Not so Productive...

Yesterday I ended my workday with a "To Do" list for the weekend. It was crucial because this week will be short and I need to be sure everything is done before we leave for Thanksgiving. I successfully completed Friday's list yesterday. But what did I get accomplished today? Absolutely freakin' nothin'. I watched 5, yes FIVE Grey's Anatomy episodes of which I have missed and MAN have I missed out! I forgot how much I loved the drama. Holy freakin' cow. So, could can imagine that took up a pretty big chunk of my day. After I completed all the catching up, I was feeling pretty depressed because all I had done today was watch TV. Thankfully Russ helped me get out of this funk by doing some Christmas shopping. The mall was crazy as we knew it would be, but it was still nice to get out of the house together (normally Russ is tied up on the weekends studying but next week his exam is on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, so he was able to give up a few hours today).
I hope I got all my procrastination out today, because I'm going to be paying for it tomorrow.

Also, I believe I just watched the most "Non-Corinne" film of all time--Star Trek. Yup, I never thought I would honestly watch it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought! Does that make me a huge major nerd at heart? Probably. Although in my defense I was unable to completely understand everything 100%. The theory of the "black hole" is still confusing to me.

I wrapped all the gifts I had from last night but I'm excited to wrap some more tomorrow (the ones we got today). Christmas is coming and I cannot wait!!!

Stage Fright

I never thought of myself as being someone who got bad stage fright. In high school, getting up in front of my fellow peers was a little nerve racking, but I did it pretty well. I liked talking to my fellow students and teachers-it wasn't that big of a deal. In college, it was still fairly easy. I was not so much nervous that I was talking in front of people, it was just that I often wasn't all that fond of what I was talking about, or I was just nervous about the presentation itself-making sure that it was exactly what the professor wanted. I thankfully never had to give a presentation to any class over 60 (i think) so I was always ok with the number of people listening. And to top it off, in college nobody cares about your presentation, so you can be about 80% sure that over three-fourths of the class wasn't listening anyway. The whole "non-stage fright" thing was thrown out the window yesterday during our All Company Meeting.
So at work they have quarterly meetings were everyone gets together and projects, budgets, basically anything/everything in regards to the company, is discussed. Along with all the business material, new employees are also introduced. Well, this go 'round, I was one of the 2 who had to give a little "speech" after I was introduced. The company I work for is fairly small-around 80-90 people (not including our sister company in Belgium and the others in the US). No big deal right? Just like high school or college, right? Wrong. The moment I was told I would be speaking, I began to freak out slightly. Our CEO, all the VP's, EVERYONE was going to be at this meeting. People I haven't even talked to since I started would be there. Well, I did as much as I could to avoid the clock but time goes quickly when you don't want it to.
So to the meeting we go!
I heard my name, I stood up, and before I knew it, I was sitting down again. Woazas. That was fast. What happened? I don't even remember what I said. What I DO remember is how I could feel my pulse like crazy after I sat down and I felt like I could finally breathe. I think I said something along the lines of, "Hello, (complete with awkward hand/Ms. America/Indian wave) I'm Corinne and I recently moved here from Missouri where in May I graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in International Studies." I remember there being a slight pause here, so to fill the silence and end my speech, I ended with....now, I hope you're ready for this...I said, "aannnddd, I'm ready for the snow." What? Seriously?! I am such an idiot! I can't believe you just said that, Corinne! (this was all going on in my mind). I got some laughs, but I don't know whether it was because of what I said, my wave, how I said it, or the fact that my face was probably the color of a ripe tomato. AWESOME.
So, basically, I don't know what happened between the ages of 17 and 23, but SOMETHING happened. And I'm not too happy about it. Not. At. All.
Thankfully, the only thing that came out of my oh-so-brilliant talk about myself was one co-worker who made (and is continuing to) fun of my wave. If that's all that comes out of it, I'm ok. I just hope the CEO and all the VP's are NOT wondering: What in the world did we hire this bozo brain for? I'm thinking since I still had my job today that I'm safe.
Thank goodness this happened on Thursday and today was only half a day. I have some recovering to do this weekend ;)

Love Letter

Dear Christmas Tree,

I am very happy you had a safe journey from Cincinnati to our doorstep. I hope the fed-ex man wasn't too rough on you, and that you saw a small tid-bit of sunshine along your way. Now that you are here, you have nothing to worry about. You will always either be packed up nice and tight in a safe spot, or fluffed and showing off your best assets. I can't wait to showcase you in our home, I hope you like it. We have big plans for you, including going up as soon as Russ completes his exam next week and staying up passed New Years Eve. Welcome to our home, oh Christmas Tree. I'm very glad you're here.

Love,

Me

Ok, so if you haven't figured it out yet-our Christmas tree came today :) I was so excited when I got home that I wanted to put it up right then at that moment! Unfortunately, med school has a different plan for us. Due to Russ having an exam early next week, we will be putting off putting up the tree until Tuesday evening, when we can be sure to dedicate our entire evening to decking our place. I can't wait. A Charlie Brown Christmas record will be played, and Elf will be watched...maybe even some delicious treats will be enjoyed as well?

I got on the weather channel today to see what we could be expecting for the next few days and my heart sank a little when I feel upon the 10 day forecast. Granted, everyone I work with tells me NEVER to rely on the Internet or the TV for an accurate weather forecast, but I couldn't help seeing that Thanksgiving Day there is a chance for snow. SNOW? YES!!! Right?? Wrong. I was so bummed out because we will be in Indiana for Thanksgiving, so if it does snow, we won't see it. I also have to remember that a 10 day forecast is hardly ever correct especially at this time of year-and I guess especially here by the lake.

I'm also realizing I need to start getting prepared for next week. Since we are going to Indiana and I wanted to somehow contribute, I'm planning on baking some pumpkin loaves and apple strudel muffins for breakfast. That means I need to plan out a time when I will bake and wrap the presents I have already purchased for Christmas.

Happy Friday! :)

If you were a superhero what would your superpower be?

I was complaining to Sarah tonight about being unmotivated in my daily blogging (sorry about the daily pathetic posts) and she brainstormed for me and told me to blog about what my superpower would be if I could pick one. Honestly? I have no idea. I asked Russ and he said he would want to be able to fly. When I asked him why he said, "because it would be awesome". My boyfriend. The complex medical student.
So I think I would want to be able travel back in time. Remember those moments you love and wish you could go back to? That's what I would want to do. When my doggies were puppies, certain moments during a vacation-or an entire vacation in general. I would go back to awkward moments to laugh about them.
Initially I wanted to be able to read minds but Russ reminded me that I would probably go crazy thinking about everything that I was "reading". I worry waaaay too much about things in general, so after Russ reminded me of this I decided to change my "power".
What would your superpower be?

Chicken Parm and Music

Tonight was a very relaxing evening and I couldn't be happier about it. Instead of running around shopping for Christmas ideas/gifts, we stayed home. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shopping. Especially at Christmas time, but you need your "nothing nights", right? So this evening I made Chicken Parmesan for dinner, and then afterwards Russ and I went upstairs and played music. Not exactly together, but we were in the same room playing instruments. Him, his guitar, and me on the piano. It was fun and relaxing but next time one of us needs to wear headphones, or else we need to work on playing the same piece-which would be good too :)

I forgot how much I love Walk the Line---Johnny Cash could play all day in my house and I would be a happy camper. The Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has his tour bus on display there. I would highly recommend going to see it if you are a sucker like me!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

We have officially purchased a tree! I can't believe it! I'm so excited for it to arrive! We have found a few more decorations we just "couldn't live without" and I couldn't be more excited for the upcoming winter season!

Tonight, I was completely content for dinner...Russ gave in and was an AWESOME boyfriend and took me to Panera to eat dinner. I have been craving it and every time we have driven by lately I beg if we can eat there and he would tell me that we have food at home (which we did). I think he felt bad for me since I didn't have lunch today (work was mucho busy).

I got Nerds at Target today. I haven't had them in forever and I'm simply in love.

SO happy Monday is over!!!

I want a puppy!

I love dogs-I always have. I've grown up around them and I couldn't imagine my life without dogs. But, this year I have had to learn how not to see my dogs on somewhat of a regular basis. Last year, I would be able to go home and see them, play with them, and let them love me. Now, I yearn for their fuzzy warmness and sloppy licks. At home I have two dogs in my life:

Princess, who lives at my Mom's house

Malan, who lives at my Dad's

Both dogs recognize our cars and not-so-patiently wait for us to get out. I wish Russ and I could have a dog, but unfortunately our townhouse we live in doesn't allow them. Next year, I've been promised a dog :) I can't wait for the snuggles and love to begin! We stopped by the pet store in the mall last week (BIG MISTAKE!). I felt horrible for every single one of those animals in the cages. I just looked at them with sad eyes and the moment I walked out I remembered why Russ was so hesitant to let me go in the first place.

My Junior year in college, my roommate Delaney and I decided we wanted a pet-a rabbit. Georgio became our cherished pet who unfortunately didn't always show love. Ok, he hardly ever showed love. But having him around was so entertaining. We used to just lay on the ground with him and watch him hop around and run sprints around the apartment. Georgio did not make the trip with me and is living with Delaney. I know she's taking good care of him and showing him plenty of love, right Delaney? Just kidding---I know he's probably even more spoiled than when we had him!

Georgio and I "cuddling" aka him biting everything around him

On a different note-Eww for tomorrow being Monday. I'm hoping this week goes quickly! Turkey day is almost here!

Happy-soon-to-be-Monday!