It's been far too long...

Oh my dear friends! I have left you wandering without me for far too long! It's time for a little update on the life of Claire Walker...are you ready??

1. I finished the semester and let me tell you, it wasn't as rough as I thought. Well, looking back on it, I can now safely say that. But during the last two weeks of school, I was a crying, grouchy mess!! Now I'm just waiting for my professors to post my finals grades...I've only got two in so far, both are A-...but was there really any doubt? haha!!

2. I picked up a somewhat part time job working with my friend Phil at his Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Ann Arbor, so I've been spending the past few days making chocolate!! Truffles, Oreo's, pretzels, pecan clusters, cherry clusters, almond clusters, macadamia clusters, pecan clusters! You name it, I either made it or cupped it! (Cupping is a very technical terms which means "To place a chocolate in it's paper holder") I'm really liking it there, and am crossing my fingers that they'll keep me on after the holiday choco-craze is over!

3. I cornered my brother tonight and made him tell what he'll be doing as a Field Artillary Officer. Needless to say, I'm scared for him, but I'm also really proud of him. He's a strong man who makes solid, smart decisions. I have no doubt that he will rise above and beyond the call of duty and lead his men in a way that will benefit them and their mission. I want to say this about him too...I think that it takes someone very strong in all aspects of the body (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc) to want to go into battle. I'm proud to say that my brother is that strong of a person. He is serious in his endeavors and because of how committed he is to it, he does so well and receives the highests marks in everything. He will be an amazing Lieutenant. I am VERY proud to be his sister! Oh, and when he is deployed, you'd better write to him and send him goodies whether you are a great baker (Meredith) or an...inexperienced one (Lindsey!! lol)...or I'm going to personally come over and kick your butt! :)

4. I am broke as a joke still, and it's really not too funny! lol...but, I've managed to piece together some pretty good Christmas gifts! For Luke, I got...PSYCH!! Yeah right! I'm not gonna put that up here! You'll have to wait until AFTER Christmas!

5. I student teach in January!! WOO HOO!! I'm terrified, and nervous, and excited, and scared, and exhilirated, and happy! I'll be teaching regular and advanced Language Arts in a seventh grade classroom!

6. I just counted 25 exclamation points...so I think that I have a little pent up excitement over everything, lol...and on that note, I'll just say:

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Write an essay...or write a blog?? Hmmm...

So, I fell of the porch on Thursday. I was trying to get past my dad and our Christmas tree to hold the door open for him, and I biffed it. But that was Thursday and today is Monday and my foot still hurts and is super swollen. So I went to the campus doctor. She took x-rays and commented on how swollen it was.

I secretly wanted a cast and a walking boot. How sweet would that be? I mean, it's not like I'm in this miserable immense pain, but if I could just not bend or move my foot for awhile, it would be so much better! So I thought that a cast wasn't really out of the question. Okay, I have to be honest, I was getting really ramped up and excited at the thought of it. People could sign it! I could get a sweet color! I'd get to wear a walking boot! It's not as wimpy as a broken arm. Casts on feet are kinda cool! I mean, minus the whole immense and miserable pain thing, but I don't have it that bad! It just hurts when I walk and anytime I move my big toe and when I'm perfectly still there's this constant dull throb...

But the x-rays came back and the doctor whipped into the exam room where I was waiting and said with a smile, "Well there's no fracture or broken bones so that's good! Looks like a very deep bruise or a sprain." So instead of a cast, I have to wrap it up in an Ace bandage, take IbProfen or Motrin, ice it all day, and try not to walk on it too much...In 3 weeks or so it should be better.

Blah. I'd prefer the cast.

A Thanksgiving Day Miracle!

Well, it's been a REALLY long time since I've posted anything, but I am blaming that on my lack of time due to a hectic school schedule! In fact I should be catching up in my online class, but I just wrote my research paper so I'm taking a break! (Hey, that makes me think of that Mitch Hedberg skit where he says,
"I wanna work someplace where you name things. What does that thing do?"
"It blends things."
"hmmm...I'm going to call that...a blender! I'm taking a break!")

Anyways...so somehow, in the past week I've lost 4 pounds!! What happened to that Thanksgiving food?!?! So now I'm feeling pretty good about myself...trying to keep this up...but speaking of lost weight and Thanksgiving day food, I'm so hungry!! haha!! Looks like I may make a trip to the salad bar...which is probably a good time for me to plug the most amazing place I've discovered on Eastern's campus...

It's called The Marketplace Bistro and for $4.95 you can get a large salad with WHATEVER YOU WANT ON IT!! I Iget lettuce or spring mix for my base, and the for toppings I get garbanzo beans, spinach, pine nuts, cucumbers, red & green chopped pepper mix, corn & black bean relish, shredded parmesan cheese, carrots, Italian dressing, chopped egg...and I think that's it...it's so good!! And then sometimes I treat myself and for $2 extra I get a side of roasted red pepper hummus and amazing pita chips!

Okay, my random ramblings are over. Thanks for putting up with it.