March 13

I swear my future boyfriend and/or husband would have to be a bit crazy to be a part of my family. We have a sense of humor that is just...unexplainable and just as ridiculous. I appreciate the fact that now my mom says "That's what she said" jokes (as displayed above). There really should be a reality show on us.

March 12

More places downtown! You would think that since I am downtown every day, and I have lived here my whole life, there would be nothing else of excitement to me. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the route I drove. Who knows, but something about this city still keeps me interested.

March 11

Paris. Paris. Paris. There is always a reminder of this city and country that stole my heart. Like this keychain I bought by Notre Dame. It just makes me so happy. I will be back soon :)

March 10

I thought this picture was neat, but even cooler once Wade said it was probably his favorite that I have taken. I went a different way to school today and am glad I did. I saw a lot of buildings that I normally don't look at or haven't seen. It's the little changes, I swear..

March 9

These pictures kind of show themselves. I love passing random color like this in the city where many buildings lack it. The weather this week has been so fantastic, I can feel such a change in my mood. Not just my mood, but everyone's! This is why I need to move so winter is not a problem anymore :)

March 8

Lately, I have been craving Greek food like crazy. I just want to load feta cheese on just about all of my meals. So, I have asked around for some good, authentic Greek restaurants. While I was driving down to the south side for un-related Greek errands, I saw this sign for "Gyros" thinking, awesome! Until I read underneath it where it says "BBQ, Ribs, Chicken." Really?

March 7

So, we have a squirrel problem. It's simple: we buy a bird feeder, squirrels eat all the bird food, we make a device to keep the squirrels off the bird feeder, we laugh at their attempts to get the food...until they find a way. Repeat. So, my stepdad bought this wood...thing, for lack of a better word, where you place a corn cob on one end, and when the squirrel gets on to get the corn, the piece spins round and round like crazy. It is HILARIOUS!! So I tried to capture the movement of this one unfortunate squirrel.

March 6

We didn't know where my cat had disappeared to, until we saw her sleeping on the window sill. She is such a pretty little kitty...

March 5

My cousin was coming in town from Chicago to look at Indiana University next year, since she is about to finish up high school. So, I stayed at my dads tonight. My stepmom and I were cooking dinner, and I thought how happy it made me to really take time to cook with fresh food-nothing frozen or pre-made. And, apparently there are free frozen drinks on Fridays at McDonalds, but they are so tiny! Yummy..

March 4

I ditched school today. Well, let me correct myself when I say that I went to my first class and took my midterm, but then realized that my other classes were not doing much, so I left. And my mom took off half of the day, so it was so great to spend time with her. In fact, I had NOTHING to do today. Do you know how often that happens?! So, we made tea, ate a little key lime pie, and I wrote letters to my friends overseas. It was such a perfect day.

March 3

Today is my moms birthday! Although I didn't get to see her much, it is still dedicated to her. I was driving behind this car going to school, and although I don't know this person, I appreciate the stickers. "I'm straight, but not narrow." The one about same or opposite gender marriage. I feel that this is one of the first controversies that I feel very strongly about. Seeing how I am only 22, I realize that I don't have the answers to everything. And usually when controversial subjects come up, I have my opinion, but I still like to understand the other side. But same-sex marriage, and gays and lesbians in general, is something that I feel strongly about (I am for them, if you didn't know). I won't get into it now, but this made me happy this morning. Also, on campus, we have the "Democracy Plaza" where students can write or draw anything they want. What a beautiful thing that people are so free to express their ideas openly.

March 2

I took a walk downtown by myself after class today. It's all about the balance-I feel that I get a lot of my energy from being around people, but I usually prefer to be by myself. I love having my own schedule, silence, and observing things I might miss if I was with someone else. I just love how I feel lately and how everything is going so perfectly. I hope it stays :)

March 1

Happy March 1st!!! Spring is finally peeking around the corner and I can feel a great shift in my mood. I am such a sun person, so it takes much extra effort in the winter to stay positive. (So, this blog should be getting easier too!). I met my trivia partner, Geoff, after work to get some yummy Bazbeaux. Geoff and I were the original trivia team a year and a half ago. I haven't been able to go this semester because I have too much going on, but I really miss it. It started out with just me and Geoff and turned into a weekly event with almost everyone I work with. It was great to have everyone come together over LEARNING! haha, by the end of this blog, you will realize how much I love my Ruth's family. So, Geoff is just one link of this family.

February 28

The last day of February!! Ashley found this picture of me and Christophe at his first visit to a Starbucks (ever!). I had forgotten this picture was taken, and it made my day. I miss having him living by me and the luxury of seeing him frequently. But I am also so thankful for his friendship. :)

February 27

Herb with his abnormally large pancake. My brother is hilarious. "Wait, let me at least move my hands!" I love Saturday mornings when we have a big breakfast and take about 2 hours just sitting and enjoying each other's company.

February 26

Ah, my Strasbourg ladies. As Danielle said it, no matter how long it goes without us seeing each other, the moment we do, it's like no time has passed at all. I guess I thought going to France last year was going to be just a cultural experience. But I really met my best friends there too, and we have a bond that could not have been made here. I love you guys :)

February 25

Again, one of those things you really don't know why it's funny, but I just wonder how people come up with names for their companies. I feel like this could've been a more capturing, appealing name.

February 24

Happy Birthday Ashley! Her mom came into town to help out for a few days and took us all to lunch at Patachou (French food, good friends, Adelyn...it was awesome!)

February 23

FINALLY!! It isn't dark when I get downtown to work in the morning! And, regardless of the snow, I heard birds outside my window this morning. I am looking forward to the change in my mood when spring comes. Finding beauty will be much easier :)

February 22

Adelyn Sue Burns is finally here!!! I should wait to publish this post because I am too tired for the true meaning of this child to be accurately portrayed. All I can say is how amazing the birth of one life can change so many other lives. She is the sweetest baby. Holding her while she smiled at me, thinking back to the day when Ashley found out she was pregnant, and all the ups and downs since then, it was just...so emotional. I love you Ashley, Mike, and of course Adelyn.

February 21

Her water broke!! She went to the hospital late Saturday night. Mike met us there and he was definitely needed for support and comic relief (as seen in these pictures). Our energy was so strong, and the excitment was intense, as we all patiently waited for the little baby to come out. Unfortunately, after 25 hours of horrible pain, the baby was still not here and our excitment became irritation, fear, exhaustion. Until tomorrow, when the best surprise ever came..

February 20

I don't know why I think some things are funny, because they're really not. But maybe it's good just to notice things you never noticed before. Like the fact that there is a cheese called "Drunken Goat."

February 19

I made a bet on the Superbowl with my friend from work, Eric. Since German chocolate cake happens to be the favorite between both of us, this was the stakes: the Colts win, I get a German chocolate cake. Well, obviously we know who had to make the cake. But, what he doesn't know is, the cake batter actually made two! So Ashley and I kept one for ourselves.. :)

February 18

I have loved staying with Ashley these past few days. I feel so much more relaxed as I almost have an excuse to stay in and chill. It's been so nice for both of us to just talk about anything and everything. Her baby's room is all finished too! The excitement and anticipation is looming over us!

February 17

It's funny that I am staying with Ashley in case she goes into labor, and I actually feel much more rested and less stressed. Haha-This is the sunrise leaving for work one morning. It has been nice to relax with her and not be at home.

February 16

Happy Mardi Gras!! I had such a great outlook on today because it's my favorite number, but almost anything that could go wrong, went wrong. It wasn't enough to ruin my day, but it definitely tried. And today is the first day that I am staying with Ashley because she is due any day now. We had a mask-making rendez-vous with FSA in honor of Mardi Gras. It was pretty awesome...and there was plenty of pizza.

February 15

I picked up my friend Jean from the airport tonight. The last time I was in the airport, I was coming back from my horrible stay in Chicago. But really, I love being in the airport. I love the feeling of knowing that so many people are leaving to meet loved ones, or coming home to see someone special. There is such a great energy in an airport. I remember the line from "Love, Actually" where it said that if you want to see love, go to an airport. Because it's everywhere.

February 14

Happy Lover's Day! Although I had to work all weekend, I got some wonderful surprises. On my pillow, a box of Godiva chocolates from my wonderful mom. Sunday, a box of Godiva chocolates from my manager. Monday, my friend Jean brought me back Madelenes from Japan! Yay for sweets :)