I have been wanting to post some pictures from the past few months, but this thing is free so it doesn't give me much of an opportunity to post. I could upgrade the account for a small fee, but no one reads this anyway... do they? I have some good pictures :). I suppose I'll just have to check back in a few days to see if there are any comments....

I have tried like a million times to post and I get a paragraph into it and get interrupted so I just give up, close the browser and say, “I’ll do it later.” So… I guess I should start back at Christmas. It was a different kind of Christmas for me because my parents, for the first time, left us home alone. We opened a few gifts on the 22nd after work because my parents left on the 23rd for PA. That was a hectic morning. It actually snowed in Tennessee and I couldn’t get my car out of the driveway because our house is on a hill and the driveway was iced over so I was late to work, which is not cool, but I learned my lesson and will park my car on the street if there is snow in the forecast. I had to work at Bath and Body Works on Christmas Eve, but fortunately it was not so bad because it was busy which made the time fly, and I got off at 2. Christmas Day was relatively uneventful. We opened presents and then I spent the morning and part of the afternoon cleaning with my sister. I went to Pablo’s in the evening for a little, and then we came back to the house for dinner. My sister and I went to see Meet the Fockers which was quite a disappointment. You could see the microphones in almost every scene. The day after Christmas we went to church, then to lunch, and then to find a Christmas tree on sale. We went a few places, but finally found on at Hecht’s for $50. It was originally $200 but with the 75% off it was a steal! I sound like a mother… I am excited about a Christmas tree on sale. Anyhow I spent the next couple of days relaxing. I went to Curves (yes, I joined the old lady gym) and went shopping. On the subject of Curves, it’s not super challenging, but it’s a workout and I don’t feel uncomfortable going. Besides, it’s relatively inexpensive. Regardless, I went to PA on the 29th. I had a lot of fun. I hung out with my parents, and Bryan, Jon and their parents the first night. The second day I was a complete bum only prying myself off the couch to do 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes at Curves. I finally got showered and then went to dinner with my Grandmother. I also went with her to visit my aunt that lives a few houses down. The next day was New Years Eve. I got up and went to Curves and then came back and showered. My parents and I met my ex-step-grandfather and his “whore” (as my grandmother calls her) for lunch. I skipped out early to go run some errands for my parent’s surprise 25th Anniversary party under the guise that I was meeting up with Jon to plan our evening. I then ran to the grocery store for mixers and the liquor store for some alcohol. I went home and chit-chatted with mom and grandma before heading off to the Albrights. At the Albrights I had a few drinks and then we headed off to Matt Painter’s for a little party. At the party I had a few more drinks and the next thing ya know… half of the bottle is gone (and I was the only one drinking from it). I remember walking around and talking to people and stuff, but not many details. I also remember leaving so we could get back to the Albrights and toast the New Year in with Bill, but that didn’t work out well. I passed out and would not get up… so I slept in the New Year. And Uncle Bill was nice enough to bring me a blanket and pillow while I slept in the back seat of Jon’s Cadillac. I don’t have much more time to continue so I’ll update you with further details of my holiday over the weekend. Oh and I will have pictures too :)

My headaches aren't going away. I have been getting them for about 4 weeks. For about 3 weeks my theory was that they were weather related (the atmospheric pressure changes combined with the temperature changes were causing the headaches) mostly because every time I got a headache, it was raining outside. Yesterday it was cold, but sunny and I had a horrible headache that wouldn't go away. I have been to the doctor, but all he could do was give me some pills. I wish I could figure out what is causing it. It's a nice gesture, I'm sure but everyone at work thinks they have the cause figured out. Some people tell me it's stress, others say it's my sinuses (even though it's not... it's more like a migraine, but at the same time, it's not) Oh well, it's possible that it is stress related, but I don't feel stressed. I have 99.9% of my Christmas shopping done, I am getting enough sleep, and I don't have money problems. I have no idea, but it's getting on my nerves. I don't know what we are doing for Christmas. My parents are leaving on the 23rd to go to PA, and I have no idea what my sister and I are doing because I don't think she knows her schedule for next week. I have my last week at Bath and Body Works to finish out and of course since I put my 2 weeks notice in, they have me working on Christmas Eve from 9 am to 2 pm. I don't really care too much unless Melissa has off on Christmas Eve and has to work on Christmas. If she has to work, Pablo and I are probably going to make Christmas cookies. Even though I am on a diet, I want to make them for fun if nothing else. I think Pablo and his brother would have no problem eating the cookies. I am a little upset because my sister is so bummed about not having a Christmas like we are used to. I have thought about what I could do to make it feel more like Christmas for her, but I have no idea how to go about it. Actually a few days ago, I had a plan to get to PA too. A one way ticket costs only 94 bones, so I could drive up with Pablo, send him home on a plane on the 28th and then drive home on the 2nd so I can still see Karla, do all my errands for my parents' suprise anniversary party, see all my family for Christmas, and still spend it with Pablo. Unfortunately, my perfect plan leaves my sister home alone with the responsibility to take care of the 2 dogs. Ah well... hopefully we can still have a good Christmas here.

Well, work has allowed me time to blog. It’s kind of sad when the only time I can blog is at work. I have been so busy with both jobs, family stuff, daily survival, and Christmas shopping that I really haven’t had much time to do anything else. I think it first became apparent the other day when all the girls in the HR department began talking about all the TV shows they like to watch. I also hear about all the TV shows that are scandalous on the morning radio shows on my way to work. I have never watched Desperate Housewives or any of the other shows on TV now. I am too busy. If I do turn on the TV, it is with the sleep timer before I go to bed at night. Even then, I fall asleep within 10 minutes. I do watch movies often… well…Pablo watches them while I sleep. I can never get enough sleep. I guess it’s because I am always doing something that causes me to go to bed late and I always have errands and such to do before work that causes me to get up early. I could really use a vacation, but I don’t see that in my immediate future. I am going to Pennsylvania right after Christmas, but I don’t think I will get to experience any rest or relaxation. My parents will be staying at my Grandmothers which means if I want to stay there, I will be a couch dweller. I have the option to stay with someone on my Dad’s side, but they are all early birds and I am not down with that. I could stay with Bryan or Jon, but God only knows what will happen with them. If nothing else, at least it will get me away from here. Pablo doesn’t want to go, which is both good and bad. Bad because I know my family wants to meet him and I would like for him to see PA, but good because I can drink!!! Regardless, it’s my version of a vacation. I can’t wait til January when I will be working only one job! But… I will be taking a Spanish course 3 times a week, so I will still have less time to spare. I kind of like being busy though… it’s very new to me. I’ve always had lots of time to sleep in and such. I look forward to being able to sleep in again… too bad it won’t be for another 30 years or so.

Well I figured out how to create a new message on the pcs at work. I fooled around with it for a bit and figured out how to edit old messages, but I couldn't get it to create new ones. I had some stuff to say, but after all that hoop-la, I forgot what it was. My main mission for the month is to complete my Christmas shopping early, which thus far... unsuccessful. I have 8 or so people to shop for... Mom, Dad, Melissa, Pablo, Karla, Pablo's siblings, and two evil cousins. Mom is completed... she will receive an over-the-budget luggage set, Dad will inevitably receive some over priced Harley item, Pablo will receive 3 e-bay purchased Lacoste Polo shirts (I got a good deal and they are REAL!) I probably will get him something else... he picked out a jacket from Abercrombie but I don't know if I'll get it. Karla's graduation and Christmas present have been purchased online... I will not say what it is, because there is a chance she might read this. Same goes for the evil cousins... though I don't know what I will get them. As for my sister... I have no idea. She made a list for my mom, but I have strict orders from Mom not to purchase anything on the list. So I have no idea. I think I will just ignore my mom. As for Pablo's siblings... I have a few things in mind but I have this weekend to do some shopping. Mainly hit the Harley Dealer and the mall. I wouldn't mind seeing a movie either. I have to help Pablo get gifts for my family too. Now that I am adicted to Build-a-Bear (which I'll tell you more about later) I think I want him to get Gramma a Red Hat Build a Bear. Well, I'll update later. I am gonna go potty and stuff.

'Tis the season...

to be broke because you bought too much stuff for too many people and you just got a job so you really haven't reaped the benefits of having some extra money lying around

to ruin your diet because this world is full of fat people who can't control themselves enough for a few days in avoidance of doubling their BMI

to pretend your a lizard because the weather has now turned your skin into the desert and no amount of the wonderful hand cream that Karla got you for your birthday can help because the air is just that dry

I am pretty sure no one will read this, but I am bored and have a little time to kill before work.  I hope not everyone has given up on me.  I have been soooooo busy with tons of shit that I can't force myself to get up in the morning to work out.  I can get up 30 minutes before I have to get ready, but not early enough to be able to work out.  I guess it's not a super big deal because I am always so busy and I am on the diet and all... but I know I should make a better effort to wake up earlier.

I have kind of been dancing around a particular subject on here due to one person that I know will periodically read this, but I figure I should stop being such a coward.  Over the summer I was kind of seeing someone/had a friend with benefits.  He's a totally cool guy, but I never really knew what he thought of me/how he really felt about me.  And then Mr. Escobar came into the picture...  as silly as this sounds (and believe me... I know it's silly because if I were myself reading this, I would totally make fun of myself) I knew from the moment I saw him, that I would be with him.  He's a little quiet (well REALLY quiet) so it took him a little to come around, but once the ball started rolling, I had developed the most incredible feelings for him.  I felt guilty for brushing Mark off a little, but I knew my heart belonged to Pablo.  I have definitely dated guys longer than this and never such strong feelings for someone.  And of course we've not been dating very long to be so serious.  In October he had planned to go back to Mexico to visit a friend, so he checked his permits and passport and stuff to see if he had it all so he could travel back for a visit.  It turns out that his residency permit expired and he didn't know because he hadn't really needed them in over 2 years.  Well, he called the lawyer that had helped him with all of his paperwork to get here and stay here, but she's retired, so he talked to another lady there.  She basically said she couldn't do anything and that he would be considered an illegal alien once his work permit expires (which is next summer).  Well, I don't know all of the details, but she said she wanted to look over his case a little more and meet with him.  He has an appointment with her this afternoon and I really would like to go, but considering I just started working at Peterbilt, I don't think that they would be so understanding if I told them I wanted the afternoon off to go to an appointment with my boyfriend.  Regardless, I would like to go because eventhough Pablo knows English, I know he has difficulty with some of the larger technical terms when it comes to laws and communicating with his English speaking doctor and such.  I would be devastated if he had to go back to Mexico.  I couldn't very well go because I really have to work on my career and I don't know enough Spanish to find the train station, let alone develop my career in a Spanish speaking country.  So... the big shocker... where you will laugh at me, your jaw will drop to the floor, or you will just faint from the pure shock.... but he asked me to marry him and I accepted.  BUT I must clarify further... he asked my parents permission, then he produced a nice princess cut 1/2 carat diamond set in platinum.  I couldn't say no.  I never pictured myself getting married before 30, nor did I picture myself marrying a guy with the same name as a Columbian drug lord, but I am coming to realize life is never what you expected.  It's a big decision and I know that it would be a big adjustment, but my heart would be forever broken if he left, and it would have 9 months to break.  Karla's brother is kind of going through a similar situation, but they've been dating longer.  I think that is why everyone has been so shocked so far.  I haven't really been dating him for years.  I don't really know if it was love at first sight, but there were these immense feelings there for sure.  I do care a little about what my family and friends think, but at the same time I really believe no one will ever understand the bond between two other people.  There is a connection between Pablo and I that no one will ever understand.  Sure he can be a stick in the mud sometimes (he doesn't drink) but he doesn't care if I go out with my friends and drink, so eventhough there are differences between us, they don't really matter that much when it comes down to the bottomline.  Having said that, I feel like I am growing up :(.  If I can marry a guy who doesn't drink, I am not as shallow as I once thought.  Ah well, think what you will, because I am excited.  I am just a little nervous.  Today I find out of if we have to get married before next summer so that he can stay, or if we can just stay engaged for a while.  I have a bad feeling that he will not be able to stay without getting married, in which case I am prepared, I just wish he could stay without having to get married.

I got my birthday present in the mail from Karla.  It was one of the best birthday presents ever!  I got a purse and in it she tucked some hand lotion and pictures from Halloween!  The pictures were sooooooooooooooo great!  I think they are some of the first pictures that were taken of me since I've lost weight.  When I have more time (because time is always an issue) I will scan them and post a couple.  Bryan and Jon's costumes were hilarious.

I would just like to say something to all you smartie pants who keep leaving me messages on AIM such as, "You're never really there, are you?" and "Your away message never changes" and other similar messages... I am busy.  I actually have a life!  I also was away for the weekend.  I don't really have much time to offer a full update but I will give some little highlights.  I got a check in the mail for which I didn't really expect (it's nice to have an extra $200.)  I carved pumpkins for Halloween (and I have pictures too!.. Which will come later).  I went to Oxford and met up with Bryan, Jon, and Karla... fun times for sure... details to come.  I did go off the diet for the weekend and got wasted.  I did however last over 3 months without drinking.  Those Albright boys are a bad influence... or as the chick at LA Weightloss would say... "Evil Cousins".  I'll tell you more about that later.  Ah well, off to work.

I got up this morning and called my "boss" and told her I got a better job and she said she was blown out of the water... which means I am an excellent actress because I thought it was pretty obvious that I didn't dig the last day of training.  Anyhow... I don't really care because I won't really come in contact with them in the future again.  I just thought that she'd be a little more understanding.  She had said many times over the course of three days that if someone was not happy in recruiting, the company, or the team that they were working with, that she would be understanding.  When I called, she seemed really defensive and insulted, but I didn't leave because of her personally.  I left for more money and a better opportunity.

I did go to the doctor's today.  For some reason, I don't think the receptionists like me.  Everytime I go in there, I show up exactly on time and at least 5 (I am totally serious... 5 is not an exaggeration) people will come in after me and get to see the doctor before me.  I was on time!  I don't know what time their appointments were, but if you show up late, sorry Charlie, you can sit your ass in the waiting room and get germies from the little misbehaving ankle biters.  I was dying in the waiting room and I had to wait 45 minutes just to get a goddamn shot!  I have bronchitis.  It took about 3 minutes to diagnose and about 3 minutes to get the shot.  I think those other people who weren't coughing up their insides could have waited 10 minutes so I could get my penicillin shot.  In addition, I had to get a drug test for my new job, go to LA Weightloss, and get prescriptions filled. I was so exhausted this afternoon that I went home and passed the fuck out.  I am still really tired, but I figure I have a few days to recover.  I hate being sick... at least no one can tell.

So... I went to Memphis on Monday morning with one of the recruiters from Union Planters (soon to be Regions) Bank.  There were 3 days of training.  The first and second days were fairly good.  I felt optimistic going through the behavioral interviewing training and the team building exercises, but the third day (today) was a disaster.  I started feeling like ass.  I was sick all day... and they started with the cold-call recruiting.  I am not a goddamn salesperson!  If I wanted to be a salesperson, I would have looked for a sales job.  Regardless, I felt like crying in the middle of the training.  I was so discouraged, but I figured at least I have a job.  Well we finished the training and Brandy and I (the recruiter I rode with) headed out to come home.  I was feeling sick so I just tried to think of anything but being sick... but that didn't help.  So I checked my phone... and to my surprise, my mom had called like 3 or 4 times within a short time so I checked my messages.  PETERBILT called!  I remembered in the interview, the interviewer said that if I got the job, she'd call and if I didn't, I'd receive a letter.  I had to desperately hide my enthusiasm, so I asked Brandy if she'd be willing to stop so I could use the potty and get some hot tea.  She said it would be perfect because she needed to get some gas.  Fortunately, we stopped and I had the opportunity to call Peterbilt back.  I called Joyce, the lady whom interviewed me and she answered, so I was excited right away.  She offered me the job and I could barely let her finish her sentence.  She was totally cool too, she was like, "If you want to take some time, perhaps a few days, and think about it, just give me a call back"  I told her I of course didn't need to think about it, I would love the opportunity.  So my prayers were answered.  I am going to make more money than that jackass who was my supervisor before!  I guess everything works out for the best!  In addition to making SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more money, I will also receive a week off for Christmas due to a holiday shut down (ROCKIN') and after 3 months of service, they will pay for 100% of my masters (It can't get any better... or can it?)  It seems like a totally cool place to work... Ms. Joyce has made my entire week.  Unfortunately, I have to call Union Planters tomorrow and tell them that I accepted another job and basically, "Sorry, you wasted all that time and money taking me to Memphis."  I do feel bad because they seem like an awesome group of people, but I definitely am not digging the recruiting.  I would definitely like more of a generalist position.  I am so super excited, I really could not care less about telling them that I found another job.  I am also super happy I don't have to go to Birmingham now!  Also, Pablo got me the cutest build-a-bear!  Ok... I am going to shut up now because I am annoying myself.  Oh wait... one more thing to be excited about!  I am going to Ohio next weekend to see Karla, Bryan, and Jon!!!!!!!