What a day

Black and white, night and day,
What a day it was today.
My presentation went real well,
At least from what I could tell.

But there was one who had to be
Difficult and hard on me.
A member of my committee,
A friend? More like an enemy.

But there was nothing I could do,
So I listened through and through,
Do this and that, I wrote them down,
Her criticism brought a frown.

Frustrated beyond belief,
I could not wait til I could leave.
Comments that she could have said
Weeks ago, raced through my head.

I passed of course, the page was signed,
But I was not feeling kind.
To my car I quickly went,
Where I could pray and I could vent.

I came home to my pup,
Right away my mood was up.
Nate came home and said to me,
"Let's go change and go hiking".

And so we got all changed and ate,
And headed to our hiking date.
From that time on the day was great,
So grateful for my pup and Nate.

How in the world?

I went out to lunch with a friend about a year ago and as we were talking about wedding plans she said to me: "I am so happy for you, but I wouldn't go back. Marriage just keeps getting better and better". 

This particular friend has 6 kids and a great husband and is just the most incredible person ever. And, already I am starting to see her point. I am amazed more and more by the blessings the Lord has given me. I can't believe it. Things are just getting better and better. 

So have you ever had a relationship with someone you loved sooooo much, but they had no idea? That is the case for me and a coworker. This particular coworker has done SO much for me. You have no idea. And she has no clue! Doesn't even think about it. To her, I am an just associate or colleague, a friend I guess, but to me she is an example, a role model and a blessing. She has impacted my life so much.

Can't tell you how grateful I am for the special people in my life. Some of the most instrumental and influential people in my life "have no idea" their impact on me. How in the world am I so lucky?

Craigslist

There is a hobby I began, many months ago,
Searching craigslist for items wanted, prices usually low.
We found our kitchen table and our bedroom set,
Both great finds for Nate and I who want to limit debt.

We sold my airconditioner, and got more than what we paid,
My dresser sold right in time, more money for us made.
I took a break for a while, since we've been moved in,
But recently I've started up this browsing discipline.

I have found so much stuff,
Resisting purchases can be tough,
With lots of stuff and little space,
I need to organize this place.

So cleaning out I will do,
The closets and the storage too.
The more I sell, the less I stash,
More space I'll have, as well as cash.

Which leads me to my real motive,
New items that I need to live.
It may look as if I am here,
Reading or working it does appear.

But I am in another place.
You may know, by my face.
I'm thinking, but I do not know.
That I could buy a piano.

Some bare essentials will come first,
And will quench my craigslist thirst.
So if you haven't checked it out,
You'll get hooked, I have no doubt.

Random

At the end of 2010, I was a little sad because I couldn't think of anything exciting happening in 2011. No family plans to get together, no special announcements from anyone, and I was really sad to leave family and be done with Christmas and everything. However, this year is filling up quite quickly with some fun and exciting events. Can't wait! I am so grateful for my life!

Rhyme Time

This blog was first created, as a procrastinating tool, 

And this purpose it has met and provides me with a duel.

Do I practice my prospectus, with slides and slides of blah

or pass my time with this rhyme, where welcome is some flaw.

My dog sits and listens to my 45 minute speech,

By 15 minutes in, I'm bored with no desire to teach.

Just one more hour left, before my boy comes through the door,

Which reminds me of another task, I need to go to the store.

Hair gel, cream cheese and a 9 volt battery, 

Some items for my second half, obviously not for me.

Its funny how a day can go,

An hour late for work, I know.

The puppy sits and eats the blinds despite her peanut butter chew,

And still I'm plagued by this prospectus that is almost due.

My fabulous living room couch is great, with sunshine and Thai food.

Can't wait til I am over this procrastination mood! 

Vegas Shmegas

We have decided there is nothing to do in Vegas. Now before you disagree, let me clarify. Nate and I have been trying to think of fun date ideas. It seems that we have done all of the creative or inexpensive things plenty of times and all the "clever" ideas I read about online are not all that clever.

Vegas has plenty to do if you don't LIVE here, especially if you are on vacation. So don't let this post discourage you from coming to visit us! The thing is, Nate and I have seen almost every show, the fancy or cool restaurants are way too pricey unless you are actually on vacation, and gambling in smokey old casinos -- in my mind -- is not how I want to spend our date night.

Tonight we are going to Souplantation and then making cookies and watching Psych. Not the most exciting or creative activities, but I can't wait nonetheless. Time to get all prettied up.

Friday

I am sitting on my couch right now with a cute pup, a smoothie, an almond chocolate apple, a Harry Potter book and this computer of course, which to put things back into perspective, has my powerpoint for my prospectus presentation. That has been my project for the day, and I am about halfway done. I plan on finishing it tomorrow and then having Nate fix it up a bit. My powerpoints look like a 4th grader made them. Maybe even worse, but Nate is a powerpoint pro -- as you know if you have seen the board games he has created....

Today was a great day. Took a nap with the boy and the puppy. We went on a run. Started my new years resolution to read Harry Potter. I got the porch clean, Hannah's nails cut (that is a feat, let me tell you) and now my boy tells me he is done studying for the night. He acts like he has all the time in the world for me, but it will cost him. I warned him. I told him how fast time flies and that boards are practically next week but he doesn't listen.

Nate's friend complained to him today saying "I don't know where to start to get everything done" and Nate said, "Hire Sabrina as your manager". Nate explained to me that if I was his friend's "manager" I would spend more time on his friend and less time nagging him. Rude! I never boss Nate around. I try every once in a while, but it doesn't work. Nate is a nice one, but tends to disobey me. More times than not I find Nate watching ESPN or playing baseball on his itouch.

Speaking of games, I am 2 wins away from winning the money in our dating bank. Unfortunately Nate is only one win away. We keep track of how many games we win with each other and first 1 to 50 gets the pot of money, which can range from 7 to 200 dollars. I have no clue how much is in there right now. Last time I won, I got like $185!! I chose to go to Beauty and the Beast down in San Diego which was a success. Wish me luck on winning any games we play tonight.

So nice.

I thought I was livin' the life before. Having class a few times a week and working from home was just great, but now, I am done with all my classes! And it is so nice! Can't tell you how wonderful it feels. When it comes to school, I like to stay ahead of the game. Each semester, at the very beginning, I look at syllabi from each class and I do everything I can right away, just so that I can keep my head above water the rest of the semester. Now, I don't have to even worry about that!!!! It is so nice having NO assignments. No projects. Nothing. I love it.

My life has been way too rushed the last 6 years or so and finally it is just pleasant and enjoyable and calm. Blissful, really. Ahhhhh..... so nice.

So now I can focus on work. Stuff I care about. Achievement days, cooking, cleaning, playing with my dog, watching a movie, and talking on the phone are no longer activities that threaten my time or stress level. I LOVE this. I feel so free!

Having said that, I am going to go peacefully make my bed with no rush, take Vanessa to the dog park without speeding through the school zone, and just enjoy the rest of my day until I can calmly make dinner for my man and go to the basketball game tonight. SO NICE!

Loyalty

Tomorrow I am going to a basketball with Nate. I have been to one other basketball game in my life, and it was quite fun. Nate has wanted to go to one for a while, but we always seem to miss the games that are actually worthwhile.

So tomorrow UNLV plays BYU. And, as I was getting my free ticket today, I thought about how I am going to wear my BYU shirt and cheer and be in the presence of other cougars, and then I started thinking about how much UNLV has done for me and I was somewhat torn on where my loyalty lies.

BYU is where I met Nate, but if it wasn't for UNLV I wouldn't have married Nate. BYU is where I got out of college debt free, but UNLV is my employer now and pays tuition and benefits. BYU was much harder, but I have appreciated UNLV's ease (minus that thesis project...). UNLV is preparing my husband for his future career, and let's be real, that is super important, but BYU prepared Nate so that he has been successful.

I do have my opinion of which school is the better school, but the question of where my loyalty lies is still unresolved. Any way there can be a tie in basketball? I think I will wear a UNLV shirt with a BYU sweatshirt.... Okay Nate is finally home. Time to eat.

Break

I couldn't really organize my thoughts so I decided to write a poem. A quick one but here it goes:

The last two weeks, were super fun.

I already miss our family a ton.

We hung out with my mom, brother and dad,

Vanessa was naughty, but not that bad.

The start of the break was less than ideal,

We said goodbye to Grandpa Theron as he passed through the veil.

His family was there, right by his side,

His presence with Grandma will always abide.

After the zoo, aquarium, and trips to the mall,

Christmas time came, presents and all.

A GPS system and jewelry from Nate,

Treats for the puppy and gift cards for dates.

We drove down to Carson, a city that's lame,

But had a blast with Nate's family and tried out his game.

Delicious meals and games on the Wii,

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by 2-year old Hallie.

With memories made and miles traveled, 

This Christmas break has sadly unraveled. 

We are home safe in Vegas tonight,

The groceries are bought and real life is in sight.

Christmas break has come to an end,

And sympathy to Nate, I do send.

He has school now from 8-5,

I hope by May he is alive.

With long school days and boards coming up,

There will be little time for the girl and the pup.

But after that's over, we will have time to play,

With minimal tests and clinic every day.

So to that time, I look forward to glee,

When we will go to San Fransisco or Yosemite.

But time will be limited, even then I know,

So back to our family we will probably go.

We are stuck in Vegas, and I don't mean to fus.

I am simply saying you should could come visit us.

The city is great, we have a dog who's fun,

Let us know when your coming, and we'll consider it done!