Wowza

Wowza.  I have a lot going on right now.  The end of the semester is quickly approaching, which means that assignments are quickly piling up.  I have set a self-inflicted dealine of Thursday to get 2 pretty major assignments done.  I would like to report that one (my Staffing Process Design) is complete and turned in!  Still working on the other (Supervision Style analysis)... Hopefully I can get most of it done tonight.  Luckily I have been doing a lot of reflecting this semester on my supervision style (thank you poorly performing employees!).

He isn't really open about it, but my dad just lost his job.  After all the scare this fall with my mom's job, this is truly devastating to our family.  It is such unfortunate timing with the wedding, Chase's graduation and leaving for college, and the car accident (see later in post).  It is never good to lose your job, but this really sucks.  He has some prospects, but we will see.  We are trying our best to make sure that this unfortunate turn of events does not affect the great time to be had by all (at the wedding and graduation), but it may affect some things like hosting a bar.  Unfortunately when life gives you lemons, you cannot make a bottle of wine or a keg of beer with it.

Bridal shower hosted by one of Josh's aunts is this weekend.  I will be heading down to Sioux Falls on Friday to do some girl-time bonding.  Exciting!  Which reminds me, my parents got in a car accident this weekend and are currently borrowing my car.  A motorcycle two cars in front of them blew their transmission and caused my parents to hit the car in front of them (the cars were attached).  No word yet on the status of the car or insurance claim.  It could be interesting. This is good practice for when Josh and I will be a one vehicle household!

On a personal note, I have decided to share something with you to help hold myself accountable.  I am running a 5k in June to raise money for the ALS Association.  This means that I am currently on a 5k training plan.  Simple, you say?  I HATE RUNNING!  But I am doing it.  Fighting ALS is a cause that is very close to my heart, Josh's grandma passed away from it a few years ago.  So I can run to support this cause.  Notice how much I have to tell myself I can do it... trying to psych myself up.

I am on week 2 of a 6 week program.  Ok, to be honest I'm technically on week 3 but I am reapeating week 2 because it was hard.  Going from no running to 5 minutes straight of running is no easy feat, but I am happy to report that round two of this week went much better than round one... so far.

I am also using My Fitness Pal.  You can use it online or as an app on your phone.  Basically it is free weight watchers.  It counts the number of calories you consume each day (accountability for tracking all the food you eat) and the number you burn from exercise.  You program in your statistics and goals and it calculates how many calories you should eat per day.  I have been doing it for a little over 2 weeks and combined with my 5k plan I have lost about 5 pounds already!  I highly recommend the app, if you add it you can add me as a friend (bnroulli) and I promise to be super encouraging.  It's fun to have friends.

Also last weekend I got a gel manicure and (regular) pedicure.  So far so good with the gel.  I am hoping it helps my nails grow stronger and longer.  Also, I forgot how nice it is to have pretty toes.  I might have to keep this up... at least until the wedding.

On a last and final note, it's ok to show a sign that you are reading this.  From the looks of it, no one does.  It still feels good to get it out, so it's ok, but I know that's not true because google gives me a page views report.  I know you're out there!!!!!!!!  You can't hide from google :)

67 days

Something to ponder...

I am constantly searching for inspiration for life, and I have not yet found a single blog of a strong, independent women who is going to school/working/married and not a mother.  I really enjoy many of the blogs out there, but I just don't feel like I truly connect with any of them.

Am I missing something here? Does anyone know of such a blog?

Inspiration to continue blogging after the wedding?

Something to ponder...

Update

Rehearsal Dinner-  The rehearsal dinner will be in the Lower Great Room at Shepherd of the Lake.  It should be a nice, relaxing time for everyone.

Ceremony Site- Shepherd of the Lake.  Still working on the minor details, but we stopped by on Easter and saw the unity candle holder.  We have been debating whether to buy a set or to get individual candles.  We are working on setting the songs and readings for the ceremony now.  The next step is to get all that figured out and make the programs.

Officiant-  We were also able to meet our pastor on Easter.  It made me feel a lot better about the situation because we have so much in common with him.  His wife went to Concordia, so he is familiar with the school.  He was very personable and seemed interested in getting to know us better, which was really nice.

My gown-  Still waiting for it to come in.  The ship date is still April 27th.  I will let you know as soon as I get it.

Tuxes-  Josh has picked out his tux and the men are in the process of getting measured.

Bridesmaid dresses-  The bridesmaid dresses have been delivered and they look even better than I remembered!  So excited.

Hair stylist-  After so much hesitation, I finally decided on a hair stylist for the day.  She will be coming on site to do my hair and makeup and I am SOOO excited.  I will be getting a test-run done on the morning of one of my bridal showers.  I'm super excited and will be making a couple of visits to her before updo time to get cuts and color.

Florist- My mom, Nancy, and I will be visiting the flower market with our florist in May.  It will be really fun to see all the flowers and finally decide exactly what we are going to have for the day.

Cake-  Thanks to REB, I put the great cake dilemma to rest.  We are going with Sunny Cakes, a cousin of a friend who is just starting up her own bakery.  We have done a testing and are really excited to work with her creativity.

I have been working on some other details as well.  I created some table numbers, restroom signs, chair signs, and tags for the bubbles.

After my bad week last week, it has been nice to talk it out with some friends and look forward to the fun things coming in the next couple of weeks.  Looking forward to a facial and getting my hair and nails done next weekend (even thought I have to work on Saturday again!) and a Bridal Shower at Sheila's the week after.

Debbie Downer alert

I am really struggling right now.  For the first time in my life, I don't like school.  I honestly don't understand it.  It is very weird and is throwing off every aspect of my life.

I am very frustrated with school.  I am also very frustrated with work.  The students who work for me are on my last nerve.  I'm not sure if this is a product of their performance or my frustration with life.

I'm frustrated with wedding planning. It is never ending and there are never any good solutions for all the problems we all have.

I'm needy.  I am usually the one to arrange events and gatherings with friends.  I LOVE doing this, I just can't right now.  We are all busy.  I know that.  My busy is not any worse than your busy.  But I need friends and people around me and I can't arrange it.  So please, even if it's just a text, reach out to me.

I never want to be that girl.  I don't want to talk about my wedding because people always complain about people talking about their weddings.  I don't want to complain because then people don't want to be around you.  I don't want to be needy because that's annoying.

Sucks to suck.

p.s. Even when people have good reasons for not being able to attend things, I still get really sad and upset.  This makes me feel pathetic.  I know it's not their fault, but I still do.

Here ends the miserable story of the day I cried at work. In front of my coworkers and boss.  In a conference room with glass walls.  With half of the student population walking by.

I'm a Big Kid Now

I just got back from a quick trip to Orlando with Chase and my mom.  We took a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the other Universal attractions, and even saw Mario Lopez.  I would say it was a success.  Here are some pictures.

Universal Studios entrance

The Sorting Hat- can you tell which of us wore sunscreen?

We went on every ride in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure!

Immediately after arriving back home I headed downtown to attend the National Association of Campus Activities conference committee meeting.  I was the graduate intern, so obviously a crucial part :)  The conference was great, I learned a lot.  I also made some new friends and was able (due to some illnesses and emergencies) to run all of registration on my own on the second day of the conference.  I also presented an educational session about communication styles.  I would say that was a success (people asked me to send them my presentation!)

New friend and "The College Love Coach" photo booth

Josh and I also started our pre-marital counseling this weekend.  We each had to fill out an online questionnaire which we will discuss with our pastor over the next few months.  I didn't think I was nervous about it until it started, but time will tell how it goes :)  We are currently working on vows, readings, and songs.  We have it narrowed down but nothing is official yet.

My current task is re-focusing on school (I have been slacking a bit lately) and figuring out my hair and makeup.  All of my life is making me feel a bit old.  I think up until this point (since I have still been in school and living on a college campus), I have been able to ignore the fact that I am slowly but surely starting my adult life.  Having a leadership role at 3 different professional conferences and planning to logistics of my wedding and marriage have really forced me to own up to this fact.  I am really looking forward to a good weekend and seeing everyone!

89 DAYS!