the real emily

2007-04-09T23:27:00.000-04:00

You know how in books it always has a dedication at the beginning? Right before a chapter one, a preface, or even one of those "introductions by famous so-and-so critics"? If this post of my blog was a book, then this post would be dedicated to my one and only, older sister Amy, probably my biggest fan (only because she's always telling me to update because she's CONSTANTLY checking it it to read about my fabulous life!) Um, ok, maybe not constantly - or even daily - but it's nice to know I have a reader. And it makes it extra special that is a sib, and one of the coolest people I know. : ) So hopefully this will meet your blogging standards, because hey sis, this post is for you!

Rather than a LONG update, there have definitely been some changes since the last two times I wrote. Not the last one (the _________ one) but the "awesome" one, where I used the word awesome alot referring to all the "upcoming" changes or events. Well, they have come, my friends! I am living in an apartment, where I am blogging at this moment in my cozy bed that my mom bought at an auction at an estate sale. (Don't be creeped out, it was in the guest bedroom, and it has an awesome foot and head board..) Anyway, little by little my room has come together (I was organizing my shoes and purses just earlier today, in fact. Ok, that is my motivation to clean - I always start where I have the most fun, so sue me), and little by little our apartment has come together, too. I have an awesome roommate Tara, and we have so much fun together doing Will Hung impressions to EACH and EVERY song we can think of, and we like to say "SERIOUSLY!!!" to just about anything that gets our attention, good or bad. Ok, not the only two things we do, there are SO many other things, but those are just a couple of inside jokes I'll let you in on at first. Anyway, she's awesome, like I said, and so is my boyfriend who I recently had an anniversary with! Four years! I don't want to say "I can't believe it!" just because it seems like I've said that a few times last week, so now I'm like, "Wow, 4 years, that is a LONG time to be with someone but it's been 4 WONDERFUL years.." So Ben is my high school sweetheart, and we have lots of inside jokes as well. : )

Since I'm writing about relationships at the moment I might as well add in my parents! I just had a really fun Easter weekend with them, full of even more inside jokes and memories that I will have forever. Gotta say one story that cracked me up: "Hey Mom, is the Easter bunny coming this year?" "Yeah, hon, but I'm not sure if he has an Easter basket for your things this year.." "Well, if worse comes to worse, he could grab that kleenex box over there, empty it out and use it." "Emily, that's pretty ghetto.." My mom said "ghetto"! It was hilarious! And the Easter Bunny did come to my house, and he did have a basket filled with those awesome miniature reeses cups, a chocolate rabbit, some more candy, and even a teddy bear who is Bunky's cousin, who was wearing bunny ears! I wore them for the rest of the day, however, scaring Cooper - accidentally - a couple of times, but Dad making me take them off for the drive home ("You don't know who could be out there, see a cute girl with rabbit ears and run you off the road or something..You NEVER know, just don't wear 'em, ok Emily?" At least he was being protective as he took them off himself and tossed them in the car! : ) ...Oh, and me and mom went and saw Meet the Robinsons in theaters. Two things that made it great: It was actually a really cute movie that I was able to see with my mom, 2. We saw in 3-D! That was so awesome! *hehe* : P

So other than the new memories this Easter, going to church on Easter Sunday was wonderful as usual and I had hymns stuck in my head all day (not a bad thing, of course! I let them go off and I sang along!) I hope everyone had a glorious Easter as well! : )

P.S. Did I mention that is snowed on Saturday? In East Texas...in April...It snowed! ***

P.P.S. Did I mention that I am sorry its been a few months and I will try to do better now that things have calmed down..for the most part? (yikes..)

D E D I C A T I O N

For my sister, who I miss and wish I could see more often, who is always there for me no matter what, who keeps me supplied with books, and who I sang with in the car before Tara came along. "California Dreamin' on such a winter day.."

To Amy! I love you! I hope you have a great week at school ~ happy readings! xoxxo

2007-02-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

Ok, so an update...

I really don't have much to say at this exact moment; I was taking advantage of the commercial break on SNL to come to the computer to see Maisy, Amy and Nathan's new cute puppy (Mom's idea: "Come in here and see pictures!") Then Mom left so I sat down, came across MY link, and thought I'd drop a line to let you all know that I'm still around, just really busy and will update with an actual post of somewhat significance later...

________________________________________________

^ and that would be the dropped line : )

2006-12-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Ok, I don't think that my automatic keys for my car will unlock my dorm room. Um..for some reason I had my hand on that part of my keys the other day. Nope, didn't unlock the door. And then I realized what I was trying to do and started laughing in the hallway. I'm sure if anyone had walked by I probably looked like an idiot. : ) But then I opened my door and went in and did whatever I did after that..

So I've had a really great week! I'm excited about..everything! I don't really want the semester to end, but when it does I will be very excited about my grades! And I'm excited about Christmas break! I'm excited that I'm getting to go work at the museum again! And I'm excited that me and my awesome roommate are moving into an awesome apartment! (Just gotta furnish it..and finally decide who's going to get the master bedroom..but I'm so excited and it's going to be SO awesome!) Wow, I've said awesome a lot in this paragraph. Well, I guess it's like I said in that first sentence. Things have been just going awesome for me lately. But anyway!

Oh, oh! I'm actually working at the front desk right now, and a couple of the residents are down here just hanging out. We've been discussing movies; that also makes me happy! : ) To give you a preview, Sense and Sensibility came up in the conversation and I got real excited about that (lol), I was saying how Tolkien was a GENIUS, and now we're discussing directors that we respect, too. Good times!

"Ric-cola!"

2006-11-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

I realized something the other day. It involves Saved by the Bell and Friends. This is what I realized: Saved by the Bell is the Junior High version of Friends. Or rather, Friends is the adultified version of Saved by the Bell. :-)

My mom's been getting me Saved by the Bell on Netflix (hey, don't judge! finish reading...) and just with the one episode I saw, the humor and everything made me think of Friends, and how they're SO similar. Seriously! They both have the 3 girls and 3 guys (not that the characters are the same, just younger or older, but the fact that there are 3 and 3) and the laughing track or whatever its called "laughs" about the same amount of times, and at the same times of the show (whether it be a small laugh in the middle of a one liner, or a whole situation that makes you laugh.)

Oh, and what else? Yes, there's more! Of course, the Max is similar to the Central Perk for schizzle...(um, my boss just that typed that in...i had just finished the word "perk" and he came over and just typed that..but I'm not changing it because it does make sense, even though he doesn't usually talk like that - i just felt like explaning)....ok, what was I saying? See, when I digress like that I completely lose my train of thought. Ok, The Max and Central Perk - the hangout spot for the "gang." Which, of course, they ALWAYS have to be together. The 2 pairs of Sixes..because they all can't function without eacher other. So yeah, it's not something you just think about, how they're basically the same show, but it is interesting when you put in perspective and think about it like that.

You: Thanks, Emily! Now we know!"
Me: "..and knowing is half the battle!"
G.I. JOE!!!! :-)

Oh before I forget! I just saw a commercial that drives me crazy! Of course you all have seen those commercials that promote educational toys and what not. Well, have you seen the one for Leapster (or something like that)? Well, basically it's this home video of these two kids in the backseat playing/learning with one. The mom is narrating afterwards wondering outloud (well, to us anyway) about what to title the video...she basically asks what she should name it. It goes something like this:
"(How about..)Kyle and Max in the car?" "(Or) Kyle and Max playing.." Ok, now, what do you think will come next? Seriously, let's infer here...what do you think will come next, since its an educational toy... "Kyle and Max learning" right? Yeah, that's what I thought. But this is what she says...

"Kyle and Max increasing the size of their brains."

What the..?! "Increasing the size of their brains!?!?" Is that bad writing or what! Well, at least I think so. Or maybe it's the way she says it. Maybe "learning" would've been too cliche since that is what I thought she was going to say, and what everyone else thought she was going to say. Maybe they thought they (the makers of this commercial) should make it different by making it longer, but I think not only is that too long, but horrible writing. But like, I said, that may just be me..

But I'll tell you commercials that I WILL always love: Welch's Grape Juice commercials! They are always able to find the cutest kids ever! The one I just saw was with a girl in pigtails..adorable!

Moving on...I'm snacking on these sourdough pretzel things..I love these salty wonders! :-)

2006-10-27T13:48:00.000-04:00

It's funny when I'm walking across campus to work a shift and on the route I go I see several others wearing the same shirt headed to the residence hall where they work...wow, that was a long sentence. It's just funny, because sometimes I'll be headed over to Wisely (where I am now : ) and I see other DA's on their way to work, too. It's even funnier if I'm on my cell phone and everyone else is, too. But don't worry, I don't walk by myself at night if it's after 10 - and I'm always careful,as you should be.

I'm happy I don't have to close on Tuesday nights anymore! Especially this Tuesday, since it's Halloween and I actually have plans this year. Well, I did something last year, too. I went to David Anderson's apartment (whenever I actually found it! lol) and watched The Village with him, Michael, and Michelle. That was fun! But this year the trombones (lol) are having Bone-R-Treating or something like that. I'm not sure what it entails, but it should be fun! And Ben and I are going to dress up in our Star Trek costumes! I'm excited! And they are the real, old school outfits - not homemade either! Like, I have the red dress with the black collar and wrists, with the gold triangular symbol in the corner, and he has the light blue shirt with all that, too. We've only worn them once before, and it was actually out to eat one time. We were just being silly - it was right after we got them, and he was like, "We HAVE to wear these!" : ) It was fun! But anyway, I'm excited! :-)

Pretty short post. Not much to really talk about. If I'm feeling more talkative later then I'll definitely update.

Oh yeah - I wish American Dreams Season 2 and 3 would come out on DVD. That is all!

2006-10-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

Wow, has it really been a month!?!? I thought I was on a roll again...oh well..I tried. : )

In other recent news..ok, yeah, I have been really busy! Yesterday? I had something due in EVERY one of my classes. Yeah, and two of them were pretty big projects. But it was SO nice to turn everything in and reach the end of the day - what a lift!
: )

Aww, I love Gilmore Girls! I'm at work right now (hehe, thats usually where I blog) and I always watch it at 10 on ABCfamily in the background of whatever I may be doing - or I just watch it if I DON'T have something to do. But yeah! Emily is SO funny! She's a great actress - and Lorelai! Too bad Lauren Graham hasn't gotten an Emmy for the show. So sad..

I love that pic! I don't know, I had writers block after I mentioned Lorelai (ironic since she's my inspiration for rambling on and on with random references..there's an alliteration for ya, too) so I thought I'd add a random picture. This was at Turner's Surprise Birthday Party a few weeks ago..fun times!

Well, I better finish while I don't have alot to say and before I think of something else random to just throw in here. But then it would be sad, because it wouldn't really mean anything. It would be like, "Oh yeah, you know what else happened.." That seems pretty insignificant. So yeah. If I think of something else I'll just add a new post, which wouldn't be such a bad idea because then it won't be so long before I was to blog again. (Yep, that's how I'll do it!)

Have a thoughtful Thursday!

2006-09-16T12:54:00.000-04:00

A few years back, I really missed TNBC.
They replaced these great shows for pre-teens and teens called T(Teen) NBC with yet another line of Saturday morning cartoons! I LOVED Saved by the Bell (the NEW Class...hmm), Hang Time, City Guys, One World, and my favorite, Just Deal! (And even some of the older ones from the '90s, California Dreams..was that what it was called? I liked that one, too! *hehe*) But yeah! One morning I get up to watch 'em, and guess what? TNBC RIP. It was no longer. I didn't even get to find out what happened in Just Deal with Dylan and Ashley - did they get back together?? Or did they stay friends??? I guess I will n e v e r know...

So anyway, they were replaced, blah, blah, blah, and the only thing I EVER watched was Trading Spaces for Kids. I actually had to revert to ABC Disney to pathetically catch (well, hey, while I'm on the couch with my eyes on the tv..) Lizzie McGuire, and Recess (no, I liked Recess - they were some funny kids). But it still made me mad. This was a few years ago, and I've had to grow accustomed to my Saturday morning breakfast at the table for once. (Wow, that sounds awful!) But today I got up (Yay! Home for the weekend!) and for some reason I went into the den where Dad was reading the paper, and I see Babar! I haven't seen Babar in forever! I grew up with Babar! And I LOVE elephants! So I decide to watch it, since I really haven't seen a cartoon in a while (and don't get me started on some of those cartoons nowadays, I'll get on my soapbox and never come off - a post for a different day), and then an ad comes on detailing this NEW Saturday morning lineup of cartoons. And get this? They have VeggieTales! So as disappointed I've always been about my forgotten teen shows (where most of the time, they really couldn't act), NBC might actually have something good now...for a Saturday morning I mean. I will ALWAYS be mad about my beloved American Dreams. Grrrr...... :-D

2006-09-08T17:48:00.000-04:00

That John Heder is making a come back! I didn't even think he was an actor until Napolean Dynamite, the movie that also took this nation by storm. Just saw a preview for a new movie that he stars in...crazy, huh? My high school History teacher would always say (which is kind of ironic, because he's a teacher and supposed to tell us to go far in life and give us tons of positive advice) that whenever we graduated, "It doesn't matter what you know in life, it's WHO you know..." Connections, connections, connections...geez louise! What is this world coming to? Oh! And the movies? Now, I'm not going to be hypocritical, because I absolutely LOVE movies! And there are several movies that are based on books that I love, such as a few of the Jane Austen classics, and others...Little Women! So many versions, but the Winona Ryder/Susan Sarandon one is my fave! My point? There are so many books that are being turned into movies that shouldn't! I read one of my roommate's books this summer, it was really good. Guess what I found out? It's being turned into a movie. I guess I am coming across as hypocritical to say that I love some of the really good movies that were based on books, but I think they pulled it off. They were GOOD movies. But some books can't be made into one! It's just too complicated! Granted, someone might see this new movie and really like it, and it may in fact be good, but they didn't get a chance to read the book first. And that happens. But still, if we keep this up, we'll get a Farenheight 451 or whatever that book was called (wasn't required to read it, just heard of it) and we'll get SO sucked on tvs that we'll all go blind and then what? Hmm? Ok, I guess I'm going a little too far with that scenario, and like I said, I absolutely love movies, but still. There comes a point where you have to get off of your lazy butt and turn off that tv and do something slightly more useful with your time. Like blogging. *hehe* :-)

2006-08-31T12:53:00.000-04:00

DAing. Duh.

That's what Ben always says when I say something about DAing. He'll say, "Da.." with a smile (pronounced "duh" lol). It's cute. <3

But that is my schedule, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10 - 12. So if you need me for me or for any questions a DA is certified to answer :-D you know where to find me. "Wisely Hall front desk, this is Emily, how may I help you?"

This summer it was "Good morning/Good afternoon, East Texas Oil Museum." And I was so in the habit of saying that, and the whole, "One moment please," that at home whenever someone called for mom or dad, I'd say in a professional tone, not even thinking about my words, "One moment please," instead of, "Yeah, hold on." No, totally kidding! You can ask my parents, they taught me how to answer the phone with manners way back when. We didn't do the traditional, "Prien residence?" or anything, but when MAKING a call I always was polite. "This is Emily, may I please speak with..." whoever. Got a little lazy when calling Tiffany's house over the years, but that's about it. And of course, "This is she" when asked. Not, "This is her." "This is she." One of my friends once said, "This is me." lol Ok, this post has not been about telephone etiquette, has it?? Wow, I'm a dork with nothing interesting to say. But it's only morning - the day is young. Something interesting will happen later that I'll try to post about or as soon as I publish this one I'll probably say, "Oh yeah! I could've posted about..." something interesting that happened YESTERDAY or earlier on this week. :-D Ok, but for now, that's all.

A scene from Pieces of April from last night...
..when the mom is trying to remember as least ONE special memory of her and her daughter April.
"I can only think of one.....she looked up at me and said 'Oh Mother, don't you just love every day.' "
(pause)
Beth: That was me!

:-D

2006-08-17T18:06:00.000-04:00

I have rediscovered peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Seriously! Well, I can't take all the credit. My mom actually used those words, referring to herself, and I thought it was so cute so now I'm saying it. And plus, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the oldest sandwiches in the book - well, maybe not the oldest, but they've pretty much been overrated, or underrated (for people who have gotten tired of them and haven't had one in a while). But when you have 2 nice, fresh slices of bread, and you smear that smooth, creamy peanut butter on one half, and smooth, slightly lumpy (um, not lumpy; goopy? not sure the word, but you know..you know..) grape jelly on the other, and carefully mesh them and slice into halves, and with a nice, cold glass of milk on the side...omigosh, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! See, my mom and I were watching Mad About You the other day on my day off, and I had my glass of milk (typical me) and she had this beautfiul PB&J sandwich, and I was like, "That looks really good.." and she said, "Yeah, it is!" And then she said how she had rediscovered them, so now I'm going to spread the word and be like, "I have rediscovered PB&J!" - thanks to my mom, of course. But anyway... :-D

I go back to school on Monday. Yesterday was actually my last day of work - yep, been putting in like 40 hour weeks more recently. So mom (again, to save the day!) several weeks ago suggested I take yesterday as my last day to give a few days before I go back. Take some R&R, but also get all my stuff together (hmm..putting my things together, or watch some tv? I compromised the other night and found bags and bags of paper and crap (ok, just a few..and I meant stuff, sorry) and went through it all WHILE getting to watch the tv screen. I was killing one bird with two stones.

I know that's wrong, but do you know that I know? I just say it backwards because not only am I putting it wrong, it sounds just awful, doesn't it? "Killing one bird with TWO stones." How evil! (Why do I get amusement out of this??) I'm a horrible person! Well, if that's as horrible as I get, I guess it's not too bad. :)

That is a picture of me the first time I ever popped popcorn, and it was at college. *My roommate felt it was necessary to take pictures. There are several, but this is kind of the mood I'm in right now, so I thought I'd share.* :-D

2006-08-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

You Are Elektra

There's really no superhero with more style than you.
Because who could beat being sexy assasin ninja?

What Superhero Are You?

Well, that's convenient, because everyone tells me that I look like Jennifer Garner. *hehe*

2006-08-01T20:39:00.000-04:00

Geez, on the 3rd of MMAAYY I pleaded with my "presshhiss" (mimicking Gollum) blog to forgive me for not writing for so long, with the understanding that I had not totally converted over to the fairly new xanga. So, understand that now, this long term withdrawal has NOT been a result of a replacement for my little entries. Because I have also not (bad, baadd sentence structure *hehe*) written in my xanga. So there. I guess it's just been one of those things..like when you find an old journal or diary that you haven't written in forever and start flipping through it, missing that late night or early afternoon sit down to just flow with the paper and pen, letting it out whether it be exciting news in your life or just gossip that needs to get out SOMEHOW...and of course, whenever that happens, you immediately revert to your "New Year's Resolutions" way of thinking and unconsciously make this effort to start writing in it more - kind of like now. With this. The more I type the more I realized that I miss it. And then like I said, I fall into the same old trap (well, maybe trap is not the right word for this situation) and you have the urge to keep up with it. AND THEN......you slip up. That's ok, what I meant to say was I slip up. *hehe* Believe it or not, I have written in my journal this summer. So maybe you, yes, you my dear precious blog, have not been forgotten, just replaced by a summer fling. (Ouch, that hurts too - uh, let me rephrase) It's just been a long distance thing we're going through, cause I went to a reunion. Ahh, see that sounds better, and makes sense with the whole summer thing (you know, like summer family reunions - my dad's side has one ever year up in South Dakota. Wow, the last time we went was 3 (?) summers ago and it was my WHOLE family in the Saturn! That would be Dad and Mom up front, and me, Amy, and Steven in the back! lol And I also remember we got home early, so we thought we'd go and pick our pets up from the kennel! Ok, so the five of us, and 3 pets - 2 dogs and a cat (with my brother being allergic to cats, as well) all in the Saturn - we HELD them! It was a classic for our family. *hehe* END END PARANTHEIS)))))) I'm so bad about that. lol

ANYWAY, I digress BIG TIME. I hate to make the same old, same old excuse of "I'll try to write in this more." Because without saying that, I know I will. And I think it's pretty awesome that I've had this particular blog for so long. (You were my first.) Ok, now, there have been numerous comments in the entry about me to my blog that sound like we really ARE in a relationship. I better quit before...well, too late. lol By the way, did you know Lance from 'N Sync was gay? Crazy, huh? (Maybe I'll also have to start throwing in tidbits of celebrity news - ooh la la - or include fun fashion facts - I've recently expressed more interest in more fashionable things - yeah, that's what a year at college did for me. Some learned how to do laundry, I learned more about the clothes IN my laundry. I can't help it if my friends watch shows that have niiice designer stuff. But don't worry, I won't splurge. In fact, just simply BROWSING on eBay or the real deal is just fun for me - I haven't purchased anything like that yet, like I said, I just like to look. But I think what I've really done is just gotten creative WITH what I own (layers, that kind of thing) to be more fashionable. (And it helps that Mom and I share purses lol I steal her Anne Taylor one ALL the time - actually, it's not stealing, cause I ALWAYS ask first - I promise, you can ask her.)

Ok, that was way longer than I intended - I was gonna end it after I made the comment about Lance. Well, what can I say? I'm back! <3

2006-05-04T14:59:00.000-04:00

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few.
But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky.

Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Yay! 'Cause if you know me, you know I LOVE movies! <3

2006-05-03T13:03:00.000-04:00

My dear blog, please do not be mad at me...

I have a confession to make. I have....I have been.....well, I've been POSTING IN MY XANGA! I'm SOOOO sorry! I'm such a hypocrite!!! It's not so much I'd talk down about xanga-ing, it's just that I've been too stubborn to switch over (like devoted pc users to macs...*hehe*) But I think one of the main reasons, is because I like that feature at the bottom where you can say what you were just watching or listening to or reading. Like, I may not have much to even post about, it's mainly so can people can see what I was just doing. That may seem freakishly scary or weird, but it's just fun to do a search and everything...ok, I'm a dork. But I don't want to just terminate this blog (SCARY word, let me rephrase): I mean, I don't want to switch over completely (totally convert to xanga) because I LOVE my blog! We've had some great times together - after all, we recently had our 100th post anniversary! *hehe* But anyway, I just thought I'd say, that part of the reason I haven't posted in so long isn't that I've been super busy, but that in the past week (only the past week) I've been writing in my xanga...which I've also had for a while, but only used to be able to comment on other peoples xangas - you have to have an account to leave a stupid comment...gosh!!! :-)

Anyway, I do have a lot to do, but I needed to write an apology thru my blog to my blog, to apologize for my hypocrisy. *tear* :'-(

Here's one more note to all my fellow readers and friends: DO NOT.....stress out! I know it's been a crazy week (wow, it's ONLY wednesday? lol) but think how you're almost finished! (yay!) Kind of sad, I really don't want to leave next week, but so it is....(And so it is.....- Blower's Daughter) Well, have a wonderful day, and *hopefully* you'll hear from me soon. Bon Voyage! - xoxo

2006-04-15T20:24:00.000-04:00

Those McDonalds commercials trip me out! It's like, what? Who cares! I know I DON'T bash employees - do other people? You guys know what commercials I'm talking about, right? It's either, the "I'm a student...I'm a soccer player...I'm a woman...I'm a fighter..." and then she's all like, "I work at McDonalds." ---- blank expression ---- ??? And then there's the one that shows all the celebrities or average people that have worked there. That one is decent. But it's like, do people really give their employees a hard time about working there? I don't have a problem with them. I don't in any way think that it is a low-life job, or am disgusted by the employees. I happen to like McDonalds. Growing up it was my fave fast food place. Over the years it switched over to Burger King, but that's just because I like their burgers better. McDonalds has AMAZING french fries, and I like their McFlurries, too. (Do they still make those?) And of course!!! MCGRIDDLES!!!! The best! :-) But I just don't get those commercials. Every time I see one, I'm like, "Okay......" ? Anyway...

So I'm working again, but it's all good. Do you want to hear my weekend schedule? Actually, it doesn't matter, I was going to blog about it anyway. :-) So Thursday I went home, and then Friday afternoon I came back. I stayed the night here, and all day was spent in Nac. I came to work at 6, and I get off at 10. Right after work, I'm heading back to Overton. That morning, after the "Easter Bunny" comes (yep, my family still does it!), I'm heading off to church (I was actually asked to do the Sunday School kids service, so that makes me happy!), lunch with my family, and then shortly after I gotta head back on down to SFA to work the 4-6 shift. (whew! breathe!) It's ok though - I don't have school on Monday, so it's not that much driving and craziness. And I had a somewhat successful weekend so far. I did 3 loads of laundry last night, and today I ran 4 laps on the outside of the track (the raised sidewalk and the incline that is around the stadium) and made a trip to WalMart, e-mailed a teacher, and I guess the rest was mostly laziness. But out of 4 free days that will have been spent working and driving, I think I deserve a little bit of free time. It was a nice day, I tried not to waste too much of it. When it's nice out, you should be out. And I did, I ran. It was nice. :-) (Those were some short sentences..)

Anyway, as this entry comes to a close, I just want to wish all of you a Happy Easter. Remember yesterday, and what Jesus did for you. Continue to mourn today...Be thankful and rejoice tomorrow for HE HAS RISEN! (Hallelujah!) This time of year makes me so happy! If I know personally that I have fallen a little in my walk, then this weekend always brings me back to where I need to be. (Ok, that sounded good in my mind, but looks kind of bad written down. I don't mean that there's only one time of the whole year that brings me to where I need to be with my Lord, what I MEANT was, I hope this weekend can bring all of us a little closer to our Savior, and from here on out, do our best to live for Him.) So be careful for the rest of this wekend, and just spend tomorrow with a smile on your face, enjoy your time with your family, and make it to church to hear a great Sermon about what the Lord has done. :-) God bless! <3

*~*~lots of love~*~*
-Em

2006-04-06T00:36:00.000-04:00

It's really hard to believe that it's been 1 week since I've last posted, and that that day was my birthday! It's been a r e a l l y l o n g week. . . . . . .but I KNOW there are people that have it even worse than me. Poor Ben had Opera Orchestra Rehearsal last night from like 7 to midnight, again tonight, and then his performances are tomorrow night, Friday night, and Saturday night. (Whew! And those are all AT LEAST 3 hours...poor thing!) I'm pretty good about not procrastinating, but you always gotta be careful and not let things pile up...which I means I need to hop to it with all of my projects. :-)

Who all watched "Boy Meets World" growing up? Or, like me, even after you've grown up? (hehe) I still catch some reruns here and there, and I've always loved Season 2 for some reason. So, here are some quotes from just ONE episode (that's right, just one) that I caught this afternoon at work. (Season 2, might I add. And it was the episode where Corey goes to his first boy/girl make out party - classic!)

BOY MEETS WORLD

"...that's not awkward. Losing your gym shorts when climbing the rope, THAT'S awkward...and BURRRNS!" - Corey

"What? You don't think I'm a sensitive guy? I should slap you around for that." - Harvey

And then I saw a little bit of the next episode before I left - here's a conversation between Corey and Shawn. (hehe)

COREY: She wrote 7 numbers on my hand, what could that possibly mean?
SHAWN: Why don't you call her?
COREY: Shawn, how can I call her if I don't have her....ahhhh... :-)

Have a great night everyone! I get off work in about 10 minutes so it's time for me to shut this bad boy down. (my mac I mean - Katherine named it Yoda, hehe) Be careful, and I'll tell you what I tell everyone who walks at night by themselves, or even with another person. (Yes, thats right, I have a new motto now - not only do I say "make good choices!" ...)
DON'T GET STOLEN! =)

2006-03-29T15:28:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! Today is my 19th Birthday! It's been a wonderful day so far, and will just keep getting better! (hehe)

It's hard to not check facebook to see what everyone said on my wall - I hope that doesn't sound cocky, but hey, when checking your e-mail it lets you know WHO has in fact written on your wall, so I do know that I received Birthday wishes (had to empty out my inbox, but whatever! totally kidding, i really do feel special!) :-D

So I'm basically finished for the day, which is nice (considering how busy I've been lately!) I do have to run an assignment to one of my classes, but thats all (we turn in the assignment to the teacher, then hasta la vista, baby). Then I'm going to straighten up my side of the room (only needs a little bit- we do pretty good in 403, ain't that right Tara? ...ok, I NEVER say "ain't" - EVER!) since my parents are getting to come down for a little bit! And then tonight I'm going to my favorite restaurant AuntiePastas with some friends! Yay, fun! Oh yeah, and I did get some phone calls from friends from back home - my best friend Tiffany called me last night at 12:03. Well, according to her, her clock said 12:00 - she wanted to be the first to say a very tired happy birthday (at 12? i know! thats getting to bed ON TIME for me and my roommate! hehe). And then my friend Kara called me too! I haven't talked to her in forever! Which reminds me, if there IS anyone that still reads this from Overton (uh, Sean may be the only one :-) ) I really needed Dannan's phone number the other day! Her birthday was the 27th, and I really wanted to call her and catch up! The three of us girls always thought it was cool that we were born within a few days of each other. Kara - the 25th, Dannan the 27th, and then ME! the 29th. So anyway...if any of you have her number, I've been calling person after person trying to get in touch with her! But anyway...

So its been a really great Birthday so far! Hope to update later...hehe :-D ....bye! <3

2006-03-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, I can understand the vast majority of squirrels on this campus, but what is up with the raccoons? Now that's just creepy! First I see one behind the cafeteria near the parking garage that scares me and my friends, and then on my way to Ben's there was one up in the tree - staring at me! That experience was a little more scary than the other one. But, eww! Raccoons - thats nasty! Some say squirrels are just furry rats with bushy tails, but I think they're cute and they make me giggle. Raccoons on the other hand, ooh, no me gusta. I remember last year when dad put traps in our our forest of a backyard because we had a couple running around. With that trap, we ended up catching my cat the first night (poor thing), and then a couple possom. I think maybe we ended up getting one raccoon (the object of the trap, of course.) But anyway...

Well, Tara and I just showed off our room for Showcase Saturday. Um...I felt like a Price Is Right model. In my head I had kind of thought a little about what I was going to say, but we just kind of sat here at our desks while Christine talked (which wasn't a bad thing, it was just different than I had expected) and the parents asked her their "worried parent" questions, and asked us a few also. For some reason I thought there was some kind of prize for the cutest room? I probably just had that in my mind when signing up, but I think that was part of my motivation. But I mean, at least we could help...? Whatever! But we have a really cute room - I just wished we could've showed off our movie drawer, our prized possession of the room! hehe =) And noone notice my fort either. I even turned on my lava lamp just for them. Oh well... No seriously, its cool! It was just a weird couple of minutes - like I said, I felt like a Price Is Right model or something. :-)

Well I work the late shift a little later tonight, so I may happen to post more tonight. After all, with four hours and my computer in front of me, you can probably count on that happening. So more later, blog! Happy 101..hehe :-)

2006-03-10T00:56:00.000-05:00

HOORAY!!!
Congratulations to me! Yay! It's my 100th post!!!! Mazel Tov, and all that jazz! hehe...

So we all went out to celebrate tonight for this here 100th post of mine....

Actually, we were going out because the others went without us on Tuesday night (concert band rehearsal), so we (me and Katherine) made sure that we could all go out again tonight! Whats the special occasion, you ask? Other than my very cool 100th posting? OK, you're right, it's because Erin's boyfriend Tommy was visiting from FSU on his Spring Break, and we were all going to go out to eat and have a good time. So it was me, Erin, Tommy, Bethann, Katherine, and my fabulous roommate Tara! We went to Chili's and had a blast.

Ok, thats another secret I'll let you in on. See how that ( ^ ) was past tense? It's because it already happened. (Ahh shucks!) No, I was GOING to post earlier to make it look even MORE like going out tonight was due to my 100th post, but Thursdays are pretty busy and I didn't get the chance to just sit down at the computer and p o s t . Well, maybe I did HAVE the time, but by the time I thought about it it was too late. Wow, ok, this special post is NOT supposed to be sounding like this! Ok, moving on...Why don't we go ahead and look at all the special times we've shared in the past few years, my dear blog and fellow blogger friends & readers...

I started this the February of my Junior year. Wow, that feels like a really long time ago! So what has changed with my life, you ask? Not alot! lol..I'm still on fire for Christ (well I do my best), I keep in touch with Tiffany still (best friend ever!), I'm still dating my high school sweetheart, Ben Bynum - the best boyfriend in the world! Aww...In fact, our Anniversary is coming up next month - but I'm sure I'll discuss that more closer to the date (hehe). Um...well I obviously don't live at home, I'm a college student now! And the majority of you who actually READ this I'm guessing ARE my friends from college! (Hey Tara! haha...No I just said that cause I told you to read this whenever I finished..like 5 minutes ago =) I think Sean still reads this...lol! Ok, I've got to stop with the "lol"s in my more recent posts. (Ok, thats one thing that HAS changed, but I'll do my best to stop. =) (Smiley faces are ok, and so are my 'hehe's; cause ask anyone, I do giggle alot!) Oh yeah, still "exclamation point crazy".. !!!!!!!!!!!! yay fun! =)

I guess there really are only a few differences - but no matter what, I'm still Emily! And I love to blog and love to hear comments, so here's a note: it always makes my day to see that someone has left me a comment! So now you know one way to make me happy - drop me a line! But other than that, I'm still here if you need me, 24/7! My love to all my friends, and my boyfriend, and even my family (if they still read this! hehe) Ok this has officially been like the acceptance speech for my 100th post...hehe, I'm such a nerd!

Good night everyone! (Its late, go to bed! I know you can't resist reading all of my 100 posts, but you have to get some sleep! Some of you still have mid-terms tomorrow - thats DEFINITELY more important than reading this. Besides, it's late and I have to go to bed, too. So good night! Have a wonderful weekend! I'm sure I'll update over Spring Break - bye for now!

Hooray! <3

...I'm such a nerd!

2006-03-10T00:52:00.000-05:00

So I taught my roommate the "Mr. Chin" game earlier, and we had music playing in the background. So we made music videos with our upside down smiles! (ok...if that doesn't make sense, c'mon over and I'll HAVE to show them to you! hehe)

Its been a pretty good day - I'm just really ready for Spring Break! Yay!

Well, the object of this post is to write the next one...I know that's cheating, but you'll see why in just a second.... =)

2006-03-08T00:39:00.000-05:00

The whole ven diagram friendship thing was really ticking me off earlier...

...but whatever! People will feel the way they do about stuff, and there's nothing I can really do about it. It still bothers me, because, well, I'm kind of like Monica Gellar; if someone is mad about something or doesn't like me for some reason, I just wonder what I did and when I did what I did...if I did ANYTHING? But anyway, I'm gonna try to get over it, and not have ANY drama this spring! (yay!)

I can't believe Spring Break is next week! That makes me really happy! I'll probably work most of the time, but its all gravity and funkulation, baby! (Ok, don't worry! Not my words! Thats Luscious Ice, the DJ,'s words..just a flashback! hehe) And it'll be nice to just be home for a good solid week. :-)

Oh yeah! My riding skills on my bike were tested ALL over this afternoon! It was really bad...I would almost run into someone (that was the case most of the time), but they wouldn't get out of the way! And earlier today I had to balance my umbrella on top of my handlebars (sounds more dangerous written down on blog than it does in real life) and it was just weird. I kept having all these "near" accidents. But I'm ok, and all the other residents/pedestrians are fine, too! =)

Well, I'm going to end this now, cause I'm actually going to go to bed shortly. (yay!) And then it'll be nice to sleep in a little. ;-) Good night, and good luck! <3 ......sweet dreams!

2006-02-27T17:03:00.000-05:00

If Jane Austen had a computer, it would be a mac.

(Just a random observation that sounds...interestingly true. But there will be no talks about macs vs. pc...I hate it! If thats the only drama in my life - when people give me a hard time cause I have a mac. ("Yes, I do have a mac. I like my mac. I even NAMED it...get over it.") - then I think I'm doing pretty good. The minimal amount of drama as possible...please! =)

I love oldies. I finally made a playlist the other day, dragging and copying all of my favorites that were either in my library from all my oldie and mix cds, or from illegal downloads from limewire....woops. Now wait a second, to be honest, the other day I trashed my limewire program in hopes of doing something more legal. (Cause yeah, I do feel bad. I even like to buy songs from the music store. But thats when I'm given like a gift card or something...but check it out...) So what I'm going to do after I publish this post is download this new program my neighbor was telling me about called morpheus. Apparently its legal (companies sponsor it or something) and the best part, free! So we'll see how that goes..in just a few minutes...

Oh yeah - oldies! Great stuff! Actually, not just the songs that I LOVE from the 60's, before then too (like even the 40s and stuff) but I like anything older than 2000. Yep, stuff from the 60s, EVEN the 70's, the 80s and early 90s. So everything EXCEPT today's music for the most part! (lol) No, I still like some things nowadays, but some music is just so tasteless. So I'm not just stuck in the "anything before this point in time", but thats just the way I like it. Lets just stick with one decade here - the 60's. That whole decade was CRAZY for America. I mean, SO much happened! I picked up this book about the 60's at Barnes and Noble over Christmas break (yay for discounted things after Christmas!) and it mentions how that was probably the most influential decade in America. But everyone already KNOWs that. Anyway, I was just commenting how I love some of the songs from then. They're great! But thats all for that...

I think just then - yep, right after I said "they're great!" - I am suffering from "not long enough to post another post"..See I'm sounding all weird! lol..And I've wrote LOL a few times through this already! (If i want my blog to make you laugh, it should be implied that you're laughing after you read a sentence) So I'm going to go ahead and just post this before it gets any worse. (hehe) Yeah, hehe's are ok...cause I'm Emily and I giggle alot. Ok, publishing post! (Bye!) <3

2006-02-25T23:55:00.000-05:00

5 more 'til my 100th Celebration...If I was just motivated to update this more then I would've HAD the celebration a L O N G time ago...but I think I will start to post more (haha, I say that with nearly a month of "Oh, I'll have to post that..." or "Oooh, this sounds like blog material."). But seriously. Even as busy as I feel most of the time, this is actually very therapeutic, and I really do like to write. Dad and I were talking about this earlier. He said he liked to write and always thought he was pretty good, and my sister is, like, a genius. I happen to think that I'm a good writer, I just have a weird style. (He agreed with me there, too.) So for those of you who read this, p l e a s e comment and let me know how you feel about my writing. =)

I just watched Elizabethtown with my parents. It was fun, quirky, and made me smile more than laugh. That equals = 2 thumbs up from Emily Prien's Movie reviews. (hehe) I like Kirsten Dunst. I still remember when she was in Little Women...or before that - Jumanji. No wait...yep, Little Women came first. Oh, the joy of the internet. Do you know quick that google search just was? Wow. (So NOW I know that her first success was in New York Stories. Well, maybe not her first SUCCESS, but I guess it was her film debut - according to google anyway.) ANYWAY, speaking of actresses that I like, here are a few that I like (how redundant):
(oh yeah, in random order)
1. Jennifer Garner
2. Liv Tyler
3. Meg Ryan
4. Kate Beckinsale
5. Sandra Bullock
6. Reese Witherspoon
7. Brittany Snow
8. Leisel Matthews (who, according to google, is only in like 2 movies - A little Princess, and Air Force One. Don't worry, I didn't just look that one up, too, I did a couple of years ago. Plus I've seen both of those (A Little Princess is actually one of my favorites). But anyway, I would've liked to see her in more. And when the movie A Little Princess came out, everyone told me I looked like her (mostly adults. They'd say, "Oh my! You're the little princess!" Maybe thats why I like "Princess" paraphernalia (right word?). You know, like post it notes that say "princess" on it, or like, a sleeping mask or a figurine. I don't like the shirts at Walmart that have alot of those kinds of phrases (especially ones about "Your Boyfriend Wishes That I Was His Girlfriend" (like the new Pussycat dolls song...eww) or "I'm So Hot I Wish Everyone Would Just Get Over Me". But other kinds of random things that have the word "princess" on them, I seem to like. (Maybe cause I am a princess. All girls are. Hehe, a line from the movie. Or maybe because Ben calls me his princess. (awww...) But, I digress - majorly! END PARENTHESIS - how many have I used in this footnote paragraph?)))))))))))

Well those are the only ones that come to mind at the moment - oh, including Kirsten Dunst who started that segment of this particular post. And as hot as everyone says actresses like Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta Jones are (who I do think is very pretty - the second one, that is...oooh burn to Angelina), I think two of the prettiest actresses (who happen to be in my above list) are Jennifer Garner and Liv Tyler. I don't know, I like that kind of style. (Is it the cheekbones?) And definitely not SUPER SKINNY actresses and models - eww! That's not very pretty at all. Its one thing if they just happen to be thin (not from some sort of eating disorder, thats just the way they ARE), but some of those models, man. Have you seen 13 Going On 30? Well, if you have, I like Jenna's (Jennifer Garner - yep, one of my favorites (who I'm also told from time to time that I look like - yay!)) idea for the new redesign of Poise. The new style of pictures and everything - real wholesome! (But if you haven't seen the movie, then that makes no sense. So go see it - it's cute! Like ELIZABETHTOWN! hehe...I love how everything thats SO random in this manages to flow together...hehe)

Well thats what YOU (the reader) gets - one L O N G, DRAWN OUT, Extremely RANDOM post due to the lack of them within the past month. See, I care about you! I know that if you've checked this from time to time, and have seen my lack of updating, then if you've suffered from withdrawal of my unique style of writing (also talked about in the beginning - yay for connections and wrapping up!) then you get it ALL in one extremely long post. But if you DO know me, then you know that it is impossible for me to write something short. I got on to for it in High School, and I get on to for it in my blog. Its just sooo hard for me to write a short post. I just start writing and everything flows. Which I guess is a good thing, and maybe why everytime I go a long time without posting, I smile and make that decision to post more often, cause it feels so good. So yep, here comes the smile as I'm about to click "Publish Post", and the promise of more to come - soon. =)

2006-01-28T04:44:00.000-05:00

I'm actually working right now. Like, at my job. I'm a DA (desk assistant) over at Wisely Hall (one of the "residence halls" - don't ever say dorm in front of one the higher ups, they'll go nuts). It's only my 2nd day, but its pretty cool. And tonight I'm working the late shift, 10-2. Yes thats right, 10 pm to 2 am. But it's nearly over, and I've done fine! =) It's actually my second day, and I really like it. Some say "Don't be a DA, you get lousy hours and only paid min. wage," but the way I look at it, "Hey, I get paid to sit (when there's nothing to do) and to do my homework, read, or watch tv!" It's pretty cool! Anyway..

It's been an awesome day! Pretty crazy earlier (actually YESTERDAY was nuts - my day didn't end until like 9 that night! I was going all over the place!) But today I feel a little better (on top of the running around yesterday my nose was ALSO running) and had an awesome afternoon with Ben. Lately we haven't actually hung out just the two of us - even hung out! I've really only seen him in between classes and maybe at a couple of meals. We've both been super busy. But today we played tennis, got some errands done (like at the bank, etc.), watched a movie (Clone Wars, Vol. 2 - great show!), went and got some pizza, and then played Battlefront II. It was fun! :-) Half an hour left....

My American Dreams thing came in today from eBay. I bought this collection of random clippings from magazines (pics and articles) about random characters from my all time favorite show American Dreams. It was a really good deal because I paid less for it than the shipping and handling (like, $2 something). I was really excited to get it, but then when it came in today, it was only like 3 different characters. And the one was Diane from Season 1, one of Helen's friends. But she didn't have a big part, and I was like, "Ok, I don't care about Diane!" lol...I think the reason this woman who cut all these things out had more of her was because she (the actress, not the woman clipping them out) got more claim to fame this year for that movie that won awards, Sideways. Which I never saw. Which I don't even know that actress' name. I just recognize her. Because of more attention she got. It was the blonde. But anyway, the other two were my favorite so it kind of made up for it - JJ and Meg. But I like Beth, too. But JJ is my favorite, and I like Meg too. Except she got kind of crazy in the last season. I won't give anything away if y'all haven't seen it yet. (You can; Season 2 & 3 are due out sometime this year! Napolean Dynamite's "yesss....") Anyway, lets just say Meg did some things I don't agree with SEVERAL times throughout Season 3. But anyway...she's just a fictional character right? So really I'm mad at the writer of the show, Jonathon Prince. And NBC. For cancelling! Grr...

Well thats about it. 17 minutes left! And I close...I'm still learning how to do this whole system - after all, I've JUST been through Training this week and this is only my 2nd day. Anyway, I'll talk to you all later - well, whoever reads this! Have a wonderful weekend, and make good choices!...& may the force be with you! <3

2005-12-29T13:44:00.000-05:00

Woo! Ok-ay!!! WAY TO LONG TO GO without bloggging! Geez, I don't what the deal has been. I mean, it's like a lot has happened, and yet, I haven't bothered to blog ANY of it. (Sorry, Sean - I know, I've slacked. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.)

Anyway, Christmas break has been great so far! Let's see, an update: my big bro got married (crazy, huh?), and I got to see my Great Uncle Charles and Aunt Joyce I haven't seen since like, the 3rd or 4th grade! Seriously...so that was a fun visit. And of course, Amy and Nathan came down for the wedding, and it's always so good to see them! (Nathan helped me with some stuff for my mac...Oh, and one of his Christmas presents to me was $30 iTunes gift card thing to buy songs, hehe, the legal way, from the iTunes gift store. Awesome!)

Christmas was so great! In fact, this year, we actually had 4 actual Christmas' - or "gift exchanges" if you know what I mean. The first one with Amy, Nathan, and Gramma while they were down for the wedding. Then Christmas morning with me, my parents, and the amazing Santa Claus who brought me my much needed digital camera (thank you, Santa!). And then last night we went over to Dallas to see most of my dad's side of the family, and we had our little get together there, too. Ok, so 3 down, 1 to go - this Saturday with Steven and his new wife, Heather, a.k.a, my new (and first ever) sister-in-law. (Cool beans!)

So, like I said, I received a digital camera for Christmas, and I've been playing with it alot! I will eventually have buy some rechargable batteries or something, because I can't be on it so much, just wasting batteries that you buy for really expensive at the store! (Well, luckily Santa put a pack of batteries in my stocking - ooh, good thinking Santa - you knew I'd be on it alot, right?) Anyway, in the long run, something like that would be a very good investment. I have a few options, I know. But gotta get something or it will be expensive. (I digress, well on the topic of batteries, to a time when we were on a band trip and my cd player's batteries died, so I had to buy some at a gas station. NEVER AGAIN !!!! If you think they're expensive at the store, go buy 2 (JUST 2!) from a gas station...Woo! The same reaction I had earlier to not blogging in so long. (lol)

So one of my favorite parts of Christmas, exchanging gifts with my significant other, Ben! I think I did really good this year - just ask him, I bet he'll agree. An x-box (no, no, no - not a new one! It was actually a used one that I got for a pretty good deal, but he needed one either way 'cause his blew up - long story; all in all, good gift!), a Jacob's ladder (he's always playing with mine, so I thought he could use one of his own...lol), and a t-shirt that says "Knowing is half the battle" with a pic of GI-Joe on the front. (Remember those public service announcements? If not, ask him to show you some, you'll love 'em, and also understand what the shirt means.) So those were good. I also did pretty good for his birthday, which was the day after Christmas (yep, the 26th). A signed book about Glenn Elliot, a Texas ranger (well retired now), a little rough-neck figurine (since he's been working in the oil field...aww), and a pistol case (which also has a funny story to it, but I'll have to blog it later, cause we're about to to to the movies.) He loved all of his gifts, and I'm really glad. I'll say what he got me in the next entry, which guess when? Hopefully later tonight when I get back from his small birthday party! See, I promise I'll get back in the hang of things! <3 Bye for now!

2005-11-22T16:41:00.000-05:00

The first player of this game starts with the topic "My 5 weird habits" and
people who get tagged need to write a xanga entry about their 5 weird habits

as well as state the rules clearly. In the end you need to choose the -next- 5

people to be tagged and list their xanga ID's. Do not tag someone that has

already been tagged. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are

tagged" on their xanga and tell them to read yours.

"My 5 weird habits"

1. I like to use the force on automatic doors (like at walmart..hehe)

2. I like to play (and am good at) the movie game. (Where you connect to random actors by naming all of their costars...yeah, i'd have to explain it to you i guess.)

3. I speak a little bit of Turkish.

4. I like to sing opera in stairwells. (recent development =)

5. Laguna Beach...a guilty pleasure. (ONLY SOMETIMES!!!)

I tag:
1. Tiffany Langley
(through facebook,i guess, since she doesn't ever update her blog!)

2. Sean Harman
(click on the Sean H. or Stub link) (hehe)

3. Austin Stegman
(click on the Austin link)

4. Amy Russell
(click on the Amy link)

5. Jennifer
(click on the Jennifer W. or Jiffer link)

yeah, i just didn't feel like typing out word for word all of their sites. Anyway, that was fun! I know, kinda silly. But if you have any questions about any of those, just let me know and we can talk about them. (hehe)

* * * Everyone have a safe, and happy Thanksgiving Break!!!* * *

2005-11-15T18:33:00.000-05:00

Name 20 people off the top of your head...
1. Ben
2.Tiffany
3. Katherine
4. Bethann
5. Holly
6. Stevie
7. Austin
8. Chris T.
9. Amy (sis)
10. Joanna
11. Michelle
12. David
13 Ben W
14 Michael
15 Tara
16 Amber
17 Kara
18. Peter
19 Sean H.
20. Kyle L.

How did you meet 13?
Ben West..ahh! I met him last year -he's one of Ben's friends (and he's his suite mate now, too)

What would you do if you never met 5?
(holly) thats funny...Uh..then I would be rooming with Leigh. =)

What do you honestly think of 10?
(Joanna) Well, I don't know her that well, but i see her in band and my math class (go future elementary teachers!) and she's becoming a good friend. (She's very sweet!)

Have you ever liked 1?
(Ben) Uh, I like him right now. (Alot!) ; ) ...probably why he's number 1 - the first person i thought of. <3

Would 4 and 11 make a good couple?
(Bethann and Michelle) Well, they're both females, so I don't think so (especially since they're both pretty conservative. =)

Do you think 12 is hot?
(David) Uh...uh, i'd hate for him to read this and for me to say no! Cause then I'd feel awful...but, yeah, i'd say he's handsome.

Would 1 and 17 make a lovely couple?
(Ben and kara) My boyfriend and a good friend from high school? Well, i don't really want to think of him being with anyone else, but i'd say they might make a cute couple at first, but i don't think it would last. Sorry guys. =)

On a scale of 1-10, how cute is 14?
(Michael) lol...Michael! Uh, like, good looking cute or personality cute? I guess it doesn't matter! I'll go ahead and give you a 9, boy! : )

What language does 19 speak?
(Sean) Haha, other than English, probably some goofy language that he would have just made up. (Oh, yeah, i think he speaks whale! -finding nemo) And i know that he likes penguins so maybe he speaks penguin. =)

Who is 8 going out with?
(Chris) OOh, no one! ouch...well, if he'd stop being so picky...just teasin' chris =)

Is 9 a boy or a girl?
(Amy) thats my big sis! she would be a girl.

When is the last time you talked to 18?
(Peter) At a football game a month or two ago. (miss you peter!)

What is 3's favorite band?
(Katherine) All American Rejects...sorry i cheated!

Does 2 have any siblings?
(Tiffany) Yes, she has a little sister - nikki!

Would you ever go on a date with 7?
(Austin) lol...sure would! ; ) yeah, but we're just really good friends.

Is 15 single?
(Tara) Yeah... :'(

What's 4's middle name?
(Bethann) Ooh i know this one! Alyssa...is that spelled right?

What's 2's fantasy?
(Tiffany) Uh, i know we're best friends, but i actually don't know - but i do know whatever it is, nathan is somehow involved. =)

Would 14 and 19 make a good couple?
(Sean and Michael) Uh, no! They would kill each other trying to determine who was better! Its like narcissus getting in an argument with himself...JUST KIDDING! =) nah, i don't think it would work out. Another instance where both are pretty conservative. ; )

What's 16's favorite color?
((Amber) uh..red?

What school does 6 go to?
(Stevie) Kilgore College, baby! But she needs to transfer over here!! (Axe 'em jacks!)

Where does 9 live?
(Amy) Austin, TX...Keep Austin Weird. =)

Would you make out with 1?
(Ben) ..........he's my boyfriend, so.....yeah ; )

Are 4 and 5 best friends?
(Bethann and Holly) Well, i'd say they're friends. =)

What is your history with 20?
(Kyle) Kyle Lipscomb!! Uh, like relationship history? Because I almost forgot we went out for like a couple of weeks in the 9th grade..lol..Yeah, I'd say we're pretty good friends. He's goofy and makes me laugh, and I'm glad we hung out more senior year. (Thats how it was with a lot of my classmates!) Love you, Kyle!

Well, that was really fun! Some of those worked out funny. =) I did one once that was freakishly correct, and kind of scared me. Nah, just kidding. Didn't scare me, but it was crazy the way everything worked out. But that one, of course, was one of those chain letter e-mail things where if you didn't mail it to 25 million people in 1 minute your love life would be bad forever! Oh yes, I was always t e r r i f i e d of those...not. Have a good day! (No marching band practice today! And Gilmore Girls is tonight! yay!) =)

Oh its 3:33!! make 3 wishes fast! ; )

2005-10-28T11:22:00.000-04:00

So I'm on one of the chic fil a computers right now...I've never been on one of these! I used to make fun of the people that got on these. Well, I mean, I'd see them and be like, "Ok, why are you on those computers when you could be eating or hanging out with P E O P L E?" But I didn't want to go back to my room just yet, and have to go by the music building in a little bit, so this was the best way I thought to waste my time or get stuff down during the next half hour or so. Well, I am getting stuff done, I'm updating my blog and its been a few weeks! Thats productive. When I mention the "wasting time" part, that would be when I'm on facebook..hehe =)

Wasting time in the unemployment line...waiting for a promotion...talking about a revolution sounds like a w h i s p e r . . .

It just made me think of that song when I said "wasting time." But I don't know ALL the words - I'd have to hear it. Speaking of songs from cds my cool big sis Amy has given me, I'm expecting 2 in the mail from her! So she's happy that I have a mac now (even though a lot of my friends diss it - which is ok, because as long as I like it thats all that matters) and an iPOD, so the other day when I figured out how to start adding songs (thank you, Katherine), I mentioned since she's a big time music nerd (hehe), I mean, she knows SO many songs I mentioned that she should suggest some songs for me to put on the iPOD...then I get an e-mail that says "Be expecting 2 cds in the mail sometime these next couple of weeks." Yay for cool big sisters! And big cool brothers! Steven is awesome! He gave me money that last time he was down - heck yeah! lol...No, they're both so cool, and being the youngest (despite the age gap) rocks.

Ok, time to go to the music building now! Yay, that did go fast. Well, more later I'm sure! After all, its Homecoming Weekend! (Axe 'em Jacks!) =)

2005-10-09T18:31:00.000-04:00

Ok, I have got to start updating this more! It's like, when I'm online other than doing work I'm usually on facebook. You know the phrase, "Oh, orange is the new pink" or whatever? Well, with me and my free time online, facebook is the new blog.

But I won't let it be, because I'm so proud of actually keeping up with this for a few years! Thats like a record for me! I mean, considering I usually don't finish what I start (in a project aspect) I think this blog may stick with me for ever! Oh boy!!! (just kiddin', I'm just being a dork...as usual.) =)

So we won yesterday! Pretty close game - it looked like we were going to lose, and then we tied and it went into overtime. Its a good thing I got into the game towards the end. At first I was just kind of "blah." Well, it was my first afternoon game playing, so based on the mood I was in yesterday (minus a few other factors) I think I prefer evening games to afternoon ones. And as hectic and crazy as it will probably end up being, I'm looking forward to our first away game. Bus rides! Yay fun! =)

I actually stayed here this weekend! I go home almost every weekend, but this is my second or third time to stay. Mainly because my parents came yesterday to the game, so I didn't want to drive home last night and just come back today if I already saw them. It was nice to sleep in - even though I WAS planning on going to church. (woops!) And I need to go to Wesley more, its just hard because it starts right after band practice and I'm all sweaty...eww gross! But anyway, it's been a great day, I got to go to Lufkin with Ben (he said, "It's a pretty day for a drive - lets go out and eat in Lufkin after I wash my car!" He's such a great boyfriend!). We ate at El Chico, and I think the last time I ate at one was when I lived in Wichita Falls in elementary school. So that was a lot of fun! And I watched him play Halo, and we also watched a little bit of Jerry Springer, because I have never in my life actually seen it. After watching some I wonder why.... hmm... =)

But I'm washing my sheets now and I'm about to take the trash out, so after a little bit of straightening up the room, too, it's been a pretty productive day. More later! =) Oh, about to reach the 100th post, remember? Can't wait! (jk, being a dork again)

2005-09-13T22:26:00.000-04:00

Even though Tuesdays and Thursdays are my long days, and I do ALOT more walking, I think I like them better. I have SFA 101 (which, even though everyone tells me its a waste of time and money, is a very fun time and I like it alot) at 9:30 (yep, I avoided all 8:00 classes this Semester - yes!), then Math 127 ("Mathematics for Elementary Teachers") and then Art Appreciation, with a really fun, goofy woman who reminds me of an older and slightly darker Toni Collette. (She's a mess!) But it's more enjoyable than the History and Spanish I take the other three days of the week. But I do like all of my classes - and I think I really scored with my schedule my first semester of College. And Band is fun, too. (Just gotta get the rest of my music memorized - - "doot doot doot-doot!")

I saw Saving Private Ryan last night. It was a very good movie! So sad, but really good. And Ben had it set a little past the beginning, so apparently I didn't see that disturbing early scene. But I thought it was such a good movie, I know I'll see it the whole way through some day. Very good.

Well, I'm not up to writing much more, so I'll go ahead and wrap it up.

Go Jacks - beat Western Illinois!

2005-08-25T02:35:00.000-04:00

The mellophones totally dominated the courts tonight at the Dodgeball Tournament!!!
I'll be honest, it was the first activity I actually went to the last few nights they've had one. But I signed up (there's 8 to a team and its within your horn section) and we won!!! We would've been undefeated, but there was one game we lost towards the end (my fault, too; I was the last one out there, against like 7, and I'm NOT good at the offense at all - I'm real good at dodging, and when I get a hold of a ball unless I have to throw it, I usually give it to one of the better throwers.) Anyway, I wonder if tomorrow we'll get a prize....$$$ would be nice. (Yeah right)

Anyway, I guess I didn't mention that I'm at band camp right now here at SFA. It's been really great! See, at first, I was kind of nervous, but things have been pretty good. And today was really only our second day of practice, and I got corps down allright! Plus we learn the drills so fast! But its a good thing. Anyway, I can feel myself becoming a better player, which is very good. I just need to enunciate(good word?) my high notes. (I guess I'm not confident enough with some of them, still). But I'm getting better, so that's good.

Well, I'm on Ben's computer (mine has actually come in, but its at the house so I haven't been able to get it yet). Anyway, I'm going to go to bed soon! I'll tell you more about my week later. But I'm just excited about winning!

Sweet dreams!!! (Axe 'em jacks!)

2005-08-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not really in the mood to write anything, but I thought while I'm on here I might as well. I can't believe I didn't mention until the other day in my profile (that I finally put together) that my brother is engaged!!! Cause it's been for a little while now, and for some reason it slipped my mind to let all of you know. Anyway, it'll be in December, and , get this, I get to be a bridesmaid!!! I've never been in a wedding before, I'm real excited! So thats been going on around here lately, and I just haven't mentioned it.

The Overton Band (which is crazy to say like that - - THE Overton Band, not MY Band)seems to be doing really well with the new band director. I'm glad to hear that!

That will be all for now. Like, I said, not really in the mood to write. Kind of tired. Maybe later. ..make good choices!!!

2005-08-01T18:24:00.000-04:00

When I clicked on the "Create a New Post" icon, the little table mentioned that I've posted 85 times...so maybe in 15 more we can have a big celebration or something. But because I've tried to be careful with the money thats coming in from my job, it would probably have to be, you know, BYOB or something. But call me, we'll work something out... =)

Well, I just realized that I'll be leaving in,like, 3 weeks! That is crazy. This summer has flown by way too fast. So I'll make these last couple weeks really count - like with the big "100th Post" Celebration. That should be a big hit.

Anyway, today is my day off and I've tried to get alot done. It's been a crazy morning. I went to Mary Jo's Dad's funeral (I've actually never even met the man, I just thought I should pay my respects for her, you know?) at about 10, and then came home and changed for my picture at the Chamber of Commerce (it'll be in the newpaper - for my scholarship from them - whoopee!) and then the bank to deposit some moolah from selling my college books - another "whoopee!"

So sometime between all of that, my mom called and told me about Jacob Gilbert. He was in a really bad wreck, and could use all of your prayers. I'm not sure of the details right now, but I know they put him in surgery earlier this afternoon and they put a rod in his back. Things are looking a little better, but I've been told that he's paralyzed from the waist down. One reason this is also so difficult to accept, is because last year his older brother, Casey, had a wreck and he's paralyzed from the waist down. So the whole family could use all of our prayers right now...

So after that news, I went to Stevie's to see how she was doing because they've always been so close. We haven't hung out in a while so it was nice to have a good, long visit. When I first got there she was in the shower, so I found a notepad in her room and wrote her a long note. Maybe that'll make her feel better too. But anyway, we just talked for a long time. I think it was helpful. But I think now she's at the hospital again.

Then (yes, the "morning/early afternoon agenda" goes on) I went to Tiffany's and hung out there for a little bit. Nathan (her boyfriend) was over there, too. He's so funny! We watched an episode of Step by Step, which I haven't seen since I was about 11 or so. Anyway, then I went to the Library, and eventually made it closer to home. Only 2 blocks away there I was at Movie Magic, and got the "3-3-3" special. (3 movies for 3 days for 3 bucks - - great, great, great deal. Of course, they don't include new releases in that deal, but if I wanted to see a new release I could go to the dollar theatre in Longview - they show the movies that are out of theater but not on video, and if they out on video, it just came out, plus it would still be cheaper to see it there cause it's only a dollar!! Anyway, as you can tell, I love movies but spend my money carefully when approaching them.

So the last 4 movies I've seen in theatres, would be in the following order: The Perfect Man, Episode III (so what if I've seen it 4 times, its a great movie!!!), War of the Worlds, and Must Love Dogs. And I think I've seen all of those with my family, so I might have only paid for one of them and that was only because it was my idea to go to the movies. But I love going to movies in the Summer time! Cause its ok if its a late show! Or a matinee! Cause since its summer, you're most likely able to go both!!!

Anyway, this has gotten really longwinded, and even if I have more to say I'll wrap it up now. That way I can save what I have to say for other posts, that way I can reach the 15 I have left quicker. (Part-ay!...just kidding, I hate it when people say that word like that.)

Make good choices!

Love, Em

2005-07-14T18:35:00.000-04:00

Uh, too long...to go with....out....post - ing....Too much....pain!!!!

Ok, anyway, great news! I work at the East Texas Oil Museum. Actually have for almost a month, but you wouldn't know that, because I haven't posted in so freakin' long. Anyway, things are really great, and this summer is amazing! The only thing that would make it better is if I got to see Ben more. But I'm so ready for August 22 to get here! ...well, that's the day I leave! Or arrive, rather, for the beginning of this crazy adventure we call college. Thats when band camp starts. Yes, I am in the marching band, an although I'm aware of the hard work and l o n g hours, I'm so excited! And, get this, I was able to get my horn at Freshman Orientation, which was great because its actually not too beat up - unlike the rest of the Freshman horns. (Haha, I beat them to it!) Anyway, I'm excited!

So I've started reading the Star Wars books, right? Ben lent me like 30 of them. I finished "Truce at Bakura," which follows right after "Return of the Jedi", and now I'm almost finished with the first book of the x - Wing series, "Rogue Squadron". They're so good! Anyway, I've got to pick up the pizza, so I'll chat more later. Oh, by the way? Ask me how many times I've seen Episode III?

4 times, and its gets better every time! (And I understand it more every time!) Haha, I mean, I catch new things every time. Well, gotta go! Make good choices, and may the force be with you!

2005-06-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

Yum, yum, I just finished another hot, hot, hottt flamethrower from DQ. (Yeah, I had one yesterday, too. Lucky me!) Speaking of food, I definitely need to eat less of it, and start working out more. I can actually feel myself getting fatter. No, no, I'm not going to be like those super skinny skinny models who are like, "I'm so fat and ugly...Ugghh, oh me, I just want to die." Nope! All I'm saying is that since school got out (and plus, like, a week or 2 before - getting to get out of athletics early because I'm a senior - er, was a senior =) ) I haven't worked out at all! Plus, an elderly lady at my church already pulled me aside and ordered me "not to go off to college and gain weight like alot of the freshman do," to "come back skinny like I already am." (That was pretty funny) I think it's called, like, the Freshman Fifteen or something. As in, freshman gaining 15 pounds pretty instantly...Anyways...

I saw Episode III again yesterday. It was just as amazing as the first time I saw it. (Ooh, the first time, Ben and I dressed up! It was so great! I was Padme, of course, and my dress actually looked pretty close to her actual outfit. It was the one she was wearing when 3PO said something about the Jedi Temple, and was all worried about Anakin, and started crying - it shows that particular scene in just about every preview. Anyway, it was lavendar and had gloves that came up all the way to her arms, and her hair was curly and pulled back with a headband or something; but I guess if it's not in some crazy hairdo that's how it usually looks. Anyway, it was a lot of fun). So Ben came into town yesterday to pick up his mustang from the shop (he had a black racing stripe put on the front - it looks awesome!) so we decided we wanted to see it again. But I didn't cry this time. And, I decided that I want a purple lightsaber like Mace. Oh, and I'm going to start reading the books (Ben is going to let me borrow them). But first I need to finish reading the Prophet, by Peretti. And The Chronicles of Narnia, I saw the previews and they look really good. (I read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was little, but that was it). Oh, and the third book of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (And I saw that movie last week and it was awesome too!) Ok, settling down with the reading! What I really need to go do is finish thank you cards (ugh!), and finish my job application for the museum. So bye for now!(Summer has been awesome so far!) =)

2005-05-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

Wow! I always get on to everyone else when they haven't posted in over two weeks, but looky here at me, it's been over a month!! Ok, I'm really sorry, but obviously I've been really busy! Won't go into details, but there have been a few trips: StuCo State Convention (a lot of fun!), the Senior Trip (my most favorite Six Flags experience ever!-BUNGY JUMPING! AHH!...oh, and my first Baseball game ever, the Rangers and the Astros - Rangers kicked butt, and made history at that game with like the most homeruns ever all by different people (something like that)) and this past weekend I went to State Solo & Ensemble with my ensemble. We got a 2...Not bad, plus, to be perfectly honest, I can't even count on two hands how much we've practiced (meaning - - definitely less than 10 times! Like, only 5 actual sessions, in fact! Yikes!) ANYWAY, but most importantly, and the biggest thing yet, was my High School graduation which was yesterday! The big day finally came, and it was amazing! A little tired from my trip the day before, but I got over that quickly and am taking TODAY as my lazy day.

The ceremony was amazing (I got another scholarship! (Kip Dynamite's, "Yesss!!")) and my parents were so cool because they rented AJ's for me for a party; all of my family, Ben and his family, Tiffany and her family, and a few friends. It was so much fun, and I'm so excited about this summer and then what is in store for me this coming Fall at Stephen F. Austin State University!!! Everyone have a great summer, and make good choices! (More to come!!!) =)

2005-04-17T20:20:00.000-04:00

Last night was my Senior Prom! It was fantabulous! I had an absolute blast!!! The decorations were great, everyone looked so pretty, Ben was amazing (as always), and I felt like a princess (and my dress kept running into people! Oh, and you should've seen me in the car; I had to keep patting down my dress so I could see - it was all up in my face!...lol). They had a HOLLYWOOD theme, and it was awesome! And I thought it was so great how they gave all of the seniors Oscar awards - inscription and everything! I got "Friendliest". (I think that was the right one for me... =) Anyway, it was so much fun! And like everyone was dancing! It wasn't like that last year at all! Like, if you were dancing, you felt like everyone was watching cause only a small group was dancing. But last night, the place we were at (Cedars of Lebanon, a new place for Overton's Prom) was smaller, plus it was dark with lights and everything (strobe, plus a disco ball), and everyone was just out in the middle dancing! It was great! Oh, and Friday night was the BOB formal at SFA, and that was amazing too! I've had so much fun this weekend! With Ben's friends and with mine! I can't wait to graduate, but I am going to miss so many people! But I'm still ready to graduate! =) Well, I'd give more details, but I've gotta go to MYF now! More later! Make good choices!!! mwah!!!

2005-04-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday was my 18th Birthday, and two days ago (Saturday) was my 2 year Anniversary with Ben!(Awww) So there's 2 major events in my life that happen in the same week. Both days were absolutely wonderful, as was the rest of the days of the week, for the most part. On Tuesday Stevie, Tiffany, and Ben came over and I opened presents, ate dinner, played twister, had cake, then later we played taboo! It was so much fun! Then Saturday I wore my Anniversary dress that Ben bought me (so pretty! Like, it's pink, and it comes up like a halter top, and form fitting flowing down to my knees, doing this ruffly diagonol thing...gorgeous, except I had a bad tan line from a track meet earlier that day, actually, a SUNBURN line, not a tan line, that I was really embarrassed about with the dress on. But Ben told me not to worry about it, and that I looked great anyway!) ANYWAY, he took me to the Potpurri house, and we had so much fun together! (He's the best boyfriend in the world, and the past 2 years with him have been wonderful!)

Well, I've just been too busy lately! I always am in the Spring time. Most of the things should be coming to a halt, and ending these next couple of days. It's the last week of the 5th 6 weeks (which is really scaring me because this is a crucial week and there can be no screw ups! The official class ranking is determined by grades that go in on Friday of this week; I must stay where I am! Which shouldn't be too hard, but you never know about that person right below you....or above you! It could be better!) ANYWAY, band ends on Wednesday (with a performance I'm not thrilled about; Concert Contest...I hear the "2" (or worse!) in the back of my head being announced) and then the district track meet is on Thursday. I'm not sure if I'll advance, we'll see. I'm running new things this year...again! I keep getting shuffled around, as if my coach's not sure where I belong. In 9th grade, I ran the mile and the 2 mile (I advanced to area in the mile, and the 2 mile we decided was NOT for me). But sophomore year I ran those, also, except, I was freakin' sick all the time and missed like 3 track meets! Oh, last year, my events are shortened to the mile and the 800, while this year I've been moved down again to the 800 and the 400. So we'll see...Saturday I did really good in the 400, but I sucked up the 800. I went from long distance to middle distance pretty fast, and now 400 seems to be my focus. Like I said, we'll see.

Mom goes to Houston today with Dad. Oh, did I ever tell you guys? Oh my gosh! She was selected to go to Houston as a Jeopardy semi-finalist thing (they chose her) and she has to take a test (50 questions) and then if she does good on that, they put her in a mock game (doesn't matter if she wins, its just to see how comfortable and suitable she looks and feels with the buzzer, on camera, and of course, answering questions. Then she goes through an interview, and if everything goes well and they like her, her name gets put into the names of people that they select to go and be a contestant on the show! Everybody has been so excited about it, and she's been trying to study for it. She records episodes and analyzes them, studies up on trivia in subjects she's not all that familiar with (but is now!) and stuff like that. (It's been funny, I've been helping her study with flashcards she's made. Like, when we go to Longview or Tyler, I just sit in the back and ask her the questions...She's gotten good! It's so funny though!) =)

Well, I should probably wrap this up...I woke up extra early again and had time to write this. I still have time to do whatever, so I think I'm going to go read some more of "The Guardian". It's sooo good! Kara gave it to me on my Birthday, along with another Sparks book. (People probably wouldn't think of me as a Nicholas Sparks kind of reader, but I do like his books! So far....sure, some think they're cheezy romances, but this one is like, a mystery romance. You know something bad is about to happen - like, I'm halfway through it, and I know that this one character is about to go and do some pyschotic thing. Anyway, the others I have read by him have been good, too.) ANYWAY, everybody have a good day! Don't stress out, and make good choices!

2005-03-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter, everyone!!! This is such a special day! As you wake up, empty your Easter Baskets that the Easter Bunny has filled, and are getting ready for church, remember (and not just remember, REALLY TAKE it in) what Christ has done for you. We all already know, and usually at this time of the year make more of an awareness of it and think about it alot, but it shouldn't just be because we celebrate at this time of the year (like Christmas; we're all like, Jesus is born! But we should think about this miracle all year long!). So especially dwell on it today, and these next few days. But always remember and be aware of how much He loves you.

Ok, that's all for now! I need to go dry my hair! Just wanted to leave a quick note! So have a Happy Easter, and make good choices!!! (P.S. Don't scuff your new Easter shoes!...oh, woops: inside joke....But it's good advice for everyone!) =)

2005-03-19T14:38:00.001-05:00

Spring Break has gone by really really fast!!! It's been great and all, but it just went by like ZOOM!!!! Too fast for me; like I said, even though I've had fun, I don't feel like I've really accomplished anything this week...I've just kind of done, whatever. =) Anyway, I guess thats what Spring Break is for; to take a break.
Well, here's one of those quiz things: I've never done one on my blog before, so here goes:

spell your name backwards: ylimE eiraM neirP (wow, that looks weird!)

have you ever had a song written about you: actually, yes!!!

what song makes you cry: Will You Still Love Me? Chicago (but happy tears, not sad ones)....other sweet love songs, too
what song makes you happy: many!!!

what's your all time fav. song?: um...I'm not sure what my all time favorite is, there are so many! Currently? Um..."The Rain, The Park and other things" (aka, The FLower Girl song) by the Cowsills

what do you listen to before you go to sleep: either Ben's voice (on the phone) and sometimes a cd

height: 5'3
hair color: Brown
piercings: just my ears
tattoos: Never!

r i g h t _ n o w . . .
what color pants are you wearing: blue
what song are you listening to: no song, but my grandfather clock just chimed 11:00
what taste is in your mouth?: Crest Toothpast (a slight aftertaste; I just brushed my teeth)
whats the weather like?: sunny and pretty (a little bit of wind).
how are you?: great!!!

get motion sickness?: um, no

have a bad habit?: um, a few (?)
get along with your parents?: most of the time, yes

boyfriend/girlfriend: boyfriend (Ben Bynum)
have a current crush: Ben
have a big regret: um, not really

f a v o r i t e . . .
tv show: American Dreams
conditioner: ThermaSilk
book: I have a lot, but I just finished this really funny one, All American Girl

non alchohol drink: Milk!
alchohol drink: no way jose! (no alcoholic drinks ever!)

things to do on the weekend: see Ben, see friends, sleep in, go to church, relax, watch whatever came in on Netflix, and just have a good time!

h a v e _ you _ e v e r . . .
broken the law: nope
snuck out of the house: nope
ever gone skinny dipping: nope
made a prank phone call: um...maybe, like once, in the 7th grade
tipped over a port-a-potty: nope
use your parents credit card: nope

skipped school: nope
fell asleep in the shower/bath: nope
been in a school play: yes (like those elementary Christmas productions) =)
had a boyfriend/girlfriend: yes
had children: nope
been in love: with the same person I am with now (aww...)
have a hard time getting over someone: yep (an old best friend)
been hurt?: This questions can be answered in many ways: Pain that I've brought upon myself? yeah...I'm really clumsy! By someone else? Physically? Yes, but those were accidents. Emotionally? Yeah, that, too.

r a n d o m . . .
have a job: nope (need one though!)

your cd player has what in it right now: burnt CD, Chicago, Superchic(k)

if you were a crayon, what color would you be?: pink! of course!
what makes you happy?: lots of things! especially Ben!
the next CD you're going to buy: Superchic(k)!!! Comes out ON my Birthday, the exact day!

w h e n _ was _ t h e _ last _ t i m e . . .
you got a real letter: just a month ago, from my best friend in Florida

got an email: Today
thing you purchased: hehe, lasagna (cooked lunch yesterday)
program you watched: American Dreams
movie you saw in the theaters: The Pacifier

kissed: um....last night
hugged: last night
song heard: something from Chicago

place you were [ besides home ]: Ben's house.
phonecall: today (Ben, at work)
you were depressed: um, Thursday night (track meet) I wasn't feeling too great when he put me in the mile relay with 5 minutes notice, and when I sucked it up, not only did I feel sick but really bad
you were in the hospital: visiting or admitted? lets see, visiting: sometime this summer

w h a t _ is_the_firsth_thing_that_comes _ t o _ mind . . .
car: fast
murder: sin
cape: superman
cell: science
shoe: store
fun: summer
crush: giant
music: Ben =)
chalk: powder (and messy hands!)

n u m b e r . . . :
of time you've been in love: 1

of times your name has appeared in a newspaper: several (its Overton! You'll get your name in the paper for just about anything!)
of scars on your body: um, 4 or 5

of things in your past you regret: um, not sure

d o _ you _ t h i n k _ you _ a r e . . . :
handsome/ pretty: a little
funny: yeah (well, everyone tells me that I'm either funny, or a mess, and when they say that, they shake their heads and laugh) =)
hot: oh yeah! (C'mon, its like, 70 or 80 some degrees out...lol)
friendly: definitely!
ugly: nah
loveable: yep!
caring: always! (try my best!)
dorky: oh, yeah!

f a v o u r i t e . . . :
actor/actress: Ok, bear with me, there are alot!!!
ACTORS: Will Estes, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Ryan Gosling, John Cusack, Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, Cary Grant, and others
ACTRESS: Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Winona Ryder, Sandra Bullock, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Winslet, Brittany Snow, and others

least favorite day: Monday

flower: daisy
jello flavor: um, cherry? i guess
summer/winter: Winter!

p e r s o n _ who _ l a s t . . . :
slept in your bed: me (duh)
saw you cry: mom
sent you an email: Stevie

h a v e _ you _ e v e r
said i love you and meant it: yes
went out in public in pjs: Yep
kept a secret from everyone: um....lol
been to new york: i wish!

to california: yes

w h e n _ was :
last cigarette: never!
last cry: Thursday
last book read: All American Girl
last beverage drank: milk
last food consumed: cocoa puffs (this morning for breakfast!)

last phone call: Ben
showered: yesterday
last shoes worn: flip-flops
last cd played: Chicago
last thing written: a note to Stevie (lol)
last word spoken: bye! (when I got off the phone?)
last sleep: last night

last im: Chris T. (Ben's roommate)

last ice cream eaten: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
last time wanting to die: uh, never (I mean, I've never said, "I want to die!"
unless I was just joking because I was sick or in temporary pain)

Wow, that took a really long time! Anyway, I was also going to fill all of you in on the how the remainder of my week has been, but my fingers are hurting! (Wow, that was long!) More later! Have a great day and make good choices! =)

2005-03-17T13:25:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! (Hey, you better be wearing green or I'm coming over there and pinchin' ya! jk)

Anyway...Spring Break has been really great so far! Let's see, Monday was very exciting; I'll go ahead and tell that story......
(Ruth) "Ben, why are you going so slow?"
(Ben)"I'm waiting for them."
"Just go through!"
"I want them to see my triumphant exit!"

...mm-hmm...famous last words!The next thing I know, Ben & I are running almost 2 miles from where we were (with the truck stuck) at their land (leaving behind his family, his little cousins, and my parents), to Pope & Turner to get the box truck and chain to pull his dad's truck out of the mud. (We were out there on his land because he was going to be camping with his little cousins, and we were all out there enjoying hotdogs and fajitas by fire, and just having a good time.) It all worked out great, and was a fun, crazy way to spend the evening! (And for Ben's sake, it wasn't that he couldn't get through the mud, because he had done it 5 times already that night, and his parents had crossed it, too. So the mud just got pushed down farther and it was harder to cross...just thought I'd add that for Ben's sake! But anyway, whenever he decided to run to town, I decided to go with him (even in boots!!!) But it was fun and interesting, running together. We did that almost 2 years ago, run together, and it was kind of different. Maybe its because I think I run funny, or because we're trying to keep up with each other and panting and everything, I don't know; its just something different do with your significant other. ANYWAY, it was really funny, because we did take a couple of breaks walking (holding hands...aww) and then I felt bad because I thought maybe I was slowing him down. So I said, "I'm endangering the mission, I shouldn't have come!" (like from Star Wars? It was really funny!) But like I said, everything worked out, and was a crazy way to spend the evening (this was all happening around 10, 10:30). So....

Tuesday I went to Elaine's in Jacksonville because my dress had come in! Ben and my parents were there, too, and I tried it on and we had to decide if it needed any alterations. I didn't really want to have it hemmed (it costs a certain amount for each layer, and there's like 6 or 7 layers!) plus it seemed a little loose still, so the woman brought out this big hoop slip type thing to make it more full, and it fixed the hem problem too (because now the dress was not as long, and with my tall shoes it wouldn't need to be hemmed...yay! Saving money!) Anyway, Ben likes it, so that's important. Then we came home and watched Hero, which was pretty weird, but kept us watching it because it was soo beautiful!

Yesterday was my parents 31st Anniversary. I made them breakfast when I woke up (a little before them, so thats good). To be perfectly honest, I just woke up and decided to make breakfast because I should cook more often, not because it was their Anniversary. So I went ahead and started with some pancakes, and then Dad walked in and was like, "Ooh, what are you making??" And I instantly remembered, and was like, "Happy Anniversary!...?" and decided my impromptu decision to make pancakes and eggs for my breakfast, could suddenly become an ANNIVERSARY BREAKFAST for my parents...Awww, I'm so sweet. (But I ended up telling them the story because I thought it was funny, and they did too.) Then Ben came over and we decided to watch Fiddler on the Roof since my dad gave it to my mom as a present. That's such a great movie...Ben was going to take me to the zoo, but it was raining and nasty. So we'll go some other time...Its been so great to see him so much this week! (I'm so happy!!!)

Now, today: I have a track meet. I'm a little nervous, but whatever. Its only because my coach keeps switching me around and putting me in different events, I just don't know what I'm best at anymore. Well, it's senior year, so only a few more track meets (and then if I advance, we'll see.....) and then my high school athletic life is all over. I'm not sure if I'd want to run in college: several people have asked me. I probably will run for fun and to stay in shape, but not on a team or anything. Besides, I'm going to be so busy anyway, and with the Lumberjack Marching Band freshman year (I'm excited!!!). So, we'll see...right now I'm just wanting to finish off Spring Break great!!! Everything else will just fall into place as it comes.... =)

2005-03-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

"Unfortunately, Emily, you will not be able to donate blood today. Actually, it's a permanent deferral."

"Does that mean I won't EVER be able to give blood for the rest of my life??" (deep breaths...)

"Yes...unless the rule is changed."

The stupid freakin' rule was that I couldn't live "on a German military base between 1980 and 1990." And I did! I was born there in '87, and even though I lived there for less than 5 years (another rule I cleared) I can't give blood. This was the conversation I had that ruined most of my morning. See, all week, I've been so excited because I was going to donate blood, and I was feeling really good of myself for being able to do this. In fact, I was going to make it like, a life goal or something, to give as often as I could (which you really can give every 8 weeks, did you know that?). Anyway, I thought there was the possibility I wouldn't be able to because my brother Steven called the other day and when I mentioned it, he said he tried and they wouldn't let him because of living in Germany (ugh, its not my brother's and my fault that we lived there, its not like we had a say in it: Of course I didn't, because thats where I was born!). But the rule that I thought that was was the one about living in Europe for over 5 years (poor Steven; he was over there for a complete total of 5 years and 1 month...aww) but no, it was the rule about "you can't live there at all!!!!!!! (between 1980 and 1990). So I was really upset about that. I mean, this was going to be such a great thing for me to do, and now I won't EVER be able to! That hurt so bad I almost started crying...one of the ladies could tell that I was upset and I kind of said quietly, but not really with a whine, "Could, could I have one of the straps anyway?" :`( So they wrapped my arm up like I had given blood; it was pink. (Hey, what can I say, the Placebo effect just really works on me!) Anyway, it didn't help all that much 'cause people would either say, "When did you give??" or "You shouldn't be holding your backpack like that, its not good for you," so then I'd have to tell them that I didn't really give; that I couldn't give. (Plus, one of the ladies even let me have a t-shirt because she agreed it was sad because I couldn't ever donate blood for the rest of my life; she sympathized with me). But then my mom and a few others were like, "You can help in other ways." .....

Well, in band, Amanda Spangler (who sits right in front of me) slowly fell out of her chair (seriously, it seemed like it was slow motion) and hit the ground (not too hard). Band stopped, Mr. Stone came over and clapped his hands, and then she slowly got up and sat there. He went to his office, at first I wasn't sure why, but when he did everyone kind of just sat there, but sort of in the air to see everything. I got down and patted her back, and said, "You're ok, Amanda, you're fine," and tried to just calm her while Mr. Stone brought her a blanket for her to lay her head on. I said, "I'll go get her some water!" and I went to the Home Ec. room, right across the hall, and got a cup and poured water in it from the water fountain. On my way back to the band hall, I saw Angela rush up, too, with one of the male nurses from the Blood Bus (apparently she had got up during band when it happened) and I pointed to the cup, and said, "I got her some water!" and just followed him in. When he kneeled down and asked her how she was feeling, I set the cup down, and then, surprisingly, he asked me if I could get a large ziplock bag. So there I was again, rushing out (no problem at all, I mean; I was so glad that I could help) to go back to home ec. again and ask for a large bag. I grabbed a couple, and then came back in (it was for the ice pack thing he put under her chin). So after I did that, and sat down, I was glad Amanda was ok, but was also happy I could help.

Maybe thats what my mom and the few others were saying about helping. I mean, helping out in different ways. Like, whenever I was there (after I found out I couldn't give blood) I still had to stick around for my shift to be the messenger; pull people out class, and help the others back. So I ran around lot doing that. Plus, helping out Amanda, I guess was kind of like doing a nurse's duty. Maybe its like, now I don't know if this is a good comparison or not, but if someone can't go to war, they help their country instead by nursing at the Red Cross or something, you know? Anyway, I really wanted to donate, but because I can't (unless they change the rule) I'll be helping out others in other ways. We'll see.... :)

2005-02-28T18:19:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I've kept up with this blog for over a year! (Someone told me about 1 full year ago, and my first post was on February 3!) Originally it was called Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (which, I came up with the title before that horrible pre-teen movie came out, if anyone asks), but then I changed it to The REAL Emily because its all about me (duh) plus there's some inside stories with me and other people with that phrase "the Real Emily." Anyway, I remember how a year ago it seemed like I knew someone with a blog, thought it was cool, so I got one, and then when I told all my friends about it, they wanted to get one, too. Like, Tiffany, Stevie, Sean, Nikki, Megan, Sean D., and a couple others. I just think its so funny, because it was like this bag fad for a long time; everyone was blogging! Every day, something went in the blog; a rant, a funny story, whatever: people were hooked. Then "the blogging" became a once a week hobby, and then soon a month went by before someone would realize, "Oh, I guess I haven't blogged in a while." But now, I think the only person I told it about that keeps up with his (for the most part; I think its been a month since he blogged last) is STUBBY (sean)! I just think its funny how hobbies come and go; kind of like fasion statements (accesories, and so forth). Like the black choker necklace! E V E R Y O N E was doing that at the beginning of the year! It was huge! And today I wore mine (have to admit, hadn't in a while) and I noticed that Stevie and I were the only ones in the whole school wearing them! Plus, I still wear my powerbeads from time to time. (You remember? Those bracelets with the colored beads that meant different things? Those were really big a few years ago...where do these cool fads go? I still like them, man! =) At least I'm not a lemming and stop doing what I like when everyone else does cause no one does it anymore...A N Y W A Y....

I've got to wrap this up cause I've got band practice tonight. Yep. Monday Night Band starts again, with concert season! (Never happened before: we'll see how long it lasts) Oh, speaking of band, really quick: I got a 1 on the ensemble that I'm in, and my ensemble is going to state! Its me (french horn), Nicole and Brittany (trumpet), Zach (trombone), and Ruth (bass trombone). We played a German piece: Its awesome! Anyway, I've got to go now! But I had a wonderful weekend, and my Monday hasn't been to shabby! :) Smile! Make good choices!

2005-02-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

Ok everyone, get this! Yesterday I drove Ben's mustang...and its a standard! I know, I know: I've never drove one because I never knew how. But on our way to Tyler we took a shortcut down some county road near 850, and he said it would be a good day for me to learn. So I did!..I'm not very good, but for my first time EVER, it wasn't that bad. (I just need to start off smoother; I'm letting off the clutch too fast, or not hitting the gas at the right time. My shifting was pretty good, too.) Anyway, when he told me he wanted to teach me right then and there, I was really nervous. But afterwards I was very proud of myself. =) Anyway, we met up with his dad and Grammama in Tyler and had dinner. (>sigh< I'm so happy!)

Today I went to an invitational UIL meet at Fairfield High School. I had to be up at the school at 5:45!!! (Yeah, if you read my last post, that shouldn't have been too hard for me..lol) Anyway, Kacy - er, I mean - Ms. Cahill drove us (I just can't call her that! I went to school when she went to school!(I was in the 8th grade when she graduated. Now she's a teacher there and I have to call her that, and its so weird!). It was me, Kara, Peter, Katie, Drew, Dannan and Ashley LaPrairie. We actually had a lot of fun. Drew won't think we did (but thats just 'cause a lot of the jokes were on him, and not just by us! Some students from this other school, too! But they were really rude...and apparently gay. (Yikes!) Anyway, the quote of the day would have to be from Dannan (and if you know Dannan, you know she doesn't talk very much at all and when she does it's not very loud) when she said, "This is a filthy town!!!" It was great! I was in Literary Criticism, but didn't place (I haven't finished the book, but I read the cliffnotes, but I didn't see the play so that messed me up). Anyway, I'm glad I'm home now, because I'm about to have dinner and then Ben's coming over (yay!).

Oh, yeah. I guess I'll just tell everyone that I didn't become a semi-finalist for the American Dreams contest. ("Dang it!" - Napolean Dynamite) I was hoping I would, I thought my essay was pretty good; good enough to get at least in the top 100 semifinalists. I really wanted to win, because there were SOOO many cool prizes. First of all, a $100,000 dollar scholarship, not to mention a walk-on role of, my all time favorite show, American Dreams. It was a perfect contest for me...and apparently for all those kids across the country whose essay was good enought to get in the top 100. Now, I wasn't going to get my hopes up to actually WIN this big contest (with many other prizes not to mention the two important ones I already listed; for instance, a lifetime supply of campbell soup (?) ) but I was at least getting my hopes up to be in the run offs. But whatever. I'll wait to the next contest comes along. (You guys just don't understand: American Dreams is the best show ever! But anyway...)

Well, I think dinner is ready! "Tina, you fat lard, come get your dinner!" =)

2005-02-11T09:45:00.000-05:00

I haven't written in a while, because lately I just don't have the time 'cause I'm always so busy! But because today when I woke up at 5:00 thinking it was 6:00 (I could've sworn it said 6!) I had a lot of extra time this morning to just do whatever! (Finish up homework, watch a little bit of Napolean Dynamite, and update my blog). Well, Ben didn't have any classes yesterday, so when I got off from school, as I pulled up to my driveway I see a yellow mustang already parked out front! (I was super excited!) After I changed my shirt, we headed over to Tyler to the mall (what happened to the Disney store in the mall? I guess I haven't been over there in a really long time). Anyway, then we went to On the Border and had a really goofy waiter, and then we went to one of those walking trails in the park. (We actually walked quite a bit!) Then we said hi to his Grammama for a little bit, and then we left. I had such a great time with him, and I am really looking forward to Valentines Day! (I get to see him then, too! Hooray for getting to see him on so many school nights! =)

OOH! Big news! Yesterday when I got home at lunch, there was an envelope from SFA Admissions (oooohhh). I opened it up, let all the purple and red confetti go everywhere, and screamed what it said when I opened the card. It read, "Congratulations! You're a Lumberjack!" Now,I was really excited. And its not like I had any doubts of getting in (no offense, its not that hard) but I'm still sooo excited, you know? Thats where I'm going to college! Thats where I'll be starting this fall! And its official! It's a great school, and I'm going to be in the marching band, plus I already have so many friends there, and a really important thing: I'm going to get to see Ben so much! (These past two years have been hard! I mean, not like, "I'm going to die!!!!" hard, but still pretty rough; but like he even said last night, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and though this is kind of personal to be putting in a blog, I really think that out of anyone I know me and Ben's relationship is the strongest. But like I was saying, I'm so happy and so excited!

What else? Quick update for the past few weekends: the last weekend in January on Friday (the 28th), Stevie's 18th Birthday, we all went to the Overton-Carlisle basketball game in Carlisle (dramadramadrama!)which was awesome (we won!) I don't even like to watch basketball all that much, but when you have a game like that, ANYONE could get into it. Then after the game, Stevie, me, Tiffany, Sean and his girlfriend, Chaney, Zachary and Drew went over to Fujis in Longview to watch Stevie get a tattoo. I think I said she was going to in the last blog, but she finally got one! That next morning I went with Ben and his mom, and some sfa friends (Chris, Desiree, and Daniel) to the farm, which was a lot of fun! That next day I got to go with Ben to his church, and there was a 5th Sunday Sing. He made me go sing with them, and at first I didn't want to (scaredy cat) but I did and had a lot of fun! Then the next weekend I went with Ben, Marlis, Jennifer and Ruth to see the Phantom of the Opera (which was awesome - but the play is alot better). The next morning, I went prom dress shopping with my mom in Jacksonville!!! I got the perfect dress! Its called romantic blue (ooh la la! =) ; its strapless, and really fitted, but when it gets to the waist it poofs out - not TOO full, but enough to make you feel like a princess when you're in it. Oh, its so gorgeous: and in the back, its kind of low, but when it comes together, its like a corset the way its tied (crisscross with a blue ribbon) and then when the crisscross stops into a v, the ribbon just hangs down. And on the top part of the dress (the fitted part) on the fabric there's little pink and yellow flowers beaded on (it feels great to run your hands across the beads; its not like that fake sequiny glittery design on the fake shiny fabric, its a really beautiful arrangement of little beads and so forth. Anyway, they come down again at the bottom of the dress, all the way around the dress. If I described it the way I hope I did, I hope you love it and I'll be sure to show everyone pictures - just of the dress! (Ahh!) I know its still a few months away (actually only like, 2) but I'm so excited already! And Ben and I are going to have more fun than we did last year (and last year..ooh!...we had fun!) =) *I think it would be so great if we got the Cutest Couple award. We'll see!

Well, I'm going to wrap this up now! Its about time to go! (6:45) Man, I can't believe I woke up so freakin' early! (hehe, that doesn't sound like something I usually say, does it? I bet it sounds funny coming from me) Anyway, Have a wonderful day, and make good choices! =)

2005-01-24T20:28:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I went to the Beta Club Convention in San Antonio! It was soooo much fun! Just ask Tiffany, Kara, Kelly, Brittany and Ashley, I'm sure they'll tell you that they had a blast too. I was really glad that my best friend would be going, 'cause we haven't hung out in a while, and I knew we would have a blast, but I think the combination of all of us was great and we just all had so much fun together. Plus, now there are so many inside jokes between us: John Q on the way up there, the silly putty, the demonic sounding BopIt, Ripley's Believe it or Not Haunted House (Stumpy!), the pigeon that almost attacked me, crappy pizza deliveries, my suggestion for ice in the bath tub, really loud adults, elevator rides, the weird blowdryer at the gas station, and singing with your headphones on with music all the way up so you can't hear yourself or how bad you sound, with everyone else laughing at you! It was alot of fun, and us girls had fun tormenting Mr. O'D, but it is really good to be home...'cause I got to see Ben and I missed him SO much! Anyway, there are many stories and I'll probably think about more later. But this Beta Club Convention was much funner (I know, not a word, I don't care) than the last one I went on sophomore year. The hotel was nicer than (the elevator, too) but thats ok. (The one then was a Hyatt.) I did get my own bed though; Kara and Tiffany said they didn't care about who got the bed or who shared it, and because I was the first to admit that I wanted it, I just got it both nights. (YES!..to be said slow with an arm coming down...like in Napolean Dynamite) That is one of the funniest movies ever, by the way! I'm not sure how many people really liked it or just thought it was stupid, but its the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. Ooh, I do want to see The Phantom of the Opera! I got to see in London this summer, which was one of the greatest experiences ever, but it also looks like its going to be really great on the big screen too. Ben wants to go,too, but I think he'll end up taking Ruth first 'cause I know she really wants to see it, too. I'd really like to see it with him though, but maybe we still can. (I know HE wouldn't mind seeing it twice).

BUt this Friday is being spent with Stevie and maybe a few other close friends. She's turning 18 and wants to get a tatoo. We're going to Longview that night, eating dinner, and getting it done (not sure which order, though). When I asked my mom (while she was doing her make up in the bathroom getting ready to go to a financial aid meeting at the school) if I could go with Stevie on Friday she said sure...when I told her what we were doing, she turned around, and got a little nervous, and said, "Thats fine as long as you don't get one." I don't remember if those were her exact words, but it was something to that effect, but I guarranteed her I would never get one. Seriously - I'd be too scared. Plus, even if I did want one, which I don't, I'd be too scared about having it, or what people would think (like, if older people saw it), or showing it, or regretting it later, and then it getting all saggy and gross. Don't want to deal with any of that drama! (dramadramadrama!!!....) Thats a little dance that Ben and his friends and I do when there's too much drama going on. You put your hands in fists, and then bring them up by your chest and shake them back and forth really fast...Ok, its hard to explain, but its really funny, and when there really is a situation going on thats a little too dramatic to handle (the stupid kind of drama) and it gets really quiet, we just look at each other, and do the drama dance! Its great! Anyway, I'm going to go ahead and wrap this up cause I have a little bit of Calculus to do, and then I'm going to read. So bye for now...make good choices!

2005-01-13T23:33:00.000-05:00

I almost fell in the lake last weekend!

Ok, here's what happened: It was a beautiful day down at Ben's grandparents farm with him and his family, and we were over at his grandparents lake right there on their land (they had it built last year...very cool). Anyway, so Ruth and I are in a paddle boat together, bonding, everything is good, and when we go to get out of the boat, I went ahead was going to get out first. Well, as I stood up, reaching to grab hold of the dock, I kept leaning, and as I was doing that, I guess Ruth went ahead and thought she'd pedal me closer, but when she did that, it moved the pedals on my side, and because thats where I was standing, the pedals were kicking me and I began to lose my balance as I tried to get Ruth's attention so she'd be aware of what she was doing (which I honestly believe was not intentional). I kind of jumped up because the pedals were hurting me, and as I continued to lean forward, with my fingers barely grazing the dock, looked below me to the 3 feet or so of water just THERE beneath me, and with all my might I just leaned over with a leap on to the dock, still struggling, as my arms are all that have made it (feet barely on the edge of the boat), and then I have to pull myself up and as I do that I just collapse both laughing and completely amazed that that all just happened to me....within like, 4 seconds! And I can't believe how long last sentence just was either. Anyway, everybody was on the edge of their seats, and when it resolved, they all started laughing of course (I was, too). Ben and his cousin Shawn were in another boat on the lake and they had to give me props because they commented that "those were fast reflexes". Anyway, that was the laugh of the day...

What else?....always SOMETHING to blog about...hmmm.....I wore fake hair today along with a Hairagami, and at lunch when Ben got to come by, I took it down to show him how "fake" all my hair was (you all know what a hairagami is, right? Well, you remember those slapbracelets that you slap onto your wrist and they curl up? Well, it's made of two of those, only covered and connected, and all you do is slide your hair in the middle of the two parts, roll it up any way -today I did just a plain bun- and bend them and they'll curl up to make a cute 'do that only took 10 seconds to make). Anyway, I was showing Ben how not only did I make a easy bun with the Hairagami, but after I made the bun how I put my fake curly hair around it. It was so funny, though, because when I took the hairagami out of my hair, and I was explaining how it was like those slap bracelets everyone used to wear in the early '90s, he started freaking out because it would curl up when barely touched. It was so funny! So I couldn't resist - I just chased him around with my hairagami, slapping it so it would curl up and every time he would jump and be nervous...ok, I don't want to exaggerate, but it really was funny; for one thing, he's just such a tough, strong, scared-of-nothing guy...not even snakes, so much. (He saw them all the time at the plant farm last summer). I just thought it was funny and kind of cute. So Ben's newfound weakness: a hairagami...But please don't use this against him; its my little game. (hehehe) Awww, I got to see him so much this Christmas break, its been so great! He's absolutely amazing!

Well, what else? I've been having a bad case of senioritis lately...its the feeling you get when you are so ready to graduate and even tend to get cranky when in school around certain people, usually younger or more immature, and when in certain classes you'll be ready to have gotten over with *I don't think that sentence was right; grammatically correct, I mean. Whatever...Anyway, I gotta go now, more later! Make good choices!

2005-01-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

"GETTING IN A BLOG RUT"................
There have been so many funny things I've been wanting to blog about lately, and then when the time comes that I have the opportunity to really sit down and write, I can't remember everything or everything in much detail. I think my real problem with blogging is that I have to be in the routine of it. Like, you've noticed how I haven't posted in a while, so in the last week or so that something interesting has happened to me I would think right after the incident, "This is blog material," but never actually develop it or decide to write about it. But thats just because I was in a blog rut (because of Christmas break; you'd think during all that time you'd be ABLE to write, but I've actually been quite busy). Anyway, that was just a thought I thought I'd share...

Have you ever heard something about someone, and then that topic or problem that person was facing was stuck in your mind all day? Not who it was or what their SPECIFIC problem was, but the idea - the topic, or subject; it just puzzled you all day and it drove you nuts because sometimes you just can't figure people out? Maybe its just a topic thats been in the air lately, but I just can't figure some people out. Maybe its because I was raised a certain way or I believe a certain thing and this ISSUE would be one that I would never face. I mean, even if this thing WASN'T such a bad thing to me, I still don't understand why people feel the need for it or do it....in this certain way. I know, I know, you're probably like, "What the heck is she babbling about??" I can't really talk about, so I'm sorry this is so vague; but anything, ANY issue at all - has it ever just bothered you because you just couldn't understand why people have a certain opinion or do the things they way they do...? (grrrr!!!) It doesn't even involve me (AT ALL) but I just wish maybe they could see my point of view, or realize for themselves how what they do is, well, wrong (or they are doing WHATEVER for the wrong reason). ANYWAY..........

Mom has started babysitting again. A 1 month year old baby whose name is Danielle Ann...something or another! But its so cute, because her parents already have this cute nickname for her: DannyAnn. So she's asleep right now just a few feet away from me in her crib. Also, I'm actually glad to be back in school. Also, I miss Ben! He's in Lubbock right now, for some trombone-convention-SFA-band thing...I'm not really sure. =) But I miss him very much, I know that! But he should come home today or tomorrow (at the latest). I won't like it when he goes back, but this semester will hopefully fly by fast. I'm going to be very busy very soon (track, and other stuff). For now, things are great! And, I have the information to apply to SFA, so I'll be getting that done within the next few days (yay!). Oh, and I'm going to be in the marching band freshman year(mellophone...thats how you spell it, right?)Anyhow, I'm so excited! Well, gotta go now! Make good choices, and hopefully, as the Terminator would say, "I'll Be Back...(sometime soon!)....!" =)

2004-12-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love this time of year! I'm always a happy person, but when I hear the word "Christmas," I glow! I just love it so much! Everything about it: preparing for it in Church (with advent), putting up decorations, especially the tree and with its ornaments, going shopping for everyone you care about, wearing Christmas-y outfits of red and green, reading Christmas stories, especially the most important one, in Luke 2, and then finally going to the Christmas Eve service that special night before. It feels so wonderful every year when we hold our tiny little candles and sing Silent Night right before we go home. In my family we always get to open 1, only 1, present before we go to bed. Oh, and then we have to put out our cookies and milk for Santa Claus...duh! But that next day? I always spring out of bed like a little kid when I first open my eyes when I wake up, and automatically realize that it's Christmas day! Since we've lived in Overton, and I sleep upstairs, I have to call down the stairs to wake everyone up. This year I might do something different...hmm...Anyway, then when Mom and Dad says its ok, we go out and see all of our "Santa" gifts, the ones that sit out in the open. Then we usually eat breakfast before we open any of our other presents. But sometimes we do anyway. =) Anyway, I'm so excited about it being here already, and I'm especially thrilled about it this year!

I've definitely been ready: I've had all my gift shopping finished as of last week sometime...maybe almost even 2 weeks ago! You know, that's one of my favorite parts of the Christmas celebration? Watching everyone open the present you got them and getting to see their reaction. I'm especially excited this year about it because I feel I did a really great job with I got everyone. Not to mention, I bought every gift with my OWN money. Now I know that sounds corny, but seriously, I usually get the parents to bail me out around Christmas and they usually end up financing most of the gifts I give for people; and not just Christmas, but usually Birthdays, too. Key word, usually. Partially it's because I don't have a job, but they still used to help me, and I do appreciate that. But this year I saved most of the money I made this summer from my babysitting job, and used that for all of the Christmas presents. It ended up being about $300, and all I have left of it is, like, $30 or something. But I did really good, and come Christmas day I can't wait to watch everyone's faces. I just get so happy when they do open the presents.

Also, I'm not sure if my family is different or if other families do this, too, but I'll just ask and see. When you guys open presents on Christmas day, do you guys all open them just whenever? Like, at the same time? Cause with my family, we only open one Christmas present at a time, and we always go around (like, in a circle: Dad might start, but then he can't open another one til we've all gotten the chance to open one of ours). I was just wondering...it seemed like the other day I was talking to someone and it seemed that they just opened their presents, with no real order to it or anything. Anyway, this is getting kind of long, and I was watching a movie with my dad. "A Time to Kill." It's really good: I've never seen it before. Oh yeah, I wanted to add something else. On my brother-in-law's blog he made a list of his 10 favorite Christmas movies (Alot of mine and his are alike). I think I'm going to do the same; just list them in any random order, and I'll see if I go over 10 or not. Knowing me, I'll remember one tomorrow that I forgot to add, and then rewrite it or something tomorrow. =) Anyway, here goes! Talk to you soon!

1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. A Christmas Story
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
4. Home Alone
5. A Muppet's Christmas Carol
6. Meet Me In St. Louis (well, it has a very important Christmas scene in it!)
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
8. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
9. The Santa Claus
10.Christmas at Plum Creek (that was an episode from Little House on the Prairie, where Pa buys Laura a saddle for her horse, but Laura sells her horse to buy a stove for Ma...oh, it was a real tear jerker...seriously!)

I also like the movie, Elf, which I recently saw, but I can't put it up there with my top 10 favorites. It was funny, but I've liked those forever! And Ernest Saves Christmas was pretty good, too. Ok, thats enough for now! =)

2004-12-13T20:06:00.000-05:00

Today I took my College Algebra final exam: I think I did pretty good. Tomorrow I have to go the school and take my College English test, too, but then I'm finished! (Well, for the 6 weeks anyway...but it will be so nice to have an early Christmas break!) I am exempt from all of my semester exams because of my excellent academics and my perfect attendance...naw! Well, yeah...Ok, let's just say I met all of the requirements, as far as my grades and how many days I DIDN'T miss. I'm so glad they have this new policy; Semester exams are usually what kill me with grades! (But don't they everybody? hmm) Anyway, I can't be exempt from the college classes tests (duh) but they aren't so bad. Next semester is supposed to be really hectic (as it always is) , but I have a feeling it will come and go smoothly, and fast too! I'm so ready to graduate! Senior year has been a blast so far, and I've gotten a lot closer with people in my class, but I'm so excited about going to SFA! Besides, some of my friends are supposed to be going there anyway (or will, after they go to KC first...but I wish Stevie was coming straight to SFA, so we could room together. HMPH! Well, hopefully, when she comes!)

I wrapped all of the Christmas presents that I've already bought earlier, while listening to that Billy Gilman Christmas cd...well, some of it: the only song I especially like to listen to on the cd is the duet he and Charlotte Church sing on "Sleigh Ride", simply because it's one of my all time FAVORITE Christmas songs, and because I love Charlotte Church! He's alright, too, but too much of him can ruin it for you, ya know what I mean? :) aww, poor Billy...ANYWAYS...

I missed the basketball game on FRiday night and I've tried calling Mrs. Lamle to apologize but I can't get a hold of her! I feel really bad though. I had it stuck in my head that we don't have to cheer at tournaments, and I forgot that we did have to cheer at the Overton one. Yikes! Well, once that's over with (the terrifying phone call, I mean), I will have a basketball game tomorrow night to go to (I WON'T FORGET!), and then sometime this week I'll go Christmas shopping with Stevie and Tiffany, and then I think I'm going to SFA on Thursday to see Ben...but I'm not for sure. But I can't wait! All week will be great! (Hey, that rhymed!...ok, finishing!)

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but since I'll be here at the house for SUCH a long time, trust me, I'll find PLENTY of time to fill the vast majority of those who read this (yeah right) what's going on with me! So I'll still have plenty of time to wish all of you a Merry Christmas...so for now, I'll just wish you good luck on your final exams (whatever, and wherever you may be), and safe travels whereever you're going! Bye for now!....make good choices! :)

2004-11-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

A card, a bottle of lotion, a stuffed animal, a few phone calls, and a few visitors. Oh, and 4 dollars from the Tooth Fairy. These were all things that I've gotten the past few days, and it makes me feel really special! Ben has come by EVERY day since Tuesday (he's so wonderful), and the first day he brought me a little stuffed dog that looks just like his dog, Emily (I call her EmmyDog), and he also brought....get this! When he came over he said, "Emily, is there something you want, like a movie or something?" And I said, "Well, I'd like to watch Robin Hood" (but we don't own it) and he had actually brought it with him! I didn't even ask him to, he just knew me so well! Isn't that amazing! He was like, "Oh, hold on one second, I left something in the car..." and he came back with it! And it was a recorded copy with Droopy cartoons at the beginning, so we watched some of those, too. Anyway, it was so awesome...And the next day, he brought his dad over in the morning, so we talked for a little (I was feeling much worse) and then later he came over again, just him. Then we watched Milo and Otis. And Kara and Peter also visited me a little before he came back over, and I also received a card in the mail from a lady in my church, and the day before my Gramma called. Stevie called me today, and I'm also feeling much better today...thats good, 'cause it's Thanksgiving! And I sure am thankful that I'm feeling better! MY gum still hurts, but at least I'm more alive than I've been. Ben and Ruth just left not that long ago, they brought Halo II over, and the three of us, including Steven (he got to come home!) and even dad played, too! And as soon as mom gets off the phone with Amy and Dad's finished watching the football game, I think we're about to watch a movie. I think Father of the Bride (classic!). I've watched sooo much tv these last few days. But thats all I can do! Anyway...

That first day when I came home, Tuesday morning, I was knocked out! Even at the doctors office the last thing I can remember was the dentist giving me the IV, and me thinking, "Wow, that didn't hurt so bad" and then just looking around the room...I guess I dozed off not long after that. The next thing I knew, they were saying, "Emily, hold my hand...follow me," and I remember stumbling into a seat in the lobby and then laying down and closing my eyes. Then dad came and helped me to the car, and I fell asleep on the way home. When I first got in he was going to help me take out the gauze, and I muttered, "You forgot some" but he had actually taken it all out. My mouth just felt so heavy and fat I thought there was still some in there...it was just numb! Anyway, I hardly remember anything that first day, but Dad says he kept making fun of me because I kept sticking out my tongue...? Anyway, I do remember everything feeling so fat; mom and dad brought me a mirror to the front room and were like, "See, Em? Your face looks normal, it just feels big because it's still numb..." I mean, I've never had anything done like that before, so it was all new. Anyway, lots of funny stuff...

Well, gotta go now! I'll write more soon! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Thanksgiving holiday, and now that its all over its time to eat leftovers for the next few weeks while we do our...Christmas shopping! Yay! =)

2004-11-23T10:11:00.000-05:00

You know what I noticed last night when I went to the movies? Other than the people I go with, whether it is Ben, my family, or friends, I don't like to sit right next to people (except for the people I came with). Like, strangers, I mean. Last night at National Treasure (really good, by the way; I'm impressed with Disney...just a few cheezy lines and an ALMOST sappy ending but not), I had gone with my parents, and I sat on the left side of my mom, and my dad was on the other side of her (yeah, yeah, it was ok...we had our OWN popcorn. Usually if we have a large or something, me and Dad always argue about who is going to sit in the middle, and I almost always use, "YOU sat in the middle last time!" but last night we each had our own small popcorn, so no arguing. The movie hadn't started yet, and my family, including the noisy bunch of preteens behind us, were answering all the trivia questions that always come before a movie. I leaned over to mom and whispered, "When this movie starts, those kids better be quiet." They did for the most part, but they kept kicking my seat! So instead of getting all angry and steamed, or even turn around and yell, "Stop kicking my seat, punks!" I simply told mom I was moving down one because the kid behind me wouldn't stop kicking my seat. She was like, "Ok..." with a puzzled look on her face, and she even turned around to look at the kids. But it was under control, and I was just going to move down one. There was a couple next to me, and older couple, like, adult 30's or something. But when I first sank into the cushiony seat, I sort of felt uncomfortable. I can't explain it, but I guess I'm just picky. It got better, though, and I didn't realize it 10 minutes later. Plus, it helped that she was leaning on his shoulder towards the left of their seat, and I was leaning on my arm to the right of my seat. I was actually very comfortable.

Anyway, I only had to turn my head slightly to say, "Shhh..." towards the very END of the movie (I decided I was only going to do it if it was necessary; if it was very distracting and to the point where I needed to say something). Others did too, though (told them to "shh"). And there were about 15 of these preteens or something. The thing that got to me is that at the end of the movie, they were all, "Lets go," in their cool voices, and they strutted out of the theatre only to go over to one of their mom's minivan. (Haha!) Well, I was with my parents too, but it was just us,not like a group of friends. It wasn't like, "Mommy, can you take me and my friends to the movies?" I'm just a big family person and we do stuff like that all the time; go to the movies. Anyway, it was just an observation I had, noticing how I don't really like to sit next to people that I don't know. It's odd.

Well, if I wasn't writing all of this I would be eating right now but I can't. I'm having my wisdom teeth taken out in a little over an hour. (Yeah, can't eat or even drink 6 hours before). I'm kind of scared, just because...I don't know, I just am. But I know everything will run smoothly, and all I have to worry about is the "after". So if you find the time the next couple days to give me a call or leave me a message, or even stop by, I'd probably really appreciate. Can't tell now, I don't know how out of it I will be. But knowing someone is thinking of me, will cheer me up a little (Cause I'm going to be in some pain!) I can't wait to see Ben today. >sigh< =)

Make good choices, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Oh, yeah, the tooth fairy but leave me 4 dollars or I'm going to file a complaint! (hehe...)

2004-11-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

We're on Thanksgiving Break! (DootDootDoot, DootDootDoot)
We will eat turkey and get really fat! (DootDootDoot, DootDootDoot)
We won't have room for steak! (DootDootDoot, DootDootDoot)
We can go see The Cat in the Hat! (DootDootDoot, DootDootDoot)
DootDootDoot, DOOtdootdoot
DootDootDoot, DOOtdootdoot
....during Thanksgiving Break!!! (doodle-ootdoot)

Ok, that song was created a little over a year ago by my Pre-Cal class when we were discussing how there is no fun Thanksgiving song. It was created by Angela, Kara, Peter, Sean, Tiffany, Whitney, (can't remember if Schafner was still with us, I think he was...but he got out of that class a little while later), and me (well, sort of, I had just come in from taking my picture retakes so I just remember helping out with the very last part of the song). Anyway...

I've done so much since the last time I've written, I don't know where to begin. (Kind of like Sean...when I haven't written in a while, I have to remember everything that has happened to update everyone...even though hardly anyone reads this). Anyway, last Friday was the Band Banquet at SFA! It was a lot of fun! (There could've been better songs for the little dance afterwards, but whatever) I got to stay down there and spend the night with JENnifer, because I was going to spend the next day there, too, for the Football game. Lumberjacks won 55-12! (I think) I'm about to go get ready to go the one today, too. Its the LAST football game of theirs, and I'm glad! I mean, I guess they were close to getting to go the playoffs,and that must've felt good for all the football players, but I really didn't want them to be gone on Christmas (cause Ben would be gone!) And now its the last game, so I'm going to get to see Ben on Saturdays AND Fridays. (Yay!)

Last night I mascot-ed the Basketball game! It was a lot of fun! They were able to give me a brand spankin' new basketball jersey, and I looked GOOD last night.(hehe...good lookin' mustang...just kidding!)And I'm so glad I only have to cheer, er, I mean, "mascot" at the Home basketball games, and not the Away ones.

Well, I'm so glad I have this week off! I'm not too thrilled about what is happening on Tuesday though. I'm having my wisdom teeth pulled...all 4 of 'em! It'll be good to get it out of the way, I guess. It was either Thanksgiving Break or Christmas Break, and possibly even Spring Break. When they asked which I'd prefer, I said, "THANKSGIVING BREAK!" Even though I won't be able to eat the Turkey or dressing (only the mashed potatos, probably), I would NOT want to have them taken out during my favorite holiday (Christmas), and I'm just always so busy during the Spring. But Thanksgiving Break? Well, there's always something that happens during Thanksgiving Break, you know? When you're telling a story you're always like, "Oh, that was the Thanksgiving when THIS happened..." or "That was the Thanksgiving Break when THAT happened." So I'll just be able to say, "Oh, yeah, that was the Thanksgiving I had my wisdom teeth taken out." Anyway, whatever! Mom got me American Dreams season 1 on NetFlix all week, in addition to every OTHER episode I have recorded, and I'm just going to lay on the couch all week watching the tv screen, kind of confused. (Well, especially that first day.) Kara was telling me some things that she said when she had hers taken out last spring, and I was thinking how at least I'd make other people laugh who come to see me, if I act like she did under that medicine.

Anyway, I've got to go now, to finish getting ready and because my hand hurts. I'm not sure if I'll blog any time this week, because I'll be so out of it, and hate to say it, miserable. (NO!! Not Emily! Must stay Happy ALL THE TIME!) hehe...have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Break! Drive safely, and eat a lot of turkey...but leave room for steak, too!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good afternoon! :)

2004-11-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I just had to blog! I haven't in a while, and I have so much to say, too! Well, first of all, I just got through watching American Dreams and it was probably their best episode ever! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I was crying, and then at the very end I was so excited! It was so awesome! Anyway, this has been a wonderful weekend! (Definitely an eventful one.) Friday night's game was my last high school football game EVER...I thought I'd be sad, but I just can't wait til next year because it is just going to be so much awesomer! (not a word, I know! I'm so giddy right now!) Anyway, it was probably my best mascot performance ever; not trying to brag, but I thought I did exceptionally well. I did get to leave right after we marched (one thing I'm GLAD about leaving, nothing new there) since I had to take the SAT the next morning. I'm surprised Mrs. Lamle didn't mind and just let me go...ANYWHOOZLE, I got home, and had some cocoa, looked over some SAT Review Notes kind of things, and talked to Ben right before I fell asleep from the busy day. I didn't really want to wake up the next morning, but I did.

So I went up there, right? And even when they are all like, "It will begin at 8" what they mean is they won't let you in the ROOM till 8 and you don't end up starting til at least 8:30. Well, its 7:50ish, right, and we are all (maybe, 25 of us) waiting against the walls upstairs, and everyone's real quiet, and then the lights go off! Come to find out, the electricity had gone off! So there we waited, even more awkward, and FINALLY some adult aid was like, "C'mon, we're going to have to go another building" and I'm just thinking, "This would only happen to me!" Because I'm always in these unexpected or crazy (when I say crazy, I mean off thew all!) situations. Well, we finally get started, and the thing goes by real fast. So once I'm finished (at like, NOON!)I rush out and run back to the building where Dad will have been waiting. SO I find him and we get out of there because I'm ready to go see Ben! (Dad was going to drive me and drop me off at Mt. Enterprise: the usual meeting place halfway where I'm dropped up and picked up, by Ben! That's how we usually do it =) Anyway, we had a busy, but really fun day! NAMMB was going on, and because Ben is in BOB he had to help out and stuff. Well, for a while I was just his "lovely assistant" following him around and stuff (and it wasn't anything to big or bothersome, just making sure bands were where they were supposed to be). We actually just kind of sat around for a while: in between missions (hehe). But towards the end of the day, we found out this girl Paige had been stamping people at the gate for about 6 hours, and her replacement never showed up! So Ben asked me what I thought about it, and I volunteered right away! It was alot of fun! I got to tell people who hadn't been "IN" yet that they had to "follow the fence, and it's right on that other side (point)", check for those who HAD been stamped and let them in, and stamp those coming out who haven't been stamped, which were, most of the time, the band that had just marched. It was so much fun! And when I knew someone who was in the band had marched not that long ago, but didn't get stamped (for some reason) tried to get back in, I was like, teasing them saying, "You didn't get stamped?" I'm sorry, I can't let you in." but then like, 1 second later, I said,"No, I'm just kidding! You can come in!" And there was this one lady I almost put up a fight with, because she was like,"You have to pay to get in???...well, my granddaughter is marching RIGHT NOW, she's RIGHT OVER THERE on the FIELD! Let me just see her right here, I'll stand by the bar..." and I don't know, it's not like I could stop her. At first I was saying, "Ma'am, ma'am?" But whatever! Billy, Chris, and Ben just pulled up in the golf cart right after the incident. Anyway, then for a while, Ben and I did the "stamping process" together. (awww) He's so wonderful! >sigh< :)

Well, today was also pretty good, except I haven't been able to talk since I've lost my voice (I'm not sure where to find it! hehe...ok, that was lame) Anyway, I don't have of a voice, actually, all weekend it has been like that (Rod was making fun of me..grr...just kidding!). I'll probably write more later. I'll just add real quick that church was really good this morning (also, Ben surprised me for about, 2 minutes, at my church when I was getting ready for my Sunday school class! Just a sweet, quick, surprise "hello" after picking up Matthew and Michael for church.) Well, my first rehearsal for the children's singing program that I'm doing a few weeks before Christmas was today. We're defintely going to need to work, but those kids will sound awesome! And today was Billie and Dale Grandstaff's 50th wedding anniversary (or at least it was their celebration today) and there were so many people at Swanzy Hall for the get-together. (Aww...they're so cute!)

Well, more later! My hand hurts and I still have a lot to do! But I'm in such a good mood! I hope I'm not coming down with something (getting sick) cause I'm just too happy about life right now! Bye! =) (oh yeah, make good choices!)

2004-10-29T15:51:00.000-04:00

Tonight was my last night to march on the football field. It was the last home game of the season, but my last game at the stadium I have been in and marched in since the 7th (er, 8th) grade. (Sniff, sniff) I got a little teary-eyed after "horns-down-here" right after we play Billboard, and then on General Lee I gave it all I got (We've played that almost every year, it seems!). Anyway, Whitney was crying alot, too. Oh, and all the senior recognition stuff worked out really well. I was recognized at pre-game with the cheerleaders and football players, and then all that stuff about me was read again at halftime when the "band nerd seniors" get to line up. (People were probably tired of hearing about me...lol). Angela ended up getting Band Sweetheart. I really wish I would have gotten it, or Tiff, but I guess it worked out because Lance is the Beau, and now they get to be in the Christmas Parade together, and they are already a couple. (But I still wanted it) Kara got Football Sweetheart, and I was realy wanting her to get it; I'm so glad she did! And there are so many other awards this year anyway, I'm bound to get one.

Anyway, the game tonight was soooo interesting! We won 17-14, and it got really close. But, oh, those Carlisle idiots! They had bad sportsmanship and were yelling and fighting, and the coaches were all up in our guys faces. Mr. Fenton and Dr. Stretcher ended up going out on the field to try and settle things, while some angry parents of our football players tried to go out there, too. Meanwhile, I'm not able to see any of this, and had no idea what was going on until I saw Mr. Fenton out on the field, and I was like, "What is that man doing?" It was just crazy! And the police were there, and it - was - just- so - crazy! As soon as the game ended and we played the fight song, Mrs. Lamle was like, "C'mon, girl! I don't want anything happening to you!" and grabbed me and guarded me all the way to the Elementary (where I was going to change). On the way, people were saying similar comments, "You better hurry! They're going to kill you!" because Carlisle would most definitely get a hold of the mascot (yikes, thats me!) and try some awful prank, especially after being so angry from losing. I hurried! Anyway, Carlisle and Overton games are always great and competitive, but I'll definitely remember tonight's. And it was my last home game, too. :'(

After the game, alot of the seniors and other friends of Lance went to AJ's where we held a surprise Birthday Party for him (it's tomorrow). He had no idea, so it was great! (And Angela had all of this planned, for like, a couple months! I'm so surprised noone spilled the beans). So that was a lot of fun, eating cookie cake and pizza. And cheering for random mustangs as they came in before Lance finally did. Gotta love high school...gotta love small towns that you can do that in.

Well, I'm going to the SFA homecoming game tomorrow! I can't wait to see Ben! :)
And other than that, its a real full weekend! So more to come soon! Make good choices, and watch out for those Carlisle delinquets! (s/p?) They are probably still stalking around Overton, waiting to attack someone who is wearing green. (Seriously). Thats really scary. Anyway, be careful! And smile and be happy! :)

2004-10-27T07:37:00.000-04:00

Wow, I have't written in forever! I just haven't had the time! (sorry!) Anyway, let me try to catch up a little bit: my band got a 1! (well, actually, a 1, 1, 2.) Everyone was surprised, but we were all so happy, too! And it was the best performance we had marched all year...Anyway, last week was Homecoming week, and it was really depressing because hardly anyone dressed up any of the days. (For Couples Day, me, Tiffany and Stevie dressed up as Charlies Angels...I was Natalie). Anyway, it was so much fun for those of us who did dress up all week. The biggest turnout was Spirit Day, and I wish it was like that every Friday. AND...the Seniors won the SPirit wall, and the Homecoming Games! SO we get a movie day and Pizza Party sometime next week (but of course, the seniors win every year: only we didn't cheat this time! :) ) And we won our game that night 65-0! (Too bad it wasn't a district game). So this Friday is our last home game, and its when all of the seniors get to be announced at half time and we get all of our accomplishments over the past few years read to everyone, and THEN....(DrumRoll)....band sweeheart gets announced. I really want it, and think it'll be very close between me and one other girl, so we'll see. Oh, and this year we're also having a "Band Beau" or something like that (for a guy) so Lance automatically gets it since he's the only senior guy in band. Anyway, I gotta go! Oh, yeah! THis weekend is SFA's Homecoming! I'm so excited! And last Thursday I went up to see Ben just to see him since I missed him...we had so much fun! Well, more later! :)

2004-10-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm going to have to keep this one short and sweet, because I just have so much to do (as usual). Anyway, Cheerleading/Mascot pictures were today, and while we were compiling a cute, green, full of spirit outfit for me to wear to differentiate from the cheerleaders but not have to wear my horse costume, we came up with a really cute outfit that will be like my uniform! (when I'm not wearing the horse: whose name by the way is Sam the Stang...I wanted Max the MUstang, or Maverick, but we voted and Sam the Stang won...ugh). Anyway, its kind of retro, in fact. Green pants (very cool fabric) that are fitted and kind of flare at the bottom, with a jacket similar to the cheerleaders. So now all I'm going to do is get a shirt made (like that air-brush stuff, you know?) that says "Mascot," also I need to get some shorts made that say MASCOT on the butt. I'm so excited!...'cause the cheerleaders get to wear their uniforms at school on Fridays, you know? And I don't have anything that I can wear that lets people know that I am the mascot and I want to dress with spirit also, without wearing the horse all day from class to class. Anyway, I think I've been doing pretty good, and people have told me so too. The last football game was fun. I'm not really looking forward to Basketball season, but we'll see. I've also got to learn more of the cheers better...I'm kind of struggling in that area, but hey, I'm the mascot! I can look goofy instead of always being structured with the cheerleaders cheers and such. Whatever.

Well, so much for making this short and sweet; just a quick update. Oh, band contest is Saturday. Yikes...I'm kind of worried. But last night at youth group we talked about things we worry about and then how we aren't really supposed to, and just take everything to God in prayer. So, I'm just hoping and praying that God lets the kids know how important this and that they'll take things seriously from now until then...and always! =)

I also got to spend Saturday with Ben (SFA Game!), and I'm so happy with him! Yay! =)

More later! Make good choices!

2004-10-03T17:12:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's time for a post! (I hardly ever wait that long between posts, I've just been so busy, and I can never find the time!) Anyway, yesterday was my 1 year and a half Anniversary with Ben. I wished I could have spent all day with him (since he didn't have an SFA game he had to be at), but I had to go to a stupid practice marching contest in Texarkana with my high school band. Ugh. Oh, and we were supposed to be there at 6:15 in the morning, and leave at 6:30, but my alarm clock didn't go off and Tiff calls me at 6:30 and is like, "Emily! We're on the buses! Get over here!" I jumped out of bed so fast, and got there, like, in 5 minutes! I felt so bad; I never oversleep for anything (I was later to cheer practice last Monday too! Maybe I just need to be getting more sleep!) Anyway, I was so depressed (and cramping) from certain people being mean and stuff. Anyway, I'm sorry guys, I had planned to write more, but I just got distracted, and now I need to go get ready for church. More to come soon, I promise (though I may not write about band yesterday because it's too depressing to think about; I'll just write about Ben =) Anyway, bye! (make good choices!)

2004-09-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

Well, I didn't get to see Mr. Wells on Friday, but thats ok! I ended up eating dinner at McKay's with Ben and his parents (he didn't feel so good)(sniff, sniff) :( Anyway, this weekend is going by way too fast! I haven't been able to do much at all! I wish I could've spent longer time with certain people (cough, cough, Ben)...hopefully I'll be able to see him today. That'll make me happy!

Anyways, I just got back from church, and it was pretty good. (Tiffany's the new nursery worker! I'm excited for her). Oh, there was a youth rally last night at Ben's church. That was really good, too. (big crowd) What else?...OOH! This Friday I get my senior jacket! I'm so excited!!!

Oh, and Lucy, my car, is coming along; I've put cute flowery seatcovers (not the habiscus ones, of course, those are way overused) and a couple of stuffed animals, and I've hung my tassle from the rear view mirror. I've been wanting to do that for so long! I still need to get a cd player, but its going good. I love lucy (hehe, get it?) Anyway, I'm ready to graduate already. I hope this year goes by really really fast, because I'm so ready to go SFA. Really, really bad! :) Anyway, more about that later! I need to go eat lunch 'cause I'm starvin' marvin! (hehe) =)

P.S. I <3 Ben!

2004-09-17T19:15:00.000-04:00

It's time to make a new entry, even if I'm not in the mood to write; just because the few people that read this should be updated. (I try to go, like, no more than a week without blogging.) Anyway, this week has been really good! I can't tell you why exactly; other then really missing Ben and being out of shape for off-season, it's been a pretty good week.

Lets see....what all have I done that you would want to know about? I went to a See You at the Pole rally in Longview and saw Jeremy Camp. That was really awesome (he's got huge muscles by the way!). Also I finished my first football game the other night! (Last night: JV). The other few games that we've had (that we've all won by the way...woohoo!) I've always had to end sooner because of the heat. When I'd go to change to march at halftime, I just wouldn't go back in costume because it was just too hot! But last night was a JV game and I finished! I was so excited! Ok, what else...OH! I'm going to see Mr. Wells tonight at the Spring Hill game! It's an open night for us, so me and Ben are going (as well as alot of other students) to see Mr. Wells and his Gladewater Band. We're going to say hi, tell him how much we miss him, how much we NEED him, all that good stuff. Anyway, I know this is really short, especially for me and the entries that I write, but there are so many thing s that I need to do, plus mom wants on the computer. More to come soon, I promise! (Make good choices!)

2004-09-06T12:16:00.000-04:00

WooHoo! Labor Day weekend! A time of rest and relaxation, or just watching movies and hanging out with friends...or catching up with some homework which, yes, I'm going to do LATER today. I always love having Mondays off. Not just missing school, but getting to sleep in, do whatever you want, make Sunday good too, because you know you don't have to wake up early in the morning for school the next day. It has a lot of perks...but this weekend has been really great, and today has just started! I still don't know what ALL the day holds, but it'll be really great.

Ok, you all know about Friday (last post); awesome football game. Then Saturday I slept in, did some stuff around the house, watched a couple episodes (ok, a few) of Gilmore Girls season 1 (yay for Netflix) and then went to Ben's house that evening for a good time of quality dinner and watching old Droopy cartoons: lots of fun. :)

Yesterday I was a little sad during my Sunday School class because I only had 2, and it was only 1 for a little while. I know it's not the kids faults for being late or not even coming, at their young age its up to the parents, but I just have had all these really great lessons lately and I wish more kids could come to get that lesson, and then even bring their friends, and well, I just have big plans for all of them. In fact, one of my goals at the beginning of the school year was to make the Sunday School class that I teach more fun and filled with more activities, and instead of just spending an hour on Saturday the day before, really look at the lesson plan, and make great things happen come Sunday. I also wanted to start a project with the room; to rearrange some more, and then paint a mural on the wall or something. Like I said, I have big plans for my class with my last year of teaching it, and I hope some of these better changes works out for the best and is more appealing to the kids. By the end of the year, I want my class filled with young minds ready to learn more about Jesus: that's my goal!

Anyway, the rest of Sunday was really good! I got to go to church with Ben and listen to the Bark-like-a-poochie's...I mean, the Bartolemucci's singing and messages. They are a lot of fun...I like his Sheriff of Nottingham's impression: "Crime a nitley, put that P-Shooter down!" It was hilarious! Then after I came home, I went right back out the door to Sean's little Senior get-together at his house. That was alot of fun! Me, Sean, Kara, Franki, Peter and Kyle were there, and Angela and Lance showed up for a little bit. I can't believe Peter got in the pool! And then everybody else started going in!..but it was fun. Then we watched Starksy and Hutch, which too be honest, I fell asleep for the last 20 minutes or so of it. I woke up to Never Been Kissed, at the scene when after she finds out she has "Loser" written on her forehead, she has the flashback to Prom night. Good stuff. Anyway, Dad picked me up around 1. I kind of felt like a 12 year old. Not for his sake, just having to be picked up. I'm soooo glad I'm finally getting a car! In fact, I should have it on Friday! It's a '96 White Toyota Corola, and it's actually pretty cute. I'm going to have seat covers put on (I'm thinking butterflies or ladybugs, if I can find any...or Hello Kitty!) and then (yay!) I get to put my tassle on the rearview mirror. I still can't believe I'm a senior!

Well, I'm wasting my Monday by writing all of this, but with my busy life who knows the next time I'll be able to write to update ALL of the tons of people who are CONSTANTLY reading this...(yeah right!) :) We'll see! Have a wonderful Labor Day, don't wear anything white tomorrow, and make good choices!

2004-09-04T03:23:00.000-04:00

Overton slaughters West Wusk Waidews 31-19!!!!....and the crowd goes wild! (or at least the band and cheerleaders. I'd say mascot too, but I had take it off at half-time to march, and because the icepacks were all melted, they said it was "hazardous" to put it back on...so I got to get yell and scream with the band, probably my last time every in High School: we'll see...)

The game was soooo awesome! I'm still so pumped up right now! I thought I did really good (even though for the first time EVER I made a little kid cry. But it wasn't like it was my fault, she just saw me and got scared; that sounds awful! :) Anyway, marching was ok (I'm still upset with the whole band situation. I can't wait till SFA marching:now THAT will be fun!), and like I said, I felt like I did a good job for the time I was in it...what else? Oh, did you know that Overton has never EVER played West Rusk? Ever! And we did tonight, and we beat them, AND it was their homecoming! Burn, West Rusk! Burn! (I'm sorry, but they deserve our gloating. Last year some of those West Rusk punks pulled an awful prank on us. They wrote "WR" right in the middle of the field, with that stuff that stains (or something...I never figured it out, but it was something that ruined the field for a LONG time). Anyway, we had to write OHS smack dab in the middle to cover it up, but they way they had it written was "H O S", with the O being bigger in the middle (kind of like A&M). It was a HOrrible experience. But it was really funny all this week in my college English class (dual credit; taking it at my school) because there are about 5 or 6 West Rusk people that come over to Overton and take the same class, too. Well, all week we have been ragging on each other about who was going to win. (I even came up with a kind of good comeback. I said real matter-of-factly, "Wow, that's going to really stink when you guys lose your Homecoming Game." :) Anyway, we did show them up, and I can't wait to see their faces on Monday. I bet you'll be able to just cut the tension with a spoon. We'll see....

It's just been a really good day! Everything worked out great for me (except in O'D's class; ugh) and I got to see Ben, before the game! He came over for a little bit; that made me really happy! So I don't know all of my plans tomorrow. There is supposed to be some kind of sleepover at Kara's right now, but I figured Mom wouldn't let me because I need sleep. Ok, even I agree with that; I definitely do need sleep. But it sounds like fun, and I wish I could've gone. Hopefully there will be more get togethers like that in the future (near future). Yay fun! Well, this is getting long and I'm starting to get restless! And my fingers hurt! :) More soon! Make good choices! :)

2004-08-27T21:41:00.000-04:00

Wow, I had so much fun at the Pep Rally today!...except when it was all over and I almost passed out; no, it wasn't that bad, I just needed to take it off and sit down! And drink water!

Anyway, I don't know why I was nervous about it when I woke up this morning, because when I got out there I was so silly and I had so much fun! I mean, all of the high school knew who I was, but none of the elementary did, and they were so cute all wanting to hug me and give me five, and asking all kind of questions while addressing me as "Horsey". (We are in the process of thinking for a name...I'm going for Maverick the Mustang, but we'll see.) One girl asked the cutest question: she said, "Are you real?" Among others, they were usually, "What's your name?" & "Are you a girl or a boy?" & "Will you play with me?" Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to talk at all, so I just have to use body language, which is still limited, so I have a lot of different arm motions that I do. I even got a picture taken with a little kid, as well as pictures with the cheerleaders, and even the editor of the Overton Newspaper took a picture, too! (Well, I guess it's not that big of a deal because it's Overton. I've probably had my picture in the newspaper several times a year...ok, just a few). Anyway, I had alot of fun. I got to do my routine that I did for tryouts, and everyone loved that. And I just hopped around and other goofy stuff that they thought was so much fun. I'm very excited about the game tonight, because I've already gotten a feel for being in front of a crowd, but also because this time I'll be allowed to wear icepacks under there (that are actually built into the costume...not built, you have to put them in, but they are made just for it) to keep me cool, and I'll be getting a break by marching (ugh) and get most of 3rd quarter off. WOO!

Anyway, I need to go to be up there soon, and I hope we win. Our football guys are good this year! I'm looking forward to a good season, and hopefully will get to do the fight song alot because of it (I enjoy that cheer because I get a little bit of attention while the cheerleaders do their high-kicking portion of the song). Oh, and I get to go SFA tomorrow to see Ben! Yay! Things are going great for me! :)

2004-08-25T13:40:00.000-04:00

I made Mascot! wooHoo! ("Go Mustangs!") Anyway, I'm excited about that. Tryouts went well (my only real problem was when my boa, a prop I used, wouldn't go around the big horse head and I ended up throwing it down and throwing my hands up, like, "What can you do?" Everyone laughed).

Other than that good news, I'm not in a very good mood right now. Ben left last night (don't want to get into the way it happened) and I'm just really sad right now. But I have to go cause I'm on my lunch break (the only time I'll probably get in a while to be able to write). I'm so busy all the time! Especially now with being mascot. I have to go to all of the cheerleading practices, and I'm not ready for this weeks game at all. But I do have to go now, so hopefully more to come soon. Bye!

2004-08-20T22:27:00.000-04:00

NetFlix is the coolest thing since TiVo!
All we do is pay a certain amount of money every month and we get to rent any DVD we want that they have. The way it works is that you only get three at a time, and they get sent every week (but you can't get a new one until you've returned the one you've just watched). It's so awesome! So right now my family has Gilmore Girls on in the other room, Season One. We've been renting good television series that we aren't able to watch because we don't have cable (ugh), and Gilmore Girls is my favorite! American Dreams is still my favorite show, but Gilmore Girls is up there, too.

So I've just finished my first official week of school. Blah. In fact, I've been sick. I've had this tickle in my throat for the past few weeks, but the past week it's been awful. I went to Dr. Holm the other day, but that wasn't much help so today I went to Tyler to my regular doctor. She's got me on some antibiotics now, so thats good. Oh, and they had to do one of those nose swab things...yuck! It kind of hurts, but feels really weird! I started laughing when she did it, and then the nurse started laughing too, and then the other nurse started laughing as well. I also made my doctor laugh earlier too, so I'm just having a good funny day. Ok, this is pretty funny: my doctor took her finger and thumped my forehead, saying, "Did that hurt?" And I know they are supposed to say, "Let me know if this hurts," and THEN they thump your forehead. But she just thumped me so hard, and I wasn't even expecting it. So it probably wasn't that hard since I wasn't expecting it, but then when I realized what had just happened, she did it again! AFTERWARDS it was hilarious. And she laughed because of the expression that I gave her (the shocked look of, "Ow!").

Anyway, mascot tryouts are on Monday. I'm sort of nervous, but really excited at the same time. I hope I get it...we'll see. Oh, and I love my new haircut. I have bangs! (hehe... :) Anyway, more later! Oh, and the band is starting to sound alot better. I'll tell you how that goes too as it progresses.

Make good choices! :)

2004-08-13T23:30:00.000-04:00

Wow, so much has happened these past few days, I'm not sure how I'm going to write everything down just in this blog...so I'll end up writing more later.

So, school started yesterday. (I'm a senior!) I don't feel old, but then I do feel old. It's weird. My schedule is decent, I only have a few somewhat hard classes. Oh, and get this, I have to be up at the school at 7:00! I guess my Calculus class didn't fit in the schedule or something, but anyone who is taking that class has to be up there before school even starts for everyone else (which is around 7:45 or so). Anyway, that's the only real drag so far. I do have a few easy A classes; ooh, and I'm office aid in the elementary! Oh my goodness, the principal over there thought I was a parent! That's never happened before in my life! I usually get, "You're a senior? You look like a freshman!" Maybe it's just because I was sitting down highlighting paper and stuff for them, and she glanced over and just saw me sitting there, probably thinking I was filling out paperwork or something. Anyhow, she said, "How is your kid liking it?" and I didn't really hear or understand what she said, so I said, "Excuse me?" (Similar to the Amy response with "Wait, what?"...haha...inside joke). Then she said, "What grade is your kid in?" And I was shocked! I nearly shouted, "I don't have a kid, I'm a senior in High School!" (Exact words) It was hilarious...then I had to introduce myself as an office aid. (Good times!)

Well, band wasn't good at ALL last night! I do not want to get into it, because every time I even think about it or tell someone about it, I just get really upset. I had 4 breakdowns last night, 2 at band, and 2 at the house (telling my parents about it, and then telling Ben about it before I went to sleep). Let's just say we met up there at 6 for pictures shortly later...we didn't take the pictures until 8:30-ish, and when we did the camera didn't work, so we had to use a back-up disposable one. (Crazy!) And it was just really chaotic, through the whole night. And you know me, I'm always trying to be nice, so I asked Mr. Stone if I could help out with anything (to get us to speed up) and I just ended up cleaning stuff up, and I was doing so much work, I just felt really overwhelmed and broke down (twice). I felt like I was the only senior really doing anything to help (some didn't show up: the drum major was helping some). Anyway, it started out great though; I knew we would be a long time, so I just started socializing, and dancing with some cheerleaders (yeah, me; Emily :) ) but it was just horrible toward the end.

Anyway, it got better, and today was better, but Mom needs the computer and I'm tired. I'll definitely write more later. Oh, I'm getting my haircut tomorrow; bangs! Oh my gosh, I haven't had bangs since the 3rd grade! But I'm sure this is what I want to do and I'm just going for a new look. Anyway, I'll tell you how that goes too. Then tomorrow night I'm going with Ben to his Grandy's to watch "The Fellowship of the Ring."

It's going to be a good year; I can already feel it. :) (Smile!)

2004-08-11T12:08:00.000-04:00

I need a car.

2004-08-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

Today is my 50th post on my blog! Well, hey, I was excited. They make a big deal on television when they reach their 100th episode...so I guess I'll throw the party when I reach the 100th instead. : (

I'll just keep this one short and sweet...since I never do. Sorry for always making you read novels. Here goes...

Big news: school starts on the 12th...ugh. : (

BIGGER, COOLER News: I'm going to try out for mascot! Oh my gosh, can't you just see it? I'm going to have so much fun!...if I get it, I mean. But this is SOOOO for me. People have always told me I needed to be a cheerleader, EVERY time cheerleading tyrouts have come around in the Spring EVERY year since 7th grade. Even though I do have the energy, enthusiasm, and perkiness (well, I guess that's the same thing) I have never really wanted to be a cheerleader. Some parts of me did, but I knew I could never handle it (the time it takes up, all of the requirements, and the drama...mainly the drama). But now it's my senior year, and I have one last chance to see if I'd like to be down on the football field cheering like I've always SORT OF wanted...and in a big mustang costume, no less! C'mon, I'd have so much fun with this! So I went over to Stevie's house after church last night, and she helped me out with some stuff, and also Haylee gave me a cheer-video with dances and stuff. (I'm already working on one right now!)

Anyway, I guess it's still not a REALLY REALLY REALLY short post, but I wanted to let everybody know what I'm going to try and do, and hopefully, if everything goes well, I, Emily Prien, will make history at Overton High School to be the first mascot ever! Go Mustangs! (ok, that was kind of lame... : )

2004-08-07T16:25:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Acklen is 100 years old today. In just a little while we will be having a big, BIG Birthday celebration at the church. Everybody is going to be there! I'm so excited! 100! (Wow!) She's such an amazing person, and I love talking to her. She's definitely the coolest old(er) person I know (not trying to be rude). Anyway...

I remember this one time a couple years ago when her daughter, Jean Beth Hamblen, and her husband (who live right next door to her, by the way) were going to Dallas for the evening, and didn't want her at the house by herself, so they asked me to sit with her. They said she was SUPPOSED :) to go to bed around 9:00, and I could sit in the other room and watch tv or something after she went to sleep. I thought this would be so much fun, and it really was! I headed over there after my volleyball game (yeah, this is when I was in volleyball...freshman year, and freshman year only!) and had dinner with her. (Then she got us both some ice-cream...she told me she was allowed to... :) Then we talked for a while, but then she reminded me that Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was on (back when it was big and everybody watched it) and she absolutely LOVED Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. So we went in her room to watch it. It was so cute whenever she would tell me what SHE thought the answer was. She would point to the television with her foot, and say, "I think it's either that one," and then move her foot down the slightest bit, and say, "Or maybe it's that one." It was sooo cute! I guess you'd have to be there. And plus, she's so tiny! But she still has that sparkle in her eye, and smiles so big. And you can still hear that East-Texas accent when she talks.

So this blog is just for Mrs. Acklen on her Birthday. She is just the neatest lady, and I'm so glad that I've gotten to know her over these 5 years that we've lived in Overton. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Acklen! I love you! :)

2004-08-06T13:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my last day of work for the summer. Yes, babysitting is a job, and yes, it's probably one of the BEST jobs to have. If it's an all-summer thing, you usually can work your own hours (like, for instance, if you can't work one week or something, you let them know, and they figure something out for that week). And if you like kids, like me, it's another great job because instead of figuring out a computer at an office, or having to bother with a cash register every 20 seconds, it's a carefree job that most people enjoy. In fact, when the kids get a little older, they prefer to play by themselves in their room. Supervision is one of the main keywords when it comes to babysitting. For babies however, yes, it does require constant attendance; you must not just WATCH the baby, but be WITH the baby at all times. Toddlers, too. But once they get about 5, like the kids I babysit, they'll want you to play with them (and I do) but if they are on the living room floor playing with toys or something, I sometimes just sit on the couch and just watch them play. I could say alot more about babysitting, because it's the only job I've ever had, and when I told some people yesterday it was my last day of work and after they asked me what I did they started laughing. That will be my soapbox for the day. Just because it is most likely easier than other jobs (but you have to like kids) doesn't mean that it's not a job. It's still work, and you do get payed. In fact, once the school year starts I'm starting another babysitting job watching Ben's little cousins, Matthew and Michael, after school. So there. It just happens to be what I'm best at. (Probably a reason why I'm going into Elementary Education...)

Last night was the first time the "band nerd" side of me come out in a negative, negative way with my disappointment of the downfall of my high school band. I'm not sure how this is going to all work out with the new director, and most of the time I'm such an optimistic person. But I'm just very concerned about what is happening to our once, perfectionist, AWARD-WINNING, dedicated, BEST 1A BAND in the state of Texas!!...Um, I'll write more about that later....All I'm going to say is that when I left last night after Band Practice, being semi-depressed I went to the Peanut Butter Emporium and bought a lot of fudge, not planning to share any of it with my family (which I ended up doing because it really was a lot of fudge) and sunflower seeds from Exxon, and then watched another episode of Gilmore Girls while we still have that DVD. (We recently joined NetFlicks...very cool). Anyway, it put me in a better mood, and then I went upstairs and colored in a My Little Pony coloring book with a purple boa around my neck listening to Oldies. I felt like a little kid; maybe that's what made me go into the other room to get the boa...who knows? Anyway, it was fun. And I got to talk to Ben before he went to sleep, so that also put me in a better mood, too.

So what was once a rushed (to get home from babysitting), somewhat depressed afternoon/evening, became a childish fun-filled evening putting the smile back on my face. It all worked out without working out. But now I'm going to go finish watching The Wayne Brady show, and then watch some more Sense & Sensibility before my day REALLY starts. Ok, toodles!

2004-08-03T22:17:00.000-04:00

Ok guys, here's one of those surveys you're always getting through e-mail asking you all these questions about your life so that your FRIENDS can know you better...yeah, that sounds familiar. I probably get a hundred of those a year, and they always ask the same questions, and guess what? There's nothing new to know about my friends! (Just kidding...) Anyway, here is one of them, and for some wild reason I decided to put it on my blog. (Oh, and with comments on the side, too, so you know how I feel about the question.) Happy readings, and happy getting to know me better. :)

Have you ever...

[ X] rode in a taxi.
[X] been dumped.
[ ] shoplifted.
[ ] been fired.
[ ] been in a fist fight.
[X] been kissed
[ ] been arrested.
[] stole something from your job
[ ] celebrated new years in times square.
[ ] went on a blind date. (...almost...)
[] lied to a friend. (I'm afraid TO and NOT to put an X, but I can't really remember a time where I did)
[ ] had a crush on a teacher. (yuck)
[ ] celebrated mardi-gras in new orleans.
[X ] been to europe.
[ ] skipped school.
[X ] played 'clue'. (DUH! IT's one of the best board games ever!)
[X] had a sleepover party.
[X] went ice skating.
[ ] dropped ex.
[ x] been cheated on.
[ X] had a sweet sixteen. (very sweet)
[X] had a car.
[X] drove.

Do you...
[X] have a bf.
[ ] have a gf.
[ ] have a crush.
[] feel lonely.
[X] feel happy. (I feel wonderful!)
[ ] hate yourself.
[X ] think you're attractive. (c'mon, you can't answer this question: because if you mark "X", people think you're conceited, and if you feel like you can't mark "X", you're self esteem has dropped. So I'm marking the X!! :)
[X] have a dog. (2...and a cat)
[X] have your own room.
[X ] listen to rap. (sometimes...)
[X] listen to rock/heavy metal (on occasion...)
[ X] listen to soul.
[ x] isten to techno. (when in those rare, RARE moods...but don't worry, I only have 1 techno cd)
[ X] listen to reggae. ("Jammin'....." : )
[X] paint your nails.
[X ] have more than 1 best friend.
[X] get good grades.
[X] play an instrument. (2!)
[X] have slippers.
[X] wear boxers.(to bed)
[]wear black eyeliner. (No makeup....period)
[X] like the color blue. (all shades pretty..hehe)
[X] like the color yellow. (the happy color!)
[X] like to read.
[X] like to write.
[ ] have long hair.
[X] have medium hair
[ ] have short hair.
[ ] have a cell phone. (I wish I did! I'm a senior in high school, and I see little tiny 6th graders with them!)
[X ] have a computer (big one in computer room, windows 4.1 in bedroom...lol)
[ ] have a pager.

Are you...

[X] ok. (I'm great!)
[] bored.
[ x] happy. (I'm wonderful!)
[ X] bilingual. (si, hablo espanol...well, I took 3 years of it, I should know some...hopefully some can stick with me)
[X] white.
[ ] black.
[ ] mexican.
[ ] asian.
[X] short.
[ ] tall.
[ ] grounded.
[ ] sick.
[X] lazy. (somewhat)
[ ] single.
[X] taken.
[ ] looking.
[X] not looking.
[ ] talking to someone.
[] IMing someone.
[ ] scared to die.
[] tired.
[ x] hungry. (as always)
[ x] thirsty.
[ ] on the phone
[ ] in your room.
[ X] drinking something.
[ ] eating something.
[X] in your pjs (well, comfortable clothes...track shorts with top...good "around-the-house" clothes...they're right next to pjs)
[X] ticklish.
[ ] listening to music. (In my head...that song from Bambi that's been stuck in my head all day: "Drip Drip Drop, Little April shower, beating a tune as you hit the ground; drip drip drop little April shower, what can can compare with such beautiful sound...beautiful sound..." :)

2004-08-02T10:53:00.000-04:00

I have a very busy day ahead of me, so I just wanted to post one quick thing before I get started with the day and won't have another chance to post in a while (unless it's early in the morning, or before I go to sleep). Anyway, I just wanted to say that my morning has been wonderful so far, and now I'm going to be in a great mood for the rest of the day!...

...Ben came over! I was still sleeping, so he asked my dad if he could come wake me up. (Isn't that the sweetest?) And get this: he brought me doughnuts! Awww...what a great way to share your 16th month anniv. together. I mean, what is that exactly? Everyone is like, don't you only celebrate your anniversary every 6 months, or only by the year? But 1 year and 4 months is something to be happy about. It was another great month spent with Ben, so why not celebrate with doughnuts in the morning? It's one more month than anyone else (or one more YEAR considering the length of most relationships these days). I don't know, maybe we are weird, but I just wanted to write this post because I want the world (or whoever reads this) to know how happy I am with him, and to tell everyone that Ben is definitely the best boyfriend in the world. SO this post is dedicated just for him. :) (MWAH!) xoxox

So that's all for now. More to come HOPEFULLY soon. I hope everyone smiles all day! Be happy!(...& make good choices!)

2004-08-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went with Ben and Ruth to the farm. This is where his grandparents live, a little over an hour away, and their family tries to go as often as they can...usually on Saturdays. They were nice enough to wait for me as I rushed home from KC after just taking my THEA (ugh...anybody who knows me KNOWS that I cannot sit still for 5 hours with no breaks! It's impossible...I go stir crazy!) and after I changed into shoes and socks (good idea when going down to the farm) we headed down there, listening to The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack (good times).

As we pulled into the driveway when we first arrived, they were already outside working away, so we waved and honked. After giving our hugs and saying our "hello's", some helped dig out the old pond they were making deeper, but Cheslea and I walked over to the lake they had recently built, and talked for a little bit as we swung on the big metal swing. Then Ruth, her grandma, and her Aunt Dalpha picked us up, and as her grandma was giving us a tour (like always), Ruth drove us around (or rather, threw us around) in the old, old jeep. But it was fun...(Cheslea was afraid of the cows). Later, Ben and I went paddling in the boat, looking for snakes to shoot....eww! I was scared at first...

There's always something to do down there at the farm. If we aren't helping with yardwork, or feeding the chickens, or doing SOMETHING, we are eating a good cooked meal and visiting for a long time. It's always a nice change of pace, and refreshing in a way. Ben's grandparents are such loving people, and they make me feel so much at home; I feel just like family. It was very scary for me when I saw Ben's grandpa on the tractor thing, pushing down the mud, making the pond deeper. I don't like to see him work (...esp in his condition). But if there's one thing they love to do, it's work. So, (wrapping it up) as always, going to down to the farm yesterday was another great experience.

I just got back from seeing the Continentals in Longview with my youth group. Now I'm about to go watch The Others (I have never seen this) with Dad (maybe Mom, too). I've heard it's scary, so this might be interesting watching it so late. I hope I don't have bad dreams with such a busy day ahead of me. (Tomorrow is me and Ben's 16th month anniversary, by the way... :) But I'm not sure the next time I'll be able to write because all week I'm babysitting AND have band practice, and then, before I know it, school starts next week. (NO!) Well, I've got to go! More soon! Love to all, and make good choices! :)

2004-07-24T23:42:00.000-04:00

Today was Nikki's wedding...after having only known Brian for like, 3, maybe 4 months. Although I had never met him, and had only heard stories of Nikki (and seen her a few times) she made a very pretty bride and they seemed very happy together. I hope everything works out great for them...and Cary, too.

Wow, I guess I haven't written in a while. June was much busier than July, except I've been babysitting more in July. That makes the day go by slow, and when I get home, I feel like the day's almost gone...that's usually around 4:30 or so. : ) What else? I printed out some old poems that Ben sent me via e-mail, and he read them to me tonight when we came back here after the wedding. That was sweet...ahhh, another great day with Ben. What else is new? : )

Oh yeah, a few days ago Mom, Steven, and I went to see the late show of "A Cinderella Story" which began at 9:50. When we got there, we were the only ones there, so I took this rare opportunity to act silly. Well, I always act silly, but I mean, in a movie theater! So I ran up and down the aisles doing cartwheels and cheering and such. Then I went to the front of the theatre where the screen is (which is an actually pretty big area, if you've never been way up front), and did some cheers for Mom and Steven, who were sitting directly in the middle of the middle of the theatre. I also got to laugh really loud at the not so funny parts of the movie...but it was actually pretty good. It was the first time I'd actually seen Hilary Duff act...impressive.

Last night I went with DAD and Steven to see "The Bourne Identity." That was really good, too. Kept you on the edge of your seat, if you know what I mean. Too bad there won't be a sequel to that either. Actually I guess that's a good thing. One movie usually says enough, two can make it more interesting (some of the time), and three only works if it's continuing series of movies, like Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars. But I never saw past Beethoven 2, or past the THIRD Land Before Time. (I think there's about 12 of those now! Yikes! Well, maybe it's just 8. But that's still too many). Anyway, I'm going to go. Mom just made chocolate chip waffles, and Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen are hosting Saturday Night Live...hmm....Notice how I didn't say their name together like "Mary Kate and Ashley OLSEN." That must drive them nuts. Maybe that's why they decided to stop being called the Olsen Twins. They are two different people. In fact, I hope everything goes well for them...especially Mary Kate. You know, when we say we are going to keep people in our prayers, we don't usually include celebrities. But alot of them are unhappy...But as for Mary Kate? I know I'll be praying for her as she gets through this rough time and battles her problem. Not that I know anything about it really, I just saw it on the news. But the two of them seem to be in the magazines and tabloids alot lately, so I hope everything goes well for them. But thats enough of that....more later!

Everybody spend the last of your summer the best you can! And Make Good Choices!! : )

2004-07-09T13:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I watched tv and movies ALL day. (It wasn't very productive). That's ok though, because I haven't had a day like that in a while...I mean, lately I have been watching at least a movie a day and several tv shows, but yesterday that's ALL I did ALL day...not too healthy. Well, wait, I do remember doing something productive; I went through ALL of my jeans and put the ones that don't fit or that I don't like anymore in a pile to give to the thrift store uptown. There! That's something

...oh, and I remember trying to fit into one pair that I hadn't worn since Freshman year because they were getting a little too tight for me: but they were my favorite pair of jeans, and I wanted to be able to say that I could still fit into them my senior year (even though my body has changed the most since Freshman to Senior year...). Anyway, it took me FOREVER, but I wanted to be able to say that I did it, so I pulled, and pulled, and pulled, and I finally got them over my thighs and hips...but I still couldn't button them. So, sadly, and painfully, I attempted to take off the jeans (they were Levi Strauss, size 1 Slim, I think...no wonder!). It took me longer to get them off! That's always a downside to wearing something that's too tight or kind of small. Once you get it on, your only worry is how in the world are you going to be able to get it off. Well, I did, and I'm surprised Dad or Steven couldn't hear me, jumping around the room, trying to squeeze out of them and kick them off. In fact, I remember not being able to feel the blood circulate, and my face turning red. I knew I had to get the jeans off! That was my mission: so I continued to grunt and hop around the room, and finally, they were past my thighs (that was when it was hurting the most)and I just kicked them off! I kicked them across the room in anger, but it didn't last too long. Hello, I can get past that. It was just a moment I needed to have and be able to express my anger. But that was just stupid, because of course I've grown, it's been three years! So I stopped beating myself up about it, and continued to clean out my closet.

Let's see, back to the main part of my day: television! I saw Legally Blonde, Riding in Cars with Boys, and that night I watched Phonebooth with Dad and Steven, which was really weird (it would have been better if they didn't say that nasty word every other minute). I also watched Jeopardy in the morning (Ken won AGAIN...seriously, this guy is crazy! He's been the returning champion 29 times!), and then in the afternoon I watched That 70s Show, 1 1/2 episodes of King of the Hill (I got bored through the first one), 1 1/2 episodes of Friends (dinner was ready halfway through one), and Dharma and Greg. Wow, I didn't realize how much I watched until writing all of that down. Whew! Oh yeah, I also stayed up late watching home videos. I watched the tape from the Florida Band Trip this year, and I watched the "Cheerleader-Murder-Mystery" video I made with Stevie, Tiffany, and Nikki my freshman year in High School. Good times. :) Oh yeah, I did play some old-school Mario with that special system I bought a few months ago. And I also played Contra! Man, that game is sooo much fun! I could never get passed the first level, but it was still fun! :)

Mom comes home today from Church Camp. I'm sure she's exhausted and ready to come home (c'mon, she was a Senior High Camp Counselor...of course she's ready to come home!). Well, I know we'll all be glad when she returns, but I think Dad will be the most excited. He's been looking forward to it all week.

Well, I'm going to go dry my hair now, before it gets flat.

Oh, yeah, don't you just love those sonic guys? You know, the two goofy guys that are always in those commercials where they are in the car and say random funny things about the food at sonic? They are the best thing since the Taco Bell chihuahua! :)

2004-07-07T15:03:00.000-04:00

Spiderman, Spiderman Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web any size Catches thieves just like flies
Look out, here comes the Spiderman

Is he strong? Listen Bud He's got radioactive blood
Can he swing from a thread ? Take a look overhead
Hey, there! There goes the Spiderman

In the chill of the night At the scene of a crime
Like a streak of light He arrives just in time

Spiderman, Spiderman Friendly neighborhood, Spiderman
Wealth and fame, he ignores Action is his reward
Look out, here comes the Spiderman

Spiderman, Spiderman Friendly neighborhood, Spiderman
Wealth and fame, he ignores Action is his reward
To him, life's a great big bang up Whenever there's a hang up
You'll find the Spiderman!

* * * * *

Last night Ben, Steven, Dad and I went to see Spiderman 2. It was pretty good...I just hope the third one is the best of all three.

Oh, I went with Tiffany yesterday afternoon to talk her into getting a new look for her (short, short, short, which she's never had before), and it looks great! Barely touches the shoulders and is layered. Very cute. She loves it, and is already excited about experimenting with it. She would look in a mirror or a car window every opportunity...but hey, I know how that is (even without a new haircut...:) Anyway, I do love that feeling right after you've just gotten your hair cut. I should go get a trim this weekend. We'll see. I'm going to go watch Riding in Cars with Boys now. More later...make good choices!

2004-07-03T20:57:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. All around you see patriotic decorations up, fireworks being bought, and people getting ready for their own personal cook-out on the big day. Friends will come over and everyone will chat and eat their hotdogs and burgers, with watermelon on the side. And all the kids will run around having a good time, excited to see so many different styles of red, white, and blue put together (people's clothes, tablecloths, napkins, and other various decorations as well). Whether or not you go to a get-together or some kind of carnival, almost everyone (after putting on bug spray) gathers around for fireworks! Not this year for me, sadly, because it's on a Sunday and I'm going to a special service. I guess I could go afterwards, but I'll probably be too tired. Maybe if someone in Overton is shooting them, I'll be able to find a window or even sit on the front porch to watch.

I remember last year for the Fourth of July I watched fireworks with Ben in Lindsey Park. In fact, I got to spend all day with him. I had lunch at his house, and then his mom, Ruth and I went fishing at a pond just nearby (I got a bite, but didn't actually catch anything). Afterwards, Ben and I headed over to Tyler. I remember that we couldn't think of anything to do, because it was only about 2 or 3, and we had all day! So we went over and did visit at his grandma's house, but then we couldn't think of anything else, so we decided just to go straight to the park. We just found some bleachers, and talked and laughed and talked for hours! (...that was a big deal for me since this was a year ago, back when we had been together for just a few months, and that was one of the first times I really felt comfortable and could just talk on and on about anything! :)I just remember it was a very special day for me, and I had so much fun with him! And he was the only one I could've had that much fun with watching fireworks.

Anyway, I am still glad that it's on a Sunday this year because I love singing all those patriotic hymns, like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," songs like that. I mean, we sing them every year the Sunday that's closest to the Fourth of July, but this year it's on the day, and for me, anyway, it'll be more meaningful. I think the thing that put me in the mood is seeing Mom intertwine this red, white, and blue banner throughout our front porch's railing kind of thing. So...Happy early Fourth of July to everyone! Be safe and eat plenty of watermelon! And you better wear either red, white, or blue, if not all three! :)

2004-07-01T16:46:00.000-04:00

It's been another eventful week...
Hanging out with Stevie, Seeing Ben, spending time with my family, and I just got back from bowling with my youth group: now that was fun! I didn't do as bad as I usually do (oh, because I go so much >sarcastic< ) but I had my moments where everyone was like, "What did she just do?!" Some funky bowling techniques, that's all I've got to say. But I did get a couple strikes, and several spares, so it wasn't too bad, and for once I didn't fall! Well, I almost did...alot...but I never actually fell! Anyway, back to the past week. I did forget to say that I went to Superchick last week, with Steven, Tiffany and Nikki. That was alot of fun, too. Nikki and I were able to get up right at the front! If we had reached out, we would have been touching them. It was awesome! And since the concert was at Teen Mania, and there was a camp going on, after all of the "campers" had to go because it was past their curfew, we just got to stay and talk with the band! I really like Tricia and Melissa, I'm not sure who's my FAVE, but I really like Dave and Matt (I think that's his name). Anyway, I got a guitar pick, all their autographs, hugs, and some shorts I found in that restroom that are really cool!

Ok, and there's another issue, Nikki said I should taken them, Tiffany said I shouldn't, and Steven was iffy. So I did, and I don't feel bad...besides, they were there when we got there, and when we were leaving. Also, they were cool athletic shorts (that were green!) that had the name of a school on them. So whoever they "once" belonged to, it would be easy for them to get another pair. (Plus, they shouldn't have left them there...finders keepers, losers weepers.) And at first I felt a little bad as I was going back into the restroom to take them, but I thought, "Hey, I never do anything like this! Like, something spontanteous. I'm going to just take them!" And it was actually kind of exhilarating...I know that sounds silly, but I've been trying to just let go and do more fun things I normally wouldn't. Like, I think so hard about a decision before I make up my mind not to do it and then later regret it. Not big things, just little fun, spontaneous things. It's not spontaneous if you are really thinking whether or not you should do it. Everyone reading this is probably thinking, "Wow, Emily thinks she's such a rebel! She took some shorts from a bathroom!" I don't think so (plus, don't worry, of course I washed them), it's not rebellious and it's not spontaneous either, but it was just a small thing that got me thinking about having more fun this summer, and my senior year too; just an example. The thing is, I think after my incident at Joe's Crab Shack a few weeks ago is what got to me.

This was while I was at UMARMY, and my color group (Green! Woohoo! :) went there for lunch. I suggested that one of us should pretend it's our Birthday, and of course, since it was my suggestion they all chose ME to be the Birthday girl (we also told them I had just turned 16, so they'd make a big deal about it being my "Wweet Sixteen"....even though I'm 17!) Anyway, the waiter announced it was my "Sweet Sixteen," and I was smiling and giggling and having a good time getting all the attention. But then they told me I'd have to stand on a chair and write my name with my butt! I was like, NO WAY! I like to be the center of attention sometimes, but I don't like doing it in that kind of way! I told them no, and the waiter and I got at it for about 5 minutes, with him telling me to just do it, and me saying "No!" I think he finally saw that look in my eyes, the look imploring, "Please stop embarrassing me..." and he let me go sit down. But even though that's not my specialty for having fun, after an hour or so, I thought, you know, I should've just done it and had fun. Not fun at first, but then I could laugh about it later. That's what I want to do this summer. No, not write my name with my butt, but not think twice about doing stupid things to make people laugh. To have a good time. To do more spontaneous things...smart spontaneous things. I'm no rebel, and I don't do foolish things, but I am fun (and try to be)a lot of the time, and want to keep on being fun.

So that's my point for the day. "Dance like no one's watching!" "Do more fun, embarrassing things to get a laugh out of your friends, and yourself as well!" "Do more spontaneous things, but nothing foolish!" And lastly, "Tell them it's your birthday at Joe's and get to write your name with your booty!" :)

2004-06-26T12:50:00.000-04:00

I went to the movies last night with Tiffany, Jennifer, and Marlis. It was sooo much fun! The movie was pretty good, a lot different from the book, but it still had the important stuff in there so I wasn't too disappointed. And Ryan Gosling is awesome! I remember him from "Remember the Titans": he was my favorite character in that movie, even though he only had like 5 or 6 lines! Anyways, the girl that played Allie was so cute, and a really good actress. I think she was in Mean Girls, but I never saw it so I don't know how she was in it...mean, I guess. :)
At the end of the movie when the lights came on, everybody in the entire theatre was crying! I felt kind of bad, because I only got a little tearyeyed like once or twice, but everybody else was balling! And coming out of the theatre, all the people waiting in line to come in to see the next one were like, "Oh my goodness, everyone is crying...Oh no..." Good times! :)
Anyways, then that night I stayed up kind of late looking at pictures and old notes from friends and Ben, and then while watching Frasier at 12 I straightened up my room (it was that episode where Roz wants to make a documentary on Space, and Frasier starts out working under her as her Narrator, but it doesn't work out and she won't listen to any of his ideas. And John Glenn guest stars...that's a funny one). Anyways, today I hope to spend all day with Ben, because he has the day off and I don't work either. Anyways, Mom and Amy will come home from Gramma's on Wednesday, and before then I hope to just got alot of things out of the way that need to get done. But I just feel so lazy, so after this I think I'm going to go finish "Remember the Titans." No, I didn't start watching it this morning just because Alan's my favorite character (Gosling) but because it's always been one of my favorite movies and I haven't seen it in a very long time. Or American Dreams episodes. I need to watch one of those too. :) Smile and have a wonderful day! Make good choices!

2004-06-25T17:44:00.000-04:00

The last day of work for a while. I guess it's a bittersweet feeling, really; I wish I could babysit the little rascals more to not only get to spend more time with the minds of little five and six year olds, but also because this was my first "consistent-summer-job" and the less I work the less money I make. But in a way, it's a good thing, because as much as I love kids, they do wear me out. It's all good though...I start working again mid-July. In the meantime, here are some thoughts for the day:

It's interesting how someone's behavior can change almost instantly when a particular someone walks into the room. My example for this is when I usually walk into a room (usually at school) the language immediately tones down...or if not for me, for other "goody-goodies," or just people they know will be offended by it. It's an interesting thing to think about... Because if you know that the certain person doesn't want to hear certain things, and you have the capability to resist saying those things, you have the capability to not say them at all. I mean, if it comes to your attention that someone doesn't want to hear those words being said, then you know that person must have a reason for being offended. Could it possibly be that it's wrong to say those things? That its not just "offensive" to some people, but not good to say at all? So if you're able to change your behavior, whatever it may be, for that person, change it for yourself, to be a better person in general. Ooh, pretty deep for Emily with it just being mid-afternoon..hehe... :)

So, plans? Well, Jennifer is picking me up at 6:30 to go see "The Notebook" in Kilgore along with Tiffany and hopefully Stevie (by the way, she's moving in today, and is really excited....I can't wait to see her new house either!) and we're also meeting Kara, Kacy and Peter up there (I think). I think Ben's staying "in" tonight with Ruth...not sure. I'm so excited about the movie though! It's going to be so romantic...I hope. I hope it's like the book too. I hate it when movies that were originally books are changed so much; it drives me nuts!

Oh, last night there was a Halo party at Ben's! It was pretty fun...I played a little, but it just wasn't for me. It was entertaining to watch all the boys, though. They get into it so much! They yell and scream, and just are so loud! I always wondered whenever Ben would call me at night from his dorm, why he'd always be on his cell in the hallway, or even sometimes the stairwell! And even then I could hear people in the background really loud...he'd just sigh and say "Halo." Seriously, they'd have it in his room every night! And when I'd call, he'd always have to leave the room! It's like, his room! And they'd always take over it...I'm not mad about it, or anything, and he's not either, but it was just so funny how they were ALWAYS there! :) Anyways, enough of that...Halo is just not for me. I did get the flag twice, though, but the first time I handed it to one of my teammates I think, and the second time I got runover or something. Anyways, too violent for me, and scary for that matter.

Well, this is kind of long so I'll wrap it up now. Everybody have a good day! Make good choices!

2004-06-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

Wow, I'm home! It's sooo good too! UMARMY was a great time (though really hard work) but I'm so glad that I'm back home now. And another great surprise was that when we got dropped off at the church in Henderson, as I was unloading my things, Amy just walked right on over, and I looked up as she was coming to me, and I was just in shock! I mean, noone told me she'd be coming, and there she was, just walking over to me! It was awesome! So for the rest of Saturday, we talked, and I did go to Ben's house, where his mom was canning corn & I helped a little, but mainly I entertained Michael and Matthew, and the four of us (me, Ben, and the boys) watched some old school cowboy cartoon on video. After Ben dropped me off at the house, Amy and I talked some more, and then the four of us (Steven wasn't there) played 5 Crowns (which I kicked butt at...I had a score of 20 a few rounds into the game, and kept the score of 20 all the way through! Oh yeah!) Anyways, Sunday was pretty eventful too; in the afternoon after church we went to see "The Terminal," a very good movie, and after that we went and saw Steven and Heather play soccer. And what a great way to finish the day: that night at around 9, we ate our Church's Chicken and watched "Trekkies". How amazing... :) Anyways, Amy needs to get on the computer so I'll write more later (esp. about UMARMY and such). I can't wait to read the first part of her book; I'm sure it's great! Oh, and I didn't have to work today, but I'll get to Tuesday through Friday! Yay! Oh, and one more thing, Nathan? If you are reading this, I'm sorry you weren't able to come down! I haven't seen you in so long and miss you! So take care until Thanksgiving or Christmas, whichever one I see you at. Love ya! :)
(More later!) I love my new blog!

2004-06-11T11:50:00.000-04:00

Wow, I haven't written in a while...well, I've just been so busy, you know, babysitting and planning for my LONDON trip! :) We just got back two days ago, and it was amazing! I got to see so many cool things...Big Ben, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, everything! (We also took train rides to Cambridge and the Catswalds, and we visited Greenwich, too). Biggest highlights? Seeing "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miserables"! Amazing! Both of them were soooo great! Both had the great story line, the spectacular features, the talent, and the capability of making me cry (several times). Truly amazing...anyways, it is good to be back home though. I found out I won't be having to babysit much more this summer, which was a little disappointing, but it does mean I have some more time this summer than last to just chill out. I leave for UMARMY on Sunday, so I do need to go pack and be ready for that thing tomorrow...I don't know what its called, but its where we all get together, go ahead and pack the big things, and get a run through on how it all will work...Anyways, yesterday I saw Shrek 2 with Ben (I missed him so much while I was gone!), and then we went to Jalapeno Tree. Today I'm not sure what we'll be doing, probably just a movie at my house or something. Oh, have any of you ever read "The Notebook"? Omigosh, it's sooo good! It all started when I saw the previews for it and knew the movie would be really good, and asked any of my friends if they'd seen the previews yet. kara told me that it was a book first, and that I should really read it. I bought it at the airport in Chicago on the way over to London and read it the first 2 days I was there! Then I found out there was a sequel, "The Wedding", bought THAT book at the London Airport, and finished that during the plane ride. Both were sooo good! I can't wait till the movie comes out...if any of you guys want to go see it with me, we should do it! (But, its a "chic-flick," so I doubt guys would want to come). Anyways, give me a call! This summer is going to be wonderful! And I can't wait until UMARMY! It'll be my third year...and each year they get better and better! Toodles! :)

Make good choices!

2004-05-27T15:20:00.000-04:00

OMIGOSH! I'm a senior! Today was my LAST day of school as a junior, and now I'm a senior! I can't believe it! I don't feel like I am one; I feel like I'm still 15! Anyways, I've been so happy all day! This summer is going to be awesome! Well, I can't write much now, because Ben is about to pick me up...we're going to the lake! Yay, fun! (Jennifer, you've got me saying that now! :) Anyways, better go! Love to all! Behave this summer, and make good choices! Don't forget to wear sunscreen...And have fun! :)

2004-05-22T14:18:00.000-04:00

Wow, I guess I haven't written in a while. Everything has just been so hectic around here and I've had SO much to do. Writing in this blog just hasn't been an option for a while. Anyways, whats new with me...only 4 more days of school! Thank God! Then the next day I start my job: babysitting all summer! Its going to be so much fun! A handful at times, I'm sure, but all in all I can't wait (a boy, 6, and twin girls, both almost 5). Last night Ben came over and we watched Sleeping Beauty; that was so much fun! See, thats one of my favorite Disney movies, and its one of his favorites too, so we decided to watch it together. I think one reason that came up was because last weekend I went to Disney World with my high school band! It was a blast! MGM Studios, Epcot (where we actually performed a concert), and the best day was Magic Kingdom. So the whole Sleeping Beauty thing came up because I bought a few "Sleeping Beauty" things (postcard, shirt) and I was disappointed because Princess Aurora wasn't there for me to take a picture with...:( thats ok...And my group was alot of fun to hang out with (Kara, Peter, and Kacy) and probably the only downside to the trip was the 20 hour busride (which at times wasn't too bad) and not being able to see Ben. But I'm back, and he's out of school, and like I said, I only have 4 more days, so Summer will rock, and then I'm going to be a senior! Woo-hoo! I can't wait! Everything is going great!

Oh yeah, this morning I went to the school and the Beta Club had a trash pick-up along 135. That was good; Megan and I worked together. I always feel so good about myself when doing those things; helping out the community is such a wonderful thing to me, and while I'm doing something, I just feel good about myself. Anyways, now I'm at home, fixing to work on an English Project (the last big thing that needs to be turned in...ugh). Oh, and I saw a movie yesterday afternoon with my parents before Ben came over, "In America." It was soooo good! I cried twice, and got teary-eyed once. Good movie. Everyone should see it.

More later! Behave and make good choices! :)

2004-05-04T08:39:00.000-04:00

Friday: Revival (awesome!) and dinner with the Garretts afterwards (yay!)

Saturday: do stuff at church, and that night: West Side Story with Ben at the house (afterwards we did each others hair and watched homestarrunner on the computer : )

Sunday: Sunday School, Church, Baked Potato Sale (with Church) and then concert in Nacogdoches. Then I spent the whole day with Ben! : )

My weekend was soooo good, and I'd love to write more about it all, but its time to go to school, and I knew I wouldn't have much of a chance to write anything this week, so I thought I'd at least tell you somewhat how my weekend was (even in 'schedule' style)...OH! and last night, I went to the Oil Palace with my youth group and saw Audio Adrenaline, Subseven, Numberonegun, and a speaker Joe White. It was awesome! (More about that later too!) AHh, I gotta go! Have a fantastic day! : )

2004-04-29T18:27:00.000-04:00

You know how you start off a day bad, and then it gets a little better, and then you realize how good of a day it is?...until you get bad news at lunch and that ruins your afternoon for the most part, until your friends make you laugh alot and put you in a better mood...and then you come home back to the bad news and you remember how upset you were earlier...and then you just try and deal with the situation, and right when you are at a point where it seems hopeless, the once bad news turns into good news, and you just get so excited about everything else that is good in your life too? You know how it is, right? Well, yes, that has been my day today: Emotional rollercoaster. But like I said, its all good now! And I'm as happy as ever! : )

Let me sum up the "once" bad news: my dog Oliver was not doing too good, we weren't sure what was wrong...(he couldn't go to the bathroom or, rather, was having trouble) anyways, mom and dad took him to the vet today, with the intention of getting even more bad news about it, or worse, have to put him to sleep. But then while I was getting ready for Church tonight (revival) they called me on the cell and said that he was going to be just fine! Now I'm happy again! I love Oliver very much, and well, I don't even want to think about it. Anyways....its all better now! And I get to see Ben tonight! : ) Yay!

2004-04-25T20:05:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! This has been a really good weekend! I was really tired this morning, and all thru the afternoon, but its gotten better. Prom was sooo much fun! I had such a great time! I just got out there and didn't care...danced all night! (I even busted out a seawalk inside of a circle wit' some sistas...lol : ) Anyways, it was alot of fun. I really wished Ben and I could've gotten cutest couple though (for juniors, anyways). Thats ok...and by the end of the night, my hair was soooo straight! (I had it curled alot, wearing it down, with just a few pieces pulled up loosely from the front, and from the humidity and all of the moving around, it didn't last thru the night...thats ok though, because I had a blast! And everybody looked so pretty in their dresses and all the guys looked so sharp with their tuxes and suits; it was sooo great, and I'm already excited about next year's prom! Then we'll be seniors! AHH! : ) If we all pass the TAKS tests this week....ugh! Thats one thing I'm not looking forward to. So I'm not going to talk about it.

Another thing about Prom though. Usually all the teachers and counselors and principal (and just whoever) would give us a speech a few days before about making good choices and being careful with driving, and everything. So far I've only heard about one wreck, and it wasn't drinking related or anything, there was just another car that had like, a malfunction or something, and they hit my friends car, but they were all ok. I do know of several people (or so I heard; before Prom night came) that were going to parties and getting "wasted" and stuff. They weren't any of my friends, but I still heard rumors and stuff about this big party that was supposed to be in someone's field somewhere. I just hope that anybody who went didn't get hurt, and if they did, I hope its not serious, but I do hope they learned a lesson. Alot of people don't look forward to the Monday after Prom they have to go through because of bad news they might hear and such. I'm going to go to school tomorrow hoping the best...I haven't heard anything, except about my friends wreck, but I still hope everybody else is ok. Anyways, thats enough about that.

Have to go do some homework I just now remembered about....oh joy. :) More later! MWAH!

2004-04-24T15:03:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah, Congratulations to Peter who got 2nd at Regionals in LD Debate, and is going to State! Yay!

2004-04-24T14:43:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! BOB formal was sooo much fun! I was so glad I got to see all of my SFA friends again before school gets out, and it was just so much fun! (Irene caught the napkin on fire! actually, I'm not sure if she actually did it, or if she was just the first one to notice it was on fire...but either way, she handled it well and looking back it was very funny! :) Oh, and the food was from "Auntie Pasta", this really good Italian restaurant there in Nac, and one of the waiter guys that was setting everything up was the same guy who was my waiter when i went there for my 17th Birthday dinner...Ben and I went up to him and asked him if he remembered me (because on my birthday I was really excited, and really bouncy, and I talked to him alot, and even offered him some of my Birthday cake and he actually took some! lol) and he said I looked really familiar, and when we told him I was the "Birthday Girl" that went there less than a month before, he immediately remembered me and started laughing. That was kind of cool....also, Ben got the Most Random Award, and is also going to be Vice Pres. of BOB next year! Yay, go Ben! : ) Also, there was a dance after the dinner and even though I'm not much of a dancer, it was still alot of fun! And Ben looked so good, and we were both wearing blue (he had on his new blue suit, and i had on a pretty blue dress)...it was sooo cool! We looked so great together! : ) Anyway, it all so much fun...

Tonight is my OWN high school prom, and I'm excited about that too! I go in less than an hour to get my hair done. yay! My dress is dark red, with black designs (they're actually flowery things) and then I'm wearing black gloves and other black accessories (you know, necklace, earings, all that jazz...). Its going to be so much fun! I can't wait...

Last night Kara and Tiffany and I went to the mall and Target, last minute prom stuff...it was alot of fun. (Kara has BAD road rage...lol) We dropped Tiffany off at Chaney's on the way back for her "Prom Committee" sleepover, which was also turned out to be a Surprise Birthday party for her (her birthday is next week). As we were leaving, Kara and I confessed to each other how we REALLY REALLY REALLY wished we could've been on Prom Committee this yearand how we were so disappointed about all the things we missed out on...

...or in the words of that girl from Troup, "Yeah, Right!" : )

2004-04-22T16:56:00.000-04:00

BOB Formal tonight! Yay!!! I'd write more but I have to go get ready, and I have to call Stevie to comfort her since she hasn't had a very good day. But I have to go do all of these things, so I'll write more later! MWAH!

2004-04-14T17:27:00.000-04:00

Yay! We got our hot water heater fixed! Thank goodness...the past few days we've been boiling water on the stove and hauling pots to the bathroom to take baths and stuff (you know I'm not about to take a cold shower). That was definitely a new experience for me. (I don't think I could've made it on the frontier or anything...too much work : ) Anyways, I just got home from school, athletics ran long, we maxed out today in the weight room. I did allright, especially for a girl my size who hasn't lifted in a few months (we hardly lifted at all during track season). My max on incline was 80, on bench it was 95, and on the squats it was 175. Like I said, not too bad for me.

Well, only 5 1/2 more weeks of school! Thank goodness! I'm cracking down, big English Project, Major research paper (Spanish Inquisition...only topic I could think of that my "GREAT" teacher Mr. O'Donnell would let me do...its somewhat interesting though...just alot of work to get all the information) a big Chemistry production, and other classes are just working us too (I think because this last 6 weeks we all slacked off, including the teachers, so now we're working extra hard to finish off the school year good). And I've been taking all kinds of tests, ACT and stuff, and TAKS is just around the corner (UGH!). Also, I've never done a research paper before, I guess thats why I'm kind of complaining (cause I'm a newcomer and I want to do good, but am not sure how exactly to put it all together to sound really good and professional, you know). But they keep saying that we have to start somewhere, esp. since we'll have to write a bunch of them in college. Well, I've gotta go. Church is tonight, and I still have some homework to get done (pre-cal, ugh!) and then read some (i'm getting behind, not cool...we're "reading the bible in a year" at Ben's church. It was kind of funny, because I was in the process of finishing my OWN "reading of the bible in one year" plan, and only had like 2 books left, and then we start this new thing at his church, right before I'm finished...its ok, I'm still participating, I was just like so happy I had almost finished MY own reading of it on my own, you know? For the first time THROUGH ever. I was pretty proud of myself...well, i guess You can never read too much, esp. with the Bible. In fact, 2 times in 2 years is not bad at all... : ) More later!

Love to all!!!! Smile and be happy! : )

2004-04-05T19:26:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone. I have had the best weekend! (I guess I always say that, don't I? And I guess every time I say it is because they are almost always spent with Ben, right? hehe...well, thats me...one track mind..) Speaking of track, District Meets are on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm definitely not prepared. I'll run the best I can, and I hope we all do good, but lets just say this year was kind of like last year; not all that great (I was like sick at every track meet last year! not a good season for me). Freshman year I did pretty good, advanced to area and everything, but if I don't do good this week then that means I have to really really train hard over the summer to do really really really good next year; it'll be my last year to run! : ( Omigosh, I'm going to be a senior! I feel so old. Like, last week was my 17th birthday, right? Whats up with 17? I don't even feel 17; I feel 15! Its crazy! Why do people want to hurry up and get older? You know what I mean, right? Usually everyone just wants to be older than they are; if they are 9 they want to be 13 (understandable, even though 13 didn't mean much to me), if they are 13 they want to be 17, if they are 17 they want to be 21, if they are 21 they want to be 25. I mean, sure, I can't wait until college, but thats about it. I'm not in any real hurry to get older...sure, it means more freedom, but with that comes more responsibility. Not trying to preach, just an observation. Oh, and then they start complaining after they get to 30 something, and start saying how they wish they were 25, and then if they are 38 they say how they wish they were 27. Ugh! (hypocrites isn't the right word for that exact situation, is it? I guess it's more of an ironic thing: wanting to be older and then wishing to be younger again. oh brother). Anyways...

I'd like to say that I'm content with my life. I am. I mean, I'm happy with everything thats going on right now; my faith, my family, Ben, close friends, good grades, you know, stuff like that. I'm soo happy with everything! But every now and then I might not have perfect days, you know? Today was pretty good; I was upset before school, school was pretty good (boring class, good class, hard class, funny class...you know how it goes) and I was kind of mad right towards the end of school (i'll get into that in a minute) but I'm feeling better, and I hung out with Tiffany for a while after school too, which is good. (Happy Birthday to Molly, by the way...Zach's mom). And I'm not going to say that there is one person who is making me not 100% happy, because lately I've been feeling "Who cares! This person doesn't control me and shouldn't determine my happiness! Why should I put forth such an effort if I'm just going to be slapped in the face afterwards?..." So, because of that, I am going to say that I'm 100% content, but the "day-by-day happiness" is not complete simply because of this one person. If this person (maybe thats immature...to keep on saying "this one person", but I just want to let everyone know how I've been feeling) just liked me and was nice to me, and allowed us to get close and be good friends, to be like a sister and everything, then my life would be completely happy and I wouldn't have all that much more to complain about. I know there are some people who I'm like, "Man, i wish they were nicer to me," or "I wish we could be friends again," but there's only one person right now that I really wish the person would just like me and be my friend. I don't think right now thats a possibility, simply because of the situation and it would be a little uncomfortable if I got really close to this person, and I don't think they want to put forth much of any effort to be my friend, but hey, they should at least be nice to me, and not just to my face...when I hear that this person says crap about me, it really makes me mad. If you have a problem, say it to my face; communication is the key, and then that way we'd at least settle some of our differences and possibly become friends. UgH! I'm sure I've bored you, but I just wanted to tell you....plus typing it all out has allowed me to express my feelings in a positive way. Just getting everything out into the open (most of it anyway) helps. Oh well, I guess life goes on...(but I'll have to deal with this for a long time...even out of high school...thats how long this person is going to be around...you can see how this is hard for me, can't you? : ) Oh well, now I'm depressed. Well, not really. Like I said, I'm sooo happy! I just feel like moving on to a different topic.

Ok, Easter is coming soon! I love this time of year! Not to judge anyone, but its really sad when Easter Sunday its really packed, and then the rest of the year you don't see those faces again until Christmas Eve service. Have any of you ever heard that expression: C&E Christian...Christmas and Easter... : ) Oh well, I wish there was something I could do to make them come more. They miss out on so much! I think Church is very important...isn't it ironic that my favorite television comes on on Sunday Nights, when I'm at church? Devil at work again...jk. Thats why I have it recorded. American Dreams is the best guys! Did anyone see the Season Finale last night? It was AWESOMe!!! Now it'll be reruns all during the summer. Thats ok; once Next Monday hits, I can watch television not just on Sundays, but everyday! Yay! Its been kind of hard, but usually I have alot of homework, and if I'm ever bored, I just start reading or something. ANd I haven't spent that much time at the computer either. Well, I guess just then I have since I just wrote another novel. ( Sorry guys, but I type alot! And I ramble...I just don't know when to stop.) Ok, finishing!

I hope everybody has a fantastic day! Love to all! Smile!! : )

2004-04-02T08:08:00.000-05:00

Today is my one year Anniversary with Ben! Ahh! I'm so excited...thats a long time to be with someone; it's great! I can't wait to see him today. Well, I have to go get ready for school, but I can't wait until it's over. This weekend is going to be the best! (oh, also Happy Birthday to Marlis!)

Love to all! (I'm soooooo happy!) : )

2004-03-29T07:41:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! Today is my 17th Birthday! ("Dancing queen...only seventeen"...hehe, Abba : ) Anyway, its about 6:45 and I need to go eat breakfast, I just wanted to tell everybody cause I'm very happy! It's been a great weekend, and this is going to be a great week! I'll tell you all about it later when I have more time to write. (Tonight I'm having dinner with Ben in Nac! I'm so excited!) Well, better go! Mom's breakfast is on the table for me...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! : )

2004-03-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

This Spring Break has been the best! I really don't want to go to school tomorrow; its been so great!! Let me tell you all about my fantastic weekend up in Mesquite. It was a blast!

Well, we showed up at the Church around 4ish, said "hi" to everyone, made all the hugs, loaded up, and then left shortly after that. We got the new van and it consisted of Sis. Cherie (sp), Sis. Denice, her son Austin, Grace and Faith (who I can actually tell apart now; they're twins), Ben, me, Ashley, Ruth, Chelsea and Jordan. On the way over, we were all pretty quiet, and I think Ben and I were annoying "some' other people with playing B.B. Britches and Slug Bug (and not just Slug Bug, we played Bruiser Cruiser, Smack Smack Pontiac, BANGBANG Mustang, and Wack Wack Cadillac...good stuff). But we had fun, and it was less than two hours over there.

The Service that night was amazing. A few people I talked to were disapointed, they said it wasn't as good as they thought it would be, but i wasn't sure how it would be; I wasn't really sure what to expect. Not that I went there with low expectations, I knew it would be good, I just was't sure how good. But I thought it went really well and was so glad that I went. I didn't know a couple of the songs that they sang, but i knew the others or at least caught on to the choruses really easily. The music was realy good, I think the brass players that went from the church, Ben Caleb and Bro. Lance, did some of the best I'd heard from them ever. (There was also this saxophone player from Germany that was really good too). Anyway, I enjoyed Bro. Dice's message, and got alot from it. Prayer time was good too, I'm not sure I want to post all of my feelings about the service and that time online, because its kinda personal, but I just wanted to let everybody know that I'm so glad that I went; I can't think of anything I could've done better with my time. Anyway, then we ate (I have a funny story about that too, maybe I'll post it later or some other time) and went back to a different part of the church to unload and play some games in the gym before bed. Ruth and I played volleyball for a while, and then I called it a night. (I slept well, wasn't sure if I would; you know how it is sleeping in an unfamiliar place, esp. somewhere on the floor, but my only complain was whenever Austin woke up twice in the middle of the night crying...twice....but it was ok, I EVENTUALLY went back to sleep... : )

THe next day we went to Celebration Station! WooHoo! Go-Carts, games, Laser tag, and all kinds of good stuff! It was a blast; I had never drove a Go-Cart before (I'd RODE, like, as a passenger with my brother or dad when I was little) so that was a new experience for me. And I rocked at the alligator game, and did allright at skiball (thats oneof my favorites). With all of my (and Ben's) tickets I bought a pink and white hacky sack that says "Celebration Station" on it. I'm not sure we should've paid what we did for it (85 tickets), but I had a great time and am not going to complain. Anyway, I didn't get into laser tag like I thought I would, but did better towards the end of my time in there (the very last points were made by me; oh yeah!) Ben really got into it also; running over little kids and yelling and stuff..it was funny. We ended up losing, but it was still great.)

Then after Celebration Station we headed over to the mall. Pretty boring actually; we looked for a MyLIttle Pony tshirt, but couldn't find one anywhere! Thats ok; someplace else. Anyway, then we came home. Ben and I had switched vans, trading with Caleb, Caleb and Chase. The ride home was...interesting. Ben and I talked the whole time, trying to pay as little attention as possible to all the immaturity going on around us. No, not like MY kind of immaturity, but reallystupid stuff that should've not gone on as long as it did. Not going to say the details, but it was crazy (i'm not sure about what happened on the other van, couldn't hear much from the walkytalkies but i could hear some of the conversations in my van and it was so stupid). Anyway, enough of that...the trip was fantastic and that is all. I feel like I know everybody a lot better, and thats another big part of it I think (on trips like these with the Church.). To spend time in fellowship, and just get to know everybody and become great friends through what we are all doing. Getting to spend that much time with Ben was also great. I mean, we've spent like "a whole day" together before, but this was like "two days in a row, but FULL days"...like, I got to see him right before I went to bed and then after I woke up and walked down the hall to see him. That was really nice too...this whole weekend has just changed me; not my persoality, and not really who I am as a person, but just my relationship with God and other people around me. I hope I can get through the week feeling the way I do now; and then the week after that will be even better! The 29th is my 17th Birthday, and then that Friday is my 1 Year Anniversary! Ah! So happy...well, I've been writing alot, and should probably go do some other things with my "free time" thats left. Anyway, I'll write more later! I hope everybody has had as good of a Spring Break as I have, and just...be happy and smile! ...and make good choices! : )

Much love,

2004-03-18T12:43:00.000-05:00

Wow! I can't believe Spring Break is almost gone! It's gone by sooo fast! It's been great so far, but still...
Monday night was good, I got to go to Tyler and have dinner with Ben and his grandma, and his cousins, Robert and Roger. We all had alot of fun! His grandma makes me smile! She's so cute!
Tuesday I got to have lunch with Ben and his mom, and Ruth and the boys (Matthew and Michael) and then Ben and I went to see his Grandy over at her work, and then we went to one of the parks in Tyler, with a playground and a stage (I'm not sure what it's called, but that's where the Tyler Youth Orchestra has put on some concerts before). Then we went to the hospital to see his Grandparents on his mom's side (wow, I've seen all 4 of his grandparents within less than 24 hours! HOw many girls get to do that? Thats crazy! : ) Anyway, then we went and waded in Lake Tyler...it was SOOOO cold! But I still did it...but not too long. Then that evening, I went and saw Kara who had all four of her wisdom teeth pulled that morning (OUCH!) and visited with her for a while (poor thing). Then I got Sarah and Natalie to go with me to the Peanut Butter Emporium, and that was alot of fun too! (Stevie drove by, and came in for a little bit, as well). Thats how most of my week has gone; kinda social, and always having alot of fun! : ) (In a way I wish I could've gone with Jennifer, Ben, Ruth, Marlis, Taylor and George to Tyler, I'm sure they had a great time hanging out, but my night was still good, even when it involved fewer people).

Right now I'm at the house alone. Mom and Dad went to Barksdale AFB (in Shreveport) for their "every few months" shopping trip. After I ran some errands for Mom, coming back home I noticed the Evans were having a yard sale, so instead of making that turn onto E. Overton Street I swerved over and parked the car, and dashed out to get some good stuff (I love yard sales!...well, most of them...some are just plain "white trashy" stuff, but the Evans always put some good stuff out there). Anyway, I bought some shoes, a really pretty blue striped sweater kind of thing, "Grease" the movie, a "Winona Staff" windbreaker (I got a kick out of that one...I look like a coach when I wear it), and 4 cassette tapes (Waynes World Soundtrack, Kiss, Beachboys Vol. I, and Weezer). Hey, thats with all the money I had with me. It all came out to like, 8 or 9 bucks or so. Not bad... : )

So right now I'm waiting for Ben to pick me up; I'm not sure what our plans will be. I know we have to drop off the shoes my Sunday School class raised ("Socks'n'Shoes" Drive) at a shelter in Kilgore, but not sure what else from there.

Last night was alot of fun. I went to church with Ben and then after the service was over, we had a HUGE Jam Session, where the people who stayed after either played some kind of instrument, or grabbed a microphone and sang their hearts out. (Brother Craig made me get up there and sing...but there were other people too; otherwise i'm not sure I would've). Even my dad showed up not too long after (Ben had invited him to the "Jam Session") and Ben gave him a trumpet that was up there, and he jammed along with them! (My dad is pretty good at the trumpet, but on the way home, like around 10, he said, "Emily, I'm kinda rusty!...plus I can't really play by ear all that well..." It was funny). Anyway, I think the song I enjoyed singing the most was "How Great Thou Art," which has got to be one of my all time favorite hymns. But we played it over and over and sang it over and over, and I just got really into it. (That is one song that my Dad DOES know by heart on trumpet : ) Anyway, so that was so much fun getting up there and singing with them...quite a priviledge, actually. They are all so good at what they do. They've made me bring my baritone a few times to get up there with them during the service, but I have so much trouble playing by ear, not to mention playing at all (sometimes I get really nervous). I admire the First Assembly of God Church in Troup very much. Not just the band, who are awesome, but the whole congregration. I've been coming for quite a while now, and they are just so friendly and loving, I feel like I really belong there, like I'm apart of their family. Its just a really great feeling, you know? To belong, even not having gone for a full year. Its so wonderful! They are just all so great and so much fun, and I can't wait to go with them (the youth and others) tomorrow for the Rally up in Mesquite. It's going to be a blast! (I'll tell you all about it when I get home!) MUCH LOVE!

2004-03-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

"Dear The One with Baggy Pants, We're on SPRING BREAK! We tried to call you, but we forgot. We are having way too much fun, and we'll try to remember to bring you a shell or some sand." - Teen Girl Squad, #5

Hey guys...please excuse my last post. I was soooo out of it. I'm feeling much better though, so that's good. 30 Hour Famine went really well! I had so much fun, and wasn't too hungry all day; in fact, the only time my stomach ever started growling was just a few minutes before we "broke the fast" (and ate supper) whenever Bro. Scott began Communion. Another really interesting part of the day was whenever we got to wear these nametags of little kids in other countries who are in "good health" (thats what it said) but are still struggling with their hunger...there were a whole bunch of slips of paper with their names, how old they are, where they live, their types of chores and so on and so on. Then we took the names and glued them on these stars (which later turned out to be starfishes, but you had to be there to get it because there was a story to go along with it) and then punch holes and put yarn through to wear around your neck as a nametag. I chose a little boy in India (age 11) named Ratheeshkumar, and a little girl (age 7) from Uganda named Gift. (Isn't that precious? Her name is Gift....I just love it!) The point of that was that whenever we got hungry and we'd be all, "Oh, I'm so hungry...how much longer till we can eat?...." and such, we were supposed to look down at our necks and pray for our hungry "child." I really enjoyed doing that, it made it alot more personal. Anyway, all day was great. It was all a really great experience.

So, this afternoon when Ben came by during his lunch break I put on a fashion show with the different prom dresses I have, so I could get an idea on which one he liked best. (I own two, but my cousin let me borrow 2, so I really have 4 to choose from). Anyway, right now the reddish one seems to be in favor, but I really like the blue one too (I just wish it wasn't so short! That one is my cousins, and she's like 4"10, so she had the dress trimmed at the bottom and then hemmed, so I can't really "unhem" it, so on me it does look a little bit short). Anyway, I know Ben really wanted to go buy a pink suit, so I'm thinking next year what I'll do is I'll buy a really pretty pink dress, and he can go ahead and wear his suit, if he still decides on buying one...then we'd look awesome! But this year, we'll probably end up sticking with the traditional prom dress style. Thats ok though. We're going to have fun (even though I'm not much of a dancer...I guess I'll just have to not care what I look like and go out there and have a good time. What is that phrase people always say? "Dance like noone's watching"? Something like that...anytime I go out with Ben is fun, so he'll definitely make the night. :)

Well, I'm going to wrap this up now. I'm sooooooo glad it's Spring Break. I really need this week to just chill. Oh, I watched "American Dreams" last night (its ok on Sundays...for Lent I mean) and I can't believe that JJ and Beth broke it off...and about, well, you know! Well, I guess you wouldn't, because I think I'm the only one in Overton that watches that show! (UGH! I have noone to talk about it with!) Anyway, I guess I'll just tell you...Beth is pregnant! AhhH! No, no, no..."American Dreams" is not a soapopera, nor is it turning into one. If you watched it from the beginning, you would know that. It happens to be a very very very good show that takes place during the 60's (one reason I love it; another reason, they have a large family, and I love big family shows...like 7th Heaven) Anyway, I guess the season is almost over or something, and they're just trying to make it interesting...you know how it is, the end of a show, all these big conflicts and such. Well right now the stuff going on is that JJ is over in Vietnam fighting, Meg (JJ's sister) is suddenly becoming aware of things going on in the world and keeping more of an open mind about things, one of the men that works with Helen (the mom) is gay (another big scandal in the 60s), the whole race thing is getting worse with each passing day, and I guess the only other thing now is that JJ and Beth broke off the engagement, and now, after JJ left for Vietnam (again) Beth finds out that she is pregnant. Yep, thats all the big stuff. MY PREDICTION: I bet whats going to end up happening is Beths parents are going to cut her off (they're like, extremely loaded) and she'll end up either getting a job and quitting school, or staying with the Pryors, and then JJ will find out through a letter or something, and when his tour of duty ends in 6 months he'll come home to stay and by that time Beth will be pretty far along and it'll be, like Christmas time (cause right now in the show they just had a 4th of July celebration) and THEN something else big will happen, but I'm not sure what. So, thats what I think will happen...I'm not sure how many of you have even read this far down through my blog...I bet most of you stopped once I said, "Well, I'm going to wrap this up now..." because I didn't end up doing that, did I? Well, in that case, if you are reading this, thank you for listening to my ramblings and give yourself a pat on the back. Well, I'm going to REALLY wrap this up now. : ) HAVE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK!I KNOW I WILL!

"SOOOOO GOOOOOD!"
"I think my friend and some presidents just flew by."
- Teen Girl Squad, #5 (I'm telling you guys, you have to see this one!)

2004-03-13T19:45:00.000-05:00

caution fellow readers: A REALL Y WEIRD BLOGGG AND VERRY UNUSUAL IT IS......Hello friends of mine who read my blog (how many of you do this I know not). You'll have to excuse me, I am going through a very curious mood, and may sound different from the real Emily (and even may sound like Yoda I will...or even Dr. Seuss...whoever....). All through the night last I was tossing and turning and feeling ill, I was. This morning (after having thrown up and then taken an extremely long nap) and then woke up I did, and went through an emotional rollcoaster all day. I couldn't watch tv, didn't want to stay on the computer long, none of my friends were home to talk to on the phone, and my stomach was confused and I didn't eat much all day. My highlights of the day were when Ben came by twice, for his lunch break and after work...my parents were cranky towards me since I was (cranky) to them all the rest of the time when he wasn't there...they would say, "Show us an inch of the kindness you showed him when he was over..." Blame them I cannot, and apologized I have. But I am still feeling not quite myself, and now 30 Hour Famine (or 24, for our Youth Group) has began not too long ago, and I must not eat for another 24 hours, even though I haven't eaten much today already. (Some bite-size pretzels here and there, grape koolaid all day, and for dinner I had some scrambled eggs with jelly on some toast....and then 3 saltine crackers. That's all.) So, now, having wasted a day (except a short amount of time spent with Ben) and missing a track meeeeet (ticked Coach Rhoades will be, I know, next Monday when I see him at school) I am now left alone with nothing to do. It's only 6:56 p.m., but going to sleep (again) is not such a bad idea, and hopefully I can sleep all the way until we have to leave early in the morning for Longview whenever we go to the shelter to feed them all. Happy with myself, I am, for collecting my desired goal in the 30 Hour Famine donations...right now there is $317, but some people have not yet paid me that will, and i think the total was $372...my goal was $360 (since almost $1 a day feeds one child for a day (in like, Ethiopia and Peru and some other places the money goes to) that means $360 will feed a child for a whole year. Which means I'm going to be able to sponsor a kid for a year!) and I've only been getting donations for less than 2 weeks now. It makes me really really really really really happy it does. I gotta go now I do. "...But the wild things cried, 'Oh please, don't go-we'll eat you up-we love you so!' And EMILY said 'No!'. The wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws but EMILY stepped into HER private boat and waved goodbye and sailed back over a year and in and out of weeks and through a day and into the night of HER very own room where SHE found HER supper waiting for HER and it was still hot." (That was from one of my favorite books as a kid, "Where the Wild Things Are" but I changed MAX to EMILY and HE and HIS to SHE and HER...all this I did simply because I'm in that mood that I'm in...)
~~MORe TO CoMe......more sense it will make, I'm sure...
"Around the survivors a perimeter create." - Yoda, Episode 2

2004-03-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

"I'm gonna miss her."
"I'm gonna miss my video games."
(hehe...teen girl squad has a new comic...you should check it out!)

So, whats new? Well, this day has been SOOO boring! After school (which seemed like it lasted forever) I sold some more cookie dough (fundraiser for our end of the year band trip...we're trying to go to Florida!), and was right about to collect donations for 30 Hour Famine (another fund raiser I'm doing; its a MUCH better cause though...its for the children in different countries who are starving and stuff...well I'll talk about that in another blog, there's So much to say about it..). Anyway, right as I was about to start getting people to donate for THAT, it began to pour down rain and I came home immediately (I don't like driving in the rain...especially when it's really pouring). I found out when I got home that there was a thunderstorm going on, and a tornado watch. My dogs were getting really anxious, mom was getting candles and flashlights ready, and dad turned off the computer and stuff. Then my best friend called and was like, "What do we do? There's a window in our bathroom...what should we cover it with??" Even my brother called to make sure we were ok. (Nobody was really freaking out, just concerned about the situation). But I was just like, "Wow, a tornado watch...wow, its raining really hard outside..." and just started reading. (The lights flickered once, I think, but that was it.) So it passed on shortly...that was the excitement for the day. Now I'm on the computer...again; bored...again. : )

So, our first track meet is tomorrow. I'm really nervous, and I'm usually not before track meets (well, for district meets I usually am, but this is just the first one, and I'm really freakin' out). I'm soo out of shape! I'm going to run the 800 m dash and the 1600 m dash (halfmile and the mile) but I'm still nervous about it. I've been running and practicing, but compared to everyone else, I'll probably look pitiful. (I haven't even been running for a month...ugh). So, thats my complaint for the day. For any of you who want to go its at the Troup High School Stadium...just don't watch me. :)
I feel soo sorry for Kelly...she has shinsplints and it hurts her so bad to run. (I actually wish she could run with me...she pushes me to run my hardest). Anyway, thats all for now. (I'll let you know how that turns out. : )

Badum dum dum da dee dee da dum
Da da da da da da
Dadum dum dum da dee dee da dum
Da da da da da DA!

Doo doo doo doo doo doo...
Doo doo doo doo doo doo...
Bad da da dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum,
ba-da-da-da-da-da dum.

Er, something like that...sometimes I'll write lyrics to songs I like or am listening to, but right now I was listening to the Mario Theme Song (techno...oooh! aaaah! : ) so I thought I'd try and write it out. I actually tried to do most of the "dada's" correctly...you can try and hum the part of the song I wrote and see if I got some of it right. Well, if you are that much of a nerd...naw, its ok...because I know most of you will do it anyway!...hehe...love ya!

2004-03-01T19:17:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it turns out the RYLA people really did have a lot of fun. They came back knowing all kinds of new stuff and having alot of inside jokes. I think it really would have been fun to have gone, but like I said last time, I had the best weekend ever, and besides, there's nothing I could really do about it, is there? (Just thought I'd mention that...) (If anyone of them are reading this, "ZINGERS...out of here!" (Oh and when i say that, I'm not mocking you, I'm just picking it up...but I'll try and stay out of y'alls little inside jokes. I'm glad y'all had so much fun, too.)..........

Anyway, either tomorrow or Wednesday morning I get to miss a little bit of school to get my passport pictures. I'm so excited! London is going to be awesome! (Mrs. Stretcher is making me buy her a mug, or probably even a teacup, from Oxford to add to her collection of college mugs. : ) This trip is going to be a blast!! And I'm also looking forward to riding the airplane over there and back. I haven't ridden (well I guess it's rode...) on one since we came back to Florida from Turkey, and I used to ride them so much going to all the different places I've lived. It'll be nice to go on again...I used to love airplane rides so much! (More about that when it gets sooner to when we leave...which is in June. : )

So this whole "giving up television for Lent" thing has been kind of hard, and its only the first week! Not hard, but just...extremely quiet. Some people asked me why I didn't give up the computer, and I told them its because I'm not on it as much as I'm usually watching TV. You don't understand...tv takes up almost all of my time. I'm always in front of it, whether I'm watching some sitcom thats actually on or watching tapes of American Dreams reruns that I record. (hehe) See this is very unhealthy for me. And I'm not giving it up to break a bad habit, which alot of people do (see, I don't even have to be doing Lent, I'm not Catholic or anything...and whatever else religions follow it. I'm doing it just to experience doing it, for the same reason they do. Giving up something to spend even more time with God.) So just as long as I don't let the computer "replace" the tv, I'm ok. In fact, as soon as I'm finished writing this, I'm going to go read some more (of the Bible, I mean). Well, also I have some Spanish Homework I need to work on.

OH, speaking of Spanish, I wrote one of the new girls at my school (she's from Mexico, and doesn't speak hardly any English) a note in Spanish a few days ago, and today she wrote me back! I was so happy...her name is Marisol, and I translated the note online (ok, yeah, I cheated, but at least I'm making an effort, right? And I speak decent Spanish to her when we are having a conversation...it's my 3rd year after all. I should know some, right?)...anyway, I translated the note online, and not all of it made perfect sense to me. Maybe the website was messed up, or not accurate, but that scares me because that's the website I got help from when I wrote HER note. So now I'm thinking, "Ok, her note to me didn't make sense...what if mine didn't to her?" Ah! Oh no! I guess its ok, I just felt kind of weird about it. Anyway, Marisol is sooo cool, and so is her sister, Maira. And they are trying really hard in learning their English. Its so great to see someone so dedicated and working hard towards something. That makes me feel kind of guilty because sometimes I don't put my all into some things that I do. I'm in them, and I do ok, but I don't work and work and work and strive like they do. It makes me respect them even more. Anyway, those are my thoughts for the day.

Oh, and I remembered the other prize that I bought with my tickets from Friday night. It was a blue, miniture water gun. Awesome :)

"To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

- The Byrds, (one of my favorite songs, and hey Ben!
It's actually from 1965 :)