It's been forever, Again. I cant even remember the last time I blogged. Sorry. Hmmm... what have I been up to? Mostly homework. I can say now, with great pleasure that never again will I have to endure Physiology of Exercise. You have no idea how great this is. As simple as the class may sound, it was the worst thing ever! Other than that, Ive just been working, and coaching. Coaching is turning out to be much greater than I ever imagined. I transitioned from the asst. coach of Varisty sideline, to the asst. coach of Fresham competitve. It was hard at first, but it has been amazing. the girls on my team are awesome. Too young to be worried about their image just yet, and just old enough to take practice seriously (for the most part). Im having a blast, and already dreading the season ending. Well, enough for now. Write later.

Cori

Wedding Season is Over

Wedding season is officially over for Wes and I. After traveling to the UP to celebrate the marriage of Erik and Jennifer, we finished it off in Madison with our friends to celebrate Kenny and Lauren tying the knot. Good times, good friends, good food, good drinks. Aside from attending wedding celebrations I've been keeping myself pretty busy. Between work, school, and cheerleading I barely every find any time to just relax...or blog. School is kicking my ass as usual, and work is well...work. Cheerleading has been a lot of fun this season. I've been able to get to know all the girls better than I anticipated, and I must say even though I only get to spend a couple nights a week with them, its truly a breath of fresh air. I should get back to the 'real world' and finish up studying for yet another quiz... But before I go, just want to say again. Congratulations to my friends Erik and Jennifer, and Kenny and Lauren on your lifelong commitments to each other. I am so blessed to have been able to celebrate such special occasions with you, and even more blessed to call you all my friends. Cheers!

Congratulations Are in Order

The past month has been a whirlwind. Lots of great things happening for great people. To start, I want to congratulate my friends Angie and Jerad. They welcomed their first child on August 24th- Cole Jerad Barclay. He is so precious, and such a gift, and he has two of the greatest people for parents. His life will truly be blessed. Congrats!

I also want to say congratulations to Wesley's brother Jeremy and his WIFE Erica on their marriage which took place September 6th. After dating since high school, they tied the knot in a beautiful, love filled ceremony. The celebration continued throughout the night and was magical. Congratulations and best of luck as you start your new life together!

A moment of clarity...

Well, I am officially 25 years old. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it. 25?! It just seems so old... I am certainly not where I expected to be at this point in my life. Things happen, dreams change, progress slows, and life somehow manages to continue on. I am truly blessed in my life. I have amazing friends, and family and a boyfriend who never fails to surprise me with his patience, compassion, zest for life, and most importantly-his love for me. I did something yesterday I never even really dreamed I would actually be able to do. I flew up to 11,000 feet, braced my arms on the side of an airplane, stuck my feet out onto the step, and JUMPED. Once I was out of the plane looking down, it seemed that all my cares in the world completely melted away. I'm told this is called the "moment of clarity." A moment of clarity it was indeed. With the wind on my face, and nothing holding me back, I fell... The experience was amazingly terrifying, and wonderful. Words really cannot describe just how incredible it was. Today I find myself daydreaming about the sky, and looking out my window into the clouds- trying to recapture the feelings I felt while falling from the sky. Though strange this might sound, today I feel like a new person. I feel like I could conquer the world.

Wes- thank you so much for the greatest birthday I have ever had. I will remember it for the rest of my life, and I cant think of anyone else more special to have shared those precious moments with.

summer is almost over...

Well, it certainly has been a very, very busy summer. I'm starting to feel a little worn out, and believe it or not I think I am ready for it to be over. Lets see...what have I done this summer? Well, a few weeks ago I boarded a plane and flew to Denver to see Wesley for a long weekend. We took a trip to Garden of the Gods, and then wandered around Manitou Springs... a place a traveled to when I was younger with the family. It was great to be back there, and even better to see Wes. I also spent a weekend at Alma college for Champion Cheer Camp with my girls. It was very hot out. I must say, out of all things cheerleading in high school...I think the one thing I really don't miss at all is having to go to cheerleading camp, and trying to be happy from 8am-11pm in 90 degree weather! Then, last weekend in a last minute decision I decided once again to board a plane and fly out to see Wes for the weekend again! It was a blast, we went to Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday, and on Sunday we went white water rafting! I was so nervous for rafting, I thought for sure I was going to get tossed out of the boat and hit my head on a rock, that of course didn't happen. However, towards the end of the trip the guide decided it would be hilarious to grab me by my life vest and throw me into the river and dunk me underwater. I wasn't laughing...everyone else was though. Okay, I laughed. It was pretty funny. Wes should be on his way HOME from Colorado sometime today! YAY. He hasn't been in Michigan now for 32 days. I'm so excited to have my roommate back! While he travels back to Michigan finally, I once again will be boarding another plane and heading out of Michigan to California...Los Angeles to be exact (I know, I'm a traveling fool this summer). I'm headed out there to see one of my wifeys, Kellie. I cant wait to get out there, but honestly I feel a little intimidated by Los Angeles. I'm certain it will all work out, and plenty of fun times will be had. Monday I come home. Wes will pick me up from the airport, and hopefully we can start trying to get back to a somewhat normal life together (until he leaves for his next out of town job). I don't plan on doing any more traveling for a while. 14 different planes in less than a month is a LOT, plus all this traveling is taking a major toll on my bank account.. I suppose I would rather spend my money and live my life to the fullest, then save it all and never do anything worthwhile though. I'll write more when I get home from California! Cya later.

sickley..

So, what I thought was a hangover yesterday actually was the beginning of me getting very very ill. I have the flu, and last night I seriously thought I was dying. I am slowly but surely getting better, thankfully. But seriously...who gets the flu in July? only me. I'm hoping to be feeling 100% tomorrow because I really don't want to waste my only free weekend for the rest of the summer being sick and laying on my couch-plus I am going crazy with boredom.

On a happier note two of my friends got engaged yesterday. Congratulations Sean and Amy! I am so happy for both of them and I know they will be blessed with a long and wonderful marriage.

whatever

So...I'm at work today. feeling miserable. I went out to dinner last night with the family and had one beer. today, i have a hangover. Is that really even possible? ugh. Well, one week from today I will be packing my bags and getting ready to fly out to Denver Colorado to see Wesley. I'm pretty excited to see him, but is it bad that i'm more excited just to have a short vacation from Michigan in my second favorite state? i'm sure Wes would understand. Tonight I have class, and I have been tempted by my friends to skip it to go to the the Comedy Show with them. I really want to, however I already have to skip next Thursday since I will be in Colorado... so i probably should go... I hate being responsible. I want to go back to being a kid where there were no responsibilites. If only I could have appreciated it more back then. Well, thats all. My computer was being weird the other night, so here are a couple pics from Tony and Julie's Wedding. Congrats again!

My friends Tony and Julie tied the knot this past weekend. I had the honor of being on their guest list, and I am so grateful. It was the most fun, carefree night I have had in a long time. A perfect way to spend my last weekend with Wesley before he jetted off for Colorado for six whole weeks. I love weddings. I love the dresses, I love the chapels, I love the tears of joy, and I love the love. I think I am addicted to weddings. Now if only I had a wedding of my own to plan... Ah, well, someday it will be my turn.

Congrats Tony and Julie!

Is it 5 o'clock yet?

Once again there has been a large gap in my blogging. I've been so busy that it is hard to keep on top of everything. So, here's whats been going on in my life.

My physiology and anatomy class I am taking this summer is sucking the life out of me. I didn't anticipate it to be as difficult as it is proving to be. 4 more weeks and I never have to think about it again...

Football cheer has begun! The team Renee and I were able to put together is extremely talented and I'm sure this season is going to be an amazing one. I'm so looking forward to getting to know the new girls on the team, and getting to know the returning girls even better! Go Rams!

In addition to my class and my cheerleaders I have managed to travel down to the wonderful city of Indianappolis twice now this summer to visit one of my very best friends. The first trip I had the pleasure of making it out to my first 'Carb Day' at the race track which was filled with good friends and lots of ice cold beverages. It was a blast-would have been better if the rain would have let up, but that is really only a minor detail. I was also able to catch a Tim McGraw concert while I was there...I must say, I missed the sweet sound of his voice, ohhhh Timmy...

My second trip to the Indy was this past weekend. I was able to bring along with my my good friend Mar Mar. The drive down was interesting. We managed to take a detour (not a planned one...woops) and by merely inches missed hitting the largest turtle I have ever seen in my life, not to mention the small baby turtles it was carrying on its back. After the screams of terror and shock wore off Mary and I were able to laugh about it. I'm still kinda mad at myself for not turning back to snap a picture but because the the damn 'detour' we were already running late. Shortly after our arrival I headed back to the Verizon Wireless Center to be serenaded by the tunes of Miss Taylor Swift, and all the boys of Rascal Flatts. The music didnt start until after hours of tailgating in the sunshine with friends, and exactly 191 jello shots to get rid of. Needless to say, the concert was a success!

This weekend I am headed off to Eight Point Lake with Wesley's family for some relaxing, and hopefully some marvelous weather. We will then be hitting the road Sunday to make it to the 'Braun Family Golf Tourney' in Cass City. Who golfs at 9am on a Sunday? Apparantly the Braun Family...

Until Next Time.

I feel like a Blob

So, my life has been so jammed packed full of plans I hardly know what to do with myself. On top of my grocery long list of things to attend, Wes and I finally manged to move in to our new place. Thank God for a washer and dryer in the apartment. Seriously, being able to do laundry whenever I want and not have to dig for quarters is changing my life. Since I have been so busy I somehow managed to let my workout regimen fall through the cracks. Today was the first day in more than a week I was able to get outside and run-hence the title of my blob...oops I mean blog. Normally a little more than a week off would not be that big of a deal, but since the last week has been full of traveling, and concerts, and weddings I haven't exactly been nourishing myself with the healthiest choices. I think I just decided that my idea of a perfect world includes draft beer, and chocolate cake that actually help you lose weight! HA! So, I am putting on record, my goal by the end of the summer is to have lost the 10 pounds that I gained when I quit smoking more than a year ago. Wish me luck!

sweet freedom-sort of

Well, its been a while. Much like any other college student at this time of year I have been up to my eye balls in papers and projects and finals. Ugh. I cannot begin to express the pure joy I feel that this hellacious(is that a word?) semester is FINALLY through. Unfortunately it is back to the grind sooner than later since my summer class start up one week from today. For my glorious one week vacay from studying I am work work working. Boo to that. Seriously, I hate my job. I often fantasize about quitting in a big dramatic "I hate this job and I don't need it!" sort of way...but then I remember I like paying for my cell phone, and having food to eat, and a nice place to live so I guess I better stick it out. Damn, I wish I was a little less responsible sometimes. Being responsible is overrated. Well, my summer calendar is filling up fast...it should be, well, lets go with interesting. I have 7 weddings, 4 concerts, 2 classes, 1 vacation, and one fabulous weekend at Alma college with a bunch of screaming girls. Bring on the warm weather!

Is the search over yet?

The search for a new apartment is still in progress, however it may be drawing to a close very soon! I stumbled upon a nice little place called Foote Hill Apartments off of 28th street in Grand Rapids. The location is not exactly what we have been looking for, however the apartment makes up for it. Wes is in Tennessee this week, so I won't know if it has passed his seal of approval until next week Tuesday when he is able to get over there and take a look. Everyone please cross you fingers for me. This apartment hunt has been causing me a tremendous amount of stress for about the last 2 months...I just want it to be over with already! On a better note, I was able to pull off an A- on an essay I wrote in my Sociology of Art class. The professor grades extremely hard, and sets basically unattainable goals. So the fact I pulled off an A- is absolutely a miracle. Yay for a good week so far!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Boy do I wish I was snuggled into an irish pub today! I can hear the Green Spot in Mount Pleasant calling my name... Instead I am at work :( To those of you who are able to make it out for the festivities today-drink one for me!

Slainte!

The Big Cheese

I've had a fun filled, responsibility free vacation last week. Gotta love going back to college and taking advantage of Spring Break. A break that is seriously lacking out there in the "real world!" Wes and I went to the beautiful snow filled state of Wisconsin. Typical spring break vacay spot? no. Relaxing and perfect? yes. We first headed to Madison to visit our newly engaged friends Kenny and Lauren and take a dip in their everyday lives. They were excellent host/hostesses I must say. They took Wes and I to some great little restaurants, and even out to the most beautiful winery I have ever been to. A little wine tasting with good friends, what more could I ask for? After our pit stop in Madison we headed north to the Wisconsin Dells. We stayed in a private little cabin nestled back into the woods. The cabin came equipped with 2 fireplaces, 2 bedrooms, a full kitchen, 2 bath, and a jacuzzi tub! This place was truly heaven on earth. We spent the week relaxing on the couch, lounging in the jacuzzi, skiing down the mountain, and socializing in the massive hot tub. I was sad when it was time to leave, I'm actually still pretty bummed to be back to the grind here in Michigan. But...vacations were not meant to last forever. Until next time...

Oh, sweet home Ohio...

So, I decided to be bad and skip my last two classes today. I came down to visit Wesley in Mansfield, Ohio. I figured some things out while I was here. One. My boyfriend is a total workaholic. No wonder I hardly ever see him. I love that he is so dedicated, and motivated for his work... However, it is now 1 in the morning and we just got back from the job site. Two. Driving a hi-lo is a lot more fun than I would have ever imagined. While Wes was working (before he put me to work) I was spinning in circles on the hi lo...definitely recommend trying it if you ever have a chance. I'm exhausted... and I have to try and survive the night in this very questionable motel Wes has been living in the past 2 months. It's called the Knights Inn...use your imagination. I'll write more tomorrow. Until then...

Wednesday February 27 2008

I had to take my new kitty Maiz to the vet last night. Turns out he has irritable bowel syndrome. From what I am told, it is actually quite common in cats. After everything Wes and I have been through with our other kitties this just really breaks my heart. Is it too much to ask for healthy pets? I am beginning to think we are cursed. Poor kitty, I feel bad for him :(

2 days ago my other kitty Mili swatted at a lit candle and it went flying. She was covered in wax. I tried to get it out, even tried shaving her. Damn wax just will NOT come out! On a brighter note she now smells like lilacs :)

I'm thinking about playing hookey from school tomorrow and driving down to Ohio to see Wes... probably shouldn't skip class, but it is oh so tempting. This is Wesley's last week in Ohio, and I would love to see what he has been up to for the past 2 months, guess I need to make up my mind.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday February 26, 2008

I had a midterm last Thursday in my motor skills class. I studied and studied and studied and studied and studied. Took the test, flew through it-literally thought I must have gotten a 100%. I just got my results. 35/48... I am in utter shock right now. I feel sick to my stomach about this. A 73%...after ALL the studying I did? What the hell???? I had an A in the class, now I'm down to a B+, which is still a fine grade and all. I just really thought I was going to do better than that, and I'm quite sad that somehow I managed to F it up. Moving on. I have been endlessly searching for a new place to live. Wes and I want a bigger place. I finally found a place that was within the budget, and had the kind of space we were looking for. Wes doesn't like it... So, I called one more place today, the last and FINAL option. Everything seems perfect, except they only allow one cat, not two. So, our lease is up in 3 weeks, we have nowhere to live, and we are screwed. Until next time...

Monday February 25, 2008

Well, here is my first official blog. Not sure how it is going to go, but it was worth a shot I suppose. Wesley and I watched his six year old nephew over the weekend. That was interesting. I discovered that I have very little patience or tolerance for whining. I can't stand it. We ended up back at my old winter stomping grounds, Cannonsburg ski area. I tried snowboarding for the very first time. My body is still recovering. I discovered however, that if I ride the board "goofy foot" I am actually decent (decent meaning that I can make it down the bunny hill without falling). I was kind of wondering why "they" call it goofy foot anyways? That seems sort of prejudiced against people who like to steer with their left foot... On another note, as we went to leave and return our rented snowboards, I discovered that my favorite pair of running/workout/everyday shoes had been stolen. Not cool! Wes had to carry me out to the car, that was sort of embarrassing. Now I have to buy a new pair, to replace my irreplaceable shoes.