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Monday, December 27, 2010

Baby it's cold outside!

It's been way to long since I've posted an update. I have finally finished Fall semester at WCC and am so glad to be on break. I signed up for Winter classes and was told I need to take a bunch of general ed classes to transfer. That put me up to 16 credits of classes I hoped I'd never have to take again. I finally ended up calling MSU admissions and they told me I didn't need any of the general ed classes to actually transfer! Well whoopdy-do! So I dropped one class to make it 14 credits. It's a pain in the butt!

It's official the house is going up for sale! I have a realtor Nick Lacy who came out and looked at the house. I was so nervous I spent the morning cleaning. I've also been searching non stop for apartments near MSU. I believe I've found the "one", but who knows. It's got great prices, two minutes away from campus, and accepts pets! I plan on going up and visiting Alex and Katie then checking out apartments in January or February.

Mike and I went up to Lewiston, MI the second weekend in December for the Annual Thoms' family Christmas party. It was a blast seeing everyone! I was so proud of myself for driving back down during the awful weather storm. Overall it was an amazing time but I don't think I want to drive up north in the winter again.

Today Mike and I got back from Indiana. We spent Christmas with his family and had a fun time. I was able to meet his sisters, parents, friends, relatives,and nephews. I went to the house he grew up in and the cafeteria he used to work at. All I remember on Christmas morning were the boys going a mile a minute opening gifts. Christmas here used to be an hour of opening gifts and eating cinnamon rolls, then spending the day watching movies. It was definitely a new experience. Once we were five minutes from home Mike asked if I had his keys *facepalm* hopefully Amie will mail them back.

Lastly I want to mention Kelley. I have her blog posted in the links portion and I've talked about her before. She has started a new blog called Magnanimous Beauty. It's a wonderful blog about people we should be paying more attention to. I was lucky enough to send her a package with coats, blankets, pants, and more. It's for an amazing cause!

http://magnanimousbeauty.blogspot.com/

Saturday I am headed out to Chicago to see Kelley, Caroline, and Kate! Happy New Year!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Bricks, hearts, and a whole new you.

What a busy week! It always seems like the week before a holiday I’m running around like crazy. On tuesday the Ann Arbor RFL committee had our first meeting for the 2011 relay for life. I can’t believe how quickly a year has gone by. I’m extremely excited for another year of RFL and I hope to get a lot of help and donations *winks*! Wednesday I was lucky enough to have a makeover with Elizabeth Colburn. I look so much older now! I know my family is saying “NO!” But hey, I’m turning 20 this month! People may laugh but I feel like 20 years old is ancient, at least for me. My new desk chair also came! It’s beautiful and comfy. Now I can finally sit and type and surf the web without my back killing me.

Friday I got my hair colored “Amy Adams” red and it looks stunning! I waited  until just before Halloween since I went as Giselle from enchanted. I spent the rest of the day making Mom’s Chili. As always it tasted fantastic. I made sure to make a triple batch this year so I could have leftovers.

For those who don’t know my neighborhood always has Halloween on the Saturday nearest it. My guess is so kids can stay out later and we can all spend the day at the Halloween party. The event is held at the neighborhood park with kid’s activities, and a chili cook off. I had fun curling my hair before hand but I must have used five days worth of hairspray.

Today in the mail I received a monthly letter from Arbor Hospice. Usually I take a glance and toss it but this one caught my eye. It’s called the Hearts Of Remembrance Program.

“Making a donation through the Hearts of Remembrance program is the perfect way to remember the people who have touched your life. Whether you hang your heart in a doorway, on a tree, in a window, or give it to a friend, your gift ensures that Arbor Hospice will be there for thousands of terminally ill patients and their families. More info.

Remember a loved one this holiday season by visiting the Hearts of Remembrance Tree. More info.

The other great thing they have added is a Commemorative Brick program. I would love to get one or two for my parents. I have also added a Donate button on the top right if you feel inclined, it would be very appreciated!

“When you designate a brick in the gardens of the Residence of Arbor Hospice, you create a timeless tribute and make a lasting contribution. Our Memorial Walkway is a source of inspiration and quiet meditation for our patients and their families and is open to the community. Bricks placed in our Veterans Garden are reserved for Veterans. We encourage you to visit the walkway and lovely gardens. More info."

Monday, October 18, 2010

When will it be over? UGH

Have you ever felt like you're failing in college?

My failure is chemistry, it’s confusing and I just feel like an idiot in this class. I know I should've taken 090 chemistry and it was my mistake. I'm taking 111 and am completely lost, I feel so dumb to be getting horrible grades on my tests and labs. I’ve even asked the lecture instructor for help. My lab instructor is clueless and strict. It’s her first time teaching and she doesn't know what she’s doing. There is rarely an explanation so I'm feeling completely lost and left out because everyone else in a class seems to understand what's going on.

I received my test back today and was upset with the score because I thought I did really well. When she handed it to me I got the “can I please see you after class”. She didn’t understand why did so poorly and told me to go to tutoring, which I’ve been doing! I just don't understand word problems and that’s all that’s on a test. No fill in the blanks. Just giving me an equation I can solve it, give me a word problem and heck I’m lost. It doesn't make sense to me. Now I'm thinking I won’t pass this class. That would mean paying to take it all over again next semester. I wish it were easy, I study before every test. We are now covering models and I understand it because there is no equation/conversion involved! Why can’t I just get it? When will I ever use chemistry? I needed to rant big time!!

Thanks for listening!

Cassie

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Memories in The Closet

Those of you who have been reading my blog know I lost both my parents to cancer. While I am cleaning the house to move to Michigan State, I've been coming across my parent’s things. In my mom's movie and reading room there is an old, wooden, cigar box a titled little Dan O'Brien I thought it was amusing the price sticker “six cents” and it's a fairly large.

There is a little book entitled Junior Senior prom and two tassels from 1977 and 1972. I also found a Girl Scout stash with different badges. I knew my mom was in girl scouts but I’ve never seen this before. Also I found a memory book that has a few signatures and autographs from friends including her brothers Randy and Chris and sister Pat. Inside a folder is her fourth grade report card, and I’m surprised to see she wasn’t as smart as I thought, kidding. I can’t figure this one out but there is a little blue and white cap labeled JDC. For some reason she also kept two silver dollars in there as well.[slideshow]

 

I’ve come across many things that were there and I find it so interesting. I know I’m going to come across more, as the house gets emptier.

A few months ago I also came across a Dear Abby letter. It looks like it’s from the 70s. I found it in a mushroom wallet that was squished back in the sandwich bag drawer. When I first read the article it brought me to tears. I now keep it in my wallet so I can look at it and remember.

 







 At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.

When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my deathbed. Let it be called the bed of life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face, or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man.

Give my sins to the devil.

Give my soul to God.

If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I'm Back!

Hello everyone I am back and ready to do some more blogging! It's been a while but I'm really excited to be back and to start up again. I've been super busy this summer getting ready for college. I'll hopefully blog each week, but this time it's going to be a little different. Instead of post about my week,  now I'll be blogging and updating you on just the good stuff. I have a lot of plans this years be sure to subscribe! In November Alex and I are going to Faeriecon in Maryland; in December the Christmas party up North with my family; and then in January I am visiting one of my really good friends from Chicago, Kelley. Kelley also has a wonderful blog that I've attached in the links portion so definitely check it out. Lastly in February Michael and I are going on our first cruise together on the Disney Magic to the Eastern Caribbean!

You might wonder what exactly brought me back to blogging. The answer is actually a person, Kelly Farrell. Kelly is an amazing person and I met her on Second Life. Kelly's blog is a project for herself and her explanation is  “I, Kelly. A project involving me transforming from someone who made a complete shambles of the first half of her life to a successful, phenomenal woman.” Her blog inspires people do get back up and take control of their lives. She had me getting back to curves and working out. She's actually getting married in June to Marc who is also from second life (I hope you don’t mind me sharing! ;) ). I’m heading down to help plan for the wedding and hang out with her in January. I'm really happy for the two of them! http://thekelleyproject.blogspot.com/

Boy have I been busy! I went back  in August for my last year at Washtenaw community college where I'm majoring in zoology. In June I’m transferring to Michigan State University. I’ve started a search for an apartment and I'm excited to move. I’ll also be the assistant director for the Saline musical again this year. For 2010 they  are putting on “West side story”. I'm excited to be involved for the last year before I move up to Michigan State!

Long post, but way over due!!

Cassie