xxxxxCROSS-STITCHxxxxx

My dear Mother is a cross-stitch master and a half. 

A couple months ago she took me, almost ceremoniously, to Attic Needlework to pick out my very first sampler. I LOVE it so far.

This is what it'll look like when it's done.

Yeah, this is no weekend project guys.
 My Dad jokes I won't finish it until my future husband dies of old age.

Isn't he hilarious?

E & E Anderson and I have old granny stitching parties. 

We stitch, eat werthers, drink ginger ale, watch t.v., and make late night Wal-Mart runs.
That is what we do on our Saturday nights.

I know, I know, wild.

Ben Kweller is My Homeboy

The show tonight was one for the books. It's the most incredible feeling to stand two feet away from a guy you've been listening to for five plus years. My cheeks hurt from smiling, it was amazing. (Emma and Ashley, you guys missed out!)

Karlee's got camera skills.

He loved me.

"Thanks for singin' with me! You knew all the words."

Yeah. He noticed.

Very cool dude.

Next time he's in town you know where I'll be!

And he better be headlining.

Study Abroad?

Um I have never wanted anything more in my entire life.

My family chuckled when I mentioned this epiphany to them. Doubters, all of them. I know occasionally I like to get real excited about something and never follow through with it, but this is happening. Mark. My. Words.

So just a few things:

1. When and for how long?

I would prefer to go for a whole semester rather than just a summer. I'm in it to win it here, whatever that means. But obviously I'll take what I can get ha! And I'm shooting for spring of 2012, so in a year.

2. Where?

Absolutely positively no Asian countries. This may sound rude but honestly I have never been interested in Asian cultures. And China seems incredibly unsafe to me. My dream country is England, I just love the history! But I know it's one of the more expensive programs so if not I'll take anywhere in western Europe: Ireland, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, or anywhere around there.

3. What will I study?

When I think of studying abroad I in no way connect it with actual school. Doing this isn't for getting a degree, it's for the experience! So basically I'll be taking a semester off from my ultimate career goal, and in its place be taking history, language, and culture courses. Nirvana is what it'll be.

4. Alone?

Most definitely. If you know me, you know I'm a shy person. I've never had to come out of my shell for anything. I need to grow up and do something on my own for once.

5. What about the expenses??

Good. Question. Loans? Savings? Scholarships? I'll come up with something. If anyone has any ideas on how to make a quick buck, do share.

I have friends with experience ( b-dogg holler!), and wise older siblings. If I don't end up doing this I'll cry and then never get married or have children in a stage of protest, and then just end up being a very sad person for the rest of my life. Not an option.