Snuggie's #1 Fan

I am no longer a Snuggie cynic ("Wow, you look like a stupid Jedi master in that blanket") - no, this thing is toasty! In fact I am rocking the Snuggie as we speak - it was a Christmas gag gift from my sister Abby. I'm willing to look silly for the sake of staying cozy.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid

Adam is taking me to the shooting range today. I'm simultaneously terrified and excited. Wish me luck!

Slumdog

Slumdog Millionaire was excellent. I loved it.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

To get into the Christmas spirit, I was going to embed the video of Hugh Grant dancing to "Jump" in Love Actually. But, unfortunately, I was unable to. So, if you have not seen the movie, go here. If you weren't merry before, I guarantee you will be after you click.

Merry Christmas!

A case of writer's block

For his Christmas gift this year, my dad has asked for only one thing: a letter. That's pretty simple, right? Not for me. On several occasions I've sat down at my computer to begin...and I just can't seem to find the right words. Not because I don't have wonderful things to say about my father but because I'm completely overwhelmed by all of the wonderful things I could say.

I have an incredible father. He's always been there for me when I need to talk. He's always reminded me that he loves me. He's always advocated open-mindedness in dealing with people and situations. He has stood behind me every step of the way in my struggle with juvenile diabetes. I mean, the man rode his bicycle across the United States to raise money for the illness! And there's so so so much more than that.

How can you possibly put into words how grateful you are to a parent for raising you to become a happy, well-rounded person?

Congratulations, Soldier of the Cycle

So, I have been putting off writing about my Georgia trip because...no matter how I phrase it, it inevitably sounds cheesy and lovey dovey. It was an incredible weekend that I want to share but I'll cut the real cheese "You complete me" kind of lines.

The trip got off to a pretty rough start. On Wednesday Dad, Sarah and I didn't leave Cincinnati until six in the evening (my Chem final in Columbus caused the delay) so we reached Atlanta, exhausted, around two in the morning. And a mere four and a half hours later, we were waking up to drive to Adam's 10 AM graduation at Fort Benning.

After carefully maneuvering around busy traffic and nearly hydroplaning in the schizo Georgia weather, we arrived on the base. The graduation ceremony had been moved indoors due to the torrential downpour - although, by the time the ceremony had started, blue skies and sunshine were peering out from behind the thick clouds.

Walking in the packed gymnasium, I saw over 200 uniformed young men standing perfectly still, facing the audience. I searched the sea of completely stoic faces only to find Adam standing apart from the other men, front and center. Tissues damnit, I thought to myself as a half sob, half ecstatic laugh escaped my throat.



We soon learned that the reason Adam stood apart from the other graduating men was for his recognition as Soldier of the Cycle. From what I could piece together (because Mr. Modesty didn't provide much of an explanation!), the award is given to the soldier with the best score on a board which tests overall Army knowledge, and who also receives the best PT score, best marksmanship score, etc.

I was beaming with pride as he received his honor - it made the whole eight hour drive through the night on no sleep entirely worth it. More than worth it. You know the person you love is special already but it feels good for others to recognize that, too. Facing all of the men, the Soldier of the Cycle recites the Soldier's Creed line by line for the other men to repeat back to him. Reverberating throughout the room, the cadence sounded so impressive:

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.



When the soldiers could finally greet their friends and families, I was unsure how I should approach Adam - the soldier version of him. I didn't want to embarrass him or break his tough facade but I wanted more than anything to push passed everyone and jump into his arms. He was surrounded on all sides by people wishing to congratulate him...so I settled on wrapping my arms around his midsection and squeezing the life out of him.

As I stood beside Adam shaking hands, a woman came to face me, asking, "Girlfriend or wife?" I laughed for a second, taken aback - of course no one has ever mistaken me for a wife before. "Girlfriend," I replied. "Well, I hope you become an Army wife someday," she said, embracing me. Again I just laughed, too surprised to respond.

For the rest of the day, Adam was free. We spent the better half of the afternoon in the nearby shopping mall - which was teeming with newly graduated soldiers and their families. Even if we were simply walking through the bookstore, sitting in the Food Court or checking my Chemistry grade (A!) on a Verizon store cellphone, it was an amazing perfect day. Because for the first time in two and a half months, I could kiss the person I love whenever I wanted to.



I pick Adam up from the airport in Columbus on Friday!! Then we get to spend his two week leave together. YAY! I can't wait!

Happy Holidays everyone!

To be continued...

I'm home from Georgia! Let me just say, I had the greatest weekend ever. Dad, Sarah and I spent Thursday at Fort Benning for Adam's graduation from Army Basic Training. Then, we visited my sister Abby in Atlanta to celebrate her 30th birthday.

However, I'm exhausted from the long drive so I'll have to put writing about the trip on hold. I'll write more soon!

Ray LaMontagne's "Be Here Now"

Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now
-Ray LaMontagne, "Be Here Now"

I am in love with this song and this man's voice. Check him out.

I'm a tripping hazard

Dear Santa,

On Thursday night, I landed right on my butt in the middle of a crowded cafeteria. And today, I proceeded to bite it again in the treacherous snow. Fortunately, there were fewer audience members this time.

For Christmas this year, I would greatly appreciate a pair of snow boots with the best level of traction available. I would like to walk to class with some peace of mind. Not fearing a concussion or a broken tailbone with each step. Merry Christmas!

Love,
Emily

I don't want to be Dwight Shrute

I wish I could be happy with B's. I'm quite ridiculous in my desire to attain straight-A's. And right now, it feels like an illness. I just spent a solid six hours with my nose buried in my Math and Chemistry text books.

With Finals week quickly approaching, my thought process reads a little something like this:

Oh-my-God-if-I-don't-get-good-grades-on-my-Final-exams-then-I-won't-get-straight-A's-in-all-of-my-classes-this-quarter-I-won't-be-accepted-into-the-Nursing-Program-my-essays-can't-save-me-and-I'll-be-so-fucked-I-will-have-to-switch-majors-I-don't-want-to-be-a-Dental-Hygienist-I-will-never-get-my-Bachelor-of-Science-in-Nursing-degree-Everyone-will-think-I'm-a-big-failure-I-won't-get-into-my-ideal-Graduate-School-on-the-East-coast-to-receive-my-Doctor-of-Nursing-Practice-I-won't-be-able-to-travel-to-different-countries-to-work-as-a-nurse-and-help-people-like-I've-always-wanted-to-I'm-so-screwed-I-won't-be-happy-doing-anything-else-I'll-end-up-working-in-a-cubicle-from-nine-to-five-I'll-be-Dwight-Shrute-Holy-Fuck.

Told you I'm ridiculous.

Nursing Adviser Arrested

A few weeks ago, one of the advisers for the School of Nursing, Chris Johnson, came to our Nursing survey class to speak to us about acceptance into the program. He seemed like a pretty normal guy when I'd met him at orientation in June and again when he spoke to our class.

Recently, however, he was arrested for running a raffle in which a prostitute was the prize. The story is so bizarre! I can't get over the weirdness. And I can't help but feel sorry for my own Nursing adviser who is now the only adviser for the entire program. I hope this doesn't get too ugly for the Nursing Program.