I was on the elliptical machine at the gym yesterday doing my thing trying not to get fat and I get a call from my recruiter.

Recruiter: So how do you feel about leaving in January?
Me: Sounds good.
Recruiter: How do you feel about leaving January 11?
Me: That sounds great!
Recruiter: Ok then, you're leaving January 11.
Me: Woo-hoo!

I now have a new ship date: January 11, 2010. Great Lakes, here I come!

Day of rest is more like a thing of the past in regards to the week I've had. I worked Monday through Friday and for the first time ever have a REAL weekend off only to do chores. It wasn't so bad though. Yesterday I was busy cleaning out what I refer to the SUV as the Earth Destroyer 3000. I got to use my new Dirt Devil Kurv hand vacuum which did the trick but wasn't the best. I then cleaned the windows on the inside with every intention of going to the car wash when it started to rain. Then I vacuumed the carpet in all rooms of the apartment and scared the crap out of my cats.

Today was no different, I took to doing the laundry and run some errands while the boyfriend fixed his car. We got that Turbo Snake (As seen on TV!) and boy did that thing do wonders on the bathroom sink! Our tub is still trouble but not as bad as before. It was so gross what came out of those drains though. The laundry was fun (sarcasm). I have successfully washed 5 loads, dried 4, and am currently drying load number 5. Thankfully the management here at the apartment complex lowered the price of the machines by 50¢ which saved us some serious change. I've been up since 0700 and am now on coffee cup number 2 (using Sugar In The Raw this time instead of Splenda and am pleased with the taste). Needless to say (but I will say it anyway) today has been quite productive.

Currently watching the Jets play against Jax and hoping they win (the Jets of course). Glad to see that Tennessee is winning against Buffalo. Let's hope they take this one all the way. Go Titans! (And Jets!) ^_^

One of the things I used to do whenever I would visit my mom in Florida was to go to the beach and dig my feet into the sand. I would do this just at the waters edge so that the waves that crashed around my ankles would allow the little colorful seashells dig into the sand away from seagulls, away from danger. They would tickle my feet as they tried to dig through them, too small to penetrate, and the feel of the sand as it squished between my toes felt weird yet satisfying. I would stand there for minutes on end before pulling my feet out of the sand, walking a few meters, and doing it again. In fact, I could do it for hours were it not for the fact that the sea beckoned for me to run in and swim.

It was during this moment of simple bliss that the sounds of the gulf, the caws of the gulls, and my inner laughter were the only sounds that I could hear. I was away from the world, away from school, away from old boyfriends, away from it all. I would do almost anything to go back to that beach just to relive that moment.

My first week in NJ there was a "BBQ" at the apartments on campus where I was staying. As a southerner I was excited because it made me feel like I was at home. That was until I got to the "BBQ" and found it it was actually a cookout. Cookouts are when you grill hamburgers, hotdogs, and order pizza. A BBQ is when you gril a pig and slap some specially made sauce to flavor it up. Yes, it's a process of "very special meat served in a very special way depending on where you live." (Rhett & Link). All I'm saying to you Yankees out there is get it right and stop calling cookouts "BBQs." You're confusing the southerners who get excited for something that isn't gonna be there.

Now I no longer eat meat (been just over a year now) but I do appreciate this song and wanted to share it all with you. These guys are hilarious and you can download many of their songs from their website for free (I know I have ). Anyway, here it is the BBQ song by Rhett & Link!! Enjoy!

*My fave quote: "Is Florida a southern state? No, it ain't." Too true!*

Today is Veterans Day and to celebrate and thank those who have served or are serving in our military, Applebee's and Outback are giving away free food. I don't know the extent of the deal from Applebee's but I do know that Outback is giving away free bloomin' onions to those who are veterans or are currently serving. I just hope that the non-military citizens don't ruin it (by pretending to be a veteran) for those who risk our lives for us. I also heard that Chili's restaurant is also doing something today so check it out if you are a veteran or currently serving! And THANK YOU for all that you've done for us Americans!

Today is also my father's 65th birthday. He just so happens to be a veteran of a foreign war (Vietnam) and is currently on a giant plane flying home from his excursion in Europe (he spent the past 5 days in Prague, Czech Republic). His quote "I'm officially old today." My response "You've always been a crazy old man dad." All said with love of course.