Happy New Year!

I finally did it!!!!!!

Tag!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, with really pretty ribbon!

2 . Real tree or Artificial? I would say real, however we are moving to Arizona and trees do not hold up there! So it will be artificial for us from now on :o(

3. When do you put it up? Well its mid-december and my mom still hasnt put ours up! When its my house...it will be up in like August if I can get away with it, I love the holidays!

4. When do you take the tree down? Probably after the new year sometime

5. Do you like eggnog? hhmm, depends on the day, I like light soy egg nog, its not so rich!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Roller skates!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No

8. Hardest person to buy for? My MOM

9. Easiest person to buy for? Michael and my sister, they like everything!

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? I cant think of one

11. Mail or email Christmas card? Mail for sure

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? ELF!

13. When do you start Christmas shopping? This season has been chaos because of school, I have done some, but not much, I need to get on that ASAP!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No way

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Same things as Thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, fudge, anything sweet, PUMPKIN GOOEY CAKE, oh and Gorilla Bread (thanks michelle!)

16. Favorite Christmas song? NSYNC's 'Merry Christmas' (pathetic, I know)

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Last year we traveled, this year staying home, I graduate 5 days before Christmas, woo hoo!!

18. Can you name Santa's reindeer? hhhmm, sleepy, dopey, bashful, oh wait...lol

19. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? Nothing now, we'll see what it is when my mom drags it out this year

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We celebrate Christmas Eve with my moms huge family, so there are gifts then and the just us gifts on Christmas morning

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Costco and Walmart

22. What Christmas gift do you want most this year? Digital Rebel...I wont be holding my breath.

TAG your it!

Merry Christmas to me!

Christmas shopping? Whats that?

Yesterday I talked to my girlfriend, who so sweetly bragged about having ALL of her Holiday shopping done. Um, I havent even began! No, cancel that, I havent even had time to THINK about it. Money is tight right now with saving for the wedding, on top of other various expenses, bills, life, etc...so we'll see what we can come up with this year, its going to be tough. I sense a lot of baked goodies!!

Had a nice relaxing weekend off, had a couple of papers to write, some little things to do here and there, went and tried on my wedding dress (I would post a picture, but Hunnie I know you read this!). I have gone back and forth with buying this one dress I fell in love with, or having a custom dress made, and after yesterday, I think it sealed the deal. The dress was in the right color (ivory, the first sample I tried on somewhere else was white), it all just felt so right, so I have to come up with the money for that now too and get it ordered! I feel so lucky to have found such a beautiful dress I love so much! Now I dont have to stress about whether or not having a dress made will come out right, because this one is just perfect!

Have some parties coming up next month, should be super fun. The anual ugly christmas sweater party is in December, and I am also having a small graduation party on December 20th (if you live close, come by!), should be lots of fun. For Thanksgiving I am going to my aunts house, I cant wait because I get to see my niece (shes really my second cousin, but I feel too old calling her that) who was born this week, Brooklyn Paige, she was a chunker at 8 pounds 7 ounces. Cant wait to meet her!

Hope everyone has a fab turkey day!!

The Holidays are Here!

Ok so I realize its only the begining of November, but I cant help it, I just love this time of year. Aside from the stress of school and not being able to actually ENJOY it, I still love it. I love being able to put on warmer clothes, and actually use my blankets at night instead of having to throw them off from the heat. I LOVE wearing socks to bed and being able to cuddle. Love eating warm oatmeal in the morning, and lighting my holiday candles. I love that my room smells like pumpkin pie right now with my glade plug in scented warmer. I love that Thanksgiving is coming and I am actually going to be off and be able to spend it with my family. I could go on forever, but I will stop there ;o)

Halloween, which is also mine and Michaels 3 year dating anniversary, came and went and was just ok, we didnt do anything super special, money is tight right now, we just did a room 'make-over' but I havent had a chance to take any pictures. It looks so nice! We painted the walls a warm chocolate milk-like color, got a new king size bed (we were sleeping on a full before, can you believe it?), we got all new furniture, and it just is really nice to come home to a nice room and have a place to unwind. That was kind of our anniversary/christmas gift to eachother.

Started bootcamp again this week, we finished the last session and had a blast. Michael lost 30 pounds, and I lost 9. We are seriously so loving every minute of this, we love the people, have made lots of new friends, and are just so motivated which is a great feeling.

I am in my Preceptorship right now in school, which is working 120 hours with an RN in the role of a nurse rather than a student, I have done 2 days so I have 8 more to go. It has been ok so far, I am enjoying it and just anxious for December 20th to come around. I cant wait!

Today is the first Saturday I have had off in a while, so I just plan on relaxing, watching some movies, maybe starting on a paper I have to write, and enjoying the time off...I love lazy days!

Anyway, hope everyone has a fab weekend!!

Randomness.

From Nichole :o)

I sing really loud in the car. I mean REALLY loud.
I must walk around every store I go to multiple times before deciding on what I want. This is why I always end up shopping alone.
I cannot eat leftovers, I cant clean them out of the fridge, I want nothing to do with old food, it seriously makes me gag, especially if its on dishes.
I can people watch all day.
I have never ran out of gas.
I have a secret love for Jack in the Box tacos- even though I have no clue what type of meat substance is inside of them, I heart them.
I hate drinking water. Hate it.
I am a closet neat freak who lives in a horribly cluttered house with way too much stuff and it makes me anxious every day, I hate it!
When I was 5 I bit my toe nails, and my dad has it on tape!!
I hate telling a waiter that I dislike my food or that its wrong, I feel so guilty.
I am a really good gift giver, but I hate getting them.

Tag your it!

I cannot wait

For December 20th. Really it cant get here quick enough. I am amazed at how quickly the last 2 years have flown by, but at the same time, it feels as though it has taken forever. While my nursing degree is classififed as a "two year degree" it most certainly is not just 2 years. I started taking classes in fall of 2000. I messed around for a while, dropping classes, partying, etc etc...and finally got serious in 2002. I took all of the pre-requisites (which took forever, there is a sequence to them and it takes soooo long!), and was so stoked to finally be able to apply, that is until I found out how long the waiting list was. I waited TWO years on that list, AFTER I had all of my pre-reqs done. Do you know how frustrating that is?!? Finally in January 2006 I started my first semester of the actual nursing program, and here I am, 2 months from graduating. Its so surreal, 5 years ago I never would have thought I would be where I am now. I am so thankful for my life, really I have so many blessings that I need to be more thankful for. Nursing school has put a huge strain on my relationships, with Michael, my parents, my friends, etc etc...I have had to sacrafice so much, and I have a lot of people to make up missed time with I tell ya. I have missed a lot of important events because I had to stay home studying, or had clinical, or write a paper, its always something. It has been HARD work...and I am beyond thrilled that in 2 months, it will be over, I will finally be a nurse, and be living my dream, and get out of this nightmare thats called nursing school!!!!!!!!!!!

About my love

1. Where did you meet?
We started chatting with eachother online :o)

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
That he was super cute, tall, and clumsy for spilling his coffee!

3. Where was the first time you kissed this person?
Santa Monica (on 3rd street to be exact!)

4. How did they ask you out (or you ask them out)?
On Halloween, after a really fun club, he told me that he couldnt imagine himself with anyone else and didnt want to be with anyone else (awwww)

5. Where did you go for your first date?
Santa Monica

6. How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
28 days

7. Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yep :o)

8. Do you and this person have kids together?
Not yet, soon though!

9. Have you ever broken the law with this person?
Nope

10. When was the first time you realized that you loved this person?
The first week of dating

11. Do you get along with any of the ex's of your boyfriend/girlfriend?
I dont know any of them really

12. What is the best thing this person ever gave you?
A better life :o)

13. What is the one thing this person does that gets on your nerves?
Asks me to help him look for something before he has even attempted it

14. What is the thing you do that gets on their nerves?
Be easily irritated, lol

15. Where do you see each other 15 years from now?
In a house, with 4-5 kiddos, traveling, established, and happy :o)

I'm Alive

But barely. School has been insane...they really make you work for it in the end I swear. I have one more exam, a final, and then a medication exam and I am DONE!!! We have some papers and small stuff to do between now and December 19th, but thats the big day and I cant wait!!! To finally be a nurse is going to be so weird!

I'm off to work, but here is a couple of pictures of Michael and I at our Boot Camp-its an outdoor fitness program we are doing and LOVE it!

Happy Tuesday!

They say its your birthday...

dun-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh...

Ok so it was last week, but close enough. My birthday was lots of fun, although I had clinical all day! We went out to dinner afterwards, El Torito, my new favorite place!! I looooove their chicken cesear salad, its so yum!

Mailed out our save-the-dates this week for the wedding, yay! This month is a tough one wedding-wise, we have a few deposits we need to put down to book the last of our vendors. Ones left to book are florist, videographer, cake place, and coordinator. I found an awesome florist, the tough thing is she required 1/2 down, which is a good thing when next year rolls around and we are totally bombarded with expenses, but stinks for right now since money is kinda tight, especially with me working less because of school, and the holidays, you know the story! We will get through it though I am sure, just a little stressful. Our wedding website is up and running now, check it out. www.michaelandalex.com

Right now is major crunch time in school...I only have tomorrow and one more clinical day and then its on to preceptorship (working one on one with a nurse for 10 shifts) and I am DONE!!! Holy cow, I cannot even believe how fast it has gone by! So needless to say, the next 4 weeks are going to be hell, but thats ok, I just gotta push through and stay focused!

Have a great week everyone!!

Sunday Musings

Happy Sunday everyone, and a happy one it is over here. I have nothing I have to do all day today...I havent had a day like this in so long! Although my sister will be moving back home tomorrow (she graduates from hair school tomorrow, so proud of her!) so I have to move out all my crap that has migrated its way into her room since Michael has moved in. I want her to feel like she has a place here and that she is being welcomed home, I am so excited to have her back!!!

School is going well...I had a hugemungo test on Monday and got a 98, yippie!! (I earned that 98, I studied my flippin butt off!). I also had a huge paper that was due last Wednesday in the midst of studying for the exam...I managed to get it done, all 86 pages of the darn thing! I better get a good grade on that, it was hard work!

In better news, my birthday is coming up this week (Wednesday!). Too bad I have to spend it in a 13 hour clinical day :o( I think we are going out to dinner afterwards with my parents, sister, 'brothers' and my aunt and possibly my cousins. My michael has to work so I wont be seeing him, total bummer, plus I work the next day, so who knows when we will celebrate but thats ok. Its so funny how the dynamics of birthdays change from when your little to when your older. I could care less about gifts, its more about just spending time with people and having fun, and even if that doesnt happen, no big deal, i still turn a year older ya know? This year I will be 25...25 is a good year for me...I will finally be a nurse, a wife, a resident in another state, and a homeowner. Wow, thats a lot! We are planning on 26 being a year thats just as exciting! ;o)

Someone sent me this little video clip, and I just think its the funniest thing ever. You have to watch the whole thing, this dog is so smart!! Enjoy!

Laughing Babies

Someone sent me this clip in my e-mail the other day, and I thought it was too cute not to share! I love the sound of babies laughing, its the sweetest thing ever!

Fall seems to be *trying* to get in the air, however summer just wont leave! Gotta love southern california!! Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks (which I may have already mentioned in my love for Starbucks post), however its still too hot to drink one!! Possibly this morning, seeing as its 5:25 am and I am getting ready to leave for clinical, the weather will permit for one. We shall see. I cant wait to drag out my pumpkin and maple candles, and actually USE my comfy fall blankets, I wont hold my breath though, it may not be til December at this rate.

School is back in full gear, an exam this coming monday that I am super nervous about, a paper due, you know, the usual. 3 and a half months left, and I will be a nurse. It is so crazy to even fathom that in my mind...at times I feel so lost, and at other times so confident and on top of it. Lets hope today is an on top of it day, because I cant afford to do anything wrong and jeapordize my graduating. Graduation is officially set, December 19th. I wont even know what to do with myself after that day!!

We are toying with the idea of staying here and moving to Arizona after the wedding. Still unsure about it, but its a thought. I think its pretty crazy to plan a wedding a state away, plus I have a job as a nurse basically the day I graduate if I wanted it at the hospital I work at now. Which of course is not where I will stay, but it would be a great place to work at to pull a lot of over time shifts. We'll see what happens, I will keep you posted!

Anyway, off to Starbucks, happy hump day!!

Slacker

I feel like I havent blogged in forever, I miss you little blog.

Hm, lets see, whats new.

*started school August 20th. It is so weird to be in my last semester of nursing school, to be planning my graduation, and actually see a light at the end of the tunnel that I never thought I would see! I am so excited to be done and move on, I cant even begin to explain how much strain being in school has put on my life, my relationship, my WEDDING PLANNIN, geez!!

*speaking of wedding planning, nothing really new on that front. Have an appointment with a florist tomorrow, I am excited because she comes highly recommended and is super sweet. I am very picky when it comes to the flowers I want (and dont want) so we'll see how it goes. Also found a bakery that can make a huge cake for 250 guests without breaking the bank! (hard to do in southern california). My beloved wedding planning is on hold for now, but thats ok...come January I will be back with a vegence!

*the weather here is out of control...over 105 for the last 5 days. Not to mention I had to work one of those days for 12 hours, with NO AC the entire day. The generator went out at the hospital, it was a nightmare!

*have been quite obsessed with Starbucks these days, late night study sessions have been the norm the last week or so. So excited that pumpkin spiced lattes are back, however its been too damn hot here to enjoy one! These days its a Venti non-fat caramel machiato, upside down please with 2 splendas. Its so funny how our generation has become the "starbucks generation," like seriously, do we NEED to pay $4 for a cup of COFFEE people? No, but we do, I am just as guilty. I could probably pay for my wedding if I just cut Starbucks out of my weekly guilty pleasures (which have been daily this week). But, its the one thing I really enjoy, even as silly as it may be to spend so much on it. How sad, I dont shop for scrapbook supplies anymore, but have no problem shelling out $30 a week on coffee drinks. Hey now that I am going to be a nurse, I can hook us all up to IV drips in the flavors of our choice!!

*been babysitting a lot lately, bringing in lots of extra cashola. I decided we are starting to save money each week for Christmas this year, just a little cash set aside each week so that Christmas doesnt deplete our wedding savings. We will cut out eating out and put it towards Christmas and moving to arizona. (but no, I will not be cutting out my starbucks addiction).

*arizona. We are still up in the air. We are going to move there at the first of the year, and see how we like it, and what opportunities come up as far as jobs and houses. Who knows, maybe we will find ourselves back in California, only time will tell. I am open for anything, especially if it means being able to start a family sooner with my soon to be hubby.

*thats all...hope everyone has a fab week, its a short one with the holiday today!

Um...yea. Today I went to a bridal show, and some how won $2,000. Holy cow, I never win anything!!!!! I am so stinkin excited I dont even know what to do with myself!!!!!

I start back to school in the morning, so if I am MIA til December 20th, thats why. I am starting to count the minutes til I am a nurse, I cant wait!!

Have a great week everyone!

Why do I find this so funny??

Tag.

Your it.

I was tagged by Nichole awhile ago, just havent gotten around to it ;o)

Never in my life have I: met anyone that makes me as happy as my hunnie

High school was : over rated and 7 years ago! (holy canoli I am old!)

When I'm nervous : I bite my nails

My hair : needs to be done!

When I was 5 : I became a big sister!!

When I turn my head left : I see my sister and my cousin Michelle, I love them!

By this time next year : I will be a NURSE, living in Arizona, and MARRIED!!!!!! (and hopefully starting our family) omg so weird!!

My favorite aunt is : Baby (yes, I have an aunt named Baby, really.)

You know I like you if : I talk to you?

My ideal breakfast is : cereal or oatmeal and fruit of some kind

My Favorite blonde is : Katie

My favorite brunette is : Michael

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds : Monkeys?

I shouldn't have been : so lazy all summer, I did NONE of my summer reading!

Last night I: went tanning, oh how I love tanning.

A better name for me would be : I like Alex.

I've been told I look like : a pregnant woman, hence the reason I am busting my butt at the gym these days (this was not recently, but a long time ago when I was heavier, someone really did ask me that, I was mortified!!)

Happy Friday everyone, have a great weekend!! :o)

Long time no blog

Ok so I haven't updated this in forEVER!! I guess I have been MIA ;o)

First things first...new baby in the family as of yesterday at 3:30, Jackson Robert Young, yippie!! My cousin Jason is going to be the best daddy ever, he waited so long for this little guy!! This is NOT the most attractive picture, but I think its funny how his eye one eye is open, plus its the picture of his big debut. Welcome Jack, we love you!!

Michael and I got back from Arizona this past week, we had a blast. We did a lot of house shopping, its just amazing what you can afford. We looked in Queen Creek, an area thats just starting to develop, and found homes that were like 3000+ sq ft for under $250,000!!! If you arent from cali, that may sound crazy, but us cali folks know that is a bargain!!! We went to a Diamondback game while we were there, its a really cool stadium, its air conditioned!! Much fancier than Dodger stadium, but still not the same! It was nice to get to see the family and just relax for a few days, now its back to life and reality!

Wedding planning is coming along great, am sending out save the dates this week so I am working on all the addresses we need, which right now is for 300 guests!! I am hoping that number goes down seeing as a lot of them are on the east coast and will most likely not be able to make it. We are planning wedding #2 for September or October of 2008 in New York to celebrate with all of them, I think I might just turn into a bridezilla between now and then with all this planning! No, really though it has been really enjoyable, and things are coming along nicely. Here is a list of things that have been done.

Ceremony/Reception location booked

Photographer booked- check her out. www.chelseaelizabeth.com, I LOVE her!!!

DJ booked- he rocks!

Caterer booked- we decided to resist the oh so yummy, dried out, over rated wedding chicken and switch things up. We are going with good ole' southern style BBQ at our wedding, and we are SO excited about it, this food is seriously so yummy, and totally within our budget!!

Coordinator booked- Zipora is great, I met with her and felt like we were friends instantly. I wasnt going to have one, but after meeting her, and realizing that in 5 months we will be living in Arizona, I needed someone to be able to do things for me in cali should they come up, and someone to make sure the day runs smoothly, with a possibility of 250 guests, things can get crazy I am sure!

Dress- I found THE one! I cant post it here because Michael reads this, but I found it this weekend while shopping in Arizona and I am so excited!! The best part, I can order it online for almost half the price!!

Bridesmaids dresses- not ordered, but picked out, they are super cute!

Officiant- check!

Things left to do: cake tasting (I have about 10 bakeries that I have contacted, we are so excited about this!), florist (I know everything that I want so its just finding someone that can do it within my budget), book rooms at the hotel by my venue, book honeymoon (we are going to Riviera Maya in Mexico, I cant freakin wait!), book day of transportation, and book hair and makeup. All of these things are not urgent or pressing, so I have time :o) I am trying to get a bulk of it out of the way before this semester starts again on August 20th, because after that, life is going to get crazy again!

Speaking of school, I go back August 20th, have 8 weeks of school, and 8 weeks of preceptorship, and I am a NURSE!! Holy Crap that is crazy to think about, school has gone by faster than anything in my life!!!!!!!! I am so excited to go back, I miss my friends at school and I miss being in school, it kept me busy and I was always learning.

Summer has gone by so fast, I cant believe its almost 3 months I have been off, I guess work has kept me busy. I really love this new job, its a really great learning experience and I know it will look great on my resume.

Its baby season I guess, I just remembered that the lady I babysat for is having her baby girl today via c-section, baby Hanna is going to be the most loved, spoiled little girl ever!

Thats all my randomness for now, hope everyone has a great week!!

Where the heck have I been?

I think sometimes I forget that I have a blog, today I remembered and here I am :o)

Last couple weeks have been kinda crazy, starting this new job (still training), not wanting to work at this new job actually (but in need of the money). Oh well, such is life!

Had a fun night last night, went to a fireworks show with Michael and my sister and her friends showed up too. Too bad all of simi valley was there and it took us 25 minutes to drive 2 miles home!!

I have been busy with wedding planning these days, meeting with 3 vendors today actually, 2 photographers and 1 DJ. I am excited because Michael is going and my sister is coming too (MAYBE even my mom, shes off today). I LOVE one of these photographers and want to book her like yesterday, but I wanted Michael to see her work and I also wanted to have him meet another one to have someone to compare her too.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!