Sunday Sunday Sunday

Not much to report, other than I've been sleeping all day long.

I think I'm going to make some pasta primavera (that sounds so good right now)

I went to see the Nutcracker with Erin and her two nieces Victoria and Brooke last night. I had a lot of fun. I've never been to the Ballet before. We sat in the Mezzanine, and the view was awesome. It was funny though because the girls during the second act were getting kind of ancy (they're only 5 and 6). So at one point, Brooke decides that whispering is for the birds, and right before this one guy is ending his dance, he does some wierd twirly thing and Brooke just yells out "Anyone can do that!" It was so hillarious! The people behind us were cracking up...we were like "Brooke...shhhhhhh". I was trying not to laugh.

So Cory left town Friday night. He took me out to dinner and then gave me his house key and left...I was really really sad. I miss him so much. He's going to call me on Tuesday (he called yesterday) because he might come home Thursday, and if he does, he's going to take me on an all expense paid trip to Tulsa! lol! I told him I was broke, and he told me not to worry about anything because he just wants to travel with me. But if he doesn't come back on Thursday, then he wont be back untill Saturday:( He went to Denver to visit his friend, but it turns out his friend is actually flying in to go to Tulsa...he should be arriving today (I think they guys actually made it in time to give him a ride to the airport!) lol.

He told me that when he got to Tulsa Friday night, he stayed up untill 4AM partying! I've only seen Cory stay up that late a couple of times...so I thought it was pretty crazy! Plus the fact that he doesn't like to drink that much. I'm glad he had fun. I hope he's having fun in Denver. He tried to get me to go with him but I couldn't take off work.

I stayed at his house last night...that was awesome. Started reading 1984, got some good sleep...that's about it. My break is probably the most boring and stupid break ever. I'm not doing anything and it's cold as crap and there is so much holiday traffic...I'm affraid to ride anywhere in Norman because the drivers are INSANE during this holiday season! I think I might bundle up tonight though and ride to my friend Dougs (assuming he's home)

I got a job interview with the Fine Arts Library at OU! I'm so excited! I really hope I get that job! I would rather have the Fancy That job, but it's not looking promising because of my coaching schedule. However, the Fine Art's Library might be a little more flexible and I might even be able to get more hours because they open way earlier than Fancy That!

I'm just trying to get a job as quickly as possible so that I can start saving as much money as possible in order to move out. I can't live here anymore. I need my own space, and I'm tired of feeling like I'm in highschool. Hell I'm 25 years old, I've been independent for the past nine years! This sucks!


Anyway, that primavera is calling me!!!

job hunting...sucks...

So I went and applied at Fancy That today. Everyone, keep your fingers crossed. I really really want to work there! I need to find another job to coincide with the coaching. I'm trying to save money so I can go to Austria for my graduation trip. That's right, forget San Francisco (well don't forget it...put it on hold) I'm going to Austria (assuming I find a job and save enough money!)

So I could just go get an easy holiday job at the mall, but I don't want to work for corporate America, and I could get a big people job, but I don't want to quit coaching. I love coaching...so I think the best kind of job for me is local business. I want to work at a place like Fancy That or Native Roots...I realize these kinds of jobs are more difficult to get and it's all about who you know, but I know some people! If I work at Fancy That, I'll be decorating cakes! How cool is that?

So yeah, back to Austria...the mother land! Cory and I were talking about the San Francisco trip, and we some how got on the subject of traveling...And then we decided that the best trip for us would be Austria! Dad already told me that he would pay for my passport...and all I need to do is save money for my trip! My plan is to live at home with my parents (for as long as my little heart can take it) and save everything that I get...that way I can travel!

The hard part is this though...I really really really want to move out of here as soon as possible. I'm tired of not having my own space (real tired). I almost feel like I'm couch surfing constantly because I'mm never home. I stay at Cory's a lot because I go crazy sleeping here. Plus, I can't make my room at my parents house my own. They have it set up exactly how they want it...and so in turn, it's not my own space...it's a storage guest room at this point. Plus I really really really hate living out of boxes and having half of my stuff in storage.

But enough complaining, because on the upside, I'm not paying rent, food, or hell...I'm not even paying for my gas half of the time. Its rather nice to have a financial break!

We set up the Christmas tree last night. Setting up the tree in the Neel household is a rather stressful event. We all usually argue the entire time. Mom and sister started to argue but I put a halt to that as quickly as possible simply because I didn't want to listen to it. The tree looks nice...it looks like Christmas here. Usually I'm really excited about Christmas, but this year, I just don't know. I'm more looking forward to eating a really nice dinner and enjoying the company of my familly. I think I'm going to try and hang out with Dougy as much as possible. I hung out with Dougy over the break a couple of years ago and it felt SO good!

Cory is going to Denver On Saturday....I'll be "house sitting" for him...meaning, I'm sleeping in the city for 9 days (thank god!) I'll sure miss him. I think he's going to miss me too. He told me the other day that "life wasn't worth much without having somoeone to love". He said this as he was nuzzling against me and cuddling me. He melts my heart. I swear...puppy love is the greatest feeling, and it's the greatest feeling when you haven't had puppy love in a long time, and it's even better when you're not looking for marriage or anything serious.

We had a very serious talk about marriage...I told him exactly how I felt. I don't want to get married, ever. I don't believe that I need a ring around my finger to know that someone loves me. If I am in love, and the person loves me back, then I would rather just spend my time with them. I don't want to go through the stress of planning a wedding or any of that junk. It was incredible to talk to him about how I felt, because he feels the exact same way! We really connected. It was a really special conversation and a very special day that we spent together.

I made him cry. I bought him a cupcake the other day and wrote a little note with it telling him how happy I was to have him in my life and that he makes me feel incredible...and he totally started crying. It was so cute.

Oh geeze, enough mushy gushy...

I'm going to go enjoy a chai with my mom and call Dougy!

Mid Day Awesomeness!

Some pics for you're viewing pleasure!

This is me riding my new fixie around my new neighborhood!

Here are the newest finished cards! (from top left to right) Drink To My Health, Uncooth Language, Quixotic, You Mama, Il Cuore, Eristic

Here I am working on the cards in Minneapolis (one of the only MN pics that will upload! lol)

Drink To My Health, Inspired by my idea of wanting to be healthy and not drink as much, so all of you out there, go ahead, drink to my health!

You Mama, trying my hand and handstyles...I've got a loooooooong way to go!

I finished Creative Therapies today. Good class, except I wish I had the will power to over come my desire to skip class all of the time. I think I'm just at that point in college where I don't really care as long as I pass. Bad attitude to have, but I've been in school working on my bachelors for oh, seven years! Not only that, I'm tired. I'm extremely tired. I've worked full time all throughout school, and played derby, and gone to school full time. This was my semester of going to school part time and barely working. I need to graduate...and I think I have a plan for when I graduate. I'm going to stay in Norman. I'm going to work part time for a while. I would like to find a job that is very community based. I would love to work at a place like Native Roots or something of that nature. Next semester is my last semester, and I'm going to really crank it out. I'm just going to suck up any desire of skipping class that I have, and just go!

Today I'm going to take it extremely easy. I'm going to get in the hot tub, I'm going to take a nap, whatever...maybe read a book...then I'm going to ride to work, and after work go to the city and spend more time with my boo. Becca called earlier, and I guess Toddy is MCing at some party...maybe we'll go check that out, but it's going to be yet another busy weekend.

On the Agenda as of now

Friday night

Plaza District with Erin

Becca's friends party at her shop (bringing Erin)

Balthazars show

Saturday

Holiday parade in Norman

Art Market

nap!

holiday party with Becca (and maybe Cory and Toddy?)

Sunday

Inservice at the Y...yuck!

well, that concludes my mid day post! enjoy the cards...there's plently more where that came from!

okay pics aren't working out...I'll figure it out...but here are a few of my new bike!!! isn't he beautiful?

Long awaited post...but still no pics!

Fear not though! I'm uploading the pictures from Minneapolis right now. I've been busy moving and doing swim team and school stuff.

So I'm now living at home, with the fam...it's okay sometimes. I'm thankful for free rent and food, but I miss being in my own environment. I like being able to decorate how I want and I miss being able to bring people over to my place any time I want. Living with my parents is difficult because they are very private people. But at the same time, I get my own "wing" of the house, and I don't have to worry about the crazy monetary issues. Right now I just have to focus on working.

I cooked a bomb ass dinner with my mom last night. Everyone in my family loved it. I made shrimp scampi with ghee, onion, garlic, himala sea salt, green onions and cilantro. My mom made rice pilaf and salad....mmmmm

Also had a great girls night Saturday with Toddy's girl Becca...Toddy and Cory call us peas and carrots (I'm carrots!) We had so much fun. We hung out with her sister and drank wine, then we went to a bar called the Biting Sow to listen to some good ole blues! We got free drinks too because we were the cutest girls there! After that we went to a parking lot and danced. She is so cool. I love Becca! I'm going to her sister's house tomorrow night for "Recession night"...a form of girls night with cheap wine and food! Can't wait.

I'm also going to Duncan America with Cory tomorrow. I don't have to work so I'm skipping class and he's going to show me what he does at work. I can't wait. We've been spending way more time together. I'm having fun and feel great about getting to know him more. He told me the other day that he feels honored to hang out with me and that he's proud of me...


...oooooo pics are uploaded to my desktop...I'm going to start a new post right now with photos!

Full moon, Friday night, relaxin' in the crib!

Before I get started, Minnesota pics promised by 11PM Sunday! I got my camera back and I'm procrastinating at this point.

So weird day. I woke up with a hang over...but I only had one beer last night. I think it was the champagne. I split a bottle with Erin, Sean, and Joshy. It was our Bells Angels Champagne Thursday ride, but it wasn't much of a ride because roomie and I got into it! We did get some riding in though. I think after all of the riding in Minneapolis, the riding around here just seems so blah. I think sometime this weekend I'm going to go seek out some trails. One of the girls on my team is racing Sunday in a cyclo-cross race...I think I'm going to go check it out. She told me I should join! Sounds fun, but I want to see what it's all about before I do.

So after I woke up, Erin came and picked me up, went to the bank, and went to BJ's for some lunch...I had the mini pizza and a house salad, and this time, it wasn't that bad! Then we went to Hobby Lobby where I got some new paint pens so I can work on these spoke cards some more. Once I get a few of them finished, I'll post pics. They're looking way more bad ass than the ones I've been doing.

Spent the majority of my day at the gallery. We prepped things for the arts market tomorrow, and put together rolls of blank paper for our gift wrapping fundraiser (want to make some gift wrap? let me know...it's for a good cause! If you're an artist and have some mad skills...I'll give you ten feet of white paper to unleash on!)

I also did a bunch of my homework at the gallery, but slacked off the closer it got to four. I was supposed to be writing a paper while I was there, but instead just gathered the info needed. Then we went to the liquor store to take Joshy his spoke card...BTW FIRST LAMINATED SPOKE CARD WAS GIVEN TODAY TO JOSHY! Let the spoke tagging begin! oh and Emily...I'm working on a special one for you! Cory and I collaborated on it! It will be laminated!

So then I went and rode my bike to the pool, didn't get in the water today because it's game day for the kids. I'm not a big fan of game day because I would rather be swimming than playing sharks and minnows, but I realize that this kind of stuff is essential for team building and self esteem building. We did the 123 SSC shout before practice was up. Felt good, I love being apart of Sooner Swim Club. I'm in love with coaching swimmers...I'm in love with aquatics.

So then I came home, wrote my paper (which was BOMB) and turned that bitch in! Oh...right before I got home, I almost got hit by a car on Boyd. Mind you, I was wearing a reflective jacked, had all of my LED lights on (two blinkies in the front, one blinky in the back) and this whore still didn't see me! I was pretty freaked out. I swear, one of these days I'm really going to get hit...and it's really going to suck. I've started wearing my helmet when I ride. I was inspired by Emily, and my friend Ben in Minneapolis who insisted on Cory wearing his extra helmet (thanks Benny...I mean it...we don't need any accidents especially ones that involve our loved ones).

So after I turned in the paper, I took a shower, cleaned the living room and dining room, and made some dinner. Left overs from last night. baked chicken with gravy, asparagus, and green leaf salad with organic tomato green onions and balsamic vinegar. mmmmm...Now I'm just kind of taking it easy. Cory's coming to Norman with some friends, and said he would call me when he got into town, but I'm not counting on it really. I mean, I am...I would love to see him...but I understand if he doesn't call. I have to wake up super early to be at the Arts Market tomorrow, then I have to meet with my group from class to work on our final project...I really don't want to meet with them tomorrow...

...but one thing I have to look forward to is a nice sushi dinner for my birthday! That's right, my boo is taking me out. We're going out to eat tomorrow night, although I would much rather him make me dinner and be all romantic and light candles and la dee da but we wont get into that...Sushi is good enough for me, and I know that it's going to be a very lovely evening/night/Sunday morning! I plan on getting all gussied up before dinner too...well, maybe a little gussied, I don't want to look too sorority!

So I was thinking tonight about DVD's. See I'm moving in with my parents, and I got rid of my TV, DVD player and a ton of DVD's...but I saved my VCR (on accident) and I was thinking about getting rid of it, but then I realized, no matter what, my absolute favorite movie in the entire world is Waiting To Exhale, and I only own it on VHS.

That's right, I love that movie. It's got everything! Drama, comedy, Love story...it's perfect, and I think I love it also because I've always wanted a close group of girl friends that I can run to when I have gossip or drama...I've always wanted that group of girls that will come over, drink wine with me, eat dinner, and gossip all night and wont hesitate to spend the night! I love that kind of stuff but I never get to do it. I mean, Erin and I do that stuff...and it's awesome...but I think it would be way more awesome if we had a couple of other girls to hang out with.

So I've been playing around with the pandora.com radio station, and I think I found my new favorite chill station. Erykah Badu radio...oh man, it's so awesome. I had it turned up and had a candle light dinner by myself...and it felt amazing. I might make a bloody mary and just take it easy and then go to bed. Or I might roam around my house! Or I might bust out these new paint pens and work on some new cards.

I wish I had my other paint pens though...Cory has all of my supplies at his house. I forgot to grab all of it on my way out the other morning. Well, I guess i'm going to find something to do before bed.

again, I promise I'll post the Minneapolis pics by sunday night!

well crap!

So I was going to upload the Minneapolis pics...but once again it will have to wait. I've seemed to missplace my camera. It might be at the gallery or in Erin's purse. I kind of hope Erin has it!

So I deleted my facebook. I'll be deleting the myspace after tomorrow night (that way anyone that needs to get in touch with me still has some time). I'm just kind of tired of being distracted by it. Plus, it's a lot of drama. If you delete someone then they get mad, if you change your relationship status, then someone's feelings get hurt, blah blah blah...It's just stupid. I would rather blog about my day then mystalk someone else!

Speaking of days, today was pretty good. I stayed at Cory's last night. He made me dinner after practice and I took a shower there (he has the BEST shower in the world...well..it atleast made my top 5 list of most awesome showers!) Then after that we both passed out. It was really cute because we were laying in bed and just talking, and he had his little handkerchief around his neck and his beanie on, super cute...not even kidding. Anyway, so he took off the hanky and passed out in his beanie. I'm telling you he makes my heart melt sometimes...just the little things!

I woke up today with him, but immediately fell back asleep and didn't wake up again untill 9:30...his bed is so comfy! So then I got up and got in my car and came home...I was almost late for class due to this damn train stopping, but I made it right in time.

Then I hung up a couple of flyers advertising my dog (btw, if anyone wants a beautiful loveable pitbull...please let me know...she's a great doggie!) The bulk of my day was spent at the gallery with Erin. It was funny because we were both on the computer so we decided that it was LAN party day! We ate pizza and salad and basically surfed the net. I did a lot of homework for my online class (which I HATE!)

Yeah, this online class...I think I'm having the worst experience with this class ever. For example, we're supposed to participate in the discussion board discussion...fair enough...no problem. However, she expects us to participate in 90% of the discussion...so if there are 1,000 posts...900 of them need to be your own! IMPOSSIBLE! If everyone is trying to post, then how the hell is everyone supposed to meet the 90% requirement? AND I hate the discussion board because it's never really a discussion at all! It's always one person saying something and the rest saying "I agree"...THAT'S NOT A DAMN DISCUSSION PEOPLE! Get with it! We are all upper div college students!

Enough of that. So then I went and coached swim practice. I got in the water with the kids. I used to hate getting in the water, but now I love it. I feel extremely accomplished when I get in and do the workout. And the parents love it too! I get a lot of compliments from parents because I get in with their kids and correct strokes. The only downside is, my skin is ichy dry every day now. I don't miss that aspect of competitive swimming.

So now all that's left for today is to cook dinner, and Bells Angels Bike Ride...I'm thinking chicken parmesian!

Oklahoma weather is tropical compared to MN!!!

So we got back from the trip at about midnight last night...incredible. Pics to follow (when I get home...I'm at the gallery right now).

We left Thursday around 7PM and drove ALL night long...I kept saying "boy I hope it snows!" Well, I learned my lesson...be careful of what you wish for because once we got about halfway through Iowa, it was like driving through a blizzard until we got to the outskirts of Minneapolis! I was freaking out! Cory kept saying "Pull over and let me drive" but I was so nervous that I could not even begin to think about pulling over! And semi trucks kept flying past us at record speeds and leaving us in trails of sludge and snow and all around scariness!

Once we got into Minneapolis at about 7AM, we unloaded all of our stuff (Cory brought SO MUCH stuff!!! it looked like he was moving in!) and we passed out! When we woke up we went to take my uncle to work, and then we went grocery shopping and hung out with my uncle's roomie Jordan. So Jordan is an interesting character! He's a cool dude, about 25ish and works for activision testing video games. We met his friend Adam who's father was the drummer for Prince during Purple Rain and all that great stuff.

So Jordan took us to this bar called the CC Club. Pretty cool little bar, I would call it a hole in the wall but compared to Oklahoma bars it was fairly large. We rode our bikes there. Then after that we rode over to the Independent (another awesome bar!) But Cory was exhausted so we didn't stay too long. Jordan met a girl there, but I don't think he got her number...He should have! She was cute!

So after the Independent we rode home, and on the way home we were running red lights and we got pulled over on our bikes! The cop loved me though because I had bright clothing on and lights on my bike! Jordan and Cory were wearing black coats and had no lights! Anyway we got off with a warning and we continued on the way home.

When we got back we hung out with Jordan a little longer until my Uncle got home and then we went to bed. The next day (which was Friday) we woke up, made breakfast and went on a 30 mile ride (yes...30 miles!) with my friend Ben to Minnihaha Falls! It was the most incredible ride I think I've ever been on! When we got to the Falls, Ben took us on a trail...we had to carry our bikes up and down some crazy stairs and some crazy spots, and mind you...my bike is not the lightest! But I powered through it anyway! So then we found a spot to leave our bikes and went on a hike! Oh it was so beautiful! Ben was showing us all of these spots on our hike where he does tricks on his mountain bike.

After the hike/ride, we hopped the light rail and went back to Lake Street, where we rode to this Somali part of Minneapolis for some Chai and a weird donut-esque food item. Apparantly New York and Minneapolis have competing Somali TV programming! We watched some Somali TV later on that day (Jig Jiga TV! not even kidding!) Bad ass music!

After the ride (which was cold and invigorating and incredible) we went back to the house, chilled for a while, and then went to my Uncles restaraunt Harry's for an incredible dinner! Cory had the Bistro Steak with macaroni and I had crap crusted Mahi Mahi with lobster sauce and mixed vegitables. mmmmm. Everything at my Uncles restaraunt is made from scratch too! No sysco or any of that crap! We also shared a bottle of QuPe, a Syrah. BTW, our meal was totally free and totally delish! Great chill atmosphere too...oh...and the patio had a Botero! I should have taken a photo! here's a little video about the restaraunt (I can even see my uncles friend Benji serving in it!)We then hung out at Harry's after it closed (my Uncle was the closing manager and is now the GM)....okay...apparantly I can't put the video on here....that sucks

Here's a link to their site http://www.harrysfood.com/

So after Harry's, we took Cory home and my uncle and I went out to the 19 bar. I haven't been there in years! And it was awesome because the bar tender remembered me. So we stayed for a couple of shots and a couple of beers and went back to the house where we hung out once again with Jordan! Super fun! We stayed up a little too late though (like...oh...I dunno...6AM!)

Saturday was pretty fun too, woke up, made breakfast, and Cory started on a mural in my Uncles house (we have to go back in December to get it finished! can't wait!) After that Cory and I decided it was time to explore and so we got all warm weather geared up, and hopped on our bikes and rode the Greenway. Did you know Minneapolis is ranked something like number 2 in the nation for bike riding? Oh it's just fantastic. So the Greenway is basically for bikes, skates, and walkers...basically a pedestrian area zone...No motorized vehicles what so ever! Here's a link to the Midtown Greenway site http://www.midtowngreenway.org/

So we rode the Greenway all the way to the Mississippi River (about 5 or 6 miles) and we took lots of pictures of graffiti on the way. Minneapolis isn't very graffiti friendly, but we found some pretty cool stuff. Cory also took pictures of this really cool bridge when you get closer to the river. By the time we got to the river, I was numb! my thighs were numb, my fingers were numb, my face was red! I was wearing gloves, jeans, a warm coat, a scarf, a hat, my helmut, and my scarf was even covering my face!!! It was probably the coldest day while we were there, so we turned around and went back to the house. It was cool because along the Greenway they have tiny stop signs, and we also found a cafe/bike shop! I loved riding the Greenway, it was a lot more chill than the Ben ride...But the Ben ride was my favorite ride!

So after that, we went home where we had a lazy evening...we were so tired. And basically crashed out fairly early.

Sunday was a nice day too! After we made breakfast, I went and rode the Greenway by myself, only this time I went to Lake Calhoun...I'm not quite sure on the mileage on that, but it was a good distance from Lake and 3rd Street. I took some pics of graffiti for Cory, and just kind of enjoyed my solo ride! After that, I went back to the house where Cory was painting. I was supposed to go practice with Minnesota Rollergirls, but I took a nap and didn't wake up until 6 (which was when practice started). There was also a few other things that factored into me not practicing like insurance confusion (I need to find out ahead of time when I visit a league about insurance, because we switched from USARS to something different) And I didn't think about it untill after I left a message for Frau Scientits. I was also exhausted from all of the riding we had been doing!

I think it worked out though because my Uncle said things were crazy downtown due to the Vikings game. Poor Uncle Mike, his first day as General Manager and he has to work a crazy game!

So then, I pretty much just crashed out that night...Cory stayed up painting the wall, and I passed out!

So Monday was our last full day in Minneapolis (so sad). My Uncle and I took the day to ourselves, we went and had lunch at Harry's (mmmm that place is so good). We had Corn Chowder and a steak sandwich (it was new on the menu I think...and I can't remember what it was to save my life...but I know it was delish!) We also went over to the McPhail music School http://www.macphail.org/index_flash.html where I met my Uncles friend. The McPhail building was really cool! I guess it's about 2 years old (?), I know my Uncle said it was fairly new, and it's a contemporary looking building...inside and out.

After that we went to a couple of stores, Bibelot and some other gift store...I was going to buy gifts for people but everything was so expensive and I just didn't have the money for it. We also hit up the Urban Outfitters because they have an Obama For Your Mama t-shirt...but I couldn't find one...I was going to get it for Erin because she has a Pope is Dope shirt! After that we went into this cool vintage store (Ragstock?) everything was SUPER CHEAP!! and everything was SUPER COOL!!!

So after shopping, we got home around 5ish, and it was already dark outside. It gets dark around 4PM there! We had reservations at Fogo De Chao for 8:30, so we hung out around the house. Cory baked cookies...and proceded to eat the entire plate of cookies! Along with a grilled cheese sandwich...and he tried to make pop corn but I stopped him! We kept telling him that Fogo was going to be extremely filling! His response was "I'm ready...I eat like a horse!"

So Jordan, Cory, Uncle Mike, and I drove to Fogo around 8, had a few cocktails while we waited for Robert. Then we sat down at our table...

...Now for those of you who have never heard of Fogo De Chao, let me tell you...INCREDIBLE! If you're a vegitarian, forget it! Don't go unless you're just wanted to spend a good 35 bucks on salad bar alone! Go to this site and read about Fogo for a second! http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/minneapolis.htm

Basically, each person has a disk next to their plate. One side is green, the other red. When you flip the disk to green, the Gauchos start bringing these giant scewers of meat to you and they shave some off onto your plate. Now the meat that they shave off onto your plate is a small portion, but don't be alarmed or confused, if you don't flip your disk back over to red, they will keep coming! You will get sick full! Jordan had his disk on green the whole time and was confused on why the gauchos kept coming over to him and bringing him more meat! It was pretty funny. They also have a gourmet salad bar with gourmet cheeses, smoked salmon, fresh crisp vegis...everything. But the meat is incredible. They roast the meat over an open fire...you can see it through the window. Here's a list of the meats that we had!beef ancho-prime part of rib eye

picanha- sirlion

filet mignon- with and without bacon

Alcatra- top sirloin, very tenter full of flavor

Fraldinha- bottom sirloin

Costela-beef ribs

Cordeiro- lamb

Costela De Porco- pork chops

Frango- chicken drumsticks and sausage

My favorite was the Alcatra....I got everything medium! mmmm....I love food!

After Fogo we went over to Nick and Eddies where Ben was working and had a few drinks. The owner got me a birthday drink. Nick and Eddies is a cool bar, played great music and Lori Barberos from Babes in Toyland apparantly works there (Not sure on that one...I will check). We met her there last time I was up there with Erin and my sister. Oh...Nick and Eddies has the best cookies too! and they have 278 speakers built into the walls for an awesome bad ass sound system (yes...Cory counted all of the speakers!) http://www.nickandeddie.com/

So after that, it was bed time. Ben came over to my Uncles after he got off work at the bar, we hung out for a little while, but I passed out on the couch while the guys stayed up and chatted. We woke up the next morning and packed up our stuff and began the 12 hour drive home...I was very sad to leave. I want to live there so bad. It just feels so right to me!

So like I said before, pics to follow...when I get around to uploading (hopefully tonight)

Erin just walked into the gallery so I'm going to stop blogging for now! I'm sure I will remember more as the day passes!

Girl...You'll be a woman...soon.

So been working on more spoke cards, the one to the right is "Scrote" appropriately written by Dan...He didn't think I would be able to make it look decent. But I did. Not my favorite but not the worst.

Cory made the Guilty Simpson one. I don't think I'm going to do anything to it...I like the way it is. I think he made this one Guilty Simpson because he just got the new album and has been extremely stoked about it!

Ostracod was made by yours truely...I try to make other people write the words, that's apart of the piece, but they made me write words...and I decided on Ostracod.

I am yer moms complete lack of surprise and Talk American are Tods...I might not mess with those either...I think I'll just lamenate them together!

Buddha was actually started a long time ago, and I just finished it today. I like the plain yellow and black with the checked boxes.

Next in line is "...You Mama" I've been listening to a lot of Wings, and was trying to think of something to write and just decided to write the first thing I heard...and it was "yooouuuu...mamaaaaaa" I'm trying out different handstyles too...I'm really digging this spoke card stuff ya know!

The last "Drink to my health" is another Wings song..."Drink to me...drink to my health..you know I can't drink anymoooooooooore"

All of these cards, and I've got about 30 more (possibly more...haven't counted) to finish before I leave Thursday for Minneapolis. We're tagging bikes...So all you Minnesotians, if you get a spoke card...don't throw it away, it came all the way from Oklahoma with love!

So class got canceled tomorrow, and I don't have to coach either, my only obligation tomorrow is to work at frikkin 5:30 AM!!! this is going to seriously suck. I don't like waking up that early. I don't mind waking up early but 5 is way too extreme.

Woke up at 7:30 this morning, I've been pretty emotional for the past few days. Lot's of stress over stupid things that I shouldn't stress about. So today, I got my ass up and Cory was like "what are you doing?"...and you know what I told him? "I'm getting my day started!" He told me later on that he was proud. And rightfully so! Because I was hysterical crying last night...I feel bad.

He expressed to me that he wants me to communicate with him, like if I'm feeling bad tell him what's wrong or tell him that I just need to deal with it in whatever way. Problem is, I don't really communicate my problems to anyone anymore. And it's been fine for this long. Not only that, I feel comfortable communicating with him, but sometimes I feel like a burden. I told him that...He said that if I were ever a burden he would tell me. I don't think I could handle someone telling me that.

So yeah, got my day started by making an awesome breakfast...hard boiled egg with apple, v8, and vanilla yogurt. Finished up some stuff for my online class, and moved some boxes of stuff that I don't want over to my parents house. I took a picture of my entertainment center because I'm trying to sell it...No point in owning one if I don't have a TV or DVD player (got rid of those too). I don't even watch TV. Then I started to get really down. I have to get rid of my dogs...which totally sucks. I cried for a long time today about it. After that, I worked on the spoke cards and then went to work.

Work helped out a lot. I've been getting in the water with the kids because I want to work out more! Swimming seems to make me feel accomplished. I think it has something to do with the water...maybe because water has a soothing calming effect. I don't know. But I did get a compliment today from a parent! She said I was doing a fantastic job and that she was really excited to see a coach get in with the kids. It turned my mood around.

Then after work my roomie and I rode to Dollar Tree so I could buy some cheese that I was going to use for dinner...but instead I'm eating crawfish ettoufe! Homemade by yours truely! mmmmmmm

We're going to turn my bike into a single gear...hopefully before I leave for Minneapolis. I'm pretty stoked about it. It's going to be lighter and way more fun to ride I think .

well kids, I better get to bed. have to wake up at ungodly hours of the morning to sit at a pool. atleast I like pools right?

Nothing good happens after 2AM

Erinween was a blast, and I have lots of photos, so we'll start with today. The order in which these photos are is not the correct order in which they need to be, and I'm too lazy to try and fix that!
This first photo is our 1990's boy band photo. Toki (the dog) got a feather stuck to his face and it looked like he had a mustache! Before this we ate breakfast (breakfast party party) and then we decided to take our drinks out to the porch. Take note of Josh's awesome outfit! Erin told him he looked like Luigi...We love you Josh.

This was a part of the flight of tasters we had with breakfast (which was FANTASTIC!) this was the last beer on the flight. mmmm...Oatmeal Stout. By the way, good beers with home made walnut waffles, bacon, kraut with sausage, eggs, and apples...Best breakfast ever! Don't forget the Mimosas! Right before the Oatmeal Stout (I accidentally put two pics of this in...and it wont let me delete one of them...so deal with it!) I don't care what anyone says, Abita makes great beers!

We were all a little iffy about this one, just didn't taste right. I think it was the fact it was made with pure cane sugar and had a heavy cane sugar after taste...didn't really work well with the breakfast.

This was a nice dark beer....I really liked this one and I'm not a fan of dark beers. I think it may be related to the fact that I'm also getting really into red wine! weird!

This was just tasty!

That was a great flight Josh! Thanks!
And here's Josh, Erin, and Dan at breakfast party party (notice the flight sitting in the window sill). Right before this we watched "Lady Cocoa"...it's a movie from the 70's and it came on a compilation disk that Erin got for her Birthday called Urban Action! Great stuff!

Okay, this is where things are mixed up. The following are Erinween pics. Cory pretty much turned the living room into a performance piece. It was pretty cool! This is his candy sculpture/tent...we had to sort the candy with him...

Josh got camera happy and was taking pictures of shoes. He did some cool lighting with this tiny flashlight.

And here's Erin with a Santa Beard!

Erin also has skillz!

We have a ton of these pictures! I love em! But I'm only posting this one because it's my favorite! The gold chains make it awesome! Great action shot! Love the fog...

This is a cool shot too! Cory looks CRAZY!

Here is Brians new tattoo. I love it!

Kevin in action...love the raybans!

Can you find Erin in this photo? Devons costume was hillarious!

So that's pretty much what I have...well I have more photos, but there are so many and I need to sort them. I had a blast! Great weekend!

I leave for Minneapolis on Thursday! cannot wait to ride bikes on the Greenway, can't wait to see my uncle...just can't wait...I need this trip so bad!

I was going to leave you with a bad ass video...but I'm having a hard time uploading it and I need to go...I'll try tomorrow. It's so funny!

Bikes Bikes Bikes

So last nights ride was a little...eh...okay I guess. We didn't ride as much. We rode to Bison Witches, paid 3 bucks for all you could drink domestics, and then rode to a party. I'm not a big fan of drinking...I mean, I enjoy a nice beer or a glass of wine here and there, but over all...I don't like being hungover and I don't like having to brush my teeth a thousand times the next day in order to get the funk taste out of your mouth! I will admit though, I cannot pass up a good bottle of wine...I'm a lush when it comes to wine!

The one nice thing about the ride was that Emily aka Suzi Uzi of the Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls drove down and brought a firend with her. I got to test ride her new fixed gear and I am in love! I want to convert my bike now...I can't stop thinking about fixed gear bikes!

Uzi and I used to skate together on Cell Block 9 of Tornado Alley Rollergirls. She's the blonde in the middle with the orange leg warmers. It was really great to see her and reminise and what not. I want to start hanging out with her more and possibly start riding with her and the Hellkats. She brought her friend Justin with her and he gave me a slut spoke card! I was pretty stoked...now I have a naked chick on my bike! Oh here's a weird small world factoid for ya, she and her husband know Cory! I guess they've known him for about four or five years and they all have the same friend group! Cory was excited when he found out that I knew her. I think he wants to start hanging out with her husband again...which I think is totally rad.

I definitely want to try and rekindle relationships with people. I was telling Cory that I'm not interested in starting relationships or friendships with people who are just going to dissapear in a month. I used to do that all of the time, people would befriend me and I would just...dissapear! I don't want to do that to people, and I don't want people to do that to me. I'm a little tired of the let's take each other for granted mind set. It doesn't make sense. Everyone is unique and everyone learns from one another...

So today was kind of a bust for me. I was extremely hung over (again...why I don't like to drink) It was really hard to get things done. But I managed. I finished my paper and turned it in. It was actually a pretty interesting topic that the prof picked for us. It was about Billie Jean King and the famous palimony suit of 1981. I was impressed by Kings athletic background. Winner of 6 Wimbledon Singles Championships, 4 U.S. Open titles and ranked number 1 in the world for 5 years! WOW! I want to be that impressive in rollerderby.

Erin came over and baked cookies for Erinween tomorrow! I'm pretty excited about the party, but I'm a little concerned that people wont come...oh well...more food for us! We're going to have food, drinks, dancing, costumes, and a fog machine (assuming Erin can find it). I sure hope she can because I've been advertising fog machine like a mo fo! btw, I did that flyer on MS Paint...I'm a stud...I know...please, hold all applause.

There is strange music coming from the outside of my house right now...sounds like it's coming from campus...sounds like...game day stuff. But game day isn't untill tomorrow. Which by the way TOTALLY SUCKS! I'm going to have to sell parking by myself and I'm praying to god that we make enough to cover rent. Because right now, I have 40 dollars in checking. I'm broke and I'm not about to over draft! I haven't overdrafted in years!

Oh back to spoke cards...so I told you about the slut card I got, well Cory and I have been making spoke cards to tag bikes with. I need to make some Bells Angels spoke cards! Here are some teasers. we're going to put them back to back and lamenate them! I want to get a bunch done before I leave for Minneapolis next week. I think it would be super cool to tag bikes in a different city!

This first card was made for my bike...Cause my bike's name is Lola. Cory writes and I go over what he writes and draw all over the cards.

This is the back of Lola. I really like this one!This is actually a diagram of my bike wreck a few weeks ago where I flipped over my handle bars and busted my chin. initially Cory drew a rough diagram and I went over it in pen and made some lines thicker. the oval in the middle is the construction zone/partition that I got stuck in, the arros points to my bike and me, and the green dot above my head is my back pack. Cory wrote 'Dog' on the card, and I turned it into a Dr. Dog card for my friend Joshy.And this is the back of Dr. Dog. Josh wants a shirt that says 'cassette index'. He got the idea from the mix tape collection that my dad gave to me along with a cassette index of all of the tapes! on the front page of the index is 'cassette index' typed out from a type writer and it's super small...and super cute...so Cory wrote 'cassette index' and I bolded the letters, added pink and drew some lines on em...I added the arrow.

As much as I would love to blog more, and I do...because I have a ton of pictures to share...I have to go to work. bummer. But it's Halloween and I will be dressing as hip hop mermaid. But that's after work. Actually after dinner with Cory.

First post of hopefully many

I'm trading in my livejournal for this! I'm wanting to blog more, not sure about what exactly, but I want to have more pictures in my blog and what not. This seems to be a little more user friendly.

So I spent the night in the City last night. Best sleep ever! I've been spending a lot of time up there. Cory lives there and I love hanging out with him. We're going to Minneapolis in a week. I can't wait. He's really excited too. Here's a photo of us at the Oklahoma Victory Dolls end of season party. I look like a goober!

Tonight is also the Bells Angels 1st anual Halloween bike ride! We do a ride every Thursday called Bells Angels Champagne Thursday. It's usually just close friends and we load up with bottles of champagne and cruise around town. We usually end up on a rooftop and pop the bubbly! It's a lot of fun, I look forward to it all week. This is probably my favorite champagne Thursday photo...it's a little blurry...but you get the idea! And don't let this photo fool you, we actually do ride bikes more than we drink!

Well, I'm going to keep this post short. I've got things to do like get ready for my best friends birthday part ERINWEEN. I've got to move all the bikes into the garage and clear out space for people to partay in on Saturday...and we have a ton of food to make!

I'll leave you with this photo...of my living room!