I may be skinned alive

As the first UNL football game took place last night, most of the town found their place either at home, a bar, or the stadium to ogle over the game. Unfortunately, I was unable to get any tickets to take part in the brain washing, cult like, taking over the state, events. Okay, that was harsh, but true. Today, I was at target and I couldn't tell the Target employees (wearing red shirts) from the shoppers. Everyone was talking about the game; where their tailgating section was, where their seats were at, what they were going to wear, eat, etc. You get the point. It was a bit ridiculous but I will have to get used to this lifestyle.

Aside from not going to the game, I was unable to watch it from my apartment because it was only televised on Paper-view. So, I did the next best thing. I cooked some hot wings, popped the cap of a Bud-light Lime, put on my MIZZOU t-shirt and watched the MU game.

(Disclaimer: So, I took a picture of myself for the effect of my blog, ONLY. I do not sit around snapping photos of myself)

Yes, I know wearing a MIZZOU shirt in public in Lincoln is an automatic death sentence, however, I wasn't planning on going anywhere and my roommate (an avid huskers fan) was at the game. So as long as I replaced my shirt before she came back, I would not be shunned.

Well, I forgot.

After being harassed by a die hard huskers fan, I said, "what do you expect? I am from Missouri." Apparently, that is not a good excuse and she said, "Well, as long as you never wear that stuff in public and NEVER wear and Colorado attire, you might survive. I am loyal to one team only." (obviously UNL) So I supposed I should save my CU Buffs shorts, sweatshirt, and hat for a day when she is out of town or I am in St. Joe. I didn't feel it was appropriate to tell her I like the Buffs so that will be our little secret.

Now, don't get me wrong. I definitely support the Huskers, they are my team now...well, I am paying a lot of money to attend this school for 4 years of grad school so I might as well enjoy a community, excuse me, a STATE event. But, as most of you know, I am not die hard anything unless starburst jellybeans, my bed, or One Tree Hill are mentioned. Speaking of that, I wish I could be laying in my bed, watching One Tree Hill, while enjoying a bag of starburst jellybeans.

Anyway...

My point is, I support my home state team, MU and my school team, UNL. BUT I will have to put on my best poker face so no one sees that I am cheating on them and not fully committed to one or the other. (No, this does not suggest anything about my relationships; strictly my relationships with sports.) So wish me luck because if I am not good at hiding my allegiance with MU or wear the wrong team name in public, I could be harmed.

I'm a FROSH all over again

Well, I have officially begun Graduate School! And after 3 weeks, I am officially exhausted! I have always been studious, but not like this. Every night when I get done with a full day of classes, I come back to the apartment to study. BLAH!

I do believe there is such thing as studying too much, which I am already approaching. Maybe I am worried that if I don't study every night, I won't be prepared and I will fail in what my professors first lectured, "Be PREPARED!".

Well, preparation is overwhelming.

Right now, classes don't seem to be way over my head, but I have had my days when I think to myself, "How did I ever get accepted into Graduate School....they obviously weren't aware of what I DIDN'T know!"

Along with questioning my intellect, I am also starting to get lonely. I do have a roommate, but we have such differing schedules we don't see much of each other, which makes it difficult to get to know each other, making for awkward evenings. Due to how busy I have been getting organized and studying, I haven't had much of a chance to

explore Lincoln. At this moment, it feels like I have been at a long, out of town conference.

Luckily, my classmates and I get along really well and we spend a lot of time together. I have been carpooling with a couple of the girls to class, which has helped build relationships.

Now, on a positive note...what I have seen of Lincoln has been very nice and a lot

of fun. The other graduate students took us 'babies' to dinner at Old Chicago at the Haymarket, which was a great way to see the area and socialize with the rest of our group. Hopefully, as time continues and I get into a rhythm, I will venture out and have more to say!

To ease the tension, the girls and I took a study break...

P.S. I may refer to my class as 'girls' but there is one guy, Alex/Al. He just got married and spends every moment with his wife so there probably won't be any pictures of him with us.

Can't get enough of California

We ventured out back; literally in the back yard and this is what we found...an OLD movie set!

What a nice morning hike and no snakes to be seen!

I wish we all could be California girls

I really enjoy our trips out to California. Not only is it ALWAYS great to see Scott, Jymme-lyn, William and Harrison

but it is also fun to explore the huge state. We really have done quite a bit:

Disneyland

Santa Monic

a Pier and beach

Hiking

L.A. Zoo

Aquarium

Farmer's Mark

et

Malibu

Tourist Day-Los Angeles Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Beverly

Hills

Shopping (must I really add this?)

Can't forget In-N-Out Burger and the list goes on!

This particular trip was very exciting but also difficult because I probably won't be able to vis

it as often as I have been able to with graduate school beginning. Unfortunately, my summers will be booked from now on and I will only be able to manage the usual Christmas and Spring Break trips. Luckily, w

e all have access to SKYPE, so we can chat and see each other whenever we choose. I must say, if it weren't for technology, I tr

uly would feel out of touch with my family.

I have noticed how Will and Harry may be extremely mean to each other one moment and then the next, you catch them having a precious moment. Will was giving Harry little drops of "pop" (actually water) by placing the straw on Harry's tongue.

They

both thought this was hilarious!

The also like to cause

mischief together

...when it is quiet, something devious is happening

Like, playing in Belle's water dish and drinking from it

But, they are both hard workers and Will is especially fond of yard work. He is always lending a helping hand to Scott

Sometimes though, mowing the yard (or cleaning the grass) gets exhausting, but Will never leaves a job undone....

To be continued....

Moving day could not have happened, the way it did, without the help of some very gracious individuals. Sara and Matt, Daniel and Dave, Kevin, and my own family! Thank you all so much for your wonderful help, I really do appreciate it!

With all of your hard work, I now have a furnished apartment! Take a look:

Kitchen

Hallway

Bathroom

Balcony

and the view: Target and Gordmans

Living Room

Bedroom

Let Me Explain

The reason it has been several weeks since my last post is due to many factors:

1. My last day of work

2. Moving Day to Lincoln, NE

3. Unpacking

4. Back to St. Joseph, MO

5. Trip to L.A., CA

6. Back to Lincoln, NE

**All the while, no internet!

Where to Start?...

I realize it has been far too long since my last post....is that how I began my last post? Not good! Well, I have been so busy it is hard for me to recall what I did 2 days ago.
So, I will catch you up with my 'lasts' and then my 'firsts'.
I ended my 3 years with the Meltons on the last week of July. Dillon and I went all out! We went for a boat ride down the river, enjoyed a bike ride, cooled off in the pool, ate at our favorite places: Olive Garden, IHOP, and you guessed it!...Subway. I have to say, since my time watching Dillon ended, I have not eaten at Subway, but I feel like I am always looking for one. (for those that don't know, Dillon requested Subway for nearly, EVERY meal and typically got his wish.)

We had an interesting experience at Olive Garden. Dillon just couldn't enjoy his last time at Olive Garden without me, unless he ordered some mussels. I was quite weary; I knew there was no way he would actually enjoy them! However, at age 11, he convinced me that he ordered them in Miami and absolutely loved them, so I said, yes. Well, wouldn't you know, once those suckers came out so did the theatrics. All of a sudden it was a chore to convince him to eat them! I tried one, the waiter discussed the texture, consistency, and taste and finally after a table full of women sitting next to us said, "come on, just throw it back and swallow it!" he finally tried one. It was quite a dramatic afternoon...I had to leave the waiter a very nice tip to say the least, but it was all in fun.

Later that day, it started to rain, but he wouldn't let it get in his way of fun. So, he put on his rain gear and rode around on his golf cart. Then it was time for me to leave on my last day of work. It was an emotional day, but I know that it will not be the last time I see Dillon and the Meltons!