Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Power Ball!

I didn't get a chance to buy Mega Millions tickets a few months ago so I made sure to buy 5 tickets with the Power Ball being so high this week. I read a news article that said you are "20,000 times more likely to die in a car crash than hit the lucky numbers." If those are the odds, i think my family probably has pretty decent odds due to the obvious lack of a brother in my life.


So here's what I'm doing with my winnings:

1. Tithe. Simple enough. Deuteronomy 12:6-7 says "bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you."

2. Debt. I don't regret for a second taking out student loans to graduate or having a loan for my car, but I'd love to be able to pay those off. Not to mention the money I owe my parents for helping me survive college. I'm also going to make it a point to pay mom's way through her Master's degree. She's given everything to me so there's no way I would walk away from the one thing she wants! While I'm at it, I'll help my parents with the small amount of debt they have.

3. I'll help my Uncle finish his house. He has been a really huge help to me the past few years and I'd do anything to pay him back for all that trust/support/help.

4. I will take my family on the vacation of a lifetime: All 7 continents! (My dream vacation would be to Antarctica, if I can't reach all 7 continents). But we won't go crazy. We'll bargain shop for hotels/tickets/meals/etc.

5. I will purchase lifetime memberships with SFA Alumni Association, UNH Alumni Association, and NIRSA. 3 communities filled with wonderful people that I care about.

6. I have a few bigger items that I'm in need of but haven't purchased yet: Bedroom furniture, a new laptop (My old one still works but is starting to fall apart. Not sure how much longer it will last. I want a MacBook Pro so badly!), and a diploma frame for my SFA diploma. I'll spread those out over the course of the next few months. I don't want to get greedy and lose all my money.

7. Charity: I will be donating in $10,000 increments to the following groups:
  • DZ Zeta Psi 
  • SFA Campus Rec’s scholarship fund
  • The SFA Alumni Association
  • UNH Campus Rec
  • Charity Water
  • Driving Jacks (They'll get a double or triple donation)
  • Moka's Dog Rescue
  • the Make a Wish Foundation
  • the Allen Eagle Escadrille
  • the NIRSA foundation 
  • The Team Mizzou Scholarship Fund
Each of these organizations has touched my heart in some way or another and I can't think of a better way to spend my money than helping others. I already give back as often as I can, but to be able to make a HUGE difference would be cool! (May I give graciously of what is mine! - DZ Creed)

8. The Breast Cancer 3 day. I'll sponsor myself and anyone else who wants to join me! I've always wanted to do this!

I'm not going to lie, I'll probably splurge and move to a one bedroom in Lincoln Park. But the rest of the money is going into savings and my retirement plan.

And I'm not quitting my job. Working with students makes my heart happy :)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Best Christmas Parade We Had Never Seen

This weekend, Megan and I decided to do the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights and Parade. We felt like it was a Chicago Experience we had to do at least once. Her parents and GF joined us and we had a BLAST! After the weekend ended, Megan's dad wrote this poem to commemorate our experience:
 
The Greatest Christmas Parade We Have Never Seen
In mid November in that town they call Chicago
There's a famous Christmas parade that thousands go to you know.
So Kathy and I packed up the Taurus.
And headed North to see Megan and company of course.
We used Siri on the I Phone as our directional goddess.
And wouldn't you know we got to Megan's crib in record time and not in Skokie and hopelessly lost.
It was good to see her and to meet Betsy from Kenosha, Wisconson
Max was stylin in his dogie hooded sweatshirt that was well done.
We made our plans to get downtown for the parade and the fireworks.
Living in Chicago, although windy, can still have it's perks.
So we all got together on November 17, 2012 in the year of our Lord.
Went to the red line station and on the "L" train we did board.
We all had our gloves and our hats and our mittens.
Hoping that we wouldn't with cold be smitten.
Got downtown after a few stops and our Christmas parade adventure was about to begin.
Megan got on the phone and got hold of her co-worker Kathryn.
Now it sure was a treat for me to be in the company of these four fine looking ladies.
We chose to walk to the parade instead of taking the Mercedes. (don't have one but it rhymes)
Everyone was feeling a little hungry so we hooked up some burgers and dogs and Mister J's.
When it was time to get a drink refill for 75 cents I said no f#@^ing way !
We followed it up with a Starbuck's stop and some warm delicious liquid treats.
I had to wait on the ladies awhile because there was a long line for the bathroom and only one seat.
What a great night out is was, quite warm for this time of the year.
The sun was setting in the west and the skies were clear.
We got down to Michigan Avenue and the crowd was beginning to form as a throng.
The further south we went it was clear that something was wrong.
All of the good spots were taken and the parade route was at least 5-10 people deep.
Kathy said "We should have got a hotel room" but I replied "It wouldn't have been cheap"
So we moved down the avenue like fish going up a crowded stream, people as far as could be seen.
Except we weren't salmon, more like sardines.
It took quite a while to go just a few blocks moving amongst the common folk and high rollers.
Trying to get to a good spot and not get run over by baby strollers.
Our goal was to get as far South on the Miracle Mile as we could to see the parade and the pyrotechnics.
But it soon became clear weren't gonna make it and we considered bailing out for drinks.
But we pressed on taking small steps as we moved as one with the crowd.
I bet the people in the front row on both sides of the street felt pretty proud.
Finally we just came to a stop, there was no possible way to advance or further go.
We chose to stand our ground at the intersection of Michigan and Ohio.
We huddled together as a group, vowing not to get separated or pushed out of our position.
But with a thousand parade wanna be viewers it was a difficult proposition.
The parade was coming we hoped because the sky had turned from blue to red to black.
Kathryn and Kathy held down the front, me in the middle, and Megan and Betsy had our back.
We stood our ground as we were pushed, shoved and generally moved around the sidewalk.
It was pretty clear we weren't going to see the parade so we might as well talk.
And then off in the distance we saw some spotlights and we knew we were soon going to have good parade viewing luck.
Then along came the Illuminating devices in a "light duty" truck.
( I was proud of that pun)
We looked across the street at the people in their apartments and rooms looking down on the parade with a heck of a view.
Because we were surrounded by many we weren't sure what we could do.
The little kids had the best look at the action from the tops of their Mom's and Dad's shoulders.
We might have seen better if we had some ladders or at least some big boulders.
The people around were generally funny and nice and not a bunch of jerks.
Except for that one bitch woman who said "get out of my way, I am late for work"
Now what kind of dumbass would choose that time to fight the crowd which wanted to linger ?
We will never know, the bitch just went on and shot Betsy the finger.
And now the parade was in full swing as displays and marching bands came along.
Although, however, we were 0-5 on them playing us a song.
Still, their drum cadence sounded pretty good and was kinda all of that.
The bad thing is were were so far back we could only see the top of their hats.
The first hot air balloon came by, it was Rudolph and we could clearly see him as he came by our spot and passed.
We all had a laugh as we saw the duct tape on his helium filled ass.
There were lots of Disney characters from Minnie to Micky to Goofy.
Although from our vantage point far away he kinda looked like Snoopy.
We continued by the crowd to be pushed, and shoved and probed like a proctologist.
When what we really needed was to have better vision and a visit from our oncologist.
Most of the people had manners, said "excuse me" or "sorry" they weren't to rude.
Although there was that one guy in front of Kathryn, that 6 foot four dude.
What else could we do there was no moving around.
Couldn't see the damn thing, most of it we experienced by sound.
I think we were there for quite a while, it was definitely over an hour.
Experiencing the parade on the Miracle Mile in front of Eddie Baurer's.
And then finally Santa came by, the traditional end of the parade and the end of our non viewing experience.
Pulled by a sleigh of twelve reindeer as down the avenue they went.
Now Katherine challenged my Santa reindeer knowledge, I said twelve and she said eight in a holler.
I felt confident in my memory and I bet her a dollar.
Then they shot off the fireworks and there were a bunch of them, quite loud.
We couldn't see them but we were impressed by the sound.
As the crowd dispersed we continued to hold our ground.
Hoping for at least one more unit or a band to come by but none was to be found.
So we headed west in search of a bar to get a drink, a beer, a stop for a pop.
Decided to hang out at the bar at the Rock Bottom Cafe's rooftop.
Ordered a round and we staked out a great spot away from the human rat race.
Put our feet up, started sipping and enjoying the fake fireplace.
We felt like we were on the top of the world, we had each other and our heart's desire.
Drinking with each other, telling stories, and being warmed by the fire.
We were kinda hungry after our walk and the parade so a couple of huge soft pretzels sounded pretty great.
But were were told the kitchen was behind and the roof top food closed at eight.
So we got back on the red line train and we began our journey north to home this time in Chicagoland.
The train was crowded, Kathy got a seat but the rest of us had to stand.
It took a while to get to our station because we had a lot of stops of course.
Eventually the crowd thinned out when we got to our station called Morse.
Having been shut out on pretzels we were ready for some dinner.
Based on prior experience Mama Leone's was the winner.
Awesome food, great atmosphere our waitress was amazing, our experience was the best of our choosing
I asked the waitress, Mary, to help settle my reindeer bet without losing.
Alas, she had to verify that there were eight and not a dozen, I was out of luck.
I manned up and paid Kathryn her buck.
As we said our goodbyes at the end of the night.
Although things didn't go according to plan we still got it right.
A special evening for the memory banks if you know what I mean.
It was The Best Christmas Parade We Had Never Seen !
a poem by
Steve Morris

Friday, November 2, 2012

Blessings

Last November, I decided to post once a day about how Thankful I was. I wasn't quite able to finish, but I'm going to try again this November.

  • Nov 1- I am thankful for my mother. I don't think she realizes how strong and beautiful she is. She's an inspiration to me and I hope to one day be even half the woman she is!
  • Nov 2- I am so thankful for my job. Last November I was struggling with a job that just wasn't for me. This year, I laugh every single day. I see when I make a difference. I have several mentors that I know I will be close with years from now. 
  • Nov 3 - I am thankful for the students I get to work with. I learn from them and in turn I get to see them learning/growing/succeeding!  One of the students I had the opportunity to mentor as an upperclassman at SFA just took the time to tell me how much I meant to her and that touched my heart. The Grad student we have here at Loyola is headed to NYC on Monday to help with Hurricane Sandy Relief. While I can take no credit for this, I am inspired by her!
  • November 4 - I am thankful for the little fur child of mine. She makes me laugh and gives me kisses and cuddles with me. She has a way of making me feel better when life sucks.
  • November 5 - I'm thankful that I have food in my belly. This week is Loyola's Hunger Week; the Loyola Community is doing all sorts of activities to raise funds for those who go without food. I might not eat the healthiest and I might not have steak every night, but I have never once in my life had to worry about my next meal.
  • November 6 - I am thankful that I have the right to vote! There are so many people out there in the world who don't have the right to vote or risk their lives to vote.
  • November 7 - I am thankful for productive days. They make me feel good about myself.
  • November 8 - I am thankful for Grey's Anatomy. Maybe this is a little silly BUT it brought me sister/mother/me together as well as a roommate and I closer together. And it makes my Thursdays! If it makes you happy, its worth being thankful for.
  • November 9 - I am thankful for Chicago. I really love living in this city. I do new things every day and meet new people almost as frequently!
  • November 10 - I am thankful for Saturdays. I really get to relax and catch up with my life on Saturdays. Plus, extra time to cuddle up with Ellie (who WOULDN'T want that?!).
  • November 11 - I am thankful for Christmas. It gives me an excuse to shop. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE when I can find a really awesome present for someone (Bonus points when it's on sale). Toons definitely has some Owl Nesting Dolls going under the tree this year.
  • November 12 - I am thankful for ways to give back to my community. My department adopted a family for Christmas and we are definitely fighting over who gets to buy what. I'm all about our 13 year old girl. Bring on the purse and PJ shopping!
  • November 13 - I am thankful for Tuesdays and Private Practice. I don't watch a lot of TV but between Grey's and PP, I always have something to get me through the week. I can handle Mondays because PP is on Tuesdays. I can handle Wednesdays bc Grey's is on Thursdays. And then it's Friday/the weekend.
  • November 14 - I am thankful for new friends; specifically, Sarah, who invited me and Megan over for dinner tonight. She even let Ellie come hang out, too!
  • November 15 - I am thankful for an awesome boss. Starbucks/chat time made my afternoon. Skinny Peppermint Mocha? Yes, please!
  • November 16 - I am thankful for Fridays. Leaving work on Friday afternoons always makes me feel a little bit lighter, a little bit less busy. And I love my job so that's saying something.
  • November 17 - I'm really thankful for the experiences I had today! I got to be a part of a huge parade in the middle of an even bigger city. Chicago, you did not disappoint me. The Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade was a bit like what I think the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade must be like.
  • November 18 - I am thankful for Post Secret. I'm amazed by how many lives are being changed through this blog. It definitely pushes me to think about big picture things.
  • November 19 - some days I struggle to find one thing to be thankful for; today, I have many! I am thankful for lunch (My boss treated me to Chipotle, yum!). I am thankful for opportunities to serve others. I took Ellie to a nursing home tonight to play. I was nervous and awkward but Ellie had no problem loving on the people there. And that brings me to my third thankful for: Ellie (yes, again) for showing me how to care for people regardless of any disabilities/ailments/age. She's a top notch dog.
  • November 20 - I am thankful for hot tea to calm me down.
  • November 21 - I am so very thankful to have a God who loves me without fail!
  • November 22 - I am thankful that the older I get, the better I get along with my cousins.
  • November 23 - I am so thankful for my second family, Cori, Caitlin, Jimmy, Andre, and Hank. You guys mean so much to me and I wish I got to see you more!
  • November 24 - I am thankful that I got to have a brother for 22 and a half years. This week really made me feel blessed. Some people never go to know Bry and all his fun but I got to have him as my brother! Nothing in the world could be better than that!
  • November 25 - I am thankful that my dad chose to go to work even earlier than normal so he could take me to the airport at 4 in the morning. He gave up his lunch to have an extra 45 minutes with me and I cherished those 45 minutes! They were filled with conversation about nothing important but they mean a lot.
  • November 26 - I am thankful that Ellie has so many people who love her, including my parents. They are taking care of her for 4 weeks and I miss her terribly. They're having fun fattening her up, cuddling, playing, and going on walks.
  • November 27 - I am thankful for the city I live in. Chicago is so full of life and it makes me happy.