Green Slime Bread.

So throughout our dating days - or as Morgan likes to call it "courting" - Morg has opened my eyes to a lot of things or just introduced me to things I never really saw myself doing - for example: Making (and eating) Zucchini Bread! It may seem small (and it is) but I can honestly say that I was perfectly content with never coming in contact with zucchini - let alone eating it. But alas, I have a boyfriend that loves everything food related - especially veggies. And when he found out I hated anything squash related he decided to broaden my horizons. So for date night we baked Zucchini Bread. I wish I would have taken a picture during - Morgan took the honors of grating the nasty green slimy zucchinis because well - he knew I wouldn't. And when we started putting everything together - well he had to finish it because I TRIED to touch it... but I could not through with it. The only thing that kept coming to my mind was that green slime from Nickelodeon that poured on all those kids during commericials and stuff. Well thankfulyl he powered through and finished the job - but I added my own touch: chocolate chips! :) I knew anything probably tasted good with those in them - and I was right. So to make this long story even longer: I loved it. So thankyou my love for helping me come outside my comfort zone :)

Oh another example of Morgan introducing me to new and amazing things I never thought I would do?? - We're going to the Dominican Republic in August for 10 days!!! Morgman served his mission there almost 2 1/2 years ago and well, I need a tropical vacation! We're really excited... to say the least.

What I'm up to...

I'm missing this man in my life... and he only left 12 hours ago! ;-)

I've been in Chicago this past week for work - and will be for the next week too... So morgman came to visit for the weekend :)

Back to it for another long week - but atleast I have the memories of this weekend to daydream about :)

Things I Like

So maybe I haven't been the best candidate for 'happy-go-lucky-ness' lately.

[ like the picture above, on New Year's Eve, where all we could
think about was being happy-go-lucky for the rest of the year! ]

I have been stressed about work. and life in general.

but excited too.

And well, Morgan has midterms this week and although I'm not in school anymore

it stresses me out to see him stressed out

[ love does weird things to you sometimes. ]

But last night as I took a run after work I looked at the sky

ya know the moment between the light blue and the dark grey after a long, rainy day

(I didn't mean for that to rhyme, promise)

well it made me happy.

and that made me think of so many other things that have made me happy in the past week,

and I thought 'I should write them down'

so I can remember, on the days that I am stressed or burnt out or 'down in the dumps'

that there are glimpses, even long, extended moments of happiness that occur.

Things that I've Liked (lately...)

• That sky I was talking about. I was tired from work, I needed to fold my laundry, I needed to anything but be out there running. And then I looked at that clear, greyish blue sky and my mind got that much clearer.
• Calls from Morgface when he is between classes. I know its cliche, but I can't explain the giddy, butterfly feeling I get when I look on my caller ID on my work phone and I see his number. It immediately brings a smile to my face. and then the greeting of various nonexistent people ("Hi, this is Dominoes with your anchovie order" or "Hi, this is your doctor calling, you have a minor problem") brings laughter. And then the recollection of crazy stories from our days so far not only make me laugh, but they make me even more grateful he is in my life.
• Rachael's voicemail. So my best friend, Rachael, is notorious for breaking/losing/forgetting her cell phone, or just not answering it for various other reasons. This time though, she went to California and somehow, someway lost it. (I don't know the real reasoning yet - it's still lost) but I have called her a few times in the past few days to check the phone status, and since the phone has obviously died since being lost, it goes straight to voicemail. I guess I shouldn't like hearing her voicemail, I mean I would love to hear her real voice instead, but hearing that "Hi this is Rachael, call me back whenever you can" message as soon as I press talk just cracks me up. [BTW, I know you'll read this - love you Rach]
• Talking to my parents. I've always been away from either set of my parents throughout my life - or all of them I guess when I was in college - so this whole living away from them thing isn't anything new, but keeping in touch with them has, for some reason, proved to be harder. I notice the times I do get the chance to sit and chat with them are very special to me. I got to do that last night.
• Making things for other people. Since Morg is on his "I'm a bodybuilder diet" all the sweets I make, I now bring to the office. I love the people that I work with, though don't tell them that - they would make fun of me for it ;-) - and being able to show them that in any form makes me feel just a little bit more gracious towards them.

fill in the blank friday

So I have approximately one! hour left at work for this week

and I'm so ready for it to be ZERO!

This week has been crazy/stressful/busy.

But I finally submitted my last assignment

(who has ever heard of taking a difficult exam and completing a bunch of assignments BEFORE going to a class??)

and my brain needs a break.

So again, I'm taking a breather, and filling in my own blanks...

{1.} When I'm nervous I get this weird butterfly/knot/nauseous feeling in my stomach. And I fidget like crazy.

[ One time when I was giving a speech in one of my classes in college a girl in the front row kept signaling me. I didn't know her that well, and I really didn't care why she was doing it at that moment, so I ignored it. Afterwards she came up to me and said that everyone could see me fidgeting with my skirt the whole time - which consisted of me pulling my almost-knee-length-skirt up and down - while I thought that was completely covered by the podium. Very nice, Julie, very nice. ]

{2.} My favorite item in my closet is my pair of Refuge dark blue skinny jeans.

[ They are comfy. They fit perfectly. They go with everything. And they are Morgan's fave too ;-) ]

{3.} Lighting my candles, turning off the lights, and laying on the couch talking to Morgman, is my favorite thing to do when I need to relax.

[ I don't get to relax a whole lot. And neither does Morg. And then obviously we don't get a lot of time to relax together. So when we do get the chance, its like - this big deal. Yeah, we're weird. ]

{4.} My favorite childhood memory is camping with my family.

[ Both sides of my family made it a point to have regular family trips, which I love and cherish, but for some reason the times that we went camping stand out in my mind the most. I think the fact that we spent every moment together - laughing, playing games, snuggling, making s'mores, and complaining about sleeping on the hard-as-a-rock ground - makes it that much more special. ]

{5.} Something you may not know about me is I'm not as outspoken as everyone thinks I am.

[ This is something that I have noticed about myself in the past 8 or 9 months, and I don't necessarily think it's a 'bad' or a ' good' change. I just think more before I talk. *gasp* ]

{6.} A true friend is someone who loves you even when you are being irrational and stupid. And who isn't afraid to tell you that.

[ I can't tell you how many times I have heard "Hey Julie, I love you. A lot. Like a fat kid loves cake. But woman, you are being stupid and irrational." and have been totally grateful for it ]

{7.} Something I hope people think of when they think of me is, "Man that girl is hilarious, she should do stand up, or come to my next party, or I want her to just be there tagging along all day so I could laugh and be happy"

[ hey, a girl can dream, yea? ]

Amigos

When I first moved to Tennessee I didn't know anyone.

I mean I met my boss when I interviewed, but I don't call that 'knowing anyone'

I call that knowing the dude that determines your future

it doesn't count.

And I'll admit - I was scared. I never really dwelt on the fact I didn't know a soul, or the fact that I didn't really have the assurance I would meet people that would like me

(or actually, that I would like)

simply because I was more excited than I was scared.

I was starting a new chapter in my life that was

1) completely unexpected and therefore so totally not me and

2) I was so ready for it

and lucky for me I was raised to be somewhat *ahem* outgoing so the whole no-friend-thing wasn't at the top of of my list of scaries

(kind of like worries, but scaries)

Since I've moved to Memphis I've been able to meet so many amazing people and begin to create so many loving friendships.

Don't get me wrong, I still have those people that don't particularly like me

(or do I particularly like them in return)

but that is to be expected in all chapters of life, so -

come what may.

But I have been so fortunate to just be in the same room with some of these peeps, that it amazes me they want to actually ya know, hang out.

And then I have my sweet, sociable boyfriend that knows everyone.

and when I say everyone I mean everyone plus their mother, and cousins and ex best friends.

It's ridic.

But through him I have gotten to know his closest friends, and have gotten to know them and laugh with them and in the end know Morgan even better.

This past weekend was one of his strong-man friend(Will)'s 22nd birthday & we celebrated with him at Happy Mexican.

I was also able to meet his adorable fiance, who reminded me of my lovely sister that I miss terribly, and chat and just have a great time.

I'm so happy to be able to meet new people and share their celebrations with them, it makes me feel....

happy.

Any Stepbrothers fans? Morgman thought he was being clever with his 'pose'

I thought it was clever they all wore polo shirts.

:)

Baby Will blowing out his candles

Mush

I've never really considered myself super mushy or lovey dovey

I'm more of a joker, and I'll usually end up laughing in the middle of a sweet moment and totally "ruin" it.

but lucky for me I found a man who is exactly the same way. We enjoy a few mushy moments now and then - he is probably the most cheesy man I know, and I love it. but then we usually end up laughing and making fun of ourselves after wards.

its cute.

So this past week was Morgan's birthday. He turned the big two-four.
(which, if you have already forgotten, is one whole year older than me! yes!)

On Tuesdays we try to meet for dinner before going to institute, so this week, in honor of his big day, I let him choose... and of course he chose sushi! We went to his favorite place in Cordova, Osaka, and he loved it.

He taught me how to use my chopsticks and just to prove him wrong (he thought I would need a fork!) I used them the entire meal. boo ya.

Then the day of his birthday I had a little surprise planned for him.

He had to open the gym so that meant he had to be at work at 5 am. yuck! Since I knew that he would have already eaten breakfast, and his mom was making him a cake for that night, I decided to compromise and make him birthday cupcakes! and bring them to his work on the way to my work.

With a little help from his best friend that was also working at the same time, I got in the gym undetected and surprised the heck out of him :) Though I think that a got more than a few dirty looks carrying cupcakes across the gym floor.... ;-)

THEN! this weekend a bunch of our friends and us got together to go out for a little dinner and dancing. Even though it was supposed to be in honor of Valentine's Day, I still wanted to do a little something for Morgman's birthday since all his friends were there. It turned out it was my friend Jenn's sister's 27th birthday that week too so then I was sold.



I ordered a red velvet cake (per Valentine's Day) and made sure to personalize for both a boy and girl (hearts for Brittany and dumbbells for Morgan) and dropped it off that day before our reservation. Jenn picked up V-day and B-day balloons for the tables (Hibachi grill? yes please.) After they brought out our icecream, which came with the meal, a bunch of servers surrounded our tables and brought out the cake to sing to the 2 birthday peeps! Morgan and Brittany were so surprised and I was so happy! I love surprising other people! :)




After dinner it was back to the celebration of love so we went salsa dancing at the Rumba Room downtown with everyone. We were so full and tired by then that we didn't last long, but I'll take just one dance with him anytime, so any more than that and I'm golden :)

But wait, it doesn't end there...

since Valentine's Day, as we all know, was actually on Sunday I wasn't really expecting anything but making dinner with Morg and maybe watching a movie while he studied for his French test on Monday. (which we did both of those)

But yet again he went and surprised me - and yet again I fell just a little bit more in love :)

Best Birthday/Valentine's week ever.

Thursday is the new Friday

Tomorrow is my flex friday - so tonight is really my 'Friday' - and Thursday's are always a wonderfully relaxing night for me (well, I try to make them that way, but life gets in the way sometimes) because I always plan on doing absolutely nothing. That coupled with Morgan having lots of class + SGA meetings + waking up at 4 AM Friday mornings equals Thursday becoming the new Friday for Julie!

And while I do love my job, these past 2 weeks have really burnt me out, and at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, I'm already for my (4 day!) weekend.

I recenetly read a fill-in-the-blank survey on a blog that I follow, so I thought I'd give my brain a break, and fill in my own blanks :)

{1.} If I had two hours to myself today, I'd light my candles, cozy up in my warm fuzzy blanket, maybe make some hot chocolate and read the rest of my book.

[Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis - financial nerd? don't mind some mild profanity? i'll let you borrow it after my boss]

{2.} If I could travel anywhere today, I would go anywhere the beach is.

[I need (not want, need) somewhere warm right now. I need the sand on my toes and the sound of the waves washing over my face. Morgan and I have been talking so much about going to the beach that right now I crave it. I need it.]

{3.} Seeing Morgan's smiling face at 6:30 AM on my birthday is my happiest memory. (that I can think of at this moment)

[Not only was I not expecting it, but it was exactly what I wanted and needed. He never ceases to surprise, impress, or care for me. It just comes natural to him, and that makes me happy.]

{4.} Sometimes you're totally comfortable in situations other times you're completely out of your element.

[I have realized that coming out of my comfort zone is probably one of the most difficult things I've ever done and also the most rewarding.]

{5.} Beauty is feeling comfortable in your own skin and loving yourself for it.

{6.} I would be embarrassed if anyone knew that I still don't have bedroom furniture and I moved out on my own 9 months ago.

[I also use my mint-green snuggie as a curtain for my window so I don't get woken up at 7 AM on Saturdays. I hope my aunt doesn't read this - she got me the snuggie, I'm sure, to wear and not use as home 'decor'. oops.]

{7.} Love at first sight isn't realized until after the fact. I loved Morgan since the day I met him, I just can't explain it.

[When I asked him if he believed in love at first sight he replied "Yes, of course" without hesitating. And then went on to recount our exact encounter the day we met - what I was wearing, what I said, how my hair was done, what we laughed about. This, from a man who can't remember what he had for breakfast yesterday. Man do I love him.]