Old people have christmas parties at work.

So the only thing remotely interesting that has happened at work recently was the christmas party at the executive mansion. It was a pretty good time and I got to talk to the Governor for a few minutes. He remembered who I was when I introduced myself and mentioned a specific event at which we had spoken. So that was pretty cool. Needless to say, this entry is just an excuse to post a picture of me and the Governor. There's another picture that I'm not posting because it is just awful... I look ridiculous and awkward while the Governor is talking to me so he's not looking at the camera. This picture is better, even though neither of us are looking at the camera.

Light at the end of the tunnel

I wish I had an exciting video update, those are my new favorite kinds. I kind of feel like I've been up against a firing squad though, so just imagine my life a little bit like Kellen's only on the other end of the gun. And with less fresh air.

Property final was Friday, a 7 hour long exam consisting of three essays. Next is Contracts, which is the scariest one, on Wednesday. I've been studying and studying but I don't think there is any way to go into a Contracts exam feeling confident, so I'm trying to settle for calm. After Contracts I only have Torts next Monday. That night we're having a big end of the first semester celebration, which will be very welcome. I (for some reason I still haven't really worked out) set up a mock interview with my Career Services Office the next day, Tues. the 22nd, but after that I'll be on my way back to CP for Christmas! So everyone who will be home on Tuesday, I should be high on life, so it would be a good time to hang out if I can stay awake past 9 pm.

Anyone else who is also working on finals right now, good luck! Hopefully you're done before I am. Dragging out three finals for 14 whole days is brutal, I hope your schedules are better. See everyone soon!

Claire

Video Update

My old roommate Ian (in the same unit as me for training) shot this video during one of our operations last week.

This is a good example of what we did for the past week, day and night.

I catch a flight home from St. Louis and arrive in Albany at 8 PM on December 19th,

so I will see you all soon.

Sorry for no updates!

Hi friends! so I am still living in CP for the next few years at the least (I figure if mom and dad don't make me pay rent then I shall live for free). Which is lovely because working two jobs doesn't leave much time to enjoy actually being at home. I am still at Freihofers and Borders for the time being but hopefully by January (or whenever the state passes their budget) I will be working in Albany at ZLS publishing creating book covers and illustrating children's books. It is the perfect job and I cannot wait to start. I am one of their first hires so I am lucky to have this position. And it also means I get to work one job from 9-5 Monday-Friday. What will I do with all this free time?! I'm pumped! Other than that not much else is new. I am just working all the time and when I'm not working I'm up in Ballston Spa at my boyfriend's apt or hanging with Suzy. nothing too exciting. I just bought three computers from Best Buy so I am giving the laptop to my parents (I figure if I'm living for free then spending money on them is allowable lol) And I bought a new digital camera so once I buy a memory card I will definitely update with pictures :) So when everyone is home please let me know because I am around (but probably working!) And CAT AND GREG--- I am hoping to come visit soon because Stephen's best friend goes to school in Hartford! (came to this realization the other night yay!) Ok I love you all and I will try to be better with updating! xoxo Nicki

A Short Photo Update

I don't have much time to write, so I'm just going to post a few pictures with some captions. I should be able to get to a longer post after Thanksgiving is over and I get some downtime. However, I will be back in CP from Thanksgiving day afternoon to Saturday midday, so if anyone wants to do something Friday night or get breakfast or lunch on Saturday before I fly out, give me a call.

This is Oklahoma. Pictured in the background are Oklahoma's only mountains.

Yes, that is a pie plate in which the burger is sitting. Welcome to the South, specifically Meers, OK.

This is me, on my daily commute. I ride to a range, shoot some things, then ride back.

More Oklahoma, as seen from the back of the truck I'm riding in.

In case it doesn't seem like I'm enjoying myself, I love my job. I get paid to lead soldiers, blow things up and shoot things. More to follow.

Kellen

Hello!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post.. I was waiting for something exciting to happen to me but it never did so I may as well get on with it. Though I do warn you in advance, I suck at posting in blogs (as any of the girls will attest to..)

I am in my last semester at McGill and it is flyingggggggg by. I cannot believe that I only have 2 weeks of class left- yikes! I have so much to finish before I am done.. I don't know how it is going to happen haha. But I would be lying if I said it hasn't been fun. I really like my classes, which is a great way to finish my undergrad. I went on a field trip to some wetlands in Quebec at the beginning of the semester, which was awesome! Above left is a bog we visited (we were trying to channel the bog people..) and to the right is my prof in a salt marsh, which I nearly lost a boot in lol. We also went to a swamp but that was not nearly as exciting haha.

Since that little field trip, it has really been nothing but school.. lame, I know. I have crashed a few earth and planetary science parties (not as dorky as it sounds), but that is about it. I would say about 80% of my friends have graduated and left so my roommate and I just bum around watching movies alot. We did manage to get out for Halloween though- I was a penguin!

This is Lisa, my roommate (the flamingo), and I. And we also made a really yummy (early) Thanksgiving dinner for our friends- turkey, stuffing, the whole 9 yards. It was my first time actually cooking the turkey, but it turned out great (no food poisoning, thank god) so that was fun :-)

Not much else is new with me.. I sadly won't be home for Thanksgiving this year, but I should be home in December after finals for an indefinite amount of time.. lol. If anyone knows of anyone looking to hire a map-maker, please let me know :-\

Hope everyone is well! See you in December :-)

Jinna <3

Elfter

So the secret santa site is set up so everyone will be assigned a random name on the Nov 28th. Thats also the last day you have to sign up for it. If you're name isn't in by then, you won't be in the draw and won't get a name either. So too bad if you miss it. I figured its enough time to check your email, so there's no real excuse. I mean if Greg's on there then everyone should be on there by next weekish haha.
The spending limit is $50 but you don't have to spend that much. It's just a max the site makes you set. If someone isn't going to be home for the week of Christmas I would suggest you let the group know fairly far in advance so that who ever got that person can mail out the gift, or get it to them early or something.

You can also make a wish list and add a link to the site so people know exactly what you're talking about. I made mine a while back (my family is doing a gift exchange too) and it carried over. And I noticed Katie didn't waste any time getting her goodies up there. I say who ever gets her gives her coal, just to see the look on her face. (Good thing she doesn't read the blog).
As of right now we have 11 people, so were pretty good to go if no one else joins. We still need to set a place for the exchange. Kellen said he might be able to have something at his place in CP, but it would be nice to have some other options in that falls through. I looked up some places to rent out a room or something, and they can get pretty steep in price. I figured we would keep it cheap since we are all paying bills and junk now. As Levine put it, we're grown ups now. If you guys have any ideas/suggestions just throw em out there.

Anyway, see you guys next week. I'll be getting into CP Tues morning and staying at Alan's till Claire gets home. Then I take off Sat morning.

R.diz