Taco Bell at 12:30 AM

I have come to this conclusion: there is nothing more delicious than Taco Bell at obscene hours of the night. It just hits the spot! When forced to pick a fast food restaurant I usually pick something like Wendy's, Arby's, or Cougar Country- something that at least appears more fresh. But, when it is 12:30 at night and you NEED food, Taco Bell is the ticket.Who might you ask kept me out that late? MY MOM! We went to Mass at The Parish of the Holy Spirit and then went to our friends house. We visited for hours while they enjoyed some vino. I, however, was unable to participate due to the fact that I was serving as DD. Let me tell you- the day that you DD for your mom and make a Taco Bell run with her at 12:30 is one to remember.

Today I had plans to go visit my Confirmation sponsor and her family (9 adorable kids!) at 9 this morning. Now, 9 doesn't seem so early, but when you don't get to bed until 2 it is a little early. I brought Spudnuts over, had a wonderful visit, and then returned home for a nap. My original thought was to take a quick little cat nap. 30 minutes, 45 tops. How long was my nap? Two and a half hours! After I nap that long I can never seem to wake back up. I always feel a little off. So, I've had a pretty unproductive day. Isn't that what Thanksgiving break is all about? I am hoping that tomorrow is more productive (I am sure that my 532 group would like that!). No bets, though!

In other news, I believe that I am becoming quite the cake baker. I baked one for Kayleen's baby shower last weekend and for my grandma's 79th birthday this Saturday. Kayleen's was funfetti with vanilla frosting and pink writing while my grandma's was devil's food with chocolate frosting and purple sprinkles. The greatest part? I made my own chocolate frosting!! I am working my way up to a home made cake. I think I am close. Next up on the baking front: toffee bars!

Days Go By

I have to say that I am starting to feel the daily grind of being a grad student. Shari, Marin, Calley, and I have been working on this in depth assignment for our Accounting 532 class. We were given the tasks of analysing a company's financial statement and business strategy and forecasting their future performance. This entails strategy, accounting, and financial analysis, forecasting, valuation, and credit rating review.Kind of overwheming.Our company is Deckers, who owns Teva and Ugg Australia. They actually are a pretty cool company. What is frustrating is that we finished what were were supposed to only to find out that more requirements were added. AND: this stuff is not on the CPA exam! Also, the rest of my classes all have final projects due the same week. Ugh. It is a good thing that I love my other three classes! The only thing that is keeping me motivated is that Thanksgiving break is two days away for me. (sorry for the rant!)


Friday night after dinner we all gathered at Mike and Kayleen's and watched Little Shop of Horrors! It is the most random movie I have ever seen! It stars Rick Moranis and features a cameo from Steve Martin. Crazy plant from outer space, dorky florist, evil dentist: what more could you ask for! Then on Saturday we held a baby shower for Kayleen. It was a great weekend and the first part of this week has been really productive.

Have you ever found yourself at a place in your life when you are waiting for something exciting to happen? I have to admit that I am at one of those places right now. For the past few months it has seemed like I am just going through the motions. Every week is the same. I keep telling myself that I need to appreciate this time in my life, but that is easier said than done. God knows what He is doing. Sometimes I just wish I knew where this is all leading...

I DID IT!

That's right: I finally learned how to knit! This weekend Andie helped me patiently and I was able to get past the first row =) We'll see if I have something resembling a scarf in the next few days. On top of learning how to knit I watched LOTR: Two Towers without falling asleep, had my first Washington Apple, and went to an orphan party! Yeah, I know-I party like a rock star.

November is here!

I cannot believe that it is already November! It just seems like yesterday that I arrived in Pullman to start my year of grad school. I would have to say that it hasn't been what I expected, but that is ok. I am learning and can't wait to put it to use.

The past few weeks have been pretty busy. I have four big research projects that I am working on right now and that has pretty much consumed my life. While some are interesting, others are not! And by that I mean my financial analysis project.The exciting thing is that we now officially have our schedule for Becker. We'll start studying in January to take the business section in February! Then we'll have two weeks off before we start studying for the financial section. I have to say that I think the regulation section will be my enemy. It is weird: there are moments when I am totally overwhelmed by the idea of taking the CPA exam, and then moments when it doesn't seem so daunting. I don't know if I am worried/stressed enough about it! I just pray that I'll be able to study sufficiently and pass all four sections the first time. The best strategy is to just tell myself that there is no other option: I will pass the first time.

So, last Friday was Halloween! I, of course, dressed up at Gov. Sarah Palin. I even wore my Barbie heels! (Cool fact- Sarah Palin was baptized at the same church I was!) We had a great time at dinner and then went to Pat, David, and Erik's to help celebrate Ines' birthday. On Saturday I worked on homework with Anthony and Angela before going to Kayleen's knitting party. While the party was fun and it was great to hang out with all the girls I did not pick up knitting right away:( I spent FOUR hours just trying to get past the first row. Can anyone provide me with a private knitting lesson?! I'll do your taxes this spring! Hopefully I can get some more practice in this weekend while I am an orphan. (My dad figures he's been to enough Dad's Weekends!)

As you all can guess, I am not too thrilled about the election results. I won't subject you to a rant, however. I am trying to move on in the grief process. I think I am at the bargaining stage now! And to those McCain staffers: I highly doubt that Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country.

Pumpkins and Disney Movies

There comes a time when every 22 year old woman needs to go back to her childhood. For me, that was this weekend! I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather (no Haunted Palouse), so I went to my friend Teresa's house and carved a pumpkin! I named him Leonard. He is quite scary, if I do say so myself, and is guarding my door. The thing I forgot, however, is how messy it is to carve a pumpkin. Yes- I am a girl. :) I was so grossed out that I couldn't seperate the seeds from all of the goo. While we carved pumpkins we watched Hocus Pocus. Remember that wonderful movie from 1993? It stars a Bette Midler and freaky SJP.

After being totally unproductive Saturday morning I went to hang out with Cherise. We then proceeded to torment her understanding boyfriend Matt with not one but TWO Disney movies! We watched The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. It was splendid. I like to pretend I am a Disney princess, and no one can stop me :) I have to say, though, that Matt is crazy wise. He puts up with me like a little-older sister (I am older, but shorter!). I can tell him everything that am worried about concerning a certain subject and he can ALWAYS tells me what will happen.

This week I will be enjoying a FANTASTIC half-gallon of cookie dough ice-cream. Feel free to ask me why. On top of that, it is getting cold at night in Pullman. Really cold. I just have to keep telling myself that this is the last winter here.

Coming Up This Weekend:
- Dress up dinner at St. Tommy's on Halloween
- Kayleen's Knitting Party ( I don't know how to knit, but I will learn. My family has always said I need a hobby, and what better hobby than knitting!)

Remember the Communion of Saints this coming weekend!

Another Week

What a difference a week makes! I am feeling so much better this week. The Remicade worked like a charm! I felt good enough to go down to the TC with Cherise and help my sister get ready for her first homecoming dance! She wore a beautiful emerald green dress that went to her knees and we put her hair into a messy bun. It was amazing to be apart of that moment for my sister. She even said thank you! For those of you who know my sister you know that this is quite unusual. Cherise and I then spent the evening catching up on homework and watching Baby Momma. I have a confession to make: even though I totally disagree with her politics, I have an itty bitty girl crush on Tina Fey. The first step is to admit is, isn't it?!

There isn't much to report as far as classes go. This is probably a good thing, though! I have now decided that I need to focus on my body as much as I have been focusing on my mind. I bought an exercise ball at Target before I left the TC so I can get into a better exercise habit. Today was lower body and tomorrow is arms! Growing up I was always involved in some sort of activity after school that kept me in shape. I tried everything: ballet, softball, gymnastics, jazz, and cheerleading. Since high school I haven't been as dedicated to exercise, but I am going to change that! I know that when I start work I am going to need a way to work off the stress of busy season. Maybe I'll just bring my exercise ball to work. It would be perfect for the audit room!

Speaking of accounting, I will start taking the CPA exam in six months. How scary is that?! I'm not to worried- yet! I am sure the stress will pile on as the date gets closer. I just can't wait to get to Seattle and start working. The further I get into my Master's the more I realize how much I LOVE accounting. Weird, huh? I miss all of my EY kiddos- therefore, I am coming to visit over Halloween weekend! Shari and I will be making the trip over the mountains, so get ready everyone!

This weekend should be a great one. Haunted Palouse is Friday. Everyone from St. Tommy's might even dress up. I think the theme may be celebrities if we can get Mike and Pat to dress up as the Olsen twins. The sad thing is that Andrea won't be there:( I did get to talk to her tonight and she is having a great time working as a volunteer in the Bronx. I only wish I was in a financial position to go and visit her! While Andrea won't be there, guess who might be?!! Gordon!!! Ok- just a little excited. He reads this, though, so I have to try and act cool. Am I doing a good job?

Not feeling so well...

Well- my ulcerative colitis decided it would make itself known this past week. Yay! It is a severe form of IBS that I was diagnosed with in high school. I basically had ulcers in my colon. Yuck. No gross details, but you can imagine what this causes. I have been on an IV medication and an immune suppressant (my immune system is what causes the inflammation which then forms the ulcers) that has gotten rid of the ulcers, but if I'm not careful I'll still feel the inflammation. My doctor down in the Tri-Cities has been trying to get me off of the immune suppressant for three years. I understand why he wants me to, but every time I try I get sick. This summer right before the internship my doctor told me that we should try going off the immune suppressant and try the highest dose possible of the IV medication. I said why not, and it worked for seven weeks the first session (I get IVs every eight weeks) but only six weeks this time. So, I haven't been feeling so hot the past ten days, but I get my IV on Friday!! I also said enough is enough and went back on the immune suppressant. It will take awhile to build back up,though. As long as we check blood work regularly I should be ok being back on it. The worst part about this is that I wasn't able to go on the Search retreat :( I was really looking forward to it, but I had to do what was best.

It's been hard, but I am trying to find God in this situation. I feel that it is really humbling me. I've had long periods of time where I have been completely fine and don't even think about this disease. Right when I get to that point God says, "Oh wait! I'm not going to let you forget." I have made great strides- when I was first diagnosed and was REALLY sick I didn't know if I would be able to go away to college. Now I am in grad school! I hope that God can use me to help those with chronic illnesses to see that He is there and that He is the one that helps us get through it. We can never lose faith that there will be better times, and can never lose faith that there will be a cure. I don't want pity, but I decided to talk about this since it is what I am dealing with right now. I've got my heating pad, Powerade, and soup- a girls best friends!