List of Today’s Events

1.Hurricane Alex Made Landfall: Yay! Bring on the rain!! I fully expect tomorrow to be as wet as the weather people keep saying it will be. I’m ready to feel so alive – which is how I feel when it rains. Most people get sleepy (which I do as well, from time to time) but for me, I get energized. It makes me feel like I need to go do something. It makes me so happy!

2.Test Conflict Freakout: Yeah, so tomorrow night I was to have two midterms, one at 6pm and the other at 8pm. Or so I thought. I was double checking as I was making my study guides this afternoon, and there it was in big bold letters. Both exams are scheduled for 6pm and all conflict requests were due a week ago. Yeah, not a great feeling. So I’ve been emailing frantically and have come to the solution of taking one exam tomorrow morning at 9am and the other at the regularly scheduled 6pm. This is not the greatest situation because I have a class across campus at 10am that I cannot be late to. However, it beats getting a grade of “0” on one of the exams. Phew. Now I have to study AND wake up early tomorrow!

3.Paper Bananza!: I wrote a 1500 word essay tonight in an hour and a half. Go ahead, you can applause. Granted, I did work out the structure, textual evidence to be used, and introduction earlier this week. But small victories are still victories nonetheless.

4.I Ate at Fuego Again: Go ahead and judge me. Tabitha even liked it! See previous post for details.

5.Tomorrow Starts July: This means from now on, I can tell people I’m getting married in June instead of next summer or June 2011. No more extra words. Cut and dry. The next time it is June, it’ll be wedding month!

6.I Miss Phillip A Whole Lot: Enough said. :(

The Extraordinary Adventures of Fuego and Ash

 

Yes, I am now considering changing the title of this blog. Move over Phillip, crazy good tacos are taking over! Don’t worry, I’m totally kidding.

But any who, about this new find of mine. One of my bosses has been raving about this place since I started working with her. She has gone to lunch there twice and had only good things to say. So I finally decided to try it out this afternoon. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed one bit.

I ate a carnitas taco on a fluffy corn tortilla with a side of spicy “street rice”. The magic cookie my boss has been raving about made it into my to-go bag as well. They messed up my order accidentally, so I was also able to try their carne guisada taco.

The toppings bar had an array of things to choose from. I took some sour cream, a bit of grilled veggies, and some yummy cucumber cilantro salad. I was surprised I liked that last one.

This meal was beyond delicious and they will certainly see me again some time soon. The food was no more pricey than a trip to chickfila or pita pit and was so worth every penny. I am stuffed but still feeling good.

Things I still need to try at Fuego: breakfast burritos, poblano pepper queso, fish tacos, an array of salads, and spicy refried beans

Working The Day Away

At the office right now with hardly anything to do, which has pretty much been the story all day today. I contemplated starting my english paper that needs to be finished by Thursday, but I quickly tossed that option out the window.

So I've been surfing facebook/twitter, putting together a few health facts, and looking at wedding stuff (my go-to when I am bored). What am I going to do when there's nothing else to plan? I don't even want to start pondering this question...

Now I sit to update the blog with... nothing. Yeah, today has been pretty relaxed. This morning I woke up and have been feeling the residual effects of waking up too early yesterday morning to return to College Station. I presented my 10-minute plan-of-attack of my previously mentioned english paper [side note: my professor is officially the worst one I've ever had]. I also had a lackluster lunch that left me wanting more. Therefore, tonight's mission is to find a tastier recipe that will leave me wanting more and not simply finishing for the sake of my nutritional needs. And now I'm at work - bored out of my mind.

There is a bright side though... at least I have company in the office I'm stationed at now.

REVAMP

So I’ve decided to overhaul the blog. It’s about time I changed up the theme and take on a new style. I’ve been getting tired of the old stuff and needed a change of scenery.

I must also tell you of some of the other changes. Yes, this blog is still about Phillip and me, but I’ve decided that I’m going to write more about me and my life. This is kind of what I’ve started doing anyway, I just thought I’d state it explicitly so you don’t think to yourself, “Hey, I thought this blog was about BOTH of you!”

I’m going to be posting many more entries now too. I know I’ve had weeks where I update every day, and times when I don’t post very often. But now, I’m going to make this a priority so all of you can stay in the loop.

Home for Manda!

That’s right, I’m unexpectedly home another weekend. I know, I know, I’m coming in town next weekend too, but this time it’s to help a friend move. I’m not ready for her to leave the area, but I’m happy to help out anyway I can.

So when will you two start having babies?

I’ve been getting this kind of question more often that I realized. Usually when people find out I’m engaged, they ask questions in this order:

“Oh my gosh! When are you getting married?”

“How’s the planning going so far?”

“When are you guys going to have kids?”

I can assure you that at this point, babies are far from our plans. We’re just trying to get through getting married! I know typically this is the flow of events: engagement, marriage, house, babies. But with us, we want to wait a little while.

Don’t get me wrong, my biological clock is warning me that it’s nearing that time but I can hit snooze for at least a few more years. I want children, and I want them as soon as the timing is right. I would love for Phillip and I to magically have consistent careers with plush salaries, a house given to us, and stability – all right when we say “I do.” But I’m not thinking that’s going to happen.

There is nothing I want more than to instantly have a baby and hand a wonderful grandchild over to the wonderful parents Phillip and I have. That day will be one I will remember forever. But right now, we’re just not ready to take that step, despite everyone’s inquiries. Therefore, we will wait.

The magic number seems to be three. Three is the number of kids I we want and three is the number of years we want to wait before starting a family. Three years would give us plenty of time to finish our post-college education ventures (ie graduate/nursing school), find stable jobs, and possibly buy a house. It’s the perfect amount of married time to have together before throwing a “plus one” into the mix.

We’ll see. I mean, they always say that when you tell God your plan that he laughs and overrides it with His. Like I said, we’re focusing on the not-so baby step of marriage before diving into babies and houses. After all, we’re still quite young to even be getting married by today’s standards. We have plenty of time. I know, it’s weird that I of all people am saying that.

Welcome Back, Boredom!

So yes, it seems like my old friend, boredom, is back to haunt me. This week I’m pretty thankful to not have homework every night – the first time all semester – but there’s nothing to do around here. Almost everyone is gone, so I must find my own entertainment. Cue television marathons.

Relaxing Saturday

Phillip’s in town again and I am just loving yet another lazy Saturday where we get to play married couple. So far I’ve had a cup of coffee, he’s watched a soccer game, and now we’re watching Teen Witch on abc Family (that’s right, kickin it old school). I can definitely see us doing this every Saturday for the rest of our lives, though possibly with some actually errands thrown in there.

This week some good news came to my attention! One of my best friends (and bridesmaids) is pregnant!!! Yay!! She hasn’t gone to the doctor yet, so we don’t know specifics, but I am so excited for her! It’s a fairly decent time and I know she and her husband are ready for this great adventure! And this is a perfect “baby fix” so I don’t have to be tempted to have a honeymoon baby. :-P

Pretty much, life is good and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me!

90 days until I get my Aggie Ring!

182 days until I graduate!

350-364 days until Phillip and I are married!

My Fightin’ Texas Aggie Ring!!

That’s right guys, I ordered my ring on Monday!! It was $453!! It seems like a lot but when you compare it to the guys’ that start at $900, they were practically paying me to order it. I put my full name inside: “Ashley Nicole Galloway”. It’s also natural and not antiqued like the photo above displays. I also decided against the diamond for now. And an extra side note, mine will have an “11” instead of the “10” in the picture.

Ring day is September 17, 2010 at the Former Students building on campus. I won’t know my time until the week before, but I’m trying for a time slot that not many are racing for (ie most people want the earliest or latest times, while I want one kind of in the middle).

I am so excited!! My parents, siblings, Phillip, and his parents will be joining us for sure, with the possibility of more coming as well.

Friday I will get my ring and we will have dinner, then Saturday I’m planning on a Campus mini-tour, given by me, and a wine tasting at Mesina Hoff in Bryan. Laynes will, of course, be mixed in there somewhere too. But the big event is my ring dunking!

What is a ring dunk you ask? Well, it’s a tradition (go figure) in which the ring is “christened” in an alcoholic beverage to make it officially yours. The drink is poured, the ring is dropped in the bottom, and you must consume the entire container to reach the bottom and get to your ring. I am leaning toward a glass of champagne to keep it classy. However, wine at Mesina Hoff is certainly not out of the question either.

Yay for aggie rings and yay for being that much closer to graduation!! (6 months and 2 days!)

Not Ready to Go Back

Yeah, I know, I know, I have a post about this just about every time I come home for any period of time. But it’s still true today as much as it is any other time I have to head back to College Station.

We got a lot done this weekend for Samantha’s wedding – and a few clarification of ideas for mine. I’m ready for her to get married and be happy. Plus I get to do all of the window shopping while she’s doing the real thing.

I had a pretty good weekend and am not ready to leave. It’s 6 months and 5 days until I no longer have to leave. Let the countdown begin…

Home Sweet Home

I’m back in Bedford for a short stay this weekend. I was lucky enough to catch a ride with Cody so I didn’t have to drive.

I love coming home to all of the familiarity. The places, the people, the smells, the feeling in the air, it’s all so warm and inviting. When I come here, I feel like I belong and it’s the right place for me to be. I can’t wait to get back here for good and start my life with Phillip.

The Day I Almost Called Noah

Yes, today was quite the flooding experience. I woke up to a very dark room that made me want to roll over and not go to class. However, the little voice inside my head made me get up and go to class.

I ventured out in the pouring rain, not by choice. I trudged to the car, got soaking wet, and drove to class. Leaving the complex was more difficult that I had anticipated. You see, the rain had already accumulated on the roads. Let’s put it this way: I couldn’t see the prominent speed bumps usually spotted a mile away.

Driving to class was pretty scary. I mistakenly drove in the right hand lane where Lake Texas A&M decided to overflow (*Note: There isn’t really a “Lake Texas A&M”. I simply devised that title to be funny and make a point.) and quickly regretted my decision. I was having a hard time navigating through the water, going less than 15mph. Water was flying everywhere just like the cars on the news they show so you know what not to do. Yeah, totally me this morning.

Tabitha didn’t make it out of the apartment complex this morning. She tried to drive through Lake Woodlands (*Note: this is another made-up title for comedic effect.) but was suddenly in over her head, so to speak, where her car shut itself off from too much water. Therefore, she pulled into a parking space and had to take the bus to class. Miserable.

So it rained. And it rained. And it rained some more. This wasn’t the typical College Station rainy day, mind you. Usually it’ll rain all day at a steady pace, sometimes reaching hard raid status and sometimes calming down to a glorified sprinkle. But today, it poured for over 8 hours straight. There was even thunder accompanying this batch. Official rain totals came in at about 5 inches. Whoa.

 

Full-Blown Wedding Planning

Wow. Ever since the potential one-year mark passed, it seems like all of a sudden someone flipped a switch and wedding planning has begun. I know I’ve talked about things here and there fore the past 9 months, but now it’s like all of a sudden we’re past the point of no return.

We officially have the most adorable flower girl in the entire world now. I can’t believe I waited this long, but I finally called my cousin to ask if his daughter would do us the honor. She’s going to be the cutest flower girl you have ever seen, trust me.

I made wedding dress appointments. I have three appointments all in July and two places that don’t require appointments. It’s going to be crazy, with engagement pictures thrown in the middle of that. Plus, throw the Fort Worth Bridal show in there too. How exciting and chaotic!!

Now we’re going and decisions are really starting to be made. Being a year out means that people take you more seriously and prices can be more accurately estimated. It means we can now get the ball rolling and not let it stop until wedding day.

It’s all going to start going by so fast! I need to hold on and enjoy the ride! :)

One Year to Go?

Today marks the one year mark for the first of Phillip and I’s possible wedding dates. Yes, one year from this exact moment, I could be cutting my wedding cake with my new husband. Oh it’s just so overwhelming! There’s so much left to do!
I did decide on a day to go wedding dress shopping! Yes!!! I will be venturing out on July 17th after a breakfast with all those joining me. I can’t wait! It’s going to be a huge deal and I can’t wait to make the day really special. After all, you only get to start your wedding dress shopping once. :]
Tomorrow I make appointments at a couple of places. I’ll keep you posted.
365, 372, or 379 days left! Let the “lasts” of singlehood begin! :D

Worst. Summer. Ever.

Okay, I know that title is a little dramatic (when am I not dramatic) but seriously, this summer is off to a pretty rough and gloomy start. I don’t even think I can call it summer with how crammed it’s been. It sucks so far. Reasons:

1. I have yet to enjoy a sunny day. I am cooped up inside two rooms with no windows all day long.

2. Summer school and work are running my life. I have class from 10:00 to 11:35, then work from 12:00 to 4:00. After that, it’s home to complete my assignments for my earlier class and my two online classes. By the time that’s all done and I’ve eaten dinner, it’s time for bed.

3. So many people have gone home for the summer. Don’t get me wrong, I loooooove hanging out with my roommate a whole lot (we’ve gotten to spend so much time together lately and that makes me really happy!), but when she’s busy, I have no one to hang out with.

4. Financial problems are still ruining my life. My financial aid refund should have been issued on May 28th but hasn’t even showed up in my account yet. The financial aid lady was so rude and matter-of-fact when she said there was nothing they could do and I’d have to wait until at least this coming weekend. I get paid on Friday which is nice, but it’s going to be slim pickings until that big check comes in.

5. Manda is moving away soon. I love her so much and when I’m home I won’t get to see her whenever I want to. I’m afraid she’ll forget about me while venturing out into this fantastic opportunity. :-/

6. It’s only going to get worse. Once summer session II roles around, my class and work schedule will expand even more. I will go to class from 8:00 to 1:35 and work from 2:00 to 5:00. Oh and I’ll still be in the window-less rooms all day long.

7. I don’t get to see Phillip until at least June 18th. Enough said.