Slummin It

I've spent the majority of my day in sweatpants. That's some hot stuff there.  Because nothing says sexy like sweatpants...

Actually though, it's been a perfectly lazy day and it seems like a great way to end the week. And yes, I know technically Sunday is the first day of the week and not the last but  whatever, it's the end to me. 

It's been raining all day - the perfect day to bum around, snuggle on the couch, and watch tv...and so that's what I did.  It topped off a fantastic weekend of goodness.

First and foremost, my hubby got me tickets to see my favorite comedian.  I cannot tell you how excited I was!  And then he told me they were actually VIP tickets - so that made an awesome present even better! And I so wasn't expecting it...wasn't even on my radar, so I was completely and totally surprised.  Seriously, it's got to be one of the best birthday gifts I've had.  I am so pumped!

And then my Sooners demolished Texas - beat them into the ground.  It was ugly.  Granted, it's not the Texas we're used to playing but our guys looked good out there! We completely dominated.  And there have been lots of years when we couldn't say that, even when we did win.  It's a big game for us and I think the win will fuel our momentum....National Championship, anyone?

I was bummed to discover that Estee Lauder has discontinued my perfume!  That was suppose to be part of my birthday loot....until the clerk broke the news and I ended up with a gift card instead.  I've been wearing the same perfume for years so it's probably good that I'll be forced to find something new...but man, I loved that stuff.  So rest in peace, my dear Dazzling Gold - thank you for making me smell great all these years. And for providing the perfect stripper name, because you never know when you might need one of those...

I have another perfume that I love but I don't wear it on a daily basis, it's my special occasion stuff.  It's Givenchy's Amarige.  I thought I might just buy a new bottle of that but it is way expensive. Like so expensive it kinda makes me mad...$65 dollars for 1.7 ounces.  One point seven ounces!  Ounces!  Do you know how tiny that is?  That's insane.  So I will definitely be discovering a new scent.  And going light on my very last bottle of Dazzling Gold until I do...and going light on my Amarige too because at that price I'm not sure I'll get another bottle...we do, after all, have college to think about. 

I'm going to spend what is left of my birthday week with one last indulgence - a diet pepsi, popcorn, and a movie...let the good times roll!

I Wanted To Go

So what's worse than not getting to go to an OU football game? 

How bout missing the "Hey, got some tickets to the game, thought you might want them.  You interested?" message!

I have no idea how it happened but I totally did not get that message. Until after the game. 

That was killer.

And when I found out I could have been at the game and just missed it...man, I was so disappointed it would have been better if I would have never even known.

And then, of course,  I had to acknowledge the offer and explain that I missed it.  And no matter what, that just makes you look lame.

The only way it could have been worse was if it was the Red River game.  That's actually my all-time favorite game to watch.  In fact, I snuck off to the game 7 days before M2 was born.  It wasn't the smartest thing I have ever done but I kinda just figured if something happened we could just find a hospital...I really wasn't too worried. 

But we got stuck on the public tram, or whatever they call it.  For one it was just a high volume day and then they kept breaking down and it would clog everything up.  We had driven to the game before but decided to follow the advice of our friends to "avoid traffic".  That worked out really well.

We were completely unprepared - I never imaged getting stuck and being trapped and at the complete mercy of the public transportation system.  It wouldn't have been so bad but we didn't eat before we left our hotel and didn't have anything to drink...and we were stuck for like 4 hours.

Until we got close enough and decided to just walk to the stadium.  But it was a lot further than I thought.  And as I'm walking I start having contractions.  Benny could tell something was wrong and he kept asking if I was okay.  I kept telling him I was fine.   But in my head I was actually thinking "Oh my god - this baby is gonna be born in Texas."

I held it together and managed to not give birth.  My boys, on the other hand, managed to not win that game.

I'm hoping this year is a better experience for both of us....

Thankful

I had a wonderful day for a lot of different reasons, here are some highlights:

I knew it was going to be a good day when AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long blasted through my radio this morning. First of all, it's just a good song - it's got a good beat, lots of energy and it's sexy.  It's one of those songs that makes you want to shake your booty.  It also makes you believe that whoever you're shakin it for imagines the song is about you. 

But more than that it makes me smile every time I hear it because it reminds me of a time a girlfriend and I decided to sing that song during karaoke.  We got on stage and started singing but it totally didn't work out.  Have you ever really listened to those lyrics? Besides the "she shook me all night long" part? It's just not a song two chicks should sing...we've got the mics, leaning in towards each other singing "she kept her motor clean"...and I just lost it and ended up mostly just laughing and dancing around... it was definitely a fun night and I think about her and that night every time I hear it. So my day started with a good memory.

Then this morning I checked and I have 15 registered exhibitors for our conference!  I'm so pumped! That was my goal and I made it!  And I have a few that I'm still working on so I think I can get even more than that...definitely made my morning.

Then I got a surprise phone call from someone I haven't talked to in years - we didn't get to talk too long but it was great to catch up and it made me feel so special to know that they were thinking of me.  I love phone calls like that...made my day even better.

In addition, I had a fun lunch with the hubby, enjoyed a cupcake, got told by a stranger that I looked lovely, and I didn't have to make dinner.  All things that made me happy.

And after dinner I even ran.  I would like to have said that I kicked butt but sadly, I did not.  Two days of sweets and heavy  meals hurt me.  I considered not running at all but I tossed that thought aside like an old, unworthy lover and got it done.

So I've had an amazing day full of love...and I feel so blessed.

Even Better

And the day kept getting better...I got another surprise! Look what a little fairy brought me...

What could this be?

Is it...

It is - shoes!



Some very cute tennis shoes...can't wait to wear them!

Today has been awesome - and it's only Monday!  I feel an awesome week coming on!

Lucky Girl

This week is off to a great start!  Had a productive morning and then got to have lunch with some very special ladies and it's always a good day when I get to spend bonus time with people I care about!  And we had mexican! And I got cookies! 

Thanks to my dear friends Rosario and Quin for making this an extra special day.  I love you guys! 

But next time, don't let me eat so much...my pants are about to rip.  Seriously, pull me off the chips and queso, will ya?

I am one lucky girl!

Self group shot, Take I. Where is Quin?

Self group shot, Take II. Where am I?

Third time is a charm, right?



Finally asked someone to take it for us...



<3

The obligatory drink shot.

The obligatory drink shot from the last time we all had lunch.  LOL, I think we've improved.

Ro got in on the drink shot action...my water was beyond empty.

Love this girl!



This chubby chick loves cookies!



Slow Sunday

Got a good run in - well, good for me.  1.5 miles at a pace of 3.9 with my breaks at a pace of 3.7.  And a half mile cool down.  I would really like to get where I don't have to decrease my speed for any breaks at all but I'm not there yet...my legs could keep going, it's the whole need to breath thing that slows me down.  But it gets easier each time so I'm just gonna keep at it...

Took the girls to Oklahoma Global Festival yesterday. It was a lot of fun and we spent most our day there...it was a good opportunity for them to experience some diversity and learn about other cultures.  I really want my children to appreciate and understand cultural differences and I hope I can teach them that through the things I do, not just the words I say.

It's domestic day here - I've got dinner in the crockpot and a mountain of laundry taunting me.  It's amazing how quickly our clothes pile up.  I had done ALL the laundry in the house - everything except the clothes we were wearing before I left and our laundry room is already overflowing.  I know someone who would throw clothes out and buy new ones so she wouldn't have to do laundry.  Seriously, that's when you have too much money to be reasonable.  Even if I had the money I couldn't be that wasteful...

I'm off to hop in the shower and then get to that laundry...a chore that I can actually do while I watch football, which is why I really don't mind laundry all that much. Let's see if the Cowboys can make it worth watching...

A List Without Bliss

My heart is heavy and I am sad.  I found out last night that we lost another TRiO program in our state.  Logically, I shouldn't be as sad as I am but...I am.  So much sorrow, shock, and disappointment...

I think about the 1,200 students who may never step foot on a college campus.  Students whose life choices may forever be altered because they didn't have the opportunity to hear "You can go to college.  I'll help you get there."  Students who may never have an opportunity to attend a college prep workshop, or receive information about financial aid, or receive instruction on the college application process. 

1,200 students lost.

I think about the individuals that work in this program, individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating for opportunity and education for all.  Some of the most dedicated and passionate people I know.  People who committed themselves to making a difference that went beyond simply fulfilling a job requirement...they put their whole heart into their program and their students.  I cry when I think about how painful it must be to have something you care about so deeply ripped away from you.

I think about the leadership and guidance these individuals have contributed on a state and regional level.  How much time and energy they put into developing and advancing our organizations.  The leadership they provided... and the void that their departure will leave behind.

But mainly I am thinking about my friends. These are people who have always offered support, guidance, and direction. People who have helped me grow and inspired me to do better.  People that I care about.  And it kills me to know they are hurting.

This program was cut due to the current political climate and budget crises.  Now more than ever it is important for anyone reading this to contact their U.S. legislators and President Obama's office and tell them it's important to increase funding for these programs.  Here's why we need TRiO:

1. The federal TRiO programs provide educational opportunity services to over 841,000 students nation wide.

2. The educational choices made today impact the next generation. It's difficult to lead your children down a road you haven't walked yourself... only 20% of bachelor degree recipients had parents with an educational level of high school diploma or less. Most people that didn't go to college want to get their children there, they just don't know how.  Upward Bound prepares these high school students and veterans for success in college.

3. Poor people are less likely to go to college. The enrollment rate for a low-income student is 29% lower than that of students above the low-income level. Without a college degree occupational choices are limited and earnings are less. Education becomes less of a priority when you're faced with having to sale plasma in order to pay rent.

4. To go to college you have to know where to find the money.  66% of all undergraduates receive some type of financial aid. Educational Talent Search prepares and assists 6th graders and up with applying for financial aid and college admission and Educational Opportunity Centers provide similar services to adults.

5. Simply getting them to college is not enough, we have to work to keep them there.  According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the 2009 persistence rate of first-time freshmen in Oklahoma was only 65.7%.  Student Support Services (that's me!) helps low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities stay in school and earn a bachelors degree.

6. In order to change society we must break racial barriers - we can do this through education.  And we desperately need to - only 9.8% of conferred bachelors degrees were awarded to African Americans.   There is even less diversity on the graduate level -  only 7.4% of masters degrees were awarded to this population.  The percentages are lower for every other ethnic group with the exception of Caucasian. Lower for every other ethnic group - let that sink in.

7. While we boast about increases of enrollment for minority populations, take a look at the figures. Yes, it's an increase but it's an embarrassingly small one...from 1976 to 2009 the college enrollment rate for African Americans has increased from 9% to 14%, for Hispanic 3% to 12%, for Asian/Pacific Islander from 2% to 7%.  That's it? Over 33 years and that's it?

8. To be competitive in a global market we will have to expand and strengthen the math of science skills of our future leaders.  In 2004 only 13.7% of students entered college in a STEM field.  Upward Bound Math/Science prepares high school students for college programs that lead to careers in math and science.

9. A person with bachelor degree is less likely to live in poverty or be incarcerated and is more likely to experience financial security and job satisfaction.

10. TRiO works!



*Unless otherwise noted, this information was obtained from the National Center For Education Statistics and represents the national outlook for the 2008-2009 academic year.