December 29th 2011

          So, I figured out how to post from my phone! Hence the post with the picture! Yay for snow! We actually got a little bit during the Christmas season. Where I used to live, we don't get snow until the end of January into February. Me and Leo and my Uncle even built a little snowman! But since we're in desert country, it melted before the week was out. Today I walked to this little strip mall near our house and applied for different jobs. Two clothing stores, a supermarket, and a little grill. I'm kind of rooting for the waitress job because I'll get tips! I've never actually had a regular job. My job at the church where I used to live was on an as needed basis, and I wasn't needed very often. I wonder what it'll feel like to have a regular cash flow! And by flow, I mean into the wallet and back out into the economy. Lol, I have no self restraint when it comes to shopping. My biggest weakness would have to be sunglasses. Yesterday we took my Uncle to the airport and we got to town early on purpose so he could see the city. We ended up going to this huge upperclass outlet mall. I say upperclass because it was all high end stores like Coach, and Nike, and Saks. Right up my alley. Now, Leo doesn't really have any knowledge of brand names and the like. So I took him in Saks and told him to tell me how expensive a pair of sunglasses were. Now, he knew it was an expensive store so he guessed really high...$50. I think he almost choked when I told him the pair he was holding was about $400 on sale.
          On the way home my phone started malfunctioning big time, so since we were already in the city, we stopped at an AT&T store to get it fixed. That was probably my best experience ever with AT&T customer service. The guy was very knowledgeable without making us feel dumb. That's a talent, I tell you! Oh yeah, I can't remember if I told you or not, but I got the position on YAC! It was funny actually, I found out when I went to see Nutcracker with my dad. I was picking up my tix from Swan and she yelled congratulations as soon as she saw me. Now, being in the middle of a move, I hadn't checked my email in two days. I thought she was leaking secrets or something. And that made them think they might be in trouble until I remembered I hadn't checked my email! So it was pretty funny.
          I can't wait for New Years!! My friend Scout turns 21 tomorrow, so we'll see him on the 31st to wish him a happy birthday. Plus mom wants to buy him a drink in honor of it being 21st and all. After that, I'm spending the night at Hope's. We're hoping to check out this teen club on its grand opening. It's wayyy bigger than OYP. I checked the website and everything, but they don't say if there's a cover charge. I'd imagine there is, but you'd think that if their target audience is 13-18 then all the information is on the internet. But no. I even called and left a message, but their machine was so annoying! We'll have fun either way. Lol, she's trying to set me up on a blind date. But seeing how disastrous the last one was, I'm a little bit nervous.  I'm not averse to the idea, it's New Years Eve after all. Just, apprehensive.
          That's all for now folks!

December 25th 2011

          MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I had an awesome Christmas so far. We went to midnight mass last night, and it was just beautiful. This morning we slept in a bit, then it was time for presents. I got a lot of cool stuff, but the best was probably the Coach purse and wallet my mom got me! But I haven't talked to my father yet and he usually manages to do pretty well, lol! Gotta go, have a great day!!

December 24th, 2011

          Alright, I know it's been a long time, but just you wait! I've been busy, I promise!
On December 10th, I took my ACT again and my mom picked up the uhaul. We had a ton of big strong manly helpers to load the truck, and I was taking my test so I didn't really have to do much on that end of things.  By the time my test was done, they were only loading little stuff into the very front of the truck. But since the drive to our new place is so long, we didn't have nearly as many people volunteer to help unload at the other end. My friends Neecee and Sketch both volunteered their services, and one of my parents friends offered to drive the truck so mom and dad could drive their cars. Sketch couldn't come at the last minute so it was the six of us unloading in the dark. And honestly, it took us half as long to unload, in the dark, as it did for the whole crew to load her up! But we got it done at a mostly reasonable hour and went to Taco Bell for dinner.
          I'm afraid our new town is incredibly small. Mom decided the best way to get out and meet people in a town this small would most likely be by going to church. Since mom was raised mostly Catholic, she found a Catholic church nearby. We went to Mass our first Sunday here, and promptly signed up to help decorate the church, because I don't believe in doing things halfway. It wasn't as bad as Leo was groaning about it, but it wasn't easy work, lol! There turned out to be a few girls my age there, so I may have pumped them for info on the town. One of my fears came true when they told me the nearest mall was 90 minutes away. I really want to get out and start meeting more people, because they told me their main form of entertainment is house parties. And you don't get invited to them unless you know people, duh.
          So, my mom's brother is in staying with us for the holidays and it's pretty awesome. Some people might think I'm weird for it, but I genuinely like and enjoy almost all of my extended family! Some of my friends moan and groan about family gatherings, but I love them! I firmly believe that without family, you're nothing! Family is always there for you and loves you. Even if you need some tough love every now and then! lol. Anyways, my uncle is an amazing cook! He makes the best omelets you've never tasted. An he made some delicious pork sirloin that sat in the oven for two hours and he's making ribs on Christmas! I know, not very traditional, but who cares! I love ribs!
          Yesterday was the 23rd, so we all drove back to our old town for my grandparents Christmas party. I was really happy because we got to stop in and see Neecee and the kids. I got to see all the pictures of them on Santa's lap and it was really hard to say good-bye, but it had to be done. We got confused about which grandparents house the party was at, but luckily my grandparents and my great grandparents live pretty near each other. So it no biggie. My gramma got me this gorgeous purple set, it had a scarf with an "M" monogrammed on it, some super soft slipper socks, an extremely snuggly blanket, and it wasn't the teeny kind that you can barely cover your legs with, it was a big one! and an absolutely adorable purple beret! I don't know how she knew about my not so secret love of berets, but she nailed it!
          After the party was all done, presents unwrapped and thank you's proclaimed, mom drove Leo and I back into town to spend the night at our friends houses. I got to see Hope and Doug!! Hope had to work in the morning, so we watched some Grey's Anatomy and worked on her last minute Christmas presents. We went to bed around 11:00pm, but I wasn't tired at all, and I could tell I was really bugging her with my incessant chatter. So I got up to see what Doug was up too. We ended up staying up til 3:00am watching American Dad on his MacBook. I'd never seen it before, and dangggg it is hilarious!! I'm going to have to check Hulu and see if it's available to stream. So after we realized what the time was, I crawled back into bed and didn't even move until the alarm went off. I dragged myself out of bed, but I wasn't really awake yet, so I sat downstairs on the couch with their adorable miniature yorkie until I felt like getting some cereal. By the time I roused myself enough to take a shower, my mom was there to pick me up and it was almost time for Hope to go to work anyways.
          After Hope and I said our goodbye's, it was time for the verrryy long drive home. I mostly just turned on my iPod and zoned out for the whole trip. Nobody was letting me drive, so I didn't have anything better to do. Now we're home again and my uncle is listening to the football game on the radio while my parents work on secret things in their bedroom. Their subtlety may have fooled me when I was eight, but come on guys. lol, it's alright. I just love being able to think "TOMORROWS CHRISTMAS!!!"
          I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and that you find time to count your blessings. You might be surprised at the number ;-)

December 5th 2011

                Lately I’ve had so much stomach stress issues! We’re moving on Saturday, and it seems like every day I find a better reason to stay here! Last week, I threw up Saturday night and then I had indigestion all week. I actually fasted all day Friday to see if that would help my stomach settle out. And it did, mostly. But dairy still makes me a little bit queasy.

                I spent yesterday afternoon at Hope’s house eating wings and watching movies with Doug. It was really nice! Their mom gave me a ride home because Leo locked mom’s car keys in the car. Both sets. I’m not sure how he managed to get both in their, but its Leo. Hope and I walked to Wal-Mart to get some movies, picked up the wings on the way home and plopped on the couch having some girl talk and chilling out. Doug came in halfway through the first movie, Something Borrowed. He tries to act all tough, but he’s such a sucker for romcoms.  Then we watched Pirates 4. I LOVED IT! I hadn’t seen it yet, and neither had Hope. I absolutely adored Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp together! I’m going to miss them so much. I know it’s normal to grow apart from your high school friends when you start getting ready for college, but I really thought I had one more year. Maybe I’m being melodramatic; it wouldn’t be a first for me. It just feels so unfair. And I KNOW I should be grateful. There are so many people who can’t even consider the possibility of college or whose parents don’t have jobs or don’t even have parents. So I am grateful. But maybe I’m really selfish too.

                Enough of that. I really hope we go to the library today! I need some new books.  I wonder if we’ll have to stop using our library system... I hope not! We’ll be back at least three times a month! That should be plenty of time to return and borrow books. I’m just scared this new library won’t have nearly as large of a system. I know for a fact really. There’s no way they have over 20 libraries across this itty bitty town, lol.

                I know it wasn’t very long, but I just don’t have the energy to do more today.