December 29th, 2011 (Day 363)

Today was a sad day! Everyone slept in and then we made a late lunch/early dinner for everyone to enjoy before our departure! I loved our up north trip and could have happily stayed longer. It was the best break from life, it was a busy/hard/long/stressful semester with a lot on my plate, so a nice getaway from everything was very appreciated!


It was snowing as we were packing up to leave, so of course we were dorks and went out on the deck and took some pictures!


My car was hilariously packed to the brim for the ride home. Annie and Corinne were so squished in the backseat.

After the drive home, Rachel was impatiently waiting for her fwends to come home! I hadn't seen her in like a week, and we all missed her up north, so it was very nice to come home and hang out with her! We had a silly night.

December 28th, 2011 (Day 362)

Today spent up north was so awesome! We all slept in, woke up and made a huge breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, etc. After we ate, some of us decided to go outside and explore. We went down to the lake and walked around the beach and then walked through some trails. Everything was so gorgeous and snowy and frozen! The sun was out and it was just a beautiful day!




Me and Annie exploring northern Michigan!


After our exploration, we did more drinking/smoking/eating, board games, Catchphrase, etc. I can't even put into words how it nice and warm and fuzzy feeling it is to be in a cabin up north in the woods, sitting around a fire, and with good friends!

We also had our memorable discussion on ghosts, paranormal things, and aliens. It was pretty spooky! I may or may not have cried. :P

December 27th, 2011 (Day 361)

Today was pretty fun! Annie, Corinne, and myself all headed up north late this morning/early afternoon. We had a slow start to getting on the road, but we were in no hurry. We stopped to have Panera for lunch and then drove up 75 to Great Lakes Crossing to do a couple of hours of outlet shopping! I got some awesome deals. After that slight detour, we headed up north!




The first night we just lounged in comfy clothes and hung out drinking, smoking, and eating by the fire!




Haha Laura aka the drinking champ.

December 26th, 2011 (Day 360)

Today I worked 11-7. It was a little crazy busy at the beginning of the shift but not bad towards the end. We were double staffed in preparation for being busy, so it was nice to actually work with someone (my sister!) and have someone to talk to! After work, we met up with Mupa at Brio to exchange Christmas presents and spend some time together!


We got him the new Lady Gaga CD (which he wanted). I love that he likes Lady Gaga!

After dinner Lauren and I went to the store to buy groceries/supplies for up north! We leave tomorrow! I am super pumped to get away from society and have a few days of R&R with close friends. Yay!

December 25th, 2011 (Day 359)

Christmas is here! I love Christmas. I woke up, took a shower, and then mom came over and we opened "Santa" (aka family) presents. I love that my mom can come over and spend the holidays with my dad even though they're divorced. They get each other presents and it isn't all weird typical awkward divorced parents situation!


The dogs got very excited about their stockings.


Mom (and dad) both loved their personalized photo calendars with silly pictures of our pups in them!


We went to Mina and Papa's house and opened presents with them and had a yummy late lunch/early dinner.


Then we went out to Mina Jan and Bob's house in Oxford and did the same!


Oh and I got my new LL Bean Boat & Tote bag! YAY!

I still can't believe Christmas has come and gone again! It seems surreal almost. It was a good couple days spent with loved ones!

December 24th, 2011 (Day 358)

Merry Christmas Eve! Today was busy. I was up at 5am and then worked 6am-2:30pm. After getting off work, I went straight home and took a shower and got ready for our traditional Koerber-Kinsley Christmas Eve gathering out in Grosse Pointe.

I always love getting together and spending the holidays with the family!


We opened presents


We were silly with the little cousins


Me and my godfather!

It was a really nice Christmas Eve. :)

December 23rd, 2011 (Day 357)

Lauren and I went out to lunch and did some last minute shopping (story of my life lately?). Then, later on, I did more last minute shopping with my dad! The high-light of my day was finding the wallet I had been coveting after online. It was sold out online and I found it in stores and on SALE! So, of course I had to buy it.



Here it is compared to my old one. They're the same brand. I've had the old one for over a year and have used it for a year straight. I really like it, but the lighter color fabrics have gotten dirty/worn. I thought this darker one might hold up a little better (the new one is on the right in these pics).

December 22nd, 2011 (Day 356)

Today was very nice! I slept in and took my time getting going before heading over to my mom's. We did a little last minute Christmas shopping. I got stuff for my dad's stocking and a few last minute presents/additions. We went to the Dollar Store, Target and Bath & Body Works. I got some good deals! We went back to my mom's house and wrapped some presents, and then I decided to be nice and go into work for a couple hours to help Lauren who was working alone and really busy.


Cutest babies at work! Chiffon got jealous that I was cuddling Rusty like a baby and wanted to get in on the loving. I felt like such an animal whisperer, so I had Lauren take our picture. Haha.

After work, Lauren and I worked on a special Christmas present. Annie came over and we decided to finally give in to our curiosity and go see the newest Twilight movie. Ohhhh lordy. So corny and cheesy! But I'm glad I saw it at the same time. As Annie says, we see these things for pop culture reasons, of course! :P

December 21st, 2011 (Day 355)

Another 2-7 shift today. We were CRAZY busy as it's leading up to the holidays. Holy crap, I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack. Lots of deep breathing! But I made it through my busy solo shift.


Annie stopped over after work and of course we painted our nails. Because that is what we do. The main color is one of the Essie colors Annie got me for Christmas with some cheap NYC sparkly stuff on top. I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out!


Then we loafed around, watched tv, and cuddled cute baby dogs!

December 20th, 2011 (Day 354)

Today I worked 2-7 and then we have a friend night! Annie decided to have everyone over her house for a little gathering. We talked, ate, drank, smoked, ate, hung out and then decided to head to a local bar for more drinking and hanging out. Everyone is home for the holidays.


Basically the only picture I took of the night. Everyone was feeling camera shy, apparently!

It was great catching up with friends! I also got my Christmas present from Annie...homemade soap, homemade cookies (NOM!) and 4 mini Essie bottles. Love it!

December 19th, 2011 (Day 353)

Today I had to go back to the ortho doc to have another x-ray done on my foot to make sure it is properly healing. It is! Yay. On my way out, I noticed this funny cartoon sign which made me laugh. (My doctor specializes in sports medicine/injuries as well, so it's appropriate!)

After the doctor, I enjoyed my day off. Annmarie and Fiona stopped over to visit. We also visited with Nancy. Later on Lauren and I ran to Meijer's for some things. Not a bad Monday! I definitely enjoyed being off (usually I'd be interning all day), so the break is nice!

December 18th, 2011 (Day 352)

I worked another full day at Safehaus today. One of the girls taught me how to make friendship bracelets. I love the campy vibe the house can have sometimes! Totally up my alley with doing arts and crafts! I think she felt special being able to teach ME how to do something too! It was a fun day.



When I got off work I went straightto Annie's. She bribed me with freshly baked cookies and it definitely worked! Look how warm and gooey!

December 17th, 2011 (Day 351)

Today I worked 8-5 at the AAC. I took the dogs with me so they could get groomed. My shift was really busy at work, I barely had time to even eat my lunch or pee. I guess that is fine, it makes the time go by fast at least! The dogs stayed with me the entire shift. They got to play in daycare while they weren't getting groomed.



We were all pooped when we got home! Bella could barely keep her eyes open. They look so cute and are so clean and soft after their first professional grooming!

Annie and Annmarie came over later to hang with me and Lauren and we had a nice little girls night! Watching tv, talking, feasting on cookies and delicious Lebanese food!

December 16th, 2011 (Day 350)

Today was my first day back working at Safehaus since over the summer! They had a period where they were really slow, and then I have been busy working my other job, school, and interning. Finally I was able to get some hours there. It was good to see the staff again and to meet some new kids during my shift! I will be back on Sunday to work another shift, and it should be the same 6 kids there again.


Bed check logs! For the last hour of my shift I have to sit and basically watch kids sleep and record their action every 15 minutes. It is always the most boring part of the day, and I am super grateful to have a smart phone to keep me entertained!

After work I decided to stop at Shelby's for a little bit. Mostly everyone from work had gone to the holiday party the owners were throwing but I had to miss out because of my other job. I stopped by and hung out with everyone for a little bit and it was fun!

December 15th, 2011 (Day 349)

Today was filled with the holiday spirit! I got the rest of my Christmas shopping done today with Annie. We went to Kohl's (I love Kohls, I get the best deals there!) and TJ Maxx. I also stopped at Target by myself. It is a relief to be done Christmas shopping! After shopping, I had to head straight to my internship Christmas party we were throwing for all the kids/families who are associated with the agency. My "task" at the party was to run the table of tattoos. It was popular with the kids, they all wanted their tattoos! This one little girl was so cute. She had like a tattoo sleeve going on, she kept wanting more and more!


The Childhelp interns took a nice photo with Santa. :P I really enjoy everyone at my internship and the agency itself does amazing things. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to intern there. After today, I'll have a couple week semester break off before returning to do another semester of interning there in 2012!

December 14th, 2011 (Day 348)

Today I had a very important meeting today at my internship, bright and early. It was basically an evaluation of my performance with my advisor for school and my internship supervisor. I was really nervous about it.


As I waited in the conference room, I noticed all the adorable toys every where. My internship sponsors foster kids through our agency for the holidays. The office is busting at the seams with donated toys, games, books, clothes, etc. all for kids. It makes me happy to see. I hope all these kids have the best Christmases as possible!

My evaluation/meeting went well, so that was a huge relief. I stayed for a couple hours to intern and get some things done. I called a million florists trying to get centerpiece flowers donated for an event we're doing next month. I got a florist shop owner to donate 10 centerpieces and felt very successful! Yay for kind people who are able to donate to good causes. :) After interning I basically had to go straight to work. It was a long day!

December 13th, 2011 (Day 347)

You know Christmas is coming when the holly cookies start being made! This is the one holiday "tradition" we try to carry on in the family. My great grandma used to make tons and tons of these cookies every Christmas, ever since my dad was a little kid. It was her tradition. And I always loved eating her cookies when I was little. Mom came over today and we made a bunch of holly cookies. :)

I had to leave and go to work, but when I came home later that night, there were holly cookies and sugar cookies galore! Not that I'm complaining. It wouldn't be Christmas without these little green delicious wreaths. ;)

December 12th, 2011 (Day 346)

I love Detroit. I notice something beautiful every time I'm there. I had to go downtown to work on a group project today. I parked by my old apartment. I walked down a couple streets I've walked down a million times before. This time, I just slowed down my pace and took everything in. I noticed things I had never noticed before.


I thought this house was especially charming.

After finishing up a group project (success! one step closer to finishing this semester!), I ordered carryout from one of my favorite restaurants in Midtown. I got red curry with chicken. It was so delicious. I miss my Detroit home. One day I will be back!

December 11th, 2011 (Day 345)

I had a thoroughly enjoyable day today! We celebrated Mina's birthday over at their house.


Mina's pretty birthday cake!

Annie stopped over later on. We watched a show about teenagers in the US who are subjected to sex trafficking. It was pretty deep and heartbreaking. Me, Lauren, and Annie decided we should one day open up a safe house to help rescue these young girls who are part of the sex trade in Detroit. After the show, Annie proposed we go to Tim Horton's for an Ice Capp, since she had a birthday gift card for Timmy's to spend!


We ended up driving around with our Ice Capps for 2 hours, aimlessly, looking at Christmas lights and listening to music. I had a wonderful night being extremely content and happy hanging out!

December 10th, 2011 (Day 344)

Today was a pretty busy day! I worked 8-5.


One of our clients at work decided to foster (and hopefully adopt) Rusty, the cute rescue poodle pup! He hung out with me for a little bit, being super cute cuddling with Chiffon! I love them both.

After work, I only was home for a little bit and got changed and ready to go to our annual neighborhood Christmas party!


White Plains Christmas Bash! I really love my neighbors. On our side of the block we have my neighbors on the corner- Scott/Jackie with their daughters Jenna & Jordyn, my family, and then on the other side of us, Ron (a super nice single ~50-60 year old man). Across the street we have- Geoff/Debbie with their sons Ian & Brendan, Chad/Rebecca with their daughters Natalie, Nicole, & Claire, and then of course Nancy with Alex & Karen. Our 6 households get along really well and I feel lucky to have such awesome neighbors on White Plains Drive. :p

After the neighbor party, we convinced Nancy to stop by Shelby's party (a girl we work with). She turned 21 at midnight. We were only there for an hour or so, but it was really good to see my co-workers outside of work...and even see some former co-workers I hadn't seen in a while! I was too drunk to remember to take any pics at Shelby's. Haha.

December 9th, 2011 (Day 343)

Christmas is coming! We did some shopping today and got wrapping supplies and also a new Christmas tree (semi dinky 6-foot prelit tree for $25). We had a good evening wrapping presents and setting up the new tree!


Oliver inspecting the new tree with presents under it (I only put the presents under the tree for this picture. I had to move them or else the naughty boy would take it upon himself to start unwrapping all the gifts..as I've learned from previous years!)

Later that night some of us went out to Waldenburg Bar to have some birthday drinks with Annie. I had never been before, but Annie likes it, and I learned why! It is just a local dive bar, nothing special, but the drinks were inexpensive and the atmosphere was very relaxed, which is what I like when I drink!


Happy birthday Annie!


Silly girls.

December 8th, 2011 (Day 342)

Happy 22nd birthday to my best friend, Annie!


Today I woke up (after sleeping in) and took a shower and got ready for work. I went into work an hour early, so 1-7. It wasn't a bad day at work. On my way home, I stopped at Kroger and bought supplies to make treats for Annie's birthday. I made some yummy sugar cookie bars. I think the recipe is a keeper! It made so much! I gave half the pan to Annie and saved half for Saturday, for Shelby, a friend from work's, birthday! After rushing home and making desserts...I went over to see the birthday girl. Annie, Jess, Annmarie, me, and Lauren were all there to just have a chill night at Annie's!


Birthday baby in the birthday beanie.


The funniest card Annie's mom bought to send to her sister in Colorado...


Ahaha!

December 7th, 2011 (Day 341)

Ugh, today I worked the dreaded 6:30am-2pm shift. I did not want to wake up so early, it was rough! Work was really busy and the shift went by quick, so that was good. I am home for a little bit now and then I have to go down to my internship for a meeting for a couple hours. I am ready to crawl into bed for the night though, haha!


Yesterday at work we got an owner surrender on a 3 month old toy poodle. I met him for the first time today. Isn't he adorable?! I'm sure he'll get adopted super quick-he is such a cutie pie!

December 6th, 2011 (Day 340)

I got my new iPhone 4s today as an early Christmas present!


I love it! It is so so cool and technology is amazing these days! I'm so happy with it! It made my day..which I needed after my day from hell yesterday.


I did some shopping with Annmarie and then met up with some classmates to work on a group project. Is this semester over yet?!

December 5th, 2011 (Day 339)

Today was a completely horrible awful day. Ugh. I have no other words to even describe it. :(


Two things that cheered me up 1. Rachel and Annie both visiting unannounced and 2. my dad leaving a sweet "quote" on the dry erase board in our kitchen.


My life is surrounded by awesome people! At least I know that..

December 4th, 2011 (Day 338)

Mina and Bob came over for a belated Thanksgiving family gather...which I like to call Italian Thanksgiving since we had pasta, meatballs, sausage, bread, and salad! It was nice to see them and have a family evening!


We got to Skype with Katie and Jake in Dallas, so that was really fun and cute. Jake is getting so big. He was so funny and silly over Skype! I love that little guy!

December 3rd, 2011 (Day 337)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...everywhere you go!


Today I worked from 8am-6pm, basically, which was exactly how I wanted to spend my Saturday...not! The Christmas decorations at work definitely improve my mood though. All the clients were commenting on our decorating skills, so it was nice!

After work I hung out with Annmarie. We got dinner (mmm, Wilflower!) and did a little shopping. We went back to my house where Rachel and Annie also joined us. It was a good Saturday night being silly and coming up with ridiculous "would you rather" scenarios!

December 2nd, 2011 (Day 336)

Low key Friday! I was happy to not have any early commitments.

In the evening, I babysat the 3 little girls across the street. I love that family!


Here are the two youngest girls, baby Claire is 18 months old and is at the cutest stage right now where she copies her big sisters! I thought it was so cute that Nicole was laying on the floor and Claire went up right next to her and laid the same way!

After the girls went to bed, Nancy came over and we watched Horrible Bosses together. I also started filling out my Christmas cards to send. I live such an exciting life, especially on Friday nights. ;)

December 1st, 2011 (Day 335)

Interning was good today! Really interesting. Today I did research and sent out lots of emails to local grocery stores/chains asking for sponsorship donations for the 5K run event we're doing in April to raise awareness for child abuse. I felt like I was making a difference in trying to get sponsors for this great event!

After interning, there was a plan in place to have a nice relaxing night with friends. It didn't go exactly as planned...when the dogs ran away AGAIN...and we had everyone out searching for those naughty puppies. We found Bella like 5 minutes later across the street, but it took us a good hour to find my baby boy, Oliver. We finally found him wet and dirty on our front lawn. He found his way home!


Did I mention he was wet and dirty? He needed a bath ASAP...here is the naughty monkey getting his bath.