My busy times

I apologize for being so delinquent in my blogging. I've thought about it many a time in the past 3 weeks, but when I have the time to do it, I don't want to. Similar to my inability to call people when I'm free. When I get so busy that I'm at school, or work for 10-12 + hours a day, I tend to want to just unwind at home watching some of my TV. And that my friends is why I don't blog, or call you or whatever, I'm sorry :-(.

I've worked diligently on my Thesis for the last couple weeks, I've been working hard on it for quite a while, but it was a month ago that I learned that I had to have a "good" rough draft into my advisor by the 1st of June. So I'm working my ass off to get that accomplished! I've worked every day since the first of May some days are longer than others. I make sure to keep Thursday nights as girls night, and I go sleep in a tad on the weekends, but other than that it's worky worky worky for me.

I'm slowly but surely going to get this thing finished and June 1st will be it. I have a bit more to do on the chapter I'm working on then just one more results chapter. That one shouldn't be to hard, then it's the smaller things like the intro and conclusions. NC State requires a biography as well, so I'll be doing that and acknowledgments and dedication. Still planning on defending late June early July. Right now I'm on track to get the writing done, but the defense itself scares the shit out of me! I was hoping to be in the middle of the pack of 5 of us in the two groups (Dr. Yuter's and Dr. Parker's) that defended, but no, looks like I will be first, paving the way for the others. I don't do well presenting in front of others, and I'm scared to death of the behind closed doors section. I'm just praying for minor revisions and a quick end to it once its over. Then on to a Journal article.

Moving will also be a big event of the summer. I think it's been decided for a while that I will be moving back home once I get back from England. It seems to be the most practical solution, save money on living. I won't have much money anyway after England, and not having the majority of bills will be a godsent! The question now is do I put it in storage for a couple months while I'm gone, and move it home, or put it in storage and leave it in storage in Raleigh. At the moment I'm leaning toward taking it with me. We'll see, still time to figure that out.

I also think I will move into the basement when I move home. I will miss my bedroom, that isn't really mine anymore, but the basement is setup like a mini apartment with a microwave and fridge own bathroom, living area and bedroom...could be nice for pumpkin and I to have our own place. Plus it would be good because I tend to leave my bedroom and bathroom quite a mess, and this way my parents wouldn't have to deal with my messiness. I'm not really that messy, but I don't like to put away my bathroom stuff when I'm going to use it again tomorrow. I think it would be kinda nice to kinda have my own place while living at home.

It will be very weird to be living at home again, and not for only a couple weeks. BUT I do look forward to it, I don't necessarily want to find a job (career job) right away. I want a break between real job and school. Europe is a break, but I also want to be with my family, and take time and go see friends in Norman, Lincoln and Omaha. I won't ever have this opportunity again and want to take full advantage of it! Family and Friends are the most important things to me, and I want to take the time I actually have and use it to the fullest extent! It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity at this point in my life.

As for being close to finishing up and not close to finishing up in the time allotted, I'm not that stressed, at least not yet, but I don't see it happening. I'll be busy working my ass off, but not stressed. I'm just slowly chugging through it all, doing what I can. The final week will be the biggie. I also don't wish I was already on my trip. Getting a master's degree has been a goal of mine for a very long time and it is more important than the trip, so I'm not that anxious to get it over with either. I want to savor every last busy, scary, hectic, happy, sad, humorous moment! Once I've defended and August approaches I will be ready for my trip, but until then.....

And I have to learn how to drive stick shift for renting a car in Ireland! That will be a treat! Adam's said he'll help me with his manual car. I've driven it before and know the basics, but I was 15 and only drove it a couple times. The hardest part was getting from stopped to going and then 1 to 2...after that it was pretty easy. IT should be fun, then I will have to put it all in action and drive on the other side of the road. This will be an adventure, don't say I'm not daring!

Well I've guess you've read more than you ever wanted to know! I'll try to do this more often. Hope all is well, and I wish you all the best May! Even if I'm way late in getting to it!

Love

Just cause

Just writing to say hi...I'm actually off to bed, and that's a sad day in the life of Jerilyn...going to bed before midnight. Why do people care when you work? If I were to work the same amount of hours, just different times people would think I was crazy, but working 7:30am-9pm is fine, cause I came in early...yucky! More of the same....sorry nothing to exciting from me. Night

Love

Melting Pot!

OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!

If you haven't been to the Melting Pot, you should go! It was so much fun! The food was good, and the experience was one of a kind! We got Cheddar Cheese Fondue for appetizer, had apple's, bread and some veggies. Then the Pacific Rim entree including steak, chicken, duck and pork! We chose the European cooking style, which I would list as the American cooking style, basically it was deep frying. Didn't realize that before. Then Amaretto Meltdown chocolate fondue for dessert! It was white chocolate with a shot of amaretto mixed in, then flambeed, we had some fruit and other desserts. I LOVED the dessert, which I wasn't sure I'd like so much! The Pineapple and amaretto and white chocolate was amazing! We are going to go back, just only get dessert! It was all good and I'd eat it again, but for the cost, I'd prefer to just have the dessert, maybe the cheese. The entree was good, but a lot of food and a lot of work. It was great fun though! I look forward to going again! As I said, save up your money and try it! A good time and good food!


Home watching some Grey's now, and off to bed here soon...I've been getting up early...early for me..I'll start getting up even earlier, just working my up to it. Didn't go to bed till almost 2:30-3 and got up at 7:30ish...not bad, but tired today.


Love!

Everyone's excited about the end but....

...I have no concept of the end!

Everywhere I look there are signs that the semester is ending...

• away messages on AIM,
• names on MSN,
• status updates on Facebook
• Undergraduates in my lab talking about it
• Fellow grad students taking exams

BUT

I do not have any classes and the end for me is not the end of the semester, and this is a very weird feeling. I'm usually counting down the classes, final exams...days till it is over and summer begins. This however won't happen for me this year.

I have an "end", but it's not the semester. My end is the defense of my Thesis. Which is actually nearer than I thought, not two weeks, but 4-6 weeks. I found out yesterday that for a defense date in late june/early july I have to be done writing with a good version in about a month. That means I'm going to be a bit crazy busy! I've got just about 3 of my chapters written, 2 more big ones to go! Now should I be sitting here watching American Idol tonight? No, but I am...and will pay for it later. I'm hoping that with some luck my model runs will be done by the end of next week and writing and analysis is all I have to do! If not, I may have a reoccuring junior year fall semester. I recovered from that hell semester by going to England, and I will again recover and reward myself by going to England and Europe! The end is in sight, just nearer than I thought (writing anyway)...it will all be done soon I will have my Masters!

Oh and tonight I'm on the Idol Gives Back Kick! I don't usually get into the whole donation things...being selfish, figuring I'll donate when I actually have a steady income. But tonight with the amazing Idol Gives back Show, I decided to actually give something to help the kids in america and africa. I have seen the poverty in america and other countries and it's sad. I figure if I can afford to go out to eat with my friends, I can afford to give some money to those who need it.

Going to the Melting Pot tomorrow, have you ever been? I've not....but think it will be very exciting! The food will be amazing and not cheap! Emily and I have talked about it for months and months now...saving up..eating in on our recent Thursday night get togethers so that we can splurge this week. With that I think I'll watch the Pursuit of Happyness....should be writing or sleeping, yes I know....but movies are so much more fun! I'll get down to the grind very soon! Promise! I'm not stressed out yet, can you tell? beware, it will happen soon and very soon!

Love!

The Holiday

I am currently watching and have already watched The Holiday today! I LOVE this movie!!! I didn't really like Jude Law before this movie, but I LOVE him in this movie! If you haven't seen it check it out!!! My favorite scene is when he first arrives on the door step and he and Amanda meet for the first time, that whole next part is my favorite! If only this could happen to me on a vacation! Well if you get the chance, watch this movie!

Love!

Fun!

Because I thought it was fun when I saw it on Kristen's blog!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Personality: Moods Sofisticat

You're romantic, sophisticated and love the beauty of wide open spaces. You can be a little nostalgic and love revisiting familiar laces and memories. When it comes to art, you appreciate precision and hard work - real craftsmanship. You appreciate the history of a piece, the stories that it holds - you are a touch sentimental! As for music, it's the soundtrack to your world. An open road, your favourite tracks - cliches are there to be enjoyed! Your choice of treat shows that you really care about your appearance, if you feel good on the outside, you'll feel good on the inside right?

Personality: Fun Escape Artist

Oh - insatiable! Your thirst for affection never drops. You've got a high sex drive and appetite for lurve. For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are probably happy spending time alone, and your drive and curiosity will take you all over the world. When it comes to holidays, you seen them as a perfect chance to further yourself - to learn more about the world around you. You like to be immersed in a completely different world and would be really bored just sitting on a beach. What grosses you out? You favour the natural look and can't stand a pumped and plumped, plastic appearance.

Personality: Habits High Time Roller

Even if you have a healthy approach to life, you still have your vices and a craving hunger drives your needs! So you'll supersize it, you love convenience and that taste...Your choice of drink reflects your classic taste - yes you're a bit of glamorous one. You probably like to get dressed up, go out, and be seen! As for the home, you are traditional: you invest in quality and history. You like your home to be as stylish as you are.

Personality: Love Love Bug

You're a real romantic and a bit of a dreamer. OK, life may not be a movie, but what's wrong with thinking it is? When you think of freedom - you think of living for the here and now. You're pretty fearless and take any opportunity given to you.

An Aunt 6 times over!

I am an aunt again, this time however, i'm the furthest away physcally I've ever been!

Brynn Kenedi Billings

Grandpa and his newest granddaughter

Brynn was born at 11:17am CDT at 9lbs and 21" long. Middle name to be determined

3 Nieces, 3 Nephews!

Deveony
Jocelyn
Brynn

DaKota
Dillion
Derick

Pretty good for not even being 25 yet!

Yay, finally photos!

Grandma Judy and little Brynn

Brynn and her Mom

The Family, Brynn, her mom, dad and grandpa

Congrats Kurt and Jessica!