Dressage Video

Just wanted to share with y'all a little bit of what I've been working on with Aubrey. I never posted a video from the Dressage Show I did in October so here is my awarding winning test...which I will be doing again February 5th at the Eventing Show in Bellville.

"Dressage is a French term meaning 'training' and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider" (USDF website).

I found this "Spectator's Guide" on the same website and thought it was interesting and little humorous.

Like any sport, watching dressage is more interesting the more you know about it. Dressage tests used at shows are divided by graduated levels, from the most basic walk/trot to the Grand Prix test that is the same test that is used in the Olympics. The tests are divided into separate movements, and the judge gives a score for each movement. The score sheets are then totaled to determine class results. It will help you understand what is going on if you can get a copy of the test you are watching, plus here are some additional thoughts:


1. Less is More
In dressage, the less you see the rider do, the better, because that means he is communicating with his horse quietly and his horse is attentive -- they are working as a team.

2. Good Figures
Circles are round and lines are straight, a precept true in geometry and dressage. A 20-meter circle should go from one side of the arena to the other, a 10-meter circle only half way across. A horse should not weave on a straight-line movement.

3. Tempo and Rhythm
Rhythm is the repetition of footfalls. A sound dressage horse has only three correct rhythms – a four-beat walk, two-beat trot, three-beat canter. Tempo is the speed of repetition of strides. Every horse should have a consistent tempo throughout the test that is controlled by the rider, a tempo so obvious you could sing a song to it.


4. Naughtiness
Horses, like people, have good days and bad days and days when they are just feeling a little too good. Naughtiness in horses can be exhibited in bucking, rearing, tossing of the head, or even jumping out of the dressage ring.


5. Tension
During a test, the horse needs to remain calm, attentive and supple. If the horse gets tense, he gets rigid through his neck and back, which can exhibit itself in stiff movement, ears that are pinned back and a tail that swishes constantly and doesn’t hang arched and quietly swinging.


6. Rider Seat and Position
The rider should sit upright quietly and not be depend on his whip, spurs or voice to have a nice test. Riders who use their voice have points deducted off their test score for that movement.


7. Whipped Cream Lips
When a horse is relaxed in his jaw and poll (the area just behind his ears), he releases saliva, you might see white foam around his lips and mouth. That is a good sign as it means he is attentively chewing on his bit and comfortable in his work. The amount of white foam varies from horse to horse.


8. Horses and Flight
Horses have two main mechanisms for protection from danger: they run and they kick. Remember to always allow plenty of room for the horses at a show and never approach any horse without first alerting the rider that you are doing so.


9. Scary Stuff
Horses have the strangest aversions: plastic grocery bags can remind them of Satan’s minions and an opened umbrella can cause bolting to three states over. Again, use caution at horse shows and think before you toss away noisy garbage, open an umbrella or put on and take off plastic rain ponchos or blankets in the stands.


10. SSSSHHHH!
Focus is important during any test, from Training Level to Grand Prix, so remember to be courteous and follow the rules by staying about 15 meters (45 feet) feet back from the competition ring and remaining as quiet as possible during rides. If you have any questions about where you may stand or sit, check with the ring steward.


Hopefully this helped to get some insight into what I've been talking about when I come home. Dressage has helped me become a better rider and horseperson. It's a very exhilarating sport and when I finished my 1st two tests, I was hooked. So the eventing show is a trial to see what I really want to concentrate on. I'm sure Mom would appreciate me just doing dressage since I wouldn't be crashing & burning at jumps anymore.

Have a great weekend!

Rings and Things

A lot has happened in the past month...smiles and tears, hot and cold weather, good and bad grades, and some other rollercoaster happenings. But let's focus on the good because the smiles always are more memorable...

Late October, I participated in my first Dressage Schooling Show. I know a lot of my readers (a.k.a. Family & Friends) don't know much about what I'm doing in the english saddle but I would like to inform you a tad bit on it. Dressage is a French term for training. Its purpose is to develop a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. At a horse's peak, it should respond to minimal aids while the rider is in a relaxed state. I wish I could show you a video of my test but I haven't asked Aubrey for it. There are a lot of YouTube videos out there and the ones that will pop up are the most advanced level (FEI World Cup or Grand Prix).

I really enjoyed my dressage show and came home with 2 Blue Ribbons with decent scores for my first outing with Strutt, 21 y.o. Quarter Horse. I am going to wait until my first few eventing shows to decided what I really want to concentrate on. I like to jump but Mom and Dad would like my seat to be more safe in the saddle than up in the air over jumps!

Now the super exciting stuff...

Shelby Suzanne got her Aggie Ring this past Friday! Whoop!

I was the photographer so of course, I have wonderful photos to show you of Shelby's amazing milestone!

Deanna Bosse, Lindsey Marik, Shelby, Courtney Janak & Me

Of course, being the silly sister she is, she has to get in the fountain!

Thank the Lord there weren't any cops around!

Having a little fun with Courtney!

Yes, we're sisters. Yes, we make funny faces. Yes, we love each other.

2 Generations of Aggie Rings - '78, '12 & '13

...and hopefully another generation to come in the future!

...a ways down the road of course...

My beautiful brunettes!

And there was a little more excitement after Friday...

We dunked our rings after we BTHO kansas! We were ladies and did "chugger" size. I drank Michelob Ultra and Shelby drank Mike's Hard Lemonade. She's a beast and downed it fairly quickly. I, on the other hand, kept the ladylike persona and drank it slow and steady because I wasn't about to puke like some of the boys did!

Meadow Creek Girls - Me, Taylor Lange & Shannon

Here we go!

And of course, the boys were drinking right after the dunked but I can promise y'all, I will not have beer for a good while.

Gig 'em!

 



He calls me Howdy...

It was a mistake on my part for wearing my Howdy (front), Dammit (back) t-shirt to my 2nd Ralph Hill clinic two weekends ago. So during jump crew on Saturday, Ralph called me Howdy until I was riding in my group then he used my first name. I became one of the jokes of the clinic in the barn with the adults in which one nice lady in particular started calling me Dammit. It was quite amusing to Aubrey, Jenny and I until it was time to get down to business.

This clinic was based on improving our riding skills on our horses through gymnastics on Saturday and cross country on Sunday. I got to do my first (mini) cross country course and boy, was it a large one! I was in the Beginner Novice group which is suppose to jump the maximum of 2'3 jumps. Ralph knew the horses in our group had the talent to jump Training level jumps so we were jumping logs 3 foot high and possibly taller! I was really nervous but I just prayed and put my trust into Strutt (my 21 year-old Quarter horse mount) and my borrowed whip. I have some confidence issues going into bigger jumps, especially X-C jumps ever since Angie threw me off in June. So I wrote some inspiration on my left forearm for reassurance.

"Be strong and courageous!" -Joshua 1:9

...and let me tell you, I'm glad I was put my trust in the Lord and called for my Guardian angel because I got successfully over all of the big jumps then fell at a little 2 footer right before the "ditch." Oh well, the big scary jumps were conquered and my thigh and ankle got a little banged up but life goes on and Mom worries a little bit. Sorry Mom and Dad...it's a part of learning. Thank you so much for letting me be able to do these things that make me fall but I pick myself up, get back on and move right along the course. Hint: This applies to life also but without horses, I wouldn't be sane so I really appreciate my parents for supporting me to do the things that I love to do! I love y'all!

ground poles before small oxer

square oxer

(pretty picture too!)

 awesome 2 foot bounce gymnastic series

(yes, we did 3 in a row!)

hog's back

skinny chevron

...i was really nervous about this jump but we finally conquered it!...

Jenny on Tucker, Me on Strutt and Ralph Hill 

square oxer

wide tire jump 

big LOG jump

(I know you cannot see me because of the tree but i want you to know this is the jump i was getting anxious about...i just gave Strutt a lot of leg, a little whip, and a prayer to get his butt over it!) 

us on our tired ponies...they were so good so good for us!

I'm so ready for December to get her to do my first Eventing show!

Click, Click, BOOM!

That's exactly what my volleyball team did tonight. They rocked it and beat a local team in 4 games to get the W! It was probably the best game they've played all season. I'm hoping they keep going at it and keep up the momentum into next weekend when we go to Dallas to play in a Homeschool tourney. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I love the girls and they've come a long way but I've heard that the teams that play there are pretty Bad-A. Win or lose, I love that I was able to have this opportunity and hopefully can have another year coaching with the association.

Let me just catch up y'all up with the rest of my life:

School - It's hard. I'm only taking 12 hours but they're tough. Chemistry 2 has a lot of work and the lab sucks. Psychology of Learning is eating my lunch because I have a different professor right now...long story...and my Motor Learning & Control class is interesting but is getting harder every day. I'm hoping to catch up a little bit this weekend.

Health - I've been battling a nasty sick bug for a week and a half. It was weird how I felt it coming on but it hit me hard! I got meds called in and took those but I was still feeling under the weather and coughing horribly. So the doc gave me a steroid shot and cough pearls. I'm on mucinex max strength and nyquil. It's working but my voice is still working on coming back. Hopefully it does since I'm singing at Daily Mass tomorrow.

Horses - My parents were very gracious to pay for the clinic I'm doing this weekend in Bryan. Ralph Hill will be coaching a few people at a time all day Saturday and Sunday in Eventing. My photo on the top of my blog page is actually from the clinic I participated in with Ralph in January. I can't wait to get going with this one. I've come a long way according to Aubrey, my trainer, and hopefully all of the dressage training we worked on this summer helps me out this weekend. Just pray for all our safety and that I have trust in my horse and he has trust in me and COURAGE! I need to grow some balls... haha

Birthday - Yes, I'm 22. It's a weird age but I'm learning to embrace it. Mom and Dad were in town for the football game so they stayed for my birthday on Sunday the 25th. We went to St. Mary's as a family and even though we had to sit upstairs because 10 am Mass is always packed, I still thank them for going with me to worship the Lord and have a new and good start to the week. We then went to brunch where Duane and Jeanne Arbuckle joined us and had a great time with good food. Meemaw gave me a lovely piece of crystal then we all laid down for a quick siesta. It was just what I wanted.

And there's a lot of other little things going on in my life and I'm happy as can be! Just a little stressed every now and then but faith has brought me to be happy, strong, courageous, and grateful for everything I've been doing lately.

Here's some photos from Ring Day! WHOOP!

Set Me Free!

Finally, it's been a long day/week but I am finally done with exams. I still have homework tonight but Courtney is going to help me while I attempt to complete it. I have to it's due tomorrow and I would like to go out or see a movie with Stacey. Let me tell you, it's been 2 hectic weeks. I went to Victoria 2 weekends ago to celebrate Emily Bergstrom's birthday and watch her play softball. I really do miss softball but I'm a lot more happier now!

I came back to CS to find out I didn't get a callback interview for Muster Hosts but a ride on my pony cured that until I had to study for Anatomy lab and exam. I finally made a 100 on a lab quiz and started dissecting our "died from natural causes" cat. We named her kit-T. It was funny at the time when we were locating her upper chest & arm muscles. I thought we were going to have to skin it but we got lucky. Thursday night was my Anatomy lecture exam. Oh it was rough. I found out yesterday (he's slower than frozen molasses) that I made a 76 :( Not what I expected or wanted but I just have to bust butt from now on! I also had an Abnormal Psychology exam Friday which I did not study enough for and made an 84. Again, not what I wanted but I'll have to make do and bust more glutieus maximus on the next 2 exams.

The weekend was tiring but Shelby & I went to see PawPaw in the hospital on Friday. It was good to see Meemaw & him but I just wish I could help him physically. I am praying for him and a full recovery. I'm always open to prayer requests as well. Saturday, I spent my day catching up on sleep, studying Chemistry, and going to reviews. I was going to go to the last Women's Basketball game but homework was more important.

Monday, I had my skills test in my Step Aerobics class. Some percentage of our grade is our aerobic fitness so they make us run a timed 1.5 mile run (you can race walk too), sit ups, push ups, and flexibility reach. I don't have to test out of push ups because I have a lovely PT note :) I did beast on my run and sprinted 1st to the finish at 13:22. Dang it. Full credit is 12:30 or under. I'm going to train for this and get it! I had 40 sit ups in a minute - 6 away from full credit. I got 5 inches on my sit-and-reach and 9 is full credit. Ugh...I was pooped but the workout today was amazing because I'm now putting 2 blocks on each side under my step, which makes me work a lot harder during the workouts! Love it! I need to go lift soon though...Friday, I'm thinking. Tuesday, I had my Chemistry exam. I prepared a lot for it by myself until I asked Courtney for some guidance the night before and right before the exam. We get our exams back 30 minutes after the class and Courtney thinks I made a 90! WHOOP! Too bad all my grades can't reflect that but I am trying really hard!

We went to mass at 7 am this morning after I put some beans in a crock pot for dinner tonight (they were yummy!) and went to school and studied for my Anatomy lab practical. Let me tell you that it's very hard to be well prepared for that test. I'm just puzzled by a lot of the things they asked about certain topics. I'm flustered but I'm pretty sure I passed. Last semester, they said the average in a lab would be around a 60. Yikes! Oh well, I'm done. I'm relaxing. I will not stop attending my classes just because the break is approaching. I am though getting a massage in the morning to get out all of the bad things that came upon me these last 2 weeks.

My sisters and I - Courtney & Shelby - have given up sweets for Lent. Literally, everything that has sugar in it! I am really wondering how my body will react to this since I usually eat chocolate every day. I am also doing something to reduce my negative thoughts and words. I hope it really helps me and my attitude. I am also planning on working at the Food Bank and continuing it after Lent so I can build up weekly community services hours.

What are y'all giving up for Lent?

Great Weekend

Thursday night ended my hell week. I treated myself with some beer and a movie night with Stacey Gillis. We saw The Roommate. It was not scary at all but she thought it was. After that I took her home and headed to a friends who I haven't seen in awhile to play dominoes. I eventually got my game on helped my partner come back and kick some butt!

Friday, I started my day out with a massage. I found a lady at Elements who will work my knots out and am comfortable with. I went to Academy for Aunt Rhonda to pick up Bryson some Nike golf shoes. Just in luck! Got his size and style he wanted. I headed to my only class of the day, Abnormal Psychology, at 11:30. We started learning about anxiety and stress. Just what I need to learn and understand. Afterwards, I headed out to Aubrey's (horse trainer) for a lesson. She had planned on Angie and I working on the flat and then doing a hunter course.

Working the flat is just going around the arena and she evaluates the horse's "togetherness" at each gait (walk, trot, canter). A hunter course is a course of jumps set up a certain height and the horse is judged. If I was doing equitation, I would be getting evaluated. Aubrey claims that she makes "hunters" out of all of her riders. I would have a hard time in an eq. class because my calfs are not always in line/behind the girth, my heels are not always in line with my hips, I lean forward and close the angle of my hips, and lastly, I bend my wrists and don't always keep my thumbs up.

Anyways, we didn't get to jump because Angie wanted to be a terd. So we switched saddles from a hunt seat to dressage and put some training aids on her and off we went trotting around. I scurried off home to get ready to head back to EC with Taylor Martin. After arriving home, I quickly went to say Hi to dad, who was playing poker at Scott & Terry's. Too bad I'm not a better player... I stayed there until mom arrived to greet her and eat some amazing beans until heading off to my next destination. Scott drove me in his new car to the ball park to watch his sister, Erin, scrimmage. The girls did ok but not only did they know, the alumni were going to kick their butts the next night!

Saturday, we began our morning with some awesome oatmeal and I watched some tv with dad. I went to some batting practice at the field with some alumni. Started off horrible at hitting but I picked it back up quickly. I went home and rested. Mom and dad attended a wedding and I headed off to the ball park again for the big game. 17 alumni showed up and we thought we were going to be awesome! Well we didn't but that's ok. It was a fun game and great to see everyone before Wagner retires from coaching. I went 1 for 2 with a double to right field! I caught one inning (only played 4) and now I'm getting pretty sore. We went to eat at Los Cucos after and I ate way too many chips but I tried the spinach enchiladas and they're were pretty good. Scott, Cassey, and Taylor came over when I got home to watch a movie. I love those nights.

Today, I attended mass at 10 and visited Erin and Scott before I went home to eat lunch with my family. Well Dad forgot I was at home since I didn't come straight home after church and didn't order me lunch. No worries I just shared with everyone else. Bowling Center hamburgers are amazing! Go eat there! I relaxed while my parents got ready for a funeral until I got the phone call Taylor was coming to fetch me and my stuff to travel back to Aggieland. We arrived safely back after I drove (= Happy Alexis) since he wasn't feeling too well. I went and rode and got groceries for tomorrow Anti-Valentine's Day Single Ladies Dinner!

It was...

You can only imagine what I could begin to talk about right now. Let's not boggle our brains too much to guess what I'm going to blog about and let me just explain to you.

It was a weird, amazing, gleeful, heart-warming, see-what-I-can-do experience...biting into an apple for the first time! Well, I have always eaten apples with the side of my mouth. I take smaller bites and longer to eat it. This weekend I started a huge apple with the side of my mouth. I was still weary to bite directly into it since my tooth was only a day old. So when I was getting some good chunks out, I tried it straight on. It felt odd but I did it! Then on Sunday, Aubrey made sandwiches so I got to bite into a fold-over turkey & cheese sandwich. It was yummy and spectacular at the same time. I've also bit into chips, toast, cookies & graham crackers. I'm still hesitant on biting into everything but I'm getting used to it more and more.

I can't wait to be able to bite into other things such as: banana, pickles, chicken, taco, cucumber, carrot, and many other delicious foods.

Last night was the first Thursday of the semester. I didn't feel up to par on partying. I went to an Equine seminar from 5:30-9 and when I got back to the house, I thought I would go out dancing but I heard the recliner calling my name. Shelby & I watched Criminal Minds, CSI & Transformers. Of course, we both fell asleep in our respectful positions, which we both learned from our amazing father. It felt great to sleep until I had vivid dreams of various people. Oh well...

Cheers to sisters & sleeping!

Time flies...

too fast for me to keep up with anything! I think the dishes have been done for the week and 2 days later, the sink is full again. And on top of that Shelby & I have a pile each of laundry, vacuuming needs to be done, litterbox needs to be emptied & sometimes the trashcan is overflowing! Whoo! Just to think we handle the daily chores in life with going to classes, studying, softball, Shelby's business frat, and trying to just find time to run errands or relax. I have finally had a week this semester where I turned in all my assignments by Tuesday and had nothing else to do except research for an upcoming speech the rest of the week and it was amazing! I just sat around! My last post was almost 2 months ago and there has been sooo much happening to Shelby and I as this semester is zooming and the flowers are finally blooming.

So I've left y'all hanging since February 10th and I'm going to catch y'all up real quick, just by things I've done day-to-day.
Feb. 11 - Departed from IAH to Tempe, Arizona
12 - Beat Wisconsin & Cal
13 - Beat Nevada & Lost to Arizona St, who is ranked in the top 10
14 - Beat Auburn and flew back home!
15 - Made up my Biology exam in my Professor's office at 10 am, went to my classes, did softball laundry before going home to do my own and work on homework
16 - Classes, HEB, and Self Evaluation for my first speech
17 - Ash Wednesday, I could not get up early enough to go to Mass :( I gave up beef & pork for Lent and try to pray every morning and night. Beat Sam Houston
18 - Class, Sam's Club for umpire snacks & house supplies, had lunch with my "brother," Taylor Martin & made our famous Chocolate Sheet Cake for a team dinner
19 - Got up super early to go set-up for the softball tournament, studied before going to take my Theatre exam, and BTHO Mississippi State & Oregon State
20 - Got up early again for softball and watched some Theatre movies to take a quiz online before we BTHO Miss St & Louisiana-Monroe
21 - Got up early for the last day of the tourney to BTHO La-Monroe and put out balls for the girl's to sign. Everytime we hit a homerun, they draw a name out of a bucket for a winner to receive one of these balls.
22 - Woke up a tad bit earlier to go to the bank, get a ticket for Romeo & Juliet before class, went to confession, got a mani/pedi, and had tutoring at 7 pm
23 - Class, had to order helmets and some stuff before softball practice, and went to Romeo & Juliet, which was an amazing modern production with no scenery or costumes and had only 5 actors!
24 - Class and flew to Cathedral City, California
25 - Started studying for my lab practical before we headed to the fields. We lost 2 upsettting games to Fordham & Oregon
26 - BTHO UNLV & SDSU and studied some more after eating some amazing cookies from a cafe
27 - Happy Birthday Emily Bergstrom! Game against Stanford was rained out so we headed back home.
28 - Went to mass and lab review before studying a lot!
March 1 - Classes & Softball
2 - Happy Birthday MOM!!! Class, Lab Practical, Softball, tried baking a Red Velvet Angel Food Cake before tutoring at A+ for Biology.
3 - Classes, played with Stewie & Ozzie at Jeanne's, and BTHO Houston
4 - Set up batting cages before I went to my class because BYU was practicing, shopped a little at Bed, Bath & Beyond (was looking for a bigger angel food cake pan) and Charming Charlie's before I had lunch with Taylor and our friend, Lauren Slaton. I got treatment on my back from our student trainer, Laura and ended up losing to BYU.
5 - Tried to get the grass paint stains out of one of our player's uniforms after setting up for the 2nd home tournament, classes and BTHO N. Colorado but lost to BYU
6 - BTHO Monmouth & N. Colorado
7 - Tutoring at A+ for Biology and just relaxed and went to church
8 - Happy Birthday Bryson! Classes, Psychology Advisor meeting (to see if I can double major), Chiropractor, finished homework and went to A+ Tutoring
9 - Gave my 2nd speech on George Strait, lab, split a double header with TAMU-CC, and A+ Tutoring
10 - Classes, Self Defense lecture for speech credit, Collegiate 4-H meeting, and Biology exam review at A+ Tutoring...again from 10-midnight
11 - Finished homework before my classes, went home to make Taco Soup in a crockpot, went to the doctor for my last guardasil shot, mailed some stuff off and ordered more bats at softball & could you believe that I had tutoring again? Yes, but it was the last night!
12 - Set up for our last home tournament, went to Theatre, took Biology EXAM #2, & BTHO Utah State & Wright State
13 - Another early morning at softball and BTHO N. Dakota St. & Utah St.
14 - BTHO N. Dakota St and went to church before retiring to homework for the evening
15 - SPRING BREAK! Chiropractor (working on adjusting my right hip, which is higher than my left) NO SOFTBALL! so I got a massage!
16 - Flew out from IAH to San Diego!
17 - Went to the beach & shopped at little downtown before having dinner
18 - Practiced that morning and worked on homework and relaxed
19 - BTHO Harvard & Long Beach St
20 - BTHO UMass & University of Illinois-Chicago in 2 nail biter games
21 - BTHO SDSU in extra innings before returning home from a long week in San Diego, which was awesome and very different. I enjoy my job and am gracious with our travel and hotel accomodations because I get to see many different places and meet different people. Makes me miss and love Texas so much more although I love traveling!
22 - Chiropractor, Classes, ordered and shipped off some more softball stuff while spray-n-washing our nasty uniforms & caught up on homework that evening
23 - After turning in my stressful speech topic & lab report, I went to softball practice and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and light practice. Helped mom make an eBay account and now she's addicted! We just bought a nicely used Gucci hobo purse :)
24 - Lost to #8 Georgia Tech but it was a great game.
25 - 6 Months until I become LEGAL!!! Went to class, Ace Hardware, watched theatre movies & went to softball practice. Had some friends over before going dancing at Harry's! First night that I've been out since January and it was so much fun!
26 - Got up early to go give blood but there were no drives on campus that were there the day before :( Classes & softball practice
27 & 28 - BTHO Kansas!

Hope everyone is enjoying this springy weather because I am! I can't wait for Easter and to see all of my family! It's been too long! I love y'all and gig 'em!

Happy New Year!

I know...I have forgotten about my blog but I do have very good excuses! 1) I had finals and ended my fall semester with 2 A's, 1 B & 1 C. 2) I had a house to clean before I could come home and begin to work for Miss Sallie at The Crossing for my 3rd year. 3) The boyfriend is soooo demanding! hahaha I'm joking...the last blog I wrote he helped me and that was the last time I saw him until this past weekend. 4) I just haven't been in need to be on the computer, which is sort of a good thing for my fingers & eyes.

I love my updates because I go through my calendar on my phone. I see what I've done in the past few weeks and sometimes it reminds me of other things I need to do or have forgotten.
December:
15th - took my online Computer Technology final in the Read Computer Lab from 10-12. James left me to go home & so I was a free woman! That afternoon, I pampered myself to a facial. I have super dry skin & being stressed from finals was not helping...
16th - took my Women's Psychology final at 10:30 am and I was finished! I actually looked at my grades today (Jan. 5th) and made my best test grade! I continued my pampering and got highlights & a trim after lunch.
17th - The day of complete haze! I was so caught up in packing to go home and cleaning the house before I left that I almost forgot to run errands in town! I had to go get christmas gifts & pick up my own things that I didn't want to leave in CS over the break such as my charm bracelet and Rx's.
18th - Went to a much needed chiropractor appointment. The popping & body controtion may freak you out but oh boy, it feels soooo good! Afterwards, I went to work at The Crossing and the craziness of Christmas shopping begins in the shop. That night, one of my new favorite bands was playing at Muldoon's. Megan Martin had wanted me home so we could go together but Josh Abbott decided to charge $20 to get in the door!!! I thought twice and decided to save my money.
19th - I might as well put a calendar on here! lol...I went to work again - 10am to 5:30pm and babysat 2 pre-teens afterwards. It was probably one of the funniest babysitting experiences I've had! They pranked called boys, dressed up silly to go to Wal-Mart to get a gingerbread house kit, and after the house collapsed a few times, they gave up & ate it.
20th - A long choir practice after 6 pm Mass that made me a little more sick and hoarse after my 3 mile run that cold afternoon.
21st - Mom & I went shopping in Victoria!
22nd - Dentist Appt that I was very early to so I went to Lisa Bubela's shop to get some knick-knacks before my teeth cleaning. Afterwards, I went straight to work.
23rd - A long day at work followed by the Biggest Loser Boot Camp workout video can put a girl to sleep!
24th - Christmas Eve! Went to work and closed at 3 pm. Drove with the family to my Uncle Rodney & Aunt Kathy's home in La Ward for Cooper Christmas. The best Christmas I've had with them in a long time! We got back to town and I got changed to go sing at Midnight Mass at St. Philips. Shelby went but wouldn't go with me since I had to be there at 11.
25th - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Mom's side of the family came to our house for dinner after we opened our gifts at lunchtime! Shelby can sleep like no other...
27th - Bram Christmas at my Uncle Tommy & Aunt Monica's home. I went by myself since Mom & Dad went to Mexico for a couple's hunting trip. Got a set of heavy dominoes!
28th - Another day at work before I went to Wadsworth to stay with John & Lori for a few days.
30th - Took the horses to the vet in Bay City. Rocket is healthy and pudgy. I do miss barrel racing & Karen very much. I hope I can pursue my dreams one day once again.
31st - New Year's Eve, I just wanted to be lazy. I worked for half a day and went to Mass at 5. Sadly, I didn't do much that evening except a trip to HEB with my friend's for our New Year's Day party and "The Office" episodes before I slept through midnight.

January 1st, 2010 - James told me it's the best year ever because he will be graduating this year. The boy is crazy, not literally, but just plain happy-go-lucky all the time. Our relationship is still in the early stages & as long as I'm happy, he gets to stay around ;) This lovely first day of the New Year, I washed some clothes & helped Kimbo Slice in the kitchen for our big lunch with family & friends. You gotta start the New Year off right with some ham, black-eyed peas, cabbage, & cornbread. I hope I'm not forgetting anything?! I also made some puppy chow to take to my friend's party. They loved me for it...and for the air mattresses I took with me.
2nd - I got out off my freezing mattress, packed up & headed towards CS. James & I were spending the weekend together. We went to Houston to the Galleria to shop and meet Scott, Cassey, Cade, Amber, Kenny & Kaylyn for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was very delicious and a long day but worth the drive.
3rd - James & I were kinda lazy. We watched movies and went to HEB. He argued with me about me paying for the groceries but I took away his debit card. We made pizza together and ate it after church. He's not Catholic but I'm glad he went with me.
4th - We got up early to clean & pack up and headed our separate ways. I had to work that afternoon and was supposed to catch Emily but that still hasn't happened. And Dad stole me early from Miss Sallie for top secret circumstances...
5th - I was asked to speak with about 20 other students at the EC Middle school's College Day. So from 8 am to 3:30 pm, I got to explain my life as a college student/worker in PG terms. Some kids got brave and asked about partying but we tried to go around it. That evening I went and pumped some iron with some guy friends. I can walk today but I'm not sure about my hamstrings tomorrow especially since I just got off the elliptical...
Which leads me to my day today! It was very eventful. I'm angry with myself for procrastinating my Texas A&M Employee Training, which I have no clue when it's due but most importantly, mad at myself since my defensive driving was due Monday :( It's hard & time consuming!!! Don't do it! Just pay for the ticket!
I went to work but tried to sleep in late on the couch after I ate breakfast. Well, mom wasn't going to let that happen since Miss Sallie counts on me and I'm in the middle of inventory. I'm not kidding whatsoever but it's my favorite thing of this job. I like the solidarity I get and thinking I have to put into it. I don't know why but it's soothing until I miss count or try to remember if I really marked that item down.
Mom stole me away early this afternoon at 2. Dr. Swenson called in for me to go see Dr. Heard, the oral surgeon in Victoria, about getting my tooth implant. I don't know if I got any good news from it except the doctor is super nice and is an Aggie! I stayed positive throughout my appointment although my roots of my teeth beside where I have no tooth are curved inward, giving the post less room to be inserted. So he advised my mother and I to get Orthodontal Therapy, in other words, braces...again. More info to come...I kinda don't want to talk about it right now...

Otherwise, I've had a great start to 2010 and I hope and wish and pray you all the same as well!
Hope to see y'all soon...to those who keep up with my blog...and come visit Shelby & I in Aggieland! The softball schedule can be found at AggieAthletics.com.

Thanks & Gig 'em - Alexis

Happy Birthday Laura!!!

Yesterday was my best friend's 20th birthday! We didn't get to celebrate much with the old lady because her mom and sisters came to CS to treat her with lunch and some shopping. She had a great day although we didn't party much but we're saving that for after finals! ;) This was the cake Shelby and I made her and her gift was a large picture frame with one of Shelby's favorite sayings. Yeah sorry, I'm not good at remembering especially with all the information I'm cramming into my head for my final 2 exams on Tuesday & Wednesday!
P.S. I stayed in my p.j.'s all day too! I was not going to waste my time by changing clothes or fixing my unruly hair.

Some grand things you ought to know about Laura:

1. Has been my best friend for a little over a year.
2. Hails from Wharton and we met through 4-H in high school.
3. Always has something exciting, funny, or some weird story to tell.
4. Her hair is always lovely -straight or naturally curly.
5. Learned how to make tamales with her Grandmother and they're damn good!
6. Has great ears for listening and a big, caring heart.
7. Enjoys being my sister's close friend as well - she says that she loves us both because we are different & hilarious...I don't see what's hilarious when we argue about cleaning?
8. Jeans are her staple clothing.
9. Has crafty hands - can make jewelry, wreaths, frames, & you name it!
10. Has great faith in the Big Man upstairs and can find you a bible verse in a jiffy for any circumstance.

Too bad her birthday couldn't have been a few days earlier because we would've gone to the National Finals Rodeo next December but we can wait another year and that was Taylor will be 21 too!


So here's what else has been going on in my life...This is me immitating Shelby's mirror pictures before the Softball Party last Sunday. She cracks me up when there a million of these "kind" of photos on her camera...let's just say I don't waste my time with that nonsense...hahaha...

Dec. 6 - TAMU Softball Party at the Burnside's: It was a lot of fun this year since I wasn't the newbie and knew everyone except some new strength coaches. My White team didn't have to cook but I got to the house early and helped the Maroon girls with the feast. I chatted with Tommy & Dayle for a good time before and after. It was good to see them and am praying for them all the time.

Dec. 7 - Went to campus early to go get Shelby and my Finals Care Packages that Mom made us. Inside was some comfy lounge pants, Starbucks & McAllister's gift cards, Zappo's Aggie Chips, and maroon & white M&M's! Whoop! Mom did a great job although I told her not to go overboard. I had my last Women's Psychology or "Lifetime" class, as Jimmy likes to call it. And for those of you who didn't know, we are officially a couple. It's going great and we see each other a couple times a week when time permits. Ok, back to Monday...I went home for lunch and studied a bit before I went to Best Buy and St. Mary's for Mass. Tuesday was a holy day of obligation - the Immaculet Conception of Mary.

Dec. 8 - Last day of Music class - thank you Lord!!! It wasn't as bad as alwasy because people performed in class, which I did on the 1st of December. I learned that Silent Night was actually written for guitar!

Dec. 9 - Picked up my friend, Chelsea (set me up with Jimmy), and went to the BQ Bowl, a football game between Artillery & Infantry bands. Jimmy was a defensive end for the A-Band and they won 28-21, I think. It was freezing outside and thank goodness Chelsea called me or I would've been a frozen ice cube! I went home and finished some studying while cooking cornbread & heading back to Chelsea's apartment to eat some stew with her and the guys. Then, I rushed to our Collegiate 4-H social at Dr. Lepley's home. Oh my gosh, I officially want a male miniature schnauzer!!! He and his wife had 3 and they were awesome and so cute!!! We had a short meeting before I rushed home and changed because Chelsea, Justin, Jimmy & I were going to Santa's Wonderland down Hwy 6. It was great! I had a little fun as you can tell below ;)

Dec. 11 - Music Final and boy, I used every second to complete that exam. I thought I knew my stuff but I got confused on a lot of the composers. Oh well, I'm sure I did ok. I keep forgetting to e-mail my prof though because she always gave us our grades in class and I want to know!

I've been studying pretty much since Thursday and I hope I do well on my exams. Shelby & I took our online Math final tonight and I made an 80 but still have an A. I'm very pleased although that exam was horrendously hard! I'm back to the grind on reviewing for pychology but I'm about to take a break from the computer by watching a movie. My computer is becoming the devil because I have been on it nonstop! I have online computer tech exam Tuesday so that is done on the computer and I type the highlighted portion of my Psyc book because it helps me more than just flat reading and I have to complete my defensive driving course before I go home because it's due by the end of the month! But the good thing is, I don't spend any time on Facebook since Laura changed my password! Hopefully, I don't acquire arthritis in my fingers or get burns on my wrists.

Hope you are all have a wonderful December and Christmas season so far! I'll probably be singing at Midnight Mass at St. Philip's on Christmas Day! Love you all!

All I Want for Christmas...

...is for finals to be done and gone and I can move back to EC for the break! I'm procrastinating right now from writing a paper about Title IX and women's sports for my psychology class that is due tomorrow. No worries, it only has to be 2-4 pages long and I have my research done. Tonight is the annual softball team Christmas party at the Burnside's. I know I want to wear a new shirt but I don't know what pants to wear. I also curled my hair this morning for Mass but the nasty weather has depleted the curls so I get to redo my hair and apply more make-up before I leave. It's actually an interesting get-together because the losers of the Maroon and White series have to cook everyone dinner and then we have a Secret Santa gift exchange. Mary and I (managers) chose teams before hand and my White team won! I don't know if she'll even help them out but I would've helped my girls. I drew freshman Lauren S. (don't ask me how to spell her last name because I can barely say it) and I nicknamed her Scooter since she's pretty quick. Well I've looked and searched for a cheap scooter and I had no luck. So I got her a gift card and a candle. Wishful thinking though!


Yesterday, I judged the Brazos County 4-H Food Show and it was really enjoyable. The little kids are going to be great participants in their future endeavors because some of the 8-11 year olds I interviewed knew a lot for their age. I'm sure their mommy's helped them as did mine until I was in high school. ;) Then I picked up Laura to go to the Bryan Craft Show. I wish I could've bought these amazing handmade necklaces and crosses! They were gorgeous! Also, I love handmade wooden signs and cut-outs. There were so many Santa's and snowmen and reindeer that I don't need to clutter my house with so I resisted the urge. Someday though...

Well I'm going to try and start on this paper. I have 3 papers due this week and one is finished, one is in the process, and the other I won't write until the latter of the week because it's not due until Friday. I have my Music final Friday, Math on Sunday, Comp Tech on Tuesday, and Psychology on Wednesday. Busy - Busy - Busy!!! With many errands and chores and events to attend in between! Hope y'all are staying warm and have a great 2nd week of December!

XoXo - Alexis

Turkey Day is Finally Here!

Oh y'all do NOT know how I have been anticipating this week and it has finally arrived!!! I'm done with school and softball for the week. I have been waiting for this week's football game for months. And to really celebrate, Mom & Dad are coming in to CS for the a Thanksgiving lunch, Aggie football, and to put up our 1st Aggie Christmas tree!

If it wasn't for people wanting me to post pictures, my excitement would make me forget to add them to my weekly recap...

Here's some pictures from San Marcos that I forgot to include with last week's post.

November 18th marked the 10th Anniversary of the Bonfire Collapse. It was possibly one of the most memorable things I've experienced as an Aggie thus far. Tuesday, the 17th at 8 pm, Aggies gathered in Reed Arena to remember those who passed away and were injured in the collapse. Nathan West's father gave an amazing speech as well as the '99 Student Body President. Then at 2:42 am, a candlelight service occurred at the Bonfire Memorial. When Amazing Grace and the Spirit of Aggieland was sung, it brought tears to my eyes. Just being there in the crowd with the many images that were printed in the paper and the stories of fellow Aggies made me so appreciate and grateful to be an Aggie.

Wednesday, after little sleep from the previous day (it was worth it), I had class and softball as usual. After I walked with my friend, Chelsea (who set me up with Jimmy), to the bus stop, my sweet Corps boy met me around the Trigon (where the off-campus buses stop) to go to dinner on Northgate before the Women's basketball game. Jimmy is a complete gentleman and I love it! He may not think he is but I try to act as lady-like as possible. He thinks I'm a goofy redneck from a podunk town. He's a city slicker that drives a Volkswagen so I guess opposites attract?! We're still talking and things are great. He wants to take me on an actual date but it's so hard with both of our crazy schedules.

Thursday was another one of those crazy days. I had class, went to the doctor for a shot, got movie tickets for New Moon, made stew & put it in the oven to cook while I was at softball, ran home to eat & review for my exam at 7. At 6, I had to register for my spring classes. This was my total nightmare...I thought I had my schedule all worked out until the online class I wanted wouldn't let me get in it and the speech class I wanted only opens a few seats a day. I'm also attempting Biology 111 again so I'm getting super nervous. So I e-mailed my advisor & thankfully she had walk-ins the next morning & I have things almost sorted out. Today, I got into my online Health class but I'm trying to fight for a spot in the speech class I want. Also, I'm teeter-tottering on whether I should keep the Biology class with what says the professor is TBA or get in the other class that has a professor already listed?!?!!? Any suggestions?

Let's just not talk about my Computer Tech exam......

Friday, I went to walk-ins and felt better after I left. I met Jimmy to go get my football ticket so I could sit with him at the Baylor game. He had tried to pull it the day before but the ticket office gave him grief since my sports pass is listed as "athlete." They never gave Laura crap when she went all those time but luckily, this week Jimmy just gave them grief when he went to get my t.u. ticket. Such a good man ;) After class, I worked out at the REC and I believe it's my stress reliever and energy booster! So thankfully I was able to stay up long enough for Jimmy to come pick me up for Midnight Yell!

Here's a picture from the march from the Corps dorms through a few campus streets onto Kyle Field! The next picture is of the Yell Leaders as Governor Rick Perry was firing up the crowd.

Saturday was a great day! Cade, Rito, Meredith, Wes, Cullen Z., and Ali were staying with us. We all went and tailgated with the Skow's and had some great chili. Laura, Sara & I left a little early to make the pre-game songs but it started showering :( It was really chilly too but no worries, the rain stopped and we beat the hell outta baylor 38-3! It was a great win to put us into bowl game consideration. That evening got even more hectic as we were all juggling the day's event before we went to see New Moon at 9:15. Everyone had left the game but I attended Victory Yell (another Aggie 1st) with Jimmy. Before he could go eat with his dad, he had to drop me off and then meet us back at the movie theatre since he just had to go. He actually was hearing about New Moon because he had to make shirts at work = Inspirations in the mall but he just wanted to go since I bought his ticket! hahaha

This week started out amazing! I was soo happy and ready for Thanksgiving and then it started rolling downhill. My back and shoulder have been bothering me a lot so our student-trainer did a certain massage on my lower back. Oh BOY!!! It is swollen, bruised, and sore! I could barely drive home. She massaged me out today and applied stem and ice but I teared up both days. I caught the pitchers at practice this week as they pitched live batting practice to the team. My knees feel as if they are 83 years old. No pain, no gain - as Steve-O always told me. I have 2 papers due December 7th in my Women's Psychology class but one should be simple after I interview a working mom. Any suggestions for a Do Something about Feminism! paper??? I also have to attend and summarize a concert for Music class and turn in another personal project. So I've decided after the break, I'm going to play my guitar in class and sing Christmas carols! Hopefully everyone will sing along with me and put themselves in the Christmas spirit!

Here is Sam helping me study my Government notes Monday night ;) He likes to climb on my desk or sit in my lap. He also sleeps with me and chews me out in the morning because I'm eating breakfast and no one has fed him yet! He's a cute kitty but a terrorist!

So folks, I just wanted to let y'all know how super stoked I am about this week but I really cannot wait until Christmas break!!! I'm moving home the 18th and will start helping out Miss Sallie at The Crossing for my 3rd year. I love seeing so many faces in a great atmosphere. I enjoy working with her a lot and hope y'all will come visit me! For now, I wish y'all a blessed and Happy Turkey Day!

BTHO t.u.!!!