11 November 2008

I figured I haven't blogged about anything lately so time for an update. As usual, things have been busy around here. If my loyal readers haven't noticed I've been talking about a boy lately in my blogs. Yup, I have a boyfriend. I am pretty excited about it, but I tend to keep the love life out of my blog. I'm not sure why...maybe cause I've never had much to say. Well anyway, Dustin is his name and we've been dating about 2 months, so far so good. This past weekend I went to his place to hang out. I drove there Friday after work and then Sunday I had to go to Bloomington for a WW conference. I've been very busy with WW lately. We are FINALLY getting computers and we went live yesterday. But first everyone had to be trained. So I had two 3 hour sessions of that. Then I had this all day yearly conference on Sunday. I have to say I actually enjoyed it. I really like working for WW and its nice to have a part time job that is not behind a computer! I am working 4 meetings the 22nd and then 1 meeting the 23rd. Plus I have all the meetings/training/etc from this last month. I'm excited for the paycheck. All that money is going toward a new laptop! GOOD BYE old pos computer I have now!

Anyway, I'm very excited for the rest of Novembers events. This weekend Dustin and I are going to Manhattan KS for the football game! Why would we go to the Nebraska/KSU game? Well because he is a Kstate grad...I know, its a shame. I don't know what has happened to my standards but its true...I'm dating a wildcat. Luckily, the parents haven't disowned me yet. I think I have to deal with self shame more than anything. ;) Everytime I am at his house I have to pull into a driveway with a KSU flag hanging outside. Then inside I have to sit under a big ol KSU flag above the couch. I have lost all self respect. However, its going to be lots of fun! We are going to a concert Friday night. Then drinking it up before the 2:30 kick off. It is kinda bittersweet however, because after this weekend we only have one more game left. Where did the season go????

After that I'll have a busy weekend of working at WW as previously mentioned. Then the Tuesday after that we are headed back to the NE/KS area for thanksgiving! I haven't been home since Labor Day and I'm pretty pumped. I am starting to get homesick and its just time to visit. It will be great to see my family and friends. I won't even be back in IL for a month before Christmas comes around, back home for that! Anyway, busy times ahead but its all fun.

I voted...

....and you should too!

A wonderful fall day

Today was a beautiful fall day! The temp has been unusually warm and I started thinking this morning that when we get the first warm days in the spring, I go nuts. I'm outside all day, finding things to do. But that changes in the fall. However I told myself today to take advantage of it. So my choices were a long bike ride, hike at Kickapoo, hike at Allerton, walk/run at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet. I decided to go with the Lake of the Woods since it was the closest. Its a nice little park and they have good trails, so I ventured onto the 5 mile one. Here are some pictures from the park!

I found Slop's cousin in Illinois!

No, these are not tennis balls, I have no clue what tree these come from.

CCR and some tailgating

This past week me, Dustin, Leslie, and Eric went to see Cross Canadian Ragweed at the Canopy Club. The concert was pretty good. The past couple years my country music taste and kind of shifted to what people call "Red dirt music" or "Texas Country". Its not as twangy, its more of a country sound sound with southern rock. I really like it, and I've been discovering more bands that I like. So CCR kinda of falls in that category.

Then on Saturday I went to the tailgate to hang out with the softball folk. It was such a great fall night! I know I have expressed my love for fall a couple posts ago so I will refrain from it again. I didn't have a ticket to the game, but that was ok. We played cards, drank some beers, ate some REALLY good ribs. I'd say half of my softball team was there, so it was good to see them again. Oh and there was a fire pit...LOVE LOVE LOVE fire pits.

Mmmmm....beer

It was cold and the fire felt good, this was only natural!

Jeb (a fellow outfielder) and me

Jason (our pitcher) and his wacky hat

Me, Tabitha (loyal softball fan), Kaneesha (2nd basewoman)

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Dustin and I

Leslie and Eric

Jamie and Renae's visit

This weekend Jamie and Renae visited from Nebraska. We had a really good time! Friday night we went out for a few beers. Saturday was the football game, and Saturday night we went to a piano bar. Enjoy the pictures!

Jamie and Renae playing washers

Me and Jamie...I just could not NOT wear red on saturday :)

Mmmmmmmmmmmm pancakes

Jamie and Renae

Me and Dustin

Jamie and Renae in the shade...wusses

Piano bar time!

New layout!

I am an html genius!!!! I figured out all the widgets on the right...by copy and pasting the html code! HECK YES!

Long time...no blog

Sorry I have totally been slacking off on the blogging. Things have been slightly busy around Champaign. Work is starting to get more interesting...they are finally using my GIS skills and I really like it. I finally feel like I am of somewhat value to the work place and not just a peon. About two weeks ago my boss sent me and the computer guy from our building to Chicago for a seminar. And I think I get to go to another 2 day conference in a month or so. My GIS class is going well. The prof is kinda of a weirdo. I like the class set up...no tests, no homework, its taught as one big lab but you never turn anything in. All we have is a class project at the end of the semester and he wants that done by the end of November so it doesn't interfere with finals. So I should be done then.

My running has completely taken a turn south, along with my working out all together. I guess after the half marathon I took some time off...going on 3 weeks now. But I think I've devised a schedule that should work, not as much running and more weight training. I think I'm setting my sights on a April 11th half marathon right here in Champaign! How can I pass one up in my own backyard?

I've really loved the fall weather, fall is my favorite time of year! I love the crispness, I love the smell of it, I love football!, I love the changing colors, I love fleeces, I love getting up in the morning and freezing my butt off cause I didn't close the windows at night. Its just the best! However, I don't like the allergies it brings and the shrinking daylight...but those can be over looked.

I'm very excited for this weekend. Jamie and Renae are coming to visit and hang out with Dustin and I. We are going to tailgate and then go to the Illini football game on Saturday. Hey, its not the Huskers but I bet they win! :) As for the Huskers I don't think I need to see another bloody massacre again, thus I won't be making an attempt to watch much of the TT game. But I'm still a Bo-liever! It will just take some time.

Anyway, I will be back after the weekend to post some pictures!

A pretty Champaign sunset

And again....