Growing Up

I have absolutely no idea how a month can just fly by like that! It's insane, I know! But, here's to catching up on all of the highlights!

I've been trying new things and I've grown up in many ways since I last blogged (right after my birthday).  Here's a list:

1.  I drive on highways now! If you know me, you know that I've never been a fan of highways because I don't trust people and their driving skills and putting speed into the mix used to a fear of mine especially since I learned how to drive in about eight hours.  Long story short, I drive on highways now! My special someone helped me with it and I could not be more thankful! <3

2. I am now a server at Cracker Barrel! That's right, yours truly now has TWO JOBS.  Trust me guys, I really don't recommend it because I work 6/7 days of the week and it's very exhausting.  Two jobs along with two summer classes is insane but I've only got one more week and then I'm done with classes (until August 20).  But like I was saying, yup! I'm a server.  Tips have been pretty good.  I was just looking to get some extra cash so I could save for Rome (still crossing my fingers) and for one day moving to my future home, those of you who know me know where that is.  :)

3.  I've flown on a plane on my own! My aunt and uncle and I went up to New Hampshire for my aunt's niece's wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful!  We also visited the area around.  It was nice! On the way back, I was a bit nervous at first but I just flew on my own and everything! ALL THE WAY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE! Living in the south, that's a lot! :)

It's crazy how much I've grown up since December and obviously since my mom's passing in late September.  I try new things like nobody's business.  I think like an adult 95% of the time and I'm always trying to save money.  It's insane.  

I believe my sweet momma is proud of me and happy that I've become a semi-adult.  I mean, I'm only 20.  :)

Way too much to catch up on!

Here are the highlights from December 23-January 1:

-We left at around 11am that friday and it took us forever to get there but we finally got there.
-The next day was..wait for it…THE DALLAS COWBOYS GAME!!!! That was really the main event of our vacation.  That was so much fun! We even took a tour of the stadium that monday after Christmas.  We saw pretty much the entire stadium, we went inside the locker rooms and all that good stuff.
-It was freakin' amazing.
-Christmas wasn't too too difficult although I did have a meltdown or two on Christmas Eve.  I'm pretty proud of how I did.
-The hotel wasn't that bad, there were plenty of mirrors which made straightening my hair fun.  Haha.
-On the 26th we headed to the resort.   That was nice but the lodge was kinda ugly.  During our stay there (26-30) we went to the Caldwell Zoo, Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari, we ate at the Purple Pig, passed a sign that read "Bodacious Bar-B-Q", we went to the Tiger Wildlife Refuge, and some other places as well.
-Oh! So we were at the Caldwell Zoo and I saw this little girl and I absolutely loved her hairstyle.  I was going to tell my aunt but the little girl walked like right in front of me and looked at me so I told her instead. "I love your hair" was what I said exactly and she went running to her dad and said "Dad, that lady/girl (not sure what she said) said she liked my hair" and she was pointing to me with a smile on her face.  I told her dad that I really liked it and he told her "What do you say?" so she said thank you and then (and this is the cute part) she came up to me and hugged me.  I'm 5 feet tall and she came up to my waist and she gave me this little hug she was so adorable!!!! That was probably the highlight of the entire trip for me.  <3
-Oh! Also I adopted a tiger named Katrina from the Tiger Wildlife Refuge! Her name is Katrina and she is the oldest tiger there.  She has the same birthday as my mom did (April 26).  I thought it was a sign from my momma. <3
-We then went to Dallas on the 30 and stayed there so my aunt's sister and nephews would be closer to the airport.  We stayed at the Wyndham and oh my goodness! I loved that hotel!!! The shower was absolutely gorgeous.
-On our way back home we stopped at a gas station called Stripes and it was very fancy! I took pictures haha. There was a fruit bar area, smoothies were available and there were tables!!!
-We got home yesterday around 7.  We watched Dick Clark's New Years Rockin Eve and it was nice to keep that tradition going.  My mom and I would always ring in the new year with New York and then with our city.  We both considered NY a second home.  I had a meltdown right after we rang in the new year with NY but since then I've been meltdown-free *knock on wood*.  After we rang in the New Year with NY and had six things of something.  In Mexico, the tradition is that you eat 12 grapes as the clock counts down but my mom and I would substitute the grapes for something smaller or we would cut up the grapes.  Last night my aunt and I had skittles.  I thought it would be a good idea to eat 6 with NY and 6 with my city.  After we rang in the new year my aunt and I went to their backyard and watched some fireworks.  It was a nice night.  I'm pretty sure my momma would be proud.
-So my resolution for this year is to try new things.  Be fearless.

I'm probably missing stuff but you get the idea of how wonderful of a time I had.
Oh! Today I cooked this one dish my mom and I used to make and it was nice to see my aunt and uncle like it and figure out how to eat it (tostada).


I got the first season of Grey's Anatomy btw!!!!
HAPPY 2012! I'm already liking this year.  

10-day Vacation

So we are going on a 10-day vacation.  I'm packing right now.  I've had two meltdowns today.  Yeah, a bit out of the ordinary but the day after tomorrow is Christmas Eve and then, of course, there's Christmas.  If you know me, you know I LOVE Christmas.  I love everything about it.  I always loved spending this holiday with my mom but obviously, this year is different.  I will be okay.  I will pick up the pieces and move on but it's especially difficult during this time of the year.  Not too mention New Year's coming up.  After her 2008 diagnosis each New Year's was a "Yay! We've made it this far!" but it always came with the fear of the following year.  Now, there's no fear, just sadness.  I still feel she's alive, you know?

Back to the whole vacation thing, I won't give away too much, gotta keep it private you know? We will be watching a professional football game!!! Aaah! We will be spending Christmas there and then come down a little bit and go to the Timeshare thing where we get to go horseback ridding.  So, yeah as I'm typing this I just realized that I've already told y'all this, well it doesn't hurt to tell y'all again.  I'm excited.  I just don't like packing though because I always overpack.  Oh dear.  Wish me luck to not overpack like a crazy girl!

BIG NEWS:
Guess who's seeing the one and only Kelly Clarkson in concert???? YUP!!!! You guessed it! I'm so excited, I'm gonna go with my friend Katie!! I'm beyond excited!!!! I went to a Kelly Clarkson concert with my mom when I was in middle school and it was absolutely amazing!!!! I know she would be so happy for me right now! I was listening to a song on Pandora (on Jasper, my iPhone) and a commercial thing popped up and they talked about her going on tour and about going to the website, so you best believe I did exactly that. And tadaaa!!! She's coming to my city! So excited.  The countdown starts now!

Another thing, I called the periodontist to get my teeth situation fixed.  They called me back and asked about a different doctor, like getting an appt with him so they were looking for an appt for me.  They offered two options, both which really did not work.  I basically told them I really needed to get this fixed and so they were able to make room for me for a perfect time! Just shows what a little perseverance can do!

So, if I don't blog before then, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!