Various Christmas photos

It has been an action-packed week. Gathering with the Winder crew on Sunday, Brent arrived on Monday ( and slept and got sick ), we had an impromptu dinner on Tuesday, lunch with Sally on Thursday, Christmas with the Ferm's and Warner's on Friday, Christmas with Nanny Richardson and the Woodman's on Saturday, Christmas with the Strickland's and Ferm's on Sunday, Christmas breakfast with Charlton and Kobi Monday morning, and dinner with the Richardson's from Valdosta and Winder on Monday. Whew! Now we need a nap :) Enjoy the photos! We certainly have enjoyed all of the cards and photos that we have received in the mail from you all :) - Love - Jess and Brent

Brent's home!

A few of us gathered at one of Brent's fave spots - Applebee's - the night after his return home. The food and company were wonderful!

ALIAS

Can you believe the episode last night (for those few of you left who are still watching)? It was jaw-dropping, literally.
Just wanted to post a pic - Sarah (my ALIAS and (pseudo-) tri partner-in-crime ;-) and I posed with our ALIAS shirts - aren't they fun?
Just wanted to apologize also - it has been a ROUGH and CRAZY three weeks, and it is not over yet. I have a mammoth paper due tomorrow that I must work like a crazy woman on until then. Pray that I'll be inspired!
Love - Jess

Oh yeah?

So, Brent, are you really telling us that is not you? Really? Take a good look.

Yeah, its like that.

:) Love - Jess

8 More Days!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to get on to send you a quick blog. I will be heading home very soon and I can't wait! Everything here is the same. I have been extremely busy with school and work as usual. It snowed here last week, but the snow has finally melted. I was hoping that it would continue so that I could post some cool pictures, but I will have to wait until the next snowfall. Speaking of pictures, that dude wearing that police hat is not me. He is a good looking dude and all, but definitely not me. I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the holidays. I will hopefully see many of you very soon. Take care.

Love, Brent

Christmas Party in Osan

--> Brent with a coworker he is trying to hook up

with his buddy Keith.

<-- Blackmail picture! Brent in a police hat doing the YMCA!

Pictures

5 Shorter memories with Mrs. Janie, Hol, and Kob
6 Mr. Johnny Cash

6 Schawana-Mae

procrastination

1. What is your name? Jess
2. What color pants are you wearing? blue jeans - casual Friday, right?
3. What are you listening to right now? soundtrack to Love Actually
4. What was the last thing you ate? Waffle House brunch w/ Charlton - bad for the hips but the company was good for the soul
5. Do you wish on stars? Not really, but I say a quick "thank you" every time I see a shooting star
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green
7. How is the weather right now? Cool, clear, beautiful! A tad too chilly at night.
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Brent
9. Do you like the person who sent you this? Absolutely! And what kind of question is that anyway?
10. How old are you today? 28
11. Favorite drink? Right now, anything warm, like hot chocolate or egg nog latte or Baileys Irish Cream and coffee. But I also enjoy diet Dr. Pepper, water, Gatorade, a good margarita, and a good wine.
12. Favorite sport? To watch? - college football, pro basketball, beach volleyball. To play? - tennis, volleyball, boxing, air hockey :)
13. Hair Color? Same as always - dirty blonde, dirty brown, etc.
14. Do you wear contacts? No
15. Siblings? 4 by blood, more by marriage.
16. Favorite Month? Almost all of them for one reason or the other.
17. Favorite Food? Oh, this is too hard. Anything Mexican or Italian. I LOVE Olive Garden. My chicken salad. Hummus wrap from Earth Fare. Border Patrol from The Grit. And many more...
18. What was the last movie you saw in a theater? The Legend of Zorro, going to watch Walk the Line tonight.
19. Favorite Day of the Year? This year? December 19th. Next year - sometime in mid-July.
20. What do you do to vent anger? Still working on that one…. not very good at it. Pop in some angry music (Alanis or something like that) and sing like a crazy woman.
21. What was your favorite toy as a child? Probably something really embarrassing, like something girly. I'd like to think it was a G.I. Joe or something.
22. Summer or winter? Neither, really. Definitely a Spring/Fall girl!
23. Hugs or kisses? It depends. Who are we talking about?
24. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate.
25. When was the last time you cried? This past weekend at a funeral - my heart was breaking for my friend.
26. What is under your bed? Four neatly packed clear plastic storage bins - sweaters, clothes that I can't wear (too big or too little), Brent's misc stuff, and a workout bin w/ weights, mat, and daily morning exercises.
27. Who is the friend you've had the longest? Charlton.
28. What did you do last night? Ran a few miles, played w/ Cash in the yard, cleaned up the house, watched ALIAS with a friend, did a little homework, went to bed.
29. What are you afraid of? Failure. Unfulfilled dreams. Having children.
30. Favorite car? 67 Shelby.
31. Favorite flower? Gardenias.
32. Number of keys on your key ring? too many
33. Type of job? Graduate assistant/instructor/student
34. Favorite day of the week? Don't really know - it used to be Friday.
35. What did you do for your last birthday? That is a trick question - this one always gets me in trouble, so I am not answering.
36. How many states have you lived in? 3 - Georgia, Florida, Arizona.
37. What do you collect? Dust - just kidding. I don't know - books, DVDs, CDs, storage containers.

In memory of Mrs. Maria Lay

PHENOMENAL WOMAN by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

41 days to go

Hey everyone, I am back! I have been very busy lately with school and work, so I haven't been able to post in a couple of weeks or so. I am doing well and very eager to come home. There really is nothing going on over here to talk about, but Jess told me that some of you have requested posts. So, the highlight of my last 2 weeks was my golf outing. I had a career day. I shot a 78. I couldn't do much wrong. The cool thing about it was that I had 2 severly jammed fingers on my left hand. I told Jess that I need to injure my hand just before every golf outing from here on out. She happily said, "I can help you in that department". I owe her a lot for having to put her through all of this craziness. I am getting ready to apply for a recruiter slot in Athens, so everyone pray that I get hired for the job. I don't want to be away from home anymore. It is not cool! Well, I have to get ready for a 12 hour shift. I will try to post again soon. Adios my friends.

Love, Brent

Monday again

It seems this is my regular blogging day:) Well, happy Monday.

I was able to get out of jury duty - thank goodness. Not that I don't want to do my civic duty, just not now. Maybe 2009 or something. I also was able to go to my doctor's appointment today - I HATE going to the doctor anyway, and the situation gets worse because I really DON'T LIKE my doctor, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me. Anyway, I was berated for not having a check-up in the past two years, it was confirmed that I have lost 27 lbs. (WOO-HOO), and overall, I checked out okay. In good health for an old gal.

The weather is gorgeous! It was a perfect weekend for being out and about, and for recovering from a nasty cold. I attended a shower for a friend, got to see a lot of folks that I miss, and got to play with babies - that is always fun. Don't get excited, no wishes here to be a mom anytime soon, but, oh, how I do love the babies.

I have spent ALL day typing an interview transcription. Who knew that a 25 minute interview would take nearly six hours to transcribe? Preposterous! Anyway, that is one big project out of the way. I'm on my countdown now - only 3 more exams to take, 4 more research papers to turn in, and 3 more exams to administer and grade before the END OF THIS SEMESTER! And once the semester is over, BRENT COMES HOME FOR A VISIT!!!

Whew - I got a little carried away there. Well, I'll write again soon and keep you posted. I love ya - Jess

Woo-hoo - Basketball is back!

Regular season begins tonight - I LOVE the NBA! Go SPURS - 2005 NBA Champions!! - Jess

SICK!

I'm sick - who is responsible? Who gave me their cooties? When I find out, you are in BIG trouble! (Brent, we know you are innocent :)
So, anyway, I need a clone (or two). I'm supposed to teach, attend classes, go to my first doctor's appointment in two years, and report for jury duty next week - How exactly am I supposed to accomplish this? HELP! Calgon, take me away!!!
Later.
Love - Jess

Monday

Hey there - it has been a LONG time I know. Jess is my name, whirlwind is my game. School is...going, I guess. I'm always behind it seems - a good day for me is when I'm only a day or two behind :) I know some of you can understand that.

GA v. FL was devastating - our offense should have made an appearance before the second quarter, and Coutu - well, needless to say, it should have been 16 to 14. But, oh well, we just have to win all of our remaining games. But Jason and Kobi and I had a great time watching the game, eating wonderful (and not so healthy) snacks, calling Brent to wake him up to watch the game, and scaring the pets while screaming at the television. A pretty good Saturday :)

Another movie recommendation - The Legend of Zorro - Jonathan and I enjoyed it very much.

That's all for now - I'll write more later and post some pics for you - Love - Jess

On life and living

Chinese proverb:
With money, you can buy a house but not a home, a clock but not time, a bed but not sleep, sex but not love, a book but not knowledge, a doctor but not good health, a position but not respect, blood but not life.

Friendship:
Friendship is only as strong as the effort you put into it. Respect, trust, loyalty, love, LIFE, all have one thing in common - a 2-way street.

Love, Jess

I'm coming in...... it's LATE!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. I just got finished with my homework and it is 1:30 in the morning for me. I am very tired, but I have been meaning to post something new. There isn't much going on here except the same old stuff. I go to PT three days a week at 0600 and run 3 miles or so, I go to work for 10 hours, go to football practice, eat dinner in my room, talk to the best wife in da world and then I spend about 3-4 hours on my homework. Do I live a boring life or what? To answer my own question, YES! However, it is great for me because the time is cruising along now. I did play golf this weekend and I enjoyed it very much. I shot an 88. It is a little better than last time, but I am still doing some stupid stuff that drives me crazy. I officially have 68 days until I head back to GA and I am extremely excited. GA is an awesome place- I know you all saw the Dawgs beat down those Volunteers. Heck yeah! It is tough living in the dorms because there are so many different states represented here. I run into some sort of SEC fan on a daily basis and of course they are always talking trash about how UGA is overrated. Whatever! I also get into discussions about which conference is the toughest. It is a known fact, so I am not even going to say it.
Anyway, I need to get to bed. "I shall return" <---------- $5 bucks for the person that knows what movie that came from- not you Jess.

Random thoughts

It is Monday night - three more days to go until I can breathe again and midterms and midterm papers will be OVER!

Latest news - nothing really - I don't lead the most exciting life. I have had the opportunity to visit with friends and family this week. AND, GA beat TN -- woo-hoo!!

I think I may be an official runner now - Cash and I ran in the rain last week. It felt WONDERFUL and COOL. I also took my new bike out for a spin - no accidents to report, unless you consider my near cardiac arrest. I was blissfully riding along and them - BAM!! - two dogs run out in front of me, barking and snapping. I had this whole scene in my head - I was going to run into them, wreck while my feet were clipped in, and either get attacked by the dogs or smashed by a car. Fortunately for me (and for the millions of people who love me dearly), that did not happen. I kept riding along, yelling at the dogs, and finally passed them. I did have to stop soon afterwards, because my knees were shaking so badly from the fear/adrenaline rush that I could no longer pedal.

Song clip that is sustaining me this week - "But you never said it would be easy. You only said I'd never go alone." - Ginny Owens

Come on Kob and Charlton, say it with me - "God is good all the time, and all the time....God is good".

Love - Jess

This next part is for ALIAS fans - if you don't care, don't read :-)
- What is the deal with Curtis repeatedly saying "You have no idea what you are involved in..." I get the feeling he was saying that because the stupid writers of the show have NO IDEA where we go from here.
- So now, Weiss is leaving. And he doesn't even get a decent goodbye. How unclassy! So, that leaves Sidney with no one in her life but her dad and Dixon. Scary.
- WHY wasn't (and isn't) Sidney more upset???
- Who is the dead guy? There is NO WAY it is Rambaldi.
- Not too thrilled about the new cast members.
- It can't get much worse can it? It has to get better, right? Right?
That's it for me - have to get back to studying...until next time.

D+

That's the grade I give to the latest ALIAS episode - what a disappointment it was, what a letdown. If you watch ALIAS, you know exactly what I am talking about. It used to be the highlight of my week - I have to find another show I guess (sob...sob...). So, yes, ALIAS comes on tonight, blah blah blah. If you want to read an entertaining and honest assessment of the show (and my current heartbreak), go to www.televisionwithoutpity.com, click on ALIAS, and read away. Beware - the author is upset (and rightfully so) and uses some ... colorful language.

Does this also mean I have to change my blog name? Maybe it could be super-babe wannabe after all :)

The latest news from me:
-- Visited the Jones' up in Rome, GA and attended Coach Jones' football game. Got to catch up w/ Mrs. Janie and Connie, as well as hang out with Kobi, Hollie (and sweet Emma), and my bro Jonathan. Was able to take Johnny Cash (my pup) along - he had SO much fun as there were many playmates for him.
-- Went to see Serenity with Jonathan - very interesting movie - we enjoyed it. (A couple of weeks ago we also watched The Brothers Grimm - I highly recommend it.)
-- Visited church w/ friends, and then received first bike-riding lesson, which included me falling (imagine that :). I was learning how to clip my shoes into my pedals, and forgot to clip out before I tried to "park". Sarah, Nate, and Jonathan didn't laugh too much, and I was not hurt too badly (2 scratches, 2 bruises - overall, a pretty good day for me :). Believe me, after that, I don't think it will happen again - it was a good lesson.
-- Fed by friends on Tuesday (Mandy and Ben) - I'm all about the free and great-tasting food :)
-- Finally got to see Jill - its been forever! - we met up for a work-out and Jason (my office-mate and friend) finally returned from Hawaii - its good to have him back - the office was WAY TOO QUIET.
-- In the middle of midterms, trying to stay afloat. If I can survive until next Thursday, it is a good indicator that I'll survive the semester.
-- I talk with Brent whenever I get the opportunity - we only have a little over 70 days to go until he comes home for a quick visit!

I will keep in touch and send more pics soon.
Love - Jess

Today is all about...

ALIAS, ALIAS, and more ALIAS!!! Tonight, ABC, 8pm!!! Be there, or be ... a loser that doesn't watch ALIAS :)
I can't wait!!! I'll give you the skinny tomorrow.
Jess

funny

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

ROK Update

Hey everyone, it is B-rent again. I am doing fine here in Korea. I have been having a pretty good time here lately. We started our flag football season off on Saturday and our team won. We played today (Sunday in Korea) and lost our first game to last year's base champions. We were ahead the whole time, but they tied it up just before the game was over and we lost in overtime. It was a tough loss because the other team talked crap the whole time and did everything they could to cheat the system in order to get the win. For those that don't know, I hate it when people talk smack. I love the look on their faces when they lose. Unfortunately, this didn't happen on this day. However, I will not forget when we meet these busters again in the playoffs. I did my best impression of Champ Bailey from the corner postion and knocked down or intercepted anything that was thrown to my side.

I have been out of school about a week now, but I have to start back next week. Every day is a day closer to finally getting my degree finished. It has been a very long and tough road trying to get this accomplished while in the military, but I can finally see it happening in the near future. It is 11pm Sunday night here and I need to get some rest because I have to run 3 miles in the morning, so I will talk to you all later.

Brent

It's about time...

Pics: Top left - Johnny Cash; Top right - Napoleon; Bottom left - old pic of Onyx and Napoleon in Tucson.

I know - I'm long overdue for a posting. It has just been one of those weeks. A few of you have e-mailed to ask what I'm up to this semester, so I thought I'd fill you in. I'm taking 4 classes (2 statistics, one neuro, and one educational psychology), teaching the undergraduate phonetics course, working on two manuscripts, and attempting to get my own line of research underway. On the side, I'm attempting to train for a triathlon - not a real one, mind you - a mini- or a sprint. I had a personal victory last night - for a while now, I've been able to run an hour on the treadmill (YES, WITHOUT FALLING), but every time I have attempted to do so outside, I have fallen short of the goal. Well, last night, I did it - for 1 hour, 1 minute, and 23 seconds! Yes sir! I was so excited! AND, Cash slept ALL night after that run :)

I'll write more later. Love and God bless,
Jess

Not Cool

Hey woman, you know I am coming home in 98 days, right? You know my policy on damaged goods. I was looking at my Kelley Blue Book and discovered that a 77 model Jessica in poor to fair condition is not cool. I expect a full recovery of all stock equipment before I get home. Anyway, I just wanted to express my concern.

Brent

The treadmill

I never knew a treadmill could be so dangerous. I had my first, and hopefully last, treadmill accident today. First, before you laugh too much, let me explain. I have a routine at the gym - I need to be in and out. Its so automatic - I go in, change, stretch, get on the bike for 45 min or so, stretch, and get on the treadmill for a jog. I completed the first five phases of the routine, ambled over to the treadmills, my eyes alighting on an empty treadmill, and I stepped right up. Much to my dismay, the treadmill was STILL MOVING (at an incredible rate of speed!). Some trick left it on and some other trick (that would be me) just assumed an empty treadmill would not have a moving belt.

I wish someone would have had a videocamera to capture the moment. I'm quite sure it was comical. I'm absolutely positive I could win some money from America's Funniest Home Videos. I stepped on the treadmill and it quickly shot me backwards into the front of the treadmill behind me. I was a human projectile, traveling at the speed of...well, as fast as a pleasantly plump gal like myself can travel. Embarrassed like you wouldn't BELIEVE! I waved to my adoring fans, went to the locker room to gather my belongings, and hobbled out of the gym. I drove home trying to think of a more glamorous (and fabricated of course) way to explain my current condition, but as Mark Twain said, when you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything, so I give you the truth. I hope you enjoyed it. It sure is funny to me when I imagine that I was an onlooker and replay it in my head. (I can hear Josh in my head saying "and you're going to school for what?")

So, I have a respectable case of treadmill-rash on my elbows, knees, and legs, as well as a swollen ankle, and some nice bruises forming in unmentionable areas. I'm trying to think of an alternative exercise plan. My knee hurts a little too much for the bike, my ankle is too messed up for running, and I have too many cootie-spreading scraped areas for a swim. I think the elliptical is calling my name.

What else to update you on? I had a great week and weekend - visitors at my house (Kobs, Katie, Jonathan), lunch and dinner dates (Jason, Brooke N., Mandy, Ben), web-cam with Brent, and a very productive weekend as far as school is concerned. Brent and I are counting down the days until we see each other, and we are finally in the double digits now - no more "one hundred and ...". VERY exciting.
I think that is all for now. I'll write again soon. - Love, Jess

remember

"I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me."

In "Streams in the Desert: 1" by Mrs. C. E. Cowman

O PhD! Wherefore art...thee?

This second-go-around of grad school depends heavily on long-term vision, and I admit, I'm stretched to the limits. How many times, during moments of frustration and bewilderment, can I reassure myself "Just 3 or 4 more years to go - you can do it!", especially when the pressures and incredible workload don't even end there, but continue on through the tenure track and the publication pressures? I need a new self-encouragement phrase, that is for sure!

I distinctly remember my major prof, when I told him I wanted to pursue a doc with him, asking me if I was crazy. Like, certifiable, a nut job, whack-o. I assured him "yes, yes, at least that is what people tell me". He said that was good, because you have to be crazy to do something like this. I am JUST beginning to understand what he was talking about (and I'm getting crazier by the day :) Not only are the classes demanding, but I am also trying to do research "on the side" (whatever that means - it should be "in every spare moment") and teaching an undergraduate course. I feel like I'm constantly spinning around in circles, pursuing this thankless quest...why? Writing this has helped me to remember, because I must admit, I forget and often. The why is that I want to teach, I want to learn, I want to help, I want to develop better therapeutic methods. So, hence-to-forth (that was for you "Good Will Hunting" fans), I have to pay my dues, so here I am.

ANYWAY - nothing much going on in my world, except for school of course. I have been working out alot lately - my key to sanity - and am completely HOOKED on it (thank you Sarah!). I plan on running a 5K soon (my first trial run of competition) and hope to do a few more before I attempt a sprint or mini- Tri in the spring. I see friends and family when their "let me check my schedule" fits in with my "let me check my schedule". Napoleon and Cash are keeping me company (and driving me crazy at times!), though we all miss Brent terribly. The house is even groaning for him to come back - no wait, that's just the creaking sound it makes because its 100-years-old! My neighbor continues to allow Cash to stay in her beautiful (and fenced-in) back yard while I am at school, making life MUCH easier for me. Despite my aforementioned frustration and my ongoing bewilderment, I realize that I am, and will continue to be, blessed. Well, that's all for now I guess - I'll check in with you later. Love - Jess

laughter really is the best medicine

I just drove home from a family gathering - way too many serious thoughts in my head - drove by a billboard I know I've passed a million or so times but never read - a Bail Bonds company advertisement, and their slogan was "Where its always Springtime!". That's good stuff. Quality. I needed the laugh.

I have a few hours of homework before I retire - I'll write again soon.

This just in from the ROK

Hey everyone, this is B-rent checking in. I just wanted everyone to know that as is well in the ROK (Republic of Korea). I have been very busy with work and also with my online courses, so time is currently going by very quickly. I officially have 104 days until I get to come home for the holidays. I am very excited about seeing everyone, but most importantly, I am very excited that I will get to see my awesome Jessica again. I have missed her very much! We get to talk everyday, but it is not the same. I can't wait! Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a love letter. The people here are very cool to the people of the military. They enjoy the security that we provide and they love our money very much. Downtown is very Amercanized and the people are extremely friendly. There are some super shopping deals here as well. Anyone that enjoys shopping would have a field day here. There are no set prices, just asking prices. If they ask for $30, just show them $20 and they usually take it. The base itself is very cool. Everything has been upgraded to make everyone feel at home here. We have a great bowling alley, movie theater, 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment, clubs and other forms of entertainment. Almost everyone here is on a remote for at least a year, so these amenities help to pass the time for our military. What else? I have recenlty joined the flag football team. I am a Wide Reciever, Safety and Corner Back. I am temporarily on the DL (disabled list) because we had a practice in our gym, but I was messing around playing basketball before practice and rolled my ankle pretty badly. It looks very nasty, but it doesn't hurt very much. I feel as if I can play, but my brain tells me to rest it so that I do not make things worse. I also was told by Jessica to rest it and go to the doctor to make sure everything is okay. She says, "no pain is not necessarily a good thing". She is smarter than me in the ways of the body and I trust her judgment, so I am scheduling an appointment tomorrow. Oh yeah, I also tried to play golf yesterday and it didn't go very well. It was really hard to produce a swing that has rhythm with a bum ankle. In fact, my swing was downright ugly. I looked like I had my left shoulder up against a brick wall while trying to swing with nothing but my arms. I didn't shoot my normal 85-88, but I did shoot a terrible (for me) 97. One positive thing did come out of the 97 though- I got to see a whole lot of the course- the bunker, the woods, the water, a golf colf cart and even a few dorms along the way. It was fun though. Chuck, you might have been able to take me. Oh snap! Well, I have to get to bed. I will check in later as my time here will probably get more interesting. I will have new stories soon. Until then, Caum samae da. The spelling is way off and it means "Thank you," but that is all I know right now. I will ask a linguist what "later" means for our next blog. Later.

The wait is over

I've had some...interesting guesses re: "SB". No, it is not x-"small bike" or "super babe" or "sandra bullock" or "shoe box", though those were all very...interesting guesses. No, in fact, S B stands for.............. (drumroll please).............. Sydney Bristow. I am one of the rare few who have watched the show (ALIAS) from Day 1 - ask my husband Brent or my friend Mandy, both who lived out in AZ with me when the show first began. Oh, those were the days - you could watch ALIAS on ABC, and then watch it again later that week on ABC Family (though I don't quite believe it is family material :) Though the show has experienced many changes, I am still an avid fan - no, make that FANATIC. I just finished rewatching my Season 1 and 2 DVDs, am beginning on Season 3, and am anxiously awaiting the release of Season 4 on DVD as well as the season premiere later this month. You can never get too much ALIAS.

Good news for friends and fam - Brent (my hub) will be posting on this blog occasionally, to give us updates on his status and way of life while he is in Korea.

Please keep thinking about and praying for those in the Gulf States affected by the hurricane. Yes, I know our pockets are hurting with high gas prices, but we need to turn our focus (inner, media, financial, political, you name it) to those who are actually suffering - who are dead or dying, hungry, thirsty, who have lost EVERYTHING, who have no job, no school, who have lost family members...let's remember them and be thankful that we are still able to get in our cars, drive to the gas station, pay for gas, and go visit our friends and family members.

Love, love, and more love,
Jess

I should be working...

I'm sitting here in my office - assignments are piling up, research demands are growing, time is wasting away, and I should be working. I'm just fresh out of energy to think. So I thought I'd write, for real this time, as it is a much more mindless process compared to what I have been doing lately.

Our family has a new addition - a new car that is. We were one of those couples that drove one of those horrible, not-earth-friendly SUVs - we bought it for our 120-lb dog that recently passed away. As gas prices kept rising, my spirits kept sinking, and I decided to bite the bullet and trade it in (for next to nothing, but what can you do - they know they aren't going to get any money for it, and no one is stupid enough to buy it from me in a private sale) and get a vehicle with better gas mileage. Its a shame when you don't get to worry about car safety anymore when buying a car - gas mileage is where its at. A safer car =s a heavier car =s less mileage per gallon - so, can't worry about safety these days.

Anyway, we now own a Scion XB - kind of ugly, a shoebox on wheels - but VERY roomy and 31 city/34 hwy miles per gallon. Next purchase - if I ever graduate and begin to actually contribute to the family income - will be a hybrid or electric car (though it would be great if we could just teleport by then :).

Well, I must get back to work - constraint-induced therapy is calling my name...

Hello world

Hello world - this is new for me, I'm giving it a try. Any guesses on the "SB"?