Hitting the Ground Running

Jacey and I arrived back in Dallas late Sunday night from an awesome, but too short, weekend trip to St. Louis. It was so great getting to see all of my family...but in the same breath gets me down a bit. We miss out on so much by not living close. I look at my Omi & Opi for example; amazing grandparents...cannot express to you how amazing they are...and when I talk to my Opi and say 'goodbye' to him all I can think of is how I wish our relationship was so much more. So yesterday I was a bit down; just thinking about all of my amazing family and how I wish our relationships could be so much more. So needless to say I wasn't very productive yesterday. Which means I REALLY need to get my butt in gear today to make up for yesterday!

I started the morning off with a nice 2.75 mile walk with Zeus. Last month officially marked the end of his so-called 'puppy phase', and it is incredible to see the difference in him! In the past I dreaded taking him for walks. By the end my right arm felt like it was pulled out of the socket, my hands had rope burn from the leash and my throat was so sore from 'bahhhh-ing' at him. Today though...completely different Zeus. He stayed right by my side and just walked like a normal dog. It is so nice! I also feel so secure when I walk with him...I think you would have to be a complete idiot to approach me when I have Zeus by my side; he is a pretty intimidating dog!

Today I need to work on some client DVD's and get them delivered and do a TON of homework. Speaking of homework/school...I am REALLY enjoying it so far! I had a big test last week in my Photographic Science class and I not only got the highest grade in the class, but also busted the curve (I wasn't too popular after that). She gave us our 5 week grades this far and I am making a 98 in there right now! My other classes are great as well; but they are the more labor intense classes-just a lot of work right now. But, I know it is all worth it! I am on track to graduate May 2010 with my Associate's in Commerical Photography. BUT, I fully intend to take more classes even after I have my Associate's. CCCC offers so many photography classes, and only a portion of them are required for my degree...so I would like to go ahead and take all of the other ones as well (even if they don't count towards anything).

After this semseter I am certainly going to need a break...and that is exactly what I am getting! Steven and I just booked a 5 day/4 night trip to Las Vegas for my Birthday! We are going to be staying at the Bellagio...waterview room! AND, to top it off, UFC 100 is that weekend and GSP is fighting! As soon as tickets go on sale we are going to look into them! It really worked out nicely, I am going to be driving up to St. Louis on June 28th and then I will fly out of St. Louis to Vegas on July 9, and fly back into St. Louis on Monday July 13th; I will meet Steven in Las Vegas (he his flying from DFW). The girls are going to stay with my dad during our mini-vacation. Then a few days later I will drive back to Texas with the girls (hopefully with Megan and Amanda as well). I am really looking forward to this trip. Not only will we do the normal Vegas activities (eat and gamble) , I think we are also wanting to just relax a bit by the pool, maybe do a day spa, and possibly go on the Grand Canyon helicopter tour!

Ok, well I better get off this thing and get going on my day!