A Bit of an Update

Today I realized that I haven't really had an update about my life on here in awhile, and that it needed to happen. 

Life has been...busy. Which for me, is a pretty normal occurrence. Per usual, I was wary going into the holiday season due to the friction between my family and I as well as all the losses that the season has brought me in the past. This year was a nice surprise, as it was a calm and wonderful time with family and friends. In November, I went up north to my brother's house to celebrate his marriage to Jessica that happened in October. I think it is the start of renewing our relationship as I can actually see us becoming much closer in the next couple years.

I went bowling with my coworkers in December. We played crazy frames, this one was bowl with your feet.

That Thanksgiving, I spent it with Kevin and his family. It was a lovely affair, that is for sure, and I got to meet even more of his family. After that came the end of the semester crunch, which I was able to keep my head above water. I was worried about my classes, but I am happy to say that I finished the semester strong with 2 A's and 3 B's! 

Better watch yourself, I'll get you with the meat slicer Molly got me for Christmas.

Christmastime was upon us. I packed my weeks off with time spent with friends and seeing some that I haven't seen in a long time. I held my Christmas party again this year and we shared some lovely games of Cards Against Humanity and I received a nose hair trimmer as my white elephant gift (thanks Jasmin :P). 

Christmas was spent at Kevin's. I was on duty the weekend before, but I got off at 5pm on the 24th and basically headed to Kevin's as soon as I could. I spent 2 nights down there and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was very different from how my Christmases in the past have happened. Instead of getting all dressed up and making the trip around the state, I stayed at Kevin's. We opened presents (I got some pretty nifty things) and then relaxed all day. I read my Kindle and finished a book, something I hadn't done in awhile! Kevin played his game on his Playstation. We had a quiet family dinner of ham and enjoyed some Glühwein, which is a German heated wine. It was an experience and super yummy (for those who don't know, Kevin's mother is German and Kevin actually was born in Germany while his father was in the military!)

A bunch of us got together for a night of fun at a local dive. I love this boy <3

My brother and his wife stopped by just after Christmas to share some time before heading back to the north, and they had some exciting news. Jessica is pregnant! I will be a blood auntie in July!!! They have 2 kids already from Jessica's prior relationship that I call my niece and nephew, but this is the first child that is actually my brothers. 

My brother, the soon to be daddy!

New Year's Eve, I was on duty, so I just chilled with Nick who was also on with me. We shared some sparkling apple juice at midnight and just chilled. That week after was spent getting ready for school. Books were bought, sales were shopped and preparations were made for the semester to start. 

My "fancy" beverage for New Years.

Now in the 3rd week, it seems like this semester will be an interesting one. With all the changes at my job (some staff have left, some have moved to different positions and there is lots of unknown things), the loss of my Aunt Sue and Uncle Steve's house and my classes, these weeks have been busy but interesting. Plus there is the excitement and nervousness of the unknown that is post-graduation...which will be here before I know it. Life is just crazy.


But I love every moment of it.

I have some really awesome friends :)

An Amazingly Happy New Year!

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! This year has been a much different new year for me than I have had in awhile. And I had so much fun! But before I get into the details on just how AMAZING my night was (because it was shoot off fireworks, kiss a baby, amazing) I'll catch you all up on my whole holiday season, as it has been  just epic in general.


Christmas was actually a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Last year was a little subdued (I think I wrote about it on here last year). It ended up being a very quiet affair and even though I enjoyed it, something was just different about the whole situation! But this year was the direct opposite! Christmas Eve I was off to Molly's Uncle Dennis' where we had Christmas with them. It was fun, we watched movies, open gifts, caught up on life. Uncle Steve gave all the girls his version of lingerie, a 4X camo nightgown. What a man! Love him so much though, he makes me laugh (and that this is SUPER warm). That night I went off to Ken and Mo's for Christmas Eve like usual and we just chilled, had a drink, shared some laughs, and had a great time.  Molly and I went to her brother EJ's for the night.


The next morning we got up and had brunch. Uncle Steve and Aunt Sue came down to EJ's to join us this year and we had present sharing time while keeping the dogs from tearing up everything. (Great entertainment was had). Then I got dressed and was off for the day. I drove up to Lapeer to Uncle Dave and Aunt Debs. I was a little early so I had to wait around, offered my help in the kitchen (something I think that took Aunt Debbie a little off guard) and just made the time as pleasing as possible. Aunt Debbie's family came over soon and we spent our time talking and catching up.


After dinner, I was off to Todd and Michelle's, where I always end my Christmas night. I arrived in time for a packed house! It was nice taking a seat at the dining room table and talking to Aunt Rosalie, Aunt Jane, Paula, Aunt Linda, Michelle and the random people who came and went. It was really quite wonderful sharing so many laughs with them that night! Aunt Linda loved the collage I made her for Christmas (and made sure that everyone saw it...Michelle approved of how many times she was in it ;D ) and stories about our family that were hilarious came up. Totally an enjoyable time. Kids were running around, it was just a perfect Christmas. By the time I hit the pillow on the couch at 11, I was exhausted!


The next morning we got up and went shopping. Aunt Linda wanted to buy me something for Christmas, so I found a nice pair of jeans that fit nicely and bought myself a sweater (it is actually my favorite piece of clothing right now!) And then I was off to Flint to meet Molly and Kevin for a trip to Frankenmuth! Molly had never been so we walked around little Bavaria, went to shops, watched them make fudge (and TRIED warm fudge...mmm!) and bought some. 


Tuesday brought a lunch with my friend Matt who I have known for a long time. We hadn't seen each other for awhile, so we got some pizza, talked about life and shared some laughs. It was so nice seeing him! Later that night I headed to Saginaw to spend the night with my friend's Helen and David from The Fowler Center! They are literally my favorite couple!!! Dave's little sister Angie was there (I love that girl!) and her boyfriend Eddie. We just had a great time. Mikaela and Charlotte, who worked with us our first summer at TFC, came by. Charlotte was in the country from overseas to spend the holiday with Mikaela, I hadn't seen her since summer 2010! It was nice catching up with her for sure!


Thursday came the day where I got shit done....literally! I bought my textbooks for this semester online, I paid the rest of my rent for my lease, I did some online shopping (girl found some DEALS!), finalized my schedule for this semester, and talked to people more and got to know them better (which is one of my favorite things to do)! It was a wonderful day. I then I set up my new XBox 360 and gamed all afternoon. :) That night I went out to dinner with Sarah and Kelly from TFC at Buffalo Wild Wings and we had a blast!


Friday was a weird day. I was having some issues with my hand majorly, the tendons were super swollen so I got a doctors appointment that morning and ended up with some major pain pills and a shot of cortisone. I then went to the mall to return Tanisha's Christmas gift (the thing I got her was not okay for certain reasons hahah) and bought her another. Then her and I decided we were going to split the cost on a new TV (since we both have new xboxes) so I went to Best Buy for that and got a beauty. By the time I made it home, I was having some weird side effects from the new pain prescription (it was making me feel really weird) so I set up the TV, told Kevin that I just didn't want to see anyone and laid in front of the TV for the rest of the night waiting to not feel sick and groggy. I called in and asked for a different prescription which was called in (and I can happily say that the one time I've taken it, I don't have the same kind of side effects!) Gotta love chronic tendinitis in both hands...and it causing issues...blah!


ANYWAY! I got up yesterday and felt like a whole new woman. I spent the day being lazy, thinking of mom and getting ready for the night's festivities. Kevin came over a little later and spent some time together before we were off to Lapeer to get Zac and head to Uncle Dave's. But when we get to Tim Horton's, I remembered that I forgot Katrina's Christmas gift at my apartment, so Zac jumped in my car and we drove back so I could grab it. It was all good though, Zac and Kevin became acquainted, had some "bro" time hahaha and I think became more comfortable with each other. (Zac had NEVER hung out with us, ever, and I invited him because I had enjoyed our conversations on Facebook QUITE a bit and it would be nice to just spend some time getting to know him better!) We were off to Uncle Dave's where I got tackled by children (and my best friend Katrina), laughs were had and Euchre was played for hours on end! But probably the best moment of the night was midnight where yes, I'm going to say it, Kevin and I shared the "first kiss" of our relationship. For more on THAT story, you can ask me personally hahaha because it was quite entertaining. But, yes I had the goofiest grin ever...EVER in my life and well, it was the first time in a long time that I shared a New Year's kiss with someone who wasn't a family member. :D


After midnight, we left the shindig and went to Tim Horton's for some coffee to refuel before heading to Zac's house. There was actually a New Year's party going on there as well (haha but Zac was with US!) and we were there until after 3 am talking, meeting new people, laughing, and just enjoying each other's company. Then Kevin and I made the drive back to Flint (safely and NOT under the influence of anything I may add...this was actually a drink free New Year and I was a-okay with that)! I think I had faygo, coffee and water all night long! After a goodnight kiss (eeee!!!) we parted ways.


 I thought I would just collapse in bed and go to sleep...but nope. I ended up tracking down who the person was who thought it was awesome to submit the comment, "Lose some weight, you fat pig!" to my post about my Christmas party last night. Yup, I know who you are, where you live, and well, if you're reading this...cool story bro. I'm not going to say I'm not overweight, oh I know I am. But comments like those aren't going to break me down like they did years ago. For your information anonymous (as you weren't brave enough to say it with your name attached) I AM actually taking a swimming class this semester. It may (or may not) help me lose weight, but either way, I am going to be getting some exercise in my life. Thank you for caring about my well-being, that is really kind of you. There are also words I would like to share with you, but in truth, I no longer want to spread hate, so I'm not going to say them to you. Optimism is such a wonderful thing, and it makes people see the best in every situation (and is the main reason I am still functioning with the shitstorm that is my life) and I'm going to say anon, that yes I am overweight, and if I lose some weight this semester, cool. That's fine with me. But if I don't, then whatever. I am relatively healthy and that's all I can ask for. I have awesome people in my life (and you are not one of them) and that's a wonderful thing. I am happy and that's ALL that matters. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate your life and look at what you are doing before you try taking down the tower that is Amelia. Good luck!


After that, I went through my Facebook friends list (all 1200+ of them) and deleted over 100 people. These were people that have been negative to me, that I don't really know, that I don't know why I added them, and people who are just not worth being in my life again. I am sure that another cut will happen in the future. But one of them was a good friend from the past who is no longer my friend. If she is reading this, awesome. You are REALLY trying to get into my life. I knew it the moment that you added Kevin on Facebook the moment we became boyfriend and girlfriend. If you want to know what's going on in my life, ASK me. You are around UM-Flint ALL THE TIME, and never even acknowledge my presence when we pass in the hall (and I know you see me)! It was only a matter of time. If you want to actually be friends again, then you can message me on Facebook, try to build a friendship and maybe, just maybe, I'll eventually add you back. I'm done putting the energy in our relationship. Good luck stalking me, it's not going to happen via Facebook anymore.


I fell into my bed at about 6 am this morning. For the most part, the night was amazing. I am so ready for 2012 and all the craziness it's going to bring into my life. I am all about being positive and getting the negative out of my life. A new start. As I said yesterday, I don't have New Year's resolutions, and I am not going to try to make this year better. I am going to take everyday as they come, one day at a time, laugh often, smile everyday, share some memories, keep moving forward through the tough stuff and LIVE! I'm ready, are you?


P.S. Kevin survived meeting my family last night...I get to meet his tonight. I may be a tad nervous :) stupid social anxiety!


Music:
1. American Idiot- Green Day
2. Tonight- Seether
3. Who's They- Daughtry
4. Night Hunter- 30 Seconds to Mars
5. Hero/Heroine- Boyslikegirls
6. Nothing- The Script
7. If It's Love- Train
8. Dirty Little Secret- All-American Rejects
9. Again- Flyleaf

One Month Late Christmas!

So, my friend Ryulua had a very busy holiday season that made some gifts come late. I really didn't care when she got me the gift. So, I was given it this Monday, almost a month to the date late. But I was still excited. And I LOVED them!

She told me that everyone needs some art deco tape! I think that this is really cute and I can't wait to start flowering things up!

This is actually a small photo album. It says "Only when you are no longer afraid do you begin to live." That is my favorite quote and has so much history with me. Inside are pictures that she took of me when she came over in December and took photos in the city of Flint. You can see them at Luna's Flikr. If you go the photo album named Flint! Some of them can kind be seen in the filmstrip along the top corner of this photo.

Luna makes zines...(and I am going to make one soonish...when I get up the ambition!) and this is the zine she gave me. This is inspired by "This is Not a Book" by Keri Smith. Keri uses guerilla art to express oneself, and really is the whole reason I started crafting. I find beauty in a lot of new things now and I can express myself in more ways than I used to be.

Some of the pages in here are: Vandalize this page, write an acceptance speech for an award of your choice, and Smile at Every Stranger you see!

This is an envelope made out of a magazine ad. I want to start making these because I think they are just really cool and a great way to recycle magazines!

This is a cool postcard that I can send off to someone :)

And last but not least, a frixion pen. This pen she said is "God" as it really erases as well as a pencil and uses friction to erase. I haven't used it yet, but I can't wait to! :0

This Christmas

This Christmas was an interesting one for sure.


Started off on Christmas Eve when I went off to Molly's house. It was quite a lot of fun actually. We woke up Friday morning, went out to Past Tense and I got some yummy hot caramel apple cider (thanks Boesler)! Then off to Uncle Dennis' for their Christmas party (mmm ham!)


Then we went over to Ken and Mo's that night where I got to see a lot of the Smith's and had a good time. (I definelty learned a lot more about dog breeding than I ever wanted to know, but if you need any info, I'm YOUR girl :D )


Then Christmas morning came. Aunt Sue gave me pickles...and LOTS of them. I know, it seems a little weird but I LOVE pickles so I loved it. 


Then I was off to Christmas with Uncle Dave and Aunt Deb. This year, they had the celebration at Aunt Debbie's parent's house, who I call Grandpa and Grandma because of the fact that I lived with Uncle Dave and Aunt Deb for 4 years and they were like my grandparents. But, now that I had been away so much, I didn't know how bad things got. Grandma's Alzheimer's was getting really bad. She hardly knew her whole name, and family members took turns feeding her. And Grandpa wasn't doing well either. It's really sad when grandparents start declining with age. Though it was rather somber, we still had some funny moments. (like when we told grandma "You're beautiful!" And she looked right at us and said "I know!")


After dinner I went down to Todd and Michelle's house. I got there late enough that almost everyone was gone except for Todd, Michelle, the kids and Aunt Linda. We visited some and then almost everyone went their separate ways to bed. Though I did get to watch Vampire's Suck, which was funny but just ok.


This morning I was off and running. Off to Katrina's house where we took an expedition that landed up at Logan's Steakhouse in Madison Heights and then we visited her grandpa's grave before going to Starbucks. Then we went back to her house and then off to a party at Uncle Dave's house. There we played some Euchre and some dance game on the Xbox (which was awesome, I SO want the Xbox with Kinect!)


Then I went home and it's nice to be home. I put the Christmas tree away and got some stuff cleaned up.


All-in-all it was a pretty good Christmas. I'm glad to be home and in my own bed for the first time in several nights.


I hope your Christmas went well also :)


I've had this song stuck in my head since Katrina and I watched it earlier LMFAO!!! 

Christmas Lights

I am in the Christmas kind of mood. But at the same time, there are many different emotions that come into play at this time of year for me. For one, December is the month that many of my family members have died. Christmas is a time for family, and without a mother or a father, it can be hard for me. So today, there is this song that Coldplay released this year and I love it. It's not the same kind of pain, but it still shows so much pain but also triumph this Christmas.


Christmas Lights-Coldplay


Christmas night, another fight
Tears we cried a flood
Got all kinds of poison in
Poison in my blood

I took my feet
To Oxford Street
Trying to right a wrong
Just walk away 
Those windows say
But I can't believe she's gone

When you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Up above candles on air flicker
Oh they flicker and they float
But I'm up here holding on
To all those chandeliers of hope

Like some drunken Elvis singing
I go singing out of tune
Saying how I always loved you darling
And I always will

Oh when you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights keep shining on

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Maybe they'll bring her back to me
Then all my troubles will be gone
Oh Christmas lights keep shining on

Oh Christmas lights
Light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights keep shining on


Because no matter how much we are going through this holiday season, those Christmas lights will keep on shining all night long. They will keep on shining to show us that the love that comes with the season is still shining on, no matter how much we are going through. I have spent a few days with this song on a loop, I love it. 


Music has always been something that I can get lost in, that I can find a home in when I'm feeling alone. Music is also something that helps give me memories. I will share some of these memories someday on here...I promise! Music also expresses so much more than the words that are written as the lyrics. I thank God everyday for the gift of music.


So enjoy this beautiful song. Below is the link to the music video :)




Christmas Lights- Coldplay