...Before You Understand Me

Thanks for the inspiration, Katie!

1. My first sport was soccer.
2. Before that I was a ballerina.
3. I had an imaginary friend when I was a young girl.
4. My parents thought it was a sign of intelligence.
5. His name was Bob.
6. I went to a Catholic grade school in Kindergarten and 1st grade.
7. We wore uniforms.
8. I am more competitive than the average person.
9. The only reason I learned how to swim is so my younger brother wouldn't win.
10. My favorite part of volleyball is blocking.
11. I am glad I don't play anymore.
12. I have a hard time keeping a clean house, but my car is almost always clean.
13. I still sleep with a blanket.
14. My favorite thing to do on a Friday after work is drink a margarita.
15. My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is drink a margarita.
16. I love my job.
17. I am not a workaholic.
18. When I was young, I had a stuffed animal named Cutie Footloose Jackson Patch.
19. My dad helped me name him.
20. My dad can be silly.
21. So can I.
22. The only place I've visited outside the United States is Australia.
23. I've been there twice.
24. Wait - I've been to Canada now, too.
25. I love the color burnt orange.
26. I am a Longhorn.
27. I went to school at Texas - twice.
28. I played volleyball at Texas.
29. I work for Texas.
30. I taught fifth grade for one year.
31. I hated it!
32. I admire teachers.
33. My mom has taught fifth (or sixth) grade for 30+ years.
34. I don't know how she does it.
35. I was born in Kansas City, MO.
36. I lived in South Sioux City, NE until I was in 2nd grade.
37. I grew up in Omaha, NE.
38. I have lived in Austin, TX now longer than I have lived anywhere else.
39. I've been here for almost 14 years.
40. I can be bossy.
41. I do not like to be bossed around.
42. I have run two marathons.
43. I don't really like to run.
44. But I discovered that most runners like to drink.
45. I have a nice smile.
46. I am tall.
47. Strangers sometimes tell me I am tall.
48. I am not a morning person.
49. Gareth told me this morning that I may be the worst morning person he's ever seen.
50. I think I have a sleep disorder.
51. I love to nap!
52. I have a mild obsession with Matchbox Twenty.
53. Really my obsession is with Rob Thomas.
54. I am not a stalker.
55. I love to have college football on the TV in the fall.
56. Even if it's just in the background.
57. I have lost 14 lbs. of fat in the last 8 months.
58. I like how it feels when I can fit into my clothes.
59. I may go down a pant size the next time I shop.
60. I don't like to procrastinate.
61. I do it anyway.
62. I have exceptional friends!
63. I like to say "yes".
64. I am not afraid to say "no".
65. I do not like bugs.
66. They scare me.
67. I like hip-hop music.
68. I like a good dj even better.
69. I visit the dentist religiously, twice a year.
70. I haven't had a cavity since I lived in Omaha.
71. Once, I had to have 8 cavities filled.
72. I am a romantic.
73. I love to watch a movie or read a book with a good love story.
74. I like to be funny.
75. I like it when my friends are funny.
76. My first bike was pink - with a basket, streamers, and a banana seat.
77. My road bike is yellow - like a banana.
78. I still count on my fingers.
79. I don't cook often.
80. Mainly because I don't like to go to the grocery store.
81. Every year, I love the first day of school.
82. The only thing better is the last day of school!
83. I like to talk about stuff.
84. Gareth has asked me before if I am ever going to stop talking.
85. I don't think I am.
86. I can type 70+ wpm (words per minute) without error.
87. It makes me feel pretty when I wear lip gloss.
88. I have a serious sweet tooth!
89. I can't resist cookies from Tiff's Treats.
90. I remember being afraid that I wouldn't learn to read.
91. I used to love going to the library!
92. I still love to read.
93. I love calendars!
94. I try not to have more than one.
95. I want an iPhone.
96. I love tex-mex food!
97. I could eat it every night of the week.
98. I have done it before.
99. I am a perfectionist who looks mainly at her faults.
100. I am trying to look at positives more often.

Daniel Tosh on Nebraska

I went to see the comedian Daniel Tosh with some of Gareth's friends last month. We enjoyed the show from the balconey of the Paramount Theatre.

I had seen a comedian at the Paramount Theatre before. Chelsey Handler. She was HILARIOUS! I was looking forward to another good show.

Coming off a stressful night of Texas basketball and work happy hours - and still workin' on a buzz, this guy did make me laugh.

That was until one of his jokes took a turn that I wasn't expecting. I was mid-laugh when it all came to an abrupt stop and I thought to myself...
"wait just a second! that's not funny!"

I looked around at Gareth and his friends, and they were all still laughing. No, this - this just isn't funny anymore. I kept listening though and at one point, try as I might, I couldn't help but laugh.

Truthfully, I still can't decide.

Here's a clip. If you know me, you'll know what I'm talking about.



What do you think? Funny? Or not?

What a Weekend!

My beautiful mother was in town this past weekend for a quick trip to Austin on the tail end of her spring break. She recently completed her treatment and was visiting to celebrate good health!

Here is a peek at our near 48 hours together, and then some...

Lady Bird Lake Trail
I picked Mom up from the airport on Friday morning. We grabbed a leisurely brunch at Austin Java before taking a stroll on the trail.


That night, and after a nap, Gareth joined us for dinner at an Austin favorite, then we opted to head home instead of hit the town. The three of us watched a movie then called it a night.

Art City Austin
Saturday - we slept in (well, kind of)!

Once Gareth was able to wake me up, the three of us had breakfast together at Star Seeds - just up the road. When our bellies were full, Gareth headed for the golf course, and my mom and I headed for Art City Austin.


I was hoping to run into Erin . I was certain she would be there because I know how much she loves art, but our paths never crossed.

My mom and I checked out ALL of the art on display. I've never really considered myself artistic, let alone an artist; however, I discovered that I am definitely drawn to certain pieces. Even though I wasn't able to describe what I liked or why I liked it...I definitely did like some things better than others. Maybe a good step toward art appreciation?

Later that evening, Gareth and I took my mom out for dinner. Ryan, Lilli, and Hank (Sharon, we missed you!) joined us at Castle Hill. Our dinner party toasted my mom's visit AND Gareth and I's future! We spent the night telling stories, laughing and piecing together the engagement.

Sunday
I was up not-so-bright and early to drop Mom off at the airport by 5:00am. She made her flight and I managed a few more hours of sleep before I went into the office. Sunday was our first day of registration.

That's right, I spent 5 1/2 hours of a gorgeous Austin Sunday at work.

When I emerged from Bellmont Hall that afternoon, I came face-to-face with the MS 150. Thousands of cyclists were riding from Houston to Austin last weekend and finishing their journey through campus - less that a mile from the finish.

One year ago, I was on that bike. It brought tears to my eyes to remember my own struggle as I peddled toward Austin. Not nearly as prepared as I should have been but refusing to give up...


Wow - what a weekend...what a year!

What Do I Want?

As I was listening to a podcast just a few days ago, the broadcaster asked her listeners to consider what it is that we truly want in life. To name it. Do I want a new car? Do I want to live in a certain neighborhood? Do I want to find love? Do I want to have a child?

What do I want? As I began to think about this question, something else (quite fantastic, I think) occurred to me.

About 5 years ago...

I had been working a series of jobs, each one leaving me unfulfilled. Ultimately I ended at a job as an administrative assistant. I preferred that title to "secretary" when I was asked the dreaded, "what do you do?" question.

While I met/worked for some wonderful people, none of these jobs were the right fit for me. I remember feeling lost as to the direction that I truly wanted to head. I also remember, though, that there were a few specific things that I used to name outloud when someone would ask me what I wanted to do...

1) My own office
2) Business cards with my name on them
3) A professional dress code

Simple, right? Well, until the age of 29, I did not have a single job that contained all three of these qualities at once.

It wasn't until the podcast that I went back to this version of "what I wanted". How exciting to remember - and then to realize that I had achieved my goal!

Now...what do I want next?

Geeked Out

One of Gareth and I's favorite shows to watch together is Beauty and the Geek. I am touched each week to see the growth in the show's participants, and it is not unusual for me to shed a tear before the end of the episode.

For anyone who is a reality show hater - this one actually has substance.

Gareth usually relates to the geeks, but he hears me remind him often that he is far too athletic, socially adept, or just plain cool to ever really have a shot at getting on the show. Most of the time, anyway ;-)

I prefer to identify with the beauties, but always take pride in answering the questions before the contestants even know what's being asked. Gareth gives me pats on the back each time.

Secretly, I know that he is also patting himself on the back for knowing the answer before I say it out loud!

So last night, after we watched our episode together...I learned how to add these fancy widgets (I think that's what their called) to my blog (all by myself!). I only just barely know how to work this html thing and still managed to add Library Thing and Flickr to my sidebar.

Last night the tables turned. I geeked out! Enjoy!

It Fits (Again)

I wore a shirt yesterday that I haven't been able to wear in two years!

The last time I even tried it on, I couldn't get it buttoned. I don't know why I even kept it in my closet, but now I'm glad that I did. It was a great feeling!!

No Joke

After 18 months together,
Gareth and I are going for it...


We're getting married!


Gareth made it official last night by giving me a ring. Then, we celebrated with dinner at Moonshine. It was perfect!


There will be many decisions that lie ahead as we put this party together. Thankfully, we have the biggest and most important one behind us. We decided on each other!

Attempted photographs of the (gorgeous) ring turned out horribly and would only ruin it. Sorry, but you'll just have to wait for the next time we're together to see the real deal!