2013 The Year of the Walrus

Happy New Year's Eve friends! 2013 will be over in a few hours, and I am ready to embark on a fresh 2014. This year provided so many wonderful things and also reminded me to be humble and grateful for what I have. It's hard to prepare yourself for the hard days or weeks, but if I remember anything in 2014 it will be this "Everyday may not be good, but there is something good in everyday". I wanted to recap some amazing moments this year, because even with the hard times, it was a blessed year!

• I graduated and gave a speech that was quoted in the paper, and had a picture of me and Dr. Citera submitted to the Bisbee paper! Woo-hoo! 
• I stopped working weekends! 
• I represented students at a tuition hearing and thanks to their amazing support and personal stories our small and humble campus was able to get out of paying an $80 fee that everyone else has to pay. The tuition was still increased but hey 80 bucks is pretty awesome for standing up and saying no to the increase
• Brandon and I were blessed with amazing travels to San Diego with my mom and step-dad, Seattle and Seabrook with his family, Kartchner Caverns with Josh, a beautiful day trip to Patagonia and Sonoita for my birthday, two trips to see my mom, and a full day trip to Willcox for pumpkins and wine! 
• Nova-Lynn our inherited niece was born and she is perfect in every way! 
• We paid off a big bill, and should be 100% debt free by summer 2014 
• Taylor, Lauren and Mariah all turned 21 and we haven't let St. Elmo's forget it!  
• April provided weekly Starbucks runs, countless "it will be okay" texts, and kept me on budget when I tried to convince her that I really needed three new nail polishes. (April, I need them!) :) 
• Our amazing friends Taylor and DJ got engaged <3
• I was blessed to have been supported by my amazing girlfriends, who I feel I have grown closer to this year. I hope that this growth continues next year and that I finally get my butt up to Phoenix to visit Christina! ;) 
• And finally Brandon reminded me that the one of best days of my life happened in 2013! I finally saw a WALRUS in person and it was seriously the best thing ever! (I keep thinking about doing a post to explain this....obsession. For now just understand that this is on the same level as meeting Gerard Butler) 

Thinking of these things remind me that with the hard times there is always so much good. I am so blessed to have such a loving family, an equally loving and patient fiance, and such caring (and fun) friends!!

Cheers to 2014 and the adventures that it will bring! 

i'm back in business!

Brandon took this picture at the Phoenix Zoo back in April, and the facial expression sums up the past few weeks!

 

SO! Three weeks ago I was working on homework at the dining room table, and showing Brandon some Christmas cards on minted. I was panicked and tense because I was working on homework and had too many deadlines in my near future. Oskar was on the table walking around and the next thing I see is his body knocking over my water glass onto my laptop!!  (Let me note that I NEVER have water near my computer, and the situation was doomed from the start) I panicked and pulled my computer up and we cleaned it quickly; it was acting fine until I went to work on it the next day and it wouldn't charge. I wasn't sure if it was the water or the fact that I had pulled it up quickly and thought I may have damaged the cord. 

Thankfully it was still under warranty, however the problem was that I still had papers and my internship to finish. I literally screamed so loud when I called Brandon to tell him the issue that he rushed home and was a total champ! So we sent my laptop to best buy and I was luckily able to use my grandpas laptop, but it wasn't the same. I didn't think his security was right and didn't want to enter any personal emails or anything. It was a frustrating three weeks, but I am back and happy to report that I am officially DONE!! I have my bachelors degree! I got an 'a' in my last class and superiors on my internship and independent studies! Everything always works out, and this month has been a reminder of that.

Another reminder I have been faced with is that once Thanksgiving hits, it's basically Christmas!  December flew by much quicker than I wanted it to! :( We celebrated my graduation (a post on that soon!) and Brandon's birthday recently, both being wonderful things that made the computer/finals situation easier to deal with; but the school situation didn't leave much time to get excited for the Holidays. Our tree is up and Brandon went super Griswold on the front porch, but most of our presents weren't purchased until we ran to target and the mall tonight. I'm excited for a Christmas when Brandon and I will be ahead and able to celebrate like the crazy Christmas/Thanksgiving lovers that we are!

A side note: if my computer ever decides to tragically die you can follow me on instagram and see what's happening there! alexisstarr

Thanks for reading!

Christmas Wishlist

Now that it is officially December, I thought I would share some items I've had my eye on and wouldn't mind seeing under the tree! 

 

1. Michael Kors iPhone Wallet  / 2. Every Day: A Five-Year Memory Book / 3. This quote as my next tattoo / 4. Kitchen Aid Mixer in Pistachio  / 5. Trip the Light Fantastic Shoes in Taupe / 6. Grand Canyon Winery Wine Club Membership / 7. Nexus 7 Tablet  / 8. Forevermark Center of My Universe Diamond Halo Earrings

Currently

My mom took this amazing picture when we went to Chicago last summer!

Reading: Nothing right now, but you better believe when the semester ends that these bad boys will be on my nightstand! one, two, three, and four. 

Listening To: Oral Histories on overload!! Only 8 days left and then I can start blaring Christmas music, and not have to worry about homework! (cue happy dance)

Watching: Duck Dynasty...why is this show so funny? Also watching a fair amount of Love it or List it, House Hunters, and Property Brothers, thank you cable!

Eating/Drinking: Still eating too much junk food, and drinking a lot of hot chocolate. Also Brandon and I have developed a strange obsession with strawberry ice cream. Not sure where it came from, but we can't get enough.

Getting Excited For: Alt Summit in January! Getting the weekly sponsor treat has been so much fun! Also getting excited for Graduation, it's only 15 days away and even though I already walked (planning a post on that) it will be a symbol of closure for me :)

Although I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude, the last few months have been difficult. Today is an important day, and it has been all I have been able to think about for the last few months. Hoping that tonight after class I will receive good news, and that the weight will be lifted.


Cyber Monday

Happy Cyber Monday! I've listed some of the fantastic deals going on, happy shopping!

Rifle Paper Co is offering 30% off the entire site with the code CYBER2013

Blossom and Vine is offering 40% off of prints, Christmas cards, and notecards and 25% off stamps! (no code required)

Mulberry Press Co is offering 30% off all items with the code 'weshopsmall'

Gussy Sews is offering 25% off with the code MONDAY25

Lindsay Letters is offering 20% off of everything with the code LLMON

Minted is offering 15% off and free shipping on Holiday cards with the code CYBER2013 and also 25% off on everything else with the code MON25

and last but not least

Stickygram is offering 25% off of magnets, phone cases, and iPad covers (no code required)

I hope you enjoy this and find something that you love! Run don't walk because all of these deals end today!