Goodbye, 2008.

Hello 2009!

Not that I'm totally excited for this next year. Brandon leaves on January 9th, and he starts BOLC II on January 11th in Fort Benning, Georgia. That goes until February 28th, and then I visit for a week. On March 8th, he starts his Infantry Officer Basic Course, or IOBC or BOLC III, and that goes three months until June 8th. Then he has to go to Ranger School, which will start in July or August. Then he'll be home when he's done!! But that's like 9 to 10 months of him being away, with us not seeing each other that much.

Me, I have to finish school in May. Then I go to LDAC for a month to be assessed as a cadet. There I'll get commissioned. I won't find out my branch until October, so I have no clue what I'll do until then. Maybe find an easy job? Then I won't know when I'll do my training!!

So many unknowns... it's hard for my organized brain to comprehend.

2008 was an interesting year. I planned a wedding and got married June 1st. I turned 21 in April. We had a honeymoon in Mexico in June, and Brandon left for Fort Lewis for two months right afterwards. I worked two jobs that summer and got so exhausted because of it! I became an MS4 in ROTC and worked as the PAO. I got surgery on both my feet for my plantar fasciitis and am healing well. I wrote my senior thesis and had one of the best semester, in regards to grades, I've had in college (I got three A's and one A-, bleh). My nephew Grant was born on Valentine's Day, and my other nephew Blake turned two on November 3rd. Jessica went to college and Shannon moved to North Dakota. I went to Seattle for the first time.

There's so much more I just can't think!! We'll have to see what next year brings.

-Chantal-

Wait, weight?

I don't weigh that much. I really don't. I weigh between 130 and 135 nowadays. But it bugs me sometimes. I used to weigh 120, and I didn't sway much from that. Then I went up to 125. I was ok with that. Then I went up to 130. OK, I can live with that, I understand I'm getting old. But I've been hanging around at 135 for awhile now.

I figure it's because I haven't worked out a lot because of my surgery. But I've started to work out more in the last few months and my weight hasn't gone down. It bothers me to no end! I haven't changed how I eat, but that shouldn't make me gain weight? I don't know...

I really shouldn't obsess about my weight. I don't look big. I feel healthy (most days ;)), and I read all about how it's more important that you're healthy than thin. But it's the Army. They want me thin! I have to stay under a certain weight or they do a BMI on me. The military is obsessed with weight. It's kind of annoying and disheartening... I've even had one cadre member say that I had gained weight and looked fat. That's when I was 125. Way to wear down my existence, huh?

-Chantal-

Four Christmases

It's been such a busy week, we finally have some downtime today to clean, grocery shop, do the laundry, etc. I'm so glad!

Last Tuesday after work we headed to the in-laws because they are starting to move things into their new house. So we did that for hours! It was kind of fun, but there was a lot of stuff. 

Then Wednesday was Christmas Eve. Brandon's car is in the shop, so he has been driving mine. I guess it started shaking and driving weird on this day. It ended up being the spark plugs and coils (it was misfiring), which we fixed on Friday. But because of that, we had no car. So Brandon's dad came and picked us up and brought us to their house. We helped move a couple things, but we had to be at his grandparents house by 5, so we didn't get much done. We had dinner and hung out with his relatives (hm, kinda boring...), and then went back to his parents house and moved a bit more. Then we opened presents and chatted and had some fun!

Thursday was Christmas. Brandon and I woke up early (even though I didn't want to! haha), and opened our presents. I got him the first five Harry Potter books in hardcover, an RC Mustang, some clothes, a Michael Crichton book, a cocktail set and a cd case. He got me this computer!! I got the MacBook that I've been wanting for months. He's so perfect. :)

Then we headed to my mom's house for Christmas dinner. We brought our Rock Band game and played that for a long time! The funniest part of the night was when Jenny's boyfriend Dave took a percoset and was only eating green foods in "powers of three." It's hard to describe, it was hilarious. We opened presents before dinner. We got some great stuff! The best stuff was the kitchen things we got that we needed.

Friday we fixed my car and then went to the mall with Jessica, Jenny and my mom. We dropped the car off to get an oil change too. The mall was fun, we mostly just walked around. When the car was done a couple hours later, we drove to Monument and picked Jessica up because she was going to spend the night. That night we watched I Am Legend and Juno, and played Rock Band.

Saturday we played more games before going to my dad's for the last Christmas dinner. There we had stir fry, had some cheese appetizers, and played Trivial Pursuit. My dad and stepmom got drunk, as usual, which is kind of uncomfortable. But what can you do? Dave was at this dinner too, the first time he met my dad. What a great impression he got, I bet!

And now it's Sunday. I need to update this blog more so I'm not playing catch-up constantly.

<3>

Long Weekend

Friday: We had a Hail and Farewell/Christmas party at the LtCol's house this night. It was fun! It was a potluck dinner, so there was a variety of awesome food. We had a white elephant gift exchange too - we brought a Holiday Five Pack - and we got a beer mug and a laser pointer pen. Then everyone got drunk (save me, being the DD), we played Rock Band on his huge projection screen TV, ping pong, chatted... it was a good night, if not awkward for me, being a cadet at a cadre party!

Saturday: We had to get up early for the commissioning ceremony. It started at 10am and 4 cadets became 2LT's, which is pretty cool. Then we hung out for the afternoon, because Brandon felt sick, and watched a movie. Later that evening was a party at Judy's house. We played beer pong and ate pizza, though I didn't drink again because I was driving!

Sunday: Today was my grocery shopping and laundry day. So that's what I did! We really just hung out for the day, watched a movie, cleaned, played games, etc. It was our day to relax and recuperate.

Monday: We hung out with Jessica all day! It was the best day out of all four. We picked Jessica up after dropping the Mustang at the dealership. Then we brought her to our house, ate some Brie and crackers, then went on a hike up to the Austin Bluffs rock (I know it has a name, I don't know what it is though...). Then we loaded Sims2 on Brandon's computer, so me and Jess could play in the same room! Afterwards, we went to get Rock Band from a guy off Craigslist that we traded for Brandon's paintball gear. We totally rocked on Rock Band for hours until I had to drive Jessica home!

It was a good weekend. I can't until Christmas!! 2 more days!

<3 Chantal

Accidents

In the last 3 or 4 days, Brandon and I have seen an accident every day. We saw one yesterday right in front of us. Today, Brandon just texted me and said he saw one happen. Others happened too. I can't believe it! I'm a big superstitious person, so now I'm real worried to drive anywhere. They were all just fender benders - I'm sure the worst thing that happened was some whiplash - but still, it's worrisome. I don't want our cars destroyed! Or, of course, us injured. Especially since Brandon leaves in less than 3 weeks. We have to watch out now!

<3 Chantal

Attacking Winter

The Colonel says that: You've got to attack winter.

And so we did.

We've been so cold in our apartment every day since the weather turned. We know it's because of our windows. We can feel the air coming in, see the blinds moving, and know that's where the cold is coming. So finally I got an idea! Justin at work told me about these insulating window coverings that shrink-wrap your windows. So we bought them (very cheap, btw), and went to work.

It was tough because our windows are shaped weird and have random parts sticking out. We both kept our patience, because we get frustrated easy with things and with each other, and got to it. About an hour later and two windows down, we were done! I feel warmer already.

On another note, I've been horribly lazy. My body is working fine, my mind isn't. We finally went to work out this morning and boy, was it bad. I ran a quarter of a mile in 2.05 minutes, which is good, but couldn't breathe afterwards! I finished the half mile but had to stop. My lungs were closing, lol. My half mile was 4.55min :(.

Goal for me: Half mile under 4min, mile under 8min, by January 20th. Can I do it? No more laziness!!

<3 Chantal

Early Resolutions

I've been thinking the last couple days about my New Year's resolution. I could only come up with two very attainable and sustainable ones: Read more, write more.

Reading: Read more for school (yeah, I say that every semester, but I have hope!) and read more books that I want to read too.
Writing: Write more for school (like try harder...), write more on my blogs, write more on my stories.

I had a goal at the beginning of this past semester. I told Brandon, "If I write so-and-so amount of pages a day/week, I can finish a book by next May!" Brandon responds with, "Awesome!" Well, I have written close to no pages... I have a myriad of excuses, but it all boils down to distractions. There's always something better to do! Yet I'm constantly thinking of my stories and different plot ideas... I just won't write them down! So writing is a good plan.

Blogs are good too. Brandon leaves in 3 weeks and 1 day for about 9 months, so I thought for a New Year's Resolution that working on my blog would be a good idea. I'll be able to talk to him a lot, but I'll still be alone at home without anyone to tell my random thoughts to. Now it's my blog. And it's a good way to think through things as well.

I was going to start this on January 1st of the new year, mostly because my OCD loves having things start orderly! But I'm breaking it (also I couldn't stop thinking about it, maybe I'm giving in to my OCD?), and starting today.

I decided to not have the titles as dates anymore. That's in my blog anyway. Now the titles will have more descriptive... titles? I think I'm done typing for now. ;)

<3 Chantal

July 29th, 2008

I don't know what I want to do with my life anymore! I came to college thinking I wanted a career in the military. That changed fairly quickly... now I just want to do my time and finish it up. I don't even know if I want to go active Army, I'll probably do reserves if I can.

But if I do reserves, I don't know what I'll do! If I'm not active reserves, what would I do with that extra time? I want to get my master's, but I don't know if we can afford that. And I especially don't want to end up in a dead end job. I don't want to work these part time jobs anymore once I'm done with college.

I've always said I wanted to be a writer, but I just can't seem to get the drive to do it. I love writing, don't get me wrong. But I just can't get started. My mind starts thinking of my stories, and how I don't have the same confidence in them as I once had. I know they're great and people will want to hear them. But what if they don't?

I was thinking of maybe being a teacher. After working day camp, I enjoy it alot. Of course, I'd want to teach high school, not elementary. I think I could do that though. And have the summers and breaks off to be with my kids would be pretty awesome.

I want to start a family in a few years with Brandon. He wants me to stay at home with the kids, and probably forever. That kind of bothers me. I know I want to stay at home for the first couple years, but I don't want to be a stay at home mom and wife for the rest of my life. Unless, of course, I work on my writing more. Then I won't have an office, I'll work from home!

Oh, I don't know what to do anymore...

July 23rd, 2008

20 more days until I see Brandon!! It feels much sooner when I count days... "a little under 3 weeks" sounds so long from now! I'm soooo excited. I can't wait to see my boy. :)

I'm kind of mad at my UC job... just because of circumstances out of my control! I have to work every single weekend until basically September, except of course for my trip to Seattle. It doesn't upset me TOO much because I'm getting lots of hours and money. But still! I had planned some things and now it's crashing down, and I have to rearrange. And I'm worried that I'll get scheduled on a Sunday randomly and have to work 7 days or more! And working 45 hours+ with both my jobs combined makes me tired...

I'm tired right now! And I only worked an hour and a half today! Oh... I'm so tired. :( I need a break!

July 20th, 2008

Brandon has now been gone for 4 weeks and 1 day! Basically a month. It's been difficult, but it feels easier as time goes on. I suppose you just get used to it! The first couple weeks were the hardest. We've gotten into a routine now though. Ever since he got his laptop, life without him at home has improved! He has a webcam, I have a webcam, we get to "see" each other almost every night. We talk on IM alot, and on the phone as much as possible. Of course, we text ALL the time. The key to being apart is constant communication!

I get to see him in a little over 3 weeks. Since we bought the plane ticket to Seattle, I've just been so excited. We've been planning what we'll be doing! Of course, we have to see the Space Needle and the Pike Place Market. I'm excited about those two! And there's also a cool looking underground tour of Seattle. Definately going to that. And we're also going to Chipotle (lol), because Brandon wants some and there is only one Chipotle in Seattle! Haha.

The weeks pass quickly! I have a routine down. My work schedule changes, but nothing else changes much. Tuesday and Friday are Netflix movie nights. Jessica comes over those nights and watches movies with me. She's been great company during Brandon's absence! Monday nights Jon & Kate Plus 8 has a new episode. I've become addicted to that show. And on Tuesday's is the new show "Secret Life of an American Teenager". I like that show. The acting isn't the best, and it's kinda corny, but I'm hooked...

Otherwise, I play Sims2 alot! I got some new EP's for that and I've been playing like mad. I've had the same family for a year, I'm on generation 14 I think. It's addicting as well. I love my Sims!

Life has been treating me alright. There are some ups and downs, but I take every day as it is.

July 14th, 2008

I hate you kind of people. I used to be one of you. Speeding down the highway like you own it. Glaring at people who are going 5 or 10mph over the speed limit because they're in your way. Don't you know how dangerous it is? Don't you know you aren't getting anywhere any faster?

Maybe you like to feel how fast your minivan goes.

I understand, it feels great to speed. I get that. I was like that. I got my license at 18. In the next two years, I had been pulled over 6 times, gotten 4 tickets and had to take an "Alive at 25" class. Don't think that if you're over 25, you're home free. They have an "Alive at 50" class too. I saw people being sentenced to that horrible fate when I learned I had to take my class. That's ok, though, because I didn't get any points off my license.

I've been pulled over twice on the highway. It was rough. I was driving quick, listening to great music, enjoying my quick 1987 Acura Integra. Wind in my hair. Every time I've been pulled over, I was going 10 to 20 over the speed limit. I've changed my ways. I cheat sometimes, I know, I'm not perfect... but I try to stay only 5mph over or less. I try to be good.

When the highway changes from 75mph to 60mph then to 55mph, it does not mean continue going 75mph. It does not even mean speed up! It means slow down. I try to do that. Yeah, sometimes it's hard to do. I went into the left lane. That means I'm going slow. Don't come up on my ass and moved from side to side. Don't raise your hands up in frustration. Don't even go around me. That pisses me off too. Slow down.

When and if you do go around me, don't speed up to 100mph just to show me how fast that white 1999 minivan of yours goes. You have kids in the car, seriously. Not only is it unsafe, can you imagine how much they will make fun of you for getting pulled over?

And then there's the look the driver gives you. I do it too. But I give it to people who are going 30mph in a 45 zone. That's just crazy. No, don't give me that glare when you're passing me at 100mph like I'm hindering your progress down the road. I'm sorry for going the speed limit. Wait, I'm not. You're a dumbass. Keep your freakin' eyes on the road. Sorry for the harsh words. I want to be nice to you.

You drive quick, whatever works for you. Minivans rarely get pulled over. It just amazes me how many soccer moms speed in those cars. Amazing.

July 13th, 2008

I need to write more. Not just blogs, but in general. I want to be a writer, but I just can't get to it! So hopefully I can stop telling myself how much I need to write and just do it!

I got married June 1st. Beautiful day, beautiful ceremony and reception, beautiful people! We had everyone we wanted there and everyone had a wonderful time. I can't complain about anything. My hairdresser was even late! But that doesn't even matter to me, oddly enough. I was so relaxed and laid-back you wouldn't have recognized me. And of course, I married the love of my life! I love Brandon so much, and I'm amazed at how, well, amazing he is sometimes. He can put up with me like no other can and I'm so thankful to have him by my side for the rest of my life. I can't wait for our adventures!

He left on June 20th for Fort Lewis for the summer. He's on the PT committee at LDAC. Last night I bought a plane ticket for August 12th to see him! It'll be at the end of his time there, and then either the 17th or 18th we're driving back in his Mustang. It'll be so much fun! Like a cool roadtrip. And a great way to end a kinda gloomy summer. We haven't had a full summer together ever. We're always apart! Even next year we will be. But I wait for him. :)

Then school starts. I have my senior thesis this semester... what should I do it on? I was thinking how popular culture changed in the face of the Vietnam war. Maybe! :)

And next year will be interesting. We'll be apart for most of it... but that's the Army, right? We'll make time for each other, on the weeks we can. What can we do, right? Right now we're slated to be stationed at Fort Carson, but that might change if Brandon gets aviation like he wants! But if we stay here, we're going to buy a townhome and begin a cool life as a married couple! Maybe get a puppy...?

March 15th, 2008

Today is Saturday. I'm at work right now, and have basically nothing to do for the 6 hours I'm here. I saw a friend start a blogspot account, and thought I might as well. I don't know if I'm going to tell anybody right now about it, except my fiance Brandon.

I stopped using Myspace and Facebook isn't conducive to blogs. You write them and EVERYONE sees, ya know? I do love Facebook though. Lots of games. ;) It passes the time at work.

I need a more creative title for my blog, but I can't really think of anything. Maybe I'll use the one I used for my Myspace: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." Good title.

I think I'm going to start watching Sex and the City. It looks interesting. I can get the stuff free online through freetvonline.com. I love that site! When I miss shows, I can watch them ALL there. It's really wonderful.

To speak of other things... I'm really mad at my mother right now. My car broke down a year and a half ago and she gave me her car to drive until I graduate. Then she tells me she's giving my car to my sister in August when she goes to BYU in Utah. That's at LEAST a semester before I graduate, if I still follow my plan of graduating in December 2008. Then she calls earlier this week when I'm already stressed out, saying her and my stepdad's car is broken and they want to take back her car right away. I was like "What am I going to drive now?" They told me to ask Brandon. Brandon just bought a new car, but he wants to sell his old one before it craps out and costs more money then he has. So they all expect Brandon to give me his car. I'm torn between two people, Brandon and my mom. On one hand, I'd like Brandon to give me his car because of the problems with these cars were facing. On the other, I want my mom to honour her word.

More details to follow, I'm gonna go now. See ya.