A time to reflect on friends

I just got back from my vacation/reunion with my boys from college. We met 7 years ago and have seen each other through the cliqued "ups and downs." I don't have many memories of college without at least one of them in it... (however fuzzy that memory may be)

We had a blast just hanging at Brandon's, the pool, and all of the strip clubs in a 30 mile radius, golfing, walking on the beach, making up an alias and background story, driving to the beach listening "What you know," (T.I.) on repeat, and laughing that we picked the weekend to visit when it was Black Biker Weekend. Nice.

But the most satisfying part of the trip was knowing that with all of our changes and even losing touch for a while, we're closer than ever. (Though I regrettably had to inform them that at some point in these 7 years, I turned into a girl.)

I'm so blessed to have friends like these!

Nicknames

I've had a lot of nicknames (MB, Ice Queen, Marr-Bef, etc) but my new nickname was assigned by Jay. He was watching too much Star Wars and named us all Darth names. I'm officially Darth Shorty. (true meaning of Darth stuff because Jay corrupted us all in college)

But I really do think I'm getting shorter! You know when you hug someone you both have your spots. I usually hug guy friends around their waist and my head rests on their chest. But I noticed when I saw my friends again after a long time...the spot moved.

So I'm either shrinking or their playing a cruel joke and growing without admitting it. I think I'm still 5'3....?

Was '98 really that long ago?

I got a bulletin from a HS classmate tonight. Reminding us to sign up to recieve updates about our upcoming 10 year reunion. I just about fell out of my chair.

10 years? Really?

Then I got to thinking about what I've done since graduation (in 98 thank you). I've been to 4 colleges, visited 20 states, moved to 2 new states, made new friends, kept in touch with...well...not really anyone anymore,

have seen several friends/ex's get married, had my heart broken, fallen in love, had the stupid heart broken again...and again...

.. had short hair, had long hair, then short again, dyed it blond, then red, brown, blond, brown,...well, you get the idea....

read countless books, wasted countless hours in front of the TV,

lost myself, then found myself only stronger,

And then I realized that I'm in a good place to start planning for a reunion. Sure I'll see the same people who were always hoping I failed...but I can take it for what it is. Touching base with the people who helped mold me into who I am or who I wanted to be.

In a way I'm still the innocent HS kid with wide eyes and an open heart....just smarter.

Weekend with Nita/Tuesdays with Morrie

This weekend I flew to FL to spend time with my favorite aunt. This summer we discovered that she has cancer again, and this time it's terminal. I had such a great time with her! But it's hard to have a weekend like this without wondering when or if we'll have another one. If she hadn't lost her hair from the treatments, you'd never guess she were sick. But cancer is a mysterious thing, so we don't really know how long she's going to be with us. Needless to say we're soaking up as many memories as possible.

I left my book on the plane to FL, so I picked up Tuesdays with Morrie to read on the way home. I really wish I would have read it before this trip. It was such an interesting commentary on life, death, emotions, and inspiration.

In the book the author asked some bold questions to a dying mentor, but came away with amazing information. It makes me wish I had not been afraid to confront Nita's inevitable death with more questions about who she is so that I can carry her legacy. I can only pray for more days to ask and learn.

I think we all have someone we know (young or old) who has lived an amazing life. Rather than being wrapped in ourselves, we should take advantage of our time together. After all, when we die, all that remains are our relationships and legacy.

I want to adopt a puppy

I've bounced around a lot in the past year, and nothing has really been a constant in my life except my friends and family back home. Not that I'm terribly lonely...but a little.

I love labs and big dogs, but I'll be living in apartments for a few years so it wouldn't be fair. I'd like to adopt a young puppy, preferably a smaller breed and female.

If anyone knows of a family with puppies or a good local shelter, drop me a line. I'd give it a loving home, spoil it rotten, and make it the envy of all the other dogs in my apartment complex.

Family

I love my family.

Just when I've had a bad week at work, a crazy personal life, and touch of being homesick...dad calls. Somehow hearing from him and knowing that at 26, a dad hug can still fix it all... is pretty comforting.

So here's looking forward to a bright start tomorrow.

Locks of Love

As you can tell by my pictures or if you know me, I have a LOT of hair. It's thick, long, grows fast, and meets every Texas stereotype.

But ever since my favorite aunt started losing her second battle with cancer, I've been trying to think of ways to help other cancer patients. Locks of Love is a great non-profit organization that uses gifts of human hair to make wigs for children patients.

I'm going to do it! I am going to wait a few more weeks for my hair to grow just a little more, then off it goes! I think my 1 ponytail could outfit 3 kids!

If you'd like to donate your hair, go to this site for more info http://www.locksoflove.org. Send me pics of your before and after