Season's Greetings!

Merry Christmas! I'm so happy to be able to say that and not sound too crazy! We had a great Thanksgiving vacation with family in Houston (blog and pics to come). Unfortunately I have spent the past two nights 'being sick' and I'm just not feeling 100%. I think all that rich food got to me.

Y'all- I have one week and two days of college classes left. CRAZY! Still don't know where we will be in January, but Joe has another (third) phone interview today between 1 and 2. Pray Pray.

Baking Breakthrough

As most of you know I started a foodie blog in October. Well, that is where it has stayed... in October. I haven't posted something in all 22 days we have been in November. Whoops. I have just been sooooo busy. Well life is finally slowing down, and I'm hoping that this means I will be able to start making/baking fun things in the kitchen again. This past week I needed to get two books at the local library for class. I decided to try out the larger library downtown. They did have my books, but they were arranged in the old system and it took me forever to find them. While I was looking I stumbled upon the cookbook section. WHAT! There is a cookbook section?Well of course there is, I just never thought about it. Needless to say my quick visit turned into about two hours; but, I left a happier girl than when I arrived. It was very hard, but I limited myself to 4 cookbooks. Joe was just as surprised as I was by the prospect of a cookbook section and went the next day to get some more. We have so many new recipes to try. Friday we were planning to decorate our apartment for Christmas and enjoy our favorite french onion soup (a weinberger staple). I was really in the mood to try a recipe from the baking book I got- so, I decided to bake sugar cookies with almond royal icing. Yum! They turned out fantastic. Joe said it was the best thing I have ever baked. This week we are full on thanksgiving!! My parents are coming in today. I am going to Houston tomorrow night, and Joe is meeting me there on wednesday. I love thanksgiving, and we are so looking forward to sharing our first together and with all of our wonderful family. This weekend was quite exciting here in Aggieland, and I will blog about that later.

Check List

1. Aggie Ring: Check

2. Senior Recital: Check

3. Graduation Announcements: Check

4. Graduation Dress: Check

5. Graduation Gown: Check

6. BTHO nebraska:

7. Thanksgiving:

8. BTHO tu:

9. Finals:

10. Graduation:

I believe it is the beginning of the end.

The Spirit that can n'er be told!

This Saturday, November 20th will be my final game at Kyle Field as a student. I have been dreading this day since Joe's last game in 2008. Even typing this makes me cry. There is saying here in aggieland:

From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it.

It is very true. I can't explain why when I think this is the last time I will sit in the student section- it makes me want to do another four years. I decided to pursue attendance at Texas A&M after a football game I went to my senior year of high school. It was incredible. It is incredible. Just for the record, I am writing this before saturday because we could loose and I might not be in the best frame of mind. There is nothing like gameday at Kyle Field, and I know this is what I will miss most. This Saturday is the biggest game of the year. I believe we can do it. The spirit around campus right now is awesome! It makes my heart swell and I can't imagine a better final game. It has been an honor to be a part of the 12th man.

The 12th Man is always in the stands waiting to be called upon if they are needed.

First he surveyed the Aggie team
And in terms of an angel swore,
"By Jove, I do believe I've seen
This gallant group before.
I've seen them play since way back when,
And they've always had the grit;
I've seen 'em lose and I've seen 'em win
But I've never seen 'em quit.

Ah! mio sogno! Oh, My Dream!

Well, I survived! Saturday was my senior recital, and I'm pretty happy with the way it went. Of course I'm still in the digesting mode- thinking about what I would do differently etc. but for the most part I'm happy. It was great to be with family- but now I miss them! Good thing thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!!! The whole experience was a bit surreal. I can't believe it's over, done. The rest of my semester should be pretty much "gravy". A few assignments here and there, but for the most part- Je fini! 3 weeks of classes left and a little less than 5 weeks till graduation! Wow! Here are some pictures from Saturday.

Nearly There

This morning when I walked into the music hall of the Academic Building- this is what I saw tacked up on the walls. Immediately my stomach turned over. It just kind of put time/things into perspective. This time next week I will be getting ready for my dress rehearsal and a short 50 hours later I will be performing at my senior recital. I know this is hard for people to understand, but I have been preparing/thinking about this event for my entire collegiate career. It is the culmination, or reward if you will, of all the hours of practice, note pounding, & tears. This is what I have been working toward/for. This is for all the apples. This is the FUN part! Really I feel mostly excited, but nervousness does have a way of showing up on my radar. All I want is to do the very best that I can, and I feel confident all of my work will allow that to happen. Next Saturday (November 13th 2:30 A&M United Methodist) is a huge check mark off my semester. After that I can breathe and enjoy my time left as a college student. I'm already viewing things differently. Appreciating is probably a better word than viewing actually. I know I will look back on this time with slight longing, so I'm trying to make the most of it. Tomorrow after my class Joe and I are going to have an afternoon together and I'm so excited about it. We are either going to go to Blue Baker for lunch (our college station favorite- we would go there every friday Joe's senior year) or to my new favorite Fitzwilly's. After that we are going to Hobby Lobby to shop for some new Christmas Decorations. This is absolutely my most favorite time in Aggieland. It's beautiful. Sorry, I diverge. Anyway, it's really happening (the recital)! See you there!

A Hullabaloo Halloween

This weekend was simply fantastic! As mentioned in other posts our good friends Dan & Amy spent the weekend with us. We had so. much. fun! Friday we had deep dish pizza and played Cranium (which is now on my Christmas list). I had never played before and I thought it was way complicated. It's not. Really great game... hint hint. Saturday we went to the tent sale and the aggie game, which was also great. You know why... because we really "beat the hell outta texas tech"!! Can I get an Amen? Or a whoop? Anywho- Dan and Amy left early Sunday morning to make it back for church and Joe & I had lunch with cousin Rebecca, whom we hadn't seen since the wedding. It was way too long of a separation, and I'm not sure if I can survive another year without seeing her. Thank goodness the holidays are coming. This brings me to my next point... Happy November!!! It is officially Christmas season... well almost. I have already seen several holiday commercials and most websites are 'decorated' for Christmas, so for me cue christmas music, lights etc. Also today is our 10 month 'anniversary'. I can't believe it! Again, where is the time going?