Hey girls!

I haven't written on here in awhile because I don't have too much to say haha. First of all, Maria.. I'm so sad about Kev's ring- that really stinks! The insurance job sounds promising. I bet it will be nice to have more normal hours. But I'm so pumped about the UC game! That will be so fun- that seems so terribly far away though...

Are we still on for a reunion in January?! I've been missing you all lately. I just copied Lauren and made a Mixbook of college pictures. Laur, when you said Facebook will be gone eventually and you want something concrete to show people, I was like I need that too! So I've been working on it the last couple days and it's making me so nostalgic! The point is that I think a reunion with ALL of us is necessary.

I'm making John a Mixbook too (I've entitled it - John and Amy: The College Years hahaha). I think I'm going to give it to him for Christmas. I figured I made him that scrapbook from High School, it would be nice to have one from college too!

I think I told most of you about my trop out there at the beginning of this month but it was so much fun. We did a lot but it was a nice mixture of feeling like I was on vacation and doing absolutely nothing. I'm really realizing how valuable "just doing nothing" with him is and how much I miss that. We did go to San Diego for a night and went to the zoo! We also went kayaking in the ocean and got to go in these caves, which was very cool. In LA we finally drove out to Hollywood and did all that stuff too. It was the most fun time I've had in a long time.

I'm so excited that Erin is coming with me in 2 weeks! I'm so pumped to show someone around and have someone to hang out with! I'm sure we will have all kinds of stories when we get back, probably mostly consisting of us getting lost and meeting strange people along the way haha. I need to get all of you out there at some point. In February when his lease is up, I think he is going to move to a bigger, nicer place. So after that- if anyone's free and wants to plan a trip- LET ME KNOW!! Free place to stay and you can find cheap airfare to LA lately!

So I still don't have a job or any leads on anything. I did start volunteering with the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop here in Anderson. They call it an upscale resale shop and I'm just trying to help spread the word and get more donations. It's not too big of a deal but I really like the people I've met and who knows what will happen- like Lauren said. Brie also asked me to start coming in once a week to help with her classroom, which I am super excited about. I'm sure the novelty (for them and me) will wear off once I start going over and over but I had so much fun last time that I don't care. Plus I get to see Brie.

So we're going to dinner tonight at the clubhouse for the "Special Autumn Dinner" haha. We're sitting with 3 couples one of them being our builder Pat and his wife, who actually live down here too. Usually I like these things because they're funny but tonight I'm not looking forward to it because if another person asks me about not having a job I may shove something down their throat (It's literally every time I see someone). On top of that, Pat sometimes thinks he is my father and gives me "fatherly advice" about life (For the record- he is harmless and I do love him most of the time but really?). Most of that advice consists of a conversation that goes just like this:

Pat: How's the boy?

Me: Oh, fine.

Pat: 7 years- it's like a fungus... (What that means I have no idea)

Me: (Forced laugh)

Pat: You know Amy forever is a long time. There's a big world out there with lots of people.

Me: Mmhmm

Pat: You know I'm only kidding right? ... well kind of...

So awkward. My life in a nutshell right now....

Miss you all and love you!

Amy

Thank you guys!

I got my birthday present today!!! I love it!! Thank you all so much for thinking of me and giving me a little piece of the oval!

Laur I am so happy for you! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your job sounds so legitimate, I know you will be wonderful at it!

I am actually in the middle of an interviewing process with Prudential insurance. I have my resume posted on a job search engine for the Albany area and I got a call from Prudential asking me if I wanted to come in and do a sort of evaluation. I didn't really realize what I got myself into. It was an hour long exam on math and logic! But they called me back the same day and said I had done well. Then I had to take another assessment online, I passed that, and they called me for an interview on Monday. I am really excited. I do love the job I have now but I'm getting sad about having to work all day every weekend and how I won't get to spend holidays with the family. It would be really nice to have a normal work week. I don't know much about insurance, and I feel like the world doesn't need one more insurance salesperson, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Ohhh I wanted to tell you guys this! U Albany's opening game next fall is at Cincinnati!! It's going to be a complete blowout but I thought it would be fun if Kev and I made the trip out to watch the game and see everyone. It'll be the first time in 5 years Kev will be watching a UA game from anywhere but the field.

So a couple of games ago (sorry all my stories have to do with either work or football) Albany was away in Pittsburgh I think actually. Kev took off his ring and put it in his shoes in the locker room, and of course, when he came back into the locker room his shoes (and his ring) were missing. Kev told me that like 10 guys stayed in the locker room for like 20 minutes after they had showered just looking for the ring. But, alas, Kev left his cool Columbus ring in Pittsburgh (yet another sign that we belong in the Midwest). So for Kev's birthday this year I had to take the easy way out and get him a new ring. It's not nearly as cool as the one from Columbus, so that makes me sad. But one of the other things I got him for his birthday is this book called "Weird New York: Your travel guide to NY's local legends and best kept secrets." It made me think of you guys because there is a ton of cool stuff in here that we definitely would try if we were all in the are. Like supposedly the best pizza place in NY is the hardest to find. It's like in the middle of the woods in a tree house. So hopefully once football is done and if I get a job were I have the weekends off, Kev and I will have fun adventures to report back to you guys.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the fall. I'm in full boring mode. I've learned to crochet and have just been making a blanket nonstop. So at least I am keeping warm.

MJ I have been giving the song thing a lot of thought and I feel like I have more than one song at the moment. I will continue to think and then get back to you!

Alright love you guys!

Maria R

I GOT ME A JOB!

HEY GIRLS!

I AM WRITING THIS IN ALL CAPS TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT. I JUST GOT OFFERED A JOB! LAST WEEK I ONE OF MY BOSSES AT FISHER RECOMMENDED ME FOR THIS OPENING, AND SO EVERYTHING HAPPENED REALLY QUICKLY. I HAD AN INTERVIEW TUES, A SECOND INTERVIEW WEDNESDAY AND GOT OFFERED THE POSITION TODAY. I START TUESDAY.

LUCKILY, I ONLY WENT TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A JOB, SO BASICALLY I HAD A NICE LITTLE VACATION! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS POSITION-I THINK IT'LL BE PERFECT FOR ME. IT'S WITH A COMPANY CALLED RESOURCE INTERACTIVE. IT'S IN THE ARENA DISTRICT IN THE SAME BUILDING AS BUCA. THEREFORE, IT'S SUPER CLOSE, AND IT'S A REALLY SWEET COMPANY. IT'S ONE OF THE TOP TEN INDEPENDENT DIGITIAL MARKETING AGENCIES. THEIR COLOR IS GREEN. WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE HISTORIC BUILDING THE FIRST THING YOU SEE IS A BRIGHT GREEN WALL. HEAVEN! HAHAH. IT'S AN OLDER BUILDING THAT THEY'VE PUT A LOT OF MODERN TOUCHES ON. THERE ARE NO CUBICLES, SO IT'S A VERY TEAM ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT. IT'S ALSO A DOG FREINDLY OFFICE! WHEN I WAS THERE THE OTHER DAY I SAW THIS LADY WITH HER LITTLE YORKSHIRE TERRIER HAHA.

MY POSITION IS AN HR COORDINATOR, SO BASICALLY I WILL BE HELPING THE TALENT ACQUISITION SIDE (HIRING PEOPLE/INTERVIEWING) AND THE TALENT MANAGEMENT SIDE (CURRENT EMPLOYEES). IT'S A LOT ABOUT DETAILS AND ORGANIZATION. I ALSO WILL GET TO DO SOME EVENT PLANNING AND SCHEDULING. ANYWAYS, NOT TO GO ON AND ON BUT I AM SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED.

THE POINT OF THIS LITTLE STORY IS THAT... BASICALLY WITHIN A WEEK I WAS REFERRED FOR THIS JOB AND WAS HIRED, SO LC, ERIN AND AMY--YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A NEW OPPORTUNITY MIGHT COME A KNOCKIN! HAHAHA.

I REALLY WISH THIS WOULD MEAN THAT I COULD GO TO CALI, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I START BEFORE THEN.

PLEASE SOMEBODY UPDATE ME ON YOUR LIFE! I WANT TO HEAR HOW EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING : )

LOTS OF LOVE..

LAUR

Oh Louisville.

Another weekend spent in Louisville. It's been great having the opportunity to relax for a while! It's absolutely gorgeous down here right now. There are so many trees and they're all vibrant reds, oranges and greens. I definitely would love to get married in the fall ; )

The drive down here is so much more aesthetically pleasing than the drive from Columbus to Cincinnati! Alex's apartment was pretty bare still and he decided to give me a budget of $500 to get whatever I wanted for his apartment. I never even said a word--all his idea! So perfect for me haha. Anyways it looks a million times better-very homey. Hopefully it helps him feel less lonely! I just wanted to give my song pick. With being in Louisville Alex and I have been listening to a lot of country music in the car... Each of you needs to listen to Darius Rucker, "History in the Making."

Hope you've all been enjoying your weekend and can't wait to hear some updates!

P.S. I got an iPhone this week! Hopefully that means I can finally talk on the phone in my house/bedroom! WOhoo!

<3
Laur

Heeelllllloooo Laaadies!

I absolutely loved reading all of your blogs. I love seeing all of your personalities shine through. I know I sound goofy, but instead of reading, it is like I am listening to you all speak. And I miss you! Terribly. Desperate Housewives started up... I wish we could all sit around and watch it again (I wish that I had cable so I could even watch it alone...) Also, OSU had it's first football game on friday. I missed you all again... You didn't miss out though. It was raining and miserable and I left before the 2nd half. My life has been absolutely crazy the past few weeks. I am still trying to see all of Katie and Gavin's games. I got to see the Crew play LA Galaxy on Friday and the Bengals play the Steelers on Sunday. So I have been doing some fun things, but I feel like my life is still in a whirlwind. I am excited for things to calm down. 

School has me especially nervous. This clinical will be like the one in the winter. Naturally, my stomach is in knots. I am just praying that everything will be okay. I only have class Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings, so feel free to visit anytime! Amy and Erin you all can def spend the night while you are in town. Also, maybe LP and LC could too! ME could you drive in for the weekend?! That would be fun huh!?!? I have plenty of space for 2 blow up mattresses and 2 foutons and a bed. I can pick up some wine, champagne, coke and sex and the city dvds... wow... that actually sounds like heaven right now... : ) 

P.S. when engagements come, I want FULLL details! 

P.S.S. I can't wait to see everyone! ME January sounds awesome! 

I love you all,

MJ

Amy, I died when I read the comment about your mom and the snake and the "plager" letter... you truly are hilarious. 

How about for this month we pick a song that describes where we are all personally at right now and share it with each other?

hi!

Amy your blog made me laugh hysterically, I think you should be our Carrie Bradshaw and write for a newspaper. I am so happy you had a chance to be a part of Brie's classroom! I think you would make an absolutely wonderful teacher, I would love if my children had a teacher as caring as you.

Lauren reading your blog is like reading an adventure story. I feel like you and Alex are always doing something fun and creative. I am so happy that he is close, and that he like his location. As I was reading your blog out loud I have to admit I got a little choked up! I miss you all of you and I wish I could be at pancakes too. Can we have a post-Christmas get together in January? That's when I can start taking time off. I may actually just make the rounds and end up on each of your door steps for my mid-Winter-mid-West tour.

Life here is good. It's been fairly simple: work and football. Kev lost his first two games but came back from like a 16 point lead to beat the University of Maine, who are a pretty large opponent for UAlbany. The game was so exciting and pretty much our whole family was there cheering him on! It was great to see everyone. Seth is so huge! He looks like a man!

Work is good. There's always something to talk about and always a kid to be giving extra attention to, but really I don't mind that. To be honest, I really love working with teenagers. All my kids have great personalities, and many of them are struggling with some pretty concrete things that I can remember as being challenging; boyfriends, self-image, female bullying, ect. Some days are harder than others to be there, but I think that just means this isn't my dream job, which is fine by me.

Sorry my post is kind of lame... Wow I am definitely the married woman here, just writing about my routine. Hopefully next time my Mom will viciously murder a reptile or my husband will take me on a wonderfully romantic outing, to make this a more enjoyable read.

Ohh I keep forgetting to write this... Kev and I went on our picnic with some store bought New York subs (mmmmm) a while ago. We sat on a bench dedicated to a NY Giants player, overlooking the Albany athletic fields. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it was a beautiful day and the subs were delicious!

I miss everyone so much. Feel free to call if you're ever bored, I'm always around!

Maria R

Your Life is a Movie

Amy, I love your stories about your scary, scary mom killing rodents. I think it's more hilarious because your mom is the last person who I picture doing that. ALSO...That story about Ryland is AWESOME!!! Your life is a movie.

Lauren, I'm so happy that Alex likes Kentucky....I knew he would. That sounds like a great place to live. I'm looking forward to hearing about your engagement when it happens : )

I'm pumped about going to Columbus for Pancakes. I think I might take off work from Friday to Monday so I can go to the Renaissance Festival on Sunday like Lauren suggested. I just want to make sure that I can stay with either Lauren or Maria for those days. Is that ok with you guys if I stay Fri, Sat, and Sun night? What are your plans Amy?

LC, I'm not sure if you are able to read this blog, but I am thinking about you. I hope yogi camp is treating you well.

Erin