co-ed service fraternity that I've been a part of since Fall 2008.  I've had the honor to be the chapter president at my school (University of Alaska Fairbanks) since Fall 2009! (This is my second of a maximum two terms).  While there has been so much stress associated with it, I can't see myself living any other way. The friends that I have made within this group are amazing, especially since we hold the same values!

#4.  I'm addicted to facebook.  And I like the new layout (kind of).  Well, I'm choosing to not get upset over the new layout. I learned from a class this semester that there are two walls to hang out on - the one where life is hell and the one where you choose to adapt! Life is so much better when we choose to adapt instead!  Anyway, back to my addiction - I seriously don't think I could go without checking facebook for any given amount of time, unless there was something much more interesting going on and I was without all technology.  I love seeing all of the updates from my friends and looking to see who's marrying who and having babies.

#5.  I've accomplished one thing on my list of things to do before I die.  I shaved my head in March 2008.  Other things on my list include visiting every state in the country, going to the moon, buying a yacht and having children (but only after marrying a man who has some of my same desires).

(did you know it's kind of hard to think of 10 interesting things to share with the world?)

#6. I'd really like to get my pilot's license and buy a plane.  I don't need a huge fancy plane.  Just something to get me from point A to point B.  The sky is fascinating.  Also this is probably a more likely goal than going to space.

#7.  My front two teeth were knocked out when I was in 3rd grade.  I was standing on a tree branch and hanging onto another tree branch that a friend pulled back and I wasn't paying attention and it hit me in the face.   That is why my front teeth are crooked and when I can afford it, I plan on seeing an orthodontist.

#8. One of my goals for 2011, I am going to run the Beat Beethoven 5K in April.  For the last 10 years, I've despised running, and so this is going to be a challenge for me.  But in addition to losing 100 pounds over the next few years, I'm going to try to get into running more.  I don't desire to like, run a marathon, but I figure having a goal of some sorts to work toward beside eating healthier and going to the gym more would be fun.  I've also talked my boyfriend, Britton and my roommate, Morgan into running it with me.

#9. I hate celebrities  I really, really hate that they make SO much money and media time.  What if all the NFL players were required to sponsor two or three college students or inner-city elementary schools?  What if movie stars had to buy a home to help aid the homeless?  I think there are many more things they can be doing with their money than buying houses and cars.  I also hate politicians, they are just as annoying.  But I won't lie, I do appreciate a good movie, and I love listening to the radio.  Also, what is with celebrities giving their children names that are ridiculous.

#10. Reading blogs is one of my favorite past times.  I also spend my time quilting, taking pictures (though I haven't gotten into editing) and reading (but only when I don't have to read for classes.)

there you go :) 10 things about Mercedes

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Shutterfly

I've used shutterfly only once so far, but was most definitely amazed by their amazing service.  I've been a member with shutterfly for awhile now, so I get their emails ALL the time, but just recently took advantage of the amazing deals they have!

Things that I plan on ordering in the future include the photobooks. I have a feeling these will hold all of my memories for my upcoming trips.  I'm headed to Atlanta, then New Mexico, then Portland/Vancouver and then Seattle!  I think I'll probably get one photobook for each trip. 

I also want to order calendars at some point.  I think these would make great gifts to show off some of my photography.  I took a trip out to Chatinika Gold Dredge last summer, but I can't seem to want to turn my gold dredge pictures into something to frame.  I already know that shutterfly makes amazing products and trust they could make my photos look great in a calendar. 

Some day Britton and I will get married.  I'm pretty sure we'll look for the best quality and cheapest price to make our announcements.  Shutterfly makes wedding announcements for practically every style!! I like them all, but some of my favorites are 1. We Did Red 2. Big Cubes Black Wedding Announcements 3. Initial Love Brown .  I really like that the Initial Love Brown Wedding Announcements have a customizable layout for the inside!  Definitely a huge, huge plus!

Hooray and for posting my love of shutterfly, I can get free Christmas cards!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Finals

Ya know, December is supposed to be a cheery, enjoyable month. Right? I mean, Christmas is coming, so shouldn't we all be celebrating? Yea, right.  It's the month for final projects, papers and exams.  Who in their right mind finds finals month (because we all know it takes more hours than fits into just one week) thinks that it is a cheery, enjoyable month? 
Everyone I talk to is crazy stressed about tests and flat broke.  It's lame! Maybe school should start in early August and end the week after Thanksgiving and start again in early January.  Yea! I like that idea.  Then, we could stuff ourselves so full of food while studying for finals.  :)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

oh body

Hey body of mine,
I wish we were better friends.  Perhaps if you didn't cause me pain every 28 days, I wouldn't have pumped you full of hormones that you probably didn't need.  I was just trying to keep us safe and free of pain.  But now that I'm working to get back to normal, it'd be really helpful if you didn't try to push parts of me out when "new" things happen.  It hurts.

Love,
Me

Monday, December 6, 2010

life changes

I feel like everyone around me has a significant life change occurring.  My friends are getting engaged and married and having babies.  They are graduating and/or moving away from Fairbanks. 

The things I say to them include: Congratulations.  Good for you! I'm so excited for you. 

But in my head I think: I'll be living vicariously through you for now.  I'm so jealous. I can't wait for that to happen. 

I'll get there someday. I hope.

so you know...

you know how I almost never blog, unless something that has me deep in though... well, it's that time again.
Saturday, November 27, Lilianna Jasmine was born!! She's A-dorrrrrrrrr-able.  Mom, my friend and faux twin, Jessi had a pretty much perfect pregnancy. But for some reason, baby Liliana isn't doing so well.  They brought her home on Monday, as planned, but went back to the hospital Monday night after Lilianna couldn't stop puking :(  They did a bunch of tests and concluded that her diaphragm had a hole in it, that her stomach was twisted and her appendix was in the wrong spot.  They sent her into surgery, where she did amazingly.  Then she was in PICU until yesterday.  Between Monday and yesterday, they worked on decreasing meds and increasing food/stomach contents.  But she isn't digesting anything :( and something is causing her pain again.  Please pray for baby Lilianna and first time parents, Mike and Jessi. 
I love you guys!!